Blog Tour & Guest Post: To Tempt the Wolf (Heart of the Wolf, #2) by Terry Spear

First, I must apologize to author Terry Spear because I was to have this up yesterday and time ran away from me! But it is my pleasure to bring to you her wonderful guest post, which is an honor to have up to welcome her to Morbid Romantic. I have yet to read To Tempt the Wolf, but I have a copy of it won from another blog that I look forward to reading when time allows. So, without further ado:

The Human Side of Wolves, er, Werewolves!

Thanks for inviting me to share my werewolf world at Morbid Romantic where I wish to dispel the myth that werewolves are the bad guys! Well, some are, but some really are not--think sexy, naked humans, who are very comfortable in their skin, human and wolf alike. :) In my latest book, To Tempt the Wolf, Tessa Anderson has a mission: rescue her brother from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Hunter Greymere has a mission too: well, he was supposed to be rescuing his sister, but a little accident happens and now he’s lying on an Oregon beach right before a winter storm rolls in. The same beach that Tessa goes to find firewood before the storm hits. What do they have in common? Wolves. He’s one, and she’s obsessed with them, photographing them whenever she gets a chance. But other wolves are obsessed with her right back. Welcome to my world of wolves--werewolves that is. But when they’re in their wolf form, they’re just like wolves, except they have human sensibilities. And what does this mean? No matter what they’d like to do as wolves...their humanity steps in. On the other hand, their wolf instincts stay with them whether as man or wolf. Not only that, they have their “werewolf” side to consider--no matter what, they can’t be exposed for what they are. So three sides really. :) That makes for a lot of man! And woman! I was reading another author’s blog on how she wrote about horses in her story, but didn’t really know much about them. So I’ll make a confession also. I’ve never once met a werewolf. But I’m sure if I did, I’d find him just like the heroes in my stories. At least I hope I would. I wouldn’t want to run into the nastier werewolf characters in my stories for sure. “But wait!” you say. “You write that your werewolves are like real wolves. Do you know any personally?” Okay, no, I admit I’ve watched video tapes of them, both in social settings and...ahem, settings that should not have been caught on tape--a little privacy folks. But it did give me an idea for Seduced by the Wolf that I used to good purpose. I’ve also listened to numerous tapes on howling--forget music as a backdrop for story writing. And I’ve studied numerous photos on their behavior. Plus, I’ve read a lot about them from wolf biologists’ points of view. And yes, I’ve seen them in zoos before. But those aren’t the kind of wolves I’m creating in my stories. Although no, I haven’t sat and played with their pups or gotten to know a real wild wolf. Urban fantasy is fun to create. I’m not writing about Dances with Wolves here, where the wolves are real, but werewolves who appear to be real wolves. :) Plus, I raised tons of dogs, and they still exhibit some of the wolf behavior. When my standard poodles would play with each other, they would snarl, and bite, and growl, just like when we would play tug of war with our Labrador retriever. And when we played chase with our Afghan hound, she was terrifying!!! They’re from Afghanistan and are bred for speed and hunting agility. One nip in the back, and after that, she’d have us pinned to the ground. In every instance, they were playing, just as wolves do. But it’s a way for them to show who’s boss also in the pack. And chasing and taking each other down? It’s a way to keep their hunting skills in good working order. I love dogs. I love wolves. And I LOVE werewolves. The perfect, sexy beasts are great protective guys to have around year round! So what do you think? If you had a chance to go on a wilderness trip with a guy who really knew how to take care of a girl, would you consider a werewolf hunk as your guide? Companion? ...and More??? Hope you check out just how hunky werewolves can be, and shatter that myth that they’re just scary old monstrous beasts. Thanks for dropping by, and again, thanks to Valorie for having me! :) Terry Spear “Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”

To Tempt the Wolf--In Stores September 1

In this third in the series, wildlife photographer Tessa Anderson must prove her brother innocent of murder charges. But when she discovers a gorgeous naked man barely alive on her beach, she's got a new world of troubles to deal with, not least of which is how he affects her with just a look, a touch, or a whispered word. Hunter Greymore is a lupus garou, a grey werewolf. Hoping to keep a low profile at Tessa's cabin on the coast, he's drawn into her life--and into her bed. His animal instincts war with his human half, but in the end, the only thing he can do about this fascinating, adorable woman is to leave her forever --unless she becomes one of them. 

About the Author 

A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, award-winning author Terry Spear has an MBA from Monmouth College. An eclectic writer, she dabbles in the paranormal as well as writing historical and true life stories for both teen and adult audiences. Spear lives in Crawford, Texas. Her 2008 Sourcebooks Casablanca release, Heart of the Wolf was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. Destiny of the Wolf and To Tempt the Wolf are in stores now, and more are on the way: The Legend of the White Wolf (February 2010) and Seduction of the Wolf (August 2010). For more information please visit Terry at the following places: 

http://www.terryspear.com 

http://twitter.com/TerrySpear 

http://www.facebook.com/terry.spear 

http://www.myspace.com/terryspear 

http://www.terry-spear.blogspot.com 

http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com

http://www.wickedlyromantic.blogspot.com 

http://shapeshifterromance.wordpress.com

Book Review: Born Losers by Scott A. Sandage

Title: Born Losers: A History of Failure in America 

Author: Scott A. Sandage 

Genre: Nonfiction - History 

Finished: September 14, 2009

In Born Losers: A History of Failure in America, author Scott A. Sandage points out that the nineteenth century, despite being an age of capitalism, industrialization, and promise, was also an age of great economic hardship and loss for men and women who together created a culture of failure that personally and morally defined them. Society and the government held people individually accountable for failure despite circumstance, and relief was hard to come by because the government did not have the systems in place to manage it. When failure occurred, it was “a reason, in the man.” The prevailing idea that “no one fails who ought not fail” identified men to such a point that failure was a matter of personal worth, morality, and virtue. That only a man himself could be blamed for failure no matter the cause created a multitude of dynamics: drive vs. risk, innovation vs. safety, and failure vs. the possibility of any future success. Once failure was stuck to you and became a part of your identity, it was a hard label to shake. Especially with the birth of Tappan’s very first credit report agency that sent out personal information to aid in assessing the possible risk and success of others. Sandage’s greatest strength lies in his usage of primary source documents and the many stories and examples they provide his book. They, large in number, not only give creditability to the story, but they raise interest so that the book is enjoyable to read. It is an illuminating and fun look at something that is normally depressing in nature--failure and stigma placed on personal identity. It is obvious by the number of sources used and documented that Sandage has put a great deal of research into the book. In the sense that it is well researched and documented, it is a reputable piece of scholarship for something paid little attention to. Sandage also suitably links the identity of failure to today by tracing how ideas and perceptions formed into what modern people think and feel. There is a clear connection between past and present, which gives the book modern day relevancy. I would have liked, though, a section to provide a less narrow focus. Perhaps not for the whole book, because the subject itself makes it necessary to focus on specifics, but a chapter to help place failure within the larger scheme of things. While Sandage provides a great number of failure stories, his success stories are few and far between such that it is hard to get a grasp of whether failure was as prevalent and powerful as made to seem suggested by primary source evidence and first hand accounts. It is impossible to tell from the book if failure, while still being a serious issue of self identity and crisis, was a small percentage as compared to relative successes. The evidence given begs the question: would the government have acted faster to aid those in need if failure was truly so prevalent? The answer is: I don’t know. Nevertheless, the question and answer could have been addressed to further illuminate the culture of failure and its political ramifications. It would have also helped to frame the larger scope of American life and identity to pay more attention to the successes and contributions of women, the poor, and laborers. While not as numerous or as devastating as riches to rags middle class male business failure/success stories, as culture defined these things, it would still serve to paint a more complete image of the situation experienced by all of America, not just business men. This would also include black men and a more in depth look at how failure and success came to define them during the Antebellum and Reconstruction years. Sandage does not try to define, “what is failure?” That is not the point of the book or his reasons for writing it. The book is about how failure was perceived and how it came to define people and their worth. Failure is simply what it is: a lack of success. Born Losers was written to tell the other side of America in an age of trumped success and unlimited possibility. Sandage is not only a great historian, but an excellent storyteller. There is no droning of dry, fact-by fact history here. Sandage paints a picture that reads as easily and fun as a novel, even more entertaining because he is speaking of something real and relevant. There is a lot of humor in the story, but none done out of disrespect. The book, while funny and fun, stays respectful to the people involved. You will definitely feel like you got something out of this book by the time you put it down, whether it be from the vast knowledge or the pure entertainment value. We all love to laugh at tragedy, after all, especially when it is not our own.

Blog Tour & Guest Post: C.L. Talmadge (The Green Stone of Healing Series)

It is my pleasure to welcome C.L. Talmadge to Morbid Romantic, who is here to give us a lovely guest post about love. She is here promoting her Green Stone of Healing series, of which book four Outcast is to be released in October. And yes, there is even a giveaway at the end!

About The Green Stone of Healing Series

The series features four generations of strong-willed female characters who inherit a mysterious green gem ultimately revealed to mend broken bones and broken hearts, protect against missiles, and render its wearers undetectable. For more information about each book, please visit http://www.greenstoneofhealing.com/.

Love and healing by C.L. Talmadge

During a romance, life often seems brighter, happier, packed with promise and possibilities. The rush of romance is compelling and exhilarating. It’s also so tantalizing that we always crave more of it. We want every day to be full of the excitement and allure of romance. Why not? Romance is based, at least in part, on love (as well as on lust and self-illusion), and love is healing. Not just in an abstract or conceptual sense, but in a most literal manner. Love is the ultimate healing force in the entire cosmos. So what is love? All of us feel and perceive love in a unique way. Frequently, the hidden issue between romantic partners is their different understanding of what love is and how love feels to give and to receive. Each side loves the other to the best of that person’s ability. Even so, each side also cannot give to the other the kind of love that the other person can recognize and accept as love. The tragic result? Each side in the relationship does not truly feel loved. Eventually, romance dies. It might help a great deal, then, to define love. Since love is healing, defining and exploring the nature of love is one of the major themes of the Green Stone of Healing® speculative epic. At its most basic, love is unconditional. This means no judgments, no standards, no hooks, no exceptions, no expectations, no ifs, ands, or buts. Just love. Other words for unconditional love are grace and agape, which definitely have spiritual/religious connotations. Because it has no limits, unconditional love is the most powerful essence in a universe that is based on vibration. Everything that exists in our universe vibrates at some level. Unconditional love just happens to be the ultimate vibration -- the highest, finest, fastest, lightest vibration possible at any given instant. Other words for this unconditional love-vibration are God, Yaweh, the Great Spirit, Allah, Universal Mind, etc. More spiritual/religious implications. Unconditional love heals by raising the lowered vibration rates of anyone who comes in contact with it. This ineffable, illusive healing experience has been described by saints and mystics, yogis and rabbis for millennia and regarded as something reserved only for the fortunate (or crazy) few. That’s not true. The healing power of unconditional love is freely available to all of us, provided we know to ask, know where to look for it, and how to welcome it within ourselves. Since unconditional love is not tangible, we cannot hold it in our hands like we do a lover. Instead, we hold and feel unconditional love in our hearts, with the help of our souls. Most of us, however, cannot manage this consistently, even though we yearn to feel loved unconditionally. Instead, we and our world suffer from a severe shortage of unconditional love. Such is certainly the case for Helen Andros, first-generation heroine of the Green Stone of Healing® series, and the culture of cruelty in Azgard, the island nation where she lives. Helen is deeply wounded emotionally and spiritually, and has almost no sense of self-worth. She longs to feel unconditional love, yet when she does so, she cannot claim it for very long. Same goes for the society around her. It is brutal and repressive because the majority of its members regard love as a weakness instead of recognizing that love is the ultimate strength. Helen and her descendents go all of their lives searching for unconditional love and suffering from doing with out it. Where they could find it and how they could claim it for keeps is explored in depth throughout the series. C.L. Talmadge is the author of the Green Stone of Healing speculative epic. The fourth in the series, Outcast, will be published Oct. 1. Vote for the first book, The Vision, through Sept. 25 and get a free e-book on healing, love, and spirituality. Details at her blog: www.healingstonebooks.com/stonescribe.

Participating Sites:

September 1: For the Love of all that is Written 

September 2: A.F. Stewart 

September 3: Wendi Zwaduk 

September 4: Laurie J. Edwards 

September 5: Deborah Panger 

September 6: Lily Stone Books 

September 7: Space Snark 

September 8: MORBID ROMANTIC

September 10: Fang-tastic Books 

September 11: Amber Scott 

September 18: Inspiration Ink 

September 19: Marianne Arkins

Blog Tour & Author Interview: The Treasures of Venice by Loucinda McGary

I would like to thank Loucinda McGary for stopping here at Morbid Romantic as part of her blog tour for The Treasures of Venice. The Treasures of Venice is a book that I am looking forward to purchasing because, let's face it, the Renaissance is just beautiful. And a Renaissance scene set in Venice, the most beautiful of all. So, welcome Loucinda McGary!

An Up-Close and Personal Interview with Loucinda McGary

Thank you for inviting me to be a guest here on Morbid Romantic. My second romantic suspense novel published by Sourcebooks Casablanca was ‘officially’ released this week, though it has been popping up on store shelves since the last week of August. I’m excited to be promoting The Treasures of Venice, because not only does it make me a multi-published author (that phrase has such a lovely ring to it!), but it is also the first romantic suspense I wrote and is truly the book of my heart.

The Treasures of Venice is unique in the romantic suspense sub-genre because it has a few paranormal elements, and features a dual storyline set in both modern day and Renaissance Venice. Here’s a blurb describing the story: When American librarian Samantha Lewis and Irish rogue Keirnan Fitzgerald set off to find priceless jewels, they become embroiled in a 500-year-old love story that eerily prefigures their own... In 15th century Venice, beautiful and wealthy Serafina falls in love with Nino, a young Florentine sculptor. They decide to flee to Padua, and to fund the trip, Nino copies a set of jewels that then disappear. In modern-day Venice, Keirnan needs Samantha's help to locate the jewels so he can pay his sister's ransom. Samantha must decide whether the man she's so drawn to is her soul mate from a previous life...or are they merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure?

Now that you know a wee bit about my book, I thought I’d answer some personal questions. I’ve heard from both reliable and dubious sources that readers like to ‘get to know the real author.’ So I asked my intrepid critique partner Cathy D. to send me some questions she thought readers might like to have answered. So here are my answers warts and all!

Q: When you are reading for pleasure, what is the one thing that will make you put down the book and quit reading?

A: Glaring mistakes that pull me out of the story. Two examples that spring to mind were both in recent novels written by well-known authors. The first was actually in a book set in Venice and the heroine was running around for hours during Carnevale wearing nothing but a bedsheet -- no shoes, no undies, nuttin’ honey! Well, I’ve been in Venice just a few days after Carnevale (that’s why The Treasures of Venice is set at the same time of year) and trust me, she would have had hypothermia after about thirty minutes. The second story had the hero taking his motorcycle for a long drive west of Los Angeles. I’m a native Californian, so I fell on the floor laughing, but you only have to look at a map to see that the only thing a long way due west of LA is the Pacific Ocean!

Q: When you were in Ireland and Venice, did you know you would be setting novels in those places?

A: Afraid not. I visited long before I started seriously writing for publication. But both places left lasting impressions on me, and I always take photos and keep extensive travel journals on my trips. Pulling those things out stimulated my memories and made me recall the sights, sounds, smells, and other things I experienced. I also bought guide books and maps before I started writing to be sure I had my facts straight. No long drives into the Adriatic or the Irish Sea!

Q: How do you pick names for your characters? Are they family names for the Irish heroes?

A: Most of my main characters pop into my mind with their complete names -- first, middle, and last -- intact. Though I will say that my hero Keirnan’s nickname, Sionnach came about when I was looking up some Irish Gaelic phrases. I came across the Irish word for “fox” and thought it the perfect moniker for my clever hero. I purposely try not to use family names for my Irish characters. Wouldn’t want to insult any relatives (any more than I usually do), or give them an over-inflated ego! While researching online, I ran across a great website that lists the most common Irish surnames (from 100 year old census records) broken down by county. I use these largely for secondary characters, since as I’ve said, my main characters appear with their names.

Interestingly enough, when Keirnan Fitzgerald popped into my imagination, I knew he was from County Kildare, where they breed many Irish thoroughbreds, and that his father was a horse trainer. Later, when I looked at the most common names from County Kildare, Fitzgerald was on the list!

Trust your characters. They really do know best.

Q: Are you hurt when someone criticizes your books? How thick is your skin?

A: Even after years of rejections, I’m afraid my skin is still not quite thick enough. Negative reviews do get to me, and no matter how many wonderful, glowing reviews I get, it is the negative ones I remember most. Go figure! A: I know not everyone likes the same things, and I really don’t mind when a reader or reviewer says something like, “this story just didn’t appeal to me.” But it is another thing when they attack the genre (if you know you don’t like something, don’t read it!!), or they totally miss what I was trying to achieve with the plot or characters. A: Usually, after I read a really negative review, I’ll pour myself a tall, cool drink and hurl a few choice Irish curses as I quench my thirst. :-) All right, I’m afraid I may have revealed entirely too much of the real me! Do you have any other questions about my writing process? My books? Where I came up with such cool Irish curses? Ask away!

About the Author

Loucinda McGary took early retirement from her managerial career to pursue her twin passions of travel and writing, and sets her novels of romantic suspense in the fascinating places she has visited. She was a finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest in Romantic Suspense. She lives in Sacramento, CA. For more information, please visit http://loucindamcgary.com/.

Guest Post: Judith James (Highland Rebel)

I would like to welcome Judith James to Morbid Romantic. I was fortunate enough to get to review Highland Rebel, so it is a double pleasure for me to get to have Judith James, author herself, guest blog here. Welcome!

Judith James Guest Blog, author of Highland Rebel Morbid Romantic; September 4, 2009 Fact, Fiction and Stereotype

The Encarta dictionary describes stereotype as an “oversimplified conception or standardized image of a person or group” Obviously stereotypes have some basis in fact. The key word is oversimplified. Stereotypes take complex phenomena and simplify them so they are easily communicated and understood, but in the process they loose the tremendous diversity and complexity that lie at the heart of what they describe. One thing research has taught me is not to mistake historical stereotype as fact. Many common stereotypes we hold about the past are mistaken for absolute historical truths, to the point that things that actually happened are sometimes challenged as anachronistic; modern day habits, customs and mores applied to older times. Many of them revolve around women’s roles, social life, and patterns of speech. Here are just a few I came across researching Broken Wing and Highland Rebel. Aristocrats never took to piracy they say? A little research on the Huguenot expulsions from France and the history of the buccaneers might just surprise them. Female upper class pirates historically inaccurate? A modern fantasy imprinted on older times? What about Grania, the Irish chieftain who stood toe to toe with Elizabeth in the 16th century? It’s said that Elizabeth gave her a handkerchief and enjoyed her immensely, even though, to the horror of the gathered courtiers, she blew her nose in it. What about Lady Mary Killigrew of Cornwall, the female pirate and lady in waiting who got herself into hot water with Elizabeth when she oops...got greedy and took an allied vessel and Elizabeth could no longer look the other way? She was a bloodthirsty woman who had a nasty habit of putting the crews she captured to death until her husband was ordered to lock her up. And then there’s the language. It makes some people cringe to see the F#@% word used in historical fiction. Well they may object on moral grounds, but they certainly aren’t on firm footing on historical ones. If the word upsets them they wouldn’t want to read any of the works of the 17th century court poet Rochester or those of his merry band of f#@#sters, or the ode a young Horace Walpole wrote to the Earl of Lincoln. Seventeenth century gentlemen also used slang, much of which is not repeatable here, and contractions such as won’t, don’t, can’t, ben’t, shan’t, etc., were all in common use at that time. A quick read through Sam Pepys diaries or most any Restoration era play will convince you if you believe it an’t so. These are just a few examples of some common stereotypes I found to be less fact based than I originally thought. There are enough about women and their roles to merit a blog on their own and I will be talking about that at a later date, but for now I guess it won’t surprise you if I tell you that my stories aren’t full of well bred lords and proper ladies in lovely gowns, though of course there is some of that. I am always more interested in characters that challenge the stereotypes of their time and gender. My characters curse and swear, they fight and kill, and though they all have their own sense of honour they tend to be rebellious, and question and challenge the rules of the society in which they live. They also deal with moral issues and moral ambiguity, and they insist on living life on their own terms, something some people have been doing all through history. These are the people I find most interesting from a story telling perspective, and it’s particularly true of Catherine and Jamie in Highland Rebel. It’s something that draws them together from the beginning and forms the basis of a friendship that leads to many adventures and makes them question everything they were taught to believe. I’d like to thank the Morbid Romantic for inviting me today. What a great name! And I’d like to thank everyone who stopped by. All comments are welcome and I’m delighted to answer any questions you might have, but I also like to end with one of my own. I remember a book by Bettina Krahn called Caught in the Act that made me pick up a book of poetry by Ovid when the hero read it to her in Latin and her toes curled, and more recently Lisa Marie Wilkinson’s exciting Fire at Midnight made me look up The Great Storm of 1703. Has anything like that ever happened to you?

Highland Rebel by Judith James, in stores September 1, 2009!  

Amidst the upheaval of Cromwell's Britain, Jamie Sinclair's wit and military prowess have served him well. Leading a troop in Scotland, he impetuously marries a captured maiden, saving her from a grim fate. A Highlands heiress to title and fortune, Catherine Drummond is not the woman Jamie believes her to be. When her people effect her rescue, and he cannot annul the marriage, Jamie goes to recapture his hellcat of a new wife... In a world where family and creed cannot be trusted, where faith fuels intolerance and war, Catherine and Jamie test the bounds of loyalty, friendship, and trust... 

About the Author 

Judith James has worked as a legal assistant, trail guide, and counselor. Living in Nova Scotia, her personal journey has taken her to the Arctic and the West Coast. Her writing combines her love of history and adventure with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature and the heart's capacity to heal. For more information about Judith, please visit http://www.judithjamesauthor.com/.

Book Review: Highland Rebel by Judith James

Title: Highland Rebel

Author: Judith James

Genre: Fiction - Historical Romance

Finished: August 31, 2009

In Judith James’ Highland Rebel Jamie Sinclair is a solider, a master of disguise, a little bit of a rogue, and almost penniless. Nevertheless, the ladies love him and he has a promising future with a woman waiting for him back home in England who has money. His hopes of a well off and comfortable future are dashed in the heat of battle when he meets and marries a young Scottish girl-- Catherine Drummond. Jamie does not know it at the time, but she is rich... very rich. Jamie’s intention for marrying her is to save her from the evil thoughts and hands of his bored, blood thirsty soldiers. Catherine soon pays him back for his ‘kindness’ by nursing him back to health when he is all but beaten to death trying to get her back once she inevitably runs from the marriage. Beaten over the head and sent back to England in disgrace, Jamie is left penniless again and falls out of favor with the King for snubbing his former soon-to-be wife for a Scottish rebel girl. Catherine, however, finds that she quite likes being married without the burden of having a husband around. Years pass, but circumstance takes Catherine to England to meet the King and hopefully begin to sell her people’s whiskey to the court for a profit. When she sees Jamie again, they come to an understanding that they will pretend to be married for a while before splitting amicably. Catherine promises Jamie that she will pay him handsomely for playing his role. Problem is, they soon begin to develop a powerful attraction toward one another. It is hard for Catherine to endure Jamie playing his charms on other women and not her, and Jamie feels increasingly possessive of the beautiful and charming Catherine. Because the two of them knock heads relentlessly, they convince themselves that they should not pursue one another, which only causes more confusion and anxiety. And, of course, more attraction.

If you do not like the typical “gasp and passion” romances that populate bookstores, Highland Rebel is a book that you will like. The characters are well relayed and have depth, each with their own personality and motivating forces. The romance itself is slow moving and complex, so there is a realistic and often times wonderfully frustrating progression from disdain to friendship and ultimately to love. Jamie and Cat do not fall all over each other, so the plot is not cliche as so much romance fiction is. Judith James knows her history and it shows in the elegant way she presents the English Royal Court of James, as well as the harsher but beautiful Scottish Highlands of Catherine’s heritage. My area of history, as anyone knows, is Rome, so I fully enjoyed what I was able to learn from Highland Rebel. Subtle beneath the passion and romance is a variety of great, valuable historical information. I was absolutely delighted by the matter of fact way James presents her world such that we absorb without feeling inundated by details and facts. Highland Rebel is also very well written and I like how it plays out the way that Jamie and Catherine slowly come together. I dislike the brand of romance that has the heroine in the arms of the man as soon as they meet. The best female counterparts are strong willed and resistant. The greater the conflict, the greater the reward at the end when all differences are mended and the couple finally comes to accept the feelings they have. Jamie seems to be worth it, though, because he is the right kind of rogue-- rough, smart, and misunderstood. And Catherine defies the expectations placed on women to achieve independence as much as any woman can. I can’t say that I blame her. Naturally, this makes her the perfect fit for the unconventional Jamie. Too bad they didn’t see it earlier! You will quite like Jamie at the end, rogue though he is. You come to understand why he is the way he is due to his own father and upbringing. Cat, too, comes across as a bit cold. However, once her character comes out, you really learn to respect her for her boldness, her wit, and her strength. She is a take charge kind of girl, but not kick butt; Cat is weak and flawed in her own way, which makes her more of an engaging and believable character. There are some definite character changes that occur toward the end, as the two of them change each other enough to allow love to take hold and come to fruition.

Highland Rebel is a truly entertaining story, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes heated, sometimes absolutely frustrating. A page turner, for sure.

Blog Tour & Author Interview: Dark Hunger (Demonborn, #2) by Rita Herron

About Rita Herron

Rita Herron is an award-winning author of more than 30 romantic suspense novels for Harlequin and Dorchester. In 2007 alone, she was nominated for two Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards, including a Career Achievement Award. Five fun facts about Rita Herron: 1. I set Dark Hunger in three of my favorite cites, Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans because they’re all haunted and possess an eerie atmosphere -- perfect places for the Death Angel. The B & B with the outdoor garden where Annabelle stays in Savannah is fashioned after a B & B where my husband and I stayed. And Shayla Larue is modeled after a voodoo priestess I met at the RWA conference in New Orleans. 2. Emily Nelson, the social worker in the book, is named after my daughter who’s a dedicated social worker in real life. 3. The idea of the Death Angel taking a vulture’s form came from a brainstorming session with two author friends at a writer’s retreat near Charleston. I’d been flirting with other forms but, when the vulture idea came up, I knew it was perfect--creepy and symbolic of bad luck, evil and death. 4. Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds inspired me as I was writing Dark Hunger. I also envisioned David Gray’s song “One With the Birds” as the soundtrack for the movie. 5. When I was a child, I knew a preacher who inspired me to create Reverend Narius. He was a hellfire and damnation type who yelled and stalked up and down the aisles during his sermon. It was as if he was singling you out to let you know you were going to hell. I was terrified of him! For more information about Rita Herron, visit her official webpage.

About Dark Hunger

Reporter Annabelle Armstrong will go to any lengths to deliver a story, even track down Quinton Valtrez, a man she believes is a coldhearted assassin. Yet the truth about the darkly sensual Quinton is even more shocking...and the overwhelming desire he ignites is one she vows to resist. Quinton has fought his demonic powers since he was a child. Now using his gifts for the good of national security, he can't let himself be distracted by the beautiful, determined Annabelle. But his need for her is sudden, fierce--and could soon cost Annabelle her life. For a wicked enemy is out for vengeance, a demon who wants to draw Quinton into a life of pure evil and is willing to use Annabelle as bait. To save her, Quinton must achieve the near impossible: tame the sinister force that is both his inheritance and his curse before it claims him forever. 

Enjoy the book trailer:

   

For more information, visit The Demonborn website. Watch out for my review next!

Interview With Rita Herron

Q: What do you think draws readers to the paranormal? What is the appeal?

A: I think readers are drawn to the paranormal because it presents a mystery and delves into the unknown. How many of us haven’t wondered if there is more to life than our life on earth? If there is truth to reincarnation? If ghosts exist? If there are extra terrestrial creatures out in space?

Also, the dark sexy vampire represents the alpha male to the upteenth degree. He’s sexy, mysterious, tortured, and exudes masculinity and sexual prowess. 

The paranormal also offers new, different and creative story lines. Even if we don’t believe in fairies, vampires, werewolves, witches, etc., it’s just plain fun to visit a world of make-believe where virtually anything is possible. 

Q: Why do you choose to write your characters the way they are rather than make them average every day people?

A: Hmm, this sounds like a trick question. I do write some every day normal people, LOL. In fact, I chose to plant my demon characters into the real world because I think it’s actually more frightening to think that these evil creatures might exist among real people in a real town.

That said, I’m writing fiction, so writing “larger than life”, unique characters is much more interesting to write -- and read -- about than the average person. After all, most of us lead fairly normal, lives, and on a daily basis, fairly boring lives. That’s not bad, it’s just not the stuff that holds the reader’s attention! A: For fiction, we want drama, action, comedy, stories to make us escape, to entertain and take us out of our real world, stories to make us think: what if I was in that situation? What would I do? 

Q: What do you do to prepare to write? What is the process that gets you ready to sit down a lay out a story? 

A: Physically writing and laying out a story are two different processes for me, just as revising and editing are. To physically sit down and write, I set daily goals (page count) and try to stick to it. But at that point, I have a synopsis and an idea where my story is going. In the beginning, I write slower because I’m setting things up, working out plot points, getting to know my characters. Midway, I seem to hit my stride and write much faster because I’m mentally into the story, seeing the scenes in my head, and can’t wait to get to the end. 

As far as laying out the story, that’s a different tune. I spend a lot of time “thinking” about the story ahead of time, letting the plot percolate, asking myself “what ifs”, making notes on characters, scenes, twists and turns, suspects, and doing some research (although I’m not a research junkie. I research on a need to know basis.) I also have to spend time thinking about the setting, what place will most enhance and help drive the plot and add to the story. I’m not exactly organized, but have a yellow legal pad (I love the sight of a new blank pad of paper!). On the pad, I make notes, draw lines to indicate plot points, etc. 

I really love this creative part of writing -- there are so many possibilities, it’s like working a puzzle to see how to fit the pieces together. 

Q: How much of yourself do you put in your characters? Are they extensions of you, or are they independent creations that take on a life of their own after coming from your imagination?

A: Most of my characters are composites -- not in looks necessarily, but I do draw character traits, mannerisms, speech patterns, values, strengths, flaws, likes and dislikes, job choices, etc. from various people I’ve met or known. As far as putting myself into the character, sometimes certain characters reflect my values or views on life, even represent questions and issues that I might have. Mostly though, the characters are born from my imagination, and I actually have fun getting into their heads. It’s interesting to stop and put yourself into the mind of someone who might not think like you. A: And with every main character I write, I try to put some “heart” into the character. That doesn’t mean that character can’t be evil; it just means I try to portray how he or she might actually think and feel. And even though the characters may not be your average Joe, I try to give them conflicts and problems which the reader or average person can relate to.

Q: What is the most valuable piece of knowledge that you’ve picked up after becoming a published author that you wish you knew from the start?

A: I wish I’d known how important marketing was to both selling a book to a publisher and to selling it in a bookstore. I came from an education background, and had to learn the business side of writing fast. Unfortunately it’s not always about the best book; sometimes marketing or lack of can make or break a deal or a book’s success. 

Then again, maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t know all this -- I might have given up! 

Q: What is one thing you’ve never done but would love to do?

A: I’ve never traveled extensively and would love to visit Sweden, Italy, Japan, Australia, Argentina...the list is endless. 

Q: Say your books were being made into a movie or TV show, who would you want to play them?

A: I’d love to see the Demonborn made into a series or movie. I picture Alex O’Loughlin (from Moonlighting) as one of the brothers. Other male actors who would be great in the roles: Clive Owen, Bailey Chase, Eric Bana, Brad Pitt, Dylan McDermont...

I also have imagined David Grey’s song “One With the Birds” playing during the opening scenes. 

Q: What have you always wanted to write about but have yet to? Any particular setting? Creature? Historical era?

A: Having grown up in the South, I’ve always wanted to write a southern women’s fiction novel, and have actually started one book already and have some other ideas. Maybe some day... 

Q: What would your ‘theme’ song be on the soundtrack of your life?

A: “I WILL SURVIVE!” 

Everyone has obstacles to overcome, and I had those in my personal life growing up and definitely in my career. So far, I’ve survived, and love the positive attitude that song exudes.

Q: Finally, could you share with all of us a quote that you love?

A: Hmm, this is not from a famous person but someone who is famous and special to me: my mother. She always said, “Can’t Never Did Anything.” 

That’s my favorite quote of all time and the motto I try to live by. So never say never or that you can’t do something. If you try, you’re a success.