Dawn's Reading Nook: Talking with author Shiloh Saddler and a Giveaway

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you have coming out?

The Virgin Madam is my debut romance. It is a F/F western set in Bitterroot Flats, California in 1879. It was released by Decadent Publishing on November 5^th. The erotic historical tells the story of Laura Rutherford, young brothel madam who secretly lusts after her working girls. She thinks she’ll never find love because of her urges and is destined to live as the virgin madam. That is until Joe Bascum walks into her life.

How would you describe yourself using only five words?

History buff, Romantic, Erotic, GLBT, and quirky

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Chocolate and Cheetos!

Coffee, tea or other drink to get you moving in the morning?

Coffee. I’m a coffee addict and would be very happy if they invent a caffeine IV drip in the future. I’m a Starbucks regular the coffee shop often serves as my writing office. My go-to drink is a white chocolate mocha with a shot of raspberry.

What makes your characters so vulnerable yet strong? Can you describe them to us? What do you do when characters stop talking to you when writing?

Josephine “Joe” Bascum has been going through most of her life dressed as a man. She knows how to take care of herself, handle men, and use a pistol. Yet, when she sheds her cowboy clothes the bravado disappears and she’s all woman with fears and needs.

Laura Rutherford has been raised in Bitterroot Flats, California a town run by outlaws. It takes strength just to live there, after her papa’s death she inherits his brothel and manages the books and the Fletcher Gang. She is battles her hatred for Ash, the man who murdered her papa, and and her fear for the four brutes who control her life.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?

I love books so most likely I’d be a librarian. I have a history degree, so I could be a museum curator, too.

What is the best trick to overcome writer's block?

I used to think the best trick to overcome writer’s block was just to walk away from the story for a while and recharge. Now that I’m surrounded with deadlines I can’t do that as often. I power through the blank page. A lot of my writer’s block is prompted by reluctance to write a scene and the only way to overcome it is just to get the first draft done. I know it will likely suck but that is what editing is for!

What is the next book you'll write?

I’m currently working on Lumberjack’s Daughter Girls and Guns book 2. It is the romance between a ranch woman and a lumberjack’s daughter in 1880 Nevada and takes place in the middle of a heated land dispute.

Do you have anything else coming out in 2013?

This year is a year of milestones for me. My first M/M historical romance will be released from Liquid Silver Books later this year. Set in 1800, Kojo is an African with a deep connection to the spirits—but those spirits choose not to save him from the slaving ship. He’s captured and taken aboard, where he meets Captain Mather. During the long journey to America, not even the spirits can save him from their growing attraction.

The Virgin Madam by Shiloh Saddler

Girls 'n Guns Series

Decadent Publishing

Available at Amazon UK / Amazon US / ARe / Publisher

After a vicious outlaw murders her father, Laura Rutherford sees no future beyond running the family brothel and kowtowing to the local gang. Not even marriage offers escape. No man can compete with the beautiful women who dance the can-can for her each night...at least not until a gentle stranger sweeps in and opens her eyes to desires too long denied.

Joe Bascum stumbles into Bitterroot Flats looking for a place to hide from a gunman out for blood. When the innocent Madame from the local brothel offers a bed and bath, Joe accepts hoping to show the buttoned-up beauty just how right forbidden desire can feel.

When danger escalates, can Laura help Joe defeat the famous Fletcher gang, or is she destined to live a lonely life as the virgin madam?

Excerpt:

“Why are you dressed as a man?”

Josephine let out a deep sigh. “That is a long story. The short answer is I’m safer as a man, and society frowns on a woman riding horses astride and handling a gun.”

“I see.” And now I knew why I was attracted to this stranger—she was a beautiful woman with blue eyes I could easily lose myself in.

I looked at the sudsy water in the tub, hiding the lower half of her body. It had been a long time since I had taken a bath. Papa let the working ladies bathe before me. They brought in money; I didn’t.

“You may share the bath with me,” Josephine said, “water being scarce and all.” She spoke casually as if it was a commonplace occurrence.

I adverted my gaze immediately. I’m not sure why. Fire spread across my skin from my cheeks to my ears to my neck. Suddenly seeing Josephine naked as the day she was born seemed wrong. I had seen plenty of naked girls growing up in the brothel. I had seen even more since I took over running the place. But Josephine wasn’t just another naked girl; I wanted her, which made her proposition dangerous. I was afraid my sinful lust would show. Sharing a bath with this beautiful woman might be too much temptation.

Josephine smiled playfully and beckoned me over with a finger. “Nothing improper,” she said, “unless you want.”

I gulped air. How far would improper go? A teasing touch or something more?

I had seen the working girls bathe together on numerous occasions—it saved on water. And Papa had taken the cost of water out of their pay. If Josephine was willing to share the bath she had bought with me, why should I argue?

I nervously approached the tub, stepping closer to the gorgeous naked girl. Her skin, slick with water, shown gold in the amber glow of the kerosene lamp. A hot, steamy bath with Josephine made my heart palpitate. But first I had to undress.

Josephine watched me, anticipation in her eyes. Her teeth sank into her plump lip. “You better hurry up before the water turns cold,” she teased.

I nodded, words escaping me. My fingers turned clumsy. What was wrong with me? Why was I so uncomfortable with her watching me strip? We were both women after all.

I needed a place to sit in order to take off my boots. I searched the sparsely furnished room. There was the bed but it seemed a mile away.

Josephine patted the edge of the tub. “Sit here, dear.”

I sat stiffly, the small bit of porcelain barely covering half my bottom. How was I going to keep my balance when I raised my leg? Josephine put a warm, wet hand on my back, steadying me. I unlaced each boot and slid the shoes off my feet.

Josephine sat up straighter in the tub and reached along the curve of my leg, unclasping the stocking hinge. Her gentle touch sent tingles rippling to my core.

About the Author

Shiloh Saddler likes to do research for her steamy romances first hand. She has invented a time machine and travels back to the 19th century on a regular basis. There are experimental settings on her time machine which could propel her into the future and even other worlds. She believes love and a good book makes anything possible.

Social Media Links:

History in the Hot Lane Blog: http://shilohsaddler.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShilohSaddler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiloh.saddler?fref=ts

Giveaway:

Comment with your email addy and you could win a copy of The Virgin Madam. The winner will get a copy in any e-book format they wish. Can’t think of anything to say? I don’t mind if you just say hi. Good luck!