Discover Margie Church's One Night in Minneapolis and Enter the Giveaway

Get ready for a sexy tale from author Margie Church and make sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post for a chance to win a $15 Amazon/BN Gift Card. The tour is sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Now let's sit down with the author and see what is going on with them.

Dawn, it's such a pleasure to be back here. Thank you for squeezing me in! On to the questions!

How did you start writing erotic romances? It evolved from writing fan fiction. At first I was anxious about explicit love scenes but I learned quickly that purple prose is unacceptable for most publishers. I finally gave myself permission to just write what the characters were thinking and feeling. It's not me doing these things; it's them. Most readers think authors are writing about their personal lives and while some might, we have to remember it's fiction. FICTION. And please don't use my books for sex education. That's another thing that just cracks me up.

Plotter or pantster?  Plotter. Some parts of the story write themselves, and I've occasionally sat back and said, "I didn't see that coming." However, I always have the characters defined with their motivations and the story arc defined enough to know where those emotional triggers are going to be met or dashed. I hate huge revisions and if I just wing it, I'm bound to write myself into a corner.

What are three things you have on your writing desk? A Sure Thing by E.H. Ward, an agate from my husband, and an autographed 8x10 photo of sexy James Scott (EJ Dimera from Days of Our Lives).

Tell us a little about your new release. What character in the book really spoke to you? One Night in Minneapolis is part of Tirgearr Publishing's City Nights series. The premise is that characters meet in a city anywhere in the world and spend no more than 24 hours together. And there has to be plenty of very hot sex. LOL So, Vince Andersen has always regretted never having a chance to really get to know Skylar Landis. The book is written mostly in his point of view because of that.  Skylar asks him to plan the weekend and he does. It's his chance to either get over her or crash and burn. You'll have to read the story to learn which it is. And by the way, Skylar is a Marine Major but that doesn't mean she's made of titanium either.

Finish this sentence: I write because I was born to.

What is your favorite type of character to write about? I like writing dangerous, twisted criminal minds. My last name is Church. No one really believes my mind is that devious…but it is!

What is the sexiest scene you ever wrote? Gosh, I've written so many really hot scenes between two men, between a man and a woman, two women, threesomes, and kinky BDSM situations. Sheesh, that's a tough call. Maybe the most beautiful love scene I ever wrote was in The Poet's Wife between Lily and her ghostly husband, Gabe in their last encounter. There's no graphic sex in this book at all but this scene will bring you to tears. It's that touching. If you loved the movie, Ghost Story, The Poet's Wife is a must-read for you.

What is next on your writerly horizon? A collection of historical short stories that are somewhat biographical. I'm deliberately being evasive here because I don't want people to pressure me to finish. This isn't a romance, and I've never written anything that isn't set in modern times. I'm kind of a research slug that way. I've also thought that Vince and Skylar are a very interesting couple and I might write more with those two. We'll see!

I hope your readers have a question or two for me. One lucky person will win a $15 Amazon gift card for commenting or asking a question during this tour. Thanks again, Dawn, for hosting me. It's just like old times! I'll be back later!

GENRE:   contemporary erotic romance

Marine Major Skylar Landis doesn’t resemble the demure Catholic high school girl Vince Andersen once knew. They’d dated briefly until she patched things up with his nemesis, Ethan Standfeld. After school, she joined the Marines and they’d lost touch.

Their ten year class reunion in Minneapolis brings Skylar face-to-face with Vince, awakening her memories of the past. She asks him to plan a hot, no-strings-attached hook-up to sustain her sexual fantasies while her intelligence unit is deployed to the Middle East. As their adventure unfolds, and he gives her exactly what she needs, Skylar wonders whether she can forget the man who put her desires first and asked for nothing in return.

Excerpt:

“When are you being deployed?”

“A week from Thursday. I’ll spend the week with my parents up north, then fly out

of Minneapolis Sunday night. I’ve got to be back on the base a week from Monday.”

Vince knew better than to ask her to sacrifice some of her precious time with her

family in order to explore their relationship. Is that what this is? A relationship? The idea startled him. He hadn’t thought about it that way until that second. They’d spent a lot of time exchanging emails and texts, building anticipation for this weekend, but Marine Major Skylar Landis had made it clear that this weekend was intended to be

a send-off party she’d never forget. And that was all.

He merged into southbound traffic. “It’s got to be tough to say goodbye.”

“Yes, especially when I’m going somewhere so notorious for danger. It’s hard to

make civilians understand the job we do.” She drew a deep breath and smiled. “Anyway, let’s make the most of the time we’ve got together. I’m looking forward to

seeing a few classmates and, of course, spending some more quality time with you.”

The last remark boosted his ego. “Having hot sex in one of the premier

department stores in the metro is up there on the quality scale as far as I can tell.”

“It was definitely a naughty way to start.” She caressed his thigh. “I think it would

have been perfect if that young clerk had had the nerve to ask what you were doing

in the dressing room with me.”

“She didn’t quiz you at the cash register?”

“Not exactly. She just reminded me that dressing rooms are for trying on clothes.

Then she gave me a look like she knew what we’d been up to and showed me the

tie.”

He flashed a smile at her. “I would have told her the truth.”

Feminine laughter filled the car. “Oh you would, huh? And what would your

brand of the truth have been, Vince?”

“I was helping a ravishing redhead with her stuck zipper.”

Buy link for One Night in Minneapolis: https://www.amazon.com/One-Night-Minneapolis-City-Nights-ebook/dp/B06XF2GMD1/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

About the Author and Where to find them

Margie Church writes erotic romance novels with a strong suspense element, in keeping with her moniker: Romance with SASS (Suspense Angst Seductive Sizzle). Never expect the same thing twice in one of her books. She tackles subjects and conflicts that aren't typical in romances. Life is complicated. People are, too. Marrying those concepts makes her work fascinating to read. Margie was 2011 GLBT Author of the Year, and her book, Hard as Teak, was named 2011 GLBT Book of the Year at Loves Romances Café. She is well-known for her BDSM erotic romances as well.

Margie lives in Minnesota, is married, and has two children. Some of her passions are music, poetry, walking on moonlit nights, fishing, and making people laugh.

Keep up with Margie:

Margie's blog: http://authormargiechurch.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MargaretRChurch

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MargieChurch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MargieChurchAuthor

Pinterest:  https://pinterest.com/margiechurch/

Margie's Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Margie-Church/e/B008H7HO4I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 

Tirgearr Publishing: http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Church_Margie/index.htm

Buy link for One Night in Minneapolis: https://www.amazon.com/One-Night-Minneapolis-City-Nights-ebook/dp/B06XF2GMD1/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Margie's Decadent Publishing page: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=563&osCsid=u2trcha42aae1ncia4hrngp3h2

Loose Id:  http://www.loose-id.com/authors/erotic-romance-authors-l-p.html?cat=843

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome author Casper Graham

Please welcome author Casper Graham who drops in today to chat with me about their new book, Twelve Gifts.

Thanks for stopping by to talk a little about your writing! Let's jump right in. When did you begin writing and why?

-Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it.

-I have always enjoyed reading. It was my refuge from all of the things that had plagued me way back then. When I was in elementary school, I had come to discover that writing was really therapeutic. I could write down (I didn’t have a laptop or typewriter at that age) all of the things that I felt and it gave me the opportunity to work things out quietly all by myself. As I was growing up, I tried writing poetry. Unfortunately, all of my poems had already been rejected. *laugh*

Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the same genre you prefer to write?

-I don’t really have a favorite genre. Wait, does pornography count as a genre? *wink* *laugh* Anyway, on a more serious note, I had initially begun writing poetry and non-fiction stuff, but I somehow felt that they were constricting me. Probably because I have all of these stories inside my head that just don’t seem to fit as either a poem or a non-fiction. Then, I wrote romance, but I couldn’t write heterosexual romances. I mean, I could have, but it felt…disconnected to me. I honestly find it easier to write M/M romance because I can sort of rely on my own experiences up to a certain extent. Thus, that’s how I get into the erotic romance writing.

Do certain themes and ideas tend to capture your writer’s imagination and fascinate you?

I love paranormal stuff. I also love some tropes like soul mates, arranged marriages and alpha/omega. I tend to write whatever the muse hits me with at any given time. I would love to try writing BDSM, but I don’t have personal experiences. I have to do plenty more research before I can feel comfortable enough to write a story on that particular topic.

How do you balance long-term thinking vs. being nimble in today's market?

I always keep an open mind. Long-term thinking and being nimble are very difficult to navigate because there is such a fine line between them. On the one hand, an author needs to know what sells in today’s market. On the other hand, he/she needs to be careful not to be pigeonholed as a “paranormal writer,” a “menage writer,” a “historical romance writer,” or even a “M/M writer” only. That is one of the reasons why I’m still writing poetry and non-fiction in spite of my utter lack of success in those areas. *laugh*

How do you find readers in today's market?

I’m truly grateful that there seems to be several readers who are very into M/M erotic romance so I’m not exactly breaking any new ground, so to speak. I have joined several groups through social media such as Twitter and Facebook. I’m also on a few Yahoo Groups. I believe that it is highly important to get my name out there as much and often as possible.

Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?

I generally come up with a hook first. Then I will start to work from there, expanding the story as much as possible. However, some stories just can’t seem to expand beyond 12,000 or 20,000 words. I really dislike expanding on a story for the sake of the word count because I always feel like the story line can quickly veer off towards an unwanted path.

How do you create your characters?

I like my characters to be as “human” as possible. Even when writing paranormal romances, my characters tend to have their humanity intact. Maybe that’s why I can’t seem to write a good Fantasy/Science Fiction story. *laugh*

What's on the top of your TBR pile right now?

Goodness! I have so many of them that they are piling up on my reading devices. *Don’t give me those judging eyebrows* I always seem to have tons and tons of things that interest me. Most of them are romances though. *laugh*

Tell me a little about the characters in Twelve Gifts.

There are two main characters: Dylan Hughes and Aaron Tyler. Dylan Hughes is a sweetheart and he loves baking, which is very important because he owns a bakery. He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to relationship though. Aaron Tyler is a take-charge kind of man. He is a romantic and he goes after what he wants. However, beneath the confidence, he has his own insecurities.

Where’s the story set? How much influence did the setting have on the atmosphere/characters/development of the story?

I set the story somewhere in the western hemisphere of the globe. I actually wrote the story back in August while listening to a ton of Christmas songs. *laugh* I really miss the winter season. Since winter doesn’t exist where I’m living presently, I have to live vicariously through my characters.

If you had to write your memoir in five words, what would you write?

Only five words? Hmm… It might go something like, “Write what you believe in.”

How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?

Oh, where do I start? *laugh* My boyfriend sometimes felt neglected by me once I have begun writing. Then, there were those times when I would take out my phone and type out the ideas forming inside my head while grocery shopping or eating with my cubby hubby - I call my boyfriend “cubby hubby” while he calls me “chunky hubby.” Go figure! *laugh*

What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?

There will be an anthology coming out in January (if I am not mistaken). It’s a creative non-fiction stuff and it will be the second one that I am a part of; the first one had been released last August 31^st. After “Twelve Gifts,” I have two menage stories (both of them will have the main characters having kid(s)) coming out in January; one is M/M/M while the other one will be M/M/M/M. I also have a M/M wedding romance coming out in February, a Valentine’s day M/M/M romance coming out in March, a M/M paranormal romance coming out in April and a M/M/M romance coming out in May.

I’m currently trying to write a M/M romance that is a mixture of assassin and magic. Plus, there is a M/M/M romance that may not suit everyone’s taste because two of the characters are actually step siblings and the story may be a little darker than what I have written in the past. I’m also writing a M/M romance that is something along the line of marriage by contract.

I am determined to keep on writing as long as people are still interested in me. *laugh* We’ll see how it goes in the future.

Title: Twelve Gifts

Author: Casper Graham

Genre: M/M Erotic Holiday Romance

Publisher: JMS Books LLC

Buy Links:

Publisher

Amazon

Smashwords

Dylan Hughes owns a small bakery. He's doing what he loves and business is good, but he's lonely. After a bad relationship, he's been keeping to himself, and things are worse during the Christmas season. Then there is his unrequited crush on Aaron Tyler.

Aaron is a successful event planner. He and Dylan met more than two years earlier and, after tasting Dylan's baking, Aaron proposed a collaboration. They've worked together ever since. Not willing to risk their friendship, Dylan has kept his feelings under wraps.

But a secret admirer begins to send Dylan thoughtful gifts twelve days before Christmas. The cute, clever gifts keep on coming and he's flattered, but they couldn't have come at a worse time. Aaron has finally asked him out.

What happens when the secret admirer’s identity is revealed on Christmas Day? Will Dylan's blossoming relationship with Aaron survive?

A Small Excerpt:

Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

    He had just finished arranging everything neatly when the bell tinkled, signaling that there was a customer in the bakery. He stood up to greet the customer, but the words died in his throat. There were eleven people lined up in one neat row in front of the counter. Each person was holding a flute.

    “Are you Dylan Hughes?” an elderly woman asked. He nodded in confusion. He bet that this would be another bizarre afternoon. “Okay, people. On the count of three. One, two, three.”

    He could only gape openly at the weirdness of this entire situation. He knew the song that they were playing though. It was “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” He hummed along to the melody and enjoyed himself thoroughly. He totally believed in the saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” He might as well enjoy this free entertainment.

    Like the day before, passers-by were lured into the bakery by the music. They all clapped loudly when the last note died down. That was when he noticed Aaron standing by the door, grinning widely at him. He waved at the man, who was now walking towards him.

    “Secret admirer again?”

    “I don’t ...” He was surprised when Aaron’s finger pointed at an envelope on the counter. One of the eleven performers must have left it there for him when the performance was over.

    “Read it, Dylan. I’ll take care of the performers. Besides, you have hungry customers to deal with.”

    He agreed gratefully. There were not as many people today as the day before and he was done in less than twenty minutes. He then packed up Aaron’s usual favorites and handed the boxes to him.

    “How much do I owe you, Aaron? I presume that you have paid the performers for two days in a row now or at least tipped them well.”

    “Don’t worry about it.” Aaron shrugged it off and instead handed over his credit card to pay for his purchases.

    “On the house, Aaron. You’ve helped me out twice and you’ve given me plenty of repeat customers, who in turn introduce my bakery to many more.”

    “Alright then. Thanks, Dylan.”

    “You’re welcome.”

    “So what does it say?”

    “What?”

    “You haven’t read it yet?”

    Dylan was confused for a second before understanding dawned on him. Aaron had referred to the message within the envelope.

    “Oh, not yet. Hold on a second.”

    He took out another postcard from within the envelope and admired the picture of eleven bagpipes on it before reading aloud the message on the other side.

    It is ten days before Christmas,

    I hope you’ve enjoyed the flutists,

    Sad that I cannot find eleven bagpipe players ...

    From,

    Your secret admirer

    “So?” Aaron prodded.

    “So nothing,” Dylan insisted. “It’s nice to have a secret admirer, but I’m dating you.”

    “Alright,” Aaron whispered.

    Dylan smiled at the other man and leaned in for a brief, sweet kiss. He wished he could spend all his waking hours locking lips with Aaron, who had turned out to be an amazing kisser, but he had bills to pay.

    “Any plans tonight?”

    “Not yet.”

    “Dinner at my place? I can bake a mean lasagna.”

    “Sounds good, Dylan. I can be here by half-past six. My building is next to yours, but I have some last-minute things to take care of.”

    “That’s fine. I’ll see you then.”

    They said their goodbyes after sharing another gentle kiss. Dylan watched the other man walking out of the bakery before making his way into the kitchen. He might as well get started on dinner preparation.

    He still remembered his first meeting with Aaron. His bakery had been open for business for slightly more than a year when the gorgeous, athletic man walked in. He sold almost every type of items available that day. The next day, Aaron had returned and proposed that they work together. As an event planner, the other man needed not only a reliable baker, but one who could bake delicious pastries. They hashed out the details that same day. It was one of the best business decisions he had ever made.

Author’s Bio:

Casper Graham is an aspiring writer. Writing is a passion. He believes that inspirations can come in all sorts of formats. Sometimes it hits at the most unexpected moment. In his spare time, he also loves to read, listen to music or watch a movie. He is currently in a relationship with the most amazing man and they hope to get married someday.

Author’s links:

1. Blog: alcasgraham.blogspot.co.id

2. Facebook: facebook.com/alcasgraham

3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcasgraham/

4. Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/alcasgraham

5. Pinterest: https://id.pinterest.com/alcasgraham/

6. Twitter: https://twitter.com/alcasgraham

Guest Author Day with Gail Koger

Thanks for stopping by to talk a little about your writing! Let's jump right in. When did you begin writing and why?

I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is. Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds tend to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.

Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the same genre you prefer to write?            

I love science fiction, paranormal romance books and anything with humor in it. I write science fiction and paranormal stories because the little voices in my head won’t leave me alone until I do. Go figure.                                                                                                                                                

Do certain themes and ideas tend to capture your writer’s imagination and fascinate you?

I’m not your typical writer. I have all these weird critters and hunky aliens running amok in my head. Wulf, a Coletti warlord, was a persistence bugger. Nag. Nag. Nag. Write my story. Write my story. The thing about Coletti warlords is; they’re the ultimate predator with a taste for blood, a passion for battle and the need to control everything in their lives. I ignored Wulf until he showed me his man parts. Hoo boy. That got my attention. It was long, snakelike and had tentacles. Yakira, his long-sought mate, claims the tentacles are better than sex toys. Ya think?

How do you balance long-term thinking vs. being nimble in today's market?

The market is glutted with shape shifters books right now. I don’t follow the trends. When a story pops into my head, it becomes an obsession and it won’t leave me the hell alone until I write it.  Plus, I have fun with my characters.  Maybe, a little too much.

How do you find readers in today's market?

How do I stand out in the crowd? My cute and cuddly alien critters? My stories are sheer laugh out loud fun and even the scariest looking aliens become my heroine’s friends. People want and need to laugh. I provide that service. I also reach new readers on Facebook, blog spotlights and Twitter.

Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?

Even though I hate squeezing 50,000 words into a one line hook, I don’t work on the blurb until I’ve finished the book. Then I eat a lot of chocolate and pray to the goddess of creativity for help.

How do you create your characters?

My story ideas come to me in my dreams. Weird creatures, hunky alien beings come to life in my mind and the fun begins. Wanna know a secret? Sex scenes are not my forte. I took a vow of celibacy when I was thirteen and pretty much suck at all the intimate details. You know? What goes where. Okay, you can stop laughing now. Geez. I may have exaggerated a tiny bit.

What's on the top of your TBR pile right now?

Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich. Her stories are hilarious. 

Tell me a little about the characters in Wulf and the Bounty Hunter.

Wulf’s a Coletti warlord, the ultimate predator. He found his true mate, Yakira, when she was just ten years old. Her adopted family whisked her away and he has searched for her for ten long years. When Wulf finally finds Yakira he’s ecstatic. He’s determined to keep her safe and happy. He tells her, "Know this. I will never betray, abandon or sell you. Your family is my family. I'm driven to protect you from any who mean you harm. You were meant to be mine. My heart is forever yours."

Yakira on the other hand is not impressed.  She was only three years old when she was captured by the Tai-Kok and taken aboard their ship. An ordeal she almost didn’t survive. Yakira was rescued by a Bjarke warrior who adopted her and fitted her with bionic limbs.

Yakira’s new family is not so law abiding.  Ziyad, her BFF, looks like a creature some mad scientist has dreamed up. She’s half Askole and half Rodan. She has the face of an T-Rex, tentacles and the black armor-plated skin of an Askole.

Yakira and Ziyad go into the bounty hunting business to raise money to get their family out of jail. Their quarry is Gulog the Mad. To Yakira’s horror Wulf is after the same bounty.

Yakira does feels safe and cherished with Wulf, but he is a Coletti warlord who needs to control everything in his life. The big question is; how does she make Wulf understand she’s a powerful psychic with kick-ass bionic limbs and quite capable of taking care of herself?

Where’s the story set? How much influence did the setting have on the atmosphere/characters/development of the story?

I like unique aliens and I wanted to start with Gulog the Mad in the Sharqi Pleasure Palace. It’s a male's wet dream. Species from every corner of the galaxy swarm the dimly lit, disgustingly gaudy interior. All with two thoughts on their feeble minds. Sex and booze.

Next is a visit to Igator prison to bail her family out.  Yakira uses a transporter to appear on the prison’s visitor’s platform. Or as Yakira likes to call it, the kill zone. She is surrounded by dozens of automated laser canons. If she failed the prison's body scan, she would be incinerated.  The book spends a lot of time on a Coletti warbird as they zoom around the galaxy in pursuit of the villain.

If you had to write your memoir in five words, what would you write?

Bat shit crazy.

How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?

My house has dust bunnies and I don’t hit the gym as often as I should.

What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?    

My next Coletti Warlord book is Game on Askole. This book contains non-stop action, tongue in cheek dialogue, snarky heroines, hot alpha males and unique sidekicks. Warning! Warning! Hysterical laughter will occur while reading my books.

Blurb for Wulf and the Bounty Hunter:

Wulf knows Yakira is his soul mate. The only person he needs to convince is her, but with intergalactic terrorists on Yakira’s trail, there’s little time for romance. What’s a hot-blooded Coletti warlord to do? 

Yakira feels safe and cherished with Wulf, but he is a Coletti; the ultimate predator with a taste for blood, a passion for battle and the need to control everything in his life. The big question is; how does she make Wulf understand she’s a powerful psychic with kick-ass bionic limbs and quite capable of taking care of herself?

Genre: Science fiction/romance – Publisher – Loose Id

Book cover: Attached

Excerpt: Wulf nibbled a sensuous path down to my thong-style panties. He took a bite. The expression on Wulf’s face went from turned on to appalled. “Licorice! Colettis are severely allergic to lickric.”

“What?” To my utter horror, his lips ballooned up, his eyes swelled shut and hives covered his face and body. I quickly clamped my hands around his face and sent healing energy into him.

“Our special night was supposed to be sexy and romantic and perfect.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “And I almost killed you.”

“Oot nek feck.” Wulf switched to mind talk. “It’s not your fault. I have many enemies.”

My temper flared to life. “We are going to hunt them down and leave them on Gansu for the snakes to eat.”

Wulf hugged me to him. “Goddess, I do love you. You are perfect in every way.”

“I am?”

He wiped away my tears. “You have a warrior’s heart. I know you will stand at my side no matter what comes.”

“You bet I will. We’re a team.” A sigh of relief broke from me. His face was still a little puffy, but the hives were entirely gone. I gave him another burst of energy. “You itch anywhere?”

Wulf put a finger to his mouth. “Here.”

The puffiness had vanished, but the playful gleam in his eyes told me he was ready for some bed sport. Drawing on his vast experience, I traced the seam of his lips with my tongue, then delved into his mouth; learning its shape and texture. “Anywhere else?”

Buy Links:

http://www.loose-id.com/coletti-warlords-wulf-and-the-bounty-hunter.html

https://www.amazon.com/Wulf-Bounty-Hunter-Coletti-Warlords-ebook/dp/B01M8EZTTH/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Bio: I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for thirty-one years and to keep insanity at bay, I took up writing. Not to worry. The insanity isn’t catching – much. Other than the addiction to chocolate and the twitch in my left eye, I’m good.

Author links: www.gailkoger.com

https://www.facebook.com/Colettiwarlordbooks/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1598719.Gail_Koger

Twitter: @Askole

Guest Author Day with Nancy Fraser

I have the pleasure of having author Nancy Fraser today on the blog talking about their latest book, Eye of the Pharaoh. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post where the author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN Gift Card to one lucky person. This tour is sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Now let's chat with Nancy.....

Thanks for stopping by to talk a little about your writing! Let's jump right in.

When did you begin writing and why?

What an absolutely perfect first question! I sold my first book, a contemporary romance titled Courting Trouble, in 1996. As a matter of fact, TODAY, is my twentieth anniversary as a published author. Woot! (There’s virtual celebratory cake over on my blog being served by scantily clad men!)

Why did I begin writing? Now that’s a funny story. It was on a dare. A co-worker was an avid romance reader. One day at work, she offered me one of her books for lunch break. I thanked her but said, “No, I don’t read romance.” Then, stupidly said, “Anyone can write one of those.” She dared me to try.

That weekend I wrote 2 chapters (having never read a romance novel) and delivered them to her on Monday. She accused me of copying them from a book. So, on lunch break, I wrote another half-chapter. She covertly mailed them off to Harlequin. Two months later (yes, the turnaround time was shorter then), they asked to see the entire manuscript. I finished the book and it was rejected. However, at that point, I was hooked and haven’t looked back since.

Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the same genre you prefer to write?

I love reading just about any type of romance. I’m also partial to reference books about unusual time periods/events. I often spend as much time researching as I do writing.

As for which I prefer to write, like my reading my writing is what you might call “eclectic”. I write across five different genres. I’m partial to what’s termed the “vintage” historical (post WWII up to the beginning of the twenty-first century). I’ve set a number of my books in the time period, especially my holiday-themed stories. Earlier this month I released a Halloween-themed novella, Bewitched, set in the mid-1960s. However, if a story or theme strikes me, as happened with Eye of the Pharaoh, I’m willing to dig in and create the best story I can.

Do certain themes and ideas tend to capture your writer’s imagination and fascinate you?

I’m often held hostage by my hero and heroine’s desires. I usually have a very clear idea of what I want to do but it gets muddled by one or both of them screaming at me to go in an opposite direction. Real life situations, be they romantic or not, usually spur me to action. I once met a woman who’d served as a surrogate for her older sister against her brother-in-law’s wishes. Less than five years after the baby was born, the older sister died of cancer. Now the surrogate and the brother-in-law share custody of the little boy. There was no romance involved since the father was already remarried, but I figured … what the heck … let’s turn this into a romance. Their story (twisted by me) became my 2015 award-winning contemporary, Home is Where the Hunk is.

Do you have a favorite author who introduced you to the genre?

Oh yes. Elizabeth Lowell. At one point, I owned every single one of her Silhouette/Harlequin romances. I even talked my hubby (at the time) into taking a road trip to track down two of the books I was missing from my set. Talk about a non-stalking, stalker! My absolutely favorite all time romance is Chain Lightning, by Elizabeth of course. It is the ultimate perfection in romantic fiction!

What advantages or challenges does a writer in your genre face in today’s fiction market?

Too many quality authors for not enough market. Readers (bless their hearts) are usually open minded and willing to try a new author if the author writes in a genre they enjoy. However, as with all of us, they have their favorites. In today’s tight economy, if there’s only $20 to spend and your favorite author has a new book, another author is out of luck.

The advantage is the readers (again, bless their hearts) are loyal. Once they’ve found you and been entertained by you, they’re yours for life. I have a core group of readers I fondly refer to as “Grandma Nancy’s Girls”. They’re not officially a street team, but I can count on them to share my posts, buy my books and post reviews.

Tell me a little about the characters in Eye of the Pharaoh.

As an author and a woman I am attracted to all sorts of romantic heroes. Sure, they should be drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as sin but, more importantly, they should be compassionate, witty and intelligent. And possess an imperfection or two. That was my goal in creating Dr. Joshua Cain, Professor of Archaeology and Art History. In Eye of the Pharaoh, Dr. Cain spouts ancient history with the ease of a confident educator. With the exception of the fictitious Anukehaten, guardian of the Queen-Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s tomb, and the ancient curse of the pink stone and statue, all historical references shared by Dr. Cain are accurate depictions of Egyptian culture and history.

My goal for my heroine, Teri Hunter, was to create an attractive, equally intelligent professional with some quirky habits. Teri is a walking motivational quote, often dredging up one of those commonplace office posters when she needs a bit of emotional reinforcement. She’s even taken her personal mantra from one of her favorites: Wake Up. Kick Ass. Repeat.

She’s often heard quoting the likes of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, author/clothing designer Donna Karan, comedian Louis C.K., and even Albert Einstein. My personal favorite comes from author Mason Cooley: Romance is tempestuous. Love is calm. It’s a mantra I strive for when creating every happily-ever-after.

Where’s the story set? How much influence did the setting have on the atmosphere/characters/development of the story?

The story begins at Princeton University where Josh teaches. However, we quickly move to New Orleans (one of my favorite cities) to add some flavor to the story. I wanted to set a somewhat ominous mood, so I put them up in a rather unique B&B (instead of Teri’s preferred Marriott), and made sure Josh had his usual room overlooking the cemetery.

Once the characters “left” their own place and time, it was important to set a scene that truly spoke to 1920’s Egypt with numerous archaeological digs, tomb raiders, questionable collectors, and out-right thieves.

The setting was instrumental in showing both the main characters’ strengths and weaknesses. While Josh is commanding and in complete control of their surroundings (based on his intellectual knowledge), he’s still vulnerable when it comes to his two daughters and not knowing how this time travel is affecting them back in their own place and time.

If you had to write your memoir in five words, what would you write?

Road her broom with panache!

How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?

Probably 13 hours out of 16. Even when I’m doing dishes, I’m plotting the next scene. I’m one of those who has a notebook beside my bed and on the end table next to the couch. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve written thoughts or dialogue during commercials. The only person that can distract me completely is my three-year-old grandson William…and only because if I don’t keep my eye on the ball all hell is going to break loose.

What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?

Fall and winter seem to be my busiest times. I have a contemporary erotic romance titled Kilty Pleasures coming out in December. It’s part of the “Men Who Wear Kilts” series from The Wild Rose Press. Then, in January, I have another vintage Valentine-themed novella, Paging Dr. Cupid, on tap. I’m currently working on a new story, Waking Up in Oz, and it will be part of a new historical series based on situations where the hero and heroine find themselves “stranded”. It’s set in the mid-1970s and is a humorous re-working of the Wizard of Oz theme.

GENRE: Time Travel/Paranormal

Publicist Teri Hunter has her hands full promoting Professor Joshua Cain and his new non-fiction book, The Pharaoh’s Mummy. She’s not even sure it’s possible to turn this absent-minded, modern-day, Indiana Jones into a best-selling author.

Dr. Cain’s PhDs in archeology and art history have prepared him for almost anything on the lecture circuit and among ancient ruins. He’s just not sure about a book tour...or the sexy publicist sent to monitor his every professional move.

When an odd request falls in their laps while in New Orleans, Josh and Teri find themselves transported to 1920’s Egypt where they must resolve an ancient curse in order to be sent home. Will the dangers facing them hinder their success and threaten their very lives? Or will help from an other-worldly guardian keep them on-track and safe?

Excerpt:

Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.

Teri Hunter mouthed the motivational phrase she’d chosen for her personal mantra as she stepped across the threshold into the dark and musty storeroom.

A dim light shone from a glass-enclosed workroom in the far corner. Taking a tentative step forward, she faltered when the floorboards creaked beneath her feet. Something fast and furry brushed against her ankle. A shiver ran down her back, yet she fought the urge to retreat.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

This was obviously today’s obstacle. Were it not for her professional commitments and intricately organized schedule, she’d have no doubt bolted for the door and returned to the safety and illumination of the main building.

‘Sorry, but the storage area doesn’t have overhead lighting. Preservation of the antiquities. You understand.’ The dean’s words echoed in her head. What little outside light there was had become nearly non-existent due to an impending thunderstorm.

Drawing a deep breath, she took a second step and then a third, winding her way past a half-dozen crates, some open, some not. To her left she heard a rustling of paper; to her right the distinct sound of footsteps.

Her apprehension grew, the hair on her forearms stood at attention. She’d barely made it halfway across the room before bumping into something large and solid. Reaching out, she laid her hand against the oversized object. Slowly, she raised her head and came face to face with the painted mask of an Egyptian noble. The chipped finish gave the death mask a deranged look.

“You come here often, big boy?” A nervous giggle followed her softly-worded, albeit silly, question and she pressed her fingertips to her lips to stifle an outright laugh before lowering her hand to her side.

Go big! Home is boring.

Silently she cursed her habit of dredging up poster-worthy quotes to mask her fears.

Author Bio and Links

Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books in both full-length and novella format. Nancy will release her 25th book in early 2017. She is currently working on a Valentine’s Day novella, her next Rock and Roll novella, and a story about a racy Scot titled “Kilty Pleasures”.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Media:

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Blog: http://nancyfraser.ca/wordpress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor  @nfraserauthor

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

Giveaway

Nancy Fraser will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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