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Interviews by Dante

Welcome to Interviews by Dante the home of Romance Author Interviews. Enjoy. If you're an author and wish to be interviewed by me then click the link below to send me an email and I'll get you on the list.
Interviews post on the 10th, and 20th of each month. As of June 1st 2015 Interviews by Dante is exclusively interviewing Romance Writers. 

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Briana Michaels Interview

4/20/2016

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​The guest author for Today on Interviews by Dante is Briana Michaels. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is Passion. The third book in the Sins of the Sidhe series.
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! *waves hands in the air* I’m Briana Michaels, writer of the Paranormal Romance series: Sins of the Sidhe. I live on a small slice of heaven in the middle of the woods with my husband, two children, and lots of wildlife. I enjoy tea, books, wine, and food. Usually in that order.
 
Tell us about your latest book.
My stories are about Fae, Druids, demons, witches, and a mess of other crazy peoples who all get together and raise hell… or fight in some form of it. PASSION is book 3 in the series and it’s about a Druid who is struggling to find his inner peace and fights his own personal demons. His life, so far, has been a tortured one, and he goes on quite a journey to get out of his darkness and into the light of a brighter day.
 
What do you have coming out in the future?
I’m currently writing books four and five simultaneously. My people like to blend together and their stories entwine a lot. I knew this would happen from day one because nothing in my books are without purpose, but to actually watch the stories weave and lives mesh is still an incredible process to be part of. I say, “I knew they were there for a reason” a lot in my head.
 
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
The first book, Shatter, could be read as a stand-alone, but that would mean you’d be missing out on all the fun that happens in the other books! I want you to have closure with some things and a growing curiosity about others. They’re intended to be read as a growing set, so what characters you meet in one book will have stories of their own in the future. I’d hate for anyone to miss their introductions because they skipped a book or two in the series.
 

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Well… why NOT romance, eh? I love the emotions you get from a romance novel - all the heart fluttering, the sweaty palms, the biting of your lower lip, the “Holy CRAP!” and the “Ohhh yeah, baby,” and my personal fave, “I gotta try that.”
 
My books are a little different than the rest because of how the game is played. One must shelve their knowledge and beliefs/theories they have about the paranormal when they read one of my books. At times I redefine what Fae (fairies) and angels do. Yes, many folks who read paranormal romance know that there are Seelie and Unseelie Fae, demons are generally evil, angels are pretty perfect, and yada-yada-yada. But I change the rules.
 
Smash them to pieces, actually.
 
Some of my Sidhe (the more powerful of the Fae) have characteristics that are found in vampires, my demons might just be heroic, and you may secretly want to kiss the bad guy at some point. They need love too, right?
 
There are so many layers in my novels, you could reread them and find a new clue each time. Take nothing I write for granted and pay attention, ‘nuff said.

 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I write what I know and love and that’s paranormal romance. It’s a big field and there are tons of us that write it, but I love how we’re all a little different with the art of creating our worlds. Romance is something that will never grow old for me or my characters. The world needs all the love it can get.
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Ruark may no longer be trapped in a cage and left in darkness, but he is far from being free - the bones in his very own body have become his new prison. Wrath pumps in his veins, and as the terrors of his past haunt him as much as the beast that resides within, the Druid struggles to find peace. He battles his own anguish, yet also feels an undeniable, metaphysical pull towards Rowan, his brother’s wife, which is an attraction that only spells further disaster. All seems lost, but when Ashlyn, a smart and beautiful Sidhe, sees her chance to redeem the man, she takes it and tries to show Ruark that he isn’t the monster he fears himself to be - but that doesn’t mean the beast inside him agrees. Will love be enough to calm the furious storm and save Ruark from an existence of rage and pain, or is he doomed to forever be the destructive monster he fears will threaten the existence of everyone around him?
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​Click image for explanation.
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From where do you draw your inspiration?
I don’t have to look far; the characters in my head come to me fully-loaded with desires, problems, and a history. They are pretty pushy and hardheaded when they present their issues; I try my best to help them out however I can. You might say we have a “meeting of the minds.”
 
I’ll get them from point A to point B, but it’s going to cost blood, sweat and tears the whole way. Wishing for a happily ever after isn’t enough, they have to earn their endings. They know that and still they come to me armed and ready for the journey.
 
Unfortunately, the bad guy in me also likes to muddy the waters. I throw madness around like confetti and watch what they do with my plot twists. I am very much the button pusher and the trouble maker. Inspiration comes from just sitting and chilling with the folks in my head, and the minute they start to relax, I throw a whammy at them and watch/record their response. It’s a party every day.

 
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Some have quirks that are found in me, my kids, my husband and friends - but it’s just a few habits or favorite foods. Their personalities are alllll them. They showed up in my mind the way they are and I wouldn’t change a single thing about any of them.
 
What authors inspire your writing?
J.R. Ward for sure. She’s why I’d never attempt to write a vampire novel. Why mess with perfection, eh? I also love Karen Marie Moning because I think she gets the evil/good thing like me. And of course, I love the goddess of Highlander love, Herself, Diana Gabaldon. *shout out to the Outlander fans!*
 
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
Well, we’ve all done some foolishly outrageous things in our lifetimes. If you haven’t, there’s still time to get on it!
 
When I was a kid, a three-legged fox was sneaking around my grandparent’s farm. His wound was old and healed, but he struggled with just three legs. I was sitting in the grass playing with a duck (yup, a duck) when I first saw it. I put the duck down and walked right over to the fox and pet it. He wasn’t skittish; he was playful and sweet and liked having his ears scratched. Total love bug. He didn’t stick around but it was fun while it lasted. And no, he did NOT eat the duck and I have no idea why he was out in broad daylight like he owned the yard.
 
That was how Fintan the fox came to me when I began writing. Whoda thunk that the memory of the fox from my childhood would eventually shine through as a beloved character all these years later. I get lots of giggles from my readers about Fintan. He’s a pip.
 

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read, cook, listen to music, walk in the woods, and I also teach art to little ones. I wear many hats in a day.
 
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Anxiety-ridden. Frightening. Vomit inducing. Yup, that about covers it. It was temporary, I assure you. With lots of encouragement, I managed to get over the fears of rejection and ridicule, I hit that publish button, and said, “Well, book one is out. Let’s make more magic now, shall we?” For which my characters all replied, “YES!”
 
Joking aside, I wrote my first book a year ago and getting my name out there has been a slow process. I don’t like to market. I don’t like to push my product. I’m not a sales person. My success has been slow and steady and that’s okay with me. I didn’t go into this whole book writing thing with the goal of making a million bucks, I did it so that I could have my passions out there for others to enjoy. Knowing more than just my friends and family have bought my books means I’ve already accomplished what I set out to do.
 
Magic happens in my stories one page at a time… so will my success.

 
How did you come up with the title of your book?
The title of the series “Sins of the Sidhe” came to me in a wine store when I was buying a bottle of one of my favorite zinfandels. It was a total “Aha!” moment for me and I was all by myself and couldn’t tell a soul. Devastating really as it was quite spectacular.
 

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I’m all about the love - any love - and I really enjoy reading historical romance novels.
 
What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
Oh man, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series for sure because they are so over the top and downright fierce. We’re family; I’m committed to those brothers and their shellans.
 
I also recently read the book “Dance with the Devil” by Sherrilyn Kenyon and I was a shredded, blubbering mess over it. I hadn’t read her books before and that story is now definitely one of the top books on my list of rereads because of how it got me to feel. *eyes water* Oh my golly, when Zarek dropped his coins! I will never look at a slice of bread the same way ever again. *excuse me while I get a tissue*
 
The flip side of immortal love is that I have to include the Outlander books to this list as well. My favorite thing about this series is how I’m growing old with Jamie, Claire, Fergus, Ian, Jenny, and the lot. I’ve been reading these books for years and I can appreciate the fact that Jamie’s hair is turning gray and that Claire’s backside isn’t so firm now. They’re still insanely spectacular to me, but I love their day-to-day life because I can relate to it so well. I’m aging, I have an herb garden, I chop my own wood, and boy would I love to have a dog like Rollo.

 
Have you won any awards for your writing?
Not yet, but I did celebrate my personal achievements by having lunch with some friends and a grand dinner with the hubs. Does that count?
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Turning it off. I just can’t do it, no matter how hard I try. When I sit in front of my computer and start banging away at the keyboard, I physically morph into a crazy person. I can’t get the thoughts typed out as fast as they are flying through my head and I start yelling some days.
 
To actually walk away from the computer takes a tremendous amount of self-control, which I don’t always have. Some days I literally have to be pried away from my desk and my feet drag across the hardwood floors while my hands are still reaching out to keep typing that last thought. Yeah, there have even been some tears and major anxiety over not writing. My world is too big and the characters are too demanding for me to just hit the save button, close my laptop, and walk away. It doesn’t feel right to not write.

 
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Opening my mind and swan diving down my rabbit hole is by far the easiest thing I do in a day. It’s a labyrinth of awesomeness and only I hold the detailed map. Coming up with a new story line is done before the coffee is brewed, and since I think like a villain most days, the plot twists are abundant and come natural to me. *mwuah ha ha ha*
 
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Adam is my favorite - not because he’s big, protective, sexy as all get out, and full of badassery, but because of his commitment to me. He was the one who demanded I write these stories, and no matter how many times I said, “Oh no, I don’t think I should,” he would calmly reply, “But my dear, it’s your calling.”
 
He waited for several years while I worked up the nerve to do as he desired, and when I finished writing the first book, those gorgeous color-of-a-peacock-feather eyes twinkled at me and he said, “What are you waiting for? Write the next one.”
 
He’s amazing, complicated, and secretive too - so much to love, right? I keep trying to get him to sit down for an interview but he’s been busy lately. Hopefully it’ll happen soon – guess it’s my turn to show patience, huh?

 
Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
E.A. Poe, the Joker, and Hozier are on the list. They speak to my soul and make me smile.
 
J.R. Ward is another one for sure. The woman is a genius and her attitude about writing really drives me to continue what I do. Will I make it as a famous author/household name/fansites-all-over-the-place writer? Maybe. But if I do, it’ll be on my own two feet. I own my failures and I will own my triumphs. That was advice I got out of an interview with JR Ward and it really hit home for me.
 
The “you do you” approach to this writing stuff is exactly what all authors need to remember.
My first book was difficult for me to find my voice, which was my own insecurity. My second book was a whole different ballgame. I hit the ground running, found my writing voice, and I owned that particular triumph when it was all said and done. Of course, it was also Adam’s story so…
 
Other influences come from daily life. I live in the woods, so my stories have a lot to do with nature. I’m married to a romantic who tends to boost my confident levels up, although I don’t think he realizes it all the time. Then there are my kids who are night and day - one’s quirky, the other’s serious; one is a night owl, the other a rooster; one’s hip hop, the other is heavy metal. Such a contrast is bound to bring on entertainment and ideas.

 
What is your preferred writing environment?
Tea, music, desk by a window so I can see the birds, and me alone with the cacophony in my mind. Oh yeah, and something planned for dinner that I don’t have to cook would be a bonus because once I start typing, ten hours goes fast and I usually forget to pull something out of the freezer.
 
How would you describe your writing style?
Not. Typical.
I write like I think and talk: Lots of humor, sentence fragments, and afterthoughts.
Preferably with sarcasm.

 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Go with the flow, baby. Outlines are not my friends, they make me feel claustrophobic and committed. I’m a free bird and I go where the winds and characters take me.
 
Writing is like an out of body experience for me most of the time. I’m focused on the vision before me and I just type what I see in my mind. Sometimes it plays like a movie and I’m the one holding the camera. Other times the character has slipped into me, and I’m the one holding the sword… or eating the baked penne.

 
What is your favorite quote?
From another book? I’d say, “There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily I am.” – the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland
 
From my own books, I’m going with these humdingers:
Shatter: “Don’t let your elephant mouth get your hummingbird ass in trouble.”
Shine: “Funny thing about hiding your demons from the world around you: no matter how long you hold them under water, some demons don’t drown; they just grow gills and fins and lie in wait for you to give in. You see, pain demands to be felt and endured, love asks to be cherished, but secrets? Aw, those little bastards want to be released. Whereas pain fades and love grows, secrets just grind. They grind you down and leave some weak part of you so raw you give in and let them out.”
PASSION: “Sometimes a monster’s greatest fear is itself.”

 
Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
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Q: “What is your ultimate goal in writing?”

A:  To have readers feel like they are part of the story, too. I want you swept up in the moments – both the good and the bad. I want you to FEEL, not just read. Get hot and sweaty, forget to breathe, shake, cry, scream - I want to drag all that out of you.
You’re reading my book. You’re now in my world. When someone’s upset, I want your cheeks to burn. When something romantic happens, I want your heart to skip a beat. When something dangerous is about to go down, I want you to look around for a weapon within reach.
I’ve had some readers tell me they felt as if they were actually in the scene while reading certain chapters and how nervous they got or that they screamed at their e-readers.
 
That right there goes in the “Triumph” column. I’ve reached my ultimate goal.

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Want to receive updates, quirky interviews with characters, dirty little secrets about my stories and more? Send me an email and I’ll put you on the list! SinsoftheSidhe@gmail.com

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Gisele Walko Interview

4/10/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Gisele Walko. She is a writer of  Young Adult Paranormal  Romance. Her latest work is The Vampire and the Necromancer: An out of Sequence Love Story. It is book 2 in her multiracial monsters series. ​
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
 I am a wife, mother, and Media Assistant at a school library.  I love reading and writing stories.  I live in Oklahoma with my family and three fat dogs.
 
Tell us about your latest book.
The Vampire and the Necromancer: An out of Sequence Love Story is book 2 in my multiracial monsters series (They can be read in any order). Ivan was born into a long line of necromancers, and when he transfers to a new middle school, he meets Noah, a fellow biracial classmate, and falls for his quirky twin Nova. Nova is an overachiever, vegan and violinists (orch-dork), her senior year of high school, after a misunderstanding with Ivan, she goes to a party and gets turned into a vampire. It is magical realism, so not real heavy on the supernatural, and follows a couple from 7th grade, when they were just friends, through their freshman year of college.  Oh, and it’s not written in order, but most people are able to follow it just fine.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I am working on an interracial romance novella, following two college students, Travis and Legend, and I’m trying to keep all the supernatural stuff out of it.  So far so good.  Also I’m working on book 3 of my Multiracial Monsters series which follows Ko, a black and Japanese bratty cheerleader, and Noah (Nova’s twin)with Kleine-Levin syndrome.  I hope to have both books out in April.  Fingers crossed.
 
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
They are technically a series, but they can be read as a stand-alone, or in any order.  They run parallel to each other.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I love love stories!  I think my stories are original, and relatable despite the presence of a werewolf, vampire, or necromancer here and there.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
Right now, I think I’ll stick to romance.  I don’t intend to only write paranormal romance.  If a story came to me that wasn’t a romance, I would pursue it.
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From where do you draw your inspiration?
My everyday life.  My husband, my kids, social issues, work, music, movies, shows. 

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I think so.  Many of my characters have personalities, thoughts, and traits similar to myself, or my kids, or my hubby.  The situations are fictional.
 

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Binge watching horror shows, hanging out with my kids, cooking, reading, on Goodreads, or trying to learn Twitter.
 
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
I submitted my work to a few places, and got a lot of positive feedback but no offers, so I self-published.  I’m impatient.
 
How did you come up with the title of your book?
The Vampire and the Necromacer:  An out of Sequence Love Story, I wanted people to know that it was out of order so they didn’t get their hands on it, hate it, hate me, and be completely confused.  With Wolf Girl finds necRomance,  I was making a pun about necromancy having the word Romance in it.  My daughter hates the title.
 

Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
Mostly Romance, some horror, some magical realism short stories.
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Just getting the ideas, out of my head and on the computer.
 
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Coming up with ideas, and dialogue.
 
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Nova is my favorite, because I love her nerdy quirkiness, and her sometimes irrational behavior.
 
What is your preferred writing environment?
In bed, with coffee or tea, with the TV for background noise.
 
How would you describe your writing style?
I write in 1st person, with alternating points of view.  I’ve tried other styles, but I’m most comfortable in other people’s heads.
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow.  I usually don’t outline at all.  I let the people in my head do whatever they want to.
 
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
My husband said, “You always say you want to write, give it a shot.  Write something.  He’s my biggest cheerleader and my editor.
 
What is your favorite quote
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”  Dr. Seuss
 
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Just write for yourself.  You won’t be able to please everyone.  Some won’t like your writing style or stories.  Not everyone will get it.  Just write the stories you want to hear, and they will be the stories that others want to hear.  Some will connect with your work, and be moved by it, and read more of your stuff.
 

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?

No one has ever asked me about advice for other authors before you, so in addition to:  write what you want to read, I would say if you have writer’s block, just write badly and clean it up later.
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N.D. Jones Interview

2/10/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is N.D. Jones. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is Of Fear and Faith is Book One in the Death and Destiny Trilogy.
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​Please tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Maryland with my husband and two children. I have a M.A. in Political Science, using my degree to go into education as a teacher. I taught high for many years, eventually becoming chair of the Social Studies Department. Currently, I am a professional development specialist with a local Maryland school system, working on increasing student achievement through teacher and administrator self-efficacy. I’m also pursuing my doctorate in education in Community College Leadership.  
 
A desire to see more novels with positive, sexy, and three-dimensional African American characters as soul mates, friends, and lovers, inspired me to take on the challenge of penning such romantic reads. I like to read historical and paranormal romance novels, as well as comics and manga with action and heart. With a two-hour daily work commute, I’ve found audiobooks to be a great friend. I’ve “read” some of my favorite books while on the road.

 
Tell us about your latest book.
My most recent book is “Of Fear and Faith.” It’s a paranormal romance novel with shape-shifters and elemental witches. The book is the first novel in my Death and Destiny Trilogy. The blurb for the trilogy is: Every five hundred years, a fire witch and a water witch are born, destined to wage battle in the name of Mami Wata, goddess of water, and Oya, goddess of wind, fire, and lightning. Sanura is that fire witch, Assefa her were-cat familiar. They are unwilling pawns in the life and death chess game between the goddesses, but are unable to prevent what is to come – the Day of Serpents.
 
What do you have coming out in the future?
I just finished writing “Of Beasts and Bonds.” It’s the second installment in my Death and Destiny Trilogy. I’m going through the editing process now, making sure, in part, that I haven’t contradicted myself from book one to book two. Which, yes, I’ve found places where I definitely did not align the works as smoothly as I should have. As of now, my working back cover blurb for the new book is: Mami Wata and Oya are now free from their watery prison and ready to wage a battle five hundred years in the making. Special Agent Assefa Berber and Dr. Sanura Williams are the prophesized Cat and Fire Witch of Legend. To save the world from Mami Wata, a water goddess with a bloody thirst for power and an insatiable appetite for death and destruction, they must defeat her beasts and the Water Witch of Legend.
Assefa and Sanura are fully in love but possess only a partial mate bond. While Sanura has merged their auras, bonding Assefa’s cat spirit to her, she has yet to accept his claiming bite. Their incomplete mate bond and their new relationship are tested when Mami Wata sets her malevolent eyes on them, manipulating beasts, sacrificing humans, and creating heartache. Can their bond survive, or will they drown under the vicious tide of godly might?
In a world of mystery and magic, sometimes old bonds must be broken before new ones can be formed. Who knew that finding one’s soul mate would test bonds and unleash beasts?

  
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
 “Of Fear and Faith” is part of the Death and Destiny Trilogy.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Honestly, I used to never read fiction, no less romance books of any genre. But a few years ago I heard Marvel was going to have Storm and Black Panther marry – an unprecedented move by the comic book company. As an African American woman and fan of X-Men’s Storm, I was intrigued enough to buy all the comics leading up to their marriage. Well, from there, I fell in love with comics with romantic relationships, especially those with African or African American characters. I’m such a nerdy fangirl that I even included a silly line or two about Storm and Black Panther in my upcoming book and made a secondary character a comic book fan.
 
When Marvel dissolved the marriage between Storm and Black Panther, I was so disappointed. Worse, there was no comparable comic I could turn to to get that particular enjoyment fix. That’s why fanfiction is so popular. I truly get why fans turn to writing fanfiction. For some, they want to have a certain level of power over their favorite characters, writing what they would like to see in the actual comic, book, movie, or television show.
 
So, for me, what makes my brand of romance special is that I write what I see as a dearth in the paranormal romance genre - African/African American love with a paranormal twist. I spend a lot of time developing the mythology of my stories, as well as the execution of the paranormal element. If I write a book with witches and shape-shifters, I think it’s important to actually show what it means to be a witch and shape-shifter. That’s one thing a reader of my books can look forward to. The paranormal is not a sidebar in my novels. It’s center stage and critical to the plot.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
As I mentioned, I write paranormal romance. I love the sexiness of a straight forward romance, but I also like a book to have a plot beyond the main couple meeting and eventually falling in love. Integrating paranormal aspects into my novels gives me a little more to work with. It forces me to be creative in a different way.
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​Before trust and love can take hold, grow solid roots, and blossom into a reality larger than self, fear must be conquered and faith embraced. Yet fear of an ancient prophecy, of burning magical power, and a broken heart, Sanura Williams, psychology professor, is unprepared when Special Agent Assefa Berber enters her life, hunting a preternatural serial killer. Assefa's intelligent, chocolate eyes and intoxicating aura signature stirs her fire spirit but frightens the woman.
In a world where all is not as it seems, Sanura and Assefa must battle the gods' first creations - vile predators who threaten the safety of humans. Each confrontation, each bloody clash, will bring Sanura and Assefa closer to fulfilling the prophecy of being the Fire Witch and Cat of Legend - the ones who will save humanity from the Water Witch of Legend. Death, godly magic, and physical attraction draw Sanura and Assefa to each other, but fear and faith will determine their destiny. 
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Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Some character or physical traits are based on real people in my life. More often than not though, I use the names of family of friends for many of my characters. In fact, the hero in my Death and Destiny Trilogy is named after my son. And I gave the hero a twin sister, naming the character after my daughter. I do that a lot, if the name works for the character I’ve developed.
 
What authors inspire your writing?
I’ve learned a lot from reading and enjoying books by Cynthia Eden, Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas, Nalini Singh, Jeannine Frost, and Kelley Armstrong. They are different types of writers, crafting romantic stories in intriguing and engaging ways. Whether paranormal, suspense, contemporary, or historical, each romantic tale by one of these writers is, in a way, inspirational to a new and struggling author.
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing? 
When not writing, I like to watch movies, go to the theatre, and play video games. I also enjoy our family movie nights, which are great.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it. 
Difficult. It still is. Very few publishing companies accept unsolicited and unagented manuscripts. I sent query letters out to many ebook publishing companies. And I was turned down more times than is good for any writer’s self-esteem. But perseverance is the name of the game, as well as simply perfecting your craft. After every rejection, along with a bit of sulking, I would edit and try again. Edit and try again. Edit and try again. Yeah, you get the picture. It’s a cycle, some may call it a vicious cycle of writing and rejection.
 
How did you come up with the title of your book? 
I’m big on themes. So when I’m pondering the title of a book, I start with the major theme(s) of the story. From there, it’s pretty easy for me to come up with an appropriate and telling title.
 
Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I do read romance novels. Actually, I listen to more audiobooks. But they’re all romance. I read a lot of scholarly works, being in a doctoral program, so getting a chance to read or listen to a nice romantic suspense or paranormal romance novel is a great treat for me.
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Issa, tribal chieftain and warrior, dies trying to protect his family and tribesmen from slave traders but is given a second chance at life as an angel. Having lost his home, daughters, and life by forces beyond his control, Issa, a Guardian Angel for four centuries, has yet to come to terms with this “failure.” So when a rogue demon attacks and almost kills his wife, Serwa, Issa goes on the hunt.
Serwa knows the pain of loss, the burn of fire, the heat of love. She is a Healer Angel, bound to help, to heal, to protect. And the person she wants most to heal is Issa, her husband, her soul mate, her warrior. But what is a woman to do when a husband's guilt and fury challenge the very foundation of their marriage?
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What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
At heart, I’m a student of Political Science and Black Studies. I have degrees in both subjects. Thus, I read and have read tons of non-fiction books on American Government and African American history. When I was a teacher, I taught American Government and African American History to African American students who knew far too little about both subjects. Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro and Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X are two of my favorite books
 
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
Such a great question. And wouldn’t it be great if someone, maybe Spike Lee, wanted to have my book made into a movie? Okay, a girl can dream. And while I’m dreaming, Oprah Winfrey’s network would be a great place for my book turned television movie. Anyway, who would I chose for my hero, Assefa Berber? David Oyelowo or Lance Gross. For my heroine, Sanura Williams, it would be Adepero Oduye.
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of the writing process is the temptation to rush or shortchange a scene because I’m feeling tired or being lazy. Certain scenes, love and action scenes, for example, take a lot out of me. I know they must be written well, hitting all the emotions I’m going for and hope the reader will feel when they read the scene. For me, that takes so much more effort than writing any kind of dialogue heavy scene. I’m slow, when it comes to love and action scenes. But they are my favorite and, when done properly, turn out to be among my favorite in the book. Grit is necessary when I don’t feel like giving each scene my all. 

How would you describe your writing style?
I’m a linear thinker, so I write the same way. I don’t skip a scene I don’t feel like writing and come back to it later. I write in the order in which each scene takes place. In fact, I think in terms of sections of chapters. Because I’m a detailed person, taking a chapter section by section, I’m able to manage my writing and my sanity.  I set short writing goals for myself. If I finish a section, then I’m happy because I accomplished my goal. If I view my novel from a big picture perspective mainly, then I’m more focused on how much is left to write instead of how much I’ve already written.
 
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I can neither imagine planning an entire work in advance, nor can I envision writing without a basic outline. I always begin with a big idea or a major plot point I want to explore. The characters come soon afterward. Normally, I know how I want the story to end and several key moments I want to include. Everything else develops as I progress through. the story.
 
What is your favorite quote?
“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” Octavia Butler
 
This is a great inspirational quote from Ms. Butler, especially for a new writer. And it is so darn true. Persistence, while necessary, is not easy, which Octavia Butler well understood. Which made her so great at her craft.
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​Zora James knows the pain of loss, the lick of flames, the passion of purpose. But she's never known the heat of love. Yet when she meets Alastar, the sexy Ranger with a hero complex, Zora knows her life will never be the same. Alastar Adams knows the sting of rejection. But he's never known the healing heat of love, the power of unexpected happiness. Yet when he meets Zora, the elegant law student with the soul of an angel, Alastar knows his life will never be the same. For Zora and Alastar, however, the hunt for love proves to be a creature of mists and shadows. For Alastar Adams is no mere man.
In a world where fear often trumps trust, his secret just might tear them apart. Or perhaps it will be Zora's divine fate that will doom them to hopelessness. Whoever said love at first sight means forever? Certainly not the demon assassin sent to destroy one by murdering the other. Note: This book contains adult language used as profanity.
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Michele Wesley Interview

1/20/2016

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The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Michele Wesley. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work Anger and Arrogance is book three in the Smoke and Fire Series. It is set to release on January 30th.
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
Engaged, no children, and I actually enjoy writing so much that I never seem to have enough time to write. Eldest of seven and love it because my sibling actually listen to me most of the time. 
 
My Bio:
Michele Wesley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up on Elm Hall Sugarcane Plantation just out-side the small Cajun town of Napoleonville, Louisiana.  She is a graduate of Northwestern State University, LA and currently reside in Franklin, VA. Michele proudly served on active duty in the military with deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. After completing her military service, she worked as a Department of Defense Contractor for two Fortune 500 companies in Baghdad, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bagram, Afghanistan. She has had the opportunity to travel the world, visiting and touring over twenty different countries.
 

Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book, Anger & Arrogance, is set to release in January 30, 2016. It is the third book of my Smoke & Fire Series, Adult Paranormal Romance. The book, Anger & Arrogance, contains danger, violence, and intrigue, but it also contains drama and lots of arguing between the two main characters that is sure to keep readers laughing and interested. The Paranormal sparks of Anger and Arrogance will keep readers guessing and amazed.
Also out December 21, 2015 is my  Prequel Novelette, Sparks.  Sparks is a Novelette that precedes my first book Smoke & Fire.

 
What do you have coming out in the future?
Aside from the first two released books of the Smoke & Fire Series, I have also completed five additional books in the Series.  I have completed Book #1 of my Young Adult Dystopian Trilogy called Shackles of Unrest, three Erotica Novellas, and have nearly completed a Horror novel.
 
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
My Paranormal books are of a series, but I write them so that they can also be stand alone and read in any order.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Paranormal romance can be sweet, spicy, erotic, and sexy.  You can take it in any direction with any and every mix of character you can think of.  I try to give my readers romance and sex.  Not bad sex either, good nail-breaking, talk dirty, grab the sheets, and a hand full of hair kind of sex. Some of my romances will also be multicultural and interracial. A lot of traditional publishers and agents are unwilling to represent multicultural or interracial romance of any kind, but what they don’t seem to realize is that there is a big market for it. There are readers that are interested in reading about relationships that maybe similar to theirs or some readers may simply want to read about something different. I am inspired to introduce readers to the something different they may be hoping for and probably wasn’t expecting.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I love writing romance, but I also write Young Adult, and Horror.
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After a three-year nightmare relationship; Alana is convinced she will never find love and lets her father talk her into marrying a man she’s never met. She agreed to it, but it doesn’t mean she has to like it; Alana’s immediate distaste for her new husband has her determined to make his life a living hell. She maintains her combative stance while trying to ward off his arrogant appeal. 
 
Devin admits he’s met his match as his new wife proves to be a hand-full. Their arguments become legendary battles as he struggle to open his mind to her. Time and a whole lot of healing are the remedies that will allow him to peel away scabs from Alana's past to reveal the beauty she keeps hidden. 
 
Will the arguing couple call a truce and check their rearview before a lurking monster catches them off guard?
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New Release
for January 2016
From where do you draw your inspiration?
Reading a lot of Paranormal Romance, I started to see the same characters and scenarios over and over. I wanted to change up the game and push readers to allow themselves to think outside the box that has been built around our Paranormal Romance novels. The main character and heroine in Smoke & Fire is a black female, not a typical character in Paranormal Romance novels.  I have also introduced new types of paranormal power and abilities and twist and scenes that will keep the readers turning the pages.
 
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I don’t base my character on a specific person, but I do built characters from bits of people in my life including myself. 
 
What authors inspire your writing?
My paranormal romance is inspired by L. A. Banks and Laurell K. Hamilton.
My young adult series were inspired by today’s real world events. This book gives us a serious reality check, touching on subjects sparked from our nation’s current state of unrest. It serves to remind us of how far we have fallen and how much further we can fall down the rabbit hole of despair and destruction of ourselves and our nation.  It gives us a glimpse of what can happen to us and our nation years from now if we don't reign in the hate and embrace our compassion and goodness.

 
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I have had the privilege of leading quite an exciting life so far. From the military to deployments in Iraq and Kuwait to working as a contractor for the Dept. of Defense with deployment in Afghanistan.  I have travel all across the globe and seen and experienced life among many different cultures. I have enjoy trips and traveled to places from my bucket list: like visiting the pyramids of Egypt and walking inside the Great Pyramid to relaxing on a beach in the Maldives or Jamaica to being on Safari in Kenya.
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I work a full-time day job as a government employee. Since I can’t yet afford to hire someone to do the marketing for my books or run my website and social media accounts: I do it all on my own (for now.)
 
What was your road to publishing like?
Tell us about it. Horrible. I didn’t know much about publishing at the time and went with a publisher that was only interested and taking as much money from me as possible versus actually trying to get a good quality book from me.  I signed a two-book deal with that publishing company and unfortunately, I will follow through with what I started.  I am using amazon to self-publish the rest of my paranormal books. I have learned how to format my own books and am excited to keep learning as much as I can about the industry and about improving my writing skills.
 
How did you come up with the title of your book?
I based the title of the characters who were mostly all fire and anger.
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Face of an Angel...mind of a Death Warrior
Agent Sori Knight, codename 'Smoke,' curses like a sailor and leave bodies at every turn, but somehow manages to steal hearts and save the good guys. The headstrong agent is forced to unleash her inner-monster when an assignment leads to the most elusive and deadly criminal she has ever had to hunt.
 
Breathtakingly Sexy...mind kissed by Rage
Agent Mycale Phillips' attraction to Sori is instantaneous. He thinks he may be in over his head when partnered with her but soon learns that a touch of evil is necessary if you want to survive in a world of Smoke & Fire!
 
Will secret abilities they are determined to hide be enough to pull them from death's grip?

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Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I read all types of romance: Western, Sweet, traditional, erotica…I also love to read paranormal, dystopian, drama, and science fiction.
 

What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
My all-time favorites is A Farewell to Arms by Earnest Hemingway. This book was sad, serious, interesting, but also had sprinkles of funny. This book and the books below are all books I can pick up anytime and read them over and over and over.
Some of my other Favorites:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Edge of Dawn by Beverly Jenkins
God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
The Testament by John Grisham

 
Have you won any awards for your writing?
No, but just seeing and knowing that people are buying my books is all the award I will ever need.
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Editing and Marketing.
 
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you? 
Writing and creating the first draft.
 
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Smoke, from my first Paranormal Romance novel Smoke & Fire; I believe she is most like me.
 
Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
I have always been inspired by books. My favorite books inspire me to keep writing to hopefully gain readers that will love one of my books as much as I love my favorite books.
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Mesmerizing beauty…mind kissed by death
Agent Kris “Yala” Lawrence finds herself in the middle of a sadistic magic show. Standing in the Medical Examiner’s office, the last thing she expects to see is a human torso in a glass encased box that the ME claims is still alive. Come Again?!  She learns the box is one of three-pieces and agrees to follow instructions left by the mad magician if it means receiving and reconnecting the rest of the victim. Usually a shooter and not an investigator, Yala uses her chameleon-like disguise abilities to track the suspect.
 
Smothering good looks…melt your senses deadly
Agent Kevin “Kay” Nazari request to be partnered with Yala after a chance meet leaves him yearning to see her again. Trying to keep a human alive when they are arriving in parts is as impossible as it sounds and Kevin learns the true meaning of Body Box as he help track a killer hell bent on sending them victims in parts.
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​Available Now
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What is your preferred writing environment?
First: Plush couch, glass of wine, cheese, & fireplace. Second: Patio on a nice sunny day with a light breeze, under an umbrella.  Third: Any nice blue breezy beach under an umbrella.
 

How would you describe your writing style? 
Free writing.  I free write for hours at a time without corrections. I often start at any point within the book, beginning, middle, or end.
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow.
 
With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?  
Self-publishing seemed the best route to take to test the waters and cut my teeth.  However, I’d like to try traditional publishing for my young adult books.
 
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
When I found myself for the first time in 23 years unemployed.  I had always wanted to write, but never had the time. So, when I finally had the time I took advantage of it, writing more than six complete, unedited novels, and starting several promising others.
 
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Don’t be afraid to give writing a shot, especially if writing is what’s in your heart.  If you find yourself thinking of and writing more than you do anything else, don’t stop writing. Try to write something every day, even if it’s just a page. Make time to do what you love.  Educate yourself about every aspect of the writing world.  Give your writing time to grab the market, don’t force it and don’t rush it.
 
Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?

I wish people would ask me for free copies or downloads of my books more often or ask me if I mind if they shared my work. One, If I have free copies are downloads, I will be happy to give them away and if someone would like to share my work, I will take that as a compliment and encourage them to do so. My only hope is that they would be willing to provide an honest review of my books.
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Much too often we find ourselves wondering how a character was born. What made them into the hero they have become? What made them such an excellent lover or such an expert at taking care of others? What made them such a nice guy or girl? How did they become such a villainous monster or mass murderer? 
 
This novelette gives off a few sparks of the flame that ignited two explosive characters from Smoke & Fire, Book #1 of the Smoke & Fire Series. Rage and untapped emotions are what seep the fumes that make these characters jump off the pages. The Smoke & Fire series is uniquely written, allowing readers to jump into the series at any of the first six books.
 
Sori “Smoke” Knight and Mycale Thomas Phillips are deadly, sometimes lovable, and totally emotionally dysfunctional. Despite facing obstacles where emotions are concerned, they somehow manage to keep fighting for the good guys. They are the pokers that stroke the flames that burn through this action packed, sexually charged, emotionally unstable series infused with murder and mayhem. This novelette sneaks a peek into Sori and Mycale’s younger years.
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Released
December 21, 2015
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S. L. Bynum Interview

12/20/2015

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The guest author for today on Interviews with Dante is S. L. Bynum. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is Grim Crush, book one in the Grimly Ever After series.
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
I started writing when I was 12, and my first novel was supposed to be like a book in the “Goosebumps” series. It was awful. The books I have out now were written after a lot of practice. I’m 26, and besides books, I like desserts, playing games, and dancing to music (mostly when I’m alone). I live in the city of Greensboro, NC.
 
Tell us about your latest book.
Grim Crush is about seventeen-year-old Xia, who is a grim reaper and has three Rules of Reaping she has to follow. She’s not supposed to show herself to living humans, but one boy, a Native American named Shilah, can see her anyway. The two of them start to fall for each other, and that brings problems from Xia’s boss and father, the Angel of Death.
 
What do you have coming out in the future?
The sequel to Grim Crush, which is currently titled Grim Fate. And then the third and final book in the series.
 
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
A series called Grimly Ever After.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
Usually a book or movie has to have a bit of romance for me to love it. I especially like when two characters first fall in love, when they get those butterflies and dreamy looks in their eyes. It makes me swoon. But I like romance more when it’s mixed with something else to make it even more exciting, so that’s why I chose to write a paranormal romance series.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I definitely write in other genres, mostly fantasy and science fiction. I also write a bit of mystery and thrillers.
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​1. Do not interfere with someone's death. 
2. Do not become emotionally involved. 
3. Do not show yourself to the living. 

As a grim reaper, seventeen-year-old Xia has to follow these Rules. But when she meets Shilah, a Native American boy who can see reapers, she figures the rules don't apply. To find out why he can see her, she pretends to be human, since carrying a scythe probably isn't the latest teen craze. Things become unnerving as she begins experiencing first-time affection with Shilah, but she's irreversibly drawn to him. Suddenly Xia finds herself breaking Rule Two, even while collecting dead souls behind Shilah's back. It isn't long before she is caught red-handed by the Angel of Death himself, and then not only is her relationship at risk, but also Shilah's soul. And this leaves Xia wondering: can love overcome Death? 

GRIM CRUSH is a teen paranormal romance that shows how love can transcend the boundary between life and death.
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Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Yes, sometimes. Mostly I try to put a bit of myself in my main characters, and if someone requests to have their name in one of my books, sometimes I do that too!
 
What authors inspire your writing?
J. K. Rowling, Christopher Paolini, and R. A. Salvatore
 
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
My experiences helped me learn what my characters would feel in certain situations. For example, I have gone through struggles with love, and I incorporated that in Grim Crush. I didn’t have any experience with affection from guys much in my teen years, so I know how my character, Xia, feels.
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Watch TV shows like The Walking Dead, Supernatural, Game of Thrones, etc. I also like being outside, listening to music, playing games, and dancing sometimes.
 
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
It was a struggle every step of the way. I wrote a few novels and sent them out to hundreds of agents. I kept getting rejected, even though they said my writing was good. So I tried publishing Grim Crush with a small press, but eventually they released me from my contract. Finally I decided to skip the middleman and get my work straight to the readers by self-publishing. And I’m getting great feedback!
 

How did you come up with the title of your book?
Since the book is about a grim reaper, I wanted the word “grim” in the title. I went through several different words to go with it, and then I found one that made the book sound like the beginning of teenage love, which starts with a crush. Therefore, Grim Crush was born.
 
Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
Funny enough, I never read plain romance books. Fantasy is my favorite genre, but I LOVE books with a touch of romance in them. I read mostly YA.
 
Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I have online. There’s one I actively look at and participate in on Goodreads, called Support Indie Authors.
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Getting stuck on a scene in my book and not knowing what should come next for my characters.
 
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Writing action scenes! My hands just fly across the keyboard and my mind shuts out everything around me.
 
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Xia, because I identify with her struggles of being devoid of love and affection, because I was too when I was a teen.
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Both. I have a vague outline in the beginning, but by the time I’m finished writing the story, it surprises me how different it is from the original outline.
 
With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
Self-publishing. I have control of everything and I can choose when to get my books out to readers, instead of waiting years in-between books in my series.
 

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
When I was sixteen, although I didn’t start working hard at making a career of it till I was eighteen. I thought if J. K. Rowling could become a billionaire writing books, I should at least be able to make a decent living from it!
 
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Follow your heart no matter what anyone else tells you. Do what you love, even if it’s a risk.
 

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?

Have I ever had an experience like the one in my book?
I experienced what I think was first love, but I was too shy to let the guy into my life and heart. And I never knew that feeling of affection and closeness with my first love, but if I had, it would’ve been new, scary, and very exciting. That’s how Xia feels when she first discovers affection with Shilah in Grim Crush.
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Deborah Camp Interview

11/30/2015

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The guest author for today on Interviews with Dante is Deborah Camp. She is a writer of Thriller/Suspense/Paranormal Romance and she has also write Western Historical Romances​. Her latest work is Through His Heart. The third novel in the Mind's Eye series.
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Deborah Camp, author of more than 45 published novels, both contemporary and historical. My first book was published in 1979 by Simon & Shuster. I live in Oklahoma with my significant other and a bunch of sweet dogs.
I’m a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and I’m a member of The Authors Guild, Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc, and the Tulsa Night Writers.
When I’m not writing or reading, I’m usually volunteering with the Animal Rescue Foundation in Tulsa, rescuing pets from kill shelters and finding great new homes for them.
I’ve made my living as a writer my whole adult life, so I’m very blessed.


Tell us about your latest book.
My most current book is the third novel in my Mind’s Eye series, which features psychic detectives Trudy Tucker and Levi Wolfe. Each book is stand-alone as far as the mystery goes, but the relationship between Trudy and Levi continues to evolve throughout the series. THROUGH HIS HEART deals with the kidnapping of a child – a step-sister Levi has never met – and Trudy’s insistence in helping find the girl, even though it means dealing with Levi’s father, John Comfort. The Rev. Comfort is an evangelical TV minister who rejected Levi when he was a child, which threw Levi into a world of mental and physical torture. He hates his father and his father has no use for him, so being in the same town together is explosive for both of them.
Caught in this tangled web of deceit and hatred, Trudy and Levi try to find the girl using their psychic abilities while Levi tries not to spin out of control and into the emotionally charged chaos he’s tried so hard to avoid.

Levi and Trudy approach their work from different angles because Levi can commune with the deceased or victims of crimes and Trudy can get into the criminal’s mind and see what he sees, hear what he hears, etc. They make a formidable team.


What do you have coming out in the future?
My work-in-process is a western set in Texas, two years after the end of the Civil War. It’s a love story, dealing primarily with the aftermath of life after the war and the festering hatred, animosity, and fear most people struggled with at that time. It’s a story of redemption and how men and women deal differently with the trauma of war. Its scheduled release is in early 2016.
After that, I’ll write #4 in the Mind’s Eye series.

 
The Mind’s Eye series is different from most because it has something for everyone – romance, hot sex, suspense, danger, intrigue, and paranormal. I think I’m successful in weaving all those elements into each book. From the reviews I’ve received, readers are pleasantly surprised by how much they love the books and the series. Readers who generally don’t like to read paranormal books like them because they are more down to earth and they have complex and interesting main characters. Levi is smoking hot and Trudy is a strong woman who can handle all his complexities and hotness!
 
I focused on Levi in the first three books of the series. In the next three, I plan to focus more on Trudy and her own unique psychic talents. She’s new at the detective game and still struggling with how to use her gifts. She’s always been afraid of them and tried to deny them, but now she is attempting to embrace and control them.

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
 My book is part of a series (The Mind's Eye series), but it is stand-alone in that a murder is solved in each one. The relationship between the characters continues throughout the series.

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
 I write romances because that's what I like to read. My Mind's Eye series is a bit different because the psychic detectives work both "sides." She can see through the killer's eyes and he can commune with the deceased crime victims.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I write romances, both contemporary and historical.
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“Sending you an SOS.” 
When psychic Trudy Tucker hears this plaintive cry in her mind and then connects psychically with a little girl’s kidnapper, she is drawn to a small town in Missouri where everyone is suspect – including herself and her lover, celebrated psychic detective Levi Wolfe. As she and Levi work to sort through whom and what to trust and struggle with horrors that hit too close to their hearts, an innocent life hangs in the balance.
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​Do you base your characters on real people?
I have done this. In the Mind’s Eye series, a character named Quintara is based on my writer mentor who ran a Writers Roundtable. She was quite a character and loved by many writers in Oklahoma. Mostly, my characters are a combination of people I’ve met or watched from a distance. Writers are observers.
 
What was your road to publishing like?
Although I have a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and I was a newspaper reporter for a few years, I knew that writing a mass market novel wasn’t the same thing. So, I took classes in novel writing at the local junior college and I joined local writing groups and critique groups. My first novel went through a critique group before I submitted it to a literary agent or a publisher. It was contracted by Simon & Shuster for their new romance line called Silhouette. Shortly after that, I signed with my first literary agent. I would say that my road to publishing was methodical and I approached it as a business I had to learn before I hung out shingle.
 
What authors inspire your writing?
I admire many authors and add new ones to the list every year. LaVyrle Spencer, Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts, Janet Dailey, Mary Stewart, C.D. Reiss, E.L. James, and Abigail Barnette are a few that have influenced me as a writer and thrilled me as a reader.
 
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
The hardest part is after a book is written and I have to find ways to let readers know about it and get them to place reviews of it online! That never gets easier and it’s very time-consuming and expensive.
 

What is the easiest part?
Dreaming up the plot and creating the character profiles. That’s always fun.
 
What is my preferred writing environment?
I like to write at home. I carry my laptop all over the place and plop down and write.
 
What influences my writing?
I like to hang my plot on a lesson or moral judgment. I don’t want to pound readers over the head with it, but I expect them to “get it” by the end of the novel. In the Mind’s Eye series, the overall lesson is to not judge people prematurely or ignorantly. In the western I’m writing now the lesson is that hatred is learned and passed on. Humans are not born hating.
I’m influenced by the wonderful people around me – my friends and my lovely, gorgeous, sexy, very own hero. We’ve been together, off and on, since I was a senior in high school and he was an older, experienced, guy with a “bad boy” reputation.  We’re definitely “on” now, but we have a long-distance relationship. I live in Oklahoma and he lives in Connecticut. Thanks to flying, texting, e-mails, and phone calls, we make it work. We hardly ever go longer than two weeks without seeing each other.

 
Do you plot or go with the flow?
I used to plot, chapter by chapter, and sometimes I still do. However, with the Mind’s Eye series, I go with the flow. I know the mystery and how it will be resolved, but I don’t know all the subplots and key scenes. So far, it’s working for me on this series.
 
Advice for new writers:
I taught novel writing and romance writing for more than 20 years at a local college, so I think I can speak to this with some confidence. I’m proud to say that several of my students are published romance writers now.
Do your homework! Study the books you love to read as if they were textbooks. Underline sections you love and ask yourself why you love them, why they’re successful, what the author did to pull your heartstrings or make you gasp. Concentrate on a good plot and don’t rely on coincidences and contrived outcomes. The conflict has to be real and wrenching and both of your main characters should wish they could extricate themselves, but they can’t because of realistic and believable reasons. If it’s something that they could deal with in a conversation or by answering a few questions, then it’s not a good conflict. Too often, I see flimsy plots that rely on a misunderstanding that could be cleared up if the heroine or hero simply questioned the other person instead of flying off into a rage or pouting.
Hire a copy-editor and a proofer! Don’t rely on good friends or relatives to tell you they love your book and didn’t find anything wrong with it. Invest in a professional editor and proof reader. They are worth every cent you pay them! Listen to their advice – especially the editor. You don’t have to make every change suggested, but listen and compromise when possible.
When you’re just starting out, find a good critique group, preferably one that consists of both published and unpublished writers who are writing the in the same genre as you. Check with local writing groups for one. If you can’t find one, start your own! Again, you don’t have to take everyone’s advice, but if several people in the group have the same problem with something in your book, you need to change it. Don’t love your book so much that you think every word and every scene is necessary. Rewriting is where you find the real gold.
 

What is your favorite quote?
Don’t wait for your ship to come in. Swim for it!
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Ash Night Interview

11/15/2015

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The guest author for today on Interviews with Dante is Ash Night. She is a writer of Young Adult Paranormal Romance. Her latest work Embracing Shadows is the first in the Embracing Shadows series.
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​Please tell us a little about yourself.
I always thought I’d end up in Neverland with Peter Pan, and when that didn’t happen, I made my own version of Neverland and just never stopped. I love camping and love walking in the woods, especially in the fall. I grew up outside a small town in Wisconsin. I’m the oldest of four kids and I started writing when I was eleven.
 
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is about love coming in more than one form.
 
What do you have coming out in the future?
I have the sequel to Embracing Shadows coming out early next year and a short story about my favorite orange-haired vampire. I also plan to work on a few random projects as well.
 
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Embracing Shadows is a series. My first novel, Juliet’s Lullaby, is a stand-alone told from Topaz’s POV but is sort of a spin-off of Embracing Shadows.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
My first experience with romance was watching English-dubbed anime (Japanese cartoons with English-speaking voice actors). When I was young, I watched an anime called Rurouni Kenshin. I had a huge crush on the main male character and was envious of how sweet he was with the main female character. Since then, I still love sappy anime romances, but I’ve become more realistic. My brand of romance is special because, although my vampires are from the days of when men controlled their women, most of them believe in change and are willing to be considerate of what the opposite gender wants. I also believe in females who can hold a scene on their own and not have to always depend on a guy.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I’m hoping to branch out a bit and write other types of romances, other than paranormal, but I think I’ll stick to romance.
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​When I was ten, my dad died. Rather than deal with my horrified screaming, my mom had me committed. After she let me out, the nightmares got worse. The day I met him the nightmares stopped. What will I do now that he’s gone?

She knows now. She wants to be with me. Is it right? No. She deserves better. I love her. I just can’t be human for her.

Erin Sapphire hasn’t always been a happy, go-lucky teen. Five years ago, she was in a mental hospital after losing her dad. After her mom let her come home, her mind was in a constant fog thanks to all the medication she was prescribed. Until she meets the handsome, soft-spoken Aubrey Asher. Now a junior in high school, she and Aubrey are best friends. As they grow closer, Aubrey gives in to desire and shows Erin his spine-chilling world of blood and secrets. Despite her knowing, he knows he’ll have to leave soon. Is Erin finally strong enough to handle her nightmares on her own? Will Aubrey be able to sacrifice her happiness to keep her safe?
Click image for explanation. 
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What authors inspire your writing?
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was a big influence on me. She even inspired my pen name. I even got the chance to tell her on Facebook how much she inspired me and it was wonderful being able to actually tell her how much she helped me grow as a writer.
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I share my love of anime with my little sister Brooke so we can waste an entire day watching our favorite anime, One Piece. I’m very family-oriented. On the weekends, I’m usually babysitting at least one of my ten cousins. I also have an extensive movie collection, including seasons of my favorite shows. I love to go camping. I love everything about nature. I also love video games, especially RPGs.
 
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
When I was fourteen, I had a teacher who believed in my writing. She also knew I had trouble in a class due to my mild Cerebral Palsy (trouble with fine motor skills) so she changed my schedule so I would have forty-five minutes free every day instead of having to take that class. I used that time to research how to get published. At that time, I used to think the only way of getting published was to get an agent.
 
I wrote to agents and got a handful of rejection letters. A few didn’t even write back. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, I was getting frustrated. In my mind, I was supposed to be famous by now with everyone reading my writing. Through my author page on Facebook I was introduced to some very nice authors who were self-published and they seemed very happy.
 
Now, right I am. I believe I made the right decision. Sure, being an indie author has its drawbacks. I have to do all the promotion myself. I have to do all the editing or pay a pretty penny for someone to do it for me. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
 
I love being able to have control of what covers go on my books. I love that I can schedule my own time instead of being told where I’m going next. Most of all, I love being able to have time to interact with my readers and other authors. The community is so welcoming. I love being surrounded by such positive people, and, to me, that outweighs every single drawback.

 
What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
The Den of Shadows series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is one of my favorites. One story in the series, specifically Demon in my View, is very special to me because it had a very profound effect on me. I love the writing style, the characters, the setting. Her vampires had a unique human-like quality to them that I loved. Interview with the Vampire, Twilight, and the Vampire Diaries series are also some of my favorites.
 
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I would have Kelan Lutz play my character Aubrey Asher because I loved his performance as Emmett Cullen. Robert Pattinson would be great to act as Topaz Tylers because I think he could pull off Topaz’s goofy personality while perfectly portraying his darker moments. Ian Somerhalder would be absolutely perfect for playing Alex Asher because Alex and Damon Salvatore have similar personality traits.
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Editing. I hate it. I also hate that once I start, I have a hard time stopping until I’m finished. I noticed I tend to be a little crabby during this time so, if I’m editing, there better be a good reason for someone to interrupt.
 
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
I have three I could not possibly choose between. My characters Aubrey Asher, Alex Asher, and Topaz Tylers are my favorites. They’ve been with me almost my entire life. I love them equally, but for different reasons.
 
What is your preferred writing environment?
I love writing in my living room, but I can really write anywhere as long as it’s quiet or if I have music.
 
How would you describe your writing style?
My writing is character-driven and most of my characters have an internal problem that the other main character tries to help fix.
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I have used outlines twice in my life and twice I stopped and just started writing. I’m a very hands-on person. If I have a character pop into my head, I want that character to talk and the fastest way is to sit in front of a blank word document, turn the music up loud, and just get lost in it. It’s the most powerful feeling in the world.
 
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I knew the day I handed my sixth grade teacher one of my stories after class, as I did every other day, and she asked, “Have you ever thought of publishing your stories?” At that moment, my life changed forever.
 
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
My advice would be to write whenever you can, even if it’s only a few minutes a day. A novel happens one sentence at a time. Even if it takes your whole life to write it, a novel is something to be proud of. It’s also one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had.

Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?


I would love for people to ask me about the little things about my characters like their favorite food or the type of music they dislike
. When I was first starting out as a writer, I used to fill out character sheets and always had so much fun answering the questions like, “what would be in your character’s fridge right now?”, or “what would your character serve on a first date?”, etc. I love to imagine what my characters would be doing on a typical Tuesday afternoon. Of course, it wouldn’t be much fun for my reader to read about that, but it’s fun to think about.
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Tracey Clark Interview

10/30/2015

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​The guest author for today on Interviews by Dante is Tracey Clark. She is an author of Paranormal Romance. Her latest work is Shocking Finds. It is the first installment in the Finder’s Keepers series.
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Tracey Clark, a born and bred Kentucky gal. I started writing a few years after I was diagnosed with MS, and my worlds quickly became my passion. My two pugs help keep me going and for down time I use art projects to refresh my mind.
 
Tell us about your latest book.
Shocking Finds (A Finder’s Keepers Novel) is my first publication, and will be released on oct 26. Paranormal Romance at it's finest. Follow Marin and the Fae entering her life. Betrayal, Fae assassins, steamy and undeniable lust … magic and the unknown.
 
What do you have coming out in the future?
I have two rough drafts for the Finder’s Keepers series that I will be editing, along with a few accompanying short stories.
 
Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Shocking Finds is the first book in a series, but each book can be read as a stand alone. I want this world to grow with each novel with out any confusion should a reader start with book two or three, instead of one.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I love the emotional content in a romance novel. The pull of seeking out that HEA. I will read anything from behind-closed-doors-lovin’ to in-your-face-gymnastic-worthy-passion. My brand of romance shows the doubts that can be felt, but the connection is impossible to dismiss. Plus ... Paranormal Romance allows for anything to happen. Which I love.
 
Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I have yet to write anything that didn’t hold some form of passion. For the most part I stick to Paranormal Romance, but I started a contemporary romance rough draft. Still in the romance section but it is my first attempt at something other than paranormal.
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​An act of rebellion, Marin doesn’t think that running into the new store in town will hurt anything. Her aunt will never know… right? One car wreck later, her aunt is hospitalized, Marin is forced to spend her twenty-first birthday fighting for her life, and magic – the very thing her aunt has always sworn to be for fools – is real. And so is the irresistible Fae dedicated to Marin’s protection.

Kyland has searched Earth-side and all the other realms, looking for a missing Fae child. A child his Queen prophesied would be able to one day save the Fae people from the Danshue, as the evil Fae threat tries to overwhelm the entire Supernatural Community. A child that would know nothing of her blocked gifts, or her Fae heritage waiting to be claimed. A child that has grown into a curvy, delicious morsel he would love to taste
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Together Marin and Kyland will fight Fae assassins, overcome betrayals, and if they’re lucky … they will find the Danshue responsible for their plight. That’s if Marin doesn’t shock him to death with her erratic new gift, and her out of control emotions.
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​Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I have yet to base any of my characters on real people. I have used a few of their last names, in a kind of shout out to those I love, but that is all for now.
 
What authors inspire your writing?
I have been inspired by many authors. I love the feel and build up in Karen Chance’s novels. Laurell K Hamilton and Lora Leigh are both steamier than I am so far, but they both have the ability to pull me into the story with the emotions jumping off the page. Shelly Laurenston/G. A. Aiken always manages to make me laugh out loud. I could go on for hours, but all the authors I fine inspiring have been from the romance genre. I actually have one favorite that didn’t come from the paranormal subgenre... Lorelei James and her cowboys novels.
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to paint, using oil paints. Really, art of any kind draws me. Other than that, I spend time with my two pugs.
 
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Like a lot of other authors, there were a lot of query letters. And man do I suck at query letters. I was actually looking into self-publishing, even though I knew I needed someone to lead the way (I am still learning all the ropes) when I came across Gone Writing Publishing. They asked for a copy of the novel and a synopsis. Which I found a lot easier.
 
How did you come up with the title of your book?
I was actually planning to use Finder’s Keepers as the title, then I saw that Stephen King was coming out with a novel using the same. At first, I thought ... well crap... then I realized that Kind had done me a favor, though he will never know. I started looking for a new title and came up with Shocking Finds. My main character get an electrical power that she can’t control, and inadvertently shocks those around her when she loses her temper. Plus she works at Finder’s Keepers ... so Shocking Finds.
 
Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I read at least thirty romance books each year, more depending on free time.
 
What is your absolute favorite book or books and why is it special to you?
I will always love Pride and Prejudice... a true classic. But my current favorite has to be the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance. I love her stories, but I’m really waiting to learn more about her Pritkin character. He is my favorite male lead.
 
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
My main male character feel like the Fae version of an American Indian to me, but I can’t pinpoint one that is currently famous... so he will have to be an unknown. One of my male background characters feels close to the ‘Rock’ Johnson. And my Female main character would have to be that girl that played the Doctor’s daughter in one episode of Doctor Who.
 
Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I am a member of RWA, and always participate in the various NaNoWriMo groups. There area few other online groups that I like to visit, but those two are the main ones.
 
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Editing, editing, and more editing has to be the hardest part. There are so many edits, and something to do with my MS causes my mind to shut off after a few hours of edits, so this process is extremely long for me. That is part of the reason that I wrote about five rough drafts for various series, as well as a handful of short stories before I started trying to get published. I needed a cushion so that my readers won’t have too long to wait for book two and three.
 
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Brainstorming comes really easy for me. I love doing it for new stories. Even if those stories are being written by my writing friends.
 
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
Makayla is my favorite. She doesn’t get too much screen time in Shocking Finds, but she will be one of the main character’s in book two.
 

What is your preferred writing environment?
I like to be comfortable when I write. Usually this happens in my lazy boy, in my office. Surrounded by my art and my pugs.
 

How would you describe your writing style?
I start out by writing story boards. For me, these are quick and extremely short snippets. He when here, she did this, oh look...a fight, they had sex, more fights, the cave contains, etc... then I sit down to write the first rough draft. This way I can get all my ideas down fast, and come back later.
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
There is now plan when I write. I sit down, and it is all free flowing information. I write down what comes to me, and later I can decide or change that information. This works for me, and when I have a piece that I can’t use, I usually gets used somewhere else.
 
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
About five hours after I got diagnosed with MS I knew that writing was the only thing that wanted to do. I also happened to be the only course of action that didn’t cause my MS to flare up. I started playing around with writing about three years after my diagnosis for a way to keep my mind occupied. Walking was hard to do, and television caused my head to hurt. So I told myself stories. Eventually I could write these stories out, but at first I could only do story boards. Writing was hard for me at that time, and most likely this need to keep my writing short started my writing style.
 

What is your favorite quote?
I love the first part of William Blake poem... ‘To See A World...’
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

 
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Go out there and have fun with your writing, work hard, and support your fellow authors. We are a community and there is a lot of support and influence to be found. As well as the push we all need from time to time.
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Toya Richardson Interview

10/25/2015

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The guest author for today on Interviews with Dante is Toya Richardson. She is a writer of Paranormal Romance & Contemporary Fiction​. Her latest work is Rise of the Chameleons, part 2 of Eternal Love of the Seekers series.
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​Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been writing since the tender age of four and was always encouraged by my mother. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2009 before she was able to see me published. I still miss her love and friendship and I feel that was the catalyst for me to start writing seriously and since that date, I have written seventeen books. A series of eight paranormal/romance are to be published by Red Sage Publishing and a contemporary romance/thriller was published this February by Little Bird Publishing.
 

Tell us about your latest book.
Rise of the Chameleons, part 2 of Eternal Love of the Seekers series, is out 1st October 2015. It is a fairly gritty story about the continuing battle between The Seekers and Global Innovations – two warring factions of modern day Atlanteans. They have special powers and manage to live side-by-side with the humans without detection. I’ve attached the book blurb etc. which should give some insight. I am a romance author, so even though there are some traumatic moments, love will always win in the end.

Because it’s a series The Atlantean Birthright – part one – needs to be read in order to keep up with events in the following books.
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What do you have coming out in the future?
Books three to eight in the Atlantean series will be coming out one a month from November 2015. Book seven has now been split in to two books because it was over 130K words long. Book eight is called Desire Unleashed. I have written book nine, but it requires editing so I haven’t submitted it yet.
 
I have several books in fantasy romance and contemporary romance, which have yet to be placed. When all the editing
 

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Most are stand-alone and Eternal Love of the Seekers is a series.
 
Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I’ve always loved romance stories and happy ever after books, but with mine, especially the series, I love to leave a cliffhanger so that the reader cannot wait to read the next one to see what happens. I also love long, drawn out, sexual tension. The slow build-up is extremely important to me.
 

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
I did write a fantasy once. I had an agent at the time, although he was unable to place it. I self-published with his assistance, but it cost so much money, for very little return, that I said I’d never do it that way again.
 
When I get some time, I hope to rewrite the book and turn it into more of a fantasy romance. 
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After discovering Phoenicia Coeur is his Mother, Jared realises the Seekers will think he’s inherited her evil. This leaves only one course of action for him – he must kill her at any cost.

Lauren and her eight-year-old brother, Connor, are captured by Phoenicia Coeur while on the run. She’s given two choices, infiltrate the Seekers and bring her son to her and the Seekers location, or her brother will be tortured and killed.   Along with Jared’s girlfriend, Sara, they are captured by Phoenicia. Can they be rescued, or will they die along with everyone else living at the Seekers mansion. This is a story fuelled by love, loyalty, betrayal and finally – hope.  
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Reader Alert! This story is about dealing with trust, revenge and love issues and knowing when to do the right thing. There is an incredibly traumatic part in the story where several people involved have to learn how to move on and deal with what’s happened. Their whole world could be about to crumble around them, which could mean being captured and enslaved by Global Innovations. The finale leaves you wondering what will happen in the next part of the series.  ​
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Click image for explanation.
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From where do you draw your inspiration?
Most of it comes from inside my head, although sometimes I may see a place, or person and imagine them in different scenarios.
 
In March of this year, I was lucky enough to spend a month in New Zealand and Australia. We visited Waiheke Island, an amazing place off the coast of Auckland NZ. I got off the ferry and almost had sensory overload. It was an amazing place and a story came to me. When I got home, it took around five weeks to get it down and I have ended up with a 75K contemporary romance, which I am attempting to place at the moment.
 
To be honest, I never know when an idea will strike. If I don’t have my pad and pen with me, I note it down in a text to myself.

 
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Not really, most of it comes from inside my head. I did have one surprise though. I’d written The Atlantean Birthright, the hero is called Armand De Silva, and then I went to see the first Thor movie. I’d never heard of Chris Hemsworth but when he appeared on the screen, he was a dead ringer for Armand…very nice surprise  :D
 
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
My main passion in life is writing but when I get the time, in between working and keeping house like most of us authors have to, I love reading, cinema, theatre, going to live gigs, keeping fit and spending time with my friends.
 
How did you come up with the title of your book?
For some reason, I always find choosing a title extremely hard. It has to be something punchy that will draw the reader in, something which almost compels them to read it. I actually sit in an almost meditative state and then the title usually comes to me.
 
Do you read romance or do you prefer other genres?
I prefer paranormal romance although since following other authors on Twitter, I read different genres now in order to support them.
 
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I allow my characters to drive the story. I sit at my laptop and let the story take me where it will. I’ve tried to write plot lines but always end up writing something completely different.
 
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
When my mum passed away in 2009, she desperately wanted to see me published and she was mentor. She had always believed in my work and that’s when I had to confidence to really go for it.
 

What is your favorite quote?
Okay, this was from an author at a workshop I attended years ago, “Write because you love to write. If you write to earn money, then you might just as well give up.”
 
This is very true because writing is a passion, something a writer cannot function without.

 
Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Never get disheartened by rejection letters, have the courage of your conviction and keep on writing.  Always check your work carefully and edit as much as you can. When you submit your work to a publisher, check the guidelines and follow them verbatim or your work won’t even get looked at.
 
Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?
 

Why do I write if I can’t make a living out of it?
Because it is my passion and I am driven by the desire to write and see my characters and stories come to life. And if only one or two people read them and enjoy what I’ve penned, then it’s a marvelous achievement.
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Zara Steen Interview

9/30/2015

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The guest author for today on Interviews with Dante is Zara Steen. She is a writer of Paranormal and Fantasy Romance for both Young Adults and Adults . Her latest work is Blue Moon Rising book two in the Mercrutian Chronicle.
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Please tell us a little about yourself.
I absolutely love writing and reading Paranormal and Fantasy Romance. I'm from Atlantic Canada, where I let my adventurous spirit roam for inspiration. My main aim with my writing is to create meaningful stories with captivating characters in magical places. I hope to inspire readers with a sense of joy, excitement, love, and wonder.

Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book released on August 22, 2015 is Blue Moon Rising. It is a young Adult Fantasy Romance about a society of Mermaids co-existing with humans in Seabright, Nova Scotia. The female protagonist, Anya, returns home in this sequel to Heart of Shell (the first Mercrutian Chronicle), after transcending to a full Mermaid over the summer. Now she has new powers, a new and stronger sense of herself, and new challenges she'll face.

What do you have coming out in the future?
In December, I'll be releasing King of Shadows, the second book in the Arzulian Kingdoms Series. This will overlap with the first book in the series Prince of Fire to tell part of Salha's story from her perspective and then encompass all of the characters. 

Is your book a stand-alone or a series?
Both of these books are part of a series but I do have a stand alone short story out right now called Eyesight. It is a quick enjoyable read in the New Adult Paranormal genre and was a winner of the Winter Solstice Short Story Contest. 

Why romance and what makes your particular brand of romance special?
I would say that my brand of romance is fun and sometimes silly, but most importantly I support and explore healthy equal relationships between characters. My young adult books especially try to support positive ideas about relationships. I write females who are strong and don't define themselves only by love, they ask themselves questions to listen to their mind and hearts. I write males who don't feel obligated to follow traditional roles, and ask themselves questions about what they think or feel. I want my characters to express genuine love and affection to their counterpart without being archetypes. 

Is romance the only genre that you write in or do you write in other genres? If so what other genres do you write in?
At this time I only write Romance. It's what I enjoy and I feel can have such a positive impact, so it is my area of focus.
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​​In this sequel to Heart of Shell, Anya returns to Seabright changed. Summer has brought her deeper into the world of the Science Mers and what she's learning, she may not like. Meanwhile, Merrick seems the same, but keeps revealing more and more, despite Zale's attempts to curb his conversations with her. Now that The Depths are on the move, everything is changing for the Mers of Mercrutia.
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Click image for explanation.
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From where do you draw your inspiration?
There are a lot of things that I find inspirational. Walks in nature can be especially helpful to create a sense of calmness and serenity that helps me with finding the right tone and voice. Generally with my ideas though they are eureka moments. An idea kind of pops into my mind and takes over. Suddenly I'm swept up into a scenario outside of myself and my curious nature wants to know more. So I ask myself questions and delve further into the tale. Characters will introduce themselves to me too, which sounds funny but is the easiest way to explain how it happens. I'll be daydreaming and they just pop into my head and say “Hello” because they have a story they want to be told. 

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
I think every writer does whether we intend to or not. I wouldn't say that my characters are specific people in my life, but I would confess that sometimes a gesture, a thought process, or a way a character says things are slightly influenced by people I know. I think when it really comes down to knowing a character, they are telling me who they are – it's up to me to figure them out rather than create them. 

What authors inspire your writing?
When it comes to Romance: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Katie MacAlister, Nalini Singh, Marjorie M. Liu, and Lynsay Sands are some of my favorites. I admire their strong characters and their writing is always just what I need, a bit of intrigue and mystery, or some humor and laughs. I start reading and immediately I'm enveloped by the worlds they have written.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I'm very fortunate to have the love that I do in my life, with my partner, with my family, and with my friends. I believe all of those experiences influence the way I approach love and romance. I think because of the positivity and faith I have with these people no matter how dark or challenging a situation might appear my characters prevail. 
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​Anya isn't your typical teenager─ she's mostly mermaid. Only the successful transformation to magic and beauty seem elusive to her. Relocating to Seabright, Nova Scotia she finds that there may be some hope for her, until suddenly things become more complicated, and complicated's name is Merrick Price. A teal eyed, dark haired Mer from a warrior family, he's hand picked her for his mate and she isn't quite sure why. She's a science Mer with no mermaid tail in sight and can't seem to uncover his true feelings or his motives.
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​Click image for explanation.
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​What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Spending time with my loved ones is important to me. As well as taking time to have little adventures in nature. I find wildlife inspirational so I try to spend some time recuperating outdoors. I also like to mediate, craft, and read. 

How did you come up with the title of your book?
It popped into my head. I wanted something that would make you think of mermaids. The moon is equally important to the Mer mythology in my books like water is so Blue Moon Rising seemed very approriate. The rarity of the situation and the historical connotations and meanings surrounding a blue moon are reflective of the undelying themes in the book. 

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Coming up with ideas is the easiest part for me. Sometimes I have too many ideas and I end up scribbling them all down and tucking them away for later when I'll get the chance to revisit. Once I have an idea,  from there the characters and places  and events flow very easily. 

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
I actually haven't written my favourite character yet. She's a guardian named Stitia from a world called Morianna. I'll be writing her story in a fantasy romance series in 2017. 
If I had to choose a character from my current books though it would be challenging. I would say that Samira from Prince of Fire is my favourite female character and Merrick from Blue Moon Rising is my favourite male. I like Samira because she's tough and doesn't ever give up. No matter what life throws at her, she will perserveer. Merrick would be my favourite male because he gets overlooked sometimes. There's so many things about him that the reader will understand over time. He has a lot of layers and he's not always what he appears to be. 
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​Samira and Salha Khan, sisters living in modern Halifax, Nova Scotia, awake one day as slaves. Trapped in Arzule, an alternate world they've somehow been transported to, they struggle to make sense of their lives. When Samira is unexpectedly whisked away by an Akorian Prince, Arkson it seems as though their luck has gone even further astray. Samira finds herself drawn to this handsome prince, but cannot seem to decipher his intentions. He is a prince of many secrets, and Samira has secretive tendencies of her own.
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Click image for explanation.
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​What is your preferred writing environment?
My home office. :) With a cup of hot tea, some instrumental music softly playing and my curtains open to an overcast or stormy day. There's something very magical about lightning, thunder, and rain that I find highly motivating. It might be the sense of awe.

How would you describe your writing style?
It is very creative and imaginate and I try to focus on also building a world that you find yourself engaged in exploring. My pacing is often fast with reflective moments for the reader to pause. There's a lot of action and positive dialogue going on. 

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I use both, I typically know what will happen in a book and will plot it out but when it comes to writing I think it is a very organic and cylical process. I'll write chapters, shift them around for the sake of flow and sometimes fill things in in chunks. I'm not a very linear writer. I write in circles until I've completed each part of the curve. 

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices? 
Online publishing by myself and through online publishing companies are my choice right now. ePublishing has been really accessible, easy to use and I think something that a lot of authors are exploring now. To me an eBook felt reliable since they're so widely used. I do certainly love a hard copy of a book and so enjoy the tactile feeling of flipping a page, but I feel like focusing on ePublishing is the way to start, print can develop later. 
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​Salha Khan has lost the one who means the most to her, and now she finds her self in the company of Alexandros, a strange leader of the small human population left in Arzule. He's a mystery to her, the King of a dying race. What she wants most is her freedom, but now there's so much more at stake, things have changed, and Guedan is out there planning his return and his revenge.
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Click image for explanation.
Forthcoming 12/9/2015
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
In my heart, I've always been a writer, but there are times when outside influences can drown out that love and that instinct to write. At the beginning of this year I decided I would change. I had written a book that I wasn't talking about and another book (Heart of Shell) was just sitting there waiting to be shared. I took a course in the early spring called Infinite Possibilites and it was then I realized I had all these stories I wanted to tell-- that's when I said to myself, okay let's do this... now or never. 

What is your favorite quote?
“The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living the life of your dreams today, in every little way you possibly can.” - Mike Dooley

Do you have any advice for other writers and what is it?
Keep writing. No matter what anyone ever says, there are millions of people out there waiting to read your book. The more you write, the better skills you acquire, so keep at it, and BE CONSISTENT. Write your plans out and know what you want to accomplish before you start writing. I don't start writing a book and know all of the ins and outs, but I do know that I will finish it and I think that's powerful in itself. 

Forgive yourself too, you're going to make mistakes and someone will notice. Put your best efforts forward, and another person will think it's great. ; ) Writing involves a lot of evolution. 


Wild Card Question.
As an author, what is the one question that you wish people would ask you, but no one ever has and what would your answer be to that question?


If you could ask your readers anything, what would it be?
I would ask for them to provide positive constructive feedback or reviews. I think we sometimes hesistate to connect with authors to let them know what we thought of their books, if we enjoyed them or that we're waiting for their next book to come out. For independent authors this is something that is highly motivating and so appreciated. Reading a review that someone enjoyed your book, or what they thought of your characters can be wonderful! It also helps us think of things we hadn't considered before. Plus on the bad days when we want to give up and throw in the towel, we then think, no I can't someone out there wants to know more. 
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