Interview with Kaye Spencer

BLURB                                               

Get Branded

For Christy Walken, attending a romance reader's convention is sheer torture. When she wins the grand prize—a date with romance cover model, Declan Brand—she ends up with more than just dinner and dancing. She not only loses her heart, she has the video and pictures to prove it.

EXCERPT

Christy stared into the decorative mirror across the hallway from Declan Brand’s hotel-room door, contemplating just when it was she’d fallen for him. Despite her determination to remain aloof and disdainful during the day’s photo shoot, she’d watched with increasing envy as the two models had worked with him. He’d thrown himself heart and soul into the poses, treating each woman as if she were the only one he’d ever loved.

Admit it. You know what he wants. The woman in the mirror arched an eyebrow and grinned slyly. You want it, too, or you wouldn’t be here. How could she not want him? Sure, today had been strictly media hype, but after watching him work with the charisma and charm of a Hollywood heartthrob, she finally understood why she and every other woman at the conference lusted for him. Yes, it was corny and cliché, but he wasn’t just another pretty face. He was truly a nice guy. She was amazed at how quickly she’d gone from total disdain of romance novels and everything associated with them to completely taken with Declan, who was the living, breathing embodiment of romance. Even so, all of that was superficial. Christy knew the real reasons she was losing her heart to him, and they had nothing to do with his public image.

She looked down at the plastic room key and the note she clutched in her hand…a tryst with Declan was too deliciously indecent to pass up. Unfolding the note, she read it again. The message, etched in bold, neat handwriting, explained his intentions clearly enough.

Christy, Please join me at 11:30 for an intimate photo session. The two photographers you met today have already set up the room. They’ll be back at midnight. Bring your camera. One of the photographers will use it. Take the sixth-floor private elevator to the Executive Suites Level. This key opens the elevator and my room, The Beachcomber. Let yourself in, and meet me on the balcony. Stay in costume, and bring a sense of buccaneer adventure. I guarantee uninhibited fantasy fulfillment and complete carnal satisfaction by daylight. I hope you’re not shy. Declan

*****

QUESTIONS:

Plotter or Pantser? Why?

I am and always have been a card-carrying pantser. I write in scenes, collect them as the novel or short story progresses, and insert the scenes where they fit in the overall plot. I've been known to write the ending before the beginning ever reveals itself to me. Think of how directors shoot movies. They don't start with the first scene, they jump around from location to location, and it all comes together on the editing table, so to speak. That's me. My stories usually spawn from a picture (image of some sort) that creates a scene in my mind, and I go from there. Sometimes a spoken phrase will prompt the story idea. Outlining (plotting) in any form has never worked for me.

What books have most influenced your life?

Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, many of Louis L'Amour's westerns, William Shakespeare's plays, Marion Zimmer Bradley'sMists of Avalon, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Gaston Leroux and The Phantom of the Opera, Victor Hugo and Les Misérables, and Alexandre Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo

What hobbies do you actively pursue?

I have three strong interests, but I don't know that I'd call them true 'hobbies'. I have a petrified rock collection that I'm constantly on the look-out to add to. I dabble in wine (reading about, tasting, drinking). I'm obsessed with all things related to Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and La Bohème (as in collecting memorabilia, watching the performances/movies, reading about the performers, listening to the music, etc).

Where do you research for your books?

I have an extensive personal research library of 1000+ books on all sorts of topics that I've collected over the years. I also use the on-line Denver (Colorado) Public Library as well as other on-line libraries. The Library of Congress is a great historical resource. Whenever possible, I travel to the places I write about.

When was your first sale?

I sold my first book to Cobblestone Press in March 2006. The book is Lonely Places. Not only was Lonely Places the first historical Cobblestone contracted, it was one of the launch books during Cobblestone's grand opening month in June 2006. I'm currently writing the sequel to it.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

My favorite character is Beau Hyatt from Lonely Places. He's the antihero of the story. He's consumed with guilt over the the death of his wife and that she took the bullet meant for him. Hunting down the man who killed her is Beau's only reason to live. Loneliness is the overriding theme in this story.

Thank you, Amber, for inviting me over for an interview.

Until next time,

Kaye Spencer

Fall in love…faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances

http://www.kayespencer.com

Cindy Jacks - Goddess Fish Blog Tour

Today please give a warm welcome to Cindy Jacks. She dropped in for an interview on her All the Good Men Virtual Blog Tour.

Thank you, Amber for hosting me today! I'm so glad to be here.

How did you start your writing career?

I've always enjoyed writing, but never thought I could do anything with my work professionally. I didn't even know how to go about submitting something to a publisher. So for years, I had all these short stories just lying around my hard drive. Then, my ex-husband, of all people, encouraged me to send in a short story to an e-publisher and the rest is history.

Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career?

I consider myself blessed. I have so many colleagues who are also friends. They've been there to help me every step along the way. Kensana Darnell, Aubrey Leatherwood, Jambrea Jo Jones, Ericka Scott, Natalie Dae, Kayden McLeod and Kristin Manter to name a few. Okay that's more than a few, lol. Oh and I can't forget the ladies at Heat Wave Readers. They've been so supportive, too. I've learned so much from my fellow writers. I really owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

What do you think makes a good story?

It's so hard to judge my own writing sometimes, but I know I'm on the right track if the characters seem real to me and there's chemistry among them. My work is very much character-driven and the plot develops around them. I strive to create characters that readers will identify with and remember for years to come. If I can do that then I think it's safe to say I've written a good story.

Who are your books published with?

Readers can find my first novel, All the Good Men, at Moongypsy Press. As Cindy Jacks, I also have several short stories with Freya's Bower. Writing as CJ Elliott I have books with Wild Child Press, Cobblestone Press and a novel titled Clean coming soon to Moongypsy Press.
I'm proud to say I just signed my first contract with Ellora's Cave. Woo hoo! Leap will come out later this year.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a ballerina-astrophysicist-veterinarian-artist-writer, LOL. I was interested in everything—still am. I'm glad I accomplished a couple of the things on that list!

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I play an obscene amount of Mario Kart and Super Mario Bros. When I'm tired or unfocused, I find video games perk me up so when I get the 4:00-in-the-afternoon doldrums, I jump on the Wii and give myself a boost.
I also do yoga, bellydance, sketch, and bake. I really love to bake!

What would we find under your bed?

Paintings! OMG, I have so much artwork. I went to the University of Hawaii and majored in art. My ex- is a painter. My walls are full with my work, his work, and that of friends. I swap out my collection on a rotating basis and my 'gallery storage' is under my bed, lol. I'm sure there are quite a few dust bunnies under there, too.

Tell us about your favorite fan letter you have received.

A fan gave me what I consider the highest compliment. She said that my books had touched her emotionally and that she missed the characters now that she'd finished the series. She also said the characters would stick in her memory for a long time to come. When I read that, my jaw dropped and I got tears in my eyes. It made me feel so good that my words meant that much to another person. It's really the essence of why I write—to connect with my readers, to give them a little bit of myself.

Author bio:
Prior to becoming a writer of romantic and erotic fiction, Cindy was a 'jacks' of all trades. Besides obtaining a BFA in sculpture, interning as a pastry-chef, and learning the art of furniture restoration, she worked for ten years in the corporate arena, but now happily spends her days as a full time author. Her first published work--"The Point of Distraction Series"--was inspired by a collection of short stories she wrote to entertain her best friend. Since then she's explored her inner bad girl and penchant for love stories by producing books full of humor and packed with real emotion. When not chained to her laptop, she enjoys belly dancing, international cooking, and making jewelry. She and her family call the Washington, DC area home.

Book Title: All the Good Men
Tagline: Good things come in forty-something firefighter packages...

Blurb:
Dahlia is sure the hackneyed platitude is true: After a certain age, all the good men are married or gay. She feels her thirty-eight years put her well past that 'certain age.' Her best friend and her sisters dare her to put her fate where her mouth is. The terms of the challenge? During the month of October, she has to end her five-year-long man fast and go on dates with men of their choosing. Oh, and she also has to go out with anyone else who asks.

As the date disasters pile up, the vindication almost makes the torturous evenings bearable for Dahlia. But a handsome new neighbor, Jackson Carmichael, moves in, changing the rules of the game. Retired after twenty-six years as a pro firefighter in Boston, he volunteers with the local fire department, coaches a youth hockey team, and appears for all the world to be the perfect man. He just might throw a wrench into Dahlia's plan to die lonely and single...that is if she doesn't scare him away first.

Excerpt:

Her fingers slid over the ripples of his abdomen. Caressing her cheek, he moved in and brushed his lips against hers. Dahlia relaxed against him.
One button at a time, she worked until the shirt fell open. Smooth, cotton fabric glided over his shoulders and fluttered to the floor. She grimaced at his undershirt; just another layer of clothes separating her from his fragrant skin. Pulling it over his chest, she was forced to break away from his embrace to liberate him from the garment. He seized the opportunity to strip her of her t-shirt as well.
Large hands skimmed along her collarbone and followed her bra strap to the swell of her breasts. He folded his arms around her again. Despite the heat that passed between them, his touch gave her goosebumps. His tongue traced the curve of her neck, making her shiver.
Slow, deliberate kisses worked up her throat, brushed past her ear, then captured her lips. A deft motion behind her unsnapped her bra. Shimmying free of it, her bare breasts grazed against his torso. More tremors of excitement darted through her.
Jackson scooped her up and carried her to the bed. Her ruffled comforter felt cool against her back. He leaned in and covered her mouth with his. The dim light filtering through the curtains, the whir of the ceiling fan, even the intrusive red light from her alarm clock on the bedside table—everything else faded away until she was aware only of his warmth, his scent, and the feel of his lips against hers. She lost herself in the rhythm of his heartbeat, her own pulse picking up speed.
A hand slid underneath her skirt and up the length of her thigh. She let out a long sigh as he settled his hand between her legs. Slow, gentle strokes over her silken panties created a throbbing ache she could hardly bear. It'd been so long since anyone had touched her much less so handsome and sensual a man.
Jackson slid down her abdomen and left a trail of kisses in his wake. Her stomach quivered with each light brush of his lips across her skin. Reaching the junction of her hips and legs, his tongue skipped along the crease of her inner thigh...

Author Info: Cindy Jacks website: http://cindyjacks.com/