Guest Blogger - Heather Peters

Thanks, Amber for having me; Your interviews are so fun!

Thanks for being here today! I always enjoy having you. :o)

Tell us about your favorite character from your books. I love all my characters, but I'm going to say it's a tie between Lyon from Surrender and Dane from Secret Dreams. Lyon Sauvage is my hero from Surrender, my contemporary Beauty and the Beast novella. Lyon is scarred inside and out, and is in love with a woman who doesn’t love him back. But through his tenderness, nobility and devotion to Belle, the woman who left him five years before, he endures and eventually, gets the girl in the end. Dane, my older hero (he's 48) from Secret Dreams, has never married because his career doesn't allow room for a wife. Yet once he meets Annie, his fears about commitment fade away, and he makes a choice to do anything and everything to commit himself to Annie, and their love.

Tell us about your current release. Secret Dreams is my contemporary romance that features my feisty heroine, Annie DeRosa, a savvy, brilliant, music producer, who lives and works in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She is the best at what she does and devotes her waking hours to her work.

My hero is music icon and 80s superstar Dane Franklyn, a fiercely independent musician, who is extremely possessive of his material. His music company has given him literally hours to write a title song for his upcoming album. He's never allowed anyone to share the load, until now. Finding himself in a bind, he's come to the conclusion he needs help. But when that help comes in the petite fiery form of lovely, sexy, smart Annie De Rosa, the sparks begin to fly.

The sexual tension crackles from their first meeting and gradually elevates into an all-out inferno by the time they begin working together in the studio. Being stubborn individuals, their personalities soon clash, and Dane and Annie agree to disagree. But music creates a language and sexuality all its own, driving them both to discover a passion and desire neither have ever known.

Tell us about your next release. Right now I'm working on two erotic romances; one, about a hockey goaltender and the team owner's daughter; the other, a spa owner and former DEA agent.

Who is your favorite author? Too many to list from today's top writers; but I'm going to reveal my age and say I fell in love with Kathleen Woodiwiss in 1976; Once I read Flame and the Flower, Shanna, and Rose in Winter, I felt that no one could ever create romance like she did; Now that she's gone, an era is over. She was one in a million, and will be missed.

When was your first sale? My first sale was in June 2009, with the release of an erotic romance published by Freya's Bower, called Toy with Me, written with my writing partner at the time, Eden Elgabri.

What is the hardest part of writing your books? Oh, you would have to ask that question! Lol….For me, it's the love scenes; I try very hard not to make them all sound alike, but I have to admit that I struggle to get those in bed and create a memorable lovemaking session. The actual act of love is so much easier than writing about it!

Where do you research for your books? Let's face it, how many of us could live without the internet? Google and I are real good friends.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers? My critique partner and dear friend and slave driver (sorry, kidding) Angela Aaron, keeps pushing me to get it right and keep going, when I want to give up or become discouraged; a good friend who believes in me.

Who are your books published with? Surrender, Secret Dreams and Best Laid Plans are Noble Romance Publishing Releases; With a Twist, a Red Sage release.

What do you think makes a good story? When I read a book, I want to know what's going to happy on the next page, and the page after that, and that page after that and so on; a story that keeps me turning the pages, a heart wrenching love story, a tender hero who adores his woman; a woman who stands up to her man, but loves him fiercely; a plot that keeps you guessing til the last page….now that's a good story.

Plotter or Pantser? Why? I think both, actually; sometimes, I just write as I go along; but lately, I've been using the 3-act structure and it's worked out fine. Whatever mood I happen to be in at the time I guess.

Tell us about your family. I have two amazing adult children, both married; I'm also blessed with two grandchildren, who, in the past several months, have literally saved my life and sanity when I was going through a hard time. I have great cousins and lots of aunts and uncles. So I don’t feel like an only child. I have a wonderful extended family.

Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it? Yes, I do have a pen name and I simply use my daughter's name, which is Heather, and my son's name is, yep, you guessed it, Peter.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what? It's funny; as much as I love music, I can't write unless I'm sitting in total silence; I guess my attention span isn’t as deep as I'd like it to be.

How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula? No set formula; I usually will see something on TV or in a movie that will spark an idea, then sit down and think about how I want to write them into a story.

What book are you reading now? Right now I'm reading a bunch of old Sandra Marton's Harlequins; I simply adore her heroes; they are so strong, macho, confident, usually very rich and cocky, but tender and passionate lovers – works for me!

What are your favorite TV shows? I love True Blood & Vampire Diaries; also Nurse Jackie, Dexter and recently got hooked on Criminal Minds; love Shemar Moore – he's yummy!

What is your favorite meal? I'm an American Italian, as Martin Scorcese likes to call us, so anything that involves sauce, pasta, meatballs, or eggplant and Italian pastries make me a very happy girl.

What do you do to unwind and relax? I love to read, crochet, or just become a vegetable and watch TV.

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they? I'm going to be very corny and boring and say, never give up, no matter what. It took me over 15 years to get Secret Dreams published, but I got there. And don’t let anyone tell you writing for you is a 'hobbie' – it's what we do, what we are.

Morning Person? Or Night Person? I'm usually awake before five each morning; I love to nap when I can, but definitely a day person.

What would we find under your bed? Lots of dust bunnies!

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thanks so much for reading my stories and I hope to keep you all happy. I'll try to keep getting them out there, and bring you books filled with hunky heroes, brave, intelligent heroines, stories that explore relationships, passion, share laughter, and yes, mind-blowing, steamy sex!

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/

Heather Peters Interview

Please give a warm welcome to fellow chaptermate and Noble Romance author Heather Peters.
She was gracious enough to allow me to interview her.

Amber: How did you start your writing career?

Heather: I started writing in the mid-80's, when I fell in love with all the gorgeous lead singers of those great groups that inspired me to write my first book. It's a romance about an 80's singer trying to make a comeback, and his much younger gorgeous music producer. And I wrote it long before 'Music and Lyrics' ! It's never been published (I've received several rejections through the years), but some day, I may read it over again and try to submit it once more.

Amber: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

Heather: My favorite character is Lyon Sauvage, my hero from Surrender, my upcoming e-book novella from Noble Publishing, slated for release on July 12th. Surrender is a contemporary take on the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, my favorite. Lyon is scarred inside and out, and I fell in love with his feelings for Isabella, my 'beauty'. He is French, tall and sexy with long dark hair and he is my throwback to the Renaissance men of years gone by, classically educated and single minded when it comes to Belle. Nothing stands in his way to possess her, demand her surrender, and her love.

Amber: Tell us about your current release.

Heather: Toy With Me, written with my writing partner, Eden Elgabri, is available now from Freya's Bower. It’s an e-book novella, about a woman who takes a detour on her way to becoming a journalist, to selling sex toys on a local shopping channel. The owner of the television station is immediately attracted to her, and the sparks fly.

Amber: Tell us about your next release.

Heather: My first solo release with be Surrender, on July 12th, by Noble Publishing, a 23K word erotic romantic novella about Lyon and Belle, my contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast. When Isabella Beaumont finds her business is about to go under, she turns to the only person that can help her, Lyon Sauvage, a man who was her friend years before, but who she left because she couldn’t give him what he wanted, her surrender. Lyon agrees to help her, but for a price: her submission to him for 3 days….and nights.

Amber: Who is your favorite author?

Heather: Since I write erotic romance, I love reading erotic romance by my friends, naturally, like Eden Elgabri and Amber Skyze (ooohhh thanks *blushes*). I also enjoy Maya Banks, Sasha White, Megan Hart and Bella Andre. Their heroines are awesome, strong women who are not afraid of their sexuality.

Amber: I enjoy being categorized with Maya Banks and Megan Hart! :)

Amber: When was your first sale?

Heather: My first sale was June 3rd, 2009 and it was for Toy With Me, written with my writing partner, Eden Elgabri.

Amber: When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

Heather: I have to say I'm a lazy writer, that is, I really don’t have a set writing schedule. I write when I have the time, and when I'm in the mood.

Amber: Tell us about your family.

Heather: I have a wonderful husband, who supports me and encourages me constantly. I am blessed with a grown son and daughter, and the lights of my life are my grandson and granddaughter, who remind me every day how lucky I am to have them in my life.

Amber: Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?

It's simple really. My pen name is Heather Peters, my son and daughter's name. I recommend that if you're going with a pen name, make it something special, because you're going to live with that name, hopefully, for a long time!

Amber: I didn't know that's how you came about your pen name. Very interesting!

Amber: Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Heather: While I was writing Surrender, I actually listened to a lot of classical music, mostly Barber, Mozart and Vivaldi. I like to listen to Josh Groban too, because his lyrics and voice are so romantically sexual and potent, they actually inspire me to write many of my love scenes.

Amber: What books have most influenced your life?

Heather: The first romance I ever read was The Flame and the Flower, by Kathleen Woodiwiss. She influenced me to write compelling characters, and deep, meaningful love stories, intelligent plots and always, a HEA. I also am a big fan of Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockmann, Brenda Novak, Sandra Marton, and too many more to mention.

Amber: What book are you reading now?

Heather: I'm reading "Trouble" by Sasha White, a steamy, erotic romance. Gets me in the mood for writing.

Amber: What are your favorite TV shows?

Heather: My absolute fave is True Blood. I also watch The Tudors and Dexter, and Nurse Jackie. House is another favorite. I think Hugh Laurie is the most amazing anti-hero I've ever observed. I'm not much for reality shows. My fave show of all time though, is "Beauty and the Beast," in my opinion, the most romantic series on tv or film, that I've ever had the pleasure to witness.

Amber: I'm a huge fan of The Tudors. A lot of my fellow authors are True Blood fanatics.

Amber: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Heather: Read, of course. I love the feel of a good book in my hands. I don’t own a kindle or any of those things. I'm a purist when it comes to books, and like to turn pages on my own, thank you very much!

Amber: What would we find under your bed?

Heather: A whole lot of dust bunnies! Seriously though, I must harbor at least 20-40 yellow legal pads of 4 or 5 unfinished wips – all in long hand! I keep promising myself I'll get to them – someday.

Amber: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Heather: Yes, and I will just coin some corny clichés and say that, if you love to write, I don’t care how old or young you are, don’t give up your dream. Write what you love, what moves you, what you know. If you've received passes on your work, send it back out again! Not everyone's work is a good fit for every publisher. Enter contests, write every day, even if it’s a grocery list. And the largest piece of advice I can give is to find a critique partner. I can't tell you how helpful it's been for me to have a person I trust to critique and read my work. I've been writing and submitting my work since 1986, and my first work was published last June, at the age of 56. I will write until I fall off my office chair!

Heather thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I've known you for some time now and even I learned new things.