Sunday, July 31, 2011

Six Sentence Sunday

In this excerpt, my hero Buck is watching Julianna say goodbye to the man she's dating.  The Welcome Inn is available at http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/The%20Welcome%20Inn.htm



She wore a green satin kimono that revealed some beautiful, womanly curves and some very shapely legs. Her glorious hair looked charmingly disarranged, and Buck wondered if it would feel as silky as it looked. He imagined running his hands through those beautiful, rich curls and wondered how it would feel to taste those pretty, pouting lips.

With chagrin he realized that the rest of the crew stood there watching him watch Julianna. “Get back to work,” he snarled, ashamed of his momentary weakness.    He saw a few smothered grins, but the men did as he said.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Sweet Saturday Sample

Sweet Saturday Sample is a group of authors who share a sample from their writing with readers every Saturday.  When you leave my blog, you can go here for more participants.  My sample is from Return Engagement which is available at Whiskey Creek Press

In this excerpt, my hero and heroine met on the beach after a ten year separation and agreed to go to dinner together.


"Look at the moon, Richard. Have you ever seen anything so big and beautiful? Isn’t it lovely the way it’s reflecting off the water?"

"Yes, but not as lovely as you are." Richard made a sound of disgust. "That is so trite. You’d think I could do better, but  all evening I’ve had trouble saying what I mean."

Elizabeth laughed. "Maybe it’s because you’re trying too hard, but for the record, I think you’re doing just fine." She shivered and hunched her shoulders as she hugged herself. "That wind is cold."

Richard immediately removed his jacket and handed it to her. "Here, put this on."

"Won’t you be cold?"

"I’m fine. I’ve got on long sleeves and that’s enough." His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "In fact, I kind of like the idea of you wearing my clothes. Sounds like high school, huh?"

The chilly wind that blew across the moon-drenched water snatched Elizabeth’s laughter away. "Who cares? Sometimes it’s nice to be as irresponsible as a teenager."

Richard tugged on her hand. "Let’s sit down and watch the moon awhile."

Elizabeth willingly sank into the damp sand and cuddled close beside him. My gosh, the man had muscles she hadn’t known even existed!

"Richard, about this evening…"

"Elizabeth, about Alex…"

"You go first," Elizabeth urged. Her shoulders marginally relaxed. She wasn’t looking forward to telling him she couldn’t see him again.

"All right, I will." Richard turned slightly, an almost angry look on his face. "What the hell do you think you’re doing getting yourself engaged to Alex Crawford? It’s obvious to a blind man that you don’t love him. You’ve been teasing me   and flirting with me all evening. You’ve even kissed me."  He stirred up the butterflies in her stomach when he gently caressed her shoulder. "Right now your body language makes me think if I wanted to take this snuggling any further you’d be willing."

"Wha…" Elizabeth sputtered.

"You don’t strike me as the type of woman who’d pick a man for a night of sex and then go back to her fiancĂ© like nothing had happened. If that’s true I don’t think you love Alex as much as you think you do. The question is: what are you going to do about it?"

Elizabeth moaned and hid her face in her hands. Richard expected this surprise meeting to lead to something more than a hot dog on the beach, a casual meeting between two old…friends. I’ve done enough damage for one evening; I’m going home before I cause any more trouble. I’ve betrayed Alex and given Richard hope for a relationship with me when there is no hope.

She tried to jump up, but Richard grabbed her and held her close. "The wind is cold, and you can think just as well, no better, in my arms."

Elizabeth gave up the effort to get away from him. There was no way she could argue with those hard, muscled arms. "Yeah, right. Being in your arms clarifies everything! I’m so confused I don’t know if I’m coming or going," she cried. "I do love Alex. I do! That’s why I agreed to marry him, but with you I feel like a different person.

"I know I shouldn’t have flirted with you and kissed you,  but I couldn’t help myself." Her eyes misted with tears. "I didn’t want to help myself. It’s like it was ten years ago only better because now nobody can accuse me of corrupting a minor. You asked me what I’m going to do, but to tell you the truth, I don’t know. The only thing I’m sure of is that I don’t think I can stand it if you walk away again."

Elizabeth threw her hands over her burning face again. "What kind of woman am I? I haven’t seen you in ten years, yet here I am leading you on and encouraging you to… What’s wrong with me!"

Richard jerked her hands away from her face and kissed them. "From my point of view things have finally taken a turn for the better." Satisfaction oozed from his voice. "You’re willing to admit you don’t want to lose me. It’s taken ten years, but we’re back where we belong: together. Everything I ever felt for you came back the minute you spoke to me." His voice lowered and became husky and persuasive. "Don’t tell me you didn’t feel it too."

"I…" Elizabeth fell silent. After all, what could she say?

"Let me help you make up your mind about what you want to do." Richard pushed her back into the sand and kissed her, a delicate brushing of lips that deepened as hearts caught fire.

Marilyn Monroe and Wal Mart

Fashionistas, let’s have fun.  I was walking through Wal Mart the other day, and I saw a tee shirt out of the corner of my eye.  Intrigued, I went closer to check it out.  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  So tacky and cute!  What do you think of it?   The words say “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”  Marilyn’s signature is underneath.  It comes in all sizes, but the link to this one is for the junior shirt.  It's a steal at $7.50


I decided some Capri leggings would be just perfect with the shirt, but I didn’t want black or pink.  I found these White Stag leggings in a sooty gray.  Price?  $9.00 at Wal Mart.

I want ballet flats to go with the outfit.  These are $8 at Wal Mart. 
All we need now is a belt.  I found this one  for $14.73


Total cost?  $39.23.  Oops!  Forgot thepurse.  $19.99 at Wal Mart

New total cost?  $59.22.

Actually, this outfit is growing on me.  Think it might replace Donna Karan?


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Why I Love Little Women

I talk a lot about books I've read as an adult, but I read some darn good things as a child too.  In fact, it's hard to pin down a favorite childhood companion (book wise, that is).  I loved Black Beauty which definitely helped shape my attitude toward animals.  I also loved reading the Black Stallion books.  Can you guess I was crazy about horses?  I also loved Anne of Green Gables whose whimsical imagination sparked mine.  I mentioned Trixie Belden in a previous post.  I wanted to be just like Trixie!

But one that stands out is by Louisa May Alcott.  I don't know if girls still read Little Woomen or not.  The language is slightly old-fashioned, but if they gave it a try I think they'd see why I love it.  The story is set during the Civil War.  It's about a family living in the North.  The father has gone to war leaving the mother to take care of his four daughters.  Each of the daughters has a distinct personality that gets them into various adventures, some good, some not.  Without readers even realizing it, Alcott uses the four daughters to give beautiful life lessons.  For example, Meg, the oldest daughter craves luxury, but when she spends two weeks with a wealthy friend, she finds that a big house and nice clothes don't automatically bring happiness.

If you have a daughter, see if you can get her to read Little Women.  I still have my copy on my bookshelf after all the years that have passed since I first read it.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Welcome Elaine Lowe

Today's guest is Elaine Lowe.  Elaine, thanks for coming.
Thanks Elaine, for having me here! I love your questions.

1.Can you tell us five things about you that nobody would ever guess?

Oh, you ask me to reveal all my secrets! Why…why not? In my younger days, I was a baton twirler on a national championship team – believe me, you’d never think that to look at me now. Although not the hardest thing to guess, I love dressing in historical costumes – my current favourite is Victorian garb at the local Dickens Fair, although lately I’ve been adding a fair bit of steampunk flair now and again. I’m also a complete and total sucker for a good BBC costume drama, from Jeeves and Wooster to the latest Austen rendition, I’m glued to the TV. I love to sing, and was once part of a choir that got to perform at Carnegie Hall – where at one point I portrayed a monkey screeching. Quite fun. Hmm, one more thing…there’s a lot of different genres of writing of I love, romance of course, humor, fantasy, but one of the oddest is a subset of science fiction called “alternate history”. I’m always wondering how life would be different if some aspect of history, an event, a decision, a random act of chance, had turned out differently.

2.I ove historical costumes too.  It's loads of fun.  What do you think makes a book a page turner?

For me, a book has to have characters that I care about. They aren’t perfect, they have flaws, but you want to see them happy anyway. Maybe, you see a bit of yourself in them. A compelling plot is a wonderful thing, but without real, honest and multi-dimensional characters, you don’t go back to read the book again.

3.Which genre of books appeals least to you?  Why?

I have to admit I am not a huge fan on non-fiction. I do read on scientific topics and some history, but I really prefer fiction and a bit of escapism. Somehow, I think the lessons learned through fiction somehow sneak in and are more deeply felt.

4.I feel the same way.  For me it's totally about escapism.  What are you working on right now?

I usually have several works-in-progress at any given moment. I’m just finishing up a paranormal in the same world as my latest release, Magic Eights, involving a paranormal protection league, a commanding half-Fae, and a snarky vampire. It’s tentatively titled Memory Lapse. I’m also working on a historical set in Hawaii in 1888.

5.Would you share your links with us?


Come follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/elainelowe

A link to check out Magic Eights: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9413-magic-eights.aspx



7.We’d love to read an excerpt.  Be sure to give us a buy link.


And here’s an excerpt:  (Readers this excerpt is from an erotic novel.  It isn't graphic, but I just wanted you to know.)

Blowing a frizzy strand of reddish-brown hair from in front of her face, Susanna Walker-Wong tried valiantly to relax into the suds of her bath. Truly soothing rose and chamomile scents floated into the hot air of the bathroom, and hot water always relaxed away the tension she held in her shoulders. But all these luxurious bubbles and steam didn’t really get to the core of her problem.

She was horny. Despite, or perhaps because of all the stresses in her life, she was ready to burst with the need for someone to touch her. Well, not just someone. It would be really fabulous if her husband would get a clue and look up from his computer screen long enough to notice her panting after him.

But instead, she took a bath. Really, she shouldn’t be this desperate. It was their eighth anniversary, and that morning their son had been taken to his grandparents’ house where he was likely being spoiled rotten. For lunch, she had been the entree and Will had worshipped her thoroughly before taking her out to a sumptuous dinner that they’d enjoyed and debated like the foodies they were. It should have been perfect, she should have been completely satisfied.

Her career was humming along, though she was only working on contract, part-time, with Nathan being only four years old and just starting preschool. Yeah, the dishes needed to be done, and there was yard-work that begged to be finished and the floor required vacuuming desperately. But if she ever finished her entire “to do” list, she’d be dead, right? She should be completely content.

So why was she absolutely burning with lust? Every time William breathed, she watched the rise and fall of his chest and wanted to tear off his T-shirt and run her hands over his pecs and lick his nipples until he groaned. She wanted to thread her hands in the blue-black of his unkempt hair and tousle it even more while she pulled his lips to hers. She wanted to knock his laptop to the ground and climb astride him and ride him until he screamed her name and woke up the neighbors in the next condo.

She moved slightly to get her shoulders deeper into the water and relieve the tension there. The soft rose scent of the bubbles fluttered up to try to console her, mixing with the subtle spiciness from Esme’s present. She sighed, her hands drifting over her clit, only to retreat quickly to her side when the door swung open.

Will stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the soap-obscured view of her naked body and flashing her a brief but devastating grin that still made her heart go pitter-patter.

“Hello, my water nymph. How do you find your bath? And is that incense I smell?” He turned away from her and to the toilet, nonchalantly taking a piss, while she observed the curve of his ass in the ancient pair of khaki shorts that he wore.

“Bath’s searing hot, just like this nymph likes it. And no, the scent is something Esme sent us for our anniversary.” She looked him up and down. “Care to join me?” Her voice dripped with invitation, but she knew he didn’t share her particular fetish for baths.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! It’s like ninety-five in the house, and it’s only going to get hotter. How you can stand to take a hot bath in this weather is beyond my ken!” With a drip and a zip and a quick wash of his hands, he turned back to her, his eyes eating her up and making her throb even more than she had been. With his dark shining eyes carrying that edge of lust and his wicked goatee reminding her how much she liked the drag of his chin against her thighs, she was practically melting with need for him. But she didn’t let it show. Her appetite for him was simply ridiculous after all the years they’d been together and she’d never been completely comfortable letting it all out. He was everything she ever wanted, and she didn’t feel like scaring him off now.
Elaine, thank you so much for coming, and lots of luck with your book.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Six Sentence Sunday

This excerpt comes from The Welcome Inn which is available at http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/The%20Welcome%20Inn.htm  In this excerpt Buck has taken Juliana out for dinner.

Buck took a sip of his coffee and decided that it pleased him when Julianna gave him a compliment. He thought, no, he knew, that she found him attractive. Those eyes of hers would go all misty and her lips would part slightly when she allowed herself to see him as a man. She walked differently too. Her hips swayed alluringly, and she would look over her shoulder through lowered eyes, hinting at all manner of delights if they could just be alone together.
She was doing it right now.

For more excerpts go to http://www.sixsunday.com.




Friday, July 22, 2011

Fashionista Friday

Have you noticed how many celebrities are wearing white lace this year?  White is always classic, chic, and cool, and when you add lace… well, the look is to die for.  Here are some of my favorites.



You can buy this Laundry by Shelli Segal Lace Sheath Dress at Nordstrom.  $295.00



I love the different patterns of lace on this Nanette Lepore Cap Sleeve Lace Dress.  Buy it at Nordstrom for $328.




I like this Coast Lace Dress with Contrast Belt because it isn't as short as the others.  I also like the high waist.  Buy it at ASOS for $245.97.




I like the length of this dress too, and the price is very nice.  Only $59.99 at Overstock.



This dress is from Target and is priced right at $52.49.  The picture really doesn't do the dress justice.  If you're serious about a white lace dress look at it on the Target website. 


Till next Friday, Fashionists.  Happy Shopping!








Monday, July 18, 2011

TREASURE QUEST: DISCOVERY LIES BETWEEN THE COVERS:MEGA AUTHOR BLOG HOP TOUR


TOUR RULES:

1)  HAVE FUN!!!

2)  INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3)  THIS TOUR STARTS:  Monday, July 18 and ends July 25.

4)  MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5)  PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6)  DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN?  WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!


***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of  win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***


Treasure comes in all shapes and sizes.  To a pirate, treasure is plundered from another ship and buried for later generations to drool over.  To an archaeologist, treasure is finding a long lost tomb filled with golden relics of a legendary king.  To a mother, treasure is her new baby safe in her arms.  To a writer, treasure is writing something so compelling that readers send emails begging him/her to hurry up and write another book. 

Since I’m an author, you know where my heart lies.  My latest release is titled A New Dream.  I worked on it for a long time before I was satisfied with it, and so I count it as one of my treasures.  Here’s an excerpt from A New Dream.  I do hope you enjoy it!

Prologue

The red convertible cut a path through the moonlight, its headlights dancing along the arched limbs of the trees above the road.

“Oh, Matt, it’s such a beautiful night,” Stacey declared with a sigh. “I’m going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

Matt reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ll miss you too, but if I don’t report on time, I’m in trouble with the coach.”

“That’s what I get for falling in love with a pro football player,” Stacey teased, her blonde hair turned to frosted silver by the light of the full moon above them.

Matt squeezed her hand that wore his engagement ring. “It’s too late to back out now,” he teased. “You’re mine.”

“Mmm, do I like the sound of that!”

The car rounded a curve, and without warning a deer bounded across the road.

“Look out!” Stacey screamed.

Matt braked sharply to avoid the animal. The tires slid on a patch of loose gravel in the road, and he lost control of the convertible. It fishtailed and started to spin in the road.

Matt hauled the steering wheel to correct the slide, but it was useless. The car turned around once more and skidded backwards for a short distance before it charged off the road. It jumped a steep ditch and went airborne. All Matt could see was a blur of trees and darkness as the car careened into the woods. It made a lazy turn in the air and came to rest bottom side up.

The last thing he remembered was the sound of Stacey’s screams.

Okay, what am I giving away?  How about a pdf copy of A New Dream and a pair of handmade earrings from Lucy O?  To win, follow this blog.  The button for doing so is in the left sidebar underneath my picture.  It’s blue.  After you follow, leave a comment telling me that you did so.  ALSO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDDRESS.  If you already follow, tell me so and leave your email. 

Don’t forget that I’ve started a new feature at my blog.  It’s called Fashionista Friday.  All you fashioinistas out there won’t want to miss it. 

A New Dream is available at http://www.astraeapress.com or at Amazon.

Your next stop is Rachel Van Dyken

Friday, July 15, 2011

Let the Fun Begin

When Iwas a child my mother carried my sister and me to the public library every Friday after she got off work. I peromise you it eventually became the high point of our week. I'll always be grateful to my mother for instilling a love of books into me. If you enjoy reading, you can learn anything, and entertainment and escape from daily cares is only a book away.

I wish my mother knew I became an author. She'd be so proud of me! Unfortunately, she died at a young age long before I started writing. I'm trying to carry on the tradition with my grandson. This summer we're reading from the old Dick, Jane, and Sally readers.  So far he's eager to learn, and I hope that never changes.

And speaking of writing, here is the prologue from my latest release A New Dream.

The red convertible cut a path through the moonlight, its headlights dancing along the arched limbs of the trees above the road.

“Oh, Matt, it’s such a beautiful night,” Stacey declared with a sigh. “I’m going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

Matt reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ll miss you too, but if I don’t report on time, I’m in trouble with the coach.”

“That’s what I get for falling in love with a pro football player,” Stacey teased, her blonde hair turned to frosted silver by the light of the full moon above them.

Matt squeezed her hand that wore his engagement ring. “It’s too late to back out now,” he teased. “You’re mine.”

“Mmm, do I like the sound of that!”

The car rounded a curve, and without warning a deer bounded across the road.

“Look out!” Stacey screamed.

Matt braked sharply to avoid the animal. The tires slid on a patch of loose gravel in the road, and he lost control of the convertible. It fishtailed and started to spin in the road.

Matt hauled the steering wheel to correct the slide, but it was useless. The car turned around once more and skidded backwards for a short distance before it charged off the road. It jumped a steep ditch and went airborne. All Matt could see was a blur of trees and darkness as the car careened into the woods. It made a lazy turn in the air and came to rest bottom side up.

The last thing he remembered was the sound of Stacey’s screams.

Okay, what's my giveaway? How about a pdf copy of my latest release A New Dream? And let's add a pair of Lucy O earrings and a signed, print copy of Return Engagement which is one of my all time favorites. To enter, follow this blog and leave a comment telling me you followed. If you already follow, leave a comment telling me so. YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT.

If you'd like to return to blogfest central go to http://www.ajourneyofbooks.com, and be sure to visit the following blogs.

The Wormhole




Blogfest Begins!

Due to difficulties beyond my control, my post won't be ready until late this afternoon. I apologize for the delay and ask you to go to www.ajourneyofbooks to visit the last five sites on the list.

Fashionista Friday: Accessorizing Kristin Stewart

On June 5, Kristin Stewart attended the MTV Music Awards wearing this outfit.


  Photo: Chris Pizzello/AP

It’s a pretty dress, and I know the Hollywood trend is toward fewer accessories, but she looks unfinished to me.  As far as I can tell, she isn’t wearing one bit of jewelry, and I think she needs some.  I’d begin with these earrings.  I like them because the diamond solitaire on the end swings freely.  Buy them for $374 here.


I also think she needs a bracelet.  This silver and diamond cuff bracelet is perfect for the dress.  It adds a bit of femininity that the she needs. 

 You can buy it for $125.

To tell the truth, I don’t like her shoes either.  I’d replace them with these Giuseppe Zanotti pumps with a little bling to them.  I especially liked the heel treatment.  But before I wore them I’d take off the bow.  $487








Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Why I Love...

Today's why I love topic is My Favorite Character. This is almost an impossible topic! I've been a reader since I was a child, and I've read a lot of books. Lately, though, I've been reading The Bronze Horseman series by Paulina Simons. Her heroine Tatiana is one of my favorites. Tatiana lives in Leningrad during the siege of Leningrad back in World War II. In spite of her entire family dying she endures and finds true love with American born Alexander Barrington. I like her refusal to give in to fate and her self sacrificing nature. I also like that she doesn't know the meaninfpg of the word impossible. She's the kind of woman I'd like to be myself. For more participating authors, go to www.reflectionsofabookaholic.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

Hey, Jennifer

Jennifer Willy contact me. I can't find you info.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Six Sentence Sunday

I had intended to share some more sentences from The Welcome Inn this week, but I'm on vacation and don't have access to the book. So, I guess I'll share something from the historical novel I'm playing around with. Let me know if I need to go back to the drawing board.

He figured he could have handled everything if only they'd won, but they hadn't won. They had given their life's blood, and the result was galling, bitter defeat which no one would ever, could ever forget. He fumbled with the twine and tied small knots that his fingers were too big to tie and heaved himself to his feet. Just a few more steps now. He had walked all the way from Appomattox, Virginia so surely he could walk around the two wide, pleasant curves in the road that stood between him and home. Yes, after three years, four months, and two days he was finally home.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Fashionista Friday: Let's Cover Up

When I think about Victoria’s Secret I don’t usually think of beach cover-ups, but they carry a nice, inexpensive line that you might want to check out if you need a beach dress or cover-up.  Here’s a couple that I like a lot.  This one has kimono style sleeves, a deep v neck, and ruched sides that are adjustable to alter the length of the cover-up. Buy it here for $43.

I also like one.   Who said lace isn’t sexy?  Buy it here for $50


I’m also impressed with another website found at http://www.sarong.com  They have a wide selection of sarongs which they promise can be tied in 15 different ways.  If you buy something they’ll send you instructions on how to tie it.  Their short one is $20, the long is $25.  This is their sheer black offering.  Buy the black one here.
They have almost any color or pattern you’d need, and I especially like this Malibu sarong.  Get it here.


If you want a beach dress, I think this is a cute example. Note the sweet little ruffle at the bottom. This dress is meant to be worn over your bathing suit. It comes from Best Beach Dresses and costs $29.99.

I also like these hand painted pareos from A Traveler's Blessing. They’re $34.99 here.

What did I buy for myself? Something very similar to the black lace number although you couldn’t see through it quite so much.

















Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Welcome Terri Reed

Readers, I've really been looking forward to this interview.  My guest today is
Award winning, multipublished author Terri Reed.  Terri discovered the wonderful world of fiction at an early age and declared she would one day write a book.  Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Love Inspired. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing tennis.

You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97280 or visit her online at www.loveinspiredauthors.com or email her at terrireed@sterling.net or leave comments on  http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/ or http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/

Welcome, Terri.  For the benefit of those who don’t know you, tell us a little bit about you and your work. 
I’ve been writing since 1993, at the time I was pregnant with my daughter and I decided I needed something to distract me from the constant morning sickness.  I had always wanted to write a book so I started my first manuscript.  A historical set in Georgian England.  Well, as soon as my daughter was born, I realized I needed to write a contemporary.  It was too hard to take a brand new baby to the library, since I didn’t have a computer and the Internet wasn’t yet as available as it is now.  I joined Romance Writers of America that same year.  Three years later, I learned about Harlequin’s Inspirational line of series books.  For the next ten years, I studied the books, wrote and submitted, was rejected and resubmitted until I finally got ‘the call’ in 2003.   Since then I’ve sold twenty-five books to Love Inspired Romance and Love Inspired Suspense.  My second Love Inspired novel, A Sheltering Love, was a RITA finalist in 2005.   

Persistence paid off!  How much of yourself, your personality or your experiences, is in your books? 
I think I put a little bit of myself in every book, whether it’s in the heroine or the hero.   Emotional wounds aren’t bound by gender nor are issues of faith.  I had heard the term ‘author’s theme’ when I first started writing but didn’t really understand it until I’d written several books and could see that indeed, I had an author’s theme running through many of my books.  The themes of forgiveness, redemption and trust are clear threads in my books.

I like those threads, Terri.  Most people think authors live glamorous lives.  Describe a typical writing day. 

A typical day is up at 6:30am, get kids up and out the door for school.  I’m back in my office by 8:30am.  Writing until noon when I take a break, then back at the computer until 2:45pm when I have to go pick up my children from school.  

About as glamorous as my day!  When writing a new book, how do you decide on a theme, genre, or topic? 
I usually start with a seed of an idea, whether it’s a character or a plot point.  From there I start playing the ‘what if’ game.  What if I took an ex-Secret Service agent and put him in a position to guard a woman on the run and her son?    What if the woman was accused of murder? What if the murder victim was her husband?  What if he were a senator?  What if the bodyguard isn’t sure she’s innocent?  What if the son knows who the killer is, but can’t articulate it because he’s autistic? What if the killer knows the child knows?  From these kinds of questions I start to build a story.  The themes then start to emerge as the plot and characters grow.
Would you share your links with us? 

I’d love to!






We’d love to read an excerpt from one of your books.  
Blurb:
Faith sustained Vivian Grant through her horrible childhood and loveless marriage, but how much more can she take? Her husband has been killed. Her autistic son is the only witness. And someone is twisting the evidence to place the blame on her. Viv has no one to trust—and danger is closing in.

A failed protection detail cost former Secret Service agent Anthony Carlucci his job—and his self-confidence. He's not going to fail anyone under his care again. Anthony will risk anything to keep Viv and her son safe…including his heart.
 Excerpt
Probing, coffee-colored eyes assessed her from beneath lashes most women would give their eyeteeth for. A roman nose and blunt jaw completed the face that could rival Michelangelo's David. The stranger was dressed in a black custom-tailored suit, if she wasn't mistaken, with a crisp white dress shirt and a thin black tie. Ray Ban sunglasses hung from the breast pocket of his suit jacket.
He had broad shoulders and a trim waist. His black slacks hung just right over his polished black dress shoes. He looked like he'd stepped out of an advertisement from the pages of a GQ magazine or was the poster boy for the federal government. Like Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black. The two agents who'd taken her for a ride last night had nothing on this guy.
Viv narrowed her gaze as suspicion and wariness infiltrated her  mind. She didn't trust anyone right now. "Dad, you called the feds? After what they did?"
"What? Oh, no, no. Not to worry, my girl. You'll be in good hands. Carlucci's no longer with the government."
Carlucci arched a raven-colored eyebrow ever so slightly. He held out his hand. "Anthony Carlucci. I'm with Trent Associates. Your father has apprised us of the situation."
Her gaze flickered to his outstretched hand then back to his face.
"The situation being that I found my husband murdered and then fake FBI agents drove me to a secluded place where they were going to do…who knew what?"
"Exactly," her father said. "Trent Associates specializes in personal security. Mr. Carlucci has intimate knowledge of Washington politics and law enforcement."
Really." She couldn't keep her doubts out of her tone. Just how was this going to play out?
Terri, thank you so much for coming.  The book sounds really great.  Readers, Terri is giving away a $25 gift card to one lucky commenter.  Follow Terri's blog tour and comment often for more chances to win.  Click here for her schedule.