Hello everyone.

This is Marie-Claude, bring you back American Title V finalist Tamara Hughes and this time she will interview her favorite character from ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE, Victorian working-class maid Rebecca Bailey.

But first, let me thank everyone for visiting us Monday and we have a winner…..Sara Hurt.

Congratulation Sara!!!!

Now to you Tamara:

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Hi everyone. I’m Tamara Hughes, author of the novel ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE, and one of the eight American Title V finalists. Today I’d like to interview the heroine of my novel, Rebecca Bailey. The date is March 26^th, 1883, and Rebecca is at the Vanderbilt masquerade ball. I plan to be the bug in her ear, so we can meet her, live and in person.

Guests costumed as peasants and gypsies, monks and knights mingle in the immense ballroom, their extravagant clothes studded with gems. The strain of violins and the chatter of the crowd hum around us, while the smell of rose petals clings to the air.

TH: Rebecca? (I whisper from inside her head.) Can I speak with you a moment?

RB: (Rebecca gasps.) Dear heavens. My father has finally driven me mad. I’m hearing voices.

TH: (Oh crap.) No, Rebecca, I’m…I’m your conscience. (Good save—if I do say so myself.)

RB: Oh, good Lord. As if my life wasn’t a mess already.

TH: Stay calm. You seem a bit on edge.

RB: You would be too if you had the unenviable task I’ve set before me.

TH: And what would that be?

RB: If you are indeed my conscience, why would you ask such a question? Ah, never mind. Now I’m not only talking to myself, I’m arguing. I’m here because…because I’m hoping to find a wealthy gentleman willing to aid me and my father.

TH: In what way?

RB: (Rebecca rubs a strand of pearls between her fingertips.) My father is indebted to terrible men. And I’m not a woman of means. If I had another way to come up with the money…(Rebecca exhales a long breath.)…I wouldn’t be here in my mother’s finery, quaking at the knees, trying not to make an utter fool of myself.

TH: I doubt you’ll embarrass yourself. You look lovely in your…maid costume. (I take in her black dress trimmed with delicate white lace at the cuffs and scooped neckline, a chiffon apron tied around her waist and a feather duster in her hand.)

RB: Don’t laugh. It wasn’t my idea, although I can’t find fault with the reasoning behind it. At a masquerade, you are expected to play the part your costume inspires. And in this gown, if I forget myself and treat the other guests as my betters, none will be the wiser. Besides, I’ve already made an imbecile out of myself.

TH: How?

RB: (I can feel the heat of embarrassment radiate through her.) I’m a horrible liar, and one lie begets more. Oh, I can’t believe I talked myself into this charade. But I can’t give up—I won’t give up. My father is the only family I have left. (Rebecca’s eyes open wide, and her heart pounds faster.) Good Lord, there he is.

TH: Who?

RB: Mr. Black…Christopher Black. My word.

TH: (After some searching, I spot Christopher, dressed entirely in black, talking with a group of gentlemen. He’s costumed as a pirate in a free-flowing shirt unbuttoned mid-chest to reveal the glitter of a silver chain about his neck. His curling ebony hair and dark stubble give him a wild, almost dangerous, appeal.) What do you think of Mr. Black?

RB: Hmm?

TH: I said, what do you think of Mr. Black?

RB: Oh, I’ve only met him once, but he seemed genuinely kind.

TH: How so?

RB: He came to the Endicott manor, where I work as a maid, to visit Miss Endicott. As I delivered refreshments to the parlor, I spilled extremely hot tea on his trousers, and then promptly tripped, falling to the floor at his feet. I don’t need to tell you how horrible it all was. Yet instead of worrying over his trousers, indeed his scalded…person, he asked about my welfare and helped me to my feet. (Rebecca takes a step forward.) It could be my imagination, but he looks preoccupied now. You see how his arms are crossed, and he’s scanning the guests. He laughs and smiles when spoken to, but it appears he’s barely listening. I wonder what’s troubling him.

TH: Why don’t you go ask?

RB: No, I don’t dare. What if he remembers me? Besides, judging by this absurd conversation, I’m quite certain I’m as mad as a March hare.

TH: You’re quite sane, Rebecca.

RB: But I’m hearing voices. What could that be but insanity? Then again, my life has become rather mad of late. Perhaps my daft mind suits the occasion.

TH: Rebecca, for the last time, you’re not crazy, and to prove it I’ll go.

RB: Well, I hope you don’t mind my saying, I wish to never speak to you again.

TH: I don’t mind at all…and as crazy as your life seems right now, believe me, it’s for the best.

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Thank you Tamara. This interview really makes me want to read your story. You have quite a humorous voice and Christopher appears very sexy. I’ll be the first in line to buy your book.

So thank you all for dropping by today. And please leave a comment for your chance to win. I’ll be back on Monday to interview American Title V finalist Qaey Williams who will discuss her writing style and her romantic suspense IN A LOVER’S SILENCE.

Marie-Claude

www.mcbourque.com

THE DARKEST TOUCH
by Jaci Burton
Dell (October 28, 2008)
ISBN: 0440244544

He’s a hunter, a savior, a seducer.

And she just can’t get enough…

THE DARKEST TOUCH

Ryder. The man was just as sexy as she remembered him:

Tall, lean and dangerous, a demon hunter with the body of a god…

But archaeologist Angelique Deveraux has little time for lust. She’s been hiding a gleaming black diamond, a prize everyone wants—including Ryder—and now she’s running for her life. Hot on her trail is Ryder, a legendary demon hunter she desires but can’t quite trust, a man with an insatiable need for danger and a few dark secrets of his own…

As sparks ignite between the rogue hunter and his latest prey, Angie’s world is rocked again when her twin sister vanishes, stolen away by the same dark forces stalking Angie and the black diamond. With Ryder offering protection— and more —suddenly a woman who’s never trusted anyone is falling for a man who isn’t afraid of anything…except losing his heart. Now, as an all-out demon war erupts and Angie’s family secrets unravel, Ryder’s demon-hunt and Angie’s quest to save her sister are about to collide. And when they do, it’ll send these two wary hearts on the wildest adventure of their lives—and maybe even save humankind in the process…

Excerpt: www.jaciburton.com/thedarkesttouch.html

ABOUT JACI BURTON

Jaci Burton was born and raised in Missouri but now lives on an acre-and-a-half in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie and five unruly dogs. Jaci loves to write about passionate relationships with sometimes stormy outcomes but always a happily ever after.

REVIEWS

~Romantic Times Bookreviews~ Gifted Burton adds more dark thrills and sexy danger to her well-paced story as these protagonists must fight to choose their destiny.

~Wild on Books~ THE DARKEST TOUCH is a brilliant addition to this saga that cannot be missed by fans of erotic paranormal romance!

Website: www.jaciburton.com

ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE by Tamara Hughes

Hi everyone,

This is Marie-Claude. Thanks Sylvia for letting me visit your blog again this week.

Hope you all had a good week-end. I spent mine surrounded by 6 years old at a birthday party. Still recovering

But I had time to pick a winner from Thursday’s post and today the winner is …..Cynthia Eden.

Congratulations Cynthia!!!!

This week, we are stepping back in time for a Victorian historical romance set in New York City, ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE and I am please to introduce you to writer Tamara Hughes, former computer programmer and now a stay-at-home mom living in Minnesota.

M-C: Tamara, of course the first thing I want to know is what did you do when you found out you were an American Title V finalist?

TAMARA: First I gaped at my computer screen for a minute. And then I jumped up, grabbed my cell phone, and called my critique partner, Barb, who is also a finalist. Pretty freaky really, that of all the entries submitted from around the world, two critique partners were chosen. Very cool, but very weird. Next I called my husband, who listened while I rattled on and on, talking faster than I ever have in my life. By the end of the day, I had called all of my family, emailed the rest of our critique group, and drank a couple glasses of champagne that my husband had surprised me with at dinner. All in all, a very good day.

M-C: Sounds like it and kind of fun that you and Barbara are in this together. So far how has the final changed your writing life?

TAMARA: I’m still plugging away at my work-in-progress, but I’ll admit it’s been slowed down with all of the preparation required for this contest. I continue to try to get up around 5:30am to write before the kids need to get ready for school, and that time is still devoted to my new novel.

M-C: Wow, you are very organized. Can you give us a glimpse of ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE?

TAMARA: Imagine what you would do if you suspected your soul mate murdered your best friend. Christopher Black struggles with this dilemma. He meets Rebecca Bailey at the Vanderbilt masquerade ball and is captivated by her inner strength and vitality. She’s so different from the pretentious ladies of high society, and from the fiancée that broke his heart. He pursues Rebecca, convinced he’s found the woman of his dreams, and then he spies an emerald comb in her hair – a comb that links her to his friend’s murder.

Rebecca fears her secret will be discovered: she’s a housemaid impersonating an heiress to attract a wealthy suitor. She’s risking it all (her employment, her dignity, and her heart) to save her father, a gambler who owes hundreds of dollars to brutal men. When those men threaten her life, Christopher protects her despite the mounting evidence against her. He must let go of the past and learn to trust his instincts again. While Rebecca isn’t the killer he’s looking for, she is involved in the crime; she just doesn’t realize it yet.

M-C: You really do have all the elements of a great story there. Where did you get your ideas?

TAMARA: I’ve always enjoyed historical romances, particularly those with a Cinderella theme. The idea of someone rising up from despair and conquering whatever obstacles lay in their path is intriguing to me. Add to that my awe of Kathleen Woodiwiss books, where plots are complex and layered, and I couldn’t help myself but add a murder mystery into the mix.

M-C: It certainly sounds like a lot of fun. How would best characterize your writing style or tone?

TAMARA: To keep with the historical period, my writing style for this novel is more eloquent than the contemporary I’m currently working on. The tone is at times humorous, emotional, sexually tense, and suspenseful, with lots of conflict.

M-C: Humor in a historical is always fun. How does this translate in ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE?

TAMARA: The humor in this book comes out in many different ways. In particular, my heroine, Rebecca, is funny without really meaning to be. When she tries to mingle with high society, she finds she makes mistakes - lots of them. In fact, it seems she digs herself a deeper hole with everything she says and does. I also have a secondary character (Christopher’s friend and confidante) who likes to amuse himself anyway he can. He does and says outrageous things throughout the book, including dressing up as Cupid for a Greek God party. He may get a book of his own some day.

M-C: That would be fun. Do you have any idea how your writing turned so humoristic?

TAMARA: I find I really like to write humor. I was always a bit of a comedian as a kid. It’s the thrill of trying to get people to laugh and enjoy themselves.

M-C: Since your story is a historical, I assume the setting plays an important role.

TAMARA: The setting is New York City in 1883, and it plays a huge role. New York during this time period had class distinctions similar to London but with a twist. With the flood of immigrants into the city, the wealthy lived within blocks of the poor, and the mentality amongst the working class was starting to lean toward the idea that the rich were no better than them. Meanwhile, high society was divided into two camps – the aristocrats with rich bloodlines and the bouncers, those who became newly rich and were looked down upon. In 1883, even that was changing as more and more bouncers were becoming accepted into the fold. In the story, Rebecca, a working-class maid, attempts to enter high society and sees firsthand the odd interactions between all of these classes, and how they’re slowly changing.

M-C: Rebecca looks like interesting heroine. Can you tell us more about her and how she relates to the hero?

TAMARA: Rebecca is a caring, sensible person who has spent the last ten years supporting her grieving father at the expense of her own happiness. Once she’s forced to take a chance and experience life, we see her true self shine through – she’s a quick thinking, feisty woman who can laugh at herself.

Christopher is the strong, reliable man she needs in her life – someone to care for her for a change. Her problems escalate when it seems like he might soon remember her from her job as a maid. She feels drawn to him, but knows she has to resist her desire to be with him if she wants to save her father.

M-C: Would you say Christopher is an alpha or beta type hero?

TAMARA: Christopher is both alpha and beta. He’s a self-made shipping magnate who used to captain his own ship. So, he’s a man who’s used to being in command. When a good friend is murdered, he’s determined to find the killer. He’s intelligent and extremely observant, which makes him curious about Rebecca from the start due to her odd behavior. When he discovers she’s involved in the crime, he’s torn between his loyalty to his friend and his growing attraction to Rebecca.

M-C: That dilemma certainly brings some interesting twists. What do you think readers will get out of ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE? Is there a theme or a message that your story brings forward?

TAMARA: I think the theme of the story is “letting go.” For Rebecca, this means coming to the understanding that she isn’t the one who can change her father back into the man he once was – that’s a choice only he can make. She needs to stop sacrificing herself for him, and live her own life. For Christopher, it means forgiving the fiancée that didn’t love him enough to defy her aristocratic parents, and looking deep within himself to decide whether to trust Rebecca. As for what I hope readers will take away…I believe, at times, this story will get you thinking, make you laugh, and stick with you for a while after you put the book down.

M-C: Do you have any more projects in the works beside ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE?

TAMARA: I had planned to write another historical (a pirate tale), but a different type of story hit me up side the head, and I had to go with it. It’s an urban fantasy romance inspired by a variety of music, especially Evanescence songs. I thought this story would be much darker than anything I’ve ever written, but it turns out my heroine has a wry wit that pops up all over the place.

M-C: Evanescence is one of my favorite band. I’m looking forward to see how your new story turns out. Now which character will you interview on Thursday?

TAMARA: I chose to interview Rebecca because I wanted to highlight her personality. She’s a sensible, down-to-earth woman who is in an impossible situation that requires her to take risks she wouldn’t ordinarily take. She’s also imperfect in many ways, and that’s what I like so much about her. Sometimes she’s clumsy; she’s an incompetent liar; and when she tries to seduce Christopher, she makes a total fool of herself. Throughout the book, I find her quite funny in a naïve, endearing sort of way.

Well, everyone. I do love a good historical romance and this story is one I certainly don’t want to miss. Tamara has worked some great characters in a wonderful rich setting. I am looking forward to her interview of ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE’s heroine, Rebecca, on Thursday.

Is you want to know more about Tamara and her writing, you can find her on the web at:

www,tamarahughes.com

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1477831876

See you all back on Thursday and don’t forget to leave a comment. First, we just love to hear from you and also you have a chance to win!!!!

Marie-Claude
www.mcbourque.com

DEAD PEOPLE

Edie Ramer and her Character, Cassie Taylor

Hi everyone!

This is Marie-Claude. Thank you so much for attending Edie’s interview on Monday. We had many wonderful comments and ….. a winner…….JOYE wins one of the wonderful prizes from Sylvia’s treasure chest!!!

Monday also marked the launch of the American Title V finalist group blog: LOVE CONQUERS. With posts nearly every day, I encourage you to visit at loveconquers.wordpress.com/ and bookmark the site.

Today Edie is interviewing Cassie Taylor, DEAD PEOPLE’s Ghost Whispering Heroine. So here to you Edie:

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For months Cassie Taylor from DEAD PEOPLE lived in my head and my heart. I felt her pain, her passion and her humor. I heard her voice in my head — and it wasn’t soft. The only thing soft about Cassie were parts of her body. I admired her grit. But once the book was written, we split up. She’s gone on, and so have I. Other characters have taken up residence in my mind. Now I feel nervous sitting at this table for two in a long white hall, as if I were waiting for an old friend or lover.

CT: Did you have to tell everyone about my extra pounds?

ER: Crap. I mean, darn. How do you know I said that?

CT: [sitting across from ER] A little ghost told me.

ER: Right. [shivers. The talking-to-dead-people thing creeps me out.] So how old were you when you first started talking to ghosts?

CT: How old were you when you first started breathing?

ER: Did it make your life hard when you were a child?

CT: I don’t blame dead people for my unhappy childhood. [She sits back, her eyes darkening.] I blame live people.

ER: Your father and stepmother?

CT: If the name fits … Remember the book I was writing about former cases?

ER: You didn’t write that book. I wrote that book. Well, excerpts of it.

CT: You honestly believe that? Puhlease. We both know it was me. There’s only one author name on my contract.

ER: You sold it? Was it reported in PM? [Cassie nods, her mouth curved in a self-satisfied smile.] What kind of deal? Nice? [I lean forward and speak in a hushed voice.] Major?

CT: [smirks] I’m not saying a word. Aren’t you supposed to ask me about the book you wrote?

ER: [glaring] I know what happens in DEAD PEOPLE. I wrote it, remember? It’s your life before or after the book I’m curious about. Tell me, what was your hardest ghost busting case?

CT: [glaring back] I don’t bust ghosts, I’m more like a ghost therapist. I help them leave earth. I’m so tired of people calling me that. I thought you’d know better.

ER: Sorry. [my voice small, because Cassie was right. Another character who knows more than I do. Since I make them up, I don’t understand how that happens.]

CT: [gestures dismissively] You asked about my hardest case. It was the one in DEAD PEOPLE. Someone killed the former owner of Luke’s house and tried to kill me. I naturally fell in lust with Luke and he with me.

ER: Why naturally?

CT: You’re interviewing me for the American Title V contest, right? The book will be excerpted in Romantic Times magazine, not Scientific Journal. It’s all about the romance, baby.

ER: [shaking head] You’ve changed. You’re more relaxed, less defensive.

CT: We did create a fabulous beginning of the rest of my life.

ER: You mean an ending.

CT: Ha! That’s what you writers like to think.

ER: [shuddering] That can’t be true. If all our characters came to life, there really would be vampires, werewolves, dragons, half-dressed lusty Vikings, sexy devils that can give you an orgasm with one look from their fiery eyes … [Cassie’s smile widens, and I swallow] If this is true, why haven’t I seen them? Where are these sexy devils … er, I mean we should know this so we can exorcise them. Or erase them. Put them back onto the pages.

CT: [standing] Sure, I believe you want to put them between the covers of a book and not the covers of your bed. [winks] Gotta go. I’ve been invited to a party. Everyone’s going to be there.

ER: Where? Who? The Vikings? The vamps? The sexy devils? The hunky firemen? Will they be at the party too? Don’t go. Take me with you.

CT: [striding away, laughing manically]

ER: [getting off my butt and running after Cassie] It is, after all, my duty as a citizen to make sure there aren’t dangerous sexy devils roaming the streets of America, causing lust and havoc. And it’s my duty as a writer to research. Especially those lusty Viking. Lots and lots of research.

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What a great heroine. This was great, definitely a little snarkiness there, LOL. Thank you so much for being with us this week Edie and good luck in the contest. You can keep up with Edie at www.edieramer.com

Next week we have Tamara Hugues, who will tell us all about her Victorian Historical Romance ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE.

Thanks to Sylvia for hosting us today and to all for visiting. Don’t forget to leave Edie a comment for another chance to win!

See you all next Monday!

Marie-Claude
www.mcbourque.com

DEAD PEOPLE by Edie Ramer

Hi everyone,
I am very excited to be launching a series of interviews with the very talented finalists of the American Title V contest, sponsored by Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times. Thank you so much Sylvia for hosting this again on your blog.

It will be great fun to learn all about our finalists writing style and also, a new feature this year, to have each writer interview their own favorite character. I am very curious to see that part. Aren’t you?

The contest will work just like it did last year, where each rounds of voting will serve to eliminate contestants. This year, because there are only 8 finalists, the first two rounds (first line and characters) will eliminate only one contestant. There will be five rounds of online voting starting on Nov. 10^th and ending in April. The last standing finalist will win a publishing contract for their entry with Dorchester Publishing. This year the categories have been opened to feature all kinds of romance genre, including historical and romantic suspense.

The finalists went through a stressful summer preparing and submitting their partial then full manuscripts. You can read what went on behind the scene at Dorchester in the selection process. If I had known all that, I may not have been brave enough to enter!!!

Now, let me introduce you to our finalist Edie Ramer, author of light paranormal DEAD PEOPLE. Her short stories have been published in National magazines and she is also co-creator of an inspirational website for writers, www.writeattitude.net.

M-C: Edie, what is the first thing you did when you found out that you were an American Title V finalist?

EDIE: I emailed my three CPs who were with me through the writing. When I ripped the original DEAD PEOPLE apart, gutted half of it and rewrote, they critiqued it a second time. They supported me all the way. They’re still supporting me.

M-C: And how has the final changed things for you in your life and your writing?

EDIE: In general, my busy life has gotten busier. The PR, the American Title V group blog we’re setting up, the Facebook site, etc., all interrupt my writing. But they’re good interruptions! I’m also helping coordinate a Margie Lawson workshop in Milwaukee on Nov. 1^st. . It’s another interruption that’s good.

This is what every published writer I know goes through. They’re writing one book and they get edits on the previous book and have to write a proposal for the next one. So I consider this practice for being published.

M-C: Now, can you tell us a little about DEAD PEOPLE?

EDIE: When Cassie Taylor talks, ghosts listen. She wants to heal their souls so they can leave earth. Brooding songwriter Luke Rivers wants to give his newly found daughter a normal home, but he discovers his new house in small town Wisconsin is haunted by a ghost with an attitude. His ghost whisperer has an attitude too – even before someone tries to kill her. So why does he have the hots for her? And why does she lust after him? He wants conventional. She wants acceptance. No wonder she thinks men are hard and DEAD PEOPLE are easy.

M-C: This looks like such a fun read. Where did you get this idea?

EDIE: I don’t remember what sparked the story premise, but I can talk about a unique aspect of the book. In a previous book, I had a songwriter heroine and had fun writing verses for her. That gave me the idea to begin every other chapter with one or more verses from songs Luke wrote. To give Cassie equal time, I started the even chapters with excerpts from a book about her ghost whispering experiences.

M-C: That is certainly unique. What series of words would choose to best characterize your writing style?

EDIE: Witty, quirky, snarky, dark and light, optimistic, tension, illuminating, insightful. Love.

M-C: Snarky really? How does snarky shows up in DEAD PEOPLE?

EDIE: Cassie’s snarkiness is her defense to keep people from seeing the hurt inside her. Luke likes it. He has his own wounds and her snarky tongue amuses him. It’s a change from being sucked up to by people who want to use him. And when Cassie is with his daughter, he sees her gentle, loving side.

M-C: Do you have any idea how your writing became a little snarky?

EDIE: Not every character I write is snarky, but they’re all damaged in some way, and none of them complain or whine. They just lift their chins and go on with their lives the best they can.

I’m sure I get that from my mother, who was a widow with five young children. I never remember her complaining. I know I’ve handed that down to my son. He has a saying: “It’s all good.” That’s a real optimist!

M-C: You told me the setting of DEAD PEOPLE is important, how so?

EDIE: In DEAD PEOPLE the house is a character. It was part of the Underground Railroad during the pre-Civil War days. It has two turrets and a secret room. It gives my story Gothic undertones. I had fun with that and the Underground Railroad angle was part of the story.

M-C: And would you say the story is character-driven or plot-driven?

EDIE: Characters first. Always. I like a good plot and worked hard on creating tension, but when I think of DEAD PEOPLE, I think of the hero, heroine, the daughter, the ghost, the heroine’s best friend – a good looking cop killed in the 1950s – and of course the villain. I care for all of them. Well, except the villain. My characters came alive to me, whispering in my ear. The hero singing in my ear. They’re very individual and I think it shows in their voices.

M-C: How did you balance the romance with the paranormal elements?

EDIE: Because Cassie is trying to clear Luke’s house of the ghost, the suspense/paranormal elements bring them together instead of separating them. And the danger brings them even closer together. It takes them to a higher level of caring. As the tension escalates, so do their emotions.

M-C: Can you tell us more about Luke? What kind of hero is he?

EDIE: Usually my heroes are an alpha/beta mix, but Luke is alpha with very little beta. His mother was part of the hippie culture, and he was raised without structure. As a songwriter, he was thrust into the same lifestyle, but with more money, more drugs and more sex. His ex-wife cheated on him and let him think his daughter was his former friend’s. Only the need to give his daughter a normal home made him hire Cassie. The first time Cassie meets him, she thinks:

“He may as well wear a sign that shouted, THIS WOMAN IS A FAKE. She used to wonder why people like this man called her, begging her to come, paying her a wad of money. By now she knew.

They were desperate.”

M-C: What a great hero. Now I really want to read this. Would you say a happily-ever-after ending is important in your writing?

EDIE: It’s important. Although I don’t need a happily ever after ending, I need to end a story with hope. DEAD PEOPLE has a HEA, but a subplot ends on a sad note. If you watched LOVE ACTUALLY, which has multiple stories, there were a couple endings that weren’t HEA. I think the poignancy made the movie better than if every story had a Disney ending.

M-C: How do you think people will feel as they read DEAD PEOPLE?

EDIE: Readers will smile and chuckle at times, but I don’t intentionally write humorous. It comes from my characters’ thoughts and comments. Mostly readers will care about these damaged people who find the one person who can heal their wounds. This includes Luke’s 11-year-old daughter who has her own wounds that Cassie helps heal. Even the ghost’s wounds are healed by Cassie, Luke and the daughter.

I notice I keep talking about “healing,” so that must be the theme in my book. I have a theme when I start a book, but I don’t think about it when I write or when it’s done. I think about the characters, and I hope that’s what stays with the reader too.

There are books that I close reluctantly when I reach The End, because I don’t want to let go of the characters just yet. I sit and think about them and feel a warm glow inside me. That’s what I want the reader to get out of my story. That warm glow.

M-C: That is wonderful theme, Edie. Do you have any more projects in the works beside your AT entry?

EDIE: My last book, SATURDAYS AT THE KARMA CAFÉ, is women’s fiction, told through the voices of four women, aged 25 – 61, brought together by a weight loss group and the wishes they make together. A nerdy dotcom owner wants a baby but not a husband. A widowed teacher nearing retirement wants to be as free as the wind while her family wants to tie her down. A seemingly confident businesswoman wants to keep her family from finding out the secrets she’d thought safely buried. Their young waitress wants to regain the courage taken from her in an act of violence. A hunky gardener, a Harley-riding neighbor and an alpha neighbor add complications.

My WIP is a return to paranormal romance. It has the women friends’ angle (although in this case they’re family), but with one heroine/hero. My plan is to sell it and write sequels for the other characters. I’m enjoying combining the strong friends/relationship angle with paranormal and the romance. I think it’s the best thing I’ve written. My goal is to write every book better than the last, and for the last couple years I feel I’ve achieved that goal.

M-C: Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us all about your writing. It was neat to get a glimpse of DEAD PEOPLE. Now for Thursday, you chose to interview Cassie. Why her?

EDIE: Both she and Luke are damaged, but in many ways her life is harder. Since she was a child, she was treated as a freak by her father and stepmother. She talks to dead people. Isn’t it hard enough for a normal person to have a social life? Imagine what your life would be like if you saw dead people. The one person she thought loved her turned out to be using her. Her best friend is a ghost.

Both she and Luke are interesting, but she’s more interesting. I hope people will come back on Thursday and find out why.

Well everyone, I certainly look forward to Edie’s upcoming interview with DEAD PEOPLE’s heroine. And thanks to all for visiting today. If you want to learn more about Edie and her writing you can find her at:

www.edieramer.com

www.magicalmusings.com

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=747112424

See you all on Thursday and don’t forget to comment to get a chance to win some wonderful prices!!!!

Marie-Claude Bourque

www.mcbourque.com

Hey all,

Don’t forget! There are lots of great prizes available for those of you who comment on the ATV interviews and prepare to vote for your favorites!

Hugs,
Sylvia

P.S. I’m over at Murder She Writes today!

To celebrate the November 4th release of Alluring Tales 2: Hot Holiday Nights the Allure Authors are giving away LOTS of great books! For a chance to win a copy of my first book BAD BOYS AHOY!, just comment and tell me what your favorite Halloween costume was! (one you wore.)

* Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice Winner

Three sexy rakes wreak havoc in the romantic lives of three Regency ladies in this loosely, yet cleverly, connected trio of novellas. Day provides plenty of richly detailed love scenes in each tale, and her wickedly entertaining combination of steamy sex and bold language is certain to be appreciated by readers who like hot historicals by Virginia Henley and Susan Johnson.

– John Charles, Booklist

Oh, those naughty rakes. With their wicked winks, sensual smiles, and bad boy habits, you just can’t take them out in polite society. But who wants to go out when you can stay in…?

STOLEN PLEASURES

Sebastian Blake, Earl of Merrick, long ago fled the responsibilities of his title to become the infamous pirate, Captain Phoenix. But the booty he’s just captured on a merchant ship is a fierce tempered minx who claims to be a bride…his bride, married to him by proxy on behest of their fathers. He could shame his hated family and return his beautiful wife untouched, but no treasure has ever proved more tempting to Sebastian, and making their marriage a true one–in every sense–is his one urgent desire …

LUCIEN’S GAMBLE

Lucien Remington’s reputation as a debauched libertine who plays by no one’s rules–in business or the bedroom–is well deserved. He gets what he wants, social repudiation be damned. But society can keep from him the one thing he truly desires, the untouchable Lady Julienne La Coeur. Until she sneaks into his club dressed as a man and searching for her irresponsible brother. Suddenly she’s in Lucien’s grasp, his to take, and his mind is filled with the most wickedly sinful thoughts. A gentleman would walk away from the temptation she presents. But then, Lucien has never claimed to be a gentleman…

HER MAD GRACE

Hugh La Coeur never wanted to be the Earl of Montrose. Wine, women, and a hefty wager are preferable to responsibility of any kind. It’s certainly preferable to spending the night in an eerie, neglected mansion owned by a legendary madwoman. The duchess’s companion, the fiercely independent Charlotte, is another matter altogether. Hugh would be happy to spend as many nights in her bed as possible. He knows she’s hiding terrible secrets, but for once in his life, Hugh has the desire to take on someone else’s burden as his own, no matter what the danger…

They’re mad, bad, and totally irresistible…

ALLURING TALES 2: HOT HOLIDAY NIGHTS

Seven steamy tales that are sure to heat up the holidays from the authors of the immensely successful Alluring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy. Each of these authors uniquely brings something special to her story–perhaps a bit of paranormal, or humor, or fantasy. And together they have created one of Avon Red’s most popular anthologies.

The holidays are heating up—with seven wickedly sensual stories guaranteed to spice up those chilly winter nights!

A psychology student goes online hoping to live out her steamiest fantasy—and ends up on a hot mystery date with a wickedly imaginative stud who brings out her inner pole-dancer. . .

A determined lady comes home, burning for her girlhood crush—a sexy lawman who totes a big gun. . .

A creative ad man’s passion is aroused when he sees his buttoned-up coworker in a revealing new light—dressed in sizzling red satin on a giant billboard. . .

A professional dominatrix wishes upon a star, and her fantasy appears—an insatiable alpha male in biker boots who’s literally out of this world. . .

A tall, dark, handsome warlock finds himself obsessed with his “familiar”—a sleek and sexy cat-woman who turns out to be the purr-fect lover. . .

She was always hot for big brother’s best friend—and now her erotic dream is here in the taut and tempting flesh. . .

A pair of fugitive lovers finds themselves warm and toasty in a sultry Caribbean paradise—and ready for some red-hot fun in the sun. . .

In a post-nuclear world teetering on the edge of the apocalypse, a fallen angel and a skeptical scientist must do their part to save mankind.

FALLEN
Claire Delacroix
Tor Paranormal Romance
ISBN-13: 9780765359490

The Eyes of the Republic are Everywhere.

When her estranged husband’s mysterious death is declared an accident, Lilia Desjardins knows that it is a lie. She leaves all she knows to risk the dark heart of the Republic — only to find that she herself has been targeted by forces unknown.

Adam Montgomery will do anything to complete his earthly mission, even if he has to tangle with the enigmatic Lilia Desjardins. But when his contact is murdered and he must rely on Lilia’s silence to save him from the slave dens, Adam knows that his wings were only the first sacrifice required of him.

As danger and intrigue surround them, Lilia and Adam realize that they must work together — body, mind, and soul — in order to save the world.

Read an Excerpt!

About Claire
New York Times bestselling author Claire Delacroix always loved stories, both telling them and hearing them. She sold her first romance novel in 1992 and has been happily writing romances ever since. The Beauty, part of Claire’s bestselling ‘Bride Quest’ series, was her first title to land on the New York Times Extended List. Claire makes her home in Canada with her family, a number of incomplete knitting projects and a lot of overgrown houseplants. She loves to travel, to cook, to ride her bike and to read. Claire also writes romances as Claire Cross and as Deborah Cooke.

I picked up this ARC at RWA Nationals, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. However, I know Claire personally and I love her to bits. I’m looking forward to treating myself with this book as soon as my deadlines are past. However, you don’t have to wait! It’s available for your reading pleasure now. So, go pick it up, then come back and taunt me with how awesome it is. It’ll be like cracking the whip. *g*