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*

IT’S BBBAAACCCKKK…

Some of you might remember the series of posts I featured last year with the Romantic Times American Title IV Finalists.

I’m a huge believer in publisher-sponsored contests, since the Brava Novella Contest (and the awesome Kate Duffy) changed my life. So we’re doing it again with the American Title V finalists!

Marie-Claude Bourque will be interviewing the other AT finalists and I’ll be posting their interviews here every Monday (author Q&A) and Thursday (character Q&A) starting October 20th! I’ve also gathered together some prizes from author friends. Read the interview posts and comment for your chance to win!

THE SCHEDULE –

• DEAD PEOPLE - Edie Ramer: Oct 20 / Oct 23
• ONCE UPON A MASQUERADE - Tamara Hughes: Oct 27 / Oct 30
• IN A LOVER’S SILENCE - Qaey Williams: Nov 3 / Nov 6
• THE SERPENT’S TOOTH - Jessica Darago: Nov 10 / Nov 13
• HOW TO TAME A HARPY - Michelle Lauren: Nov 17 / Nov 20
• TRUE TO THE HIGHLANDER - Barbara Longley: Nov 24 / Nov 27
• NEVER COMING HOME - Evonne Wareham: Dec 1 / Dec 4
• ANCIENT WHISPERS - Marie-Claude Bourque: Dec. 8 / Dec 11

THE PRIZES –
This list is a work in progress, so check back often to see the updates!!

* Shayla Black - a prize pack that includes a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS

* Karin Tabke - to be announced

* Debra Webb - autographed copy of NAMELESS

* Toni McGee Causey - to be announced

* Sasha White - a prize pack that includes a signed copy of SEXY DEVIL and some promo swag for its sequel, PRIMAL MALE

* Cathryn Fox - a copy of THE HOTLINE and swag for SUN STROKED

* Allison Brennan - autographed trilogy: SPEAK NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL, FEAR NO EVIL

* S.J. Day - two MARKED series coffee mugs

* Jennifer Lyon - autographed copies of SUN, SAND, SEX and EXTREMELY HOT

* Roxanne St. Claire - an autographed set of the 2008 Bullet Catcher trilogy - FIRST YOU RUN, THEN YOU HIDE and NOW YOU DIE

* Mary Wine - autographed copy of LET ME LOVE YOU

* Mackenzie McKade - to be announced

* Lauren Dane - a signed copy of READING BETWEEN THE LINES

* Beth Williamson — a signed copy of LEATHER & LACE

* Shiloh Walker - a signed copy of THROUGH THE VEIL and a handmade bookmark

Thanks to all these phenomenal authors for their generous donations!!

Are you excited?! Ready to meet some up-and-coming authors, learn about their awesome stories, VOTE, and possibly win one of these great prizes? MARK YOUR CALENDARS! You won’t want to miss a post!

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 Cathryn Fox’s yummy book, MAGICAL SEDUCTION, just comment and tell me what your favorite Halloween candy is!

Magical Seduction

ISBN-10: 1-4165-7721-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-7721-8

Authors and Stories Include:

Web of Desire by Cathryn Fox
Solo Tu by Mandy M. Roth
Tempted by Two by Anya Bast

Witches, werewolves, things that bump in the night… And three arousing tales of sexual delight.

Over the weekend, various sections of one of my websites were updated, but the one page that gave me pause was my printable booklist. My first novel released in February 2006 and yesterday my printable booklist had to be divided into three columns because it was too long. The realization of just how many books I have on that list came on the heels of an unfortunate circumstance that knocked me back last week: I’ve developed RSI (repetitive strain injury) in my dominant hand due to overuse.

I’m aware of many situations that can cause an author to cease writing. Poor sell-through, dwindling print runs, change of editors, having their preferred genre fall out of favor with readers, and more. There are also personal reasons why authors consider slowing down or switching gears/focus, but I never considered that I might have to write less due to physical injury.

I’m an everything-happens-for-a-reason sort of gal. The fact that I have to wear support bandages during the day and a brace at night could be seen as a negative, but I’m viewing it as a positive because it was a wake-up call. I LOVE what I do. Sometimes I get so focused on the destination that I forget to stop and smell the roses.

I smell them today. Every page I finish seems like a gift and in a way, they are. As I wrap up this blog post, I’ll enjoy a few moments of happiness from being able to share this wonderful blog with nine fabulous writers (who are also fabulous women), then I’ll go back to my Work In Progress and murder I shall write. I’m going to enjoy every word I type in a way I didn’t two weeks ago. Facing the prospect of being unable to write has made me appreciate how devastated I would be if I couldn’t.

So as this new week begins, I urge you all to take good care of you. Make time to pamper yourself. Take note of things you cherish in your life that you might be taking for granted and enjoy them today. Tomorrow, too.

For those of you who spend a lot of time at a computer: Consider buying an ergonomic keyboard and a mouse pad with wrist support. Try switching “mousing” to your non-dominant hand, since doing so uses fewer muscles. (It takes about a week to get used to it, but it is well worth the time investment.)