GFP Pit Stop & Giveaway with Kristin Miller - Vamped Up

Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in Small Town USA, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures.

After graduating from Humboldt State University with a degree in psychology, Kristin realized there is no scarier place than the warped human psyche. Wanting to combine her love of writing with her desire to paint twisted villains, Kristin wound up in the unlikeliest of places—the classroom. She taught high school and middle school English before giving in to the desire to create her own world, where villains can be sympathetic and heroes can be devilishly good.

Welcome to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a beverage?

Ooh, vampires wine sounds great!

Now that we're all settled in my lair, I'm de-bite-fully glad you stopped in.

Thank you so much for having me. I love what you’ve done with the place!

BK: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. Please tell us a little bit about your current release...

Madly possessive Ruan has one thing in mind: keep the dirty fangs of his khissmates off the neck of his one true love—a human with mouth watering blood. The fact that from the moment he invited Eve into his bed, he’s been having eerily real nightmares about violently screwing her, then killing her? Yeah, that part wasn’t fitting too well into his carefully concocted plan to keep her safe. 
Eve has no idea her life is in jeopardy. Ironically, living with the knowledge of paranormal beings and sharing a bed with one of the most cryptic vampires on the planet was not what had her protectively grasping her throat at night. It was the mention of her name in the ancient scrolls; the scrolls written by vampire elders, revealing what’s in store for the end of times…and her spilled blood.
Ruan and Eve set upon a course to stop the future dictated in the scrolls from coming true. It’s not long before Ruan realizes that breaking Eve’s heart and erasing himself from her life might be the only way to save her. If only the pull to her wasn't so strong...

BK: What inspired this particular novel/book?

When Ruan first came on scene in InterVamption as an assistant in ReVamp (Crimson Bay’s rehabilitation center for vampires), I knew he deserved his own happily ever after. He was a bit down, a bit tortured, and couldn’t wait to create a heroine who would rock his world.

BK: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A few years after college, a story idea kerplunked into my head. It was a premise I hadn’t read before. I guess you could say I began writing the stories I wanted to read. It’s been three years since then and I’m seven books deep…

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

Ah, the same but different. It’s a fine line to walk, getting inspiration from others in the genre while making your own work unique and viable. That’s part of the reason I can’t read paranormal romances while I’m writing them. Between books I read as veraciously as I can, gather ideas, tweak them, make them my own, spin a plot around a character who emerges from the mist, and off I go! I don’t know the process of others, but that’s what works for me…

BK: What was the hardest thing about writing this story?

Since Ruan and Eve are already together at the beginning of Vamped Up, it was a challenge to show the depth of their relationship to the reader up front. Paranormal readers tend to want to see the journey of first sight, first touch, first kiss, first lovemaking, and although you get to see some of that in InterVamption, it’s not “on the pages” in Vamped Up. I had to push the boundaries a bit (perhaps walking a little on the urban fantasy side) and show the depth of their love through the conflict they face in the story.

BK: What character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child! If I had to pick (lead characters aside), I’d have to say Lilith. She’s a vampire elder—the oldest on record—and she’s not only smart, but devious in the best sense of the word!

BK: Which was your favorite scene to write?

Honestly, I loved writing the sex scenes. (Particularly the first one in chapter 2.) Ruan was so conflicted, wanting to let go and give in to his desire for Eve…but the more he gave in to her, the more he wanted to sink his teeth into her flesh. And once he tasted her, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop. Made for great tension and a scorching hot love scene.

BK: Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series?

Vamped Up is the second book in the Vampires of Crimson Bay Series. InterVamption was the first. There will be a third—stay tuned…

BK: Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in your life like?

Oh boy, it’s not glamorous at all, let me tell you! I take my kids to school in the morning, come home and write until noon. I pick up my son from preschool, make lunch, do some “motherly” things, then pick up my daughter and do homework, cleaning, cooking, etc. If I’m lucky I’ll get more writing done in the evening, but my inspiration flows better in the A.M, so I try to pump out as many words as I can then.

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love to read, watch really outrageous action flicks and romantic comedies. I also love to spin and snowboard, but those happen more sporadically than I’d like.

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

I can write really dark romance novels with twisted villains and bloody scenes that’d make you squirm, no problem…but I’m a scaredy cat. I can’t watch horror movies or shows about anything paranormal. (No Fact or Fiction or Supernatural, etc.) Guess I have an overactive imagination!

BK: What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I read romantic suspense and paranormal romance for the most part. Dean Koontz, John Saul, Daphne DuMaurier, JR Ward, and Allison Brennan are my go-to faves. Right now, though, I’m loving the Highland Guard novels from Monica McCarty’s new historical series.

BK: Please tell us one piece of advice you were given as an author that you carry with you when you write?

Make sure there’s conflict on every page, either in action, dialogue, thoughts or motivation.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

Just write. Don’t worry about grammar, editing, finding an agent or getting published. Just write the best book you can and worry about the rest later.

BK: What are you currently working on?

I’m currently editing Claimed by Desire, an erotic paranormal romance for Harlequin. I’m also knee-deep in the second of that series. The third book in the Vampires of Crimson Bay series is about a quarter finished, and should be complete around mid-April.

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

Website: www.kristinmiller.net

Blog: www.pararomance.blogspot.com

Twitter: KM_Miller

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1541294168

Thank you so much for having me today!

Thanks so much for stopping in and chatting. It was a pleasure and I can't wait to read Vamped Up.

““Vampires in Crimson Bay have been saved by the successful duplication of Eve’s pure blood. The threat to her safety is gone, Ruan. You can return to our haven. But if you choose the love of a mundane over the duty to your khiss, you’re on your own.” — Note from the San Francisco Primus

“I said stop, Eve.” A dark musky smell emitted from Ruan’s skin. It was possession. “You don’t know what you’re asking of me.”

Eve had spent an entire month begging Ruan to drink from her. To share one of the most erotic experiences a vampire and mundane could share. Yet he’d denied her. Now, there was no turning back.

“Either drink from me now, proving to yourself that you have the strength to do this, or let me fulfill my personal obligation to your race on my terms.” Stifling a gasp, she punctured her skin with the tip of the blade, then lifted the steel to examine it. Her blood, red and thick, hung on the edge. “That’s only fair, given what we both want, don’t you think?”

With a hollow-sounding groan, Ruan snatched her hand and licked her palm, sending chills exploding through her hand.

Excerpt:

“I said stop, Eve.” A dark musky smell emitted from Ruan’s skin. It was possession. Deep rooted need. “You don’t know what you’re asking of me.”

It was too late. There was no turning back. Eve had spent an entire month begging Ruan to drink from her. To share one of the most erotic experiences a vampire and mundane could share. Yet he’d denied her. Time and time again.

“Either drink from me now, proving to yourself that you have the strength to do this, or let me fulfill my personal obligation to your race on my terms.” Stifling a gasp, she punctured her skin with the tip of the blade, then lifted the steel to examine it. Her blood, red and thick, hung on the edge. “That’s only fair, given what we both want, don’t you think?”

With a hollow-sounding groan, Ruan snatched her hand and licked her palm, sending chills exploding through her hand.

Giveaway: 

HarperCollins and I will be giving away a $25 Amazon giftcard to one randomly drawn commenter on the Vamped Up blog tour via Goddess Fish. Comment here for your chance to win!

GFP Book Tour & Kindle Giveaway - A Ghost of a Chance by Minnette Meador

Minnette Meador

Welcome to the Round Table Minnette.  May I offer you a beverage before we begin?

Tantalizing Tea.

Great choice, enjoy. Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today.  It's so nice to have you at the Round Table.

BK:  What inspired you to pen this novel?
M: I've always wanted to write a comedy and this was a natural. Keenan is such a sympathetic character, as a writer, you really want to get him in as much trouble as you can, just to see how he digs his way out.

BK: What inspired your book to be a series?
M: It was a natural decision. Since the cambion has been conceived here, it was natural to follow the creature through his life.

"The succubus seduces a man, collects his seed, and transfers it to an incubus who changes it and delivers it to a human female. Seems to me that would just produce your garden-variety human offspring, but apparently not. The child born to the woman is called a cambion.” A shadow of a warm smile touched Reggie's ghostly lips. “Now, these little fellows are really something… ugly as sin when born, no breath or heartbeat, but it runs around like the very dickens for the first seven years or so. Then it becomes increasingly difficult to differentiate one from a human. A cambion eventually becomes devilishly cunning with the face of an angel. Persuasive too. Can talk a saint into dropping his drawers on Sunday and a nun into giving up her habit.” A GHOST OF A CHANCE - Chapter Three - Inbibbing Spirits

BK: How difficult is it to write a series?
M: Series are always difficult, I think. This is my third and it might be a little easier than the last two. You have to think of it as a very long book.

BK Who is your favorite character?  Which one would you most likely invite to dinner?
M: I love Keenan, but I think the most interesting character is his best friend, Reggie. He smooth, he's English, he's sexy, and he's a ghost.

BK: How did you come up with the title for your series?
M: The original working title was Keenan's Dilema, but I didn't think that caught the spirit (excuse the pun) of the the book. So, I came up with a list of alternatives and ran them by my friends at Rose City Romance. A Ghost of a Chance was the winner by a large margin.

Fun Facts:

BK:  Fantasy or Horror?
Fantasy

BK:  Day or Night?
Night

BK:  Favorite Drink?
Coffee

BK:  Favorite Movie?

Ghost Busters

I love Ghost Busters!

BK:  What is a must have to write?
I've never met a genre I didn't like

BK:  If you could possess a supernatural power,  what would it be and why?
Telekinetics - I'd love to be able to fly!

BK:  Favorite Book?
Sherlock Holmes

BK:  Favorite Author?
Ray Bradbury
He seems to be a big time favorite of many :).

BK:  Favorite Song?
Right now, Call My Name by Charlette Church

BK:  Sometimes while reading a book we visualize a certain actor/actress playing the part.  If your book were being made into a movie,  which actor or actresses do you see playing the part(s)?
    Keenan - Ben Stiller
    Isabella - Jessica Alba
    Constance - Wanda Sykes
    Reggie - Jude Law

BK:  What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?
When I take a break from writing, I like to knit. I also own a sports car, a Mazda Miata, which has become a 7th child.

BK:  What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
Survival training at the top of Mt. Hood for three days with nothing but a knife.

BK:  If someone could describe you in one word,  what would it be?
Peacemaker

I love that! What a great description and kudos to you. I think I could use you a lot lol.

Keenan Swanson is your typical, everyday graphic designer. Well, except for the hundreds of pesky, prank-loving poltergeists that make his life interesting (in a Chinese curse sort of way). He finds his situation precarious yet manageable—until witty, smoking-hot coworker Isabella enters the scene and Keenan decides he wants her all for himself. With a horny succubus who has other ideas, a burly city cop determined to lock Keenan away, and an evil entity who’s hell-bent on using Keenan’s seed to create a living demon, the reluctant psychic realizes he just might not come out of this alive—or with heart intact.

 Excerpt:

Hands slithered over Keenan’s body, but they were detached somehow. It was hard to describe. Starting on his scalp, the hot tickling sensation sent tendrils of pleasure down his gut and directly into his cock. It was painfully erect, aching for a good hard squeeze, but he couldn’t reach down to touch it.

A weight pressed down on his body, holding him to the bed. Keenan could actually feel his body sinking into the mattress. Something heavy, like invisible clay, pressed against his face. He couldn’t move. He wasn’t scared at all…just horny as hell.

The hands massaging his scalp moved down to his face, pressing his eyes closed with what he could only assume must have been thumbs. They moved down his face and found his lips, parted them, and thrust a slender finger into his mouth. There was no taste, but the soft, warm texture electrified his senses. He sucked on it instinctively. It was deeply sexual and made his cock throb in anticipation. To his utter dismay the finger slipped from his mouth and trailed down his chin.

Keenan opened his eyes. Light from an outside streetlamp illuminated the foot of his bed and half his dresser. When she appeared in a wisp at his feet, he had to struggle to lift his head enough to see her.

Naked heaving breasts came into view; the nipples were long, slate hard, and the areolas black against dark skin. Her waist and hips were slim. Stretched fingers pinched the nipples, making them longer, more rigid. The triangle of her pussy was bald, the slit dark and inviting. Hazy clouds covered her face, making it soft and featureless, but billowing tendrils of black hair twisted out from around it, flowing in a wind Keenan couldn’t hear. It moved in a watery dance.

The covers glided slowly down his body. The soft touch of the silk made his cock twinge in agony and he gritted his teeth to hiss his pleasure. Electric shocks ignited the nerves in his neck, shoulders, and arms. When Keenan was completely exposed, he wasn’t cold. His cock sprang into ready position. The hair on his arms and legs snapped with static.

Thank you so much for being at the Round Table today.  It's been such a pleasure chatting with you and I wish you much success in the future.

Thank you so much for inviting me. It's been a blast! M:o)

www.minnettemeador.com
http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com

Amazon Link - TO COME LATER 
Resplendence Publishing Books Link

 Giveaway:
Minnette is such an awesome author that she is giving one lucky commenter from her entire tour a chance to win a brand new Kindle. She is also offering up a necklace and she will be drawing a winner today! All you have to do is leave a comment here today with your email address, tell Minnette some of your favorite things you just love and you are entered to win. You may also hop on over to her blog (link above)  to see the necklace and leave a comment or follow her tour and comment at each stop for even more chances to win the Kindle. Awesome right? So what are you waiting for? Get hopping! :)

GFP - Quintspinner:A Pirates Quest by Diane Greenlay

About Diane Greenlay:

Saving lives by day (physiotherapist, EMT) and spinning lies by night ( writer/author and playwright/director of Community Theatre), I live on the Canadian prairies with my husband in a lovely historical home that we share with a consortium of cats. Having raised a family of 6 kids ( and, amazingly, everyone lived through it!) , I have plenty of their escapades still fresh in my mind, to weave into my fiction. Whenever possible, I travel to exotic locales to research my novels and to seek out new adventures to fuel my already overactive imagination.

Welcome Diane. May I offer you a beverage?
Ooh, I'll have a Mystic Brew, thank you! I'm excited to be here visiting with you today.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a physiotherapist by day, and an author/writer and playwright/creative director of community theatre by night. My husband and I have raised a blended family of 6 kids (all teenagers at the same time - only two bathrooms in the house) and everybody got out alive. We share our home with a variety of cats, our own as well as their feral friends who seem attracted to our place. My yard has always had a mystical feeling to it for me, and the wild deer and a singular muskrat have taken to sleeping at night by our front door,even though we live in the middle of a town - who says paranormal is fictional?  
What inspired you to pen this novel?
 A google search gone wrong. I was looking up a medical condition and, in the search results, up came "women pirates". Not knowing that there were such people, my curiosity got the best of me and  I began to read about them. Once I did, the story idea grew like a dandelion on a fertilizer pile. Having already written a one act comedy titled, "The Camping Guy", I had been toying with the idea of writing a full length novel. My grown children's shocked reaction to my announcement that I wanted to learn to snowboard, hammered home the fact that I wasn't getting any younger and that time was marching on. I sat down and began to write, and write and write ...

How did you come up with the title?

Spinner rings are quite popular throughout tropical locales. They are fashioned after Tibetan prayer rattles and wheels; their spinning movements were thought to enhance the user's abilities to manifest health and the power to see into the future. Since sailors in the eighteenth centry were such a superstitious lot, and given the availability of vast amounts of jewels and treasures in the Golden Age of Piracy, I thought the inclusion of a Spinner ring (or five) would be a good fit. The number five was thought to be a powerful number - there were five senses, five continents, five oceans, and most religions attached mystical qualities to the number five. "Quint" had a nicer ring to it than "five".

Who is your favorite character?

I loved creating Tess, because she is a headstrong female, living in a time when such a trait was not always acceptable in society. She often thinks a thought and acts upon it, without considering the implications and dealing with the repercussions of her actions later.

Who would you most likely invite to dinner?

I think Mrs. Hanley would be the choice guest. She's folksy, engaging in conversation, and a good cook too!I have a feeling that she would really keep the conversation going around the dinner table.

How do you keep your writing different from all the other novels in this genre?
QUINTSPINNER is classed primarily historical (it has been labelled by readers as all of the following: historical fantasy, historical romance, historical YA, and historical adventure). Historical novels seem to have A LOT of historical detail and are therefore usually lengthy. I keep my descriptions brief, thanks to advice given to me by Diana Gabaldon, with whom I had the good fortune to have a one-on-one session with at the Surrey International Writers Conference. As well, unlike most historical novels, my novel has very short chapters - 3 to 5 pages - as a busy person, that's how I like to be able to read a book myself. I dislike starting to read a chapter if I cannot finish it in one sitting.
 What is your favorite part about writing?
I love getting lost in the story and having the plot take me away on an unexpected twist - something that even I was not expecting. It's even better when that twist ties in nicely with some little detail that had previously seemed to be not that important. When the writing is going smoothly, and I don't have interruptions in my real life ( like telephone calls, hungry husband wanting supper - I'm the better cook!) I love having the story play out in my mind. I also enjoy researching the background information and stumbling upon some wierd fact.

Do you have a special place to write?

I have a small desk in a corner of my front room. There are several large windows and a fireplace there and it's a perfect  place to let my imagination go.

Did you find any particular challenges during the writing of this novel?
Going in to it, I had no idea of the amount of time it takes to research for a historical novel. Not only that, but Quintspinner largely takes place on a sailing ship - there was the life of a sailor to learn about as well. I also had to dig deep to find the self discipline to get into a writing schedule (I'm easily distracted by looking out the aforementioned windows by my desk, and I have a terrible time telling the difference between boredom and hunger, which produces repeat visits to the fridge.) Eventually I set small attainable goals for myself - 500 words per day on my work days, 1000 words per day on the weekends, and only one trek to the fridge per hour ...  
Are you currently working on any projects?
I wasn't very far into QUINTSPINNER when I realized that there was much more story to be told than would comfortably fit between the covers of a single book, so I am at work on the second novel in the series. It's a continuation of Tess's and William's adventures, and the quest to find another Spinner ring. Just as a bit of a preview, on my most recent trip to the Caribbean, I went cave spelunking (research, ya' know?) and learned about Cuban crocodiles which hunt in packs ...

Any special announcements you would like to share with readers today?

QUINTSPINNER has recently won the following awards: First Place Best Historical and Third Place Best YA (Reader Views); Montaigne Medal nominee; Third Place Best Genre Fiction (Creative Arts Council); Shortlist Selection for Best First Book (Sask Book Awards); Finalist Best YA (NIEA Book Awards); and Shortlist Selection for Book of the Year YA Fiction (ForeWord Reviews TBA June/11).

What is one thing that your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

I play the African Djembe (hourglass shaped drum). Sometimes I play out on my patio, much to the amusement (irritation?) of my neighbors.

Just for fun:

Fantasy or Horror? Fantasy. I can't let go of horror and I lose sleep over it.

Favorite Drink? Ice cold Diet Pepsi

Favorite Movie?Braveheart

What is a must have to write? A cup of Earl Grey tea or glass of Diet Pepsi at my side.

Favorite Book(s)? Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls; Master of The Game by Sidney Sheldon

Favorite Saying? There's always somethin' what comes from somethin' - Mrs. Hanley, London, 1717

What is the craziest thing you've ever done? Completed the Vancouver Marathon without one step of preparation. Just signed up, showed up, walked/jogged the 26.4 miles and got the Tshirt (literally). Oh yeah!

In the year 1717, 16 year old Tess Willoughby witnesses a murder near a London marketplace and becomes the keeper of a legendary Spinner ring. Even so, she never imagines that she will find herself an unwilling passenger on a merchant ship bound for the pirate-infested waters of the West Indies and forcibly betrothed to the murderer.

Longing to be with William, a young press-ganged sailor, but unable to escape her dangerous fiance's clutches, Tess struggles to survive in her new set of circumstances. During a pirate attack, she unravels the legacy of her strange Spinner ring and its power, realizing that her own life and those of everyone she loves, are in jeopardy.

As a powerful hurricane overtakes the ship, a slim opportunity for her own escape presents itself, and she is forced to make the most chilling decision of her life.

Having won multiple Book Awards, (ReaderViews, ForeWord Connections, Creative Arts Council, Sask Book Award, Eric Hoffer Award) Quintspinner is a tale of pirates, secrets, betrayal, and romance on the seas of the West Indies, all bound together by a dash of ancient magic.

   

Diane is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions and by leaving a comment today you will be entered to win a Quintspinner T-shirt and a $10 Amazon Gift Card,  which will go to one lucky commentor from her entire tour.

Excerpt:

Tess stepped forward out of the shadow of the ship's timber, and drew herself up as tall as she could. The nearness of her once again made William's breath harsh. He stared into her eyes. Even by the ship's lantern light, they were as deeply green as the ocean that they sailed upon. For a few powerful hearbeats they stood, their faces mere inches apart. Impetuously, he reached out, his fingertips resting lightly on the swell of her hip. Tess reached up and trailed her own fingertips along the stubble of his jaw.

Her touch was electrifying.

"What was it that you wanted to ask me?" William whispered softly, hopefully, as he lowered his lips to nuzzle her neck.

"Hmmm?" Tess exhaled. "I - I wanted to ask you ... to teach me to throw ... as you do. With a weapon of my own."

Her words sent an instant chill through William. 

Thank you so much for stopping in Diane and I wish you the best of luck in the future.

GFP At the Round Table with Rie McGaha - Calen

Rie McGaha

Welcome to the Round Table.  May I offer you a beverage before we begin?

Thank you. I'll have the Tantalizing Tea, please.

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today.  It's so nice to have you at the Round Table.

I'm very pleased to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

BK:  Please tell us a bit about yourself....

In my real life I'm the mom of 12, Nana of 33 and counting. I rescue abused, abandoned, and neglected animals. In my cyber life, I'm a writer, freelance editor, review editor/coordinator for P&P reviews, review editor for JR reviews, and I promo other authors on 5 different blogs.

BK:  What inspired you to pen this genre?

When I was a little girl, like most little girls, I read all the fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella. As I grew up my reading tastes turned toward the more risqué, but I still liked the fairy tale feel and the happily ever afters, so I wrote a fairy tale for big girls. Calen is the first book in the My Soul To Keep trilogy, which is complete with pink fairy castles, purple unicorns, rainbow waterfalls, and of course, hunky Highlanders.

BK:  What draws you to write in this genre? 

My favorite saying is, "Genres? We don't need no stinking genres!" lol I write what appeals to me at the moment and usually cross genre lines so much in the same story it's hard to pin down a genre.

What inspired your book to be a series?

It didn't start as a series. I wrote it as one book, in three parts but because of the length, the publisher thought it better to publish it as a series.

How difficult is it to write a series?

For me, it's the worst. Especially this one because I had problems getting the other two parts to stand alone when they weren't written that way.

What is your favorite part about writing?

Creating worlds of my own. I'm one of those control freak people, which you have to be when raising 12 kids, and I have no talent to sing or play an instrument or paint, so creating my own fantasies and seeing them come to life in a novel is a great release for me.

Do you have a favorite book in the series?

The last part of the story is called Arion. In the first part Arion is an orphan found by Calen and taken back to live with his family, and is raised as a younger brother. In the second book Arion is raised with cousins, who are actually no blood relation, and because of other story lines, he is supposed to grow up and marry Alley. He grows up and leaves home to explore the world and when he comes back, he knows Alley will be of marriageable age, and he has a plan to get out of marrying her. At least until he sees her and she wants nothing to do with him. The last part was fun to write.

Who is your favorite character?  Which one would you most likely invite to dinner?

When Calen follows the beckoning of a woman from his dreams, he finds himself high in the mountains at a secret land called The Fortress with only female inhabitants. Their leader is Ariella and she's lived a very long time. She's experienced a lot of heartache; a lot of loss and that comes partly from my own life.

Are you finding yourself running into any challenges while writing this series?

Oh yes. Although in a fantasy with witches and special powers, you can do anything you want, but the plot still has to be believable. At one point I came up against a problem with closing a portal to the future but it still had to be open to create havoc for my heroes. I just couldn't get the scene to work and I was getting frustrated, when my youngest son asked what was wrong. So I told him, and he came up with the solution like he had been writing the manuscript. It was great.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

That's hard to say. It can come from real life, or from something I heard or saw on TV, or in one case, when I wrote Blood Line, that story came from a dream my husband had. 

How did you come up with the title for your series?

I hate trying to come up with titles but in this case, I just wanted something as sappy as possible!

What do you like to read when you're not writing?

The latest Alex Cross installment from James Patterson.

Do you have a favorite author/book?

I love the classics and have a lot of books I've read over and over. But I think if I have to choose one book it has to be….okay, I can't choose one, but my top two are Of Mice and Men, and One Thousand White Women.

What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

I don't know. I don't think I'm all that interesting or different but people seemed shocked that I have 12 kids.

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to ride motorcycles, go out on the boat with the family and spend the day on the lake. As long as I'm with my family, it's fun.

What is your favorite food and restaurant?

I love a good rib eye. And my favorite restaurant is Sandstone Garden in Joplin, MO. But I also love Alioto's on the wharf in San Francisco. I love the steamers there.

Can you tell us about any projects you are currently working on?

I am finishing up edits on Caleb & Arion, and finishing up Dancing With Bear: A Love Story, and then I'm taking off on my motorcycle to go hug on some grandbabies. My oldest grandson, Mathew is graduating from high school this year and I will be there for that.

Where can readers find you?

Rie McGaha's Links:

Website: www.riemcgaha.com 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Rie_McGaha 

My Space: http://www.myspace.com/novelsbyrie 

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/NovelsByRieMcGaha 

Biker Or Not: http://www.bikerornot.com/natenrie 

Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/RieMcGaha/ 

The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews: 

http://thepaganandthepenbookreviews.blogspot.com/ 

Man Of The Month: http://spotlightauthor.blogspot.com/ 

Blogs:

http://anauthorstale.blogspot.com/ 

http://sizzlingreleases.blogspot.com/ 

http://riemcgaha.wordpress.com/ 

http://authorofferings.blogspot.com/ 

http://lovefurbabies.chipin.com/rescued-animals

Fun Facts:

BK:  Fantasy or Horror?

Horror

BK:  Day or Night?

Night

BK:  Favorite Drink?

Tantalizing Tea

BK:  Favorite Movie?

China 9, Liberty 37

BK:  What is a must have to write?

TV on in the background

BK:  If you could possess a supernatural power, what would it be and why?

Invisibility. I could go anywhere and imagine all the conversations I would be able to listen in one!

BK:  Favorite Author?

James Patterson

BK:  Favorite Song?

Wish You Were Here/Pink Floyd

BK:  Favorite Saying?

"Genres? We don't need no stinking genres!"

BK:  What is the craziest thing you've ever done?

LOL Oh let's not go there, okay?

BK:  What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?

Entertainment. That's it. I don't write trying to make a statement, or hope people will find the answer to life or a lesson in morality. I just want them to be entertained, taken out of reality for a few moments and live in my fantasy for a bit.

BK:  If someone could describe you in one word, what would it be?

Um, Bear always said I had fangs. I'll leave you to ponder on his meaning.

Thank you so much for being at the Round Table today.  It's been such a pleasure chatting with you and I wish you much success in the future.

The pleasure was all mine. Thank you so much for having me.

When Calen MacLeod begins having dreams of an ethereal beauty who beckons to him, he passes it off as just having an itch he hasn't scratched in a long time. But when he leaves on a journey to find her, following the directions she's given him in his dreams, he begins to doubt his sanity. And when he finds himself high in the Mackinaw Mountains in a secret fortress with unicorns and a pink and white castle, surrounded by women, each one more beautiful than the next, it's a fantasy no man would want to wake up from. But Arianna is the only woman for Calen.

The women of the Fortress have lived in peace, hidden away from the humans who tried to annihilate them all. But now a 500-year-old demon is out to destroy the women's matriarch, Ariella, and he'll stop at nothing to complete his mission. When Calen MacLeod shows up, he throws a wrench into Damon's plans. Never let it be said Damon isn't ready for anything, but when he kidnaps Arianna and takes her to modern day San Francisco, is he ready to meet Calen, who will stop at nothing to save his ladylove?

Excerpt:

The little boy leaned against the remains of what was once his home. He sat for a while and rubbed his hands over his chubby cheeks, smearing more crud across his face. He drew designs in the dirt and occasionally glanced at the bodies of his parents lying not three feet away. He cried sometimes while he sat by his mother, patting her back and telling her to wake up. He didn't understand why she wouldn't wake up; she had never done that before. Neither had his father, who now continued to sleep next to his mother.

He was alone and he was afraid. Everything looked different to him at night, and the forest sounds scared him. He lay between his parents in the dark, sucking his thumb and crying until he finally fell asleep. He had dreams of the men who came into the forest on their big, black horses. He had been in the hut with his mother when they came; his father was outside chopping wood. His mother had grabbed him up, wrapped a fur around him and hid him in the deep, dark corner in the back of their home. She had been very stern with him when she told him to stay there and not make a sound, then she had gone outside, where his father was speaking with the strangers. He remembered the shouts, the sound of the horses' hooves, the ring of steel against steel in the air. He remembered his mother's scream, and that was when he'd crawled out of his hiding place and peeked through the crack in the logs of the hut.

He had seen his father lying on the ground with blood running from his head. And he saw the men ripping his mother's clothes until her skirt hung in shreds, baring her from the waist down. They had tied her hands and threw her over the chopping block and fell on her one by one. The little boy didn't know what they were doing, as they slapped her, shouting and laughing all the while. Her cries and screams scared him, and he covered his ears. The men were strangers to the child, but one stuck in his memory. Tall, with long, dirty hair, he wore all black and had whiskers all over his face, and this man hurt his mother more than the others. The little boy cried as he watched the men, and he saw the flash of a silver ring on the tall man's finger as the man's sword plunged through his mother's back. The blood ran down her body, down the chopping block onto the dirt.

The boy ran then. He ran back to the place where his mother had hidden him in the dark, secret corner of the hut and made himself as small as he could under the furs. He heard the men come inside and their laughter as they tore up the place. They broke what could break, kicked over the table and stools, and cursed when they didn't find anything of value to steal.

"Burn it!" one of the men shouted.

"Nay," the man with ring said. "We don't want to attract attention. Leave it be and mount up. We have to find the boy!"

The little boy was so afraid, he stayed hidden under the furs all the rest of the day until it was nearly full dark. But as night fell, his full bladder drove him out of his hiding place. He had to climb under and over logs that once made up the walls of his home. That was when he found his parents lying on the ground. He stood there crying, and pee ran down his leg. He went to his mother first and shook her, patted her back and called to her over and over, but she wouldn't answer him. He then turned to his father and shook him harder, but he didn't answer either.

As the full moon rose over the forest, he sat down and wailed. After a while he fell asleep and when he awoke, it was still full dark. He shivered, and used the moon's light to make his way back into the hut. Dragging the furs behind him, he went back out to his parents' side. He covered his mother first, laid between them and shared a fur with his father.

The next morning, he searched through the hut and found some bread and dried meat to eat. With no concept of time, the child slept, ate, played in the dirt, and waited for his parents to wake up.

Later the next day the sounds of horses and men shouting startled the boy. Fearing the mean men had returned, he ran into the remains of the hut and slid under the fallen logs to the secret corner hiding place. He heard the horses snorting and the men talking. Their voices sounded grim and low, not like the loud laughter of the ones who’d hurt his mother. Shaking with fear, he lay still and tried to make himself very small so they wouldn't notice him. He heard them as they walked around the hut, and the sound of  the fallen logs being moved around told him they were inside. A very big hand picked him up, but he was too afraid to open his eyes.

* * * *

 Caleb wrapped an arm securely around the child, went back outside, and called out to another man.

"Caleb!"

Caleb turned to find his brother holding a dirty, disheveled child with his eyes squeezed tightly shut. "He must've seen the whole thing, Calen. Poor little guy. What do we do with him?"

Calen shrugged. "Can't leave him here; he'll starve to death. Or worse. Take him back to Margaret. She'll take care of him."

Caleb took the boy from his brother. He gently lowered him to the ground, where the child sat, cross-legged in the dirt. Caleb patted his head. "You wait right here and we'll take care of your Ma and Da."

The boy squinted, opening his eyes just enough to see. Calen and Caleb buried the boy's parents then bowed their heads and made the sign of the cross.. After a brief consult with his brother, Calen went to the boy and sat in the dirt right in front of him. He cleared his throat and looked up at Caleb. At his brother's nod, he cleared his throat again.

"My name is Calen, boy. This is my brother, Caleb. Neither of us will hurt you, so don't be afraid."

The boy stared silently at the dirt. Calen looked over his shoulder at his brother and raised a brow. Caleb shrugged; he didn't know how to deal with a little boy any more than his brother did. Calen tried again.

"I know you've seen some bad things here with your Ma and Da, and no babe should be seeing that, but we're going to take you home with us and you'll be taken care of. So come on now and we'll get to it."

The little boy didn't move. He didn't speak, nor did he give any sign he had heard or understood. Caleb squatted down beside his brother.

"Maybe he's deaf. Can you hear me, boy?" No reply. The brothers looked at each other, so Caleb picked up one of the furs, wrapped it around the boy and hauled him up on his shoulder. After they'd both mounted their horses, Caleb settled the child in front of him. When the sun set they stopped again, built a fire and laid out a bed for themselves with the boy between them. Sharing a supper of oatcakes and dried meat from a pouch, Calen offered some to the boy. He accepted the food without looking at either of them, and drank from the skin of water they offered but still he said nothing. They finished eating, put the rest of the food away, then the three of them lay down before the fire. The child fell asleep in minutes.

Rie is on Virtual Book Tour with Goddess Fish Promotions,  but due to blogger being down she ran it one extra day.