Please help me welcome my friend Linda Andrews to my blog today. Linda is giving away a $5 gift card to one lucky commenter so be sure and leave a comment for a chance to win.

How did you get started writing?

I have been reading since I was five. I love to read and both my parents are avid readers. Summertime at my house was synonymous with Library time. But a funny thing happened around the time I was pregnant with my middle child, some of my favorite lines began to disappear. Alas, I wasn’t ready to give them up, so I began telling myself more and more stories. About 5 years later, I decided to write one of them down. The rest, they say is history.

Tell us about your current series.

Brianna is the last of four Victorian Paranormal romance novels. This one is set in Egypt and I have to say, during the edits I fell in love with both characters again. Brianna spent most of her life dying from consumption. When her sister moved to Arizona, Brianna went as well and discovered like many that the dry, hot air could cure her. Now, she’s not content to wait for adventure to call on her, she’s hunting it down. Alas, the hero is determined to keep her safe and healthy. Thankfully, she has an Egyptian goddess on her side who takes the form of her pet cat.

What is your favorite part of writing?

Editing. I know that sounds weird but getting those words out is hard work, making them say what I need to once I’ve wrestled them from my head is easy.

What is your next project and when will it be released?

I am currently writing the 3rd apocalyptic novel in the Redaction series but I have a Valentine’s Day romance scheduled for early 2013. Oddly enough, the Valentine’s Day book features Cupid and Psyche, a departure from my typical ghost stories. I wrote a companion short story that is currently free on amazon and barnes and noble, so please download it.

Do you have critique partners?

At one point I had 9 critique partners at the same time. It was crazy. And while I learned a lot, I must say I took all of their suggestions and edited myself out of my books. It came time for me to trust myself and eliminate some partners. Now, I’m down to 2 put I have 7 beta readers.

What is your favorite dessert/food?

My favorite food is the kind that I can eat. I’ll pretty much eat anything so I don’t like to hurt food’s feelings by choosing one over the other

How far do you plan ahead?

Right now I have planned about 5 years worth of writing, approximately 20 books. My muse is objecting and so I realize that certain things will change, but I love my muse so I’ll follow along wherever she takes me.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

Believe in yourself and find others who believe in you. There are times when I would have given up writing if not for my husband who told me all about the success stories that failed the first thousand or so times.

Do you have any rejection stories to share?

My favorite rejection (that’s a bit of an oxymoron isn’t it?) is when an agent called up to reject me after she sent me a rejection letter in the mail. Since I’m always telling God if he want me to heed as sign send a billboard with flashing arrows pointing at it, I figured a phone call and a letter were a message I should listen to

Excerpt from Brianna

After finally recovering from her long illness, Brianna Grey is determined to
have her adventure and the man of her dreams. An Egyptian goddess promises her
both in exchange for a small favor. Accompanied by the goddess now disguised as
a cat, Brianna books passage on a tour of ancient Egypt.

U.S. Treasury agent Duncan Stuart knows first hand the price a Victorian Miss
faces when she flaunts Society’s conventions. He sails after Brianna determined
to stop her foolishness and return her to the protection of her rich and
powerful family.

To Brianna, Duncan’s arrival proves that everything she wants is within reach
until he rebuffs her advances. How can he deny their love after the kiss they
shared? For his own good and to salvage her adventure, Brianna lies to keep him
with her.

But Brianna’s intrigue isn’t the only one swirling on the Sahara. As the gilded
façade of her fellow explorers quickly tarnishes, she’ll need more than a cat to
protect her. For the strict proprieties and studied boredom of the privileged
class hides a tangle of lies, ruthless greed and a lust for the power of the
ancients. Soon, Duncan learns that more than Brianna’s adventure is at stake.

Links to Linda’s free story Love Lottery.
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lottery-Paranormal-Romance-ebook/dp/B0083PUC98/

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-love-lottery-linda-andrews/1111399144?ean=2940033238446