What genre(s) do you write in and why?

In the past, I’ve written erotic, sci-fi, time travel, western, contemporary, paranormal, and suspense. But these days I’m focused on romantic suspense and paranormal romantic suspense. Most of my stories have a military or law enforcement feel to them and blend in a good mix of romance, action, and intrigue.

Tell us about your current series.

As I mentioned, I write a lot of romantic suspense, much of it with military and action themes. But out of deference to my husband—a 20-year Army veteran—I’ve always refrained from writing anything in the Navy SEAL world. I typically lean on him for the guy’s perspective and military expertise in my suspense/action stories, and he was never thrilled with writing about something so far outside his wheelhouse, but then Cat Johnson (she of the Hot SEALs fame) asked me to write a story in her HOT SEALs Kindle World Series and that changed everything!

Cat has helped me out with so much, from boxed sets to promo suggestions, to the best way to increase my indie sales, I simply couldn’t say no when she asked me for a story. Besides I’ve wanted to write something involving SEALs for a while and this seemed like fate calling.

So I plied my husband with compliments and pizza until he agreed to help me, then dived into the world of the Navy SEALs. In between my other book commitments, I knocked out MY SEAL BODYGUARD and had an incredible time writing it. Once I got hubby involved in the research and action sequences, he started enjoying it too (though I’m sure he’ll never admit it).

When I got done writing with that first SEAL story, I knew I couldn’t stop. I was hooked! So I thought about it for a while and came up with the SEALs OF CORONADO, a series featuring the guys on SEAL Team 5 in San Diego and the women who fall for them. I figured everyone was showing all kinds of love to the SEAL guys on the East Coast, so I decided the ones on the West Coast should get the same attention. The first book in the series—SEAL FOR HER PROTECTION—hit the shelves on April 12^th and I’m stoked!

 How has your experience with self-publishing been?

Generally good. For me, self-publishing is an ongoing learning process. You get to figure out what themes sell, what book lengths work best, what kind of promotion might help you sell, and what vendors do better than others. I’ll admit that sometimes I’ve written books that haven’t sold a lot because of the subject matter, but that’s part of the learning process.

 How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?

Very! I meet so many amazing people at conferences and they all love to talk about the books I write. One of the joys of writing a long series (both my New York series X-OPS and SWAT, and the indie series I write, SEALs of CORONADO and DALLAS FIRE AND RESCUE, are all multi-book series) is that you have a chance to incorporate people you meet into the books. I wrote X-OPS Book 4 (HER FIRECE WARRIOR) with one very perfect real-life cover model in my head—even the hero’s name is the same as his. I have a fan who fell for a certain hero in SWAT, so I used her name for his heroine. I had one fan who wanted to be someone’s mother and another who wanted to be a bad guy in the X-OPS series. Another fan even pointed out something I hadn’t even thought of in a series, so I rewrote an entire future arc to include that storyline.

 Was your road to publication fraught with peril or a walk in the park?

I started out writing by hand, in a notebook. When they were ready, I typed them up and sent them to agents, but I rarely heard anything back.

Then when the internet came on the scene and I stumbled over a member’s only site that paid people chapter by chapter for erotic romance stories. I said to myself, “I could do that.” I ended up writing something like twenty books for that publisher. I grew and developed along with the digital press explosion, writing for three or four different publishers, getting better and better at my craft as I did.

Wanting to get to New York, I started doing the pitch thing at conferences and book signings. Those were tough and even though I had some really good books, I couldn’t get any traction with agents or publishers. By this point, I’d been writing for seven or eight years and was starting to think that maybe New York just wasn’t going to happen. But my husband, who’s my biggest cheerleader, kept me going and urged me to keep pursuing my dream.

Following the advice of a few fellow authors, I finally wrote a story that was completely different than anything I’d done before, a paranormal romance suspense with shifters paired with military/cops and a focus on action and danger. It was a great book. I simply had to find an agent who believed that as much as I did.

I went through 174 agents before I found a person who believed in that story as much as I did. That agent got me a New York deal for that book—HER PERFECT MATE—and the follow-on books (X-OPS). I just finished writing Book 6 in that series and am working on Book 6 of another series (SWAT) with the same publisher (Sourcebooks).

It took a long time to get where I am, but it was worth it.

 Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

The hero is Petty Officer Chasen Ward. He became a Navy SEAL after 9/11 when someone close to him died because he wanted to do something to make sure that nothing like that ever happened again. Because he’s so dedicated to his team, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He would die for any of those guys. While that makes him a perfect SEAL, it also wreaks havoc on his love life because it terrifies every woman he’s ever gotten involved with. He’s dedicated to his Team and has faced danger countless times as a SEAL, but the thing that scares him the most is falling for a woman who leaves because she can’t handle what he does for a living.

 Tell us about your heroine.  Give us one of her strengths and one of her weaknesses.

Hayley Garner is an investigative journalist with a nose for news and a desire to uncover the truth. That means going where the story is, even if it’s in the crappiest hellholes in the world. Like Chasen, she’s used to putting herself in danger on a regular basis for her job. Her strength is her fearlessness. She doesn’t let anything get in the way of going after a story, but it’s her weakness as well because it sometimes it puts her in situations that are dangerous not only to her, but the people around her.

 What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m working on STRONG SILENT SEAL, the second book in my SEALs of Coronado Series, which releases June 27^th, as well as Book 6 in the SWAT Series.

 Please tell my readers a little bit about your book. 

 SEAL FOR HER PROTECTION

 When investigative journalist Hayley is kidnapped by terrorists, she’s sure they’re going to kill her. But in sweeps handsome Navy SEAL Chasen to rescue her. After getting her to safety, he disappears into the night before she can even thank him.

Weeks later, while covering a story on the local navy base, Hayley runs into Chasen again. Even though she didn’t see his face that night he rescued her, she can’t forget his beautiful blue eyes.

The attraction is immediate and intense…and Hayley finds herself falling into a fiery romance with the hunky hero out of her dreams. Guys like this aren’t supposed to really exist, but Chasen does…and dang is he hot.

But ever since she got back home, Hayley has had the feeling someone’s been watching her. Is it post-traumatic stress or does she have a reason to be afraid? Good thing she has a Navy SEAL there to watch over her!

 What is your writing routine like?

 I write like a psycho pretty much 7 days a week/365 days a year. I allow myself a little off time on Christmas and other big holidays, but I really try to write every day. I seriously have to because I’m on contract to publish four New York books a year and four to five indie books. It’s a stressful schedule that requires my fulltime commitment. I get up early (five in the morning), get hubby off to work, then start writing. With short breaks for eating and exercise, I usually work nonstop until going to bed every night.

 Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?   

 Having a fan come up to you and say they loved your story so much they couldn’t go to bed until they finished reading it. Oh, and seeing your book in the bookstore? Yeah…that’s kind of nice too.

Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract? 

 Write because you love writing and have stories inside you that have to come out. Read reviews, but only to see if there’s anything valuable you can use to make your writing better. Forget the rest. Be willing to write stories that are unique and different and personal to you. They may not sell like hotcakes, but those stories will allow you to stretch and grow and find your voice.  Find a few fellow writers to lean on and learn from, and be willing to put yourself out there to learn your craft because it really is a process.

 What’s next for you?

 Right now, I’m working on STRONG SILENT SEAL, the second book in my SEALs of Coronado Series, which releases June 27^th, as well as Book 6 in the SWAT Series. In addition to that, I’m launching my DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Kindle World in October. If you’re not familiar with Kindle Worlds, it’s a platform where authors can legally write books in another author’s series. ABLAZE, Book 2 in my DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Series releases in conjunction with the launch. As for other upcoming releases, readers can look for TO LOVE A WOLF (SWAT 4) June 7^th, HER ROGUE ALPHA(X-OPS 5) September 6^th, and WOLF UNLEASHED (SWAT 5) December 6^th. All of them are available for pre-order.

He saved her from danger once before. Can he save her again, this time from danger he doesn’t even see coming?

When investigative journalist Hayley Garner is kidnapped by terrorists, she’s sure they’re going to kill her. But in sweeps handsome Navy SEAL Chasen Ward to rescue her. After getting her to safety, he disappears into the night before she can even thank him.

Weeks later, while covering a story on the local navy base, Hayley runs into Chasen again. Even though she didn’t see his face that night he rescued her, she can’t forget his beautiful blue eyes. The attraction is immediate and intense, and Hayley finds herself falling into a fiery romance with the hunky hero out of her dreams. Guys like this aren’t supposed to really exist, but Chasen does, and damn is he hot.

But ever since she got back home, Hayley has had the feeling someone’s been watching her. Is it post-traumatic stress or does she have a reason to be afraid? Good thing she has a Navy SEAL to protect her.

Excerpt
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/BooksSEALforHerProtection.html

Amazon
http://amzn.to/1JlQFfS

B&N
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seal-for-her-protection-paige-tyler/1123276615?ean=2940152764697

Kobo
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/seal-for-her-protection

iBOOKS
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1076434026

All Romance eBooks
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sealforherprotection-1969740-153.html

BIO

Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines who fall in love with them.

She is represented by Bob Mecoy.

Social media links:

Website: http://paigetylertheauthor.com/

Blog: http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook Profile Page: http://www.facebook.com/paige.tyler.9

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/PaigeTylerAuthor

X-OPS Series Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/XOPSSeriesbyPaigeTylerAuthor

SWAT Series Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/SWATSeriesbyPaigeTylerAuthor

Paige Tyler’s Groupies Central on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/Paigetylersgroupies/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PaigeTyler

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/paigetylerauth/

Tumblr: paigetylerauthor

tsu: http://www.tsu.co/paigetylerauthor

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/PaigeTylerAuthor

Instagram: paige_tyler_author

Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2300692.Paige_Tyler

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/BBrEP

Email: paigetyler@paigetylertheauthor.com

Want more hunky Navy SEALs? Then don’t forget to pre-order STRONG SILENT SEAL, Book 2 in the SEALs of CORONADO Series!

Wedding planner Felicia Bradford is in trouble. Mercenaries are holding her sister hostage and threatening to kill her unless Felicia helps them steal top secret information from the Navy’s Special Operations Headquarters. Having no other way to access the base, she pulls a gun on the first man in a Navy uniform she finds, demanding he get her through the gate.

Navy SEAL Logan Dunn just got back from a mission in Syria and is looking for a little down time to relax. That plan goes out the window when a beautiful woman shoves a gun in his back and begs him to do something he can tell she doesn’t want to be part of. Logan does what any Navy SEAL would do in the same situation—he saves the girl and takes out the bad guys.

But their actions that day kick off a crazy chain of events, including a fast-burning whirlwind romance, an out-of-control sister, an insane covert plot involving a defecting Russian pilot, a mercenary bent on revenge, and a sunrise wedding for a bride who never wakes up before noon.

Getting through her sister’s kidnapping will look like a piece of cake compared to what comes next.

Amazon
http://amzn.to/1MQaaPi

B&N
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strong-silent-seal-paige-tyler/1123600972?ean=2940152794571

KOBO
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/strong-silent-seal

iBOOKS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/strong-silent-seal/id1097671833?mt=11

All Romance eBooks
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-strongsilentseal-2003577-153.html

How did you get started writing? 

When I was knee deep in diapers with my second daughter, my husband surprised me by paying for me to take a continuing education class at our local college:  Writing For Fun and Profit.  He babysat so that I could get out of the house and do something he knew I’d enjoy.  (Yes, he’s a keeper).  When I turned in an article for an assignment, the teacher told me that she thought I could sell it to Byline magazine.  I sent it and got back a check for $25.  I looked at my husband and said, “This is easy!”  Little did I knowJ

Tell us about your current series.

I wanted to write a small town romance.  I’d tried a romance bundle before, The Emerald Hills Collection, that included seven, short romances, one “lunch hour read” for each day of the week.  It was so much fun, I wanted to try a long version with the same feel, so Mill Pond was born.  Everyone knows everyone else, and there’ll be lots of happy ever afters.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love the first gush of words when I start a book.  The whole first fourth is fun for me.  That’s when I introduce the characters, build relationships, and describe the setting.  Everything’s new.  My characters start walking and talking.  They come to life and surprise me sometimes.  It sets up what the book’s about and where it’s going.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

The middle muddle.  I’m a plotting nerd, but even with a plot point for each chapter, the middle starts feeling unwieldy, like the whole thing wants to sag.  I spend a lot of time trying to prop it up and make it keep moving, to add depth and complications.

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

My second Mill Pond romance comes out in July.  When my critique partners read COOKING UP TROUBLE, they talked about Ian’s brother, Brody, as much as they talked about Ian.  One of them even told me she’d kick Ian to the curb and run away with BrodyJ  I thought that made him worthy of a book of his own.

What is most difficult for you to write?  Characters, conflict, or emotions?  Why?

Emotions.  I started out writing short mysteries—and those were plot driven.  They were more about clues and suspects than feelings.  Then I switched to urban fantasy—and those have lots of conflict, one small battle leading to a bigger battle until the big, bad battle at the end of the book.  There are more emotions than in the mysteries, but external forces drive the story more than internal ones.  When I wrote romances, I had to concentrate on internal conflicts, nuances, and internal dialogue.  It took me a while.

Was your road to publication fraught with peril or a walk in the park?

My road was twisty and winding, and I think I walked from the East Coast to the West.  It was long!  That’s why I share what I’ve learned with my writers’ club.  I tell the new members, “Don’t do what I did.  Learn from my mistakes.”

Do you write under a pen name?  Why or why not?

I use a pen name for Kensington.  I self-published (with the help of Dystel and Goderich, because my agent’s awesome!) all of my urban fantasy bundles and novels under my name Judith Post.  Most romance readers aren’t into urban fantasy, and maybe vice versa, so I use Judi Lynn (Lynn’s my middle name) for the romances.

Do you have any rejection stories to share? 

I collected so many rejections over the years that I could have papered my writing room with them.  But oddly enough, to me, each rejection was a badge of honor.  It meant I finished a story and I sent it out.  I’ve watched quite a few really talented writers crumple under rejection, but when an editor passes on a story, it can be for a variety of reasons.  Maybe—which really happened to me—they just sold a mystery that hinged on Tarot cards.  Maybe they have so many stories waiting for slots, they just can’t buy any more.  And maybe—which I’ve been guilty of, too—you sent them a wonderful story that’s not the type they buy.  But the truth is, you can’t please everyone.  Writing’s subjective.  One person might love my story and the next person hate it.  Don’t take it personally.  It’s part of the profession.

Cooking Up Trouble Blurb:  Tessa Lawrence swore off men when she found her fiancée in the arms of another woman.  These days, she concentrates on caring for her small farm and running a bakery and farm stand out of its barn.  Ian McGregor moves to Mill Pond to build a resort on the property next to Tessa’s.  Tessa’s fine with that.  Mill Pond’s trying to attract more tourists.  The problem is, Ian understands business, but he’s never changed a tire or pounded a nail.  She finds herself helping him more than she expected, and spending time around Ian is a dangerous proposition.  The man’s far too good-looking and fun to be around.

Cooking Up Trouble by Judi Lynn Excerpt:

Grams raced into the barn on Friday morning and grinned at her.  “The news is all over town.”

Tessa shrugged.  “Mill Pond needs to find more to talk about.”

“Did you really dance, cheek to cheek, with Chase Carlton?”

“No cheeks were involved.  My boobs were smashed against his chest, and his hands groped my ass, but we never made cheek contact.”

Grams laughed.  “It’s about time!  No one knows what to think.  Chase told everyone he’d asked you to marry him.”

“I’m not sure shacking up is the same as marriage.”

Grams loved it.   “What a way to let the world know you’re ready to spread your wings.  I couldn’t have done it better myself.  Rumor is all the single guys in Mill Pond are ready to start courting.”

Tessa groaned.  “That’s not what I had in mind.”

“Oh, hell, enjoy it.  Tarnish your reputation a little more if you can.  It’s been spotless too long.”

Tessa shook her head and walked to the door to turn the sign to Open.  People rushed into the shop.  One of them was Ian.  He glared at her, grabbed her arm, and pulled her to one side.  Not one person went to the glass cases.  They all milled around, looking innocent, trying their best to overhear their conversation.

“Is it true you’re going to marry Chase Carlton?”

“What?”  Tessa stared at him.  “Where did you hear that?”

“I drove to Garth’s Gas station to buy gas for the riding mower this morning.  Garth said the rumor’s flying all over town.”

Tessa sighed.  “He only gave me a friendship ring.  We thought we’d fool around first to see if we’re sexually compatible.”   Mouths dropped open and when Ian growled, Tessa laughed.  “Don’t believe everything you hear.  I danced with Chase last night.  That’s all.”

Judi Lynn bio:  I started out as an elementary teacher because I love kids.  When I had two daughters of my own, though, and stayed home with them, I couldn’t get my old position back.  Rules had changed.  No one would hire a teacher with a Master’s degree—they had to pay us more—so I turned to writing.  Not exactly a get-rich-quick scheme either!  I sold short stories to mystery magazines and anthologies, and then got brave enough to try writing novels.  The journey’s been fun!

Buy Link:  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32318

Website:  http://www.judithpostswritingmusings.com/

Blog:  http://writingmusings.com/

My twitter handle:  @judypost

My Facebook author page:  https://www.facebook.com/JudithPostsurbanfantasy/

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What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I am undoubtedly a romance author (I’ve been drawn to love stories my whole life, and I find a great deal of comfort in the HEA, as a reader and as a writer), though I dabble in a few different genres. Most of my published books are contemporary, though I have also written what I think of as light paranormal stories (books that are largely contemporaries with some paranormal elements) and now historicals.

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

The current book is Ten Days in August, a historical romance set in NYC during a heat wave in 1896. This summer, I also have a category romance called The Greek Tycoon’s Green Card Groom coming out, part of Dreamspinner Press’s Dreamspun Desires line (gay romances in the mold of old Harlequins, a project that I, as a longtime Harlequin reader, am delighted to be a part of). I also have two backlist reissues out this year: Out in the Field, a romance between two major league baseball players, will be out in May, and The Boy Next Door, my take on a contemporary small-town romance, will be out in August.

Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Ten Days in August has two heroes. Hank Brandt is a no-nonsense police detective. He’s clever and willing to take risks, but this sometimes means he prioritizes justice over practicality and his own career. He’s a little sloppy, too, preferring his own comfort over protocol, as demonstrated in the excerpt. Nicky Sharp sings and dances at a club for men seeking men, and he usually does his act in drag. Nicky is friendly and loves his family, but he doesn’t trust easily and tends to keep people at a distance. For both heroes to get their HEA, they have to overcome a lot of their own limitations to be with each other.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?
I read a little of everything, although I love in particular historical romance (I like binging on Regencies), contemporary romance (especially if it’s a little edgy or different), and romantic suspense.

Do you prefer to read in the same genres you write in or do you avoid reading that genre? Why?

I tend to read in the same genres I write. I draw inspiration from good writers, and I write books that I’d want to read. I also like a lot of edgier books that deal with heavy issues I don’t see myself writing, although who knows?

Has your muse always known what genre you would write and be published in?

Probably. I’m not sure that I did. True story: when I was in sixth grade, we read a short story in my English class, and one of my assignments was to write an alternate ending to the story. It seemed obvious to me that the big warrior and the princess from the story were going to fall in love and get married. Apparently I’m the only one who thought so; my teacher told me I was a romantic. Then I graduated from college with a literature degree and thought I was writing mainstream literary fiction for awhile, but after a hiatus from reading romance, I got back into it and realized it was what I’d been wanting to write all along.

What are you currently working on?

I have a bunch of projects in various states of completion, including a romance between a second-chance romance fashion designer and a photographer, a series about the lawyers who work in a well-respected law firm with lots of political intrigue, and a series about cops in the 80s that is really at its beginning stages. (I always work on 2 or 3 things simultaneously. It’s just how my brain works.)

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

My advice: believe all things are possible. I think writers get in their own way a lot, thinking they aren’t good enough or that their work doesn’t have value. I know a couple of writers who are brilliant but not published yet because they keep holding themselves back. Readers aren’t interested in what they write, they tell me, or they’ll never get an agent, or they’ll never sell more than ten copies. But I’m here to tell you, nothing will happen if you don’t start shopping that story around. It may just be the next big thing.

What did you want to be when you were a child?
I’ve wanted to be a teacher on and off over the years. I never really pursued it, but have found a way to incorporate it into my career in other ways. (I work in educational publishing, writing and editing textbook content mostly, and I teach classes at writers conventions, which I find really rewarding.) When I was a teenager, I really wanted to be a fashion designer. I took fashion drawing classes and made a scrapbook of looks cut out from the catalogs my mother got in the mail (which is essentially how I use Pinterest now; that scrapbook is a digital compendium of pretty clothes), and I had notebooks full of sketches of my designs. I chickened out and didn’t apply to art school, but I think it’s always been clear I’d end up doing something creative when I grew up. If I hadn’t become a writer, I would have gone into art or music.

 Do you or have you belonged to a writing organization?  Which one?  Have the helped you with your writing?  How?
I’m currently president of the New York City chapter of Romance Writers of America. I ran for president because I wanted to give back, because I’ve gotten a lot out of my membership. I’ve met so many wonderful people, gotten lots of good advice and encouragement, networked with people who have helped my career. I really do think it is absolutely worthwhile to join if you’re a romance writer.

Blurb

From the Lower East Side to uptown Manhattan, a curious detective searches for clues on the sidewalks of New York—and finds a secret world of forbidden love that’s too hot to handle…

New York City, 1896. As the temperatures rise, so does the crime rate. At the peak of this sizzling heat wave, police inspector Hank Brandt is called to investigate the scandalous murder of a male prostitute. His colleagues think he should drop the case, but Hank’s interest is piqued, especially when he meets the intriguing key witness: a beautiful female impersonator named Nicholas Sharp.

As a nightclub performer living on the fringes of society, Nicky is reluctant to place his trust in a cop—even one as handsome as Hank. With Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt cracking down on vice in the city, Nicky’s afraid that getting involved could end his career. But when he realizes his life is in danger—and Hank is his strongest ally—the two men hit the streets together to solve the crime. From the tawdry tenements of the Lower East Side to the moneyed mansions of Fifth Avenue, Nicky and Hank are determined to uncover the truth. But when things start heating up between them, it’s not just their lives on the line. It’s their love…

Buy Links:

Kensington: http://bit.ly/1ParSam

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OGl1WF

B&N: http://bit.ly/1YWRDCq

ARe: http://bit.ly/1Va2r01

Google: http://bit.ly/1Rju0US

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1pJy1Wp

Apple iBooks: http://apple.co/252HUz0

Excerpt:

Nicholas Sharp—stage name Paulina Clodhopper—stood outside Club Bulgaria in his street clothes, smoking the last of a cigarillo. It was doing nothing to calm his nerves. He tossed the butt of it toward the street and rearranged the red scarf draped around his neck. It was too hot for such frippery, but he had an image to maintain, and besides, the police were on their way. He wanted to look somewhat respectable. Really, though, Nicky would have much preferred a long soak in an ice bath while wearing nothing at all.

The sun blared down on the Bowery and it smelled like someone had died—which, Nicky acknowledged, had happened in truth—and it was nearly unbearable, but he couldn’t stand inside any longer. Not with Edward laid out on the floor like… well. Nicky didn’t want to think of it.

A man in rolled-up shirtsleeves and an ugly brown waistcoat, his hands shoved in his pockets, walked down the street toward Nicky. The man beside him must have been boiling inside his crisp police uniform.

The man in uniform looked Nicky up and down with an expression of deep skepticism on his face. “Are you Mr. Juel?” His tone indicated his real question was, Are you even a real man?

Nicky bristled. “No, darling. He’s inside.”

The man in shirtsleeves said, “You work here?”

“Yes.”

This man was really quite attractive, in a sweaty, disheveled way, though Nicky supposed there was no way around that in this weather. The man pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and then pulled the dusty bowler hat off his head, revealing dark brown hair cut short. He wiped his whole face from his damp forehead to his thick mustache before he dropped the hat back on his head. There seemed to be a strong body under the wrinkled clothing, but it was hard to tell. Still, this man intrigued Nicky. His companion in the uniform was blond and bearded and looked considerably more polished, but in a bland way. The disheveled man was far more interesting.

“I’ll take you in to see Mr. Juel,” Nicky said. “That is, if I could have your names.”

“I’m Detective Stephens,” said the uniformed man briskly.

“Hank Brandt,” said the man in shirtsleeves.

“Acting Inspector Henry Brandt,” Stephens said. “Honestly, Brandt, there are protocols.”

Brandt grunted and waved his hand dismissively at Stephens. To Nicky, he said, “And you are?”

“Nicholas Sharp. Come with me.” He led the police officers inside.

Bio:

Kate McMurray is an award-winning author romance author and an unabashed romance fan. When she’s not writing, she works as a nonfiction editor, dabbles in various crafts, and is maybe a tiny bit obsessed with base­ball. She is currently president of the New York City chapter of Romance Writers of America. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Welcome!

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I’d always wanted to be a writer ever since I was a child. I must have been 8 years old when it finally dawned on me that actual people wrote books. They didn’t just magically appear in the library – some person wrote them! Why couldn’t I learn to do that? But it took me many years to realize that dream. My first novel, DAGGERSPELL, was published when I was 42.

What got me started was, oddly enough, a negative example.  I read a story published in a national magazine that was so bad that I thought, “I can do better than this!”  Of course, I couldn’t on the first try, but I kept at it and improved. The first novel I wrote was horrible. I’ve never shown it to anyone but my husband.  He was kind about it.  The second one was the first version of the book that became FLICKERS, the book that’s coming out now, 36 years after I started writing it!

Although that version never sold, it did get me my agent. I’ve been with the same agency since 1981, longer than some people stay married. At various times in the past years, I’d revise FLICKERS some more, and Elizabeth would try to sell it, but we never found a publisher for it.

In the meantime,  I wrote 29 other books under my married name, Katharine Kerr.  These all fall into the science fiction and fantasy genres, but they differ from most because they emphasize character as much as action.  I should point out something about the name Kathryn Jordan, come to think of it.  Jordan was my grandmother’s maiden name. I wanted a new name for FLICKERS, because I figured that people who liked my other genre work might not care for this book. And vice versa – someone who loved historicals and love stories might be disappointed by bloody civil wars in an imaginary medieval kingdom or space ship chases!

What I didn’t realize was there’s another author named Kathryn Jordan who’s published several category Romances. So I hope readers will be able to tell us apart!

Eventually, however, I revised FLICKERS one last time, and it finally found a home with the Lyrical line of Kensington Books.  I’m often asked if I have any advice for new writers.  Based on my experience with FLICKERS, I’d say, “Never give up! But be willing to postpone.”  It’s a lot of work to write a full-length book. It takes a full year’s time to write a 500 to 600 page novel properly.  When a lot of writers fail to sell their first book to a traditional publisher, they give up in disappointment – or else they refuse to write another and self-publish what they have without fixing its problems.

Out of all the self-published novels, only a very few have ever sold well.  This isn’t because of self-publishing itself, but because most of these novels just aren’t finished yet.  Some were never worth publishing in the first place, true, but of those I’ve sampled over the past couple of years, many have promise. They could be good with the right kind of work.  And what is that work? Revision.  Finding problems, the scenes that drag, the character that no one will ever believe, the ridiculous hole in the plot, and then ruthlessly cutting and rewriting until everything works.

Lay your  first book aside and write another.  Then return to that first project, and most likely you’ll see what it needs. Every book you write will teach you something. I have no patience with writers who refuse to revise.  No one can write a solid, well-crafted book in the first pass through.  It’s like that old joke, “How can I know what I mean until I hear myself say it?” Once you hear it, then you can work on saying it properly.

If you have some trustworthy friends who also write, you can set up a critique group and meet regularly to discuss your work.  Just make sure you do a little research about running a group so you can avoid some of the problems a badly-run group can create.

What am I working on now? Another Katharine Kerr book, a fantasy set in my imaginary world of Deverry.  It doesn’t have a title yet, or I’d tell you.  The publisher disliked the title I had for it, and when it comes to marketing, publishers rule with an iron fist. But I hope to eventually return to the world of FLICKERS, to Southern California and the silent movies, as the film industry consolidates in Hollywood for the Roaring Twenties.

Blurb:

Set in the dynamic years leading up to the Roaring Twenties, Flickers turns its lens on California’s glamorous silent film era, as Victorian civilities are swept away by a bold new century . . .
Violet Winters is the daughter of one of California’s wealthy robber barons.  Jack Sutter is the gardener’s son.  In their youth, the two were inseparable. But in 1913 everything is changing, and despite their feelings for each other, adulthood has come between them. Their vastly different social positions leads Violet to marry the aloof but socially perfect Maury Rediston. Jack vows to win Violet back while carving out a new life for himself in the burgeoning motion picture industry.  Tip Rediston, Violet’s brother-in-law, also gets drawn into the bohemian world of the flickers. As handsome as he is troubled, Tip starts his climb to stardom despite his family’s disapproval.  But as social changes, political upheaval, and war change the world around them, Violet, Jack, and Tip learn that things are never as easy as they seem on the silver screen. . .

Excerpt:

Nineteen-year-old Violet Winter’s wealthy family has quietly but firmly pressured her into marrying the respectable Maury Rediston, rather than the working-class boy she really loves, Jack Sutter.  Although Vi has always had doubts about her marriage, the doubts turn to near-panic when it’s too late for her to back out: during the ceremony itself.

On and on they marched, one slow step at a time, until at last Violet and her father reached the altar steps, where Father Strout, resplendent in white and gold, waited for her. Josiah kissed her cheek below the veil, then handed her over to Father Strout. The priest’s hand was cold and moist, as reassuring as holding a frog. When Josiah turned away, taking the page boy with him to their seats in the front pew, Violet wanted to cry aloud for him to come back.

The ceremony broke over her like an ocean wave. They had rehearsed it so often that her body went throught the motions perfectly, her mouth spoke the responses, her eyes saw every detail: the priest’s calm eyes, the white roses at the altar, the solemn line of bridesmaids and ushers. Yet all that she was truly aware of was her hand moving back and forth between Maury and Father Strout. At last her hand came to rest in Maury’s for the last time. The best man, Tip Rediston, stepped forward and held out the ring-box, where the thin gold band glittered on white velvet. Father Strout picked it out and held it up for the blessing. When Violet caught Tip’s eye, he winked at her. This touch of human feeling made her come to herself. As Maury slipped the ring on her finger, No, Violet thought, no, I shouldn’t be doing this.

“Repeat after me,” Father Strout said. “With this ring, I do thee wed.”

Maury smiled like a man closing a trap.

“With this ring,” he said. “I do thee wed.”

When they knelt for the Lord’s Prayer, Maury squeezed her hand so tightly that her fingers ached. The ceremony boomed on, a prayer at a time echoing through the hushed church. Violet hardly heard the blessing. When she rose, Maury smoothed back her veil and leant down to kiss her in front of God and man. His eyes were full of longing, so deep, so sexual, that she was frightened, her hands shaking on his chest. As he stepped away, Rosie came forward and handed her the bouquet; the bells began to peal; the congregation was rising and filing out. Maury took her hand and squeezed it again.

I’m married, Violet thought.  Jack, Jack, I’m sorry.

Bio:

Kathryn Jordan lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two cats, and a vagrant skunk.  Although she spent her childhood in a Great Lakes industrial city, she became a confirmed Californian at age nine, when her family relocated to Santa Barbara, the “Santa Luisa” of the novel.  All it took was one winter without five feet of snow turning into black urban slush to convince her that the move had been worthwhile.  FLICKERS, her first historical novel, is a new departure for her career. Under the name of Katharine Kerr, she’s also the author of the Nola O’Grady series of light-hearted urban fantasy novels.

Website: www.deverry.com

Blog:  http://deverry.com/?page_id’15

Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Flickers-Kathryn-Jordan/dp/1601834993

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flickers-katheryn-jordan/1122252686

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kathryn_Jordan_Flickers

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/flickers-2

http://www.bookdepository.com/Flickers-Kathryn-Jordan/9781601834997

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flickers-Kathryn-Jordan-ebook/dp/B010ZZY172

Cover: http://deverry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Flickers.jpg

Rafflecopter Giveaway – Ebook copy of Flickers

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Thank you, Cindy for welcoming me to your wonderful blog. This is one of my favorite places to search for great books! I am pleased to highlight my romantic suspense series, The Roger and Bess Mysteries in this post. There are three books in this series with the fourth coming in fall of 2016.

What genre(s) do you write in and why? ?

I write the books I love to read — contemporary romances, mysteries (three different series), and YA fiction. I enjoy reading biographies, but I doubt I will ever attempt to write one! I’ve published three nonfiction books in my field of literacy education.

Tell us about your current series.

The first Roger and Bess mystery, A Friend of Silence, was written twenty eight years ago. I wrote the second and third titles, In the Name of Silence and The Silence of Memory, more recently, and I am drafting book #4 right now. The setting is a New England coastal village, where Bess teaches at a Quaker School, hence the silence in the titles. Sergeant Roger Demaris, Bess’ former lover, investigates a vicious murder at Old Harbor Friends School and the two reunited after twenty years. Their developing relationship forms the heart of this series as they work together to solve murders and other crimes.

What is your favorite part of writing?

Getting carried away by my characters. A cup of tea, a story unfolding before me, and I gleefully step into my fictional worlds. I also love revising, but am a terrible proofreader.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

Rereading one of my published books and finding typos despite expert copyediting and proofing. I feel like I’ve let my readers down and they deserve a clean, perfect book every time!

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

My next projects are book #4 in the Ricky Steele series, book #4 of my Morgan’s Run, contemporary romance series, (for those of you who know the series, this will be Sam and Rose’s story) and the fourth Roger and Bess book. All three aforementioned books are in early drafts. If I had to guess, I’d say the Morgan’s Run title will be published first, in late summer and the others in the fall of 2016. If you sign up for my newsletter or push the yellow “follower button” on Amazon, you’ll have access to my updates as publishing dates draw near.

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

Terrific from day one! The best part is hearing from readers who love the books and want more. I am so grateful to them, one and all.

Give us an elevator pitch for your book.

Full of suspense, danger and romance, the Roger and Bess Mysteries are peopled strong, deeply human characters who will make you smile, laugh, cry and care. The stories will touch your heart, keep you on the edge of your seat, and have you guessing right up to the end!

Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Rough around the edges, the darkly handsome forty something, Roger Demaris’ possesses a smoldering anger tempered with mindfulness as the series progresses. An acute listener and keen observer, he heads a team of fiercely loyal detectives. He does anything to shelter and protect the people he loves – his team, his family and Bess, whom he has loved since their high school romance.

Tell us about your heroine.  Give us one of her strengths and one of her weaknesses.

As the series opens, forty something Bess Dore still grieves the death of her beloved husband, Mac. Soft around the edges, the shy, lovely schoolteacher’s quiet presence presents a sharp contrast to that of her fiery former lover. Readers find her interesting, but wish she had more of a backbone. They also wish she would take a more active role in solving the mysteries. I’m happy to say that she does in book #4!

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

 A Friend of Silence

What safer haven could there be than a Quaker boarding school in a tiny New England coastal village?  What secrets lie beneath its serene and quiet beauty?

Out of the blue, the campus is laid open, the peace of Old Harbor Friends shattered by the murder of lascivious, comptroller, Milt Wickie.  Wickie is discovered in his office, a scrimshaw knife protruding from his chest, a knife belonging to beloved teacher and grieving widow, Bess Dore.

Initially a suspect, the forty-two year old, Bess is soon exonerated and jumps headlong into a murder investigation along with old flame, police detective, Roger Demaris, and Harry Winthrop, an amateur sleuth, prolific writer, and the son of the school’s wealthiest patron.

Will Bess find romance along the way, giving her heart to the gruff police officer, who still adores her, or to the fly-by-night, but charming Harry who is clearly smitten?  Will the killer strike again?  Will the silence and calm of the 200-year old Friends school ever again be restored?

In the Name of Silence

A shocking murder on the eve of a wedding sends Roger Demaris, and his elite homicide team to the village of Old Harbor where the son of the village’s wealthiest citizen is found dead in the woods with an arrow through his heart.

No hunting accident, Demaris’ team pursues a ruthless killer as they delve into the victim’s past and what lies beneath the silence. Six weeks away from marriage to Bess Dore, a local teacher and old flame of Demaris, the deceased has left a string of women who loved him and a village mourning a popular, generous citizen. What lies beneath the silence? What or who hides behind a name?

 The Silence of Memory     

Once again the quiet, seaside village of Old Harbor is shaken by a series of murders. Someone is killing members of a women’s mystery book club and all clues lead back to lothario, Dennis Harrison, who appears to have slept with half the women within a ten-mile radius. When a child goes missing and a woman’s body is found in the woods zipped into a golf bag belonging to Harrison, Roger Demaris, head of RHD, an elite regional homicide team, is yanked from his honeymoon to investigate.

As newlyweds Roger and Bess move into their new house and anticipate the arrival of his children for a visit, RHD races to find a killer before he or she strikes again. Then, another member of the book club is killed, a third viciously attacked, and two villagers vanish. Will Roger, Pete, Greta and Brendan find them in time or has a stealthy predator slipped the noose again?

Excerpt from Book #1: A Friend of Silence

Chapter 6

School comptroller, Carol Richards, turned on the junior officer. “This is ridiculous.  How long must we stay cooped up in this room, for goodness sakes?  Garrett and I have checked our offices.  Nothing’s out of place, so what is the point?  I ask you, what is the bloody point?”

When these words had no effect on Pete Dugan, she strode up to him, her face inches from his freckles. “Officer, you know perfectly well where I live. Why the bloody hell can’t your high and mighty Sergeant what’s his name come up to my apartment when he finally decides to show up?”

“Sorry, miss,” Dugan mumbled for the tenth time. “Won’t be much longer now.  He’ll be along directly.” Carol resumed her pacing. Dugan stepped back, perhaps fearing the stiletto heels were coming a little too close.

Bess wondered why the business manager had bothered to dress in heels and a silk suit to come out in the middle of the night. She had seen Carol earlier in the day and she had not been wearing the black and white checked suit with flaming red, gossamer-thin blouse and two inch, black patent leather heels she wore now. I’d have remembered that outfit, Bess thought, her head beginning to pound to the rhythm of the relentless clicking heels. Turning back to the headmaster, she was embarrassed to find he’d been talking to her.

“What do you think, Bess?”

“I’m sorry Peter, I’m afraid I wasn’t listening.” She blushed, pushing strands of hair from her face. Desperately tired, she longed for the warmth of her bed, piled high with eiderdowns, a pot of herbal tea on her bedside table and an hour to lose herself in her Anne Greyson mystery. “I’m just a little tired, Peter, forgive me, you were saying?”

“Do you suppose they’ll question us en masse or one at a time?”

“I haven’t any idea.  I….”  Her voice trailed off, as the door opened and Roger Demaris stepped into the room. Of course, it would be Roger, who else would they send?  Why hadn’t she thought of it before?  The detective’s eyes scanned the room, resting briefly on her own before moving on.

“Well, it’s about bloody time.”  Carol stalked up, confronting the short, stocky sergeant. “Now, see here, you. I insist upon being questioned first. I’ve got nothing whatsoever to do with this matter and I’ve had a very long day, not to mention a busy day tomorrow.  I have absolutely nothing to contribute to this inquiry, so, if you would just —”

“Take a seat, Miss?”

“Richards, and I will not take a seat.”

Demaris regarded her, anger flashing for an instant in the icy blue eyes.  “Miss Richards, please take a seat.” His voice was calm, soft. “We’ll get to you as soon as we can.  We’ve all had busy days and no one wants to keep you here a minute longer than necessary. I’ll be talking with the children first, if you don’t mind.” As she opened her mouth to speak, he added, “And, we’ll be the judge of what you might contribute, thank you. Pete, did you find us a place?”

“Yes sir. Next door, janitor’s put on the lights. Do you want to go upstairs first?”

“Already seen him [murder victim], thanks. Now, then, Mrs. Dore, why don’t you bring the two girls and follow me. That’s right, you can come with them. Come on.”

Like he’s talking to a two-year-old, Bess thought, rising obediently. As they followed the sergeant out of the study hall, his hand grazed her back sending shivers up her spine. She dared not glance in Carol Richards’ direction.

About Lee

Lee Prescott is the author of dozens of works of fiction for adults, young adults and children, among them The Ricky Steele Mysteries (Prepped to Kill, Gadfly, Lost in Spindle City), The Roger and Bess Mysteries (A Friend of Silence, In the Name of Silence and The Silence of Memory) Jigsaw, Song of the Spirit, and her newest contemporary romance series, Morgan’s Run Romances, (Emma’s Dream, Lang’s Return and Jeb’s Promise). Three of her nonfiction titles have been published by Heinemann and she has published numerous articles in her field of literacy education. Lee is a professor of education at a small New England liberal arts college where she teaches reading and writing pedagogy. Her current research focuses on mindfulness and connections to reading and writing. She regularly teaches abroad, most recently in Singapore. Lee loves to hear from readers. Email her anytime at mleeprescott@gmail.com, and visit her website to hear the latest and sign up for her newsletter.

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How did you get started writing?

I started out as a graduate student of European historian, but my imagination kept getting the better of me—as did my urge for a happy ending. So, while at home with my newborn, I decided to give it a go. I had so much fun. My first romance novel was a historical regency, but soon enough I was branching out to contemporaries and science fiction romance. I’m so glad I did. 

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I am currently writing a sexy sci-fi romance series called The Condemned. Book One, TRAPPED, is available for  pre-order now. Book Two, TAKEN, will release in August. The series takes place on the brutal prison planet Dragath25 and is chocked full of sexy convict bad-boys and equally tough resourceful heroines. Full of raw lust, love, and danger, the post-apocalyptic series is amazing to write.

I also have a hot new contemporary coming out with Entangled this summer. A smoldering story about a cynical businessman and the ex-con artist framed for a crime she didn’t commit, Belong To Me is filled with romance, drama, and a dash of suspense as well.

I truly love writing in different genres. Though I usually write one book at a time, shifting between genres allows me to stay fresh and engaged. Plus, sometimes I want to revel in the drama of the present day and sometimes I need the dark thrill of a post-apocalyptic era. 

Tell us about your current series. 

My current series is centered on the Condemned, humans from Earth who have been sentenced by the Council Command to live and die on the notorious penal planet Dragath25. Though most of the Condemned are brutal rapists and murderers, some are not. Some were once honest men and women. Some were liars and criminals who skirted the law. Some were decent people twisted by their current brutal existence. None deserve to end their days on Dragath25, fighting to keep themselves safe from vicious criminals, dangerous local predators, and vicious threats. But sometimes salvation is possible. Sometimes lust and raw need can lead to far more. And sometimes redemption, healing, and even love is achievable, even on Dragath25.

In the first book, TRAPPED, when Bella West crash lands on penal planet Dragath25, the only thing standing between her and a mass of brutal criminals is one of their own, a ruthless loner known only as 673. But what starts out as a desperate trade based on protection and raw lust soon blossoms into a scorching need that will push them both to the edge.

In the second book, TAKEN, Ana Davies is abducted and imprisoned within a labor camp deep within Dragath25’s core, a sweltering maze of caves overrun by brutal prisoners-turned-slaves. Her only chance for survival? A fellow-prisoner with his own reasons for wanting her dead. But raw, blood-pounding need is a potent force. And even the best-laid plans can be laid to waste, especially on Dragath25.

Though the third in the series is still in the early stages, I have many more characters demanding their due. Then, there’s Earth, a post-apocalyptic planet plagued by famine and blight where the corrupt Council Command reigns supreme. Suffice to say, there are numerous conflicts, love interests, and sexy heroes and heroines I can’t wait to explore.

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

My next project is a contemporary romance to be released this summer through Entangled’s Indulgence line. Full of emotion, drama, and passion, BELONG TO ME was pure pleasure to write. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

What is your typical day like?

I’m part mom, part author so I spend my day trying to balance both. I get the kids off to school and then settle down to write for a few hours. Then, it’s back to chauffeuring and trying to interpret teenage grunts.  I feel truly lucky to have the time to do both, though there are many days I’m certain I’ve done neither well. Case in point, there are many, many jokes in my house about trying to talk to me while I’m staring blankly into space. And the number of times I’ve burned a meal? Too high to count.

How much time do you spend promoting your books?  What works best for you?

Since I’m a relatively new author I don’t spend a lot of time promoting my books. I’ve been told by authors with far more experience that the best use of a new authors’ time is to write, write, write and so that’s what I’m doing. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ve done nothing promo-wise. I’ve posted information about my books releases on my own facebook and twitter feeds, posted on a few free facebook promo sites, done a blog tour (including coming here today J ), and put my first book in the Condemned Series up on NetGalley for review.  I suspect when I have more books under my belt, I will experiment with free and reduced price promotions as well.

But my favorite non-writing activity is interacting with my readers. I don’t think I could ever have predicted how their passion and enthusiasm would fuel and inspire me. I’ve been awed by how generous my readers are with their time and their encouragement and when I hear that someone couldn’t put my story down or fell hard for one of my heroes or can’t wait to read what’s coming next, I feel energized to keep going, even through the hard writing days.

 How has your experience with self-publishing been?

I’m new to self-publishing and some times find all the details—from writing, to marketing, to promoting and everything in between—to be daunting (especially as my tech skills are far from impressive), but it’s also incredibly liberating to be able to be involved in everything from the cover look to the blurb to how the book is categorized in the bookstore. And though I have had plenty of stumbles already (I somehow made my book go live when I was only trying to set up the pre-order), I learn from each mistake. It’s also the case that the self-publishing community is one of the most helpful, open, supportive communities I’ve been lucky enough to be part of—and that is always energizing and comforting.  

Do you have a view in your writing space?  What does your space look like? 

I don’t know if it’s good or bad to admit, but my most common morning writing space is my bed. It’s been that way since elementary school. There’s just something about settling into my cozy pillows that allows me to both focus and take creative risks. Plus, my dog snuggles right up to my side and allows me to pet him when I need to feel as if I’m doing something while mulling over a plot point. However, if I’m able to get some writing time in the afternoon, I usually gravitate toward the kitchen table or the sunny windows in the living room. Wherever I write my uniform is always the same: pjs. I can only imagine what my mailwoman thinks I’m doing with my days.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I’m as all over the map in the books I read as those I write. I read literary fiction, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction as well as non-fiction, but I read romance the most. Contemporary romance, historicals, science fiction romance, fantasy romance, romantic suspense, new adult, erotica, western romance—I love it all!  If the story grabs me, I’m sold. No matter the genre. And the same goes for my favorite authors. I don’t care what genre they write in. If I love them, I’ll read it. I know and trust their stories, their characters, and their instincts—and I’ve never been disappointed yet.

What’s next for you?

More books. More romance. More chances to engage with readers and give them the kind of stories for which they’re looking.

Thank you all for letting me come and talk with you today. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch through one of the myriad of links below. And I sincerely hope that if you do decide to read one of my books, you’ll get in touch to tell me what you think. I’d love to hear from you.

 I also want to thank Cindy too for letting me come and blog about myself today. I’m a big fan of her western romances and it’s always an honor and a great thrill to ride the blog coattails of someone you respect and admire.  All the best, Alison

Release date: March 1, 2016

Sub-genre promoting: SciFi/Fantasy Romance

Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1Qex8hU

Website Link: http://www.alisonaimes.com

BLURB

Recently Awarded Top Reader Pick by Night Owl Review….

A tale of unbridled desire, stunning sacrifice, and unwavering love, Trapped is an action-packed, sexy sci-fi romance that takes you to the brink of oblivion on a prison planet where only the strong survive….

Cadet Bella West has one simple objective when she joins the scientific mission to Dragath25, the notorious penal planet housing Earth’s condemned. Earn the credits necessary to save her family from starvation. But when her shuttle crashes and the majority of her crew perish, her simple mission becomes complicated fast. Now, to stay alive she’ll have to depend on one of Dragath’s own. But such protection doesn’t come free.

Convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, 673 has become more beast than man after eight grueling years on an unforgiving, hazardous planet of dirt and rock—and even more treacherous inhabitants. He doesn’t look out for anyone but himself and he certainly never grows attached. So when the bold female offers him pleasure in return for protection, he takes the deal without hesitation. He never expects how her touch will alter him. Or the growing realization that saving her may be the key to his own salvation.

But as dangers mount and their ‘simple’ deal unravels will he prove to be her surprise savior or her ultimate downfall? Because caring for someone on Dragath25 may prove the greatest hazard of all.

The first book in the Condemned Series, Trapped has a HEA and can be read as a stand-alone.

EXCERPT

© 2015 | Kristina Sherk Photography | www.Kristinasherk.com

About the Author

Alison Aimes is the award-winning author of the sexy sci fi romance series the Condemned as well as the sizzling contemporary romance Billionaires’ Revenge series. A sci fi fanatic with a PhD in Modern History, she’s an all over the map kind of woman whose always had a love for dramatic stories and great books, no matter the era. Now, she’s creating her own stories full of intrigue and passion, but always with a happy-ever-after ending. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two kids, and her dog. When not in front of the computer, she can be found hanging with family and friends, hiking, trying to turn herself into a pretzel through yoga, listening to a fabulous TED talk, or, last but not least, sitting on the couch imagining her characters’ next great adventures.

Alison can be found on line at www.alisonaimes.com

Connect with Alison Aimes:

Website: http://www.alisonaimes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook/alisonaimes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alisonaimes