Charlotte Featherstone Interview and Giveaway

CharlotteFeatherstone:

 I am here today to welcome you to easily one of my personal most anticipated interviews I have done! Today we welcome Charlotte Featherstone. 

Charlotte is author to some amazing books, some which include – Sinful, Addicted and The Brethren Guardians. 

Elena and I were like giggly school girls when we got to do the interview and Im still Happy Dancing around my office. 

Charlotte not only an amazing author but an amazing person and we were honoured to have her on our blog. 

If you haven’t read Featherstones books yet – then read on and enter our fabulous giveaway. We have four books to giveaway today. 

CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW TO SEE SOME OF SER'S REVIEWS...

Sam: Let’s start with a doosey ; Charlotte can you tell us five things about yourself that people might not know? 


Charlotte: This should be easy! Lol! There are quite a few things that people don’t know about me and I am happy share.

1. 1.      I tend to be reserved, and this can sometimes come off as being antisocial. But I think most writers have a tendency to lean that way.

1. 2.      I lack confidence at times

1. 3.      I actually can hear my characters talking in my head. (hubby sometimes gets worried over this! Lol!)

1. 4.      I get my ideas for scenes and dialogue when I am grocery shopping, cooking or doing dishes.

1. 5.      I originally wanted to be an author since the age of eight, and was accepted into my dream school, Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, but decided at the last minute to instead follow a more certain mode of employment by becoming a Registered Nurse. I couldn’t give up the dream, however, and decided in 2000 that I needed to follow that dream—and here I am!

• 6.      And the bonus....I am a deplorable housekeeper. Seriously. If you dropped in unannounced I would most likely pretend I am not home because my house would be in complete disarray. This may change though, since I have recently gotten myself a housekeeper!!!

Sam: Your newest release, Pride and Passion, would you tell us a about what we can expect and where your wicked ideas for this novel came from? 

Charlotte: I think readers can expect an emotional read, which is kind of typical of my books. I have a great fondness for exploring the human dynamic in all its forms. Sometimes it’s not always nice, and sometimes it’s just beautiful. I really like to weave the human experience into my stories, and my characters flaws, personalities and strengths. I think readers can also expect to find a rather steamy read, too. I do love writing love scenes!

Where did the idea come from....hmmm, I can honestly say I am not sure. When I wrote Seduction and Scandal, the first book in the series, I had a very definite idea about Lord Black and Isabella, but not so much with Sussex and Lucy from Pride and Passion. I do remember sitting down and telling myself that I had to get something on the page. And once I just loosened up, their story poured onto the screen. This sometimes happen to me, and thankfully, it all comes together in the end.

I think readers are really going to love the way Sussex is devoted to Lucy! Oh, and did I mention some yummy love scenes and the fact that Sussex has a tendency to talk during them....I do love a naughty talker!LOL! 

Sam: I could sit here and drool all day at the covers of your books!  Sinful is easily my favourite. Do you get alot of input into the covers of the books? 

Charlotte: You know, my husband and I were talking about covers last night, because I was staring at the cover of Pride and Passion. I love that cover, so much. It reflects the couple so well. My husband claimed his favourite was Addicted, and I said, if pressed, I would probably pick Sinful as my favourite cover! I think that lone man, and his stance perfectly portrays Lord Wallingford, and the struggle within the book!! It’s a simple cover, really, and yet so powerful.

As to whether I get input. Yes. Some. Harlequin has you fill out quite a detailed art fact sheet. You describe your characters both physically and emotionally. The conflicts within the story, any themes, you always send them any images of things you might have used while writing the book, or that inspired you. You describe pivotal scenes, and what sort of imagery you are looking for. And that is it. The art department then takes over. I have been absolutely blessed with my covers. The art director who does my covers really gets me and my writing, and she continually captures the feel and tone of what I am going for in each book. I think the better an author can articulate the crux of her story, the more the artist has to work with. That said, designing a cover is an art unto itself, a creative aspect for the artist, and I do like to see what they come up with in their own right! It’s always so exciting to get that cover art reveal! 

One day I would absolutely love to be able to attend a shoot for one of my covers. I think that would be so, so, so exciting!!!!!!! 

Sam: Have you killed of a character and then regretted it? 

Charlotte: Not yet! Lol! But I do regret that one character never fully developed for me, and that is Garrett, Lord Broughton, from Addicted. I do not know what it is, but he has never really spoken to me. I don’t know him intimately, but would love to. There are so many readers out there who would love to have his story, but I really don’t know his story. Maybe one day I will, and will be able to write it!

Sam: Who would be your pick of the crop to co-write with be if you could pick anyone!

Charlotte: Well, an author from the past would most definitely be Charlotte Bronte! That woman could write brooding men, and I love brooding!  And present, well, it would probably be Lisa Kleypas. I admire her so much, and I love her stories.

Sam: If you had the chance to go forward or back in time, what would it be and why?

Charlotte: I would definitely go back in time. I would really love to get a sense of the era in which I write. Plus, I would not mind at all if some handsome, rakish lord swept me up into his carriage for a tumble! Lol! See, my imagination never stops!

Elena: What was your life like before becoming an author?

Charlotte: Good question. And a hard one. I was very happy in most aspects, except one aspect of it. I felt like in my career, I was missing something. I felt dissatisfied, and I knew it was because I was doing something I did not want to do. I wanted to write. I felt unfulfilled. It wasn’t until I started writing that I realized how much I missed it, how much it gave to me, and how happy it made me. One day, I hope to be able to give up the nursing gig, and just write. That’s the next dream to fulfil!!! 

Elena: Do you start with an idea and see where it leads you or do you plot out the complete book before you start?

Charlotte: Oh, I am definitely a pantser! I only jot down ideas, here and there. Most of my plotting is mental, I can spend hours, days, weeks just thinking of the characters, seeing them, hearing them. My mind wanders through scenes, and I seem to remember them, and connect with the characters in a far more intimate way then I would if I wrote everything out.

To me, plotting a book out is laborious, and I am not motivated in that vein at all. The fun for me in writing, is sitting down and watching everything pour out of me and onto the computer screen. I am learning as the characters speak. Its like watching a movie. I am afraid I would be totally bored with the book if I had to plot out everything before I even sat down to write it. I have to chalk it up to my personality, I guess, and my writing style. I know there are many authors who plot, and I do admire those authors, but I know that method isn’t for me.

Elena: "Addicted" and "Forever Yours" are my two top favorite novels you have written. These stories are heartfelt and warming. Can you tell us, when writing these stories, what your favorite parts were?

Charlotte: In Forever Yours, I just loved writing about a married couple who were still in love, but were growing apart due to life and children. I think that happens to everyone who has been in a long term relationship. I mean, marriage, and commitment is an ongoing thing. Its work, but there is such pleasure to be had in it, too. So, I really just had fun with making this couple come back to one another. I enjoyed every little thing about it! I have an idea for another story about a married couple, and would love to explore that as well. Hopefully soon!!!

Addicted....wow. Addicted and Sinful were such an experience for me to write. So draining, but rewarding. I was just so pleased to have found the right editor and the right publisher for these stories. I loved writing the whole book, but what made the experience so much better was during the edit phase. My editor and I were discussing things, and I had a scene written, that I had taken out. I was afraid what she would say, and then she shocked me by asking me how I would feel about adding a scene with Lindsay and Anais while he was using. We agreed it would have to be done in such a way as to make him sympathetic to readers. To say I was nervous, but thrilled is an understatement, because that was the scene I had deleted for fear of being too racy! Lol! That scene, and everyone seems to know THAT scene, when Lindsay believes he has lost Anais, and he himself gets lost not only in their lovemaking, but in the opium as well, was my favourite writing experience of Addicted. It stretched my skills, made me not think at all about what readers would think, and think only about the characters and their mindset, their emotions and fears. I think it really shows Lindsay, how he truly is, I love that it is raw, and open, and there are no barriers. So, yeah, I guess it would be that scene that I think of with Addicted.

 
Elena: Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Charlotte: Definitely I would like to thank my readers for not only finding me amongst the thousands of authors out there, but for standing by me, for emailing me, for buying my books, and taking the time to type up reviews and by supporting me and promoting me through interviews, blog visits etc... I value every single one, and I keep every email—they buoy me up when I having a bad writing day! I couldn’t do what I love without them! So thankyou!!!!

Thankyou Charlotte for joining us on our blog! Im still doing  a happy dance.

Read on for our Giveaway:

All The Wrong Reasons By J L Paul

Irelyn's life is headed in the right direction: College education, new friends, fantastic boyfriend. Her dream of writing romance novels isn't too far out of reach. Her relationship with her family is good. And to top it all off, she's positive her boyfriend is going to propose soon. Yes, life is wonderful.

Until that night with Lucas changes everything.

Elena's review:

Goodie Two-Shoes, Irelyn thought her life was as simple as can be. Why shouldn't she be grateful and happy? Her grandparents are loaded with money,which makes it no issue to attend an outstanding College.She's in a relationship she believes is respectable and approving among her family. What is difficult, is trying to be the perfect grandchild,and keeping up the facade and promises that she makes to never turn out and follow her mothers footsteps.

My thoughts: Irelyn's mom is very understanding and such an outgoing person. Its sad to see her parents disapprove of her lifestyle.To be honest, I think the stick up their asses have reached a deep capacity, it cant go up any further.There's nothing wrong with a mother wanting to live a little,especially during her teens years. So she was a groupie and got knocked up at 17, at least she lived up to her responsibilities, without her parents. Although it takes Irelyn a while to realize her mother is her idol and she loves her to pieces, it all happens in such a manner it's breath taking. I love the whole mother/daughter relationship in this novel. They both come to an understanding what one does when they finally meet that special someone person love. "Love then and never let go, no matter who gets in the way".

Irelyn has a quick hot steamy one-night stand with a very Sexy Hot Lead Singer named Lucas. It's not something she normally does,but just a few words between the two and the sparks start flying! Whew! *wipes off forehead, fanning self*

One lesson Irelyn will learn is " Never leave anything important behind when having a one-night stand". Oh she's been screwed from that day forward. Lol!!!

When she goes searching for Lucas to retrieve her phone back, things heat up, in a very good way *grins*. When Irelyn is stunned that Lucas remembers her name and he lays down this quote I almost passed out,and I fell head over heals for him! " Of course I did, love.I always remember the names I moan out in pleasure." Purrrr....Omg!!!! *swoons* Have you ever had that feeling in your lower belly that means you're excited and your heart starts to beat faster? THAT'S HOW I FELT!!!! I wanna Aussie just like him! Oh yeah did I forget to mention Lucas is Half-American/ Australian? I love him! My hubs has competition I total have a boy crush. *squeals* He's my prince charming. Ok! I'm gonna stop gushing now. Lolz!

What led from a every week Friday night harmless shagging arrangement between Irelyn and Lucas,was a beyond fun! Until........Irelyn realizes she's falling in love, she has to break it to her perfect boyfriend of a few years she can no longer be with him because she has feelings for someone else, which is The Hot Aussie himself Lucas!!! *gets a grip* Things don't turn out as planned, this story has a massive twists of events, let me just say her high and mighty grandfather makes her life and changing experiences very difficult. I think it's time to push that stick further up his ass. I'm sorry but being rich and snobby and thinking you have control over someones life, it's just not acceptable. I loathe that man!

Who I do love, are the friends Irelyn makes, Bailey and Morgan, they're the kind of friends that are they for you no matter what. They are such awesome chicks! And this includes Lucas' brother Collin and his cousin Spencer, they're just as charming and sweet as Lucas. And last but not least. Mina, Irelyn's mother, she's so supportive throughout this novel. I LOVE HER!

This book is amazing, from the beginning till the end.I loved this novel just as much as I loved the novel "Beautiful Disaster by Jaime McGuire" Downright,spectacular novels!

Now I'm onto novel 2 of this series "Vicious Circles" I can't wait any longer,*squeals*

The Zero Knot by K.Z Snow

Eighteen-year-old Jess Bonner is casting off pretense—and, with it, some friends from his past who aren’t particularly trustworthy. In just a few months he’ll be starting college, and it’s time for him to admit the truth: he’s gay, not bi, and only one of his childhood buddies holds any kind of real interest for him. When Dylan Finch, aka Mig, follows his lead and puts some distance between himself and the old crowd, he and Jess give in to a mutual attraction that’s been building for years.

But navigating a fledgling relationship isn’t easy for beginners, and forces they can’t seem to control keep tripping them up: sexual appetite, personal insecurities, fear of discovery, and more. They need clarity. They need courage. Just as they’re on the verge of finding both, a vindictive act of jealousy sends one of them to jail. All their hard-won victories are in danger of falling to dust. The only way to save what they have is to recognize it for what it is . . . and fight for its integrity.

4 1/2 Wonderful Stars!!!

They only reason I am not giving this book a full 5 stars is simply because I felt the beginning was a little slow to me, but that said, we also spent that time getting to know the characters, whom I must say, I totally loved!!! Jess Bonner and Dylan 'Mig' Finch have been friends for years and both have begun to feel a little more than 'friendship' for each other recently. This is a wonderful coming of age and coming into your sexuality story. It is honest, raw, and beautiful in its storytelling. This is an honest story of two 18 year old boys who are finding themselves in this world of sometimes close minded people. I have such a hard time reading hate and intolerance, though I know it exists everywhere, but to have your own parents tell you your love for someone is 'not normal' breaks my heart. Now, I don't want to dwell on this part because it was such a small part of the story, that is just such a big hot button issue with me that it gets my back up every time!!

As Mig and Jess find there way, there are some obvious bumps in the road but the way that these young men handle themselves and the situations they are in really made me love them! I got the biggest kick out of Jess's brother Jared, and wish that every person who finds themselves struggling with the issue of 'coming out' to family or friends could have a parent as wonderfully accepting as Jess's dad was. In all I really enjoyed this story and although it is my first by K.Z. Snow, I can tell you it will definitely not be my last!

*****This book was provided to me as an ARC by Netgalley

Falke's Peak By Madison Layle

She couldn't believe her eyes.

Stressed out ad-exec Dakota wandered into Catamount Outfitters in search of a guide for a wilderness excursion. She didn't expect to be greeted by not one, but five of the most ruggedly delicious-looking men she'd ever seen. Not to mention a live cougar guarding the shop.

The Falke brothers have more than just good looks in their genes.

Eldest brother Axel agrees to guide Dakota on her mountain trek. In cougar form, Axel's twin, Gunnar, was there as a protection from predators—but he had his eye on the sexy client instead.

Into the wild...

While the rule with clients was "paws-off," both Axel and Gunnar couldn't resist Dakota's seductive Native American beauty and determination. As cold days led to hot nights in the cabin, Axel and Gunnar wondered if they'd finally found a woman strong enough to tame them...

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! FANTASTIC & HOT~~

This was a wonderful story about a woman who ends up vacationing at a mountain retreat with her friend and her fiance - ugh!! She decides to charter a hike into the snow covered mountains. That's when she meets the incredibly HOT Falke bothers and their sister! Dakota ends up being guided on her hike by Axel and Falke(the family's pet puma) who just happens to be Axels bother Gunner - Oh, did I forget to mention they are a family of Shifters?? LOL 

This book was so much fun, especially the interaction between Axel and Gunner(when he is in catamount form) and it was a hot and sweet story of them men discovering that Dakota is their mate! If you hadn't guessed this story if a M/F/M menage, but very sweet!! I fell in love with these men right away!

I have never read anything before by Anna Leigh Keaton, but I am desperately hoping that she goes on to write the stories of the rest of the Falke Brothers and their only sister, Heidi!!

*This book was provided to me by Netgalley*

Leanore Elliott Interview and Giveaway

Today on the blog I am excited to introduce a very exciting author who has wowed me with her Beasts series. Today, I welcome Leanore Elliot to talk about her Beasts series. Thank you, Leanore for joining us ....

'An Erotic Epiphany'

"Because baby, this beast is all man!"

{Review Line from Close Encounters Of the Night Kind.)

After reading The Eyes of Constance, Sam Of The Awesomeness asked me: Where did you get this idea? How did you ever come up with it? I wanted to answer with just one statement: "The truth as usual, is stranger than fiction!" The three Beasts Books were for me, as a writer? An Erotic Epiphany. I started out with an idea: A psychic who has grisly visions of serial killers. She meets a sexy rebel Homicide detective and they partner up, to track and stop the killers. 

Great premise, right? Well, about chapter two? The story took a turn and it felt like someone else took the wheel from me, driving me to an amazing plane no one had ever seen before! 'The story wrote itself', some authors say. I never knew what they meant until the day a whole new paranormal world opened up before my startled eyes! 

I went to the net, with a heart pounding excitement and researched this premise. To my surprise, Low and Behold: there was the legend, in 10 different parts of the world. The very legend my story was weaving! 

I typed out three of these fantastic tales as fast as my fingers could move on the keyboard. (I went through two key boards while doing it) My family thought they had certainly lost me to some place they could not even understand. 

In just 3 months time? I had three full beasts' novels. 

You as the reader will be stunned, as stunned as I was. These beasts are also Hot, Hungry and like no other characters; you will read in the paranormal genre. There are two more beasts' books in the series. All can be read as stand alones in fact, some readers discovered the series by reading book two (BEASTS~ A different Life) instead of one. I believe that someday an audience who has already read many vamp and or ware books will read these books widely. These beasts have all the supernatural qualities of other beings, but they are not really out for blood, they are out for some hot loving, (chuckle). 

Meet sexy Jack Aka Lycian from ~ The Eyes Of Constance

(Heat warning!) 

"I think we should practice."

"At what?"

"The test of being human and remaining human." He winked at her.

Constance was truly mystified."Test?"

"Let us say, that we’re just Jack Wagner and Connie um––Constance Braddock."

She laughed at his name slippage. "And, then what?"

"We make love as Jack and Constance."

"But how would we stay calm?"

Jack stepped closer and raised her tee shirt. "We’ll just take it real slow."

"I don't know?" She shivered when he tugged her shirt away.

Playfully, he pinched her bra straps lifting them from her shoulders and they snapped back to her skin. His flirtatious gaze dropped to her jeans.

Constance felt unexpectedly shy and unbuttoned them. With an exhilarating anticipation, she tugged the jeans down.

Jack moved back.

She stopped the jean tugging at her hips "Where are you going?"

"I‘m gonna watch." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Watch?"

"Yes, watch you undress."

"Um, okay." She rolled her jeans down, revealing her lace panties.

"Mmm, I like black," he admitted with a small growl.

A quiver ran through her and moistened her panties.

"Yes, and I especially like wet lace panties."

"You cheated!" she accused.

Grinning, he leaned closer. "Nope," showing her his eyes, "See?"

She peered suspiciously at him. "Then, how did you know?"

He shut his eyes. "I can feel it."

With a playful sprint, Constance rushed over to him, jumped into his arms and grabbed his crotch. His eyes rounded as she gripped his jean-covered package and smiled wickedly. "So can I."

Jack lowered his lips to hers and dipped his tongue into her waiting mouth.

Latching onto his delicious tongue, she met it with a fierce yearning. Her breathing became ragged as he lowered his mouth to her neck. "Now you undress." She yanked at his shirt.

Chuckling, he slid her down over his hard jeans. "Nope, you’re still clothed." His hot gaze roamed over her lace bra and panties.

Baffled, she peered down at her lacey undergarments. "Oh, yeah." She peeled the bra up and off, swiveling her underwear down to her thighs.

Jack placed his hands on hers and her panties, tugging the frilly garment, high over her hips.

Constance puzzled at the unusual maneuvering of her underwear. 

He yanked the undergarment higher and stood closer to her, taking a hold of the flimsy lace material, he slid them back and forth over her clit. Reaching around, he maneuvered them to her crack, sliding the lace front to back. He smiled and lowered his mouth to her breast.

Her breathing accelerated. "Oh, so not fair," she whispered breathlessly. He licked a slow circle around her nipple and switched to the other. Overwhelmed, she threw her head back with a low moan.

Jack held her there by her panties and would tow her close and ease her back as he switched from tongue flicking one nipple, and then the other.

She gulped for air, her moving underwear got wetter and tighter, like a silken vice and it was all that kept her standing on her now weakened legs. "Stop, Jack!"

He raised his head and let go, she stumbled back and he swiftly steadied her."We were not taking it slow enough."

Constance exhaled. "You could take it slow or you could speed it up, but I will still burn up like a fucking firecracker!"

Jack smiled furtively at her.

"Just look who still has his clothes on?" she teased.

He looked startled. "Um... yes that's––"

She stepped closer, unbuttoning his shirt and lowered the sleeves over his arms, dropping it to the floor. She put her fingers on his jean snaps and unsnapped them, the sound loud in the room as she tugged them down and over his smooth skin.

Jack studied her closely while she eased his jeans down and lowered her nude body over his skin, following the path of his jeans. He drew in a deep breath when her bare skin smoothed along his thighs.

Constance took her own sweet sensual time, lithely massaging her breasts across his stomach as she rose back up.

He stepped out of his jeans and watched her naughty seduction.

She grabbed his black briefs in a tight fist. "My favorite color too, but I like mine hard and ready."

{I want to thank Sam for allowing me to give you a peek at The Beasts Phenomenon.}

(Sam)You are more than welcome :)

(NOTE: The next video is Ms. Elliott's Hot Nowhere, Arizona Trailer!)

BEASTS Webpage: 

 http://captivesouls.weebly.com/beasts-series.html

A note from Sam:

This is usually the part of the interview where I would insert my review. But due to unforeseen circumstances I have been unable to write a full review but I felt it wasn’t fair to Leanore for me to not atleast share some of my thoughts on her book. 

This was defiantly one of the books to put on the 

‘suprised the sh*t outta me’ 

shelf! It was one of the most original books I have ever read. The book really took a different turn a few chapters in but it suited the book down to a tea.

The characters were hot and sensual and I could feel the heat coming off the pages. I was warned about the heat factor – dayum! Were they right!  I envy authors who can put pen to paper and put into words erotic scenes that I could never even dream about.

Leanore is an amazing writer and really knows what she is doing. Action, romance... its all there. I’m thankful for having had the opportunity to read and review this book.

Leanore Elliot has been soooo generous! 

She is giving away book 1, 2 and 3 of her BEASTS series!

In whatever eBook format you like!

Open INTERNATIONALLY!

Enter the raffle-copter below to enter!

Lisa Beth Darling Interview and Giveaway

Today we’re here to introduce you to another amazing author, Lisa Beth Darling.

She is the winner of more than 20 awards for her previous works in the Stargate SG-1 and House, MD fandoms, including the prestigious Blue Moon Awards and White Board Awards.

Leaving fandom stories behind and returning to her roots as an all-original hard-hitting author of dark and gritty romance today Lisa brings conflict, passion, love, and suspense to unique couples through her full length novels. Never one to shy away from the less pleasant things in life, and instead believing it is in the Darkness where Character is created, determined, and defined, her heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons from within and without.

I Hope you all enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter the give-away!

Lisa is giving away, 2 e-book copies of her book

"The Heart Of War" 

Good Luck Bloggers!

Do you relate your stories about Greek Mythology to your own experiences or to the experience of your audience?

Like Greek Mythology itself, I hope my stories relate to the Human Experience. I draw a little from my own life as most writers tend to do but, since I don't want the stories to be about me, I add in a little of 'this' and little of 'that' until it bubbles and brews nicely.

Who is your favorite character to write? Can You Share with us a favorite line or passage?

Ares, I love working with him because he can be such an over-the-top ass about things and I don't often to get to actually do that in life.  Most of us don't although there are many times we'd like to.  He can also be very tender and sweet.  He'll never be the typical Knight in Shining Armour he'll always be my Black Knight.  One of my favourite lines of his is in this exchange where Alena asks if he thinks he's cute because he's been being a wise-ass to her and Ares says:

 “Cute?” Ares mused and stroked the beard on his chin.  “Cute?  No.  Cute is for puppies and teenage boys.  I am devilishly handsome.”

You really put the heroine, Maggie (Alena) through the wringer in this series, what was your inspiration for her character? 

I put all of my heroes and heroines through the wringer that's just SOP with me. When I first started toying around with Alena she was this hot 23 year-old chickie—typical romance novel stuff. I'm one of those annoying Muse Authors so my characters talk to me all of the time, when we're really cooking they *never* shut up.  Ares didn't really go for the first version of Alena. I kept hearing the song 'Hey Nineteen' (Steely Dan) playing over and over in my head; "Hey, nineteen, we can't dance together, no we can't talk at all." It didn't take too long to realize that some little chickie with almost zero life experience wasn't going to hold his interest very long and certainly not over the course of the next few thousand years of his life.  She had to be older. She had to be wiser. Most of all she had to have something to offer Ares other than sex.  In 'talking' with him, I discovered that I didn't want her to be the stereotypical hottie that always needs 'saving' by the hero anymore than he did.  Since I am a Muse Author, my characters tend to just walk up to me in my head, introduce themselves, tell me that we're going to be working with each other for a while and 'let's get started, shall we?'  The Cosmos sent me Alena, that's when her named changed as well. We were going to go with 'Maggie' throughout the story but when her character changed so drastically so did her name, it became more grown-up like the character.  As to the rest, I just follow along wherever the story goes I go, even when it stresses me out or makes me push the envelope in ways that I might not want to.  It's good for the Writer and the Reader to be challenged and dared to go into dark places that they might otherwise fear to tread.

Many mythological stories are complicated, what do you do to make them more understandable?

I don't find them complicated. I think all Mythology and Religion in general is based on the Human Experience.  Every God and Goddess represents an aspect within every human being. The stories are just told in bigger and bolder ways so that mankind has something to look up to, to aspire to, and relate to, as he goes about the day-to-day tasks of living Life on Planet Earth. Other than to put Mythology into more modern vernacular and try to stress the emotions behind them I don't do anything to make them easier to understand.

You have some really evil characters in this series, which character(s) are the most difficult to write, and why?

Zeus and Aphrodite are the hardest to write. History teaches us that, for the most part, both were benevolent but in my stories, they're not so much within the "OF WAR" series.  They think of themselves as being benevolent but they have a very 'Me First' attitude.  Once they get what they want they'll be nice to you...if there's anything left of you, that is.

How does Ares' wolf side relate to your Greek Mythology storyline? (just wondering, I was a bit confused, at times it slipped my mind that he can transform into a wolf.)

In Ancient Greek Mythology, Ares started out as the Lord of the Forest and All Things Wild and Free.  He sort of got stuck with 'God of War' as time went on because he had an understanding of war and did not have an aversion to it. A lot of mythology relates the raven to Ares, which comes into play in the story line with "Child of War-A God is Born"  with his Son, Raven. However, other stories relate the wolf to him.  Personally, I just like that better. I think the wolf is an excellent totem for Ares God of War so that's what I went with.

Authors usually have morals to their stories. What are some of the morals you have used in the stories you write?

I'm not Aesop so I don't really do 'the moral to the story'.  If there's anything I want readers to take away from my books it's that no matter what Life throws at you or how bad and dark it gets there is light at the end of the tunnel. You can get through it. You can get to that light. Never surrender.

What three words best describe your  "Of War Series"?

Divine kick-ass rollercoaster.

If you could inhabit the life of one literary character and dive into their world for just one day, who would you choose and why?

 Andy Dufresne from "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" better known to the general public as just "The Shawshank Redemption".  Andy has a very quiet strength, he's extremely intelligent and cunning, and above all, he has the patience of saint! He went through hell but he never gave up and he never lost his humanity. I suppose, if I had my way, I'd rather dive into his world after his escape and while he's living in Zihuatenejo but I'll spend a day in "Shawshank" too if I have to.

When you have a free day with no responsibilities looming overhead, and your only mission is to enjoy yourself, what do you like to do for fun?

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks!  My job just ended and I haven't had a vacation in ages.  My adult children may move out next month. I might actually find out what it's like to have a 'free day with no responsibilities'.  I'm looking forward to it.  Other than that, I do love to take photographs mostly of old abandoned places.  I also try very hard to garden in the nice weather. I try. I don't always succeed but I try.

TO WIN ONE OF TWO EBOOK COPIES OF 

THE HEART OF WAR

JUST ENTER TO RAFFLE COPTER FORM BELOW! 

 really, how much easier can I make it? LOL!

Intentions of the Earl - Rose Gordon

http://www.rosegordonromance.com/

Will he secure his future by ruining hers, or will she ruin his plans by securing him? A new twist on the old fortune hunter plot puts an impoverished earl in a position to gain his fortune only by ruining an innocent's reputation without offering marriage. The innocent he's selected, however, has no plans to settle for anything less than marriage and will go to almost any length to secure him.  

 

This was a really good read for me. I happened upon this little jewel while book shopping, and I will admit that the cover is what got my attention. I looked at the reviews and I decided to give it a shot. I am so glad I did! I read for the entertainment of a good story, and this book kept me turning the pages.

Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, inherited his title from his father who squandered away all of his money, and racked up a lot of debt, leaving it all for Andrew. In the process of trying to clean up the mess his father left behind, one of his estates is repossessed. He is then offered a way to get his estate back, free and clear, so Andrew “makes a deal with the devil”, so to speak. His deal??? Ruin the reputation of one of the Banks sisters, and send the family packing back to America.

Upon meeting the Banks sisters, Brook, Liberty, and Madison… Andrew and Brook quickly develop an attraction, one that goes beyond the physical. Thus making Andrew more and more at odds with going through with the “deal”. Then Brook, finds herself in competition with another woman that wants to secure Andrew for herself, so she starts to feel like she might be willing to go to great lengths to secure Andrew first.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the story / plot, because what I enjoyed most was all the twists and turns.

I thought the characters were wonderfully written, Rose Gordon really brought out the personalities well, and their emotions and thoughts are always known to the reader.
Andrew Black comes from a scandalous past involving his parents. I liked how he was always at odds with himself over Brooke, and obviously he is a man that wants to do the right thing, but in trying to secure his own future, he was constantly warring with himself.
I liked Brooke a lot too, she is a woman who doesn’t want to conform to societies rules, and stays true to herself.

The secondary cast of characters were great as well. Gateway is that bastard you love to hate. And the sisters, Liberty…she tries to be the prim and proper one, doing everything by the book, she tries anyway. She is a little bit of a drama queen too. And Madison, who is wise beyond her years, I bet there’s a story behind that one.

I would consider this book “Leisure Historical Romance”. If you’re looking for a history lesson…look somewhere else. This was pure enjoyment!!

WELL DONE ROSE GORDON!!