What, When, Where, Why, How with Kelly Heckart

Welcome to Kelly Heckart ... today's victim guest!

What kind of shifter/creature would you prefer to be paired with if you found yourself in a paranormal story?

I would like to be paired with a wolf shifter. I have a special connection with wolves/canines and there is something exciting about a man who changes into a wolf. To me a wolf represents intelligence and loyalty, two qualities I appreciate in a mate.

When did you start writing?

I have always been a writer, but did not get serious about it until later in life. I started out writing song lyrics/poetry and then short stories and novels. Writing is something that I love to do so I write what inspires me and do not think about making money at it.

Where do you go to have fun?

Las Vegas. Isn't that where everyone goes to have fun? Vegas is only a couple of hours away and I just love to go there and people watch. People fascinate me. It is the one place where you can see all kinds of people from all over the country.

Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?

You have me stumped here. I think whoever made up these names was smoking crack.

How would you feel if you discovered you had the back of your skirt caught in the back of your panties and your assets showing?

First, I would be thankful I decided not to wear granny panties and then I would wish I had done more Buns of Steel workouts. I would probably be embarrassed, but I am certain I would laugh. I usually do that when I am embarrassed. It would also depend on where it happened. I would be way more embarrassed to have it happen at a formal wedding then at a bar where I might start a new trend. I have never had a skirt caught in my panties, but I have had that square of toilet paper try to hitch a ride on my boot before.

Kelley lives in Arizona with her husband and two dogs. Though she resides on the earthly realm, she always has one foot firmly planted in the otherworldly realm of mystical creatures, fierce warriors and bold women. Armed with a vivid imagination and a lifelong passion for the ancient Celts, she spends most of her time creating timeless tales of romance, conflict and magic. She can be found online at www.kelleyheckart.com.

My website: http://www.kelleyheckart.com

My myspace: http://www.myspace.com/phantomqueen3

Blog: http://authorsstudio.blogspot.com/

What, When, Where, Why, How with Lily Stone

Give a hearty welcome to author Lily Stone!

What do you carry in your purse?

Surprise, surprise—I don't ever carry a purse. I may be the only female on the planet who despises purses. My husband and family tried to pressure me into it, but I quickly managed to lose any purse they gave me, so they finally gave up and let me go on my purse-free way.

That said, I do like pockets in all my clothes if possible. What do I put in my pockets? A few dollars (when I have it), a bankcard if I think I'll need it, and car keys if I'm driving. Hate to say it, but I rarely even carry my driver's license. I like to travel light. If the pockets are large enough, my cell phone goes into one too.

I did buy a tiny, embroidered cloth purse when I was in China. It's about the size of my hand. If there's a reason I absolutely need a purse, I take that. It's only large enough to hold the things I normally put in my pocket plus a few breath mints &/or cough drops and a tissue. I can also squeeze my driver's license and library card into it.

But perhaps you should have asked me what I keep in the glove box of the car…

When is the worst time for someone to call you?

In the morning before 9 a.m. I'm a night owl, so I prefer to sleep in. I'm happiest & most wide-awake at 2 or 3 a.m. That's when I do most of my writing and reading.

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere?

If I could convince my husband, I'd move to Belize in a minute. I love the warm, but not overly hot, weather in Central America. It's about 75-80 degrees all year round. I also love taking a siesta in the afternoon (my least productive time). But I especially love the forests, the water, and the ruins.

I spent a summer in Costa Rica when I was in college and loved the clouds that ringed the mountains in the morning. Looking out on the green of the forests that covered the hills was restful and peaceful. Every afternoon it rained for about an hour. That fresh rain smell and the ions afterward make you feel incredibly energetic. I also love fresh fruit, and there's nothing like picking a ripe banana or slicing into a juicy pineapple. Or cracking open a fresh coconut. Yum! These are nothing like the tasteless, chemically ripened fruits in U.S. grocery stores.

Why does hair always look best the day of your styling appointment?

To tell the truth, mine never looks good that day. I usually try to slink into the salon incognito. Or did you mean after they finish with me? I look great when I come from the salon (or at least my hair does). I often have strangers come up and compliment me on my hair after it's done. But every day after that, it gradually goes downhill, until by the time my next hair appointment rolls around, I'm almost ashamed to be seen in public. I wish I could figure out what magic they use, so I could do the same tricks myself.

How would you survive a nuclear attack?

I don't know if it's possible or if I'd even want to, if it meant facing maimed or dead family members and friends. But I guess, if it would work, I'd go into an underground shelter. I'm not sure how I'd like that. I tend to get claustrophobic if I don't have a lot of air, space, and natural light. Whenever I'm in closed spaces, I go stir crazy. I suppose I could make myself do it if it meant survival, but I wouldn't like it. And I'd want to get out as soon as possible. How long does it take for those nuclear effects to go away?

From the time she was two, Lily Stone loved to curl up with a book. As she grew, the enchantment of faraway places and romantic heroes intrigued her. Today her life is a fairytale come true. She married her Prince Charming, has five adorable children, travels the world, and spends her time spinning tales of her own. When she isn’t globetrotting, she divides her time between North Carolina and Pennsylvania as her heart is in both places as well as in many cities around the world. Magic, Lily believes, is following your heart, believing in your dreams, then seeing them come true. Visit with Lily on her blog.

What, When, Where, Why, How with Hywela Lyn

Welcome to the gracious and talented Hywela Lyn!!

What kind of shifter/creature would you prefer to be paired with if you found yourself in a paranormal story?

A were unicorn - not as scary as a werewolf, in my opinion, although as a species I'm rather fond of wolves and enjoy werewolf stories as much as the next person.. A were unicorn would have several advantages though. Being a were-animal he would revert to his human form by day, and when the moon was not full, and - well we needn't go into that too much, but while he would have all the qualities of the unicorn, nobility, gentleness, strength, etc. ... he would also be very masculine and handsome when human. In addition, in his unicorn form he would provide a comfortable means of transport. What could be more exciting than riding a unicorn? His horn, of course, will purify water, which could come in handy if we get thirsty on our quest. I love horses and have two of my own, although sadly they're missing the mystical horn, so it just seems natural to want such a creature as my companion in this particular fantasy. I generally manage to include either a horse or a unicorn in most of my stories anyway.

When do you shower?

In the morning, or if I have to be up early, before I go to bed. I have been known to shower in the middle of the day, but only if I fall flat on my face in the mud or something equally stupid, usually when my dog's taken me for a rather muddy walk or my sweet mare has been frightened by a saber-tooth butterfly and panicked, doing her own unique impression of an astral bucking bronco.

Where do you do your best writing?

At night.Or I would if hubby would allow me to stay up until the early hours and insists we go to bed before 1 am. So I try to get up early and write then, but my muse still urges me to write late at night, and I frequently play over plots in my mind while d.h. quietly snores.

Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near?

Probably because I have tons of birdseed for them. The little sweethearts sit on the fence and twitter until I put out their breakfast - and lunch - and tea! Then they reward me by leaving mucky 'calling cards' on my washing line!

How do crayons taste?

Like wax? Actually I'm not really into crayons. Not for eating that is. If I want something to chomp in between meals I far prefer chocolate. Chocolate is food for the brain. It helps me think and gives me inspiration. That's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it!

Hywela Lyn most of her life in Wales and the beautiful countryside and legends inspired her to write. Although she now lives in a small village in England, she is very proud of her Welsh heritage and background. She enjoys weaving romantic tales of the future, and distant, mysterious worlds. Her pen name is a combination of her first two names. 'Hywela’ is Welsh and her first name, but it was never used and she has always been called by her second Christian name, Lyn.

One thing remains constant in her writing: The power of love. Love, not only between her hero and heroine, but between friends and siblings, and for their particular world and the creatures that share it. She is crazy about all animals, especially horses. She lives with her long suffering husband, Dave, and has two horses, Harry and T'pau, two feral cats, Milly and Molly, and an adopted Jack Russell terrier called Bouncer.

Hywela Lyn’s first novel, 'Starquest', a futuristic romance is available in eBook and Print format from The Wild Rose Press. The sequel to ‘Starquest’, 'Children of the Mist' is available in eBook format from The Wild Rose Press.

She is thrilled to have been one of nine authors who each wrote a story about one of the nine Greek muses. Her story about Terpsichore, the 'Muse Of Dance, entitled 'Dancing With Fate,' is available now as an individual E-book from the Publisher, or as one of three stories in Book II of the paperback anthology ‘Song Of The muses’ .She is currently working on another story in the series, featuring the same muse.

Lyn loves hearing from readers and other authors and can be contacted at Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk

Visit her at

Website: www.hywelalyn.co.uk
Blog@ www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com
My Space: www.myspace.com/hywelalyn

What, When, Where, Why, How with Sara Taney Humphreys

Welcome to Sara Taney Humphreys!

What hero would you borrow from another authors series that would be perfect for one of your heroines?

Hmmm... Sara, you didn't answer this one? Too many choices out there? Readers, who is your favorite fictional hero? Let's give Sara some help!

When do you write?

When ever I can squeeze in a few minutes to be honest. I have full time job, as most writers do, in addition to a husband, 4 little boys, 2 dogs, and a partridge in a pear tree. Ok....it's a cockatiel but you get the idea. I live in an insane house. It's phenomenally loud and never quiet unless the boys aren't home...but if they're not home then neither am I. Usually I wait until night time after they've all collapsed and passed out. Occasionally, my husband will take pity on me during the weekend so I can have some time...but I often am overcome with guilt when the looming pile of laundry mocks me from the corner. So, short answer..(too late)--When ever I can get a minute.

Where did you go on your first date?

A rather pathetic trip to the 7th grade dance. My date, complete with bow tie, glasses and flood water pants--and his similarly clad Father--picked me up in the giant wood paneled station wagon 45 minutes late. Just before we pulled up to the school, he realized that he forgot the tickets and we had to go all the way back to his house to get them. It was the first of many horrendous dating experiences, a foreshadowing if you will.

Why do dogs turn around twice before they lie down?

Once just isn't enough and three times...c'mon that's just silly.

How long do you want to live?

Only as long as my mind and body work properly. The moment I need a diaper or forget my name...I'm out.

Bio: "The Amoveo Legacy", with eXtasy Books, is Sara’s first published novel and the first book in The Amoveo Series. She is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, “A&E Biography”, “Guiding Light”, “Another World”, “As the World Turns” and “Rescue Me”. For the past several years Sara has been a professional Public Speaker and Speaker Trainer.

Her speaking career began with Monster’s “Making It Count” programs, speaking in High Schools and Colleges around the United States to thousands of students. For the past several years, Sara has worked with The College of Westchester in New York as the Director of High School and Community Relations.

She has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her sci-fi/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV Series STAR TREK and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of all types of fantasy/paranormal; vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shape shifters. Sara lives in New York with her husband of 14 years, their 4 boys, 2 dopey dogs and an extremely loud bird. Life is busy but never dull.

Visit Sara at her website or blog.

What, When, Where, Why and How with Yvonne Eve Walus

Give a hearty welcome to Yvonne Even Walus!

What would you prefer: a tornado or an earthquake?

Hmmm. I've already been through a small earthquake: I woke up one night in a hotel room and saw the big wooden wardrobe move. It was fascinating and I wanted my husband to see it too, but I fell asleep before I could call out his name or nudge him. I've never had a tornado. So I think I'll stick to small earthquakes.

When would you kill your own food?

Only if I had no other choice.

Where would you spend your vacation?

Oh, so many places, so little money! But if cost and time were no object I'd go for:
a Greek island, like Naxos Japan when it's in cherry blossom mode or a luxurious ocean liner cruise.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Let me quote greater writers here:

Mark Twain: The news of its crossing has been greatly exaggerated.
Ernest Hemingway: To die. In the rain.
Douglas Adams: Forty-two.
Chaucer: So priketh hem nature in hir corages.
Wordsworth: To wander lonely as a cloud.

How many tattoos is "too many"?

One. Particularly if it's on my child.

Yvonne Eve Walus (also writing as Eve Summers) composed her first poem when she was 4 and her first short story when she was 9. She made up fictional situations in her head and played them out as far back as she can remember. Her first publishing success (a short story in a local magazine) came when she was 22. Yvonne has lived on three continents and her work reflects the wealth of her cultural background. Her crime fiction is published in USA and in Britain, and it includes “Murder @ Work” which is set in the tumultuous and exotic South Africa. Please visit Yvonne on http://yewalus.kiwiwebhost.net.nz/ or South Africa in her “Murder @ Work” and discover what life is like when you are prohibited by the law to own a house or have medical insurance. Yvonne’s books are available on Amazon and Fictionwise.

What, When, Where, Why and How with Elle Parker

Welcome to Elle Parker -- another brave participant in my craziness!

What's your favorite color crayon?

I was always fascinated with the metallic ones. The gold, silver and...bronze? Or copper? I can't remember. I just know I loved them. I would color as dark and hard as I could to make the page really look like gold. Then someone taught me how to polish the drawing with a tissue, and I fell in love with that, because I could make it all smooth and shiny.

When does middle life start?

Right now, baby! Bring it on! I turned forty this year and life is better than it ever has been. I don't know what specific age it starts, but to me, it's a state of mind. It's that point in life when you start to realize that you don't really give a rat's ass what other people think, and you're free to do your own thing. Then you start to gain a new level of freedom in life – kids are growing up and don't require such hands on care; if you're lucky, you make more money than you used to, and you have more time, wisdom and creativity with which to spend it. That's when middle life starts.

Where do you do your best writing?

I've had some fabulous brainstorms in a variety of places, and I do pretty good work at my own desk at home. But some of my best work ever, I did sitting a pseudo-desk my dad built in the loft of our cabin. It's a fold down board, hanging from two chains, tucked under the eves, with a crappy folding chair to sit at. I have to crawl into position because I'm too tall to stand up straight in the loft, but I love that desk and have had some very powerful and exciting moments writing there. Especially during deer season/Thanksgiving week. I don't hunt, I just take the opportunity to hang out at deer camp and behave like a heathen. And write. You can see a picture of it in the Fun Stuff section of my website.

Why did the suicide king feel there was nothing left to live for?

He hadn't hit middle life yet. He was still in that dark period when the kids want to have sleepovers all the time, and the baby has just started walking, so he's into everything, and it seems like you'll never have another quite moment of sanity, ever. Well...or taxes.

How many animals are in your house?

There are three plus. We have a HUGE yellow lab named Lucky, who takes up about half the house. We have a wonderful orange cat named Hagar. He's completely unflappable and will put up with anything. We also have a teenage son who makes the most mess, destroys the most furniture, and costs the most to feed. And finally, we live in the country, so at any given time we have an indeterminate number of mice living somewhere in our home. They like to stash dog food all over the house so we never forget they are there even if we can't see them. Although...sometimes we do.


Elle Parker likes her heroes snarky and human, and she writes with a realism that incorporates humor and everyday detail into steamy and exciting stories. Although she writes a few forms of erotica, her first love and primary focus is M/M Erotic Romance. She works hard to create characters you can't help but fall in love with.

Most of the time, Elle can be found in her home in the north woods of Wisconsin, working on her latest novel, or spending time with her husband and teenaged kids. When not writing, she likes reading, brewing beer and swimming with the loons. Unless it's winter. In that case she grabs a book and drinks the beer.

Elle loves to hear from her readers, and you can email her at elle.parker@ymail.com.

You can also follow her work at these sites:
Website: http://www.elleparker.com/
Blogspot: http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/elleparkerbooks

What, When, Where, Why and How with Regan Taylor

Regan Taylor joins us on this lovely autumn day. Welcome Regan!

What comes first – the plot or the characters?

Definitely the characters, generally the male ones who tell me where they want to go and the kind of woman they want to go with. For instance, I had the idea for Indentured Bride (www.awe-struck.net) and was writing it, enjoying the story that was unfolding, getting to know Brett when I became aware he not only had two brothers, but his friend Rick had a story too. Rick's story is Traveling Bride and older brother Kendrick turned out to be Mistaken Bride. The same thing happened with Jason in Jason's Accord. My editor, Bea, (www.eXtasybooks.com) really liked his best friend, Michael and she wanted Michael to have a story -- Michael's story is about ready for submission and it's tentatively called Amazonia.

When is the worst time for someone to call you?

When I'm sleeping It's usually a telemarketer who missed the "do not call list" notification. I don't wake up easily and when it's a garbage call--watch out--my language gets a bit colorful.

Where would you spend your vacation?

In my home with the phone off the hook, blinds drawn and I don't answer the door. I also like cold, dark and rainy--I love reading for hours on end and my muse seems to kick in big time when I'm home at a stretch like that. I'm not much for crowds and sun and I like my home.

Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near?

Because I have cats and they are ..... gifts? Seriously, my cats are indoor cats and while they do enjoy looking at the window, they don't seem to even notice them.

How important is beauty in your daily life?

It depends on how you define beauty. For me it's seeing the ones I love every day.

From earliest childhood Regan was an avid reader and upon discovering Alexander Dumas and Charles Dickens she was hooked on books that carried the reader away to a different time and place. Preferring the quiet of her room and a good book to spending time with people she traveled far beyond those four walls. When her mother relentlessly looked for friends for the introverted Regan (yes she still is shy and introverted despite the outward appearance of being outgoing) Regan would take off with a book or two and hide to avoid being forced into a social situation.

Her first foray into writing, aside from tedious English assignments in high school and college, were two non-fictions intended to be of assistance to people with disabilities. Both were a struggle to write despite their ultimate purpose and convinced Regan she was most certainly not a writer. Both books were completed, they made their way to the population that would benefit the most from them and she moved on or back to her reading roots. Due to her passion for reading she was beyond thrilled when in 2003 she “discovered” reviewing with Love Romances reviews. From her first reviews she became involved in interviewing various authors as part of the site's interview feature.

After a three year stint in law school followed by completing her masters in Counseling she set her sites on being a police dispatcher. Unfortunately her department only allowed women under 30 (generally blond women who did “favors” for the male officers) to be dispatchers. When her “day” job with a local police department in Northern California became far too burdensome due to internal management, rather than escape into her reading, she began to write. Much to Regan's surprise, the words flowed and eventually led to Spell Across Time, followed by The True Story of the Wicked Witch, Miranda's Heart, Jason's Accord, Indentured Bride, Mistaken Bride, Her Eyes, The Photograph and America's Hero.

Regan is a member of the San Francisco Chapter of Romance Writers of America and a contributor to their upcoming “how to” book. Her goal is to be a “stay at home writer” - writing as a full time profession rather than often very part time.

What, When, Where, Why and How with Rebecca Savage

Give a big HOWDY to Rebecca Savage!

What would you do if you came upon a plate-sized toadstool in the woods that moved when you approached it?

First, I'd look around to see if anything else moved or looked dangerous, then I'd approach the toadstool, but not too close. I'm not chicken, but if this were really possible, it could be dangerous , too. Anyway, I'd want to know if it spoke, too, because I'm a woman, and I want details. How in the world is it possible that a toadstool can move? Information junkie me would drive the poor thing insane.

When do you consider yourself grown-up?

I think I grew up the minute I stopped being impatient. I got used to waiting in lines and waiting rooms when I was in the military, but I just recently stopped rushing, rushing, rushing,. i leave for work early, and relax before school starts. i pace myself during class, and I hardly ever speed. Note: Hardly is the operative word. I've always had a lead foot. anyway, it's all about time management for me now, but I still like to have fun, grown up or not, I let my wild side loose all too often.

Where would you live if you could live anywhere?

Okay, call me un-American,but I loved living in Italy. It's slow paced like I am now. I'd love to live in a villa at least part of the year, maybe throughout the inter, then come hom to the good ole USA for the summer time and hang out in a condo on the beach and write my little heart out. wow! Talk about inspiring locales.

Why do spaceships need mufflers?

Well, it's not because they'd wake the aliens. I don't believe in all that gooblygook, but it'd sure be nice for all the poor souls trying to sleep anywhere within several miles of the launch pad.

How do you feel when you've been dishonest with someone?

Depends on the someone, If they deserved it, or if it was for their own good or someone else's, then I don't feel bad at all. Oops, don't tell anyone I said that. No one will believe my fibs ever again.

Rebecca Savage
Author of Contemporary Romantic Suspense
For more info go to the below link/website:
http://www.geocities.com/grgiall

What, When, Where, Why and How with Shelley Munro

Welcome today to Shelley Munro, the next brave victim participant in my What, When, Where, Why and How interview:

What would you do if your appliances came to life?

That's easy! I'm not a fan of housework and would love the appliances to take care of the chore for me. Of course knowing my luck, the appliances would probably turn out to be the bossy type and wouldn't listen to a single one of my commands. I'd get in trouble for making a mess and be at the mercy of the machines or worse, I'd live in the first home where the appliances went berserk and turned militant.

What is the happiest time of the day?

I'm a real morning person. There's something about the promise of a new day that nurtures enthusiasm and makes me feel happy. Hubby has started dragging me out for a walk at six-thirty every morning. I protest, but secretly I enjoy the crisp air. I start in sleep-walk mode but by the time I arrive back at home, I'm ready to attack the day.

The area where I live tends to be very windy, with the wind blowing strongest during the afternoon. That's another reason why I enjoy a morning walk or cycle ride--because I don't have to fight the wind. I've tried it a few times and arrived home exhausted.

Where were you when you got your first kiss?

LOL it's been a while. From memory it was at a school social and took me by surprise. The boy I was with grabbed me and kissed me on the lips just after the last dance of the evening. It wasn't that exciting really, and I wondered what all the fuss was about. On the plus side, the kiss wasn't wet and sloppy, so I didn't need to wipe my mouth, and there was no tongue involved. LOL - that came later. Thank goodness the kissing thing improved over time, and I discovered that it can be quite a lot of fun if you're with the right person.

Why is the sky blue?

Experts say it's something to do with the way the sunlight hits the particles above Earth, but I think the sky is blue because it's my favorite color. There's nothing better than a bright blue sky on a sunny day to make me feel happy and bring a smile.

How many writers does it take to change a lightbulb?

It takes an entire village to produce a book when you take into account the writer, editor, copy-editor, publisher, marketing, printing and all the other people who do their magic behind the scenes. It would follow then that the entire village would need to help the writer change the lightbulb. In reality, I think writers are very intelligent people and would be quite capable of changing their own lightbulbs without help.

In our house, it doesn't take any writers to change a lightbulb because my husband is in charge of this chore. While I'm quite capable, I don't mind if he changes the lightbulbs. See? What did I say? Writers are intelligent people and get others to change their lightbulbs for them!

Shelley lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband and a small, bossy dog called Scotty.

Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak - big overseas experience). A year long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.

While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love - that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby and rugby league (strictly for research purposes), being walked by the dog, and curling up with a good book.

Website: http://www.shelleymunro.com/
Blog: http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shelleymunro

What, Where, When, Why, How with A. Y. Stratton

Give a hearty HOWDY to today's guest, A. Y. Stratton!

What do you want for your birthday?

There's never enough time to get through my whole book stack, so I want a Kindle for my birthday so I can carry a dozen books wherever I go. (And because it's such a nifty tool.) The only problem is, the book stack will still be there while I'm working on the Kindle stack.

When do you make a wish?

On warm, humid summer nights, when stars fill the dark sky and the air smells like my childhood, I whisper "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." My wishes have changed over time, but inside I'm the same me, though wiser and even more blessed. Now that I think of it, the stars don't change at all, do they?

Where did you go on your first date?

My first date was in sixth grade, when Jimmy who lived two blocks from me, asked me to go with him to the Saturday afternoon movies in our church basement. He was nice, but not as exciting or cute as three other boys I'd been thinking about, and I was flattered, rather than thrilled.

We met on the corner near our house and walked the four blocks together. Normally too talkative, I couldn't think of anything to say, while he blushed and couldn't decide whether to walk next to me or in front of me.

At church Jimmy paid the twenty-five cents for each of us and then bought me a soda and a candy bar, far more than I ever could afford at the movies. As we watched the movie and munched our snacks, several boys behind us poked and heckled poor Jimmy for going "with a girl," while I wished I could magically evaporate. At school on Monday Jimmy told the boys I never even thanked him after he'd spent all that money on me, and I was ashamed that I had been too embarrassed!

That's how I learned my first lesson for dating: always say thank you. By the way, he didn't try to kiss me. My first kiss from a boy was a few weeks later at a spin-the-bottle party in my friend's basement.

Why didn't Christine choose the Phantom?

In the Phantom of the Opera, Christine had to choose light and sweetness over the magnificence of a beautiful voice, and true love over darkness and seduction.

However, if Phantom of the Opera had been written in 2008, the breathless and beautiful Christine would have chosen the Phantom for her life and after-life partner. Then she would get to meet the rest of his relatives. Perhaps she would even fix up the Phantom's sister with her former suitor.

How do you choose your character's names?

For my female characters I choose names with several syllables, because they sound more interesting than Jane, Pam or my first name, Anne. Lauren is my niece's name. I've always thought the letters look pretty on the page. Besides, Lauren Richmond sounds enigmatic, a name a poet might choose for his daughter, which is ideal for the character in Buried Heart.

I choose male characters' names from books or movies I've enjoyed. About the time I reach the middle of my manuscript, when the two protagonists realize they are in love and I've been living with them awhile, sometimes I try out new names. In Buried Heart, Luis (which is pronounced the Spanish way, "Loo-ees," like Louise, but with an "s" rather than a "z" sound) had several different last names, including a German one, since he is only half Mexican. However, I realized my dark, handsome, quirky and sexy man just had to have a Latin surname too. My daughter's college roommate's last name was Hernandez. "Luis Hernandez" sounded perfect to me.

Last week I began writing a new book that begins with a murder accidentally witnessed by my two protagonists. Right away I chose Emily for the woman's name and Jake for the man's. This morning Emily became Jennifer, a solid, reliable, stick-to-the-rules name, not that Emily isn't. My newly-named Jennifer has just broken into a house to steal a document that will restore her grandmother's honor, an act that a woman with that name would surely do. A guy named Jake would be attempting the break-in for more nefarious reasons, and he'd be grinning as he did it.

I grew up in Glenview, Illinois, moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin when I was in high school, and then attended college in New York, where I majored in English literature. (I wrote my senior thesis on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.) My husband and I have lived in a suburb of Milwaukee long enough to see the farmers’ fields around us burst into subdivisions.

When I was a child and had trouble sleeping, I’d make up adventures starring me as the heroine and imagined I’d write stories like those some day. Once our three children were older, I began writing free-lance for local periodicals, including a regular baseball column for the website of my beloved Milwaukee Brewers. I still make up stories as I go to sleep, but now I save them in my computer.

I got hooked on ancient ruins the moment I stood among the spirits of the sacrificed virgins at the top of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan near Mexico City. Eventually I visited other ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, where I conceived the idea for what has become my first published novel.

What, Where, When, Why, How with Jennette Green

Give a warm welcome today to author Jennette Green!

What kind of shifter/creature would you prefer to be paired with if you found yourself in a paranormal story?

Wow. I haven’t read any shape shifter novels, so this is a wild question for me. I think maybe a lion, because lions seem strong and brave, and they look noble and peaceful as they rest in the African savannah while the hot breeze ripples through their manes. Nothing seems to disturb them. They appear calm and deliberate about stalking their prey, too. There is something relaxed and confident about lions that appeal to me—as long as I’m not their next meal, of course.

When do you wake up in the morning?

I wake up between 4:30 and 6:00 every morning. Sleep is a battle for me. It’s hard to get to sleep, and I’ll often wake up at 4:30, feeling completely wide awake, but then feel exhausted a half an hour later. However, I can’t go back to sleep. I think it’s hormones. Yes, I said it. HORMONES! Why are we, as women, plagued by the dratted things? Why don’t men have trouble sleeping? A word of experience—soy isoflavones have helped me considerably—I used to wake up at 2:30 a.m. every day. The extra two hours of sleep have made a world of difference to me.

Where did you go on your first date?

My first date was a trip to NBC Studios/Universal Studios. I was eighteen, and shy. It was a cool date. We got to see the “Tonight Show” set. Johnny Carson was still hosting it then, although Jay Leno ran the show when we sat in on the taping. I probably also saw the set for “Days of Our Lives,” but don’t remember it, because I didn’t watch the show then. I became a rabid fan of the soap two years later, in college. I returned to NBC Studios last year, and enjoyed gawking at those two cavernous, warehouse-type rooms that “Days of Our Lives” use to set up and tape scenes. They set up a scene in one room while they tape in the other. …But I guess I’ve left the subject of my first date.

Why is it important to be honest?

If you’re not, no one will ever trust you completely. I’m a Christian, and being honest about everything is something I’ve felt a strong conviction about for years. It’s tough at times. Especially when a friend asks my opinion about something—like a story she wrote. I may see all kinds of problems in the piece, but how do I say it? I don’t want to discourage her. It’s much easier to say, “I love it!” and move on. Instead, I’ll list several positive things that I genuinely like about the story, but then throw in a few constructive comments as well. Of course, I end on a positive note. I wish someone had done that for me. Maybe then my writing skills would have grown faster.

How can you solve a Rubik's cube?

I solved the Rubik’s cube when I was fourteen years old—yes, by myself. I worked and worked at it until I figured it out. I can still do it. I like puzzles. Maybe that’s why I like figuring out how computers and websites work, and stories, too. If I can figure out how to make something complex work, it’s a real rush for me. LOL

Writing has always been a passion of mine. I wrote my first story over thirty years ago. Since then, I’ve written numerous stories and have had several articles published. My first love, however, is writing romance novels. I've written seven. I'm blessed with a wonderful, supportive husband, and three terrific children who put up with my crazy writing hours. When I'm not writing, I love reading, photography, making videos, and creating and managing my websites.

www.jennettegreen.com
www.findagreatromance.blogspot.com
www.bestromancenovelstoday.com

My historical romance novel, The Commander’s Desire, is now available in print from Amazon. It’s also available in Kindle format, and in pdf format from The Wild Rose Press.

Special Interview: WWWWH with C. L. Talmadge

Welcome to C. L. Talmadge on today's stop for her tour through Goddess Fish Promotions. Every comment left earns an entry into a drawing for an autographed set of the first three books in her Green Stone of Healing series!

The series features four generations of strong-willed female characters who inherit a mysterious green gem ultimately revealed to mend broken bones and broken hearts, protect against missiles, and render its wearers undetectable.

For more information about each book, please visit http://www.greenstoneofhealing.com -- and now, down to business...

What was the title of the first book you ever wrote (published or not) and what was it about?

My first book was partially completed nonfiction for a nationally known medical malpractice attorney. I cannot reveal the name. I was not his first choice for ghost writer, so he stopped the project after the first two chapters. His first choice for writer is now available after a stint in politics, so maybe he will get that book done after all. I hope so. It would be a humdinger and infuriate a lot of powerful people. Now that’s my kind of tome.

My first completed work is nonfiction entitled Hope is in the Garden: Healing
Resolution Through Unconditional Love. This book explains the underlying cause of illness at all levels of self, not just physical, but mental, spiritual, and emotional, too. Hint: It’s not what most books on this topic say it is. Hope states the principles of healing within the energy of human consciousness and explains why/how people don’t heal, and how we can change that dynamic.

(For a free e-book version of Hope, go my blog and follow the instructions. www.healingstonebooks.com/stonescribe Deadline to vote is Sept. 25, so hurry!)

Hope was the absolutely necessary precursor to writing my speculative epic, the Green Stone of Healing® series. Many of the same healers from physical and non-physical dimensions have helped me write both of these works. A new, expanded definition of energy contained in Hope is from the “fictional” soul known in my series as Maguari, the Mist-Weaver. Maguari is a wise, powerful healer and a member of an otherworldly association of healers known as the Sunan Society. The character known as Isaac Sudras in my novels is the head of this group, and is known as Dr. Sunan. Interesting similarity in their names, no? And even today, I give this poor soul the same guff that Helen gave Isaac. It keeps him humble—a tough job, but someone has to do it.

When is truth stranger than fiction?

Truth is always stranger than fiction. The latter has to make some sort of sense or readers will object and editors will demand rewrites. Truth often makes no sense whatsoever.

There’s an interesting line in The Dark Knight, the latest Batman film. The loyal servant Alfred tells his master, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.” This is a most sharp and devastating insight into the madness/ennui/pure evil of some souls. Yet this truth sounds so senseless to the relatively sane that they tend, like Bruce Wayne/Batman, to reject it. They simply cannot comprehend it because it is so far from their personal truths.

Truth is not only far stranger than fiction, it is also personal and subjective. This is one of the enduring themes of all my writing. Even science is hesitantly, tentatively, furtively groping toward this realization. Objective truth is a total myth, because we all perceive through a field of human consciousness that contains our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. None of us can be objective since our fields are so distorted and warped by that same factor that is the ultimate cause of disease at all levels of self, which I discuss in Hope.

The best we can achieve is to be honest about our biases with ourselves and, if we are writers or other kinds of artists, with our audience.

Where would you live if you could live anywhere (and tell us why)?

I would live on a tropical island like Hawaii or Tahiti. My comfort range for outside temperatures is between 55 and 75 degrees F, so it’s the tropics for me. Ideally, I would live beside a waterfall and spend a part of each day melding my energy with that of the rushing stream. Great for energizing, relaxing, and creativity. Aaaahh….

Why did the suicide king feel there was nothing left to live for?

I have absolutely no idea why anyone would feel there is nothing more to live for. I have come to this understanding after an excruciating learning curve of many, many lifetimes. I will offer some thoughts about suicide, however. It doesn’t stop the pain. The pain is in the emotional, spiritual, and mental parts of our being and these don’t die with the physical body. These parts of self are a certain kind of energy and they go on to new dimensions. To quote a famous soul named Seth, “You are as dead now as you are ever going to be.” So toss those useless thoughts of dying and start living!

How far can you walk without thinking of something one of your characters did or said?

Maybe two steps. But then again, maybe not. My characters have been on my mind in one way or another since I was 13 years old. Once I determined I wanted to write a novel, they started marching into my conscious awareness, introducing themselves to me, and many even told me their names without my asking. (They’re such characters!) I confess I love them all, even the worst of the villains, because without them I have no story to tell.

C.L. Talmadge is the author of the Green Stone of Healing® speculative epic. The fourth in the series, Outcast, will be published Oct. 1. Vote for the first book, The Vision, through Sept. 25 and get a free e-book on healing, love, and spirituality. Details at her blog: www.healingstonebooks.com/stonescribe

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What, Where, When, Why, How with Anne Kane

Welcome to Changeling Press author, Anne Kane!

What is your least favorite food?

My least favorite food is lobster. Ever since childhood, I’ve had an aversion to any seafood that doesn’t come deep-fried in a nice beer-batter. When I was nine, my Dad arrived home from an East Coast business trip with two live lobsters. Now you have to realize that we kids had never seen live lobsters before. Dad put them in a box in the back yard to wait for the big dinner planned in their honor. My siblings and I promptly named them. And played with them. And bestowed personalities on them. I’m sure everyone on the continent heard my mother’s amazing outburst when she found out that he expected her to drop Annabelle and Betsy – still alive and kicking – into a pot of boiling water. I had no idea she had such an impressive vocabulary. I’m not a vegetarian, but if it’s alive when I get to the restaurant, I’d like it to be alive when I leave.

When is a heroine TSTL?

Oh, this is such a good question. There are so many times when the heroine, while gorgeous and incredibly sexy, proves that she’s just too stupid to live. The author spends ninety-nine pages keeping her just steps ahead of the homicidal maniac, but on page one hundred, the brainless ninny ditches her hunky bodyguard and drives to the local mall because she needs the perfect shade of nail polish to match her lingerie. Any bets on how this one ends?

How about the woman who just spent twenty pages wondering if her co-worker is a serial rapist, and then decides to park her car in that dark, deserted underground garage that he has unlimited access to?

My personal all time favorite TSTL heroine, though, is the one who wakes up to find a strange man in her bedroom and immediately thinks, “Wow, he’s gorgeous!” How stupid is that? Unless you ordered room service before you went to bed, a strange, uninvited guy in your bedroom is NOT a good thing, no matter what he looks like.

Where do you go to have fun?

Well, if I told you that, everyone would go and then it wouldn’t be as much fun! *G*

Okay, seriously, it depends on what time of the year it is. Up here in the frozen North, we have four very distinct seasons. In the spring, I love to go hiking. There are many wonderful walking trails near my home and I just love to take the dog and wander around the hillsides. We enjoy smelling that nice clean mud and admiring all the spring flowers.

Now in the summer, you can find me in the water. Any water will do. I kayak, go swimming in the river, or splash around the local pool, and I just LOVE the waterslides. Of course, I need to take a few grandkids with me as a disguise. After all, I’m much old to be going because I love the big loop de loops and the huge splash I make when I land in the pool at the bottom. Sometimes I just like to sit on my deck with a nice glass of wine and watch the world go by.

In the fall, I make a valiant effort to visit all the fall fairs within driving distance. I love country fairs. They have that yummy confection known as cotton candy, and I have to admit it’s my one weakness. Well okay, I have a lot of weaknesses, but cotton candy is pretty close to the top of the list!

Winter? Well, let’s just say I like to see how realistic I can make a snowman. Then I retreat to a nice fireside chair with my wine and a good book.

Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?

The answer to this is somehow related to the fact that we call it rush hour when the cars are barely moving. I think it’s a conspiracy by the Big Three car manufacturers to make the general population even more confused than normal, and get them to buy more cars. Just picture the three CEOs, sitting at the boardroom table for their annual strategy session.
.
“We need to name that stretch of mud people have in front of their homes where they keep their cars,” says CEO number one, chomping on his cigar stub. ”If it had a name, everyone would have to buy a car from us to keep on it.”

“How about a parking space?” suggests CEO number two.

“Nah.” It needs to be something catchy.”

CEO number three takes another swig of his imported beer and grins maniacally. “I think we should call it a driveway.”

“Are you serious? That’s nuts!” says CEO number one.

“They don’t drive on it, they park on it” points out CEO number two.

“But they have to drive onto it to park.” CEO number three warms to his subject. “And they drive off it when they leave. Besides, the guys over at ABC Home Sales owe me one. I gave them a great discount on all of those cars we had left over after the exploding gas tank debacle. I’m sure I can get them to co-operate.”

And the very next day, the head realtor for ABC Home Sales was overheard talking to a prospective buyer. “And with this model, you get a double driveway. Never heard of a driveway? Oh, it’s all the rage. Everybody who is anybody has one!”

How did the One-Eyed Jack lose his eye?

It’s a very little known fact that before he retired to the deck of cards, the One-Eyed Jack was a swashbuckling pirate. He went by the name of Jack B Nimble because he had a habit of jumping back and forth over candlesticks when he got drunk. And he got drunk a lot.

One day, when he’d imbibed a great deal of the local grog; an evil landlubber exchanged the usual eight inch tall candle for a twelve inch tall one. Well, Jack was a little less nimble than usual and his foot nicked the top of the candle on his very first jump. He went crashing to the floor and a splinter jabbed right into his eye. The local doctor did his best, but he couldn’t save the eye, and from that day forth, Jack B Nimble became the One-Eyed Jack.

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy Jack Russell terrier, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She has two handsome sons and three adorable grandchildren. By day, she’s a respectable bean counter, but after hours her imagination soars and she writes romances that span the galaxy and encompass beings of all sizes, shapes and origins.

In 2007, she decided to take her writing seriously. She entered a novella, Kellen’s Conquest, in the Red Sage Alpha Male contest. She also submitted a short story to Changeling Press. Much to her surprise, the novella won first place and will be published in the Secrets: Vol. 30 anthology in 2010. The short story was the first of many she contracted to Changeling Press, LLP.

Her hobbies include kayaking, hiking, motorcycles, swimming, skating, playing guitar, spoiling with her pets, singing and of course, reading.

http://www.annekane.literalseductions.net
http://www.annekane.wordpress.com
http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=116

What, When, Where, Why and How with Christine McKay

Give a warm welcome to Christine McKay!!!

What character would you pick that could easily transplant into another
story?

This is a hard one. I know you said transplant a character from one story
to another, but I consider my life the best story of all.

For the most part, I really love my characters. I'd love to pull my
bitchy but very talented queen Cerenth from "Shadow Queen" and put her
into today's world. I could put her to use shaping up my husband.

Morgan, from "A Taste of Summer Magic", is a modern day witch with kick
ass culinary skills. She could bring along both her men, Jason and Perry,
and set up shop in my kitchen.

And then there's my Scottish shape-shifting hero from my Harlequin
story, "Loch Dragon's Lady" (sorry folks, it's contracted but I don't
have a release date yet). How hot is a man with a Scottish burr strutting
around in a kilt? Bye, bye, husband. Hello Robert Dunyveg. Yummy. I'd
never get any writing done.


When you were young, what did you do?

When I was young and fearless, I did competitive and endurance riding on
my mule, Sidney. At that time, there were only 5 mules competing in the
Midwest (everyone else pretty much rode Arabians). I racked up a lot of
miles on both my mules and my crummy Chevy truck.

Why a mule? They're super smart and take care of their riders. I still
have Sidney and she's just as witchy as she was when she was 5.

I also played piano and pipe organ, showed dairy goats, and was very
involved with model horse showing (to the point where I became a state
certified judge). Yes - people do show their plastic ponies. I still
collect model horses - Chevals are my favorite as well as Peter Stone's
drafters, but I no longer show them.

Oh and I earned Expert status in the National Rifle League's Junior Rifle
program. That occupied every Friday of my life for 5+ years. So I'm very
accurate with a .22 target rifle. Unfortunately or fortunately,
that isn't a skill I have to use very often, though it sometimes comes in
handy when the coyotes decide one of my pets look tasty.


Where were you when you got your first kiss

I was in a field. And honest, it didn't go any farther than that!! Can't
comment on that one because I haven't shared those details with hubby.


Why does "I" come before "E" except after "C"?

Having a college English background, I could get super technical on this
one (but I can already picture you all yawning). And I'm sure the very
famous Ayn Rand would say "I" should come before all the letters in the
alphabet. If you haven't read her books, do so!

But let's just say, if "I" didn't shove "E" aside, hike up its skirt and
run, it'd have been swallowed by the sea. See?


How many rooms are in your house?

Oh, this is a funny. My house is less than 1000 square feet so every room
pulls double duty. We have the standard ones - bathroom and bedroom, but
the bedroom moonlights as the exercise room and the sewing room. The
kitchen and dining room are one and we also have a narrow hallway that is
the laundry "room" though I use that term loosely. The living room is an
exercise in compromise - my half is mustardy tone with dark wood
furniture, horse portraits and models, my computer and my piano. My
husband's side is painted fawn (ecru-ish) and features a zillion wildlife
paintings as well as an elk, 3 deer, and bear mount as well as black
leather furniture. We also share the space with a neurotic Jack Russel
Terrier and a very senile and ancient Schnauzer/Poodle/mutt mix. Oh and
every now and then, an orphan baby goat occupies the "laundry room".

About the Author: I've been writing as long as I've been able to hold a pencil, though thank God my mom wasn't one of those mothers who saved all her child's scribblings. Right now, I have two books contracted with Harlequin Spice briefs, 3 novels (2 fantasy and 1 contemporary) published with Cerridwen Press, 2 erotic short stories with Ellora's Cave, a very sexy m/f/m novella with Carnal Passions, and a sarcastic/comedic paranormal novella coming out with Champagne Books in April.

What can I tell you about my writing? For some reason, I attract folks who don't normally read. If I had a quarter for every time someone told me their husband/significant other couldn't put one of my stories down, I could stay home and write full time. But seriously, I have a hard time sitting still and my stories reflect that. They're sexy, they're fast paced, they're humorous. Visit me at www.ChristineMcKay.com

What, When, Where, Why and How with Candace Morehouse

Welcome today to Candace Morehouse!

What's in your vehicle's glove box?

My owner’s manual (where I update the oil changes faithfully), a bunch of napkins from fast food restaurants (cuz you just never know when you might need one, besides I’m known to be quite a klutz), a hackey sack with a Rasta pattern (don’t even know where that came from), a variety of unusual pieces of wood and pretty rocks I’ve picked up on various hikes, and a little plastic wind-up angel who beats her wings and is supposed to help me find a parking space in crowded lots.

When is a heroine TSTL?

When she acts like a naïve, mealy-mouthed, unconfident, little PITA who is far too dependent on the hero. I’ve actually started to write one of these before and I hated her! I had to completely start from scratch… Heroines must be confident, determined, and self-sufficient, in my books. They are often nontraditional, too. I love breaking stereotypes!

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere?

Besides where I currently live in Arizona’s White Mountains, which I absolutely adore, I’d love to own an island all my own, like Richard Branson has. Wouldn’t it be great to have your own private island--imagine the parties you could throw! I’m picturing skinny dipping in the ocean, drinks served in hollowed out coconut shells, and bronzed cabana boys. Yeah, lots of cabana boys. Then again, a castle in Europe would be pretty cool. That would make an excellent location to host some murder mystery parties and go ghost hunting.

Why do doctors leave the room when you change?

Because not all of us are super models or gorgeous Hollywood stars with lots of plastic surgery to cover up our faults. After all, doctors are only human and they don’t want to see a big old hairy butt or sagging boobs any more than the rest of us!

How many tattoos is "too many"?

When you are wearing a turtleneck sweater and jeans yet your tats are still visible, LOL! While self expression is wonderful, a little self-restraint can be a good thing, too. I’ve got a couple of tattoos right now, and definitely want some more. In addition to my Gila monster and black panther, I’m considering a Western diamondback rattlesnake (I’ve got a thing for animals!). Could really have some fun with that one – putting it in a place where I could make it rattle *G*.

Candace Morehouse enjoys writing romance that spans more than just time. Whether the setting is historical or contemporary, her romances are filled with mystery and high sensuality, strong, nontraditional heroines, and the tough, sexy men who love them.

Originally from Wisconsin, Candace moved to New Mexico when she was entering her teens and it is there where her creative talent was honed. She currently enjoys living with her husband in the White Mountains of northern Arizona with Colby Jack, a purebred mutt, and Yogi, a Welsh Corgi. Her handsome and talented son is both webmaster and IT tech for her various pursuits as he attends ASU in pursuit of a computer engineering degree.

Visit Candace at:
www.candacemorehouse.com
www.myspace.com/candacemorehouse
http://twitter.com/candacemore

Blogs:
http://candacemorehouse.blogspot.com
www.romancesuspensenovels.com
http://www.thewritersvineyard.com

What, Where, When, Why, How with Barbara Meyers

Give a warm welcome and hearty howdy to today's guest, Barbara Meyers!

What super power would you choose?

Super Keen Vision. I never needed glasses my whole life and I’d always heard if you don’t need glasses by the time you’re 40, you’ll need them shortly thereafter, which is what happened to me. Yes, I know there are much worse conditions I could have and believe me, I’m grateful that this is my one humanoid “defect.” But it is endlessly annoying. My husband, a glass-wearer from about the age of nine, insisted I needed bi-focals and wouldn’t believe I didn’t until the eye doctor told him so. My distance vision is almost perfect, but fine print, computer screens, the cash register at work, even food on my plate is fairly blurry without a pair of cheaters. I can’t see the print on my cell phone. God help me if I end up without one of my many pairs of glasses in a restaurant. A companion has to hold the menu for me across the table. Shopping is a pain. I can’t see the size or price tags without glasses. Sometimes I feel like the visual-deficient counterpart to the Karate Kid. Glasses on. Glasses off.

Included with my Super Keen Vision would be Eyes In The Back Of My Head. It wouldn’t help me now, because my kids are grown, but it might come in handy if I ever have grandchildren. I could also see if my dog is secretly laughing at me behind my back.

And I want Super X-Ray vision, also. My eyes could laser through the refrigerator and freezer doors and determine if there’s anything in either of them that I can throw together for dinner or if a trip to the grocery store is required. In a sub-section of Super X-Ray vision, I would also have the power to create a possible dinner menu from anything that already exists in the freezer or fridge. This would come in handy in locating items in my overcrowded spice shelf and disorganized pantry.

I’d like to be able to program Super Keen Vision to focus in on anything I’m looking for or have misplaced at any given time. Like my glasses.

When is the worst time for someone to call you?

I hate it when the phone rings when I’ve rented a good movie and I’m all settled in to watch it with my bowl of popcorn and blankie. Usually, (if it isn’t one of those annoying telemarketers offering to refinance my mortgage or find my cheaper car insurance) it’s my daughter or a friend and since there is a “pause” button on the remote, as a general rule I’ll choose to talk and allow my cozy time to be interrupted because people in my life are more important than any old movie. I also hate it if I’m watching a favorite TV show. I don’t have TiVo. I’m not techie at all. If I miss it, I miss it. But I’ll still choose chatting with family or friends over the TV show. I’ll catch the rerun and it will all be new to me. People tell me I sound angry when I answer the phone, but that’s only because I get so many telemarketing calls on my land line I always think it’s someone trying to sell me something when it rings.

Where was the last beach you went to?

Seagate Beach in Naples, Florida. It’s a turn-off right before you enter Clam Pass Park (the one with the boardwalk with the trams that take you out across the mangroves to the beach). There’s a pretty curved drive (Seagate Drive?) to get to the small parking lot. There are always people jogging, walking dogs and riding bikes along the road. Of course, I have a beach parking permit because I live here. I love walking down the brick walkway to the beach. The entry is marked by giant boulders. Sea oats and sea grapes are roped off. The county tries to protect the vegetation to prevent beach erosion. There are a lot of water birds along the shore. Egrets, gulls, sandpipers. I’m not sure when sea turtle egg-laying season is, but during that time there are sea turtle egg nests cordoned off as well. Every time I go there, it doesn’t matter what day of the week or what time of day, I see the same woman jogging. Up and down the beach. Up and down. Up and down. I wonder if that’s all she does. 24/7. She’s brown as a button. She laps me easily. At the pace I walk, it’s about 45 minutes to Clam Pass and back.

Why do spaceships need mufflers?

So they don’t get pulled over by the Space Shuttle and ticketed for disturbing the peace.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie-Roll pop?

Sadly, I am like the owl in the old commercial. I can suck on a Tootsie-Roll pop until there is only a thin layer of the hard outer shell, but then I have to bite into it because to me, that’s the best part. You have to leave some of the crunchy to eat with the chewy center, or really, what’s the point? I don’t think anyone knows how many licks it takes. No one can resist biting into it before they actually reach it.

Originally from southwest Missouri, Barbara Meyers now lives in a posh southwest Florida community filled with golf courses and country clubs. She is still married to her first husband and her two children survived to adulthood in spite of her inept mothering skills. Her latest book, the sweet and spicy romantic comedy, A MONTH FROM MIAMI, is available in both digital and print formats. Her previously published work includes a short story and two squeaky clean romantic comedies. She spends her non-writing time working on her goal of becoming the oldest living barista at the local Starbucks. She may also be found sneaking into a nearby gated community to walk her dog or meandering along the beach having conversations with her fictional characters.

For the truth about Barbara Meyers, check out www.barbmeyers.com or http://www.myspace.com/barbmeyers

What, Where, When, Why, How with Christina Phillips

Welcome on this sunny August day to author, Christina Phillips!

What would you say to a half dressed man you caught stealing your tomatoes out of your garden?

In reality I would probably pitch a fit, hide under the kitchen sink and call my husband on his mobile! However, in my fantasy world the half dressed man would be a dead ringer for Clive Owen (oh wait, this is my fantasy isn't it - OK it IS Clive Owen!!!) So I would slink out and enquire in a seductive manner if there was anything else he fancied stealing...

When was the last time you got in a fight?

I'm going to be very boring here and say I don't get into fights. I'm very non-confrontational and would rather just ignore horrible situations. (Unless it comes to my kids, but that's different because that's a Mummy thing!!!) I've found it's easier to just let go of people who prefer to make a huge mountain out of an air bubble. Life is WAAAAYYYY too short for that kind of rubbish!!

Where on your body would you get (or do you have) a tattoo?

I don't have a tattoo on account of my aversion to having needles stuck in me unless it's a life threatening situation, and the fact I avoid any and all unnecessary pain! But if I did get a tatt, I'd have one of those fabulous 3D ones over my entire back. Something really gorgeous, glittery and fantastic incorporating a fantasy wood, waterfall and fairies!

Why shouldn't a heroine be afraid when a wolf with lavender eyes has her cornered in a cave?

With lavender eyes? Wow. I think the heroine would be too mesmerized by those eyes to bother with being afraid! Plus, lavender eyes clearly indicates this wolf is under a Curse, so all the heroine has to do is break the enchantment. Once she's done that she'll be faced with a hot hunk of masculinity with a ripped body and... lavender eyes!!

How long does it take you to write a book?

This varies soooo much. My first book, Foretaste of Forever, started off as a recurring dream over the course of four years. Eventually I wrote it down, just to get it out of my head, but it was another four years before I went back to it and revised it with a view to publication.

Thankfully eight years is NOT the normal length of time it takes me to finish a story!!! My second Scarlet Rosette, Touch of the Demon, came to me one evening as I was sitting at the computer doing some correspondence. The entire plot just fell into my brain, virtually complete, and I started writing it there and then. I think that one took three weeks to finish the first draft.

I moved to sunny Australia from the UK almost ten years ago with my very own hero and our three adorable children. Over the last few years as I’ve actively sought publication for the romances I love writing, I’ve tried my hand at category romance, chic lit, paranormal and now dark erotic romance. My mantra is Never Say Never, because I will immediately go and do whatever I said I could never attempt!

What, Where, When, Why, How with Amber Leigh Williams

Welcome today to author Amber Leigh Williams!

What's the longest trip you've ever been on?

Three whole weeks at my grandmother’s house in Florida. It was late spring and I was poolside with a book and completely lazy the entire time. I don’t think I ever took off my bikini. Two weeks of nothing but sunshine and margaritas… Who the heck needs diamonds and chiffon? That's luxury!

When would you kill your own food?

Probably only under the most dire circumstances…and only if the DH wasn’t present. He has no problem bringing home the bacon…in the most literal sense. He's really man-y that way. But me? I draw the line after fishing. I’ll hook it, but I won’t clean it. I’m squeamish…

Where's the best place you've been this year?

Physically or in my head? Physically—the family lakehouse. It was still cold but sitting out on the glassed sun porch watching the sun glisten off the water and just listening to the quiet echo was so sublime! In my head—a candlelit penthouse suite with a very seductive incubus ;)

Why do doctors leave the room when you change?

Erm…because I’d tell them to leave if they didn’t? I have a huge problem undressing in front of anyone but the DH...and it took me so long to get used to that! Kinda ironic considering part of my job is writing full-flesh love scenes.

How much time should be spent making yourself look better each day?

Personally, as little as humanly possible. Most days it’s just me and my computer. Getting dolled up occasionally is nice, but I’m so in my head on the average day that it’s just best to get right to work and focus on those people in my head who’re so much more appealing then me anyway :-)

Amber Leigh Williams is a member of Romance Writers of America and Secretary of the Gulf Coast Romance Writers. She is the author of romantic suspense Denied Origin, now in print from The Wild Rose Press, Fox & Hound, Simply Romance "Outstanding Read" also available in print, and Blackest Heart, an installment in The Wild Rose Press Wayback, TX line "Where A Cowboy Falls In Love Every Eight Seconds!" Her contemporary romance A Summer's Hope is scheduled for print release in May. She lives on the Gulf Coast of Alabama with her husband, Jacob, and their three goofy labs.

Website: http://www.amberleighwilliams.com

Blog: http://www.amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com

What, Where, When, Why, How with Silver James

Welcome to Silver James...my new BFF. Why? Because she is both silly and sarcastic!! We could be twins. Give her a great big howdy -- AND, she's giving away a $10 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press to one commenter today! So read, talk, share with a friend! :-)

So, Silver, do tell: what is your favorite beverage?

Caffeine. Liquid. Solid. Filleted. Fried. Stewed. Fricasseed. Whipped. Wait! What? Whipped? But mostly liquid. In coffee flavors or Diet Coke with Lime®. Iced tea is good and the beverage of choice when dining out. Unless it’s the Super Bowl. Or the World Series. I fall off the wagon then and have a Killian's or Harps beer, or three, on special occasions. For REALLY special occasions, I prefer light, sweeter wines or single malt Scotch like Glen Fiddich or Glen Livet. Are you bored yet? When it’s just for fun and I’m not the designated driver, Margaritas on the rocks with lots of salt rock my socks. Pay no attention to those rumors. I swear I never sang “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” in public. Srsly.

When did you start writing?

I can remember, at the age of four, lining up my stuffed animals for Story Time, telling them tales I made up. At thirteen, I committed my first “novel” to paper – in a spiral notebook with a black and white plaid cover. “The Talisman” had a decent plot along the lines of “Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” though processed through the brain of an adolescent girl. Needless to say, it was abysmal. There were boys. And kissing. And time travel. Did I mention kissing? No petting. Life was much more innocent back in the dark ages. My BFF at the time and I were the heroines and I believe Davy Jones (The Monkees) and Peter Noone (Herman of Herman’s Hermits) were our love interests. I have mentioned that I’m older than dirt, right? Technically, I suppose it would have been considered fan fiction, if the term had been in use at the time. Trust me, the whole thing was truly cringe-worthy.

In the story, our intrepid teen exchange students were whisked back in time to medieval England where they saved the kingdom, fell in love, and then got shuttled back to the present, where they met their teen heartthob rock stars. Said stars looking, talking, and kissing suspiciously like our two medieval heroes.

Wait! That plot sounds vaguely familiar. In my novel, Faerie Fate – to be released in 2010 by The Wild Rose Press – my heroine is sent back to 10th century Ireland to "get it right" with the love of her lives, clann chief Ciaran McDermot. Yes. You read that right. Lives. The books in my Tír Nan Óg trilogy deal not only with the Tuatha De Danaan (the faeries of Irish mythology), but with reincarnation and finding true love life after life.

Where is the best tourist spot in your town?

This is Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains. A lot depends on your tastes. Many people are drawn to Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial downtown. We have wonderful museums – art and historical, a water park and a theme park, the venerable Frontier City. In the fall, we have football. In the spring, we have…tornadoes. Srsly. Tourists pay money to chase tornadoes. I mean…dude! How stupid is that? We have wonderful historic districts, too. And restaurants. Bricktown is the place to be for nightly entertainment, plus we have Triple A baseball and the OKC Thunder, our NBA team. The Oklahoma Museum of Art has an incredible collection of blown glass by the renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. The Western Heritage Museum houses an extensive collection of western art and sculpture. The Oklahoma Heritage Center provides a glimpse into the state’s past. I could go on and on. The Zoo. Remington Park Race Track. The Firefighters Museum. ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, home of the Women’s College World Series.

Did I misread that question? I did, didn’t I? You asked about the best tourist spot. Singular. Sorry. Take your pick. Considering our rather red-neck and unsophisticated reputation, Oklahoma City offers amazing sights, sounds, and tastes.

Why does "I" come before "E" except after "C"?

Wait. Is this a trick question? You know, like “There is no I in TEAM”? Or, shall we sing it altogether now? M-I-C “See you later” K-E-Y “Why? Because we like you!” M-O-U-S-E. That doesn’t quite fit either. *blink* What do you mean you have no idea what that song is? Didn’t you ever watch the Mickey Mouse Club? With Annette Funicello? Oh. Right. We’re back to that “older than dirt” thing.

Okay. Best answer. “I” comes before “E” except after “C” because some old dude in robes and a long beard (who faintly resembles Richard Harris as Dumbledore) decided to play with our minds and create English as a first language. English is such a mongrel of other languages I am absolutely amazed on a daily basis that we can write anything at all and make sense. All the synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, homophones, and other grisly creatures of language usage are designed to drive writers, editors, and readers completely bonkers. As an example, you might check out this Language Lesson. I actually have a "100 Things To Do Before I Die" list and number 42 on that list is "Learn to spell 'ridiculous' without having to look it up." (Yes. I spelled it right, but I had to look it up to be sure I'd spelled it right.)

Still, as a writer, I find language to be a delicious feast for the imagination. Alliteration, adjectives, and adverbs! Oh, my!

How do you drink your coffee?

I came to truly appreciate coffee late in life – my thirties, in fact. Newly married at the time, my husband was a coffee drinker. Back then, I drank it with a lot of milk and sugar. Accompanying him on a business trip to New Orleans, I spent a morning at Café du Monde drinking café au lait and pigging out on beignets while he was in meetings. It was…orgasmic. Really. *points to answer to first question* Coffee is now my preferred drink of choice. Year round. In the summer, I’ll add crushed ice. And chocolate. Mmmm. The rest of the time, café au lait with a bit of Splenda® is my IV drip of choice from my first cup of the morning throughout my day. Being a lazy sort, I simply put my light soy milk in a large, plastic travel cup, zap it in the microwave, add sweet and coffee. I sip while I write, guzzle when I’m blocked, refill often. My husband teases and says the only exercise I get is trudging back and forth from my computer to the kitchen for refills. Coffee is my BFF. Truly, madly. *nods*

You gotta, just GOTTA go read Silver's bio. It's a hoot. Srsly.

http://www.silverjames.com
MySpace - Silver James Romance
Silver James at Live Journal

What, When, Where, Why and How with Vivi Andrews

Give a huge HOWDY to Vivi Andrews -- a funny lady with a great taste in jokes.

What is your favorite joke?

I am a huge nerd. My favorite joke is a philosophy joke. You know how Rene Descartes is famous for the phrase I think, therefore I am? Well, my favorite joke goes like this: So, Descartes walks into a bar and the bartender says to him, “Hey, Rene, you want a beer?” and Descartes says, “I think not.” And then poof! He disappears. Hee, hee, hee. That one kills me.


When you were young, what did you do?

Do you mean, like, what did I do for a living when I was younger? Because a better question might be what didn’t I do. I think I’ve held every job known to man. Or do you mean “what did you do” as in what kind of games did I play when I was really young? I will confess right now that I used to make up character sketches for my Playmobile toys and write them in Hello Kitty notebooks. I’ve been writing stories since I learned to write. Or was there a third meaning to the question? I think I’m still pretty young, so does that mean you want to know what I’m doing right now? But I fully intend to be young-at-heart for the rest of my life, so are you asking for my entire life plan??? Oh, God! The pressure! My overachiever gene has kicked in and I must answer the question correctly, but I’m not sure I understand the question! Ack! Help! I’m trapped inside my own neurotic need to overanalyze things (which is also something I did when I was young). Trick question!


Where is the best place to have lunch out?

Wherever my friends are. My favorite lunches are always the ones that last for hours, filled with lively conversations and fueled by a dozen refills of Diet Coke. So I guess my favorite place to eat is anywhere that doesn’t kick us out for laughing too loudly. That said, has anyone out there in computer-land ever been to La Madeleine? It’s a chain of walk-up-to-the-counter French bistros with amazing food and this very rustic décor. Je l’aime, baby.


Why have you told a half-truth? See the answer to the second question?

Where I said I wrote in Hello Kitty notebooks? A lie! It was all a lie! You see, the notebooks were really pink and girly and Hello Kitty-esq, but I think they were actually Bonnie Bell or Disney or some other manufacturer of kiddie notepads. The truth is: I don’t remember what kind of notebooks they were, but Hello Kitty would conjure in the reader’s mind the most accurate approximation of the truth, so I lied. Those are the kinds of half-truths I tend to tell. The ones that are based on my own faulty memory and the desire to get the feel of a memory right, rather than the fact of it.


How do you know when to trust someone?

I am gullible. I have a nasty tendency to trust everyone until they prove to be untrustworthy. Everyone is honorable, trustworthy and capable until proven otherwise. The ‘proven otherwise’ part can be depressing, but I try to maintain a sunshine-and-roses outlook on life through it all. Blind optimism is my delusion of choice.

Vivi Andrews is a mild-mannered accounting clerk by day, transforming into the (nearly) superhuman author of paranormal romantic comedies each night. Her debut novella, The Ghost Shrink, the Accidental Gigolo & the Poltergeist Accountant is now available from Samhain Publishing. Vivi currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with a laptop, a worn-out library card, and season tickets to the Seattle Mariners.

Visit Vivi at: www.viviandrews.com
or http://blogspot.viviandrews.com