Win a free PDF copy of Just an Average Vampire!

Yeah! It's finally Friday folks and I'm in an awesome mood. Not that I'm never in a great mood, it's just that Fridays marks the end of the work week for me. I'm just so happy to be away from the crazy house!  I do a little happy dance when shutting down my computer. Oh, wait a minute. Damn, i do a happy dance every day at five o'clock when shutting my computer down. ha ha

Anyway, I'd like to invite you over to Fang-tastic Books where you can read blurbs of all my latest releases. Leave a comment on that post and you'll have an awesome chance of receiving Just an Average Vampire in PDF format for free! I enjoyed writing all my books, but this latest release I hold very close to my heart. Maybe it's because Cecil has nothing but unconditional love for Trina. *sigh* 

Looking forward to seeing you over there, don't be shy!

http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/win-copy-of-just-average-vampire-by.html 

Author Spotlight on Annie Nicholas

Hello! Please welcome Annie Nicholas.
CK: When did you launch your writing career?

AN:  I started writing the summer of 2008. It started out as a hobby to occupy my mind when I was house bound for a few months due to illness. I found a great critique group online who encouraged me to submit my manuscripts. The rest is history.


CK: That sounds familiar. Writing definitely will keep your mind occupied. What prompted you to write about vampires?

AN: I’ve always loved vampires. Even as a little girl I was fascinated by them. The best kind of stories are ones you love to write so that’s what I did. It wasn’t difficult to world build because these vampires had lived in my head for years.
Nosferatu vampires have been an interest of mine and I developed a government with political intrigue around this race. Never a dull moment.


CK: Ditto on that. I'm a vampire lover myself. Where did you submit your first story?

AN: The Omegas was the first story I finished and it got accepted at Lyrical Press. I combined my own nerdy past with the paranormal in this story and found something spectacular. My very own geeky werewolf pack who hires, of course, a Nosferatu vampire to teach them how to fight.

CK: I love the awesome book covers. I have never read any of your books, but they are definitely on my list. How do you fit writing into your busy schedule?

AN: Every free moment I have. Breaks at work, between kids schedule, and after their bedtime. I gave up most of my TV time as well but love every moment of it. I carry a note pad in my purse and write my first draft long hand whenever a moment arises.


CK: What are the pros and cons of being a published author? 

AN: Pros: I’ve met people who are as passionate about story telling as I am, made some great friends, and have people who want to read my books.

Cons: I have to promote, which feels like I’m jumping up and down shouting, ‘Look at me, look at me.’ It doesn’t feel comfortable. I wish there was an easier way to let readers know about new books and authors.


CK: You know, I can relate about the promotion aspect of being an author. This is why I decided to invite authors to my blog Annie. Honestly, I'm not much of a blogger, and one day I looked a my blog and decided I needed to do something different. Also, please tell us about your most recent project.

AN: The Alpha will be released in June from Lyrical Press. It is the second book after The Omegas where Eric, the new Alpha of Chicago, is about to get a little Spice in his life.

I just completed the manuscript for the book after BAIT. Another vampire thriller with Connie Bence.

CK: Awesome, a vampire thriller. What method of research do you utilize?

AN: My writing doesn’t require much research. I usually read about the cities I’ll be writing about. Key areas and sites, street names, some restaurants or clubs to keep real.


CK: Where do you see yourself two years from now?

AN: That’s a hard question. I hope to have an agent by then. I’d be happy with just that.


CK:  What are your hobbies?

AN: I garden both flowers and vegetables. Otherwise, I don’t have time for much else.


CK: How do you unwind?

AN: A hot bath, a good book, and a big glass of wine. I try to do this at least once of week.


CK: Do you mold your characters strictly from imagination or from those you cross paths with in everyday life?

AN: Completely from my imagination. It takes time. They don’t always introduce themselves as whole at once. I’ve been trying to meet my hero of my next manuscript. I know his personality but can’t picture how he’ll look. I can’t start writing it until he reveals himself.


CK: What are your favorite paranormal creatures? Pick two please.

AN: Vampires. Bet that shocked you. LOL

Second one is hard, I have a thing for urban wizards.

CK: LOL, you must tell me more of these urban wizards. Where can you be found on the internet?

AN: You can find me on Twitter- @annienicholas Facebook

http://www.annienicholas.com/

http://annienicholas.blogspot.com/

http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/ (Mondays only)


CK: Annie Nicholas, thank you so much for sharing. It was awesome having you here today! Next time, we need to speak of those wizards. ; )

Heroine Sleeping With Another

I've been meaning to post this for the past couple of days, but it has been slipping my mind. I'm curious to know what readers think about the heroine sleeping with another character. I'm working on the sequel to The Beast Within and my heroine, Diana meets up with a rogue vampire elder, Michael. It would be unrealistic to keep Diana faithful to Julian, who BTW she's totally pissed off with at the moment. For those who read the first book and know about that last twist I through in there, what do you think I should do? I'd love to hear some feedback. How can I not let Diana succumb to the deadly, yet handsome Michael Vitello? Oh yeah, Julian and Mike will be scrapping over Diana. Afterwards, i'll throw in another conflict, resulting Diana's move to The City of Angels. I promise to give Diana and Julian a HEA. ; )

CK

Author Spotlight With J. Hali Steele

Hello everyone! Please welcome J. Hali Steele!

J. Hali: Hi, Charisma. Thanks for having me. I love to get out of the writer’s cave—I call mine the cat cave--and talk with readers and other authors.


CK: I here ya Cat Lady! You got to get out some time.


When did you become serious about your writing career?


J. Hali: Actually, not until recently by most standards. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and enjoyed penning little stories and writing poetry. But it wasn’t until I attended my first Romantic Times Con that I became serious. I’d played with the idea of attending one for years to meet some of my favorite authors and in 2008 I actually did it. Talk about inspirational! I met so many helpful people, made friends with readers and other aspiring authors. That was the end of my peaceful, easy existence! The bug had bitten me, and it bit hard. I looked for critique groups and found a couple awesome sites. Once I learned the mechanics of writing and polished a few stories I had, I started to submit them and the rest is history as they say.


CK: Ah, poetry. You are gifted indeed. It takes a special someone to write poetry. My hat goes off to you.


I think that’s pretty awesome about attending Romantic Times Con. It sounds inspirational. I need to make the necessary arrangements to attend one this year.


What are the pros and cons as an author of erotic romance?


J. Hali: For me, it continues to be a fun ride. I’ve enjoyed pushing the envelope. The biggest con was I’d heard stories about how erotic romance authors were initially treated for writing in the genre. I started out writing erotic romance, so it’s hard for me to tell if I’m judged any differently for writing it. With groups like the RWA’s Passionate Ink chapter to help pave the way, it’s not been bad for me. Unlike some, in regards to family and friends knowing what I write—I don’t use a pen name, those who know me take it in stride.


CK: Pushing the envelope is the way to go. There is nothing wrong with that.


So, please tell us about your most recent project.


J. Hali: That would be a series I’m working on called the Stonegar. The first book, Stone Cold, has been contracted to Liquid Silver Books and I’m really excited about getting the second one, Stone Dead, accepted after I do some rewrites. I’ve been working on edits and I’m looking forward to readers enjoying the first story real soon. Using mythical Stonehenge, I’ve created a world of statues that come to life. They’re bi-sexual and constantly aroused, so you can imagine the fun I’ve had working with the first two stories which are ménages. The third…I’m not so sure. It may just be one hot romance with a secondary storyline as a ménage.


CK: Oh J. Hali, you have piqued my curiosity with the Stonegar series. BTW, congratulations on that contract.


Out of all the stories written, what are your favorites?

J. Hali: Ooh! Hard question. I think it would have to be Hope in Love. I had to give a lot of thought to how erotic angels would be received before writing it. Glad I did because damn if Ramiel isn’t material for anyone’s knight in shining armor. *grins* But it could be Screwed. I simply love the Purple P Rose character. And, yes, her name evolved from all the purple prose I use in the story which is an erotic satire about a vampyre ménage.


CK: Wahoo! Hope in Love. I was so in love with the cover. I read that book, and it was awesome. I’ve known about Screwed for quite some time, I just haven’t gotten around to purchasing.


Where do you see yourself two years from now?


J. Hali: Writing eBooks for sure!


CK: I’m down with that!


What are your hobbies? How do you unwind?

J. Hali: Gardening is a big love of mine. I find it very relaxing and the end product is worth it. Listening to music, my taste is very eclectic—I like techno tango, blues and opera. That’s pretty much what I use to unwind too. Well, that and a tub full of hot water surrounded by candles and a good glass of wine.


CK: Interesting tastes of music. Sounds like you have a green thumb.


Do you mold your characters strictly from imagination or from those you cross paths with in everyday life?


J. Hali: I’d say from my very vivid and overactive imagination. I won’t say that a few traits of people I know haven’t slithered into a story or two!


CK: LOL


What are your favorite paranormal creatures? Pick two please.


J. Hali: Cat shifters and vamps.

CK: Purrrr You go girl!

Where can you be found on the internet? If possible, please provide all your links. : )


J. Hali: You can find out more about me, my books and my characters at http://www.jhalisteele.com/, http://www.sovereignkind.blogspot.com/, I’m on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/purpleprose, I blog at http://www.paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/ every Friday and http://www.trampyvamps.com/ the 6th of every month.


CK: What is your favorite color?


J. Hali: The color PURPLE! Not fake purple, real PURPLE! lol


CK: What does your ideal man look like??


J. Hali: Ramiel, gray hair and all!


CK: Super HOT! I once knew a man with long gray hair!


Please tell us about your books.


J. Hali: My first contemporary just released at Ellora’s Cave, Rhythm of Love. It’s a story that grew out of my love for Tango and Dancing with the Stars! Here’s the blurb:


Carter Gates, amateur Latin ballroom dancer, is ready to make a move on his sexy new assistant. Bree’s scent intoxicates him, and her lithe body makes it hard to keep his hands to himself. But Carter owns the company and has one rule—hands off the staff. His body isn’t listening.


Bree’s no better off. She has a taste for her new boss, one she can’t quench. Hiding the fact she’s best friends with his partner, and a dancer herself, she slips into a revealing outfit and his arms…just for one night of sexy, hot competition and a highly erotic tango that gives new meaning to “going up in flames”.


Bree’s friend has other ideas—she wants to keep Carter for herself. However, after spending a passionate evening in Carter’s arms, and his bed, Bree wants more. And she’s determined to get it.


Coming April 21st from Ellora’s Cave is Ace of Spades, taken from another passion of mine, the show Poker After Dark. Here’s the blurb:


Ace Spade is a gambler who knows how to handle success and luck—until he meets Rosemary Carino, the new hostess of the gentleman’s club he frequents. He has reasons for keeping his business dealings private but his life quickly spins out of control. Roe’s sexy and curvaceous body stirs a fire in him he can’t extinguish. Ace is consumed with the need to have her in every way possible.


Roe gave up working the pole in topless clubs long ago. Thrust back into the business, she fights to stay out of the clutches of hotter-than-hell Aldan “Ace” Spade. It’s not going to be easy. Her body melts around him, aches to know his intimately. And hiding her past from Ace turns out to be much harder than just stripping off her clothes.


Available at Changeling Press is the Extra Cream and Screwed series. I have two books at Eirelander Publishing, A Panther’s Flight and Clawless. At Ellora’s Cave you can find Hard Case along with those mentioned above.


CK: All very interesting reads. I’ll need to check out Ace of Spades. You Rock J. Hali Steele! Love the name BTW. It possesses a special something, something. ; )


Joann, thank you so much for sharing. It was awesome having you here, and of course your new releases will be added to my TBR pile on Goodreads!

Steamy Excerpt from Just an Average Vampire

Thank God it's Friday!

Check out a steamy excerpt of my newest release, Just an Average Vampire over at The Blackraven's Erotic Cafe!

Have a blessed day!

CK

Author/Publisher Spotlight Jeanie and Jayha of Beautiful Trouble Publishing!

Hello Everyone! Please welcome Jeanie and Jayha of Beautiful Trouble Publishing.

CK: When did you ladies start your writing career?

BTP: Officially? I believe it was a sunny day in 1980 and I was given an assignment by my teacher who said: “Write a story” so I did…it’s been like that ever since but instead of a teacher telling me to write I’ve got this danged thing could a muse who is a bit of a task master and likes to give me urgent ideas that have to be written at 4.02am. But Momma and I have been writing together for…oh how long Momma? I’d like to say a decade but I think it’s more like four years and counting now.

CK: What makes you write for the interracial genre?

BTP: For me it was a natural thing, I’ve been reading since I could form a sentence and the characters always had “Long blonde hair and blue/green eyes and (here’s my favorite bit) alabaster skin” well I had none of those things and I wanted to read about chicks that looked like me and thought like me and knew how to throw a cuss word (or a hundred) out there so that’s why I write and will always write I/R. Momma said to say: “Ditto”.

CK: When did you establish your publishing company?

BTP: [Jeanie] Two years ago. Momma and I were discussing one of our many stories and how we knew no-one would want to touch it because of some references and yet we knew it was one of those stories that had to be published so we went ahead and self-published it and it was awesome that feeling we got the more we talked the more we realized that we were going to have many more stories that traditional E-Book publishers just weren’t going to touch so BTP began to be created.

CK: What prompted you to launch Beautiful Trouble Publishing?

BTP: Momma has experienced rejection that all new writers have to go through – I’ve experienced it in the other types of writing I do in a different way – but having gone through what she had Momma was wanting to get out there and tell these new authors ‘Hey here’s a publishing company that isn’t too big, not ALL about profit and expects to work WITH you to get your story published’ and that’s what BTP is, we want to help that author who is writing such awesome stuff who has been wary of going the traditional E-Book publisher way who wants to get published but doesn’t know how.

CK: What are the pros and cons to owning your own publishing company?

BTP: If we had time before we sure as sh*t don’t now! Lol! Ask us again in 12 months our answer may be different. But the feeling of accomplishing a finished product with an Author who is happy with the WHOLE package is awesome.

CK: Please, tell us about your most recent project.

BTP: [Jeanie] I’ve just released VISCERAL: The Faerie & The Wolf from The Otherworldly Series (with Mommas and Stephanie’s help!) together “Bow down to the Know”, “Treat Kink and be Scary”, “Can’t see the forest for the Tease”

CK: Out of all the stories you’ve written, what two are your favorites?

BTP: [Jeanie] I can’t answer that honestly, I love ALL our stories, combined, Momma is always falls in love with our Hero’s she tries to act casual about it at first but when we’re about half way through the story she’s loving our lead male character like nobody’s business.

CK: Where do you see yourselves two years from now?

BTP: [Jeanie] Building my castle next to Momma’s Mansion Log Cabin on 50 acres of land we’ve bought – possibly have a rugrat which Momma will have commandeered (read: is busy SPOILING) and writing.

CK: What are your hobbies?

BTP: [Jeanie] Getting on Momma’s last nerve…LMAO!

CK: How do you ladies unwind?

BTP: [Jeanie] We create – on the phone, via email chat and watch movies and give our men instructions on how to NOT go missing that particular day.

CK:  Do you mold your characters strictly from imagination or from those you cross paths with in everyday life?

BTP: [Jeanie] Oh yes! Momma and my sisters are always in each character in subtle or OVER the top ways as a writer you can’t help but do that. Momma will tell you that she will use so many of our conversations in our stories (which she has) and whenever she thinks of the characters getting into some kind of craziness she blames it on me when the character is ‘naughty’.

CK: What are your favorite paranormal creatures? Pick two please.

BTP: Wolf shifters and Vampires

CK: Where can you ladies be found on the internet?

BTP: http://www.beautifultroublepublishing.com, http://badazzauthors.blogspot.com, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JeanieandJayha/ 

Ladies, thank you so much for sharing. It was awesome having you here today! I’m adding your books to my TBR pile on Goodreads. All of your books look simply awesome!

Nosferatu, Vampires, Vampyres, The Undead

I'm blogging about my favorite subject over at Midnight Moon Cafe. What is my favorite subject you say? Need you ask?  LOL 

Yes, I've had a hopeless love affair with these dark creatures of the night as long as I can remember. They intrigued me as a child, and they intrigue me even more now, since I can expand upon my most explicit thoughts.

What type of vampire titillates and sizzles your senses? Do you go batty over the classic vampire like Bela Lugosi and Barnabas Collins donning the long black capes? Or do you prefer the Goth vampire of modern times?

I have so many more ideas to cook up and serve in my writings dealing with vampires. I'm currently working on a vampire trilogy. Once I'm halfway through my third book, I promise to share all the details with you.

Shall we journey over to the Midnight Moon Cafe?

Author/Character Interview

Happy Friday Everyone!

J. Hali Steele interviewed Cecil McKagan and I over at Paranormal Romantics. Don't be shy, stop on by and say hello. ; )

Ciao

http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/2010/04/welcome-charisma-knight.html

~New Release ~ Just an Average Vampire~

Everyone, I'm pleased to announce the release of Just an Average Vampire! This is the first contracted story with Amira Press and I feel, one of my best pieces. I'm thrilled to say I've learned a lot. I know there is still much to learn, that is the way it is with writing. You're always learning something. With every piece you write, you look back and do some fine tuning.

I hope you enjoy Just an Average Vampire!

Now Available at http://amirapress.com/


Ciao

Author Interviews

Hello folks, happy April 1st. LOL

Attention all authors, I just wanted to throw it out there; I will be posting weekly author interviews when time permits. When my schedule is running a little tight, they will be bi-weekly interviews. For the most part, I've been taking it easy and writing when I'm in the mood. There are several different WIPs I have been adding to, including a few short stories.

I enjoy reading when I have the time. There are so many fabulous authors I love, and many who have piqued my interest. 

So far I have three wonderful authors lined up. Two out of three have launched their own publishing company. I can't wait to share this with you.


Ciao