Experience the Fast Paced Ride of 'Red Ruby Metallic' by Casey Sheridan

Scribal Love Welcomes Casey Sheridan!

Casey Sheridan is an author of erotic fiction and erotic romance. Her newest work Ruby Red Metallic is available from Breathless Press. 




What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


My latest release is titled Ruby Red Metallic. It’s actually the special order color for a Porsche 911 GT2


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


Ruby Red Metallic is about a sexy, smart woman car thief. It’s an erotic novelette.


Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Alaina is the main character. She’s the car thief. I choose her because the idea of a female car thief isn’t often used and because she’s smart, confident and insisted on having a story of her own.


What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)


Definitely the cars. I had so much fun doing the research, especially on the Porsche. It was a challenge to incorporate that knowledge into the story and to make it sexy and erotic. I couldn’t have done so without Alaina.


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


Alaina for sure, for all the reasons I’ve already stated and more. She’s smart, sexy, determined, confident, strong, and isn’t afraid to go after what she wants.


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books?  


No, it isn’t part of a series. 


If not?  Are you considering expanding it?


I was thinking about doing a sequel, but it was just a thought. No concrete decision has been made.


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


No. I am very proud of my story and my character. 


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


I learned it can be a challenge to write a character that is as ultra-confident as Alaina. Since I’m not anywhere near that confident my imagination really had to work at envisioning that level of self-confidence. Pulling it off has given me a boost of confidence.


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  


Breathless Press is my publisher for Ruby Red Metallic. I chose them because I like their cover art, the stories they produce are high quality, and I had heard only good things about them.


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


That’s a hard question to answer. If I had to choose, I would say either Shelli Stevens and/or Nicole North. Neither one knows exactly how much they have helped me or inspired me.


What books are you reading now?  


Right now, I’m reading Silent Partner by Renee Vincent. Next on my list is Unwrap Me by Savannah Chase and A Bit of Rough by Lucy Felthouse.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


I’m working on a contemporary erotic romance tentatively titled Number 69 that will involve a sexy pair of vibrating panties. I’m also doing research for on an erotic sci-fi romance that I haven’t given a title to yet, but it will involve Amazon-like warriors.


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


No, I don’t write full-time. I wish I did. Right now, I work a day time job. Maybe some day I can leave that to devote most of my time to writing.


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I’ve written since I was in about third or fourth grade. I don’t remember how or why I started. It just seemed “right”.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


I love the challenge of writing a good sex scene, it’s what drew me to erotica. Well, there was the dare to write it, but I truly loved the challenge. It isn’t easy weaving together the physical and the emotional parts of sex. Even when the sex is just a one night stand with the mutual understanding of no strings attached, there’s still an emotional impact (negative &/or positive) on one character or the other, maybe both. 


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?


Write every day. Learn as much as you can about your craft. Read submission guidelines carefully and don’t be afraid to ask the publisher questions. Know your boundaries, know which ones you’re willing to push, then push all of them.

*****

Casey Sheridan wrote her first piece of erotica on a dare, and she loved writing it so much she never stopped. Her erotica and erotic romance has been published by Breathless Press and Cobblestone Press, and has appeared on The Erotic Woman, Every Night Erotica, and RSVP-Erotica.


Casey is a member of Passionate Ink, Romance Writers of America, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter of RWA, and Erotic Authors Association.


She loves to read and write, could spend all day in a book store, art museum or chocolate shop, collects teddy bears and unusual perfume bottles. She also enjoys music, cooking and spending time with those she loves. 


Find out more on her website, http://www.casey-sheridan.com.




Thanks Casey for Dropping by!

Shelby Nichols is Your Average American House Wife but After a Run In With A Gunman and Carrots, Her Life Will Never Be the Same! 'Carrots!' by Colleen Helme

Scribal Love Welcomes Colleen Helme

Colleen Helme is an author of romantic fantasy.  Her newest work Carrots is available from CreateSpace. 

Hi tell us a little about yourself.  How long have you been writing?  Do you write full time?

I have been writing for about ten years and try to write at least four hours a day. 

So what is the name of your new book?  And what genre is it in?

Carrots is a contemporary paranormal fantasy. It is a change from my other books because it takes place in our world, but with the twist that the main character can read minds.

Tell us about your new book.  What is it about?

Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber's mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she's lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. 

Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn't suspect any lasting effects until later, when she suddenly 'hears' what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she's bossy and too old to understand them, but that's nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the beautiful redhead at work that he doesn't want her to know? 

As if that isn't enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he's out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt your feelings, but get you killed.

Can you give us an excerpt? 

My life changed that day because I didn’t have any carrots. 

In the late afternoon hours of a beautiful spring day, I was driving home when the dark, threatening clouds finally let loose, and it began to pour. It was April, so rain wasn’t unexpected, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time. All I wanted was to go home and relax, but first I had to make a pit stop at the grocery store to pick up some carrots. I was planning on making chicken soup for dinner, but of course, I didn’t have any carrots, and everyone knows you can’t make chicken soup without carrots.

Luckily, the grocery store was on my way home, but when I pulled into the parking lot, all the good spots were taken. I ended up parking the van so far away that I knew I’d get soaked. I turned off the engine and without the wipers going; I could barely see out the windshield. Did I really need those carrots? I waited a few minutes, but the rain wasn’t letting up, and time was wasting. I’d just have to run for it.

Gathering my courage, I took a deep breath and jumped out of the car, then made a mad dash for the doors. I was nearly there when I came across a massive puddle. With my momentum I couldn’t stop, so I jumped. That was a huge mistake, and the resulting splash sent dirty water halfway up my pants and soaked my shoes. I caught my breath at the sudden wetness and cursed out loud. Not only were my shoes completely drenched, but the splash made it look like I’d wet my pants. 

I grabbed a shopping cart and marched into the store. Now that I’d made it this far, there was no turning back. It didn’t matter that my shoes were squeaking, and water was trickling down my neck. Or that my hair was now plastered to my skull, and water was dripping from my nose. Come hell or high water, I was going to get those blasted carrots.

I got to the produce isle and triumphantly placed the carrots into my cart and stood there, feeling ridiculous. I’d risked life and limb for this? After all I’d been through it was anti-climatic. I wiped the rain from my face and pushed the hair back from my forehead. There had to be something else I needed. 

I suddenly had a hankering for some hostess cupcakes, yummy chocolate goodness with creamy whipped filling inside. Now was my chance to grab a box. I could probably hide them easily enough in the back of the kitchen cupboard with the pots and pans. No one but me would know where they were. While I was at it, why not pick up some more diet cherry coke? I hated to run out, and it never hurt to have extra on hand.

When I reached the check-out, I was feeling lots better. This hadn’t been a wasted trip after all. Sometimes the checker knows what I’m making for dinner from what’s in my cart, but not tonight. She rang up my items; carrots, celery, diet coke, cupcakes, potato chips. Then she gave me one of those knowing looks while she scanned the twizzlers, twinkies, cheetos, and candy bars. With a guilty flush, I quickly explained that most of it was for my kids and their friends. It was the truth, but from her smile, I wasn’t sure she believed me. Maybe I had gone a little overboard in the unhealthy foods department.

As she placed the bags into my shopping cart, somebody screamed. My heart skipped a beat and I flinched when an earsplitting crack came from the area near the bank. I stared in astonished disbelief as a man fell heavily to the floor, blood oozing from his chest. As he fell, he grabbed the rubber mask from the face of the man beside him. The man with the gun. 

Another shot went off, and everyone scattered for cover. Everyone except me. My brain seemed to be moving in slow motion, and I stood there with my mouth open like a dummy. How could something like this be happening in my grocery store? The man with the gun pivoted and saw me staring at him. His eyes blazed with demented zeal and he fired.

Next thing I knew, someone was holding a cloth to my head and murmuring something I couldn’t make out. His face was white, and when he spoke, his voice shook. I tried to ask him what was wrong, but the words just wouldn’t come out of my mouth. What was I doing on the floor? What was that awful noise?

With a surge of recognition, the wailing sirens got louder and louder. That seemed to jolt my senses awake, and I reached for my head. It suddenly hurt. I started to sit up and smashed the potato chip bag with my elbow. The bag exploded and sent chips flying everywhere. 

The man helping me was horrified. I tried to tell him that I hadn’t meant to make such a mess, but he wouldn’t listen. Instead, he kept trying to push me down, but there was no way I wanted to lay my hurting head on those greasy chips. His face turned a bright shade of red before he finally quit trying and left to get help. 

End Excerpt

Are there more books we should look out for?  Say a series or other books you have written?

Yes! This book Carrots is the first in a series. I am currently writing the next Shelby Nichols Adventure titled Fast Money!

I also have two romantic fantasy novels available titled Songbird and Flame of Destiny with a sequel to Flame of Destiny called The Relic coming out September 2011 from Mundania Press.

Who is the publisher and where can we find you on the web?

The publisher is Createspace and Carrots is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and as a KINDLE!

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Carrots-Colleen-Helme/dp/1456414143/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305842052&sr=1-4

Visit my website: http://www.colleenhelme.com for more information and reviews on all my titles.

Email: colleen@colleenhelme.com

I would love to hear from you!

Thanks Clare!

Go On Holiday And Discover Your Sensual Destiny with 'Self's Blossom' by David Russell

Scribal Love Welcomes


David Russell  is an author of romance.     
His recent work, Self’s Blossom, is available from Devine Destinies. 

So where do you hail?  Where are you from?


London UK


What inspired you to write this book? 


Fascination with someone out of reach


Do you have a specific writing style? 


I have an eclectic and adaptable one

What is the name of your recent book?  


Self’s Blossom


And how did you come up with the title? 


The idea of a flower blossoming


What is Self’s Blossom about? 


A woman going on holiday in quest of her sensual destiny. 


What books have influenced your life most? 


William Golding’s The Spire, the poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins


Did you find the idea of having your work published for others to read intimidating?  If yes, why? 


There is always the possibility of someone slamming it (that happened a few times with my work); but then, if you believe in what you’re doing, you can take some flak.  


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


Ben Okri


What books are you reading now? 


Alan Sillitoe’s ‘A Start in Life’


What are your current projects?


I am doing a translation of the Chilean epic poem ‘La Araucana’


Do you find that international audiences are different from your home or native country's audience? 


I think not; a lot of my readership is American


Do you see writing as a career?


In terms of a vocation, yes; in terms of income no. 


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your recent book?


I would have researched the ‘local colour’ more thoroughly. 


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 


Wanting to emulate some of those I read.


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 


Yes; a great deal. If one writes, one struggles to stretch the resources of the language, to look for hidden meanings, to face difficulty.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


Yes; it proves the value of believing in what you are doing. I actually wrote the book 25 years ago. It was rejected and lay dormant until early this millennium when the new wave of publishers, (Desktop and e book) too an interest in it.


Do you have any advice for other writers?


Work hard, face your feelings; confide in friends. Be open to criticism, but never accept one individual’s judgement as final. 


Thank you David for Stopping by!


You can find David on the Web at:


www.devinesdestinies.com; www.britishromancefiction.com

Confront the Dark Evil Behind the 'Flame of Destiny' by Colleen Helme

Scribal Love Welcomes Colleen Helme!

Colleen Helme is an author of Romantic Fantasy.  Her newest work Flame of Destiny is available from Mundania Press. 




What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


Flame of Destiny - This title represents the magic and power of the main character, Callista.


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


It is about a young woman who is determined to find the man responsible for the deaths of her family. This book is a romantic fantasy novel.


How long have you been writing in this genre?


About ten years.


Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Callista and Justin are the main characters. Each of them has something to prove, and they are thrown together by a common cause.


Where did the idea for your book come from?


I actually had a dream that became the catalyst for the story! It evolved into much more, but I still remember it vividly.


In your opinion, what makes a good story?


The story behind the story! It's important to identify your character's motivations because motivations turn into actions that carry your story. It's also important to make an emotional connection to the reader. If the reader doesn't care about your characters, they won't want to read your story.


Can you give us a quick taste of what’s inside?  


In a day when legends are forgotten, a young woman born with a rare gift is thrust from her home. As she flees, the only token she takes is her father's sword, a sword of power that holds the keys to the survival of an entire nation. In a twist of fate, she is saved from certain death by a man whose destiny becomes entwined with her own. With a new sense of her identity, she must confront a dark evil hidden behind an unspeakable secret. This evil threatens to destroy her and the man she has come to love. Will she be strong enough to withstand this power, or will she become the very thing she has sworn to destroy?


Is this book a part of a series?  And if so what can we look for in the future?


Yes! This book has a sequel called The Relic, which is coming out in September 2011 from Mundania Press!


Do you have anything specific you would like to say to your readers?


Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement! It is so exciting to see that my writing has been enjoyed by so many people. As a writer, that's really all you can hope for. That the people who read your work will be glad they spent some time in the worlds and with the characters you created.


Where can we find you on the web?


My website is: http://www.colleenhelme.com
Please email me at: colleen@colleenhelme.com
I would love to hear from you!


Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Flame-Destiny-Colleen-Helme/dp/1594263728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305840293&sr=1-1

Come and Read the Magical Fantasy 'Songbird' by Colleen Helme

Scribal Love Welcomes Colleen Helme!

Colleen Helme is an author of Romantic Fantasy.  Her newest work Songbird is available from Mundania Press. 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?

Songbird is my first published book. The title of the book is the title of the main character who uses magic through her singing voice.

What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?

Songbird is a romantic fantasy novel about a young woman who is captured by the king and used for her magical singing abilities. She will do anything to escape and when Bran, the ambassador from Braemar offers her the opportunity to leave, she can't turn it down. The only catch is, he wants something from her in return. 

Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?

Teya (pronounced Tay-a) is the main character as the Songbird. She has been in captivity for ten years, but has an amazing ability to persevere, even under difficult circumstances. I love the idea of magic coming through the medium of music and how it can influence feelings as well as be used as a weapon.

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)

The coolest part of my book is the fact that Teya and Bran end up sharing a bond between them and how they can use it to help one another. They didn't intend to fall in love, but that is what happened. My favorite scene is close to the end, so I don't want to give it away, but every time I read it, it makes me cry!

Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?

I love them all!

Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books?  

No, although I have thought about writing one about Teya and Bran's great-great grand-daughter!

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I would probably want to expand on Teya and Bran's relationship.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned to keep writing, even when you're not sure what's going to happen. It's amazing how things come together when you do this.

Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  

My publisher is Mundania Press and was so excited when they chose me! I have loved working with my editor and the art department has been fabulous!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I have read so many books, it's hard to just choose one. I have tried to learn something from them all.

What books are you reading now?  

Right now I am reading Fortune and Fate by Sharon Shinn. Also The Sorceress's Orc by Elaine Corvidae. I enjoy reading books with strong female characters.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

I am working on my fifth book, a sequel to Carrots, a contemporary fantasy. I also have plans for another romantic fantasy and have started on the rough draft.

Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?

I try to write at least four hours a day when I can.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I have always loved to read, but in the fantasy genre, I was always disappointed that there wasn't enough romance. After a vivid dream one night, I came up with a great opening scene and decided to try my hand at writing. Several years later, and after a lot of hard work in learning the trade, I was excited to be offered a contract for my books. 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Dialogue used to be hard for me, but I think I'm getting the hang of it now!

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

Learn the craft! Show - don't tell. Don't be afraid to ask for a critique of your writing from someone who knows the craft. It can make the difference between getting published or not. It's okay to re-write - most of the time it comes out even better. Don't give up!

Thanks Colleen for Dropping by!  You can find her on the web at:

http://www.colleenhelme.com

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Songbird-Colleen-Helme/dp/1606592416/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305838904&sr=1-4

Pirates, Romance, Fantasy and a Con? Read the 'Ten Ruby Trick' by Julia Knight!

Julia Knight  is an author of Fantasy and Historicals, both with romance and without.  Her newest work ‘Ten Ruby Trick’  is available from Carina Press. 




So where do you hail?  Where are you from?


I’m a Brit – I was born and brought up in Sussex, UK. 


What inspired you to write this book? 


Two characters popped into my head. They were partners in a con, but pretending they hated each other to make it work, teasing and needling each other because it was more fun that way. I wanted to find out who they were conning, and why. 


Do you have a specific writing style? 


I don’t think so – it varies with what I’m writing. I tend to write a very limited perspective, so the reader only knows what each POV character knows, and I get right into their heads when I can. Other than that, it’s pretty open. 


What is the name of your latest book? 


And how did you come up with the title? Ten Ruby Trick. It’s the name of a con my pirates used to run , and pretty much the first thing I knew about the book. 


What is Ten Ruby Trick about? 


The deep, philosophical answer would be trust and betrayal and the nature of free will. :D But actually it’s pirates and wizards and a con gone wrong. A magical heist caper if you will. 


Here’s the blurb: 


Privateer Van Gast thrills in capturing treasure; delights in pulling off elaborate scams; and has an outrageous reputation with the ladies. But there is only one woman for him: fellow privateer Josie—seductive, brave and unpredictable. He's hoping to make their relationship permanent, until he raids the wrong ship. Now slavers are stalking him, his crew is verging on mutiny and Josie has disappeared. 


When she reappears with a new mark wanting Van Gast's help running the ten ruby trick con, he senses trouble. It seems like Josie has joined up with mage-bound slavers to turn him over to their Master. Van Gast is about to take the biggest risk of all—and find out the true meaning of trust and betrayal.




What books have influenced your life most? 


Ooh loads! I was entranced by the Arthur tales growing up. Lord of the Rings made me swoon at the beautiful use of language. I love some of CJ Cherryh’s books for her complicated, flawed heroes that you can still fall for. Those really made me want to write heroes other people could fall for. I’m still a bit in love with Vanye.


Did you find the idea of having your work published for others to read intimidating?  If yes, why?  If no, why not?  


A bit of both, if I’m honest, There’s always a fear – especially with the first – what if people think it’s awful, or maybe point and laugh? Lol. But it gets easier, especially once you realize, there are people who think my favourite books are rubbish. You can’t please everyone. 


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 


I think CJ Cherryh, for her heroes. With some added Terry Pratchett, because I love a bit of fun in fiction. I want to be Nanny Og when I get older.  


What books are you reading now?


Lots! I just got my first e-reader (yes, I know, shameful. I’ve been reading e-books on my PC up till now.) So I’m running rampage through the Gutenberg Project (out of copyright works, a lot of classics) and spending way too much money at publisher’s sites. I’ve got a CJ CHerryh on the go, a Fritz Lieber, a couple of Carina titles and an SF on the go. 


What are your current projects? 


I’ve recently finished an historical romance-about Vikings. And now I’m back to my pirates for a follow up to Ten Ruby Trick, called Find the Lady. Vikings and pirates-all I need now is ninjas and zombies for the full set. 


Do you find that international audiences are different from your home or native country's audience?  


Yes and no—everyone loves a good story. What I’ve written up till now, I’d say not. I write action adventure with more or less romance in it. Adventure for romance readers, if you will, and I think that translates okay. I’ve certainly had positive responses from both sides of the Pond. But I’ve got a project brewing, a mainstream fantasy that I think will be very much British in tone. Sometimes that translates over to the US, and sometimes not. We’ll see. If I manage to sell it!


Do you see writing as a career? 


Absolutely – but it’s fun too. I treat it seriously, but try to enjoy myself at the same time. 


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? 


Do you know, I don’t think I would. It’s the only thing I’ve ever written that I didn’t harbour secret doubts about. 


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I’ve always had stories running around in my head. It never occurred to me to write them down, until I was struck down with ME. With no energy for anything else, I took to writing to alleviate the boredom. 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


All of it, and that’s why I love it so much. Though when writing a second book in a series, I do struggle with how much of the first to reference etc. 


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 


I want to be a pirate…:D I learnt a lot about pacing, and all different sorts of tension, from the big OMG! The world as I know it is going to end! To the little tensions, the flirty smile, the wanting to do something you know you shouldn’t. 


Do you have any advice for other writers? 


Perseverance is everything. 

Julia, Thanks For Dropping By!


You can find Julia and her work on the web at:

Carina: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/C8656FB6-0CC6-4A0E-BB9E-9789EA4DD7EB/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=B04C32CC-F086-4B28-A510-1483A254C0C5

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Ruby-Trick-ebook/dp/B004GB1T7W

Website http://juliaknight.co.uk

Twitter @Knight_Julia