Friday Free For All - Meet Bianca Swan!

Please help me welcome, BIANCA SWAN!! Yes, I know you love her cover for CELESTIAL SIN. So do I. *wipes drool from chin* I can't wait to read this one!
Bianca has a fabulous post today about Angelic Lore. So pry your gaze from the book cover long enough to scroll down the page.  LOL  And take a moment to find out more about Bianca and all her work at http://www.biancaswanblog.wordpress.com
She promised me there was a BOOK TRAILER for CELESTIAL SIN there;) But if you can't wait, here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAlimgCq0_M
Thanks so much for being her today, Bianca!
*******

I became interested in angelic lore when I started I, Lucifer, written in first person from Lucifer’s point of view.  I did tons of research, even met one evening when I lived in Florida with a Jewish scholar.  I also read The Book of Enoch, which isn’t included in the modern Bible.  I can recommend Enoch as an interesting read.  If you Google the book, you can usually find it on-line as free reading.  Unfortunately, I, Lucifer hasn’t found a home yet, but we are still looking!

The angels mentioned in The Book of Enoch are the Grigori or Watchers.  They fell in love with human women and lost heaven for a “friendship of the thighs”.  There are numerous novels on the market featuring the Grigori, and I won’t go into their story here, but again, they are a very interesting order of angels.  The Grigori are mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, 6.2, “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

In Celestial Sin, my novella from The Wilder Roses, The Wild Rose Press, the hero is Cam-ael, an angel of the Order of the Powers.  These mighty angels patrol the border between Heaven and Hell, guarding against demons.

Cam-ael is also called Camiel and means “he who sees God”.  In occult lore, he is of the nether regions and ranks as a Count Palatine.  When invoked, he appears in the guise of a leopard crouched on a rock.  In the Cabala, Cam-ael is one of the 10 archangels of the Briatic world or Briah (Hebrew, Jewish). This world is the second of the Four worlds of the Kabbalists and referred to the highest created "Archangels", or to Pure Spirits. Another legend speaks of him being in charge of 12,000 angels of destruction.  So, it seems that this angel (like many others) has MPD!

I used the good side of Cam-ael, and I loved him as a hero.   When he arrives on Earth (having been wounded in the Second War in Heaven—the Fallen are trying to beat the loyal angels), he is very innocent of worldly ways but also very wise and kind.  The heroine Essie McBane is a down-to-earth woman who lives on a small farm in North Carolina.

Blurb:

Early on, Essie McBane set her standards high and waited for true love. She never expected the answer to her prayer to literally fall from heaven in the shape of a warrior angel with chestnut curls and a celestial body. As much as she'd love to teach the divine creature a thing or two about sex and lust, can she be responsible for leading him into temptation?

Sinfully handsome Cam-ael, an angel, is wounded in the second war between heaven and hell and plummets into the arms of a beautiful human. But Cam knows he must return eventually, no matter how much he likes the material pleasures of earth. Not to mention the sensual pleasure he's found with Essie.

But when his mortal feelings for Essie draws a demon into the midst, can Cam protect her or will he learn the true meaning of the word sacrifice?

Excerpt:

Whoa, Essie, he’s an angel and a lot younger than you.

His feathers rustled as he unbuckled the fastenings under his arms and bent to place the armor on the floor. What did his ass, hidden by sleek white wings, look like? My, my, he was just too much for a girl to resist. She gave in to temptation, stroked the shiny, soft feathers. He backed into the caress, and a long sigh escaped him.

“That feels incredible.” His voice came husky, and butterflies hatched in her stomach.

It had been a long time since she’d felt belly tugs or the fire of passion licking through her, but when she touched him, the world as she’d known it ceased to exist. He untied the leather tunic and stepped out of it. His wings drooped. He swayed on his feet. She felt guilty as hell, lusting after an angel too weak to stand.

Shakily, he turned to face her. Ginger hair spattered his chest, drew a thin line down his stomach, disappearing in the V-neck of the robe he wore beneath his armor. The loose shirt was thigh-length. The fabric appeared to be linen but with a subtle sheen.

“I’m afraid I can’t remove this.” He lifted a fold of the toga, giving her a tempting glimpse of his upper thigh, very near his cock. “I’m wearing nothing beneath.”

The trailer for Celestial Sin can be seen at Bianca’s Blog.  I invite you to drop by anytime.  I try to post a famous quote each day unless I have a guest blogger.  So come on over and check out the free read and my other novella Hot Spanish Nights!

Thanks, Jennifer, for having me as a guest today.

Friday Free For All - Meet Author Lilly Gayle!

Help me welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author, the talented LILLY GAYLE! She's brought SLIGHTLY TARNISHED, her wonderful Regency novel.

You can learn all about Lilly and her books at www.lillygayle.com or visit her blog at www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com  

Lilly, thanks so much for being here today!
 

1- Was your road to publication a delightful stroll in the park or a tiring jog over hot coals?

I’m going to go with hot coals! I started writing in 1995 when my husband bought our first computer and told me to stop dreaming and start writing. My first attempt at writing was children’s stories. But I realized I loved reading romance novels and should write what I know. I completed my first manuscript in 1997 and it was so horrible, it will never see the light of day. In fact, even if I wanted to share it couldn’t. It was saved on a seven inch floppy in Lotus Works. Lol!. I’ve learned a lot since those days, but they’ve been hard and often expensive lessons. I’ve had two bogus, thieving agents. One legit agent that didn’t work out. And one near miss at publication before finally hooking up with The Wild Rose Press. And now, I have two books in print, Out of the Darkness, a paranormal romance, and Slightly Tarnished, which is my newly released historical. And I have a second historical, Wholesale Husband, set to release on 9/28/11.

2- Do you have critique partners?

I have two fabulous critique partners. Amy Corwin who also writes paranormal and historicals and Andris Bear who writes urban fantasy/paranormal. Amy has several books in print, including Vampire Protector, I Bid One American, Bricklayer’s Helper, and The Vital Principal. Andris is in the process of completing her first manuscript, which I must say, is really good.

3- What music are you listening to lately?

I love classic rock, grunge rock, alternative rock, top 40, and NEW country. And While Bon Jovi is probably my all-time favorite, I’m kind of digging Bruno Mars at the moment.

4- Tell us about your real life romance.

I’ve been married to my husband, John (aka Johnny) for 31 years. We met in a bar and it was love at first sight. We dated the next night and then the week after that, I didn’t come home from college. I had a date with a guy at school that I’d already committed to, but after that weekend, I never went out with anyone else. We met on 1/26/1979. He proposed on 9/7/1979. And we were married on 6/7/80. When I met him, I knew he was the one because he made me laugh. And he had the thickest, darkest hair and most incredible blue eyes I’d ever seen. His eyes are still blue, but his hair is mostly white and silver.

5- Classic Novel you would like to see turned into a movie?

It already was. I love the newest version of The Count of Monte Cristo. I think Jim Caviezel is doll. Probably because of that thick dark hair and those gorgeous blue eyes. Lol!

6- If you were going to cast the hero of your book, what actor would get the part?

I think Jim Caviezel would make the perfect Chad!

Yowza, he's a hottie! I can see why you picked him:)

Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4543

Amazon Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Slightly-Tarnished-Lilly-Gayle/dp/1601549237/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313721516&sr=1-1

 

Free For All Friday - Meet Author Rachel Leigh!

I'm so thrilled to introduce RACHEL LEIGH and to have her here celebrating her latest release, COMING BACK. 
Don't you ladies love the cover?  

You can learn more about Rachel at her website  www.rachelleigh.co.uk

Welcome, Rachel! Thanks so much for being here today :)

   1 -  Where is your favorite place to write?

I am lucky enough to have a log cabin/office at the bottom of my garden which is all mine, yay! It is my haven from the house, hubby and kids where I can go and be surrounded by books and my laptop. I concentrate best here but can just as easily be found on the sofa or at the kitchen table. If I only have half an hour to write I write wherever I am.

         

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

VERY unlikely! I think all writers use people’s stories rather than people in their books. We don’t copy people’s experiences word for word but rather mix up different things we’ve learned about others or ourselves in each character as a way to get our message or feeling across. Does that make sense? Hope so, lol!

3 - What was the best advice you were given leading you to getting published?

Give yourself to permission to write a ‘crappy’ draft – this changed my life, literally. If you just write without stopping, looking back, criticizing, worrying, you will get to the end in an unbelievably quick time. THEN the real work starts but the difference is you have words to make shine rather than a blank page. Try it, it works.

4 - What is your favorite dessert/food?

Dessert – Crème Brulee

Food – Scallops, yum!

5 - Tell us a little about your WIP.

All my characters are British but for my next novella, rather than being set in Britain, this one is set in the Greek island of Zante. The story opens with the British heroine starting a brand new life abroad with the hero giving her the helping hand she needs to get started…the tension between these two should be deemed illegal and I’m the one writing it, lol!

6 - Sweet, Salty or Sweet & Salty?

Sweet

7 - Sneakers, heels or bare foot?

         

          Bare foot in the day…heels always at night ; )

Today is Rachel’s release day and “Coming Back” is available now from The Wild Rose Press, here’s the blurb:

Kelly Hampton loved once...and lost. After two years of looking for Sean McKenzie in other men--and failing miserably--she takes a vow of celibacy. No sex until she finds love. Then Sean strolls back into her bar, reigniting old flames. No one has come close to understanding or satisfying her like he did. Her body burns for the passion they once shared, but her heart still remembers the pain.

Sean escaped Jessop Hill and his father's fists in the middle of the night without a word--even to his love, Kelly--to protect his battered mother, but he never forgot the explosively erotic relationship he left behind. Now his father is dead and Sean is back for the only woman he's ever wanted. Their reunion is full of fire – but can sexual attraction and noble intentions overcome years of heartache or will Kelly walk away to protect her heart this time.

Buy Link:

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=182&products_id=837

Find Rachel here:

www.rachelleigh.co.uk

www.rachelleighromance.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Leigh/266044849655

Free For All Friday - Meet Author Anita Philmar!

Please help me welcome fellow Wild Rose Press author - not to mention fellow historical western author (Yay! Western) - Anita Philmar!
You can learn more about Anita and her work at www.anitaphilmar.com  or http://anitaphilmar.blogspot.com but then come on back for a peek at TEXAS PASSION!


Thanks for being here, Anita:)

 

1. If you were going to cast the hero of your book, what actor would get the part?
Would love Chris Hemsworth from the Thor movie to play the hero in my book "Banished Witch".

I'd even give him private coaching to help him get into the character's head.

 

2. What is your favorite time of year?
     Spring. For some reason this is also when I like my books to start. Love is in the air and everyone is looking for love.

 

3.What music are you listening to lately?

I'm a country music fan. Have been listening to Zac Brown band.  I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand / Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand / Life is good today, life is good today ...

4. What is your favorite dessert/food? 

I like almost all types of food, but my favorite dessert includes something with both nuts and chocolate. (Yum!)

 

5. Tropical or European vacation? 

European if someone else is paying for it. (Hey, book one for me too then!) I always wanted to visit Ireland. 

 

Blurb -

After a long cattle drive to Abilene, Trent McCall just wants to unwind. But in his absence, his father's been making wedding plans...for Trent. The last thing he needs is a spoiled and pampered socialite for a wife. What he needs is a hard drink and a willing woman. An uncomplicated woman who understands a man’s need for release after a hard ride. Good thing he’s got one waiting for him.

Four years back East haven’t changed Catherine Turnberry’s mind. Her heart is set on neighboring rancher, Trent McCall. When an end-of-the-trail party threatens to put him in the arms of another woman, Catherine grabs the bull by the horns. Taking the place of the whore hired to pleasure Trent, she intends to give him a welcome he'll never forget and show him what Texas passion is all about.

Excerpt:

“Well, now, did you think I’d ever arrive?” He shut the door and tossed his hat onto the table by the door. Dark curly hair circled his head, and his dark brown eyes met hers.

“I had no doubt you’d get here eventually.” Her hands shaking, Catherine laid her book on the rocker and tried for a more seductive tone. “But I’d like to know what delayed you.”

One corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked grin, he stepped forward, and then paused. “Wait a second, don’t I know you?”

Catherine nodded and toyed with the knot holding her robe together. Should she shed her robe and try to seduce him first? Or just tell him her name?

He tilted his head slightly, and a frown formed on his lips. The subdued lighting of the lantern didn’t mask the lines marring his brow.

Apprehension slithered over her skin, and a lump the size of Texas grew in her throat. “I…uh…”

“Catherine?”

More of an accusation than a question, her name echoed in her head. “Yes, I…” She edged closer.

He shuffled backward until his back hit the door. “What the hell are you doing here?” His gaze dropped to swell of her breasts, and the cattywhumped expression on his face registered. Clarity filled her head. The man might deny it, but the heat in his eyes proved he found her appealing. Energy pulsed through her, and she untied the knot at her waist. “I decided, since we’re practically engaged, I didn’t want you sleeping with another woman.”

“Whoa, don’t even think about removing that robe.” He held out his hands to stop her, but his tongue slid over his parched lips and the blaze in his eyes sparked higher. Catherine’s confidence grew, and the doubt that had plagued her for the last few hours faded. He might resist, but she’d show him this was what they both wanted.

Anita Philmar

Want to feel more?

Read Anita Philmar.

www.anitaphilmar.com

http://anitaphilmar.blogspot.com