Showing posts with label authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authors. Show all posts

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Free For All Friday - Meet Writer Trish Leger!

Hi everyone! Snap out of that turkey induced coma and welcome my friend and fellow Ass Cheek Angel blogger, Trish Leger. I met Trish in Orlando this summer at the RWA conference. Since then I've been lucky enough to read a part of book 3 from her paranormal romance series, THE AMBER DRUIDS. I loved the uniqueness of her story -- not to mention it's got a great amount of heat;) 
So help me welcome Trish, then take time to visit her website: www.trishfleger.webs.com

Take it away, Trish


            My full name is Trish Finley Leger. I’m married to a wonderfully supportive man, Micah. We have been married for over a year, but have been together for over five years. We live in a small southern Louisiana town called Kinder, home of the Coushatta Casino Resort and the Kinder Yellowjackets!
            Being from the south, you tend to hand on to a few of the clichés that surround you. It is normal for us to ask “What’s your last name?” and “Where are you from?” when we first meet a stranger. It is our informal way of being nosy and getting a good read on what type of person you are.
            We southerners also love to eat, dance and hang out with family and friends, preferably to watch football! We don’t discriminate, be it high school, college or NFL…as long as the mascots are Bayou Bengals (LSU) or they wear the colors black and gold (Geaux Saints!)  J
            I’m just starting a new contemporary romance that will hopefully capture the true down-home feel of the south.

                                                            When did you start writing?
 
To be honest, I wanted to start writing the minute I finished Whitney My Love by Judith McNaught,but I was only 17 and knew I wasn’t ready. So instead I continued to read voraciously, moving through book after book like they were pop quizzes instead of 400 pages novels.  When I finally built up the courage to write something I was married and twenty one years old. Little did I know how much learning I would have to do, not only in the writing department. When my marriage started togo downhill, and then my husband left, I couldn’t bear to write anything. Every thread of anger wept onto the page and the story became a living entity of rage. I put aside the story and never touched it again.Only after meeting Micah was I able to write anything worthy of reading. In the past five years I have written  six books.

What got you interested in your chosen genre?
I will be the first to tell you that I’m a chicken. I hate scary movies and hate being scared, period. So the paranormal genre was an odd choice for me, even to read, but once I started I couldn’t stop. When I write paranormals I still maintain the focus of the relationship between the H/H as central. I don’t let the supernatural overtake the story. That being said, who doesn’t love to read about a seductively arrogant, assertive, and dominant hero? To me, giving the hero a touch of something otherworldly adds to his mystique and makes the readers dissolve with want to read his story. I believe the paranormal genre gives us the best of everything.

What is your perfect writing place?

I would love to tell you that I sit in a log cabin, where a wall of windows overlooks a snow laden valley. The tumble and crackle of logs are my music while I recline on an overstuffed leather sofa and flames from the fireplace heat my feet….yeah, right! I sit on my bed with a million pillows around me. That’s it…nothing fancy, but it works!

Tell us something about your hero that makes women fall in love with him.
 
I think I will go with my favorite Scotsman for this question. His name is Brenan McKinnon. Brenan is an Amber Druid, a human male with an abundance of special abilities. He is amazingly strong, can ease pain and is also telekinetic (can move objects with his mind). He is the epitome of tall, dark and dangerously handsome…he is also a smart ass. One that Jules (his future mate) longs to slap, but also yearns to hold tight to her, so that he can never get away.
Brenan has the insane urge to protect the petite P.I. that is helping him, but knows she won’t allow it. Jules fights the attraction to Brenan with everything she has but ultimately she does give in.
With his wicked smile, deep blue eyes, seductive brogue and protective instinct, what woman wouldn’t want Brenan for herself?
I’ve added an excerpt from Brenan’s book. You can also find more on my website and blog…

***

                Her breath stuttered to a stop but continued when she needed to breathe to stand up. Her nose rasped against his suit and she inhaled, not bothering to hide the fact that she was loving his scent. His hands twitched at her waist and then he slid her even closer as one slow song faded into another.
                Lord, don’t let him stop. It has been so long, so very long since I have felt this alive. I want this to continue all night. Don’t let me mess it up somehow.
                The words chanted through her mind as she continued to sway with him.
                “Do you realize how delicious you look in that gorgeous blue dress, or do I need to explain it with agonizing detail?” Brenan’s deep voice slipped into her ear and it startled her so badly that she stumbled. Thank goodness he was such a great dancer. He was able to keep them both standing upright, even with her mishap.
                The loss for words was never something that had happened to her, only recently since meeting Brenan had she found that it happened all too often. That he thought her dress was sexy was something else for her to be worried about. She hadn’t exactly pulled this specific dress out hoping to please him.
                Yeah, right. Pull the other one Jules.
                Okay, maybe she had. The clean simple lines of the cocktail dress were fabulous with her petite frame and it suited her much better than something frilly and too feminine. A deep cut V offered glimpses of flesh in front and bared her back too, and the length was perfect, long enough to swing around her knees. Silver strapped heels covered her feet and even she had to admit to herself that she couldn’t remember feeling this beautiful in a long time. The fact that she was dancing in Brenan’s arms didn’t hurt either.
                “Thank you” She whispered to his shirtfront. Not trusting herself to look into his eyes.
                One of his hands left her waist and moved along her arm to grasp hers and pull her into a turn. Jules felt the skirt of her dress flare and she bit back a giggle. She felt young and carefree, like a teenager at the prom with the high school quarterback. He pulled her back into his arms while she grinned like a fool.
                “I want to see you smile like that all the time. Is that something that you think can be arranged?” His breath ruffled the hair on the crown of her head. “I don’t care how much it costs, and if I want it badly enough I can make it happen.”
                His ego thrilled her even as her independent side flared with heat.
                “Well sparky, I must say that you are sounding quite convincing.”
                That luscious breath sighed against her head once more and she barely controlled the shiver that worked through her system. “Lass, you have no idea how convincing I can be.”
                Her blood practically boiled at that statement.
***


What are you working on now?
 
Right now I’m focusing on a straight contemporary set in South Louisiana. Here is a brief synopsis….
 Jake Warren is the owner of a construction company that is hired to build a new hotel. Jenna Magill is the woman that is supervising the construction. But Jenna is a yank, an outsider to the community. She is hurting emotionally from losing her husband in a tragic accident, and since then she has allowed nothing and no one to come close to climbing her walls. But the sparks are flying whenever these two meet and work together. With her closed off expression and mysterious past she tugs at Jake’s heartstrings. They will have to overcome stereotypes, personal and trust issues before they finally allow themselves to consider taking their relationship beyond business.
I’m really anticipating some high emotions and sizzling scenes from this story. Really can’t wait to see how it plays out.
 ~
Me too;)
Thanks so much for being my guest, Trish! 
Stop by Trish's site to read more about this great series! www.trishfleger.webs.com

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

That's Hot Thursday!

Today I'm going to brag about BLACKMAILED, a smokin' hot erotic romance written by my friend, AnnMarie McKenna. If you haven't read any of AnnMarie's work, I would suggest this particular novel as a good starting point. Why? Well, let me count the reasons:
1. Two for the price of one. Heroes that is :) Cole and Tyler are perfect examples of alpha males. Ummm, did I mention BLACKMAILED is a menage story???
2. Excellent secondary characters. One you can love and a couple you can hate.
3. Sex that will make you (pleasantly) squirm!
4. A happy ending for all three main characters.
I for one don't like to become invested in a menage romance just to have the "third wheel" be written off in the end just for the sake of a traditional happily ever after. I don't need traditional. I'm reading a menage for goodness sake. I think I stepped outside traditional when I bought the book;) Ms. McKenna delivers a great ending without kicking anyone to the curb in the last chapter.

So if you're looking for a great hot read, try BLACKMAILED today. It's available in both print and e-book, published by Samhain Publishing. http://www.samhainpublishing.com/
Or visit Ms. McKenna : http://www.annmariemckenna.com/

Happy Reading!

Monday, October 11, 2010

True Facts Tuesday -- Victorian Toothpowder

 
Even though toothpowder was available commercially, many frugal Victorians chose to make their own. The information I     found covered about 35 years, but it doesn't appear the recipes became any more appealing.

In 1832 (More Regency than Victorian, IMO), Mrs. Lydia Child wrote in "The American Frugal Housewife": Honey mixed with pulverized charcoal is said to be excellent to cleanse the teeth and make them very white.

In 1858 these samples were offered in "Enquire Within Upon Everything" (Houlston & Wright, London) :
1 pound prepared chalk, 1 or 2 drams camphor. (I found a definition that stated a dram was an 1/8 of an ounce)

8 drams coral, 8 drams cuttle fish-bone, 8 drams dragon's blood, 8 drams orris root, 8 drams rose pink, 4 drams burnt alum, 4 drams red sanders, 1/2 dram cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and rosewood - all finely ground.

1 pound powdered cuttlefish, 2 ounces powdered myrrh.

In the 1864 "Treastis on Pharmacy" the formula for toothpowder was as follows: powdered chalk, powdered myrrh, orris root, and red chalk.

By 1889 Barkham Burroughs' "Encyclopedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information" offered this: 2 parts of prepared chalk, 1 of Peruvian bark and 1 of hard soap, all finely powdered.

Hmmmmm. Sounds tasty. But I'll think I'll stick to my Crest. How about you?
I hope this is helpful in your writing :)
                              

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

True Facts Tuesday - The Language of the Fan

During the mid 1800's fans were a common fashion accessory. Beautiful, beaded, flowered, feathered..........but much, much more. Fans were the instrument of a secret language. A woman could use her fan to signal a man, the being message anything from Follow Me to I Hate You. It was like texting for the Victorians! Below are a few examples of the meanings.

Carrying Fan in Right Hand in Front of Face:  Follow Me
Carrying Fan in Left Hand in Front of Face:  Desirous of Acquaintance
Twirling in the Left Hand: We Are Being Watched
Twirling in the Right Hand: I Love Another
Drawing Across the Cheek: I Love You
Presented Shut: Do You Love Me?
Drawing Across the Eyes: I Am Sorry
Letting Rest on Right Cheek: Yes
Letting Rest on Left Cheek: No
                                              Fanning Slowly: I Am Married
                                              Fanning Quickly: I Am Engaged
                                              With Handle to Lips: Kiss Me
                                             
These are just a few of meanings I thought were interesting. Can't you just imagine candlelit ballrooms, long silk gowns, stolen moments, stolen kisses. Makes you want to buy a fan and signal your lover doesn't it?


Info from: "Secrets of Life Unveiled" by Daniel R. Shafer (pub. 1877)

Monday, September 27, 2010

It Happened!

The day all aspiring writers wait for, pray for, offer their first-born child to the publishing gods for, happened. Friday I signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for my Golden Heart manuscript, RAFE'S REDEMPTION!! It will be part of their Scarlet Rose line. I don't have a release date yet, but I will keep all of you updated.
The excitement surpasses the day I got the Golden Heart Contest call -- and I was trembling that day.
So tell me about a day you will always remember in your journey to publication! I'd love to hear from you:)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Contest Diva. Does this describe you?

I guess I've got contest-on-the-brain because I'm helping my chapter with *shamless plug coming....now* The Gateway to the Best contest, info @ http://www.morwa.org/
Because of my involvement, I've been noticing all the contest opportunities as they appear on loops etc. It's made me wonder how many of you enter more than one contest a year. More than two? More than five? Ten? (Your secret is safe with me) LOL
Anyway, if you do enter contests on a regular basis, what interests you most in any given contest? Is it the feedback? Or do you enter because of a particular editor/agent judge?  And do you have certain contests that you enter every year?
I'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Enough with the Weather Already...........

Where are the Hot Guys?? Right? Right!

I honestly can't believe I made it this long without putting up some "inspiration". Here are two GORGEOUS men who are currently inspiring me to write.  

On the left is Theo Theodoridis, a Greek fashion model. I've listed his website below because I promise you, it is worth looking at ;) Be advised, you will need something cool to drink while you peruse his site. And you should probably sit down. And plug in a fan.                        

http://www.theodoro.eu/

On the right is my favorite musician, Jake Owen. His latest music video, TELL ME, made for perfect inspiration because in it he plays a lawman, and the hero in my work-in-progress is a lawman.  Here's the link to the video from YouTube. (You already plugged in the fan. Might as well give it a workout.)   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtH6zs-yt4Y&feature=av2e

So when you write, who inspires you? Do you have an actual image or just a mental image of the perfect hero?
I'd love to hear from you!

*Images via:  http://photobucket.com/images/search/*

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Welcome!

Warm days, cool nights and hot guys .........these are a few of my favorite things. No, I won't break out into "Sound of Music" soundtrack, but since we have 100 degree weather here I guess I'm looking forward to Fall. I love the leaves changing and the crisp bite in the air. I always want to write more in the Fall.
** Besides, hot guys are never out-of-season :) **

So do you have a favorite time of year to write? Or maybe a certain time of year when you feel more inspired to write?

I'd love to hear from you!