Kat's Blog

Kat's Blog

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Spotlighting Delilah Devlin!



I am so pleased to spotlight Delilah Devlin this week. This woman is a real gem. And the book is a whole collection of gems by Delilah and several other authors. Plus sexy men in kilts.:-)

AVAILABLE OCTOBER 14, 2014

Hot HighlandersEdited by Delilah Devlin
Cleis Press
ISBN-10: 1940550025
ISBN-13: 9781940550022
Format: Trade Paperback
On Sale: October 14, 2014

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Men devoting themselves to their true love through the art of courtly love is the ultimate in romance. Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors is filled with wild knights and Scottish warriors whose courage on the battlefield is outmatched only by their ardor for their ladyloves! Readers will unleash their fantasies of olden days where men wearing heavy armor or thick tartans sent a spirited young maiden’s (or lonely widow’s) heart fluttering. These bravehearts were prized for their physical strength and men were judged for their fierce loyalty and unshakeable honor. Crusaders, highlanders, Normans and Saxons, tournament fighters, vikings, and hunky Mongols astride stallions in search of adventure and love all populate the pages of this steamy read.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

“Pleasure in Surrender” by Delilah Devlin
After the lady of the keep bars her gates to the barbarian the king commands she wed, the half-Viking knight scales the walls of her heart

“Wicked” by Susannah Chapin
The strong-willed daughter of a Scottish Laird learns it isn’t her surrender her father’s most powerful but wounded warrior craves

“The Keeper of the Keys” by Axa Lee
A Briton queen learns to lay aside the household keys of her responsibilities and ask her Saxon warlord husband for what she craves

“The Maiden’s Kiss” by Layla Chase
A Viking warrior tempts fate and his own control when an Icelandic maiden asks to be tutored in the art of kissing

“My Loveliest Vision” by Renee Luke
Despite a daunting affliction, the lady of the keep will protect her father’s holdings from a resolute knight come to claim what he was promised

“The Invasion of Nefyn” by Lizzie Ashworth
A Briton woman risks rape and death at the hands of invading Saxons in hopes of a visit from her warrior husband

“The Promise of Memory” by Regina Kammer
A Roman slave finds freedom in fantasies of a knight in the imperial guard—a warrior who evokes memories of a long lost love

“On My Honor” by Beatrix Ellroy
When a wounded knight is offered sanctuary by a widowed healer, the pleasure she also offers may strain his honor

“A Hawk in Flight” by Connie Wilkins
The Lady of Aragotsotn paid tribute to the Mongol conqueror to save her people, but her falcon-fierce heart remains undefeated—though it might be won

“To Love a King’s Man” by Emma Jay
At the Highland Games of 1589, a young widow risks all for a chance to win the love of a bastard favored by the king

“The Bodyguard” by Jacqueline Brocker
As a ninja stalks through the palace corridors, the daughter of a samurai lord is drawn to her wounded, pensive bodyguard

“Broken Vows” by Anya Richards
A marriage of convenience leads to most inconvenient desires and a threat to one knight’s immortal soul

“Poetry and Amber” by Axa Lee
A mighty passion ignites along the Volga River between a Celtic witch and the Rus king to whom she’s been traded

“The Squire” by Cela Winter
While traveling in France, a knight’s secretive new squire makes him question everything he knows about himself

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Delilah Devlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of erotica and erotic romance. She has published over a hundred thirty erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths, and is published by Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Harlequin Spice, HarperCollins: Mischief, Kensington, Montlake, Running Press, and Samhain Publishing. In May 2014, she adds Grand Central to her list of publishers when Her Only Desire releases!
Her short stories have appeared in multiple Cleis Press collections, including Lesbian CowboysGirl CrushFairy Tale LustLesbian LustPassionLesbian CopsDream Lover,Carnal MachinesBest Erotic Romance (2012)Suite Encounters, Girl FeverGirls Who ScoreDuty and Desire and Best Lesbian Romance of 2013. For Cleis Press, she edited 2011’s Girls Who Bite, and 2012’s She Shifters and Cowboy Lust. In 2013, she addedSmokin’ Hot Firemen and High Octane Heroes.

Delilah DevlinNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Get in bed with Delilah. Everyone else has!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors – Cleis Press, Coming October!  
His Every Fantasy
 – Forever Yours, Available Now 
Hot Alpha Heroes 
– Boxed set, Available Now *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Spotlight!



The summer bash is over but I've decided to continue the fun with author spotlights. The first spotlight is the very talented Heather Greenis. Hi Heather.:-)



1: How did you start writing?
My husband suggested I write. I have an active imagination and active dreams. I combine the two and the words flow.

2: What is the one thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy?
it’s a creative release. An outlet for my wandering mind.
Least enjoy-like most artists, the marketing. Asking people to buy my product.  Gotta love word of mouth marketing.

3: If you could go back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why?
Three good friends have passed away. I’d love to have a chat with them.  To hear them laugh again.

4: When you write do you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?
I begin with an idea but I allow my imagination to progress the plot.

5: Tell us a bit about your book.
The Natasha Saga is not a typical romance. Its a four part saga that deals with family, love, and values. 
Natasha’s Dream, Diary, Hope, and concludes with Legacy

6: What inspired the story?
I’m an active dreamer, just like my character Keeghan. I combine everything that has happened. I had a dream and couldn’t get the characters out of my mind. My mind began wandering, developing a life for the characters.

7: Is this a series or a stand alone novel?

8: What advice would you give an author just starting out?
Find a publisher. They will help you make your story shine. Don’t quit your day job the minute you sign a contract. It’s a long road without guarantees.

9: How do you balance writing with the demands of everyday life?
I really don’t think about it. I’m fortunate, my husband is amazing.

10: How much research do you do for your writing?
A fair bit.  When I want to include something, I do research to make sure it fits into the time period. How long has something been around. Not to say ooops don’t occur, but hopefully not to many.

11: If you met a genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?
World peace.
More compassion. 
Eliminate greed.
As for the why, I’d like to think these are obvious.

12: What is the one thing about the writing world that most surprised you?
The number of people that think self publishing is a good idea. The number of books on the market the need a good editor.

13: What are you currently working on?
I have two projects in the pipeline. One deals with a young women that must live with the consequences of making one bad decision.  Who hasn’t made at least one bad decision?
The second project is still bullet points. Too early to discuss.
I’m also working on a project that if published, will go under a pseudonym.


14: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
Oh my gosh.  I garden. That takes up a lot of time in the summer. We have over an acre of property.
During the offseason, we travel. It’s a big world and we haven’t scratched the surface.
During the winter, hubby and I both curl. I belong to a competitive team and also play socially.  I manage our junior curlers. I have three other coaches that assist. Last season we had 37 kids ranging in age from 5 -17.  It’s the future of the sport.

15: What is the one thing you’d like people to know about you?
I’m compassionate, and passionate. Don’t piss me off.  : )




5 Bonus Questions

16: What’s your favorite color?  I’m environmental so green.

17: What’s your favorite food?  chocolate

18: Favorite TV show? Depends on my mood
                                    Myth Busters
                                    Criminal Minds
                                   
19: Favorite Movie? - Must Love Dogs.

20: Favorite Song?  - too many to pick one
                        Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
                        I’m Already There - Lonestar
                        Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynrd

                        Sky fall - Adelle

It's been great having you Heather. If anyone else would like to be spotlighted, email me and I'll set you up.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

The Bash Rolls On

Hey! Where's my burger? Darn barbecue thief! Anyway, while I go hunt down the sneak who took my burger, please say hi to Gwen Miller! Welcome to the party Gwen.:-)

1: How did you start writing? 

Believe it or not, I started by writing letters.  One of the earliest contests I won was in sixth grade.  We were planning a field trip to the local dairy and my letter of inquiry to the dairy was chosen to be sent to the dairy.  I then moved to essays, and won a Voice of Democracy contest.  From there I wrote and presented messages, as part of a  student panel to a district PTA gathering, as speaker in our local Methodist Youth Fellowship sunrise service, as Missionary President to monthly church services, and finally as a Retirement Seminar presenter for Federal Employees.  

When I received letters, I noticed how they all asked about what I was doing and never told me what they were doing.  So when I wrote back, I told them.  Sometimes my letters were thirteen pages long!

I was always a reader.  So early in our marriage, I figured maybe, as a stay-at-home mom, I could help with finances through writing stories.  Sorry to say, pay does not accompany rejections slips.  I took several writing courses, but the only thing I actually sold before MuseItUp accepted All Because of Chickens was a crossword puzzle to “Wee Wisdom Magazine.”

2: What is the one thing you most enjoy about writing?

The play of words.  I will often rewrite sentences many times till I get just the words that convey the emotion or atmosphere I am trying to convey.  Oh, not all at once.  But every time I re-read after a cooling off period, I usually come up with a word that gives a better tone to the scene I am trying to create.

Least enjoy?

Besides the rejections slips?  I’d say the re-reading.  I do not mind the constant editing, but by the time a story is published, it has often been re-read maybe fifty times.  I found I actually got sick and tired of reading my own creation!  Maybe this is one of the reasons writers spend so much time reading other writers; the refreshing and rejuvenating it gives.

3: If you could go back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to?

Jesus. 

Why?

I would love to hear His voice, listen to Him laugh, see His miracles, watch Him interact with the children, see His compassion with the sick, look into His eyes, and tell Him I love Him.

4: When you write do you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?

I start with an overall idea.  Then things happen; an act, a word, and expression, or an idea for a scene.  Sometimes this happens over a short period of time, sometimes over years—twenty or thirty.  I often write these down, but I also do a great deal of this in my head before I ever even start to get the project on paper.  But when I do start the actual writing, I will arrange and rearrange scenes and incidents to make them more natural.  I have also had the thrill of experiencing my characters actually “writing the scene” for me.  That’s fun!

5: Tell us a bit about your book.

It’s about twelve year old Sammy who is thrilled that they are moving back to the family homestead and heritage—farming.  But Dad’s ultimatum “…no crops, no animals, no barn…” shows Dad wants nothing to do with farming—either for himself or Sammy.  So why did Dad insist Sammy join a farming club?  When permission slips for Ag club summer projects are due, Sammy defends his project choice with “Technically, Dad, chickens are birds, not animals.”
Sammy’s problems begin with the early arrival of his peeps and the loss of his best pals.  His ingenuity to care for his chicks, make a new friend, and design a compost bin win him a new name.  His biggest challenge—can he butcher, then eat, his roosters?
Summer’s many adventures include solving a mystery, fighting a hawk and being disqualified at the County Fair. 
At the end of the project, has he won…or lost…the thing he wanted most—Dad’s change of heart about farming?

6: What inspired the story?

As an avid reader myself, I was appalled that the boys in our family did not enjoy reading.  That included not only our sons when they were young, but our grandsons.  I thought they might enjoy a “fun,” boy-centered story, centered on our own chicken raising project.  Our project was not connected to an Ag club, but to my love of home canning.

I was an avid canner and liked to do one new thing each year.  A friend of ours introduced me to home-canned chicken, and I wanted to try it.  And what better way than to “grow our own” chickens?  Since we lived in town, my husband fought the idea for a couple years with his winning argument being “We live in the city, they wouldn’t allow it.”  Bless the neighbor who pointed out the city line ran between our house and the neighbor’s; we were the first house in the county.  Needless to say, my husband lost his argument.

When we got the chickens our younger son took them over.  He would even go into their coop (yes it was an a-frame, built by our older son) and watch them lay eggs!  A lot of the happenings are some of our actual experiences, some were stories told to me by our neighbors about their experiences.  And one was based on our daughter’s high school science project with a baby peep.


7: Is this a series or a stand alone novel?

It started out as a stand-alone novel.  But since then I have had several ideas for additional novels growing from the original.  So far, there is one follow-up in progress, with ideas for two to four more.  And, no, I don’t think it will take twenty years to develop the sequels, at least, I hope not!

8: What advice would you give an author just starting out?

Don’t give up.  And develop a filing system early!  Over fifty years, I have bits and pieces written for story ideas—on envelopes, napkins, odd pieces of papers—whatever I could grab.  As these ideas would develop, along came more envelopes, napkins—well you get the picture.  I am currently trying to sort through a big box of pieces and putting them into labeled file folders. 

9: How do you balance writing with the demands of everyday life?

Not very well, actually.  Writing is very time consuming—at least it is for me.  I will spend a good eight to twelve hour day, or maybe a couple days, writing a single two to three thousand word chapter.  My friend, Lois, will read it in—what, less than an hour?—and give me a critique.  If I could just write as fast as she reads!!

Sometimes I resent that I have to sleep, cook, eat, do dishes, weed flowers, clean house, do laundry, shop—you know, live life!

10: How much research do you do for your writing?

Well, so far, I would say not too much.  A lot of All Because of Chickens was just relying on what I knew, although there was a little research.  Over seventy years of living has given me a wealth of resources to draw from.  Its sequels, however, may take a fair amount of research, since I am going to have to rely more on the experience and knowledge of others.

11: If you met a genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?

I haven’t the slightest idea.  There are so many needs in this world, how could I choose?
World peace, healing of the sick, and that the USA would return to putting God first, though would, I believe, be priority.  Then I think everything else would take care of itself.



12: What is the one thing about the writing world that most surprised you?

The comradery between authors, at least the MIU authors.  They are an extended family, eager to help, encourage, sympathize, lift up and pray for each other.  Much different from the cut-throat competition I expected.

13: What are you currently working on?

A light romance, which is almost done; a sequel for Chickens which is half done; and seeking a publisher for a couple finished children’s picture book.  These are the pen and paper (really, computer) ones.  Mentally, I am working on a Young Adult anthology I would like to see become a television series…how’s that for reaching for the stars?...and  a Bible study course.

14: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

Read, visit with family and friends, sew, knit, remodel our home, bake, cook, can, watch movies…oh, a host of things.

15: What is the one thing you’d like people to know about you?

Maybe that I am more than my writing?  I have fond memories of growing up in a small town in a very different era, the thrill of travel, interesting employment, fun hobbies, joys and sorrows, loves and hates.  I love to reminisce and share with those who like to listen. 


5 Bonus Questions

16: What’s your favorite color?

That is difficult.  Color, shades and hues, is something that attracts me, that I delight in.  But if I have to pick one, I would say blue.

17: What’s your favorite food?

I have an eclectic taste in food, too.  Oriental, Italian, old-fashioned regular food…roasts, chicken, stews.  And of course, deserts!  And I love salads.  But I guess I would have to say my most favorite is bread, especially fresh bread.  

18: Favorite TV show?

My all-time favorite is “Murder She Wrote.” That is the one that keeps me writing.  But close behind is “NCIS.”  I even relish the reruns! 



19: Favorite Movie?

This one is harder to pin down.  “Happy Feet,” “Ratatouille,” “While You Were Sleeping,” “Picture Perfect (with Richard Karn),” “Borrowed Hearts,” “Independence Day,” “Hunt for Red October,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “You’ve Got Mail.”  I play my favorites over and over.

20: Favorite Song?

“You Raised Me Up,” has special meaning for me.  It rang in my head constantly as a witness of the prayers for my husband and me while he was in hospital away from home and I was staying with him.  And I love the rhythm of “Deep Calls to Deep.”





MuseItUp Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-because-of-chickens-gl-            miller/1117251890?ean=2940045348300 

Smashwords

itunes by Apple

Omnilit

Scribd
http://www.scribd.com/book/230908162/All-Because-of-Chickens

glmiller456@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Summer Bash Rolls On



This week for the bash is something different. My good friend Sara Jayne Townsend is stopping by and she's talking about cultural displacement. Hi Sara and thanks for being here.:-)





DEALING WITH CULTURAL DISPLACEMENT
By Sara Jayne Townsend

I was ten years old when I moved with my family from the UK to Canada.  To me, this strange new country was like an alien world.  I was told that everyone spoke English, but it sounded like a foreign language and I couldn’t understand what anyone said.  They all told me I had a funny accent.  I thought they were the ones with the funny accent.  They had perplexing words for things.  Their leisure activities were strange.  No one could understand how it could be that I’d never been on a pair of ice skates in my life, and they yelled at me when I played baseball wrong (I was playing rounders, which I thought was the game we were playing.  The equipment is the same but the rules are different).

There were too many changes for me to be able to deal with, at that age, and I rebelled against it by resisting as many changes as possible.  I insisted on spelling things the English way, and at age 11 had an argument with my teacher when he marked incorrect my spelling of ‘tyre’ – which to me was the correct English spelling, not ‘tire’ as the Canadians spelled it.

Only when I moved back to England at age 18, after high school, did I realise how Canadianised I’d become, despite my resistance to becoming so.  People kept asking me what part of the States I was from, despite my being ridiculed in Canada for my ‘funny’ British accent.  And despite feeling that I’d moved back home, I still felt I didn’t really belong.

I found out years later that this feeling of alienation in a different culture is known as cultural displacement.  It’s about more than just speaking with a particular accent.  It’s about the cultural references you grow up with; the shared knowledge that is an inherent part of your childhood.  Canadian kids are all put on ice skates as soon as they learn to walk, and everyone knows how to play baseball by the time they start school.  I came to Canada and entered school in grade five.  It never occurred to anyone that I might not know how to play baseball, or that I might never have been on ice skates before, because these things are such an ingrained part of Canadian culture no one thinks twice about them.

When I created my amateur sleuth Shara Summers, I decided to draw on these feelings of cultural displacement.  Shara has a British mother and a Canadian father; she is British born but has lived in Canada much of her life and has a Canadian identity.  At the start of the first book she is living in Toronto but goes to England because of a family crisis, and she ends up deciding to move back to England permanently.

I always had a notion that throughout the series, Shara will observe those little cultural differences between the two countries she is connected to.  Some of those are down to language (diaper vs nappy; elevator vs lift, etc).  But there are other things too – things you don’t notice when you’re a native of a particular country, but you do if you are an outsider.  The fact that Canadians always take off their shoes when they enter someone’s house – in Britain this is generally not expected.  The fact that when you are on an escalator in London you stand on the right hand side, and if you stand on the left you can expect to get shoved out of the way by someone in a hurry.  The fact that Canadian beer – which the British would define as lager – is always served cold.  Beer in Britain can be ale, which is stronger than lager, brewed differently and generally served at room temperature.  Wedding cakes in Britain are traditionally fruit cake.  Canadians collectively dislike fruit cake and most wedding cakes are sponge.

I dealt with my feelings of cultural displacement by transferring them to my amateur sleuth.  I hope having a foot in both countries makes her unique in the world of amateur sleuths.  In the real world, the person she has the most in common with is me.  But I was always considered a bit odd anyway, in both the countries I am connected to.


I don’t mind these days if people think I’m a bit odd.  The world is all the richer for its differences.


The Issue of Body

I don't normally rant but I can't take it anymore. First, Fox News calls Robin Williams a coward, hoping to use his tragic death for their own political agendas, and now this. Is Fox News just chock full of insensitive creeps?

Now, regardless of your political leanings, whether you support or are against the Obama administration, this is beyond contempt. Most people know that for the duration of her time as first lady, Michele Obama has been a public speaker about the need for better nutrition in our schools to combat obesity. It's a very important cause to her.

Fox news was apparently talking about nutrition in schools and then said Michele is fat and needs to lose weight. WHAT? Are you serious. Check out these two pics of Michele and tell me she's overweight.




I wish I was just mad at Fox but I'm not. This society as a whole is filled with creeps who make women...yes WOMEN...hate themselves. Ashley Judd was publicly persecuted for having a puffy face, Lady Gaga had the press salivating when she put on weight, and frankly every woman on earth is bombarded with the idea that if they aren't a size zero they're fat and ugly and not worth anything.

These two pictures are of me when I was 18. Not bad huh?





I weighed 140 pounds which turned out to be my ideal weight. But I loathed myself and felt fat and ugly. Now looking back I honestly think I looked pretty darn good. But I couldn't see it. I didn't look like Cindy Crawford or Christie Brinkley so therefore I was ugly.

Here's what I look like now.




Yes, I am overweight. I admit it. I weigh 260. But before you judge me and say that's what I get for stuffing my face I don't eat that much. I have hives and the only thing that controls them is a steroid called prednisone. It's horrible stuff with a lot of side effects, one of which is massive weight gain.

And once you've been on it and gained weight you can't seem to lose it no matter what you do. I swim a lot, but I have never lost a pound of the weight the drug has caused me.

However, I can guarantee people who look at me will see only the weight and will snicker and call me names behind my back. It will never occur to them that I and many others aren't overweight due to poor eating habits, but medical issues.

It's easy to judge, but one day it can just as easily be you. And frankly, I think instead of putting women down because we aren't Twiggy, maybe instead we should consider who people are. We aren't our bodies. So stop judging us by them.