Margaret Tanner wants to thank everyone who popped in and left a comment. Margaret said she used her husband's bowl hat (one he hasn't taken off his head since they won the finals) put everyone's name in and she picked a winner. The winner of the free download of her story - Reluctant Father - is.... (drum roll)....

Llona Fridl!!!  Congrats!

Thanks again, Margaret for being my guest!

I want to give a big welcome to my friend, Margaret Tanner!  Margaret, welcome to my blog and thanks for agreeing to let me interview you.


Hi Phyllis, thank you for inviting me to your blog, it has been a pleasure visiting with you. I will award an e-copy of Reluctant Father to one lucky person who leaves a comment.




 Tell us about Margaret Tanner and how you first started writing.

I think have always been a writer. I must have been born with a pen in my hand. The first thing I can remember writing is poetry when I was seven or eight. Sad pathetic little ditties they were too. Then I graduated to short stories and won quite a few competitions. I remember one short story competition I won where the first prize was a stack of singlets and underpants. My Dad and brother were very happy.


After having a few short stories published in newspapers and magazines, a friend introduced me to romance novels. Well, I was hooked. Absolutely addicted. My husband worked nightshift and I spent a lot of time alone, so I read and read. Then I had a light bulb moment. I can write this kind of stuff and I did.

Took me about twenty years of rejection, heartache and revisions to refine my craft enough to get published. My 10th novel, Reluctant Father was recently released by The Wild Rose Press.

Twenty years? Well, I'm glad to know there is someone like me out there. It took me fifteen years. lol  Is there a book that changed your life or made you want to become a writer?

The book or books that stick in my mind was a series of books by an Australian author Mary Grant Bruce. They are known as the Billabong books and were set from the 1890’s through to about 1916. There must have been about 10 books in all. They were about the trials and tribulations of a brother and sister who lived on a cattle station/ranch. Starting out when they were children until they grew up and the brother went off to fight in the 1st World War.

Those stories sound VERY interesting!! If you can go back in time, where would you go?

The American Wild West. I have been a sucker for Cowboys and Westerns for years.

I'm a sucker right along with you, then! (grins) What is your favorite thing about yourself?

My honesty.

I love that answer!! You have so many books out, which is a huge accomplishment, but do you have a favorite? If so, why.

I love all my books, but my favourite would be, Holly And The Millionaire, my one and only published contemporary romance. It might seem strange because I call myself an historical writer, but somehow Holly got under my skin and stayed there. She was a gutsy little fighter whose soldier husband was killed in Iraq and left her with a toddler to support. She didn’t let being dealt a bum hand in the game of life defeat her.


Once again, Margaret, we are a lot a like. I love historical, but some of my favorites are my Contemporaries as well. So what inspired you to write RELUCTANT FATHER?

I really don’t know, it just came to me. It started out as a contemporary romance, but the situations in the story seemed to fit the 1960’s better. And, at the risk of revealing my age, that was my time. The Vietnam War, anti-war demonstrations, mini-skirts (I had good legs in those days), stilettos (and I have the bunions to prove it). They always say you should write what you know. Well, I knew the sixties very well.

This sounds very different from what I've read. Please, tell us about your story.

The heroine in Reluctant Father is Sarah Watson. She is the daughter of an elderly Minister of Religion and loves her bay side home with a passion. She longs to fall in love and have lots of babies, but time is running out for her as she has gynaecological problems that could eventually stop her from conceiving children.


The hero is Jordan Stamford, who owns a building and construction empire. He doesn’t believe in love and lives by the motto “money can buy anything, and everyone has their price.” He comes to Sarah’s bay side home intent on redeveloping it. But Jordan has a dark secret. Because of his tragic childhood he believes he is allergic to children and would reject any that he sired.

Sarah and Jordan are good people but they are so diametrically opposed to each other’s lifestyles, it is an exciting and sometimes traumatic journey for them to get together and live happily ever after.

Margaret, where can readers contact you?

My website: http://www.margarettanner.com/

My publishers are:


The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/margaret-tanner-m-281.html

Whiskey Creek Press http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/

SEXY EXCERPT:


Outside, the black velvet night sky was dotted with millions of twinkling stars, and a fat moon dangled over the ragged coastline. Taking Jordan’s hand, Sarah led him down into the deepest, darkest depth of their garden, where an old trellis walkway had partially collapsed under the weight of honeysuckle and jasmine. Her father hadn’t bothered pruning down here in years. Situated near the back fence, they could hear the waves pounding against the rocks below.

“A little love nest for us,” she whispered, catching hold of his hand, and using her shoulder to clear a path for them. Spreading the blanket on the ground, she sank to her knees, bringing him down with her.


“God, Sarah,” Jordan groaned, burying his face in her throat before taking her lips with a desperate, wanting kiss. They had been deprived of each other for too long, but now their exile was broken. Like a torrent, passion flowed between them as uncontrollable as the wild surf dashing against the cliffs.

His tongue explored her mouth, wanting, taking, tasting all her sweetness but still not satisfied. They knelt on the blanket, clasped together so closely it proved almost impossible to breathe. Jordan feathered kisses on her eyelids, along her jaw, and his tongue started exploring her ear with exquisite darting flicks. He withdrew a little so he could pull her T-shirt over her head, and then his hands worked frantically at her bra.


He groaned, cupping her breasts together so he could suckle both nipples at once. With shaking fingers she undid the buttons on his shirt, eagerly pulling it away from his waistband. She needed to feel his bare skin against hers.


Together they swayed from side to side in a euphoric dance of love. His hard arousal thrust into her thigh, and it thrilled her to know she held such power over him. Perfume from the jasmine wafted on the warm night air, seducing them. It was so dark in their little love nest they could not see each other, relying merely on touch and smell.


Sarah felt Jordan’s breath on her throat as he groaned, “Yes, babe, yes,” when she fumbled with the buckle on his belt. She slid his zipper down and her excitement escalated when she felt the extent of his arousal. Gently she removed his velvet shaft. Cradling it between her fingers, she stroked it with the flat of her thumb so that it hardened even more.


Jordan gasped and groaned with pleasure. “Yes. Oh, God, yes.” He tugged at her jeans, rolling them down over her thighs so she could wriggle out of them, and then he slid her panties down, and his hand slipped between her thighs. His fingers parted the soft, quivering folds of flesh so he could work her until she was ready for him.


It was Sarah’s turn to moan with delight as he stroked her until she felt hot and moist, burning with a need only he could assuage.


“You like that, babe?”

“Yes, yes.” Her senses exploded with heat, her passion spiralling out of control.


“You’ll like this even better.” He rolled on top of her and thrust hard and deep, his shaft slipping easily into her deepest recesses. Her muscles contracted, holding him tight as they rocked together. Jordan brought her to the brink over and over again, until she reached the dizziest heights, the absolute pinnacle of desire and ecstasy. The shattering release when it came left his body slicked with perspiration.


“Jordan, I love you, love you.” Once again tears of emotion sprang to her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.




DAMN!! That was certainly a yummy excerpt! Thanks again Maragret for sharing yourself with us. I've gotten to know you better!

~Phyllis~

I want everyone to give a big hello to K.R. Bailey. I've known her for many years since we met at my RWA Chapter here in Utah. She's a wonderful person and such a good friend.  I've interviewed her, so take a minute and learn more about this awesome writer!




Phyllis: Tell us about yourself.


K.R.: I’m married to my best friend. We live in a rural area near Ogden, Utah, with our yellow lab, Max. I’m grandma to four wonderful grandchildren and another one is expected in August. It’s a little girl, and I’m really excited about the new baby.

I love the mountains and outdoors and every chance we get, we head to our cabin nestled in the shade of the tall aspen trees. My husband calls our mountain retreat, Evening Shade, because it’s shaded every afternoon and evening. We have hummingbirds galore, and I so enjoy watching the little birds flit about. Moose and elk wander in now and then, and we have a small deer that lives under our deck. It’s a wonderful place for us to get away. While my husband works outdoors around our cabin, I can spend my time writing. In fact, I’m at our cabin right now!

When I’m not writing, I’m reading. I’ve always been an avid reader. I love romance and suspense, but I’ll often pick up a western historical too.


Phyllis: Dang, woman! You married the kind of guy most romance writers want. (grins) What/who inspired you to become a writer?

K.R.: I can’t remember when I didn’t love writing. I started doing my own biography years ago. I used to do genealogy with my mother and wrote up historical information about my grandparents and parents. I’ve always kept a journal whenever I’ve traveled describing where I was, what I saw, and how I felt. For years I told my sister someday these journals would come in handy. I started my first novel over twenty-five years ago, but I never finished it. Instead, I got married and let my writing go. When I retired six years ago, I saw an ad for the Utah Chapter Romance Writers of America and told my husband I wanted to join. That got the writing fires going and I love it!


Phyllis: You're right there, K.R. Our RWA Chapter rocks! Describe the perfect day in your world.

K.R.: I start out my day slow as I’m not a morning person. I’ll read the newspaper and sit on our patio and visit with my husband as we enjoy the cool morning air. When he goes to do his chores, I retreat to my office and write. Perfection would be no interruptions for an entire afternoon, just me and my computer and chocolate! And to top it off, it’s always wonderful to be able to put the finishing touches on my last chapter and type “The End”. To make my day perfect, I’d not have to worry about cooking -- yuk! I hate to cook.


Phyllis: K.R. We are more alike than I first expected. I'm not a morning person, either. lol  You have two stories published …Can you tell us a little bit about them?

K.R.: I actually have three stories published. My first story, An Afternoon Tryst, is an erotic short story written under the penname Modeska Rose, and is available through http://www.thewilderroses.com/. My editor says it’s a wickedly naughty story but has a surprisingly delightful ending.

Sensual reads said: An Afternoon Tryst…Marissa and Norm are having problems in their marriage. Unsure how to fix it, Marissa begins an exciting affair with the handsome Cole. With a surprising twist, it actually does a lot to save the marriage. An Afternoon Tryst was a fantastic story. This was truly an enjoyable read.

My second story, My Guardian Angel, is a sweet romance and my first published under the name of K. R. Bailey. It’s available through http://www.thewildrosepress.com/. We lost my mom about eight years ago and I watched my Dad struggle with going on with his life after being married for over sixty years. When he met a lady friend and they started doing things together, they become my inspiration for the hero and heroine in My Guardian Angel. This is a sweet and touching romance where a widow and a widower find love, demonstrating that you are never too old for romance.

Long an Short Reviews said: My Guardian Angel is a touching story that definitely pulls at the heartstrings while entertaining the reader.

My story, Can You Trust A Cowboy? is a sensual story published with Bookstrand Publishing, and was just released in June. The story is based on a lady truck driver. My daughter is a truck driver and her boss says she’s one of the best. When she’d talk about driving, a story started dancing in my head, and she became my inspiration for Tricia Beaumont, the heroine in Can You Trust A Cowboy? She’s always been intrigued with cowboys and who isn’t? So my hero is a cowboy in tight jeans and a Stetson hat. We’ve always teased my daughter about taking over her father’s trucking business so I thought why not make Tricia a business owner as well.



Can You Trust A Cowboy? is my first try at writing romantic suspense. It’s full of spicy love scenes, a strong heroine, a handsome sexy hero, and a unique twist. Can Tricia learn to trust the man in the black Stetson amidst deception and half-truths when violence threatens to destroy her world?


Romance at Heart Magazine said: Can you Trust a Cowboy? has it all …Ms Bailey raises the stakes in Can You Trust A Cowboy? and ups the ante on love. This sassy, sexy tale is rife with suspense, innuendo and danger. If you love romantic suspense, this is a read you won’t want to miss.


Phyllis: Your stories sound awesome!  If you were stranded on an island for a week … which hero would you like to be stranded with?


K.R.: Gosh, I’d hate to have to pick just one. I’d be happy to be stranded with any one of them.


Norman Cole from An Afternoon Tryst is a kind, tender man who is willing to go outside of his comfort zone to keep the love of his woman. Wouldn’t we all love a man like that?


Joe Bailey from My Guardian Angel is a handsome older man with graying sideburns, a deep love for his family, and the desire to help and protect Emma as she struggles to get through the pain of losing her husband of over twenty years. My kind of hero.


Cowboy Wes from Can You Trust A Cowboy? is cocky and sexy, rich and handsome, and owns his own company. He’s part Sioux and his own man, willing to take a stand for what he wants in life. But he is also tender and loving, the kind of man who would make most any woman swoon.


Phyllis: Okay, so you got me there.  I wouldn't know which one to pick, either.  Does your family support your writing?


K.R.:  For the most part, my family has been supportive. I have to make sure I give my husband plenty of time in my life as we’ve always done most things together. If I get really involved in a story, he tends to feel a bit slighted, but he’s come to accept it’s something I want to do and in fact bought my mini computer just so I can take it with us camping, fishing, and to the cabin. That way, we go together, and he can do what he wants while I write. When I sold my first story, he was so cute about it. It was on my birthday and on my birthday cake he had them put congratulations on your book sale and made a point of letting everyone know how excited he was for me. My sister is probably my most avid fan. She reads everything (somethings more than once), gives me feedback, and is always encouraging me to keep writing. My daughter-in-law is always anxious to read anything I write and is probably my most active marketing person, taking fliers to work and letting everyone know when I have a new story out.



Phyllis: You are such a lucky girl to have that kind of support!  How can readers find your books and contact you?


K.R.: I have a web site: http://krbailey.com/

My blog is: http://krbailey.blogspot.com/

Both have links to where you can find my stories as well as contact information.

My e-mail is: AuthorKRBailey@live.com

My Guardian Angel is available through http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Can You Trust A Cowboy? is available at http://www.bookstrand.com/can-you-trust-a-cowboy

An Afternoon Tryst is available at http://www.thewilderroses.com/

　
Kathy Rochell

writing as K. R. Bailey

Is it me...or are there others out there who are clueless to what the public wants to read?  A year (maybe two) ago I thought Regencies were popular, so I created a three-book (possibly four) series, thinking that publishers and agents were just going to grab my stories and run with them. 




Then after I had the story written and started querying, I began a new story - my very first pirate story!  I knew for sure this one was going to go quickly, because once again, it can be a three book deal. So once this story was completed and I started making the agent rounds with this one, here comes the rejections for my Regency. What???  Why rejections?  I thought Regencies were hot. (and of course you know MY books will have a lot of sexual tension, so they will be hot...or at least sensual. lol) Now, almost another year later, the rejections for my sensual pirate story start pouring in.  Eh?  What's going on?  I thought these topics were hot.  Apparently not...

So then a few months ago, a friend of mine started submitting her Christian romances to publishers...and OMG, they went wild over them. Several agents requested to read her story.  Now she's with a publisher (her book due out the end of this month in fact and will be in major book stores) plus she has another one contracted and one on the way to being contracted.  What's up with that? 

So tell me...who knows what is hot out there and what is not?  HELP ME????

~Phyllis~

I would like to welcome Michele Hart to my blog, and introduce you to a great writer.



Phyllis: Welcome Michele Hart!!  Please tell us about your new release.

Michele: My spicy new Sci-Fi Romance, Mind-Blown, is about an executive of a medical facility named Jon who falls in deep want for his assistant. Holly rebuffs him with a strict policy of not dating coworkers, but her motivations are deeper than just keeping to company rules. Despite her expressed stand against casual time with him, her eyes twinkle when he enters the room. He wants her too much to give up.

Some resolute snooping on Jon’s part nets him a revelation that their employer is testing mind-control techniques on the employees without their permission or notice. His attraction to Holly a little too blinding, Jon commits federal crimes to see if he could bring down her high walls with a few subliminal cannonballs. It ends in a way no one saw coming, least of all, Jon and Holly. And it affects the entire nation.


Phyllis: OMG, Michele!  This sounds like a great plot - one that will keep people turning the pages.  (and the cover is awesome, too!)  What inspired you to write Mind-Blown?

Michele: Two things Recent research on several new and pretty darn distasteful technologies that will soon confront our society. And, my best friend, Alisha Paige (an awesome writer in her own right), who told me about a strange job interview she’d attended that day. Her description of the event sent me into a writing blitz. Thanks, Alisha!



Phyllis: Isn't it funny where ideas come from?  That's cool about Alisha!  Out of all your stories (either written by you or not), who is your favorite hero and why?

Michele: Oh! That feels like two questions!

Of stories others wrote, F. Paul Wilson has a character named Repairman Jack. He “fixes” things. He’s a hit man for the common people who can’t find justice through normal routes. Repairman Jack was the coolest. I named my favorite hero in my upcoming release, Luminous Nights, after Repairman Jack.

Of all my own stories, I love Jack from Luminous Nights the most. I loved best that his unemotional, single-minded drive to complete his mission recognized his heroine, Rachel, had a few better ideas on how to get it done with a smaller body count. Of course, he had to listen to her when she held an electronic leash around his neck and a laser gun pressed against his temple. And the spears of twenty primitive natives aimed for his chest at her command.

Jon from Mind-Blown did that too, listened to his woman, without the weapon in the temple. Smart guy. Don’t we love men who do that, listen to their better halves without weapons involved? Applause for all those guys.



Phyllis: Oh, I agree with you.  I do love men who do that. (applauds)  So tell me, Michele, what made you become a writer?

Michele: That’s a funny story, really. I owe it to the numb-headedness of a cute and otherwise very intelligent and talented guy. My mate and I were having a big disagreement, and to properly express myself on how very wrong he was, I wrote a story. I gave it to him and, instead of clearly understanding my point of view and admitting his wrongness, he said, “Hey, you’re a pretty good writer.” And thus, it began. He started handing me pop Sci-Fi to read, and I challenged myself to write one. I still love that guy. :-) He continues to entertain me. On our most recent contact, he told me he stands on the street corners of Taiwan, dressed as a superhero named Captain Air, and he asks people not to pollute. What’s not to love? It’s difficult to find his kind.



Phyllis: Oh, he sounds funny!  And I'm grateful he was the one who started your career.  What stories are in your future?

Michele: As of right now, I have the previously mentioned new release, Luminous Nights, coming up in September from Siren-BookStrand. I’m very excited about that. It’s one of my favorite projects. After that, I’m torn between a few different ventures. I have a shapeshifter trilogy already written that I’m considering taking seriously, and I have an idea for a trilogy with two other writers, just one book for me to write, thank goodness. Stories, stories everywhere!



Phyllis: That's great!  I totally relate to 'stories, stories, everywhere'! hahaha  How can your fans get a hold of you? Do you have blogs, website, or a newsletter?

Michele: You can find all that at my web site: http://www.ILoveShapeShifters.com/.

Thanks, Phyllis, for having me as a guest.

Phyllis: You are VERY welcome. It was great to get to know you!  Enjoy your new release and may you have many sales!


Here’s a bite of Mind-Blown:



Jon Paige discovers his employer is developing illicit mind control techniques. He quickly learns how to hijack the system and breaks down his beautiful assistant’s persistent walls. Will Holly forgive him for sneaking into her mind, if she ever learns of it?



Holly Maddox is determined not to dip her pen in the company ink, a policy that’s served her well…until Jon comes along. He steals her mind when he’s in the room, weakens her fortitude with every flash of his flirty eyes and secretive smile. How will she keep herself from falling in love with her boss when he melts her impulse control?



When Jon and Holly decide to sabotage the brain-washing experiments, they learn they’re up against a greater power than they’d bargained for. Doing the right thing risks lives. Will the truth of their beginnings wreck their sizzling affair?

***

Mind-Blown by Michele Hart

Buy Link: http://www.BookStrand.com/mind-blown

Available in e-Book ISBN#: 1-60601-773-X * Soon in Print



Read reviews and hot, action-packed excerpts, watch the book trailer at:

http://www.michelehart.com/b26-book.htm

I want to thank Laurie for being my guest blogger.

Well, out of all the comments and emails, a winner has been randomly selected. The winner of a pdf copy of Laurie Ryan’s newest story, Pirate’s Promise, is...

drum roll please...

...

...

Wendy Phelps!




Congratulations, Wendy. Laurie will contact you via email with your prize.




~Phyllis~

Please welcome a fellow Bookstrand author to my blog. I'm excited to have her as my guest because she writes stories about PIRATES!  Oh baby....my favorite!

Also, Laurie wants to let you know that if you leave a comment, your name will go into a drawing to win her ebook, Pirate's Promise. Just send an email to - laurieryanauthor@gmail.com


Laurie Ryan writes sensual stories of real-life characters thrust into extraordinary situations. 



Inspiration



I’d like to thank Phyllis Campbell for having me here today. It’s release day for Pirate’s Promise, the second of three books in my pirate saga. As I wind down on edits for the third installment, I’m finding myself very nostalgic. It got me to thinking about how this series began mulling around in my brain. Inspiration can come from anywhere. However, my personal belief is that it is triggered by one or more of the five (or six) senses.


Inspiration can be visual. For instance, take this blog. I love the color Phyllis has used here. It’s calming, yet it draws me in. The striations in the background make me feel like I’m traveling to another place. Hmmm. And it makes me think of purple satin sheets. So I make a mental note to use satin sheets in a love scene. Thanks for the idea, Phyllis!

Ideas can be audio-induced. How many times has a song brought you to tears? Or inspired you to write a poem? Or to hug someone? Some songs, like Faith Hill’s This Kiss can remind me to slow down that kiss in a scene. Celine Dion’s I Drove All Night can amp it up and help me remember how far someone will go for love.

The sense of smell is a too-often ignored avenue of inspiration. I can walk through the grocery store, smell the fresh bread baking, and envision some muscle-bound, blond Adonis, elbow deep in dough, kneading away. Of course, then my imagination takes it to the next step and I’m thinking about other things he might knead. About that time, I remember that bakers need to wear hairnets and pop! There goes the illusion. Still, if the idea has merit, it goes into my idea book for a possible future story.


And let’s not forget the sense of taste. There’s a bit in my third book where the hero feeds a bite of deep, dark, sinful chocolate cake to the heroine. Can you envision this?


In real life, touch can invoke a distant memory or a strong desire. When my husband was in the hospital, I couldn’t stop stroking my hand along his back. He said it made him feel taken care of and relaxed. For me, it was reassurance. That memory reminds me of the power of touch and I try to use that in my stories.



For my pirate series, I think the sixth sense, an unconscious thing, kicked in. This series was inspired by a local Tall Ships Festival I attended. Walking amongst those gallant vessels, seeing them raise sail, tasting the tang of the seawater in the air, smelling the oils and polish and canvas, touching the well polished teakwood, and hearing the crews banter back and forth got to me. I knew there was a story here. As it turned out, I found three of them.


I’ve been anxiously waiting for Pirate’s Promise to be released, as it explains why tall, blond, hunky Hawk turned to a life of crime. Sparks fly when his hot tempered attorney, Julia, gets drawn into the mix, her career in jeopardy thanks to his stubborn, single-minded plans.

For more information, feel free to ask a question or visit my website at: http://www.laurieryanauthor.com/