Visit the Black Rose Authors

During the month of May at the Black Rose Blog we're talking about rejections and how writers handle them. Stop by as I talk about my first rejection letter and what I learned about good rejections.

Interview at Once Written, Twice Shy

Have you ever met a shy writer? Someone who avoids the spotlight? You know, a person who is much more comfortable blending in with the background instead of jumping into the fray of conversation?

"Well, hello!" [waving a virtual hand in greeting]

Yes, I am a recovering introvert. I've been interviewed today about my introvert tendencies at Once Written, Twice Shy. Stop by and learn how I handle being a shy writer (and bookseller!) and my method for overcoming it.

This blog is a fantastic learning experience, by the way. It is a comfort to discover that I'm not the only shy author out there! I enjoy reading the posts and interviews with other authors. While you're there reading my interview [wink], definitely take the time to read the others. I'm not alone with my bravery in stepping out of my comfort zones! :)

LASR Book of the Week

My book was up against some great competition over the weekend at Long and Short Reviews. The Witch and the Vampire was nominated for Book of the Week. I was notified yesterday that it won!! This is the first contest my book has won and I'm ecstatic! Be sure to check out the fabulous 4.5 book review, too!

In addition to winning the right to display the cool button below, they also created an awesome book trailer for The Witch and the Vampire. This is my very first book trailer and I think it's beautiful!! Check it out! And a huge thanks to everyone who voted! I could not have won if it weren't for your votes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Book of the Week

Here's some exciting news! My book, The Witch and the Vampire, is up for Book of the Week at the Long and Short Reviews! I implore you to stop by, read the reviews and vote. There are some really good books up this week. I'm honored to be among them.

Voting is held Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th. The author of the winning book will earn a custom made book video and a button for their website and blog. 

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/index.htm

Interview: Toni Anderson, Author of Her Sanctuary

Please welcome, Toni Anderson! Thank you for joining me today, Toni! It's lovely to have a chance to ask you a few questions!

         Do you belong to a writing group or other professional organization? Do you feel belonging has benefited your writing? 

      I belong to Romance Writers of America and a Chapter within that organization called ‘Kiss of Death’. I felt a little odd joining at first because I was in the UK and I’m not American. And then I kind of figured out that although it started in the States, in reality, it is now a global organization. They helped me in many ways. I’ve attended two national conferences which have been incredible experiences both personally (meeting other writers, editors and agents) and professionally (meeting writers, editors, agents J and attending workshops). The Kiss of Death Chapter always organizes a conference pre-tour for its members, to Sheriff’s departments, the CIA, State Department, FBI, etc. This year they’re going to the US Coastguard in NYC. The programs they arrange are fantastic. Kiss of Death also run online writing courses designed for people who write mystery and romantic suspense--like me!

2.     

           If you hadn’t become an author, what career path would you have chosen?  

        My career path was pretty set. I was a Fish Biologist/Research Scientist with two Post-doctoral Research Fellowships under my belt. I took a break to have babies and during that break I started writing. After that I was hooked :)

1.      Where is your favorite place to travel? A favorite vacation spot? Have you ever used this place as a setting in one of your stories? 

       This is a tricky question in some ways. When I lived in Scotland I’d have said my favorite vacation spot was France or Australia, but now I’m in Canada I have to say my favorite vacation spot is back home in the UK—Shropshire and Scotland. When not making giant jaunts across the world, we make giant jaunts across Canada. So I guess my favorite new vacation spot would be Bamfield on Vancouver Island. Great remote beautiful part of the world. Peaceful and wild.

And yes, I’ve set stories there. Two in Scotland. One planned for Bamfield. 

1.      What book or author has influenced your writing the most?

It has to be the great Nora Roberts. Perhaps not her prose or her characters precisely, but I love the breadth of her storylines and the fact some often avoids the run-of-the -mill ‘serial killer out to get me’ trope. I’m also a big admirer of her work ethic and her productivity. I strive to be as professional as Nora.

2.      If you could have dinner with 3 people (dead or alive), who would you choose?

3.       Hmm, Nelson Mandela, Bruce Springsteen and Sandra Bullock. These people inspire me and I can imagine we’d share a few laughs. 

Author Biography

Toni Anderson is a former marine biologist who conducted her Ph.D. at the Gatty Marine Laboratory in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland.  She was born and raised in the U.K., but now lives in the Canadian prairies with her husband and two children, living about as far from the ocean as possible. Her stories are set in the stunning locations where she’s been lucky enough to live and work—the blustery east coast of Scotland, the remote isolated mining communities of Northern Labrador, the rugged landscapes of the U.S. and the Red Center of Australia.  She escapes the long brutal Canadian winters by writing Romantic Mystery and Suspense stories.

Toni’s first Romantic Suspense novel, HER SANCTUARY, was released in 2009 and she published two more in 2010, both set in Scotland (SEA OF SUSPICION & STORM WARNING).

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HER SANCTUARY 

Running for her life, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward escapes to Montana with a new identity. She craves peace and solitude, but instead finds handsome rancher Nat Sullivan.

Nat is trying to hold his ailing family together, while struggling to keep the ranch from bankruptcy. The last thing he needs is a beautiful stranger reminding him there is more to life than work.

But Elizabeth isn't what she seems. And when a murderer and rapist track her down to the remote ranch, they all find out about the power of revenge.

Revenge or Redemption...Which would you choose?

ISBN-13: 978-1601544186

ISBN-10: 1601544189

AVAILABLE in print and digital from many online retailers including The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.com

Interview at Emma Lai's blog

Today I'm at Emma Lai's blog. She's interviewed me about writing and my new novella, The Witch and the Vampire. If you have a moment, please stop by and say 'hi'!

I'm being interviewed!

I'm over at Lia Slater's blog today being interviewed! Please stop by and check out her Writers with Sizzle for a chance to win a free e-book copy of my newest release, The Witch and the Vampire.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Myspace Graphics, St. Patrick's Day Graphics at WishAFriend.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Tis like a morn in spring.
With a lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing
When Irish hearts are happy
All the world is bright and gay
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away.

I'm wearing my lucky green shirt today! Did you partake of a Shamrock Shake or some Green Beer? I've passed on both of those, but I do enjoy those tiny Irish potato candies. And to make this St.Patrick's Day even more enjoyable, I'm watching Destination Truth LIVE with Josh Gates investigating Ireland's legendary banshee at Duckett's Grove Castle. As much as I enjoy watching Josh and his crew hunt for mysterious creatures, in this case, I hope he doesn't find it.

Read an E-Book Week

It's been 40 years since the first e-book was created. Yes! Can you believe it? E-books have been around longer than I imagined. I feel late in the game to become addicted to the new trend of reading. Being a lover of the written word, I encourage people to read anything, from cereal boxes to electronic devices and all material in-between. Reading is, in my opinion, the best hobby one could have.

I was unaware until yesterday, that this week is Read an E-Book Week. How did I miss that?? Thankfully, I caught it in time so I grabbed my Sony e-reader and scrolled down my list of books. I've collected many since my husband purchased it for my birthday last year. I selected a book, Angelic by Kelley Armstrong, and began to read. It didn't take me long to realize, I didn't need the excuse of Read an E-book week to pick up this device. In fact, I read from my e-reader at least every day. It's handy to hold while I'm feeding the baby, easy on the eyes while I'm exercising on my elliptical machine, and slim enough to slide into my over-stuffed handbag when I leave the house (after all, I can never go anywhere without something to read!).

And how easy to purchase books!! With a simple click of the button, the book is now mine, instant reading gratification! This is welcome indeed since within the last year and a half, my area has seen two major bookstores close. In fact, the only bookstore left is 45 minutes away (on a good non-traffic day!), and with gas prices increasing my weekly bookstore trip is just not an option for me anymore.

So, in honor of Read an E-Book Week, I'm going to list a few favorite websites where you can find me haunting the virtual bookshelves.

Of course, being a Black Rose author, it would be remiss of me not to mention my absolute favorite e-book garden, The Wild Rose Press. You can find my published books here. My newest e-book was released this week, what perfect e-book timing!

Some other great places are Digi Books Cafe, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, and the Sony E-Reader Bookstore.  Those with Kindles, I know Amazon provides an endless supply of e-books, and Nook lovers, I'm thinking you're aware of Fictionwise. These are just a few. I know there are so many, many more, plenty that I'm not even aware of yet. In fact, maybe you could recommend a few of your favorite places to buy e-books? I'm always looking for new books!

Another favorite hang-out of mine is GoodReads. I find so many great books by joining groups and talking with other members. It's interesting to see what people are reading, what they're saying in their reviews and what they're recommending. I've found lots of new authors by scrolling through my friends' bookshelves.

So, I hope you've found some great e-books to read this week. And, if you missed it (like I almost did) then I encourage you to read an e-book next week, and next month...really, just keep on reading!

Release Day for The Witch and the Vampire

Today is the day! The Witch and the Vampire is now available!

Melora Merriweather is searching for a fellow witch to protect her from a scheming uncle with plans of marriage. When her carriage overturns on her journey, she is rescued by a mysterious man whom she learns is the very person she seeks. But, he’s not the witch she thought he was…

Sebastian Collins should have left for London days ago. Now a snowstorm has trapped him with a woman who has come seeking protection, a woman who intrigues him like no other. And with each passing hour, his hunger for her grows…hunger for her kiss, her caress, and her blood.

(Pages 170) Sensual
word count: 28000

Excerpt:

“You are Sebastian Collins? Of Caldwell House?” she asked. Had she made some horrible mistake? Who knew how old this letter might be? There had been no date written on any of them. Could this have come from a previous owner of the single address she had managed to discover leading her here? But, no, it could not be possible. Her dreams never misled her.

“Indeed, I am,” he answered, relieving her fears. He paused briefly, and then continued, “But there is no Mrs. Collins.”

Comprehension dawned. The blush of embarrassment and dread crept up her neck. To her surprise, Mr. Collins stiffened in agitation.

“I-I am truly sorry,” she stated, suddenly understanding his reaction. At least, now it made sense why Mrs. Collins never entered her dreams. “I had not realized she had passed. I apologize for the grief I have surely inflicted on you.”

“No, no,” he said, with a shake of his head. He appeared to have difficulty speaking for a moment until at last, with a deep breath, he reclaimed his composure. Still, he kept his eyes cast down, toward the fire. “You fail to understand. I have never married.”

Melora stared at him. Confused, she looked again at the letter in her hand. “But the letters…?”
This time, his head snapped up, and he looked in her direction. She inhaled sharply at the sight of his light blue eyes staring at her. Into her. Through her. Sharp. Piercing. As if he searched her soul for the answers to his questions.

And if you haven't read it yet, don't miss the prequel, The Witch and the Wolf, the story of Melora's sister, Lillian Merriweather!

Both are available at The Wild Rose Press! And, if you'd like to learn more about my books, please check out my website.