Hello everyone! I hope you’ve had a pleasant month!! I know I have.

I’m happy to announce that several of my backlist titles are well on their way to being re-released for kindle and several other ebook formats (look for print next year!). You can learn more about them here.

And I have to do a quick thank you to Mandy Roth/Nat Winters for providing such awesome covers!!

And now, please join me in welcoming Shelli!

Shelli Stevens, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Multi-genre author Shelli Stevens might not have been abducted by aliens or raised by a shifter clan, but that doesn’t stop her from creating imaginative paranormal worlds. I had the opportunity to talk with Shelli about her latest erotic paranormal offering, Sexy Beast VII where she delves into a world of were-jaguars to discover what it is that inspires her.

Q: In your book, His to Reclaim from Sexy Beast VII, you delve into the world of shifters. What inspired you to write about this?
Shelli: Well all stories in the Sexy Beast books need to be paranormal. Kate Douglas is in each book in the series with her popular Chanku stories. I was thrilled to be invited to write a story for the Sexy Beast anthology, and it was a great experience for me to plot out this fun capture and reclaiming story, and delve into the world of shifters.

Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Shelli: I really don’t base my shifters on legends or other ‘rules’ from other shifter books, those just make me feel boxed in. I try and just have fun and make up my own world and my own rules.

Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Shelli: I think because it’s the unknown and the fantasy aspect. Authors/Movies humanize these paranormal characters and make us care and become even more drawn to them.

Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Shelli: I love A Haunting on the Discovery channel, and have to confess I do like the Twilight series *wince* Well, until the last couple books. She lost me there.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural?
Shelli: I do believe. Definitely with the paranormal ghost/haunting aspects. Other stuff…not so much. But it’s fascinating to imagine. Hence the escapism of reading it in a book or seeing it in a movie.

Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Shelli: Possibly. On the haunted tour in D.C. last summer, our group was at the last house that was not occupied. Totally creepy, fantastic house with so much history. And as the guide was talking about it, the lights inside flickered. Even he was surprised.

Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a paranormal creature?
Shelli: I’d probably freak out for a few minutes, then interview the heck out of it.

Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?
Shelli: Sigh. No. How boring am I?

Thanks for joining us, Shelli!

You can learn more about Shelli and her books at her website, www.shellistevens.com. Sexy Beast VII is currently at all major bookstores.

Interviewer Michelle M. Pillow is a multi-published, award winning author writing in many romance fiction genres. She can be found at www.michellepillow.com. Paranormal Underground Magazine’s website is here.

(cross-posted from Phantasmic Fiction)

Plotting or pantsing? Ah, the classic debate among writers.

Pansters, or people who write by “flying into the mist” (a.k.a by the seat of their pants) claim that real writers don’t plot; it spoils the fun. Why even do it at all if you already know every word you’re going to write? Besides, a plotter is just a control freak with an organization fetish.

On the other hand, folks who plot say that pantsers write themselves into corners. That their lack of planning ends up costing them re-writes down the road. Pantsing is sloppy; the thrill of making it up as you go along is just a selfish indulgence—an insult to those who take the time and care to plan.

As someone who started out pantsing and switched to plotting, I’m here to tell you that plotting has saved my life. The peace of mind it’s provided is…priceless. No longer do I work in chaos. Everything has a place, and there’s no struggle with plot holes or dead ends. Don’t believe me? Here are some photos to prove my points…

First, here is my office after I became a plotter. Cleanliness is next to godliness…

Color-coordinated sticky notes make for controlled plotting…

The color-coordinated stickies are converted to a neatly typed outline…

Once the outline’s done, that’s it. The book practically writes itself. I never have to go back and make changes to my original perfect plotting. So what’s this big pile of messy notes, you ask? Oh, it might look disorganized to the untrained eye, but it’s, uh, well…

When you’re a plotter, there’s no more staring at the computer screen, wondering what to write next. No struggling with writer’s block or unforeseen plot snags. No distractions…

And just a few short weeks later, the book is complete, exactly how I planned it. And how’s this for something unexpectedly extra: remember that perfect outline a few photos up? Well, a synopsis is now a snap because I haven’t changed a thing since I typed it up when I started. Wasn’t that easy?

So, there you have it. Clearly, plotting is the only way to write. I hope all you pantsers out there have now seen the light, and that I’ve converted you to a better way of writing. Good luck, and God bless.

XOXO,

Jenn

Last year I started doing interviews for Paranormal Underground Magazine. And, of course, I had to hit up my wonderfully talented Bradford Buddies to get into the hot seat. They were great sports and very supportive of my new “gig”! I thought it would be fun to post some of the paranormal Bradford Ladies’ interviews here.

(if you prefer to see the pretty magazine page, you can download them here - click on the author name)

Megan Hart, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow

Fiction author, Megan Hart has published over twenty books since first coming on the book scene in 2002. She writes in several genres of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic and fantasy. Now, she’s adding “alternate historical fantasy romances” to the mix with her newest releases, Pleasure and Purpose (Berkley Sensation, Sept 2009) and No Greater Pleasure (Berkley Sensation, Oct 2009).

When asked about her writing career, Megan humorously stated, “I was born and lived for a while and did some stuff, and then I started writing books. Eventually, some got published. Now I do stuff and write books and whatnot.”

I suspected there might be a little more to it than that and endeavored to find out…

* * * * *

Q: In your book, Pleasure and Purpose you delve into the world of alternate/otherworld history. What inspired you to write about this?

Megan: I’ve always loved writing fantasy. I like making stuff up! Several years ago, the idea of an order devoted to providing peace crept into my mind. The idea of a woman telling a man, “I am your Handmaiden. I am your comfort and your grace”, emerged from some random conglomeration of events (that’s the way most of my stories work) and I slowly built the world from there.

Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?

Megan: Actually, I did. Since The Order of Solace is a religious order I needed to build a faith. I drew heavily from Jewish mysticism – the concept of tikkun olam, in particular, which basically is the idea that at the beginning of the world, vessels containing divine light were broken and the good deeds (mitzvot) we perform here on earth return small pieces of those scattered bits of divine light. When they’re all returned, it will usher in an age of peace. I took that idea and incorporated it into a creation story and gave the Handmaidens their purpose: for every moment of absolute solace they grant their patrons, one more arrow is returned to Sinder’s Quiver (Sinder the being who created the world). Once the quiver’s filled, the Holy Family will return to usher in the age of peace.

Q: What myths or legends inspired you?

Megan: Tikkun Olam, as I said, as well as ideas about karma and fulfillment. Not myths or legends, exactly, I guess.

Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?

Megan: Because no matter how much we try, it seems to be unproveable.

Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?

Megan: I’m a HUGE freak for Supernatural. I love that show so much it hurts. I used to watch the X-Files and still love that. Quantum Leap, Star Trek were also faves along with shows like Night Gallery, Twilight Zone, Tales from the Darkside…basically I love scary stuff and science fiction. Clive Barker, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Robert R. McCammon, Douglas Clegg…

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?

Megan: I absolutely do!

Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

Megan: I believe I’ve seen spirits a few times. And yeah, I was scared. I would like to believe I saw a UFO once but I find it hard to believe I could’ve seen it and nobody else did, since it was hovering over the street. I saw a weird animal up in my tree once and I’m sure it wasn’t a cat! I’m ready and open to the supernatural/paranormal but I know I’d have an unfortunate and embarrassing physical reaction should I ever have anything really scary happen.

Q: Are there any kind of paranormal creatures you wish you could meet?

Megan: Um…none! I’d be askeered, I told ya!

Q: But if you did meet, say a ghost or a vampire, how would you react?

Megan: The time I believe I was in the presence of spirits I was scared. Once I believe I knew the spirit and its purpose so I just closed my eyes and let it do what it wanted, which was to see my child (it was the spirit of a relative who’d died before my daughter was born.) Vampire? I’d probably faint and then I have such low blood pressure and I’m pretty anemic, so maybe it would leave me alone!

Q: What does the future hold for the Handmaiden stories?

Megan: I hope to write more Handmaiden stories and explore more of that world and its history. I also have a lot of love for the paranormal and have a book in the works right now that deals with the dream realm. *fingers crossed for that one* Also have started a book about angels and demons which would seem sort of trendy at the moment even though I started it three years ago…maybe I’ll get to finish it!

Basically, I love writing sf/fantasy and paranormal and I hope to have the chance to continue!

You can learn more about Megan and her books at her websites, www.meganhart.com and www.readinbed.net.

Interviewer Michelle M. Pillow is a multi-published, award winning author writing in many romance fiction genres. She can be found at www.michellepillow.com. Paranormal Underground Magazine’s website is here.

Or at least it’s beginning to feel like it.  And, honestly, I’d rather have the books than the snow. Though apparently I’m going to get both this month. LOL

Every once in awhile in an author’s career–at least in mine–there comes a month where several different publishers decide to release at the same time. This month I’ve had four releases–3 print, 1 ebook. The print is a reprint of the entire Realm Immortal series from Samhain Publishing. Mandy Roth, aka Natalie Winters, did the cover art for the second printing and I am totally thrilled with the look she gave them!

Which one is your favorite? I’ve been getting a lot of emails for all of them, but the unofficial tally is that Stone Queen is in the lead.

Realm Immortal:
1.King of the Unblessed - ebook / print
2. Faery Queen - ebook / print
3. Stone Queen - ebook / print

On the ebook front Divinity Warriors continues with the new alternate reality plane, Divinity Healers: Ariella’s Keeper. This is the first book of the trilogy.

Hope you all had a wonderful Jan! Stay warm!!

December 1 my latest Nocturne story will be out. THE BEWITCHING HOUR is a BITE about Hector Morales of the San Antonio crime lab and he’s come to Necropolis for Lyra and Theron’s wedding. And it just happens he gets the best present…

I hope y’all will check the lastest story of the Valorian Chronicles.

After that there will two more books in the series. The next full length book will be out in July, it’s called THE VAMPIRE’S KISS and then the one after that will be likely October and is called THE WOLF’S HEART.

I’m working on new stuff for Nocturne but sometimes its hard finding the perfect next series to work out. I’ve written 6 Valorian books and it will be both sad and exciting to work on something new.

What would you like to see as a series in Nocturne? What kind of creature? What type of story?

I’m here to talk about the Great Depression.

Mine.

Yup, I’m heading down into a deep dark abyss where everything sucks. I’m tired all the time now, and I’m eating way too much bad food, not exercising, when I was doing it every day and losing weight, and I want to throw myself onto my bed, grab a pillow and sob uncontrollably leaving everything wet and soggy with tears and snot.

Not a pretty picture, I know.

And I know its source, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Sometimes its really hard being a writer. No wonder alcoholism and creativity seem to go hand in hand. I could easily be drunk every day. Maybe it would help.

So I’m looking for ways to ease my suffering. Movies usually help. But lately I haven’t found any good ones. My favorite TV shows also help, but True Blood is done for the season, and BSG is just plain done. Yes, I have them on DVD, but it’s not helping either. And however much I love Dexter its not filling the void either.

I have been buying a lot of books of late as well, hoping one of them will ease my pain. As I’m reading it does, but the second I put it down I’m hurting all over again.

So, I’m reaching out to you dear Bradford Bunch blog readers….

HELP ME!!

What are some of the ways you find comfort? What kinds of movies, or books, or whatnot make you feel better? Any bad foods I should be eating?

Right now I’m learning to adapt in my career and basically in my life since writing is a huge part of it. I’ve recently come to a grinding halt, not of my choice, and now I have to deal with it. It’s been difficult and trying and emotional, and I’ve had more than one teary moment…

It’s been hard. But last night something happened. I realized that there was a big chunk of my love of writing, a big part of my overall dream, that I wasn’t doing anymore. And that’s screenwriting. It came to my notice after I entered a online writing contest on a whim, to see if I could do it, and well I got my scores back from my scene and yes, I CAN DO IT and well if I do say so myself.

So, I’ve decided I’ve been given a gift…the gift of time. And I’m going to use it to rediscover my love for screenwriting…and who knows what may happen. I came close twice 7 years ago to realizing that dream…now I have years of writing experience, industry experience, and contacts. It may be a whole different story this time around…

And speaking of movies, there are a bunch coming out in the next few months based on books. Lots of adaptations going on.

Where the Wild Things Are - beloved children’s book brought to life in live action

Fantastic Mr. Fox - another children’s book coming to the screen, really interested to see what Wes Anderson does with this one

The Men Who Stare at Goats - should be hilarious, George Clooney involved with paranormal research done by the military

Lovely Bones - heartbreaking novel, I’m predicting some Oscar noms with this one

Cirque du Freak - Vampire’s Assistant - I’ve read the book, and it’s pretty dark, but the trailer for this makes it look very light and comedic

New Moon - the Twilight sequel, trailer looks awesome I have to admit

The Road - cannot wait for this, Viggo Mortensen in what is sure to be an Oscar nominated performance

And the one I really can’t wait to see…

Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief

Looking forward to any of these? If you could choose one book to be made into a movie what would it be, and who would star in it?

 I’m kicking the Tour off here today with the fabulous Bradford Bunch – who always know how to throw a party - thank you so much for letting me join you!

 To celebrate the August 25^th release of my Gothic Victorian fantasy debut, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, first in the Strangely Beautiful series, my Haunted London Blog Tour will introduce you to some of the real, documented London haunts who “ghost-star” in the book.

 I’ve had a life-long love for the 19^th century, England and ghosts.  When I first set foot in London, I felt history sweep over me like a strong wind.  Secondly, I felt sure the city was alive not only with the pulsing energy of the living but the restless energy of the dead. When the character of Professor Alexi Rychman and his Guard of spectral police make their rounds, it is to any number of familiar London phantasms.  Since these characters are familiar to The Guard, I don’t get the opportunity to tell their full story in the book.  But these tales are too good not to tell in their full, spooky splendor…

 1. Bloody Bones -50 Berkley Square “The Most Haunted House in London!”

 The Georgian façade of 50 Berkley Square is plain.  But inside, it’s been mayhem, perhaps since its foundations were laid in the 1700s.  In the 19^th century this address was considered by Charles Harper, in his 1907 publication Haunted Houses to be “the Most Haunted House in London!”     

50 Berkeley Square

“…it seems that a Something or Other, very terrible indeed, haunts or did haunt a particular room.  This unnamed Raw Head and Bloody Bones, or whatever it is, has been sufficiently awful to have cause d the death, in convulsions, of at least two fool-hardy persons who have dared to sleep in that chamber…”

 There are several theories as to why the very bricks of this Georgian-style building can cause a palpable shock to the psychically adept, the most chilling is that the lunatic brother of a Mr. Du Pré was once locked up and fed through a hole in a door due to his extremely violent tendencies and his ghost remains therein.  Two deaths have been attributed to the premises. A nobleman died of shock to his system soon after seeing something he couldn’t even speak to describe. Due to the reputation of a hideous entity residing within, the building could not keep tenants.  Strange lights were seen in windows, disembodied screams as well as the sound of a heavy body dragged down the staircase could be heard at night.  The second death occurred when two trespassing sailors awoke to heavy footsteps.  The door of the haunted room flew open and a horrific, formless mass began to overtake them.  One sailor escaped and returned with a policeman, only to find his friend’s corpse impaled on the railings outside, terror on his face.

… Here’s how Berkeley Square makes its “Ghost-appearance” in the The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker:

-

             Entering the dank shadow of a nearby alley, Rebecca sighed. “Fifty Berkeley Square is causing trouble again,” she remarked. As was often the case, she was the first to feel the burning in her veins.

            “The usual? Noises?”

            “Yes, and moving lights. Books ejected from second-story windows, blood dripping from their bindings. It will be rather a mess.”

            Alexi sighed. “Shall we clean it up, then?”

            She shook her head. “Let me handle it.”

            “Rebecca, Bloody Bones is a trial. It’s not a task for you alone.”

            “Alexi, please. You’ve enough to worry about,” she assured him. When he raised an eyebrow, she asked, “You truly think I cannot arraign the subject myself?”

            Alexi was silent.

            “Shall we bet on the matter?”

            Alexi’s lips curved. “Why, Headmistress, you surprise me. I didn’t think you a wagering woman.”

            “You press me to strange deeds, Professor.”

            “Indeed. Well, then: a bottle of my favourite sherry. It shall await me at La Belle et La Bête upon your failure. I do believe Josephine keeps several in stock—perhaps for just such an occasion.”

            Rebecca grimaced. “While I have every faith in my success, I do wish your tastes were less expensive. But, a bottle of sherry it is. And now we’d best get back to Athens.”

            “Should we?” he asked.

            “It is the first day of class, Professor, and you have students to terrify.”

            “Ah yes, so I do.”

—- (End of Excerpt)

My research relies heavily upon Richard Jones, one of the founders of the fabulous London Walks and author of the fantastic compendium “Haunted London” published by Barnes & Noble Books, visit him at www.haunted-london.com.  Come visit me at www.leannareneehieber.com to find out more about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and follow along on the rest of the tour!  There’s a Contest too, so stop by and check out the details. And of course, I hope you’ll pick up The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker at a bookstore near you and that you’ll love it as much as I loved writing it.  

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win a signed copy!  One entry will be drawn randomly at Midnight 8/22 ! (US mail only, please)

Blessings!

Leanna Renee Hieber

www.leannareneehieber.com

www.twitter.com/leannarenee

I can’t believe it’s almost here, the final book of the Elemental Witches series. Witch Fury will release on June 2nd, just three weeks from today.

If you’ve been reading the series, you’re familiar with Theodosius Winters from a short appearance in Witch Blood and a secondary role in Witch Heart. As readers know, Theo is very much in need of love. He’s the kind of hero I love to write–dark, brooding, a bit dangerous, and just a little bit damaged. It’s the kind of damage that only true love can heal.

His childhood was rocky and, then, when he was teen Theo was kidnapped by the Duskoff, along with someone very important to him. Coveting his powerful earth magick, the Duskoff tried to break Theo to their will, but failed. In the process Theo had to watch the murder of the one person in the world he loved. That’s bound to push just about anyone into a world of darkness, huh? As an adult, Theo works for the Chicago Coven and his favorite job is making the Duskoff pay every chance he gets.

Enter Sarafina Connell. Outgoing, vivacious, and with a million friends, Sarafina is Theo’s opposite in just about every way. She’s also had trauma in her life, but with the support of those who love her, she’s weathered the storm much more successfully than loner Theo.

Unfortunately, when she comes home one day to find Stefan Faucheux in her living room, she’s in for a whole new trauma. Stefan nabs her and forces her accept a truth she wants no part of–she’s a fire witch. World turned on end and reality a jumbled mess, the Chicago Coven raids the house where she’s being kept and Theo assumes she’s a warlock–his least favorite thing in the world.

So, you see, they have a few things to overcome.

And the barriers to their relationship are only part of the problem. The Duskoff is back and deadlier than ever. This time they intend to use every resource they have to take down the Chicago Coven for once and for all.

I’m a bit sad to see the end of the Elemental Witches series, but also excited about things to come. I have a new series starting, which will be launched with the novella, Sweet Enchantment, in the Hot for the Holidays anthology that comes out in late September, which also features novellas by Lora Leigh, Angela Knight and Allyson James. Then the first full length novel of the series, Wicked Enchantment, will release in January, 2010. It’s a whole new world and new characters for me to discover and I love that. I hope you will too!

If you want to read the first chapter of Witch Fury, or see the book video, they’re right here.

Hello everyone! I’m very delighted to have my very extra special friend Lauren Hawkeye here, at The Bradford Bunch. She’s a writer on the move, and by that I mean to the top! She’s recently had her first Spice Brief go on sale at Harlequin. Kudos to her and much thanks for stopping by!

WHY REJECTION ISN’T ALWAYS A BAD THING

“Wet”, my first Harlequin release, was written for a different publisher altogether. Answering a call for submissions for an anthology, I wrote a story titled “Urban Legend” and submitted to this publisher, who we will call Other. Urban Legend was rejected by Other, but the editor liked my voice and invited me to try again if I could squeeze another story out before the deadline.

Well, as far as I was concerned, this was IT. I poured everything that I was into that story, read it and reread a thousand times. When I finally hit send, I was certain, I had that feeling in my gut, that the editor would just love it.

Well, she did. But she loved four other stories more… and there wasn’t room for a fifth in the book.

I cried. I complained about the injustice of it all. I threatened to give up writing. I had been so SURE. Finally, the story was returned to my hard drive, where it languished for a good three months with nary a second glance. Nary a second glance, that is, until I unexpectedly found myself offered representation by an agent. Scrolling through said hard drive, I came across “Wet” and thought, what the heck. Tentatively I hit send again, this time to my agent.

She loved it. She sent it to Susan Pezzack Swinwood of Harlequin Spice Briefs, who loved it. And I was a happy girl.

Moral of the story? A rejection can be a good thing. A bigger, better thing. A making more money than you would at the first place thing. A building a reputation with your dream editor thing.

Has anyone else had a rejection that turned out well?

And, on a completely unrelated note, you should all check out Brenda Novak’s fifth annual online auction to benefit diabetes research, running for the entire month of May at Brenda Novak

Be there or be square!

Lauren’s first Spice Brief wet is available HERE: