November 11th is Veteran’s Day in the United States. On this day, we honor those men and women who have fought and are fighting to defend this nation and protect the liberties we enjoy everyday. Coming from a military family, this matter is dear to my heart. Additionally, today we send our love to those families that are suffering for their lost ones at Fort Hood, and salute those that rushed to aid their comrades.

A moment of silence.

I’ve been madly busy this week, working on promotion and doing edits on my novel and my novella.

Coming out first is my novel on November 15th. This is my first novel, folks, my debut as it were. THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS will be released at http://www.allromanceebooks.com You may want to go there to buy WHEN LOVE SURVIVES to read first. That story introduces vampire David Hilliard. He’s a secondary but important character, but it also gives a very telling glimpse into this handsome and romantic vampire.

In THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS. David, as the hero, goes through a ton of adventures to win his lady love.  There’s magic, voodoo, danger, suspense, passion–okay, a lot of passion as I get carried away sometimes and when I get carried away, well, so do they. 

Now for the sneak peek you’ve been waiting for.  Here’s the cover.  And that’s all I’m saying for now.  It’s back to work for me. Ta.

I’m alive! Though I’m feeling a little under the weather, okay a lot. But don’t worry, I’m drinking chamomile tea.

I’d planned a full weekend of writing but I had to go into the super hero day job. Don’t worry our natural and cultural heritage is safe once again. So how much did I write? At last update on my website Aequitas II Punishment was at 14,669 words and is now at 16,360 . Not bad. I’m finding writing to a synopsis does take out much of the discovery process. Another thing that makes this book different to write is I know these characters very well. We get to go deeper into them. I’m now able to write scenes out of sequence and move back and forth between them more freely. So far, the feedback I’ve gotten on the chapters has been really good, writing this way doesn’t seem to have stilted my voice either. This means I have under 24,000 to write and I’m aiming to be done over the next few months as I’m doing self editing/rewrites as I go. 

Punishment never felt this good. “In the dungeon, you go.” Grant, Aequitas II Punishment

I also critiqued for the workshop and wrote comments back to those who critiqued me. I put up this week’s assignment up too.

Oh and just so you know it’s not okay that it snowed last week and was than 14 and 16 Celsius on Saturday and Sunday. Now some of you lucky folks might be thinking Mason 60.8 Fahrenheit isn’t very warm. Well the average low is 32 f and the average high is 43 f. So it’s warm to me.

I’ve been noticing, I’m not the only author that keeps strange hours. I’m up in the morning with my cup of tea or java before my other day starts but so are other authors like Susan for example.

Remembrance Day in Canada is on November 11^th. A day we pay our respects for those who have laid their lives down for the freedom we enjoy. To all the service men and women and their families,

“I thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made and continue to make for us all. You are not forgotten.”

Mason
a.c.Mason
Darkness ♀♂ Desires
www.acmason.com

Nights of Passion is excited to welcome historical romance author Laura Hogg. It’s great having you here, Laura.

Thank you for having me.

Please, tell us about yourself. 

Well, let’s see. I live in Colorado, have been married to the same man since we were teenagers, and I have a daughter in college.

I’ve been a musician most of my life and studied languages in college, particularly French. I’ve always wanted to travel and could never do so outside of driving out of state to visit friends or family, so in college, I got a job with Immigrant Services on campus and got to work with people from all over the world.

As for adventures, I’ve finally hit forty, so let the fun begin!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve written creatively since I was a child, but I didn’t have the guts to submit until I was in my thirties. I decided to study an era I knew nothing about because I love history so much. On a fluke, I entered a small contest and to my shock, won first place. With the $100 prize money, I bought research books and started a novel set in that era that was new for me.

Did you have to do a lot of research to write EMMA THE OUTLAW?

I actually took this story from a larger one I wrote that is not published, changing the characters. Of course, when I submit the longer novel, it will be without that entire section. For the original novel, I did quite a bit of research, wanting to set it in Colorado where I live. Colorado had a relatively short “Wild West” period, but it was there. Denver was an important stopping station for those traveling West, ie: miners and the like. It attracted people who made their wealth in the silver mines in the mountains, and rich folks developed a high society, creating fine hotels and such.

Colorado had an interesting mix of people coming through, and the possibilities for adventure in this setting are great for fiction (not to mention the exciting things that actually did occur here).

What was your favorite scene to write?

Either the scene where Emma stood on the hangman’s platform awaiting execution, or when she and her hunky husband captured an outlaw using their wits. Or it could be the ghost scene.

Please, tell us about the book.

 Blurb:

Emma looks down at the crowd from a hanging platform. Her father was framed, and she took the blame for the crime to save him from execution. Where is her beloved husband, Nate?  She looks around and sees her husband on a horse, guns blazing. In a whirlwind rescue, she hops on the back of his horse, and they’re off, realizing that they will spend the rest of their lives as outlaws.

They capture a wanted man and leave him at the doorstep of the sheriff’s office. The sheriff finds Emma and Nate and makes an interesting deal with them: they will capture the bad guys behind the scenes and allow him to take all the credit…this in turn for not being run in. For this couple, ahead lies a life of excitement and passionate love.

Where can our viewers purchase EMMA THE OUTLAW?

To purchase:

http://www.eirelander-publishing.com/emmatheoutlaw.htm

It’s been a real pleasure working with this publisher and my editor there.

Do you have other published work? 

I have several things out, mostly historical or paranormal.

*The 12^th Kiss (a Regency-set romance) Available with Wings ePress: http://www.wings-press.com/    print and ebook

* Romeo vs. Juliet (a time-travel set partly in Elizabethan England) print and ebook  http://www.thewildrosepress.com

* For the Love of a Queen (a post-apocalyptic novel) print and ebook www.thewildrosepress.com

* Copacetic (a romance set in the year 1924) short story, electronic

Available with The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=145&products_id=508&zenid=d5075dc3356a58a85aed84593ee47cb8

 * Baby Vamp (a Vintage 1920s short story having nothing to do with vampires-thought I’d clarify that)

www.thewildrosepress.com 

* Double Vision (a paranormal romance set partially on the astral plane of existence) novella, electronic

Available with Aspen Mountain Press

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/double-vision/prod_74.html 

* Isanne’s Revelation: a medieval inspirational romance (time-travel) available with White Rose Publishing:  http://www.whiterosepublishing.com

* Because of Mari, set in the Roman/Celtic era, a free-read available at Night Owl Romance: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/FreeReads/FreeReads.aspx

 And lots more to come.

Laura, some of our viewers are aspiring writers. Can you give them some practical writing tips?

The best piece of advice I ever received was from an editor who told me to find a good critique group. That changed everything for me.

P.S. My husband’s family is from Scotland, and we pronounce the Hogg name with a long “o” so it rhymes with rogue. (It’s the way it comes out when he uses his Scottish accent.)

Thank you for coming on Nights of Passion. It’s been fun. 

Thank you very much.

For our viewers who are interested in learning more about Laura Hogg, please, visit:

I can be found at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/editpicture.php#/profile.php?id=626483435&ref=profile

And if anyone would like to be interviewed at my paranormal blog, which specializes in time-travel fiction, please let me know.

http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/l_hogg

My website is currently being updated.

 

Well, Betty was pretty upset to find out her ex-husband’s drinking buddy was Gil’s half brother. As they stepped from Gil’s car, Mitchell Wilkins got out of his, wearing what Betty’s dad always used to call a “three dollar smile.” He threw a quick glance at Betty, but didn’t really see her, or so it seemed. Oozing charm, or brotherly love, or whatever he was trying to convey, he gave Gil his full attention.

Betty watched the brothers dance around each other like a pair of boxers one second, a pair of lovers the next. Effusive, complimentary Mitchell and reluctant barely civil Gil; that’s what they were. Betty was fascinated, wondering about Gil’s attitude. Happy, tender, always smiling Gil looked like he couldn’t wait to get rid of his “sort of” brother.

“Sis threw you out,” Gil said.

“No way,” said Mitchell, “she needed a break, so I just took off for a few days.”

“I wasn’t asking. I talked to her,” Gil said, “You’re off the wagon again.”

“No, no, that was just a little stumble. I’m okay now. Just a couple of bucks Gil, until I get back home? Or maybe you could put me up tonight? I’ll sleep in the back room.”

Betty was amazed at the man’s bravado. She had seen him with her ex, but had avoided contact with him as much as possible. How he didn’t recognize her though, that was surprising. She was darn glad he didn’t. Billy didn’t need to know she was with Gil. Who knew what her ex would do if he knew that?

“You know the deal Mitch. You can still run a tab at the restaurant. I’ll call them. Dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow if you want that.” Gil said calmly.

“Just a twenty? For family?” Mitchell whined.

“A twenty for booze you mean.”

“That restaurant guy is a cheat. I don’t know what he charges you, but he hardly gives me anything to eat when I go there.”

“He’s a friend of mine. You can have anything you want and you know it.”

The conversation went on, Mitchell whining, Gil giving not an inch. Gil wore a hard expression Betty had never seen before. Not mean, just set and determined. She marveled at him.

Only one thing had worried her about Gil. Ever since they met, he’d always seemed too nice, too easy to be strong. She’d wondered if she could count on him when something difficult came up. Like having to deal with her ex. She smiled. He would be her man.

With a last burst of angry words, Mitchell slid into his car and took off.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Gil said.

She kissed him. “That’s all right.”

“If I give him an inch he takes a mile.”

“He ignored me, thank goodness.”

Gil studied her face. “Mitch didn’t recognize you. He can’t tell your ex about us.”

Betty nodded and gave him a cautious smile.

“You’re afraid of him.”

“Billy, yes, a little bit.”

He nodded. “We’ll have to put an end to that.” Gil planted a kiss quite firmly on her lips. He hugged her too. “That’s later though. We had a plan when we came here.”

Betty laughed. “Your brother interrupted us.”

“Delayed, that’s all,” Gil said and swept her into his arms. Nuzzling her neck, he started toward the front door.

 

 

 

 

 

If you also like romance with a little steam, read

THE DATE, by BB Roberts

http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?title=true&letter=t

 

I’m currently taking a how to teach others to critique workshop. I got involved through my special interest RWA, group http://www.romance-ffp.com/. I’m hoping to get better at giving feedback and helping others to do the same. Think of a doctor with bad bedside manner, well that’s me. I’m a straight shooter. I like to get to the root of the matter and move on.

Critiquing others is hard work, well, if you’re giving them 110%. If I can’t do that I usually decline offering help.

I’ve been in situations with people who didn’t get my voice ,who tried to smooth out the uniqueness make my work more bland. Ultimately this doesn’t work. 

My critique partner is saintly for putting up with me. She lets me argue with her then challenges me. I do make changes but I need to understand why, the change is needed so I can write it with my own spin. I surround myself with people, who are always striving to be better writers, not content to be good enough. Their advice is very important to me. I weight what everyone shares with me carefully. I ask questions when something isn’t coming across to figure out ways to get the information I want the reader to have to move from point a to b. I nurture those relationships, put in time with them and their development.

At the end of the day, I’m true to my voice and trust my instincts about my writing. I hope all of you are doing the same. The journey is getting back up on the path you’ve set for yourself.

Keep, creating, keep innovating, keep, doing… one end/success is just another beginning.

Mason
a.c.Mason
Darkness ♀♂ Desires
www.acmason.com

Yes, I just asked a loaded question.  I’m thinking I’m suffering from a Halloween sugar down.  One of the fun things this year about Halloween was the True Blood marathon.  Yes, it was fun but now it’s gone again.

I came across a website with a vampire poll in my Halloween wanderings, but I was disappointed because the selections were limited. While I don’t want to start a poll, I do want to talk about favorite male vamps.

I know the younger generation is shouting, “Edward Cullen,” about now.  Okay, we definitely have a vote for :Twilight’s” hero.

The vampires of “True Blood” are definitely for diverse tastes. Bill is trying to fit in.  I’m expecting him to mow his lawn at night next.  Eric is the bad boy that so many find appealing.  He has that touch of mystery and vulnerabillity that suggests he could be redeemed. Don’t bet on it.

There’s Spike and Angel from the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series.  Angel was the tormented soul who do anything for love, and then there’s Spike–bad, annoying, and attracted to Buffy for all the wrong reasons. When she gives in to him, it’s for all the wrong reasons too. Most because she couldn’t have Angel.

I had a soft spot for a while for Nick of “Forever Knight.” I adored that police detective vampire.  He also tormented himself for all his past doings and couldn’t see past the friendship of the pretty coroner no matter how hard she tried to be obvious.
I know there’s a pervasive love for Johnny Depp among women on the web. Having him become Barnabas of “Dark Shadows” would be the blending of loves.  There are those devoted to Barnabas, and there are those devoted to Johnny Depp.  Oh, my.

My vote has to go to a new vampire on the block.  David from WHEN LOVE SURVIVES.  David’s book is coming out on Nov. 15, 2009 at All Romance Ebooks. It’s called THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS, but let’s not tell him that.  Let’s just say it’s our secret.  

Who would you vote for?  Who is your favorite vampire hero?

First of all, it is BB Roberts’ birthday! Happy Birthday, BB!

Nights of Passion wishes you the best of all things.

Second, regarding the Cougar vs. Goddess Poll.  Two chose Goddess here and no one chose Cougar.  The conversation continued over on Facebook, where Goddess won by the majority.  Two wanted to be called both.  Does that mean Goddess of the Cougars?  Hmm,  sounds interesting.  A few chose Cougar, and two chose Puma.  It was an intriguing experiment in defining ourselves through labels. 

Third, what am I doing?  I’m finishing the last read through on my novel that’s coming out in November.  It’s a full length novel, a first for me, and it’s the delicious vampire romance.  Vampire fans that met David Hilliard in WHEN LOVE SURVIVES and again at his interview, you’ll really want to check out this book.  Yes, I am working as quickly as I can and still trying to be thorough.  Ta for now.

I hope all of you had a safe and happy Halloween. I think my teeth are yet to recover so good thing I’m seeing my dentist next week. Saturday, I had a busy night. I had the following unexpected guest.

Princesses
Egyptians, Cleopatra
Pirates,
The Grinch, Don’t worry I told him he was two months early.
Vampires,
Grim rippers, no sense of humor.
Rescue heroes,
Skeletons,
The entire economy. Least expected visitor.

Stranger still, they were all on a quest for candy. I had to burry mine in the backyard for safe keeping.

All is well, what they didn’t realize was, I’m an evil mastermind.

On October 29, 2009 it was the 50^th anniversary of one of my favorite comics Asterix et Obelix.

http://www.asterix.com/

I grew up with both the movies and the comic books. Magic potions and interfering Gods plus Romans, what’s not to like?

Comics are a big part of the Francophone culture. Another other comics I enjoy is, Tin Tin http://www.tintin.com/.

I also have a great affection for cartoons, yes transformers, but do any of you remember, Voltron?

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/40/250224-120377-voltron_super.jpg

Admittedly, this makes me a total nerd but I can live with that.

Mason
a.c.Mason
Darkness ♀♂ Desires
www.acmason.com

It’s the day after Halloween and a Sunday.  I’m writing and editing away as usual.

I’ve been annoyed for quite some time over a term being used for older women dating younger men.

The Urban Dictionary defines Cougar this way:  a female who is in her 30’s and older and is in her sexual prime who prefers to hunt than be hunted. This lady is described to frequent clubs in her search for a man, whom she prefers to be much younger and willing to have fun, in any way.  A cougar is further depicted to come in different sizes and forms: from the overly surgically enhanced ladies, to a sad and rather chunky woman, to a real hot, gorgeous mama.

In other articles here and there, being called a cougar is considered a compliment for the older woman with strong self-esteem who knows what she wants and is not afraid to act on her feelings, even if it is for a younger man.  Some view it as a term of empowerment.   

Okay, I get it.  But I want to know why a woman has to be labeled at all.  Why does it has to be an animal label?

After giving this some thought, I came up with a better label. If society needs to label these strong women, then why not ‘Goddess.’  The Goddess would be any woman older than 30, who has her act together, and lives and loves as she pleases.  She is her own woman and proud of it.  If she happens to be followed around by a young male or several young males who worship her, then hey! all the better for her.  Good going, Goddess! 

So I’m going to ask all the unattached, independent women out there.  Really think about this.  Would you rather have someone call you a Cougar or a Goddess?