Nights of Passion welcomes contemporary Romance Suspense Author Wendy Ely.  We’re so happy to have you with us. Please, share a little about yourself with our viewers. 

I’m a single mom, raising an 11 yr old son and 12 year old daughter in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. While I’m not hanging out with the kids and writing, I attend college full time and take care of a darling little girl while her parents work.

Have you had any adventures in life that has particularily inspired you?

Everything is an adventure if you let be. When doing things I try to use the experience to learn from our just let loose and have a good time. Either way, it’s usually a great time and impacts my writing.

 

How do you balance being a mom and a writer?

 

Since I don’t have a partner helping me at all, it gets tough at times. My kids know that writing is important to me so usually they give me time to do it. Sometimes I’ll be writing a scene while cooking dinner or we’ll cuddle in bed while I’m editing on paper.

 

I know our viewers who write will want to know if you have any helpful tips to share?

 

Even if you are not published, start marketing yourself and promoting yourself as a writer now. This was the first advice I had been given when I’d decided to take my writing seriously. It paid off.

 

Please, tell us all about your new book. 
 

My newest release is CONFESSIONS.  It’s romantic suspense novel about a woman who (as a teenager) ran away and sold her baby because she felt like it had been her only choice. She must return to her hometown to face everyone she’d hurt, including the father of the baby.

 

Blurb:

 

Can Chelsea and Jordan find their child, and rediscover each other?

When Chelsea Montgomery vanished eleven years ago, her hometown thought she’d been abducted. In truth, she’d given up the daughter she’d secretly had with Jordan Case.

Now he confronts her to help find the child. With a little girl’s fate hanging in the balance, will the uneasy partnership — stained by the past — transform into something else?

 

Excerpt:

 

Jordan sat down on the couch and patted the floor in front of him. “Sit down. Let me get those knots out.”

She took a few steps in his direction, stopping out of his reach, afraid to let him touch her. If he touched her, then she’d fall madly in love with him all over again. That couldn’t happen.

She watched as he leaned forward far enough to grab her by the hand. He pulled her to him.

“Are you sure you want to?”

“Yes,” he said. He guided her down to the floor between his legs. Before leaning back, she slipped her t-shirt off, revealing the navy tank top. His strong hands slid over her skin and she sunk back against him. She’d forgotten how strong he was, how needy she felt when he touched her. As if by magic, her body slowly began to relax underneath his touch. He kneaded her skin with the palms of his hands. The more he touched her, the more she felt at ease. She leaned forward a bit, making his legs embrace the rest of her body. His hands trailed down the length of her back toward the top of her jeans. A small moan escaped her lips. If only he would go lower.

“Feel good?” The words floated through the air like music from a past dream.

“Mm hm.”

He rubbed the small of her back, his hands working every muscle imaginable.

“Remember when I would rub your feet each night after work?”

“The best part of the whole day.” His hands. His voice. He had cast a spell over her.

“I loved those times with you, Chels.”

Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, breaking up her intoxicated sensation. Chels? He used to call her that when they were teenagers. He was the only person who’d ever had a pet name for her.

“Me, too,” she mumbled.

“That’s what has gotten me through until now. Those memories of us from before you disappeared.” His hands stilled, but she could feel their heat against her.

Damn it! Tears welled in her eyes. He couldn’t see them, she wouldn’t allow him to. She scooted away him his touch, far enough away so she could stand up on her own without using his assistance.

“I’m sorry, Jordan. We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“What are you talking about, Chelsea?” He tried to grab her by the hand again but this time she walked away from him. She went over to the windows, dried her eyes and then turned around.

“I told you everything, so now I should go.” She walked past him toward the stairs.

“No, you won’t.” The words were ice cold. It seemed like his massage had been some sort of dream.

She froze. “What do you mean, I won’t?”

“Let’s get something clear. Okay?”

She slowly turned around. She had never heard this tone from Jordan in the whole time she had known him. It scared her.

“What?”

He stood up from the couch and walked over to her. His hands jammed into
his jean pockets. “There’s a choice to be made here,” he said. “You either stay here to help me locate my daughter or I contact the authorities.”

 

To find out more about Confessions, check out: www.lyricalpress.com/wendy_ely

 

I’m always curious about the research an author does. Did you do special research for this book?

 

Actually I did! I had to find out how birth certificates were processed and the duties of midwives so I contacted them via internet. Some really great women patiently answered my odd questions.

 

What was your favorite part to write?

 

I loved writing the whole thing. The characters just unfolded in front of me as I wrote their story. I plan on CONFESSIONS  being the first in a romantic suspense series.

Tell us about your other book.  

JESSE’S BROTHER was released in September of this year. Here’s the blurb:

 

One woman, two men: a single summer to choose between them.

Sacrificing a summer to fix her relationship with her mother and find out what’s troubling her father isn’t so bad…right? Wrong. Or so Samantha learns upon her return to Portland.

As if family drama wasn’t bad enough, first comes Noah. Then comes Jesse. Samantha is torn between the way her heart skips a beat each time Noah looks at her, and the way Jesse’s touch makes her yearn for more.
                               #

Thanks so much, Wendy, for being here, but before you leave I have one last question. Thanksgiving is coming up. Do you have any special traditions in your house that you’d like to share?  

 

This year my kids and I will be eating at home. The kids help cook the meal and just enjoy being with each other.

 

It’s wonderful being home with the family.  Thanks, Wendy.  That was fun.  For those of you interested in learning more about the romance of Wendy Ely, please, visit:  
 

My author website: www.lyricalpress.com/wendy_ely where my novels can be found

My personal author website: www.wendely.info

My blog: www.wickedthornandroses.blogspot.com

 

Now for the contest, it’s simple.  To be eligible, just comment on this interview and one lucky winner will be randomly drawn by Wendy.  You’ll receive notification from her that you’ve won.  The contest will end on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 at 9 PM Eastern Time.  Thanks so much and good luck, everyone!

 

I’m back home and more or less recovered. I think!

The problem with people like me is we got more ideas than time and our bodies aren’t always keeping up.

When I was kid people wondered why I pushed myself so hard. No one else was going to do the work for me. Everything I have, I earned the hard way. Blood sweat, and tossing caution to the wind or leaping before making sure something would catch me. I’m not dead yet but that could be the evil mastermind posing as a superhero by day.

Wait. What do they call those? Villains. Shh. Please keep this under wraps. I’ve got a façade to keep up.

I did more edits on NIGHT REINS. I love rewrites. I love the story so much I enjoy going in and cleaning things out. I cleaned up the synopsis of LIFE REINS got my super critique partner to look over it. Edited, she relooked at the work, I did more edits. See, I wasn’t joking about loving the rewrites. I went over some AEQUITAS II PUNISHMENT.

Over the coming posts, I’ll be adding in some interviews in the mix not to bore you with my mad ramblings.

Susan the bride and groom are beautiful and I hope they live long and prosper. I got that line from a hotty. Spock.

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

Introducing Julia and Donald Babcock.  Just married. 

Very cool, huh?

As more photos become available, I’ll post them.  But for now, I may take a nap.  I’m very happy and very exhausted.

Ta.

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday my youngest daughter got married and the party really brought the house down.  Several of her friends from the music program of Western Connecticut State University performed at the wedding.  They were amazing.  If you were have the opportunity to hear Julia (Crowley) Babcock, Derek Waldron, Daniel Ahrens, Kim Marie Finlay, Heather Holden, Joseph Etcheto, or Melanie Houle sing, believe me, you want to take it.  Not all the stars are on American Idol.  Some stars are still relatively hidden in the population until someone takes notice. So if you see their names listed as singing somewhere, go and enjoy these truly GREAT singers that right now have a small fan base.  Once you hear any of them, you’ll know this isn’t simply a bias on my behalf.  These young singers have amazing talent. The music at this wedding was a cross between going to the Metropolitan Opera (which I love) and Broadway. 

Hopefully I will blog again today with photos from the wedding. Yes, I wore the famous Mother of the Bride dress.  When those photos come in from my personal photographer (my best friend), I will be putting them up.  Don and Julia were magnificent, so I’m hoping for a great photo of them to put up.  It will be awhile before we get photos back from the official photographer.

For now, life is still a blur. I’ve never danced so much in my life.  Ta for now.  When the photos come in, they’re going up.

Susan
-THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS now available at http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html

Well, I saw New Moon.  It’s definitely more edgy than the first. Worthwhile going to the theater for because of the hugeness of the scenery and movement of the characters within it is breathtaking.  The werewolves were wonderful. Yes, there are more shirtless scenes than I could count and Jacob was more grown up and a very believable rival to Edward for Bella’s affections.  The Italian vamps were awesome.  There was tons of sexual tension and then the set up for the next film. I have to add that Victoria gives me the chills.  When you see it, you’ll know why. I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t say more.  My favorite book was the last one, so I won’t comment further on New Moon as it wouldn’t be fair. Definitely a fun movie experience.

Why am I talking about computers?  It seems everyone I talk to is having computer problems. My computer gave up the ghost last week and my future son-in-law came over and got it running again.  But he advised strongly that I get a new one, so I ordered one.  It hasn’t come yet and I’m trying to continually back up anything new.  

In regards to that, if you go to All Romance Ebooks and want to buy my first full length vampire romance novel THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html  please, do not be detered. The cover is in your purchased copy.  There’s a glitch with the display version for the online stores and that that’s being worked on.  No worries.  Every purchased copy has the gorgeous cover already included.

I’m going to be blogging a lot in the next couple of weeks. I do have two events happening on Dec. 19th.  I’ll be at http://www.sandrasookoo.com for her holiday party and also on the same day be part of a party here at Nights of Passion.  I’m going to be giving something away to one lucky person, but I’m not going to say what yet. It will be a surprise.  Ta for now.

Founder’s Day was coming up and Gil thought they should go. It was a big thing in our town, as big as the Fourth, with a picnic at the fair grounds. Almost everyone in town showed up each year.. Betty wasn’t sure about going. I think she figured it would be like their coming out party and her ex was sure to find out. but Gil insisted and she reluctantly agreed to go.

Gil now, he was all for declaring how he felt. So, he got this idea. They’d go in matching outfits. Which to Gil meant they’d wear the same hats. He dragged Betty into town one day and they shopped, for hats. She picked out straws and he objected. He picked out a pair of St. Louis Cardinal hats but, before she could say yes or no, he put them back. “We need something more distinctive,” he said. Well, that was an impasse until he spotted a white Stetson in Henderson’s store. That’s what they bought, two white Stetson’s. Then there was the question of what else they would wear. Betty favored her yellow sundress but they couldn’t find a yellow shirt for Gil. She told him she had a red one, light summer red, and so they found a shirt for Gil that was a pretty close match to that.

Founder’s Day arrived and off they went, obviously a couple. Took Mrs. Sullivan along with them too. She was all excited at that. “It’s no fun going alone,” said she with a big grin on her face.

Well, they weren’t at the picnic fifteen minutes before Betty spotted her ex in the crowd. And he spotted her too; she saw him staring at her. She hung tight to Gil’s arm right then, tighter than she had been, and he figured something was up. “You see him?” he asked.

“Yes, over there,” she said, pointing. The next thing she knew Gil was pulling her through the crowd. Hang back, run for the hills, she would have loved to do both, but Gil was on a mission.

“Mr. Hunley,” Gil called out and Billy turned to face him.

Gil’s about six foot, but Billy Hunley was more like six two or three. Betty was amazed though. Her ex seemed to be the smaller man.

“Yeah?” said Billy.

“I’m Gil Riggins. I’d like to talk to you.”

Billy stared at Betty. She cringed a little but then she noticed something. He looked a little nervous, a little scared perhaps?

“Hi Billy,” she said cautiously.

“Hi Betts.” Billy turned back to Gil. “What do you want?”

“Just want to introduce myself. Betty and I are dating. Thought you ought to know that.”

That seemed to baffle Billy Hunley for a second. He threw a look at Betty, as if to ask if that were true, and then his eyes went back to Gil. His brow furrowed up and he got that look Betty had seem before, and feared. Like he was about to explode. Then he really gave Gil a good look, a long one, and just turned his head away.

“We’re serious,” Gil said. Betty marveled at his voice. He was so calm.

“You looking to provoke me?” Billy snapped.

“I’m telling you how it is. We thought you might be interested.”

“And if I am?”

Gil thought for a second and then smiled. “I would hope you’d say good luck.”

“You gonna marry her?”

“If she’ll have me.”

“You get all the payments then. The alimony goes away, the child support.”

“Got that,” Gil said and Betty thought she heard some tension leave his voice. That was all it took with Billy? It was just the money? Damn the man.

“Hey, you. What do you want?” a woman cried.

Betty turned to see a redhead, tall and buxom, definitely dressed for the heat, or undressed if you will, bearing down on them.

“What?” Betty asked.

“You stay away from him. He’s mine now. Go find yourself another guy.”

Betty looked around. Gil seemed confused, but Billy? His face had gone gray, that sort of pasty look some people get when fear sets in.

“What I do  or don’t do is none of your business,” Betty said, trying to collect her thoughts.

“I hear him talk about you anymore I might smack somebody,” the redhead said.

“Excuse me?” said Gil, “You are?”

The redhead glanced at Gil and a slow smile spread across her face. “You with her? I’m Flora.”

“Nice to meet you Flora,” Gil said. He glanced at Billy, who was now very quiet, and to Betty’s eye, seemed almost smaller. “We’re just getting the details straightened out. The alimony and child support?”

“He isn’t paying any more of that. You her lawyer?”

“Lover,” Betty said quite firmly, surprised by her own courage.

Flora threw a sharp look in her direction at that remark and then smiled. She turned to Billy. “Hey, we’re free and clear baby. How’s about that!”

Billy grinned, the sickest grin Betty thought she’d ever seen. But he didn’t say a word.

Gil reached out to shake his hand and smiled. “Nice meeting you. I’m glad we’ve got everything straightened out.” He nodded to Flora. “Good luck.”

He hooked an arm in Betty’s and they walked away.

“I can’t believe I was so scared of him,” Betty said, “You were wonderful.”

Gil laughed. “I think we owe it all to Flora.”

Betty giggled. “She certainly has him in line.”

Gil kissed her. “He sure as hell did not trade up.”

“Trade up? I’m not a used car. What a thing to say.”

Gil gave her a stunned look. “I didn’t mean… you know what I meant. Don’t you?”

Betty pulled him toward her, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love you. Let’s go find out where Mrs. Sullivan has got to.”

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 know you are all totally pumped to know how superhero camp went today.

I learned things like:

Check both ways before leaping.

Don’t get your cap in a punch.

Watch-out for the evil mastermind posing as a superhero. I don’t think any of them suspect that would be me. I’m so innocent. Right?

One more day and I head back home. I miss home and my writing space.

I had a salad for lunch then ordered one for dinner too. The one this evening had a steak on the greens with blue cheese, walnuts, and honey-mustard dressing. Oh, sound a little strange to you?

A superhero by day evil mastermind who hates healthy food is eating well is freaking you out. Me too. Since the pub incident with the fish and chips Monday night I’ve been eating well. No. I won’t go into details about that.

I’m nearly done my only critiquing workshop. Once that is done it’s back to AIIP. I finished the first draft of the synopsis of LIFE REINS on Sunday night. When I get home, I’ll go over it before anyone has the chance to give me feedback.

Expect me to do a few interviews in the coming weeks with some authors but in the mean time if you haven’t seen my discussion with Susan take moment www.acmason.com.

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

That’s correct. I’m keeping things lively by showing up when you don’t expect.

For those of you that have seen my facebook you know things have been a little crazy. Ida and I teamed up to take over the words with knome and demons. Hot good guys, with long hair tried to stop us but we managed out of that one.

I have a sinus infection no worries this happens. I’m in Ottawa. The capital of Canada because of my superhero day job. Last night I went to see the symphony orchestra’s http://www.ottawasymphony.com/. A wonderful night of music.

Tonight I went out for Japanese food. http://www.japaninottawa.ca/en/index.html, which I only started eating about two years ago. I enjoyed my dinner.

I haven’t written anything other than an email in two days. My mind is in hyper drive. This isn’t normal for me.  

I’ve retired to my hotel room for the night. I’m going to post an interview with Susan Hanniford Crowley on my own blog www.acmason.com then straight to bed so I can wake up in the morning to write before more superhero talks in the morning.

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

Today, on Nov. 15th, my paranormal romance novel THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS comes out from Tease Publishing LLC.  Not only is it my debut novel, but it signals the beginning of my series, Vampires of Manhattan.  It is the story of a Vampire David Hilliard when he meets and tries to win his lifemate Laura Cordelais. It is available at All Romance Ebooks   http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html

Everything started with  WHEN LOVE SURVIVES,  the story of Gregor and Regina, two supernaturals who during the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center meet and fall in love.  In their story, we meet Gregor’s friend, David Hilliard, a vampire.  To get the insider’s scoop on David you might want to read WHEN LOVE SURVIVES published by Tease Publishing LLC, which is available at All Romance Ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whenlovesurvives-362921-143.html

Now onto when David meets Laura.  The woman has problems. She’s also a supernatural, and although a New Yorker like David, was born in New Orleans, which is another kettle of fish all together.  I’m punning here. LOL  When you read the book, you’ll know why? 

Blurb:
Being descended from an ancient race blessed by Zeus doesn’t help Telkhine Laura Cordelais. For Vampire David Hilliard to save her, he must kill her, and by loving her, he could lose her forever. When plunged into a dark underworld of voodoo and sorcery, will they escape? Together?

Excerpt:
Laura struggled through the dark and burst through a great light.  She gasped for breath and it filled her.  Warmth spread through her every part, then a surge of energy she didn’t understand.  Her heart beat.  Differently.  Odd.  Different from any feeling she’d ever had.  Her eyelashes fluttered and then in the dim light of a strange windowless room, she saw a man’s face. 

His dark, curly hair framed his chiseled features.  What struck her most were his dark, fathomless eyes.  I can get lost in those eyes and never want to leave.   

He smiled.

She flushed.  I hope he can’t hear what I’m thinking.

I can.

She sat up, smiling with embarrassment.  “You pulled me out of the river?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”  Laura trembled.  “I don’t understand.  I was dying.”

“You were very badly injured in the fall.  I was going to take you to the hospital, but you said, ‘No hospital.’  That you’d keep trying to kill yourself.”  His jaw tightened.  “I couldn’t bear the idea of your death.  Please, forgive me, but I couldn’t let you die.”  He gazed deeply into her eyes. 

Laura moved her tongue inside her mouth and came across the fangs. 

“Oh, my God!”  She tried to sit up, but he pushed her gently down.

“Don’t get up just yet.  You’re still healing.”

“You made me a vampire?”  Every tale she’d heard as a child in New Orleans rushed back to her.  Vampires were monsters.  “Now I’m a monster!”  Anger flushed through her.  How dare he make her this!  He had no right.  She seethed. 

“No.  You are not a monster.  Neither am I.  I gave you a life.  It’s your choice how you live it.”

Then another emotion unexpectedly filled her, when she gazed up into his eyes.  I couldn’t bear the idea of your death.   His tender words echoed in her entire being and soothed her broken heart, as if he’d kissed her lips without touching her.  She looked at him with wonder, reached up and caressed the young beard on his chin.  He smiled and she could see his fangs now.  Strangely, she wasn’t frightened.

“We must do the last part.”   He bit into his arm just inside the elbow and put it against her mouth.

“No.”  She pushed his arm away.

“You need it to stop the hunger from possessing you.  Just close your eyes and drink.” 

The blood oozed into her mouth, as he pressed his arm against her lips.  At first, she choked and sputtered but then finally accepted it.  Laura tried not to think about what it really was.  The warmth reminded her of ginger tea with a citrus tang.  

“Since I am your sire, my blood will give you a balanced mind.  You will not need to feed again until tonight.” 

After a few more minutes, she pushed him away.  The wound on his arm healed before her eyes.  Wide-eyed, she smiled.  “I feel so strong and well.  I don’t ache or hurt anywhere.”  Then his reference to being her sire struck her.  “So you own me now!”  Her anger flared again along with her strength.  She slapped him.

“What was that for?”  He held his hand to his cheek.

“Oh, I don’t know.  You made me a vampire and now you own me.  Take your pick.” 

David gazed upward.  “This isn’t going well.”

“Who are you talking to?”

“God.”

Laura scoffed.  “A vampire talks to God?  Does God answer you?”

David frowned at her and sighed.  ”God apparently has one hell of a sense of humor.”

“What does that mean?”

“Never mind.  Let’s get back to the subject at hand.  No, I do not own you.  I have no claim on you whatsoever.  You are free to decide where you want to be and with whom.  I’ll help you get started, that’s all.”  With every word, he seemed more uncomfortable.  “We do have a blood tie though, so if you ever need my help, just think of me and I’ll come.  I’ll find you.”

Her anger dissipated.  Laura enjoyed seeing him vulnerable.  And he didn’t hit her back.  She smiled.  “I don’t know your name.”

“I’m David Hilliard.”

This time she gently touched his face.  “I’m Laura Cordelais.”

He held her hand to his cheek and closed his eyes.

Laura gasped as she realized her surroundings.  “Do you live here?”

“No.”  He chuckled.  “I just needed to get you out of the sun.  I have an apartment.”

“Well, that’s a relief.  I thought I’d have to live in a cemetery.” 
           
They both laughed.

Laura looked around at the grim tomb.  A spider crawled up the stone wall nearest her, and she trembled.  “I’m afraid of small, closed spaces.  And bugs.”

He enclosed her in his arms.  “Don’t be afraid.  As soon as it’s dark, we’ll leave.” 

Her mouth was so close to his, she could almost taste him.  Then he pressed his firm lips against hers.  

Hmm.  He tastes of honey.  I love honey.

Their fangs knocked together.  Laura giggled nervously.

“Shall we try that again?” he suggested.

She nodded. 

David gently took her chin and tilted her head slightly.  Then his lips possessed hers again.  Laura tingled from head to toe and wondered if a vampire was capable of love.  She hoped David was. 

When their lips parted, Laura frowned.   

“I’m still angry with you.”

“Really?  You don’t sound that angry.”

“I’m furious with you.  I mean you made me a vampire.”

“Are you furious?”  He carefully pushed a hair off her face and kissed her forehead.

“Now that’s not fair.  Are you using your hypnotic powers on me?”

“No.  I want everything between us to be real.”  He kissed her left temple and moved down her jaw line.  His mouth caressed her lips.  His tongue rubbed her fangs.

“Whoa.”  Rubbing her fangs stirred a passion so hot, it was hard to ignore.  Still.  He had just made her a vampire.  All his distractions were making her forget that.  She should be angry with him, but his kiss stirred up a frenzy of desire. 
                                                                       #
The excerpt is based on David’s earlier request to God to take pity on his loneliness.  Of course, keeping her is a whole different issue.  The two are torn apart by supernatural forces that refuse to see a vampire together with a Telkhine, and it’s here that Laura truly discovers the enormity of her powers. Will she be able to stay with David?

Now I can’t tell you more.  You’ll just have to read it to know.  LOL  Oh, I’m putting the cover for WHEN LOVE SURVIVES here.  It’s too pretty to hide.

What am I going to do next?  I’m working on the final touches for A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS.  I just love vampires for the holidays, don’t you?

Ta for now.  Dance, magic, dance.

Sometime today my novel, my vampire romance, THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS, will be on All Romance Ebooks.  I’ll change this post as soon as it is.  I really can’t wait.  For years, I’ve written short stories and novellas.  This is my first novel, and folks, I can’t express into words what a first novel means to an author.  To use some British phrasing: It’s bloody exciting!