Category: Current news

Currently frolicking with readers and writers alike at the RT Booklovers Convention in Kansas City, I thought it would be fun to host a giveaway in my absence!  And this one is all about beautiful weather and fabulous fiction.  Simply sign in to the giveaway below and you’ll be entered to win this wonderful organic lavender sachet, flower seeds and your choice of one of my novels!

If you’re at the convention with me, please stop by and say hello!  I’ll be signing books at the Ebook & Graphic Novel Expo on May 2nd from 4pm – 6pm, as well as the Giant Book Fair May 4th 11am – 2pm.  Hope to see you there! :)

What if characters could talk?  Communicate with the world outside their novels?  What would they say?

Just for fun, I decided to give my heroine Samantha Rawlings a voice outside her current starring role in LUST ON THE ROCKS.

So Sam, tells us a bit about yourself.

I practice law in a Miamihigh rise and where my office window overlooks beautiful Biscayne Bay.  Currently I’m on track to make partner—just have to prove myself on this one last case.  Other than that, my life is perfect.  I have freedom, money, and a slew of handsome men to choose from when I want companionship—and trust me, I want companionship—the hotter the better.

Betwewen you and Dianne, who is the giver and who is the taker? 

Well to be honest—which I always am—I’m a bit of both.  I take what I want, when I want it, but I’m the selfless sort when it comes to my friends and family and Dianne?  She doesn’t ask for much.  So when she does, I usually try an honor her requests.  Problem is, in this current novel that she’s written, Lust on the Rocks (I do like the title), she’s asking a hell of a lot from me.  Quite frankly, I’m not real sure I’m willing to give that much.  But we’ll see.  I’m open-minded, if I’m anything so I’m willing to play along!

If Dianne could spend her earnings from the sale of your current release, what would she buy? 

The woman enjoys fine wine but usually won’t spend the money to buy the good stuff.  She’s kinda cheap that way.  Says she’d rather drink water than cheap wine.  If I could, I’d buy her a case of her favorite Chardonnay (the Cabernet she likes is a bit pricey, even for me!) but if you ask me, the woman should definitely allot a chunk of her profits for good wine. Life’s too short, know what I mean?

If roles were reversed, what story would you cast Dianne in?

Something about an insane asylum—the woman’s schedule is nuts!  I don’t know how she accomplishes half of what she does, what, with two kids, a writing career, stay-at-home mom duties…  On top of that she insists on volunteering and don’t even get me started on that garden of hers—insane! Completely insane.  But she seems to like it, so I’d make the story fun.  Anyone who knows me knows I do like to have fun!

Tell us something about Dianne she’s unlikely to share. 

She reads palms.  She won’t tell you, because the minute she does, a line begins to form.  Now me?  I love the esoteric side of life!  My spirituality is a big part of who I am and I’d read palms just for the sheer voyeuristic quality to the encounter! But her?  It’s one of those things she’d rather forgo altogether, simply because it’s easier.  Sissy.

Do you have any bad habits?  How about Dianne?

I’d say martinis, except for the fact they bring me so much pleasure, I can’t possibly make the connection that they could be bad for me.  Illogical.  Now Dianne?  She makes piles in an effort to stay organized, but ends up forgetting what the heck she put where and loses ten minutes leafing through the darn things to find what she needs!  Did I mention she has insanity tendencies? 

What is your favorite food, drink, holiday, film, book, color?

My favorite food is a colossal meaty Reuben (reminds me of my current man), martinis (is there anything else?), Christmas (I have lots of nieces and nephews—not to mention my kids down at the Boys and Girls club to shower gifts upon), I don’t watch movies or have a lot of time to read, though if I did, it would be spiritual books with meaning as opposed to reading for entertainment (I AM the entertainment!) and my favorite color?  Red—on my lips, on my nails, in my attire and everywhere else in between.  Love it.  You didn’t ask me about my favorite music, but it’s Flamenco.

What are some of Dianne’s favorites?

Favorite food is anything sweet and her drink of choice is coffee in the a.m., water during the day and of course, a touch of Chardonnay with dinner.  Her favorite holiday would have to be fall, everything from Halloween straight into Christmas (kids and family and all that) while her favorite film changes.  Recently, it’s The Fugitive (I know, it’s a repeat, but she didn’t have time to see in the theaters).  It’s very action-packed with what I agree is a very honorable premise (man vows to hunt down the man who murdered his wife and bring him to justice).  Her favorite book?  Too many too choose from, but Atlas Shrugged remains memorable, The Davinci Code was exciting and you know the woman reads anything romance—probably because she’s been with the same man for sixteen years.  God knows if I spent that time with one man I’d need some fantasy romance escape!  Her favorite color is easy.  Fuchsia, or as I like to refer to it: hot pink, baby.  The hotter the better!

Would you and creator live or move in same circles?

Unlikely.  Outside of my volunteer hours with the kids over at the Boys and Girls club—and my own circus of nieces and nephews—I steer clear of children.  Had enough of the dreamboats when I was young, mind you (tends to happen when you’re the oldest and free when it comes to babysitting).

Give us a review of your book!

The book stars me so of course, it’s good.  Sexy, fast-paced, gorgeous man (he’s mine, but you can fantasize) and because Dianne insisted, a sub-plot is included just to make things more difficult for me.  She knows how protective I am when it comes to my family and well, let’s just say things get complicated for me in this book.  Makes no sense to me—I mean, I told the woman I could sell some mean erotica, but she didn’t bite.  Unfortunately, it’s not the book of her heart. *sigh* Maybe she’ll reconsider for a future book.  I could make her millions…

We see you again?

You bet your bottom you will—people love me!  Dianne would be a fool not to include sweet little old me in future stories and while she does tend toward—crazy!—she’s not stupid.  You’ll see me again.  Next book you’ll find me faithfully advising my pal Sydney Flores on her love and career decisions.  (I’m a fix-it kinda gal!)  And this is one story you don’t want to miss.  While mine is hot in a sexual sort of way, hers is 100% sensual and all-consuming “want” to the point that if you’re anything like me, you’ll drag that man by his ear to the bedroom.  (For God’s sake—I don’t have all day—let’s get to business!) Hmph.  To each his own, I guess.