DAME TOPAZ TREASURES: Book of the Week Nominee and 5 Books! “Truly the pot at the end of the rainbow, DAME TOPAZ TREASURES is full of happy, enchanting stories that lift the spirit and make the heart glad that love finds a way for soul mates to connect regardless of their ages. The very real life events, the familial love, and romantic love make Desert Rose memorable. Promises and the importance of keeping them is a strong theme throughout the story—food for thought. Petals of a Topaz Jewel: Crammed full of suspense and adrenaline-pumping action, this story takes the reader on a blind date with a widow and a younger man. The undercurrents of emotions and edgy action keep the reader turning pages. The Topaz Guard: Exciting reading. The Topaz Guard is a breathtaking tale that show love overriding all else to bind soulmates together. Lunch at the Topaz Diner: Gratifying reading. Magic Kisses: What a fun story! The humor ebbs and flows through the mishap dates and casual encounters. Finally that “ah-ha” moment comes that has remained just out of reach as mundane issues demanded attention. This is a delightful love story that makes one feel good. The Last Dance: Events captivate and beguile, making one’s heart sing with joy. I read this one first AND last and will love reading it again as time goes by. It is a story of love unending. All in all, DAME TOPAZ TREASURES is a definite keeper that I happily give 5 books.” ~Long and Short Reviews

DAME TOPAZ TREASURES, Volume II: Spirits, Ghost and Magic: 5 Stars! “Carrie S. Masek’s writing style is straightforward and the flow of words is spontaneous. This is perhaps what gives these novellas a special appeal for young readers. There is no doubt that Masek has a fertile imagination and she covers the contemporary, romance and fantasy genre in this collection. This gives us an insight into her range and versatility as a writer. Above all, these novellas are as exciting as well as easy to read. All these factors make her a promising author and it will be interesting to see what she comes up with in her next book.
“If you enjoy reading short stories that are mysterious and also have an emotional story that contains morals and messages, then this is the kind of book for you. I appreciate the fact that all the stories in this collection contain similar themes, whether it be horror, paranormal romance, or fantasy, and so the stories are all connected in a suitable way. These stories flowed on the page as the twists and turns enticed me to find out what was going to happen next. Reading these stories reminded me of watching an episode of the Twilight Zone, for they all had fully developed characters with a problem to overcome, and in the end things were set right, even if it was in an unexpected manner. Masek has great talent for writing tales in the short form, and she does it gracefully in this volume.
“This is an anthology with something for everyone. This is the first time I've read anything by Masek, but I know it won't be the last. I was wrapped up in Will Connor's narrative (in The Topaz Locket) from the start of the story and really enjoyed the dream sequences. Likewise, the Halloween tale (Trick or Treat) was vivid and magical. The real star of the book, for me, however, was Topaz and the Lucky Seven. It is easily one of the best fantasy tales I've read in a long time and is a refreshing entry into that field. Zaida is a fabulous hero--she is strong and resourceful, and her relationship with Cook, the closest thing to a father she has ever had, is a joy to experience. This tale is sword and sorcery fiction that kept me enthralled to the very last page. I enjoyed every tale in this book and will be recommending it to my friends.” ~Readers Favorite http://readersfavorite.com/book-review/8704

The Topaz Locket: 5 Angels! “Masek connects two strangers with the help of a stolen locket. The dream scenes are well done and are an original way to show character growth. Add to this the search for Grace and readers will be as entranced as Will.” ~Fallen Angels Reviews http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/August2005/Amanda-TalesfromtheTreasureTroveAnthologyVolume1.htm

Special Delivery: 4 Angels! “Very touching. Readers can feel the love that Margaret longs to share with others. As she grieves for the loss of her family, readers will share her pain. When she becomes her own Special Delivery, readers will be moved by the decision she makes.” ~Fallen Angel Reviews http://www.fallenangelsreviews.com

Trick or Treat: 4.75 R.I.P.S.! “Enchanting story. Definitely for the whole family! The curls in story give new life to a seasoned tale. The characters were delectable, the writing is very vibrant. I watched the scenes in my head as the story unfolded.” ~Bitten by Books http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1434

Topaz and the Lucky Seven: 4 ½ Stars! “I liked the timing of this story, and as it was short I did want to read more. It captivated me and I didn't really want it to end.” ~Love Romance Passion http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-tales-from-the-treasure-trove-vol-vii/

Cybergeist: “Fine, standout supernatural horror story.” ~Cemetery Dance Magazine

What's the story behind your Dame Topaz Treasures collections? Tell us about your newest collection, DAME TOPAZ TREASURES, Volume II: Spirits, Ghosts and Magic? Do any of the stories stand out as favorites for you?

I’m fond of all my stories, particularly those with a fantastic edge to them. In that sense, all the stories in DAME TOPAZ TREASURES, Volume II: Spirits, Ghosts and Magic stand out as favorites of mine. Two of the stories, though, Trick or Treat and Cybergeist, are even more special, but for very different reasons.

Trick or Treat started in brainstorming session with my youngest son, Leland. He was about ten at the time and needed to write a Halloween story for school.

I love brainstorming with young people! They have marvelous imaginations and, unlike many grown-ups, are brave enough to follow their ideas into strange and uncharted territory. Leland and I bounced many ideas off each other, and one, children receiving a “trick” on Halloween that transforms them into their costumes, stuck in my mind.

I don’t remember what Leland decided to write about for his class, but a couple of years later, and with Leland’s consent, I developed the tricky costume idea into, Trick or Treat. Every time I look at the story, I think of Leland and smile.

The concept for the bonus story, Cybergeist, grew out of a nightmare I had after the Columbine shootings. My eldest son, Bill, was a junior in high school at that time. Not only did the thought of kids being shot down in school terrify me, but the profile of the gunmen—loners who dressed in black and had been targeted by bullies when younger—sounded uncomfortably like my son. At eighteen, Bill was a gentle, peace-loving person who would never knowingly hurt anyone, and I wondered what could possibly drive boys like him to an act of mass violence. My fears and worries erupted into a deeply disturbing dream, which haunted me until I exorcised it by writing, Cybergeist.

Almost fourteen years later, Bill has a college degree, a successful career and a lovely wife. Cybergeist will always be special to me because it reminds me how far he’s come since that terrifying April in 1999.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your own imagination?

Every story I’ve ever published contains the disclaimer that all characters are fictional and bear no resemblance to any person, living or dead. The official answer is therefore, “totally from my own imagination.” (grin)

Actually, that’s mostly true. My characters often contain bits and pieces of real people. A good example from DAME TOPAZ TREASURES, Volume II: Spirits, Ghosts and Magic is the character of Zaida in Topaz and the Lucy Seven. Zaida is fiercely devoted to, and protective of, her best friend, Princess Alma of Brazeland. When writing the story, I based that part of Zaida’s character on my daughter, Catie, who once tackled and took down a boy five years older than she was because he was being mean to her big brother.

If books weren't placed alphabetically by author or title in the store or on a virtual bookshelf, what books/authors would you like to find your books shelved between?

Can I have an end cap? (grin)

What were you doing at midnight last night?

I’d like to claim I was outside, dancing under the full moon…but actually I was sound asleep.

When you want to snack, do you go for salty or sweet?

My favorite snacks mix sweet and salty. Most cookies recipes, for instance, start by blending salty butter and sugar. Cookies and milk is one of my favorite snacks, as is a hot fudge sundae topped with roasted, salted pecans. Hmm…I guess I go for snacks that are salty, sweet and creamy. Yum!

What will your "Famous Last Words" be? Why?

I don’t know about famous, but I’d like my last words to be, “I love you,” and I’d like to say them to my family and friends who I hope will be with me at the end.

What are you working on now?

As of now, I plan to set short fiction aside and concentrate on the two novels I’m in the process of writing. The first is the sequel to my vampire thriller, TWICE DAMNED. Tentatively titled, DAMNED IF YOU DO, it continues the adventures of Ritter Breitmann, a WWII soldier turned vampire, but focuses more on his comrade, Cole Morgan, a Vietnam era vampire. I’d like to finish the book by the end of this year. I’d also like to make some progress on the sequel to A DRAGON’S TAIL, but I need help from my son (and co-author) Bill for that one. He just started a new job, though, and may not have time to devote to writing for a while.

What can readers look for next from you?

In addition to the two sequels? I’m not really sure. I enjoy YA fiction, both reading and writing it, so my next book may well be aimed at younger readers. What will probably happen is I’ll come across a story idea, which I will try to ignore while I finish the two sequels. Some stories are very stubborn and refuse to listen to reason. When one of those slips into my brain, the story keeps harassing me until I sit down and write it. If that happens before I finish my sequels, my “what’s next” could be anything. I’m going to keep working on my vampire sequel, though, and hope I finish it before another story hijacks me.

March 2013 Spotlight

        

Christine DeSmet is a novelist, screenwriter, and writing teacher at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her new mystery series, The Fudge Shop Mystery Series, set in Door County, Wisconsin, debuts in September 2013. Her first novel, a romantic suspense called SPIRIT LAKE, is an award-winning, best-selling novel available now from Mundania Press.

In the film world, she co-authored with Peggy Williams and Bob Shill a true-story film script "Chinaware-Fragile," which is a past winner of the Slamdance Film Festival writing contest and was optioned by New Line Cinema. With Peggy, Christine has optioned other projects. She's a fellowship graduate of the Warner Bros. Sitcom Writers Workshop, and member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum, Romance Writers of America, and Writers Guild of America, East. She has a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism from UW-Madison and grew up on a farm near Barneveld, WI.

Christine's releases include a novella called Sex with the Man in the Moon in TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, the first Jewels of the Quill Anthology; When Rudolph was Kidnapped, the first story in her Mischief in Moonstone Series, in the Jewels of the Quill Christmas anthology, SMALL GIFTS; Misbehavin' in Moonstone, Book 2 in her Mischief in Moonstone Series, in TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, Volume II; Mrs. Claus and the Moonstone Murder, Book 3 in the Mischief in Moonstone Series, in TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, Volume III; When the Dead People Brought A Dish-to-Pass, Book 4 in the Mischief in Moonstone Series, in SHADOWS IN THE HEART, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology; and the newest The Big Love & Murder Shilly-Shally in Moonstone, Book 6 in the Mischief in Moonstone Series, in TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, Volume V. Also available now are the first two books in her Men of Moonstone Series: The Moonstone Fire, in TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, Volume IV and All She Wore Was A Bow, in CHRISTMAS WISHES, A Jewels of the Quill Christmas Anthology. Christine’s newest release is The Christmas Magi of Birch Bay in CHRISTMAS GEMS, Jewels of the Quill’s third Christmas anthology.

Available now are Christine's two Dame series collections: MISCHIEF IN MOONSTONE SERIES, with the first four books and a bonus novella in the series, available now. MEN OF MOONSTONE SERIES, with the first two books and a bonus novella in the series, is also now available, and is a 2010 EPIC Award finalist. Both are spotlighted below.

Additionally, Christine had a romantic mystery novella in THE OBJECT OF ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY, Stolen Pleasures, published by the now defunct Beacon Books. THE OBJECT OF ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY was nominated for a 2007 CAPA (anthology category).

The first cozy mystery in the Fudge Shop Mystery Series will be FIRST-DEGREE FUDGE in September 2013. The next two books in the series are TBA also in paperback. Click on the Books & Awards button above to purchase any of Christine’s books.

Subscribe to Christine’s free e-mail newsletter:

Hatching Fun in Spring with Award-winning Author Christine DeSmet Christine’s beloved Silkie Chickens were made popular in her Men of Moonstone and Mischief in Moonstone series' Click here for some fun facts about chickens! Available now from Whiskey Creek Press Also available from Amazon BN.com

Men of Moonstone Series
Humorous Romantic Mystery Novellas
978-60313-527-6 (ebook); 978-1-60313-526-9 (trade paperback)
2010 EPIC AWARD Finalist!

They’re tall as the oaks, bold as the bulls they’ve ridden in rodeos, and they don’t talk about the past. They’re three buddies who’ve seen the worst the world has to dish out. One by one, they ride into Moonstone for missions impossible and women improbable. Includes:

The Moonstone Fire (Book 1): John “Bozeman” Hall grew up raising longhorns, hunting grizzlies, and eating snake meat. He could handle anything. But then he arrives in Moonstone to hunt down a pyro criminal—who turns out to be a homeless woman and her son living in a nearby cave.

All She Wore Was a Bow (Book 2): Kincaid “Kade” Hunter rocks the rodeos, but when he comes to Moonstone at Christmas-time to save a friend from marrying the wrong woman, Kade meets with interference extraordinaire: Gloria Gibson, the wedding planner from Hell. Gloria has her own ideas about where to hang mistletoe and what or who Kade should be riding to glory.

Pest Control (Book 3): Jason “Jase” Schuster reluctantly returns to town to help his deputy sheriff sister with undercover work. Unfortunately she’s set him up in a sham pest control business and wants him to infiltrate a local women’s group run by her prime suspect, Hyacinth Clarehout. Despite her mice, chickens, and mysterious locked barn, Hyacinth is soon infiltrating his heart. But then murder comes calling…

Find out more
Read excerpts

Mischief in Moonstone Series
Humorous Romantic Mystery Novellas
978-1-60313-143-8 (ebook); 978-1-60313-142-1 (trade paperback)

Welcome to Moonstone, Wisconsin, a small town on the shore of Lake Superior, where you’ll find mystery and romance, good-hearted neighbors and hilarity, with a dash of intriguing food on the menu at the local restaurant, The Jingle Bell Inn. Includes:

When Rudolph was Kidnapped (Book 1): When her pet reindeer, Rudolph, is stolen from the live animal holiday display, first-grade teacher Crystal Hagan has a big problem on her hands. Her students fear Christmas will be canceled. Ironically, the prime suspect is a man who lives in a mansion known as the “North Pole.”

Misbehavin’ in Moonstone (Book 2): When the men of Moonstone suddenly seem to be off fishing a lot, Kirsten Peplinski discovers a topless touring boat has set up business in Lake Superior. But when she steps aboard for negotiations, Jonathon VanBrocklin kidnaps her—he wants something special from her in exchange for stopping the tours.

Mrs. Claus and the Moonstone Murder (Book 3): When a pie contest judge drops dead, new county deputy Lily Schuster is determined to solve the case fast and professionally—despite the interference of a trespassing, amorous archeologist in search of an ancient, giant beaver skeleton.

When the Dead People Brought a Dish-to-Pass (Book 4): Three days before Halloween, a dead man disappears from his car in the ditch near Alyssa Swain’s old house. When that same man shows up at her doorstep the next morning, the last thing she expects is for him to steal her heart—or to insist she hold a traditional Halloween party for her dead relatives from centuries past.

A Moonstone Wedding (Book 5): When grocery store owner Margie Mueller’s fiancé—chef Tony Farina—sends her a “fertility rug” to stand on at their wedding, she panics. Margie’s no spring chicken and she’s not about to hatch a big brood for the Farinas. Before she can call off the wedding, the Farina clan invades Moonstone for partying and mischief. But Margie doesn’t mind—behind the scenes she’s got a murder to solve. A dead man shows up wrapped in the fertility rug. And it looks like Margie’s fiancé may know more about it than he’s letting on.

Find out more
Read excerpts

Reviews:

The Moonstone Fire: 4.5 hearts and Reviewer Top Pick! “This story draws the reader in with arson, kidnapping, and silkie chickens. Be prepared as just about anything can happen in Moonstone, including falling in love! Even though some of the stories are advanced parts of series, they easily stand alone as well." ~Night Owl Romance http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1221

All She Wore Was a Bow: 4 1/2 books! “Christine DeSmet takes us back to Moonstone, Wisconsin, a quaint little village where unusual things happen. The humor and the love that shines through in this poignant tale far outweigh the confusion. The lasting, real joys of life rather than the fleeting excitement of casual sex and fast money are revealed in loving and subtle ways that leave the reader with an affirmation of the good in humanity.” ~Long And The Short Reviews http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/1208/ChristmasWishes-AN.htm

When Rudolph Was Kidnapped: 4 angels! "Lively! Ms. DeSmet knows how to warm readers' hearts and bring a smile to faces. The characters in this tale are personable and fun. The antics of the animals and kids will cause many readers to reminiscence on the joys of a holiday filled with children. Add to this the heat that simmers between Crystal and Peter, and this is a holiday story that starts the season off right.” ~Fallen Angel Reviews http://www.fallenangelsreviews.com

Misbehavin' in Moonstone: 4 cups! “A rollicking romp through small town Wisconsin that really captured my attention. Ms. DeSmet is able to use wit and humor in a thoroughly entrancing way. It is not easy to predict what will happen from one moment to the next, which makes for some very interesting reading." ~Coffee Time Romance http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Talesfromthetreasuretrovevolume2.html

Mrs. Claus and the Moonstone Murder: 5 angels! “Lily Schuster, the newly appointed county deputy serving Moonstone, Wisconsin, goes out on a call about a man digging for beaver bones under lavender chickens. This story is another fun episode of the madness found in Moonstone, Wisconsin. Lily and Marcus are fun characters and, while they seem to be trying to avoid a relationship, someone gets murdered and Lily must figure out what is going on and Marcus is more than willing to help. There are lots of funny and entertaining things happening all at once in Moonstone in this tale, and I really enjoyed it. Lily is also a friend of Kirsten that was one of the main characters of the second story from the Mischief in Moonstone Series. This is one of those series that the story incorporates characters from the earlier books, and you will want to find and read the other episodes!” ~Fallen Angel Reviews http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2008/January/StephanieB-TalesFromTheTreasureTrove_VolumeIII.htm

When the Dead People Brought a Dish-to-Pass: 5 angels! “A delightful romance and ghost story. The creepiness in this story is in the beginning, after all wouldn't you be unnerved by finding a dead man in a car crash who disappears then reappears at your house and tells you he has come to help you? This story is just downright fun! I loved it and can't wait to read more stories in the Mischief in Moonstone Series.” ~Fallen Angel Reviews http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2007/November/StephanieB-ShadowsOfTheHeart.htm

What's the story behind your humorous silkie chicken mysteries in the Mischief in and Men of Moonstone series’? What inspired you to write them?

I’ve always thought chickens were just plain funny pals to have around. I like their humor. They also make people smile. That appeals to me. You can’t look at a chicken and not smile. I proposed the chicken stories to author Karen Wiesner, who heads up our Jewels group, and she loved the idea, too. So I decided that each of my stories in the series would include chickens somehow, even if they were just in the background. That was my plan anyway; in a couple of the stories the chickens are right in the mix of things. Have you ever given a chicken a bath? A couple of my characters soon learn how difficult that can be.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your own imagination?

Imagination. When I look at my characters, no real people come to mind, though I’m sure I’ve borrowed characteristics from people I’ve known in my life or have heard about.

If books weren't placed alphabetically by author or title in the store or on a virtual bookshelf, what books/authors would you like to find your books shelved between?

All the Jewels of the Quill authors!

What were you doing at midnight last night?

Sleeping. Creating new stories in my dreams! And trust me—that’s where I do indeed work out a lot of plot ideas.

When you want to snack, do you go for salty or sweet?

Both. Together. Belgian chocolate paired with nuts of any kind is what life is all about.

What will your "Famous Last Words" be? Why?

“Have fun.” Why? Because the alternative is quite dreary. Over the years I’ve also used that as my theme in all the writing coaching I’ve done with fellow writers and beginning writers. Have fun, and if you’re not having fun, go do something else. Life is short; enjoy it.

What are you working on now?

A new cozy murder mystery series set in Door County, Wisconsin, called The Fudge Shop Mystery Series, from Penguin Publishing. It debuts in September 2013.

What can readers look for next from you?

A lot of good fudge recipes and humor in my new Fudge Shop Mystery Series. And more stories about chickens.

Anything else you'd like to discuss?

I teach fiction writing and scriptwriting in Continuing Studies workshops and online courses at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Maybe I’ll meet a few of my readers at our events sometime. Feel free to email me anytime, too, at cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu.

February 2013 Spotlight

        

Barbara Raffin grew up a country girl in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but loves to visit the big city and live the hurried pace now and then. Blessed with a vivid imagination, she's created stories and adventures in one form or another for as long as she can remember. She wrote her first book at age twelve in retaliation to the lack of female leads in the adventure stories she loved reading. But it is a love of playing with words, exploring the human psyche, and telling stories that keeps her writing. Whether a romantic romp or gothic-flavored suspense, her books have one common denominator: characters who are wounded, passionate, and searching for love.

Barb lives on the Michigan-Wisconsin border with her Keeshond dog Katie and her avid outdoorsman husband who continues to support her love affair with reading and writing. Visit Barbara's website by clicking on the website button below to learn more about her and her latest releases, including THE MATING GAME and TIME OUT OF MIND. Look for the reissues of WOLFSONG (romantic suspense), THE INDENTURED HEART (historical romantic suspense), and THE VISITOR (gothic paranormal romance).

Barbara's story Jaded is available now in TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, the first Jewels of the Quill Anthology. Her story The Sting of Love in the Jewels of the Quill Valentine's Day anthology, TREASURES OF THE HEART, is also available along with the newly released The Scarecrow and Ms. Moon, in HALLOWEEN TREASURES, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology. Click on the Books & Awards button above to purchase any of Barbara’s books.

(Cover Art Designed by Barbara Raffin)

TIME OUT OF MIND by Barbara Raffin Paranormal Romance Available now in electronic format Download from Amazon.com They died time and time again, but their love lived on. Not even Michael Archer knows if he's come to save or destroy Samantha Moore. He knows only that, in countless lifetimes, he has always affected her death before she can turn thirty. This time, he has found her just ten days prior to her thirtieth birthday. Samantha doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven. She lives in the here and now, her goals tangible...until Archer shows up with his improbable past and a disturbing link to her father's death. But Archer and Samantha must unite if they are to alter their entwined destinies. The question: Can Archer convince Samantha to believe the improbable in time to save herself? Read an excerpt

Reviews:

4 1/2 Stars! ""A powerful novel..." ~Affaire de Coeur

4 1/2 Stars! "Raw and intense emotional reactions from...the characters....infuses every paragraph with passion and drama. Raffin's brilliant use of language echoes the setting, adding to the rising tension as Michael and Samantha find themselves compelled to relive the past in a desperate effort to change Fate this time around. This reincarnation tale is one of the best I've ever read--a stunning evocative and suspenseful love story that leaps off the pages into the reader's heart." ~Award-winning author Jane Toombs

4 Stars! "Barbara Raffin does a fabulous job of keeping the suspense going...until the very last page." ~RT Books Reviews

"TIME OUT OF MIND combines suspense, romance, and the paranormal to form an enjoyable book. The issues of reincarnation, karma, and fate deciding your destiny were nicely incorporated into the plot. Ms. Raffin teases her readers with glimpses into the previous incarnations of Archer and Samantha, demonstrating her skill at transporting her readers to different places and situations." ~Escape to Romance

"Ms. Raffin has written a brilliant book with an extremely interesting premise of reincarnation. I couldn't put this book down." ~The Word on Romance

"Michael Archer doesn't have the name of a hunter by accident. He's spent countless lifetimes hunting for his one true love, The tragedy is, every time he finds her, she dies. TIME OUT OF MIND will stick in my mind for a long while. If you enjoy stories that read quickly yet leave you sated in the end, pick up TIME OUT OF MIND today and enjoy the ride. I did." ~Romance Review Today

"An intriguing and different novel, TIME OUT OF MIND avoids the confusion of many reincarnation novels. Archer...is all man, the perfect hero. Samantha is...easy for the modern, driven woman to identify with as she is torn over vital decisions. Sensual tension remains high from page one to the end with credible suspense building towards the climax." ~Scribes World

What's the story behind TIME OUT OF MIND? What inspired you to write it? What about the characters intrigued you?

Some time ago, I took a workshop at a writers' conference called "Things That Go Bump in the Night." The speaker was a true believer in all things paranormal and her comments soon had the audience asking questions about her personal experiences. I found myself mesmerized by her reincarnation story. She claimed she'd never lived beyond the age of forty because of an unresolved issue she had with another soul who always crossed her path. I couldn't stop wondering what it would be like to have the deadline of your life on this earth nearing. But, since my Samantha Moore didn't know her story, Michael Archer, who thought he knew their full story, came to me first.

But it soon became clear to me that Archer didn't know whether he was a good soul or bad. Crossing paths with Samantha in repeated lives always precipitated her death. Did he kill her himself or did she die because he failed to save her? To have a hero who didn't know if he was the bad guy or the good fascinated me. I also love, love, love deeply wounded heroes and Archer beautifully fit that role. As for Samantha, she offered me a damaged canvas that could only be repaired by her forgiving Archer's one failing and learning what truly mattered in life.

A few weeks later, on a flight that was so noisy I couldn't even hear myself talk, the plot of Samantha's and Archer's story laid itself out for me. To date, it was not only the easiest book I ever plotted, but the plotting technique the most unique. All my scenes came to me in song or movie titles. Examples: Gorillas in the Mist became Chainsaws in the Mist.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your own imagination?

My characters are mostly developed in my imagination. I'm sometimes inspired by someone I know or borrow on mannerisms or personality traits of people I know. I love looking at magazine pictures for a "look" that gives "attitude." Attitude seems to be the basis of my character building.

When you want to snack, do you go for salty or sweet?

Sweet. There's nothing better than chocolate. Love Lindor Truffles. Good thing I can't afford those too often. Love Cinnabon, too. Good thing the closest supplier is a 100 miles away. But wait, didn't I see an ad for Burger King selling mini Cinnabons? Uh-oh. That's trouble.

What are you working on now?

I'm working with Brittiany Koren, creator of Written Dreams, on creating a presence for myself in the Indie market. Currently, I'm waiting for rights back on several books so I can re-edit them and release them myself, am editing one that I have the rights on already, and writing on a new book in the lighter vein of THE MATING GAME.

What can readers look for next from you?

Hopefully my readers will have the opportunity not too far into 2013 to discover what I call my lighter voice in THE MATING GAME (which has been available only in hardback and set against the world of dog breeding and showing), TAMING TESS (a play on the Taming of the Shrew), and NO PLACE LIKE HOME (which plays a bit off the Wizard of Oz).

January 2013 Spotlight

        

Marked for life by reading DRACULA at the age of twelve, Margaret L. Carter has specialized throughout her career in fantasy and the supernatural, especially vampires. Earning degrees in English from the College of William and Mary, the University of Hawaii, and the University of California (Irvine), she wrote her dissertation on the Gothic novel. Her first novel was SHADOW OF THE BEAST (available now from Amber Quill Press). Margaret's vampire novels include DARK CHANGELING (2000 EPPIE award winner in horror, available from Hard Shell Word Factory), CHILD OF TWILIGHT (its sequel, 2004 EPPIE award finalist in horror, Hard Shell), and CRIMSON DREAMS (Amber Quill).

Combining her focus on relationships and getting inside the mind of the "monster" with her lifelong devotion to horror and fantasy, she has branched into paranormal romance with SEALED IN BLOOD and FROM THE DARK PLACES (Amber Quill) and her short story collection HEART'S DESIRES AND DARK EMBRACES (Amber Quill). She has several stories published by erotic romance publishers Ellora's Cave and Amber Quill Press/Amber Heat. Margaret's erotic werewolf romance novella, Allure of the Beast, is now available along with Wizard’s Trap; Song from the Abyss (a 2012 EPIC Award finalist in the novella category), which is also included in the LOVE NOTES ANTHOLOGY; and Calling Back Love (spotlighted below). Her novella Foxfire was a 2011 EPIC eBook Award finalist! Available now are new erotic paranormal romance collections: NIGHT FLAMES and ARDENT BLOOD.

Margaret's scholarly work on vampirism in literature includes THE VAMPIRE IN LITERATURE: A CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY and DIFFERENT BLOOD: THE VAMPIRE AS ALIEN, as well as a number of articles. Her newest is an essay titled “Slayer as Monster in BLOOD+ and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER” in SPEAKING OF MONSTERS: A TERATOLOGICAL ANTHOLOGY. Her short stories have appeared in various anthologies and small press publications. With her husband, retired Navy Captain Leslie Roy Carter, she has the fantasy novels WILD SORCERESS, BESIEGED ADEPT, and ROGUE MAGESS, Books 1-3 in her Aetria Trilogy from Amber Quill Press. Other releases from Margaret include: PRINCE OF THE HOLLOW HILLS; Foxfire, Lion's Bower; LOVE UNLEASHED; Heart Diamond, and Sweeter Than Wine from Ellora's Cave; Blood Hostage, WINDWALKER'S MATE; The Unvanished Hitchhiker in SHADOWS IN THE HEART, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology; Little Cat Feet in CHRISTMAS WISHES, A Jewels of the Quill Christmas Anthology; Mistress of the Shadow Hounds in HALLOWEEN TREASURES, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology; and Mad Magic in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress XXVI. Look for the release of Margaret’s first Dame collection, DAME ONYX TREASURES: Love Among the Monsters, with her Jewels of the Quill anthology contributions and five bonus stories, coming March 2013 in trade paperback and electronic formats from Whiskey Creek Press.

Access files for Margaret’s fiction at her newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/margaretlcartersnewsfromthecrypt/files/ (you must be registered and signed in to access them) including a timeline of the stories and novels in her Vanishing Breed vampire universe, in internal chronological order; a checklist, by issue, of all the authors interviewed in THE VAMPIRE’S CRYPT; and the contents of DAYMARES FROM THE CRYPT, a short chapbook of horror and fantasy verse, much of it vampire-themed, which Margaret self-published in 1981 and reissued in Kindle format in October 2012. She’s added three bonus poems written later. To receive the poetry file, email Margaret at MLCVamp@aol.com. To receive free PDFs of any issues of Margaret's discontinued fanzine, THE VAMPIRE'S CRYPT, send her an e-mail requesting the desired issue. Contents of all the zines are listed on her website here: http://www.margaretlcarter.com/old_website/vampcrypt.php. Click on the Books & Awards button above to purchase any of Margaret’s books.

Subscribe to Margaret's free e-mail newsletter:

Subscribe to Margaret L. Carters's Newsfromthecrypt
Powered by groups.yahoo.com

Calling Back Love by Margaret L. Carter Erotic Paranormal Romance Novella 9781419942990 (electronic) Available now from Ellora's Cave Publishing Download from Amazon.com War has stolen Kirsten’s fiancé Shawn from her. After he’s reported missing and presumed dead in Afghanistan, she turns to witchcraft to bring him back. Though she can’t recall him from the dead, magic can grant them one last weekend together for a proper farewell. Once she has tasted his love again, she can hardly bear the thought of letting him go. Yet even this brief interlude violates the laws of nature. There is no way to make his return permanent—or maybe there is. Read an excerpt

Reviews:

“Calling Back Love is a fast paced short story that will touch your heart. As Kristen deals with the loss of Shawn in her own way, her plight will resonate with every reader. Everyone has wondered what if they could get just a little more time with a loved one and now that Kristen has this chance find out what she does with it. Pick up Calling Back Love if you are looking for a sweet story about true love.” ~Sizzling Hot Book Reviews

“I grabbed this book because the premise sounded intriguing. I enjoyed this novella - the writing style flows, I could empathize with the characters, and the emotion and sex scenes were great. I'd recommend this for those that enjoy military erotic romances - especially those with a paranormal twist.” ~Blogcritics http://blogcritics.org/books/article/ebook-review-calling-back-love-by/

What's the story behind Calling Back Love? What inspired you to write it? What about the characters intrigued you?

The spark came from the Ellora’s Cave “witches and wizards” theme month submission call. It occurred to me that even though my husband had a thirty-year Navy career, I’ve written almost nothing with military people and their families as characters. If I made my heroine, the witch of the story, the wife or fiancee of a soldier, what could drive her to use magic in a more extreme and risky way than ever before? Learning that he has died in battle, of course. Technically, he’s missing and presumed dead, so she has a “window” of uncertainty to work with in trying to bring him back. Still, manipulating life and death violates the laws of nature she is supposed to serve. The venerable advice to “write what you know,” in my opinion, needs a cautionary note attached—working directly with material from one’s own experience isn’t easy to do early in a writing career. It takes a while to get the perspective needed to make an effective story from the elements of one’s own life. Or so I’ve found. In most of my fiction, my heroines may be similar to me in appearance, nerdiness, etc., but their lives haven’t been much like mine.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your own imagination?

Mostly from my imagination, although I might include isolated personality traits, speech quirks, or elements of physical appearance from real people. Some of my heroines share physical characteristics with me, while others more resemble the ideal of how I wish I looked.

If books weren’t placed alphabetically by author or title in the store or on a virtual bookshelf, what books/authors would you like to find your books shelved between?

Suzy McKee Charnas and Madeleine L’Engle. I envy Charnas’s ability to make fantastic creatures totally believable in a contemporary setting, as in THE VAMPIRE TAPESTRY and her werewolf story “Boobs”. I admire L’Engle as one of the great twentieth-century Christian fantasy and SF authors, with a special gift for creating good characters who are interesting and realistic. (Good guys are harder to make exciting than villains.)

What were you doing at midnight last night?

Probably sleeping! Although I’m a night person by nature, at this age my nights usually end before the witching hour. I lead a very dull life. (I agree with Bilbo: Adventures are nasty, uncomfortable things that make you late for dinner.)

When you want to snack, do you go for salty or sweet?

Sweet, specifically the darkest possible chocolate while still containing some sugar. Or a very chocolaty flavor of ice cream.

What will your "Famous Last Words" be? Why?

So many books, so little time! (I’m hardly ever caught up with the TBR pile.)

What are you working on now?

My husband and I are working on a prequel to the Aetria trilogy (WILD SORCERESS, BESIEGED ADEPT, ROGUE MAGESS), a fantasy with romantic elements.

What can readers look for next from you?

DAME ONYX TREASURES: LOVE AMONG THE MONSTERS, a story collection from Whiskey Creek Press, in March. It contains my stories from the Jewels of the Quill anthologies plus several bonus pieces, including a fantasy romance novella set mostly inside a computer game.

Anything else you’d like to discuss?

I’ve recently produced my first self-published Kindle project, an e-book of DAYMARES FROM THE CRYPT, a chapbook of horror and fantasy poetry I created many years ago. It has a lovely eerie cover by Karen Wiesner and is priced at a bargain 99 cents: http://tinyurl.com/daymaresfromthecrypt.

Send e-mail to the Jewels! FansofJewelsoftheQuill-owner@yahoogroups.com

Be eligible for giveaways, prizes and offers only for members of our fan club.
Be the first to know about new spotlights and releases.
Sign up for the Fans of the Jewels of the Quill Newsletter today.

Subscribe to FansofJewelsoftheQuill
Powered by groups.yahoo.com

Site Map

Some of the graphics on this site are provided by Delilah Hawthorne.
All other web graphics on this page are designed by Karen Wiesner.

If you experience technical problems with this site, please contact the Webmistress.