I have a confession to make: when it comes to book covers, I'm a butterfly. My affections shift from book cover to book cover with every new release. Currently, I'm in love with the cover for "I want to know what love is". I truly believe this is my best one yet (and I'm not claiming any credit, Shirley Burnett is the artist), but I bet I'll change my mind as soon as the next cover comes along.
It's almost a psychological study: tell me what book covers you like and I'll tell you who you are, LOL. Almost all the people who complimented the cover of "I want to know what love is" are not romance readers. On the other hand, only hot romance readers loved the cover of "Fiji on Fire, Fiji on Ice" (click here to see it: http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=363).
"I Want To Know What Love Is" by Eve Summers will hit the Red Rose Publishing shelves on May 27, 2010. Expect the trademark Eve Summers contemporary romance, very naughty yet nice. This one is set in the exotic island of Tahiti, where the food is French, the lovers are dark chocolate French and the kisses are to die for.
STORY BLURB:
Amy doesn't know what it feels like to be in love. Which is pretty sad, when you stop to think about it, and Amy stops to think about it - oh, just about every day. Her fantasies are populated by men who look like movie stars and act like heroes from romance books, while her life is full of men who only think about their careers and who wear stress like a medal for bravery.
Or was, until now. Dan is Amy’s scuba diving buddy and the best-looking bloke in the office. Zorro, their Tahitian diving instructor is every woman’s secret fantasy, the kind you blush about in the darkness of your bedroom and never ever discuss with your girlfriends.
Amy doesn't know what it feels like to be in love. Will she choose the right man?
EXCERPT:
Zorro’s house was filled with Tahitian music and Tahitian festive roast.
“Would you like a lei?” Zorro asked.
Boy, did she ever. But she must have heard wrong. It was that sensual music messing with her head.
“A - a lay?”
“Yep. Here.” Zorro’s grin was both daring and triumphant as he handed her a necklace of chalice-shaped flowers. “Gotcha!”
Amy hid her face in the flowers and inhaled the fragrance of pure heaven.
“Goldilocks?”
She looked up straight at Zorro’s sensuous, full mouth. Double heaven. Without thinking, she leaned into him, her lips grazing his for a crazed split second.
A fever of sudden longing scorched her head, trapped breath in her chest, galloped in her heart. She had to pull away.
Zorro began to dance, right in front of her, barefooted and bare-chested. Every ripple of muscle made Amy’s blood turn to molten lava. She noticed how hard his nipples looked.
Gulp!
He took her hand in his and pulled her into his embrace. Zzzzing! The world stopped.
The rest of the night was a blur. Zorro’s skin pressing against her dress in a slow rhythmic dance. The smell of vanilla and coconut and salt water. The sexual beat of the drums, in, out, in, out, in-out, in-out, in, in, in….
“I love it,” Amy shouted above the music. “Thank you for inviting me.”
Under his hot gaze, she felt her sex appeal grow, like a flower caught on a fast-forward camera, from bud to blossom in three easy seconds.
Instinctively, she reached out and twined thick tresses of her golden hair around Zorro’s neck.
Q. Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?
A. I did so much reading as a child. Some of it was age appropriate—but a lot of it wasn’t. My mother was an avid horror fan and I used to sneak into the upstairs bathroom, lock the door and sneak books like the entire V.C. Andrews series or anything by Stephen King. I think I was ten when I whipped through those puppies. Some of the more appropriate stuff that sticks in my mind would be A Wrinkle in Time. I read that in fifth grade and it changed my life. I couldn’t get any of my kids to read it—which made me sad. I cried openly when I read The Lion the Witch and theWardrobe, as well as The Outsiders. More recently I’d have to say Sue Monk Kidd and Augusten Burroughs, but no matter how hard I try I can’t get into Nicholas Sparks…he’s just too sappy for my taste.
Q. Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.
A. My latest book, Killer on the Key, is a suspense/thriller with a paranormal twist. I wouldn’t classify as paranormal in the purest sense, in fact I had one publisher tell me it wasn’t paranormal at all, but there is a hint of it in there. Ghosties and voices in your head…that sort of thing.
The story takes place on Gulf Key, which is a barrier island just outside of Sarasota, Florida. I should clarify here. It is based on one of the barrier islands that exists in that little piece of heaven. I won’t name it—but I bet anyone familiar with that area could do it in ten pages flat.
It is a story that wraps two different families, from two different generations together. One family, the Ashland’s, is battling with a curse that they believe was placed on them. The other, the Troost’s, are trying to piece themselves back together after the tragic loss of their unborn child. They come together on Gulf Key during Maggie Troost’s recuperation.
It is a thrill ride for sure. Each and every character is a very human mix of good and bad, light and dark. There are moments when you identify with someone and others where you stop and think “Oh my God, that didn’t just happen,” or “Did she just really say that?”
My inspiration was easy. Vacation. My husband took me back to the spot where we fell in love and suddenly I felt like I was standing on the edge of something big, like an electric current was in the air. The next thing I knew, I’d spit out a book.
Q. How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?
A. I really wish I’d written an outline! It was just one big pile of pages that seemed to come from nowhere. I kept thinking I would get stuck at some point and never finish, but every day I’d wake up and think, today this person will say this and then that guy will say that…It was only after my editor, Pat Evans, got a good eyeful and sent it back to me for my first round of revisions that I realized how much more I needed to do to carve out a decent story. I can’t thank her enough for being a drill sergeant—she made me dig and put in countless hours getting it ready. She told me, “It’s a good story—but you have a lot of work to do.” She scared me to death, but made the book a real, honest to goodness book.
Q. Did your book require a lot of research?
A. Some. I only write what I know, or can learn with a little effort. Fiction based on history is something I admire—from afar. A talent I do not possess.
I knew the area like the back of my hand, so that part was easy. Sure I embellished some things, like The Columbia Restaurant’s location. I put it overlooking the Bay for effect, but I used their real menu. But, there were some things I needed to research, for example, taking care of a Man of War? Got nothing on that one. Thankfully with a little research I was able to learn all about how the Mote Aquarium in California is working on a process to keep them alive in tanks. Ta da—research!
Q. If you could have any vice without repercussions, what would it be?
A. I would be able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and still look like I did at twenty five. No exercise required. ~sigh~
Q. What is the funniest/most embarrassing/scariest story from one of your books signings or events?
A. My first signing will be coming up on June 20th at Circle Books in St. Armands Circle (Sarasota) and I am terrified that no one will come! My publicist, Laura Lindau, is working her tail off to make sure that does not happen—but that is the scariest thing I can think of. So if you live within fifty miles—come!
Q. If you could have been the servant to any famous person in history, who would that be and why?
A. Elvis. I think I picked him because his life was so surreal. Fried Peanut Butter sandwiches and honorary FBI badges all mixed up with drugs, opulence, and incredible music? Wow. Think about the book that could have come out of that time spent!
Q. What so you see for the future of publishing and ebooks?
A. I love, love, love this question. I think (as a new writer) that this is one of those moments in history for every artist in every media. The world wide web just keeps making it easier and easier for us independents to get out there and make our mark in the world. The big publishing houses are holding on by a thread right now, and it keeps getting thinner. They no longer have this extreme strangle hold on who gets to be ‘the one.’ If you are good, and people like your work, you can reach a level of success that wasn’t possible a few years ago. The big guys are nervous, and they should be! I knew ebooks had really made it when the biggies got together and sued Amazon.com for selling books too cheaply. It there wasn’t a market—they simply wouldn’t care.
If I could make one prediction it would be this: we are the last generation that will be clinging to paper books. They are very quickly going to become treasured antiques like my big Motorola record cabinet. The next generation will be using tablets for all their reading—even schoolbooks. Like it or hate it, it is coming.
Q. Which of your characters do you love/hate/fear/pity the most and why?
A. My favorite character is Lizzie. She is a crotchety old broad! Underneath she is a giver, but she tells it like it is. No bullshit gets past Lizzie. I hope to be just like her one day… The one I pity the most is her sister Charlotte. She lost herself somewhere and never got back to where she needed to be. It’s just really sad. She clings to God, but it isn’t healthy and in the end…well read the book.
Q. Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to placate her when she refuses to inspire you?
A. My muse and I are on great terms. I think she is over the moon happy that I’m writing. She has been putting story lines in my head since I was in diapers—and I’m just now taking her seriously. I think I just heard her say “finally!”
Q. Do you have another book in the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects
A. I have several new books I’d like to talk about. The big one is Opals andRubies, due out July 1st from Wings. That story was another one that hit me out of nowhere and flew off my fingers. It had to be written. To not write it would have been a crime. It’s darker than Killer on the Key, but talk about rooting for the underdog. It deals with the question of redemption and what happens when we die. It isn’t always pretty—but I promise you it’s riveting. I sent it out for early reviews and so far everything has come back with A+ ratings.
I am also half done with Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom, which is a tad more humorous. It is the story of Lanie Jackerson, a middle aged suburban mom, who wakes up one day and decides to take her life back—on her terms. I’m at a really good spot in the book and I can’t wait to see the end! I have one other project in the works, but I’m not ready to share it publicly yet…
Q. Have you ever experience weird cravings while you write? If so, what kind?
A. I wouldn’t say weird cravings, but I constantly nosh when I write. Not good for my rapidly spreading rear end, but I can’t say that I care much right now. I’m enjoying life too much.
Q. What is the worst, best, most embarrassing or funniest situation your writing career has put you in?
A. So far, the worst thing was when my fist book came out with some errors in it. I was horrified! I went back through everything in my galleys and realized that they weren’t in there. I contacted my publisher and they were very gracious about getting it fixed ASAP. So far I’ve only had to rebuy a couple of corrected books for people. So for my good friends and family that wanted a ‘unique’ copy—thanks for making me feel better. But I have to say even that was a good thing. It taught me to bite my tongue and work through a tough spot. Mistakes happen. How you deal with them is what matters.
Q. Where can we find you on the web?
A. Baby, I am all over this web thing! Let me count the ways…
I am running a Killer on the Key promotion with a family membership to the Mote Aquarium (and partners) as the grand prize. Details are on the ebloanbooks website. And If I could add one more little plug…if you sign up to follow my Google blog and shoot me an email message…I will send you the first three chapters of Opals and Rubies to read! I’m sending one a month through June to try to gain some loyal fans for the release in July. Don’t worry if you missed the first one, I’ll send it J
Thanks for taking the time to chat with me today.
Cheers!
E.B. Loan
Fiction from Chicago
Killer on the Key—a short excerpt
Maggie was being a brat, no doubt about it. All Chris had done was question why she wanted the dresser. It was a perfectly reasonable thing to ask. The question grated on her nerves. She felt raw. Stalking back to the cottage she grabbed her suit.
What are you doing? Why are you so mad?
She was tired of the whole damn thing. Everything in their lives had gone off the track and she wanted her half of it back. They lost a baby, it happened to people every day. She had to give birth to a child she knew would never take a breath or blink--it was hard. She did her part, now she wanted to be herself again. Maggie Shoals Troost. Interior designer. Fighter. Art lover. Independent. She wanted to want a dresser without having her husband question why. It was a dresser, she wanted it; no more no less. No deeper issue, just a simple desire.
Stripping, she threw her clothes at the wall. She was crying. And no more guilt. She was going swimming.
But you know what the doctor said.
I don't care.
The suit was still tight, but she got it on. She grabbed a towel threw on her flip flops and headed out the door. Crossing the street she avoided looking at the cottage to see if he had followed her out.
Maggie reached the sand, kicked off her shoes, and headed for the water.
My God it's hot. I forgot what the sand can be like in the middle of the day.
Running now, she could hear the waves crashing on the sand.
A few more steps Maggie, then you'll be free.
Five.
Free from what?
Four.
Everything; the nightmares, the loneliness, the agony.
Three.
You forget the most important thing.
Two.
What's that?
One.
The lies Maggie, you need to free yourself from the lies.
Shit.
Her feet hit the water and she stopped.
“Goddamn it!” she screamed at the sky, “Stop torturing me!”
She was out of control. The wind whipped her hair. The surf crashed drowning the words that raged in her ears.
You're a liar Maggie, a fake. Nothing good can ever come from you.
The world in front of her began to swim.
You are going to pass out, right here in the water.
I don't care.
You'll die here, alone on this beach, drowned in the water you were too afraid to swim in.
She wanted to die. It would serve her right. She felt herself falling. Then there were the arms. They wrapped around her pulling her from the edge. The bones felt frail, but they had amazing strength in them. She blacked out.
Things started to come into focus. Red hair. Scratch that, gray hair with red streaks hung in her face. Lizzie. The sun was still high in the sky making her facial expressions hard to read. Maggie sat up.
“I'm sorry, I...” She had no idea what to say.
Lizzie pulled her hair back into a bun and wrapped a beach towel around Maggie's shoulders. She sat crouched in front of her for a moment. Standing she held out her hand for Maggie. “We need a drink.”
“I should stop and tell Chris. He'll be worried.”
“I'll call Charlotte. She can tell Chris.”
Maggie took the older woman's hand. Lizzie pulled her to her feet with ease.
God, she's so strong.
Maggie looked at her bathing suit stretched over her puffy stomach. “Where...?”
“The Hilton, down the beach,” taking the towel from Maggie's shoulders Lizzie wrapped it around her waist like a sarong. “There, now no one will look.”
Maggie felt tears of gratitude spring up behind her lids.
Thank you Lizzie, thank you, thank you, thank you.
When it comes to books, what qualifies as a romance? All the usual medical, historical and romantic suspense aside, would you say that “Gone with the Wind” is a romance book? How about the Stephanie Plum series with the sexy Morelli and the even sexier Ranger? And am I the only one who thinks the literary “We need to talk about Kevin” Orange Prize winner is not a book about parenting as much as it is a love story between the narrator and her husband?
OK. Perhaps I’m exaggerating with the latter. Well, I don’t think so, but it’s all right if you do. My point is this: we are so used to alpha heroes and the search for Mr. Only, that we sometimes tend to overlook the romance in other places.
As a writer who’s been married for - ahem - significantly more than a decade, I’m perhaps a little biased when looking for romance outside of speed dating and all the singles’ bars. I believe that true romance can be found within an established long-term relationship.
You know, it’s easy for the alpha hero to say to the woman he’s just bedded: “I want you to have my baby”. But when the novelty wears off and the sleepless nights kick in, I believe it takes a true hero and the trues of love to utter the following most romantic words a woman can hear: “You carry on sleeping, darling, I’ll get up to the baby”.
Romance is more than red roses and a candlelit bath for two. Sometimes romance is a clean nappy and the opportunity to have a long, warm, silent bath for one while your wonderful hero is keeping the baby occupied.
If you think a murder mystery series has no scope for romance, I challenge you to try my “Murder @ ...” series published by Echelon Press. Although the amateur detective, Dr. Christine Chamberlain, doesn’t have children (yet), the whirlwind romance that landed her married lasted precisely five minutes.
Three years later, she’s beginning to discover her husband is not only the level-headed easy-going artist she knows and loves.... When it comes to your loved ones, is it possible to know too much? Find out in “Murder @ Play” Echelon Press, 2009).
Tell us about your latest book/upcoming releases. Is it part of a series and if so, can we read it as a standalone or do we need to read the others in the series first?
On the 5th of March, the second book of a Gothic Romance series will be available. This has no connection to the other books of the series, so it's a stay alone and a short to boot. Only 20,000 words, or about 5 chapters.
It's follows the theme of the series. Shadowed Hearts. It's a traditional gothic written in the first person, with the poor orphaned heroine. I won't say more, except this one has a supernatural being in the story, spelled a real for-sure ghost! Maybe.
What makes a good book to you? Story? Characters? Exotic locations? I
A good book to me has to have several characteristic. First, I have to care about the characters. There have to be something terrible wrong right at the beginning of the story. Locations are not that important but woo to the author if the story doesn't end well. I hate books with sad endings.
What's your favorite pizza toppings?
That one's easy. I love extra cheese, sausage and mushrooms.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to one of your characters?
In Heartsong, my heroine is about to be burned at the stake. I think that's about as bad as it gets. But the way, the sequel to "Heartsong" is coming in August, from Champagne Books. This too is a stand alone, and my poor heroine is treated to some bad attitudes in this one as well, but no stake burning this time.
Which of your books contains the sexiest love scene?
Actually, I think my third book in the Heartfire series for Kensington had my sexy love scene. The book has long been out of print, but I'm seriously considering revising it and reselling it. I loved that book. (Oh, but I have this great affection for all my characters, darn it. I hate to see the stories shelved)
Which of your covers is your favorite?
Without a doubt "Heartsong" which is amazing, because one of my covers was done by a very famous cover artist for Kensington. However, there is something about the cover of Heartsong - perhaps the color, or the expression in the eyes, I don't know! All I do know is when people see the cover they pick up that book. If they read any kind of historical they want that book.
Which of your books was the easiest to write? The hardest?
I think my last book for Champagne, A Treasure for Sara, was the easiest. Both characters stewed in my brain for a couple of years before I put them on paper. The question with that one was about where to locate the story. I wanted it in the west but after a trip to the Yukon I knew I had the site. The story just flowed.
And my hardest is the one I'm working on now. This takes place in England in 1665 and 66, during the plague and the fire. The research for this one has been the most involved. Trying to follow the king's movements during all of this and getting time and location of the plague, the fire, and putting my heroine and hero in all the right spots without ruining the plot has been a real challenge. I finally had to develope a time line and now the thing is flowing again. (Huge sigh of relief. This may be my favorite heroine. We'll see. I love a lady who's not afraid to tell off a King)
What is coming in 2010 from you?
As I said, The Haunting of Hastings Hall will be released from Red Rose Publishing on the 5th of March. This is the Gothic Romance.
In August, the sequel to Heartsong, this one called Battlesong, will be released. No cover yet, but I'll give you a hint. It's called Battlesong because the hero and the heroine are willing to do battle - with each other. If you've read Heartsong, then you will recognize the hero of Battlesong. He's the youngest Brother of Heartsong.
And I'd be very remise if I didn't mention the fact I'm appearing in a workshop at the Gulf Coast Chapter RWA in March, talking about e-publishing, why I chose it and why I think this is the future of books.
Where can readers find you on the web?
I have a web site and a blog. I manage to blog about once a week at www.allisonknjight.blogspot.com and it's frequently about my ongoing battles with my computer or some of the strange happenings in my life. And believe me, things are not quiet around here. My web site is www.AllisonKnight.com
If you were able to meet any celebrity and spend one day with them, who would you choose and what would you do?
This will shock a lot of people, but what most people thing of when you say celebrities don't impress me. If I was given an opportunity to meet a famous person, I choose someone from the operatic world. Placido Damingo comes to mind. I grew up with classical music and my dad trained to sing opera. So people in that profession would be the people I'd like to meet.
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The Haunting at Hastings Hall by Allison Knight.
Coming to Red Rose Publishing on March 5th
www.redrosepublishing.com
Ohio, January 1878
It was a perfect day for a funeral. The gray sky heralded an approaching winter storm as cold wind whistled through the elm trees marking the entrance to the family plot. Icy snow flakes began to fall over the dirt and onto the pine box as Aunt Pheobe’s body was lowered into the ground beside the man who had made her life miserable for over twenty years.
I stood by the carriage, trying to hold my tears at bay and ignore my step-cousins who ringed the mound of dirt. I saw not a single sign of grief on any of their faces. They were so much like their father.
I didn’t miss the gleam of satisfaction on Opal’s face, Aunt Phoebe’s oldest daughter, as she glanced my way. I looked at Tom Harrow, now Opal’s husband. He had once been the man of my dreams but Opal had somehow learned I thought my heart entwined with his. It was not to be. A confirmed spinster at two and thirty. Opal made a play for him, securing her future with my pain. Or so I thought at the time.
Now, I felt nothing for Tom except sympathy. The poor man looked much like a whipped dog, as he stood behind Opal, their two small daughters hanging on to his trousers.
I turned my attention to Grace, newly married despite her advanced age of five and thirty but married to a man twice her age. She was so obviously pleased with herself, repeatedly stroking the velvet cloak and matching dress, a smile on her face. She was smiling as they laid her own step-mother to rest! How very callous.
I glanced at the last of Aunt Phoebe’s stepchildren. Clearance at least carried a somber expression, but his wife paid no mind to the cleric who held his tattered bible and read from the psalms. She was conversing with everyone, those to her side, those behind.
Oh, Aunt Phoebe, am I the only one who will miss you and your wise ways?"
My uncle’s influence marked this group of ingrates. But Aunt Phoebe had been like a mother to me after my own mother had died of consumption. They took me in, despite my uncle’s objections and over the years, she had saved me countless times from the mean pranks of his children who wanted me gone from their home at any cost. Now the dear lady was gone and I had to face the world on my own.
I waited until the family had left the grave site and climbed into my borrowed carriage. I shivered thinking about the days before me.
First I’d have to endure the meals at Hastings Hall, before I could pack my things and arrange to leave the house that had been my home for these past sixteen years.
