The Witching Moon by Loretta Rogers

Welcome to the Katherine Eddinger Smits blog. I’m inspired by interesting and unusual locations and my favorite books include settings so  fascinating that they make the story indelible in my mind. So, I decided to write a series of blogs about books from some of my favorite authors. They were kind enough to answer a series of questions about the settings of their books. The first I would like to share with you is my interview with Loretta Rogers, author of The Witching Moon and 17 other novels.

 The Witching Moon by Loretta Rogers

Book blurb: Sheen O’Reilly considers her gift of second sight a curse. Branded a witch, she wears a rope burn around her neck as a reminder of what happens to people who are considered different. Now settled in a remote homestead where she tends her animals and concocts herbal remedies, she knows “he” is coming but is powerless to stop him. “He” is Guthrie Tanner, who blames himself for the murder of his wife and the kidnapping of his young daughter. After an unsuccessful year of tracking his enemies, he has heard about a witch who lives alone on the prairie. While he doesn’t believe in supernatural nonsense, he is willing to do whatever it takes to find his daughter. What he doesn’t count on is the effect Sheen will have on his heart.

 Please tell readers a little about The Witching Moon.

As a toddler, Sheen O’Reilly, witnessed her mother being burned at the stake as a witch. To save Sheen from the same fates as her mother, Sheen’s father brings her to America. As she develops into her teenage years, her supernatural abilities increase.  Due to superstition and the ignorance of town folk, Sheen and her father are hanged. By happenstance, Sheen is rescued, but tragically her father dies. Considering her gift a curse, she travels to the western territories determined to live a life of solitude and away from civilization…until her empathic powers begin to intrude into her dreams and she is sought out by the hero, Guthrie Tanner.

 What is the setting for the book? Please describe it.

 The Witching Moon begins its journey in 1848 Ireland when the belief in witches and witchcraft was rampant. The story setting moves to Salem, Massachusetts. Although the witch trials took place two hundred years before Sheen and her father settled in Salem, the small villages were rift with superstition and cruel people who exploited those superstitions for personal benefit. Due to this turn of events, the heroine flees to Montana territory, 1868.

 Why did you choose this setting for your story?

Although Ireland wasn’t as rampant with witchcraft as England, Ireland is rich in Celtic history. The Irish believed more in Fairy Doctors than witches. Because the main theme of the story pertains to witchcraft, I moved the setting to Salem, Massachusetts, well-known for its witch trials; and then I chose Montana territory due to its isolation from nearby towns and civilization. Sheen O’Reilly is an empathic fairy doctor. Fairies generally live in caves and came out only at night. Montana is known for its underground caverns, caves, and even hidden strongholds.

Is this a real place, or did you create it for the story?

All settings for The Witching Moon are real places, including the underground caverns, and the hidden stronghold where the antagonist hides and eventually meets his demise.

Have you written other books in this setting, or do you plan to write more in the future?

 Bitter Autumn, a historical romance that I’ve recently submitted to my editor is set in Montana. Montana is rich in Native American history; and Fort Ellis, which is primary to the story and is one of the few surviving frontier forts from the 1800’s.

Is this the start of a series or a standalone?

The Witching Moon is a standalone book.

Anything else you want readers to know about the book?

 The Witching Moon delves into the life of a young woman who was bullied, and almost hanged because she was different and because of the ignorance of people. Sheen deals with guilt and shame, and wants to hide from who she really is. The hero, Guthrie Tanner, also deals with guilt for events that were beyond his control. He must put aside his own prejudices to seek help from someone who is different.

Overcoming adversity and survival is the central theme of The Witching Moon. Perhaps readers will see a little bit of themselves when reading Sheen and Guthrie’s story.

 Thanks so much for sharing about The Witching Moon. Here’s an excerpt:

A hideous mass of blackened, puckered flesh ringed Sheen’s neck. His blood turned cold. Guthrie had witnessed hangings when the Yankees had raided his father’s plantation in South Carolina. He’d seen the gruesome effects of a noose cutting deep into the flesh.

Fury flared in Guthrie’s soul. He lifted the coat from the ground and brushed it free of dirt and leaves, and then draped the garment around Sheen’s shoulders. He tried to hold her close. She drew back.

His gaze met hers. “My God, Sheen. Tell me.”

She gulped the sob building in her throat.

Sheen, breathing hard sank to the ground. She fingered the top button of her coat; closed now to hide the rope burn around her neck. She admonished herself to tell Guthrie the truth about her gift and be done with it.

Her voice quavered. “Are you in a mind to listen without judging me?”

Guthrie eased to the ground. He uncorked the canteen and poured water into the coffee pot, setting it on a flat rock next to the fire. “Tell me all of it, from the beginning. I need to understand who you really are and why anyone would want to put a noose around your neck.”

About Loretta C. Rogers:

Loretta is a fourth generation Floridian. She is proud of her Scots-Irish, English, German heritage. Once an avid horsewoman, she trailer trained horses, competed in endurance trials with her pinto mare, as well as rounded up cattle. Loretta was a certified diver and worked with the sheriff’s search and rescue dive teams; she was also a rape-crisis and suicide prevention counselor. Life experiences and the people she met along the way often show up as (fictitious) characters in her stories. She is a bestselling author of eighteen novels. Her books span the globe from the UK to Africa.

Buy The Witching Moon here:

Amazon  http://amzn.to/2FOSXUy
Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witching-moon-loretta-c-rogers/1117077901?ean=2940148612582
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gr/en/ebook/the-witching-moon-2
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/pa/author/loretta-c-rogers/id510743856?l=en

Author Website: www.lorettacrogersnovels.com

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/loretta.c.rogers

https://www.pinterest.com/lorettacrogers/lorettas-romance-novels/

https://www.amazon.com/Loretta-C.-Rogers/e/B004948XP2

 

How Do You Create Characters?

Most readers ask out of idle curiosity. Or maybe they’re fans and want to know more about their favorite heroine or hero.

When a storyteller’s family asks that question, they have an agenda.

Here is an actual conversation I had with several people close to me. Most authors I know have had this same discussion.

Me: I wrote a book.

Family: That’s nice.

Me: I found a publisher!

Family: You didn’t write about people you know, did you?

Me: It’s a romance.

Family: But did you include any relatives?

Me: A paranormal romance.

Family: No family?

Me: About mermaids.

Family: But did you—

Me: You’re not in the book!

The truth is, most of the time we don’t know where our characters come from. They may start out with attributes or personality quirks of people we know, but they grow and change and become unique. They are themselves, genuine, if insubstantial.

However, characters can be “real” people (or as I like to call them, the corporeally incarnated).

Like everyone, I’ve been treated badly by some people during my life. When someone wrongs me, I make them a villain in one of my novels. (Disguised, of course.) I don’t know if karma will pay them back in life, but in my stories, bad guys get what’s coming to them. (And I enjoy it.)

Historical figures may play roles in our books. This is tricky because we must research every detail and stick to the facts as much as possible. If we make a mistake, an alert reader will catch it. Every time. Still, some people are so intriguing, we need to tell their story. If the writer happens to be a descendant, sharing the person’s tale with the world is even more compelling.

In Loretta C. Rogers’ newest historical romance, Bitter Autumn, the protagonist, Birdie Mae Dix, was inspired by the author’s ancestor, who was captured by Indians as a child and later escaped. Not only is this fascinating story based on a real person, but Ms. Rogers even has her great-great-grandmother’s diary to learn how this remarkable woman thought and felt.

For more about Bitter Autumn, check out Loretta C. Rogers’ post on the Pen Dames website. Here’s the link: https://pendames.blogspot.com/2020/05/bitter-autumn-by-loretta-c-rogers.html

Where do we get our characters? They show up in many ways, but in case you’re wondering, you probably won’t end up in someone’s book unless you do something extraordinary or piss off a writer.

 

 

Katherine Smits March 2020 Blog Feature: Flossie Benton Rogers & the Wytchfae Universe

Today’s blog features my friend, colleague, and mentor, Flossie Benton Rogers and her Wytchfae novels. I recently reread and reviewed Mind Your Goddess, the KCT Literary Award 2019 Blue Prize Top Finalist.

Mind Your Goddess is a fully developed paranormal romance set in the enchanted Wytchfae and Florida in the Roaring 20s.

I’m talking about the 1920s. I just realized we’re in the 20s again. What will historians dub this decade? The Ailing 20s? The Isolating 20s? The Hoarding 20s? I sincerely hope they will nickname the decade something much better. Maybe we’ll even manage an updated version of the Roaring 20s, one where we come back from this upheaval better and stronger. We’re all anxious and wondering what life will be like on the other side of the crisis. We wouldn’t be human if times like these didn’t stress us. Despite that, I’m keeping a positive attitude, and wish, along with staying safe and healthy, the same for you.

Mind Your Goddess by Flossie Benton Rogers Five Stars *****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mind Your Goddess is the third exciting Wytchfae book by Flossie Benton Rogers. Some writers create towns, cities, or worlds where their characters live, love, and fulfill their destinies. Ms. Benton Rogers created a complete universe and has located six (soon to be seven) tales there.

The Wytchfae is an enthralling nexus where every god, goddess, witch, warrior, supernatural creature and possibility exist. Greek, Roman, Celtic deities and more live there. Time travel? Yep. Runes? You bet. A Demoness? Absolutely. Add Succubae, a Lamia, and a Janus, and you get the picture. This is a mythology geek’s fantasyland!

 

Mind Your Goddess Blurb:

The Goddess Epona is breathless over a lover’s tryst with Eshigel, the dark Guardian of the Between. Before she can meet him, she must hear the pleas of her Dark of the Moon supplicants. Strange requests originate from a captive little girl and a succubus seeking revenge. Then Epona is attacked and abducted.

Epona awakens stranded in the human realm of the Roaring Twenties. With her powers nullified, she assumes the guise of a flapper in a speakeasy. Knowing the little girl is nearby, Epona seeks to save her.

Eshigel rushes to find his missing Goddess. To gain information he undergoes a dangerous rite involving a half woman and half serpent Lamia. After locating Epona, he vows to protect his flapper Goddess from the demons set on her destruction. Can a Goddess and her dark Guardian overcome misfortune and reclaim their love?

 

Here’s my review:

This book has everything I enjoy. First, it’s an amazing love story. Epona (Eppie) and Eshigel share a fascinating history which is only mentioned in Mind Your Goddess. I’d LOVE to read the story of how they got together, but we’ll have to convince Flossie to write it first. (You can contact her to ask for it here: https://flossiebentonrogers.com/contact/ )

When Mind Your Goddess begings, the couple have resolved their past and now are madly in love. But Eppie disappears, and Eshigel realizes he’s to blame. Nothing on earth (or in the Wytchfae cosmos) will stop him from rescuing her.

Meanwhile, Eppie, stripped of her gifts, copes with life in Sapphire Beach, Florida in the 1920s. This is a major endeavor because she has landed in the clutches of a Speakeasy owner who uses her as a dancer in his establishment. Dressed in a fringed frock, she must shake her booty to the Charleston and endure sweaty-handed left foot lugs who drag her around the dance floor while she attempts to restore her divinity and find a desperate child psychically begging for help.

Eshigel’s detective work to figure out what happened to Eppie is brilliant. Yet, before he can locate his lover, he must survive the challenge of the snakes. If you think this part couldn’t be half horrifying, half erotic, you would be wrong. The Lamia is gorgeous and hot, and though Eschigel has made a lot of mistakes, she eventually supports him in his quest and gives him the information he needs to find his goddess.

When Eshigel and Eppie get back together, sparks fly for them and those in their way. The book has a satisfying ending which wraps up most of the plot points and includes a Happily Ever After.

Mind Your Goddess is book 3. The narratives connect by being part of the Wytchfae milieu, but they are all separate. As Ms. Benton Rogers said, “They all stand alone, with different characters. The parallel Wytchfae magical macrocosm is the entwining factor.”

 

Mind Your Goddess is FREE with Kindle Unlimited or 99 cents to purchase. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076XX9TPJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Though you can read the Wytchfae books in any order, my recommendation is to start with Book One: Wytchfae Runes and find out what happens when Kelly falls for the Viking Ingvar.

Wytchfae Runes Blurb:

 Wytchfae Kelly O’Day’s job is to transition ghosts to the afterlife. The last thing she expects is to fall for one of them — sexy Viking Ingvar Hrothson.

Cursed to roam the earth as a restless spirit, Ingvar is hell bent to destroy the sorceress responsible. His war plan doesn’t include spending time with a bewitching flesh and blood woman like Kelly.

With their attraction approaching supernova, the couple must battle sinister forces and master manipulators of the unholy dark arts. More than lives are at stake. Will hell give them a chance?

 

The second book, Guardian of the Deep, is another of my favorites.

Guardian of the Deep Blurb:

 Forbidden love in the fae realm…
The Succubus Layla has one job: to seduce dreaming men. Although emotional attachments are strictly prohibited, Layla has powerful feelings for the Guardian of the Deep.
Samael is a dark lord charged with maintaining order in his submerged domain. The Guardian is enamored of Layla, and they fuel their passion in his undersea home.
With forces stirring against them, the fae world becomes dangerous. Samael suggests a hideaway in the human dimension – a 1950 Montana ranch. Layla is thrilled. They can escape the threat looming over them, and she can indulge her cowboy fantasies with Samael.
When Samael disappears before their rendezvous, Layla’s dream turns to a nightmare. Peril is closer than ever. She must call on her deepest reserves and risk everything for the truth to come out. Is her love strong enough to hold the bond with her Guardian of the Deep?

 Here’s my review:

When Layla, a succubus, becomes too involved with Sammael (Sam), Guardian of the Deep, someone decides to punish them. Their planned vacation to Montana becomes a nightmare for Layla when she finds Sammael there ahead of her with no memory of her or his life. He thinks he is a rancher who has spent his entire life on his land. Layla hires on at the ranch as his housekeeper to remain close to him and help him regain his memory.

Guardian of the Deep Wytchfae 2 is a stand-alone novel. The characters and plot are different from the ones in the other books, so you could read each book without having read any of the others. The continuity comes from the Wytchfae parallel dimensions containing magical creatures including witches, demons, goddesses, and mortals with fae blood. You can pick up any book for a complete story. However, you won’t want to read just one. Once you step into this alternate reality, you won’t want to leave until you have finished all the sagas, when you must exit sadly, until the release of the next enchantment.

I loved this book, which combined many elements dear to my heart. Sammael is a merman in his water form. Although the reader doesn’t get to see him in his other form for long, the glimpse is intriguing, and I hope Ms. Benton Rogers writes another book featuring him in his merman shape.

I also love horses and ranches. Most of the book takes place on the ranch. The incongruous idea of a beautiful succubus trying to cope with life on a hardscrabble ranch makes for some delightfully humorous scenes and conflicts between Layla and Sam.

Since Layla is a succubus, sex is an important part of the story. The artful love scenes portray just enough detail to add heat without sacrificing the romance.

Guardian of the Deep is a quick read that combines romance, paranormal and western themes. I would not have predicted the blend would produce such a tasty cocktail. Yum—something enjoyable for almost everyone.

Wytchfae list:

1. Wytchfae – Runes
2. Guardian of the Deep
3. Mind Your Goddess
4. Time Singer
5. Lord of Fire
6. Demoness Dreams
7. Soul Weaver (Coming Soon!)

 

All books available from Amazon.

Flossie Benton Rogers’ Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Flossie-Benton-Rogers/e/B009VJ60EG?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

Follow Flossie Benton Rogers on Social Media

Website: https://flossiebentonrogers.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlossieBentonRogersAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FrostFyre

 

Katherine Eddinger Smits writes spellbinding stories of mythical, mystical, magical fantasy and romance. Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story exclusively for subscribers. Newsletters always include, contests, freebies and fun. http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/

 

 

Holiday Book Blizzard and Gift Card

Ho, Ho, Ho, it’s time for a Pen Dames Christmas Giveaway. So easy to enter: follow the link, select the number of your favorite song, and comment with 1,2,3, or 4. If the song you like best isn’t listed, write it in. One lucky reader will win signed copies of 5 books by award winning authors + a $25 gift card.

https://www.facebook.com/events/502698517002683/

@Pen Dames

#Giveaway #Romance

Dark Warriors by Flossie Benton Rogers ~ Valiant protectors and the bewitching women who love them across eternity

 

Mercy of the Moon by Jennifer Taylor ~ Midwife Maggie Wilson vows to find the person who almost murdered her sister

 

Taming the Lyon by Loretta Rogers ~ No one had prepared her for Africa’s beauty and dangers

 

A Heart Made for Love by Linda Tillis ~ The heart will find a way

 

Water Dreams by Katherine Eddinger Smits ~ The mermaid myth transformed into a contemporary romance

Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/502698517002683/

Talons ~ Lori Titus

Welcome to the Katherine Eddinger Smits blog. This post continues the series featuring authors of A Darker Shade of Evil: A Demon and Devil Anthology. Many thanks to Muffy Wilson for compiling them.

 

BLURB:

Something has been robbing the dead from their graves. Sure that this isn’t the work of night creatures who usually feed off the living, Eli reaches out to Sharon. They have a past. She’s a powerful witch, and he’s sure that she can help him. 

Will the shadowy organization Eli works for help them? Or are Eli and Sharon just the latest prey in a game where the darkest powers have the advantage?

USA Today Bestselling Author and Bram Stoker Award Finalist Lori Titus is a Californian with an affinity for speculative fiction. Her work explores mysticism and reality, treading the blurred line between man and monster. She thrives on coffee and daydreams when she isn’t writing or plotting out her next story. 

Facebook  Blog  Amazon AuthorPage  BookBub Author Page  Twitter  Facebook Profile   YouTube  WordPress   Newsletter Sigh-Up   EMail

Available ***N*O*W*** in A Darker Shade of Evil: A Demon and Devil Anthology https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TK6LLCP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

☆.•°*°•.☆ Lock in the 1.99 price before it goes up! ☆.•°*°•.☆

or
Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TK6LLCP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Featuring USA Today and International Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors and they’re coming in like Demons!

★✩★Authors Featured in this Collection★✩★

Khardine Gray – USA Today Bestselling Author
Alone In The Dark
Dariel Raye – USA Today Bestselling Author
The Devil Upstairs
Lori Titus – USA Today Bestselling Author
Talons
Muffy Wilson – USA Today Bestselling Author
Succubus Unleashed
Keta Diablo – Bestselling Author
I Spy A Demon
Marilyn Harlow – Bestselling Author
Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Gracen Miller – Bestselling Author
Hex
Michelle Scott – Bestselling Author
The Demon’s Prisoner
Katherine Smits – Bestselling Author
Siren Descending

Like your romance a little on the devilish side?

Deadly demons, diabolical devils and other creatures of the night will hold you spellbound in this one-of-a-kind anthology. In a world of dark delights, they trifle in forbidden passion, suspense, and kick-ass battles. It’s all right here for you in this captivating urban fantasy and paranormal romance anthology!

Brought to you by USA Today and International Bestselling Authors, these stories of sexy alpha heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages. Devils, demons and their lethal hunters will draw you into their conquests, twisted deceptions, scorching heat, and yes, even love.
Don’t miss A Darker Shade of Evil! One-click now will claim your copy!

* Heat Rating: Spicy to Erotic Romance
* No Cliffhangers
* Happily-Ever-After or Happy-For-Now

Warning: If you like demonic games, angelic interventions, and thrilling temptations, you’ll love this demons and devils romance collection of twisted proportions in A Darker Shade of Evil.

Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TK6LLCP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

or buy for $1.99 for a limited time.

 

Katherine Eddinger Smits grew up wanting to be a mermaid but discovered to her dismay this was not a viable career choice. Instead, she became a clinical social worker and helped veterans and their families.

Now she brings social work training and experience to her stories of mermaids, mages and magical creatures. Within the context of fantasy and romance, her novels explore real-life issues of self-acceptance, body image, relationship dynamics, and fears and phobias. Mystery, suspense, and a little sex add spice to her books.

She is the author of four paranormal romances.

Katherine and her husband divide their time between Florida and West Virginia. Their children and granddaughters live in Virginia.

Besides writing, Katherine is a blogger, mom, Mimi, dressage rider, and clog dancer.

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story! Newsletters always include contests, freebies and fun.  http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/

 

Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend ~ Interview with author Marilyn Harlow

Welcome to the Katherine Eddinger Smits blog. This post continues the series of interviews with authors of A Darker Shade of Evil. Many thanks to Muffy Wilson for compiling these interviews.

Tagline 1:  A kiss on the hand may be continental, but demons are a girls’ best friend.

Tagline 2: Is love’s truth something to be cherished or feared?

BLURB:

When Rita Hawthorne hikes to the Hollywood sign as she contemplates her future in film, she meets stunning and persuasive Leo Baph. As they look over the city after sunset, her wishes are kissed into the darkness and carried unto the demon’s ears. 

Rita’s success happens overnight, and she credits Leo—her muse. They cohabitate happily for several years until Leo simply disappears one day. The only proof Rita has of his existence is a piece of parchment with some Latin words written on it—and a smudge of blood appearing on a line at the bottom. 

As time marches on, Rita remains youthful and vibrant, starring in roles for much younger women. Until one day, she notices crow’s feet. She manages to throw herself into her work for several more years before she realizes her career is on the downswing—and she misses Leo. 

Against her better judgment, a middle-aged Rita trudges up the foothills to the Hollywood sign once again. There, she wishes for Leo to return to her, staring over the city after sunset. 

And he does—but he doesn’t look the way she remembered. 

After learning of Leo’s true self, can Rita allow herself to love him?

INTERVIEW WITH MARILYN HARLOW:

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

My favorite fictional hero is still Wrath, from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. He’s  a true leader, ya feel me? Really though, Beth is one lucky chick. I’d totally climb in his black satin sheets. I could probably put Roland Deschain, from Stephen King’s The Stand in this category, too. 

What is your most treasured possession?

My grandmother’s pearls. My mom’s diamond stud that I wear all the time. The quilt made from my mom’s T-shirts. 

Which living person do you most admire?

That’s a super hard question. I admire different people for different reasons. I admire my 6-12th grade band director for his dedication. I admire Liz Crowe for her tenacity. I admire Maddy James for her positive attitude. 

What is your greatest fear?

The progression of RA.

Who or what has been the greatest love of your life?

Mr. VampBard is one of them. He ‘gets’ me and puts up with my yammering about characters and plots. I also have to say that Oldest, Middle, and Youngest are my heart and soul. Even though they’re grown. 

What is your greatest regret?

Not being able to spend more time with my kids. I worked too much when they were growing up. Being a teacher meant putting in tons of hours—and I worked in a foster care facility, so I didn’t have summers off. 

If you could choose to be a character in a book, who would it be?

Lucy in the Chronicles of Narnia or Meg in A Wrinkle in Time. They were both brave and learned how to use their talents. 

Which book have you read the most in your lifetime?

The Great Gatsby. I’ve re-read it yearly since 1985. The dichotomy between the decadent opulence of the 1920s and Gatsby and Daisy’s lifestyles in sharp contrast to their happiness always chokes me up. 

What is your favorite journey?

The Hero’s Journey, of course. Joseph Campbell brilliantly narrated it. 

What is your favorite quotation?

Write drunk, edit sober. –Ernest Hemingway.

Dogs or Cats?

Cats. I have three—two of them are black. 

What do you most value in a friend?

Space.

What quality do you most admire in a woman and/or a man?

Honesty and compassion.

Which book that you’ve written is your favorite?

Authors don’t have favorites—all their books are their children.

What are your writing quirks?

I am a methodical planner—but my plans always go off the rails. 

What do you do as a hobby?

Knitting and I’m dabbling in digital graphics. Learning Photoshop is proving to be a challenge.

Which are your three favorite books?

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

The Stand by Stephen King

Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?

Music or images. Sometimes, I’ll be listening to a song and an entire plot lands smack-dab in the middle of my brain. Other times, I’ll be perusing a stock photo site and a story smacks me upside the head. 

What is your Writing Routine?

Choose music. Re-read previous scene (without editing!). Read notes for the scene I need to write. Write the scene. 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It depends. Emotional scenes exhaust me. Most others energize me.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I can write a novella in a week—first draft, around 30K words. The editing takes three or four days before I can safely send it off to my editor. 

Do you have any Social Platform Links for your friends, fans, and readers?

Website: https://www.deelylah.com 

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeelylah/

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Deelylah-Mullin/e/B01LZ0HJPF/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VampBard 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vampbard/ 

MailChimp Landing Page (newsletter sign up) https://mailchi.mp/21f5717a8fac/deelylah 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/deelylah-mullin  

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/happily.ever.after.romance.syndicate/

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Depends on the book. Before starting Distilled, I researched bourbon-making for about a week. I decided what elements I wanted to include, roles different characters could have, and how I would create the world around those things. Sometimes, I’ll research as I’m writing. Like, Google Earth is a spectacular way to see a neighborhood for Contemporary. 

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

It turned me into a plotter. I used to think I could pants my way through any form of writing—after all, that’s how I did things in college and got As in my creative writing classes. But, when working on something like a novel, there’s too many balls in the air to not plan at least a little. Much different from writing short stories.

What were some of the challenges you faced on the road to publication?

Having money to get things done. Cover art and editing are NOT cheap. I work a #dayjob as an editor for a literacy non-profit and that pays for my writing habit.

What are you working on now?

I’m on a paranormal kick. I have started using my paranormal pen name, Marilyn Harlow, to keep the divide with retailers. But, Marilyn won’t have her own social media—it’s not a secret that Deelylah = Marilyn.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I’ve always been a fan of Marilyn Monroe, and her movie, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” popped into my head while I was contemplating things for this book. I think it’s going to turn into a series. 

What inspires you to write?

I write every day. Sometimes, it’s a poem or song lyrics (with accompanying music) or it might be a chapter of a WIP. Maybe, if I’ve written a lot for work that day, I’ll create some other type of art. 

How did you conduct your research for Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend?

  Hrm. This one is a toughy. I’ve had the concept for this book for a while. I’ve looked up images to inspire me, but haven’t had to do much research, overall. 

What would your friends say is your best quality?

I’m honest and creative. Those qualities have made for some interesting conversations.

Are reader reviews important to you?

I read reviews and let them inform my writing moving forward. And, Amazon’s algorithms—Necessary evil of the business.

What do you do when you don’t write?

I do some yarn work—either knitting or crocheting. I paint a bit. And, we have the never-ending home improvement project. 

Tell us about your other books?

I have a series—Teachers’ Lounge—that is about a fictional town in Michigan. The school has a ton of teachers, apparently, even though the town is pretty small. There is a historical/paranormal/zombie story, which is the origin story for the town. Most of the titles are contemporary, but a few are paranormal. I started writing this series on a dare from a former colleague (I’m a retired teacher—but I now work for a literacy non-profit). 

Distilled is a stand-alone, and it’s set in Liz Crow’s Love Brothers world. It’s about distilling bourbon. The main characters have issues, and there’s a crazy ex on the loose. What couldn’t you love?

Manhattan Melody is the first title of the On Tour series. Three band members are rising stars, but we see their humble beginnings in Manhattan Melody. As well as Leo and Mia’s story. Leo is the bass player for the band and Mia is an adjunct college professor who bartends to make ends meet. 

Spark is the second title in the Mercy General series I co-write with Paige Prince. It’s about a firefighter who gets involved with the widow of a police officer—and her 5-year-old son. It’s a hard topic, but the end is TOTALLY worth it. 

A Howling Good Time is available in Romance Collections Guardian anthology. It’s a werewolf shifter romance, and they’re looking for the virus that causes the shift. 

If you could share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know what would it be?

I have three kids and three step kids—I’m a modern-day Carol Brady—yet, I never had an Alice. I want my goddamn Alice! 

Are there any nuggets of wisdom you can impart to aspiring writers?

Don’t overthink it. Sit your butt in the chair and write. You can plot or you can pants—or a combination of the two—but don’t put it off. I believe everyone has a story to tell. 

Oh, and get a good editor. They make all the difference.

What are your Top Writing Tips?

1. Have a good editor.
2. Make sure your covers look professional. 
3. Have a plan.

Finally, what are we likely to find in YOUR nightstand? 

On my side table, there’s an alarm clock, my cell phone, and my watch. Maybe a stray hairclip I forgot to take out before my head hit the pillow. 

Marilyn Harlow is Deelylah Mullin–but Marilyn writes the paranormal stuff. 

Deelylah is the empty-nesting author of contemporary romance. 

Website  Blog  Amazon AuthorPage

BookBub Author Page  Twitter  Pinterest  Facebook

Facebook Fan Page  Facebook Reader Group

Newsletter Sign-Up   Instagram   EMail 

Get Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend
in
A Darker Shade of Evil

A Limited Edition Devil & Demon Fantasy Collection Kindle Edition

Available ***N*O*W*** https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TK6LLCP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

☆.•°*°•.☆ Lock in the 1.99 price before it goes up! ☆.•°*°•.☆

or
Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TK6LLCP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Featuring USA Today and International Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors and they’re coming in like Demons!

★✩★Authors Featured in this Collection★✩★
Khardine Gray – USA Today Bestselling Author
Alone In The Dark
Dariel Raye – USA Today Bestselling Author
The Devil Upstairs
Lori Titus – USA Today Bestselling Author
Talons
Muffy Wilson – USA Today Bestselling Author
Succubus Unleashed
Keta Diablo – Bestselling Author
I Spy A Demon
Marilyn Harlow – Bestselling Author
Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Gracen Miller – Bestselling Author
Hex
Michelle Scott – Bestselling Author
The Demon’s Prisoner
Katherine Smits – Bestselling Author
Siren Descending

Like your romance a little on the devilish side?

Deadly demons, diabolical devils and other creatures of the night will hold you spellbound in this one-of-a-kind anthology. In a world of dark delights, they trifle in forbidden passion, suspense, and kick-ass battles. It’s all right here for you in this captivating urban fantasy and paranormal romance anthology!

Brought to you by USA Today and International Bestselling Authors, these stories of sexy alpha heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages. Devils, demons and their lethal hunters will draw you into their conquests, twisted deceptions, scorching heat, and yes, even love.
Don’t miss A Darker Shade of Evil! One-click now will claim your copy!

* Heat Rating: Spicy to Erotic Romance
* No Cliffhangers
* Happily-Ever-After or Happy-For-Now

Warning: If you like demonic games, angelic interventions, and thrilling temptations, you’ll love this demons and devils romance collection of twisted proportions in A Darker Shade of Evil

Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TK6LLCP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

or buy for $1.99 for a limited time

 

Katherine Eddinger Smits grew up wanting to be a mermaid but discovered to her dismay this was not a viable career choice. Instead, she became a clinical social worker and helped veterans and their families.

Now she brings social work training and experience to her stories of mermaids, mages and magical creatures. Within the context of fantasy and romance, her novels explore real-life issues of self-acceptance, body image, relationship dynamics, and fears and phobias. Mystery, suspense, and a little sex add spice to her books.

She is the author of four paranormal romances.

Katherine and her husband divide their time between Florida and West Virginia. Their children and granddaughters live in Virginia.

Besides writing, Katherine is a blogger, mom, Mimi, dressage rider, and clog dancer.

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story! Newsletters always include contests, freebies and fun.  http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/

Alone in the Dark ~ Excerpt and Interview with Khardine Gray

Welcome to October! This post continues the series of excerpts and interviews with authors of A Darker Shade of Evil: A Demon and Devil Anthology available now!

Many thanks to Muffy Wilson for creating and compiling the interviews and excerpts.

     

Tagline 1:  The Demons and devils threatened to take everything and rip their world apart.

Tagline 2:  I shouldn’t want him, we want different things. I’ve always known I should stay away from the alpha wolf. But when the demons and devils unleash their evil it’s only us who can stop them from tearing everything apart.  

BLURB:

He was a werewolf…

There, that should have been reason enough to keep me away.

Witches from the Coven of Shadows and werewolves do not mix.
Even before it was forbidden, they didn’t do it.

But… that never stopped me from wanting him, the alpha wolf.

Attraction brought us together, but the demons and devils may drive us apart.
A war is coming, we both know it.

If he plays by his own rules, I’ll be alone in the dark…

 

EXCERPT:

I looked around the room and my spirits fell.

That was the best words I could find to describe how I felt.

I knew this would happen. After Father’s betrayal, it was a wonder how anyone was here at all.

This was the first Realm’s Council meeting since we found out who and what he was.

This was the state of us four months later. A shadow of what we’d previously been.

A meeting hall that was once full of magical and mystical beings from every realm known to man and creature was now less than half. I’d counted a total of sixteen people present, and that included me. The room was designed to hold sixty people. We had a long table that seated each and every one of them. All representatives from the mystical and magical community who’d trusted us as the Ravenwood family to be their leaders.

Us who were high witches from the Coven of Shadows. The oldest witching coven that had been around since the dawn of time.

Bad enough that we were already rare with the few numbers we had since you belonged to the coven by birthright but add this debacle to it and I would say it was a sign of serious change.

When people no longer trusted you to lead that was a big problem. Never mind the fact that it wasn’t you who dealt the damage. It was sufficient that the same blood flowed through my veins.

It was all however, problems I would have to deal with because it would be me taking over from Father. Not my mother as I assumed.

That was what she wanted to tell everyone today.

Everyone which included my sisters: Juliana and Gabrielle, The three vampires from the Order of Raphael- Tristan my soon to be brother in law and his brothers, Ivan and Virgil, and ten others. The ten were a mixture of fae folk. The weaker beings who’d always looked to us for protection over the centuries.

It was a given that they’d always follow us, and I got the feeling that the Order of Raphael were only here because of Tristan. Ivan was leader but Tristan had a strong influence over them. They were brothers and much like my sisters they’d support me.

Mother stood and looked around the room. We’d given time for lateness and waited for half an hour already just waiting to see who would be coming.

She looked to me and I nodded. Yes, better to start than piss off the people who were already here . It would be disrespectful.

She waved her hand and the large oakwood doors closed at her will. With them my heart crumbled.

No point looking out for anyone else. This was it.

It was just that there was one person I’d always looked out for and it crushed me to see he really wasn’t coming.

Lucian Feynnoir.

Lucian the leader of the lycans and werewolves.

We used lycans and werewolves interchangeable here no matter you were who was born with the lycanthropic abilities and or a human who’d been bitten and changes with the moon. They all answered to him as their leader regardless of whichever pack they traveled in or what part of the world or realm they came from.

It was him. His absence meant they were no longer with us.

It also meant he truly didn’t care about me.

He never did. I was a witch and he was a werewolf. Why would he?

Even if I thought he did, I was totally wrong. If I wasn’t then I would have seen him after Father’s betrayal and he would be here now.

 

INTERVIEW WITH KHARDINE GRAY:

Why do you write?

Writing is my passion. I’ve never gone a day without writing. I love creating characters with their own wonderful stories.

What genre does your work fall in?

I write contemporary, paranormal, and interracial romance.

Why did you chose that genre?

I love love and writing about people falling in love and the adventures they go on.

How does your work contribute to that genre?

I write with a creative passion that evokes the essence of romance. I take my time to ensure my pages leap out at you with the story as you read my work.

What would the title of your life story be?

The Girl who did everything and never stopped trying.

 Besides writing do you have any other creative passions?

I love ice skating and dancing.

 

Khardine Gray is an USA Today Bestselling author.

She writes contemporary romance, multicultural romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.

Her books have sexy, drool-worthy heroes who will make you melt, and sassy, fun loving, ambitious heroines.

She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them.

Website  Amazon AuthorPage  BookBub Author Page  Twitter  Facebook  Newsletter Sign-Up  Email

Alone in the Dark by Khardine Gray
USA Today Bestselling Author
@khardinegray1 featured in
A Darker Shade of Evil

A Limited Edition Devil & Demon Fantasy Collection Kindle Edition

Available ***N*O*W***

☆.•°*°•.☆ Lock in the 1.99 price before it goes up! ☆.•°*°•.☆

or
Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited
Featuring USA Today and International Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors and they’re coming in like Demons!

★✩★Authors Featured in this Collection★✩★
Khardine Gray – USA Today Bestselling Author
Alone In The Dark
Dariel Raye – USA Today Bestselling Author
The Devil Upstairs
Lori Titus – USA Today Bestselling Author
Talons
Muffy Wilson – USA Today Bestselling Author
Succubus Unleashed
Keta Diablo – Bestselling Author
I Spy A Demon
Marilyn Harlow – Bestselling Author
Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Gracen Miller – Bestselling Author
Hex
Michelle Scott – Bestselling Author
The Demon’s Prisoner
Katherine Smits – Bestselling Author
Siren Descending

Like your romance a little on the devilish side?

A Darker Shade of Evil available NOW!

Deadly demons, diabolical devils and other creatures of the night will hold you spellbound in this one-of-a-kind anthology. In a world of dark delights, they trifle in forbidden passion, suspense, and kick-ass battles. It’s all right here for you in this captivating urban fantasy and paranormal romance anthology!

Brought to you by USA Today and International Bestselling Authors, these stories of sexy alpha heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages. Devils, demons and their lethal hunters will draw you into their conquests, twisted deceptions, scorching heat, and yes, even love.
Don’t miss A Darker Shade of Evil! One-click now will claim your copy!

* Heat Rating: Spicy to Erotic Romance
* No Cliffhangers
* Happily-Ever-After or Happy-For-Now

Warning: If you like demonic games, angelic interventions, and thrilling temptations, you’ll love this demons and devils romance collection of twisted proportions in A Darker Shade of Evil.

Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited

 

Katherine Eddinger Smits grew up wanting to be a mermaid but discovered to her dismay this was not a viable career choice. Instead, she became a clinical social worker and helped veterans and their families.

Now she brings social work training and experience to her stories of mermaids, mages and magical creatures. Within the context of fantasy and romance, her novels explore real-life issues of self-acceptance, body image, relationship dynamics, and fears and phobias. Mystery, suspense, and a little sex add spice to her books.

She is the author of four paranormal romances.

Katherine and her husband divide their time between Florida and West Virginia. Their children and granddaughters live in Virginia.

Besides writing, Katherine is a blogger, mom, Mimi, dressage rider, and clog dancer.

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story! Newsletters always include contests, freebies and fun.  http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/

 

The Demon’s Prisoner ~ Excerpt and Interview with Michelle Scott

Welcome to October! This post continues the series of excerpts and interviews with authors of A Darker Shade of Evil: A Demon and Devil Anthology available now!

Many thanks to Muffy Wilson for creating and compiling the interviews and excerpts.

     

Tagline:  Can a desperate escape from Hell lead to a match made in heaven?                 

BLURB:

Working as a veterinarian for an animal rescue shelter has given Harper a heart for abused strays. So when a mysterious, sexy man shows up at the clinic looking for someone to tend to his wounds, Harper is there to assist. The man calls himself Bishop, and he says he’s on the run from a demon named Barbas who has made him its slave. It’s a hard story to swallow, yet Harper can’t deny that Bishop is surrounded by magic, and that his supernatural allure is impossible to resist. 

She’s all set for a steamy one-night stand, but then Barbas makes Harper his target and things get personal. Now, she’s willing to help Bishop take revenge on the demon who’s destroyed their lives. And if she falls in love in the process, that’s even better. After all, what can go wrong when you give away your heart to someone who’s been living in hell for the past twenty years?

EXCERPT:

Chapter One

     Harper stood in line at the roadside market with a Diet Coke, two apples, and four boxes of dog cookies. Today was her day to visit the Ravenstock animal shelter, and she wasn’t going to arrive without treats for her patients. Only three people stood ahead of her, but the line crawled along. The clerk, an older man with a white, bushy beard, chatted to every customer while ringing them up. Harper forced herself to keep from tapping her foot. Now that she’d moved to the country, she had to accept things moved slower than they had in the city.
     The bell over the door rang and a man in a long, black coat swept in on a gust of wind and rain. His dark hair had been cropped brutally short, and he had several piercings in his left ear. Harper lowered her gaze, not wanting to catch his eye. He wasn’t a large man, but an aura of danger enveloped him.  His shoulders were tense, and his lower jaw was clenched. Harper had occasionally seen his type in Detroit, but he looked out of place here in northern Michigan.
     As the line inched forward, Harper sensed the man in the long coat prowling around the store.  She tensed, certain he was about to rob the place. However, no one else seemed concerned. The clerk laughed at something one of the customers said, and the woman in front of Harper kept her eyes on her phone.
     The man in the coat stepped in line behind Harper. He carried one of the red, plastic shopping baskets over one arm. In it was a loaf of bread and a half-gallon of milk along with a package of sandwich meat. Certainly nothing dangerous. Harper let out a sigh of relief.
     The problem wasn’t the man, she realized. It was Greg, her ex. Greg had been stalking her ever since she’d left him three months before. At first, he’d sent her texts demanding to know why she’d gone. Then he’d started forwarding candid pictures of her at work and the gym to let her know that he was always watching. His latest messages had been downright threatening. You better stop ignoring me, or you’ll be sorry. When he left a dead cat on her doorstep, it was time for her to leave town. Now, even though she was three-hundred miles from Detroit, she still looked over her shoulder.
     “That’s a lot of dog biscuits,” the man behind her said.
     To prove to herself she wasn’t afraid, Harper looked directly at him and smiled. “I have a lot of dogs.”
     “Animal hoarder?” he said.
     “Veterinarian.” She nodded toward the door. “I volunteer at the Ravenstock animal shelter.”
     He broke into a smile, softening the hard angles of his face. “You like helping strays. Good for you.”
     Harper was about to reply when the clerk cleared his throat. “I guess I’m next,” Harper said and placed her purchases on the counter.
     As she left the store, the wind whipped at her hair and blew rain into her face. Although it was the beginning of May, spring hadn’t yet arrived this far north. Harper loved the quiet of the country, but this cold weather had to go! She hurried toward her car.
     “Harper.” A long-haired, heavy-set man in a bulky coat leaned against her car. Greg.
     Harper gasped and almost dropped her groceries. “How did you find me?” she demanded. Because Greg was a private investigator, she’d been very careful when she’d moved, not even telling friends and family where she was going. She’d cut up her old credit cards so they couldn’t be traced back to her, and had changed her phone number. She’d done everything right, yet here he stood.
     “You can’t get away from me.” He stood straighter and came toward her, forcing her back a step. “You should know that by now.” He smiled when he said this, but the threat was all too clear.
     “Leave me alone!” If she was loud enough, maybe she could attract attention from someone inside the store. She fumbled for the can of mace hidden deep within her purse. “Go away, or I’ll….”
     She cut herself off, but Greg picked up on her threat. “You’ll what?” he jeered. “Call the cops?” His smile was cruel and cunning. “I’m sure they’d be interested in hearing my side of the story, too.”
     Harper knew she was trapped. If the police did come, she’d be in as much trouble as Greg. “Leave me alone,” she said, this time begging. Her hand went to the scar above her left eyebrow. Greg had hurt her before; he would surely do it again.
     Greg shook his head. “No can do. You, however, will get into my car if you know what’s good for you.”
     She retreated another step. Suddenly, the safety of the market seemed leagues away. “Greg, please… .”
     “Greg, please… .” he said, parodying her.
     Harper felt a presence behind her. “Leave her alone.”
     Greg’s sneer became a snarl. “Who are you?”
     The man from the store stepped in-between Harper and Greg. “I’m someone who wants to talk sense into you.”
     The man sounded calm and assured, almost friendly, but Harper wasn’t fooled. Tension thrummed throughout his body. She had the feeling he was sizing up Greg and looking for weaknesses.
     Greg stuck out his chin. “Get lost. This is between Harper and me.”
     The man held up both hands to show he wasn’t a threat. “Let’s be reasonable and talk this out.”
     “Real men don’t talk,” Greg said and reached under his jacket.
     “He’s got a gun!” Harper shouted, but her warning came too late. The gun went off, and Harper shrieked.
     “You stupid son-of-a-bitch,” the man growled the words. In the yellow light of the parking lot lamp, the man’s coat darkened at the shoulder as blood flowed from the wound.
     Harper dropped her groceries and ran to her rescuer’s side. “Oh my God! Greg, you idiot!”
     “He made me do it,” Greg said. “It wasn’t my fault!”
     The man leaned against Harper’s Jeep, his hand clamped over the wound. Even in the dim light, Harper noticed the pale look of shock.
     The gunshot had drawn attention from those inside the store. Shouts rang out and someone peered around the doorway. No doubt, at least one person had called 911 which meant the sheriff would arrive any minute.
     The scrabble of tennis shoes against gravel let Harper know Greg was fleeing the scene. He leapt into his car and sped off so fast his car fishtailed on the road, making his tires squeal against the asphalt.
     Harper had been terrified moments before, but now she was furious. How dare Greg come after her like this! And how dare he shoot her rescuer! Hopefully, someone would call the police. Even if it meant she got into trouble as well, she couldn’t let Greg get away with it.
     She hurried back to where her rescuer leaned against her Jeep. “We need to get you to a hospital.”
     He shrugged off his coat and examined his arm. “It’s nothing more than a scratch.”
     “Doesn’t matter. It’s a gunshot wound, and it needs to be looked at.”
     “You’re a doctor,” he said. “Can’t you do something?”
     “I’m a vet,” she corrected, “and I could lose my license if I practice medicine on people. But don’t worry. I’ll call an ambulance.”
     He shook his head. “I can’t have the authorities involved.”
     “This isn’t a debate,” she said.
     “You said you were heading to Ravenstock, right? Take me there and clean the wound. Once I know you’re safe, I’ll be on my way. Then, you can speak with the police.”
     Harper’s stomach was in knots. She owed him a debt of gratitude, but the man threw off warning signals like police flashers at a four-car collision. He had a desperate, dangerous feeling about him. As if someone hunted him.  And the last thing she needed in her life was another loose cannon.
     Seeing her hesitation, the man shrugged. “Look, it’s okay. I know this looks sketchy as hell.”
     He was right; it did look sketchy as hell. “Are you running from the cops?” she asked. “Are you wanted? Is the mob after you?”
     He laughed. “I’m wanted, but not by the mob.” He picked up the bag of groceries she’d dropped and handed them over. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t want to get you into trouble.” He turned to go.

     Ah, Hell. She couldn’t turn her back on someone who had just rescued her from Greg, the maniac. “Get in the Jeep. “Ravenstock is only a mile up the road.” She never could resist helping a stray.

 

INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE SCOTT

  What is your most treasured possession?  

I have to admit that it’s my phone.  I grew up pre-computer, yet I’m still a techie!  I love that I can read books, store and take pictures, and listen to music all on one device.  I really marvel at technology and am always eager to see what they come up with next.

Who or what has been the greatest love of your life? 

Definitely my husband.  We’ve been married for over thirty years, and I knew from the beginning that he was the one I was meant to be with.  He’s my cheerleader, my life coach, and my best friend.

Dogs or Cats?   

I would have to say both!  I love how dogs can be so enthusiastic.  They’re active and rough-and-tumble not to mention loyal.  Cats, on the other hand, (or at least my cat) can be a little finnicky, but I love to sit in a chair, reading a book, with a cat curled up in my lap.

What quality do you most admire in a woman and/or a man? 

Generosity.  I admire people who donate their time, as well as their money, to worthy causes.  I also love it when people tip well.

What are your writing quirks?  

I am a thirsty writer!  I always have a glass of iced tea or a cup of coffee when I write.  I try not to snack, but I figure drinking is okay.

What do you do as a hobby?  

I love to knit and crochet.  If I don’t have a book in my hands, then I will have a pair of needles or a hook.  I also love exploring new music.  I’m a big fan of indie bands.

Which are your three favorite books?  

The Stand by Stephen King; Jane Eyre; and Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

What is your Writing Routine?

  I always write first thing in the morning and last thing before I stop working for the day.   My ideas are always freshest in the morning, and writing actually relaxes me at night.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?  

Both!  It can be draining, especially if I am really into a scene, but it can also perk me up.

What are you working on now?  

Right now, I’m working on the third book in my Restless Spirits series.  Restless Spirits is about a young man who can see ghosts, but has always hated his ability.  Throughout the series, he comes to terms with his special gift while helping put ghosts to rest.

More Favorites from the Restless Spirits series:  I am in love with my characters!  Ethan, the main character, struggles with his visions because, all his life, he was told that he was mentally ill and not clairvoyant.  His boyfriend, David, struggles with his identity as a gay man.  Ethan’s friend and business partner, Christian, is more easy going. He recently lost someone he cared deeply about, but that loss has encouraged him to move take more risks in life.  He and Ethan have started a paranormal investigation business, and have gone on many adventures.

Tell us about your other books?  

I write a lot of different kinds of books.  I’ve written cozies in my Straight to Hell series and straight-up romance in Just the Two of Us.  Mostly, I enjoy books with an otherworldly element.  Straight to Hell is urban fantasy whereas Restless Spirits is more supernatural thriller.

What are your Top Writing Tips? 

Write every day. Don’t be afraid to write a terrible first draft, lol.  Read, read, and read some more.  Always appreciate your readers.  Connect with other writers.  Never give up!

Finally, what are we likely to find in YOUR nightstand? 

Right now, I’m in the middle of three books.  The first is for my book club, and it’s called There There by Tommy Orange.  The next is a thriller called Cut and Run by Mary Burton.  The final one is a favorite classic of mine – The Wasteland by T.S. Elliot.

Michelle Scott has lived in Michigan all her life, and loves to explore its coastlines and camp in its forests. Although she’s written romance, she mostly pens urban fantasies and supernatural suspense novels. When she’s not writing or reading, Michelle loves to knit, discover new indie bands on Spotify, and explore antique shops. She’s been married to Mr. Right for over thirty years, and has three children.

Website  Blog  Amazon AuthorPage  BookBub Author Page  Twitter  Pinterest  Facebook   YouTube

Newsletter Sign-Up  Goodreads   Instagram   EMail

 

 

A Darker Shade of Evil

A Limited Edition Devil & Demon Fantasy Collection Kindle Edition

Available ***N*O*W***

☆.•°*°•.☆ Lock in the 1.99 price before it goes up! ☆.•°*°•.☆ 

OR

Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited
Featuring USA Today and International Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors and they’re coming in like Demons!

★✩★Authors Featured in this Collection★✩★
Khardine Gray – USA Today Bestselling Author
Alone In The Dark
Dariel Raye – USA Today Bestselling Author
The Devil Upstairs
Lori Titus – USA Today Bestselling Author
Talons
Muffy Wilson – USA Today Bestselling Author
Succubus Unleashed
Keta Diablo – Bestselling Author
I Spy A Demon
Marilyn Harlow – Bestselling Author
Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Gracen Miller – Bestselling Author
Hex
Michelle Scott – Bestselling Author
The Demon’s Prisoner
Katherine Eddinger Smits – Bestselling Author
Siren Descending
Like your romance a little on the devilish side?

A Darker Shade of Evil is available NOW!

Deadly demons, diabolical devils and other creatures of the night will hold you spellbound in this one-of-a-kind anthology. In a world of dark delights, they trifle in forbidden passion, suspense, and kick-ass battles. It’s all right here for you in this captivating urban fantasy and paranormal romance anthology!

Brought to you by USA Today and International Bestselling Authors, these stories of sexy alpha heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages. Devils, demons and their lethal hunters will draw you into their conquests, twisted deceptions, scorching heat, and yes, even love.
Don’t miss A Darker Shade of Evil! One-click now will claim your copy!

* Heat Rating: Spicy to Erotic Romance
* No Cliffhangers
* Happily-Ever-After or Happy-For-Now

Warning: If you like demonic games, angelic interventions, and thrilling temptations, you’ll love this demons and devils romance collection of twisted proportions in A Darker Shade of Evil.

Get it *F*R*E*E* on Kindle Unlimited

 

Katherine Eddinger Smits grew up wanting to be a mermaid but discovered to her dismay this was not a viable career choice. Instead, she became a clinical social worker and helped veterans and their families.

Now she brings social work training and experience to her stories of mermaids, mages and magical creatures. Within the context of fantasy and romance, her novels explore real-life issues of self-acceptance, body image, relationship dynamics, and fears and phobias. Mystery, suspense, and a little sex add spice to her books.

She is the author of four paranormal romances.

Katherine and her husband divide their time between Florida and West Virginia. Their children and granddaughters live in Virginia.

Besides writing, Katherine is a blogger, mom, Mimi, dressage rider, and clog dancer.

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story! Newsletters always include contests, freebies and fun.  http://katherineeddingersmits.weebly.com/