What Happened to Barbara Donlon Bradley part 2

So when I stopped writing I worried I wouldn't go back to it. I had finished with the first draft of my tenth book in the Vespian Way series. Normally I do take a break between books, but it's only a few days before I'm right back at it. With this break it was months.  Like I said part of it was morning for the loss of my mother-in-law. It got really hard on us toward the end, and I used writing to escape. Suddenly I didn't have the stress that pushed me to write.

I also haven't been feeling the warm fuzzies from my publisher recently. The sales just haven't been there and it's not from lack of advertising. I've decided to pull my titles. Now my questions are what do I do with them. Should I go the route of self publishing? Should I try to find another publisher? This are big questions and the reason I think I stopped writing. I don't know what to do.

I have no idea on how to self publish, how to find covers, getting ISBN numbers. It's all a bit daunting. So is finding a new publisher. Having to submit this books through another editing process isn't easy. What if the editor doesn't like my writing style?

I'd love to hear from you guys to see what you suggest.  

Meet the Author's of Baby It's Cold in Space!

Hi All,

My guests this week are all part of a new anthology. One I’m sure you’re going to enjoy. I have asked each author to let us know which story is theirs in Baby it’s Cold in Space and asked them to answer the following questions.

1.) How did you come up with the story in this anthology?

2.) Do you normally write SF? If not what is your normal genre?

And I asked one to answer this one.

3.) How did you come up with the idea for the anthology? (only 1 person needs to answer this question)

First up is Donna:

Donna S. Frelick, Saturday Night in Devils Holler

1.) There are several threads woven into this story: First, the premise of my Interstellar Rescue universe which is that aliens are stealing humans for slaves and an intergalactic abolition organization exists to rescue and return those who have been Taken. Second, my own family connection to the mountains of West Virginia. And, third, of course, the idea of romance, which is strong in all my stories.

2.) Yes, I’m a science fiction romance gal all the way! I started out writing STAR TREK fan fiction to give Jim Kirk an outlet for all his romantic inclinations!

Next is Rosalie:

Rosalie Redd, Angelo 13

1.) When I saw the title of the anthology, Baby, It’s Cold in Space an image of a capsule floating through space with a lone survivor popped into my mind.  The story morphed to become one about discovering emotions, love in particular. Of course, the dashing hero needed to meet up with a strong heroine that shows him the true meaning of love.

2.) My stories tend to be a blend of fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance. Angelo 13 is my first foray into the traditional science fiction romance genre and it was so much fun to write! More stories are churning, eager to get on the page.

Now meet Selene:

Selene Grace Silver, Light Up the Dark

1.) The vision of a young woman, trapped, naked, completely vulnerable--except for her wits and intelligence--in a dark space cell, just appeared in my mind. I wanted to know who she was and how she’d ended up in such a dangerous situation. I had been fiddling with the story for over a year and thought this joint project might be the venue for it.

2.) I have been writing SFR for several years, but this will be my first published story in this genre. I have several other stories from this same universe and the first full length novel is coming out at the start of 2017. I also write contemporary romance and paranormal romance.

3.) Actually, the anthology was proposed by another writer on the RWA’s Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal forums. She left the project early on, but eight of us hung with it and followed through on the idea. We loved the title. It’s been a great experience to work with each other and we’ve even created a website in hope of pursuing another joint project. Check us out at sfrshootingstars.com.

And Blaire Edens:

Blaire Edens, The Climate of Love

1.) My husband and son are amateur astronomers. When I heard them discussing a planet, similar to Earth, that *could* be reachable in few decades or a century, I began to wonder what we could learn from the beings that might live on that planet. Around the same time, I binged Ancient Aliens and somehow the two ideas merged in my head and I wondered if it was possible that nearby planets were populated by our ancient ancestors. I added the element of climate change because, as a woman with degrees in environmental sciences, it’s a real concern for me.

2.) I’ve been writing paranormal romance and contemporary romance for several publishers for several years. This is my first true Sci-Fi romance but most of my books have a strong science element because I’m a Smithsonian and Nat Geo JUNKIE!

Plus Jayne Fury:

Jayne Fury, Still Life

1.) When we decided on the name, Baby, It’s Cold In Space, my first thought was to explore my own feelings about the winter holiday season such as light in the darkness, hope, and new birth. From there, the story about a terraforming astrobiologist’s project as the target for a celestial terrorist began to flow. Add in one inquisitive robot and bam! This was a perfect fit for my Solar Flame series about “bodice ripping ninjas in space” romance + pulp.

2.) I’m new to the author game and SciFiRom is my current jam. I began writing SciFi fanfic in the Star Trek community and just recently broadened my horizons to create my own universe. I’m staying with SFR because the authors I’ve met have been supportive and truly inspirational. It’s a growing genre and I love it.

My last Guest is Diana Rivis:

Diana Rivis, Star Gazers

1.) I was being a television couch potato one day a while back and happened upon a documentary about parallel universes and the possibility that they exist.  It was the first time I’d ever seen the concept analyzed from a scientific point of view by legitimate scientists.  It was also the first time I’d ever heard the term, multiverse.  I was completely gob smacked!  I started to think about the possibilities of jumping from one universe to the next.  What would we find?  Would there be planets like ours?  If so, would they be populated by beings like us?  A story and characters started to form in my mind and I just HAD to write it.

2.) I’ve always loved science fiction, so that’s what I write the most often.  In fact, Star Gazers is the first of what will eventually be a three-book series.  I also write some paranormal and have a series of baby dragon short stories.  

Writing Down the Bones - 10 Things you should know about Writers @barbbradley

I found another great handout in my cleaning. There is no name on it (wait I found it as I went through this - Debbie Macomber wrote this gem) and it says that it would be published in a future issue of Writer's Digest. Since the handout is from one of my binders I'm assuming this has already been published.

We're dealing with the 10 things you need to know about writers (Whether published or not).

I'm going to do 5 this week and 5 next week then in two weeks I'll do the other half of the hand out - 10 things you need to know about editors and since I'm both this should be fun.

As usual I'm going to try to put this into my own words. I love each of these by the way.

1.) We writers are neurotic and don't think it's unreasonable to look for hourly updates on the status of our babies (manuscripts).  I'm just as bad as my authors - when I'm on the author side I figure out how long it should take them to edit and start haunting my e-mail to see if it's there yet...

2.) We need a source of comfort while waiting to hear on those babies. Whether it is our mom holding our hand or our favorite bottle of alcohol doesn't really matter. Both will do in a pinch.

3.) We are experts at looking busy. When my husband asks I tell him I'm writing...he doesn't need to know it could be on twitter or FB. Hmm, I got a minute to check out Pinterest.

4.) We love it when you show the love - fan mail, happy b-day wishes on FB, a free meal...

5.) Here Debbie talks about gossip and how our creative minds can fill in the blanks - and I want to add this little bit - ANYTHING you tell a writer whether it is gossip or not can and probably will end up in a book. Especially if it's funny. 

Welcome my latest guest Janet Lane Walters!

Sorry I'm a day late again - I will get better and things settle at home.

I want to welcome Janet Lane Walters.

I’ve been writing for 46 years though some of those years were taken mainly by returning as a nurse to help finance children through college. Also to find my way to two degrees. A BA in English and a BS in Nursing. The number of my children are four and they’ve given me seven grandchildren. My youngest daughter is biracial and adopted. Four of the grandchildren are her children. The other three grandchildren are adopted and are Chinese. So I’ve a rather eclectic family. I currently live in the scenic Hudson Valley, not far from some interesting and historical places. I write romance, fantasy, mysteries and occasionally suspense. I’ve had short stories published and also a handful of poems.

Tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is called Divided Dreams. It’s about a doctor who has given up medicine to write, his dream since he was a teen. The heroine is returning to town after swearing never to return to where the hero hurt her. The arrival of their niece, her brother and his sister, complicate their lives. So does the return of her brother. Can they renew their love and make a home for the little girl?

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?

My favorite villain is from one of my own books “Code Blue.” He doesn’t have a name until the end. Actually though he’s twisted he is also a nice person and his motive for the multitude of killings is one he considers a justified.

2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?

What a difficult question. I’m rather fickle. The character or characters I love the best from one of my books is usually a character in my current WIP. Right now it’s Lorana who can hear and speak to dragons and until she decided to escape from slavery in the citadel of the wizards of Fyre heard no dragons. She has courage and determination and wants revenge but she must learn that revenge isn’t the tasty dish she imagined.

3.) What do genre do you write? What made you pick that one?

Another interesting question. I write romance contemporary, paranormal, fantasy and historical. I also write mystery and occasionally suspense. I’ve written short stories and poems. A bit of YA fantasy and also several non-fiction books. Why did I choose them – probably because I like to read them. At a conference I heard a writer mention that writing what you like to read is a good idea. I’m just an eclectic writer.

4.) What are you working on now?

I am working on The Wizards of Fyre, the third in a four book series. This is a fantasy romance with two villains who must be defeated. The hero is a wizard but not of the line of wizards. He is adopted and has been pushed aside after his mentor dies. I talked about the heroine above. There is also a Dragon who is so old he can’t remember his name. He plays a major role in the story.

5.) What got you to start writing?

I always write from the time I could hold a pencil, but I decided to become published much later in life. I had a bad case of pneumonia and my sister-in-law sent me a bag of nurse romances. Among them were some of the worst books I’ve ever read. Many of the writers had no idea about medicine, hospitals and nurses and doctors. So I decided to learn how to write a novel and the game was on.

6.) Where do you get your ideas from?

I have no real idea where my ideas arise. I’ve blamed it on a twisted mind since creativity is akin to madness. A book by Rollo May by this title led me to this conclusion. The ideas appear to hover in the air and them I pluck then. The stories don’t always follow the original idea but take off from there.

7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?

I will try to think of something. If not I’ll make it up. I am a writer. Perhaps the fact that I’ve been married to the same man for fifty-six years. It’s called endurance or the survival of the fittest.

8.) Do you have any special talents?

Not sure what special talents are but on occasion I’ve had bits of ESP show up in my life. Perhaps in dreams or even in sending thoughts. Another may be that for years I composed music and never learned how to play an instrument.

9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?

Finish the book. When I heard this at a conference back when my career began, I decided that was great advice. I became a draft writer because of this advice. I always finish a rough draft of my books before I go back and make them right.

10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?

I can think of a few but probably Jane Austin. We would talk about how one brings ordinary life of the times into a book. I would also like to talk to Tolstoy about why he allowed Anna Karenina to commit suicide. That has bothered me since I read the book for a book report in third grade and nearly was expelled. Not for reading the book but for suggesting all the other things she could have done and the real reasons she had to live.

11.) What song would you say describes your life?

Not much into songs with words but I’d say the 1812 Overture is how I often feel and is a piece I have a dozen versions of and have been known to play them back to back.

12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?

Some kind of big cat. Not a lion. They’re kind of scruffy. A tiger or a puma or a jaguar. I love the look of them and often watch National Geographic channel when they’re on.

Buy link:
Melodic Dreams (Moon Child)  

Social media:
https://twitter.com/JanetL717
http://janetlanewalters.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_fbid=113639528680724
http://bookswelove.net/



 Excerpt:

To the sounds of her nephew banging notes on a xylophone, Maria emptied the last box of kitchenware she’d found at the thrift shop less than a block from the apartment complex. She paused and laughed. She knew that song, the theme from Jeopardy, her mother’s favorite program.

She drew a deep breath. So much to do to make this one bedroom apartment into a home for her four year old nephew. Beds to make, clothes to unpack. She needed to buy curtains to cover the blinds and add color to the ecru walls. She’d been fortunate. The woman from the Human Resources Department at Fern Lake General had found this place.

Last night, she and Jamie had slept on the green carpet in the living room pretending to be camping. This morning the furniture and other purchases from the thrift shop had been delivered.

Jamie finished his rendition with a sweep of the hammer over the keys. She leaned against the counter and loaded their bowls from lunch into the dishwasher.

Maria drew a deep breath. Inside, she quivered with tension she refused to allow to show. She must succeed.

Enough dawdling. There was a man she needed to see. Her gut clenched.

“Jamie, put your toys away. We’re going to see your father.” And pray the man agrees to pay for Jamie’s pre-school while she worked. Two weeks from today, she started at the local hospital as an occupational therapist.

“Will he like me?” Jamie asked.

She hated the worry in the boy’s voice and in his brilliant green eyes. She ruffled his dark curls. “What’s not to like?”

“He never came to see me.”

Maria sucked in a breath. She could have tried to locate the man years ago, but her mother had been adamantly opposed. “He didn’t know about you. Nana didn’t know his last name.” Maria brushed hair from her face. They could have learned. She couldn’t tell Jamie about his grandmother’s anger. Guilt curled in her thoughts.

Jamie looked up. “How did you know?”

“When we were packing to sell Nana’s house, I found some papers in a suitcase your mama left. I saw his name and looked for him.”

Jamie nodded. “Uncle Carlo said my mama runned away ‘cause my dad was mean.” His eyes widened.

She put her fingers on his lips. “What does Uncle Carlo know?”

“Just TV and beer.”

Maria popped toys in her huge bag and walked to the door. They rode the elevator to the semi-enclosed parking area and her battered ten year old blue sedan. She fastened Jamie into his booster seat.

Twenty minutes later with only one wrong turn, she pulled into the U-shaped driveway leading to a huge house at the top of the rise. She rehearsed what she planned to say when she saw Jamie’s father. She swallowed against a lump in her throat. How would he react when she handed him the folder with her reasons for being in Fern Lake?

“Is that the house?” Jamie pointed up the hill. “Looks like a castle.”

Welcome my Latest Guest Colleen Myers! @ColleenSMyers #amwriting

I want to welcome Colleen. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.

Colleen plays many roles. Not only is she a veteran, a mother, and a practicing physician, but she is a writer of science fiction and contemporary romances. Colleen’s dreams include surviving her son’s teenage years, exploring every continent on this planet, except Antartica, cause that’s way too cold, and winning the Nobel peace prize. Dream BIG! Her first novel, MUST REMEMBER came out in November. You can also look for her at Three Rivers Romance Writers, at Facebook  Colleen Myers, and at @ColleenSMyers.

Tell us about your latest release.

It is a science fiction romance. A what if type novel. There is an apocalyptic event and alien abduction where you find out all is not what it seems with human evolution.

Book Blurb:

Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth ‘Beta’ Camden is a survivor.

When the E’mani—those pale alien freaks—destroy Earth with a plague of madness and scoop up the remains, Beta is one of the ‘lucky’ ones. For years, she endures their tortures, experiments and games. Then one day, she manages to escape their ship with her life, and no memory of her time with them.

Stranded on their world, Beta wanders the mountains, looking for a way home. She stumbles onto the Fost—the E’mani’s ancient enemy. Their war with the E’mani is old and rooted in magic that the Fost once had and the E’mani crave. Magic Beta soon discovers she’s developing along with strange tattoos and disturbing glimpses of her past. The Fost take her in and train her in their ways. As she spends more time with them, she falls in love with their culture and with Marin—he of the hot hands and slit eyes.

But the E’mani took her for a reason and they want her back—dead or alive. If Beta doesn’t remember that reason soon, they’re all going to die.

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?

Hugh from Kate Daniels series. Sexy but flawed.

2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?

Kate Daniels.

3.) What do genre do you write? What made you pick that one?

I write Science Fiction/Fantasy and Contemporary Romance.  The reason? I love fantasy. I am constantly daydreaming. Given my day job, not during the day, so in my free time, I love to create new worlds and happy endings.

4.) What are you working on now?

A contemporary romance dealing with PTSD in a returning soldier and his high school sweetheart!

5.) What got you to start writing?

I was reading one of my favorite authors who I LOVE, but I remember reading one book and hating the ending. I remember yelling about it and my hubby said, “Well why don’t you write your own book then.” So I did.

6.) Where do you get your ideas from?

Everywhere. Anywhere. Real life.

7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?

I love tattoos and Electronic dances music.

8.) Do you have any special talents?

Umm, not that I can share publically? Hehe.

9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?

Never give up, Never surrender (also the theme to Galaxy Quest) but it is true. If you really want to accomplish something, not just writing, you need to apply yourself.

10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?

Mother Theresa. I love her as a public figure and as a feminine role model. I would talk about giving.

11.) What song would you say describes your life?

Hm, I can’t think of one, it changes constantly. I love to use music to get me into a scene. Right now I would say Open Heart by Morgan Page.

12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?

Honey badger. LOL. I just love the meme regarding him. But no seriously a cat. I love cats. I would be a total lap cat.

Buy links:
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ST45VQ/?tag=colsmyeautpag-20
Barnes and Nobles – http://tinyurl.com/BN-must-remember
Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/must-remember
All Romance/ARE café – http://tinyurl.com/ocfgdm3
Champagne books – http://tinyurl.com/champagneMustr

Social links

FB - https://www.facebook.com/ColleenSMyers/

Twitter. https://twitter.com/ColleenSMyers

Goog + https://plus.google.com/u/0/114862374558510360435/posts

pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/csmyers3637/

Welcome My latest Guest Ann Raina! #amwriting

I want to welcome Ann Raina. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.

I’m way beyond forty and currently I live in Germany with five cats and a horse (not in the same apartment; he just didn’t fit). I’ve been writing novels for years and I still love creating plots, finding characters and putting them together. My muse is always with me. We talk about ideas and how to get them into a story every week. My creativity wouldn’t be so fulfilling without her additions, comments and questions, especially about the logic in plot twists.

Tell us about your latest release.

This fall three novels will be released, the first one’s The Secretary’s Bodyguard. The story is about Jazmin, who’s married to the bodyguard of the Secretary of State. On an official visit to Colombia the secretary and his entourage are attacked by terrorists and have to flee through the forest, hunted by men out to kill them all.

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?

From a movie I’d choose Hans Gruber, portrayed by Alan Rickman, in Die Hard 1. He’s cynical, bad without remorse and yet in his way so funny you can laugh. Okay, I’m guilty of liking this movie anyway… In my opinion the bad guys always get the best roles, the more challenging performance. If the bad guys are well played they make the good guys look handsome and well-behaved, but without the edges.

2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?

I tend to write one book with a set of characters and then let go. This time I wrote three novels in a row because Ethan Mahoney and his wife make such a lovely couple I couldn’t part with them. And, yes, if I come up with another plot there will be a forth book. He’s dedicated to his wife and also his job. He’s straightforward and reliable and a wild tiger if anyone dares getting close to his wife. He has a way to cheer her up and still respect her. In the second book he’s confronted with a villain he can’t truly beat and to write that confrontation was a real challenge. I guess, with Ethan I wrote a character I would very much like to meet. I confess I’m still a girl with dreams when it comes to that.

3.) What genre do you write? What made you pick that one?

I write contemporary romance and Science Fiction. I like SciFi because of the never ending possibilities to create new worlds and venture onto other planets where our rules don’t apply. But recently the ideas were more earth-bound. While writing a story that plays here and now I have to stick to historical facts and it’s very interesting to do research before the first paragraph is written.

4.) What are you working on now?

Another SciFi story which I started between book two and three of the series. Yes, sometimes I can’t get enough. At first I wanted to take down notes and do nothing else. I tried to focus on the plot I was writing at that time, but it just didn’t work. The first ten pages were written before I blinked. Then I tried for discipline and finished book three (A Bodyguard’s Vacation) to return to the SciFi plot. Right now I’m in the middle somewhere and try to wrap up and not forget where I was heading. Getting distracted by side plots is one of my problems…

5.) What got you to start writing?

I honestly can’t tell. I suppose it was Han Solo. I loved the character so much I started writing fan fiction when no one knew that word. All of my early stories were hand-written and only some friends got them for reading. I stuck with fan fiction for quite a long time, but then made the turn to my own worlds and own characters.

6.) Where do you get your ideas from?

Dreams. Taking a shower. Working in the garden. When an idea hits me I take down notes, play around with it and present it to my muse for duly dissection. After that brainstorming sets in, decorated with coffee and cookies. (I understand all FB posts about the essentials of coffee for authors…) If we can’t get any further on one day we postpone. I take down more notes and the full plot will take about two or three weeks for creation. Again, every movie I watch or book I read can become a source for ideas.

7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?

I think I can only write books, which deal with so much trouble, action, suspense and else because my real life is very orderly. I’m happy with my life. I can put all these imaginary problems in my books because my day-to-day life is enjoyable.

8.) Do you have any special talents?

I’ve learned riding years ago and finally bought a horse, a chestnut colored gelding. He’s nine years old by now and a very good partner in the woods. So I spent a lot of time outdoors.

9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?

Know the character and its language. I was told by my teacher in high school that my writing is nice (okay, at that time), but I lack the ability to write narrative according to the man’s or woman’s upbringing. People from different social places talk differently. I try to keep that in mind every time I create a new character.

10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?

I would’ve loved to meet Sir Peter Ustinov. He was such an intelligent man.

11.) What song would you say describes your life?

Michael Buble’s It’s a Beautiful Day.

12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?

I prefer to be a cat in a large home. Maybe a writer’s cat. Mine tend to look intently at the screen and I guess they were critics in their first lives…

Excerpt:

“You would’ve slapped him?” His voice tripped over the last word. Ethan tried to imagine his wife hitting Walter Coleman, the incarnation of a strict, very conservative and always serious chief of security. It was funny. Reconsidering that she had brought down Ryan, the image lost some of its entertainment value. He frowned as he watched her very nice butt on a westbound trail that only she saw. There was that little idea in the back of his head he’d better ignore.

“He insinuated I might be in a setup with the terrorists following us. It’s completely stupid, I know, but that’s the way he thinks.” She stopped on the way up and turned until Ethan reached her. Her frown was deep and she looked tired. “He’s doing his job, and he was right to remind you to do yours. We’re not here because of some weekend trip gone wonky. You have to work and probably risk your life saving the secretary.”

He put his hands on her hips. “Princess, can you imagine that I’d put his life over yours? It’s not gonna happen. I’m very proud that you’re so brave. So tough. It might come out all wrong, but it’s not. I didn’t expect you to be like this. Not even with the police training and all.”

“I panic on the inside, Ethan.” She caressed his stubbly cheek and ran her thumb over the cleft in his chin. He saw her fight off emotions that would lead to tears. “I’m so afraid you’ll get hurt. And that those men will catch up to us and kill us all in cold blood. I can’t stand the thought that you’ll throw yourself in the line of fire and that those bastards might finally end what they began.” She combed his hair with her fingers. “I can’t think of a life without you.”

“I’ll work hard so no one gets killed. Would that be okay?”

She trembled as he took her in his arms. “They’re still coming after us, and they’ve got the larger firepower, don’t they? Please, Ethan, tell me that we stand a chance.”

He let go and smiled at her. “Well, we’ve got you with us. And if I got the secretary right, he’ll hire you as recruitment. Wait an hour and he’ll order Walter to hand you a gun.”

She turned and walked on. “I can fire a gun. I was a police officer.”

Ethan, his eyes already back on her derrière, opened his mouth for a reply, rethought the argument and kept silent until she turned with a frown.

“Do you doubt I can shoot?”

Again, Ethan knew he was in trouble, no matter how he answered the question. “Walter…won’t hand a weapon to anyone he hasn’t personally trained. He’s…nuts when it comes to weapons and shooting. He wouldn’t let you touch—”

“He’d reject my help even if Ryan can’t shoot anymore?”

Ethan heard the outrage in her voice and called himself stupid to have brought up the subject. His mind juggled the possible ways to end the discussion. “Ryan’s fine, even with his left hand. I saw him train.”

Book information:

The Secretary’s Bodyguard

Copyright © 2015 Ann Raina

ISBN: 978-1-4874-0518-2

Cover art by Carmen Waters

Buying information:

http://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina/The-Secretary-'-s-Bodyguard/

Welcome G.D. Ogan back to my Blog! @thecarphotoguy #amwriting

I want to welcome G.D. Ogan back to my blog! First I’d love you to re-introduce yourself. 

Tell us about your latest release. 

The third in my unique series about good vampires who safeguard humans is "Immortal Relations Coming Out" and as the title implies they discuss the benefits versus the risks in allowing humans to know that they are more than fiction, myth and legend. They saved mankind from a potential thermonuclear war as well as two ecological disasters in book two, "Immortal Relations, Love and War" so it seems timely to discuss the possibility of forming a strong bond between the species. Human fears, born of the actions of ancient bloodthirsty vampires argue against coming out to humans. However, seeing human governments sliding back toward the abyss of dictatorships, something must be done, so a coven is established in Southern-Canada to monitor the situation in the not so "united" United States.   

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers. 

1.) Who is your favorite author? Do you feel you write like them? 

The late Tom Clancy was, in my eyes, the ultimate writer of military-political action novels. He also joined with several other authors to publish similar books who continue to develop those stories. My works are in the paranormal-romance genre' but they have military and political components as my vampires do operate in the modern world to safeguard mankind, often from the efforts of evil politicians to enslave those people they should be serving. I'd love to have my stories compared to Clancy's; however, I fear no one can equal the depth of his writing style! 

2.) What was your favorite book growing up? 

J. R. R. Tolkin's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The details in the story of "Middle Earth" about the forces of good versus evil was so intriguing to my young mind that I read each novel and the prequel, "The Hobbit" many times - 'til dog-eared pages fell from their bindings.  

3.) Are you a plotter or a pantser and why did you choose that method? 

The stories develop in my mind while I'm in a dreaming sleep and while I'm actually writing, so I'd say pantser. As far as "choosing" the method, it feels more like the method chose me. 

4.) Do you consider writing a career or a hobby? Why?

 Hmmm...how about a duty? I've seen and done a lot during my military career and later working in psychology so I feel I have a responsibility to present some of what I learned, hopefully in engaging storylines. 

5.) What are you working on now? 

I'm researching for a novel about time-travel back to the age of dinosaurs. I'm writing it because my granddaughter LOVES dinosaurs and I want to write it for her.  

6.) What one piece of advice would you like to pass on to an up and coming author? 

Write what you are interested in not what you think others want to read...not everyone is going to like what you write, but as long as you like it don't be deterred.  

7.) If you had the ability to time travel and your first visit was to see a younger version of yourself what would you say to that younger self?

 Spend more time with your wife and children rather than so much over-time in the military. 

8.) You just got a million dollars, whether it’s from an inheritance, the lottery, or a sweet book deal doesn’t matter. What would be the first thing you would buy for yourself? 

About 120 acres of land where I and the children and grandchildren could build houses and be close enough to help each other (plus we'd get to babysit more often)! 

9.) If you could un-invent one thing in the world what would it be? 

Methamphetamines - they have ruined far too many young lives! 

10.) What is your favorite movie/TV Show? Why? 

The Vampire Dairies. Because it shows that there is hope that some vampires can become good! 

Blurb

Immortal Relations Coming Out, third in the series by G. D. Ogan continues to rock the foundation upon which typical vampire novels are based. Such stories, where vampires safeguard humans are rare indeed. These vampires do their utmost to save humans and animals from not only evil vampires but evil humans.
Ogan's insights into the powers of the immortal vampires, along with fresh takes on the complex inner workings of their existence provide an intriguing experience for readers. In this story a novice shape-shifter wolf meets a beautiful hybrid vampire. Good vampires set up a new coven in Southern Canada to monitor a regime intent on changing American into a dictatorship. Marxist thugs, not realizing who they are dealing with, still believe the group was partly responsible for the defeat of Communists intent on stealing oil, gold and mineral reserves from Russia, so Washington retaliates with violence. A great deal of effort is required by the vampires to keep Canadian citizens safe. There is a vampire wedding with a handsome human; then dangers from outer-space suddenly appear to threaten the entire earth - can such threats be stopped?
A reader of Immortal Relations said: "Being a bit of a vampire-phile, I find myself constantly searching for the next vampire series to reach out and grab, or, more appropriately, bite me. I believe I have found my holy grail of vampire novels..." 

Excerpt (from pages 147-149): Vlad Dracula is talking with one of his newest vampire friends, Gary Logan. Vlad has explained how he and other of the oldest vampires have progressed to the point where they need little if any blood. Gary has asked why the out-of-control vampires continue to attack humans. 

Vlad replies (through thought transference) “They get a thrill from the hunt and then, as the life drains from their victims, it provides a rush from the feeling of power over the living.”
 
Gary: “If I may be so bold, have you had such feelings in the past?”

Vlad smiled and nodded slowly, "It was a very, very long time ago Gary. We were fighting what you would call 'an asymmetrical war' against Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and his Muslim invaders who outnumbered us at least three to one. I was looking for anything to slow them down. I guess you would say I used psychological warfare by building the 'forest' of impaled enemy soldiers we had defeated in previous battles. While we had numerous successes against units of the invaders we unfortunately were unable to hold off so large an invading army. It was about this time I was changed into what I am today. I was always in the front lines of battle and routinely soaked in blood. Perhaps that is what changed me into a vampire. One of my own Generals saw me surrounded by enemies and saw blood spurting up in the air. Thinking it was my blood he sent word that I'd been killed. My dear wife was distraught and threw herself from the heights of our Poenari Castle into the Arges River below.

Then my second cousin, Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, from whom I had sought help in prosecuting the war, imprisoned me. Locked away, I soon became crazed with the desire for blood I would have otherwise found on the battlefield. Many fellow prisoners died because of it and after my escape I was a plague on the land. It took all too long before I regained some sense of my lost humanity.”

With downcast eyes Vlad thought, “Which is where the myths, legends and stories about me started – I’m afraid I earned them all.”


I reached over and patted him on the arm saying, “I’m sorry I brought up a topic that has induced clearly painful memories for you.”


Vlad smiled at me, “No, it is alright. If you haven’t heard the story before I think you need to know the type of vampire you follow. I hope it won’t detract from our relationship.”


“Never fear of my continued admiration and respect for you. You were a great leader fighting to free your people from an oppressive invader. Since you had no one to guide you after you were changed, as a ‘newborn’ vampire you did what came naturally. However, it begs the question, how did you stop?”


“I married again and she helped me overcome the constant thirst, giving me some of her own blood, and she brought me back to God.”


With tears in my eyes I thought, in reply to Vlad, “Women are clearly the superior gender, without them we men would be little better than wild beasts. “

Buy Links (PRINT AND DIGITAL VERSIONS):


Book one, Immortal Relations  

http://amzn.com/B006ZCBT6G

Book two, Immortal Relations, Love and War 

http://amzn.com/B00A4IEHL6 

Book three, "Immortal Relations Coming Out" 

http://amzn.com/B00G5BQS18 

Bio

Born in Washington D.C. during WW-II, I attended Washington and Lee High among other schools in the area before my parents moved us to Northern California where I ran track and cross-country. I received an Associates degree from Foothill J.C. then transferred to Texas Christian University where I received my Bachelors and commission in the USAF. I did a lot of writing while in the service, was stationed in many parts of the world and received a Masters from Ball State University's European Campus. After retiring, I finished a second Masters at Hardin-Simmons University (none of these were in English or Literature as my novels will attest). I then worked in the field of psychology both in a clinical setting and with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. I live in West Texas with my wife of 47 years and our three Pomeranians. Writing and reading are a passion along with a few antique automobiles and  muscle cars. 

 

Social Media Links:
http://immortalrelations.blogspot.com/ 
http://www.amazon.com/author/guyogan 
http://facebook.com/writervampire 
http://twitter.com/thecarphotoguy1