Sapphire Phelan and Carole Ann Lee

Wildfire would like to welcome authors Sapphire Phelan and Carole Ann Lee.

Sapphire Phelan

Julie: How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

Sapphire: Since I was eight-years-old. I've always wanted to make up stories and did them in place of essays in school. I did stories with animals, scary stories, and science fiction. My first published works that I got paid for were three poems when I was 17—in the Hyacinths and Biscuits Poetry Magazine.

Julie: What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?

Sapphire:  Mostly seat of the pants, as I actually see like a color movie from beginning to end my stories. Though for novellas and novels, I do write down my characters, their names, what race, characteristics, etc… plus any important things I want written in certain chapters. So maybe a combination of both, though heavier on the seat of the pants. And I always go back over, editing, as there is always something to put back in.

Julie: How do you choose the setting for your next book?

Sapphire: If an anthology asks for certain type of setting then I follow that. But for most of my work, I know instantly where my characters will live and where they will travel to. For the sequel to Beast Magic, I know that the setting will be a big city in the United States. But in the first novella, it started in the US, and ended up in South Africa as that was where my hero lived—in the Bushveld. In the novel I wrote I took the city I live in and put it in a setting of what would happen to it if Hell took over. And I even had hell and some fantastical lands in that book too—so I had to imagine what those places would look like. I just know what the best setting for my characters is.

Julie: How long does it take you to finish a book from start to submission?

Sapphire:  From a month (Beast Magic actually was written and edited in two days, but I wouldn't recommend doing it that way-LOL) to a few. It depends when something is needed to be in.

Julie: How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author?

Sapphire: A lot. Besides for myself, readers are the ones who I write the stories of my heart and mind for. To hear from a reader that they enjoyed something I wrote is what keeps me plugging away on the computer.

Julie: When you write, is atmosphere important? For example, do you use mood music or candles? Do you need complete quiet to concentrate?

Sapphire: Something I read long ago from Ray Bradbury, one of my favorite authors—he keeps a lot of things like statues, stuffed animals, etc all around his writing desk so he always has inspiration. I do the same thing. Most times it is quiet when I am getting into writing a story. Sometimes though, I may need a little noise or music as background, to help me write. It all depends on the mood for that day.

Julie: Most people envision an author's life as being really glamorous. What's the most unglamorous thing that you've done in the past week?

Sapphire: LOL Washing dishes, cleaning the house. Paying the bills. Buying groceries. And when I did all that, I didn't have makeup on and wore my most comfy clothes, nothing exotic or exciting.

Julie: There are so many publishers out there, how do you decide who to submit your work to?

Sapphire: After a couple of e-publishers who closed on me quickly, I've been careful who I submit to. Phaze is a good publisher and I am happy with them. Same with LoveYouDivine. And others I have submitted to are those that other authors had no problems with and seemed to be good ones. In other words, I chose those who I would be happy with, whether a publisher or an anthology for a short story of mine.

Julie: Describe the space where you write.

Sapphire:  It's a desk, with my laptop and my husband's PC I used to on it, surrounded by books needed for research and things to inspire me. I have a window behind me, so I can open the blinds and let in the sunshine. Yes, it can get cluttered sometimes and then I will go through and clean, but in long run, I am comfortable with it.

Julie: What do you do when you aren't writing? Any hobbies or special interests that you can tell us about?

Sapphire: I make and wear costumes (mainly at science fiction conventions and charity events), read, bake, do crafts, watch DVDs and go to the movies with my husband, collect anything on dragons (statues, jewelry, books, etc..) and do acting (though not for a couple years) in films and on stage.

Julie: Do you ever experience writer's block? If you do, how do you cope with it?

Sapphire: If I do, I just do another story until that block passes. Either that, or watch a movie or read a book or take a walk. About a couple of hours later I can get back to the story.

Julie: Are there any absolutely-must-have characteristics for your heroes or heroines?

Sapphire: Only if my character is a particular paranormal species like say a vampire, then I follow some rules that are out there for vampires. Otherwise, no. Each of my characters is an individual, just like real people.

Julie: Dealing with writing deadlines can be a challenge. What do you do to cope with the stress?

Sapphire:  I write, but I take time out to watch a movie or read a book, do something that is not writing or my story for a few hours. I know that if I let the stress get to me, then I won't do a good job. And I give myself enough time to write before something is due, so then the stress won't be there.

Julie: Do you remember the first romance novel that you read?

Sapphire:  Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. Plus Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt in 8th grade.

Julie: What's next for you?

Sapphire: The sequel to Beast Magic, plus I plan to write the sequel to the erotic urban fantasy romance  (witch and demon) that I will have out in January by Phaze.

Sapphire Phelan is an author of erotic and sweet paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction romance. She also writes as Pamela K. Kinney, for horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the nonfiction ghost book, Haunted Richmond, Virginia. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two cats, Ripley and Bast. 

She admits she can always be found at her desk and on her computer, writing. And yes, the house and husband sometimes suffers for it!

Backlist:
Wedded Magic, LoveYouDivine
Soul Seduction in Forbidden Love: Bad Boys, Under the Moon
Being a Predator is a Bitch in Forbidden Love: Wicked Women, Under the Moon
To Save the Day, Amazon Shorts
Costumed Scare and Full Moon Lover, (Poems) in Phaze in Verse, Phaze
The Dark Man in Forbidden Love: Sacred Bands, Under the Moon
Beast Magic, Phaze
Shadow Lover in Coming Together: Under Fire, Phaze
Crimson Promise, Phaze
To Teach an Ancient God, All Romance eBooks
Shifting Desires Anthology (print)-Beast Magic, Phaze

Coming soon:
Erotic Urban Fantasy Romance, Phaze
Beast Magic 2: Dark Soul of the Leopard, Phaze

Links:

Website
Newsletter
MySpace
Blog

Carole Ann Lee

Julie: How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

Carole: First of all, hello Julie and hello readers. And thank you to All Romance eBooks for allowing me this opportunity. I am excited to get started.

Back in the early nineties I was reading a sci fi adventure series about a futuristic bounty hunter by author, William C. Dietz. It was called The Sam McCade Series. Sam is a "man's hero". In other words the action takes precedence over romance. In a short scene tucked in the middle of a lot of action, hero meets girl. Two chapters later, hero is married to girl. Mr. Dietz is a tremendous writer and although I found myself intrigued by the series, I also found myself wondering how did Sam propose? When did he fall in love? All those little details that women generally wonder about.

One day I sat down and wrote Sam's proposal. It was my very first attempt at fictional writing, but I enjoyed the creativity of it so much that before long I was conjuring up my own hero, Nick Banner. And from there, Banner's Bonus took form. 

Julie: What influenced you to get published? How long did it take for your first book to get published?

Carole: Eventually I became involved in a critique group, and from there I joined Romance Writers of America. I was lucky because the critique group I belonged to was tough, honest and knowledgeable. As a beginning writer I soaked up as much of the basics on writing as I possibly could.

Four years later I attended an RWA writers conference and was given the opportunity to submit Banner's Bonus to a New York editor. That was in the fall of 1994. To my surprise, the book was accepted and in May of 1995 Banner's Bonus was released by Love Spell. 

Recently I acquired the rights back from Love Spell and have since gone through the story, toughening up the heroine and making a few other changes to better meet today's readers. In my humble opinion, Banner's Bonus today is a better read than it was when it first came out in 1995.

Julie: What are the elements of a great romance for you?

Carole:  There a many important elements that make for a good read. However, for me, there is only ONE element that makes for a great romance-- and that is for the reader to fall in love with the hero and to think about that story for a while after they finished the book. I firmly believe that if the author falls head over heels in love with her own hero, then undoubtedly so will her readers. And after all, isn't that what reading a romance is all about? Falling in love?

Julie: What about the heroines for these determined heroes? What makes them strong enough capture the heroes' hearts?

Carole:  In the beginning, one of my biggest faults… and one of the things that the critique group continually complained about, was that my heroine in Banner's Bonus was weak. Time and again I would rewrite a scene, toughening up the heroine a little more before bringing it back to the group for their thoughts. And even though New York accepted my heroine back then, I knew that I would need to revise her to better meet today's readers. Today, my revised heroine is tough enough to meet her hero toe to toe and yet at the same time is just innocent enough to make him melt.

Julie: What do you hope readers get from your books?

Carole:  I want my readers to enjoy the read. That's #1.

I delved into a split genre when I began writing Banner's Bonus. In fact, well-meaning friends told me that it would never sell because of that fact. But in the very beginning I didn't care whether my story got published or not. Banner's Bonus  was written for me. I never once dreamed I had a chance at being published. Nevertheless, when I began entertaining the thought of submitting to a publisher, I began toning down the high tech and emphasizing the romance. The first on the list to avoid was anything that might be hard to pronounce. To me "hard to pronounce" was a big stopper. And when it came to high tech, I introduced the reader through my heroine's eyes. She seemed the perfect solution, and my goal soon became one in which I hoped to interest and gain the approval of die-hard romance readers…especially those who never thought they would enjoy a futuristic romance.

Julie:  What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?

Carole:   They say outlining is the best way to write. But in truth, I could never get the hang of it. My characters seem to insist upon writing the story as I go.

Julie: What's next for you?

Carole:  Solar Wind is the second book in the Banner series. It is about Zeke Slater, the side-kick to Nick Banner, the hero in Banner's Bonus. It is due to be released by AweStruck in September of 2008. In this story, we not only watch Zeke's story unfold, but we get to meet Nick and Tressa again from Banner's Bonus.

Julie: What are you working on now?

Carole:  I have started work on another Banner story. Clint Banner, is the oldest of the three Banner brothers and has been demanding his story be told. The working title is Banner's Renegade. It will be the third book in the series. 

Julie: Dealing with writing deadlines can be a challenge. What do you do to cope with the stress?

Carole: I put on my earphones and listen to my favorite music while working. Not only am I inspired by music, it helps ease the stress.

Julie: If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why?

Carole:  Banner's Bonus is the first in the series. I would recommend starting there. 

Being both fascinated with futuristic space travel as well as the romance of the tall sailing ships of the 1800s, Carole Ann has tried to combine both worlds in Banner's Bonus as well as in the sequel, Solar Wind. Her goal has been to create a futuristic romance with the feel of a high seas adventure.

Carole Ann is a native of Oregon. Along with their two children, David and Shauna, she resides with her own special hero who shares her crazy sense of humor and love for animals. Extended family members include "Turk" an English Budgie, Hunter, a German Shepherd pup, Nacoma, a medicine hat registered paint horse and Ace, a registered quarter horse. Both horses are just as much a part of the family and just as spoiled as the family dog.

Backlist:
Banner's Bonus, AweStruck eBooks

Coming soon:
Solar Wind, AweStruck eBooks

Links:
Website

If you would like to request an interview, please send a query to info@allromanceebooks.com

Until next time!

Julie Cummings
Wildfire Interview Coordinator
All Romance eBooks

On The Run by Judith Rochelle
This story is rated 1 flame. Love scenes are not consummated, or if the love scenes are consummated details are not given.

"Jamie, honey, it's not too late to reconsider, you know."

Robin Fletcher fussed with her sister's veil, arranging it so the folds fell softly around her face and just touched the shoulders of her silk and lace wedding gown. She had a sick feeling about this whole wedding but nothing she said seemed to make a difference.

"I don't know why you don't want me to marry him," Jamie objected. "He's so good to me and he gives me so much."

Robin stopped what she was doing and took one of Jamie's hands in hers. She could hardly bear the look of excitement in her sister's eyes.

"Honey, I now you think I'm just manufacturing something where I shouldn't but C.D. Ellis is a predator. I told you that from the beginning. "He's been on his best behavior since you met him, but once that ring is on your finger, he'll turn into someone you don't know and I'm afraid for you."

"I don't know what you're afraid of," Jamie protested. "Why would he marry me if he didn't love me? And if he loves me, he'll be good to me."

"C.D. wants an heir. That's very common knowledge. And not one conceived out of wedlock. So a wife is his only option, but he doesn't want a woman who'll stand up to him and fight. He wants someone he can manipulate emotionally."

Jamie yanked her hand away. "You make me sound like a total idiot. Like a doormat. I'm not either." She bit her lower lip. "Robin, I thought you had more respect for me. And I thought you wanted me to be happy."

"I do, honey." Robin felt her throat tighten. "That's why I don't want you to go through with this wedding."

Jamie snatched her bouquet off the table. "Well, I'm doing it. And I'm going to have a wonderful life. You'll see."

Robin turned away so Jamie couldn't see the feeling of dread she was sure showed on her face.

 I always wanted adventure and change in my life, and I certainly got it. I grew up in Maine, a beautiful place to live, then lived in the Midwest and Florida. Now I make my home in the Hill Country of Texas, truly God's chosen place on earth and the scene of most of my stories. My husband, David, is a sixth generation Texan, tracing his roots here back to the time when Texas was a Republic.

I've had a lot of firsts in my life—first female sports reporter on The Michigan Daily at the University of Michigan; first woman to own a rock and roll agency in Detroit, the home of Motown; first woman president of the Pasco (Florida) Economic Development Council.

I graduated from the University of Michigan and went on to have at least four careers—writing for weekly newspapers, managing rock and roll bands, owning a string of shoe stores, and finally working in fundraising, public affairs, and community relations. But writing fiction was always my dream, which I was able to realize when we retired.

My wonderful husband, David, encourages me and supports me in my dream. Our children, all grown and on their own, are my biggest fans.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America, and San Antonio Romance Authors, Diamond State Romance Authors, and Passionate Ink chapter of RWA.

Backlist:
One Hot Texas Night, The Wild Rose Press
Love with a Proper Rancher, The Wild Rose Press
Cutter's Law, The Wild Rose Press
Redemption, The Wild Rose Press
Coming Home (as Emily Brevard), The Wild Rose Press
The Cactus Are Lowing (as Emily Brevard), The Wild Rose Press
Shadow of the Hawk, The Wild Rose Press
Give It To Me,(as Desiree Holt), The Wild Rose Press
Cupid's Shaft,(as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Once Upon a Wedding,(as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Where Danger Hides,(as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Night Heat,(as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Double Entry,)as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Always On My Mind, The Lotus Circle

Coming soon:
On The Run, The Wild Rose Press
Night Ride (as Desiree Holt), The Wild Rose Press
Journey to the Pearl,(as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Emerald Green,(as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Diamond Lady, (as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Line of Sight,) as Desiree Holt) Ellora's Cave
Visions of Darkness. The Lotus Circle

Links:
Judith Rochelle Website
Desiree Holt Website
Emily Brevard Website