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Vivien Dean/Stella Price

Interview: Oct 05, 2007

Wildfire would like to welcome Vivien Dean, author of A Sentry's Touch, ARe—The eBookclub's October pick. We always enjoy talking to Vivien and we know that you will too! As an additional bonus, we also have Stella Price, half of the dynamic Price sisters writing team!

Join us for our meeting of ARe—The eBookclub on October 18th, 2007 at The Romance Galleria. We'll be giving out a coupon code that will allow the first fifty readers to download A Sentry's Touch for free. Watch our MySpace blog over the next few weeks for additional information, excerpts, and mini behind the scene interviews from people involved in the making of this fabulous story.

They followed their destiny and discovered love.

Orphaned at a young age, Iris Bridge carries scars on the palms of her hands from the fire that killed her parents. Now a top-notch trauma nurse in the Alaskan wilderness, it's her job to respond if disaster strikes. When a helicopter crash brings a strange man named Avi into her care, she knows what to do…until his wounds mysteriously heal and Iris discovers the reason he's come to town. He wants to take her back to the land he calls home—Varana.

Avi's quest to find Iris has led him across planes and taken half of his lifetime. Iris is a Sentry and as her Guardian, it's Avi's duty to protect her. It matters not that Iris, taken from his world, doesn't understand who or what she is; the strikingly handsome shapeshifter is honor bound to protect her.

When strange creatures start attacking Iris and her friends, she has no choice but to trust in Avi and hope he'll lead her to the truth. What she finds, however, is so much more. Iris discovers her own power and, in the arms of her fated lover, her destiny to possess A Sentry's Touch.

Vivien Dean

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

Vivien: I've learned not to be reliant on what's going on around me when I'm writing. I've got kids who need my attention, and I have to drop writing at a moment's notice to deal with stuff. The only time I can't write is when the television is on. It's too distracting.

Angela: The editing process is so critical. In your opinion, what are the most important aspects of the editor/author relationship?

Vivien: Trust and communication. I've been hugely fortunate with the editors I've had the chance to work with; I've never felt there wasn't something I couldn't discuss, if I didn't agree on a particular point. Sometimes, it's hard to be objective about your characters and stories. It takes that second set of eyes to point out what doesn't necessarily work, and you have to trust that your editor only wants the story to be as good as it possibly can be.

Angela: What's next for you?

Vivien: I have another novel coming out soon with Liquid Silver Books, called Mercy of These Bones. Then in December, I have three titles coming out with my writing partner, Pepper Espinoza. We collaborate under the name, Jamie Craig. The three titles are Trinity Broken, with Samhain Publishing, Seduction in Black and White, with Amber Quill, and Chasing Silver, which is the first of a time travel urban fantasy series being published by Juno Books, a print publisher.

Angela: Do you work with an agent?

Vivien: No, not yet. I've been fortunate so far, but my writing partner is quick to remind me that we'll have to buckle down at some point.

Angela: 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?

Vivien: My son's been sick, and his cough got really bad at the height of it. He woke himself up one night with a really bad jag and ended up giving himself a bloody nose, so I was up in the middle of the night cleaning it all up and helping him stop it.

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

Vivien: Sometimes I wish I did! I'd have more time to get other stuff done. Honestly, I very rarely experience block. I never start writing a story until I know the ending and most of what happens throughout it. With that kind of a roadmap, it's usually pretty hard for me to lose my way. I often find, too, that if I get stuck on a certain scene, it's because I'm approaching it from the wrong angle. When that happens, I start over, usually selecting a different perspective. 90% of the time, that fixes the problem.

Angela: Describe the space where you write.

Vivien: I don't have a dedicated space for my writing. I have a laptop that I carry from room to room, depending on what I'm doing, what time of day it is, etc. I have two children, seven and five, so I work on my writing around their schedules. During the day when they're in school, I'll take my laptop out to the living room. Dinnertime, it comes with me into the kitchen so that I can scribble out a few words while I'm fixing supper. In the evenings, I'll usually take it into the bedroom for some privacy.

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

Vivien: I have low tolerance for stupid heroines. I try to give all of them one form of intelligence or another, whether street smarts or book smarts. As for heroes…I'm hard-pressed to think of a single characteristic. I'd say flawed, because nothing is more boring than a perfect guy.

Angela: What books are currently on your nightstand?

Vivien: Believe it or not, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I finally got around to starting it after a crazy summer. I'm completely unspoiled for it, though how I managed that, I'm still not sure.

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

Vivien: The Honey Is Bitter by Violet Winspear. It was a Harlequin that I snitched from my grandmother. Thus, was a passion born, lol.

Vivien Dean has had a lifetime love affair with stories. A multi-published author, her books have been EPPIE finalists, RT Reviewers Choice Nominees, and reader favorites. After spending her twenties and early thirties traveling, she has finally settled down and currently resides in northern California with her British husband and two beautiful children.

Visit her website at http://www.viviendean.com/.

Backlist:
Chains of Jericho, Linden Bay Romance
Two Lives in Waltz Time, Linden Bay Romance
Witches Night, Linden Bay Romance
Under a Rogue Moon, Liquid Silver Books
Price of a Tattooed Soul, Liquid Silver Books
The Ice Butterfly, Phaze
The Canvas of Her Skin, Phaze
Fantasies, Vol. IV, Phaze

Writing as Jamie Craig (collaborative work with Pepper Espinoza)
Master of Obsidian – Book I of The Master Chronicles, Amber Quill Press
Unveiled – Book II of The Master Chronicles, Amber Quill Press
Mosaic Moon – Book III of The Master Chronicles, Amber Quill Press
Keeping Time, Amber Quill Press
Brindisi Bedfellows, Liquid Silver Books
Unclose Me, Liquid Silver Books
Craving Kismet, Samhain Publishing
Liaisons in Jubilee, Samhain Publishing

Coming soon:
Mercy of These Bones, Liquid Silver Books
Ruby Red Rebels, Amber Quill Press

Writing as Jamie Craig (collaborative work with Pepper Espinoza)
Chasing Silver, Juno Books
Seduction in Black and White – Book IV of The Master Chronicles, Amber Quill Press
Trinity Broken, Samhain Publishing
January: Miami's Perfect Weekend, Amber Quill Press
Fortune's Honor, Amber Quill Press
At the Advent of Dusk – Book V of The Master Chronicles, Amber Quill Press
A Little Bit Bewitched, Amber Quill Press
Double Down, Amber Quill Press
My Masked Mistress, Amber Quill Press
Touching Silver, Juno Books

Links:
Vivien Dean
Jamie Craig
Jamie Craig blog

Stella Price

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

Stella: Mostly it's us just listening to what the characters have to say. They have their stories already done, and just kinda relate it to us. So maybe we pants it? LOL.

Angela: What do you think is the biggest misconception about erotic romance fiction?

Stella: That it is all the same. That it has to ONLY be about sex and not about feelings and story. A lot of people don't realize that real erotic fiction is about story and there's a huge difference between erotic romance and erotica.

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

Stella: A lot actually. We write to interest a reader, and we are very interested in how they take the work and if they fully understand it. The majority of readers want to be entertained, but wish to think as well. We give them that, and we like to see it when they get the little things we hide about the books.

Angela: What's next for you?

Stella: The rest of 2007 is a flurry of releases from our three publishers, as well as signings up the yin yang. 2008 will see three more books from the Eververse series, 2 from the Dragon Elementals, a full length Weresnake book, and the beginning of the American Satyr series.

Angela: Any advice for aspiring authors?

Stella: My best advice is to write what you love. Don't change to get a contract, keep plugging on what YOU love to write! It will pay off if you stay true to your craft.

Angela: When you set out to become an author, I'm sure that you have a vision in your mind about what it would be like. What aspect of an author's life has been the most surprising to you?

Stella: Luckily I wasn't disillusioned in any way. I'm blaming that fact on my experience in the music business. It's much of the same, except in literature you normally have a tangible product. It's all been pretty much to my expectations. I knew when we got into this we would have to work hard for everything, and push our work ourselves. I think its safe to say we have benefited from the toil and strife.

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

Stella: Luckily no. We work on about 5 different projects at once so there's always something going on.

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

Stella: I'm a graphic artist and cover designer for several publishers, and I also enjoy going to concerts to see my hunny play. Audra is a big fan of wine tastings, and the Wii.

Angela: Out of all of the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?

Stella: My favorite is one that lives with Audra. His name is Drake, and he's an ice demon. He's a bad guy and I adore him. On the flip side of that, Audra loves Oscar, who I write and is Drake's older brother. They are both very interesting.

Angela: What books are currently on your nightstand?

Stella: Nicholas, Lord of the Satyr by Elizabeth Amber, Ghosts of Scotland and Moonspell by Lucinda Betts.

Dark. Devious. Sensual, sinister and startling. These are the words used to describe the wild worlds of Stella and Audra Price. New to the literary scene, these up and coming talented writers are the next phase in literary evolution.

Their stories are fresh, imaginative and break the boundaries and social mores of the romance genre, while adding sizzle and new life into the urban fantasy realm. Writing in a number of other genres, they have proven that just because it's dark and off the beaten path those who went before them have tramped, doesn't mean it has to be wrong.

First published in Ebook in April 2006 with PHAZE publishing for their short story Wishes, the sisters quickly found acclaim in the next few months with their were-snakes series and their enticing and alternate world Eververse. With over ten books and publications to their credit, a slew of interviews, awards and nominations, and a few print books on the horizon, the sisters are well on their way to being the next big thing.

Backlist:
Lady Luck, Phaze Fantasies Vol 2, Phaze
The Blessings of the Storm (Unavailable)

Eververse Series:
Sugar and Sin, Tease Publishing
Silk and Steel, Tease Publishing

Duvall Inc Series:
Wishes,Phaze
Glamour, Phaze
Gifts, Phaze

Dragon Elementals Series:
Fire in His Eyes, Tease Publishing
Deep Water, Tease Publishing

Knossos West Weresnakes Series:
Beyond the Vision of Dreams, Forbidden Publications (unavailable)
Surrender in Moonlight, Forbidden Publications (unavailable)

Coming soon:
The Soft Edge of Midnight, Siren Publishing
Frost and Flame, Eververse book 3, Tease Publishing
Masquerade, Eververse book 4, Tease Publishing
Moongardens, Dragon Elementals book 3, Tease Publishing
Hot Rio Nights, Tease Publishing
Of Crimson and Collars, American Satyr book 1, Phaze

Links:
Website
Blog
Forum
Myspace

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

Until next time!

Angela Lovell
Wildfire Interview Coordinator
All Romance eBooks

A Spiritual Kind of Love by Shiela Stewart

This story is rated 2 flames. Love scenes are more sensual then graphic.

She didn't know why she was doing this. For Christ sake, kids dressed up for Halloween, not adults. But she'd never been able to say no to her sister, Cara, and best friend. So here she was, dressed like Cinderella, complete with tiara and glass slippers. Hell, if she was going to be forced to dress up for some silly child's holiday, then she was going to do it with class. The only thing missing was her fairy god mother and her coach.

Stepping out of the cab, Anna paid the driver, plus tip, then gathered her skirts and headed to her sister's house.

Cara had just bought the house a few weeks earlier and had insisted on having a house warming party on Halloween. Only her sister would devise such a plan. Anna wondered what Cara would be dressed as tonight and wasn't disappointed when she answered the door. Dressed as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, complete with bulging cleavage and long dark hair, Anna could only smile. Leave it to Cara to flaunt her assets.

"You made it. Oh and look how lovely you are. Do a spin for me."

With a delicate roll of her brown eyes, Anna did a quick turn for her sister.

"God, you are gorgeous. Bitch!"

Laughing, Anna leaned in to kiss her sisters cheeks. "Hey, you're the one who was blessed with all the boobs. Is that pasted to you or what?"

"Pretty much. Come on, I can't wait for you to meet everyone."

Her heels clicking on the hardwood floor, Anna was tugged along by her sister into a room decorated in cob webs, floating ghosts, ghouls and dim lighting. It was a perfect spooky setting and her sister had gone all out.

"Danya, this is my sister, the one I was telling you about. The Dancer."

The woman that stood to greet her was dressed as a corpse bride. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Ballet, huh? How in Gods name do you stand on your toes for so long?"

Anna smiled. She was always asked that. "Years of practice. I love your costume."

"Thanks, its how I feel most days."

"She's just bitter because her husband dumped her for a twenty year old big busted bimbo. Come on, I want you to meet Stan."

"I told you, Cara, no blind dates."

"He's gay, so stop your worrying. Stanley my dear, I want you to meet my sister the dancer."

"Do you have to announce me that way?"

"I'm proud of you, so yes, I do."

The gentleman that turned around was dressed as a pirate and could have been Johnny Depp's twin. Damn he was gorgeous. Why were all the good looking ones either taken or gay?

"Be still my heart, I think I've just become straight. So you're the famous dancer we've been hearing all about. Can you show me one of your moves?"

"Not in these heels. Another time perhaps."

"Come on, there's more people I want you to meet."

"Help me." Anna pleaded jokingly to Stanley but was tugged away before he could respond.

For the next hour she was introduced to at least a dozen people. When she finally managed to break free of her sister, Anna grabbed a glass of wine and took to the patio for some fresh air.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?"

She turned, a little disappointed that her peace had been disturbed. Until she saw the young man standing to her left. He was dressed in army fatigues, his helmet even looking smashed and bloody and as she glanced down she noticed the uniform he wore looking well worn and torn in some places.

"It sure is. And we should take advantage of it while its here. I heard the weather is calling for snow next week."

"I always like the first snowfall. It's so fresh, so…virginal, untarnished."

She cocked her head to the side. She'd never thought of it that way before. "That's an interesting way of putting it. My name is Anna."

"Roger. Cinderella at the Ball, right?"

She nodded, her lips curving up in a soft smile. "Looking for my prince charming."

"I think I saw him inside, leaning on the fireplace."

She laughed; she too had seen him. "Not so charming, trust me. That is such an authentic uniform. Did you borrow it from someone in the military?"

"No, it's mine. I'm in the army. I was stationed in Afghanistan."

"Really? I commend you. You truly are a brave soul." Though it was dark outside and she couldn't make his face out well, she could tell he had dark eyes and eyebrows and a soft face. "Are you home on leave?"

"In a way. So why Cinderella?"

"I figured if I'm going to dress up, might as well make it good."

"Must have cost a pretty penny?"

She shrugged. "You only live once, right. So how do you know my sister, Cara?"

"Cara's your sister. Wow. Yeah, now I see the resemblance. My brother, Mitchell works with her, and before I joined the Army we hung out a lot."

"How long have you been in the Army?"

"A while."

"And have you been stationed in Afghanistan the whole time?"

"No, my first tour was in Iraq. I'm a border guard."

She leaned her elbow on the wood railing of the patio, fascinated with the conversation. "You are so brave. I know I could never do it."

He shrugged thin shoulders in response. "So what is it you do, Anna?"

"I'm a dancer. Ballet."

"Ballet? How the hell do you manage to stay on your toes for so long?"

She laughed, catching him off guard. "Sorry, people ask me that all the time. It's not so hard when you've been trained to do so."

"Do you love it? Well, that was an utterly stupid statement. Of course you do or you wouldn't be doing it."

"Yes, I love it. I've always wanted to dance, even as a young girl. I begged my mother at three to put me in dance and the first time I put on my tutu, I was sold. I haven't looked back since."

"I can see the joy on your face when you talk about it. Can I see you spin?"

Obliging, she kicked her shoes off and grabbing her skirts, did a quick pirouette.

"Wow, you are graceful. Nice legs by the way."

"Thanks. Comes with the job." The commotion inside caught her attention and she saw with much horror that someone was disrobing. "Do you want to take a walk with me?"

"I would love to." He knelt down, lifting one glass slipper in his hand. "Ma'am."

Giggling, Anna lifted her foot and allowed him to slip the shoe on her foot.

"Perfect fit."

Laughing, she lifted her other foot and slipped into her shoe. "I dreaded coming to this party tonight, now I'm glad I did."

"I'm glad you did too." He held his arm out to her and when she took it, he led her away from the house. "Full moon."

"And a clear sky. Perfect for Halloween."

"This place is incredible. She even has a boat house."

"My sister really went all out with her first home."

He opened the boat house door for her and she stepped into the darkness. "Let's see if we can find some light."

She waited by the door while he moved about in the tiny room and when a lantern flickered on; she let out a breath of relief.

"Much better. Care for a dance?"

She took his hand and was shocked when he spun her into his arms. "Wow, looks like you have some moves yourself."

"I do indeed. I love to dance," he said with a smile and dipped her. His helmet fell to the floor with a clunk and as he lifted her, she saw that his hair was short and dark and coated on the side with blood.

"I must say, you did an incredible job with your costume." He spun her out, then pulled her back into his arms. "And you're making my head spin."

"I was lost, but then there was light and I saw you."

"Ooh and a smooth talker." And he was making her heart beat in a quick jerky rhythm.

"I'd like to kiss you."

"I think I'd like you too." His hands came up to cup her face in his palms, and as he drew her closer, tilting her head to the side, the touch of his lips made her body quiver. He deepened the kiss and she went eagerly into his arms when he drew her closer.

"Oh, you are making my head spin."

"Too fast?"

"Hell no."

When he took her in his arms, capturing her mouth with his, she let herself go. His hand skimmed to the back of her dress to lower the zipper. She felt the material spread as the zipper opened. His mouth left hers only to trail along her neck. He made her shiver and when he slid the dress below her breasts, her body became electric.

"I've never made love to a dancer before."

"We have incredible stamina."

His lips curved up with a sly smile. "Is that so?" He pressed her backwards towards the cushioned bench beneath the window. Drawing her dress down, he let out a low whistle. "Definitely gorgeous legs."

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

"You only live once." He reminded her, then pressed her down onto the bench.

She held her arms out to him, welcoming him to her breast. His mouth was warm as he suckled and when she heard the zipper of his pants lower, she opened even more.

Their eyes met as he entered her and she saw for the first time the sheer beauty of the man. His face was soft and looking so incredibly young. As he pushed himself deeper, she closed her eyes and let out a long, soft, moan.

He moved so languidly inside of her, she thought she might go mad. When his mouth lowered to her breast, she arched to allow him more.

"Dear God, Roger." Her body erupted like a long stilled volcano and when he thrust himself deeper, she felt his release as it cooled her molten fires.

He collapsed on her breast and she smiled. "I don't want to leave, but I'm sure my sister's looking for me."

"I wish we could remain like this forever." He lifted his head and when he kissed her, she felt her heart give.

She stood as he lifted off her, feeling regret at having to stop. She dressed with his help, then took a deep breath before stepping outside. "I could make some sort of excuse and leave early. We could go back to my hotel room."

"I have to leave soon." He explained as he walked her back to the house.

"Oh." She said with disappointment. The silence in the house caught her by surprise and as she walked towards the patio doors, Roger released her hand.

"I'll never forget you, Anna."

Baffled, she cocked her head to the side and when her name was called, she turned to see her sister running towards her, tears streaming down her face. "What's the matter?"

"I've called off the party. Oh it's so tragic."

"What's tragic, Cara? You're worrying me."

"Mitchell just called me. His family just received word. His brother Roger was stationed in Afghanistan. He was killed in a roadside bombing this morning."

"Roger? No, no that can't be, I was just with him."

"No, no, that's impossible, Anna. Roger is dead."

Confused, Anna turned to Roger who stood in the shadows. When he smiled at her, lifting his hand to his lips and blew her a kiss, her heart sank.

You only live once, she heard echo in the night as he disappeared before her. And a single tear slid from her eyes.

Shiela Stewart has been writing for the better part of her 40 years, pouring her heart out in words, living a fantasy through the characters she creates. It has always been a dream of hers to have her work published, a dream she has finally seen come to life.

When not writing, she is busy working on two websites for organizations she belongs to, tending to her three children, and spending time with the love of her life, William.

Shiela has a deep affection for animals and it's evident in the four cats, one dog, eight fish, and three turtles she owns. Aside from writing, she enjoys sketching, painting, singing, and dancing, as well as stargazing, astronomy, and astrology. Her favorite time of the day is sunset.

Backlist:
Kidnapped, Linden Bay Romance
Secrets of the Dead, Linden Bay Romance

Coming Soon:
Passion Series:

Discovery in Passion, Linden Bay Romance
Escape in Passion, Linden Bay Romance
Mercy in Passion, Linden Bay Romance

Websites:
Shiela Stewart
Blog

Submissions to The Weekly Sizzle should be sent to Sizzle@allromanceebooks.com. We are looking for original short stories, 1-5 flames, 200-2000 words.

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Sent: Oct 05, 2007