Update: And the winners are…

Congrats ladies! I will be getting with you in email soon to give you your prizes!

Zoe Winters, here.

The last time I was at Cindy’s blog, I talked a little about my then upcoming release, Save My Soul.

I had hoped to have the book out by Christmas, but things always take longer than I think they’re going to, so we’re about a month past that date. But it’s here now. 🙂

Cindy is coincidentally doing this Deadly Valentine event which made me think it was an appropriate thing to get in on since I wanted to talk about writing REALLY bad heroes.

I don’t know how many fans of Buffy are here, but I’m a big Buffy fan. In fact, I think a lot of paranormal romance authors started out as Buffy fans for some reason. I’d watch the show and think: “This is exactly how I think, I could have written this.” (Not that I think I’m as awesome as Joss Whedon.) One of the intriguing things about the show was that we were rooting for some really bad guys as romantic leads. First there was Angel, then there was Spike.

Both of them, being vampires, started evil, killing lots of people and having not an ounce of remorse for it. When Angel was cursed with his soul he felt guilty, but I don’t think Spike ever felt all that bad about the people he killed in his past. And why should he? Most people are meat-eaters, and we don’t mourn the cow and feel guilty every time we eat a cheeseburger.

But there is still this cognitive disconnect where we’re watching this stuff and we’re rooting for Spike or Angel and meanwhile they’ve spent over a hundred years each killing thousands of people. But we’re still wanting them to end up in bed with Buffy. Cause we’re crazy like that. Or because they are sexy beasts. One of those.

Save My Soul features an incubus who has been trapped in a house for fifty years. Before he met the witch who cursed him, he killed thousands of women over a 526-year time period. How do we forgive that and move past it and let him be a hero? Is it even possible with that kind of history? The fan response to Buffy makes me think, yes.

I think part of it is that he’s truly suffered for several decades being trapped in that house. He’s also had a very real change of heart with regards to the value of human life. When someone goes vegetarian, I don’t think the other vegetarians wag their fingers at them and say: “You evil former cow killer!” I think they’re just happy someone has become more sensitive to the suffering of other living souls. I hope readers feel the same way with regards to Luc.

I think another reason we can let Luc be a hero is that it’s not like he tortured and sliced and diced his prey. Every single one of those women “died happy” (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Which doesn’t make it “moral”, but yeah. There are a lot worse ways to go out.

Luc represents the idea that you can start over and find redemption, which I think is also why we rooted for Angel, and later Spike on BtVS. And I hope it’s why readers will root for Luc.

This book has a lot of snark and humor in it, but it also has quite a bit of angst and drama. The book trailer (which I’m pimping everywhere) focuses on the latter:

Book Trailer: Save My Soul by: Zoe Winters from Zoe Winters on Vimeo.

Save My Soul is the second book in my preternaturals series, but it also stands alone. You won’t be the slightest bit lost if you read this one first. Here’s where you can find the buy-links for the digital book. (print available soon.)

I’m also giving away a signed print copy of Save My Soul to one reader. (U.S. only, please.) And I’ll give a digital copy away to one other reader (open internationally.) To enter, please leave a comment and let me know if you’re in the US or International.

Thanks for reading!

Update: The winner is…Missy V!

Today I’m interviewing multi-published author extraordinaire Denise Agnew.  Denise is a great lady who writes in a variety of romance sub-genres. Denise, thanks for participating in the interview!

***

1. Why did you become a writer?

It’s simply in my blood and I’m compelled. I’ve been writing stories since I was fourteen.

2. Of all the books that you’ve written, which one was the hardest to write?  Why?

I think all my books are hard to write on some level. There will always be those times when I feel like I haven’t a clue what I’m doing and want to chuck it into the trashcan. The hardest books, though, are the ones where I’m deep into researching, and I’m more concerned with historical accuracy, etc. One of the most difficult I think was Meant To Be, because when I first wrote it close to fifteen years ago I was more concerned with conforming to category rules and I was writing it for a category line. I don’t do that anymore.  🙂

3. Now let’s flip it…was there one book that just poured out of you because the pages came so quickly?

No. I have spurts. In every book I will have these sections where the first run/draft is going so well and easily and then at some point, I’ll run into a rough patch that I have to find my way around.

4. What’s next for you?  Please share any projects that will be releasing soon.

The next story out for me that is already scheduled is the June 2011 release of BEFORE THE DAWN at Samhain Publishing. It’s a historical. HOT PURSUIT may also be out between now and then. It’s the last story in my Hot Zone military romance series at Samhain. In the meantime, I’m writing a trilogy that is definitely romance, but not like anything people have seen quite before.

5. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

After you’ve listened to all the conventional advice, realize at some point it is your career and it’s got to feel right to you. Follow the rules to a point, but remember this is your career in the end and not anyone else’s.

6. Tell me about the darkest book you’ve written—why is it so dark?

The darkest book is actually coming up. I’m almost ready to start it. It’s set in 1918 and deals with a hero who has experienced shell shock/PTSD in World War I, and a nurse that’s also had her experiences seeing war in France. But they’re also in an asylum that has a haunted legacy. This is the second book in a series. It also deals with the influenza epidemic that occurred at that time and it’s dark because it was a particularly horrible time in our history that many people have completely forgotten about. Most people are totally unaware that it killed such huge numbers of people. I’d say second to that is Dark, Deadly, Love (Samhain) which is my tale set during the Jack The Ripper murders in 1888 London. I have more POVs in this book than I do in others, and the prostitutes who were murdered are a larger part of the story than people would normally expect in a romance. These books I’m describing are definitely romance…never fear. 🙂

7. Let’s lighten things up now…will you share your ideal Valentine’s Day?

A secluded resort cuddling with my hubby after a delicious gourmet dinner. There’s probably a bottle of champagne or wine in there somewhere.

Thanks, Denise!  Now…what’s *your* ideal Valentine’s Day?  Share and one commenter will win an e-copy of Denise’s book, FOR A ROMAN’S HEART (I’ll send it to you via Amazon.com so it will be the Kindle edition. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can use the Kindle for PC program–I’ve used that program so many times!)

Our WINNERS according to Random.org are:

1) The copy of Cynthia’s new release: DEADLY HEAT: #3, Theresa N.

2) The Dead Guy sticky notes: #8, Viki

Congratulations and thanks for playing everyone!

Hi, everyone! I am very excited to have debut Kensington Brava author Joan Swan as my guest today. Her upcoming Phoenix Rising series promises to be a perfect blend of the two genres I love the most: dark romantic suspense and sexy paranormal romance. Can’t wait to read them! Joan, thanks for blogging with me today!

***

“I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.” ~Unknown

That quote is for Cynthia in relation to the tweet she posted yesterday about her son.  You’ll have to check your tweets if you don’t know what I’m talking about.  <VBG>

What do you think of when you hear Deadly Valentine? Cynthia’s topic had me envisioning complex posts of serial killers, stalkers or Valentine’s Day murders. Anyone else have that reaction?

As you can see…that didn’t quite work out. After searching and searching for an angle, I just couldn’t find any new, cool information to share with you in any unique way. And worse, the more I searched, the more I saw how Valentine’s Day was linked to Domestic Abuse. It seems to be the holiday of choice to gain followers in their fight against domestic and/or teen violence.

Don’t get me wrong — those are both issues worthy of exposure. My daughter experienced the darker side of a high school relationship that ended in a restraining order against the young man. Horrible, stressful, fearful situation for her and for us as a family.  But, I just haven’t been in the mood to get all dark and intimate with the serial killer psyche lately. Go figure.

So, this post is much lighter, yet still interesting–at least I hope you’ll find it so. You might even get a chuckle or two.

I’ve left out many, many tidbits of Valentine’s Day trivia.  Everyone who can add a trivia tidbit in the comments (hint–Google or something you already know) will be entered to win one of these two gifts:

1) A copy of Cynthia’s new release: DEADLY HEAT (either print or eReader)

2) The ceeeeutest little note pad I’ve ever seen: Dead Man Sticky Notes.

Valentine’s Day Trivia

• The condom company Durex reports that condom sales are 20-30% higher around Valentine’s Day
• On Valentine’s Day 2010, 39,897 people in Mexico City broke the record for the world’s largest group kiss.
• There is no one accepted explanation for the connection between St. Valentine and love.
• According to Welsh tradition, a child born on Valentine’s Day would have many lovers.
• The saying “wearing your heart on your sleeve” is from the Middle Ages. Boys at this time would draw names of girls to see who would be their “Valentine” and then wear the name pinned on their sleeve for a week.
• A kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered to bring good luck all year.
• Studies have shown that people are twice as likely to tilt their head to the right while kissing.
• Famous couples married on February 14th:  Elton John-Renate Blauel, Meg Ryan-Dennis Quaid, Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee and Sharon Stone-Phil Bronstein.
• Forty percent of the world’s almonds and 20% of the world’s peanuts are used by chocolate manufacturers for Valentine’s Day Candy.
• Men claim to prefer to received chocolates as a Valentine’s gift; women prefer dinner.
• Since the Aztec empire, chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac used in the pursuit of love.
• Casanova, who enjoyed the title of “The World’s Greatest Lover,” ate chocolate to make him virile.
• There are towns in Texas & Nebraska called Valentine.
• There is a Love Valley, North Carolina, a Romeoville, Illinois & Loveland, Colorado.
• Each year 300,000 letters go through Loveland, Colorado, to get a special heart stamp cancellation for Valentine’s Day.
• In the United States, 64 percent of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine’s Day with their sweethearts.
• Venus is the Roman god of love and beauty.
• The red rose was the flower of Venus.
• Cupid is associated with Valentine’s Day because he is believed to be the son of Venus.
• Cupid is the Roman god of love. In Greek lore, Cupid is known as Eros.
• NECCO has been making heart-shaped valentine candies, with sweet sayings printed on them, since 1902.
• About eight billion candy hearts are made for Valentine’s Day each year.
• Nearly 10 new candy “conversation heart” sayings are introduced each year.
• Valentine candy “conversation hearts” have a shelf life of five years.
• In flower speak: Red means love, yellow means friendship, pink means friendship or sweetheart and lavender means love at first sight and enchantment.
• Red carnations mean admiration, white carnations mean pure love, red chrysanthemums mean love, forget-me-nots mean true love, primrose means young love, and larkspur means an open heart.

Share your Valentine’s Day trivia and WIN!!

*****

Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist, and a double Kiss of Death Daphne Du Maurier finalist. She writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, and her first novel with Kensington Brava debuts April, 2012. Currently, she works as a sonographer at a one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation, and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or working, Joan haunts the Twitterverse, runs her youngest daughter to the ranch to ride her horse, or texts her oldest daughter off at college.

You can find Joan here:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Email

Update:

WINNERS: Colleen wins the copy of SOLO HONEYMOON; Michele wins the magnet for SURFER BRIDE; and MarnieColette wins the magnet for REDEMPTION FOR THE DEVIL.

If each of you would email me your address to JillianChantal@gmail.com I’ll snail mail your magnets to you and to Colleen, I’ll email you a pdf of SOLO HONEYMOON.

Thanks to everyone for commenting and playing along.

***

Hi, I’m Jillian Chantal. First I want to congratulate Cynthia on her release day yesterday! I’m so excited to read this next book in the Deadly series. Second, I want to thank her for including little ole me in this fun group of ladies posting in celebration of “My Deadly Valentine.” It makes me feel loved when I get invited to participate in awesome events! And now to the deadly valentine parts:

The patron saint of the holiday was subjected to a deadly end himself. Around the year 269-270 A.D., the emperor of Rome at the time made marriage illegal as there was apparently a law that married men couldn’t be drafted and men were needed for the army. Valentine continued to marry people in secret and when the emperor found out, he sentenced Valentine to be beaten and beheaded for breaking the law. So the holiday of love which was named for this martyr had its beginnings in death.

Fast forward to another deadly day associated with St. Valentine. Many centuries and a continent away, in Prohibition era Chicago, Illinois, seven men were killed in a gang war. It seems that Bugs Moran, the leader of the North Side Irish gang, had his men machine gun the headquarters of Al Capone, the leader of the South Side Italian gang. In retaliation, Capone hired some thugs to shoot into the warehouse where Moran’s men were gathered. It appears they thought Moran was there as well but he wasn’t. The hit order was on Moran but he escaped. The men who perpetuated the crime were never found, tried or convicted. This massacre occurred on February 14, 1929.

Now that we’ve talked about all this real death, let’s talk a bit about my new releases. I have two books coming out in 2011. One is called Surfer Bride and it’s with SirenBookStrand Mainstream romance and is slated to be released in April. The other is called Redemption for the Devil from Desert Breeze Publishing and is to be released in July 2011. I have one already out with BookStrand as well called Solo Honeymoon. Each of them are deadly in their own ways. I won’t ruin any of their plots but they have weapons, danger, death, and angst galore. I’m putting the trailers here if you want to look at them. No pressure!

I will be giving away three things today to three commenters: One will be a copy of the ebook Solo Honeymoon, one will be a “Live, Love, Surf” magnet for Surfer Bride and last will be a magnet with the City of New York and Cunard ships on it for Redemption for the Devil. I won’t even test you to see if you watched the trailers. I’ll just have random.org pick three winners.

Thanks again, Cynthia, for letting me play with you today!

Update:  Thank you all so much for the release day wishes and the great comments!  I think a lot of you are like me–you like reading about the FBI agents, but you aren’t sure you’d actually like the danger involved with being a real agent. But…there were some brave folks who were up to the challenge!

I randomly selected a winner, and the Amazon.com gift certificate goes to…Jennifer Mathis. Congrats, Jennifer!

***

Hi, everyone! It’s book release day!  DEADLY HEAT should be in a bookstore near you–or shipping from your favorite online retailer. (The e-book version of the book will be available on 2/1.)

DEADLY HEAT received a rating of 4 1/2 Top Pick from RT BookReviews, and the reviewer noted, “Deadly Heat is seriously hot! Taut conflict mixes with fiery romance to create a winner. Readers will enjoy a rapid-paced induction into the world of firefighters, arsonists and the FBI’s newest division. Deadly Heat offers the perfect amount of tension, character development and action-packed plot!” I sure hope readers enjoy the book as much as she did!

In DEADLY HEAT, fire fighter Lora Spade teams up with FBI Agent Kenton Lake in order to catch a serial arsonist. The attraction between Lora and Kenton is immediate–and it’s almost as explosive as the fires that they must face.

Here’s the blurb:

She wants revenge . . .

Six months after her lover died in an arsonist’s blaze, firefighter Lora Spade calls in the FBI’s elite Serial Services Division to track the elusive killer. When Special Agent Kenton Lake is lured into a violent inferno, Lora pulls him to safety and is stunned – not by the fire, but by her own searing attraction to Kent. For the first time in months, she longs for something other than vengeance.

He wants her . . .

Kenton’s interest in Lora should be purely professional. But one fleeting kiss and he can’t get her out of his mind. Her combination of strength and vulnerability makes him want to protect her, and that means solving this case – and fast. For even the passion igniting between them can’t hide a terrifying truth: Lora is the next target in a murderer’s sadistic, fiery game.

A vicious killer wants only . . .

DEADLY HEAT

******

Since I’m celebrating the release, I think that means we need a giveaway.  Want to win a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate? Then tell me why you would or wouldn’t make a good FBI Agent.  Maybe you should join the SSD!