J.D. Tyler's Primal Law

Today I have a surprise for our readers. We’re introducing a debut series, the ALPHA PACK, and the first book in the series, PRIMAL LAW by author J.D. Tyler, which hit shelves this week. It’s a dark, sexy, paranormal series with very sexy shapeshifting alpha heroes. What? Excuse me, dear readers. Sven is motioning me to the side.

Walks over to the sexy masseuse.

“What is it Sven?”

He bends down and whispers in my ear.

“J.D. Tyler looks familiar to you?”

He nods and points to the pictures of previous Lair guests. Then whispers in my ear.

“She looks like that author that wrote about firefighters and pinched your backside last time she was here?”

Laughing, I pat him on his backside then walk back to our guest.

Jo, you’ve been outted! For those of you who don’t know, J.D. Tyler is also the author, Jo Davis, my good friend and CP Partner. Welcome to the Lair once again, JD. For this occasion I’ve asked for Top Shelf Margaritas, (pointing to the pitcher Paolo just placed on the bar), so help yourself .

JD: Thanks, I believe I will! (Takes a sip) Ohh, these are great! Thanks so much for having me here today. I always love visiting with the Banditas!

Suz: So J.D. Why the name change?

J.D.: The decision to use a different pen name was easy for a couple of reasons—reader recognition and name association. Jo Davis writes hot contemporary suspense and erotica, and that’s what readers expect from her. J.D. writes dark, sexy paranormal romance, and the worlds she creates are grittier. More dangerous. J.D. can, and does, take more chances to give her readers a thrilling ride.

Suz: Did you want to write paranormal romance?

J.D.: Actually, I started out my career writing paranormal erotica for Ellora’s Cave and had planned to stay with paranormal for some time. But then my agent and I sold the firefighter series to NAL, and paranormal went on the back burner. When the firefighter series ended, I’d planned to propose a police series called Sugarland Blue, to spin off of the firefighters. (Which I still would like to do.)

My publisher, however, asked me to write paranormal. I have to say, the request was a dream come true! I’m an avid reader of dark, sexy paranormal romance, and to be handed the opportunity to write in a genre I love was one I was not about to walk away from! I proposed the ALPHA PACK series, it sold, and J.D. Tyler was born.

Suz: So what’s the concept for the ALPHA PACK series?

The ALPHA PACK was founded by a group of former Navy SEALs after they were attacked by rogue wolf shifters in Afghanistan and turned. Now they use their shifting and Psy abilities, battling to protect the innocent from the world’s most dangerous human and supernatural predators.

J.D.: Tell us a little about PRIMAL LAW.

Here’s the blurb:

After a massacre decimates half his team and leaves him crippled, Jaxon Law must relearn how to fight—and must defeat the anger and guilt threatening to overwhelm him. But when he rescues a beautiful woman who reawakens his primal instincts, Jax is unprepared for the dangers that lie ahead.
On the run from her employer, brilliant lab assistant Kira Locke escapes with disturbing evidence that leads the Alpha Pack team on a hunt for someone targeting human civilians with Psy abilities. And as Jax and Kira circle both the killer and each other, Jax will have to decide if the deep connection he feels with Kira is worth breaking the ultimate shifter rule—because bonding with Kira means putting his abilities at risk, and they might be the only tool he has to keep his mate alive…

Suz:  How do Jaxon and Kira meet?

J.D.: Kira has stolen some lab samples and is on the run from her boss’s men, who mean to kill her. Jax hears her scream and rushes to the rescue, shifting in front of her to dispatch the thugs. Only now, because of what she saw and the threat to her life that’s still out there, he can’t let her go. Little does he know he’ll never let her go, under any circumstances…

Suz: There are some interesting characters in PRIMAL LAW. Want to give a taste of what the readers will find inside?

J.D. :The ALPHA PACK compound is very unique in that the team doesn’t just destroy rogue paranormals—they also rescue frightened beings who don’t belong in the human world and are having trouble adjusting. They don’t have much time to deal with these beings, however, so Kira steps up and suggests they make rehabbing paranormals an actual program. Readers will see this program develop and take on life in each successive book, and new types of shifters and other beings will be introduced.

First off in PRIMAL LAW, readers meet Sariel, a beautiful Fae prince who was cast from the Seelie court and is having terrible trouble coping with the human world. He’s a great secondary character who will become extremely important in the series. We also meet Belial, a misunderstood basilisk shifter, and then the most tragic figure of all in the program—Raven, a former Navy SEAL who was turned into a wolf shifter along with the others, but never returned to human form. He’s been feral for over five years, and no one has any clue how to help him.

The series is rich with characters, and they all have a purpose. The story possibilities are delicious and endless! For a list of the main ALPHA PACK team members and their descriptions (and keep checking, as this list will grow), plus excerpts and other news, visit my website at www.JDTyler.com.

Suz: So what’s next in the ALPHA PACK series?

J.D.: Next up is a novella tentatively titled BLACK MAGIC (the title might change), and it will be a stand-alone story involving Kalen Black, the team’s newest member who’s a Sorcerer/panther shifter/Necromancer! Other Alpha Pack team members call him a cross between a rock star and a gunslinger. You’ll find out why in PRIMAL LAW. His novella will be released from Penguin eSpecials in March 2012, and will lead into SAVAGE AWAKENING (book 2), and Kalen’s own story, which will be book 3 of the series. And I’ll tell you right now, Kalen’s full novel, book 3, is going to be truly epic.

After Kalen’s novella is SAVAGE AWAKENING, which is Aric Savage’s story and will be released on April 3, 2012! Aric has been the most fun hero I’ve ever written because he’s such a snarky bastard. Of course, the prickly outside hides a heart as big as a continent. It will take a really special woman to make this sexy redhead accept his self-worth and be the hero everyone knows he is.

Suz: JD will give away a signed copy of PRIMAL LAW to one lucky commenter!

J.D.: If you could be any type of supernatural hero, what would you be and why? (vampire, shifter, Fae, demon, etc.)

Going Back to Scotland with Sandy Blair!

interview with Suzanne

Dear Banditas and Bandit Buddies, usually the 28th of the month is my day to blog, however today, I am sharing my day and am so excited to be welcoming back my very good friend to the Lair, Sandy Blair, author of witty Highland historicals, to talk about her newest release, THE KING’S MISTRESS.

Suz: Sandy, pull up a seat here at the bar and we’ll have a drink, Merlot for you, a Bellini Martini for me! Can you give us a brief description of THE KING’S MISTRESS?

Sandy: Sure, and it’s so very nice to be here again. Thank you for the invitation!

THE KING'S MISTRESS, featuring captain of the king’s guard Britt MacKinnon and identical twin Geneen Armstrong, begins one week before the real events on which this story are based--when Britt is ordered to fetch back to Edinburgh the king’s favorite paramour. Intent on protecting her pregnant twin, on making the court think she and her sister are one in the same, Geneen doesn’t tell Britt he’s escorting the wrong woman to the king. Lies build upon lies at break neck speed as readers enter the perilous world of Scotland’s early medieval court, where intrigue, murder and deception rule. To a time and place where live and loves were won and lost while Scotland’s destiny hung in the balance.

Suz: How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Sandy: Truthfully, I read non-fiction histories before bed in hopes of triggering my muse into a “What if…?” moment, and happened upon several confusing accounts about Alexander III’s widow following his death, his heir’s sudden (and yet to be explained) death and the resultant political chaos that followed. Thus The King’s Mistress was born.

Suz: How are the sisters Geneen and Greer different?

Sandy: Greer, a graceful beauty and song bird, is all about Greer. Quick to laugh and entertain, she took full advantage of her role as a lady-in-waiting, loving the attention and life found at court, but is now paying a hefty price.

Frank in speech, Geneen’s gifts for husbandry and archery serve her well. She’s been able to keep a roof over their heads and her sister in gowns. Although equal in beauty, she’s never seen herself as such. Being the younger of the two and awkward, she has always idolizes her twin and was content to remain at their holding, tending to their cattle and crops until that dreadful day when her twin came home pregnant with the king’s bastard.

Suz:  How does Britt react when he realizes he doesn’t have the right sister?

Sandy: You sneaky devil. I can’t tell folks that! If I do they’ll have no reason to read the story.

Suz: This is your first foray into e-book publishing, how have you enjoyed the process?

Sandy: Overall, I found the process surprisingly enjoyable. I loved having input into my title and cover art. I’ll admit doing copyedits in e-format was initially intimidating but I eventually figured out the system. Best yet , my editor responds immediately to questions and maintains a Yahoo group just for her authors. Great fun!

Suz: That's a great cover you chose for your book. Is there anything new in your life that you’d like to share your readers?

Sandy: As a matter of fact, there is. We recently moved from hot-as-hell Texas to coastal New Hampshire, where lovely beaches, in-laws and out-laws are now only minutes away. We’re hoping their close proximity will eventually blunt the loneliness we’re experiencing missing our Dallas friends. (I can’t tell you how wonderful it was seeing so many DARA friends—and in particular Suzy--at RWA National.)

Suz: She didn't mention the foot of snowfall every day she had this past winter, did she? Me thinks the hot-as-hell-Texas wasn't looking so bad back in January and February! 

Sandy: Suzie, come a little closer so I can smack you!

We’ve been in the house 4 months now, still have pictures to hang and window treatments to buy, but did manage to put in our first-ever veggie garden. When squash and beans started flowering, I, jubilant, began waxing poetic about 3-bean casseroles, zucchini loaves and stuffed tomatoes. Scott wasn’t so impressed. A dye-in-the-wool carnivore, he immediately took up surf fishing since clamming season is over. Unfortunately for him, the fish have yet to cooperate. Healthy life-style here we come.

Below is the film trailer one of Sandy's good friends and a major fan, made for her:

So, since Sandy has moved, where do you think we should meet for some BFF time? I'd love someplace new, exciting, (Scottish) to go visit. Sandy will be giving away a signed copy of THE KING'S MISTRESS to one commenter.

Vacation

by Suzanne

Well today is officially my last day of my summer vacation. Every year I use one week of my three weeks of vacation time from the hospital to go to the RWA National convention. I don't go to the beach, I don't go to the mountains, I don't go visit family. I do to a convention where I have to dress in nice clothes, smile at everyone and listen to speakers (in the workshops I attend).

Crazy?

Nope, not for me. See, since I started going to RWA National I've been to Atlanta, Reno, San Fransisco, Denver, Washington D.C., Orlando and now New York City. (The 2 Dallas conferences don't count coz that's just down I-75.) I've gotten to do a limo chauffered tour of Sonoma wine country. Been to Alcatraz. Seen the Golden Gate Bridge. Toured many of the monuments in the nation's capitol and walked through the Smithsonian. Hung out in Disney World. Played the slots in Reno. And last week I did NYC tours by day and night and boat! Not to mention went to 2--TWO--Broadway musicals, (WICKED and JERSEY BOYS).

But another great thing about my summer vacation is that it energizes me. It makes me want to come home and write. To words down on pages. It makes me want to read...all those great stories I brought home with me, or I heard about in conversations. It makes me wish I had a whole other week of vacation to take, but unfortunately, in my line of work summer is one of the busiest times of the year for having babies. (uh 9 months ago people were snuggling in the cool or cold weather.) So each nurse only gets one week of vacation in the summer.

I'll take another week in the fall to go see my parents in Ohio. I love fall in Ohio. It's cold. It's rainy. It helps me get in the mood for Thanksgiving and Chistmas. It completes the cycle of the seasons for me. Something I don't always get down here in Texas.

So, what about you? What is your favorite vacation? Beach? Mountains? The jungles of Costa Rica (my friend Aly Burton did this with her family!)? Let's talk VACATIONS!

Can You Keep An Eye On These Guys?

by Suzanne

As you know the annual Romance Writer's of America National Conference is taking place this week in New York City. I'm really excited to be going this year. It's only my second trip to New York. I get to see many of the gullar sahir, some of our Bandit Buddies who hang out with us here, my critique partner Sandy Blair who no long lives near me, and this year I get to meet my editor, Jillian Bell, of Ellora's Cave Publishing. How cool is this?


This will be my second year there as a published author and my first as a PAN member. (That stands for Published Author's Network.) So I'll get to learn the secret handshake (Kate Carlisle PROMISED me there was one) and hear all the publishing news at special workshops, (do they have those at the bar?).

But while I'm gone I'm hoping y'all can give me a hand with something. See, I have these guys on my website who have a tendency to get a bit out of hand in a naughty, very sexy sort of way... Well, here, let me show you...

Quinn Halliday, the Dominant hero in my book, The Surrender of Lacy Morgan

Dakota O'Keefe, the second hero in The Surrender of Lacy Morgan

Will Danville, the hero of my second book, which is in the works right now

and soon to come

Ian Smith aka Ian Smythe, Lord Brookstone

And

Nicco DeCosta, the fiery Italian brother

LIKE?

Yeah, I do too! My friend, Kat Baldwin,  www.katbaldwin.com 
did the designs and I'm proud to give her a shout out. You should see the backs.

Oh wait, I didn't tell you, did I? (Can you blame a girl for getting distracted by all this lovely maleness?)

These are the fronts of my new Romance Trading Cards!!! The backs are way cool and give you a feel for what these guys are all about. If you e-mail me @ suzanne@suzanneferrell.com and send me your snail mail addy, I'll happily send you a set! Or if you're at the conference this week, you might pick up a set at the goody room! Supplies will be limited...intentionally!! hehehe

Jane Graves returns to the Lair!

interview with Suzanne

Jane Graves is the author of eighteen contemporary romance novels. She is a seven-time finalist for Romance Writers of America's Rita Award, the industry's highest honor, and is the recipient of two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Booksellers' Best Award, and the Golden Quill, among others. And I'm honored to call her my friend.

Suz: Welcome back to the Bandit Lair, Jane. Pull up a barstool and have a glass of wine while we catch up. It's been a while since you visited us here. What have you been up to?

Jane: Thanks for the wine, Suz. I'll have this glass of Cabernet while you sip your White Zinfandel. We do know each other well, don't we?

For personal reasons, I took a break from writing for a few years. Fortunately, when I was ready to get back in the game, my editor was very excited and wanted to buy more books. Black Ties and Lullabies will be out on June 28, and Heartstrings and Diamond Rings will hit the shelves on September 27.

Suz: Black Ties and Lullabies is your third Romantic Comedy for Grand Central Publishing and it's once again set in Plano, Texas. This time your hero is billionaire businessman, Jeremy Bridges. Many of your readers will remember meeting him in Hot Wheels and High Heels. How did he come to be the hero of this book?

Jane: I got more mail from readers wanting his story than any other character's I've ever written. He was actually somewhat of a villain in Hot Wheels, but there was a scene at the end of the book that hinted that there was more to the womanizing multimillionaire than met the eye, and I think that was what readers picked up on. I'm so happy they did, because I wanted very much to write his story.

Suz: I fell in love with your heroine of Black Ties and Lullabies, Bernadette Hogan, on page one. She is a very unusual heroine and has a unique relationship with Jeremy at the beginning of the book. I'll let you tell the Banditas and friends about "Bernie".

Jane: Bernadette Hogan is a bodyguard, ex-military, who never met a firearm she didn't like. It's rumored that she once killed a man with a Popsicle stick, but she insists that's absolutely untrue. It was a Q-Tip. She's been Jeremy's bodyguard for two years, and he aggravates her so much that if it weren't for the outrageous amount of money he pays her, she would have quit a long time ago. If you read chapter one at http://janegraves.com/blacktiespage.html, you can get a sense of their rather unusual relationship.

Suz: Throughout this book, you had me chuckling frequently at both the internal thoughts of the characters and their dialogue with each other. Do you find it easy or hard to write the witty/snarky banter between the characters? Does internal dialogue come easy for you?

Jane: Writing snarky banter is second nature to me, because I'm a pretty snarky person. But in real life, even I have to draw the line somewhere. I can't always say what I think. But my characters can, and oh, man, is that ever fun. It's a blast to let them say things I couldn't say in real life without getting slapped silly or arrested.

Suz: Since we're on the subject of writing, you have a rather unique approach on writing a book. I know of only one other writer who does the same process as you. Care to let everyone in on the Jane Graves way to write a romance novel?

Jane: Okay, but I feel obligated to issue a disclaimer up front. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME. It'll make you certifiably crazy.

I begin writing a book by tossing down a whole bunch of dialogue, bits of scenes, exposition, whatever, that I can see possibly being part of the book somewhere in the 400 or so pages I'll eventually end up with. Then I expand on those pieces at random until the characters start talking and the story comes to life. Then I try to zero in on page one, because I can't sell the book until I can get proposal chapters written. Or if I've already sold the book, I can't get paid for the proposal until those chapters are done. I like to get paid. But getting three consecutive chapters down in the very beginning? It just about kills me. Fortunately, the more I get to know the characters, the easier the writing becomes. Still, when I finally write The End, I invariably have at least fifty pages of excess stuff that ends up on the cutting room floor.

I hear other writers say they see the story in their head and just write it down. Consecutively. One chapter after another. I'm so jealous of people who can do that. It would make my life SO much easier. Then some of them go on to say that one of the reasons they can write so many books is that they type fast. Well, I type over 100 words per minute, but when I spend an hour working on a three-sentence paragraph until my eyeballs bleed, typing speed doesn't really come into play.

I've been told many, many times that my writing seems smooth and effortless. That's hilarious. If those people had any idea of how much I consider every freakin' word that goes onto the page, they'd think twice about saying that. I'm actually not a very good writer. What I am is a pretty good rewriter. I just have the persistence to hit it over and over and over again until I get it right.

Suz: (Boy just hearing about that process exhausts me!) The next book in your future is Heartstrings and Diamond Rings. Can we have a little peek into that story?

Jane: The heroine is Alison Carter, Heather Montgomery's best friend from Tall Tales and Wedding Veils. In that book, Alison's dating disasters were well documented. In her own story, she's still determined to find her Mr. Right, but she's losing confidence in her own ability to find him. So she hires a matchmaker. But when it turns out that the matchmaker isn't the kindly old lady she expects but her sexy young grandson, the fun begins. Heartstrings and Diamond Rings will hit the shelves on September 27.

Oh-I also want to let everyone know about a promotion my publisher is running for the month of June. They're discounting the price of the e-book versions of Hot Wheels and High Heels and Tall Tales and Wedding Veils to only $1.99! That's 75% off the cover price, so if you haven't read those books yet, I hope you'll consider picking them up! Check out the deal at http://www.janegraves.com/

And now a question for you. The original cover of Black Ties and Lullabies (the blue one shown here) was much more cartoonish in nature, a follow up to my two previous covers that were the same style. Then my publisher decided to go with a different look. They did a photo shoot and came up with the cover with the red dress.

Which one do you like better, and why? Also, there are a whole bunch of covers these days with headless characters. How do you feel about that? If you see hero's and heroine's faces on the cover, does it screw up your ability to imagine them for yourself? Personally, I feel a little sorry for the models-I wonder if their contracts include the fact that they're going to be decapitated?

Those who comment will be eligible to win one of two copies I'm giving away. I have two sets of advance reading copies-one set for each cover-so the winners can specify which cover they'd like on the autographed copy I send!

Free Reads

by Suzanne

We've had a new addition to our family. A brand new baby boy! He's as cute as his mother and father, and as bald as his grandfather! (That's him over there--->)

Needless to say, I had to put blogging, writing and reading on hold for a bit. Since I have what my husband calls, "the ultimate Grandma job".

And he's right.

I'm lucky in that I have the ability to chose my daughters' doctors, hospitals, nurses AND I get to be in the delivery room for the birth of everyone of my grandchildren. Now, before you think I get all bossy in there, my coworkers will tell you, I play the role of mom/grandmother and not nurse. I don't get in their way and I don't tell them how to do their jobs. Uhm, I shouldn't have to, I trained all but two of them! :)

So now life is getting a bit more back to normal. I have time to read and visit some of my favorite blogs, like our own Bandit Lair, The Romance Dish, The Romance Writers Revenge, etc...

I've managed to start a new project in my writing. Besides working on my next erotica, revising my western historical mail-order bride story for possible publication, I've started writing some "extras" for my website for people to read. (I had hoped to have them up by now...but that baby came four weeks early!! Impatient boy!) But let me tell you a little about these "extras".

If you've read The Surrender of Lacy Morgan, then you know there are five adopted sons who grew to adulthood on Los Hombres ranch under the guiding hand of their mentor, Anson "Cap" McCarthy. Some tragedy or tragic occurrence left these boys on their own when Cap found them.

So.....I thought it might be fun for my readers to hear each of the boys' stories about how they met Cap. The first three are up today...Quinn, Dakota and Will, with Nico and Ian's stories to follow shortly after. I'd love for y'all to take a look at them, let me know your opinion. You can read them now @ www.suzanneferrell.com

And for those of you who haunt websites, have you found any with extras or free reads you like? What did you like about them? Did they make you want to read the back list of the authors? Did they make you crave more of their series or characters?

Addison Fox and More Zodiac Warriors Return to the Lair!

interview with Suzanne

Banditas and all our friends, today my very good friend Addison Fox returns to the Lair to talk about the third book in her Sons of the Zodiac series, WARRIOR BETRAYED. Pull up a bar stool, a lounge chair or a cabana boy's lap and let's talk serious alpha male booty today with Addison.

Addison: Suz all the wonderful Banditas - thank you for having me! It's always so much fun to spend a day in the Lair ?

Suz: So, Addison, WARRIOR BETRAYED is the third in the Sons of the Zodiac series. So far you've given us the hunky Leo and super-sexy Scorpio. Which delicious brother are we going to see this time?

Addison: WARRIOR BETRAYED is Quinn's story - my Taurus warrior. Each of the warriors has a role to play on the team (you know, so they don't just sit around and look hot all day!) and Quinn is the team's security expert.

Suz: What trait of the Taurus Warrior did you focus on the most in this book? How does that effect Quinn's relationships with his brothers and his heroine?

Addison: Quinn's been a really vibrant character for me from the word "go" and very clear in my head. He's deeply stubborn and convinced he's right, but he's also fiercely loyal to those he loves.

Quinn spent a fair amount of the previous book, WARRIOR AVENGED, allowing his stubborn bent to shine through and he's now paying for it in his own story.

Suz: In WARRIOR BETRAYED, Montana Grant has spent her life under the shadow of decisions by both her parents. How is her destiny intertwined with Quinn's?

Addison: Part of what I loved about writing Montana is that she's on a real journey of self-discovery in this book. Although she knows something strange is happening around her, what she does not know when the book begins is that she is a rising immortal.

Her mother, Eirene, the goddess of peace (and Themis's daughter) abdicated her role to marry a mortal. Themis (the creator of the warriors) swore that Eirene's child would be destined to take her place and that has begun as the book opens.

As you might imagine, that's a rather tall order to place on a woman?.there's nothing better than a sexy warrior to help you get through it!

Suz: In each of your books your heroes are strong alpha males. What about this kind of hero appeals to you?

Addison: I will admit to loving strong, alpha males and digging down deep to find their vulnerabilities. It may be a bit cliché, but the premise of the alpha male - who falls hard when he finally does fall - is an incredibly fun thing to play with as a writer.

Suz: Since you have such strong personalities in your heroes how do you decide what kind of heroine to match with them?

Addison: One of the most enjoyable things about writing romance is pairing two characters who you really root for as a reader. A strong male (whether alpha or beta) needs an equally strong woman to make you feel these two people deserve a life together.

For me, the characters are everything to the story and it's always fun to match up two people and see the reasons they fall in love with each other.

In the case of Montana and Quinn, he's very sure of himself and needs a woman who isn't afraid to go head-to-head with him. For her part, Montana's not only spent a life of privilege, but she's also an incredibly powerful woman in her own right, running her family's shipping empire. Montana's a woman used to making decisions and it was important to me to pair her with a man who would celebrate her strengths and give her shelter for her vulnerabilities.

Suz: Soooooooo?who's next for me to drool over?er, for all your readers to look forward in anticipation?

Addison: I'm working on the fourth book in the Sons of the Zodiac series right now, WARRIOR ENCHANTED. It's Drake (the Pisces) and Emerson's (the witch next door) story. These two were introduced as a potential couple in WARRIOR AVENGED and I absolutely love them together.

What's been a lot of fun in writing this one is that Drake's already very sure he's in love with Emerson, but she's the one who is holding back. Of course, in true romantic fashion, things are about to get a whole lot worse for the both of them as Emerson's life is turned upside down by the return of her missing brother.

I'm really excited to add some new direction to the series in this book, with some new villains for the warriors to battle and a whole new challenge.There's this pesky new warrior whose come on the scene and who just happens to wear the mark of the 13th Sign.

Suz: To change the subject just a little bit, I hear there's an entirely different series coming from you soon. Care to fill the readers in on it?

Addison: I'd love to! I have a new contemporary series launching in November of this year. BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE is the first of a trilogy about a small town in Alaska that holds an annual Bachelor Competition. The heroine of BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, Sloan McKinley, ends up in Indigo, Alaska by circumstance, but quickly falls in love with the town,and it's very eligible town lawyer.

Suz: So let's talk Zodiac signs. What's yours? Do you really fit into any of the traits you sign is supposed to have? 

Addison is going to give away a signed copy of WARRIOR BETRAYED to one lucky commentor!

Let's Talk TBR Piles!

by Suzanne

Recently, I've been on a reading kick. I love when that happens. I just want to sink into my TBR pile and plow through a dozen or so books. (Okay, I've been busy, so it's only been five.)

Here's what I've read lately:

The Lies That Bind by our own Kate Carlisle! Fabulous read, and oh Derek Stone is just sooooo yummy! Brooklyn is a lucky girl, Kate!





























The Ranger by Monica McCarty. Have you started this series? OMG! Like Speical Forces guys for Robert The Bruce. Can't. Wait. For. The Viper. Book #4.















The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry. Steve is sort of like my sorbet. You know, the pallet cleanser between all the courses of romances? Love me some action/adventure/intrigue. This is book #6.















Money, Honey by our Susan Sey. Susan's debut novel is witty, charming, sexy and captivating. Oh wait, Susan is, too! Love this book. Can't wait for the next one, Money Shot!














And I just read Warrior Betrayed arc for my interview with Addison Fox for next month.OH MY GOD. Y'all are gonna LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this hero and the Taurus Warrior!














And I am making a trip to the bookstore this week just to get a copy of  Lover Unleashed! Yummo, love me some BDB books!

So, what have YOU been reading? What are you looking forward to? Any one I need to add to my list?

Secondary Characters: The seasoning in the soup

by suzanne

No secret here, but I love to tinker in the kitchen. I especially like to try my hands at soups. Why? Because my husband LOVES soup. That man will eat soup everyday until the pot is empty.

Here's one of the things I've learned about soup. You have to layer in the flavors.

You start with your butter/olive oil heating in your pot. To this you add your Mirepoix--a mixture of diced carrots, onions, celery. After sauteing this until the onions are translucent, you usually add your meat. Then your wine and finally your stock. You must season with salt and pepper as you add each component, just a touch though. Always tasting to be sure you've seasoned correctly. Bring it all to a boil then you reduce the pot to a simmer, allowing the contents to mix, mingle, grow and change. Each element has an affect on the other.

Writing has the same process.

Butter/oil: You start with your story idea. That is the movement, the beginning of your process.

Mirepoix: You add your plot. This is the spot where you have a solid base of flavors on which your story must build.

Meats: Main characters. Your hero, heroine, antagonist. Those elements that give your story its uniqueness. Their backstories will change the pot to a certain flavor.

Wine & stock: This is your goal, motivation and conflict. They soften the characters, tenderize them, strengthen their flavors.

Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary or bay leaf): Secondary characters. Added throughout the story to give it depth. Complexity. Some are minor walk-through characters that make subtle changes to your story/characters. Others have such a strong impact and manipulate the other ingredients to such a detree that without them the story might not be the same.

Without seasoning, your soup might have all the major ingredients, but it will be bland, flat.

Secondary characters are some of my favorites.

Pride & Prejudice: Who doesn't love Lizzie's sister Jane and Mr. Bingley? They are such an important element in the story. They affect both Lizzie and Mr. Darcy's motivation, their conflict, their goals.

Lord of The Rings: The Hobbits. Each one has a destiny to fulfill. We all know Froddo's mission, but Sam is the element that helps achieve that goal all the way to the end. Merri and Pippin have their own battles to wage, affecting the outcome of the tale while adding their perky flavor to the story.






The Dark Hunter series: While each book is a stand alone book, their are elements that flow through each that unite their flavors. Acheron and Simi, Artemis and the other greek gods/godesses. The Damons. Even New Orleans plays a character in the books, flavoring them with its own unique spice.





No Body's Baby But Mine: This is my favorite SEP novel. Cal's family becomes an igredient that changes him and his relationship with his wife Jane. His parents relationship not only grows into a secondary plot, but influences the outcome of Cal and Jane's story.







Saving Grace: My favorite Julie Garwood story. Joanna's step brother Neil plays a pivitol role in bringing his sister to Gabriel for her protection. He irritates Gabriel, mostly because he's English, but also because Gabriel suspects that Neil harbors a hidden desire for his sister. When he turns up later in the story, he once again plays a part in the ever changing plot.






So, dear readers, do you like secondary characters? Who are some of your favorites? Why?

Jana DeLeon Takes Us Into the Spooky Bayou!

interview with Suz

Fellow Bandits and Bandit friends please help me welcome my dear friend Jana DeLeon to the Lair! Jana is a multi-published author who has her first book with Harlequin Intrigue, THE SECRET OF CYPRIERE BAYOU, coming out on March 8th. Jana, pull up a chair and we’ll get the cabana boys to bring you your favorite drink. (Isn't this a great picture of Jana and her dog Bogey reading together?)

Suz: Congratulations, Jana. THE SECRET OF CYPRIERE BAYOU received a 4 1/2 start TOP PICK review from Romantic Times magazine! Can you  give us a glimpse into THE SECRET OF CYPRIERE BAYOU?

Jana: I would call the book a "gothic lite." It's a bit of a ghost story set deep in the Louisiana swamps.

Suz: Your heroine, Olivia Markham is a horror writer, but she has a very unique way of researching her books, doesn’t she?

Jana: Olivia rents reputed haunted houses to stay in while writing her books. She says the location provides the ambience for creating a good horror novel.

Suz: Okay, that's like way too much realistic research for this author! Your hero, John Landry, isn’t quite the caretaker he is supposed to be, is he?


Jana: John in an undercover cop with his own agenda, and Olivia is not part of it. In fact, she's in the way. But he has good reasons for wanting her to leave the house even though he ultimately becomes her champion and protector.

Suz: And he's all secretive, yet sexy, too! One of the best parts of your book is how you made the setting a character in this book. How did you make the bayou feel so alive?

Jana: By writing what I know. I grew up in the bayous of Louisiana. I know the appearance, the weather and the peculiarities of small-town bayou inhabitants well. It's easy to write something so familiar.

Suz: Setting often has big impact on a story. The mansion where the book takes place is La Malediction? What significance does this have to the plot?

Jana: The name laMalediction means "The Curse." Legend has it that the house and all its future inhabitants were cursed by the original owner, who went insane and murdered his wife. The house is isolated deep in the swamp with a single, muddy path connecting it to the closest town. A big rainstorm can leave people stranded at the mansion without power.

(Check out the exerpt here: http://janadeleon.net/harlequin-books/the-secret-of-cypriere-bayou-excerpt/ )

Suz: While this is your first novel for Harlequin, you’ve had several single titled books published. Would you tell our readers about them and how they differ from THE SECRET OF CYPRIERE BAYOU?

Jana: Prior to writing for Harlequin, I wrote five single title contemporary humorous mystery/romance novels. The combination of mystery and romance is the same and all my prior works are set in Louisiana, but the big difference is the humor. While the plots are serious, the humor is a key component to all my previous work. All of my previous books are available in ebook format.(Check them out @  http://janadeleon.net/ )

Suz: What future books do you have on your agenda?

Jana: In July 2011, BAYOU BODYGUARD releases. This book is a related book to THE SECRET OF CYPRIERE BAYOU and finished up the overarching mystery surrounding the house and its history. I have another book under contract with Harlequin scheduled for a release in early 2012. So far, all of my books with Harlequin have that hint of spooky.

So dear readers, Jana wants to know, Do you believe in them and if so, do you think you've ever seen one? One lucky commentor will receive an autographed copy of THE SECRET OF CYPIERE BAYOU.

Thanks so much for having me!

The Last Go Red Pin Prize!

by Suzanne

Our AHA prize -- Go Red for Women pin -- for February 28 goes to

Deb!

for giving me two young western historical women with TRUE GRIT!

Deb, email me @ suzanne AT suzanneferrell DOT com and I'll see that you get your GO RED pin and the $10 Amazon gift card! CONGRATULATIONS!!

TRUE GRIT

by Suzanne

Since I write western historical romances, both erotic, (THE SURRENDER OF LACY MORGAN) and just plain sexy, (REFUGE), I loved getting to go see True Grit a while back. When my son and I walked out of the theater after watching this remake of the old classic, we talked about what we like about the movie. One of the things he said to me was, "Mom, the person who had the most grit in that movie, wasn't Rooster Cogburn. It was Mattie." And he was right.

Mattie Ross had true grit.When her father was murdered hundreds of miles from home, she took it upon herself not only to go collect his body and send him home to be buried, but to find someone to help her track down the low-down murdering sidewinder and see he was brought to justice.She weathered low opinions men of the time had for a slip of a girl, nearly drowning in a river, shooting her first man, tumbling down a huge pit and being bitten by a rattler. (I won't tell you how it ends, just in case you haven't had the time to go see this movie.)

As this is the last day of the AHA GO RED for Women month and the Bandits celebration of such, I thought we should look at other women who throughout history have shown true grit.

Queen Elizabeth I: Talk about someone walking into a pit of snakes...the human kind. She took over the English crown when the kingdom was broke, under threat of both the Spanish and French invading, not to mention some rowdy Scots to the north. But her country had just gone through some very bloody years at the hands of her sister. Her kingdom was writhe with spies and traitors, advisors who saw her as nothing more than a brood mare to provide a male heir to take her place.Yet she was able to rule with cunning and a strong will for 45 years. Her country and it's empire grew in land, strength and finances during her rein.

Elizabeth Blackwell: Growing up in England where she watched eight of her siblings and eight of her cousins die, Elizabeth decided to go to medical school after her family moved to America. Elizabeth was rejected by 16 medical schools but was finally accepted by Geneva (New York) Medical College. Despite the taunts of not only the other students, but the people in the college town, she graduated on January 23, 1849. While furthering her medical studies in Paris, she developed an eye infection that cost her sight in her left eye. Undaunted, she continued to study. She returned to America two years later and opened a school to help other women become doctors. She also raised money with her sister Emily and opened The New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857. Run by women doctors, it was the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

Marian Anderson: Despite many years of prejudicial treatment, even being refused entrance to a local musical school after graduating high school because of her color, Marian rose to be the first black opera singer to be a regular cast member of the New York Metropolitan Opera. She sang for Kings and Queens, many presidents, including FDR and JFK. She also quietly fought many of the segregation laws that were in place during the early part of her career, by insisting on "vertical seating" in segregated cities. This meant that black audience members would be slotted in seats on all levels of the auditoriums. For many, it was the first time they'd ever sat in orchestra level seats.

Sylvia and Cristobal Pankhurst and the Suffragettes: (doesn't that sound like a rock band?) At a time when women were little more than chattel, they literally fought for women's right to vote. So passionate about their beliefs they thought nothing of chaining themselves to public building railings, smashing windows, interrupting public debates and even setting off bombs. Many of their followers, including Cristobal herself, went to prison, where they conducted hunger strikes to get their message across. Finally, during World War I political changes were made to give limited voting rights to women in England. In 1920 American Women achieved the right to vote through the Nineteenth Ammendment to the Constitution and by 1928 full suffrage equal to those of men were granted to women in England.

These are some women who have grit to stick to their beliefs, dreams or goals throughout history. Do you have any favorites you look up to? Admire? Or just appreciate their grit?

Romance Writers of America and the American Heart Association have partnered to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Visit Go Red for Women to learn how to fight heart disease.
Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books. From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books. 

Here's your heart healty tip for today: Whether cooking or making dressings, use the oils that are lowest in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol – such as canola oil, corn oil, olive oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil – but use them sparingly, because they contain 120 calories per tablespoon. (I personally prefer to mix a small amount of butter with olive oil for most cooking, and vegetable oil for baking.) You can also cut back on sugars and oil in baking by adding applesauce to cake recipes!

As always this month, one commentor will receive a GO RED for Women pin and today I'll give that same winner a $10 gift card to Amazon.com. (Heck you might use it to buy a copy of THE SURRENDER OF LACY MORGAN or some other book to make your heart race!)

Launching A Week Early

by Suzanne

As many of you know, next week, February 4th, my novel, THE SURRENDER OF LACY MORGAN, will be available as an e-book from Ellora's Cave, the very smart people who bought the rights to publish it!! YIPPEE!!

So, do you know what it's about? *Wink, wink.*

Oh, well, here's the back cover blurb:

When two steely-eyed, lean-hipped strangers ride into town, Lacy Morgan knows her past has caught up with her. What she doesn’t know is that the U.S. marshals will do whatever necessary to capture her stepfather and his gang of murdering thieves, including bringing her to her knees to serve their sexual needs.

Quinn and his blood brother Dakota are searching for the one key to finding the band of outlaws who murdered their adoptive father. When they confront the sultry stepdaughter of the gang’s leader, they discover she’s unaware of her natural submissiveness tendencies.

As they journey to the gang’s lair, each day the men draw Lacy further and further into a sensuality she’s never known and a trust she’d sworn never to surrender to again. Using her lusty body for their combined pleasure, they find themselves ensnared in the same tender trap.

Doesn't that sound delicious? Want to know more? Here's a little blurb from my website:

U.S. Marshal, Quinn Halliday, searches for a gang of outlaws responsible for the robbery of the

Bank of Cheyenne and the murder of three people—one of whom is his mentor, the man who raised him after his parents died. With his blood brother, Dakota, he’ll do whatever he has to in order to bring the murdering thieves to justice, even if that means bringing the leader’s daughter to her knees to serve their sexual needs.(This picture of Russell Crowe was my inspiration for Quinn.)

Lacy Morgan, unaware of her natural submissiveness, is the stepdaughter of the gang’s leader, Devil Morgan—a man who taught her the meaning of fear. Managing to escape her lecherous stepfather’s grasp, she’s hidden herself as the schoolmarm in a tiny hole-in-the-wall place where even her stepfather wouldn’t look for her.(You see the image of Lacy on the book cover.)

Dakota O’Keefe, a Marshal and horse whisperer, is the half-breed son of a white trapper and the daughter of a Sioux medicine man. An outcast in two worlds, he’ll follow his blood brother and partner into the bowels of hell to find the gang and avenge their mentor. A natural voyeur, he has shared many a bed with Quinn and his women, but even as he helps subdue this sultry redhead he realizes she is something more to his brother.(This picture of actor, Eric Schweig was my inspiration for Dakota.)

Don't they sound Yummy? Want to read more?
Uhm...it's an erotica...so if you want the exerpts you'll have to go to www.ellorascave.com and click on the cover or go to my website www.suzanneferrell.com in the books page. OR better yet, why not buy the whole book next Friday!!

So, do you have any questions to ask me, Quinn, Lacy or Dakota?

Sandy Blair is in the Lair!

interview with Suz

Banditas and Bandit Buddies we have one of my all time favorite authors, and my very good friend, Sandy Blair in the Lair today to talk about her novella Her MacKinnon, featured in the Mommoth Book of Scottish Romances. Please pull up a chair and help me welcome Sandy!

Sandy: Hi Suzanne. Thanks for inviting me to blog with your wonderful Bandits again. I really enjoy the site and usually only lurk when a favorite author is on.

Suz: Her MacKinnon in the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance is your second novella for the Mammoth book series. What makes this such an appealing market for your stories?


Sandy: The Mammoth books provide readers a broad spectrum of plots and author voices under one cover. They also provide authors with an opportunity to stretch while reaching a broad audience. (I.e. Time-travels are a hard sell in today's market. Mammoth provides me with an outlet to write and sell yet another subgenre I love.)


Suz: In Her MacKinnon, you have a ghost, a modern day heir and a modern day heroine. How did you bring these three characters together?

Sandy: Through a little magic. ?

Suz: Your first novel A Man In A Kilt had a ghost as the hero, too. Are you intrigued with ghosts? Or do you just think Scottish tales are a good vehicle for them?

Sandy: Thanks to its turbulent history I suspect Scotland is littered with many a ghost and I'll admit to being fascinated by them but my incorporating a ghost into a Man In A Kilt came about as a flight of pure fancy. I was staring at my hubby's ancestral Highland home Castle Stalker, wondering what our lives might be like if he'd inherited the island bound fortress instead of some distant cousin , one thought lead to another and then I wondered, "What if it came with a ghost?" Her MacKinnon came about over dinner when my son pondered the possibilities of inanimate objects being possessed by spirits. Grinning, I ran with the premise.

Suz: You do quite a bit of research for your books. What special research did you do for Her MacKinnon?

Sandy: After becoming reacquainted with the clan's history, I had to become familiar with the isle's current look, (i.e. roadways and buildings.) As I pumped a Scottish born friend for brand names (i.e. an inexpensive car, brand of shampoo) for this contemporary ghost story I was surprised to learn many items mentioned would be American brands. (The world is indeed getting smaller which takes some of the "romance" out of travelling.)

Suz: I know you have a lovely new tale, titled "The King's Mistress". Where did you get the idea for that story and what is it about?

Sandy: Thanks. I'd been researching another tale when I came across several odd details related to King Alexander III's life and death. I found myself wondering if things really happened as reported or if the facts supplied to historians were simply a means of covering up jealousy and murder?.and so this new story took shape. I hope to see this tale released shortly.

Suz: So do I! I adore the hero and heroine in that story! Any other news you'd like to share with our Banditas and our Bandit Buddies?

Sandy: Oh yeah. Scott and I have recently left our comfort zones and best friends to be near more family. We're currently living in New Hampshire with my daughter and her family as we wait for our new home to be finished. Which will hopefully be soon. I seriously miss my desk-top computer and bed. (I've discovered I'm definitely not a lap-top kinda gal. Become all thumbs and random cursers.)

Suz: I have to confess I "stole" these pictures from Sandy's website. www.sandyblair.net That's Skibo Castle just above and that's Sandy on the staircase inside Skibo! The other castle is Castle Stalker, the Castle for the insipiration of A Man In A Kilt. 

So, readers, have YOU ever been to a castle? Which one and where? Ever met a ghost? Tell us about it!