Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from my friend Dani Jace! Thanks for the thought provoking questions, Dani!

1. What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever done in the name of research for a book?
I don't think I've done anything really unusual. I'm fascinated with other people's cultures and beliefs so I don't feel respectfully observing or participating in others' ceremonies or services that strange. 

2. Name a nonfiction book you’ve read for research that you wouldn’t have read otherwise.  Not including writing craft books. 
Celtic Magic by D.J. Conway. It's an awesome resource book for Celtic rituals and legends recommended by a solitary wiccan practitioner. I love the legends behind the customs and place names in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This provides a better understanding for the history and culture of a wonderful ancient society where women and men shared equal respect.

3. If you could travel anywhere to do research for a book, including back in time, where would you go?
Well, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. I've always felt an affinity for the lore and mystical beauty of the ruins of the British Isles. I'd love to visit the lesser known stone dances and fairy mounds, the castle ruins and small villages, experience the spirit of the thin places of the Celts for myself.

Hop over to visit Dani Jace, author of hard, hot, and handsome heroes. Many of her stories take place in one of my favorite places, the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series.

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment. He's to protect Cassidy Sinclair, the teacher he saved.

“Remember her, I guess?”
How could I forget her? Her silky honey gold hair, those hazel eyes, that perfect
body. He hadn’t gone an hour without thinking of her.

How will Trevor handle his attraction to his new charge? And how will he handle the situation when she thinks he's dead? Come back next week for more.

Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from Julie Abdinoor! Thanks for the thoughtful questions, Julie!

1. What ages are your characters? 
So far, all of my characters are in their thirties and forties. Since that is where I am in my life, I can say with certainty that both men and women with experience and wisdom can be sultry, sexy, and sophisticated. When I started writing, it was because I wanted to read realistic romances about characters I can identify with. 
I have plans for a middle grades or YA adventure/mystery story and I can see writing characters in their late twenties. Perhaps because I made some foolish choices in my early twenties I don't want to revisit those years.

2. What special things or places inspire you to write? 
Many times images I see on social media or the internet inspire my settings, but normally it's people who inspire me. I am a total people watcher; I invent their backstories from what I observe. Sometimes I just "what if" situations and that reverie turns to an element of the story.

3. What is the one message you hope women will receive when they read your stories?
Power resides in every single woman. Only you can relinquish that power, only you allow someone else control over your life. Discover your innate gifts, develop them and take risks. With love, you can make dreams reality.

Check out Amy Jarecki's blog where you'll find her answers about characters, inspiration and the message she wants to share. Considering her heroes are Highland hotties, her blog is a must visit!

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series. I'm counting the two fragments as one sentence just to be fair!

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment, who's already on the island. He cringes at the idea it's one of the board's teenagers. He's about to find out...

“Cassidy Sinclair.”
Everything in him froze: respiration, heartbeat, thoughts. Everything.
Except that twitch in his swim trunks.

How will he handle guarding the woman he saved, the woman he can't stop thinking about? Come back next week to find out how he reacts to the news.

Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from Rebekah Garniere. Great questions, Rebekah!


1. Who is your favorite character you've written and why?
Matt Stone is my favorite from my military novella Heart of Stone. He is tough, honorable and sensitive. Brave and confident, he disarms IEDs and other explosives for a living but is unsure about how to handle his attraction for his best friend's sister.

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series. This week, I'm counting the two short sentences. They're a bonus. Enjoy!

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment, who's already on the island. He cringes at the idea it's one of the board's teenagers.

     While they weren’t exactly friends, they were both in the protection business and had developed a
mutual respect, so if the man was almost laughing outright, it must be pretty damn mortifying.
     Resigned, he hung his head and sighed. I might as well find out.

Who will Rekkus reveal as Trevor's new charge? Come back next week to find out.

Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from Joanne Guidoccio. Great questions, Joanne!


1. Scenario: A Hollywood producer is interested in your book. Can you come up with an enticing logline (plot summary of 25 words or less)? 
Seeking redemption, Ex-priest Nicholas Serafini returns home to renovate the house that's haunted his nightmares. Protecting first love Liz wasn't part of the plan.

2. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I had already pinned Chris O'Donnell as my hero, Nick Serafini. He's a grounded, sincere, passionate actor and that's what I see in Nick. He comes home to reconnect and face his demons. He does not expect to face his first love, Liz Williams, the new owner of the dilapidated house of horrors. I see Jayma Mays as Liz. She's got that girl-next-door look (at least in this picture), sexy but sweet.

3. Does the storyline of your novel compare with any films out there?
Not that I know of and I really hope not! I have a manuscript I wrote that strongly resembles a bestseller from Nicholas Sparks. I wrote it before his was published, so I know his didn't influence my story unless we have a psychic connection. Still, I've left it for fear of being perceived as a knock off artist. Sooner or later, a plot twist or change of characters will come to me that will make it fresh and unique.


Hop on over to Elizabeth Jannette's blog, Writing Romance Mixed with Murder and Mayhem, to find out what script-I mean storyline- she's plotting!

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series. This week, I'm counting the two short sentences. They're a bonus. Enjoy!

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment, who's already on the island.

Trevor grew wary as Rekkus’s smirk turned almost wickedly amused.
Oh, shit. It must be someone really pathetic for them to entrust their care to me. Or
one of the teenage kids of the councilmen. Kill me now.


Will Trevor be saddled with snotty teenager or an arrogant bigwig? Come back next week to find out.

Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from Shannon Kennedy.


1. How do you find the appropriate setting for the story, or does it find you?

Setting to me is integral to plot and character development. Having grown up in a small town, I know how close knit these communities can be. I also know how invasive they can be. Small town society provide so many opportunities for real conflict.  

2. What is your support system for your writing?  Family, friends, other writers?

I have the best husband ever. He supports me, lets me hole up for hours and hours and reads all my male dialogues for authenticity. My kids let me write, too, and will deliver me sustenance on demand. Of course, I have to take them to the park or museum on another date, but life is about give and take.

My writer's group, Chesapeake Romance Writers, introduced me to so many wonderful sharing people. I have awesome critique partners. They raise me up and ground me where I need it. Many times, they bleed all over my manuscripts but that makes me grow as a writer. I'd rather my friends tear it apart so I can build it back up than submit an unpolished work to a publisher.

My Facebook writer friends are also a great source of support. It's great to celebrate with them and commiserate with their struggles. They post links to blogs on the craft of writing, publishing, negotiating the social networks and creativity. I've made contacts through them. Everyone I've come into contact with has been friendly and fun!

3. What is the worst writing advice you ever received and how did you deal with it?

Really, I've never received bad advice. My chapter sisters have always offered very sound counsel. Having joined Romance Writers of America from the very start of my writing career, I've had access to remarkable resources. So, gladly, I have nothing to report!


Hop on over to Kate Robbins' blog to discover how she develops the setting for her sexy Highland romances!