Halloween event guest post--historical paranormal author Susan Macatee

Good evening, my dear guests. I see you've returned. How wonderful! What's that? The ghosts? Oh, don't mind them. After what happened last year I decided it would probably be best to employ and extra regiment of guards. Most of them are soldiers, yes, it's true...Civil War, and the Revolutionary war to tell by their resumes. Don't mind them. So long as you don't have anything stake-like with you, they should leave you alone. Now then, my first guest is a dear girl who knows a little something about Civil War soldiers. Turns out she's a friend to us vampire kind to. So, please do welcome Ms. Susan Macatee whose come here to chat with me today. Come sit by me, Susan, and tell me and my guests a bit about yourself.

  Susan Macatee writes American Civil War romance, some with a paranormal twist. From time travels to vampire tales, her stories are always full of love and adventure. She’s spent many years as a Civil War civilian reenactor with the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment. She's a wife, mother of three grown sons, and has recently become a grandmother. Outside of spending time with family, she spends her free time watching favorite old movies, and inhaling books.  

Mistress: Very interesting, dear. *sigh* I must admit, I have a soft spot for the Union boys. Now for the questions. What inspired your novel Sweet Redemption?

  Susan Macatee: Sweet Redemption was inspired by a number of things. First of all, the story is set in 1862 at Fredericksburg, where a major Civil War battle was fought. The real life story of Joshua Chamberlain, who fought for the Union in this battle, had an influence in the opening of my story when the hero is pinned down on a dark, cold field, by Confederate fire. The other influences were the historical vampire novels of the late Dawn Thompson, as well as my love of vampires in general, dating back to my grade school days when I rushed home to watch the soap, ‘Dark Shadows’. Since then, I’d always wanted to write a vampire story. Combining it with the history of the Civil War was my way of personalizing the age-old place of vampires in literature.  

Mistress: That was a great show. Now these are the fun questions. Tell me your favorites. Which do you prefer: All Hallow’s Eve or All Saint’s Day?  

Susan: All Hallow’s Eve, of course. 

  Mistress: A girl after my own heart! Favorite scary movie?  

Susan: Psycho  

Mistress: Oh, good choice! Favorite leading man: Dr. Frankenstein, or Dracula?  

Susan: Dracula  

Mistress: I must agree. He was such a gentleman, you have no idea. Shame what that awful Bram Stoker did to him. ;) Next question: Pick your poison: Candy corn or chocolate?

 Susan: chocolate  

Mistress: What are you going to dress up as for Halloween this year?

Susan: Since I’m now a grandma, I won’t be dressing up, but will be standing at my door giving out candy and taking pics of my granddaughter in her first Halloween costume. She’ll be a year old on November 8th. 

  Mistress: Oh, now. That is a good reason not to dress up as anything scary. (Of course, if you wanted to borrow anything from my closet, I wouldn't mind. :)) *shuffles through cards* If you could be in any classic horror novel, or story, which would it be?  

Susan: I’m a big Edgar Allen Poe fan, so ‘The Raven’ would be my choice.  

Mistress: Excellent choice. Poe was another gentleman. Very fine man, in my opinion. Please give us a taste of your work.  

On a cold December night, Union infantry captain, Jonathan Hackett, is pinned down on the Fredericksburg battlefield trying to escape Confederate fire. But a creature of the night, more dangerous than any enemy soldier, stalks him. Jon must fight for his life as well as his soul. Maddie Emery has lost everything dear to her. Her husband and parents have passed on and her brothers are off fighting in the Confederate Army. She’s alone, trying single-handedly to hold onto her family’s farm, when a Yankee soldier collapses across her stoop. Maddie and Jon soon form a bond of love and tender desire. But when Jon begins to exhibit signs of becoming the creature he fears most, is their love enough to fight off the evil of a centuries old vampire bent on destroying them?  

Excerpt:
At first she held her lips firm, then opened allowing him to explore the velvety insides of her mouth. Encouraged, he leaned into her, and she yielded beneath him, sighing softly as she reclined on the settee. He pulled the pins, releasing her hair into a silken veil trailing over her bodice. He cupped one of her lush breasts through the fabric of her gown, and she moaned in response. Encouraged, he adjusted his body over hers, his arousal growing.
She gazed up at him, eyes half-closed in passion. He focused on her throat and the steadily beating pulse. He pushed a strand of hair back and fixated on the soft, white skin, gaze drawn to the pulse point. His lips grazed the spot, the beat and scent driving him mad. He had the overwhelming urge to bite. His mouth distended.
An image of what Arnwolf had done to him in the barn, made him jerk back. His heart pounded as he traced his finger along his teeth. Two sharp, pointed fangs had taken the place of his canines. He rose from the settee and howled, backing away.
Mrs. Emery stared at him.
He turned away, so she wouldn’t see. What had he become?

 Oh my! That sounds fantastic! I want to meet this man if we ever get a chance... Folks, Sweet Redemption is available on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Redemption-ebook/dp/B0056ICETQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313157188&sr=1-7
Nook from Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-redemption-susan-macatee/1018988355?ean=2940043310798&itm=3&usri=sweet%2bredemption
All Romance Ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sweetredemption-391948-139.html and The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_79&products_id=3750  

One more question, Susan, then, my Minion insists I must let you go. 
*Aside: Don't mind her. You can stay as long as you like.* 
Now then, where can our guests find you on that evil little realm called the Web?
  http://susanmacatee.com
 http://susanmacatee.wordpress.com
On Twitter @susanmacatee  

Ah, good. :) Now the moment you've all waited for, Susan's giving away a copy of Sweet Redemption and her short vampire story Eternity Waits to one lucky commenter, so please leave Susan a meaningful question or comment, and don't forget to leave an email address, so my minion can contact the winner at the end of this event. Thanks so much for being with us tonight, Susan! Happy Halloween!

***
This giveaway is over now.

 
*~*~*~*
Juli D. Revezzo has written the Victorian romance novel WATCHMAKER'S HEART. Check it out at Amazon.

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Julia Rachel Barrett Guest today at new blog

Erotic romance author Julia Rachel Barrett is guesting on my writing blog today, with a giveaway. You can read her post here. Do drop by! :)

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Steampunk author's giveaway

Soon to be debut Steampunk author Suzanne Lazear is giving away some cute little buttons and a pretty necklace on her blog. Go here to see the details.

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notes

Hi all. I just wanted to pop in here and relay a couple things. I had a little household accident this weekend (think broken glass and lots of blood) which resulted in stitches and lots of gauze bandages on my hand, so typing is tough right now. I'm one-handed. So not fun! Once i get the stitches out, doctor's orders willing, i hope to be able to post revies again. i'm sure they'll be piling up. In the pipeline: Anna Small's Taking a Chance on Forever (let me just say i loved it!), possibly chamber of secrets (gdoes that really need more introduction?), &maybe depending on where they stand a few others. Holding the e-reader--noy so easy. I'll get to them asap. sorry about this.

In the meantime booklovers inc. is hosting vicki pettersson, w/ a giveaway, here and suzanne @ preternatura is doing her new release giveawy w/ some nifty titles to choose from, here. Special congrats to fellow TARA gal Terri Garey on here new release!

Thank you for bearing with this unexpected hiatus. the mummy refuses to take over for me--bastard that he is. ;)

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Paty Jager on her spirit trilogy and the Nez Perce Indians (and giveaway too)

For your reading pleasure, paranormal/western romance author Paty Jager dropped by our little Café today to talk about her latest Paranormal romance series. Books one and two, Spirit of the Mountain and Spirit of the Lake, have already hit print to much acclaim, and we are pleased and delighted to have her share a little time with us. :) Welcome, Paty!


Julianne, thank you for having me here today.

Author Paty Jager

My spirit trilogy has required a lot of research because they are set among the Nez Perce Indians before they were forced on to reservations.


The children of Nez Perce families were taught by their grandparents. The grandfathers taught the boys how to make weapons, hunt, fish, track, and fight. Grandmothers taught the girls how to take care of their families, do the chores, and help their men. The elders passed down the stories of the trickster coyote and how "The People" came to be. By reading books of their legends you see how the legends taught the children basic truths about life and how to conduct themselves to be good Nez Perce.


There is a Nez Perce myth that the adults would tell the children if they were bad. An antlered beast that lived in the lake of the Wallowa band would come for them during the night and take them to the bottom of the lake.


Having grown up in the Wallowa lake area and heard this story, I researched and found that it was indeed an old Nez Perce tale. Learning this, I had to incorporate it into my trilogy. The hero in Spirit of the Lake is a Nez Perce spirit who resides in the body of an elk and lives in the lake of the Wallowa band of Nez Perce.


Blurb for Spirit of the Lake:

Two generations after his brother became mortal, Wewukiye, the lake spirit, prevents a Nimiipuu maiden from drowning and becomes caught up in her sorrow and her heart. Her tribe ignores Dove's shameful accusations—a White man took her body, leaving her pregnant, and he plans to take their land. Wewukiye vows to care for her until she gives birth, to help her prove the White man is deceitful and restore her place in her tribe.


As they travel on their quest for justice, Dove reveals spiritual abilities yet unknown in her people, ensnaring Wewukiye’s respect and awe. But can love between a mortal and a spirit grow without consequences?


Excerpt:
“You are not eating.” The deep voice laced with concern spun her shivers into waves of heat.


She opened her eyes and studied the man standing in front of her. His broad shoulders blocked the sun. Even with his eyes filled with concern the lines beside his eyes, which deepened when he smiled, remained. His full lips were perpetually tipped at the corners in mirth. The lightness he brought into her heart just by his presence, she had not felt since realizing her family believed she brought the sickness to her mother. No one had ever gazed upon her with such favor.


He knelt beside her, glanced at her stomach, and questioned with his eyes.


She nodded.


He placed a hand on her stomach. “You must gain strength.”

His encouraging words brought a smile to her face as his hand slowly moved in a circle. She studied his face, searching his eyes, skimming across his angular cheeks, ending at his full, inviting lips.
####


This post is part of my blog tour. Leave a comment on as many of my guest blogs as you can and the person who travels with me the most will receive an autographed copy of Spirit of the Lake, a sweatshirt, and cowboy chocolate. To find all the places I’m visiting go to my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ The contest runs from May 18th – May 29th covering thirteen blogs. I'll notify the winner on May 30th. In the event of a tie I will draw a name.


You can learn more about me at: http://www.blogger.com/www.patyjager.blogspot.com or at my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or on Facebook.


Bio:
Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; award winning author Paty Jager and her husband currently farm 350 acres when not dashing around visiting their children and grandchildren. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.




Paty is a member of RWA, EPIC, and COWG. The Wild Rose Press has published nine of her books. Perfectly Good Nanny, won the 2008 EPPIE for Best Contemporary Romance. She edited for an e-publisher for four and a half years and teaches workshops at conferences, writers meetings, and online.

Thank you for being with us today, Paty, and bringing us this fascinating article! :) Good luck to you with these books, and in all future endeavors.Folks, don't forget to leave Paty a comment for a chance to win her prize pack. We hope y'all have enjoyed this little chat. Until next time! *waves*
*~*~*~*
Juli D. Revezzo has written the Victorian romance novel WATCHMAKER'S HEART. Check it out at Amazon.

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Heads up, writers: Cemetary Dance submissions opportunity

I spotted this on author Lynn Viehl's blog this morning (here) and thought some here might find the information useful. According to Ms. Viehl, it seems the horror publication Cemetary Dance is looking for submissions with the winning entry, among other things, being featured in a chapbook with authors Douglas Clegg, Brian Keene, and Ray Garton. Go here for more details. Thanks for the heads up, Ms. Viehl!

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Jennifer Jake's blog visit and contest

Not here, of course, but over at Sky Purington's blog, she's hosting historical Romance author Jennifer Jakes is over at A Writer's Mind today with a character interview from her new release from The Wild Rose Press, Rafe's Redemption, and a giveaway. Contest ends Sunday, May 20th. You can read "Rafe's" interview, :) and try for the contest  here. Good luck to all who try, and enjoy the post.

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Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon, Fury of the Phoenix Giveaway details here: http://supernaturalunderground.blogspot.com/2011/04/fury-of-phoenix-release-giveaaway.html

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The British are coming... to a Royal Wedding

For all you romantics at heart, Sourcebooks, the British Book Babes (authors Philipa Ashley, Elizabeth Chadwick, Jill Mansel and Sarah Bower and Helen Hollick )are celebrating the royal wedding in style. They're giving away goodies to three random winners each day this week, over at their Facebook page, in honor of the auspicious day. For more details see the British Book Babes Facebook page here. Good luck!

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Taking a Chance on Forever contest

This just in....
From our friend Anna Small, whose new book Taking A Chance on Forever, released this week by Siren-Bookstrand (here):

Visit my blog, read a mini-novella (prequel to Taking A Chance on Forever) and be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

Thanks, everyone! The new book is out on the e-shelves now, and I'm very excited to share this little mini romance of Sara and Brent - the children of the main characters in the story. I will also post the epilogue in a few weeks, after you all get the chance to read the e-book. What? Don't have an e-reader? You can read it on your computer! What? Don't know where to buy it? Cut and paste this into your browser:
 
http://www.annasmallbooks.blogspot.com/ and read the post and leave a comment to be entered!
 
 
Thank you to everyone who has supported me with an ear, friendship, a hug, an encouraging word, or even a bite of a candy bar! Without friends, this is a tough business.



love,


Anna
 
Congrats again, Anna! *big hugs* And good luck to all who try out the contest. :)

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Giveaway

Hey folks. Do you love Paranormal romance? Well, pop by Fangtastic Books, today. She's giving away a copy of fellow FF&P author Stacey Kennedy's new ghostly romance Stolen Dreams. You can check it out here.

Good luck!

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Debra Glass' Rebel Rose and Giveaway

Rebel Rose by Debra Glass

Synopsis:

They say she’s a Rebel spy…

Widow, Rosalie O’Kelley, is not above using her feminine wiles to secure much needed supplies for her fellow townspeople. But when Union Colonel Eric Skaarsberg is put in charge, Rose’s usual tactics fail miserably. In exchange for supplies, she comes to a scandalous arrangement with him. She agrees to become his willing plaything—to fulfill his every physical need…eagerly and without hesitation.



Eric Skaarsberg is duty bound to ferret out the spy who has been leaking information to the Confederates. All evidence points to the passionate belle who readily responds to every touch and taste he metes out to her. One by one, he strips away Rose’s secrets, but Eric is not satisfied with owning the she-Rebel’s luscious body. At any cost, he must uncover her vulnerable and perilous past—even if it means the destruction of them both.

My thoughts, well, again, Ms. Glass has outdone herself, and I was actually biting my nails for this one. I loved it, but then, yes, I love everything of hers I've read. I think if you like historically set erotic romances, you can't get much better than this. :)






Rebel Rose is currently available at Ellora's Cave here.


For more on Debra and her works, see her blog, or her website.



And Debra kindly offered to give away a copy of this novel. Please leave a comment and we'll choose a winner on the 19th.

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Stella!

Just a little plug for a friend. I'm very happy to see she's doing so well:

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More Battle of the Sexies stuff

Book Faery's having a grand ole time over at her site. LOL There's a Jennifer Ashley post (and giveaway) here. One with Karsten Knight,author of the (forthcoming in summer 2011--yeah, a whole year away) Wildfire, here, one with romance/sff/paranormal author Rae Lori, here, and quite a few more. Do check out the lucky gal's blog for more.

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ARCs Galore giveaway.

Just found this today, so ...sorry for not adding it to the weekly giveaways list. For the YA lovers, Carol's Prints has an awesome YA ARC Giveaway, go here to see. Open internationally, ends September 6. Good luck, all!

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Another win Wednesday

Demon Lover is giving away some books over on her blog, a copy of The Hunted of 2060 by
Ami Blackwelder here; Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresely Cole, and Nature of the Beast y Hannah Howell in her 400 follower giveaway

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Anna Small contest winner

Hiho, I hope everyone has been well. I'm sorry I'm late on this but, better late than never, right? So, to the announcement of the winner of Anna Small's little giveaway... The names have been tossed into Jed--erm, Anna's--cowboy hat and the winner is....

Marsha!




*trumpets and fanfare here*

We'll be getting touch soon, Marsha. I hope you enjoy the goodies. :) Thank again to Anna Small for taking the time to visit with us, and to everyone who stopped by. :)

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Women of the Underworld at Maybe Tomorrow

Kelly Armstrong's Women of The Underworld is one I've wanted to read, but have never had a chance to. Have any of y'all ever read it? Maybe Tomorrow is holding a giveaway of the entire series, and swag and so forth, so maybe this is the time to try it? If you're interested, MT's giveaway is here. Good luck, all!

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Weekly Contest lists

Wow. Well, let's see, I've run across some great contests, this week. as you know, Yzhabella's Bookshelf is having a guest post with Erin Kellison and giving away not one but both of her books: You can see it here. That contest ends July 31. So get over there quick, and good luck!

Also, my friend at La Femme Readers is giving away a copy of The Season of Risks (The Ethical Vampire book three) by Susan Hubbard. That contest ends July 31, and you can enter it here

And Tynga's Reviews is doing a (Oh, my god, I can't even imagine this! Mucho congrats, Tynga!) 900 followers giveaway including a copy of Clockwork Angel and Eternal Kiss of Darkness. You can see that here.

A Good Addiction you can see an author interview with Maggie Stiefvater, and of course, a giveaway. Check that out here.

Books at Midnight is generously holding a contest for swag related to Anastasia Hopcus' Shadow Hills. You can check that one out here.

The Undercover Book Lover has a huge giveaway going on with five titles to win, Andrea Cremer's forthcoming Nightshade, Kiersten White's Paranormalcy, Kristen Miller's The Eternal Ones, and finally, fantasy author Robin McKinley's forthcoming book Pegasus, and You can see details for that contest here.

Oh, and last but not least, Literary Escapism has an interview and giveaway with author Adrian Phoenix (the giveaway is for the signed copies of her novel Black Dust Mambo and a signed set of the Maker’s Song series. Wow! You can see that here.
So, that's what I've got for you so far. Good luck, everyone!

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Erin Kellison visits YzhaBella's Bookshelf.

Yzhabella's Bookshelf has a nifty post with author Erin Kellison, last week (July 16) that I just found, (sorry Yzhabella for the delay), wherein she asks a question: "What's your favorite opening to a novel?"

Pop by her site here to see it. The corresponding contest ends July 31. So get over there quick, and good luck!

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