I want to introduce you to Lucille. Welcome to my sultry blog, my friend. And thank you for letting me interviewing you!


Phyllis: Tell us about yourself and how you first started writing.


Lucielle: Many years ago, a friend of mine gave me a copy of The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough. She raved about it, and promised me I would regard this 590 page novel as my all time favorite. I took one look at the thickness of the book, gave her a toothy smile and a hug, then put it away. I didn't have time to waste on a book about a priest who couldn't choose between God and a woman. I am the product of Catholic schools. Where's the choice? Well, the day came when it was time to read something from my 'to be read' pile, so I picked up the book, gave it a good dusting, and dove in. Three hours later, I was still reading. If I had walked into a book store way back then, I would never have chosen this book, and it would've been my loss. Reading a story that starts at WWI and ends in the 1960s, is enough to boggle any mind. And yet, Ms. McCollough took me through the saga so brilliantly, I hardly noticed the ride. What I did notice was how she brought the story full circle. Fee's daughter Meggie, ended up living the exact same life as her mother. Brilliant planning! The television miniseries is also my favorite, and the original theme song by Henry Mancini is on the HOME page of my website.



Phyllis: I have to admit, I never read The Thorn Birds, but I do love the movie!! So is the book that changed your life or made you want to become a writer?

Lucille: Well, it didn't change my life, but it did make me want to try my hand at writing. At the time, I was married with a family, and had very little time to weave my romantic tales. I had become a full time portrait artist as well who worked out of my studio at home. But when the urge to write took over, I would pen my romantic tales late at night while my family slept. I told nobody, fearing they would laugh at my futile attempt at story telling. I was a closet writer until two years ago when I took out my three type-written manuscripts. I polished up one to the best of my ability, and sent it off to Penumbra Publishing. They accepted the book, and I've been flying high ever since.


Phyllis: What an awesome story! If you could go back in time, where would you go?

Lucille: To be very honest with you, I wouldn't go back in time. I'm very happy living in the here and now with my life just as it is. The only thing I would've changed in my youth is my diet, and I would have exercised more.



Phyllis: I hear ya, woman! Okay, so what is your favorite thing about yourself?

Lucille: First of all, I'm true to my Catholic faith regardless of what has taken place in the Church recently and in the past. Who am I to make a judgment call on another human being? But as for me, I like to think my best virtue is being kind to others. There are two traits in people that disturb me greatly. One is cruelty to man or beast, and the other is dishonesty.


Phyllis: You are truly a Christian woman, then!! You have a few books out, which is a huge accomplishment, but do you have a favorite? If so, why?

Lucille: I don't know how other authors feel, but my first book, Talk of the Town is my favorite. It's a love story with a lot of humor in it, and I don't mean silliness. It was not my intent to pepper it up with humor, but the character of Samantha's agent is just a funny guy. He reminds me of me. If you look hard enough, you can find humor in anything. And Adam Pearce does.


Phyllis: I love romances - or stories in general - with humor! Way to go! What inspired you to write your latest release, Unforgettable?

Lucille: A few years back, I worked with a young girl who was left at the altar by her conman of a boyfriend. We all knew he was a loser, but love is blind, right? Well, hers was deaf and dumb as well. One day I got the bug to write again, but I had no storyline in my head. And then I thought of this girl and asked...what if? And the story took off.



Phyllis: Don't you just love how story ideas come? Tell us about your book.


Lucille: Be glad to. My heroine, Maddie Price is dumped at the altar and she's livid. Her fiance, a poor artist, talks her into marriage saying they'll honeymoon and live in Paris where his chances of becoming a great painter are much better. She has money...he takes it and runs off. When Maddie realizes what he's done, she ignores the weatherman's forecast of a tropical rain storm moving up the Eastern seacoast, jumps into her old jalopy, and takes off after him. One of her tires gets mangled in a giant pothole. Nobody is around, so she decides to fix it herself. Suddenly, she's confronted by a vicious dog who is threatening to rip out her throat. When the dog's owner comes to her rescue, she reluctantly takes refuge at his mansion, but is still determined to reach the scoundrel who jilted her and retrieve what's hers.

Famous playwright Robert Kendall's life on Cape Cod is anything but calm and uneventful. His Chinese live-in housekeeper, Mrs. O'Malley, has a drinking problem, and his best friend, an actor, sets out to prove he's the perfect choice to play the part of a cross-dressing drag-queen in Robert's new play. Finding Maddie irresistible, Robert knocks himself out trying to make her forget the man who abandoned her. The only problem is, Maddie doesn't trust her instincts after being conned. With Robert seemingly interested in a mysterious fiery redhead, Maddie can't believe she's the only woman in his life. Will Robert's promise to his best friend and Maddie's habitual mistrust prove to be their undoing? Maybe losing each other is the only way Robert and Maddie will realize they belong together.


Phyllis: Sounds like a fun story! Where can readers contact you?

Lucille: They can reach me at http://www.penumbrapublishing.com/, through my website at http://www.lucillenaroian.com/, and my email, clrmxr@comcast.net.


Thanks, Lucille!  This was a fun interview!

~Phyllis~

I want to introduce you to a really good friend of mine!  Mary is an awesome writer, and when you read her interview, you'll see why.


Thanks, Phyllis, for hosting the second day of my blog tour. Anyone who would like to know the schedule can check it out here. http://www.marymartinez.com/news.html#events Each blog a different question from the host. Sort of like a continuing interview. I will also have two giveaways at the end of the blog tour. At the bottom, I’ll tell you how you can participate.


Phyllis: Why do you love writing mystery / suspense. And...could you explain the process of how you set-up your suspense plots?

Mary: I guess you could say I love the puzzle. I want to be able to put together the pieces as I read. I love to have the author lead me through twists and turns until I’m so confused I have no idea who the villain is.

As for the process of how to set-up my plots? I don’t plot. I’m a panster so as I write I let the characters drive the story. I’m constantly trying to figure out who did it. What was their motivation? When I wrote Watching Jenny, I wanted to know why Runner was stalking her, so I could rule out possible suspects. That’s how I found how who Runner was, just like the reader.

My favorite suspense/mystery books are those that stump me until the end. The ones where I sigh when I turn the last page shake my head and say to myself, “I hadn’t a clue.” The best compliment I could receive from a reader is that I’d stumped them.

Thanks, Phyllis that was a great question.





Here is a blurb for my new release Classic Murder: Mr. Romance

Adam enjoys a lifestyle most men only dream of. Then one day he wakes up to find the morning headlines blaring, "Another victim falls prey to Mr. Romance. Who is next?" He suddenly realizes his way of life is not only frivolous, but deadly.

Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. But lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house. Can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worthy enough to merit giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer. The murders seem unrelated with one exception--all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.

Adam’s assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.


Available from BookStrand Publishing (Electronic Format, Print coming in spring 2011) http://www.bookstrand.com/classic-murder-mr-romance

For an excerpt and to see the trailer visit my web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/mrromance.html

Now to the giveaways, everyone one who participates by commenting on each day of the tour will have their name placed in a drawing for a Photo Album and a signed copy of Watching Jenny.

Everyone who participates and comments on half of the days will have their name in a drawing for a download of Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (or they can wait until it’s in print for a signed copy)

THANKS, MARY!!! Have fun on your blog tour!
~Phyllis~

I want to wish everyone a very happy new year!  I'm especially looking forward to this year because I plan to have more books being released in 2011... So watch for them!

~Phyllis~

There's only one other thing I like as much as a book contract...and that's getting my book cover!  I am totally over the moon with this one from my newest publisher. I believe I have found my home everyone! Dark Castle Lords Publication know my mind and what I want in a book cover. I'm totally in LOVE with my cover!!  Annie Marshall did a WONDERFUL job. THANK YOU!!  And, Jimmy Thomas - the model - made it mouth-watering YUMMY!!! I wish I knew who the woman model was because I'd thank her, too.


Revenge and passion come together as Cecily Lawrence attempts to make right the scandal that ruined her six years ago. Garrett Hastings, Earl of Blackmore, may not have taken her virginity that night they secretly met in the greenhouse, but being caught in an intimate embrace with the rogue definitely ruined her for any other man. Now, on his wedding day, she is determined to kidnap him but make it look like he’s running out on his own marriage to be with his mistress.


Garrett must marry Lady Fairbourne or else his grandmother will cut him out of her will and take away his funds. Although there’s only been one woman who made his heart flutter – Miss Cecily Lawrence – he knows joining the Fairbourne family will secure his trust fund. But when he’s kidnapped and realizes Cecily is the one who abducted him – and discovers the real story behind the scandal six years ago – his plans change drastically.

 
~Phyllis~

I just signed a contract with Dark Castle Lord Publications today for my short story, A Scandal To Remember. I can't wait to get my book cover. This is a great publisher for yummy book covers. (grins)

Here's the blurb to my story:

Revenge and passion come together as Cecily Lawrence attempts to make right the scandal that ruined her six years ago. Garrett Hastings, Earl of Blackmore, may not have taken her virginity that night they secretly met in the greenhouse, but being caught in an intimate embrace with the rogue definitely ruined her for any other man. Now, on his wedding day, she is determined to kidnap him but make it look like he’s running out on his own marriage to be with his mistress.


Garrett must marry Lady Fairbourne or else his grandmother will cut him out of her will and take away his funds. Although there’s only been one woman who made his heart flutter – Miss Cecily Lawrence – he knows joining the Fairbourne family will secure his trust fund. But when he’s kidnapped and realizes Cecily is the one who abducted him – and discovers the real story behind the scandal six years ago – his plans change drastically.

I thought I'd try something different and interview a hero I just met a week ago. Deputy Marshal Richard Bennick made my heart melt from the first time I heard him speak. Now I want you all to experience that. Richard Bennick is from the story, "Lost Hearts" from author Kathy Otten. (available Nov 12th at The Wild Rose Press) 



PC: Richard, can you tell us a little about your childhood? Where did you grow up, and what was your family like?


RB: My parents had a farm in Raymond, New Hampshire. They were good, God-fearing Christian people. My brother, James, and I were happy. We went to school and helped our father on the farm. James is four years older than me, and I followed him everywhere. We were close until the war then James grew distant. Or maybe it was me.


PC: What made you go into law enforcement? Being a Deputy Marshal sounds like a very exciting profession. Do you love your job?


RB: I never planned to be a deputy marshal. The war happened and James enlisted. Then our parents were killed in a wagon accident on their way home from town. I was fifteen and a crack shot, so I lied about my age and joined up with Berdan’s Sharpshooters. After the war, James couldn’t stay; he was too restless. So we sold the farm and headed to Texas. For a while we rounded up cattle scattered because of the war. I wasn’t much good with only one arm so I went back to what I knew. Instead of hunting Rebs, I hunted train robbers for the Texas and Pacific Railway. Seven years later I heard Judge Parker was looking to hire two hundred deputies to patrol Indian Territory. Seemed like a good idea, riding out alone away from people. I don’t love the job, but I know how to do it.


PC: Richard, tell us how you lost your arm.

RB: I was wounded when I was seventeen, during the Battle of the Wilderness in May of sixty-four. I woke up and my arm was gone. Doctors took off arms and legs for three days and nights. God, I hate maggots. And don't ask me anymore about it, cause I don't remember.

 
PC: Richard, I have to tell you, the more I get to know you, and because of what I've read about you in "Lost Hearts", I have an image of Goran Visnjic in my mind. Do you think you look like this?

RB: Goran is better looking than me - he looks more like my brother. And Goran looks like he sleeps better than me.


PC: Oh, now Richard, don't be modest. I happen to think you and Goran could be twins!  So tell me, when you first met Johnny, what did you think of the little bugger?


RB: Those eyes—they sucked me in from the first. She has this amazing ability to accept what can’t be changed—even me. She’s never once judged me or tried to fix me, or tried to rationalize away my moments of...crazy. And she’s so feisty she makes me laugh, when I never thought I could.


PC: What was it like being attracted to an outlaw? I bet you were one confused man.


RB: Johnny doesn’t confuse me, she scares me. She’s an outlaw accused of robbery and murder. I have a warrant and a sworn duty to see her brought to justice. But when I’m with her the lines are so blurred I can’t tell right from wrong, sanity from insanity. I’m terrified I’ll cross over one of those lines and not even know.


PC: Is there something about you that most people don’t know?


RB: I’m not close to anyone. I try to keep my distance, but I see the people watching me, judging me—that crazy deputy with one arm. They know nothing about me. They don’t want to know, not really. They’re just waiting for me to fall apart, and I don’t want to be their entertainment.


PC: What is your greatest strength?


RB: Johnny


PC: What is your greatest weakness?


RB: That black hole inside me. The dark abyss of insanity which sucks up time and memory. I can see it at the bottom of a slope so slippery I know that one day I’ll slide into and just disappear.


PC: So Richard, tell me – have you been lucky in love?

RB: Lucky? I’ve never been too lucky. My parents were happy together, and James found someone. But I figure I need a good woman. A church going woman, who is innocent and pure, someone who can balance out the… Well, that evil inside me.


PC: Are you a family man, Richard? Do you see a wife and family in your future?


RB: Once upon a time when I was a boy, I thought that’s how my life would be. Maybe sometime I’ll marry that perfect woman, but for now, making it through today is enough.


But Johnny, now she deserves that--a family for her to love and to be loved by. If somehow I can give her that, then I’ll be happy.


Richard, Kathy Otten, and I hope you run to The Wild Rose Press and order her book. It's definitely a great read!


~Phyllis~

Margaret Tanner wants to thank everyone who popped in and left a comment. Margaret said she used her husband's bowl hat (one he hasn't taken off his head since they won the finals) put everyone's name in and she picked a winner. The winner of the free download of her story - Reluctant Father - is.... (drum roll)....

Llona Fridl!!!  Congrats!

Thanks again, Margaret for being my guest!