BREAKING THE RULES with Tawny Weber

Are you hunting for a H.O.T. Valentines read, to get you geared up for the big day? Or maybe you’re just looking for a good, little on the naughty side read. Don’t be shy… ;-) Tawny Weber is your girl. Her latest Harlequin Blaze title, BREAKING THE RULES has already hit shelves. If just looking at the cover doesn’t make you drool, you may need to seek medical attention!!! Just kidding, but judging this book by the cover you are in for a HOT read. And I know, because Tawny made sure I had a copy of BREAKING THE RULES of my very own to read. If all of my jabbering about it hasn’t convinced you, take a little sneak peak at it for yourself.



What do you get when you mix a military hero on a mission with an independent artist hell-bent on proving something? A battle that can only be won between the sheets.

Sophia Castillo is finally calling the shots in her life, and she’s determined to stay in charge. The last thing she needs is a babysitter. Not even a babysitter as sexy as US Army Sergeant First Class and EOD Squad Leader, Maximillian St. James. But when someone is sabotaging her art gallery, she turns to Max for help. When he proves to be a challenge to her independence, she lays down their relationship rules. Hot sex, good times and a lot of laughs are all good. Anything involving their hearts is strictly off limits. Before they catch the vandal, Max and Sophia both have to decide just which rules they are willing to break, and how high a price they are willing to pay.


What is your favorite thing about the characters in this book?

I love Max. He’s a good guy, has great intentions and the women in his life are seriously stressing him out But he’s determined to do the right thing, to keep his promise and to stay true to the rules of conduct he considers important. Sophia is so great for him. Because she’s been hurt badly in the past, she doesn’t fall for the same things many girls do – which makes Max have to work a little harder. But she’s so true to her beliefs and ideals, making her a fabulous match for Max.


Where did you come up with the idea?

It all started with a four foot penis. Really! I had this image in my mind of an art gallery, and two women trying to move this huge statue. Just as they, you know, get a hold of it, the sexiest guy in the world walks in. The scene pretty well wrote itself after that LOL. And from there, the rest of the story took shape. I’ve always wanted to write a military hero, as a sort of ode to my husband, so this was a great adventure for me.


What are you working on now?

I’m working on the second story in my Undercover Ops series right now. The first is titled SEX, LIES AND MISTLETOE and is out in December, and story I’m working on now is titled SEX, LIES AND MIDNIGHT, due out in January 11. The third book in the series is SEX, LIES AND VALENTINES and will follow in February. These are all about a con-artist family and the FBI, are very fun and very sexy. I’m having a lot of fun working on them.

I know you’ve been a busy girl. What do Tawny Weber fans have to look forward to in 2011?

In 2011 I have my current release, BREAKING THE RULES out this month. In May I’ll have a story that I loved writing so much that its currently my favorite ever *g* It’s called JUST FOR THE NIGHT and kicks off Blaze’s 24 Hour Blackout series, and in December my Undercover Ops will launch with SEX, LIES AND MISTLETOE. I’m really excited about all of these stories and hope readers will be, too.


How do we find you and your books?

I’m so easy to find  My website is www.tawnyweber.com and I’m also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TawnyWeber.RomanceAuthor . BREAKING THE RULES is currently available in stores and online, and all of my books can be found on my site at www.tawnyweber.com/books with purchasing links.

Thanks again for coming back to Micole Writes Romance.

Micole, you rock  It’s always fabulous to visit with you! Thank you so much for having me.

And I always love having you here. Thanks for stopping in friends. See you back here on Tuesday, with author Paula Quinn!!!

hugs

Micole

Spotlight Author with Trish Milburn

Last week we had two great authors here on my blog, Anna Campbell on Monday and Sharon Lathan on Thursday. Sending out big thank you’s to both of you!. ;-) If you missed the interviews scroll back and take a peek, but not before you spend a few minutes with my newest guest, Trish Milburn.


Tell us a little bit about your latest release…

Elly: Cowgirl Bride is the fifth book in a six-book, multi-author continuity series from Harlequin American called The Codys: First Family of Rodeo. Ellen “Elly” Cody has had the goal of making and winning the National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing for as long as she can remember. And this year, it’s finally within her grasp. All she has to do is stay focused and practice, practice, practice. But in the weeks leading up to the final competition that will determine if she makes the NFR, she didn’t expect to be dealing with the revelation of secrets that could tear her close-knit family apart. Or the return of Will Jackson to Markton, Wyoming — a Will Jackson who is no longer the geeky, allergy-ridden kid she remembers. Far from it.

You write for two very different genres… how do you divide your time between the two? And how do you keep everything straight? (Like agents, editors, publishing houses, stories?) 

Based on when the deadlines are.  Seriously, I typically just go back and forth. Work on a Harlequin to completion, then switch to a YA. But it really does just depend on when the deadlines fall. Whatever is due first, that’s what I work on. I have one, wonderful agent who handles all my work. I’ve worked with three different editors, but it hasn’t been difficult keeping everything straight.

How long does it take you to write a manuscript?

I’m a fast writer, so it’s possible for me to crank out a first, rough draft in a month, though because of other responsibilities it ends up being more like two. Of course, then I have to go back and do a good amount of revising and polishing before I submit the book.

Does writing ever get any easier?

There are days when it flows easily and days when it’s like pulling teeth. Depending on the part of the book I’m writing, I can get 10 pages written in a morning or it can take me from the time I get up until I go to bed.

If you had to choose one of your books which one would be your favorite? Why?

Oh, that’s a hard question. I like them all for different reasons. I love Heartbreak River, my first young adult novel (written as Tricia Mills), because it was the first book I sold after 11 years of trying. I love A Firefighter in the Family, my debut release from Harlequin American, because it was the first book that actually came out. There’s nothing like seeing your book on a store shelf for the first time.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to still be writing and publishing books and have achieved a level of success that allows me to replace the income I gave up when I left my full-time job as a magazine journalist. I’d really love to have established a popular book series by then.

Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.

Well, I’m not an early riser, so I crawl out of bed around 8 a.m. when my husband goes to work. My days differ depending on approaching deadlines, travel, and any freelance jobs I might have to do. I craft my day around writing/editing, getting some exercise, online time, house or yard work, errands and whatever else ends up on that day’s to-do list. I don’t write on my desktop computer. I use a laptop, and I end up writing in different places – sitting in a comfy chair in my office, alternating writing pages with watching programs on the TiVo; at my dining room table; sitting at a picnic table at a nearby park that overlooks a lake; Panera Bread – wherever sounds good for that day. I like to mix it up so I don’t get bored.

Do you have any advice on writing, getting published, or finding an agent?

Perseverance. After you’ve spent years improving your craft and studying the market, there comes a time when it comes down to just sticking it out, waiting for one of your projects to hit the right editor at the right time. And even after you get published, I think it’s important to continually be looking for ways to improve our writing and to keep abreast of what is happening in the industry without making ourselves crazy about not being able to control it. As for finding an agent, start at the top. Do a lot of research into which agents represent the types of books and authors you feel fit well with you and your work. Create your list of top agents with whom you’d love to work and query them. Each time a rejection comes in, get another query out there to the next person on your list. And when you have the chance to go to agent panels and meet agents in person, take those opportunities. You might not only find agents with whom you’d like to work but also gain valuable information about the market and even strike agents off your list.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

I have a Books page on my site at www.trishmilburn.com.

Trish, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us here at Micole Writes Romance.

Thank you for having me. I really appreciate the opportunity.

Thanks for stopping by friends. See you next time.

Hugs

Micole

Tawny"s Back!!!

Welcome back everyone! I am so excited to have such an awesome lady back on my blog. Tawny Weber is here to share some more about herself, her writing life, and her latest books, RIDING THE WAVES and LOVE WRITING. For those of you not familiar with Tawny here’s a little bio on her to get to know her a little better.

Tawny Weber is usually found dreaming up stories in her California home, surrounded by dogs, cats and kids. When she’s not writing hot, spicy stories for Harlequin Blaze, she’s shopping for the perfect pair of boots or drooling over Johnny Depp pictures (when her husband isn’t looking, of course). In September 2010, her eighth Blaze, RIDING THE WAVES hits the bookshelves. Come by and visit her on the web at www.tawnyweber.com

Doesn’t her life sound dreamy?


Since I had already interviewed Tawny once in March, we decided to things a little different this time. I do still have a few more things that I wanted to know! ;-) Yep, that’s me Nosy Rosy!;-) So you will find a couple of interview questions, as well as a teaser of her latest release RIDING THE WAVES. Enjoy!


Some writers say that they have a story that has to be told other’s say that the characters come to them and demand that their story be told… how does it work for you?

It’s actually a combination of the two. I usually start with a premise (one I dream up or my editor suggests), then the characters take over. For instance, in my current release, RIDING THE WAVES, my editor suggested I write a Forbidden Fantasy story. At that time (probably because of all the Robert Pattinson hype that was going on) the forbidden fantasy that popped into my head was Boy Toy/Younger Man. But for some heroines, that would totally NOT be forbidden, right? That’s where the characters took over. Drucilla, my heroine, started out pretty solid in my head – what her issues were, why a boy toy would be so appealing to her and what having one in reality vs fantasy would mean. From there, it was all about characters and how they’d react, how to make things harder for them, how to force them into situations that made them have to resolve their issues.


RIDING THE WAVES By Tawny Weber What happens in Mexico... doesn’t always stay there!

All uptight workaholic Drucilla Robichoux wants is to experience incredible sex, at least once in her life. So she heads off to Mexico for some sun, sand and sin. And she finds the perfect playmate in sexy surf instructor Alex. Her temporary boy toy teaches Dru to ride the waves, all right... ...right into the most intense climaxes she’s ever had! But all vacation flings must end. When Dru heads home, she buttons up tight again. Might as well keep this delicious fantasy right where it belongs... in her naughty memories. So it sure is a shock when she walks into work Monday morning and finds her secret fling is her new boss! And he’s definitely still interested in


RIDING THE WAVES Excerpt:

Reveling in the feel of the tiny grains shifting around her feet, Drucilla headed straight for the water. It wasn’t until she was halfway there that she saw him.

Her heart, and her feet, stopped.

Her mouth went as dry as the sand clinging to her ankles. She didn’t blink when the soft breeze sent tendrils of her hair into her eyes, just batted it away so it didn’t interfere with her view.

Oh. My. God.

He was incredible. Like some water god, he flew over the waves. The water glistened on his golden muscles like jewels in the fading light. Arms outstretched, biceps glinting as he balanced on the deep purple surfboard. Was he real? A figment of her lusty imagination? The manifestation of her every sexual fantasy? Dru’s breath came in long, labored bursts. Her eyes watered because she was afraid to blink, fearing he’d disappear.

Her hands itched to touch that bare chest, to run her fingers down the dusting of dark hair that perfectly highlighted his well-muscled chest. She stared as he got closer to shore, watching him shift his knees to a low crouch as he rode the wave all the way to the beach.

There was something so amazing about surfers. She’d always imagined them to be fearless. Able to embrace anything life handed them and ride it to success.

And talk about muscle control. That was the kind of guy who rock against-a-wall sex and not drop the woman as she melted in orgasmic glory all over him.

Was he real? Or had her sex-deprived imagination conjured up the perfect man to fulfill her every kinky fantasy?

About thirty feet away, she watched him walk across the sand. This close, she could see how young he was. Mid-twenties at the most. His dripping hair fell in inky black curls around his head, his beautiful face adding to the image of a Greek God come to life.

He stopped at the brightly decorated surf shop bungalow, and she watched him key in a code, then open the door and store his board. His familiarity made it obvious he wasn’t a guest. Did he work at the hotel?

Whatever he did, he was obviously out of her league. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like a sweet young thing like him would have any interest in an almost thirty-year-old scientist with social anxieties and repressed sexual needs.

Needs she’d been perfectly fine ignoring until Nikki had gotten her all riled up over her crazy ideas. Insane ideas. Dru had no idea how to flirt, how to attract a man’s attention. Especially not a man like that. No matter what Nikki had suggested, Dru wasn’t here for a fling.

Except here he was. The most incredible man she’d ever seen. A man who would definitely not stop mid-thrust, but know how to bring a woman to a screaming orgasm, then make her writhe and beg for more.

And then he turned. Their eyes met. Dru’s breath lodged somewhere between her aching nipples and her suddenly dry mouth. His gaze holding her captive from twenty feet away, one corner of his mouth quirked in a charmingly adorable little boy grin.

And he walked toward her. Frozen in the sand, Drucilla didn’t know if she should pull back her shoulders, stick out her chest and smile beguilingly. Or turn on her bare heel and run like hell.

Coming September 2010
By Tawny Weber
www.tawnyweber.com


I’ve already got my copy!!! Can’t wait to read it! Just a few more questions for you Tawny.


Often time’s writers describe writing a love scene like being an intruder in something so very personal. Do you feel this way and how do you get through the dreaded love scene?


LOL, Luckily I don’t dread those love scenes! Because I never write a love scene until I know the characters really well, it has less a voyeuristic feeling and is just a simple extension of telling their story. Sex is an integral part of the stories I tell, and of my character’s growth and connection with each other. And the sex always has to intensify their conflict. I actually would consider poking into their psyches and exploiting their deepest fears and issues to be more personal, I think. Yet that’s what we have to do as writers – bare our characters in a multitude of ways.


What are you reading right now? If nothing at the moment then what do you like to read when you have time?


Because I’m in the middle of writing a new story, I’m not reading any fiction at the moment. I tend to binge on fiction between deadlines, though. After I turned in my last book, I spent a week re-reading the first 15 Stephanie Plum books so I could then read the 16th with them all fresh in my head  As for non-fiction, right now I have Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar on my nightstand, along with Warrior Writer by Bob Mayer.


What’s one thing that you know now that you wished you knew when you started your journey as a writer?


That it never really ‘gets easier’. The challenges change and shift, but there are always challenges to face and struggles to overcome. Oh –and I really wish I’d known that I’d have to learn marketing! I’d have started trying to figure that out a LOT sooner *g*

Any favorite books on craft?


The War of Art is one of my absolute favorite books, although calling it a craft book might be debatable. But it’s definitely my go-to when I’m feeling stressed with the writing and trying to stay motivated. For craft specific books, there is so much out there that is wonderful. I recently contributed to a book titled Love Writing (http://blog.tawnyweber.com/books/love-writing) that I think covers a huge range of craft topics.


Give us a glimpse into a writer’s life.


Hmm, how to put neurosis into words... :-D Just kidding. I don’t know about other writers, but I do love my writing life. Because my days are usually busy, I use those little in between moments to answer email, write blog posts, respond to the Facebook and Twitter stuff going on, etc. In presenting a workshop with one of the blogs I regularly contribute to, Healthy Writer, I discovered that the amount of time we writers spend sitting can cause serious health issues. So my awesome husband recently created a Tread-Desk for me so I can do all of that from my treadmill while walking at a very VERY sedate pace. The actual writing of my stories takes place at night when the family gets quiet. I tend to write from 9pm till 2 or 3am. After I turn a book in, I usually have revisions back within a month, and then go through two rounds of edits before the book is released. Since I always start a new story within a week or so of turning one in, I’m usually juggling at least two books at a time – one in process, another in edits. In between all that day-to-day is the promotion of books, RWA meetings and writing events, and staying in touch with other writers to keep myself grounded in the writing world and up-to-date with what’s going on in our industry.


Tell us where we can find your books and more info about you!


My current release, RIDING THE WAVES, should be in stores everywhere right about now. Bookstores and grocery stores, Target and Walmart, and anywhere in between that sells Harlequin books. Online purchase links are available on my website, too: http://www.tawnyweber.com/


Thanks again Tawny for coming back to Micole Writes Romance.


Micole, thanks so much for having me! I love visiting your blog 

Spotlight Author with Angi Morgan

Welcome back friends. Last weeks blog I talked about getting my office back in running order. Well the progress is still slow, but I am hoping by the end of the night to be done! ;-) I am excited to introduce another author to you. I have Angi Morgan with me this week. She has an up coming release, HILL COUNTRY HOLD UP, and she’s here to talk to us about it. Take a few minutes to hang out with us today. Here’s Angi.

Can you give us sneak peak of your up coming release HILL COUNTRY HOLD UP?

She’d do anything to rescue her kidnapped son… even if that meant turning to the FBI agent who didn’t know he was the father.

Dr. Jane Palmer had every intention of telling FBI agent Steve Woods he was a father. But the rehearsed lines and practiced responses were forgotten the moment her little boy was kidnapped. Now, heartbreaking and on the verge of falling apart, Jane needed Steve more than ever…

After every attempt at putting old feelings to rest Steve Woods never expected Jane back in his life. Especially not for this reason. Racing against a ticking clock, desperate to earn Jane’s trust, Steve still sensed Jane wasn’t telling hi everything. Which made him wonder why she’d come to Texas in the first place. And what it had to do with the child he’d do anything to rescue.

That sounds very exciting. I can’t wait to get my hands on that one!

So tell me… what do you think makes your writing unique?

My harlequin Intrigue suspense stories are packed full of twists and turns that take the reader across the state of Texas. The action begins on page one and never lets up. Most people who have read HCH call it a fast-paced-non-sop-what-can-happen-next-great-dialogue book. I hope to write many more that fit that description.

Sounds like something everyone is looking for. ;-)

How many books do you have under your writing belt?

Okay, officially? TWO. I just completed .38 Caliber Cover-Up out in February of 2011 (last Friday). The other stories I’ve written are practice manuscripts (and yeah, there’s a bunch). Earlier in my quest to learn how to write, I wrote several books for lines which folded. Several before I learned the craft of writing and it was just a voice in the trees telling everyone what the hero and heroine (and anybody else who made it on the page) was feeling.

Is there anything special to your writing process? Pictures? Music? Any tricks of the trade?

I find music that inspires me to write THAT particular story. And then I use the music to draw me back into the character’s heads almost every time I write. I also use a scented lotion to put me in the mood to write. AND I love ccitrusy candles. But more than anything, I’ve discovered that having a hard deadline… really gets my butt in the chair. LOL

I have never heard of the scented lotion thingy. I will have to give that a try! ;-) But I do the music and the candles. Anything I can do, to get me close the characters I am creating. Maybe I can make up a hard deadline for myself to get the MS done! It may work! ;-) talking about deadlines… how long does it take you to write a manuscript?

Whew… trick question right? The correct answer is: Give a writer three years to write a manuscript and they’ll take three years. Give a writer nine weeks and they’ll take eleven (adding two weeks for knee surgery). .38 Caliber Cover-Up sold on May 28^th with 50 pages written. With the help of my wonderful critique partners, finished on August 13^th at 229 pages (58.6k words). And yes, I had knee surgery and attended RWA’s national conference.

You are a brave girl! Not sure how you tackled the airports let alone a national conference after knee surgery! But good for you! And congratulations on the completion of book two!

Tell me… what is one thing that you know now that you wished you knew when you started your journey as a writer?

FIRST? God’s timing is perfect. I know that’s absolutely true. If I had sold earlier, I would have missed things important to my family and me. NOW is perfect. The kids are gone. I can write furiously when needed.

SECOND? To trust myself and my voice. A writer is the only person who knows what’s right for their characters and the story. Never doubt yourself.

THIRD? There’s always a little devil sitting on the corner of every writer’s computer screen screaming at them to doubt themselves BELIEVE. Believe in yourself, and believe in your story.

That is great advice! Thank you for that! What is the hardest part about your job?

Before I sold, the hardest thing was to justify the time I took for myself and my writing. It’s funny that AFTER I sold and I’m actually getting paid… well, it’s a lot easier to put off cleaning the toilets.

Ha ha ha. I bet! I don’t seem to have a problem doing that now. Not sure what my excuse is!(wink)

When did you know you anted to pursue a writing career?

From the time I could talk? Okay, that might be a little early, but my mom swears I picked up crayons, drew scribbles, and told a fabulous story… even when I was three.

What steps did you take to make your dreams come true?

Bottom line? I worked hard. I learned the craft of writing. I volunteered. I learned how to network. I love that RWA members know me and everyone felt they could cheer for me when I sold. But you need to find your timing, find that editor who loves your voice, or find an agent who wants you to have a long career and is willing to fight for you. I had a great manuscript, entered contests with editors or agents who I wanted to work with. Winning the 2010 RWA’s Golden heart for Series and Adventure was icing on my cupake!

Very exciting! Congrats again!!!

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Believe in yourself. Don’t just develop a plan, follow through. Be positive and surround yourself with positive people. Find your “click” as Nora put it at conference—that one person who is in your corner no matter what.

Angi, I would like to thank you for stopping by Micole Writes Romance today. Where can the readers find out more information about you and your books?

HILL COUNTRY HOLD UP should be on bookshelves by September 14^th. I’d love for anyone buying the book to send me a picture of them y the display. I’ll be holding a contest for those sending a picture ( and signing up for my newsletter). Don’t know what the prizes are, but they’ll be GREAT!!! HCH is currently available as a download from eHarlequin.com

.38 CALIBER COVER-UP will be available February 2011.

My website is receiving new look in the next couple of weeks, please visit often:

www.AngiMorgan.com

Facebook: Angi Morgan (there’s also a Fan’Like page).

Twitter: AngiMorganAuthr

eHarlequin.com, IntrigueAuthors.com and BlameItOnTheMuse.com

Looks like I will have to have you back in February Angi!

If anyone has any questions for Angi, fire away. She’ll be checking in throughout the day. Would you like to know anything about what happens after the sale until you hold the printed book in your hands?

Yes, yes, yes. I would love to know Angi. I will send you a comment in the morning!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by today. See you again next week

Hugs

Micole