The Acme Author Bloggers - Week 2

This is the second part of the Acme Authors Link...http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ featuring Rob Walker, Margot Justes, Austin S. Camacho, and Tony Burton.

This is one eclectic group of authors. The group includes women and men who write in multiple genres that include romance, mystery, historical novels, children's books, and non-fiction.

I've invited each author to post a bio and tell me what makes them feel sexy.

Award-winning author and graduate of Northwestern University, Robert W. Walker created his highly acclaimed Instinct and Edge series between 1982 and 2005. Rob has since written his award-winning historical series featuring Inspector Alastair Ransom with City for Ransom (2006), Shadows in the White City (2007), and City of the Absent (2008). This history-mystery-romance hybrid straddles the Chicago World’s Fair circa 1893, and has had enthusiastic reviews from Chicago historians and the Chicago Tribune, which likened “the witticism to Mark Twain, the social consciousness to Dickens, and the ghoulish atmosphere to Poe!” Shadows in the White City and one of Rob’s Instinct titles have won him two Lovey Awards from the Love is Murder Readers/Writers Conference. Rob’s next novel is a July ’09 hardcover release from Five Star entitled DEAD ON which Rob dubs as a modern day Noir shoot ’em up.

The current work in progress is Children of Salem. Imagine love in the time of the “madness” behind the Salem Witch Hunts of 1692. “No one but Walker could pull this off,” Dory Stewart, professional editor. Rob calls it his most ambitious history-mystery-romance to date. Rob is also fashioning a sequel to Dead On entitled Dead End. See www.robertwalkerbooks.com , www.HarperCollins.com, http//www.acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com , www.robertwwalker.blogspot.com , and www.Myspace.com\robertwwalkerbooks.

What makes Robert feel sexy? When I feel confident in myself--as when a new book is completed and comes through the door as an advanced readers copy or the actual book comes through the door, or for that matter when I hit my mark on a chapter, or a scene for that matter--this accomplishment in what I consdier my calling--writing- -makes me feel damn sexy! That's when my wife, Miranda, who has now written her own novel, The Well Meaning Killer, I think, in an effort to keep up with me! It's better than Viagra.

A confident man is definitely sexy!

Born in Poland, Margot Justes has lived in some of the world's most wonderful places, including Israel, France, and South Africa. Currently living in the Midwest, she has taken her love for travel and art and cultivated it into unique settings and stories for her writing. Margot is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Chicago North RWA Chapter and Sisters in Crime. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Chapter of Sisters in Crime. 2007 brought the contract for her first novel, "A Hotel in Paris." She is currently working on her second book "A Hotel in Bath."

What makes Margot feel sexy? Shoes, shoes, and more shoes.

Margot is a woman after my own heart...

Austin S. Camacho is the author of five detective novels in the Hannibal Jones series - Blood and Bone, Collateral Damage, The Troubleshooter, Damaged Goods and Russian Roulette. Hannibal Jones is an African-American private eye in Washington DC. Active in several local writers’ organizations, Camacho is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association and teaches writing courses at Anne Arundel Community College. By day, Camacho is a public affairs specialist for the Department of Defense. Camacho has settled in Springfield, Virginia with his lovely wife Denise and Princess the Wonder Cat.

What makes Austin feel sexy? Being admired by a woman, and it doesn't matter whether she admires my looks, my body, my intelligence or my writing. (I always feel very sexy at book signings.)

What better way to feel sexy than to be the center of attention?!

Tony Burton is both an author and a publisher and until recently was the editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Crime and Suspense ezine. He is the author of two novels, Blinded By Darkness and A Wicked Good Play, as well as over 170 published stories, articles and columns in newspapers, magazines, ezines and anthologies, including The Writer's Journal magazine, Great Mystery and Suspense, Reflection's Edge, and others. He lives with his lovely wife Lara and their world championNorthwest Georgia, where they are presently spending every spare moment (and penny) building a new home.

What makes Tony feel sexy? Well, the first thing that comes to mind is walking beside my lovely wife, who could have made Max Shreck's Nosferatu feel sexy. But other than that, I'd say wearing jeans that fit well, a snug tee-shirt and a new pair of sneakers. (They fool my body into thinking I'm athletic.) napdog Buddy Boudreau in the hills of

What a lovely thing to say about your wife Tony!

Contest Winners

Congratulations, Mona Risk! You have won your choice of one of the three June Give-Away books or any eBook from TWRP for visiting the Acme Authors group blog on Tuesday.

Congratulations, Sharon Donovan! You have won a print copy of Fiona from P.L. Parker as well as any eBook from TWRP for visiting on Wednesday!

Please contact me via email at emmalaiwrites@gmail.com to claim your prizes!

P.L. Parker on Riley's Journey

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with author P.L. Parker on her story Riley’s Journey currently available through The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

The research project was only supposed to be for an “extended period.” No one said anything about forever! So Riley’s journey begins. Unknowingly sent back 40,000 years to be the mate of a man she had never before met, Riley struggles to understand and adjust. Her journey will take her into a world fraught with dangers - a world made more treacherous by savage beasts, primitive Neanderthals, and the incursion of the aggressive Cro-Magnon man.

Surviving alone for five years in this vast wilderness, Nathan, along with his enormous dog, Demon, carve out a life in the perilous environment. Though thrown together by forces beyond their control, love grows between Riley and Nathan – but will they survive?

Welcome P.L.! I have to admit I’m intrigued by the premise of going back in time 40,000 years. Where did you get your inspiration from? What kind of research did you do?

P.L.: I've always loved ancient history – really ancient history. A lot of my ideas spring from watching the Discovery Channel, ergo, Riley's Journey about the Ice Age. Time travel has long been a favorite of mine. I think my first encounter with time travel was the original Time Machine that came out in the late 1950's or early 1960's. I loved that movie and I still watch it every chance I get. I researched the internet, of course, and then bought several books on animals/life in the Ice Age. Sometimes I forget to write because I'm so caught up in research.

Emma: I know you’re relatively new to writing. What has been your favorite thing about writing so far? What about your least favorite?

P.L.: Favorite was having my story Fiona accepted so quickly. I began writing that story in January of 2006 and finished it that summer. Fiona was accepted by TWRP in January of 2007. Least favorite is all the paperwork, networking, etc. I just want to write, but have to make contacts, too.

Emma: You have a free read, Prophecy’s Bride, and another book, Fiona, currently available through The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb for Fiona:

Love survives the ravages of time.' Set against the backdrop of the Taklamakan Desert, Fiona, a beautiful, modern young woman of Celtic heritage, finds herself transported to ancient China during a time of barbarian warriors and marauding nomads from the northern steppes; at what was then a crossroad between East and West. Fiona discovers a new way of life in the arms of the handsome warrior, Kellach, a man of noble stature and a leader among the Celtic settlements ringing the great desert.

Desperate to return home to the present while struggling against her mounting feelings, Fiona finally accepts her fate, exulting in the rapture and delights of Kellach's love; only to have Voadicia, a beautiful seductress, destroy that dream of happiness. Kellach's soul searches the mists of time, yearning to be reunited with his one true mate.

This sounds so heart rending! I love the setting though. Do you have a favorite between Fiona and Riley’s Journey?

P.L.: Fiona is my brainchild. I love that story – although Riley's was really a fun story to write. Fiona had so much of my heart in it. I lived that story. I felt everything she felt. I still cry in parts when I happen to pick it up to glance through. Hee hee.

Emma: I know you have a third release, Heart of the Sorcerer, coming soon from The Wild Rose Press. Any news on Aimee’s Locket? Care to tease us with any details?

P.L.: Just finished the final edits on Aimee's Locket and should have my release date right away. This story is again time travel. In this time travel story, Aimee buys an antique locket and is transported back to 1847 and the start of the Oregon Trail. Alone, penniless and friendless, she embarks on a journey to return home to Seattle. Jake, a wagon scout, is her savior, helping her secure passage on the wagon train. And the rest is . . . . I'm proud of this one. I loved the research. Little interesting tidbit. There is a character in the story who I call Charlie Tuttle. After I had written the story, I was doing research for just some background color and I came across a manifest for one of the trains about that time and Charles Tuttle happened to be listed on there. Kind of gave me a little buzz.

Emma: I won’t keep you much longer. Do you have any other works in progress that you’d like to share? Any tantalizing bits about Absolution?

P.L.: I am doing a final walk-through before submitting. This is a vampire story with a reverse time travel twist. Two inept research assistants find the tomb and unwittingly loose the vampire Chloe on the unsuspecting world.

Emma: Thank you for your time, P.L., and good luck on your future books!

P.L.: Thank you, Emma. I love reading your blogs. Lots of good insight and interviews. Good luck to you, as well, and many sales.

The Acme Author Bloggers

Today, I'm beginning a two part feature of Acme Authors Link ... http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ with special guests Morgan Mandel, Debra St. John, June Sproat, Terri Stone, and D.L. Larson. Don't forget to check back next Tuesday for special guests Rob Walker, Margot Justes, Austin S. Camacho, and Tony Burton!

This is one eclectic group of authors. The group includes women and men who write in multiple genres that include romance, mystery, historical novels, children's books, and non-fiction.

I've invited each author to post a bio and answer one question..."What Makes You Feel Sexy?"

Morgan Mandel:

I've been married for 36 years and have worked as an administrative assistant for 37, so you might say I’m in a rut. Maybe that’s why I enjoy variety as an author. I write romances, mysteries, and even dog books. Coming soon is my new romantic suspense, Killer Career.

Changing jobs could be a killer when Julie McGuire latches onto her sexy psychotic mentor, despite the warnings of her best friend, Dade Donovan. Hmm, do you think Dade considers her more than a best friend?

My back list includes Girl of My Dreams, a romantic comedy about the misadventures of a reality show contestant, and Two Wrongs, a romantic suspense involving wrongful imprisonment.

I’m a past President of Chicago-North RWA, now serve as Library Liaison for MWMWA, and belong to Sisters in Crime and EPIC.

You’re invited to visit me at my website, www.morganmandel.com, at my daily blog , http://morganmandel.blogspot.com, or any of my group blogs at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com, http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com, and http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com.

What makes me feel sexy? Songs, especially country music songs, make me feel sexy. One of my favorites (don’t laugh) is Ticks by Brad Paisley. I like the part that says, “I’d like to check you for ticks.”


Debra St. John

Debra St. John has been reading and writing romance since high school. She always dreamed about publishing a romance novel some day. This Time for Always was her first published work of fiction. This was followed by the release of her free read, Mistletoe and Folly. Coming soon from The Wild Rose Press is her second full-length release, Wild Wedding Weekend.

She lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, who is her real life hero. Debra is past president of her local RWA chapter and has also served in the capacity of advisor, manuscript chair, and secretary.

You’re invited to visit Debra at her website, www.debrastjohnromance.com, or at the Acme Author’s Link, http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com, where she is the Sunday Blogger.

As for what make Debra feel sexy...three words: John Deere tractors

June Sproat
Inspired by Judy Blume, June decided at a very young age she wanted to be a writer and never gave up, even when life got in the way. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a major in fiction writing and is thrilled it's finally paying off.

June lives in a suburb of Chicago, IL with her husband and three beautiful daughters. She is chapter president of Chicago North RWA and a current member of the Beau Monde RWA chapter.

What makes June feel sexy: Silky lounging clothes, a kid free day reading Regency Historical Romances and my own Mr. Wonderful. (That would be my husband or course!)


Terri Stone
Terri Stone is a former US Army Engineer who's last assignment was teaching at the US Military Academy at West Point in New York. She is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion, and her day job involves IT support for government prosecutors. She is actively involed in a number of writer's groups to include the Windy City Chapter of the Romance Writers of America (RWA)- she is the program coordinator - and is a board member for the Love is Murder CON located in the Chicago area. She has completed one Romantic Suspense novel and writers non-fiction in a variety of areas to include tax tips for writers. She can be contacted through the Windy City RWA site at www.windycityrwa.org and the acme authors blog.


D.L. Larson

As a children’s librarian, DL enjoys using her imagination with her small friends. Reading a story full of action is one of her favorite things. She strives to bring action and conflict to her own historical novels. Her first book, Memories Trail, a love story set in the era of the War of 1812, was published in Nov. 2004.

Midwest Book Review had this to say about her debut novel, “ … a story so full of compassion and purpose it will grab your heart and not let go …”

Her second historical novel, Promises To Keep, published Nov. 2006, finaled in three contests, winning a Reader’s Choice Award in 2008 for best plot. Front Street Review called it, “… a real-life novel where Larson proves love is worth saving, no matter what …”

Promises My Love, the unpublished continuation begun in her previous books, placed second in an independent contest in 2008.

Larson has recently ventured into writing children’s books and discovered the challenges of that genre. Mama Turtle’s Hidden Treasure is nearly complete. DL is also working on a sci-fi romance where the werewolf is in league with the Almighty. She has enjoyed creating this wolf world so much, it has become a series. She is currently searching for publication for her wolf prince and his rowdy soldiers.

Visit DL Larson at www.DLLARSON.com or email her at dllarson_60518@yahoo.com

DL blogs each Thursday at Acme Authors: http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ and can be found on Book Place and she promises to soon be on FaceBook and MySpace.

What makes D.L. feel sexy? I’ll have to say the answer to that question is a light heart and fun shoes. When my mind is at ease with the universe, my heart is happy. Add the perfect pair of footwear, and voila, I’m feeling sexy!

No amount of jewelry or fame does it for me, although a great manicure and a pedicure to touch up the tootsies for my sassy shoes, is another great combo. Simplicity, in my world, is sexy. Yes, the romantic dinners and moonlight walks are wonderful, and I treasure them, but I can feel just as sexy dancing in the kitchen with my husband in my bare feet. So, maybe I don’t need the shoes! Hmmm, let me think a moment. No, I’m sticking to my first impression, sexy for me is a light heart and fun shoes, whether they’re on my feet or kicked across the room!