CLAIRE ASHGROVE in the house!

(Today I'm just going to sit back, relax, and let my buddy Claire Ashgrove take over this post. She is going to interview the hero of her paranormal story: IMMORTAL HOPE. So, okay, Claire...Take us away!)

This interview is transcribed as I was not allowed to broadcast live, nor was I allowed to offer photographs, due to security concerns. Going back to pen and paper days, the interview took place beneath ground, in a small stone office, that lacked any source of artificial light, but somehow was illuminated. If you doubt me, Anne describes this in her story.

Merrick entered, wearing a white surcoat branded with the Templar cross, which I’m told is formal attire. He’s quite tall, quite broad, and had to twist sideways to get through the door. Long dark hair, slightly unkempt, dusted his shoulders and n ornate broadsword swung loose at his left hip. He limped, quite obviously. When I inquired, he gave me the impression he didn’t want to talk about it.

I had expected Anne, not Merrick. But on my inquiry, was informed she was busy with the chefs. I’ll never know, but a large part of me suspects the sudden change in interviewees had more to do with Merrick protecting Anne, than it did with her being occupied. I would learn, through the course of the interview, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

These are the highlights:

Merrick, the truths that are revealed in Immortal Hope are pretty shocking. Immortal knights, Azazel being able to destroy the Almighty, seraphs who can save your men – is this really true?

Merrick: Aye. Centuries ago, my men and I dug beneath the Temple Mount and uncovered something we were not supposed to see. We were punished. Cursed with immortality and sworn to fight against Azazel’s unholy designs. We fight, and our souls suffer. ‘Tis why the seraphs are so important.”

And Azazel – who’s he?

Merrick: He is the most unholy and wishes to ascend to the highest throne.

Which he will accomplish if he finds the sacred relics before the knights become powerful enough, again, to stop him?

Merrick: Aye.

Wow. Sounds scary. These relics, what are they? Are they some place safe? I mean, do we have to worry about this happening any time soon?

The moment I asked this question, Mikhail entered. Despite the obvious sighting of wings, I was immediately struck by the presence of divinity. Greetings were exchanged, and it wouldn’t be until later, when I wrote these notes, that I realized my question had gone unanswered. I’m fairly certain this was a deliberate act.

Merrick, you said the seraphs can heal you. Anne is one of these seraphs. When did you realize this?

Merrick: When I met Anne, I believed her a demon. Mikhail explained our circumstances, and although I had no desire to look after Anne, I became aware of her status almost immediately. Twas not until much later, I would learn she bore my mark.

Really? I have to confess, you’re quite … handsome. I’d think she’d be delighted to know she was spending eternity with you.

(Merrick chuckles.) Delighted twas not amongst her reactions. Aggrieved is more suitable. Nay… she was quite pissed as she would say. She speaks like a man – a habit I have become quite fond of.

So she didn’t want to be here? Didn’t want to be with you?

Merrick: Aye, she wanted to be with me. As I wished to be with her. Twas her visions of the future—of my death—that created difficulties. The rest took some time for her to accept.

But her visions weren’t the only set backs you had. She was kidnapped wasn’t she?

Merrick’s features hardened here, and I couldn’t help but notice his right hand slid to the pommel of his sword.

Merrick: Aye, Anne was taken. I nearly killed the man who thought to try, as well. As I would should anyone be so foolish again.

That made me shiver, Merrick. What drew you to her? My understanding is you two didn’t get along so well in the beginning.

(Merrick smirks at the question and shakes his head.) We had some differences of opinion, aye. But she is the strongest woman I know, and her gentleness gave me hope. Anne inspires me.”

Aww. A softy at heart. Okay on that note, let’s take a look at why Anne softens you. Here’s a short excerpt from IMMORTAL HOPE.

~~~~~

Seeing a thin white scar that spanned across the back of his hand, she traced the mark with her nail. “I want to know about you,” she added more quietly. “What caused this?”

Merrick looked down to where she touched him. Using his opposite index finger, he traced the same path her fingernail had taken. Briefly, their fingertips touched. “’Tis a mark from a lance.”

“A lance?” Anne struggled with the urge to twine her finger around his.

“Aye. ’Twas a battle that came to us unexpectedly. I was not given time to don my armor before the riders set upon us. The knight struck me there, and here.” He touched his ribs beneath his right arm.

Anne’s gaze lifted to the vulnerable spot and pictured the battle as it might have occurred: Merrick standing down an armored knight on horse back, the sharp metal spear that punctured his flesh, the way his face might have contorted as he bit back a painful cry. Impulsively, she gathered his hand in both of hers and lifted it, bringing it to her lips to place a gentle kiss over the scar. “I’m sorry.”

Merrick said nothing, and in his silence, she began to question maybe she’d taken one too many liberties. They’d hardly begun to get along—what if her unchecked impulse just crossed some invisible boundary? Slowly, cautiously, she lifted her eyes to his. What she found in his fathomless dark eyes, however, said nothing of anger or annoyance. They gleamed with startling intensity, light bright enough to make her catch her breath.

“Do not be sorry,” he murmured. His eyes canvassed her face, lingered on her mouth. “’Twas a scar borne from duty. An order I was sworn to obey.”

The husky quality of his voice sent shivers coursing up and down her spine. She tried to look away, ordered her eyes to settle anywhere but on the sudden softening of Merrick’s expression. But her body refused, leaving her unable to do anything but choke down a dry swallow. When her thoughts cleared enough to form coherent words, she sought to lighten the moment with a bit of humor. “Orders can do that to you, I guess. Like now, you’re stuck with me.”

“I cannot say I find these orders entirely displeasing.” Merrick lifted his free hand to push a length of her hair away from her shoulder.

The back of his hand grazed the side of her neck and goose bumps scattered down her arms. “No?”

BLURB:

CENTURIES AGO,

Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.

Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.

Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she's destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.

www.claireashgrove.com

www.toristclaire.com

TWITTER: @ClaireAshgrove

Claire has giveaways on Mondays on her blog. Stop by and visit at: http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com !

Start your week with...Jake Lindsay-Sullivan

One thick palm framed the side of her face. His eyes searched hers, emotion flickering behind their sky blue depths. Sorrow, regret, and affection stared back at her as his thumb caressed her cheek. “Be safe, Gabrielle,” he whispered.

She closed her eyes against a storm of sorrow. Instinct filtered through her hope, and in the half-second of time that passed before his other hand came up to join the first, she knew. This wasn’t a temporary goodbye. Jake intended on driving away forever. A sob bubbled in the back of her throat, threatening to strangle her.

Before it tore free, Jake’s mouth settled against hers. He nudged her lips apart, inviting himself inside. Softly, slowly, he explored. Roused her awareness until the reality of his departure gave way to striking tenderness. She responded to the familiar feeling he awakened, her body tightening with an anxious surge of energy.

He held her in place, seemingly content to kiss her until time stood still. In the quiet, she caught the hard fall of his breath. Beneath her fingertips, his heart hammered fierce. His mouth took on a more demanding quality as he slid one hand into her hair and curled his fingers against her scalp.

A sound of pleasure vibrated in his throat, and Jake drew the kiss to a lingering close. He touched his forehead to hers, then sucked in a deep breath. “Win for me, sugar.”

Before she could gather her senses and respond, the passenger’s door slammed shut. Panic flooded her. He couldn’t walk away. That kiss alone said things she’d longed to hear. He cared for her. She loved him. He couldn’t just turn his back on all that.

Jamming her hand against the handle, she shoved open the door and jumped out. “Jake!”

****************************************
You just read an excerpt from:
Waiting for Yes
by
Claire Ashgrove

Buy Link: The Wild Rose Press (coming 4/20/2011)
*********************************************


Linda Kage: Today, we're going to mix things up a little. Since author Claire Ashgrove has already visited with us before, we decided to interview a charater in her book instead this time around. Please welcome Jake Lindsay-Sullivan, hero in Claire’s newest story, WAITING FOR YES. Well, hello there, Jake. The burning question is...who IS Jake Lindsay-Sullivan? Describe yourself in 100 words or less please.

Jake:I’m just a pretty average guy. I drive a truck for a living—well I used to. I guess you could say I’m redefining myself now. Gabby threw me for a whirlwind and the dust is still settling. Ah, let’s see. I’m six foot tall, give or take, I’ve got black hair, blue eyes, I work out now and then, and I go pretty nuts for brownies. I used to drive over the road, now… well now, let’s just say at this point in my life, I’ve got it made, and it only seems to be getting better… but it took a long time to get here. Too long.

Kage: Give us a peek into your head. What is one happy memory you have?

Jake:One happy memory, huh? I suppose this shouldn’t relate to the events that happened with Gabrielle. Hm. Well. That makes it tough. Most of my memories before her are pretty dark.

Let’s see… I remember when I was little – the first time I can remember my Mom putting me on a horse she had in training. A little pony named Sam.

He couldn’t have been much bigger than a St. Bernard. It was about a month after my fourth birthday, which we’d spent at a horse show. She put me up on his back, led me around the barn for what must have been a good hour, and then handed me a brush. “Jake,” she said, “If you’re going to have a horse, you have to take care of him.” With this beautiful smile she rumpled my hair. I didn’t get it until she added, “Happy birthday, buddy.”

I kept that pony until she died. I outgrew him, moved on to bigger more exciting horses, but I had Sam. Always had Sam and Mom.

Kage:Okay, now let’s skip to the stuff I want to hear about…this is a romance writer’s blog, after all! Before going into this story, what was your romance life like

Jake: Ah, man… You’re going to get me in trouble here.

Women came and went. There was almost Amy… but that’s about as close as it came to anything worthwhile. I was too busy, too hungry for the win in the competition ring for the distraction of anything substantial. Then when I took up driving – yeah that was more or less strangers in the night.

More often I spent the nights alone. Didn’t really want to get tangled up in any roots. And that’s pretty much my mindset when I met Gabby too.

Shh. Let’s keep that between us. I’ve already spent time on the roof in a snowstorm and I’d rather not do it again.

Kage: And now that your book has begun, who’s the woman starring in your romance? And what’s the trouble with her?

Jake: Gabrielle Warrenton. The most beautiful redhead I’ve ever laid eyes on… and the most stubborn. She’s got this dream of building an Egyptian Arabian Breeding farm out here in the middle of nowhere Kansas . Only the stallion she bought to found this dream… well… he’s got some serious issues. And somehow she’s got it in her head I’m the one to help her.

Kage: What do you like most about her? And what do you like least?

Jake: What do I like the most about Gabby… Yes, well,
there are some things a man shouldn’t tell. But that night in her kitchen?

(Whistles).

Anyway, her determination is amazing. She took the hard road and stuck to it. I can’t help but admire her for that. That same determination frustrates the hell out of me. She doesn’t know the meaning of quit. Hell, she should have quit on me. But she just simply won’t, even when she should. That she can get me to agree to her crazy schemes is annoying as all get out too.

But as you’ll see… she’s got a certain charm. Read our story. We went through some pretty amazing stuff. It’s a wonder things didn’t end up drastically differently – Lord knows they could have turned to hell in a hand-basket easily. And this woman who took the time to document our lives, this Claire Ashgrove… I hear she’s more than willing to answer questions and would love to know what you all think. She even had the perfect replica of Mamoon in her back yard and stuck him on the cover. Can’t think of anything much more fitting. Though how she got that photo of Gabby and I in front of the fire….

Thanks for stopping by and gracing us with some eye candy--I mean, with your presence. Was there anything else you'd like to add before

getting along on your way?

Jake: Yeah well. Read our story! I’ll be here all day

if you have questions for me.

*********************************************

If you're curious about Jake's author, here are other places to find Claire Ashgrove on the web:

Website: http://www.claireashgrove.com/

Blog: http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Claire Ashgrove

Twitter: ClaireAshgrove

Start the week with CLAIRE ASHGROVE

“You’d like him, Ethan. He was a lot of fun when we were younger.

“Uh huh.” Noncommittal, he answered in a flat tone.

Jesse lapsed into silence, sensing she walked a thin line. Still, she couldn’t let the subject rest. There had to be a way to convince Ethan that Clint wasn’t a threat to his stability. Until she achieved that, she couldn’t just let go and let him harbor hate. Clint didn’t deserve it. Cautiously, she ventured, “Horses could be a lot of fun.”

Ethan snorted.

“You might give it a try. Something new and different. It can’t hurt, at any rate. If you don’t like Angel, well, then you’ve at least given it a shot.”

He tossed his controller in front of him, his interest in the game lost. She braced herself for the inevitable, knowing full well, whatever came out of his mouth next would hurt.

“Give it up, would you? I don’t want to know him. I don’t have to like your friends.”

“But Ethan-”

He scooted away like she’d cracked a whip in his face. “Enough! Don’t you get it? I don’t give a fuck about him.”

“Ethan Scott!”

“What? Too crude for you, Jesse?”

She flinched, drew in a deep breath and held it. Jesse. He hadn’t called her by her first name for over a year. Exhaling slowly, she set her controller down and slid off his bed. Though she knew in her heart, too many years of pain drove his emotions, the barb stung. On the same hand, she’d pushed. Ethan couldn’t tolerate pushing. He had to come to things on his own time.

Foregoing the lecture, she crossed to the door. “Goodnight, Ethan.”

He said nothing. Merely picked up his controller and set the options back to one-player.On a heavy sigh, Jesse left his room.

Inside hers, she clicked on the lamp by her bedside and reclined against her pillows. Tears brimmed in her eyes. She closed them to keep the salty flow at bay and curled her fingers into the sheets. In a thousand years, she never would have imagined that the only man she’d ever truly wanted would be Clint. In his arms, she felt safe. Protected. Undefeatable. He lit her up in ways she had only begun to comprehend, and it seemed as if fate determined to work against her.

If she weren’t careful, she’d lose Ethan. Every agonizing step she’d made would crumble under the weight of his fears. He’d close up, inevitably turn back to the life he’d known before he entered hers, and she couldn’t stomach the thought of where that would lead him. Jail, if he were lucky. Dead, if he wasn’t.

Yet, shouldn’t she be allowed some personal happiness as well? There were so many unwritten rules to parenthood – sacrifice for the children, put all personal goals aside, give up everything to see to their happiness. She’d exchange her life for Ethan’s in a heartbeat, but Clint offered something no child could. Even if it was only temporary, and this giddy feeling that brimmed in her soul would end when he left, he promised fulfillment of a need that ran so deep she couldn’t name it.

A tear slipped between her eyelashes and trickled down her cheek. She sniffled to hold the rest in check. She never should have let him kiss her a second time tonight. The first had been catastrophic enough. The second…

She wouldn’t be satisfied with anything but all of him after that second kiss. Instinct demanded she leap at what lay in front of her. Hang on to it until it burned itself out with his inevitable departure. Logic, on the other hand, warned her that if she did, she’d lose the one thing that mattered most – her son.
********************
You just read an excerpt from:
A CHRISTMAS TO BELIVE IN
by
CLAIRE ASHGROVE
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/
********************
Today, we’re here with published author, Claire Ashgrove.

Linda Kage: Hi, Claire! Tell us a little about you and what you write please.

Claire:Thanks for having me, Linda! I’m Claire, and I’m published in contemporary romance through The Wild Rose Press. I’ve also recently sold to Tor for a Paranormal series, and will be making my debut in that genre in 2011. For info on the paranormal, you can check out my website, and the PARANORMAL link there!

Kage: What happened to the first book you ever wrote?

Claire:Hee! Linda critiqued it and I shelved it. No… seriously… After extensive work on the title, I realized it had too many flaws to be successful. It did take third place in the 2008 SOLA Contest, and I was quite proud of that. It also went on to become the first book that was requested by an agent in partial format. By the time I sent it off, however, I knew it wouldn’t work, and when the agent returned with the remarks, “Your hero is naive and immature,” I was able to laugh and agree. The book is now stuffed under a corner of my bed, where it will remain

Kage:What’s your backlist and coming soon bookshelf look like?

Claire:Currently available titles:
- Seduction’s Stakes – 2009
- All I Want For Christmas… Is Big Blue Eyes – 2009
- Timeless Valentine – 2010
COMING TITLES:
- A Christmas To Believe In – The Three Kings, Book III, November 24, 2010
- Waiting For Yes – coming 2011 from The Wild Rose Press
- Paranormal Series – coming 2011 from Tor Romance

Kage: So, what story are we going to talk about today?

Claire: I’m here to plug the Trilogy that I wrote with fellow authors, Dyann Love Barr and Alicia M. Dean. My book, A Christmas To Believe In, is the third book in The Three Kings series, which is about three brothers returning home for a Kansas City Christmas. In A Christmas To Believe In, struggling Thoroughbred breeder, Clint King, returns to discover there’s more than he ever realized about his childhood best friend, tomboy Jesse Saurs. But Clint has ghosts from his upbringing he must overcome, and Jesse has a soon-to-be son, who isn’t ready to share his “mom”.

********************BLURB********************
A CHRISTMAS TO BELIEVE IN : Book 3 in The Three Kings trilogy
by
CLAIRE ASHGROVE
When a man's dreams are in ruin,
All he needs is someone to believe...

Struggling Thoroughbred breeder, Clint King, hasn’t been home for Christmas in five years. Like his brothers, Alex and Heath, life has kept him away. Clint’s farm is barely hanging on. His prize mare's due to foal any day, and in the wake of his father’s death, Clint can’t stand the idea of returning. The memories are too much, let alone his father’s imposing shadow. Except, Alex is getting married on Christmas Eve, and their mother’s put her foot down. She’ll have her boys at home. With his mare in tow behind him, Clint prepares to meet a sister he’s never known and Alex’s unexpected triplets. The one salvation he looks forward to is childhood companion, tomboy Jesse Saurs. Yet when he reunites with Jesse, he uncomfortably discovers she’s become all woman.

Jesse Saurs has everything she needs – financial security, a home, and a foster child who’s about to become her son. She’s spent two years breaking down Ethan’s emotional barriers, and with the final hearing scheduled just before Christmas, this year promises to make his dreams come true. When she learns Clint and his brothers are returning, she anticipates a holiday reunion that’s sure to entertain Ethan. But on the night of Clint’s return, the ‘brother’ she expected leaves her trembling after just a single hug. Even worse, Ethan makes it clear Clint's not welcome.

Will this Christmas destroy what's left of hopes and dreams, or will it give the three the gift they've all been longing for
*********************************************

Kage: What would the story be rated if it were a movie?

Claire: R – nudity, graphic language. I think those are the tags that would fit..

Kage: If you HAD to fit this story into a cliché, which one would it be?

Claire: Gosh, this is kind of hard. It’s a “Best Friends” love story, but has a Hallmarky twist with a bit of “Broken home” issues.

Kage:Okay, now that we have a general idea which class to fit A CHRISTMAS TO BELIEVE IN under, what makes this book so unique from every other book out there?

Claire: Linda – you ask hard questions! There’s lots of things I could tell you, but most of them would ruin the story in one way or the other. So I will stick with this: Clint has to deal with some pretty tough Thoroughbred breeding issues in the story. He’s trying to realize his dreams, in the midst of set-back after set-back. And for anyone who’s read Seduction’s Stakes, you will find an embedded link to dear old Riley and Maddie. (I couldn’t resist!).

Kage:What was the easiest part to write?

Claire: Nothing about this book was terribly easy to write. Namely because I was working with two other authors, who were crafting parallel stories occurring at the same point in time – not sequentially. So cross-over scenes had to be nit-picked, dialogue had to match. In some cases we had to cut and adjust total time-lines and scenes to make it fit with what everyone else was doing. And as you’ll note, we still can’t separate – good thing I like those gals, eh? (Very Big Grin!)

I would have to say, given that, the easiest part of crafting this story was the characterization. What went on inside each of my character’s heads was, pretty much, all mine to do as I wanted to do with, and unrelated to anyone else’s plan.

All that said, this was probably one of the most enjoyable projects I’ve done, and would love to do another trilogy sometime like it.

Kage:What do you like most about the main character(s) and what do you like least? Did you learn anything from them?

Claire: I like Clint’s vulnerabilities the most. He’s very genuine beneath the surface. Facing things a lot of men and oldest children face, but never own up to. That he can (eventually) admit his fears, touches me a lot. Jesse on the other hand is very strong. Her choices are hard. And I admire the way she handles them.

Kage:Claire, Thank you so much for stopping by today and gracing us with your presence. Before we go, is there anything else you’d like to say to wrap things up?

Claire:Yes! Please come on over and take a peek at the trailer for A Christmas To Believe In. While you’re there, take a look around, check out my reviews, and sign up for my newsletter. I’m very excited about what’s coming down the pipe, both with TWRP and Tor, and will be updating in my newsletter. I’m also going to be running some give-away promos as soon as I have more concrete information on my Paranormal series, which will also include some tidbits from the contemporary department!

Now that Claire has totally made us want to buy her book, she was kind enough to provide us with a a buy link to :

If you're still curious about Claire, here are other places to find her on the web:

Website: http://www.blogger.com/www.claireashgrove.com

Blogs:
- From the Muse
- Romance Books R Us
- Cascade Literary Agency

Facebook: Claire Ashgrove

Twitter: Claire Ashgrove

It's Here - No Joke

Yay! The interview that was supposed to post yesterday is live today. Due to illness, it had to be put off a day. But it's up now--I've actually seen it! So, please click HERE if you'd like to read my interview with the lovely Claire Ashgrove. Thanks!

Interview at Claire's Place

The third stop on my mini blog tour halts today at From the Muse, a blog hosted by Claire Ashgrove. So, that's where I am this morning. Hop over and say hey!

If you missed the first two blog interviews, they took place at Molly's Musings on August 10th (Lydia came along for that one and did splendid; she stole the show!).

And the first interview took place at Romance Books R Us on August 7th.

Other than that, I'll be back here on Friday (my mom's birthday--WooT!) to announce contest winners.
******************
PS: As of 7:30 am, the interview hasn't been posted yet, so until it airs, I'll just tell you about this wonderful review I found this morning for The Trouble with Tomboys! The Long and Short of It Reviews gave her a 5 out of 5 books. Just read all the amazing things they had to say:

"One rough around the edges, smart-mouthed tomboy is no match for Tommy Creek Texas’s too good to be true golden boy, but when they come together it’s hotter than a Texas wildfire.

Ms Kage gives us a most unique plot/story line in her contemporary romance The Trouble with Tomboys by giving her readers a 180 twist to this all to common James Dean-esque bad boy hero paired with Miss Goody-Two-Shoes heroine out to win his heart and change his wild ways. Ms Kage in her storytelling majesty gives us airplane flying, cigar smoking, potty mouth BJ Gilmore and couples her with too good for his britches not to mention too sexy for his shirt widower Grady Rawlings and then she let’s the games begin. And begin they do as she throws us into this incomparable tale with her Texas drawl dialogue that flows throughout the novel and throwing in some hard living, hard talking scenes that pop from the pages into our mind as she paints her words into pictures we can actually visualize.

Her characters are all so important to her story and they all lend a hand in the telling of the tale from the one liner all the way to the stars and supporting cast of players. Her hero, Grady and heroine, BJ outshine the rest as she takes us through the trials and tribulations of their romance. Her readers will cry with them, laugh with them and pull for them as they stumble their inept way to their most deserved happy ever after. The romance is funny and sad, it’s heartwrenching and heartwarming and her audience will feel then entire spectrum of emotions right along with her characters. Her love scenes are very physical, visceral and descriptive and yet we see and feel the longing of the couple and the love that evolves.

So brace yourselves for one wild ride with this exceptional debut novel [actually, this is my second book, but it's my first Adult romance] by a name that you will soon be I’m sure hearing a lot more of. The Trouble with Tomboys is one of those novels that will stick with you long after you read The End. If you’re looking for an unforgettable read with memorable characters and a story that will stick with you, look no farther than The Trouble with Tomboys. Oh and Kudos to you Ms. Linda Kage, keep up the excellent work."

PS on my PS: Well, it's no longer August 24, and my interview did not air at Claire's place. I'm so sorry for directing everyone that way to read an interview that wasn't posted.

Awards and Announcements

There are a ton of things happening lately, plus I've received a bundle of awards. So, please bear with me while I share all this amazing information with you. I'll start with announcements.

As you can see a little to the north, I already have a book cover for my adult contemporary romance story, The Trouble With Tomboys, which will be published by the glorious Wild Rose Press! WOW. It's surreal to actually see the faces of my characters. My editing process seems to be going at warp speed, so I have a feeling I'll be able to share a release date for this book with you in only a few months...if not sooner!

For my YA Romance, The Stillburrow Crush, I have a WIDGET up (as you can see to the LEFT there), showing the countdown to the release of my first book...right down to the very second. There's another big WOW in my writing journey. Oh, and feel free to share the widget with whomever you like!

The cover of The Stillburrow Crush was shown on The Story Siren's blog. I'll be giving away free goodies there after the new year. Plus, I'll be donating a copy of my book to The Princess Bookie Blog, for their "Around the World 2010 Debut Author Challenge." You might want to check that out.

Then...I've got a blog interview in the works for the end of February, plus I'll be interviewing the amazing romantic suspense author, Nancy J. Parra, at the beginning of February.

	In other people's news, My wonderful critique partner, Claire Ashgrove, had her second book (ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...IS BIG BLUE EYES) released last week from The Wild Rose Press. Big round of applause for her. Then, Heather Snow--from my writing group--recently started her own blog called Heather's Historical Hodgepodge. I'm already an avid fan there. She posts every Tuesday, if you're curious. And the biggie: Tess Hilmo, a blogger buddy of mine, just announced she sold her first book, With A Name Like Love, to Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Did you hear that??? Farrar, Straus & Giroux!!! I'm so in awe.
Now for the awards.
Loyal Friend Award	I received the "Loyal Friend" Award from Robyn, over at Putting Pen to Paper. Thank you so much, Robyn! You're the sweetest!
Who Loves you Award	Then, or maybe it was before that, I received the "Who Loves You" Award from Laura Gerold, over at Laura's Reviews.
Super Comments Award	And both Laura and Robyn bestowed "The Super Comments" Award on me sometime during all that. Thank you, thank you, guys. You're truly TOO good to me.

And finally, Tricia J. O'Brien at her blog, Tailspinning passed the "Honest Scrap" Award to me at the end of November. For this award, you're supposed to tell five to ten "honest" things about yourself and then pass the award along to five to ten other bloggers for them to do the same.

I think I'm already taking up too much time and space here, so I'll do all the award passing along later (probably after the new year) and share some "honest" things about myself then!

So...Until Thursday. See you guys later!

Birthday Greetings

Today, I'm no longer a twenty-something chick. Nope. I'm moving up to the big thirties. I've always heard people freak out when they turn thirty. But I don't feel a decade older. Maybe I'm just too busy with upcoming babies and books to worry about age. Oh, well. Happy Birthday to me!

On to more important matters... Don't forget I have a two-book giveaway contest going. If you'd like to win the print copies of Seduction's Stakes by Claire Ashgrove and Mr. Charming by Nancy J. Parra, hop over to my October 2nd post where I interviewed Ashgrove's hero, the ornery Riley Jennings, and leave a comment (make sure to give your name or email address with your comment so I can contact the winner once they're drawn on October 12th--Thanks).

And for the most important issue of all (to me anyway!), my baby's gender mystery will be resolved in... count them... FOUR DAYS!!! I can't wait. That news will be my most exciting birthday present of all.

Until Tuesday when I have more news to announce.

Interview with Riley Jennings, hero from Claire Ashgrove's "Seduction's Stakes"

This morning, we have Riley Jennings, the hero from Claire Ashgrove's debut contemporary romance novel, Seduction's Stakes--which is released today from The Wild Rose Press--to interview.

To help support Claire, I'm going to give away a copy of her book to some lucky person who comments at the end of the blog, plus I'll throw in a shiny new copy of Nancy J. Parra's Mr. Charming (since I forgot to do that when I interviewed her in August).

And now for the good stuff!

Riley Jennings
Age: 31
Height: 6’1”
Eye Color: ale-brown
Hair Color: (runs a hand through his collar-length hair) I don’t know what would you call this? (Wavy, sandy-brown).
Occupation: Thoroughbred Racehorse Owner and Trainer
Address: In the heart of racing country, Kentucky, on a 112-acre stable and training facility.
Rating of his Story: Steamy Hot!

(LindaKage)Thank you for dropping by, Riley, we're honored to have you here. Now, first of all why don't you tell us a little about yourself. What do you do for a living:

(RileyJennings)Well, darlin’, I get up at the crack of dawn, and when we aren’t on a track somewhere, I’m helping Ben, my full-time jockey, get Mister Spoilsport and our other racing stock in condition. I stay in the barns or on our track until dinner time. Around that time, I try to navigate through phone calls on Mister Spoilsport’s stud services. I really need to find someone to do that for me. It’s so damn time consuming. Anyway, then I go to bed, get up and do it all over again. On race days, it’s pretty similar, only much more stressful.

(LK)Describe your perfect day :

(RJ)We’re about two hours away from my perfect day – the one where Mister Spoilsport wins The Kentucky Derby. He’s ready to go, in prime shape, and currently the favorite. As long as Maddie’s horse, Infidelity, doesn’t creep up on the outside, like he’s prone to do, I’ll see my Pop’s dream come true.

(LK)How about your perfect date and no, this is not eHarmony.com but it IS a blog for romance readers, so spill it, mister:

(RJ)Date? I’m pretty private about my personal life. There’s lots of rumors around, but don’t listen to a one of them. I don’t date much anymore. No sense in it when you can’t have the one you want. If I ever convince her, you can be sure somewhere along the way it’ll involve the ocean, moonlight and wine.

(LK)When you were little, what'd you want to be when you grew up:

(RJ)I grew up following my dad around the track. Back then, Pop was really struggling to make a name for himself and it took a long time to garner the respect of other, more powerful, more financially sound racehorse owners. I don’t know that I ever really wanted to be anything. I always knew I’d follow in my father’s footsteps and I’d have the best racing stock around.

(LK)Are you a pizza, stake, soy burger, or Mexican food type of man:

(RJ)I’m a Scotch man(smirk). Anything in a five-star restaurant with a Talisker on the rocks, and I’m a happy man. It’s all about good food, not
necessarily a particular type. As a risk-taker, I’ll try anything once.

(LK)Would you say you're determined/driven or easy-going and laid back?

(RJ)Depends on who you ask. Last time I talked to Maddie McCleery, I believe I was a, what did she say? Oh yeah, a pompous ass. If there’s something I want, I’ll stop at nothing to have it. But I know how to appreciate the, shall we say, finer things in life as well.

(LK)History channel, Sports, News, or CMT:

(RJ)I don’t have much time for television. About the only thing I’ll watch is ESPN’s racing coverage if I’m not at the track. Sometimes I’ll watch sappy old romances – but that information’s just for you, darlin’. Let’s not publish that.

(LK)Oops! Sorry. (hee, hee!)
Indoors or Outdoors:

(RJ)Wherever there’s water. Er… pardon me. Yes well, I raise racehorses. I think that qualifies as outdoors.

(LK)Green or Red:

(RJ)Green.

(LK)Boxers, briefs, or... other:

(RJ)Now that’s a little personal dontcha think? I’ll let Maddie discover that one on her own. She did put you up to this, didn’t she? I’m surprised you haven’t asked me about Grey Ghost. That colt’s all that woman can think about.

(LK)Before I move onto all those questions (which I'll do next), is there anything else you'd like to say about yourself:

(RJ)Yeah. I made some mistakes in my youth. One I regret a lot. And if Maddie did put you up to this, you be sure and tell her I never meant it.

(LK)Maddie, Maddie, Maddie. You mention this Maddie McCleery a lot. So, I'm curious. Who is she? What's the story there? And don't be shy; us romance enthusiasts want to know ALL:

(RJ)Maddie and I go back to high school. Our farms have always been rivals. I did something stupid that’s better left unsaid when she lost a round of Truth or Dare. Since then, she’s pretty much hated me. Lately, she’s been making a name for McCleery Racing and Infidelity is probably one of the strongest competitors Mister Spoilsport has to face. We’ve been eeking out wins, and it’s driving her crazy. I’ve got a colt – Grey Ghost – she wants, and I’m not interested in selling him until she’s interested in listening to what I’ve got to say.

We’ll see what happens today with The Derby. Infidelity’s going to give Spoil a run for his money in each leg of the Triple Crown. The two are just too talented, and it’s a shame they have to compete together. Either Maddie or I have to lose. (Chuckling) Never a good thing for either one of us.

(LK)Now I'm extra curious to read Seduction's Stakes to find out what happens there. And I think you answered just about all the questions I was going to ask in that area (LOL!), Now I gotta know about Claire Ashgrove. This author's been following you around and documenting your life starting today. What prompted that?

(RJ)Claire said she’d always had a fascination with racing, and had been following our horses. Maddie's and mine, that is. Infidelity’s won every race he’s been in. Mister Spoilsport the same, on different tracks. It’s the first time they’ve raced each other and with the publicized rivalry between our farms, she said she wanted to document Maddie and I, give the public a peek at our daily lives. I refused, initially. But then I got to thinking. There hasn’t been a Crown winner in twenty-one years. Barring a catastrophe, or straight dumb luck, one of us stands a real good chance of winning the Triple Crown. Whomever wins, it’s a story about racing, not just my life. History in the making.

(LK)This is her debut novel and you’ve trusted her to write a factual account. Any concerns?

(RJ)Course there’s concerns. I’ve opened up my private life to the public. It’s a bit like being followed around with one of those reality cams. I really don’t want the entire world knowing what flavor toothpaste I use. There’s a lot of room here to embarrass myself, especially given the Maddie factor. I’m going to convince that woman to give me a chance. If she does, I don’t need what happens in my bedroom broadcasted.

(LK)Well, I think the rest of my question can only be answered in the book, so I that concludes my interview. Thank you so much for stopping by Riley. I hope to hear a lot more from you soon (like as soon as my copy of your book arrives in the mail).

If all you readers are curious for a sample of Seduction's Stakes, Claire has graciously provided an excerpt for us to enjoy:

Her eyes settled on him as he approached, and her mouth curved into a bright smile that almost stopped him in his tracks. Despite her earlier friendliness, he hadn’t anticipated that. Couldn’t recall when she’d ever looked legitimately glad to see him. He had expected her to nod politely, accept his elbow because etiquette demanded she do so, and then casually converse with him as he led her to the table.

“Evening, Riley.” She waited a moment, taking him in with one quick roaming glance, before she settled her fingers into the crook of his offered arm. “Did you save me a seat?”

He grinned. “I did.”

“Good. I’ve been looking forward to tonight all afternoon.”

He chanced a sideways glance at her, uncertain what to make of that comment. When she caught him looking, she gave him a little wink that sent his heart slamming into his ribs. Lord, the woman knew how to draw a man in.

“I’m sorry I’m late. My truck died on me on the way here. I had to call a cab.”

“Truck?” He’d never paid much attention to what she drove outside of the trailer combination used on race day. For some reason he’d expected her to drive a flashy little sports car. The vision of her perched behind a pickup only sparked that simmer of desire further. Strong and assertive—that’s what trucks were. Just like her.

The fact her truck broke down took a bit longer to sink in. “Did you get it towed?”

“Nah, it’s sitting on the side of the highway still. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

He sensed opportunity. Never one to miss it, as he pulled out her chair, he asked, “Want a ride home later?”

She tucked her dress around her and scooted into the velvet-cushioned chair. When she turned her head up to look at him, her long blond mane fell over one shoulder and danced against her lap. The urge to run his fingers through it, despite their present company, hit him with such force he clenched his hand to resist.

Looking at him as if she weighed her answer, he prepared to hear her refusal. But when her chin dipped into a gracious nod, and she smiled once more, he almost tripped over his tongue. What had happened from two weeks ago at Lexington when she refused his advances, to today? And where had his ability to function gone? He hadn’t felt this awkward… ever. Shaking off the oddities, he took his seat beside her.

“I suppose then, I’ll have to keep you close at hand, so I know when you’re ready to go.”

Over the rim of her wine glass, her bright green eyes twinkled. “I suppose you shall.”

It finally occurred to him, she was flirting with him. Riley lifted his own glass and drank deeply. And then he decided to see how serious she was.

And now.... Let the commenting commence! I'll randomly draw and announce the lucky winner October 12th (please leave a name, link, email address, or something when you comment so I can contact you once you win). OR if you'd rather just go buy a copy of the story today, head over to The Wild Rose Press and do that now.

Thanks, all, for stopping by. I'll leave another post SUNDAY!

Bad Boys Don't Play Hero - CH 2

OK, it's up. I've uploaded chapter two of my short free-read YA romance, Bad Boys Don't Play Hero. You can click HERE to check it out or start at chapter one by going to My Bookshelf at http://www.lindakage.com/books.

At a chapter a month, you should be able to finish reading the story in January, so you'll be all prepared to check out The Stillburrow Crush when it's released in February. Come back again next month to read chapter three. I hope you enjoy.

In other blog news, Laura's Reviews is having a contest giveaway for the book "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison. Leave a comment on her blog before midnight of September 25th if you want to enter.

Also... Claire Ashgrove is about to release her FIRST novel at The Wild Rose Press. So, I'm sure she'd like all the support she can get right now. You can check out her blog "From the Muse" here. She might be willing to interview on your blog if you're interested... she did mine!! But you gotta wait till October to read it (hee hee)!

And in the TWEET world... yes, I've gone Twitter. So, if you're a twitter-pated follower, you can follow me by clicking the "FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER" button on this very blog, located on the left hand side, way down, right under my Fav Blogs List.

Introducing Claire!

I'm jazzed to bring you news about... CLAIRE ASHGROVE, future bestselling romance novelist. Her story (title still pending) will be coming to us through The Wild Rose Press, hopefully some time in 2009. And let me tell you, Claire puts the "Ho, Mama, that's good" in HOT. This book will give you the tingles. So, keep an eye on her for me, will you. Don't want my good critique buddy to burst into flames from all those steamy scenes before she gets around to writing the sequel.

Check out her website: http://www.claireashgrove.com/
and blog: http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com/

and give her a big congratulations on her accomplishment.