Interview with Author Amy Lichtenhan and Review of Take This Regret

It is my pleasure to introduce my guest today, author, Amy Lichtenhan. She has taken time to be with us today and answer some our questions.

Biography:

Amy Lichtenhan first discovered her love of writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends, and with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel, Pulled.

Amy resides in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children, and feels blessed to have the freedom of working from home.  Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

 

1- Tell us a little bit about your book, Take This Regret.

   Take This Regret is a contemporary romance about a young man, Christian Davison, who abandons his girlfriend and their unborn child to pursue his goals of becoming an attorney.

   Elizabeth spends five years struggling to provide for her daughter and willing to sacrifice anything to give her child a safe, comfortable life.

   When Christian finally decides he wants a part in his daughter's life, Elizabeth is ready to fight him every step of the way.

   Take This Regret follows Christian and Elizabeth as they struggle to come to terms for the sake of their little girl, Lizzie, who has been thrown into the midst of their turmoil. Christian is consumed by years of regret while Elizabeth has harbored a broken heart so great that she's been unable to move on with her life. The two are forced to face their past and through it uncover a love that has been buried beneath years of hurt.

   Betrayal is something we've all experienced, whether we've been on the giving or receiving end of it. At some point in our lives, we've probably been on both. When writing Take This Regret, I wanted to explore how how two people might deal with a betrayal that most would think unforgivable.

2- How did the book come to be?

   The plot for Take This Regret had been brewing in the back of my mind during the time I was writing Pulled, but I'd planned on shelving the idea to work on another project. By the time I was ready to start writing again after finishing Pulled, Christian and Elizabeth's voices were so loud in my head, I just started writing, unsure it it was something I'd even consider publishing. By the time I'd written a couple of chapters, the story had blossomed and I fell completely in love with the characters. I couldn't wait to share them with everyone!

3- Have you always been a writer? If not, what did you do?

   In college I used writing as an emotional outlet, never having the intention of making it a career. There was just something cathartic about words flowing from my hand and onto the pages of my journal. As years passed and I had a new job and a growing family, I stopped writing. It wasn't really a conscious decision, but one of those things I just didn't do any more. I even stopped reading for several years because I couldn't seem to find the time.

   It wasn't until three or four years ago that I began to feel the need to write again. I was so out of practice that I did it completely in secret. Finally, I shared the story I'd been writing with my two closest friends, and it became my first novel, Pulled.

4- What or who has had the biggest influence on your writing?

   This is really hard to answer, but I am going to say Janet Mitchell. Her writing style is so unique, and she helped me to see I didn't have to put myself in a box as an author.

5- Who is your favorite author and why?

   Do I have to pick just one? Right now I am into Erin Kellison's books. She writes dark fantasy and her words are incredibly beautiful- I couldn't help but fall in love with her Shadow Series. They're also adult, but not too graphic, and I love when an author can find that balance.

6- The journals that you filled with poems and short stories early on, did any of that writing come out in your books?

   I would say only in that my writing has a bit of a poetic feel to it, but my style has definitely grown and changed over the years.

7- Do you have a particular schedule with your writing or do you write when the spirit takes you?

   I have three days a week set aside to focus on writing, although my creativity and writing days don't always agree. I try not to stress about it. If I need to get up and walk away, then I do. It usually only takes removing myself from my office and doing something else with my hands for a scene to become clear, and then I can get back to work!

8- What do you do for fun and relaxation?

   I have 8 and 11-year-old boys at home, so they keep me plenty busy when I'm not working. We love watching movies, playing board games, and I respond to a whole lot of, "Hey Mom, watch this!" They're wildly entertaining.

   Of course I love a good book and a night out with the girls, but I can't think of a better way to relax than curling up with my husband at the end of the day.

Contact Info:

Website: http://www.amylichtenhan.com/

Blog: http://bit.ly/AmyLichtenhanBlog

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/AmyLichtenhanFBAuthorPage

Twitter: www.twitter.com/midnitemurmurer

If anyone has any questions for Amy, please don't hesitate to ask. Just to sure to check back for her answers.

Review of Take This Regret

Take This Regret

Amy Lichtenhan

The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House 2011

ISBN 9781612130507

   Christian and Elizabeth are inseparable in college. They are so much in love and have plans to be together forever. That is until the fateful day when Elizabeth finds out she is pregnant and decides she must tell Christian. All of his plans will be shattered with a baby. He makes the decision that he feels is the best for all concerned, or is it?

   Elizabeth knows what she must do. She must get on with her life and do whatever it takes to protect her unborn child. Life will never be the same for her or anyone concerned. Life does move on and nothing can change what is to be.

   This is one of the most fantastic books I have read in awhile and I have read many good ones. This is a book of love, betrayal, and hardship that is totally heart wrenching. It will take you on a roller coaster ride with your emotions, beyond belief. Some decisions in life can never be taken back. The big question is whether you can get past them and move on. Some love comes to us once in a life time and no matter how hard you try to move on, there is no way it can happen.

    Christan and Elizabeth have both made mistakes. Some worse then others. There are moments that I wanted to smack Elizabeth silly; but then you never know how you will react to a situation until you are there yourself. Christian made mistakes. Some really big ones, but he tries his hardest to fix them. Both find that it is difficult to get beyond those mistakes. Near impossible at times. If you enjoy a good story, I cannot recommend this book enough. Beware, however, to have your emotions in turmoil. Get the kleenex ready and be prepared for a good cry. I doubt you will get to the end without shedding a tear or two.

   I wish to thank The Writer's Coffe House Publishing House for providing me with an ebook copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to read and review.

I give Take This Regret 5 out of 5 stars

  

Review of Never Been Bit

Never Been Bit

Lydia Dare

Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN 9781402245138

   Alec MacQuarrie's after-life has become an endless search for pleasure. His undead personality is as dark as the creature he has become. Long before becoming undead, his heart was broken and now he is unable to move on. He has turned into a dark and fearsome creature.

   Sorcha Ferguson's coven sisters are all happily married and she is determined to find herself a supernatural husband of her  own. She is hell bent on marrying a lycan and goes to Castle Hythe in Kent determined to do just that. Her long time friend Alec, is just as determined that she will not throw herself away on one of those "dogs." The only problem, that makes him responsible for her and he is the worst monster of them all.

   This is the third in the Regency Vampyre Trilogy and what a story it is. Our brooding vampire is convinced that he no longer has a heart that he can give and is no longer able to love. He is basically his own worst enemy and goes about trying to alienate everyone around him. Sorcha, on the other hand, is determined to prove him wrong. She is a mischievous witch who is bent on her own destructive path. She places herself in a scandalous situation intent on getting what she wants. She is sweet, witty, and full of mischief. You won't want to miss her talking to her plants and seeing the results of her handy work. This is a wonderfully written, wickedly sexual, page-turner that you won't be able to put down. Romance is definitely in the air even for the unsuspecting.

   If you like vampires, lycans, and witches, you won't want to miss this one. Better yet. Check out the other two in the series also, It Happened One Bite and In the Heat of the Bite. Follow the coven sisters on their journeys to find their mates and the misadventures they encounter along the way.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book for reviewing purposes.

I give Never Been Bit 4 out of 5 stars

  

  

Review of The Wedding Affair

The Wedding Affair

Leigh Michaels

Sourcebooks Casablanca 2011

ISBN 9781402244216

   The duke's sister is getting married and it is the talk of the ton. The worst part is the duke knows all those debutantes mean trouble for him. He decides to invite some of his friends so that some of the pressure will be removed from himself. After rescuing Lady Olivia Reyne's daughter, he decides his safest bet is to make himself look like he is spoken for. He proposes a plan to Olivia; but he is unprepared for her counter proposal. Sadly, the last thing Olivia needs is more complications in her life.

   This is a wonderful romance set in Regency England and had me pulled in from the start. Olivia is a stubborn, sexy woman who has not a cent to her name; but walks with sensuality wherever she goes. Not to mention the fact she is a highly unlikely candidate to pique the duke's attentions. The duke is a dark, somewhat brooding man who makes Olivia mushy just by looking at her. Those eyes will not be denied.

   The storyline  flowed nicely from the beginning until the end. Many romances are a blooming and what better place then during preparations for a wedding. This is a wedding that you will surely not forget. It just might be an affair you will never forget. If you like historical romances, or just a wonderful story, do check this one out. 

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review; but an honest one. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give The Wedding Affair 5 out of 5 stars 

Interview with Sherri Hayes and Review of Slave

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I welcome the author of Slave, Sherri Hayes to my blog today. She has graciously taken the time to answer some questions for us.

1-What made you decide to write erotica?

   It wasn't a conscious decision, actually. My goal is to write realistically within the world in which I am writing. To me it wasn't realistic to write a BDSM series that didn't delve into erotica. At least, not with some of the subject matter this series will cover.

2-How does your husband feel about your writing erotica?

   My husband is very supportive of my writing in general. The genre doesn't really matter to him. He is lucky to have something he loves in life for a career and is happy that I have something of my own that I can be just as passionate about.

3-Slave is part of a series, Finding Alice 1. How many books will there be in the series and where are they headed?

   This is a question I get asked a lot. There will be at least four books in the series, but only time will tell. Brianna has a long way to go in her recovery, so this will not be an overnight process. She has issues that she will have to deal with and that can't be avoided.

   My plan for this series is to follow Brianna as she heals from this traumatic experience. It won't be conventional, but it was never meant to be. There will also be the budding relationship between Stephan and Brianna. The two today will make for an interesting combination, as they have to face their pasts while trying to navigate the pitfalls life throws at them.

4-I like a book cover to tell me something about the book I am going to read. Yours does. Who designed your cover and did you have any input? (Cover is pictured below with the review)

   Our great graphic artist Jenn, at TWCS Publishing House designed Slave's cover. Thankfully, I am able to have a lot of input into my covers. For Slave, I was driving home from the store one day and it hit me. I saw a woman kneeling in a submissive pose under a single light like you'd find in a warehouse. The tone of the book is dark, so I wanted the background to be black. Once I told Jenn what I wanted, she went to work and before long I had my cover.

5-Who has had the most influence on your writing?

   I'm not sure there is any one person who has had more influence than another. I've always loved romance novels. That, more than anything, along with my love of reading in general, that has been the biggest influence for me. I'm a very emotional reader and writer. Getting swept away by the characters is exactly what I want in a novel and what I hope happens to my readers when they pick up one of mine.

6-When Sherri Hayes is not writing, what is she doing?

   When I'm not writing, I can usually still be found in front of my computer either chatting with friends and readers or marketing my husband's woodworking business.

7-What do you do for fun and relaxation?

   I'm an avid reader, although I haven't been able to read as often as I'd like to lately as I've been writing pretty much non stop this summer. Put a good romance novel in front of me and you'll not see or hear from me for hours. Maybe days. :-) Music is also a passion of mine. I love to sing, so you might find me cranking up the volume on my radio and singing along to anything from rock to country to Broadway.

8-Tell us something about yourself that your readers may not know.

   As a kid I hated recess. In fact, in third grade, my teacher had this rule that if you didn't get your morning work done you would have to stay inside for recess and finish it, so I would intentionally not get my morning work done so that I could stay inside. My teacher eventually figured out what I was doing, and flipped it on me. I was still able to stay inside most of the time. The upside, however, was that now I didn't have to do work. I could read or do whatever I wanted.

You can contact Sherri at:

sherri-hayes @live.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherri-Hayes/122511444477280

http://findingannaseries.blogspot.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4496779.Sherri%20Hayes

Review of Slave

Slave Finding Anna Book 1

Sherri Hayes

The Writers Coffee Shop Publishing House 2011

ISBN 9781612130484

   Stephen is President and CEO of a not for profit foundation. He knows where he is going and what he wants out of life until his friend and mentor, Darren meets him for lunch. He tells Stephen about a young woman named Brianna who is a slave for a man named Ian. Darren is convinced that Brianna is in the situation unwillingly. He feels Stephen may want to buy her and feels Ian will be willing to sell her for the right price.

   Stephen has the money and the means so he pays for Brianna. She knows she is a slave and will always be a slave. Stephen is intent on taking care of her; but he finds out quickly he has purchased more then he has bargained for. Will Brianna be able to form trust in their relationship and be able to adapt to her new arrangement? She finds out from the start that Stephen is nothing like Ian. He does not want a slave. He wants a submissive to his dominant; but Brianna only knows the life of a slave. The longer Stephen works with Brianna,  the more his feelings are intensifying for her. Does this relationship have any chance of success?

   This is the first book in the series of Finding Anna. I was not too certain about the story before I started reading; but I have to tell you I could not put this book down.  I am not well versed on the ins and outs of BDSM; but I had no idea about the slave business. It is hard to believe that someone would actually go to such an extreme especially when you have someone as sadistic as Ian involved. This is a story of a developing love between two unlikely people when the one is so damaged emotionally and has been injured physically as well. I was so into this book, I could not believe I had reached the end. If you are into erotica and are not afraid of an emotionally charged, well written book, I highly recommend this book. I will most assuredly be looking for the second book in the series.

   I wish to thank The Writers Coffe Shop Publishing House for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated except for receiving the book to review.

I give Slave 5 out of 5 stars

  

Review of Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper

Laura Wright

Penknife Press

ISBN 1599971496

   What did Karen do to deserve what is happening to her? That is the question she asks herself over and over. She finds herself chained in a remote cabin and has suffered all kinds of torture that no human being should have to. She knows her captor. He is the infamous Virginia Creeper; but his infamy is only a charade. He is a pawn in a game that is much bigger then anyone imagined. That, however, does not negate his cruelty. He is part of an elaborate game of Cabin Fever that has produced millions of dollars for its creator and been the last days for many a person.

   Karen is the only one to escape her tormentor; but it carries a heavy price. She thought she was home free; but discovers that there is more to the game and much more at stake then anyone ever imagined. During her recovery, she has nightmares and visits from those who are not welcome. The visitors may just be the only ones to help; but can she trust and believe them?

   This is a well written tale of horror and human sacrifice that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will see human cruelty that is difficult to imagine and the lengths that people will go to in order to make money. You will see how those who are the nicest, may not be what they appear to be. I did have  some diificulty figuring out how Karen ended up in her predicament. It was not until far into the book that part of the story became clear. There were times that the heroine, Karen, got under my skin a bit. Considering the circumstances that she found herself in, she was a bit concerned with material things and was a might quick at one point in wanting to leave her husband. All in all this was a very good read. If you are looking for some horror that keeps you glued, I recommend you give it a try. If you are faint of heart, this one is not for you.

   I wish to thank the author for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was nbot compensated in anyway except for receiving the book. 

I give the Virginia Creeper 4 out of 5 stars

Review of Plain Fear Forsaken

Plain Fear Forsaken

Leanna Ellis

Sourcebooks Landmark

ISBN 9781402255403

   Hannah is unable to move on with her grief after her love Jacob dies in an unfortunate farm accident. At least that is what everyone is told. Jacob is buried quickly and the family moves to Ohio. Everyone that is, except Jacob's brother, Levi.  

   Levi is unable to move forward either; but his reasons are entirely different then Hannah's. Levi is in love with Hannah; but he is aware of how much she loved his brother Jacob. He also knows how his brother actually died and he is prepared to take it to his grave.

   A stranger comes to the Amish community and he brings along a secret as well. This secret will force Hannah to make a choice between the dark and the light. Levi will also be forced to confront that which he has been trying to hide while remaining true to his family. 

   This is an amazing tale crossing an Amish story of love and faith with the dark sinister side of evil. The evil  world of vampires. This is a unique story that does a wonderful job of crossing the genres. I had my reservations before reading ; but I am happy to say the story was wonderful. I was concerned with how the storyline would blend; but the author did a fantastic job with the vampires while remaining true to the faith of the Amish. Will Hannah be able to accept what is true before it is too late? Will she be able to move forward and grab happiness with the man who loves her or will evil win her over? I highly recommend your reading the book to find out for yourself.

   I wish to thank Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in anyway except for receiving the book.

I give Plain Fear Forsaken 4.5 out of 5 stars

Interview with Virgil Allen Moore

BIO:

I am Virgil Allen Moore. I write the book Demon Vampire. I have been writing for over seventeen years. I began as a poet. Later, I turned to fiction. My voice carries presence in my pen as I write. It is a talent that I have used well in constructing my novel. My platform is visual aesthetics mixed with powerful character driven writing. My myths teach visceral morality in a palette that is captivating and fulfilling to readers. My type of vampire is above the fold as related to today's popular image. It is my vision that those who remember the era of Anne Rice will see my epic as the answer to the mundane vampire that has propagated in the ebb of recent social tide. There have never been vampires like mine. I have created a powerful, elegant, sophisticated type of vampires that have seeded desires and emotional ties to the world around them.

1- What was your inspiration for Demon Vampires?

   Several years ago I noticed a decline in the way vampire novels were written. I grew up in the Anne Rice era and still had a fine view of vampires as elegant and powerful. The idea that a human could attack a vampire, or even take blood from them, appalled me. I set out wanting to write a novel that solved that problem. I desired an epic story about vampires that were troubled by larger ideals, not the petty teen angst that most paranormal novels pour out these days.

2- Please tell the readers a little bit about your book.

    Demon Vampire is a morality tale that questions the choices of the reader. It asks if you would sell your soul for power. While this choice seems clear cut initially, you find there are complications. The demon inside Zack wants to eat his soul, part by part until he is the “abomination among monsters” as referred to in the book. Zack, and the reader are faced with the same issues, heavy morality in a dire circumstance. It presses the conventional ideals of all vampires books in existence.

      Demon Vampire as a whole is set up with multiple characters painted over an expanse of 6,000+ years of history. It is a poetic ride that melds artistry with a full cast of dynamic characters. It is nothing like the force-fed vampire many have come to see in popular writing today.

3- I hope I am correct on this. Demon Vampire is part of a trilogy. If so, can you give us a little insight as to what will come and when we can expect them?

      Actually, it's much bigger than that. When I originally wrote the book, it was just a stand alone. Then more ideas came up, and more, and so on. So far I have a full outline for book two, as well as concept outlines for books three through seven. And that's just the main series. The book actually has several spin offs that are full length novels. Since Demon Vampire is 242,000+ words and can literally stand on end at 500 pages, the side novels are modest by comparison. They will be your average 250 page novels. As of this interview, there is:

     Demon Vampire (the main novel being released 10/30/2011),

     Demon Vampire: Special Science Report 1192 (The free ebook that comes as a download companion to the main novel),

      Demon Vampire: The Elder Ritual (A book about the demon vampire Salas, reflecting all of his incarnations before the main novel). It is set to be released in late 2012,

      and Demon Vampire: Redgold (the direct continuation of the main storyline). It is currently being written and is suspected to come out in October of 2013 at near the length of the first novel (About 210,000+ words).

      Unlike other vampire novels that have all one view point or direction. Demon Vampire novels show the histories of all the characters and how they interact with each other. The true joy comes when the reader understands how and why one character might act differently in front of others apart from the main story. That is the main reason behind the side novels.

4- The main character in your book, Zack Giver, seems like such an unlikely person for the part. What brought his character to life?

   Life experiences. I wanted to show what a person with real personal issues could bring to the table. He's not the whiny or snarky teen that always has a fresh comment about every thing that comes up. When he's scared, you know it. When he's uncomfortable, you feel it. Zack Giver is the new archetype for a truly dynamic protagonist. He grows as the novel progresses. In the beginning, he's perfectly human. By the end of the novel, the reader questions if Zack is turning into a monster he fears.

5- Who has had the most influence on your writing and why?

I didn't begin as a fiction writer, I was first a poet. William Blake and Dante influenced me a great deal. When I got into fiction, Anne Rice helped to get me into vampires. I read her vision and was hooked in the elegance and demeanor of her characters.

6- Who provided the cover art for your book and did you have any input on the finished product?

  Leos Ng Okita. An amazing artist that I was able to find on DeviantArt.com. Thankfully, I was published through a small press that didn't have a full art department. I told them that I already had someone in mind for the cover and that I had the concept written out. They gave me the go, and I let Okita-Chan, as she likes to be called, do her best. A few weeks later, she wowed me and Erudite Small Press with a wrap around cover that was built to impress. A week after that, The cover was finalized and ready for distribution. It's been a wonderful process. I'm very happy that I was able to choose my artist. As long as she is available for Demon Vampire: Redgold, I will be contacting her for another cover.

7- I have to ask you. The pics on your blog are really classy. They remind me of Gary Oldman in the Dracula movie. Did that have any influence on the way your pics were done?

   Yes and no. I've always loved top hats and full three piece suits. Apart from the fact that I have long black hair, I did mimic some of Oldman's essence when posing for the author photos on the site.

    Although it hasn't been posted yet, I have a cane now to complete the picture. It has a black rose handle with a diamond shaped crystal on the far tip.

   The ironic part is that Gary Oldman is what one of my characters, Salas, looks like. There is a painting of “The Lich King” that another potential cover artist did a while back that highly resembling him.

8- I know you have been writing for about seventeen years and started with poetry, what can we expect from Virgil Moore in the future?

  Apart from the fourteen books that I have planned for this series alone. I do have a few contemporary pieces without any paranormal elements at all. They are nothing like the other writing I do. However, there will always be one thing that ties all of my novels together, morality. I believe that morality can be a career defining tool as a writer. The concept of reading a book knowing the end is one thing, but having to ask yourself who had it the best or worst by the end, makes you think. I've always loved the way the movie “Requiem for a Dream” did it. You see four characters and all of the hell they go through in life. All of my novels tie everyone into everything in a way that is entertaining and thought-provoking. The lowest lows are not felt unless the reader has a sense of depth. Dante said it best when he wrote, “The greatest woe is happiness recalled in misery.” I will always desire to have my readers feel the story I write, if they don't, it's lost. I want my novel to be remembered for how it made them feel the day they finished it, no matter which genre I write in. If I can give a moral that forces you to question who you are by page 500, then I have done my job.

Contact info:

http://demonvampire.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/virgilallenmoore/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/demongift/

http://twitter.com/Demon_Vampire/

Email: virgilallenmoore@live.com

Publisher: Erudite Small Press

http://eruditesmallpress.com/

Amazon.com: keyword “Demon Vampire”