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I've moved to www.inessaint.tumblr.com and will be updating regularly now. Thank you!

Charmed Excerpt

The countdown begins! Charmed is part of Crimson Romance's Love in a Small Town Romance Bundle! Ten romance books set in small towns for only $.99! http://www.crimsonromance.com/contemporary-romance-novels/love-small-town-10-homespun-heartwarming-contemporary-romances/


Read an excerpt from Charmed below:

Jamie heard a burst of laughter coming from the other side of the tall iron gates. She stopped short, looked at her watch, and realized her appointment wasn’t for another fifteen minutes. The people on the other side sounded close enough to be in the courtyard, so she decided to wait outside.

Leaning against the enormous beech tree guarding the school’s entrance, she closed her eyes as a gentle summer breeze swirled around her, and mentally reviewed everything her brother had told her about the school.

It sounded perfect. And the fact that Justin had put his silly old rivalry with the school’s headmaster aside to recommend the school, spoke volumes.

Of course, he’d also told her that Dr. Nicholas Grey, the headmaster, had completely lost his looks. Something about patchy bald spots, a double chin, and man boobs, if she remembered correctly.

She opened her eyes and looked up at the muted green leaves dangling above her. As she shielded her eyes from the rays slipping in through the branches, one particular leaf caught her artist’s eye. It was beautiful and intricate in its detail, and a familiar flutter of excitement made its way through Jamie. The leaf would make a perfect model for a gold or silver charm.

But it was out of reach. She stared at the perfect little leaf, and her thoughts traveled down a well-known road, imagining exactly what the little charm would look like finished. A wax mold would be best, and she could already see herself sculpting its unique curvature, and carving those intricate lines into it…

And the model she needed was right there.

Taking a good look around, she noticed there was a full-size black pickup parked close enough to the tree. She bit down on her lip, hard, and looked back. The brick wall surrounding the school was quite high—it would definitely cover her. Maybe she’d make a go of it after her appointment, if no one was in the courtyard when she walked out.

But a prominent bronze plated sign reading Grey Private Elementary School caught her eye and, feeling a rush of disappointment, she decided she would most definitely not climb the tree. She was in front of the school she wanted her children to attend, for Pete’s sake, and only minutes away from an interview with the headmaster.

On the other side of the gate, several pairs of feet shuffled away and voices grew distant. Jamie pushed herself off the tree. Today had been the first time in a long while she’d had an idea that truly moved her. The name Seasons now came to mind for a new collection, along with a host of other ideas for charms that tied the seasons to moments in life.

Lately, she’d been getting back to the spirited, determined person she’d once been, and these ideas were another step in the right direction. She peeked into the courtyard through the gap between the gate and the brick wall, and saw it was completely empty. How she craved her old self…

A moment later, her heart pounding, she slipped out of her heels, and climbed up onto the pickup’s rear bumper before stepping up to the rim. She’d be quick, and no one would ever find out.

When she reached out to grab the leaf she found it was farther away than she had anticipated, but there was a nearby branch she could easily climb onto, and from there it would be a piece of cake. It would take less than ten seconds. Encouraged, she took another quick glance behind her before climbing up onto the branch, and finally grabbing hold of the stem.

“What on earth is she doing?” an alarmed female voice hollered. Jamie snapped her head toward the gate and was horrified to see that by standing on the branch, she’d made her upper body visible to those on the other side of the gate.

Two people at the far side of the courtyard were gawking at her.

Heat rushed to her head, and she quickly lost her balance. She was about to regain it when she slipped. Blindly stretching an arm out, she was able to grab a weak branch with one hand, while instinctively switching to a higher, stronger branch with the other. Like a monkey.

Mortified, she wondered if she had time to let go, run to her car, and take off. A quick look down told her she wasn’t up that high, but there were hundreds of teensy, jagged rocks at the base of the tree just waiting to stab her tender bare feet if she let go.

The gate squeaked open, and she knew there was no getting out of this. She had to let go and brave both the sharp rocks and the person coming out. Closing her eyes, she winced and let go.

But her feet never hit the menacing rocks below. It took her a moment to realize she was in someone’s arms and that she’d instinctively put her arms around the person’s neck. Looking up, her eyes met a pair of heavy-lashed, jade green eyes that looked back at her with concern and confusion. It was Nick Grey.

Jamie quickly extricated her body from his arms, and carefully sidestepped the sharp stones at the base of the tree. Too embarrassed and uncomfortable to think clearly, she said, “Um, thank you, but that was unnecessary. I had the situation under control and you could’ve gotten hurt.”

“Well, it was pretty clear to me you did not have the situation under control. And I’m fine.”

Her eyes were now level with his chest. No man boobs were poking through. She glanced up and took in his full head of thick, dark brown hair, peppered with just a bit of grey. No bald spots. Anywhere. Damn Justin.

He then smiled at her, his eyes crinkling in the corners, and a blaze of heat shot through her chest and melted away toward her arms and legs. What was wrong with her?

 “Do you mind telling me who you are?” he asked.

 “Um, no, of course not. My name is Jamie Sullivan, and I have a parent interview with you at one o’clock.”

“Are you sure?” Their eyes met again for an awkward beat.

 “Yes, I made the appointment with Claire Burns last week.” Jamie was sure of it, but Nick looked doubtful. The fact that she’d been caught acting like a chimp probably had him questioning her mental capacity, and she couldn’t blame him. Instead of taking a step toward becoming the spirited Jamie she used to be, she’d taken three steps back to a place where she felt vulnerable.

“All right, then. Do you mind if I ask you what you were doing in the tree?”

Nodding and taking a deep breath, Jamie welcomed the chance to explain. She would not allow herself to take those three steps back. “I needed that leaf, right there,” she began, pointing to the leaf she’d been trying to reach. “I’m a goldsmith, and I design and craft limited edition gold and silver charms. I wanted that specific leaf because it’s so beautiful and intricate in its detail…I knew it would be an ideal model for a new charm.”

Nick looked down at the quirky heart charm on her necklace before bringing his eyes back up to hers, and Jamie tried hard not to swallow. His eyes were true jade, not a flicker of gold or brown specks in them. He smiled and she knew at once he understood. It seemed as if he was about to say something when his elderly secretary came up behind him. Claire seemed surprised to see Jamie.

“Today’s Thursday, isn’t it?” Claire asked Nick.

“Today’s Friday.”

“I’m sorry. I was looking at the wrong date this morning. Well, then.” She winked at Jamie and continued as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. “Nick, this is Jamie Sullivan, she has an interview with you today at one o’ clock. Her twin boys are applying for kindergarten. Is that right, Mrs. Sullivan? Kindergarten?”

“That’s right.” Jamie nodded. “Twin boys, kindergarten. But we can reschedule if it’s more convenient.”

Nick motioned the thought away. “No, of course not. You’re already here and now’s fine.”

Jamie walked toward the end of the roots of the tree, found her heels, and slipped them on.

“That leaf, right there?” Nick turned and pointed to her leaf.

Jamie nodded. He put his foot on the tire of the pickup, hauled himself up, and picked the leaf before climbing back down to give it to her.

“Oh, thank you.” She didn’t want him to see how touched she was by the small gesture, so she concentrated on the leaf. “See how sharp the blade is and how deep its veins are? I know it’s hard to see, but it really is perfect.” Few people noticed or cared about little details like that. Nick at least bothered to take a closer look, but she could tell he was biting back a grin, so she carefully tucked the leaf into a pocket in her handbag.

Flipped!

Almost done with edits. I'm so grateful to my editor for her insight! Tentative release date for Flipped! is March, 2015. Very excited to be working with Lyrical Press/Kensington :).


As soon as I'm done with edits and book 2, I'll be revamping my blog. Looking forward to experimenting with a new format.

Good news...

I've been offered a 3 book deal by an absolute dream editor! I'm chatting with her later today. Can't wait to hear her ideas and especially can't wait to sign!

Also, I won second place in The Sandy, a national writing competition. Congrats to the 1st place and 3rd place winners! I'd post their names, but I don't know the order yet. They should be posted here, soon: http://www.crestedbuttewriters.org/sandy_finalists.php. 

And this week I found out that CHARMED is one of Crimson Romance's all-time best sellers!  This has been a very good week.

Finally, I'm making some major changes in the next few months, stay tuned and thanks for stopping by :).

News

Happy to announce FLIPPED! is a 2014 The Sandy contest finalist :). Congratulations to my fellow finalists!!!

Brenda...

We never met, but we became friends through an author's group. We lived so close and we made plans to meet someday, but life kept getting in the way. It should never be so....


We exchanged numbers and would send each other long encouraging texts and emails. We talked about our lives and our friendship grew beyond writing.


When I heard the name of the woman who died in the crash, I couldn't believe it. I'm still in shock.  I will miss you and I'm so sorry we never met in person. I don't know if anyone will read this, but I have the need to put it out there: Brenda (Kay Rogal), you were an advocate for women helping women and you encouraged everyone you met, no matter how you met them. You were a sweet, good soul and a true friend. I can't believe you're gone and were taken away in such a way...


We always ended our texts: BIG HUG! Big hug to you, Brenda. I miss you.

Women..assemble!

Okay, so yesterday I shared/vented/mused about how we sometimes need to let go of certain friendships because they're just not healthy. Today I had the complete opposite experience and decided to share that, too. I know yesterday's post was too long, so I'll try to keep this post short and sweet.


Today I met with two friends (they're part of the "girls night out" group I wrote about in my last post) who are also moms and we had a long and thought-provoking conversation about motherhood. It was LOVELY and SWEET because we really opened up and allowed ourselves to be vulnerable with one another. I left with a lighter load on my shoulders because I knew I wasn't alone in second guessing myself as a mom.


When I got home, I read an email from another friend who made me feel doubly blessed and fortunate. In a nutshell, this friend did something incredibly generous for me... without me asking (I never would have thought or dared to ask). She knew she could help me with something and she went out of her way to do it for no other reason than because she is a good and beautiful person and an advocate for women helping each other. I feel so touched and humbled to have these women in my life and I will look for ways to pay their support and generosity forward.

Charmed is a kindle daily deal 01/27/2014

Sweet, small town romance: CHARMED is a $0.99  #Kindle Romance Daily Deal!
http://tinyurl.com/kezrfpl!

On love, science, art, and bread...

A few months ago, my youngest son was diagnosed with Celiac’s disease and he had to go completely gluten-free. At first, I was surprised it wasn’t as hard as I’d thought it would be. There are a lot of options out there nowadays! But I quickly figured out it also wouldn’t be as easy as it had seemed at first (cross-contamination issues, variety, temptations at school…).

My son took it all in stride and has been very good about it. I’m so proud of him! Things like quinoa and rice pastas and brown rice tortillas are delicious and he hasn’t even noticed a difference. But bread is another matter. It’s been impossible to find a good gluten-free bread. We’ve always been big on bread at our house and our kids became accustomed to going to local farmer’s markets and special bakeries to buy artisan breads of all kinds. My son LOVES bread and not being able to eat it has been his biggest challenge. So I decided to try and make bread myself.

I’ve always been horrible at baking. I never had it in me to be as precise as you need to be to bake well. It’s easy to be adventurous with cooking. It’s more of an art than a science. To me, at least, baking is more science than art. But love goes a long way and making bread has become my most fun and consuming kitchen adventure. My son loves to help and knowing he’s had a hand in it just makes it taste better for all of us.

My son has been really happy with every loaf, roll, and pizza crust. They’ve been far from great, but they haven’t been bad, either. And I know it’ll get better and better because the smile on his face is the best possible reward. People say that food just tastes better when it’s made with love and I’ve always agreed. Making things with love feels wonderful, too. Time disappears. 

Happy Holidays...

Happy holidays everyone! Just a quick note to wish you a blissful season and a very happy 2014. I've been away because I've been working hard on something...hope to have more news in 2014.

Warm wishes,

Inés

Cheesecake for Breakfast

My mom is fun and creative and a great conversationalist. Growing up, these things more than made up for her lack of cooking skills. She tried, but she was never able to get into anything that had to do with the kitchen (she'd be the first to tell you this, btw). She sewed dresses for me and my dolls, helped me figure out the lyrics to popular songs, and did tons of fun things to my hair. Her creativity just never extended to the kitchen. My sisters and I never complained about it, though. To us, it was a part of who she was. We'd eat the same four or five meals she was good at and we were healthy and energetic kids. Some weekend mornings my mom would turn to us and say, "How about cheesecake for breakfast? It has cheese and cheese is protein, so it must be okay." What kid would say no to that? Cheesecake for breakfast is a fond memory for me. Whenever I think about it, I feel how much I love my mom.

Today was the first day of school and I was neurotic about feeding my kids a balanced, healthy, tasty breakfast. Tonight, I'll be equally neurotic about dinner. There's so much pressure to be "the perfect mom" nowadays. A huge part of it is there's so much information out there and we have easy access to it. From the moment you conceive you're either helping, hurting, or doing nothing for your kid's cognitive development/future health/fill in the tons of blanks about all the potential damage we could do to our kids.

So this Saturday I'm giving my kids dessert for breakfast. I'm also making it a once-in-a-while thing. Because I don't want to just feed their brains and bodies. I want to feed their memories, too. And I won't make the dessert myself because I may be a good cook (according to my husband and kids), but I truly SUCK at baking (according to anyone who's ever tasted or even smelled anything I've tried to bake). I hope my kids remember my ill-attempts someday and smile over one of their mom's many imperfections. And I hope they feel love for me when they do.

Rambling about old friends...

There was this show in the 90's called Wings. It was my favorite show way back when I had time to watch TV. My best friend and I roomed together at the time and she and I were so different... she liked to go out to clubs and dance and I liked to hang out in small groups and just talk and laugh. But we had a standing date to watch Wings together every Thursday at 8:00. We had the same sense of humor and, to this day, our silly sense of humor is key to our friendship.

Anyway, I came across old episodes a few weeks ago and just seeing the name of the show made me smile. I DVR'd the show for when I had time and last night I watched six episodes back to back. I've never been good at critiquing, mainly because I'm too "glass half full" (trust me, it warps your perception-- much better to be a "the glass has x amount of ounces" kind of person and see things exactly as they are), but the acting and story lines were definitely different back then. I just can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing. All I know is I really enjoyed watching the show again because it felt like I was visiting old friends.

Watching Wings in college and swapping R.L. Stine's Fear Street books in high school are among warm memories my oldest friend and I share. There were also these super scary books by Christopher Pike that we used to read and then burn (for a very silly reason I won't share). My friend and I haven't seen each other in a few years, but we have nice, long talks twice a year and though we talk about very mature things like raising kids and the awful things that happen in this world, we still laugh over our reasons for burning those Christopher Pike books.

The writers of Wings and the authors of those books created characters that became a little part of our friendship's history. No wonder watching the show felt like I was visiting with old friends. I think I'll break out a few Fear Street books next, and then call my friend and tell her about it.

A Laundry Vent

I'm not normally a procrastinator, but I procrastinate when it comes to blogging because I'm not sure I have anything interesting to say. Today I'm blogging to procrastinate and to vent. It won't be interesting. 

Every once in a while I become so SICK of doing something, I actually become exhausted at the thought of doing it. Lately it's folding laundry. I've done the math and the entire laundry process is taking up 2.6% of my waking hours. Today that seems like a lot because there's no light at the end of the tunnel any time soon. Laundry is one of those things you can't get out of unless you decide to join a nudist community, and after searching on Google I couldn't find one with an excellent school system, so that alternative is out. I could also let my kids do their own laundry, but they'd end up stuffing their clothes in a bag instead of properly folding and hanging it, and then it would get incredibly wrinkly, and I'd have to let them iron it themselves (because if not I wouldn't be cutting back on my work load), and THEN they'd probably burn themselves, and a trip to the  hospital over getting burned with an iron would probably mean I'd be interviewed by social services...so I'm back to laundry taking up 2.6% of my life. No biggie, I'm just being a big baby about it today.

Who Would YOU Rather Kiss Part III

So...it turns out I don't know how to count! I asked 18 authors (not 21, oops!) to share their answers to a few fun questions and I will be posting their answers, seven authors at a time, throughout the week. Questions:

1. Who would you rather kiss: James Bond, Mr. Darcy, Thor, or Lloyd Dobler. Why?
2. If you could live in any story ever written, which story would you choose and why?
3. If you could have one of your characters over for coffee, tea, or a margarita, which character would you choose, and what is the one question you’d ask them?

This week I come across another John Hughes fan and one of my favorite quotes from Say Anything. And what’s this about a pimped out MacGyver? Plus, the Outlander series proves to be a popular place to live :).

Rachel Cross: www.readrachelcross.com

1. Oh Lloyd! He never makes these lists and he should. Thank you for including him!!
It must be this:
Diane Court: Nobody thinks it will work, do they?
Lloyd Dobler: No. You just described every great success story.

Although the bit about what he does and doesn't want to do with his life is sublime.

And seriously? I love John Hughes movies, but this one? Say Anything and the friendships, the love story, beats them all to hell!!! Maybe I'll write fanfiction now.

2. Gosh. Tough. I have to go with the time travel in Gabaldon's Outlander series. Is picking a series cheating?

3. I'd pick Marilyn Gibson, my heroine's dead mother in Rock Her and ask her why she kept so many secrets.

J.M. Stewart: http://authorjmstewart.com/
1. Oh, Thor, just because he's…yummy. 

2. Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. It's my absolute favorite and I would kill to meet Jamie Fraser in person. Oh, heck, who am I kidding, I wouldn't mind standing and drooling at him from afar. Lol
3. I actually wouldn’t mind sitting down with the heroine’s best friend, Lisa Caldwell, for a margarita. And being the romantic that I am, I’d want to know what her hopes are for her love life. Does she see herself settling down, that kind of thing. 

 

Nancy C. Weeks: http://nancycweeksauthor.blogspot.com/

1.This is a no-brainer. When I think of Thor, I imagine Chris Hemsworth.  He’s just plain glorious. As a god of thunder, lighting and storms, I can only blush when I think of what kissing him would feel like.
3. I would love to meet my character, Jared McNeil from my new book, In the Shadow of Evil/release date: 29 August 2013.  He’s my go to fantasy guy because he’s the protector, the man that you can always count on to be there for you. And of course, he’s tall, dark and incredibly handsome. I would love to meet him over a large margarita and maybe a plate of hot, steamy nachos. As a writer, I would love to ask him what in the hell taking him so long to bed Jennie McKenzie. The girl’s crazy about him. As a woman, I think I would just like to look into his deep cobalt blue eyes and melt. Since I’m married to the most wonderful husband in the world, that’s about all I could do with him.

Bobbi Romans: www.bobbiromans.com

1. James Bond. Why? I grew up watching James Bond (Sean Connery and Roger Moore) and even as a kid swooned at how suave they were. I mean really. You're getting a pimped out MacGyver. *wink*
2. James and the Giant Peach. Would be a memorable trip.
3. Scarlet O'Hara and I'd slap her while asking "what the hell is wrong with you?"

 

 

Who Would YOU Rather Kiss...Part II of III...

Who Would You Rather Kiss…? Part II of III
I asked 21 authors to share their answers to a few fun questions and I will be posting their answers, seven authors at a time, throughout the week. Questions:
1. Who would you rather kiss: James Bond, Mr. Darcy, Thor, or Lloyd Dobler. Why?
2. If you could live in any story ever written, which story would you choose and why?
3. If you could have one of your characters over for coffee, tea, or a margarita, which character would you choose, and what is the one question you’d ask them?

Their answers were revealing, hilarious, and…ahem…interesting.  Elves, hobbits, and wizards, oh my! And, what’s this about Viking blood? Plus… another Lloyd Dobler fan. Yes, we get you,  Lloyd.

Carol Ritter Smith: www.carolrittensmith.wordpress.com

1. I would definitely kiss James Bond, pretty much any or all of the actors
who have portrayed him. Do I have loose morals? Never!
2. I'd love to step into Anne of Green Gables and meet the people of
Avonlea, PEI, especially Mathew Cuthbert. I cried when he died.
3. I'm sending an invitation to tea right now to Beth Patterson of my book, STUBBORN HEARTS, so I can ask her why on earth she didn't trust Tom sooner.
Too stubborn, I bet!

Casey Dawes: www.stories-about-love.com.

1. James Bond -- but only if he looks like the Pierce Brosnan version, because, even if he didn't mean it, he'd be suave debonair and maybe I'd get a ride in one of those nifty cars!
2. (I’d be) Veronica Franco in The Honest Courtesan.  What a rich and significant life she led! And she was articulate to boot!
3. I'd have Serena, a minor character in my upcoming book, California Homecoming (releasing 6/24), over and ask "So, what's your story?"

 

Robyn Neeley: http://www.robynneeley.com/

1. Definitely, Lloyd Dobler! They need to remake that movie, but if they did what on earth would a modern day Lloyd Dobler hold up in the "In Your Eyes" scene? An iPod just wouldn't cut it! The last scene in Say Anything was a huge inspiration for my book Destination Wedding, which in one airplane scene, my heroine stares up at the Fasten Seatbelt Sign just like Ione Skye's character did.
2. I would have loved to been one of the characters Emma match makes in Emma. I'm sure it got pretty hot in Hartfield!
3. Kate Ashby, my heroine in Destination Wedding would be fun to have margaritas with. I'd ask her once and for all which handsome twin was the better kisser!

 

Christine Feldman: http://christinesfeldman.com

1. Mr. Darcy, because despite his aloof exterior, there beats the heart of a true romantic who would make great sacrifices for the woman he loves.  Plus, you know...Colin Firth!  (Lloyd's a nice guy, too, but it seems like getting involved with either James Bond or Thor could shorten a gal's life expectancy, considering their lines of work).
2. Lord of the Rings!  Why?  Elves, hobbits, wizards, grand adventures, and--of course--the jewelry.
3. I'd probably invite Shannon Mahoney from my upcoming book, The Bargain, handywoman extraordinaire, and I'd ask her:  What is the right way to snake a drain?  Romantic?  No, but the answer would make my life a lot easier...

Andrea R. Cooper: www.andrearcooper.com

1. Thor. He is the only one in this list who reminds me of my husband-who we also wonder if he has Viking blood. 
2. Anne Bishop's The Black Jewels, because I love stories with magic and Medieval settings.
3. Celeste from The Garnet Dagger. I would ask her what it is like to keep faith in her destiny despite her long imprisonment. 

 

Susanne Mathews: http://mhsusannematthews.ca
1. James Bond, but just not any of them—I’d go for the suave and dashing Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan. To me, they represent the ideal sleek and sophisticated James Bond, the kind who could romance state secrets out of any woman.
2. This is a tough one, but I think I’d want to live in any one of Nora Roberts’ The MacGregors books. The idea of being rich enough to do whatever I’d like to do appeals to me: I could write all day and someone else could cook and clean.
3. I would invite Alexis over for a margarita; she enjoys a good time when she’s not working. I think I’d ask her what she remembers about Jake from her last year in Paradise.

Peggy Bird: www.peggybirdwrites.com
1. Assuming I get to pick my James Bond--Daniel Craig, where are you?--I'll pick 007. If I'm going to fantasize, I'll take the dangerous man.
2. I've eliminated some of my favorite books and authors--Gone With the Wind, Little Women, anything by Jane Austen--because the lack of modern conveniences would completely do me in. So I'm stuck between Pippi Longstocking and Eloise. They lived the life I would have loved as a kid--happily on their own, without the interference of adults.  

3. I'd pick one of the guys, of course. Either Tony or Marius. And I'd ask them how they felt about older women.

 

 

Who Would You Rather Kiss…? Part I of III

Oh, this was FUN. I asked 21 authors to share their answers to a few quirky questions and I will be posting their answers, seven authors at a time, throughout the week. Questions:

1. Who would you rather kiss: James Bond, Mr. Darcy, Thor, or Lloyd Dobler. Why?
2. If you could live in any story ever written, which story would you choose and why?
3. If you could have one of your characters over for coffee, tea, or a margarita, which character would you choose, and what is the one question you’d ask them?

I wondered…does a Historical Romance author dream of kissing Mr. Darcy? Would a Fantasy Romance author share a steamy kiss with Thor while living in Middle Earth? Their answers were revealing, hilarious, and…ahem…interesting.  I even discovered a few kindred spirits: I’m not the only one who swoons over Lloyd Dobler, crushes on Loki (I even have a post about my crush on Loki), and dreams about living in Emerald City. Also, these covers have me dreaming about spending a few days doing nothing but reading. Intrigued? Read on!

Becky Lower: www.beckylowerauthor.com

1. If Elvis has left the building, I'd rather kiss James Bond. Because he's always been Mr. Cool.

2. I'd be Dougless, the heroine from Jude Deveraux's classic, A Knight In Shining Armor, because she grows over the course of the book into an incredibly strong woman. And because--hello--her hero truly is a knight in shining armor on a white steed.

3. I'd like to have a beer with Cyclone, the character from my current WIP, and ask him what it's truly like to ride a bull. 

 
 

Laila Blake: www.lailablake.com 

1. Darcy, definitely. I'm old-school: He is thoughtful, loyal and protects his friends. He also can admit when he was wrong and he has an adorable way of stumbling over his words. As for the kissing - the Matthew McFayden version, please.

2. This may be cheating and a little bit like asking a Genie for 100 wishes, but hear me out. I'd go live in Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series and work for JurisFiction - then I could go into any book I want, talk to all the characters and have awesome, wacky adventures. Plus, her AU real world is pretty fantastic as well - I mean really: pet dodos and neanderthal bus drivers!

3. As By the Light of the Moon is fantasy set in a medieval world, inviting any of them sounds like a lot of hassle in terms of screaming, fighting and helpless attempts to explain where we are and by what magic my light-bulbs glow. Instead, I'd invite Elaine, the protagonist of a YA novel I am working on right now and I'd ask her if a book like the one I'm writing about her alienation and anxiety would help her feel less alone in the world. Then I'd give it to her for the kind of harsh critique she'd be far too polite to give me and I'd end up just hugging her really hard and telling her not to give up because the ending will be great. :)

Tricia Skinner: www.TriciaSkinner.com 

1.  Argh! Can't I kiss Loki instead? I have a crush on that demi-god because his reasons for turning bad grabbed my heart. Abandoned by his birth father and lied to by his adopted father, Loki lashed out. Okay, he tried to blow up a planet in "Thor," but you know. He was stressed.

2. Man, not fair. One story? I'll go with R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms series. Why? Are you kidding me? Um, Drizzt is hot!

3. In ANGEL BAIT, the hero's mentor is a full-blooded angel named Tanis. He saved the team when they were mere children. Over hot chocolate (his weakness), I'd ask, "How did your wings get twisted and burned?"

 

Traci Douglass: www.tracidouglass.net 

1. I’d go with James Bond, current incarnation (although Mr. Darcy would be a close second, just for the sheer romance of it ***sigh***). Why? ‘Cause that guy would definitely know all the tricks in the book and could probably teach me a thing or two… ***wink***

2. Good question, Ines! Hmmm… I’m currently re-reading Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One and its super good. I'm not a regular reader of sci-fi/fantasy, but this story really hooked me. For those of you who haven’t read the book, it’s a futuristic hero adventure tale that involves a cool virtual world called the OASIS. Though I’d not enjoy living in the dreary ‘stacks’ like the main character Wade does in the beginning of the story, being able to interact with a realistic virtual world where you could do anything, visit any time period, or be or meet anyone you wanted would be beyond fantastic. :-)

3.  Xander, my Scion commander. That guy makes me drool every time I write about him. I’d tell you what I’d ask him, but then this post would turn X-rated, so best to leave that up to your imagination… :-)

Deborah O'Neill Cordes (co-author of the Morgan O'Neill novels): www.morganoneill.com/

1. James Bond - but only if I could be Halle Berry for that moment.  And that's why.  :) 

2. The Wizard of Oz books immediately come to mind.  If I could cheat and say the movie version, that would be even better.  The Emerald City calls to me.

3. I would love to have tea with Gwendolyn Godwyn, our time traveling heroine from THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN.  I would ask her if she could time travel one more time, would she try to rescue Stefano?  No spoilers here - but our readers will understand.  ;)

 

Melinda Dozier: www.melindadozier.com 

1. Oh Mr. Darcy! How I love thee!

2. I think it'd be rather interesting to live in The Outlander for one day. Not sure if I'd survive, though.
3. I'd love to have Colin from Breaking the Rules along with his son, Jason. We'd chat over coffee about our current "Bucket List" items and ways to reach our goals.

Lynn Crandall: http://lynn-crandall.com/ 

1. Thor, because he’s one of a kind.
2. Wow, tough question. I’ve loved so many books for so long. I guess I would pick Bitten by Kelley Armstrong because the main characters are so strong, particularly Elena, and I love fantasy.
3. I would like to sit down with Sterling, the heroine of Dancing with Detective Danger and ask her how her life has changed since she committed to Ben, the hero, and worked through some of her inner issues.