10 Questions with Cynthia Arsuaga

Yes, we are continuing to bring you the widest range of author options you could possibly think of. February and March continue to be my fellow Secret Cravings authors…so below meet our Author du jour…Cynthia Arsuaga

Welcome Cynthia!

Could you give me a brief rundown of your currently available items with Secret Cravings?

A Gift of Love is a Christmas story, but I think is a modern day version of a classic that can be read any time of the year.

Born To Be Wildand Born to Play are part of a series of vampires and their women. Centers around the blood families in Virginia and Miami. I have a third over half-finished with the first draft. Give me another month or so and should be ready for submission. I’m titling that one, Born Again in Dreams.

My Life As A Dog I co-authored with my husband, Mike. We recently had the sequel accepted, titled Love and Death in the Big Easy. This is the story of Drake Martin, a shape-shifting Yorkshire terrier, and his wife and family. Takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Texas Heat (Hot Flash)is part of the Hot Flash series and I plan to write a sequel to this one. My first attempt at a contemporary. I had fun with this one and can’t wait to finish the second one. I’ve started it, just have to finish my other WIPs!

The Cougar and Her Vampireis another vampire series. This was the very first story I wrote and had with another publisher, but they went belly-up before Cougar got published. I moved her to SCP and ended up being released after my other vamp story which became the first publishing, Born to Be Wild.

A Vampire in Paris is the sequel to The Cougar and Her Vampire. Releases this month, if not already! A third in the series is in the works, LexAeterna.

Lost in the Sea of You, one of five stories in the Valentine Anthology, Five Hearts. This one is a paranormal with a ghost. Only way to get this one is join the Cravings Club, but will be offered later I believe.

Christmas with a Strangerwas a 2010 Christmas release and offered as a FREE READ. I have intentions to continue this story, but just can’t seem to find the time. UGH!

BIO:

Cynthia resides in Orlando, Florida, the land of magic, surrounded by the treasured gems in her life, a caring, loving husband, dutiful and loyal daughter, and precious, delightful granddaughter. Oh and not to forget her mischievous Yorkshire Terrier, Thumper.

Cynthia was a “Navy Brat” calling a different port home every couple of years—from Southern California, to Boston, to Virginia, to Florida. She developed wandering feet and diverse interests and passionately incorporates those experiences into her stories, bringing characters to life, and eloquently sharing the vivid ima

ges of her mind with her audience.

Cynthia worked as a real estate broker for over twenty years before retiring to Florida. Until recently, then she turned to

writing to stretch her creative muscle. Those ideas of faraway places and quirky characters lay dormant for years and finally demanded their story be told.

Cynthia plans on putting some mileage on those wandering feet and travel to exotic locations in the coming years. So look for the journeys to be expressed in Romantic Words by Cynthia in the future.

My gosh, you are busy…but, onto the 10 questions…

1. Let’s start with something easy. How long have you been writing and what got you started?

I started writing in Fall 2009 and finished first manuscript in May 2010. I had retired, sort of, and had nothing to do. I began to read my husband’s stories and helping with editing and plotting suggestion. Then, my daughter and I attended the Southern Women’s Show and a writer with the local RWA had a booth and my daughter bought her books. I was interested in doing something to occupy my time at home and began to read my daughter’s extensive library and decided I could write similar stories. I booted up my ten year old laptop and started with a story that nagged to be written. The rest is history!

2. The most interesting parts of my stories I have dreamt up. Can you give us an idea of one fantastical or sexy thing you have thought up?

I don’t know to be honest. I don’t know if I original in my ideas. I create my worlds by thinking

what if and go from there. I tend to make my characters older, not the barely of legal age types which is what I read in a lot of the books my daughter gave me to read.

3. Have you got a current WIP and can you give us any hints as to what we will find within the book?

The one I’m working on now is a different idea which follows on to the previous question. This story, Born Again in Dreams, is the third in the Born Vampire Series and involves Sorin Bochinsky, Master and Commander of the Eastern European Blood Family. He’s haunted by a mysterious woman in a recurring dream. Fallyn Travers has been in a coma due to a car accident for over four years then suddenly awakens after an unusual man saves her from the darkness. There’s more to the dreams, which turns out aren’t. A vampire serial killer, returning characters from Born to Be Wild, and new secondary characters ones grace the story and help the two lovers create a world unlike any seen before.

4. Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate or something stronger? And why?

Love me some hot chocolate, any time of the year and any time of the day.

5. Some characters just grab you by the scruff of the neck and worry you until you do what is right by them. Which character that you have written would you say has done this to you and why?

Several, but the most recent is Ramsey Weiss in A Vampire in Paris. There was one chapter that I must have rewritten five times, at least. The chapter was pivotal in that from there on the story would go in one direction or the other. I’d get into the plot and didn’t like where it progress, so started over. I’m pleased where it went and in fact the story really didn’t end and continues into the third story. A real cliff-hanger but the story could still be considered a standalone.

6. If you had the opportunity to try something in your books, what would it be?

Travel more. My settings have been many places. I want to see the world. Egypt, Australia, Paris are definitely on my passport wish list. Been to Greece twice and want to return, London and want to return and explore the countryside, Ireland only for research on another WIP, other islands in the Caribbean, Hawaii, been to Alaska and would love to return, oh so many places and never enough time!

7. As authors, we know which characters we would most love to meet. So pick 5 you would invite for dinner and tell us why.

That’s easy! All my leading men—Stefan, Gregori, Christian, Ramsey, Zach, Drake, Mikael, Chris and Beckett. Sorry, couldn’t leave any of them out. To be the only woman surrounded by sexy men fighting over my attention, well you run the numbers. What woman wouldn’t want to be in that position? J

8. As authors, we all make mistakes on our road to publishing. What would you do differently along the way to becoming a published author?

I considered myself lucky and didn’t have too many pitfalls. I guess I’d make sure that my manuscript is as good as it can be before submitting.

9. You are going on a holiday and can only take 3 things with you. What would you pick and why?

My tablet, to stay in touch with messages and also has plenty of books loaded so can

read.

Comfortable Shoes for sight-seeing.

Husband, even though he’s not a “thing”, but I couldn’t have fun without him with me.

10. If you could give a piece of advice to a reader who wants to write a book, what would it be?

Start writing! Just do it. Period.

Thanks for joining me today on the blog Cynthia!

You can catch Cynthia Arsuaga at:

http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com

http://romanticwordsbycynthia.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/CynthiaArsuaga

Cynthia's current releases include…

• Born to be Wild
• My Life as a Dog
• The Cougar and her Vampire
• A Vampire in Paris
• Born to Play
• Texas Heat
• Nightfall: Fantasies Fulfilled
• A Gift of Love
• The Misadventure of Dick Grewcock: A Vampire's First Christmas
• Christmas With a Stranger

10 Questions with Paul Martin

Could you give me a brief rundown of your currently available items with Secret Cravings?

Hi, my name is Paul Martin. I write erotic romance stories in several different genres. I grew up in the not so gently rolling hills of southwest Pennsylvania. I write sensual tales laced with the supernatural as well as contemporary works featuring strong women and the heroes who are man enough to tame them. When not on the golf course, I can be found at the computer letting my imagination play with people's lives and loves.

I currently has three stories available at Secret Cravings. A Present for Santa, A Witch’s Curse and my latest release, The Bitch in the Kitchen.

They all sound fantastic…so, onto the 10 questions…

1. Let’s start with something easy. How long have you been writing and what got you started?

I’ve been writing about six years now. As an avid reader all my life, I’ve always wanted to try my hand and I’m glad I finally took the plunge.

2. The most interesting parts of my stories I have dreamt up. Can you give us an idea of one fantastical or sexy thing you have thought up?

There is one that pops to mind. It involves a mythical man and a woman from the suburbs and a milking machine.

3. Have you got a current WIP and can you give us any hints as to what we will find within the book?

I have several in the works right now, don’t we all? One is a fantasy about Vikings and four people from our world who intermingle in a land where real magic is possible. It’s a hot mix of romance, magic and Viking warriors.

4. Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate or something stronger? And why?

I’m a Diet Dewer. It tastes the same as regular Mt. Dew without the horrid after taste most diet sodas have.

5. Some characters just grab you by the scruff of the neck and worry you until you do what is right by them. Which character that you have written would you say has done this to you and why?

The ghost in A Witch’s Curse was difficult to write. The POV in the story was all Carolyn’s and to try to reveal his inner emotions was challenging to say the least.

6. If you had the opportunity to try something in your books, what would it be?

Interesting that you ask. All my stories so far have been mainly from the woman’s POV and I was thinking of starting a series from the man’s.

7. As authors, we know which characters we would most love to meet. So pick 5 you would invite for dinner and tell us why.

That’s an easy one. I would invite my leading ladies; Holly from A Present for Santa, Carolyn and Maggie from A Witch’s curse and Lisa from The Bitch in the Kitchen. The fifth would be Elaine from my Viking WIP. Why? Because they’re all hot and I love each and every one of them.

8. As authors, we all make mistakes on our road to publishing. What would you do differently along the way to becoming a published author?

I would have started much sooner than I did. Trying to remember all those grammar rules from grade school gets harder and harder each year.

9. You are going on a holiday and can only take 3 things with you. What would you pick and why?

My lap top, of course, suntan lotion and, is Rebecca DeMornay available?

10. If you could give a piece of advice to a reader who wants to write a book, what would it be

Be prepared to work your ass off. Writing ain’t as easy as you think. Keeping your characters straight in your mind is hard enough, but when they decide the story should go one way and you want it to go another, makes it even harder.

You can catch Paul on Facebook

Their current releases include…A Present for Santa, A Witch’s Curse and The Bitch in the Kitchen

COMPETITION TIME!

Paul Martin has kindly offered A free copy of A Witch’s Curse so, in order to win, please leave a comment and one lucky winner will be randomly drawn

Prizes will be drawn randomly on the 13th February

10 Questions to Delight and Despair with Natalie Nicole Bates

Continuing our 10 questions series, today we are visited by Natalie Nicole Bates, author of Antique Charming, Change of Address and many more titles.

Welcome Natalie Nicole Bates!

Could you give me a brief rundown of your currently available items with Secret Cravings?

Change of Address
Josselyn Adler’s dreams of home ownership are dashed when Dr Ben Parnell claims to be the rightful owner of the house—and Ben has a will to prove it! Although he is attracted to the dark haired beauty, he is still suspicious of her true motives and her past involvement with his father.Bio
Natalie-NicoleBates is a book reviewer and author.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

Wow, post mortem photos can be really interesting! They give you an excellent insight into the way people used to view death! Onto the 10 questions...

1. What is your main genre, and how did you get started in it?
My main genre is contemporary romance, but I do write paranormal romance as well. I originally started as an avid reader, then a reviewer. I only started to write seriously about a year ago.

2. Okay, what is the most exotic location you have written in?
And how did that come about? I would say the most exotic location I've written in would probably be the few weeks I spent in Spain. I rented a villa near the beach.

3. Have you got a current WIP and can you give us any hints as to what we will find within the book?
I have a few things in the works right now. I am continuing with the idyllic setting of Unity that I used in Change of Address, In COA we briefly meet Ryan Maine and Amii Sloane. They are the duo featured in my current WIP. I'm also working on a paranormal novella that I'm hoping to sell as a series.

4. Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate or something stronger? And why?
I favour the flavoured teas. I'm currently drinking a lot of blackberry. I enjoy the occasional coffee as well. I have one of those Krups Dolce Gusto machines that make the fancy coffees. Ohh man, envious look happening here.

5. What was the hardest scene you have ever written, and why do you think it was difficult? (emotionally for you and/or your character)
I think the most difficult scene to write was in Change of Address when Josselyn finally tells Ben about her traumatic past. It was a deeply emotional experience that I drew from my own past to write. Very difficult, but liberating as well.

6. If you had the opportunity to try something in your books, what would it be?
Being a contemporary writer, I was always interested in paranormal as well. I knew I would only do it if I could come up with something new and fresh. I wrote Antique Charming this past summer and was fortunate enough to sell it as a stand alone short story. I had never written a short story, so I accomplished a paranormal and a short story in one go--and sold it as well.

7. If you could invite 3 of your characters to a dinner party, who would you choose and what do you want to learn from them?
Adam Nichols from Antique Charming. I would love to learn his secrets of where he has been for the last 100 years. Josselyn Adler from Change of Address. I would like to know her secrets for perseverance and character strength. Lynsey Lincoln from my upcoming contemporary Back To You. I'd love to hear all about her world travels, her romance with a rock superstar, and her fabulous career as a true-crime novelist.

8. What would you do differently on your road to becoming published? I would have been more trusting in myself and my gut feelings. Early on, I took too much critique that messed with my mind. When I stopped taking critique, I sold Change of Address, Antique Charming, and Back To You all in a span of four months.

9. You are going on a holiday and can only take 5 things with you. What would you pick and why?
My husband, because he is my best friend and my rock. Teeble and Ryan, my stuffed bear and rhino, because they've always been in my life and got me through the rough times. My Blackberry, because I have the world at my fingertips. Blackberry tea, because I can't face the morning without it. Sunscreen, because I am literally the most pale girl you'll ever see.

10. If you could give a piece of advice to a reader who wants to write a book, what would it be?
Take a very good course in how to construct a novel. Too many writers with wonderful potential fall down because of poor story structure.

You can catch me at: www.natalienicolebates.com, BatesNatalie at Twitter and http://www.facebook.com/natalienicole.bates at Facebook.

To check out current releases, try any of the following:
Change of Address at Secret Cravings Publishing available December 16 2011

Antique Charming at Books To Go Now Publishing available now

Back To You at Bradley Publishing available January 30 2012

Competition Time:
Natalie-Nicole Bates has kindly offered a PDF copy of Change of Address + a limited-edition Change of Address solid perfume, so, in order to win, name their most recent release with Secret Cravings.
Prizes will be drawn randomly on the 20th January, 2012