Blogging with Amanda McIntyre

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:18:00 +0000

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Thursday Coffee Talk: Guest Author, Rae Winters

Welcome to Thursday Coffee Talk! Today we continue our blog tour of Arrow Publications and Lady Leo Publishing. Our guest today is the multi-talented , Rae Winters whose book UNFINISHED BUSINESS, first book in the Girlfriends Series launched her introduction into eBooks and Lady Leo Publishing Company.

Rae Winters started writing romantic short stories and poetry over seven years ago and, she has been writing them ever since. An avid reader of romance, erotica, fiction, historical and mystery books, she decided to spin her own tales. She has sold six Cub Bites confession e-books, and she has three books that have been released as Apple Apps through Arrow Publications and MyRomanceStory.com. She has published book reviews, sensual poems, and confession stories for five national women’s confession/romance magazine. Rae is currently working on several erotica tales, short stories, and her first women’s fiction novel. Her first book for Red Rose Publishing is due out in August 2010.

Blurb For UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Sydney Harris is ten days from walking down the aisle when her fiancé, Lance Edwards, develops cold feet. He skips town taking a transfer to the Washington, D.C. office. She's devastated, but sometimes trouble is a blessing in disguise.

Two years ago, Sydney dropped handsome Phoenix Sanders, a construction worker. She believed she’d been wasting her time with him, and he wasn’t serious about marriage. But when she proposes a marriage of convenience she will find out just how wrong shed been.

Excerpt:

Nix came to the door, towel draped against his sculptured body, moisture from his recent shower dripping down his chest. He looked good enough to eat. My fantasy from yesterday’s business meeting came back in real time, as I stood there mesmerized by his body.

"Sydney, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you, Nix."

"Make this quick, I've got an early call tomorrow morning," he said, opening the door wide enough for me to pass through.

My nose honed in on his after-shower-scent and I found myself wishing to join him in the shower as we had done many times before: showering, making love, and then showering again.

"This is a beautiful house, Nix. You just moved in?" I asked. We were surrounded by unopened boxes.

"Yeah, I moved in on Saturday."

"May I see the house, Nix?"

He didn't answer me, but he did shake his head which I took as a yes. I went exploring. The basement level was unfinished, and the main floor had a spacious kitchen, formal dining room, and a huge living room. Eagerly, I climbed the stairs to the second level, and found three bedrooms. Two of them were big enough for a nursery and a combination library-study.

I walked into his master bedroom which was the largest of the three bedrooms. It was elegantly furnished, and the walls had crown molding.

"Is this your work? I like what you're doing to it, celery green wall paint, and my favorite is the French doors. Where does that door lead to?"

"Sydney, did you come here to talk, or to see my new home?"

I could hear the annoyance in Nix's voice.

"I'm sorry. You know my passion for decorating a room. I think if you put the sleigh bed against the right wall, and not the left, it will give you even more space."

"I'm a foreman now, and I have to be in Staten Island at five A. M., so say whatever you have to say, now!"

Nix was now standing in front of me; his sherry-chocolate eyes smoldered me, and stopped me in my tracks. I slowly backed away from him, feeling sexually threatened. He smelled so good, his chest glistened, and I wanted, no needed to touch him. I fought my inward desires, because I was wet with need, and I needed to talk to him...

Can you describe your favorite hero/heroine?

My heroes are take charge kind of men, but at the same time can be tender to their women. He would rub her feet after a hard day at the office, run her bath water, and tuck her into bed seeing to her physical needs above his own. He isn’t without flaws—stubborn, audacious at times, but sexy, and great in bed.

My heroines are independent, strong, and feisty women who aren’t afraid of going after the men in their lives. They will protect their men at all cost. Even going up against whoever would hurt them—ex-lovers, family members, etc. Together they’re unstoppable—passionate, and they would light up the sheets.

To add to the fun this week, Rae is giving away an ebook copy of her new book! Just leave a comment to enter your chance to win! Reader Question: How would you react if you discovered the office vixen touching your boyfriend in an inappropriate manner? This is the man you love. You've been living with him for the past two years. Would you be quick to judge him based on the evidence before you?

You can learn more about Rae and her books at http://www.raewinters.com/

Thanks Rae! Join us next week when we welcome another author of Lady Leo Publishing and Arrow Publications on their summer blog tour!

Until next time~

Amanda

Posted by Amanda McIntyre at 9:25 AM

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Labels: Arrow Publications, MyRomancestory, Rae Winters, Thursday Coffee Talk, Unfinished Business

Rae's Interview with Arrow Publication

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:16:00 +0000

Rae Winters: Lady Leo Writer

Arrow Talks to Romance Writer Rae Winters

Arrow recently spoke with Rae Winters a native New Yorker and the passionate writer of the Girlfriend Series, the Romance Series, and the racy Seduction Series. Winters started writing romantic short stories and poetry over seven years ago, and has been writing them ever since. The Girlfriends Series launched her introduction into eBooks. Since then, Winters has sold seven eBooks to Lady Leo Publishing and her first book to Red Rose Publishing. In addition, she has published book reviews, sensual poems, and confession stories for five national women's confession/romance magazines.

Arrow: So, tell us about yourself – the fans are listening.

RW: I’ve been writing since 2003. My love for romance books started when I was 10 years old. Many days, I was locked up in the bathroom reading a book, instead of doing my chores. I am a Gemini—the twin sign, and on any given day, I’ve been known to have two personalities. D. F. Mitchell is the serious, inspirational side of me, while Rae Winters is racy and adventurous.

Arrow: Wow Rae! Skipping your chores to read, a famous writer in the making. How do you begin to create your stories and characters?

RW: I start out with my characters, chose a setting, and then I plot out my story through an outline, scene-by-scene. With a completed outline in hand, I start writing and often my characters have led me in a different direction from my plotted outline.

Arrow: Are any of stories or characters based on real life?

RW: I sometime weave a real-life situation into my books; and at other times, I’ll let my imagination lead me.

Arrow: And what do you consider a captivating erotic story?

RW: A captivating erotic story for me is one that balances romance, sex, and an interesting storyline. It pulls me into the characters’ lives, and I can’t put the book down until I’ve read the last page.

Arrow: This is great. So what motivated you to start writing in the erotica genre?

RW: I started by writing sensual poems, then confession stories, and went on to write three erotica novellas. My books are not hardcore erotica, but mostly sensual with romance being the key element.

Arrow: Yes, I see that you eased your way into sensual and erotic writing. Tell us, what's your writing background?

RW: I have published book reviews, sensual poems, and confession stories for five national women’s confession/romance magazine. I’ve studied the craft of writing at the Frederick Douglas Creative Arts Center. I also studied Fiction and Mystery writing through an online distance-learning program.

Arrow: With so many distractions, do you get the opportunity to write every day?

RW: I was a caregiver for the past two years to my terminally ill father, who passed away last year. Now that I will be joining the work force again, my writing will be scheduled according to my work hours. However, in the past, I wrote every day sometimes for as many as six hours, or until I was famished.

Arrow: So sorry to hear about your father. Our condolences. Writing until your starving, now that’s dedication. Is there a particular writer who influenced or mentored you?

RW: Nathasha Brooks-Harris, a writer also, has always been in my corner cheering me on. She pushes me to do my research, plot out my story and to incorporate the five senses into the plot so that a reader can visualize everything they’re reading.

Arrow: Precisely! One of the essential parts of writing is guiding the reader to see, feel and hear what’s in the writer’s mind. Are there any genres or subgenres you haven't tried that you'd like to?

RW: I’m putting the finishing touches to my first women’s fiction novella, I’ll Be There. I’m also working on my first paranormal novella, Time and Again. Both stories are setup to be series so I’m praying my readers will like them.

Arrow: With electronic publishing at the forefront of the industry, what made you decide to publish in this popular format?

RW: A good friend of mine knew the stress I was under taking care of my dad and suggested I pickup the pen again. Writing can be therapeutic and so I lost myself in it. I submitted my first Cub Bite Confession manuscript to Lady Leo Publishing Company in June 2008. Unfinished Business, the first book in my Girlfriends Series, was released two months later. The book is in the chick-lit genre and it’s about three girlfriends: Sydney Harris (Unfinished Business,) Lisa Roberts (Against My Will) and Doreen Hamilton (Finding Love Again). All three of them met at Columbia University and five years later their bond is stronger than ever.

Arrow: Have you sought an agent or do you represent yourself? Any advice for new writers looking to get published?

RW: I haven’t sought out an agent. But my first manuscript submitted to Lady Leo Publisher Company was accepted for publication. So, I would advise aspiring authors who are looking to get published to read the publisher’s submission guidelines and to follow them before submitting your work. Don’t allow a publisher’s rejection to stop you from realizing your dream.

Also, it’s important to study the craft—enroll in writing workshops and online classes to help you polish your skills. Another way is to form a critique group to review your work. It may be painful at times, but it’s good to get other people’s opinion of your work. With this in mind, I say, keep submitting!!!

Arrow: Tell us about your latest releases. Do you have a favorite?

RW: My favorite and latest release, Obsession, is from the Romance Series. Unlike the Girlfriends Series, the books from the Romance Series are highly sensual and a little racy.

Arrow: A little racy you say. What can your readers expect from you in 2010?

RW: My third book, A Taste of Passion (Romance Series), will be released in June by Lady Leo. It’s an interracial romance and ladies night out story. The characters from Undeniable and Obsession will make a cameo, updating the fans of this series on their lives. Salsa Heat will also be released in the coming months by Red Rose Publishing.

Caribbean Heat, the first book from my Seduction Series, and another novella, Tangled Sheets, are being edited for submission. Both of these erotica novellas are my raciest titles so far.

Arrow: Do you implement any special marketing techniques to promote your books, your brand and yourself?

RW: Well, through my website, I’ve included a blurb and excerpt of all of my books. When I’m working on a new project, I try to post a chapter of my work, along with a photo of my characters to draw the readers into the book. I’m working on creating a book video trailer for all of my books. I also use blogging and newsletters as another means to market my work. And I’m on the Authors Den, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Coffee Time Romance and several other networking sites.

Arrow: This is certainly a lot of work. Before we hop off, fans really want to know a little about you. Tell us about Rae.

RW: I’m a native New Yorker and I love the hustle and bustle of the big city! I really love to travel and this will be a central theme in some of my upcoming books. I have traveled to Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands. My favorite places are Barbados and the Hawaiian islands.

Arrow: Traveling the world is great! Rae, it’s been a real pleasure. Thank you for taking a few moments to speak with Arrow about your writing career. Lets chat again soon.

RW: Thank you for interviewing me. The pleasure has really been all mine!

Read the full interview with Rae Winters on MyRomanceStory's Blog.

Search keywords “Arrow Publications” or “MyRomanceStory” to find Obsession and Unfinished Business and other offerings by Rae Winters in Arrow’s Love & Romance Collection in the iTunes App store. Titles start at only $2.99.

Salsa Heat

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Salsa Heat is a contemporary, MC/IR short book. Tia owns a dance studio and as a favor to her best friend, Michelle and business partner, she agrees to teach her boyfriend, Quincy, the salsa. He’s a temptation Tia’s has been avoiding since they were first introduced, over a year ago. The heat from his fiery green eyes causes her many sleepless nights. Once the Latin music lights the fire between them, will these two be able to control their desires for one another?

Coming soon to Red Rose Publishing in August

A Taste of Passion

Tue, 04 May 2010 06:36:00 +0000

Book Three of the Romance Series

A Taste of Passion, will be released by Lady Leo Publishing Company in June. It’s ladies night out, and the characters from Undeniable and Obsession will make a cameo, updating the fans of this series on their lives.

After Chantál Thompson catches her live-in lover, Andrew (Drew) Colby III, in a comprising situation, she demands that he moves out of their Madison Avenue apartment. Drew is not about to move out and so now they are roommates, each with their own bedrooms, but they share the kitchen and living room space.

It’s Chantál’s turn to host Ladies Night Out and Drew unexpected returns from an international photo shoot spoils her evening. Drew is burned out. All he wants is to lie back on his sofa, chug back a couple of beers, and unwind in his boxer shorts, but Chantál won’t let him. They compromise and she invites him back to her bed for a quickie. Passion burns hot, desire unquenchable, and Chantál can’t deny white boy leaves her breathless.

Will Drew be able to erase his past mistake? Will Chantál forgive him?

Book Two of the Romance Series

Obsession

www.ladyleopublishing.org/Obsession-RaeWinters.html

Simone Jeffries returns to New York City to attend Fashion Institute of Technology. She’s working toward her Master’s degree in interior design, while working part-time at her sister-in-law’s company, Lakewood Designs. A year ago, her erotic escapade with Anthony White, caused a rift with her brother, Morgan.

Identical twins, Anthony and Brandon White, are used to sharing everything—clothes, foods, and women. But this time, Anthony isn’t willing to share—especially when it comes to Simone! Brandon’s obsession with the pecan colored, mesmerizing, green-eyed beauty pushes him to take matters into his own hands.

Can Simone mend the rift with her brother? What lengths will Brandon take to have Simone?

The First Book of the Romance Series

Undeniable

www.ladyleopublishing.org/Undeniable-RaeWinters.html

Reese Lakewood’s romantic dinner for two goes up in smoke, when she discovers her boyfriend, Vincent, in his office banging best friend, Michael. Devastated, she falls into the arms of the security guard. In one night, Reese’s life spins into a tail-spin, and out of control.

Rae Winters the racier side of me.

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:16:00 +0000

I haven't been blogging as I should. For the past two years, I've been a caregiver for my terminally ill father. He passed away in January from cancer. Writing helped me to keep my sanity while watching his body slowly deteriorate. Right now, the loss is still fresh; but one day, I plan to write an inspirational story based on my dad and my experience as a caregiver.

In the meantime, I've thrown myself into several projects. I've written a steamy I/R romance novella (Caribbean Heat), two erotica novella, one of which is Paranormal erotica (Time and Again and Tangled Sheets). I will post a chapter or two shortly.

I'm also working on a video for the Girlfriends Series and Caribbean Heat.

Check out my blog at www.rae154.wordpress.com