Tuesday, June 19, 2007

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Annmarie Ortega is a lifetime resident of Chicago, Illinois and loves the big city life. She is a part time student pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Fiction Writing. In the fall of 2005 Annmarie had her first short story published, and is now published with the Dark Castle Lords. Annmarie is also under contract with Whiskey Creek Torrid, Twilight Fantasies and New Concepts. She is a member of the RWA, along with their Chicago North, ESPAN, and Passionate Ink chapters as well. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read, and work out.







Visit her website at http://www.annmarieauthor.bravehost.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/annmarieortega


ABOUT THE BOOK:

BLURB:

A cursed man… A woman desperate to save him…

Madeline buys a portrait of a man at the flea market. She doesn't know the painting will change her life forever.

Xavier is an artist from another time cursed into his own painting by a vengeful witch.

When Madeline sleeps she joins Xavier in his bedchamber. Soon they find themselves hopelessly in love. Madeline vows to find a way to break Xavier's ancient curse to set him free from the painting. They both discover the way for them to stay together if for Xavier to paint Madeline...every inch of her....


EXCERPT:

Madeline took one look at him and knew she had to have him.

There was something about the way he looked, the expression on his face. His light brown eyes held a twinkle, and there was a playful smile on his lips. And his hair was incredible. Just grazing his shoulders, it was dark black, swept over to one side, out of his face. He had facial hair that lightly ran down his jaw to his chin. He was beautiful.

From what Madeline could see of him, his body was fantastic. His shoulders were wide and his hips were narrow. The way he was standing she could see his muscular legs. His thighs bulged and looked like they were solid muscle.
Yes, she definitely wanted him badly, but did not want to seem too eager.
Madeline asked the woman behind the table “How much do you want for him?” She tried to be casual as she pointed, tried to keep her hand from shaking in excitement.

“Oh, him,” the woman said just barely giving him a glance. “How about twenty dollars?”

Madeline thought she must have heard wrong and frowned. The woman was almost giving him away. There must be a mistake; she must have heard her incorrectly.

“I’m sorry, did you say twenty dollars?” she asked trying to sound nonchalant. She hoped her voice wouldn’t give away her eagerness. Madeline was scared she was going to lose him before she even had him.

“Ok, Ok,” the woman sighed back to her. “How about fifteen dollars? But that’s as low as I can go.”

Madeline’s eyebrows furrowed together. She hadn’t been haggling, but she snapped at the woman’s offer. “Sold. Fifteen dollars it is.”

She opened her purse, pulled out the money and handed it to the woman. The woman quickly glanced at the bills before she shoved Madeline’s money into the beige apron she wore around her waist. “Thanks hon, and good luck with him.” The woman had emphasized the “Good luck” and sounded relieved to be getting rid of him. Madeline couldn’t understand why anyone would be willing to give him up so easily. He was the ultimate vision of the perfect man, and now he belonged to her.

Madeline pulled her purse strap over her head and across her chest, and then leaned over to pick up the portrait she had just purchased. It was heavier than she had thought it would be. She shifted the painting in her arms and scrutinized the man in the painting up closer. No doubt about it, he was absolutely gorgeous. Pleased with her purchase, she turned back the way she’d come and zig zagged through the aisles of the flea market towards her car.


INTERVIEW:

Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I became a writer because it was something I always wanted to do. I am actually completing my bachelors degree in Fiction Writing. I've been writing since I was young.

What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love pretty much everything that goes along with being an author. I will admit there are times I don't like doing edits though!

How do you balance your personal and writing time?
Balancing my writing and personal time is very difficult for me. It's easy to lose myself in what I'm working on, then see hours have past, lol.

How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
I usually start out with a general idea, then as I start to think about it more the stoary and characters start to take shape.

What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write a lot of different types of genres. I've written historical, paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
My characters are from my imagination. I do try to use a name of someone I know as a character in my stories. One main character was actually named after one of my friends dogs!! LOL

Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
My favorite character that's been published is Annalise from The Diary of Annalise. (Available at New Concepts http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/thediaryofannalise.htm She is is full of spunk and speaks her mind.

What would you want readers to take away from your books?
I'd like for readers to finish a book and have enjoyed what they read. I'd also like for them to want to read more of my work.

Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
My advice to new writers is don't stop...Keep writing and never give up. Tell your story, it's in you.

What are you reading right now?
Right now I'm reading Straight by JL Foster. He is a friend of mine and incredibly talented.

If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
I wouldn't change who I am. I live a pretty interesting life. I have a great family and the best friends a person could want!

REVIEW:

Ms. Ortega created a beautiful book about maintaining hope against seemingly impossible odds and a love for all time. Madeline and Xavier are from two totally different worlds but the love that grows between them is beautiful to behold. Both Madeline and Xavier will go to any lengths to take care of each other, even to their possible detriment. This is a love story that spans time and even reality itself. Thanks goes to Ms. Ortega for such a wonderful read.
- Reviewed by: Teresa www.fallenangelreviews.com Rating: 4 Angels



Lord Xavier by Annmarie Ortega
ISBN: 978-1-921347-11-5
Length: 48 pages
Publication Date: March 2007
$2.50 from The Dark Castle Lords



Purchase "Lord Xavier" by Annmarie Ortega HERE!!