Friday, October 12, 2007

COMMENT on this post for a chance to win a copy of Serati's Flame by T.J. Michaels.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TJ taps over sixteen years experience in technology to create realistic stories with out of this world characters. Working for an interesting organization puts her in close contact with even more interesting people. And with an imagination expanded beyond belief since the birth of her two now teen-aged children (she'll never be sane again), spinning life's experiences into tales is a blast.

Now that books have caught up to technology (she loves her eBookwise!), TJ's eBook reader is shown no mercy, forced to entertain her at all hours of the day or night. Even in the dark! Writing like a madman, er, madwoman, TJ hasn't lost steam. Her mind? Yep, that's gone, but steam there is aplenty!

To see what TJ's been up to, visit www.tjmichaels.com.


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?
*tj laughing* Most people laugh when I answer this question because I had no intention of becoming a writer. It was one of those "if they can do it, I can do it" challenges I gave myself. I sat on my first book, a huge honkin' manuscript, for years and years. In fact, I still haven't submitted it to anyone. Last year I decided to get serious and wrote something a bit smaller for my first submission. Ellora's Cave picked it up and I've contracted and released seven books since then.

What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love the creative freedom of being a writer. I can write about whatever I want, make the characters quirky, smart or dumb as a frickin' rock if I want. What I don't like is having a fulltime job at the same time. It makes getting in the writing time really tough. And once you start writing, it's like a damned obsession. You've just GOTTA do it. Makes for alot of tired days.

How do you balance your personal and writing time?
Balance? What's that?

How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
Hmm, that's a tough one. Sometimes it all hits me at once. Talk about a headache. Girl, I walk around with big knots on the side of my head after I've been broadsided by my muse! At other times, I get an inkling for a cool character and his or her world just kind of starts to swirl around in my head.

What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write paranormal multicultural romance. It comes easy to me because it's the life I know. Being a black author, with Lakota, Blackfeet and French thrown in, I have insight into several different cultures and beliefs. I love to mix that stuff into my characters. Many of my own life experiences are also tossed in.

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
I think the biggest misconception is that we all make a ton of cash, or that we can afford to give away our work all the time, or that we sit around on our butts all day. I have a day job, two teens (one in college and one in high school), my writing to do, plus a number of other responsibilities. Sometimes it's difficult to find a minute to write, let alone sit around all day! LOL!

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
I tend to mix it up a bit. There's some of me, my kids, my ex, my friends, my fabulous mom-in-law, etc. in my characters. I have a little slogan I toss at my family every now and then when they're being weird. I say, "Careful how you behave. You may end up in one of my novels!" LOL!

Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
Oh goodness, that's a tough one. I love Reya Daines from Jaguar's Rule, Delaine Jeris from Primed to Pounce. But I think Carin from Carinian's Seeker is my all time favorite. She's so saucy, sassy and smart. Hey, three S's!

What would you want readers to take away from your books?
That strong women can love, be smart and fiercely loyal, while still reveling in their femininity. We don't have to be men to be successful in our lives. The men in our lives need us to be just the way we are. Also, I want them to take away the thought that "good girls do" and love it. So many are raised with the ideal that sex is wrong, and unfortunately it sometimes gets carried into our marriages and long-term relationships. Sex is a very good thing. We just have to be responsible about it.

Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Yep. Sit your booty down and write that book! Don't edit it to death - get the thing done. Afterwards, have a trustworthy critique partner read it. Then edit it a time or two and submit it. Don't get edit paralysis where you're constantly changing the book and never actually submit it anywhere. Get 'er done!

Who are your favorite authors?
Geesh, I have so many, I'm not sure where to start. I love NJ Walters, Lauren Dane, Shelley Munro, all of the Night Whispers Authors, all of the Ladies of the Club. Most of these women are in author groups with me and they're all fabulous. Even Tony Blake and Cassie Ryan are in groups with me. Not only are they all awesome writers, but they don't mind sharing their expertise with a newbie like me.

What are you reading right now?
Nothing. I'm trying to hit a deadline! *wink*


ABOUT THE BOOK:

BLURB:

For two Seekers of justice, hunting rogues is dangerous business. But not as dangerous as their yearning for each other.

There’s a rogue on the loose, and the Vampire Council of Ethics has just the man for the job. Alaan Serati, along with his team of elite fighters, is a Seeker for the V.C.O.E. The lethal vampire law enforcement assassin is also the most eligible bachelor of Clan Serati. His job: Take out the rogue vampire who killed his mate years ago. But working with a fellow Seeker quickly becomes a pain in his backside. How is he supposed to accomplish the mission if he can’t keep his mind or his hands off of his fellow officer?

For more years than she wants to remember, Tameth Serati-Cole has worked almost every day, side by side, with the gruff and gorgeous Alaan. It’s been hell considering the special bond between them, something rarely developed between mates. But Alaan doesn’t really want her. He’s still pining away for the woman taken from him years ago. So when he declares his need to bond with her, this lady Seeker ain’t biting…even if she’s wanted to since the day they met.


EXCERPT:

“Hey, sis, how are you?” he called, striding over to the grand double doors to meet them. He laid a gentle hand over the dark tufts of the small head lying on Carin’s shoulder. “So this is little Russian Bixler, eh? He’s certainly a hefty kid. And cute, too.”

“Damned straight. Say hello to your uncle Alaan, Russian,” Carin cooed against her son’s hair. Gifting Alaan with a sisterly smirk, she said, “We’re going in for lunch. Want to join us? You can challenge your nephew here for your meal.”

Tousling the little head full of curls, Alaan leaned down and planted a kiss on the baby’s brow. “In a minute. I need to talk to Tameth for a sec.”

“No problem,” Carin told him, hitching Russian higher up on her shoulder. She covered his head with a baby-sized blanket to protect him against the slight chill and headed inside. “Come see me before you head back to London,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll be in my lab.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Alaan drawled with a mock salute.

God, the man’s deep voice made Tameth’s toes curl up in her boots. Her attention riveted on his profile as he watched Carin and the children disappear into the house. What an amazing contrast of parts. Hair so fair, a face so handsome and a body so muscularly perfect he could easily pass as one of heaven’s protectors. But when he got that prime male gleam in his crystal blue eyes accompanied by a little show of fang, he looked more like one of the Devil’s henchmen. Rumor had it any woman would take him in whatever way he chose to present himself. She happened to know those rumors were true.

Her gaze slid down the wide expanse of his chest to the outline of solid pecs visible through his unzipped black-on-black Seeker trench coat. But Tameth didn’t care how sinfully attractive Alaan was, nor how loyal he was to the Council and vampire clans. There was no way she’d settle for any man who wasn’t willing to conquer hell and high water for her, bondmate or not.

Hmm. The garden seemed strangely silent. Instantly in Seeker mode, Tameth discreetly scanned the area with her eyes. None of the vamps she’d spotted earlier through Carin’s window were on security detail anymore. Her senses picked up the subtle scent and faint sound of vamps in the immediate vicinity, none vicious, but none visible. And so quiet, it appeared to be just the two of them accompanied by a light spring breeze, endless blooming flowers, brilliant green grass, hedges and trees.

Being alone with Alaan Serati probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do right now. Not while the “want him, he doesn’t want me…does he?” perplexity controlled her typically rational mind. Not to mention her body didn’t give a rat’s rear end where her head was spending its time. All five-foot-eleven and a half inches wanted to lay under him and squirm until she passed out. This was so not good.

Thoughts of Sher popped into her head. Well, that snapped her out of her musing. Tameth broke the silence with an irritated clearing of her throat.

“So, you wanted to see me?” Tameth asked, her voice deliberately void of care. Not cold, just…unimpressed. Her conversation with Carin swirled around in the back of her mind. Perhaps she was just being silly. The man she’d always wanted made it crystal clear he had feelings for her. But still…she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d have all of his heart or just part of it. And part of it wasn’t an option.

“Yes, baby, I wanted to see you,” he said slowly, carefully. His strong fingers extended. He stood as if he had no doubt she would take them.

Tameth’s heart camped out just above her esophagus as she took his hand, certain of what she wanted, yet so uncertain. The second his strong grip encompassed her own, she gave up trying to guess what he felt. Instead she stopped thinking altogether and let her mind open to him. Immediately the bottom of her stomach hit the gravel path they stood on as his emotions flooded her head and overflowed her senses. The tidal wave of feeling grew ever higher, then crashed down over her in an overwhelming wave of longing. Oh yes, his need was there, but it wasn’t hot or urgent, but deeper, more profound.

Neither spoke as Tameth allowed herself to be led across the expansive gardens, through a wall of tall evergreen hedges that surrounded a thick grove of aspen trees. Suddenly her fingers were cold. She looked down. Alaan had let go and now stood staring down at her heatedly. Amazing. Even at her unusual height, half-an-inch shy of six feet, she felt short looking up at him.

A single digit tilted her head up and she bit the inside of her cheek to keep the gasp from escaping her throat. His expression was raw, dangerous. Delicious. God, the glint in those jewel blue eyes sent a tremor through her whole being—spirit, soul and body. One booted foot stepped towards her. Instinctively, she took an answering step back. Her chin dropped, unable to handle such acute heat and determination. He took another step. Oh, God. The man stalked her like a lion on the hunt in the Serengeti.

Ouch!

The air whooshed from her lungs when the back of her knees slammed against something with such force they buckled out from underneath her. Landing hard, her butt made contact with cold, solid stone. She looked down and could have kicked herself. Just great. So distracted by Alaan’s intent, she’d backed herself into a stone bench resting at the base of a huge budding tree underneath a dense canopy of leaves.

And Alaan moved in fast. Bounding to her feet, Tameth had every intention of halting his progress. But instead of pushing him away, her damned mutinous fingers curled into the leather of his long trench coat and held fast.

The baritone of his voice swirled around her as he said, “I will have you, Tameth.”

Oh really? Well didn’t he have a thing or two to learn? It was her last coherent thought just before he kissed the smart-aleck right out of the remark she’d fixed her mouth to say.

With no memory of rising up on her toes, Tameth stood practically on the tips of her boots doing a terrible imitation of a swivel-hipped Elvis with her arms wrapped around Alaan’s thick neck. His answering embrace engulfed and surrounded her until every breath was Alaan and leather. Mmm, the lips moved hungrily over hers, extending the kiss until her lungs burned for an intake of air. But who needed to breathe when she could live off of the essence of Alaan?

And what about her resolve to blow him off?

Resolve was overrated.


REVIEWS:
(for Carinian's Seeker)

"...CARINIAN'S SEEKER is the first book in a new Vampire Council of Ethics series and should not be missed! It contains all of the elements for a great paranormal/vampire romance with suspense. The author is extremely talented and has created an exciting new paranormal world that grabs the reader and won't let go! The story line and plot are tight, the characters are well-rounded and engaging, and the book is skillfully written. The sexual tension between the Carin and Bix sizzles but the sex is flat out scorching!

This book is a MUST READ for paranormal/vampire romance lovers! I would recommend this book to people who enjoy Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan. This is definitely an author and a series to watch!"

-- Angela, Rites of Romance Reviews

"I loved this book. The heroine is strong, determined and extremely intelligent. She is more than a match for the hero, in fact at times you wonder if he's strong enough for her. I have read other books by TJ Michaels, but none as good as Carinian's Seeker. This book is a keeper that no vampire fan will regret buying. I cannot say enough about how strong and smart Carinian is, she is one of the best female leads I have read this year. I can't wait until the next book in the series comes out; at least I hope there will be another."
-- Christina Hopper, Paranormalromance.org


Serati's Flame by T.J. Michaels
Vampire Council of Ethics (V.C.O.E.) - Book Two
ISBN: 1-59998-549-7
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
$5.50 from Mybookstoreandmore.com


Purchase Serati's Flame by T.J. Michaels HERE!!!