Current read:
Tripping Through Time by Mary M. Ricksen
Here we are at the last Monday in April already. Hard to believe. Today I'm welcoming another friend I met through the Mama Writers loop, Laura Garland. Laura brings something new -- she writes with her husband under the name L.J. Garland. I'm anxious to find out more about that! Today she's talking about their latest Cerridwen Press release, Cadence interrupted. Laura, welcome! Tell us about L.J. Garland.
First, Helen, I want to thank you for taking the time to interview me on your blog. I’m very excited to be here.
My husband and I write together under the author name, L.J. Garland. The L is for Laura and the J is for Jeff. So how do we keep from killing each other or divorcing? We come up with the story ideas together, flesh them out, talk about characters, etc. then I get to writing. Jeff reads behind me, catching inconsistencies, typos, etc. He really helps out with the male side of the dialog not to mention the internal thoughts when it’s the hero’s POV! LOL.
So far we’ve e-pubbed two books with Cerridwen Press. One futuristic and one romantic suspense. We like several different genres: futuristic, time travel, paranormal, and suspense. We also like to put romance in all of our stories. We’ve also got about ten more stories lined out to write…it’s just a matter of getting to them!
We have three wonderful little boys, 9 months, 3 years and 5 years. They really keep us hopping! Plus we started home schooling our oldest this year. Overall, I think it’s brought us closer together as a family.
I think it's wonderful that you and your husband work together so well, and I know he must provide invaluable insight to the male point of view. Let's get to Cadence Interrupted. How did the book begin?
Honestly, it started out as a story for Silhouette. They asked for a full but in the end decided against it. They had a low word count, so we went back through and beefed up the scenes (especially the sex) and found a home at Cerridwen.
An article on the Internet is the kernel for this story. It was about the poaching that continues today in South Africa. Most people are so surprised to hear that it’s still going on…but it is. A Ranger told a story about how a poacher ran into a village. He chased the guy there and wasn’t surprised when the people of the village protected him. The animals are protected so even though they tear village crops up, the villagers can’t kill them. So, they call the poachers to take care of it for them and offer their protection.
BLURB:
When CC discovers her best friend has been kidnapped, she vows rescue no matter the cost. Several clues and a threatening call from the kidnapper lead her to hop a plane to South Africa in search of her friend and the man who took her.
In a strange twist of fate, she arrives in Africa and soon finds herself flying helicopter gunships over the savannah, gunning down poachers. Not one to turn down free transportation, she uses her free time following clues that lead her closer to her friend’s location. Her gunner, Carter, an ex-DEA agent with an instinct for discovering secrets, tracks her every move—both in the air and in bed.
CC must maintain the delicate balance between her friend’s life, the kidnapper’s demands and Carter’s suspicious questions. Time is running out and each clue leads her further across South Africa in a hail of gunfire and missiles. Only her determination and skills as a pilot can save her friend and bring the kidnapper to justice without losing Carter’s love.
Wow, sounds very intense! I love a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Your hero, Carter, sounds fascinating. I love a hero who questions everything. Tell us more.
Carter Westcott is 30 years old, 6’ 0”, muscular, close-cropped chestnut brown hair. He has piercing ice-blue eyes, a strong jaw line and a sexy boyish grin (of course!) He carries himself with a commanding air of self-confidence, looks dashing in dress uniform or tux, but prefers fatigues or shorts and t-shirt.
He was a cop most of his life until his partner was killed in the line of duty. It really shook him. Then his wife left him because of the job, so he decided he needed a change of pace. He took leave and went to South Africa and ended up staying. He works out of a small airfield set up to fight against poachers. He's intelligent, easy-going, dedicated, and protective.
You had me at "dashing in dress uniform." Who doesn't love a man in uniform? What appeals to him about CC?
She’s hot. Isn’t that why most guys go after a woman? LOL But after that, he’s impressed with her tenacious attitude. She’s independent and strong. One way or another, with or without him, she’s going to rescue her best friend. His cop nature can really relate to and appreciate that.
How about CC -- how does she feel about Carter?
Right off the bat, Carter pisses CC off. He completely insults her. He treats her as though she’s this weak little thing who can barely put one high heel in front of the other. But after she has her revenge, she’s forced to work with him and discovers there’s a lot more to him than she thought. Plus, he has this animal magnetism that she’s never experienced before and can’t seem to stay away from.
Ah, the curse of the romance hero -- animal magnetism ;). Did anyone special inspire Carter?
A lot of writers I know use photos to capture their hero. I got on the Internet and happened across a young George Clooney. Oh, yeah…that did it. Animal magnetism...
Not too many can argue with George ;). What are you two working on these days?
Right now we’re working on two projects. One is a dark paranormal set in Savannah, Georgia. The heroine gets symbolic visions of when someone’s life is about to change (and we’re talking either winning the lottery or getting hit by a truck kind of life change). The hero is a detective who is investigating murders and, when the heroine knows too much, he immediately suspects her.
The other WIP is a futuristic set on a medieval world. It’s a mix between spaceships, witchcraft and good old Earthling know-how. The hero and heroine are kidnapped from Earth and are dropped on a planet where they have to find an ancient alien relic as their ticket to get home. There’s a sexy obsessive witch who wants the hero for herself and an alien assassin sent from the stars to kill them both.
As far as other releases, we have On the Fringes, a futuristic story with a heavy romantic element. It is not heavy science fiction by any extremes, but the story has three distinct threads that weave together into one.
If you want to read some blurbs and excerpts, you can go to www.lj-garland.com
It has links to where to buy Cadence Interrupted or On the Fringes and also tells about our WIPs—a few of which have rough excerpts as well.
What great imaginations you both have! Would you mind sharing something surprising about yourself?
The thing about Jeff and me that probably surprises people the most is that we both are helicopter pilots. On our tenth wedding anniversary we took five days and flew from Georgia to California in a two-seat Robinson R-22 helicopter (it’s about two-thirds the size of a VW Bug). It was 700 feet above the ground coast to coast. What an adventure that was!
How interesting! I've never been on a helicopter. Thanks so much for being here today, Laura. Readers, here's a taste of Cadence Interrupted:
“You wanted to say something?” She remained standing. Planting her feet shoulder-width apart and hands on hips, she prepared for another round of recriminations. She met his gaze head-on. She had taken care of the situation and had done it well. She’d saved lives. End of story.
“First, Jabri is going to be fine.” His face appeared grim as he spoke. “I just thought you might want to know.”
“Thank you.” As she waited for him to continue, she noticed his snug jeans and heather gray t-shirt displayed his physique very well. Butterflies tingled low in her stomach as her eyes roamed over his tanned, nicely shaped arms and chest. When she finally met his eyes again, she noticed the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. She flushed and said tightly, “Second?”
“Second,” he said as he stepped toward her, “since it looks like we’ll be working together, I suppose introductions are in order. I’m Carter Westcott.” He held out his hand.
“CC.” She took his hand in a quick handshake, then let go. “But you knew that already.” He was close enough that she could smell him. It was clean and earthy, just like after a summer rain. Very male, very alluring. “Anything else?”
“Well, since you asked, I was just curious. Was that your boyfriend on the phone?” He remained where he stood, his scent swirling around her. The tingling in her stomach intensified and moved lower.
She wasn’t attracted to him. She couldn’t be. He was a jerk, full of himself. Besides, she had a date with a gorgeous guy this Friday. A guy who spoke to her with respect, who valued her for who she was.
“That’s none of your business.” CC brushed past him, went to the door and opened it. “I think we’re done here.”
Carter joined her at the door. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said. “Have you eaten?”
She stood there at the door, inhaling him and feeling the flutters of tiny butterflies running up and down her thighs. She brought her gaze to his, intending to stand her ground. But when their eyes met, they locked.
Click.
When had she lost control of the situation? She’d had it just a moment ago.
“Let me buy you dinner.” He moved closer, reached up and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. The warmth sent a shockwave of tingles low in her belly.
She wasn’t attracted to him, her mind protested. It didn’t matter how his touch set her skin on fire. Or how his unsettling gaze made her knees shake. She was not attracted to him.
Carter slid his hand behind her head. Slowly, he leaned down, his lips hovering a breath away from hers. He glanced down at her mouth and swallowed. When his eyes returned to hers, their intensity engulfed her. Yet he hesitated, as though waiting for permission to cross the invisible line between them.
She should say something. Do something.
“Um.”
Carter’s lips grazed over hers, featherlight, searing. CC’s breath caught and her skyrocketing heartbeat made the room spin. Her eyes fluttered closed. What had just happened?
Gently, their lips brushed over one another, a breath against silk. Then he settled his mouth on hers, his lips pressing more firmly, caressing, searching. Heat seeped into her, liquid fire. When his tongue demanded entrance, CC joined him willingly. Their mouths danced with a passion that both surprised and captivated her. Carter was certainly the last man she’d expected to cause her body to tingle in the places it tingled.
He dragged his teeth over her bottom lip, tugging it, and all too soon broke the kiss.
“I…” No more words came to mind. The fire he’d poured into her scorched her senses, demanding more. CC leaned into him, following his retreat as though the kiss had somehow created a magnetic link. She still tasted him, felt the pressure and heat of his mouth. Her hand tightened on the doorknob, threatening to shear it off.
Carter pressed his forehead to hers. His breath came hot and fast as though he’d run a marathon. Her own chest rose and fell as she gulped air and worked to keep her balance.
His free hand came up next to CC’s head and pushed the door closed, sealing out the rest of the world, while his other hand slid from the back of her neck and rested beneath her chin. Carter brushed his thumb over her wet and swollen bottom lip, his eyes dark with desire. Would he kiss her again? Her nipples tightened beneath her thin t-shirt at the thought.
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I found a real live cover model for you, ladies! This sweet man friended me on MySpace a few months ago and asked if I'd be at RT this year. Yeah, I know -- he no doubt friended numerous romance authors for publicity, but let me have my fantasies ;). Unfortunately, I wasn't at RT, but my fellow Vixens Monica and Tricia were. Did you meet Jimmy, girls? He's thirty-two and (no surprise here) is a personal trainer and model. From all accounts, he's a very nice person.
Is that a beautiful man? There's just no other way to say it. I posted a preview of Ignacio yesterday and hopefully left you all hungry for more. This actor/model was born in 1980 in Buenos Aires, but is of Italian descent on both sides. What is he looking for in a woman? He says, "I love sweetness and kindness in a woman...a woman that knows what she wants..." Any takers?
I had a taste for a blond today (sorry, Monica!) Meet Trevor Donovan, an American model and actor. He's thirty years old and stands 6' 2". You may remember him from Paradise Lost or Days of our Lives. When he's not acting or modeling, his favorite things to do are working out, swimming, and watching a good movie with friends. And hanging out with aliens, apparently. Anybody want to switch places?
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