Friday Guest: Susan Macatee, Time Travel, and a spicy new release!

Today I'd like to welcome Susan Macatee, a wonderful author with a penchant for Civil War romances and an eye for detail. Her newest release is Thoroughly Modern Amanda, a time travel romance that sounds like a lot of fun. I'll definitely be picking this one up!

1. At any given time do you work on only one story at a time and maybe plot out the next one or are there many ideas racing around your head?
I'm always thinking ahead to future stories, but I try to concentrate on my WIP and maybe make notes for the next one. Right now, I'm tied up with promotion for two new releases, but I did write the first draft to a new historical romance over the summer that I plan to start revising after the holidays. Once that's finished and submitted, I'll start plotting out the next story. But I also write short stories for magazines and try to squeeze in a couple while a novel or novella is cooling off, or while I’m in between those longer stories.

2. Is there a genre you haven't written in but would like to? Or wish you could write in?
I'm thinking about trying a contemporary romance for my next story. Maybe even one including a baseball player hero. Baseball is my favorite spectator sport and a lot of those players are real hunks any heroine could fall for. Another genre I’d like to try is romantic suspense, since I like to read it.

3. Do you add an element of romantic suspense in your stories? If so, how difficult is it to maintain the integrity of the mystery?
I do like to include suspense in my stories, most of which are adventure romances, set during and around the American Civil War. My latest full-length novel, Cassidy's War, was set after the war and included a lot of suspense. I think that's an ingredient that keeps readers turning the pages of any genre story. They aren’t really mysteries, though. I never tried writing a mystery, because I like to allow the story to flow, not worry about building a puzzle that has to be solved in the end.

4. Say you have unlimited funds: What kind of writing office/cottage would you create for yourself?
With limited funds, it would probably be what I have now. My desk sits in the corner of my dining room next to the window overlooking the back yard. After being a stay-at-home mom for many years, I've learned I can divide my attention and don't think I could write in a closed up room away from the action. I’d be too distracted wondering what was going on in the rest of the house. lol

5. If you could turn your novel into a TV show, which novel or series would you do?
I'd do a series of time travel stories based on Erin's Rebel and continuing through Thoroughly Modern Amanda.
Where would it be set?
They're both set in 19th century America. The first one during the Civil War, the latter, 1880. 
Network TV (ABC, NBC, CBS), Cable (AMC, BBC, Lifeitme) or Premium Cable (HBO, Showtime, Starz)? I'd say AMC because they have the series, ‘Hell On Wheels’. Mine would be a bit different because of the time travel angle, but both stories contain a lot of action and suspense.

6. Finally, tell us about your latest release!
Thoroughly Modern Amanda is based on my Civil War time travel romance, Erin's Rebel , but takes place 15 years later. Amanda Montgomery was a small child in Erin's Rebel, but is now grown up and holding down a job as a magazine reporter. She isn't the time traveler, though. Jack Lawton is a modern day construction worker who travels back in time to meet Amanda.

Here's the blurb:
Believing anything is possible, magazine reporter Amanda Montgomery dreams about being a modern woman in a nineteenth century world, much like her exceptional step-mother.  But society expects well-off young ladies to focus on finding a suitable husband and raising a family.  And then Jack appears—with no past and unconventional ideas. Does he hold the key to another century as well as her heart, or is she destined to stay in her own time?

Construction worker Jack Lawton wants to preserve an old home that's scheduled for demolition.  But when he sneaks inside for a final look, a loose beam falls on his head, and upon waking, he finds himself in the arms of a beautiful woman.  His only problem—he's no longer in the twenty-first century.  Can he find his way back home? Does he really want to?

And an excerpt:
He bit into the potato relishing the flavor. He wouldn’t mind staying in this century so much with a great cook like Mrs. O’Leary feeding him.

As he devoured the chicken and potatoes, he noticed Amanda picked at the food on her plate.

“Not hungry?” he asked.

She gazed at him, licking her lips. “It’s just…I can’t stop thinking of how you kissed me.” Her face colored and she glanced toward the pond.

“Oh.” Jack swallowed, suddenly ashamed. He was doing the exact opposite of what he’d promised Erin. “Was it good?” he asked feeling lame.

She dropped her gaze, but smiled. “Oh, yes. It was very good.” She glanced up. “The best I’ve ever felt with a man.”

“How many men…” Jack stopped himself.
She shrugged. “I haven’t been with any man, except for a quick peck on the cheek. It isn’t proper for an unmarried woman, you know.” Her gaze bore into his.

“Of course.” His face heated. “It was a stupid question. I mean…I forgot about how things are in this time period.”

She bit her lip. “So, it’s different in your time, I gather.”

Jack gulped. He really hadn’t planned to get into a discussion of future dating customs. He was sure they didn’t even call it dating here. Courting maybe?

“Amanda…” He leaned close, so close her sweet breath tickled his cheek. “I’d like to kiss you again, if it’s okay.”

She glanced around, then nodded.

He scooted closer, to enfold his arms around her back and draw her close. Leaning toward her mouth, he noted her eyes closing as her lips parted on a sigh.

He lowered his mouth and kissed her, lightly swirling the tip of his tongue into her mouth. She didn’t resist, her body pliant in his arms. She pressed herself closer as he angled her so she partially lay beneath him. He deepened the kiss causing his body to react, his erection pressing against her belly.

He longed to lie beside her, but the fact they were outside in a public location, reined him in. He released her. 

Her eyes fluttered open wide. “Oh, Jack,” she gasped. “That was so—so wonderful.”

“Glad you liked it.” Jack grinned. He glanced around. “I hope no one here took note of us.”

Amanda pursed her lips. “I can guarantee we’ll be the talk of the town come tomorrow.” She brushed out her skirt.

“You think?” Jack frowned as he pondered the implications of what he’d just done. Her father wouldn’t much like him taking liberties with his daughter. And if Erin found out, she’d be furious.

Thoroughly Modern Amanda is available at The Wild Rose Press

Leave a comment on this post for the chance to win a PDF copy of Thoroughly Modern Amanda and a $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press. And if you’ve left a comment on of my other blog tour posts, you’ll be entered to win the grand prize, a $50.00 Amazon gift card. Winner will announced on my own blog tomorrow December 29th.

Juli D. Revezzo, paranormals, and her Bucket List

You wish to know my bucket list, you say? I do, Juli!

 

Herm…Well, I never really think about things like this. It’s a wee bit depressing, isn’t it? Let’s see, though…

Related to my novel The Artist’s Inheritance:

I’d like to finish off the Antique Magic series. And I hope to see many more years with many more books published.

I’d like to visit Fort Pickens—I’d like to see Gettysburg come to that.

I think, if I could, maybe I’d like to sculpt something. (Not that I have any sort of talent like my Trevor’s)

 

That’s about it, really. Boring, I know.

The Artist’s Inheritance is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Createspace, and Smashwords.

Thanks for having me here, Isabel. So, folks, what’s on your bucket list? J

On my writing bucket list I'd say to finish Improper Conduct, blog more, and find more time to enjoy life outside work and writing.

For more about Juli see her website

Facebook Page

Twitter

Blog

Good Reads

Friday Guest: Susan Macatee

Today my guest is Susan Macatee with her new book, Cassidy's War. Set post Civil War, it tells the story of young lovers torn apart. It's released today, so I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I've just downloaded it and suggest you do as well! Plus that cover is utterly gorgeous!

1. The craziest thing you've ever done while reinacting the Civil War? And have you used it in a story?


Wow! That's a tough one, since I'm normally so reserved and try my best to behave as a proper Victorian lady in my reenactor persona. I do recall having a truly embarrassing moment. While sitting on one of the flimsy camp stools in my hoopskirt, I leaned back and the chair fell over leaving me on my back with my hoop up over my head. And those drawers I was wearing were split up the center to allow bathroom access. When I tried to get up, I also realized that somehow the tip of my corset had gotten stuck in the chair. lol I was lucky though, that it happened when the men were marching out to battle and no one was really around.

I didn't use that in a story, but in Erin's Rebel, my time travel romance, the heroine did have a lot of wardrobe issues in the beginning as she had to adjust to living in the past.

2. We've all heard the rumors that the Civil War Romance is dead...clearly it's not! Tell us your thoughts on why you love to write it, and why you think the rumors started in the first place.


I was mostly hearing it from acquiring editors with the big publishers who said readers wouldn't purchase a romance set in the period. So, if you wanted to sell a romance, your choices were basically to write Regency, Scottish Highlands or Medieval. While I had read romances set in all those periods, I wanted to write what I knew, the Civil War.

I really don't know why the period didn't sell well. After all, 'Gone With the Wind' is an all-time romance classic. I did hear laments from readers stating that all Civil War romances seemed to be GWTW clones: A bitter Southern woman battling an arrogant Yankee officer. And the few I was able to find to read when researching romances, seemed to bear this out.

But now, we have all types of combinations. The hero and heroine can be on opposite sides, but I've also read stories with them both on the same side. Heroines can be spies, physicians, even soldiers. And the hero can be a Southerner, either an officer or a spy.

When you read historical accounts of the period, set around the conflict of the war, there's no way any author has to stick to a cliché plot or characters. There are so many possibilities to make any story unique.

3. Best vacation ever.

That's easy. Years before I met my husband, I booked a two week tour of the British Isles with one of my girlfriends. We traveled through Ireland, Scotland and England, ending up in London. We were both in our early 20s and had a blast.

It really was the most memorable vacation I ever had.

Here's the blurb from my post Civil War romance release, Cassidy's War. Although the story is set five years after the war ended, both characters were directly affected by the conflict.

The Civil War is over, but Cassidy's War is just beginning.

Cassidy Stuart longs to attend medical school. Training beside her physician father and serving as a nurse during the war have only increased her desire to be a doctor with her own practice. When the man who left her at the altar returns, she’s determined not to let him upset the plans she's set for herself.

Until his mission is accomplished, George Masters must hide his identity as a Pinkerton agent as he investigates a physician living in George's former hometown, a short distance from Cassidy's home. When he finds Cassidy hasn’t married, he hopes he can rekindle their love while trying to protect her and the townsfolk from the evil Dr. Madison.

Can their love be renewed despite the villain's desire for revenge against them both?

Excerpt:

She glanced down at her hands in her lap. “I’ve been leading him on, pretending I want to work as his assistant. Then he seemed interested in courting me. I thought, if I played into his hands, he’d relax and say or do something that would help you, help us.”

George grimaced. “What did he do in the alley before I showed up?”

“He kissed me.” She glared at him. “That’s all, nothing else.”

He blew out a sigh of relief, but his blood heated at the thought of Madison touching her in such an intimate way. He stepped over to the window to cool his face. “I’m afraid if you allow him to get closer; he’ll try something else...”

She shook her head. “If he’s courting me, he wouldn’t do anything improper. He wouldn’t want to scare me off.” She looked off into space.

He scowled. “You can’t be sure.”

“He only asked to court me, not to marry him.” She gazed up at him candidly. “I need to draw him out. Gain his confidence.”

He glanced out the window at the people strolling along the street, his emotions warring. “There has to be another way, Cassie. This is my investigation, not yours.” George moved across the room to kneel by her side. “If Madison hurts you...”

She rubbed her arm. “I promise I’ll stay in the public view. To be truthful, I’m afraid to be alone with him again.”

“Cassie, I fear for your safety.”

She reached up to stroke his cheek. His face heated at her touch.

His teeth clenched at the thought of Madison manhandling her. Once the man’s indiscretions were out in the open, he wouldn’t wait for Wellingham to mete out justice; he’d kill the scum himself. He brushed his thumb over Cassidy’s dewy cheek.

“Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“No, George.” She shook her head. “I want to stay here...with you.”

He swallowed hard. “Do you know what you’re saying? If you stay here much longer, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you.”

She smiled. “I know. I feel the same way.” She rose and led him to stand by the bed. “So many years have passed since the war ended. I dreamed of marrying you, being with you as your wife. In all the years that passed, I never stopped loving you. It’s the reason I couldn’t even feign interest in the other men who courted me afterward. They weren’t you.”

“I can’t believe you’re saying this. I’ve loved you all these years, too, but hoped you’d found happiness with another man...a better man than me.”

“George...” She took his hands and gazed up at him. “You’re the best man I’ve ever met in my life. You’re the one I want to spend my future with.”

He reached behind her head and pulled the pins from her hair, allowing the dark, silken strands to flow in waves over her shoulders. “Cassie, you’re even more beautiful than my memory of you. I’ve never stopped dreaming of being with you all these years.”

“Then why didn’t you stay?” Her breath hot against his face, she nuzzled him and kissed her way along his cheek, her lush lips sliding to his mouth. He instantly grew hard.

“I wanted you to be happy,” he breathed as his lips slid over hers. “I thought you’d find a good man to marry and have a life with.”

“Oh, George...” She wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her tongue against his mouth. He opened, sliding his tongue out to meet hers.

The room grew hot. He reached for the buttons of his coat. She grasped his hands, soft, warm fingers gliding over his and helped him unbutton. Together, they slid the coat from his shoulders to the floor. Next she undid his vest. The garment joined the coat at his feet.

When she reached for his shirt buttons, he covered her hands with his. Although she knew about his chest wound from Gettysburg, she hadn’t seen him shirtless since she’d treated him before he left to rejoin his regiment. He feared the scar would repulse her. “Cassie, if we go much further, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

“You won’t have to,” she breathed into his ear. “I want to be with you, George, in every way.” Her heated gaze convinced him to allow her to open his shirt and pull the fabric over his head.

Leave a comment or question on this post and I'll choose a winner at random to receive an e-book download of Cassidy's War.

Cassidy’s War is available today at The Wild Rose Press.

Visit my website for more info on Cassidy’s War and my other books and novellas.

What was then

I can't believe how much I've learned writing-wise in 3 years. (In other things, too, but let's stick with writing.)

Just recently I read over In the Shadows, my Civil War novella. Coming in at 10,838 words it's one of the shorter stories I've done. It's also one of the weakest. I know what happened, it fell into the category of the write until the end and be done with it.

Since then, I've learned 2 very valuable things: Plot out your stories to the finest scene. (If that isn't your way #2 is even more important). Know your characters.

The end of In the Shadows is much stronger than the beginning. Why? I know who Jack & Marion were by the end. In the beginning, not so much and it reflects my lack of knowledge.

I'll be spending the next 2 weeks adding to this story, both in content and character development. When it's finished, I know it'll read so much better!

Saturday Excerpt

Susan Macatee over at Slip into Something Victorian...check out her excerpt!

Civil War Give-away

Today I'm over at Slip into Something Victorian with a post on Civil War Facts. Why is this significant? Because all this week we're having a contest! The prize? The anniversary editions of Gettysburg and Gods and Generals. April 2011 is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. To learn more click here. To make a donation to preserve Civil War Battlefields, click here.

Our official press release:

In honor of the 150^th anniversary of the beginning of the American Civil War, Warner Brothers has released a commemorative set of the films Gods and Generals, and Gettysburg. The Scandalous Victorian’s blog, Slip Into Something Victorian, has been chosen as a review site for the release, and Warner Brothers has given us a copy of the dvd (extended director’s cut, with quite a bit of added footage!) set to giveaway.  Please come and visit us next week on May 24^th (the official re-release date) and May 25^th.  Comment on either blog posts and register to win the complete set!

Saturday Excerpt

Susan Macatee will be posting an excerpt from one of her fantastic Civil War stories,

Stop by Slip into Something Victorian for a look-see!

American Civil War BEGINS!

April 12, 1861, 150 years ago, the American Civil War started with the firing at Fort Sumter. It last 4 years, cost over 600,000 dead, and tore the very fabric of America to shreds.

There are lots of events commorating the war, if you can attend on, I highly recommend it--and then stop back here and tell me about it!

According to CivilWar.org today, roughly 30 acres of battlefield land are destroyed each and every day, paved over and lost forever. There are many worthy causes to donate to, people to help, lives to save. But preserving our nation's past in important, too. If you can spare even $10, please do so.

“In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.”

- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain at the 1889 dedication of the 20th Maine monument at Gettysburg

Saturday Excerpt

Mary Ann Weber's Civil War story, No Decorum, is this week's Saturday Excerpt over at Slip into Something Victorian.

In spite of her overwhelming passion for Randolph, Juliet can’t forget her aversion to marrying the son of another minister. This soon fades when compared with the threat of losing the love of her life. Within days, and with her father’s help, they secretly wed at the courthouse and embark on a feverish honeymoon in the parsonage and the church. Their time together is measured in hours and minutes.


While the bloody Red River Campaign rages through Arkansas and Louisiana, the Confederate and Union forces jockey in and out of position in Camden. Before the Union army can make its escape back to Little Rock, Randolph is taken prisoner by the Rebel army and marched to a notorious Confederate prison in Texas.

Separately, they endure the horrors of war. Strangers when they marry, the young couple matures apart. Will their short-lived marriage survive changes brought to them and their world by war?

Not Your Mother’s Civil War Romance…

Today's stop is with Keira and Love Romance Passion! Susan Macatee will talk about her story Angel of my Dreams and her family's involvement in Civil War reenactment.

Prizes! Susan will give away to 1 lucky commenter: A reproduction Victorian brooch, a scented hand fan and lavender bath bead. Remember, everyone who leaves a comment on the day of the post for each of the six days will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Northern Roses and Southern Belles signed by all six authors.

Buy Northern Roses and Southern Belles in ebook and print!

Best Book of the Week Poll

There's a lot more going on this weekend than I anticipated when I woke up. (Course that was a struggle!)

At Whipped Cream Reviews I received a 4.5 Cherry review for Dark Desires of the Druids I: Murder and Magick! This weekend, I'm in the running for their Best Book of the Week Poll! You can vote here today and tomorrow (August 1 & 2).

Also today starts the first day in the Scandalous Victorian's Civil War Anthology Tour!
6 Authors +6 Blogs=Mayhem and Madness! The Civil War as you've never read it! Northern Roses and Southern Belles now available from The Wild Rose Press!
Calendar:

Saturday August 1: Isabel Roman is at Night Owl Romance

Sunday August 2: Jeanmarie Hamilton is at Petticoats & Pistols

Monday August 3: Susan Macatee is at Love Romance Passion

Tuesday August 4: Caroline Clemmons is at Slip into Something Victorian

Wednesday August 5: Mary Ann Webber is at Arkansas Diamonds

Thursday August 6: Jennifer Ross is at Romantic Crush Junkies

Promo, blogs, chats, and more!

I'm doing a lot of it lately, and it's taking up a lot of time. But in the process, I've discovered a lot of new places: blogs, authors, sites. I've met some fantastic people along the way and have made new online friends. It's been a lot more fun than I anticipated!

I'm now trying to organize a blog tour for my Scandalous Victorians and our anthology which is released the end of July. This will be loads of fun and a chance to see even more blogs I didn't know about until, well, yesterday.

And I now finally have a plot outline for an historical! Not colonial, for some reason I couldn't wrap my brain around conflict (see yesterday's post) in pre-Revolutionary times. I have NO idea why. Probably because I didn't want it to be set during the war. Go figure. Anyway, I'm in 1811 Washington. And I've got angst! And conflict! Loads of conflict! And a big sexy hero...yum.

In the Shadows

This is the cover for our Scandalous Victorian's Civil War anthology, Northern Roses and Southern Belles. My short story is In the Shadows. It'll be available in eBook form and print form from The Wild Rose Press in June of this year. I'll post an excerpt from my story soon, but this is the blurb for the anthology:

In a country torn asunder--from the Canadian border to Texas, from Maryland to Arkansas, from the battlefield Antietam to the Red River Campaign--brave men and loyal women see their lives turned upside down.

Peril lurks behind every tree and near every homestead, but the hard-fought love of a man and a woman surpasses all.

Six talented writers provide stories of romance and danger centering on Union and Confederate soldiers, spies, blockade runners, renegades, and battlefield nurses during a period of corsets, hoopskirts, and gentlemen callers.

Book giveaway!

As part of the Civil War Anthology some fellow Scandalous Victorians and I are a part of, all today we'll be giving away a copy of the anthology, due out from The Wild Rose Press in July 2009. My story, In the Shadows is unusual for me: Absolutely no sex. I haven't a clue how it happened, I'm not sure I've ever written a story with no sex, but there you have it.

Check out the Coffee Time link and leave a comment!

Edits

I've just finished the first round of edits for my Wild Rose Press short story, In the Shadows. This is part of the Civil War Anthology my fellow Victorians and I came up with and submitted. The changes were minimal, a comma here, a clarification of a sentence there. All in all nothing I couldn't live with.

Set in Charleston during the beginning of the war, with spies and blockade runners, it's got murder, love, dragon-like aunts, and an Englishman. Had to throw that in there, since England truly was instrumental in the war, and for both sides.

I'm thinking of doing a sequel with one of my heroine's sisters set around Christmastime. But other than that one sentence, have nothing more on it.

And don't forget, my first book, Dark Desire of the Druids: Tryst is available from Ravenous Romance. It's the prequel to Dark Desire of the Druids: Murder & Magicks available December 24.

In The Shadows

Thought I'd post a short blurb for my Civil War anthology story, In the Shadows. Have contract in hand ad am mailing it out tomorrow. That's all I know...no release date, no potential release date, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for July 4th with all the implied connotations therein.

Jack Harrison is an Englishman running the Northern Blockades. He's in it for the money...that and the hand of the fair Marion Shelton. With nothing but his name, which counts for nothing in the American South, he needs hard currency - gold - to prove he's worthy of her hand.

Marion doesn't care about the money, but about her country. As a spy, she's tasked with learning what she can about troop movements and local gossip.

When she overhears a plan to kidnap high ranking politicians, she's forced to reveal the truth to Jack, and ask for his help. Will he turn her in as a spy, or will love win out?

Civil War Anthology

Some of my fellow Scandalous Victorians and I recently decided that a Civil War Anthology would be a great idea. We all wrote stories revolving around it, and just yesterday we received our contracts from The Wild Rose Press!

This anthology will be available in downloadable form and in print, but I don't have a date for that. As soon as I do, I'll post it.

I'll post a summary of In the Shadows later this week.