Meet Another Got Wolf? Author: Isabel Roman

The werewolves are coming...on my blog. I'm pleased to have another author from the Got Wolf? taming of the Wolf anthology as a guest on my blog today.

Isabel Roman is author of the novella, Shadow State, a story set in Nazi Germany.

Shadow State by Isabel Roman

Fighting to prevent the Nazi's from gaining wehrwolfe army, Christoph and Elsa tread a serpentine path between an amibitious party man and their primal need for each other.


An excerpt from the Shadow State:

“Hitler,” Christoph said disgusted, “now has complete authority. This insignificant man from nowhere walked into The Reichstag, castrated them, and crowned himself like Napoleon.”

“We must take precautions, Christoph.” Hans said over his shoulder and paced to the large antique map of Germany on the far wall. Dark markers indicated the location of the Clan’s twenty Packs.

Christoph didn’t need to look at the markers. He knew where every Pack was located and where every family lived. No one moved without first informing him. During the past several years of turmoil and hardships, more members relocated to their Clan center in Lower Saxony, but thousands still lived as they had for generations.

Peter joined Hans by the map, but Christoph’s attention was drawn to the missive.

“Stories of the Chancellor’s—of the Führer’s—interest in the unusual, the occult, are surfacing,” Hans reminded. “Should just one of us be discovered--?”

Christoph looked up at his advisors, his closest friends. “We already have been.”

Isabel will be giving away a pdf copy of the anthology Got Wolf? taming of the Wolf. All you have to do is leave a comment today on this post or tomorrow when I'll be posting my interview with her were hero, Christoph.

So, be sure to stop back to see what he has to say for himself.

Another great review for Erin's Rebel!

Erin's Rebel is a "Fantastic: Stays on Shelf" pick at Between the Lines, the review site at Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction.

Reviewer Sheila Deeth said, "I loved the author's gentle hand with detail, her convincing touch with romance, and the twists and turns that she creates before a thoroughly satisfying ending...This book's well worth keeping on my shelf..."

Read full review at Between the Lines.

Congratulations, Mary Ricksen!

Mary Ricksen has won the $10.00 TWRP gift certificate on my Halloween blog!

Contact me at susanmacatee@aol.com so I can send your prize.

Interview with a werewolf

For a Halloween treat, I'd like to welcome the hero of Dariel Raye's novella, Raven's Shelter, from the anthology Got Wolf? taming of the Wolf.

1. First, let’s dispense with the formalities. What is your full name?
Raven Anthony Adler

2. Where are you from?
I’m not sure where I was born, but I grew up in the Alaskan Mountains.

3. Shape shifting – that must be frightening. How did it happen?
Well, I’m not human or were. I was born with the ability to shift at will, and one form is as natural to me as the other. I’m a sentinel – born to protect the weres in my pack. Shifting is only frightening to me when I can’t control it.

4. So your shifts aren’t controlled by the moon?
No. I’m only affected by the moon because the weres in my pack are controlled by it.

5. What are you going to do?
Sighs. First, I’m going to find my sister.

6. What’s happened to your twin sister that you have to search for her?
Syreena and I have always had the ability to communicate telepathically, but I haven’t been able to sense her lately.

7. How can you make a life with Karen Marshall when you spend part of your life in the form of a wolf?
Well, let’s just say if there’s a way, she makes me want to find it.

8. Do you think you can be what she deserves?
Loyal? Protective? Intelligent? I was born to be all those things. The real question is whether she can love me despite our differences. That would be a first in my life.

9. If you could change your destiny and become fully human, would you want to?
Frowns. That’s like asking a dog if he’d like to become a cat. I am who and what I am. I make my destiny, and it has nothing to do with becoming human.

10. How do you hope your conflict will be resolved?
I find my sister happy and healthy, and Karen really loves animals as much as she says she does. Smiles, showing a glimpse of white, yet pointed incisors.

Well, there you have it! Raven, I've enjoyed having you as a guest on my blog today.

Be sure to catch Raven's adventures in the novella Raven's Shelter in the Got Wolf? taming of the Wolf anthology available at The Wild Rose Press.

And anyone who leaves a comment today on this post will be entered in a drawing for a $10.00 TWRP gift certificate! Happy Halloween!!

Special Guest, Dariel Raye!

Author Dariel Raye is guest blogging with me today with a blurb and excerpt from her new novella in the Got Wolf? Volume 2 anthology, taming of the Wolf!

Don't you just love that cover? And the stories sound extremely delicious and just in time for Halloween!

And if you come back tomorrow, I have the privelege of interving the shape shifter hero from her story, Raven's Shelter.

“Raven’s Shelter” by Dariel Raye

Local “no-kill” expert, Dr. Karen Marshall, has spent her life learning about animals. When she rescues an extremely large wolf from an untimely death at the animal shelter, she has no idea what she has unleashed...

Hi. I’m Dariel Raye – one of the seven authors in the Got Wolf? anthologies. ”Raven’s Shelter” is a paranormal interracial romance about a veterinarian and a wolf shifter. What? You think this is a match made in heaven, too? Well, let’s just say it doesn’t start out that way. Here’s a peek at “Raven’s Shelter.”

Raven, a sentinel wolf shifter, is captured and locked in his wolf form until Karen, a veterinarian, tries to tame him and unleashes a 6'5" baby blue-eyed surprise.Dr. Karen Marshall is a veterinarian with a calling – save as many stray animals as possible. The only child of wealthy, yet distant parents, she’s convinced that love is not for her. Until…

Raven’s search for his twin sister leads him to Karen. Born into a rare species of wolf shifters whose main purpose is protecting others, he has always been forced to fend for himself, but Karen’s loving, protective nature draws him – and not a moment too soon. Together, they must learn to trust each other enough to overcome a new, deadly enemy.

Here’s an excerpt…

Karen rubbed her patient’s head and removed her surgical gloves. Surgery had gone well and the freshly neutered dog was doing fine. Fia approached her as soon as she stepped into the hallway. Boss, there’s this gorgeous guy here to see you. He says he’s a vet, too. He was asking Auriel if he could look around the clinic.”

“Look around? Dammit, Ron must have sent him.” She stepped into another room, removed her scrubs, and washed her hands. “Where is he? Waiting room?”

“Yep. I must say all the female clients are enjoying the view.”

Karen frowned, genuinely puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

“The view! You know – good looking man – enjoying the view? Even the pets stopped whatever they were doing and looked at this guy when he walked in here.”

Karen shook her head. “Well, view or no view, he’d better not be one of Ron’s minions coming in here to piss me off or he’s gonna get cussed out today.”

“And that would make today different how?”

Karen gave Fia a no you didn’t look. “I don’t cuss every day.”

Fia laughed. “Ahem. Okay. You’re the boss, but I’ve never met another woman who can cry real tears over a dog or cat getting hurt or lost and turn around a minute later and cuss every human around her like a sailor. I’m just sayin’.”

Karen rolled her eyes and started walking back to the waiting area. “Where’s my guest?”

“Dr. Adler?” Fia called Raven to the front counter to meet Karen.

Karen stared as a tall man with wide shoulders and wavy black hair approached the counter. She knew her lips were parted, but couldn’t seem to force her jaw closed as she watched him in awe. He moved with the grace of a predator – slow, sensual movements as if his muscles rolled when he walked.

“Hi doctor.”

A few moments passed before Karen realized that Dr. Adler still held his hand out for her to shake. All suspicions about him working for Ron flew from her mind as her lower abdomen lit up like a furnace and her lower limbs melted from the heat. “Oh, hi doctor. You are from?” She tried to cover, something she seldom had to do. She was not a woman who spent much time thinking about men, let alone falling all over one. She was not accustomed to having to control her reactions.

“I’m from Washington State. I do apologize for keeping you from your patients, but I only…”

Karen found herself staring again, his words dropping to a low hum. His eyes were like water - liquid pools of baby blue in an olive-colored complexion framed by the blackest hair she had ever seen on a white man. He had high cheekbones, full lips, a straight nose, and as he spoke, she could see just a hint of pearl-white pointed incisors. The imperfection made his features perfect.

“Doctor Marshall? Are you alright?”

Karen noticed his entire expression becoming one of concern as the baby blue pools narrowed. She blinked slowly, realizing that he was awaiting a reply from her. She covered again. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t get much sleep last night. You were saying?”

“If I could bother you for just a few minutes longer in private.” He smiled.

Bother? His smile gave her an even better view of his imperfect yet perfect white teeth, and she felt as if a light switch had been turned on, causing the fire inside her to flare. “Oh, no bother.” She looked around the waiting room. “Five minutes?”

That smile again. “Five minutes.”

Visit Dariel Raye at http://www.pendarielraye.blogspot.com/

For your copy of Taming of the Wolf, click here. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/taming-of-the-wolf-volume-2-p-3708.html?zenid=4eff7eca79bb8ce8e23e15492f6af076 Also available in print format.

Thanks for stopping by, Dariel! I'm looking forward to that interview tomorrow with the hot Dr. Adler.

And the winner of the TWRP $5.oo gift certificate is Melinda!

Contact me at susanmacatee@aol.com so I can send your prize.

Blurb and excerpt for new vampire romance

For a pre-Halloween treat, I'm posting the cover, blurb and excerpt for my newest vampire romance, Sweet Redemption. This novella will be available as an e-book from The Wild Rose Press on November 11th.

And all those who leave a comment on this post today, will be entered in a drawing to win a $5.00 TWRP gift certificate.

Judy is yesteday's winner of the pdf copy of my short story, Eternity Waits. Congratulations, Judy! Send an email to susanmacatee@aol.com so I can send out your prize.

Sweet Redemption

Vampire romance

Coming November 11, 2009 to The Wild Rose Press

On a cold December night, Union infantry captain, Jonathan Hackett is pinned down on the Fredericksburg battlefield trying to escape Confederate fire. But a creature of the night, more dangerous than any enemy soldier, stalks him. Jon must fight for his life as well as his soul. Maddie Emery has lost everything dear to her. Her husband and parents had passed on and her brothers are off fighting in the Confederate Army. She’s alone, trying single-handedly to hold onto her family’s farm, when a Yankee soldier collapses across her stoop. Maddie and Jon form and bond of love and desire, but as Jon exhibits signs of becoming the creature he fears most, is their love enough to fight off the evil of a centuries old vampire bent on destroying them?

Excerpt:

Those knocks were not made by a wolf, but he suspected the wolf had something to do with Reverend Arnwolf. "Is the wolf his minion, or can he transform himself?" he said, under his breath.

"What?" Mrs. Emery moved close. Her scent invaded his thoughts. "Please, tell me what’s going on?"

Jon sighed. "When I said I was attacked by a wild dog, I lied." He moved back to the settee and sat, his hands dangling between his knees.

She sat beside him, but held herself ramrod straight. "What or who attacked you?"

"I was pinned down on the battlefield. Spent the night in the freezing cold. All of my men had died. A man appeared. Claimed to be a minister from Austria." Jon grimaced as he recalled Arnwolf's blood-red eyes and the sharp pierce of his fangs as they entered Jon's throat. "He offered to help me, but...instead he led me to an abandoned barn and attacked me."

Mrs. Emery gasped. "You're not saying this man--"

"He bit me on the throat." Jon pushed his hand through his hair. "I don’t know exactly what he is, but he's not human."

"That's who you believe was at the door?"

Jon nodded. "I don’t know how, but I now have a connection to him." He fingered the bumps on his throat. "I know things about him I shouldn’t possibly know."

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. And come back tomorrow when I'll be posting a blurb and excerpt from Dariel Raye's novella from the Got Wolf? Volume 2 anthology, Raven's Shelter.

Win a copy of Eternity Waits!

For the first day of my spook spectacular, I'm posting the opening of my short story from The Wild Rose Press, Eternity Waits.

Anyone who leaves a comment will be entered in a drawing to win a pdf copy of the story.

North of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

July 1, 1863

Caleb Weathers tensed at a rustle behind him. He swung his Enfield rifle in the general direction. A hoot, followed by the flutter of wings left him staring into the wide-eyed gaze of a Barn owl. When the bird took flight, he breathed a sigh of relief. The scents of pine and fetid soil calmed him a bit.

The thickness of the forest made him all too aware of how vulnerable he was to attack despite the weight of his weapon. Caleb sensed a presence behind him. He broke into a sweat and the hairs on the nape of his neck rose. He whirled and aimed the barrel at the form that appeared out of nowhere.

"Who are you?" he asked. "Where'd ya come from?"

The woman smiled. Blood-red lips and luminous blue eyes captured his gaze. Her raven hair glinted in the moonlight."I am Alexandra." Her low, throaty voice held a guttural accent.

What is a beautiful woman doing in camp alone in the dead of night? She couldn’t be up to any good. And yet, as he watched her, a thrill of anticipation raced through him. Something about her seemed familiar. A memory he couldn't quite reach.

He swallowed. "You'd best skedaddle, ma'am. You can't come through camp without a pass."

"I came for you, my darling." With one fluid motion, she moved closer.

He cocked his rifle. "Stop right there."

Her exquisite lips drew into a pout. "I would never harm you, Dimitri."

At the sound of the name an eerie sensation swept over him."Who the hell is Dimitri?" he asked. "My name's Caleb."

To purchase Eternity Waits http://www.thewildrosepress.com/eternity-waits-p-787.html?zenid=1fa6e5a796c6160a1807c7ef3501c9f6

Come back tomorrow for the blurb and an excerpt from my upcoming Civil War vampire novella, Sweet Redemption.

Halloween Spooktacular!

Join me as we close in on Halloween! I'll be posting excerpts from my upcoming release, a new vampire story from The Wild Rose Press, called Sweet Redemption.

I'll also be hosting guest blogger, Dariel Raye, author of Raven's Shelter, one of the novella's in the newly released TWRP anthology, Got Wolf? Volume 2, taming of the Wolf.

She'll be here on Friday with a blurb an excerpt from her story. And I'll be interviewing her hot shape shifter hero right here on Halloween.

So, check back all this week to see what supernatural happenings I have going on. I have a few prizes I'll be giving away to those who comment on certain posts as well.

New review for Erin's Rebel

My time travel romance, Erin's Rebel, just got a 4 book review from Long and Short Reviews!

To qoute reviewer, Poinsettia, "Lonely reporter, Erin Branigan, discovers that the key to her happiness lies in the past...

Not only are the characters in Erin's Rebel interesting, but the opening line hooked me right away...

Reading Erin's Rebel was a throughly enjoyable experience that any fan of historical fiction romance won't want to miss."

Read the full review at Long and Short Reviews.

The reviews just keep on coming!

This time the review is for the Civil War romance anthology, Northern Roses and Southern Belles. Our anthology got 4.5 books from Long and Short Romance Reviews.

To quote the reviewer, "I think all of the authors did a great job with this anthology and so did the editors. I felt like I was involved in every story, I felt like I could smell the flowers and taste the crisp air. I felt the emotions the characters were feeling. It's a great anthology that any historical fan will love."

Read the full review at Long and Short Romance Reviews.

Another fantastic review for Confederate Rose!

After griping that my books weren't getting any reviews, I have yet another new one for Confederate Rose. A rating of 4.5 stars from The Romance Studio.

Reviewer Brenda Talley said, "This book is action-packed romance. I love Civil War romances, so I felt I would like it from the start. However, even I was surprised how good it was. The two main characters were so believable. They had so many conflicts and so much controversy that it seemed their bad luck was going to overwhelm them... I highly recommend this book..."

Read the full review at The Romance Studio.

Found a great review in my inbox today!

Romance Junkies gave my historical romance, Confederate Rose, 4 ribbons!

To quote reviewer, Suzie Housley, "... Blended with a well developed romance, this historical is one that will grab hold of your heart and tear at your emotions. I highly recommend this charming historical..."

Read full review at Romance Junkies.

Revisioning

With so many new releases out in a short space of time, I've been spending a great deal of my writing time on book promotion.

But I need to take some time to actually work on writing, otherwise, I'll have nothing new to promote in the future.

I did recently submit a short story to a magazine, but now have to wait to see if they're interested. I also wrote two full-length manuscripts that I have to revise.

The first one is my first science fiction romance that I'm calling Moons of Cynara. Don't know if that title will stick, but for now, I'm going with it. I recently reread that manuscript and I do have to add at least 7000 words to get it up to my planned minumum word count of 80,000 words. So, I'm trying to see what I can add to flesh out the story. I may also change some of the basic story to enhance the original plot. I actually feel this part of the process is just as creative as writing the first draft.

I'm hoping I can complete this revision in the next couple of months, so I can get started on revising the first draft of my post Civil War romance. I haven't looked at it since I finished the draft in early September.

With two full-lengths to revise, I realize I've got my work cut out for me. For all you writers out there, what is your favorite part of working on a story? Is it the first draft, the revision or the final edit? And what part to you hate the most?

For me, I think the revision stage is my favorite, because I feel like I'm improving and enhancing my basic story.

More Excerpts!!

Thought I'd post an excerpt from my July 2009 time travel release from The Wild Rose Press, Erin's Rebel.

Reviewer Top Pick at Night Owl Romance!!

Excerpt:

"I've come from a distant place."

"Yes, I know you came from Ireland."

"No. That's not it...the place I've come from doesn't yet exist." She rose from the bed and pulled on her wrapper. After pacing back and forth, she turned to face him. "I've come from the future."

He frowned. "The future? What future?"

"The twenty-first century." His eyes widened. She was crazy to have thought he'd ever believe her.

"Until the accident when I was told I fell off a horse, I'd been living more than one-hundred and forty years in the future."

His dark eyes hardened. Why had she said anything?

Now that she’d gone this far, she had to tell him all of it. "I had a life there and a fiancé. We broke it off because I couldn't stop dreaming about you."

"This is utter nonsense." He raked his hand through his hair.

She held up her hand, desperately needing him to understand. "It didn't make sense to me at first, either."

"If what you say is true, how and why are you here now?"

"I'm not sure how, but I do know why." She reached her hand out to him. "I've come back in time for you, Will."

Erin's Rebel available at The Wild Rose Press.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/erins-rebel-p-3554.html?zenid=b9e88b16a22f5ce7729aafe5a2923ae6

Read opening chapters at my website: www.susanmacatee.com/erinsrebel

Blogging Today At...

I'm blogging at Slip Into Something Victorian and American Civil War: Beyond Scarlett and Rhett about real life heroine, Sarah Emma Edmonds.

Join me at either or both to learn more about the life of this fascinating Civil War woman soldier.

It's Haunting Month Again

It's October and that means all paranormal books and stories at The Wild Rose Press will be discounted the whole month. And that includes my Civil War vampire story, Eternity Waits. If you haven't already read this story, here's the opening scene.

North of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

July 1, 1863

Caleb Weathers tensed at a rustle behind him. He swung his Enfield rifle in the general direction. A hoot, followed by the flutter of wings left him staring into the wide-eyed gaze of a Barn owl. When the bird took flight, he breathed a sigh of relief. The scents of pine and fetid soil calmed him a bit.

The thickness of the forest made him all too aware of how vulnerable he was to attack despite the weight of his weapon. Caleb sensed a presence behind him. He broke into a sweat and the hairs on the nape of his neck rose. He whirled and aimed the barrel at the form that appeared out of nowhere.

“Who are you?” he asked. “Where’d ya come from?”

The woman smiled. Blood-red lips and luminous blue eyes captured his gaze. Her raven hair glinted in the moonlight.

“I am Alexandra.” Her low, throaty voice held a guttural accent.

What is a beautiful woman doing in camp alone in the dead of night? She couldn’t be up to any good. And yet, as he watched her, a thrill of anticipation raced through him. Something about her seemed familiar. A memory he couldn’t quite reach.

He swallowed. “You’d best skedaddle, ma’am. You can’t come through camp without a pass.”

“I came for you, my darling.” With one fluid motion, she moved closer.

He cocked his rifle. “Stop right there.”

Her exquisite lips drew into a pout. “I would never harm you, Dimitri.”

At the sound of the name an eerie sensation swept over him.

“Who the hell is Dimitri?” he asked. “My name’s Caleb.”

To purchase Eternity Waits http://www.thewildrosepress.com/eternity-waits-p-787.html?zenid=fd903545fb154c53e67d78904e642cb4

And to learn more about my upcoming Civil War vampire story, Sweet Redemption, here's the link to my website page http://susanmacatee.com/myvampireromances.html

I'm interviewed today on Cate Masters blog

Join me for my latest interview with Cate Masters as I answer questions about my writing and newest release Confederate Rose.

Some of my answers may surprise you.

Thought It Would Be Fun...

...to post a new excerpt from my latest release, Confederate Rose.

Her pale cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. She lifted one white, bare arm from the quilt to gesture at the clothing drying by the fire. "Now didn't you tell me to hang yer things out to dry?"

Alex grimaced. He had told her to do that. But he hadn't expected her to go through his pack. "So I did," he admitted.

She slipped her arm back into the quilt and lifted her chin. "'Tis an apology I should be expecting, Mr. Hart."

"Apology? You were going through my things."

"Because you ordered me to see to yer wet clothes."

Alex didn't think he'd win this argument. "Very well, ma'am. I apologize if I've offended your fine sensibilities in any way."

She straightened and hugged the quilt, eyeing him regally. "I accept yer apology, Mr. Hart."

"Well then." He hesitated and dropped his gaze. Her wide eyes drove his thoughts to ideas best left alone. That and the knowledge of what little she wore under the quilt. He cleared his throat. "I suggest we bed down for the night."

"Not until you get yerself out of those wet clothes."

His brows shot up. "I beg your pardon?"

"Ye'll surely not be sleeping in those wet things. 'Tis by the fire ye'll be needing to hang them."

His gaze settled on the clothes draped over the two chairs. Steam rose from them. "But those clothes aren't dry yet."

"Ye'll not be needing clothes to sleep." She grinned mischievously. "We've plenty of blankets."

The winner is...

The winner of the pdf copy of Confederate Rose over at Slip Into Something Victorian is Debra St. John.

Congratulations, Debra!! Contact me at susanmacatee@aol.com to claim your prize.

Another chance to win!

Today is the official release day for my latest Civil War romance Confederate Rose from The Wild Rose Press!!

Join me today at Slip Into Something Victorian. I'm giving away an e-book copy of Confederate Rose. Just leave a comment on my post today and you'll be entered to win. I'll announce the lucky winner tomorrow.

Winners of Confederate Rose contest!!

Announcing the winners of my contest for the lauch of my newest romance novel, Confederate Rose.

1st prize - autographed print copy of Confederate Rose
Chris Mead

2nd & 3rd prizes: e-book downloads of Confederate Rose
Edwin R. Harrington & Margaret C. White

Congratulations to all the winners!!

Confederate Rose releases in e-book format on September 25th. And if you're not one of the winners, leave a comment on my release day post and you'll be entered for a chance to win an e-book download.

New review!!!

We just received a 4.25 rated review from Night Owl Romance for Northern Roses and Southern Belles.

Here's reviewer, Vee's, quote for my story, Angel of My Dreams:

"Kyle Dalton, an historical reenactor gets a real sense of the past when he has visions and moments when he seems to be living in another time. There is a woman there that feels like a sole mate. But why become smitten over a woman he can never hold...or can he?"

Read the full review at Night Owl Romance.

Confederate Rose is an early bird special!!

Although the e-book release date is 9-25-09, Confederate Rose is now available in print on the main TWRP site.



Read the opening chapters at my website.

Check posts below this for excerpts.

All Finished!

Well, I did it! I wrote the last few pages of my new first draft today. This was my summer book project and I just came in under the wire. Now, I can put it aside for a little while and take a breather.

I'm pleased that my scene-by-scene outline kept me on track throughout many distractions and made it that much easier to know where my story was going and when it would be finished.

I also finished up with a galley I had to proofread just in a nick of time, so I'm good.

After a few days of relaxation, I'll be ready to finish the first draft of my short contemporary story. And from there, onward and upward.

Why is it so hard to write 'THE END'?

I'm nearing the end of the first draft of my post Civil War romance novel that I'm calling, Cassidy's War. This was my summer book project for this year and I wanted to get the first draft done by Labor Day.

Well, I've already made my projected word count, the Black Moment is over, the resolution for both the outer and romantic conflict are complete. All I have left to write is the HEA (happily ever after) in romance writers' jargon.

So, why am I suddenly slowing up? The finish line is right ahead of me. All I need is a few paragraphs to wrap everything up.

I can't figure this out. Writers complain about getting stuck in the middle or fizzling out right after the opening of a story, but my main sticking point seems to be writing "The End".

Anyone else out there have a similar problem?

Blogging at Slip Into Something Victorian today

I'm over at Slip Into Something Victorian today talking about women soldiers in the American Civil War.

Win a Copy of Confederate Rose!

Enter my month long contest for the chance to win a copy of my upcoming Civil War romance from The Wild Rose Press, Confederate Rose.

Disguised as a man to serve with her husband as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Irish immigrant, Katie Rose O'Reilly, vows to remain in the ranks and seek revenge on Yankees after her husband is killed at Sharpsburg. As she's transporting mail from Richmond back to camp, a stranger startles her, causing her to fall and almost drown in a swollen stream.

Southerner Alexander Hart, a Yankee spy, saves Katie from drowning, then nurses her through a resulting fever. He must keep his identity secret from the beautiful Rebel soldier even as he finds himself falling in love with her.

Katie falls in love with the caring gentlemen stranger, only to later discover he's the enemy. Heartbroken, she turns him in to the Confederates, but then questions her goals and beliefs. Is it possible to put aside her quest for revenge to save the man she loves?

Excerpt:

"I'm hating to have to say it, since I'd accused you of being a thief, but I stole something from you." She looked away.

"What could you...?" He racked his mind trying to figure out what she could have taken.

"I went through yer pack."

"In Patrick's tent?"

"No, weeks ago back at the cabin. I went through it to try to learn more about you when you were in the stable. I found a letter and took it but didn't have time to read it until now."

Alex swallowed.

"It was a Federal dispatch. Yer a Yankee."

His chest tightened. No wonder he'd been unable to find the dispatch. She'd had it all along. "What do you intend to do?" He hoped she wouldn't discover his real motive. He could never harm her.

"You lied to me the whole time," she said, disbelief marring her delicate features.

He exhaled the breath he'd held. "I had no choice."

"If I'd known you to be a Yankee, I'd have shot you the first chance I got." Her eyes glittered in the light of the fire. "You touched me...pretended to care fer me. And all the while, you lied to me."

The raw hurt on her face broke his heart. He'd deceived her. He couldn't deny it. "What do you intend to do?" he asked again.

She shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, Alex, but 'tis me duty to turn you in."

Visit my website for information on how you can win a copy of Condederate Rose, coming September 25th from The Wild Rose Press.

Erin's Rebel is a Reviewers Top Pick at Night Owl Romance!!!

Night Owl Romance reviewer, Melinda, says, "Susan Macatee did a great job in showing the full details about the Civil War and lovers reuniting. This is definitely a book worth reading for it brings the war into real focus. Betrayal and a romance that spans all time are brought to life...
"I love historical romance and Susan Macatee did a beautiful job in this one. I loved that Erin is definitely a 21st century woman yet yearns or that all consuming love that she cannot find right now. William is all she has been searching for in a man, but he is in another century. Erin will do anything she can to find out what her part in this is even if it means her own life."

See the full review here www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4249

Blurb:

Philadelphia newspaper reporter, Erin Branigan, is engaged to marry an up-and-coming lawyer, but dreams of a man from the change those plans and start her on a journey beyond time. After a car accident, Erin wakes to find herself living in the 1860s in a Confederate army camp.

Captain Will Montgomery, the man of her dreams, is now a flesh and blood Rebel soldier who sets her soul aflame. But the Irish beauty holds a secret he needs to unravel before he can place his trust in her.

Can she correct a mistake made long ago that caused his death and denied her the love she was meant to have? Or is she doomed to live out her life with nothing but regret?

Excerpt:

"Ma'am," someone called, startling her. "I'm mighty pleased to see you're up."

She turned in the direction of the deep voice. Am I dreaming? She licked her dry lips as she stared into the dark eyes that had haunted her dreams.

"Ma'am? You look a might peaked."

As he moved closer, her knees turned to jelly. Strong, hard-muscled arms embraced her, offering support. Her head spun. She lifted a hand to stop the motion and encountered wool, a double row of metal buttons and a rock-hard chest. The enticing aroma of sandalwood mixed with a musky, masculine scent, plus a tinge of wood smoke invaded her senses. Had she hit her head harder than she'd thought?

She gazed at his lightly tanned face. Firm lips tilted upward slightly at the corners surrounded by a thin chocolate-colored mustache curving into a neatly-trimmed beard covering only his chin. Thick, dark hair brushed his collar and curled from beneath a broad-brimmed black hat. Her pulse raced as she leaned against his long, solid frame. Night after night in her dreams she'd run her hands through those curls.

"How can you be here?" she murmured.

"Pardon me, ma'am?"

"I don't understand." She tried to wrench from his grasp, but he gathered her close, lifting her into his arms. "What are you doing?"

"Taking you back where you belong?" He carried her back to the tent entrance where Doc peered out.

Erin's Rebel available at The Wild Rose Press. Read the opening chapters at my website www.susanmacatee.com/erinsrebel.html

Win a Copy of Confederate Rose

I'll be launching a contest on my website on Tuesday, August 25th. All you have to do is read the opening paragraphs of Confederate Rose, posted on my site and answer one easy question. I'll draw from the entrants and pick three winners on September 23rd, two days before the official release from The Wild Rose Press.

While you wait to enter, here's the blurb and exerpt from Confederate Rose.

Disguised as a man to serve with her husband as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Irish immigrant, Katie Rose O'Reilly, vows to remain in the ranks and seek revenge on Yankees after her husband is killed at Sharpsburg. As she's transporting mail from Richmond back to camp, a stranger startles her, causing her to fall and almost drown in a swollen stream.Southerner Alexander Hart, a Yankee spy, saves Katie from drowning, then nurses her through a resulting fever. He must keep his identity secret from the beautiful Rebel soldier even as he finds himself falling in love with her.

Katie falls in love with the caring gentlemen stranger, only to later discover he's the enemy. Heartbroken, she turns him in to the Confederates, but then questions her goals and beliefs. Is it possible to put aside her quest for revenge to save the man she loves?

Excerpt:

"What? Are you telling me you were kissing him?" His blood heated at the thought of her moving on to another man.

"I was tryin' to escape."

"By kissing him?"

"Aye." Anger flashed in her eyes. "And it was working until you came along and hit the poor lad."

He grasped her forearm and pulled her from the guardhouse. They couldn't stay here debating. "Come on, we've got to get out of camp. I fear I've compromised my cover."

"But what about Nate?" she protested. "You may have killed him."

Sighing, Alex knelt and felt for a pulse. The lad's breathing was regular, his pulse steady. "Reckon he'll be out for awhile, but aside from a nasty headache and some bruising, he should be all right." He rose and glanced into the guardhouse. "They’ll reckon you clobbered him when he came for your dinner plate." He caught her worried gaze. "Now, let’s skedaddle."

She nodded, but eyed him again. "Why are you dressed as a priest?"

"It's a disguise. I'm ministering to the Rebel soldiers." His eyes roved to the white vee of her bosom. "Button your shirt before we go. We don’t want to attract any more attention."

Read the opening chapters at http://susanmacatee.com/confederateroseone.html

Taking a few days away from book promotion

It's been both exciting and hectic having two books come out in one month. I've been trying to do all the promo I can, while not neglecting work on contracted books and new works in progress.

I'm also anxiously awaiting reviews. Each day that goes by without one just makes me worry that I won't get any at all.

So, for the next two days, I'm taking a break from promotion, so I can fully concentrate on my newest projects. My only contracted story is getting ready to go to galley, but I haven't gotten it yet.

I sent off two contest entries for the opening of my science fiction romance and want to get back to revision on that manuscript next month.

My two first draft projects, a full-length historical and short contemporary, I'm writing in tandem. I'd planned to wait until the historical was finished, but the new story just didn't want to wait. Good thing they're two different genres, so I can't possibly get them mixed up. I'd like to complete both by the end of the month, if possible.

I know a lot of writers work on multiple projects at one time, and if they can do it, so can I.

Wish me luck!

Another excerpt and an unexpected coincidence!

Thought it was time to treat you all with another excerpt from my paranormal/reenactor story, Angel of My Dreams, from the Civil War anthology, Northern Roses and Southern Belles.

But by strange coincidence, the hero of my story, Kyle Dalton, commented on this blog yesterday. Not only is the real Kyle a former Civil War reenactor, but he teaches history, like the character in my story.

How cool is that!

It's fun when my characters leave comments on my blog.

Here's the blurb and excerpt from Angel of My Dreams.

When Civil War reenactor, Kyle Dalton, keeps seeing a beautiful woman on the battlefield tending to soldiers, he thinks she's another reenactor. But when she disappears into thin air, he starts to believe he's seen a ghost. Did he have a past life with this woman?

Excerpt:

A chill ran down Kyle's spine. Josie, that's the name Derek said he'd been calling out last night.

"What reenactment group you with?"

She bit her lip. "I'm afraid I don’t understand your question, sir."

"You're not with a group? How about one of the civilian groups?"

"Oh, no. I'm here on my own. I want to help in whatever way I can."

Kyle decided to take a different track. "Do you live near Philadelphia?"

"I live in the city, on Chestnut Street."

He glanced at her ring finger. Empty. "Most ladies in my group come with their husbands or boyfriends."

"No. As I said, I'm here on my own."

"Well, can I walk you back to camp? Or are you staying off-site?"

She frowned again. "I stay with the other nurses."

"Great. Lead on, and I'll walk you back."

She smiled, and he reached for her arm. His hand closed on air.

"What the hell?"

She gazed at him. "I can't stay."

She dissolved before his eyes.

Northern Roses and Southern Belles, available now from The Wild Rose Press.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/northern-roses-and-southern-belles-p-3578.html

For more info on this anthology visit www.nrandsb.wordpress.com/

At Slip Into Something Victorian today

I'm over at Slip Into Something Victorian today continuing my series on Victorian travel. Today, I'm talking about where the mid-19th century traveler would stay.

Is it Christmas?

I was googling my name and look what popped up. I got a review from Sherri at Goodreads for my Civil War Christmas story, A Kiss Under the Mistletoe.


And if you're inclined to read a Christmas story in August, you can download this one for free right here.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/a-kiss-under-the-mistletoe-p-1091.html?zenid=f9cdcaeb606c81d5208d2fa88ef7cdc1

Opening Chapters for Confederate Rose Now Up

Disguised as a man to serve with her husband as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Irish immigrant, Katie Rose O'Reilly, vows to remain in the ranks and seek revenge on Yankees after her husband is killed at Sharpsburg. As she's transporting mail from Richmond back to camp, a stranger startles her, causing her to fall and almost drown in a swollen stream.

Southerner Alexander Hart, a Yankee spy, saves Katie from drowning, then nurses her through a resulting fever. He must keep his identity secret from the beautiful Rebel soldier even as he finds himself falling in love with her.

Katie falls in love with the caring gentlemen stranger, only to later discover he's the enemy. Heartbroken, she turns him in to the Confederates, but then questions her goals and beliefs. Is it possible to put aside her quest for revenge to save the man she loves?

If the blurb intriques you, you can now read the opening chapters on my website. Go to http://susanmacatee.com/confederateroseone.html

Confederate Rose will be available this September from The Wild Rose Press.

Prize Winner

The winner of my prize over at Love Romance Passion yesterday is Mary Ricksen. I've already sent Mary notification, but it's not too late to win more prizes.

The blog tour continues over at Slip Into Something Victorian, where you can learn more about Caroline Clemmens' story and have a chance at more giveaways!

Our Anthology Blog Tour Continues

Our blog tour is already underway, and today's my turn to talk about my story, Angel of My Dreams, part of the Northern Roses and Southern Belles anthology.

And all comments on this post will be entered in a drawing to win a prize!

Join me at Love Romance Passion to learn about my story and see what prize I'm giving away today.

Winner of pdf copy of the Anthology!

Thanks for all the great comments yesterday! It's convinced me there is a market for Civil War romance despite what some publishers say.

And the winner of the pdf download of Northern Roses and Southern Belles is... Celia Yeary!!

Congratulations! Contact me at susanmacatee@aol.com so I can send out your prize!

And for the chance to win even more prizes, including a grand prize of a print copy of the anthology signed by all six authors, follow our blog tour all this week!

Visit the first stop today at http://nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/not-your-mothers-civil-war-romance.html

And you can follow the remainder of the tour here http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/release-day/

We hope you have a great time learning all about us and our stories and hopefully, win a few prizes along the way.

Win a Copy of Civil War Anthology!

My story, Angel of My Dreams, is part of an American Civil War romance anthology, Northern Roses and Southern Belles, coming July31st to The Wild Rose Press, along with authors Caroline Clemmens, Isabel Roman, Jeanmarie Hamilton, Jennifer Ross and Mary Ann Webber.

And if you leave a comment on my blog today, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a copy!

In a country torn asunder--from the Canadian border to Texas, from Maryland to Arkansas, from the battlefield of 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.

To give you a taste of the stories in this anthology, here's the blurb and a short excerpt from my story, Angel of My Dreams.

Civil War reenactor, Kyle Dalton, keeps seeing a beautiful woman on the battlefield tending to soldiers, he thinks she's another reenactor. But when she disappears into thin air, he starts to believe he's seen a ghost. Did he have a past life with this woman?

Exceprt:

"Where am I?"

"Shh." She placed a finger on his lips. The scent of lavender invaded his senses.

He frowned when he realized he was lying on a cot wearing his reenactor clothing. Had he dreamed he’d come home?

"The doctor says you'll be fine. He dug out the bullet and stitched up your leg."

"My leg?" Kyle reached down. His pant's leg had been cut apart at the seam. Heavy bandages wrapped around his thigh."This doesn't make any sense. I twisted my ankle. It's fine now."

She took his hand and stroked his forehead. Her touch sent warmth and desire through his body.

"I have to know..." He swallowed. "...your name."

She smiled. "You haven't forgotten me already?"

"I...you never told me."

"Of course I did." She leaned away.

He held tightly to her hand, fearing she'd leave again."Don't go."

Her hand dissolved. He couldn't hold her.

To purchase go to www.thewildrosepress.com/

And if you leave a comment here today, July 31st, you'll be entered for a chance to win a pdf copy. Winner will be announced tomorrow, August 1st.

For more information on this anthology go to www.susanmacatee.com/americancivilwaranthology.html or www.nrandsb.wordpress.com/

Promo Mania

I'm only two days away from my second book release from The Wild Rose Press. Erin's Rebel has been out less than two weeks and my short story in Northern Roses and Southern Belles, debuts on Friday.

I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the necessary promo and still make headway on my newer projects.

What I've had to do is compartmentalize my day. I try to fit in any necessary morning promo between my workout, errands and household tasks. After my lunch break, I reserve at least one hour for the first draft of my newest WIP. My daily goal is at least 1000 new words, and at least 5000 per week.

I'm also polishing up the opening chapters of my sci-fi WIP in the revision stage to enter in two separate contests. The deadlines are late August and early September, so I can't allow this to lapse.

And since I'll have two new releases out so close together, I've decided to promo each on alternate weeks. I've already gotten promo in for Erin's Rebel and now I'll concentrate on the anthology for the coming week. I'm so new at this book promo stuff as I only have one short story that was released over a year ago.

For all you promotion pro's out there who've had books out or have dealt with mutliple releases, I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. And my money flow is tight right now, so I'm looking for lost cost or free promo suggestions.

Thanks!

One Lovely Blog Award

I received my very first blog award from Jaime, who writes as J. A. Saare. You can view her beautiful blog, Random Musings, at http://www.jasaare.blogspot.com/

Jaime, I'm thrilled you chose my blog for this honor and now, the rules are for me to pass it along to three blogs I find deserving of this award.

The trick is to choose between all the lovely blogs I frequently visit. What helped me along is, a few of them have already been bestowed the award.

So, I'd like to pass it along to these three writers who's blogs I visit often and who are all great friends.

1) Isabel Roman - http://www.authorisabelroman.blogspot.com/
Isabel is a long time member of my writing group, the Scandalous Victorians. As I've struggled to implant an online presence prior to receiving books contracts, she's been a big help along the way. She was an active member of the critique group that helped me polish my stories enough to sell and is one of the authors in the anthology Northern Roses and Southern Belles that my story is a part of. She's also the big push behind our upcoming anthology blog tour the first week of August, just after our July 31st release.

2) Romancing America's Past - http://www.maymeholcombe.wordpress.com/
Mary Ann Webber posts this lovely blog. She's also a member of the Scandalous Victorians, is a great friend and was the one who suggested we all write a Civil War anthology in the first place. She's a driving force behind our group and is always looking for ways to promote the Victorian era romances that we all write.

3) Christina Phillips - http://www.christinaphillips.blogspot.com/
Christina is a friend I met online through my writing loops. When I announced the sale of my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel, she invited me to do an interview on her lovely blog. Unfortunately, I learned my release date wouldn't be until this July. So, she graciously offered to hold the interview until the book's release, about a week ago.

So, there you have it. For the three I chose the rules are simple. Copy the award image above and choose three blogs you enjoy! Write a blog post to let everyone know who they are and why you enjoy them. Then let the lucky bloggers know you've chosen their blogs as "One Lovely Blog".

And a big thanks to all of you for your wonderful support!!

Another Gorgeous Cover to Show Off

Look at the beautiful cover Nicola Martinez designed for the American historical Christmas anthology, An American Rose Christmas!!

My story, The Christmas Ball, will be part of this anthology, along with stories by Tori Anne, Donna Dalton, Lauri Robinson, Carol A. Spradling and Beth Trissel.

We don't have an official blurb yet, but here's one for my own story:

Sara Brewster, a young woman disguised as a man to serve as a soldier in the Union army, is secretly in love with camp surgeon, Kirk Ellison. When Sara is wounded, the doctor discovers her secret.

Once the shock of discovering the soldier Kirk thought of as a boy is a young woman, his protective feelings evolve into a growing attraction. When he's transferred to Washington D.C., he arranges for her to be transferred as well, to keep her by his side.

At a lavish ball on Christmas Eve, Sara is transformed into a ballroom beauty, and Kirk’s passions are aroused. He has to have her for his wife. But while farm girl Sara would love to marry the handsome doctor, she doesn’t feel worthy of him, fearing he'll ultimately be ashamed of her when she can’t live up to the task of being the wife of a prominent Washington physician.

I'm Being Interviewed at Paty Jager's blog

Join me today at Paty Jager Western Romance Writer for another interview as I talk about my writing and new release.

Guest Blogging Today!

I'm guest blogging on Laura Hogg's lovely time travel blog today, talking about Erin's Rebel. Here's the link if you want to join me: www.traveltheages.blogspot.com

Winner of pdf download of Erin's Rebel

I've drawn a name from my comments yesterday and the winner of the Erin's Rebel download is Skhye!

Congratulations!!

Skhye, email me at susanmacatee@aol.com and I'll send out your download.

Win a Copy of Erin's Rebel!!

My debut romance, Erin's Rebel, hits the e-book shelves today. And in honor of American Rose month over at The Wild Rose Press, it will be discounted until the end of this month.

Also, everyone who leaves a comment to this post, will be entered in a contest to win a pdf copy of Erin's Rebel. I'll announce the winner here tomorrow.

Blurb: Philadelphia newspaper reporter, Erin Branigan, is engaged to marry an up-and-coming lawyer, but dreams of a man from the past change those plans and start her on a journey beyond time. After a car accident, Erin wakes to find herself living in the 1860s in a Confederate army camp.

Captain Will Montgomery, the man of her dreams, is now a flesh and blood Rebel soldier who sets her soul aflame. But the Irish beauty holds a secret he needs to unravel before he can place his trust in her.

Can she correct a mistake made long ago that caused his death and denied her the love she was meant to have? Or is she doomed to live out her life with nothing but regret?

Excerpt:

She gazed up into his dark eyes. Up close they were a deep, chocolate brown. He was so damned attractive in that uniform. Clearing her throat, she found her voice. "I appreciate what you did, Captain. That man's been harassing me."

"I suspected as much. Wagner doesn't seem to know how to be respectful to a woman."

She had trouble finding the words to reply. The aroma of sandalwood and his unique masculine scent that had floored her when he'd carried her into Doc’s tent left her flabbergasted.

"I'd warned Wagner to stay away from you," he said.

"He was so drunk, I don't think any warning would have stopped him."

"He didn't hurt you--"

She shook her head, noting the concern in his eyes. "All I could think to do was get out of the tent."

"That was wise, ma'am."

She glanced at the bundle he still held. "Are those for me?"

He grinned. "If you don't mind, ma'am. I have two shirts that need washing."

"My pleasure." When he handed her the clothes, their hands briefly touched. Electricity shot through her. She caught his gaze.

His eyes widened. He swallowed and backed away a few steps, then tipped his cap. "Ma'am." He turned away.

She watched him cross the camp and disappear from sight. If a reason existed for her coming to this time period, it had to be Will Montgomery. But why had this happened? Would she ever go back to her old life, or was she stuck here forever?

Although she'd tried to hold her emotions in check, the tension that had been building for the last few days caused her eyes to burn at the prospect. A sob built at the back of her throat. She dropped the clothing she’d been sorting in the basket and scurried into the privacy of her tent.

Erin's Rebel available today in both digital and print formats at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Contest Winners Announced!!

The results of my website contest are in.

Here are the winners.

#1 – Autographed print copy of Erin’s Rebel – Amy Smith

#2 – pdf copy of Erin’s Rebel – Judy Cox

#3 - $10.00 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press – Karen Nutt

All winners have been notified and announced at www.susanmacatee.com/News.html

Congratulations to all the winners!!

And a big thanks to everyone who entered.

Erin’s Rebel will be available in both e-book and print tomorrow at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

I’ll also be giving away another pdf download to one lucky person who leaves a comment here tomorrow, July 17th when I post a new excerpt. For more information on Erin's Rebel or to read the opening chapters, go to my website: http://www.susanmacatee.com/

Feels Like I've Got a Whole Lot of Balls Up In the Air

As the release date for Erin's Rebel grows ever closer, I feel like a juggler with several balls in the air at once.

I'll be guest blogging and doing interviews on several blogs in the coming weeks. I'm also having a contest on my website for entrants to win a copy of Erin's Rebel. I'll pick the winners on Thursday and announce it on the website as well as here. If you haven't already entered, go to www.susanmacatee.com for details.

In addition, I'm also writing my post-Civil War romance, Cassidy's War, and am nearing the halfway point in that project. I'm also revising Moons of Cynara and polishing the first chapters to enter in a contest. The deadline for that is September 5th.

Also, I've got to start promoting my short story, Angel of My Dreams, part of the Northern Roses and Southern Belles anthology coming out the end of this month.

Although I've got a lot of work ahead of me, I'm loving every minute of it. Writing fiction has always been my dream and now I've found a publisher who actually wants what I write, I'm in heaven!

As an aside, Erin's Rebel, is available now in print. Scroll down and click on the cover for more details. The e-book version will be available this Friday, July 17th.

Blogging at The Galaxy Express

I'm very honored to have been chosen by Heather Massey to blog about character development over at her excellent science fiction romance blog, The Galaxy Express.

So join me over there to learn more about the characters in my work in progress, Moons of Cynara.

Happy Fourth of July!!

I hope everyone in the U.S. has fun, spends time with family, and also remembers what our ancestors in the Revolution and all subsequent wars have sacrificed to preserve our freedom.

Have a great day!!

One Quarter of the Way...

I'm happy to announce I'm 100 pages into my summer book project. Official word count is 18,688.

I hope to get at least another 10 k completed by the end of this month.

My scene by scene outline has been a big help in allowing me to not get bogged down, because right now, I'm mired in edits for another story, plus promo for Erin's Rebel. It's hard to keep that balance when you've got projects in different stages of development, but I've been keeping at least one hour per day devoted to my summer project and it seems to be working out.

Any of you have any tips on juggling several projects at once?

Win a Free Copy of Erin's Rebel!

The countdown is on for the July 17th release of my first full-length romance novel from The Wild Rose Press, Erin’s Rebel, and I’m having a contest on my website all month long. Starting Wednesday, June 17th, visit my website: http://susanmacatee.com/News.html to find out how you can have a chance to win one of three prizes.

#1 – An autographed print copy of my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.

#2 – A download of the e-book.

#3 – A $10.00 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press.

The contest will run until July 15th. All three winners will be announced July 16th.

Erin’s Rebel blurb: Philadelphia newspaper reporter, Erin Branigan, is engaged to marry an up-and-coming lawyer, but dreams of a man from the past change those plans and start her on a journey beyond time. After a car accident, Erin wakes to find herself living in the 1860s in a Confederate army camp. Captain Will Montgomery, the man of her dreams, is now a flesh and blood Rebel soldier who sets her soul aflame. But the Irish beauty holds a secret he needs to unravel before he can place his trust in her. Can she correct a mistake made long ago that caused his death and denied her the love she was meant to have? Or is she doomed to live out her life with nothing but regret?

Excerpt:

The sound of her name on his lips made her skin tingle. She tore the paper off the package. At the sight of the brooch, her breath caught.

"Do you like it?" he asked anxiously. "I had it made just for you."

Eyeing him, she had a hard time finding her voice. This was Erin O'Connell's brooch, the very one that had sent her back in time. It shone in her hands, new and unworn from time and wear.What did this mean? She must be following Erin O'Connell's footsteps. As far as she knew her being here hadn’t changed anything. Will was still destined to die this year.

"I didn’t mean to upset you, Erin. If you don’t want the brooch--"

"No." She clasped the pin against her chest as the meaning of his gift sank in. "It just means so much to me."

His look of concern softened into a lopsided grin. "I'm happy you feel that way."

"Thank you, Will." She slipped the brooch into the pocket of her wrapper, then stood on her toes, lifting her arms to circle his neck. She kissed his cheek, inhaling his musky scent.

His mouth was on hers, hot and urgent. The softness of his moustache and chin beard tickled her lips. She opened to him, her tongue slipping inside to taste him thoroughly. He groaned, pressing the length of his body against her.

Erin's Rebel, coming July 17th from The Wild Rose Press.

Have official release date for Sweet Redemption

Although I was hoping to get a date before Halloween, I did get one close after. My short vampire story, Sweet Redemption, will be available as an ebook on November 11, 2009.

Sweet Redemption

Vampire romance

Coming November 11, 2009 to The Wild Rose Press

On a cold December night, Union infantry captain, Jonathan Hackett is pinned down on the Fredericksburg battlefield trying to escape Confederate fire. But a creature of the night, more dangerous than any enemy soldier, stalks him. Jon must fight for his life as well as his soul. Maddie Emery has lost everything dear to her. Her husband and parents had passed on and her brothers are off fighting in the Confederate Army. She’s alone, trying single-handedly to hold onto her family’s farm, when a Yankee soldier collapses across her stoop. Maddie and Jon form and bond of love and desire, but as Jon exhibits signs of becoming the creature he fears most, is their love enough to fight off the evil of a centuries old vampire bent on destroying them?

Excerpt:

Those knocks were not made by a wolf, but he suspected the wolf had something to do with Reverend Arnwolf. "Is the wolf his minion, or can he transform himself?" he said, under his breath.

"What?" Mrs. Emery moved close. Her scent invaded his thoughts. "Please, tell me what's going on?"

Jon sighed. "When I said I was attacked by a wild dog, I lied." He moved back to the settee and sat, his hands dangling between his knees.

She sat beside him, but held herself ramrod straight. "What or who attacked you?"

"I was pinned down on the battlefield. Spent the night in the freezing cold. All of my men had died. A man appeared. Claimed to be a minister from Austria." Jon grimaced as he recalled Arnwolf's blood-red eyes and the sharp pierce of his fangs as they entered Jon’s throat. "He offered to help me, but...instead he led me to an abandoned barn and attacked me.”

Mrs. Emery gasped. "You're not saying this man--"

"He bit me on the throat." Jon pushed his hand through his hair. "I don’t know exactly what he is, but he's not human."

"That's who you believe was at the door?"

Jon nodded. "I don’t know how, but I now have a connection to him." He fingered the bumps on his throat. "I know things about him I shouldn't possibly know."

For more on Sweet Redemption, visit my website: www.susanmacatee.com/News.html

And the winner is...

The winner of the pdf download of Salvation Bride is Jean P.! Congratulations!!!

Pop on over to http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com to learn how to claim your prize.

And many thanks to all those who left comments for Anna.

Win a pdf copy of Salvation Bride!!

Come on over to Slip Into Something Victorian today to hear what guest blogger, Anna Kathryn Lanier, has to say about her TWRP e-book, Salvation Bride. All comments today, June 12th, will be entered in a contest to win a pdf download of her story.

Link: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/

Trying To Keep It All Straight

Many years ago, when I first decided to take my writing seriously, my plan was to work on one project at a time. When I sent the first one off to a publisher, I would then start on my new project.

That was what I thought writers--especially ones who wrote novels--did. But it didn't work out that way. It started when I sent out Erin's Rebel. Thinking I was done with the manuscript, until I got that contract, I started working on a new novel, the one that became Confederate Rose.

It wasn't until I was getting rejections, along with feedback that made me realize I wasn't finished with Erin's Rebel. The story needed a major revision. So, I put Confederate Rose aside to get Erin's Rebel right. And even after I finally did get that contract, there were more revisions, edits and a final proofread of the galley.

The thing is, through all of that, I kept working on that second book, so by the time I'd completed edits on the first, I had a contract for the second. And had to go through the whole thing over again. Add three short stories into the mix. I'm now working through edits on one of them and proofing the galley on another. At the same time.

And I haven't given up on new projects. While writing the first draft of one full-length project, I'm also doing revisions on another.

Add to that promo! Since my first book comes out next month and a short story in an anthology the end of the same month, I've got a lot of work ahead of me. Once work on the book is complete, the task of getting the word out about it has just begun.

My old image of being a writer leisurely working on one project at a time has been totally shattered, but I'm having a ball balancing it all.

And I never run out of ideas for the next project.

Started Summer Book Project

June 1st was the day I started writing the first draft of my lastest project. I plan to make this my summer book project. It's been four days and I'm up to 3944 words. This story is already outlined and my plan is to go right through the first draft, without stopping to edit. So, we'll see how I do.

I've already written a blurb for this new story, sort of an inspiration to keep me going.

Here it is: Blurb for Cassidy’s War

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

Cassidy Stuart has longed to be doctor for as long as she can remember. Growing up watching her physician father attend patients and her time serving as a nurse during the war, have only increased her desire to attend medical school and start a practice of her own. But prejudice against female physicians still abounds. And things grow more complicated by the return of the man who’d left her at the altar five years before, the rakish ex-soldier turned professional gambler, George Masters.

George has been on the run, finally settling in New York to assume the life of a gambler, and trying to forget hellish memories of the death of his best friend, Cassidy’s brother, at Gettysburg, and his time in a Confederate prison camp. But his biggest regret was deserting Cassidy two days before their wedding. She deserved a better man, or so he’d thought at the time. Will he now have a second chance to win place in her heart?

This is a sequel to a book I had published years ago and is now out-of-print. Does it pique your interest?