One of the first rules of writing is to write what you know, but what if your life is boring?

In my paranormal romance novels, I tried to follow that advice by setting the stories in the small town of Corydon, Indiana.

I grew up in Southern Indiana and most of the cities there have that small town feel, but there is something different about Corydon.  Corydon has a sense of history that New Albany, Georgetown, and Lanesville (although it comes close) can't match.

When you are using a small town in a paranormal romance, for me it makes it easier when the town is deliciously creepy and Corydon fits the bill perfectly.  I love how close history feels, like even though it's in the past, it's still an important part of daily life.

How deliciously creepy is it?  Creepy enough that every Halloween season there are walking tours through Corydon's Unsavory Past (Yes, I think the characters from my Spiritus Series deserve a featured spot) where visitors learn about the whipping post that used be in back of the Historic State Capitol and the story of the child murdering Mary Bouchet that hung for her crime.  They also mention that her voice can be heard through the square from time to time even today.

Suddenly, a ghost haunting the reincarnation of his murderous wife doesn't seem like such a far stretch does it?

Anyway, whenever someone asks me how can stand to live in such a small town, I have to admit that I couldn't live anywhere else!  Where else would I get all these ideas from?

So, we all remember that earlier this week, I entered the Bad Mother Hall of Fame for forgetting to get my daughter a promised book on it's release date. Well, thanks to me having my head up my butt, I needed it that exact day. This meant having to forgo Amazon and venture to my local Books-A-Million for an experience that can only be equated to having my teeth drilled without Novocain.

Well, first off let me explain that I am desperate to get my daughter back into reading. Thanks to the public school system, she hates to read. When she asked for this specific book, I just had to get it for her. So, since I forgot, that secured my place in the Bad Mother Hall of Fame and made me desperate enough to go to my local Books-A-Million.

As an indie author, I expected there to be some sort of armed guard to keep me from going in or they would have bloodhounds able to smell the Amazon publishing earnings in my pocket, but I was able to sneak in undetected. I walked past the coffee bar (because we all know that ALL readers drink coffee) and began my search for the elusive book.

The book in question is the New Moon graphic novel. My daughter read the Twilight graphic novels and loved them! (Thank you Stephenie Meyer)

I thought this should be fairly simple. The book is a graphic novel, so it should be in the graphic novel section.

So, the adventure starts. I walk the store looking for the graphic novel section, walking past like three employees before one asks if I need help. I say that I'm looking for the graphic novel section.

"It's over there," she says as she points to the other side of the store.

Really? That's the best you can do? Oh well, I go to the other side of the store in the general direction that she points. I finally find the section, I even find the first Twilight graphic novel, but New Moon is no where to be seen.

Okay, maybe it's in the Twilight section I passed earlier. So I go there, but no luck.

Okay, maybe it's on one of those randomly organized tables in the center...Nope.

FINE!  I give up!  Come out, come out, where ever you are.

Since I'm not quite finished torturing myself, I decide to go up to the service desk and ask them just where this book is hiding.  Boy was I in for a treat!  The first lady looks at me like I've grown horns. I mean, I was actually asking her a question when it was obvious she was stirring her coffee. The question must have been too hard for her, because she asks the other lady behind the counter. That lady tells me that it's in the Graphic Novel section.

At this point I'm trying to keep my head from exploding. Seriously?

I explained that I had looked there. She then tells me that it must be with the other regular Twilight books then.  I am now imagining her being pelted with bookmarks as I say that I looked there also.

"Let me just go get it," she snaps. Oh....Someone best get this woman away from me!

She comes back and I ask her where the book was....Are you ready?  "In the back."

Suddenly, it is so clear to me why these bookstores are becoming obsolete.  Their customer service SUCKS!  If a customer asks where something is, take a hint from indie bookstores (who I wish had carried this title to save me this agony) and walk your customer to the section!  Better yet, ask them which book they are looking for!  Indie bookstore employees know their stuff and can make recommendations. I didn't get the feeling that the Books-A-Million employees were up for that.  I sort of got the feeling that they couldn't wait for me to go away.

So, I survived my trip to Books-A-Million and next time I will make it a point not to forget when a book my daughter wants is coming out.  That way, I can order it from either an indie bookstore or heaven forbid....AMAZON.COM, so that I never have to cross the frozen tundra of book shelves and miserable customer service.

Lately, while I've been hard at work on the second book in my Gypsy Fairy Tale series, I've been missing my favorite ghost Alastor. For those of you that don't know, Alastor is the ghostly hero in my Spiritus Series.

Just to catch everyone up, he was a Civil War soldier that was shot and killed by his own wife after the war was over. A century later, he is haunting the young woman that he believes is the reincarnation of his murderous wife.

Today, in 1863, the Battle of Chancellorville began and out hero, Alastor, fought in that battle. He wrote home to his then loving and faithful wife to let her know that he was alive.

May 7, 1863

My Dearest Becca,

I am writing to let you know that I am alive. 

We are in Virginia near a town called Chancellorsville and have fought with the rebels for so many days that I have lost count.  We suffered heavy losses, many falling in battle.  I can only hope that the rebels will give them a decent burial.

Today I helped bury my friends, people I had known all my life and some I had known only months, I prayed that God would forgive me for the crude funeral service that they were given.

Oh my darling, everywhere that I look is just misery and dying.  If it were not for your letters in my pocket, I would no longer believe that there is a normal life waiting for me.  I think of the men that I laid to rest and wonder if they have wives waiting for them.  How can I go on living when life has been stolen from them?

My head aches and I know that I should try to sleep, but sleep never comes.  I want to come home.  I want to no longer worry about what tomorrow brings.  Ah, those carefree days seem like so long ago.

I love you my beautiful Becca, and will carry your memory with me.

Your Husband,

Alastor

So, since I'm feeling a little nostalgic for Alastor, I've decided to giveaway the complete Spiritus Series, but I want to know what your favorite ghost story is!  The contest starts at MIDNIGHT!

I am so thankful for my wonderful readers that made the release of Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale, Book One) such a huge success!  I want to make sure that you know how much I appreciate all of the support.  So while I'm hard at work on Far Away (Gypsy Fairy Tale, Book Two), I thought I'd hold another giveaway for Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale, Book One)!

Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale, Book One)

Beautiful. Secretive. Magical. You envy their freedom, but you are distrustful of their ways. A strange carnival has come to Corydon, Indiana and the Irish Travellers have captured the small town's attention--but it's Harmony who's attracted theirs.

Harmony sees the Travellers everywhere and just like everyone else in town she's curious. But once she meets the mysterious and captivating Kieran, Harmony's life takes an exciting and chilling turn.

Up until now, Harmony never believed that fairy tales or myths were real, but Kieran and his family belong to an ancient tribe called the Tuatha de Danann and someone else has discovered their secret.

An ancient battle is about to begin again, and now no one is safe, especially Harmony. Can Kieran resist the urge to be with her or will his feelings put her in the crossfire?

Harmony
Harmony's life will never be the same...
Each and every day was just as normal, and just as boring, as the one before it...And then the Carnival of Wonders comes to town. Suddenly, her small town world is overtaken by the handsome magician Kieran and his Irish Traveller family. She discovers that not all fairy tales are pretend.

Kieran
Kieran has waited an eternity for a love like this...
Life on the road is never easy, but keeping a secret is even harder. He can't deny how he feels, but he can't turn away from who and what he is. As an old enemy closes in, Kieran's feelings for Harmony put her in the very center of a battle between man and magic. Can he protect her long enough to make her his?

I used to think that I was born in the wrong time.  I mean, I always looked up to John Lennon as one of my idols and I always sort of had that "hippie" mentality.  Now I'm starting to think that I might have been born in the right time, just the wrong place.
Maybe it's because I came of age during the second British Invasion during the early MTV years, but it seems I have a love for all things British.  Now I don't want to admit how old I am, but I will say that I remember watching Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding (That's right, she was Lady Diana before she was Princess Diana).  No big deal you say?  Well, let's go a little further.

I tend to use British terms in writing as well as in my writing.  Of course, in my writing I can go back and edit them out, but in my every day life....Those words are just out there for anyone to recognize (I even had to edit just now and change "recognise" to the American "recognize").  Let's take a look at just a few of my fav British terms.

Arse-To be used in place of ass and considered more rude.
Barmy-Crazy.
Blast-An expression of surprise, Oh blast.
Bob's your uncle- Means that's it.  As in, I need you to go to the store, run by the bank, the the post office, and Bob's your uncle.
Daft-stupid.  As in, Are you daft?
Knackered-drunk
Posh-fancy, or high class.
Twit-idiot
Wanker-A jerk.

While all of that is fine and good, here are a few more of my all time favorite British things!

It all started this past weekend when I referred to something as "tardis blue" and my poor daughter knew what I meant.  I got to thinking how strange it was that the BBC would have such an impact on my life.  So yes, I'm a huge Doctor Who fan, but I can also watch the show without straining to understand the British cast. 

Now, it's no secret that I am a huge Michael Praed fan (who wouldn't be), but I grew up watching him portray the legendary outlaw Robin Hood in the Robin of Sherwood series.  That's where I knew him from, not from his role on the American soap opera Dynasty.  Still not enough?  Well, I was also a fan of Clannad, the amazing Irish folk group that provided the soundtrack to the Robin of Sherwood series.

Still need more proof?  Okay, one of my favorite comedy sitcoms is Absolutely Fabulous (or Ab Fab).  It stars Jennifer Saunders who is an absolute riot and did some hilarious skits on another British show years back called French & Saunders where she did a parody of Dr. Quinn (which also starred Mr. Praed in a cameo).  Again, I can watch the show and for the most part follow along.  For those that don't know, British comedy is much different than American...Not that either is superior, it's just that they are completely different other than the end result of a laugh.

West End vs. Broadway
Wow!  Talk about a tough choice!  Many of our Broadway shows, got their start in London's West End.  Like Wicked?  Started in the West End.  Love Cats?  West End. 

Here's to wishing High Society (starring Michael Praed) the West End musical touring the UK would come to New York.

I can't deny that my life has been crazy lately.  In late March, the first book in my Gypsy Fairy Tale series was released, but I forgot that one of my favorite authors was also releasing her latest book.  So, to try to make up for this oversight, I'd like to celebrate author Rose Pressey for #WriterWednesday!

Rose Pressey is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.

When she's not writing about werewolves, vampires and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.

Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son and three sassy Chihuahuas.

More books from Rose Pressey:
How to Date a Werewolf (Rylie Cruz series, book 1)
How to Date a Vampire (Rylie Cruz series, book 2)
How to Date a Demon (Rylie Cruz series, book 3)

Me and My Ghoulfriends (Larue Donavan series, book 1)
Ghouls Night Out (Larue Donavan series, book 2)
The Ghoul Next Door (Larue Donavan series, book 3)

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells (Mystic Cafe series, book 1)
Pies and Potions (Mystic Cafe series, book 2)

Flip That Haunted House (Haunted Renovation Mystery, book 1)
The Haunted Fixer-Upper (Haunted Renovation Mystery, book 2)

Rock 'n' Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason series, book 1)

Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel (A Trash-to-Treasure Crafting Mystery)

Forever Charmed

From bestselling author, Rose Pressey, comes Forever Charmed, the first book in an all new series!

Halloween LaVeau is descended from a long line of witches. Yes, her name is Halloween. The cosmic universe is definitely playing some kind of sick joke on her. She's the ultimate witch cliché, complete with a black cat and spooky house. Thank heavens she's missing the warts and flying broom.

When Halloween inherits her great-aunt's manor, she decides to put the house to good use as a bed-and-breakfast. Her first guest is the sinfully good-looking Nicolas Marcos, but he's not here for the continental breakfast. Halloween discovers a ratty old book in the attic. It's written in an unfamiliar language.

Halloween soon learns this is not an ordinary spellbook. The tome brings her a new talent, but her new skills come with a catch. When a rival witch comes after the book, Halloween doesn't know who to trust-the sexy vampire who says he wants to save the day, or the warlock who says he can destroy the book once and for all.

I've been promoting my newest book for the past few weeks and I'm afraid I'm turning into one of those authors that only talks about themselves (Don't you hate that?), so I thought today I'd take a little time to show some love to my favorite paranormal romance books.  Here's my little list of my top 5 paranormal romance books, I'd love to read about your favorites, so feel free to comment!

5.  Switched by Amanda Hocking


When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right.  She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her.  Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit.  But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth:  Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.   

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening.  And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

4.  Flutter by Melissa Andrea

Sara Sara's life is forever changed - Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there & why, but when the only person who can help her, continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan - the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally - she is consumed by the flutter that sparks whenever he is around and she is desperate to discover the reason why. Adan Adan’s mission to find Sara has finally begun - It seemed simple: bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before he even begins; the pull to her is far too strong to refuse, but being with her will defy the very reason he existed. He is the key to her survival and being with her is not part of the path that he was born to follow. Can he find it in himself too resist the urge to be with or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend. Flutter As Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles - There is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both. Together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate.

3.  A Taste for a Mate by Carrie Ann Ryan

A Taste for a Mate - Book 2 in the Redwood Pack Series

Jasper Jamenson's only responsibility to being the Beta of the Redwood Pack, second son of the Alpha, is to protect the Pack from themselves and the human world. After a century of selfless service, his brother's new found mating forced him into taking a good look into his life. He isn't sure he wants a mate, but fate may have other ideas.

Willow Delton is a skinny, bakery owner - the type most woman love to hate. Being without family, she finds herself alone to the Greek god with green eyes who saunters into her bakery every morning. Her desire to follow him, to be with him, overrides every rational sense she possessed.

Jasper and Willow are drawn together, despite every nuisance that works against them. But evil beyond even Jasper's supernatural compensation will make war against him, by going after the only thing in his eternal life he desires - Willow. Is Willow's heart enough to overcome Jasper's soul to save her life? A fight he cannot win, but to save her life - he must.

A full length novel

You can find the print version of this novel in Redwood Pack Vol 1


Redwood Pack Series Reading OrderAn Alpha's PathA Taste for a MateTrinity BoundA Night AwayEnforcer's RedemptionBlurred ExpectationsForgiveness (coming May 2013)Shattered Emotions (Coming June 2013)

2.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

1.  The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

"We watch and we are always here" is the motto of the Talamasca, a saintly group with extrasensory powers which has for centuries chronicled the lives of the Mayfairs--a dynasty of witches that brought down a shower of flames in 17th-century Scotland, fled to the plantations of Haiti and on to the New World, where they settled in the haunted city of New Orleans. Rice ( The Queen of the Damned ) plumbs a rich vein of witchcraft lore, conjuring in her overheated, florid prose the decayed antebellum mansion where incest rules, dolls are made of human bone and hair, and violent storms sweep the skies each time a witch dies and the power passes on. Newly annointed is Rowan Mayfair, a brilliant California neurosurgeon kept in ignorance of her heritage by her adoptive parents. She returns to the fold after bringing back Michael Curry from the dead; he, too, has unwanted extrasensory gifts and, like Rowan and the 12 Mayfairs before her, has beheld Lasher: devil, seducer, spirit. Now Lasher wants to come through to this world forever and Rowan is the Mayfair who can open the door. This massive tome repeatedly slows, then speeds when Rice casts off the Talamasca's pretentious, scholarly tones and goes for the jugular with morbid delights, sexually charged passages and wicked, wild tragedy.

Don't forget that I'm holding a giveaway over at Goodreads.com for a print copy of Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale, Book One)!  Have you entered yet?

Okay, so I've revealed my dream cast for Harmony, Kieran, Alec, Megan, and Alana.  Today will be my last reveal.

For my character of Niall, I wanted someone that ageless, but someone that could portray wisdom and depth.  I could only think of one person:  Peter Facinelli.  What do you think?

Don't forget that I have a giveaway taking place over at Goodreads.com for a paperback copy of Once.  Have you entered yet?

Okay, so now I've revealed my inspiration for Harmony, Kieran, Alec, and now Megan.  Today I'd like you to meet Isla Fisher from Wedding Crashers.  To me, she would be the perfect Alana.  What do you think?

And don't forget, I'm holding a giveaway over a Goodreads.com, have you entered yet?

Last week, I introduce you to Harmony, Kieran, and Alec from my new novel Once.   Today I'd like you to meet my impression of Megan.

To me, the perfect representation of Megan is Meghan Ory.  You might recognize her as Ruby from ABC's Once Upon A Time.  Is she what you pictured?

Don't forget, I'm also holding a giveaway over a Goodreads.com for a paperback copy of Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale, Book One).  Have you entered yet?