Luna Carrol

This Review Is So Good..I Wanted To Cry

2008-03-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

This review was just posted March 14th for The Love of Her Death. I love surprises and this one came at the right time. As many of you know I've been struggling with whether book 3 is too dark, too unlike anything I've ever read in the romance genre. Well, dammit, sometimes you just have to write what you're feeling. This reviewer "got it". I don't know her. I didn't request this review (but that doesn't make it less appreciated.) You guys know that I appreciate it more BECAUSE it wasn't requested. Take a second and see what she says. After all, it's an honest opinion and not one I staged.

What happens if you are on a train destined for HELL? This is what happens to Donnice Jordan. Each stop of this train of horrors introduces her to new characters with just enough life in them to remember their most lustful and depraved needs. Murderers, rapists, and deranged psychopaths would like to do more to a warm and willing body than just hold it. The conductor, Colin, is used to being able to check his emotions with the baggage. Now he finds himself having to protect her from the passengers and his own hunger for souls. Can he protect her when his own desires could mean her final death! (Psst… there is a happy ending, even for the dead.)
When I first picked this tale I wasn’t quite sure what it would be like. I had limited experience with horror novels, much less an Erotic/Romantic/Horror novel, but I have long felt that every book deserves at least a chance. I am pleased that I did take this tale as it was really quite an interesting read.

Donnice Jordan is not really a likable character. She is selfish and self-centered and angry. She has long believed that the world owes her for all she has suffered and feels put-upon by everyone she meets. When she finds herself on a train bound for… a place not yet decided with climes unknown to her, she is confused and even angrier. What follows are a series of encounters that teach her more about herself and the needs of her soul. Despite Donnice’s personality flaws, she is, after all, human, I understood her concerns and beliefs regarding her situations and her former life. As we’ve all felt persecuted or put-upon at one time or another, she becomes a bit more sympathetic as we move through the story. As she learns, eventually, what she needs to in order to “depart” the train, I grew attached to her, hoping and waiting for her HEA.

Colin is the enigmatic, dark and incredibly sexy conductor of the 13 Train. The very nature of his “job” makes it necessary for him to avoid attachments and emotions in general. This is something he’s never had any problem with, until he helps Donnice onto his train. Amazingly he feels quite a bit for this haughty woman, the most predominant emotion being lust followed closely by annoyance and then amazingly enough protectiveness. As he observes Donnice moving from one sexual encounter to the next he is surprised by the jealousy he feels as well. As unaccustomed as he is to feeling these emotions, he is unsure how to deal with them and continue to do his job to the best of his abilities. His continued rescue of Donnice from the scrapes she finds herself in adds to his overall frustration while drawing him closer to the real person under all her anger.

While none of the characters throughout this book were particularly likable, they were incredibly compelling and made for a fascinating read. Each person met brought their own agenda to the mix, and added innumerable facets to an already interesting story. Ms. Carrol takes us on a journey through the dirty, the taboo and even the sweet as each person Donnice meets on the train goes through their own journey just as Donnice does. As understanding slowly dawns, we get a glimpse into each person’s own journey as they pass quickly through Donnice’s. A fascinating read.

The concept behind the storyline was exceptionally original and held my interest until the last page. I have to say, while not “scary” per se the subject matter was definitely a bit difficult, despite this, The Love of her Death was incredibly well-written and even entertaining. I would have to recommend this to anyone who doesn’t mind a little, okay a lot, of dark with their light.

http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2008/03/review-love-of-her-death.html

Honey, you had me at original and well written.

Next book signing

2008-02-24T13:33:00.001-08:00

March 1st I'm heading to Borders in Charlotte, North Carolina. Come meet me!!
http://www.bordersstores.com/stores/store_pg.jsp?storeID=667

Mine, Heart and Soul First Review!

2008-02-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

"Another Mythos for the Paranormal Field"

One of my newest releases gets high reviews and the recognition of being a new mythos! Don't we all love new things to read? I don't know about you, but I was beginning to think that the paranormal market offered nothing but vampires and shapeshifters. Welcome to the world of the Poena Nisus. Mmmmm...so seductive. Don't believe me? Hear it from ParaNormalRomance Reviews-

"Dark and Erotic"
Lost in the winter-ridden mountains of Romania, Amanda McLaurin was relieved when she stumbled upon a castle. But as she becomes acquainted with the master and his other guests, she starts to wonder what she's gotten herself into. Why are some of the guests disappearing? And what about the mysterious painting of a skeletal death figure, who appears to be smiling and watching her?

Ryan Noceo sensed Amanda in the woods, and drew her to himself because of her strong soul. As the current prince of the Poena Nisus, those who feed on the souls of mortals, he found her nearly irresistible. Now he must convince her to become his mate, and share her soul with him. But his kind avoids all emotion, and Ryan can't promise her love. Will she take the challenge, risk death, and become his— heart and soul?

This book has a unique story concept and interesting characters. I liked Amanda, and wanted her to challenge Ryan to break through and admit to his feelings. I rooted for Ryan to find and recognize the value of emotions. Due to the Ryan's essential nature, he was not a very sympathetic character, but the author did a credible job of helping me understand why he was that way.

This book adds yet another mythos to the burgeoning paranormal field, with its mysterious Poena Nisus. Full of suspense, dark eroticism, and intriguing characters, it should interest those who like a little heat with their horror. Not for readers wanting a traditional romance, this story should find an audience with those who like darker fare.

Reviewed by Julia Clark
Posted February 12, 2008
http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=27253

Buy it now at www.allromanceebooks.com

Warm feelings, plot twists, and losing myself. lol

2007-12-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

I have that warm feeling. *pause* NOT THERE! Filthy people! I meant the feeling that I get when I'm all excited about my WIP (work in progress). My plot took a twist that I wasn't even expecting. I'm calling it the NY twist. A NY twist is when the romance novel takes a turn that just seems to work.

*toughtful moment* How can I relate that to people that don't write romance? It's that magic moment when the story hits the top of a hill and WHOOSH! You know you're on the downward slope. The "hold your hat with one hand, grip the safety bar before you, scream, laugh, and swear off roller coasters for another year" feeling. For me it's the best part of the book and the worst. It gets harder for me to finish the book after I hit this moment. There are so many ways it can go now that it makes my job harder. Yet it's the best because the writer and the reader really knows the characters by this point. You're so involved with them that you start thinking like them. It's magic!

*Gasp* You feel possessed! Body snatcher victim! This is where you start thinking, "Kill him! Kiss him! Jump his bones! DO SOMETHING NOW!!" lol You're not you anymore.

It started with me opening my document and thinking "Now where was I?" After scanning the previous night's work I found myself...lol I tend to lose me after a few minutes of deep thought...and now I can't wait to return to the story to see where the leading man is taking her. GRRRR He's a rascally devil with quite a temper, but I wouldn't mind a wrestling session with him, let me tell ya. lol

I hate this blog entry. LMAO All of it is true, but I hate it. It's boring. NY Twist, body snatchers, and warm feelings aside, there's no body here. ACKKK! I've lost myself again. See? Deep thought moment and now nobody's here! LOL

And on that note...*sigh* I'm off to find myself and that warm feeling again. (Psst...check out my mood on this blog on Myspace. What the hell does ninja mean anyway? LOL If I find myself will I kick my own ass?)

New Interview

2007-12-02T18:26:00.003-08:00

Come check out my newest interview!

http://www.freewebs.com/eauthorsassociation/inprint.htm

New Interview

2007-12-02T18:26:00.001-08:00

Come check out my newest interview!

http://www.freewebs.com/eauthorsassociation/inprint.htm

2007 and Luna Carrol

2007-11-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

This has been a wonderful year for me. I've met so many nice people and published several books. Yes, I said several. These books were not rushed out. They were written with great care and managed with the touch of fortune to land in the schedule of releases for this year. I can be found at Tease Publishing and Midnight Showcase Publishing. My books are in ebook format as well as print. They can be purchased online or in bookstores. I've already experienced 3 full fledge booksignings and I have several more planned before the end of this year.
Thanks to all my friends, co-writers and editors, and especially my family for making this a wonderful year for me.

Woohoo Another Review!!

2007-09-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Folks I have to say I haven't received one bad review for this book! Not even a slightly bad review! There have been plenty of warnings about the heat level, so beware! I'm blown away by the response for this book and I just want to kick Barnes and Noble in the ass for their snafu. Anyway, that is getting cleared up and here's part of the newest review...

Luna Carrol is now on my list of authors to watch. I just have to say: WOW! What a tantalizing book. While reading The Love of Her Death I felt as though I had stepped into The Twilight Zone with Rod Sterling's seductive voice narrating and his cigarette billowing smoke. I could just hear him… "Imagine if you will, the next time you're waiting to board a train, you might want to take a good look before you climb aboard, or you could end up like Donnice Jordan on number 13, which only stops to pick up its passengers on their way to The Twilight Zone." Luna Carrol has such a talent for the written word and the imagination to go with it. This read was a thrill; my socks were knocked off and I read it in one sitting. Even though I didn't even start it until 1 am, there was no way I was going to put it down until I found what was going to happen at the end of that ride. Who needs sleep? I know that I have never seen a conductor who looks like Colin. If I had, I can assure you I would have remembered. A word of warning, if you ever do come across someone who does look like him… BEWARE you might not only lose your soul but also your heart! ALL ABOARD!

Barb-TwoLipsReviews

http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2333&Itemid=36

The Love of Her Death Reviewed!

2007-08-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

5 Clovers from Kwips and Kritiques!! (That's their highest rating folks!)

This book is not something you want to miss! And here is the review to prove it!

Donnice “Donnes” Jordan finds herself on the most unusual train ride. Stuck on Locomotive Number 13, Donnes is on a ride in which there seems to be no happy ending in sight. Every stranger she meets has a secret and horrific past. Why is Donnes here? And just what is the role of the sexy conductor, Colin?

Kudos to Luna Carrol for finding a happy ending in this very dark erotic fantasy! THE LOVE OF HER DEATH is a surprising story which twists and turns in the most fiendishly clever of ways. The atmosphere is almost eerie, as one wonders just what Donnes will experience next in this unusual train journey.

Character development is key to the success of THE LOVE OF HER DEATH and Luna Carrol ensures the reader cares about the characters. Ms. Carrol clearly shows readers that what is in a person’s heart is far more important than their appearance, a lesson Donnes has to learn. Donnes’ reaction to Patricia Stone sets the stage for this lesson as she has difficulty ignoring Patricia’s goth, almost garishly revealing clothing, especially in comparison to Donnes much more subdued clothing. Traveling on Locomotive Number 13 can be quite an eye-opening experience, as Donnes will soon learn.

THE LOVE OF HER DEATH will not appeal to all as it is a very dark story, despite the happily ever after ending. However, readers wanting a taste of something different will appreciate this extraordinarily edgy tale. Sensitive readers should note that there are F/F scenes and that Donnes is not monogamous as her sexual explorations are part of the journey she is undertaking. Take a ride on the wild side with THE LOVE OF HER DEATH… if you dare!
Reviewed by Anne

http://ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/theloveofherdeath_anne.html

Charlotte Booksigning and New Review!!

2007-08-13T13:19:00.001-07:00

Hello! I'm thrilled about everything I have to say. So let me just get to it!

1. Charlotte Literary Festival this past weekend exceeded my expectations. Yes, I sold books, but there is so much more than sales required for a successful booksigning. For example, I shared a table with Angela Knight, a friend of mine from RWA. I hope our friendship grows because of the time we spent together. I also met Catherine Coulter. She accepted a copy of book as a gift and even promised to by a copy of book being released this week on Amazon.com and bookstores in September. She promised to drop me a message about the book when she completes it. Successful may not be a big enough word to describe my first booksigning!

2. The same book Catherine Coulter is going to read for me received a wonderful review from Coffee Time Romance. I just read the review today and I'm still ecstatic. Four cups out of a possible five!! I'm tickled. Yes, even this reviewer admits that my approach to romance and death is new, but since when has new been a problem in any genre?

3. I got to see some other author friends of mine at the Charlotte Festival. I wish I lived closer to them and could spend more time with them. Eliza Gayle, Sabrina Luna, Dahlia Rose, and Crymsyn Hart. Wonderfully nice women.

Now I'm off to begin the process all over again! Atlanta Georgia is next! Oh, oh, of course, I have to write some too. lol Please visit my Myspace blog and subscribe to be entered in my current contest. A free Gothic clock to be given away on September 15 (the release date of The Love of Her Death in bookstores). All you have to do is subscribe to my blog!

Roamin' Love 5 Moonbeams!!

2007-08-05T18:47:00.001-07:00

I also have it post on my blog on myspace.
www.myspace.com/bookreviewer

Roamin' Love
Luna Carrol
Midnight Showcase
Special Edition
ISSN 1555-5488 Vol.77-11SE
Ratings: 5 Moonbeams

Groa...shield maiden to Awilda finds her princess married to a Danish prince and she's out of a job. Now to top it all off a meddling goddess whisks her back to Ancient Rome where she must fight as a female gladiator to claim her freedom. Only one problem, Antoni. Why did he have to be so tempting? Well, she's no man's slave and he needs to learn that. Found in a novel all it's own.

Groa is a strong-willed woman that is captured and unknownly sent back in time to find the one man that could possible tame her heart. She has her own way of doing things that are considered strange by the people that now own her. What she didn't count was meeting someone like Antoni.

Antoni is a strong man who has his own way of doing things. He can't believe the nerve and courage this woman has. He has developed feelings for Groa but refuses to give in temptation no matter how she manages to heal the hole in his heart.

Ms. Carrol brings us another exciting tale of romance and intrigue. There are many things, events and people against Groa and Antoni but justice will prevail.

There are many who want Groa away from Antoni but the fates have decided that she is meant to be with him. Soon intrigue and secrets are revealed and the action begins for the hunt of the true killer.
I found this addicting and found myself intensely waiting patiently to see who the true killer was. I was surprised to see just who it was and glad to know that justice was served.

I look forward to reading what else Ms. Carrol will treat us fan in the future.

I give this a rating of 5 Moonbeams.
Buy it now at www.midnightshowcase.com in print or ebook!!!

Veronica
Strictly Romance Reviews

2007-07-26T12:04:00.001-07:00

First Review!! The Love of Her Death

Also posted on blog over at myspace.www.myspace.com/bookreviewer

The Love of her Death: Book one of Soulful Journey
Luna Carrol
http://www.lunacarrol.com/
Ebook Release Date: August 15 '07
Print Release Date: September 15 '07
ISBN Pending
Erotic Fantasy
Ratings: 5 Moonbeams

The Love of Her Death: Book One
Donnice Jordan finds herself boarded on a train destined for what she believes to be Hell and each stop introduces new characters with just enough life left in them to remember their most lustful and depraved needs. What's worse is she learns that everyone on this train is here for a reason. Murderers, rapists, and deranged psychopaths would like to do more to a warm and willing body than just hold it.
The Conductor, Colin, is used to being able to check his emotions with the baggage, he now finds himself having to protect her from the passengers and his own hunger for souls. Can he protect her when his own desires could mean her final death? (psstâ€¦there is a happy ending, sometimes even for the dead.)
Donnice never imagined that this would be the day she died. She is convince by a stranger to board a train unaware of what it has in store for her. Donnice meets Colin and something inside her comes alive. Along the way, she meets some interesting characters that bring out her most deepest desires.
Colin, the conductor, isn't use to the feelings he has ever since meeting Donnice. She brings out all his feelings he's kept bottled up for many years. Was it chance or fate that brought Donnice to Colin. All he knows is that he's willing to do anything to have her in his life.
Luna Carrol loves writing dark tales but hates "The End"
And as you can tell after you read this tale. You see just why her stories must continue on. They are just too exciting and addicting just to end now.
Ms. Carrol delivers a spellbinding new tale. She introduces us two new characters, Colin and Donnice who meet interesting and sometime dangerous people that you can't help but find them so intriguing. I loved the plot twists and turns with the introduction of each new character. I found myself cheering for Donnice for fighting for what she wants and getting it! I expect to see many great and exciting stories from Ms. Carrol in the near future.
I give this an overall rating of 5 Moonbeams.
.
Veronica
Strictly Romance Reviews

2007-04-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Stabbing at my school today

I needed to write about something serious, forgive me this once. No. There will be no funny side voices this time.
Today I learned that a former student of mine was viciously attacked and stabbed multiple times while riding the school bus home. I know I write about death, and I've even been accused of romanticizing it, but the truth is death is not something that's easy for me to deal with. Not when it's children, or animals for that matter.
No. My former student did not die, but he could have. In fact, he still could. He's in the hospital now. He didn't deserve this. Yes. He is a child that doesn't always make the best decisions, he isn't liked by everyone, and provokes many things, but nothing to justify killing him.
I found myself crying for this student, and his mother. As a mother I can't possibly imagine what I would do if this happened to my child. So, yes I'm sad. But there's more to this story and it makes me want to scream at anyone within hearing distance.
This could have been prevented. There. I said it as clearly as I know how. The school system knew that the stabber was prone to violence. He was excluded last school year due to his discipline. Yet, there he was. Sitting on the bus with children no different than your son or daughter, or neice, or nephew. No different than my son. Good children who have a right to a safe environment to learn in.
Just last year the principal of the school where I teach played down an incident where a female student brought a knife to school. Instead of the zero tolerance policy of immediate 365 days of Out of school suspension, she received a warning and 5 days of Out of school suspension. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Maybe if the penalties had been more severe the first time then the second time wouldn't have occurred.
No student was offered counseling at my school today. A teacher finally took it upon herself to send a child that was covered in blood yesterday to speak to the guidance counselor. NO OTHER STUDENT WAS SPOKEN TO ABOUT THE INCIDENT. Did you hear that? The administration felt it would be better not to address the situation. Ignore it and it will go away philosophy. The one student sent by the teacher was spoken to briefly only because a teacher raised the issue on his behalf.
Yes, the students on that bus saw a frightening thing, perhaps for some the most frightening thing they will ever see. Accounts that I have heard in my small town testify to the fact that the students that witnessed it are suffering from nightmares, inability to sleep, and flashback like symptons (red juice was spilt and a child started screaming). I ask you, no child needed counseling? That's what the office said when downtown called to assist with the counseling. Our principal told them that he didn't feel counseling was needed.
My last two points.
One: Administration is too big and out of touch with what is going on in the classrooms. They see too many disciplinary reports being filed by teachers and assume it's the teacher's inability to manage his/her own classroom. But what these reports are really saying is, "Warning. We have too many things not being handled effectively the first time."
Two: Parents. No one will speak for your child. (Look at what I said about my principal.) No one will think about what's best for your child. Do not forget that a school has a reputation to maintain. They do not report all incidents of violence, drugs, or truancy to the newspapers. What you read is a fraction of the truth. These matters are re-worded and re-stated based on pre-defined standards. For example, a child brings a knife to school. Teacher finds out. Principal refused to allow it to be written up as a weapon. Why? Because it's under 4 inches long. See what I mean?
NO ONE IS GOING TO SPEAK FOR YOUR CHILD! You need to know who your child is in the classroom with. The school won't tell you. Get off your ass, or take a day off of work, go to your child's school and sit in ALL of his/her classes. The school will suggest that you come at a certain time of the day. INSIST to stay the whole day. They will try to direct you away from times and classes where less than perfect behavior occurs. It is against the law for a school to deny you access to your child at anytime. You can stay all day, everyday if you want. Personally, all parents are welcome in all of my classes all the time. So I know some teachers are more than okay with your visit. Unfortunately, it's the teachers that don't want to see you that you need to worry about.
Do not be fooled by the No Child Left Behind propaganda. The most violent students are now being thrust into the classroom with your child. Students labeled as Behaviorally and Emotionally Disturbed are in the same class as your child. Notice that those words are not only emotionally disturbed, but behaviorally disturbed as well.
I live in a small, small, small town in the middle of nowhere. Hell, we tell jokes about living in the middle of nowhere. Violence in the schools is everywhere now.
What's it going to take to fix our schools? Parents raising holy hell and demanding a safer place for their kids. Teachers are brushed off and accused of writing too many discipline referrals. Principals try to ignore it for the sake of their school's reputation as well as their own. Superintendants? Well, they want to win their awards and sound positive so that they get a job the next year. They are just politicians by nature.
That's it. I'm done. I'm going to post this as many places as I can, then I'm going to kiss my son while he sleeps safely tucked into bed. After all that, I'm going to cry again for the mother whose son is fighting for his life. Speak up parents. Inclusion puts the violent ones in the class with your kids too. Get the violence out. Only parents can do it.
Signed,
Certified Teacher Who Is Fed Up

2007-03-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

It totally rocks...or creeps. Anyway, I love it! In fact I keep playing it over and over again. That's normal right? *looks to conscience*

(Nothing is ever normal where you're concerned.)

*shrug* You can hear the eerie ding of the train bell...see the fear in the heroine's eyes....see the crazy in the ..the...well, the crazy's eyes....

(*jaw drops* Please don't print that. You're supposed to be a writer for God's sake.)

PFFT! Let me do this. *hunches over, dons a psycho smile, makes creepy fingers at you* You see the hunger in his eyes for your soul, but oddly enough you notice how handsome he is too. Ohhh there's sex in there as well? *arches brows playfully* That's right, it's Luna Carrol's story. There will be plenty of naughty play...and a queer twist of introspection.

(I hate it when she does that. I feel like she's looking at me!)

I do look at you! Shut the hell up!

You know, maybe you should just go and see the video yourself. It's cool as hell!http://www.myspace.com/lunacarrol/

(You'll know why she mentioned Hell when you see the video.)

*rolls eyes and walks away* I'm leaving you here!

(*shakes head* She just doesn't get it.)
LunaC

2006-12-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

Story in the mind...No. It's not alone in there.
Somewhere in my mind another story is brewing. This one will be big. I'm talking epic proportions. I can feel it. (shhh..that's me poking her brain.) I'm serious. *wiggles finger in ear* I'm thinking fantasy. I haven't delved deep enough in that one yet. How do you feel about elves? (Feel them all the time. Yummy for the tummy!) *rolls eyes* Did you know that elves are soulless creatures? Makes me go hmmm....Church bells and changelings and all that jazz. I have to admit some inspiration from the latest box office trends. What with Lord of the Rings, Eragon, and what not. Still, as any writer worth her ink would, I think they are missing something.
STILL waiting to hear from Ellora's Cave. Grrr I want'em!
*drumming fingers* I'm giving this new story some serious thought. I've thought up my twist. Which I always have to have. (Twist...twist. Doing the Bedrock Twist..Twist) Ignore it. I have to. (she loves me) I think I'll bury myself in some books for a little while when I have the opportunity. I need to study this fantasy genre. (she wants to see the pics of the half naked warriors) pffft! Shut up. (heehee) That would be comic books. (Ooo...like that didn't pop in your mind. You know I'm in here, right?)
*thinking* (Hey! I'm running out of room. Get the freaking fairies out of here! What....What...What the hell is the drawf doing to my panties!!) LOL Gotta love a writer's imagination. (omg...I'm not wearing those again)
LunaC

2006-10-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

Having A Contest....

Yep. That's right. I'm having a writing contest at my yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etherealrealmsNo prize other than feel good comments posted. The contest's only purpose is to stretch your imagination and rejuvinate your muse (those sensitive creatures need massages from time to time). This is the second such contest and it was a huge hit first time. I'm eager to have new contestants. The rules are posted at the group. Who knows, you may find a new story to expand upon and be your next big hit!!!Stop by and impress us!At ER your stories are yours. Feel free to post them for the contest and then delete them if you want or leave them as proof that you wrote it. We're a bash-free and encouraging place for writers to meet and grow. All categories of romance are welcome!

2006-09-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

And Yet I Still Write...

I'm sick. My nose burns with the touch of a tissue, my eyes feel too dry. I swear my head is going to burst. My chest makes a sound reminiscent of the sound I heard a pervert make over the phone once. *heavy breathing* Except that I cough afterwards, like a woman three times my age...okay maybe twice my age. AND YET I still write.Perhaps if I were imprisoned..nah. I would write more then. I picture myself being like the Marque de Sade in the movie Quills. Writing on anything, including the bedsheets to get this demon out of me!!*Swinging at invisible demons and then hacking as a result of my effort*I know. If I were the victim of some freak accident...nope. I'd learn to write with my toes.*giggling now with the thought of monkeys and their odd little feet. Hacking again because of my laughter.*Maybe if my husband was to grow angry...been there, done that.*holding out the t-shirt for you to read.*Once I thought I had nothing to write about. I wrote about it.*Eyes narrowing at what I know to be the invisible demons sneaking back into the room.*Excuse me...I think I need more Nyquil.

2006-08-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

An Author's Influence

I was asked to jot down a bit about what author or event impacted my writing the most. While I pondered this for a while my mind travelled back to all the great books I've read. I love them all. After I read a book it seems to become a part of me, well written books as well as not so well written. I keep them forever and miss the ones that I was forced to part with. But it wasn't Dumas, Stoker, Irving, Shakespeare, or even my beloved Spencer that had the greatest impact. It was my father.
Before you ask, no my father wasn't a writer. My father was a great man. Not great politically, socially, or even intellectually. Don't get me wrong, he was usually friendly, had political beliefs, and could read and write. My father was a great man because of what he did for me. He supported me throughout my childhood, educated me, and loved me right up until the time he died.
So, it wasn't a writer that had the greatest impact on my writing. It was an event. The death of my father. The lingering death he suffered at the hands of Diabetes, the amputation of both his legs, the triple bypass surgery, the weakening of his body and spirit. Those are the things that taught me the lessons I focus on in all my romance books. Lessons like love is eternal, the body is the weak part of us, and that our dreams are important.
Read my stories and I promise you will see the influence of my father's death. Ellora's Cave is now considering a story with a character by the name of Gene. Guess what my father's name was. That's it. Gene. Guess why my characters swear eternal love at the end of a story. Again, you're right. I have to believe that love is forever. To believe otherwise is to think that my father's love for me died with him. Now let's read a happily ever after.

2006-08-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Introduction part 3
"Tell me about your first book." He lowered his eyes to the paper before him, but the cameraman peered out from behind his lense and then moved his camera in closer.

"To Stay Forever is a Romp."

Lucas lifted his head and stared at her.

"That's a short story, single title at Midnight Showcase. It's about a cursed knight and a geneologist. The Templar Knight is cursed to live forever, and really doesn't want the geneologist nosing around his family tree."

"Does this book fall into any other category?"

"You mean other than short story?"

He nodded.

"Several. It's paranormal. Oh yeah, it's..." she leaned closer to him and smiled. "It's erotic."

He sat up straighter. "Erotic?"

"You know what that means right?"

"It's porn?" His mouth dropped open again.

"Absolutely not. Sex is fully described, but romance is the objective. No haphazard sex scenes in my book. And I love happily ever after, so nearly all of my books will end that way."

"Happily ever after doesn't exist." He lowered his paper to the table.

"Sad that you think that. I do not. True, it's hard to come by, but it exists."

"Your species is hung up on romantic dreams and notions. Try living like my kind for once. We're independent and come together only to mate, raise our young, and then go our seperate ways." He seemed to ponder that. "Write a story about that. It really is the best way to live."

"Plenty of erotic romance novelists write about the happy for now way of life. I like the more traditional. I want to believe that love can last forever, passion doesn't have to die, and the bad guys do get what they deserve."

Lucas laughed. "You sound like a romance novelist."

"I am a romance novelist."

"Is your life like a romance novel?"

She looked down. "Real life has its problems. I choose to leave those out of my books. Who needs to be reminded of the day to day problems we all face? I want my fantasies to exist, if only for the duration of a book."

"So you admit it. Romance doesn't really exist."

Luna snapped her eyes back up. "It does. But sometimes you have to go looking for it. I want to make that search just a little easier for my readers."

"You mean you want them to pretend." The smug look on her face really pissed her off.

"Pretend for now, but not to stop looking. I don't want them to stop believing that real life can be wonderful and strive to achieve that state."

Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out a stamp. Taking the folder from her hands he slapped the stamp on a document from inside. He tossed her the document.

"Your license, romance novelist."

Luna looked down at the swirly caligraphy and finally the surprisingly stylish handwriting of her interviewer. She couldn't believe that he actually gave her the license.

"I may not understand you." She looked back up at Lucas as he spoke. "And I sure as hell don't read romance novels, but you seem to like writing it. Not only that, you got good reviews on To Stay Forever."

"Thank you, Lucas." She stood, causing the serpentine to do the same. "You surprise me."

He chuckled. "Told you that I like you."

"Yeah, I remember that." She smiled and lowered her eyes.

"I may not like romance novels, but I like seeing the look you get in your eyes when you talk about it."

She felt her heart skip a beat. Looking back up she noticed a little more heat to his strange eyes. Who would have thought that a cold blooded animal could create so much heat? "Are you saying that you may become a fan of mine?"

He nodded. "I might buy your book."

"Stop by sometime. I may autograph it for you..." she smiled and turned to leave the room. She paused and looked back at him. With his powerful form, and dangerous appearance he might just find himself in one of her books. "if you like."

"Saturday?"

She smiled. "Saturday." She gripped her new licence tight in her hand and left with a new wicked grin.

2006-08-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

"Question one..." He repeated the que.

She rolled her eyes and read the question aloud. "Are you published?"

"Answer." He tapped the back of the paper in his hand.

"Can't you ask the questions like any normal cop?"

He narrowed his eyes. The yellow color becoming slits. "But I'm not a normal cop. I'm a licensing cop."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"But I like you, Luna. Always have." He grinned, exposing his sharp teeth. "I'll ask the questions."

"Thanks." Her sarcasm was just the right amount, if she did think so herself.

"Are you published?"

"Yes." She answered with one word and looked back at the paper before her.

"This could go easier if you logically answer with complete information. We could be done in no time at all." He stood and walked to sit in the chair beside her.

"Don't try the nice cop thing on me. I know you for what you are, Lucas."

He chuckled and leaned back, indicating that the cameraman behind him should move to get a better shot of Luna. "Let's finish our polite interview before moving on to more personal matters, shall we?"

She snorted. "Yeah, right. I am published at Midnight Showcase." She looked to the cameraman. "That's www.midnightshowcase.com".

"How many books do you have published?" He looked at her over his paper.

"One. To Stay Forever is the title." She pulled her eyes away from his and looked to her own paper.

"Is that it? Sounds pretty pathetic to me." He sighed as if she was taking up his time now.

"It's the only one released. I have three contracted and I'm in the process of working out the details for contract number four for 2007."

He lifted his brows and nodded with a smile. "That's more like it. I'd hate to think of you as a disappointment, Luna."

"I never disappoint, Lucas. Not unless it's my intention to do so."

She drug her fingertips down the front of her blouse barely opening the v of her neckline. Her eyes held his as she licked her lips.

His lower lip dropped open, then snapped shut as he cleared his throat. "Yes, well, be that as it may, let's move to the next question."

Luna smiled. Turning the tables on an interview was an art. Humans were more difficult, but the beasties, well, they operated on natural instinct. Easy to mislead.

2006-08-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Introduction
The room was dark, the only light stemming from one single white light hanging low over the table. Luna couldn't see the outer rims of the room, but then she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Moving to sit at the table she waitd. Strings of white smoke pushed through the air past her in long, skinny waves. She recognized the smoke, smelled the odor.

"Luna Carrol." His low raspy voice caused her to bite down hard on her molars. It was that or swear aloud.

"Lucas." I recognized your odor.

The serpentine sat across from her. His yellow eyes broken only by the narrow, black slit that served as pupils. His green complexion and sharp teeth further attested to why his race was called serpentine.

"I see you are doing rather well for yourself, Luna." He moved his green hand up and down to indicate her finely tailored suit.

The high collar of her brigt blue blouse, to the tips of her high heels were exactly the image she wanted to portray.

"I do what I can." She draped one arm over the back of her chair. "What do you want, Lucas?"

His eyebrows raised as a smile tugged the corner of his lips. "You know what. You're here to answer some questions. Questions that the Council deems necessary." He leaned forward and chuckled. "We can't have writers wandering around and know nothing about them, can we?"

She stretched a tight-lipped smile and chuckled sarcastically. "No room for creative license, I suppose."

"Oh, I'll give you your license." He leaned back out of the circle of light. A folder dropped to the table. "I'll give you one if you answer my questions...and I like the answers."

She inhaled and released the air with a gush. "Of course. If you like them, that's the clincher, isn't it?"

He shrugged, difficult to see now that he was out of the light, but his race couldn't tolerate intense light directed at their eyes. Cold blooded, sons of bitches, they actually preferred the dark or an even amount of light such as the sun.

She reached out and grabbed the folder, noticing yet another broken nail. Beautiful nails were something she just couldn't hold on to. She opened the folder while leaning back in her seat.

Her mouth fell open. "You want me to answer these?"

He chuckled and held his hand out for some thug on the sidelines to hand him another piece of paper. "I have my own copy of the questions. Just to make sure you don't miss any. Oh," he stopped her train of thought, "one of my men will be recording this. That's cassette and video, just so you know."

"Just so I know?" She laughed with disgust. "The Council's own law decrees that everything you assholes do is recorded."

He growled low in his throat. "Question number one..."

2006-08-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

To Stay Forever gets great review!! Visit following link and read for yourself!
http://www.enchantedramblings.net/reviews/review0396.html

2006-08-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Luna Carrol's first published book. It's my first, but I have four more being released next year so get a jump on your Luna Library!! Go to www.midnightshowcase.com

To Stay Forever

Emily Hertford just moved to England to get to know her mother’s roots and study the history of names. That’s what she did. She studied names and sold the information to others interested. She wasn’t planning on falling for someone so arrogant that he insisted no one could be related to him, but from the moment she met him all she wanted was to know more about him.
Derek Crosse was a cursed man. Cursed to live beyond his life as a Templar Knight on the lands where he watched his wife die in his arms. When Emily stepped into his life asking questions about his family he had to distract her. To allow her to know the truth was to jeopardize her soul, or at the very least her life.
It must have been the curse uttered by Robert Ab-Owen as he died upon Derek’s sword. He had been a fellow knight until the Order was dissolved and lashed out against any Templar fortunate enough to have found happiness. The curse he uttered with his dying breath bound Derek to Crosse Hills forever. He would not rest until Derek had suffered an eternity, even if that meant killing his new love, Emily.

2006-04-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to miss that which you never really possessed? Or is it that we all desire what we can't have? Questions like that led to my nickname..LunaC

2006-04-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

If you think it and it makes you smile, share it cause chances are the people you hang out with are just as demented as you!! Words I live by.
LunaC

2006-03-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

Having two short stories published at Midnight Showcase in 2007. Completing another now and crossing fingers that Midnight will pick it up. Having my novel critiqued by Virginia Farmer, my newest partner in crime (All around great gal. Really knows her stuff.) Hoping that Ellorascave.com picks up the manuscript already in their possession. And somewhere, between all of this...somewhere...I manage to keep my day job and sleep. lol There's only two things that can make me want to lose sleep, and only one of those can lead to the closing of eyes and soft whimpering noises. Wait..no..hmmm...I write that too. lol

2006-03-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

Release date for my story "My Viking Bride" is June 2007. It will be part of the anthology titled "Faery Tails and Fables" at Midnight Showcase (midnightshowcase.com) or you can buy it at Amazon.com. Email me and tell me what you think. sunnotallowed@yahoo.com