Shiela Stewart is a paranormal suspense author with a writing history that stems back to her youth.  Always a dreamer, wondering if her stories would ever reach an audience, she was finally published in 2006 and hasn’t stopped since.  It is rare to find a stand-alone book as she prefers series stories. Her longest running series to date is her Darkness series, which is a vampire romance.

Her joy for scary suspense is evident in each of her books. She has had several accomplishments, including fighting for the top spot in the rankings with author Stephanie Myers, receiving glowing reviews as well as interviews on local television and reviews and interviews in The Romantic Times Magazine.

When not writing, Shiela spends her time with the love of her life, William, and their children and grandchildren. Her strong affection for animals is evident in the many cats she cares for.

Her favorite time of the day is at sunset.

2020 Character Interview

Beverley: What’s your name?

C.J.: Hi, my name is C.J. Dowling and I’m a medium. For those that don’t know what a medium is, I can communicate with the dead.

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

C.J.: I was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

C.J.: It mostly takes place in modern time, with glimpses into the early 1900’s.

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

C.J.: How many mediums do you know? It’s not something most people talk about. When I was approached with the idea for the book, I jumped at the opportunity. I first discovered my ability at a very young age. As you can probably guess, no one believed me. I’ve spent practically my entire life being laughed at or accused of being a fraud. By sharing my story, I hope others with my type of ability will feel comfortable using their powers and not listen to the nay-sayers.

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

C.J.: To tell the truth about several innocent lives who were prey to a sick man’s desires. He was a prominent doctor who used his licence to prey on innocent people.

Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?

C.J.: I can’t give too much away, but I can say an angry spirit is the primary conflict. 

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

C.J.: Originally I planned to go in, help usher the spirits to their peace and leave. Case solved. I wasn’t prepared for what I discovered.

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

C.J.: I can be very stubborn and persistent. I won’t stop until everything is resolved, no matter what stands in my way.

Blurb for Secrets of the Dead :

Jessica Coltrane is a die-hard sceptic who believes that ghosts and paranormal activity are nothing more than a figment of an overactive imagination. That is until she finds herself locked inside a haunted house with the enigmatic paranormal investigator C.J. Dowling.

Born with the ability to see and speak to the dead, C.J. Dowling thought investigating a haunted house would be a job like many others. He’s prepared for anything—except smart and sexy Jessica.

Working together in close quarters, C.J. and Jessica discover it isn’t only negative tension between the two, but sexual as well. Giving into their desires seemed like a good idea at the time, until they wake and find the spirits thought otherwise. Trapped with the ghost of a child long forgotten, an amorous entity that is threatening Jessica, and a powder keg of a spine-tingling mystery that might just be better left buried.

Excerpt from Secrets of the Dead :

Something tickled her nose. Using her hand, she tried to swipe it away and felt the brush of hair against her knuckles. Planting her hand, she felt the warm flesh beneath her palm.

Recognition hit and woke her with an angry slap. Eyes shooting open, she sat up quickly and instantly regretted it when the room spun wildly around her. Laying back down, closing her eyes, she waited out the dizziness the hangover caused. Her mind raced to the night before.

The soft ache in her loins reminded her of what she’d done. Carefully opening her eyes, she turned her head to see a naked C.J. beside her.

“Oh, God.” She looked over his naked body, remembering how good it felt having him inside her. She hadn’t been that drunk that she couldn’t remember the event, and lord, what an event it had been. They had literally torn each other’s clothing off. She’d been an animal, which was so not like her.

What did they do now? Would they go on as they had been, sniping at each other, treat this as a one-night fling and move on? In truth, the guy irritated the hell out of her, yet he’d made her feel so incredible the night before. How was she supposed to respond to him now, after sharing something so intimate?

“Dowling,” she spoke quietly. “Dowling.” When he moaned, she slapped his chest. “Dowling!”

“Jesus.”

“Wake up.”

“I’m awake.” He looked at her with a smile. “Morning.” Then his eyes went wide. “Holy hell.” He bolted upright and jumped to his feet, nearly knocking her over. “Oh, my God.”

“What the hell?” The sofa stood on its end, two sitting chairs slammed up right against it, all pushed against the window. The coffee and end tables stood one on top of the other, in front of the fireplace.

Carefully, Jessie stood up, waiting out the dizziness. She had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. It looked like a hurricane had blown through. “How…”

“I need to check my equipment.” He flew off, still nude, and she got one hell of a look at his ass.

She saw her shirt by the fireplace, straps torn. She couldn’t exactly wear it in its condition. Spotting his shirt hanging over the couch, she grabbed it and put it on. It barely covered her, but would have to do for now.

“This is incredible. The meters went off the scale. The temperature recorded several degrees below freezing at one point. It didn’t last long, though, as it rose exponentially. And we slept through it all. Damn, I have never seen anything like this before. It’s phenomenal.”

“You’re naked, you know?”

“What?” He didn’t even look up.

“You’re naked.” She tossed him his jeans, hitting him square in the face.

Unaffected by it, he grabbed the jeans and slipped into them using his free hand.  It amused her to watch him shimmy into his tight jeans, jumping from one foot to the other. “The cameras!” He rushed to the video equipment as he did up his pants. “Do you know what this means?”

“That you were a busy boy last night.”

He looked at her, confused. “Beg pardon?”

“I don’t know how you managed it all alone, but I give you credit for a job well done.”

“You think I did all of this?”

“No, I know you did all of this. Boy, you’ll do anything to make me a believer.”

His eyes narrowed and his voice dipped an octave. “You think I did all of this just to make you believe there are ghosts here?”

  “Well…yeah.”

“Fine.” Walking to her, he grabbed her arm and led her to the camera.

“Let go of me.”

“Not until you see this.” Taking her by the shoulders, he turned her to face the monitor attached to one of the cameras. “Watch.” He pressed play.

Folding her arms across her chest, Jessie glared at the screen. He’d recorded them having sex.

“Oh my God, you taped us making out? How could you?”

“I have my cameras set on timers that begin taping on their own. I didn’t know we were going to go at it like rabbits last night. Watch.”

“You will erase those tapes,” she insisted, then grunted when he turned her face back to the monitor. “What the hell?”

“Keep watching.”

She couldn’t pry her eyes away if she tried. The furniture lifted in the air, spun around wildly before they slammed in front of the fireplace and window. “Oh my god!”

“My sentiments exactly. I need to check the rest of the house.” He left her mesmerized in front of the TV.

Buy Links for Secrets of the Dead:

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/seducing-the-darkness/id1050480128

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Shiela-Stewart/e/B002BLN95E%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seducing-the-darkness-shiela-stewart/1014485332?ean=2940152679007

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/unsupported/ieversiondetected

Decadent Publishing http://decadentpublishing.com/secrets-of-the-dead/

Social Media links

Website: www.shielastewart.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiela.stewart

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShielaSue  

I was researching for some background information, and I remembered a conversation I had with a friend. She wrote historical romance. I said I couldn’t write historical because it took too much research. She laughed and said she didn’t write contemporary romantic suspense because she thought it took too much research. My conclusion is that all writers do research, for all genres. You do it for your books. Sci-fi and futuristic novels take a different type of research, building a new world. Fantasy is another genre which still needs research.

Before Wi-Fi and the internet research was a lot more difficult. You spent hours at the library, taking notes and photocopying and checking out library books. You bought books on synopses, scene and structure, and character building. You read and made notes. It took a lot of time and a lot more effort. It also costs money. If you’re reading this blog, you have access to the internet.

You might also attend a workshop if your writing chapter offered one or if it was within travel distance. It cost money to pay the fee and maybe the travel. Nowadays r ich or poor you can do your research and adjust it to your lifestyle.

Now you probably spend a lot of time on your laptop, tablet or phone on everything, your life, your health, your family, your pet, anything. You can get reliable, trusted information from medical institutions, well known foundations (Cancer Institute) Heart foundation, arthritis, qualified individuals. You can also research your resource to make sure they are valid. Research is easier and also more fun these days.

Online classes are easily available and cover the craft of writing as well as resource topics and instructors on all genres. It’s easier to research whatever genre you write, but with it comes more responsibility. People read books, all genres, to learn so as a writer you need to make sure that the information in your novels is accurate and informative.

Enjoy your research.

I think marketing is probably the hardest part of writing. If you’re starting on your marketing journey, I have a few tips for you. When you’re preparing, work within your comfort zones, If you hate Facebook, you don’t have to use it. Also, set a time limit for the amount of time per day or week that you want to spend on marketing.

The first thing people recommend is to have your own website, even if your book isn’t published yet. You can hire someone to do this for you or you can do your own. If you’re not up for a website, then have a blog site. You can set this up yourself on Blogger or WordPress. There are also lots of information on how to set it up and classes on WordPress. These will help build your mailing list.

A mailing list is another marketing tool. You can use your website, newsletters, and giveaways to develop your mailing list.

In your byline or logline, always include your website or blog and your latest book.

Next, have your book cover professionally designed. An eye-catching cover is a great marketing tool and you can have it displayed on your website or blog.

Write a great book blurb. It will be on your book cover, but you can also use it on your website or blog and in social media posts.

Which brings us to the next marketing tip, use social media. Set up an author page on Facebook and an account with Twitter. You can also use Pinterest, Instagram, Triberr, Tumblr, and others. Post on your own accounts but also follow others and like and share their posts. It’s helpful to observe what types of posts get the most likes, shares, and retweets. Use this information to improve your own social media.

The next marketing tip is to get reviews for your book. The quickest and easiest way to get a review is to request one from a reviewer who reviews your genre. Contact them with a free copy and a request to review your book. You can look up reviewers on Amazon’s top reviewers, by Googling ‘book reviewers’, or they are listed on some writing loops.  

You can also do ads. Google and Amazon both have ads for authors. You can join Goodreads Author Program, use Amazon’s Book Promotional Tools and Programs, and use book discounting sites like Bookbub and Book Gorilla.

Good luck with whatever works for you.

An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie Blackbird resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.  When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.

Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?

Maggie: I write a contemporary and historical romance about Canada’s Indigenous People.  I write contemporary and historical because those are the stories I’m most drawn to write.  Much can be done in contemporary and historical romances.

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Maggie:  My two favourite authors:  Johanna Lindsey and Rosanne Bittner.  I love reading their books, so I wanted to be able to write stories just like they do.

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Maggie:  Music. Music is my biggest inspiration.  I can easily dream up stories and ideas just by listening to a song.

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Maggie:  I can’t say I have one in particular, but I do love the Muppets, especially the Electric Mayhem Band.  Why?  They rock.  What’s not to love about puppets playing in a rock band.

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet ‘in person’ and why?

Maggie:  This is an interesting question.  I haven’t thought about this one too hard before.  I’d say Jake E Lee.  He’s my fave guitarist.  As for why, because in his interviews, he comes across as a very nonchalant and eccentric guy.  He’d be fun to talk to.  I love people who don’t live by society’s standards, but find their own path to take.

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Maggie:  Go golfing.

Beverley:  What are you working on now?

Maggie: I ’m doing self-edits and getting ready to submit a time travel/historical romance to my publisher starring a university student from this time period who meets her Ojibway ancestors of the past and the warrior she’s dreamed about since she was a young girl.

Blurb for Knight Moves:

After receiving his grade twelve diploma and marking his eighteenth birthday, René Oshawee cannot fight the temptation seventeen-year-old high school junior Billy Redsky blatantly offers now that what they share has become taboo.

When their secret romance is blown into the open, Billy’s foster parents send René to Toronto to complete the last of his schooling under the supervision of a family friend, leaving Billy behind at their Ojibway community.

Now Billy and René must make the biggest decision of their lives—fight for the true love they know they’ll never find with anyone else or go their separate ways.

Excerpt from Knight Moves:

The waitress wove her way through the crowded restaurant. She held a slice of birthday cake. Under the dim lighting, people dined at the many tables covered in white cloths and the chairs outfitted in red felt coverings.

René curled his fingers together and set his elbows on his place setting. The flickering candle in the yellow holder caught the glow of Billy’s smooth skin. He was seventeen but passing for nineteen because the hostess, at the beginning of their meal, had asked if they’d wanted anything from the bar.

With his hair cropped over his ears and light spikes to his bangs gelled slightly to the side, there was a true maturity to Billy now. The sprinkling of whiskers above his mouth offered a masculine depth to his boyish looks.

“Here you go. Happy birthday,” the waitress announced.

“Thanks.” Billy flashed her his cheeky grin. “Great meal. The best prime rib I’ve ever had.”

“I’ll be sure to tell the chef. Now, are you sure you don’t want anything from the bar for an after-dinner drink? You turned nineteen today.”

“It’s okay,” René replied. “Some coffee would be nice, though.”

“Right away.” The waitress left.

“C’mon, we could’ve had some beers.” By the twinkle in Billy’s dark eyes, he was jesting.

“You’re driving. Neither of us is old enough. With the luck you generate, the bartender would’ve told her to card us, anyway. Coffee’ll suffice.” An itch to reach across and take Billy’s hand crawled along René’s palm. God, this sucked having to hide what they felt for each other.

In the past, he hadn’t minded. Why playing closet this evening irritated him, René wasn’t sure. “Your present.” He reached insides the breast pocket of his suit and withdrew the small, wrapped package.

“You did have it on you.” Billy moved his chair in closer since they sat on opposite sides of the table instead of adjacent from each other. Another way to hide their secret. “Let’s see.”

René placed the package down.

Still grinning, Billy scooped up the gift. He peeled away the blue paper the clerk at the jewelry store had used for wrapping.

The intensity of René’s beating heart was his foot triggering his kick drum in the basement.

Next, Billy cracked open the white box. His lips formed into an O. He gaped at the black velvet case.

A hint of sweat rose at the nape of René’s neck.

sing his thumb, Billy tipped back the lid, then slapped his hand over his mouth. “What the…?” His fingers held the sterling silver chain. The locket in the shape of an army dog tag dangled in the air. “What is…?”

“See for yourself.” Gushes of delight sprinted through René’s veins.

“Seriously? You got me this shape ’cause of—”

“You did say we were good little soldiers in Oshawee Army, didn’t you?” René couldn’t help the supple laugh gliding from his throat.

The waitress strode over carrying their coffees. Bad timing. Heat of annoyance gathered on René’s face.

“Oh…a present.” The waitress giggled.

“Um…yeah…” Billy palmed the gift.

Once she’d left, he clicked open the locket. His reddish-brown skin morphed to the shade of pink excitement. “It’s…it’s us. This was taken at Christmas. Downstairs. In the rehearsal room. Moxy took it.”

“Yeah. I asked her to give me a copy when she got the film developed.” Pride filled René, pure satisfaction over Billy loving and understanding what the gift meant.

“Is that why you rested your chin on my shoulder? I see the metal horns you flashed are missing. It’s only our faces.” Billy kept inspecting the locket.

“C’mon, she would’ve wondered why I leaned in the way I did.” Again, the urge to stroke Billy’s hand and caress his fingers impaled René like a sword.

“I’m putting it on right now.” Billy unfastened the clasp. Even with a collar, he managed to secure the chain around his neck. Regret flickered in his gaze, as if he loathed tucking the locket beneath his navy-blue shirt.

“Remember, it stays hidden.” The same regret hovering around their table coated René’s tongue with its bitter essence.

“I understand.” Billy rubbed his chest where the locket lay. “They’d wanna check out whose picture is inside. I…” His eyes finished what he couldn’t say in the restaurant. I love you .

“Me, too,” René whispered. He lifted his coffee. If only the world was different and they could behave like a true couple.

He glanced around at the straight couples holding hands, gazing lovingly at one another, sitting adjacent with their knees brushing. Longing tugged at his heart.

Buy Links:

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VBYGWR/

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/knight-moves-13

Devine Destinies:  https://www.devinedestinies.com/978-1-4874-3242-3-knight-moves/

Social Media Links

Web Site:   https://maggieblackbird.com/

Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/maggieblackbirdauthor/

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/BlackbirdMaggie/

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/maggieblackbird

BookbBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-blackbird

Linked In:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-blackbird-032798169/

Amazon Author Page:   https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Blackbird/e/B07KQP1FFG

eXtasy Books Author Page:   https://www.extasybooks.com/maggie-blackbird/

Newsletter Sign-Up:   https://yahoo.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92959d27295c47605a8325906&id=d83ed57ebd

Alice Renaud lives in London, UK, with her husband and son. By day she’s a compliance manager for a pharmaceutical company. By night she writes fantasy romance about shape shifting mermen, water monsters and time-travelling witches. Her first book, “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January 2019 by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in the Sea of Love fantasy romance series, inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second and third books, “Music for a Merman,” and “Mermaids Marry in Green,” are out now. Both the Sea of Love series and Mermaids Marry in Green won their categories in the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award 2020. Alice has also contributed short stories for the BVS anthologies “Mystic Desire,” “Desire Me Again,” and “Cowboy Desire,” all available now. Alice loves reading and writing stories and sharing them with anyone who’s interested!

Character Interview: Josh Reynolds from Space Cowboy Blues, a story by Alice Renaud in Cowboy Desire

Beverley: What’s your name?

Josh: Josh Reynolds

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

Josh: On a ranch in Montana. My Gramps used to say I could ride before I could walk.

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

Josh: 2 4th century, when humans have spread across the galaxy.

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

Josh: I always knew I wanted to be a cowboy when I grew up. I worked as a ranch hand on Earth until my early twenties, when I applied to become a space cowboy. Now I go from planet to planet. I examine the local animals that might be used like cattle or horses, take pictures and samples for the science boffins back on Earth, pocket my fee, then I’m off. To the next job… the next planet… the next herd of oddly-shaped creatures. Why would someone come up with a story about me? Well, my story, Space Cowboy Blues, in the BVS anthology Cowboy Desire, is based on a lockdown dream the author had.

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

Josh: Initially my stint on the blue planet Albastra is just another job for me. Then I meet the beautiful alien woman Melynas, and my objectives change. I want to help her and her people domesticate the hunoowins, the native blue unicorns, so the local boys and men can get jobs and no longer have to leave the planet to get work on other planets or on the spaceships.

Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?

Josh: I fall for Melynas, but everything on Albastra is lethal to humans, including her. One touch from her would kill me.

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

Josh: No, but the planet itself comes up with a solution. You’ll have to read the story to find out!

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Josh: I’m angry at the way the settlers from Earth treat Melynas and the other local ladies. I was brought up to treat everyone with respect, especially women. I’m even polite to robots – heck, some of these machines are smarter than me!

Blurb for Cowboy Desire

Cowboy Desire is an eclectic assortment of short stories. Including contemporary, historical, fantasy, and even outer space romance, Cowboy Desire offers fourteen stunning short stories. These fourteen authors provide a range of sweet to sexy stories all with a cowboy theme. They feature strong men and women battling the weather and dangerous terrain, here on earth and in outer space.

The collection is as diverse as the authors who wrote them. Here’s a chance to discover new talented authors and the characters they create. Within these pages, there are blends of tender, often moving, thought-provoking and downright sexy stories.

Blurb for Space Cowboy Blues

Josh is a space cowboy. His job? Taming alien species. But on the blue planet Albastra, the beautiful Melynas is more than a match for him. He’d love to get close to her… but everything on Albastra is lethal. Including her…

Excerpt from Space Cowboy Blues

Josh bowed to the woman and wished he was wearing a hat to tip it off. “Good day to you, ma’am.”

Surprise widened her dark eyes. “You are very polite, sir. You do not need to be so respectful, I am only a native female, here to serve you.”

What the hell? Anger kindled in Josh. Which jackass had told her that? “You deserve as much respect as me. More so, because it’s your planet we’re standing on.”

A slow smile spread over her pretty face. “Not all earthmen feel that way.”

“Well they damn well should.” Shame tinged Josh’s irritation. Humans had spread over the galaxy for the past three hundred years, conquering and colonizing world after world. When they encountered alien species, they didn’t treat them as equals. Settlers from Earth saw native people as inferiors.

He had to show this woman that he wasn’t like them. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry if my fellow earthmen haven’t always treated you right, ma’am.”

She shrugged, as if it didn’t matter. “I’m delighted to meet you and welcome you to Albastra, Mr. Reynolds.”

“Josh, please. Call me Josh.” Albastra. So that was the real name of Planet 2215. A nice name, but not half as nice as her.

Her smile widened, revealing perfect teeth. They were pearly white, like a human woman’s. “Then you have to call me Melynas. Come, I will take you to the herd.”

Curiosity blazed in him. The settlers hadn’t sent him any pictures of the animals. He only knew that they occupied the same ecological niche as cattle and horses on Earth. “Are the creatures wild or semi-domesticated?”

A hint of mischief sparked in her dark eyes. “Very wild. The settlers haven’t dared go near them yet.” She paused. “That’s why they asked you to come, right? They say you’re one of the best animal herders on Earth.”

Josh could feel his chest expanding with pride. One of the best, eh? “We call ourselves cowboys.”

She nodded. “All right, cowboy. Let’s go.”

Side by side they walked through the tall indigo grass, heading for a hillock in the middle distance. It gave him the perfect opportunity to study her more closely. Her hands were sky-blue, like her face, but the strand of silky hair that had escaped from her scarf was as green as the ocean on Earth. A fragment of a poem surfaced in his memory. “Far and few, far and few, are the lands where the Jumblies live. Their heads are green and their hands are blue, and they went to sea in a sieve.” Edward Lear, his grandpa’s favorite poet. Gramps would have loved to see this planet and this woman. She was as beautiful as a fairy.

They’d reached the hillock. She bounded up the path with a lithe, otherworldly grace, and he lumbered after her, encumbered by his protective gear. He wished he could cast off his suit and take her hand. He wished he could run with her through the blue prairie, with the sun on his face and the wind in his hair.

But he would die if he so much as removed his mask. Everything on this planet was deadly for him.

Including her.

Buy Links for Cowboy Desire

https://amzn.to/2LmdUhD  

https://books2read.com/u/mqgDk6

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceRenaudAuthorRomance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicerauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18670218.Alice_Renaud

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alice-renaud

Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Renaud/e/B07L52P17B

Website: https://nomadauthors.com/alicerenaud/alicebooks.html

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