Today in The Loft: Fellow eXtasy author Cameron Allie!

Visiting me today in The Loft is Canadian author Cameron Allie. Cameron, who resides in Ontario, writes romance for my publisher, eXtasy Books, and is extremely active on the eXtasy Books/Devine Destinies Facebook Page, the Book Carousel. Despite the fact that she is a the mother of an eight-month-old daughter, Cameron continues to produce scintillating love stories. And today, she is offering readers a great special on some of her books!

S:  Good morning, Cameron! Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Tell me, why do you write romance?

C: I believe that we need more happiness in the world. Romance novels for me are an escape. I get to write a HEA (Happily Ever After). I help a reader escape whatever is happening in their daily lives and help them find a bit of joy. It’s sexy and fun and a great distraction.

S:  I have to agree, not only as a reader, but also as an author. I think romance novels provide a safe and satisfying escape from the daily grind. 

Do you believe you fall in love only once?

C:  I don’t think so. I think there are all kinds of love, but if we’re talking romantic love, then I feel you can fall in love multiple times, even with the same person.

S:  I have always envied those who fell in love with their partners again and again, at different stages in their relationship. 

Where do you do your best thinking?

C:  When I’m driving in the car. I find this is the best place to get inspiration. That or as soon as I try to go to sleep at night!

S:  (chuckles) I guess I am too busy yelling at other drivers to do any productive thinking in the car! 

If you could "seize the day," how would you do it?

C:  Right now, I’m fighting a cold and I have an eight-month-old daughter, who might be catching the cold. So for me right now seizing the day would be a good long nap, followed by some spa treatments, a bubble bath, and a nice dinner that I don’t have to prepare, followed by some baby snuggles. I totally sound like a typical mom now. “I’d have a ME day!”

S:  (smiling) I was so sleep deprived during that first year with my son, I could have slept for a month!  I would have been afraid to take a bubble bath for fear I'd fall asleep and go under. However, every new mom needs and deserves some pampering. Motherhood is hard work!

With everything going on in your life, where do you turn for inspiration for your writing?

C:  I find the group Imagine Dragons to be quite inspirational.

S:  You currently have special promotion with your holiday books. Tell me about that.

C:  Readers who purchase my book, "My Mistletoe Master"  directly from my publisher at https://www.extasybooks.com and then send me proof of purchase (either by email or through Facebook) will receive a free copy of "An Unexpected Christmas Gift."

S:  Tell me more about "My Mistletoe Master."

C:  Here's the blurb--

Nick has always wanted Amelia Fuller, his best friend's little sister, but is he capable of overcoming a past that threatens to come between them?

Amelia Fuller has been in love with her older brother's best friend for the better part of two decades. After working up the courage to finally tell him how she feels, he broke her heart. Now, three years later, she's home for the Christmas holidays and finds Nick's feelings toward her suddenly changed.

Nick doesn't like to make the same mistake twice. When Amelia arrives home after a three-year absence, Nick decides he's no longer going to hide the way he feels about her. His friendship with his brother and a past that left him feeling ashamed were the only things holding him back, but missing her for three long years has finally put things in perspective  for Nick.

After Nick catches Amelia enjoying a little fetish pornography, he convinces her to agree to a hot fling, but much to Nick's displeasure, she wants to keep their affair secret. Sneaking around and indulging in risky sexual play while staying at her parent's home for the holidays won't get Amelia everything she's always dreamed of. Terrified to expose her heart once more, Amelia struggles to discover whether they can overcome their past.

S:  Where can readers purchase "My Mistletoe Master?"

C:  It's available at all major booksellers, but for the purposes of this promotion, the book should be purchased here--www.extasybooks.com/my-mistletoe-master/.

S:  Cameron, thanks so much for visiting today. To learn more about Cameron, please visit--

Website:  https://www.cameronallie.com
Facebook:  https:/www.facebook.com/CamAllieErotica/

Next week in The Loft:  Author Mia Frances!

This week in The Loft: Author Beverley Bateman

Joining me today in The Loft is Canadian author Beverley Bateman. Beverley writes romantic suspense and medical thrillers. A former healthcare professional, Beverley draws on many of her experiences working as nurse and as the administrator of a community care facility program, where she investigated and directed investigations into irregularities and sometimes, death. Beverley lives south of Calgary in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Author Beverley Bateman

S:  Good morning, Beverley. Thanks for taking the time to meet with me today! I always love interviewing people who actually live someplace that is colder than Wisconsin, especially this time of year. (Seelie sips her vanilla creme cappuccino.) 

Your writing crosses a vast array of genres---mysteries, suspense, thrillers--why write romance?

B:  That question makes me smile because I remember when I decided to write a 'book,' not just thoughts and  partials I'd done my whole life. I read romance was easy to write and sell. Now you know why I'm smiling. It isn't either, but I found that I loved the romance genre. The relationships and interactions draw you to the characters. Other genres don't usually have the depth of characters romance does.

S:  Complete this sentence, "Writing is..."

B:  Writing is like breathing for me. I don't think I'd ever be able to completely quit.

S:  Where do you do your best thinking?

B:  In bed, in the early morning. I think about issues as I fall asleep and in the pre-awakening period I come up with positive th0ughts or answers.

S:  What do you crave?

B:  You mean besides rich, dark chocolate, and maybe a glass of expensive red French wine sipped on a beach by the ocean on a warm sunny day? Hmmm.

S:  (chuckles) This time of year, I'll settle for a beach and a cabana boy! 

If you were offered one of the following gifts--a day back in time, a glimpse into heaven, or perfect health--which would you pick and why?

B:  Perfect health. The past is over, you can't change it and hopefully you have wonderful memories. A glimpse into heaven would be the future and while it might be nice to get a glimpse of the people you have lost there, I'd rather wait until I can stay. So it's perfect health and that will apply to today and into the future and I won't have to worry about health-related issues. 

S:  That makes perfect sense to me. 

Tell me about your book, "The Fourth Victim:  Sara's Story."

B:  Here's the blurb--

Sara's emotionally abusive husband dies unexpectedly. She's struggling to reclaim the intelligent, independent person she was before she married. She vows never to let a man take over her life again. Now she's part of a special team, training to help other women and on the track of a serial killer.

Mac is responsible for training women in special ops techniques, so they are prepared when they are challenged to save other women. When he meets Sara, sparks fly between them. He wants her to quit the training and let him take care of her.

Can Mac step back and trust her in a dangerous situation? Can Sara and Mac resolve their issues, or will they go in opposite directions?

S:  That sounds scintillating! Where can readers buy your book?

B:  It's available at all major booksellers, including--

Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ97L8M?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Kobo  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-fourth-victim-9

Itunes  https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/the-fourth-victim/id1440048796?Is=1&mt=11

S:  Thanks so much for joining me today, Beverly! To learn more about Beverley and her books, visit--

Website  https://www.beverleybateman.com

Blog  http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/

Facebook  https:/www.facebook.com/beverley.bateman.18

Twitter  http://twitter/kelownawriter

Amazon author page  http://www.amazon.com/Beverley-Bateman/e/B008M01F5E

Next week in The Loft:  Cameron Allie!

Today in The Loft: Romance author Dee S. Knight!

Joining me today in The Loft is Dee S. Knight. Dee's path to writing sweet, historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance was filled with adventure, and a variety of twists and turns. Since marrying her high school sweetheart more than 40 years ago, Dee has worked as a long-distance trucker, computer consultant, high school and adult education teacher, and a technical writer. Now she spends her days with characters who kill, fall in love, become drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. (No, she does not live in Washington, D.C.) Dee resides in the Midwest with her husband, her "dream man."

Author Dee S. Knight

S:  Dee, welcome to The Loft! You have lived an adventurous life, all the while married to the same man. Is that why you write romance?

D:  I do have a romantic soul. Hubby and I met when I was 13, started dating when I was 15, and married when I was 21. We've been married for well over 40 years and we still love each other and enjoy being together. So yes, that's why I write romance—the dream that everyone can find that kind of comfort and security in love.

S:  Do you believe you only fall in love once? 

D:  No. Wouldn't that be sad? What if you fall in love with the perfect person and then lose them for whatever reason. Does that mean you're alone the rest of your life?? I think people can fall in love—deep, abiding love—more than once, but I don't believe they fall in love the same way. Not that one is better than the other, just different. Hopefully, no matter how many times you fall in love each is life changing in its own positive way.

S:  You're right. I think each time you fall in love, it's a different than other experiences. Let's shift gears a bit. A question I love to ask writers--Where do you do your best thinking?

D:  While I'm driving. And especially while I'm driving and listening to the radio. I'm a fan of country music and who can't get ideas for books from a country music song? I know that when driving one should keep her mind on the road, but (knock on wood) I haven't had trouble yet while conjuring up conflict and plots while heading down the road.

S:  If you could live in any period of time, what would it be?

D:  Truthfully? There's no time like the present. I've told people that when I was younger I used to look at huge houses with walls of glass and sigh with dreams of my future. Then one day I looked at such a house and thought, "Who cleans all that glass? Who vacuums the floors? Who keeps the lawn??" To some that might seem to practical for a romance writer, but to me it seemed as though I'd finally grown up. The same goes for living in the here and now. I had polio as an infant, so I know what it was like living in a time where vaccines weren't available. Anyone who has visited an historical house knows what homes were like back then, and think about the heat of having a fire going all year long in order to cook. Nope, I like the time I'm living in now, even if that seems boring and practical.

S:  (chuckles) I have also had those thoughts about MacMansions. And I understand the preference for the present. I have MS and even 20 years ago, I probably would not have survived.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?

D:  Relax and be yourself. That's not easy!! But it's also the best advice I can give to someone.

S:  Tell me about "Only a Good Man Will Do," which is Book 1 of The Good Man Series.

D:  Here's the blurb--

Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar's wife. Good luck with that!

Daniel Goodman is a man on a mission. For years he has striven for perfection, fighting for the pinnacle achievement in his world of academia, Headmaster of Westover Academy. Westover, established before the American Revolution, is still one of the most prestigious schools in the country. They accept only boys whose parents fit a certain mold and only those teachers who hold to a stringent set of mores, on and off campus. Jonah considers his brother a prig. Daniel sees himself as doing his best to serve his students. How much better can he serve them as headmaster? That is what he seeks to find out.

Suddenly, into his cut and dried, strictly black and white life of moral and upright behavior, comes Eve Star, formerly one of Europe's foremost exotic dancers. Her life is anything but cut and dried, black and white. Bad enough that she's enrolled her son in Westover Academy under false pretenses. More, she runs the town's most disreputable bar. Worst, much to Daniel's dismay, he finds himself drawn to her like a kid to chocolate. Nothing good can come of this attraction. Or can it? He is after all, a good man.

S:  Ohhhh, that sounds entertaining! Where can readers buy your book?

D:  It's available from all major booksellers, including--

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2q7ovi4

B&N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1129630612?ean=2940161770603

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/898008

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/only-a-good-man-will-do

S:  Dee, thanks so much for joining me in The Loft! To learn more about Dee and her books, please visit--

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Next week in The Loft, author Beverley Bateman!

Today in The Loft: Author Holly Bargo!

Dropping by for coffee and pastry today is author Holly Bargo. Holly utilizes her love of fairy tales, legends and myths to create stories of paranormal fantasy and shifter romance. She is also a fan of horses, which should come as no surprise, since she, her husband, and children live in the midst of a menagerie of horses, llamas, alpacas, cats, a rabbit, and one very fluffy white dog.

Author Holly Bargo

S:  Good morning, Holly! Thanks so much for joining me today! Let's begin with a basic question. Why do you write romance?

H:  Romance is basically an extension of ancient myths and fairy tales. I never outgrew them. When I daydream, I fantasize about grand adventures and grand love for myself, expanding far beyond my own small life. Romance, especially when mixed with fantasy, offers endless possibilities.

S:  Can you name a person, book, or song that inspires flights of fantasy?

H:  The soundtrack from "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992) haunts my dreams and thoughts. It's eerie and lovely and evokes a yearning for something more, something amazing, something awe-inspiring.

S:  Which, of course, plays right into your love of fantasy. You seem to have a pretty busy life filled with kids and animals. Do you have time for an "alternate occupation?" Something you do other than write romance?

H:  I make my living as a freelance writer and editor. Writing for other people gives me an interesting perspective into a diverse array of topics. Probably the most fun writing gig I have is as editor/writer for the World Library Foundation's newsletter. The possibilities are endless. Being an editor often serves as a source of dismay and inspiration--dismay from a supply of poor quality manuscripts submitted by authors who don't write well to inspiration from those astonishing authors who have real talent and raw potential that I admire.

S:  I  ghostwrite non-fiction and edit books as well. It can be inspiring when a writer's words sing. As a writer, what's the best advice you have been given?

H:  Write in active voice. I never realized how much my writing droned until that one slapped me upside the head. I now pass that advice on to everyone and focus on it when editing other's work.

S:  Since you already have a menagerie, I have to ask--if there was any animal in the universe you could have as a pet, what would it be and why?

H:  I live on a farm and have experience with livestock. I hold few illusions about animals. However, if I could, I'd have one of the big cats. There's something about all that wild beauty and power and contained savagery that beckons to me, but I also know that having a pet that sees me and thinks "lunch," doesn't lend itself to continued good health.

S:  (chuckles) I suspect my neighbors would agree with that last part. We sometimes have sightings of mountain lions and I can tell you, no one has tried to feed them!

Tell me about your book, "Bear of the Midnight Sun."

H:  Sure. Here's the blurb--

After a thousand years, immortal polar bear shifter Sindre finally finds his mate--on a talk show. In the city where anything goes, an impromptu wedding is just a taste of what's to come. Startled into going through with the ceremony, Miranda can't stop the big, virile man from staking his claim on her and releasing her bear. Sindre can't believe his good luck and will do anything to keep his mate at his side, up to and including taking marital advice from Atlas Leonidus. An independent woman with a successful career, Miranda melts at his touch and shuns his control, except she can't control her bear.

S: (blushes) Oh, my! A story I can identify with--not as a bear shifter--but as an independent woman. Still, I wouldn't mind meeting a virile bear shifter!

Where can readers buy your book?

H:  It's available on Amazon. Here's the link--

https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Midnight-Immortal-Shifters-Book-ebook/dp/BO7HKQLK7M

S:  Holly, thanks so much for joining me in The Loft today! If you would like to learn more about Holly and her books, visit--

Website:  https://www.henhousepublishing.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HenHousePublishing1/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HollyBargoBooks
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Holly-Bargo/e/BOOJRK6VGQ/

Next week in The Loft:  Author Dee S. Knight!

All of my books are on sale until Nov. 10!

All of my books are 15 percent off until Nov. 10 at www.extasybooks.com! Use the coupon code SAVE15HMR.

Today in The Loft: Author Caroline Clemmons!

Joining me in The Loft today is romance author Caroline Clemmons. Though she is quick to point out that she was not born on a Texas ranch, Caroline writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country, where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. 

Author Caroline Clemmons

S:  Welcome, Caroline! Let's begin with an obvious question. How do you define romance?

C:  This question has caused endless arguments, but the question asked how “I” define romance. For me, it is when two people commit to one another in a lasting, loving relationship. If people are fortunate, they have the enduring commitment of a love that lasts through decades, problems, and meets the “cleave only unto each other… for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health… until death do you part” as outlined in various ways in the wedding ceremony.

S:  That type of relationship certainly drives the romance genre. It is something many yearn for. Is that why you write romance?

C:  Although I’m an eclectic reader, I prefer reading and writing romance. Romance brings hope in addition to entertaining the reader. With the news media shouting the world’s problems at us, it seems more important than ever that we have positive messages. By showing a heroine and hero who face obstacles and overcome them to achieve a happily-ever-after, I hope I demonstrate to readers that each of us can champion some of our challenges. Some of those hindrances may be of our own construction from life’s baggage but once identified can be defeated. I’m no Pollyannaish enough to believe that all our problems will cease. However, I sincerely believe reading romances not only serves as a pressure valve to help us withstand our day’s crises but also bolsters our ability to cope long-term with our difficulties. 

S:  I have to agree with you. I believe the fantasy that is romance provides a release, a chance to escape--at least for a while--from the stresses of everyday life. In fact, when I was studying for the bar exam, I read romance to take a break from all stress that surrounded that process. 

Since we've been surrounded by ghosts and goblins all week, let's indulge in a different plane. If a paranormal invited you to host a dinner party with five guests, all departed historic figures, who would you invite?

C:  Such a difficult question! Should I choose writers or rulers?  What did you what evil and often bitter or that called for? Definitely Louis L’Amour, such a great storyteller. Mother Theresa, who did so much to not only help the poor, but bring them to the attention of the world. Queen Victoria, who reigned during an important time in America’s history. Agatha Christie, she created cozy mysteries that are still popular. And Tony Hillerman, his Southwestern mysteries set in Navajo country fascinate me. Imagine the conversation at this table.

S:  The thought of Mother Theresa, Queen Victoria, and Agatha Christie in the same room is intriguing. Such diverse personalities! They'd even wind up carping at one another or become the best of friends.

If a genie granted you one wish, what would it be?

C:  I am guessing you mean for me, personally, and not something such as world peace, cessation of hunger, etc. For that reason, I will say health for my family members. Each of us is prevented from enjoying life to the fullest by some medical problem—even though we keep on going.

S:  Good health certainly does impact the quality of life. 

What’s the best advice you've ever been given?

C:  Don’t compare myself to other writers. This is soooo hard to remember. Author A makes a million a year, why am I making so little? Author B hit the NY Times bestseller list, why haven’t I? No, no, no! Each of us has unique gifts and experiences that combine—sometimes with pure luck—to give us our identity. Work with what I have. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

S:  That's really good advice. We each have our own definition of success and that's what's important.

Tell me about your book, "Blessing."

C:  Sure, here's the blurb:

With the death of her father last month, Blessing Odell inherited the largest ranch in that part of Utah, the Rafter O. She goes by the nickname Buster and wears men’s overalls but they can’t disguise her regal beauty and natural grace. She is also generous to the community, which is why she’s splitting proceeds from the sale of 100 horses with the widows of Wildcat Ridge.

Thad King has tracked stolen horses to the Rafter O Ranch. He’s determined to capture and see punished the horse thieves who beat his former employer before stealing his horses. He is successful in being hired to work on the ranch, but he doesn’t want to believe Buster Odell or her father had anything to do with stealing horses.

Convinced of her father’s innocence, Buster and Thad work together to discover the real culprit, even though it leads them on a dangerous journey. 

S:  Wow. That sounds like fun. Where can readers buy your book?

C:  It's available on Amazon. Here's the link--

https://www.amazon.com/Blessing-Widows-Wildcat-Ridge-Book-ebook/dp/B07G7HJK4W

S:  Caroline, thanks so much for visiting today! For more information on Caroline and her books, visit--

Website:  http://www.carolineclemmons.com/

Blog:  http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/

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

Twitter:  @CarolineClemmons

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Clemmons/e/B001K8CXZ6/

Next week in The Loft, author Holly Bargo!