• Contemporary

    RLF Gem Award: Top Bloggers August 2014 Romance Lives Forever #RLFblog @MarilynBaron

    Last month, Romance Lives Forever had 31 posts in a 31 day month.
    RLF Gem Award 

    Top Five Bloggers for the Month

    (judged by page views). Congratulations to each person!
    1. Marilyn
      Baron
    2. Pamela Moran
    3. Barbara
      Donlon Bradley
    4. Elise Cyr
    5. VS Nelson
     Honorable mention: Cynthia Sax, NN Light
    Romance Lives Forever features authors and new books. It has a blogger’s
    FAQ page with a downloadable guide and optional interviews. Readers can follow via
    Google+, Networked Blogs, Linky Followers, email, an RSS feed, and there’s a blog
    button readers and authors can grab. RLF takes up to three images per article, so
    authors can share previous books. The blog uses author or publisher names as tags
    on posts, and author Twitter handles in the titles. The site is broadcast over Triberr
    with a potential reach of over a million readers via its Twitter-linked network.
    Twitter mentions are also gathered in several Paper.li ezines, giving the author
    additional opportunities for promotion. The Romance Lives Forever
    Paper.li ezine
    features guest authors on its front page every day.

    Share your book cover on Romance Lives Forever

    Limited spots to share book covers are available. Cost is $3
    per month, with discounts for covers posted for one quarter and up to one year.
    Covers can be changed monthly.

    Sign Up for a Future Post

    Guest calendar http://is.gd/rlfdates
    My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance Lives
    Forever a great place to discover new books and authors.
    Other participants this month in alphabetical order by first
    name are:

    Anita Philmar, Ashley Ladd, Ashley York, Dena Garson, Eva Lefoy, Jennifer
    Britt, Jennifer Kacey, JoAnne Myers, Lisa Carlisle, LM Brown, Margie Church, Mary
    Caelsto, NJ Walters, Penelope Merrin, Regina Kammer, Renee Reynolds, Sam
    Cheever, Sarah Makela, Sayara St Clair, Suz deMello, Tina Donahue, Tina Gayle
  • Contemporary

    Character Interview: Michael from Eternal Life @authorvsnelson #RLFblog #ParanormalRomance

    Eternal Life 

    About the Book

    Title: Eternal Life, Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book 5
    Genre: Paranormal Romance
    Author Name: V.S. Nelson
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Blurb:
    Something is happening to Michael, the Guardian’s physician.
    Every time he is in the same vicinity of a certain female coma patient he looses
    himself to her vortex. Determined he will pull her back to the here and now, Michael
    enters her imaginary world without his immortal abilities with hopes of saving her
    and her daughter.
    Sam (Samantha) Waters, one of CNN’s top investigative reports
    has lost everything; first her husband now her daughter… or so she believes.
    No longer can she face the hardships she’s endured in this world,
    she buries herself in her subconscious, taking Michael right along with her.
    Will Michael be able to convince Sam she has more to live for
    than she knows?
    Will she believe him when he tells her, her daughter still lives?
    And if she believes him, will he be able save her daughter from the deadly AIDS
    virus which plagues her tiny little body?

    Buy This Book

    Barnes and Noble author page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/v.-s.-nelson
    (NOTE: at this time, Eternal Life has yet to be released. Look
    for it this summer. You can find links to all my books through my links Amazon,
    Barnes and Noble pages)

    Interview with Michael

    Tell us about yourself,
    please.
    What’s to tell? I’m a physician. Trained and studied at such
    prestigious places as Harvard, John Hopkins, the Mayo Clinic. I’m proficient in
    traditional medicine in some unorthodox methods my colleges might view unethical.
    These include a variety of hands-on healing methods the ancients practiced.
    What is it that you want,
    but cannot have? Authors call this the conflict of the story.
    The end to the age old war my brethren and I have been fighting
    for close to 6,000 years. Although they, my brothers in arms, look forward to returning
    to Tuat some day, I am very content to live out the remainder of my life in the
    modern age. I’ve grown accustomed to the luxuries our culture provides and can no
    longer see myself riding on a chariot or walking to my destinations. Air travel
    and computer technology is great – at least where I am concerned.
    What’s your internal limitation?
    Meaning, what is it about you that makes it so you cannot do what it is you need
    to do during this story?
    I’m accustomed to utilizing all of my immortal abilities when
    I am unfamiliar territory. Sadly, I am unable to use my special talents when I am
    around Samantha (Sam) Waters, my current coma patient. My desire to help her weighs
    heavy on my heart but without knowing what she is feeling, fearing, thinking; I’m
    as lost as any other modern day human physician. There is no reason for her to remain
    in the coma. I only hope my words will give her the strength she needs to return
    to the present as an active “alive” member of our society. In the scheme
    of things I wish to send a message to who ever did this to her… I will find you
    and I will make you pay.
    What inner doubt causes
    you the most difficulty?
    I guess that question would reflect my current situation with
    my patient. I fear I will not be able to bring her out of her “sleep”
    world. She is such a talented individual. I fear the world… and I will be lost without
    her.
    What’s your external complication?
    In the story world your author created, explain what it is you fear most.
    There is always an external complication or two in V’s books.
    That woman tends to put all of us in awkwardness situations but I think she’s once
    again out done herself.
    We have to contend with the on-going war with Set’s Legions and
    now she’s added another twist to that story with Unab trying to over-throw Bagsu
    for their leadership.
    We all fear the dreaded doom that awaits us. When will the prophesized
    avatars that hold the human race’s fate in their hands arrive?
    On a more personal note, V’s put me in a delicate situation;
    while I’m still very much involved with my colleague Dr. Susan Radcliff, V has introduced
    me to Sam Waters, an investigative reporter for CNN. I have to admit I am attracted
    not only to the predicament of pulling her out of the coma, but to her and her young
    child who I discovered carries the aids virus. I’m determined to cure this child
    and bring her mother back to the living.
    Can I do it? I sincerely hope so.
    Tell us about your significant
    other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
    I’ve never relied on a woman. My sole purpose in this life has
    been to cure the ill and fight along side my brethren… until now and now that these
    two (Sam and her child, Samantha have entered my world, I cannot see my life without
    them.
    What would that person
    say about you?
    I really don’t know, but from her touch, I believe she’s interested.
    At least I hope she is.
    What is your family like?
    What special skills do you rely on?
    My ability to touch someone and know what they are thinking,
    where they have been and what causes them pain and happiness.
    If someone from your past
    showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?
    Are you happy with the
    way your story ended? Why or why not?
    I doubt if any immortal, or mortal for that matter, has that
    much control of the outcome in a story. We are merely players in the world our author
    has put us in.

    About the Writer

    You have the length of
    a tweet (140 characters) to describe yourself as a writer. Let’s see what you can
    do.
    Story teller with a love for sharing her world.
    Why did you choose to
    write about this character?
    I’ve always had a fondness for Michael even though he is far
    from my usual bad-boy heroes. He’s kind, intelligent, direct and Gabriel’s confident.
    True to his nature he is perhaps the most grounded Guardian of the seven. Where
    others fly off the handle, Michael reins them in and keeps them focused. Now that
    the wheels are turned and he is stripped of his unusual gifts can he remain that
    way?
    What do you want to write
    next?
    The next book in the series is Eternal Warriors staring the pretty
    boy who spent the last fifty years living it up on the beaches of California.
    Are any sequels planned
    for this book?
    The series entitled Sekhmet’s Guardians continues to grow. When
    I first say the series I saw seven books, then eleven made their appearance. To
    date, I’m taken notes on sixteen.
    Is there anything you’d
    like to say to your readers?
    Like the majority of the PNRs (Paranormal Romances) you’ve read,
    this series centers on a couple, but let me assure there is so much more to Sekhmet’s
    Guardians. Every player, even minor characters who appear in the very first volume
    (Eternal Lovers) come back to make additional appearances throughout the various
    sequels.
    For the most part my stories focus on the heroine’s growth and
    her struggles as she becomes bound to an immortal. Can you imagine what you would
    do if you found yourself falling in love with an immortal warrior, one who has lived
    for over six thousand years.

    Author Bio

    With a love for history, Native American author V.S. Nelson,
    instructed elementary, high school and college in the U.S. and abroad before launching
    her second writing career.
    V has been a story-teller all her life, always creating stories
    about people discovering the courage to make a difference. This drove her into writing
    her paranormal series centering on strong relationships and led her to coin the
    term: Ancient Legends, New Worlds.
    She is well known for her “time management and sprint style
    writing,” producing well over five thousand words daily – consecutively. Ms.
    Nelson is available for speaking engagements, appearances and is more than willing
    to share her methodology with others in a variety of workshops. A member of three
    RWA chapters she sits on several committees and judges writing contests across the
    states.
    In Jan, 2013, Eternal Lovers, the first book in her eleven book
    paranormal series, Sekhmet’s Guardians launched with a fury. Being a series reader
    herself, she has held true to her promise by releasing no less than two books in
    the series per year in addition to her other work. With only three books out, Sekhmet’s
    Guardians was proclaimed one of the top new PNR series for 2013.
    She enjoys hearing from readers, fans and people with similar
    interests. They are more than welcome to contact her through her website http://www.authorvsnelson.com

    Author Social Media

    You may list as many as you like. Please leave the headings in
    place for the ones you use. Delete any you do not use.
    http://www.paranormalromatics.com
    http://www.desertmuses.com

    Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/V.S.-Nelson/e/B00AXYLHF0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

  • Character Interviews,  Historical

    Character Interview: Bagsu from Eternal Tuat @authorvsnelson #RLFblog #historical

    Eternal Tuat 

    About the Book

    Title Eternal Tuat – Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book 4 – Bagsu’s Story
    Genre: Historical/Paranormal
    Author Name V. S. Nelson
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): Entire
    series is R (adult)
    Bagsu, his name alone strikes fear in the Guardian Nation.
    What can cause one twin son, destined to take his father’s place
    as a priest, turn evil and lead a crusade to dominate the human race while the other
    fights to save mankind.
    Finally, secrets are revealed in this tell-all adventure which
    takes the reader back in time 6,000 years to the land of New Tuat.
    Experience first hand Bagsu growing up with Sekhmet’s ancients, long before they
    became immortal, when twin brothers were the best of friends and united as family.

    Buy This Book

    Eternal Tuat – coming this spring to Amazon and other fine stores
    where books are sold. Please check her Amazon author page for release date: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AXYLHF0

    Interview with Bagsu, son of the High Priest Aapehti and Kheri

    What is it that you want,
    but cannot have? Authors call this the conflict of the story.
    In the beginning Nefer-her; later my legs.
    What’s your internal limitation?
    Meaning, what is it about you that makes it so you cannot do what it is you need
    to do during this story?
    Nefer-her and I shared several years enjoying life together before
    she officially became a woman and before she began her training as a priestess of
    Isis. I should have married her then… before she joined the Vestal order, but
    her duty, as was mine was elsewhere.
    I’m not sure if it’s internal or not, but I’ll answer your question
    as best as I can. Growing up I believed I was destined to follow in my father’s
    footsteps; his choice, not mine. As I grew, I developed a need to be more and I
    worked hard at it. My body developed and I strived to be everything everyone wanted
    me to become, including myself. With my eyes cast in another direction, I had full
    intent of joining the most precious school of fighters our world had to offer…
    then the accident happened. My world came to a complete halt at that point.
    What inner doubt causes
    you the most difficulty?
    I no longer have any doubt or expectations, but as a child and
    young man I suppose that would be my naivety.
    Tell us about your significant
    other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
    Nefer-her has long since turned to dust, although her memory
    is never far from my thoughts. Not only was she physically beautiful, she was the
    kindest most loving person I’ve ever met. She was my world and I will never have
    another.
    What would that person
    say about you?
    She never was one to talk about other people, but knowing Nefer-her
    as well as I did, I can only imagine what she would say to me and that would be
    to forgive myself… but you know, that’s something I can’t do. Not now, not ever.
    What is your family like?
    The family I have today is much different than the one I grew
    up with. Today, my brethren would be considered cold, vindictive and determined
    on destroying the human race.
    What special skills do
    you rely on?
    Everything Set granted me when he turned me into an immortal.

    About the Writer

    Why did you choose to
    write about this character?
    I had several books written and planned out for my series, Sekhmet’s
    Guardians, long before Bagsu’s story came about. It was actually a critique partner
    who casually made the suggestion I should share Bagsu’s complicated story with my
    readers. After reviewing the pages upon pages of notes I had on him it became evident
    there was way too much information to merely insert as back story into another book.
    So Eternal Tuat – Bagsu’s story was born.
    Was there anything you
    discovered about this character that was a surprise to you?
    Make no mistake about it, Bagsu is as evil as they come. He’s
    killed, raped and plundered without a conscious thought. Seeing him as a happy well-adjusted
    child who wouldn’t hurt a fly was quite a shocker. I’ve even grown to love what
    he once was and like Jennifer, the leader of the Guardian’s Blades, I hope some
    day he will find peace and redemption.
    When you wrote about this
    character, what made you the most happy? What made you the most sad?
    It’s not uncommon for me to laugh or share a few tears when writing.
    I laughed at Bagsu’s s innocence when he received his first kiss, I applauded his
    heroics like I would any fine gentleman and I wept like a baby at his personal loss.
    Are any sequels planned
    for this book?
    Eleven books were originally scheduled to make up the series,
    Sekhmet’s Guardians. Three of those were released for publication in 2013. Three
    more are scheduled for 2014 beginning with Bagsu’s story, this spring.
    For those who are not familiar with the series, all of the books
    with the exception of two historicals take place in modern times. Bagsu’s story
    is the first of those two historicals.
    It’s unusual combining modern and historicals in one series,
    but as I mentioned above, there is a tremendous amount of back-story (6,000 years
    to be exact) to cover, it only made sense to write them as historicals. Books 4
    & 5 in the series both pick up at the ending of book 3, Eternal Blades. One
    takes you back… on a journey with Bagsu (Book 4) while Eternal Life (Book 5) moves
    forward in time with Michael, the Guardian’s physician.
    Is there anything you’d
    like to say to your readers?

    VS Nelson

    Perhaps just a bit more regarding the series if you have no objections.
    The books are not limited to one couple or one romance. The characters from the
    previous books in the series continue into the next, much like a night-time premium
    channel series. More recently, I’ve heard reviewers compare to my books to Game
    of Thrones. I believe this is because of the way they are written, not based on
    content or time frame. Everyone of the books is considered a stand alone and for
    the most part are written that way, but personally, I feel the reader would become
    more invested in the cast of characters if they read them in order .
    Kayelle, thank you so much for having Bagsu (and me) on Romance
    Lives Forever. It’s one of my favorite blogs and I consider it an honor to be here.
    Sincerely, V

    Author Social Media