A visit from Maxine Mansfield

A few months ago, GLIAS introduced brand new author Maxine Mansfield, and I'm so thrilled to tell you that Maxine's back to promote the second book in her Academy series, which was just released.  This book, "Tempted By the Storm," continues the story of the students and highly unusual faculty members at The Academy of Magical Arts. It's an adult fairy tale that's full of fun, adventure, and steamy sex, and it's a guaranteed fun read. Help me welcome Maxine Mansfield back to Get Lost in a Story!

Hi! Thanks for having me back. I'm excited to be here. I would love to give either an e-book version or print version of “Tempted by the Storm” to three commenters today. It'll be your choice of which version.

Title: TEMPTED BY THE STORM

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

ISBN:  978-1-61217-716-8

"TEMPTED BY THE STORM" - STORY BLURB

Larksong Hammerstrike has always been just the younger sister of Princess Aryanna. Never quite as pretty or as smart, always lacking, a mere empath whose power gets her into trouble more often than not. But at Carnalval, the festival of all things sexual, she unleashes her sensual side for a night in the arms of a masked stranger. When morning dawns, Lark can't resist a peek beneath the mask of her lover and is once again crushed by fate. The man of her lusty adventure is none other than the future Lord of the High Elves and destined to marry her sister. As heir to the kingdom of Landis and current instructor of wizardry at the Academy of Magical Arts, Sarco Sunwalker is honor bound to rise above the temptation of the beautiful empathic student who invades his mind, body, and soul. But when sparks fly, lightning strikes, and thunder rolls, Sarco finds himself more than tempted by the storm of Lark's passion and vows to find a solution that will prevent a war between races, fulfill an infamous quest, and win Lark's hand.

EXCERPT

There was only one word that could describe the creature standing before him: Wonderful.

“Did you say something?” the woman whispered.

He shook his head. “Nothing, I just can’t believe my luck. You really are real and here with me.”

She smiled, but her smile didn’t extend to her eyes.

Before another heartbeat passed or another breath taken, he stood at her side. With tenderness, he gazed into her gentle, masked face and took both of her hands in his. He was humbled as her fingers trembled even more than his own did. “We don’t have to do this if you’d rather not.”

She smiled wider, and her eyes gleamed with mischief. “I suppose we might as well. After all, we’re already here, and you’re at least halfway undressed.”

Sliding his hands up her arms and around her shoulders to her back, Sarco felt for and found the clasps holding her gown together. With the flick of a wrist, they gave way, and with a swish, the silky fabric fell to her hips exposing lush, rose-tipped breasts. Just the right size to hold in both hands, to fondle, to caress, to taste.

“Hmm, it seems you’re halfway undressed yourself.”

 A LITTLE ABOUT MAXINE:

Maxine Mansfield writes romances in many different forms from her easy chair in the far northern state of Alaska, where the summer days are long and the winter nights even longer. She has one very special man, three equally special adult children, and six delightful grandchildren in her life. Not to mention a very bossy and verbal African Grey parrot called Gabriel.

Visit Maxine at www.maxinemansfield.com

MAXINE ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS

LIZ: How often do you get lost in a story?

MAXINE:  Almost always. But then, isn’t that why we write romance in the first place? To take us away from the day-to-day issues of real life and deposit us upon a foreign shore or in a time long past? It’s the best feeling to forget everything going on around you and become just another aspect of the story you are reading. 

LIZ: What’s the first book you remember reading? 

MAXINE: I was such a weird kid. I loved, loved, loved, biographies. The very first one I read was about George Washington Carver and he became such an inspiration to me. Every time I’ve ever thought something was too hard to accomplish, I’ve thought about him and what he endured and overcame.  

LIZ: What’s your favorite “love” word?

MAXINE:. Not really a word, I suppose, but I do so love the sound of a sigh escaping my man’s lips. Especially if I’m the reason for it.

LIZ: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

MAXINE: I have a new favorite! Since watching "Brave" with my granddaughters, I am totally in love with Merida. I love that she is self-sufficient and never gives up. I think she is a wonderful role model for today’s young girls. 

LIZ: What sound or noise do you love?

MAXINE: Though I now live in Alaska, I grew up in Ohio, and one of my very favorite sounds in the entire world is a sudden, unexpected thunder storm. There is just something about that smell of dust in the air, the sight of lightning streaking across a darkened, mid-day sky, the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance, the wind howling through the trees, and the rain splattering upon parched ground that even to this day speaks to my soul.

LIZ: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

MAXINE: I am a historical romance buff at heart so it would have to be old Scotland. What I wouldn’t give to get my hands, and other parts, on a real live Highlander. After I dipped him in the loch of course!

LIZ: What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

MAXINE: The sound of my grandchildren’s giggles.

LIZ: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

MAXINE: “Overboard” with Goldie Hawn. It never fails to make me smile.

LIZ: Who’s your favorite villain?

MAXINE: Barnabas Collins. Even though he was technically a bad guy and a blood sucking vampire in “Dark Shadows,”  he wasn’t THAT bad. At least I never saw him as bad, and I had such a crush on him. He could’ve bitten me whenever and where ever he felt the need.

LIZ HAS GOTTA ASK: Who (besides your own guy) is the person you most wish you could dream about every night?

MAXINE’S GOTTA ANSWER: Those closest to me that I’ve lost over the years. I love that country song, "If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away." I’d love to be able to sit down for just a little while and chat with them again. To remember the sound of their voices, the feel of their arms, and the puff of their breath against my cheek. But, heaven is too far away for that right now, and that’s really not such a bad thing. So, for now, I’ll be content to see them in my dreams every chance I get.

MAXINE, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

I do! If you could have the power to control the weather like Lark does, what would you do with it??

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? In spring 2013, I have the third book of The Academy Series coming out:  “Taken by the Passion.” And that same summer, Book Four “Tamed by the Fire” is scheduled for release.

PREVIOUS RELEASES: “Touched by the Magic.”

CONTACT MAXINE:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/maxine.mansfield.9

Twitter: Leeky Shortz: https://twitter.com/LeekyShortz

Web site: www.maxinemansfield.com

Blog: http://www.maxinemansfield.com/blog.html

Email: Maxine-mansfield@hotmail.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/MaxineMansfield