Get Lost With Teri Riggs!

Folks, help me welcome Teri Riggs! I'm so happy she's here today. She's someone who is always supporting me and my writing. When I finish and send in my current book, my reward is reading Teri's book, Resolutions. Let's get on with finding out more about her!

WHO IS TERI?
As a child, Teri made up her own bedtime stories. When her children came along, Teri always tweaked the fairy tales she told her daughters, giving them a bit more punch and better endings when needed.

Now she spends her days turning her ideas into books. She lives in Marietta, GA with her husband.

THE BLURB:
DEA agent Eve Taylor has had her fill of alpha males. When Resolutions’ operative and former lover, Dillon “Mac” McKenna, threatened her hard-earned independence, she ran. On a mission to gather evidence against a Colombian drug-lord, Eve discovers the drug-lord is helping terrorists plan an attack on American soil. Before she can escape with the vital information, she’s captured and comes face to face with her mortality…

As a teen, Mac watched his family fall apart after his mother died doing dangerous U.N. work. The possibility of losing Eve to a mission ignited an overwhelming need to protect her. When he forced her to choose him or her job, she walked away. Two years later, it seems all his nightmares have come true and he’s tasked with rescuing her from a Colombian prison. Mac has never stopped loving Eve, but does he dare risk his heart when he’s so terrified of losing… On the run, Mac and Eve must learn to trust each other again in order to stay alive.

READ AN EXCERPT RIGHT HERE!

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TERI? 
Blogs
Contact
Website
Facebook
Goodreads
Pinterest
Twitter: @TeriLRiggs

NOW FOR THE INTERROGATION...
Alexa: Where do you read and how often?
Teri: I read everywhere, every chance I get. I’m a true bookaholic. I need a 12 step program! I always have my iPhone full of new books or use my Kindle. I still like to read the old fashion way, too…I pick up print copies. I have two favorite places to read. One is lying in tub full of nice hot bubbles with a tall glass of iced tea. The other is in my bed after everyone else has gone to sleep. No one to interrupt my fun.

Alexa: What is your biggest vice?
Teri: Sweets. Especially all things chocolate. Preferably milk chocolate.

Alexa: I'm right there with you on the milk chocolate! How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?
Teri: You can never get too tired of hot men! Sexy women? Well I’m a bit jealous of the women I write. I’d love to be as kick-butt as my heroines are.

Alexa: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
Teri: Writing. That way I have time to edit most of my goofs before anyone sees them.

Alexa: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
Teri: I love anything with an alpha male who protects his woman, but is willing to try and change if that’s what he has to do to gain her trust and love. I enjoy character driven stories.

Alexa: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Teri: Yes. I love mushy love songs. Especially the country songs.

Alexa: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?
Teri: Probably I’d like to be a reviewer. I love to read.

Alexa: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?
Teri: Celebrate and tell everyone I know…and a few I don’t know.

Alexa: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees? Teri: Mac’s love for Eve. He’d sacrifice anything for her.

Alexa: What one thing about your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing about your heroine drives her hero nuts?
Teri: That Mac would sacrifice anything for her.

Alexa: What's up next for you, Teri?
Teri: The Eyes of Vengeance. No release date yet, but sometime this summer.
 
Alexa: Oooh, I can't wait! Teri, thanks so much for stopping by today! It was fun learning more about you. Folks, our guest is offering an Ecopy of her book Resolutions to one lucky commenter. So get commenting!

Note: Please leave an email address for notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. 

Hadley Holt's Exciting New Fantasy YA series

Wizard Queen at Sixteen

MEET HADLEY HOLT:

Hadley Holt, author of paranormal and fantasy YA (Young Adult) has always loved to write. She also nurtures an incurable fascination with all things supernatural and fantastical. From a young age, she imagined stories about dragons, wizards, witches, ghosts, shape-shifters, vampires, and other magical creatures. As life often does, it blessed Hadley with family - a hunky husband and amazing children, and with family came a rewarding career. Hadley spent many years in the not-so-magical world of finance and mortgage banking, but the stories were always there in the back of her mind, demanding to be set free.

Thanks to the housing market crash, Hadley finally realized her dreams. She now breathes life into her magical tales of reluctant young heroes finding their inner strength to fight against terrible odds.

ABOUT THE BOOK:  

DESECRATION, Book One of the Wizard Queen at Sixteen 

  

In a hidden world of wizards where only men hold the power of magic, one girl arises with the power to change everything, but only If she survives…
   Adriana Victoriana Evangelista (Addie), daughter to the High Chancellor of the Wizard’s Council, has always been the perfect wizard girl. She never questions why men possess magical powers and women have no power at all, magical or otherwise.  
   On her sixteenth birthday, Addie finds out she possesses magic. Under wizard law, she is a desecration.
   Just as Addie discovers love, her fate sends her straight into the path of a powerful and evil sorcerer, but the worst danger of all may come from right inside her own home.

EXCERPT:

The sound of footsteps outside sent my heart racing. If Izzy got caught without her cloak on school property, we’d both get detention for a week. And worse, my father would murder me.

“Your cloak!” I whispered. I stretched out my hand as if I could somehow grab Izzy’s cloak from several feet away.

In answer to my thoughts, Izzy’s discarded forest-green cloak flew across the room, coming into my open hand.

 

I blinked at my hand and the cloak I clutched in my fist. I stared as my knuckles went white and my outstretched arm began to tremble. A thunderous pulse echoed in my ears and my limbs and I realized it was the pounding of my heart.

Finally, I met Izzy’s shocked stare. We both gaped at each other for a moment. Then our gazes whipped back and forth between the corner where her cloak had been and my hand, where it currently was. And then to the door, which fortunately remained closed.

I realized I’d stopped breathing. Gasping for air, I dropped Izzy’s cloak like it was on fire.

“Addie,” Izzy gasped, then giggled nervously, “you just did magic.” She pointed a finger at me. “You just did MAGIC!”

“No. Shhhh! Don’t even say that!” I shook my head spastically. I clutched my head between my hands. “No! No! No!”

“Yes, yes, yes! You did!” she sang back.

“It didn’t happen. It couldn’t have.” I kept shaking my head so vehemently that I started to get woozy. “I’m a girl. That’s impossible!”

“It is impossible. But you did it anyway.”

I couldn’t seem to stop shaking my head.

“Ha! Your brat of a brother would look like such a total idiot right now. Bet he couldn’t do what you just did. His magic hasn’t come that far yet.”

“No,” I said, still in major denial. I could hear my father’s voice ranting; a woman wielding magic is a desecration!

“There’s some prophecy about this.” Izzy tapped her palm against her forehead several times. “Hugo mentioned it a while back. Shoot! I can’t remember.”

“I can’t be part of some prophecy. My father will kill me.”

QUESTIONS FOR HADLEY:

Kathleen:   I loved your YA Fantasy serial. I haven’t had that much magical fun since Harry Potter. Desecration is a good story!

Your heroine lives in a wizard society that suppresses women. This made me curious, and I also found it interesting that one of the secondary characters, the fascinating Lady Acacia, found a way to still rise in the ranks. That’s interesting. What inspired you to create a society that struggles with this issue?

HADLEY:   I’ve always heard that you should write what you are passionate about. I had actually written another book (part of a different series) and in that book I knew that there would be a crossover to a wizard book/series. As I developed that world to create a backstory, I asked myself what would that world be like for a girl living within it? As I contemplated that question, Addie came to life. When I thought of the struggles Addie would have to face in a backward chauvinistic society, Addie’s story called to me so strongly that I set aside the other book to write her story. It all came down to the fact that I am passionate about the empowerment of girls/women and I love a good world-saving adventure.

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

HADLEY: Pretty much continually whether I’m reading or writing.

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

HADLEY: That’s hard to say. I read so much throughout school that I somehow forgot that you could read for fun. As an adult, (a couple of years after college) someone gave me a copy of Jude Deveraux’s book, A Knight in Shining Armor, and I haven’t stopped reading since that day.

Kathleen: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

HADLEY: I love Cinderella but my favorite version is in the movie Ever After starring Drew Barrymore because it’s still just as romantic, but Cinderella saves herself instead of the prince saving her!

Kathleen: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

HADLEY: My daughter Christina who straight out of college traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to work with orphans. She faced down danger, secret police, malaria, being assaulted on the street, and an Ebola scare. She made a difference to a lot of children and helped one little boy get artificial legs so he could walk for the very first time in his life. That’s the definition of a hero to me.

Kathleen: Wow! You must be an amazing mother to have raised such a brave daughter. Where do you read and how often?

HADLEY: I’m particularly partial to audio books these days and I “read” while I get ready for the day, while I drive, on breaks, and before bed.

Kathleen: Who’s your favorite villain?

HADLEY: I’ll have to say my favorites (plural): Hans Gruber played by Alan Rickman in the original Die Hard, David the vampire played by Kiefer Sutherland in the Lost Boys and the shark in Jaws.

Kathleen:   Yikes! You picked some scary ones. What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

HADLEY: I like many kinds of stories but I like a good adventure with romance and an element of paranormal or magic so I try to write the kind of stories that I like to read (we have to entertain ourselves – LOL).

Kathleen:   If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

HADLEY: Malala Yousafzai – Here is a girl who is an incredible hero! At the age of 11, this little Pakistani girl stood up against the Taliban – peacefully fighting for the right for girls to receive an education. Even after being gunned down, she continued to fight for the rights of girls to receive an education. I’d like to know where that kind of bravery comes from.

Kathleen: Oh yes, she’s amazing! Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

HADLEY: I think I’d like to have Addie’s best friend Izzy to dinner. I think she would keep me laughing.

Kathleen: Yes, she would. She says exactly what’s on her mind. What would you say is your most interesting quirk?

HADLEY: I have a Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head collection

 

Kathleen: LOL!  Mr. Potato Head, that is quirky and fun!
So, which era would you least like to have lived in, fashion-wise and why?

HADLEY: I wouldn’t like to live in any time where a woman has to wear a corset.

Kathleen: This was fun! Thank you for being here today and I hear you are giving away a copy of DESECRATION

GIVEAWAY:

Hadley is giving away an eBook of DESECRATION today to one lucky reader who comments. She’ll send the eBook to your email via Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

HADLEY ASKS READERS:

If you had magic powers what would you change about the world?

FANS CAN FIND HADLEY AT:

email: hadley@hadleyholt.com 

Website: www.hadleyholt.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hadley.holtauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hadley_Holt

The Best in Romantic Suspense...

LONE STAR REDEMPTION

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Rusted Spur, Texas, is full of secrets…until reporter Jessie Layton arrives looking for her missing twin. Even after the search turns deadly, she vows to let nothing stop her–including her own unwise attraction to a drop-dead gorgeous rancher who only wants to protect his family from the truth that Jessie’s presence threatens to expose.

READ a little, BUY the book

COLLEEN THOMPSON

From the historical novels that began her writing journey (written as Gwyneth Atlee and Colleen Easton) to the riveting romantic suspense that has become her trademark, Colleen writes stories that show us that sometimes, love can kill.

In 2004, Colleen's first  romantic thriller, Fatal Error, launched Dorchester Publishing’s new line of fast-paced, steamy romantic suspense.  The book was nominated for the RITA Award for Best Romantic Suspense and won the Texas Gold for Best Mainstream Fiction.  Other honors received by her books include a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, a Readers’ Choice Awards, nominations from the Reviewers International Organization, Top Pick, KISS awards, and a reviewers’ choice award nomination from Romantic Times Book Club Magazine, and a Perfect Ten from Romance Reviews Today.

Now residing in the Houston area with her husband and son, Colleen works with children in addition to her writing and speaking. When she’s not on deadline, she can often be found hiking with her family, playing with her pets, fiddling with her computer, or with her nose stuck in a good book.

THE INTERVIEW

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

COLLEEN: I was once privileged to meet one of the U.S. veterans who helped in the liberation of one of the horrendous Nazi death camps near the end of World War II. Though it was painful for him to talk about what he'd seen, he came and spoke to my classroom of students with a humility and compassion I'll never forget. He believed that bearing witness was the most important thing he could do, and the children were deeply moved to hear it.

ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

COLLEEN: I'm a big fan of The (animated) Pink Panther and Bugs Bunny, both of whom embody the concept of cool.

ANGI: What do you like about the hero of your book?

COLLEEN: Zach Rayford suffered horrific abuse as a boy in a family torn apart by his father's violence and his mother's refusal to deal with it. Yet after his father's death, he eventually comes home to help his failing mother and picks up the reins of an unwelcome legacy. He's a really stand-up guy for finding the wherewithal to forgive and do the right thing.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?

COLLEEN: I read in bed, sprawled on the sofa, or out on my back deck as often as I'm able. It's my favorite stress reliever after a busy day of writing!

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?

COLLEEN: I'm in love with the sounds of nature: the wind rustling the leaves, the rain plinking off a tin roof, and the surf murmuring secrets to the shore. When I'm stressed, I play recorded nature tracks by my bedside to help me fall asleep.

ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

COLLEEN: Action adventure for sure. When it comes to books, I love a good thrill ride!

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?

COLLEEN: I recall being about twelve and writing a short story called "The White Flame" about a wild mustang round-up, from the point of view of a horse. It was terribly sad and beautiful (though I'm sure I'd cringe to see it now) and I got up my nerve to show it to a very nice older English professor who lived across the street. He encouraged me and gave me some pointers--and I was totally hooked.

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?

COLLEEN: Wasting way too much time playing games on Facebook.

ANGI: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?

COLLEEN: Oh, it's just *awful* being forced to write about big-hearted, noble, cowboys, rancher, firefighters, ER docs, and lawmen and the smart, savvy women who tame them. And looking for character model photos (especially of the male persuasion) on the Internet--it's absolutely *brutal* work!

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: What's your favorite thing about living in Texas?

COLLEEN'S GOTTA ANSWER: I often write books set in Texas because I'm in love with its varied landscapes and people. Readers often don't realize that the state has mountains, beaches, plains, and deserts and contains everything from the tiniest of towns, where residents have to have potable water trucked in to the most cosmopolitan of cities. My husband, whom I've lovingly nicknamed "The Texas Almanac" and I have spent a lot of have hours exploring our adopted state.

FIND COLLEEN

Contact    Website  Facebook   Twitter @coll_thompson   

Goodreads   Boxing the Octopus   Previous GLIAS interviews

UP NEXT for COLLEEN: LONE STAR SURVIVOR, another Harlequin Romantic Suspense, will be out in December 2014. I haven't seen the cover yet, but I'm editing the story now, and it's one of my most emotional reads ever.

PREVIOUS RELEASES by COLLEEN:

THE COLTON HEIR

READ a little,

BUY the book

THE BEST VICTIM

READ a little,

BUY the book

COLLEEN is giving away a copy of LONE STAR REDEMPTION or THE BEST VICTIM (North American readers only, please.)

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

ANGI'S back next Wednesday with KIMBERLY KINCAID

UP NEXT ON GLIAS:  HADLEY HOLT

~Angi Morgan

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or @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

COLLEEN WANTS TO KNOW: What are your favorite settings for contemporary stories? Do you love small towns, big cities, exotic locales, or vacation venues that let you feel as if you're on a beach/ski vacation?