Today I'm excited to have fellow Eternal Press author Maggie Dove answering Ten Questions. Her story, Angel of Windword is currently available in print at Amazon.com, as well as e-book at Eternal Press and Ebookwise. Let me tell you, I finished it last night and it is FANTASTIC. Nicholas is so hot you'll melt, and Angelique is the kind of heroine you'll positively cheer for. Be sure to keep an eye out for my upcoming review this week.
But enough of that. Let's get down to those Ten Questions. Maggie, take it away!
What is your favorite beverage when you write? Definitely coffee.
What is your favorite font to write in? Times New Roman 12
What music do you listen to when you write (or do you prefer it quiet)? Quiet.
When it comes to those all important jotted notes, which is it – composition pads or sticky notes? Both! My notes are almost always wet and I have to decipher them because I think best in the shower and rush out and scribble all my thoughts on whatever I can get my hands on so I don’t forget.
What’s your favorite snack when pounding away at the keyboard? Diet Coke. I try not to eat while I’m writing because sitting down at the computer is fattening enough!
What inspires you when you write? I write looking at palm trees outside my bedroom window. They have a calming effect on me.
What do you turn to when you stumble across a road block in the creative process and need to regroup? General Hospital! I take a soap opera break or a shower and the creative juices start working again.
Where do the ideas and concepts for your work come from? I don’t know. Plot is never a problem. It just comes to me and my original idea never changes. I just add more situations and characters.
What do you wish there was more of in the market? I think the market is just fine. There is a book out there to satisfy every taste.
Lastly, what advice would you give to an up and coming writer that hopes to submit their work and become published in the future? Never to give up. Plot it, write it and send it out…and sent it out again…and send it out again…and send it out again!
Tell us where we can find you on the web. www.maggiedove.net
Angel of Windword Blurb:
Evil forces are at play surrounding Angelique Beauvisage, but she has no clue. Sensuous and suspense-filled, ANGEL OF WINDWORD, begins with a murder that takes place four years before and turns into a perilous cat and mouse game played by two reluctant lovers, who spin a web of deception that only their love can unravel.
Excerpt #1
His thunderous expression softened. “Come closer.” His eyes swept over her face as he caressed her cheek with the knuckle of his forehand. “I did not see her slap you, but your cheeks look burning hot. Answer something for me, Angelique,” he ordered gruffly. “Has that woman ever hit you before?”
Angelique drank in the comfort of his nearness. His touch was soft and soothing.
“Never,” she lied. “Victoria has never slapped me or hurt me. My lord, it was really my fault...I provoked her.”
He definitely will have his way with me and my place will be in his bed! Mon Dieu!
A guttural sound escaped her lips when she recalled her own words. She was not certain whether she was more distressed at having thrown those awful words at her stepmother or the dreadful possibility that Nicholas had actually overheard them.
Attempting to sound nonchalant, she stammered Victoria’s original question to him, “H-how long had you been standing there, monsieur? Did you...did you hear anything?” she asked in a faint whisper, her voice cracking with embarrassment.
“Hear what, my love?’ he asked innocuously.
“Monsieur, how long had you been standing there?” she repeated with mounting dread.
Then gazing at him, she suddenly wished she had not asked. His dark blue eyes sparkled with complete understanding as he stood casually against the doorjamb, strong arms folded across his chest, a devil of a smile beginning to form on his face.
“How long, monsieur…?”
Nicholas did not wait for her to finish. Without another word, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard on the lips. Then, just as suddenly, he let go of her, allowing her to fall back against the doorpost.
“Long enough to know I’m going to enjoy those willful ways of yours. Not to mention putting you in that bed of mine.”
Her heart pounding fast against her heaving chest, Angelique watched in stunned silence as Nicholas turned on his heel and made his exit. She could still feel his warm lips against hers as his deep, masculine chuckles echoed in the hallway.
Excerpt #2
“I am with child,” she announced. “You are the father. If you love me…”
Pie-eyed, James hiccupped. “Did you say love you, my dear? I’m not certain I even fancy you anymore.” He began to laugh, taking two steps forward, almost tipping over, and then catching himself in a circular motion. “It matters little whether or not you find yourself with child. You’re all the same,” he rattled on, “faithless, deceiving bitches. I must have been insane to bed you. Filthy slut…seducing the viscount, while lusting after the sailor.”
She stood stunned. How had he known? James spat in her face. “Get out, whore, and take your future bastard with you!”
She flinched, wiping the spittle from her face. “You are a vicious and vulgar man, James Kent,” she retorted. “The liquor does not excuse your cruelty. Nicholas would never treat me this way.”
At this, James scoffed. “My brother hardly knows you exist anymore. I, on the other hand, have accommodated you for years.”
“My fantasies of Nicholas are much more pleasing than your slobbery attempts at lovemaking,” she finally admitted, her voice cold and devoid of feeling.
She walked out of the room with James trailing behind her, and heard him bellow after her, “Why, you uppity little bitch—putting on airs of superiority, are you? Enjoy your fantasies, my dear. It is all you’ll ever have.”
Refusing to listen to any more of his insults, she stormed up the steps and watched as he made his way up.
“I wish it were his child, not yours.”
James’ glossy eyes tried to focus on her form. He rambled furiously, “Nicky is much too scrupulous a man to dwell in the gutter, my dear. He would never have fathered your child.”
She stared down at him with contempt, then smiled provocatively, pulling up her skirts. “You like what you see, don’t you?” Goading him, she licked her lips suggestively, enticing him to her. “You are not so scrupulous, are you, Jamie? You thrive in the filthy gutter. That’s it. Come to me. You know you still want me.”
“You slut,” he growled at her, but she knew her words aroused him. In spite of his inebriated state, she saw his tongue slide over his lips in preparation for her lusty kiss.
“Your slut,” she purred, smiling sweetly.
James reached for her just as she knew he would. Before James knew what was happening, she kicked him hard in the stomach, pushing him down the stairs to the cold stone flooring below. His look of surprise, followed by absolute horror as he tumbled back, both exhilarated and repelled her, causing her to burst into hysterical laughter. A moment later, she was not laughing anymore. Pointing a finger at the crumpled body that lay in a pool of blood at the bottom of the stairs, she rubbed her belly and caressed her unborn child.
“Sleep soundly, my sweet, Jamie. Sleep soundly.” Her tender words spoken so coldly, so calculating, and the demented, morbid laughter that rang in the darkness were the last human sounds James Kent would ever hear.
Thanks for visiting the blog today, Maggie. Wishing you much success and many sells!!!
