Maiden Behind the Mask-Character Interview with Ricardo

What’s your favorite color?

Black, like my cape, which my ungrateful wife has stolen!

What type of vehicle do you drive?

Que? I have a stallion!

Describe yourself to me.

Muy guapo. Can't you see? I am handsome, in my twenties, dark hair and eyes, and I have a debonair mustache.

How would your mate describe you?

I believe she used the word Inmenso to describe a part of me… Can you guess which part? Would you like to see, mi amor? You can look, but not touch. Mi corazon is only for my wife.

What really moves you, or touches you to the soul?

My wife. Her heart is big, her soul is brave. I love that she wants to help others, even at the risk to herself.

What's the one thing you want to do? What would happen if you could do it?

Well, I would like to see my wife with that cantina senorita again…a replay of sorts, but I fear my wife would not be so…susceptible to the idea. I prefer not to discuss the potential ramifications of that. 

Describe your ideal mate.

Fiery, but not so fiery that she usurps me. She must know when to yield. I wear the pants…most of the time!

What are you most afraid of?

I will not ride behind La Reina. Her problema frightens me. It's unnatural.

What's the most important thing in your life?

Mi familia, of course.

What do you consider your special talent?

I am good with my sword…both of them.

How did you meet the hero/heroine?

I saved Catalina from a man trying to violate her! 

Was it love at first sight or did it develop slowly?

Eh, slowly. I was more in love with her dowry.

I confess, I was not enamored with her at first. I thought she was a…how do you Americans say it?...flighty female. No fire.

What did you dislike about her when you first met?

She allowed people to assume I had compromised her honor!

If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?

1. I want my cape back.
2. I want a strong and strapping son, though a little Hermana is good too, especially if it looks like her mother.
3. A solution to La Reina's problema. As I said above, it is not natural! I know not how my wife puts up with it. Perhaps, a cork? Do you have a cork? Si, I want a good-sized cork.

When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving damsels from robbers and rough handling.

But scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry.  Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever.

Ricardo is not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.

Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, a dog mom, a reader, and a motorcycle and airplane buff. She worked as an aircraft mechanic for eleven years before turning to a career in writing. When not chasing her dogs around the house (or writing about them!), she battles over her laptop keyboard with her alter ego, Sonia Hightower.

Tara never knows what a story is going to turn out to be. Whereas Tara writes historical or contemporary romance, humor, young adult, and even a memoir, Sonia pens erotic noir or bdsm. Be it a Tara or a Sonia book, you're sure to find something that interests you.

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Excerpt:

She tore her gaze away from the horse and said firmly. "Cinco pesos. And only because this caballa has fire, not because of your terms. Selena, pay him."

Selena's hand shook, but the pesos were transferred to the dirty palm. The man laughed with glee, the crowd dispersed, and Catalina was left with a dirty, starving horse.

"We'll get you fed and cleaned up," she promised the horse, patting its neck. A cloud of dirt rose in the air, and Catalina struggled not to cough. "I shall call you La Reina, because once in my establo, I shall treat you like a queen. Your body may be beaten, but your spirit is not broke."

"Catalina?" Her maid's voice tentative as it interrupted her quiet chattering. "Whatever possessed you—"

"Fetch me a mozo," Catalina interrupted her. "Take the remaining pesos and fetch me a groom. La Reina is going to her castle." She wasn't offering more explanations than that. She didn't owe anyone an explanation. She'd done what was right.

As her maid turned to comply, heading toward the livery, a loud pffffht rendered the air. Catalina stared at the mare in surprise, aghast.

Selena froze and swung around to admonish her charge. "Senorita! Your behavior has been questionable enough this day. Mind yourself." She shook her head and her finger both before turning back the task at hand.

Catalina heard her muttering as she sashayed away. She was too surprised and too tired to defend herself, but the breeze picked up, and a waft of foul air assaulted her. Catalina immediately tugged a delicate, lace handkerchief from her sleeve and placed it over her nose as she glared at the horse.

La Reina snorted and pawed the ground. Catalina could swear the horse was laughing at her. She merely shook her head. "Dios mio, and you let me take the blame for that?"

Pffffhht. Pfffht.

La Reina whinnied and bared her teeth as though she was smiling.

Character Interview-Ameilia Hamilton from

What’s your favorite color?

Yellow, especially the pale buttery color of my bedroom walls.

What type of vehicle do you drive?

Big Red. He’s a rusty pickup truck that I haven’t been able to part with. He’s like family to me.

Describe yourself to me.

At 22 years old, I’m short with dark curly hair and hazel eyes. I’m accident prone and sarcastic. I love art and hate math and asparagus. Also, I’m cursed.

How would your mate describe you? 

With how distant he’s been lately, I doubt he wants to describe me at all. If I had to guess, Connor would say I’m stubborn, determined, creative, naïve, willing and sarcastic.

What really moves you, or touches you to the soul? 

Compassion, loyalty and the truth.

What's the one thing you have always wanted to do but couldn't? What would happen if you did do it?

Find my parents. I’d ask them why they left me. 

Describe your ideal mate.

Loyalty is very important to me. I want someone who can surprise me and they must be trustworthy.

What are you most afraid of?

Needles, mosquitoes and my grandfather.

What's the most important thing in your life?

Right now, staying alive.

What do you consider your special talent?

“Special” is a stretch. I call it a curse. You’ll need to read the story to learn the details.

How did you meet the hero/heroine?

I’m the heroine of the story, but another hero is Nick. I met him through the IA.

Was it love at first sight or did it develop slowly?

It’s far from love at first sight. He had a lot of reservations about me. Sometimes, I think he still does.

What did you like/dislike about him/her when you first met?

He’s a jackass, rude and closed off. I could go on for hours. Underneath his many levels of “bad boy” exterior, I know there’s more to him.

If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?

People I’ve lost to be returned, The Physician Coalition to disappear and the cliché wish for additional wishes.

Thank you for interviewing me! I had a great time! 

A conversation with a stranger changes Amelia Hamilton's life forever. When she learns her grandfather faked his own death, normalcy slips from Amelia's grasp. To make matters worse, he is coming for her in less than seven days. What she hasn't determined is why.

Amelia's grandfather, Marius Benedict, once headed The Physician Coalition, an elite group of doctors who threw the Hippocratic Oath out the window. Years ago, they used a low-risk medical research study as a front for their experiments. Without their consent, innocents were injected with JackRabbit7, a hazardous substance used to alter their DNA. The victims were left with less-than-desirable super-human powers or excruciating death. Years after he disbanded the group, Marius has a new plan and is reforming The Coalition.

Max, a mysterious stranger from the Insurance Agency, offers to help keep Amelia safe. He introduces The Agency as an underground government organization that contains and eliminates those who intend to harm the world. To protect The Agency, the truth of their activities are concealed and replaced with sugar-coated stories in the media.

Over the course of the next week, Amelia has to accept the truth and learn who can be trusted. At midnight on her 23rd birthday, a contract between The Coalition and The Insurance Agency will expire, giving Marius full rein to approach his granddaughter and finish the project he started with her so many years ago.

Sarah Carr is a novelist who can be found most evenings with a cup of tea in-hand and her imagination racing from plot to plot. When away from her work, part of her mind is constantly brainstorming her next story and she always has writing paraphernalia within reach.

She wrote stories as a child, but became more serious about her passion during her twenties. In her spare time, she likes to read, splash in mud puddles, smell bookstores and eat Honeycrisp apples. Yearly, she participates in NaNoWriMo and has mentored others through the program. Due to her dedication to National Novel Writing Month, she is part of an amazing writing group.

Born and raised in Washington State, Sarah still resides in the area. Her life is richly filled with her supportive, yet swashbuckling husband and their golden Nugget.

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Get Your Pitch On with Ruby Lioness Press

Ruby Lioness Press is having an open pitch session. We are mainly looking for short stories and novellas but are open to novel length pitches as well. Please submit your pitch using this form…https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHBZSnRBNTYtWVBtRlphVWFTOEd1V0E6MQ

If you have any questions you can contact Marissa Dobson, co-owner of Ruby Lioness Press atmarissa@rubylionesspress.com

About Ruby Lioness Press:

Ruby Lioness Press is a semi new publisher, but all of our staff has been in the business for years. We are here to help authors reach their goals. Our release schedule is growing rapidly; be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to be a part of the Ruby Lioness Press family. Our standard royalty percentage is 50% of the sale price of your e-book and 40% for print.

Website – http://rubylionesspress.com/

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We have a multi-author series (which you can pitch for also, just please mention that in the post). For more information on the multi-author series, follow these links:

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Marissa and Snowy Fate

1-Tell the readers a little about yourself.

There isn’t a whole lot to tell. Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, I now reside about an hour from Washington, D.C.

Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave me the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read I have always had my nose in a book. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I started writing down the stories I came up with.

I am blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He is my other half and allows me to stay home and pursue my writing. My writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to me bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.

 I am the owner of Sizzling Hot Book’s and Sizzling PR.

 I love to hear from readers, you can email me at marissa@marissadobson.com Or visit me at http://www.marissadobson.com/

2-As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?

Yes I read a lot. I am the owner of Sizzling Hot Book’s and we receive a lot of books for read. I read a little bit of everything but romance is my favorite. Any romance genre except historical romance. I have never been a big fan of those. My favorite authors are all over the place, some of my must buy favorite authors are Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, Christine Feehan, Rebecca Royce, Sandra Sookoo, and so on.

3-How do you stay motivated when the Muse is uncooperative? 

I take a break, get some work done and then try again. Sometimes take the dog for a walk. Things seem to fall in place when I had time to think about it. If not I try to push through it, keep writing, even if I have to delete it later because I know I will figure a way out. 

4-If you could go anywhere in the world on a romantic getaway, what would you do and where would you go?

Anywhere with the beach. I love the beach. 

5-What is the hardest thing for you to write?

For me that was my first sex scene (the one in Snowy Fate). Up until now I have always been a very sweet romance author. No sex. But Snowy Fate called for it. Plus it opened the door for my upcoming Live Series, which will be hotter than Snowy Fate. Not too hot, mind you, but it will have more sex in it. 

6-If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be?

I would have to say it would be Meg from the first book in the Live Series, Learning to Live. She has been sheltered her whole life by her over protecting family but she finds the courage to spread her wings and in the end find true love. She was so much fun to write. 

7-The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge?

For me, I indulge in a good book, even when I should be doing other things. 

Fate always knows when you're ready for love.

The past is catching up with Aspyn Layton. The father she never knew passed away and she is left to deal with his estate. An unexpected snowstorm has her stranded at the one place she didn’t want to be—her father’s house—with a naked man. 

Damon Andrews has a secret, one he shared with Aspyn’s father. He must convince Aspyn there is more to life then what she knows. How will she react when she finds out he is a mountain lion, and she is his mate? Their fates are intertwined.

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, I now reside about an hour from Washington, D.C. I am a lady who likes to keep busy, and am always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, I believe you are never done learning.

Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave me the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read I have always had my nose in a book. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I started writing down the stories I came up with.  

I am blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He is my other half and allows me to stay home and pursue my writing. My writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to me bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways. 

Website / Facebook / Twitter 

Ruby Lioness Press / Kindle / Smashwords / Nook / 1 Place for Romance

Excerpt:

She picked up the fire poker as she looked at the naked man before her. “Who are you?” Even though she was startled by the man who stood before her, she had a feeling that he meant her no harm. A man that sexy couldn’t harm anyone; except to break a girl’s heart. He looked as though he should be posing for Playgirl instead of standing in the cozy living room. 

“The better question is who are you and what are you doing here?” he asked as he shook the wet snow off his body. He stood there, not the least bit concerned that he was naked, nor that he was wet from head to toe. Her heart was fluttering, and desire was heating her cheeks. She wanted to explore his toned body with her hands, and her tongue. His dark hair was wind blown into disarray; that served to make him look dangerous, and that much sexier. 

“The name’s Aspyn. Now who are you?”

“You’re his daughter,” he said more out of shock, then in question. “I’m Damon Andrews. John, your dad’s lawyer, didn’t think you would be coming to the house, or I would have left.”

Once she heard this man was a friend of her father’s, she quickly squashed the attraction that was building inside her. There was no way she could pursue someone who knew her father. She didn’t want to know any more than she already did about the man who ran out on her and her mother. 

“It wasn’t the plan. I agreed to sell the place and his things. I planned to head straight home, but the storm rolled in, leaving me no time to get out of town. I didn’t have anywhere else to go and I didn’t think anyone was living here. The lawyer mentioned the key under the rug if I wanted to stop.” She lowered the weapon as she spoke. 

He nodded in understanding. “If there is anything of his you want, please feel free to take it. There are lots of pictures of you.”

“He never gave me anything while he was alive and I don’t want anything now.” The first tear was threatening to fall. 

“Hey there, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry,” he said, crossing the room in two strides. 

“It’s not you. It’s just being here, around all this. It’s more than I can handle now. I’m not a woman who cries at the drop of the hat, I don’t know what is wrong with me. All the years he missed, and now it’s too late. This is like crying over spilled milk.”

He gently laid a hand on her shoulder.  “He wouldn’t want you to be upset. He did what he thought was right when you were a child. It might not have been the best decision, but he felt it was the only way. It was the only way to give you a semi-normal childhood, and he regretted that decision every day.”

She looked him in the eye and with fire in her eyes, she lashed back. “I know this is going to sound childish and ungrateful, but then he should have come back for us.” She shook off his hand. “But none of that matters now, it’s too late. What are you doing here? Better yet, why are you naked?”

Taking a step back, he nodded to the cot made in the corner. “I’ve been staying with your father. I’m building a house on the other side of the lake and was living at the hotel. On your dad’s better days, he would come over and helped with the construction. The heat and plumbing aren’t finished yet because of the freezing weather. Your dad invited me to stay until it was finished. When he passed and I found out you didn’t want the house, I put the offer in to buy it. I couldn’t see it sold off to someone who wouldn’t appreciate the beauty of the area. As for my lack of clothing, well that is a long story. Why don’t I make us something to eat? I’m sure you’re starving.”

“That would be great.”

“On one condition … you must read your father’s journal. You need to understand why. It will affect you more than I can explain.” Before she could object he added, “Please. There is stuff in there that you really need to know. I told him time and time again that he needed to find you before it was too late and tell you. But he didn’t listen. The first page is all I am asking. After that, if you don’t want to read any more, I won’t pester you anymore today.”