Monday, March 12, 2012

ANN CHRISTINE AND SAFARI MOON

Christine Young,
aka Ann Christine
Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, DAKOTA'S BRIDE, the summer of 1998 and her second book, MY ANGEL to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children. Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Website:
http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/


Rogues Angels blog: http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Young/350132315013316


Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/achristay
Publisher: http://shop.roguephoenixpress.ieasysite.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=SAFARIMOON

Christine has special gifts for readers who comment.
* A SAFARI MOON bookmark to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop.

* ebook copy of THE GIFT (part of A Valentine Anthology) and STAR CROSSED (part of St. Patricks Day anthology) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
* One commenter during the tour will win the right to have a character named for them in her next release--either GHOST DANCE (a western historical romance) or REBEL HEART (science-fiction romance)
* Two randomly drawn commenters during the tour will each win a $25.00 GC to Starbucks


Now, here's Ann Christine/Christine Young to tell you her story and about SAFARI MOON:

SAFARI MOON is my first published contemporary novel. Because I usually write historical novels, I decided to use a pseudonym. SAFARI MOON is by Christine Young writing as Ann Christine. I wanted my readers to be able to differentiate between my historicals and my contemporary novels.

I have a contemporary novella, STAR CROSSED, which is part of A St. Patrick's Day tale, and THE GIFT, which is part of A Valentines Day Anthology. However, I wrote these as Christine Young.


Best friends forever or BFF is a common phrase now. But I have always believed one must be a best friend before a lover and before marriage. The major premise of this love story is friendship and how it can develop into true love. The snafus so to speak are the insecurities harbored within both Nyssa and Solo. It seems they both have an angel and a demon resting on each of their shoulders and in some cases whispering words of questionable wisdom.

As to Nyssa's career choices, she is goal oriented, intelligent, and wanting all of the things she thinks will make her happy. She chooses a high-powered profession as an investment broker on Wall Street. Nyssa soon finds she is ill suited for that type of life. Leaving it all behind her she goes home and starts her own business, running a bicycle shop and guided bicycle tours in all parts of the world.

Santorini, Greece
My inspiration for the bicycle tours came from my parents. After they retired they started riding bicycles and eventually discovered a company that gave guided bicycle tours in the U.S. and all over the world. They have been to places such as Bali, Greece, France, New Zealand, Tasmania, Natchez Trace and New England just to name a few. Much of my research came from the tour pamphlets, photos my parents took, and their stories.

The trek to Alaska to photograph wolves is especially important to me. Wolves have always been a misunderstood species. Perhaps the Native Americans understood their true value and their place in the animal kingdom. For a species such as the wolf to come so close to extinction is a crime. So, off my bandwagon, I love wolves, perhaps a shape shifter story is in my future. Of course the shifting would have to be wolf to human.

I am an amateur photographer. I have always wanted to take classes on photography but could never find the time in college. I began my college career as an art major, but soon discovered I wanted more. I became a science major with an art emphasis and a career as a medical illustrator. My portfolio was not good enough to get into one of the five medical illustration schools who accepted about 5 students per year. I did, however, illustrate a few articles for a doctor I knew. I now take pictures of all of our travels and, of course, the granddaughters.



SAFARI MOON Blurb:

Solo St. John, a wildlife photographer, is preparing for a trip to Alaska. Suddenly, Solo finds women of all sorts invading his privacy, his home and his office, all cooing nonsense words and blatantly throwing themselves at him. Solo doesn't know why, and he has no idea how to rid himself of the persistent women. He finally decides to beg a favor of his best buddy, Nyssa Harrington.



In love with Solo for the past ten years and knowing he doesn't return her feelings, Nyssa doesn't want to talk to Solo. She knows if she accepts his phone call, she will not be able to resist the temptation to hope again.



SAFARI MOON Excerpt:


Wanted: A professional wildlife photographer to take pictures in the Alaskan wilderness. Experience first hand a real safari moon. Call(555)381-1252 or send resumes to 2286 Main, Suite 2D Bend, Oregon.

Solo St. John was in the middle of an erotic dream about his buddy, Nyssa Harrington, when the click of his front door shutting brought him to instant alert mode.



Solo looked up, caught a flashing glimpse of a good deal of naked flesh; long legs, perfectly rounded derriere, and a waist he could span with his hands. The intruder's long blond hair curled around her shoulders an inch above the ties of her bikini top.

Then he saw the skunk. He blinked twice.

This woman and the skunk were not the subject of his brief and very strange dream, a fantasy that made his mind speed along at sixty in a residential zone. This was someone he had never seen before and he resented the intrusion.


"Hello," she cooed seductively from his living room. "Will you come out and play?"


The skunk stuck a black and white head around the open door to his bedroom. A second later the animal turned and lifted his tail before disappearing into the living room.


Solo was out of bed and pulling on his jeans before the count of five. Yet in that short time, the lady in question, along with the skunk that was now exploring his fireplace hearth, had taken over his living room.


The lithe, supple blond sported an expensive camera, and all the while the lady in question babbled nonsense words.


"I'm willing, able, and eager." She posed for him, a pose meant to entice.


I would like to thank my hostess, Caroline Clemmons at A Writer's Life, for letting me tell my tale. Remember to leave a comment to qualify for one of Christine's giveaways. Here's where she'll be on her tour so you can comment at each stop and improve your chances of a win.
March 12: A Writer's Life


March 13: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

March 14: Novel Reflections

March 15: Sugarbeat's Books

March 16: Megan Johns Invites

March 19: Always a Booklover

March 20: Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem

March 21: Reader Girls

March 22: It Only Takes a Mustard Seed to Make a Dream Grow

March 23: It's Raining Books

March 26: Rachel Brimble Romance

March 27: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog

March 28: Cocktails and Books

March 29: BookSpark

March 30: I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!

April 2: Everyday Is An Adventure

April 3: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

April 4: Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More

April 5: As The Pages Turn

April 6: Kacey's Kreations
Thanks for stopping by!

8 comments:

Caroline Clemmons said...

Christine/Ann, thanks for sharing your story today. Best wishes for mega sales.

Christine Young said...

Caroline thank you for hosting Safari Moon today. I'm off to work but will be back around 3:30 PST.

MomJane said...

this story sounds fun. I like historical stories too, but I really like both genres.

Catherine Lee said...

Christine (Ann)...That sounds like an interesting blurb and excerpt. It makes me want to learn more about why all these women are invading Solo's life...and why does that one gal have a skunk? Curious??

catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

Christine Young said...

Mom Jane and catherine Lee thanks for stopping by. Just got home from a day of teaching algebra to high school students. Had fun but I am really glad I'm retired.

The skunk scene was sooo.... much fun to write. My imagination whet wild.

Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel said...

Hi, Chris! Congrats on the kick-off of your tour for SAFARI MOON! Love the skunk--as long as its "deflowered." Have fun on your tour!

Paty Jager said...

Christine, Great start to your tour and interesting excerpt... keeps the reader wondering.

Christine Young said...

Thanks Paty. This was a fun book to write.