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!

AUTHOR ALYSON REUBEN STOPS BY + GIVEAWAY

Please welcome fellow The Wild Rose Press author, Alyson Reuben to the blog. Alyson has graciously offered a free pdf of BEAUTIFUL CAGE to one lucky person who leaves a comment. Please remember to include your email address!

The many faces of Alyson Reuben

Caroline: I love the montage of photos above. Great shots. Readers love to get to know authors. Please tell us about growing up.


Alyson: I’m the oldest in my family. You know those ugly stories that younger siblings tell about the oldest? Well, we have our share of those. Especially coming from my brother, Dereck, two years younger than me. He swears I led him around on a leash and made him do my bidding. Swears I intentionally got him into trouble, then stood back and laughed. Is any of that true? Of course not… but do you really think I would tell if it was? LOL My baby brother, Brandon is eleven years younger. I babysat him while my parents worked, so our sibling relationship is different from most, simply because there’s an element of nourishing that is more of an exception than the norm.

We grew up together in Brown County, Indiana, known as ‘little Tennessee’, a very rural, beautifully scenic area of Indiana. We moved to our current small town when I was a teenager, and although we’ve all moved away a couple of times, we find ourselves right back here again.


Caroline: I babysat for my brother who's just over ten years younger than I am. Were you the shy kid or the tomboy? Share anything that lets readers get to know the real you.


Alyson: Growing up in the country, I was a happy medium of princess and tomboy. I could make mud cakes and play with toads as easily as any boy. At the same time, I loved my dolls, collected 36 of them, and rotated their names on a list that hung from my wall, taking whichever doll was next on the list with me wherever I went. So I guess you can say I’ve always believed in diplomacy, fairness, and equality. Ha! And this attitude has carried over to my ten-year old daughter, who owns a gazillion Barbies and takes turns playing with them all!



 Caroline: I was a tomboy/princess also. Best of both worlds, right? When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?

Alyson: When I’m not writing, I’m usually spending time with my fabulous family. But I do have other hobbies. Lots of them, in fact. Besides being an author, I’m also an artist. In fact, I thought at one time that I would pursue art as a career, but later changed my mind. I love to sketch and paint. Sometimes I paint wall murals. I also enjoy sewing and quilting. Antique shopping is high on my list. There are so many ways to use, refurbish, or reconstruct the vintage goodies I find. Touring old houses is another hobby — I like to visit and learn about them (they provide excellent settings for my stories, also). Reading is probably my best way to relax. Unfortunately, I don’t do it as often as I used to, since I became seriously involved in writing. However, I’ve recently committed myself to reading someone else’s book for at least an hour a day, which usually ends up being longer. While reading, I like nothing more than to curl under a warm blanket with a cup of hot tea or coffee at my side. Sometimes, my cat Benji settles on my lap to join my peaceful escape.



Caroline: Sounds as if we have a lot in common. Describe yourself in three or four words.

Alyson: Four words that describe me: Passionate, scatterbrained, loving, eclectic.

Caroline: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise readers.

Alyson holding a copy
of BEAUTIFUL CAGE

Alyson: I have directional dyslexia. I can’t distinguish my directions — not even left from right — without pausing to think about it very carefully. A handy trick I’ve learned is to form an ‘L’ with my thumb and index finger, indicating my left. Embarrassing, but totally true.


Caroline: I know others with that problem. Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?


Alyson: Guilty pleasures? Does excessive coffee-drinking and eating chocolate and pretzels count?

Caroline: Eating chocolater a guilty pleasure?  Of course not! Chocolate is a necessity. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Alyson: I’m a little bit of both. For the detailed historical parts, I have to rely on research and careful planning. But for the human interaction and romance scenes I’m totally a panzer!

Caroline: Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?


Alyson: Yes, I set goals. I try to finish a rough draft within a certain time frame. Sometimes I make the deadline. Other times I don’t. But I’ve discovered that I can’t rush my stories too much.


And, yes, I write every single day. I write at crazy hours. I write in my sleep. Well, not really. But I do dream about characters sometimes. And I often wake up at absurd hours to jot down inspired scenes.


Caroline: What is it about a lot of us writers who keep late hours? What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Alyson: My long-term plans? I may have to write one or two more books before making it to the NY Times Bestseller list. Just kidding.

Making it to the top of the shining list has never been my number one priority. My first one goal is to tell the best story I can, and to leave my readers with lasting impressions of the characters and their story. To me, that’s what being an author is all about. I hope to continue sharing my stories for the rest of my life.


Caroline: Well said. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?


Alyson: I’m currently working on two stories at once. The sequel to A BEAUTIFUL CAGE, tentatively called A BEAUTIFUL TEMPEST. It centers on Rebecca’s American cousin Anna Bloomberg and Holden Ellsworth, an American soldier fighting in WWII Italy. Also, I’m writing a story that’s very different from my others. I consider it women’s fiction. In CASTLES WE BUILD, set in the roaring twenties, Julia finds herself in the impossible situation of being married to her second husband, a wealthy Industrialist, when her first husband, supposedly dead in WWI, returns for her.


Caroline: Both sound intriguing. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?


Alyson: Most important - keep writing! This sounds simple, but most writers know it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Don’t let anyone discourage you. Especially those who are closest to you. Criticism or a sense of disinterest coming from family and friends can be crippling— but only if you allow it to be. Also, in between writing, build your internet presence by blogging and participating in author/reader events.


Caroline: Oh, yes, building your brand is necessary. Tell us about your latest release.

From The Wild Rose Press

Alyson: A BEAUTIFUL CAGE

Wanted by the Gestapo, Rebecca Bloomberg is on the run for her life. Sheltering in the home of a reporter who writes absurd lies for a Nazi propaganda newspaper is hardly an ideal solution. Irresistibly drawn to the man, she dares not trust him, until she discovers his journalist position is a mask for involvement in an anti-Nazi resistance ring.

Gustav Von Furst has done all he can to perfect his mask. Neither his family nor his close friends know the truth. Hiding a Jewish girl is the most foolish risk, yet there is something about her that makes him want to protect her.

Eager to forget the outside world, Rebecca and Gustav are caught up in a private world of forbidden passion—until unexpected danger lands on their doorstep and they’re faced with a decision that will change everything. Will love demand a sacrifice too great to give?

Caroline: That sounds exciting! World War II and the Nazis are so important in our history, but many young people know almost nothing about either. Can you give us an excerpt?

Alyson: Here's the excerpt:

Splaying his hands across her bottom and mid-back, he pinned her tight.

She froze, motionless, staring up into his shadowed face, into eyes that glittered in the low light. How did he manage to look both irritated and roguish at the same time?



“Let me go, I—” But the words were smothered in her mouth as his lips plunged down over hers. She pushed at him, but he was unmovable. And with each passing second his lips ravished hers, she grew weaker, reserves fading. Even while she thumped his shoulders with her fists, her traitorous mouth opened wide for him.


At what point had she started losing control of her life? Was it when she lost her family? Lost James? When she was assaulted in the alley? Or when it was decided she must stay inside the von Furst home?


Well, there were some things she could still control. And this was one of them. With that resolve, she shot up on tiptoe, angling to bite his lips, digging her fingers into his back. She was going to take control of this kiss, dammit, whether Gustav liked it or not.


Caroline: This sounds like a timely book. As I mentioned earlier, I believe it's important the world remember the Holacaust. Where can readers find your books?

Alyson: Buy links:


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Cage-Alyson-Reuben/dp/160154958X/ref=sr_1_1ie=ITF8&qid=1319007144&sr=8-1



Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-beautiful-cage-alyson-reuben/1105584348

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_145&products_id=4606

My author links:
website: http://www.alysonreuben.com
blog site: http://www.abiteofreubensandwich.blogspot.com
twitter: http://twitter.com/#/alysonreuben
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alyson-Reubens-Author-Page/107423069337260
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5171065.Alyson_Reuben

Caroline: Alyson, thank you very much for sharing with us today. I can hardly wait to get my copy of A BEAUTIFUL CAGE and start reading!

Alyson: Thanks again for inviting me to on your blog!

Remember that Alyson is giving away a free pdf. of A BEAUTIFUL CAGE to one person who leaves a comment and email.

Prizes! Fun! Join In!

Please join me Monday when the Spooktacular Blog Hop begins, sponsored by the blogs "I'm a Reader, Not A Writer" and "I'd Rather Be Reading." From October 24-31, comment on any of over 400 blogs to be entered in a drawing on each blog. Click on the graphic at the top right sidebar to see who's participating. Winners will be announced on November 1-2. My blog will be offering a free pdf of one of my books (winner's choice) each day during the Blog Hop. And my giveaway includes International participants.

Readers, thanks for stopping by!