The Wild West Way with C.R. Moss & RM Sotera

Hi all! Get excited! The Hot Mojave Knights Readers’ Conference is coming up quick! :)

Today I’m here to talk about co-authoring the Double D Ranch Tales series and the special event my writing partner, RM Sotera, and I will be hosting at the conference.

During an interview, we were once asked about co-authoring and what drew us to write a Contemporary Erotic Western Romance. The following are our answers.

C.R.: I thought it'd be fun…sexy cowboys, rugged terrain, hot nights… ;)

RM: I agree. I mean, who doesn't like a man who can tie you up, lay you down, and basically keep you in any position he sees fit. :)

C.R.: What also drew us into writing the first and subsequent stories and dipping our feet into the genre(s) was a trip I went on where I stayed on a working ranch. There were ranchers/cowboys who actually wore the hats and chaps. There were horses, trail rides, campfires, cattle and food cooked outside. My muse started asking, "What if?" When I returned home with a handful of ideas, I went to RM and said, "Guess what we're going to write about."

RM: Yeah, that was an interesting conversation. I was a bit worried about writing it since I hadn’t been there in person, but C.R. had taken lots of pictures and shared them with me. We'd written another set of books together, and co-authoring this project just seemed like the logical thing to do once we did a lot of brainstorming and started verbally laying down the first story. We had a blast dreaming up the Dougan brothers, and then, adding two heroines that could bring the men to their knees or kick some ass, was an awesome feeling. And, it’s just grown from there.

C.R.: Speaking of co-authoring… It’s amazing when something clicks and our teaming up together did just that. RM defines our partnership best…

RM: Many people have asked me what it's like to work with a co-author. I do believe my answer surprises many. One would think that two authors, both striving for creative freedom, would find it difficult to work together. I am happy to say that I've found the opposite to be true. The creative relationship that I share with CR Moss is what I believe to be a once in a lifetime occurrence. As soon as we are in a room together or on the phone and we start brainstorming ideas for stories, the creative sparks fly hard and fast. Sometimes, I'm unable to process as fast as we spit out the ideas for stories. We just have that connection. We respect each other, and when an idea doesn't work, we file it for another time. Value and respect, commitment and willingness to accept change - this is our mantra. When the idea of Wild West Weekend (the first story in the Double D Ranch Tales series) came about, excitement drove us to pump the story out. It went through many revisions before we both knew it was ready. We had a blast dreaming up the awesome characters and the magical place they call home. I know we are extremely humbled and happy by the positive reviews and comments that have come our way - both about the book and our writing styles. I know, and I believe I speak for both of us, we have so much more planned for our readers and the Wild West/Double D Ranch Tales series.

And that brings me to our special event: The Wild West Way

RM & I are developing a sub-series for the Double D Tales, and we’re inviting the HMK attendees in on it! You’ll get to meet us and learn about us in a more intimate setting. There will be an interactive section of the event where you’ll help us write another Wild West story, and there will also be music and prizes. For more information, please visit: http://doubledranchtales.blogspot.com/p/hmk.html

We hope to see you there!

C.R.
Love & Lust in the Wild West ~ http://crmoss.com

About CR Moss:

C.R. writes stories from the light and sweet to the dark and deadly with varying degrees of sexual heat. Writing as C.R. Moss gives her and her muses the freedom to explore worlds of possibilities when it comes to love. And where does the tag line “Love & Lust in the Wild West” fit in? Well, for one, she lives in NV. Two, her stories take place, either in part or in full, in and around the Las Vegas area. In fact, even this website sports “a look of home.” The background picture was taken in an area just a few miles west of Las Vegas and happens to be the inspiration for the setting of the Double D Ranch Tales saga.

Midwestern Writer Tries Vegas by Lexi Ryan

I was born and raised in Indiana, and I’m raising my kids here. In fact, I now live in the house right across the little cul de sac from the house I grew up in. I’m a Midwestern girl in so many ways, and 90% of the time, I’d just as soon set my books in the Midwest. It’s comfortable to me, and I like exploring my home and its intricacies in my writing. When I wrote Text Appeal, however, I knew I needed to leave my comfort zone and set the book in Vegas—even though I have never been there (but—yay!—we’ll remedy that in October).

The hero of Text Appeal is a professional poker player, but I knew I wanted to set the book in Las Vegas before I even knew much about Charlie. My reason was simple: I feel like there’s this misconception that people who live in “exciting places” have lives very much different than the rest of us. As if geography might change how we fall in love or deal with heartbreak (or might save us from mundane chores like grocery shopping). Same thing with people who live privileged lives—it’s easy to think the money that makes their lives financially easier makes the rest of the issues in their lives easier too—as if an heiress doesn’t have to come into her own and find herself the same way the rest of us do. With Text Appeal I wanted to play with both ideas and show that someone who should ostensibly have an “easy” and “exciting” life doesn’t necessarily have either. So I set my book in Vegas and made my heroine a hotel heiress who is trying desperately to do all the right things and be the perfect daughter.

Vegas was the perfect backdrop for Riley because it symbolized everything she denied herself and was missing in her life—fun, excitement, reckless abandon.

***

“What’d he buy you?” Lacey’s gaze shot to the nondescript, eco-friendly canvas shopping bag on the couch. “Is it in there?”

But before Riley could respond, Lacey was pulling out sexy, sexy leather and Riley’s Inner Naughty Girl was squirming impatiently, saying, Let me try it on. Now!

Lacey’s jaw dropped. “Oh. My. God. This is so hot.” She laid it out on the back of the couch and looked at Riley. “Do I even want to know why my brother bought this for you?” She smiled. “Charlie’s always been sweet on you. If he weren’t my brother, I’d tell you to go act like the young woman you are and have a wild affair.”

Riley thumped her friend’s arm. “I’m with Chaz.”

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” Lacey said with a shrug.

“Yeah, but I have to live here.”

***

Riley denied herself all the fun things we people who don’t live there think Vegas is all about. And in Text Appeal, she experiences those things not because of where she is but because of who she’s with. Romance doesn’t need a fancy backdrop. It just needs the right guy.

And you know what? I loved writing about Vegas. I spent way too much time online looking at pictures and going to the websites of the hotels and restaurants in the area. I spent a ton of time researching casino security (SO COOL!), drooled over menus and read reviews. It was an amazing secondary experience. I can’t wait to try it first-hand!

Hope to see you there! J

~Lexi

Bio:

NewYork Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Ryan writes adult and new adult romances with humor, heat, and heart. A former college English professor, Lexi now writes full time. A proud member of Romance Writers of America, she lives in rural Indiana with her husband and two children.

Find Lexi Online:

http://lexiryan.com

Facebook: facebook.com/lexiryanauthor

Twitter: @writerlexiryan

Whirlwind Year to Bestselling Author by Raine Miller

So my name is Raine and I write sexy books. I’ll be heading out to Hot Mojave Knights in October for a fun weekend of romance book loving with other like-minded individuals and couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of the event as an author, because just a year ago my writing life was very different from what it is today.

I ’m a former teacher who used to spend all her spare time writing those sexy stories and keeping it a secret when I wasn’t teaching 1st graders how to read. *winks* You can probably figure out why I kept it a secret, can’t you.

So just one year ago something happened that eventually changed my life.

My husband took our two sons away on July 17^th, 2012 for a week at Boy Scout Camp. I love that week every summer when they all go to Boy Scout Camp. It’s my favorite. I love the solitude and know I’ll get a lot of writing done. House stays clean. I don’t have to cook anything unless I want to eat. I can swim in my pool without children splashing around in there. I get to stay up late watching HBO and Showtime without worry that a kid will see what I am watching. *everything I like to watch is inappropriate for children* Basically, I am a very happy woman alone with my free time.

I got right to work with a manuscript that needed some attention. I wrote during the day and then in the evening I combed over stock photo online sights and looked for images that could go onto my book cover. On the second night of my domestic freedom, I found an image that changed everything. It was a beautiful picture of a naked woman posing in an unconventional way but so perfect everything just clicked into place all in an instant. A serendipitous moment. I thought about the picture and what it would be like to be a nude model and meet the man who bought your portrait. My first indie published book was born in that moment with just the seed of an idea and a picture. Naked, The Blackstone Affair Book 1 was that story. I sat down and wrote the opening chapter right then and set aside the other manuscript I was working on. I wrote like a fiend for three weeks until it was done. I couldn’t stop writing and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The whole idea and story pretty much took over the creative writing part of my life.

I was scared to self-publish Naked, because I had only written books for small press publishers and knew next to nothing about how to go off independently all on my own. But I was blessed with the wise words and helpful encouragement from a dear friend and fellow author, Belinda Boring, who got me to press ‘publish’ on KDP back in August of 2012. What happened next was a whirlwind roller coaster ride of crazy that didn’t really stop until after the holidays. The books became bestsellers, landed me the perfect agent, and eventually a traditional publishing contract with Atria Books. It’s all a blur to me now. A crazy, scary, unbelievable blur with Christmas decorations mixed in.

Naked went on to make the New York Times and so did its sequels, All In and Eyes Wide Open, books 2 and 3 of The Blackstone Affair. Nobody was more surprised than I was, and nobody could have told me then, that one year later I would be a full time writer going to book signings and conventions like Hot Mojave Knights for my day job! True Story.

Never give up on your dreams and do those things which make you happy. Meeting readers and sharing the love of a good story is something I will never grow weary of. I can’t wait to meet you in October!

xxoo R

All About Raine Miller.

Raine is a New York Times bestselling author who has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. She couldn't stop reading if her life depended on it.  So much so, she turned to writing those sexy books herself.  Granted, Raine's stories are edgy enough to flip Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a smoking hot hero never goes out of fashion. Ever! Writing books pretty much fills her days now and she can be found just about anywhere that has white mocha coffees and wi-fi.

Raine Miller
Raine Miller Romance

www.RaineMiller.com

Hot Mojave Knights from Sir Scott Roahrig

I’m so excited to be a part of the Hot Mojave Knights convention. This will be a weekend filled with Authors, Knights and Readers from all over joined in one place to enjoy the passion of the Romance industry and get up close and personal with Authors and entertainment. From Friday night entertainment to meet and greets with the Authors to the Banquet Saturday night it looks as though good times are not sparse at this event. I look forward to competing with my fellow knights to earn your hand with kind gestures and I welcome you to approach me with the utmost confidence. Til we meet in October, I say to you, “Be brave, be confident and keep the passion alive!”

About Scott M. Roahrig

Scott was born in Mesa, AZ. Lived there until he was 8 years old. Then he moved to Colorado where he currently resides on the Western slope in Grand Junction, Colorado. He's a single father of three little boys ages 11, 10 and 7 and a career Firefighter with the City of Grand Junction. His favorite outdoor activities include snowboarding, hiking, camping and much much more. You can usually find him at the gym, playing at the pool with his boys or enjoying the beautiful landscape of Colorado.

You can find Scott on Facebook.

Oh Slutty Me by Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons

I am a conference slut. Yup, that's me. If an event has readers and writers, I want to be there. I'm one of those rare creatures: an author extrovert. As a kid, "class clown" was one of the nicer labels applied to me. As an adult, I want to be where the people are. And if it's not a party, I will do everything I can to make it one. Drinks -- yup. Goofy antics? Count on me. Funny anecdotes? I've got a million.

When I was asked if I wanted to attend Hot Mojave Knights, I said, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! It was only later that I managed to justify the business expense. After all, I have books to promote! New fans to connect with! And let's not forget the Chippendales party--which is now Hunk Mansion--but as long as it's got hot men dancing, I want to attend!

So fair warning! If you find me at an event, prepare to par-tay! Or just sit around talking books! (Can I have a fruity rum drink while we do it?) Tell me about your favs, and I'll tell you mine! (Elizabeth Hoyt just fined me for too many exclamation points. *everyone's a critic*)

Okay, this is a blog and I'm supposed to tell you about my books. Most people know me as Jade Lee who writes SEXY historical romances. [cover of Wedded in Sin pix] Wedded in Sin is up for a RITA award! Here's that book in a nutshell: I fell in love with Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock. (Not as Kahn!).

Watching it, I thought, “I have to write a love story for this man!” I just wanted to see him knocked on his butt by love. So I moved him to the Regency era, named him Samuel Morrison, and proceeded to completely confuse him with love. Talk about fun! Check it out here: http://jadeleeauthor.com/books/bridal-favors-series/wedded-in-sin

My other book right now is a contemporary by Kathy Lyons. Dream Nights with the CEO. Imagine a boss/assistant who start sharing erotic dreams. Isn't that always the way? You go to sleep one night, then start having hot dreams about your boss. Turns out he's having the same dream about his amazing secretary.

Okay, so it's possible that has never happened to me, but here's why you might care: this book is the funniest thing I've ever written. I knew the shared dreams would be hot (that was the premise of the book), but I had no idea it would be so funny. Since the hero has a comic book obsession, the dreams started taking on an unmask-the-superhero tone. And wow, was that funny. Don't believe me? Check out the excerpt here: http://kathylyons.com/dreamnightsceo.html

Okay, that's it for me today. I've run out of room. But never fear, I'll come back in a couple months to say hi again. And I can't wait to hang with you in Vegas! WOO HOO!

Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons

All about Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons

KATHY LYONS writes light, funny, sexy stories for Harlequin Blaze.  She loves the faster pace of category books and that her humor can shine through.

She leaves the dark, tortured love stories to her alter ego, Jade Lee.

www.JadeLeeAuthor.com / www.KathyLyons.com