After listening to a presentation by a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent at a meeting of our local chapter of Mystery Writers of America, I knew that was the job for my protagonist, Raisa Jordan. Little did I know how much I had to learn. First came the research. A lot of people don’t realize how difficult it is to earn the badge of a DSS agent. The man who spoke to us made it sound interesting, sexy, exotic, dangerous and exciting, but did you know that a DSS agent must have a four-year degree from an accredited university? You could have a B.A. in Underwater Basket-weaving for all they care, but the diploma is required. You must also pass a physical, obtain a medical clearance, a Top Secret Security Clearance, and be determined stable, resourceful, trustworthy, and capable of assuming responsibility. After clearing those hurdles, agents attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and prove proficiency in job-related subjects, including: criminal law, federal court proceedings, use of firearms, personal defensive tactics, driving skills, security techniques and criminal investigation. And it doesn’t hurt to speak multiple languages. Then there was the job description. Most people think all DSS Agents…

A long time ago, in his 2006 acceptance speech for an Equality Now award, Joss Whedon (one of my storytelling heroes) gave a list of reasons why he writes strong female characters. His final reason? “Because you’re still asking me this question.” I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries. Nancy kicked butt. Yes. She got herself into trouble. But most of the time she got herself out of trouble too. She was also the one who always figured out what was going on long before anyone else. I loved Nancy. I wanted to be Nancy. I still do. And not entirely because I wish I could be sixteen again. Nancy lived. She got out there and just did stuff. Me? Well, I go to work, come home, write, workout, read, and then do it all over again in the morning. Anyway. Putting my Nancy Drew envy aside, why do I write strong female characters? Here are my top 5 reasons. I’m strong. My mother’s strong. My mother-in-law is strong. I write female characters who take the actions I would take in their shoes. Or at least the actions I hope I’d take in their shoes. Writing lets me pretend to…

THE UNCROSSING is a retelling of Rapunzel with contemporary, queer interpretations of the classic tropey characters from curse-driven fairy tales. Prince Charming-type guys, prone to chasing after girls who are trapped, silent, or literally comatose (come on, man), have not traditionally been awesome at consent. So I knew my Prince Charming for this story, set in a contemporary fantasy world, would be careful with consent. He would be aware of boundaries and navigate them in a way that would feel normal, integrated into the story, but still deeply important to him. And maybe even sexy. Sexiness in YA—not just sexual content, but specifically sexual content that’s appealing and aspirational—is a tricky topic, intricately interwoven with our convictions and personal boundaries. For me, I want to make sure that relevant issues of safety and consent are always prominent, and that swoony moods imbue those conversations and moments. Affirmative consent is sexy! Of course, when we say “consent is sexy,” we mean that consent is a minimum requirement for sexiness. Even if the conversation is awkward, or asking for permission leads to a painful rejection—in other words, even when the process of establishing consent isn’t particularly sexy—it’s still necessary. Without working through…

Is this something anyone really needs to be convinced of? Lol! I feel like most women can appreciate a guy who can, and will, cook. Especially if he’s any good at it. But okay, let’s talk about why these guys are so…yeah, I’m going to say it…delicious! My new release, HIGH HEELS AND HAYSTACKS features a guy who can cook. Why? Well, because I love food! Lol! But really, because the diner in my fictional small town of Bliss, Kansas needed an owner and chef and… well, Parker Blake stepped up. And I fell in love. And I knew that Ava Carmichael, one of the triplet sisters, who have been transplanted to this little town in order to fulfill the stipulations in their father’s will, would also fall for Parker. In fact, it was clear to me very early on in writing this series that Parker and Ava could not only handle each other, but they needed to handle each other! So, here are the top five reasons (in my opinion) why guys who can cook are hot 🙂 They appreciate just how important heat Some situations call for a little heat, some for a lot. And these guys are…

My friends often ask me, what made you choose to write romances about Highlanders? My answer: I fell in love with the Highlands of Scotland, the people, the history, and the landscape. But I have another secret reason that I’ll share with you. I believe the myth. I believe the myth of the Highland warrior, the myth born of legendary giants like William Wallace, and Robert the Bruce, and most recently, Diana Gabaldon’s fictional character, Jamie Fraser. And thank you Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns for creating a poetic foundation for the Highland myth. I love believing that Highland warriors were all seven feet tall, built like brick houses, ruggedly handsome, unbeatable on the battlefield, courageous to a fault, honorable, loyal, and, most importantly, amazingly skilled lovers. And I shamelessly perpetuate that myth in my most recent Highland romance, BETTING THE SCOT: Highlanders of Balforss Book 2. Let’s start with the kilt. From an American girl’s stand point, it takes cojones to rock a kilt. Wearing a kilt almost demands that a guy swagger a bit. It’s a tease. We get to see some leg (always nice) and we know he goes commando so, we’re waiting for that breeze….

About: Busy, with an overactive imagination, Romantic Suspense author seeks readers for fast-paced stories with well-developed characters who they will relish getting to know and hate saying good-bye to. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: The idea of the perfect date includes a rainy afternoon settled in by the fire with all the doors locked. Be sure to have e-reader batteries charged or plenty of light for your paperback. Don’t forget the chocolates, perhaps your favorite drink—and your Glock on the end table. Because the suspense might leave you hearing things…like the creak of an opening door or footsteps in the hallway…you get the idea. How fun is that? Dreams of a pounding heart and flowing adrenaline each time they pick up the book. Falls in love with heroes who fall in love with strong women who can take care of themselves, but don’t mind a helping hand from time to time. Demands justice for the victims and cheers when the bad guys get it in the end! #alwaysahappyending Doesn’t mind reading about heart-tugging topics that make you want to go out and do your part to change the world—even if it’s just for one person. Someone…

My favorite genre to read is military romantic suspense and it just so happens to be my favorite genre to write! Why? Military Let’s start with military. I particularly love the research that goes into making my military men and women believable and accurate. I want to portray them as real humans, with their own personalities and not just pigeon-hole them into the big alpha that has no fears. Suspense I love how the suspense in the book will move the story along. As an author, I don’t have to create “fake or contrived” angst because the hero and heroine will have plenty that comes from investigating and battling the villain. Villains My villains are often surprises, where the reader is not expecting the twist at the end. Sometimes, the villain is evident throughout the book and the reader is taken along for the ride of what they are doing and why. Romance I don’t just write mystery, but romantic suspense because to me, the crux of the story is the building relationship between the hero and heroine. It is the catalyst for the entire story, creating the human bonding that survives no matter what the villain has planned. Hero…

There are lots of fun things to do in the Motor City. My favorites include things like NOT getting mugged and NOT witnessing a gang killing because that’s all I hear about in today’s news. City gone bankrupt. The terrors of 8 Mile. A whole lot of empty urban landscape ready for filming the newest zombie apocalypse movie. But Detroit still has a lot going on that’s fun. Guess which ones of the following are true. A great big tire on I-95. It was a Ferris wheel at the 1964/5 New York World’s Fair, but now has tread where the gondolas used to be. Motown Museum. A small shingle clad building where Motown’s unique sound was produced from 1957-1072. Any Marvin Gaye fans out there? The crumbling ruins of The Grande Ballroom, a place that once hosted jazz legends and psychedelic rock bands. The Detroit Children’s Zoo. Don’t worry. There’s a new exciting one on the opposite side of Belle Isle, but the remains of this one are still visible. Michigan’s Central Station – Hundreds of trains passed through there each day…once upon a time The Heidleberg Project – One man’s attempt to bring beauty to an urban landscape by…

Get the latest from Brooklyn Ann for only $.99 Brooklyn Ann is back with a brand new Regency paranormal romance and she wants you to take a bite out of WYNTER’S BITE for only $.99. From now until April 15th, WYNTER’S BITE is available for a special discount. You can’t go wrong with a sexy new read! WYNTER’S BITE by Brooklyn Ann Scandals with Bite #5 She was thrown into an insane asylum for believing in vampires… Now one has come to rescue her. Eight years ago, vampire Justus de Wynter fell in love with bluestocking, Bethany Mead, and suffered the consequences. He was sentenced to exile as a rogue vampire, and she was imprisoned in an insane asylum. After years of searching, and dodging patrolling vampires, Justus has finally found his love. But even after he breaks Bethany out of the asylum, the dangers that face them have only begun. For Justus is still a rogue, with no territory to grant them safety, and Bethany is a fugitive. As they flee across the English countryside in search of refuge, Bethany and Justus must overcome the challenges of their past and find out if love is possible on the run….

Ever since I first saw the 24 series on tv, sitting cross legged in front of a tiny 11 inch tv screen, I was captivated by the idea of real time story telling. Okay – clearly I had to suspend my disbelief… not that Kiefer Sutherland’s character could pull of the amazing death defying struggle against the baddies, but that he could cross LA in less than five minutes! But still. The idea of a narrative unfolding as I watched was something thrilling, new and utterly enthralling. And then I read the wonderful HIS UNTIL MIDNIGHT by Nikki Logan – set in Hong Kong, the hero and heroine meet once a year in December over several years, until one night, and one incredible gourmet meal, the hero must decide whether he will fight for the heroine, or lose her forever. Apart from the fact I am a massive ‘foodie’, I loved the way this story unfolded over those series of ‘one nights’, and loved the way it played with time. And I couldn’t shake the thought… could I combine my love of 24 and real time story telling with my passion for romance? Could I really do that within a…