Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Countdown!

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two,
ONE!
NaNoWriMo is starting in three hours twenty eight minutes. 12:01 AM November 1 and the writing frenzy begins.
Cheer me on as I post my progress, and other ramblings.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

TODAY IS THE DAY - PLEASE WELCOME NADIA!

Thank you Nadia for dropping by for an interview. We have heard a lot about your book Enthralled in the last few days. Now we would like to learn a little about you.

So here goes:

1) If you could start over with your writing career, what if anything would you change?

To be honest nothing! I try never to regret anything I do in life no matter how it turns out. I view my writing career through the same lense. Good or bad, each experience has been invaluable and has made me a better writer so why on earth would I want to change it?!
2) What was the best piece of advice you received regarding the life of a writer?

The best advice I have ever received was along the lines of “you are the only one that can stand in your way.” I believe that wholeheartedly. You can be your greatest champion or your biggest enemy. It is all about how you view the situation.
3) If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

Indian Empress Nu Jahan. She rose to power during a time in the Mughal Empire when women were seen and not heard. She was ridiculed and despised because she refused to be dictated by the rules of society. I have always enjoyed reading about her life and the more I learn about her the more impressed I become.
4) If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?

Ariel, The Little Mermaid! I know that sounds corny, but I have ALWAYS wanted to be a mermaid which is why I was a competitive swimmer growing up and is the reason why I continue to do a lot of water sports. I just love the water and if I could meet Ariel IN THE WATER of course--not when she got her feet--then I could also be a mermaid for a day or for however long our meeting lasts!
5) In the next century, what do you hope people will remember you for?

I hope they remember that I was a loyal and loving person with a passion for life and for people.

6) How do you balance your personal and writing time?

Like most folks I have a lot on my plate, but if I am going to devote myself to a writing career then I need to do both my day job, my other activities as well as set aside time to write so I set a 10,000 words per week writing goal. As a writer you can set whatever writing goal you want but 10,000 per week works for me. The great thing about setting a weekly goal is that somedays I may not write at all whereas other days I may write all day. In the end I ALWAYS make my goal which allows me to get everything-OKAY MOST things done!
7) How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?

I usually just start writing and then once it gets too complicated to keep up with storylines, language and things like that I sit down and outline the chapters.

8) What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

I write erotic romance and within that genre my themes fall under multicultural/interracial, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi and historical. Now I got into this genre because I wanted to see more interracial and multicultural erotic romance novels so I figured if that is what I wanted then I needed to write them myself!

9) Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?

Candace from Enthralled because this is my FIRST published novel!!! I love my heroine! She is strong and corageous, yet at the same time there is a vulnerability about her. Mainly she is motivated by a desire to be a good ruler. To do what is right. Many people say that as a writer you should stay away from developing characters that are loosely based upon your own personality, which I will say in this case I did! However, I would like to think that a few of my own personality traits ended up in Candace which of course endears her to me. When you read Enthralled I think you will find that you can't help but cheer for Candace. She has so much to deal with and yet she remains poised through everything. She compromises but not at the expense of who she is. I love that about her and I hope the readers do too!


10) If you were writing a script for the big screen, who would you want to act in your movie?

Angela Bassett! I looooovvvveee her! She is just so amazingly talented and she possesses such a rare beauty and grace. Everything that she does is wonderful. I love her!

11) What would you want readers to take away from your books?

Set in a fantasy world Enthralled takes you into another realm and introduces you to characters that you only dream of! It is a perfect erotic romance because it has all of the critical elements, dominant men, feisty women and a lot of sensuality! I hope when readers open Enthralled that they feel like they are plunged into another world that they don't want to leave even after the final page.

12) Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?

Well since I consider myself a beginning writer too I guess I would tell them what someone told me. Rejection is a big part of this business but don't let it set the standard for your talent and your work. Just because someone isn't interested in publishing your story doesn't mean it is not a great story and shouldn't be told. Many publishers follow the trends of the market because ultimately their goal is to make money! As an author I respect that but as an "artist" I believe that there is SOMEBODY out there that wants to hear what I have to say. Twelve publishing houses passed on JK Rowling's first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Sone before a small press decided to pick her up. I bet all of those acquisitions editors are looking for new jobs! In all seriousness, when I reflect on her story it just drives me more. I truly believe that the critical factor in achieving success in this business is to simply believe in your passion. It may take days or it may take years before someone takes a chance on your book, but don't stop. Don't give up, because in the end your love for writing and your dedication to your craft will define how far you go as an author and your ultimate SUCCESS in this business. So just keep on plugging along to the next publisher/person because you have to ALWAYS believe in your talent and your work even if nobody else does.

13) Where can readers buy a copy of your book?

From my website at www.nadiaaidan.com

14) What other projects are you working on right now?

I am working on a five book contemporary series titled Friends and Lovers. The first title, Sweet Revenge is currently under review with an editor and hopefully it will be released in the next few months. This is actually the first book I ever wrote so it is very dear to my heart.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Who is Nadia Aidan?

Nadia Aidan lives, works and writes on the East Coast in the United States. Under her real name, Nadia holds a PhD in Political Science and Public Policy and by day she works as an Assistant Professor.
In addition to writing erotic romances Nadia enjoys reading other authors, playing flag football, studying muay thai, working out, listening to music, scuba diving, and target shooting.
Her other interests include collecting Top Cow comics, especially Witchblade and Tomb Raider. She loves professional football and soccer. Her favorite teams are the Washington Redskins and Manchester United, respectively.
Nadia loves watching, reading about, and writing about strong, assertive heroines which is why she is an enduring fan of Fight Girls, Xena, Buffy, and La Femme Nikita!
Nadia also loves interacting with people so feel free to email her at www.contactme@nadiaaidan.com

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Enthralled by Nadia Aidan

Enthralled: Candace and Ares—The Divine Series, Book One
By Nadia Aidan

About Enthralled iUniverse says:

This is one hot book! If you love feisty heroines and extremely dominant men then this is the book for you!

Book Description
Strong willed and beautiful, Candace, Queen of the Amazonian planet Kush is used to fighting battles, giving orders and subservient men. From birth she is taught the art of war and that men are the enemy. What she hates more than a man is a domineering man!
With a body as powerful as a god's, the heir to the Akkadian throne is far from subservient. A man of honor, Ares is all masculine dominance!
When war tears their planets apart the two are faced with entering into a marriage contract in order to save their kingdoms and their people. Forced into a marriage neither wants, at every turn the two warriors clash as they battle for dominance. But what begins as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into something more as they fight their growing passion and hunger for each other. The ultimate challenge comes when they are forced to forsake their old beliefs for a chance at a future together. Can two fighting spirits learn the ultimate lesson of surrendering to their hearts?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Nadia Aidan

Nadia Aidan
Nadia Aidan is visiting my blogs on Monday October 29th. She is touring on a Virtual Book Tour talking about her new release Enthralled.
She describes herself as "Nadia Aidan is an irreverent erotic romance novelist who loves pushing the envelope. "
Drop by and see why Night Owl Romance says
"Enthralled is an off world erotic romance. Think barbarians and amazons and how these two will clash. On the planet of Akkadia a King rules… He has 3 brothers and one sister. His father was a warmonger, but King Ares sees a different future for his world. He has a solution to stop the bloodshed. His people have been at war with the Amazon women and it's time for that to end.On the world of Kush, Queen Candace rules and her warrior women respect and follow her. She has been raised to not need a man, but something is missing from her life. She has not birthed any children. The doctor's say she is medically fine. Her mother has passed away and Candace believes that change is also needed, but she is unsure what to do.King Ares calls a secret meeting with Queen Candace. To end the war they will marry and provide a united front. A simple solution to a huge problem, right! Well it's not that simple and Ares and Candace will have to find a way for both of them to keep the respect of their people and also to follow the emotions they have for each other.Enthralled is the first book in Nadia Aidan's The Divine Series. Nadia easily drew me in from the beginning. The story was interesting and rich with emotion. I came to know many characters and very quickly. In many books when an author tries to put in a huge group of people it just does not work, but Ms. Aidan was able to do it beautifully. Along those same lines all the secondary characters were so interesting that I can't wait to read their stories. Enthralled was a wonderfully sexy glimpse into another world and how its people are dealing with the transition of war to peace, love and acceptance."

Friday, October 26, 2007

Virtual Book Tour of Nadia Aidan

Monday October 29th Another Author will visit my blog in a Virtual Book Tour. Nadia Aidan, author of Enthralled, will be here.






Enthralled: Ares & Candace
The Divine Series
Nadia Aidan
Review Date: 8/18/2007
ISBN: unk
Date Available:September 2007

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Chance to Win a copy of Prophecy of Vithan



Prophecy of Vithan is being featured on Stifle the Squeal . I am interviewed as well.

If you leave a comment on the blog you will be entered to win a copy of my novel Prophecy of Vithan.

Stop by and get your chance at winning.

Friday, October 12, 2007

National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo


I signed up for NaNoWriMo again this year. Last year I won. I made the 50,000 word count in 30 days. Of course, what I wrote was not worth saving.
This year I plan on winning again. When you win, you get a really neat certificate. I also rewarded myself with a HUGE coffee mug. And a tee-shirt that has typewriting fingerprints.
The best part of winning the NaNoWriMo or even entering and not quite making the 50,000 words is that you participated in something that thousands of others worked on. You have stretched yourself and accomplished something that millions of others never even tried.
This year I plan on starting my third novel, that is if I can get my current wip done. My new wip that will be written during NaNoWriMo is going to be about a prince with amnesia and a mermaid. It will involve seven vials and a moon called Aquilona.
Wish me luck. If you want to check out how I am doing you can go to www.nanowrimo.org and look up my writing stats.
Charlene Leatherman

Thursday, October 11, 2007

4.5 out of 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies



Romance Junkies.com reivewed Prophecy of Vithan and gave it 4.5 out of 5 Blue Ribbons.
What that means:
Our Blue Ribbon Rating System
2 Ribbons - a book I did not mind reading.
3 Ribbons - a book I enjoyed reading.
4 Ribbons - a book I would recommend to all my friends.
5 Ribbons - a book I would gush about to all my friends and recommend to anyone and everyone. A real page-turner.
See why Romance Junkies Reviewer Anita says about Prophecy of Vithan available at Cerridwen Press
Exciting action and wild adventure are found throughout this thrilling book, PROPHECY OF VITHAN by Charlene Leatherman. Powerful characters draw you in and make you a part of their story. Morgan finds herself in the center of a prophecy as it begins to unfold. There are those around her that want to make sure the prophecy does not come to pass. Surrounded by enemies, she goes on a dangerous mission to save the prince. She finds herself in a fight just to stay alive. Morgan is a wonderful character with astonishing skills and powers. Her strength and fighting abilities are amazing. She is a strong woman that is more than able to take care of herself. I truly liked this character. She has a wonderful personality and she works hard to protect those she cares about. I found myself anxiously awaiting the point in which the prophecy would take place. Len is a man that finds himself in a difficult situation. He falls for a woman he believes is an enemy. His skills are very similar to Morgan's and they seem to be evenly matched. The interactions between Morgan and Len are exciting from the beginning. The sparks fly between them whether they are fighting or making love. When all is said and done, they are perfect for each other. Len and Morgan find themselves on the run on a planet with many dangerous surprises. The thrilling action is fast—paced and breathtaking. The story is captivatingly imaginative. PROPHECY OF VITHAN by Charlene Leatherman is a fascinating science fiction fantasy that readers are sure to enjoy. "

Monday, October 8, 2007

Behind the Scenes

Today and for the rest of the week I will be guest blogging at NovelSpot.com. The title of the Host's blog is Behind the Scenes. I will be blogging about how I go about creating my characters, my worlds and my plots.
My creation process is a bit different from the norm.
Do you know of authors who use boardroom meetings? Job interviews? Auditions? Movies? and Person to Person conversations with their characters?
Drop by Novelspot.comand read my How to's on Behind the Scenes.
Charlene Leatherman Prophecy of Vithan available at Cerridwen Press
Defeat the Villain, Destroy the Monster, Deliver the Hero and Never Break a Nail.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Moving to Her Winter Home

Change of Season Change of Residence
I live in the desert. Desert Center California to be exact. My little burg is near the Mojave Desert, Death Valley and the Salton Sea. The seasons are changing here.Summer is hot - up to 130 degrees. This summer it was not so hot - only 120 but the humidity was high 89%. When it is hot like that we stay under the swamp cooler or the air conditioner.Two summers ago we had a hamster in a habitrail. We lost electricity for three days. We had the hamster in the habitrail in breezes. However we tried keeping it cool we still lost it.So, we got another hamster. This time we have the hamster in the habitrail during the winter and an open wire cage during the summer.Summer just ended. Yesterday our weather was 101. Today our high is 85.Today was moving day for our hamster. This entails capturing the little critter. Putting Scritch (that is her name) in a walking ball and letting her wander around the house while the cat watches the moving ball. The cat does not hit at the ball nor chase it. She just follows it around hoping the lid will come off and she will get some fast food.Then we unmercifully rearrange Scritch's enviornment. Her bedding is changed from cool shredded paper to cushiony and warm paper filler. We made the mistake one day of putting pine shavings in her cage. We found out the hard way that most hamsters are allergic to pine and cedar. So, now for winter she gets warm mushed up paper filler. Her air-flo bars are replaced by warmth holding plastic habitrail walls. Next step is finding Scritch in her walking ball and putting her in her new home.She snuffs around and digs around and makes herself at home. Scritch thanks us for moving her to her winter home by hibernating most of the winter.Me? I'm just the opposite. I enjoy the winter. It is envigerating. I get more done. I have more energy. I work out more. Its just nicer. I even write more. Which is a good thing.I wonder if there is a place that is always just the right temperature? Just the weather? A place where I would always have energy? Of course if there was such a place, I'd never see my hamster. She would always be in her winter home hibernating.Charlene Leatherman, Author of Adventruous RomancesProphecy of Vithan available at Cerridwen Press

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

4 Steaming Cups from Coffee Time Romance





Author: Charlene Leatherman
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Genre: Romance, Futuristic
Publication date: August, 2007
ISBN: 9781419910135
Pages: 275




COFFEE TIME ROMANCE REVIEW CUP RATING SYSTEM

4 Steaming Cups equal
Outstanding Great Read
This is a very outstanding book you would like to keep to read again in the future.
See why Coffee Time Romances Liadan gave Prophecy of Vithan 4 Steaming Cups and says:
The future world in this book is both foreign and unlike anything I have ever read and absolutely amazing. Morgan is the tough woman she needs to be, but has a softer side that she hides very well. Len wants to protect her and love her but wars with himself and with his orders over what to do about Morgan. The struggle and the pain that are encountered in this book is true of everyday life and that is what makes this story so 'down to earth'. Ms. Leatherman is an author to keep your eye on for more exciting work down the road.
Liadan
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
Excerpt:
Morgan scouted the aisles. The store was nearly empty, in the early morning. Morgan found a side door, opening it slightly. Patrol cars lined the street and parked along the alley. When the Protectors arrived they would be charging in, phasers blazing. Morgan noticed an old fashioned ladder assembly to the roof of the building next door. Morgan jerked her head up as the distinctive siren of a Protector's car came closer. No time to use the mainframe.Morgan stormed to the front of the store. The toy phaser pointed ahead of her. She pointed the phaser at Len's head."All right Prot, I know you and your friends are after me. Come away from the manager. You're going to be my hostage." Morgan shouted loud enough for the patrols to hear outside.Len looked quizzically at Morgan. "What?""Get over here, or I'll blow you away!" Morgan waved the phaser so no one would get a clear view of the toy. "Put your hands in the air, all of you. You, manager, end the call. Everybody on the floor." Patrons and the cashier dropped to the floor. The old lady struggled to get to her knees. "Nobody gets hurt. You, old lady. Yeah, you. You go out front. Tell the patrols Morgan Taj di Sonij has a prot hostage. Tell them if they come in here I'll kill everyone." The old lady, thankful to be away from the scary situation, hurried out the front door.Len put his hands on the back of his head, fingers laced. The manager spoke quickly into the vid-phone, as Morgan knew he would. Morgan knew patrol procedures well. The patrolmen would not fire or storm the store until the Protectors arrived. In a hostage situation, even Protectors hesitated. The old woman's warning would stop any early attack. By giving away her presence, Morgan saved the people in the store.Len placed himself between her and the view of the others."What are you doing?" Len whispered."You've been set up. You’re marked as a Rogue Protector. Your buddies are on the way, with orders to kill you and me.""But my father…""Is either in on it or controlled." Morgan hissed. "I know you prots are armed." Morgan changed her voice to a shout.. "Give me your phaser, now." Len reached into his holosuit and pulled out his phaser. He handed it to Morgan. Morgan roughly shoved Len ahead of her. "Out in front. You're going to be my shield."Everybody in the store was on the floor, face down. Morgan could hear the patrolmen calling with the megaphone telling her to surrender. She shoved Len toward the side door. Morgan tucked the toy phaser in her pocket. She waved the real phaser at Len."Be careful, that one is real." Len whispered. He cringed as the phaser swung close to his head. "Where are we going?""The metal ladder against the wall in back. While we're climbing, I'll creat a distraction. You contact Hildai. We need transportation. Get her to send a car to the roof."Morgan, with the phaser pointed at Len, kicked open the door. Patrolmen crouched behind the open doors of their cars. Cars floated a few inches above the ground blocking the end of the alley. The ladder to the roof of the building next door remained clear."Get back!" With one hand, Morgan held the phaser to Len's head. With the other hand, she held his collar and shoved him forward. She wanted the patrolmen to believe he was a hostage, not a willing participant. "I'll kill this Prot if any of you move." Morgan walked Len to the ladder. Morgan motioned for Len to start climbing the ladder. As he climbed, he accessed Hildai on his com-link. He whispered in his request for a car to hone in on his signal. Morgan started climbing the ladder after Len was part way to the roof. She turned and fired the phaser into one of the cars.The car exploded into flames. Billowing smoke filled the alley. The patrolmen scattered. Morgan and Len climbed to the roof. Two Protectors climbing the opposite side of the building crested the roof as Morgan came to the top. Len bent to help Morgan. One of the Protectors pointed a phaser at them. He fired. The phaser blast exploded on the metal ladder. Morgan pulled her hand back to keep from getting hit. She lost her balance. Len grabbed her holosuit and pulled her over the edge of the roof. He and Morgan landed on his back on the roof. Their eyes met for an instance. Fire and electricity passed between them. Another phaser shot hit nearby. Morgan rolled and shot at the Protector. The Prot dodged behind a cooler vent. A second Protector rushed at Len. Len rolled away, getting to his feet. He punched the man in the ribs. The officer punched at Len. Len blocked the punch and hit the man on the jaw. The man fell back. Another Protector took up the fight with Len. The Protector behind the cooler vent shot at Morgan. She returned fire. The phaser shot sparked against the metal.A patrol car landed on the roof kicking up dust and gravel from the roof. Morgan tensed, ready to shoot."This is the only car I could access." Hildai's voice intoned from Len's com-link.Len slammed his fist into the Protector fighting with him. "Come on!" Len called to Morgan as the man collapsed. The patrol car door opened. Morgan jumped into the car behind Len. He sat at the wheel. He put the car in gear and sped away.Morgan sat in the copilot seat. She triggered an electric shock blast to the roof. The blast knocked the patrolmen and the remaining Protectors unconscious. The resulting EMT blast disabled the patrol and Protector cars.Len flipped on the siren. Rescue vehicles landed near the burning cars. Ambulances and troop cars sounded their sirens as they came to rescue civilians from the vines and to stop looters. The patrol car Len and Morgan rode in became another in many cars above the city. The car passed unnoticed through the chaos toward the edge of the dome. "How do we get out of here? We have to get to the Temple? Which way?" Len asked."By the casino, a membrane you pass through." Morgan answered. She could feel her chest tightening."Looks like the patrols are too busy to chase us." Len guided the shuttle toward the casino. Even from the distance, Morgan could see ships going through a membrane of the eco-dome, like going through a soap bubble."Do we get clearance or something?" Len asked. "Not many want to leave the dome. The line is short. Wait your turn, then go through. Press the nose of the car to the membrane and push. The membrane will give and let you out. Watch the vines. They try to capture ships leaving the dome." Morgan said."Vines?" Len asked."Haven't you seen the vines chasing the people?" Len shook his head. "The membrane is by the casino to provide entertainment for the tourists. They love to watch the vines crush a ship and eat the passengers.""Eat the passengers?" Len said, pulling the car into line."The Vithan plant life is carnivorous." Morgan smiled weakly."I heard the plant life is carnivorous, but I thought it meant eating bugs or something." Len gave Morgan a dirty look as she snickered. "Do you mind if I tell you are beautiful in this early dawn light?"Morgan glanced at her reflection in the glass. The early dawn light reflected on her pale skin. Her reflection seemed paler than normal, almost opalescent. A symptom of low blood alcohol."I don't mind. Maybe you're right about not being followed." Morgan said with a sigh.Len positioned the craft directly in front of the membrane. One car remained in front of them.Len looked in the rear view mirror. Red and blue lights blinking caught Morgan's eye. The sirens started blaring behind them."Nope. They found us." Len raised the patrol car above the car attempting to pass through the membrane. "I hope this membrane thing will let two cars go at once. Hold on."Len gunned the accelerator. Morgan braced herself against the dashboard. The patrol car scraped the top of the other car. Morgan could hear the lights and the roof of the patrol car squeal as metal tore. The membrane screamed shrill high pitched ear splitting sounds as the two cars crammed into a space made for one. The car bucked against the membrane. Metal ripped as the two cars attempted to force their way through a space made for one car. Morgan leaned over the seat. She hung over the back, pulling up the cushion."What are you doing?" Len revved the engine trying to get the patrol car through the membrane."Patrol cars are equipped with a thrust booster. It's under the back seat. I can reach it." Morgan reached under the cushion to a panel of simple switches and dials. "Damn! It's written in Saroneeze.""What's written?" Len asked, using all his strength to control the bucking car."The switch labels. My Saroneeze is really bad."The patrol car jarred violently."They're shooting at us. Choose one or flip them all. It doesn't matter at this moment."Morgan considered the switches. The patrol car shuddered with another shot into its frame.Morgan closed her eyes and flipped a switch. The auxiliary sirens started blaring. Morgan grimaced as Len started cussing at her. She turned off the sirens. She flipped another switch. The patrol car shuddered then roared as the thrusters fired. The membrane groaned then screamed as if giving birth. Twin cars, almost conjoined, were delivered to Vithan. Their patrol car dashed from the membrane and headed for the dense foliage of the jungle. The other car landed near the dome by the casino. Morgan saw the owner from the back window crawl out of his car swinging his fist at the patrol car. "We may make it." Len said hopefully."They shouldn't follow us into the jungle. It's dangerous for cars without flame throwers." Morgan said. Her strength leaving. She stayed awake through force of will.A vine, thick as a man's leg, reached for the patrol car. Len turned to avoid it. The maneuver pulled the car into the open. Len gunned the car into the foliage, pushing hard against an immovable green wall. A Protector car came in line with the patrol car. Len maneuvered the car out of line of fire. Morgan fired the small phaser at the Protector. The shot did little damage. The Protectors returned fire.Morgan's side exploded with pain as her side of the car disintegrated. Len fought to control the car. She hung on tightly to keep from falling out of the car."Hang on. Damn protectors!" Len reached for Morgan, holding her in the car and tried to steer at the same time.Charlene Leatherman, Prophecy of Vithan by Cerridwen Press, released August 2, 2007Defeating the villain, destroying the monster, delivering the hero, and never breaking a nail. www.charleneleatherman.com