Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Power of Scent with Theresa Meyers Author of The Chosen



The Power of Scent

I’ve had a lot of readers tell me that they enjoy my writing because of the intensive descriptions. They say they feel like they’re in the story. As a writer I attribute part of that to the descriptions of scent I carefully weave into the story.

You see scent is one of the most powerful memory triggers there is. If you’ve ever been in a horrible car accident, the burnt rubber smell of tires will make your entire body tense up every time you smell it. When you were young if you associated summer with the smell of fresh cut grass, it’s relaxing in a way nothing else can be. And that’s why it works in fiction.

Your body reacts physically to the memory. As a storyteller I rely on that. It allows you to literally feel the story in a way nothing else can.

So I choose the scents associated with my characters and their locations very carefully. I have an entire box of essential oils everything as common as lavender or sandlewood to those more exotic like Casablanca lily or frankincense.  I have herbs all over my gardens and flower beds that I use not just for scent, but in cooking too—things like thyme, rosemary, oregano, lavender (makes killer lavender tea scones), basil, cilantro, about five types of mint including chocolate mint (which makes great tea), curry and sage, chives and dill. I also have roses and geraniums, wisteria and lilacs, honeysuckle, butterfly bushes (which smell deep and sweet like honey), and lilies. Sometimes I’ll even smell things that might be surrounding my characters in a scene just so I can describe them accurately like india ink or beeswax candles.

I love scents!

For my characters I’ll often select a scent that is linked only to him or her. That way when the hero or heroine smell that scent they have an immediate reaction or thought about the other person. In The Chosen I deliberately chose vanilla and tea for my heroine China McGee. Why? Well first I happen to love vanilla tea, but more importantly China is both strong and slightly acidic, just like a good tea. Tea is feminine, especially in association with the Victorian era, and vanilla is sweet without being cloying and makes us often think of home and hearth like sugar cookies. She needed that softness to her from having such a rough beginning and existence.

Scents are just part of how I write. In fact, when I write I usually choose a particular scent of candle and only light and use that scent of candle while I’m working on that book. It helps me get into the story faster. If you don’t like the idea of a live flame around your most precious books and papers, consider using an essential oil if you’d like to try this technique.

Next time you go outside, close your eyes and try describing your home from the scents alone. First what you smell outdoors, and then how it changes as you enter the home and go from room to room. You’ll be amazed how it changes.

Scents remind us of who we were, make us dream of who we want to be and can be the ignition to imagination.  What’s your favorite scent?






The Chosen
The Legend Chronicles series, book three
Theresa Meyers

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Steampunk

Publisher: Kensington, Zebra
Date of Publication:  March 4, 2013

ISBN-10: 142012126X
ISBN-13: 978-1420121261
ASIN: B009L93H2E

Number of pages: 352 pages (also includes the ebook about Marley, The Inventor, for the first time in print in the back of this book)


Book Description:

The Chosen: a prophecy older than dirt and more dangerous than death. Even as they perfected steam-powered gadgetry and rounded up varmints from Hell, the Jackson brothers didn't believe in it. But when the chips are down, three brothers named for weapons aren't going out without a fight...

A Walk On The Wild Side

Attorney by day, demon-hunter by night, Remington Jackson is used to being on the sunny side of the law, even in the Wild West. But it's showdown time, and Remy and his brothers are getting desperate. They don't have the relic they need to slam the door shut on evil—so Remy is going to have to find and steal part of it.

Enter China McGee, shapeshifter, thief, beauty, and current prisoner. When Remy offers her freedom in exchange for a little light-fingered help, she's pretty sure she's going to end the association with a good old-fashioned seductive double cross. But there's something about fighting through a jungle full of Aztec ruins that makes you want to settle down together. China could change. Remy might be special. But none of that matters if the devil takes them all... 


About the Author:

The progeny of a slightly mad (NASA) scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot.

A former journalist and public relations officer, she found far more enjoyment using her writing skills to pen paranormal novels in the turret office of her Victorian home.

She’s spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

You can find her dabbling online on twitter at www.twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers or at www.theresameyers.com




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Friday, March 15, 2013

March 2013 Bewitching Book Tours Magazine




This month's issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine features: The Chosen by Theresa Meyers and an article describing steampunk, Wicked Lies by Karina Cooper, and The Magic Seasons Series by Jacqueline Paige. 

Author interviews with Annette Gisby, George D Shuman, Folami and Abeni Morris, Charity Santiago, and Alex Gulczynski 


Our regular columns include: Tarot in Fiction with Alayna Williams, Auntie Ann's Homespun Advice with Ann Gimpel, and La Mamma Verde green living advice with Wenona Napolitano. 


The March issue also contains: poetry, book excerpts, reviews, and The Naughty Nook featuring erotic feng shui advice from Roxanne Rhoads, excerpts from steamy reads and interviews with erotica authors- Blakely Bennett and Skhye Moncrief

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Character Interview Knights of the Darkness Chronicles








Character Interview: Sergio Giovanni

I enter the hotel lobby and immediately spotted Sergio, the “Italian Stallion”, sitting in one of the numerous lounge chairs taking a sip of his drink. He indeed is a vision to behold. Dark hair cropped short with loose curls I find myself wanting to run my fingers through. His gray eyes catch me in their sights and he gestures for me to join him.  I try to calm down the jitters skittering throughout my body as I approach him. I swear I can feel the animal magnetism radiating off of him in torrents. It doesn’t help that he’s as gorgeous in person as he is described to be within the pages of the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles.  This sexy bastard gives me a cocky smirk and I nearly melt in my shoes! By now, I’m sure he can smell my arousal and all I can do is pray I keep it in check long enough to conduct this interview.

I sit down opposite his chair.  “HI Sergio. I wanted to thank you for agreeing to meet with me for this interview,” I greeted.

“It was my pleasure. I’m actually flattered that you called me about it,” Sergio said; then he took another swig from his glass. “Do you want one?” He tapped his finger on the side of his glass indicating what he was offering.

“Oh, no thank you… you know what, on the other hand, sure, I’ll take a glass of water.”

He rises to his full height and again, I find myself in awe. Even his perfectly fitted clothes couldn’t fully conceal the powerful muscles that moved with him as he walked away.  I couldn’t help being mesmerized by him, his every movement as graceful as the majestic leopard he turns into. He returned, handing me a tall glass of ice-cold water. I took a sip… well actually, I took several sips. I needed something to cool me down, literally.

Sergio settled back into his chair, resting one ankle on his knee. “Are you ready?” he asked me.

For crying out loud, I should be the one asking him that! Get it together, D.N.!

“Yes, I’m ready. Okay, I have a few questions from readers who wanted to know more about you. To be perfectly honest, I’m very curious myself.”

“Ask away,” Sergio said with a playful smirk.

“Lindsey sent this in: Obviously you love who and what you are and you’re proud to be a shifter. But was there ever a time when you thought of yourself as "cursed" or just a monster? Is there some part of you that wishes you were another form of supernatural?”

Sergio frowns immediately and I think I’ve just opened a door I shouldn’t have. “What kind of f*cking question is that?” he asked with a slight sneer.  “Would you ask a woman if she felt that she was cursed, or if she’d rather be a man? I don’t view what I am as a curse. Being a shifter is beautiful, we’re in tuned with nature. We are powerful predators with strong family bonds and I wouldn’t want to be anything else? What, you think everyone wants to feed off of humans like some damn parasite?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. You know, it wasn’t even my question, a fan wanted to know.”
“You know what, forget about it. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Let me apologize for reacting the way that I did. I just wasn’t expecting that kind of question,” Sergio said. “Seriously, relax… I’m not going to do anything to you. It’s just the way I am, I’m very passionate about certain things that matter to me.”
He offered me a warm smile as if to reiterate his point; that he wasn’t a threat to me. Still, I can deny what I felt when his anger flared. The heat he sent pulsing through my body was no doubt a warning. If anyone made the unfortunate mistake of thinking shifters weren’t as threatening as vampires, they’d surely regret their assumption. Sergio was every bit as sexy, aggressive and dangerous as any vampire I’d ever met… maybe more so in the aggressive department.

 I watched his body return to a more relaxed state. The muscles in his shoulders seemed to uncoil as he settled more comfortably into his chair.  I was beginning to understand just how proud he was to be a shape-shifter.  I wouldn’t be making the mistake of asking him that sort of question again.

“Well, another question submitted addresses the fact that people find vampires to be alluring, mysterious and all kinds of sexy—”

“--I’m going to stop you right there. Vampires have nothing on shape-shifters. We have the day and the night. I don’t find walking, talking corpses attractive in the least. I want to feel the heat flowing from a woman’s body as she lies down beside me without having to give her my blood first to get her heart pumping.  I want to see the sunlight reflecting in her hair or glowing off her skin. I know vampires got that whole ‘blood’ thing and for some reason people think that sh*t’s sexy.  Shifters like the taste of blood, too. Bloodsuckers like it more, I suppose, but whatever.   However, we don’t need blood to experience power or pleasure or even fulfillment like they do,” Sergio said. “Truth be told, I don’t understand the fascination with vampires… can you explain it?”

“I’ll try my best. People are attracted to them because of what their bite can offer. I’ve never been bitten, but I’ve heard it’s extremely erotic and pleasurable.”

“So is sex when you know what the hell you’re doing.”

“Well that’s most definitely true. I also think it’s the whole immortal thing and super strength.”

“We’re not immortal, but shifters have very long lives and our own impressive strength,” Sergio stated.
“They’re pretty otherworldly and I think vampires like to play up to their mystery and danger.”

Sergio chuckled. “If I didn’t have eyes for Elise only, I’d be more than willing to show you exactly how ‘alluring’ a shape-shifter really is. And as it stands, I don’t know if you have any idea just how dangerous our species can be.”

“Oh, don’t be mistaken, I know.  But let us continue, shall we? How would you defend your Pride against a vampire assault?”

This time, Sergio laughed out right. “These are some interesting questions to say the least.  Personally, I’d f*ck a vampire up. As King, it is my duty to protect the Pride.  So if those bloodsucking sons-of-b*tches are stupid enough to think they could just waltz onto our territory, they’ve got another thing coming. We’re not weak and our senses are sharper than you could possibly imagine. You ask me how I would handle that situation.  I’d take my hand, extend my claws, and rip their heads from their bodies. “

“Remind me not to piss you off.  Something tells me that you’re one formidable opponent.”

“You’re damn right.” He smiles again, showing off his beautiful pearly whites.

“Okay, here’s a question I think you’re going to love.”

“I’m all ears.”

“How much effort it takes for you to break your foot off in a vampire’s ass?”

Sergio barks out a laugh so loud, it attracted several onlookers. “I think that’s my favorite question so far.  Ah, breaking my feet off in vampires asses take very little effort at all. I’d do it for sport if I had the time.”
I giggle myself.  “All right, Mr. Giovanni, that concludes this interview and I’d like to thank you for taking the time to come and chat with me today.”

“It was my pleasure, D.N.. This was fun and I look forward to chatting with you again.” Sergio winks and I immediately feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. Elise was one lucky woman to have man like him.


The Guilty Innocent
Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book Two
D.N. Simmons

Genre: Urban-fantasy
subgenres: Horror, Paranormal Romance, GLBT, Multicultural, Mystery/Thriller.

Publisher: Rushmore Publishing

ISBN: 978-0615688381
ASIN: B004EPYUTY

Number of pages: 271
Word Count: 106415




 Book Description:

The Guilty Innocent is the second novel in the edgy, action-packed, sexually-charged, Knights of the Darkness Chronicles.

In this installment, Darian, the gorgeous, charismatic and charming master vampire of Chicago is framed for a crime he didn't commit, but why? His lover, Xavier, Natasha and a few others must travel halfway across the world to find out who and why before time runs out and all hell breaks loose!

Original, sexy and gritty, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget!

Desires Unleashed
Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book One
D.N. Simmons

Publisher:    Rushmore Publishing

ISBN-13:   978-0615678641
ASIN:   B004DCB6P4

pages:   294
Wordcount: 121436

Genre:   Urban-Fantasy/Dark Urban Fantasy w/Paranormal Romance elements.

Content warning: Multicultural and mixed genre such as gay/bisexual/straight pairings/sex scenes.Graphic language and violence. Strong sexual themes.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Mu3yBn5HoNM  


Book Description:

Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.

When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.

Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where she wanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives.

All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.

Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!

About the Author:

D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies.

She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.

To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com   D.N. is always interesting in meeting new and wonderful people.