BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR ROBIN DEETER INTERVIEWS COVER MODEL VIKKAS BHARDWAJ

Robin Deeter currently writes a Western historical romance series and a Native American romance series. Learn more about her and her books at her website. Robin recently had the chance to interview her cover model and has shared the interview with us today. 

You’ve no doubt seen this hunky hero on many of the steamy romance novels you’ve read, but just who is Vikkas Bhardwaj? I recently had the pleasure of talking with Vikkas and while he may be gorgeous, what I found most striking about him was his compassion, humility, and love of family. He may have a smile that can melt women’s hearts, but his heart is one of the biggest around, as you’ll see in this interview. (And, yes, his dreamy visage is on the cover of my upcoming release, Taming the Wild Heart, as shown above.)

RD: How did you get started in the modeling industry?

Vikkas: I’ve been modeling internationally for 10 years. I’ve done runway shows and photo shoots all over the world: Dubai, London, Sri Lanka and, of course, India. I’m also a Bollywood Actor and I’ve done two films as the main lead. And I’m now the Face of Romance Novels World Wide. I am truly humbled by all the love I receive and I give it right back.

RD: What are your favorite kinds of photo shoots?

Vikkas: I enjoy every photo shoot because it gives me a chance to emote and be myself and exchange energies with other models. It gives me the chance to become a different person, show different types of expressions, and, most importantly, body language. 

RD: What modeling awards have you won?

Vikkas: I did Gladrags modeling contest in Bombay 10 years ago, where I ranked in the top 10. I’ve also been on magazine covers like Health, Men’s Magazine, GQ, numerous music videos, billboards, and I shot for loads of brands. 

RD: How many books covers have you been featured on?

Vikkas: Who’s counting, right? *laughs* But I think 260 so far and there are a lot more that I don’t know about. I’m very proud of my stock site, VikkasZone.com.

RD: What would your dream vacation be?

Vikkas: It would definitely be Europe. I would love to go to Norway, Sweden, Amsterdam, and, on the hotter side, Hawaii

RD: What is your biggest goal for the future?

Vikkas: That’s a secret that’ll be coming up. I’m hoping to do films in Hollywood and TV shows. I’m very focused and determined in what I want to achieve in my dreams, as we all should be. Life is too short and we have to make it in this one lifetime before we are gone and left with only the photos on the wall. I encourage everyone to go achieve their dreams. Every particle in our bodies screams our desires and dreams.

RD: What else would you like readers to know about you?

Vikkas: I love my family. Without my family, I am nothing. I worship my mother and father. Because of them I exist on this planet. I have not seen God, but I have seen them. Learn to love one another regardless of one’s imperfections. Also, please never waste food. If you can’t finish it, take it home. I’ve seen too many children go hungry all over the world. We must teach kids not to ever waste food. All my love to you all and I thank you for showering your love upon me.

Please visit Vikkas’ website to sign up for email alerts about upcoming works, events, and news as well as links for social media.

Sacrifice and Reward: The Paha Sapa Saga Book One

Mid-18th century North America is a hotbed of unrest between many Native American tribes, who are feuding over territory. By this time, most of the Kiowa bands have been pushed west by the Lakota, who are on the move southward from the Great Lakes region. These invaders from the north want the game-rich, lush pasture lands of the territory for themselves.

However, one small Kiowa band is determined to remain in their early homelands in the region of what will be one day known as eastern South Dakota. These two enemy tribes are brought face-to-face through the vision of a young Kiowa medicine man.  

Sky Dancer, a beautiful, Kiowa widow, and proud Lakota warrior, Dark Horse, are forced to marry in order to create an alliance between their peoples. Right from the beginning they clash in a test of wills, loathing each other on sight, making a happy marriage seem out of the question.

Will the sacrifice that is asked of them save their tribes? Can these two enemies overcome their initial hatred to find love in unlikely place or will distrust keep them from the reward they both crave?

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#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--GUEST AUTHOR PATY JAGER

Raising hay and cattle, riding horses, and battling rattlesnakes, award-winning author Paty Jager not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it. She has published twenty novels, three anthologies, and seven novellas, all with Western or Native American elements. Learn more about Paty and her books at her website and blog. Today she stops by to show us how she converted a buffet into a vanity for the house she and her husband built.

Buffet to Vanity

Last year my husband and I sold our semi-rural property (8 miles from town) and moved to our rural property (40 miles from town.)  We were both excited to start this new semi-retired adventure. Only moving to the rural property we had to live in a 200 sq. ft. cabin while we built our next home. We lived in the cabin from July 2014 until February 2015. Yes, we built a 2026 sq. ft. home in seven months! We busted our fannies to get it up because we were getting tired of living in the small cabin. We had some friends put up the walls and do the sheetrock, but we did the rest of the house ourselves. Getting up in the morning and working until dark every day.

The fun part about building the house was deciding what I wanted in each room and how I wanted it to feel. Yes, I like a room with ambiance.

One day we drove past a second hand store and a piece of furniture that was in the window caught my eye. I asked my husband to turn around so I could check it out. He said we didn’t have time today. The next time we went to town I had looking at that furniture on the list of to-dos.  I went in, looked the old buffet over, and decided it would be the vanity in the master bathroom. But I had to convince my husband of it.  

 

After explaining to hubby what I planned to do with the buffet and how I planned to do it, he said I could get it as long as I got the man to drop the price. I only managed to get him to drop the price $25 but that was dropping, so hubby couldn’t say otherwise. ;) I brought it home, contacted a school friend who restores old furniture and asked her the best method to remove the ugly brown coat on the buffet.  She gave me some advice, and I went to work scrubbing the brown off and finding a lovely oak underneath.

 

Once I had the idea of the vanity in my mind, I started scouring the home improvement stores for tiles to put on the top of the vanity and finding articles on how to convert a piece of furniture into a vanity (the plumbing had to be dealt with.) And while at a plumbing store getting our toilets and such, I found the perfect sink. It was a demo and they had to take it out of the display, but they were willing to sell it to me. 

Our oldest daughter came over one weekend to help me tile the master shower and we also tiled the buffet/vanity. We used 12” x 12” tiles for the main part of the counter and added 1/2” accent tiles to the edge of the top. The hard part was getting them to lay well around the rounded front. [insert finished photo]

This was a project that started with an idea and slowly was pulled together, much like writing a story. I come up with a germ of an idea, and over time I gather the pieces that enhance the story, and before long I have a finished manuscript.

My writing project at the moment is a series about Shandra Higheagle, a Native American potter who becomes tangled in murder and is led to clues by her deceased grandmother who comes to her in dreams.

Double Duplicity

Book one of the Shandra Higheagle Native American Mystery Series

Dreams…Visions…Murder

On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up to her to prove the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than ever but just as determined to discover the truth.

Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue, including Shandra Higheagle’s visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan believes in them and believes in her.

Can the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an arrest before one of them becomes the next victim?

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR NANCY HENDERSON

Nancy Henderson writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance as well as humorous short stories about cats. Today she sits down for an interview. Learn more about her and her writing at her website, her blog, and her Litter Boxes and Hairballs cat site.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I think I was in ninth grade. I’d always loved reading, and one day I decided I’d like to try my hand at writing. I’ve been writing ever since!

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

I tried submitting to a publisher in the early 90s. I didn’t get “the call” until 2003 with a small press.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

Right now I’m a hybrid author. I write for Champagne Books, DCL Publications, and I’m also indie published.

Where do you write?

Everywhere! I work a day job, too, so I write in my car on my lunch hour a lot. I also write at home, in cafes, on the deck. Anywhere I can find a free moment.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

I used to write with music. These days, I write with the television as background noise. I also write while listening to podcasts, usually about writing.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

None from my life. I’m the most boring person you could ever meet! I hate change, love the steady, peaceful life. And my characters have anything but peace in their lives!

Describe your process for naming your character?

I don’t really have one. Sometimes names just come to me, sometimes I have to fight to find them.

Real settings or fictional towns?

Real settings. With my historical Colonial romances, I draw heavily on New York state history and the people and places which existed during this timeframe.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

Katherine from my historical romance, Blackbird. She never shuts up. This often lands her in trouble, especially where the hero is concerned.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

Hmmm….well, I’m known to break out in song and dance in public places. Yes, I love embarrassing those who are with me. And I’m just as bad a singer as I am a dancer! LOL!

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

The Wizard Of Oz. That’s my all time favorite!

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

I wish I’d started indie publishing a few years ago. I feel as though I jumped on the indie bandwagon after everyone else was already doing it. I love the freedom indie gives me. I can give readers the series and characters that they are asking for. I can choose covers, giveaways, release dates. The best part is I can please readers, and that’s what I love more than anything.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Tailgaters. And running out of ice cream during snowstorms.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

Ice cream!

My Keurig

My cats

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

I’ve worked at the same company most of my life, and I love my job there, so I don’t really have one. I consider myself very lucky having two jobs that I love: the day job and writing. You couldn’t ask for better.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

Anything by MJ Scott, Marjorie Liu, Stephen King. I have so many favorite authors and favorite books!

Ocean or mountains?

I love both equally.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

Country

What’s on the horizon for you?

I’m always aiming toward the bestseller lists. LOL! But that’s something I can’t control. I’m currently hard at work on a contemporary series about a small town and the unique people living in it.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

I love hearing from readers! You can find me at my website. http://www.always-a-story.com My social media links are listed on the website. I also have a newsletter. Just leave your e-mail address on the right hand side of my website under Newsletter. I promise not to spam you or give your address away.

Bounty

A bounty to live comfortably for the rest of his life…

A betrayal she would never forget…

And the journey of a lifetime…

Delilah Van Allen has her whole life planned. Independent as a mountain cat, she will escape to the wild and live off the land in peace. Until her father promises her hand to the commander of a fort in the remote Adirondack wilderness.

Mohawk scout Two Crows has been hired to escort a white woman to Fort Edward. He never expects to find love and risk the bounty—and the vengeance—he has been promised.

  

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--AUTHOR RUBY MERRITT'S CREAMY FROZEN FRUIT SALAD

Today we’re featuring a recipe for Creamy Frozen Fruit Salad, courtesy of author Ruby Merritt. You’ll find this recipe and many more wonderful desserts in Bake, Love, Write: 105 Authors Share Dessert Recipes and Advice on Loveand Writing.

Ruby Merritt is a teacher and an author who writes stories because they won’t leave her alone until she does. Her debut novel and first book in her Spirited Heart series, Ella’s Choice, takes place in 1870s Wyoming. Learn more about Ruby and her writing at her website.

Creamy Frozen Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups of sour cream

2 tablespoon lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 banana, sliced

8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained

1/4 cup sliced maraschino cherries

Mix all together and freeze in individual desserts cups. Thaw 5 minutes before serving.

Ella’s Choice

When Ella Hastings is captured by the Blackfeet Indians at age nine, then adopted by the Lakota Indians, she is thrust into a new way of life and transformed into Little Brave, adopted daughter of their revered and peaceful chief, Grey Owl. Ten years later the white man returns. Their soldiers storm her tribe’s village and bring reminders of a world she’d almost forgotten. Suddenly, she is confronted by the question: To which world does she now belong? Her only hope in discovering who she really is lies with the enigmatic army scout, Beech Richoux.

Son of a French trapper and Lakota mother, Beech Richoux was raised in a white man’s world after his mother’s death.  Acting as an army scout to raise money for his horse ranch, he’s unaware of the Army’s true intent to annihilate his mother’s people until it’s too late. And the white woman he finds living among the Lakota only adds to his desperation to save his people. Now the narrow path he has created to balance himself between these two worlds is tipped by the mysterious white woman known to the Lakota as Little Brave.

Can two people robbed of their own childhood learn to live together in such differing worlds? Can Little Brave and Beech forge a new path into a life where they both are finally set free?

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CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--DREAM CATCHERS WITH GUEST AUTHOR PATY JAGER

Paty Jager is an award winning author who has been a member of RWA, EPPIE, COWG, and EOWG. She’s taught workshops at local and national level writer’s conferences and online. Her seventeen published novels, two anthologies, and five novellas have Western or Native American elements in them, along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story. Today Paty joins us to talk about Dream Catchers. Learn more about her and her books at her blog and website.

Native American Dream Catchers

How many of you have shot up out of bed after a bad dream and wished you’d never had that dream? I think many of us can raise our hands at that.

The Native Americans have a craft they make that is believed to catch bad dreams and only filter good dreams down to the sleeping person. This spiritual sieve or strainer is surrounded by the hoop. Several of the North American tribes believe the hoop or circle symbolizes strength and unity. The best material for this hoop is a willow twig or any other flexible twig that can be bent into a circle and dried. Sinew or stringy stalked plants would be used for the weaving of the web. One semi-precious stone is added to each web, because there is only one creator. Or in some tribes it is the spider who is given credit for weaving a web that can catch bad things. And natural feathers found in nature are hung from the circle to allow the good dreams to filter down to the sleeping individual.

Dream Catchers were made by grandparents for newborn children. When they were still in the cradleboards the dream catchers hung above the child to give them pleasant dreams. The dream catchers are to hang and move freely so they may better catch the good and bad dreams. Good dreams slip through the center hole and slide down the feathers, softly dropping onto the sleeping person. The bad dreams are caught in the webbing and dissolve at daybreak.

The tradition of putting a feather in the middle of the dream catcher is to give breath or air, an ingredient essential for life. A baby watching air move the feather on the dream catcher above is entertained and taught how important good air can be. Children’s dream catchers have feathers; adults do not. On a child’s dream catcher an owl feather may be used for a girl. This means wisdom. For a boy an eagle feather, symbolizing courage.

In my trilogy of books set among the Nez Perce Indians, Spirit of the Mountain, Spirit of the Lake, and Spirit of the Sky, I found many interesting bits and pieces of information about the Nez Perce culture and their daily lives that I incorporated into the three books.

I have always been fascinated by dream catchers and thought it would be a fun thing to share with you.

How to Make a Dream Catcher

1. Using 2-6 ft. of soaked willow (or grapevine), carefully bend the vine around to form a circle with a 3”-8” diameter. You decide on the diameter, but traditionally dream catchers are no larger than 8”.

2. Twist the piece you are bending, around the circle you have made to strengthen the vine hoop.

3. Use 4-16 ft. of strong but thin string (the length is determined by the diameter of the hoop.) Knot a loop in one end from which you will hang your dream catcher when it is done.

4. Tie the hanging loop around the top of your dream catcher (or at the weakest point of your hoop.)

5. The dream catcher repeats the same stitch from start to finish. To start, hold the string and place it loosely over the top of the hoop. Move the string around to the back of the hoop (forming a hole) and pull the string back through the hole you just made.

6. Pull each stitch taut but not too tight or it will warp the hoop of the dream catcher and it will not lay flat when it is done.

7. Continue the same stitch for the first round around the hoop of the dream catcher. Space the stitches evenly, about 1-1/2”-2” apart (making 7 to 13 stitches around the hoop.)

8. The last stitch of the first round should be placed about a half inch away from the hanging loop.

9. On the second and subsequent stitching rounds, place the string around the center of each stitch from the previous round (rather than around the hoop.)

10. As you pull each stitch tight, the string from the previous round should bend towards the center of the hoop slightly, forming a diamond shape. You should see the spider web beginning to form.

11. On the third or fourth round add a bead to represent the spider or creator in the web. Simply place the bead on your string and continue stitching as usual.

12. Continue stitching towards the center of the hoop. Eventually, the stitches become so small that it is difficult to pass the string through. Make sure you leave a hole in the center of the dream catcher.

13. Stop stitching at the bottom of the hole in the center of the dream catcher. End by stitching twice in the same place, forming a knot, and pull tight.

14. You should have 6”-8” of string to tie 2 or 3 feathers which dangle from the center of the dream catcher. Tie on 2 or 3 feathers and knot.

15. Wrap a 1” square of felt around the knot of string and over the base of the feathers. Tie two 4” pieces of string around the wrapped felt. (Your dream catcher is now complete)

These are the websites I used while researching this topic.

http://www.dream-catchers.org/make-dream-catchers.php

http://www.american-native-art.com/publication/dreamcatcher.shtml

Spirit of the Mountain

Evil spirits, star-crossed lovers, and duty…which will prevail?

Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, loves the mountain and her people—the Lake Nimmipuu.  When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, she knows it is how she must fulfill her vision quest. But she is torn between duty and her breaking heart.

Himiin, as spirit of the mountain, watches over all the creatures on his mountain, including the Nimiipuu. When Wren shows no fear of him as a white wolf, he listens to her secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he must watch her leave the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin rushes to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

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