Photo of the Week (#7)

Maddy-Shin's first day outside...

photo copyrighted by Ingela F. Hyatt

Ask an Author Week #3 Prizes!

Congrats to last week's Winner: lastnerve!

This week (April 27 to May 3) we're giving away:

The Rancher’s Runaway Princess by Donna Alward (print)	A Train Through Time by Bess McBride (ebook)	Kentucky Green by Terry Irene Blain (print or ebbok - winner's choice)

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win! This week we ask our authors: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why? Don't forget to leave a comment...or two...or three to increase your chances to win...

Ask An Author Week #3: Donna Alward

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Donna Alward: Mike Gardner from Marriage at Circle M. I would like to meet him just so I could hear him speak and smile his lazy smile at me.

Donna Alward is an award-winning Canadian author for Harlequin Romance. Her next release is HIRED: THE ITALIAN’S BRIDE, available in June 2009. You can catch up with her on her site (www.donnaalward.com) or blog (www.donnaalward.blogspot.com ).  

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #3: Bess McBride

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Bess McBride: All the men. I love them all!

College teacher Ellie Standish thinks she’s on a sleek modern train heading to a conference on women’s studies in Seattle, but she awakens from a night’s doze to find herself on a bizarre historical train full of late Victorian era reenactors who refuse to come out of character. When the leader of the group—one handsome, green-eyed Robert Chamberlain—finally convinces her the date is indeed 1901, a skeptical Ellie decries any eccentric theories of time travel and presumes she is smack dab in the middle of a very interesting historical dream. She turns the directorial reins of her dream over to one smitten and willing Robert, only to realize that dreams cannot last forever. Someday, she must wake up to reality, though Ellie no longer has any idea what reality is. She only knows that Robert must play an important part in her future. But how can he...if he’s only a figment of her imagination or worse yet...a man who belongs to an era long past?  

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #3: Terry Irene Blain

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Terry Irene Blain: The heroine of my WIP, to find out why she’d turn down/resist the wonderful hero I’ve made for her. I need some reason to keep them apart so that I actually have a story. 

Kentucky Green: Journeying to her childhood home of Kentucky, April Williamson allows nothing to deter her. Certainly not Dan McKenzie who’s duty bound to escort her. Dan believes the frontier of 1794 is no place for women. But in spite of their mutual attractions, a dark secret in his past means April cannot be his.

Buy the eBook

Buy the Paperback

Ask An Author Week #3: Sherry King

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Sherry King: Chanah, the psychic heroine in my novel "The Stray," (coming soon from L&L Dreamspell) is interesting because of her unique background and abilities, and also one of the nicest characters I've created.

The Ghost Amethyst: Sexy professor TOM's undead ex-wife ELAINE sustains her unnatural existence by consuming the blood and sexual fluids of Tom and his lovers. Can Tom's true love, VI save him with the power of her trust and a special amethyst stone, or will she be Elaine's next victim? 

Visit Sherry's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Sherry Lewis:

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Sherry Lewis: That’s a tough question! I’d want to meet all of them or I wouldn’t have chosen to write about them. But if I have to choose one, it would be Sam Evans, who appeared in WHISPERS THROUGH TIME and then had his own book in AN ECHO IN TIME. He’s just a great guy. He’s honest, funny, and sexy. What’s not to love?

Sherry is the multi-published author of contemporary and time-travel romance, and of traditional mystery. When she’s not writing or talking on the phone with her incredibly beautiful, intelligent and gifted grandchildren, she can be found teaching writing classes online. 

Visit Sherry's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Patti Shenberger

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Patti Shenberger: I would absolutely meet Laird Kyle MacLay from The Laird's Lady. A ghost who can't pass on and needs help to do so would be a challenge and at the same time quite an adventure. And of course the fact he is Scottish, handsome and oh so sexy doesn't hurt the cause either.

The Laird's Lady from TWRP is Patti's latest release. Published in paranormal, historical time travel, and contemporary romance, Patti loves to hear from readers and writers alike. Please check out her webpage at www.pattishenberger.com. She is married with two grown children, two pets, and lives in Michigan. 

Buy Patti's Books 

Ask An Author Week #3: Michelle Beattie

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Michelle Beattie: Definitely Luke from What a Pirate Desires because he does remind me of Johnny Depp and I love his confidence and his sense of humour is very similar to mine so I know he'd make me smile.

I live in Alberta Canada, in an off-grid house run completely by solar power. I began writing shortly after coming back from my honeymoon.  
I originally wrote westerns but fell in love with Pirates of the Caribbean and wrote my own pirate story, which became the first book I ever sold.

Visit Michelle's Website

Ask An Author Week #3: Ingela F. Hyatt

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Ingela F. Hyatt: Wow, that is a really hard question to answer. Well, I feel for all my heroines, and I love ALL my heroes...BUT if I had to choose, I think it would be a tie between Alexande Fredrick Augustus Telford (Marquis of Ravenspur) and Sir Garrett Montgomery (the Raven). I would love to me Alexande, not just because he's dark, dangerous, and sexy as hell, but because he is my first full fledged rogue and inspired a whole series of books in a time period I never dreamed of writing (Georgian England--my first books were all written in Medieval England). And Sir Garrett because he is a dark and tortured soul who is the protagonist of a book I wrote many years ago and I have never forgotten him. In fact, I've promised myself I will one day go back and revise the manuscript so Garrett's story can be published. Of course, I would love to meet the current hero of my WIP, Logan...and wouldn't mind being seduced by him either. ;)

He is a desperate prisoner escaped from the dungeons... She is his beautiful and daring captive... Will his passion kill again?

Imprisoned by his look-alike cousin, Lord Reynard de Fauconer escapes with the aid of beautiful Lady Rianna de Termonde, come to marry the imposter Baron Rothwell. Desperate to escape his cousin's wrath, Reynard kidnaps Rianna realizing, though unbeknownst to her, he is her true betrothed, becoming infuriated when she does not recognize him. Racing across England, they fight brigands, hidden foes, and a love so passionate it threatens to destroy them both.

Buy Ingela's Book

Visit Ingela's Website

Ask An Author Week #3: Kelley Heckart

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Kelley Heckart: Nemu. She is my heroine from Of Water and Dragons, Ravenwolf and the soon to be released—Night's Daughter. She is a half-human, half-water faery (Ashray) and she has lived for at least a thousand years. She has had to make some difficult choices in her long life and she is not flawless, having had a dark past and the opportunity to redeem herself. I think she would have words of wisdom for me and be a fascinating character to have a conversation with. 

Morgaine will do anything to save Avalon, but is she willing to sacrifice Lancelot, the only man capable of filling her heart with love?   

Visit Kelley's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Patricia Sargeant

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Patricia Sargeant: That depends on my mood. From You Belong to Me, Nicole Collins is pretty intense. In a more relaxed mood, we'd balance each other out. But, if I were feeling wound up, I'd walk up to the hero, Malcolm Bryant, smack him and tell him to snap out of it. From On Fire, I'd enjoy chatting with Sharon MacCabe about current events for hours on end. And, while I there, I'd stop by the hero's house, Matthew Brandon, give him a hug and tell him everything will be all right.

Sweet Deception is a single-title contemporary romance featuring a dutiful minister's daughter who leads a secret life as an erotic romance author. When her secret is revealed, she's forced to choice between obligation and passion. 

Visit Patricia's Website

Ask An Author Week #3: Elizabeth Sinclair

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Elizabeth Sinclair: Rachael Sutherland from BAPTISM IN FIRE. She's strong when the circumstances call for it, yet vulnerable and sensitive.

I’ve written over a dozen novels for Harlequin/Silhouette, Kensington, and Medallion Press. My husband and I live in St. Augustine, FL with our two “furry children” -- Ripley, a collie, and Lily, a Golden Retriever. Current releases – Angel Unaware and Burning Secrets. Upcoming release – Garden of the Moon 12/10.

Buy Elizabeth's Books @ Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com

Ask An Author Week #3: Michele Dunaway

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Michele Dunaway: Chase McDaniel, my upcoming hero in Bachelor CEO. He's simply divine. He's the ultimate CEO and the ultimate good guy.

Best selling author Michele Dunaway writes about love, American Style, for Harlequin American Romance. Her current book, her twentieth, is Twins for the Teacher, a March 2009 release. Bachelor CEO follows in July.

Visit Michele's Blog

Visit Michele's Publisher

Ask An Author Week #3: Kate Alister

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Kate Alister: My heroes are all much younger than I am so meeting them would be pointless. I also have a wonderful husband. I would like to meet Jack Hailey, the director of the CIA in my novels. Jack created a special team where loyalty to their country was mandatory, but emotional sensitivity and a strong respect for human life was also extremely necessary. Jack's team members were highly skilled and smart enough to fulfill mission objectives without compromizing their integrity. The team's methods were often unconconventional, but Jack gave them free reign because he believed in them. Jack formed his team after careful psychological analysis of the agents. These are his White Knights. He got as close to getting into their heads as anyone could. Jack looked after his people as if they were his own children, and he put them into situations where they could meet their life partners. What they did with the opportunity was up to them, but the books in series showed them more than capable of pursuing their dreams eventhough they were met with obstacles.

Ask An Author Week #3: Paty Jager

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Paty Jager: This is tough because all of my characters are like family and I feel like I know them. And have met them. I guess it would be Aileen the heroine in my June release, Miner in Petticoats. She's been through a lot and yet has a strong sense of who she is and what she wants out of life. And fierce maternal instincts.

Award-winning author, Paty Jager, has a third book in the Halsey brother series, Miner in Petticoats, available June 12, 2009. Ethan Halsey clashes with Aileen Miller, a widow, who refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle, their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide. 

Visit Paty's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Carrie Lofty

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Carrie Lofty: Meg from What a Scoundrel Wants. She'd be a hard person to know, but one worth befriending and finding common ground with. Some friendships come easily for people, but not for her, which makes me think she would be incredibly loyal to those she let into her inner circle.

Born in California, raised in Indiana, Carrie found the love of her life in England. What a Scoundrel Wants, the hot, adventurous tale of Will Scarlet and his dangerous lady love, was a 12/08 Zebra Debut. Scoundrel’s Kiss will follow in 01/10, featuring a warrior monk and an opium addict. 

Visit Carrie's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Shelley Mosley/Deborah Shelley

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Shelley Mosley/Deborah Shelley: Danny Ricucci, the hero of Marriage 101, is a piano-playing high school coach with a great sense of humor. He has a large Italian family with some very interesting characters in it. I’d love to meet him in person.

I write as Deborah Shelley with Deborah Mazoyer. Our novels are in Dutch, Danish, French, Russian, Norwegian, Portuguese, and large type. My nonfiction includes: The Suffragists in Literature for Youth; Romance Today: An A-to-Z Guide to Contemporary American Romance Writers; The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Ultimate Reading List; and Crash Course in Library Supervision.

Visit Shelley's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Jacquie Rogers:

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Jacquie Rogers: I love them all! And are you including only human characters? From Faery Special Romances, I thought Caedmon was intriguing. His story is Much Ado About Faeries. Caedmon is a faery man of the Sun Clan and is Chief of Portal Police. He’s macho and he has no time for courting. The faery queen insists he woo the woman chosen for him, but all he wants to do is hit something. Thankfully, the goblins invaded so he could work off a little steam.

I'm a former software designer, campaign manager, deli clerk, and cow milker, but always a bookworm. I've been writing fiction for nearly 10 years, and have several completed novel-length manuscripts in the western historical and futuristic romance genres. My current release is a short contemporary novel, Down Home Ever Lovin' Mule Blues (trade paperback). Before that, Faery Special Romances was released: 10 stories in 10 time periods. Royalties go to Children Tumor Foundation: http://www.ctf.org

Visit Jacquie's Website 

Ask An Author Week #3: Nancy Haddock

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Nancy Haddock: I'd like to meet and hang out with Cesca because she's a hoot, but I love big cats, so it would be a gas to meet Pandora. 

Cesca Marinelli is on an afterlife high until a budding stand-up comic, Jo-Jo the Jester, escapes from his Atlanta nest looking for sanctuary. With a psychotic vampire in the wings, and a plague knocking off the country’s head vamps, Cesca must unravel the mystery even it kills her. Again.

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #3: Elizabeth L'Inconnu

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Elizabeth L'Inconnu: Oh it's a triple tie - 3 is my favorite number... Hey, be good now...Adam and Adrian Gentry - Adam is a sexy, cool and very hot actor, and a werewolf, he is the hero from To Catch a Wolf. The last thing he wants is a mate. So I gave him one. To Catch a Wolf is available on Amazon. Adrian is from the second book, To Hunt a Wolf, which should be released in May. Adrian is a tortured lone wolf, looking for escape and redemption. He's stuck in his wolf form until the silver bullet is removed from his rump. Why, oh my reasons are entirely too shallow - they are both sexy beasts.For a non-shallow reason - it would be Victor Stanton, my hero from the upcoming anthology, La Casa di Segreti, because he has died already and been brought back to life. Maybe he can answer some questions?

Victoria Powers and Adam Gentry are caught in the same trap. Regardless of the temptations Victoria wags under his nose, Adam doesn't want a mate. Victoria does not want a mate either, but with full moon coming, can they fight their attraction or will their werewolf genes win?  

Buy the Book 

Visit Elizabeth's Website

Ask An Author Week #3: Phoebe Conn/Cinnamon Burke

Question: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

Phoebe Conn/Cinnamon Burke: I love all my characters, but Viper from TENDER SAVAGE will always be one of my favorites. He was a brave warrior, wonderful lover, had a great sense of humor, and sacrificed everything for the woman he loved.

I was blessed with parents who read to me, so I grew up loving to read. Taking up writing was a natural for me. I began writing one summer for fun, and have kept writing since. Books change lives, that is a marvelous gift.

Visit Phoebe's Website 

Photo of the Week (#6)

Are you my mommy?

(Rogue's first day with his new family...)

photo copyrighted by Ingela F. Hyatt

Ask An Author Week #2 Prizes!

Ask an Author Week #1 Prize Winner: Babyblue22!  Congratulations.  To recieve your books, please email me at: author@ingelahyatt.com (copy  & past into your email program) ASAP to confirm who you are. (I will be asking a question to identitfy you.)  You have 72 hours to respond, if you do not email me by that time, another winner will be chosen.

This week (April 20 to 26) we're giving away:

Twins for the Teacher by Michele Dunaway (print)	A Knight of Passion by Ingela F. Hyatt (ebook)
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues by Jacquie Rogers (print or ARC in pdf - author's choice)

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win! This week we ask our authors: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why? Is there a question you'd like to ask the authors? Leave it in your comment, and you just might see the answer in future Ask An Author segments. (Don't forget to leave a comment...or two...or three...)

Ask An Author Week #2: Carrie Lofty

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Carrie Lofty: I'd go back to the Edwardian/Gilded Age because it stands on the cusp of modernity, without the radical atrocities yet to come in the 20th century. That sort of unbridled admiration for modernity, new thinking, progressive ideals, and technology would be interesting to see first hand, although somewhat quaint too. Everything they would've been so proud of and so scared of would pale compared to what we know about the trials they had yet to face and the wonders yet to come.

Born in California, raised in Indiana, Carrie found the love of her life in England. What a Scoundrel Wants, the hot, adventurous tale of Will Scarlet and his dangerous lady love, was a 12/08 Zebra Debut. Scoundrel’s Kiss will follow in 01/10, featuring a warrior monk and an opium addict. 

Visit Carrie's Website 

Ask An Author Week #2: Elizabeth L'Inconnu

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Elizabeth L'Inconnu: Ancient Egypt - really ancient. I am fascinated with very early civilization.

Victoria Powers and Adam Gentry are caught in the same trap. Regardless of the temptations Victoria wags under his nose, Adam doesn't want a mate. Victoria does not want a mate either, but with full moon coming, can they fight their attraction or will their werewolf genes win?  

Buy the Book 

Visit Elizabeth's Website

Ask An Author Week #2: Nancy Haddock:

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Nancy Haddock: Regency England, but I'd have to be accepted in the Upper Ten Thousand. Or at least be of the landed gentry - and not of the penniless persuasion. I've always loved the UK - England, Scotland, Wales (and Ireland, too) - and am mad about the Regnecy period. Why? Past life connections? Truthfully, I only know I have a tremendous pull to that general time period!

Cesca Marinelli is on an afterlife high until a budding stand-up comic, Jo-Jo the Jester, escapes from his Atlanta nest looking for sanctuary. With a psychotic vampire in the wings, and a plague knocking off the country’s head vamps, Cesca must unravel the mystery even it kills her. Again.

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #2: Jacquie Rogers

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Jacquie Rogers: If I were a man, I’d like to travel back in time and be a member of Alexander the Great’s army. Why would his men follow him to the end of the earth? What made him such a great leader? I’ve read many books about him but none of the speculation about his character makes sense. But I’m not a man, so I’ll choose early Picts. I don’t know much about them, only enough to be intrigued.

I'm a former software designer, campaign manager, deli clerk, and cow milker, but always a bookworm. I've been writing fiction for nearly 10 years, and have several completed novel-length manuscripts in the western historical and futuristic romance genres. My current release is a short contemporary novel, Down Home Ever Lovin' Mule Blues (trade paperback). Before that, Faery Special Romances was released: 10 stories in 10 time periods. Royalties go to Children Tumor Foundation: http://www.ctf.org

Visit Jacquie's Website 

Ask An Author Week #2: Phoebe Conn/Cinnamon Burke

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Phoebe Conn/Cinnamon Burke: I'd like to visit the Viking era because women were respected, could own property, and divorce husbands who disappointed them, so it would be a past with values I'd recognize.

I was blessed with parents who read to me, so I grew up loving to read. Taking up writing was a natural for me. I began writing one summer for fun, and have kept writing since. Books change lives, that is a marvelous gift.

Visit Phoebe's Website 

Ask An Author Week #2: Bess McBride

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Bess McBride: The Regency era in England...just to see if it was really as structured as they say, plus I wouldn’t have to wear corsets.

College teacher Ellie Standish thinks she’s on a sleek modern train heading to a conference on women’s studies in Seattle, but she awakens from a night’s doze to find herself on a bizarre historical train full of late Victorian era reenactors who refuse to come out of character. When the leader of the group—one handsome, green-eyed Robert Chamberlain—finally convinces her the date is indeed 1901, a skeptical Ellie decries any eccentric theories of time travel and presumes she is smack dab in the middle of a very interesting historical dream. She turns the directorial reins of her dream over to one smitten and willing Robert, only to realize that dreams cannot last forever. Someday, she must wake up to reality, though Ellie no longer has any idea what reality is. She only knows that Robert must play an important part in her future. But how can he...if he’s only a figment of her imagination or worse yet...a man who belongs to an era long past?  

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #2: Paty Jager

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Paty Jager: It would be the 1800's in the West. It's what I write because I love the wildness, the struggles, and that people had to rely on themselves to survive.

Award-winning author, Paty Jager, has a third book in the Halsey brother series, Miner in Petticoats, available June 12, 2009. Ethan Halsey clashes with Aileen Miller, a widow, who refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle, their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide. 

Visit Paty's Website 

Ask An Author Week #2: Elaine Charton

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Elaine Charton: Victorian times, probably late 1800's I've always been fascinated by that time period.

Just when she thought she was safe... Someone is stalking Pandora Reilly, someone dark and sinister, someone who knows things only her ex-husband would know. Her dead ex-husband.

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #2:Sherry Lewis

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Sherry Lewis: I’d go back to the time of the American Revolution. I’m fascinated by that time period, and I would love to actually meet the people who were involved in founding the country I live in. I’ve visited a number of historical locations, and I’m always filled with a deep sense of reverence when I do. A few years ago, I had the chance to visit the home John Adams lived in after he left the office of US President, and I was overwhelmed as I stood in those rooms looking at portraits he and Abigail and George Washington sat for. I’m a real history nut, I guess, and there are many eras I’d love to visit for short periods of time (I’m much too addicted to modern conveniences to stay for long) but the American Revolution would have to be my number one.

Sherry is the multi-published author of contemporary and time-travel romance, and of traditional mystery. When she’s not writing or talking on the phone with her incredibly beautiful, intelligent and gifted grandchildren, she can be found teaching writing classes online. 

Visit Sherry's Website 

Ask An Author Week #2: Michele Dunaway:

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Michele Dunaway: I'm not too fond on the lack of creature comforts of bygone days. Call me happy with this era.

Best selling author Michele Dunaway writes about love, American Style, for Harlequin American Romance. Her current book, her twentieth, is Twins for the Teacher, a March 2009 release. Bachelor CEO follows in July.

Visit Michele's Blog

Visit Michele's Publisher

Ask An Author Week #2: Terry Irene Blain

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Terry Irene Blain: Oh, for only a month? My first thought on reading this question was the old Chinese proverb/curse ‘may you live in interesting times’. But if it’s only for a month, then I’d chose the American Revolutionary period. This is the beginning of the United State and the first definition of ‘American’. Perhaps the siege of Boston early in the conflict, or maybe be in Virginia at the time of Yorktown. I might get to meet/see one of the founding fathers. 

Kentucky Green: Journeying to her childhood home of Kentucky, April Williamson allows nothing to deter her. Certainly not Dan McKenzie who’s duty bound to escort her. Dan believes the frontier of 1794 is no place for women. But in spite of their mutual attractions, a dark secret in his past means April cannot be his.

Buy the eBook

Buy the Paperback

Ask An Author Week #2: Ingela F. Hyatt

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Ingela F. Hyatt: I think it's hard for me to pick just one Era as there are so MANY I'd like to visit. It would be a toss up between Ancient Egypt, Ancient Germanic/Teutonic Europe, and Georgian England. Why? I've always been fascinated with Ancient Egypt. It's as if the Pharaohs call to my soul from their ancient tombs. I find the culture, the history amazing and hope to write a series of novels based there one day. The reason for Ancient Germanic/Teutonic Europe is because of my fascination with their Gods, their Myths and their culture. So many things which we, in our modern lives, take for granted (such as equal rights for women, and laws) originally came from that time, and I'd really like to see it firsthand. Lastly, I'd like to visit the Georgian Era because it was an amazing time for England, which is where/when the current series I'm writing takes place. It was on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution, and was a golden age of discovery.

Writing has always been my passion, and it began in grade five when I was forced to either memorize a poem each day and recite it for the class, or write a poem and read it to the class. After reciting my first poem (The Cremation of Sam McGee) and hating it, I quickly discovered I had a talent for writing poetry and wrote about every topic under the sun, from fluffy white clouds to my big toe... *shudder* But it wasn’t long before I moved on to short stories, though I still had a habit of writing sappy love poetry which I wouldn’t touch now with a ten foot pole.

Follow Ingela on Twitter

Visit Ingela's Website

Ask An Author Week #2: Kate Alister

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Kate Alister: I enjoy romance novels from any period because the heroines are able to overcome the gross injustices to women in the fictional stories. Women in the United States today have the most opportunity for career choices and financial success. However, it would be great fun to be wealthy during the Regency period, to be young, to be beautiful, to have gorgeous gowns, and to attend the wonder balls and parties in London during the season.

Ask An Author Week #2: Donna Alward

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Donna Alward: WWII England. It wouldn’t be much of a vacation, but I’m totally intrigued with the era.

Donna Alward is an award-winning Canadian author for Harlequin Romance. Her next release is HIRED: THE ITALIAN’S BRIDE, available in June 2009. You can catch up with her on her site (www.donnaalward.com) or blog (www.donnaalward.blogspot.com ).  

Buy the Book 

Ask An Author Week #2: Patti Shenberger

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Patti Shenberger: I would visit the roaring 20's. I would love to be a flapper and experience prohibition and all the gangsters of the era.

The Laird's Lady from TWRP is Patti's latest release. Published in paranormal, historical time travel, and contemporary romance, Patti loves to hear from readers and writers alike. Please check out her webpage at www.pattishenberger.com. She is married with two grown children, two pets, and lives in Michigan. 

Buy Patti's Books 

Ask An Author Week #2: Michele Stegman

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Michele Stegman: I would hardly consider traveling in the past a vacation, but it would be fascinating! I've been to too many Third World countries not to know the dangers even in the present time of bad sanitation, water, etc. The problem is, interesting times such as the Norman Conquest, would be so dangerous! Also a lot of health concerns from drinking bad water, etc. And what about the language barrier? And unless you could quickly hook up with some noble, which is unlikely, you would just be considered vermin. So nice to read about the Middle Ages, so nice to write romantically about, but to live then, or even visit would be taking your life in your hands. Hmmm. Maybe I would just have to choose something closer to our time and place. Not nearly so interesting, but certainly safer! Such as Cincinnati in 1870? But even then there were cholera epidemics and no idea of modern medicine. Sigh. Maybe I could just have that vacation on some beach in Hawaii?

Michele Stegman has always loved history. She lives in a 170 year old log cabin, spins, weaves, makes her own soap, but still enjoys the modern conveniences of computers to write her historical and contemporary romances.

Buy Michele's Books 

Ask An Author Week #2: Michelle Beattie

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Michelle Beattie: Sometime in the wild west years of the 1800's. I like a man on a horse, love the chivalry that was there and the grit these people needed to make a living. 

I live in Alberta Canada, in an off-grid house run completely by solar power. I began writing shortly after coming back from my honeymoon.  
I originally wrote westerns but fell in love with Pirates of the Caribbean and wrote my own pirate story, which became the first book I ever sold.

Visit Michelle's Website

Ask An Author Week #2: Elizabeth Sinclair

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Elizabeth Sinclair: The Antebellum South, pre-Civil War. I've always been fascinated by this time period, especially with the Creoles of New Orleans and homes in the surrounding parishes. To me, this time period is the personification of romance.

I’ve written over a dozen novels for Harlequin/Silhouette, Kensington, and Medallion Press. My husband and I live in St. Augustine, FL with our two “furry children” -- Ripley, a collie, and Lily, a Golden Retriever. Current releases – Angel Unaware and Burning Secrets. Upcoming release – Garden of the Moon 12/10.

Buy Elizabeth's Books @ Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com

Ask An Author Week #2: Shelley Mosley/Deborah Shelley

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Shelley Mosley/Deborah Shelley: I would go back to Seneca Falls, New York in 1848 from July 15-August 15 so I could be at the very first Women’s Rights Convention. Hanging out with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and hearing her read the Declaration of Sentiments, wow! Getting to know Lucretia Mott and Amelia Bloomer, not to mention Frederick Douglass, would be amazing. And if I stayed a month, I could meet Susan B. Anthony, too. If it weren’t for these brave people, women wouldn’t have basic rights, like voting or owning property. They are my heroes.

I write as Deborah Shelley with Deborah Mazoyer. Our novels are in Dutch, Danish, French, Russian, Norwegian, Portuguese, and large type. My nonfiction includes: The Suffragists in Literature for Youth; Romance Today: An A-to-Z Guide to Contemporary American Romance Writers; The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Ultimate Reading List; and Crash Course in Library Supervision.

Visit Shelley's Website 

Ask An Author Week #2: Kelley Heckart

Question: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?

Kelley Heckart: I would want to travel back to the Dark Ages in Scotland so I could see first hand what really happened and to meet the mysterious Picts. 

Morgaine will do anything to save Avalon, but is she willing to sacrifice Lancelot, the only man capable of filling her heart with love?   

Visit Kelley's Website 

Photo of the Week (#5)

I love dramatic skies...which happen a lot around my house.

photo copyrighted by Ingela F. Hyatt

Ask an Author Week #1 Prizes!

This week (April 13 to 19) we're giving away:

Mango Summer by Phoebe Conn, NY Times Bestselling Author (print)	The Captain's Wench by Patti Shenberger (ebook)
Marshall in Petticoats by Paty Jager (print)	White Rose of Avalon by Kelley Heckart (ebook)

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win! Is there a question you'd like to ask the authors? Leave it in your comment, and you just might see the answer in future Ask An Author segments. This week we ask our 22 authors: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three books with which to read for five years, which three books would you take and why? (Don't forget to leave a comment...or two...or three...)