Good morning and today I am so proud to welcome Cissy Hunt. Here is something about her.

My husband and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains with our two small dogs and two cats, where we love to fish and work in our yard.
I have been an ordained minister since August of 2007. I am called to minister to hurting women who carry the emotional scars of domestic abuse.
For as long as I can remember I have always loved to write. When I couldn't express myself verbally, one only had to hand me a pen and paper and out would flow my thoughts.
I have written poetry most of my life and now my life-long dream has come true. I have written a book.
My book, A Rose Blooms Among the Thorns, is the story of a woman's journey from domestic abuse, through healing, to forgiveness.

So tell me Cissy. What inspires you to write?

I write because... I love it. It is the way I could always express myself. I have always had a problem being able to put into spoken word what I am feeling or what I need to say without tripping all over the words or getting "tongue-tied" as the old saying goes. Yet when I would pick up a pen and paper, the words would seem to flow out of my mind and heart onto the paper. Writing became my escape. I didn't need to speak what I was feeling I could write it down and so I did over and over again. No matter what I was feeling be it happiness, sadness, love, hate, pain, joy, it all went on paper and was never spoken.
Because of the life I lived most of my earlier writing was full of sadness, pain, and abuse. ( I have thrown most of all of those away). Then it turned to learning how to trust and should I take the chance one more time. I can tell my writing has changed over the years, of course it has matured with age but also it has more joy in it. I still write poetry mainly, because it is my first love. Poetry is the words that are the depth of my soul. Poetry makes me look deep within myself and examine what I find there.


When did you first realize you wanted to write?

I have loved writing since I was very young. Words I could not seem to speak came easy when I picked up a pen and paper

That’s very interesting because children seem to ‘talk’ a lot in their drawings. Can you remember the first thing you wrote story wise.

I called it poetry... I just wrote what I was feeling. I didn't have a great childhood so I wrote. I didn't write stories I wrote from a child's & a young woman's broken heart


It takes me months to write a full book. It just can’t be rushed. Tell me, how long did it take you to write your book?

I started it in Feb. And turned it to the publisher in June or July.


Wow, that is quick. What’s your secret?

I fasted for a month and a half before starting...I wanted to make sure it was right and I knew this book was going to take me on a journey I didn't want to go on, back into my past.

Goodness me, fasting! Kudos to you for doing that! I have so many quirks when it comes to writing, I can’t list them all. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don't know if I have one since this is my 1st book. I fasted for a month & a half before starting the book if that is a quirk. I wanted my head clear and wanted to make sure I heard from God. I had to get it right.

Do you mean you ate NOTHING at all?

I consumed only liquids, water, tea, soup broth, etc

Putting your writing aside, what other things do you like to do?

I love to read, sew, work in my yard, but most of all I love to go night fishing with my husband.

I’m not sure I could stay awake all night fishing LOL So what are you reading now?

I just finished Lori Wick's Cassidy

My family NEVER read my books. I’m not sure they even know I write lol Do any of your friends or family comment on your books?

Yes, they all like the book and my writing style and they all want to know when the next book is coming out.

It’s nice when the family gets involved. It makes them see how hard you work. Have any of your friends NOT liked what your writing?

Not that I know of...if they have they haven't told me (LOL)

I’ve learned so much in the 15 years that I’ve been writing. Tell me, what’s one of the most surprising things you’ve learnt in creating your books?

That I could write a book. Up until now I had only written poetry

That’s really interesting. What pushed you to go down such a different avenue?

I had a story that need to be told. There is so much domestic violence in this world today and women believe that they are to blame or they come out of the relationship believing that they are less than "DIRT" that they have no value, because that is how they were treated!

I hear you with that Cissy. People find it hard to fathom why a battered woman stays. Only one who has been in that position really understands I suppose.

I feel a good critique partner is worth their weight in gold. Do you use one?

No, not really unless my best friend helping me edit is one.

I have a blog site and web page where readers can chat to me. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

They said that I made them cry, made them angry, made them laugh, and most of all - made them think

So you bring out a lot of emotion in people. How does that make you feel?

Good, especially on this subject.

How do you promote your work?

Through my website, on Facebook, with bookmarkers, business cards, word of mouth and I hope soon to have my 1st book signing

Good luck with the book sign. Come back and let us know when and where it will be.
So what do you think makes a compelling story?

Something that touches the heart of the reader all the way through the book. It has to grab their attention from page one and propel them all the way through to the very last page. My book, even though it was in a fictional setting, was based on my life (domestic abuse). Only people that have known me for a long time know that though.

So really you’re now baring your soul to the world. That’s very brave. Does it make you feel empowered?

No, but this is a subject very close to my heart. I know the physical and emotional scars that domestic violence leaves a woman with and how long it can take for her to heal from them.

Here is a small excerpt from A Rose blooms amongst the thorns to finish with.

LaRae's hands trembled as she slowly hung up the phone. She rose from her chair—the caller’s mysterious words still fresh in her thoughts. Gazing out her apartment window she pondered over the conversation. The familiar scenery spread out before her as the autumn colored leaves danced about in the breeze. LaRae watched as a slender woman who appeared to be in her middle twenties carefully took the hand of the young girl standing beside her. Before crossing the street below, she waited for traffic to clear and then headed for the same apartment building LaRae has lived in for the past year and three months. She recognized them as the mother and daughter who occupied the apartment below her. Though she kept her own identity concealed from others, not allowing anyone too close, she made it a point to know as much as she could about the people living around her.
Watching the mother and young child brought back memories—memories of when she first left James. Memories that left her frightened and unmistakably void of all emotions except fear. He had treated her like a small child, making her believe she didn’t even know how to cross the street by herself without written directions. In time James had totally dominated her life to the point of telling her what to do, when to do, what to wear and whom she could speak with. She was allowed no friends and no contact with anyone outside of James.
In the beginning of the marriage he would give little excuses for why she could not visit with her family or friends. At first, her visits would always coincide with important business functions or he would claim he forgot and made dinner reservations, therefore canceling out any plans she may have had. He started demanding she be home when he called or wanted her home when he was home. Each day he took away a little bit more of her freedom until one morning she woke up to find she had no freedom; she was a prisoner in her own home. That’s when she knew she had to escape, no matter the cost she had to get away and find her independence. She had to try and find herself.

Well, that’s all from Cissy. What a great lady she is. You but her book here http://cissyh.webs.com
Here publisher is http://www.publishamerica.net/product87441.html

Please leave a comment for her. She’ll be so happy to hear from you.

Welcome to Lily Oak

Hi Lily. It’s so nice to have you here today. So tell me, what drew you to write in your current genre?

The book I'm writing at the minute is my 1st full length fiction project, its paranormal fiction. The reason I write at all is because I love the idea of painting an image in someones head, making them feel emotions without anything other than my words and their own imaginations.

Thats so interesting. To actually paint an image into someone else’s mind is no easy feat.
I’m terrible when it comes to writing. I usually have two novels on the go at one time. How many novels have you written to date and are they all in the same genre?

This is my first novel. I have published some of my notes from when I first began learning about witchcraft and of course there's 'Hope Moon' which is the reason I'm on the VBT.

I know a few Wiccans and as a Spiritualist, I find that we think along the same path. We both work with Mother Nature and the powers of the universe. Anyway, enough procrastinating. >G< I usually plot to death and then change my mind half way through a story lol So how much time do you spent on plotting etc before you start writing?


In short.. . a lot! I spend ages turning scenes over and over in my head until I can see all the details, the tiny little things that don't even get mentioned.

You sound very methodical. I like that in a person. It’s the little things that make the bigger picture work, right! In the summer I’m always down the beach writing, when I’m not working. So tell me, where do you do most of your writing?


In bed, or by the river... I live right next to a National Park.

How lovely. Again you are communing with Mother Nature. The energy around you must be phenomenal.

I should have communed more with nature a few years ago when I was writing!!! Recently, I found a book I’d written 20 years ago, it was sooo bad, I cringed. Looking back, What’s the worst thing you’ve ever written? Come on, tell us. Don’t be shy lol


Oooooh that's a tough question... probably my diary ha ha ha

Now to the part everyone is dying to know about. Tell me about your latest release.

'Hope Moon' is a book that was put together and published in just 3 days to raise money for the Haiti earthquake appeal. I can't really call it 'my' release, there were a lot of people involved and it just wouldn't have happened without them.

THREE DAYS!!! Goodness me. Well done on that feat. What a wonderful legacy you're leaving. I really hope this sells well for you. So how can your readers keep up with your news?

There's my website www.hedge-witchery.com, my personal blog http://hedge-witchery.blogspot.com/ , Hedge Witchery Books blog http://hedge-witcherybooks.blogspot.com/ and twitter @LilyOak.


Most authors rely on critique partners for an extra eye on when they are writing. Who do you rely on and why?

My boyfriend Morgan is the most well read person I know, and at times a fairly harsh critic, but I can really rely on his opinion. A lot of my poetry and articles are online and I can usually rely on the online community to give me feedback.

You can always rely on family for a good critique lol I love it when I get to the end of my novel and I can breathe again! What’s your favourite part of writing?

Building scenes, describing details, turning a picture into words and wondering what picture the reader will build with them.


How do you get past all the frustrations that come with trying to be a successful writer?

I don't get frustrated. I remember why I love writing.

I’m a romance/paranormal writer, but I love to read historical. What do you like to read?

Paranormal fiction and fantasy.


Well that’s all from Lily. What a fascinating lady.Please leave her comment and remember, this book is for a tremendous good cause. Dig deep into your soul and buy it. I know I will.

Things that go bump!!!

                   
What scares you about the paranormal? I've just watched Paranormal Activity. Did it scare me? No! It's not real. My type of work allows me inside information!!
There are writers who live and breathe all things paranormal. Does it make you wonder what inspires them to write in that genre? As a working medium I’ve seen a lot of strange things. Growing up I became used to seeing the strange, round lights that glowed in my room at night. On my blog magsx.blogspot.com I’ve got a great picture of one of the orb lights I’ve seen recently.
So the question is....what have you seen that can’t be explained away? What scared/fascinated you about the paranormal?

Welcome to C.R. Moss

Good morning.
On the virtual book tour today is C.R.Moss. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Muse. It is so nice to get to know you all as people, rather than faceless writers on the net. Candace was the winner of my meditation CD. It was a good job she liked nature and not rock and roll!!!

So lets hear a bit about this fabulous author


C.R. Moss, resident of the hot, high desert in the southwest, knew she wanted to write at a young age, as early as she learned to read, cooking up stories to entertain herself in the rural, non-kid-laden area she had lived in. But she took a round about way to settle down as a fiction writer, having worked in the corporate pharmaceutical and real estate realms writing newspaper articles, press releases, corporate newsletters, etc. Now that she's settled into the alternative health care industry, she has returned to her first love: creative writing. When she isn't working at her practice or at her computer cooking up another tale, she can be found hanging out with her husband and cat, reading a book, chillin' in front of the TV, or working on a craft project. She has also been known to play WOW.
Visit her at: http://home.earthlink.net/~cr_moss/

What drew you to write in your current genre?

I started off writing in the horror genre. Then in the early 90’s a friend of mine gave me Jude Deveraux’s ‘A Knight in Shining Armor’ and I started writing romance. Now I find myself to be a bit of an eclectic romance writer with bits of paranormal, horror, sci-fi, etc. thrown into the mix.

How many novels have you written to date and are they all in the same genre?

From short stories to full length novels, my diverse works range from 4500 words up to 80K and I have 19 published to date.

How much time do you spent on plotting etc before you start writing?

This depends. Sometimes the story just flows right out of me and when that happens there’s little time devoted to plotting. Other times call for a few days of contemplating, deciding what will work and what won’t, as I’m sketching the bones of the story.

Where do you do most of your writing?

Living room and office.

Looking back, What is the worst thing you have ever written?

The worst? The stories I’ve written early in my writing career that haven’t seen the light of day and are sequestered at the bottom of my closet.

Tell us about your latest release.

Out April 1 from Devine Destinies, is ‘Look What the Cat Dragged In for Evelyn.’ The first in what I call my ‘Cat’ series. I currently have three books planned for this series. There might be a fourth revolving around the ladies of the ‘Bridge Club,’ but I’ll see how the first three go. The series is based on a frisky feline, Myrddin, who fancies himself a matchmaker. ‘For Evelyn’ follows Raritan Manor’s ghost Quinn and his living love Evelyn. The second and third books follow cousins Julie and Cassandra as they fall in love. Julie’s story will have time travel in it – a Native American gets brought forward during a ritual. Cassandra’s story will have a blast from the past turn her world upside down and readers will see how her familiar, Myrddin, came into her life. Books 2 & 3 follow for release on June 1 and August 1. For a peek at Evelyn’s story, visit: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cr_moss/id49.html

How can your readers keep up with your news?

Readers can check my website. I put recent news and releases up on the front page on a regular basis and I have a links page with a listing of where people can find me around the web. http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cr_moss

How do you deal with rejection letters?

Throw a pity party, talk it out with my author friends, put the letter in a rejection book and move on to the next, while reminding myself that not everyone will like every story and when it’s time the story will find it’s proper home.

What do you think about celebrities writing books?

Good for them. That is, if they aren’t using a ghost writer…

What do you advise about getting an agent?

Do your research and make sure they’re legit and that they don’t expect you to pay for any of the services. Also, make sure they’re looking for what you’ve written.

What is your favourite part of writing?

Creating new worlds and seeing where my characters will take me next.

How do you get past all the frustrations that come with trying to be a successful writer?

Commiserate with other author friends, remember where I’ve been and keep my eye on my goals. Remind myself that ‘this too shall pass.’

What do you like to read?

Like with my writing I’m a pretty eclectic reader too…paranormal, sci-fi, romance, mystery/suspense…

What actor/actress gets your pulses racing?

Stuart Townsend as Lestat or Dorian Gray…

What inspires your muse??

The virtual book tour is going a treat, with tons of authors participating and hosting. If you would like to join in the fun, drop me an email and I'll direct you to the hosting/guest co-ordinator.

Right now, I'd like to talk about your muse!!

I don’t know about you, but I hate listening to music as I write. It distracts me and I end up listening to the track rather than writing. But I do know someone who plays rock and roll, full pitch, while she sits at her computer tapping away, totally immune to the racket around her.

I also hate being spoken to when I'm writing lol seriously, I do! My husband calls it the ‘dead hour’ when I'm locked away in my office. He says anything could happen and I’d be oblivious to it all. My ears automatically switch off if it's not to do with what I'm writing about.

What I’d like to know is, what do you like around you when you write? A picture of something calm in front of you, or something busier. Loud music, calm and classical, or regular chart music. What inspires your muse?

At the end of the day all the people who comment, will go into a draw to win one of my Meditation CD's. Let’s hope it’s not someone who likes rock and roll!!!!!!

Welcome to the Virtual Book Tour

Hello, I'm Omegia Keeys and my new release is called Seduction.com. I've been in the military for 12 years and in 2006 I wanted to try my hand at something different. I decided to write my first novel and get it published. I've a BA in Criminology because at one point I actually thought about becoming a lawyer. I've always been a writer, normally focusing on poems and short stories that went in my journal, so actually stepping away from that was a big task. Funny, I can carry an M16 but the thought of being published terrified me.
Seduction.com is the follow up to Passionate Playmates and so far I've heard nothing but great things about it. I think I've finally found my nitch.

Hi Omegia, it’s so nice to have you here today to launch the Virtual Book Tour of 2010. Today Omeigia giving away an autographed copy of SEDUCTION COM to the first person who comments. Now thats a bargain!!


So tell us Omeigia, what inspires you to write?

I am inspired to write because I love to communicate with an audience and get their feedback, but this has not always been the case. Growing up I used to write and keep it to myself, because where I came from it was not cool to be smart and definitely a no no to write things that were not homework.
In high school I was given an assignment by my English teacher. It was my time to shine and I knew what I turned in was my best work to date. The teacher handed me back a C. After class I questioned the teacher because there was nothing marked wrong on the essay. Her answer "a C is good and she was helping me out." In my world, and how I was raised, and even on the school grading system, a C is average - not good. For the next year every time I turned something in I agonized over it and even had other teachers critique it, yet I still got a C. It was not until my last week of school that I found out she gave all the minority students C's without ever reading our work. In her mind she was helping. For me she actually did. She taught me how to perfect my work, so in a way she was my first inspiration.

Wow, Omegia. How amazing you can turn something so negative around and make it such a brillient positive in your life.

So tell us what age group is your work geared towards?

18 and older. I get very detailed in my scenes.

Ahh, that means a little raunchy, huh!

Can you tell us which genre would you say your work falls into. Why is that?

Erotic Fiction is my focus. I am talking about the adult industry, but more of the sensual aspect of it. Nothing at all like porn.

I’m glad you’ve mentioned that. So often Erotic writing is lumped together with porn. As a writer of erotica, do you feel you need to explain this to friend and family a lot?

Not at all, I have huge support from my number one fan, my mother, and my friends have always known me to go against the grain. I normally have to explain this to hard core romance readers. One thing about my character Erika, she is a one man kind of girl. She just saw an opportunity to have a taste of the billion dollar industry and went for it, but it does not define the woman she is or me.

Come on, spill the beans. Now we’re dying to know. What’s your book about.

Seduction.com finds my character, Erika aka Ecstasy as she is thriving on her adult website. She has grown and matured from, just being a sex kitten at a lingerie modelling shop, to actually being in charge and providing her girls a safe environment to entertain men. As the story progresses she tries to open up an elite club and hits some stumbling blocks because of someone from her past and the city frowning out the industry itself. This novel gives you an up, close and personal view of the industry.

Your book sounds hot and risky. My kind of book >G< Where on earth did you do all your research for it.

I went to a few local strip clubs with a few of my guy friends and had a ball. Once I told the women in there what I was doing they just opened right up to me. They even convinced me to get up on stage…clothes on. My hats off to the ladies that can climb that pole, I sure couldn't.

I think I’d have a problem doing that as well LOL
A lot of authors bond with their characters, I know I do. So who is your favourite character and tell us why why?

Erika is my favourite because she is a mother, business woman, and even though she is dealing with the adult industry, she has strong morals and a no nonsense attitude with a bit of humour.

Erika sounds like a strong woman. Do you always make your women characters “Alpha” women?

Not at all. My next character, Monica, in Can You Keep a Secret has been run over her entire life. However, I am an Alpha woman.

I's like to think that part of me is an Alpha woman too. Us women need to be strong nowadays. It’s not just a man’s world anymore!!

I know I’m influenced greatly by other writers. Who would you say have influenced your work. Why is that? Have you got a favourite books in any genre?

Zane influenced me a lot because she was the first author I read that was erotic. I used to read plenty of romance, but most of those stories seemed so unrealistic to me and I knew they could never truly happen to me. Her writing, outside of the sex, seemed more like things I was dealing with in my life at the time.
I also love John Grissom and horror novels.

Not that we’re implying that romance writers aren’t great, of course. Being one myself >G< Do you mean you like a dose of reality in your reading? Maybe more true to life for you personally?

Yes. When I say that I do mean MY Life and the things I have been through. I love the romance; it's just not something that has ever happened to me. So far I have still been kissing a lot of frogs. I know some friends that have had the same experience. I had to find something to make another group pick up a novel and read it. I still have my old copies of Beula Land Romance novels in a box somewhere and no, they will not end up in a garage sale, no matter how many times I move.

I hear you with the frog kissing. Although my experiences were more with toads lol

Knowing my writing process is manic, what’s yours like? I’m obsessive about background work, do you do a lot research? Do you plot every detail or do you prefer the characters to move the story in new directions? Do you belong to a critique group and do you find this helpful?

For my erotic books I took a few trips to the strip club and did some online research. I really wanted to get into how these ladies work and thought and their mannerisms. Overall I have a general idea of the beginning and end, but my characters tend to move the middle. Because of my genre I really don't belong to a critique group, but I do post some of my work online for comments and that has been very helpful.

Oh good. So their is a critique niche for erotic writers to. I belong to a fabulous critique group.www.critiquecircle.com. Not that I’m plugging!! But some of their feedback has been invaluable to me over the years.

I know you probably get asked this question a lot. But I’m going to ask again anyway, do you have any advice for young or beginning writers?

Keep writing and get your story out. Not everyone is going to praise your work so take whatever people say and grow from it.

That’s so true. I always say one publisher’s rejection is another’s acceptance.
So we’re all dying to know, who is your publisher?

My publisher is Passionate Writer Publishing www.passionatewriterpublishing.com.

Are there e-books and hard copies available and where are your books available?

Paperback at the moment. The E-books will be out soon.
You can find both Passionate Playmates and Seduction.com here
www.passionatewriterpublishing.com
You can buy both my book here
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=omegia

What’s your website and/or blog where readers can learn more? Can they friend you on Facebook or other sites?

My website is www.omegiakeeys.com or www.domesticseduction.webs.com
You can find me on Facebook and Twitter

know that people are going to want to meet you. So are there any upcoming signings or appearances you'd like to mention?

At the time of this interview I am at the Arkansas Literary Festival in Little Rock and am currently on the Domestic Seduction Book Tour with fellow author Jo Davis.


Well, that’s it from Omegia. What a fascinating lady.Thanks a lot for taking the time to be with us today. I wish you great sales with you new release.

Thank's for having me, Margaret.

Blogging

How many of you like blogging? I know I do. I love meeting new readers and Authors from all over ther world. You get to read excerpts, learn about authors as people, rather than faceless internet beings!!! What's the funniest comment you've ever recieved from one one of your blogs.

I'm blogging with http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/ all day today. Leave a funny comment there and you'll be entered into my "Funniest comment draw" to win a free e-book copy of Two Faces One Life.

Go on, have some fun today and cheer me up. it's raining yet again in sunny England!!!!