Okay, you know the drill. End of deadline = fewer posts. Sorry for the last absent week. I really am trying to finish SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW. Getting closer, but…not there yet. Ike was a major time killer for me over the weekend also. We expected a lot here where I live, but it turned away from us thankfully. We watched a lot of news until we were certain. I’m so sorry for all the folks in southeastern Texas/southwestern Louisiana. I wish you speedy recoveries back to normal. I certainly hope they rebuild Galveston.

In the meantime, I’ll share a little news, something new and, yes, a Manly Monday pic.

The news is, I’ve got a few new reviews for TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS to share:

5 out of 5! “As the first book in Shayla Black’s intriguing new series, Tempt Me With Darkness is a fantabulous kick off to what promises to be an incredible adventure. With the heat and intense emotion we have come to expect from Ms. Black, and the action she is showing a distinct flair for, you cannot possibly pass this one up.” ~ A Romance Review

5 out of 5! “With her fascinating world of immortals and magickind, beloved author Shayla Black’s Tempt Me With Darkness hooks readers from page one and keeps us enthralled to the very end. This is a wonderful new series with a depth and passion that will make readers crave the next installment.” ~ Two Lips Reviews

“This book indulges fans with Ms. Black’s unique brand of sensual romance while showcasing just how creative this talented author’s imagination truly is. TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS will be like catnip to lovers of paranormal romance, and will certainly foster an epidemic of happy addiction to…THE DOOMSDAY BRETHREN!” ~ Wild On Books

“Fascinating urban fantasy… Fast-paced from the onset… TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS is an entertaining tale that will leave fans believing in the magic of a wonderful author…” ~ Harriet Klausner

The other good news is that, for everyone who asked, more e-versions of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS are now available at SimonSays. So if you were waiting for a PDF, Microsoft Reader or Palm e-reader format. They are now available.

Onto the something new… I’m going to be Author of the Month at Romance Divas (thanks, Jax!). Accordingly, the Divas had me answer some questions for them, which I thought I’d share with you. They’re mostly geared to writers, but I thought I’d share for kicks.

1. How long and hard did you work before you got published?
A bunch! I published in the stone age, before e-publishing and during the consolidation of a lot of the print publishers. So the choices were few and the competition fierce. It took me 3 manuscripts over 7 years of serious writing, 5 after becoming a Golden Heart finalist, but I didn’t quit.

2. What genre do you love writing more since you have written in a variety of genres?
Totally depends on my mood. The most natural for me is sexy or erotic contemporary. I sometimes miss the grandeur of historicals. I am loving the envelope-pushing drama of paranormals that allows me to take my creativity wherever it wants to go. I like it all!

3. If you weren’t a writer what would career path would you choose?
I am actually a certified training curriculum developer and have worked in a corporate setting for 17 years. I still work part-time to keep my skills current.

4. What do you like most about a writer’s life?
The people. We’re all nuts and we understand each other. *g* It’s great to join any gathering of writers and have something in common with people immediately. We have so many shared experiences and questions, and solutions, etc. I always look forward to getting together with other writers. The other thing that is wonderful, if mind-boggling, is getting paid for something I’ve made up completely out of my head.

5. When did you get ‘the call’ and how did you react?
The call came May 28, 1998. I’d been forewarned that it was coming, but it was still very thrilling. I was at my day job at the time, so couldn’t be too loud. But I definitely celebrated with my family and my then-critique group over the next few days.

6. What advice would you offer to the unpublished romance writer?
Do NOT give up. There will be times when it seems too difficult and too pointless and that the odds are overwhelming. I maintain 2 things: the people who succeed are not always the most talented, but the most persistent. And the tough times now enable you to deal with tough times you may experience as a published author AND give you some perspective to appreciate what you accomplish. Believe it or not, I see a lot of difficulty among authors who didn’t have to struggle and work for years. They don’t’ always understand or appreciate their position until it’s too late.

7. What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I danced for 12 years, but drew the line at toe shoes. I’m a huge reality TV fan. Diet Coke, not Pepsi—ever. I don’t do sappy. I’m driven. I’ve sold 24 books in the last 10 years, despite taking 18 months off in the middle, while working full-time for most of that period and being a mother. I refuse to make excuses for not going after what I want. 

And now we’ll get back to Manly Monday. Lemme prowl through my gallery and bring out…

Howdy, ma’am! Yeehaw!