Fireworks, Romance Anthology, Interview Michal Scott
Give a warm welcome to Michal Scott a/k/a Anna Taylor Sweringen one of the authors of FIreworks, a romance anthology. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Anna and Fireworks, A Romance Anthology, specifically her contribution, Light the FIre Again.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Excellently executed slapstick. Even when I see what’s coming it’s experienced as a surprise. One movie that does this perfectly is It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. I’ve seen it a hundred times and never fail to laugh at all the jokes as if seeing them for the first time.
Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you
I’m a retired protestant minister who writes in three different romance genres: inspirational, gothic and erotic but focused around the second chance trope and the theme of forgiveness. This past year I’ve thrown my hat into the women’s fiction ring as well with an African-American adaptation of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas. I’m native New Yorker, raised in Brooklyn from the time I was two and lived there for sixty years. My favorite thing to do was sit on the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights. I relocated to the Southwest two years ago with my husband of thirty years and our two cats, Scully and L’il Cat. Since we have no children, my mom calls them her grandcats.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I outline my stories using the templates from Mary Buckham and Diana Love’s Break Into Fiction. When I’m blocked, I refer to the template that applies to that place in the story. The questions provided never fail to blast me into action.
Why do you write what you write?
As Michal Scott I write erotic historical romance set in the 1800’s because I’ve always loved history and appreciate the resilience demonstrated by freeborn African-Americans and those newly freed as they fought for their share of the American dream. I write at steamy and erotic heat levels because the power of the erotic mimics the power that created the universe and I want to tap into that power whenever possible.
What’s your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters flow (Pantser)?
I’m an anal retentive plotter. I always start out asking the question “What if…” then plot and develop my characters like I’m on steroids.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Notorious
Favorite book: Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Last book read: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness
Favorite color: Black
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: God of Grace and God of Glory
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Apple pie
Favorite junk food: Mint chocolate Smashmallows
Favorite thing to do to relax: Watch old movies
Champagne or gin: Yeech. Neither.
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Law and Order
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Love
Review or Not: Review
Immerse yourself in the seven explosive romance stories of Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology:
Light the Fire Again by Michal Scott
Butterfly’s Fire by Lyla Bellatas
The Glory Girl by Cindy Redding
Lie to Me by Jennifer Kayne
Passionate Pyrotechnics by C.E. Derosier
Illegal by Barbara Campbell
Love and Two Fourths by Jane Colt
All proceeds go to support the adult literacy organization ProLiteracy, so support a good cause while you enjoy some great sex.
A sneak peek between the pages of Light the FIre Again:
Even at night Coney Island’s boardwalk on the Fourth of July swarmed with people, strolling, buying from vendors, heading for the beach. Firecrackers crackled and popped, eliciting surprised screams and plenty of giggles. Children ran to and fro waving sparklers. Fireworks, small and sporadic, burst against the sky then died into the Atlantic.
Adelaide laid her head against Hero’s shoulder and watched it all with a tired but happy satisfaction.
She yawned. “I guess we picked the wrong night to consummate our love.”
Love. She’d actually said it. A frisson of fear pricked at the base of her skull. Had Hero said he loved her? She didn’t recall love among the litany of wants Hero had spoken that won her heart.
She looked into his eyes, studied his face for a reaction to the four letter word.
“Not the wrong night. Just the wrong place.” He smiled. Love, warm and welcoming, shone in his gaze. “I know just where to take you so our love making can have the privacy we deserve.”
Her stomach lurched with joy, but fear still chilled a small part of her heart. A small part yet large enough to make her quake. She needed to hear him say it, so she said it first.
“I love you, Hero.”
Buy links:
Fireworks: A Passionate Ink Romance Anthology – https://amzn.to/2Utag6T
About the Author:
A recent transplant to the Southwest from New York, Michal Scott is the erotic romance pen name of Anna Taylor Sweringen, a retired United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA minister. Anna has been writing seriously since joining Romance Writers of America in 2003. She also writes inspirational romance as Anna Taylor and women’s fiction and gothic romance as Anna M. Taylor.
author links:
Website – https://michalscott.webs.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/mscottauthor1
Amazon Author Page – https://amzn.to/2TSHzRn
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Fireworks!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Anna Taylor Sweringen, FIreworks, Light the FIre Again, Michal Scott, Romance Anthology by Tena Stetler with 13 comments.
Interview Anna Taylor Sweringen author of One Breath Away
Give a warm welcome to Anna Taylor Sweringen, Author of One Breath Away.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Anna and One Breath Away.
Why did you choose the cover concept you did?
I had a fabulous cover artist named Angela Anderson. I wanted something to capture the erotic tone of the story and I think she did a great job by focusing on the heroine. I loved the look so much that I asked my publisher if they could come up with something similar for my next novella – although a stand alone – could have a look to tie them all together
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
There’s African-American historical romance out there (Beverly Jenkins is my queen) and African-American Christian historical romance (the fantastic Piper Hugley), but mine may be the first African-American historical romances that are also a Christian erotic romance, i.e. is an erotic romance written from a liberal Christian worldview of sexuality.
Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you
I’m a retired United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA minister (hence the liberal Christian worldview) whose interest in romance and social justice have combined in the second chance romances I write. I grew up in the 60’s, shaped by Black is beautiful and a love for Black history.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
Listening to music. Sometimes classical provides the relaxation I need to start the muse flowing. Other times it’s the words of Gershwin or Cole Porter that stoke my imagination.
Why do you write what you write? Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
I’ve always loved history in general, but Black history in particular. As a minister I’ve witnessed the power of love and forgiveness. So when I started writing romance I wanted to write stories that shined a light on the history that has shaped me as an African-American while also emphasizing what I believe to be the power that has enabled African-Americans to survive and thrive.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Casablanca
Favorite book: Topaz
Last book read: Midnight
Favorite color: Purple
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea – Earl Gray
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pencil
Favorite song: Always
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Pie
Favorite junk food: Smashmallows
Favorite thing to do to relax: Sleep
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: X-Files
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Fun
Review or Not: Review
Tell us a little more about One Breath Away.
Sentenced to hang for a crime she didn’t commit, former slave Mary Hamilton was exonerated at literally the last gasp. She returns to Safe Haven, broken and resigned to live alone. She’s never been courted, cuddled or spooned, and now no man could want her, not when sexual satisfaction comes only with the thought of asphyxiation. But then the handsome stranger who saved her shows up, stealing her breath from across the room and promising so much more.
Wealthy, freeborn-Black, Eban Thurman followed Mary to Safe Haven, believing the mysteriously exotic woman was foretold by the stars. He must marry her to reclaim his family farm. But first he must help her heal, and to do that means revealing his own predilection for edgier sex.
A peak between the page of One Breath Away:
“Why not you, Mary?”
“Because someone like you only looks at someone like me out of pity.”
Of course. His aunt put him up to this. Anger warmed Mary’s ears.
“Let me go.” She made to pull away. “I want to sit.”
“Please. Not before the music stops.” He timed his plea to the rhythm of the waltz. “I’ve waited all week for this moment.”
Mary gritted her teeth. Heart hurt joined her injured pride. She needed no one’s charity.
“That was cruel of you, sir. No one counts the days until they can ask me for a dance.” Tears pooled behind her closed eyelids. “Anyone in town could tell you that.”
The grip on her hand tightened, forcing her eyes open. The light in his gaze darkened. “Anyone who’d lie to me like that would be taking their life in their hands.” He leaned in so his mouth nuzzled her ear again. “And if you use that I’m-not-worthy tone of voice again, I’ll be forced to prove you wrong with a kiss.”
Alarm shuddered up Mary’s back. “Is—is that a threat?”
“A certainty.” He winked.
A chilly thrill replaced the alarm. She blew out a breath to steady herself. Threat or certainty, both treated her to a delicious revelation—she wanted that kiss. She eyed his lips, imagined their soft yet demanding press against hers. Once more the voice of caution repeated its warning.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Oh, to be forced to flee from such a devil as he. She sighed. What a wonderful problem to have.
“May I visit you at Harvest Home?”
Eban’s voice overpowered her thoughts. She frowned out of her musing. “You know where I live?”
“I have an authoritative source.”
She glanced toward Widow Hawthorne who gave a favoring nod. That kiss no longer seemed a flight of fancy. Her belly quivered. Her lips pursed in a thoughtful pout.
“Why would I let you visit me at Harvest Home?”
“You know better than I.” He stroked the back of her hand as he eyed her throat. She swallowed hard as excitement and fear rippled across the flesh his thumb caressed. Her head swirled, whether from the dance or the danger posed by her partner she couldn’t tell. “It—it would cost too much to say.”
He bent his elbow, pulled her forward again. “Am I not worth the price?”
This time his chest crushed hers. The pressure imitated the closeness of that threatened kiss. A closeness she could no longer deny she desired. Would she let him? Should she let him? Her throat tightened.
“You’re worth the price, but I can’t afford you.”
He smiled that nether-lip-tickling smile again. “I accept gifts in kind.”
Buy links: The Wild Rose Press Amazon
About the Author:
Rev. Anna Taylor Sweringen writes erotic romance under the penname Michal Scott. History has been an old passion of hers. Romance a recent one. The opportunity to combine the two came in the publication of One Breath Away. Michal has been writing professionally since 2008 and belongs to the inspirational, gothic and erotic romance chapters of Romance Writers of America. An unexpected, but intriguing combination of genres for a retired minister.
Author Contact:
Website: www.michalscott.webs.com
Twitter: @mscottauthor1
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with One Breath Away!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged African-American, Anna Taylor Sweringen, Historical Romance, One Breath Away by Tena Stetler with 8 comments.
