Pendragon's Behind-the-Scenes Look At the Midnight Moon Cafe

Meet the Cafe Staff! The Midnight Brew will be back starting January 4th, with a very special guest. Until then, we hope you'll enjoy this fun, behind the scenes look at our Midnight Moon Cafe Staff. Your guide on this tour will be Pendragon, the familiar from Cassandra Curtis' book, I Put A Spell On You. Pendragon has become sort of a Midnight Moon Cafe mascot, in that he hangs around the Cafe, always on the prowl for a handout or a handful of trouble. We hope you enjoy this special, behind the scene's look at life, love and coffee from a cat's eye view. The Midnight Moon Cafe Staff Hello! Name's Pendragon. Welcome all to this exclusive look behind the scenes at the Midnight Moon Cafe. As you enter the building, notice the 50's kitsch touches in the décor. Those are courtesy of Cass, co-owner and part-time waitress here at the Cafe. She has dreadful taste, I mean--look at that horrible black Kit Kat Clock on the wall. It's not even anatomically correct! No cat's tail swings back and forth all the time. ::jumps onto nearest table to swipe a paw at clock's plastic tail:: This won't take a minute. ::Kitty Kat krashes:: Damn, that felt good. You didn't see nothin', right? ::Everyone nods their heads:: Good. Okay then, let me show you the service counter. This is where Cass and the others fill drink orders. Pretty simple stuff: coffee, tea, flavored syrups and creams. But check this out. ::Waves a furry paw over a sensor under the counter, unlocking a secret compartment. Vials of assorted colors of liquid rest in special holders, along with bags of herbs and a case filled with talismans:: After the last time a nasty Werebeast tried to steal Cass' heart–literally, she installed this nifty compartment, filled with defensive potions, ready-made charms and herbs for protection. I've been patrolling the area, too. Watchin' out for my ladies. We get a mixed clientele here, Paras and Humans, and so long as the Vamps, Werefolk and assorted other freaks behave, well, they're welcome. ::waves paw across special sensor and the compartment closes:: Okay, let's go to the office and I'll show you the prize vault. If you know the secret codes, you can unlock all the hidden stuff–the magick beneath the surface. And you are so lucky, 'cause I just happen to know the secret codes. Down this hall, in the very back. See it–three doors. One on either side of the main door, the back gate. ::Points at the door straight ahead:: This is the emergency exit. Leads to the back gate and the alley. This door... ::points at door to the left:: is TK's office. This is where she crunches numbers...and vamps who don't behave. :) She has an arsenal in there you wouldn't believe. Katanas, and other blades she uses on rowdy Paras. ::wiggles eyebrows:: She works out with her blades on slow nights, always practicing. If she was a cat, she'd have razor sharp claws. So–any misbehaving paras out there–her brain child Callista will get you! Hee, hee, hee... This door, on the opposite side, is the staging area, and the prize vault. It's locked, but I know how to open it. :: Unsheaths claws and inserts a curved nail into the lock hole...waits for the click. Retracts claw and opens door:: See, not too hard...if you're a cat. Over here we have the table where Madame Cora brings special visitors to read their fortunes with her tarot deck. And here's the prize vault. It takes a special code to unlock this door. How did I find out? Well, I can lip read. No, really. I can. Come closer and I'll tell it to you... "Out of the world's spinning thread, weaves fate's fingers web." ::door opens with a click. Inside are shelves and row upon row of items. On the floor are chests encrusted with semi-precious gems--each overflowing with goodies.:: :: External door open, Cora walks into the room:: Oops, no touching the goodies! Okay, we've got to get out of here. ::shooes people from the vault and quickly shuts door. Acts nonchalant.:: Madame Cora! I didn't know you were scheduled to give a reading! Everyone, this is Madame Cora, better known around here as Cora Zane, author of the Werekind series of books and a hot vampire romp for Cobblestone Press. "Hello. I hope Pendragon has been behaving himself." "Perhaps Ms. Zane has time for a few questions?" "I suppose I could answer a few..." ::Pendragon picks tourists from the group and introduces them so they can ask their questions:: Jan from Crestwood, KY asks: Where do you get your ideas? Inspiration for characters comes to me from lots of places—books, movies, songs, things like that. But ideas for plots and storylines come to me from playing the "what if" game. I usually think up a dangerous or unsettling situation and try to imagine how I would try to get myself out of it. I then expound on that tossing in more problems and obstacles along the way. Klyde from Sage, Kansas asks: Do you resemble any of your characters? No, not really. But if I had to choose one that I come closest to resembling, I probably choose Claire from Bonding Experience. I have more in common with her than the others. She has chestnut hair, she's thirty-something, a bit fussy, and has a real woman's curves—she's not built like a Barbie doll. Too, she's not always sure of herself. I can relate to that in many ways. Laura from Ridgemont, NY asks: How does a werewolf in your world become a werewolf, are they bitten? The Werekind werewolves in my stories are born that way. They are a separate species from humans and can't change a human into a werewolf by biting them or otherwise. If one of them were to mate with a human, I would image any offspring that came of that pairing would have a fifty-fifty chance of either taking after the human side, or the shape shifting Werekind side, based on genetics. There are lycanthropes in the mix with my Werekind werewolves, but lycanthropes are human to wolf shifters—again, a separate species from the Werekind. Their ability to shift is caused by an infection that can be spread person to person by biting. I'll be getting into that more in future Werekind series books. Jessica from Hamilton, Ont. asks: Are your heroes based on a real guy? And if so, he is single? In my book Wicked Temptation, I based the look of my vampire hero, Dominic Lisandro, on a certain male model—who I do believe is single, by the way. *wink* Dominic's personality came from my imagination, however. He was the first, and only character, I based on a living person. I prefer to create my sexy heroes from scratch. ^_^ Barb from Tipton, Tenn. asks: Who do you think is sexier, a vampire or a werewolf? Both are sexy in my view, but I'd probably choose a werewolf by a small margin, because they are more earthy and elemental, and the vampires I write about tend to be a little vainglorious. However, I can honestly say it's not the transformation that makes one sexy, it's the man himself—and I grade that sexiness on personality. I like that confident, loyal, take charge kind of guy. Someone who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it, even if it seems a bit out of reach. If a man seems scattered, has the roving eye, or has trouble with commitment, it's a big turn off—no matter how good looking he is. Okay, time for one more question. Bethany from Cincinnati, OH asks: What are your favorite paranormal romances of all time? And can you really read tarot cards? Cool. My favorite paranormal romances of all time are the Dark Series books by Christine Feehan. If I had to give away all my books save for one series set, the Dark Series books would be my permanent keepsakes. However, those books were a late discovery for me. I got into paranormals thanks to authors such as Celeste Anwar, Kimberly Zant, and others that early on, integrated erotic elements into their paranormals. Now, as for the tarot… I've been known to do a reading or two, although most people don't know that about me. ::looks at Pendragon, who swishes tail innocently:: I've studied the cards for many years, and primarily do readings for family and friends as life's little problems crop up. Actually, the ladies here at the MMC and I have been talking about setting up a "tarot" chat and giving away a free reading in the near future. I wonder if our readers would be interested in that. "Cora, have you seen my ca–, oh, there you are Pendragon! Umm, who are all these people?" Well, looks like I'm late for a date, got to run. ::glances at imaginary watch on front ankle:: See ya!

A blue candle for...

I just received word that our dear friend Cassandra isn't feeling well. Some kind of bug that isn't allowing her to keep anything on her stomach. She's going tomorrow to the doctor. Keep her in your prayers and thoughts tonight. Also tomorrow Cora's grandmother is going to the doctor. So keep her in your prayers and thoughts too.

Tuesday Tales

Fallen for an Fallen Angel ©2006, Tempest Knight I leaned over the ledger, making sure the numbers were correct. I could hear Cora and Cassie, co-owners of the Café and part-time waitresses, locking up and cleaning. The Café was opened 24/7, but since it was Thanksgiving, we were closing at dusk. “TK? All’s set. We’re ready to go.” Cassie stood on the doorway in the office. I nodded. “Thanks.” “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Cora piped in from behind her. “Yeah. I need to finish the books.” I lied. The truth was I didn’t want to be around people tonight of all nights. I’d lost too much during the past year so I had nothing to be thankful for anyway. I saw the ‘look’ pass between the Louisiana-native young woman and the red-head witch. “I’m going to be fine. Really.” “We’ll see you tomorrow then,” Cassie said, notably unconvinced. Cora just nodded. “Happy Thanksgiving.” “You too.” As I leaned back in the chair, ledger in hand, I heard the backdoor close behind them and sighed. The place suddenly felt empty. My gaze strayed to the corner where Dixie’s bed would have been just to find a small table in its place. My familiar was gone. Together with the house and my parents. Gone forever. That sense of loss I worked so hard to keep at bay crept back. Breathing deeply, I shook the feeling away and focused on the numbers. Anything to keep my mind busy. **** By the time I tossed the last ledger into the file cabinet and closed it, my neck was stiff. Rubbing the tense muscles, I looked around for something else to do. I sure didn’t feel like going back to my apartment. After all, there was nothing there to go back to. I grabbed my shawl and climbed the stairs to the roof. It was 3:00 am. Deep midnight. I didn’t have to check the o’clock. A tomb-like stillness clung to the darkness. I shouldn’t be outside at this hour when only evil came out, but I didn’t care. The autumn chilled breeze sipped through the thin layers of fabric, and I wrapped my shawl tighter. Out of the corner of my eyes I spotted small orange blazes trailing in the night. Shooting stars? The flapping of wings broke the silence. A fireball zoomed towards me. Before I could react something knocked me down. “What the—?” “You’re safe,” a deep, masculine voice whispered, the warm breath in my ear. I twisted my face and saw… feathers? His scream startled me. He slumped over me, and the acrid smell of burnt feather and flesh reached me. I pushed him off me and rolled to my left as another fireball exploded. “Demons.” Five hovering above. Drats! I was too far from a body of water to command. I wasn’t a child of Air, but I whispered words of Power and felt the wind coiling around me until all I could hear nothing but the angry sound of it. Like a hurricane. And I was its center. “Go back to Hell,” I shouted as I lifted my arms and released the gale, blowing the demons away, their ear-piercing shrieks fading. Spent, my knees gave out, and I fell on the floor. Breathing hard, I crawled to the form lying unconscious, wide wings blackened, some feathers bent. An angel. Still slightly shaky, I glanced around. We couldn’t stay out here. Those damn creatures could be back any minute now. With the help of magick, I managed to take him to my office and settled his large male form in the futon. I sat on the edge and brushed soft strands of dark, rich chocolate-color hair from his mesmerizing handsome face. My gaze lowered to his full, sensuous lips, and for a moment I was tempted to taste them. I took a shaky breath and tried to concentrate on his wounds instead. His white shirt smoldered in some areas, the stench of sulfur clung to it. My hands shook a bit as I unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his bronze skin. My breathing hitched as my gaze trailed from his smooth chest down to his flat abs. I absorbed the strength and beauty of his exquisite musculature. “An angel,” he whispered. My gaze snapped up. His eyes blue as a summer sky were looking at me intensely. Blood rushed to my cheeks. “I’m not an angel.” He tried to shift and groaned, and I remembered his back burned. “You’re hurt. Let me bring something for it.” His strong hand tightened around my wrist, but it was his gaze that held me in place. “No. It’s okay, TK.” My eyes widen, my lips went dry. Nobody called me that but Cassie and Cora. And never in public. “How do you know—?” “I know a lot of things about you, druidess.” I shook my head. “Oh, don’t tell me you’re my guardian angel.” “It’s been a long time since I’ve been an angel.” His lips turned into a wicked smile, and my heart leapt. No man had affected me like this. Then again, he wasn’t a man. I lowered my gaze to my hands resting in my lap. His finger curled under my chin and forced me to meet his gaze. “I hate to see your eyes like this.” “Like what?” His fingers ran gently through my hair, and a shiver shot down my body. “Full of sadness. They used to shine.” “And how would you know?” He chuckled softly. “I’ve been watching you for a long time.” “So you are a guardian angel.” He leaned forward, and his lips lingered a mere breath away. “I told you. I stopped being an angel.” Then his mouth brushed mine like a sweet caress, and I sighed. His arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me towards him, my body molding to his. I could feel his hard muscles under my hands, his skin warm were I touched. My face rested on his chest. He tenderly held me, his hands gently running up and down my back in a soothing motion. I closed my eyes and inhaled his aroma of sandalwood, which I found very calming too. I lay in his arms, and for the first time in a year, I could close my eyes without fear of the memories of everyone I'd lost coming to haunt me. I lost track of time, and when I opened my eyes, the sky had turned golden in the horizon. Reluctantly, I pushed away from him, already missing the comfort of his closeness. “You can’t stay here.” “I know.” Was that regret in his voice? In his eyes? I gave myself a mental shake as I watched him get up from the futon and button up his shirt. "I'll walk you up." He extended his hand. For a moment I hesitated, then took it. Hand in hand we walked out of the office and up to the roof. The sun chased down the darkness. He turned and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "Good night, TK." "Good night, fallen angel." I let go of his hand, and he stepped over the ledge, his wings spread. He took one last look at me, and then jumped off. I watched him fly until I could no longer see his form outlined in the pale pink, morning clouds. Smiling, I got back inside and sat behind my desk, when the door opened and Cora walked in. “Still here? What did you do all night?” My gaze fell on the single white feather laying on the futon in my office. “Not much.”

Shapeshifters You Might've Missed

Looking for something a little different to watch this holiday season? These movies would be great to add to your personal paranormal collection, or to give away as a gift for the hard to please shape shifter fan! This movie is actually a collection of eight short paranormal films. Dreams is known mostly among shapeshifter fans because it contains a segment that is the only widely-available kitsune Werefox film in America. Very unusual, but very well done. It's subtitled, but worth watching! This title is available through Amazon.com Got Selkies? The Secret of Roan Inish is a top notch shape shifter classic, and is something the whole family can watch! 10 year old Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents in a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland. She soon learns the local legend that an ancestor of hers married a selkie -- a seal who can turn into a human. Years earlier, her baby brother washed out to sea in a cradle, and some think that he is being raised by the seals. Then Fiona catches sight of a naked little boy on the abandoned isle of Roan Inish, and takes a more active role in uncovering the mysteries which abound. This title is available through Amazon.com

Make Your Leftover Turkey Sizzle!

You had your big feast and now you're left with the age-old dilemma. What the heck to do with all the leftover turkey? The kids are screaming for pizza, and by the Saturday after Thanksgiving, you're sick of it too, but you can't waste it. So what do you do? Well, curious reader, you've come to the right place. We've got some nifty and delicious recipes for your palate. Give them a try and if you like them, let us know! :) Turkey Divan 4 t butter 2 t flour 1 c cream 2 c diced turkey 4 ea spears broccoli * 1/2 t mixed vegetable seasoning 1/2 c Parmesan cheese, grated * Sliced lengthwise. In a sauce pan, melt butter and gradually stir in flour to make a smooth paste. Slowly add cream and whisk until smooth. Place turkey in baking dish, alternating with layers of broccoli spears. Pour sauce over all and sprinkle on vegetable seasoning. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes; cheese will be bubbling and slightly browned. Turkey Pot Pie 1 16-ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables, thawed 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 3 cups cooked, cubed turkey 1 14-ounce can turkey or chicken broth 3 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 cup half and half 2 Ready-bake Pie Crusts Saute thawed mixed vegetables in butter or margarine until warmed through. Add turkey or chicken and set aside. Combine chicken broth with flour and cornstarch in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute, until thickened. Stir in half and half, then add sauce to vegetables and turkey and pour into a 9-inch pie pan crust. Top with the second crust. Make slits in the crust to allow steam to escape. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Baked Turkey Chilies Rellenos 4 cans (4 oz each) whole green chilies Vegetable cooking spray 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch strips 1 lb cooked turkey, cut into 1/2-inch strips 1/2 cup flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup milk 3 eggs 1 cup grated cheddar cheese Drain chilies, slit on one side, remove seeds, and open flat. Arrange on baking dish, lightly coated with vegetable cooking spray. Fill each chili half with Monterey Jack cheese and turkey. Fold over edges of chilies and place seam-side down on dish. In medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat eggs, add milk, and slowly add to flour mixture, beating until smooth. Pour over chilies. Bake at 450 degrees F. for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and turn off heat. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top and return to oven 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve immediately. Cobb Salad 8 leaf lettuce leaves 6 cups head lettuce, shredded 2 cups Turkey, cooked and cubed 2 tomatoes, diced 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1/4 cup bacon bits 4 hard cooked eggs, chopped 1 bunch green onion (about 1/2 cup), chopped 1 cup your favorite salad dressing Line salad plates with lettuce leaves. Arrange shredded lettuce over lettuce leaves. Top with turkey breast, tomatoes, cheese, bacon bits, eggs and green onion. Serve with salad dressing. Curried Turkey Dinner 2 cups cooked broccoli spears, drained 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed 1 can (10 1/2 oz) cream of mushroom soup 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp curry powder 1 cup seasoned croutons Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Layer broccoli in an 8-inch square baking dish and top with turkey. In a medium bowl combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and curry powder. Pour over turkey and top with croutons. Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Grecian Turkey 3 Tbs flour 2 tsp lemon pepper 1/2 tsp dill 2 cups milk 3 cups cooked turkey, cut into 1/2 inch cubes 8 oz spinach fettucini, cooked according to package directions 1 can (4 oz) sliced olives, drained 3 Tbs feta cheese In large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine flour, lemon pepper, and dill, then wisk in milk. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, and cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Increase heat to medium-high, stir in turkey, and cook 3-5 minutes until heated through. Spoon over fettucini and garnish with olives and cheese.

MMC Turkey Day Spectacular!

Shape shifters. They have become an erotic fixture in our imaginations. Sexy and primal, they occupy quite a few of our hottest fantasies. However, not every shape shifter turns himself into a wolf or panther. There are some pretty unique shapeshifters out there. Can you guess what these sexy men turn into in their alternate form? Test yourself and find out. Go ahead and give it a try! We will start with this awesome specimen... Wow! Abs from Heaven! He seems to like the water... (Click image to see him transform before your eyes!) Ooh, wet and slippery! You could have a lot of fun with that guy! Now on to this gorgeous creature. Sexy eyes, hot muscles, and a tattoo to boot! He is almost too sexy for words. Say the magic word and he'll transform just for you! (Pretty please, change for me? Click the photo to see his alternate form!)Oh, my, what a big trunk you have! Now let me ask you--how could a lady go wrong with that?! Too, you know what they say about elephants... he'll never forget your birthday or your anniversary!Now on to this next hot item... Look at those mesmerizing eyes. That perfect bone structure. What do you think? Any guesses? (Click to watch him transform!) Well, look at that--a guy who flosses and brings you flowers! He might be a little nuts, but every alpha has a little flaw somewhere in the makeup. Right? Here's another handsome visage.... So handsome, so quiet. Wonder what secrets he gets up to when no one is looking? (Click the picture to see his alternate form!)Wow! Apparently he puts the tall in tall, dark, and sexy. How about that! Just think of all the help you could get with those "hard to reach" places. And last but not least... Look at this sexy bit of temptation. A hot man and an apple - the timeless formulation for forbidden passion and temptation. Yep. This is certainly one sexy shape shifter. I wonder what he could be... (Click to see his alternative form!) Oh, dear! Maybe we should have kept his shifter form a secret until after the holidays. Oh, well...Happy Thanksgiving! From everyone here at the Midnight Moon Cafe, we wish you a happy and safe holiday! ~~Tempest, Cora, Cass, and Brandi

Holiday Brew and Flash Fiction Friday

Midnight Brew and the Flash Fiction Friday will resume next week, as Tempest, Cora, Brandi, I and the rest of the MMC staff celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. In place of the Midnight Brew this Thursday, we have a Turkey Day Special just for you. And this Friday, we'll post plenty of recipes so you can get creative with those turkey leftovers! :) Our next Midnight Brew (Nov. 30) will be special, since we have a surprise, behind-the-scenes look at the Cafe staff that you won't want to miss. So from all of us to all of you–GET STUFFED! ;) WE certainly hope to. LOL ENJOY!

Cass' November Newsletter Winner is....

...Meow63! Congratulations, Meow (aka Mary)! You won my November Newsletter Drawing and a 2007 Mens Calendar. Chock full of hot looking guys, I'm sure you'll love each and every month next year! :) If you'd like a chance to win my newsletter contest, you have to join my newsletter loop. Yes, there is a catch! LOL. The bi-monthly, low-volume Cassandra Curtis newsletter keeps you informed on all my new releases, appearances, chats, and includes reviews, excerpts, recipes and even a flash fiction story. Plus, by subscribing, you are automatically entered in the newsletter contest drawing each issue. So what are you waiting for? Join NOW.

Soapy Saturday

It's Saturday. A day to relax. And what a better way to do it than to take a long bath. Or at least a long shower. Let the hot water run down your body, washing away the tension. But I'll need something to perk up my shower, make it more fun. In my ideal shower, I'd add those 3 gorgeous guys to help me soap my body. What will you add to your bath or shower to perk it up?

Lynda Hilburn's Revenge Winners

Here's the moment you all have been waiting for. The winners of the Revenge contest are... A free download of Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker... Jenny (gryffindoreanbrat) Email tarot reading... Karla Mahanna Congratulations ladies! *applause* And thanks you all who joined us for that wonderful interview!

Flash Fiction Friday

I actually planned to write a flash fiction to post today, but I got sidelined by a calendar. No, really. My sister sent me an early Yule present and it came in today's mail. I've been unable to think too much beyond, OMG. And I can't stop drooling. I would post the pictures here, but to really understand the sheer magnitude, the entire scope of this amazingly hawt calendar, you have to see the whole shebang. Since I can't fit that many of you into my office, and I can't figure out how to work the scanner, I'll just send you HERE and you can see for yourself. Now, tell me--it's a better excuse than the dog ate my story, huh? Umm, hello...ya'll are comin' back right? RIGHT? Oh crap. TK? I think they're all gone! Sucked-in by the rugged Aussie studlies. Ohhh, but what a way to go! :D Oh and one more thing...click on the word gallery when you skip the introduction and you get to see them in living color, too.

Midnight Brew: Lynda Hilburn

After writing nonfiction for the last 20 years, Ms. Lynda Hilburn began exploring my interest in paranormal fiction about two years ago. I especially enjoy vampire fiction and am in the midst of writing a contemporary paranormal w/romance elements. In addition to writing, I make my living as a Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Professional Intuitive and Psychotherapy Group Facilitator, plus I teach for a local university, along with offering classes, workshops, and lectures on various topics as part of my private practice. The Midnight Moon Café has the pleasure to welcome Ms. Lynda Hilburn! MMC: Do you remember the first paranormal romance you ever read? LH: Well, that requires a longer answer! Prior to three years ago, I didn't know there was any such thing as paranormal romance. I'd been a paranormal fan since I was a kid, but I didn't know that romance came in that flavor! One day a student in a class I was teaching in my living room starting looking through my books and asked if I'd read a certain author (Laurell K. Hamilton). I'd never heard of her. My student said I had to read about the sexy vampire Jean-Claude. Yikes. Some people might not consider the Anita Blake books to be romance, but they are to me! Jean-Claude is still my favorite paranormal being. After reading LKH's books, I went hog wild and took out every paranormal romance my library had. Now I'm addicted! MMC: When did you first become interested in writing paranormal romance? LH: The answer to that follows from the one above. I started reading lots of paranormal romances and thought, hmmmm. I'll bet I could write one of those. Well, writing one myself turned out to be much harder than I anticipated. I'm still learning. My first completed manuscript (still unsold, but fingers crossed that the agent isn't using it to prop open his door) is a paranormal with romance elements. That's because the heroine can't choose between the two guys she's involved with at the end of the first book. MMC: Who influenced you the most in your writing? LH: Before writing fiction, I wrote/read nonfiction for years. Books like "Illusions," by Richard Bach, Carlos Casteneda's fantasy realism, lots of metaphysical books like the "Seth" material by Jane Roberts, and the crazy fiction of Tom Robbins. And I was heavily influenced by Anne Rice. And, of course, "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. MMC: How important is world building in your stories? LH: I tend to write contemporary stories, probably because I'm too lazy to create a unique world. I love writing about the nuances and quirkyness of our everyday world. And I like imposing something strange and weird on top of the "normal." MMC: How much time do you dedicate to research? LH: Not much. I tend to write about things I already know. But ask me that in a few years, after I've branched out beyond what my brain already has stored away! MMC: You do psychic consultations, besides reading the tarot and hypnotherapy. Does any of this filters into your stories? LH: Absolutely. All my stories (under my name, as opposed to my pen name) involve elements of the psychic/metaphysical. All my vampires are marvelous at trancework. I'm brainstorming a story (series?) about a psychic. I'll have to make her extraordinary, so we'll see what she wants to get into. All my characters are some aspect of me (for good or not!). This character will be able to do incredible things with her mind! MMC: In your opinion, what are the necessary elements for a good paranormal romance story? LH: Characters are everything for me. I'm much more concerned about the layers within and between people than I am about the outer environment. Maybe that's another reason I write contemporary. I don't want to have to worry about the outer world, so I can explore the characters' inner worlds. I'm not good at writing alpha males. I guess mine would be considered intellectual/alpha-ish beta males. Seems all the characters I write are cerebral. My alter ego is writing a novella where the characters started out being very active and ass-kicking, but - before the end of the first chapter - both of them started saying clever things. But a little ass kicking actually does go on (in between the sex sessions)! Or at least as much as any of my characters can do! MMC: What makes a vampire so appealing to the female readers? LH: All the vampire archetypes are powerful. I know the most about the archetype that appeals to me: the extraordinary male. The man who'll never be "ordinary," who'll never get a beer gut and sit around watching TV. The man who is magical. Who needs me so badly that he'll literally perish if I don't share my life's blood with him. My life force. Who could resist being needed that much? A man who can read my every mood, my every thought and emotion. (Of course, there is a downside to that!) Some of us like to fantasize about being overpowered. Captured and pierced (in lots of ways). Consumed. MMC: Where do you see the evolution of the paranormal sub-genre going? LH: Well, for me there's always been paranormal. It was adding romance to it that came as a surprise! I think vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, and other creepy crawlies will always be with us. Other creatures will emerge from the darkness, too, like the hunky dragon in "Witchling." MMC: I read "Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker" (I must admit I was drawn to the title), and it was hilarious. How did you come up with it? LH: Ah, that's sweet to say! I wrote the story for possible inclusion in an anthology (where they wanted the vampire to be the main character and to be slightly odd), which never happened. I tried and tried to sell the story, and publishers/editors mostly assumed it was a HEA romance and then were disappointed (which is putting it mildly in some cases) to find out it was a humor thing with no HEA. It originally had another name, but I thought I'd better think up something that actually represented what the story was about, and the style of the presentation. So I combined "diary" with "narcissistic" and "bloodsucker" and it seemed to work. I'll write more stories in Zara's universe one of these days soon. MMC: Your must recent story is "Trick or Treat." Tell us more about it. LH: That's a Hera St. Aubyn story. She writes much spicier/hotter than I do. That little story (she tells me) was the product of her twisted little mind. It was actually an attempt to write a HEA. She just couldn't do it. Or, at least, not exactly. She got all the way to the end and then had to pull the rug out. It's about the first meeting of Natasha and Victor in an old mansion. Clothing definitely gets torn off and passion happens! She also has a story coming out one of these days soon called "Vampire of my Dreams." She has a blurb up on her blog. MMC: Who is your sexiest hero to date and why? LH: I think it's the hero of my novel (the one hopefully not propping the agent's door open). He's an 800-year-old, gorgeous, blond vamp. Who owns a club in Denver (actually I based the idea of this club on a place that really exists.) He makes the heroine do all kinds of juicy things just by locking eyeballs with her. MMC: Let's say you've just landed a movie deal, and you get to pick the actor who'll play the hero from your latest book. Who would you pick? LH: I've been looking for photos to represent the hero mentioned above, and I can't find anyone who fills the bill yet. He has to have long, light blond hair and lovely turquoise eyes. Body to die for, of course. Wears a lot of designer leather. He appears to be about 30 in human years. I'll have to put my thinking cap on! In fact, maybe I'll ask your readers for suggestions! MMC: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books? LH: Why, yes I do! Thanks for asking. My website has everything that I do (counseling, hypnotherapy, hypnotherapy CDs, tarot, email workshops, writing): http://www.LyndaHillburn.com/ My paranormal blog is called Paranormality Universe. Hera St. Aubyn has a blog, too: http://herastaubyn.blogspot.com/ If (I mean WHEN) I sell my novel, I'll get a separate website just for the books. Thank you Lynda for sharing your time with us! ********** Contest time! Ms. Hilburn has graciously offered two prizes for two lucky blog readers: 1. A free download of Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker 2. A brief, email Tarot reading. The person who wins the Tarot reading can email me with some questions and I'll answer them! How can you enter? Read on... Since Zara (the vampire) is into revenge in the book, answer the following question: Revenge is sweet (or so we hear). Have you ever fantasized about doing something awful to an ex or somebody else? What would you do to get even? Send your responses to Lynda at BoulderBoomer@aol.com. She'll pick two names, one for the free download of Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker and one for the tarot reading.

Wild Wild Wednesday

It's been a while since we played the Wild Wild West contest, so I thought we could do that today. I'll be giving away a book thong. How can you win it? Just look at the pic above (not that you could have missed it *winks*), and create a little scene in which you meet this gorgeous paranormal creature and post it here. Tell me under which circunstances you'd meet him, what kind of paranormal creature he is, and what he would say to you the first time he saw you. C'mon, get creative! Give a couple of lines at least! *wg* I'll choose a winner among those who post today.

Cooking a new brew for this Thursday!

This Thursday we're cooking a brew of paranormality proportions when we welcome paranromal romance author, Ms. Lynda Hilburn. After writing nonfiction for the last 20 years, Lynda began exploring her interest in paranormal fiction about two years ago. She especially enjoys vampire fiction. So this led her to write Diary Of A Narcissistic Bloodsucker. Told in first person by the vampire herself (Zara), this is the diary of an ancient, self-absorbed, yet-amusing nightwalker. She lusts for both sex and blood. Unfortunately, something has gone awry and her normal habits now create new problems to solve. In the midst of sorting things out, she meets an intriguing human named Niven - a musician who lives in the magical kingdom of contemporary Boulder, CO - and discovers that he is much more than he appears to be. Then, if things weren't interesting enough, Zara encounters her old mentor/lover - the vampire who originally turned her - and things get downright supernatural. In addition to writing, Ms. Hilburn makes her living as a Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Professional Intuitive and Psychotherapy Group Facilitator, plus she teaches for a local university, along with offering classes, workshops, and lectures on various topics as part of my private practice. The Midnight Moon Cafe will be giving away a copy of Diary Of A Narcissistic Bloodsucker to one lucky bloodsucker... er, person this Thursday night...if you can answer her question. ;) So make sure you mark down your calendars Thursday, November 16, and check out this new brew. She will be answering questions and chatting with everyone who posts.

Blood Enemy - A Love Story

If you love vampires and werewolves and want to read a hauntingly beautiful, heart-wrentching love story, then the prequel (the novel focuses on more than 800 years past) to the Underworld series is what you need. Blood Enemy is the book that sets the tone for all the movies (and its books). Why? Here you have Lucian (the werewolf)'s story. His ill-fated love story. The love that set the war between vampires and werewolves. Lucian is a werewolf, tamed since he was a baby by the vampires. He grows to be their most loyal servant. (The author does a wonderful job at presenting his undying loyalty to his masters.) He's the tracker for the vampires. He tracks his own kind. Those renegade werewolves who hunt humans. Ah, but his eyes falls on the beautiful daughter of one of the Elders, Viktor, and he finds himself enchanted with her. Sonja is a pure blood vampire princess. When Lucian rescues her from the mob that killed her mother and all the Death Dealers escorting them to the awakening of Viktor, Sonja takes notice of the handsome werewolf. But love between the gentle vampire princess and werewolf is forbidden by Covenant law. Yet as their passion grow, they dared to challenge it all and secretly meet, letting their bodies express their sublime love. As you know she becomes pregnant, and they decide to escape. However, in the vampire court of Viktor's coven, jealousy and greed surrounds the young lovers. If you saw Underworld, you know what will happen, but nothing will prepare for the details of what happens to Lucian and Sonja. Your heart breaks with Lucian’s as the very end. Some of the scenes take place in modern times, so you will see more of Soren and Kraven dealing with Lucian, as well as Selene and her Death Dealer mates. I know... I know... You all saw Underworld and think Lucian is a bad guy because he bit down Michael Corvin. Trust me, after reading this book, you'll see Lucian differently. *wg* Don't worry if you've never seen or read Underworld and Underworld: Evolution. Blood Enemy stands on its own. It'll grip you from the very first line. It's a Romeo & Juliet kind of story but with its own twist. Although it's labeled as purely paranormal, IMHO, it's a paranormal romance. Don't miss it!

Are you in MySpace?

I am. Now. Actually, I opened an account back in May, but I never did anything with it. I admit I wasn't totally psyche about MySpace although I try to keep myself up to what's out on the internet since the first time I've got in back in 1989. (Yeah, back when the only way to meet people was through telnet and email. Then came the BBSs, and when the first browsers came out chatrooms quickly popped everywhere.) So now I'm hip! *lol* Well, we are hip. Most of the midnight mooners here have a MySpace page. One of the cool things is that we send bulletins when we have special events here at the Café. People really dig it! *wg* It's also a great way to be more in contact with fellow writers and readers. Do you happen to be in MySpace? Then you can send us a "friend's request" if you want. We'll love to add you! Here's a link to our Myspace pages. Brandi Broughton Cassandra Curtis Cora Zane Tempest Knight

Flash Fiction Friday

The Witness by Cassandra Curtis ©2006, Cassandra Curtis The place was packed tonight. Must have been a gang-related shooting. She didn't need to sit down, so she picked a spot against the wall, just under the giant hanging portrait of some saint. Good vantage point to see all the dramas play out. Better than reality TV. A woman grabbed at the torn shirt of a teenager on the nearest gurney, sobbing and screaming at the fates. The boy was unconscious. Once upon a time, she would've gone over to comfort the mama sita, tell her the boy would be okay. But now, she knew better. The kid's skin was already tinged the gray-blue of impending death. What a damn waste. The EMT's had done their job and the nursing staff took over, one of the ER nurses telling the woman in rapid Spanish that she could see her son soon as they got him cleaned up and stabilized. The medics pushed past her. Another woman with the same mouth and eyes as mama sita put her arms around her--guided her back to the waiting room. Five more victims passed through those wide double doors, on their way to meet with my boss. In the far corner, near the vending machines, a guy was pacing and muttering to himself. His voice grew louder and he kicked the snack dispenser, one...two...three times before he was told to stop. He kicked the machine one last time before sitting down. The man next to him was cradling his left arm in a crimson-stained towel. The couple in the next row over caught my attention. The man was clutching a wad of paper towels against his neck, while the woman ignored the numerous signs posted, whipped out her cell phone and proceeded to dial. She wondered what happened to the guy's neck. Bet it was one hell of a story. Three young toughs in leather, gold chains and jeans, jacked into music ‘pods. Took turns walking up to the ER’s registration desk. A uniformed hospital security guard stood near the doors. Everyone was on high alert after the last bomb scare. She noticed the handsome cop sitting on the gurney in the hall. His shirt was open, exposing his finely ripped muscles. The stark white bandages covering his chocolate skin were stained with faint traces of blood. He tried to stand and fell forward. Nurses ran to catch him. Nothing like the coppery taste of blood and fear, she thought as she watched the chaos, never a part of it. She was invisible, an elderly woman in homeless rags and dirt. A relic from a forgotten past, or maybe the future. She wasn’t really sure herself, time fields being akin to land mines. But she kept everything recorded in the journal. The boss was picky about that. She felt a tug on her sleeve and looked down to see a golden-haired child with brilliant blue eyes staring up at her. “Take a hike kid. I’m working.” She pulled the tiny hand from her arm. “You’re not the only one working–scribe.” A cruel snare twisted the perfect little face. “My pardon. Great disguise, by the way. Very sweet and angelic.” “Get fucked.” “You’re a little too young for me in your current form. Why don’t you go try that on someone else?” “Always watching, never playing....must get boring. You know, we could use a person with your particular skills. If you ever decide you want to participate in life, here’s my card.” He handed her a business card with simple red lettering. S. Lived, Adjuster Casuality Life, Home, Health 1 (800) 555-6660 “S. Lived, huh? Clever anagram. Not interested, though. The boss didn’t take sides in the original dispute, and frowns on it now, when his people do..” She tried to give it back, but he pushed her hand away. “So I heard. Keep it.” He turned his back on her, his interest snagged on a man pushing a young woman in a wheelchair through the hospital doors. She tore the card into three pieces and threw it in the trash. “Smart move. His type was created for trouble.” Startled, she backed up a step, and glanced around, then realized the voice was inside her head. “Boss, I didn’t...” “I know. You have to be vigilant. Both sides want to pull us into their squabble. “ She wondered, not for the first time, what the boss looked like. If his ambient force glowed as warm and sexy as his voice, she’d be happy to have him “visit” her anytime. A faint chuckle bounced around in her mind. Her aura turned brilliant fuschia, sparks of blue-white light fanned from her solar plexus. Great. She’d forgotten he could read her mind when he communed with his reporters. “Oh, hell.” She bit her lip and ducked her head. The last thing she needed was to draw further attention, especially from the sulfur and brimstone set. #30#

Vampire name winner!

Sorry I didn't post this sooner, but I've had a lot problems with my internet connection. Anyway, here it is... the winner of the vampire name is... Heather Harper *throws confetti* Heather, to receive your prize, send an email with your snail mail address to: midnightmooncafe@gmail.com. Write "Vampire Name Winner" in the subject.

Sun Signs For Writers Book Winner is...

... Sabrina Luna! Congratulations, Sabrina! You're a winner at the Midnight Moon Cafe!

Holiday De-Stress Goodies Winner is:

... Kris! Congrats, Kris. Please email us at midnightmooncafe@gmail.com with your snail mail address so we can send your prize. :) Enjoy! You're a Winner at The Midnight Moon Cafe! Stay tuned folks! I'll be drawing the winner for Ms. Walton-Porter's book later tonight!

Midnight Brew Presents: Bev Walton-Porter

Powered by lattes, motivated by Milanos and inspired by the view of Pikes Peak outside her window, Bev Walton-Porter has managed to churn out hundreds of published pieces since she tried her hand at full-time freelancing in 1997. Bev's work has appeared in numerous publications, both online and offline. Her first piece was published in 1982 before the age of 18. Her article on online promotion appears in The Online Guide To Writer's Markets (Writer's Digest Books), edited by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. She is featured in Going Solo: How to Survive and Thrive as a Freelancer by Bobbi Linkemer. Her book, Sun Signs for Writers, is published by F & W Publications and was released this August. She is a client of the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency in New York City. She lives with her family and three cats in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A confirmed workaholic who is nocturnal by nature, she keeps vampire's hours and finds the call of the Muse in the dark of night. Her favorite author is the inimitable Stephen King. Bev enjoys reading, cinema, music, counted cross-stitch and camping/exploring with her children in the Colorado wilderness. The Midnight Moon Café is proud to welcome Ms. Bev Walton-Porter! Cass: Who influenced you the most in your writing? Bev: My sixth grade teacher, Leo C. Walton, Sr., who was my adopted dad (deceased) and Stephen King. They all contributed to my love of reading and writing from an early age. Cass: How did you come up with the idea for Sun Signs for Writers? Bev: This sounds unexciting, but I was in the shower one day just thinking about much of nothing. All of a sudden it occurred to me that zodiac signs would make great templates for characters. Then I thought, "Hmmm…surely a Leo writer isn't like a Pisces writer - there must be some personality differences!" So A led to B, so to speak, and I wondered if anyone had done a book addressing those subjects. Got out of the shower, researched through online booksellers and stores, then discovered nobody had written a book like that. So I wrote up a proposal on those ideas! Cass: When did you first become interested in astrology? Bev: When I was about nine years old. I'd spend hours in the library after school and I was an avid reader, always gravitating toward the Occult section of the library. Linda Goodman's books had a huge effect on me as well. She wrote well and she was a talented astrologer as well. Interestingly, she used to live in Cripple Creek, Colorado, which isn't too far from where I live. How cool would it be to grow up and be like Linda Goodman, I wondered? An astrologer who was a writer, too? Nothing could be cooler. Cass: Does it take a long time to learn and understand astrology? Bev: Yes. You never stop learning. I'm only an Associate Astrologer and I have a way to go to get to the level I intend to qualify for. You never reach a point where you know everything. But then again, that's what life is about anyway! Also, it's my view that you can study and learn all that's out there (or a good portion of it), but I believe astrology is also about intuition and channeling information that may not readily be set out in front of you in black and white. Again, I believe there's an art as well as a science to astrology. Cass: How does Sun Suns for Writers help a beginning writer understand their strengths or weaknesses? Bev: Quite often, beginning writers know that they want to write, but they don't know where to begin, how to get where they want, or who to turn to for advice. In my book, I discuss how certain personality types found in the sun signs may respond to certain challenges in writing -- such as writer's block. There are profiles for each sun sign and I concentrate on ways to help each sign break writer's block, deal with rejection and boost creativity. The exercises and tidbits I provide are tailored to each sign as I see it. Writing the book, I took what I knew about the sun signs and then tried to allow information to grow out of that knowledge. In addition, sometimes I had a feeling or intuition of some things to add in certain sections and I just listened to that inner voice and trusted it. Cass: Can readers immediately apply what they learn from reading your book? Bev: Yes, immediately. Within minutes of reading the book, or even one section of the book, writers of all experience levels will discover tips and information they can apply to their writing lives. The book is fun, but it's more practical and informative than anything else. People are surprised because they don't expect the amount of useful information it provides. It's not just a fluffy book on astrology that entertains and does little else. In fact, the book is useful even if you know nothing about astrology or you are skeptical over astrology. The tips inside are geared for writers, period. Cass: Who are some of the famous writers you give as examples in your book? Bev: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Tom Clancy, Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice and quite a few others. Each sign lists famous authors born under each sun sign as well as quotes from them. I also wrote author profiles for each sign using certain authors, but that is bonus material that does not appear in the book. Cass: What is your sun sign? Bev: Sagittarius. I was born December 17, 1964. :-) Cass: Although your book focuses on sun signs, how big a part do other planets play in our strengths and weaknesses as writers? Bev: Here's the thing: as human beings, you have free will. I see the natal chart for a person as a template or map of what was going on at the time of the person's birth. You'll find out the prevailing influences and possibilities, but nothing is set in stone…and you have free will to act or not act in accordance with that information you know. Also, just because you have a weakness as a writer, that doesn't mean you throw in the towel; instead, use that knowledge to improve and overcome those obstacles. My book can help in that regard by offering suggestions that speak to certain weaknesses. See those as challenges that offer an opportunity for growth, and not merely an excuse to give up or give in. The planets do play a part in our lives, but we are not solely bound by those influences and helpless in that regard. Like anything else, use that information as a tool or resource to become wiser and grow as a person and a writer as you walk your path. Cass: In your research, did you find that writers of certain genres tend toward being a certain sign? Bev: It's a bit more complicated than that; writers of all signs write in all genres. You'd have to look at the whole chart to get a complete picture. It would be a daunting task, but I'd love to launch a research project that compares the charts of famous writers to see which astrological influences/aspects may show up in their charts, as well as statistical results from such a research project. Cass: Can you give an example from one of your writing exercises in Sun Signs for Writers? Bev: Sure thing! Here's a sample one for Libra writers: 1. Find beauty in an everyday object. Nobody does a better job of discovering hidden beauty than Libra. You instinctively know what’s tasteful and cultured. Now it’s time to take a different tack with beauty—or your perception of it. Find an everyday object that you and others would usually describe as anything other than beautiful. How about a withering plant? Is there an old, bald tire out in your garage? After you’ve selected your item, find a quiet place (perhaps outside on the porch or inside at a work table) and fully examine the item. Make a note of the basic appearance of the article, noting any irregularities or worn spots. Once you’ve described the basic attributes of the item, shift your mind and set out to find the inherent beauty of the object, however ugly or rough you might think it is at first glance. Again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Use your imagination and writing skills to unearth the hidden charm of the object. Write about your discovery. Cass: What do you know now you wished you'd known "then"? Bev: To be discerning about the advice and criticism you receive from others. Everyone is a critic and there are a lot of armchair quarterbacks out there. You have to know which advice is applicable to your methods as a writer and which advice doesn't necessarily apply to you. In addition, don't surround yourself with negative people who only dole out hurtful, non-constructive criticism. Seek out opinions and advice from people who are doing what you want to do. If you want to write a novel, don't take advice from someone who's never done it before. It's best to strike a balance between the rational and intuitive sides of yourself. When they work in tandem, it's my feeling writers produce their best work. Cass: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where folks can read about you and your books? Bev: Yes, I sure do. I've been publishing Scribe & Quill, an e-zine for writers, for nine years at http://www.scribequill.com. In addition, my author site is located at: http://www.bevwaltonporter.com. Cass: Thanks for stopping by to chat with our readers! Bev: Thanks for having me as a guest! I'm honored. Sun Signs for Writers (Writer’s Digest Books) is the first book to harness the power of the zodiac to improve writing! This one-of-a-kind writing resource reveals your unique writing personality using astrology, then combines it with practical writing instruction. By helping you discover your writing strengths and weaknesses based on your astrological sign, this unique and fun guide brings together the creative worlds of astrology and writing for an instructive guide that any writer can benefit from. Packed with exercises designed for each sign's tendencies, as well as examples of famous writers and literary characters and their signs, you'll gain key insights into your unique writing process, and have fun assigning a sun sign to your characters. Now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and bookstores across the globe! ISBN: 1582974039 ISBN-13: 9781582974033 Publisher: Writer's Digest Books Here are a couple of excerpts from the book readers can access at these URLs: http://www.wdeditors.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/sunsignsintro.pdf http://www.wdeditors.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/libra.pdf For more information, visit: http://www.wdeditors.com/wordpress/fall-2006-titles/sun-signs-for-writers/ The Midnight Moon Café will be giving away a copy of Ms. Walton-Porter's book, Sun Signs For Writers. Email us at: midnightmooncafe@gmail.com with your answer to the following question: Name at least two famous authors used as examples in her book. Hint: several author's names are mentioned (as examples in the interview) that she uses in her book. Please remember to include your snail mail address along with your answer, so we can send you the prize if you're our winner! Winner will be chosen at random from all completed and correct answers, and announced later tonight, here at the Café. Good Luck!

Holiday De-Stress

The holidays can be a stressful time for many women. You feel like it s expected of you to have to do everything, be everything, have everything and charm the in-laws, keep the hubby or boyfriend happy, keep the kids from fighting and the dog or cats from eating the turkey! I tell ya, it can give a gal an ulcer. So we ladies at the Midnight Moon Cafe want to let you know it's okay to give yourself permission to goof off and de-stress! Take a nice hot bubble bath, sip soothing herbal tea, and read a book. Remember–this holiday season, while you're doing for everyone else--to do a little something for YOU! 'Cause we think you're worth it! :) Cass, Cora, TK, and Brandi Tell us your favorite thing to do to de-stress and we'll pick a winner tommorow at random from all the comments and that person will receive a mini spa kit with body lotion and bath fizzy bombes.

All In The Stars–the Next Midnight Brew

Our next Midnight Brew is All in the Stars, when we welcome guest author, Bev Walton-Porter. Bev has been a professional writer since May 1997. To date, she has had hundreds of articles, features, columns, reviews and interviews published on a wide variety of subjects. She has worked as a contract editor for NBC Internet, Suite101.com, Eye On the Web and Inkspot.com. Her first co-authored book, "The Complete Writer: A Guide to Tapping Your Full Potential," was released in August 2005. Bev's first solo book, "Sun Signs for Writers," was released by Writer's Digest Books in August 2006. She is also the author of "Mending Fences," a contemporary romance published September 6, 2006. She is currently working on two book proposals and polishing a fiction manuscript for submission. In addition to writing, she has published Scribe & Quill, an award-winning e-zine for writers, for the past nine years. She is a member of The Authors Guild and co-founder of the International Order of Horror Professionals. She is a client of the Meredith Bernstein Agency in New York City. YOUR WRITING SUCCESS IS IN THE STARS! Sun Signs for Writers (Writer’s Digest Books) is the first book to harness the power of the zodiac to improve writing! This one-of-a-kind writing resource reveals your unique writing personality using astrology, then combines it with practical writing instruction. Now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and bookstores across the globe! For more information, visit: http://www.wdeditors.com/wordpress/fall-2006-titles/sun-signs-for-writers/ The Midnight Moon Cafe will be giving away a copy of Sun Signs For Writers to one lucky reader/writer this Thursday night...if you know the answer to our question. :) So mark your calendars for Thursday, November 9, when we welcome Ms. Bev Walton-Porter as our guest!

Midnight Moon Recipes

I was googling "midnight moon" and found out these mouth-watering recipes with the words in their title. Enjoy them! Midnight Moon Cake Submitted by: Dee Turner INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup shortening 1 1/4 cups white sugar 2 eggs 1 cup hot water 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 fluid ounces lemon juice DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and line with parchment paper one 9 inch round cake pan. 2. Cream shortening, add white sugar gradually and cream until fluffy. Blend in the well beaten eggs. 3. In a separate bowl, slowly add hot water to cocoa and mix until smooth, dissolving cocoa completely. 4. In a third bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Blend in vanilla. Pour batter into one 9 inch round pan. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Let cake cool then ice with Lemon Icing. 6. To Make Icing: Combine confectioner's sugar with enough lemon juice to make the icing spreadable without being runny or stiff (about 1/4 cup). Stir in the grated zest. Pour icing over top of cake. See the full moon. Midnight Moon Ingredients 1 round (8 ounces) Brie cheese 3 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons crumbled blue cheese 2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped walnuts 3 tablespoons apricot preserves, divided Assorted crackers (optional) 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut Brie cheese horizontally in half. Combine blue cheese and walnuts in small bowl. Spread 4-1/2 teaspoons apricot preserves on cut side of one half of Brie cheese; sprinkle with half of blue cheese mixture. Place remaining half of Brie cheese on top; spread with remaining 4-1/2 teaspoons apricot preserves. 2. Wrap 3-inch high strip of foil tightly around Brie; secure with piece of tape. Place in 8-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle remaining blue cheese mixture over half of apricot preserves to form crescent moon shape. 3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until soft and beginning to melt. Serve immediately with crackers. Secret Midnight Moon Better than Chocolate Sex Cake INGREDIENTS * 2 cups self-rising flour * 2 cups white sugar * 1 cup water * 1/2 cup butter * 1/2 cup shortening * 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder * 1/2 cup buttermilk * 1 teaspoon baking soda * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 2 eggs * 1/2 cup whiskey * 4 fluid ounces strong brewed coffee * 1/2 cup butter * 1/3 cup buttermilk * 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder * 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. 2. Combine flour and white sugar in a large bowl and set aside. 3. Put 1/2 cup buttermilk into a large glass and add baking soda, stir until combined, set aside. 4. In medium sauce pan over medium heat combine water, shortening, 1/2 cup butter and 4 tablespoons cocoa. Stir until shortening and butter are melted. Allow to boil on medium heat for 5 minutes. 5. Add chocolate mixture to dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Add buttermilk baking soda mixture, stir until blended. Add eggs and mix. Add the whiskey and the espresso and keep mixing. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix well. Pour into a 9 x 13 inch pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. 6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. 7. To Make Frosting: Combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/3 cup buttermilk, and 3 tablespoons cocoa in medium sauce pan, allow to come to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and add confectioners sugar and mix well, add 1 teaspoon vanilla and chopped nuts. Pour over hot cake. Allow cake to cool. The longer this sets, the better it gets!

Attack of the Fifty Thousand Word Nano!

Yes, I am doing NanoWriMo this year. I know it doesn't seem like I am. I mean, I only have 100 measely words written so far, but I have big plans for this year. Namely, I hope to get another 49,900 words done! LOL To read more about the Nano Attack, go to: http://myspace.com/author_cassandracurtis and click on my blog there. For more about NaNoWriMo, go to: http://www.nanowrimo.org Best of luck to all the little nanos out there!

For those who live in the Dark...

Are you planning a (belated) Halloween party so you're looking for the perfect wine for this season? Or do you simply want to indulge the "vampire" in you? Then you have to check out the line of drinks from Vampire. Ah... yes, you read that right. *wg* And it comes from Romania. Actually Transylvannia. Vampire Wineyards has a good selection of wines, from Merlot to Chardonnay. I'm rather partial for the Merlot. I just bought a bottle for this Samhain celebration. But if you want something stronger, then try the Vampire Vodka. They even offer some recipes you'll find simply ... irresistible. Perhaps your inner vampire craves for some energy, then you need Vamp Energy Drink. Now if you are a soft drinker like me, they have Dracola. To keep with the vampire tradition, it's dark red. And it tastes pretty good actually. Let the vampire in you out... http://www.vampire.com/ ----------- Contest: Here's a link to where you can find your vampire name. Go there and find out. Then come back and post it. I'll choose a winner among those who post. The prize... that will be surprise. *wg*

Flash Fiction Friday

"Surprise, Surprise" ©2006, Tempest Knight “Come out, come out…wherever you are?” The one with its guttural voice tinged with an Irish brogue shouted. “Yeah. We just wanna play with ya.” Yeah, let’s play ‘hide and seek.’ I hide while you overgrown mutts seek. Huddled behind the trash bins, I clutched the Glock tight. Their growls sounded closer. Or maybe it was the echo in the alley that made it so. Hell, whatever. Their claws scraped on the asphalt as they approached. I swallowed hard. I dared to peek through the small gap between the bins. Three large fully-transformed lycans stood on the clearing. Fangs bared, foam dripped from their jaws. My heart pounded so fast I could almost hear it. I closed my eyes and concentrated on slowing my heartbeat. Lycans had very sensitive ears. I didn't want to give away my position. Not if I could help it. “Here, witchling, witchling. We just want a taste of your flesh.” They laughed at their own entendre, and I rolled my eyes. Oh boy, a comedian. Suddenly something clang close to where I was hiding, and I held my gun so tight my knuckles turned white. My mind raced as I pondered fast my options. But what options? I was trapped in a dead-end alley. I looked at the fire-escape stairs. Go up? Nope. They’d catch me before I could reach ladder. And I couldn’t shoot my way out of here. I only had two silver bullets left. One silver bullet wouldn’t slow down an Alpha werewolf unless it punctured a vital organ – the heart or the brain. And there were three out there barely 30 feet away. What was going on? It just didn’t make sense. Alpha males seldom banned together. But tonight I’d run into a pack of seven Alpha lycans. I’d shot 4 before scurrying into the alley. One of the trash bins rattled, and my head up snapped up, expecting to see a fur face with yellowish eyes staring at me. “You can run, but you can't hide. I can smell your fear.” Damn. Game over. Trying to keep my arm from shaking, I raised my Glock and aimed. I only had one shot to kill the lycan. A loud yelp pierced the night, and then all went quiet. I frowned as I strained to listen for any sound. Too quiet. Where the fuck did those fanged doggies go? “Ms. Star, you can come out now.” The French-accented masculine voice startled me. I slowly rose to my feet on shaky legs, my gun still held at the ready. My eyes widen as I gazed into the blue-in-blue eyes of the vampire I’d seen at the Café three nights ago. “Lucian.” I couldn’t keep the surprise in my voice even if I tried. “At your service, madame.” He bowed with Old World grace, and his white-blond mane spilled over his shoulders. “What the hell are you doing in my town?” Bravado quickly replaced my fear. I glared into those vampy eyes. This time he didn’t try to bespell me. Good for him. He tsked. “Is that the way to treat your savior, mon chere?” He leaned his powerful muscular frame against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He wore black slacks covering his long lean legs. The burgundy shirt hugged the muscles of his chest, the tightness of his abdomen. He gave me a boyish grin that would have melted the resolve of any other woman. Oh okay, it affected me too. Just a little. At least that’s what I told myself as I walked past him. “Thank you,” I muttered. I hated to owe favors. Especially to night creatures. They had a twisted way to collect back. “My pleasure.” His voice was deep and husky. The kind that evoked satin sheets and hot sex. I shook my head trying to dissipate the images that were forming there. Did this vampire always have to make every word sound so decadently erotic? I glanced around and frowned. “Where are they?” “Who?” “The werewolves.” “I took care of them.” I bet he did. “I have to get rid of their bo…the evidence.” “I already did that. I assure you I don’t desire unwanted attention either.” I swung around and arched an eyebrow. “Oh, I bet you don’t. Somehow I get the feeling you weren’t invited, right?” He simply stared back at me with unblinking eyes, remaining immobile like a beautiful statue. I took his silence as a ‘yes’ and pushed on. “Aha. Just as I thought. Naughty, naughty. You’ve slipped into a Master Vampire’s territory. I doubt you’re here on vacation so that only leaves one option open.” Before I could blink, he shoved me against the brick wall, knocking the wind out of me, pinning my body with his. His eyes were like blue flames. Oops! Maybe I’d pushed him a tad too far. “You are very perceptive, Calista. I’ve always loved that in a woman.” His warm breath fanned my ear, his mouth hovered close to my neck. I couldn’t control the shiver that ran up and down my body. I could almost feel his lips touching my vein. He pressed closer to me, and even through the material between us, I felt every hard muscle, every line of his body, molding to mine. My skin tingled where we touched. “So you’ve figured out what I want to be.” “Master,” I whispered. “I love the way you say it. Maybe it’ll all be worth it just to hear you call me Master.” “Fuck you.” “That can be arranged, mon chere.” His mouth crushed mine in a fierce kiss. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breath. He was overpowering my senses with his drugging kiss. His fang nipped my lower lip, and I tasted the coppery tang of my own blood. I heard his guttural growl of excitement as he suckled my bloodied lip. A small part of me knew how insane this was. I should have stopped him. Instead I moaned, and he plunged his velvety tongue, then darted it repeatedly inside my mouth in a mindlessly erotic dance. He kissed his way down to my neck. Licking. Tasting. Then I felt his fangs scrape the skin close to my artery. Gasping, I pushed the gun into his ribcage. “Step back, Lucian.” With prenatural speed, he moved back to the opposite wall. “Or what?” He looked at the Glock pointed at him and grinned, showing his fangs. “You’re going to shoot me?” That reminded me of the two bullets left, and I sighed inwardly as I put the gun down. Besides, silver didn’t work with ancient powerful vampires like Lucian. Suddenly, the howl of a lonely werewolf broke the night, and the air filled with the howls of more lycans. Cursing, I swung around, ready to shoot. Lucian grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the fire-escape ladder. “Get out of here, Calista. Hurry. I'll cover your retreat.” Now the werewolves’ howls were edging closer. I looked up at his face etched with concern and hesitated. He shook his head. “No. Go. You can’t do anything here.” He was right. He could take care of lycans better than me. As I started climbing, I looked down at him. “I owe you one.” “Yes, you do.” I saw the glint in his eyes before he disappeared into the shadows and shuddered. -------- Read more flash fiction stories starring Calista Star: The Job Never Ends The Star and the Ghost

Winner of Rene Lyons' book, The Daystar

...is Tammy Garcia! Hey Congratulations, Tammy! Your winning email will be forwarded to Ms. Lyons. You're a Winner at The Cafe!

Midnight Brew Presents: Rene Lyons

Having always had a love of books, it wasn't until the age of fifteen that Rene Lyons knew writing was something she simply had to do. Lost in history at an early age, the Knights Templar always held a special spot in her heart. Then there is her obsession with all things dark and mysterious, especially vampires. It seemed only natural that her two loves would one day come together in the form of the Templar Vampires. She couldn't resist the call of these damned warriors. They crept into her mind and pounded on her brain, leaving her no choice but to write them. She now spends her days balancing her family and her writing, as she lives a dream she’d chased for nearly twenty years. One rule Rene always tries to live by is to never take herself too seriously. Life is too short not to laugh as much as she can every day. Rene lives in New York with her incredible and supportive husband, her daughter (who she calls her miracle), and two crazy cats. The Midnight Moon Café is honored to have Ms. Rene Lyons as our guest for Midnight Brew. MMC: Do you remember the first paranormal romance you ever read? Rene: Other than that it was a book about vampires, no, I really can't remember. I had started reading romance novels at fifteen and at one time, had a collection that numbered nearly a thousand. It's hard to remember my first of anything sort of book after having read so many! MMC: When did you first become interested in writing paranormal romances? Rene: I've always loved all things that go bump in the night, and so gravitate toward stories that center around the dark and mysterious. Horror, fantasy, and science fiction were the first types of stories I'd written. Once I'd read Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss I was hooked on romance. I've never looked back since! MMC: Who influenced you the most in your writing? Rene: Lynn Kurland and Karen Marie Moning, for the way they pull a reader into their books. The humor Julie Garwood laces her books with is something I try to do without loosing the dark feel of my own work. MMC: When and where do you get your best writing done? Rene: This is actually an ironic question! I'd always written at my desk and after my body started to hurt from the long hours sitting there, I went out and bought a laptop. I thought being mobile would be just the thing I needed to feel "refreshed". After months of using it, I began to fall victim to the dreaded Writer's Block. I went back to my desktop computer and the writing flowed once again. I was told that my desk is "my spot" so that's where I do most of my writing now. As for when, I write every morning from 7 - 10. If I'm lucky I get some work done during my daughter's afternoon nap. Come the night, I write every night from 8 -10. I'd write long into the night but I have a toddler who wakes with the dawn. MMC: How much time do you dedicate to research for your stories? Rene: I have no set time. I get the basic Idea of where and when my story will be and I do some research on that time and place. I get to the writing and if I hit a spot where I need a bit of…something…I so some research on that specific thing. Also, I've always loved the Templar Knights, so all I really needed to do was brush up on some dates and names for the Templar Vampire Novels. MMC: Let's talk a little about world-building. How do you come up with your backstory? And how does that setting affect your main characters? Rene: Since I'm writing about medieval characters set in the modern day world, their backstory is vital to establishing what makes them who they are. Since they pass through history, I try to pepper their dialogue with phrases or speech patterns they might have picked up over the centuries. I also try (and hope I've succeeded) at having them think like people who have moved through the ages. As for their actual lives, since I'm integrated actual events into their backstory, dates and places and such had to be spot on. It was very emotional for me to write their backstory, especially Constantine Draegon's. I had to search deep within myself for emotions these men suffered and there were times when I didn’t think I could pull it off. After all, how can I, a modern woman, know what these men must have endured through the ages? It was a hell of a thing for me to explore and since my editor hasn't sent me a mail bomb for my failings as an author, I have to think I got it right. lol MMC: Who is your sexiest hero to date and why? Rene: Oh this is too easy! Constantine Draegon is hands-down the sexiest hero I've ever written. He's raw. I’d like to describe him as the sort of man who's not afraid to get dirty to please his woman. MMC: Let's say you've just landed a movie deal, and you get to pick the actor who'll play the hero from your latest book. Who would you pick? And why? Rene: Since Wentworth Miller (of Prison Break) was my inspiration for Sebastian of Rydon, I'd definitely pick him. As soon as I saw him I knew his intensity was all Sebastian. MMC: For those not familiar with your work, which book would you recommend to read first and why? Rene: Since Midnight Sun is my first book, I'd have to go with it! MMC: What do you know now you wished you'd known "then"? Rene: How many times you have to read through a manuscript. I wrote my brother's death into my Templar Vampire series. I'm forced to relive my brother's death every time I have to read these books. MMC: Where do you see the evolution of the paranormal sub-genre going? Rene: Ah, now this is a tricky question. I think it's going to keep on moving forward, exploring every angle of the sub-genre and then, like all things, it's going to become too overdone…go into the dangerous realm of overkill…and burnout. But it will be back. You can't keep something so wonder down for too long. As long as readers have a love for those things that haunt the night, paranormal books will always have a place in the literary world. MMC: Is a man sexier with or without his clothes? ;) Rene: Depends on the clothes. And the man. lol MMC: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books? Rene: Yes. I've succumbed to the temptation to the almighty blog. lol http://www.renelyons.net/ http://renelyons.blogspot.com/ http://sistersgrimm.blogspot.com/ (group blog with other authors) http://groups.google.com/group/renelyons (Google Group monthly newsletter) MMC: Thank you for being our guest! Rene: Thank you so much for having me! I had a blast during this interview. The Daystar by Rene Lyons ISBN: 1-59998-148-3 Publisher: Samhain Publishing The Midnight Moon Café is giving away a copy of Ms. Lyon's newly released book, The Daystar, to one lucky reader. If you can answer this question: Name the actor Ms. Lyon's would pick to play her sexy vampire hero Sebastian. Hint: Answer is in the interview. Email us at midnightmooncafe@gmail.com with your answer. Winner will be picked from among all correct entries and announced here later tonight.

The Next Midnight Brew

Our next Midnight Brew will feature rising star and paranormal author Rene Lyons! Having always had a love of books, it wasn't until the age of fifteen that Rene Lyons knew writing was something she simply had to do. Lost in history at an early age, the Knights Templar always held a special spot in her heart. Then there is her obsession with all things dark and mysterious, especially vampires. It seemed only natural that her two loves would one day come together in the form of the Templar Vampires. She couldn't resist the call of these damned warriors. They crept into her mind and pounded on her brain, leaving her no choice but to write them. She now spends her days balancing her family and her writing, as she lives a dream she’d chased for nearly twenty years. One rule Rene always tries to live by is to never take herself too seriously. Life is too short not to laugh as much as she can every day. Rene lives in New York with her incredible and supportive husband, her daughter (who she calls her miracle), and two crazy cats. Remember to mark your calendars for Thursday, November 2, when we welcome Ms. Rene Lyons to the Café! The Café will be giving away a copy of Ms. Lyon's book, The Daystar, to one lucky reader. So don't miss it! The Daystar Genre: Romance/Vampire Available in eBook through Samhain Publishing