Welcome to our very first guest blog of 2011, as well as our very first guest blog at the redesigned WIPs and Chains!  Because of circumstances beyond Mistress Heidi‘s control (I know—can you imagine such a thing?!  :whhhat ) we had to put the guest blog feature on the back burner there for a while.  But we are back, bay-bee, & ready to rumble.

We’ve made a few structural changes to the guest blog set-up (mainly trimming them down to a single’s day’s visit) but they are still going to be a total blast.  And we are dee-lighted that our very first guest author of the New Year—as well as of the new & improved Dungeon—is the one & only JOSS WARE!

Joss Ware has been an avid reader—and writer—since she was very young. Beginning with the Little House books, moving on to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, and then as she grew older finding her mother’s romance novels, followed by historical fiction, mysteries, and thrillers, Joss has always required one element to be part of any book she enjoys: a good romance.

While Joss has written everything from medieval romances (unpublished) to female action/adventure novels (unpublished) to contemporary paranormal romances (also unpublished), she never thought about writing a series set in the future.

And then one day, while sitting at Olive Garden, a friend said to her, “Why don’t you write a post-apocalyptic romance?”   She thought about it, and the next thing she knew, Joss had the kernel of an idea that soon exploded into something she was really excited about. Then her agent got excited about it, and then an editor at HarperCollins got excited about it…and the rest is history.

After working for years in sales and marketing, owning her own business, and working briefly for an international import/export company, Joss is now blessed to do what she loves and writes full-time.

She lives in Michigan with her husband, children and two big dogs. She’s currently working on her next project and still hopes that someday, those other unpublished works might find a home.

And now, Mistress Heidi puts Joss to the test with a few of her famous (or would that be infamous?) interview questions:

What is your favorite color? Black

Favorite song? “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” by Jeff Buckley

Favorite movie? When Harry Met Sally…

And of course, favorite book? Night Train to Memphis by Elizabeth Peters

What was the first book in your chosen genre that you remember reading, or that made you want to write the same? Hm…tough question, as I’ve never read a post-apocalyptic novel. Ever. Which means…any mistakes are my own. :winkwink

What do you think of Heidi? She’s great, right? Except for those horns coming out of the top of her head…  (Ah, but those horns are what make Mistress Heidi so very, very naughty.  And you know what they say… When she was bad, she was better.)

How did you get started writing? I couldn’t shut up the voices in my head.

Tell us a little bit about your first (or most memorable, if you prefer) sale. I describe my first “Call” as The Reason It’s Okay to Play Hookey On Occasion.

I was away on a week-long training session for a company I was doing consulting with. As often happens when one is away from home on business, the night ended in the bar. I am the poster child for not overdoing it in a work situation, never missed class or conferences in my entire life…I always made sure I got up the next morning no matter how late I was out and how much fun I’d had the night before. I’m anal that way.

Well, this time, I didn’t. I woke up, looked at the clock, thought to myself…shit, I’m not going down there and sitting in class when I feel like this (tired, a little hungover, and bored)…so I didn’t get up.

And about an hour later, just as I was rolling out of bed and getting ready to go down to the class I was supposed to be in, my cell phone rang. It was a 212 area code (New York) and I didn’t know anyone in NYC except…my agent.

I answered the phone and she said, “Are you sitting down?”

And that was how I got The Call that I’d made my first sale. I realize in retrospect that if I had gotten up and gone down to class, I would have missed her call, then probably played phone tag with her all day while I was supposed to be sitting in class, learning stuff. I would have gone crazy.

Fill in the blank—If you like [blank], you’ll love Joss Ware! If you like Suzanne Brockmann, you’ll love Joss Ware!

Which of your books would you like to pimp today? Tell us about it and why we’ll love every word. My latest release is the fourth book in the “Envy Chronicles,” which have been described as Lost meets I Am Legend meets Heroes. Or, Suzanne Brockmann’s “Troubleshooters” in the world of The Walking Dead.  (Intrusive note from Heidi:  Okay, you totally got me with the Suzanne Brockmann/Walking Dead thing.  But when it comes to the I Am Legend aspect of the stories, can you please not kill the dog or any other adorable animals? :stinky )

The books are sexy, fast-paced romances with a strong paranormal element…but they’re not gory or horror novels. The title of the book is NIGHT BETRAYED and it’s actually a good one to start with if you’re coming in in the middle of the series.

Imagine a world that’s overgrown and empty:  jungle-like ghost towns, destroyed highways, empty shopping malls with scavengeable items still wrapped in plastic, pockets of settlements, and the law is every man for himself—not so different from the Wild West. No infrastructure, little technology, and the dangers of flesh-eating zombies and other wild animals in the night.  (Further intrusive note from Heidi:  Oooh, you got me again wtih “flesh-eating zombies”!)

NIGHT BETRAYED is about Theo Waxnicki, a computer geek who lived through what is called The Change—i.e., the mass destruction of the earth and most of the population. In the last fifty years, he’s seen the world try to recover from its catastrophe and he and his brother are spearheading an underground “resistance” against the people they believe caused the Change.

The thing about Theo is that something happened to him during the events of the Change, and he hasn’t aged for fifty years. He still looks like a thirty-year old, buff geek. (No, that’s not an oxymoron on my world…a buff geek. :winkwink )

When Theo is on his deathbed, he’s brought to the woman known as the Death Lady. Selena is a post-apocalyptic version of a hospice doctor…she has a special ability to help people move on to “the other side.” This is in part due to the fact that she was born during the Change, and something happened to her as well. But she’s somehow able to do something she’s never done before:  to bring a man back to life.

Selena also has other secrets, which Theo is bound to discover, and which could change the way the world is forever.

You also write historical vampire romance under the name Colleen Gleason. Why did you take a pseudonym for the “Envy Chronicles”? Mainly because historical vampires are a world apart from post-apocalyptic paranormal romance…I can’t imagine any more different subgenres.  Also, I write the “Envy” books for Avon and I’m writing historical vampire books for MIRA, so it helps to keep those series separate by publisher and brand.

If your plane crashed in the Andes, would you convince the other survivors to eat Heidi first or last? We’d send Heidi out for help and eat the Abominable snowman instead.

If you could write anything—whether in the same genre/sub-genre as you’re writing now or another—what would it be? Wow. Good question. I really love the two series that I’m currently writing—they’re so different—that the variety really keeps me motivated and interested. I can’t think of anything else right now that I’d rather be writing, except maybe something with a steampunk element. That sort of fits in with both of the genres I’m writing…but in a different way: that melding of technology with historical settings.

What are you currently working on? I just finished the fifth “Envy” book and will soon start on the 6th. I have three vampire romances, historical, being released in March, April, and May…and may soon be working on more in that series as well.

LIGHTNING-FAST LASHES:

Leather or Lace? Leather

Devil or Angel? Angel

Angel Food or Devil’s Food? Devil’s Food

Hemlock or Arsenic? Absinthe.

Blood, Sweat, or Tears? Me, or my cabana boy?

Cowgirl or Missionary? (Hey, get your mind out of the gutter. I was simply asking what you wanted to be when you were growing up. :-p) Riiiight.  I’ll never tell. :winkwink

Thank you so much, Joss!  We can’t wait to get our hands on NIGHT BETRAYED.  (Which, by the way, comes out today, right? :dancing )

And to celebrate the release of NIGHT BETRAYED, Joss has generously offered to give away an autographed copy of one of her first books in the “Envy” series to one lucky Dungeon blogger.  Winner gets her choice of Book 1: Beyond the Night, Book 2: Embrace the Night Eternal, or Book 3: Abandon the Night.  (Check out all three titles & make your advance pick—just in case *g*—at Joss’s website JossWareBooks.com.)

To be entered in the drawing, simply ask a question or leave a comment for Joss during her visit today.  (U.S. residents only, please.)  A winner will be chosen & announced on January 23rd during our regular Happy Sunday post, so be sure to stop back to see if you’ve won!  (Otherwise, I’m keeping the prize to myself, I swear. :angel )

Good luck & happy blogging!

It occurred to me recently that I occasionally use—or may use in the future—terms here at WIPs and Chains (& on Facebook & Twitter) that may not be easily identifiable to everyone.  And that if you’re going to be a frequent visitor or follower of my Tweets/updates, you may be in need of a short “Glossary of Dungeon Terms” to refer back to every once in a while.

Mistress Heidi — Your cruel & heartless mistress, of course.  As well as Heidi’s partner-in-crime (& sometimes we mean that literally)/co-hostess of WIPs and Chains.  She loves visitors (the more, the naughtier), collecting Dungeon Hotties to do her sexy & evil bidding, & wields her whip with the greatest of ease.

Heidi — This is me! Just little ol’ me.  I’m cute & sweet & fluffy.  Sugar & spice & everything nice…but with a slightly wicked side. (See: “Mistress Heidi“)  I write romance novels, love animals & chocolate & tea.  I promote animal rescue & adoption, enjoy a good boycott, & fight injustice wherever I see it.  I also enjoy reading, TV & movies, & being left the hell alone.

Darling(s) of The Dungeon — That’s you!  Any wonderful reader/visitor who likes to hang out here at WIPs and Chains, enjoys Heidi’s books, talking about books & TV & movies, LOLing & LMAOing & ROTFLMAOing, freebies, ogling sexy men, being sometimes naughty/sometimes nice, & have survived the occasional beating from Mistress Heidi…  Well, go ahead & call yourself a Darling of the Dungeon—you’ve earned it!

Dungeon Hotties (a.k.a Blatant Beefcake) — Since my Darling Dwayne keeps me plenty busy, I don’t spend much time with the Dungeon Hotties (he he—& if you believe that one, I’ve got some swamp land in Florida to sell you :tpspspspt ), but Mistress Heidi certainly does.  And though it’s not typical of her to be so generous, she does occasionally let one of the Hotties out of his cell to mingle with the rest of the Dungeon dwellers.  You never know when one of these blatantly beefcake hunks will appear, so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled & enjoy them to the fullest when they do.  (Although I have it on good authority that you can often catch a glimpse of one of Mistress Heidi‘s sexy minions on Wednesdays. :winkwink )

Madame Mommy Dearest — This would be Heidi’s esteemed & often sweet—but sometimes bitchy & cruel—mother, of course.  Think Joan Crawford in dominatrix gear…but wearing an apron & with a wooden spoon in her hand.  (To bake with, I swear!  Madame Mommy Dearest does not batter small children.  Or at least not small children who aren’t biologically hers.)

The Kittehs — My furry little darlings, as a whole.  I will sometimes mention them by name…you know, when one of them does something exceptionally cute & blog-worthy…but more often refer to them en mass…or as the ravening hoarde they can sometimes be.

Darling Dwayne — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson…also known as my reason for living.  (Aside from “The Kittehs,” of course. :tpspspspt )  He is mine.  And while you may look—really, if you didn’t, I’d know it was time to call the undertaker, because you would obviously be dead as a doornail—but don’t even think about drooling on him or trying to claim him for your own.  Because I’ll cut you, I really will. :devil

Agent Extraordinaire (a.k.a. “Batman”—because any time I flash the Bat Signal, he comes running to my rescue, just like the Caped Crusader he is!) — This would be the wildly wonderful Richard Curtis, who is, in fact, an agent extraordinaire.  But more to the point, he’s my agent extraordinaire.  (And, no, you can’t have him.)

The following three designations refer to the editors I’m currently writing for.  And I mean absolutely no disrespect in gifting them with such such generic nicknames.  But if you look at it from my point of view, you’ll realize juggling three different publishers can get a little dicey.  It’s also much simpler sometimes to mention them this way than to go into detail…especially since you don’t need to keep them straight, only I do. :notworthy

Editor A — This is Rose Hilliard, crackerjack Editor at St. Martin’s Press, & my editor for the “Chicks with Sticks” trilogy.  (As well as many more humorous contemporaries in the future, I hope! :thumbsup )  She also gets top billing because, of my three current editors, she was the first I started working with.

Editor B — This is John Scognamiglio, Senior Editor & Executive Director at Kensington Books, & my editor for the hot & sexy vampire romances I’m doing for Brava.  We actually have a bit of history together; I met him years ago when I was first writing western historicals, & though he didn’t buy them, he had some lovely things to say about my writing.  (He even remembers them to this day, which boggles my mind, frankly. :faint )  It’s so cool that we’re getting to work together now, & I can honestly say he’s terrific.

Editor C — Although I was technically writing for Harlequin/Silhouette before my other two publishers, I think you’ll quickly understand why I saved this moniker for last.  Editor C is Charles Griemsman, Associate Editor & my editor at Desire.  (Get it?  Editor C…Charles…  That’s the one I know I won’t have trouble remembering. *g*)  Charles only started editing for the Desire line about a year ago, but I can already tell you he’s been a dream to work with.  And though the Desire stories themselves aren’t funny, this man is.  We share a similar sense of humor, which makes for a great author/editor relationship & some very amusing conversations. :beerlaugh

So did I miss anything, do you think?  Let me know & I’ll add it to the list!

P.S. Just a friendly neighborhood reminder that Joss Ware will be in The Dungeon tomorrow for the relaunch of our guest author guest blogs!  So mark your calendars & do not forget to drop in for a fun chat & the chance to win an autographed book! :cantputdown

“Add to your joy by counting your blessings.” ~unknown

Happy Sunday, everyone!

I don’t know about you, but it’s cold here in the dank, dark Dungeon.  It makes me really, really wish I were in Las Vegas right now with the characters of my October Brava release, MUST LOVE VAMPIRES.  I mean, while they’re all warm & toasty in the desert—not to mention getting some of that good lovin’ :winkwink —I’m sitting here shivering.

But the winter weather does make me grateful that I have a solid roof over my head, & nice, thick clothes to keep me warm.  Item #1 for the Happy Sunday gratitude list. :gotcha

And speaking of MUST LOVE VAMPIRES, I am thrilled to be able to say that the book is really & truly finished.  Got done with my proofing & polishing late Thursday night, did a little tweaking on Friday morning (adding those fun chapter titles that I enjoy so much), & then sent it off to the agent & editor that afternoon.  Whew, what a relief.  And I’m really happy with how the story turned out, so now I can’t wait for it to come out & find out what you guys think! :dracuulla

I’m also thankful for two very nice little surprises I got this week…

First, when I picked up an order of cat food, part of it was the kind the kittehs really like, but which I haven’t been able to get for quite a while.  They kept telling me it might be available again in February, so I’ve been rationing the small amount I still have on hand, trying to make it last as long as possible.  But there it was, a whole case of the good stuff, completely unexpected & out of the blue.  The kittehs & I are sooooo happy. :kitty

Second, I got a bill in the mail that made my stomach churn even before I opened it.  One of those biggies you’ve gotta pay, but really don’t want to, & I knew it was going to be ugly.  But guess what—it wasn’t!  Turned out it was only an invoice, & that I still have credit from what I paid previously.  Wootie-toot-toot!  Definitely something deserving of a happy dance. :dancing

My RITA books finally arrived, so I can get start reading those soon.  Yay!

And last but not least, I’m excited that we’re starting up our guest blog feature again.  Our first guest author will be Joss Ware on Tuesday, January 25th, so make a note now & be sure to drop in for her visit.  And, yes, there will be a giveaway included. :eeee

That’s some pretty awesome stuff to be happy about this week.  So how about you—what’s on your gratitude list?

This week’s Free Book Friday giveaway was a really fun one, & as promised, we’ve got not just one, but ten winners to announce.

Each of the following WIPs and Chains bloggers will receive a sheet of Animal Rescue “Adopt a Shelter Pet” stamps…

Dee (claimed)

Lulu (claimed)

Hollie (claimed)

Donna (claimed)

Jackie

Desere

Beatrice (claimed)

Anne (claimed)

Virginia C. (claimed)

Crystal GB

Congratulations. ladies! :congrats Please contact me with your full names & mailing addresses, & I will get your wonderful Animal Rescue stamps out to you as soon as I can.