Talk About My Favorite Authors: Dena Celeste

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Dena Celeste tells all about "Her Master's Gift" and "Love in the Lights"

10:58 AM | by Phoebe Jordan | | | Edit Post

It has been a very long while since I had an author interviewed or guest blog on my review blog but I'm happy to say that I have Dena Celeste be my guest this week. This past Tuesday I interviewed Dena Celeste about her writing experience and books. Today Dena will be guest blogging about how she came to write her debut novel, Her Master's Gift, and her story, Love in the Lights, which is in the Winter Kisses anthology. Now onto Dena's guest blog:

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Hi there Phoebe! Thank you so much for having me here. I’m thrilled to be able to talk more about the writing process I went through for Her Master’s Gift and Love in the Lights! I’ll go in order of publication, if you don’t mind. Her Master’s Gift was a story I began for a submission call. It soon became something much closer to my heart. I didn’t know, originally, what the story was going to be about. I had several false starts, which I do indeed have saved! Still, the first part of chapter one came pouring out of me one night and I was caught by the characters. I do work out my own issues through my writing, so there are several things people I know and love recognize in it. Still, the characters took me by surprise a few times! Jeanie had some surprising details that I wasn’t aware of until they were written on the page. And I know that Nancy has a story waiting to be told! She was very loud and vivacious in my head. It took me about three months total to write HMG, and I have to admit to puzzling over what to call it. Thankfully, I have friends (like Selena Blake) who are more than willing to toss out words and options until we could cobble something together that fit it. While it didn’t get picked for the sub-call it was originally written for, I’m more than certain that HMG belongs where it’s at! And did you see the cover? I’m so in love with it still that I look at it often. Love in the Lights is one of the stories among the awesome tales of the Winter Kisses anthology! I have never written a sweet romance before this one, and I will admit to being a little nervous. I wasn’t sure if I could pull off a romance without the sex because, honestly, I enjoy writing sex! It’s fun to write, and it’s even more fun to “research”! I think that sex and romance go hand-in-hand, but…I wanted to write a story about Chanukah. The call required that it be sweet or slightly sensual, but that was the limit. In BDSM, a limit is usually something to be pushed and explored. With this particular limit, I got to stretch my writing muscles and see what I could do when held back a bit. It’s like bondage, funny enough! I learned how to explore romantic feelings, and express a divine sexiness, within a confined set of rules. At first, all I knew was that it had to be sweet, and that I wanted to write about Chanukah. So I stared at my screen for awhile, not quite sure where to go from there. One thing I recommend for all writers, aspiring authors or not, is to have a circle of other writers! It helps to have friends to toss out encouragement and advice. My friend Valerie Mann suggested I make each chapter represent one night. Thankfully, that idea spurred me to write an outline. Now, for me, outlines aren’t a natural first step. I usually try to pants it first, and see what comes. If I get stuck, I start writing an outline, since that’s a bit easier. Kind of. Now my outlines can be sparse or detailed, and comprise the whole story or only the part that has me stuck. I’ve had lines like, “And then something happens with her friend.” in the outline, and have to come up with details on the fly. That’s my favorite kind! It allows me to roll with my muse, but also gives me something to go back to if I’m suddenly abandoned mid-sentence. The outline went very well, and the ideas flowed from there. I found myself writing about a different kind of sensuality, something intense, yet also modest, slow and special. Every step that Abi and Josh took together was incredible to write about. I also liked going from one day to the next. It actually kept me from getting stuck in the details. If you can’t tell, I can ramble. A little bit. I wrote Love in the Lights in a week. Yes, a week. I cut it a wee bit close. I also spent a week trying to shine it up before I submitted it. I waited on pins and needles for a few very short days to hear back about it, and I was thrilled that it was accepted! I didn’t know what the anthology would be called, or what the cover would look like (between Jill Noble and Fiona Jayde I knew the cover would rock), but I was (and still am) thrilled to have a story in such good company!

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Title: Her Master’s Gift Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing Release Date: October 5, 2009 Buy Link Blurb:

Now that Katie’s been collared, she’s settling quickly into life with her master Sam. But she thinks she’s ready to expand her experiences and he’s quick to help. In fact, Sam has a special gift planned that is sure to delight her, if only she can gather the courage to move beyond the past and accept it without regrets.

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Excerpt: The metal was cool, shockingly so, as it came into contact with the sensitive skin of her neck. His fingers barely touched her, and yet even that small caress made her shiver. Goosebumps rose in a wave over her entire body and she felt even more bare than she already was, if that was possible. The lock closed with a quiet ‘snick’ and the joy that bubbled up from the depths of her soul shone from her. She knew she was glowing, could feel it emanating from her skin. “You’ve come to me, and you’ve bared your body, and your mind, and your soul. We have explored many things, both pleasurable and painful, and I am honored to collar you today. We will travel this part of the journey together, confident in our trust, secure in our love. I claim you as mine.” Tears welled up in Katie’s eyes and flowed over her cheeks at his words. In her position kneeling at his feet, she bent over and reverently laid her lips on first one boot, and then the other. She lifted her face to look up at him, and as she spoke, his hands came up to cradle her damp cheeks. “You found me, and didn’t just mold me into what I am now. You urged me to find out who I was for myself, and no one else. You accepted me, even when I was afraid. You were even willing to let me go, if that was what I needed. You encouraged me, and you guided me, and now I accept your claim. You will be my master, and I will be your slave, happily. I choose you, Sam.” Her words wavered as his hands lightly glided over her cheeks, down her neck, over her shoulders and all the way down to her hands to help her stand in front of him. Katie fell into his light green gaze and his head dipped down. His lips touched hers, gently at first, and she responded even to that tender touch. The kiss went on, and as it did, his tongue slid into her mouth, silkily dueling with hers until she pressed her body to his, small whimpers released from her throat. Katie came back to herself when she heard the others in the room softly clapping for them. She could feel herself blush from her cheeks above to the cheeks a little further south, and knew that her embarrassment could be seen by all. When her master turned away for a moment, she let her fingers come up to stroke her newest adornment. Her hands were toying with the lock at the back of her neck when her wrists were firmly gripped. “It’s time to play now, my beautiful slave.” Sam chuckled in a dark, sensual way that sent desire ripping through her, and Katie’s wrists were bound behind her neck.

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Title: Winter Kisses Anthology Love in the Lights by Dena Celeste Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing Release Date: December 21, 2009 Buy Link Blurb:

Winter Kisses (Anthology) by Angela Nichelle, Barbara Sheridan, Dena Celeste, G.R. Bretz and Kelley Heckart

Abigail Bloch has been away at school for the last few years. Returning to her mother’s home renews her interest and need for the Jewish traditions. Unfortunately, the man who had been her best friend growing up, Joshua Cohen, gives her a chilly reception. Over the course of Chanukah, a time filled with food and family and friendship, the growing number of flames must melt away hostility and illuminate the love that can grow between them.

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Excerpt: “Baby! You’re home!” Abigail Bloch’s mother grabbed her in a warm, tight hug. Abi dropped her gym bag onto the porch swing and returned the embrace. The familiar scent of home, cinnamon-sugar and matzo ball soup surrounded her. “Hey, Mama. Yeah, I’m home. I’d like to breathe sometime soon though.” Tugged inside by her firecracker of a mother, Abi’s ears rang at the blast of noise coming from the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late, but the bus broke down. I was stuck in Atlanta for a couple hours before they switched us to a different one.” “That’s okay. Everyone’s here already and I made all your favorites. It’s not every mother who can say her daughter made the President’s List!” Rosie Bloch raved. Abi followed her mother through the house. She tossed her bag into the open entrance of her room. “It’s no big deal, Mama. Really. Are the latkes ready yet?” Warm, flaky, perfectly fried. No one made potato pancakes like her mama. “Of course! And I made extra since we’re hosting the dinners this year.” Abi groaned. Hosting meant all their close friends and any family in the area would be there. “Great. That’s just...lovely, Mama.” For her mother’s sake, Abi’d find a way to endure the crowd; Rosie Bloch loved nothing more than showing off her skills in the kitchen. “Oh, did I tell you? Joshua took off work for the holiday, too! He’s such a good boy. Have you kept in touch with him like I asked you to?” Abi winced. “Sorry, Mama, there just really wasn’t time. You know how crazy school has been for me. Sleeping and studying were more of a priority.” “Well, I guess I understand that. No matter. He’s in the kitchen. Go set the extra tables up, would you?” With that said, her mother rushed off to deal with some vaguely familiar-looking people across the room. Abi figured they were neighbors she hadn’t seen in a long time. In the kitchen, Abi automatically stepped over toys she assumed her sister’s kids had left strewn over the floor. The intense scents of potato pancakes, soup and kugel teased her senses and she gave an appreciative sigh. She couldn’t wait to eat; it had been hours since her last meal. “Oomph!” Abi caught herself against the wall as a large male body backed out of the kitchen and turned straight into her. “You got that okay?” On reflex, she reached out and grabbed the arms balancing the platter. “Yeah, I’m f—. Uh, Abi. How are you?” At the sound of the familiar voice, she looked up. “Joshua. Wow, you’ve grown...taller.” She knew she was being a bit cheeky, but couldn’t help it. “Yeah. That happens when you grow up. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go put this down.” Frowning at the coldness in his response, Abi looked after him in confusion as he walked away. Wonder what his problem is. The clamor of her Nana, sister and sisters-in-law in the kitchen drew her out of her thoughts and back into the action. “Guys, where’s the other tablecloth? Mama wants me to set up another table for the food. Holy cow, what’s she making?” There were pots everywhere, and casserole dishes covered in foil lined the island in the middle. “Abi!” “Angel face!” “Hey there!” The chorus of greetings spun her head but Abi hugged everyone in turn. “Guess it’s time to put me to work, huh?”

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“Aunt Abi! It’s time to light the candles! Come on!” Abi quickly put her plate down on the nearest flat surface as her niece dragged her to the table in front of the window. She stood there as her mother led the kids in taking out the two candles needed and explained about the shammas candle, which was always used to light all the other candles, and where to place the first Chanukah candle. As she said the familiar prayers, the skin on the back of her neck prickled. She turned to the side to find Joshua Cohen staring at her. She caught his gaze and smiled at him, but once again he stabbed her with an icy glare. A pang of hurt and confusion washed through her. What had she done to prompt such a cold response? She hadn’t been the best at keeping in touch, but then, neither had he. She understood how busy he was as a lawyer, even if it was at a small firm and she didn’t hold his lack of communication against him. So why was he so mad at her? She gazed at the lit candles as the crowd around her dissipated. The lights were so beautiful, and the antique silver menorah cast a glow all around the table. The menorah was only for pleasure, to be looked at and not used for actual lighting, and Abi let the simple beauty of the flames entrance her. Rubbing her hands over the knee-length skirt she wore, Abi glanced around the room. It was so good to be home again. “How’ve you been, sweetie?” Her sister Anne slung an arm around her shoulders. “Oh, I could be worse. Any idea why Joshua is acting like I shot his dog?” “I’m not sure. Maybe because you went off to college instead of staying here and attending a local university? You were his best friend, and then you were gone. I don’t know. You could always ask him. Goodness knows you’ll be seeing him often enough since Mama’s hosting.” Abi leaned into her sister. “Yeah, maybe I should ask him, but heck, this isn’t easy for me, either. It’s hard coming back after so much time away. I mean, three years! I think I’m going to wait until he comes to me. If I can stand it that long.” Abi was determined that Joshua would realize she could still be a part of her hometown community, and hadn’t given her place away just because she’d gone off to experience school and the world. “Well, let’s nosh some more. When all else fails, there’s food!” Abi laughed and allowed Anne to drag her back to the table filled with brisket, roasted chicken and all kinds of goodies.

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Labels:Dena Celeste,eBooks,Guest Blogger | 0 Readers Comments

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Interview with Erotic Romance Author Dena Celeste

10:12 AM | by Phoebe Jordan | | | Edit Post

It has been a very long while since I had an author interviewed or guest blog on my review blog but I'm happy to say that I have Dena Celeste be my guest this week. Today I will be interviewing her about her writing experience and her books but that's not all because she will be guest blogging about her novels on Thursday. So don't forget to come back this Thursday to read more about how Dena came up with her books and such. Now onto my interview with Dena:

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Phoebe Jordan: When did you know that writing romance was going to be the thing that you would do with your life? Which author inspired you to start writing romance?

Dena Celeste: Romance was always a part of my life. From the fairy tales, to children’s TV shows (anyone remember Tommy and Kim on Power Rangers?), to Nancy Drew. When I got a little older, I became even more interested in romance, but it really struck a chord when I found erotic romance. It reflected more of the rawness that I associated with sex (at least sometimes) while still containing plot and emotional growth of the characters. My favorite authors at that point were Laurell K. Hamilton, Diana Hunter, Joey W. Hill and Jacqueline Carey. I’ve been writing all of my life, mostly poetry for the first 14 years or so. Then fan-fiction was my passion for about 4 years. That was when I had story ideas but I was, at least then, afraid of trying for what I really wanted: to get out an original story. Not that my fan-fiction wasn’t good or worth writing, but I really wanted to branch out into my own work with my own characters. Finally my boyfriend gave me a prompt and I ran with it. After that, I jumped in headfirst!

Phoebe: Did you know what type of romance you wanted to write about or did you experiment with different genres before you chose the one that you felt was for you?

Dena: I knew I was going to write erotic romance, mainly, because it tends to be my favorite thing to read. Writing in the BDSM subgenre was not only fun, but it gave me a way to express my thoughts and opinions about that Lifestyle and to explore and experiment in my own mind. Writing has always been my favorite medium. I intend to explore a few more subgenres, like the paranormal one, and I have a few works in progress in that vein. What really shocked me recently with my sweet romance in the anthology Winter Kisses was how much I enjoyed writing a story that had absolutely no sex in it. Still, I had a lot of fun ratcheting up the tension and still managed to imbue it with a different kind of sensuality.

Phoebe: What was the first fiction you ever wrote? And do you still have it with you?

Dena: My first original story was a paranormal erotic romance that I called Soulbound. It’s my first finished story and I’m still quite proud of it. I do still have it with me! It got saved onto my computer along with the rest of the writing I’ve done for the last 5 years.

Phoebe: How much research do you have to do for your novels and does it take you a long time to gather that research?

Dena: It depends on the story, of course. For Her Master’s Gift, most of the things that happened in the story have come from my own personal experiences. The only research I needed to do was on canes, the sound and feel of them, the different types, and so on. The rest just flowed. For Love in the Lights, I did a little more research. The characters use a little more Yiddish and Hebrew in there than I’m used to using, and for a certain part of the story I had to search for some Old Testament verses. For some of my WIPs, like my witchy Serpent’s Daughter tale, I have had to do some research into witchcraft, the elements, correspondences, etc. That’s been a lot of fun!

Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your debut novel, Her Master’s Gift?

Dena: At the time I started writing it, I was trying to get over a betrayal by someone I trusted. I wanted to grow past it, and get out into the world again, and also be free to experience the things my lover and Master wanted to help me to have. I had to understand that not every woman would hurt me, or even every dominant woman, and what specifically went wrong, and also work through my insecurities. So in a way, Her Master’s Gift expressed the love and trust a slave gives to her Master, the way I did to mine, not just for playing with toys or serving him, but in the really tough, scary, emotional situations.

Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your currently released anthology novel, Winter Kisses?

Dena: Love in the Lights was such fun to write! I saw the call for a holiday sweet, and I wanted to represent Chanukah, since my faith and Jewish roots are very special to me. My friend Valerie Mann actually helped me come up with the idea for the chapter-per-night format. The rest was just a matter of me making an outline and sticking to it…except when my characters decided to surprise me in a couple of places. I was rather shocked at how much fun it was to write a romance without the added sexual element. I found other ways to bring out the sensuality of both main characters, while still remaining true to the “sweet” part of the call.

Phoebe: How do you come up with each of your characters for your novels? How do you choose their names out of so many names out there?

Dena: Well, my characters tend to come out of hiding one at a time…I don’t do a whole bunch of torturing myself over how they look and so on. They’re usually fully-formed, except for names and histories. If their names don’t come to me on their own at some point, then I go looking on some naming websites. I go by the character’s background and personality-type to pick names. It’s not usually first names that give me problems, but surnames! Those are hard for me to come up with on my own.

Phoebe: Do you have a favorite character that you really enjoyed writing about in your debut novel, Her Master’s Gift? Did you have a character that you felt you could really relate to in your debut novel, Her Master’s Gift?

Dena: Well, in Her Master’s Gift, I explored myself through Katie’s experiences. So I obviously identified very much with her. My favorite character to write about was probably her friend Nancy. Exuberant and smart and very willing to help a friend.

Phoebe: Do you have a favorite character that you really enjoyed writing about in your currently released anthology novel, Winter Kisses? Did you have a character that you felt you could really relate to in your currently released anthology novel, Winter Kisses?

Dena: I felt I could relate to Abi in that I like having the connection to my roots, and to the man I adore, in my faith. My characters tend to show me things, and what she helped to show me, and hopefully readers, was the beauty in her faith. My favorite character to write about had to be Abi’s niece Danielle! She was a pip, that’s for sure.

Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write your novels?

Dena: Not really. I’ll get a line in my head, or a title, or a character will show up, and I’ll put it down. Hopefully I can get the ball rolling from there, but sometimes I have to let it sit and stew a bit.

Phoebe: Have you ever considered writing a series or are writing stand alone novels your preference? How would writing each be different for you?

Dena: Oh gosh. I have considered writing a series, and in fact started a prequel to one of my finished stories, but right now my muse has distracted me with a couple works-in-progress that just won’t leave me alone! Every story is different for me. The process and how it pours out differs. I like the continuity that a series represents. I have several that I love to read, and there’s a comfort in returning to the same characters with a new story! A standalone is exciting and nerve-wracking as I pick out character names, think about what might happen, and wonder what the story will evolve into.

Phoebe: What process did you have to go through to get your first book published and did it take you long?

Dena: Well, my first published book, Her Master’s Gift, was originally written for a submission call. When it wasn’t accepted, I couldn’t just let it lay there, especially since it incorporated a few F/F scenes, one of my favorite things to write! I loved what it had become, so when a good friend told me about Noble Romance Publishing, and I saw how daring they were and willing to accept that aspect, I had to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! It took a good 5 months from the time I began writing it, which is amazingly fast all things considered. However Her Master’s Gift was the first book published, not just finished, so its acceptance was the exciting leg on a journey I’d been on for about 3 years there.

Phoebe: Do you ever get writers block? What do you do to get rid of it so you can get back to writing your novels? Dena: Oh, do I ever! Sometimes I wait it out, let things stew. Sometimes I try to write an outline and see if that gets the juices flowing. If all else fails, I’ll just write one word at a time, no matter how bad it is. Can’t fix a blank page, after all.

Phoebe: What is your biggest reader pet peeve, if you have any? (stock characters, unresolved endings, predictability, everything wrapped up hurriedly in the end, etc.)

Dena: I don’t like it when a story is wrapped up in a way that feels rushed, no. But my biggest reader pet-peeve…wow. That’ a difficult one. Probably a stilted feel to a book. I want to be taken on a journey, and I know that sometimes the flow will change, but…that odd, start-stop-start-stop-like-a-15-year-old-just-learning-how-to-drive makes me want to climb the walls!

Phoebe: Which aspects of writing do you enjoy the most and why? And what is your biggest writing pet peeve? (overuse of exclamation points, adverbs, bad guys named Wayne, etc.), if you have any?

Dena: Hm. I love the art of creation, and exploring things that I might otherwise not, either physically or mentally or emotionally, or all of the above! I don’t have a writing pet peeve, really.

Phoebe: What is the one writing tool can you not live without?

Dena: My computer! My hands cramp up horribly sometimes, so I like to be able to go with the flow of the story, as fast as my mind can take me. I have my own version of touch-typing that works well for me.

Phoebe: How do you handle your writing schedule and your personal life without going insane?

Dena: Who said anything about not going insane?

Phoebe: What do you do to relax after having spent a long while writing? Do you have any hobbies?

Dena: Actually, writing is my relaxation after having spent a long while taking care of my parents, or studying for a test, or reading an emotionally-heavy story. My hobbies are playing with cameras, phones, and any techno-gadget with buttons. I try to behave in elevators… I also like to spend time with animals, to walk and ride my bike, and watch TV and movies. Reading I would term as a need, more than a hobby. It’s like food and water…I can go without for a little while, but not happily and eventually I need more!

Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Dena: I have gotten amazing advice on this journey. The best advice: Keep writing. We all need encouragement and cheerleaders of course, to help us to keep writing. If you want to write, then write! What’s funny is that 5 years ago, the “Sit down and write” advice frustrated the heck out of me. But as I’ve gone on, there’s just no way around the truth: Writing is lovely, and wonderful, and a passion that I will always do. But it’s work. Hard work.

Phoebe: Is there any writing tips, research tips, promotion and marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Dena: Get a publicist! I have the most awesome publicist (Alix Taylor with Heetr Promotions) who helps me to promote my books, and gets me to fabulous blogs like this! I have many more opportunities thanks to her help. Getting published is a major milestone, but the work increases exponentially from there! You need to promote, get your name out there and your book(s) out there!

Phoebe: Do you have a favorite genre you like to read? Who is your favorite author(s)?

Dena: My favorite genre is romance, of course. Subgenres from there: BDSM, paranormal, ménage, contemporary, fantasy. Favorite authors: JD Robb/Nora Roberts, Jacqueline Carey, Joey W. Hill, Laurell K. Hamilton, Christine Feehan, Jean Johnson, Valerie Mann, Selena Blake, Chris Owen, Sean Michael, Bobby Michaels and the list does go on. Those are just some of my auto-buys.

Phoebe: What are you reading now? And what do you plan to read after that?

Dena: I’m currently reading Street Game. Soon I have to crack into my schoolbooks, but in between study sessions, I have plans for Flirt (the newest Anita Blake book), Naamah’s Curse (the newest Kushiel’s Legacy book), Fantasy in Death (JD Robb’s IN DEATH series!!), and Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet book 3). Those are on my auto-buy-as-soon-as-affordable list.