Talk About My Favorite Authors: Dena Celeste tells all about "Her Master's Gift" and "Love in the Lights"

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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