Thursday, December 13, 2012

From the Ashes Blog Tour

Tomorrow kicks off my From the Ashes promo blog tour. I am currently scheduled to appear on a dozen blogs. There will be interviews, book spotlights, and giveaways in preparation for the January 4th release of From the Ashes. Be sure and drop by to comment for a chance to win.

From the Ashes is a Cinderfella (m/m retelling of the classic Cinderella story--boy meets prince) set in 16th century France.

Blurb:
Cinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to to meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?


When, where, why, and how:
December 14: Amara's Place
     The source of my inspiration for From the Ashes and giveaway - winner: Loveless3173
December 15: Kharisma Rhayne
     Christmas interview
December 20: Deanna Wadsworth
     The Twelve Days of Sex-mas and giveaway - winner: Jim Evans
December 27: AB Gayle
     Interview the Next Big Thing style and giveaway - winner: Christopher Hammel
December 31 - January 1: Kay Berrisford
     New Year's Kisses Party and giveaway
January 1: Zara Stoneley
     Interview
January 3: Rebecca Leigh
     Inspiration for From the Ashes and giveaway - winner: Faberge Nostromo
January 4: Leona Bushman
     Book spotlight
January 8: Doris O'Connor
     Book spotlight
January 9: Micheala Rhua
     Book spotlight
January 10: Megan D. Martin
     Author spotlight
January 17: Allie A. Burrow
     Interview
January 18: Raven McAllan
     Ten things about my heroes

Hope to see everyone there!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Megan D. Martin's Debut


A lot of work goes into writing any book, but I think it's safe to say that there are some genres of romance that are more difficult to write, just based on the amount of research that has to be done. Historical books pose a threat to any writer, because not only do we have to procure a good story but we also have to make things historically correct, else we get hung out to dry with the rest of wrong-doers (haha).
My novella, Forbidden Angel, is set in a concentration camp at the end of WWII. Here are some of the tactics I used when it came to making my story historically correct—I didn't limit myself to the characteristics of one certain concentration camp (example: Auschwitz). Instead I did research on all prevalent camps, like—Dachau, the extermination camp Sobibor, and of course Auschwitz. I took the knowledge that I learned about camps like these and used it to create the setting for the characters in my novella.
-I also did a lot of double checking, which is probably one of the best tactics to use. Don't trust anything you find online, unless there are multiple sources that back it up, especially when it comes to Wikipedia. It's very useful, but not always correct.

This time period is a rather difficult to capture since this is such a tragic event in our history. It is hard to portray something like a romance within the walls of a place where happiness isn't a common denominator; especially between the Jewish people being held prisoner and the Nazis holding them captive. This was a big reason that I chose this story, because it was a challenge. A relationship between these two people seems nigh impossible, based on the circumstances that bring them together.

It's funny because when I read books about paranormal heroes who are known killers of hundreds, and are proclaimed evil, I don't think twice about it. When it comes to a German Nazi soldier, it's hard for me to think of any qualities he could have where he can redeem himself. (Funny how that works, right?) Writing Sarah and Aurel's story was definitely a challenge for me, especially since I had a hero whom I disliked at first, but grew to love in the end.

With all of that being said, I hope you will check out my debut novella, Forbidden Angel. Available now from Breathless Press!

Forbidden Angel
Timeless-Historical Romance
Buy Link
Blurb:
When captured by the Nazis, Sarah finds herself in a concentration camp that not only brings her closer to death...but closer to love.
Sarah Brenner, a young Jewish woman, is terrified when she finds herself in the heat of a rail-car bound for a work camp in Nazi Germany. For years she, along with her mother and sister, had hidden from the SS, but no one could hide forever. Her hatred for those who have enslaved them is ever-growing, especially when they arrive and she encounters the shockingly handsome Nazi doctor who can't seem to keep his eyes—or hands—off her.
Aurel Rothstein is not your everyday concentration camp physician. The endless prisoners and lack of care he's allowed to give have made him numb to the work he so coveted. It isn't until he comes face to face with a beautiful prisoner that his heart becomes involved with his job—a forbidden and fatal move to any Nazi.
When a vile soldier takes direct interest in Sarah, she will be forced to make a choice that will change her life forever: ignore the pull toward the handsome doctor or give in to the forbidden passion he awakens with only a look. Either way they both risk everything...
Excerpt:
The doctor was kissing her. She was kissing him back. Sarah had been afraid when he'd carried her to his office. The word "experimentation" terrified her, but he did nothing of the sort. He'd actually fed her and given her some water. He even made her something to take back to her family. He was being so kind, and when his gaze smoldered and he said something about inspecting her body, she'd easily melted for him.

There was something wrong with her. She shouldn't be feeling this way, but the moment his rough hands caressed her achy back, she was lost to her nerve endings. Never before had she felt such desire from the mere brush of fingertips against her skin. The pain in her back immediately ceased, and all she could feel was pleasure.

His kiss was soft and tentative at first, as if he was afraid he'd scare her away, but she kissed him back and reveled in the groan of defeat he gave. He ran his hands deliciously over her hardened nipples, teasing them, tracing where his mouth had kissed just moments before.

He's a bad person, her mind kept trying to tell her, but she ignored the warning. Something about this man just felt so right.

"What's your name, angel?" he asked as he broke away from her lips. Did he just call her angel? She pondered this pet name for a moment before he leaned in and nipped her neck.

"Mmm, I'm no angel." She truly wasn't. She was selfish just like any other person.

"Yes, you are, angel. Your name?"

"Sarah," she murmured as he traced his tongue along her sensitive collarbone. Never in her life had anything felt this good. She'd been with one man before they stopped going into public. She didn't dislike the sexual acts she explored with him, but they felt like nothing compared to this.

"If I am an angel, then so are you." Sarah temporarily forgot his actions outside of this room, the other things he did. Only an angel could bring forth sensations this exquisite.

"No, that I am not." His voice rumbled like a hurricane.

"Okay, a dark angel then, but still an angel."

About the Author
Megan D. Martin is a content editor at Breathless Press, and loves her job more than a normal person should. She was born and raised in a small Texas town, where she still resides with her delightfully rotten son. She enjoys decorating her home with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks. Forbidden Angel is her debut novella. To learn more about Megan and her writing check her out on these social networking sites: