Meet Dru Horvath

In honor of the 2/23/11 release of Embraceable You, part of the Wild Rose Press Class of '85 series, heroine Druzilla Horvath, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and recipient of the Eastman Award, decided to pay us a visit today. We're awfully pleased she did. 

Where are you from originally? I'm not really sure. Somewhere in the mid-Atlantic states. My family traveled around a lot before they were arrested in Summerville for running a Gypsy scam and I was taken away by Child Protective Services.

What is Embraceable You about? It is the story of Dru Horvath and Rory McElroy who come together for a few hours at an awards banquet during the 25^th reunion for the Class of ’85-and how those few hours change both their lives forever.

What did you think the first time you saw Rory? The very first thing was that he knew how to fill out a tux.

What was your second thought? Since Homeland Security had me on a pretty tight leash that night, I looked at the great big bed over in the corner, and figured it was too bad I wouldn’t be sticking around long enough for him and me to try it out.

Did you think it was love at first sight? No, but there was a lot of lust flying around.

What do you like most about Rory? He makes me laugh, plus that man can slow dance like no tomorrow. Yum.

How would you describe him? He looks like Daniel Craig with that bored ‘screw-you’ look on his face and the build of a boxer. Man, he is hard all over. Sorry, didn’t mean to be crude, but this man does not have a soft part on his body . . . except his heart. That’s all mush.

How would he describe you? Tinkerbell with a mouth and an attitude to match.

What made you choose photo-journalism as a profession? I received my first camera as a Christmas gift when I was maybe 15. Pretty soon I was taking pictures of everything in town. Framing and

light came easy, like instinct. An important man in town, Henry Dunavan, paid for private classes at RIT—Rochester Institute of Technology for me. The instructor helped me get into RIT’s photography program. Things took off after that.

What is your biggest fear? Ten months ago I would have said not living long enough to accomplish my goals. Today I will say it’s not being able to come home to Rory.

How do you relax? When I find out, I'll let you know.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Ouiser Boudreaux from Steel Magnolias. She is confident, self assured and loyal to her friends. Plus, she makes me laugh.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Do not allow fear to prevent you from doing what is right.

What books have had an impact on your life?

Mila 18 and Trinity by Leon Uris

Carnal Innocence and Divine Evil by Nora Roberts

A Problem From Hell by Samantha Powers

The Parsifal Mosaic and The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

A Man to Die For by Eileen Dreyer

The Night They Burned the Mountain and Deliver Us From Evil by Dr. Tom Dooley

Here's a short excerpt from Embraceable You . . .

Suddenly, Dru remembered the back-up phone tucked inside the double zippered pocket in her satchel, right beside the extra flash cards and rolls of antacids. Hot damn. All was not lost. With a grin, she hefted the bag over her shoulder and turned toward the bathroom. “I won't be long.”

Before she made the first step, he slid in front of the door, blocking her access. “Give it up.”

Down to her last strike, she pulled the affronted female card. Granted, she used it maybe once in a decade, but Fiona was probably tearing her hair by now. “I beg your pardon?”

Leaning forward, he brought them nose to nose. “Play much poker, Horvath? Your face just lit up like the Fourth of July, which tells me you've got something more stashed in the tote. Unless you let me search it, it stays with me.”

Clutching the canvas bag to her chest, she sneered, “The only thing in here is my outfit for tonight, McElroy. If you think I'm parading around naked in front of you, one of us is a couple fries short of a happy meal.”

His response came in the form of another gimme motion with those thick, blunt fingers. “I'll close my eyes if I encounter any lacy unmentionables.”

She knew the instant he found the back-up. The screw-you look morphed into a smirk. “It's not wise to mess with Homeland Security, sweetie. Those guys eat small animals for breakfast.”

To purchase Embraceable You, go to www.thewildrosepress.com.

To learn more about Kat and the other books she has created, please go to www.KatHenry.com or www.WildWomanAuthor.blogspot.com.

Welcome Donna Bolk and Denny Riker

This morning we welcome Donna L. Bolk, creator of Getting It Right, and Denny Riker, one of the characters who refuses to go away.

Donna: Mallory thanks so much for having me as a guest blogger today. As you can see I didn’t travel solo. Denny Riker, my bad boy from Getting It Right – the Class of ’85 reunion Series, refused to stay behind. Just between me and you, Denny has a good heart, but he can be a pain in the – well, let’s just say from the day I met him, he’s been an interesting character to deal with.”

“Hey wait up there, author girl.”

“Denny don’t snap your fingers at me, that’s rude.”

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not in the room.”

“See what I mean?”

“Here’s the thing, Mal, Donna is an okay author, but this isn’t her story to tell it’s ours, me, Kelly and Tye. I’m the one you should be talking to.”

“Fine, Denny, you want to do the interview go for it.”

“Right, and you’ll do what you always do.”

“And that would be?

“Put words in my mouth, author girl, put words in my mouth.”

Where are you from originally? Depends on who you talk to, if you ask my old man he’d tell you Hell. See, he had to do a trade-in - a kid for a wife. He always figured he got the raw end of the deal. I never knew my mom, she checked out the day I checked in. Now, if you want to know where I was born, that would be Summerville, New York.

What is Getting It Right about? Life, man, the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ll lay claim to the bad and ugly, and slap good on my best friend Tye and his girl Kelly. We’re all graduates from the class of ’85. Man, that was a lot of years ago. We’re all headed back to Summerville for our 25-year class reunion. I won’t be there, (I won’t tell you why, you’ll have to read the story to find that out) but Tye and Kelly will be there. You know he should have married that girl. That where the title comes in Getting It Right. He’s getting a second chance to do what he should have done the first time around.

What did you think the first time you saw them? Tye was a squeaky clean kid, trying to act tough. He couldn’t pull it off. We dubbed him the professor, because he was so smart. He didn’t have to crack a book to ace a test. And sweet Kelly well she’s a preacher’s kid. She saw good in everybody. She had the best smile, well until Tye did her bad.

What was your second thought? I don’t have second thoughts about anything. I make up my mind and that’s it. Done deal.

Did you think it was love at first sight for them? I don’t remember. Back then everything was a haze. I spent a lot of time stoned and I sure as hell wasn’t an expert in love. If I had been maybe things would have turned out different for me and my girl Sissy, but that’s another story.

What do you like most about Tye? His loyalty he always had my back. Even when I didn’t have his.

How would you describe him? What’s the deal, man, you running out of questions? I already told you smart, loyal, hell he was a regular Boy Scout.

How would he describe you? As the SOB who ruined his life. Sorry, you’re going to have to read the story if you want more details.

What made you choose auto mechanic as a profession? Auto mechanic. That sounds so pretty. I was a frigging grease monkey. I tinkered with cars and pumped gas. I didn’t have Tye’s smarts.

What is your biggest fear ? Change that question to was not is. I thought maybe I’d screwed things up so badly that they’d never be right. But I found out that the big guy upstairs has a way of making things right. Maybe that’s why Kelly smiled all the time, she always knew that. It took me a few years to figure it out.

How do you relax ? Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Close your mouth, man. I’m only kidding. I’m always in relax mode, no matter what I’m doing. I put the ‘M’ in mellow.

What's your favorite fictional character and why? Scrooge, he got to fall asleep, have a dream, wake up and make everything right.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Run. But that’s another story, too. It’s been fun but it’s time for me to go. Denny Riker checking out.

To Donna: What movies or books have had an impact on you?

There is where I should be all artsy and start naming the classics, but that’s not me. I have always leaned toward small town settings. Peyton Place was the first book I read from cover to cover, I was 13 at the time. I don’t want to have to look for the deeper meaning in a story, I want it there for me on the page, ready to jump into my heart and make me care. I sincerely hope that’s the type of reading experience I give to those who read my books.

“Riker checking back in. Mal, shouldn’t Donna mention her award nominations?”

“Denny, if Mallory wants to know about them she’ll ask. I don’t think—“

“Look, author girl, you need to speak up while you have the chance. It’s not like people are banging your door down to get interviews.”

“Fine. Getting It Right has been nominated by the Romance Studio for Best Romance 2010.”

“What about that other book, Package Deal? I’m not in it, but what the hell tell them about it.”

“Okay, Package Deal was nominated by the Readers Choice Poll at Predators and Editors for Best Romance 2010. If readers are interested they can check it out on my web site. Now can we give them an excerpt from Getting It Right?”

“Works for me, just as soon as you tell them what your web site is and where they can order your books.”

“My web site is www.donnalbolk.com and here’s where they can find my books http://www.thewildrosepress.com/donna-l-bolk-m-466.html

“Great, now let’s get back to the important book, Getting It Right. Excerpt away, author girl.”

     “Kelly I want you to stay away from that boy.”

      She finished rinsing her cereal bowl and put it in the dish rack. “Daddy that boy has a name, it’s Tyler Jackson. And we’re just friends.” For now, she added silently. She turned, leaned against the sink and looked at her father. “I don’t understand why you won’t give him a chance.”

      He lowered the paper he’d been reading. “For the same reason I wouldn’t belly up to a snake and kiss it.”

      “Tyler isn’t a snake.”

      “No, he’s a troubled boy who drinks and smokes. And he’s made fast company with Denny Riker and Sharon Monroe.”

      “Is that all you’ve got on him?” She folded her arms and shrugged. “Why, I heard he dances with the devil on Saturday night, too. The two of them are just thick as thieves.”

Donna and Denny, thank you both for visiting us today. It's been a real . . . experience!

Mallory

Welcome Margo Hoornstra and Jake Holbrook!

Good morning. The snow has finally stopped but the frigid temps continue. Perfect reason to curl up with a snuggly fleece throw, a cup of your fave hot drink and a handsome man--and the woman who created him.

Jake Holbrook is a hard driving hospital CEO with a definite sensitive side. Or any side, bottom or top having to do with Doctor Bethany Thomas. Jake and Bethany’s holiday story, Glad Tidings by multi-published author Margo Hoornstra, is part of the Last Rose of Summer Class of ’85 series, and is now available from The Wild Rose Press: www.thewildrosepress.com

We’ll let Jake fill you in on some of the details:

Summerville, New York is a decent sized burg. Part tourist resort by virtue of its location on the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario; part college town, part industrial hub and something I’m particularly proud of, home to a center of excellence health care system. The city is protected by a self-involved and, some would say, corrupt police chief who is thankfully offset by a number of good guy officers on the Summerville police force and an expertly run Bison County Sheriff’s Department.

I grew up in Summerville, graduated from Summerville High School in 1985, left for college shortly after, and spent the next few years serving my fellow man in the United States Peace Corps. While I was away, Bethany Andrews, my best friend since third grade and the long time love of my life married another man. And so went my dream to have a family of my own.

Last summer, I even took the time, trouble and expense to attend our Class of ’85 twenty-five year high school reunion in the hopes she’d somehow show up. She didn’t.

Despite that, somehow Bethy and I managed to keep in touch. I was pleased to learn even being apart, her life and mine traveled the same relative path. She became a doctor who cared for patients wherever she went, from those in her plush Palm Springs private practice to those she encountered on medical mission trips to the most hellish places on Earth. I took over as CEO of Mynderse Memorial, Summerville’s state of the art, multi-specialty hospital, once I realized I could just as easily save the world from my own backyard as away from it.

Who knew a recently widowed Bethany would tumble back into said backyard—and my arms—shortly after? Sure, sleeping with her the night of her husband’s funeral wasn’t my most honorable moment. But, what can I say? Twenty-five years was a long time to wait. And, don’t get me wrong, the passion and pleasure we enjoyed in my hotel room was driven more by my love for Bethy than lust for her body. I could only hope she felt the same. Though I was more than satisfied that one fantastic night, I was also left wanting so much more.

Thinking fast, I figured what better way to keep her in my life, permanently, than to offer her a job running the Family Health Care Clinic I’d recently put my heart and soul into creating. She was lured back to Summerville with relative ease. I had no idea how hard it would be to convince her to stay and become my wife.

Well aware her penchant to serve humanity rivaled mine—one of the many traits I’ve always loved about her—what I didn’t know was that her compassionate actions would unintentionally put my job on the line. Her first instinct was to sacrifice herself by offering her resignation in order to preserve my reputation and my career. And though I tried with all my heart, I couldn’t get her to see my love for her ran so deep, I’d gladly give up everything if she just please wouldn’t leave me again.

Note from Mallory: For more about Margo and her stories, please visit www.margohoornstra.com.