SERIES: The Paranormal DownUnder - Mel Teshco

In Australia, 2012 is the National Year of Reading. What better way to celebrate this than by finding a new-to-you author or revisiting a favorite one?

This series of blog posts, entitled The Paranormal DownUnder, aims to do just that!

Any of my regular readers know I'm passionate about introducing 'local' talent (aka authors from Australia & New Zealand). This time around I'm keen to feature those who write in this genre.

So, be prepared for a swag of authors & some blatant promotion of their books as they share their thoughts on the paranormal genre and why they find it so compelling.

Please welcome my next guest...Mel Teshco.

Mel Teshco grew up in Australia, where her seemingly gypsy dad and ever patient mother saw her living in many areas of the East Coast, along with her sister and two brothers.

Each new home stimulated an already over-active imagination, where she spent as much time dreaming about fantasy worlds as the real world - the fantasy sometimes being much better.

Now living on a small rural property with three horses and a handful or two of cats, she is happily married with three children of wide-spread ages and loves writing gritty, sizzling paranormals and the occasional contemporary with darker tones.

You can find her at her website. And at her blog.

What compels you to write in the paranormal/sci-fi genre?
I find the world building so liberating–no rules or restrictions—and the hero’s tend to be alpha, the heroine’s strong, often kick-ass. Plus there are SO many variables to writing your own rules and your own world, which I’ve found especially true in my alien sci-fi series (especially on the alien’s planet.)

These genres are also what I’m drawn to read, so it’d be silly not to write what I love to read.

Is there something you'd like to write but have yet to attempt?
I really want to write a YA story. I’m hoping that will be next year’s ambition =)

Who are auto-buys for you in this genre? What makes their books so appealing to you?
I haven’t read near enough authors – so many are on my ‘to be read’ list, but I’m a bit of a fan of JR Ward, Kelley Armstrong, Kresley Cole and our own Keri Arthur. And then we've got our home grown talent, like my CP's Tracey O'Hara and Kylie Scott - and we can't go past Kylie Griffin either =)

Some of Mel's books:

TOPIC: An Author's Life...with Mel Teshco

Being a published author is an ... involved ... process, and I take my hat off to those who've been in the business more than a few years now.

As a pre-pubbed author I was always curious about what happened once you received THE CALL and stepped into the world of publishing.

What did it involve? How did they handled the day to day pressures? Did they developed routines, set goals etc.? What did they like/dislike about the process?

So I asked my special guests these questions and many of them have offered some intriguing insights into their lives. Maybe they'll even give you a heads up on what to expect if you're thinking of entering the world of "getting published".

Please welcome my next guest...

MEL TESHCO grew up in Australia, where her seemingly gypsy dad and ever patient mother saw her living in many areas of the East Coast, along with her sister and two brothers.

Each new home stimulated an already over-active imagination, where she spent as much time dreaming about fantasy worlds as the real world - the fantasy sometimes being much better.

Now living on a small rural property with three horses and a handful or two of cats, she is happily married with three children of wide-spread ages and loves writing gritty, sizzling paranormals and the occasional contemporary with darker tones.

Author Facts
Pseudonym or Given Name on the cover? Mel Teshco.
Why a pseudonym? I write erotica so I’m aware stalkers might one day be an issue. Plus I loved being able to use ‘Teshco’—the first two letters from each of my daughter’s names. 
Location: Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay, Queensland, Australia.
Published Genre/s: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal and Contemporary Erotica.
Website: www.melteshco.com
First published in: 2009.
Number of books published: 11 (including one self-published and one free read).

The Nitty Gritty 
List up to 5 significant events in your journey to publication.
Definitely joining Romance Writers of Australia was the biggest reason for my success today, followed soon after by moving to Queensland and meeting Robyn Grady and Rachel Bailey—both unpublished at the time with Harlequin.

Soon after I joined up with an online group of writers (Claytons Critters) who helped me to hone my craft, then eventually left that group to focus on more one-on-one writing and became CP’s with Tracey O’Hara.

Melissa Smith has been another brilliant CP who has influenced my writing a lot, as well as some other writers who I occasionally swap with (Laurann Dohner, Cathleen Ross). 

What resources/techniques/events did you find useful to develop your writing skills/craft?
Aside from generally writing, writing and more writing, it’d be all the brilliant workshops at the annual romance conference.

Also, for me it was contests where judges left sometimes brutal comments and suggestions—you can’t beat them for getting your work out there and being judged fairly (most of the time). And having great writers to look at your work is invaluable, it’s amazing how much the brain soaks up. In the same way I’ve found judging and critiquing helps to see what works, what doesn’t.

For ‘how to’ books I highly recommend Angela Knight’s Passionate Ink: A Guide to Writing Erotic Romance. I can’t stress enough how much every writer can learn from this book.

I also really enjoyed Stephen King’s take on his writing journey, an interesting insight.

Can you share the special moment when you received THE CALL/THE EMAIL?

I had a couple of close calls with Nocturne Bites, which included what is now STONE-COLD LOVER, which I eventually sold to Ellora’s Cave.

To be honest, I sent that story there after it was rejected from Bites, with no real expectations it would be accepted—until I received an email telling me they wanted it (if I was willing to add more explicit sex scenes).

When I published HER DARK LORD with Nocturne Bites, I got an acceptance email followed by a phone call—most of which I can’t remember. I think the editor must have wondered what she’d gotten herself into, LOL!!

Looking back over your writing career, how have you grown as an author?
I’m certain you never stop growing as an author, even if you’re Stephen King or J.K Rowling. But I think I’ve mostly grown in my realizing how far I’ve got to go in my own writing journey, how much I learn all the time.

How important is it to set career goals? Can you give an example of one you have for yourself?
It’s so important to set ‘realistic’ goals.

For me I set out a writing ‘to do’ list which I published on my blog and updated a few months ago to let readers know where I was at. It’s also a great tool for motivation. 

Can you describe your writing process/timeframe from when you start a new book to handing it in at deadline?
I don’t really have deadlines, though I can write decent word counts when I’m focused (I wrote Dragon Heat in 3 weeks, with absolutely no idea what the story was going to be about when I began typing).

My writing process is basically whatever story is captivating me at the time, though I do try and focus on the ones that need to be done. I’m usually juggling at least three or four stories at a time as my attention span is deplorable.

One of the things I found challenging about being a published author is the constant juggling of tasks ie. writing a book, editing another, planning promotion, writing the prosposal for another (and usually this all happens while holding down another job or dealing with family/life etc.).

What do you enjoy the most in the publishing process?
Speaking of juggling LOL!! For Ellora’s Cave I’ve never had to write a proposal, I’ve written the whole book and sent it in—thankfully they’ve accepted all of them so far.

But yes, promotion and just the time it takes to check emails, blogs, facebook and twitter, sometimes it’s exhausting! I try to spend less time on all of those things now—getting books out is much more important, and besides which, I don’t want to sacrifice more precious time away from my family.

What do you like least in the publishing process?
There’s actually nothing I dislike. I love getting edits and making the story that much stronger, I love LOVE seeing a cover for the first time, and I love seeing the book go out into the world.

Oh, I do dislike bad reviews, they totally suck! But I’ve come to accept not everyone is going to love every book.

Mel's free read

What's the most memorable fan-mail you've received?
It was probably one I got from a lady who loved my free and very short story (3k) and begged me to make the story longer.

Is there anything you think pre-publishers writers need to know about the business/industry before they're published?
Just know you’ve got to put the hours into your craft. It might seem silly, but there’s a reason very few people get published early in their writing career.

Learning the craft takes many years and I think most writers would feel incredibly grateful none of those earlier works are out in the world, tarnishing their name - LOL!

A Bit of Fun
Favorite color: Green. 
Hunkiest hero ever: I have a bit of a thing for Brad Pitt. In fact the part he played in Thelma and Louise was the hero (in my mind) in my free read Discovering Sofia. My fav hero in a book would have to be Clayton from Kelley Armstrong’s, BITTEN.
Most daring thing you've done in your life: Moved interstate with a baby and young child (with a major physical disability), to start a new life and escape an abusive relationship. Seriously the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and for my kids.
Greatest love: It goes without saying I love my husband, my children and my mum. I couldn’t imagine life without any of them in it. I love grabbing a pizza and sitting down in the afternoon with my husband and having a bourbon and dry. I love my house—it feels like my own space, my own piece of paradise.
Timeout/relaxation for me includes: Reading. Swimming. The occasional horse ride. Reading to Miss four or playing memory. Driving. Holidays. Playing COD (shooting games is a great stress release LOL!).
Special quote/saying you like: Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true. (I think that is apt for all of us). And: There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.

Mel Teshco give-away winners announced!

Firstly, a correction from the original interview - Mel offered the trio of books in her Winged & Dangerous series. I mentioned they would be print books but in actual fact Mel offered them as e-books. Apologies for the mistake Mel & readers.

And Mel informs me that the second give-away (a copy of  Something Wicked Comes This Way anthology), it's release has been put back by the publisher, so she's replaced it with a second trio of W&D e-books.

So, without further ado, the winners of the two packs of W&D series e-books are:

Kaz Delaney

and

Natalie

Congratulations!

Please contact Mel direct - melteshco (at) yahoo (dot) com (dot) au - and she can arrange to send your prize to you.

Happy reading!

GUEST AUTHOR: Mel Teshco

Mel Teshco grew up in Australia, where her seemingly gypsy dad and ever patient mother saw her living in many areas of the East Coast, along with her sister and two brothers.


Each new home stimulated an already over-active imagination, where she spent as much time dreaming about fantasy worlds as the real world - the fantasy sometimes being much better.


Now living on a small rural property with three horses and a handful or two of cats, she is happily married with three children of wide-spread ages and loves writing gritty, sizzling paranormals and the occasional contemporary with darker tones.

Title – IDENTITY SHIFT
Setting – Sydney, Australia.
Hero – Blake Powell.
Heroine – Alexia Leigh.
Scene you would never cut – I definitely wouldn’t cut the last scene.
Something your hero or heroine would never do or say – My heroine won’t ever doubt her deceased father’s beliefs.
What's one quirky thing about your heroine? Heroine rides a Ducati motorcycle.
What do you think the readers will like about this book? It has a little bit of everything, action, danger, humour, shifting, sex...more sex *g* 

What's next for you? I’m currently writing book 2 of the Alien Heat series. I’m also working on a 90k(ish) contemporary with fantasy elements that I’m really enjoying and I have started two other erotica novellas. 

About you...
A wife of one very patient man, a mum of three girls and a grandma of a little man. A cat lover (currently have four) a Belgian dog owner and in love with my own little piece of paradise (small acreage). I feel really blessed =)

Winged & Dangerous series

Favorite movie of all time – Avatar.
Favorite fairytale – The Incredibles & The Lion King.
Favorite story to disappear into – Lady Vixen by Shirlee Busbee.
Favorite TV program – Most reality TV: The X Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Australia’s Got Talent, My Kitchen Rules etc. And then there’s Desperate Housewives and Winners & Losers.
First book you remember reading – Spot.
Dog or cat person (or other) – dog, cat, horse, dolphin and whale.

Winged & Dangerous series

Winged & Dangerous series

Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet – Stephen King.
A romantic retreat for you would be...log fire, massage, cocktails and doing absolutely nothing but talking to my man.
What do you do to unwind or relax? Read. Occasionally play COD. Horse Ride.
What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why? Back to biblical times to see some of those amazing people and prophets. I’d especially love to meet Queen Esther, I’m fascinated by her story.
What does love mean to you? Give and Take. And being friends as well as lovers.

Mel, as always, it's been a pleasure having you here on my blog - I look forward to your next visit!

Mel's offering the three books of her Winged & Dangerous series (in print) for one person who 'follows her blog', and one copy of the anthology 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' (as an e-book) as a second giveaway to another person who comments.

Open internationally.

Both potential winners must answer the question:

"What do you love most about a good shapeshifter story?"

Get an answer in by midday (Aussie time), November 3rd 2011 and your name will be placed in the draw for one of the prizes.

Winners will be announced November 4th 2011.

Meanwhile, everyone, enjoy the blurb and excerpt of IDENTITY SHIFT (below).

IDENTITY SHIFT
Alexia Leigh is determined to prove big-cat shape-shifters exist. But she never expected Blake Powell, the key to the shifter race, to rescue and seduce her—never expected to want him like he's her last damned breath! She's never experienced such raw pleasure, has forgotten what it is to truly feel alive. And now she is torn between him and the proof she needs.


Links for IDENTITY SHIFT: AllRomance, Amazon, Smashwords - for the price of 99c 

Excerpt:
Guns ‘N’ Roses blared from inside nondescript apartment fourteen. She took a deep, calming breath as adrenaline surged within. She had him. At last her quarry was within reach. She raised a fist and hammered on the flimsy, peeling wooden door.
The music shut down. A baby wailed a few apartments down, a small dog yapping into life inside another. Heavy footsteps approached from the other side of the door.
“Yes.”
One word. One deep, masculine, primal intonation.
Her pulses jerked in response, her nipples beading tight beneath her black leather jacket and tight burgundy singlet.
If this is what he could do to a woman with one monosyllable behind a closed door, she could only imagine what he could do with a whole sentence, and up close and personal.
She cursed under her breath. She’d clearly been too long without a man, someone to ease the heavy ache of her breasts, the deep throb between her thighs. Just as well she wanted nothing more from him than answers.
Hesitating for a beat, she asked, “Mr. Powell?”
She closed her eyes at his long, drawn out silence. Then she heard him release a heavy sigh before returning wearily, “Who wants to know?”
Impatience drummed a loud tattoo behind her skull. A migraine was all she needed right now.
“I’m here on behalf of my father. He is—“ she swallowed back a wave of bitter loss and grief ”—was an archaeologist. You may have heard of him? Professor Thomas Leigh.” At the thick, almost suffocating silence that followed she continued more loudly, “He believed in the existence of human-panther shape-shifters—”
Her sentence ended on a startled gasp as the door flung open and she was jerked unceremoniously inside.
“Enough already,” Blake growled.
She hissed out a breath at the current of electricity sizzling through her arm’s every nerve ending; at the cheek of him dragging her inside. She tugged free, and looked up…and up.
Beneath scruffy dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt the man was a mountain of fluid muscle and sinew, repressed energy that vibrated with emotion and patently raw sex appeal.
“Are you mad?” she said through gritted teeth. “All I wanted was a civilized discussion, not to be dragged inside like I’m nothing more than…than a cave woman!”
He slammed the door shut behind her and pushed home a large bolt. When he peeled off his dark sunglasses—ludicrous inside the near dark room lit only by a naked bulb—she took an involuntary step back. His eyes were an unnatural gold-yellow. Beautiful, but deadly.
She sucked in some oxygen, forcing a calm she didn’t feel. Damn it all to hell, he really was sinfully delicious, with more vague hints of darkness beneath his honey-warm skin that tantalized and teased even as it repelled.
“I know who you are,” he said.
“You do?”
“Yes.” He sighed, tunneling a hand through his thick, dark hair that was an inch away from scruffy. “I’m sorry.”
“Wh…what?”
“About your father.”
“Why?” Her voice rose an octave, “Because like everyone else you think the world is better off without another crackpot and his loony beliefs?”
“No. I’m sorry because he was a great man who thought above and beyond the restrictions of science.”
Hostility fled her body, leaving her oddly drained and a little disorientated. How long had it been since someone had said something good about her father? Too long, clearly, for her to appreciate even a scrap of praise. Snide remarks and innuendos had become part and parcel of their life for the three long months since her father’s discovery.
“You look about ready to collapse.” Somehow his silky rich voice stroked her senses, hummed along the nerve-endings behind her eyeballs and soothed away her stress. Turning it into another tension entirely. Sexual tension. “Please. Take a seat,” he murmured.
She managed the couple of steps needed before all but flopping into a ripped, vinyl two-seater lounge. “You knew my dad?”
“No, not personally. But I read all his articles. He was ahead of his time. A brilliant and ethical man.”
And look where that had got him. Mocked and ridiculed until he’d been stripped of all his dignity, his beliefs. His life.
A wedge of hair dropped over her eyes from her scraped back pony tail. She abstractedly pushed the dark blonde length behind one ear. “Then you know why I’m here.”
He moved into the tiny kitchen, where a half-empty bottle of scotch resided on the counter. He poured them each a glass. She gulped hers down like it was a tonic for all the ills in the world.
He smiled and took a mouthful before giving a nod. “I gather since your father uncovered the bones, he also found the journal and deciphered the names on the list?”
“Only yours,” she conceded. Her father’s long held view of honesty being the best policy had burrowed deep into her psyche, despite its obvious pitfalls. “What else have you concluded?” she pressed.
He raised a dark brow. “That now you’re hoping to track down the Illawatti tribe.”
She released another long, slow breath. “Let me guess. You think I’m a raving lunatic?”
Just like my dad.
Blake stalked over to the window and peered between the moldy, almost transparent curtains. “No. Actually, I don’t.”
Wow. Was he serious? She snorted disbelief. “So you agree there’s a possibility the Illawatti tribe exist—” 
“We need to leave,” he growled.
She frowned. “No. Not until I get some answers—”
The breath whooshed hard from her throat as he threw himself at her. His weight knocked her to the ground simultaneously to the window shattering, glass raining down like blades of ice.
The dog a few doors down once again took up its relentless yapping. She closed her eyes, aware the muscled bulk of Blake’s body sheltered her. But she was even more aware of the ping of a bullet that had torn a hole through the opposite wall.
Shock pushed her heart rate into high gear. “Someone is shooting at you!”
He effortlessly scooped her up and half-ran into what had to be the only bedroom. “No,” he corrected grimly. “They’re shooting at us.”
Her blood pressure spiking, she looked up. The pool of light leaking into the bedroom allowed her to note his composed expression, his strange-colored eyes that scanned the room, seemingly considering every possible option before he acted. “What the hell are you saying?” she hissed.
She was a target?
He glanced down at her. “I apologize in advance. Your hellish day isn’t about to improve any time soon.”

Some of Mel's other books:

You can find more of Mel's books and information about her on her website, or you can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Galactic Burn

Happy Release Day GALACTIC BURN!

My fellow DarkSider and friend, Mel Teshco celebrates her latest release from Ellora's Cave - woohoo!

Here's the "rather hot" blurb:

Humans have been almost wiped out. Only a few females are recovering from the devastation. The same deadly virus annihilated the female population of a mighty alien nation and their three kings—Dar, Ezra and Maddox—are looking for one special female, Lillian, to capture and seduce.

 

Though Lillian survived, she has no memory and struggles with the fact that three alien men have become her lovers. One by one, they take her, make her burn for release and satisfy her every sexual need. She craves their touches, their kisses, their comforting embraces while forming strong emotional bonds with each. Lillian is falling for her sexy aliens and agrees to become their life mate in a special ceremony—her three males will make love to Lillian as all the surviving alien males watch.

Mel Teshco Give-away winner

Congratulation to...

Chris Taylor

You won a copy of Mel Teshco's, MOON THRALL - or one of her Ellora's Cave back-list.

If you could contact her - melteshco(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au - and she'll discuss details with you about getting it to you.

Happy Reading!

GUEST AUTHOR: Mel Teshco

Yes, I know it' not Monday but I couldn't pass up having a special guest and my friend Mel Teshco visit today!

Bonus! You're getting a couple of guest authors this week!!! And a give-away!

So, who is Mel Teshco?
I’m a mum of three wonderful girls and a grandmother of a gorgeous little boy. My family has a thing for cats (four) and horses (three). And of course, we love books—well, my husband and two youngest girls do, my eldest daughter prefers to watch books at the movies (g).

I live in sunny Queensland, on a small acreage with gorgeous big gum trees and rolling green hills. And presently, a big empty pool (liners are expensive!! LOL).

Sounds like a nice patch of paradise, Mel! Must be great for the creative side in you when you're writing. Speaking of :-) - can you tell us about your new release, MOON THRALL?
MOON THRALL is about a woman desperate to escape the abuse of her ex fiancée. I can totally relate to this theme and thought this heroine truly deserved her HEA.

The hero has been waiting for his weren (werewolf mate) and is shocked to discover her ex fiancée is his werewolf enemy.
 
Elyse Wellston escapes from her brutal, violent ex-fiancé to a remote cabin in Australia. Fearing for her life, it makes no sense for her to react the way she does on meeting the enigmatic Dane Maddox.

Only when she discovers he is a werewolf and she is his weren—his mate and a werewolf herself—does she begin to understand the hot, sexual yearning within. No longer does she need to act out a desire she doesn’t feel, Dane is everything she wants. But will her ex-fiancé end her happiness, her sexual fulfillment, almost before it begins? 

What is it about your characters that made you want to tell their stories?
I think it’s things I can either relate to or that fascinate me in some way. The characters in MOON THRALL actually came to me after I imagined the opening scene. Movies can stay in my mind and influence my characters many years down the track. In this story, think of the heroine as Julia Robert’s in Sleeping with the Enemy. (damn good movie, too!) And the hero, he’s the rich, alpha male with a little bit of SNAG thrown in...gotta love that!! (g) 

Movies are a powerful visual, aren't they? I'm a bit of a movie buff too, mostly action/adventure, lots of SF/F and I'm always a sucker if there's a romantic element thrown in.

Now, for a question about your writing process. Do you have a pet that keeps you company when you write? Has your pet taught you anything about writing? If so, what?
My tabby cat Yammy (named after the Yamaha motorcycle, as a kitten her purr was LOUD).

If she’s not on my keyboard or in front of my screen, she’s on my lap or looking up at me with her puss-in-boots eyes, waiting for the go ahead to snuggle.

She’s my *special* girl. She used to stand up on her hind legs and give my little girl a hug when she was crying (this cat worries over crying). Yammy also used to have very bad epilepsy, but she seems cured now (touch wood!!)

Yammy actually was one of the influences for a bit of an odd fantasy novel I started, where the heroine attracted cats like bees to a honeypot. Yet another ms I will have to dust off and finish! 

So, what's next for you? What are you working on?
I’m having a little break from finishing off BELIEVE, my co-authored, never ending book (g) and revising a very old paranormal novel ‘Shadow Hunter’ which will need a name change.

I’m also about halfway through BROTHERS OF THE OTHERWORLD, an alien fantasy short novel for Ellora’s Cave.

Then I plan the third novella for the gargoyle WINGED & DANGEROUS series, which I hope to submit about halfway through the year. 

Wow, you're certainly busy! And I'm looking forward to seeing your next W&D book, especially the cover. They've been a great series! Mel, thanks for being my special "special" guest today! :-) 

And, as I mentioned at the start of this post, there's a give-away of MOON THRALL (or, if you prefer, you get a choice of one her Ellora's Cave back-list). Leave a comment by 6pm, Tuesday 22nd March 2011, and you'll go into the draw. Good luck!

If you'd like to know more about Mel check out her website, blog or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

Mel's other books:

 

Free read!

Talented Aussie & Kiwi Authors

I like a good book - who doesn't?

Nothing beats curling up on the lounge or in bed with a new book off your To Be Read pile and spending a few hours whisked away on some adventure whether it's in a paranormal world, an ancient time period or a contemporary setting.

The last couple of months I've been lucky to read quite a few local authors. If you're looking for some "home grown" talent why don't you check out some of these books?

Mel Teshco writes hot erotic paranormal romance for Ellora's Cave.

Christina Phillips writes ancient historical romance for Berkley's Heat imprint.

Nalini Singh writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy romance for Berkley Sensation.

Denise Rossetti writes erotic paranormal romance for Berkley Sensation and Ellora's Cave.

Helene Young writes contemporary women's fiction (with a twist of romantic suspense) for Hachette Australia.

C.C.Coburn write contemporary romances for Harlequin America Romance.





Have you any "home grown" authors you'd like to recommend to me? I'm always on the look out for new books!

Guest Author: Mel Teshco (CARNAL MOON release)

Who is Mel Teshco?
A brilliant scholar...tee-hee! Seriously, I like to think I’m an ordinary person writing extraordinary—or at least interesting— stories for readers to enjoy and love.

Who influenced you or what appeals to you about this genre?
I’m not sure I have any one influence, just a scarily big bunch of books I’ve read over too many years that have helped stimulate my rather active imagination.
I wrote my latest release CARNAL MOON for Ellora’s Cave, which is paranormal erotica. I love these sexy, darker style paranormals—another reason I also fitted right in to Harlequin’s Nocturne (Bites) line.

Share a bit about your next release, when's it out and where can we buy it?
CARNAL MOON is out October 28th, 2010 through Ellora’s Cave. It is a werewolf story set in the Sydney suburbs and government bush reserves.

Tell us a bit about the hero/heroine.
The hero is a powerful alpha male whose instinct is to mate and populate the dwindling werewolf population. The heroine is in love with her mortal lawyer boyfriend, but cannot resist the 'calling' to mate with this male werewolf at the height of the full moon.

What’s next for you?
I have another werewolf story that will hopefully be released through Nocturne Bites soon. I’m also doing some frantic rewrites and polishing up of a single title book called BELIEVE, which will mean agent hunting very soon!
Other than that I’m writing an alien story for Ellora’s Cave which features three heroes :-) , and I have around three chapters of another single title started (so excited by this – one of those spine-tingling moments you have when an idea takes hold and won’t let go!).
And last but not least, the start of another possible Nocturne bites story... LOL!!! I really do need to focus!

Where can we find you next? 
28th October - LoveCats DownUnder

CARNAL MOON

Only on the first night of each full moon, werewolves cannot resist the calling, an instinctual need to mate. Living a double life has never been difficult for Holly, but in her world, if her species is to survive, all she can look forward to is down-and-dirty, uninhibited sex with a difference partner each month. She has never had a reason to complain though. Until now.

She's fallen for Ricky Mandela, her human lover. Holly can't pretend she has a chance at a family and happily ever after. these are human dreams. But she can't give him up either. Will she have to lie and cheat to hold on to the man she loves? 

Mel's other books:

You can find out more about Mel on her website.

PROMO: Mel Teshco

Get out your red pen and circle October 28th.

Why? Mel Teshco returns to my blog to promote CARNAL MOON, her new release from Ellora's Cave!

CARNAL MOON
Only on the first night of each full moon, werewolves cannot resist the calling, an instinctual need to mate. Living a double life has never been difficult for Holly, but in her world, if her species is to survive, all she can look forward to is down-and-dirty, uninhibited sex with a different partner each month. She has never had reason to complain though. Until now.

She’s fallen for Ricky Mandela, her human lover. Holly can’t pretend she has a chance at a family and happily ever after. Those are human dreams. But she can’t give him up either. Will she have to lie and cheat to hold on to the man she loves?

Can't wait for her visit!

Interview with ... Mel Teshco

This is an interview I conducted with Mel Teshco for a "newbie author" article in the Romance Writers of New Zealand's Heart to Heart magazine (Feb.2010 issue).

Have you ever had a conversation with friends about what life would be like once you receive THE CALL? Have you wondered what happens next? What lies beyond that magical moment? 

MEL TESHCO
(Ellora’s Cave & Nocturne Bites)

Share a little bit about yourself and your writing.
I live on a small rural property amongst rolling green hills and tall gums, ex-dairy country, in South-East Queensland. I’m a full-time mum after having my third daughter, Miss Whirlwind-On-Legs who is now two. Miss eleven is a huge paranormal fan and reads anything I let her get her hands on. My eldest daughter lives with her boyfriend and made me a proud grandmother recently at the ripe old age of thirty-nine. I also have three stepchildren, though only one lives with us now and he has just finished year twelve.
I started my writing journey with the failsafe plan to be a sexy/presents author. I also dabbled with the idea of becoming a Desire author (If only it was that simple!) Actually, ‘dabbling’ is how I discovered my love for writing paranormal. Comparatively speaking, I’d read very little of that genre until I decided to write it — and the same could be said for my erotic reading experience — a bit topsy-turvy, I know. In both my Ellora’s Cave gargoyle story, STONE-COLD LOVER, and my upcoming Nocturne Bites vampire story, Blood Chance, (yet to be renamed) I can still detect an underlying ‘category’ voice.

Our readers love a good story - please tell us how you received THE CALL.
I’d had a bit of success in U.S. comps with my paranormal story Shadow Hunter. In fact it’d garnered a request from Nocturne’s editor, Ann Leslie Tuttle. Shortly after, I fell pregnant, so writing took a backseat for a while and I didn’t really make much progress during those ‘pregnancy’ months. I didn’t get a ‘call’ with Ellora’s Cave, everything was done via email. But I was thrilled the editor loved it as the story was originally aimed for Nocturne Bites.

Actually I’d sent STONE-COLD LOVER to Ellora’s Cave at about the same time I sent Blood Chance to Nocturne Bites. STONE-COLD LOVER was published for three months before I received an acceptance email from Shawna Rice at Nocturne, and then the phone call a few days later! That was one nerve-wracking experience! But she was lovely.

I just have to ask the-chicken-or-the-egg question. What happened first  – agent or an editor? How did you go about finding one/both?
For me it’s the chicken before the egg!
In the earlier days with Shadow Hunter I had a couple of agents interested and wanting to see more work. But since concentrating on shorts, at this point of time there isn’t a need for an agent – not until I finish Believe - my single title work with co-author, Kylie. Then I’ll have to brush up on my query letters and go through that process again!

Can you tell us about your debut/current book up for release?
My current release is my debut Ellora’s Cave book STONE COLD LOVER.

Heiress Loretta Shaw is notorious for her loose morals and sexual needs. Trouble is, it’s taken her one too many one-night stands to realize that no man can extinguish the sexual fire she feels toward her guardian, Cray Diamond.
A long-ago curse made Cray immortal—a gargoyle, a guardian, who is impelled to protect a human chosen by the curse. He is imprisoned in stone during daylight hours but dusk returns him to flesh and bone to carry out his immortal duty.
That Cray can shift between human and living gargoyle at night bothers Loretta not one bit. She’s seen him naked many times and her desire for him—in any shape or form—knows no bounds. She’s tired of his resistance. He’s her gargoyle…and she wants him in her bed.

The Nocturne Bites story, Blood Chance is set in Sydney, in the seedier parts of Kings Cross and my imagination. (g) The heroine, Kia – is born a part vampire after her mother was savagely attacked by a nightwalker in the very early stages of her pregnancy. Unfortunately that same attack on her mother has years later triggered a terrible disease. Now Kia is on a mission to save her dying mother, a mission that requires her to track down the Ancient One. The healing properties of this elder vampire’s blood may very well contain a cure.
Last but not least I have a short story in with Ellora’s Cave, tentatively titled Kallie Revealed. This is a contemporary short about a woman exploring her fantasy of stripping after a personal tragedy rocks her world. Sexy, but a little emotionally confrontational. The hero in this story senses that stopping her from living her fantasy could mean losing her. And how hot is a hero who’d do anything to keep his woman?

Writers’ tend to have strengths and weaknesses. Can you identify them? What’s the most challenging thing about writing process for you and how do you strive to overcome it?
Weaknesses – where do I start!? I’m rather chuffed to say the other day I wrote a short story (will eventually be an EC freebie unless I lengthen the word count) from start to finish after the visuals of it played through my head. That was a one off! Normally I can’t plot; my brain just won’t allow me to push beyond that first scene, and definitely rarely beyond the first chapter. Hmm. Does that make me shortsighted?
I’m also a ‘checker’ who can’t write more than a paragraph or two before having to go back and edit it to my satisfaction. I have hellish trouble moving on to the next scene if I haven’t perfected the last scene! Believe me, I’ve tried! Freehand writing helps a little with this, but I haven’t completely overcome it yet.  I’ve been toying with the idea of participating in NaNo to see if I can push past this annoying habit!
My strengths are probably perseverance and a great imagination. Like all of us writers, I love to write! And it’s beyond fascinating watching a character come to life on the page!

Is it fair to say getting published takes you on a steep learning curve in the next stage of your career as a writer? What’s something you’ve learnt since getting THE CALL?
For me that steep learning curve is probably the promo involved. Actually I enjoy the promo side (guest blogging, interviews, articles, blog writing etc) but it does eat into the writing. Oh, and there’s another of my weaknesses – procrastination!

Is there any other advice, “lightbulb” moments or comments you’d like to share about getting/being published?
Don’t give up. Don’t lose your voice. Weigh up critique and judges comments constructively not emotionally. Don’t give up. Did I mention, don’t give up?

Thanks for your time! 

NOTE: As you can see by the range of book covers, Mel has since published other works. Her latest is CARNAL MOON, an Ellora's Cave Quickies novella. You can find out more about them on her website.