So far my regular shows have kept me captivated. I hated missing MEN IN TREES last week.  However some of our favourites are going to repeats now because of the strike.  I understand the need for the strike but when those shows are my only relaxation time it kind of annoys me that the new shows are not available.

Also I hate to say this but I’m already bored of my favourite new show SAMANTHA WHO. I don’t know why. I tried to explain it to a co-worker this morning and really couldn’t explain it.  The best I can see is that I’m already bored of the premise.  I really wanted to like this show since I truly like the actors in it, but I have to say I probably won’t make a point of watching it in the future.

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m looking forward to January new shows.  Usually they aren’t the best shows but I want something interesting and new, like JERICHO.

Are you disappointed with your TV shows?

I have never been crazy for short stories. Actually I don’t usually read them.  The smallest story I’ll read are novellas.  However this week I couldn’t resist the urge to pick a short story published by The Wild Rose Press.  I read some promo on one of the many loops I belong to about WHEN JOHNNY COMES HOME by Kim Watters and I just had to have it. The fact that it was only $1.50 was a bonus.  

This is the story of Johnny and Audrey.  Johnny is at war (WWII) and Audrey is at home loving him from afar.  You see the love and affection they have for one another through the letters they send one another. At least you see that Johnny loves his Kathleen.  Audrey has been sending love letters in her sister’s name to former beau. The only problem is that he doesn’t know he’s her former beau and that the letters are really written by Audrey, a strong woman who quietly loves him.

 I don’t want to give too much away of the story, but The Wild Rose Press and Ms Watters did an awesome job with this short story. I simply couldn’t put it down until I had finished reading it. I can’t wait to read more short stories from this publisher and books fro Ms Watters.  In my opinion this book is worth so much more than what I paid for.  

As promised, here is the excerpt from”Secrets and Sacrifices”

What are you working on now?

I am working on a new historical now that is filled with action, adventure, and intrigue. It is the story of two Pinkerton agents who have to decode cryptic letters in their search for stolen gold. 

What will be your next book and when can your readers expect it to hit the bookshelves?

I have two books coming out in 2008 and 2009. They are the stories of two young men who join the 17th Pennsylvania cavalry thinking it will be a grand adventure. They soon discover how wrong they are. “Jenny’s Passion” – release date November 2008 from Vintage Romance PublishingIt was November 1863 and Captain David Reynolds of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry was fully prepared to die. Someone had once told him that dying was quite painless. He didn’t believe it, though he secretly hoped it was true as he and his men prepared to ride into chaos and horror. The battle of Mine Run had begun.Jennifer Winston could hear the booming sounds of cannon fire miles away from her Virginia home. She knew that the war had begun two years ago, but had been insulated from it all by her father. Little did she know that her life was about to irrevocably change and she would be tested to the limits of her courage and endurance for a man—a man who was the enemy.Book Two: American Heroes“Lila’s Vow” – release date March 2009 from Vintage Romance PublishingSchoolteacher Lila Sutton lived a peaceful life in her hometown of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania until the summer of 1863. When war visits her home, it brings a man who attracts her like no other. She must have him. Just when she thinks she has landed the man of her dreams, her world is shattered with the arrival of a letter reporting his death. She vows revenge against his killers. Her perfect chance comes with a chance encounter with a Pinkerton agent.

Cavalryman, Jack Montgomery’s strength and courage are tested to the limits when he is captured and sent to the infamous Andersonville prison. When escape finally comes, a year has passed since he has seen his loving bride. Their reunion finds that each has changed. Jack is battling lingering effects from his imprisonment, but his troubles go deeper than that. He discovers that Lila is now a spy, and her partner tries to kill him. The attraction between Lila and Jack is still undeniable despite everything. Then, to Jack’s horror, Lila is kidnapped right out from under his nose. To save her, Jack is forced to join forces with handsome Lila’s ex-partner…a man he doesn’t trust.

How can readers reach you?

My website is http://www.dianewylie.com I have a MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/dianewylie . I also have a blog at http://blogspot.com/dianewylie .  If they would like to email me, they can reach me at diane@dianewylie.com .  

Where can people purchase your books online?

Links to purchase online:Books-a-million, Barnes and Noble and Amazon

Come back tomorrow where you’ll get an excerpt of SECRETS AND SACRIFICES. It’ll be well worth it. I swear

What do you consider more important to make a good book, a strong story or great character chemistry?

I think a strong story is most important. The characters can be flawless and have great chemistry, but if the plot is weak or boring, I lose interest. 

What would you say makes a perfect hero?

He has to have a great personality, sensitivity to others, and imperfections as well as true hero characteristics.

What makes a perfect heroine in your eyes?

I’d say the same characteristics a perfect hero needs.

SECRETS AND SACRIFICES takes place during the civil war. What made you write during that time period more than another one? Did it call out to you?

I’ve been interested in the Civil War period ever since I saw Gone With the Wind. A hero dashing in on a gallant steed is my idea of a real hero, and the 1800s is perfect for that.

What kind of research did you do in order to write this book?

I do lots of research both in books and on the internet to get the kind of historical accuracy that I need. I love to learn new things and research is chock full of new things to learn. My husband and I went on a Ghost Tour at Delaware, which was used as a Confederate prison during the Civil War. It was such an intimidating and stark place—I had to include it in “Secrets and Sacrifices!” Live research is fun too. 

What advice would you have to offer someone who’s considering writing historical romance?

Read up on the time period you are considering and read other pieces of fiction that take place during that time. It is very easy to make the mistake of using modern language in your writing.

Tell us about you. Who is Diane Wylie?

Let’s see…I am the mother of two wonderful kids, the wife of an ex-racecar driver who is also a Vietnam Vet and a graphic designer, the caretaker of two squeaky guinea pigs, a graduate of Rutgers University, an ex-schoolteacher, a NASCAR fan, a resident of Maryland, a gardener, a twin, a technical writer by day, and an author of romance novels by night.

What inspired you to write SECRETS AND SACRIFICES?

I love the Civil War period, ever since seeing Gone With the Wind, and wanted to write the story of the common soldier. Having already written a story from the Yankee side, I wanted to give equal time to the Southerners. I heard about how women dressed as men to sneak into the army during the Civil War and I wanted to write a story of how it might have been for a female soldier.

Great title.  How did you come up with it?

Well, it was by trial-and-error. My editor didn’t like the original title and wanted a new one. I sent her about 40 different titles, but my favorite was “Secrets and Sacrifices.” My heroine has a big secret and all of the characters in the book are making tremendous sacrifices.

What did you learn most while writing SECRETS AND SACRIFICES?

I learned a lot about medical practices during the Civil War, since my hero is a surgeon. Most fascinating was the way they came up with new ways to save lives. I never knew that they were able to defeat a big killer—gangrene. Apparently the Yankees found a chemical called bromine that would keep gangrene at bay. I found it all very interesting.

How have your fans responded to it?

My fans love the book! I am told it is a real page-turner. One woman told me she couldn’t sleep until she found out what happened. Another lovely lady told me that she was so caught up in “Secrets and Sacrifices” that she left it open beside her on the seat as she drove to work so she could pick it up and read it at stop lights! As flattering as that is, I don’t really recommend it.

More to come tomorrow be sure to come back

I had the honor of interviewing Diane Wylie. I am in the mist of reading her historical romance SECRETS AND SACRIFICES.  If you are a fan of historical romances you’ll want to pick up a copy this book. It’s a jewel.

 Today I’ll start by introducing Diane with her bio and tomorrow I’ll be posting her interview questions. If you have questions of your own please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment box and I’m sure Dian would be happy to answer them.

 May I introduce Diane Wylie 

Historical romance author, Diane Wylie, loves books that will take her on an emotional roller coaster ride. What better genre than romance to do that? She has always particularly loved historical romances for their dashing heroes and beautiful heroines.Since watching Gone With the Wind as a child, she has had an avid interest in the American Civil War. This interest comes to bear in her two acclaimed novels, My Enemy, My Love and Secrets and Sacrifices, along with short story, “A Soldier to Love.”Diane makes her home in Maryland with her husband, Ed, a former racecar driver, and two wonderful children. During the day Diane is an award-winning technical writer for a scientific instrument company in Delaware.

I started this week the same way it ended last week, with a visit to the chiropractor.  Today he gave me good news, no arthritis (woo hoo) and my problem is not chronic (thank goodness).  Now I do have a small calcium and magnesium problem but nothing that can’t be taken care of quickly.  Did I imagine I had a big problem all weekend long?  Honestly I didn’t think about it at all.  I was too busy cleaning out my basement office and going for a reiki session.  Speaking of reiki this was my first time having it done. I have friends who’d done beforehand and said they felt and saw stuff during their sessions.  Miserably I didn’t feel or see anything.  However I did feel a lot better afterwards though, kind of like having a weight taken off my shoulders.

How eventful was your weekend?

I didn’t expected what happened on UGLY BETTY this past Thursday. (If you haven’t seen the latest UGLY BETTY show and don’t want to know what happened STOP reading now). I knew Betty would go to the mat for Daniel and his family as she has done many times in the past year of working for him and Mode.  I mean Daniel’s mother had her break into her ex-husband’s office to check out the will. Why? To make sure everything wasn’t left to his fiancé. I did like the way Betty evaluated herself and the last year of her life at Mode, by talking to Betty from a year ago.  Kind of nutty really, but good.  In the end she quit her job.

What happened on the show that I truly didn’t expect to happen?  Well Daniels’ father died. Yes it ends with his tragic death.  Did any of you expect him to die?

I haven’t read an ebook in years.  Yep it’s been that long.  However I dusted off my Palm Pilot this week and read BEAUTY AND THE GEEK by Roni Adams published by The Wild Rose Press.  

Becky and Louie have been friends for what seems like forever.  Geeky Louie has secretly loved the beautiful Becky since the 7^th grade. Everyone except Becky knows about this love.  Louie decides to change all that.   After purchasing Becky’s dream home and get her to help him renovate and redecorate the mansion.  Through deception, little white lies and revelations Becky and Louie realize that friendship and true love is really all about.  

I really enjoyed this book.  Ms Adams writing style kept me riveted and running out to get more batteries when my Palm died out on me. The characters sparkle.  The premise might not be new geeky guy loves beauty but Ms Adams has put a great twist to it in BEAUTY AND THE GEEK.  I strongly recommend it.

Pick up a copy at Fictionwise today.