Chat with Ursula Grey & Win a $10 ARe Gift Certificate!

As promised, here is blog post #3 for the day. This one features the lovely Ursula Grey, to whom I owe an apology for posting up a day late. Alas, while there are a great many wonderful things about being at sea (check back in a couple days for vacation recap hilarity), sketchy satellite internet is not one of them. 

So, without further ado, here's Ursula beneath the jump. And remember, one lucky commenter will win a $10 gift certificate to All Romance ebooks, courtesy of Ursula!

What draws you to romance?

The reward of crafting stories others will hopefully relate to and enjoy, and which also promise a happy ending – this is what draws me to the romance genre. I think in addition to loving ourselves, (and all the benefits reaped from the joys of self-discovery and the pursuit our dreams), we all want to love and be loved unconditionally. The romance genre helps keep that dream alive.

Have you ever written outside the romance genre? If not, do you ever plan to?

I think there will always be elements of romance in everything I write. Right now, I'm drawn to writing erotic historical romance, but would like to write something mainstream/literary one day, you know, on the order of the Great American Novel…(Hey, I can dreamJ.) But back to your question ~ I have on the back burner a darker fantasy and a lighter work featuring some of your favorite Greek gods and goddesses. Like to write a time travel one day. Also have a couple of erotic historical works waiting to be finished! I like to read different genres so I guess it makes sense that I'd also try my hand at writing them.

What’s the sexiest feature on a man to you? And on a woman? Why?

Sexiest feature on a man? It would have to be his eyes and the way he looks at a woman –a powerful, masculine chest is nice tooJ. And on a woman? Again, I'd have to go with the eyes. Can't say it better than what's been said a thousand times before…the eyes are the window to the soul. They say so much…

What would constitute your own personal happily ever after?

I'm fortunate in the sense that I'm actually living my own "happily ever after". After decades of thinking I'd never meet "the one", (I was content to be a happy spinster who'd write, travel the world, and spend my nights cozying up with a good book)—it happened. Locked eyes with his, and as they say, the rest was history! Now, I write, we travel, and I cozy up to him ~ with two good books, one for me and one for himJ.

Do you own an ereader? Why or why not? If so, what’s on it?

I've had a Kindle for almost a year. I love the ability to instantaneously download a title that I'm craving. However, I'm an eclectic reader, and sometimes what I'm looking for isn't available on Kindle. I do have a confession to make though…I prefer the physical book. I love to flip back through the pages, to see how far I'll have to go before the end so I know how long I have to wait before I find out what happens! I just can't do that with my Kindle. One thing I won't do is pay more than $9.99 for an ebook. The big name publishers lost me there – I'll wait until the trade paperback comes out or reserve a copy at my library. What the ereader has done for me is to allow me to read, and have access to, all of the talented indie authors out there. That's the major advantage to owning one in my book. There is a negative…I'm always afraid I'm going to drop the darn thing!

Are you a book hoarder?

Well, how did you know? Yes, I admit it. I am. I love books. I'm running out of space! I consider each one of my favorites a beloved friend. I do frequent used bookstores, smaller independently owned stores, along with the big three. Of course I love my local public library. I've been a lifelong library user and supporter. It saddens me that they're in such dire straits when there are more people using the library than ever before.

Where are your favorite online hangouts? What are your daily must-stop blogs and websites?

I've recently discovered the joys of Twitter, so have been busy learning and tweeting! Blogs and websites? I love the Writer's Knowledge Base – it's the Search Engine for Writers. Several wonderful articles can be found on everything from writing to promoting your book. It's a great site. Also visit Tribal Writer (http://www.tribalwriter.com/) build your creative legacy. It contains loads of information on creativity, building an author platform, blogging, etc. Very informative. 

Speaking of online hangouts, where are yours? Where can your readers find you?

You can visit my blog – really, I wish you wouldJ at http://ursulagrey.wordpress.com/  and/or follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/UrsulaGrey

What’s your current book list and where can we buy them?

Before I do that, I must tell you about my latest release, due to hit the virtual shelves on February 21^st! Adelaide's Adventure, is an erotic historical romance which takes place in the Old West, for the most part, in a stagecoach…Noble Romance is the publisher and it will be available on their site for starters.

My other titles:

A Day in April, 1944 published by eXcessica. It's about a French woman working for the Resistance who shelters an American pilot who awakens her sexuality. Again, it's an erotic romance, which I'm proud to say, garnered Recommended Reads at the Literary Nymphs 

(http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-in-april-1944.html ) Fallen Angel 

(http://fallenangelreviews.com/2010/March/merrylee-adayinapril1944.htm ), and Dark Diva (http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-in-april-1944-by-ursula-grey.html) review sites.

Also, the Divine Matches Anthology was recently released by eXcessica and my short story, Heph's Revenge is included. The story revolves around Hephaestus, and what happens when he discovers the antics taking place between his wife Aphrodite and the god of war, Ares. If gods and goddesses and all things mythological intrigue you, pick up a copy. I enjoyed writing it ~ I should mention that this is an erotic story…

Last but not least, is Second Chances, published by Siren-Bookstrand. Here's the blurb:

Chance encounters bring together three women from very different walks of life and with little in common—except for the desire to obtain a second chance at life…and perhaps even love?  A mysterious birthday gift, a husband’s devastating deception, and a secret past during World War II send the women on an unforgettable journey to France that will change their lives forever.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Only that I'm pleased to be here and look forward to your visit!

Where you can find Ursula’s work:

A Day in April, 1944 -  http://www.amazon.com/Day-April-1944-ebook/dp/B003GIRFJC

Divine Matches -  http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Matches-ebook/dp/B004IE9ZG4/

Second Chances - http://www.amazon.com/Chances-BookStrand-Publishing-Romance-ebook/dp/B0035YDM30/

Ursula Grey resides in the sultry South with her husband and crazy puppy. When not at work, she is either reading, writing, relaxing, practicing yoga, or in route to France...