Facts about Diane Alberts!

I sound like a little girl. No, not a child, child. But a tween. When parents or teachers call my house, they ask for my mom. Really. I then get stuck having to say, I’m $#653@ mom. They, in turn, stammer in embarrassment and shame for a good thirty seconds before getting the heck to the point. It’s a mess for everyone involved.

Coincidentally, I also apparently look like one. My tween, much to her dismay, often gets asked if I’m her sister. She has to then roll her eyes as is appropriate for a tween disillusioned with the world and all its bullcrap before replying, “No, it’s my mom.”

I’m terrified of scary movies. I refuse to watch them anymore. As a teen, I went to see 13 Ghosts in the theater. I didn’t sleep for days. To this date, I still picture that woman in the bathtub covered in blood if I go pee at night. She terrified me more than anything else in that movie. Still kinda does. A lot.

I have four children. They are aged 12, 7, 5, and 3. Two boys and a girl. The drama and wrestling that go on at my house makes for non-stop clattering and crying. It’s like a circus in my house on a daily basis. I can’t even talk on the phone unless I go hide in a bedroom or another lockable room. It’s ridiculous. By the end of the day, I’m usually spent and incredibly cranky. But, I wouldn’t give them up for the world.

When writing, I get really cranky and consumed until I type my last word. Then, I come back into the real world and apologize to all of the people I ignored or pissed off when in my own little world. I think a lot of my friends get mad at me, thinking I’m being a brat, but I really become obsessed when writing. I can’t rest until I’m done. My characters won’t let me.

I also read slush, in addition to writing. I find it neat to be able to see the “other” side of the publishing perspective. I like seeing what makes a manuscript a yes, and what makes it a no. I am intrigued by the whole process.

I starting writing my novel, RECLAIMED, three years ago. It comes out today here at Decadent Publishing! I would never share my first edition of it—it’s that bad. I revised, and revised, and revised, until it was finally able to be read by editors and publishers. Then I revised more until I finally got my YES! It came as I was sitting in a Kindergarten Orientation for my five year old. It took all my control not to dance around the gym in excitement right next to the principal telling us what kind of snacks to send in.

RECLAIMED, a paranormal romance novel, is out today! Read below for a sneak peek and the blurb!

BLURB:

After moving to England, Sabrina tumbles into an unknown world when she meets the man of her dreams, literally. As a writer, her overactive imagination makes her believe the impossible, but recovering from shock, she wonders how Isaac could appear in her nightmares—when she’s never met him in real life. Until now.

The staggering events catapult her into a world where ruthless creatures roam freely along unsuspecting humans, and battle lines are clearly drawn.

While embarking on a dangerous and passionate affair, a bitter enemy appears from Isaac’s past that will stop at nothing to remove Sabrina from his arms. Permanently. In order to establish a foreseeable and solid future, she must first deal with tumultuous occurrences. Navigating a shadowy world she never knew existed, Sabrina fights for her newfound love…and her life.

EXCERPT:

A strange stillness sat in the air outside Sabrina’s house. No trees swayed in the breeze, no animals scampered in the forest, as if the world itself had come to a halt.

Uneasiness rolled over her, and she studied Isaac out of the corner of her eye. Surprisingly, he seemed to be as tense as her. He gripped her arm tighter than necessary, and his lips were pressed together as well. She could feel the tension pulsating off his body, and she got taken back into her dreams. For the first time in real life, he made her shiver in apprehension. As if sensing her fear, he shot her a quick grin.

“Well, I had a lovely evening.” He spoke over his shoulder as he practically dragged her to the door. She stumbled in an attempt to keep up with his pace. At the door he pointedly stared at her, causing her to realize he waited for her to open it. She fumbled through the mess she called a purse to find the key. She turned to him and smiled as she studied him through the cover of her eyelashes.

“Would you like to come in for a nightcap? I have wine…or coffee…or tea, or….” She stuttered to a stop, unsure of what to say.

God, she sounded like such an idiot.

Nightcap?

Who the heck said nightcap anymore?

“While I’d love to take you up on that offer, I have something I have to take care of tonight. Could I get a rain check? For say,tomorrow night? We could do a movie and wine? Or is tomorrow too soon in the dating world?”

“No, not too soon at all. I’d love to see you tomorrow.”She tried to hide her disappointment behind a bright smile. “You can call me,and we’ll firm up a time. Good night.”

She turned to go inside and got caught off-guard when he grabbed her elbow and spun her to face him. It happened so quickly she leaned back against the door in confusion; one hand on the doorknob and the other braced against the cool steel of the door. He moved his body closer to hers and placed his hand at her head. His other hand cupped her cheek while his thumb stroked her jaw line. All thought fled as his body pressed against hers, and a small swoosh of air escaped her lips at his touch.

“I didn’t think it even possible for you to grow more beautiful, but you have proven me wrong.” When his lips met hers, she lost all thought, all ability to move. She’d somehow been tied to this spot—this man.

TRAILER: