Interracial Romances—can be the steamiest romances!

by Rita Hestand

I have found as a historical western romance writer that all of my interracial romances are quite steamy and naturally so.  Maybe because of the desperate times, and the knowledge that there might not be a tomorrow.Or maybe just because love is more romantic in the old west. Love Rules just came out in September and is doing well.  What makes them different, I’m not sure.  But every western I have written is classically steamy.

Jesse Coleman, a confederate officer is asked to bring the “Black Widow” spy into custody. Jesse’s already gotten an elaborate view of Maggie in the spyglass, without her clothes. She is such a young beauty, he can’t imagine why his superior officer would chose him to bring her in.  Two reasons really, he’s the best looking officer they have and he knows how to keep his mouth shut.

From the moment they meet, Maggie and Jesse are attracted.  Even knowing the relationship is doomed, Jesse can’t keep his hands off of her. Lust or love, he isn’t sure, but he knows he has to have Maggie. But even after makingglorious  love, Maggie returns to the Federals to inform them. Jesse is faced with her betrayal and his own duty to take her in.

Maggie is sentenced to hang, but circumstances forces the commanding officer to prolong it.

When the war’s over, Maggie’s problems aren’t. She’s in more danger now. The prison guards have sworn to find her and kill her. According to them she has to be punished for all the deaths she caused.

Maggie has one recourse, find Jesse and ask for his protection.

Knowing she fell too hard too fast for Jesse the first time, she’s determined not to make the same mistake. And even though Jesse swears he’ll defend her, he isn’t sure he can live with her new Love Rules.

Can Jesse and Maggie find true happiness through all the dangers they face, and even if they can, will the love rules destroy the love they once shared?

Other steamy interracial books are:  Beyond the Dream Catcher, and Always Remember.  I have a new trailer for Love Rules, you can watch it here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t12K9YOZG2c

Su Halfwerk did the trailer and she is fantastic, she did it with so much class. 

Beyond the Dream Catcher is about two half breeds, one raised as a white, the other living with the Shawnee. When Katherine Hightower finds out she is really part Shawnee her entire life changes, but will she follow Chase Rivers to the Shawnee camp and learn to heal the people with her new powers? Find this book at:  http://www.decadentpublishing.com      Along with Love Rules.

Always Remember centers around two sisters, very opposite, one who loves everyone on the farm, and the other who loves her sister’s sweetheart. When Rose Anderson becomes pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is, she suspects the black slave she loves might be the father. But do they have a chance? to make a life in a world torn with war? You won’t soon forget the Anderson sisters. Find this book at: http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com

Coming Soon! Love Rules by Rita Hestand

Everyone likes to talk about their latest book.  Love Rules is no exception for me. It is another multicultural historical western romance.  But what makes me, want to write a multicultural historical western.  

I wanted Jesse Coleman to love someone that was forbidden. I wanted him to be a rebel. I wanted him to fall for her as soon as he saw her. 

And they made love like no other two people on this earth. They knew each other, and yet…they didn't. 

But forbidden love isn't something that is easily overcome. And it was forbidden because of many factors.  One, she was a black woman, a spy for the north and he barely knew her. Even so, why couldn't they be together. Because he was sent to bring her in by his commanding officer, and if he didn't, she might cost more Confederate lives. Would his duty outweigh his love?

The torrid romance between Jesse and Maggie literally burn the pages. No holes bared, Jesse and Maggie were in love at first sight. But love at first sight can be heart rendering when the fated couple are not suppose to be together ever again.

Thus the story really begins. During the war they had been young, innocent and hopelessly in love. But what happens when they matured, and the war was over? 

When Maggie is released from prison, she's on the run for her life. The guards swear they'll find her and kill her. She was the Black Widow for the Federals, a notorious spy, and they wanted vengeance. She has only one hope, Jesse Coleman. After all, he owes her, in more ways than one.  

Jesse's more than happy to see Maggie again, until he realizes that Maggie has a set of Love Rules that Jesse might not be able to comply with. Nevertheless, she needs his protection and he certainly owes her since she had his baby.

But Jesse had more than his share of problems. He still insists he loves Maggie and wants to marry her, and make them a family if he can keep her alive long enough. Their love is tested in every way, as Jesse protects her from killers, and fights for the right to love her in a land that doesn't forget the war easily. Will their love be strong enough to withstand all the trials and tribulations?  

Coming soon from Decadent Publishing, you won't want to miss this sizzling romance that burns it's way into your heart. You'll never forget the heroic Jesse Coleman, nor the sensual Maggie, The Black Widow. It will burn a fire in your heart. Don't miss this exciting, hot, romance!

Spotlight Sunday with Rita Hestand!

Do I believe in ghosts?

Well, yes and no.  I've  seen a real orb before, that moved on it's own, had it's own light and there was nothing in front of it like a flashlight and nothing behind it.  It was just there. That I have seen with my own eyes and my aunt and grandmother saw it too. But to see a ghost, I've never seen one.  However, at night when I'm in bed, I have felt someone pull my toe before, several times on different nights.  Do I believe in ghosts. I'm not sure.  I believe in unexplainable things, yes. I have seen an orb, yes. But not the walking around, looking like  a person kind of ghosts, no.

What would you find under my bed?

A little bit of everything, from shoes I've tossed, to stuff I drop and don't pick up.  A plastic box of books, curtain rods, maybe even a dirty sock. Things I can't find anywhere else.  You really don't want to go there, and oh yeah, probably an inch of dust.

Morning person or a night person? 

I'm not sure about that one.  Because I can get up pretty easily in the morning and get gong with a cup of coffee.  But I can also stay up late and work till the wee hours without too much stress.

So I'm not sure which one I come under.  Maybe a little of both and depending on the day.

What do I do to unwind and relax?

There are several things.  When I have been writing a while and get tired I play a game called Math Match and try to beat the computer.  I watch a lot of old movies. I have a ton of favorites too, anything from musical like an old Gene Kelly and Judy Garland movie, to a western with John Wayne. Sometimes I go seek my grandkids out and play a board game with them or just hang out with them, they are always full of ideas. 

New York or LA?

Wow that's a hard one, let me tell you why.  I like New York for all the sites and things you can do there, like seeing the statue of Liberty, Going to Radio Music Hall, taking in a Broadway show, looking down from the Empire State Building.  In LA, I would hang out in Hollywood, at the movie lots if they'd let me.  Go to all the places they go, see their homes. Either one would be a lot of fun.  But I guess New York would be my choice because of the volumes of things you can do there.  

What makes me happy?

My goodness what a question.  Well, a mockingbird singing his heart out to me, even wrote a poem about the mockingbird.  Watching my favorite movies on TV. See my grandkids accomplish something and smile about it.   Like graduating from high school, or competing in dance competitions, or just learning to do something well, like learning to drive a car. Paying a bill off. Finishing a book  and selling it.  Eating a good meal, like catfish and red beans. Doesn't take much to make me happy.

If I could apologize to someone, who would it be?

My mother for all the hard times we had, the arguments we have had and the misunderstandings we have had all through her life. But she's gone now and that won't happen, although I tried.

When do I write, DAY/NIGHT, and how long?

Well, that is varied from day to day. Sometimes I get up and begin writing with my cup of coffe, other days I stay up late and work into the night.  How long, well, that could depend too. If I am hot on a book, I can write for hours.  If I'm just beginning only a short while usually.  If I get stumped abouat something, I like to sleep on it.  Usually the reason I can't work any longer is I'm tired and need to rest.  Sometimes I might write most of the day.  Sometimes I barely write anything.  

If I were to write a series what would it be about?

I have written a series, The Travers Brothers, a contemporary romance series about 4 brothers on the 4 Bar None Ranch.  All single, all about to find the woman of their dreams. There was Deke who thought he'd teach his brothers they needed to marry and settle down to ranching life. And Rusty the one that was obligated to repay an old debt for his family, and Clint, the rodeo bull rider who nearly lost the only woman he ever loved, and Jake, the one who was meant for better things than ranching, but  would his family understand where his heart lay? See the Travers Brothers series at Smashwords.com, Amazon.com and Barnes And Noble.com

What's my favorite meal:

Two really, grilled steak and baked potato.  And fried catfish and red beans.  Either one of these is tops with me.  Give me a big thick rib eye steak grilled to perfection and tender you can cut it with a fork, or fried catfish with red beans, and I'm in heaven.

For Better or Worse ~ Decadent Authors in the Spotlight

 



"The tin grin was in. My mom took this picture in 1981 when I was nineteen. I had braces for six years," says Leanne Dyck (author of The Sweater Curse). Leanne offers no explanation for the glasses or the hair, however.





 



 







Rita Hestand - 1960s  "Me, the one is a picture of my hair ratted back in the late 60's, it is sticking out all over, the other is what it looked like when it was combed into a style.  My mother was a hairdresser and took both pics."

Kathleen Gallagher ~ "If I Could Turn Back Time", was released June 1, on my birthday. If Cher could wear the wild hairstyle, so could I. 

 Ann Mayburn ~ late 80's. "Those giant dark glasses, that tough girl glare, I was hell on wheels! Pink and grey 10 speed wheels that is. On a walk...with my grandma and my little brother. Yep...I was a real bad ass."

Valerie Mann ~ 1976, Denver, CO. Dig the groovy beaded headband and sexy hotpants (too bad the picture cut off the view of my legs). My mother made those duds for me - they said "VOTE" all over them. 

My father and I came home and found a wild duck in the yard. Judging from the stranglehold I had on it, it's no wonder it flew away during the night. 

 Clare Dargin - late 90's. That was a meeting for my job a little over ten years ago.  And they were going over from table to table taking pix and I was, oh, I've been here all day... okay... <cheez!> now go away so we can finish and I can go home!!

Maureen O. Betita
~ 1976. "I was 16 and this was my pic from my student body card. Oddly enough, I thought I was fat. Sigh. Man, I loved that shirt! And I often wore it with my light blue bell bottoms, painted with flowers on them... I still own them in my memory box."
















Mahalia Levey ~1993 April just admitted early into the military :)

Sheila Stewart ~ "Do not piss me off!!"

Mari Freeman ~ Mardi Gras Road Trip, New Orleans 1985

Gracen Miller - 1989 ~ Good Lord!!--that hair is atrocious!!!  LOL  And to think I paid for that awful curl job.  *shudders*  Looks more like I stuck my finger in an electric socket.  :-)

  












Jennifer Robins, Age 15
Jennifer always wanted to write even at an early age but couldn't find the needed time until she grew much older. 

 

Deena Remiel ~ A long time ago, in a land far away called Long Island, there lived a girl. There, she shed her sheltered world and came into her own as a college student for four years. This girl was captured in photograph in her second year, 1985. She partied hard, made great friends, and studied well.

                                     

Show & Tell Saturday with Rita Hestand!

In the editing process right now, my second book coming out with Decadent Publishing is a civil war story. Maggie is the "Black Widow" spy for the north. She lives in northern Arkansas during the brunt of the war and plays a vital key to the victories there by the Union Army.  But Maggie has a story of her own, and it has little to do with the war. She's half mullato and half white, a runaway slave from Louisiana that seeks shelter in the mountains of Arkansas.  At sixteen she escaped the horrid plantation owner and fled for higher ground. But there is a price to pay for that freedom, and Maggie becomes one of the most famous in the Union Army. Everyone knows about the venom of the "Black Widow". At eighteen she meets Jesse Coleman, a confederate spy who has been ordered to bring her in.

Neither of these two unsuspecting people planned on falling in love so quickly, or so hard. But it happened. Jesse found Maggie irresistible and despite his orders, he couldn't stop the flames of desire. Even after making love to her thoroughly, he knew he had to bring her in, especially when she escaped to warn the Union Army. When she returned, Jesse took her captive. He knew she'd never forgive him, and it broke his heart to turn her in, because he was sure he loved her.

When the war was over, Maggie's troubles weren't. The prison guards had sworn to find her and kill her.  Making good on  their promise, Maggie left the fort, her daughter with her, and headed for Jesse's place in Texas.  Jesse helped get her in this mess, he would help get her out. He owed her. And she was collecting. Even though her heart melted from his touches, she had a new set of rules for Jesse and he would respect them. 

But could Maggie live with her own Love Rules?

This magnificent couple comes together to fight for survival, with a burning desire and a love that cannot be denied. 

 

I hope you will stop by and check this one out. It's coming soon from Decadent Publishing.

What's next, a spring off of Beyond the Dream Catcher, Lee's story, which is still in the works. A new contemporary series and many more books.  I hope you'll stop off at Decadent often and check my books out as I'll be writing up a storm.

Rita Hestand

Decadent Publishing.com

RitaHestand.com

10Q Tuesday with Rita Hestand

Here are 10 things we bet you didn't know about author Rita Hestand!

1. I snore

2. I like to drink cokes but my kidneys don't like them, so I had to quit.

3. I love to watch old western movies on TV.

4. Me and my grandkids watch movies together, just watched Halloween again!

5. My husband was my soul mate and I lost him in 2006

6. I like to roller skate, yes with the four wheels

7. I rarely wear a dress anymore

8. I had my eyes lazered.

9. I can't swim and I'm afraid of water

10. I've had many different jobs, including working at a hat factory, a school, a high rise office in Dallas, an electronics firm, a waitress, a child care provider, a department store, just to name a few.

Find Rita at her WEBSITE

Just the Facts Friday with Rita Hestand!

1. I have attended school in several different states including, Texas, Kentucky, Oregon, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, and Canada. In Canada I had to learn the words to God Save the Queen as we sung it every morning. I had to learn to play baseball and learn art which I was never any good at.

2. I love to watch movies, westerns, comedy, romance, and even horror. I like to stay up late and watch horror movies with my grandkids, we love the Halloween collection with Michael Myers.

3. I am addicted to chocolate and cokes, and treat myself often, that why I'm rounder than I am taller.

4. My daughters think I'm a Democrat because I happen to like JFK and Jimmy Carter. But actually, when I vote, I vote for the man himself or the woman if there is one. Because I don't think that either party knows all the answers and so I try to find out what they believe in mostly.

5. I am the world's worst about clutter. My desk is always cluttered, and I prefer everyone to leave it that way so I can find what I’m looking for. Although it isn't neat, it is a place I know where everything is. And the minute someone goes and moves things I get upset because I can't find what I’m looking for. So please….let me be a clutterer. LOL

6. I can't swim. Never could. Took lessons when I was a kid, but the guy teaching said…"Swim to me." Like I knew how? I sink, I am afraid of anything deeper than the bathtub. And I will sink. Even though I can float. Even though I like a pool to play in, even though I mock the movements of swimming, I can't swim.

7. I wear very little jewelry, although I love jewelry on most people, I've never had a lot, so I don't wear it. I'm allergic to some metals and turn green when I wear some, so I don't indulge. Of course, a nice diamond or two would be nice.

8. I can write almost any time of day, or night. If I'm editing, I might stay up all night to get it done. If I’m hot on a manuscript I might stay up all night. I might get up in the middle of the night if something comes to me during that time. Have done it. Wrote a short story in the middle of the night because it came to me in a dream, the result was "The Red Jacket".

Rita Hestand