Author spotlight and interview: C.L. Foster!

Today I welcome my friend C.L. Foster. She's been busy promoting her book Bluffing the Devil  and writing a new book, but she was gracious enough to join us and even let us have a peek at a short story that will be part of an anthology in the near future. C.L. writes paranormal fiction and erotic fiction and she's pretty darn good at what she does. I'm so excited she's decided to join us today! *happy dance!*

So C.L., Who is your favorite author and why? 

Only one? Why are you mean to me???? Hmmm... ok, if I can only have one, then I have to go with Maggie Shayne. She writes mystery, adventure, romance, paranormal, etc and she does it well!!!! If I can only have ONE, then I want a little bit of everything!

Can you tell us why you became a writer?

Because I tossed and turned all night after having this really crazy dream and couldn't get it out of my head. I told my best friend about it, then a few other people, and kept hearing "Oh man, that would make a great book. You are so involved in the book world, why don't you write??". I wrote a few chapters and sent it out and the response was so awesome, I decided to give it a shot! I started Sept. 5th, 2012 and have written 6 books (3 are published and 3 are in the que!). And I am currently working on 8 projects, so.. I am a busy bee already! Love it!

Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?

Well, yes actually... but just because that's a steady paycheck and I would be SURE that I was making money. LOL

Do you ever write naked?

I try not to, but stuff happens... like scaring small children and animals. Let's just keep it with tank top and shorts, k? lol >.<

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

What is a sane writer?? They have those? *goes to research* You tried to trick me! But seriously... umm, the way I try hardest to keep my sanity is to have a plan. I dont always outline when I write, but I try to keep my writing space zen and not let anyone or anything bother me when I write. I always clean the house before I do as well. A sink full of dishes will drive me batty!

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

No, but it would certainly be really cool in many aspects, but usually if there is a movie or book about someone, something super epic or completely horrible has happened to them and I've already been through both of those, so maybe I should just write my own life story and see if Lifetime would buy it :p LOL

What do you consider your biggest failure?

Spending $78,000 on college for degrees I don't traditionally use,  but... at least that knowledge helps with my writing, I suppose.

What fictional world would you live in?

Oh dear -

Who is your book boyfriend? And your book BFF?

Damien James from HP Landry's Wrecked is the only one I lust after often. I used to have a whole huge list and it was almost always the tortured ones - Zsadist, Gideon, Tegan.... you guys know what I'm talking about ;)

If you could have any three wishes granted, what would they be?

Dessert island with electricity and fresh running water? No? That doesn't count? Okay - health for my entire family, world peace (yes, I think that would be a nice one! Don't laugh! I've lived in the Middle East..lol), and then I would try to save the last one for my kiddo so he could have something he really wants/needs in life (though I think the health one would make him happiest)

Thanks so much for having me! 

Isn't she just so darn cute?? Well her sweet personality knows no limits. She has also let me post a sneak peek of her short story Direct Connection that will be appearing in an anthology called World of Romance that should be available by the end of September 2013.  Here have a peek:

Direct Connection

Charlie watched him talk to the woman in the seat beside him, the belligerent woman from earlier, who was in the seat in front of him. He smiled and nodded just like he was supposed to and really seemed to be paying attention to the woman. Lucky them.

Charlie watched his eyes as he spoke, they were sincere and honest. She wasn't sure where half of her thoughts were coming from, but she decided to blame Nila and her little gift of predicting when something big was going to happen. Yep, something major was happening right now, she was checking out a stranger. So abnormal for her - not. As the people-watching pro of the North, she took her job very seriously.

She shook her head and cursed her friend for putting thoughts into her head and chalked it up to pre-flight boredom. This was her epic vacation that she had been planning for two years. She was going to fly for ten hours, land in paradise, travel to another paradise, visit crazy places in between, slum it, live it up in other places, and truly just live for a while. She wanted to mix in with other cultures and see what they see each day and just be a part of life. Having a guy go with her or even daydreaming about some stranger she hadn't even officially met yet was completely ridiculous.

Charlie shook her head and gripped her book in both hands as she studied the cover for a moment. She liked to think of herself as a "cover whore" when it came to books. She didn't like to judge a book by its cover, but freely admitted to doing it and would generally buy books, especially those from Independent authors, just because of the incredible covers. She would get to support their art and have some for herself. It was a win-win situation.

After her brief stint of cover lust, Charlie reached up to turn on the air vent, clicked her overhead light on, closed her window shade, and settled in to read for a bit. The flight attendants could tell you to turn off your electronic devices, but they didn't make you close your book for takeoff. Excellent!

The boy beside Charlie started to whine as soon as the shade was down, "But I wanted to see the clouds go by as we took off. Lady. Hey lady! Can you open the thingy back up? I want to see the sun again."

Charlie leaned in a bit toward the boy, "I'm a vampire. Too much sun will kill me," she informed the boy with a giggle. His utterly shocked face was enough to make that all worthwhile.

Sexy Smile Man from in front of them twisted in his seat and faced the boy just then. "My seat partner likes to watch the clouds go by, too, buddy. If you want, you can switch seats with me and I will let you watch from my window with my neighbor and I can sit in your less than cloudy seat."

The boys eyes lit up and he sat forward as far as he could with his seat belt on. "Really? My mom is in the seat just in front of you. Thanks!"

"Is that your mom there?" Sexy Smile pointed to the seat behind him now, to his chatting buddy from a few minutes ago.

The boy blushed, "Yes, that's my mom. She's just upset that my Nona is ill. She doesn't mean to be annoying. That’s why we aren't sitting together. Last minute flight."

"I totally understand, buddy. Come on over. You can be closer to your mom and I can take a nap over there on the dark side. I wonder if they have cookies?" he raised his eyebrow and then joined in a chuckle with the boy as they uprooted their carry on bags and pillows to switch seats. The boy glared at Charlie and then sent a beaming grin at Sexy Smile Man before taking his seat.

"Looks like we are going to be neighbors for a few hours. Hey, I'm Elian," he added, extending his hand so she could shake it. As he plopped down in the seat beside her, the scent of patchouli wafted into her face making her moan inwardly. Of course he would be named something delicious that made her want to say his name and savor it slowly as it passed her lips again and again and then he also smelled like everything she ever wanted in a man. Whoa! Hooker train, leaving the platform.

"Oh, uhh, I'm Charlie - Charlotte, but my friends call me Charlie," she stammered.

"So Charlie, does that make us friends now?"

"No."

Her blunt denial made Elian frown slightly, then he shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't think you would mind the switch. The kiddo gets to be closer to his mom and not take up your precious reading time or assault my seat repeatedly. It seemed like a winning combo to me. Plus, I am exhausted and really need sleep. Happy reading. I've read that one, it's really good until the end. I have tissues if you need them." Then he fluffed his travel pillow and almost immediately nodded off while Charlie sat with her mouth agape. She didn't have time to respond at all. He was out like a light.

~

Sleep began searching for Charlie not long after take-off. She had been so busy with planning and finishing up the semester and packing that she completely forgot about sleep in the last few weeks even though it was one of her favorite things in the whole world. She didn't want to sleep on the plane, but she also knew she would be entering Greece at seven in the morning. She should be awake for that so she could start enjoying her vacation right away. She clicked off her overhead light, tossed her book into her bag, and reached to the armrest to lay her seat back.

Her hand accidentally grazed Elian's hand that was resting on their shared arm rest and a shiver went through her body. Awesome, even asleep he could make her all tingly. Thank goodness she was going to sleep for a bit. Apparently she needed to live out some fantasies or do something in her dreams that was inappropriate.

She laid the seat back, pulled the blanket up to her neck, and started to doze off. Her head lolled to the left and when she opened her eyes, she was face-to-face with Elian. He was still sleeping and his breath trickled from his lips and caressed her face. The heat from his breath made her want to touch his face, kiss his lips, or both. She didn't move immediately or at all. She just stayed there with his breath on her face, smelling of fresh mint. Interesting combo with his body scent. She smiled and closed her eyes as she drifted off.

~

Her eyes fluttered open slowly and she immediately started to stretch when she bumped into something warm and hard. Her eyes snapped open quickly and she saw that she had managed to gut check her neighbor and she was still on the plane. Damn those amazing dreams!

"Dang, I'm sorry, Elian. I forgot you were there."

"Don't mention it, I am often invisible to girls that sleep with me." The shocked look on Charlie's face made Elian guffaw with laughter. "Don't worry, I was just teasing obviously. We are on a plane with four hundred other people and you aren't sweating in the least bit." His lighthearted wink did anything but give Charlie a calming feeling.

"Well, you're a good sleeping partner, I'll give you that. Now, if only you could provide sustenance and entertainment, we would be golden," Charlie faux-challenged.

"In fact, when the flight attendant went by earlier, I had her leave you a bottle of water and some Sun Chips and I am more than happy to chat with you until they deliver our dinner shortly or we could snuggle back up and watch a movie on these nifty tvs in the head rests. I've never seen that before, have you?"

"Sorry, I'm not the usual snuggle up sort of girl, but thanks for the snack," she took the goodies from Elian and immediately popped open the bag of chips. "That was nice of you and I love these." Charlie began munching and pulled her knees up in her seat as she turned to face Elian better.

"My pleasure. She asked if my girlfriend was going to be hungry when she woke up, so I just agreed and said yes. I mean, if I had a girlfriend, she would be hungry after a nap and a long flight, don't you think?" his wicked grin stopped Charlie in her tracks. What a cutie he was!

"That is true, but I guess you have to settle for me since I'm already here," she giggled. "What brings you to Greece? Your girlfriend?"

"Vacation of sorts," he said, sounding less than happy about his answer.

"I have a feeling I shouldn’t even ask. New subject?" she offered with a tiny smile.

"What brings you to Greece?" he countered.

"Uber vacation!" she answered gleefully. "I've been saving for it for years and I just want to travel and just be. I've set aside three glorious weeks for nothing but me and new experiences!"

"That sounds incredible! Good for you, but why Greece?"

"I'm actually not going to stay in Greece for more than a day, I think. I'm going to hop a boat to Pakistan and a few other places, hop some trains, cabs, camels, whatever. I just want to go and see and do. You know?"

His eyes danced with excitement as he listened to her, "Yes, I do know. That sounds amazing. Pakistan. Hmm, wow. Will someone be joining you for that?" When he heard her pause and realized he probably sounded like a stalker, he added, "I'm just curious. You seem very independent and I doubt you would want a travel buddy, but I'm being nosey. That's how faux-boyfriends should be, you know?"

She nodded and giggled, "Yes well, I appreciate your concern, but I am totally okay on my own. I prefer it that way."

"Ah, the loner type, huh? So you're more of a wolf then?" At her eyebrow quirk, he added "You know, earlier you told that kid you were a vampire, just making a bad joke."

"No, it was cute. I'm kind of like every paranormal being wrapped into one, really. I change with the situation. See right now I can seem wolf-like, earlier I was vamp-like, and later I might be witch-like. You never know."

He chuckled and smiled at her again. "Whatever you are, I like it. You seem like a lot of fun when you aren't biting the heads off of little children," he teased.

"Oh see? I was already witchy earlier. I can't keep track and slip and slide between them at any given moment."

"No problem, I'm pretty sure I can keep up." 

Sounds great, right?   Well I've read the story and it is really great! 
If you want to run right out and get her book Bluffing the Devil, feel free to do so. You can find it 

on Amazon

Coming soon from CL Foster: Grip of Mortality 

Meet CL Foster

CL Foster is a brand new writer with big dreams and lots of avenues she wants to travel. She decided in September 2012 that she wanted to become a writer and immediately entered a contest with a partner and won with their Halloween horror entry, Billy Carver. (Title available in All Hallow's Eve anthology). She also has a true story entry about hope rising from despair in the Reality Bites anthology entitled Resiliency From Within.
She continues to co-write for fun with friends and colleagues in various forms and has a few projects in the works.
Bluffing the Devil is her debut novel, which came to her in a dream. For an insomniac, that was a shocker to everyone.
Originally from Florida, she has lived all over the world, but has settled down in Pennsylvania.... for now! She has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Forensics. Which means you don't want to cross her because she knows how and where to hide a body so it's never found! She proudly admits to hearing voices in her head, but at times, her characters' impromptu visits can be rude and annoying. Thankfully, she has adequate patience for their shenanigans and can out ninja them any day of the week.
CL is eclectic, geeky, positive, nature-loving and completely non-"normal" (just the way she likes to be). She has been a fan of literature since she was a small child and finally decided to take her dreams (both waking and sleeping!) and do something positive with them. Normal scenarios in her life have now become a blank canvas for the unstoppable muse that inspires her daily. She strives to bring her readers a full experience of detailed scenery, complex emotion, sassy dialogue, and more; for if they can feel what she encounters with her muse, the world would be a much happier place. She is always working on something new! Stay tuned!

A big Thank You to C.L. Foster for joining us today!! Paranormal Tendencies wishes you the best of luck in your writing career!!