I live in Seattle, WA with my DH and computer. Yup, you guessed it, the computer
next to my DH is my best friend. LOL
I've been writing stories on and off for the majority of my life, and before I
could write I liked to "tell" stories. So I guess you could say that I've always been a story teller which considering
my background does not come as much of a stretch for those that know me.
I've been asked often what my road to being published was, and the truth is if not for
a very special friend of my mine who knows who she is, I doubt I would be a published author. Most of you know that Getting
Out Alive is my first publication, but I'll bet you didn't know that I almost didn't finish it. It's true. I had given a partial
of the manuscript to someone who made themselves out to be a professional in the business and this person offered to "edit"
what I had written. OMG! I about died when I got it back as this person had red marked and lined nearly every sentence. I
was, as you can imagine devastated. None of the comments were constructive criticism but rather put downs. I wanted to die,
and Getting Out Alive came this close to be deleted, destroyed and me never writing another word. I look back on it now and
wonder how I could ever have listened. I'm older and I hope wiser now. My purpose in telling this cautionary tale is that
I discovered not long after that I was not the only aspiring author to come under the gun by this person, nor was I the only
one who almost gave up writing all together.
Fortunately, I did not give up writing due to the aforementioned friend who read what
I had of Getting Out Alive, and basically said if I didn't finish it, she was going to kill me. Seeing as how she is a retired policewoman, I
took the threat seriously and finished the book! To my amazement, Getting Out Alive and my subsequent books have been
well received by reviewers and readers. Two years after the publication of Getting Out Alive, I began writing full-time, and
I haven't looked back.
I learned something from this experience, don't let ANYONE destroy your dreams! No matter
what someone says about whatever your dream is whether it be becoming an author, or learning out to knit, or skydiving for
that matter, just do it. Worry less about what others think and more about how you're going to accomplish your dreams because
that is the most important thing! In the end no matter what someone says it is only their opinion. That's not to say that
you shouldn't listen to constructive criticism from those you trust, but just be sure you are aware when comments aren't constructive.
I have a couple hundred articles published online now and four books. So I guess
it is obvious that I've followed my dream and had some small success at it. I honestly can't imagine doing anything other
than being a writer now. While I do take the occasional foray into temping during those times when I want to earn a little
extra money for the holidays or a special expense, I can't even conceive of working a full-time regular job now as I really
love being a writer.
I'm presently working on my next three WIP's which with luck will be contracted early
next year.
When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, Native American beadwork, 3D art and creating
webpages. I've added links to my other interests so I hope you'll take a look.
I love to hear from my readers, and answer all messages personally, so please
don't hesitate to drop me a line anytime. My e-mail is tiwatz@yahoo.com.
MORGAN'S CORNER SPECIAL
I'm going to be running a holiday special starting November 23, 2007. I wasn't sure
at first if I'd have time to complete a new story featuring Tiana Slickpoo and James Waters, the hero and heroine from my
romantic suspense Destiny's Choices, but I was able to do it. Yeah!
The special is that for every copy of Destiny's Choices purchased from Amira Press,
starting on November 23, 2007 the person buying will receive a PDF copy of Destiny's Holiday. Destiny’s Holiday has
been bundled in with Destiny’s Choices so that when you purchase a copy through Amira Press, you automatically get Destiny’s
Holiday too! You can purchase your copy here: http://www.amirapress.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=23&zenid=9b752ab5fb6913bf5373df9fe5659070
Here's the blurb for Destiny's Choices:
Destiny's Choices tells the tale of Tiana Slickpoo, a Nez Perce hereditary carrier of
sacred objects. When her boyfriend James Waters decides to attend college out of state, Tiana is wounded by his leaving. Unable
to tell him the real reason she cannot go with him, she vows to never allow another into her heart. However, six years later,
when priceless tribal objects begin disappearing from the reservation museum, and her art gallery, fate steps in with the
return of James.
Here's the blurb from Destiny's Holiday:
Three months after the return of James, Tiana is still learning to adjust to having
a man in her life. What will she do when he appears with a real tree instead of the artificial one she sent him out for? How
about when she discovers he's kind of a slob? Will she be able to come up with the perfect incentive to make him mend his
ways, or will James do her one better with the perfect Christmas gift?
Enjoy! And don't forget to get your copy of Destiny's Choices so you can find out what
happens in Destiny's Holiday!
Reviews are in for Destiny’s Choices
5 Champagne Flutes from Cocktail Reviews!
An exciting tale which propelled me to the edge of my seat at times, Destiny’s
Choices is a keeper for this reader. Nice work, Ms. Paul! Also, Ms. Paul? I loved Tiana’s surname. Slickpoo. I mean,
that is just so funny and so darn refreshing! Beats Jones or Brown any day!—Black Orchid, Cocktail Reviews http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/14/destinys-choices-amira-press/
5 Kisses from Two Lips Reviews!
Destiny's Choices is a well-written and compelling look into both sacred Native American
Spirituality, and the heart-linkage between a woman and a man when both follow a calling they consider higher than love
and lust. Surprising plot twists will have the reader on the edge of the seat, as Regina Paul spins a magically supsenseful
and intriguing tale.--Frost, Two Lips Reviews
http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1554&Itemid=36
4 Cups from Coffee Time Romance!
What an intense story. It is chock full of suspense and intrigue. Ms. Paul does
a wonderful job leading her readers on an adventurous journey through this story. Watching James and Tiana unravel their complicated
relationship brings an extra touch to the book. This story is vastly entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. –Candy
Cay, Coffee Time Romance http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Destinyschoices.html
4 Stars from e-cataromance!
An amazing book of spiritual and ancestral ties, Destiny’s Choices is a great
book to read with characters that touch the heart and soul. I loved the way this book was written, really touching and at
the same time intriguing. Ms Paul’s characters are spellbinding; they had me believing that I was actually there experiencing
everything with them. I also loved the concept that Ms Paul uses in her book, of being a carrier of ancestral artifacts. It
was a mystical journey through the unknown that also happened to be suspenseful. I can’t wait to read more of Ms Paul’s
books and if you love reading about the American Indian culture or love the romantic suspense genre then this is one book
you must get.--Sheryl, e-cataromance
http://sensual.ecataromance.com/11-reviews?type=&id=813
EXERPT FROM DESTINY'S CHOICES
Tiana Slickpoo bent down and lifted another box from the storage room floor. When she
opened it, she discovered a small collection of pots from a Hopi artist in Arizona. Fortunately, the woman had packed the
items carefully in bubble wrap and peanuts; nothing was broken. The hand-fired pots were black and a few had polished stones
embedded in the clay, a nice added touch to the asymmetrical Pueblo designs. Tiana was sure she could sell them quickly and
for a good price. Both she and her friend would make a good profit.
The door opened, and the cool spring air picked up the bells fastened to the front door.
On the breeze, she smelled something else: men’s cologne, and one she recognized. She had only known one man who wore
the expensive cologne the son of a Tribal Chairman, James Waters.
Tiana refused to turn around and look at him. Instead, she stayed in her crouched position,
holding one of the pots. Even though her legs were cramping, she knew she would not move, would not look at him. It was bad
enough she had to smell the scent of his cologne and remember what loving him was like.
“No kind words for a weary traveler come home to the rez?” He leaned up
against the counter and looked down at her bent head.
“James,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Yes?”
She looked up at him then, her black eyes shooting sparks. “Get lost.”
He sighed. “I can’t, Tiana. I’m here to help investigate the thefts,
both the ones from the tribal museum and your art gallery. Are you going to help me or not?”
Tiana wondered how he could have heard about the thefts with all the traveling he did.
The last she had heard, he had been in Australia investigating the loss of some Aboriginal lands. She did not think the Indian
grapevine was that good, but what did she know. There was no way she could handle him being in her space, no way at all.
“No,” she whispered.
“What?”
She still refused to look at him as she got up from her crouched position. Tiana headed
for the back room for the pictures she had taken of the items. Returning to the showroom, she handed them to him. “Here,
these are the items that were stolen. We don’t have to see each other again. Just let me know when you’ve caught
the culprit.” She handed him her business card, then opened the door. “Goodbye.”
“So that’s it, just here’s the photographs and get lost?” James
asked as he took hold of her arm.
“That about covers it.” Tiana knew she was being rude but did not care.
Too much time had passed. He took a deep breath as she jerked her arm free.
“Right, I’ll call you when I know something more.”
“Yeah, you do that.” She turned her back on him and resumed unpacking the
day’s shipment.
The bells on the door rang again and a cold wind, a sadness for what could have been,
moved through her. Breathing deeply through her nose, she did what she had always done; she hardened her heart to him. There
was no way he was going to get past her guard again. She had let him close once, and he had betrayed her trust by not answering
her letters, by being unwilling to live near to the reservation so they could maintain their relationship. Tiana shook her
head in anger. She should have seen it coming at the time.
Tiana’s breath caught in her throat with the memories of their time together.
She would not think about him anymore. What was done was done. Tiana’s stomach churned. Why does he have to come back
now, just when I was starting to get a handle on my life?
* * * *
In the six years he had been gone, she had not changed at all. She still had the same
slender build and the same long, black hair. God, he thought, she was even wearing the same beaded barrettes with the white
background and red roses that she was wearing the last time I saw her. He settled into the driver’s seat and rested
his forehead on the steering wheel for a moment. The thefts were not the only reason he had returned to the reservation; they
merely provided the opening he had been looking for. This is going to be much harder than I originally thought.
Lifting his head, he turned the key in the ignition, fired the engine up, and then eased
his way into traffic. James knew that Tiana might not be willing to allow him back into her life again. He should not have
pushed her in the studio; clearly, she was holding a grudge. I wanted a reaction, any sort of reaction, that might tell me
where I stand and if Tiana still feels anything for me, and boy, did I get it, he thought ruefully.
When he had left the reservation, he had known in some small part of his spirit that
it was a mistake. Six years out in the world of the soyaps had made the point even clearer to him. He knew he still loved
Tiana, and wanted her for his wife. However, based on her reaction to him just now, he was going to have to be very patient
and go slow, if he wanted to earn her trust and love again.
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into a parking slot in front of the tribal museum and
turned off the truck. His mind was made up; he would do whatever was necessary to win her back.
Exerpt: Destiny’s Holiday
Tiana stepped back holding the door wide. James lowered the tree so it would fit through
the doorway and then took it over to the corner Tiana had cleared and leaned it against the wall.
James shook
his head and snow flew everywhere.
Tiana ducked and covered her own head. “Hey! That stuff’s cold,
watch where you’re shaking it!”
“Sorry.” James grinned. “Some of it was starting
to slide down the back of my neck.” He pulled off his coat, and threw it on the couch.
Tiana walked over
and picked it up taking it to the hall closet. “I swear I will get you trained to hang up your own coat one of these
days.” She muttered beneath her breath.
When strong arms reached around her as soon as the coat was hung,
Tiana leaned back into James’ strength. “But it’s so much fun to watch you do it for me.” James teased.
Tiana turned in his arms and arched one brow. “Are you telling me you do it on purpose?”
“Oh
definitely. As long as I can see this gorgeous backside walking away from me…” He
grasped one butt cheek in
each hand. “I’ll probably keep doing it.”
“Uh huh. I see how you are.” Tiana draped
her arms around his neck. “Maybe I’ll just have to give you some sort of incentive to start doing it yourself.
What do you think?”
“I think it would have to be a pretty good incentive for me to not want to watch
your ass moving in a pair of tight jeans.”
“I’ll bet I could think of something.”
James
stroked her rump. “What did you have in mind?”
Tiana reached up and kissed him sliding her tongue
along the seam of his lips, her arms tightening.
James pulled back a bit, “So is this what you have in
mind?” He murmured.
“Nah, this is just an appetizer.” Tiana smiled then stepped away. “I’ll
think about what kind of incentive I can come up with while we decorate the tree. Oh, and I do hope you remembered a tree
stand, because I don’t have one.”
