Kenda Montgomery

Coming soon in the Second Time Around romance anthology by Highland Press

Arwenna Thompson is a witch about to lose her bakery. It's Christmas—and it feels downright crappy. She can't help but recall the years she was happy with the man of her dreams, Tucker McKay Williams and the Christmas cheer surrounding her only reminds her more of him. The thing is though, Fate's not through with them. Thanks to an ancient family "curse", as her family jokingly calls it, Arwenna and Tucker are about to get a second chance at love. Read on for a sneak peek at their first meeting in three years.

Name: Anthony Catanzaro
Born: 12/18/70
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 190 lbs
Hair: Dk Brown
Eyes: Brown
Location: NYC
website: www.anthonycatanzaro.com

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Rowena Cherry: This image is one of the most dramatic pictures I've ever seen.
Is there a story behind this image? What are you wearing? (Is it a one piece that is half off, or black pants and some kind of scarf-like restraint? Was this an uncomfortable pose? Was the bondage element deliberate? Or is it supposed to simply suggest undressing?

AC: Actually, that shot of me was taken during a magazine photo shoot that was never published. It was very disappointing for me at that time. The reason for this was all my fault.

I had used this stuff called "Tan Now". It's a spray-on tan you apply to your skin with a sponge brush. When I got to the shoot and took off my shirt, the tan just started to drip all over from the camera lights.

I should have applied it a day before and then lightly showered to get rid of the excess, but I applied it right before the shoot and because of this, it destroyed my opportunity for the cover I was promised. The only photos that came out good were the few shots taken of me wearing this black one-piece cotton outfit. The photographer gave it to me to wear because the clothes I was wearing were ruined from the spray tan.

I remember the photographer was pissed and I felt like crap. Well at that point I just wanted to get the shoot over with and if you look closely at my expression in this shot, you can tell I'm upset. I don't know, but sometimes I wonder maybe things had to work out that way in order to get that shot which is still one of the greatest photos that were ever taken of me!

Rowena Cherry: I visited your website http://www.anthonycatanzaro.com and was immediately struck by your logo. That glowering eye image is immensely cool. It's your best eye, I assume? What gave you the idea of choosing that for a logo? Does everyone comment?

AC: When I first developed my website, I needed a logo. I was thinking "what could I use that would make people's heads turn?" I said to myself I have an incredible spirit and soul. Your eyes are the mirrors to your spirit and soul so why not use one of my eyes as a logo? Ever hear of the evil eye, well my eye is the eye of faith!

I know people visit the site and are drawn to it. We all have an energy in us and we have to use it to our advantage not disadvantage. Your eyes and the way you carry yourself are the life energy force you live by. I want people to feel better from me, I want to be able to help them to be the best they could ever imagine being.

Rowena Cherry: I love your website welcome wording. "Welcome to the official site of Anthony Catanzaro, one of the hottest male fitness models ever. Here you can find all you need to know about this sexy Italian stallion, from his busy male fitness modeling schedule, to his film and television appearances, magazine and romance novel cover modeling as well as his bodybuilding competitions, infomercials, and his ever growing fan Club."

OK. I have to admit, the Italian stallion thing intrigues me. Sly Stallone was described in a similar vein. Are all gorgeous Italian celebrities automatically called "stallions" for the rhyme and the suggestion of a sexy lifestyle? Or is there more to it?

AC Well, I don't know about every Italian guy but I know I'm a stallion not just because I'm Italian, but because I'm a real man!

I'm not afraid of anyone or anything. I'm also not afraid to cry. Jesus cried and who is more of a man than him? The only battle I'm afraid of is the battle against myself. I know that I can do anything, but sometimes the enemy comes around and takes a cheap shot if you know what I mean. We all have thoughts of negativity sometimes and we all get in moods. It's normal, I guess. The only thing that matters is what's inside you, like I always say "it doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down, all that matters is how many times you get back up"!

Rowena Cherry: Tell me more about the customized diets? How does that work? Can you trust a questionnaire when customizing a diet? Is there any kind of guarantee? What would you like people to know about your diet? What do you think about the Glycaemic index?

AC: I'm glad you asked me about this, Rowena! My customized diets are diet plans that I develop for individuals around the world. All you have to do is fill out my questionnaire form at www.anthonycatanzaro.com/eating.html , and I will personally evaluate your info and create a diet plan for your specific goals and needs. Thousands around the world are having huge success from following my plans which means the world to me. Like I said before, It's a blessing for me to help others get into shape physically and mentally.

As far as the glycaemic index is concerned, the worst thing you can do is remove carbohydrates from your diet. Yes, not everybody needs the same amount, but carbohydrates are life. Remember, they come from the ground which means they come from God. My diet plans are not diets at all but healthy eating plans for the rest of your life. That's why diets are useless, eating healthy is what I will teach you with my plans. Like I always say my plans are not for a short time, they are for you to follow and learn from for the rest of your life!

Rowena Cherry: Your resume is very impressive! (Author's note.... visit Tony's website www.anthonycatanzaro.com to see a full list of all his TV and film credits) Which film or infomercial did you have the most fun in? Can you share any funny stories about anything that went wrong, or was not shown?

AC: I have been a guest on many talk shows throughout my career. My first talk show was Phil Donohue, I was a talking about male dancing... this was a funny show at that time. Back in 1994 shows really didn't talk about things like this. Today we have Jerry Springer.

When I was on Rikki Lake, I was competing in the first ever King of Cinco De Mayo contest they were looking for a Latin king to represent May 5th. I won and I'm not even Latin. Ok are you ready for this... Maury always had me on the show. I use to escort the ladies out but they weren't ladies they were transsexuals! In the beginning, I didn't know, these girls/guys were all over me and I was thinking WOW, I'm the man... little did I know that it was them who were the men!

Rowena Cherry: You have a lot of skills and talents. "Master impersonator of voices and characters; Professional dancer in all types of dance; Skilled cook ; Motivational speaker; Personal fitness trainer and nutritionist; Guitar player..." Who—or what—is your favorite subject to impersonate and why?

AC: I love to imitate just about anyone! But I guess the person I most of all love to imitate is Al Pacino in Scarface. I do Tony Montana so good you really think it's him!

Rowena Cherry: I see you are a Mr. Romance. Was that the Romantic Times BOOKClub pageant?

AC I was on a reality TV show called Mr. Romance. It was a crazy experience I had to live with 11 other guys, they drove me nuts!! I can't believe what I had to go through on that show. They had us enter a man pageant at the end we had to wear these costumes and come out of these booth size romance novels. It was a cool experience and I'm glad I was involved in it. Well that's reality TV for you. I've been on some romance covers I've done 8 covers already but I only started a year ago, I have plans on doing much more very soon!

Rowena Cherry: Is see from your website that you have won a lot of fitness trophies and awards, and that you have been in a lot of fitness informercials. What is it like to do a Nordic Track infomercial? Did you learn anything while doing it? Is it hard work?

AC: That was my first commercial. I don't even have the tape anymore. I was on there for a short time but it was my first commercial experience so it was exciting for me.

Rowena Cherry What came first, your clothing/fashion modeling, or your competitive bodybuilding? How did you get your start? Where you nervous the first time you took your clothes off for a judge/interviewer/camera?

AC: Actually, I was modeling clothes and evening wear first, then I got into fitness modeling soon after. Then shortly after that, I became a bodybuilder. The first contest I entered was the 1996 Mr. Fitness I placed 3rd, but knew I could do better so I came back the following year and won the show! I love modeling my body. I'm not shy at all.

Rowena Cherry: Do you have a hero/mentor/role model or someone in whose steps you follow?

AC: Well truthfully, I was always impressed with heroes like Superman and the Incredible Hulk. I was always fascinated as a young boy with heroes that could save the day and beat up the bad guy.

I guess in my own way, I'm a hero today. I help people all over the world get into shape and I inspire people to live a better life. But the greatest hero of all is Christ, he died for us so that we could live in paradise with him. But that doesn't mean we have a free pass to sin and hurt others, we live by what we do. If you live your life negative and miserable, then others around you will feel the same. I always said you are a product of your own environment! Learn to hang around those who are "dream builders not dream breakers". Be the best you can be and always remember to have faith because when you have 100% faith and confidence in yourself, I truly believe you can accomplish anything!

Rowena Cherry: Have you ever been injured while working on a photo shoot or commercial? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? (Like, we heard about Viggo losing a tooth while acting a scene in LOTR and simply sticking it back, and a lap dancer managed to put his customer down safely before crawling into the wings with a torn ACL...)

AC: Here's a funny story, when I was on that Mr. Romance TV show I was talking about earlier I was wearing a Hercules costume and wearing those Greek sandals at the time when I stumped my toe right into a sofa! That was all caught on camera as it happened! They rushed me to the hospital in my Hercules outfit can you imagine this? They wheel me in there and I got the crown on my head my muscles are bulging out from the pain the nurses were like.. what is this a joke! Needless to say thank god they brought clothes to me, and I went back to the house taped up and ready to face another day on reality TV.

Rowena Cherry: One last thing: Is there anything I haven't asked that you would like my readers to know?

AC: So much is going on ...I'm writing my first book called "Reaching for the Stars"! It will be sold as an eBook as well as a soft cover copy.

For this project, I teamed up with bodybuilding.com's number one writer David Robson. We are developing the first ever question and answer type book on how to become successful in all aspects of life from achieving the perfect body, to building your mind to achieve your best life ever!

I also just wrapped up a photo shoot for Hasbro toys. They are coming out with a fun new game that I will help to promote.

I'm also appearing on a board game called "On the Prowl"

This month, I will also be shooting for Physique Bodyware's spring line next week.

And on top of all of that........ I'm headed for South Africa in a couple of weeks to film a new and exciting infomercial hosted by yours truly.

Also, don't forget to visit my website www.anthonycatanzaro.com there are always new photos and articles to view!

Rowena Cherry: Anthony: , thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, and to share such magnificent photographs of yourself.

AC: I want to thank you as well Rowena! I hope your readers enjoy the interview and the photos. I hope it inspires them to get healthy and be the best they can be! As always, Good luck and God bless! Love always, Anthony Catanzaro

 

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The January/February Contest was…

How to win

Complete the sentence:
INSUFFICIENT MATING MATERIAL is the story of …..

And the winner is: Margaret

The winning sentence: "INSUFFICIENT MATING MATERIAL is the story of .....Martia-Djulia's true love, Jason, in the past.  She does not want to love now and in the future because of a perfect love with Jason and he is dead.  Little does she know that her true love IS in the present and future."

Prize: A tote bag signed by several authors, filled with promo items and autographed books from a variety of great authors (But NOT Insufficient Mating Material!).

 

 

A new jigsaw puzzle of a mystery man has been added at www.rowenacherry.com/puzzle/
Identify it by number (or guess any number from 1 to 10).

Enter either by emailing the number to rowena@rowenacherry.com with "Man of Mystery" in the subject line or snail mail your answer to Rowena Cherry, PO Box 554, Bloomfield Hills,  MI 48303-0554 with "Man of Mystery" on the envelope.

One winner will be chosen at random from all the correct answers.  
No purchase necessary.
Void where prohibited.

Prize: Rowena will send the winner a priority mailer with assorted souvenirs from the RT convention.

Djetth (Jeth) and Princess Martia-Djulia (Marsha-Julia) are marooned on a desert island, trapped like a reluctant pair of animals in a zoo breeding program. Martia-Djulia had a wild fling with Djetth when he looked very different and was known as Commander Jason. Djetth is trying to make sure that Martia-Djulia does not eat anything poisonous, or incapacitate him. He can look after her, but she cannot even look after herself can't even undress herself!). He tied her up for the night for her own protection, and his.

The gallant, charming, quiet warrior, Mike Ward was voted READERS CHOICE 
  at the Daytona Beach Romantic Times BOOKClub convention 2006, 
  and has generously donated a set of military desert uniforms to be 
  auctioned for charity at the Houston RT convention.

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RC: Was the 2006 Daytona Beach your first modeling experience?

MW: It was. I suppose you could call me the "accidental cover model." I was on temporary duty in Kansas City three years ago (as of September 2006) and was staying at the same hotel that was hosting the RT convention. I was in my Air Force uniform and a couple of attendees mistakenly thought I was one of the cover models and that I was in costume. After clearing that up, they invited me up to one of the balls. There I met Kayla Perrin and a few other writers and we hit it off as friends. A few months after the convention, Kayla, who can be very persuasive, asked me to try out as a cover model for the next year's convention. I was flattered, but turned her down because basically, I'm really a very shy person and personally, didn't think I was in good enough shape, physically.

Last year, (2005) Kayla asked again and once again, I turned her down, but I had a good reason; I was deployed to the desert in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Basically, I was sleeping in a tent in an undisclosed foreign location during the convention and since they don't pick winners by proxy, I was off the hook again.

As I mentioned earlier, Kayla can be persuasive and earlier this year (2006) she asked again. I thought of every possible reason I could not to do it and put them all in an e-mail to her. Before hitting the send button I re-read my note and realized they weren't reasons, they were excuses. I realized I was scared and even intimidated by the thought of competing in an event like RC. I changed my mind, deleted the note and the rest as they say is history, I had a great time at RT and made new friends and met hundreds of incredibly great fans.

RC: What intrigued me most about you--maybe I'm superficial--is that you are an active member of the armed forces. A potential Mr Romance doesn't quite fit with my idea of a an officer and a gentlemen. OK, the gentleman thing is perfect... but is cover modeling appropriately ...macho?

MW: Well, I used to be an active duty member of the military. I retired from the military after 22 years of service in June. As for being macho, being on the cover of a novel may not be typical for a military member, but spending an afternoon holding a beautiful mofel is cenrainly enjoyable.

RC: What is the most "heroic" thing you have ever done for the sake of looking good for a modeling assignment or screen test? Or, where would you draw the line? What would you NOT do?

MW: Well, as I said, I'm a very shy guy, so no nudity, but I don't mind taking my shirt off. I shot my first cover in July and it was a beach scene shot in Malibu, so, the top was off. Ironically, the shoot was for Kayla's new book. She writes for one of Harlequin's publishing arms, and sent them photos of me. I'm very glad they liked them. The shoot was a very humbling experience. Since it was my first one, I was definitely stiff at first, but became more relaxed as the afternoon wore on.

I don't have a theater background but it sure would have come in handy during that photo shoot. I had a good model to work with and the photography team was great. They gave me pointers such as how to place my hands, how to hold a model without gripping her, ad libbing to keep the action going, and positioning my body so that I'm facing the camera, but looking at the model. In all, it was a great experience. It lasted about four hours and I never got bored, but I can see where someone who does this full time would. There is a lot of repetition, it was very hot out, you're always being told what to do and you are expected to know what to do even when you don't always know what to do. Wait, that sounds like boot camp! Actually, it was fun and hopefully I'll get called on again to model for someone.

RC: What kind of fictional hero do you enjoy reading about when you read for pleasure/ Or what would you most like to portray on the cover of a romance novel?

MW: I am a big fan of the James Bond books and I've read every one by Ian Fleming. It's not that I want to be a spy or anything like that, but I always loved the sense of style and presence the Bond character has. Cary Grant had the same type of style and so does Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier. I know the open shirt look sells books, but I would love to do a cover while dapperly attired in a suit and tie, a la, Richard Gere on the posters for American Gigolo.

RC: You competed in the Mr Romance Pageant last year, and did very well. How did you feel about the experience? Is this something you would consider doing again in the future?

MW: I was very surprised and very pleased to have been named Mr. Cover Model 2006 by the readers, after all, they are the people who purchase the books. I'm not sure if I'll be in Houston next year because of my school schedule, -- I will earn my second bachelor's degree in April when I graduate from Florida State University -- however, I will donate a set of desert battle dress uniforms to RC to be auctioned off to support its involvement with the Support Our Soldiers America organization. The set even has my name tag and patches from the my deployment sewn on. Hopefully it will be a big hit next year and will help the organization raise funds.

RC: Is there anything I haven't asked that you would like to share?

MW: Oh, I'm a single dad who raised two daughters after my wife and I divorced 12 years ago. Both girls are doing great and are now off to college and working. I'm single, retired and curious about what great things are in store as I begin my new life.

RC: Supposing cover artists, photographers, or fans wanted to find out more about you, do you have a website, or a blog, or email ?

MW: No website yet, but I can be reached at easy4mike@knology.net

Thank you very much, Mike Ward.

 

 

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We've added a video sneak peek of Insufficient Mating Material (look for the green horny-berries)
Soon, there will be a video preview for Mating Net.

There are new reviews, links, press releases, and www.rowenacherry.com/radio/ so visitors can listen to Rowena and her friends on internet radio.

The Alien Djinn Royal Family Tree now has interactive character sketches, so readers can catch up with who's whom... at least for the current books.

The www.rowenacherry.com/signmeup page also has a link at the bottom of the page to an "unsubscribe" form.

 

DeNita Tuttle has extended the Author Island Readers Choice Awards contest deadline to March 15th. Details at www.AuthorIsland.com

DeNita is working on a fantastic grand prize for the readers who interact on the site the week the winners and finalists are announced in July.

~ ~ ~

Other sites worth a visit:

Sample an author's writing before you buy the entire book?
Go to http://www.readersread.com/excerpts/ to read excerpts from new books:

For news about shopping trends, new products and bestsellers visit ShoppingBlog.com

~ ~ ~

And one last link, which might be the best tip I've ever shared...

Penny of A Marketing Expert suggests: Subscribe to some great publishing newsletters, there's a lot of information out there and a lot of it is packed in some of the best newsletters you'll ever read:

Dan Poynter’s Parapublishing Tips: www.parapublishing.com
Readers and Writers: www.writersreaders.com
John Kremer: www.bookmarket.com
Brian Jud: www.bookmarketingworks.com
Book Marketing Expert: www.amarketingexpert.com

email: penny@amarketingexpert.com
web: http://www.amarketingexpert.com

Subscribe to Pennys' fortnightly newsletter [Book Marketing Expert] I'm Published - Now What? You will be glad you did!

 

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