Author Interview with Greg Howard

With Halloween just around the corner, who doesn’t want spook themselves out a little with a creepy ghost story? Greg Howard has the perfect one for readers who like action-packed paranormal stories, and who don’t mind a little blood and gore.

Check out the book trailer here!

Welcome, Greg Howard!

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Cooper Causey spent a lifetime eluding the demons of his youth and suppressing the destructive power inside him. But a disconcerting voicemail lures Cooper back home to the coast of South Carolina and to Warfield—the deserted plantation where his darkness first awakened. While searching for his missing grandmother, Cooper uncovers the truth about his ancestry and becomes a pawn in an ancient war between two supernatural races. In order to protect the only man he’s ever loved, Cooper must embrace the dark power threatening to consume him and choose sides in a deadly war between the righteous and the fallen.

 

 

 

 

Blood Divine takes place in Georgetown, SC. How much research did you need to do to put the reader properly in the setting?

Honestly, not a whole lot, only because Georgetown is my hometown. It’s where I was born and where most of my family still lives. So I had a deep connection to the setting ingrained in me, and the real-life places I used like The Rice Museum, The Strand Theater, The Ice House, etc. I did do some research on Mansfield Plantation which was the inspiration for Warfield Plantation in the book. We lived just a short bike ride down the road from Mansfield when I was young. Back then it was deserted and widely believed to be haunted. For some reason, whenever we wanted to “run away from home” that’s where we went. Not very smart. The prologue of the book is an account of something that really happened to us at Mansfield when we were kids. Well…up to a certain point.

Cooper and Randy are too cute together! What was your inspiration for their characters?

My first real-life boy crush (meaning not a fictional TV character or an action figure) was my older brother’s best friend. When I was around eight years old, I thought he was about the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Then when I ran into him years later, as an adult, he’d grown into this gorgeous law enforcement professional and traditional family man. I thought it was so interesting that I still felt like a swoony eight year-old around him. I mean, I couldn’t hardly look him in the eye! It was pathetic. He didn’t have a clue he had that effect on me, thank God.

This story seems to thread together good and evil in a unique way. There are some biblical references to your Anakim creatures. Are you a Bible buff, or did you fictionalize those parts?

While I wouldn’t call myself a Bible buff, I do find Biblical mythology fascinating. When I first conceived, BLOOD DIVINE, I was simply trying to put a fresh spin on vampires and witches. That got me to thinking about Lucifer and the fallen angels of Heaven and pondering—what if they were the origin of vampires on Earth. That’s when the Biblical research started—first with the Nephilim, the children of the fallen angels who mated with humans, and then the Anakim, the children of the Nephilim. And, of course, the Biblical passages I used about them in the book are real. The Anakim were described as giants who ruthlessly slaughtered innocent people, so I made them the first vampires. The Divinum (witches), I fictionalized their origin and history. Since I grew up in the church, it was a fun way to tell the story.

Eunice and Eudora were my favorite characters, and there were plenty of quirky characters to choose from! Who would play these two in the motion picture of Blood Divine?

Eunice and Eudora are fan favorites, for sure! Ever since I saw Mireille Enos play twins in the TV show, BIG LOVE, that’s who I’ve always seen in my head when writing Eunice and Eudora.

Georgetown, where this story is based, is known as the Ghost Capital of the South. Any truth to that?

There was a sign when you entered Georgetown that proclaimed it proudly! So, truth that they claim it, yes! Truth that there are ghosts and spirits there, well there are just too many stories and legends not to at least wonder. Several books have been written about the ghosts of Georgetown. Like I said, we had our own haunted experiences at Mansfield Plantation when I was a kid, and now that it’s been restored into a beautiful bed & breakfast, I’m told by the staff of Mansfield that things still go bump in the night there. Without a doubt the most famous Georgetown ghost is the Gray Man.

What are you reading now?
I just started GLORY OVER EVERYTHING by Kathleen Grissom. I loved, loved loved her last book, THE KITCHEN HOUSE, and can’t wait to get swallowed up in that world again. And the writing is just too beautiful.

If you like __________, then you may love Blood Divine.
The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

Name three things about yourself that your readers would never be able to guess. 
I sing in a 140-voice community choir.

I’m a TV junkie.

My age. (wink, wink)

What can we look forward to reading from you next?

I just finished edits on my first YA book that will be published by Simon & Schuster in Spring, 2018. It’s a male/male rom-com (heavy on the comedy), and couldn’t be more different from BLOOD DIVINE. Now that it’s finished, I think I am going to jump back into the sequel for BLOOD DIVINE.

Blood Divine is available now on Amazon!

Follow Greg on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.

15640212Greg Howard grew up near the coast of South Carolina, or as he fondly refers to it, “the armpit of the American South.” By the time he could afford professional therapy and medication, the damage had already been done. His hometown of Georgetown, South Carolina is known as the “Ghost Capital of the South,” (seriously…there’s a sign), and was always a great source of material for his overactive imagination.

Raised in a staunchly religious home, Greg escaped into the arts: singing, playing piano, acting, writing songs, and making up stories. After running away to the bright lights and big city of Nashville, Tennessee with stars in his eyes and dreams of being the Dianne Warren of Music City, he took a job peddling CDs and has been a cog in the music business machine ever since.

Now an adult with a brain, Greg finds the South Carolina coast to be a perfectly magical place where he vacations yearly and dreams of the day when he can return to write full time in the most tastefully decorated beach house on Pawleys Island.

BLOOD DIVINE (Wilde City Press) is Greg’s first adult paranormal novel.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers acquired Greg’s debut young adult novel, SOCIAL INTERCOURSE, which will be released in Spring 2018.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – D.B. Seiders

In Romance, I typically read contemporary stories. But when I learned of D.B. Sieders’ book about a mermaid who kills with her beautiful singing voice, I was hooked. The gorgeous cover didn’t hurt as well.

This tale, while so precious it made my cheeks hurt from smiling so much, was also full of depth and darkness that spanned deeper than the ocean floor…or in this case, the Cumberland River. 🙂

 

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Her beautiful voice once cost a life. Still, music is her passion. What’s a mermaid to do? Run off and live vicariously through mortal musicians!

Unfortunately, gorgeous rocker Vance Idol almost succumbs to her siren call after his show in Nashville. Not that Vance cares—not since his girlfriend’s fatal overdose left him with a supersized death wish. Lorelei makes it her mission to undo the damage and help this talented and charismatic man on the eve of his band’s big break.

But saving a mortal man is a dangerous proposition. Lorelei could far too easily lose her heart, and quite possibly her immortality, during her American holiday. Bad boy Vance might be worth the risk.

Can their love survive his attitude, her fins, and an evil Pixie with a grudge against them both?

 

Please welcome to the blog, author of Lorelei’s Lyric, D.B. Sieders!

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write?

Thanks so much for hosting me! I’m a biomedical researcher by day, so I really enjoy exploring my creative side as a writer. My scientific life deals with logic, facts, and evidence. Exploring fantasy, myth, and legend when I use my writer brain serves as a nice balance. I mostly write fantasy/paranormal and urban fantasy romance and a bit of contemporary on the side. I tend to favor unlikely heroes and heroines who face a healthy dose of angst as they strive for redemption and a happily ever after, which everyone deserves.

What kinds of research did you do into legends of mermaids and elemental creatures?

I started with the Greek myth about Sirens. I had a rock star hero who, in spite of an amazing voice and the ability to seduce a crowd with his charisma, is about to give up on the eve of his big break. Who could challenge him, who would be most appalled by his path of self-destruction? Well, someone who wanted desperately to sing but can’t. Hence, the Siren. In spite of their association with mermaids in modern times, Greek Sirens were actually described as bird-like women, which left me with a bit of a problem (I’m a stickler for accuracy). I was still drawn to mermaids, mythical creatures with powers of both destruction and healing – a fascinating dichotomy! I stumbled on the legend of Lorelei, a siren-like enchantress from the Rhine whose beautiful voice lures sailors to their deaths by way of shipwreck. This legend, along with the legends of Melusine, the Warsaw Mermaid, Wagner’s Rhinemaidens, and the legend of Ondine, provided some rich source material.

Vance is a rock musician and songwriter. Do you have a playlist for this book or a handful of songs that provided inspiration?

One of my inspirations for Vance’s intensity, passion, and stage presence was Scott Weiland, who we sadly lost just last month. Adam Levine was another. Lorelei brings to mind Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love” when it comes to Vance. As far as other songs, I found inspiration from Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight” to Santo & Johnny’s “Sleep Walk,” from Sting’s “Fields of Gold” to “What Might Have Been” by Little Texas.

What’s your favorite trait of Lorelei’s? What’s her worst habit? (I loved her, by the way.)

Lorelei is loyal and fiercely protective of those she loves, which is one of her best qualities. Her worst habit is that she’s way too hard on herself, especially when it comes to her past mistakes. Vance helps her come to terms with that.

What authors or series of novels would you say your writing style is similar to?

I definitely aspire to write characters the reader will root for, crisp dialogue, humor to balance all things emotionally heavy, and stories that will make you laugh/cry/think, often in the same chapter. I would love to reach J.R. Ward’s level when it comes to wounded, angsty heroes. I strive to capture the quirks and charm of the South like Charlaine Harris, and I would LOVE to be as funny as Darynda Jones someday!

What celebrities would you cast in the roles of Vance and Lorelei?

Oh, I could totally see Adam Levine as Vance, and Liv Tyler would be perfect as Lorelei!

What is your writing process? Do you plot everything meticulously or do you dive in headfirst without a rope?

I’m a total pantster! However, I recently generated a sort of roadmap for three more books in this series. We’ll see how that goes…

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?

Too many favorite authors to count! For paranormal/fantasy romance, some of my favorites include J.R. Ward, Jeaniene Frost, Darynda Jones, and Laurell K. Hamilton’s early Anita Blake books. I also love Diana Rowland’s White Trash Zombie series and Lexi George’s Demon Hunting in the Deep South series. I’m currently beta reading an awesome Thriller and Paranormal Romance, and reading some great Sci-Fi from Jody Wallace and Contemporaries from Savannah Kade for promised reviews, which is always a treat!

When will we get to see book two featuring Ilsa, Lorelei’s temperamental but good-natured sister?

So glad you asked! Crosscurrents (Southern Elemental Guardians Book 2) will be coming out this spring. Here’s the working blurb: Freshwater mermaid Ilsa is heir apparent to the kingdom of the Rhine, though no one believes her worthy. Including Ilsa. So instead of embracing her role as river royalty, Ilsa opts to extend her holiday in the New World. Avoiding responsibility and frolicking with mortals has always been her M.O. until she answers a distress call from an endangered species in the waters near Chattanooga. When her close encounter with a motorboat threatens to expose the world of elemental guardians, Ilsa partners with biologist and unlikely ally, Paul Pulaski, to throw them off her tail. Worlds collide and sparks ignite between Princess Ilsa and her diamond-in-the-rough skeptical scientist, Paul. But can they survive monster hunters, a rival scientist with a grudge against Paul, and a dark elemental force that could destroy mortal and elemental alike?

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about LORELEI’S LYRIC?

Howdy readers! Looking for some unconventional fantasy romance featuring strong heroines and the heroes who strive to match them? Please come visit the world of Southern Elemental Guardians! I want to take readers on adventures in fantastical worlds hidden in the nooks and crannies of our reality, where heroes and heroines face extraordinary circumstances and find out what they’re made of.

 

DanaD.B. Sieders was born and raised in East Tennessee and spent her childhood hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, wading barefoot in creeks, and chasing salamanders, fish, and frogs. Her family loved to tell stories while sitting around the campfire. Those days of frog chasing sparked an interest in biology. She’s a working scientist by day, but she never lost her love of telling stories. Now, she is a purveyor of unconventional fantasy romance featuring strong heroines and the heroes who strive to match them. Her characters face a healthy dose of angst as they work for redemption and a happily ever after, which everyone deserves. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, two children, three cats, and her very active imagination.

Lorelei’s Lyrics is available on Amazon.

You can find D.B. Sieders on her Website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

SLOW AND STEADY RUSH

**UPDATE**

Congratulations to Laura Monroe, the winner of the free ebook of Slow and Steady Rush!

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So, as I’ve mentioned before, a common thing us writers do is judge contests, which is a fabulous way for us to connect to other writers whose work we adore. Such was the case with Laura Trentham. I had only the first twenty pages of a historical novel she had written, and I knew there was no way I could end my relationship with her writing at that point.

Laura has since landed multiple book deals and has more novels coming out between now and next summer than I can keep up with — the first of which released this month!

She’s here today to tell us what we can expect out of Slow and Steady Rush and to offer a free digital book to one lucky commenter!

 

Slow and Steady RushShe lives by the book—and is still searching for her happily ever after.

Darcy Wilde has tried hard not to live up to her last name. As a librarian in Atlanta she lives a fine life far away from the football-obsessed town of her childhood. But when her beloved Grandmother needs help, Darcy takes a leave of absence and heads back to the home and past she left behind.

He knows how to play the field—and is in no rush to settle down.

Robbie Dalton knows a thing or two about painful pasts. After bouncing around in foster care and the Army for years he is finally ready to move on and make a home for himself in Falcon, Alabama as the newest high school football coach. Sparks fly when the sexy new coach and the sharp-tongued librarian meet, but neither of them is looking to make ties.

But when it comes to love, sometimes you’ve gotta throw away the rule book to cross the finish line…

Everything changes when Darcy falls in love, not only with the gruff, protective, and smoking hot man who’s sharing her days and nights, but also with the complex tapestry of people who weave Falcon together. Could this be where she belongs — and who she belongs with?

 

Laura, what should readers expect out of Slow and Steady Rush outside of romance?

Besides a smoking hot romance, readers can expect the town of Falcon, Alabama, to be a fully fleshed out world full of secondary characters that play a huge role in Darcy and Robbie’s relationship–from Darcy’s grandmother, her cousin, and her best friend to the football players Robbie coaches and the troubled youth he crosses paths with. The town and the characters will ring true for readers. Hopefully, you will want to return to Falcon for a visit. Book 2, Caught Up in the Touch releases in July and Book 3, Melting Into You releases in November.

 

To toss your name in the hat for the free digital copy of Slow and Steady Rush, leave a comment on this blog. Any comment will do. We’ll pick a winner at random on Tuesday, March 24th.

Slow and Steady Rush is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or iBooks.

Add to Goodreads

Visit Laura at www.LauraTrentham.com, Facebook, or Twitter

 

I Laurawas born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major – Chemical Engineering – and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether it’s Regency England or small town Alabama.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – KERRI CARPENTER

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: “All the Time” by The Strokes

One thing us writers who are involved in writing groups do a lot is judge contests. About one out of every ten or so entries you judge grabs hold of you, and you are totally bummed at the end of the twenty or so pages you are given because you can’t read further! Kerri Carpenter’s The Best Kind of Love was that entry for me.

I reached out to Kerri to rave to her about her pages, and now, finally, her book has been released! Love it when that happens!

Please welcome Kerri Carpenter to the blog today!

TBKoL-mediumPenelope Walker has returned to her hometown of Blue Lake, Virginia after her parents’ untimely deaths, and she’s shocked to find her high school boyfriend, Ethan Callahan, waiting for her. Ethan makes it clear he wants her back but she can’t forget that he left her brokenhearted when he didn’t show up for their secret elopement twelve years ago. Determined to unravel the mystery of their shared pasts, Penelope’s on a mission. A mission Ethan knows will devastate her when she learns what her parents asked him to do all those years ago. Can they learn to forgive and forget in order to remember that they had the best kind of love?

 

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write.

Hi everyone and thanks for having me here today, Melissa! My name is Kerri and I live in Northern Virginia with my adorable and amazing rescued poodle mix, Harry. (Yes, Harry and Kerri!) I’m originally from a small town outside of Pittsburgh and that may be why I love to write small town contemporary romance. When I’m not writing or working at my day job, I love to take Zumba classes and cook. And I adore anything that sparkles. *glitter toss*

The Best Kind of Love takes place in Blue Lake, Virginia. Is that an actual place?

Nope, Blue Lake is firmly located inside my head. Even though on the page it’s set in Virginia, it’s actually a bit of a nod to my hometown of Monessen, PA.

Does your dog, Harry, write with or near you?

Harry is very supportive of my writing. In fact, he likes to sleep in his bed right under my desk while I’m typing away. He also enjoys stealing my pens when I write long-hand (which I do from time-to-time to shake it up).

Is The Best Kind of Love a standalone novel, or can we expect a sequel?

I would love for there to be a sequel. The Best Kind of Love is not only the love story between Penelope and Ethan but also the story of four sisters reuniting in their hometown. So there is a possibility of three more stories. Fingers crossed.

Plotter or pantser?

Definite pantser, which makes zero sense! In every other aspect of my life I’m a total plotter, much like Penelope, the heroine of my story. I love color-coding, making lists, and being organized. But I sit down to write and I just let it all go. Even when I try to plot out a story, it just doesn’t work.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and what are you currently reading?

I love so many great authors – Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Jane Porter, Kristan Higgins, Carly Phillips, Addison Fox who I just started reading, and the list goes on. I’m currently reading another fav, Susan Mallery’s “A Fool’s Gold Christmas.” During December I read all Christmas stories all month long. (Along with watching the Hallmark channel nonstop.)

What’s your current work in progress?

I am working on a follow-up to my novella “Flirting with the Competition,” that was released in October. Two new characters, lots of sexual energy, plus they get locked together in a bar. Sound good

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about The Best Kind of Love?

The Best Kind of Love has been a total labor of love. It took me only two months to write the first draft but then I revised it somewhere around one million times. It was given bad contest scores, mediocre contest scores, a couple of really good contest scores, rewritten, rejected by dozens of agents and editors, rewritten yet again, accepted by a top editor at a huge publishing house who then left that house before I could sign a contract, and did I mention rewritten? During the writing and revisions and contests and rejections of this book, I lost five family members, found out my dad had cancer, bought my first condo, and adopted my dog. And finally, when I decided to put it away for a little bit, I got “the call.” Throughout it all, I always loved Penelope, Ethan, and Blue Lake, and no matter what, I kept going back to them. So don’t ever give up when you have a dream. Keep going, push through it, and work hard. Trust me, it’s worth it!

The Best Kind of Love is available on Amazon.

ProfileKerri Carpenter began writing in her grandmother’s kitchen at the age of seven in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA. A life-long fan of reading, she got lost in the worlds of The Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. She also assumed that everyone had characters and plots forming in their heads at all times.

Once she turned to romance novels, she couldn’t get enough of books with happy endings, so she started writing her own. Now, Kerri writes contemporary romances, usually set in small towns. She enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) poodle mix, Harry.

Follow Kerri on Facebook, Twitter, or visit her website.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW–J.L. SALTER

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Taking Back Sunday “Better Homes and Gardens

PROGRESS FOR THE WEEK: about 5,000 words (not so great)

This story looked too funny to pass up, so I asked author J.L. Salter to visit with us on the blog. Please help me welcome him today!

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Amanda can’t believe Jason, her new lover, is already cheating — they’ve only been a couple for seven months. But her domineering older friend, Christine, has “proof” and insists Amanda should take it seriously. Knowing Jason spoke with a woman in the mall food court and another in the grocery store isn’t exactly an iron-clad case.

But when she hears rumors about a different woman stalking Jason at his workplace, Amanda reluctantly finds the evidence sufficient to allow her boyfriend to be tailed… provided Christine and her posse of amateur detectives can be discreet. Unfortunately, Christine’s idea of discretion is akin to blowing up a billboard.

The more Amanda learns about Jason’s unusual behavior, the more their recently shaky communication crumbles. Unable to resist the momentum of the mounting case, Amanda joins the investigation and stakeout.

Does Jason have the seven-month itch? If he does, which tramp might be scratching it? And is it remotely possible for their relationship to grow even closer despite the clumsiest surveillance efforts bossy Christine can devise?

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write.

Retired library administrator, award-winning poet, book reviewer; former photo-journalist, U.S. Air Force veteran; husband, father, grandfather of six.

After decades of focus (and publication) on poetry and non-fiction, I began writing novels and novellas in 2006 after an early retirement from library work. Have since completed nine novels — seven of these have been published (Astraea Press & Dingbat Publishing) and one is under contract. Two of my novellas are also published.

Some of my novels are hybrids of genres, so they aren’t easily pigeon-holed. Other than the two “Amanda” titles in the screwball comedy vein, I’ve written other comedies, a suspense, and books which contain humor, romance, and action. One of my most important novels – fitting that last category – is my tribute to the Greatest Generation, “Called to Arms Again.”

Give us a little insight into Amanda. Is she an inherently suspicious gal, or is she the victim of overzealous friends?

At her job, Amanda is overworked, under-appreciated, and sometimes bullied by her lazy boss. In early family life, she was dominated by a much-older sister who seemed “perfect” and appeared “favored” by the parents. In her relationship with Jason, Amanda thought she’d reached a comfort level even though – him being a big sports jock – they didn’t actually have all that much in common.

Amanda has enough insecurities that she is fairly easily swayed by her domineering friend Christine, who has taken over where Amanda’s older sister left off — “managing” Amanda’s life.

Even though she initially discounts the reports of Jason’s unusual contacts with other women, Amanda begins to be swayed when other “evidence” starts accumulating.

Which authors or series of novels would you say your writing style is similar to?

I honestly can’t think of another author or novel which is similar to the style of my Amanda Moore or Less series. [But if anyone else has a notion, I’d like to hear it.]

However, I can definitely state that my writing in these two screwball comedies was greatly influenced by Hollywood’s wonderful screwball movies of the 1930s and 1940s. In fact, I refer to those films in both of these novels.

In a screwball story, there are almost always characters willing to go to bizarre extremes because of some misunderstanding… and yet hardly ever are they able (if, indeed, they even TRY) to resolve anything by simple, straight, honest conversation. Consequently, small misunderstandings quickly become huge brouhahas.

Scratching the Seven-Month Itch is the prequel to Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold. Tell us a little about that story.

Man-Cold – though written first – is the sequel… and occurs a few months after things are settled about the Seven-Month Itch.

Man-Cold treats a theme likely quite familiar to most women — that many men are real babies when they get sick. Whereas most women (when sick) have to carry on with family, home, and job responsibilities… men (allegedly) expect to be waited on hand-and-foot while the planet ceases to revolve. Ha.

I think my cover tagline captures the dilemma Amanda faces when Jason comes down with his man-cold: “A stubborn boyfriend with the sniffles is the last thing Amanda needs in her apartment during THIS work crisis.”

And the question readers ask during this novel is: “Will Amanda’s relationship even survive the kooky Scare-Cure of Jason’s man-cold?”

What is your writing process? Do you plot everything meticulously or do you dive in headfirst without a rope?

It varies. I often say I write in a hybrid of plot-ster and pants-ter. Sometimes it depends on how fast the story hits me. If I get an idea for a scene which would be in the middle or near the end of the story it will belong to, I may just start writing that scene and then fill-in the rest as I go along.

But if I have a fairly developed concept of a novel – in which I can envision both a beginning and general ending – I may very well spend my early efforts on a sort of outline. It’s usually not a complete outline, however. It’s more like notes to myself about what should happen and roughly in what order. As I’m doing that, I may even stop to write a few lines of dialog or action in certain places.

Whichever way I approach the story, you can be sure that I often find myself eagerly following the characters, wherever they take me. And, often, where we end up is a total surprise to me!

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?
I’ve recently blogged about favorite authors and/or books.

Any list of favorite authors has to include Walker Percy, a critically-acclaimed novelist (among other writings) who lived in my hometown of Covington LA and was also a good friend of my parents. I’ve read all of his novels – some more than once – and have greatly enjoyed almost every one.

When I have my druthers, I often read what I categorize as “international intrigue”. Ken Follett, Jack Higgins, and the EARLY Robert Ludlum books, would be good examples. I also like fiction set during the WW2 era.

Since I’ve been writing stories which include romantic relationships, I’ve also read a variety of the books published by my RWA colleagues. As merely one example, I greatly enjoyed Duffy Brown’s novel, “Killer in Crinolines”.

What’s your current work in progress?

Gosh, I have SEVERAL WIPs going. I have well over a hundred “starts” for stories. Some of these are merely concepts, but many have pages of notes / scenes / dialog. Quite a few have several thousand words already. At least a dozen have over 5,000 words already… and three or four of those have over 25,000 words each.

I guess the comedy I’m trying to resume work on is the actual answer to this question, and I’ve recently passed the 40,000 word mark on it. It will be my 10th novel when I finish.

I have a brand new contract on a novel I completed 13 months ago and just recently revised. I’m sure the next couple of months will feature a lot of editing on that story.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Scratching the Seven-Month Itch?

I make a very general reference to this in my acknowledgements, but about six years ago, I was talking to a young female relative (on my wife’s side of the family). She happened to mention that she’d recently been out with a couple of friends helping one of them “catch” that friend’s cheating boyfriend. No details, other than it apparently involved one or more vehicles.

That image stuck with me as I was writing the Man-Cold novel and I began to think of scenes in which Amanda and her friends did that very thing. But it didn’t fit in the Man-Cold story – which was already pretty ‘busy’ – so I decided trying to catch a suspected cheater deserved its own novel!

I’m glad I did.

And so are we! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Scratching the Seven-Month Itch is available on Amazon.

Jeff

My published novels (with Astraea Press) are: “The Ghostess & MISTER Muir” (Oct. 2014), “Hid Wounded Reb” (July 2014), “Called to Arms Again” (May 2013), “Rescued By That New Guy in Town” (Oct. 2012), and “The Overnighter’s Secrets” (May 2012). Also the novella “Don’t Bet On It” … which released in April 2014.

With Dingbat Publishing, I have the screwball comedy “Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold” (Dec. 2013) and its prequel, “Scratching the Seven-Month Itch” (Sept. 2014).

Romantic comedy and romantic suspense are among nine completed novel manuscripts.

I’ve also published — as a short companion piece to “Called to Arms Again” — the story, “Echo Taps” (released in June 2013)… and a short story in the AP anthology, “Love and Diamonds”.

I’m co-author of two non-fiction monographs (about librarianship) with a royalty publisher, plus a signed chapter in another book and a signed article in a specialty encyclopedia. I’ve also published articles, book reviews, and over 120 poems; my writing has won nearly 40 awards, including several in national contests. As a newspaper photo-journalist, I published about 150 bylined newspaper articles, and some 100 bylined photos.

I worked nearly 30 years in the field of librarianship. I’m a decorated veteran of U.S. Air Force (including a remote tour of duty in the Arctic, at Thule AB in N.W. Greenland).

I’m the married parent of two and grandparent of six.

Follow Jeff on Facebook or Twitter.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW–SOPHIA KIMBLE

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Beware of Darkness “Howl” – Get ready to rock.

Just in time for Halloween, Sophia Kimble visits with us today to talk about her new paranormal release PROTECT HER. And she’s been so kind as to give us an excerpt, so be sure to scroll down.

ProtectHer_850HIGHGolden Alexander is trapped in a nightmare.

Trying to flee her hallucination of a demon, she runs heart first into the brooding alpha male she’s been dreaming about for years, and then her nightmare really begins.

Kris Pietka is done with women…he’s broken. But when he meets Golden, an overwhelming need to protect her tests everything he thought he knew about himself, and the paranormal.

A bond forged centuries ago thrusts them together as they search for a way to break an ancient Druid curse prophesying their demise. Racing against the clock, they travel from Vermont, to the Carpathian Mountains in Poland, and the Scottish Highlands in search of answers and a way to break the curse.

But something evil watches—it covets, and time is running out.

Will fate allow love to prevail against unbeatable odds, or will Golden wake to find it was all a delusion?

Welcome, Sophia! It looks like PROTECT HER takes us to some really interesting locations. Have you ever been to any of these places?

I’ve spent a lot of time in Poultney, Vermont which is where the majority of my book takes place. The Carpathian Mountains in Poland and The Highlands of Scotland are the destinations for my 20th wedding anniversary in two years.

Give us celebrity look-a-likes for Golden and Kris.

Kris is definitely a young Chris Hemsworth. And Golden, I always pictured as Amanda Seyfried.

Is PROTECT HER part of a series, or a stand alone?

Protect Her is the first book in The Druid’s Curse series. I have four planned so far: Protect Her, Avenge Her, Fear Her, and Release Her.

Since we’re close to Halloween here, please tell us what your best Halloween costume ever was.

I had this costume someone had given me when I was 13. It was Gretel from Hansel and Gretel and it was so well made. I loved it!

Are you dressing up this year?

I wear my witch’s hat every year and pass out candy. I dressed up for the first time in years a few years back for a Halloween party and went as Alice in Wonderland. My husband went as Elvis. 🙂

What’s the heat level in PROTECT HER?

Protect Her is sensual, I’d give it a four.

What’s your current work in progress?

I’m finishing up the second novel in the series, Avenge her.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Sophia!

Please enjoy this excerpt from PROTECT HER.

 

The side door to the house opened behind her.

Matka? Dzien dobry? Ma? Hello?”

The deep male voice filled the kitchen. Filled her. Her muscles tightened, her arms vibrated like she’d been doing yard work for the last hour and had just turned off the weed whacker.

Mary raised an eyebrow in her direction before looking past her to the door. “Kris, proszę meet Golden. Come, come.”

Heavy boots sounded on the wooden steps. The loud thumping stopped as if in mid-step and an invisible electric current slammed into her back. Heat spread through her and settled in her belly.

Matka, what’s going on here?”

“Golden is your Babci’s new caregiver.” Mary enunciated as if she were speaking to a five-year-old. “I told you last week she answered the ad and was coming today. She’ll be starting on Monday.”

Mary glared at Kris and then turned to Golden with an apologetic smile on her face. Kris moved around the table and stood next to his mother.

Her mouth fell open.

He narrowed his piercing blue eyes at her, and a lock of sandy brown hair fell from behind his ear.

Holy shit.

He looked exactly like the man she’d been dreaming of for years.

The once cozy kitchen felt tiny. Airless. Too hot. Using the table as a lever, Golden forced herself to stand and shot a glance in Mary’s direction, worried she was hallucinating her dream man and looked delusional. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d acted crazy. Okay, Mary didn’t act like her new employee was tripping her ass off. Good to know.

Words in a language she didn’t understand flew out of his mouth, his unfriendly gaze fixed on her. Wow, angry much? He was obviously talking about her in a not so nice way, which pissed her off. Combined with her confusion, she was a hot mess. And all the while her emotions were ping ponging, her body pulsed, begging for this jerkoff to touch her.

His brows furrowed, and he ranted as though she weren’t in the room. Rude. New plan. She’d figure out how she’d dreamt of him later. First, she wanted to know what he had against her and why she reacted to the jerk like he’d brought her a dozen roses while hanging out the sunroof of a limo.

Mary cut him off with a single word. “Dosyć!” She closed her eyes and whispered, “Enough.”

Kris sucked in a breath, and without another word, pivoted on his heel and walked deeper into the house.

What was wrong with him? Ever hear of anger management classes? And what was wrong with her Benedict Arnold body? Pick an emotion and stick to it. Anger, that’s what was called for here. Not, gee you’re hot, I’ve been dreaming of you for years. Want to hook up?

Figures, the one guy that finally made her wake up and say hell yes was a total turd.

PROTECT HER is available on Amazon

sk2Sophia Kimble has always wanted to be an author, but for years, life got in the way. She wouldn’t change a thing about how her life turned out, though. Her family keeps her laughing and loving. Her wonderful husband and two extraordinary children stand beside her every step of the way and make this journey called life worth living.

Sophia has worked as a nurse for twenty years, but has put that career path aside to devote her time and imagination to writing down the stories that keep her up nights.

She takes her love of the paranormal, history, and genealogy, and weaves them into tales of family, fated love, and supernatural occurrences.

Connect with Sophia on her website, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter

AUTHOR INTERVIEW — BLAIRE EDENS

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – because I just finished Eleanor and Park and am a little beyond obsessed. More to come on that next week. But in the meantime…

A heroine who wrestles alligators for a living. Yep. Please help me welcome Blaire Edens to the blog today!

Wild About Rachel 1600-RGB v2 (1)Former debutante Rachel Hansworth longs for the days when “alligator” was followed by “pumps” or “handbag.” Broke, Rachel takes the only job she can find: removing nuisance animals from Texas homes. Unfortunately, fighting the attraction to her boss proves more difficult than wrestling a gator. Army veteran Mark Winters needs help with his business, but he wants Rachel more. He must honor a promise to his dying mother and find a fiancée. A real girlfriend isn’t part of the plan-he’s been there, done that. There’s only one problem: He can’t stop kissing Rachel.

She refuses to be duped by love again, and he won’t let a few hot make-out sessions tear down the walls he’s erected. But she’s all about the big bonus she’ll receive if she helps Mark. They’ll lower their defenses enough to trust each other when a wild animal is involved, but can they pull off the fake fiancée ruse and not be bitten by love?

 

Hello Blaire, and welcome to the blog! Tell us a little about yourself – who you are and what you write.

I’m Blaire Edens and at the moment, I’m writing contemporary romance for Entangled. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I’m of mostly Scottish descent and my mother’s family has owned and operated the same farm since 1790. My father was a fighter pilot and my mother is a doctor, so I learned plenty about Alpha Males and Sassy Females growing up. 🙂 My favorite ice cream flavor is Salted Caramel.

 

I think you just gave me the most awesome interview question ever. New requirement if you’re going to be on this blog — favorite ice cream flavor!

So it looks like our heroine, Rachel, wrestles alligators for a living. I’m definitely intrigued! Tell us about her.

Rachel has, up until the opening of the book, led a very charmed life. When we meet her, she’s in a crisis. The bank is about to foreclose on her home, she can’t find a job. She has to find a pathway from where she is to the woman she wants to be. In her case, it’s via viper, but animals are on the vehicle. Rachel is relatable because she has to face her fears in order to grow which can be said for most of us. The book is about overcoming our fears, whatever they may be, in order to live a more authentic and fulfilling life.

 

Was there any hands-on research required for this book?

Yes! Before writing this book I knew very little about the home foreclosure process. It turns out that a foreclosure is essentially a home that belongs to the bank, which once belonged to a homeowner. A friend of mine who lives in Texas is a property investor and she pointed me in the direction of real estate websites such as Auction.com where I was able to learn more about selling and buying foreclosure properties. I wanted to make sure that this element of my book was as factually accurate as possible!

Also, I didn’t wrestle any gators, but I would be willing if Mark, my hero, was the prize. Seriously, I grew up on a farm deep in the woods of Southern Appalachia so used to wild things. I did use a few personal experiences—I really did have some snakes hatch in my house once. The house was a restoration project and somehow a mama Rat Snake decided to deposit her eggs underneath the laundry room. When they hatched, I had quite a surprise.

 

Seeing that snakes are frequent in my nightmares, let’s move along quickly. When you aren’t writing, what could we find you doing?

I am a serious knitter. I teach knitting classes–everything from beginner scarves to Fair Isle Sweaters. I usually knit while I watch television so I know voices better than faces. I also love to be outdoors, so my son and I frequently go camping and biking. Because of my dad’s job, I grew up around fighter jets. I still love to go to air shows!

 

What’s the heat level in Wild About Rachel?

Wild About Rachel is sexy. There is some hanky-panky but it’s fairly tame and not very graphic. The heat is within a serious relationship. I would say if you’re okay with sweet lovemaking, it should be just fine.

 

Is Wild About Rachel a standalone novel, or will there be others in a series?

That’s the $64, 000 question. It was written as a standalone but since its release, I’ve had several, as in more than fifteen emails, from readers who weren’t ready to leave Texas. I am open to writing another story that features some of the characters in Wild About Rachel but it won’t be my next novel. I’m thinking another novella or holiday novella might be a nice return visit.

 

I’m with those fifteen+. Series are fabulous for clinging on to the characters we love!

Name three things we’d find in Mark’s bedroom.

1. Firefly’s collar
2. A stack of National Geographic Magazines.
3. Fishing rod

 

What’s your drink of choice when writing?

Sweet Tea in a Tervis 24 oz. cup. I’m pretty adaptable but this is a MUST. When I’m on the road, I carry tea bags and sugar and the cup. No compromise, here. When you move around like I did when my dad was flying, you learn to travel light. This is probably the only MUST I have.

 

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?

Wow. That’s a hard question. I read widely. I am a bona fide genre hopper. My sentimental favorites are Bertrice Small, Orson Scott Card and V.C. Andrews. I just finished Second Chance Ranch, by fellow Entangled author, Cindi Madsen. I haven’t met her yet, but when I do, I’m totally going FANGIRL. The next book on my Kindle is Cinder. I love Steampunk and can’t wait to relax into some YA that combines my love of fairy tales with Steampunk.

 

What’s your current work in progress?

The working title is Rock A Billie. It’s a single title contemporary chock full of fighter pilots, American Muscle Cars and one sassy mechanic named Billie who is determined not to fall in love with a flyboy. It will likely be out in Spring-Summer 2015.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Wild About Rachel?

I really hope you like it. I hope it makes you laugh. Most of all, I hope it leaves you feeling ready to take on the world just like Rachel.

 

Wild About Rachel is available on Amazon and through Entangled.

steampunk hat

Blaire Edens lives in the mountains of North Carolina on a farm that’s been in her family since 1790. When she’s not plotting, she’s busy knitting, running, or listening to the Blues. Blaire loves iced tea with mint, hand-stitched quilts, and yarn stores. She refuses to eat anything that mixes chocolate and peanut butter or apple and cinnamon. She’s generally nice to her mother, tries to remember not to smack her bubble gum, and only speeds when no one’s looking.

 

Visit Blaire’s website, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

COVER REVEAL–ELLA SHERIDAN’S TEACH ME

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: KONGOS “Come With Me Now” – When I first heard this, I thought…Franz Ferdinand meets the Dropkick Murphys. See what you think.

 

For an author, there are few things more thrilling than a cover reveal. I’m excited to help author Ella Sheridan show off the cover for her new release Teach Me (Southern Nights Book One). And be sure to scroll down for a link to an excerpt from the book!

A woman determined to heal…

Shy researcher Jess Kingston spent the last eight weeks recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s brutal attack. Body healed, she’s ready to put her life back together—except her ex isn’t ready to let go. She won’t cower in a corner while Brit tortures her, but she’s powerless to fight back.

A man determined to resist…

Ex-military security specialist Conlan James avoids commitment like the plague. His job, his Harley, and the occasional one-night stand are all he needs, until the day he rescues Jess from a tense situation and realizes he can’t get her off his mind. He can teach her to protect herself, but protecting his heart is another matter.

A madman determined to win…

As the deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Brit heats up, so does the hunger between Con and Jess. Safety might be found in numbers, but in bed, all bets are off—and the wrong move could lead to heartbreak. Or death.

So without further ado…

So pretty, Ella!

Click here if you’d like to read an excerpt from Teach Me.

Teach Me is now available for preorder on Amazon.

Ella grew up in the Deep South, where books provided adventures, friends, and her first taste of romance. Now she writes her own romantic adventures, with plenty of hot alpha men and the women who love and challenge them. With a day job, a husband, two active teenagers, and two not so active cats, Ella is always busy, but getting the voices in her head down on paper is a top priority. Connect with Ella at www.ellasheridanauthor.com .

Follow Ella on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads

Click here to see all titles from Ella’s Secrets to Hide series

 

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – ANGELA BRITNELL

 

I am delighted to welcome my favorite British-American author to the blog today! Angela Britnell is here to discuss her contemporary romance Sugar and Spice.

Sugar and SpiceThe Way to a Hero’s Heart…

Fiery, workaholic Lily Redman is sure of two things: that she knows good food and that she always gets what she wants. And what she wants more than anything is to make a success of her new American TV show, Celebrity Chef Swap – without the help of her cheating ex-fiancé and producer, Patrick O’Brien. So when she arrives in Cornwall, she’s determined to do just that.

Kenan Rowse is definitely not looking for love. Back from a military stint in Afghanistan and recovering from a messy divorce and an even messier past, the last thing he needs is another complication. So when he lands a temporary job as Luscious Lily’s driver, he’s none too pleased to find that they can’t keep their hands off each other!

But trudging around Cornish farms, knee deep in mud, and meetings with egotistical chefs was never going to be the perfect recipe for love – was it? And Lily could never fall for a man so disinterested in food – could she?I am delighted to welcome my favorite British-American author to the blog today! Angela Britnell is here to discuss her new contemporary romance Sugar and Spice.

 

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write.

I grew up in a small village in Cornwall and left to join the Royal Navy many years ago – we’ll draw a veil over quite how many! On assignment in Denmark I met my wonderful American husband and married him before he could get away! We traveled for the next thirteen years, living in Sicily, California, Maryland and London before Richard retired from the Navy and got a job in Brentwood, TN. Along the way we had our three amazing sons who have now all left the nest. I now spend my days writing contemporary romance, usually with international settings/characters. Apart from writing most days I volunteer at my local library, belong to a book club, drink endless cups of hot tea and am a great believer in the medicinal qualities of wine and dark chocolate.

 

You are from a small village in Cornwall, England. Do your characters typically hang out in England, or here in America?

My characters hang out all over the place – from Nashville to Sicily, Cornwall to California and many places in between! I enjoy writing about the unique challenges presented by international relationships from things as diverse as language to simply the way to enjoy a proper cup of tea. ‘Sugar and Spice’ is set in totally the UK – mainly in Cornwall, but with visits to the Lake District, Oxford, London, Scotland and Wales. My novella ‘What Happens in Nashville’ is totally set in Nashville (there’s a surprise!) but the heroine is English which makes for a fun story.

 

Give us celebrity visuals of Lily and Kenan.

Christina Hendricks from ‘Mad Men’ would be a perfect Lily with her red hair and voluptuous figure. I can absolutely see her wearing Luscious Lily’s trademark flashy clothes and staggeringly high heels.

Kenan absolutely needs to be played by British actor, Richard Armitage, tall, dark, brooding and totally 100% male. Of course when ‘Sugar and Spice’ is made into a movie I’d need to supervise Richard very closely on set!

 

What is your writing process? Do you fly by the seat of your pants, or plot meticulously?

I can’t plot to save my life! I have tried – usually after attending a workshop or listening to another writer who vows their method is infallible! The most I ever start with is a vague idea about a character, setting or general idea for a story thread. I open a blank Word document and somehow manage to start! My first draft is where I learn the story and then go back and fill in the blanks, edit, and do more research.

 

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?

I love English author Joanna Trollope, of course Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah is wonderful too (I had a fan girl moment when I met her at the RWA conference in Dallas.) I also read a lot of mysteries particularly ones by PD James, Colin Dexter, Ian Rankin and Elizabeth George.

 

Is Sugar and Spice a standalone novel, or will there be others in a series?

It’s a standalone novel. I’ve never tried to do a series and doubt I will because there would have to be plotting involved and the whole keeping track of characters, places etc which wouldn’t suit me!

 

What do you love about Kenan?

His strength of character and integrity. He’s not an expressive man with words but shows how deeply he cares about his family and friends by his actions, even if they’re sometimes misplaced. Of course he’s also extremely easy on the eyes which never hurts!

 

Name three things we’d find in Lily’s purse.

I could probably name you about fifty because she habitually carries around a bright pink tote bag filled with everything she might need in case of unspecified emergencies – but I’ll narrow it down to pink lip gloss, dark chocolate and perfume.

 

What’s your current work in progress?

I’m just finishing up the edits for ‘Celtic Love Knot’ which is due for release in digital format at the end of this month. Olivia Harding is a level-headed Celtic Mythology professor from Nashville who goes to Cornwall to research the local giants and attempt to lay to rest a family secret that has shaped her life. Lanyon Tremayne is a dark-tempered, fiercely private Cornishman, whose own painful family secrets have led to him being an outcast in his own community. They have to decide whether giving love a chance is worth the risk of exposing their secrets and their hearts?

 

What’s the heat level in this story on a scale of one to ten? (One is sweet and innocent. Ten is hot! hot! hot!)

I’d describe it as sensual, so probably around a four.

 

What first inspired you to write for the romance genre?

Sharing a house with my husband and three sons meant I desperately needed an outlet for my female side! To get out of the house for a few quiet evenings I took a short creative writing course back in 2000 and was so inspired I’ve been writing every since.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Sugar and Spice?

The story grew from my obsession with the Food Network and gave me a good excuse to watch even more programs in the name of research! Food, and the way my characters think about the subject, is really a metaphor for the way Lily and Kenan view life differently at the beginning of the story but in the end it brings them together as good food always does.

 

Sugar and Spice is available on Amazon

Visit Angela’s website and follow her on Facebook or Twitter

Angela June 2014 - 4Angela grew up in Cornwall, England and joined the Royal Navy in order to meet her own tall, dark, handsome stranger, a US Naval Officer called Richard, while serving in Denmark. After multiple moves and having three sons they settled in Tennessee and she has been trying to get used to the hot, humid summers ever since. A lifelong reader she did a creative class in 2000 simply for fun and discovered a passion for writing. She’s had short stories published in international magazines and several category length romances with Scottish publisher, DC Thomson. Her first novel ‘Truth and Consequence’ was published in 2006 and she has four other contemporary romances available published by Desert Breeze Publishing. In 2013 she won independent British publisher Choc Lit’s ‘Search for an American Star competition’ with ‘Sugar and Spice.’ Choc Lit also released her novella ‘What Happens in Nashville’ in March, and her next novel ‘Celtic Love Knot’ will be published later this month.

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – CHRISTINE GLOVER

Please help me welcome author Christine Glover to the blog today to talk about her new contemporary romance The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion.

And she comes bearing a giveaway! To enter to win, just give a comment on the blog – any comment at all will work, and we’ll draw the winner on Tuesday, July 8th.

Maverick 2Can he satisfy his craving without losing his heart?

Corporate Maverick Zach Tanner returns to North Carolina to rebuild his dying friend’s resort. He’s got the money, the power, and the will to transform Sweetbriar Springs into a premier spa for the glamorous, but he doesn’t count on the woman he once loved…and lost…to handle the construction contract. Zach thought he’d buried his desire for Kennedy five years ago. He was wrong, and now he’s determined to satisfy his craving…

Construction company owner Kennedy Gibson is eager to restore Sweetbriar Springs, but when she realizes Zach is her new boss she’s terrified he’ll learn the truth about their breakup so long ago. She vowed never to hurt him again, but she can’t deny the passion he reignites in her. She wants to believe she has a chance for a different future with him, but will her secret threaten to destroy their red-hot reunion?

 

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write.

First, I’d like to thank you for inviting me to visit today. Currently, I live in Alabama with my husband AKA The Physicist. And like every wife/mom/cat-owned person, I am very active with my family. I write contemporary romances about strong women who fall in love with Alpha heroes with big hearts. 

 

Seems like it’s usually the man with the dark secret, but according to the blurb for The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion, our heroine, Kennedy, seems to be the one holding out on us in this story! Tell us about how this idea came about for you.

This idea was born out of another four book series I was contemplating to write in 2011. I had a very different plan in mind, but then I learned a dear friend’s mother—my surrogate mom in so many ways—had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS—also known as Lou Gehrigs). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. I was devastated, heartbroken and had to do something so I went online and researched this diagnosis. I learned that many people and families who struggle with this disease want something good to come out of it, too. So that’s how the reunion idea popped in my brain. My main characters are reunited by their mutual best friend, a former gold medal Olympian, who also wants to see something good come out of his diagnosis, too. He knows these two are made for each other, and he knows why Kennedy pushed Zach away. If people read the book, I hope they’ll root for Kennedy and Zach to find their way back to each other. 

 

Tell us three things we might find in Kennedy’s purse.

A picture of her parents, pretzels just in case she gets hungry, and coral lipstick because even though she wears a construction hat by day, she’s all woman at heart.

 

What is Zach’s worst habit?

Zach loves to ride his V-rod Harley Davidson, fast. Sometimes too fast and too aggressively.

 

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?

I read across all the romance genres. I love Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Lynn Raye Harris, Melanie Milburn, Suzanne Brockman, Julia Quinn, Katharine Ashe, Kristan Higgins, Meg Cabot, the list goes on forever. I love an author who can make me cry and laugh out loud. Currently, I’m reading Hot Pursuit by Lynn Raye Harris. It’s hot!

 

What’s the heat level in The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion?

Steamy, sizzling heat level.

 

What is your favorite part of the writing process – first draft, read-through, editing, etc.?

I love discovering the characters and planning the story, but I need to get through the first draft before I really know what’s going on. My favorite part is revising, hands down.

 

Give us celebrity look-a-likes for Kennedy and Zach.

Kennedy is a lot like Emma Thompson, but she has green eyes. I have a lot of Ryan Reynolds pictures for Zach.

 

What is your drink of choice while writing?

I write in the mornings so it’s coffee, tea or water. Once I sign off and 5PM hits, I’m ready for my first glass of wine.

 

Plotter or pantser?

A bit of both. I like to loosely plot the emotional turning points, but I’m really a pantser-fixer-upper. Doesn’t matter how much I prepare, the characters take over and drive the story.

 

What’s your current work in progress?

I’m working on the sequel to The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion—Hannah and Caleb’s love story. It’s a bad boy tamed by the hometown good girl. Hannah used to have a crush on him when she was younger. Caleb rejected her advances before he shipped out with the Marines. Now he’s home and working as a corporate troubleshooter for Tanner Enterprises. And Hannah’s one of his temporary employees at Sweetbriar Springs Resort. Caleb doesn’t plan to stay, but sparks are flying and this time Hannah won’t take no for an answer. But acting on his desire might lead to dangerous consequences to their hearts.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion?

I’m donating a percentage of my royalties to the ALS Association. You can find out more about how to make a difference in your corner of the world by going to www.als.org.

Thanks again for having me! And I’d love to give one lucky commenter an e-copy of The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion.

 

The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Visit Christine’s website: christinegloversite.com where you can sign up for her newsletter

Follow Christine on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

ChristineBorn in the Netherlands, Christine moved to Canada where she spent her formative years. Then she married her Texan Alpha Physicist, moved to the United States and she has lived both south and north of the Mason Dixon line. Now Christine resides in Alabama with her husband, two insane cats and her wonderful daughter. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew.