• authors,  book launch,  contests,  motherhood

    Sunny Monday and winners!

    Good morning lovelies and Happy Monday!

    I’m a little (see a lot) tired this morning after a busy non-writing weekend with The DD who decided early Saturday morning that she could not live another moment without her mother. Nah! That’s not true. Though she missed me a bit, she really wanted to come home to get her hair done and begged me to come and pick her up for it. And yes, I relented (of course). But first I did the same thing she did and called my mom begging for someone to ride with. So I packed her up along with my sweet God daughter and we took a fun road trip checking out the gorgeous fall foliage along the way. Here is a lovely pic from on campus. What a day!

    I went old school with pulling winners for Jax’s Date with a Siren contest and our winner are Toni and Stephanie! Congrats ladies. Please email me at kwanawrites (at) yahoo (dot) com with your info and Jax will be in contact!

    Have a great week everyone!

     

    All the best,

    Kwana

  • authors,  book launch,  Books,  interviews,  Uncategorized

    Date with a Siren… author interview with Jax Cassidy plus a Giveaway!

    Hello lovelies. Today on ye old blog I’m so honored to have one of my very good friends, the multi-talented and multi-published, Jax Cassidy! Jax is here to talk about and celebrate her newest release SIREN’S SEDUCTION. Welcome Jax.

    J.C.  Thanks so much for letting me visit your awesome site! I’m super stoked about being here.

    K.M.  Can you tell us about SIREN’S SEDUCTION?

    J.C.  I’m a sucker for love stories and this one is a sad one. It’s about two characters that are broken, have lived through hardships, that find each other through fate. There is a sprinkling of my Eastern beliefs woven into the storyline but the essence of the story is about overcoming obstacles, valuing yourself, and allowing yourself to give and be loved. This particular story is very special to me because it’s the first print contracted story that was released through a small press publisher. Recently, I got my rights reverted to me and decided to breathe new life into it. I also felt that because it had such a small distribution, it didn’t reach a wider national and international market…so now it will.

    SIREN’S SEDUCTION

    Niko Chow craves solitude. Only fate won’t leave him in peace. His desire to overcome his demons leads him to a promise made to a dying friend and into the arms of a seductive chanteuse.

    Donovan Matthews ignites a passion within him he has long denied. The more time he spends with her, the more Niko finds her spitfire determination and generous heart as sensuous and exotic as the lotus blossoms that bloom in his garden. Can she end his internal war and help heal his aching soul?

    K.M.  That sounds way sexy and Niko seems quite tortured. Tell us what are your favorite types of heroes?

    J.C.  Definitely the tortured hero but more on the gamma side. I love me some dark, brooding, and passionate heroes but I don’t want a wuss either. I’m also not a fan of alpha heroes simply because I like my men to have a sensitive side. I feel it gives him the advantage over an alpha hero who always sets out to prove he’s the man in any situation.

    K.M.  What made you take the step into self publishing?

    J.C.  Honestly? While I was waiting on contracts with New York publishers, I didn’t want my readers to forget me. Self publishing gives me a lot of control and since I am the publisher, I can put out the story of my heart every time without making sacrifices. I feel I have an advantage over the general writer who self publishes stories without having any prior experience or knowledge of the industry. I’ve spent almost a decade being involved and learning about publishing which allows me to make the right choices that are both professional and beneficial to me as a writer.

    I’m not out there putting up stories that I haven’t spent a great deal of time and effort into. I focus on re-writing, editing, layout, distribution, and everything in between while channeling the publisher’s mindset. There is a lot of time intensive labor involved and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. There’s not a product I would put out without being proud of the final product. I’m not saying it will be perfect but it will be as perfect as I can possibly make it. However, it’s still trial and error and I’m sure I’ll get dinged along the way but I’m prepared for it. All I can do is keep learning the craft and putting my best foot forward.

    A lot of my NY published author friends have done exceedingly well and they’ve even passed on NY contracts to self publish, but that’s not my goal. Self publishing allows me to have the best of both worlds and helps build my readership for when I have books back in the brick and mortar bookstores.

    K.M.  Now I know you are a woman of many talents. Besides being an author you are a web mistress and graphic designer. How has this helped you with stepping into the world of self publishing?

    J.C.  I’ve worked many years as a marketing/art director for a successful international company as well as for a publishing company that prepared me to tackle self publishing. Being an artist and designer helps with the overall branding and packaging of my products. Right now it may be a one-woman show but I’m a control freak and I like things just right. Web design and cover or product design is therapeutic. It makes me happy to create something that is eye-catching and even prouder that my clients love it. I wouldn’t hand off a project without loving it completely because I am all about creating something special that I would do for my own self. It’s got to have a lot of love in it and I hope it shows through.

    K.M.  For fun can you give us a song that would be on Niko and Donovan’s playlist?

    J.C.  THE STORY by Brandi Carlisle. It’s such a heartbreaking song but totally defines what a person will do for love. It’s one of those songs that make me a weepy and the ballad is so haunting and emotional that I can’t stop listening to it.

    K.M.  What can we look for next from you?

    J.C.  There’s several stories in the works including a Christmas story for December, and of course, the upcoming release of SAIGON SUMMER in 2013 which is part of my charity fiction reads. I decided to release a book each year (if I’m not buried under deadlines) in which all author proceeds go to charity. This particular story is dear to my heart since it goes to my home country of Vietnam. For this release, I’ve picked charities that focus on fighting human trafficking and helping the survivors integrate into society again. I have a huge marketing plan and will involve live events to help raise awareness and serious dollars for these amazing organizations.

    K.M.  Where can folks find you and pick up Siren’s Seduction?

    J.C.  Readers can purchase my book on my website and almost all major online venues. The eBook is currently available and the print book is expected to be released in December. Since I love connecting to friends and readers on my social networks,  I’m usually found frequenting Facebook or Twitter. I spend a great of time on Romance Divas since I co-founded the site. I wish I had more time in the day to add more social networks to my list but I figured my time should be spent wisely on trying to send proposals to my agent as well as writing regularly.

    Website:  www.jaxcassidy.com
    Facebook:  www.facebook.com/authorjaxcassidy
    Twitter:  www.twitter.com/jaxcassidy
    For writers & readers: www.romancedivas.com

    K.M.  Thanks so much for being here Jax! It’s been a real pleasure.

    J.C.  Thanks, Kwana! I’ve had such a fabulous time and I hope that folks will give me and my stories a chance! For those totally new to me, I have a few free short HOT reads available on my website, Smashwords, Kobo, B&N and more…

    K.M. Please leave a comment or question for Jax and 2 lucky folks will win a copy of Siren’s Seduction from Jax. Thanks Jax!


    JAX CASSIDY followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary & paranormal romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, an award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent. She is represented by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency.

  • authors,  book launch,  Books,  interviews

    Living the Laws of Love… Interview with author Lisa White

    Hi Folks I’m pleased to have on ye old blog today another fellow Crimson author Lisa White. Her contemporary romance: The Laws of Love is currently available from Crimson Romance.

    Welcome Lisa!

    Kwana, thank you for hosting me!  It is an honor to be here today.

    Can you tell us a bit about The Laws of Love?

    THE LAWS OF LOVE is set in a small, Virginia town where fly-fishing is the favorite pastime, Hampton Steel is essentially the only employer and Associate General Counsel Livi Miller believes she has reached the top rung of Hampton Steel’s corporate ladder. With her alcoholic boss retiring soon, Livi is the presumptive heir to Hampton Steel’s general counsel position. However, in the midst of proving herself promotion-worthy, Livi’s high school sweetheart, Jake Cooper, returns from Iraq and causes long-lost butterflies to alight in Livi’s emotionally charged stomach. The resulting loss of her promotion to slimy newcomer Edward Winston combines with her rekindled feelings for Jake to place Livi on track to choose between her career and her heart.
    If she chooses Hampton Steel, she saves her hometown. If she chooses Jake, she saves her butterflies as well as herself.

    What made you choose doing a hometown romance?

    First, I love small towns, especially small towns in the South.  There is nothing like that old hometown feeling and I think that feeling is important to Livi in THE LAWS OF LOVE.  The familiarity of her small hometown is really the only stabilizing force in her life.  She would not be the same person if my book was set elsewhere – and I don’t think I would like that.  The small town setting helps make Livi who she is in the book.

    Second, I love a lost love story.  You know, about the ones that got away.  Everyone has someone from high school or college that they remember fondly – or they think “What if?”  Jake is that for Livi – the one that got away.  He makes her feel young again – a high school sweetheart.  But lost loves always carry baggage and it is interesting to see how couples get past all that baggage.  And in small towns – there is always a lot of baggage!

    Tell us about your hero, I see he’s a vet. Is there a special story there?

    A few years ago a father in my son’s preschool was deployed to Iraq.  I remember seeing the mother drop her boys off each morning and we were all counting the days until the father shipped out.  When that day finally came and he left for Iraq, I was so shocked to see the mother doing what she did every other day – bringing her boys to preschool and going to work like it was any other day.  No tears from the mother.  No tantrums from the boys.  Now, I am sure many tears were shed at their home early that morning, but by the time I saw them, they were back in their same routine.  When I asked her about it, she told me that was her job – to take care of her family while her husband was away, to make sure his home was intact when he returned.  That amazed me and taught me that military life is a family affair.  The entire family signs up and has a sense of duty and honor.  I wanted Jake to have that same sense.  He takes care of his parents, his sister and he wants to take of Livi if she would stop being so stubborn.  It was easy to give Jake that sense of honor – of doing what is right – if I simply made him a soldier.  All I had to do was state that Jake was a vet and readers automatically know what kind of person he is.  They automatically identify him as a good guy, a guy with integrity – a guy that wants to take care of the woman he loves – if she would just let him.

    Now from your bio I can see you are a lawyer as well as a busy mother. When do you have time to fit in writing?

    I reluctantly became a night person.  From 9:00 p.m. to whenever, I am writing or reading or marketing my books.  As you know, writing is a full time job with little to no pay, so you really have to love what you are doing – and I love it!  It is a nice way to end the day and I look forward to hitting the computer each night after my family goes to bed.  A working mom can get a lot done if everyone is asleep!  Now, where did I put the Nyquil…? (just kidding!)

     

    That’s so funny and don’t think I haven’t thought of it. LOL. Now please, tell us what’s next for you?

    As everyone knows, I just finished the first book in The Council of Powers trilogy, Discovery.  It is a young adult romantic suspense with some paranormal elements.  The heroine, Grace, thinks she is normal, a little shy maybe, but no less normal than any other seventeen-year-old.  But she does not know about the secretive Powers world.  She does not know she is the last person on earth with the DNA needed for the Powers’ survival.  And she certainly does not know her newest boyfriend, Gregory, is an Anti-Powers prince who intends to break her heart and her bones in no particular order.  But when she discovers that Ben, her best friend and unrequited former crush, is actually her secret Guardian with superhuman powers, Grace’s normal turns a little wacky.  And when she learns that she has The Gift, the rare power to heal the injured and resurrect life with her touch, it is official – Grace is a weirdo even in the Powers world.  But what freaks Grace out more than all that is the fact she has feelings for Ben again – and he has feelings for her – which makes Grace’s new normal a lot more complicated.

     

    Unfortunately, Crimson Romance only handles adult romances – so I am once again going through the query process to find a YA publisher.  Frustrating, I know, but we writers don’t choose the book to write – it chooses us!  And I love the characters Ben and Grace – flawed teenagers who simply want to have their first kiss – unfortunately life keeps getting in their way and that first kiss is quite elusive.  Hopefully, Ben and Grace will make their public debut soon!

     

    Best of luck with your YA. And that is so true. We don’t choose the book, it chooses us. Thanks so much for being here. It was truly a pleasure.

    Thank you!  It was fun!

    The Laws of Love can be found at:

    www.crimsonromance.com

    http://www.amazon.com/author/lisawhite

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-laws-of-love-lisa-white/1111808971?ean=9781440552298

    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8

     

    And Lisa can be reached at her website here:  www.lisawhiteauthor.com

     

    And on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-White-Author/345773668818384?ref=hl

     

    Best,

    K.M.

     

    aka

    Kwana

     

  • authors,  book launch,  interviews

    Summer Promises… interview with author Laura Simcox

    Today on ye old blog I’m pleased to feature another fellow Crimson author, Laura Simcox whose fun and sexy book: Summer Promises will be available next week!

     

    Welcome Laura!

    Thanks, lady!

    Can you please tell us about Summer Promises?

    ‘Summer Promises’ is a tribute to theater people everywhere who are searching for happily ever after. It’s hard to find love when work requires a person to move constantly for jobs that last a few months at best. In this story, a young woman finds her true love while working at a summer theater. She’s sworn off getting involved with another man who will leave her cold; in fact it’s her ONLY promise to herself before taking this job. But as luck would have it, her dream man is just behind the stage curtain! All she has to do is pull it open.

    This sounds lovely. I’d call it a good post summer, I wish I were still on the beach read.

    What was your inspiration?

    I was inspired to write this because of my own experience working in summer theater. I’ve seen a lot of broken hearts and a lot of lonely people. That’s not to say that true love can’t be found, because I’ve witnessed that as well. Even a Christmastime proposal on an actors’ tour bus! But for the most part, theater romance is tough. I wanted to give it a happy ending with Asher and Carly.

    A tour bus proposal? How cool!

    Asher seems hot. Did you have someone in mind when writing him?

    Not specifically. On the surface, Asher appears to be a moody, self-involved artist. Once Carly gets to know him, how can she resist? Because he’s a rare gem: a truly good man wrapped in a delicious layer of hottie. J After I wrote the book I realized he looks a little bit like Hugh Jackman. And that can only be good.

    Hugh is always a winner! Now one of my favorite questions, please tell us the story of your “overnight” success.

    I was tired, standing in the living room wearing a plastic blow up pirate hat hiding my Kindle behind a magazine while I checked my e-mail. (I never should have downloaded toddler games onto it!) A bunch of junk scrolled down my screen and then I spotted ‘The One’. It was a message from my (now) editor telling me she really enjoyed my book and wanted to buy it. I stood stock still for about twenty seconds reading and re-reading. Then I told my son in a pirate voice “Yarr, yer momma’s going to be published, matie!” He said “Pirate Mamma?” I said “Sure! Whatever ye want.” Then we went back to playing pirates, but I had a lot more energy after that!!

    I love that story. What’s next for you?

    Speaking of pirates, I’m working on another contemporary romance, but this has a time travel twist. My hero is a fortune hunter searching for a ‘lost to the ages’ original Shakespeare manuscript. My heroine is a budding archeologist searching for a job. Together, they step through a portal onto an eighteenth century island populated by pirates and miscreants. Let the hunt begin!

    That sounds great. Now, where can we find you on the web?

    Laura can be found at: http://www.laurasimcox.com

    And on FB at: http://www.facebook.com/authorlaurasimcox

    And on Summer Promises is available for preorder here on Amazon here

    Thanks so much for being here Laura. Wishing you the best with Summer Promises.

     

    All the best,

    Kwana

     

     P.S. Just a reminder: My Jumping Through tell 2 friends contest is still going on here. Enter to win a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift card plus other fun prizes! Ends Friday. Don’t miss out! Click on over!

     

  • authors,  book launch,  Books,  Through The Lens

    Hello My Name Is…

    Happy Wednesday! Gee this week is flying by isn’t it? Today I’m hanging out with the Ladies In Red. The Ladies in Red Blog is the fantastic unofficial blog of the ladies of Crimson Romance. Please head on over there where I’m doing a Meet The Lady In Red  -K.M. Jackson (Me!) guest post. Just go on over, say I sent you, and pretend that I don’t over-share over here and you don’t already know all the answers to all the questions. Thanks!

     

    Also have you entered my tell 2 friends contest yet? Well come on and get in there too!

    Have a great Wednesday. You doing anything fab today? Me, I’m about to have my pipes snaked. Seriously, I’m about to have them snaked and no, the plumber is nothing like either of those guys from that naughty commercial. Oh well.

     

    Best,

    Kwana

  • authors,  book launch,  Books,  interviews

    The Reluctant Deb: An interview with author Becky Lower

    Howdy folks, today I’d like to welcome another fantastic Crimson Romance author, Becky Lower to ye old blog. Becky has written a fantastic historical (you know how I love my historicals!) called THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANT.

    Before we get to the questions here is a bit about THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE:

    In 1855 New York, Ginger Fitzpatrick has absolutely no interest in taking part in the newest rage in America – the Cotillion Ball. Instead, Ginger would rather be rallying for women’s rights – at least until she meets her brother’s best friend from St. Louis, a dark mysterious man named Joseph Lafontaine, who ignites her passion and makes her question if love and marriage is such a ridiculous notion after all.

    What she and the rest of New York’s high society don’t realize is that Joseph is half Ojibwa Indian, and therefore, totally unsuitable for marriage to a fine, cultured young lady.

    In this Edith Wharton meets Julia Quinn tale, a young woman rebels against high society and opts for a life in which she creates her own set of rules.

    Welcome Becky! Thanks for being here today.

    Thanks, Kwana. I’m honored to be your guest.

    Firstly I love that your book is written in 1855 high society. What made you go back there?

    Why did I choose to write about New York City in 1855? I didn’t. It chose me. Let me explain.

    I love Regency romances. Gobble them up. Julia Quinn is an all-time favorite, as is Tessa Dare, Lisa Klepas and Stephanie Laurens, to name a few. I think I’ve exhausted all the Regency books in the library by now. The balls, the lavish gowns, the intrigue, the push to find a suitable partner, the Dukes—it’s all so rich and fascinating. But I’m a home-grown American girl, not interested in learning all the trappings and protocol of English society in the detail necessary to write decent Regencies. I wanted to learn more about my own country. My “Aha” moment happened when I heard about a young ice skater, definitely an over-achiever and someone who had wealthy parents willing to accommodate her various diversions. She skated at the highest international levels, was set to attend Harvard in the fall, and she had just made her debut into society at her Cotillion ball. I hadn’t thought about the Cotillion as an American tradition, but I had friends who went through it when they were teenagers, so I began pumping them for information. And doing my research.

    The roots of the Cotillion as a way to introduce well-bred young ladies into society and to their potential husbands was imported to this country in 1854, the brainstorm of a relative of John Jacob Astor, Annie Schermerhorn. It began as a masquerade ball, but by 1855, had become de rigueur for all wealthy females of marriageable age. As I began to set my stage for the series, I discovered the decade leading up to the Civil War was chock full of historic events—more than enough to craft a series around. The war may not have begun until 1861, when shots were fired on Fort Sumter, but the fighting began many years prior to that. Not only was there the question of slavery, but also the fight for women’s rights was beginning. Amelia Bloomer livened up New York in 1855 with her protests in the streets. And there was the whole western expansion, with wagon trains departing from St. Joseph and St. Louis, MO every spring. It was an exciting time for our raw and wild country, and I’ve tried to portray the women and men who tamed it in an appropriate vein.

    The more I dug, the more I found to enrich the story—not only for Ginger and Joseph in The Reluctant Debutante, but in my second book, The Abolitionist’s Secret, due out in December, through Crimson Romance. That book deals with the Underground Railroad in New York City and how one evening’s events changed the life of my heroine and hero forever. My current work in progress is set in St. Louis and details the wagon trains that originated from there every spring.

    Have you always enjoyed historical romance?

    I loved the Little House On The Prairie series when I was young. My first contest win, when I was 12, was about Tom Dooley’s hanging. And, I wrote a screenplay for Bonanza that same year, resulting in my first-ever rejection letter. I’ve already let you know I love Regencies. So, I guess the answer is, yes. I’m not that much of a cowboy person, but give me a fur trapper or a gold digger any day.

    I enjoy a spirited heroine. Did you have a specific inspiration for Ginger?

    I didn’t have one specific person in mind as inspiration for Ginger. I like to think of her as the embodiment of several people who were leaders in the feminist movement—a bit of Gloria Steinem, a bit of Muriel Siebert—the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, which didn’t happen until 1967, by the way, and maybe a bit of me.

    Any advice for the budding historical writer?

    Find a time period you’re passionate about and write the best story you can. You can also educate your reader while you’re telling your story, which is a hidden benefit of writing historicals. By weaving in bits of actual history into my stories, by plunking my characters down in the middle of the action as events that shaped our country unfolded, I like to show how these milestone events impacted the lives of everyday citizens. The movie “Titanic” showed the very real disaster through the eyes of Jack and Rose, two of many aboard ship during the voyage. The moviegoer walked out of the theater with a better understanding of the class structure adhered to on board ship, and how both Jack and Rose chafed against the boundaries imposed upon them by society. You can read about it in history books, but it doesn’t become alive until you see how it impacts the lives of everyday people. That’s what I’m trying to do with my books.

    What can we look for next from you?

    My next book is due out in December, also from Crimson Romance. It’s called The Abolitionist’s Secret and is the second in the Cotillion Ball Series. It’s about Ginger’s younger sister, Heather, who unintentionally becomes an abolitionist when she helps a slave escape the clutches of the slavemongers chasing her. Freedom of all slaves then becomes her passion, which puts her in conflict with her beloved’s way of life, since he is from a southern plantation.

    Where can we find you on the web?

    My website and blog can be found at http://www.beckylowerauthor.com/index.html

    Thanks so much for being here. It was pleasure.

    Thanks for hosting me. It’s been fun. Great questions.

    Best,

    Kwana

  • authors,  films,  my view,  romance

    Love Between The Covers

    I’m loving the idea of this documentary: Love Between The Covers and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Being a romance lover and novelist I’m all for women supporting women and there are now 4 days left if you’d like to get on board and support this Kickstarter project too. You can check out the details here.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • authors,  book launch,  writers

    Nope you can’t plan it… Interview with author Synithia Williams

    Don’t you just love finding new friends? I sure do and today I’m please to introduce you to a new writer friend and fellow Crimson author, Synithia William’s whose book YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE has just come out this week.

     

    Welcome Synithia and congratulations!

    Thanks so much for having me over, Kwana! I love how the internet let’s me “meet” so many new people.

    Now, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the book and loved it but can you tell the blog readers about YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE?

    Sure here’s a synopsis.

    After several bad relationships, Kenyatta Copeland decides to control her love life with the same discernment she uses in her professional life.

    Knowing firsthand the heartbreak that comes when desire and emotion rule a relationship, Kenyatta assumes marrying Brad Johnson will lead to a stable life. But as much as she believes she can plan her future, it’s hard to ignore the way her boss, Malcolm Patterson, ignites her passions with just one look. After Malcolm learns of her engagement, he makes a play for her heart and reminds her that passion between a man and a woman has its perks … but also its costs. When Brad suspects there’s more than work between Kenyatta and Malcolm, he works harder to keep Kenyatta by his side. Torn between her promise to marry Brad and her irrepressible longing for Malcolm, Kenyatta must decide if she can live her life in a passionless marriage of convenience or once again trust her heart. Yet Brad isn’t as perfect as he seems, and by the time Kenyatta realizes this it may be too late.

    What drew you to writing romance, have you always been a fan of the genre?

    I am a sucker for romance (as most of us romance writers are). I started reading romances in middle school and haven’t stopped since. Life is full of unhappy endings and negative emotions; I don’t see anything wrong with losing yourself in a romance novel and forgetting the harshness of reality.

    You’re hero has a wonderful environmental connection. Is this something that’s close to your heart?

    It is! In 2010 I was dubbed a “Green Queen” by our area’s largest newspaper. I spend my days working on sustainability projects (air, water, green business, etc.) when I needed a career for my main characters, it was easy to put them in the field of water quality. I felt most comfortable in my writing that way. I’ve noticed that in my other books, I throw in some type of “green” quality to the characters. I can’t help it, it’s ingrained in me.

    Plus, Malcolm was a kind of fantasy for me. A tall, dark, handsome man who also loves the environment. Too often “greenies” are thought of as Birkenstock wearing, granola eating, tree huggers. I wanted to show that doesn’t have to be the case.

    Now for one of my favorite questions: Please tell the story of your “overnight” writing success.

    It feels like an overnight occurrence to me. I’ve written for years, off and on, without any real push to try hard. It was always a pipe dream to become a published writer. Then in 2010, a colleague packed up her stuff and moved her three kids and husband to Ohio so she could attend law school. It was a wakeup call. If she could go after her dream, then so could I.  If I wanted to be a writer I would have to actively pursue it. So that’s what I did. I finished my book in 2010, revised numerous times in 2011, got so many critiques that I can’t begin to thank everyone (but I can do a quick shout out to Ester, TJ and Danita), took webinars, read everything I could, noticed the trend in e-books and started querying e-publishers in 2012. I am so blessed that my turnaround was quick, because I know other writers are at this for years.

    That is wonderful! Finally, please tell us what’s next for you?

    I’ve finished my second novel about Malcolm’s brother and am awaiting feedback from beta readers. In the meantime, I’m writing my third novel about Malcolm’s best friend. Ideas keep popping up, so I have about three first chapters written to other novels I hope—no will—complete one day.

    Thanks so much for being here today. It was a pleasure and I wish you much success with YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE.

    Thanks so much for having me, Kwana! Good luck to you, too. In case your readers don’t know, your hero (Alejandro) is hot!

    Aww now I’m blushing. Thanks so much.

    YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE can be found here at: http://tiny.cc/x9k9hw or www.crimsonromance.com

    And SYNTHIA can be reached at her website here: www.synithiawilliams.com

    And on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams

    And on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/@synithiaw

     

    All the best,

    Kwana

     

  • authors,  Books,  interviews

    Testing Time! Interview with author Nancy Loyan

    So one look at the cover of author Nancy Loyan’s book Lab Test and you can’t help but be pulled in by the puppy dog eyes and then you get a look at the tag line of:

    Can the unconditional love shared by a dog and a master lead to love between a man and a woman?” and you can’t help but go, ok now I really want to know more.

    Well, today I have fellow Crimson Romance author, Nancy here to answer the burning questions.

    Welcome Nancy!

    -Thank you, Kwana. It’s an absolute pleasure being here.

    Firstly, please tell us about the cover of Lab Test. Why the sad little dog?

    -First of all, I love the cover that the artists at Crimson Romance created for “Lab Test.” It captures the essence of the novel. I see the black Labrador Retriever as not being sad but a bit mystical and introspective with that “all-seeing, all-knowing” eye. That cute little face is hinting at what transpires in the book. Behind that face and those eyes is the heart and soul of the book’s heroine, the integral part of the plot. Well, if the puppy seems sad, she was found by the book’s hero wandering the streets if inner-city Detroit rather forlorn and out of her element.

    Ahh now I get it. Poor Samantha. She’s like shape shifting Sam from True Blood but trapped, hence the sad eyes. It makes total sense to me now.

    -Not sad but all-knowing.

    That is so sweet. Tell me what was your inspiration for this story? Could it be watching True Blood?

    -Honestly, I’ve never watched True Blood and rarely watch television. My inspiration came from my previous dog, Ebony. Ebony was a black Lab-Pointer mix found abandoned in the parking lot of a local amusement park. The area, I discovered, was known for being a “dog dump.”

    Ebony was my first experience with the hunting dog personality. I had Collies before and they are like the fashion models of the dog world. They are beautiful, high-maintenance, loving but a bit aloof. Labs and Pointers are totally different. Labs are extremely close and personable. They read emotions and moods and act accordingly. Ebony challenged me and, because she was an “Alpha dog” kept me on my toes with her cunning mind. I liked the “give and take.” It was more of a relationship than a master-owner scene. I used to call her my “child in a dog suit.” Labs are also “Saran-wrap” dogs because they are always nearby. Yes, they sleep in the bed, too! They have a way of endearing themselves and it’s no wonder that they have been the AKC’s top dog for well over ten years.

    I lost my beloved Ebony at the age of 16 and “Lab Test” is dedicated to her. I currently have a black Lab-Pointer mix, Topaz and her boisterous sister, an English Pointer, Amber. I love dogs!

    I can see that and Ebony sounds so special.

    Now please tell us what drew you to writing paranormal romance?

    -I’ve always liked paranormal romance. When I was a child I was drawn to time travels. I absorbed Jules Verne novels. One of my all-time favorite movies is “Somewhere in Time.” I also loved the television series “Time Tunnel.” I liked “Bewitched.” Of course, I was addicted to “I Dream of Jeannie.”

    Somewhere in Time was such a great movie. Can you tell us what’s next for you?

    -Next? I’m sure that I will be receiving revision notes from Crimson Romance for my next novel, a contemporary romance, tentatively titled “Hearts of Steel,” that will be out in October. I have two additional novels contracted with Crimson. Yes, one is a time travel. I am also revising some old manuscripts and have begun a new novel that has been in my head for a very long time and is itching to get out.

    That’s wonderful. We well stay on the lookout for the nest book. Thanks so much for being here.

    Thank you for having me!

    Lab Test can be found here:

    http://www.amazon.com/Lab-Test-ebook/dp/B008195EOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343918639&sr=8-1&keywords=nancy+loyan

    And Nancy can be reach on her web site here: www.NLSScribe.com

    And on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/nancy.l.schuemann

     

    Best,

    Kwana

     

     

     

  • authors,  book launch,  Books

    Fine Romance and a winner!

    Happy Monday!

    I’m hoping you all had a wonderful weekend and got to spend a little time with friends and/or family. Cherishing those you love and letting them know how much you care. Thanks so all of you who commented on the Farrah Rochon giveaway. The winner thank to random number generator is…. 2

    Stretch! Stretch, thanks so much for commenting. Please send me an email atL kwanawrites (at) yahoo (dot) com and send me your info to forward to Farrah and she will be sure to get you your book. Congrats.

    Get ready for a Fine Romance!

     

    Best,

    Kwana

     

    Image from here