Lifted we have a Wild Winner
What’s Jack up to? As I write this Jack is tip tapping around. His little nails making lots of noise on the wood floor. Though he just got a spiffy new summer cut I think the nails could use more help. Or maybe I could use more Patience.
Thanks to random.org the winner of the copy of Wendy Toliver’s Lifted is….
Maria Geraci!! Congratulations Maria. Now for those of you that don’t know Maria let me introduce her. Maria is a talented author herself of 2 novels Bunco Babes Go Wild and Bunco Babes Tell All. You can visit Maria’s site here to find out more about them and her next book The Boyfriend Club which comes out in December. I can’t wait to read it. Maria, send me an email with your info for your book.
In random music news you may or may not want to hear or care about. I’m all about listening to the new Erykah Badu CD. Today I need a Window Seat. I won’t post the her naked statement on the Dallas Mall video here though I do think I get it. Maybe? If I do. I like it. I will share this song which I can’t stop singing.
Best
Kwana
Lifted with Wendy Toliver and a giveaway!
Happy Monday! And this is a special Monday because it’s the beginning of my birthday week so I’m sure you’ll all stop right now and join me in a moment of raucous cheer. No? Me neither. Actually like holidays my birthday usually gets me down so I’ll be relying on all you folks to keep spirits up around here.
In order to do that I’m kicking off the week with some fun and I’m very proud to welcome my friend, the super talented young adult writer, Wendy Toliver to ye old blog. I met Wendy many years ago at one of RWA’s national conferences and we instantly hit it off. She has such a generous spirit and bubbly personality that you can’t help but be drawn in. I sure was.
Today Wendy is here to celebrate the launch of her latest release: Lifted just out this month. It’s the story of a good girl gone bad. Here’s the blurb:Being bad never felt so good.
Poppy Browne never stole anything in her life before moving to Pleasant Acres and meeting Mary Jane and Whitney. But when Poppy walks out of the mall with her two new friends and her first pair of stolen jeans, she’s hooked.
Before long, Poppy is lifting whenever she gets the urge–it’s never about the merchandise, it’s always about the thrill. But when her secret gets out, Poppy’s clique turns on each other. As she watches her life collapse around her, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie…and how far she’ll go to protect herself.
Hi Wendy. Welcome!
Tell us what made you write about the controversial topic of teenage shoplifting?
I wanted to write about an issue that is familiar to most people. I watched a TV documentary on teenage shoplifting and got to talking to friends and discovered that most everybody has shoplifted at least a pack of gum sometime in his or her life or knows someone who has. Then, to make it extra controversial, I chose a Bible belt town as the setting.You’ve had a variety of jobs in a short amount of time including acting and even singing telegrams. What brought you to the world of writing?
I’ve always loved writing, and when I was a freelance copy writer, I had an experience in LA that I thought would make a good story so I decided to try my hand at writing fiction. I went about it all wrong (though I did finish the manuscript, which is a good thing) and was glad when someone suggested I join a writing organization like RWA. That was the best thing I could do because it taught me about the industry, gave me ways of meeting new friends with similar interests and goals, and eventually paired me up with my first literary agent.
Why do you enjoy writing young adult?
I really enjoyed that point in my life. Everything is so exciting and the future is wide open. I love that both adults and young adults read it, and there’s something extra special about getting fan mail from teenagers. In general, they’re so enthusiastic and it makes it all worthwhile.You are the mother of three energetic young boys and whenever we talk it’s usually hands free and all the go. How do you find the time to write? What’s your schedule like?
Ha! Lately it’s been really hard because 2 of my boys are in school but school’s out for summer. Basically I get all my internet correspondence done over breakfast and write a couple of hours in the afternoons when they’re playing outside or resting. If I find they’re not cooperating I can also hire a “mommy’s helper” to keep tabs on them while I have writing time. When I’m on a really tough deadline, though, I am lucky that my mom will fly in to take care of my family. With Lifted’s revisions, I was writing 20 –hours a day and I couldn’t have done that without her help.What’s next for you?
I’m really not sure! I just sent a sweet middle grade proposal and a paranormal YA proposal to my agent. I’m eager to hear what she thinks!Thanks so much for being here. Lifted is a fabulous story full of heart and style as all your stories are. I can’t wait for my DD to read it.
Kwana, thank you so much for having me on your blog. And I hope your DD likes it!Also, if anyone would like a shot at winning a Border’s gift card and other fun prizes, please contact me via my web-site. Write the word “contest” in your message, as well as your name and US mailing address. This contest will go on the entire month of June. Good luck! And of course, we’re giving away a copy of Lifted to one lucky commenter. So comment away or ask a question. Winner will be announced on Wednesday!
You can find Wendy at her website here: www.wendytoliver.comor follow her on twitter at: www.twitter.com/wendytoliver
Best
KwanaComic Craze
Happy Memorial Day! Hope you all are enjoying a wonderful holiday. Jack and I plan on doing the usual and chilling close to the DH as he handles the grill. Can’t go wrong there.
If you remember last year at BEA I was all excited over the Pride and Prejudice comic. This year I got Sense and Sensibility. How cute is it? I also picked up a comic from James Patterson which is exciting for all his fans that go that way. It seems that comics though many of us my have left them before Archie made a choice (did he really marry Veronica?) is very much here to stay and blazing new trails. Do you read comics?
Best,
Kwana
BEA Haul Away
So I thought I’d share the reason my back and shoulders are still so sore. Here is my haul away from BEA. Quite a few goodies huh? Some happy reading here.
I kinda wish I could line the bedroom with bookshelves but no way the DH would go for that. I really need a library. Oh well, to dream.
Happy Friday! Tell me what are you currently reading?
Best,
Kwana
BEA Day and no Table Flipping
What’s Jack up to? Jack, like me, is trying to get over this heat. I mean come on 92 in New York in May. It’s just not cute people. Not cute at all.
Yesterday was such a fun and tiring day. It was BEA Day! That’s Book Expo America at the Javits Center which is way over in the boonies of 11th avenue of Manhattan where you are essentially captive, have to have overpriced food and drinks, breathe recycled air and walk miles in a big glass cube.
But I was saved for the ride down from Freshchester by the kindness of a friend. Thanks so much Ellen. I’ll travel with you anytime!
Once there I met up with my PIC Megan and I got to meet new friend author Victoria Janssen.
We also hung with the great and all book knowing Stacy.
And there was Chris and her friend Tina from Germany. Why didn’t I get a pic? Very sad. Good to see you Chris!
And then Diana. Hooray! So happy to get Ascendant the much anticipated follow up to Rampant.
I was, as usual, without restraint and have come home with too many books, but lots I’m happy to say are young adult that the Dear Twins can enjoy too. But I also got alot at the fab Harlequin booth from Brenda Jackson and Gwynne Forster and Rochelle Alers. At RWA I got to see Cathy Maxwell again who is just so nice and was wonderful on the romance panel.
No spotting of the Duchess Fergie for me. I think her event was ticketed so I missed that crowd but see from the news it was some event.
I was just about heading out the door vowing, “no more books!” when I saw a huge line and had to ask who it was. Well, my super blog friends it was none other than Teresa from The Real Housewives of New Jersey! And she was signing her book Skinny Italian! You know I wasn’t leaving without that book and meeting the famous table flipping Teresa.
Let me just say her line was so long but she was gracious and had a smile for each person and signed every book. Then when I went and asked for an additional book for my super fan and knit friend Eileen she was only too happy to give me another one for her. So sweet and the book is beautiful.
Great way to end the day!
Best,
Kwana
Darkly Luminous
Hi Folks. I’m moving slow today when I need to be typing at lightning speed on my edits. Oh well. Blame the lovely lady below. Leanna Renee Heiber. Doesn’t she look fabulous?
She was all done up for her reading last night at Lady Jane’s Salon and celebrating the release of her second book: The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker
It’s the sequel to her first book: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker
Leanna gets the best titles. These books are just wonderful. Her talent amazes me. Visit Leanna at her site here: http://www.leannareneehieber.com/
Also at the reading was chapter mate Christina Britton Conroy reading from her book One Man’s Music. She was so animated that you felt you were back in the 60s
Also award winning author Jerri Smith-Ready read from her YA Shade. Which is a tale of a girl who can see and talk to ghosts and is suddenly happy for this gift after her boyfriend dies? Cool concept huh?
Please visit the Lady Jane’s Site here. If you are NYC the first Monday of the month it’s not to be missed.
Best,
Kwana
Bestselling Advice from Suzanne Brockmann
What’s Jack up to? You all know it’s never a dull moment with Jack the terrible terrier. As I type this he’s looking at me with sad puppy dog eyes sitting on his bed on a Jack time out after having gotten into the trash. So you know I’m not thrilled with him after having to clean up a big old mess. Oh well, so starts the week.
This week and the next I will be in crazy editing mode and hopefully have my nose to the grindstone as I have lots of work to do and not a lot of time to do it. Wish me luck and say a prayer that the family cooperates.
On Saturday I went into the NYC for my RWA chapter’s Spring brunch. This year we had a guest speaker attend which is something we have not done in the past and boy did we get some speaker for out intimate little brunch. New York Times Bestselling Romantic Suspense Author Suzanne Brockmann. I know right?
Let me tell you we had quite a turn out at this year’s luncheon with Suzanne there. As it happens Suzanne is in New York directing an off Broadway play until May 22ndcalled Looking for Billy Haines. You can find out info at www.lookingforbillyhaines.com So on top of being bestselling author she can now add director to her resume. Cool huh?
My notes were a little whacky as Suzanne talked while lunch was being served. Literally. She was so sweet. The waiters were coming in with the food trying to figure who had what and she didn’t mind she was like, “Who had the quiche? Salad? Pot Pie?” All with a smile.
She told us her journey from being a stay at home mother is 1992 and how she started out writing screenplays and moved from there to contemporary romance.
She also talked about Role Modeling after bestsellers careers during that time and the fact that category romance is a great place to start out for a 1st time romance author. It’s where she got her start. And guess what? Bantam has reissued all her category romances.
Suzanne also said how in the category years she used to write 6-7 books a year. Yeah, that’s right I said it 6-7 and she set out to make them the best book ever. Keepers that people did not want to give up. There is something to aspire to.
There was also talk about the importance of one on one connections with people when the question of social media came up. And how important is to say thank you when someone reaches out to you to gives feedback on your work. Good or bad. She’s a good egg.
Then we got into the process question and my mind was blown. Now you Brockmann fans know she writes intricate plots and ongoing series with twists and turns. Well she does big honking 80 page outlines. You should have heard the gasp of air suckage around the room. Me the pantser almost fell off my chair.
But to soften the blow she also believes in the crappy first draft and that big outline is taking into consideration up to 3 books out. Whew.
Also for you writers out there, when she’s in story mode she is writing 7 days a week. No breaks. She said that if she takes a day off it will take her 3 days to get back into the story. I can so relate to that. No more breaks for me. One day turns to too many and nothing gets done.
There were so nuggets of gold in Suzanne’s talk and Q & A that I can’t get it all in. The last thing I’ll leave you with is she told us to respect yourself as a writer whether you’re published or not. I believe that is true for whatever dream you are pursuing. Respect yourself and believe in yourself.
Thanks so much Suzanne for a wonderful afternoon.
You can visit Suzanne at her site http://www.suzannebrockmann.com
Now back to the grind for me.
Best,
Kwana
Studly
Thanks for all the comments yesterday on what good books you all are warming up with. Some really good ones there. Adding to the TBR pile.
Today I wanted to share with you one of most fun book trailers EV-AH by super talented writer, Tessa Dare. Her book Goddess of the Hunt was one of my favorites last year. Now watch and Enjoy.
You can find Tessa over at on her site Tessadare.com here. Go and tell her what you think and pick up a book.
Now tell me what do you think of book trailers? This one is fab, yes?
Best,
Kwana
Warm Up With A Good Book
No, it’s not quite beach weather yet. Things are still way too breezy and unpredictable in the NYC. But you can always warm your toes and whatever else you like with a good book. What good books are keeping you cozy as you wait on the lazy days of summer so you can bare a little skin?
Oh and the winner thanks to Random.org of the Amanda McCabe Muse trilogy giveaway is… Julie! Congrats Julie and thanks for stopping by to enter. Please email me your info at kwanawrites (at) yahoo (dot) com so I can get in touch.
Best,
Kwana
image from here
Guest Blogger Alert: Author Amanda McCabe Muses on Mayfair
What’s Jack up to? Jack is happy to today because there is a guest blogger (with a nice giveaway) on ye’ old blog. Yay! And how can Jack not be thrilled? Look at the company Amanda McCabe keeps. Here she is with her pug Victoria and checkout sweet Abigail in her Halloween costume.
Yep, Jack in not alone in having an, um… interesting owner. Now here’s Amanda!
Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be back at Kwana’s blog today, and excited to be talking about my “Muses of Mayfair” trilogy from Harlequin Historicals. These books, To Catch a Rogue, To Deceive a Duke, and To Kiss a Count (plus the prequel, a Harlequin Historical Undone short story, where a real Greek Muse comes to wreak havoc on Regency London!) are out in April, May, and June. They’re very special to me since I got to re-visit two childhood dreams—to have sisters and to become an archaeologist! Neither came true alas, but that’s what writing is for…
I became fascinated by archaeology when I was kid and found a beautiful book my parents owned about famous archaeological sites around the world. There were gorgeous photos and detailed articles about the sites’ discovery and exploration. I spent hours poring over this book! But then I tore up the newly-planted grass in our backyard to search for Viking treasure (with assistance from our German shepherd, who was very enthusiastic about this kind of research!). My dad was not happy, and my fledgling career as the new Howard Carter was nipped in the bud. But I never lost my love of history and a good tale of adventure and discovery, and I was able to use this with the Muses.
The Chase sisters are a product of the Regency-era love of the classical world and infatuation with its artwork. Their father, Sir Walter Chase, is a famous scholar and antiquarian who named his daughters after the Muses. Now the 3 eldest—Calliope, Clio, and Thalia—follow in his footsteps as scholars in their own rights. They form the Ladies Artistic Society to further their studies—but their bookish lives are overturned by the unexpected arrival of 3 sexy, dangerous heroes!
I had so much fun creating 3 very different heroines and finding the perfect men for them, as well as exploring their sisterly connections. I also loved putting them 3 different settings and plotting the mysteries surrounding ancient objects. Calliope and Cameron in To Catch a Rogue are in glittering London and Gothic Yorkshire, chasing after a statue of the goddess Artemis (based on one I saw in the Louvre!). When I wrote To Deceive a Dukeit was the middle of winter and I wanted some warm sun, so Clio and the Duke of Averton get sent to Sicily to protect a precious hoard of temple altar silver (based on the famous “Morgantina silver” in the Met). I loved finding out what was really going on between these two! And Thalia and Marco in To Kiss a Countgo to Bath, also chasing after the silver and the villainess who has stolen it—or has she? The genteel Bath façade of tea and assemblies conceals danger and skullduggery galore! (Plus I do have a weakness for Italian men like Marco…)
So I had a fabulous time re-visiting my childhood passions and playing “Regency Indiana Jones” with the Chase Muses! What did you love as a child? And what are some of your favorite archaeological sites or art objects? I’ll give away a complete trilogy to one commenter…
“Great conversations, an engaging plot with lots of complications, and realistic, charming characters make To Catch a Rogue and Amanda McCabe a winner” –Cataromance
“Amanda McCabe has crafted a spell-binding, sensuous read grounded in Greek mythology. Filled with muses, romance, intrigue, and mystery, this thrill-of-the-hunt Regency historical evokes visions of Aphrodite and Apollo amongst the ton setting. Like any great read, I was sad for it to end!” –The Season
Amanda can be found at her website at: http://ammandamccabe.com/
or on her blog at: http://amandamccabe.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for being here Amanda! It was a pleasure having you guest post today.
Now, comment away people. Winner will be announced on Wednesday’s post.
Best,
Kwana
