• 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!

     

  • blogs,  interviews,  my view,  writing,  writing life

    Not in Kansas anymore…

    Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful and safe weekend. Can you believe tornadoes in New York yesterday? Just wild! So not in Kansas that’s for sure. But all is well over here today with a bright blue sky and shining sun. The way it is after most stormy days I guess.

    Today I’m lucky enough to be over at fab author Becky Lower’s blog talking old romances and past influences. If you have a moment please stop on by here.

    Have a great one!

     

    Best,

    Kwana

     

    Image fm here

  • 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,  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

     

     

     

  • awards,  book launch,  Books,  interviews,  my view

    A Date with Destiny… Interview with Elizabeth Meyette

    Today I’m proud to have fellow Crimson Romance (I still love saying that) author , Elizabeth Meyette on ye old blog. Elizabeth’s novel Love’s Destiny is a historical romance and part of Crimson’s official June launch. Go Elizabeth!

     

    Before I get into the questions here is a bit about the book:

     

    When Emily Wentworth’s father dies at sea, her father’s friend—and Emily’s appointed guardian—Jonathon Brentwood arrives at her home in London to take her with him to the colonies. Emily, just 17, has decided that she is fully capable of taking care of herself and sets out to prove that to her new guardian.

    Emily’s one chance to remain in London is to marry, but when the opportunity arises, she knows she would rather follow Jonathon across an ocean to a land in upheaval than to stay safely in London.

    But Jonathon’s involvement in patriot activity against England disturbs—and threatens—Emily, a loyal subject of the king. The colonial rebellion is the backdrop for misunderstanding, fear, mistrust, and danger. Will love’s destiny ensure that Emily and Jonathon stay together, even in the face of death?

    Thanks so much for being here Elizabeth. First, can you tell us a bit about yourself? Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?

    Hi, Kwana! Thanks for inviting me to your blog. I grew up in upstate New York, and now I live in Michigan with my beloved husband, Rich.  We have a lovely family: our daughter Kate and her husband Todd, son Matt and his girlfriend Rachel, and daughter Kristin, her husband Tedd and our grandchildren Tommy and Molly.  I know I was always a frustrated writer because when I taught all that wonderful literature to my high school students, I knew that writing books was what I really wanted to be doing. I retired from teaching early to pursue my writing career and I haven’t looked back.  I say I “failed” retirement because I work hard every day. But it doesn’t feel like work because I love it so!

     

    What drew you to writing historical romance? I’m a big fan of the genre and can’t wait to give Love’s Destiny a go.

    I love learning about other places, and I am fascinated by the past.  Imagine what it was like to eke out a living on the frontier or not have all the conveniences we have today.  I always wonder what it was like for people back then and think of how strong they must have been. I had recently visited the Jamestown and Williamsburg Virginia area when I started writing Love’s Destiny, and I knew that was the setting I wanted. Plus the romance of the beginning of our nation…I couldn’t resist it! And I’m a sucker for a happy ending.  When I finish a novel, I want to feel satisfied, sort of like justice was served, the good guys won, and the lady got her man.

    Going from the blurb I can see that your heroine, Emily is young by today’s standards at 17, but I’m thinking appropriate for the time period. What made you choose that age for your heroine?

    I did extensive research while I was writing this, and it was typical for young women to marry by age 17, even younger.  But it was also common for men to be considerably older as Jonathon is at age 28. Because childbirth was so difficult, and infants often died, women had many pregnancies throughout their adult lives. Starting young was necessary.

    If you were not writing what would you be doing?

    Well, I would probably still be teaching, but my secret dream was to be a torch singer, dressed in sequins, draped over a baby grand singing in a husky voice in a smoky lounge.

    LOL. I love that answer! Now my favorite bit, please tell us the story of your “overnight success”.

    I’m so glad you put that in quotation marks to signify satire!  My overnight success took 30 years.  I wrote Love’s Destiny on a dare when my daughter Kate was an infant.  Then it sat in my closet, as many manuscripts do, until I retired.  Now I feel like I am giving life to my characters and I am so excited! I’ve been getting positive feedback and reviews from readers, and some good local press.  It’s all a dream come true!

    Wonderful! What can we expect next from you?

    My friends who helped with editing and reviews are clamoring for a sequel, so I am working on Love’s Spirit.  I think this might become a trilogy with Love’s Freedom as the third novel. Also, on our recent trip back to New York my d.a.m. inspiration (divine attendant muse) hit me with an idea for a suspense/paranormal set in the Finger Lakes region of NY.  I’ve got the first page and some notes written on it and it’s haunting me already!

    That sounds fantastic. Thanks so much from being here today and I’m wishing you much success with Loves Destiny!

    Thank you, Kwana. And best of luck to you with the release of Through the Lens!

    Thanks so much. You can find Elizabeth on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elizabethfmeyette and her blog http://elizabethmeyette.blogspot.com

    And you can get Love’s Destiny over at Crimson Romance here

     

    Best,

    Kwana

  • authors,  interviews,  my view

    My (not so) Storybook… interview with Elizabeth Owen

     

    Blogging is a funny world. Daily or a few times a week you get to play reciprocal voyeur into someone’s life or at least into the parts they open up and let you into. The best blogs are the ones where it feels like you are stopping by for a cup of coffee and a chat with an old friend.

    That’s what it felt like on my visits to Elizabeth Owen’s blog: Mabel’s House. You see I was first drawn to, Mable, Liz’s sweet natured pup that reminded me so much of my Jack. And then happily and even more so, I was pull in by, Liz, Mable’s owner who has such a kind heart a way with words, not to mention with her wonderful eye for decorating ,well I could not turn away.
    Today I’m happy to say that Liz has written a book called MY (NOT SO) STORYBOOK LIFE: A TALE OF FRIENDSHIP AND FAITH which will be out this month. Lucky us, Liz has agreed to stop by here to answer a few questions.

    First here is a little bit about the book thanks to Amazon:
    Fresh, funny, and poignant, My (not so) Storybook Life is old-fashioned humor mashed with literary spoofery. Elizabeth thinks of herself and her husband, Matt, as a modern day Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Together they’ve endured paint-color mishaps, sewage disasters, pest infestations, and a schnauzer that poops at tornado sirens. It was hardly the domestic perfection a young Liz imagined while reading Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice. Could it be that these literary stalwarts had led her astray?

    Liz tells the story of her own path to happiness, along the way seeking revenge on her literary heroes: Jo March has to cope with a soul-sucking job, Elizabeth Bennett shepherds a Duggar-size brood of kids, and Anne Shirley deals with a penny-pinching husband. But every comedy is balanced by tragedy. Angela was one of Liz’s closest friends, a kindred spirit who at age of 33 was diagnosed with cancer. Before Angela, Liz was discontent. But it was the journey she took with this friend that made her realize that her house and its decorations and plumbing and dirty-clothes-covered Man Cave were not burdens to be tweaked and perfected, but blessings to be thankful for.

    And now to Liz…
    Hi Liz thanks so much for being here at KwanaWrites please tell us a little about MY (NOT SO STORYBOOK) LIFE.
    I’m so glad to be here, and thank you for having me!
    What led you to writing a memoir?
    Well, I’ve always kept a dairy or prayer journal over the years. But one day when I was writing the literary spoofs as an idea for a blog series and my husband said, “Don’t use those on your blog, save them for a book.” And so the idea kind of sprung from there. I’ve always enjoyed blogging about my life, so this was really just a bigger extension of what I was already doing.

     

    I know that you are a new mother (yay and congratulations!) to baby Jane. How has your life changed? Are you able to schedule writing time with a little one now?
    Life has changed in a huge way. My husband and I were married almost 10 years when we had Jane, and I really thought I would resent all the time constraints and lack of sleep that goes along with parenting. But it’s funny. I don’t at all. In fact we spring out of bed at 6 each morning, excited to peer over her crib and watch her stretch, grin and toot. I still write, but it’s a little more sporadic and I have to grab time when I can.

    What’s next on the horizon? Any plans for a future book?
    I have a book signing scheduled for November 12th at 1:00 at Books-A-Million in North Little Rock. And I’ve been kicking around some ideas for a second book too, although there’s no telling what I might end up writing with my sleep deprived brain running the show!
    That’s so wonderful and I can understand how hard it is with a new little one robbing you of sleep. Best of luck!

     

    You all can check out Liz at her lovely blog Mable House here.
    And you can pick up her wonderful book MY NOT SO STORYBOOK LIFE here!

    Best,
    Kwana

  • authors,  interviews,  my view

    Who’s Hungry?

    Oh Happy Day!

    Why you ask? Because we have a guest on ye old blog today and it’s a really great friend, one of my critique partners, Jeanine McAdam.  Now the relationship between critique partners is a very special one and in some ways like a marriage because it is based in mutual trust and respect and filled with highs and lows (lots of whining over the business and all that). You put your most basic self out there (your words, your ideas) and trust another person to come back with their honest, thoughtful and hopefully caring opinion of it. Talk about vulnerable; better be careful when choosing that critique partner.

    Well I’m so happy and proud to have Jeanine (one of the trusted ones) here to talk about the release of HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE and her part in the anthology out now from St. Martin’s Press. 

    Hi Jeanine, Tell us a little bit about HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE. I mean Zombies and love? What a mix there. 

    Hi Kwana, HUNGRY FOR YOU LOVE is a collection of twenty one zombie romance stories.  My story Inhuman Resourcesis in there along with New York Times best-sellers Lois Gresh and Brain Keene.

    The blurb from the back cover explains it best:  “Romance ain’t dead…it’s undead.  In this thrilling zombie anthology, horror fans will finally get their fill of zombie-on-zombie action, zombie-human love, and zombie smut.  Because why should vampires have all the fun?”

     So what’s your story about?   Let the readers know. It’s gotten great reviews and I can attest is so funny and cute.

    “Inhuman Resources” is about Claire Defoe an office worker who doesn’t like her wheezing, moaning, pealing and flaking co-workers.  However, in this economy she has to put up with them.  Rafe comes in and tells Claire her fellow paper pushers are zombies.  Claire doesn’t believe the nerd with the smug attitude, she thinks her co-workers symptoms are the result of too much time under the florescent lights.  Things change when Claire’s boss tries to chew on her thumb and Rafe comes to the rescue.  Suddenly Claire notices the zombie hunter’s athletic build and skill at disposing the undead.

    Publishers Weekly called Inhuman Resourcesalong with Dana Fredsti’s First Date “zippy stories about the sexy turn-on of successful zombie hunting.”  Also RT Book Reviews gave HUNGRY a four star review and Inhuman Resourceswas mentioned again.

    You have sold over 26 short stories to True Romance and True Experience Magazines. Why do you love the short story genre so much? How do you feel this prepared you for your publication in the HUNGRY Anthology?

    Short stories taught me how to write.  In five to eight thousand words I establish a conflict, create interesting and engaging characters and build a meaningful plot that maintains itself all the way to the end of the story.  It’s been a great lesson and wonderful to be published monthly.

    So Jeanine what’s next for you? 

    I’m working on a paranormal short story for Harlequin’s Nocturne Bites about an eco-terrorist trying to save a tree and a hunky fairy who thinks she should save the forest.  Plus, he’s got a big chip on his shoulder about being a member of the fair folk.  Too many stereotypes for this alpha male.

    Thanks for having me today!

    Thanks so much for being here Jeanine!

    Now for some fun, one lucky commenter will receive a signed copy of HUNGRY FOR YOU LOVE from Jeanine so please comment away. Winner will be announced on Friday.

    You can find Jeanine here at: http://jeaninemcadam.blogspot.com/

     

    You can get HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE HERE.

    Best,

    Kwana

  • authors,  interviews

    Interview With An Enemy…uh, not really :-)

    Ok so this is not an interview with an enemy it’s really an interview with a friend, my RWA/NYC chapter mate , Lisbeth Eng whose debut novel:  IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY has just been released from The Wild Rose Press.

    Here is a bit of a teaser: Isabella Ricci has pledged her life for the cause – to free Italy from Nazi oppression. Her mission for the Resistance, to seduce a German officer into revealing military secrets, could be deadly. Can she complete her assignment before losing her heart…or her life?

    Welcome to ye old blog Lisbeth it’s so good to have you here on just a joyous occasion.

    Tell us about your background. Did you know you always wanted to be a writer?

    I never really thought I’d be a writer, but even as a small child I fantasized about writing a novel.  And though I majored in English in college, I didn’t picture myself making a living as a fiction writer or even completing a novel.  I was not very career oriented (I just wanted to make it through those four years with good grades and a fun social life) but one of my professors, my mentor, you might call her, told me a major in English is a boon to any career.  Back then, I never thought I’d end up in the finance industry for 27 years, nor that I would complete an entire novel, much less get it published!

    Now you write is a time that is not seen too often what drew you to WWII as a setting for romance?

    Years ago, when I began In the Arms of the Enemy, I knew that a romance novel (or any novel) needs a strong conflict, and what could be a better source of conflict than war? World War II evokes particularly strong emotions, especially when the German army is involved, and one of my main characters is a German officer.  The heroine, Isabella Ricci, is a freedom fighter and member of the Italian Resistance. Her mission is to seduce a German officer, Captain Günter Schumann, to gain intelligence to fight the Nazis.  A love triangle develops between Isabella, Günter and Massimo Baricelli, Isabella’s Italian boyfriend and her commander in the Resistance.  But I recently realized the most likely reason I chose World War II Italy as the setting for my novel.  I spent the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college in Italy, and our professor regaled us with thrilling tales of the Italian Resistance.  He had lived in Italy during the war and his recollections were quite personal and moving.  I think that planted a seed, which subconsciously grew into a novel twenty years later.

     

    Now for one of my favorite questions… Tell us the story of your “overnight” success. Inquiring minds want to know.

    Overnight success?  Hardly!  I started this book nearly nine years ago and my manuscript has endured multiple rewrites, revisions, submissions and rejections along the way.  I also put it aside for a couple of years when I needed time to deal with some major life issues.  Even publication with The Wild Rose Press was not an easy road.  I submitted it to them nearly two years ago and had to revise it twice before they would offer me a contract.  After the contract came two rounds of editing, which lasted over six months.

    What’s can we look forward to next from you?

    I’ve a few ideas churning in my brain for another historical, though probably not set during World War II.  I do have an idea for a post-WWII romance set in Germany involving an American soldier and a German woman.  But I’m also toying with ideas for romances set during the American Revolution (a British soldier and a female American patriot), pre-Civil War (a northern abolitionist and a southern belle) and a romance between a Catholic man and a Protestant woman set in Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War.  As you can see, conflicts abound.  However, the one that’s been most on my mind of late is set in 18th century England and (surprisingly) doesn’t involve any wars.  Maybe I need a break from all the fighting!

    Thanks so much for being here today Lisbeth. I’m honored to have you here for you debut.

    Now for more fun one lucky commenter will win a signed copy of IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY sent from Lisbeth. So comment away or ask a question or Lisbeth and good luck!!! Winner will be announced on Wednesday.

    You can visit Lisbeth at her site   http://www.lisbetheng.com/ and pick up IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY from The Wild Rose Press here:

    http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lisbeth-eng-m-748.html

     

    Best,

    Kwana

  • authors,  book launch,  Books,  interviews,  Uncategorized

    The Counseling w/ Marley Gibson

    Today I’m happy to once again have my friend, Marley Gibson here on ye old blog to talk about her newest book in her Ghost Huntress Series: THE COUNSELING

    Hi Marley I’m so happy to have you back on the blog to talk about another installment of your popular YA series Ghost Huntress. Tell us about it.

    What makes this world so exciting for you?

    I love Kendall’s world because I am master of all I survey…bwah ha ha ha!! Seriously…I like creating this setting with her friends, parents, etc., because we all know that how and where we grow up in our formative years really shapes us forever as a person. I wanted Kendall to be surrounded by support and love even though she’s going through a really touch time with her psychic awakening and all it has brought into her life. Besides, growing up int he South, I feel I know how to make a Southern town come alive with its quirky characters, oddities, and traditions

    Where do you get your ideas? I know you sometimes go on ghost hunts something I’d never do. I’d be way too scared. I believe there are ghosts among us I just don’t what to have any sit downs if you know what I mean.

    I get ideas from a variety of places – 1) mostly my warped imagination that likes to question and “what if” everything around me, 2) my even more warped dreams which are enhanced by the stomach medication I take at night with the side effect “vivid dreams, 3) listening in on other people’s conversations all the time, 4) things that happen to me or friends on ghost hunting adventures. I like to try and work in the realism of actual ghost hunts into the stories and often times, I will put in EVPs or details about things that we encounter at an allegedly haunted location. Come on, Kwana…go ghost hunting with me!

    Not me Mar! I’m totally afraid of Ghosts!! So what’s next for you?

    Well…GHOST HUNTRESS book 5, THE DISCOVERY comes out in May 2011. This will pick up where THE COUNSELING left off. I’m hoping that my amazing publisher will want more books in the series. In the meantime, I have several projects I’m working on, including the final edits on CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, which is the sequel to my CHRISTMAS MIRACLES that came out last year. CHRISTMAS SPIRIT will be out in October 2011. Other than that, just keeping busy with promotion, blogging, doing conferences and signings and traveling all over the US in my RV.

    Thanks so much Marley. It’s always fun to have you here.  See you on the road!

    Folks you can find more ghostly fun with Marley by going over to Books, Boys, Buzz and win prizes here all this week – http://yawriters.blogspot.com/and at Marley’s website at http://marleygibson.com/2010/08/28/awesome-giveaway-for-ghost-huntress-the-counseling/ – for contest, giveaway and prize package running through September 15th.

    Best,
    Kwana

    P.S.

    Who watched the not so Real Housewives of NJ Reunion show? WOW Whee what a hot mess. Poor Andy. I hope he got a bonus for getting knocked around like that. My mouth was hanging open.