• authors,  interviews

    No Bull About It… character interview from author Jeanine McAdam

    Today on ye old blog we have a different kind of interview going on. I’m talking with Caleb Cooper, general pain in the behind from my friend and RWA/NYC chaptermate’s novel THE BILL RIDER AND THE BARE BOYCOTTER. Let’s go Caleb…

    TheBullRiderandtheBaby_SM

     

    Thanks for hosting me today Kwana, my name is Caleb Cooper. I am from THE BULL RIDER AND THE BARE BOYCOTTER where I consider myself a villain but others would probably call me a pain in the ass.  But in my own quirky and loveable way I redeem myself in THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY because I’m the hero of that book.  Not a knight in shining armor sort of hero but a decent guy nonetheless.

    TheBullRiderWearsPink_SM

     

    How did you come to your author’s attention?

    My brother Logan Cooper is the hero in THE BULL RIDER AND THE BARE BOYCOTTER.  Many, many times in that book I told my brother he was an asshole, an idiot plus all sorts of other rude stuff.  I think the brutal honesty of my words caught Jeanine’s attention.  I don’t think she completely agrees with how I treated my brother but it does create one hell of a story with interesting characters.

     

    Did you give your author a hard time when she was writing your story?

     

    No, not at all.  I’m not that type of guy.  Unlike my brother Logan, I have lots of potential as a human being.  It just took a little bit of finessing on Jeanine’s part to turn me from a loudmouth idiot into a sensitive man.  But I’m here to tell you, it happened in THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY.

     

    What do you do for a living?

     

    Next question. Holy hell, did you read the title of the book?

     

    Ok ok! Next question…Who is the love of your life?

     

    If I told you that THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY would be ruined.  It’s called a spoiler.  Look it up.

     

    If there is a ‘love of your life’, what was the first thing you noticed about her?

    She was pregnant.  Hugely pregnant.

     

    What’s your greatest fear?

    Falling off a bull, hitting my head and turning into an imbecilic.  Then again maybe that’s an old fear.  If I were to update my fears, it would be Carrie Wang leaving me.  Jesus H. Christ, I can’t believe I just said that.  I hope Carrie doesn’t read this interview, she’ll think I’m a wimp.

     

    What is the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done?

    Now, you’re really pushing it (rolls shoulders).  Have sex with a woman that I didn’t impregnate. By the way, Carrie was seven months along at the time we got together but I was gentle.  That’s all I’m saying about her, don’t ask me anymore.

     

    Will we be seeing you in future books?

     

    You betcha.  There’s THE BULL RIDER WEARS PINK.  It’s about my sister Cassidy. She wants to compete against the men.  You didn’t hear this from me but she’s probably a better rider than Logan and I combined.  Her problem is, she’s a lousy Mom.  Then again, she’s planning to work on that and I guess she gets involved with Pastor John.  Talk about opposites attracting, I don’t know what Jeanine was thinking bringing those two together.

     

    Blurb:

     

    Sexy bull rider Caleb Cooper keeps falling off his bull and hitting his head. Smart neuroscience graduate student Carrie Wang is studying him. There’s just one problem, Carrie’s attracted to her broad-shouldered research subject. But she shouldn’t be, because Carrie is pregnant with Charles Winston’s baby. However, that one-night-stand occurred in a beaker closet and Charles wants nothing to do with her or the child.

     

    Besides being handsome in a long-haired, scruffy sort-of-way, Caleb Cooper is kind and quirky. Carrie can’t stop touching him and their unprofessional attraction is mutual. Problems abound when Carrie’s traditional Chinese mother and Charles come to the rodeo. Carrie’s mother wants her to hook a husband and Charles wants Carrie to give the baby up for adoption. Carrie knows she could never let a stranger raise her child. Can Carrie go against everyone’s wishes and raise the baby on her own? Or could Caleb become a father to this child?

     

    About Jeanine:

    Jeanine McAdam is a writer of twenty-five romantic short stories, a few spicy anthologies and three cowboy books.  Telling stories about imperfect people finding perfect love is her thing.  Even though she lives in New York City she’s fascinated with the American west.  She’s currently writing about bull riders and the spunky urban women who adore them in her Skirts and Spurs Trilogy.  When she’s not writing she spends time with her teenage sons, ultra marathon running husband and two rescue Labrador retrievers named Desdemona (Desi) and Aaron.

     

    Find THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY:

    http://jeaninemcadam.com/booklist/the-bull-rider-and-the-baby/

    rodeo cowboy silhouette

     

    Find Jeanine at:

    Web Site: www.jeaninemcadam.com

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeaninemcadambooks

    Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeaninemcadam

     

    Thanks once again for being here!

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • #WeNeedDiverseRomance,  authors,  Twitter,  writers,  writing life

    Diversify… Now!

    Happy Valentine’s Weekend!

    I hope you are having a wonderful one filled with plenty of sweets and your favorite sweetheart 🙂

    Pages in heart shape

     

    You all know that I’m a big advocate for diversity in romance and to speak to that I’m proud to have been invited to participate in a Romance Writer Chat  #RWChat on twitter this Sunday 2/15 with the fantastic Alisha Rai to talk about diversity in the romance industry. If you are around at 7PM EST please hop on Twitter and join in as we’d love to have you. You know my motto: #WeNeedDiverseRomance Hope to see you there!

     

    diverse chat

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • authors,  blogs,  Books,  giveaways,  happy holidays

    It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like… time for a X-MAS Giveaway!

    It’s beginning to look a lot like…

    It’s time to PANIC, is what it’s beginning to look a lot like. How in the world is it this close to Christmas? I’m so far behind right now that I might as well count it as December 26th and start in on next year. Oh well, I’m never one to give up so I’m going in full force now.

    Don’t you stay here and hang out with whiny old me, head on over where things are a lot more holiday cheery. Go on over to the Smutketeers 12 Days Blog Hop.

    12 Days 2014 Banner_600x900

     

    Today is Day 10 and I’m one of the featured authors with a giveaway up. Leave a comment to be entered to win a 20.00 Amazon Gift card & an e copy of Through The Lens. And while you there enter for all the days to be in for the big 300.00 value Grand Prize. hey it’s Christmas, or at least that’s what the calender is telling me. Click here to stop by!  Oh and did you happen to see the fun video?

     

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • authors,  blogs,  happy holidays,  Uncategorized

    Holly Hopping!

    Happy Holidays! I hope you all are having a wonderful start to the holiday season. I’m hopping into it with bells on with a bunch of my favorite writer friends by participating in not 1 but 2 holiday blog hops! And of course I’m reluctantly pulling Jack along for the ride.

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     20141202_171155

    The 1st will be a fabulous Christmakwanzakah Blog Hop from December 8-19 (My day is Dec 12th) where me and other fabulous authors will be sharing original holiday themed short stories. How fun! Look out for tweets and notifications from me and be sure to stop by all the author’s blogs for a new story every day!

    12 Days Revision

    The next is a blog hop with the fabulous Smutketeers! This hop runs from December 9th -21st and I’ll be up on their blog on the 18th where you’ll see my greeting and can enter for a chance to win a 20.00 Amazon gift card! Stop by to see all the authors and enter every day and you’ll be eligible for a chance to win their big grand prize worth 300.00!

    12 Days 2014 Banner_600x900

    Whew, that’s a lot of hopping. I’m sure by the end you and me both will be ready for a spot under the tree with Jack.

    Jack under tree

     

    Have a wonderful week and see you back here during the Holidays!

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • authors,  book launch,  Books,  diverse romance,  diversity,  interviews

    A thank you & Some of that Sweet Jazz… an interview with author Ursula Renee

     

     

    Hello friends!

    Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to all why participated and helped me with honoring my Nana by sharing yesterday on the #WeNeedDiverseRomance hashtag on twitter. I was so thrilled with how it took off and can only hope that the powers that be in the industry were listening. Whenever the mood strikes please keep it going. I know I sure will as long as it takes and as long as still #WeNeedDiverseRomance. You can check out lots of the tweets here on Storify.  It was my 1st time on Storify so I hope they were all collected. And as for the header? Not sure how Sorify picked that.

     

    Now,  speaking of diverse romance I love it when I can bring a new writer to ye old blog and today I’m super excited to have my friend and RWA NYC chapter mate Ursula Renee here on Ye Old Blog to discuss her fantastic historical debut novel Sweet Jazz. Thanks so much for being here today Ursula.

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    First off can you tell us a bit about your current work?

    Sweet Jazz is an interracial romance that takes place in Harlem, New York in 1938.

    The Big House’s “Coloreds Only” policy makes the club popular with Harlem residents. The same policy makes it harder for the owners to find and retain musicians. After four weeks of listening to saxophonists with bigger dreams than talent, the owners are ready to hire the first person who walks in and plays “one good note.” Their words come back to haunt them when Randy Jones auditions.

    Many of the employees are not thrilled when Randy breaks the color barrier. He does find an ally in Cass, the club’s sassy singer, who goes out of her way to welcome him. Offstage, Cass Porter looks like a teenager, but when she sings she’s all woman. Inside, she’s been hurt badly and has determined never to love again.

    As their relationship develops, life at the club for Randy becomes complicated when he has to fight both Cass’s fear of opening her heart and those who want to keep them apart.

     

    Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

    I discovered the joys of writing after I wrote my first story when I was eight. Though I continued writing short stories, poems, and fan fiction, I did not considering pursung a career as an author until I started working on Sweet Jazz.

     

    What characteristics are essential in a hero for you? And how about a heroine?

    I like my heroes to be handsome, strong and confident. However, they also have to be willing to work with others and not insist on charging in to save the day alone.

    A heroine should be strong, independent and smart. She should think before rushing into a situation that could potentially cause harm to her or others.

     

    Tell us a bit about your writing schedule. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?

    I write during my hour long commute in the mornings and evenings. I also try to schedule one weekend a month in which I focus entirely on my manuscript.

    I think of myself as both a pantser and plotter. As soon as an idea pops into my mind, I have to get it down on paper. Once I have completed the first draft, I create an outline. I used this during the editing process to ensure that each plot point moves the story forward and the characters appear and act as I originally envisioned.

     

    What advice would you give other aspiring writers?

    Do not give up.

    There may be times when you feel as if everyone is against you – family and friends may laugh at you; editors tell you the manuscript does not work; or the words will not come to you. In either case, stop, take a deep breath and remember that success does not come to those who quit.

     

    That is perfect advice. Thanks so much! What can readers expect next from you?

    I am working on an interracial romance set in 1957, between a first generation Italian-American and a Filipino/African-American.

     

    Fantastic! And now friends an excerpt from Sweet Jazz:

    Cass rolled her eyes as she slid a sheet of paper across the table. He glanced down at the sketch of an older woman standing next to a piano. She wore an evening gown, and her hair was pulled back in a bun, with a feather ornament holding the style in place.

    “The Big House is proud to feature Cass, with music by The Big House Band,” Randy read. He

    glanced from the paper to her, then back at the paper. He recognized the similarities in the facial features, but it couldn’t be possible. “You can’t be the same Cass.”

    “No other Cass here.”

    “Your momma lets you work here?” Randy asked as he handed back the flyer.

    He knew some parents did not care what their children did as long as they were out of the way.

    However, allowing a young girl to work in a club was beyond neglectful.

    “My momma doesn’t have much say in the matter, seeing as how she’s down south,” Cass said, placing the paper on the table.

    “Down south?

    “That’s where she lives.”

    “What about your relatives?”

    “They’re down there, too.”

    Randy lowered his foot to the floor and straddled the chair. He needed to sit down. There was no way she was up there by herself.

    “Don’t you have someone lookin’ after you?”

    “I’ve been looking after myself for six years.”

    “Six years? Girl, you jokin’? You can’t be no older than…what…sixteen? seventeen?”

    “I’m twenty-two.”

    Twenty-two? It explained why she got away with arguing with Junior, but, still… Randy slowly glanced from the ankle socks and canvas shoes on her feet to her two braids. She looked as if she should be playing with dolls or jumping rope, not singing in a club.

     

    Thanks so much for being here today. It’s been a real pleasure.

    ursularenee

     

    Ursula can be found on the web at:

    http://www.ursularenee.com

    http://blog.ursularenee.com/

    https://www.facebook.com/ursularenee.author

    And you can buy Sweet Jazz here:

    The Wild Rose Press

    Amazon

    Barnes and Noble

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

     

    P.S. Sidebar: I’ll be appearing at Between The Covers in Riverdale NY on Monday 11/17 from 7-9 reading an excerpt from BOUNCE (I’ll try and find a spicy scene) And I’ll have some copies to sign! So if you are in upper Manhattan come on out! Details are here.

    Bounce 1400 A

     

  • authors,  awards,  Books,  Bounce,  my view,  writing life

    Wishing, Dreaming, and Feeling Golden… plus a winner announced!

     

    I don’t do well when confronted with myself. Ultra critical, when I look in the mirror it’s the faults I see first, though I’m probably not all that special in that regard. But wait, it goes further. So cringe worthy is my self-reflection, that I find the sound of my own voice, intolerable and I won’t even do the recording on our home’s answering machine. That said, you can imagine how I feel about doing public readings or private ones for that matter, as I loathe the sound of my own voice even more when it’s chiming my own words back at me. Taking every flaw that was a mere whisper in my mind and scraping it out, long and slow like nails shimmying then quick skipping along a chalk board.

    All that said, still, many months ago I went and entered my self-published book BOUNCE in the New Jersey Romance Writer’s Golden Leaf contest. The contest where the winner is announced in a crowded ballroom, full of edge of their seat romance writers waiting with baited breath to  hear the winners words being read by the iconic, Anne Frazier Walradt. Why would I do such a thing? Me, a person with severe stage phobia who also doesn’t like to hear her own stories read aloud? It makes no sense.

    20141017_181521

    Well, the answer isn’t all that deep. You see, I’d been the New Jersey Romance writer’s conference many times before and like so many others I always wished I was one of ‘the ones’. Those chosen special few who for that year got to get the applause, but more than anything got to have their work read so beautify by Anne. Each passage a perfect literary triumph. So I entered, and this is where it gets a little confusing, because if truth be told,  I’m sure I entered, despite my phobias because I well and truly never expected my entry to get very far. You see I entered expecting to lose. I’m a wisher in the worst sense of the word. I make my wish and instantly negate it with a ‘and that will never happen’ on the back end on the wish.

    20141017_194647

    So long story short I entered. I entered and I made a halfhearted wish upon my entry, I’m sure backing it up with my seal of doubt and then I let it go. But then, way later, a strange thing happened. I got a call that I, me, well someone by the name of K.M. Jackson had finaled in the contest. It was a total OMG, Snoopy dance and then what in the world can this really be real moment. The Universe must surly be playing a joke on me.  Someone had took my wish and broken the seal of doubt. My system was good and truly wrecked.

    But I went with it. And pulling up my big girl pants I, for the most part, slipped it to the back of my mind, telling myself that I was a not one of ‘The Ones’. That this was great and great was as good as it was gonna get so just roll with that and be happy. When friends told me to prepare an acceptance speech I laughed at them, saying what was the point. Preparing a speech took my wish and edged to closer to the dream category and dreams have a way of wiggling under your skin, making you put work behind them as you think they could possibly come true and I wasn’t ready to let that happen. Remember my phobias and I was fine with wishing ThankYouVeryMuch.  So while I was wishing I was mentally working on my perfect Oscar clap and smile for the real winner for when I didn’t hear my words read by Anne.

    Finally, it was the big moment. I was sitting with my friends, trying my best to look cool as we were waiting for my category to be called. I had it all together in my head and if things would go according to my fool proof unscientific calculations there was no possible way I could be the winner. I had my clap and smile ready and waiting. The Wisher was firmly in her lane. But then it happened. Anne walked up to the podium and I heard the first few words …

    “Sean reaches over and pulls my body in close to his, cradling my backside into his groin. He’s sleeping soundly, but his erection is strong and wide-awake.”

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    Holy crap, she was reading from BOUNCE! I inwardly groan with embarrassment as my inner critic raised her hand to poke me in the ribs (who in the world opens a book like that?!) while at the same time my heart leaped with joyous pride. This was it. This is not my wish moment but my dream coming true. There were cameras and eyes turned my way but all I could hear was my own voice telling myself to focus. Just listen to Anne. Hear the words that I wrote. And you know what? They never sounded so good.

    20141017_194856

    Thank you to Anne Frazier Walradt and the New Jersey Romance Writers for a night I will cherish forever.

    And for making a Dream come true.

    20141017_202653

     

    All the best,

    KMJ

     

    P.S. Thank you to all who entered. The Winner of my Creative Hearts Giveaway is Jackie Roberts! Congratulations Jackie. Please email me at kwanawrites @ Yahoo. Com with your information so that I can send you your gift card.

  • authors,  interviews

    Spotlight Through Time… a chat with author Morgan O’Neill

    Today on ye old blog I’m excited to spotlight the fantastic writing duo of Deborah O’Neill Cordes and Cary Morgan Frates known together as Morgan O’Neil and their Italian Time Travel Series. But you know me, since I had them here to spotlight their latest work I had to ask quick question or two:

    So ladies, why time travel?  We love writing time travel because it gives us the opportunity to write epic and intricate timeswept adventures, which take place in the present and past.  We love weaving real historical events into our storylines, with our heroines and heroes interacting with an actual historical romantic couple. It is also interesting to write these novels from the perspective of a modern heroine (or the occasional “out of his time” hero), who must deal with the conflict and dangers inherent in surviving in another era.

    Where and when will you be traveling next? Our next time travel series will be a journey to Elizabethan England, with the debut of The Thornless Rose in November of 2014, to be published by Entangled Publishing, LLC.

    That sounds fantastic and thanks for the preview and now let’s check out your wonderful series that’s out NOW!

     Deb OtherSideHeaven_CVR_LRG

    The Other Side of Heaven, Book One of the Italian Time Travel Series

    Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn seeks to learn her family’s history and hopes to restore the bond that once existed between her Italian forebearers and those who live in America. While visiting her ancestral Italian town, Gwen is caught in a violent earthquake and inexplicably thrust through time. At first refusing to believe what has happened, she nevertheless uses her wits to survive, donning a monk’s cowl to hide her identity as a woman. Ripped apart from all she has ever known, Gwen finds herself in the midst of brutal territorial battles in an era she once blithely called “The Dark Ages.” When the golden Italian summer of 951 emerges from the strife and gloom, Gwen joins forces with a cadre of gallant men, allies in the struggle against the evil nobles, Willa of Tuscany and Count Berengar, kidnappers of Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide. Along with Father Warinus and Lord Alberto Uzzo, Gwen seeks to rescue Adelaide and restore her kingdom. In the midst of this great adventure, Gwen falls in love with the complex and passionate Alberto, to whom she reveals her identity as a woman. But can Alberto learn to love her strong and independent nature and help Gwen in her quest to discover her rightful place in time?

     

    Deb TimeEnoughLove_CVR_LRG

     

    Time Enough for Love, Book Two of the Italian Time Travel Series

    Through dark magic, Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn has been swept back in time to medieval Italy. There, she finds herself in the midst of a war between Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide, and those who have kidnapped her and seek to usurp her crown. Risking her life, Gwen elects to play a pivotal role in the planned rescue. In the midst of the chaos, she is drawn to the queen’s champion, Lord Alberto Uzzo, who battles not only their military foes, but also his personal demons. Tested to the limit when he discovers Gwen’s true identity as a time traveler, Alberto nevertheless fights through his doubt and the whirl of superstition that surrounds this intriguing and strong-willed woman. Time is of the essence as the lovers seek to overcome the evil forces rallying against the queen they’ve vowed to save. Will Gwen and Alberto be able to overcome the groundswell of danger to find time enough for love?

    Review Quotes:

    “What an amazing adventure… These two books will have a very treasured place on my bookshelf.” ~ Review by Hitherandthee of Night Owl Reviews. Both novels were given Top Picks, 4.5 stars for The Other Side of Heaven, 5 stars for Time Enough for Love.

     

    “Alberto and Gwen’s relationship was one of the most touching and heartfelt romances, that I’ve read in a long time.” ~ Review by Angela Searles, Satin Sheets Romance Reviews.

     Morgan O Neil DeborahCordes&CaryFrates

    Bio:

    Two authors writing as one, Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O’Neill Cordes specialize in recreating pivotal moments in history, epic adventure, and romance – with a time travel twist. They are the award-winning authors of the medieval Italian time travel duo, The Other Side of Heaven, and its sequel, Time Enough for Love, and the forthcoming Elizabethan time travel series, which will debut with The Thornless Rose, from Entangled Publishing, LLC, in November, 2014. They are also the authors of the Roman time travel series, which will be re-released in 2015.

     

    The Other Side of Heaven and Time Enough For Love can be found in these locations on the web:

    http://www.morganoneill.com/

    The Other Side of Heaven

    Time Enough for Love

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • authors,  Books,  giveaways,  interviews

    Talking Something Good… an interview with author, Jamie Wesley & a giveaway!

    Today on ye old blog I’m so happy to have a friend who also happens to be a fabulous author, Jamie Wesley here to chat about books, writing and her debut release from Entangled publishing called Tell Me Something Good.

    Jamie 1 TMSG cover

     

     Hi Jamie! Thanks so much for being here today. It’s a real treat. First off can you tell us a bit about Tell Me Something Good?

    Thank you, Kwana, for having me and absolutely, I’ll tell you about my book! TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD is an enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance that takes place in the world of talk radio. It’s funny and sexy (in my opinion anyway). Here’s the blurb:

    Two radio show hosts. One show. Who will come out on top?

    In a moment of restlessness, Tate Grayson sold his multimillion-dollar company and spun his love of sports into a radio talk show. Life, and love, is too short to take seriously—a fact he enjoys rubbing in uptight radio host Noelle Butler’s face.

    After the death of her parents, a tragedy she blamed on herself, Noelle vowed to live a controlled, focused life. Now a psychologist, she channels her need for connection into her radio show. But when the arrogant sportscaster next door tells listeners men shouldn’t get married, she’s all too happy to yank the silver spoon out of his overprivileged mouth.

    Their heated on-air arguments are a hit, but when the station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks, Tate and Noelle object. They can’t stand each other, despite the attraction sizzling beneath every interaction. But if they can’t pull the struggling radio station back from the brink, they’ll lose their jobs. Or worse, their hearts.

    What inspired you to write this story? The song Tell Me Something Good naturally!

    Three years ago, I was driving home from work, flipping through radio stations, when Tell Me Something Good came on. As I was singing along to it, it occurred to me that Tell Me Something Good would be a great title for a book.

    I had no characters, no plot. Just a title. But it didn’t stay that way for long.

    “Tell Me,” I thought. “Tell Me” led me to “talk” and then “talk radio.” And boom, I had an idea! What if two radio show talk hosts who couldn’t stand each other were forced to do a show together?

    Tell us a bit about your writing schedule. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser? I’m a pantser, but I have to have some idea of the plot before I start. I’m not one to sit down at the computer with two characters and just write. I need to know something like they don’t like each other, but they have to work together at their radio station. With that said, I don’t plot the whole story out because – A. I can’t. I might have a general idea of what happens in the first few chapters, but chapter 8? No idea. And the quickest way for me to get frustrated and blocked is to try to figure out what happens in chapter 8 before I start the story. B. I lose interest if I know the entire story beforehand. I feel like I’ve already written it.

    Care to share the story of your “overnight” success with my readers? Funny how long “overnight” takes, isn’t it? I graduated college in 2002. While I searched for a job, it occurred to me that as much as I love reading romance, I should try my hand at writing one. I’d always loved writing, and English was always my best subject. At one point, I thought I was going to be a journalist.

    I had an idea for a story, but I got halfway through the book only to realize I had no idea what happened next. I got a job and put it aside. In 2009, I took it back out and finished it. It only took 7 years to figure out the ending! Lol. I tried to get it published in 2010. That’s when I realized that the publishing industry can be the very definition of frustrating. You submit and wait. And then the editor who had your story leaves, but doesn’t pass it along before departing, so you submit again, only to have the same thing happen again.

    Anyway, while I waited, I wrote some more stories. I knew my writing was getting better and I got some confirmation in 2012 when I was a finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart contest. Surely now, I would be published! Except no. I received rejections from agents and a few publishers, which sucked, but didn’t defeat me. The rejections just meant I had to get better. I knew the story was good, but it could be better. So I set it aside and worked on other things. Eventually, I came back to it. I worked on it, then gave it to a friend for a critique. She did a great job and I worked on the book some more until I thought it was ready. In 2013, I submitted it to Entangled Publishing and had an acceptance less than a week later. That book was TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD.

    As for the first book I wrote? It eventually got rejected and it’s now tucked away on my computer hard drive. I still like the plot, but the writing isn’t up to the standard I’ve set for myself. Maybe one day I’ll get back to it.

    Who are some of your favorite writers that have influenced you? I’ve been reading Nora Roberts for over 20 years. Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson, Brenda Jackson, Julie James. So yes, the biggest names in contemporary romance. Lol. But there’s the reason they are the biggest names. They’re terrific writers. And this is by no means a complete list.

    What advice would you give other aspiring writers? Read the books/authors you love and try to figure out why you love them. Know that you’ll get frustrated and there will be setbacks, but don’t give up. Strive to be a better writer today than you were yesterday.

    Lastly, what can readers expect next from you? I’m working on the sequel to TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD. It doesn’t have a title yet, but I’m going to refer to it as #notabadthing on Twitter. Yes, that’s in reference to Justin Timberlake’s song. The hero is having the hardest time convincing the heroine that he’s worth the risk. She may have her doubts, but my money is on the hero.

    Thanks so much once again for being here today. It’s been a real pleasure.

    No, thank you! I had an amazing time! As a thank you, I’d like to offer an e- copy of TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD to one of your readers. All they have to do to enter the contest is tell me the biggest curveball a boss has ever thrown at them (please put your contact info in your comment).

    Here’s an excerpt from TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD:

    She looked up. “I’m fine. Truly.” She grasped his hand on her cheek with hers and squeezed.

    Tate stared into her beautiful, gray eyes. All he could see was her. All he wanted to see was her. His eyes slipped to her slightly parted full lips. His breath quickened as the pull between them strengthened. A force he was much too weak to continue resisting.

    He lowered his head. A hand to his chest stopped him. He stilled, hoping she didn’t push him away. Hoping she did—to save him from himself. She didn’t. Instead, she gripped the shirt and slowly pulled him to her.

    “Oh, man,” she whispered right before his lips met hers.

    Lust he expected, but not the overwhelming sweetness and rightness that punched him in the gut. He slid his hand to her chin and tilted it up, seeking a better angle. She wrapped her left arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. She sighed, a tiny sound that acted as a drug to his senses. He took advantage, slipping his tongue inside her mouth.

    They shared a moan. He kept the kiss slow and languid, learning the shape and feel of her. What she liked. But his tactic did nothing to blight how mind-blowing the kiss was. Overwhelming desire filled every pore of his being. If her moans and her active participation were indications, Noelle felt the same.

    He slid his hands down her back to her ass, cupped it, and drew her into his body. She went willingly and gasped into his mouth as his rock-hard erection made contact with her stomach.

    He grinned against her mouth. Yeah, he wanted her. Bad. A swipe of her tongue against his bottom lip had him going back for more, the embrace turning harder.

    Had a kiss ever felt so good, so right? So perfect?

    Buy links: Amazon | B&N | Google Play | iBooks | KoboAll Romance

    Jamie 2 author photo

    Connect with me at:

    jamiewesley.com

    twitter.com/Jamie_Wesley

    facebook.com/AuthorJamieWesley

     

    Don’t forget to comment folks. A winner will be announced on Monday!

    All the best,

    KMJ

  • authors,  Books,  DH,  Lady Jane's Salon

    Ladies Night

    So this past Monday I had the honor of making my 2nd appearance at ever popular Lady Jane’s Salon. I was slated to appear with fellow novelists: Katana Collins, Sofia Tate and Alice Clayton. It was quite a line up and to say I was nervous was putting it mildly. Lady Jane founder, Hope Tarr invited me to read my contributed essay from Scribbling Women & The Real Life Romance Heroes Who Love Them. It was a packed house which included my DH front and center there to hear all my mushy words about him. Thankfully, I made it through and didn’t embarrass myself or my DH too much with my tale of spooning called Resting Easy and a wonderful time was had by all.

    scribbling women

    You can pic up your copy of Scribbling Women here and, bonus, all profits go to charity.

    Lady Janes 8-4

     

    here is a pic of all of us playing celebs and posing for the paps.

    L-R Alice Clayton, Katana Collins, Sofia Tate & Me!

    All the best,

    KMJ

     

  • authors,  Books,  interviews

    Promises Kept… Interview with author Piper Huguley

    Today on ye old blog I’m so happy to have my friend, the super talented and all around amazing person, Piper Huguley here to talk about writing, her process and her much anticipated full length inspirational debut, THE PREACHER’S PROMISE (book 1 in her Home to Milford College series).

    Hello Piper it’s so wonderful to have you here on ye old blog today! 

    First off can you tell us a bit about THE PREACHER’S PROMISE?

    1866 – Oberlin, Ohio

    Devastated by her father’s death days after her triumphant graduation from Oberlin College, Amanda Stewart is all alone in the world. Sorting through her father’s papers, she discovers he had carried on a mysterious correspondence with a plantation in Milford, Georgia. To fulfill a promise she made to her father, she resolves to start a school there to educate and uplift their race.  However, when she arrives, the mayor tells her to leave.  There’s no where for her to go.

    Virgil Smithson, Milford’s mayor, blacksmith and sometimes preacher man with a gift for fiery oratory, doesn’t want anything to do with a snobby schoolteacher from up North. On top of everything else, the schoolteacher lady has a will hard enough to match the iron he forges. He must organize his fellow formerly enslaved citizens into a new town and raise his young daughter alone. Still, his troubled past haunts him. He cannot forget the promise he made to his daughter’s mother as she died—that their child would learn to read and write.  If only he didn’t have secrets that the new schoolteacher seems determined to uncover.

     piper cover

     

    Now here is a short excerpt from The Preacher’s Promise:   

     

    If he had shot March with an arrow, he couldn’t have wounded his daughter more, judging from the screwed-up look on her brown face. And made him all the more determined for this pretty lady to get on about her business. This woman with her fancy bonnet and her big trailing dress with the smallest possible waist put big ideas into March’s head. What would he do with that once this lady was gone on about her rich life? Best to put all of that to an end. Now. Today. Well, at least tomorrow.

                He moved off the platform, and March dragged her feet in her dusty shoes. But the rustle of the lady’s skirts did not follow them.

                Virgil turned. She was still up there on the platform, a dark bell against the afternoon sky.

                “Got to walk. Town’s up this way, Miss. Can’t wait out here all night.” If she stayed all night on the platform, he really would be responsible for her then. The thought of what could happen to her in the night made his dry throat catch.

                “I’m staying right here, Mr. Smithson.”

                A stubborn female. An even worse sight for March to see.

                He started again. “Nightfall come, Miss, and the night riders could come and do you great harm. Wouldn’t want it to come to that.”

                Couldn’t she see her safety was at stake? And he couldn’t touch her to bring her on. He looked at March to see if she were concerned about this lady’s safety, but his daughter, his own child, looked away from him.

                Miss Amanda embodied danger itself. She had to go.

                “I mean to say, I can’t go anywhere else, Mr. Smithson. If you’ll just take me to the teacher house, I’ll be comfortable.”

                “I’m telling you, Pauline will put you up. What else you need to know?”

                “I’m homeless, sir. I have no home or family or anywhere else to go.”

                He dropped her case to the dust, clean out of options and responses. No matter that he was a freeman who bought himself out of slavery way before the war come. A man who used fire to make iron bend to his will had just met his match.

     

    The Lawyer’s Luck is a prequel story about Amanda’s parents in 1844 Ohio.  It is a short novella. What inspired you to write this story?

    The Reconstruction-era is not a time period that is often written about. So, I was looking for the history that was not written about, rather than gravitating to the often-told history. As it often happens, once I investigated the events of the time, the story grew out of those events in an organic way.  A bunch of teachers going in to tell native people that they were ignorant and needed to learn a new way of doing things?  Natural conflict.

     Do you feel your works are more character or plot driven?

    I have always thought they were more character driven, but having answered the above question, I would have to say maybe they are more plot driven. The history does provide certain answers when I am stuck.

    What made you choose this genre to write in?

    We see enough about the historical struggles of our ancestors.  I thought about this idea, and the idea for my 20th century series when I came to know, through the classroom, how younger people don’t know this history.  I thought of the fiction approach as a “fun” way to convey it.  Others on Facebook always proclaimed a desire for more African American Historical Romance.  It seemed to be a ready made market.

    Tell us a bit about your writing schedule. I know you have a busy schedule also being a professor. How do you fit your writing into this world?  

    I tend to write in the evenings.  I will settle down to the computer for an hour or two and fast draft.  Then I will go back and revise.  I love accountability groups. It helps me to get a kick in the butt and to watch the words pile up.  I’m always looking for new accountability groups to join!

    What advice would you give other aspiring writers?

    If you have an idea that is unique, don’t give up on it.  There is an audience. The beauty of self-publishing is that there’s a better chance of reaching a  smaller audience.  Traditional publishers feel that because the audience is small, reaching those readers is not worth the risk.  I understand their point of view, because they have to make money to pay for their overhead and expenses, but in self-publishing, that doesn’t exist.  Save your money to self-publish to ensure that your voice and idea can be heard in the best most professional way.

     

     Lastly what can readers expect next from you?

    If it appears that people like my interpretation of this history, I’ll put out the next story in the series, The Mayor’s Mission.

    I’m already loving the title! Can’t wait for that one to come out too.Thanks so much for being here today. It’s been a real pleasure.

    Thank you for having me!

    You all can find Piper in these spots around the web. Please look her up. You won’t be disappointed!

    Blog: http://piperhuguley.com

    Facebook: Piper Huguley, Home to Milford College

    Twitter:  @writerpiper

    piper author

    You can pick up The Preacher’s Promise at these e-tailers:

    Amazon 

    Nook 

    Kobo

    All the best,

    KMJ