Questions about writing a male perspective as a female

My good friend over at Coffee Fueled Erotica, Emma Hillman, Author of the newly released Man Frame posed a great question the other day. 

Do we, the female authors of Erotica or even Romance, get the male perspective right?

(Copied from the blog) 

I would also like to know from our male bloggers/followers whether what authors write in the male/hero's POV always work. For example, have they ever thought "I'd never do/say that"? Most erotica authors are women, so it'd be interesting to know if we get it wrong once in a while. I know I'd like to know (for future reference!) if I made my hero do something that was entirely too out there for a man...or just plain wrong!
So, what do you say, guys?
 
Men, Speak up (ladies you can post your opinion as well). Let us know what you think. Pop on over to Coffee Fueled Erotica and give us your opinion. 

Author Spotlight with Shawn Weaver


K.S. Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.

S.W. Hi Katie, I am glad that you asked me to be on. Well, my name is Shawn Weaver. I am the author of Sense of Honor. I live and grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin, which sits on the border of Wisconsin and Illinois. I am married to Rebecca Weaver. We have two daughters Amanda and Rhe’Anna, and three beautiful grand babies Brooklyn, Nathaniel and Dominic.

K.S. Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

S.W. Quirks? You mean like do I only write wearing blue socks when the moon is full? Lol. No I have no quirks like that. But I write everywhere. I have notebooks filled with scraps of paper, napkins, or anything that was handy at the moment. All set out in order. When you get an idea you got to put it down so you don’t lose anything.

K.S. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

S.W. I started writing in sixth grade and haven’t stopped since. Before I graduated high school I had probably written three novels. But, I never actually pursued getting published until I was in my twenties. Like most authors I mailed out manuscripts and got turned down. The needs of taking care of a family over road the dreams of writing, so for the next twenty years I dabbled in writing, but never followed through on getting anything published. It wasn’t until I had a life changing event in my forties that I decided that I could not wait any longer and had to fulfill my dream. And so, here I am today. One novel published and the next on the way.

K.S. What genre do you write?

S.W. Fantasy, though I read everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if I pump out a horror novel sometime soon.

K.S. What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

S.W. Inspiration, well I have to say my dad. He didn’t write. But he gave me the love for books. He gave me my first novel in third grade, Goldfinger by Ian Fleming. I always was an advanced reader for my age.

My favorite author? Well my library has over three hundred novels, and what I have actually read, ranges in the thousands. I don’t have a single author I like, I read everything. But if I have to pick a few, I would have to say John Norman. He has a strong voice and puts a hard image in your mind. L. Ron Hubbard for being brave enough to write every style imaginable and doing a good job at it, I may not agree with his religious voice. But his writing style is unique. And last, Steven King, he’s got the knack of grabbing you where you least expect it and not letting go.

K.S. What does your family think of your writing?

S.W. Excited and surprised that I actually followed through and got published.

K.S. What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

S.W. Satisfaction, I created something that came from deep inside and brought it to life.

K.S. What inspired you to write your novel?

S.W. Well I love fantasy, and in high school I played Dungeons and Dragons with my friends on a regular weekly if not daily basis. And in that time, I created Zenna the world in which my novels are set in. And in that time, characters started to form. Little by little they came to life as I jotted down ideas and started to write.

I don’t know if any one factor inspired me. With my writing the characters themselves dictate what happens. I may have an idea that I want to head toward. But in the end the characters themselves do the talking. There are times that the story takes on a life of its own and I am just there for the ride.

K.S. Can you tell us a little about your novel?



S.W. Here is the back cover copy.

After the world that he had come to know and love, came crashing down around his feet. Lord Jason Tolbridge, former Commander of the Royal Legions of Ishtabar, strove to find himself, as he settled down into the life of a hermit on a lone island far from his homeland.

Though all too soon came a force that would change Jason’s life forever. On the back of a young red dragon arrived, Steel. A brazen young soldier determined to make a mark within Ishtabar’s Royal Legions.

By his father’s dying request, Steel sought out Jason for training to change from a basic soldier to an elite warrior. Only to find himself faced with a man that no longer wished for the ways of war. Finally, against his better judgment, Jason did his best to teach the hot tempered young man.

But, as the world would have it, war is on the cusp of raging into Ishtabar. With no uncertain terms, Jason and Steel are called back home. Where Jason is all too soon forced to come to terms with his past, and face the present danger that yet may lead to his very own death, and the downfall of Ishtabar.


K.S. Where can we find your novel?

S.W. Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks, basically everywhere books are sold. If you don’t see it on the shelf, ask for it. I am also available in e book format for every style of electronic reader.

K.S. Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

S.W. My Web site is www.shawnweaverauthor.com I also do a blog, usually book reviews on www.goodreads.com and I also have an author page can be found on www.amazon.com

K.S. Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

S.W. Do it! Point blank, if you have an idea, go for it. If people tell you your work is not good enough. Do it anyway. Listen to your heart that is what gives you the drive to fulfillment.

Author Spotlight with Lloyd Kaneko


K.S.  Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.

Lloyd  My full name at birth is Ryoji Lloyd Kaneko, but I just go by Lloyd.  I was born on the east side of Los Angeles and grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles County in a city called Monterey Park.  As I was growing up, my parents always encouraged me to go to college and become a doctor, lawyer, or and engineer.  I was poor in mathematics and science, but loved creative writing.  I became a writer instead.

I first started writing screenplays and did a little work in journalism writing for some trade newspapers and magazines.  That didn’t last too long.  So when I entered into the workforce, I used my writing skills in the technical areas for computer systems, training, human resources, and management development.

When I was laid off and out of work for four consecutive years, I was eventually put on permanent disability, retired and freed to devote my time to creative writing.  Dusted off my old screenplay which got a little stale collecting dust and turned it into a science fiction novel called Kami Jin.  After Kami Jin was published, I finished the screenplay adaptation to the book.

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

Lloyd  They say “practice makes perfect.”  I guess so.  I practiced perfectly bad writing habits and was notorious for using the “same words in the same sentence.”  Editors always wrote this funny code in my manuscripts that read:  “SWSS.”  I thought that was some kind of Swiss Army code for a while.  Eventually, I started to break the habit by becoming more aware of what I was doing.


K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

Lloyd  In my sophomore year in high school, my English teacher frequently gave us assignments in creative writing.  I had a lot of fun doing these assignments.  They were more interesting than reading and writing about literary works.  Back then, I despised reading anything, let alone, doing book reports.  But creative writing was my love.

The desire to write my first novel actually came after I took the dusty screenplay out.  Because I procrastinated for so long, the story for the script went south on me.  So I decided to write the novel, hoping that it would re-spark some energy back into the script once again.  It did.

K.S.  What genre do you write?

Lloyd  I like to experiment.  I also like to cook and mix spices and ingredients.  As a student who once took art classes, I also like to draw and paint using different subjects and objects.  I applied these principles to my writing.

I like science fiction.  I also like inspirational books as well as political and social commentary genres.  What I did with Kami Jin was to blend these “spices” or genres into one creation.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

Lloyd  Edgar Allan Poe, perhaps, was the most influential author in my life.  His book, The Narrative of Gordon Pym, was the first book that really captured my attention as I read that book from cover to cover, word for word.  I think this was the first book that sparked my interest in really reading in earnest.

Contemporary figures, I would have to say it would be a grand Welsh woman by the name of Dora Beale Polk.  She was my creative writing mentor and advisor at Cal State Long Beach.  She is an accomplished poet and novelist herself.


K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

Lloyd  It’s been rather mixed.  My wife and my daughter think it’s wonderful – especially for fulfilling my life’s dreams and ambitions.  My immediate family, however, never wanted me to become a writer – although I became one anyway.  Every Thanksgiving, they always tease me because they say I “missed my calling.”  I should have gone to culinary school to become a chef in life.  People say I’m a good cook, and I do love to cook.

My family – other than my immediate family – always discouraged me from going into the arts when I was growing up.  In a typical Asian family, you were expected to study medicine, law, or engineering.  I started out as an engineering major, but was very poor in mathematics.  I repeated mathematics courses frequently.  However, I did very well in the arts – writing and music.  After transferring to a four-year university, I changed my major and received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing.  In fact the music influences have also remained with me.  I presently sing with a master chorale in Whittier.

K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

Lloyd  I found out I wasn’t in total control of my book – the writing that is.

The first third of my book started as a reflection of my own life.  Like, a memoir if you will set in fictitious settings in the 23rd Century.

When I placed the protagonist in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to share his enlightening experience through a series of “sermons on the mount,” it was as if a higher being was actually doing the writing for me.  There are some segments in the book I believe someone else wrote in my place.  This was a little spooky.  During this time, I learned some answers for solving homelessness and poverty and making wars obsolete.

Then to top it off, when I was just about to bring the book to a conclusion, the characters encouraged me to continue writing as if they had something more to say.  So part 2 of the book is essentially “their” story.

K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

Lloyd  I can’t really pinpoint my source of inspiration for the book.  It started out as an insignificant snowflake 30 years go.  I had the idea for a screenplay when I was driving through skid row in downtown Los Angeles and I was extremely moved by people living on the streets, in cardboard dwellings.  I wanted to write something about this.

In 1999, I was laid off and became unemployed for over four consecutive years myself.  Those were, perhaps, the darkest days of my life.  I was practically one step away from becoming homeless myself.  Fortunately, my wife had a good job and we were able to stay in our house and keep a roof over our heads.  But I found out how cruel society can be when you don’t have a job and when you don’t have somewhere to call home.

This sparked my drive to write the book.  The other part that inspired me to write the book was the fact that I had a 30 year screenplay that was collecting dust on the shelf.  I thought it was appropriate, no that I was out of work, to start writing in earnest once again.  The novel jump-started the screenplay.

In September 2009, the Kami Jin was released as an e-book through Smashwords.  On December 31, 2009 at 11:45 p.m., I rang in the new year by completing the screenplay by finally writing in “FADE OUT.”  Then, in March 2010, Kami Jin was released in trade paperback through Wordclay.

K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?

Lloyd - Kami Jin is a tale of two worlds according to the diary of A. Gordon Sakata II of the 23rd Century.  Gordon records an era of despair and misery on Earth as life in the Republic of North America includes a jobless rate of 95%.  People are homeless: poverty and starvation is global and governments around the world are ineffective in solving the crisis.  Corporations have taken over governments, taken away the basic rights of citizens such as freedom of speech and expression and have replaced many people with droids and robots.  Citizens of nations who once lived comfortably in homes, now struggle to survive in streets lined with cardboard condos.  When war breaks out, Earth finally meets its doom, but through the miracle of time travel, it is given a second chance.  Gordon is saved and taken to a utopian planet mirroring Earth’s orbit.  There, inhabitants are treated equally: poverty, homelessness and starvation are non-existent, and everyone is paid $25-million annually in universal life credits by the Universe, regardless of social status.  The quality of health care and education is next to none.  Inhabitants’ brains are so advanced that they travel by merely willing themselves to their destination, rather than using conventional vehicles, yet, they do not manufacture any weapons of any kind.  The world is one planet, one nation.  Gordon vows to right a sinking ship – at least provide hope for the disadvantaged of the world.  He returns to Earth to fulfill his life’s promise.


K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

Lloyd - Amazon.com & BarnesandNoble.com

Wordclay Bookstore (paperback) http://www.wordclay.com/BookStore/BookStoreBookDetails.aspx?bookid=54402

Smashwords (ebooks) -http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4075

K.S. -  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

Lloyd - Website:  www.lloydkaneko.com

Fan site:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lloyd-Kaneko/130991574450

Blog:  http://kamijin1951.blogspot.com
    (my backup blog is also available on my website)

K.S. -  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

Lloyd - If you want to become a writer, don’t anyone – including agents and publishers – stop you from fulfilling your dreams and aspirations.  Join and get support and network through writers groups in your area.  Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t give up – not even for a few paltry rejection letters.  These are only obstacles in the road that can be easily cleared.


This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

Congratulations Stacey

Sorry, meant to put this up yesterday.

Stacey! You are the winner of the book giveaway with Sierra Rose
http://myimmortalstories.blogspot.com/2010/05/author-spotlight-and-book-giveaway-with_22.html#comments

She will be contacting you shortly to arrange the shipping details.

Congratulations!

For everyone else, stay tuned. I have many more authors to spotlight.

Thanks for reading.

Midnight Reflections - Review


A while ago Katrina Michaels stopped in tell us a little about herself and her newest novel, Midnight Reflections. If you missed that post click here.

After chatting with her I just had to read her novel!

I loved it.

Author Katrina Michaels has a refreshing twist on the traditional vampire mythos. Out in the open, the supernaturals mingle with society. They of course must follow some rules to keep everything happy. She maintains the “can’t go inside unless invited” rule, and Vampires are still relegated to the night, as usual; but, the fact that things are in a bit of harmony is a nice thing. That is due to The Preternatural Agency.

The story opens with Tara having a fun night out at the club with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend. Upon leaving, she dumps him and he takes it pretty badly. He attacks her and bludgeons her to death. Thankfully, the club they were at was one that caters to the undead. He takes her inside and convinces a vampire to turn her, so he can escape being blamed for her death.  

Though she didn’t want to be turned, she takes it in stride. I have to say I love Tara. She’s a character you can really enjoy. Upon awaking as a vampire she finds she’s now child to a 300 year old Vampire, Alexander, who wants to be a father again. He misses the companionship and ability to pass on his knowledge.  He’s actually very caring, for a vamp, and helps to bring Tara up to speed and teach her how to take care of herself. Which is something she will need to take on the true villain of this story.  

Tara’s ex-roommates boyfriend ends up dead and the mystery surrounding his as well as other deaths leads Tara to The Preternatural Agency and agent Tom who seems to get in her way, or is it the other way around? I’d rather not give too much away, suffice to say this was a fun read, a nice blend of Urban Fantasy and Mystery. 

I am looking forward to more from this author! If you enjoy Urban Fantasy, check this book out. 

Author Spotlight and Book Giveaway with Sierra Rose



K.S.  Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

S.R. Hello Katie and thanks for having me. My name’s Sierra and I wish I could say that was my given name but alas it’s a penname. I live in rural Eastern Ohio where I’m taking care of my Mother and living with three spoiled cats who like to think they’re more human than we are and a semi-fierce Beagle who thinks he’s a Pitbull but is scared of the cats. I’m disabled with failing vision so I guess I’m as much a full-time writer as I can be.


K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

S.R.My biggest writing quirk would probably be I do most of the book plotting in my mind while asleep. The chapters and scenes often come as dreams which I then have to hope I actually remember the next day. I rarely outline anything since my characters tend to change plots rapidly. I can have a perfectly well thought out chapter going nicely when one of the characters will suddenly develop another sideplot that changes the whole thing.


K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

S.R. I’ve always wrote. Even from a young age I would doodle stories that were in my head. Living in a rural ex-coalmining town with nothing to do and few kids the same age will cause you to think of things to amuse yourself. That’s what I did. It wasn’t until Freshman year of being tutored that I realized that I wanted to write. The desire came from just wanting enough extra credit to get out of Senior English. I have the imagination and creativity to write but lacked a tutor with enough English skills to do me or the course justice. In fact, that first novel is still sitting in a file cabinet waiting to be rewritten.

K.S.  What genre do you write?

S.R. That depends on my mood. These days I flip between paranormal romance and action adventure. Before last year, my genre was always action/adventure and I’m still wondering where the urge came from to go into the paranormal.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

S.R. Wow, that’s a hard one. A desire to get the stories out of my head inspired me most since it gets tough having too many plots in your brain at once. At for favorite author, I’ve read so many wonderful authors it’s hard to choose. Nora Roberts is definitely one of the top. She was the first romance book I ever read since I used to firmly avoid romance novels until I was probably sixteen and picked up one of hers. I like how she can take pretty near any plot, character or setting and make you care about the story. I also would have to name the late Don Pendleton as a top fave. His skills at taking a character that normally should have been labeled a villain and making a reader care about him and the circumstances really was impressive for me.

K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

S.R. My Mother copes with it, since she has to deal with the typing at all hours of the day and night and she enjoys reading the stuff that I actually show her. The rest of the family thinks it’s a waste of time and energy which can be somewhat discouraging when you can’t even get your family to buy a book, lol. Needless to say I don’t talk to them much about it.


K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

S.R. That between weapon books and books on witchcraft, the library will think you’re weird after awhile if you don’t explain it to them. No, honestly I’d say one of the more surprising things I learned was to have a genuine respect for the subject of the book. Between brushing up on the Irish language, or the history of magic, it’s important to have respect for the story and the research.


K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

S.R. For Celtic Evil, I was actually planning a new action book when the plot took a paranormal twist one night and the first book, Roarke’s title, expanded into a five book series. There was no real inspiration, just a really cute Irishman as a character and soon he had brothers and it went from there.

K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?



S.R. Cover Blurb for Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brothers Novel: Ian

Ian Fitzgerald’s entire life is a lie. At eighteen, he’s attending University, has a loving foster family and dreams of becoming an actor. This fantastically normal life comes to a sudden halt when he learns the truth of his life.
 
 From the day he was born he was a part of a prophecy made long ago, a prediction that had other plans for his seemingly normal life. He was to join with his four brothers in overcoming a deeply set malice that threatens to kill the Fitzgerald Five.
 
 Held captive by the evil that tore his outwardly normal life apart, Ian discovers that those closest to him weren’t there by coincidence, but part of a larger plan to destroy the predictions made long before his birth.
 
 Having witnessed his older brother Roarke’s completion of one portion of the prophecy and learning the truth behind the murder of his biological mother and father by the doings of the evil and deadly Sebastian, Ian realizes his fate and becomes active in achieving his destiny, fighting to protect not only his own life, but also the lives of his best friend and love interest.



K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

S.R.  It’s available on Amazon.com as both a paperback and Kindle, also as a paperback and ebook on Barnes&Noble.com and as an ebook on Smashwords. It also has an ebook version on Goodreads.com.
The same with my other novels.

K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

S.R.
I have a website at: Sierra Rose Books Online - Home
I also have a Facebook page as an author at: Facebook | Sierra Rose
My books have their own fan pages at: Facebook | Celtic Evil: A Fitzgerald Brother Series and Facebook | S.E.A.L. Team Omega
My main blog is A Book Lover with links to the book blogs on there
I can also be found on Goodreads | Sierra Rose
I enjoy chatting and friending readers and other authors.


K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

S.R. Don’t give up on your dreams. People may tell you that you aren’t smart enough or talented enough to write a novel but so long as you have that burning desire and a story in your heart then you can write a book. It’s hard work but worth it if you stick to your guns and don’t allow anyone to stomp you down.

And now for the part you've all been waiting for!

THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

US residents only

Sierra has made available ONE a free copy of her book! 

All you have to do is leave a comment, indicating you want to enter, and your email address.

Only one entry per person.

Sierra will pick one lucky winner (at random) from the comment section.
If you do not wish to leave an email address, please make sure you are signed in to your blogger profile so we have some way to contact you.)


Winner will be announced on Monday.

Good Luck!

Funny Blog Awards

Leilana @ Leilani Loves Books passed on this fun blog award to me. Thanks!!



When you receive the Over the Top award you have to answer these following questions in ONE word so here I go.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse.
2. Your hair? Auburn.
3. Your mother? Mom
4. Your father? Dad.
5. Your favorite food? Good!
6. Your dream last night? Forgettable.
7. Your favorite drink? RedBull
8. Your dream/goal? Author.
9. What room are you in? Office
10. Your hobby? Writing.
11. Your fear? Death.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Vacationing
13. Where were you last night? Home.
14. Something that you aren’t? Extroverted
15. Muffins? Blue Berry
16. Wish list item? Books
17. Where did you grow up? Texas
18. Last thing you did? Ate
19. What are you wearing? Clothes
20. Your TV? Off.
21. Your pets? Cats
22. Friends? MIA
23. Your life? Hectic.
24. Your mood? Anxious
25. Missing someone? Yes.
26. Car? Yep
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? OldNavy
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today.
31. Last time you cried? Months
32. Your best friend? Crystal
33. One place that I go to over and over? Office
34. One person who emails me regularly? Mom
35. Favorite place to eat? Home.

I pass this on to...
The blog team at CoffeeFueled Erotica

The Sweetest Kiss - Quick review.



The Sweetest Kiss
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Cleis Press (October 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1573443715

Synopsis (Copied from Amazon)

Vampires have a timeless allure, mesmerizing us in every medium from books and graphic novels to movies and television shows. Immortal, eternally beautiful, strong, and sexy, these creatures take what they need, stealing the life force from those unlucky enough to cross their paths — or from those whose luck leads them to the most thrilling experience of their lives. Edited by noted erotica writer D. L. King, The Sweetest Kiss takes readers into shadowy alleys, dark bedrooms, and more mysterious spaces to experience the frisson of terror and delight that only a vampire can produce. Mostly straight, these stories also feature bi and queer vampires satisfying their lust in contemporary and period settings. These blood-drenched tales give new meaning to the term "dead sexy" and feature beautiful bloodsuckers whose desires go far beyond blood.



Vampires and erotica? Sign me up!

My hubby picked up this book for me, knowing I love vampires. I'm not sure if he knew it was erotica, but that is beside the point.

Now, normally I am not one to do anthologies. It's kind of like buying a CD. There might be one maybe two songs you like and the rest you could do without hearing. Me, I prefer to download individually. The same applies to my reading. I prefer stories I choose, not the random mix. Even with that in mind, I am glad my husband bought this one for me.

The book is filled with bite sized tales written by a variety of authors. The length of each story is perfect for those of you with short attention spans or limited "quiet" time to read.

Unlike the current sparkly Twilight vamps, the creatures of the night in this collection are of a darker breed. A refreshing throwback to the older Anne Rice vampires and Bram Stoker's Dracula too.

The variety of stories span the range from pure porno with page after page of steamy vamp action, to softer more seductive plot driven stories that make you ached to be held in the arms of that vampire lover. There is plenty inside to get your motor running.


An anthology like this has made me rethink my stance on anthology books. I believe I will have to go hunting for more bite sized vampire erotica.

If you are a fan of vampires and love erotica, check this book out!

Author Spotlight with Susan Hanniford Crowley



K.S.  Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

S.H.C. I’m a cross-over author from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and when I’m not being paranormal and writing sizzling love scenes, I edit for a science fiction and fantasy magazine (not a romance venue).  I have been married for 31 years, have two grown daughters, and am currently questing for a cat.   My collection of dragons keeps getting bigger.  I still have no talent with plants no matter how hard I try, and I’m wild about paranormal romance.  It’s the greatest fun.


K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

S.H.C. I love to write in my pajamas.  I think it’s because it keeps me in that half sleep, half awake world. 


K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

S.H.C. I was eight when I started writing stories about squirrels.  When I was 12, I wrote a spy novel that was passed around covertly throughout my class in school. I’ve always wanted to write novels. It was how to write it that was a question for me.


K.S.  What genre do you write?

S.H.C. I write in paranormal romance which is wonderful as by RWA definitions it encompasses science fiction romance and fantasy romance as well as stories about supernaturals.


K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

S.H.C. My favorite author also became my first editor—Marion Zimmer Bradley.  When I read THE MISTS OF AVALON and THE FIREBRAND, I felt transported.  That’s my goal for my readers to be transported and to have fun.  When I switched over to paranormal romance, the world opened up to me in how to express my characters and their lives.  I love the utter freedom and abandon of it.


K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

S.H.C. My husband is very supportive.  He’s a very romantic guy and very inspiring.  My daughters grew up with mom being a writer and going to science fiction conventions.  When I expanded into paranormal romance, they were all for it. 


K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

S.H.C. I had written three full length manuscripts before the fourth which became THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS.  When I switched into paranormal romance, I joined RWA and a local chapter.  The education with the romance authors was just enormous.  After almost 25 years, I joined them and their workshops are so good, I got a better handle on the different parts of writing.  They are crystal clear in their suggestions and examples and how to write.  If you get a chance to get to a writer’s conference given by a RWA chapter, sign up immediately.  Their education is priceless.


K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

S.H.C. Dreams.  I dreamt about Laura and David for months before writing the book.  I actually didn’t want to at first as I was working on something else.  But the characters were persistent.


K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?


S.H.C. Here’s an Excerpt from THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS:

The blood oozed into her mouth, as he pressed his arm against her lips.  At first, she choked and sputtered but then finally accepted it.  Laura tried not to think about what it really was.  The warmth reminded her of ginger tea with a citrus tang.
“Since I am your sire, my blood will give you a balanced mind.  You will not need to feed again until tonight.”
After a few more minutes, she pushed him away.  The wound on his arm healed before her eyes.  Wide-eyed, she smiled.  “I feel so strong and well.  I don’t ache or hurt anywhere.”  Then his reference to being her sire struck her.  “So you own me now!”  Her anger flared again along with her strength.  She slapped him.
“What was that for?”  He held his hand to his cheek.
“Oh, I don’t know.  You made me a vampire and now you own me.  Take your pick.”
David gazed upward.  “This isn’t going well.”
“Who are you talking to?”
“God.”
Laura scoffed.  “A vampire talks to God?  Does God answer you?”
David frowned at her and sighed.  ”God apparently has one hell of a sense of humor.”
“What does that mean?”
“Never mind.  Let’s get back to the subject at hand.  No, I do not own you.  I have no claim on you whatsoever.  You are free to decide where you want to be and with whom.  I’ll help you get started, that’s all.”  With every word, he seemed more uncomfortable.  “We do have a blood tie though, so if you ever need my help, just think of me and I’ll come.  I’ll find you.”
Her anger dissipated.  Laura enjoyed seeing him vulnerable.  And he didn’t hit her back.  She smiled.  “I don’t know your name.”
“I’m David Hilliard.”
This time she gently touched his face.  “I’m Laura Cordelais.”
He held her hand to his cheek and closed his eyes.
Laura gasped as she realized her surroundings.  “Do you live here?”
“No.”  He chuckled.  “I just needed to get you out of the sun.  I have an apartment.”
“Well, that’s a relief.  I thought I’d have to live in a cemetery.”
They both laughed.
Laura looked around at the grim tomb.  A spider crawled up the stone wall nearest her, and she trembled.  “I’m afraid of small, closed spaces.  And bugs.”
He enclosed her in his arms.  “Don’t be afraid.  As soon as it’s dark, we’ll leave.”
Her mouth was so close to his, she could almost taste him.  Then he pressed his firm lips against hers.
Hmm.  He tastes of honey.  I love honey.
Their fangs knocked together.  Laura giggled nervously.
“Shall we try that again?” he suggested.
She nodded.
David gently took her chin and tilted her head slightly.  Then his lips possessed hers again.  Laura tingled from head to toe and wondered if a vampire was capable of love.  She hoped David was.
When their lips parted, Laura frowned.
“I’m still angry with you.”
“Really?  You don’t sound that angry.”
“I’m furious with you.  I mean you made me a vampire.”
“Are you furious?”  He carefully pushed a hair off her face and kissed her forehead.
“Now that’s not fair.  Are you using your hypnotic powers on me?”
“No.  I want everything between us to be real.”  He kissed her left temple and moved down her jaw line.  His mouth caressed her lips.  His tongue rubbed her fangs.

K.S.  Where can we find your novel? 

S.H.C. You can find my two novellas (which are a prequel and a sequel) as well as the novel at All Romance Ebooks  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html
And at Amazon Books as a Kindle and other fine ebook stores.  I’m currently waiting for a print release date.


K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

S.H.C.
My website is http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com  
My romance blog that I share with friends is http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com   It’s always fun with something new every day and a wealth of writing information.
I also have The Writing House which talks only about writing and the writer’s life  http://thewritinghouse.blogspot.com
I’m on Twitter as SHCrowley and I’m Susan Hanniford Crowley on Facebook. 


K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

S.H.C. Get the best possible education on writing you can from writers who sell books.  You’ll learn the craft and the business, which is what you need to be published now.  Don’t be afraid to go to someone else’s conference, because the craft of writing doesn’t change from genre to genre.  Okay, writing hot love scenes may not be your cup of tea, but at a local romance writer’s conference that’s one or two workshops.  The rest have titles like writing a great hook (that’s your book’s beginning), creating strong characters, how not to have your plot’s middle sag, etc.  I could go on and on with all the workshops that apply to writers across the board.  And in my too many years of experience, no one does it better than the romance authors.  We have authors from other genres at our conferences all the time.


This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

Author Spotlight with Yvonne Nicolas


K.S.  I'm happy to have with me today author Yvonne Nicolas. Her book was recently reviewed over at Coffee Fueled Erotica and I must say it sounds like a sexy read. Yvonne, why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

Y.N.  I’m a southern gal, born and raised in Orlando, Florida. I’ve been writing for about 3 years and I’m glad I found this special gift I have. I spend a great deal of my time in front of the computer, like most writer do, but on my down time, I’m hugging up with my family, who have been a tremendous support system from day one. 

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

Y.N.  Oh yeah, I have plenty. It depends on what type of scene I’m writing. If it’s an action scene, I watch a action movie or two, or I turn to my I-pod for some rock music. That always pumps me up. And if it’s a love scene…well, you get the idea. ;o)  

K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

Y.N.  Well, I’ve always been an avid reader, and a collector of novels. I read my first romance story at the age of 14. Yeah, I rummaged through my mom’s romance novel collection. *snicker* When I got up to legal age and had actually experienced things worth writing about, I gave it a try. And whadda ya know…I actually have a talent for it. Or at least I think I do. LOL!

K.S.  What genre do you write?

Y.N.  My first published novel, Designing Love is an erotic romance. The next one, titled Black Rayne, which is due to come out soon, is an urban fantasy. I also have another in the works, which is a sci-fi with a hint of mystery. So I guess I write a little bit of everything.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

Y.N.  My favorite author…hmm. There are so many awesome authors out there that I can’t choose just one, but I can tell you my two first favorites; Anne Rice and Terry McMillan.

K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

Y.N.  My husband loves the fact that I write. He enjoys assisting me in coming up with plots. My mom laughs and blushes at my writing.

K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

Y.N.  That I do my best writing in the middle of the night while all of the lights are out.

K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

Y.N.  This story actually came to me on a whim. I was in the middle of writing the urban fantasy when I switched to Designing Love. That’s usually how my ideas come to me, while I’m working on something else.

K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?
Y.N.  Yes. It’s not your typical love story, nor is it a sweet romance. I tried to make it as realistic as possible, which meant I had to step outside of the box and deliver a tale that depicts real life situations. Here’s a snippet of the first chapter.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The groom lifted the ivory veil and gazed at his new wife with pride. Tears of joy trickled down her face. Smiling, he palmed her flushed cheeks and captured her pink, pouting lips with a kiss.
A roar of applause erupted across the terrace. Butterflies were set free and tears filled the eyes of many envious women. Helicopters hovered overhead, harboring anxious paparazzi, who attempted to snap a money-making shot of the star studded event. Too bad a huge tent blocked their view of the lovely ceremony.
“I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Hanks,” the priest announced proudly.
Maintaining a smile, that fought to leave his face, Devon Sparks patted the back of the groom, his best friend, Roland Hanks; the man who’d just married the woman of his dreams, after only three months of dating.
A beautiful love story, if you believed in that kind of shit.
Stacy Ann Larson, Devon’s former live-in girlfriend, fanned her face, trying desperately to dry the tears that proceeded to wreck her make-up. All twelve of her delighted bridesmaids surrounded her. Squeals and cheers of glee erupted from them.
Devon winced. Damn bridesmaids. He could think of a thousand other places he’d rather be than standing there watching the woman he loved beaming with happiness at being married to another man.
But he had to be there. He was, after all, the best man.






K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

Y.N.  Redrosepublishing.com. Swing by and pick up your copy today!

K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

Y.N.  Yes ma’am. You can find me on myspace, facebook and twitter.
http://www.myspace.com/yvonnenicolas
http://www.facebook.com/yvonnenicolas09
http://twitter.com/YvonneNicolas
Drop by and visit me anytime.


K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

Y.N.  Yes. Keep writing. Don’t allow anything to draw you from that path. And keep your voice. Everyone has his or her own style of writing. Make your own and stick with it.









Author Spotlight with Lee Libro



K.S.  Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.

L.L.  I’m both a visual artist and a writer. I think visually and paint in acrylics and watercolors and I have been writing from the time I first was able to form letters and words with that big fat green pencil they give you in first grade. Later I majored in English, even though I had started out as an art major, and all of my working career has had me writing in one capacity or another, from exhibit copy for an Art Museum to advertising copy in marketing communications to medical text editing in foreign language translations to promotional media in real estate. Writing and painting are my fuel for living.
I’m the mother of five children, with just my last two still living at home.  I currently live in Florida with my husband, children and two dogs.

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

L.L. My most interesting writing quirk is that I usually write the ending first. The rest is the journey I create to get there.


K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

L.L. I received a very exciting beginning to writing when in second grade I won second place, a beautiful gold watch, in a county-wide writing contest on fire prevention. That meek beginning was the type of encouragement, which can be life-altering for children, and in my case, it certainly was. My desire to pen my first novel came from a short story I wrote over twenty years ago. The “Resurrection of Marcia Mueller” would nagged at me too many times to be ignored. She wanted to grow up and become a big girl and so the main character of Swimming with Wings appeared and the novel was born.


K.S.  What genre do you write?

L.L. I’d classify it mainly as literary fiction, but it might include an element of romance, history or mystery.


K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

L.L. My favorite author is Flannery O’Connor. She has this incredible ability to point the reader to the most enigmatic elements of ordinary life, to make one see the extraordinary in the simplest of characters. Her stories create the type of real inner tension that leave you with the feeling you’ve peered into one of life’s greatest mysteries and somehow vanquished it.


K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

L.L. My family thinks anything I create is great. No disrespect, but unfortunately, they don’t count. They are apt to gush too much, so I have a hard time taking their critiques objectively. I’d much rather know what my fellow writers in my writing group think or what the general reading public think about it.


K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

L.L. The most surprising thing that I learned while writing Swimming With Wings, was a synchrony I discovered about myself and Benjamin Paul Akers, the true life sculptor of the Dead Pearl Diver, a statue that takes center stage for Lark, the female character, and her outlook on life. In addition to being a sculptor, he was an art critic for The Atlantic Monthly in the 1860’s and his critical theory was very much in alignment with my own musings about the role of art to the artist, namely that expression is a form of communion with the universe, or what many call God. I found this to be a very progressive, even New Age-like idea for someone in the 1860’s. And I discovered this after I had already written many parts of the story that address this idea.


K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

L.L. Swimming With Wings was written partially in response to my observation of a lack of fiction that addresses new age spirituality, but also because it’s a story I’ve carried around inside of me for a long time. It was spun off of a short story I wrote over twenty years ago and it always would nag at me to be written in novel length. It expresses much of what I myself went through while growing up. Faced with ever increasing conflicts in a world of religious diversity, I’ve always been a soul searcher. So this novel tells that story of finding spiritual connection in a world constrained by religious dogmas.


K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?

L.L. Here’s the jacket copy for Swimming With Wings:




What do a light healer who can raise the dead, an eccentric, would-be dubutant teen and a fanatic cult follower have in common? A story of human brotherhood released only through the colliding dogmas surrounding their shared tragedy from long ago.

Lark Jennison is a free thinker and imagines she has wings! Set in the 1970's in a small southern town laced with folk mysticism, faith healings and the evangelistic zeal of the era, Swimming with Wings is her coming of age story. Orphaned, seventeen-year-old Lark and her brother are the last generation of the illustrious Jennison lumber family, and her uncanny ability to read a person, along with her eccentric ways as a budding artist, shine a spotlight of scrutiny upon her. When she falls for Peter Roma, a river gypsy from Summerville, she finds in him an equal, but is soon disturbingly set on a collision course with his fanaticism.

The drowning accident that had killed their father remains a mystery, a harbinger of ill feelings between the Romas and the Jennisons.  Is Peter Roma, a scammer, a real gypsy or Lark's personal savior? To protect her, Lark’s older brother sends her to art school in Maine, the home state of their mother’s family. Uninvited, Peter follows but eventually considers their relationship a danger to the beatification of both their souls. His grandfather had been a mystical light healer and heralded the rising tide of a new age; however, Peter's “being saved” interpretation of this leads him into cult and a world of corruption. Through it all Lark and Peter remain in love, but in the end who will save who?

An arresting blend of literary fiction, mystery and romance, this is a story about searching for direction, the hidden influences of ancestral roots and the forces that shape belief.


K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

L.L. You can find my novel at Amazon.com,  BarnesandNoble.com, or my website www.swimmingwithwings.com . It can also be requested from virtually any brick and mortar bookstore or library, as it is distributed wholesale through their suppliers on the Ingram and Baker & Taylor databases.





K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

L.L. You can read more about me and my latest novel at www.swimmingwithwings.com. I also run a blog on writing and reading entitled www.literary-magic.com

K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

L.L. The only thing standing between you and being published is the words you haven’t written, edited and perfected, so write, write, write!



This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

My First Book Signing!

Las Vegas Locals!
This is my very first Book Signing for
Immortalis Carpe Noctem

Mark your calendars

On Saturday, June 19th at 1:00 PM.

 
I'll be at 
Best on the Boulevard
3860 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-734-2900

Come out and chat with me. I hope to see you there.

Congratulations Walking tiger

Margaret West has selected you as the winner of the ebook giveaway. She will be contacting you shortly to arrange to send you the ebook.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in our Author spotlight interview.

Stay tuned. I have many more new authors to introduce you to.

So Freaking Cool!

I'm floating on cloud nine right now!

One of the dreams of every author (besides being rich and famous with people clamoring for your book) is simply to see their baby on the shelf of a major bookseller.

Today the dream became a reality!


Not just one copy, but two! 

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2990

In stock at Barnes & Noble
Best on the Boulevard
3860 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-734-2900

 

I'm working out the details with the CRM at this store and should have my first book signing set up soon. Details to come.

 

Am I too old to be bouncing around like a kid? I'm so ... beyond words ... happy doesn't even cover it.

Author Spotlight and giveaway with Margaret West



K.S. - Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

Margaret  - Hi Katie. Thank you for having me today. I was born in London, England, and moved to the Kent countryside five years ago to get away from the busy life and pollution of city living. I’m married with two grown up children and I’ve worked in various fields of work. I’ve found my niche now. I’m a working  Clairknowing medium, Crystal Therapist, Parapsychologist and Psychic Development tutor.
I’ve been writing over 20 years and have numerous short stories, novels and articles published

K.S. - Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

Margaret  - I’ve got a quirk that only my husband knows about lol When I write a characters dialogue I tend to jump up and become that character, saying their lines out a loud. My husband thinks I’m mad, but sometimes you just have to do the bizarre, before everything else makes sense.



K.S. -  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

Margaret - When I started working for Eon |productions. I was fascinated by the scriptwriters and the way they sat around a big table scribbling down scenes and arguing them out. My first novel was born working for them.


K.S. -  What genre do you write?

Margaret  - I write romance and paranormals. Incorporating my spiritual experiences, into my  books where I can.

K.S.  - What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

Margaret  - I know Catherine Cookson is considered ‘old hat’ but I can’t deny her books really did inspire me. The way she brought her characters to life was fascinating. You really did bond with them as you read the book. I wanted to write like that. I wanted my readers to ‘like’ my characters – see them as real people, even though they are fictional.

K.S. -  What does your family think of your writing?

Margaret - My son and daughter have no clue what I write, they just know I do LOL My husband insists on buying my books, wrapping them up and sorting them away. He says one day I’ll be famous and the books will be worth a fortune. I’m still waiting for that day!!

K.S. -  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

Margaret  - How it really does take over your life. When I’m not writing, I’m still with the characters. Thinking about what they can do next, scenes or what they are wearing. I get quite caught up with it sometimes.

K.S. -  What inspired you to write your novel?

Margaret - My new release The Heart of a Warrior came around by a bizarre chain of circumstances. I was writing about the Native Americans as a whole. A nonfiction story about the tribes that are now lost forever, due to circumstance and disease. Then one day the book took a whole new slant. I suddenly thought, I could get all this information out about them in a romance novel and highlight at the same time, how cultural differences that can come in-between love and romance.

K.S. - Can you tell us a little about your novel?


Margaret  - Yuma is the last of his ancestral line. He is the chief of a reservation closing to the world. and needs to have children to carry on his title of chief. When he falls in love with Belinda, fresh from the UK and no idea about reservation life, his life takes on a dramatic turn. He begins to question the traditions and culture he has lived for all his life.

Excerpt
Yuma stood for a moment and watched in disbelief as his people’s
precious saleable goods, flew out of the door and into the dirt. When a
pile of new winter blankets landed in a heap at his feet, his temper
finally boiled over. He walked to the doorway and stood, arms crossed
over his chest. She would not throw anything else out if he could help it.
“Who’s in here?” he barked into the semi darkened room.
A pretty, red face with a button nose and pouting lips peeked out
from behind a cardboard box and frowned. “Can I help you?”
“You can. By leaving now,” Yuma replied.
Belinda frowned. “What…why?”
Yuma’s eyes narrowed in anger. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He saw a flicker of impatience cross the woman’s hazel eyes, flecked
with gold, as she stared at him. That fuelled his anger even more. What
right did she have to feel irritated?
Belinda stood up and walked from behind a tall box. “Isn’t it obvious
what I’m doing?”
“Well I can see you’re touching things which don’t belong to you,” he
barked. “I demand you leave immediately.”
Belinda’s eyebrows shot up indignantly. She placed her hands onto
her slender hips and with legs apart, stood and faced Yuma like a
gunslinger waiting for him to draw. “What do you mean, you demand?
I’m not going anywhere,” she said defiantly. “I don’t know who you are,
but I’d appreciate it if you’d go away and take your bad manners with
you.”




K.S. -  Where can we find your novel?

Margaret  - You can buy my novels here. Amazon
 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=two+faces+One+Life+by+Margaret+west&x=12&y=24
Eternal Press.  http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=318



K.S. -  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?


Margaret  - Find me at
 www.margaret-west.com

Writers Blog. http://Margaret-paranormalromanceauthor.blogspot.com/  Where I am currently doing a virtual book tour.

Spiritual Blog.  http://magsx.blogspot.com/  That gives lots of information on the spirit side of life that I’ve just discovered paranormal authors love to browse for information for their books lol

Facebook    Margaret west

Twitter   mwest1962

K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?


Margaret  - You know, it’s hard being a writer! When you’re new it’s very easy to be crushed by someone’s harsh criticism of your work. You need to develop a thick skin. So that’s my advice. Grow that thick skin, BEFORE you submit your work anywhere.

And now for the part you've all been waiting for!








THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!


Margaret has made available ONE a free copy of her ebook, Two faces One Life . A coffee break short story!

All you have to do is leave a comment, indicating you want to enter, and your email address.

Only one entry per person.

Margaret will pick one lucky winner (at random) from the comment section.
If you do not wish to leave an email address, please make sure you are signed in to your blogger profile so we have some way to contact you.)


Winner will be announced no later than Monday.

Good Luck!

This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.

A Message from ASA!

For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

What do you want to see?

I cannot believe how much this blog has grown over the last two years! As of this week the blog hit a record 200+ followers. That is amazing!

Thank you all for the love an support. I hope to continue to grow this blog and provide you all with interesting content.

With that, I am asking you, the readers: What do you want to see here?

More interviews?
More tips and tricks?
Book Reviews?
News and Updates from Rising Sign Books?
Or, something else...

You tell me, I'm open to suggestions.

And thanks again for all the wonderful support. I cannot say it enough; I love the writing community, you are all a great bunch of people!

Congratulations to the winner!

Congratulations to

Tamara Russell

You've just won yourself a copy of Jaded Visions by T.L. Jones!

Terri should be sending you a message shortly.

Once again, congratulations thank you, to all the readers, for stopping by and checking out the weekly Author Spotlight.

Author Spotlight and book Giveaway with T. L. Jones


K.S.  Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.

TL: Hi Katie thank you for this opportunity. My name is Terri and I recently completed my first novel “Jaded Visions”. I was a police officer here in Texas and decided to use experience and imagination to try something new. I hope it worked.

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

TL: Well really the only thing that comes to mind is my experience in writing Jaded Visions. I had always wanted to write but just didn’t seem to have the time. One morning I told my husband, Dave, that I was going to start my book and went upstairs to give it a try. Dave laughed and said have fun. It was too easy. The words just flowed. The story line and all just started to appear as I typed. It was amazing.

K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

TL: Katie I have always had a passion for reading. I thought about writing forever and just decided one day to give it a try. It was a natural flow. I thoroughly enjoyed writing my first novel. I am currently writing the second.

K.S.  What genre do you write?

TL: Mysteries and this one has a paranormal twist.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

TL: I had a friend who has since passed away that wrote short stories. His name was Butch Grant and he would bring these short stories to me to read. Butch was very talented and did write a novel before he passed away. I always expressed my desire to write my own one day and Butch unfailingly pushed me to try. Jaded Visions is dedicated in part to Butch Grant. Kay Hooper is a fave. I love her Bishop FBI series. She can spin a web with paranormal abilities like no other.

K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

TL:  They are all very proud and supportive. My husband and children have been an inspiration through this entire experience.

K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

TL: How much fun I had doing it.

K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

TL:  Something I have always want to try my hand at. Reading is a passion of mine and now writing is.

K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?

TL: Blub

Jade Hamilton is barely staying one step ahead of a ruthless killer. Paranormal visions have been a part of her life since she was ten and this time her visions put her in the middle of a murder. Jade has to keep six year old Emmie Linderhoff safe from this killer, as well as, keep herself out of jail for kidnapping.
Jade runs with the child after the girl's parents are murdered and along the way she meets up with St. Joseph's most eligible bachelor, Detective Ryan Douglas. Ryan, along with his partner, try to help Jade solve this case before another murder occurs. As they become more involved in the case, they begin to realize that their feelings for each other are growing as quickly as the fear that they won't find the killer in time



K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

TL: I have a web site tljonesauthor.com, also available Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobel.com, Iuniverse.com, anywhere Ingram books are sold online as well.

K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

TL: Yes, my web site is: tljonesauthor.com, I also have a FB fan page: TL Jones Author. I am currently working on a blog. I am so on Twitter.com tljonesauthor.

K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

TL: Never give up. It is a passion worth fulfilling. Seeing your book in print is the most phenomenal feeling. Never say never.


And now for the part you've all been waiting for!



THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Terri has made available ONE a free copy of her book!

All you have to do is leave a comment, indicating you want to enter, and your email address.

Only one entry per person.

Terri will pick one lucky winner (at random) from the comment section.
If you do not wish to leave an email address, please make sure you are signed in to your blogger profile so we have some way to contact you.)


Winner will be announced no later than Monday May 3rd.

Good Luck!

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.