Category: Interviews

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Interview & Giveaway with Joanne Kennedy

Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome for the first time Joanna Kennedy to the blog.  We are excited to learn more about Joanne and share her and her newest book with you.. So enough of my talking lets talk Hot Cowboys……

Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

JK: I’m a romance writer who loves cowboys, horses, and the West. I’m lucky enough to have found my niche writing contemporary Westerns, and I find plenty of material here in my hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?

JK: I’ve always loved books and I wanted to write, but like a lot of people, I talked about it a lot and didn’t actually sit down and do it until I hit my midlife crisis (it was a doozy!). I realized that if I didn’t make the effort, I’d never get it done—and I sat down and wrote the book that became Cowboy Trouble.

Q3) What is your most interesting writing quirk?

JK: When I write, I like to be surrounded by reminders of good times in my own life, so my office is scattered with odd little mementoes. There’s a wind-up chicken that poops out jellybeans, an elk vertebra, a plastic dinosaur, and a Chihuahua bobble-head, among other things.

Q4) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

JK: Cowboy Crazy is about rodeo cowboy Lane Carrigan, who is the black-sheep heir to an oil fortune, and Sarah Landon, who manages publicity for his family’s company. Sarah thinks she left her small-town past behind, but when Lane goes public about his fight to save the town of Two Shot from his family’s development plans, she’s forced to return to her hometown and face some long-buried secrets.

Q5) How did you come with the idea for this story?

JK: I do a lot of traveling around the state of Wyoming, and I’ve watched a lot of small towns change as the mining industry goes through its boom-and-bust cycle. Lane and Sarah are both concerned about the town of Two Shot, but they’re on opposite sides: Lane wants to keep the town from changing, while Sarah wants the prosperity development will bring. They’re both right, and both wrong; part of the story is how they come to realize what the community really needs.

Q6) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

JK: I just finished Cowboy Tough, which is about a rodeo cowboy who has to go home to help save the family ranch by turning it into a dude ranch. His first guest is a big-city artist who is leading a painting expedition, and his job is to guide them through the backcountry. It was a fun book to write because of the clash of cultures between the art world and the cowboy world.

Q7) Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

JK: I would love to meet Larry McMurtry. I think Lonesome Dove is the greatest Western ever written. I love his characters, his voice, and his ability to spin history into a story you can’t put down while respecting the reality of the old West. There’s no sugarcoating in a McMurtry book—he celebrates the real West!

Q8) What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

JK: Learn to accept and learn from criticism. No matter where you are in your writing journey, you can always get better. It’s easy to get defensive when someone criticizes your work, but take a step back, breathe deeply, and listen.

Q9) Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

JK: Okay, this is weird, but I have always wanted to get to know an elephant. I had a dream years ago where I was a mahout, riding my trusty pachyderm in the jungle. I worked with the elephant to move logs, and we were in perfect harmony. It was the best dream ever.

Q10 What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

JK: I am really looking forward to Carolyn Brown’s upcoming women’s fiction book. She’s a good friend and a terrific person, and reading her books is just like sitting down and visiting with her. They’re funny and sweet and very entertaining.

Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?

JK: Just a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to interview me! We writers owe a debt of gratitude to bloggers like you, who connect us with readers and help us add another level to the reading experience. And thanks to the readers out there, too, for inviting my characters into their lives.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanne Kennedy is the author of four contemporary Western romances for Sourcebooks: Cowboy Trouble One Fine Cowboy, Cowboy Fever, and Tall, Dark and Cowboy. She brings a wide variety of experience, ranging from chicken farming to horse training, to her sexy, spicy cowboy stories. She is a 2011 finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of American RITA© Awards, for One Fine Cowboy. Joanne lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she is working on her next book, Cowboy Tough (Fall 2012). For more information, please visit http://joannekennedybooks.com/. To purchase Joanne’s latest release, Cowboy Crazy, please visit ganxy.com/p/62834.

 

To purchase Cowboy Crazy by Joanne Kennedy, please visit ganxy.com/p/62834. 

 

COWBOY CRAZY BY JOANNE KENNEDY – IN STORES JUNE 2012

Sparks fly when sexy cowboys collide with determined heroines in a West filled with quirky characters and sizzling romance. Acclaimed for delivering “a fresh take on the traditional contemporary Western“ Joanne Kennedy’s books might just be your next great discovery! 

From stable to boardroom…

Sarah Landon’s Ivy League scholarship transforms her from a wide-eyed country girl into a poised professional. Until she’s assigned to do damage control with the boss’s rebellious brother Lane, who’s the burr in everybody’s saddle. He’s determined to save his community from oil drilling, and she’s not going back to the ranch she left forever. Spurs will shine in this saucy romp about ranchers and roots, redemption and second chances.

 Giveaway Time!!!

I have one copy of Cowboy Crazy to giveaway… To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Open to US Only.  Giveaway sponsored by Sourcebooks.

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Interview & Giveaway with Laura Kaye

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have the WONDERFUL Laura Kaye back on the blog.  We always love having Laura on the blog.  We love her and her books.  Which brings me back to why we are here.  Laura has 2, yes 2 new releases this month Her Forbidden Hero and Seduced by the Vampire King.  Both which are very good stories.  So enough of my ramblings lets get to the good stuff. 

Q1)  Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Laura:  I would love to! And thanks so much for having me here—I always enjoy hanging out at Books-n-Kisses! I write paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance and just celebrated my 6th and 7th releases in pretty quick succession: Her Forbidden Hero on May 15 and Seduced by the Vampire King (Vampire Warrior Kings #2) on June 1! I’m also a wife, mom of two young girls (ages 8 and almost 6), college history professor, Marylander, and complete vampire addict!

Q2)  Have you always wanted to be an author?

Laura:  Well, I suppose so, because from the time I began college, I knew I wanted to be a college history professor, and publication is an expected part of that job. So, I’ve published two works of historical non-fiction as part of my academic career. However, I didn’t begin writing fiction until almost four years ago, and while I wanted to be an author, getting published is not easy, so the fact that it’s happened is really a dream come true.

Q3)  Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

Laura:  Have laptop, will write! LOL Seriously, that is the single thing I require. My typical writing day is to meet my best friend and YA paranormal author Lea Nolan at Panera, stake out a comfy spot in our regular booth, and write all day until it’s time to pick up the kids. Alternately, if it’s a teaching day for me, I’ll write in the evenings after dinner, homework, and baths.

Q4)  Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Laura:  I’ll start with the most rewarding part first, since that’s the easiest! The most rewarding part of writing is hearing from readers how much they enjoyed my books. After all, if it weren’t for readers, there really wouldn’t be much reason for me to do this! One positive comment from a reader is like fuel that can keep me going all day! Seriously, I love interacting with people about books! The most challenging part of writing is just having enough time to do everything that needs done. Between writing, promoting, my day job, my family, my house, and optional things like, you know, sleep *winks*, sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

Q5) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Laura:  I’ll share both since I’ve got two new ones out right now!

Her Forbidden Hero is a truly heartfelt contemporary romance about a tormented former Army Special Forces soldier battling his war-borne injuries and demons and attempting to stay away from the one person—his best friend’s little sister—who gives him the most solace but is off limits. Here’s the blurb:

She’s always been off-limits… Former Army Special Forces Sgt. Marco Vieri has never thought of Alyssa Scott as more than his best friend’s little sister, but her return home changes that…and challenges him to keep his war-borne demons at bay. Marco’s not the same person he was back when he protected Alyssa from her abusive father, and he’s not about to let her see the mess he’s become. …but now she’s all grown up. When Alyssa takes a job at the bar where Marco works, her carefree smiles wreak havoc on his resolve to bury his feelings. How can he protect her when he can’t stop thinking about her in his bed? But Alyssa’s not looking for protection–not anymore. Now that she’s back in his life, she’s determined to heal her forbidden hero, one touch at a time…

 

Seduced by the Vampire King is the second book in my Vampire Warrior Kings series and offers a twist on the enemies-to-lovers theme by pairing together a vampire warrior who wants nothing more in his life but vengeance for his dead brothers with a human woman who fled 5,000 miles to escape a life in the service of vampires. Here’s the blurb:

American exchange student Kate Bordessa has fled to Russia to escape her family’s hopes that she’ll become one of the Proffered, human women who feed and mate with elite vampire warriors. But when she stumbles upon a wounded vampire in the streets of Moscow, she’s instinctively driven to protect him–and feels an undeniable spark of desire. Grieving over the deaths of his brothers, Vampire Warrior King Nikolai Vasilyev has thrown himself into battling his enemies, focused only on vengeance. Until the attack that brought him to Kate. Their sexual attraction explodes into a night of uncontrolled passion–a night that marks them as mates. Is their connection strong enough to convince them to embrace a destiny neither of them was expecting?

One thing that ties both books together are tortured alpha heroes… Yum!

Q6)  How did you come with the idea for this story?

Laura:  Her Forbidden Hero came to me at first with a single image: a very broken man sitting in the near dark and struggling to play the guitar. Two things about Seduced by the Vampire King came to me right away—the opening scene of the book in which the hero, Nikolai Vasilyev, engages in urban warfare with his ancient enemies, and the fact that the hero had fled having to serve vampires. From those small pieces, the stories grew outward and took on a life of their own. This is my normal process, by the way, characters come to me and then a story fills in around them.

Q7) Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Laura: The next book I will write—starting this week!—is the follow-on story to Her Forbidden Hero, which will feature the heroine’s brother Brady in his own story. Next, I’ll be writing the third Vampire Warrior Kings story.

Q8)  Who are some of your favorite authors?

Laura:  J.R. Ward is hands down my favorite author. I adore her Black Dagger Brotherhood books and have re-read them a gajillion times! I got to see her in person this spring and hear her talk about the Brothers, about how she writes, and spoilers in future books—and man, that rocked so hard, I can’t even tell you! I was all fangirly! I’m also a big fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon and had the chance to meet and take a picture with her last summer!

Q9)  Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

Laura:  Definitely. I feel like I learned a lot of what I know about how to write male point of view from Ward and Kenyon, who write fantastic male characters in my opinion. Also, I grew up on Stephen King and Anne Rice, and they definitely influenced my writing of the paranormal.

Q10)  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Laura:  OMG can you believe it’s Lover Reborn, the newest J.R. Ward book? When it released, I was deep in the throes of writing Her Forbidden Hero and I just haven’t had a chance since then!

Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Laura:  Thank you all so much for reading!

I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY! Two winners: one person will win an ebook of Her Forbidden Hero and one will win an ebook of Seduced by the Vampire King. Open to international! Please leave your email address to enter!

And finally, thanks again to Kelly for hosting me!

BnK:  It is always a pleasure to host you Laura.  We love having you on the blog.  Okay readers, if you want a chance to win one of Laura’s books please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

 

About Laura Kaye:

Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Winner for Best Romance Novella, Forever Freed is the NJRW Golden Leaf Winner for Best Paranormal of 2011 and is a finalist for two GDRWA Booksellers’ Best Awards, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, is a finalist for a FF&P PRISM award, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Buy Laura’s Books

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Interview & Giveaway with Jennifer Malone Wright

Books-n-Kisses is happy to welcome Jennifer Malone Wright to the blog today to chat about her Vampire Hunter’s Daughter series.

1. Can you please share with us a little about yourself

My name is Jennifer Malone Wright, I am 33 years old and a mother of 5 kids. I’ve been married for 11 years and live in Northern Idaho.

2. Have you always wanted to be an author?

Pretty much, it’s been since early on, in grade school when I knew that I wanted to write.

3. Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

My influences have been Stephen King, Anne Rice and V.C Andrews. These authors were who I began to read early, right after I graduated from Sweet Valley High and Baby Sitters Club books.

4. How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I just love the paranormal so of course that is what I’m going to write. But, yes, I have a few romance novels up my sleeve as well as a sci fi story I’m taking notes on.

5. What are some of your writing rituals?

Hair up, clean around me, ear buds in, coffee next to me, laptop in my lap and sitting in my recliner, then I’m ready!

6. Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

My latest work is a short story series called The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter. It is about a girl, Chloe, who’s world falls apart when vampires break into her house and kill her mother in front of her. She is suddenly saved by a bunch of vampire hunter’s and taken away to their compound. She discovers that she is one of them, a born vampire hunter, she meets her grandfather and discovers that her father is a vampire and the reason her mother was murdered, so she vows to avenge her mother….and that’s just part one! There are 5 parts released in the series.

7. How did you come with the idea for this story?

This story started out as an idea to write a story about a woman who was a teacher by day and a vampire hunter by night. I was floundering and thought she needed a back story, that is how Chloe Kallistrate, my main character was born.

8. Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Mostly I’m just working on The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter series. I’m working on part six now, I am also working on the 2nd book in The Birth of Jaiden series.

9. What would you be if you were not an author?

Probably nothing. I have five kids and for me to work I’d have to have a really good paying job, I love photography though, so maybe I’d do that.

10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’m really excited to read Time for Death, by Christie Silvers which is next in my tbr. I’m cannot wait for Insurgent to come out as well.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just a big thank you to all the fans and friends!

You can find me on

I have an e-copy of book one to giveaway.  To enter to win please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
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Interview with Amy Elizabeth Smith

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Amy Elizabeth Smith to the blog today to chat about her new release All Roads Lead to Austen.

Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I’m from westernPennsylvaniaoriginally, but now I live inCaliforniaand teach at a small private university. I just got married in late April to a fabulous man I met while I was traveling inLatin America, preparing for my book. I’m 48, and I’ve never been married before — so yes, it can happen! At the wedding reception my sister reminded me of a funny story. She and my brother once walked by a store with a t-shirt in the window of a skeleton on a park bench wearing high heels and a dressy hat — and the caption said, “Waiting for Mr. Right.” Apparently they exchanged looks and starting laughing. Yeah, that was me. But I found him, after all!

Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
It wasn’t until the 4th grade that the reading bug bit me, but from then on, I’ve been a committed book nerd. I started writing little mystery novels as soon as I encountered Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I’d make covers for the books out of thin cardboard and did my own illustrations. When I discovered “bodice rippers” in the late 70s, I tried a few of those, too (although I’d moved up to blank books by that time, instead of binding my own). I think some of those fledgling attempts are still haunting my Mom’s attic . . .

Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?I

I’m a huge fan of David Sedaris — but I’m afraid I could never allow myself to be so outrageous. I love big voices (Hunter S. Thompson also comes to mind), but I don’t work in a style like theirs, I’d say. Among the classics, there’s Jane Austen, of course, but I also love Dickens, Emily Brontë, and Virginia Woolf. As for romance — I know this makes some people cringe, but I love vampire novels and paranormal romance. J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series is hot, hot, hot. I’m enjoying Lara Adrian’s series, too.

Q4) How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on 18th-century travel literature, and since then, I’ve wanted to write a travel narrative of my own. Travel writing is a great way to learn about new places. But I never expected that my book would have so much romance in it — who knew I’d meet my future husband on the road? My editor tried to get me to be a little more forthcoming on some of the detail . . . but in the Austen universe, I’m an Elinor, not a Marianne. And who knows, maybe someday I’ll get back to mystery novels and see if I can improve on my 4th-grade efforts!

Q5) What are some of your writing rituals?

Procrastinating (half the writers you ask say this, right?). Cleaning the house. That aside, my most consistent ritual is time of day — I’m an early bird. I love to pop out of bed at 4:oo am when I’m really on a roll with a chapter. Something about the fact that almost nobody else is up — makes me feel so virtuous.
Q6) Can you please tell us about your latest book?

All Roads Lead to Austen was meant to just be a travel narrative — I did reading groups in six Latin America countries, to find out what people would think about Jane Austen in Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina. Like on most trips, things didn’t always turn out the way I planned — sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a not-so-good way . . .

Q7) How did you come with the idea for this story?

I teach a Jane Austen class, and my students do projects rather than research papers. They’ve done so many fun and creative things over the years that that finally thought, hey, I should do a project myself. Some inspiration from Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran was in the mix, too.

Q8) What would you be if you were not an author?

It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if I could only be an author — but I’m very lucky to have a wonderful “day job” at my university. If we’re talking fantasy “what would I be,” that’s easy. Lottery winner, living on the beach with my husband, reading (I think I could talk him into that). If “lottery winner” were off the menu and I weren’t a professor, I just might have turned into a librarian. Something to do with books, one way or another.

Q9) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I just read a beautiful novel called The Oracle of Stamboul, by Michael David Lukas. He’s at work on a book about Cairo, and I can’t wait to read it. I also recently discovered a classic romance writer. She was half English and half Chinese but pretended to be Japanese and used the pseudonym Onoto Watanna. Her books came out between 1899 and 1925, with sweet titles like A Japanese Nightingale and The Honorable Miss Moonlight. A lot of her books are available for e-readers — but for real lovers of classic romance, I’d recommend hunting down original editions, because they’re beautifully illustrated. If I weren’t writing this blog right now, I’d be reading a title I just got in the mail — Daughters of Nijo.

Author Amy Elizabeth Smith on the Road with Jane Austen in Antigua, Guatemala

Thanks so much for inviting me to stop by — and I hope my book on Austen and Latin America might inspire readers to take on a bit of travel (or romance) of their own!

 

All Roads Lead to Austen
Release day June 1, 2012

Amazon | B&N

Is the magic of Jane a moveable feast? Jane Austen thrives in the 21st century, living on in book clubs, in conversations, in quiet reads with a cup of coffee.She is unchanged by time. But is she unchanged by place? Does Austen still work magic in new time zones, new countries, new languages? Amy Elizabeth Smith wanted to find out. With a suitcase full of Austen novels en español, Smith set off on a yearlong Latin American road trip with Jane. In six unique, unforgettable countries, she gathered book-loving new friends—taxi drivers and teachers, poets and politicians—to read Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice. On the road, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times (no, wait, that’s Dickens…).Whether sharing rooster beer with Guatemalans, joining the crowd at a Mexican boxing match, feeding a horde of tame iguanas with Ecuadorean children, or wrangling argumentative booksellers in Argentina, Amy came to learn what Austen knew all along: we’re not always speaking the same language, even when we’re speaking the same language. But with true Austen instinct she could recognize when, unexpectedly, she’d found her own Señor Darcy. All Roads Lead to Austen celebrates the wisdom (and pleasure!) of of letting go and becoming a student again, no matter what our age.

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Interview with Sarah Carr

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Sarah Carr on the blog today to talk about her new release Revealing Hamilton.

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

My name is Sarah. I’m 32 years old and I live in Washington State with my wonderful husband and adorable son. By day, I bill radiology and I’m a novelist by night. Once upon a time, I was a massage therapist and I’m currently an ordained minister. In my spare time, I like to splash in mud puddles and knit.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

 My cousins and I wrote stories as children and I dabbled with writing as I grew up. The desire didn’t hit until my twenties and even then, it was sporadic. A few years back, it became necessity to write every day and has been ever since.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

Part of my brain is constantly plotting. Through the years, I’ve learned how to quarantine part of it where my characters are allowed to run wild. I write on most of my breaks and lunches at work, but the bulk of my writing occurs in the evenings.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Rewarding: Watching the expressions and listening to the responses of the reader. Knowing they’re engaged and enjoy the story is reward in itself.

Challenging: Finding enough time to write, especially when inspiration hits at an inopportune time.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Here’s the back cover blurb from Revealing Hamilton:

A conversation with a stranger changes Amelia Hamilton’s life forever. When she learns her grandfather faked his own death, normalcy slips from Amelia’s grasp. To make matters worse, he is coming for her in less than seven days. What she hasn’t determined is why.

Amelia’s grandfather, Marius Benedict, once headed The Physician’s Coalition, an elite group of doctors who threw the Hippocratic Oath out the window. Years ago, they used a low-risk medical research study as a front to their experiments. Without their consent, innocents were injected with JackRabbit7, a hazardous substance used to alter their DNA. The victims were left with less-than-desirable super-human powers or excruciating death. Years after he disbanded the group, Marius has a new plan and is reforming The Coalition.

Max, a mysterious stranger from the Insurance Agency, offers to help keep Amelia safe. He introduces The Agency as an underground government organization that contains and eliminates those who intend to harm the world. To protect The Agency, the truth of their activities are concealed and replaced with sugar-coated stories in the media.

Over the course of the next week, Amelia has to accept the truth and learn who can be trusted. At midnight on her 23rd birthday, a contract between The Coalition and The Insurance Agency will expire, giving Marius full rein to approach his granddaughter and finish the project he started with her so many years ago.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

It hatched in a bookstore in 2005 while I searched for a new book to read. Unable to find what I wanted, I decided to write a story myself. I toyed with the idea and wrote 50,000 words in 30 days (NaNoWriMo). Then, I put it away for a while. After some time passed, the story screamed for my attention and the rest is history.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I’m currently working on the sequel to Revealing Hamilton, Embracing Hamilton. Embracing Hamilton is under contract with Ruby Lioness Press to be released in early 2013. To date, I have ideas for at least four JackRabbit7 novels.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

So many to choose from! Off the top of my head, Laurell K Hamilton, Robert Rankin, JK Rowling and works from my RLP pride.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

LKH has inspired me to write, but not necessarily for her specific style. I admire her ability to pull me into her stories and my sense of time is lost. It’s that quality within her writing that I want to invoke in my readers.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’m currently reading Titanic Deception by Toni Rakestraw. Kiss the Dead is on my list and plowing through the RLP recent releases.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for interviewing me today. Revealing Hamilton is available through Amazon.com, SmashWords, Barnes & Noble and Ruby Lioness Press. You can reach me through my website at www.sarahjcarr.com, through FaceBook at www.facebook.com/authorsarahjcarr or catch me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@sarahjcarr1

Thank you for interviewing me! I had a great time! J

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Interview & Giveaway with Carla Swafford

Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome Carla Swafford to the blog today to chat a little about herself, bucket list, and her new and up coming books Circle of Danger and Circle of Deception (Nov 2012).  Please make Carla feel welcome.  

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Like most authors, I lead a boring life especially when compared to my characters, but here we go. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and live in Alabama. Once I learned how to read, I fell in love with books. First it started out with anything that had horses on the cover and then one day I read Roberta Gellis’s BOND OF BLOOD, my first romance, and I found my obsession. Not until many years later, I decided to try my hand at writing the stories tumbling around in my head. Nine years and ten books later, I received an email from Avon wanting to publish my latest manuscript that had been doing rather well in contests. Circle of Danger is my second published book and the third, Circle of Deception, will be released November 27, 2012.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Until I was adult, I thought all authors lived in New York or California or were dead.  So no.  <snort!>

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I must have Kid Rock blasting music as I type in the nude. Sorry. I couldn’t resist teasing. None of that is true. Really. No quirks for me, though my kids would tell you that I’m a little OCD about some stuff but not my writing. If you’re wondering, I’ll give you one example. I only buy red toothbrushes. Yep. Just one of those hang ups of mine.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

First, I’ll mention that Circle of Danger was released June 5 in e-format. The paperback will be available June 19. It’s the second book in The Circle series about a mercenary organization, though each book can be read as a standalone.

In Circle of Danger, though Ryker is several years older than Marie, they grew up together under the thumb of the same psycho. Finally free, she wants to be a Circle operative but on her first assignment is injected with a designer drug that revs up a person’s sex drive. The last four women with that drug in their system died. Ryker is willing to do anything to save her including taking her to his bed (it’s a dirty job but he’s man enough) and searching for the antidote. When he’s captured by a new evil, he worries that he has become the monster he always feared, and the one who will pay the biggest price, will be the woman he loves.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The Circle series came out of my love for the late 90s TV series La Femme Nikita and kind of morphed from there. For the specific story about the designer drug, it came from a critique partner’s story. I’ve told her how I loved her third book, Run To Me (http://www.christyreece.com/books_main.html), and of course, all the others too. In that story, a bad guy controls the hero with a mind alternating drug. Such a cool idea. Me, being me, I wondered how that would work if the drug caused a person’s sex drive to go into overdrive? Christy thought it was a hoot and so typically me.

 Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m a little over half way in the third book of The Circle series, Circle of Deception. It’s a shade more lighthearted (nice way of saying the heroine is a smart-aleck) than the other two, but just as sexy with all the twists and turns. For those who read the first book, this one is Rex and A. J./Abby’s story.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Oh, my, I have to admit I’m one lucky fan. I’ve met all of my favorite authors and even become friends with a few of them. Hmm. Wait! Lisa Kleypas! I can’t believe I haven’t met her. And why? So I can thank her for writing books I love.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

No matter what people tell you, if you study your craft and write, write, write, there’s always someone out there that will love your book as much as you do.

Book 1

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

What every author has on her/his list: hit the New York Times best seller list. If that’s cheating, let me add, to go on a train ride through the Alaskan countryside. Hopefully, I’ll get to mark that one off in next couple years and wouldn’t mind marking off both in that time period. Ha!

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Mercy me, I’ve got a boat load, but the one I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever is Jennifer Echol’s Such a Rush. Love, love her writing. Emotional, sensual with a light humor that has me chuckling to myself. Plus you need to see her cover. Beautiful. http://www.jennifer-echols.com/sucharush.html

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Some lucky commenter can win their choice of Circle of Desire or Circle of Danger. I would love to hear what book everyone is looking forward to reading. 

Of course, that would mean my TBR pile will grow, but what the heck. Is there really anything better to do than write and read?

And if you’re interested in hearing about what’s going on with my books before anyone else, you can sign up for my newsletter. I send out five or less a year. For details, you can go to www.carlaswafford.com.

You can find Carla Swafford at

www.carlaswafford.com

www.carlaswafford.blogspot.com

www.romancemagicians.blogspot.com

Also on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter and Pinterest

Want a chance to win an e-copy of Carla’s newest book Circle of Danger?

Please feel out the Rafflecopter below.

 
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Interview with Susan Mallery

SUMMER DAYS (Fool’s Gold Book 7)

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women and the relationships that move them. Publisher’s Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.

Tell us about SUMMER DAYS.

 SUMMER DAYS is the perfect beach read. It’s funny, romantic, sexy, and it’s light both in tone and in actual weight – you can toss the paperback into your beach bag and go. (It’s also available wherever ebooks are sold.)

Heidi Simpson had a vagabond childhood with her grandfather. The one thing she wanted most in the world was a home of her own. Now, in her late 20s, she finally has one, but her ranch is put on the line by a scam her grandfather pulled in order to pay for a friend’s surgery. Rafe Stryker is the son of the woman whose money was stolen, and the first of the Stryker brothers to move to Fool’s Gold. He’s on a tear when he arrives, determined to protect his mother’s interests at all costs.

Since possession is nine-tenths of the law, neither is willing to leave the ranch until a judge can decide the matter. Sparks fly right from page one between Heidi and Rafe! The people of Fool’s Gold take sides in a pretty hysterical way.

You can find SUMMER DAYS wherever books are sold – bookstores, online, even the grocery store check-out line. You can read a free excerpt on my website, www.susanmallery.com or in the free app for iPhone and Android (www.mobileroadie.com/apps/susanmallery).

Who are these Fool’s Gold cheerleaders I keep hearing about?

Oh, the cheerleaders are beyond fabulous! This year’s squad is made up of 60 Fool’s Gold super fans who are earning prizes all summer for telling other readers about Fool’s Gold. They’re driving around with Fool’s Gold car magnets, wearing Fool’s Gold T-shirts, handing out bookmarks like candy to everyone they meet.

For those of my followers who have never read a Fool’s Gold book, tell us about the small town known as the Land of Happy Endings.

SUMMER DAYS is the seventh book in my series set in fictional Fool’s Gold, California. Fool’s Gold is a small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a quaint place where people truly support each other – mostly with casseroles. And margaritas. Women rule in Fool’s Gold. For many years, there was a man shortage, which is just now beginning to level out, thanks to the town’s efforts to bring in some pretty spectacular men.

Fool’s Gold is the most popular series I’ve ever written. In fact, last year, one of the Fool’s Gold books hit #3 on the New York Times and #8 on the USA Today bestsellers lists. Those were personal bests for me and very thrilling.

Each book is written as a standalone, which means that you can jump in and start with SUMMER DAYS, and you won’t feel lost or confused. While previous characters make an appearance, you don’t need to know their stories to understand this one.

 

Why did you decide to write about three cowboy brothers?

With each year’s Fool’s Gold books, I try to create heroes who represent iconic male archetypes. The men of Fool’s Gold have been athletes, businessmen, pilots, surgeons. Each is a leader, powerful in his own way. His strength goes deeper than the physical. He does what’s right even when it’s not easy. When he falls, he falls hard… and he loves forever.

This summer, three cowboy brothers will ride into Fool’s Gold on horseback in SUMMER DAYS, SUMMER NIGHTS, and ALL SUMMER LONG. The Stryker men represent everything I love about a cowboy hero. They are protective, honest, tall and strong. And wow, do they do nice things to a pair of blue jeans!

Since this is Fool’s Gold, these cowboys come with a special twist – humor. Rafe is undone by Heidi the Goat Girl. Shane has to teach the local librarian how to do the ancient Dance of the Happy Virgin – while riding a horse. And Clay, the youngest, made his fortune as a Hollywood butt double.

 What’s next for Fool’s Gold? 

In SUMMER NIGHTS (July), Shane Stryker will meet Annabelle who, oh my WORD, do I love! Annabelle is my gift to all the librarians who have supported me so wonderfully over the years, putting my books into readers’ hands with a fervent, “You’re going to love this!” Annabelle is a librarian who defies the stereotypes – she’s fashionable, modern… a dangerous, pint-sized sexpot, as far as Shane is concerned. He’s completely undone by her the first time they meet, so much so that he can’t even remember his own name.  

Then comes Charlie, to be paired with Clay in ALL SUMMER LONG (August). Oh, Charlie. She’s so tough and oh, so wounded. She’s got that hard-as-nails firefighter exterior, but when it comes to matters of the heart, she is as vulnerable as they come. Something happened in Charlie’s past that has made her afraid of intimacy with a man. She’s the kind of person who tackles her problems head-on, much to Clay Stryker’s delight. She’s determined to learn how to be with a man, and she’s decided to ask Clay to teach her.

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Interview & Giveaway with Andrew Weston

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome new author Andrew Weston to the blog today.  We are chatting about his new book Fairy Tail.

 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

I was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston. I always loved sport and was actively involved in a variety of teams throughout the city & metropolitan area.

On graduation, I joined the Royal Marines and served in a number of roles both in the UK and abroad. And then in 1985 I joined the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, serving as a police officer in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until my retirement in 2008.

Over those years, I wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for my children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers”, gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.

An unfortunate accident received on duty meant I had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up my recuperation, I was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” – my original idea – developed over my years in the military and police.

When not writing, I enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by my wife, Annette and hunting shadows in the dark. I have not managed to catch any yet, but I’m sure I came close on 2 occasions. (But to be honest, I was too scared to look!)

I am now contracted to Ruby Lioness Press for a number of books & short stories.

“Guardian Angels” is the first of those books and is due for release August 2012. It is the introductory book to the “Guardian Series”, a sci-fi/fantasy epic set in the near future.

The sequel to that story, “Guardians” is currently under assessment, also with Ruby Lioness Press.

The third work, however, is now my debut story. “Fairy Tail”, an erotic thriller with an unusual twist, is a short story I completed as an experiment to broaden my experience and is now available to read from Amazon.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

To be honest, I always wanted to write but, because of my busy background – 6th generation military and police – never found the time, apart from the stories I used to write for my children. It wasn’t until my medical retirement I at last had the time to put all the ideas I had onto paper. (And look where I am now!) ha ha.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Some of my favorite writers are, Julian May, Stephen R Donaldson, Raymond E Feist, Trudy Canavan – and I’m really taking to Suzanne Collins. I think the author who has inspired me the most is Raymond E Feist.   His  idkemia saga, incorporating so many series and trilogies and separate stories covering the history of one world and the dangers it faces from a hidden enemy have been a constant source of inspiration. How he keeps it so fresh, so gripping over what? Nearly thirty books? Is something I can only aspire to.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I could read before I went to school, being raised on ‘Dr Who’; ‘Fireball XL 5’; ‘Space Patrol’; ‘Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea’; ‘Lost in Space’ ; ‘Planet of the Giants’ etc etc – Sci-fi classics of the sixties, so loved Science Fiction from an early age. I read literally every sci-fi book in my local library. As fantasy came to the fore, I gradually became attracted to that. (Mind you, I made sure to stick to the ‘quality’ writers). So it was only natural I favored this genre. However, ‘Life experience’ also played a part. Thirty years in the military and police force meant I witnessed a lot of heartache and tragedy, and over those years I often wondered what it would be like if we had an emergency service organization that had the power, training and resources to handle disasters more efficiently. Perhaps even preventing such things occurring in the first place. (Like Thunderbirds meets the X men). So, over those years, I devised the concept of “The Guardians” – and of course – they fit the Sci-fi/Fantasy genre nicely!

Fortunately, I have some great publishers who instill a ‘family’ atmosphere among   the authors. They have encouraged me to try other things to broaden/deepen my experience. As such, I have submitted work in genres such as ‘paranormal’, ‘erotic thriller’, ‘spicy – very spicy – love stories’ etc…(I have discovered erotica is a very difficult genre to get right, so I’m very thankful for the opportunity to improve my overall standards).

What are some of your writing rituals?

My normal writing ritual involves a morning of actual writing – usually between 10.00 am – 2.00 pm while my wife is out. Then I take a break so she doesn’t kill me. (really!) ha ha. And in the evenings, I research the fields I need for the story, future projects etc. That way, I don’t have to concentrate and Annette, my wife, doesn’t feel like she’s lost her husband.

However, at the moment – I’m keeping a promise to fulfill a final summer season of employment, so work shifts everyday without a day off. Fortunately, one of my functions involves sitting in a control booth. I can make notes there quite easily, so when I come home, I complete at least a few thousand words quite quickly (My target)…And then my wife gets her husband back!

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

My “latest” book is in fact my first published work! In reality, it was my third project. I wrote and submitted a main novel to the publishers, and by that time, was close to completion of the second book of the series. When I was accepted by Ruby Lioness Press, they encouraged me to try other genres to broaden my experience. I did, and “Fairy Tail” (my third project) was the result – a paranormal erotic thriller – with a sexy and “in your face” twist. It’s a gritty story about a cop who leads the investigation of a serial killer who strikes every year in the week leading up to Halloween. 1 victim a day, every day, until a quotient of 7 has been reached. Then he disappears. Butchery just doesn’t describe what the killer does to those unfortunate enough to fall into his evil clutches. But then, the cop leading the case gets a break…but it’s not one any of us would relish!

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I came up with the idea after watching a film on TV about revenge. Someone was convicted of a murder they didn’t commit. After years in prison, they get out and try to hunt down the true offender, but never manage to discover who it is as they are very elusive. And life IS like that.

Having been a cop involved in a number of murder investigations, I though…What would happen if I was the lead detective on a case where the true offender for murder always managed to elude me? No matter how good I am, how thorough, how dogged, the killer always seems to be one step ahead. What would happen if the reason for their success was “outside” the realms of normal probability. How would I handle it? Would I believe it? Would anyone else believe it if I tried to explain it?

Basically, that’s how I came up with the concept for Fairy Tail. I can’t explain more – it would give the story away, and perhaps give you a clue as to the twist that occurs.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I have a number of current works in progress. The first is book 3 of the Guardian Series, entitled, “Fallen Angels”. However, as I have time on my side (“Guardian Angels” is due to be published August 2012 – and “Guardians” is still under assessment – If successful, this obviously means it wouldn’t be due for publication until 2013.) So I can devote my time to other, more immediate projects.

I have submitted a couple of short stories to Ruby Lioness Press for inclusion in Anthologies. One, I know, has been accepted – “Lovebite” a paranormal thriller, while my first attempt at a love story/romance, “A fresh Start” is under consideration and I’m very excited to see what happens there.

I am also working on a sequel to a previous short story…But you’ll have to wait and see what that is. Its great fun and I want to ensure I get it right.

AND – believe it or not – I’m completing research on a future short story. It will combine a current world wide historical mystery with time travelling combat veterans! Should be fun!

However, my main focus is on developing a new concept Ruby Lioness Press is keen to see, a paranormal erotic thriller series, “The Cambion Journals”. Book 1, “The Rage of Augustus” is about 1/3 through its 1st draft. Its current, it’s fresh and should hopefully prove very popular as I’m developing it in a way that you can’t help but get caught up in Augustus’ feelings.

What would you be if you were not an author?

If I wasn’t an author I would be very bored. Now I’m retired I need something constructive to fill my time. Trying to constantly improve & bringing pleasure to others is a full time occupation.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Definitely the entire trilogy of “The Hunger Games”. I don’t know how I missed this story when it came out! Because I’m in Greece, I haven’t seen the film yet, and have just finished the first book. Book 2 is underway, and book 3 is on the shelf, crying, “Daddy, read me, read me”! After that, I’m looking forward to the next releases from Raymond E Feist, Stephen Donaldson and Trudy Canavan. Quality writers, all with unique styles. (IF ONLY I could be half as good as them, I’d have a future in writing…)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just to say, thank you for asking me these questions. I hope to work with you again in the future.

I’d like to have a giveaway (Once I find out how to ‘give’ an e-book to a winner).

In Fairy Tail – the cop does have a name. You won’t see it in the story, but you may well do in the future.

Can you guess what it is? The first to guess gets a free e-copy of Fairy Tail, sent as a gift!

 

Amazon.co.uk |  Amazon.com

Website | Blog 

Blog

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Interview with Samantha Grace

Book-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Samatha Grace to the blog.  

1.  Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Samantha:  I’m married to a child psychologist. We have two kids, a dog, and a cat. I think we’ve done a fairly good job of raising our kids so far, but the dog and cat are definitely going to need therapy. I would love to be a health food nut and marathon runner, but I’ll settle for eating mostly healthy and maybe running a 5K this coming November. That would involve me actually putting on my running shoes and heading out the door, however, and I just haven’t gotten that far yet.

 

 

2. Have you always wanted to be an author?

Samantha: I’ve dreamed of becoming an author since fourth grade, and I took creative writing classes all through high school. Yet, when it came time to go to college, I felt steered toward majoring in something “practical”. I needed to make a living to support myself, so I tried journalism. I quickly found out this wasn’t the type of writing I wanted to do. I switched my major to psychology with the thought it would help me with character development. Later I went back for my master’s degree and studied social work. I don’t regret the path I followed even though it feels like I took a big detour. I’ve learned a lot about life over the years, and it’s nice to have a steady income while I wait for my writing career to take off.  

3. Who are some of your favorite writers?

Samantha:  I enjoy Amanda Quick, Lauren Willig, Jodi Picoult, Sherry Thomas, Wally Lamb… The list could go on and on. There are so many talented writers. I just wish I had more time to read.

4. Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Samantha:  The ladies in my critique group have had the most direct influence on my writing. Aside from these marvelous women, I would add Larry Brooks for his book Story Engineering and Donald Maas for Fire In Fiction, particularly the chapter on using description. Dr. Irvin Yalom also deserves a shout out for his book Love’s Executioner. He wrote about his experiences in providing therapy to patients, but their stories are told with such heart and humility. It changed the way I think about others. I love that book.

5. How did you get into writing in this specific genre?

Samantha:  It was accidental in a way. I hadn’t read romance in probably fifteen years when I rediscovered Johanna Lindsey at the library. I recalled liking her stories a lot in my younger years and picked up a book I hadn’t ever read. After I devoured the rest of her stories, I wanted more, but instead of looking for other authors who wrote historical romance, I thought, “Hey! I can write a romance, too.”

6. Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

Samantha:  I thought about it when I first began writing romance, but for now, I’m content. I’ve always been drawn to the developing romantic relationships in stories, but other genres don’t usually explore this element in enough depth for me. If I did write in another genre, it would probably be mystery.

7. What are some of your writing rituals?

Samantha:  I need my hair up, quiet, and my glasses. Make that clean glasses. It drives me insane to have even the hint of a fingerprint on my lenses, so I always need a microfiber cloth at hand. Quiet isn’t always possible, so I like to listen to Pandora radio with my headphones, but it has to either be instrumental or in another language besides English. I love the exotic sounds of the Karsh Kale station. It’s very sensual music.

8. Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Samantha: Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half is the second book in my Regency historical series. It’s basically a “second chance at love” story about two people who should have been together a long time ago, but there were too many obstacles that stood in their way. Now they have another chance to get it right. It’s also a story about longing for someone out of reach and the lasting power of true love. I tend to write a little humorous, and I think there are some funny moments in this book, but this book is from my heart. I hope others find it touching and romantic as well. Here is the summary from the back of the book:

Jake broke her heart by leaving for the country after sharing a passionate kiss.

Lady Amelia broke his by marrying his best friend.

When she returns to town a widow – pursued by an infamous rake, Jake’s debauched brother, and just maybe by Jake himself – Lady Amelia will have a mess and a half on her hands.

A sparkling romp through the ton, Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half delivers a witty Regency romance in which misunderstandings abound, reputations are put on the line, and the only thing more exciting than scandal is true love.

9. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Samantha:  This is a difficult question to answer. Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half basically evolved from two characters that appeared in my first book Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. From the start, Jake was hostile toward Lord Andrew and I didn’t know the reason. It wasn’t until close to the end of writing the first draft of my first book that I realized he was heartbroken over losing his one true love, Amelia. Amelia was a big surprise to me when she first appeared. I thought she was “the other woman”, but she didn’t fit any of the clichés. She was kindhearted, sensitive, and genuinely concerned about Lana Hillary’s welfare. By the time I started revisions on my first book, I knew Jake and Amelia had a story to tell, so I let them tell it.

10. Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Samantha:  I’m reviewing the galleys for book three Miss Lavigne’s Little White Lie to be released in October. The story is about a ship’s captain, Daniel Hillary, who agrees to carry a lovely Creole lady, her cousin, and her peculiar younger brother to England after she approaches him in a tavern. His rule has always been no women on ship, but Lisette Lavigne’s devotion to her family convinces him to change his mind. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful and could be good company for him during the long voyage. What Lisette doesn’t tell Daniel is they are fleeing from her criminal fiancé, because he wants to place her brother in an insane asylum to gain full control of his fortune. Unfortunately, her fiancé has much more at stake than losing access to the Lavigne family fortune, and he begins pursuing her across the sea, eventually placing everyone Lisette loves in danger, including Daniel.

I’m currently writing the fourth book in my series, which is yet to be titled. It’s about the oldest Forest brother, Luke, who has inherited a dukedom and a surprise marital agreement his father had negotiated on his behalf days before his death. At first Luke tries to talk Lady Vivian into speaking with her brother about dissolving the agreement, because Luke has a lot of stuff going on internally, not to mention a dangerous voyage planned in a few months. Lady Vivian is a big surprise to Luke, and he soon learns she is too stubborn for her own good. She refuses to talk to her brother, but she has several good reasons for not cooperating with Luke. One of those being she’ll be sent to a convent in Scotland if she messes up her betrothal. Luke actually grows fond of Vivian in a short time and proposes an alternate plan he thinks she can’t refuse. He’ll take her to his mother’s house party and help her find a replacement husband. She pretends to agree to his scheme, but all along she plans to win his heart before they reach the house party. It has been a fun book to write.

11. What would you be if you were not an author?

Samantha:  Well, if I could go back and do everything over again, I’d become the bad girl of ballroom dancing. Why not? I already went the practical route by becoming a social worker. J

12. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Samantha:  I really can’t wait to get my copy of Erin Knightely’s debut book More Than a Stranger. That’s the one I’m most looking forward to reading.

BnK: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Samantha: It has been my pleasure. Thanks so much for having me as a guest at Books-n-Kisses. May I ask your readers the same question you asked me? What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? No extra points given for saying my book. <wink>

Want to learn more about Samantha?   You can find her here:

Website |  Blog  | Twitter  | Facebook

 

Oh Paul is looking good on this cover…. Don’t you think SG?

Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half
by Samantha Grace
Release day June 1, 2012
Amazon| B&N

Lady Amelia Audley and Jake Hillary have been in love with each other for years; unfortunately, a cruel set of circumstances and misunderstandings tore them apart.  When Amelia marries Jake’s best friend, he vows to forget his love for her.  But when she returns to town newly widowed, Jake must decide whether or not to let the beautiful lady back into his heart before fate intervenes and tears them apart forever.

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Interview with Susan Higginbotham

Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome Susan Higginbotham to the blog for the first time. 

Q1)  Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I have been writing since I was about seven, when I used to write and illustrate stories about my cats. It wasn’t until a few years ago, though, that I tried my hand at writing historical fiction. I became interested in the reign of Edward II and discovered the story of his niece Eleanor de Clare, which I found so fascinating I decided to write a novel about her, The Traitor’s Wife. Since then I’ve published four other novels set in England, spanning the fourteenth century through Tudor England.

Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, I have. There have been some times when writing had to take a back seat to making a living or going to school, especially when I was in law school, but there’s never been a time when I gave up on writing altogether.

Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Some of my favorite authors are William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Anne Tyler, Barbara Pym, and P. D. James. I think they’ve all influenced my writing to some extent. All are very strong in creating characters, and I aspire to emulate them (though I certainly don’t pretend to be on their level!). I also admire their wit, sharp in some cases and gentle in others. I try to add a touch of humor to all of my novels, even the ones that deal with grim subjects. For historical fiction in particular, I’ve learned a lot from authors like Sharon Penman, Margaret George, and Jean Plaidy about bringing the past to life.

Q4) How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

As I said earlier, it was Eleanor de Clare’s story that brought me into historical fiction in a serious way, both as a writer and as a reader. I had read the occasional historical novel in the past, and even had dabbled in writing juvenile historical fiction, but it wasn’t until I began reading about Eleanor that I became fascinated by the genre.

As for whether I’ve thought about writing in a different genre, I’m actually under contract to write a nonfiction book dealing with the Woodville family, whom I encountered when researching the Wars of the Roses for my previous two novels. I kept bewailing the fact that there was no objective history of the family that’s been commercially published, and I finally decided to write one!

Q5) What are some of your writing rituals?

I really don’t have any, unless you can call checking my Facebook page when I should be writing and nibbling cookies when I’m at a loss for words rituals.

Q6) Can you please tell us about your latest book?

 is the story behind the crowning and execution of Lady Jane Grey, told by her mother, Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, and her mother-in-law, Jane Dudley. Lady Jane is an important character in the novel, but the central characters are Jane Dudley and Frances, whose stories will be new to most readers.

Q7) How did you come up with the idea for this story?

When I read Leandra de Lisle’s biography of the three Grey sisters, The Sisters Who Would Be Queen, I was shocked to find how distorted the character of Frances Grey had become over time. Like most other people, I had always heard that she was a vicious woman who spent her days alternating between beating her daughter and killing sad-eyed does, and Lisle made me realize how badly this very ordinary mother has been maligned by history. I decided she would make an excellent subject for a novel. In researching Frances’s story, I came across a couple of documents written by Jane Dudley, Guildford Dudley’s mother, and they moved me so much I had to tell her story as well.

Q8) Can you share with us your current work in progress?

It’s a novel about Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, known mainly as being the mother of Henry, Lord Darnley, and the mother-in-law of Mary, Queen of Scots. Margaret was Henry VIII’s niece, whose romantic entanglements and intrigues landed her in the Tower on several occasions.

Q9) What would you be if you were not an author?

I work full-time as an editor for a legal publisher, so I suppose I would still be that! All my favorite jobs have involved working with words at some level—editing, writing legal briefs—so I don’t think I would stray far from the publishing industry.

Q10)   What is in your To Be Read pile that you are dying to start or an upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Once I get past the part of my work in progress in which Anne Boleyn plays a part, I want to read Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up the Bodies—I’ve been saving it as a reward. I’m also curious to see Philippa Gregory’s upcoming novel about the daughters of Warwick “the Kingmaker” and Alison Weir’s novel about Katherine Grey, Jane Grey’s younger sister. I have a biography of Eleanor de Montfort, Simon de Montfort’s wife, on order, which I’m very eager to read.

Thanks for interviewing me!

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Interview & Giveaway with Pamela Palmer

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back the wonderful Pamela Palmer to the blog today.  We are getting to know Pamela a little better and helping her celebrate her new release A Blood Seduction (released May 29th). So please make Pamela feel welcome.  

Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself

Pamela: Sure! I’m an ex-IBM engineer turned full-time writer. I live with my family in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. (which is why all my stories are set around here). My official log line: I’m the New York Times and international bestselling author of three dark paranormal romance series – the Feral Warriors, Vamp City, and the Esri.

Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?

Pamela: Not at all. Writing never even crossed my mind until after college. I grew up wanting to be an astronaut. Or captain of the Starship Enterprise. Okay, so I was always a dreamer. My first attempt at writing was an utter failure—I had no idea what I was doing and assumed that meant I had no talent. I finally realized it just meant I had a lot to learn.

Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Pamela: My favorite writers change all the time, but my current favorites are Larissa Ione, Karen Marie Moning, and Nalini Singh. As far as who influenced my writing, I never know how to answer this question (and I get asked it a lot). I suspect the correct answer is some literary icon, but I pretty much shunned anything that even looked like ‘literature’ when I was a kid. In college, my engineering curriculum was entirely devoid of literature. Freshman composition was it for ‘writing’ courses. But if I had to choose one author, I’d probably say Kathleen Woodiwiss since she was the one who turned me into a true romance fan.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I’ve always loved anything out of the ordinary. Sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal. Those are the things that excite my imagination, so as long as readers remain hungry for them, those are the kinds of books I’ll be writing.

Q4) What are some of your writing rituals?

Pamela: They’re always evolving, but my latest: When it’s time to write, I turn on a computer program called Freedom (http://macfreedom.com/, though I suspect there’s a Windows version, too. $10 download.). I locks me out of the internet for however long I ask it to, generally 60 mins. at a time. Then I set up my laptop in either the dining room or on the treadmill desk (which I adore). I crank up the music (either movie/game soundtracks like Twilight, Inception, Halo-3 or new age jazz like Keiko Matsui), and I’m ready to write!

Q5) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Pamela: My latest (which just came out May 29th), is a bit of a departure for me. A Blood Seduction (a Vamp City novel) is book 1 in a five book vampire romance, which makes the book itself more of an urban fantasy since it doesn’t end with a happily ever after. The series will, though. I’ve been wanting to do a bigger story for awhile, one that doesn’t require the entire romance to come together in a single book. One that gives the characters a lot of room to learn and grow. And one that gives me lots of space to explore. The Vamp City series is that story.

From the back cover:

Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city’s magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world…one who knows nothing of the power she wields.

Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see–and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her. What Arturo can’t do is forget about her–any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission–his to save his people, hers to save herself. But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood-red. Welcome to Vamp City…

Q6) How did you come with the idea for this story?

Pamela: I’d been playing with the idea of a dark urban fantasy vampire otherworld for some time, but with both the Feral Warrior shape shifter series and the Esri series for Nocturne, I didn’t have time to start a third. But with the Esri series completed, I decided the time was right to start exploring my vampire idea. I knew I wanted the otherworld accessible from our world (the vampires can come and go as they please…or they could until things started to go wrong). So I played with ideas, at first thinking I’d set it in Florida, or someplace different. Then I thought about Washington, D.C. (my go-to local). The moment I realized Vamp City would be Washington, V.C., I knew I had my place. I called my editor that morning to run it all by her and she loved the idea.

Q7) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Pamela: I finished the seventh book in my Feral Warriors series, A Love Untamed, a couple of weeks ago. This one is Fox/Kieran’s and Melisande’s story as they search for Kara. A Love Untamed will be out December 26th. Now I’m starting work on Vamp City book 2, which is rather a daunting task. I figured out enough of the entire story to write book 1 with A Blood Seduction, but now I need to know the rest in detail so that I can be certain to set everything up correctly. When I write a book, I figure it all out, then write the first draft, then layer in important threads after that. With Vamp City, I’m writing one story that will span five books, which means there’s no going back to add things into earlier scenes after I’m done. If those earlier scenes are in earlier books, they’ll already be on shelves. It’s an exciting, nerve-racking way to write.

Q8) What would you be if you were not an author?

Pamela: I’d probably still be an engineer, but I’m much happier being an author.

Q9) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Larissa Ione’s Lethal Rider and Nalini Singh’s Tangle of Need. I love both of these authors and both of these series.

Q10) Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you’d like more information about any of my books (including excerpts), or if you’d like to see the book trailer of A Blood Seduction, visit my website www.pamelapalmer.net. If you’re in the Chicago, Tulsa, Plano, Anaheim, or New Orleans areas, check out my Media and Events page for appearance information. I’d love to meet you!

Thanks for having me! I’m happy to give away a signed copy of one of my Feral Warriors novels (winner’s choice). To be included, tell us what books are on your can’t-wait-to-read list.

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Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYS8ayK5B0M

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Interview & Giveaway with Shayla Black

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have the very, very, talented Shayla Black back on the blog today.  We are super excited to talk to her about her newest release Embrace Me At Dawn, book 5 in the Doomsday Brethren Series (released yesterday 5/29) and her upcoming release of Mine to Hold, book 6 in the Wicked Lovers Series.  So enough of my yacking…. Let’s get started.

Q1) Shayla, Can you please share with us a little about yourself:

Shayla: Sure! Here’s my official bio: Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times bestselling author of over 30 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla has won or placed in over a dozen writing contests, including Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. Romantic Times has awarded her Top Picks, a KISS Hero Award and a nomination for Best Erotic Romance.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every book.

Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?

Shayla: No. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I’d tried some other jobs so I knew what I didn’t want to do, such as work retail or at an amusement park. I also worked for a Fortune 10 company for nearly 20 years, spending the last 8 writing sales training. It wasn’t a terrible job…but it wasn’t my passions. I started publishing about halfway through my corporate career. I knew that that’s what I wanted to do.

Q3) What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Shayla: I have so many. Where to start? First off, I’m a multi-task queen. I’m always doing three things at once. Second, I really prefer to write with music in the background, and I will sometimes spend hours finding just the right songs that move me. I also move all over the house with my laptop, depending on weather, time of day, and whatever else is going on. Last, I always get my best ideas while driving or talking on the phone. My friends all know that if I’m calling there may be talk of plot involved. I plot out loud and interactively. Many writers are introverts, but that’s not me.

Q4) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

EMBRACE ME AT DAWN is the latest in the Doomsday Brethren paranormal romance series. I was so excited to finally tell the story of this love triangle that’s been brewing for the last four books in this series. I think the story is really powerful, as this heroine has been through hell and finds herself rising like a phoenix from the ashes of her previous life to create something new without while again finding the man she loves.

Embrace Me At Dawn~Nook order link  | All Romance |Smashword

Release day June 5

MINE TO HOLD is the latest in the Wicked Lovers erotic romance series. For those who have been reading, the anticipation to see mischievous manwhore Tyler finally fall for one woman has been great. He definitely has to take a hard look at himself and his life and decide what’s important—then protect it with his life. There’s a lot of action in this one, but with everything I write, it’s packed with romance, conflict, tension and hot sex.

Q5) How did you come with the idea for this story?

Shayla: As my husband says frequently, my brain is a scary place. There are always ideas rolling around in my head. The idea for both of these stories have been in my head for years. With the Doomsday Brethren series, I’ve had a rough outline of every book before I even started the first. So I had a decent idea of what would happen in EMBRACE ME AT DAWN long ago. With MINE TO HOLD, I’ve always known Tyler’s backstory. I simply had to put together the pieces of the suspense plot and let Tyler and Delaney go.

Q6) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Shayla:  I’ll be working on four new projects this summer. OURS TO LOVE (Wicked Lovers 7), THEIR VIRGIN CONCUBINE (Masters of Ménage 3), The first in my new Project Alpha series and I’ve taken on an editorial project that I’m really excited about. I can’t say a lot now, but look for more news about it this summer.

Q7) Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Book 5 in the Wicked Lovers Series

 

Shayla:  Jane Austen. She was so instrumental in creating the genre we see today and the first to really focus on women’s fascination with the condition of falling in love in a way that transcends time and place.

Q8) What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Shayla:  Run! No, just kidding. Mostly. J Persevere. If you believe in it passionately, others will, too. You can’t make everyone love what you do, so don’t try. Write what you know is right in your heart for the story in your head. Block as much of the negative as possible and move on.

Q9) Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Shayla:  Go to Italy. I’ve always wanted to spend a couple of weeks there and drink in the scenery, culture, and people.

 

Book 1 in the Doomsday Brethren Series

Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Shayla:  I’ve got a ton of books on my Kindle that I’d LOVE to be reading, but deadlines have kept me from enjoying them. I’m SO behind on my reading. Soon…

Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Shayla:  Thank you for inviting me here!

Want to learn more about Shayla and her books?

Check her out here:

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