An Interview with Lindsay Downs

by Sarah | Apr 17, 2013 | Author Interview, Guest Authors, Writing

I’m happy to have Lindsay Downs by today to talk about his upcoming release, Ice Queen. He was good enough to sit down and answer a few questions for me, and talk a little about his books.
*~*

1.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I think the best way for me to answer this question is to let you read my bio-

What does it take to be a bestselling author? Determination, skill, talent, luck or taking a risk with a venture into a totally new genre. For me it was a little of some and a lot of the others.

In 2008 when I got 2 books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.

More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rule, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.

Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.

After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other she dies unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.

For me, as a multipublished author it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.

2.  Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I’m a panster but with a new series I’m thinking about I might have to be a plotter, we’ll see.

3.  Can you tell us about the challenges you faced getting your first book published?

First, trying to learn to write a compelling book which a publisher wanted. After that searching out the right one for the book. The whole thing is never to give up. If one rejects you learn, if needed correct then find the perfect publisher to go with.

4.  What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

It’s really hard to point out one chapter out of them all to single out as my favorite. Each one, in their own way, was a favorite.

5.  Were all of your characters easy to write, or did some of them give you trouble? Any particular character you didn’t like at all?

The only character I really didn’t like was Brandie Endicott. To find out why you’ll have to wait until June when the book releases and read it. Even the main bad guy I liked writing.

6. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Never give up on your dream. Develop your voice and stay true to it. Don’t be afraid to be different. Write. Write. Then write some more while taking workshops to learn the craft.

7.  Narrow down your novel. Why must we read it?  (besides the obvious, it’s awesome answer…because of course it is!)

Not only in my A Jessica Sales Novel series but also in all my regency books the one thing you’ll find which stands out above all the the leading character. The best way I can answer the question is to go back to 1972 and the Helen Reddy song “I Am Woman”. In short I empower my heroines.

8. Which character speaks the loudest to you?

The one I’m writing at the time, even the villain.

9.  Do you have another book coming out soon?

In July I have my debut, with SCP, regency Spy Catcher releasing. This is romantic suspense. To put it simple between June and December of this year I’ve got a book releasing every month, except for November.

10. (For series authors) How many books can we expect to see in your series? Is the number tentative or set?

Right now I have 6 books in The Jessica Sales series scheduled for release between June 2013 through September 2014. I do have ideas for four more books in the Jessica Sales series.

*~*~*~*

Blurb for Ice Queen–

Betrayed by her lover, Jessica Sale has to decide who to trust. Not sure, she goes with her intuition. The problem, is her instinct correct or leading her down the proverbial garden path. Only time will tell, except she doesn’t have the luxury. Lives lie in the balance and depend on her split second decisions.

As the truth slowly unfolds, Jessica wonders if she’s made the right decision. No thanks to her Control who withholds crucial facts about a separate but equally important mission which parallels hers everything could be put in jeopardy. Time is the one thing Jessica doesn’t have, if she’s to prevent military grade weapons from being made available to terrorists.

Will she finally get all the information to stop Justin Grey or will she end up like so many of his supposed friends, partners and family-dead?

Will she finally get all the information to stop Justin Grey from selling weapons to terrorists or will she end up like so many of his supposed friends, partners and family-dead.

*~*

I’m so glad that Lindsay stopped by, I can’t go without pimping at least one of his books. So, of course, I’m going with Love and War. 

| [amazon_link id=”B00APO6ILQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | B&N | SCP | ARe |

BLURB:

Rescued – Injured Ensign Steve Henry awakens from severe wounds to the tender care of Lieutenant Suzanne Cunningham. Attraction explodes between them but will war tear them apart in the end?

Simone – Returning to Occupied France in advance of the allied invasion leaves no time for love between Sergeant Brian Deveneau and Simone. War tears apart lives and love. Will they survive?

Angel in Green – Never expecting to find love, 1st Lieutenant Elena Roberts must put aside her feelings for 2nd Lieutenant Steve Johnson. When her hospital is overrun by North Vietnamese soldier’s, she must guard not only her heart from the handsome solider, but keep him alive as well.

An Interview with Layna Pimentel

by Sarah | Apr 11, 2013 | Author Interview, Guest Authors, Writing

I’m pleased to welcome Layna Pimentel to the blog today.  She agreed to an interview, and a little peek into her book A Gift From Fate.
*~*

1.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m married and have two daughters. I’m a geek/bookworm and I’m proud of it. Hmm…what haven’t I shared yet with people? I’m terrified of flying, my Achilles heel is a good red wine, my nickname used to be zappy. I can’t believe I just announced that. My husband is going to have a field day with that. LOL

2.  Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Both if you can imagine. I almost always start every book plotting first, and then my muse rears her ugly head and says “No! There will be none of that. I want it to go this way.” Dang muse.

3.  Can you tell us about the challenges you faced getting your first book published?

We could be here all day if I went into every detail, but the key problem I had was finding the right critique partner. Thankfully, my crit partner Jessica Subject has been there through thick and thin, and I’ve been eternally grateful for her help and infinite wisdom.

4.  What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

I don’t really have a favorite chapter. I loved writing this book from start to finish.

5.  Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Don’t be afraid to follow your instinct, if you don’t think you’re in a critique group/have a partner that fits, save yourself the unnecessary stress of parting on bad terms and walk away. Mind you, don’t give up either. Keep trying and you will find the right person for you. Think of it as dating.  Also, don’t be afraid to invest in a freelance editor either, in the event you still don’t find that perfect match. They’re worth their weight in gold, and they’re a valuable resource to reach out to.

6.   Narrow down your novel. Why must we read it?  (besides the obvious, it’s awesome answer…because of course it is!)

Well if you love mythology as much as I do, then you’ll love that the story is written around one of the nine muses—which we really don’t hear too often about. Plus, I added in my own fictional twist with the Fates and their hate on for Zeus. *wink wink*

7.  Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I’ve been reading tarot since the late 1990’s. Oh! And I’m also a huge fan of siege weapons. So guess what I’ll be building this summer in between projects? A trebuchet. Of course it will only be a scaled down version, but it’ll be big enough to scare off those pesky pigeons in my backyard. I warned you that I was a nerd. 😉 Aside from that, video games is another thing that I enjoy. If it’s a RPG like Oblivion, or The Witcher, I’m all over it like white on rice.

8. Do you have another book coming out soon?

I do have another fantasy erotic romance short coming out this month through Secret Cravings Publishing. So check out my blog for more details about Hardened Desire. Also, this summer my historical erotic romance series Pleasure Garden Follies launches. Scandal at Vauxhall is tentatively scheduled for July, A Sinful Education in September, and Her Deviant Lord in November. It’s been a busy year.

9. How many books can we expect to see in your series? Is the number tentative or set?

A Gift From Fate was originally intended to be a standalone book, but I do have two other books planned. I mean who knows, with nine muses you never know what those girls are up to.

*~*

| [amazon_link id=”B00BHLTBVA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | Barnes & Noble | Secret Cravings | All Romance Ebooks | Bookstrand |

Blurb:

After colliding with a stunning vision in white, retired Staff Sergeant Brent Daniels offers to drive the beautiful stranger to a hotel for the night, but instead discovers he’s with one very lost creature. He’s bewitched by her sinful curves, her dark and mesmerizing eyes, and the pull at his soul with each minute passing. Nevertheless, he can’t shake the feeling she’s hiding something.

Melpomene, daughter of Zeus, finds her handsome rescuer resembles the man who has continuously haunted her dreams. Before long, she’s in his arms, wanting more. Knowing their days are numbered, desperation leads her to reach out for help by an unlikely ally.

Just how far will these two lovers go, and what will they sacrifice to be together?

EXCERPT

“My name is Melp—Mel Pomene.” She’d nearly given herself away. Zeus, her father, would have heard had she whispered her name. Her father. Heavens, he’d turn the mortal realm upside down if he suspected she was here. And right now, she desired nothing more than to stay a little longer. With any lucky, I’ll return before he notices.

“Well, Mel, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your last name is rather unusual. I assume you’re not from these parts?”

His question silenced any thoughts drifting through her mind at that moment. A new kind of tension rose within her. She couldn’t disclose her origins or who she was. Guilt settled in her stomach for leaving her sisters behind, but she wasn’t given a choice. The Fates dropped her here, only mentioning an experience for three days…provided Zeus didn’t find out. Only the Gods knew what he’d do if he found her cavorting around without a proper escort.

“Earth to Mel? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I am. I’m just thinking of home, which is Greece. I’ve come to the United States for an adventure, it would seem.”

He chuckled before she’d finished speaking.

“What is so amusing?”

“The mere mention of seeking adventure after getting lost is rather comical, nothing else, sweetheart.” He removed his right hand from the wheel and petted her knee. The warmth of his hand stirred an unfamiliar emotion within. This was the man from her dream. Those hands had touched parts of her body no mortal would have dared, and here she sat, wishing he’d do more than pat her.

WHAT AM I WORKING ON NEXT

I’m working on the second installment of my Pleasure Garden Follies series, A Sinful Education. The series takes place in the regency era and is going to be super hot. The first book Scandal at Vauxhall will be releasing this July, so make sure to stop by my site for latest updates.

BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.

Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:

www.laynapimentel.com | Twitter | Facebook | Google+

An Interview with Author Carolyn Wren

by Sarah | Apr 8, 2013 | Author Interview, Guest Authors, Writing

I’m very happy to have Carolyn Wren stop by again today for a visit. It seems like just yesterday I had her here with her book, [amazon_link id=”B00BAXHNCY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Scientist (The Protector Series #2)[/amazon_link]. Now she’s back for her latest book in the Protector Series The Actress. Carolyn was good enough to sit down and answer a few questions for me.
*~*

1.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a former book keeper who decided, one day, to ignore numbers and start playing with words instead.  I had never written before and quickly found out how addictive it is.  Now I feel cheated if I don’t write every day, and have been known to take my laptop on planes, trains, and in automobiles in order to get down that chapter in my head.

2.  Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I plot in my head, to the point where it is word perfect.  However, when I type, I turn into a pantster, and that perfect scene tends to change dramatically once my fingers hit the keyboard.

3.  Can you tell us about the challenges you faced getting your first book published?

Self-confidence was the biggest challenge, or to be more accurate, lack of it.  I never even considered getting published, all my stories sat on a folder on my desktop, and provided lunchtime reading entertainment for my friends at work.  It was only when I won the 2012 RWA Emerald award and got to the finals of the 2012 Daphne Du Maurier awards that I finally found the courage to submit my work to a publisher.

4.  What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

The opening chapter of book 4 in the series -and the one I had great success with in contests-The Hostage, starts with a dramatic rescue scene.  To make it different, the captive is a big strong male, and his savior is a tiny woman.  I liked the idea of putting a twist on a hostage/rescuer situation and it remains my favorite chapter to date.

5.  Were all of your characters easy to write, or did some of them give you trouble? Any particular character you didn’t like at all?

Book 2 in the series, The Scientist, features a very outrageous, danger seeking agent called Simon Winters.  He is a flirt, cheeky, and completely over the top.  I was concerned people might hate him, but he seems to be a big favorite with readers.

6. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Write, write, write.  Even if you think what you’re doing is complete rubbish.  Write what you love, because you love it.  It’s all part of learning.  Join an organization like the RWA, because their support network is amazing.  Enter contests, let the judge’s feedback guide you into which direction you need to go.

Most importantly, enjoy it.  We all have to follow the rules and regulations of publishing. Have to get our heads around correct punctuation, and correct usage of point of view, once we get that far.

But for that initial draft? For that tantalizing story in your head that won’t go away? Just write.

7.  In researching your book what did you learn that surprised you? Or, alternatively, what thing did you research that you never thought you would (and considered deleting from your browsing history)?

My browser history would fascinate and confuse any therapist.  In one day, whilst working on 3 separate books of different genres, I researched the following…

How bright is a muzzle flash from a 9mm gun in a completely dark room.  How long does a stun gun render a person unconscious for.  What exactly happens in a fifteen century nunnery?  What was the largest battle in the Crusades.  How do you track an older style cell phone manufactured in the year 2005.  What were the midwife techniques in England in the 1950s.  Is it possible to exist for a long period of time in the Amazon Jungle without coming across any form of civilization?

And all of the answers were very interesting!

8.  Narrow down your novel. Why must we read it?  (besides the obvious, it’s awesome answer…because of course it is!)

This particular book, The Actress, follows the story of Bryce Black, and we have met Bryce in all of the books in the series so far.  He is a tech wizard, not your usual shoot-them-up secret agents.  He is quiet and witty and very cute.  The story takes a very interesting turn half way.  It goes from a fun contemporary story into something much darker.  And, we get a teasing cameo from Omega, the totally secretive, totally enigmatic agent, who will feature in book 4.

9.  Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I have synesthesia, so I see numbers as colors.  It makes remembering phone numbers very easy.

10. Which character speaks the loudest to you?

Jared Knight from Book 1, Diplomat’s Daughter, the first male character I ever wrote, still speaks clearly to me.  Not loudly, as Jared never shouts.  Maybe because he was the first fictional character I ever invented, and maybe because he features in all the books in the series.  I feel I always know exactly what he would say, or do, in any situation.

11.  Do you have another book coming out soon?

The Hostage, Book 4 is scheduled for a June release.  In 2013 I have a book coming out every two months.

12. How many books can we expect to see in your series? Is the number tentative or set?

There are seven books in The Protector series, and they were all written to tell a complete arc before I submitted them to Secret Cravings Publishing.  So yes, in this case, the number is set.

However I have a paranormal series I have been working on for some time, called The Stolen Ones Trilogy, and I strongly suspect it’s now turning into a four or possibly five books series, so I will have to find another name for it!

*~*~*~*

BUY LINK:  http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=569

The Protectors, Book 3

The Actress

A famous television actress trying to balance her fictional character and her real life. And an obsessed fan who cannot tell the difference.

The technical wizard of The Protectors agency…

Bryce Black can invent, build, or hack anything.  Preferring to leave the danger to his fellow operatives, Bryce is happiest at home designing gadgets, and pursuing his hobby of creating replica diamonds.  When offered an assignment to protect a fortune in real gems featured in a high rating television show, he accepts. Only to find himself falling for the beautiful lead actress.

Katrina Abbott is walking away from her acting career without regret.  The loss of privacy and invasion of her personal life have become overwhelming.  The handsome security advisor with his fascinating amber colored eyes has her contemplating a new life, far from the glaring spotlight. But first she needs to film the finale of her wildly popular drama series.

One female fan does not want the show to end, and has a very different view of what Katrina’s future should be.

Excerpt.

Taking the opportunity for a brief escape, Katrina headed towards catering, fiddling with the stubborn cap of the pill bottle. Turning a corner, she crashed into a solid male chest. The container flew from her hands and hit the floor, spilling its contents.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“It’s okay,” her victim said, pulling the wet t-shirt away from his skin. “It could have been worse. I almost made a cup of hot coffee.” He gestured to the empty cup of what had been filled with water rolling around on the floor.

Katrina looked up from the damp torso to see a handsome face. Black hair curled over his collar, and he had the most startling amber gold eyes. Realizing she was staring, Katrina covered her uncharacteristic rudeness by pointing to the photos in his other hand. “Would you like me to sign those?” The glance he gave her seemed puzzled. “I don’t mind. I do it all the time. Do you have a pen?” Almost plucking the pictures from his hand, she found herself studying a photograph of some sort of sophisticated wall safe and another of a diamond pendant.

“I thought they would be of me. They usually are. Did the tour group give you the wrong pictures?”

“I’m not with the tour group. I’m the security consultant, and I’m actually searching for George Hooper.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m used to people wanting to see me.” Oh God, did that sound conceited. “Not that I expect you to‒I mean.” Katrina put her hands on her hips. “You could have said something before I went on and on.”

A smile tilted his lips at the corner, exposing a deep dimple in his cheek that caught Katrina’s attention. His golden eyes lit with amused warmth. “In my defense, I was waiting for a suitable pause in conversation to interrupt. To be truthful, I was also seeking confirmation of your identity. In the photo I have, you appear to be dressed as a nun.”

“Crisis in a convent,” Katrina said automatically. “Season two, episode three, my character was undercover.”

“Aha, well that does explain the current lack of wimple.”