An Interview with Steven Luna

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Barb

An Interview with Steven Luna

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Steven Luna as our guest today.

Steven is here today to discuss he new release, Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing, as well as tell us a bit about himself.

Before we start the interview, let’s learn a little more about Steven Luna, in his own words.

About The Author

FOLLOW: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

I’m a storyteller with a few novels in the world: Joe Vampire and its sequel, Joe Vampire: The Afterlife. They’re kind of the anti-Twilight. I can’t be sorry for that. Joe Vampire: The New Paranormal is in the works. There’s Starstruck right behind that, about a rock star who finds himself abducted by aliens. Madcap stuff.

Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing is my first novel for a YA audience.

I say some pretty ridiculous things over at DumbWhiteHusband.com.

My story Life Review 2.0 is in Arizona State University’s Canyon Voices. My other story Keepers is in there, too.

My story Last Shift is available in the anthology Nightfalls. Proceeds from this book benefit childrens’ charities in Los Angeles.

My story (geez…what is it with all these stories?) Rise is available in the anthology Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior. Proceeds from this one benefit Karen DeLabar and her family. She’s gone through hell. We’re helping her out a bit.

You can reach me at thestevenluna@gmail.com.

My wife is amazing. My kids make me happy. My friends are the coolest.

La la, how the life goes on…

Interview Hi Steven. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?

Steven: I’m a husband and father of three with a data analyst day job. I write and edit in my spare time, along with a slew of other creative stuff. I’m a big fan of music and movies. I’ve never been drunk, only had one speeding ticket in my life and favor naps over exercise (though I’ve become something of a fitness junkie recently… those two activities blend better than most people might imagine).

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Steven: I’ve always been interested in words and reading, definitely. And I’ve always been a sucker for a well-told story. Writing finally became an interest for me at about age 12, when I realized how much fun it might be on the other side of the mirror. I started with short form —bad poems, bad song lyrics, bad comic book scripts—and slowly worked my way to bad short stories and better poems before working my way to not-ashamed-to-show-the-world novels.

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Steven: Keeping my characters natural. Even in the more fantastic works I’ve done, I’ve always taken pains to make sure the characters’ dialogue feels realistic and that their personalities are believable. I think practicing that sort of grounding when I write has made my work much more resonant.

TRC: Can you tell how you came up with the idea of Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing?

Steven: I was writing a novel for younger readers when I had the idea of a teenager who finds out his mom used to be friends with a rock star. At the time, it was a lighter story, with more humor. When I revisited it last fall, it was suddenly the painful tale of a kid who loses his way after his mother dies. It turned out to be a much more heartfelt, realistic story than I’d planned. I’m glad I waited.

TRC: Would you please tell us the premise behind Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing?

Steven: Songs is about Tyler Mills, a 17 year-old guitar prodigy whose mother has died six months earlier from pancreatic cancer. His relationship with his father is severely strained, so he takes comfort in his girlfriend and his music. He’s determined to graduate and head directly into the music business with his band, in spite of his father’s intentions for him to finish school and go to college. Then he finds his mother’s journals, and a family secret inside that changes the direction of his life. He sets out to find the truth.

Links to order Songs From the Phenomenal Nothing:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

TRC: You have written another series, JOE VAMPIRE, which currently has two books released. Can you give us a brief description of this series? How many books are you planning?

Steven: Joe Vampire skewers the traditional vampire themes by dropping an average dude into the ridiculous circumstance of being undead. He becomes a vampire after a hilarious yet life-altering misunderstanding on a group date, and blogs (each chapter is a post) to let the world know how unromantic it really is. It’s a fun upheaval of what people have come to expect from vampires - nobody lives in a castle, nobody wears a cape or sparkles in the sun. It turns out to be more of a supernatural disease than any sort of superpower, and Joe is not too shy to share all the nasty details. Each book answers a few of Joe’s questions about being part of the Undead Elite, as he calls it. Book one (Joe Vampire) introduces the character and his cohorts as he tries to get a handle on how being a vampire works. Book two (Joe Vampire: The Afterlife) takes him into the world at large to find out what life as a vampire is really like, and explores the notion that not everyone responds to being vampire in the same way as he did. Book three (Joe Vampire: The New Paranormal) will round out the series (for now) by showing Joe that no matter how tightly he reins in his vampire parts, he’ll always be dealing with them in some way. Each book starts out as a series of “here’s what’s happening to me” blog posts, but eventually take some suspenseful twists and turns as the real story evolves.

TRC: Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing is Young Adult. Having written adult books, what made you decide to write a YA novel?

Steven: I began writing novels for middle-grade readers, so a young audience is really much more my background than writing for adults. Back then, it was much easier for me to affect a convincing kid’s fantasy voice than it was an authentic adult voice. I put writing aside for a while, and when I came back to it, my sensibilities were decidedly adult. But an underlying flavor of the younger voice was still present. When I remembered the idea for Songs, it had suddenly grown up…or down, considering how adult the Joe series is. I think it’s a happy compromise between the two modes of writing. I’ll be exploring other stories in a Young Adult voice after the Joe series wraps up.

TRC: Can you tell us what are you currently working on?

Steven: Joe Vampire: The New Paranormal has been written and will be undergoing revisions in October; I’m hoping for a February 2014 release for him. I have a sequel to Songs in mind that I’ll be taking notes and making outlines for, as well as another Young Adult story about a girl born into a cult. And I’m hoping to finish another adult comedy I’ve begun called Starstruck. It’s about a rock star alien abductee, and it may see the light of day in 2014 as well.

TRC: Do you have any thoughts of writing in any other genres?

Steven: I have ideas for several speculative works. I’m waiting for them to tell me whether they should move in a more fantasy, sci-fi or magical realism direction. I like to let the story tell me before I tell the story; at that point in the process, everything is possible. And I’d love to return to middle-grade fiction someday and play around with fantasy for young readers again.

TRC: What is your writing process? Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?

Steven: I write all over the place in my house – in my office, at my kitchen counter, on the couch (which is where I am now). Usually it happens early in the morning or during the evening hours. I tend to tune out mostly everything when I write so anywhere with a comfortable corner works for me. My process is largely based on a one-line synopsis of the idea I want to expand on (for example, Joe Vampire’s was the tag line “Just a dude who’ll never die, trying to figure out how to live.”). This helps me visualize the overarching notion of the story. From there, I list out the main plot points I want to aim for and the cast of characters I’ll need to take me there. I’ll do a brain dump – notes, dialogue, descriptions…whatever comes out goes on a master note-taking Word doc. When that becomes ten pages long or so, I have enough to jump in somewhere and start writing my way to the shore. Sometimes it goes in order from start to finish, like Songs was. Sometimes I go with whatever piece comes to me the most readily; Joe was very much that way. At some point, I decide I have enough to start compiling a manuscript, and I lay it all out in a single document and fill in the gaps until it’s finished.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Steven: I’m fortunate enough to have the coolest crew of friends to brainstorm with. We don’t hold back; we all just say “how about this?” whenever the spirit moves us and we throw out the ideas as one-liners, passing each other feedback and adding to the possibility. And when we write, we share our work along the way to make sure were keeping with the tone of whatever we’re working on. We all trust each other’s judgment and respect one another enough to be honest (but kind) with our input. It’s really the greatest thing to have: people who care about you and understand what you’re trying to do, who support you through the entire process, who celebrate your wins and encourage you beyond your losses. They know exactly what you’re going through, because they’re going through it all themselves.

TRC: You also work as an editor for other authors. Do you feel being a writer helps you during your editing?

Steven: Absolutely. I believe my being a writer gives me empathy for what a writer is trying to accomplish, and sympathy for how to guide them to that end. I don’t know that I would feel as qualified to direct them in making their book stronger, cleaner, etc. if I hadn’t been in their position as well.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Steven: Thanks much for having me on the blog!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Burritos

Favorite Dessert: Caramel apple pie

Favorite Literary Character (not your own): Billy Purgatory & Max from “Where the Wild Things Are”

Favorite TV Show: Alias/Lost

Favorite Movie: Stranger than Fiction

Milk or Dark Chocolate: Dark…like, 72% or more. The best.

Steven: Thank you very much for having me on the blog!

Giveaway

Steven has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café an e-copy of his book, Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing.

1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open Internationally.

4. Contests runs from October 25 to October 29, 2013

An Interview with Christopher Rice

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Barb

An Interview with Christopher Rice

The Reading Cafe is thrilled to welcome Christopher Rice as our guest today. Christopher is here today to discuss his new release, The Heavens Rise, as well as to tell us a little about himself.

Before we begin the interview, lets learn a bit more about Christopher.

About The Author

By the age of 30, Christopher Rice had published four New York Times bestselling thrillers, received a Lambda Literary Award and been declared one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive. His latest novel is THE HEAVENS RISE, a supernatural thriller about a young woman who is exposed to a mysterious parasite in the Louisiana swamp that gives her the power to control minds and unleash living nightmares. Together with his best friend, bestselling novelist Eric Shaw Quinn, Christopher recently launched his own Internet radio show. An outrageous and irreverent comedy variety program, THE DINNER PARTY SHOW WITH CHRISTOPHER RICE & ERIC SHAW QUINN streams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at TheDinnerPartyShow.com, with new live episodes premiering Sunday evenings at 8 PM Eastern, 5 PM Pacific.

Christopher’s first novel, A DENSITY OF SOULS, was published when he was just 22. The controversial bestseller was greeted with a landslide of media attention, much of it due the fact that Rice’s mother is a legendary vampire chronicler who shares his last name. He served as a contributing columnist to The Advocate for many years and his additional criticisms and witticisms have been featured in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Salon.com and his own Facebook page, which currently hails over 100,000 subscribers. The members of the InsightOut Book Club selected his novel BLIND FALL as one of the best novels of 2008, and his noir thriller LIGHT BEFORE DAY was hailed as a “book of the year” by mega-best selling thriller novelist (and Jack Reacher creator), Lee Child. His short fiction has been featured in the anthologies Thriller and Los Angeles Noir. He recently served on the board of directorsof the West Hollywood Library Fund, which was instrumental in securing private funds to build a brand new state-of-the-art library in the heart of the city he now calls home.

Let’s meet Christopher!

Interview

Hi Christopher. Thank you for taking the time to visit us at The Reading Cafe, to discuss your new release “The Heavens Rise”, as well as to give us an update as to what else you may be working on.

TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?

Christopher: Well, I’m averaging only a few hours of sleep a night. I’ve spent most of the last week on trains and planes. And I couldn’t be more excited about all of it because it means I’m on a book tour. I’m also tall, and I drink too much caffeine, but I quit smoking years ago so I consider it a trade off.

TRC:“The Heavens Rise” was just released a few days ago. Can you please give us a brief description of the premise of this book?

Christopher: “The Heavens Rise” is a supernatural thriller about a young woman who is exposed to a mysterious parasite in the Louisiana swamp that gives her the power to control minds. Unfortunately, someone else is exposed to this parasite as well – a young man she snuck out to her parent’s property with in hopes of having a clandestine romantic evening, only to discover that he was a cold-blooded psychopath.

Links to order The Heavens Rise: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Goodreads TRC: Is “The Heavens Rise” a standalone novel, or will this be a series?

Christopher: As of now, it’s a standalone novel, but I have hope that it could become a series.

TRC: What have been some of the challenges or difficulties with research etc, as it pertains to “The Heavens Rise”?

Christopher: The main challenge was working with a supernatural framework for the first time. I can’t stand stories in which it feels like the writer is just pulling the mythology out of their hat as they go along. It was important for me to craft a set of supernatural rules that hung together by its own internal logic. The science is made up, of course – a parasite that infects the brain and allows you to metabolize the invisible light waves of someone else’s soul, thereby controlling their body and actions for a period of time – but it’s made up in such a way as to feel like part of an alternative reality, not just a series of shocks administered to the reality in which we all already live.

TRC: With famous parents…Poet/Painter Stan Rice, and super star Author Anne Rice; can you tell us how this influenced you in your writing career?

Christopher: They encouraged me at every turn, and of course, they saw writing as a valid, natural and perfectly noble pursuit. They were shocked when I decided not to be an actor and took up writing instead, but when I told them I was working on a novel, they began leaving copies of some of their favorite works of literature in my bedroom.

TRC: “The Heavens Rise” is a different genre then you usually write, Supernatural. Do you have a preference as to genres, or have you thought about other genres that interest you?

Christopher: I’ve been wanting to write a supernatural novel for a long time. I grew up on this big juicy supernatural thrillers and horror novels that filled the racks at the bookstore in the 80’s and 90’s. Robert MacCammon, Stephen King, Dean Koontz and yes, my mother. For years, I’d struggled with a concept for something supernatural and I usually ended up running into a brick wall. Ultimately, it was a set of characters that guided me into my first supernatural story. In outlining the character of Nikki Delongpre, my instincts kept telling me she was mysterious, that she’d gone missing and her disappearance had leveled her boyfriend and her best friend emotionally, but I wasn’t quite sure why. Then one day, it clicked: she had a supernatural ability – mind control – and she’d gone into hiding out of fear that she’d abuse her gift on the people she loved the most.

TRC: Can you please tell us what are you currently working on?

Christopher: I’m 1/3 of the way through another supernatural thriller set in the deep South. I can’t share much about the plot, except to say I wouldn’t read it in a greenhouse.

TRC: What is your writing process? Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?

Christopher: I try to write first thing. I try to hit a word count of around 1,500 words a day. I don’t write every day. I’m often working on a mix of projects, rather than just one novel. Thanks to my beautiful MacBook Air, I’ve divorced myself from my desk and I make an effort to get comfortable when I write.

TRC: You are a co-host on a live weekly broadcast called “The Dinner Party Show”. Can you tell us about this show, how can people find it, and how did you come up with the idea of this type of show?

Christopher: My best friend, best-selling novelist Eric Shaw Quinn and I teamed up a few years ago to launch this show and we’re having the time of our lives. We debut a live show Sunday evenings at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT at TheDinnerPartyShow.com. Folks can listen free through the player on our site or download our free mobile app. (Also, all of our old shows are available as free podcasts in our Show Archive.) It’s a blend of satire, humor, politics and celebrity interviews, and we like to make guests feel like they’ve attended a lovely dinner party with two outrageous loudmouths. We’re always repeating the most recent episodes on our player so you can’t miss us. We’re also available on Stitcher and TuneIn. And it’s all free!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Christopher: I think we covered everything. Thank you!

Thank you, Christopher for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you
the best of luck with “The Heavens Rise”.

To learn more about Christopher, you can find him at the following links: Website: Twitter: Facebook: Goodreads: The Dinner Party Show:

An Interview & Giveaway with Kyra Jacobs

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Barb

An Interview & Giveaway with Kyra Jacobs

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Kyra Jacobs as our guest today.

Kyra is here to discuss her book, Armed with Steele, which is her debut novel. Armed with Steele is the the first book in their new Hometown Heroes series.

Our review of Armed with Steele is below this post.

Let’s learn a little more about Kyra, before we Interview her.

About The Author

Kyra Jacobs is a happily married, mother of two, who grew up in Indiana. When she’s not pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely goofing around with her husband and kids, or elbow-deep in snapdragons and Lamb’s Ear in one of her many flower gardens. She also loves to golf (though, golf doesn’t really love her) and to jam on the bass in Guitar Hero.

Be sure to stop by her blog, http://www.indianawonderer.wordpress.com for updates on her writing journey and other musings as seen through the eyes of this Midwestern writer.

Let’s talk to Kyra!

Interview-Gold

Hi Kyra, welcome to The Reading Café. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Please tell us about yourself

Kyra: Thanks so much for having me! I’m a happily married wife and mother of two boys. We live in Indiana, and I’ve been a Hoosier my whole life. Though, I married a Buckeye, so we do bleed scarlet and gray on game days…

TRC: When and how did you first become interested in writing?

Kyra: Truly, I’ve always enjoyed writing. The kid who got excited in school when essay assignments were doled out? Yep, that was me. But a few years back my summer flower gardening time was interrupted by a pesky broken finger. All that creative energy had to be redirected somewhere, and writing is where it went.

TRC: Armed With Steele is your debut novel. What was your reaction when you saw your book published?

Kyra: It was so surreal. In fact, it really didn’t feel official until I saw my name and book cover on Amazon. Then it was like, wow, I’ve arrived! lol

TRC: Can you please tell us the premise of your new series, Hometown Heroes, and how you came up with the idea? Is this book a standalone, or are you planning on making this a series?

Kyra: Actually, Lyrical Press came up with the Hometown Heroes theme. But I had so much fun writing about a sexy cop that I decided to continue on with a second book featuring a smokin’ hot firefighter. I’ve pulled the main characters from the Armed With Steele into this storyline, too, and have ideas that could potentially bring a few more books into the series as well.

TRC: Can you give us a brief description of the first book in your series, Armed With Steele?

Kyra: You bet. Armed With Steele is a fun romantic suspense. Think, a modern Stephanie Plum set in Fort Wayne, Indiana. But beyond the sarcasm and innuendoes lies a story about true friendship and the lengths we’re willing to go to help the ones we love. Jessica Hartley is a 25-year-old web designer who is trying to solve the mystery behind her best friend’s near-fatal car accident. Patrolman Nate Steele is the only one Jessica can seem to convince the accident was no such thing. After his superiors end their investigation without resolution, he convinces Jessica to work with him off the books. So introvert Jessica ends up working in a prestigious local office by day, and trying to resist her handsome undercover partner by night. And there just might be a slobbery bulldog, a few touchy-feely coworkers, and Nate’s vicious ex-girlfriend for Jessica to contend with as well…

Links to order Armed with Steele: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

TRC: If your book becomes a movie, do you have preferences as to whom you would like to play your characters?

Kyra: Ah, I knew eventually I’d be asked this question. Not really. I always kinda pictured Nate to be Kellan Lutz, but Chris Pine would do nicely as well. For Jessica, I never had pinned anyone in particular down. Maybe Olivia Wilde?

TRC: You write Romance Suspense, is there any other genre you would like to try?

Kyra: I actually completed the first draft of book one in a YA trilogy this spring involving a rule-breaking guardian angel, and hope to return to it after it has had time to “simmer”.

TRC: What are you currently working on?

Kyra: Right now I’m tweaking revisions on the follow up to Armed With Steele, whose working title is Flirting With Fire. Along with the YA series, I’ve also got two other romances brewing.

TRC: What is your writing process? Do you have a favorite place or time you like to write?

Kyra: Yes, it’s called “write whenever I can squeeze time in”. 🙂 On top of being a wife and mommy, I also work full time out of the home. Needless to say, finding time to write can be a challenge. Typically, though, I’ll try to carve out some time at night after the kids are in bed. On the rare occasion I have time to write during the day, I love to sit with my laptop in a quiet, sunny spot.

TRC: What are the challenges or difficulties that you found in your writing career?

Kyra: The two that come to mind are time and perfectionism. My time is limited, which can frustrate the hell out of my writing muse. And I’m a bit of a perfectionist, which also frustrates said muse. Someday, perhaps, we’ll learn to get along…

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information between each other and their family and spouses. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Kyra: Oh yes, lots of bouncing ideas around. My husband, of course, and my close friends. Several of my good friends are writers as well, and we could sit and talk for hours about plots, characters, motivations, and conflict.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Kyra: Better not. My pesky writing muse is starting to nag at me already that I should be editing by now…

LIGHTNING ROUND:

FAVORITE FOOD: ice cream

FAVORITE DESSERT: ice cream

MILK OR DARK CHOCOLATE: dark, definitely

FAVORITE LITERARY CHARACTER (not your own): Sookie Stackhouse

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Law & Order

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW: Mortal Instruments

CATS or DOGS: Dogs

TRC: Thank you, Kyra for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Armed With Steele.

Kyra: Thank you so much!

If you would like to learn more about Kyra, you can find her at the following links:
Website : http://www.kyrajacobs.wordpress.com/
Blog:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Goodreads:

Giveaway

Kyra has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café an e-copy of her book, Armed With Steele.

1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway open Internationally.

4. Contests runs from October 19, to October 22, 2013

An Interview with Jamie Farrell

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Barb

An Interview with Jamie Farrell

Jamie-Photo-Color-241x300

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Jamie Farrell as our guest today.

Jamie is here today to discuss her new book, Southern Fried Blues, which is the 1st book in her The Officers’ Ex-Wives Club series.

Let’s meet Jamie!

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Interview-RED

TRC: Hi Jamie, welcome to The Reading Café. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

Jamie: I’m excited to be here! Thank you for having me!

TRC: Please tell us about yourself

Jamie: I’m a military wife and stay-at-home mom to three kids. I speak three languages—English, Pirate, and Two-Year-Old—and I have trained my husband to fold laundry. I’m perpetually eight pounds over my Weight Watchers goal, I make my own yogurt, and I’ve recently asked my friend Maria Geraci to be my pop culture godmother, since I’m woefully ignorant of the latest hot movies, TV shows, and celebrities.

TRC: When and how did you first become interested in writing?

Jamie: I got married right out of college, and when my husband got his first military orders, I was completely unprepared for how our lives would change. Nothing went horribly wrong, but I hadn’t yet learned the ins and outs of military life, I missed home, and I couldn’t find a job to use my shiny engineering degree. So I turned to writing fiction as a way of coping. When my husband discovered what I’d been doing during my frequent nights of insomnia, he pushed me to join Romance Writers of America, and now, *mumble mumble* years later, I’m doing what I love as a career.

TRC: Can you please tell us the premise of Southern Fried Blues, and how you came up with the idea? Is this book a standalone, or are you planning on making this a series?

Jamie: Southern Fried Blues is about a redneck rocket scientist halfway through his military career and a divorced Yankee lady stranded in the South who has vowed to never again let another military man’s career derail her own.

As you might’ve guessed, the inspiration for Southern Fried Blues partially came from real life, since my engineering career evaporated after the military started moving us around. My marriage is fine (and it amuses my husband to no end every time he hears me say this), but there are a few strong reasons why a professional career woman wouldn’t want to marry the military. So Anna, the heroine in Southern Fried Blues, was born. When I put some thought into what kind of man I should give an independent, career-minded, never-marrying-the-military-again kind of woman, Southern gentleman Jackson strolled into my head, dressed in military blues and drawling something about somebody’s biscuits. These two were so much fun to write about, and I hope my readers have as much fun with them as I did.

Southern Fried Blues stands alone, but I have plans to return to the Officers’ Ex-Wives Club after I’ve finished my new series. There will be some cross-over between the two series.

TRC: You have a series coming next year, Misfit Brides of Bliss. Can you please give us a brief description of the premise of this series? How many books are you planning on this series?

Jamie: The Misfit Brides of Bliss is about three women—a divorced single mother, a divorce lawyer, and a lovably quirky wedding cake baker—who stumble into love despite not fitting the norms of their hometown of Bliss, Illinois. Bliss is the self-proclaimed Most Married-est Town on Earth. It’s also the premiere wedding destination of the Midwest. Every summer, Bliss hosts a Knot Festival where the pinnacle event is the Husband Games. (Think husband Olympics, with events such as fastest tire changer and best lawn mower.) I have three books planned that are actively in the works, and ideas for more if readers love it as much as I do. I am having an absolute ball writing this series.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

TRC: Your first book in this series is The Husband Games. When do you anticipate the release date and can you please tell us briefly about this book?

Jamie: The Husband Games is Natalie and CJ’s story. It’s scheduled for release in the spring of 2014.

The idea for this book came from a conversation I had with a friend, who was complaining about her husband. I was nodding along, thinking I was glad I was married to my husband and not hers, when the idea for husband Olympics struck me. I don’t think my friend quite followed my logic when I blurted out, “My husband can bench press more than yours can!” but she’s known me long enough to just go with it. Once I had the setting for the games—Bliss, the most married-est town on Earth—my heroine, Natalie, a divorced single mother, instantly clicked. Her hero, CJ, comes from a big family, and it shows in his personality. CJ is a former Husband of the Year, and he’s still coping with his first wife’s death while in the line of military duty.

TRC: What are you currently working on?

Jamie: I’m doing content edits on The Husband Games, along with a dirty first draft of The Wedding Games, which is book three. Book two, The Bride Games, about a divorce lawyer and a country music star, is awaiting my first revision before going out to my critique partners.

TRC: What is your writing process? Do you have a favorite place or time you like to write?

Jamie: Usually I write a messy first draft, then I go through the story for heavy revisions before sending it to my fabulous critique partners, Kelsey Browning and Maria Geraci. Once they’ve weighed in, I do another round of heavy revisions on the story, then I do a few passes to get nit-picky about specific wording, clichés, making sure the writing is tight, and so on. I let it sit for a week or two, look at it with fresh eyes one last time, then send it off to my editor. I don’t write fast, but I make every effort to ensure my books are the highest quality they can be.

My favorite time and place to write is anytime and anywhere my family will let me. With three little ones underfoot, I take what I can get.

TRC: What are the challenges or difficulties that you found in your writing career?

Jamie: Other than the hubby getting orders for us to move and the normal challenges of finding writing time while being a stay-at-home-mom, my biggest challenge has been in trusting myself, both with the actual writing and with the direction I needed to steer my career.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Jamie: Thank you so much for having me today!

LIGHTNING ROUND:

FAVORITE FOOD: Roasted carrots

FAVORITE DESSERT: Brownies

MILK OR DARK CHOCOLATE: Yes

FAVORITE LITERARY CHARACTER (not your own): Molly Weasley

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Castle

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW: Magic Mike (This is why I need a pop culture fairy godmother!)

CATS or DOGS: Cats for now

TRC:Thank you, Jamie for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Southern Fried Blues.

Jamie: Thank you!
Giveaway

Jamie has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café either an e-copy (international) or a paper copy (U.S. Only) of her recent release, Southern Fried Blues.

1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway open Internationally for an E-Copy or U.S. Only for a paper copy..

4. Contests runs from October 17, to October 20, 2013

An Interview and Giveaway with Kat Bastion

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Barb

An Interview with Kat Bastion

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Kat Bastion. Kat is here to discuss her new book, Forged in Dreams and Magick, which was released a few weeks ago. Let’s first learn a little more about Kat.
About the Author
Shoe_Photo Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature.

On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love.

Her first published work, Utterly Loved, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of the proceeds of all her other books, support charities who help those lost in this world.

Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Visit her blog at www.talktotheshoe.com, her website at www.katbastion.com, and her Twitter account at https://twitter.com/KatBastion for more information.

Let’s interview Kat!

Interview-Blue

TRC: Hi Kat and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information.

Kat: Hello, Barb and Sandy! Thank you for inviting me to interview with you. I’m honored to be here.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself? Have you always been interested in writing?

Kat: Writing is a new development for me. I have a Type-A analytical mind, a business background, and a passionate love for reading from the moment I could. After being career focused for well over a decade, I rekindled my love for stories on pages and took a swan dive back into reading romance. A few months later came my first interest in writing, which was the summer of 2010.

TRC: How did you come up with the idea of your Highland Legends Series?

Kat: Not in any Type-A way! {laughs} All of my creative ideas strike into my mind with the sudden intensity of a lightning bolt. In the aftermath, as everything still sizzles and snaps, I write. Furiously.

The kindling for the idea, I suppose, came from a mix of my love of Highlander romances and my love for paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Why not have a magickal Highland world?

TRC: Can you tell us the premise of your Highland Legends Series? Also, how many books do you anticipate for this series?

Kat: Highland Legends is about a unique Clan Brodie, whose castle possesses a special kind of magick. The main novels in the story capture the romances of the main characters amid escalating events in their enchanted world, ultimately leading up to significant historical event set to spill into a modern-day battle.

While themes in the first novel and novella center on faith, hope, and love, the last two novels also have integral elements of forgiveness and redemption. All the stories in the series have a common thread of the heroine/hero finding inner strength in the face of incredible adversity.

The Highland Legends Series is three full-length novels plus the 47,000 word holiday novella, Bound by Wish and Mistletoe, which is scheduled to release November 4, 2013.

TRC: Can you please give us a brief description your first book in that series, Forged in Dreams and Magick?

Kat: Forged in Dreams and Magick is an action-adventure, paranormal romance about a modern-day ordinary girl who finds herself thrown into the most extraordinary and unforgiving circumstances. Repeatedly. It’s a story about every one of us. The journey is about how we find strength within ourselves and rise above the challenges we face in our world while finding what is most important within it. Love.

The official description can be found on the Forged in Dreams and Magick Goodreads page. Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

TRC: You published previously a poetry book, Utterly Loved. How did you come up with this idea?

Kat: {smiles} Utterly Loved was another lightning bolt moment.

It began when an author I love, Sylvain Reynard did a guest post entitled “Art and the Poetry of Desire” which included the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost. Days later, while experiencing a blissful moment, an unexpected poem flowed into my head. I then typed it furiously into my iPhone notes. That captured moment is entitled “Heaven…Found” and remains a favorite.

Once the switch had been thrown, one love poem after another flowed into written word. With my upcoming twentieth anniversary, I decided a compilation about special moments in our lives would a wonderful surprise for my husband. Soon, it became evident to me, and then to us, that Utterly Loved should be shared with the world to benefit others. Through charitable support and awareness, we want those lost in this world to feel utterly loved.

TRC: Can you tell us what are you currently working on?

Kat: {laughs} I’m seeking to master the art of juggling tasks with the debut release of Forged in Dreams and Magick, followed six weeks later with the release of Bound by Wish and Mistletoe.

Born of Mist and Legend, the next novel in the series, is already a quarter drafted, but it’s patiently awaiting my full attention in January. Until then, scenes keep dancing through my mind and notes are being religiously taken.

TRC: What is your writing process? Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?

Kat: I’m a pantster, which is a requisite for my writing to be fun and the creativity to flow best. I mull over scenes quite a bit before writing them. Often the best dialog comes in the shower. I’m often soaking wet, wrapped in a towel, and dashing across the house to type out the fully edited movie scene that unfolded into my head. My husband laughs at the unusual process, but respects the spontaneous, water-induced gift of creativity as I do. J

On a daily basis, though, my best writing happens when I sit at my computer for the first few silent hours of the morning.

TRC: You have written Paranormal romance, is there any other genre that interests you to write in the future?

Kat: There is already a spin-off series planned from the Highland Legends Series, but it will be a modern-day paranormal romance leaning toward urban fantasy.

I also have two other stand-alone story ideas that will be written in the future. One is a contemporary erotic romance. The other is a coming-of-age contemporary romance.

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Kat: I have two challenges in writing, yet both are blessings because they help me grow as a writer and enrich the stories. One is in taking the story dark enough, making the characters and scenes come to vivid life from their depths. The other challenge I enjoy is writing in first person while bringing out the other characters through dialogue and action, showing their emotions and struggles, to enable us to connect and fall in love with them too.

TRC: Do you have a favorite author or book that has inspired you?

Kat: Actually, many have.

With regard to Highlander novels and authors who inspired me to write them, there were two. Judith McNaught’s A Kingdom of Dreams was my first Highlander romance. Julie Garwood’s Ransom was the next Highlander romance that blew me away. Both books I’ve read more than once, and I highly recommend them.

In the paranormal realm, J.R. Ward, with her artfully executed paranormal Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, and Karen Marie Moning, in her unparalleled urban fantasy Fever Series, have both inspired me to write more complex stories and deeper characters.

In contemporary romance, Sylvain Reynard penned two amazing contemporary romance novels about faith, love, and redemption. Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture are both new favorite books of mine. Reynard has become an inspiration in how he uses his author platform to support and bring awareness to charities. His influence was an integral part of the foundation for Utterly Loved and inspired a greater purpose for the proceeds of my writing, further explained on my Charity Support and Awareness page.

A treasure I stumbled across and cherish? Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Her writing is an incredible reflection on finding happiness as we discover who we are. The journey she takes us on is a coming-of-age story not defined by the number of years in our life, but in the happiness we find within it.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Kat: I would like to thank you and your readers for the tremendous support your community has shown independent authors. For a new author to be welcomed with open arms by those who love the adventure found in great stories is heartfelt and deeply appreciated.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: A perfect peach.

Favorite Dessert: The corner brownie. With dark chocolate frosting. No nuts.

Coffee or Tea: Tea

Favorite Movie: Serendipity

Favorite TV show: Duck Dynasty {dies laughing}

Favorite Literary Character (Male or Female) Not your own: Mac (MacKayla Lane) in Moning’s Fever Series. We transform with her from a fluffy rainbow girl to a driven warrior fighting to save those she loves, and ultimately the world itself. I love a kickass heroine who finds her way through unimaginable adversity. {grins}

Milk or Dark Chocolate: Dark!

Dogs or Cats: Cats!

TRC: Kat, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. The Reading Café wishes you good luck with Forged in Dreams and Magick.

Kat: Thank you again for inviting me to join you. I appreciate your support and look forward to sharing both Forged in Dreams and Magick and Bound by Wish and Mistletoe with your readers. I hope you all enjoy the Highland Legends Series!

Giveaway-Green/Gold

Kat has graciously offered to give one lucky members of The Reading Café a paper copy of her recent release, Forged in Dreams & Magick.

1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway open Internationally.

4. Contests runs from august October 3, to October 6, 2013

An Interview and Giveaway with S.J. Harper

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Barb

An Interview with S.J. Harper

SJ Harper

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome the writing team of S.J. Harper as our guest today.

Cursed, which is written by S.J. Harper was released yesterday, and they are both here to talk about their book, as well as tell us a bit about themselves.

Before we start the interview, let’s learn a little more about S.J. Harper.

S.J. Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein, two friends who met at Comic-Con in San Diego and quickly bonded over a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy, and everything Joss Whedon.

Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.

Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella, Blood Debt, from the New York Times bestselling anthology, Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the US and the UK. She lives in Denver, CO where she finds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.

Let’s meet Samantha and Jeanne!

Interview orange:black

Hi Samantha & Jeanne. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the authors behind the book, in this case as a writing team.

TRC: Would you each please tell us some background information about yourselves?

Samantha: I left what I used to call my “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. I’ve authored a dozen novels and novellas including several single title Contemporary and Historical Romances as well as the critically acclaimed Paranormal Romance series, Forbidden. I’m currently writing the Fallen Siren series for Penguin/Roc as S.J. Harper in collaboration with author Jeanne C. Stein. Whew! That’s a mouthful!

I currently live with my husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. My son, who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having home for the summer, is majoring in film production at Emerson College in Boston. He’s heading to the Netherlands for a semester abroad in the next couple weeks, so our home will be quiet once again. On the rare occasion when I manage to set aside play time for myself, you’ll most likely find me reading a book, at the movies, or out wine tasting. Most days, I happily spend my days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.

Jeanne: My first book, The Becoming, was published by a small independent press, ImaJinn Books, in 2004. That was the beginning of my life as a professional writer and the end of a progression of past lives that included forays into education, secretarial and accounting fields, and most fun of all, being an order rep for a beer importing firm. A beer importing firm!! I worked with a great group of people, made good money and was given all the beer that I (and my friends) could drink! My husband and I had never been so popular!

But I digress.

I’ve always been a reader. Not always been a writer. But I’m convinced that’s the best preparation for a writer. Reading. Everything and anything. If you love a particular genre and see yourself writing in it, read your competition! The successful ones certainly, but the not-so-successful ones too. Once you put on your writer’s hat, you’ll find you can tell the difference very quickly. So, uh, what was the question? Oh, yes. I live in Denver with my husband, our daughter is grown and on her own, no pets. But I do feed the wild birds in our yard. I love birds.

TRC: How did you both meet each other, and then decide to write together as S.J. Harper?

S.J. Harper: We initially met during Comic-Con 2007. Sam had just recently left her day job and was there promoting the second book in her Forbidden Series. Jeanne was there promoting the release of the second book in her Anna Strong Vampire series. The two became fast friends, quickly bonding over a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy, and everything Joss Whedon.

Fast forward to Comic-Con 2011. Penguin U.S. had just contracted with Jeanne for the last (ninth) book in her series and they wanted something new, fresh, with romance cross over. Sam shared an idea she had—something that would draw on her experience with romance and Jeanne’s love of mysteries, wrapped in a smart, sexy, urban fantasy. After a weekend of brain storming the concept for The Fallen Siren series was born.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the other person that you would like to share?

Samantha: I’m convinced Jeanne has the metabolism of a hummingbird. Maybe it’s the fact that she goes to the gym faithfully and kick-boxes. I prefer to think there’s dark magic involved. Check out what she had for lunch yesterday: giant pretzel pieces, jalapeno queso dip, mustard, and a beer.

Jeanne: Samantha is too smart for me (but don’t tell her I said that). She is a marketing guru so when she says, shall we do this or that? I just say, yes. And I only really eat that way at Con’s. Really.

TRC: Would you please tell us the premise of your new Fallen Siren series, which you write as S.J. Harper?

S.J. Harper: We pitched the Fallen Siren Series to Penguin as Without a Trace meets Angel, only this Angel is an age-old Siren turned FBI Agent who is cursed by a vindictive goddess and partnered with a hunky alpha werewolf. In search of redemption for past sins, they use the powers of seduction and strength, along with their knowledge of the supernatural and good old-fashioned detective work to rescue victims, bring Big Bads to justice, and capture one another’s hearts.

At the core, it’s urban fantasy—there’s a mystery to solve, plenty of action and suspense, and a romance arc which will play out over the course of the series.

TRC: Can you give us a brief description of the first book, Cursed, in that series?

S.J. Harper:
Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong. She’s cursed. He’s damned. Together, they make one hell of a team.

Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.

Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.

Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.
Links to order Cursed: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

TRC: What difficulties or challenges do you face writing as a team?

Samantha: The greatest challenge is the planning. Prior to collaborating, by writing style was very organic. Since Jeanne and I live in completely different states, we knew in order to use our time effectively and to ensure the process is a smooth one, we’d need to put a great deal of effort into planning. It’s very important when you’re collaborating with someone to make sure you are both on the same page. No pun intended.

Jeanne: There are really no insurmountable problems. Our writing styles are very close so once we settle on who is going to write which scene, it’s just a matter of getting it on paper. Then we swap and tweak.

TRC: How do you divide the writing of a storyline? Was there any particular premise or scenario that one or the other focused on such as characters development or storyline flow?

Samantha: Jeanne writes all of the fight scenes. I write the sex scenes. We thumb wrestle over the rest.

Jeanne: Basically, once we’ve plotted the book and done our scene list, we start writing. We already know our characters and what we want to do with them so there is no division of labor. Except as mentioned above.

TRC: Has there ever been an issue where there was no compromise and therefore a character or premise had to be scrapped?

Samantha: Not yet!

Jeanne: Nope. Although we may come to blows if Sam ever decides a certain character has to go. That’s all I’m saying.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about writing together as a team?

Samantha: That we spend a great deal of time having to negotiate with one another about the direction of the book. We don’t. Because we invest time in plotting everything out up front, the writing process has gone very smoothly.

Jeanne: What she said!

TRC: Jeanne, you have a series that is on the 9^th book. Would you like to tell us the premise of your Anna Strong series?

Jeanne: Anna Strong is a vampire who was turned during the performance of her day job—she was a bounty hunter. So right away, you know she was a tough cookie before she was turned and that didn’t change. The entire nine books take place in a period of about two years. It details how her life changed, how she had to hide what she’d become from her friends and family, and the adjustment to not only being a vampire, but also one of the most powerful creatures in the supernatural community. She’s a strong female protagonist who is not afraid to fight for what she believes in—whether it’s a fight against a mortal antagonist or a supernatural one.

TRC: Samantha, would you like to tell us the premise of your Forbidden series?

Samantha: The Forbidden series is thus far comprised of four interconnected books, each featuring a different M/F pairing that’s set in the same universe. It really bridges Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Some have a happily-ever-after. Some end happily-for-now. The books feature werewolves, vampires, demons, magic and hot sex.

TRC: What are you currently working on?

S.J. Harper: We’re currently polishing the manuscript for Book 2 (not yet titled) in the Fallen Siren Series. It’s due into our publisher on September 15 and is due to be released in the fall of 2014.

Samantha Sommersby: I’m currently working on re-writing a book that was first published in 2005 and has been out of print for several years. It’s a contemporary suspense romance that will be released as a three volume set and is titled Once Upon and Heiress.

Jeanne Stein: A straight mystery that I’ve been working on for YEARS and am determined to finish; a short story for an anthology; a new Anna book; and Sam and I are ready to plot a YA.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

S.J. Harper: If you’re interested in learning more about CURSED, you can check out this S.J. Harper interview done at Comic-Con 2013!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food:
Jeanne: Good Mexican anything (with guacamole preferably)
Samantha: Steak. No, potato chips. Hmm… No, steak.

Favorite Dessert: Jeanne: Anything chocolate Samantha: Crème Brulee

Favorite Movie: Jeanne: Pulp Fiction (I just read Sam’s answer—explains why she does sex and I do action) Samantha: Casablanca

Favorite Literary Character (Male or Female) Jeanne: Spenser (Robert B. Parker’s protag) Samantha: Early kick ass and take no names Anita Blake.

Milk or Dark Chocolate: Jeanne: Dark (Really? That question has to be asked?) Samantha: Dark. No question.

Favorite TV Show: Jeanne: In our genre, Lost Girls. But overall, Sons of Anarchy. Samantha: Game of Thrones.

Dog or Cat:
Jeanne: Dog. Samantha: If I have to pick one, I’m going to say dog. I currently have a terrific cocker who patiently keeps me company as I write.

Thank you, Samantha and Jeanne, for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Cursed.
Giveaway-silver

Samantha and Jeanne have has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café a signed copy of their new release, Cursed

1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open Internationally.

4. Contests runs from October 2 to October 5, 2013

Torn (Connections #2) by Kim Karr-Blog Tour and Giveaway

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Sandy

Torn (Connections #2) by Kim Karr-Blog Tour

Torn
Connections #2
By Kim Karr
Release Date: October 1, 2013

Torn Cover HD

Click HERE for our review of TORN-Book #2 in Kim Karr’s Connections series

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entangled history is about to test the strength of their relationship

Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her “Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.

River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain. But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to stay together or will they be torn apart?

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Interview

1. What inspired you to write Connected and Torn?

The night The Voice premiered on NBC in April 2011, I watched it and fell in love with the show and Adam Levine. I started to think about his journey with Maroon 5 and the number of years it took him to gain fame. I had been thinking about writing a book but hadn’t come up with a storyline that intrigued me enough. For some reason, that night the story of Dahlia, River, and Ben came to mind. The name of book was different as well as character names, but the plot never veered. I always intended for these two books to be a duet and the ending of Connected was the very first thing I wrote.

2. Discuss your inspiration for Dahlia, Ben, River. How did they transpire?

Character inspiration for Connected evolved as soon as the concept of the book came alive in my mind, I knew I wanted a strong heroine and two heroes that loved her but in different ways. I created the characters from within, who they were, and then conveyed their personalities and appearances to the reader.

In my head, Dahlia had to be strong to weather the circumstances life threw her way, but I wanted her to be funny and loving with quirks and habits.

Ben’s personality, as well as his name, actually transpired from a character on a TV show I used to watch years ago. The character on the show was an avid basketball player and swimmer, but since Dahlia and Ben lived near the beach, I decided he should be a surfer. A surfer who has difficulty expressing his feelings, hasty in decision making, temperamental, and contemplative, somewhat of a contrast to Dahlia. But, Ben has true depth and sensitivity that Dahlia admires.

River’s character didn’t transpire as much—he just happened. He is who I would consider to be the perfect guy. I took all the traits I love and admire about men and lumped them into him.

3. Did you plan for your first book to turn into a series?

Yes I did. Just as I planned Connected and Torn to be a duet, my original plan was The Connections Series would consist of three duets for a total of six books. I have since changed my mind and the remaining books in the series will be stand alones. Of course they are part of a series and all characters will appear in all books.

4. You left Connected hanging with a major cliffhanger—will you do that in your next books?

Since I wrote the end of Connected before I wrote the beginning, I don’t regret the ending. Would I do again—absolutely! Would I write another book with a cliffhanger hanging—that I’m not sure about!

5. Do you have a specific writing style?

I think all writers do. We have a certain flow and sentence structure that rarely varies book to book. I have already plotted out the remaining books in the Connections Series and I’ve written the endings for each one.

6. What book are you reading now?

I try to keep up the latest releases as well as read releases in my favorite series. When I’m writing it’s hard to read but I try to set aside at least an hour a day.

7. What current project are you working on?

I am writing Mended. This is Xander Wild’e’s story and his brother does make an appearance.

8. What can readers look forward to in the future?

My plan is finish Mended then decide if The Connections Series will consist of 5 or 6 books. I am considering cutting one. The book after Mended is Frayed and I have already started that story. It was actually suppose to be released before Mended but I changed my mind.

9. Please explain the importance of music to you in books. You said something in your Author’s note about how important it was to you in writing and that the chapter titles have significance.

All chapters in my books are named after songs that inspired me. Bob Marley said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” As a listener, I couldn’t agree more. As a writer, I think it’s better to say music is what feelings sound like when those feelings are written in print.

Music and writing are different, yet similar arts. They both tell a story. They both convey emotion. Yet, one can be heard and the other seen. If you can write a story and put music behind it, I believe you can convey feelings in a more impactful, raw, and emotional way. When trying to express written emotions, the tone of a certain song can allow the reader to feel the sentiments that the character is feeling.

I chose to have each chapter be titled by a song that best represented the events occurring within. My goal is that the reader will listen to the song before reading each chapter so they will feel the full impact of the scene.

In the words of Billy Joel, “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” I couldn’t agree more. Listening to the lyrics of a song and truly understanding them tells such a beautiful story. So, combining this with an emotional novel just helps bring it to life.

10. Do you have any advice for other writers?

My advice to new writers: plan out your story before you begin. It is so much easier to fill in the chapters than sit there with a blank screen trying to figure out what to write. Also, reach out, make friends, share your work, find a support group, and always have faith in your work.

_______________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kim Karr

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

I wear a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of the family. However, I always find time to read. One of my favorite family outings use to be taking my kids to the bookstore or the library. Today, my oldest child is in college and my twins are juniors so they no longer go with me on these outings. And although I don’t need to go to the actual store anymore because I have the greatest device ever invented—a Kindle, I still do. There’s nothing like a paperback. So now my four year old and I make dates out of going to the bookstore–it’s time I love and cherish.

I like to believe in soulmates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. I love to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Giveaway pink

Kim Karr is offering an ebook copy of TORN to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

Please {like} Kim’s Facebook page for an extra entry-let us know in your comments:

Click HERE to LIKE Kim’s FB page.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment

3. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

4. Giveaway runs from October 1 to October 11, 2013

TORN Playlist

An Interview with Melissa De La Cruz

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Barb

An Interview with Melissa De La Cruz

Melissa_de_la_Cruz_credit_Denise_Bovee
The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Melissa De La Cruz as our guest today.

Melissa is here to discuss her book, Frozen, which she co-authored with Michael Johnston. Frozen was released today, and is the first book in their new Heart of Dread series.

Our review of Frozen is below this post.

Let’s meet Melissa.

Interview orange:black

Hi Melissa. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book, and it is a pleasure to have you here at The Reading Café.

TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?

Melissa: I am the author of many series including Blue Bloods, Witches of East End and the co-author of Frozen, the first book in the Heart of Dread series I am writing with my husband.

TRC: When and how did you become interested in writing? Have you always liked to write?

Melissa: Ever since I was eleven years old, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I grew up reading the Sweet Valley High series, and when I found out the writers of that series were girls in their 20s, I thought, that could be me when I grew up!

TRC: How did you come up with the idea of your new Heart of Dread series? Can you please tell our readers the premise of this series?

Melissa: It came from wanting to write a "cool" epic fantascy, that had all the grit and military action of our favorite Ridley Scott movies, like Aliens, as well as wanting to write a "futuristic" Generation Kill meets Lord of the Rings. It's a tribute to all the classic sci-fi and fantasy we loved as teenagers – a nod to Dune, Lord of the Rings and Piers Anthony's Xanth.

TRC: How many books are you planning for Heart of Dread?

Melissa: Right now I think we are planning three or four books. Not quite sure how the arcs will play out although we know all the big scenes and our big ending.

TRC: Frozen is the 1^st book in your Heart of Dread series. Can you give us a brief description of the book?

Melissa: It's a post-apocalyptic tale about Nat Kestal, a 16 year old blackjack dealer in New Vegas who is looking to find the mythical land of the Blue. The world is a frozen wasteland, science and technology have broken down, and something new is coming from the ice. It has romance, magic, adventure, survival, devastation and hope.

Links to order Frozen: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

TRC: Winds of Salem, which is the 3^rd book in your Witches of East End was just released last month. Can you please tell us the premise of this series, for those who may not have started this series?

Melissa: It is about a family of witches in Long Island who are also immortal Norse gods. It's about mothers and sisters, brothers, lost fathers, lost loves, curses and dark and light magic.

Links to order Winds of Salem:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

TRC: Witches of East End is slated to be on television. Can you give us a little more information as to when, and where we can watch this? Is this a TV movie or a series?

Melissa: It is a series that will premiere on Lifetime on October 6^th. Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Rachel Boston, Madchen Amick, Daniel diTomasso and Eric Winter star in it.

It is one of the most wonderful and surreal experiences I've ever had in my life, I'm incredibly excited and proud of the TV show and all the people who have worked so hard to make it. I couldn't be happier or prouder of the show. I'm the fairy godmother of the show and I love it.

TRC: A wonderful cast. 🙂 Look forward to watching it.

TRC: You recently ended your Blue Bloods series, but you have a special 4 e-book spinoff from that series. Can you please tell us about this?

Melissa: Wolf Pact is about Bliss’s journey with the hellhounds.

TRC: What are you working on now?

Melissa: I have a new series, my royal soap opera called THE RING AND THE CROWN coming out in April from Disney Hyperion. Mike and I are working on the second book in the Heart of Dreads series, STOLEN, and I also am working on the spinoff to Blue Bloods called THE VAMPIRES OF MANHATTAN.

We have a bunch more book projects in the works, we're always working on many projects at once.

TRC: You write a few genres. Do you have a favorite?

Melissa: I enjoy writing for young adults, whether in contemporary or paranormal or fantasy. I love writing for teenagers.

TRC: What is your writing process? Do you have a favorite spot or time? Do you like to outline your stories or just go with the flow?

Melissa: We outline our stories, we have very detailed outlines that we flesh out. We have an office at home and an office in a building down the street. I also like to go to writer friends' houses and write with them. I can write anywhere, really. I don't have a favorite spot. I often have to write on tour and during book festivals so I have to adapt.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Melissa: Looking forward to seeing our readers on our Frozen tour! Please come and see us!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Filipino

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate anything

Favorite Movie: Moulin Rouge

Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad / Game of Thrones / Walking Dead

Milk or Dark Chocolate: Milk

Favorite character (male & female) not written by you: Aragorn from LOTR

Thank you, Melissa for answering our questions. We look forward to continuing to read your books, and to work with you in the future. Good luck with Frozen.

About the Author Black and Orange

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

Melissa lives in Los Angeles and Palm Springs with her family.

blueandwhitegiveaway Melissa has graciously offered to give One member of The Reading Café a hard copy of her new release, Frozen.

1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway open US only.

4. Contests runs from September 17 to September 21, 2013

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