Elizabeth Seckman-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Elizabeth Seckman-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Elizabeth SeckmanABOUT THE AUTHOR: I am a former social worker, constant day dreamer, and mother of four fabulous boys. My first book, PAST DUE, is for sale from World Castle Publishing. It’s available online in E-Book and print.

I also have a house in desperate need of cleaning. No set date on completion.

FOLLOW Elizabeth on: Goodreads / Website / Twitter /

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Interview Seafoam

TRC: Hi Elizabeth and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the December release of HEALING SUMMER.

Elizabeth: Thanks for having me here! It really is my pleasure. I had some laundry to do, but this is waaaayyyy more fun!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Elizabeth: I’m the mother of four boys. I’m married my college sweetheart. And I used to be a social worker. That covers it all right?

TRC: Many authors develop their love of writing at an early age. What sparked your desire to write?

Elizabeth: Writing has always been my bliss. I was a late reader. It took me two years of kindergarten and half of my first grade year to learn! I remember getting the story “Heidi” for Christmas. I loved the cover and I WANTED to read that book so badly! I remember stumbling through it with my sister helping me. When I got done, I read it again. Then when I realized people made up those stories, I started writing my own. I used my mother’s “McCall’s” magazines for illustrations. They were some awesome reads.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you faced as a writer?

Elizabeth: Plain old insecurity. I don’t mind the hard work, but there is always that worry that the story won’t connect with the readers. I don’t fear rejection from editors, I fear being hated by readers!

Healing SummerTRC: HEALING SUMMER is the latest release in your contemporary romance series focusing on the three Coulter brothers. Would you please tell us about the premise?

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Elizabeth: I started with the story of Jenna and Tres and it was only going to be one story. When I finished the final chapter with poor Craig licking his wounds in Montana…I felt like he had to have his say and his happy ending. Then when I finished “Healing Summer”, the youngest brother, Trip, seemed to be yelling in my ear, “Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” So, he gets his story too.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters in your storylines which models or actors would best represent your ideal images?

Elizabeth: I’ve been fired from the job of casting director by my niece. In all honesty? I hardly ever watch TV and my knowledge of Hollywood is sorely lacking. Let me call Kari…be right back…Okay, Mollie will be played by Rachel Bilson and Craig will be played by Joe Manganiello.

TRC: Mmmmm Joe Manganiello!!

TRC: FATE INTENDED is the final book in the trilogy. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Elizabeth: Since Trip is the youngest Coulter, he’s been at the brunt of big brothers’ shadows and attitudes. He needed a big story. So, Trip will leave his boring life and controlling girlfriend behind when he joins a group of shadow ops and starts dating a cute cleaning lady…who unfortunately is the daughter of a Russian . Oh, and she is on the lamb for murder. It’s complicated, but love often is.

TRC: Are any of the characters or premise of the storyline based on real people or situations in your life?

Elizabeth: Not really. Jenna is loosely based on my oldest sister in that she can’t cook and she is obsessive with her privacy.

TRC: If one of your characters could speak for themselves, what would they have to say?

Elizabeth: Barbara, the mother of the Coulter men, would say, “I just want my boys to be happy. After losing their father, the only thing that mattered to me was my sons. And I’m not turning them over to just any female.”

TRC: While writing or working on your storyline, have ideas or characters ever come to you in dreams?

Elizabeth: No. I hardly ever remember any dream. Have you ever dreamt about your storylines or leading characters? No, but I do plan plots as I wait for the sandman.

TRC: What have you learned writing this particular series?

Elizabeth: In “Healing Summer”, I had antelopes on the plains. The final editor caught the mistake and noted it. The publisher called to inform me that there are no antelope in Montana. I guess when you’re home on the range, it’s the deer and the pronghorn that play.

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good and/or bad?

Elizabeth: A good book review is priceless. And by good, I don’t necessarily mean glowing. Good reviewers know books. They understand literature and the elements of a story. They can pinpoint what works in a story and what doesn’t. These reviewers know how to express themselves without being snarky or taking personal jabs at writers. There is much to be learned from them. I pay close attention…it’s a great way to learn.

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

Elizabeth: My best writer buddy and fellow World Castle author, Celeste Holloway, is my word lifeline. She is my moral support too. I had lost faith in “Past Due” after a measly eleven rejections and Celeste had to put a foot in my hiney. The story was headed for the trash and I was moving on, but she refused to let me give up.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Elizabeth:
1. All my kids will be happily raised and on their own. (Wow! I’m a little depressed now.)
2. My house will be clean.
3. I will finally stop using the treadmill as a clothes hanger and do daily exercise.
4. My husband will finally take me on a honeymoon. (We’ve been married twenty years and we’re still trying to work this out!)
5. More books. Books that hopefully have a large following of loyal readers!

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Elizabeth: “Elizabeth, would you like a cup of tea and some homemade cookies?” Most certainly!! How kind of you to ask.

TRC:  **Offers Elizabeth a cup of tea and some homemade chocolate chip cookies**

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Elizabeth: I am currently researching and polishing up the final book in the series, “Fate Intended”. I also have a historical romance I am polishing up and working on a new book I have been dying to get on paper and out of my head!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Elizabeth: Thank you!

LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food chocolate
Favorite Dessert strawberry shortcake
Favorite TV Show “Supernatural”
Favorite Movie “Gone with the Wind”
Last Movie you saw “The Hobbit”
Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark chocolate
Last Vacation Destination Outer Banks of North Carolina (Avon to be exact!)

TRC: Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you all the best.

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GIVEAWAY-WHITEwithblue

Elizabeth Seckman is offering a paper copy or ecopy of both of her novels PAST DUE and HEALING SUMMER to ONE lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, 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 along with your comment as Twitter etc does not allow for contact information.

3. Giveaway is open to INTERNATIONALLY.

4. Giveaway runs from January 20 to 23, 2013

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Healing Summer by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

Healing Summer (Coulter Brothers #2) by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

Healing Summer

About the book: Released December 2012

Ditched at the altar…biopsied for cancer…Mollie Hinkle is having a bona fide bitch of a summer. When life sucks so hard it takes your breath away, what’s a girl to do? Road trip! Pack a bag, grab a few friends, and leave the past and the worry in the rear view mirror. What wounds can’t be healed by a drive across the Heartland, where quarter flips at cross roads determine the route and the future? All roads lead to Craig, the second son and bad boy of the haughty Coulter line. Craig has spent his life taking care of number one—himself. He’s not interested in a relationship and he’s definitely not looking to fall in love. But if a morsel drops in his lap, who is he to refrain? Mollie’s not looking for love either, but truth be told, she’s not opposed to it. Heck, if fate brought her to the miniscule Montana town to find happily ever after, she won’t fight it. Perhaps it is a summer where love, not time, heals all her wounds.

Review:

When Mollie and her two friends, Jackie and Joanie set out on their road trip, they had no idea how life changing it would be for any of them. Some good changes, and some, not so much. Seems Mollie’s friends think that getting her “hooked up” is just what the doctor ordered and when Mollie finds out, she’s not a happy camper.

Craig had said absolutely no birthday party this year. Seems his best friend, Ron, thought he knew better. Craig has been in a funk and Ron thinks a party is just what their doctor ordered. (See where I’m going?? ;)) But, when Craig notices a pretty young lady looking agitated, he can’t help but approach her. He overhears her on the phone, and once she turns her phone off, they strike up a conversation. And, oh what a conversation it is.

Craig is known as a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” kind of guy, but for the life of him, he can’t bring himself to think of Mollie in that way. They embark on a friendship of sorts, slow and easy. After all, Mollie will be heading back to Pennsylvania in a few days, so what’s the harm? And, if they’ll be parting ways in a few days, why in the world are they so drawn to each other? With Mollie just being dumped at the altar, literally, and Craig living up to his family’s expectations and not settling down, you’d think that they’d run in opposite directions. Well, I for one, thank God that they didn’t!!

Oh, how I loved this book. First, let me say how much I loved Mollie’s friend, Jackie, whom they call Jack (you’ll have to read to find out why). To say that she’s Mollie’s greatest supporter and fiercest protector just does NOT do that friendship justice. I hope I don’t upset the author, but I have to tell you that when Mollie is dumped, literally at the altar, Jackie is jumping pews and kicking ass as the groom-to-be is fleeing. Or, at least, he’s trying to flee……. She is my kind of girl!!! However, her friend Joanie? Let’s just say that she got hers. This is a wonderful story of friendship, loyalty and family redemption and I can’t wait to read the next installment. I have it from the top that it’s Trip’s story and his HEA just may involve some Russian bad guys and one good Russian girl!! 😉 If you’re looking for great, fast-paced reads with great HEAs, then this is the series for you!!

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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