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LuAnn McLane – Moonlight Kiss – Interview & Review

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LuAnn McLane – Moonlight Kiss – Interview & Review

 

Moonlight Kiss
Cricket Creek series -Book 5
by LuAnn McLaneMoonlight KissLinks to order Moonlight Kiss:
 Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its baseball, shopping, and cuisine. After finally rebounding from the recession, the residents are ready to repair their lives—and their hearts…

After two very public broken engagements with two very famous men, Addison Monroe is ready to avoid the spotlight. She decides to put her wedding planning experience to good use by opening a bridal boutique. Setting up shop in small town Kentucky is the perfect way to escape prying eyes and live a quiet, single life.

Investment consultant Reid Greenfield is fed up with weddings—and not his own. He’s certain his sister’s plan to turn their family farm into a wedding reception venue will lead to bankruptcy. Reid hopes that city girl Addison will be an ally in getting his sister to change her mind before she loses her savings. Instead, Addison adores the idea and jumps on board. It’s a risky business—especially once romance gets involved. But sometimes a little risk brings a huge reward…

Review:

Moonlight Kiss by LuAnn McLane is the 5th book in her Cricket Creek series.  I was concerned that not having read the earlier books in this series that it might be difficult to follow, but it had been noted that this could be read as a standalone.  I can safely confirm that is true.  I enjoyed Moonlight Kiss, and at no time did I feel like I was missing anything.  Though some members of the town of Cricket Creek probably had their stories told earlier.  
Moonlight Kiss belongs to Addison and Reid, as our romantic couple in this story.  Addison Monroe has been unlucky in love, having been engaged twice only to see it breakup before she walked down the aisle.  She decides it’s time to get away from Los Angeles to visit her cousin in a small town in Kentucky.. Cricket Creek.  It doesn’t take long for Addison’s cousin Mia to convince her to stay, open up a bridal bouquet shop (she does have experience planning weddings :).

Addison has sworn off men, and is excited to be around friends and family in a small town atmosphere.  But best laid plans do not always work.  She meets Reid Greenfield, who was born in Cricket Creek, but is now a successful Financial consultant.  Reid is home to help his family fix up their place, and then he plans to return to his practice.  He meets Addison, and tries to get her to stop his sister from investing all her money into turning their huge barn into to a wedding site.  Unfortunately for Reid, once Addison meets his sister Sara, she agrees to help with fixing up the barn.  But Reid cannot stay angry for long, as he finds himself becoming attracted to Addison.  She too finds herself attracted, but her past comes back a couple of times to bite her, and Addison is not too happy with Reid’s “jump to conclusion” comments.  Sara and her mother plot in the background to get Reid to go after Addison as they want him to settle down.

What follows is a cute romance, in a small town, where everyone knows each other.  Since this is pure romance, despite some problems, you knew they would eventually move past the issues and fall in love.  It was cute to see some of the things they did to push the two together.  There was also a back story of another older couple, which was nice.  If you like a simple sweet and light romance; with a small town country background, look no further then Moonlight Kiss.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Interviewluann mclane 2

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome LuAnne McLane today for an Interview to discuss who newest release, Moonlight Kiss.

Let’s meet LuAnn!

 

 

TRC:  Hi LuAnn and welcome to The Reading Café.  We would like to start with some background information…  Please tell us something about yourself?

LuAnn: I was born and raised in Northern Kentucky just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio so while I’m a small town girl who enjoys all things southern, I also learned to appreciate theater, music and art.  I’m also a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals but my big obsession is the University of Kentucky Wildcats.  I have four adult children that I love spending time with and two amazing grandchildren and another one on the way!  Yes, I’m that grandma who gets into trouble allowing my grandchildren too much candy and staying up late to read just one more story.

TRC:  Have you always been interested in writing? 

LuAnn: My interest in writing started with my love of books.  My mother will tell you that as a toddler I begged to read to so much that I memorized stories leading people to believe that I could read at the tender age of two.  Going to the library was my favorite outing and required reading in school was never a chore.  Reading one chapter for homework was never enough.  Why stop and not finish the book?

My love of romance began after watching Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon and I knew at an early age that not only did I want to write but I wanted to write love stories.

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

LuAnn: The biggest challenge in writing is the amount of time involved.  There aren’t enough hours in the day!

TRC:  You recently released another book in your successful Cricket Creek series.  Can you tell our members, who may not have read the series, the premise?  Also, how many books do you plan for Cricket Creek.

LuAnn: My parents had a vacation home in the panhandle of Florida.  When we would drive there from Kentucky I was always saddened by the small towns that were struggling.  Storefronts boarded up and peeling paint had me longing to see the towns during their heyday.   Small towns are the backbone of our country and I wanted to write about a town struggling but then have everyone band together and save their businesses and homes.  Although Cricket Creek is rural, the town is also known for its shopping, theater and cuisine.  I wanted readers to long to step inside the pages and walk into shops and restaurants in the little town that I’ve come to love so much that at times it does seem real.

Cricket Creek was supposed to be three books but has grown to nine.  My ideas for this town are endless so I will continue write the series as long as readers want to read it.  I keep the stories fresh by going in different directions but also having past characters make appearances so we know where their lives are going.

TRC:  Moonlight Kiss was just released a couple of weeks ago.  Can you please give us a brief description of the book? 

LuAnn: Addison Monroe, my sweet little heroine, has been hurt by two very public engagements to two famous men.  She jokingly tells her cousin Mia (Pitch Perfect) that she has enough experience planning weddings to open her own bridal boutique… and she does so in Wedding Row in Cricket Creek.

Reid Greenfield, my sexy hero, is trying to stop his sister from turning their family farm into a wedding reception venue by hosting barn weddings. (And they are so pretty!  I did the research). Fearing bankruptcy, Reid asks city girl Addison to convince his sister that this is a very bad idea.  But Addison adores the notion and jumps on board much to Reid’s displeasure.   Addison butt heads and fight their attraction… oh and I want to tell so much more but fear spoilers!

The secondary plot is about an aging rock legend and a real estate agent Maggie McMillan (Tristan’s mom from Whisper’s Edge).  I get such a kick out of writing second chance love stories with mature couples!

TRC:  You write romance, and have so many wonderful books.  How do you come up with these ideas for your stories? 

LuAnn: Thank you so much!  I must admit that I’m a people watcher.  Everyday life is my inspiration.  Ever since watching Cinderella dance with the handsome prince I’ve believed in the notion that true love will win against all odds 🙂

TRC:  Do you have a preference between writing Contemporary Romance, Southern Romantic Comedy, and Sensual Romance?  Have you ever thought of writing another genre other then romance?

LuAnn: I enjoy writing all three but the common denominator is definitely laughter.   Whether subtle or full blown I believe that love and laughter go together both in my stories and in my life.

I think that there is a real need for more compelling middle grade stories.  We see lovely picture books and amazing YA but I think there is a gap between the two and we lose readers during those middle grade years.  At some point I’d like the opportunity to write stories or even a series for children in grades four-sixth.

TRC:  What are you working on now, and what we can look forward to in 2014? 

LuAnn:  I just finished up Wildflower Wedding, a Cricket Creek novel that will come out in the spring of 2014.  Right now I’m writing Sweet Harmony and enjoying combining my love of romance and country music!

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

LuAnn: It’s funny because when I bounce ideas off of my daughter she has trouble figuring out whether I’m talking about real people or fictional.  We will be in a conversation about a scene or conflict and she will suddenly ask, “Wait, are these friends of yours or characters in your story?  I want to answer both but that might scare her…

I chat with my mother about stories and she always tells me that she can’t wait to find out what happens.  But for the most part the characters take over and pretty much write the story for me.

TRC:  Can you please tell us your writing process?  Do you have a favorite spot or specific time to write? 

LuAnn: When I’m on a deadline I write almost every day.  I begin with reading back over the pages written the day before to get my head back into the story.  I edit as I go so when I finish the book it’s pretty polished and ready to turn in.  My best work is done in the morning and into the afternoon.  If I’m in a deadline crunch I’ll write in the evening as well.

I prefer to write near a window where I have light and a view.   Seeing trees, birds, water… nature in general is a calming factor and keeps me in touch with my senses.

TRC:  You are a big Country Music fan.  Who are your favorite singers?

LuAnn: Yes I am!   Country music has had a big influence on my writing.  Many of my chapter titles are based on country music songs and I actually listen to that song and soak up the lyrics.

Oh, I have so many country music artists that I adore for different reasons   Keith Urban is a favorite because he sings with such emotion.  I enjoy Jason Aldean because he sings about small towns, farms and country life.  Fly Over States is a great example.  Toby Keith can make me laugh with songs like Red Solo Cup!  The music of Rascal Flatts has gotten me though some tough times in my life.  Of course I love Wynonna Judd.  Her voice is so pure.  Working with her on Restless Heart was such a thrill!  I could go on and on…

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else? 

LuAnn: The added joy of writing romance novels is the readers and authors I’ve met and become such close friends with over the years.  Romance readers are such loving, loyal people!  And knowing that I can bring the same joy to readers that I’ve gotten from reading is such a wonderful feeling.  If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still write romance novels.  Writing love stories isn’t a job or even a career.  It’s my passion and I want to share it with readers for as long as they read my stories.


LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food:  A really awesome cheeseburger….the kind that is messy and too big to bite into.  

Favorite Dessert: Red Velvet cake for special occasions but good quality ice cream is my weakness.  

Favorite TV show: I really enjoy Justified.  It’s set in Kentucky and stars Timothy Olyphant. I also love to laugh so I watch Modern Family and The Middle.  

Favorite Movie: Love Actually 

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark!  But I won’t turn down milk chocolate either. 

Favorite Literary Character (male & female) not your own: Jo in Little Women 

Dog or Cat: Dog 

TRC:  LuAnn, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. The Reading Café wishes you good luck with Moonlight Kiss!

LuAnn: Thank you for having me as your guest!

If you want to learn more about LuAnn, you can find her at the following links:Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

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Return of the Assassin by Donya Lynne-Review, Interview, Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Return of the Assassin by Donya Lynne-Review, Interview, Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Return of the Assassin
All the King’s Men #5
by Donya Lynne
Release Date: October 29, 2013

Return of the Assassin

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /Smashwords/All Romance eBooks

Review

About the Book:

Malek and Gina are two vampires with big problems and pasts they can’t let go of. Malek has never dealt with and accepted the death of his first mate, Carmen, and Gina has never been able to let go of the pain she suffered at the hands of her first mate, an abusive half-Dacian named Arman. But now that Malek and Gina have met, they had better start getting over their pasts, and fast, because Gina is Malek’s new mate, and she’s on the run from a pair of Dacian hunter-assassins out for blood vengeance.

Neither Gina nor Malek are eager to see her fill the role of mate, but biology and Mother Nature don’t want to hear their excuses. The longer Malek and Gina fight the bond between them, the more they will suffer. Will they be able to get over their painful pasts and accept the healing they can give to each other before it’s too late, or will they wait too long and lose each other forever?

REVIEW: RETURN OF THE ASSASSIN is the fourth full length novel ( and 5th storyline)  in Donya Lynne’s paranormal vampire series focusing on the vampires who work for AKM and the women (and men) they love. This is Malek and Gina’s storyline and one with heartbreaking and painful pasts that each must accept and endure to get on with their lives.

Malek’s first mate was murdered and he has had a difficult time overcoming the painful memories and thoughts about retribution and death-something broke inside Malek and he was floundering in despair. And no amount of booze or sex brought any relief including the thoughts of Gina Carano and the ‘who and what’ she was about. Gina was an enigma and Malek’s thoughts continued to return to the woman who would one day be his mate-but the overriding guilt of losing his first mate had placed Malek in a position where he pushed everyone and everything away including Gina. When male vampires go into their needing nothing can stop the rush of aggression and the need for sex and nothing was stopping Malek and his possessive instincts to protect the woman he both needed and despised.

Gina’s painful past, history with the AKM and heartbreaking guilt fueled much of the character development and relationship between she and Malek. Malek’s character and personality bordered on sociopathic at times but in the end, he will realize that the only thing holding him back was the guilt and the memories of a life he could not save. The AKM needed Gina because without her, Malek would probably not survive.

Donya Lynne continues to build on the cobalt addictions and Drek premise as the relationship and intensions between Bishop and Apostle become dark and more dangerous. There is a new bad boy in town and he is out to make the lives of the vampires at AKM a living h*ll.

Donya also introduces the half-blood Dacians-a species that the AKM believed no longer existed-but to everyone’s surprise, the Dacians have returned just as powerful and aggressive as before. There is also a developing story with Kota and his history with both Sev and Gina makes for some interesting plot points.

Return of the Assassin is another eye opening and fascinating addition to Donya’s All The King’s Men paranormal series. The relationship between Malek and Gina was both difficult and aggressive but in the end, Malek will fall hard for the woman he would call his mate.

Donya has written a passionate storyline about two people who have loved and lost and who will one day love again.

1. Rise of the Fallen
2. Heart of the Warrior
3. Micah’s Calling
4. Rebel Obsession
5. Return of the Assassin

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview beige 2

TRC: Hi Donya and welcome back to The Reading Café.

Congratulations on the success of All The King’s Men-your erotic, sexy vampire series.

Donya: Thank you. I’m enjoying writing these books.

TRC: For anyone who does not know Donya Lynne, would you please tell us something about yourself?

FOLLOW: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

donya lynneDonya: I’ve been writing since before I was even in school. I started out writing poetry, won a short story contest in fourth grade, and then progressed to erotic romance short stories in junior high and high school. When I saw The Lost Boys, I became fascinated with vampires and started playing with paranormal ideas in my writing. But it wasn’t until 2012, after about ten years of studying the publishing industry and taking coursework in fiction writing, that I decided to take the plunge into self-publishing with Rise of the Fallen, book one of the All the King’s Men Series. With the release of Return of the Assassin on October 29, there are now five published books in the series. I have plans for at least twenty more books in the series, including those from the two sister series in development.

Return of the AssassinTRC: RETURN OF THE ASSASSIN is the October 2013 installment in your All The King’s Men vampire series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /Smashwords/ All Romance eBooks

Donya: Return of the Assassin is about an assassin and an AKM enforcer (both full-blooded vampires) who have to overcome painful pasts before they can embrace love again. Malek is the enforcer, and he was mated many centuries ago, but his mate died, and he never fully accepted her death. Gina is the assassin who nearly killed Malek’s teammate in a previous book in the series, and she was mated once before, too, to an abusive Dacian vampire who beat her so severely she lost the ability to have children. Gina and Malek met in book two of the series, Heart of the Warrior, but she left town when Malek indicated he had mated her. Now Malek is in the midst of an emotional crisis as he struggles with both Gina’s absence and the reawakened sorrow of the death of his first mate. He has to deal with her death before he can fully embrace his new mating to Gina, and he’s still in denial and very resistant. But when Gina returns, the biological connection between them becomes undeniable. Still, there are forces at work to keep Malek and Gina apart, and as with every book in the AKM Series, where none of the relationships come easily, Malek and Gina will be mightily tested by the end of the book. I predict tears will be shed.

TRC: You have hinted at a spin-off series. Are you willing to part with any information regarding the spin-off? 😉

Donya: Yes. In Return of the Assassin, readers meet Trevor Knight, who is a friend of Gina’s who runs a security agency in Miami with his ex-boyfriend, Talon Justice. The agency is called Knights of Justice, or KOJU. By the end of Return of the Assassin, readers will learn that Trevor wants a mate. He has never taken a true mate, and deep down, he yearns for that to happen. Little does he know that his future mate is lying in a bed in the AKM’s trauma unit this very moment. That’s a little insider info for you right there. *wink* Anyway, the spin-off series will start with Trevor’s love story as he returns to Miami with his love interest tagging along. A couple of other AKM characters will join the sister series, as well, but I’ll keep who they are a secret right now. Here’s the kicker. Both AKM and KOJU will reunite later when I start work on the Progeny Series, which will focus primarily on the next generation of characters (aka the children of our beloved AKM characters). The first story for Progeny is already started, simply because Micah’s son, Neal, demanded I begin it. LOL. Micah and his kids are so damn bossy, but Neal is a sexy beast, so it’s all good. But I think it’s his sister Mikayla’s story that will shock readers. Her mate has already been identified, and I think heads will roll.

TRC: Will the two series overlap; run parallel to each other; or take place during different time periods?

Donya: Yes, I believe there will be significant series overlap between AKM and KOJU, especially in book one of Knights of Justice. Readers who haven’t read All the King’s Men probably won’t get as much out of it as those who have. Obviously, since Progeny will be a spin-off of both series, there will be overlap in that the characters readers have come to know from both will be present.

TRC: All the King’s Men series contains some BDSM, M/M and erotic situations. What would you like to tell readers who are reticent about reading such storylines?

All the Kings Men 1

Donya: First of all, BDSM isn’t necessarily about pain for pain’s sake, and Doms aren’t always controlling sadists. Doms have insecurities and emotions, too, and I think readers will see and understand that better in Trace’s book, when Micah takes over as his Dom. And as far as Trace being a submissive is concerned, for him it’s about necessity. He is an incredibly powerful mixed-blood vampire, and the only way he can keep his power under control so it doesn’t consume him is through submission, pain, and humiliation. For Trace, submitting is survival. And in the real world, you’ll find that the most powerful and controlling individuals make the most willing submissives. It’s a very interesting duality.

As far as M/M story lines go, I’ve noticed an incredible surge in interest for M/M romance, especially from women. And I’m a self-professed conflict junkie. What better way to give these readers what they’re craving while also delving into an incredibly controversial subject, which provides ample opportunity for conflict? Historically, good M/M romance has been hard to find. I’ve read reviews of M/M books where the reviewer prays for better-written M/M romance or simply comments about how better editors are needed for the M/M genre. I want to fulfill that need for those readers. On a personal note, I received so many heart-warming comments from readers who read Heart of the Warrior and had never read a M/M book before. They loved it. Heart of the Warrior made these traditionally-het readers notice M/M, and now many of them read it regularly. One reader said it’s all she’ll read now.

Lastly, erotic situations are a fact of life and a fantasy for many. Women love to imagine that these alpha men exist, and they like to fantasize about how they’d behave in the bedroom. So I like turning up the heat on some of my love scenes, while also showing that even a knife, a necklace, or even a foot can be erotic. For me, it’s about discovering how every person is different and how we all have unique fetishes, some more intimate than others.

TRC: Where do you believe some authors go wrong or err with their BDSM/Erotic content?

Donya: I recently read a book where the sex scenes were just that. Sex scenes. Not love scenes. The difference is that sex scenes are just physical. The reader is told all the physical components of the scene about where the body parts all go, but there’s no love. On the other hand, love scenes tap into the readers’ emotions and minds. For a scene to be truly erotic, it needs to hit the reader emotionally and mentally. The reader needs to be engaged sensually, not superficially. This is why a simple scene that holds no sex or physical intimacy at all can be highly erotic. The first draft of book one in my Mark Strong Series (forthcoming) is like that. The main characters don’t have sex until well into the second half of the book, but the erotic tension between them from the moment they meet until the moment they fall into bed was smoldering even as I wrote it. I think more authors needs to focus on capturing the romance and not just the physical mechanics of what goes where.

With regard to BDSM, I’ve read a lot of BDSM novels, and sometimes I feel like I’m reading a clinic instead of a story. Or where the BDSM feels more like shock value instead of part of a legitimate story. Or I feel that the BDSM elements are contrived or forced into the plot…that there is nothing else about the character other than his or her relationship with BDSM. The character(s) live, breathe, eat, sleep, and work BDSM 24/7, which isn’t realistic. I want a story with a plot, where BDSM is the icing, not the cake. This is what I strive for in my BDSM elements within the AKM Series.

I also think there’s a misconception that a Dom is a Dom whether in the playroom or not. That’s not necessarily the case. Sometimes Doms are very subservient in the “real world.” I think that’s a lot more interesting than a control freak in the real world and a Dom in the playroom, don’t you? BDSM is about more than just spanking and flogging. It’s about the bond, trust, and communication that go into a D/s relationship. It’s about the vulnerability of both participants to the other. It’s about a Dom’s responsibility to take care of his or her sub and not betray that trust. In D/s relationships, it’s the submissive who holds the control, not the Dom. The Dom is merely allowed by the submissive to control him/her. Without the submissive’s consent, the Dom can do nothing.

I just read two books by AJ Rose (Power Exchange and Safeword) that were wonderful representations of BDSM in fiction, for anyone interested in reading good BDSM.

TRC: You are currently working on a new series-a new adult, romance storyline. Would you please tell us something about the series?

Donya: The Mark Strong Chronicles is a series that I think will include four books: Good Karma, Bad Karma, Strong Karma, and Full Circle. I completed the rough draft of Good Karma a few months ago, and even though the majority of beta reader feedback was overwhelmingly positive (one beta reader said it was the best book she’d ever read, and others said it was my best book to date), there were elements I wasn’t happy with and which a couple of beta readers pointed out as problem areas. So I’m rewriting almost the entire beginning one-third of the book to eliminate those issues.

The overall story is about how my hero, Mark Strong, and my heroine, Karma Mason, are brought together through a series of coincidental—and somewhat comical—events. Karma suffers self-esteem issues as a victim of moderate childhood bullying, which has given her a stigma over her appearance. She’s also had horrible dating luck. After yet another nightmare date, her best friend decides to give her a makeover to lift her spirits.

Mark was engaged to be married six years ago, but his fiancé left him at the altar. Now he has commitment issues and refuses to allow himself to be in a relationship for longer than a few months. But the revolving door of girlfriends is tiring, and the emotional toll of breaking up and hurting the feelings of the women he dates is beginning to wear him out.

When Mark and Karma meet, there’s promise for them both that the other could be just what each needs, until they meet a second time when Mark shows up at her place of employment as the company’s new consultant. When Mark makes it clear he’s not interested in long-term commitments but would gladly show Karma that not all men are pigs with no clue how to treat a lady, Karma must decide whether or not a wild fling with sexy Mark could be hazardous to her job or worth the risk. When the time comes for Mark to leave, saying good-bye won’t be as easy as they thought.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Donya: Four books are planned for the Mark Strong Chronicles, and I have no idea how many more books are in store for All the King’s Men. Too many to count right now.

TRC: Will you tell us what is in store for Donya Lynne in 2014?

Donya: I have an affirmation taped to my computer monitor and my bathroom mirror that says, “2014 is the year of Donya Lynne!” LOL. Right now I plan to release the first two books in the Mark Strong Chronicles, as well as two more books in AKM, one of which is the much-anticipated Bound Guardian Angel, which is Trace’s book. Other than that, I have several more projects in development and would like for at least one to win an RWA contest. I am also beginning a search for an agent, because I would like to be a hybrid author and have bigger guns, so to speak, in the market for me. An agent could help me get TV or movie deals down the road, or assist in finding the right fit with a Big Five publisher to make my dreams of becoming a hybrid author come true.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Donya: Currently, I’m working on Good Karma rewrites, the Bad Karma draft, the draft for Bound Guardian Angel, a mini-prequel for AKM, and a stand-alone novel I think could be something very special. But waiting in the wings are a ton of books I’ve either started or that I’m about ready to start once Return of the Assassin is released.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Donya: Everyone have a great holiday season! And don’t forget to show your local vampire some love.

Rise of the Fallen

 

If you haven’t read Donya’s ALL THE KING’S MEN series why not start with a FREE copy of RISE OF THE FALLEN: book 1 in her All The King’s Men series.

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

 

 

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Cat or dog
Cat

Red or white wine
Neither. I’m not a big drinker.

Vampire or werewolf
Vampire! Micah, Micah, Micah!

Coke or Pepsi
Pepsi

Coffee or Tea
Tea

Summer or Winter Vacation
Summer

Favorite Fast Food
pizza

Last Movie you Saw
Star Trek II

TRC: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a pleasure catching up the with author and finding out what is in store for the reader.

Donya: Thank you for having me!

Giveaway beige

There are TWO ways to win with the RETURN OF THE ASSASSIN tour.

Donya will be giving away an ecopy of RETURN OF THE ASSASSIN to ONE lucky reader at each of her blog tour stops including The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not registered, please log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please comment and tell us to enter you into the draw

4. For additional entries:

  1. Tweet: ” #NewRelease #RWAFinalist RETURN OF THE ASSASSIN #RaveReviews #SexyVampires #AKM @DonyaLynne http://amzn.to/1aozesD “
  2. Like my FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/DonyaLynne
  3. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonyaLynne

Share the Amazon buy link on Facebook: http://www.amazon.com/Return-Assassin-All-Kings-Men-ebook/dp/B00G7WGTDC/ref=cm_rdp_product

Then come back and paste the link to where you shared!

5. Giveaway runs from November 7 to November 15, 2013

6. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL.

rafflecopter giveaway

Two Grand Prizes will be given away at the end of the tour, drawing to be held on Christmas Day (Merry Christmas!).

Rafflecopter giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY!!

The first name drawn will have their choice of the following two prizes, and the second name drawn will receive the other. The two prizes are valued at $210 each and include:

Grand Prize #1: Coach bag and a $50 Amazon gift card
Grand Prize #2: The newest version of the Kindle Paper White, leather cover (winner’s choice of color), and an AKM blanket.

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the author.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

blog tour schedule

DATE

 BLOG

11/4/2013

 GraveTells

11/4/2013

 Talk Supe

11/5/2013

 Pimpin’ Reads

11/5/2013

 Obsession is a Book

11/6/2013

 I Smell Sheep

11/7/2013

 The Reading Cafe

11/8/2013

 Reading Between the Wines Book Club

11/9/2013

 The Jeep Diva

11/11/2013

 Confessions of a Book Heaux

11/12/2013

 Book Addict Mumma

11/13/2013

 Mad Hatter Reads

11/14/2013

 Read-Love-Blog

11/15/2013

 Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews

11/18/2013

 Paranormal Book Club

11/19/2013

 Romance Book Craze

11/20/2013

 Love of Bookends

11/21/2013

 Book Lovin’ Mamas

11/22/2013

 Page Flipperz

11/25/2013

 Ramblings from this Chick

11/26/2013

 Books-n-Kisses

12/1/2013

 The Pen Muse

12/2/2013

 My Secret Romance Book Reviews

12/3/2013

 Close Encounters with the Night Kind

12/3/2013

 Cocktails and Books

12/4/2013

 Smut Book Junkie

12/5/2013

 Dark Desire’s Book Blog

12/6/2013

 Satin Sheets Romance

12/9/2013

 Lisa T Jung – Read Me

12/10/2013

 Night Owl Reviews

12/11/2013

 Smexy Books

12/12/2013

 Lisa Bilbrey

12/13/2013

 Feisty Girls Book Blog

12/15/2013

 Morning After a Good Book

12/16/2013

 Author’s Corner Blog

12/17/2013

 Book Junky Girls

12/18/2013

 Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway Book Blog

12/19/2013

 Author Connie Rhinehart

 

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Endless Blog Tour with Jessica Shirvington – Interview

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ENDLESS – Jessica Shirvington Blog Tour – Interview

Endless Banner Interview

 

Endless (Book #4)
The Violet Eden Chapters
by Jessica Shirvington
Release Date:October 1, 2013

Review of Endless is below this post.

Endless Octo 2013Links to order Endless: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
LOVE WILL KILL US ALL

Violet Eden thought she was getting things under control. Then all hell breaks loose—literally. In the war between angels and exiles, she’s about to face the biggest baddie of all time. Except she’s not nearly ready.
The dark exile Phoenix is still messing with her head—not to mention her heart. And her undeniable attraction to Lincoln has gotten downright dangerous. When Hell unleashes its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing she will face…
 

 

About the AuthorJessica

Jessica Shirvington is the author of THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS also known as THE EMBRACE SERIES, and stand alone novel, BETWEEN THE LIVES. An entrepreneur, author, and mother living in Sydney, Australia, Jessica is also a 2011 finalist for Cosmopolitan’s annual Fun, Fearless Female Award. She’s also one of the lucky few who met the love of her life at age seventeen: Matt Shirvington, a former Olympian and current sports broadcaster for FOXTEL and Sky News. Married for twleve years with two beautiful daughters, Sienna and Winter, Jessica knows her early age romance and its longevity has definitely contributed to how she tackles relationships in her YA novels.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads


Interview-Gold

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

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

Jessica:  No, I haven’t. To be honest with you, I was the kid in school who watched the movie instead of reading the book. To me, it was pretty simple at the time, I wasn’t the fastest reader and so I figured why give it so much time when I could just watch the 2 hour movie version which most likely had some hunky guys in it.

Crazy, right?

Well, I only figured out how much I was missing out on late in life. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I really discovered my love of books. I have always been expressive, and have found it easy to put emotions into words, but storytelling came later.

TRC: How did you come up with the idea of your Embrace series?

Jessica:  I think the idea found me in many ways. I was reading a lot at the time. I had no plans to write a book of any kind. I don’t even know what possessed me that day to start writing, but one morning I finished a book and instead of opening a new one, I opened my laptop and wrote the names Lincoln and Violet and that was the beginning of the Embrace Series. It is strange sometimes, because I remember vividly sitting down at my breakfast bar with my laptop. But I had no idea that it would be a day, and a snap decision that would change the course of my life.

TRC: When Embrace, the first book in this series, was published, what was your reaction to seeing your first book on the book shelves?

Jessica:  Ridiculous amounts of childlike excitement and an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. I never saw a career as a writer coming, but once I realized it was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, I was all in. Seeing my book on the shelves for the first time was a special moment.

TRC:  For our members who may not have read this series, can you give us a brief description of the Embraced series?

Jessica:  It is the story about Violet, a seventeen year old girl who works hard to keep her life in order. She likes having control and she also very much likes her trainer, Lincoln, who happens to be a touch older than her and lovely in so many ways. Embrace begins with her birthday and the discovery that she has a destiny much greater than she ever could’ve imagined. Violet was once given the essence of a very powerful angel and she much now choose her path – become Grigori, a human-angel hybrid warrior, or turn her back on her destiny. The series that follows is all the events that take place as a consequence of the choices that Violet and those closest to her make. All the while, despite the sacrifices and the heartbreak, despite the pain and suffering, relationships, allies and everlasting friendships are formed as Violet grows and becomes everything ‘they’ had hoped, and so much more.

Endless Octo 2013TRC: Can you please tell us the premise of your new novel, Endless, which is the 4th book in your Violet Eden Chapters series?   Also, how many books do you anticipate for this series?

Jessica:  Endless is the 4th book, and there will be 5 books in the series in total. EMPOWER will be out in April/May 2014. Here is a short synopsis:

Angels are real. They aren’t always kind. Violet Eden is certain of all this because she is Grigori – part angel, part human. She has felt the influence of both light and dark.

Since her 17th birthday, Violet has known she is a warrior. Though she is more powerful than she yet realizes, two men could still sway her from her path if she lets them. Violet’s uncertainty about Phoenix continually shakes her resolve and her love for Lincoln is perhaps her greatest weakness.

When Hell unleashed its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing Violet will face. For her, the endless question: ‘Can love conquer all?’ will finally be answered.

TRC: Can you please tell us a bit about your other novel, Between the Lives?

Jessica:  Sure! Between the Lives will be out in the US in late June 2014. It is actually going to be called ONE PAST MIDNIGHT there, so keep an eye out!

ONE PAST MIDNIGHT is about Sabine, an eighteen year old girl, who on the surface seems just like any ordinary girl. The problem is, she has two lives.

Sabine lives every day twice, though never repeats the same day. In her first life she lives in Roxbury, Boston, and have her parents and a little sister, Maddie. In her other life, she lives in Wellesley, and her parents (who are different) are divorced and she had two older brothers.

At midnight every night, Sabine shifts into her other life and relives her day in a completely new world.

She has never been anyway to stop this from happening, but then something changes. She falls down the subway steps in her Roxbury life and breaks her arm. When she shifts that night to her other life she expects her arm to be broken as well, but it is not.

This starts a series of very dangerous experiments as for the first time, Sabine is able to ask the question: If she died in one life, is there a chance she could live on in the other? For a girl who has only ever want to live fully in just one life, the real questions are, how far will she go to have that one life? And which one would she choose?

TRC: We know you have the 5th book, Empower being released in early 2014.  What are you currently working on?

Jessica:  I’ve been working on the American edit of ONE PAST MIDNIGHT, and also a new two book series that is on the way called DISRUPTION, which I am very excited about!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Jessica:  No, I think we covered it for now! Thanks for having me as a guest on The Reading Café!

Jessica,  thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions.  The Reading Café wishes you good luck with Endless and Empower.

 

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An Interview with Steven Luna

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An Interview with Steven Luna

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…


InterviewHi 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.

songs from the phenomenal nothingTRC:  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

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An Interview & Giveaway with Kyra Jacobs

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An Interview & Giveaway with Kyra Jacobs

kyra JacobsThe 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.

Armed with SteeleTRC: 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

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An Interview with Jamie Farrell

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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?

Southern Fried BluesJamie: 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

 

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An Interview and Giveaway with Kat Bastion

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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_PhotoKat 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.

Forged in Dreams and MagickTRC: 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

 

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An Interview and Giveaway with S.J. Harper

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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.

 

About The Author Black and MinS.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.

CursedTRC: 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 9th 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

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