Interview with Jennifer M. Eaton, Author of PAPER WISHES

Today, we have an interview with the lovely Jennifer Eaton. We've been on a library panel before, and let me tell you, Jennifer knows her stuff!

Hello Nicole! Thanks so much for having me!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I’ve read a few books by Jocelyn Adams that have blown me away.  She has a crisp, fresh style that is really easy to read.  I hope that I can soak up a little of her talent by reading her books.

Linda Caroll Bradd is also someone I have my eye on.  She writes Romance at the moment, but I’m hoping she will branch out.  She has a knack for making the reader really care about her characters.

Great choices! What are your current projects?

I recently finished a Young Adult Urban Fantasy called FIRE IN THE WOODS.  It is an exciting high-paced chase novel that takes place in the woods of New Jersey.  I’m currently looking for a home for it.

I am also working on a New Adult Dystopian called OPTIMAL RED which is a prequel to my story LAST WINTER RED from the “Make Believe” anthology.  OPTIMAL RED also has a taste of a “chase” theme. I’m really enjoying getting deeper into the world that I created in the first book.

They sound great! What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Finding the time to do it.  I have a full time job, and I am also a full time wife and mom.  Finding that one hour or so a day is tough sometimes, but I make it a priority.  I just have to cut out other things, like television.

So true! Making time for writing is hard every day, but it's necessary. How long does it take you to write a book?

That depends on what you consider “writing a book.”  I can get a first draft done in a little over two months.  Now, that is not to say that I would let anyone READ that first draft.  At this point I have about two months of editing where I will insert setting and emotional response (which I usually miss the first time around.)  Then I send this draft out to 2-3 Beta readers.  They come back with their comments in about two weeks.  I then revise off their comments and send it out again to another 2-5 beta readers.  The total time ends up being about seven months of actual work on that title, and I take breaks to write shorts in between drafts, so in calendar time it’s about a year total. I could speed myself up if I wrote on weekends, but that’s my family time.

My rough drafts are very ROUGH. How did you come up with the title PAPER WISHES?

PAPER WISHES is about a family that writes their wishes on a piece of paper, and then folds them into origami stars.  After a few weeks, they open them and see if their wishes come true. PAPER WISHES seemed appropriate, not only for the obvious reason, but also because wishes, in general, are blank like a piece of paper.  It is the journey of making that wish come true that really makes the difference in one’s life.

Is there a message in PAPER WISHES you want readers to grasp?

There are a lot of messages in this book.  Far more than I ever really intended when I started writing. I’m always surprised when I get feedback on this story what people get out of it.  My original intent was the message that wishes always come true, just not always as you may have planned.  But there are also gentle themes of morality, family, regret, friendship, love, and so many other simple messages that people can really relate to.  All in all, I’m pretty proud of PAPER WISHES from that respect.

BIO: 

Jennifer M. Eaton is a contemporary blender of Science Fiction, Dystopian, and Romance.  Her work ranges from the sweet contemporary romances of Paper Wishes, to the dystopian society of Last Winter Red and Optimal Red, with a dusting of young adult paranormal just for fun in The First Day of the New Tomorrow.

While not off visiting other worlds, Jennifer calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her wonderfully supportive husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle. 

Full time team leader, full time mom, and full time novelist... what more can you ask for?  Writing help did you say?  Well, sure!  Jennifer hosts an informational blog aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be. Stop on by and chat. She loves to hear from fans! http://www.jennifermeaton.com/

Her contemporary sweet romance, Paper Wishes is currently available in ebook format.  The Dystopian novelette “Last Winter Red” is available as part of the “Make Believe” Anthology.   Each title is available from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com and Smashwords.

Paper Wishes:  Jill has no idea what she wants for Christmas, but when it looks like her best friend Jack is going to get exactly what he asks for, Jill makes a Christmas wish that will change both of their lives forever.

 

Last Winter Red:  In search of a husband, Emily leaves the safety of the city and risks her life stepping into the outside world.  What she finds there will question the foundations of everything she believes in. Available as part of the Make Believe anthology.

The First Day of the New Tomorrow: Maya dreams of having everything she wants, but when she gets it, she can’t give it back fast enough. (Coming in September, 2013 from Muse It Up)

Email | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Manic Readers |  Goodreads | Amazon

Zoom to Amazon to buy “Paper Wishes”

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Full link to Amamzon: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-M.-Eaton/e/B00BEP9L1E/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&qid=1375545914&sr=8-4&tag=jennifermeato-20

Full Link to Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/jennifer-m.-eaton

Interview with the Fun Cassie Mae!

Hi, lovely blog readers! Today I have a fun interview with the amazing Cassie Mae. Enjoy!

Tell us your latest news, Cassie.

Hmm… I think everybody knows my news, haha! But the last email I got just said my edits for SWITCHED (coming December 2013) are done! Wahoo!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

2011, when I finished my first book.

And we're all so grateful you took up writing. :) What inspired you to write Friday Night Alibi?

I fell asleep in the shower and woke up to freezing cold water. Instead of jumping out like a normal person, I stayed in and acted out a scene, then got out and wrote it, lol.

Haha, love it! Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes. I write as if the character is talking to the reader. Like in Saved by the Bell when Zach pauses the scene and talks to the camera, lol.

That's awesome. How did you come up with the title?

Friday Night Alibi was who the character was. I had that title when the idea for the book plopped in my head.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

That love is fun, it’s immature sometimes, and when you open yourself up to it, it can be freaking awesome.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Fablehaven, anything by Jolene Perry, Match Made in High School… I really could go on and on, lol.

Great choices. Speaking of choices, iIf you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Jolene Perry. She rocks, and she hasn’t told me to stop fangirling and to leave her alone yet.

What book are you reading now?

Click To Subscribe by LM Augustine. And it’s amazing.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

LM Augustine, lol. Leigh T. Moore, Theresa Paolo (but I’m biased because she’s my critique partner.)

What are your current projects?

I’m working on two books right now, one NA and one YA. The YA is book 3 in my HOW TO Series through Swoon Romance, and the NA I’m hoping to knock Random Houses socks off with, haha! Do you want titles? How to Snag a Sugar Daddy and The Real Thing. We’ll see if they stick ;)

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Sure… lemme pull something out here…

“Make love to me.”

If requests could cause heart attacks, I’m pretty sure mine just did. Eric blinks and grips the side of the grocery cart, putting most of his weight on it. Goodness, I hope he doesn’t pass out.

“Eric?”

He clears his throat, eyes never leaving mine. “Right here? I mean, I’m all for making statements and such, but I don’t think I want my first time in the diaper aisle at Target.”

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Everything. Sometimes it’s the dialogue, sometimes it’s the plot, sometimes it’s my characters. All depends on the book and the story. But I like challenging, because it makes me better.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I can’t pick a favorite! LOL. I do love Miranda Kenneally though, because she’s not afraid to write different from the trends. She writes true to her characters no matter what.

It is so hard to pick a favorite. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI was hard because I was pregnant, my mind was gone, and I was face in a toilet for half of it, lol. But it turned out to be one of my most favorite ones I’ve written.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I LOVE YOU! *huggles*

:D How long does it take you to write a book?

It used to only take me a couple weeks. Now it takes me a couple months. I think it’s ‘cause I can’t shut off my editor brain now. Kind of like driving. There are so many things to think about and concentrate on, it takes a little bit longer. But it also saves me time in the editing room.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I write whenever I can. Right now I’m in my pajamas while my kids scream at each other over who gets the last cookie. Being a stay-at-home mom, they make my schedule, not me :)

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I probably have an awkward boner scene in almost every book. Must be my signature, haha!

What paranormal creature would you be and why?

A vampire, because I am pasty white.

I'm so white too! Although, in recent years, I have been getting a little color. What would you do if you didn’t have to work?

Play video games, write, eat licorice, and chug mountain dew.

Wait… I already do those things :)

Hahaha. What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

A teacher. Yeah, two years of tutoring made me change my mind.

I could never be a teacher. What makes you laugh?

I have a 12 year old boy sense of humor. So any words or actions that would cause them to laugh, it’s safe to say I’d laugh as well.

Hey, laughing is healthy, right? If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what would you want?

Anything that gets me free food.

If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?

Luna Lovegood. She rocks.

Yeah she does! If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Who played Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect? *hurries and Googles* Rebel Wilson. Definitely her. She’s hilarious and I’d get a cool Aussie accent.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

To control life like a remote control. Pause, rewind, replay, fast forward… yes, I want that. And yes I saw Click, I know what I’m in for.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

That One Girl Who Didn’t Know How To Shut Her Mouth

LOL You crack me up. If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

Visit all my online friends, take my hubby and kids to wherever they want to go, and live in Harry Potter world in Orlando.

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be, and why?

Hugh Jackman, because he can sing, he played Wolverine, and he’s sexy. (super deep answer, huh? LOL)

Nice. I'm sure you aren't alone in your choice there! If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?

A puppy, because I can’t sit still, I’m happy, and I sometimes drool when I smell McDonalds fries.

If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Buy a house, pay bills, be totally boring, lol!

If you were a Star Wars character, which one would you be?

Obi Wan. No reason, I just really like him.

What kind of people do you dislike?

Hmm… people who are opinionated, and say things to make others uncomfortable. I wouldn’t say I dislike them, because I find it hard to dislike anyone, but it rubs my nerves raw.

What makes you angry?

When my shows don’t record, when my internet flickers, and when my characters won’t talk to me when I’m on a deadline! ;) 

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Purchase Link for Friday Night Alibi (because you know you want a copy!) http://www.randomhouse.com/book/231683/friday-night-alibi-by-cassie-mae

In the wealthy town of Sundale, Kelli Pinkins has hatched the perfect plan to capitalize on her sweet reputation. For a generous fee, she will be every trust-fund baby’s dream: a Friday-night alibi, the “girlfriend” or “BFF” that parents dream about. With college approaching in the fall, Kelli’s services are in demand more than ever, which means that her social life is nonexistent. But Kelli is A-okay with that. She’s raking in cash for school. Besides, relationships are tricky, and sometimes very messy. She’d rather be at home on Xbox LIVE, anyway. Then the unexpected happens: She meets college stud Chase Maroney.
 
Chase isn’t like the preppy, privileged guys Kelli usually meets in Sundale. For starters, he’s twentysomething, always wears black, and he shoots back one-liners as fast as she can dish them out. But Kelli’s attempts to drive Chase away falter when she realizes that he treats her like he really knows her, like he cares about knowing her. When Kelli finally gives in to the delicious kiss she’s been fighting for so long, she faces a tough decision: make Chase a real-life boyfriend and risk her heart . . . or keep her clients and lose her first true love.

BIO:

Cassie Mae is a nerd to the core from Utah, who likes to write about other nerds who find love. She’s the author of the Amazon Bestseller REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND, and is the debut author for the Random House FLIRT line with her New Adult novels FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI and SWITCHED. She also has a three book deal with Swoon Romance Publishing, including her book HOW TO DATE A NERD. She spends time with her angel children and perfect husband who fan her and feed her grapes while she clacks away on the keyboard. Then she wakes up from that dream world and manages to get a few words on the computer while the house explodes around her. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

Advance praise for Friday Night Alibi
 
“Totally entertaining with as many swoon-worthy moments as hilarious ones, Friday Night Alibi is a must-read.”—Jolene Perry, co-author of Out of Play
 
“A fun, funny, and fantastic story, this is one you will read in a day, and pick up to re-read again the next.”—Kelley Lynn, author ofFraction of Stone
 
“I loved this book. Chase had me right away, from his first smart-ass comment. He’s got a sharp wit that I adore but is also sweet and caring . . . definitely one of my favorite book boys!”—Rachel Schieffelbein, author of Secondary Characters
 
“Cassie Mae is a fabulous author who tugs on your heart strings as if she owns them. I will never be able to eat an orange again without thinking about Chase. Loved everything about this book!”—Jade Hart, author of Coffee and Cockpits
 
“Cassie Mae has a knack for developing characters who have you wanting to climb into the pages and become part of their world. Kelli is full of spunk and everything you want in a female lead. And Chase . . . well, he’s mine, ladies. Sorry, but I saw him first. Friday Night Alibi is fearlessly hilarious and will have you hanging on to every word until the very end. Then you’ll want to flip right back to the beginning and start all over. You definitely will want to put this at the top of your to-be-read pile.”—Theresa Paolo, author of (Never) Again

Interview with Author Kirstin Pulioff

Yet another wonderful interview, this time with Kirstin Pulioff. Enjoy!

Tell us a little about yourself, Kirstin.

Let’s see… I was born and raised in Southern California, and later graduated from Oregon State University (Go Beavs!) with a degree in Forest Management.  I am happily married with two small children, 4 and 6.  I believe life is an adventure, and try to make every day memorable.

Life is an adventure - so true! Even when you don't have young kids running around. How long have you been writing, or when did you start writing?

I have been writing my whole life.  It has always been my creative outlet… some people sing, some paint, some cook…  I write.  I didn’t start pursuing it as a career until a couple of years ago.

Do you write primarily in one genre?

So far, my writing has focused on the fantasy genre.  It is one of my favorites, and one that my mind natural is drawn to.  I love the idea of good triumphing over evil, Princes Charming waiting around the corner, damsels in distress, and that magic is as real as science.

I love fantasy. :D As a writer is there a particular obstacle you face?  If so, how do you get around it?

My biggest obstacle is balance.  I struggle to find the right ways to juggle writing, social networking, and marketing with my family life.  I am constantly shuffling things, and trying to find a balance that works… I am still a work in progress on that.  Ha!

Believe me, I know how that goes! I have an almost five year old, an almost three year old, and a seventeen month year old.

Tell us of your experience getting your first work published.

A couple of years ago, I started thinking about what I wanted to do when my kids were older and in school full time.  With a blank slate in front of me, I started to think about what I truly wanted to do.  There was only one thing that popped into mind.  I wanted to write. 

With that revelation in mind, I began to do what I needed to do… I edited my book, edited it some more, queried agents, edited more, queried publishers, edited more… after a year of this cycle I received a contract from Malachite Quills Publishing.

That's wonderful! How many books have you written?

I have written 2 books.  The Escape for Princess Madeline and its sequel, The Battle for Princess Madeline.  The third and final of this series should be ready Winter 2013.

Do you have any tips or tricks to help keep your ideas in order or at least from being forgotten?

Write them down!!!  I have a notebook that I keep in my purse, so whenever an idea, a bit of dialogue, or a new arc of a storyline hits I can write it down.  I also use the microphone option on my cell phone, if I can’t write.  When inspiration calls, I have to answer.

Do you have a writing schedule?

I am trying to get better at this and more disciplined for a consistent schedule.  I try and wake up an hour before the kids and get up to have some quiet time, as well as after bedtime.  During the day, I am 100% focused mommy.

Sounds like you definitely know how to juggle being a mommy and a writer.

How do your stories unfold?  Are they plotted first and then filled out or do they simply unravel as you go?

I am a plotter.  Before I sit down to write my first draft, I have a clear outline of what is going to happen.  The major story arcs, conflicts and twists are all designed.  From there, I weave my words to follow the structure, but allow for sudden changes that may develop.  For me, this keeps my thoughts more streamlined and plot holes a bit tighter.

How do you go from a degree in Forest Management to being an author of Young Adult Fantasy?

Haha, well, I say every day is an adventure that you never know where it will take you.  This is an example where I can say I have been a writer my whole life.  I remember being in the woods on my lunch breaks, writing.  I would be out on fires, and in the evening, I would be writing a story.  I am an outdoorsy girl, feeling completely at home and at ease in nature.  What I found, for me, was that working in the forest, took the enjoyment out of it.  Having the joy removed from one of my favorite past times was too high a price… and so life took a detour, and a new career path.

Where can readers find you and your work?

So many places!!!!  I love to connect with new readers and fans.

Website:  www.kirstinpulioff.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/kirstinpulioffauthor

Twitter:  @KirstinPulioff

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6558842.Kirstin_Pulioff

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Kirstin-Pulioff/e/B00A2498Z2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Let's hear some "Shout-Outs."

Who are the people you would like to thank?  A big thank you to my husband, who supports me and stands behind me 100%, and to my kids.   They teach me every day to be grateful for the little things, to believe in magic, and to live life to its fullest.

Thanks for a wonderful interview! And here's a great giveaway for you all to enter.

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Interview with Cindy Young-Turner, Author of Thief of Hope

Today, we have another interview and excerpt, this time with Cindy Young-Turner, author of Thief of Hope.

What inspired you to write Thief of Hope?

I started playing D&D in college (I admit, I’m a geek) and that got me interested in fantasy. I was a late bloomer. The Hobbit bored me when I first read it in middle school or high school, but reading it again after college I loved it. I was already interested in writing and thought, why don’t I try writing fantasy. And so I did.

I'm a geek so there's nothing to be ashamed of! I'll admit that the first chapter of The Hobbit is soooo slow. After that, it picks up. How did you come up with the title? Thief of Hope is a great title!

My heroine, Sydney, is a pickpocket and she lives in a town called Last Hope. So Thief of Hope fit. The story is also about finding hope and fighting for it.

Very cool. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

It’s important to fight for the things you believe in and hold dear.

Always. What books have most influenced your life most?

It’s so hard to chose, but here are a few favorites: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (a childhood favorite), Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft.

Great list! What book are you reading now?

I just finished Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King, book 5 in the Dark Tower series. I loved it. I’m still processing it and trying to decide what to read next. Before that it was Storm of Swords by G.R.R. Martin. I think I’m ready for something light and fluffy.

Still have to read G.R.R. Martin. *hangs head* What are your current projects?

I’m currently working on Thief of Destiny, which is the sequel to Thief of Hope.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Here’s a brief teaser from Thief of Destiny (currently in progress, so this is nowhere near the final version):

            Llyr’s voice roused her from a restless sleep. She awoke, shivering in the night chill that lingered in the air, her clothes damp with dew. Dawn filtered through the trees and washed the clearing with lush hues of pink and gold. A promising start to the first day of their journey. Then she noticed Llyr standing near the stone, his face taut, hands clenched at his sides.

            “Look around us,” he whispered.

            She followed his gaze to the perimeter of the clearing. Lurking in the lingering darkness, surrounding the entire clearing, were dense shadows. Unnatural shadows. Sydney had seen that many Shadow Folk together only once before, in the desolate borderlands where they dwelled between her world and the realm of the Tuatha.

            Knowing that fear empowered them, she struggled to remain calm, but her whisper trembled with the memory of their deadly power. “Why are there so many? What do they want?”

            Llyr shook his head. “I don’t know. Perhaps they have come for you, or perhaps for me. For now, the enchantment placed on this circle is keeping us safe. As long as it holds, they cannot enter.”

            Sydney reached for her knife and stood beside Llyr, her back to the stone. The knife was useless against them, but feeling it in her hand gave her some comfort. A few of the shadows tried to edge closer and were stopped by an unseen barrier.

            “Can you use your magic?”

            “And risk alerting the other Tuatha I’ve come to your world?”

            “If the Shadow Folk get to us, it won’t matter what the other Tuatha think,” she snapped.

            “It’s not that simple,” he responded, glaring at her. “You don’t know the Tuatha.”

            She knew enough about the Shadow Folk to fear them more than the Tuatha, at least at this moment. The wariness in Llyr’s eyes and the tightness of his jaw suggested he shared her fear.

            Faint whispers echoed in the back of her mind.

            “We can’t stay here and wait for them to get through.” She clutched her knife, heart pounding, as she remembered the terror on the faces of the people she’d seen killed by the Shadow Folk. “I know what they do to people. You’re more powerful than a wizard. Do something.”

            Llyr hesitated, looking from Sydney to the shadows. The invisible barrier protecting them was shrinking as the opaque figures bent against it, as if it were a giant soap bubble about to burst. The whispers reverberated through her, snaking around her with a sinister promise.

If you want more of Sydney and the Shadow Folk, check out Thief of Hope!

What paranormal creature would you be and why?

It would have to be a vampire. But the cool Lestat rock star kind, not the sparkly kind.

That's the only kind that exists in my mind! :D What would you do if you didn’t have to work?

Write! And volunteer somewhere, maybe in a literacy program.

Me too! What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

I wanted to be an author. Really.

Again, me too! If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

Write and travel and spend an extended time in a cottage in the English or Scottish countryside.

Awesome. If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

I’d write full time and travel (see above) and also help all my starving artist friends achieve their dreams.

If you were a Star Wars character, which one would you be?

I’m a huge Star Wars fan. I’d have to choose Boba Fett because he’s just awesome. (And the prequels do not exist for me. I won’t let Lucas destroy my childhood memories.)

Yes! The prequels ruined Boba Fett. I was so disillusioned.

Sydney, a street urchin and pickpocket in the town of Last Hope, has managed to evade the oppressive Guild for years, but there is no escaping fate when she's sentenced to death for associating with the resistance.

After she's rescued by a wizard, Sydney is forced to accept that magic—long outlawed throughout the Kingdom of Thanumor—still exists, and the Tuatha, a powerful faery folk, are much more than ancient myth and legend. When the wizard offers a chance to fight the Guild and bring Willem, bastard prince and champion of the Tuatha, to the throne, Sydney embraces the cause as a way to find her own redemption.

But Sydney's fear of the Guild, distrust of authority, and surprising connection to the Tuatha threaten Willem's success. Can she untangle the strange threads that entwine her life not only to the fate of the kingdom, but also to Willem himself?

Amazon Ratings:

“Thief of Hope is NOT written like a typical debut novel. The world is written perfectly, the scenery is beautiful, the characters are vivid and fresh, and the battle scenes had me holding my breath with anticipation and worry!”—justagirlgeek, 5 stars

“A lot of fantasies sort of gloss over some of the more unpleasant truths, but "Thief of Hope" told it like it really could be, and provided a great adventure in the process.”—K. Sozaeva, 5 stars

Links:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Add it on Goodreads

About Cindy Young-Turner

Cindy Young-Turner has always been an avid reader and became fascinated by mythology and Arthurian legends at an early age. She quickly decided she enjoyed creating her own worlds and characters and set to work writing her own stories. She believes genre fiction can be just as well written and valuable as literature. The universal themes of love, hate, revenge, and redemption are present regardless of whether our characters live in the distant future, on other planets, or in fantastical realms.

Connect with Cindy

http://www.cindyyoungturner.com

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

Interview with Donna K. Weaver, Author of A Change of Plans

Today, faithful blog readers, we have the wonderful Donna K. Weaver for an interview. Welcome, Donna!

How did you come up with the title A Change of Plans?

I never knew coming up with a title could be so hard. It took me a year after I wrote the dang book. That challenge is that there are three distinct parts to A Change of Plans and I didn’t know which one to focus on for a title. I fully expected my publisher to choose a new one, but they said they liked it.

Sometimes titles are so easy, sometimes not. Glad your publisher liked A Change of Plans! Is there a message in A Change of Plans that you want readers to grasp?

Maybe that life can still be good even when you go through really bad experiences. That while those bad things impact you, you mustn’t let them define you.

Very nice. What book are you reading now?

I’m a huge Brandon Sanderson fan, and I’m listening to his The Rithmatist.

What are your current projects?

I’m editing a companion novel to A Change of Plans, staring one of the secondary male characters. It’s funny because I almost wrote him out but realized I’d come to love him too much—and that not only was I going to keep him in but I needed to tell his story.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Getting Part 2 right. Some of it was trying to find the right approach. I wasn’t into telling a raunchy story about a man and a woman marooned on an island, but making it a how-to survival story wasn’t quite right either. Hopefully, between me and my editors, we got it right.

How long does it take you to write a book?

First draft? I’m fast. My first drafts are really a very long outline—that’s why I love the NaNoWriMo experience. I wrote 80,000 words for A Change of Plans in 30 days and the companion novel in 18. Of course, that first edit is when I do my real writing. That definitely takes longer. I can only compare it to painting. An artist preparing a canvass will do some rough sketches to put all the elements in their places. It’s only later that s/he will add the colors and texture and shading. That’s what I do with my editing.

I tend to write the same way so I know what you mean exactly! Time for some fun questions. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Someone thin and gorgeous. Wouldn’t hurt if she could act, too.

LOL! If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

This is easy. I have a daughter (and 4 grandchildren) living on Kauai. I would quit my day job and go live with them. I’d have enough money to pay for medical insurance. 

Thanks for dropping by! Readers, at the bottom of the post is a giveaway so be sure to enter!

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship's make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.

Their confusing relationship is bad enough, but when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa things get worse. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

Find it: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Rhemalda Store

What people are saying about A CHANGE OF PLANS...

"A Change of Plans will keep readers up way too late in this fast-paced tale of love lost and found again." ~Melanie Jacobson, author of The List, Not My Type, Twitterpated, and Smart Move

"A Change of Plans is lots of romance sprinkled with pirates, shipwreck and adventure. Donna Weaver spins a tale that you will fall in love with, think about for days afterward, and then go back and read again. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down." ~Betsy Love author of Identity and Soulfire

"A captivating tale of love, grief, and hope that will tug at your heartstrings until the very end." ~Laura Josephson, author of the Rising series and Confessions from the Realm of the Underworld

"When someone says pirates and novel in the same sentence, I usually say, "Thanks, but no." Not in this case. Ms. Weaver brings a warm humor to her story of romance, travel and overcoming skeletons in one's past with her vivid characters and delightful scenes." ~Shaunna Gonzales, author of Dark Days of Promise

Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. A Navy brat and U.S. Army veteran, she’s lived in many U.S. states as well as South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific four times. When she retired from Shorei Kempo Karate with a black belt, she decided it was time to put her imaginary friends and places on paper. She lives in Utah with her husband. They have six children and eight grandchildren.

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Interview with Marcie Kremer, Author of Torch In The Forest

Nicole, thank you so much for inviting me to respond to your questions.  They were fun to answer!

What inspired you to write Torch in the Forest?

Most important to my inspiration for TORCH's premise is that I've always had a love for alpha males who have a hidden, soft side (you can't begin to imagine why, right? J) and I was really taken by the idea of an equally-strong female character who would be able to convince him that not only was she right, she was the "real deal," and that she is willing to challenge him, to love him, and that she wants to be passionately loved by him. I thoroughly enjoyed writing the scenes where Eleanor was tempted and tried to stifle her growing passion for Hugh, just as Hugh tried to fight his strong desire for Eleanor, because he's so sure she's not right for him.  I loved the idea of a challenge – and the idea of an exceptionally-intelligent young woman defying an alpha male on his own turf, but in her own unique way, and then winning that conflict because of her special individual qualities really appealed to me, just as I hoped it would appeal to readers who also appreciate, enjoy, and understand alpha males, those rascals who can drive us crazy!  I have a friend who also loves alpha males because "You can tame them," she says, with a wink! Blush!  Sigh!  Pulses race!

How did you come up with the title? I love it!

Because the main plot involves poaching in a forest and the complexity of the rules of the Law of the Forest and what they meant to power-hungry nobles, I knew that "forest" would have to be in the title.  The idea that Eleanor and Hugh are on fire for each other, and that a conflagration will rage in their hearts when they finally get together, brought the image of a torch to mind!

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I'm writing a young adult romance about a girl on a soccer team, her friendships, and the complications of knowing a terrible secret about a forbidden relationship that threaten to spiral out of control and force her to make a decision.  It's not exactly medieval romance, but there are bits of Eleanor in the main character, and there are aspects of Hugh in the baseball catcher.

Sounds great! What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

I wanted to be an archaeologist.  Yes, I was/am that geeky!  Now, I indulge my passion for the past in my writing, and digging into my characters' feelings, instead of into an archeological site.

What makes you laugh?

Quirky, unexpected, whimsical events and wordplay make me laugh.  I am an unrepentant punner, much to my dear husband's and family's chagrin.

What makes you angry?

            What makes me angry is injustice and people taking advantage of others, which is why I wrote the character of William of Litchfield, Eleanor's liege lord, in such an unfavorable light.  My editor said, "He is despicable!"  In fiction, it is rewarding to have the last word with that kind of a character.  If only real life were like that, right? J  That's just one of the many really fun things about being an author.  There's a t-shirt that reads, "Be careful, or you'll find yourself in my next novel!" *giggles*

Thank you so much, Nicole, for having me on your blog! *curtseys*

Historical Romance

"How long can sworn enemies Eleanor and Hugh fight their powerful attraction to each other?" 

Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old widow Eleanor of Strathcombe is stunned to realize she has a powerful attraction to Hugh of Wykeham, the arrogant, neighboring lord returned from the Crusade, who not only asks for the hand of her younger sister in marriage – but feuds with her over the control of their forest boundaries, because poachers are running rampant.  

As she struggles to keep control of her forests and find the poachers, unsettling feelings confront her when she deals with Hugh, feelings she never felt in her brief, loveless marriage -- feelings she tries to fight, because she knows Hugh to be a cold, harsh man who may have murdered his faithless wife in revenge -- and who trusts no woman.  When she finds herself in the midst of a net of intrigue and lies, how can she find the conspirators, save herself and her sister, and battle her feelings for Hugh?

About the Author:

Growing up in Europe and seeing castles on a daily basis made me sure I wanted to live back in the Middle Ages. Since that wasn’t likely to happen, being a child of the 20th century, the next best thing I could try to do was to write about this enthralling period in history. Having studied medieval history in college, I loved doing the research about how people really lived and spoke and dreamed and loved, and so TORCH IN THE FOREST came to be, thanks to my dear husband, who encouraged me to write about Eleanor and Hugh.

When I’m not writing, I’m reading, or traveling. I love hearing from readers and am happy to do book club conference calls!

Interview with Justine Dell, Author of Recaptured Dreams with G*veaways

Everyone, please welcome the wicked awesome Justine Dell! We have a great interview for you today.

Hiya, Justine! We're all dying to know your latest news so spill.

My second book, All American Girl, was accepted by Ominific and will be published in January 2013!

That's awesome! Congrats! When did you first consider yourself a writer?

You know, it’s funny because I still don’t. I didn’t set out to become a writer. I wrote because it was something I just liked to do. I didn’t do it with the goal of being published…that just happens to be a wonderful perk. Even if I didn’t get one more story published, I would still write because it’s what I love. It’s a hobby. It’s an obsession. J

Well, you are definitely a writer in my book! (Sorry, bad pun, I know.) Anyhow, what inspired you to write Recaptured Dreams?

This particular book came about in a strange way. Harlequin had a contest like three years ago for one of their series lines. I thought I would give entering a try. A co-worker and I were brainstorming and we came up with the idea on the fly one day. Candice (that is her name) actually came up with the character  Xavier and his profession, so that credit goes all to her. I simply wrote the story around this idea of  man she created. A straight, hot, male fashion designer? Heck yeah! 

Now that sounds like fun! Do you have a specific writing style?

Panster. All. The. Way. I’d stop writing if I had to plot. Seriously. Since writing is my passion (and my escape from normal life…lol), plotting would make it un-fun.

Un-fun is never cool. And I'm a panster too. Pansters Unite!

Ah-hem. Sorry. Got a little carried away there. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

That would be one, Mrs. Sarah Fine. I found her on Nathan Bransford’s forums about three years ago and she’s been my best long-distance friend and writing buddy since. She’s also brilliant and taught me SO much. Without her, I’m CERTAIN I wouldn’t be where I am today. Every writer needs a writer buddy.

Of, definitely. Writer buddies are the best. No one else can understand a writer like a writer buddy. So what are your current projects?

I’m in the processing of finishing up a contemporary romance called Until Next Time. A story about Piper, a Funeral Director, who’s afraid of loving because she’s afraid of death. And a man, Macy Quinn Oliver, who will make her see that love and death are both beautiful.

Oh, that sounds inspiring! How long does it take you to write a book?

That depends on the book. My first book (which will never see print..lol) took three months.  Recaptured Dreams was written in thirty days. And my most recent project has taken six. So really it depends how much spare time I have. The more spare time, the faster the book gets done! Of course, none of these time frames include the dreaded act of editing. Eeek!

I'm the same way. Sometimes I can write a story in a month, sometimes I need a lot longer. And editing always takes me so much longer than writing. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I need total silence. And no interruptions. Otherwise, I can’t think. Or concentrate. Or focus. I need everything I have to be focused on the pages in front of me. The family has yet to learn this rule. J

I can't listen to music when I write so I know where you're coming from. Now for some less serious questions. What would you do if you didn't have to work?

Write. Then write some more. Oh, and live like a hermit. The only exception to total isolation would be my need for the internet. I could live without  pretty much everything else. (After my daughter goes off to college, of course!)

Of course! What did you want to be when you were ten years old?

A vet. That’s strange, right? But then I realized that I loved animals too much to see them hurt. So I wanted to be an ichthyologist and work on the ocean learning about sharks or seals or something! And, uh, that didn’t work out either. J

LOL I wanted to be a vet for about a minute. I have really bad allergies. Could never last as a vet!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Tina Fey. Hands down. That woman would get the craziness of my life and the humor. She’d be brilliant as me.

Oh, great choice!

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Ordinary to Extraordinary. *giggle* Assuming one day I have the right to be called extraordinary. *grins*

Justine, you crack me up! That's an awesome title!

Recaptured Dreams Blurb:

Ten years, the Atlantic Ocean, and several rungs in society have kept Xavier Cain from having Sophia Montel. Now twenty-seven, he’s spent his entire adult life building a fashion empire that could finally prove his worth to her family. When fate reunites him with Sophia at London’s premiere fashion show, one problem lodges in Xavier’s path: Sophia doesn’t remember him.

The only obstacle that has kept Sophia from Xavier is a horrific car crash that erased her memory at seventeen. She’s spent the last ten years fighting to reclaim a sliver of her past that her mother refuses to help her remember. When Sophia meets Xavier at the London show, however, all her fantasies come to life in one night of passion. Discovering he is the missing link, she is determined to find all the pieces to their love story and her memory.

Xavier wants forever. Sophia wants her memory. If they take this chance, they’ll have to start over. How far are they willing to go get what they want? And when the past catches up to them, can they handle the truths it has hidden?

Author Bio:

Justine lives in the Midwest, happily catering to her family, which consists of a horse-obsessed teenage daughter and four crazy dogs. She’s never moved from her hometown, but hopes to grow old in a much warmer climate.

During the day she works a normal job with college students who try their best to keep her young. They’ve done a good job thus far.  At night, said teenage daughter and her horse require mounds of love and attention. The weekends belong solely to her and her writing. That’s when she morphs into a sticky bug, unable to leave the confines of her computer chair.

She started writing three years ago after seeing a movie that set off a chain reaction she couldn’t have stopped if she’d wanted. It’s not a hobby for her; it’s an obsession. One she loves and one she loves to share.

Contact Justine by email: dell.justine@gmail.com

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And don't forget to check out Omnific Publishing. Romance ... without the rules.


Justine's favorite line from the book: Xavier had thought he was in paradise before. He’d been wrong. Sophia was more than paradise. She was the very reason he breathed.

Awesome, awesome line. Can definitely see why it's Justine's favorite!

Giveaway time!

One of you can win a copy of Justine's ebook. Justine will pick a winner at the end of the day using a random number generator. Be sure to enter - just leave a comment (if you could include your email, that would be great!)!

Also Justine will be giving away TWO Recaptured Dreams bookmarks!

And another also, Justine's publisher is giving away two paperback copies of the book through a Goodreads Giveaway: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/31551-recaptured-dreams

And finally, Justine is hosting a huge giveaway on her blog during the entire month of September. Details here: http://justine-dell.blogspot.com/