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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Welcome, Pat Casiello

Welcome to From the Pages, Pat. It's great to get a chance to know you, and introduce you to my blog readers. Pat is part of the sister team that writes a K.M. Daughters.

How did you celebrate your first contract?

With a gloppy, delicious tropical drink in the downtown area of Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida. We were there on a “sister trip” for fun when we received an email from Nicola Martinez, Sr. Editor at The Wild Rose Press offering us a contract for Jewel of the Adriatic. Seated in an amphitheater-like attraction called The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad an email came through on Pat’s cell minutes before the stage show started. Pat related to Kathie, “We sold our book!!!!!!” And a canon went off on stage.

What kind of food do you like best?

We are unanimous! Lou Malnati’s Chicago style deep-dish pizza. Kathie votes for sausage and Pat votes for the Lou’s special (sliced tomatoes, spinach and three different cheeses – as if one isn’t enough!).

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

We just finished final galley approval of Beyond The Code of Conduct, 2nd in the Sullivan Boys series and are into the first draft of the 3rd book in the series, working title Capturing Karma. We also just launched our first manuscript contracted to Sapphire Blue Publishing, a contemporary romance, Past, Present and Forever, available in digital formats.

Tell us a little bit about your book, please.

We have three books available now: our debut novel was published in print August 2008 - Jewel of the Adriatic, an inspirational romance set in a fictional Adriatic village where millions believe the Mother of God appears daily to three visionaries.

The first book in our Sullivan Boys romantic suspense series, Against Doctors Orders followed in October 2008. NYT Best Selling author, Brenda Novak says: “Watch out! The Sullivan boys are a force to be reckoned with. Against Doctors Orders packs a punch and keeps you turning the pages.”

Set in suburban Chicago, sexy homicide Detective Danny Sullivan meets bossy ER doc Molly Jordan when he’s brought to her ER with a bullet wound. While the Henna Housewife Killer targets red-headed victims, Danny works to stop him despite the distraction of irresistible Molly.

Our third book, is a contemporary romance, Past, Present and Forever, available in e-book only through Sapphire Blue Publishing. Unaware they share the same goal, Lizzie and Jack motivate Jack’s brother Charlie out of his despondency after the death of his wife. Lizzie and Jack both understand loss. Liz was jilted by her fiancé the same day her parents died ten years ago. Jack’s mother abandoned her small sons to life with a father who never recovered from the separation. Now Liz faces the man who destroyed her at a college reunion, with Jack as her companion instead of Charlie who engineers the covert substitution. As they collide in the present can they overcome their pasts and find forever?

Is there anything about you that would surprise your readers?

Kathie can play the drums and Pat can speak Spanish, neither can do the other.


If you had the choice of being stranded on a desert island or lost in a huge city, which would you prefer and why?

We both choose lost in a huge city, preferably together. So many opportunities for adventure, so much to see, maybe even people to meet along the way. We were in Paris once together and decided we wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower. Our hotel was miles away. We love to walk and talk together – the genesis of every story plot and character discoveries. We figured if we could see it – and the Eiffel Tower is hard to miss – we could find our way to it. We succeeded at the end of a meandering, hilarious time together.

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

All the time. Probably most of the time.

What circumstances led you to writing?

Kathie was addicted to Silhouette Romances when her boys were babies, an addiction she shared with our Mom. She decided to try her hand at writing series romance and produced several manuscripts. Perhaps the “writing bug” is hereditary because our Dad wrote several children’s books (we self-published them in a three-book volume Three Wishes by Michael Lynch) before he died when we were teenagers. Kathie encouraged Pat to attempt to write a book and when we joined Romance Writers of America we each had separate manuscripts we wanted to hone. At an RWA national conference in Reno, Nevada, Kathie suggested we write as a team and the author wannabe K.M. Daughters was born.

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

We have written five books together and contracted them all in 2008. (Our 6th is our WIP) The most recent contract is for the inspirational romance, Rose of the Adriatic, the sequel to our debut novel. Perhaps it’s because it’s the most recent or because of the special nature of the story – a visionary who speaks daily with the Mother of God falls in love with a doctor who comes to her village to discredit her claim that she receives heavenly messages – but we are truly in love with this story.

You’re in an Italian restaurant. What do you order?

Pat is married to Nick Casiello – she knows her Italian menus. A wonderful bottle of Italian red wine from the village of Montepulciano in Tuscany. First roasted red peppers topped with melted white cheese and maybe grilled Portobello mushrooms topped with parmesan cheese for appetizers. A tomato Caprese salad – beefsteak tomatoes sliced with a layer of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil , next. For the pasta dish rigatoni with broccoli, red peppers and mushrooms tossed with olive oil, Parmesan & pine nuts. For the main entrée grilled halibut and roasted veal loin. Side dishes -roasted potato wedges and green beans tossed with olive oil and garlic. For dessert an ice cream bomba. All served family style and brought at leisurely pace one course at a time. The meal should take hours. And might involve another bottle of wine.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

We always dreamed that the most joyful, ecstatic moment on our writers’ journey would be when holding a book we wrote in our hands, marveling at its existence. Yes, those moments are thrilling! But we discovered far greater joy when a reader we’d never met wrote us or wrote a review for us because she loved our book. Or when a reader contacted us from our website concerned that she’d “missed” the release date of Beyond The Code of Conduct because she loved Against Doctors Orders and can’t wait for the next book in the series. These are truly dreams come true.

Thank you for joining us today, Pat. It's been a pleasure having you here.

For more information, Pat's website is http://kmdaughters.com/

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Welcome, Candace Black

Welcome, Candace! It's so nice to have you here today.

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

I started about four projects at once and finally decided to finish one. "Kindertransport" will be out August of '09"Clown College" and "Forgotten Bathory" will be submitted as soon as they are tweaked."Clown College" is a YA/inspirational or sweet romance. I like a variety of things so my genres sometimes overlap."

Forgotten Bathory" is about Elizabeth Bathory's illegitimate daughter. It could be categorized as suspense or historical.

I am also working on a book about Straight Inc, also a YA that I hope to make a series. Due to legal stuff I will have to change the title probably to "the program" or "DRABS: Drug Rehab and Behavior Specialists" -- eek, don't like that title. This organization was closed in the 1980's for child abuse.

Where do you write?

I am trying to do the bulk of my writing at the computer. I used to write longhand, then type and copy/paste pieces together like a puzzle, very time consuming. I have sticky notes in the bathroom and the car in case an idea or dialogue line hits. (there's a joke in there somewhere)

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I have written a baby book that is gathering dust and a midlist I have trouble placing. It was written in the memory of my husband's brother. He died of cancer at age 5. I called it "Wishes". I wrote six pieces start to finish but only have one published so far. I have a queue of other stories waiting patiently to be written. No favorite yet.

Where did you get the idea for this story?

History. For every point of view lies a different story. Kindertransport was inspired by a random computer search. I had never heard of the transport and I was surprised to learn some don't consider these children to be technical holocaust survivors. I did some research on Grafeneck castle and the outline came flying at me.

How do you juggle all of life’s other demands with your writing career?

Organization is my goal for '09. I have to write everything down. I keep a calendar and lists so I can at least get the most important stuff done.

How did you meet your significant other?

His best friend was married to my best friend. I walked in her house one day, she wasn't home and I met Rusty. he was curious as to why I just barged in without knocking. I said "hey there," and teased about my friend knowing better than to not be there at my beck and call. He's used to my sense of humor now.

Do you have a pet?

It's weird, I'm allergic to some cats but not others. After adopting two adorable kittens who nearly put me in the ER I tried to adjust to having a dog ( I borrowed my nieghbors to see if i was allergic) then I had the chance to adopt peachcup, an American short hair. no problems! which was good as she had kittens 3 months later. I now have her and her daughter, Freya. no allergy problems.

Do you believe in extraterrestrial beings?

God seperated Heaven from the Earth, so would Angels be considered extraterrestrial? I will say yes, its a big universe and I see no reason why humans would be the only creatures in it.

Is there anything about you that would surprise your readers?

My humor. I love humor in all forms, high brow, sophomoric, slap stick, dry. I love the Addams Family. I tend to parent the way Morticia does. My son was shooting targets and I actually told him "darling, move that target away from the window, why don't you play with the machete for a while?" ( he is 16 and we have weeds growing over the fence). We both laughed after I said it. We tease each other. laughter is important to us.

If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?

I would take care of newborn babies and their moms. Once I thought babies were something you put up with until they got to be fun. (defined as over four), but after having one, I realize how smart they are. Heck, they are fluent in a foreign language in less than four years! Nurture them, feed their curiosity and learn together! Raising children is an awesome experience.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

I'm a Star Trek fan from way back! Spock has been my role model, he taught me how to outsmart bullies by giving them no reaction. (except for the one time I was suspended for fighting. oops a bit of Klingon seeped through.) We are an incredible force for good. Don't be afraid to let your light shine.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have enjoyed getting to know you. Congratulations on the release of Kindertransport.

Readers, Candace has graciously offered to give away a copy of Kindertransport, which releases on August 7th from The Wild Rose Press. Every comment is an entry in the giveaway, so comment away and check back to see if you're the lucky winner!


A blurb:

I filled a syringe with morphine.

Could innocent blood ever be washed away?Would my hands ever be clean again if Icontinued on this course? The gas would make themchoke, gasping for breath as life was strangled to nothingness. Morphine would make them euphoric,and an overdose would put them to sleep, peacefully,with no pain. A sleep from which they would notwake, but they would be safe from the evil thatawaited them otherwise.

I filled the second syringe. I thought of each child as I punctured the rubber stopper, the needle sucking up the lethal fluid filling the tube. LittleWilhelm. My treasured leader of the pack. The braces on his legs never stopped his imaginationfrom soaring. Lara. An artist’s soul expressed with the one good hand she had. Art reflective of thebeauty living in her heart. The twins. Isn’t intelligence measured with creativity? I would sorely miss their energy.

My hand slipped, and the needle grazed theknuckle of my thumb. I swore and bit my lip. Perfect. I’ll kill myself before I get a chance to euthanize my children. Then, after I enter Heaven’s gates, if He lets me inside them, God can tell me I am an idiot and a murderer.

I rubbed my shoulders. They hunched with an invisible weight that made my back ache.

For more information, check out Candace's website candaceblack.net

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Welcome, Beth Caudill

Welcome to From the Pages, Beth. It's so nice to have you here today. I've got lots of questions to ask, so I hope you don't mind if we just dive into the interview.

Where do you write?

Have laptop will travel. Most of the time, I’m found sitting on the sofa or lounging on the bed. However during the summer, I can be outside watching the kids and continue to work.

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

I write paranormal and fantasy stories. Usually I base my stories in an alternate reality of our own universe, with this wip (work in progress) I wanted to create a brand new world. So I’ve set my story on a planet in a far away galaxy populated by typical paranormal or fantasy creatures. No humans allowed. I wanted something I could build into a series but I have a hard time sticking with one breed of paranormal. The first story in there series stars the werewolves and will be set in the forests. I plan for the second to be about elves and located in the city. After that, we’ll see how it goes.

Sounds very interesting!

Do you need silence to write or can you write through anything?o

I have to some type of background noise. I can get lost in the story better. However, new tv shows can be an unwanted distraction when working at night.

Do you listen to music while you write?

Yes! I’ve found New Age, Classical, and Soundtrack music work the best. I don’t create playlists for individual stories. Pick a CD off the pile and away I go.

What do you love most about being an author?

The freedom to create. Science and math are good but they follow precise steps and very rigid lines. I cannot draw and music is fun to play but I don’t have the ability to create in that medium. But making up places and characters that only I can see that is fun.

Do you have a recipe you would care to share with us today?

I use this recipe all the time for holiday parties and baby showers. It’s quick and the kids can help. I put this into a glass trifle bowl but have seen it in a rectangular pan as well.

Éclair Cake

Ingredients

3 ½ cups milk
1 8oz container Cool Whip
1 Box Graham Crackers
1 ½ Containers of Chocolate Cake Icing

Mix 3 ½ cups milk with the pudding and stir as directed on package.

Add Cool Whip and stir again.

Layer as follows in a glass bowl:

Graham Crackers
½ of the Pudding Mixture
Graham Crackers
½ of the Chocolate Icing
Repeat the above layering sequence and refrigerate

Now that sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. I'm definitely going to try it.

What are your hobbies?


There are so many – reading, growing roses, and cross stitch are the ones I do regularly. I have a bunch of quilting stuff but I haven’t found the time to make a quilt yet.

You’ve just won a million dollars. What would you do with it?

First create accounts/trusts for my kid’s education and pay bills. After that go to RWA National Conference which I can’t afford to do this year. Maybe look at a bigger house or give more to the charity’s we usually support.

If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?

Out of college, I took the first job I could get: Technical Support. I moved to Quality Assurance testing after a few years and then I became a Stay-At-Home-Mom. Now if I had my choice of careers, I’d be a librarian. I love books and reading and being surrounded by them day after day would be cool.

Do you believe in extraterrestrial beings?

Yes. An infinite universe and tons of worlds, I believe there has to be other places intelligent life evolved.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

You can read more about my short stories at my website.I belong to a paranormal romance group blog and have my own.I’m also on Facebook and MySpace.

I’ll be giving away a copy of my first short story, Garden Magic, to a lucky commenter.

Thanks for visiting, Beth. I've enjoyed this opportunity to chat with you.

Readers, check back to see if your name is the lucky one chosen to win Garden Magic!

A bit of Beth's newest release, Informally Yours--

Informally Yours

Buy Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/informally-yours-p-997.html

Blurb

Everyday Melinda Jenson goes to work at Formally Yours, a high-end formal wear store, unaware the customers and owner are members of the local supernatural community. On Halloween night, Melinda's boss asks her to make a simple delivery. Unwilling to disappoint her niece and nephew, she arrives late and has an unexpected encounter with a wolf. Now she’s chasing cute, furry forest creatures, and mated to a man she barely knows. “May you live in interesting times,” just took on a whole new meaning.

Excerpt

When she regained consciousness, Melinda opened her eyes and looked around in wonderment. The world had changed. The woods emitted a dark green glow that pulsed as if it were alive. She could hear insects burrowing and small animals scurrying away. The cry of an owl sounded as close as if it were next to her, yet she could see it circling high above the trees. Unfamiliar with her new body, her movements were slow as she gained her feet—all four of them! Stunned, she fell back on her haunches and examined her paws. They were covered in a cream-colored fur, and if she concentrated, she could force claws to extend. Suddenly a nudge from another animal almost knocked her over. Looking around, she nipped at the large gray wolf next to her. It nuzzled her face as if in apology. The wolf ran off a few feet, stopped, and looked back at her. She ignored him. She wanted to sit and examine her new senses. Smell and hearing were the most affected, while sight was crisper but essentially the same. The other wolf returned growling, then nipping at her behind until she got up and followed. She gave a half-hearted growl. She would go for a run if it would get him to leave her alone.

Her limbs seemed to know what to do, carrying her faster than she could imagine. Although she had been following the gray wolf, the fresh scent of a rabbit scurrying across the trail snared her attention. Yipping to let the other wolf know she stopped, her wolf senses filtered out the smell of moss and pine forest. All that remained was a fresh rabbit trail to follow on the right. With stealth, she picked her steps with care where moments before she'd been bounding through the forest.

Eventually she came upon rocks where the rabbit sat licking its paws. Melinda crawled into position ready to pounce.

An image came into her mind of her attacking the helpless animal, sinking her teeth into tender skin, breaking bones, and eating the tasty morsel. Acting on instinct, her body lunged for the rabbit but a tiny voice in the back of her head cried "NO!" The thought of eating Thumper was too disturbing.

Melinda lost her concentration and ended up falling short of the rabbit. She crashed onto the rocks. As she watched, the rabbit dashed into the safety of its burrow. She picked herself up and worked her way to the forest floor before issuing a frustrated growl.

It would take a bit to adjust to this new body. She enjoyed running through the forest, but devouring cute little forest creatures would take a little more time.

http://www.bethcaudill.net/

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Joshua's Hope Winner!

I apologize for taking so long to announce the winner of Carol Ann Erhardt's novel, Joshua's Hope. Thank you all for being so patient. Carol Ann has been incredibly gracious about my delay, and I sincerely appreciate her understanding. I loved having her visit on the blog, and I hope she will come back again sometime soon. I'd enjoy hearing more about what this talented lady has up her writing sleeve!

I just put the names of all the commenters in my favorite Yankees cap, shook the slips of paper around for good luck, then asked my wonderful husband to pull one name out of the hat.

The lucky winner of Joshua's Hope is...

*Drum roll, please!*

Mary!

Congratulations, Mary! The book will be on its way to you shortly.

Thanks to all who stopped by to visit. Special thanks to Carol Ann!

Joshua's Hope

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Welcome, Annette Snyder

Good morning, Annette. It's always fun to have you visit here at From the Pages. I know you've got some special news to share with us today.

Thank you Sarita for having me today. It’s always a treat to blog with you and especially this month as I have a release from a mutual publisher, Whiskey Creek Press.

Summertime is my favorite time to read a fun love story. The weather is warm and the water is cool. There’s just no place to be but lounging by the side of a pool or at the park under a shade tree with a book.

For anyone who wants a tender summer romance, my newest release and first contemporary read, Intimate Flames, is out in e-book and print. On top of being my first present day novel, it’s my first holiday story centered around the Fourth of July. Intimate Flames is based on a young woman struggling to find herself after the sudden death of her boyfriend. This novel chronicles changes in Bradie Carpenter’s life after a tramatic event,dealing with single parenthood and finally meeting of a wonderful man and learning to trust again. Happy endings? Of course! I wouldn’t write anything else.

Just to give everyone a little peek into what I’m up to, I host an online book club blog. It’s called Lost in a Good Book at Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction. One week each month, we discuss a few novels. It’s a standard book club without the hassle of driving to meetings.

I also have several releases this year besides the two I’ve got right now. Travis Pass MegaBooks I and II will release shortly and Eureka Springs, the second novel in line with Viveka’s War, releases soon. You can find all this information on my website.

As a great big thank you to Sarita Leone for having me today, I’m offering a fantastic summer prize package to participants of Sarita’s blog just perfect for your trips to the pool, picnics at the park or lounging in your backyard garden. An oversize book tote, roomy enough for storing all your summer cargo, sunscreen to protect from those harmful summer rays and an autographed copy of Intimate Flames should cover all your hot weather needs. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

What a nice way to add interest to the summer, Annette. Intimate Flames sounds like a great read!

Readers, every comment gives you a chance to win Annette's lovely prize package, so comment away and check back in a day or so to see if your name has been randomly chosen.

For more information about Annette Snyder's work, check out her website, http://annettesnyder.atspace.com

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Welcome, Carol Ann Erhardt

Joshua's Hope


Welcome to From the Pages! I'm so glad you could stop by and visit with us today. I've got lots of questions to ask, so if you don't mind I'll get started.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do?

Since I have a full-time job and weekend chores, I don't have a lot of spare time. What I really like to do is watch sappy movies and read whenever I can squeeze in the time. In the warm weather, I schedule vacation days around long weekends so hubby and I can take our camper to local state parks. There's nothing more inspiring that walking on a warm sunny day and then sitting in the shade with a good book. I love camping. There are no phone calls, no internet, no nagging responsibilities…nothing but relaxing and enjoying nature. And most times, hubby does the cooking! It doesn't get better than that.

It sure sounds like you're a busy woman! And I agree with you; anytime hubby cooks is all right with me.

Can you tell us anything about what you're working on now?

My current manuscript deals with the sensitive issue of life support and forgiveness. It's a story about a man and woman who are driven apart by guilt and blame until God brings them together through another tragedy. Forced to work together, they learn the true meaning of unconditional love before finding their happily ever after.

Tell us a little bit about your book, please.

The book I'm promoting today is JOSHUA'S HOPE. Having known how hard some people have fought to gain custody of their own children, I wondered what would happen if two people divorced and the one who wasn't the biological parent wanted custody. I created the heroine, Hope, who loves her stepson with all her heart and soul and only divorces her husband to save her life. But, she can't turn her back on her stepson, Joshua. She begins a battle to remove him from his father, a dangerous criminal, but can find no attorney who will help her. In desperation, she kidnaps Joshua to save him and finds herself a prime suspect when her ex-husband is killed. She turns to the only person she knows who can help her, a small-town sheriff who is dealing with issues of forgiveness in his wife's death. This is the story of an incredible journey of hope in the midst of darkness, and how God's love can work miracles when we let Him into our lives.

Joshua's Hope sounds wonderful! Where did you get the idea for this story?

My daughter went through a horrible year of legal battles to regain custody of her daughter after her ex-husband stole her. We lived through the pain, the fear and the anger. Another daughter had two legal battles against her ex-husband to keep custody of their son. I wanted to show the pain that is involved in losing a child and how hope can be lost and faith challenged. And I wanted to show the journey to faith involved when we have nothing left but to turn it over to God. From the reviews I've received on this story, I believe I met my goal.

If you had the choice of being stranded on a desert island or lost in a huge city, which would you prefer and why?

Oh, I hate big cities! They frighten me. I was raised in a very small, rural community. I love the peace of being in a less populated area. Being stranded on a desert island would be full of adventure and quiet solitude. Hmmm. But I would want to be rescued by a handsome hero with a heart of gold.

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

All right. I confess. I do write in an oversized t-shirt and underwear (which is my pajamas) on many mornings. I hop from bed to my laptop to write as much as I can before I have to shower and head to work. And, it's wonderful to not have to worry about having your hair combed or makeup on when you write. That's one of the perks of being a writer. I am dreaming of the day when I can give up the day job and dress comfortably every single day.

How do you juggle all of life's other demands with your writing career?

I don't juggle well, that's for sure. I believe the balls are dropped more than they stay in the air. I must confess that writing takes a backseat a lot of the time to family, church, and other commitments. I try to get up early enough to do a little writing before I have to go to my day job. Sometimes, I can squeeze in a little writing on my lunch hour, but usually I spend it with my nose in a book. After work, there's dinner to prepare, clean-up and spending time with my family. And, I have a few favorite television shows as well. I never get to write at night. Saturdays are for cleaning, but I try to find time to write a bit, too. Sundays are for church, family, and relaxation. The hardest part about being a published writer is keeping up with edits, marketing and promotion. It's very time consuming. That's usually an hour spent before bed every night. So, juggling? Not so good, I guess.

Goodness! You certainly know how to fill the days, Carol Ann. I am amazed by all you do!

In the house--shoes or bare feet?

Bare feet. I take off my shoes when I get in the door. In fact, I'm barefoot now. In the winter, I will wear socks to keep my feet from freezing.

Do you have a pet?

Boy, do I! I have three indoor cats named Wilbur, Templeton, and Charlotte. Wilbur is a Maine Coon. He's beautiful with long hair and tufts in his ears and between his toes. Templeton is a black and gray tabby, built like a mountain lion, and not afraid of a thing. In fact, he's the official greeter of every visitor. If you come to my house and ignore him, he'll get your attention by leaping from the floor to your shoulder. Trust me, that's sixteen pounds of muscle you won't ignore. And Charlotte is the little girl with the loud voice. She's very DIVA. In my backyard there are thirteen semi-feral cats which we care for. It's a story too long to tell here, but your readers can read about it on the bio page of my website.

Do you need silence to write or can you write through anything?

I really need silence and no distractions. I do have a two CD-set which I play to help me focus. It's the Creative Mind System by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

Thank you for this opportunity to let your readers know a little more about me and what I write. I'd love to offer an e-book version of JOSHUA'S HOPE to one of your readers. Also, I have two blogs. One is Inside the Writers Mind at http://carolannerhardt.blogspot.com. This is where I share little pieces of information about the every day life of this writer. On my other blog, Keeping Hope Alive http://caerhardt.blogspot.com , I share more inspirational things, daily devotions, and stories of God working in our world today. My website is www.carolannerhardt.com

Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Carol Ann. I am a fan of your work, and have enjoyed getting to know the author behind the stories!

Readers, Carol Ann has generously offered to give away a copy of Joshua's Hope to one lucky commenter. So comment away, and check back to see whether your name has been drawn to receive Joshua's Hope.




Buy Link: White Rose Publishing http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=23



Blurb:


Hope Courtland escaped her marriage to save her life. Her only regret is leaving her four-year-old stepson, Joshua, behind. Though she wants custody, no attorney is willing to tackle her ex-husband in a custody battle. Hope's faith begins to falter. She learns that Joshua is paying the consequences for her freedom, and in an act of desperation, she kidnaps him. Suddenly, she becomes a suspect in her ex-husband's murder.


Zack Stone is content to be sheriff of Pine Cove, Tennessee, where the worst conflict he deals with is handing out speeding tickets. Though his faith is strong, he struggles with issues of forgiveness surrounding his wife's death. When he rescues Hope in a rainstorm, the last thing he expects is to find a woman who stirs his heart. Being a small town sheriff shouldn't involve kidnapping and murder, but Zack can't turn his back on Hope and the little boy she loves.



Excerpt:


Loud voices drifted up the stairwell. Hope opened Joshua's door and slipped inside. His eyes were open. He stared at her, silent tears carving paths down his cheeks. She put a finger on her lips, urging him not to say anything. She lifted him and he wrapped himself around her like a small monkey.

“Mommy,” he whispered.

“It's all right. Mommy is going to take you home with her now. But you have to be very quiet. Can you do that?”

He nodded against her neck. “I need white doggie.”

Hope reached for the stuffed animal she'd given him on his first birthday. The neck fur had been rubbed off in two places from Joshua's fingers. “Mommy will carry white doggie for you. Don't be scared and don't look up. Just hold on tight.”

He nodded again, his arms squeezing tighter.

She kept one arm firmly around him and eased the door open. So far, so good. She only needed to get downstairs without being seen.

She closed Joshua's door and began a slow descent.

The hairs prickled on the back of her neck, alerting Hope someone was watching. Swiveling her head, her gaze locked with Anna's. For endless moments, Hope's heart stopped.

Then Peter's study door crashed open and she feared she'd been caught.

Joshua's small body jerked and he began to tremble. His fingers dug deeply into her skin.

The nanny rushed down the stairs, and as she passed, she whispered, “Run.” Her hand waved Hope toward the front door.

“You're not the one calling the shots on this, Courtland. The kid knows too much.”

Hope froze. A man wearing a security uniform focused dark angry eyes on them. He and Hope stared at each other, recognition dawning in his eyes. She'd seen him before. Many times. One of Peter's henchmen who visited during the late hours of the night.

Peter stepped into view and looked up at Hope, astonishment showing on his face.

The other man's gaze moved off Hope's.

“You dare to threaten me, Courtland?”

The man raised his hand and Hope saw the flash of metal before Anna blocked her view.

“Run, get out of here now!” the nanny cried.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Welcome, Elaine Cantrell

Welcome, Elaine. I'm so glad you could visit From the Pages today. I've got lots of questions to ask, so I hope it's all right if we just dive right in.

How do you juggle all of life’s other demands with your writing career?

Oh, that’s so hard! I work full time as a social studies teacher, so I have a busy agenda. I also have a family that expects dinner and clean clothes. For some time I felt almost overwhelmed, but then I realized that no one could do it all. I was killing myself tying to be superwoman. I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to eat out instead of cook on nights when I needed time to write. Sandwiches and canned soup won’t kill anyone either. I also realized that other people could do the laundry and help me with the household chores. Everyone should learn the power of delegating.

Where do you write?

I have a great little office upstairs. It used to be my son’s bedroom until he got married and moved out. It’s only a tiny room, but I love it so! I have my computer desk in there as well as a bookcase, TV and single bed. If I need a nap I can leave my computer and fall onto the bed for a snooze. I told you; the room is very small. I intended it to be my little getaway, but my husband noticed my absence downstairs and came to see what I was doing. He liked the room too. So much so that he squeezed a little desk and chair for himself into the room. It really isn’t big enough for two people, but if my feet get cold he doesn’t mind holding them to warm them up, and if he’s really in a good mood he’ll go downstairs and get me a snack when I need it.

How long does it typically take you to finish a writing project?

Forever! I write a scene and go back the next day and make corrections. Then when I finish the book I go back and edit it again. Then if it gets accepted for publication I have to do more edits. Until it’s actually in print I’m not through.

Tell us a little bit about your book please.

I’d love to! Since I’m not sure exactly when this will be on the blog I’ll tell you about my Lachesis release. I don’t have a release date yet, but it’ll be sometime in 2009. Here’s a little blurb and a short excerpt.

Blurb:

If Kara had it to do over she’d never go into the attic. She’d run away from that trunk screaming and shrieking because nothing-not even losing the love of her life-was as bad as what she found. Oh, and what will Ross say when he finds out? He’s been her lifeline the past few months.

Handsome dairy farmer Ross Williams has waited for Kara Cochrane since they were in the second grade, but Kara only had eyes for Brandon. Brandon’s out of the picture now, and Ross is ready to make his move. Will the contents of that trunk change his mind, or will he continue in his quest to win Kara’s heart?

Excerpt:

Kara removed the suit and opened her closet to find a hanger, but she saw her wedding dress before she could find a hanger. Impulsively, she unzipped the plastic bag which covered the dress and ran her fingers across the heavy satin in a caress. She had so loved this dress!

She fingered the small pearls sewn into the bodice, and stuck her arm into one long, sheer, embroidered sleeve. How sad that such a beautiful dress would sit in a closet forever.

Without warning anger flooded Kara. If not for her horrible sister, she would have worn this dress only hours earlier when she married Brandon, the love of her life. How could Kelly have done it? How could she have betrayed her own flesh and blood!

With a cry of pure rage Kara grabbed the sleeve of her beautiful dress and jerked as hard as she could. The gossamer fabric parted with a ripping sound that sent Kara’s temper sky high. She started to tear at the dress, ripping off buttons and pearls and shredding those wonderful, sheer sleeves. She threw the dress to the floor and stepped on the hem to hold it down while she tried to rip the bodice from the skirt. The expensive, well sewn gown gave way so abruptly that Kara staggered and fell to the floor among the debris.

What had she done! Sanity returned with a rush, and sickening shame soon followed. Frantically she bundled the destroyed dress into the plastic bag which had covered it and dropped to the floor to search for pearls and buttons.

Finally, she zipped the bag with trembling hands. What could she do with it? She’d die before she’d let anyone see what she had done. Think! They’ll be home soon.

The attic. Good idea. She’d hide the dress in the attic. Only last month her father had installed a disappearing staircase so they could have easy access to the attic. She’d hide the dress there because staircase or no staircase nobody ever went up there.

She dragged the heavy bundle into the hallway and pulled the staircase down. Thank goodness her father had installed a light up there because it was pitch black in the attic. She had a hard time climbing the stairs while pulling the heavy dress behind her, but desperation lent strength, and she got that dress into the attic.

Any advice for an author just starting out on the writer’s journey?

Absolutely. Be true to your own vision of your story. I’ve had two different critique groups take a look at the same material and tell me totally conflicting things. I submitted a manuscript to a contest where it was critiqued by three different judges. It scored from a 98 to a 70. What I learned is that you can’t please everybody, and if you try you’ll end up with a story without heart or soul. That being said, I don’t think you should be a prima donna and think you’re too good a writer to listen to an editor. They can be very helpful.

Do you have a recipe you’d like to share with us today?

I sure do. Try this and see if you don’t get so many compliments you don’t know what to do with them.

Chocolate Delight

1 cup flour
1 stick butter
1 cup chopped nuts

Soften the butter and mix all ingredients. Bake at 300 for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool.

1 8 oz cream cheese softened
1 cups powdered sugar
8 oz. Cool Whip

Mix together and set aside.

2 small instant chocolate pudding mix
3 cups milk

Mix.

Crumble the baked crust and layer the ingredients in a trifle bowl.

The question most readers want to know but never get to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

When I’m not working I always write in my pajamas. I seldom get dressed before lunch time. That’s the good part of being an author. Nobody can see how you look.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading the Twilight series. Some of my students in school were so intrigued by it that I went out and bought a copy to see what was so thrilling. I loved it. I found myself rooting for the underdog, Jacob, even though I think he’ll probably never win Bella’s heart.

What brings you the most joy?

My grandchildren of course. I also love a winter’s night when the moon is bright, and the tree branches are stark against the moon. It brings me joy to hear the insects chirping on a hot summer’s night. I always feel a surge of pleasure when I first see my husband too. Yes, even after 34 years.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, I do. I have one sweet brown dog and two mean cats. Our older cat adopted us. We had a family of strays who lived on the hill above our house, and softies that we are we fed them everyday. They wouldn’t let us touch them, but one day one of the kittens followed my husband back home. He tried to pet it, and it let him-probably because it was so sick. Anyway, he fell in love with it and made me take it to the vet and get it some medicine. She and the dog are jealous of each other. If my husband pets the dog, the cat comes running and gets in his lap between him and the dog. The dog is the same way.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?

Yes, there is. I blog every Friday at http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com I’d love for you to check it out. I have excerpts, guest bloggers and guest interviews, my own take on things, and lately I’ve done a series on Victorian life. Also, if you would like to be eligible for my monthly contest you can subscribe to my newsletter which goes out once a month. Don’t worry; I won’t flood your inbox with spam. To subscribe, go to my web page at http://www.elainecantrell.com and scroll down the homepage until you come to the yahoo button. Click it to subscribe.

Elaine, thanks so much for visiting! I've enjoyed getting to know you.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Welcome, Donna Hatch

The Stranger She Married


Welcome to From the Pages, Donna. I'm so glad you could stop by and visit today. I'm looking forward to getting to know another Wild Rose Press author. I've got lots of questions, so why don't we get started?

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

Pretty much. I wrote my first story when I was in the third grade and have been writing on and off ever since. It's sort of a weird compulsion that I can't seem to ignore.

Hmm...I can totally understand that compulsion! *G*

Does your family support your writing career? How?

My husband is very encouraging – more so now that I'm published, because he no longer views it as a hobby that I'm passionate about. My children have gotten better at knowing Mom might mumble to herself for unexplained reasons or suddenly stop in the middle of something, make an exclamation, and run to the computer and begin madly typing.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do?

Read. A lot. I also sing, play the harp and I love to dance. Mostly, I'm playing Mommy when I'm not writing.

Can you tell us anything about what you're working on now?

I have a 15 page novella coming out soon called Troubled Hearts, also a Regency Romance. It's finished, and it's in the hands of the publisher. And I'm also putting the final touches on Book Two of the Rogue Hearts Series which is about the brother of the hero of Book 1, The Stranger She Married. Book Two is called The Guise of a Gentleman, which is about Jared, who is a pirate, and the lady who captures his heart and whom he sets free from her social restrictions. I hope to have that released in the summer or fall of next year. Book Three is rough-drafted, and Book Four is still in the planning stages.

Tell us a little bit about your book, please.

Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret. When yet another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Alicia suspects the seemingly unrelated accidents that have plagued her loved ones are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Despite the threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger of all … to her heart.

Where did you get the idea for this story?
I
often wonder about the other side of a story, and about the back stories of secondary characters in movies and books. I also like to ask what if? What if the Phantom was a gentle loving soul trapped in a scarred body? What if Christine fell in love with the Phantom instead of the handsome young aristocrat? Anyway, my story started out like that and then took on a life of its own. I love romances, love triangles, and a twist of intrigue, so that's all in there.

How did you meet your significant other?

I actually met him at church after his brother (who I babysat for) introduced us. I'd just graduated from high school. Nothing really happened. Then, two years later, I dated his younger brother (not the one I babysat for) and we got to know each other pretty well then. A year or so after things fizzled out with the brother, we saw each other at a singles activity and hit it off. We got married three months later and we've just celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.

In the house—shoes or bare feet?

Bare feet. Unless it's winter, and then it's either socks or slippers.

Guilty pleasures. Got any? Remember, this is a G-rated interview!

Any rich and decadent dessert – doesn't have to be chocolate, I'm an equal opportunity dessert lover. Long bubble baths. My husband.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

My book, "The Stranger She married" is available now at The Wild Rose Press in e-book and in print.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_138&products_id=1001

Thanks for visiting today, Donna! I've enjoyed this little chat. Best of luck with your book, as well as your upcoming projects.

Readers, learn more about Donna and her writing at the links below.

http://www.donnahatch.com
http://donnahatch.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/donnahatch
http://www.facebook.com/people/Donna_Hatch/105396

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Welcome, Debra St. John

This Time for Always



Welcome, Debra, to From the Pages. I'm so glad you stopped by to chat today!

Where do you write?


I write in a lot of places. "Home base" is in my den, which has my PC and all of my bulletin boards. Last summer I finally invested in a lap top, so now I tend to "wander" while I write. Sometimes it’s on the living room couch or the front porch on a nice summer day. The back porch is also a favorite spot.

How did you celebrate your first contract?

First I hugged and kissed my wonderful hubby, then I called my parents and all of my friends and relatives. My local writers’ group (Chicago-North RWA) has a great chocolate tradition. When you sell a book you don’t simply say "I sold a book", but you bring a box of chocolates to a meeting. When the President asks for good news, you pull out the candy with a flourish and announce, "I brought chocolate!" My first chocolate moment was fabulous. It couldn’t have been more perfect if I’d written it out myself!

How wonderful!

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

Right now I’m working on the sequel, or maybe spinoff if a better word, to "This Time for Always". For those of you familiar with this book, this is Zach’s story. I figured he deserved a girl of his own. "Wild Wedding Weekend" is currently with my editor at Wild Rose. Once I get it back from her I’ll move on to final edits and galley approval for that book.

Love your titles!

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

Every chance I get! In the summer my routine is to sleep in, wander downstairs in my jammies, fire up my lap top, and sit on my back porch and write for a couple hours. It is usually an extremely productive time.

How did you meet your significant other?

We met at a country bar. The bar later became the setting for "This Time for Always".

When did you know you’d "made it" as an author?

When I held a copy of my book in my hand for the first time.

What are you reading now?

I’m really hooked on the "Twilight" saga by Stephenie Meyer. I’ve read all four books three times already and have plans for a fourth go-around in the near future.

Do you listen to music while you write?

I listen to music while I write, but not while I edit.

Have you ever laughed so hard something has flown out of your face?

When something strikes me as really funny I have a tendency to laugh until I cry.

Do you collect anything?

Mickey Mouse items. I have hundreds of them. Unfortunately they are all hidden in boxes in my unfinished basement. Someday when I get that million dollar royalty check, I hope to given them a room of their own.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

I’d simply like to thank everyone who has supported, encouraged, and cried with me on my incredible journey to becoming a published author. It’s been a life-long dream, and I continue to be amazed at the new things I’m learning and discovering everyday. I look forward to continuing the journey for many, many years.

Thanks so much for visiting today, Debra! I've enjoyed getting to know you. Best of luck with your writing career. I hope your Mickey Mouses get their own room very, very soon!

http://www.debrastjohnromance.com/

The purchase link for "Always" is here.

Blurb for "Always":

As the manager of a local bar, The Corral, Sharlie Montgomery has put the past behind her. That is until Logan Reed walks back into her life, turning her world upside down. His presence brings back painful reminders of the past: the love they had once shared, the money he took from her father, and the baby she’d given up for adoption. Logan wants to buy The Corral, and he’s come back to town to prove he was able to make it on his own without the Montgomery money. Sparks fly whenever Sharlie and Logan are together. Anger, fear, and jealousy aren’t enough to erase the love they once felt for each other. But is love enough? Logan wants a family - the one thing Sharlie can’t give him. -------

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Welcome, Susan Vaughan

Primal Obsession


Welcome to From the Pages, Susan. I'm so glad you could stop by and visit today. I've got lots of questions to ask, so I'm just going to begin. I know readers want to get to know you better as much as I do.

First, where do you write?

If you mean where geographically, I live in the state of Maine. On the coast, so there's plenty to distract me from my WIP. If you mean where in my house, I write in what could be a bedroom but has been converted into an office. My handy dh built me a computer desk with bookshelves above and plenty of desktop space. The window looks out on the lawn and woods, though not coastline, enough to distract me if my mind wanders.

Maine is such a beautiful spot. It sounds like you've got the perfect writing space!

How long does it typically take you to finish a writing project?

Writing a short book for Silhouette typically took me 9 months when I was working full time and 6 months when I quit teaching. Writing a full-length novel like PRIMAL OBSESSION or the other I've completed took about a year. What can I say? I'm slow. I know some people write four books a year. My process is deliberate, stop and go, revise and start again even though I plot ahead.

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

Right now I'm working on what for me is a very emotional story. "Once Burned" (working title) is about a man convicted of the arson murder of his girlfriend. When he's freed due to a technicality, the only person who can help him find the real murderer is the girlfriend's twin sister, who was burned trying to save her twin. Both divide their lives by before the fire and after the fire, and both have good reason not to trust the other.

Sounds interesting!

Tell us a little bit about your book, please.

My sixth book and latest release, PRIMAL OBSESSION, is about two people trying to defeat a killer who has followed them on a wilderness canoe trip in northern Maine. Injured former Major Leaguer Sam Kincaid needs to prove to himself he can be a success at something besides baseball. And investigative reporter Annie Wylde wants the killer who murdered her friend caught and punished. When they realize the killer is after Annie, Sam faces the challenge of his life.

Where did you get the idea for this story?

A few years ago, my husband and I took a six-day canoe and camping trip in northern Maine. Once we'd signed up, I started thinking of what story could be set there, so the trip was research for the book. Many of my experiences on the canoe trip were fodder for the book. We canoed ten or more miles a day, paddled white water, made our own camps and slept in tents, and bushwhacked with compasses, but we had no killer along. Thank goodness.

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

Hardly ever. I usually have to go out at some point during the day, so I dress before breakfast. But I do occasionally suffer from insomnia. When my brain just won't shut down and I can't sleep, it's usually the story that's keeping me awake. And even it it's not, I pad down to the computer for a while in my pjs and write.

What are you reading now?

I'm reading Marley and Me, the book the movie is based upon. I've had three dogs, none of them Labs, but I sure see a lot of the same behaviors no matter the breed. The author is so great at describing the puppy's antics and expressions. I was reading just today at the gym and I know people were wondering about the crazy lady giggling on the elliptical machine. I know there's a sad part in the book, but I'm enjoying the humor for now. And I can't wait to see the movie.

You’re in an Italian restaurant. What do you order?

That's easy. Eggplant parmesan. I love the dish but can't fix it at home since the dh loathes eggplant in any form.

Great choice! We had that for dinner last night.

Do you speak a foreign language?

I speak French, having studied it as a French literature major both in college and grad school. I lived in France for a summer, which greatly increased my fluency, but that was many years ago. I know a little German, Italian, and Spanish, just enough to be dangerous.

Do you have a pet?

I have a wonderful border-collie-chow mix named Sasha. She's the third of our dogs, and I hope the other doggie angels aren't listening, but the best dog. We brought her home from the local Humane Society shelter at ten months. She'd been brought up from New Orleans with some other dogs and cats. New Orleans doesn’t have enough homes for strays, and that's what she was, a stray puppy at three months. She's beautiful, loving, quiet, calm, and, best of all, comes when we call. She lies on the futon beside my desk while I'm writing. I can feel her staring at me, willing me to decide it's time for a walk.

She sounds like a sweetie!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

Now that you mention it, yes. With the economic difficulties these days, many people are finding it difficulty to keep their pets and are surrendering them to animal shelters. Worse, some people are simply abandoning their loving animal companions. Those who care for abandoned and stray animals need as much help as we can give. Anyone who can help, please give to the Humane Society at http://www.hsus.org/, the ASPCA at http://www.aspca.org/, or to my local shelter here in Maine at http://www.humanesocietyofknoxcounty.org/.

Sarita, thank you for giving me this opportunity to climb up on my soapbox.

I'm so glad you came to visit today, Susan! I've loved getting to know you. I do hope you'll come back to chat with me again in the future, maybe when your next book is released.

Readers, Susan has generously offered a copy of her latest book, Primal Obsession, to one lucky commenter. Check back soon to see if you are the randomly chosen winner!

Blurb for Primal Obsession:

Guiding a canoe party through the Maine wilderness is more than just a job for former Major-Leaguer Sam Kincaid. After hitting rock-bottom, he needs to prove he can pull himself out of the bottle and succeed at something. He can't let himself be distracted by an ambitious, obsessed female, even if she's sexy, witty and smart. Investigative journalist and confirmed urbanite Annie Wylde embarks on the canoe trip to keep a promise to her murdered friend and intends to use the outing to study her notes on the notorious killer called the Hunter. She banters with Sam but rebuffs his advances, considering him just another egotistical jock. But when Annie realizes the killer has followed her into the woods, she learns there's more to Sam than testosterone and dimples. And Sam faces the challenge of his life to keep Annie safe and defeat the Hunter.

Buy link for the ebook: PRIMAL OBSESSION, is http://thewildrosepress.com.
The print release, ISBN 1-60154-390-5, at http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.susanvaughan.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Welcome, Shereen Vedam

To Capture Love

Welcome, Shereen. I'm so glad you could stop by and chat with me today! I've got lots of questions to ask, so I'll just jump right into the interview.


First, how long does it typically take you to finish a writing project?

A short story (~10 words) – 1 month for a rough first draft
A novel (~90,000 words) – 8-9 months for a rough first draft
Editing takes as long as it needs to take.

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

No. I wanted to be a wildlife field guide, a zoologist, a veterinarian, but became an animal health technician, a secretary and a data coordinator.

Becoming an author came as a complete and shocking surprise. I’m still in recovery.

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

A fantasy regency novel set in 1815. It deals with an alternative history about witches and warlocks and what those witch trials from the 1400-1700s may really have been about.

The story takes place in Britain, moving from London to Callington, Cornwall, to Fishguard Wales and delves into the folklore of those people and places.

Oh, and the hero is a church guard and the heroine is a witch.

What can I say? I like challenges.

Tell us a little bit about your latest release, please.

Last year was a busy year for releases. I had three short stories come out - all fantasies.

Baron of Dragon’s Reach…
is about a young woman who made a grave mistake, and while desperately trying to correct it, she lands herself in even worse trouble.
The lesson here is that sometimes facing your problems is better than running from it. And love always has its own agenda.

Daughter of the Sorcerer King…
is about a sorceress princess searching for her identity when the role she trained all of her life to play is ripped away from her.
The lesson here is to understand there is a world bigger than then one we enclose ourselves in. And sometimes a girl needs a grieving dragon, a precocious child and a handsome knight to help her realize that.

Dragon Dreams…
is part of the Cat Tales anthology. In this urban fantasy short story, a burnt out veterinarian starts to hallucinate (or so she thinks) about being transported into an alternate world.
The lesson here is that loneliness is often a state of mind and to receive friendship and love, we must first be willing to freely share it.

Any advice for an author just starting out on the writer’s journey?
What you think you need to learn is like sighting the tip of an iceberg. Be prepared for a lifetime of learning.

What are your hobbies?

Kayaking, horseback riding, foreign travel, gardening and reading. Almost got killed riding a crazy Andalucian (look, I’m a race horse) mare in Spain once.

What’s your most comfortable outfit? Are you a jeans-and-sweatshirt kind of person or a dressier sort?

I’m a shorts-and-t-shirt-and sandals gal. I’ve been known to go out into a back yard buried in two feet of snow in sandals and shorts to re-fill the birdseed feeder.

In the house, shoes or bare feet?

Bare feet.

What are you reading now?

The other short stories in the Cat Tales Anthology, edited by George H. Scithers. There are some awesome stories in there.

Do you speak a foreign language?

I took French in high school, but only remember a few words. I grew up in a household that spoke Tamil (a south Indian language). I can understand it well enough but can’t speak it. It’s developed into a kind of one-way translation.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

My stories have magic and witches and spells, with the occasional dragon tossed in, all spiced by that unruly, terrifying and heady experience of falling in love.

Shereen, thank you so much for visiting today. I enjoyed getting to know you, and hearing about your writing.

Readers, find out more about Shereen by visiting the website:
www.shereenvedam.com

A Blessing In Disguise




Wednesday, June 3, 2009

A Winner!


Randomly chosen from all of yesterday's comments,
the winner of Linda Hope Lee's
Finding Sara is...
*drum roll, please!*
Sharon!
Congratulations, Sharon.

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by
and visiting here at From the Pages.
Sharon, please email me
so I can send off your prize.
Thanks!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Welcome, Linda Hope Lee

Finding Sara


Welcome to From the Pages! I'm so glad you could stop by and chat. I've been looking forward to getting to know you. I've got lots of questions for you.

First, where do you write?

I use a laptop, so I write in several places. Never at a desk, though. If I wake up early enough in the morning, I grab my laptop, prop myself up in bed, and start writing. This is the best time to compose a story's first draft. Later on, I move to some other place in the house. I make myself comfortable in an easy chair in the living room or in my office. I love my laptop!

How long does it typically take you to finish a writing project?

Finishing a project used to take three to six months, but now that I divide my time between writing and my art work, writing a novel takes longer.

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

No, I didn't. I remember enjoying writing stories as a child, but that got lost when I grew up and had to turn my attention to earning a living. Working as a librarian and loving to read kept books in my life, though, and one day it occurred to me, why don't I try writing something? I did. I wrote short stories, and articles, and scripts for educational media, and, eventually, novels.

How many books have you written?

I have written twenty-five novels and published eighteen. I also wrote and published a nonfiction book, How to Write & Sell Romance Novels.

Wow! That's an impressive list. Your nonfiction book sounds very interesting, too.

Can you tell us anything about what you're working on now?

I am putting the finishing touches on books 2 and 3 of the Red Rock, Colorado series, of which Finding Sara is Book 1. This my first attempt at a series, and it's been great fun.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do?

I do art. Watercolor, pen and ink, colored pencil. As with the writing, I enjoyed art as a child, but it also got lost when I grew up. Then, about ten years ago, I took it up again. Yes, it competes with the writing, but I manage to combine it sometimes, such as writing a poem and then illustrating it.

Art sounds like a wonderful way to spend some quiet hours. Definitely a nice, relaxing pastime.

Do you have a pet?


I have a wire-haired fox terrier named Graham. He is a rescued dog we got three years ago and he is a wonderful pet. Very mellow and sweet. He's our fifth wire. I'm crazy about the breed and would have no other.

Do you collect anything?

I collect anything that has to do with wire-haired fox terriers. Since the breed was popular during the 30s and 40s, much of my collection is from those years. I have prints, figurines, plates, cups, playing cards, charms, pins, coasters, and even one that holds a tape measure.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy photography. I especially look for photo subjects I can use as inspiration for my art work.

If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?

A detective or a private investigator. Probably why I enjoy reading and writing mysteries.

I completely understand you on that point. I share your alternate vocational dreams. *G*

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

No matter how many stories I write, I find there is always room for improvement and always something new to learn about the craft.

Thank you so much for visiting today. I've enjoyed our chat, and I hope you have, too.

Readers, my charming guest author has graciously offered to give away a paperback copy of her delightful book, Finding Sara. One lucky commenter will be chosen at random to receive the prize, so comment away and check back tomorrow to see if your name has been chosen. Good luck! And thank you, Linda!

Finding Sara, by Linda Hope Lee
The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:

On the run to avoid marrying a man she does not love, Long Island, New York heiress Sara Carleton boards a train heading to the West Coast. Fate intervenes when she is mugged during a stop at Red Rock, Colorado. Rancher Jackson Phillips doesn't mind helping the attractive victim he rescued, but having her come to his ranch to recuperate turns out to be much more than he bargained for.

Excerpt:

Setup:Stranded at the Red Rock train station, Sara phones her father to let him know she's okay. While she's waiting for him to come to the phone, she gazes idly around the station:

Her gaze roved over the busy ticket counter, a cafe's arched doorway, and landed on a newsstand, where a man stood reading a newspaper. A brown cowboy hat hid most of his face, but his broad shoulders, lean waist and long legs in hip-hugging jeans were in full view.

The man looked up, and, as though he'd known someone observed him, his gaze shot straight to her. Deep-set, dark eyes widened, and then narrowed in a sexy way.

A shiver of excitement sped down Sara's spine.

They continued to stare across the room, not even breaking contact when people passed between them. Although certain she'd never seen the man before, she had the craziest feeling she somehow knew him.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/
http://www.lindahopelee.com/

Sunday, May 31, 2009

A Winner!

Recntly I had the pleasure of being interviewed at Pure Southern Genteel. Everyone who commented on the interview post, either on my blog or at Miss Mae's was entered in an impromptu giveaway. This morning I pulled a name out of the hat...

Congratulations, Melissa! You're the lucky winner!

Please shoot me an email with your snail mail address and I'll get your mystery gift right out to you.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and visited over at Miss Mae's!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Welcome, MC Scout

I'm so glad you're here today, MC. I have a ton of questions to ask, so if you don't mind I'll begin asking them.

First, tell us a little bit about your book, please.

MY LORD BALTIMORE is a vampire tale of love lost only to be found again be it several centuries later. It begins in Philadelphia and heads to Baltimore then ends in Finn’s ancestral home in England. Cambria is the direct descendant of the woman he loved but feared getting close to thanks to his master.

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will you still be writing, or do you have a new adventure on the horizon?

I hope to still be writing as well as traveling and getting more ideas for more stories.

You’ve just won a million dollars. What would you do with it?

Right now, I’d pay off my daughter’s college loans and get that out of the way then I’d buy some land in Wyoming and move there after I had a house built.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

It would definitely be Wyoming—it’s an amazing state and I love the openness.

You’re in an Italian restaurant. What do you order?

Anything with shrimp in it.

Do you speak a foreign language?

Not really though I do try to incorporate Spanish and German into some of my stories.

How did you spend your first royalty check? Was it a splurge, or something practical?

The first one went to paying for the limo for my daughter’s prom.

Do you need silence to write or can you write through anything?

Not really though I can’t concentrate with MTV on. If they still showed the videos like they did at the beginning, it wouldn’t be a problem but the shows now are annoying.

What frightens you?

Even though I am in awe of Mother Nature’s power, thunderstorms still bother me. The harsher ones make me want to hide and I refuse to get into a shower when one is overhead.

What do you love most about being an author?

I’ve met a great deal of really cool people since I’ve gotten published. I also love the research that goes into a book whether it be historical or otherwise.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

One thing I have always lived by—if you don’t learn at least one thing in a day’s time, the day is wasted.

That's a great thing to consider. I am so glad you stopped by today! Thanks for visiting with us!

Journal page: http://mcscout.bravejournal.com/
Publisher’s website: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Welcome, Deborah Panger

Welcome, Deborah, to From the Pages. I’m so glad to have you here with us today! My name is Anna, from the pages of Sarita’s Vineyard Mambo mystery. I’m a librarian and as soon as I heard you’ve got such wonderful reading taste I knew I had to meet you.

Your new release, Saje from The Wild Rose Press, sounds wonderful! I know we all want to hear more about it, and about you, so why don’t we get right to the questions?

Where do you write?


I write at home, in an office my husband and I call the ‘writing’ room. I love Bon Jovi, so I have my Jovi shrine on one side of me, and a book shelf on the other. I usually burn a candle while I’m writing. And my dog, Gizmo Killer, is at my side.

How long does it typically take you to finish a writing project?

It depends on what life is throwing my way at the time. Last year I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Stage IIIA. I wrote a lot of Saje while I was undergoing chemotherapy, so it was a very slow process. I only had a few days that I felt good enough to sit at the computer before my next treatment would start again, but I got through it. I’m blessed to say that I’m now cancer free.

I’m happy to hear you’re healthy again. Big congratulations on that!

Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?


Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon is my all-time favorite book. I also love J. R. Ward and Christine Feehan’s Dark series.


Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

I’m in the middle of a short story about a fireman who is captured by a female firefae who started the fire he just extinguished.


The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

Yes. All the time.

What circumstances led you to writing?

I decided to write down a daydream that I had and got brave enough to show it to one of my coworkers. After reading it, she told me that I should write a book. I thought that maybe I could, so on a whim, I began writing my first novel. Punished Desire was born. It’s full of errors, and I had no idea how to write back then, but I still love and believe in the story.

Any advice for an author just starting out on the writer’s journey?

The number one advice that I can think of is to join a critique group or partnership. I wouldn’t have gotten to this point in my career without one. I’ve learned so much from my group.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

St. Augustine, Florida. I absolutely love it. My family and I have been there several times during the years, vacationing, browsing the shops, enjoying the beach or exploring the fort and lighthouse. The whole town is so beautifully historic. I have fond memories of our times there.

I’ve never been there but it sounds gorgeous. My husband, Tony, and I bought a house in Pensacola. I’ll have to check and see how far it is from St. Augustine. I sense a road trip coming up!

What’s your most comfortable outfit? Are you a jeans-and-sweatshirt kind of person or a dressier sort?

I’m a casual kind of girl. Jeans and shirts. Comfort is a friend of mine.


Do you collect anything?

Tinkerbell, Peter Pan and fairy figurines. Bon Jovi memorabilia,

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

Yes! Make sure you get your yearly mammograms and exams. Don’t put it off. I did. I thought I was too busy at work to take time off for such things. Boy, I was wrong and it almost killed me. Laugh, love and enjoy each new day, and God bless.

Deborah, that’s great advice. I know a lot of us think we’re too busy to take care of important things like mammograms but you’re right—that isn’t something to put off. I hope our readers take your advice and get their yearly exams.

Thank you so much for visiting today! I’ve loved getting to know you better. Feel free to come back again. I’d like to hear more about that fireman story you’re working on!

Readers, Deborah has offered a lovely bookmark as today’s giveaway. It is a silver colored and has a cross pendant hanging from it. One lucky winner will receive this nice gift. If you’d like to be considered for the random drawing, just leave a comment in the comments section. The winner will be drawn tomorrow and announced in tomorrow’s post. Check back to see if you’ve won!

A blurb from Saje:

What could be worse than waking up lonely on May Day? Finding a naked male stranger with wings in your house.

That is exactly what Amanda Birchfield discovers when she stumbles out of bed to make her morning coffee. After rousing from a faint, Amanda learns her intruder, Saje, is a trinket-hoarding, seed-spreading bastard of a Woodland Fairy. And he’s brought her a room full of May Day Baskets in hopes she'll trade a little pleasure.

Instead of fleeing for her life--or admitting herself to the local looney bin--Amanda is drawn to Saje’s scrumptious body and carefree spirit. But once the brief, but oh-so satisfying sexcapade atop her dining room table is over, he refuses to leave. How will she get rid of him. Or will she want to?


http://www.deborahpanger.com/
http://myspace.com/debbiemacklin

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

A Nice Surprise


Last night someone asked me for the buy link for Sandswept: A Chincoteague Island Mystery. When I went to get it I saw the review section on the excerpt page had grown. What a lovely surprise!

“It is rare these days to find an actual romance story with all the erotica out there but there is definitely romance in Sarita Leone’s Sandswept: A Chincoteague Island Mystery. Though I had a hard time pronouncing Chincoteague, this story was not hard to swallow. The characters were real. The story moved at a very realistic pace and it made me feel something. Kelley is a woman with a secret, one that it is well worth your time to read and find it out. And Owen *sigh*.

If you want to escape the clutter of erotic stories that are out there now, and read a story that was written by a master of mystery and romance, get your hands on a copy of Ms. Leone’s Sandswept. You will not regret it. And Ms. Leone, I applaud you for writing a story so rich and so worthy to be curled up with on a lazy afternoon. Bravo.”

-5 Moons! Reviewed by Blu Moon- Moon Over Water Reviews

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Welcome, Christy Poff

CHASE FOR AN ANGEL by Christy Poff



Welcome, Christy! I'm so glad you could visit today. I've got lots of questions, so let's get started.

Where do you write?


I write wherever I can – at home, on the road if the highway’s smooth enough to get a decent thought down, doctor’s waiting rooms—you name it, I’ve probably written there.

How long does it typically take you to finish a writing project?

It truly depends on the story and whether the characters sing and I can get the major scenes coherently joined together though I have one that’s been sitting for awhile because I can’t get the continuity together on it.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

I love going to Gettysburg—each time I see something new and it’s a great place to be at sunset into full dark. We travel and my husband and I are also involved with our local fire company.

Any advice for an author just starting out on the writer’s journey?

Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot write. I listened to a “know it all” and wasted a good many years that I could have been writing and getting published. Let them offer advice but in the end, the author should have the final say on their work.

How did you meet your significant other?

We met one day at the fire house though he had a girlfriend at the time. After a no-holds barred game of football, I didn’t see him until several years later. We got together and the rest is history, so to speak.

In the house—shoes or bare feet?

Bare feet for sure

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

About 40 so far and still going. As to favorites – they all are because each one is different yet a part of me.

Do you listen to music while you write?

I have 2 MP3 players which I listen to and then it’s Linkin Park, Nickelback, Michael Buble, Don Johnson, Brooks and Dunn, Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, the Stones, the Beatles and….

Do you collect anything?

Lapel pins from where we go. I have a lot of Nascar ones from when we use to go to the races, fire service and Civil War. I also collect shot glasses as well.

Do you believe in extraterrestrial beings?

Of course – why are we so conceited to think we’re the only planet with intelligent life on it? Besides – I love Doctor Who and Torchwood plus Babylon 5.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

I have several releases coming up in 2009. Check me out at either my journal page: http://cpoff.bravejournal.com/ and at Whisky Creek Press Torrid: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid Have a great day!

Thanks for visiting, Christy!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Winner!

Randomly chosen from all of yesterday's comments,
the winner of Sandy Wickersham-McWhorter's
The Winds of Fall is...

*drum roll, please!*

Rachel!

Congratulations, Rachel.
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by
and visiting here at From the Pages.

Rachel, please email me
so I can send off your prize.
Thanks!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Welcome, Sandy Wickersham-McWhorter

The Winds Of Fall



Welcome to From the Pages, Sandy. I'm so glad you took the time to stop by and visit. I have lots of questions to ask, and I want to hear all about The Winds of Fall, so if it's okay with you I'm just going to dive into the interview.

First, where do you write?

I’m one of the lucky ones that had a room I could turn into my office! I have an art table and couch as well as my writing stuff, and a wall full of books I’ve read and collected. The room overlooks the street in front of our house, and the huge window gives me an excellent view of trees, houses, and traffic. Some of the houses are from the late 1800s like mine, others are newer.

Sounds ideal for writing!

Does your family support your writing career?

My husband is more understanding than my youngest son, and my oldest son is the most understanding of all. I bounce ideas off of him or he gives me hints or reality checks, and we even do this in public. Him and I even speak Spanish back and forth “just off the top of our heads ” in public! I’m sure some people around us think we’re crazy, especially when we talk about odd plot points! That’s my idea of support, someone who’s willing to make a fool of themselves for me in public!

How did you celebrate your first contract?

I went into intensive care when I stopped breathing in December, when I got my first contract e-mail. My daughter-in-law copied it and other e-mails and sent them with my husband when he came to visit. That was on December 8th, my birthday. I couldn’t celebrate except for thanking God for it and that I was alive.

Wow. I'm certainly glad you're all right!

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

I’m working on a romantic-suspense novel about a woman who runs the Canadian ice roads for her father who can’t that year. She meets a Canadian trucker\English professor who loved her even before he met her, thanks to her father. Her dad’s enemy tries to kill her and sabotages her runs to the fabulous diamond and gold mines up in Yellowknife, Canada. I became hooked on the Ice Road Truckers on the History Channel and the story came from there. It’s part of an Ice trilogy I’m planning based 3 History Channel series.

How do you juggle all of life’s other demands with your writing career?

I fit writing in when I can. I’ve found that if you have a family you can’t neglect them totally to write books; there must be a balance. Lately my family has made more demands on my time, usurping my writing time. I do substitute teaching in lower grades, so I have an average of almost two hours each day to write when the teacher I’m replacing has a planning period, lunch, or when her students take tests. Lately I’ve not been writing much when my hubby’s home so we can be together more. When my youngest son and his family move out in February I’ll have more free time, and when my oldest gets a kidney and moves out I’ll have even more free time. In the end, family matters more than writing, but I won’t ever give it up for anyone or anything. It keeps me sane and staves off old age and Alzheimer’s.

It sounds like you've got everything well balanced.

Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?

I don’t have one favorite author. Heinlein, Wells, Bradbury, Verne, Richter, Stewart, Whitney, and Norton are all my co-favorites from the past that I still like. Today, when I take time to read, I read whatever books by members of my RWA chapter that strike my fancy; Deborah Simmons, Donna MacMeans, Lori Foster, and others, and Sherrilyn Kenyon, Susan Grant, and Stephen Hawking (yes, I’m a theoretical physics nut!). My all-time favorite book ever is Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A. Heinlein. I’ve read it at least 80 times, and no, that’s not a misprint.

Is there anything about you that would surprise your readers?

The fact that I teach college English 101 (essay writing) in three adult-male prisons. Yes, prisons. I’ve been doing it since 2000, and I love every trying minute of it! The guys are respectful, eager to learn, and never try to do anything bad. The only bad incident I’ve had all those years was when one student and his cohort folded a giant paper airplane on a break and then flew it at me during classtime. If I didn’t wear glasses it would have hit me in the eye. I feel like I’m a positive female influence to many of my students who’ve never had a mother or were abused abandoned by mothers. These inmates must have exemplary behavior records in prison and be within 5 years of being released, so my students are there to better themselves so they can try to get their lives back on track and not be repeat offenders after release.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Since I’m a Veteran who proudly served her country, I must say America, with a home in England so I can learn about my own family’s ancestors in Bolney, Sussex where they lived and died. The first Wickersham in America was my ancestor, Thomas Wickersham, who came here in 1700. Even then people knew what we know today, that with all of our problems, America is still the best country on the planet!

What is your favorite kind of cake?

Hands down devils-food, which along with Toll House cookies are my guilty pleasures. I have a recipe for the cake in a cookbook I got when I was a Brownie in elementary school. It makes the best devils-food you’ve ever tasted. I won’t use any other recipe for it! Of course, it must have that new lighter marshmallow frosting.

I am completely with you on this one. You've chosen two of my all-time favorites!

Do you have a role model?

My role model was my grandmother who I lived with from 1959 until her death in 1972. I felt like I could do no wrong in her eyes. I had security, food, warmth, and love. My imagination ran wild as I grew up with her guidance. I’d spend hours reading comic books and later books with chapters, coloring, cutting and pasting together my own rocket-ship models, writing down my dreams and turning them into short stories, playing outside all day in the summer, and riding my bicycle all over my hometown, Muncie, Indiana, staying outside until midnight.

It sounds like you had a lovely time with her. How wonderful!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

For those who are thinking about writing as a career, be prepared. If you can’t learn how to handle rejection, if you don’t love learning languages and learning new things, if you think your writing is perfect in its first draft, if you don’t like to read and never read much as a kid, if you don’t like words and playing with them, if you never drew pictures and made up stories for them in school, if you’re not observant of things around you, if you’re not willing to spend money you don’t have to keep your writing habit going, if you’re not comfortable with being with yourself a lot, if you don’t have perseverance, then you may not have what it takes to be a successful writer. Note I didn’t say published writer. Being published is only the icing on the devils-food cake of writing. Success comes when you can do all the things I listed (there’s probably 100 things I forgot) and feel like it’s your vocation, your life, your life-preserver, then you are a successful writer.

An excerpt from The Winds of Fall:

When he turned the corner to his entry’s area, he saw a woman near his canvas. She was touching it.

Wasn’t she aware of art gallery etiquette? “Hey, get your hand off my painting.”

“Leave me alone. I want to go home. I must go home.” She said in a monotone voice.

He stepped closer, and his heart jumped into his throat. Her left hand had entered his artwork, and her forearm slid in as he watched! Joe moved closer and said, “Get away from my canvas.” He could hardly breathe as he prayed no one would see them. The consequences would be unimaginable.

The woman slowly turned her head toward him. Like in some nightmarish horror movie, she looked at him with vertical cat’s-eye pupils instead of human pupils. A gasp escaped his lips. He wanted to run, to hide from what he knew the future would now bring, but horrified fascination glued his feet to the floor.

A cobalt-blue emptiness gradually replaced her green irises and the cat’s-eye pupils. He’d never seen human eyes do anything remotely like this. He blinked away his shock and regained enough control to say, “You must get away from my painting! Now.”

She didn’t respond.

Fear of being seen made Joe close the short distance to her and shake her shoulder. “If anyone sees what you’re doing—”

“Leave me alone. I want to go home. I must go home.” She replied in the same monotone. Her elbow slid into his entry as she spoke.

As her face turned back to his artwork, a knife of horrendous loneliness sliced through Joe’s mind. He had to find out what made her feel that empty and alone. People can’t survive such loneliness. He began pulling on her free arm with all his immense strength, but the force drawing her into the picture exceeded his might. Her left shoulder disappeared into his canvas as he struggled.

Hearing faint footsteps coming near kicked adrenaline into Joe’s nervous system, so he braced a foot on the wall for leverage and pulled harder.

He struggled until sweat stung his eyes, and finally, she began sliding out of his canvas. Would she be out before those footsteps brought people with them?Panic made him pull harder, and soon, Joe heard a soft whoosh as she slid out. They fell to the floor in a heap, rose perfume filling the air around them. He watched in awe as her eyes changed from empty cobalt pools to dark-green irises then normal round pupils. But, could such haunting depths ever be called normal?

The brown eyes staring into her soul fascinated Skye, but she was repulsed to find herself sprawled on top of a total stranger. How long had she been in this ungainly position? While she jumped off and stood, she assessed him. His short brown beard and long brown hair graced the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.

Sandy, that's an awesome excerpt! I'm hooked!

I'm so glad you came to visit today. I enjoyed getting to know you, and I do hope you will come back again sometime.

Readers, Sandy has generously offered a copy of her fabulous book, The Winds of Fall, to one lucky commenter. So comment away, and come back tomorrow to see if your name has been randomly chosen to win.

The Winds of Fall now available from The Wild Rose Press

http://www.sandywick.com/