Interview with author L.E. Harvey - BK Walker virtual book tour

Continuing to host the BK Walker Books' Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I have author, L.E. Harvey.

Welcome, Lauren!

Please tell us about your current release.
Unbreakable Hostage is a suspense novel about a woman who is kidnapped by one of her classmates in a Ph.D. level algebra class. This is my first suspense novel, and I’m really quite excited to see it be received as well as it has been thus far.

What inspired you to write this book?
My publisher! LOL. My publisher has been fantastic about encouraging me to branch out and to push myself as a writer. If it weren’t for her, I’d still be writing boring historical non-fiction and scientific research papers. LOL.

What exciting story are you working on next?
My next book is due for release in July. It is called Imperfect. Imperfect, and its sequel Impeccable, my current WIP, are the life story of a woman named Carol Mathers. Carol was born a sickly child and received a blood transfusion in the early 1980s as a result of her illness. Like all of us, she faces many obstacles and tragedies throughout her life. As her life progresses, she realizes just how imperfect everything really is.

She learns that she and her partner of twelve years have acquired AIDS as a result of her blood transfusion from the early 1980s. Now, not only does she battle prejudice, racism, and sexism, she also has to face the battles of being an AIDS patient.

An unexpected hostage situation causes Carol to lose everything and to be tremendously haunted by her imperfect past. Between the two books, the real question becomes: can she learn to be at peace with it all?

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As soon as I knew what a writer was! LOL. Writing has been my passion for my entire life. I wrote “novels” as a child. I had articles published in papers by the time I was in junior high/middle school. Writing has always played an integral role in my life.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do write full-time. It doesn’t sound like a real job, but trust me, it is! Besides write, I am a retired licensed vet tech, which means I’m still on-call when a friend has an animal question or need. LOL. I also have my own furry clan to tend to, and I love to tinker around on antique vehicles. My days fill up pretty quickly.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Oh boy. That’s a toughie. I ALWAYS play music when I write, and more than likely I will be singing along as I write. If I really get it into it, there may be some improvised drumming or dancing as well! LOL.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer. How boring, I know! I actually do what I wanted to do! LOL. Actually, I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to pursue my true passion. Not many people get that opportunity, so I am one lucky lady!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
There are a million things I could say here. I guess the one thing that I’d love for readers to know is that aside from Tony in Unbreakable Hostage, there is a part of me in each and every one of my characters. Whether it’s their love and devotion, their temper, their job or whatever have you, there is a piece of me in all of my characters. So as you read their stories, you’re also getting to know me! LOL.

You can learn more at my Web site, too.

Thank you for stopping by, Lauren, I wish you all the best!

Readers - leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next visitor for this virtual book tour is Cate Masters on July 7.

Interview with author Trish Silver - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continue to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author Trish Silver.

Welcome, Trish!

Please tell us about your current release, When I Remember Love.
I’d be happy to. It’s a different type of love story where I took a chance and wrote outside of the box. Aidan Price tries out for a talent reality show much like American Idol and meets the love of his life weeks before the finale. They marry quickly upon the eve of Aidan being crowned the victorious winner. However, they go from love into life and find that the music business is very demanding and threatens to take more than they can give. It’s the story of courage, sacrifice, and most of all, true love.

What inspired you to write this book?
My characters, Jenna and Aidan, came to me in a dream and wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote their love story.

What exciting story are you working on next?
The sequel, The Price Of Love.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I went to the University Of Cincinnati School of Journalism and my Semantics teacher told me someday I’d be a great writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write when the thoughts come to me and I have a husband who needs my attention too. I’m a night person so I try to be productive in the evening.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a writer and make a difference!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
My love story will inspire you in many ways!

To listen to the original music written for my book, please visit my website and select the music menu item. You can also listen to the title song, When I Remember Love by watching my book trailer video on YouTube.

My book can be purchased on my site or on Amazon.


Thank you for your time today, Trish. Best of luck with your writing.


Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the blog tour is June 29 - L.E. Harvey

Prompt Chat 7/4/10

Prompt Chat

Ladies and Gentlemen, this chat is a bit different. We're all going to stretch our creativity and see how fast we can think on our ...er...sitting down.

Audrey will throw out a prompt, and we will all write to the prompt, on the spot. When you are finished, post your work to the chatroom. We'll spend about ten minutes on each prompt, then we'll move on to the next one.

So there is pressure, and there is stress. Hopefully, good stress that will inspire your creativity. Remember to give credit to TWC when a prompt turns into that best-selling novel!

Get ready to kick your creativity into high gear. Shake those cobwebs out of your head, limber up your typing fingers, and prepare to rock your brain!




WHEN?

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com


WHERE?
The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Don't forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

Interview with author Patti Hultstrand - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continue to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author Patti Hultstrand.

Welcome, Patti!

Please tell us about your current release, Rescue in Time.
Rescue In Time is book 2 in the Chasing Time series, behind last year’s Time Conquers All.

In Time Conquers All, Tamea, a nineteen-year old warrior princess from the India region of the world in the late 1500s, is being plagued by disturbing dreams and visions of the future. Tamea is assigned to protect a visiting king from a neighboring country while their two countries solidify a treaty that will benefit both countries. This king brings with him assassins that want to kill him and his family who are hiding a bigger secret regarding the origins of his country.

This king is not who he seems, and Tamea must unravel the intrigue that surrounds him and his country, but even more important, she must find out why he has been haunting her dreams and visions.

In book 2, Rescue In Time due to release this month, we find Tamea and Parker are connected by more than just their countries' alliances, but have a destiny to discern. Tamea continues to have the disturbing vision where Parker dies in her arms from a successful assassins bullet. She is subconsciously trying to solve the outcome to save his life in the future.

Meanwhile, in the 1500s, Tamea and Parker must take their countries to war with their neighboring country of Bengal who have been implicated as the mastermind behind the assassination attempts on both of their families' lives. Tamea must learn that not all those close to her can be trusted, maybe not even the man she loves.

What inspired you to write this book?
I gummed on Ray Bradbury's stories back in Jr. High and became my first love. When I met Mr. Bradbury back in 1986, I started following some of his writing theories and life lessons. I used one of those when writing Time Conquers All: in writing your story, not stopping until it is written, then go back and edit, edit, edit.

What exciting story are you working on next?
In my own writing: I have been working on Mahal which is a historical romance about the fictionalized story behind the Taj Mahal. And I am working on The Bad Easter Bunny for release early next year. (I may be changing this title – not sure yet). And I am working on a set of short stories all set in “The Center of Time Bar” which will also be written as a screenplay for television.

While I do these projects, I will also be sending to edit, book 3 and 4 in the Chasing Time series, both for Ebook release by end of this year, but not out in print until 2011.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was asked for my autograph, I knew I was an author. Then I reconfirmed I was a writer when I received my first review.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
It would be the latter. I own and run several businesses in graphic design and book publishing and work at a print shop as work comes in that I am needed to design. I have been a graphic designer for over 20 years, and have been a graphic design business owner for over 16 of those years. It has been since 2008 that I added book publishing services and website design to my list of business interests.

How do I find time to write?
That is the toughest question – because I really don’t write as much as I would like and probably should.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Hmmm – I write directly from my thoughts into the keyboard. My most effective way to write has been to fly by the seat of my pants, so to speak. I have tried other peoples’ methods of writing an outline and writing scenes, then going back and pulling them together. These methods don’t work for me and is why Book 5 in the Chasing Time series is still such a mess. So, I’m not taking any more advice.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A ballerina and a singer. Unfortunately, I have weak ankles and can’t sing all that well. But, I can dance and have rhythm. And I ooze way too much creativity to not do something with it all, so I became a graphic designer, web designer and a writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I am a more complicated reader so I write more complicated plots that when I finally solve the core conflict, it is my belief that people will wonder how in the world I came up with this resolution. And then they will want to go back and read them again to see how I did this. Example of my kind of complex epic would be the Amber series by Roger Zelazny.

I had an agent recently tell me that they loved the idea I was leading in this series, but he felt I couldn’t hold the overall story arc together to complete the series. It is my goal to prove him wrong and to bring another complex series with characters you will miss when the overall story is done.

People can learn more about me at my blog: http://azpublishingservices.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your time, Patti. I wish you all the best with your writing and publishing endeavors!

Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the blog tour is June 28 - Janet Friesler

Interview with Dallas Woodburn, author and founder of Write On! For Literacy- Part 2

I am pleased to welcome Dallas Wooburn back to Reviews and Interview. Dallas is a prolific writer and is founder of a non-profit called Write On! For Literacy which she started in her teens.

This is the second of 3 parts as a way to introduce the readers of Reviews and Interviews to this inspiring woman.

Dallas, thank you for visiting Reviews and Interviews again.

Last month we introduced you to readers. Today I'd like you to tell us about your non-profit organization, Write On! For Literacy.

So, what does Write On! For Literacy entail?
In a recent national assessment conducted by the National Literacy Institute (NLI) of fourth-grade students, 13% reported never reading for fun on their own; an additional 16% only read for fun once a month. I think this is a travesty. Reading has brought me so much excitement, confidence and has opened so many doors for me, including a tremendous college education and a career that I love.

Writing and reading have given me so much fulfillment and self-confidence, and opportunities that I never would have been given otherwise – like traveling to New York to be a guest on The CBS Early Show when I was writing a column for Family Circle magazine. I feel other kids should be exposed to writing and reading as well, to encourage their self-confidence and self-expression. When I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, in fifth grade, the teachers in my elementary school asked me to talk to their classes, and then I spoke to other classes throughout the school district.

I still enjoy talking to kids about writing. At the beginning of my talk, I ask the kids if any of them are interested in writing, and usually a few shy hands raise. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I ask the same question, a lot more hands raise. The students told me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They thought they had to wait until they were adults.

How did Write On! For Literacy come about?
I started "Write On! For Literacy" in 2001 to encourage kids to discover joy, confidence, a means of self-expression and connection to others through reading and writing.

My website www.writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I also hold an annual Holiday Book Drive to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids -- more than 10,000 books have been donated to date.

What was your main goal when you started your website, www.writeonbooks.org?
With my website I wanted to create a place where young writers can go to find resources and inspiration, as well as connect with other young writers.

I started the site to coincide with my latest endeavor, which is starting a publishing company, Write On! Books, that publishes anthologies of stories, poems and essays written by young writers for young audiences.

The goal is to give young people a much-needed outlet for expression and connection, while also hopefully inspiring a love of reading in youth. As a young writer, sometimes it can be hard to get people to take you seriously and get editors to even read your work. I believe that young people have a voice and opinions and a life perspective that just as important as the voice of adults. Moreover, there are so many books for young people that are written by adults – but who knows what it's like to be a kid better than a kid herself?

I am eager to read submissions from young writers -- they can e-mail me at dallaswoodburn@aol.com or visit my website www.writeonbooks.org for more information.

Thanks, Dallas!

Next month, July 21, we'll have you talk about your passion for writing.

Live chat/interview with C. Hope Clark 6/27/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents C. Hope Clark.

WHEN?

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with author B. Swangin Webster - BK Walker virtual book tour

As I continuing to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author B. Swangin Webster.

Welcome, B.!

Please tell us about your current release, And Again…Let Me Say This, the sequel to Let Me Just Say This.
My current release continues the story of Cheryl and Matthew, after the divorce. Cheryl has tried to move on with her life, however she is battling an out of control daughter, trying to cope with a new love in her son’s life, and trying to manage being in a relationship with her new boyfriend. However, old habits die hard and she still allows her ex husband to control her and abuse her.

What inspired you to write this book?
I had to write this book as the first book, Let Me Just Say This, left a lot of unanswered questions. If I had continued writing the first book, it would have ended up like War and Peace, over 400 pages, and for a first novel, I didn’t think many people would pick up a book by an “unknown” that was as thick as an encyclopedia

What exciting story are you working on next?
Oh, I’m so glad you asked! I am finishing up the trilogy. Let Me Just Say This became a series, and I am currently working on the final chapter of the series. And I’ll share this, it is entitled, Once and For All.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
LOL, well I always considered myself a writer. I can’t remember a time, when I wasn’t writing. I absolutely LOVE to write and I never was the type to give a birthday card straight from the store, without adding something to the inside and under my name. Most people said, “why don’t you just write your own card, instead of wasting your money, because you ALWAYS have to write something.” Once a year, I always give a “run down” of the previous years events to everyone in their Christmas gift, kinda like a newsletter. Good, Bad and Ugly!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Yes, I write full time. OK, that’s not exactly true. I do have a “regular” job, but I write at “work” too. I work in a middle school, in the guidance department and although it gets busier than a bee hive in the summer time, I find myself carrying around a mini steno notebook and jotting down notes all day. By the time I leave work, I have written almost 10-20 pages of my book. I normally don’t “find” time to write, it finds me.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My most interesting quirk, umm, would have to be that I talk out loud to my characters. I literally tell them to “shut up” or sit down” or “calm down”. At first my family thought I was talking to them when I would be holding conversations, but then they quickly learned that when they see me with a notebook or my laptop, that I’m “talking to my other family”…LOL

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
LOL….I actually wanted to be an Executive Assistant, for someone like Donald Trump. Call me crazy, but that is what I equated being successful as being. I wanted to dress like the people from Dallas or Falcon Crest. (oh my I’m telling my age, aren’t I?) I had it all worked out. I would move to NY City and live in a high rise apartment and wear stilettos and business suits all day. Now, even though I don’t live in NY City, I do wear stiletto’s every day, and although I don’t wear suits, I would call myself a fashsionista.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Yes, I love writing and reading and I hope that people give serious thought to the art of writing and reading. If you pick up a good book, and immerse yourself in it, you will find that reading and/or writing is something that doesn’t cost a lot of money and that you will actually enjoy it. I have also started mentoring new authors, as my way of paying it forward. When I got published, I was a fish out of water, now I swim with the big fish, and I’m loving it!

Thank you for opening up your forum to host me as well as other authors. I welcome feedback and love talking/chatting/emailing/calling people that contact me.

Thank you for your time today, B., and I wish you well on the blog tour and with your books.


Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for this virtual book tour is Pattie Hulstrand on June 26.

Interview with author David Fingerman - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continue to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author David Fingerman.

Welcome, David!

Please tell us about your current release.
Well, Silent Kill hasn't actually been released yet, but it should be out very soon. It's about Louise Miller, a lesbian cop trying to track down the person who murdered a fellow officer, and one of her few friends on the force. It's about her brother, Andrew (aka New Age), who's trying to be the best Sheriff's Deputy he can be. It's about Melanie Cartier, a lawyer set on getting revenge for her clients, and then for herself. It's about William Gillespy, a psychiatrist who feels that the world is out to get him. It's about Elias who just wishes people would do what he says. And tying them all together, it's about SK, a rottweiler.

What kind of research do you do to make your novels realistic?
For Silent Kill, I took part in the Citizens Academy run by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department and learned a lot about procedure. I was also fortunate enough to go on a couple of ride-a-longs with deputy sheriffs. Also, working for bunches of years in the court system, I picked up a thing or two.

Did anything in the writing of the current book come as a surprise to you?
Very much so. When I started writing this book, Andrew was the main protagonist. Louise was going to be a very minor character used mostly to guide him along, being that he was a rookie. The deeper into the book I got, the more Louise started taking over. Halfway through it became clear that she was going to be the central character. I had to do a lot of rewriting in the early chapters.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
This is my first novel and quite a learning experience. I'd probably spend more time working on an outline. After the first draft I read it over and noticed some places where the timeline made no sense. People were reacting to things that hadn't happened yet. I'm guessing some astute readers might catch that.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I'm working on a horror novel. I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just say that it's going to be very evil and very slimy.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do write full time. My typical day is get up and grab a Diet Mountain Dew for breakfast (I know, I know, but I don't drink coffee and it's my caffeine fix), check email, read the paper online (do the crossword puzzle and crypto quip, then get to work for a few hours, take a break for about an hour, then work a few more hours. Yup – I lead one exciting life.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
In the evening I pretty much veg out in front of the TV (again, that life in the fast lane). I also love walking and there's a number of wonderful lakes around here to walk around. Occasionally I'll even find time to exercise.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was torn between a veterinarian and a motorcycle gang leader. Didn't have the aptitude for either one.

Anything else you’d like to share with the audience?
Other than my books, I think I've shared too much already.

Thank you for your time, today, David. Best of luck with your writing and the rest of the blog tour.

Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the blog tour is June 21 - B. Swangin Webster

Live chat/interview with fiction author Linda S. Clare 6/20/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents Linda S. Clare.

WHEN?

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with author Ya Ya Badasu - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

Welcome, Readers, to Reviews and Interviews' interview with Ya Ya Z. Badasu another author from BK Walker Books, Authors Promoting Authors virtual book tour. Here is a listing of the full schedule.

Ya Ya, welcome!


Please tell us about your current release.
The title of my book is, Reflections: Thoughts, Passions, and Truths. It is a book of poetry that is centered around the Black American community; however, I believe that it will appeal to men and women of all backgrounds. My book consists of love poems, sex poems, and poems about everyday life.

What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always loved to write. I kept a record of all of my poems on my computer. It didn’t take too long to realize that I had quite a few poems. I never intended on having a book, it was just a collection of my work.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m always writing. I’m not sure what you’d call it, but I’m still writing poems, and I’m getting another small collection. I guess that I’m just like you all. I can’t wait to see what’s going to come of this next collection.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I really didn’t consider myself a writer until I found out that I was being published. I was just a person who kept a record of my feelings on a computer. I’ve always admired writers, but I just couldn’t put myself into that category. Writers were so much above what I was doing. I admired them, but now, I’m one of them.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I don’t write as often as I’d like to write. I keep a journal, but my poetry is only written when I have something on my mind or in my heart. I’m a full-time student, so my day is filled with going to class and studying. When I have free time, I’m writing.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t know. There really isn’t any one thing that I have to do in order to write. I will say, however, when inspiration hits, I have to stop everything. I’ve been late to class because I’ve had the urge to write. I know that it is almost impossible to recreate a mood just the way it was when you were first inspired, so I just drop everything for my writing’s sake.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I come from a family of educators, and teaching is the one profession that I’ve always wanted to do. I’m studying now so that I can become a high school English teacher. It’s nice to make your dreams come true.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I hope that you all enjoy my book, and I promise that I’ll keep writing and keep sharing.

Thank you for your time, Ya Ya. Have fun with the rest of the virtual book tour!

Ya Ya's book can be found here.

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for this virtual book tour is June 16 - David Fingerman.

Interview with author Sindee Lynn - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

Today, Reviews and Interviews welcomes Sindee Lynn, as part of the BK Walker's Authors Promoting Authors virtual book tour. Their full schedule is here.

Welcome, Sindee!

Please tell us about your current release.
Prince's Donor is about Syrian Roskonovich, the Vampire Prince. He is set to take over from his father when he finds out his current human donor has been cheating on him with his cousin. While he's coping with that his father sends him away to a small town in Washington to handle a family land dispute to get him out of Chicago and allow time for the situation to diffuse. While he's there he finds himself in a terrible state of blood lust because he hasn't been feeding properly. His only option is to turn to the database he helped create. His search leads him to Jenna James, an overweight accountant who has had her name on the database for 4 years. Lately thoughts of removing her name are more common than thoughts of some mystery vampire showing up at her door in need of what she can offer. But that's exactly what happens when she opens her door and finds Syrian on the other side.

What inspired you to write this book?
I love vampire romance novels, but sometimes they have a tendency to read the same. So I wanted to come up with something completely different in the donor database. You would think that if vampires, who need blood to survive, have 1 specific place to go and get their needs met (blood and sex) then they would all be happy, but that's not the case. There are some who don't like the idea of the database. They believe it's causing a great race of people who should be ruling the humans to become civilized.

What kind of research do you do to make your novels realistic?
One of the good things about writing vampire romance is you pretty much can make alot of it up... lol. But I will admit I do watch a lot of vampire movies and I read alot of vampire romance novels to make sure that I am keeping up with the way the world is seeing vampires and any new trends or takes on them and their world.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I am currently working on the next installment of my Donor Series. The next book delves deeper into those out to destroy the database and tells the story of Syrian's cousin and co-founder of the database, Johnna St Claire.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably not until recently when my Editor at my publishing company, Passionate Writer, sent me an email and told me that Prince's Donor was on the e-book best seller list and I was beating out Lori Foster. Then she asked if I knew who Lori Foster is. I'm like of course I know. I think the reality of my dream coming true began to really sink in then.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Oh, goodness I wish I could write full time. I actually have a full time job, I help with my daughter's competition cheering squad and a boys basketball team... so there's not alot of extra time. So I write when I can. I find myself staying up late at night to get it in or I will sometimes take a day off from work just to write especially if I'm working on a new story idea or trying to get one ready to send a manuscript out.

Anything you’d like to share with the audience?
To all my fellow aspiring writers, I would say never give up on your dream and don't give up on yourself. Find those faithful few or a faithful 1 who won't allow you to give up on what you really want.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I spend alot of time with my daughter. I try to be involved. She's a teenager and I believe now more than before I need to make sure I find time just for us.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer of course - ever since I was 13 I knew what I was going to do. And now ... lol .. quite a few years later, I am making it happen.

Thank you for your time today. Best of luck with you writing and the rest of the virtual book tour.

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

Live chat/Interview with thriller author Mike Lawson - 6/13/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents Mike Lawson.

WHEN?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Review - Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery

Recovering from any addiction starts with acknowledging the problem. In Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery, stories from everyday people at various stages of addiction and recovery put their honest personal lives, most of which aren’t pretty, on the page to help others.

Raw is the word that comes to mind when trying to describe this book. Reading each story is like sitting with the author and watching them open a vein. The tales are not for the weak. There’s no holding back. What they have to say is put there on the page. Addiction is not pretty and recovery is difficult, at best. So many lives are impacted by addiction and Tales of Addiction is a mere glimpse into a few realities. Love, interventions, pleading, and begging can be used to try to help an addicted person, but only the addicted have the ultimate power to make the changes. The inspiration gained from the stories uplifts and gives hope for a better tomorrow.

The author includes portions of her son’s journal as he struggled with addiction and recovery, along with her emotions and feelings woven between the other individual and unique heart-wrenching tales. Very few people aren’t touched by addiction in some way. Minimal editing was done in order to preserve the individual voices and each new story is indicated with a bold title. The chapters are broken into categories such as “The Early Years,” “Hitting Rock Bottom,” Searching for Recovery,” “Difficult Lessons,” and “The Spiritual Path.”

Barbara Sinor, Ph.D. is a Psychospiritual Therapist dealing with childhood abuse/incest, PTSD, addiction recover, and adult children of alcoholics. She has several published books on her areas of expertise. The content for Tales of Addiction is in direct response to a public “call for submissions” asking for the stories from those who wanted to share them.

The stories in this book reach out to anyone who has an addiction, is recovering, has recovered, or is part of the life of someone in any of these stages. The stories let you know you aren’t alone and that there is hope. A good read.

Available at: www.amazon.com.

Reviewed for Allbooks Review.

Publisher: Modern History Press
ISBN: 978-1-61599-037-5
Pages: 264
Price: $19.95

Review - Shadow of Betrayal by Brett Battles

Shadow of Betrayal
Written by: Brett Battles
Fiction / International thriller
Rated: Excellent (*****)
Review by: Lisa Haselton

Jonathan Quinn is back on the scene. This time he’s doing three contracts with no questions asked for one of his past clients. The premise sets the tone, doesn’t it? If someone can get a no-questions-asked promise from you, you know the tasks won’t be easy. And they certainly aren’t for Quinn.

Quinn is back to work in Shadow of Betrayal. His apprentice, Nate is ready and willing to do whatever needs done, but Quinn harbors guilt and struggles with having Nate on the job. When Orlando is able to join the duo, Quinn wants some time off to enjoy time with his woman, but that would be too easy. Quinn is a professional “cleaner,” and he has a contract to fulfill. The job comes first.

It pays to have connections and technology to sift through data and find answers, but sometimes being able to do a good job comes down to old-fashioned investigation, observation, and following your gut. Jonathan Quinn is intelligent, crafty, and conscientious about everything he does.

Author Brett Battles pays attention to the details and writes stories that keep his audience engaged. His ability to make the reader care about the readers is remarkable. It’s as though the reader is on the characters’ shoulders every minute of every scene. The fast pace of the circumstances makes for a lot happening in a short time, but Battles keeps the reader focused every step of the way. Battles has crafted a team of characters each with their own lives, yet when they are focused on their work, they are a cohesive team. The writing is detailed without wasting a word.

This is Battles' third Jonathan Quinn novel. The first novel, The Cleaner, was nominated for a Shamus Award for Best First Novel in 2008. The second in the series, The Deceived, won the Barry Award for Best Thriller 2008. The paperback of Shadow of Betrayal released May 25. The next in the series will give the reader a glimpse into Quinn before he became “the cleaner.” Stay tuned!

Brett Battles writes full time from cafés across the globe, but mostly near his home in California. He’s currently putting the finishing touches a middle grade book. He has a standalone novel, unrelated to the Quinn series, No Return, due out in April 2011.

If you love thrillers, have a penchant for James Bond’s international travels, or enjoy a story that gets the adrenaline pumping, Shadow of Betrayal is a must read. It is non-stop action on every page. Once you start reading, don’t plan to stop until the last page.


Title: Shadow of Betrayal
Author: Brett Battles
Publisher: Bantam Dell
ISBN: 978-0-440-24372-4
Pages: 498
Price: $7.99

Interview with author Susan Hanniford Crowley - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continue to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author Susan Hanniford Crowley.

Susan, thank you for stopping by.

Please tell us about your current release.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais is a supernatural/vampire adventure romance and my debut full length novel. When we meet Laura, she's in a desperate way clinging to the Brooklyn Bridge after being dumped by her fiancé, learning her mother has died, and being mugged all the same day. Laura has no idea she has inherited her mother's Telkhine powers. She thinks she wants to die, but changes her mind and slips.

Vampire David Hilliard longs for love and has just asked God to take pity on his loneliness, when he has heart stopping pain and a vision of a woman falling into the East River. He plunges in after her and realizes there is only one way to save her life. He has no idea what it means to love a Telkhine. Would he be willing to die for her?

Blurb:
LIGHTNING
Being descended from an ancient race blessed by Zeus doesn't help Telkhine Laura Cordelais, when she's desperate and standing between life and death. Her destiny looks bleak. Every choice leads to death, and there is no winning door. Or is there?
THUNDER
Begging God for love, Vampire David Hilliard finds his request answered in the form of the tormented and dying Laura. In saving her, he falls in love and dooms them both to a dark underworld of voodoo and sorcery from which nothing can escape.
THE STORM BEGINS
Curses, Keres, demons, oh, my! And the unicorn's horn.

It's available in Kindle at Amazon books and other fine ebook stores. I'm awaiting news on the print date..

What inspired you to write this book?
Dreams. I dreamt Laura and David's story. All my stories come from dreams. That's what inspired the Vampires in Manhattan series. The prequel is When Love Survives, which is about Regina, a half leprechaun/half elf college student on her way to her internship in the World Trade Center, and Gregor, a shapeshifter financial advisor who pulls her into a coffee shop minutes before the plane hits the tower. During their efforts as rescue workers, they fall in love. This book introduces David, as another rescue worker. It's available here.

Then I dreamt the sequel to The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, which is A Vampire for Christmas. This story is about Georgia, a human with a rare supernatural gift who is marked for death by demons. But she thinks her problem is the stalker — the man who keeps staring at her reflection in the storefront window. Vampire and Arnhem Knight, Trevor Stenwood is tongue-tied at the sight of the woman he loves. How is he going to protect her if she's afraid of him?

I had a lot of fun with this story as Laura and David show up in it as backup Arnhem Knights, and Trevor is so much fun in how he tries to solve his problem with Georgia and keeps messing up. It's available here.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I'm working on a vampire/shapeshifter romantic comedy called Vampire in the Basement. It's in the edits stage going back and forth between my editor at Tease Publishing LLC and me.

I reprise a lot of the characters from the previous books including David and the Arnhem Knights and I've added some fun and amazing new characters.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was eight, I became a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I work part-time as a webmaster and full-time as a writer. My schedule became so hectic this year, I had to buy a planner to keep everything straight. I write some mornings, all evenings, and every day (including weekends and holidays) on my days off. I have a notebook and pen I keep in my purse for constant writing. Sometimes I bring my editing tote bag with me to appointments. I edit in waiting rooms.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I collect dragons — stuffed toy ones and porcelain figurines. My favorite dragons are by the artist Andrew Bill. I usually have them around me when I write. I find them inspiring.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An actress and a novelist. I tried acting and found I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. As for being a novelist, writing is like breathing for me. Novelists create their lives. I'm very much into that.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I'm very excited as I'm an attending author at Authors After Dark 2010-Romance Unlimited. September 17-19, 2010 at the Harmon Meadow Holiday Inn, in Secaucus, NJ.

Registration is still open. When you read on you'll find the conference (includes 5 meals) is very generous. Considering the events, meals, authors, it's going to be a blast. Here are only a few of the authors in attendance:

Jacquelyn Frank
Diana Castilleja
Susan Hanniford Crowley
Bianca D'Arc
Stella and Audra Price
Jessica Andersen
Leanna Renee Hieber
and more ... lots more. Go to the site to see the full list of attending authors.

I'm going to be carrying around a goodie bag and giving out a small token of my esteem to anyone who walks up to me at the Authors After Dark convention and says they saw this on Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews (while my supply lasts), so be sure to say hi.

And if you'd like to learn more about me, you can find me at my Web site, blog, follow me on Twitter, or find me on Facebook as Susan Hanniford Crowley.

Thank you for your time, today, Susan. All the best with your writing and the rest of the virtual blog tour!


Readers, leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the blog tour is June 7 - Sindee Lynn

Interview with author Vogue - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

As I continuing to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today I welcome author Vogue.

Welcome, Vogue!

Please tell us about your current release, which releases today through Passionate Writer Publishing.
Diamonds in the Rough tells the story of Carmen Davenport, a twenty-one year old college student, hailing from Brookstone, New York. Carmen is the perfect example of the “good girl.” She also comes from a high class background. Her father owns his own real estate firm while her mother owns her clothing store, Flame, which Carmen is set to inherit. Carmen’s life is ultimately changed when she meets Jay Santiago, a Puerto Rican drug lord, at a local diner. Instantly, they become attracted to each other and begin to date. During the course of their relationship, Carmen inherits her mother’s clothing store, which is headed towards bankruptcy. Possessing an ambitious spirit, Carmen begins searching for every lifeline possible to save the struggling store.

What inspired you to write this book?
In most street fiction-based novels, there seemed to be an absence of a high-class, female character that becomes a victim of a criminal enterprise. Most of these characters grew up in public housing and did not have good support systems. There was also an absence of spirituality in the storylines. Wanting to create a female character that was well off, innocent and ambitious, but who slowly transitions into a femme fatale, the idea of Diamonds in the Rough was born.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Diamonds in the Rough is the first part of a ten book series known collectively as, The Diamond Collection. Diamonds are Forever, is the second book in the series, which has been accepted by my publisher. Currently, I am rewriting and editing the third book in the series, which is entitled The Ace of Diamonds.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I first considered myself as a writer when I was in high school. I had started working on a series of novels entitled Urban Drama and it was through that experience that I discovered my desire to be a published author.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do not write full-time, but my mind is always focused on writing. When I am at work, I always carry a notebook around with me just to write ideas down in. If I am adamant about finishing a book, I push aside all other tasks in my life to concentrate on writing.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My most interesting writing quirk is that I outline each one of my novels. Before I even start working on a novel, I know exactly how many chapters the novel will have as well as what is set to occur in each chapter. Therefore, when I actually start writing, I stay on track with the plot as well as the timeframe.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. My mother was a teacher and I simply wanted to follow in her footsteps. As I got older, I realized that teaching wasn’t for me. I always had a desire to express myself creatively and I knew that ultimately, my goal was to become either a published author or poet.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Besides writing, another one of my pastimes is blogging. You can visit my blog at www.simplyvogue.net.

Thank you for your time today, Vogue, and I wish you well on the blog tour and with your books.


Readers - leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the tour is tomorrow, Susan Hanniford Crowley.