Interview with inspirational writer Philip Johnsey

Today I have an interview with the author of Climb that Fence and Take that Leap - Philip Johnsey. The book falls into the pets/body, mind & spirit/inspiration, and personal growth categories.

Philip will be awarding a $50 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too!

Bio:

Raised on a farm and having been a volunteer at different animal rescues, it’s no surprise that Phil’s book is about animals and the connections we share.

From Phil’s first high school job to present, he’s spent his career working with clients, explaining complex ideas in an easy to understand manner. Phil enjoys using his talents to make a positive difference and sharing all the things he learns along the way.

You’ll often find Phil outdoors exploring and sharing his experiences via writing, photography, or videography. Phil’s credits include, multiple I.T. certifications, Reiki master, photographer, author of two blogs, author of the Backyard Tourist column, contributor to Bucketlistpublications.com and whatever else he can get into.

Welcome, Phil. Please tell us about your current release.

The book is a compilation of my personal animal stories and the insights I learned from watching them. Pet lovers can attest that each animal has its distinct personality and mannerism, so its easy to appreciate the diversity of the stories. I wrote it to be easy to read, almost conversational and nothing too heavy. Just a good read that encourages readers to make positive changes and also pay more attention to their furry friends.

People often think the book is entirely about cats because of the cover photo. There are three stories that involve cats and two about turtles so it’s an entertaining mix. After publishing the book, I thought of even more stories. Maybe that’ll be the sequel.

What inspired you to write this book?

It was actually a combination of things. As a volunteer I saw heart wrenching animal stories both happy and sad. Each time I volunteered, I kept thinking I really wanted to bring more awareness to the animals but in a positive manner and not in an extreme way. Itt was one of those ideas that got lost in the far reaches of my brain.

At the same time, I was writing a lot of stories about my personal life insights and realized that most of them involved animals. Well it wasn’t long before it hit me that I could put my stories in a book, which could inspire others as well as bring positive awareness to animals. So I took the leap….

Excerpt:

Ever since I took Keiko to the park that day and let her out every evening, she was wired. Every morning she was under foot, walking around the kitchen and living room. I’d be upstairs getting dressed and here would come this spindly, almost wobbly cat blasting up the stairs. At times, it was really annoying to hear the constant meowing, so I’d pick her up. “What is your problem?” I’d ask. I thought she might be in pain.

As soon as I picked her up, all I heard was the familiar sound of contentment: purring.

What had changed with her? I had not given her any different medicine, and she had become skinnier by the day. But something was obviously different.

Let’s see, she went from just hanging around the house and receiving whatever “leftover” attention I had to being the first to receive attention. She received my attention first and foremost, and we spent quality time together.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Currently what’s taking up most of my writing time is travel blogging. It’s a place where I can combine my writing, photography/videography, and showcase great places local and far. My laptop has folders with book ideas ranging from my experience hiking the Grand Canyon, my dad, and other diverse story lines. I seriously could write for weeks and not get through it all.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Ironically, I’m still getting used to that term. I’ve been writing off/on for several years, but never thought I would get published. Then it happened, without any effort or fanfare; I posted a story online about an event at a state park where I volunteered. I wrote the article as if I was talking and didn’t think much about it. I figured it’d be another online post that would get lost in the cyberspace.

About a week later, a friend called and asked “have you seen the paper”. “I don’t get the paper, why do you ask?” I responded. She laughed and said you’ll see at when you visit the park. I went to visit the state park and the ranger excitedly took me to a room and pointed to the wall. I just stared in disbelief; it was my article published in the local paper.

I was stunned at how easily it happened. I really didn’t put that much effort into the story; I just wrote what I felt. (I’ve since learned those make the best stories!)

It only takes that one someone or event to give you that much needed boost. That article was the turning point. I began submitting more stories, became a regular in the paper and just kept writing from there.

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?

Officially, I work in systems administration and information security. However, I really enjoy being creative so I also write a column titled Backyard Tourist that highlights local places to explore. These articles are published on our website and in a local online magazine. Where I work, we have our own T.V. station, and each month I find a positive story to write, interview and host.

In my “spare” time I write a weekly article for the travel blog, bucketlistpublications.com and for my own blog, theworldaccording2phil.com. By the time I get home, cook dinner, and exercise, it’s close to 9pm.

To squeeze it all in, I schedule certain evenings where all I do is write. I’ll pick something simple for dinner like leftovers so I can just come home and get to it. I have a list of articles that I work from so I always know what I need to complete. If I didn’t do that, I’d never get it all done.

Currently I have enough things to write that I could literally spend all day writing so I’m deciding how to focus more on writing and less on work.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I usually start an article with a question as if we’re having a conversation. I really like to have the reader feel like we’re talking to each other.

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

I wanted to be a teacher or an engineer and ironically I’m doing a little bit of both now via the technical and writing. I really enjoy working with people and knowing how things work so those two paths work well together.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

First off; thank you for following my blogs and reading my book. It’s really fun to hear other people’s stories and connect with them. I bump into a lot of people who want to write a book and I enjoy sharing my experiences. One thing I often forget to explain is that writing a book will change you in a lot of positive ways. For example, I really wanted my writing to be more soulful and several life changing experiences brought that out. I wouldn’t change what I’ve learned, continue to learn and the great people I’ve met along the way for anything. 

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Thank you, Phil!

Interview with historical romance author Collette Cameron

Today's focus is on historical romance author Collette Cameron, and her latest novel The Viscount's Vow.

Collette will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of Highlander's Hope, the first book in the series, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. For a chance to win, leave a comment below. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too!

Bio:

Multipublished historical romance author Collette Cameron has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She only teaches part-time so she has time for her greatest passion: writing. Collette’s been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

Welcome, Collette. Please tell us about your current release.

The Viscount’s Vow is a Regency with a twist; the heroine is part Roma (gypsy). Though part of the story takes place in London, a good deal of it is set in a Romani encampment.  

Evangeline Caruthers is the last woman Viscount Warrick, could ever love—a Jezebel responsible for his brother’s and father’s deaths. Vangie thinks Ian’s a foul-tempered blackguard, who set out to ruin her, then found himself snared in his own trap. He’s the last in his family line, and his stepmother’s determined to dispose of the newlyweds so her daughter can inherit. Only by trusting each other can Ian and Vangie overcome scandal and murderous betrayal.

What inspired you to write this book?

While I was writing my first book, Highlander’s Hope, which is about Vangie’s cousin Yvette, I kept getting ideas about a story for Vangie. Some of the plot elements I’d already created in Highlander’s Hope, so it was only natural to take it a step further and write Vangie her own romance.  

Excerpt:

Wedding Reception Scene.

“You didn't eat much, wife.”

They were alone on the dance floor. Ian deftly twirled Vangie around his aunt's smallish ballroom, mindful of the interested eyes watching them.

Stealing a glance at the smiling and nodding onlookers, he suppressed a frown. He felt like a curiosity on display at Bullock's Museum. He wished others would take to the floor, so he could dispense with the devoted bridegroom facade.

The twelve courses at dinner had been tortuous. His wife hadn’t taken more than a dozen bites nor said as many words. He'd tried to eat the succulent foods Aunt Edith had gone to such efforts to have prepared, but his anger made everything dry as chalk and every bit as tasteless.

“I'd not much appetite, my lord.”

He chuckled. “Don't you think you might address me by my given name, wife?”

“Why?” she asked pertly. “I've known you but four days, certainly not long enough to be so familiar with you.”

He lowered his head, breathing in her ear, very aware every eye in the room was trained on them. He'd give them something to gossip about. “Because I want you to, wife, and you did promise to obey.”

He nipped her ear.

She jumped and a tiny yelp of surprise escaped before she clamped her lips together. Her eyes were shooting sparks again, only this time they were directed at him.

“What's my name, wife?”

“Please, don't call me that. I too have a name, as you well know.”

Drawing her closer, her breasts pressing against the breadth of his chest and cresting the edge of her bodice, he murmured, “Indeed, but Evangeline sounds . . . angelic, and we both know you're no such thing.”

“Pardon?” She stiffened, trying to shove away from him. “I don't under—”

His head descended again. “Say it, or I'll trace your ear with my tongue.”

He grinned as her breath hissed from between clenched teeth. She stumbled, her fingers digging into his shoulder and hand. A very becoming flush swept across her face.

“Will you cease?” Her worried gaze careened around the room. “We're being watched.”

Voice husky, he said, “Say my name, sweeting.” Giving her a gentle squeeze, he started to dip his head, caressing her elegant neck with his hot breath.

“Ian, your name is Ian,” she gasped breathlessly, twisting her head away.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I just finished The Earl’s enticement, the third book in the trilogy, and am actually starting two books. One is another Regency about a character mentioned in The Viscount’s Vow and introduced in The Earl’s Enticement and the other book is a paranormal inspiration. Both of those books have been pestering me to write them and neither wants to wait for the other, so I’m going to attempt to write two at once. Should prove interesting!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I finally really considered myself a writer when I finished my first book, though it was nowhere near ready to submit for publishing. The finished product though confirmed to me I could write a novel. Then when it was accepted for publication, well...I confess to doing the happy dance while squealing loudly!

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’m not quite a full-time writer, though I’m getting there. I substitute teach and up until last year, was pursuing a full-time teaching position. I’ve been doing long-term subs (in fact I’m finishing up one November 1^st) but the more I wrote, I realized as much as I love teaching, I love writing more.

So, after discussing it with the hubby, we decided I should pursue my dream of full-time writing. I plan on doing a minimal amount of subbing, just to keep my license current and stay in touch with my teacher friends, and concentrate my time and energy on writing.

On days I don’t teach, I try to be at my computer by 8:00 am, though I rarely make it. Days I teach, I spend a couple of hours each evening writing.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hmm, I have to have complete silence to write. I can’t even have background music. I’ve tried, but because I’m also a musical person, I end up either singing or stopping to listen. I also always have one of my doxies, Ayva, with me. Half the time she insists on being in my lap, and I end up with a numb rear-end.

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

An interpreter or an interior decorator! I actually am a certified interior decorator but life took me in another direction, which I’m very grateful for.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I do love to hear from my readers. Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

You can connect with me through these avenues:

Website | Blue Rose | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter  

Amazon buy link | Book trailer

Live chat w/dark fic author Damien Walters Grintalis - Oct 20, 7-9PM EST

The Writer's Chatroom presents dark fiction author Damien Walters Grintalis.

WHEN?
Sunday, October 20, 2013

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 Sign In. No password needed.


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

Interview with cozy author Liz Stauffer

Today's guest is cozy mystery author Liz Stauffer. She's touring and talking about her new novel Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club.

Blurb: Things are not always what they seem in Liz Stauffer’s fast paced book of murder, mystery, and intrigue. When the "breakfast club" ladies of idyllic Mount Penn see bruises on Clare Ballard's pretty face, they suspect her hot-headed husband of abusing her, but the truth is much more complicated. When violence disrupts this Appalachian village's lazy routine, the ladies, led by the irascible Lillie Mae Harris, jump feet first into danger as bodies appear, neighbors disappear, and Clare is arrested for murder. Follow Lillie Mae and the other "breakfast club" ladies, who, armed with casseroles and pastries, help the police uncover the deep secrets this town hides beneath its perfect facade.

Bio:

After some thirty years writing everything from political encyclopedias to software manuals, Liz Stauffer retired from corporate life to write fiction, travel, and play on the beach. Since that time, she has traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world. Liz lives in Hollywood, Florida, with her two dogs where she owns and manages a vacation rental business.

Welcome, Liz. Please tell us about your current release.

Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club is an American village mystery, with a younger, feistier, Miss Marple-like protagonist, named Lillie Mae Harris as the leader of the club. In some ways I’ve mimicked a traditional British village mystery, but have given it an American flare. The Thursday morning breakfast club, a group of village ladies, has been meeting in Mount Penn, my fictional mountain village on the eastern slope of the Appalachians, in rural Maryland, for many years. News of neighbors and local events, and gossip have been the main topics of discussion at the weekly gatherings. But when murder comes to the village, and one of their own is arrested for the crime, they ban together, despite differences and misgivings, to make things right again. Thursday Morning is a story about friendship, community, and love, written in a traditional who-done-it style.

What inspired you to write this book?

It was actually my sister-in-law who inadvertently gave me the idea for Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club. She has belonged to a ladies breakfast group that has been meeting, incidentally, on Thursday mornings, for many years. I attend these gatherings, on occasion, when I am staying in the area. While my Thursday morning breakfast club is not the same as my sister-in-laws Thursday morning breakfast group, the idea came from this weekly meeting.

I love close knit communities, and I believe we’re moving away from them in our very busy modern lives. Relationships in cyberspace have replaced relationships down the street. I’m guilty of my own complaint. I, too, love having friends all over the world, and Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter

Excerpt:

“Clare’s dead!”

When she spoke the words, her voice was so low it was barely above a whisper. The sturdy woman with short, curly red hair dropped the handset back into its cradle and began to pace, the phone still ringing on the other end of the line.

Lillie Mae Harris stopped at the front window, taking no notice of the white buds that were just opening on the two Bradford pear trees in her front yard, or the spring flowers peeping through the freshly hoed soil in the close- by flower bed. Her thoughts were of Clare.

She had the best view in Mount Penn from this window. On a winter’s morning she could see for some thirty miles out over the valley with the big blue sky as the backdrop. The night view was even more amazing, offering a shower of dancing lights in the distance competing only with the brightest stars.

It was now early spring and the vista had already begun to shrink even though the trees were just beginning to bud. Once the trees were filled out with big green leaves the view would pull in even more until fall when the colors exploded and the view once again took one’s breath away. But today the scenery did nothing to still Lillie Mae’s pounding heart or quell her shaking hands. She couldn’t stop worrying about Clare. Rushing back to the phone, she scooped it up, and punched in a familiar number.

“Hello.” Alice Portman answered in her sweet Southern drawl, after just one ring. Her Jack Russell terrier, Alfred, barked in the background.

“Clare’s not answering her phone this morning,” Lillie Mae said. “I’m so worried about her, Alice. I’m not sure what to do.”

“Settle down, Lillie Mae,” Alice said, shushing Alfred. “Why are you more concerned today?”

“You were at the water meeting last night,” Lillie Mae said. “You saw how Roger was acting. Yelling and screaming like an idiot. When he’s gotten that riled up in the past, Clare’s been his punching bag.”

“Well, yes,” Alice agreed, deliberately slowing the pace of the conversation. “But, Roger was just being Roger last night, dear. Just showing off. I didn’t see anything unusual in his behavior. Certainly nothing to make you so worried this morning.”

“He was acting worse than usual,” Lillie Mae insisted, still pacing the living room floor. “And I’m sure he drank himself crazy when the meeting was finally over. That’s the real reason I’m worried, Alice. You know how he is when he drinks. What he does to Clare.”

“Roger playacts, you know, when it suits him, Lillie Mae,” Alice said, her voice still soft and cool. “He knows he’s going to make a lot of money hooking people up to the public water in a few short months, but he wants to come across as the good guy to his neighbors, not the money grubbing fool that he is. He’ll use every wile that he has to seduce the community. If the project fails, which it won’t this time, he looks like he’s the man who stopped it. If it passes, he wins big time.”

“You’re probably right, Alice,” Lillie Mae said, calming a bit. “I know Roger is shrewd. If he wasn’t always out there trying to make a deal, he wouldn’t be Roger, I guess.”

“So, stop overreacting, Lillie Mae. What’s brought all this on anyway?”  

 “I’ve been calling Clare’s house all morning and nobody answers the phone,” Lillie Mae said. “It’s stupid, I know, but I picture Clare lying on her kitchen floor, needing my help. Dead, even.”

A sigh escaped Alice’s lips. “You’re way over dramatizing this morning, Lillie Mae,” she said. “Roger’s not even home. He drove by me in that stupid yellow Hummer of his while Alfred and I were out on our early morning walk.”

“That’s good to hear,” Lillie Mae said. “Stop imagining the worst, Lillie Mae. Clare’s probably out, too. It’s such a warm spring day. Doesn’t she usually go grocery shopping on Wednesday mornings?”

“Maybe,” Lillie Mae conceded. “Or she could be in her garden, I guess.”

“She’ll call you back when she gets to it,” Alice said, a hint of impatience in her voice.

“I doubt if she does.” Lillie Mae’s voice broke. “She rarely calls me anymore. We’ve been such good friends for so many years and I miss her, Alice. I wish I knew what I did wrong.”

“Clare’s changing, Lillie Mae. She’s getting stronger. Give the girl some space.”

“I’ve noticed a change, too,” Lillie Mae said, “since Billy went off to university. She does have more confidence, I’ll give you that.”

“Have you written your article on the water meeting for the Antioch Gazette, yet?” Alice asked. “I thought it was due today.”

“Not yet,” Lillie Mae confessed. “I’ve been too worried about Clare.”

“Maybe being busy will take your mind off things that are not really any of your business,” Alice said.

“I guess you’re right,” Lillie Mae said. “Clare’s a big girl and can take care of herself.”

 “I know that well,” Lillie Mae said, then suddenly turned serious again when her thoughts returned to Clare. “I’m walking down to Clare’s to check things out before I start on the article. I need to make certain she’s all right, or I won’t be able to concentrate on my work. Do you want to come along?”

“No, you go on, if it’ll make you feel better,” Alice said. “You can fill me in on the details at dinner this evening.”

* * *

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m currently writing my third Thursday Morning Breakfast Club mystery. My second one is in the done pile, and hopefully, will be released in or before early 2014. I also have another mystery series that I’d like to publish, but I’m not going to tease you with what it’s about.

My grand epic, not even nicknamed yet, set in 1920s Pen Mar against the advent of the mass produced automobile and the demise of the railroads, is under construction. Henry Ford is a central character. This book, based on a lost history, is going to be so much fun to research and write, and, I hope, equally fun to read.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always been a writer. My first job out of graduate school, where I did lots of writing, was writing political encyclopedias. Then I moved to the world of high tech where I wrote marketing literature, before moving into the world of technical documentation and content management. All of these different types of writing, plus learning the importance of the deadlines, have contributed to my mystery writing in one way or another.

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 retired from the corporate world to write books and travel, so I have the luxury of writing at leisure when I’m not traveling the world. Since publishing Thursday Morning Breakfast (and Murder) Club, my debut novel, I spend half of my day on marketing tasks. The other half I spend working on my next book.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I talk to my characters, and strangely enough, they talk back to me. It’s often my characters who create the story. I can’t tell you how much fun that is.

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

I grew up at a time when women were either teachers or nurses. Since my dad was a teacher, that’s what I assumed I would be. I actually only taught school one year. By the time I was out of graduate school, there were so much more opportunities available to women. That said, I loved my year of teaching and would love to try my hand at it again sometime.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Besides writing and traveling I love being outdoors. I bike, swim, walk, play with my two dogs Mattie and Jakey, and spend time with friends. I also own a vacation rental business in Hollywood Florida which keeps me busy.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

Thanks for stopping by, Liz!

Interview with contemporary romance author Lori Beard-Daily

Today I'm happy to be a tour stop host for the contemporary romance novel Destination D by Lori Beard-Daily.

As part of her promotional tour, Lori will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too!

Bio:

An accomplished playwright and marketing/public relations executive, Lori Beard-Daily is a graduate of Spelman College with a bachelor of arts degree in English. Lori has written stage plays: Trunk of Fate, Daddy’s Girl, and Civil Unrest, two of which were directed and produced by the late theater thespian, Carol Mitchell-Leon. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lori and her husband Bryon Daily live in Atlanta, Georgia, with their three children: Erin, Erica, and Eric.

Welcome, Lori. Please tell us about your current release.

It’s a story about what happens when life interrupts our destination. My three characters were best friends in college. Each of them made a pact to each other that only one of them was able to fulfill after they graduated. This breach of promise causes each woman to self-sabotage in ways that neither of them could have ever imagined. The first friend leads a secret life of multiple personas, and the second friend allows her domineering ambition to drive her into a collision course with herself, that leads her to a life altering event. And finally, the third friend seeks refuge from a regretful past that finally catches up with her present.

What inspired you to write this book?

I started out writing plays. The book was originally a play entitled “As Plane As Plain Can Be.” My best friend, Shree, thought that I should take a stab at writing a book. I had never written a book before and she reminded me that there was also a time when I had never written a play! And the rest is history!

Excerpt from Destination D:

Dee sat straight up in the oversized stuffed leather chair with her eyes fixed to the beige coffer ceiling, counting all the quadrangles. With heightened anxiety, her pupils swiftly scanned the room and gravitated toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Staring back at her was a picturesque view of snow-capped mountains rising just a little higher than the clouds. There lay her comfort zone.

I can do this, she whispered. Her heart thumped so fast she was sure that its reverberation could be seen through her red cashmere sweater that was now sticking to her back from beads of perspiration. C’mon, Dee you can do this. And before she knew it, the words tumbled out of her mouth like a toddler taking its first steps.

“I am . . . a . . . li . . . liar, and I can’t be trusted. And I wouldn’t know what the truth looked liked if God himself showed it to me.” She held her breath, then gently released it and felt a surge of relief envelop her tall slender body. There, I said it. She breathed in again and slowly exhaled. Her large mink brown eyes were now brimming with tears that struggled not to fall.

Dee continued staring out of the window and with a slight turn of her bottom lip, she stammered, “My friends call me Dee. I have a BA in political science from Spelman College and a JD from Columbia University. As a matter of fact, Simon and Garfunkel named a song after me,” she said, with an evasive tone that the doctor couldn’t tell if she was serious or trying to be funny.

The doctor paused from his note taking. He raised his left eyebrow and curiously leaned forward in anticipation of what she was going to say next. Dee turned both of her lips slightly upward, trying hard to simulate a smile.

“You know the song, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water?’”

He answered with only a nod so he would not interrupt her flow.

“Well, I’m that bridge.” Her voice cracked slightly as she struggled to speak. Dee anxiously folded her arms across her chest and nervously tapped her fingers as she waited for his response.

The doctor’s sapphire blue eyes caught a brief glimpse of her, and she quickly shifted her attention toward the window. Even with all of the tension that was mounting inside of her, somehow his smile felt like a warm blanket that comforted the chill that slowly crept up her spine.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?” Her eyes darted to and from his again.

“Ms. Bridge, I find it quite interesting that the first word you use to describe yourself is ‘liar.’ You also have a quick wit and sense of humor that I think is quite positive.” His voice was as smooth as a gracefully aged Italian Merlot wine. He looked up at her again hoping to gain her eye contact, but she continued to resist.

“That’s because it’s the truth—and please call me, Deirdre,” she said, still in deep thought about the incredulity of her confession.

“Well, Deirdre, that may be, but you have quite a few accomplishments. You’re a college graduate, and you have a law degree from one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. There is obviously more to you than just being a liar.”

“Yes. One would think.”

“How do you feel about taking into consideration an accomplishment you’ve made each day? You’ll probably find there’s a lot more positive about your life than you realize. Every day we should learn something we didn’t know the previous day.”

Dee listened while she got up from the chair to walk over to an opposite window that was so transparent she felt she could reach out and touch the Salt Lake City skyline. Her flawless skin glistened as the morning sun beamed through the window on her cinnamon brown face, placing her a little at ease. The thought that this would be the first of many visits here made it even more difficult to come to grips with just how serious things really had become.

Her fingers trembled as they gently massaged her temples. Too many thoughts had caused her head to throb. I can’t believe that I’ve gotten the nerve to come . . . and to a psychiatrist’s office, for God’s sake! Flying over 2,000 miles to see this doctor because she didn’t want to take a chance of running into someone she knew back home in Atlanta. It was a bit over the top, even for Dee.

Usually, Dee’s outward appearance radiated elegance and charm, and her inner beauty was just as appealing. But today was different. As she gazed out the window, she saw the reflection of a woman who was a mess both inside and out. Each passing day was a reminder that her life was like a kite without a hand to guide its sail. And if she didn’t stop the lying, she would never be able to get back on course and—just like a kite—she would be lost forever.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am working on the sequel to the book. I’ve given out the excerpts to a few people and I’m told it’s better than the first which is exciting!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. I used to write a lot of poetry and short stories and as I got older, I really became more interested.

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?

No, I wish I could write full-time. But, I have a full-time job that keeps me pretty busy. But, I’m a mood writer. I try to put myself in an environment to be creative and at peace. With a husband and three kids, this is not always easy. But, I find that my best time to write is during the time when everyone else is asleep. Like right now, it’s 1:00 a.m. when I’m doing this interview.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m Old School! I write on a legal pad first and then transfer it to the computer.

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

I wanted to be an actress and a news anchor.

Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Book trailer 

Buy Links:

Boutique | Amazon | Barnes and Noble - print | Barnes and Noble - ebook

YouTube interview with Writer's in Focus 

Thanks, Lori!

Interview with contemporary romance author Hayson Manning

Today features an interview with the contemporary romance author of the novel, Winning the Boss's Heart, Hayson Manning.

Hayson will be awarding a $50 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Bio:

Hayson Manning writes fun and flirty romances with alpha dudes and sassy woman. She lives in the bush in Sydney with her lovely sloth children, infuriating but much loved shoe-dropping husband, a tubby opinionated cat (as if a cat doesn't ever not have an opinion). There will often be a foster dog parked on the couch waiting for their forever home. She loves a good glass of wine, dreams of winning the lottery, cries while watching Antiques Roadshow and cannot speak she's sobbing so much by the end of Undercover Boss. She is also an expert at finding new and inventive ways to avoid exercise.

Welcome, Hayson. Please tell us about your current release.

Mason Christian, resident hottie and tortured soul, flips houses in New Zealand. A tragedy in his life has shut him down to the point he works insane hours. None of his assistants last long so he numbers them. Enter Billie, his 42^nd assistant who makes him feel alive. More alive than he's felt in three years...

Free-spirit Billie has one dream: save enough money to finish her degree. That's why she's agreed to work for hard ass, all-business-no-pleasure Mason Christian--a man locked behind a wall of pain. The sparks fly between them as their desire for each other builds. Can Billie make Mason see love deserves a second chance, or will he only ever see her as his 42^nd assistant?

What inspired you to write this book?

I love a boss/secretary trope and forced proximity. I love dark, wounded men and upfront, fun, women who know what they want and aren’t afraid to say so. I can’t stand woman who whine in books. If you want it go for it, I say. I love women who aren’t afraid to bring the wounded dark hero, sometimes kicking and screaming into the light. Lordy that sounds like a Dracula story!

There was also the added fun of setting the book in my homeland of New Zealand. We have different meanings for words which made for interesting back and forth with my editor who is US based.

We often call dinner tea. Periods are fullstops. We stand in queues we don’t line up. We say ohhhh-ahhhh in one long word which means a shocked no.

Excerpt:

“Forty-Two?”

At the use of her nickname, Billie arrived back in the room with a thud. His eyebrows were raised. “What’s on your mind?”

She dabbed her mouth with her napkin to cover her lapse. “Well, Septimus, I was thinking about the periodic table and its positive benefits on mankind.”

For some reason he looked pissed off. Totally pissed off. “Funny, I didn’t take you to be the lying kind.” His eyes narrowed, and she had the distinct impression he’d just dismissed her.

Really.

Her spine straightened and her hands rested on the table. “You think I’m going to tell you everything that’s going on in my head at a given time?” She paused. “Actually, back that up. You think any woman is going to tell you what is going on in her mind whenever you please? There will be times she doesn’t want you to know what she’s thinking. Maybe she’d be thinking, ‘That guy standing over there, is one juicy specimen, and I’m mighty thirsty right now.’ There’s no way on this earth she’s ever going to tell Mr. Juicy she’s thirsty. She’d rather catch bubonic plague.”

His forkful of frittata halted halfway to his mouth. He put down the fork, sat back in his chair and regarded her. A smile spread across his face. Slow to start, it curled his lips, continued upward and settled in his eyes. It was the first time she could remember him looking approachable, real, and open.

“What?” she asked, obviously missing his joke.

“You think I’m juicy?”

What! “No.” Hell no.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I signed a contract with Entangled. Prior to that I kind of dabbled here and there. When my agent emailed me that someone actually wanted to buy my book, I promptly burst into tears and sobbed into the annoyed cat. Since then, I’ve become serious about writing and treat it as a job, which is hard at times when I’d rather be cleaning the stalagmites from my ceiling, or donning a Haz-mat suit to clean a teenage bathroom.

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 at this stage write full time. I’ve gone through a shocker writers-block that nearly killed me. I lost confidence in myself as a writer and that’s been a struggle, but I gave myself a very stern ‘man-up’ speech and have broken through.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I can’t work without a gazzilion cans of diet Mountain Dew or Coke Zero on my desk. I need vast amounts of caffeine. Mind you, that’s not really interesting. Actually I’m not at all interesting and the only quirk I have is I can make my eyes shake. That’s not really a quirk more than a genetic abnormality that can clear a room.

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

I grew up in a family of scientists and engineers so I fitted in like Hustler magazine in church. I dreamed of being a flight attendant. I’d see glamorous countries, preferably Bora Bora, a lot.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Life throws curveballs. Enjoy your day, love your life and those around you. Laugh, have fun because you never know when it will end. Jeez, that sounds morbid. I don’t mean it to. What I mean is live, have fun doing it and smile at a stranger. It’s how I met hubs.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Thanks, Hayson!

Interview with paranormal mystery author Margo Bond Collins

It's my pleasure to introduce you to paranormal mystery author Margo Bond Collins today. She's chatting about herself and her new novel, Waking Up Dead. She even has a giveaway (see below)!

Bio:

Margo Bond Collins lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, several spoiled cats, and a ridiculous turtle. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters. Waking Up Dead is her first published novel. Her second novel, Legally Undead, is an urban fantasy, forthcoming in 2014 from World Weaver Press.

Welcome, Margo. Please tell us about your current release.

When Dallas resident Callie Taylor died young, she expected to go to Heaven, or maybe Hell. Instead, she met her fate early thanks to a creep with a knife and a mommy complex. Now she's witnessed another murder, and she's not about to let this one go. She's determined to help solve it before an innocent man goes to prison. And to answer the biggest question of all: why the hell did she wake up in Alabama?

What inspired you to write this book?

I wrote this book when I lived in Alabama for a few years. I remember driving to work one morning (I teach college English) and seeing just a wisp of fog move across the statue in the middle of the town square. The statue was of some Civil War figure, and I remember thinking that it looked oddly ghostly. In between teaching classes that day, I started writing Callie’s story.

Excerpt:

“Hey,” I said, hurrying after the woman. “Wait up.”

“I know you’re not talking to me,” she said. She stared straight ahead and pushed her cart down the middle of the aisle toward housewares.

“I am talking to you. Look. I know this is really weird, but I need your help.”

“Well, I’m not talking to you. I don’t know what your problem is, but you can take it somewhere else.”

I wanted to reach out and grab her cart, to make her stop and talk to me, but of course I couldn’t. Which gave me an idea.

I scurried out in front of her, planting myself in her path.

“Move,” she said.

“Not until you hear me out. Please?”

She moved her cart to the left. I stepped out to intercept her. She moved to the right. So did I.

“You got some kind of death wish or something?” she asked.

I laughed and shook my head. “If only you knew.”

“I’ve got no time for this,” she said. And she slammed into me with her shopping cart.

At least, that’s what she planned to do.

The shopping cart, however, slid right through me. When it stopped, the basket had sliced cleanly through my midsection. The bottom rack merged with my ankles. From my perspective, it looked like two perfectly solid objects--me and the shopping cart--had melted together. I don’t know what she saw.

Whatever it was, it wasn’t good.

The woman’s eyes widened, then rolled up into her head as she slumped to the ground in a dead faint.

I bent down to try to wake her up, but no matter how hard I concentrated on making contact, I couldn’t even touch her.

I hate being a ghost.

What exciting story are you working on next?

The next novel that is coming out is Legally Undead, the first in the Vampirarchy urban fantasy series. It is forthcoming from World Weaver Press in 2014. I am currently working on sequels to Waking Up Dead and Legally Undead. I am also writing my very first full-blown romance. It’s a paranormal romance involving some unusual shapeshifters—I have some exciting news about it that I’ll be discussing on my blog in the next few months; be sure to watch for it!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Always, I think. I’ve written since I was a child. For as long as I can remember, I have made up stories. When I’m driving (which I find immensely dull), I amuse myself by making up characters and figuring out ways to make their lives difficult. I also have a Ph.D. in English, so I’ve also been an academic writer for most of my adult life. Almost every job I’ve ever held has had to do with writing.

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?

In my day job, I teach English courses online. Because I teach online, I do have some flexibility in my schedule, and that means that if I’m suddenly inspired to write, I can take a little time to do that. I also have to be incredibly self-disciplined—it’s easy to put off writing if I don’t feel like doing it! However, I try to fit in at least an hour or two of fiction writing a day.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I use the word “ultimately” far too often—something I find funny because it’s rarely the right word (if it’s “ultimate,” it can only be once, right? There’s no need for fifty “ultimately”s in a book!). So the very first thing I do when I finish a draft is run a word search for “ultimately” and change it out.

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

Mostly a writer. But anything other than an English teacher! However, then I decided to go to graduate school, and I was given a job as a graduate teaching fellow. The first day I stepped in front of a class, I knew it was a job I would love. Since then, I’ve done everything I can to be both a working writer and a writing teacher.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I love to hear from readers—I work hard to answer any social media messages I get and I’m always excited when someone I don’t know personally contacts me about my book.

Thanks so much for having me here today!

Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com

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It’s been my pleasure. Thanks for sharing!

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