Romantic Suspense Author Mari Manning is an HEA Kind of Gal

I’m delighted to introduce Mari Manning, author of romantic suspense and contemporary romances who has recently published her newest release with Entangled Publishing. In this interview, Mari shares her experience with humor and a helpful nudge of encouragement. You’ll appreciate her smart insights into the romance writing world; her explanation of why she writes romance novels is so on target and well articulated, I wish I’d written it myself!

What made you decide to write romance novels?

I write about things that interest me, and the relationships of men and women interest me. The courtship leading to HEA is always a delicate dance of attraction, diplomacy, a little bribery, a little deception, a lot of hope. The expectations of men and women tend to be different, which is fun to explore. I love creating flawed characters redeemed by love. I guess I am just an HEA kind of gal.

What was your biggest challenge when you were trying to publish your debut novel?

Just learning all the rules! I started out as a pantser. I wrote what pleased me, completely ignorant of such things as character arc, backstory dumps, head hopping, deep POV, inciting incidents, etc. It took a while to understand these concepts well enough to incorporate them into my writing.

What would you have done differently if you could start all over again?

I would have joined a writers group sooner. I’ve learned so much, and it’s so nice to have people to turn to when I need advice or have questions. We are all at different places in our writing careers so I have a chance to help people behind on the writing path, and also get help from those ahead of me.

Can you imagine having a different career? What would it be?

I’ve had lots of careers, and right now I am a Director of Marketing. But writing is something I’ve always wanted to do. I also wanted to be a movie star, but even my mother, who’s my biggest fan, had doubts about my ability to do that.

What is the single most important thing an unpublished writer should do to get published?

Do not give up. I think writing success is fifty-percent talent and fifty-percent persistence. I’ve met many amazing writers (far better than me) who have stopped writing because they got discouraged. Don’t do it! If you love writing keep going. Get advice, take classes, find seasoned writers to critique your work. Keep submitting to editors and agents. Woody Allen once said something like, “Ninety percent of success is just showing up.”

What is the single most important thing a newly published writer should do?

If you have just published your first book, think of it as your ticket to the show. Use it to get on blogs, set up author pages on major websites, volunteer to do signings, start a newsletter, etc. Then write more books. For most authors, being prolific is going to be important.

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The only thing standing between her and disaster is a man she can’t trust …

As far as Dinah Pittman is concerned, men can’t be trusted. Especially cops. Her own father was a cop and a convicted felon who stole a small fortune before dying in prison. The best part? No one knows where the money is…and someone is willing to kill off everyone who knows anything about it.

And Dinah is next.

Rafe Morales left the Dallas police force to settle down to a simpler life in the small Texas town of El Royo. Instead, he finds himself protecting an infuriating, tough-as-nails, oh-so-sexy victim—and driving himself crazy with a thoroughly unprofessional desire.

But as the body count rises, Rafe and Dinah must find a way to trust each other…before they both end up dead.

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About Mari Manning

Let’s start with the fun stuff. I love small towns, mysteries, quiet men, laughter, old-fashioned spaghetti dinners. I love boots and shopping and jokes and Hershey’s dark chocolate and white wine. I love lots of things. But my first love is reading.

I love to read. Just about anything, but it has to be well-written. I go through periods where I am into historical novels or romance or mystery or history or biography. I never know when my desires will suddenly change.

Now for the writer-ish, official stuff: Mari Manning is the author of several contemporary romances and three romantic suspense novels set in the Texas Hill Country. Stranger at My Door is the first in her A Murder in Teas series. The second, Stranger in My House will be published by Entangled later this year. The third book in the series is Stranger in My Bed. Currently Mari is working on a series of cozy mysteries. She and her husband live in Chicago.

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/stranger-at-my-door/

Debra Elise on Writing and Publishing Her Sports-Themed Romance

I’m excited to host debut author Debra Elise today! Debra is a debut author who is about to release her first book, Saving Maverick, about a bad-boy pitcher and the media consultant who tries to rescue his image. Read on to find out how she got her book finished and then published by Bloomsbury USA.

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer?

This is a hard question because I’ve always loved to write. When I was in my twenties I bought a ‘how to book’ on writing romance but after reading it, I thought ‘this is really hard’ LOL. I put it away and went back to devouring my favorites…Johanna Lindsey, Nora and in recent years, Rebecca Zanetti and Kresley Cole.

When did you decide to write a book?

A little over three years ago fate stepped in and introduced me to one of my favorite authors, Rebecca Zanetti. With her encouragement I stepped into the this wonderful, crazy business.

What inspired you to write this story?

I grew up watching my brother play and my dad coach baseball. When sports romances became popular I was hooked and decided I needed to write a bad boy pitcher. I also knew I needed to write a strong heroine who could hold her own with an alpha athlete, and Kelsey Sullivan, public relations specialist was born.

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

I’m a visual person so I began with pictures for each of my main characters to focus on when writing the first draft. It was also important to me that I have a few scenes where the game was actually being played or practiced. I spent time watching games and thinking about what type of action scenes I wanted to include.

About halfway through writing the book the characters weren’t following the plot line I’d spent hours working on and in the end I wound up writing an entirely different book than what I started with. I’ve altered my writing process for subsequent books and do a bit of plotting and a lot of pantsing 😉

Was this the first book you had written?

My first book is a paranormal currently collecting dust bunnies under a desk in my office. I still love the characters, but the plot fell apart mid-way. One day I’ll go back to it.

What was the rest of your life like while writing the book?

Crazy…two boys and a husband who although very supportive, were not used to sharing mom with her laptop.  I also had to adjust what time of day I wrote. I really wanted to spring out of bed in the mornings and pour out all the ideas that were marinating as I slept, but the other members of our household really wanted breakfast. (I’ve since taught the oldest to get his own breakfast and I’m still working on hubby) Sometimes I’d wake up an hour earlier than normal, but often I would write after the kids went to school and hubby was at work and often after everyone went to bed.

Who gave you feedback as you worked through writing the book?

One of my writer peeps, Cathryn Cade, from my local RWA chapter was a huge help with Saving Maverick. I honestly don’t believe this book would be what it is without her.

What kept you going through the process?

I just kept at it. Every day. I found out that releasing a book with a traditional publishing house is a longer process than those of my friends who were self-pubbing, and the wait can be frustrating. But writing the next book and the next is what kept me going after this book was edited and complete.

How many submissions did you send out?

I think close to ten total between publishers and editors. I also pitched the book twice in person during Nationals in 2014.  I actually received my contract offer from an online pitch in 2014. But, it took almost four months after that before I heard anything and when I did it was very surreal. It took days to sink in that I was going to be a published author!

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Maverick Jansen and Kelsey Sullivan fall into a complicated game of PR strategy by day and searing passion by night where they both find a new meaning to fast and hard.

STRIKE ONE

Days before the biggest game of playboy pitcher Maverick Jansen’s career, his brother is killed in a horrific car accident. Determined not to let his teammates down, Mav pushes through his grief only to lose control of his signature pitch—and the series.

STRIKE TWO

Still dealing with the backlash of his once adoring fans, Maverick learns his team’s owner plans to move the ball club to small town America. During a night of hard drinking Mav rails against the move to “Hicksville” while a fan records the entire tirade. His career takes another hit when the video goes viral right before spring training.

Kelsey Sullivan, Media Consultant, is hired by the team’s owner and her childhood friend, Thomas Scott, to help restore Maverick’s image and find a way to get his mojo back. As the daughter of a former minor league ball player who walked away from her and her unstable mother, Kelsey breaks her main client rule—no male athletes—to help her friend and gain a coveted position with the ball club.

STRIKE THREE, or…?

Persuaded to pretend they’re a couple against her better judgment, Kelsey and Maverick begin dating as a last ditch effort to secure his place on the team, fix his public image and prove to an unstable groupie who’s begun posting doctored photos on the internet that he’s taken.

In order to convince Kelsey what they have is more than just soul-shattering sex, Maverick digs deep, overcoming his commitment phobia and unexpected news to prove to Kelsey love can save them both. Can Kelsey bury her long-held belief that a bad boy baseball player isn’t the happily-ever-after type so they both can make the Show.

 

View More: http://kellyannphotography.pass.us/deb

Debra Elise lives with her husband and their two sons in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She loves to read, nap, write, and watches entirely too much reality T.V. She also enjoys hanging out with other author-type individuals and teasing her three ‘boys’ into displaying their killer smiles. Most days find her carpooling, avoiding laundry and daydreaming about her characters and how to make them come alive for her readers.

You can find her on the following sites:

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INSTAGRAM: DebraEliseAuthor

J.C. Rimell Shares Her Journey From Twilight Reader to Paranormal Writer

I’m happy to host J.C. Rimell, who recently self-published Eternal Souls, the first of her Shadow Creek series, and will soon publish the second book, Tainted Souls. Readers have loved her storytelling; one reader writes, “Rimell has a wonderful talent for setting a mood and giving us those little details which place us right in the action.”

In this interview, you’ll learn what got J.C. writing, what’s helped her the most, and why she chose to self-publish.

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer? When did you decide to write a book?

Even as a kid I was always creative, but I’ve been writing ‘seriously’ over the past six years and have always loved the romance genre. I was driving along in my car one day and the beginning of a story just popped into my head! I got home and just started to write and haven’t stopped!

What inspired you to write this story?

I fell in love with the Paranormal Romance genre after a friend introduced me to the Twilight Saga. I know…I know…but I loved it and still do! After that, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. When I decided to take my writing more seriously, it felt natural to write what I love.

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

The outline of the story was there from the beginning. It had a different name, and some of the characters had different names, but the ideas were all there.

Nothing is ever set in stone, though! As my characters developed, the story shifted and changed too. My characters have minds of their own!

How long did it take to complete?

It took around four months to complete the first draft. The writing part is the easy bit! After that, it took months of editing.

Was this the first book you had written?

No. I’ve written other novels, but the writing and prose just weren’t there. Writing really is a craft, and you only get better by doing it all the time. Plus, it can take a while to find your own voice and style. I’m still learning. Eternal Souls is the first book I’ve published.

Did you work on simultaneous projects?

While I was writing Eternal Souls I concentrated solely on that project. Now, I’m writing the second book in the series, but I’m also dabbling in other areas of romance too.

What was the rest of your life like while writing the book?

Busy! I’m a mom of two (a nine year old and an eleven year old), and my husband works away so I have to hold the fort and do everything. Some days I don’t even get to sit at my desk, especially like recently, when one of the kids are sick. I’m too mentally fatigued to concentrate.

How do you fit your writing into the rest of your life?

I squeeze it in wherever and whenever I can. I mostly write at night, but if I have quiet time in the day I’ll nab the chance.

Were you involved in a writers’ group?

I live in rural France and so there aren’t many writers’ groups or book groups. I rely heavily on the internet and social media.

Who gave you feedback as you worked through writing the book?

I gave a copy to someone my husband worked with, someone I didn’t know personally. She loved the story, and that gave me the confidence to move forward. When my book was complete I contacted an editor, who gave me the initial feedback on the story. It was expensive but worth it.

I re-edited and filled in those loopholes I just didn’t see. Once the book was out there, a reader contacted me with a very honest critique. It was invaluable to me.

I unpublished and contacted another editor who kindly helped me get my book into shape. As writers, we don’t always see our errors.

It taught me that having other people read and proofread your work is crucial before you publish.

What kept you going through the process?

The writing is fun, and it just came naturally. I love to write, so I write for myself first. The hardest part was getting requests from agents and then rejections. But it was a great learning curve. My writing wasn’t ready then, and when I felt that it was, I decided to self-publish. I suffer from self-doubt, highs, and lows just like anyone. You really have to believe in yourself to keep going and remember that reading is subjective. Not everyone is going to like what you write.

What made you decide to publish independently?

I think independent publishing has come a long way. It’s easy with all the options available to Indie authors now. It can be stressful, though!

I believe in traditional publishing too. Self-publishing felt right at the time and allows me the freedom to write without critical deadlines.

How did you decide to publish with Amazon?

Amazon felt like the right place to start and was a great introduction to self-publishing. Now I’m reformatting my novel so I can publish on other platforms and print on demand too.

What was the biggest challenge of publishing independently?

The formatting! I’m no computer whizz, so this was frustrating.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

The best advice I can give aspiring writers is paying close attention to the editing! One thing I’ve learned is that you need beta readers and proofreaders.

It took me twice as long to edit my book because I didn’t have either. In the end I had to pay a professional to help me, but it was worth it.

 

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A lethal soldier and a deadly shifter, Cade has pledged his life to serve and protect alongside his Shadow Pack members. Dangerous missions and assassinations are what he lives for, but all that changes when Kit McCoy arrives in Shadow Creek. She’s beautiful and fascinating and has stirred an animal instinct within him he can’t escape.
Kit can’t deny she wants the elusive and darkly handsome Cade Grayson. Everything about him sets her pulse racing and her body craving his touch, but wracked with guilt and emotionally scarred by a tragic accident, Kit refuses to give in to her desires.

When Kit is snatched by the unknown, supernatural species they call the Others sweeping through the town and taking humans with them, she is thrust into a world that blurs between reality and one still unknown to her. A hunt is on for the killers, and Kit has a choice to make that will change her life forever. To surrender her heart means losing a part of herself she isn’t sure she can sacrifice, but walking away means forsaking the only man she’s ever loved…

 

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J.C. was born in London, England but grew up in a few different locations as a child. She had various jobs from the age of sixteen, her longest career was as a police officer, until marrying and settling in rural France with her husband and two children. A friend introduced her to the world of paranormal romance novels and she’s been hooked ever since.

J.C. is a lover of animals, films, music, reading, hitting the gym, coffee, and chocolate. When she’s not shut away in her own fantasy world writing, her favorite past time is walking in the forest with her two best doggy friends, Skye and Mini. She loves being a mom, and she could never forget the two little people in her life that rule my heart – forever and always.

J.C. writes about love and seduction in a world where shifters are lethally sexy, vampires are dark and tempting, and the Alpha male is a force to be reckoned with…

 

 

Mary Buckham Tells You Pretty Much Everything You Need to Know About Publishing a Romance

I am absolutely thrilled to host USA Today Bestselling author Mary Buckham! I attended a workshop with her this past fall, and I was so impressed, overwhelmed, and energized by all the useful information she provided on hooks, settings, and building your brand. She is my new favorite writing expert!

In this interview, Mary shares incredibly valuable information on the publishing industry, time management, the business side of writing, and publishing the first book. Mary is such a smart, savvy, and funny writer; she will inspire you to stop making excuses not to write (I think she’s talking directly to me on this one!)

What made you decide to write romance novels?

When I started out I looked at the publishing market as a whole, what types of books were out there, how many books were being purchased from new authors, where were the biggest opportunities to get a foot in the door? Sounds rather cold and calculating, but it was a business decision. To me too many people look at writing as a hobby or as simply for fun and then go into publishing. Right from the beginning I knew that I wanted to be published, so I looked for who bought the most books and put out the most books in a given year. Romance novels being half the traditional publishing market made it a clear, easy-to-follow path that made perfect business sense. Plus I love the juicy complexities of relationships while also knowing I like a story that ends on a positive, we-can-do-this resolution.

What was your biggest challenge when you were trying to publish your debut novel?

What wasn’t a challenge when I first started writing for publication! I had five children under the age of eight. I also worked full time. I was like a lot of writers juggling a lot of demands on my time. I also didn’t know any writers or any writing groups. I didn’t know how one went about getting published, so it was a big new scary world and it took a lot of ramp-up time to get to the point where I felt that I was truly writing for publication as opposed to simply writing to learn if I was indeed capable of writing a full-length book.

How have you dealt with that challenge as you were published more?

Well, for one thing, the kids did grow up and what I discovered was, a piece that we all have control of in our career is how we focus on our challenges. I quickly realized that having children [five under the age of eight at the time], as young as they were and with their needs, they were the best time management tools out there. The same with the work environment. When I was at work it was work, but when I wasn’t there I had my choices, so instead of looking at the challenges as insurmountable, or using my children as justification for not writing; when they leave grade school and go to high school I will write. Or, when they leave high school and go to college I will write. I’m saying that, for me, learning to make time instead of focusing on why I couldn’t write, became a priority. The longer we can make excuses to ourselves, the longer the process of focusing on what’s not working and what is keeping us from writing, the easier it is to let a few months turn into a few years, into a lifetime with a project that never really gets finished.

What would you have done differently if you could start all over again?

I would focus more on my strengths and not listen to the ‘rules’. As an example, when I started writing I could write fast. I could write a lot. 20 pages in a day was not a challenge but I listened to too much feedback that said—No, that’s not right. You should only be writing maybe 10 pages at the most but 5 would be better. It took a long time to get over that pattern of working to others expectations, not my own.

Can you imagine having a different career? What would it be?

I don’t think joining the Circus is an option anymore, and being a pirate was much more glamorous when it was swashbuckling in wooden ships with swords! I love this career because it’s about people. It’s about challenges and overcoming challenges and learning to trust yourself and connecting, and it’s an ongoing career that never really stops. You never stop learning as a writer. You always have the opportunity to expand your horizons. I can’t imagine any other career.

How has the market changed since you first published?

I feel like the market has undergone this huge, amazing process and it’s exciting to be in this business at this time because it’s very much like the industrial revolution. When that showed up on the horizon a lot of people’s response was, I’m going to ignore it till it goes away or I’m not going to deal with that. It’s too big. It’s too scary. It’s too frightening. The reality is that the difference between when I started when my children were small and now is the difference between writing by hand and writing via computer. A world of changes. Access to the reader is so much greater now. The need to be an entrepreneur and a businessperson has increased dramatically, and I love that. I love that sense of opportunity that is available to writers now.

How has your life changed as you have published more books?

I think that for many of us when we start writing the goal is to get published and is a good goal and a clear goal, but we take it for granted that it’s an end goal. We don’t think enough about what happens after that book is published. What happens to the time demands and what happens if your publisher drops your publishing line or what happens if the return on investment for the time and effort and energy that we put into a book is not enough to be financially viable. So how has life changed? A huge world has opened up that was never there for me when I worked in an office and that has been wonderful and exciting. The demands have also changed. When I started in the business there were no e-books. There was no internet. Man, it sounds like I started in the caveman days! You really could focus on simply writing the book and sending it out, but that’s long gone and I doubt it will ever come back. Writers are in the entertainment industry. We have become personalities, and we have responsibilities to our readers. Access goes two ways between readers and writers, so the time allocation that is allotted to writing the next book must be juggled against the business needs. I would say that once you’re published and the more books you publish the allocation becomes 20% writing, 80% business.

What is the single most important thing an unpublished writer should do to get published?

This is a hard one! Writers, published and unpublished, should believe in themselves, but they should also learn what readers expect from the type of book that they are writing. Yes, write the book of your dreams, but then, if you want to publish it, you have to take it out of your fantasy, your needs, and now you have the needs of the reader to be met. So if you love this romance that you wrote with two cats and a goat and it is the book of your dreams that’s great. But if you bring it to the marketplace, and expect to make a living on it, you must understand that you’ll be selling to a much smaller niche market. Be aware of the trade offs of your decisions and don’t bemoan publishing because you’re not an overnight success with a cat/goat ménage-a-trois novel.

What is the single most important thing a self-published writer should do?

The same thing that any writer whether they are indie published, traditionally published or whether they are hybrid published. They should understand the marketplace. They should think in terms of the product that they are selling. They should plan for success and do everything possible to surround themselves with others who are also planning for success.

What is the best writing advice you have ever gotten?

Again, another hard question, because it’s not one piece of advice. Writing is a journey. As we progress in our journey, there are different pieces that we need to hear. There are different messages that can help us get over the next hill or around the next corner. I recently read an author who called herself a quote master, someone who actively looked for quotes that helped her do that next thing, helped her keep going when she thought she couldn’t continue. So, the best advice that works for one author at an early point in their career is not the same advice they need to hear when they’ve been writing for a number of years and are not where they want to be. It is different for the author who is juggling multiple projects while their home life is falling apart. The good news is that there is not one piece of advice. The better news is that there is always that quote, that word of wisdom that can help you as a writer keep going.

Do you have a favorite debut author? If so, who?

I don’t have a favorite debut author because I read like many romance readers started, voraciously. I look for debut authors because these authors are the ones who are competing against the published authors who already have a track record, have a relationship with a publisher, have readers in place. The debut authors have to bring more to the game initially. What I look for is the debut author who continues to improve as a writer because, at one time, for the publishing houses, ten published books was about the number that a writer needed under their belt before they started finding their audience, their core readership; before they started gaining traction. Those days are long gone. The expectation now is that the first book has to be a home run and it has to attract everything that you need without the experience to know how to handle it. Without the understanding that it’s now the next book, that now that you’ve gotten a lot of accolades, or you got good feedback, or you didn’t get good feedback, it’s the next book that becomes the biggest challenge, because you have to write that and the one after that and the next one. So I read a lot of debut authors to see how they play the game with their second and their third and their fourth books.

What I find is what a lot of publishers have found, that the first book may have taken 10 years to polish to that point, but for the second one the author is given a year or 6 months, bam! And maybe they don’t get as much feedback as they did before. Maybe friends that were willing to help them before they were published are no longer there for them. So that second or third book can oftentimes start falling off. And that’s a shame, because the writer who wrote that first book could write to that level again if she or he understood the changes coming once that first book has been published. So I think it’s important to us as writers that we know that we must start building our support groups, start honing ourselves and our craft for success, and start looking down the road. The first book is simply the first book. Whether it’s a home run or not, it just gets you in the game. It’s what we do at that point that determines whether being published was a dream that was reached and then we go back to doing something else, or whether we have a career as a writer.

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The Underworld screws even a good plan and this one didn’t start out good.

Half-witch/half-shaman Alex Noziak must lead two fellow Invisible Recruit agents deep into the Underworld to track a powerful demon who rules his realm with a bloody fist and has kidnapped a teenage Seer. The team faced this demon leader once before and the result was devastating. Now? The odds are far worse this time. Alex and her team must stop the demon before he forces the Seer to open a portal, which will unleash the Seekers to wreak vengeance on humans and take possession of the mortal world. Everyone faces sacrifice, but this time Alex stands to lose.

 

 

 

USA Today Best selling author Mary Buckham learned to get into and out of trouble at a very early age. Time has added to her opportunities—detained by Israeli intelligence; strip-searched by a Greek border patrol while traveling with a priest, sneaking into Laos. When not personally avoiding nuisances caused by her insatiable curiosity she creates lots of disorder in her Urban Fantasy Invisible Recruits series. Her characters at least have paranormal and preternatural abilities!

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Her Urban Fantasy series is centered around five women drafted to combat preternatural beings agitating for world domination and combines a fantasy/paranormal element with high stakes and the pace of action-adventure stories. Mary loves creating thrills, spills and spells as she follows the ups and downs of fascinating characters starting with Alex Noziak, the heroine of INVISIBLE MAGIC, INVISIBLE POWER, INVISIBLE FATE and INVISIBLE JOURNEY and Kelly McAllister, the heroine of INVISIBLE FEARS, INVISIBLE SECRETS and INVISIBLE EMBRACE. A prolific writer, Mary also co-authors the young adult sci-fi/fantasy Red Moon series with NYT bestseller Dianna Love.

When taking a break from the paranormal Mary crafts Writing Craft non-fiction including, A Writer’s Guide to Active Setting (Writer’s Digest Books), Writing Active Hooks and Break Into Fiction® co-authored with Dianna Love. If Mary’s not hiding out, find more about her and her writing projects by visiting: http://www.MaryBuckham.com.

 

She can also be found on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/MaryBuckhamFanPage
Twitter at http://twitter.com/MaryBuckham
Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/MaryBuckham.
Google: https://plus.google.com/115722168069877040811/posts
For information on Mary’s street team, Mary Buckham’s Book Ninjas, go to facebook.com/groups/MaryBuckhamBookNinjas/

mary buckham Writers

Máirín Fisher-Fleming on Telling Her Characters’ Story

I’m delighted to host Máirín Fisher-Fleming today. Máirín is a former dancer who recently published Dancing on the Dark Side, a story of a dance student whose TA happens to be a vampire. One of her readers wrote about the book, “There’s a lot to love about this story. I especially appreciated how even though there are references to their physical attraction (and, yes, there’s sex eventually), this doesn’t overpower the sweet and beautifully rendered emotions at play here. Also, all the emphasis on natural environments and nature magic was like a breath of fresh air.”

Read on to learn about Máirín’s journey to publication.

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer? When did you decide to write a book?  

I never set out to a romance writer per se.  I just wanted to tell a story. The romance just kind of developed as the story progressed.

What inspired you to write this story?

Appropriately enough, a song and a dance. As a former dancer,  I often ‘see’ songs in terms of movement.  The song that eventually evolved into ‘Dancing on the Dark Side is Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls, especially the line ‘I’d give up forever to touch you…’

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

I am not a plotter.  I’m a plotting pantser. I knew where the story would go but not how it was going to get there. There were times when the characters took hold of the plot and ran away with it, surprising me and my beta readers.

Was this the first book you had written?

Yes. I have always written, but never did anything serious. Then I started dabbling in fanfic, until I decided that it was time that I stopped playing with other people’s creations and let my own have their say.

How did you fit your writing into the rest of your life? 

It wasn’t easy. I work full time in addition to having a farm.  So writing was done on lunch hours, weekends and in the evenings.  And whenever inspiration struck.  There was a lot of scribbling in notebooks that had to be transcribed onto the computer.  My laptop became a constant companion.  And so did Moleskine notebooks.

Who gave you feedback as you worked through writing the book?

I have an amazing Beta reader (who is also my best friend). S. K. Ryder has been an amazing help and inspiration, offering insights into the characters and their situations that I didn’t catch at first.

What kept you going through the process?

The characters. They wanted their story told.

Did you have a market in mind when you started writing the book?

Originally I had considered writing a young adult story but I thought that market was saturated and often not with the greatest stuff.  I felt that an older set of characters would be more believable and would be easier to relate to, so I aged them up to the New Adult’ genre.

How many submissions did you send out?  

A lot.  But things really came together for me at The Surrey International Writer’s conference when I had some excellent pitch sessions with publishers, agents and editors.

What would you change?

I might have held out for a publisher in a larger house.  It is tough working with a small Indie publisher.  I am such a newb at this whole process and I really have no idea how to ‘get the word out there.  Not having a ‘print book’ is also tough because it’s rather hard to have a ‘signing’ or other such event when you are strictly published. I am really hoping this changes in the next year.

dark dancer 200x300

Spirited college senior Bliss is preparing to make her mark in the world of contemporary dance. She’s thrilled to be training at the prestigious Windhaven College of the Arts in Salem, Massachusetts. But things get weird the moment she sets foot on the campus.
Her new roommate, Rowan, is a mind-reading, storm-calling descendent of the Sidhe, the Fae of Ireland, with a secret agenda.

Ciarán, the charming TA for her performance class, is the most brilliant dancer she’s ever seen. Too bad he hides from the sun and has a taste for human blood. Bliss should have run screaming in terror, but Rowan’s magic has woken memories of a past life she cannot deny.

The more she learns of Ciarán’s tragic past and the family of Sidhe he protects, the more she realizes she is a part of their world and her new ‘normal’ is anything but. Enter the Order, ancient enemy of everything supernatural. To protect Bliss and the Sidhe, Ciarán draws her into the very heart of his magical world. Soon, instead of dancing together, they are fighting a bitter battle to prevent disaster from tearing them apart again. This time forever.

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Máirín lives and works on an orchard in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and is slave to several feline overlords. She has a background in theatre and dance and is happiest when she is by the ocean. Dark Dancer is her first full length novel.

 

Samantha Stone Shares Her Journey to Publication

I’m excited to host, Samantha Stone, a graduate student in speech-language pathology who has recently published the first two books in her Crescent City Creatures series. Her main motivation for getting her debut published? Dirty Johnny. I’m going to leave it at that…read on if you’re curious (and how could you not be?!).

I can completely relate to Samantha’s experience, particularly her admission that she is the “I-don’t-have-time-to-brush-my-hair busy” and her preference for “a mix of organization and complete literary chaos.” How does Samantha’s experience resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer? When did you decide to write a book?

 I wanted to be a romance writer since I was sixteen, and read Kiss of the Highlander. By then I already knew I wanted to be a novelist, but reading romance finally opened the door to love stories and the idea of Happily Ever After. I was smitten!

What inspired you to write this story?

Honestly, it happened at the worst time. I was studying for finals…the last finals I would take before graduating college. The story popped into my head, I wrote a chapter and an outline, and then told myself, enough until after the finals were over and I was free to write a bit.

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

 In the beginning I wrote and created an outline… which I quickly discarded. Then, about ¾ of the way through the book I wrote a new outline, which I actually stuck to. I like a mix of organization and complete literary chaos.

Was this the first book you had written?

 When I was 15, I started to write an urban fantasy, which I finished when I was 17. It was called The Lore Reader, and, of course, the hero in it was a werewolf.

How did you fit your writing into the rest of your life?

I’m a speech-language pathology graduate student now, and ridiculously busy. Like, I-don’t-have-time-to-brush-my-hair busy. So writing is my escape. I go to my favorite coffee shop twice a week, and I hunker down and write there. I also write two more days a week. Tuesday through Thursday I don’t pressure myself to write, what with my classes and clients.

Who gave you feedback as you worked through writing the book?

My mother! Before I sent Punished out to any publishers, I e-mailed it to her and asked for her help. I needed it. Thanks, Mom!

What kept you going through the process?

Dirty Johnny. Let’s just say, he’ll be acknowledged in every book I ever write.

Hmmm…I can’t leave that one alone. Who’s Dirty Johnny?

When I first started writing and said I wanted it to be a big part of my life, my father took out a napkin, scrawled a sentence about a man named Dirty Johnny, looked up, and said, “Here. This is my novel, and it’s made just as much money as yours. It’s just as successful as what you’ve written.”
I was so mad! After all the hours I spent slaving over my laptop, here my dad is, saying his sentence on a napkin is just as good as my work. So now that I’ve found a publisher and am getting paid for my stories, I have to always acknowledge Dirty Johnny. Maybe it wasn’t the most tactful way for my dad to motivate me, but it worked! It’s also a bit of good-hearted cheek…
Did you have a market in mind when you started writing the book?

I did! There is such a strong market for paranormal romance out there—I love to read it, and I know so many loyal readers to the genre, all of whom I feel would like Punished.

How many submissions did you send out?

About a dozen.

What happened between hearing your yes and getting the book to print?

First, I received my cover art and marketing forms from my publisher. Then I was paired with a wonderful content editor, followed by a fantastic line editor. Can you tell I love my editors?

What has surprised you most about this process?

That it was happening to me! I’d always dreamed about it, and it felt surreal to finally be happening to me.

Another surprise was how much detail went into the cover. My artist went above and beyond to take what I said into account…I was so, so lucky with my cover art!

 punished

Raphael Saar is an exiled werewolf, a convict on the direct path to a death sentence—for a crime he didn’t commit. He doesn’t care, so long as he can end the human trafficking ring kidnapping women across New Orleans.

Recovering from a horrific tragedy, one particularly bad day for Mary Newman has stretched into months. A nanny for a wealthy family in New Orleans, she can’t understand why she’s being constantly humiliated by her boss until the night she learns that he’s not human—and neither is she.

Only Raphael can save her from the monster feeding from her misery, but will Mary be able to stop his execution?

Punished teams up werewolves, banshees, a wompus cat and a haint in order to rid New Orleans of a group of immortals determined to hurt the city’s women and kill Raphael’s pack.

samantha stone

Samantha Stone is a twenty-something graduate student studying speech-language pathology in Alabama. She’s proficient in French and Signing Exact English, and considers New Orleans the home of her heart. Most days you can find her doing speech- related research, chasing her creatures around New Orleans (in her head), or curled up with a good book. She drinks hot chocolate year-round. 

Zoë Mullins on Writing, Editing, and Her Future Self

I’m delighted to host Zoë Mullins today, author of Winning Cait and A Risk Worth Taking, both published by Ellora’s Cave. In this interview, Zoë shares her publishing journey and the surprising visual image that finally pushed her to get the first darn book written!

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer?

I was the kid in school who was always in trouble for not doing their homework. Instead I was writing. I wrote my first novel on an old manual typewriter that my dad had bought for me when I was about 12 – it was a teenage romance full of mystery and gypsies and the supernatural. Think Nancy Drew meets Vampire Diaries.

 

When did you decide to write a book?

I have all my life written on and off, with the intention of one day trying to get published, but building my ‘day job’ career took precedence. I was on vacation when the idea came to me for Winning Cait. I think my thought process went a little like this… “You can be kinky even in the middle of the woods. Not everyone has access to a dungeon. It would be fun to write a story about a kinky couple in a small town.” Everything else flowed from that idea.

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

For me, vacation is the easiest time to for me to focus on new stories. But because our vacations tend to be a little rustic, it also means I write the first drafts long hand. Once I am back in civilization (as defined by access to my Mac) I begin the process of typing in that first draft and as I do that I give it a first edit. I usually do this on weeknights because it doesn’t require my mind to be as fresh. I can’t work on original content after working all day, so I usually save that until the weekend.

How long did it take to complete?

Winning Cait took about a year to complete, but it took a lot longer than that to get up the courage to share it and eventually submit it.

Did you work on simultaneous projects?

I am always working on multiple projects. Sometimes that means I’m playing on Pinterest or Facebook, but usually its means that I am working on the next story or book in a series.

How did you fit your writing into the rest of your life?

I don’t know how people with children do it… I have three dogs, a husband and a home that’s in a perpetual state of renovation, so finding time to write is not always easy. I save weekends for working on original content, whereas weekdays are reserved for editing. I find the more tired I am, the more brutal I am.

What kept you going through the process?

My age. I was turning 40 and that was the now or never point for me. I had this horrible fear of being the woman in the old age home someday who talks about what might have been. Frankly, I creeped myself out. I want to be the woman with a sparkle in her eye, drinking a glass of wine, who talks about the kinky sex books she published during her misspent ‘youth’.

Did you have a market in mind when you started writing the book?

I was and am a big fan of Ellora’s Cave and I studied their writers. I loved what they were doing, giving new authors a home for some very unconventional stories. I saw how writers honed their craft there. I knew I wanted to be an EC writer and I didn’t give up until I could make that happen.

What did you do when you got the go-ahead?

I’ll admit it, as soon as I realized this wasn’t a friend joking with me, I cried. It was overwhelming.

What has surprised you most about this process?

How much I had to learn about marketing. I’ll admit the writing and editing side came easy. My day job is writing and having it edited and picked apart. That doesn’t bother me. I long ago learned not to be precious about that sort of thing and to learn from the experts. Though I will admit I had it easy. We only had one serious round of revisions before it was fast-tracked. It was only six weeks between the day of acceptance and the day it was published. But that meant I had to learn quickly how to promote my work. I knew nothing about Goodreads, author blogs, blog tours etc. I didn’t even have a Facebook or Twitter page ready, let alone a website. I took a few days off to get that all set up.

The other surprising thing… is the support from my fellow writers, especially my fellow Ellora’s Cave authors. They are an inspiring and supportive group, but truly all the writers I’ve encountered have been amazingly helpful and encouraging.

 

WinningCait

After more than a decade, Cait returns home to St. Augustin and the Dom she left behind. A pampered sub, now widowed, Cait has had to adjust to making decisions for herself for the first time in years. With some help from her friends, she’s been able to begin the business she always wanted.

Then Jackson walks into her studio and it’s as if their years apart never happened. As if she hadn’t left him for his best friend. Their intense chemistry is still there, but she’s already balancing running a new business and making ends meet. Does she have room in her life for Jackson, or better yet, is she willing to relinquish her newfound control?

He’s not going to give her a choice. This time he’s determined to earn her submission, and have her back, not only as his sub, but as his wife.

Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!
An adult BDSM romance from Ellora’s Cave

About Zoë

The only reason Zoë learned to type in high school was so she could write even faster. A prolific writer, even in elementary school, she was jotting down poems and stories whenever she had the chance – usually during math class. After years of working in corporate communications, Zoë decided to refocus on the kind of writing she loved – hot romances with strong, independent heroines. Zoë and her husband of nearly 20 years (yes they did marry in elementary school, thank you for thinking so) live in Atlantic Canada with their fur-family (two dogs at this time). When not at her desk or with her laptop in the gazebo, you can find her at her favorite yoga studio, camping by the lake or renovating their money-pit of a house.

Zoë loves to hear from her readers. You can contact Zoë by email, Facebook or Twitter. If you want to get more insights into the characters you’ve read about, or get a sneak peak at what’s ahead, check out her Pinterest page!

Website: http://www.zoemullins.ca
Email: zoe_mullins@hotmail.com
Twitter: @zoe_writer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoemullinsNB
Website: http://www.zoemullins.ca
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/zoe_mullins/
BUY WINNING CAIT HERE:
amazon.com http://t.co/KjWCSE0TXw
amazon.ca http://t.co/R4Fpj3yklK
kobobooks.com https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/winning-cait
barnesandnoble.com http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winning-cait-zoe-mullins/1122573605?ean=9781419994425
ellorascave.com https://www.ellorascave.com/product/winning-cait/

 

 

Sandra Masters Will Make You Fall in Love With Romance Writing

I’m delighted to host Sandra Masters, author of the Duke series, published by Wild Rose Press. Sandra has had a fascinating and varied career working as an editor, a life coach, and a vice president for a broadcasting company. Throughout Sandra’s life, writing has played an important role; before she wrote the recently released Once Upon A Duke, she had written twelve novels! Her love of writing is so infectious, she will make you fall in love with romance writing all over again.

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer? When did you decide to write a book?

 I’ve been writing romance since the age of thirteen. I wrote my first novel book for my high school English teacher a year or two after.

What inspired you to write this story?

Once Upon A Duke started out with a different title and was written about eight years ago. Previous to this, I wrote about twelve novels for the pure joy of writing. Didn’t take lessons, attend seminars, conferences, network, critique groups, etc.  This story HAD to be told. Have loved the Regency genre all these decades and in particular, I came away with the realization that women in the 1800’s (and before) were treated no better than chattel, a prize horse, or cow—not to mention that aristocratic men needed a breeder. No, it wasn’t right. So my heroine is bright, articulate, strong willed and knows what she wants. A victim of a sadistic husband, she was fortunate when he was killed in a duel by an irate husband. She retreats into her art for comfort and healing.  Quite accidentally, on her brother’s estate, she meets the Duke of Sutton, an acknowledged and professes rake. The attraction sizzles, but she does not succumb to his advances in the beginning, afraid of what a man could do to abuse. Over the years, this first book in the Duke series had many reiterations. About four years ago, I decided I wanted to get published before I left the planet and so I joined writing groups, in particular the Yosemite Romance Writers’ chapter of RWA in Fresno, California. I was amazed at their generosity of spirit and their encouragement. We attended conferences, took online classes, had fabulous romance presenters at our monthly meetings, and contests on writing one liners, beginning hooks, ending hooks. In particular, the presentation by Bonnie Hearn Hill and her craft book DIGITAL INK, opened my eyes wide. I studied it religiously and it resounded with me. I do credit her and the book for guiding my way to publication.

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

I have always been a prolific writer, and in retirement I sat BIC (butt in chair) and just wrote. I’m a plotster so the dreaded synopsis was my outline for my story, my characters, my settings, my romance. I believe in fairy tales. So I wrote and wrote and wrote. Brought it to my critique partners and we did just that.

How long did it take to complete?

Once I got serious about honing my craft, it took less than six months. Then came the polishing. Then it rested. I read it out loud (to my dogs) and completed the final edit. This was the first book I wanted to submit to a publisher.

How did you fit your writing into the rest of your life?

Of course, life got in the way. Married, had two wonderful sons, got divorced, had a high powered career, but always I traveled with a pad and pen. I have volume upon volume of ringed binders at the base of my closet with ideas, stories, phrases, words, marvelous words, sad words, and then back to just words again. When I dedicated my heart and soul to getting published and doing the right things, events started to happen.

Who gave you feedback as you worked through writing the book?

I mentioned my critique group, writer friends, networked, got excited, I could do this.!  when I decided to actually submit, I had my market defined and submitted to three small press publishers.

What kept you going through the process?

The first rejection was from an editor who took the time to advise me what I had to do; where the story was deficient; where the craft was lacking, and she directed me to websites that could be helpful. Wow, for a first rejection, if one can be happy about such an event, it emboldened me. The second publisher, The Wild Rose Press, rejected me too, but again it was so uplifting, and I worked my proverbial off to improve the writing. It was a two-page rejection which specifically cited some plot weaknesses, setting difficulty, etc. My content editor was Cindy Davis, and I owe an awful lot to her. Completely re-edited and re polished the novel, and I remember e-mailing her and saying, “The third time is a charm. This is very much different. Please take another look.”   She did.  She replied with the words, “Want a contract?”

How many submissions did you send out?

Three, but I had a list of other publishers I was going to submit my novel to, but I developed a rapport with my content editor. She pulled no punches, but I saw what had to be done.

Did you work with an agent?

No, didn’t need to. I’m currently on my fourth book in the Duke Series. The fifth book needs a new look over. The sixth book is partially complete.

What happened between hearing your yes and getting the book to print?

Edits. More Edits. Final edits. Deciding on the cover. If they asked for something, they got it the next day. So my path to publication went quickly. Above all, I was humble. I did not argue. They gave me leeway and again, if they requested or suggested a change, if I thought they were right, it happened right away.

What has surprised you most about this process?

It went quickly. Then my editor told me to start writing the second book, etc.

What would you change if you could?

Would have gotten serious about honing my craft 25 years ago. Would have surrounded myself with other writers. That’s where the motivation and drive came into play. If they could do it, so could I. Birds of a feather, etc.

 

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Serena, an artist and widow, has no desire for another husband. When she meets Geoffrey Austen, attraction sizzles to a scorch. Stolen days and nights ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey asks Serena to become his mistress, but she wants commitment, love and marriage, not an affair with a notorious rake.

Geoffrey realizes Serena might be the one woman who can care for his tortured soul, and maybe release his demons. The magic they shared is shattered when he learns she’s been forced into betrothal with another and held captive. He vows to save her even at the cost of his own life.

Will Geoffrey’s gallantry prove he truly loves Serena?
If he survives, will Serena surrender all to him?

 

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Retired executive, Sandra Masters, rose from a humble beginning in Newark, NJ, a short stay at a convent in Morristown, NJ, to the board rooms of NYC, and a fantastic career for a broadcasting company in Carlsbad, California, to the rural foothills of the Sierras of Yosemite National Park, she has always traveled with pen and notebook. It’s been the journey of ten thousand miles with a few miles left. She left her corporate world behind and never looked back.
Nothing she expected, but everything she dreamed.

 

 

 

Amazon.com/books/sandramasters
http://www.amazon.com/My-Divinely-Decadent-Duke ebook/dp/B019GGAEXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452199725&sr=8-1&keywords=my+divinely+decadent+duke

MY DIVINELY DECADENT DUKE Release date, January 29, 2016.
THORN, SON OF A DUKE Release date March 9, 2016
Website: http://www.authorsandramasters.com/

 

LP Maxa on Writing the Flirty, Sexy Romances She Loves to Read

I’m thrilled to host writer LP Maxa this week! LP self-published her first several books and now very happily writes with Boroughs Publishing Group. She has just recently published the second of her Devil’s Share series, Play Dirty, a follow-up to Play Nice. In this interview, she shares her source of inspiration and her process…you’ll be amazed at how quickly her books take shape!

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer?

I’ve always dreamed of being a writer. So for years I would sit down and try to write these really intense novels about life. And then one day, as I was reading a romance novel, my brain clicked. I realized that this was me. Fun flirty sexy novels about love and heart, that’s what I needed to write about. I’ve been having a blast ever since!

What inspired you to write this story?

The Devil’s Share series started with the first book, Play Nice. Which was inspired by a few different things; my LOVE for all things rock and roll, my friend Angela’s pride in her younger brother (he’s the drummer for Dear You) and lastly my curiosity about life on the road with a sexy band. Once all the characters came to life, I knew it needed to be a series and not a stand alone. Play Dirty, which is the second book in the series, was inspired by the darker side of rock and roll.

Describe your writing process.

I can honestly say that I don’t have much of a process when it comes to writing. I sit down and type. I let my characters lead the way and do my best to stay true to them. I can’t really listen to music while I write. But I do have it on around the house all the time. And I listen very closely to song lyrics. If something speaks to me I scribble it down and kind of take it in. Sometimes little side story lines come from those notes.

Play Dirty took me a couple of months to write. I struggled towards the middle of the book. I was very lucky with how well Play Nice flowed out, it only took me a few weeks. But Smith’s story was a little bit harder…in the end it was all worth it.

How many books have you written?

I have four self published books on Kindle, and Play Dirty is the second book in the Devil’s Share series. I’ve been writing for a few years now, but was just recently picked up by Borough’s Publishing Group. Whom I LOVE!

Do you work on simultaneous projects?

With Play Dirty I didn’t. It was the only book I was working on. And to be truthful, I didn’t like working like that. I am a much happier writer when I have a few different stories going at the same time. If I get stumped or I’m not feeling the characters that day, I just go hang out with some other ones. Play Dirty taught me that about myself.

How do you fit your writing into the rest of your life?

Writing isn’t my full time job at this point. I have a day job. And a kid and a husband and a house that’s being remodeled…So it’s definitely not easy to find a quiet corner in my day. But I love writing, so I make the time. My husband is really supportive, so if I have a deadline he makes sure to help me out. Same with my mom. I am really lucky to have this amazing support system.

Are you involved in a writer’s group?

I’m not in any writing groups. But I do have some really great writer friends that I can bounce ideas off of. Like the wonderful Sasha Marshall! She’s always willing to help me work through a tough spot in a book.

Who gives you feedback?

My number one feedback person is my mom. She is an avid reader and I send her everything I write. She loves my characters and she really helps me stay on topic and true to the story line. My friend Christie is also really great at this too. We crack open a bottle of wine and talk through what I’m planning or what I’ve written so far. Like I said, I’m so lucky!

What kept you going through the process?

My readers. They wanted to hear Smith’s story and I wanted to give it to them. I was constantly getting these super encouraging emails and Facebook messages asking when Smith was going to be ready. I have bad ass readers.

Did you have a publisher in mind when you started writing the book?

Play Dirty was already contracted with Borough’s…but Play Nice was what got me started with them. I got online one day and read some writer forum discussions about different romance publishers. Everyone had great things to say about Borough’s! And now I can see why. I love it there.

Do you work with an agent?

I don’t work with an agent. All my marketing is done with Borough’s, myself, and my spectacular reader group/street team. Shout out to the Smitten Kittens!

What has surprised you most about this process?

How long it takes! I have zero patience for anything. With my self-published books, I write it and upload it. Done. Easy Peasy. Working with a publisher is a lot of steps and a lot of back and forth. It takes an average of three months from my books completion to its release date. And it drives me nuts.

What would you change if you could?

Time frame for sure. Maybe instead of three months of editing, only one 🙂 that would be amazing!

IMG_4113
As bassist of the Devil’s Share, Smith James revels in being the ultimate bad boy, until he meets a good girl…who likes it dirty.

PILLS. PAIN. LOSS. LOVE.

Smith James doesn’t need drugs. He just likes them a whole lot. And as bassist for the Devil’s Share, they are easy to come by. So are the women. With a steady supply of both he doesn’t have to think too hard about his past. But when a beautiful physician’s assistant joins the tour, Smith can’t help but want…more.

After watching her high school boyfriend OD, there is no way Dylan Lawson is going to fall for a rock star with a tenuous hold on sobriety, no matter how sexy his New Orleans drawl. She’s been hired to do one job: monitor the health of the lead singer’s girlfriend and her unborn baby. But once Smith flashes that sweet, vulnerable smile, Dylan can’t help but want…more.

And more is what they’ll get. Love on tour is never simple, and with a music festival in Smith’s hometown, a place he’s avoided for years, near his illiterate, abusive, meth-addled father, Smith is one bad night away from a relapse. But with her heart already lost, Dylan is willing to do whatever is necessary to save him—even play a little dirty.

 

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LP Maxa lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, daughter, 3 rescue dogs, 1 stray cat, and one fish (that keeps dying and she keeps replacing so her toddler doesn’t notice). She loves reading romance novels as much as she loves writing them. She feels like inspiration can come from anywhere; a song lyric, a quote, a weekend with friends. The tiniest things can spark amazing stories.

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon buy link

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0170HI10G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1/189-3280639-7467805?qid=1454205908&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=L.P.+Maxa&dpPl=1&dpID=51NbYepEIDL&ref=plSrch

 

 

Tamara Lush is a Journalist by Day, Novelist by Night

I’m excited to host Tamara Lush! An Associated Press reporter by day, Tamara spends each evening writing at least at least 1,000 words of fiction. Described as “sexy stories for smart women,” her stories are full of passion. In this interview, Tamara shares her writing process, the inspiration for her book Hot Shade, and how writing fiction has made her a better journalist.
If you have a chance, stop by her blog, where she profiles authors each week: http://www.tamaralush.com/#!blog/c112v

How long have you wanted to be a romance writer? When did you decide to write a book?

I first through about writing a romance novel in my twenties but had no idea where to begin. It took me twenty years to work up the courage to begin writing fiction. I started writing in 2012. I wrote one chapter and stuck it in a drawer. Then, in the summer of 2014, I took the chapter out of the drawer, decided it was a snooze-fest and rewrote it. I kept writing, a thousand words a night, and wrote what became Hot Shade.

What inspired you to write this story?

I wanted to write a story set in Florida, that reflected the unusual and odd things that happen here. I was also inspired by the true-life story of an Italian journalist named Roberto Saviano. He wrote an expose on organized crime in Italy and is now under police protection. After I read his work, I wondered what his life was like under those stressful circumstances. He was in his twenties when he wrote his book and my imagination wandered. What was it like to be on the run from the mafia? Did he have a girlfriend? What would happen if he fell in love with a young American journalist? That was my spark.

Describe your process for writing this particular book.

I am a reporter with The Associated Press by day, so I write for a living. When I’m finished writing journalism I come home, make dinner, spend time with my husband and our dogs, and then around 8 p.m., I sit and write 1,000 words. Every night. More on weekends. Usually they aren’t great words, but I try to get a very rough draft down first, and then go back for several rounds of polishing.

How did you make time to write?

I gave up television, frivolous internet searches and near-obsessive exercise and discovered I had lots and lots of time.

Who gave you feedback as you worked through writing the book?

I began writing in July of 2014 and in August, I was fortunate to enroll in a Media Bistro class on romance writing. Author Susan Squires was the teacher and because there weren’t many people in the class, she ended up critiquing many pages of my manuscript each week. I was so lucky! Then, I entered the first chapter in Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest. Through that, I connected with another contestant on Twitter. Her name is Kat Faitour and she’s now my critique partner — and while neither of us placed in the contest, we’re both published. I also get feedback from another critique partner, Tina Ellery, who I met on an RWA forum.

How many submissions did you send out?

I submitted to both agents and editors and received many requests for full manuscripts. I was rejected by a dozen agents and 10 publishers. In the end, I had two solid R and Rs and four offers from publishers. I ended up going with Boroughs because I wanted to work with Chris Keeslar, the editor.

Did you work with an agent? How did you find him/her? In what ways did the agent help with the process?

My agent, Amanda Leuck of Spencerhill Associates, was a guest speaker at my local RWA meeting. She is an invaluable partner in the publishing process and helps with everything from navigating contracts to giving me feedback about manuscripts.

What has surprised you most about this process?

As a journalist, I am used to things happening very, very fast. I am surprised at how long the publishing industry takes. The entire process has taught me PATIENCE, which is not typically my strong suit. I consider this a good life lesson.

I’m also surprised at how much fiction writing has helped me in journalism. I’m now observing more details and working those into my news articles. I’m thinking about how to amp up conflict in my articles, as well.

 

HotShade(1)

Romance is the last thing on reporter Skylar Shaw’s mind, and all she wants is to work hard and move on from her small-town newspaper job in Florida. A recent college graduate, Skylar’s all alone in the world. Her family is dead, she’s miles from where she grew up and she’s struggling in her career. And she’s sworn off men since breaking up with her abusive ex-boyfriend.

But when she meets a rich and mysterious Italian while covering a story, her carefully constructed plans for the future are blown to bits. Luca Rossi is gorgeous, funny and brilliant, and she’s determined to uncover his secrets.

After a lonely year on the run from the Mafia, Luca will do anything to possess this vulnerable American beauty. Luca’s got a dark past, though, and he’s reluctant to share it with anyone — much less a gorgeous woman who asks lots of questions.

Soon erotic nights will bleed into dangerous days, and nowhere will be safe from the heat.



Into the Heat_2

 

Leo Villeneuve is a wounded Afghanistan war veteran who is trying like hell to avoid his pain—and his past.

He returns to Florida in hopes of healing. On a sun-kissed beach he runs into Jessica Clarke, the one woman he’s never forgotten. Their attraction for each other burns as hot as the summer sun, but Leo’s got secrets he can’t reveal. Because, if he does, he’ll risk the one thing he can least afford to lose: Jessica’s love.

A book about first love and second chances. And unforgettable passion.

 

 

 

 

 

me

Tamara Lush is an award-winning journalist with The Associated Press.

She first started writing in grade school, penning elaborate stories inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark. After completing her undergraduate degree at Emerson College in Boston, she began her reporting career at a small, weekly newspaper in Massachusetts. Her work has appeared in The Village Voice, People Magazine, The St. Petersburg Times, The Boston Globe and USA Today.

When Tamara isn’t writing or reading, she’s doing yoga, cooking for her Italian husband or chasing her dogs on a beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast. She loves connecting with people on social media.