Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Author Interview- Sandra Dailey

Angela, thank you so much for letting me hang out with you and your friends today. As a bonus, my new release, COMMON ENEMY, is free for kindle users for a limited time.




You are more than welcome Sandra, tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.

Amiable – I try to be friendly and agreeable even in the aisles at Wal-Mart.  It’s a personal challenge.

Bright – My family calls me the queen of sarcasm. It’s a talent I honed from childhood which earned me lots of time in detention hall.

Curious – I’m the person eavesdropping on your conversation at the next table, collecting story ideas. 

What are your three favorite things?

Coffee – Chocolate – Football! In that order.

What for you is the best part of writing? What is the worst?

The End – It’s so great to have it all out in black and white, but then the real work begins.

Is there a process you stick to, or do you just write as it hits you?

I’m a mess when it comes to writing; lists, outlines, bios. There are at least three notebooks and an entire pad of post-its in use at all times.

When not writing, what can you be found doing?

I’m usually cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. When no one is around I sneak in reading, knitting, and listening to music.




Blurb:
Jordan Holbrook is the single mother of a five-year-old daughter. She's just inherited her grandmother's house in South Florida where she's hiding from an abusive ex-husband who's been released from prison early. A new man in her life isn't part of her plans. 
Connor McCrae is a handyman who lives out of his van. He walked away from a privileged life and loving family after being badly scarred in a vicious attack. He doesn't believe a woman's love is in the cards for him. 
They are brought together by a rundown house, a mutual attraction, and a common enemy: Bobby Ray Butler, who is cutting a path of murder and mayhem through south Florida in his quest for vengeance against his ex-wife. 



Excerpt:
“Mom, mom, mom, mom…”
Jordan opened one eye to find Lizzy lying beside her, her face a mere three inches away. She lifted herself on one elbow to see the alarm clock over her daughter’s head. It was eight o’clock. She flopped on her back, waiting for the fuzziness in her head to clear. It took a moment to realize that she was lying in her grandmother’s bed, in her grandmother’s house.
For the first time in years, she’d slept through the night without waking at every little sound. She hadn’t jumped from the bed with a feeling of stark fear. She and her daughter were safe.
“What’s for breakfast, Mommy? I’m starving.”
Lizzy squirmed out of her embrace and off the bed. She stood in her pink nightgown and bare feet, her copper colored hair, in tangles, caught the sunlight. Jordan could see the dusting of freckles over the little girl’s nose. She had always hated her own auburn hair and freckles, but they were adorable on Lizzy.
“One of Gram’s friends sent a coffee cake yesterday, but I don’t have any milk. Would you like to have a cup of tea with me, like a big girl?”
“Well, I guess, but just this once. It’s not really good for me you know.”
“I know, but I promise that I’ll get you some milk when I go to the store.”
Lizzy jumped from the bed to run out of the room.
She stopped in the hall and yelled back, “Do you think the man outside will want some tea, too, Mommy?”
“What man?”
“The man under your car,” Lizzy answered matter-of-factly as she ran on ahead.


!!!Free on Amazon Kindle for a limited time!!!  


BIO:
A little about me: I live in North Florida with my husband of 33 years. We have four kids, seven grandkids, two more on the way, and we’re expecting our first great-grandbaby. I never thought about being a writer until three years ago. COMMON ENEMY follows my two contemporary romances, THE CHIEF’S PROPOSAL and TWICE THE TROUBLE. I love to hear from readers, reviewers, fellow authors and friends. 

You can find me at:


Tuesday, April 29, 2014

This Week's Free Books

Happy Tuesday. What better way to wait out severe weather than by grabbing a free book. Stop by Amazon and pick yours up today. * Be sure to get your copy of Common Enemy  and stop by again tomorrow as Sandra will be my guest.*

Staying professional is a challenge when the patient has charm and personality. Physical Therapy by Aysel Quinnhttp://amzn.com/B00ILYHL2C #cleanromance

Nobody knows how special Ugly Creek is, except the people who live there Secrets of Ugly Creek by Cheryel Huttonhttp://amzn.com/B00ILYHISE

A defense attorney and a local sheriff.  Who is right? Who is wrong? And will love win out in the end? Promise Made by Mitzi Pool Bridges http://amzn.com/B00ILZQZSM

Jordan is hiding from an abusive ex-husband. A new man in her life isn't part of her plans.  Common Enemy by Sandra Dailey http://amzn.com/B00ILYKD8G

Monday, April 28, 2014

Please Take A Moment To Say A Prayer

Hey readers, if you wouldn't mind, please take a moment to say a prayer for the south as we are getting hammered with severe weather. Arkansas has already been impacted by this deadly wave of storms, Mississippians are in their safe places, and here in Alabama we're making preparations. Coming on the heels of the April 27th, third anniversary, we're all a little scared. Please pray for God's will to be done and his hands to keep us safe.

Thanks.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Author Interview- Diane Burton

    Good Monday morning readers, I have with us today the talented Diane Burton, 
author of One Red Shoe.

    I was lucky enough to pick up One Red Shoe a few months ago and it was wonderful!!!! 
You won't be doing yourself any favors if you don't follow the links at the end of this post and get this book all for your very own.



      Hi Diane, tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.


Agile—mentally, not physically. I’m flexible and willing to try something new.

Bookworm—I read all the time, when I’m not writing. I love the adventures and romance in novels and try to incorporate that spirit in my own books.

Caring—I care for and about my family and friends; other authors. I try to help beginning writers because others helped me. Sort of paying it forward.
     
 What are your three favorite things?

My grandchildren. They bring so much happiness into my life. Their love is unconditional, as if mine for them.

Books. I couldn’t live without books.

My new house. After six houses that belonged to someone else, my husband and I now have one we designed and had built. Love it! Plus, we’re now close to our grandchildren.

What for you is the best part of writing?  What is the worst?

The best part is the discovery. I start a story with a rough idea, then the characters slowly take over and take the story where they want to go.

The worst is when the characters take over then box me into a corner.

Was there any particular inspiration for your characters or story?

One Red Shoe began as a writing assignment during a Mid-Michigan RWA chapter meeting. It was a fun exercise that I expanded into the story.

You did an excellent job bringing Daria to life.  How much is she like you?

Daria is a teacher. I was a teacher. That’s about it. She’s the youngest (I’m the oldest) of a large family. She rescues a wounded man. I would have called an ambulance. I’m too much of a wimp to do what she did.

Will there be more books in your series, or can you tell us about any previous books?

My previous books have been science fiction romances. Two series: Switched series (about twins separated before birth) and the Outer Rim series (about strong women on the frontier of space).






ONE RED SHOE Blurb:

Daria Mason’s life is too predictable. Nothing ever happens in her small Iowa town where everybody knows everybody else. But when she travels to New York City looking for a little excitement, she never expects to bring home a wounded spy.

From the moment agent Sam Jozwiak steals intel vital to US security from a Russian Mafia kingpin, Murphy’s Law takes over. No matter how he covers his tracks, the kingpin’s assassins find him. What’s worse than getting shot in the butt? Accepting help from an Iowa tourist.

Sam and Daria flee cross country with the assassins right behind them. Sharing danger and excitement—and a few kisses—with Sam soon has Daria convinced he’s the man for her. He thinks she’ll be better off once he’s out of her life for good. With their lives on the line, can she convince him they belong together?

Excerpt:

Jimmy bent down to look at the right front tire. I don’t like the looks of this.
The tire is fine, Daria said.
The others ignored her and all bent down to look. While they debated whether she should get a new tire, Rover dashed up. The reddish-brown mutt of indeterminate heritage nearly knocked her over with his usual enthusiastic greeting. She gave him a quick hug and ruffled his fur.
Billy, don’t feed Rover any table scraps. Only two cups of kibble a day. Andy, you’re going to put food in the barn for Archy and Mehitabel, right? She didn’t wait for his response. And, Tommy, you’ll take care of—
Jimmy straightened. For crissake, Daria, it’s a goddamn zoo around here.
At least he wasn’t trying to delay her with talk about new tires. She reached up and patted his cheek. Don’t swear.
I mean it, Daria Jean, Jimmy said. Don’t you dare bring home some wounded stray. I don’t care if it’s bleeding. No more. He ran his hand through his hair. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. You’ve never even been east of Chicago.
She smiled. I know.
I hoped you’d get this foolishness out of your system. He blew out a breath and thrust a small item at her. Since you’re determined to go, this is a top-of-the-line cell phone. It has GPS tracking so if you have car trouble and call for help, they’ll know exactly where you are.
Daria ignored the first part of his rant. She’d heard it before but was surprised at his thoughtfulness with the phone. She gave him a hug then the others. Standing back, she looked at the four of them. Tears threatened. She blinked rapidly. For goodness sake, it wasn’t like she was leaving forever. A week away from home, that’s all. She got into her car, eager to get started.
Call every night, Jimmy ordered. He just had to spoil the moment. So we know you’re okay. The others nodded. They meant well, she reminded herself.
She put the key in the ignition. Oh, God. This was it. She was going after her dream. A mixture of fear and excitement shot through her. She hadn’t felt like this since... since leaving for summer camp when she was ten. How pathetic was that. When she got back, things were going to change. First, she was going on a real adventure.
New York City, here I come.

ONE RED SHOE is available at:

Author Bio:
Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched series, she is the author of The Pilot, the first book in a series about strong women on the frontier of space. One Red Shoe is her first romantic suspense. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.
For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com

Connect with Diane Burton online

Blog  





Thursday, April 17, 2014

This Weeks' Free Books

Sorry I'm late, so don't delay, Grab your Kindle and download today!


#FREE Love is all, even if that means means fighting Heaven and Hell to keep it. Shattering Halos by Sunniva Deehttp://amzn.com/B00ILXYKTK   

#FREE He didn't anticipate a fiery sass-mouthed weather reporter…Can she find the love forever absent from her life in a gruff, tyrant of a boss? Love Easy by Roe Valentine http://amzn.com/B00ILXYEMS

#FREE Their families are enemies, their attraction is undeniable, and someone wants Maggie gone - forever. Maggie's Mountain by Mya Barrett http://amzn.com/B00ILXY8CY

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

I Made The Local Paper

If you get a chance, follow the link below to see my first face to face interview with a very lovely reporter from my local paper.

http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2014/04/16/verbena-author-publishes-first-book-of-planned-trilogy/

Monday, April 14, 2014

Cover Reveal- Dani-Lyn Alexander

Happy Monday morning readers, today we have HarperCollins writer Dani-Lyn Alexander. Be sure to read through the interview as Dani had provided a chance to win a Rafflecopter Giveaway at the end of this post.


Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs.She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.

Find her on Social Media at:


Welcome Dani-Lyn, tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.  
Active, busy and chatty.

What are your three favorite things? 
Kids, chocolate and big dogs.

Music is a big influence on my writing. I have certain songs that inspire each chapter, or the whole book. What helps to inspire you? 
Role playing with my three-year-old helps to inspire me. Kids have wonderful imaginations. The monsters in one of my middle grade books are named for the way my son said Lincoln Logs at the time.

What is the ultimate goal you have for your career? 
I would love to continue to write romance novels. I also enjoy writing children’s work and cozy mysteries. I hope to build a following in all three of those genres.

When not writing, what can you be found doing? 
I can usually be found doing something with my kids. If it’s warm enough—anything over about fifty degrees—we go to the beach and play on the playground. If not, we like to play cars, sword fight, or play playdough. 



Blurb: 
What happens when an online date is not what it seems?
After Ali's heart is broken, she decides to try Anonymous, a new dating website where you can retain complete anonymity while you search for your soul mate. When she discovers Joe, she thinks she may have at least found a new friend and decides to put her past behind her and move on.
Several death threats and an attempt on her life force her back into contact with her soon-to-be ex, Mark, who is the lead detective on the case. The tension builds between them while Ali struggles to get over Mark, and Mark races to find the maniac who's trying to kill her.
When Ali meets up with her online flame, she finds he's anything but the friend she imagined.

Pre-Order until April 17 @ : Amazon 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

This Week's FREE Books

Help an author out. These books are free for a limited time, so don't delay, download to Kindle today!!!


Free on Kindle! 
I really appreciate you guys helping with this,” I said to the “Bouquet.” My three sisters are Daisy, Rose, and Magnolia, so it’s a family joke. My guess was our parents ran out of flowers when they reached me. I’ve often felt blessed I didn’t end up as Petunia. Ivy wasn’t much better, but I was stuck with it.
Poison Ivy by Misty Simon  http://amzn.com/B00ILXENRO 

Free on Kindle! 
Splinters of wood flew into the air as gunshot ricocheted off the motionless stagecoach’s weathered doorframe. Jack Sterling grabbed his dusty brown Stetson and lowered his head just as a second shot whizzed through the cabin. A fast breeze stirred beside his ear. It was a close call—too close.
Sterling's Way (Lawmen & Outlaws) by Sarita Leone http://amzn.com/B00ILXE8K6 

Free on Kindle! 
Time stopped.
In one small movement, no more than a tiny reflex, Lucas betrayed himself. As the snake flew toward him, his body responded before his mind could control his actions. He flinched.
The father’s eyes widened. Only a seer would have moved. A human would have seen nothing until the viper was latched onto his neck.
In one involuntary movement, Lucas had exposed himself.
Now the hunt would begin. 
The Seer's Lover (The Seven Archangels Series) by Kat de Falla http://amzn.com/B00ILXE2NO 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Author Interview- Kat de Falla

Happy Tuesday and welcome back author Kat de Falla who is happy to promote her new book, The Seer's Lover, which is FREE this week only on Amazon. To celebrate, Kat is offering a Rafflecopter giveaway, found at the end of this post.

Hey Kat, Tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.





 I say “annoying, blabbering, and conceited” while my husband laughed and said, “No, it’s adorable, beautiful, and charming.” Believe who you want! Next question!

What are your three favorite things? My husband, my kids, and PIZZA!

Music is a big influence on my writing. I have certain songs that inspire each chapter, or the whole book. What helps to inspire you? 

My sexy husband! He’s a composer on the fly. He can watch our Bullador (bulldog/lab) frolic in the snow and write a song while it’s happening. He arranged three songs for The Seer’s Lover.

 Leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to send you The Seer’s Lover soundtrack for free! It is also available on Amazon and iTunes (just follow the links)!
                                           Amazon     iTunes

What’s the one thing you would do if you could be your character for a day? 

Stay away from angels and demons!

Favorite item of clothing in your closet? 

Sweatpants, of course.

Great answers Kat, thanks for being with us today. Now on to the good stuff.



Available on Kindle: February 24th, 2014 with FREE days from April 8th-April 12th!

World Wide Release Date:  June 4th, 2014

Genre:  Mainstream Paranormal/Paranormal Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press




Calise Rowe's question of who walks among us 
leads her into an ancient war between seers and demons.


 Blurb:

For years, Calise Rowe has been able to sense unusual energy from people, making her believe she is different.  Pulled into an ancient war raging for centuries between demon hunters and seers, she's about to find out she's right. 

Her search for the truth leads her to Lucas Rojas, a seer of angels and demons who walk the earth shrouded from normal human eyes.  He's hidden his gift for years and refuses to endanger Calise by sharing it with her. 

In the sultry Costa Rican Jungles, their worlds collide.  As their passion and desire ignite, so does the ancient war between demons and seers.  Will their combined efforts be enough to save themselves and the entire human world, or will their new found love be their downfall?

Excerpt:

She traced a circle in the sand with her finger.
Why would she disclose her whole existence to someone she’d just met? Someone who talked so little about himself that she found herself talking to fill the void. Saying things she could barely admit in her own head.
His hand covered hers. “I’m lonely, too. Getting to know you this week has been the brightest point in my life and I don’t want you to leave, but I know the only place you’ll be safe is far away from me.”
She swallowed. He had read her mind.
He lay down on his back and closed his eyes. “Cali, you know when you hear a song for the first time and you kind of ingest it? You can’t possibly know right away that it will be one of your favorite songs for the rest of your life. A classic.”
“Yeah.” She hoped he was going somewhere good with this.
“That first listen,” he continued, “you pick up a little of the melody and some lyrics that catch you. But when the song ends, you have to hear it again because you want to memorize all the words and sing along. After you hear it a few times and learn the words inside and out, then you begin to let the melody seep inside you. Next thing you know, you’ve completely digested the song and find yourself humming it while you are doing nothing, like shaving or driving your car. Finally, the song becomes so ingrained it becomes a part of you. Forever. You can recall it and it’s with you whenever you need it. Am I making any sense?”
She nodded, blinking back the tears fighting to fall.
“Cali, I don’t want you to go back because you’re my favorite song.”

As I touch on Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in this book, 
a portion of the proceeds will be donated to www.iorphan.org

Purchase Links:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ILXE2NO/ref=docs-os-doi_0

http://www.amzn.com/B00ILXE2NO


Bio:

Author Kat de Falla was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she learned to roller skate, ride a banana seat bike, and love Shakespeare thanks to her high school English teacher.
Four years at the UW-Madison wasn’t enough, so she returned to her beloved college town for her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is happily employed as a retail pharmacist where she fills prescriptions and chats with her patients.
She is married to her soul mate, classical guitarist, Lee de Falla and raising four kids together ala the Brady Bunch.

Kat’s Links:

Author Website: www.katdefalla.com
Blog: www.quillorpill.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@katdefalla
Facebook:www.facebook.com/authorkatdefalla 
(message me to join my street team!)

Additional Information:

Visit www.bayafaya.com for FREE music downloads arranged by ningen9 that accompany this book: 
Anna’s Dance is a jazzy bossa nova meant to accompany chapter two.
Shane's Torment is a churning soundscape of despair meant to accompany chapter six. 
Cali and Lucas First Dance is a Latin fusion instrumental love song meant to accompany chapter twelve. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 7, 2014

Author Interview- Dawn Douglas

Happy Monday readers, I've got author Dawn Douglas with us today promoting her new book, Paris Rose. 
Read on as she answers a few questions and shares her excerpt with us.

Welcome Dawn, Tell me three things about yourself that start with A,B, and C.




A I am an autism mom. My youngest son, William, is 14 and non-verbal. He loves his beanie babies and trampoline – he doesn’t love his mom sitting down to write!

B Blessed isn’t a word I normally use, but that’s sometimes exactly how I feel when the writing is going well, the sun is shining (which it usually is here in Colorado) and I think of some of the great people in my life.

C Cat-lady! OK, this is a slight exaggeration – there’s a community of stray cats in my neighborhood. I’ve adopted two of them. Cloudy and Eliot drop by each day for food and a chat.

Was there any particular inspiration for your characters or story?

I was lucky enough to spend a day in Paris last year. I kept thinking how much I’d like to set a story there, and I’d written a short story several years ago that I liked and always wondered if it could be developed into something slightly longer because the characters haunted me and I thought they had more of a story to tell. In the end, I only set a small part of Paris Rose in Paris, but the heroine, Lucy Rawlinson, is a chef who trained in France and who feels very at home in Paris.

Music is a big influence on my writing. I have certain songs that inspire each chapter, or the whole book. What helps to inspire you?

 I think the answer to this has to be good storytelling. I read novels in different genres, but whether they’re romance or literary I usually have the same questions as I reach the end – Could I ever write something as good as that? How would I have written that differently?  How can I carve out more time to write?

Will there be more books in your series, or can you tell us about any previous books?

My novella, An Accidental Kiss, was released last year by The Wild Rose Press. I loved writing it. The characters all made me smile – the heroine, Marcy, has a teenage daughter I based upon my own daughter, and  parents who are getting on a bit in age named Kath and Herb. I’ve never accidentally kissed anyone but like Marcy I do have a tendency to say the wrong thing and get into awkward situations.






Paris Rose Excerpt -
 Without even bothering to pull on his jeans, Nick bolted down the stairs and out of the house in his boxers. A few months ago, there'd been reports of a peeping Tom in the next town over. They'd never caught the guy. The cool night air brushed his skin and he felt goose bumps as he pounded on Lucy's door. The stupid little dog barked frantically. It occurred to Nick that someone could have broken in through a window, or the back door. She'd never paid much attention to security. Again he pounded on the door and yelled her name, hearing the hoarse desperation in his voice, imagining Lucy with a knife at her throat, helpless . . . He heard hurried footsteps and a moment later she appeared, her face white with terror, and catapulted into his arms. "Nick!" "Sweetheart, what happened?" He held her tightly, relief coursing through him, feeling the rapid beat of her heart against his chest. "Oh, God!" "It's okay now." She smelled of sunshine and strawberries. "Do we need to call the police?" A shuddering sob escaped her as she clung to him. "Lucy, what happened?" Finally she looked up at him, her huge gray eyes filled with tears. "I - I was hungry and I decided to fix myself a sandwich. I opened the pantry door, and there he was, just sitting on top of the peanut butter jar looking at me, a huge gray mouse." "A mouse."
BUY LINK: AMAZON




Friday, April 4, 2014

Author Interview- Larry Farmer

Happy Friday readers, I've got new author Larry Farmer with us today. Welcome Larry, tell me three words that describe yourself.




   Old fashioned, sentimental, fun

  What are your three favorite things?
   Family, history, adventure

Was there any particular inspiration for your characters or story?
      My son in the Marines

How much is your character like you?
     98 percent

 If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?

     Hank Williams



Blurb 
Dalhart McIlhenny is restless after finishing college. With old school values from his rural upbringing in Texas and a chip on his shoulder from being a Marine during the Age of Aquarius, he sets off on a quest. He wants something different in his life. Something others of his generation wouldn't understand.
The Indian Capital of America. That's what they call Gallup, New Mexico, and that's where he'll search for whatever it is he wants. But first he must find a job. One no one else wants. One as a laborer for minimum wage for the Kerr Construction Company, working with the local Navajo and with illegal aliens. Far away from the fast cars and parties he doesn't care about like others do. He becomes best friends with an ex-bullfighter from Durango and finds allure in just trying to survive in a world that doesn't care. Then he meets Carmen.


Excerpt 
“Quitting time, McIlhenny,” I heard Ira shout.
“Another five minutes,” I shouted back.
“I’ll load up,” he answered. “Oh yeah, another thing.”
“What’s that?” I asked when he didn’t follow through.
“Didn’t you say you used to play football?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“You’re a fast runner, right?”
What does that mean? “Yeah,” I answered again.
“You better be. This is a stick of dynamite here in my hand.”
He lit it and threw it my direction. I didn’t look back until I heard the explosion. There was a hole ten yards from where I used to be.
“Come on,” he shouted again, not bothering to laugh. “Let’s go home. Go get your shovel if it’s still there.”

Buy Link: Amazon

Will release on The Wild Rose Press in late May with a world wide release on July 23rd.


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Come Visit Me

Promo is in full swing, spread the word.


http://gloriamarlow.weebly.com/1/post/2014/04/angela-hayes-loves-battle.html

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

This Week's Free Books

I've got my Kindle ready, how about you?


#FREE A woman on a mission, a man with secrets to hide... Dead Man's Rules by 

@rebeccagrace55 http://amzn.com/B00I28UXFY @freedailybooks



#FREE If you steal gold to buy a chance at love, be sure it's not cursed. As Good as Gold 

http://amzn.com/B00I28UYXA @freedailybooks



#FREE Can things get worse when your boyfriend's a demigod and your mom's dating a soul 

sucker?http://amzn.com/B00I2932CE @freedailybooks

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Author Interview- Kathryn Freeman

Happy Tuesday readers, I've got a special treat. From all the way across the pond, English author Kathryn Freeman. Welcome Kate, tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.

Affectionate – I love a good hug, so I try to give them, too. My teenage boys aren’t so receptive.
Busy/bossy – I asked my husband to help with this. I suggested busy, he provided bossy.
Culinary-muppet  - I’m sure that’s a word, isn’t it? It certainly accurately describes me in the kitchen

What are your three favorite things?

Chips – that’s real, thick, British chips, not those thin French fries
Sunshine – perhaps because we don’t get enough of it in England
Champagne – put all three together, I’m in heaven.

 What for you is the best part of writing? What is the worst?

 The best part of writing for me is dreaming up my hero.  How better to spend your day than mentally putting together your ideal man?  Imagining him in various scenarios…sigh.

I was going to say the worst part is then finding that ideal man an ideal woman!  But no, I enjoy finding him a soul mate, a heroine who deserves him. What I don’t enjoy is that final proof read. I’ve already read through the manuscript so many times I can probably recite it in my sleep, but now I start to doubt it. Is it too repetitive? Does that work? And yes, it is too late to change…

 Is there a process you stick to, or do you just write as it hits you?

Process is a little strong, but I always start with my hero, and once I’ve got a handle on him, I picture his ideal woman. For a while I ‘play’ with the characters in my head – usually during down time, so when I’m running or driving or cooking (maybe that could explain C above!). Once the plot starts to form, and the ideas start flowing, I open up a blank document and do a brain dump of my characters and story outline. Then I’m off.  I love the quote by Somerset Maugham: I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp. I’m not saying I’m inspired then, but on my romance writing days (some days I’m a medical writer) I do sit down at my desk at 9 am and treat it as a normal job.

 If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?

I’m going to choose a British Formula one driver, Jenson Button. My husband and sons are huge Formula one fans, but I always thought it was dull – until I went to my first race meeting and was bowled over by the sheer speed and noise.  It inspired me to write the book I’m working on now, where the hero is an F1 driver. Having read what these guys go through to reach that level, not only in terms of skill but also fitness, I’m in awe of them. So I’d like to spend the day with Jenson for several reasons. Firstly because I could watch him race – preferably Monaco – and have the best seat in town. Secondly because after he won (naturally) we could celebrate somewhere really cool, like on his yacht.  Thirdly he could give me a real insight into the life of a driver, to help my research. Lastly, because he’s funny and very sexy!




Blurb: Too Charming

Does a girl ever really learn from her mistakes?
Detective Sergeant Megan Taylor thinks so. She once lost her heart to a man who was too charming and she isn’t about to make the same mistake again -- especially not with sexy defence lawyer, Scott Armstrong. Aside from being far too sure of himself for his own good, Scott’s major flaw is that he defends the very people that she works so hard to imprison.
But when Scott wants something he goes for it. And he wants Megan. One day she’ll see him not as a lawyer, but as a man  ...  and that’s when she’ll fall for him.
Yet just as Scott seems to be making inroads, a case presents itself that’s far too close to home, throwing his life into chaos.
As Megan helps him pick up the pieces, can he persuade her that he isn’t the careless charmer she thinks he is? Isn’t a man innocent until proven guilty?

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