Julie Lynn Hayes

Julie Lynn Hayes Discovers Revelations

 

Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she'd never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another's arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler someday. She enjoys crafts, such as crocheting and cross stitch, knitting and needlepoint and loves to cook. While working a temporary day job, she continues to write her books and stories and reviews, which she posts in various places on the internet. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn't mind. Marching to the beat of one's own drummer is a good thing, after all.  Her published works can be found at Dreamspinner Press, MuseitUp Publishing, Torquere Press, and eXtasy Books. She has also begun to self-publish and is an editor at MuseitUp.  

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

Some might call me Southern, and others say I’m Midwestern. Either way, I’ve lived most of my life in St. Louis, except for a brief period in Jackson, Mississippi. Married twice, and have five kids, but only one is left at home, along with two cats. Writing is my passion, but in my spare time, I enjoy music and movies and crafts, such as cross stitch, needlepoint, crocheting and knitting. At 56 years young, I still have a lot of living to do, and more of the world to see.

Please tell us your latest news!

I just signed a contract with Dreamspinner Press for my novella, Yes He’s My Ex, which is very exciting, and I look forward to working with them again!

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

I develop my characters as I write. I learn about them, as they reveal themselves to me. Sometimes I take notes beforehand, but I never completely flesh them out until I’m writing them. I think it makes them more realistic, and fresher, if I just allow them to grow and develop on their own.

How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

It depends on the book. For My Fair Vampire, an historical set during the 1904 World’s Fair, I did a lot of research. Other books less so. I like to check facts, make sure I have things right, even if I think I do it’s better to research than take a chance on error.

What main genre do you write in?

Primarily m/m romance, but not entirely. Within that genre, I like to write paranormal, but I also enjoy historical, supernatural, and contemporary. I’m writing my first detective novel, as well as my first BDSM novel. I find it interesting to branch out and try things I haven’t tried before.

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?

My kids are very supportive of me. Well, four out of five are. The girls read my books, but the boys would rather not. As for my family, I’ve not spoken to them in about three years. They aren’t supportive at all. They probably couldn’t tell you what I write, assuming they remember that I write.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy cross stitch, needlepoint, crochet and knitting.

If you had to choose one person to have dinner with, who would it be? And why?

Right off the time of my head, and assuming you meant a living person as dead people don’t eat, I would choose author Mike Carey. He wrote the Lucifer graphic novels that I simply love, having introduced the character in Neil Gaiman’s Sandman books. He’s currently writing The Unwritten. I simply love his stories, love his imagination, and love the way he thinks. I would like to explore his psyche over dinner.

Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or Still do?

Not yet, but I hope to someday. I work for a temp agency, and have been at my current assignment about six months. My last full time regular job was as an office manager, where I primarily did payroll and bookkeeping.

What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?

A combination of both. I find that even if I fly by the seat of my pants, I think ahead, plus I keep notes, so I don’t forget what I’ve already written, or what I’m planning to write.

Do you have a website recommendation for other writers?

Before you sub to any publisher, check them out thoroughly through Google, but in particular go to Preditors & Editors, Absolute Write Water Cooler, and Piers Anthony’s site, to see what people are saying. A few minutes’ research could save a lot of heartache.

Current Release Details:

My newest release is Trapped in Time. It began as a flash fiction on my blog and developed into a novella. It’s rather quirky, a combination of time travel with a hint of steampunk. My heroes are accidentally thrust back in time to the days of the dinosaurs, and must find their way back, if it’s even possible. This is released by eXtasy Books, my third release with them.

Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?

How about a little bit of Yes, He’s My Ex, my m/m screwball comedy that was just accepted by Dreamspinner. The heroes names are Sonny and Time. Sometimes Sonny forgets that he’s Tim’s ex.

Sometimes I think that Sonny forgets that he’s my ex. As in past tense. Done and over. Finished and moved on. In the past. And by ex I mean ex-boyfriend, not ex-husband. If it’d been legal for us to do so, do I think I’d have ever married him and made that particular legal commitment? Taken that big step and harnessed myself to him heart and soul—in for the long run, the whole for better and for worse thing? 

God help me, I think I would’ve. 

Luckily, I saw the for worse thing happen before my very eyes, even as the for better thing shrank into a reality so infinitely tiny it would have taken the largest emotional microscope in the world, with a magnification capacity that even I did not possess, to find it. It shriveled up and died and submersed itself somewhere deep inside my chest, within this over-abused, under-appreciated muscle known as my heart. Unfortunately, it’s still there, ‘cause I can feel it and it hurts a helluva lot. 

So let me get back to my point. Sonny is undoubtedly my ex. If I don’t make that clear, then nothing else I say will ever make any sense, and for a writer, that would be the supreme tragedy indeed. 

Well, other than the whole broken heart thing. But I think I just covered that. 

Who is your perfect hero? And why?

Out of my heroes, I would choose Judas, from Revelations, because he is such a prickly thorn, and yet beneath that lies a valuable flower. He’s snarky and grumbly, but he has a good heart, one that he hides, but he grows and develops in the book. And he works hard at saving the life of the man he loves, no matter what he has to do to accomplish that.

When you have writer's block how do you break free?

Usually be reading something, or watching something. Or even by playing FreeCell. Luckily, it doesn’t happen often.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

I have a blog at http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com. I can be reached by email at tothemax.wolf@gmail.com.  I’m on Facebook as Julie Lynn Hayes. Those are the best ways to reach me.

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Through my blog or my Facebook.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you?

I have a few friends who beta what I write. I trust them to tell me when I’m doing something wrong, or need to change something. I beta for them as well. It’s a great system.

What's your favorite genre to read?

I don’t think I have a favorite genre. I love all sorts of books – mysteries, romance, science fiction, drama, classics...

Contest info: Julie will give two copies of Revelations, e-book. All you have to is comment and leave an email address. Julie will contact the winners.

 

Judas has never been very popular, not in any incarnation that he and Jesus and the others have lived through. But he doesn’t care about that. All he cares about is following the instructions of God as set forth in the script that they follow. And Jesus. For Judas has secretly loved the son of God for over two thousand years. 

MuseItUp / Amazon 

 

 

 

Jane Toombs

Sail the High Seas with Jane Toombs

 

Jane Toombs, the Viking from her past and their calico grandcat, Kinko, live on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula wilderness. Here they enjoy refreshing Springs, beautiful Summers, colorful Falls and tolerate miserable Winters. Jane is edging toward ninety with her published books and has over twenty-five novellas and short stories to her credit. She’s been published in every genre except men’s action and erotica, but paranormal is her favorite. She’s a member of a closed twelve author promo group called Jewels Of The Quill, where she’s “Dame Turquoise". 

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself? 

I’ve returned to live in the small town I grew up in. Some years ago, when I was still living in upstate New York after my second husband died, an old classmate of mine called me to tell me I’d spelled my Swedish hero’s name wrong in my latest book, because en was Norwegian—on was Swedish. It turned out he was living in Nevada. As we talked, we discovered in the next month I was attending a family wedding in lower Michigan, and he’d been invited to a family reunion in lower Michigan on the same weekend, in a town only a few miles from where I’d be.  So he told me he’d drive over to see me.  He’d never before kissed me, but when he left after his visit, he did. Wow! We’ve been together since shortly after that. 

I grew up intending to become a writer, but wound up an RN instead due to WWII. When I finally returned to writing I was married with five kids. I dabbled in it at first, but finally wrote my first book, a rather dark gothic romance that sold to Avon. For some reason this upset my doctor husband (his opinion was I was writing trash) and we eventually divorced. I met my second husband in a writing class. After we married, he decided if I could sell a gothic, he could.  So he wrote one and it did sell. So then we both were writing. We never collaborated, but we did edit each other’s work until he died unexpectedly.

Elmer doesn’t write, but cheers me on. At 88, he now has Parkinson’s, but is up and about in a W/ C. I’m now his caretaker, but he’s able to help me a lot. I’ll be 87 in December, and still writing. Slower, though. 

Please tell us a little about your new release without giving too much of a spoiler away.

I’m finishing up my fourth and last book in my Dangerous Darkness Series, Stranger On The Shore. This series traces the lives of four Special Op guys after they return to civilian life, believing the fourth guy has been killed. Well, he has and he hasn’t and the last book is his. These are paranormal suspense romances and the first three, Shadow On The Floor, Watcher At The Door and Trouble From Before are available from my website: www.JaneToombs.com  

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Trying to find a logical way to keep the hero of the fourth book alive, when all three of the heroes of the other books saw him riddled with bullets. Luckily being an RN was a help. 

What comes first: the plot or the characters?

They all come together for me. I do a synopsis for each book and use it to keep myself on track, though I deviate from it a lot.  

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Until I do the synopsis I don’t have any characters. And, yes, they develop as I write because I get to know them. 

Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Nope. Butt in the chair in front of the computer is all I need. 

Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

Other than good overcoming evil, I can’t think of a common theme. 

How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

That varies with each book. Some seem to flow from my fingers and others definitely do not.   

How do you go about naming characters?

I give them names that seem to fit them. Have no idea how I do that. 

What so you see for the future of publishing and e-books?

E-books are gaining in popularity, but I do believe holding a book in your hands won’t ever go out of style completely. 

What are your current books out right now, and what are the books coming up for release?

I’ve been doing a lot of scanning of old rights-back books, which I then send to Books We Love, Ltd. to turn into ebooks. I’m no techie, so I wouldn’t dream of trying to put them up myself. BWL provides editing and great covers. The latest one up is Love’s Odessey, and Bride of The Baja will soon be up. Both are historical romances. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read. 

Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

If it wasn’t for my father, who gently critiqued all my early writing, I doubt I’d be published today. He taught me how to accept well-meant critiquing, which is a priceless gift. Unfortunately, he didn’t live long enough to see me succeed. 

Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web?

http://www.JaneToombs.com 

 

This is the story of a sixteen-year-old American girl who is orphaned when her father dies and she is sent to live with her English uncle. Unfortunately he falls out of favor with the king and is killed. This is where she meets Adrien who saves her from a dire fate by taking her to Holland to live with her mother’s sisters.

They sail to Java on the same ship, but Rommel and Adrien are fated to be torn apart again and again. She has only her courage and her beauty to keep her alive—and her impossible love for Adrien. He never gives up searching for her, even after she is abducted by a Chinese pirate and taken to Amoy. He’ll need all his ability as a swordsman to survive long enough to rescue her.

This is truly an odyssey for Rommel and Adrien as he keeps losing her and must set off to find her once more. Travel is by Dutch East India ship, by junk and by raft. 

Books We Love / Kindle

Callie Hutton Returns With Emma’s Journey

 

Callie has been making up stories since elementary school, and writing gave her a way to turn off the voices in her head. After having a number of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines, she took on what she’d always dreamed of. Writing that book. She currently has a number of both historical and contemporary romance books published. Visit her website for more information. www.calliehutton.com

She currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband and adult children who move in and out with alarming regularity. Add three rescue dogs and the household is complete—and full. She enjoys hearing from her readers, and would love to have you visit her on Facebook. 

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

I’ve been making up stories since elementary school, and writing gave me a way to turn off the voices in my head. After having a number of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines, I took on what I’d always dreamed of. Writing that book. I currently have a number of both historical and contemporary romance books published.  

Please tell us a little about your new release without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Emma’s Journey is about one woman’s journey from Indiana to Oregon, and from a spoiled young woman to a mature, strong one.

Emma Thorpe never wanted to leave her home in Indiana to travel on a wagon train to Oregon.

Once her husband is killed, she decides to return home, but is thwarted by the wagon master who forbids her to set out on her own, and orders her to marry one of the wagon scouts.

Wagon Scout Davis Cooper is happy with his new wife, but will he be able to keep her from running once they reach their destination? 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The middle. That’s the tough part in all my books. I start off, and my fingers fly across the keyboard like crazy. And somewhere along the line I figure out how I want it to end. But it’s that middle slump, where the ‘what happens next’ that gets me every time. I remember reading advice from Sandra Brown (my idol) where she said when you hit the middle slump, throw a big problem at the h/h. That seems to work. 

What comes first: the plot or the characters?

Definitely the characters. I have a general idea of what the story will be about, but my characters usually tell me how they want it to play out.  

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

I use a character sketch for the hero/heroine before I start. I also have a twenty question interview I do that gives background to the character that you might never use, but it let’s you ‘get into’ their heads so you know them well, and know how they think, feel, react, etc.  

Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

No. I use my laptop, but it could be in bed with me, on the kitchen table, at work, at my desk, no set place. 

Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

My characters are similar. Really, really nice guys, feisty women—even if it’s hidden in the beginning. My stories have a lot of things happening in them. My heroines often get into trouble. 

How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

I consider writing my job. So I do it every day, at least five hours a day—except weekends. That leaves a few hours each day for research, answering emails, and marketing. With that schedule, I can usually write and edit a book in about 2-1/2 to 3 months. 

How do you go about naming characters?

Whenever I hear a name that appeals to me, I write it on a list of names I keep on my computer. However, right now I’m in the middle of using names of my sisters, nieces, daughter and future daughter-in-law. It’s fun for them, and as long as I don’t use their husband’s names, I can write the sex scenes. ::grin:: 

What do you see for the future of publishing and e-books?

No doubt e-books with continue to grow. We have a younger generation who are comfortable with technology practically from the cradle. My niece’s two year old son can select the dvd he and his twin want to watch and put it in the player and get it started. Amazing.

But since I’ve always loved holding my kids on my lap as we turned the pages of a book, and hope to do that one day with grandchildren, I don’t see ‘real’ books going the way of dinosaurs any time soon. I’m sure many other people feel the same way. 

What are your current books out right now, and what are the books coming up for release?

Released: Oklahoma Lovers series: #1-A Run for Love, #2-A Wife by Christmas, #3-A Prescription for Love. Not part of a series: An Angel in the Mail; Miss Merry’s Christmas; Daniels’ Desire; Tessa’s Teasures (contemporary), and Emma’s Journey.

In May, Entangled Publishing will release The Elusive Wife (regency), and The Wild Rose Press will release Choose Your Heart (contemporary) probably in the fall. I also plan to self-publish a time travel, Against All Time, that I’m currently working on, and another Christmas novella. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read. I watch very little TV—especially since Downton Abbey is over for the season. I also meet with a group of friends every Sunday afternoon for a brainstorming session. Also, as this year’s president of my local chapter of RWA, I have some duties with that. 

Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

No, lol 

Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web? 

Website: www.calliehutton.com

Twitter: @calliehutton

 

Emma Thorpe did not want to leave her life in Indiana to travel to Oregon on a wagon train, but her husband, Peter, had other ideas. Barely three weeks into the trip, Peter is killed, and Emma is shocked that the wagon master won’t let her return home.

Wagon Scout Davis Cooper has decided this would be his last scouting trip, he intends to obtain land in the new Oregon territory, find a wife, and start a family.

When the Wagon Master orders Emma and Davis to marry, she rebels, but eventually comes to realize she can’t go it alone, no matter how stubborn she is. But nothing will make her give up her dream to return home.

Can Davis change her mind, and have the life he’s always wanted with his unexpected wife? 

 BUY

 

Sharon Sala investigates Rebel Ridge

 

Sharon Sala is a long-time member of RWA, as well as a member of OKRWA.  She has 85 plus books in print, published in four different genres – Romance, Young Adult, Western, and Women’s Fiction.  First published in 1991, she’s a seven-time RITA finalist, winner of the Janet Dailey Award, four-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine, five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence as well as winner of the Booksellers Best Award.  In 2011 she was named RWA’s recipient of the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award.  Her books are New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly best-sellers.  Writing changed her life, her world, and her fate.

Please tell us your latest news! 

I have several books coming out this year.  The first one is TIL DEATH, a romantic suspense, which is book 3 of my Rebel Ridge Trilogy.  It will be out mid-March for paperback and April 1 for digital version.  I’m writing another Young Adult book in my Lunatic Ghost series.  LUNATIC TIMES TWO is the 4^th book in that series.  It will be out some time this fall, I think.  I’ll also have the second book out in a paranormal series I’m self-pubbing under my pen name, Dinah McCall.  The first book WINDWALKER, in my Prophecy series, came out last fall.  It’s available in print and ebook from Amazon.com, from B&N, and for order from any bookstore in print, as well.  The second book in the Prophecy series will be THE DOVE.  It will be available sometime later this year.  I also have a southern women’s fiction book coming out from Sourcebooks in Sept/October.  The short story introducing the book will be out in September in ebook format only.  It’s called COLOR ME BAD.  The book that follows in October is THE CURL UP AND DYE, available in both print and ebook.  It’s about a small southern town (Blessings, Georgia) and how their lives seem to revolve around the beauty shop, The Curl Up and Dye.  I’ll also have the first in a new romantic suspense trilogy out this fall.  The book, GOING ONCE, will be released by Mira books.  The other two books in that trilogy are GOING TWICE and GOING GONE.

Please describe your writing environment. 

Because I take care of my 93 year old Mother full-time (she has dementia and lives with me) my writing environment is anywhere I can find some time on my own and some peace and quiet.  I have and office, but it’s next door to her room, so that’s no longer a viable option.  I’m not picky.  I’ve learned to write pretty much anywhere.  Right now, the favorite spot is on a sofa that has a recliner built in.  It’s situated in a family room that’s part of a very large kitchen.

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Most of my books come to me in dreams, so I know all of it before I start, except some of the secondary plots.  They develop as the book goes, but I am required to do a synopsis format for my publisher beforehand, and part of it comes from that aspect as well.

How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

I research according to the storyline, not across the board.  I already know a lot of what I’m writing about, and what I don’t, I look up.  I am NOT a history buff, so research is usually a distraction I do not look enjoy.  I write in a contemporary voice because I don’t like making history ‘fit’ my stories.  I don’t want to be held to historic details.  I always say, I write fiction, which means I can make it what I want it to be. 

What main genre do you write in? 

Romantic suspense but of late, I’m branching out into women’s fiction and fiction.

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?

My family is proud of me and the career that I’ve made for myself, and yes, they read my books.  I started writing Young Adult for the simple fact that my younger grandchildren weren’t old enough to read the romance, although most of them are now.  But I enjoy writing in different genres and will probably continue to do so.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I always laugh and say my writing originated because of chickens.  I had a job I hated checking groceries in a local grocery store, and once a month they would put chicken on sale.  People bought so many chickens during sale day that I couldn’t get that smell out of my nose.  I wanted a job that had NOTHING to do with chickens, and writing romance was about as far away as a person could get.

Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or Still do?

Yes, I write full time now and am single, but before I did that, I was a full-time farmer’s wife.  I drove tractors, hauled hay, helped combine wheat, drove trucks to market, helped fix fence, raised a large truck garden, chased cows… cooked three huge meals a day for husband and workers, everything that the now famous “Pioneer Woman” blogger turned TV cook does without getting paid for my labor.  LOL  In between all of that, I also was a secretary at public school, worked in a florist shop, was a court clerk in the local city hall.

Do you have a specific writing style?

My readers say I write with emotional intensity.  I don’t really know what my specific voice is, but I do believe that everything in life eventually comes full circle, so… however my book begins, I like to tie it up at the end with the same references at the ending.

If you could be one of your characters - Who would you be? And why?

I would be Layla Birdsong, the heroine from WINDWALKER, under my pen name, Dinah McCall, because she is most closely aligned with how I see and want to live in the world.What do you do on a typical writing day?

Who is your perfect hero? And why?

For me, the perfect hero has to be the WINDWALKER himself.  He was male personified.

When you have writer's block how do you break free?

I can’t afford to have writer’s block.  I have a mortgage.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

Readers can contact me at sharonsala@cox.net, or on FB as Sharon Sala.

 

He left in handcuffs. Now it's time to set himself free.

Nearly twenty years after he was wrongly convicted of setting the fire that killed his father, Lincoln Fox returns to Rebel Ridge, Kentucky. There, deep in the Appalachians, the truth of that terrible night lies buried—and he's sworn to uncover it.

His plans take an unexpected turn when, in the midst of a blizzard, he rescues Meg Walker from her wrecked car. Suddenly Linc discovers another reason to clear his name. Meg, his high school sweetheart, had always believed in his innocence, and if he wants a future with her, he has to show the world proof that she was right.

As the community chooses sides, those who once let a teenage boy take the fall for their crime are forced to raise the stakes. They kidnap Meg, leaving her to the mercy of the mountain. And a second rescue may be more than even Linc can manage….

 

Amazon / Harlequin 

 

 

Looking for adventure? Get in the zone with Diane Burton

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction, and romance into writing romantic fiction. She's a member of Romance Writers of America as well as the Mid-Michigan RWA and Young Adult RWA chapters. She is the author of the Switched series, about twins exchanging places—from Earth to a starship. The first two books, Switched and Switched, Too, are available as e-books. The concluding book is a work in progress. Diane and her husband live in mid-Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?

I'm a Midwest girl who grew up in the Detroit suburbs then moved to Missouri and Chicago and back to Michigan because of my husband's job. I love movies—my favorites are Star Trek, Star Wars and Firefly because I'm absolutely intrigued by the possibility of space travel and living/working in space or on other planets. My first book, Switched, a futuristic, was print published in 2001. I self-published it as an e-book last fall.

Please tell us your latest news!

The sequel to Switched, Switched, Too, is now available as an e-book. This book was a long time coming and I'm so excited it's finally available, especially for those who enjoyed Switched and practically begged for Scott and Veronese's story.

Please describe your writing environment.

My husband made me a beautiful desk (woodworking is his hobby). Do I work there? LOL No. My favorite place to write is in a recliner on my laptop in the early morning when all is quiet. If my husband wants to watch TV, I stick in my earbuds and listen to either New Age (Enya is a favorite) or classical music—nothing with English lyrics because words are a distraction.

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Sort of. My stories usually start with the first scene popping into my head. Then, I play the "what-if" game. I'm more of a write-by-the-seat-of-the-pants writer than a plotter so my characters evolve as I learn about them. They often surprise me. I'll be writing along and they'll "say" something totally out of the blue which sometimes takes the story in a new (often better) direction.

What main genre do you write in?

I'm published in Paranormal Romance—space adventure with romance. I also write romantic suspense, Young Adult (more middle grade) space adventure and I'm working on a female detective series.

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?

Of course, they read my books. :)  My family is very supportive—especially my husband. His attitude has always been "go for it". There were times when I wanted to quit, but he encouraged me to keep going. I've always loved him for that. Well, I love him for other reasons, too. My children are also supportive, as is my extended family.

What are your hobbies?

Reading is #1. I couldn't be a writer without being a reader first. I love gardening. Since we've moved so many times, I've left a little part of myself behind at each house with my perennials, especially irises and lilies of the valley which came from my mother's and grandmother's gardens. I like to quilt but need to make time for it again. Photography has been part of my life since I was ten and got my first camera. I've used some of my own photos in posts on my blog.

If you had to choose one person to have dinner with, who would it be? And why?

Star Trek's Mr. Spock. His character has evolved so much from the original series, through the first six movies, and into the latest where we see him as an old man as well as a younger version in the alternate reality. I'd like to hear his perspective on what it's like to bridge two cultures since he's half-Vulcan and half-human. Bridging two cultures is a problem for two of my characters: Veronese, the main character in Switched, Too, and Marcus in Switched. How should they choose which world to live in and what will be the consequences?

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Oh, yes. My best friend in high school and I wrote fan fiction, only we didn't know that was what it was called. We would write and share with each other stories based on our favorite TV shows starring ourselves, of course. LOL We have huge crushes on certain characters. The one time I submitted a story in a creative writing class my teacher told me to stop wasting my time writing romance and write serious stuff. That ended my budding writing career. For a while. After my children graduated high school and I was done with the school/church/scouts volunteering, I decided to write the stories I love to read—romance, suspense, adventure. Now, they happen to take place on starships.

Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or Still do?

If I added up all the hours per week I spend on my writing career, it would definitely be more than forty. But I don't write 8 hours/day, 5 days/week. Some days, when I'm really cooking, it's twelve or more. Other days, when I get a chance to play with my grandchildren, it's nada. Have to keep my priorities straight.

My most important job was as a stay-at-home mom raising two children. I've been an elementary teacher, inventory clerk in a flute store, and have done temp office work for a Girl Scout council and a medical non-profit. My last job before retiring was with an oil and gas exploration company where I found the cure for insomnia—reading oil and gas leases.

Current Release Details:

The theme of Switched, Too is be careful what you wish for . . . you might get it. Scott Cherella's lifelong dream to go into space quickly becomes a nightmare. Veronese Qilana must protect him, a Terran masquerading as a starship captain. When sabotage erupts, they must work together to get the crew safely home. In doing so, they discover opposites really do attract.

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Readers can learn more about me and my books at:

my website: www.dianeburton.com

my blog: http://dianeburton.blogspot.com (I blog every Monday morning)

I'm on FB at Diane Burton – Author  Twitter at @dmburton72 and Goodreads

 Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure chatting with you.

Scott had no choice but to use the computer now. Before tackling it for the first time, he'd hoped for the privacy of his quarters—and Veronese Qilana's help. His reluctant co-conspirator ditched him as soon as they came aboard. He mentally kicked himself for his selfishness. They were in the middle of a crisis. She had her duties. He had his.

Damn. He didn't want to tackle the computer. Suck it up, Ace. You can do this. You wanted adventure. You wanted to explore space. You got it. Now, man up.

He sat in the captain's chair. Automatically, an instrument panel on the right swung up and in front of him. A hit in the solar plexus might have been easier to take. Symbols and shapes he'd never seen before covered the segmented screen. It might as well be filled with ancient Sanskrit. Panic shot through him. He couldn't read.

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Welcome Women’s Fiction Author … Jamie Salisbury

Jamie Salisbury cannot imagine a time when she did not write. A skill that has served her well throughout her diversified professional career that encompassed public relations in and around the entertainment industry, photography, editing, and special event planning.

An avid reader of history, biographies, and romance it's only natural that she prefers to write historical romances with characters said to be "so authentic they spring forth from the page and shake the reader's hand." No stranger to life threatening situations Jamie pulls from life experience when she creates her stories. Such as when her family had to escape Chile when she was a teen because of the unstable political climate.

Unable to walk great distances as a result of several foot surgeries, she started writing once again as a way to pass the time. With the completion of her first novel Perpetual Love she dove head first into the eBook and digital publishing paradigm. She couldn't be happier with her decision to grab the publishing industry by the shoulders and force it to pay attention to all she has to offer.

Tell us your latest news. . .

Timeless Sojourn is my latest contemporary romance which will be released July 9^th.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I’ve always written, but I think the teacher I had in high school for a Creative Writing class did it for me. She encouraged her students, had some, at the time, off the wall ideas in order to get us to expand our writing skills (she would have us write a piece about a song on a album of her choosing).

Do you write full time?

Yes, I am fortunate that I can say I write full time. Before I had an extensive background in public relations and special events planning. I still do some public relations work for a select clientele.

Current release details

Anne Harrison is at an age when most women are enjoying the fact that their children are now grown and moved out, and can enjoy their spouses. Fate is fickle. It has other ideas for Anne. She is instead faced with a divorce and starting over.

Geoffrey Quinn is a successful businessman with many layers who happens to be quite handsome who like Anne has no expectations of a relationship.

But all of that is about to change.

What’s the best way for readers to contact you?

Website:  http://www.jamiesalisbury.webs.com

Blog: http://www.jamiesalisburyauthor.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JamieRSalisburyAuthor

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/#!/JamieRSalisbury

Email: TudorRose829@gmail.com

What is the best advice and worse advice you have ever received?

The best: keep writing, always keep writing. The worse? Quit while you’re ahead. You’ll never make it as a successful author.

What type of book have you always wanted to write?

Action/adventure. I’m researching a future project that will have all of that. It’s a little out of my comfort zone but I’m game.

If you could be one of your characters – who would you be? And why?

Probably Zara Middleton-Tudor from Tudor Rose. She is an independent, savvy and successful businesswoman, who doesn’t let anyone beat her down. Plus she’s fiercely loyal to her clients and they are in return.

Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?

I’m working on a couple – helps with writers block. One is a Scottish/British historical romance set in the 1890s.  I am also working on the sequel to Tudor Rose and I have one I’m doing research on which is a contemporary romance, with more action/adventure than what I normally write.

Who is your favorite cover model? And why?

Jimmy Thomas, without a doubt. He’s of the age set of quite a few of my male characters. His images say it all. He’s professional, smart, and oh yeah, he’s damn good looking.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this!", has become the mantra in Anne Harrison's head since her recent divorce. She was too old to be here...to be single. Melancholy and unsure about anything Anne takes her long time friend Kat's advice and gets back to her roots...in Seattle. There she hopes to connect with that long ago girl from her childhood and find her confidence again.

Devilishly handsome, arrogant, and cocky Geoffrey Quinn is a man of success. He's also a man of layers and most people can't get past what he portrays. No one until Anne.

The last thing either of these people are looking for is a relationship. Anne finds Geoff highly irritating (and young!) at his best, while Geoffrey finds her magnetic and wise.

Seemingly unsuitable and unplanned attractions lights a fiery passion this duo never expected.

Will they take a chance on passion? If they do what happens when the blaze recedes? What will be left ashes or embers?

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