W.S. Gager

W.S. Gager Searches for Volatile Deeds

W.S. Gager has lived in Michigan for most of her life except when she was interviewing race car drivers or professional woman's golfers. She enjoyed the fast-paced life of a newspaper reporter until deciding to settle down and realized babies didn't adapt well to running down story details on deadline. Since then she honed her skills on other forms of writing before deciding to do what she always wanted with her life and that was to write mystery novels.

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

I’ve always been a writer and have been able to do many things with it from writing speeches, promoting nonprofit organizations, and writing crime for newspapers as well as lots of other interesting things. Most recently my love of writing has been used in a college-classroom setting helping students build their writing skills to be successful in college. This has been the most satisfying as they realize they do have something to say and can learn the skills to make it happen.

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

My characters are very independent and many times I feel like I am losing control all-together. I have characters that only are supposed to have a small part in the book. In A CASE OF ACCIDENTAL INTERSECTION, octogenarian Elsie Dobson’s role was to be a witness in the first chapter only, but she wasn’t happy with that. She took cookies to Mitch Malone to get him to investigate when the police weren’t interested. She made so much fuss, she became a target. One of my favorite scenes ever is Elsie outwitting a killer. I laugh every time I think about it. I wish that was my creativity but it was pure Elsie not letting me rest with my own ideas. 

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

I love research. I usually find the coolest and weirdest things that people would think I made up. Some of my books require more research than others. I try to do as much of the research before I start to write but more often than not, the book takes a different turn and I need to do more. In A CASE OF VOLATILE DEEDS I did quite a bit of research about explosions. I needed something that would scare a city silly but really wasn’t more than flash powder in a high-rise building. Through a professional organization I belong to called the Public Safety Writers Association, I found an explosives expert who gave me all kinds of information about different types of explosions. I had no idea there were so many ways to blow things up. I might be on a watch list for that research. LOL.

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

My family is pretty evenly split on the writing. My husband has dutifully read the first two books and became stalled on the third. My son has never read any of them and my daughter is a big fan and hounds me to finish each one.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My mom said I always made up stories but I don’t remember that. My first memory is when I was named editor of the eighth grade newspaper. I was selected because my teacher liked my journal entries. Every week we had to write two whole pages on anything we wanted. Most kids hated that assignment and I loved it.

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

I love to hear from readers. Check out my website at http://wsgager.com or my blog at http://wsgager.blogspot.com or contact me directly at wsgager@yahoo.com. I also am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wsgager or Twitter @wsgager

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

The best advice I ever received was before my critic group. I’d written a romance because that was what I had read a million of. I thought it was pretty good. It was the first manuscript I’d ever finished. I was a member of Romance Writers of America and one of the ladies in my local chapter read it for me. She told me that I wasn’t a romance writer, which made my stomach drop. She grabbed my hand so I couldn’t run away. She told me I was a mystery writer and to forget about the romance. After I got used to the idea, I realized she was right. The worst advice I ever received was that writing was a solitary enterprise and writers didn’t need others. I would never have been published had it not been for my critic group.

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

I have the most fantastic critique group in the world. We meet once a week and we each bring a chapter. We have been meeting for at least six years. Some members have changed but we each have different strengths and weaknesses. We also write in different genres from romance to paranormal. Their influence has made my writing stronger, more vivid and filled with action.

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

I decided to submit A CASE OF INFATUATION to a contest. I’d written it, edited it with the help of my critic group and didn’t know what else to do with it. I wanted feedback from professionals to improve it. My book won the contest and the prize was a publishing contract. I would never have done that without my critic group telling me it is good enough.

Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?

I worked at newspapers for a dozen years and I am so much better with a deadline. If I don’t have deadlines or set goals, I will take forever to finish something. I also do much better if I have a ton of things to do instead of only a couple. 

A Case of Volatile Deeds - Book 4 - Coming in February 2013

Mitch finally scores dinner with a cute receptionist, but an explosion makes him stand up his date as he runs for an exclusive. His date is the only casualty in a botched robbery. When femme fatale Patrenka Petersen returns, Mitch learns that much of what he knows about his date isn’t what it seems. Mitch must keep his head down or a cute dog with a knack for finding dead bodies will be sniffing out his corpse.

 

Stephen Brayton Directs Mallory Peterson in Alpha

 

Stephen Brayton is a Fifth Degree Black Belt instructor in the American Taekwondo Association.

In 1996, he opened his first taekwondo club in Grinnell, Iowa, and later assumed ownership of the club in Oskaloosa.

He’s been employed in various fields: radio broadcaster and sales, printing, warehouse/trucking, and hospitality. He’s a reader; a writer; an instructor; a graphic designer; a lover of books, movies, wine, women, music, fine food, good humor, sunny summer days spent hiking or fishing; and a catnip drug dealer to a thirteen pound cat, Thomas.

Brayton resides in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

 

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

 

I was raised by desert mutants and until age eighteen participated in the kidnapping of unsuspecting cross country travelers. You know, families with beautiful young daughters...

Actually, I grew up in the Quad Cities and later in a small Iowa town. I attended Iowa Wesleyan College. Since graduation I've held a number of jobs, including radio, trucking, printing, newspaper, and hospitality. When I moved to Oskaloosa, I was involved with community theatre until I started attending taekwondo classes. Currently, I'm a Fifth Degree Black Belt and operate Brayton's Black Belt Academy.

 

Please tell us your latest news!

 

I have developed the power of invisibility. Yep, that's right. So watch out, if you ever get an eerie feeling you're being watched...it may be me...

Seriously, I wanted to let you know that I have three books published. The first, Night Shadows, is about a homicide detective in Des Moines who teams up with an FBI agent who investigates supernatural incidents, to solve a series of heinous murders in the capital city.

The second book, Beta, is the first in the Mallory Petersen mystery series. Mallory is a Fourth Degree Black Belt and private investigator in Des Moines. Most of her cases involved some oddball clients, but in this book, she searches for a kidnapped girl and ends up uncovering a child pornography ring. Both Night Shadows and Beta are available in eBook format.

My third book, Alpha, has Mallory investigating the murder of her boyfriend and discovering all of his dirty secrets. This book is available in trade paperback at Amazon and at Oak Tree Books.

 

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

 

I thoroughly enjoy research. I try to use actual locations and I usually end up traveling to the spots to get a feel for the area and to jot down realistic descriptions. I end up meeting some interesting people, some of whom have been included in the stories. One particular fun situation involved my experience at the Val Air Ballroom where I walked in on a Mexican birthday party for a fifteen year old girl. The place was packed with people, music playing, food cooking. After obtaining the information I sought, I knew I had to put this into the story. It fit so well with Mallory's style.

 

What are your hobbies?

 

Robbing banks, heisting cars, graffiti, a little arson now and then to empty buildings...

No, do not send the cops my way; I'm kidding. Actually, I am into taekwondo (of course), fishing, and although I haven't played in years, both golf and racquetball.

 

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

 

Miss July, 2001 for obvious reasons...

Just kidding (or am I?) I can't think of anybody I'd rather have dinner with than Jesus. Come on, dining and chatting with the Big Guy himself? I'd want to ask about his younger years. I mean, you read about his birth and then nothing till age thirty. What did he do as a child? With whom did he hang during high school? Did he have a nickname? And what exactly does the H stand for in his name?

 

Do you have a website recommendation for other writers?

 

Other than mine? Well, obviously, I have to promote the Posse. It's a group of writers and authors who share information about cool websites, marketing and promotion tips, blogs, and other useful tidbits about publishing and writing. I joined the Posse after meeting Sunny Frazier, Oak Tree's acquisition editor. I branched out on my own and have formed the Gang of my own writers and authors and fans. I keep them up to date on my projects and share tips. Check out the Oak Tree blog or www.sunnyfrazier.com and look under Posse Posts.

 

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

 

A giant bong, a fifth of gin, and NPR classical music on the radio. A poster of Miss July 2001 on the wall for inspiration, and I'm ready to begin...

Uh, wait a minute. Scratch all of that except for the classical music. (And now that I've mentioned her twice, I know some of you are scrambling to find out who July '01 is. Come on, tell the truth.) Anyway, I usually write late at night when nobody is around at work. I turned the volume down on the radio so it becomes background noise. Besides, all classical music sounds the same (apologies to those aficionados, but it does). I usually start with pen and a legal pad because I can think faster than I can write. So while I'm writing, my brain is coming up with the next sentence or scene. Then I transfer the longhand onto the computer, which becomes my first edit. I write until I finish a chapter or my hand starts to ache.

 

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

 

Well, I contemplated writing the next Harry Potter book, but thought btaining the rights to it would be difficult, so now I'm outlining a book about a ditzy bounty hunter in New Jersey...huh? Already done? Sigh!

Actually, I'm working on Delta, the next in the Mallory Petersen series. In this one, I really take her down to her lowest point and her most challenging experience. I also am trying (desperately) to get the sequel to Night Shadows completed. I've been working on this for many years and I haven't been satisfied. But there is hope. I also am sporadically rewriting a stand-alone mystery. Plus, outlining a couple of others.

 

Who is your favorite cover model? And why?

 

I don't think I've ever been asked this question? Sorry, I just can't pick just one. I take a second look at Kristen Bell, Maggie Lawson (who would be my choice to play Mallory in the movie), Avril Lavigne, and I'd buy several copies of any magazine featuring Elisabeth Harnois (oh my!)

 

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

 

Excellent question. Without a doubt: yes and yes it helps immensely. I began writing Alpha back in the middle 90s but found a critique group around 2000. When I started reading the first draft (which at that time was only about 40,000 words), I realized I still had a lot to learn about the craft of writing. So, I settled on short stories while the idea for Beta bugged me and I started writing that one. Then Night Shadows came along. By 2007, I had been involved with three critique groups and I've been a member of three others since. The most recent one has many fine writers who are knowledgeable and provide very fine critiques on the intricacies of writing.

This group has been very helpful in showing me my strengths and weaknesses. I learn from every member whether beginner or published author. Writers need groups like this to assist them, to point out errors, make suggestions, and to have contacts that may lead to future success for both parties.

 

Website link: www.stephenbrayton.com
           Blog links: www.stephenbrayton.wordpress.com; www.braytonsbookbuzz.wordpress.com

 

Fourth Degree Black Belt and private investigator investigates the murder of her boyfriend. Almost immediately, devastating secrets are uncovered and Mallory finds herself in mortal danger at nearly every turn. On top of the murder, she is asked by her landlord to find his missing daughter.

It’s high kicking action when Des Moines’ most gorgeous investigator enters a world of betrayal, murder, and illegal narcotics, as well as the usual assortment of oddball individual unique to Mallory’s world.

 

Amazon / OakTreePress

 

 

CONTEST:  Since this will be coming after February 14th, Mallory would accept belated Valentine's Day cards (to be put into the comments sections). The best poem, quote, compliments, or well-wishes receive a copy of Beta. So, I'd need an email link.

 

 

 

Arkansas mysteries TO DIE FOR with

Radine Trees Nehring …

 

 

For more than twenty years, Radine Trees Nehring's magazine features, essays, newspaper articles, and radio broadcasts have been sharing colorful stories about the people, places, events, and natural world near her Arkansas home. She's also the author of a book of essays set in the Ozarks. "DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow" was published in 1995.

"Until I began to write about Carrie McCrite, I'd dealt only in facts," she says. "What fun it is to take those facts and the settings I love, add people entangled in problems and seeking answers to important life questions, and come up with mystery fiction that shares my world with readers everywhere."

Nehring's research takes her to the places her characters go. She's visited Arkansas tourist destinations, hiked hills and hollows, crawled through caves, spent time in jail (while training for the jail ministry), and--as a news reporter--interviewed officials in every branch of law enforcement. She and her husband John live in the Arkansas Ozarks.

Nehring's major at Principia College in Illinois was Fine Arts. She's done post-graduate work in English and creative writing at the University of Tulsa, and in the University of Iowa Summer Writing Program.

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

I love the heart border I see on this site, since my continuing romance with my husband is key to my life and, in part, key to what I write. (And, of course, hearts are a symbol of that.)

          However, romance in writing or not, I didn't write seriously (for income) until about 35 years ago, though I did write as a volunteer earlier than that, including editing a college newspaper and contributing feature bits and essays to newspapers.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

          I first sold written work after my husband John and I bought land in the Arkansas Ozarks. I was so thoroughly in love with the Ozarks that it fired a renewed urge to write. For several years I wrote and sold essays and feature articles about people, places, and things in the Ozarks to magazines and newspapers regionally, in the United States, and, a few times, internationally. That led to being a broadcast journalist with my own program of news from the area where we now live, and--eventually--to writing and selling a book about our transition from city life to Ozarks country life. (DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow, 1995; available in print and for e-readers--as are all my books.)

 

What main genre do you write in?

 

          After DEAR EARTH came out, I decided to try writing a traditional mystery. Why? Because I love reading mysteries. The “To Die For” series featuring Carrie McCrite and Henry King was born. The seventh novel in this series was released by Oak Tree Press in June.

 

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

Carrie, I have learned, is who she is because of who I am. Though our life circumstances are certainly not the same, the yearning to be a strong woman exists in both our hearts. We just look for and demonstrate that in different ways. When the first novel in the series opens (A VALLEY TO DIE FOR), Carrie has just been widowed after about 30 years in a marriage of convenience to a wealthy criminal lawyer, Amos McCrite, in Tulsa, OK. Their son Rob was born early in this marriage so--as a friend comments in my most recent novel--”At least you did connect once!” After Amos is killed, seeking to prove she can make it on her own, Carrie decides to move to land in the Arkansas Ozarks she and Amos had purchased for retirement. Her adventures, and the continuous growing of strength within herself begins at that point, continues to the present.

 

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

In my case it's always a happy experience. For one thing, my novels are now set at specific tourist destinations in the Arkansas Ozarks. For another, I have learned that people at those locations--park rangers, information officers, various staff members--love talking about their specific (and terrific) place on the map. Most end up having as much fun with research as I do, sometimes becoming thoroughly involved in the story. A couple of them have appeared in novels by name, one wrote the epilogue to a novel, others ask to write blurbs. They all remain great friends!

 

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

          I am involved in a full-time writing career, but, unfortunately, these days that does not mean I write full time. Internet work and arranging other promotion venues takes more than half of my time in the office. (I have my own office in our home.)

 

Current Release Details:
 

In A FAIR TO DIE FOR, we learn that Carrie and Henry King, a retired Kansas City Police Major, have been married for almost a year. When a mysterious (and previously unknown) cousin of Carrie's comes to visit, trouble explodes. “Cousin” Edie reveals a connection to drug dealing, and insists she is on the side of law enforcement. Henry is suspicious of her motives, especially after men claiming to be from the FBI come to their door looking for her.
 

The background for this story is the (real) War Eagle Craft Fair in N.W. Arkansas, where Carrie's best friend, (and my readers' favorite character, after Carrie and Henry), Ozarks native Shirley Booth, has been accepted as an exhibitor. Carrie is helping Shirley with sales at the fair, but, while there, she begins noticing a number of peculiar people and happenings. Scary things begin to darken around Carrie, Cousin Edie, and others, until Carrie herself is caught in the web of danger. Henry's reaction to Carrie's disappearance and peril is obvious, and indicative of his deep love for her.

 

What is the best or worst advice you have ever received?
 

          The worst advice I have ever received is two-fold: (1) Never write dialect, and (2) never write from the point of view of a character you have not been. In other words, if you are a woman, don't write from the pov of a man. Nonsense!

 

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

I founded a critique group in the small town nearest us a number of years ago. Membership has changed, with me the only constant through the years, but it has always been helpful to me and, as my own experience grew, given me the opportunity to help other writers. I am grateful to say that two members of the group have recently received publishing contracts.
 

Not only do group members give me terrific help with my own work, knowing I want to have something ready to read for each meeting is a good spur to produce writing.
 

Just as I now mentor other writers, I received invaluable advice and mentoring from Peggy Fielding, a writer, teacher, and one-woman support group in Tulsa Nightwriters. I joined the group when I lived in Tulsa, and my membership continues to this day. I could never be grateful enough for Peggy's help and encouragement.
 

You can learn more about me and my books at http://www.RadinesBooks.com. If you click on book covers on the home page, that will lead you to excerpts from each novel. Also, keep up with me on Facebook, and on my blog, http://radine.wordpress.com.

 

 

It's October, craft fair season in the Ozarks, and Carrie and Henry are helping their friend Shirley sell her quilts and Baby Cuddlies at the War Eagle Craft Fair.

After a mysterious cousin with ties to drug dealers appears, danger stalks the fair. When Carrie is abducted by killers following a breakfast at War Eagle Mill, she's afraid she won't escape because--though her aim in life has always been to help others out of problems--no one who can help her knows where she is.

"There is no me out there to help me." 

 

Excerpt / Buy

History with a mysterious Twist … Nancy Jardine

Having taught 11-12 year olds for many years, Nancy Jardine finally gave up the chalk in the autumn of 2011. During the last few years she has written a historical novel, three contemporary novels- two of which are what she calls her history/mysteries. She’s also written the first of a time-travel series of novels for children aged 9-12 years, and a family saga is her current work in progress.

Nancy lives in the picturesque castle country of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with her husband who now does all the cooking…the menu far more exciting and tasty than it used to be! Ancestry research-if you hadn’t already guessed-is one of her hobbies, as is participating in exciting events with her family which drag her away from the keyboard. Working in her large garden, she tends real flowers and now grows spectacular weeds which she’s becoming very fond of! She cherishes the couple of days a week when she child-minds her gorgeous granddaughter.

Current Release Details:

Monogamy Twist is my debut novel released by The Wild Rose Press Aug 2011. It’s a light hearted contemporary romance.

Luke Salieri thought he'd seen everything. But when he inherits a dilapidated English estate from a woman he's never heard of—and with quirky conditions besides—it’s a mystery he wants resolved immediately. There must be a woman out there who can meet his needs. But how far will he have to go to persuade her? Lucrative employment for a whole year? The job of researching the old house and its fantastic contents is enticing – but Rhia Ashton can’t see herself living with gorgeous Luke Salieri and not wanting his body as well. Can she live and sleep with him for a whole year and then walk away? Rhia has her own ideas about what will make it worth her while.

Please tell us your latest news!

I’m over the moon to announce two imminent romance releases. On 3^rd August, Take Me Now, a contemporary romance with a little bit of mystery and danger, will be released by The Wild Rose Press. And on the 31^st August, my first full length Historical Romance, The Beltane Choice, will be released by Crooked{Cat}Publishing. Buy details for these will be viewed soon on the publisher’s websites.

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

In Take Me Now Nairn Malcolm is based on a fictitious Scottish island, but is whisked all over the world by the feisty-and pert-Aela Cameron, from Vancouver, Canada, after he has a mysterious accident. She loves transporting him around in his floatplane, catamaran and jet. What she doesn’t bargain for is when she also gets targeted for some of the dangerous action.  Undaunted, she hangs around to solve the mystery of Nairn’s saboteur.

The Beltane Choice is a historical romance set in Britain, AD 71. Romans invade what is now known as the border country between Scotland and England, and battle with the Celtic Selgovae and Brigante tribes. Nara, a Selgovaen princess, has a few dicey moments over choosing her Beltane lover. Lorcan of the Brigantes finds his plans to seduce Nara thwarted by more than one problem.

Topaz Eyes, another ‘history mystery’, is a contemporary novel involving the unraveling of a complex ancestral tree in order to find a cache of missing jewels. Settings for this novel are mainly European cities-Heidelberg, Amsterdam, Vienna- but also the US. Topaz Eyes is with a publisher just now at full manuscript stage.

Dabbling with Time is a novel for children 9-12 years. It begins with a contemporary setting, children time-travel back to AD 210 when north-east Scotland was overrun with marauding Romans. That’s out looking for a contract just now.

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

I’ve done a fair bit of research for all my novels. My three contemporary novels have included places I’ve been to, but I still check up the details in books and the internet-just to make sure my information isn’t too outdated, since that can happen quite quickly. Historical research is essential. Since history has always been my passion, I’ve a lot of research books at home. 

One of my current works in progress is a historical saga, and is very loosely based on ancestral researches, including information about my own ancestors. It has been quite spectacular what I’ve found out about my relatives of yesteryear! Black sheep you might expect in any family…but someone who flaunts the marriage/ bigamy laws…maybe not so common! The rest is secret at the moment!!!

What main genre do you write in?

I don’t have a main genre, to date. I’m not in any niche, yet. My first published projects were non-fiction full length teaching materials, and a full length history of my local school dating back to the early 1600s. They both involved a lot of historical research.

Since 2008 I’ve written three contemporary romances. Two of those have historical mysteries to solve; the third is a contemporary mystery. All three have a bit of danger/intrigue.

My first historical romance is the first of a series of three. And, likewise, my novel for children is also the first of at least three. My family saga will be a stand alone! 

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

My husband is very supportive, but has only read my children’s novel, so far. The first family member to read my debut romance, Monogamy Twist, was one of my sons-in-law, who was desperate to have the mystery solved, and read it pretty quickly. He gave it a ‘great thumbs up’ and wants first ‘dibs’ on my next release. My daughters are also brilliant, and have read bits as my sort of very ‘early critique partners’.

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

Pantser! But it’s hard to tie up loose ends at the second, and subsequent, draft stages. Novel 1 for children was a pantser job. Written when I taught full time, it was abandoned when non-fiction projects got priority. Resurrected when I went part-time teaching, it needed a huge tidy up before submission to publishers. I decided to avoid that effort, if I could, in the future.

I plot now, though still use a basic plot structure. For my history mysteries a family tree was constructed, to ensure the threads all worked, and intertwined properly. Same story with my family saga WIP- a ‘family tree driven’ plot has been constructed. My 3rd contemporary mystery needed a mind-map of images. Not what characters were like, but more which treasures they uncovered by the end of the novel. Big plotting was essential, there! 

Regarding character development? Still a pantser, but I now get an image of my hero and heroine before I begin to write. I pin the print-outs on my cork board, so they are ‘in my face’ as I write. I use photo images purchased from my favorite Royalty Free site- that way I can use them later for blogs, book trailer YouTube videos, Pinterest Boards etc.

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

I’d be Aran from my novel for children, Dabbling With Time. Although only 12 years old, he has the most fantastic memory for details, and can use his knowledge really well under stress and danger!  He is, of course, going to be a handsome accomplished hero in years to come, and will have the ladies swooning!

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

It would have to be two people since I couldn’t possibly choose between them. I’m (sad tears dripping here) old enough to want to invite a ‘younger’ Kevin Kline. He’s such a versatile actor and so funny. I’ve loved him in many different movies, and I don’t think there would be a dull moment with him. I’d especially love it if he burst into song (His version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance was hysterical). For the same reasons I’d also want Johnny Depp. I think he’d be much more of a challenge at table conversation (who would want to be talking though?). Those eyes of his would swamp me…as would Kevin’s…so there lies the dilemma!

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

Website: http://nancyjardineauthor.weebly.com 

Blog: http://nancyjardine.blogspot.com 

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/nancy.jardine.56 

Twitter: @nansjar

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nanjar/ 

And now it's over to the blog readers. What's the most cool tidbit you've found during your researches? Best reply will be the winner of an e copy of Monogamy Twist.

                  Monogamy Twist

Luke Salieri thought he'd seen everything. But when he inherits a dilapidated English estate from a woman he's never heard of—and with quirky conditions besides—it’s a mystery he wants resolved immediately. There must be a woman out there who can meet his needs. But how far will he have to go to persuade her?

Lucrative employment for a whole year? The job of researching the old house and its fantastic contents is enticing – but Rhia Ashton can’t see herself living with gorgeous Luke Salieri and not wanting his body as well. Can she live and sleep with him for a whole year and then walk away? Rhia has her own ideas about what will make it worth her while.

Excerpt / Amazon  / The Wild Rose Press

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.

Amazon / Barnes &Noble / Smashwords

A Ghost Writer  with a lot of Secrets … Lorna Collins

Lorna Collins was raised in Alhambra, California and attended California State University at Los Angeles where she majored in English.

Between 1998 and 2001, she worked in Osaka, Japan on the Universal Studios theme park with her husband, Larry. Their memoir of that experience, 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, was published in 2005 and was a finalist for the 2006 nonfiction EPPIE award and named as one of Rebeccas Reads best nonfiction books of 2005.

They have written two mysteries together: Murder… They Wrote, published in 2009, and Murder in Paradise, published in 2010. The latter was a finalist for the 2011 EPIC eBook Award in 2011. They are currently working on at least two more in this series.

Along with authors Sherry Derr-Wille, Luanna Rugh, and Christie Shary, Lorna wrote several romance anthologies: Snowflake Secrets, finalist for the Dream Realm and Eric Hoffer Awards, published in 2008, Seasons of Love in 2009, and Directions of Love in 2010. Directions of Love received the EPIC eBook Award for best romance anthology of 2011. The group added debut author, Cheryl Gardarian for An Aspen Grove Christmas, published in December of 2010. The group is currently working on three more anthologies.

Ghost Writer is Lorna’s first solo effort, and her favorite book so far.

Today she and Larry are retired and reside in Dana Point, California.

 

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

I am one of those rare birds: a native Californian. I was born in Hollywood at a hospital overlooking the Hollywood Freeway. I grew up in Alhambra, California in the same neighborhood with my husband, Larry. I received a California State Scholarship and Cal. State LA majoring in English.

During my career in Document Control, I wrote many policies and procedures, leading me to other positions, including Sr. Technical Writer.

In 1998, Larry and I moved to Osaka, Japan to build the Universal Studios theme park. This adventure resulted in our memoir, 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, which was a 2006 EPPIE finalist, Editor's choice Award winner, and one of Rebeccas Reads best nonfiction books of 2005.

We then moved on to mysteries, the first of which was Murder…They Wrote. Our second, Murder in Paradise, was a finalist for the 2012 EPIC Award.

In addition, I write anthologies with Sherry Derr-Wille, Christie Shary, and Luanna Rugh. Snowflake Secrets, our first, was a finalist in the Dream Realm and Eric Hoffer awards. Another, Directions of Love, won the 2011 EPIC Award for romance anthology. There are two others: Seasons of Love, and An Aspen Grove Christmas.

Ghost Writer, my first solo work from Oak Tree Press, is my first fantasy/mystery romance. I had so much fun writing this one that I am already at work on another in the same genre called Sofia’s Garden.

Meanwhile, Larry and I are happily retired and writing in Dana Point, CA.

Please tell us your latest news!

I’m so excited about the release of Ghost Writer! It features my first ghost, Max, who is a crusty self-centered old curmudgeon. I adored bringing him to life since he’s so different from any other character I’ve ever written. In fact, I dragged my feet about finishing the book. I finally figured out that the reason was that I didn’t want to let go of Max!

Ghost Writer is a great beach read since it’s set in and around Laguna Beach, California.

Please describe your writing environment.

I believe in suffering for my art. But seriously, Larry and I share an office where we look out on our ‘Zen Garden’ complete with Japanese rock garden and waterfall. As we write, we can hear the trickle of water tripping down the stones. The waterfall is about thirty-five feet tall and goes from the top of the slope to the bottom, so the sound is heavenly. There is a link to photos on our website www.lornalarry.com. All 9,000 plus of my favorite tunes are loaded onto my computer, so I can also surround myself with wonderful music. It’s the best place in the world to support creativity.

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

I know who my major characters will be, but sometimes new ones appear as the story develops. In Ghost Writer, the character of Helen, Max’s former secretary, came along as a bit of a surprise. But I welcomed her when she showed up since she brought with her another whole story thread.

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

Research is the key to any book, and it’s absolutely necessary. Larry and I are currently working on a historical novel set in San Juan Capistrano. We’ve read as much as we can find on the period between 1800 and 1890, but there aren’t too many sources. Fortunately the ‘official’ historian of San Juan agreed to review our chapters as we complete them. She’s a fabulous resource.

As for something cool we discovered doing research, we were in Hawaii (doing research) at the time of the final edits for our second mystery, Murder in Paradise. We’d written about a restaurant we knew well. But when we arrived, we discovered it had moved! We made a couple of changes to the manuscript, and it was published with the correct information. But that’s why it’s necessary to be thorough in researching even for contemporary writing.

What main genre do you write in?

This is really a funny question since we only intended to write the memoir. But while attending the Maui Writers Conference in 2005, Larry came up with an idea for a mystery, and we met the inspiration for our protagonist, Agapé Jones.

Then I had a wild idea for a romance anthology with a through story. I floated it to Sherry Derr-Wille, and she liked the idea. Then I added two more author friends, and the anthologies came about.

The ghost found me. We were carpooling from work one day, and he came to me. He was so fusty and annoying, I had to write him! So now, I’ve added fantasy to the mix.

And I have an old romance novel languishing in my files waiting for me to get back to it.

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

Since we’re both writers, the rest of the family has been very accepting and encouraging. We were blessed with amazing families who would have encouraged us in whatever we chose to do. Some of them read our books, and quite a few have passed them on and recommended them to friends. Of course, we write I a variety of styles, so most readers can find something they like. (The truth is, I’m easily bored, so doing different kinds of books keeps it interesting.)

Current Release Details:

Ghost Writer, my fantasy/romance/mystery set in and around Laguna Beach, CA, was just released by Oak Tree Press. It is available directly from the publisher’s website, www.oaktreebooks.com, or from most other online sources in paperback and ebook format.

Who is your perfect hero? And why?

Larry, of course. He’s the gentle but self-confident and internally strong guy I always write. I know him best since we’ve been married nearly forty-seven years, and I grew up with him. I’ve never met a more decent and kind person. And that’s what I want for the women in my books. They, like me, are usually pretty self-sufficient and strong. So, I know that the personalities of the main characters will work well together.

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

The best place to find out about us is on our website www.lornalarry.com. Our precious Japanese son-in-law, Toshihiro Komiyama, insisted on updating it. He’s kept it up ever since. On the site are links to my blog and lots and lots of information on us and our books.

We’re both on Facebook and Goodreads. I also post to LinkedIn and Twitter. In fact, if folks are anywhere in social media, it would be hard to miss me!

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

Our critique group is probably the single most important reason we got our first book published. I had started the book, then asked Larry for input. He came back some time later with a completely different book. And that’s where I gave up until a friend suggested coming to the group to see if they could help. They did. And we learned to write together.

We continue to attend the group meetings every Monday night. And they continue to make suggestions that improve our work. I highly recommend finding a group that’s the right fit, but I always recommend working with a group.

What's your favorite genre to read?

I have always loved anthologies. I enjoy the shorter format since I usually read at bedtime. I can complete a novella in a few evenings. I also like reading tight, clean prose. I have read some books that go on and on without moving the story along. I find that kind of writing annoying. Not that I don’t’ enjoy many full-length novels as long as the writing is compelling and the story moves along.

Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?

Now that I’m retired, deadlines are a major force in focusing my attention where it needs to be. Since I now have more discretionary time, it’s easy to get distracted. Deadlines are a good way to stay focused on the next thing. Of course, I always have several manuscripts working at a time, so the one with the first deadline gets the most attention. Unless the characters are yelling at me, that is. Then the one who shouts the loudest often requires getting onto the page, if only to shut them up!

GHOST WRITER

When unemployed computer programmer Nan Burton inherits a California beach cottage from her great-great-aunt, she’s delighted. But she’s in for a huge surprise: The house is haunted by the ghost of famous romance writer Max Murdoch (pen name Maxine DuBois) who insists Nan complete his last novel, threatening to keep her from sleeping until she agrees. The ensuing clash pits youth against the long-dead but still egotistical author with humorous and moving results.

Publisher / Amazon