Today’s exclusive interview is with Vicki Batman, who writes in a genre close to my heart, romantic comedy/mystery. Her latest book is titled, Temporarily Insane. True to her love of mystery, she reveals that she lives “in a big state.” Here’s a blurb of her book, available as an ebook and paperback: Bad job. Wrong love. And Murder. Hattie Cooks takes a job at an accounting firm where mishaps and murders are definitely fishy. Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: The heroine is gifted with her favorite chocolate as birthday gifts. A lot of chocolate. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? I received this review: “Temporarily Insane,” is an unpredictable combination of humor, romance, and mystery. Hattie Cooks is smart and sharp-witted. The author takes the reader right into Hattie’s head from the very first page and readers are with her every step of the way. Because I fell into writing through reading, I have always wondered how I measure up against writers who studied writing. "Smart and sharp-witted" definitely are nice to hear. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? Dick Francis-whom I did meet at a book signing, however, has since passed. The novels are fast-paced and have a good glimpse into the horse-racing business in England. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? This question always floors me. I don't know. Right now, a favorite actor is Tom Hardy; however, he isn't my hero. I'm just clueless. When and why did you decide to become a writer? Actually, I'd secretly harbored the desire, but didn't act on it until a friend challenged me. She read what I'd done, solemnly handed back the draft, and said, "Keep going." So I did and am forever grateful. What books influenced you growing up? My reading has always gravitated toward mysteries. Just like a lot of readers, I began with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, to Rebecca. Then my mom introduced me to Emilie Loring romances. I found Mary Stewart's romantic suspense books in my twenties and regularly reread them. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? I cut my teeth in writing a lot of romantic comedy short stories. The latest is in the Season of Promises holiday anthology, "The Littlest Angel." Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I'm what is called hybrid. I am traditionally published and indie pubbed. Kinda like the stock market – "don't put all your eggs in one basket." Do you belong to any writer’s groups? I belong to RWA and several of their online chapters. I also belong to the Plotting Princesses, Sisterhood of Suspense, and Guppies. RWA helped me become a writer. The Princesses supports me in the process. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? I dabbled with a very sexy romance, however, truly my voice is in humor. Therefore, I'm best stuck in romantic comedy. Where can readers find you? Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html Facebook: http://bit.ly/293iZIz Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/ Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/ Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top/ Email: vlmbatman@hotmail.com Giveaway at: https://sisterhoodofsuspense.com/giveaways Vicki was kind enough to share an excerpt from Temporarily Insane:
Trixie had some nerve. “Stop it, Hattie!” Her reprimand, the one which had shot a stabbing pain to my right eye, sounded terribly out of character, like she had little patience for me. Ordinarily, she was the nicest person I knew, didn’t have a mean bone in her body. The kind who rescued animals, picked up trash at Sommerville Park, and prepared food for the elderly. Not today. I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest in a school girl flaunt. Trixie tilted forward in her desk chair, her bosom almost resting on her desk. “This nonsense has to end. Your moan sounded like an obscure breed of a bizarre...untamed...wounded animal.” She returned to an upright and seated position and in tiny increments, rotated her chair from side-to-side, waiting for me to say something not stupid. In truth, Trixie had pounded the nail on the head. I had nothing to add. My whole life had turned into an obscure, bizarre, bad reflection of itself, thus wounding me to my core. I sighed and pouted an if only. Don’t go there. My fun sister friend owned the employment agency Jobs Inc., and on occasion, she’d happily assisted me in finding temporary work since my dream job had been flushed down the proverbial toilet a few months back, thus soiling my picture-perfect life. For this newest assignment she’d located, I’d be employed as an administrative assistant for the managing partner at Northside, Lancaster, and Brookside, Certified Public Accountants, headquartered in my hometown of Sommerville. At first, she’d sounded oh-so pleasant when we began our yak about the opportunity. “Think accounting,” she’d teased, followed by a small chuckle. Her laugh had spoken volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica proportions. Copyright 2016 Vicki Batman. Reprinted with Permission.
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Today’s exclusive interview is with romantic suspense author and MTW2017 participant Lily Black, who writes from her home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her newest novel is called Storm of Attraction, available in both e-book and paperback format. Here’s a blurb guaranteed to get you scurrying out to buy the book: Love is worth fighting for. Alexa Wolving has just one rule: never give a guy a second chance. That works just fine in the safe life she’s built. In the charming town of Willowdale, her day job as a librarian balances perfectly with her evening job as a black belt instructor. But when she attracts the attention of a stalker, Alexa’s carefully built world begins to crumble. Drew Cosimo knows he broke Alexa’s heart five years ago when he took his first Ranger assignment and disappeared from her life. Now that he’s out of the army, he’s moving back home to Willowdale. He’s not looking for a fight, but making peace would be easier if Alexa hadn’t told the entire town he was a money-grubbing jerk. Despite the tension between them, Drew is quick to offer his protection when a stalker forces Alexa from her home. As the stalker’s attacks escalate, Alexa and Drew are forced to face their painful past and the simmering attraction between them. They must fight to save each other before everything they care about goes up in flames. Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: This book is an interesting mix, because on the one hand there’s some very practical self-defense stuff and the stalker, who is freaky scary. While on the other hand, there are some lovely scenes with cozy cooking in a grand old house that has a gorgeous library, which my librarian heroine instantly falls in love with. I really enjoyed writing this juxtaposition, which takes me and the reader on a real rollercoaster! Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? Storm of Attraction will be on sale at a nice promotional price for my loyal fans on the day it comes out, which is Feb. 13th. Pick it up then! My publisher will also be sponsoring a Goodreads Giveaway of three paperback copies of the book from January 30th through February 12th I will also be participating in a big literary event with some ten or so other Red Adept authors on the Saturday before Memorial Day, here in the Raleigh NC area. My website will have all the details! What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? My favorite so far was a gentleman reader/reviewer who said he didn’t like romances generally, but this one was good and it didn’t have to be read as a romance if you didn’t want to. I happen to like the romance angle, but I appreciated his support! If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet? This is such a great question! There are so many authors (living and dead) who’ve influenced me, and I look up to. However, I’m going to go with Jane Austen. Despite the fact that I don’t write historicals, her work has inspired me on so many levels, and I also really admire her as a person. I think we’d ditch tea and take a long walk through the gorgeous countryside, and talk writing. Like how to know when a draft is done, and when to rein your characters in vs. letting them lead the story. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Hmm, that’s a tough one! I’m going to say Michelle Rodriguez or Ginnifer Goodwin for my heroine, Alexa, though both of them would have to change their hair to honey-blond. And for my hero I’m thinking Jake Gyllenhaal or Oscar Isaac. What is your favorite quote from the book and why? No way can I pick one! But here’s one I’ll share, from early in the book when the heroine has just learned that she’ll have to leave her home and hide with the hero. The detective’s role in the story isn’t super big, but she won a place in my heart from this scene alone. Here you are: “So, a safe room, huh?” Something in Detective Rawlings’s voice snagged Drew’s attention. “That’s right.” He couldn’t read the detective’s expression. Was she laughing at him? “Nothing fancy, not like the movies. Just a room that’s been reinforced where possible. I installed a sturdy frame and a solid, reinforced door. Then added two deadbolts that slide straight into solid wood.” Detective Rawlings nodded. There was definitely a glint in her eye, and a smile played about her lips. “And that room would be… where? Not the kitchen or living room?” “My bedroom, actually.” Drew caught the suggestion in her look and shook his head emphatically. “Only to be used in emergencies. Besides, the guest bedroom is also a safe room.” He didn’t add that he only considered the guest room a backup, considering it was on the main floor and had a window with easy access to the ground. The detective grinned. “I only ask because I don’t want to save Alexa from the stalker only to charge her with assault and battery. She doesn’t like you very much.” Do you have pets? I have a dog named Zeke (who now considers himself famous, since he’s in my author photo on the back cover of Storm of Attraction!), and a cat named Apricot. At one point Apricot, who is orange and striped, had put on a bit of extra weight and the vet put her on a diet. My kids were young then and found this hilarious, so they started calling her Garfieldina, after the food-loving cat in the comic strip. So when I realized my heroine in Storm of Attraction was going to have several cats, one of them got named Fieldgar (Garfield backwards) in honor of all chubby orange and striped cats everywhere. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? I’m well into the companion novel, which is tentatively titled Storm of Deception. In it we have a Senator’s daughter, a wounded warrior, and a shadowy bad guy who’s looking to score some political blackmail while killing off the hero and heroine before they can uncover his secrets. Do you have any other awesome projects in the works? Why yes, I do, thanks for asking! Many years ago when I first started reading romance, I discovered that the heat level I enjoyed was much lower than that of some of the books, and the cover could only tell me so much. Out of this desire to better be able to pick my new reads my husband and I developed the Book Ninjas Blush-O-Meter. We’re still adding to the book catalog (and probably always will be) but we now have several hundred romance, YA and chicklit books in every genre sorted by blush level in the catalog. It’s super easy to use, so check it out and discover the new read that’s perfect for you! www.book-ninjas.com/blushometer. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I’m with a small traditional press. For me, it felt like the best of all worlds since Red Adept is able to provide a gorgeous cover, editing, and advertising much like the big presses, but I get to keep a larger percentage of royalties and grow creatively in the direction I want with my publisher’s support. What former author training/writing have you had, if any? I attended RWA Nationals around the same time I wrote Storm of Attraction but spent the next several years focused on my YA and MG books, while also working as a content/developmental editor. During the same time I also participated in Orson Scott Card’s Literary Bootcamp, and of course honed my skills in a variety of other ways. When I came back to romances I found that my skills had grown, and was pleased to be able to implement much of what I’d learned in the revision process! What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences, if any? Because I write across niches/genres I’ve attended a lot of local conferences as well as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Nationals, WorldCon (where I paneled and promoted an anthology I was part of) and Romance Writers of America (RWA) National Conference. Each has their own particular strengths, and I’ve loved them all. However, I was most impressed with the curriculum and professionalism of the RWA national conference. It was so valuable that I actually forked over the cash both for that year’s recorded lectures and the year prior’s. Amazing insights into the craft and business of writing! Lily was generous enough to share an excerpt from Storm of Attraction with us below:
Drew shifted from one foot to the other. “There’s a cut in the tire wall, so you’ll need a new tire. It can’t be patched, and it looks like it’s—” When Alexa realized where he was going, the keys slipped from her fingers and jangled onto the porch steps. Drew reached down and picked them up. He flipped them once in his hand then met Alexa’s eyes. “Your tire’s been slashed. Do you know anyone who would do that? Anyone who might be angry or holding a grudge?” “Besides you?” Alexa smiled sweetly at the astonishment on his face then turned her back on him. Okay, so maybe that was uncalled for. Between the stalker, slashed tire, and Drew showing up, acting as if he had a place in her life, she wasn’t sure which way was up or down anymore. Something in the living room window caught her eye. Ragbag, her kitten, stood on the ledge inside the window. He was soaking wet and dripping. He meowed through the window then bent his head to lick his wet fur. His balance was off, and he wobbled before tumbling off the ledge. “Ragbag!” Alexa snatched the keys from Drew’s hand and unlocked the door in record time. Dumping the big box on the couch, she bent beside Ragbag and examined him carefully. He was even soggier than he’d looked in the window, but he appeared okay aside from that. Drew had followed her and stood in the doorway with his head cocked. “Is that running water I hear?” “Running water?” Alexa caught the sound and got up, running as fast as she could manage down the hall to the bathroom. Her two adult cats were in the bathtub, trapped underneath a laundry basket that had been flipped over to make a cage. The tap was turned on, and the water level in the tub had risen to the point that the cats were just barely keeping their heads above water. Even as she watched, Fieldgar’s head slipped beneath the surface. Snatching the basket out of the tub, Alexa tossed it aside and pulled Fieldgar free. She passed him to Drew, who crouched beside her, ready with a towel. Then she reached back for Oreo. When her black-and-white kitty was bundled in a towel, she looked around for Ragbag, who had followed them in, but Drew had already wrapped him in another towel. “I… I don’t…” Alexa stuttered to a stop. She put her face down close to Oreo’s face and worked to calm her racing heart enough so she could get words out. Falling apart wouldn’t help her cats—figuring this out would. She drew on the calm she reached for when sparring and lifted her head. “How did they get in the tub? And why was the water running?” Instead of answering, he picked Fieldgar up and rubbed him vigorously then held him out to Alexa. “He’s so limp, almost like he’s asleep. Is that normal?” She took Fieldgar and cradled him in her lap. She stroked his tiger-orange face then tickled him under the chin but got no response. “The water was cool, and cats hate water. Maybe he’s in shock?” “Maybe,” Drew answered grimly. “But I wonder if that’s all.” He stood and started searching around the edge of the tub. After a minute, he held up a squeezable tube for Alexa to examine. “What’s this?” Alexa gasped. “Their sedative! I use it when they travel.” She grabbed the tube then looked at her sleepy cats. Fieldgar was just this side of conscious, and Oreo wasn’t much better. “I don’t know how much they were given or how long they were in the water. I have to get them to the vet!” Copyright 2016 Lily Black. Reprinted with permission. Today’s exclusive interview is with novelist and MTW2017 participant Suzanne Adair, who writes historical mysteries from her home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her newest offering is called Deadly Occupation: A Michael Stoddard American Revolution Mystery and it’s available as both a trade paperback and an e-book. Here’s a blurb about the book: A wayward wife, a weapons trafficker, and a woman with “second sight”—it’s a puzzle that would have daunted any investigator. But Michael Stoddard wasn’t just any investigator. Late January 1781, in coastal North Carolina, patriots flee before the approach of the Eighty-Second Regiment, leaving behind defenseless civilians to surrender the town of Wilmington to rhe Crown. The regiment’s commander assigns Lieutenant Michael Stoddard the tasks of tracking down a missing woman and probing into the suspicious activities of an unusual church.But as soon as Michael starts sniffing around, he discovers that some of those not-so- defenseless civilians are desperately hiding a history of evil. Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal The history behind this novel—the British occupation of Wilmington, North Carolina for most of 1781—isn’t taught in most schools, probably because it was a great victory for the British and a great embarrassment for American patriots. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? I was surprised at the reason the editor of a mid-sized publishing house rejected Deadly Occupation; she didn’t believe my historically accurate account that the civilians in town surrendered to the British without a struggle and was certain that they would have fought and died instead. Many readers learn history from historical fiction, so this lack of basic knowledge on the part of the editor—a gatekeeper—is frightening. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? Ellis Peters. Her Brother Cadfael mystery series set in 12th-century England helped encourage me to write historical mysteries. I’m sure I’m not the only author she inspired. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? That’s a hard one to answer. Readers describe my detective, Michael Stoddard, as a cross between Sherlock Holmes, Richard Sharpe, and Daniel Boone—with a whiff of Harry Dresden. Major supporting characters in the series are also complex. When and why did you decide to become a writer? I wrote my first story when I was in second grade—quarantined at home with a case of the mumps, bored because I didn’t feel bad and had read all the library books my mother checked out for me. A few weeks before contracting the mumps, I’d been through my first hurricane, and the memory of all that raw, natural power was still clear and needing an outlet. I found some paper, wrote a story—and that was the start of my writing career. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently)? Grocery store cashier, sales clerk, plant pathology technician, science lab manager, technical writer, product designer, software and hardware tester, marketing specialist, business owner, grant writer, researcher, blogger, public speaker, novelist. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? I’m currently doing research for book #5 of the Michael Stoddard American Revolution Mystery series while editing the third draft of Killer Debt, book #4 of that series. I expect Killer Debt to hit the shelves at the end of 2017. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? Of course, I love the writing. I enjoy meeting readers and working with them. Marketing and promotion is also fun. However, the work of a publisher—finding a professional editor, cover designer, and interior designer, proofing what they’ve done, and dealing with printers—is time-consuming and dry. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? A regional press traditionally published my early trilogy. That press folded before I could offer them my Michael Stoddard American Revolution mysteries. I published Deadly Occupation and other titles in the Michael Stoddard series independently because publishers’ editors who read my manuscripts didn’t know enough history to make informed assessments of my stories. Most presses also had a queue of two or more years, and I didn’t want readers to wait that long for my next book. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? I’m editing the third draft of book #1 of a science fiction series. When I was a teen, I climbed on the roof of my house in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to watch the contrails and first-stage separations of several Apollo launches; that made quite an impression on me. I also enjoyed reading science fiction. My first career was in science. And yes, I do get cultural whiplash jumping from historical mystery set in 18th-century North Carolina to science fiction set during the 24th century on another planet. Where Readers Can Find You? 11 February 2017: Hillsborough, NC--Presentation and booksigning at Revolutionary War Living History Day, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 25 February 2017: Currie, NC--Presentation and booksigning at the Moore Creek National Battlefield 241st Anniversary event, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A full listing of my workshops, signings, and presentations is available at http://www.suzanneadair.net/calendar/ Web site and blog: http://www.SuzanneAdair.net/ Quarterly electronic newsletter: http://tinyletter.com/Suzanne-Adair-News Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Suzanne.Adair.Author Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Suzanne_Adair Suzanne was kind enough to allow us to republish an excerpt from Deadly Occupation: WITH A NOD of approval for the sergeant, Lieutenant Michael Stoddard clasped his hands behind his back and faced the thirty soldiers where they stood on the sand-and-shell road. Each man in the two parallel lines before him was clear-eyed, his chin up and shoulders squared. Red wool coats had been brushed out and buttons buffed. Even in the dull winter dawn, every musket looked clean. It was a fine day, indeed, for the Eighty-Second Regiment to occupy Wilmington, North Carolina, and these men were ready for it. “Men, we’ll be marching out shortly, as soon as Captain Barkley heads upriver with the galleys.” A column of soldiers stomped through a drill behind Michael. He elevated his voice through the clank of muskets and equipment. “Here’s how matters stand. A deputation of civilians met Major Craig last night and gave him their articles of surrender. He rejected their terms. Any residents remaining in Wilmington when we arrive will be considered our prisoners of war, at Major Craig’s discretion.” The din from the drill faded. Over the shoulders of his men, Michael saw a ship’s boat from the transport that was anchored in the middle of the Cape Fear River reach the bank. Infantrymen disembarked from it onto North Carolina soil and trotted up for inspection with another sergeant. He paced to allow him to make occasional eye contact with the men before him. “Scouts report that the regiment’s presence has thrown the rebels into confusion and panic. The leaders of these ‘patriots’ have fled the area, some with little more than the clothing on their backs. Less than a day ago, the militia commander, Colonel Young, evacuated his garrison from the barracks in town. Yes, surprising as it sounds, the rebels appear to have been caught off-guard by the Eighty-Second’s arrival.” From the corner of his eye, Michael saw that a scout who’d been present at last night’s meeting, a free Negro called Teal, was conferring with Captain Pitcairn, his gestures animated. Michael returned attention to his men. “We’ve learned that Wilmington is home to many merchants who are not sympathetic to the rebel cause. Perhaps the occupation will proceed more smoothly than what we’d expected when we sailed from Charles Town. However, I don’t need to remind you lads to keep your wits about you. You can imagine what we’ll find when we arrive in Wilmington at the end of today’s march. Sullen and hostile townsfolk, and special ‘gifts’ that the militia left behind, like spiked cannon and traps set in the barracks. Don’t delude yourselves into believing that we’ve seen the last of the rebels, just because they ran like rabbits—” “Mr. Stoddard!” called Pitcairn. “A word with you over here immediately!” After another nod to the sergeant, who stepped forward to address the men, Michael strode for the captain and scout. While he traversed the distance between them, he squinted at the overcast sky to the southeast. Was that a thin column of smoke rising? Hard to say against the clouds. He didn’t smell smoke—but the breeze was coming from the west. After exchanging a salute with Michael, Pitcairn jutted his chin to Teal, who was carrying a rifle. “Tell Mr. Stoddard.” His nose red, the captain sneezed into a handkerchief. The scout’s hunting shirt was rumpled, and his face was sweaty, as if he’d been running. “I have come from the estate of loyalist merchant Mr. Farrell one mile distant from here. This very moment, about twenty men on horseback are attacking the estate.” He swiveled, pointed to the southeastern sky, and added in his melodious-accented voice, “They have set one of the outbuildings afire. You see?” Yes, that was a column of smoke. Michael addressed Teal. “Are these men from Colonel Young’s militia?” “I do not believe that they are—” “Even if they were, it wouldn’t matter.” His voice gravelly, Pitcairn cleared his throat. “I’ve just watched those soldiers pass inspection, Mr. Stoddard. Excellent work. They’re more than a match for rebels.” It sounded as though Pitcairn wanted him to run some men out there and take care of those marauders. Michael swelled his chest. “Orders, sir?” The first portion of Pitcairn’s cough missed the handkerchief. “Bloody head cold. Take ten men and follow Teal back to the estate. Render assistance to the King’s Friends and drive off the perpetrators. Any captives will be marched to Wilmington with the regiment and imprisoned there.” Michael frowned, certain he’d misunderstood. “Ten men, sir? Teal said there were twenty mounted rebels. Surely all thirty men—” “It isn’t a pitched field battle. They aren’t Continental dragoons. They’re just rabble on horses.” Pitcairn sniffed, propped a fist on his hip, and waved the handkerchief once. “Stand your ground with your selected ten, give those rebel scum their first taste of the King’s might, and the miscreants will run away. They always run away. You know how it is.” Copyright 2016 Suzanne Adair. Reprinted with permission. Today’s exclusive interview is with romantic thriller novelist Ronnie Allen, an MTW2017 participant who hails from Ocala, Florida and whose latest offering is Aries: The Sign Behind The Crime, Book 2. It’s available as an e-book and paperback. Here’s a blurb to whet your appetite: Lying. Deception. Cover-ups. Anger. Revenge. Death. That’s what happens when an Aries-obsessed killer combines black magick rituals, knives…and murder. Samantha Wright, a rookie NYPD detective, gets her first case, a big one, by stumbling over the body while jogging in the park. Sam has a lot to prove, both to herself and to her new precinct, on this serial murder case involving fashion icons in NYC. Together with a rough around the edges BJJ fighter, forensic psychiatrist, Frank Khaos, Sam chases down leads through the five boroughs of NYC. As the bodies pile up, sparks fly and Sam and Frank, polar opposites, go from their dislike for each other to setting the sheets on fire. But their main suspect is hooked up to an IV in a hospital bed, so how has she pulled off five murders in seven days? And can Sam and Frank stop her before even more innocent lives are lost? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: Rookie detective Samantha Wright is first coming to terms with her psychic abilities. She's not trusting her intuition and with it being spot on, she's still in doubt of herself. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? It wasn't a review, but a comment. My titles are the astrological signs, Gemini and Aries. So, some people feel they have to be under that sign to read the books which is so not true. The symbolism of The Sign helps to solve the crime. A woman at a fair wanted to argue with me about it. I don't get into that. So I merely responded, 'If you say so.' If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? James Patterson bccause I'd love to chat about writing so many books in a series and how he keeps them fresh. I try not to make my books predictable and I'm changing each one. In Gemini, it's a female serial killer. In Aries, a group of women. In Scorpio that's coming out in September, it's a male killer. In Libra, which I'm writing now. it's the system that's the antagonist. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? This is my goal actually. Gemini and Aries would work for TV episodics. There are so many blonde, physically fit women in Hollywood, the choices are endless. For forensic psychiatrist Dr. Frank Khaos, who's former special forces, a BJJ fighter, tatted and rough around the edges as he works with NYC gang members who've left the hood in his MMA training gym in Harlem, Dave Bautista would fit him perfectly. He's the polar opposite to the forensic psychiatrist Dr. John Trenton in Gemini who's the Armani suit kind of guy. Michael Weatherly would fit him. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently): I'm a retired NYC teacher with 33 years in the Dept. of Education with a state license as School Psychologist. Actually, I had the career of the killer in Gemini. The school psychologist part, not the stripper. I'm also a board certified holistic health practitioner specializing in the alternative therapies that are also featured in my novels. What gave you the idea to write this book? I was in conflict to write the main character of Gemini, Dr. John Trenton, as the main character in Aries. That was bccause I started Aries before I received my contract on Gemini by 6 months. So I decided to select a hero who was the opposite of John's personality though both of them are very physical men and alpha males. I fell in love with both characters and they're both in the upcoming Scorpio and Libra. What is the main conflict in your book? Det. Samantha Wright and Dr. Frank Khaos are on the same NYPD team to catch the killers of fashion industry icons in NYC. Though the ring leader is in custody, so to speak, the murders keep happening. Secondary conflicts? I always write multi plot novels. Up until Frank meets Sam, the murder of his pregnant wife was unsolved, leaving him a single dad to a 7-year-old boy. Sam reopens the case which is considered cold, and finds the killer, the reasons behind the murder, and basically turns her department upside down. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I'm traditionally published and for me, this is the only route I'd consider right now. I know I have the professional editing, covers, formatting, uploading to the retailers, and I don't have the skills necessary for self-publishing. Ronnie was kind enough to share a Never Before Shared excerpt with us below. Please be aware that this clip contains MATURE LANGUAGE AND THEMES.
“I never said you were a suspect, AriellaRose.” But you sure as hell confirmed that you are one. “Okay, we can move on. What do you know about the club Whiplash?” “From spells to a sex club. You’re sure organized, aren’t you? But at least you stayed the same place in the alphabet. Okay. Okay. My dad liked it. He went a lot. So does Adam. Why?” “What about you?” AriellaRose shuddered. “Me never. Hate the pain part. Ugh.” “Well, I’m going there tonight with Tattoo—Doctor Khaos—to follow up a lead Calinda gave us.” AriellaRose paid attention as if relieved the focus was off her. “What lead?” “Calinda said your dad’s killer might have come from there.” “Hope so. That would mean you’d solve his murder quicker, right?” “Possibly. Anything I should be aware of in preparation to go?” “Like what?” “Set up of the place. Rules. Things like that.” “So you’ve never been in a club like this?” Sam shook her head. “No.” She could lie, too. But unlike AriellaRose, she had been trained. “Okay. You’ve got to be dressed for it. Can’t wear street clothes. And you can’t go in there smelling of cop. Which you do. And no sex. Save that for when you get Tattooman back to your place, or wherever.” “If you’ve never been there, how do you know?” AriellaRose rolled her eyes. “Okay, you caught me. I’ve been there lots of times, but I just watch. I don’t like them doing those things to me.” “Okay, good. Then I can be more specific. Who’s the owner or the person we should ask to see?” “Oh yeah. Dominic. Dominic what’s his last name? Yeah Trevino. He’s totally hands on.” “Hands on? Such as?” “He teaches first timers how to do everything. Spankings, the bondage. He’ll show Tattooman how to do all that to you. And from what you look like, I bet Dominick will take his time with the lessons. He’s into long spankings. He’ll go for an hour. He’s in and out of the rooms to make sure no one gets carried away. Oh, and this is important. You need a fake name. No one uses their real ones. No phones or cameras allowed inside, either.” “Do you know your father’s and Adam’s aliases?’ “Yeah. I do. But I can’t laugh. It hurts.” “Okay. I won’t laugh.” “Dad’s is Dudley. And Adam is Fido.” “Fido, like the dog?” “Yeah. Adam is always a sub, but my dad does both. Uh, did both.” “Thanks for the heads up. One more thing.” “What?’ “Calinda says you’ve been seeing Leonardo for three years and you’re close with his family.” “Yeah. Remind me to thank her for telling you my life.” “Well, is he your street pharmacist?” “He isn’t no more, now, is he?” “What do you know about his suppliers?” AriellaRose turned away. “I’m getting tired.” “I can see that, but we may need to protect you. How open was your relationship? Your mother didn’t seem to know. She thinks you’re still a virgin.” “People know. My mother is in denial. But he never did business in front of me, so I really don’t know his clients. And every transfer was in private, so no one else saw anyone, either. He never did any parties.” “Thanks, AriellaRose. This has been helpful.” “Can’t imagine how. It was all bullshit to me.” Sam nodded and left the room, knowing she had to initiate a warrant for AriellaRose’s apartment. First, however, she envisioned herself over Frank’s muscular lap with his large, warm hands toying with her naked bottom, patting her first to warm her up, then increasing in firmness as she spread her legs, so he could reward her with his fingers sliding over her clit, intermittently with the spanks. Oh my God. Her thong just stuck to her crotch. Copyright 2016 Ronnie Allen. Reprinted with Permission. Today’s exclusive interview is with author and MTW2017 participant Anne Carmichael, who lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky. Her newest mystery/romance is titled, Elderhaus. Here’s something to whet your literary appetite: Gertrude spent the better part of her adult life scouring Europe for Helmut Klingenfelter, the father who vanished not only from her life and that of her mother’s, but had forsaken everyone in his past. With midlife looming on the horizon, Gertie made the decision to stop chasing the ghosts of the past and return to her childhood home of Pitch Pine, where she purchased a century-old house at 1211 Castle Lane sight unseen. Elderhaus, as it came to be known, had a mysterious past of its own, one that would threaten more than Gertrude’s desire to find happiness. Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: Gertie is a confirmed introvert. She would rather spend time with animals than people. When she finally has a fling with a gorgeous man, everyone warns her that becoming involved with the Haskell family could cost her everything. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? There’s only one review for Elderhaus at this time; however only the e-book has only recently been released. Of my other six books, the 60+ five-star reviews for Magoo Who: Life Through My Eyes and the reader’s plea to make it a series (4 books) motivated me to keep pursuing writing as a career. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? No contest – Ernest Hemingway. I like his writing. I love his devil-may-care attitude and lifestyle. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Amanda Peet – Gertie Klingenfelter (our protagonist, Jewish heritage, late 30’s. Loved her in ‘Something’s Gotta Give’) Lisa Kudrow – Sally Jaeger (no filter, loyal friend, innkeeper) Trey Haskell – Stephen Amell (antagonist, contractor on Elderhaus remodel, son of steel mogul) Noah Myers – James Franco (law school fail, veterinarian, has crushed on Gertie since grade school) What is the main conflict in your book? Secondary conflicts? 1. Gertie’s father walked out when she was just five years old. She spent most of her adult life scouring Germany for him, since both her mother’s and father’s family had fled Germany during WWII. He’d never shown either her mother or her any affection and he’d never discussed his past. She wanted answers. 2. Gertie bought Elderhaus, (a century-old Victorian house in her hometown of Pitch Pine, PA) sight unseen while still in Europe. Her Realtor hired Trey Haskell, local contractor, to do the repairs on the house. Trey was rugged and drop-dead gorgeous, but when Gertie began an affair with him, everyone warned her of the dangers of becoming involved with his powerful family. What is your favorite quote from the book and why? John Lennon’s quote begins this story: ‘Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.’ The quote is applicable not only to the main character in the book, but to the book’s author as well. I had never given any thought whatsoever to writing books. It fell into my lap, as though it were my destiny. I wanted badly to retire because all my friends were retiring, but knew that since my divorce, I really couldn’t financially manage it. Then I saw a blind cat (Magoo Who: The Blind Kitty Who Stole My Heart) on Facebook. Goo already had thousands of fans and I thought his story would make a great book. Goo was two years old and blind. He had been wandering the streets of South Philly since birth everyone wondered how he could possibly have survived. Something urged me to approach his owners and ask if they’d be interested in doing a book and the rest is history! I created characters from the other animals he encountered during those two lost years and ‘Magoo Who: Life Through My Eyes’ became the first book in what would be a series of four books that launched my writing career. So Lennon’s quote was not only applicable to my heroine, but to me as well. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? My next book is called The Manifest. I hope to have it out by the end of 2017. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? I would love to have begun my writing career when the big publishing houses paid upfront for a book, promoted it and the author and paid for everything. Today, unless you’re a Mary Higgins Clark, you pretty much do your own marketing, which leaves little time for writing. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? My first two books were ‘traditionally’ published in that the publisher absorbed all the costs of editing, printing, etc. I still did my own promotions. I am now considered ‘self-published’, but the same publisher still edits, proofs and formats and I still do all the marketing; the difference being that I pay for those services. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? ‘Elderhaus’ is my first foray away from all-ages, 150-page animal books. This is my first, full-length adult novel. I’ve spent two years writing and tweaking it. I really felt the need to challenge myself, use my mind and write books with more depth. I did feel that I needed to gradually transition my current reader base, who are primarily animal-lovers. I touched on my original concept for ‘Elderhaus’, which was to be about senior dogs. Elderhaus means ‘old house’ in German, so it was to be a book about an old house dedicated to saving old dogs. I had done books about cats, horses and polar bears. There are several senior dogs that show up one at a time and are rescued by the heroine and they’re woven into the story in other ways, but they’re not the focus of the book. Having now immersed myself in the mystery genre, I’m very excited about the freedoms I will have during the writing of The Manifest. Anne was kind enough to share an excerpt of Elderhaus with us:
PROLOGUE “This cannot be happening,” muttered Gertrude Klingenfelter to herself and any of the dozen FBI agents swarming throughout her home. “This stuff happens on cop shows or in some booming metropolis…certainly not in Pitch Pine, Pennsylvania and certainly not to me! My plan was simple. I would move back to Pitch Pine, buy a house on the Historic Preservation List and spend the remaining half of my life puttering about and restoring the house to its original glory. Of course, I did it all backwards. I bought the house online and then went home to Pitch Pine for the big reveal. The ad said ‘as is’, but who knew that meant ‘uninhabitable’ as the contractor soon told me. I believe that was right before I fell through the front porch. I’m forty-three years old for cripes sake. I foolishly squandered away the best part of my life searching for the father who abandoned us when I was five years old…five feckin years old. She began to mutter a string of obscenities that her rigid upbringing should not have allowed her to use but use them she did, and with some regularity. “I’ve never had a relationship with anyone that lasted five years since then,” she said bitterly as she threw her clothes and makeup into suitcases. She played the remainder of the soliloquy in her head. This is supposed to be my dream home. It was in shambles when I bought it. Now the house is finished…or it was before the Feds ripped out the walls and floors; but now my life is in shambles. I have no idea how I’m ever going to be able to step foot in this house again. Gertie extended the handles on two large, gun-metal gray suitcases and dragged them bouncing from one step to the next, the wheels spinning the bags out of control. Undaunted, she just yanked on them ever more violently as if the clattering noise seemed to articulate the turbulence churning within her. Her overnight bag, which was intended to hang cross-body style, slid around onto her back and the wide strap threatened to choke the life out of her. The heavy suitcase slammed into the screen door, pulling her backwards and she collapsed onto the front porch. That’s when the dam burst and spewed forth thirty-eight years of backlogged tears that had been building since the night Helmut Klingenfelter drove away and left Gertie and her mother, Anyaleise, irrevocably alone. Today’s Exclusive Interview is with author and MTW2017 participant P.J. Lazos, better known as Pamela to her co-workers and Pam to her friends.. Pam lives and writes in Lancaster, PA, which she calls “the home of the Amish.” Her newest release is titled, Oil and Water, and is an Eco-Thrller. Here’s a blurb she shared to pique our interest: When inventor Martin Tirabi builds a machine that converts trash into oil it sends shockwaves through the corporate halls of the oil cognoscenti. Weeks later, Marty and his wife, Ruth are killed in a mysterious car accident. Their son, Gil, a 10-year old physics prodigy, is the only one capable of finishing the machine that could solve the world’s energy problems. Plagued with epilepsy from birth, Gil is also psychic, and through dreams and the occasional missive from his dead father, he gets the push he needs to finish the job. Meanwhile, Bicky Coleman, head of Akanabi Oil is doing his best to smear the planet in it. From a slow leak in the Gulf of Mexico to the most devastating oil spill the Delaware River has ever seen, Akanabi’s corporate practices are leaving oily imprints in their wake. To divert the tide of bad press, Bicky dispatches his son-in-law and Chief Engineer, David Hartos, to clean up his mess. A disillusioned Hart, reeling from the recent death of his wife and unborn child, travels to Philadelphia to fulfill his father-in-law’s wishes. There’s no such thing as coincidence when Hart meets Gil and agrees to help him finish Marty’s dream machine. But how will he bring such a revolutionary invention to market in a world reliant on fossil fuels and awash in corporate greed? To do so, Hart must confront those who would quash the project, including his own father-in-law. You’ll find murder, mystery, and humor as black as fine Arabian crude filling the pages of Oil and Water. The characters are fictional, but the technology is real. What will we do when the oil runs out? Open up and see. I have a metaphysical side that I like to explore in my writing. Not all of my work, but a good deal of it contains some aspects of this. Writing for me has always been about exploring the unknown, the facets of life that are complicated, or threads of things outside my normal life that I’d like to know more about. Writing allows me the space to do this, which is quite wonderful. Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? Currently, there is a giveaway running on Goodreads. For Mystery Thriller Week, I am going to run a sale on the Kindle version of Oil and Water and a giveaway on the paperback version. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? I was thrilled to read the Kirkus review because the reviewer really understood what I was doing with the science. I wanted the scientific concepts to come across in a way that was accessible, but at the same time wrap that within the confines of a murder mystery. The environment has always been a tough sell which is maybe why there aren’t that many eco-thrillers out there, but the environment can also be sexy, something people are interested in sidling up to and learning about. The Kirkus review gave me the satisfaction of knowing that the reviewer had connected with the book in a way I’d intended. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? Tom Robbins. He’s still living, but in his 80’s, I believe. His fiction favors philosophical concepts under the guise of the most wonderful prose. “Jitterbug Perfume” is perhaps one of my favorite books of all time. I read somewhere that he writes very slowly, one perfect sentence after another, and, in fact, won’t continue until each sentence has been crafted to his liking. It’s the exact opposite of the way I write and I think I could learn a great deal from him. I already have, simply from reading his books. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? My kids and I talk about this all the time. I always wanted Matt Damon to play Hart. He brings such a genuineness to every character he plays. I had a dream that Ian Somerhalder played Bicky. He’d need a lot of makeup to age him a few decades, but it would be a perfect role for him. I have to think more about the other characters. It’s such a fun and dark story, so much so that almost every character has to have equal parts of dark and light in order for it to work. When and why did you decide to become a writer: I think writing chose me. I moved to a new city when I got engaged and one of my new friends took me along to a writing class. I never looked back. What books influenced you growing up? I devoured “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” and I remember reading “The Thornbirds" when I was about 15 and not wanting to stop to even eat dinner. I adore an epic tale and as an adult am enamored of all the Diana Gabaldon (“Outlander”) and George R. R. Martin (“Game of Thrones”) books. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently): I have been an environmental lawyer for the last couple decades. The environment is important to me. I will be doing something in support of the earth probably for the rest of my days living on it. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? That it’s so hard to break into traditional publishing would have to be my least favorite. Since I’m self-published, I can’t tell you what my most favorite part is, but maybe someday I’ll have more information to share on that. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Indie, and it’s because of the many people barring the gates in traditional publishing that I did self-publish. I’ve had interest from agents over the years, and even had a publisher say they wanted Oil and Water only to change their minds a week later. That was a terribly sad moment for me. I finally decided it wasn’t worth all the emotional energy and that it would be easier to simply publish it myself. What former author training/writing have you had? I’ve taken writing classes, but I don’t have an MFA. I came to writing in a very roundabout way. As a lawyer, I’ve had to write a lot, but it’s a different kind of writing. My favorite writing classes sprung from the Rabbit Hill Writer’s Studio in Central PA. Loved that place and the people who frequented it. Here is an excerpt from Oil and Water that Pam was kind enough to share with us: Chapter One Marty Tirabi sat on a stool aside his drafting table, an aluminum pie plate in each hand. His eyes were closed, his spine erect, his breathing slow and regular, his conscious mind sitting on the pinnacle of present awareness. At the exact moment Marty’s consciousness shifted, sliding across the threshold from beta to alpha to delta like a single-base hitter stealing home, Marty’s grip slackened, and the pie plates clattered to the floor. He woke with a start and stared, wide-eyed, at the back wall of the barn where It sat, all the while scanning his interior databases for a revelation that refused to be retrieved. Marty rubbed his forehead. This was how Thomas Edison had done it, mining the gem-rich ground of his subconscious by bringing himself to the brink of sleep, then pulling back with a start for a third-party observer’s view. The results of Edison’s efforts were the light bulb and one thousand and ninety-two other patented inventions, but Marty’d be damned if he could get Edison’s process to work. For him it was just there, a vision that sometimes crept, sometimes hurtled from unconscious to conscious awareness — claircognizance some called it, a simple knowing — and suddenly Marty would know how to pull it all together. But not tonight. Frustrated, Marty spun his stool around, laid the pie plates and his overtired brain on the drafting table, and stared at his father’s oil lamp, its soft, incandescent glow casting ectoplasmic shadows on the blueprints beneath his head. He started to fall — no aluminum pie plates to stop him this time — but was jarred back to wakefulness, halted again by a faint hum, a soft, deliberate noise like the whir of a refrigerator motor or the patter of a soft rain. He felt it in his feet first. It climbed up his legs as it grew in intensity, settled in his heart and then shot up to his forehead. His head vibrated. Marty rose slowly so as not to disturb the hum’s cadence and strolled across the barn floor toward the back wall, convinced that a nonchalant attitude was imperative to the hum’s survival. He tried not to smile, tried not to look directly at It until he had stopped in front of the thousands of pounds of steel assembled in six distinct units. He sniffed the air. Dozens of smells slid past the cilia in his nose and traveled along his olfactory nerve, stopping at the cerebral cortex to register: methane, plastic, burning rubber, decay, ash. Even in a closed-looped system, the vapors, like his dreams, always escaped. And then, suspended in the air like dust motes lollygagging in a single ray of sun, the smell of oil, sweet and slightly acrid, pierced Marty’s nasal cavity, shattering his equilibrium. “Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Marty clapped his hands and, because he was half-Greek, did the only dance he felt comfortable doing, a little hop/skip combo that was the backbone of most traditional ethnic dances. He repeated the steps over and over until he came full circle. He added a little jump to his combination. Marty stopped and laid his face against the side of the metal grate. It was cool to the touch and not at all indicative of the fire raging inside. He shook his head and started his hop, skip and jump dance all over again, this time adding an ecstatic laugh to the mix. He’d done it. Just like Dr. Frankenstein, he’d brought the beast to life: his Thermo-Depolymerization Unit, or TDU, lived! Years in the making, like nothing the world had ever seen, and until five minutes ago only a theory. Marty had envisioned that the TDU would take garbage, computers, old sneakers, last night’s dinner, yard waste, old fence posts, plastic Tupperware, with or without lids, old sweatshirts, used ball point pens, broken picture frames, old love letters, paint waste, empty cardboard boxes, broken refrigerators, busted telephone poles, wrecked car parts, or the whole car for that matter, old comic books, unwanted furniture, hell, this machine could take anything carbon-based, and do something magical with it, something that, to date, no one else had figured out how to do — take trash and convert it into oil — pure, unadulterated, car-starting, engine-revving, turbo-driving, eighteen-wheeler-moving oil. Marty figured that the TDU would mimic what Mother Nature did every day hundreds of miles below the earth’s surface — break down fossils into fuels. But Marty’s contraption would take about three hours instead of millions of years, combusting nothing, and leaving no waste. After twenty years of toil, Marty had his share of false starts. But now the whir and hum of booster pumps and coolant fan units was evidence: modern-day alchemy. Marty had called down the vision. Yet the world had no template for it. Like the shaman of the first American Indian tribe to come into contact with Columbus, Marty had to mold the vision into a discernible shape, give the people something palpable that they could recognize. For even as Columbus’s ships approached the shores of the New World, the Native Americans couldn’t see them, not until their shaman provided them with a frame of reference. But being a shaman was at times an exhausting, aching and lonely occupation. So Marty did what any man in his place would do when faced with a discovery of unrivaled proportions. He propped himself up on the hammock in the corner of the barn and took a nap. Copyright 2016 P.J. Lazos. Reprinted with Permission. Today’s exclusive interview is with author and MTW-2017 participant Lois Winston, who lives in my neck of the woods, New York City. Her most recent novel is titled, Literally Dead, An Empty Nest Mystery (Book 2), a cozy mystery available both as a paperback and an e-book. Here’s the blurb: After her last disastrous episode as an amateur sleuth, Gracie Elliott is back. The budding romance writer has spent the past year crafting her first novel. Her hard work and determination pay off when her manuscript wins the Cream of the Crop award, a contest for unpublished writers, sponsored by the Society of American Romance Authors. First place entitles her to attend the organization’s annual conference, normally open only to published authors. With husband Blake in tow, a starry-eyed Gracie experiences the ultimate fan-girl moment upon entering the hotel. Her favorite authors are everywhere. However, within minutes she learns Lovinia Darling, the Queen of Romance, is hardly the embodiment of the sweet heroines she creates. Gracie realizes she’s stepped into a romance vipers’ den of backstabbing, deceit, and plagiarism, but she finds a friend and mentor in bestselling author Paisley Prentiss. Hours later, when Gracie discovers Lovinia’s body in the hotel stairwell, a victim of an apparent fall, Gracie is not convinced her death was an accident. Too many other authors had reason to want Lovinia dead. Ignoring Blake’s advice to “let the police handle it,” Gracie, aided by Paisley, begins her own investigation into the death. Romance has never been so deadly. This sounds like so much fun! Tell us something you didn’t include in the blurb: The series is my way of paying homage to the William Powell/Myrna Loy Thin Man movies of the 30’s and 40’s but with a modern day twist—my sleuth is the wife. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? My favorite comment was one that I never get tired of hearing about any of my books. The reviewer said she couldn’t put the book down. That always puts a huge smile on my face, even on the worst days. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? I would love to meet Agatha Christie and get her to confess to what really happened in December 1926 when she went missing for eleven days. Unfortunately, she took the truth about that mystery to her grave. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Gracie Elliott: Amy Adams Blake Elliott: Hugh Jackman What books influenced you growing up? When I was twelve years old, I read Peyton Place (without parental knowledge.) That’s when I learned that sex wasn’t just something married couples did one time when they wanted to have a baby. I also thought the act was performed standing up, with the husband and wife facing each other, and took all of a second or two. (I was a very precocious child but at the same time quite naïve about some things!) What gave you the idea to write this book? Over the years I’ve attended many writing conferences, both as an author and an agent. The stories I could tell! Well, actually I have told many of them in Literally Dead. In some ways the book is a roman a clef. However, my lips are sealed as to which elements are gleaned from real life and which spring from my imagination. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? I’m currently working on the sixth book in my critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, which will be available this summer. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? My favorite part of being published is when readers tell me they love my books. It makes all those times I’m ready to bash my head against the keyboard worthwhile. My least favorite part is promoting my books. Once upon a time publishers promoted their authors. Nowadays, for everyone other then the Stephen Kings, James Pattersons, and Nora Roberts of the world, authors have to promote themselves and their books with little or no help from their publishers. Writers should be writing, not working as unpaid publicists, marketers, and sales people. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Traditional vs. self-publishing is one of the themes I explore in Literally Dead. First, let me say I prefer the term indie or independently published to self-published, which conjures up a time when vanity presses preyed upon desperate writers. I was traditionally published for my first five books. For awhile I was considered a hybrid author (both traditionally and indie published.) Now I’m totally indie. Much of it has to do with my answer to the previous question. If publishers expect their authors to take on the responsibility and cost of promotion, why should authors only receive royalties of 10% of the selling price of their books? (BTW, once upon a time royalties were based on the retail price of the book, not the price sold to distributors.) Too often authors have become indentured servants to their publishers. By going indie we take control of our careers. What advice do you have for other writers based on your experience? When Grandma Penelope and Great-aunt Martha gush that you’re the best writer they’ve ever read, don’t let it go to your head. Chances are you’re not going to wind up on the NY Times Bestseller List within weeks of submitting your book to a publisher—if ever. There are very few overnight successes. Building a career takes time—often years and years of revisions and rejection letters. If you’re not willing to put in the time or you’re writing because you think it’s a quick way to earn a large amount of money, walk away. Very few authors make enough from their writing to be able to support themselves. (Another theme I explore in Literally Dead.) Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? I reward my fans by doing periodic giveaways through my newsletter. Readers can sign up at: https://www.MyAuthorBiz.com/ENewsletter.php?acct=LW2467152513 Website: www.loiswinston.com Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anasleuth Lois was kind enough to share an excerpt with us from Literally Dead: The wheels of my suitcase couldn’t spin fast enough as I pushed through the revolving door of the Crown Jewel Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Once inside the lobby, I stopped short and gazed awestruck, soaking in the writerly atmosphere. My heart pounded so fast I could hear it reverberating in my ears. Or maybe that was the din of the voices from hundreds of romance authors filling the forty-story marble and glass atrium. My eyes bugged out as I scoped the room. “Oh my God, Blake!” I reached for my husband’s hand and squeezed it. “That’s Liz Phillips,” I released my grip on my suitcase handle and pointed in the direction of the bar off to my right. “And Elise Robertson.” “Friends of yours?” asked my husband. “I wish! They’re two of the most successful romance writers in the world. I can’t believe I’m standing only a few yards away from them!” Talk about a fan girl moment! One more superstar sighting and I just might need a brown paper bag to ward off imminent hyperventilation. “Hurry!” I pulled him along, nearly tripping over my Kate Spades as I race-walked toward the shortest of several lines that serpentined from the hotel registration desk around the chic silver, white, and gray lobby. Blake grabbed me, preventing me from executing a face plant. Then he spun me around and settled his hands on my shoulders. Lowering his head until our foreheads nearly touched, he said, “I know you’re excited, Gracie, but take a deep breath. Slow down. The conference doesn’t start for several hours. You’re not going to miss anything.” I humored him by continuing at a jog instead of a sprint until I reached the back of the line. “I can’t believe I’m here!” I squealed, bouncing on the balls of my feet. A year of slaving over my manuscript had finally paid off. “Just think, by this time next year I’ll probably be returning as Gracie Elliott, published romance author.” “Don’t you mean Emma Carlyle?” “Right. Sorry.” Since Blake didn’t think the stuffy old academics of the university governing board would take too kindly to a faculty wife writing sensuous romances—not that my writing rose anywhere near Fifty Shades level—I’d promised to publish under a pseudonym. Thus, Gracie Elliott would become Emma Carlyle on bookstore shelves. “Besides, aren’t you forgetting something?” “Like what?” “You need to sell your book first.” Leave it to Mr. Logical to burst my bubble. “Yes, of course, but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of offers here at the conference. After all, I’m the winner of the Society of American Romance Author’s Cream of the Crop writing competition. That’s a huge award. You should be excited for me, Blake. And proud of my accomplishment.” “I am excited for you, sweetheart, and I’ve always been proud of you. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You set yourself a goal, and you work until you accomplish it.” He pecked my cheek. “I just don’t want to see you disappointed.” “Why would I be disappointed? You just said I always accomplish my goals, didn’t you?” “Yes, but some goals take longer than others. Did winning this contest guarantee you a publishing contract?” “No, but—” “The win gives you the opportunity to attend this writing conference, nothing more. Let’s keep everything in perspective, okay?” “Fine. But you’re going to eat those practical words of yours by the end of these three days.” “I’d love nothing better than to see you prove me wrong.” We inched our way up in line. “Notice anything odd?” he asked above the cacophony of conversations around us. I glanced up at my husband, then around the massive lobby. “Odd?” Although this was my first writing conference, I’d attended my share of business conferences and conventions over the years. Prior to the industry downsizing that outsourced my job as a fabric designer overseas and left me jobless and pension-less, I’d spent many hours cooling my Kate Spades and Christian Louboutins in long, slow-moving hotel check-in lines. “Not really.” “It’s a veritable estrogen brigade here, Gracie!” My normally unflappable husband suddenly looked like the clueless hero of a fish-out-of-water romance novel. Copyright 2016 Lois Winston. Reprinted with Permission. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to MTW_2017 participant, Jordon Greene. Writing novels from his home in Concord, NC, near Charlotte, his newest conspiracy/political thriller is titled, They'll Call It Treason, and it’s available in Kindle and paperback format. Let’s take a peek at the plot: A journalist's body is found abandoned in a Washington alleyway. A state representative is brutally murdered in Raleigh. A Virginia Congressman's life is threatened by a radical militia group. When one crucial moment turns FBI Agent Ethan Shaw into a fugitive, he finds himself on the run, fighting back against the country he swore to protect. Framed for a crime he did not commit, Ethan will risk everything to prove his innocence and protect the ones he loves - but the truth he will uncover poses a far deeper threat. They took everything from him: his career, his partner, his freedom. How far will Shaw go to get it all back? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: The protagonist in the story, Ethan Shaw, is a former Marine Recon sniper and the book takes place largely along the Blue Ridge Parkway. What was your favorite or most surprising comment about the book? "This is a scary story presenting scary possibilities. The characters are realistic and likable, the plot twists and turns take you on a journey that we can only hope is fictional. This book might give me nightmares. Great read." I never took the story as scary, but after this reviewer left this five-star review for the book on Amazon, I sat back and though about it some. If the events of this book were to take place, then it really is scary to think about. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? That's a hard one. I am a big James Rollins fan, but my first favorite author was and probably will always be Michael Crichton. Whether the story is about dinosaurs like in Jurassic Park and The Lost World, controversial medical procedures like in A Case of Need or about some cool new technological possibility like in Prey, Crichton was always able to enthrall me in the story and keep me begging for me. I'll never get to meet him, but I wish I could have. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Well, technically I wrote the story with Sam Worthington in mind for my main character Ethan Sean, so I guess that's the first one. I also had Michelle Monaghan in mind slightly for the role of Ethan's fiance, Kate Conner. My family tells me that Dan Stevens should play the antagonist's character of Sean Abrams and that Adam Arkin could be a good Richard Hunt, an older Executive Director in the FBI in the story. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently): I currently work as a Full Stack Web Developer at SHOE SHOW, Inc., which basically means I design websites from the ground up with my hand in every aspect of the site's development. Before I moved into my current job I did some freelance development work as well as part-time positions in the photo lab at Walmart. What gave you the idea to write this book? As I've told people before, there really was no one thing that gave me the idea for They'll Call It Treason. It's more a series of little things. With my background in political science and involvement in the political arena from 2006 to 2015 I worked closely with several state-level elected representatives. Through that I got a little closer look at how politics moves and runs, and as most would probably assume, it's not always so above board, sensible or fair. The first character you meet in the story actually is a North Carolina State Representative who is, in reality, a mix of characteristics from some real representatives I worked with during that time. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? My next story, To Watch You Bleed, came out recently. It's a dark psychological horror thriller based in a rural North Carolina town that tells the story of one family's not so festive Halloween night. It was released on Kindle, paperback and hardback on January 10, 2017. Who are your favorite writers and why? I've already mentioned Michael Crichton, but he's definitely among my top three favorite authors. The way he blends some astonishing technological advancement with a harrowing story of survival, like Jurassic Park and Prey, just resonates with me a lot. My other two would have to be James Rollins and Marie Lu. They are in completely different corners of the writing scene but I'll read anything they write. James Rollins is most famous for his Sigma Force series which he started with what was originally a standalone from my understanding, Sandstorm. I love how he blends some neat technological or scientific discovery with some historical event that has a loose end and takes that string and weaves the coolest thrillers, what he called "scientist with guns" stories. Marie Lu is a young adult author who first came to fame with her amazing Legend Trilogy, starting with the book Legend (naturally). With my background in politics and my particular political bent, I love dystopian stories. Marie Lu combines my love of the dystopian story with a dual first person story that makes you fall for the characters, even if they're bad guys like her latest trilogy, The Young Elites. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? This is one I've thought about a bit lately. I'd really like to dabble in some science fiction, but I don't think I want to go full Star Trek or Star Wars type of deal, though I do love some Star Trek. If I do eventually tackle science fiction it will likely be along with an amalgam of psychological thriller, horror and some dystopian elements, focusing more on the psychological and horror elements. Otherwise, I think at some point, maybe some young adult, but I really like the thriller, especially horror now that I've dabbled in it. Where can Readers Find You? Readers can always find me at my website at www.JordonGreene.com Today’s exclusive interview is with author and MTW_2017 participant Joynell Schultz, but many know her as ‘Joy’ –the name she says she uses “when I’m not listed as an author or completing legal documents.” Joy hails from Rhinelander, Wisconsin and her most recent novel is Love, Lies & Clones, a book of Speculative Fiction meshed with Mystery and a touch of romance. It’s available in both Kindle and paperback versions via this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXTGIZL Here’s a sneak peek at the storyline: June never asked to be cloned from her mother’s DNA. She didn’t ask for the faulty heart that beats in her chest either. She made a life for herself as a college professor, but what she really wants is the same as everyone else: a human connection. But how can she connect to someone when her heart’s next beat could be the last? When her estranged father shows up on her doorstep, warning her that he’s being forced back into the illegal human cloning world and she’s in danger, she dismisses him as paranoid. That’s until he disappears. The police are not prepared to confront a conspiracy this large, especially with a serial killer on the loose. When approached by an AWOL soldier, insisting her father’s disappearance is linked to his brother’s odd behavior, she doesn’t trust him. She’s been taught her whole life not to trust anyone. With time running out, she must avoid abduction attempts, untangle the web of lies, and above all else, hide her taboo origins. Can June trust someone with her secret… and her heart? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: My main character, June, believes she has a faulty heart because the woman she was cloned from--her mother who is also her father’s dead wife--died of a heart attack at 32 years old. June’s an avid runner as a way to keep her heart healthy. The heart issue makes her sometimes disregard the danger she faces because she thinks she’ll die in a few years anyway. Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? February 12th through the 19th, Love, Lies & Clones will be on sale for 99 cents for Kindle. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? I keep being told Love, Lies & Clones is a page-turner and they can’t put it down. Then, I get asked when the sequel is coming out. It’s one thing to be told your book was enjoyable or good, but it’s another when your readers can’t put it down and want more. Being my first novel, I was really nervous about reader feedback. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met) and why? Michael Crichton. His writing inspired me since childhood. I love the mix of science, especially medicine, integrated with our normal world—the world around us. He was a physician and used his expertise throughout his stories. Another thing I really like is he wrote across multiple genres. In fact, many of his books didn’t fit into one specific category. Speculative Fiction/Science Fiction, Thriller, Action & Adventure, etc. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Hmmm. I have two main characters. June would be Jennifer Lawrence… well, the blond version of her. Elliot would be Ben Affleck… if only he was 10 years younger. This is a terribly difficult question since I don’t follow pop culture closely. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently)? Okay: Nerd alert. ;-) I’m a pharmacist. I always try to incorporate a little of this into everything I write. In Love, Lies & Clones, there are tranquilizer darts, medical cloning, and some sedatives. In my current novel I’m writing, one of my main characters is an emergency medicine physician and there are a few medications mentioned. What gave you the idea to write this book? The idea formed and stayed in the back of my mind since 2003 when the cloned sheep, Dolly, died. I often wondered, what would happen if they cloned humans, and what ethical issues would the humans face? My argument was always that they’d be as human as you and me. That sparked this story. What is the main conflict in your book? Secondary conflicts? The main conflict is June’s father disappears. She tries to get the police to help, but she can’t tell them her dad’s involvement in human cloning—since it’s illegal in her world. Since the police don’t know everything about her dad, and they are occupied hunting down a serial killer, June sets out to find her father herself. Oh, then June becomes the target, with the serial killer on her tail. The secondary conflict is Elliot, an AWOL military man, is missing his brother. He feels June maybe able to help locate him. June doesn’t want him tagging along, as she doesn’t trust him and can’t tell him her secret. He’s persistent and won’t leave her alone… plus, she’s attracted to him, but has sworn off men since she knows her heart’s faulty. She won’t break anyone’s heart. What is your favorite quote from the book? “My father always said to take our secret to my grave… I didn’t realize I may also take it to his.” This is my favorite because it sums up her moral dilemma with staying loyal to her father and doing what is needed to keep him safe. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? My favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing are the same. There are SO many books on the market. Choices are fantastic for a reader. If you want to read about a one-eyed furry red alien that lives in a cave in Canada, there may be a book about that out there. But the problem is that if you wrote this book, you have to wait for this one person to come along and find it. The market is flooded and unless you’re lucky, built a huge fan base, or have written one of the most exceptional novels ever, it’s hard to get noticed. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Self-published. Writing is my hobby. I really enjoy doing it, but don’t want the pressures of it being my bread and butter. Writing is hard enough without adding financial stress to the process. Self-publishing cuts the wait time and not being at the mercy of literary gate-keepers. I also wanted the experience of managing every aspect of the novel writing process. I wrote the story, designed the cover, created a publishing company, published it, and now am discovering marketing and promotion. All of which, I’ve learned so much and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well…except for a chance to take a few years off of work and travel the world. Nah, not even that. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? I dabble in so many genres already that I end up struggling to define what genre each of my novels fall into. Love, Lies & Clones, my only published book so far, falls into science fiction / mystery even a little thriller near the end. I have another near publication that’s fantasy / mystery. I then have more of a chick-lit / superhero one in first draft format. All of them have some underlying “clean” romance laced throughout. So, I don’t stick to one genre… Other than being under the speculative fiction umbrella. Oh, I also grew up living at a zoo (okay, bring on the jokes), so I consider writing a non-fiction memoir about some of the crazy stories of my childhood. Joy was kind enough to share an excerpt from Love, Lies and Clones below:
Chapter 1 Six in the morning wasn’t the time for visitors, but Thursday disagreed with me. Before my intercom chirped, he sprang off my bed and rushed to the front door with his tail wagging. “What is it?” I snatched my uniTab from my nightstand while trying to keep up with my furry companion. The way his entire hind end swayed in rhythm to his tail made me smile. His ears were at full attention, which for a Vizsla-lab mix was saying something. The man’s image on the uniTab’s screen made me stop. With a shaky hand, I rubbed my eyes. It couldn’t be. Shit. My father had found me. Despite a new pair of glasses, his chocolate brown eyes and round face gave him away. My heart thumped, and I forgot to breathe as memories of our last encounter flooded my thoughts. Was it too late to crawl back into bed and burrow beneath the covers? Thursday barked and bounded around me, while I took a deep breath. Tou can do this, June. I touched ‘speak’ on the display. “What do you want? It’s been three years.” “May I come in?” His words were polite, yet his voice was edgier than I remembered. “This isn’t a good time.” It would never be a good time, especially not today. “I have to go to work in an hour, and I need to get ready.” My father looked at me like only a father could—one eyebrow raised and head cocked. It reminded me of how he used to wait for me to spill whatever mischief I had been hiding from him when I was a kid. It appeared the look still worked on me as an adult. With a heavy sigh, I clicked ‘unlock’ as I walked to greet him. As I opened my door, Thursday pushed his way through to sniff the guest. My father rubbed my dog’s head and strolled across my living room into the kitchen, sitting down at the round pine table. I fought the urge to cross my arms over my chest. Nothing like making yourself at home. He seemed younger. Sure, he sported a few more gray hairs and a couple of extra crow’s feet wrinkles, but he looked good. The last time I saw him, though, he was downing a bottle of cheap whisky. I scrutinized the sixty-some-year-old man, examining him for bloodshot eyes, glazed expression, or a flushed face. Nothing. Was he sober? I focused on the scents in the room, picking up the faint odor of lemon from my recently scrubbed floors, but no alcohol. His clothes appeared clean. Wrinkles ran deep in his plaid shirt, but he hadn’t been this put together since I was a child. Keeping the table between us, I leaned against the kitchen countertop and realized how small my duplex truly was. My finger rubbed a worn spot on the laminate while I waited for him to talk. “Who’s this?” He ruffled the light reddish brown fur behind Thursday’s ears. My fingertip heated from rubbing the counter, and I pulled away. “How’d you find me?” “I have my ways,” he said. My jaw tightened. “Forget it then. Let’s get to the point. Why are you here?” “There’s no easy way to say this.” He exhaled and ran a hand through his short hair. “You need to get out of town.” I laughed. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t think so.” “Sit down.” He eyed the kitchen chair across from him. “I don’t have time for this.” “Too bad. Sit down.” “Can’t you call me later?” “This is too important.” His voice was firm and, like always, his eyes avoided my face. “Sit down.” I felt like a child again, even though I hadn’t lived with him in twelve years. I plopped down and folded my arms across my chest. He still didn’t look at me. “I’ve been asked to help with another cloning project.” “So? Why should I leave town because of that?” “I’m going to say no.” His words were calm and firm. “I still don’t understand.” “I’m afraid of what they’ll do to make me help them.” “What who’ll do?” “That doesn’t matter.” “You’re paranoid.” Images from my childhood surfaced. “I’m not paranoid.” I stood up and pushed my chair in harder than intended. “You’ve always been paranoid.” I glanced at the time on my universal oven. “I need to shower and get to work. I’m not leaving town. I have a career, bills to pay, and a life. I can’t just pick up and leave.” Copyright 2016 Joynell Schultz. Reprinted with permission. Todays’ exclusive interview is with novelist and MTW_2017 participant, Morgan C. Talbot. Morgan lives and writes in Walla Walla, WA and her newest release is titled, Nine Feet Under (Caching Out Book 3). It’s a Traditional/Cozy Mystery, available in paperback, .epub, and .mobi formats. Here’s a blurb from the book which was named a Big Al's Books & Pals 2014 Readers' Choice Awards: Mystery Nominee: Margarita and Bindi have big plans for the Fourth of July, involving borrowed bicycles, a geocaching power trail, live podcasts, and plenty of fun. But their day quickly goes awry when they stumble upon what looks like a murder in progress. Strange rivalries and secret alliances test Margarita’s puzzle-solving skills, and Bindi suffers a rather painful setback when she comes face to face with someone she never thought she’d see again. The overly stoic sheriff can’t be in two places at once, so the girls need to figure out whodunit and rescue the next potential victim before the explosive finale. Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: Willamette Valley heat waves don’t get that hot, but the humidity can be pestilential, and A/C is not a universal luxury in small towns more accustomed to days of fog and rain. I tossed my main characters out-of-doors on such a broiling day so they could try to solve a murder mystery in the same conditions I experienced during the summers of my childhood. Additionally, one of the other characters is based on a real person—something I almost never do. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? Offbeat Vagabond reviewed the book and said “Every time I thought I was right, she threw [me] for a loop.” I always try to leave enough clues that the killer is obvious only in retrospect, and it seems like I nailed it again with Nine Feet Under. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? Agatha Christie. I want to ask her for tips on notebook organization. She’s known to have had dozens of notebooks throughout her lifetime, one in most rooms of her house at any given time, so she could jot down story ideas as they came to her. I do something very similar, but I want to pick her brain on what she did after she wrote them down. Did she cross-reference? Bookmark her favorites? How did she organize them so she could pull from them and create future books? I’m desperately curious to know if she had a more efficient method of corralling her ideas than I currently use. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Honestly, I’m terrible at thinking this way. I have no idea which actors would be good for the roles of my characters. Their faces don’t match the faces in my head, and I think typecasting is an unfortunate thing to be avoided, so I don’t want to borrow people from cozy mystery movies I’ve seen on the HMM channel. And I have nominal aphasia, so I’m particularly terrible with names when put on the spot. If this event were ever to take place for real, I’d leave all of this up to my casting director. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently): I ran a hay baler one summer—that was awesome. Worked in a large hospital business office for a few years. I loved working in a professional laundry in the Napa Valley—such efficient machinery. I’ve also been a content editor for a small press, and I currently write books at whatever pace I can maintain, while juggling school-age kids and medical issues. What gave you the idea to write this book? I enjoy the hobby of geocaching. Honing the skill of spotting things that are disguised in plain sight was so much fun! And I’ve always loved reading mysteries. The two concepts merged in my head, and when I realized no one had written any geocaching mystery books, I decided to try my hand. Geocachers are always so excited to find fiction books that deal with their specific hobby, and that makes me happy. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? My next series is culinary/cozy in nature: the Moorehaven Mysteries series. The first installment, Smugglers & Scones, will be out in early February of 2017. The series follows a B&B owner in a small Oregon Coast town known for its world-famous mystery writer, A. Raymond Moore, who used to live in the Victorian mansion that became the B&B. My plots have a current timeline and a historical one, and there’s always yummy recipes in the back. I’m writing the second book now, and it’s making me hungry. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I’m a hybrid author. My mystery novels are published through a small press, and I have five self-published epic fantasy novels, in two series. Both methods give me different benefits and freedoms, and I enjoy seeing more than one aspect of being published. What advice do you have for other writers based on your experience? Never follow someone else’s guidelines purely because you think that’s How It’s Supposed to Go. Being a writer is art with a bit of magic mixed in. If there were one perfect method to fame and riches, we’d all be doing it. There is no one right way. And someone else’s right way may be perfectly wrong for you. Don’t break yourself trying to meet someone else’s definition of success. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? My first genre was epic fantasy. In fact, until February 2017 I’ll have more fantasy books published than mystery books. I was introduced to epic fantasy novels in high school, and I fell in love with the perfectly endless possibility of other worlds, magic systems, and as many cultures and creatures as I could conceive of. I have another eight-book fantasy series brewing in the back of my mind, but it still needs plenty of work before I’ll feel ready to write it. In the meantime, I’m focused on the mystery side of my writing, hanging out on the breezy Oregon Coast and creating clever murderers and delicious recipes. And somehow, all this fits together seamlessly in my head. Where Can Readers Find You? I’m on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/MorganCTalbot/ https://twitter.com/MorganCTalbot And here is my website: Mysteriouser and Mysteriouser |
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