My romance novel, MEMORIES, is going on tour this Friday,
August 10th through Friday, August 17th. I hope you will
stop by the participating book blogs and read my interviews, the excerpts and
the book reviews. In addition to the blog tour, I am having a GIVEAWAY for one
$25.00 Amazon Gift Card (details below). I hope you will join me and my host
book bloggers on the tour and leave comments to let them know you've visited.And don't forget to enter the giveaway – it
starts today! I look forward to seeing all of you there!
In celebration of the MEMORIES Blog Tour, I'm having a
giveaway! Follow the directions below and you will be in the running to win an
Amazon $25.00 Gift Card. Here is what you need to do:
Giveaway
dates are Saturday, August 4th through Friday, August 17th(9:00 PM Central Time.) Winner
will be announced/contacted on Saturday, August 18th in the
afternoon.
Send
the date of purchase and Amazon
transaction number to my email address – writer11313@yahoo.com – with the
word GIVEAWAY in the subject. (Include your email address in the body of
the email in case a problem occurs so I can contact you if you are the
winner.)
Tweet one of the below Tweets for
the book you purchased. (Or Facebook it if you are not on Twitter.)
That's it! You will be entered into the giveaway!
TWEETS:
I just purchased MEMORIES by Deanna Lynn Sletten - a
powerful #romance #novel. http://tinyurl.com/76os5uu @DeannaLynnSletten
I just purchased WIDOW, VIRGIN, WHORE by Deanna Lynn Sletten
- A heartwarming story. http://tinyurl.com/78vuwws@DeannaLSletten
I just purchased OUTLAW HEROES by Deanna Lynn Sletten -
action/adventure for kids 10 & up! http://tinyurl.com/7etgder @DeannaLSletten
Today I'm talking with author Michele Richard. Michele is the author of several books in the genres of Young Adult, Science Fiction and Contemporary Romance. You can learn more about Michele's books, where to buy them and how to connect with her at the end of the interview.
An Interview with Author Michele Richard
Author Bio:
Michele Richard is the proud mother of 2 daughters. Married since 1997 to a wonderful husband, who for 25 years has been her best friend and supporter. Author of Mocked by Destiny, Mocked by Faith, Mocked by Faith ~ Healing the Faith, Life is More Than Candy Hearts (Changes of the Heart), and Parasouls ~ Divine Intervention
Briefly describe
the novels you have written and the genre(s) that you write in.
Shane Bradley has no choice, but to serve the P.A.C.T. as a
parasouls headhunter. Angelique Collette has only known the freedoms of the
underground tunnels she was raised in. Born different from humans, their
abilities cannot be hidden.
When these two parasouls from opposing sides are divinely
connected in a single strike of lighting, can they survive each other?
Can love conquer all when you’re supposed to hate the one
soul you cannot live without?
Changes of the Heart (The Candy Collection anthology - Life is More
Than Candy Hearts) - Contemporary / Romance
When you're left with nothing at all, all you have left is
to rebuild. Can losing everything bring two people together to make a new
family?
Gabe lost his family on 9/11 and himself in the process.
Juliette was left homeless with a small child after the child's father
abandoned them.
Will an icy collision bring these two to a happily ever
after or are they too broken?
Mocked by Destiny (2nd edition)
For Stella Richards, life in the charming town of Virginia Beach is not as
magical as one would think. Sun, fun, and sand only guarantee one thing:
unwanted visitors.
Stefan Sterling lives life never knowing where he will end
up next. Bouncing from one Military base to another has hampered his ability to
connect to those around him.
A family curse verses a loving abnormality promises to keep
Stella and Stefan on their toes. Was it an accident or could it be destiny?
Will they be able to survive their families? And, is there ever a time when you
can fully let go of the person who awoke your soul?
A story of love, sacrifice, and growing up before it's time
What inspired you
to write your first novel and/or become a novelist?
Mocked by Destiny was actually born on the beach it is set
in. I was on a family vacation with my family and the idea hit me. My daughter
was nice enough to give up her notebook so I could write my heart out while
sitting on the sands of Virginia Beach.
What made you
choose to self-publish?
I don’t really self -publish. My Mocked by Series was picked
up by The Writer’s Coffee Shop and they released three in the series. After
opening my own publishing house, I decided to move them under RenaissanceRomance Publishing. My books - like anyone else who submits - have to be approved just as any other author’s
would.
When naming your
characters, do you choose names at random or does each character's name have a
meaning to the story?
Some have special meanings to me, others I just fell in love
with. One of my characters Jobian actually came from a man I’d met while
working on a film I’d done in Boston.
Stella was actually my nickname by a special friend. And countless others I
could tell you about, but I don’t want to bore your readers.
How much does your
upbringing and/or lifestyle today influence your writing?
I’d say quite a bit. Even in my contemporary romances you
can see my Christian side slipping through. I also prefer my men to be alpha
males, which is spoken heavily about in the bible. I don’t preach in my writing
though. I leave a person’s faith to them.
How long does it
usually take you to write a novel?
6-12 weeks for a full length, and roughly 2-3 weeks for a
short novel.
Do you schedule
your writing time or write at random times?
WAIT! We’re not supposed to write all the time. Only
kidding. Sort of. Seriously I write a lot. I don’t schedule it though. In a
usual day I can get a good solid 6 hours of writing done.
Which of your novels
are you the most proud of, and why?
I’d have to say Mocked by Destiny. It was first. I learned
so much about myself as I wrote. And the message it sends to inform teens the
realistic facts of being a teen mom gives a great purpose.
If a mainstream publisher
offered you a publishing contract, would you want it?
I guess it would depend on the contract. Right now: we have
a wonderful team at Renaissance Romance that nurtures our author’s
creativity.If the purposed contract was
stiffening and constrictive - probably not. I’ve always refused to be a formula
writer. That’s my preference.
Are there any
self-published authors whose books you enjoy reading?
There’s quite a few. Though today those lines are blurred as
more and more authors use their own private labels and many even choose vanity
presses. Michal's Window by Rachelle Ayala was the last book I read a few weeks
ago. Her fictional take on a bible story had me glued to my seat and holding my
breath. I am going to be reading Stacy Eaton’s new release Whether I’ll live or
die and Melissa Foster’s Come Back
to Me.
There are also house authors Lisa Bilbrey and Laura Braley
who love to torture me with their upcoming books. I was fortunate to Read
Lisa’s newest release Angel’s Heart and I couldn’t get through it fast enough.
I had to know how it would end.
Today I'm talking with Fiction/Mystery author Joyce T. Strand. Joyce has written two novels in her Jillian Hillcrest Mystery Series, On Message, and her latest novel, Open Meetings. Much like her main character, Jillian, Joyce served as head of corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she says that in that time, she never actually encountered a murder. You can find out more about Joyce, her book, and how to connect with her at the end of this interview.
An Interview with Author
Joyce T. Strand
Tell us a
little about yourself
I love to eat – particularly Italian pastas, with penne Bolognese being
my favorite –accompanied by California red wine – preferably Cabernet
sauvignon.I really enjoy Broadway musicals
– tempered by the classics (Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven – oh, and Copland
and Gershwin).My husband of 40 years
and I reared a boy and a girl – now adults with their own careers – 2 dogs, and
innumerable cats. My contribution to our livelihood stemmed from a career of
more than 25 years as a Public Relations manager at several high tech and
biotech companies in Silicon Valley.I
am educated with a BA in Political Science and PhD in International Relations.
Briefly
describe the novels you have written and the genre that you write in.
I like and read
mysteries, so I chose that genre.I also
appreciate familiar characters, so I decided to write a series of mysteries
with the same protagonist in a known setting: PR Executive Jillian Hillcrest
solves Silicon Valley mysteries inspired by real California cases.
The first in the
series is: ON MESSAGE – The arrival of a strange package followed by a call
from a homicide detective and murder interrupt Jillian’s activities promoting
her biotech company. Inspired by a case in San Diego of the murder of a former
biotech executive.
The second in the
series, recently released, is: OPEN MEETINGS – Jillian is having lunch with a
reporter colleague when a woman enters and begs him not to print anything she’s
told him because they will kill her if he does. A few days later, the reporter
tells Jillian that the woman was killed in a car crash. Inspired by a case of
illicit police activities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What inspired
you to write your first novel and/or become a novelist?
As you’ll recall, I said I like to eat.When I was laid off in 2008, I was unable to find a job to help defray
the cost of my pasta and California red wine. My husband suggested I write
mysteries, since I liked to read them so much.Fortunately I found some consulting work to help buy pasta and wine.
What made you
choose to self-publish?
Impatience. To go
the traditional route would have required at least another year or two before
my books might be in the hands of
readers. Also, the traditional publication business model seems archaic in
today’s world of e-readers, social media, and Amazon.com. Bookstores are
disappearing as rapidly as newspapers. Of course, there are issues associated
with self-publishing. I had to learn a lot about the industry to be my own
publisher. And I’ve had to invest an incredible amount of time to market my
books – which is time away from writing.
When naming
your characters, do you choose names at random or does each character's name
have a meaning to the story?
I enjoy naming my characters. I search for names in my past – I’m
originally from Pennsylvania so I appreciate Pennsylvania Dutch, i.e., German,
and Indian names.I also want the main
characters to have memorable names.I
pour through baby naming books, check the latest popular names, and study
character names in other mysteries. However, I do not give names that have a
meaning to the story, although it’s a great idea.
How much does
your upbringing and/or lifestyle today influence your writing?
There’s no
question that my upbringing influenced my values reflected in my writing. Of
course, my career and living in California highly influenced the subject matter
of my mysteries. Rearing children has made me sensitive to kids. Working in
corporations has taught me that corporations are run by people who make choices
about whether to be ethical or not in their quest for profitability. Also, I
have lived in Italy, Brazil and The Netherlands for a year each, which has
helped me to view my country and my own life from different perspectives.I weave all of these influences into my
writing.
How long does
it usually take you to write a novel?
Depends on how
actively my muse, the roadrunner, is pacing outside my window. The more he
passes by, the more I write!
I write without an outline, so that means I re-write a lot. Typically it
takes me 3-6 months to write a first draft. Then another 3-6 months to rewrite
the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, nth drafts depending on how
well I satisfy my editor.
Do you
schedule your writing time or write at random times?
Eeeek! Schedule writing time?! I’m fortunate to have control of my own
time. I have tremendous respect for authors who are working a day job, rearing
children, and also writing. It must require strict scheduling. I am able to say
to myself, “You will finish 30 pages this week.” And that seems to be enough of
a goal to make me write 30 pages that week.
Which of your
novels are you the most proud of, and why?
You’re asking me to choose between my two off-spring.Can’t do it. The first was a major
achievement, just because I made it happen. The second was also important
because I didn’t stop with the first one. When I publish the third one (FAIR
DISCLOSURE) hopefully by the end of the year, maybe then I can choose which one
I like the best.
If a
mainstream publisher offered you a publishing contract, would you want it?
Yes.It would be a new experience!
Then I could speak authoritatively about the benefits of self-publishing.
Are there any
self-published authors whose books you enjoy reading?
I tend to read
mysteries:Karen Cantwell, Anthony
Carbis, Deb Baker, Marja McGraw – to name a few.
Murder intrudes on PR Executive Jillian Hillcrest's routine as head
communications executive at a small Silicon Valley biotechnology company. She is
eagerly staying on message to inform investors, the media and the community
about her company and its products. When someone near to her is murdered, a
determined San Francisco police inspector involves her in the investigation,
convinced she is key to solving the crime. She co-operates fully only to find
that solving a murder is more hazardous than writing press releases. On Message
is the first in the Jillian Hillcrest mystery series. As with all the novels in
this series, it was inspired by a real California case.
PR Executive Jillian Hillcrest is having lunch with a reporter colleague when a woman enters and begs him not to print anything she's told him because they will kill her if he does. A few days later, the reporter tells Jillian that the woman was killed in a car crash in his hometown. The police ruled her death an accident caused by driving under the influence of alcohol.
Although Jillian is busy promoting her Silicon Valley biotech company, the reporter draws her into an investigation of his hometown's police department, located in California north of the Napa-Sonoma wine region. Coincidentally, Jillian's neighbor Cynthia Anderson wonders about the untimely death of her policemen husband years earlier as part of the same police department. Meanwhile, Jillian's ex-husband hovers over her to reverse the "ex" status. Unfortunately, none of them anticipates the frightening events that follow.
Today I'm talking with Alle Wells, an independent author who writes Southern/Historical Fiction. I've reviewed Alle's books on this blog and I have to say, she is one of my favorite indie authors! To find out how to buy Alle's books or where you can find her online, follow the links at the end of the interview.
An Interview with Author Alle Wells
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in the
coastal region of North Carolina.
After living in several southern states, I settled down in a historic town near
Charlotte, North Carolina. Most of my time during the
summer months is consumed with preserving vegetables to sustain my organic
vegetarian lifestyle. In addition to cooking, I enjoy bird watching at a local
preserve and practicing yoga.
Briefly describe the novels you have written
and the genre(s) that you write in.
All of my books are
Southern Fiction. They are also historical, depicting life during the 20th
century. My stories have a common thread. Each story tells the story of one life
and the role that the times, the environment, and the decisions they make play
in the character’s life.
My first novel, Lame
Excuses, is the story of a woman who grew up in a fast food restaurant in the
1960’s that initiated her love for food. Railroad Man is my second novel, the
story of a handsome railroad engineer in the 1930’s whose love for women ruled
his life. The most recent, Leaving Serenity, is about a girl who seeks freedom
from the confines of a small, close-knit community during the 1970’s.
What inspired you to write your first
novel and/or become a novelist?
I’ve always loved
reading and writing. Compiling and recording historical data and publishing
newsletters for non-profit organizations has been a big part of my career. One
day, I read an article in the Charlotte Observer about self-publishing. I
started writing Lame Excuses that afternoon.
What made you choose to self-publish?
When I started
writing my first novel, I looked into a few small publishing companies. As a
new novelist, I can’t justify the fees that most small publishers charge.
When naming your characters, do you choose
names at random or does each character's name have a meaning to the story?
I choose names that
fit my character’s demographic setting. One day I took a snapshot of names on a
war memorial in a park to get ideas from that community during a specific time.
How much does your upbringing and/or
lifestyle today influence your writing?
Lame Excuses is a
good example. I grew up in a fast food restaurant just like Emily. Today, I see
so many people in the South, young and old, who have debilitating food
addictions. That is what inspired me to write Lame Excuses.
How long does it usually take you to write a
novel?
Three months.
Do you schedule your writing time or write
at random times?
I started out writing
randomly, when I heard the words in my head. Recently, I’ve found that I need
to schedule a day for writing. Atthe moment, that day is Sunday. Any
time I find to write in addition to that is a bonus!
Which of your novels are you the most proud
of, and why?
I am most proud of
Railroad Man because it appeals to both men and women, and I’ve never had a bad
review!
If a mainstream publisher offered you a
publishing contract, would you want it?
My stories are very
personal to me. I doubt that I could agree to the cookie cutter image that mainstream
publishers require.
Are there any self-published authors whose
books you enjoy reading?
Deanna Sletten, of
course! There are so many talented Indie Authors in every genre. I read and
review Indie books for my book blog, Alle’s 5-Star Reviews.I try to stay neutral and not choose one
author over the other.
Books by Alle Wells
Railroad Man follows the life of handsome railroad engineer, Mick MacDonald, from 1929 to 1978. Mick looks back on a fulfilling career and a turbulent private life. His career moves the reader from the steam engines of the Great Depression into the diesel age. Mick looks through the lens of history at his relationships with his mother, sisters, cousin, and wife. As he guides us through the vast changes during his lifetime, one constant remains...Mick's love for women.
Based on the life of Annette Bevels, "Leaving Serenity" takes the
reader back to the quaint atmosphere of main street America in the 1960's where
everyone speaks the same language and success is measured by conformity. At
sixteen, she falls in love with Jack Harris, a romantic hippie with an unsavory
past. Leaving Serenity, Annette creates a new identity and becomes the master of
her own destiny. Her journey to success is inspiring and
empowering.
