Jen Winters's Blog, page 13
March 9, 2015
Monday’s Personal Log, 4
March 6, 2015
Friday Guest: Maggie Thom
March 5, 2015
Review: Captures Lies by Maggie Thom
March 3, 2015
Ten on Tuesday: Mistral Dawn
March 2, 2015
Monday’s Personal Log, 3
February 27, 2015
Friday Guest Blogger: Mistral Dawn, author Taken By the Huntsman
February 26, 2015
KISSING THE RAIN Now Available FREE on Smashwords
Review: Sylvia’s Torment by Veronica Del Rosa
February 25, 2015
Review: Make Me Forget by Anna Brooks
I met Anna Brooks through a facebook group we share and I offered to read and review her work. I am so glad I did.
Make Me Forget is a contemporary romance that follows the blooming young love of 17-year-old Charlotte and 22-year-old Travis. Their love comes easily, but the age difference and then personal adversity keep them from fulfilling their destiny for more than four years.
Anna Brooks brings you into her novel with an aching need to discover how Charlotte will survive her regrets, mistakes, and need for redemption. She delves deeply into the psyche of abuse in Charlotte without becoming overly entwined in a hero-complex for Travis. Their love story spans enough time and adversity that it will not fall into the insta-love trope and will leave you with a satisfied sigh of relief when the end comes and they do get their happily ever after. Anna Brooks took me on an emotional ride, not a roller coaster that left me winded, but a nice drive out in the New England autumn–easy, beautiful, natural. I loved her for giving me a read that didn’t leave bring me in aching and leave me aching for more.
I look forward to her next novel.
February 24, 2015
Ten on Tuesday: Anna Brooks
Introducing Anna Brooks author of Make Me Forget��(It’s Kind of Personal, Book 1). Anna and I met on Facebook and I offered to review her novel. It was amazing! She delves deep into interpersonal relationships, regret, shame, and redeeming love. I decided I needed to know more about her, so here for everyone who loves romance: ANNA BROOKS!
You write contemporary romance. Do you read it as well?
Yes! I used to read a lot more before I started writing… like 4 books a week. I still try to read at least one a week, but sometimes writing takes up too much time.
Is there an author that makes you strive to be a better writer? Who is it and why?
There are a lot of authors who inspire me, make me want to be better. But I think because they are all so different, it’s too difficult to pinpoint just one. I am constantly inspired by them. The way they handle adversity in this industry. How friendly they are. That they offer help and advice. And of course, the kick-ass books they write.
What do you think you bring to your books that makes you unique?
When I write my books, I try my best to make them realistic. My goal when writing my characters is that you can be walking down the street and meet one of them. They’re not unobtainable or fake. They are real people with real problems.
What is that one moment you have had as a writer that made you realize you were actually a real author?
When I have it, I’ll let you know!
What started you on the path to becoming an author?
Books. And the fact that I used to think I was an amazing poet. I loved writing poems. Life happened and I got away from both reading and writing. When I got back into reading, I had a desire to write again… so I did!
How did you work your advertising and build your following?��
This is the absolute biggest and hardest thing for me to answer. I’m still learning. I have a wonderful woman who helps me with promotion through her company. I’ve done blog tours. I do giveaways. I try to sign up for author events as much as I can. I’m still working on it… I honestly don’t think it ever ends. I plan on starting a newsletter soon, so hopefully that will be received well.
As an author, what is that one memory that will always stick with you?
So far, the funniest thing that has happened to me personally, is when my mom decided to wave my book in front of my entire family at Thanksgiving. I was planning on not telling everyone because I was afraid they would react badly, so when she outed me, it was both a relief and a huge embarrassment. They have all been nothing but supportive, so in the long run, I’m glad she did it!
How have your aspirations as a writer changed over time?
They really haven’t since I’ve started. I just want to have people enjoy my writing. That’s it. If I can accomplish that, there really is nothing more to aspire to in my opinion.
Have you quit your day job yet or are you planning to anytime in the future?
Nope. Still working, and don’t plan on quitting any time soon. As much as I’d love to be a full time writer, I think I’d miss my real job and actually talking to real people and not just the voices in my head.
What drives a romance for you and makes it something you want to read/write?
I personally am a fan of second chance stories. I love when there is history between the two characters. Of course not every book I read or write has that factor. There has to be angst, though. Easy romances don’t appeal to me, I like to read about the struggles of the couple and their fight together. And chemistry. The more combustible the better. :)
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the next book in the It’s Kind Of Personal series. This book is about Brandon and Mary. I’m also almost ready to publish a stand alone book called Not Your Hero.
Tell us a little about your previous works and how we can get our hands on them.
Make Me Forget is the first in the It’s Kind Of Personal Series.�� Each book can be read as a standalone, but they follow characters that are introduced in previous books.
Here is the link for it on Amazon, but is available on B&N, Kobo, ibooks, and Google Play
Make Me Forget (It's Kind Of Personal Book 1)
