Zara West's Blog, page 12

Sha Renee Writes Military Romance

Ever meet a romance writer who almost got run over by a plane? Meet Sha Renee. I met Sha at the New Jersey Writers Conference in October, and I am so pleased she agreed to be interviewed on my blog. Sha served in the Navy and writes military romance.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I hate cooking but have a passion for good food, music, photography and the outdoors. I love God and believe every day should include a cup of hot coffee and a glass of chilled wine. I’m originally from New York but currently live in New Jersey. Right after high school I served four years in the US Navy and have always wished I’d served longer. I write Military Romance, because I still love all things military and who doesn’t love romance?

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

Writing does not come easy for me. My stories do. I have several books waiting to be written, but I’m a slow writer. I have difficulty staying focused, I’m easily distracted and it’s also very challenging for me to find the appropriate words to communicate what I need to.  Because of this, it’s takes a lot for me to transform See Spot run into Spot’s ears flapped wildly as he sprinted across the lawn to welcome his owner.

What do you do when you are not writing?

My “day job” is Dental Assistant, which I love. I also enjoy relaxing in my back yard with a glass of wine, listening to music, watching JAG (an old television series about the Navy) and spending time with my family.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

Naples, Italy. I was in awe of how fresh and delicious the food was and shocked by the way motorists drove their vehicles. Stopping at a red traffic light was merely a suggestion instead of a law.

Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination? 

While my storylines are imagination, there are scenes based on real-life experiences. In Forbidden Kisses, there’s a sailor working on the flight line almost injured (or potentially killed) by flames from the engine exhaust of a plane about to take off. I based that scene on an incident which took place during my early days in the Navy. My first day working on the flight line was also my last. I was told to pull chocks from one wheel of the plane about to take off. So I did. No one told me what to do afterward. No one told me whether the plane would be turning right or left. So I pulled chocks and stood there waiting for further instructions. As the plane turned in the direction that would’ve put me in the line of fire – literally, I saw the plane captain abruptly hold up two fists for the pilot – the command to stop. Then he gestured to me what I interpreted as “get the f*** out of the way.”

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

I’m currently working on Off Base, the sequel to Forbidden Kisses. Its themes touch on issues like cohabitation, how and when to discuss past relationships with your current partner and sexual assault. I’ve been working on it for a long time, which I feel bad about because many readers of Forbidden Kisses have expressed that they’re excited about the sequel. But I’m hopeful and confident that it will be released this year.

Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?

Yes, and it’s one of the reasons it’s taken me so long to finish Off Base. My ex-husband was one of the biggest supporters of my writing and my number one fan. He told me to make sure I save him a seat next to me at the opening premier when my book becomes a movie. He joked (and maybe believed) that Layla and Ethan, the characters in Forbidden Kisses, were based on him and me.

When he died last summer, my heart broke. I couldn’t write. I wanted to, or rather I wanted to want to. But I just didn’t feel like it. I didn’t feel like doing anything. I’d lost all interest in my story and my characters. There was no excitement to come home from work and spend time with Layla and Ethan. I felt indifferent toward them. So, my heart ached not only because I lost him, but also because I lost my desire for something that I love. It’s been seven and a half months and I’m just starting to write again.

Forbidden Kisses by Sha Renee[image error]

When Navy pilot, Ethan Parker falls for the woman he met at a coffee shop, he knows she’s the one he’s waited his entire life for. She’s sensual, sassy and smart. He doesn’t know she’s also in the Navy, and her enlisted rank means a relationship with her could potentially get him discharged from military service.

While on leave from teaching at a top Naval facility, Layla Matthews tumbles head-over-heels for the sexiest man she’s encountered in a long time. That he can hold an intelligent conversation is an added bonus. Her world is turned upside down when she later discovers he’s a Navy lieutenant. A senior officer. Her new boss. Definitely off-limits.

Continuing their relationship could ruin their military careers. Ending it would break both their hearts. Do they end their sizzling romance or keep it a secret… and pray no one finds out?

Available on Amazon

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The post Sha Renee Writes Military Romance appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Meet Romance Author Alana Lorens

Fellow Wild Rose romance author Alana Lorens is here today to talk about her writing life and her experience with writer’s block.

Take it away Alana Lorens…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a retired family law attorney, having practiced for 30 years. I’ve raised seven children (and some extras along the way), but now I’m finally living the life I’ve wanted since I was a young teenager, writing books and traveling with characters I love. Four years ago, I left the frozen Northlands and moved to Asheville, NC, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Do you have an unusual hobby?

I’m a foster mom for kittens from local cat rescues. I’ve done the bottle feeding and cuddling and loving as well as socialization and just giving kitties a space to live in a quiet place out of the shelter. It’s very rewarding—and I’ve ended up with seven cats as a result, all rescues.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

My first “official” writing was back in elementary school, when I wrote a blow-by-blow story about my cat eating a rabbit. My teacher read it in front of the class. My first published writing was a nostalgic piece about my grandmother’s Indiana farm that I wrote when I was 18. I made a whole $5! I continued writing, creating several novel manuscripts, then I got married and had kids, which ate up a lot of my time. I finally got back to writing about age 40, and in 1999, my book 101 Instructions for Surviving Your Divorce was published. Fast forward ten MORE years, and my first novel was published, The Elf Queen (written as Lyndi Alexander). 22 books later, here is TENDER MISDEMEANORS.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

From 2009 until 2014, I really didn’t. I did 4 or 5 books a year. But when I got divorced in 2014, I really did fall into a slump that lasted several years. My health took a downturn, and I just didn’t have the energy to write, although I’d had several great ideas I’d started back before that. It’s taken a long time of healing and rebuilding, but I think I’ve come through the worst of it now. I feel for anyone who’s going through that process. (A funny thing for a divorce attorney to say, I know. But it’s much different helping someone else do it, and experiencing it yourself!)

Tender Misdemeanors by Alana Lorens [image error]

Caryn Orlane has law enforcement in her blood; her father was a cop, and his father, too. She’s a federal agent in northwest Montana, protecting the old forests and keeping the peace.

Levi Bradshaw also believes in protecting the forests, but has a very different MO. He’s the leader of a group of eco-warriors, determined to save the trees of the Bitterroot by legal—and illegal—means.

When they meet in the woods at gunpoint, their encounter ignites a spark of interest, despite operating on opposite sides of the law. When their worlds turn on them, they only grow closer. If they don’t work together, can either survive?

Buy Links

 

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble:    

[image error]Alana Lorens has been a published writer for more than forty years. Currently a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, she loves her time in the smoky Blue Ridge mountains. One of her novellas, THAT GIRL’S THE ONE I LOVE, is set in the city of Asheville during the old Bele Chere festival. She lives with her daughter, who is the youngest of her seven children, two crotchety old cats, and five kittens of various ages.

Website   https://Alana-lorens.com

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/AlanaLorens/

Goodreads   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4829967.Alana_Lorens

Amazon Author Page  https://www.amazon.com/Alana-Lorens/e/B005GE0WBC

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alana-lorens

Email:  contact@alana-lorens.com

Alana Lorens is waiting to hear from you.
Please posts your comments and questions below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Meet Romance Author Alana Lorens appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Welcome Romance Author Ruth A. Casie

Today I thrilled to be interviewing USA best-selling author, Ruth A. Casie. I met Ruth at the New Jersey Romance Writers Conference last October. I am so glad she is here to answer my questions today.  (She even shares 7 things nobody know about her.)

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Zara, thank you for having me on your blog.

Hi Everyone. I’m Ruth A. Casie. I write historical and contemporary romance. Tara asked me to tell you about myself, so get something to drink and sit back.

I’m happiest when I’m telling stories either chatting in a group or writing them down. I love to put my hero and heroine in tough situations and dare them to work it out—together, always together. They haven’t disappointed.  Oh, they complain but in the end their love and relationships are stronger than ever.

Here are seven things even Zara doesn’t know about me.

I filled my passport up in one year.
I have three series.  The Druid Knight stories are a historical time travel series. The Stelton Legacy is historical fantasy about the seven sons of a seventh son. Havenport Romances are stories set in a small coast Rhode Island town.  I also write stories in the Pirates of Britannia Connected World that cross-over to my Stelton Legacy series.
I did a rap to “How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow If a Tow Truck Could Tow Trucks.”
When I cook I dance.
My Sudoku book is in the bathroom. I’m not saying anything else about that.
My stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. Their stories will keep you turning the pages until the end. I hope my stories become your favorite adventures.
I’m a USA Today bestselling author.

My hobbies:

counted cross stitch
ballroom dancing – not just between the fridge and stove
reading almost anything
Sudoko – I’m still staying quiet about that

Where is your favorite place to write?

The quick answer is, at home. I have two places in the house where I write. With our three kids on their own, I’ve commandeered a bedroom and made it into an executive office. I have space for resource books, my to-be-read pile, and marketing stuff and supplies. I also have a desk in the living room which is only for writing. I love it especially in the winter. I can put on the fireplace, listen to music, and I’m off. The only drawback is it’s closer to the kitchen!

What other genres of novel would you love to write?

I write in two time periods/genres. My Havenport romances are all contemporary romantic suspense stories. I thoroughly enjoy writing them. Lots of times the story ideas come from family situations that I embellish. Heart of the Matter is based on a love letter I found in my mother’s bible. It was dated after she and Dad were married, but the letter wasn’t in Dad’s handwriting.

I also write historical fantasy romances. I have two series, The Druid Knight series which are time travel stories. The Stelton Legacy series are stories about a family curse on each of the seven sons. My stories for the Pirates of Britannia Connected World cross over to the Stelton stories.

These genres are very different. Contemporary stories need little world building while historicals need lots of research and world building. The rhythm of the genres is also different, as is the syntax.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

This is a great question. I wouldn’t do anything over about this story, Heart of the Matter, but I would for my first published book, Knight of Runes.

As a matter of fact, Harlequin recent gave me back the rights on that story. It was my first story and it was published in 2011. The story and characters hold a special place in my heart. I was getting ready to self-publish the book. When I reread the book, my heart sank. There were so many things I would have done differently. So, I did. I re-edited the story. Got a new cover and plan to release it May 19.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

Yes, Einstein’s Theorem. Let me tell you how the story came about. My brother is an appraiser. He showed me a letter he was appraising. It was from an author to her editor. “I agree with you. Scarlet is a much better name for the heroine than Daisy.” It was Margaret Mitchell’s letter and of course it was for her story, Gone With The Wind.

I was curious how to value such a document. First and foremost was proving its authenticity. Provenance. Follow the ownership of the document, item, art, etc. He told me sometimes it’s very difficult. I off-handedly said, too bad you can’t time travel, you could guarantee if the item was authentic or not. That got me thinking.

Here is a draft of the back-cover copy:

Cari Holt, a Boston art detective with a background in particle physics uses a theorem she discovered in a lost journal penned by Albert Einstein to time travel in order to investigate the amazing stories behind the art she’s hired to authenticate.

Meanwhile, in Geneva a miscalculation in an experiment creates a rip in the fourth dimension compromising a high-power lab opening a pathway in time. Jayson Stone the company’s security executive and Cari’s ex-fiancé is sworn to prevent time travel.

When the lab, hard at work on damage control unknowingly maroons Jayson in time, Cari and Einstein’s theorem is Jayson’s only hope. She must close the rip while opening her heart. Will she sacrifice a once in a lifetime career to save Jayson and their chance for a timeless love?

Publishers love the concept, but because is mashes up genres, they don’t know how to sell it. It’s a shame because I have three books outlined and the potential for another six.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?[image error]

This winter I’ve focused on my historical stories, expanding The Stelton Legacy with cross over stories with my The Pirates of Britannia stories. The first of three new stories, Hugh, is scheduled to be released April 9, followed by Donald July 9 and Graham October 8. I will also be re-releasing The Druid Knight series with a re-edited version of Knight of Runes in May and it’s followed up story, Knight of Rapture in August.

How did you come up with the title for your Havenport story?

The Havenport series includes the work of five authors. Each year we get together and decide what the theme will be. This year it was love letters. We also plan how we will name our stories. For instance, when we wrote stories where our characters all attended the same wedding, our story titles were lines from the wedding ceremony. My title was Forsaking All Others. Our Christmas stories were all the titles of Christmas songs. My title was I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Heart of the Matter. The theme for this story was love letters. The plan for our titles was that the first letter of each of our stories would spell a special word. Here are the five titles. Can you figure out the secret word?

Rescuing the Ranger, Heart of the Matter, Always, Time After Time, and Everything.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The best compliment is when a reader tells you they couldn’t put the book down or they felt they were in the story. Those comments make my day.

The toughest criticism I’ve gotten was more of a personal attack than about the story. It’s hard when you’re criticized for things beyond your control. The title and cover of my first book, Knight of Runes was chosen by my publisher. The cover is gorgeous, a bare-chested knight. However, the story was about the heroine. That said, when I showed the cover to my resident hero, his words… “Every woman will buy that book.” Got it.

The reviewer wasn’t impressed with the title or cover. She thought the heroine was too perfect and the hero too self-centered. That was the nice part of her review. The rest was a personal attack. Fast forward to 2015. I wrote a story about an author who falls off the literary lists and is stunned by a horrid review. Yea, part of that horrid review I got 2011 is in the first paragraph of my story, Happily Ever After.

This is big thank you to Zara for having me on her blog today and to you for stopping by. I love to write, and I’d love to hear from you. Zara has my contact and social media information. Please stop by and say hello!

 

Heart of the Matter by Ruth A. Casie

Digging into the past can be murder.

Addison Moore, a well-known psychiatrist is having difficulty coming to terms with the death of her grandmother Cookie. The woman was everything to her after her parents died in the plane crash over Lockerbie, Scotland. Little did Addy know that an old picture, tucked away in the family bible of Cookie with a handsome stranger would lead her to a discovery for which she is little prepared.

Ethan Taylor is an art historian. He’s lived with his Great Uncle Ben for a long time and would do anything for him. He never anticipated that Ben’s dying wish would introduce him to Ben’s biggest sacrifice.

Neither Addy nor Ethan are prepared for the lengths at which their families went through to keep Cookie and Ben apart. As they try to put the pieces together they uncover a decade’s old unsolved murder implicating Cookie and Ben. Will Addy and Ethan’s blossoming love be able to stand the strain of finding the truth? Will they be able to overcome their own matters of the heart?

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083VZCF8J

 

https://www.zarawestsuspense.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Heart-of-the-Matter-RACasie-Zara-West.mp4

Visit Ruth A. Casie’s  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

[image error]Learn more about Ruth A. Casie

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures. For more information, please visit RuthACasie.com or visit her on Facebook, @RuthACasie, Twitter, @RuthACasie, Instagram RuthACasie, or Pinterest RuthACasie.

 Social Media Links:

Website: https://ruthacasie.com/

Ruth’s Newsletter Signup:  http://ruthacasie.com/contact.html#newsletter

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ruthacasie/

Facebook private reader’s page, Casie Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963711677128537/

Ruth Casie can’t wait to hear from you and answer your questions.
Please post your comments below.

The post Welcome Romance Author Ruth A. Casie appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Meet Contemporary Romance Author Lita Harris

Today, I am thrilled to introduce to you my fellow writer and fellow member of New Jersey Romance Writers, Lita Harris.  She has just released a new contemporary romance set in the imaginary town of Havenport. I will let her tell you more about that.

Take it away, Lita…

Do your travels influence your writing?

Absolutely. I travel mostly by car and enjoy stopping along the way to visit and learn about the towns I’m passing through. New England, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania appear in my work the most because I spend so much time in those areas. For longer trips, I’ll usually take a train and it’s amazing the different perspective you gain from a different mode of transportation.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

The book of my heart is sitting on my hard drive. The story is one I had to write. I haven’t submitted it to a publisher so I cannot predict if it will be published. When I finished the work, I needed to put distance between the manuscript and me so I can revise it with enough objectivity.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I am deep in edits for Christmas in Brookside Falls slated for release late 2020. I am also outlining a cozy mystery series for a future project. And I will revisit my women’s fiction manuscript that is fermenting on my laptop.

How did you come up with the title?

My current release Always is part of a group project. Ruth A. Casie, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, and I created a small town series called Havenport. With each project, we pick a word to describe the theme of the release. The word for this venture is heart. I took the letter A because I immediately knew that the word “always” would play a prominent part in the story.

Will you have a new book coming out soon? Do you know the release date?

Christmas in Brookside Falls will be released later this year. I do not have a release date.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I have a series I wrote years ago that is no longer available. The Donnelly family is a generational tale of witches and the struggles the main character, Samantha Donnelly moves through in her life.

[image error]Always by Lita Harris

Brianna Baxter thinks she has the world figured out. She lives a life of privilege and does whatever she wants. After living in New York City, London, New Jersey, and Florida, she settles down in Havenport, Rhode Island. As the Christmas holiday approaches, a secret is revealed, and she is challenged with the most important decision of her life.

Workaholic Simon May gets an unexpected vacation over the holidays and visits family in London. At his childhood home, he finds an envelope that holds the answer to his future. Or does it? He throws caution to the wind and jumps on the next available flight across the pond in search of what he lost. He takes the biggest risk of his life, unsure of what he will encounter once the plane touches down.

Will the uncertainty of Brianna’s future steer her in the right direction? Will Simon receive the answer he seeks?

Buy Lita Harris’s New Release
AMAZON

[image error] Learn more about Lita Harris

Lita Harris spends her time between New Jersey and the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania. She even lived in Alaska for a short time, just for fun.

Her two rescue dogs are always close by and travel everywhere with her.

An avid crafter, Lita’s attempts at making pottery, jewelry, and stained glass are scattered throughout her house.and clutter her basement. She also makes candles and homemade soap. With enough books to stock a small library, she may need to construct a building to store her literary obsession. She writes multiple genres, women’s fiction, contemporary romance, paranormal, and cozy mysteries.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Lita would love to hear from you.
Post your comments and questions below ad she will get back to you.

The post Meet Contemporary Romance Author Lita Harris appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Discover Paranormal Author Judith Sterling

With an MA in Linguistics and a BA in History, with a minor in British Studies, fellow Wild Rose Judith Sterling is well equipped to transport her readers back in time to the Middle Ages. Today she talks about how travel and research help her write her books.

Welcome, Judith…

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything I write.  Whether through medieval romance, time travel romance, or young adult paranormal fantasy, I love to whisk readers far away from their troubles, particularly to locations in the British Isles.  I have an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies, and my nonfiction books—written under Judith Marshall—have been translated into multiple languages.  I currently live in Salem, Massachusetts with my husband and our 15-year-old identical twin sons.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love spending time with my family.  Often, we visit historic sites in and around our area, and we’ve participated in several paranormal investigations.  I’m also a tour guide at The Witch House, the 17th-century home of witch trials judge, Jonathan Corwin.

Do your travels influence your writing?

Absolutely!  I was born in hotter-than-Hades Florida, but as soon as I could (age 19), I traveled all over Europe and the US.  I’ve lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket.  I’ve also visited Ireland several times, and I’m still in touch with my Irish cousins in Kilkenny.  All of these experiences have found their way into my stories.

How much research do you do for each book you write?

A lot!  There are languages and dialects to consider, as well as customs, food, clothing, décor, history, mythology, etc.  The time travel book I’m writing now (Return of the Raven) takes place in northern England in two different time periods: the 1950s and the 1080s.  You can imagine the amount of detailed research necessary for that!

Can you tell us about other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

Return of the Raven is the 5th and final book of my medieval/time travel romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood.  As for my YA paranormal fantasy series, Guardians of Erin, the 3rd book, The Sword Unsheathed, will be released soon, and then I’ll write the 4th and final book, The Spear Alight.  After finishing those two series, I’ll start a new gothic mystery series.  I’ve already outlined the first book, and I’m really excited about it!

NIGHT OF THE OWL by Judith Sterling [image error]

PhD student Ardyth Nightshade has renounced men and pursues her twentieth-century career with single-minded focus. When fate whisks her to medieval England, she meets her match in a man whose passions mirror her own. Can she sacrifice ambition for a love she never sought?

Hugh, Lord Seacrest confounds all who know him. He refuses to marry without a meeting of minds and hearts, and no lady has even approached his ideal…until Ardyth. But she’s an odd one, with unique skills, shocking habits, and total conviction she needs no man. She also harbors secrets, and in the midst of rumors, plots, and murder, trust is fragile.

A woman outside of her time. A man ahead of his. They must take a leap of faith to forge a bond that will shape history.

Buy Links
Amazon 
Amazon UK 
Amazon CA 
Amazon AU 
Barnes and Noble 
iBooks
Kobo 

[image error]Learn more about Judith Sterling

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling

BookBub –  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judith-sterling

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MT3KB7L

The Wild Rose Press – https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/judith-sterling

Judith Sterling would love to answer your questions and comments.

 

The post Discover Paranormal Author Judith Sterling appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Sydney Winward has Some Writing Tips for Us

Fellow Wild Rose, paranormal romance writer Sydney Winward, talks to us today about her writing and shares some helpful tips about writer’s block and getting published.

Welcome Sydney…

  What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

Ketchikan, Alaska. I worked there during a summer, and it was breathtakingly beautiful. Dark water, bright, green forest, gigantic cruise ships docking with their passengers. I worked at a fishing lodge. Once the guys gut and sliced the fish customers had caught, I would wash and bag the pieces. Everything smelled like fish and saltwater, and I loved it.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Nope! The juices are always flowing in my brain. If the scene isn’t coming out quite right or I’m not sure the direction of the book, I take a couple of days off and let my mind rest during that time. I have found that long walks help spur creativity, or even taking a little time off to read a book instead of write one. At times, my mind is too tired to think, let alone write, and I either chance writing hyped up on caffeine, or I wait a day or two when my mind is ready to sit down and write again.

For those who are experiencing writer’s block, here are a few things you can do:

Take a walk. Walk the dog. Get out in nature. Ideas strike at the most random times.
Read a book. I really believe that reading makes you a better writer!
Take a break! It might seem strange that not writing will help you write, but it works!
Look through Pinterest. Visually seeing settings or clothing or characters really helps when you are in need of a boost.
Pet a cat. Or a dog. I’m more of a cat person (sorry dog people!), but it can help relieve stress which can help your mind relax enough to get back to writing.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I recently signed a contract for Bloodbond, the 2nd book in the Bloodborn Series. This book is about Adam Degore’s brother, Zachariah. He spent ten years locked in a dark cellar as a feral vampire, and his book is about some of his recovery, discovering what it means to be a healthy and whole vampire again, and of course, he tries so hard to woo another vampire named Laurel.

Another book I have coming out with The Wild Rose Press is a novella part of their One Scoop or Two ice cream series. It’s called Root Brew Float, and it’s about a witch who is sent to Massachusetts to deal with a ghost problem, but instead she finds herself falling in love with a man, the only person who has tempted her enough to give up her magic to live a mortal life.

Do you have a writing tip that has really helped you get published?

I think something that’s incredibly important that will not only improve your manuscript, but it will also be beneficial in your writing career is “cutting the fat”. Every chapter, every scene, needs to further the plot. If you like a scene but it does nothing for the story, cut it out. Are you attached to it? In love with it? And you think other people will be in love with it too? Doesn’t matter, cut it out. Readers don’t always want to read the fluff, and I don’t think publishers want to publish it either.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I loved writing a part in Bloodborn where Adam gets in a sword fight with his friend, Matthew. They’d been friends for years, and Adam never saw it coming. It’s raw and emotional, and it’s the first time Adam has cried in a long, long time. Other than that, I can’t give any more details! You need to find out what happens for yourself!

Bloodborn by Sydney Winward [image error]

Adam Degore’s personal need to find a cure for vampirism drives him to ensnare a vampire, but the creature he captures is Dracula’s daughter. Worse yet, he’s drawn to her-a monster he’s vowed to kill.

Despite her father’s wishes, Willow chooses to live among humans instead of the vampire conclave where she would be safe. She wants a life filled with more than shadows. Being captured by a human, not to mention falling in love with one, is not part of her plan.

With vampires and blood hunters closing in on their chosen prey, Adam and Willow need to trust one another. But will that trust come in time for them to survive and find a future together?

Buy Links
Amazon   |  B&N  |  KOBO

[image error]Learn more about Sydney Winward

Website: https://sydneywinward.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SydneyWinward

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneyewinward/

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Sydney would love to hear from you.
Please posts your questions and comments below.

 

 

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Meet Awesome Romance Author D. V. Stone

Meet awesome romance writer D. V. Stone. She writes paranormal, fantasy, mystery, and contemporary romance.

Welcome D. V. Stone…

What interesting jobs have you had? & How have those jobs affected your writing?

I worked as a volunteer in my community but also in an Emergency Room and a women’s state prison. I was an Emergency Medical Technician for many years. Rock House Grill’s main character is Shay McDowell,  also an EMT.

In these positions, I learned a lot about people. The good and the bad. How to not make judgments without knowledge. To be grateful for my life and blessings.

What do you do when you are not writing?

Camping or Glamping. I love traveling, and bringing my own house with me is the best thing. I will retire from my day job in a little over a year and can’t wait. Something about the camping community, campfires, and cooking over an open flame calls to my inner gypsy. We have what’s called a 5th Wheel, which is a towable camper that is 41.5 feet. 2Hoots is her name, and she’s specifically chosen, so I have an office to write from. And yes, I do drive her. Only in the forward direction so far.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

Yes. I have an epic fantasy with romantic elements. Kingdom at a Crossroad is the first book I ever finished. It’s the book of my heart. Because I knew nothing about writing when I began, there is so much which needs to be edited and changed. When I retire, I plan to dig in until it’s ready to be published.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

In Rock House Grill, the main male character has a twin sister, Olivia. The Impact Series is planned to be a trilogy. Olivia House is a thread who runs through all the stories but is not the main. She is such a complex character. I plan to give her a stand-alone delving into her losses and subsequent anxiety and depression.

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Hi, everyone (I’m waving). All my books are about love but not only romantic love. No matter what genre I write there is love of family and friends too. Each book, no matter the subject matter is about hope, perseverance, and daily—sometimes momentary triumphs. Never give up your dreams. Don’t let fear get in your way.

Rock House Grill by  D. V. Stone[image error]
Coming April 16th!

One man’s choices—One woman’s impact

 Aden House, successful but driven chef and TV personality, refuses to slow down. His life implodes one night, damaging him both physically and emotionally. He’s rescued by a woman he thinks of as his angel.

Shay McDowell has rebuilt her life after her divorce. She juggles volunteer EMT duties and her job, while dreaming of becoming a chef. She finds her way to Rock House Grill and back into the life of the man she helped save.

Can love be the ingredient needed to survive the many obstacles they face?

New Review http://www.longandshortreviews.com/book-reviews/rock-house-grill-by-d-v-stone/ 

Buy
AMAZON

[image error] Learn more about D. V. Stone

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Dawn Altieri has a New Romantic Suspense for Us

Dawn Altieri writes romantic suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Today she shares her writing life and her newest book, Dangerous Desires, which just released two days ago. 

Welcome Dawn, 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sure, Zara! First, I’d like to thank you for inviting me to join you on your blog today. My name is Dawn Altieri, and I write contemporary romantic suspense. I live in northern New Jersey with my husband and teenage daughter, along with two cats and a 3-legged German shepherd who—truth be told—are the real stars of my Instagram page. To pay the bills, I hold down a day-job as a graphic production artist, and in my spare time I volunteer with an animal rescue organization that pulls dogs and cats from high-kill shelters and transports them to loving foster homes throughout the Northeast until they are ultimately adopted.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Absolutely! I find when things get chaotic in my personal life (full-time job, husband, teenage daughter – what could possibly go wrong?), that’s when I have the most difficulty getting the creative juices flowing. Personally, in order to write, I need to block out the noise and immerse myself in the world I’m creating, which isn’t always easy when the real world is demanding my attention.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

My stories and my characters are all purely fictional, but with a genre like contemporary romantic suspense, things are bound to resemble real-life. I am a true-crime junkie and I do draw inspiration from events in the news.

Will you have a new book coming out soon? Do you know the release date?

Dangerous Desires, the first book in my Killer Instincts series, will be released on January 27, 2020 and is available for pre-order now! It’s the story of NYPD Homicide Detective Jake Quinn, the lead investigator in the case of the Back Alley Strangler, and Emma Sloane, the woman who escaped an attack by the serial killer but is still his ultimate target.

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

I’m working with my editor to hone several story ideas, including the continuation of the Romance in Ridgeport series with books featuring Ridgeport Police Sergeant Zack Wallace and fan favorite Ridgeport Fire Lieutenant Jeremy Hurst. I also have plans for the Killer Instinct series, with one book featuring Officer Adam Markowitz and another featuring Detective Jake Quinn’s brother, Kevin.

Visit my website, www.dawnaltieri.com and sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know what’s next!

Dangerous Desires by Dawn Altieri [image error]

Three years after Emma Sloane’s wealthy fiance’s mysterious death, she’s finally ready to move on and pursue her own dreams. But her plans are derailed when she’s attacked outside her New York City apartment in what she thinks is a random violent incident. Then other women who look just like her start turning up dead…

Homicide Detective Jake Quinn is haunted by the one case he couldn’t solve. When he’s put in charge of a new high-profile murder case, he interviews a victim who escaped a similar attack—and to his shock it’s Emma, the former fiancée of his unsolved murder victim.

Neither expects the sparks of attraction between them. But the killer escalates, clearly targeting Emma, and Jake’s job is on the line. Can he solve this case before it’s too late for both of them?

Buy

Entangled Publishing:  https://bit.ly/2ZsotSM

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EU1W83

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/37cuZju

iBooks:  https://apple.co/2Zs1pUq

Kobo:  https://bit.ly/2Ssfyzq

Google:  https://bit.ly/2EV8vHB

Goodreads:  https://bit.ly/378HUCW

[image error] Learn more about Dawn Altieri

A lifelong resident of northern New Jersey, Dawn Altieri has been scribbling stories practically since birth. After reaching a milestone birthday (she won’t say which one), she figured it was about time she took a shot at writing professionally.

With an overactive imagination and a slightly twisted mind, she enjoys reading dark and dangerous tales almost as much as writing them. When she’s not curled up on the sofa with her laptop, her latest story, a box of chocolates and a cup of tea (or a glass of wine, depending on the time of day), she can be found volunteering in the world of animal rescue. To keep a roof over her head, she works in the printing industry as a graphic production artist. She shares her home with her husband and daughter, and a menagerie of rescued fur-babies.

Website: http://www.dawnaltieri.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnAltieriBooks

Twitter: @DawnAltieri

Instagram: @DawnAltieri

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2tOQc4r

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dawn-altieri

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dawnaltieri/

Dawn would love to answer your questions. 
Please post a comment or question below and she will get back to you.

The post Dawn Altieri has a New Romantic Suspense for Us appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Zara West’s Best Reads of 2019

My Favorite Reads of 2019

The year 2019 wasn’t my best year for reading. After three years of reaching my set goals, I missed making my two-hundred book Goodreads Challenge by almost sixty-five books. I have no explanation for this surprising failure on my part – I am a compulsive reader, for heaven’s sake. One thing might be that I have been buried reading late 1800s books in preparation for my next historical fiction novel. Nevertheless, despite my low total, I did read many wonderful books from across all the different genres of romance from sweet contemporary to hot sexy fantasy.

Here are my reviews of the 2019 reads I liked the best. So enjoy. Maybe you will discover a book to add to your 2020 reading list.

Note: These are not in any special order.

 

Tikka Chance on Me by Suleikha Snyder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A delightful romance between a bad-biker with a secret and the bartender at her family’s Indian restaurant. If you love fun, sexy-hot stories, you will love this one. The drive-in movie scenes are the best.

 

 

Mary Masters by Ana Morgan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in the mid-west US in 1889, Mary Masters follows the adventures of a gifted piano player as she tries to find her place in a society that is not ready for a young upper class woman to assert her independence, and fall in love with a Native American man. Beautifully written, this page-turning historical romance takes the reader on a journey from Chicago to St. Louis to the upper reaches of the Yellowstone River. Through it all, Ana Morgan has truly captured the history and customs of the time. If you love sharp-witted heroines and people in love who will face all odds to be together, you will love this book.

Charming the Flames by Serena Lindahl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Serena Lindahl’s fantasy universe, the masters suck everything good from their subjects – intelligence, beauty, strength, and creativity. When the heroine manages to escape their clutches, she finds herself protected by four amazing young men. The story tugs on your heartstrings and pulls the reader deep into this world of sand and evil. You know it is going to get even better when a passel of dragons show up. Unfortunately, although the story ends on a upbeat note, many questions are left unanswered – which just means you have read the next book in the series. If you love fantasy with reverse harem romance, this is the book for you.

Love and Redemption by Luanna Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This sexy-hot, historical romance pairs a feisty immigrant to Canada hiding her former life as a prostitute while trying to find a new life as a tea shop owner and artist wihile falling hard for a judge of sterling reputation. Set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Stewart deftly captures the nuances of 19th century life in the city and the social mores of the time. If you love historical romances that have strong heroines and heroes who discover love can conquer all, you will enjoy this book.

A Zara Awesome Author Check out my interview of Luanna Stewart

 

Better to Marry than to Burn by Michal Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This sexy, hot novella is set in Texas after the Civil War. The hero has contracted with a young Philadelphia woman for a two year marriage. Neither one wants love or commitment, that is – until they meet for the first time. Then it is no holds barred. Powerfully written with unique characters.

A Zara Awesome Author Check out my interview of Michal Scott

From My Balcony by Patricia Bond

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in southern France, this is romance about love. Well, all romances are about love, but this one is about love for family, love for friends, and love of place, as well as romantic love. The heroine is a divorcee who has come to a small French town to find herself or is it to hide? Be prepared to meet a wonderful cast of characters deeply developed and easy to love. Not your ordinary contemporary romance. A wonderful read that will make you want to fly off the southern France.

A Zara Awesome Author Check out my interview of Patricia Bond

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I find this book hard to classify. With aliens versus a mix of psychic humans, the sci fi aspect sort of gets lost. The world created by Shannon is an alternative history of England with plenty of contemporary elements thrown in. There is a dictatorial state controlled by the unseen aliens that harvests psychics for the aliens’ use.

The heroine, who has extremely powerful psychic abilities, is feisty to the point of being foolish. I never understood her driving need to return to her gang as she calls them, where she is basically controlled by a rather cruel boss. However, her goal serves to drive the plot along and kept me turning the page. I recommend this book to anyone who loves complex world-building and is willing to suspend belief to enter an alternative history.

False Start by Marianne Rice

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A nice play off between a football coach and the new principal. Each has something prove and they both work at the same high school, but what will they do about that attraction between them? If you like sexy heroes and smart heroines, this is the book for you.

A Zara Awesome Author Check out my interview of Marianne Rice

Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The characters in this paranormal fantasy are incredibly described,; the writing is superb. The description of wings and flying were fantastic and made me want wings of my own.

Coming into the middle of the series made it difficult to understand all the nuances going on in this complex alternative world that includes archangels, vampires, and more. So I would suggest starting at the beginning, if possible. But I still enjoyed this book. Recommended for readers who are into deep dark fantasy with hot sex and violence.

Flip the Beat by Roxanne D. Howard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The star of this novel is a young woman just finding herself. She has unrealistic dreams of who would be the perfect man for her, and it isn’t the guy downstairs who gets her all hot and bothered and with whom she has a one night stand. With the help of a counselor, Molly grows as person and discovers that sometimes the man of your dreams is much more than you ever dreamed of. This is a light-hearted , contemporary that will appeal to readers who like hot guys who never give up and heroines on the road to discovery.

Dragon’s Winter by Elizabeth A. Lynn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is rich, deeply plotted story about dragons and changelings and the battle against evil. Characters are deeply developed  -so much so that when they die, you feel the loss personally. If you love reading about complex worlds with plenty of evil and battles, this is a book you will enjoy.

What were your favorite 2019 reads?

The post Zara West’s Best Reads of 2019 appeared first on Zara West Romance.

Luanna Stewart Has a New Contemporary Romance for Us

Awesome romance writer Luanna Stewart has a great new book to tell us about and some writing tips too.

Welcome back, Luanna,

How did you choose the genre you write in?

Romance novels are my favourite genre to read, by far. It doesn’t matter if it’s contemporary or historical or paranormal, sweet or steamy, as long as the characters get a happily-ever-after at the end, I’ll be happy.

A piece of writing advice that’s bandied about, and is open to interpretation, is write what you know. To which I’ll add, write what you enjoy reading. So while romance novels are my first reading love, cosy mysteries are a very close second. I’m working on a mystery series centred around a B&B which is home to a cat who might have supernatural powers – more so than the average cat.

Do you have a writing tip that has really helped you get published?

I’m not sure what role it played in getting my first contract, but I was advised very early on in my writing career to read my work aloud. At first I scoffed (privately, of course) because I couldn’t see how reading aloud would be all that different from reading in my head. But one day when I was alone in the house I gave it a try, and oh my goodness. The number of typos I’d been skimming over was astounding. Quite often we read what we expect to see, particularly if it’s our own story and if we’ve read it a kazillion times through multiple drafts, revisions, and edits. But reading aloud forces you to actually read every word, even the ones that aren’t supposed to be there. I know my writing has improved since I instituted the practice.

Is there anything in your book based on real life experience or purely all imagination?

Oh, how I wish I could say the book was totally from my imagination, but a very real part of my life is portrayed through the secondary character, Clara Croft. She is in the early stages of dementia and unfortunately I was able to draw on my experience with my dad to bring her character to life. But fortunately, if there can be any bright side to the terrible affliction, my dad, like Clara, remained engaged in life and was upbeat and good humoured most of the time. Though he wasn’t sure who I was toward the end of his life, he enjoyed chatting with me and telling jokes.

How did you come up with the title?

If I Didn’t Care wasn’t the original title. I had another title based on something my mum said in passing. My editor questioned the title and her reasoning was very good. (That’s why she is a treasure.) I put on my thinking cap. The second book in the series has a title that begins with If and is also a song title. I researched other song titles that start with If and If I Didn’t Care whacked me upside the head with its perfection. It reflects so many aspects of the story. (By the way, if you’re interested in a recording of the original song by The Ink Spots, here is a link.)

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

I’m fully immersed in writing the second book in the series, If Teardrops Were Pennies, in which Amelia (Nicole’s sister from Book 1) accepts that her beauty isn’t only skin deep and past mistakes can be overcome. And most importantly she learns to love herself, scars and all, so she can claim her happily-ever-after. (And here is a link to a recording of If Teardrops Were Pennies by the marvellous Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner.)

If I Didn’t Care by Luanna Stewart[image error]

Guess who’s moving in next door?

Nicole Bennett is used to bad luck—it’s kind of a family curse. She’s spent the past year stitching her life back together after losing her dream job. Well, it paid the rent. Now stuck working at her family’s grocery store while wrangling a demoralized dad and a spoiled-brat sister, the last thing she needs is for the man who wrecked her life to move in next door, even if it is for only three weeks. So what if he’s sexier than sin and makes her believe in fairy tale endings?

Ross Calvert’s life in the fast lane crashed when he lost his job and fiancée. All he’s got to show for years of hard work are a sleek sports car and a closet full of designer suits – minus the closet. Determined to salvage his relationship with his best friend, he trades in the corporate life for a brief stint as a caregiver. The decision was simple—until he discovers the tempting vixen he wronged lives next door. Maybe she’s what he needs to reboot his life.

What starts off as a no-strings fling soon veers into making promises that might be impossible to keep.

Buy link for Luanna Stewart’s book


Books2Read

 

About the Author

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Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and two spoiled cats.

Website ~ Bookbub ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page

 

 

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