Zara West's Blog, page 18

Rumer Raines is Back with Writing Tips for You

~ Don’t Wait to Write ~

Awesome romance author Rumer Raines is back to share more about her writer life and tell us about her newest romance novel.

Great to have you here, Rumer.

What were some challenges in getting your first book published?

I was a publishing world virgin!  I honestly thought I would write a book, pick a cover, and go to Amazon to upload.  I had no idea that I needed a small team to put my books into the world.  Writing can be easy if you stay focused, but it is a business.

It is not always the easiest business either! I had to find an editor that I could trust, and of course, she had to be within my budget. Once she was done making changes to my story, I had to find a formatter. Who would have thought you couldn’t just upload to Amazon? The biggest challenge that I still face is Marketing. How do you promote your book without becoming salesy to the point where people start ignoring you?

Is anything in my book based on real life experience or all imaginary?

I am a real person with things that agitate me, but my books are all imaginary situations that I create. However, in each of the stories there are characters based on people I know in my real life. I am not sure why, but they tend to be people I don’t like.  These are the characters that will annoy you, or you may dislike. I will often put them in my stories, and they antagonize the characters, the same way they do me.

What project am I working on now?

I just released my fifth book in the Soul of the Sinner Series! I can’t believe that the Delucas’ stories have to end. I am currently starting another Mafia Romance. I haven’t decided if it will be stand alone or another series. I have two other stories that I am planning, and the characters won’t stop talking to me!

What other genre would you love to write?

I am so tempted to dip into the world of Erotica. I have a friend that writes Erotica, and I am so impressed by the storytelling she does. I thought erotica was all about sex, but there is so much more to it.  It’s a world of fantasy and sharing yourself with others.

What advise do you have for aspiring writers?

I would encourage anyone that would like to write to do it! Don’t sit by and make plans to do it in the future.  The future may never arrive, and there is never a perfect time.  When I originally started to write, I had a friend that was going to write with me.  We were going to do this together. We were friends creating our dream career.  She was never focused and never made the time to work towards the goal.  That friend is still “waiting” for the perfect time and I have five books published.

Shiver of Deception by Rumer Raines [image error]

OLIVER

Money, power, women,

They make it look easy.

But being a mob boss isn’t so easy.

Running the club and calling the shots,

Makes for a satisfying life.

But I’m ready for more,

A wife,

A family,

Her.

Bryn is sexy, mysterious, and tough as nails.

But she’s hiding something,

Something that can destroy us all.

And a mob boss doesn’t rest easy,

When lives are on the line.

Now, I have to decide,

Power and money,

Or love and lust,

But is she someone I can really trust?

 ** A MAFIA ROMANCE**
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[image error]Learn More about Rumer Raines

When Soft & Sensual Become Rough & Rugged

Website:  www.rumerraines.com

FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/RumerHasIt/

Twitter https://twitter.com/RumerRaines

 

Rumer would love to hear from you. Post your thoughts and comments below

Rumer Raines talks about her writing life. Stop by and say hi! https://www.zarawestsuspense.com/blog/rumer-raines-interview-2
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Author Interview with Romance Author Holly Bargo

~ Breaking Expectations ~

Romance author Holly Bargo writes paranormal fantasy and shifter romances that will take you to new worlds. Today in her interview she talks about her writing plans, her inspirations, and how she deals with hard criticism.

Welcome Holly!

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

Writing comes easily to me as both storyteller and writer. As a storyteller, I cannot remember a time when I did not entertain myself by making up stories, usually adventurous, improbable stories. As a writer, the mechanics of good writing seem inherent. I learned them quickly; they’re second nature to me. I can’t always explain what something’s written well, but I can certainly recognize it.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

The most interesting place I ever visited is Marengo Caves in southern Indiana. Several years ago, I went with my elder son and youngest brother on a spelunking adventure. It was one of those wonderful experiences that I never need to repeat. The experience came in handy when writing for a client whose characters traveled through a cave system.

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

I started writing as soon as I learned to spell. My mother kept those childish poems for decades. My first book was published in 1995, and immediately fizzled with the publisher going belly-up owing me royalties. Looking back on that depressing experience, I realize that the book should never have seen the light of day: it’s awful. Good thing it fizzled. My next book, Rowan, was self-published in 2014.

What other genres of novel would you love to write?

If I had the knack for detail and twisty-turning plots, I’d love to write mysteries. I certainly enjoy reading them. My favorite mystery authors are Dick Francis and Robert B. Parker.

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

Since I self-publish, I can’t say that I’ve not been able to get a book that I love published. However, I have not been able to get two books that I love to sell at all. The Diamond Gate is an “after the fairy tale” fantasy that exemplifies a years-long labor of love. The Falcon of Imenotash is a fantasy romance that sparked in my imagination and simply would not let go until I finished the manuscript. I think it’s one of my absolute best pieces ever.

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

I am currently working on a third book in my Immortal Shifter series. The first book, The Barbary Lion, a novella, was meant to be a standalone story, but it was followed by a full novel, Tiger in the Snow. Last spring the old brain started humming and came up with another story premise that I decided would make a good third book to form a trilogy. It’s titled Bear of the Midnight Sun, and I hope to release it by the end of October.

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

Russian Gold received brutal criticism from a reader who loved the first book in the Russian Love series and loathed the main female character of the second book. Her harsh words taught me that some expectations shouldn’t be broken. Interestingly enough, that reviewer and her huge following didn’t complain about the quality of the writing. The best compliments, believe it or not, come from my editor. She states that she gets lost in the stories forgets to edit when reading my manuscripts. What a wonderful compliment!

 

[image error]Daughter of the Dark Moon by Holly Bargo

Worlds fear the powerful, ruthless, and cold-hearted Unseelie king. Deposed and his kingdom conquered, Uberon answers the call of a young human woman’s soul and claims her as his mate. Corinne’s clever mind captivates him, her compassion intrigues him, her beauty enchants him, and her body stokes his libido like nothing else ever did or could.

Discovering that myths and legends really are based in fact, Corinne soon learns her fate as the Unseelie king’s chosen mate and the consequences of fae immortality as she adapts to a new world and her relationship with Uberon develops. She revels in Uberon’s passion and shoulders the burden of power and responsibility beyond anything she ever dreamed.

Buy link

E-book: https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Dark-Moon-Book-Moons-ebook/dp/B07DNFX59Q

Print: https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Dark-Moon-Book-Moons/dp/1717724981

Learn more about Holly Bargo [image error]

Website: https://www.henhousepublishing.com

Blog: https://www.henhousepublishing.com/eggs-the-hen-house-blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenHousePublishing1/

Twitter: @HollyBargoBooks

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

 

 

Have you ever gotten harsh criticism? Let’s talk about it.
Holly Bargo is waiting to respond to your comments and questions.

 

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Meet Awesome Romance Author Ruth Kaufman

~ When Writing Comes Easy ~

Today, romance author Ruth Kaufman shares her fascinating career as an actress and singer and romance writer. Ruth writes medieval romance and light-hearted contemporaries. 

Welcome Ruth…

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

Writing often comes somewhat easily. A scene may pop into my head, like the opening scene for my first book, a medieval, At His Command. I saw a woman slumped over a horse walking down a hill. Who might see her, and what would they do? What if someone was after her…who might that be, and why? What iffing helps me continue after the initial idea.

I’m a pantser, not a plotter. I tried worksheets, writing the synopsis first, etc., but no words came out. When I tried seeing scenes through each point of view character’s eyes, I was able to make my daily word count much more often. The harder part for me is revising, including refining dialogue and heightening  conflict.

I’m also what I call a puzzler, and don’t necessarily write in order. I may get an idea for a scene that comes later in the book, then find a way to connect to that scene from what I already have. Yes, sometimes this requires going back to weave in foreshadowing, but I like to let the story develop as organically as possible rather than the majority being author intrusion.

What do you do when you are not writing?

My “day job” is acting, from on-camera roles in films, web series and commercials to a lot of voice-over work, from commercials to hundreds of elearning courses to phone messaging. A recent feature film, in which I play the main character’s literary agent (ha) was Heavens to Betsy 2, starring Jim O’Heir. I also do a bit of improv and the occasional print job.

I spend quite a bit of time auditioning via talent agents and self-submissions, whether from home for voice overs, at a casting agency for TV shows, commercials or industrials (corporate projects) or with a friend who helps self-tape auditions for films and some TV shows. My demos and reels are at www.ruthtalks.com.

Do you have an unusual hobby?

I’ve loved singing since I got into my first chorus in 5th grade after singing My Country ‘Tis of Thee (for which I was paid $10/month, my first paying job) and still use the sight reading and tonal memory skills required to get into my high school’s choir. My favorite composition was Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, also known as the Symphony of a Thousand because hundreds of  musicians and singers are required to perform it. My singing highlight was performing “A Weekend in the Country” in a group of twenty-four for Stephen Sondheim (my favorite musical composer) himself. I have pictures of him clapping for us.

Now I sing in a symphony chorus. We just did Rossini’s Stabat Mater. The last movement, a fugue, is the hardest thing I’ve ever sung. Usually I’m able to memorize most of each piece during rehearsals. This was the first time I had to use Cyberbass.com to figure out my part…and was still a bit lost. Next year, we’ll be singing in Chicago’s Symphony Center for the third time.

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

It depends on the book. For my medievals, I did tons of research at first…collecting more than 200 books on fifteenth century England and also spending time at Chicago’s fabulous Newberry Library to look at rolls of Parliament and books with maps of the actual battles. For my second book, about a stained glass painter, I tracked down a book offering details of daily life in medieval glass painting studios at The Art Institute of Chicago’s library, and was able to get a day pass. After I knew the period better, I could write a scene leaving blanks for what they were wearing or eating, for example, and fill those details in later.

I also visited the castle the heroine of my first book lives in, Castle Rising. Being in the actual space, though hundreds of years separated us, was amazing.

In fact, when I first started writing, I thought time spent researching counted toward productivity. It wasn’t until I heard Catherine Coulter at a Romance Writers of America conference say that only new pages counted that I started setting weekly page goals. Product, aka new books, is what you need to sell.

My contemporaries are set in Chicago, where I live, so research mostly meant double checking some facts about various settings.

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

My Life as a Star incorporates some aspects of my experiences auditioning for and getting speaking roles, but a lot is pure fiction because I haven’t experienced fame or dated any famous directors.

 My Life as an Extra, the standalone prequel to this book, is based on my experiences working as an extra on more than 80 movies and TV shows and changing my career mid-life. That’s right, more than 80. Some is true, some stems from truth and some is pure fiction.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

I don’t think writing great books is enough anymore…getting readers to discover them is equally important. And for the vast majority, one book isn’t enough, so think ahead to your next book. Not only that, consider the pace of new releases: how fast you can write and sell or self-publish. Many authors now release more than one book a year. If you can’t do a full-length, can you do a novella or other content?

The market changes so fast, so staying on top of trends in promotion and marketing is key. Decide how much promo and marketing you can afford and are willing to do. Also, research distribution options and pricing, and carefully decide what will work for your book(s). There are so many free and discounted books that for many of us selling at full price is another challenge.

My Life as a Star by Ruth Kaufman

After summoning the courage to quit her well-paying day job, Marla Goldberg is determined to achieve her dream [image error]of being a full-time working actress in Chicago. Her biggest gig so far is a national TV commercial directed by hot, famous Scott Sampson. But portraying a tap-dancing zucchini isn’t acting or success to her disapproving family. Will they be impressed if she gets her first role in a major film, also directed by Scott? How does she stop caring what they, and others, think?

Scott, aka Great Scott, finds himself falling for quirky, smart Marla despite his vow to never date another actress. The pressures of their profession and the glaring, ever-present public eye threaten to tear them apart as she learns be careful what you wish for when her career and feelings for him suddenly skyrocket.

 

 

 

Buy Link

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Learn More about Ruth Kaufman

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Email  ruthkaufmanbooks@yahoo.com

Website  http://ruthkaufman.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ruthtalks or Ruth Kaufman Author & Actor

Twitter @RuthKaufman    https://twitter.com/RuthKaufman

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/ruth_kaufman

Amazon Author Page  http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Kaufman/e/B00JH7Z40S

Instagram @ruth.kaufman

 

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Meet Kinky Brief’s Author Seelie Kaye

~Kinky Doings ~

My guest today is the prolific romance author and former lawyer and journalist Seelie Kaye. She shares the things that have affected her as a writer and tells us about her newest book – The President’s Wife.

Welcome Seelie,

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a recovering attorney and former journalist who decided to try her hand at erotic romance last year. Nine books later, I think I am finally get the hang of it! I also ghostwrite books for others, primarily doctors and lawyers. I live in Wisconsin with my son, and while I complain about the cold and the heat, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else!

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

Actually, it’s an event that affected many others: 9/11. Despite all the nuclear attack drills as a child, threats from outside never quite felt real. I felt safe. After days of watching and rewatching the attacks, my sense of safety was destroyed. For the first time I was afraid and felt vulnerable, knowing that quite possibly, I couldn’t protect my toddler son. It forced me to see that as Americans, we take so much for granted. That’s why one of the couples I feature in my short stories are international law attorneys—one a Sheikh, the other from Wisconsin—who sue terrorists organizations and their supporters to compensate the victims of terrorism. I feel the need to remind people what’s at stake.

It’s also why I wrote, “The President’s Wife,” my latest release. I wanted to write something that celebrated freedom, but also provide a bit of a cautionary tale, mainly that freedom is not free—you must be ever vigilant to protect and nurture it.

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

It has always been easier for me to write rather than speak. Even as a child, when I was upset, I would write my parents letters because otherwise, I knew I couldn’t get the words I needed to say out.

What do you do when you are not writing?

My son is a musician and has converted our basement into a practice space/venue for emerging bands. Even when I am not writing, my house is filled with music. So, when my house isn’t filled with musicians or kids stopping by to listen, I like to cook or bake, garden, read, or play Scrabble with my siblings and friends.

Where do you get your ideas?

I write about lawyers in love, with a dash of kink, so obviously many ideas come from my more than 25 years in the legal world. However, I also get ideas from news stories, conversations, observing other people interacting, and sometimes, my dreams. I have always had a very vivid imagination, so it doesn’t take much for my mind to take flight.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Writer’s block has always been one of my biggest fears, but thankfully in my more than 25 years as a professional writer, it has never happened. I think that’s because I alternate between my own writing and writing I do for others. I also take time to clear my mind, doing other activities I enjoy.

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

I just finished my 2018 Stocking Stuffer, a story about the meaning of family, natural and adoptive. I am also working on a new book about four former law school classmates who lose at love and go through traumatic divorces. They band together to get their revenge. Then I will start working on another collection of short stories in my Kinky Briefs series.

[image error]The President’s Wife by Seelie Kay

BECAUSE FREEDOM ISN’T ALWAYS FREE

MILWAUKEE, WI—A newly free nation. An imprisoned first lady. A malicious imposter. An international conspiracy.

What happens when one of your best friends, the First Lady of the newly democratic Republic of Lodatia, appears to be an imposter? If you’re criminal defense attorney Julianna Constant, you pursue the truth like a rabid dog, then wage a battle to save your friend’s life.

When criminal defense attorney Julianna Constant travels to Washington, D.C. to join her former college roommate, Marella de la Aerelli, in celebrating her husband’s election as the first president of the newly democratic Republic of Lodatia, she is met with an unpleasant surprise. Her friend of almost 30 years not only looks unwell, she is cold and distant. After Julianna becomes convinced the woman is really an imposter, she attempts to expose the faux Marella by using a secret only she, Marella, and the sitting U.S. President share. In the process, Julianna helps to uncover an international conspiracy to seize control of the new country, using the president’s wife as a pawn in a dangerous and potentially deadly game. Will Marella be rescued before a coup takes place? Or will she become collateral damage in one tiny nation’s fight to be free?

              That about sums up the story behind The President’s Wife, author and lawyer Seelie Kay’s latest release from eXtasy Books.

Says Kay, “All the news stories about Russia’s alleged interference in America’s presidential elections brought me back to a time in the not so distant past, when other countries fought hard for freedom, trying to break out from under the iron fist of communism. My relatives—who lived in Eastern Europe—were among them. That lead to a whole lot of speculation about how a newly free nation might be compromised and forced to surrender that freedom.

Excerpt from The President’s Wife by Seelie Kay

The state dinner at the White House was in full swing. Waiters were busy delivering food and pouring wine, as guests ate and chatted with others seated at their tables.

Julianna picked at her dinner, some sort of beef dish with quirky vegetables, and continued to study Lodatian President Georges and Mrs. Marella de la Aerelli, as they chatted quietly with the U.S. president and his wife. Marella barely looked up from her plate, and conversation with her hosts appeared to be minimal. God, that is so not the Marella I know. She hasn’t even acknowledged me and I sent her an email informing her that I would be here.

Julianna set her fork down on her plate and nudged her husband, Little River, Wisconsin Police Chief David Manders. “Something’s wrong.” Julianna whispered. “Marella looks wrong. Maybe she’s just tired after the campaign, but she looks sick. Too thin and too pale. And she isn’t smiling. Marella is always smiling, even when she feels like shit. And she hasn’t even looked at me. Why is she ignoring me? Something is not right. I can feel it.”

David looked at his wife and tried to hide his smile. “Jules, you find a conspiracy behind every door these days,” he said quietly. He looked around to ensure that the other four couples seated at their table were otherwise engaged. “I vote for tired, no, make that exhausted. My God, five months ago, she was a farm wife in Lodatia, now she’s been thrust into the international spotlight as the wife of the President. That would exhaust anyone. I know if you ran for president, it would have a negative impact on me.”

Julianna smirked. “If I became President, sir, it would have a negative impact on both of us.”

David sighed and ran a hand through his short, silver hair. His piercing blue eyes gazed at his wife, his fondness apparent. “Well, instead of jumping to conclusions, let’s wait until the reception at the Lodatian Embassy. There are a lot of rules and protocols for visiting dignitaries. Maybe it just isn’t appropriate to buddy up to an old friend at a state dinner. Once you get up close and personal with Marella, you can get a better fix on things. That woman has been through the wringer, what with that opposition group trying to assassinate her husband not once, but twice. I imagine the stress of clinging to Lodatia’s newly formed democratic government is a kind of like hanging on to a cliff, knowing that if you fall, there will be no net to catch you. Cut her some slack and do not tell her she looks awful.”

BUY LINKS
AMAZON  |  EXTASYBOOKS 

 

About Seelie Kay[image error]

 Seelie Kay writes about lawyers in love, with a dash of kink.

Writing under a nom de plume, the former lawyer and journalist draws her stories from more than 30 years in the legal world. Seelie’s wicked pen has resulted in nine works of fiction, including the Kinky Briefs series, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, and The President’s Wife, as well as the romance anthology, Pieces of Us.

When not spinning her kinky tales, Seelie ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. Currently she resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, WI, where she shares a home with her son and enjoys opera, the Green Bay Packers, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.

Seelie is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!

Find Seelie Kaye here

Website : www.seeliekay.com

Blog: www.seeliekay.blogspot.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SeelieKay

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/seelie.kay.77

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Seelie-Kay/e/B074RDRWNZ

Seelie Kaye would love to hear from you!
Post your thoughts and questions below.

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Meet Linda Pennell and her Dual-Timeline Romances

~ What do you write when you love history? ~

Linda Pennell is an historian. She also writes romance. Today she tells us about her inspirations, how she does research, and her newest books. Each one meticulously researched!

Welcome, Linda…

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I love the past so much that I have a B.A. in US and British history. When I began writing, historical fiction was a logical choice. I also do some writing in contemporary fiction and have written two dual timeline novels, Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel and its sequel Miami Days, Havana Nights.

Where do you get your ideas?

Stories are everywhere. All one must do is be open to them. The next time you walk into a room filled with people, observe and listen. Take note of interesting faces and objects. Play let’s pretend with the people, location, and objects. Let your mind wander. Creativity is born of curiosity and wonder.

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

Let’s just say that Amazon counts me as a really good customer. I like to have my sources spread out around me as I put stories together. And with historical fiction, there are a lot of sources! I spend a lot of time on Google, Google Earth, and Google Maps. I have written books set in Brazil and Morocco, places I’ve never been but was able to describe in detail because of my sources.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I do not actually believe that writer’s block exists. What does keep a writer from progressing, in my opinion, is self-doubt and negative self-talk. I think we can psych ourselves to a standstill by constant questioning to the point of not seeing the positives, but only the negatives. That is why my professional advice to writers just starting out always includes a final sentence about being kind to yourself. Nothing kills creativity like negative self-talk.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences?

Yes. Miami Days, Havana Nights is a dual timeline novel with historical chapters that span 1926-1960. Two characters in those chapters are very loosely based on real people. Sam, the historical main character, is a very fictionalized version of a man my husband once worked for while in college at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Sam’s employee in the late historical chapters is an amalgam of my husband and his cousin. There are scenes and events in those chapters that happened to them. Perhaps of some interest might be the scene where Fidel and Raul Castro arrive in the Merrill Lynch Havana branch office. According to my husband’s finance professor who was present that day in 1959, a version of what I wrote actually happened. Finally, the character Consuelo in the contemporary chapters is very loosely based on my parents’ former neighbor, a niece of Fulgencio Batista, Cuban dictator overthrown by Castro. Yes, I definitely incorporate actual events in my writing!

Linda Pennell’s Books  [image error]
Linda has a new book up for pre-order. Check it out!

Here’s an excerpt:

Chapter 1

May 18, 1926    105 South Street,  New York City

Knocking – sharp, loud, rapid – echoed through the empty speakeasy. Sam froze, the notes of a tune stuck in the roof of his mouth. He glanced at the entrance and leaned the handle of his push broom against his shoulder. Puffs of dust settled on the floorboards around his feet while he remained motionless.

It was late, too late, to be admitting customers, even for the city’s illegal watering holes and gambling joints. Although a thick crossbar and several stout locks protected the heavy iron door, an uneasy feeling crawled down Sam’s spine. Growing tension over control of the Fulton Fish Market, in fact the entire South Street area, was making a lot of people jumpy, including him.

Several seconds passed without noise from the other side of the door. Sam let out his breath and laughed at himself. Working at the fish market in the afternoon then staying up half the night at the speakeasy didn’t leave much time for sleep. It kept him on edge. All the rumors and threats floating around these days weren’t helping either. Inclining his ear and hearing nothing, he relaxed and gave his broom a shove.

Bam, bam, bam.

Sam’s heart jumped into his throat.

“Open up, Monza. I know you’re in there.” The shout, colored by an Irish lilt, came from the second floor landing accompanied by renewed pounding. “I come to talk with ya. We need to settle this business. I got a proposition for ya.”

Sam’s breathing kicked up a notch as he looked over his shoulder toward the office. The boss didn’t like to be disturbed when he was meeting with his guys. The pounding from outside in the hall returned in earnest, but the office door remained fixed.

“You gonna open this damned door or do I break it down?” The doorknob rattled and jerked.

Behind Sam, the office door clicked open an inch. He watched in the mirror over the bar as the muzzle of a .38 Special emerged from the opening, its nickel-plated barrel glittering in the overhead lights. One of the gangsters stepped into the room, met Sam’s eye in the mirror, and jerked his head, then the room went dark. Sam dropped his broom and backed into an alcove next to the bar. The office door opened wider. Several shadows scurried across the floor. Metal locks and bolts snapped and clanked, then the entrance door swung inward.

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Here are more of Linda’s great books!



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Find her  books on her Amazon Author page and at Soulmate Publishing.

Learn more about Linda Pennell

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

Website:  http://www.lindapennell.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LindaPennell

Blog: https://historyimagined.wordpress.com

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

Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/cCeQPX

Linda is waiting to hear from you.
Post a question or comment below.

Do you love historical romance? Meet Linda Pennell. You will love her books. http://zarawestsuspense.com/linda-pen...
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3 Great Summer Reads with Romantic Heroes

~ Curl Up with a Great Romance ~

What kind of romance do you like to read while curled up under a beach umbrella or lazing the day away on a porch swing? If you are like me, you want –

1. A setting that transports you some place new, especially if you are stuck at home working.

2. A romantic tale with an amazing hero whom you can fall in love with.

3. A happy ever after that makes you sigh in satisfaction.

Here are three new contemporary romances that I think do all that.

Great Summer Read #1
[image error]Love at the Beach Shop by Kyra Jacobs

Kyra Jacob’s summer romance is set in the Florida Keys. You can just hear the sea gulls and feel the sea breezes. What better way to spend a summer day than reading this delightful friends-to-lovers romance.

Jenna runs a novelty sea-themed boutique she inherited from her grandmother, which she hopes to expand into a cafe–if she can get through the town’s permit-getting process. But that’s not her big problem. Her big problem is she has fibbed to her friends about having a boyfriend.

Her brother’s best friend, Zack also runs a shop in town. When his business is closed for sewer repair work by the same town board, Jenna has an idea. I bet you can guess what it is.  Yep, she asks him to be her pretend boyfriend. But will this stay pretend for long?  You’re sure to love this character-driven novel seasoned with a taste of the sea and a scrumptious hero. Get your copy of Love at the Beach Shop here.

AMAZON  |  B&N  

Great Summer Read #2
[image error]The Life She Wants by Jo McNally

The beach isn’t the only place to spend the summer. Jo McNally’s The Life She Wants is set at in a resort town in the Catskill Mountains in New York. Former supermodel, Melanie, has come to rediscover who she is and to recover from the stress caused by being forced into the limelight at too young an age in the peace and quiet of small town life.

Sports agent, Shane, on the other hand, loves high-power action and is set on climbing to the top of his field. But when Melanie sees his teen golf star being pressured the way she was, she just has to step in and do something. Sparks fly in this opposites-attract romance that takes you from rural peace and quiet to high-rise city turmoil. This deeply emotional romance with a delicious hero will have you rooting for love to win. Find your copy of The Life She Wants by Jo McNally here.

AMAZON |  B&N  

Great Summer Read #3
Breathe by Kimberley Ash [image error]

Staying in a hotel anytime this summer? How about Boston as a summer stopping off spot? Breathe by Kimberly Ash takes you backstage in a high class Boston City hotel. English-born Ellen, the hotel’s events manager, struggles to decide whether to go back to Britain and be the daughter her parents want her to be or to stick it out on her own in the career she loves.  But when she meets Kane, well-heeled and with a public reputation for being a lady’s man, she doesn’t know whether to stay or to run.

Kane runs a long-established paper empire suffering a series of mysterious arson attacks that will soon pull the company under. Searching for the arsonist, he is not looking for a relationship, and neither is Ellen, who has some deep-seated reasons to avoid getting close. Settle in to root for these two to get together in this emotionally-rich enemies-to-lovers romance with a hero who really cares. Here’s where to get Kimberley Ash’s Breathe.

AMAZON  |  B&N

Now there are my three picks.
What 2018 romances would you pick for great summer reads?

3 Great Summer Reads with Romantic Heroes! Check them out. #amreading #bookreviews #greatheros
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Meet Romantic Suspense Author Beverley Bateman

~ When You Can’t Stop Writing About Dead Bodies ~

Prolific romantic suspense writer and fellow Kiss of Death member, Beverley Bateman, shares why she writes romantic suspense and how she incorporates her travels and research into her novels.

Welcome Beverley,

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

It’s only a step from caring to killing. That’s the theory behind my writing. I’m a Canadian author. I used to live in the beautiful wine country of British Columbia, but gave up the orchards and vineyards for the ranches and beautiful, fresh vegetable country of Medicine Hat, Alberta. I live there with my husband and Shiba Inu dog. I just lost my second Shiba at the age of sixteen.

In the winter, I leave the snow and cold behind and go south.  I write in both places. Hunted, Missing and the newest – Targeted are part of my Montana, Hawkins Ranch series. I also have my Holly Devine series; A Cruise to Remember, and A Murder to Forget. Don’t Go is my darker romantic suspense.

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

Actually, yes, I always wanted to write and used to jot notes on plots or characters and shoved them in a folder, to be used some day. But I worked, raised children and never sat down to write that book. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it was an aha moment. I decided that if I wanted to write. I needed to sit down and do it. That was when I bought my first computer and seriously sat down to write my first book.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this before. When I had that aha moment I sat down and tried to figure out where to start. I like to plot – but then what?  I read an article on writing romance. It said it was easy to write and sold well. (Yeah, right!) Anyway I read a bunch of romance novels, decided to write romance and took a few classes.

I set my romance in a vineyard in California, but I kept putting the heroine in danger and adding a few bodies. It didn’t matter what I did, those pesky bodies kept showing up. I finally figured I’d never be able to write a straight romance and switched to romantic suspense. So, it actually chose me. I love it, it works for me, and I’ve been writing it ever since. It’s not easy, but I love the balance of character development and plot. In straight mystery or suspense, often the characterization that draws you into the story is missing.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

There’s been a few, but I think I’d say Ephesus in Turkey. It’s a very cool ancient city that dates back to 10th century BC. It’s close to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There are still a lot of partial structures standing that are over 2000 years old.

Do your travels influence your writing?

They do in some of my writing. I wrote A Cruise to Remember after we had done a Caribbean cruise. A Murder to Forget was set in Florida after we had visited that area. And I have a WIP, Death Southern Style, set in New Orleans. I’ve visited there a couple of times and love the French Quarter.  Hunted, the first in my contemporary, western romantic suspense, originated when I was visiting the hundred-year-old Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. You’ll see why in the first scene. I’d love to be able to start a book and then travel there to research the area.

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

This depends on what is needed. My western series is set in Montana. I have driven through Montana but needed to research an area to set my small town of Duster. I did a lot of research on Montana, the weather, landscape, flora and fauna and distances. I also did a lot of research on ranching and managing a ranch. I want to do enough research for all my books so that my readers can relate to characters and settings in my books.

What other genres of novel would you love to write?

There are a couple of genres that interest me, and that I’ve considered writing. One is women’s fiction because I love the idea of women supporting women and helping each other grow. In my latest book I do have four women working together, helping each other in my WIP, but it’s still more a romantic suspense. YA is also a genre that interests me, but I don’t know if I can write at that age level.

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

I have one book, Sara’s Story, that’s with the editor right now, and I’m hoping to release it this summer. It’s the first in a series called The Foundation. The Foundation is a ‘secret’ organization run by women who train teams of women to help women in danger. Those women could be in an abusive and life threatening situation, or have a husband who plans to kill her, a serial killer who targets women for financial gain, or even women in another country who could be in danger due to political situations.

The latest team, Sara’s team, has each member having a paranormal talent which they learn to use together, besides their regular classes in self defense and shooting.

And I’m hoping to finish off my stand alone, Death Southern Style, in the next few months.

[image error] Targeted by Beverley Bateman

After an eleven-year absence, Janna Kincaid inherits a ranch and is forced to return to a town she only remembers with unhappiness, a man to whom she was briefly married and never wants to see again, and someone is trying to kill her.

Kye Hawkins has loved Janna since he first met her. They were married but a few weeks later she ran away, without an explanation. He still hasn’t figured out why. Now she’s coming back. Does she still love him? Can he rekindle the romance and also prevent her from being killed.

Janna doesn’t want Kye’s help in anyway, yet he always seems to be there when she’s in trouble. Can they work together to find a killer, save the Native burial ground and home of the spirits, and find romance again?

Buy links for Targeted

 

AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE  |   iTUNES  |  GOOGLE PLAY |  KOBO  |

 

Learn more about Beverley Bateman [image error]
Website https://www.beverleybateman.comhttps://www.beverleybateman.com
Blog http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverleyBateman
Twitter @kelownawriter
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Beverley-Bateman/e/B008M01F5E
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7052567.Beverley_Bateman
Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/okwriter

Writer or Reader?
Beverley Bateman would love to hear from you.
Post your questions and comments below.

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Kenzie Michaels Talks About Her Inspirations

~ A Writer Unleashed ~

Kenzie Michaels is a prolific author of romances of all genres. From sci-fi and romantic suspense to small town romance, she has a book for you. 

Welcome Kenzie…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Greetings!  I’m Kenzie Michaels, the ‘wild child’ of author Molly Daniels.  I write spicy, adult contemporary and science fiction romance, and occasionally, try to take over Molly’s brain when she’s trying to write a sweeter story, ha ha.

I love to sing karaoke, go out to eat, and binge-watch my favorite shows on either the DVR or Netflix.  I have two adult children (26 and 23), a teenager (14), and a granddaughter (6), courtesy of my daughter.  There are other numerous young adults who claim me as ‘Mom’…in short, any of my kids’ friends who feel they need another mom, ha ha.

What do you do when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing, I can be found curled up in front of my Kindle, either watching Netflix (currently on Season 3 of Friends) or reading (currently making my way through Sandy Sullivan’s Cowboy Dreamin’ series); doing needlepoint; or working in our other house.

When we bought our property two years ago, it came with two empty houses which needed cleaned out.  One is nearly ready to be torn down, and I decided to turn the other one into my writing space/library.  I’m still probably a year away from seeing that reality though.

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

I held several different jobs while in college:  Waitress at a country club, a small mom-and-pop steakhouse, and a major chain.  I temped at three factories and a parking lot, and after college, drove eleven small children to and from preschool.

I also spent a year as a Developmental Skills Technician at a facility for mentally and physically challenged children and adults.  I began seriously devoting myself to writing after I married, when a high-risk pregnancy forced me on bed rest for seven months.

My experiences in the work force show up in some form or another.  For instance, I have three characters who work at country clubs (All She Ever Wanted, Off The Clock, and Appetite For Desire), and one of Molly’s characters spends her summer working in a truck factory (Balancing Act).  You just never know what aspect of your life experience is going to suddenly show up in a story.

Do your travels influence your writing?

Oh definitely!  My family has traveled to Colorado many times, and when I wrote Wild At Heart, I had no idea one character was suddenly going to go there and have his own ‘wild encounter’.  We returned to Estes Park in 2013 for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, and now there’s a sequel in the works.

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

I discovered the concept of Creative Writing in the 5th grade, and it really unleashed something in me.  I think I was the only one excited in the 9th grade, when our teacher announced we would write creatively every other Friday.  I actually wrote my first story that day in Study Hall, ha ha!

Then later that month, I decided to write my own ending to Star Wars.  Completely botched it, by the way.

But in college, I went on a blind date with an Air Force officer, who was on leave, and we really hit it off.  Fast-forward three months, and when my family flew to Florida, the plane was overbooked, and they offered a free round-trip ticket to anywhere in the Continental US to anyone willing to get off the plane.  I wanted to offer, but my mom nixed it.  That idea churned around in my brain and later became the book I worked on all through my college years:  What if I had gotten off that plane and used that ticket to go see my AF officer?  That book later spawned thirteen more books, half of which are written and published under the Molly Daniels pen name.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

It pretty much chose me, lol!  Remember that failed attempt at Star Wars?  I focused on rescuing Han Solo and reuniting him with Princess Leia.  When I first found out about erotic romance, I literally locked myself in my room and tried to write the smuttiest thing I had ever written.  Things were going well; my heroine and hero had hooked up and spent the night, until he woke up the next morning and decided to tell her he was not exactly from Earth.  I stopped writing and put the thing away for ten years.

In 2007, I began networking with other authors and reading their work, as well as writing again.  Six years later, after all my other completed works were published, I found this little story in a drawer and decided to see where it was going.  Brock and Trisha ended up spawning more books, and I am currently at work on the 5th one in the series.

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

LIFE hit me upside the head a few years ago, when I had to home school my youngest. Then we decided to buy a house, as well as my husband being forced to retire after a detached retina took away the sight in his left eye.

I’ve managed to write a few short stories for anthology projects, and last year I even veered away from the romance genre entirely by writing about rogue fairies, and a ghost who’s haunting his ex-girlfriend.  Those two stories should be published this fall.

More recently, a weird time-travel story took a hold of me in February, and nineteen thousand words poured out of me in six days.  I don’t know what I’m going to do with it yet, but ‘Uncle Charles’, one of the central figures, keeps nagging me about another one.

I’ve also revisited the fairy realm, after being stuck in traffic with my mother, and we decided to be the voices of two swooping vultures.  Chapter 3 is currently being written.

So yes, I have several projects to keep my busy; now I just need some uninterrupted time to actually write.  Summer is usually our busiest time, so I joke that I get ‘my life back’ when they go back to school in August.

Thanks for having me today, Zara!

 [image error]Kira’s Slice of Pizza by Kenzie Michaels

Leaving TriJupe to escape scandal after the death of her Bond Mate, KiRah exiles herself on Earth and takes refuge in an abandoned house to paint and mourn her loss. But when a stranger brings upheaval to her new life, will KiRah discover it’s possible to love again?

Duffy Switzer never thought he’d be interested in an artist. Kira’s quiet demeanor proves refreshing after a string of self-centered women, and having someone who makes no demands leads him to believe he’s found the perfect woman. But as he’s drawn deeper into Kira’s life, he learns she is no ordinary human. When the truth is revealed, will he turn his back on her?

Buy Link

AMAZON

Kenzie Michaels can be found at the following places –  [image error]

WEBSITE 

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Kenzie would love to hear from you.
Please post your comments, and she will get back to you.

 

 

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Meet Awesome Romance Author Kris Bock

~ What to Do When You Find a Dead Body ~

Multi-published awesome romance author and prolific writer of YA and romantic suspense, Kris Bock, talks about her inspirations, her many books, and how she approaches her writing. She is also the author of several nonfiction writing books. If you like thrillers set in the Southwest, she is the author for you.

Welcome Kris…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Twenty years ago, I started writing for children, using the name Chris Eboch. I have eight middle grade novels (for ages 9 to 12) published under that name. I also write a lot of educational nonfiction under the name MM Eboch.

Around 2008, I was starting to feel restless and wanted a change. I realized I had mostly been reading adult romantic suspense novels, so I started writing those under the name Kris Bock. I have over 50 published books now, but that includes fiction and nonfiction, for children and adults. The variety keeps me interested!

[image error]

Kris Bock’s YA novels

Do your travels influence your writing?

My first novel, The Well of Sacrifice, is for ages 9 to 12. I loved books such as Julie of the Wolves and Island of the Blue Dolphins growing up and wanted to do a similar young adventure story. The novel is set in Mayan times, inspired by a summer I spent traveling through Mexico and Central America.

More recently I had an idea for an adult series about treasure hunting adventures in the Southwest, so I read up on some lost treasures. In The Mad Monk’s Treasure (99 cents, free with KU) two friends search for the Victorio Peak treasure – a heretic Spanish priest’s gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider. Their experiences in the desert are based on my experiences hiking in New Mexico, though they get more danger and drama.

In my romantic suspense Whispers in the Dark, my heroine is an archeology Masters student working at the fictional “Lost Valley” monument, which is closely based on Hovenweep National Monument, where I once spent a week camping. In Counterfeits, the heroine inherits a children’s art camp, which I based on a camp near Jemez Springs, New Mexico, where I’ve attended many writing retreats.

Sites mentioned in the book such as Battleship Rock and Soda Dam are real. I hiked through the mountains and took notes for one scene where Jenny has to escape from some bad guys. Using real locations helps me bring the settings to life even if I did not, for example, fall into a ravine while fleeing from a bad guy.

I blog about my Southwest travel and inspiration more here.

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

In most of my books, the connection to real-life experiences isn’t obvious. But What We Found was inspired by [image error]helping to uncover a true case of murder. Two friends and I were exploring the mountains, when they smelled something horrible. A glance in the right direction showed a dead body hidden just out of sight of the path. (Read about the whole experience of finding a dead body here.)

Someone in law enforcement said that people often don’t report crimes they stumbled across. I started thinking about all the reasons someone might want to cover up their discovery, even if they had nothing to do with the crime. And that inspired What We Found. The book also includes falconry, based on experiences I’ve had hanging out with a falconer.

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

I’m polishing a mystery about a former war correspondent who returns to her childhood home after an injury and uncovers a mystery at the Alzheimer’s care unit where her mother resides. It’s intended to be the first in a series with the same main character.

Do you have any websites, blogs, or books about writing that you would recommend?

You can check out my writing tips at my Write Like a Pro! blog. I don’t post new material very often, but the sidebar down on the right-hand side links to past posts on various topics. I particularly like to talk about cliffhangers!

I’ve also published two books of writing advice. Advanced Plotting is designed for the intermediate and advanced writer: You’ve finished a few manuscripts, read books and articles on writing, taken some classes, attended conferences. But you still struggle with plot, or suspect that your plotting needs work. This book can help.

Read the book straight through, study the index to find help with your current problem, or dip in and out randomly — however you use this book, you’ll find fascinating insights and detailed tips to help you build a stronger plot and become a better writer.

My other writing book is You Can Write for Children: How to Write Great Stories, Articles, and Books for Kids and Teenagers and is available for the Kindle, in paperback, or in Large Print paperback.

When you write for children, you have the most appreciative audience in the world. But to reach that audience, you need to write fresh, dynamic stories, whether you’re writing rhymed picture books, middle grade mysteries, edgy teen novels, nonfiction, or something else. Note: If you order the print or large print version from Amazon, you can get the Kindle version as a free add-on. You Can Write for Children includes many links to additional resources; in the Kindle version you can click to go directly to the websites or blogs listed. If you don’t have a Kindle, download a free Kindle app for your computer.

Thanks for giving me a chance to talk about writing.

[image error]

About Kris Bock

[image error]Kris lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking, watching the sunset from her patio, and hanging out with her husband and their ferrets. Her home office looks out on nature, complete with distracting wildlife such as roadrunners and foxes. Her BFA in photography is used mainly to show Facebook friends how lovely the Southwest is.

Kris writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Kris writes for children under the name Chris Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure; The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy; and the Haunted series, about kids who travel with a ghost hunter TV show, which starts with The Ghost on the Stairs. Her writing craft books include You Can Write for Children: How to Write Great Stories, Articles, and Books for Kids and Teenagers, and Advanced Plotting. Learn more at https://chriseboch.com/ or her Amazon page.

 

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Cathy Perkins has a new mystery for us

~ Writers Have Scary Brains ~

Today, let’s welcome awesome author Cathy Perkins. She has a new mystery up for pre-order that she wants to tell you about. She also shares where she gets her ideas and some great writing tips. Read on…

Welcome Cathy, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thanks so much for letting me visit with you today! I’m a transplanted Southerner, currently living in the state of Washington, the setting of the Holly Price Mystery Series, with my husband, children, several dogs, and the resident deer herd. I love the Pacific Northwest – food, wine, climate, relaxed attitudes and access to the outdoors.

My day job is in the financial industry, so my books tend to have a financial angle. The Holly Price Mysteries feature a smart, sassy CPA amateur sleuth.

When I’m not writing, I love finding other creative outlets. When my children were small, I smocked dresses, made costumes and invented all kinds of crafts for them (and their friends). Now, I’ve started painting again and make fused glass pieces. It’s so fun to have the tangible item to enjoy and give to friends.

Where do you get your ideas?

Someone told me they think an author’s brain is a scary place! We do constantly ask, “What if…?”

Sometimes a day dram offers a story start, but ideas can show up in the strangest places. Inspiration can hit in the strangest places. My husband and I were hiking along the Snake River  in a game management area called Big Flats (which happens to feature in my mystery So About The Money) and had to push through some tangled foliage at the shoreline. Being a mystery writer whose mind really can go strange places, I glanced over my shoulder and said, “Wouldn’t this be a great place to find a body?”

That germ of an idea kept growing. Why would the heroine be out at Big Flats to stumble over the body? How did the body end up beside the river in the first place?

The idea for In It For The Money came while I was chatting with a friend’s nephew at a party. He was all excited about designing some bizarre machine called a Rockcrawler. My writer’s brain went, Hmmm…That’s different.

How much research do you have to do?

For my upcoming release In It For The Money, I had to do a lot of research on Rockcrawler events, car and truck suspensions, inventory supply and the fentanyl epidemic. Thank goodness for great friends and a wide network!

The hardest part of research is filtering the necessary information into the story without distracting or boring the reader.

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

This summer promises to be busy. In It For The Money releases in June and just went up for pre-sale. I love the cover Gwen developed for the story!

In July, the first book in the Christmas Tree Farm series releases. Keri Isles, Holly Price’s half-sister, ended up with the tree farm in her divorce settlement. Since I live on a Christmas tree farm, I’ve had a lot of fun with her misadventures.

On the writing front, I’m currently working on the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm series (fall 2018). The next book will link the two series as Keri and Holly join forces.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

I have two pieces of advice—read and write.

A little simplistic, huh? Reading does several things. You become aware of market and genre expectations if you’re reading books similar to ones you’d like to write. You also expand your vocabulary (without those school drills, memorizing word lists) and absorb the basic rhythms of structure and conflict.

Writing? I listened to Steven King’s On Writing earlier this spring and his words scored a direct hit for me. He writes every day. When he goes to his writing space, he doesn’t come out until he’s written at least 1000 words. Some days, he’s done by noon; others, it’s dinnertime.

I’d been in a funk, not writing. Once I parked my butt in the chair and started writing, however, words started flowing again. Plot snags unraveled and the pure enjoyment of creating returned. I usually write first thing in the morning, and most days, I’ve written my thousand words by lunch.

Oh, one more tip—learn all you can about the craft of writing.

Now go have fun and write that story!

In It for the Money by Cathy Perkins [image error]

Holly Price traded her professional goals for personal plans when she agreed to leave her high-flying position with the Seattle Mergers and Acquisition team and take over the family accounting practice. Reunited with JC Dimitrak, her former fiancé, she’s already questioning whether she’s ready to flip her condo for marriage and a house in the ‘burbs.

When her cousin Tate needs investors for his innovative car suspension, Holly works her business matchmaking skills and connects him with a client. The Rockcrawler showcasing the new part crashes at its debut event, however, and the driver dies. Framed for the sabotage, Tate turns to Holly when the local cops—including JC—are ready to haul him to jail. Holly soon finds her cousin and client embroiled in multiple criminal schemes. She’s drawn into the investigation, a position that threatens her life, her family and her already shaky relationship with JC.

Pre-Order Here
AMAZON

Learn more about Cathy Perkins

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Post your comments and questions below and she will get right back to you.

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