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Awesome Romance Author Linda Tillis

Zara West Suspense

Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is fellow Wild Rose Press author Linda Tillis. Her inspirational book A Heart Made for Love is being released TODAY and I am so pleased she is here to share it with us.

For my interview, Linda answers questions about her experience in law enforcement, why she writes historical fiction about domestic violence, and why faith is important. And don’t miss her original hat designs!

Please welcome Linda Tillis…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I worked for eighteen years in the garment manufacturing field, then did twenty years and a Crime Scene Investigator, then seven years as a 911 dispatcher/call-taker.  Between the CSI and the 911 I took a year off to recuperate. Twenty years of rapes, murders and autopsies had taken a toll on my mind and body. During that year I got into nature and portrait photography. During my last year of 911 I worked night-shift and there would be long down times at 3:00 in the morning, so I started writing.

What do you do when you are not writing?

Original hat design by Linda Tillis

When I’m not writing I make hats and jewelry. When I started the photography I wanted to do vintage type portraits and could not find the hats I wanted, so I learned millinery and made them.

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?

If I had to start this career over again, I would start earlier!  I’ve been an avid reader all my life, but it just never occurred to me that I could actually write a book until my wonderful husband told me that I needed to do just that.

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

After all my years in law-enforcement, I knew I would have to write about domestic violence, however, as it is still a painful memory for me, I made it easier to deal with by using a historical setting.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

The sequel to A Heart Made For Love is with my wonderful editor right now. It features Samuel Hinton, brother to the heroine in the first one, and is called A Man With A Pure Heart. The first chapter is included at the end of A Heart Made For Love.  I had a co-worker read the first one for me and when she finished she said, “I’ve always wished I had a brother like Samuel.”  I knew then that I would have to give him his own story.

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

I would like for my readers to take away the message that there is nothing that cannot be handled with faith, and that with faith, we are never truly alone.

A Heart Made For Love by Linda Tillis
Writing stories about women who have overcome adversity to win the love they deserve

In rural Florida, 1903, Mae Hinton cares for her father and younger brothers, trying to fill her deceased mother’s shoes. Her life is shattered and her faith tested when her innocence is stolen by roving miscreants. Left unconscious, unable to identify her attackers, she pledges to help other victimized women. She pursues an education and learns to deal with bigoted ministers, well-to-do hypocrites, and men with higher regard for their livestock than their women.

Edward Finch is nearly done with medical studies in England when he comes home for the holidays. Love flourishes, and Mae seems close to achieving her dreams of both true love and a haven for victims, once she can explain to him why she carries a pistol. Then her new-found happiness is upset by a murder as one of her attackers returns.

Another fantastic hat by Linda Tillis

She may settle this herself…or she may find that vengeance truly belongs to God.

 

Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Nobel

To learn more about Linda Tillis visit lindatillisauthor.com

If you have any questions or comments for Linda, please post them below, and she will get back to you.

Related Posts Awesome Romance Author Sarah Andre Awesome Romance Author Kristal Hollis Awesome Romance Writer: Ashantay Peters Awesome Romance Author Susan Muller Awesome Romance Author Linda Style

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Awesome Romance Author Susan Muller

Zara West Suspense

Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is award-winning romantic suspense author Susan Muller.

For my interview, Susan answers questions about her favorite adventures, her most uninteresting jobs, experiencing the bayou,  and her advice to aspiring writers.

Please welcome Susan…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

What do you do when you are not writing? –  I’ll do just about anything once. Within the last two months, I’ve zip lined in Las Vegas,  been hiking in the Rocky Mountains (Okay, full disclosure. I’m from flat, sea-level Texas. I couldn’t breathe at 8,000 feet. I hiked half-way then sat on a rock and waited for the others to come back.) and tried my hand at indoor skydiving with my grandson. What a blast!

What was the most interesting place you every visited?

I find any place I go interesting. I’ve snorkeled in Honduras, floated down the Amazon, photographed lions in Kenya. For the most interesting, I’d have to pick New Zealand. They have a little of everything: mountains and fiords, geysers and beaches, sheep and cities. The best part is the people. They are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. I’d go again in a heartbeat.

What interesting jobs have you had?

None of my jobs have been interesting.  Some of the people I’ve worked with have been. I once worked for a man who was an alcoholic. He started the morning fine, but got grumpier as the day went on. By three o’clock he was yelling and cursing. He would slam his office door, stomp out to the men’s restroom, stay gone for half an hour and come back reeking of booze. After that he was pleasant again. Don’t know what happened to him. I found another job as soon as I could.

Is anything in your books based on real life experiences or are they purely all imagination?

In my book Voodoo on Bayou Lafonte, my hero is Remy Steinberg. He has a Jewish father and a Cajun mother. Born in New Jersey, he was raised in Louisiana and must return to the swamp he hates in order to rescue his kidnapped daughter. While I live in Texas, I have been to Louisiana and New Orleans many times. I once took an air boat tour of the swamps and that was part of the inspiration for the book.  I tried to capture the feel of trees leaning over the water, cutting off the sun, the sounds of water lapping at the banks and crickets chirping, the sight of birds roosting in the top of trees and taking off, their wings flapping slowly as they gained height, the smell of trees and leaves and old forest. And, of course, the eerie feeling of being watched as the eyes of an alligator appear downstream.

What project are you working on now?  

I’m working on a new four book series, Seasons Pass. The first book, Winter Song, will be out before the end of the year. The rest of the series, Spring Thaw, Summer Storm, and Autumn Secrets, will follow about a month apart. At the moment, I’m almost finished with Autumn Secrets, but I need to pick out covers and have the books edited. Still a lot to do. Writing is only half the job.

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 like to say all my books have a hot cop and a woman who gives him trouble. In my first series, I had three detectives, each with his own book, but they all worked together and helped each other with their cases. There is one woman in their squad. I’ve written the first chapter of her story and can’t wait to get back and finish it.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?  

There is no such thing as an aspiring writer. Much as Yoda might say; write or do not write. There is no aspire. If you write, you’re a writer. You may not be published, but you’re still a writer. Own it.

Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan Muller

Life is a mystery. Reading is the clue.

A frantic phone call leads Detective Remy Steinberg racing through the night toward the one place he vowed never to return. With the life of his kidnapped daughter at stake, he willingly faces shotgun-wielding drug dealers, corrupt law-enforcement officials, and a raging hurricane.

Scouring the seedy back alleys of New Orleans for information, he goes undercover at a sinister voodoo ceremony, and struggles to understand the forces of black magic that hold his daughter hostage.

With time ticking down, he battles for his life against a high voodoo priest, but can he face the two things he fears most: the swamp that terrorized his childhood and the ex-wife he’s never stopped loving?

Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Learn more about Susan Muller and her books at susanmullerauthor.com

If you have any questions or comments for Susan, please post them below and she will get back to you.

Related Posts Awesome Romance Author Sarah Andre Awesome Romance Author Kristal Hollis Awesome Romance Writer: Ashantay Peters Awesome Romance Author Susannah Sandlin Awesome Romance Author Linda Style

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Awesome Romance Author Sarah Andre

Zara West Suspense

Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is award-winning, multi-published romantic suspense author Sarah Andre.

For my interview, Sarah answers questions about her adventures, her inspirations, her love of adrenaline junkie alphas, and what to do if your manuscript is rejected. So…here’s Sarah:

Thank you SO much for this opportunity, Zara!

What was the most interesting place you every visited?

For my 40th birthday present my husband took me on a week-long cooking course in Tuscany. There I met a single American woman, my age, who instantly became like a twin—except she’s funny. We kept in touch daily when we returned to the US, but we missed each other and our “creative Italian selves” so much, that after a month we knew we had to go back and achieve a life ambition we both had – writing a novel. My husband came home from work that evening, and I have to hand it to him, his expression never changed when I blurted out: “Next month I’m going back to the vineyard with Jeannie for 6 weeks and we’re writing a novel.”

And we did. Well, I did. She had an affair (right out of the movies) with the vineyard owner.

Where is your favorite place to write? 

My beautiful screened-in lanai overlooking the marsh on the left and the pond. In the summer, there are only about 4 out of 55 homes occupied here in South West Florida; everyone else goes north. And then it’s true serenity! I can go days without seeing anyone, only hearing the wildlife and rushing waterfall in the pool.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

I’m beginning to realize that my fascination/fan-girl stalking of Kristan Higgins is paying off. The more I read and study her beautifully crafted, emotionally ambushing novels, the more I realize how deep my characters need to be. Before her, I was comfortable with their minimal flaws and depth, but no longer. I’ve received recent reviews that acknowledge how emotionally wrenching my latest novel is—so…thanks, Kristan.

Tell us about your new romantic suspense. How did you come up with the title?

Tall, Dark and Damaged? I wanted a takeoff on a familiar phrase, to make it easy to remember. Then I went to Amazon and put in “Tall, Dark and…” It was amazing how many ways authors have ended that phrase! So all of those were out, but I still needed a descriptor that fit my hero…and bottom-line, he’s pretty emotionally damaged. Which then got me thinking…why not make it a series?…ta-da! Damaged Heroes. While I am writing Book 2 now, I’m listing familiar phrases with the word Damaged in it.

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’m stuck on adrenalin-junkie alphas. My first romantic suspense, Locked, Loaded and Lying is an Olympic skier about to go on trial for the murder of his girlfriend. Naturally there’s not much skiing in it, but I like his fearlessness, and how reckless he is in life, which he’d brought to the sport. I’d like to eventually write a series of adrenalin sport heroes- a longboard surfing champion, sky diver, free climbing/face climbing mountaineer…sigh.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Don’t ever, EVER give up. It took me 11 years (after that first novel I wrote in Tuscany) to see one of my novels published. Spend the time between rejections writing another book, learning craft, volunteering in the writing community and networking. So when your time comes, a lot of people will share your joy and scream your news from the rooftops.

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

My humblest and most heartfelt thanks! (And please be patient. I’m a slooooow writer. Don’t forget me.)

Tall, Dark and Damaged by Sarah Andre

Romantic Suspense That Keeps You Up All Night

His Life Changed in a Heartbeat.

Disinherited as a teen, Devon Ashby returns home twelve years later as a ruthless CEO, brilliant at negotiating deals, but emotionally stunted. In an instant all he’s struggled to build implodes. Amid the turmoil of saving his company from a hostile takeover, his engagement to a business partner’s high-society daughter hits the rocks. Compounding his troubles, he encounters his high school sweetheart, whose heart he smashed. The vulnerability she awakens leaves him at greater risk than all the crises he faces.

Her Dream Job May Get Her Killed.

While restoring art in a billionaire’s private gallery, Hannah Moore is unwittingly drawn into the dysfunctional family’s confidences. When she discovers the rich developer behind her and her sick aunt’s eviction is the family’s black-sheep son—the lover she’s never gotten over—her desire turns to fury. Always one to avoid conflict, Hannah must stand up to Devon and the growing menace of someone who thinks she knows too much.

A Decades-Old Secret Turns Deadly.

When a family member is murdered, Devon and Hannah become ensnared in sibling greed, festering jealousy, and a tragic secret that’s divided the family. Amid their reigniting passion they race to expose the killer before they become the next victims in this cat-and-mouse game of survival.

Buy Links
AMAZON        |      B&N       |     iTUNES      |       KOBO

Learn more about Sarah and her books, and catch her book trailer for Tall, Dark, and Damaged at www.sarahandre.com 


If you have any questions or comments for Sarah, please post them below and she will get back to you.


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Awesome Romance Author Kristal Hollis

Zara West Suspense

Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is Kristal Hollis.

For my interview, Kristal answers questions about how she became a Harlequin Nocturne author and why she writes paranormal romance. She also gives us a sneak peek at the first book in her new wolf-shifter series: AWAKENED BY THE WOLF.

Hi Zara! Thank you for inviting me meet your readers.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  I grew up in a small agricultural town in South Florida where there wasn’t much to do for most kids, but I inherited my mother’s love of reading. So, there was no lack of adventures for me. I moved to Central Florida after college and married. When my husband became seriously ill, I took a leave of absence from work to be home with him. In between home health care visits, I began writing a paranormal story as a means of “escape” from the real-life drama around me. As Hubster got better, I discovered a love for writing romance. I returned to the day job, and I’m still learning how to balance work, writing and fun time. If not working or writing, I’m usually hanging out online or in person with friends, watching a movie with Hubster, making a mess in the kitchen or spoiling our two furbabies. I’d love to say I crochet, or knit, or do any of those cool crafty things, but the truth is I have two left hands when it comes to arts-and-crafts.

What was the most interesting place you every visited?  I love exploring new places. I would say the most interesting place I’ve visited is Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. My sister and I were walking with a friend in a Midlothian forest and we ended up at the chapel. At the time, the historic site was just beginning to undergo renovations (which are now complete). The interior left me speechless and I’m fortunate to have taken photos of the iconic sculptures, carvings and engravings inside. Sadly, today no photography or videos are allowed to be taken of the interior.

Where is your favorite place to write? In the recliner in our family room is where I get the most words written. The furbabies snooze on the floor beside the chair. Through the double French doors, I can see the inspiring woods behind our house. And I’m close to the kitchen for snacks. I also have a home office that has a view of the woods, but I use that space to develop characters, plot story arcs, and organize writing-related tasks.

Tell us about your book. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?  AWAKENED BY THE WOLF is a wolf shifter romance set in the Appalachian foothills of Northeast Georgia. Although the town of Maico is fictional, I drew inspiration for the Walker’s Run territory from real places such as Helen, Hiawassee and Young Harris, Georgia and Hayesville, North Carolina.

The Wahyas, wolf shifters, in the story have very close pack ties and they’re all about family. It was natural for me to tap into the dynamics of my own close-knit extended family when orchestrating the pack’s functionality. ABTW has a little of everything…romance, suspense and a lot of family drama.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?  ABTW is the first book in the Wahyas of Walker’s Run series. I designed the series so that certain characters can and will make appearances in future books. Two core themes will be consistent through-out, as well. One is family—whether by blood or bond, the heroes and heroines are seeking to find where they truly belong. The second is empowerment. The fiercely independent heroines are on individual journeys to forge their future, all on their own. Falling in love isn’t in their plans. They’ll need to learn love doesn’t have to be a distraction from their dreams, but can be an enhancement.

Do you have a new book coming out soon? AWAKENED BY THE WOLF was released in June (2016). I recently learned book two in the Wahyas of Walker’s Run series, RESCUED BY THE WOLF, is scheduled for release in March 2017.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? When I began querying agents/editors, resoundingly I heard “Paranormal doesn’t sell.” I found that ridiculously hard to believe. I love paranormal stories and I know lots of people who do too. What I learned is that paranormal DOES sell, but it’s a hard niche to break into for traditional publishing. Like the heroines in my stories, I didn’t give up on my dream. I kept writing. I also entered ABTW into the RWA Golden Heart contest in 2015. Amazingly, the manuscript (formerly titled HOWLIN’ HEARTS) finaled. Within weeks, I received a call from the senior editor at Harlequin Nocturne and she offered me a publishing contract. So, my advice to aspiring writers is Write What You Love and Never Give Up on Your Dreams.

AWAKENED BY THE WOLF by Kristal Hollis
Blurb

For Cassie Albright, discovering werewolves do exist isn’t as terrifying as knowing that the naked wolfman in her bedroom is about to derail her future. Desperate to overcome her impoverished upbringing, Cassie is determined to finish her college education–her first step toward becoming a successful, independent business owner. And she’ll be damned before she lets Hell or high water or the Devil disguised as the sexy, wealthy, Brice Walker muck things up.

Returning to his pack after five years of exile, Brice Walker isn’t expecting to find a stubborn, human female sleeping in his old room. Nor is he prepared for the mating urge her scent triggers. As the reality of finding his true mate burrows into his being, he’ll defy his powerful Alpha father for the right to claim her and will face a deadly enemy to protect her. But Brice’s greatest challenge will be convincing Cassie that he isn’t her downfall, but her destiny.

Buy Links:
Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Books A Million |  iTunes 
Learn more about Kristal and her books here:

Website: www.KristalHollis.com

FB: www.facebook.com/kristalhollisbooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kristalhollis

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kristal_hollis

GoodReads:  www.goodreads.com/kristalhollis

Amazon: amazon.com/author/kristalhollis

If you have any questions or comments for Kristal, please post them below, and she will get back to you.

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Awesome Romance Author Linda Style

Zara West Suspense

Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is best-selling, award-winning author Linda Style. Today, Linda answers questions about how she has written so many successful novels.

Hi Zara and friends. Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog today. One of my favorite things to do is talk about writing and the writing process. So…on to your wonderful questions.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’d be happy to do that. In a nutshell, I’m the author of nineteen novels, travel junkie, (Official Travelocity Gnational Gnomad) photographer, tennis rat, blues lover, and foodie.

My first fourteen books were published with Harlequin Superromance and my six most recent suspense and romantic suspense novels are with Amazon. My seventh book THE MISSING, a romantic suspense, should be released literally as we speak. My books have sold over a million copies worldwide and have won several awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, The Orange Rose Award (Best Book of the Year) and the Holt Medallion Award of Merit. My last romance novel was on the “USA Today” Best Romance of the Year list. Sounds great, doesn’t it. But, like most writers, it took years and a circuitous route to get here. And that leads to the next question, doesn’t it. J

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

As a kid, I wrote a lot, stories, poetry, whatever, and I always dreamed of being a writer, but good intentioned people convinced me to get an education in a field that paid enough to feed myself. Hence, I pursued a career in behavioral health and for worked in a number of jobs in social services including as the director of a mental health program for the State of Arizona. But my dream persisted, so back to school it was for a degree in journalism and, eventually, after a stint as the editor of a national magazine, I began writing novels for real. After five years, after writing five books, and receiving four Golden Heart finalists’ awards from the Romance Writers of America, I published my first book in June, 2000. In addition to writing I co-founded Bootcamp for Novelists Online, a full program of writing classes, and I taught the advanced classes. Since then, I’ve published all of my classes in a handbook for writers titled “Bootcamp for Novelists: Writing Techniques of the Pros. And as part of my belief in paying it forward, I’ve included some of my writing tips on my website.

What do you do when you are not writing?

When not writing, I love to travel and have been all over the world. My passion for travel fits perfectly with another passion…photography, both of which mesh seamlessly with my love of researching my books. Because I believe writing with authenticity is critical, I like to live the life my characters do…spend time in the worlds they inhabit and the haunts where they hang out…within reason. I like to include photos on my website blog of the settings for my books and even the places my characters frequent. Right now, I have photos that show where Charlie Street, the main character in DETROIT RULES, spends most of her time. But I also believe writers need balance and when not doing writing related things and traveling, I like to read, play tennis, hang out with family and friends, play Texas Hold ‘Em, drink wine, eat good food (and dark chocolate) and hike in the awesome Arizona mountains, the best place in the world to make up new stories.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

For me, it’s not an either/or thing. When I first began writing, I simply sat down and began. I think most writers start that way. As I learned more about writing techniques and the form all fiction follows to a certain degree, I began doing a brief outline where the main parts of a story were defined. The beginning, middle and end, with a few turning points. From there, I was flying free. I graduated to other types of outlines and charts such as The Hero’s Journey, and Blake Synder’s Beat Sheet. But because my publisher required such extensive synopses for my stories, I ended up writing an extensive synopsis that helped me write a more specific outline. But since writing for Amazon, I’ve found that writing an extensive synopsis (30 pages at least) tells the story without all the embellishment, internal thoughts and description. So now I pretty much work from a long synopsis for each book. I also do a lot of pre-writing and planning with character charts and getting down all the plot basics beforehand…meaning the GMC, internal and external conflicts and the character arcs. But from there, I let the story fly.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Yes, thank you for asking. THE MISSING, a romantic suspense is the fourth book in my LAPD Special Investigations series. It’s to be released today, July 27. This series features a group of LAPD detectives, with each book highlighting one detective’s story. THE MISSING focuses on Detective Luke Coltrane, who after battling his internal demons over the loss of his son, believes he’s on the path to healing…until his ex-wife comes back into his life and he’s duty-bound to protect her from a stalker. In addition to this book, I’m also working on two other books to be out soon. DETROIT HUSTLE, the second book in my new Street Law romantic thriller series will be next.

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

Yes…I love my readers! Because of you, my stories have a voice, my words have a place to resonate, my heart can speak to you and on your behalf. Readers are the most influential people in the world and you have a profound effect when you read, review, and talk about our books. I’m humbled when that happens and it gives me the courage to write another novel…and another. I love hearing from readers and invite you to find and friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter, and be sure to stop by my website blog to see what’s going on, or simply to chat about books and writing and just about anything. You can also join my newsletter to find out about new books, sales and giveaways. Did I say I love my readers!!

THE MISSING
4th book in the LAPD Special Investigations series by Linda Style
 Giving up is not an option

THEY WILL NEVER FORGET…

The cop…

Clean and sober and back on the job, LAPD Detective Luke Coltrane has come to Santa Fe to make amends with his father, only to find his ex-wife at the family ranch. The pain of losing their son roars back with a vengeance, and worse, he can’t forget all that was good between them. Julianna is even more beautiful than he remembers. But getting involved again could be a huge mistake. If he doesn’t leave now, there’s no turning back.

The investigative journalist…

Julianna Chevalair learned early on to stand her ground, and she sure isn’t going to cave to a stalker’s threat to stop writing a series of magazine articles about missing children. She’s on to something that could help uncover a serial killer, possibly their son’s murderer. While hiding out to finish writing the piece, Julianna’s stunned to see Luke again but not surprised when old emotions arise. Guilt and grief. Passion and temptation. It’s impossible to be near him. But when a new threat proves her stalker knows where she is…she has nowhere else to run.

The threat…

As the killer closes in on Julianna, Luke vows to protect her. But he can’t protect her from the past or a pain that could destroy them both.

EXCERPT
    “YOU CROSSED THE LINE. You’re going to regret it.”

Julianna Chevalair listened to the distorted digitalized voice, heard a click and then… nothing.  She swallowed around the tightness in her throat, closed her eyes and waited for the next message. The message icon indicated there were three.

“If you don’t stop, I will stop you.” A different, higher voice, but obviously disguised.

She’d ignored the earlier e-mails warning her to stop writing the story, one in a series of articles on missing children and the second installment on the Willis case was about to run in the magazine’s next issue.

After a pause, the next message started. “You think you’re safe, don’t you.” A deep laugh emanated from the phone. “Well, you’re not,” the voice hissed “and when you least expect it, I’m going to slit―”

She gasped, jabbed wildly at the buttons and clicked off, hands shaking, heart racing. No. No. Don’t buy into it, she whispered to herself. That’s what he wants. She drew in a deep breath.

As long as she’d worked at The Achilles’ Heel, the magazine had always received crank calls, letters and e-mail messages from readers who didn’t like some of its stories, but this call went far beyond any of the earlier responses to her articles.

The two e-mails the magazine received prior to her leaving San Francisco had threatening undertones, but they’d been mild compared to this.

Even though the magazine received a lot of responses, she rarely received personal email messages at work, and many were from obvious crackpots. She was used to a certain amount of criticism and took it in stride. But the most recent messages had bothered her so much it had been hard to concentrate on her work. Maybe it was the subject of the articles, or her nerves were on edge because of the deadline. She didn’t know, but when her ex-father-in-law invited her to stay at his ranch outside Santa Fe, she’d jumped at the opportunity.

Abe’s ranch was the last place anyone would expect her to go. The caller couldn’t possibly know where she was. No one knew. Not even her editor.

She heaved a sigh and dropped into Abe’s recliner, its dark leather soft and cracked with age, took her laptop from the table next to her and switched it on. The article was almost complete and when she finished, she’d be done with her third story in the series, this one about a little girl’s abduction and murder in Los Angeles.

Not all the children she wrote about had been murdered, but all had been abducted. Many were still missing. If she could reach anyone who knew something, it would be worth any nastygrams or threats she might get. How could anyone not be sympathetic and want to catch the monsters who could do such things. Who the hell were these people? Serial killer sympathizers?

Well, she had news for the wackos. Their creepy messages made her even more determined to finish the series. She’d never give in to a coward who made anonymous threats. She’d finish the story even if she had to go into deep hiding to do it. But she would finish.

 
Find Linda on Facebook and Twitter

 

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Awesome Romance Author Susannah Sandlin

Zara West Suspense

Introducing: Susannah Sandlin

Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is award-winning author Susannah Sandlin. Today, Susannah answers questions about being a romance writer.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a magazine editor by day and novelist by night, so I’m a bit of a workaholic! I currently live in Auburn, Alabama, but spent much of my adulthood in New Orleans so I consider NOLA my hometown. As Suzanne Johnson, I write the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series for TOR books; as Susannah Sandlin, I write The Penton Legacy (paranormal romance), The Collectors (suspense), and Wilds of the Bayou (suspense) series for Montlake Romance. I branched into indie publishing last year with a couple of new novellas. Yep. Workaholic in search of a cure.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? I’ve worked a long time in journalism, a few years at a daily newspaper and more than a few in magazines. It wasn’t until I went through Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath as a New Orleanian that I even thought about writing fiction, so I didn’t begin writing seriously until 2009, when I finished my first book, ROYAL STREET. It’s an urban fantasy about—guess what—Hurricane Katrina, and became the first in the Sentinels series.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? Yes! I used to say I didn’t believe in writer’s block…until I got a bad case of it last year. I didn’t want to even think about writing. Funny thing about deadlines, though—they don’t care if you have writer’s block or not. So I just making myself write every day and eventually I worked myself out of it. It’s tough, though, especially with a demanding day job and family responsibilities. Burnout and exhaustion are hard to avoid, and those things, for me, lead to writer’s block.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I grew up hooked on the unlikely duo of horror novelist Stephen King and gothic romantic historical author Susan Howatch (before she got obsessed with the Church of England and began writing exclusively in that setting). The thing they have in common (other than writing HUGE books!) is that both know how to create fascinating characters and then tell a story with dark undertones, whether human or otherworldly, that keeps the reader turning pages.
Will you have a new book coming out soon? I have a crazy fall and winter lined up! On October 18, BLACK DIAMOND, the second book in my Wilds of the Bayou romantic suspense series (as Susannah Sandlin) will come out; on November 8, BELLE CHASSE, the fifth book in my Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series (as Suzanne Johnson) will release; and in December or January (date to come), I’ll release ILLUMINATION, the fifth book in my Penton Legacy paranormal romance series (as Susannah). There will be a novella release or two in there as well. Whew!
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 novelette from 2013, CHRISTMAS IN DOGTOWN, that is currently out of print, so sometime in the next few months I want to dig back into that story and expand it. It’s about home and family, but also has a paranormal spin that comes into play in St. James Parish, Louisiana.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? My best advice would be to not jump the gun and try to publish too quickly. With indie publishing making everything so easy, it’s tempting to just start throwing things out there. Unfortunately, it’s hard to make yourself stand out from the crowd of other authors putting out books these days—for all of us. I think the first, best way to do that is to write a really good book and spend the time having a developmental editor look it over, getting it copy edited, and finding an awesome cover.

WILD MAN’S CURSE (Wilds of the Bayou, Book 1)

The bones said death was comin’, and the bones never lied.

While on an early morning patrol in the swamps of Whiskey Bayou, Louisiana wildlife agent Gentry Broussard spots a man leaving the home of voodoo priestess Eva Savoie—a man who bears a startling resemblance to his brother, whom Gentry thought he had killed during a drug raid three years earlier. Shaken, the agent enters Eva’s cabin and makes a bloody discovery: the old woman has been brutally murdered.

With no jurisdiction over the case, he’s forced to leave the investigation to the local sheriff, until Eva’s beautiful heir, Celestine, receives a series of gruesome threats. As Gentry’s involvement deepens and more victims turn up, can he untangle the secrets behind Eva’s murder and protect Celestine from the same fate? Or will an old family curse finally have its way?

From award-winning author Susannah Sandlin comes the first book in the Wilds of the Bayou series. [Note: ebook is Kindle only; print and audio available from all outlets.]

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Zara West: On Being Short

Zara West Suspense

Do you like your heroes and heroines to be tall or short? Recently I was interviewed by Coffee Time Romance & More, a blog devoted to romance novels and their authors. The first question they asked me about was my pet peeves. Of course, the thing that came immediately to my mind was the fact that I am quite short. I am five foot, and in the world I live in, this is a distinct disadvantage.

I have always been short. I was the shortest person in every one of my elementary school classes. When I complained, everyone always said wait and I would get get taller. But I stopped growing in fifth grade. Which makes sense. I come from a short family. My father was five foot two and my mother five foot. My sister is only four foot eleven.

There are some advantages to being short. When you fall, the floor is not so far away. You can fit in the back seat of the car even when tall people have the front seats all the way back. You rarely hit your head when visiting Colonial reconstructions and Greek shepherd huts. It is easy to find shoes and clothes on sale. For some reason, size 5 shoes and small petites are the last things left on the rack.

On the other hand, there are some major disadvantages to being short. With a six-foot-one husband, a six-foot-two son and five foot-nine daughter, I get to ride in the back seat A LOT, I have to ask for help to get things down from the top shelves in the supermarket, and I am always hemming things and rolling up sleeves.

So How Does Being Short Affect My Writing?

This made me wonder how being short influences my writing. One thing I notice is that my heroines start out tall in my outlines and end up being short. So many romances feature tall leggy women, I guess my subconscious believes that us short girls need our share of romance too.

In fact, tall leggy women, while common in romances, are a rarity in real life. Check out this table of average women’s heights around the world. Seems like being five foot would be above average in some places like Nepal and Indonesia. The taller ladies at five foot five+ hail from Russia, Croatia, Czech Repulic, Denmark, Lithuania, and Austria. Compare these heights to the average height of men around the world. Only two countries have men whose average height is six foot – Denmark and the Netherlands.

Most men are much shorter. I personally think men under six foot get short-shrift in romance novels. The majority of the romances I read have heroes over six foot. Ari, my hero in Beneath the Skin, is five-foot-nine which I imagine is pretty short for a romance novel hero, perfectly average statistically.

But there are other ways for men to be manly besides being tall. Ari’s upper upper body strength makes up for those three inches under six feet. Of course, I don’t actually specify his height, only how he compares to the heroine. I believe a well-written romance lets the reader add in their own imaginative image of the hero.

No matter what our hero’s height is, however, I doubt that you will be imagining him looking like the average American male. James Hamblin in the Atlantic article “This is the Average Man’s Body” gives us a mock up of our average well-fed American male. He goes on to compare our USA guy to his average counter-parts in France, Japan, and the Netherlands. I’m not sure any of them deserve a romance novel. Shape up gentlemen!

Height also seems to determine whether a male actor is a heart-throb or a comedian. Check out The Vultures’ line up: “Hollywood’s Leading Men, Arranged in a Helpful Graphic from Shortest to Tallest”

How do you feel about short heroines and heroes?

Do you think height makes a man or woman more attractive or do you agree with me that it really doesn’t matter. If the two characters have great chemistry, that’s all that counts. Then again, if in a romance we can imagine ourselves any height we wish, how specific should the author be in describing the character’s stature?

Let’s find out. Please click on the link and take my survey.  I will publish the results on Facebook & Twitter.

Take My Ideal Height Survey!

I love hearing from you. Share your comments below.

Related articles across the web

Best and Worst Cars for Tall or Short Drivers
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Awesome Romance Writer: Ashantay Peters

Zara West Suspense

Introducing: Ashantay Peters
Looking for a great romance author to read? This week my guest author is Ashantay Peters, a fellow Wild Rose Press romance author. Today, Ashantay answers questions about being a romance writer.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Yes, thanks for asking. I live in a small town south of Asheville, NC. I’m retired and spend my time writing, reading, gardening, and volunteering at the local library. Yes, I’m a lucky person! I’m not one of those old folks who get in your way when you’re out trying to do errands over lunch hour, though!
How did you choose the genre you write in? I write multiple genres, all my books have humor, so I guess you could say that’s my main genre. I have no idea how I ended up writing humor, having begun writing bad poetry. (No, not limericks.)
Do you work with an outline, or just write? When the characters call, I answer. Okay, only sometimes. Normally I ignore them until they begin waking me up at night, screaming to be heard. It’s most unsettling. Not to mention those bags under the eyes.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I love Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick. She has a dry wit I enjoy.
Will you have a new book coming out soon? Yes, thanks, I do. I don’t have a release date, but “Reading Between the Lives” will be published through Wild Rose Press. It’s a light paranormal about multiple dimensions and parallel lives.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? I once entered a contest and a judge told me not to quit my day job. That was the nicest comment s/he made. I sent that judge a figurative middle finger and kept on. You have to do that sometimes. I’ve been fortunate and have received many wonderful compliments since then, which I won’t repeat or I’ll make myself blush. Seriously, step away from the badies. Your talent may need polishing, but we all have creativity to share. Respect your message.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? I always tell people to have fun. Whether it’s writing or some other activity, make the time you spend on that pursuit enjoyable. And if you write humor, keep on writing – we have way too little reason for laughter sometimes, so make your book one that helps people feel better.

 

Blurb:

Rock star Jack Reed has secrets. He’s kept his first marriage to a girl he met at Woodstock, and their son, under wraps for decades. Now his child has tracked him down wanting answers.

Former hippie Sally Ford never fully recovered from Jack’s betrayal of their family. She believes he put his career first then and will again, leading to another shattered ending.

Jack and Sally’s first meeting is combustible. Can they confront their past and overcome a history of deceit and manipulation to find peace and love?

 

 

Buy links:

 

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Places to Read Beneath the Skin

Zara West Suspense

Where do you like to read? I’m a compulsive reader so I enjoy reading anywhere. I have been known to read while stirring the stew and in the few seconds it takes to microwave my tea. One of the reasons I like paperback books as opposed to e-books is that it is actually quicker to find and turn the pages in a paperback. Then again, e-books are a little more waterproof if you cooking. But I do think a paperback is safer when reading in the tub.

This week in honor of the release of Beneath the Skin I will be posting suggested places to read every day on Facebook and Twitter. I invite you to join in and post your favorite place to read, including a photo if you wish, in the comment section below.

All those who comment will have their names put in a hat and a winner, chosen at random on Monday June 27th, will receive an e-copy of Beneath the Skin. If you don’t win, take advantage of the 50% off sale going on at Wild Rose Press right now or visit Just Romantic Suspense and enter to win a signed copy of Beneath the Skin.

Places to Read Beneath the Skin

On the steps

In the kitchen

In the vineyard

On the bench

Where do you like to read?

Post your favorite place below.

Beneath the Skin is on sale at 50% off from Wild Rose Press

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How to Have a Facebook Party

Zara West Suspense

I’m having a Facebook Party for Beneath the Skin!

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow is my big day. Beneath the Skin will be released to the world! In celebration, I am holding my first ever Facebook Party. In preparation, I have done a ton of research. Below is what I learned goes into having a successful party.

Steps to a Successful Facebook Party
STEP 1 Choosing a Theme for Your Facebook Party

Consider having a topic or theme and color scheme or graphic image to unify the party and draw the interest of your readers. For my party, my book  Beneath the Skin is the topic and the color of the cover is purple and blue. But you could also feature a character or a setting or a special element from your book or book series.

Step 2 Choosing Prizes for Your Facebook Party

All parties have prizes. Consider prizes that will be easy to get to the winners. Gift cards always work well. Signed copies of your books is another common choice. I have chosen the following:

1st prize – A signed copy of Beneath the Skin, a canvas Beneath the Skin bag, a tattoo coloring book and colored pencil set, purple earrings, lavender lotions, a Zara West pen, bookmark, and Beneath the Skin temp tattoo.

2nd prize – A basket of all natural, organic Beneath the Skin soap (cucumber melon scent) hand crafted by Laurel’s Garden.

3rd prize – a $10 Amazon Gift Card

3 Runners up – $5 Amazon Gift Card

STEP 3 Setting up How People Win Those Prizes

Next, you need to determine how participants will win the prizes. You should assign points for the different activities and set a time frame. Some parties are run so there is a new game and new way to win every 1/2 hour or on the hour.

Since I am just starting out, I don’t think I will have a tremendous amount of competition so I want my Facebook party to be expansive. So for Friday, I have decided to post the games at 8 AM EST and leave them up the entire day till midnight PST so people can come and go and still get to play them all. At midnight June 17th PST, the person with the most points wins 1st place, next 2nd place and so on. Participants receive points as follows:

Join the party 50 points
Invite a friend 50 points
Like a post 10 points
Play a game 20 points
Win a game 50 points
Join or subscribe: For example, join Zara’s Readers Club  50 points (If you are already a member you get 50 points automatically)
Volunteer for Zara’s Street Team 50 points (Five will be chosen at random)

STEP 4 Selecting Games and Activities

Facebook Party Games are a lot like those played at birthday parties with some digital searching and selfies thrown in. Here some examples:

Roll Call: Time to get to know each other

Tell us you’re here and post your favorite ___
How do you know _____ (your name or the name of the book)?
Where are you from?
What do you like to read?
Post a selfie

Glamor Name Game:

Google search “your name +glamor shots” and post first picture that comes up

Favorites

Google search “Romance Novel Covers” and post the cover that is your favorite’s
Name a romance novel that starts with the same letter as your first or last name
Name your favorite romance hero (heroine) and tell us why
Name your favorite romance genre
Name your favorite romantic movie

Keep the story going

Keep adding two words to my story starter
When I add THE
First person to add END wins

BINGO

Choose 5 words from the list posted here
Direct Message them to me
When you see one of your words in my party posts, check it off your list
First to check off all 5, shout out BINGO in the comment section, and you win.

Scavenger Hunt

Here is a list of ___ facts found on my website, each on a different page
When you find one, post URL on the event wall
Each person to post a fact gets 10 points

Perfect Guest

Earn 50 points if you do the following

Participate throughout the day
Play every game
Post a selfie

Alphabet Soup: Movies/Romance novels/authors

Every 30 minutes I will post a letter, first one to post a movie star/novel/author whose first or last name starts with that letter gets 10 points

Door Prize

Every hour I will roll a die. The person who posted that number of times gets 10 points

Secret Word

I will post a “Secret Word” at the start of the party. Every time someone sees it in a post and announces it in the comment section, they get 10 points

Word Scramble

Post a scrambled word every hour.
First person to unscramble it gets 10 points

Tic Tac Toe

Chose three items in a row
Do all three and get 30 points

STEP 5 Ending the Party

After an exciting day, the party should wrap up with a summary of what was learned over the day, and an announcement of the winners. Don’t forget to take notes on what went well and what needs changing so you will be ready for your next Facebook Party!

I invite you to join my Beneath the Skin Book Release Facebook party and see how it works. Then let me know what your think!

Your comments are always welcome!

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