Zara West's Blog, page 9
January 6, 2021
Barbara White Daille Writes Heartwarming Romance
A new year and a new line up of guest authors. My first author of the year, Barbara White Daille may be familiar to you. She has written over sixteen heartwarming sweet romances, published by Harlequin and Entangled.
So let’s welcome Barbara and learn more about her and her books.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I first started writing when I was about five, although it was mostly scribbling in crayon, since I didn’t know the alphabet yet. In eighth grade, I wrote my first full-length novel, a young adult mystery with “romantic” elements, along the lines of Nancy Drew. A few years after that, I moved on to writing for adults, first mystery and then romance. My first published novel, The Sheriff’s Son, was a romance, and since then, I’ve seen more than a dozen romances out in print and e-book with two publishers. FYI, my books usually are on the sweeter to sweet side.
What interesting jobs have you had? How have those jobs affected your writing?
Among other things, I’ve worked as a secretary, bus driver, taxi driver, and a library page and clerk. Once, for a few unforgettable weeks, I sold magazine subscriptions over the phone. Well, the job was great but I spent more time chatting with people who answered their phones than I did selling magazines. 
December 30, 2020
My Favorite Romances of 2020
Presented here are some of my favorite romances of 2020. I have starred those by the authors I interviewed and linked to their interviews. I am sure they would love to hear from you. All books are in alphabetical order by title.
Find all my book recommendations and reviews at Goodreads.
Captain Easterday’s Bargain by Kathleen Buckley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Seeped in carefully researched historical detail, Captain Easterday’s Bargain is a delightful romantic adventure. When a young woman inherits her father’s shipping business, she realizes she needs help. Up steps Captain Easterday, a shipping firm owner who has recently been unlucky in love.
Kind and gentlemanly, but most importantly, fascinated by the feisty Olivia, he provides just the right amount of aid at just the right moments.
At first his interest is curiosity and the desire to help, but when a rival of questionable background seeks Olivia’s hand, they decide to fake a betrothal. Easterday starts to think of making the betrothal real. But the question is does Oliva feel the same way he does?
This novel gives a different view of London society than found in most Regencies that focus on dukes and duchesses and the beau monde. Here we meet well-to-do ship owners, busy shipping clerks, and an assortment of average middle class and working people, all well-delineated by the author’s masterful prose.
Read my interview with Kathleen Buckley
Counterfeit Viscountess by Barbara Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The accidental assignment to the same room at the inn, leads two unlikely people into a web of tangled lies, half-truths, and finally, a happily every after. Plenty of light-hearted moments as well as tense conflict between a viscount and an unchaperoned young lady make this a great read.
Read my interview with Barbara Burke
The Dream Hunter by Laura Kinsale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Written in Kinsale’s beautiful flowing prose, this book is based on the life of Lady Hester Stanhope and imagines what her daughter, if she had one, would be like if transported from the desert of the Arabian Peninsula to a manor house in England. Throw in a reticent English Lord, happy on a camel facing death, but petrified to speak with a woman, and an unexpected child, and the stage is set for high conflict. A marvelous read as are all her books.
Eight Nights to Win her Heart by Roni Denholtz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The hero of this story has been neglecting the woman he loves. She’s ready to call it quits. He has one chance to win her back. Set during the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah), this soft glowing romance shows that no matter what, love will always win.
Every Last Breath by Juno Rusdan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is an exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-your seat thriller. A lethal bioweapon is about to be released in Washington D.C. and only two former lovers can stop it. It doesn’t help that they can’t stand each other, but are still attracted. This sets in motion a tense, high conflict romance story that will keep you racing through the pages. Highly recommended.
Read my interview with Juno Rusdan
Forbidden Kisses by Sha Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When two naval officers unwittingly fall in love, their careers end up on the line. Watching these two people so deeply in love and yet trapped by the rules of their chosen careers is gut-wrenching and emotional. Sha Renee has created a hot, sexy story which draws in the reader and keeps you turning the pages. Can they make this impossible relationship work or will everything unravel in the end?
Read my interview of Sha Renee
Fortune Favors the Wicked by Theresa Romain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the blind hero of this book. He is a wonderful person with astute senses and a rich resource of knowledge. The courtesan heroine is feisty and charming and hemmed in by society’s rules. Their interaction overshadows the search for the missing treasure that they both want. But that is okay. It is the unlikely, but growing, romance between them that is the real story.
Haunted Serenade by Anna M. Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Atmospheric and haunting, this is a story of broken hearts and rediscovered love. Separated from her husband, the heroine lives for her daughter and avoids her past. Invited to her estranged mother’s home, all her old fears return. When her husband shows up, she is sure, the worst is about to occur. Can love blossom amidst such fear? The story reaches into the soul with images and characters who are unforgettable. Highly recommended.
Read my interview with Anna Taylor (Michal Scott)
Hidden Magic by Tena Stetler
Hidden Gypsy Magic by Tena Stetler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Set in Salem, Massachusetts, Hidden Gypsy Magic is a fascinating love story between an animal rescuer with magical ties to animals and the local vet. As they explore an old haunted house, they learn more about themselves and the history they come from. A fantastical, heart-warming read.
Read my interview with Tena Stetler
Let Us Dream by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Women had a long hard fight to win the vote in the United States, especially women of color. This romance shows what that fight looked like for working women in Harlem living in a society that did not see them as equal in any way. This history is deftly woven around the burgeoning love between an illegal immigrant from India and the owner of a dance hall with secrets of her own. If you are at all interested in women’s fight for suffrage, this book is a must read. Highly recommended.
Love’s Recipe by Mila Nicks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Driven away by her mother, the heroine of this story returns home, her dreams lost. But then she meets the hero, a man striving to get through the day after the passing of his mother. He has no desire to keep the family restaurant going. But that soon changes. With two daughters the same age who bond as friends, and the heroine’s desire to make a go of the restaurant and her life, a happy ending is sure to come. Great foody book. Great read.
Magnar by Mary Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Be spirited back in time to the Orkadian Islands and ancient Scotland. Based on the author’s travels in the region, the story is rich in landscape and historical detail. The romance develops slowly. Werewolf Magnar is on a quest of his own to find his brother. Elspeth has vowed vengeance on the men who killed her brother. Forced into marriage, they must travel a treacherous path to love. If you love alpha heroes and know-their-own-mind women, you will enjoy this book.
Read my interview with Mary Morgan
The Prince’s Son by Delsora Lowe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A prince and a nanny go head to head in this contemporary western romance. Under pressure from his father to be something he doesn’t want, the prince is a prickly character. But despite his being a rival of her family, a local rancher’s daughter takes pity on his young son in this enemies to lovers romance. A satisfying read.
Read my interview with Delsora Lowe
Regency Christmas Anthology by Susan Payne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Three wonderful stories set at Christmas time in the Regency period. In the first story a young woman sacrificing for her brother ends up with the best reward. In the second, a lord finds love in an unexpected way. In the third, a hard-working cook is discovered by an eccentric lord. Payne writes with humor and emotion. If you love sweet holiday tales these stories are for you.
Read my interview with Susan Payne
Secrets of the Ravine by Brenda Whiteside
My rating: 5 of 5 star
When the dead ringer for a long lost love walks appears at the start of a novel, you know you will be immersed in a twisting, amazing mystery. Set in a fictionalized Arizona ghost town, the past of the wild sixties settlers weaves into the thriving tourist community of today. Romance blossoms between an older shopkeeper and a young lawyer as they try to clear her father of a long ago murder. There is something for everyone in this slightly magical mystery romance. And yes, there is a logical explanation for the doppelganger. But you will have to read Secrets of the Ravine to find out.
Read my interview with Brenda Whiteside
Th eir No-Strings Affair by Charlotte O’Shay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The opening scene sets the stage for a heart-twisting romance between a small town girl newly arrived in New York and an Italian security expert with mama problems. After a disastrous meeting, that involves smashed dishes and more, career-focused Honey and over-protective Jake hit all the wrong buttons, but can’t fight their attraction in this fun and sexy light-hearted romance. A great read.
Read my interview with Charlotte O’Shay
Under a Gilded Moon by Joy Jordan-Lake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A richly detailed historical novel set at the Vanderbilt mansion Biltmore House in North Carolina. There’s a murder, hanky-panky, snobbery, racial conflict, and some interesting historical twists and facts. Well worth a read.
See more Zara West book reviews
Did you read a great romance of 2020?
Please share with us.
The post My Favorite Romances of 2020 appeared first on Zara West Romance.
December 22, 2020
3 Tips for Finding Inner Renewal
Dear Fellow Readers and Writers,
This has been an unconventional year for sure. As 2021 draws to a close, I want to thank the over forty wonderful romance authors I have interviewed in 2020. I encourage everyone to check out their romances when looking for something new to read. And, look forward to seeing more amazing author interviews in the new year!
For today, I wish you all peace and joy and pray we will be refreshed, renewed, and ready for what I hope is a fantastic – and safe and healthy – 2021!
Here are three tips for finding inner renewal:
Here are some ways that I renew myself. They are also helpful in addressing writer’s block.
Photo by Janko Ferlic courtesy UnsplashHappy Ending Story Imagery
Writers know this one well. Lie back and tell yourself a story with a happy ending. It can be from a movie or book you loved. It can be from a childhood fairy tale. It can be unique to you and the moment. Picture it in all the sensory detail you can.
Photo by Steve Johnson courtesy UnsplashCreating a Freeform Work of Art
Pick up some markers, a pencil, or if you have them watercolors or finger paints. Choose colors that you like. Make lines and shapes across the paper with no goal other than enjoying seeing what will happen. When you are done discard it or save it as you wish.
I taught art for many years. And what I learned is that the act of creating is what is important — not the finished product. Inner renewal happens when you let your hand move freely and the shapes, textures, colors, and scents meld into a moment in time.
Photo by Stories courtesy UnsplashBreathing in the World
Inner renewal requires us to involve our bodies. Our breath and our sense of smell are uniquely tied together. Every so often stop what you are doing and take several deep breaths. If you can take those breaths outside where you can inhale the scents of nature. If that is not possible, light a scented candle or infuse the air with an essential oil or aromatic fruit such as a lemon or orange.
Reading for Renewal
Here are some books that I have found helpful when I am under stress.
The Little Book of Gratitude by Robert A. Emmons
Surprisingly, showing gratitude to others and for the things that give us pleasure can heal stress and make us more optimistic.
The No Worries Workbook by Molly Burford
This book is full of fun, creative ways to relieve stress and find the positives in your life.
And last, but far from the least, I find reading a romance, especially an old favorite, is a perfect stress reliever. Because no matter what worrisome things happen to the main characters, you know there will be a happy ending.
Do you have any special ways of renewing yourself?
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
The post 3 Tips for Finding Inner Renewal appeared first on Zara West Romance.
December 16, 2020
Leslie Bowles Writes Time Travel Romance
Romance author Leslie Bowles is here today to you about her time travel romance.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember. It starts out just as a hobby but when I had to take a writing class in collage it became so much more. I finished my first book Rose Hill in 2014.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I am a hopeless romantic so writing a romance book was an easy choose.
Where do you get your ideas?
When I first wrote Heart Healer, it was called Rose Hill, but it never found publisher. Then I started working on a second change at love romance, but I felt something was missing so I went back to Rose Hill and put my Rose Hill story and my second change at love together and it became Heart Healer.
How much research do you do for each book you write?
I have to do a lot of research for my books to make sure I get the time period right.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
I love Nicholas Sparks’ books, and I am inspired by him because it took him eight times before The Notebook was published which influenced me to never give up on my writing.
Heart Healer by Leslie Bowles
Catherine Andrews is an English woman living in the 1800’s. Her father sells her to Blake Von-Clyer to be his wife to pay off debts owed to Mr. Von-Clyer. Catherine soon finds out Blake is a cruel and horrible man.
On their wedding night, to escape his cruelty, she throws herself into the river. Death is better than marriage to a beast.
Christopher King is living in 2014 doing his best to raise his young son Ryan after his wife left him. One night, Christopher finds a woman in the river unconscious and barely breathing. She is also wearing old fashioned clothes. Christopher does everything in his power to help the young women.
When Catherine regains consciousness, she finds herself in a strange and unbelievable situation. Terrified, she does her best to keep her guard up against Christopher. But as she gets to know him, she can’t help but fall for the man who saved her life. When Catherine’s dangerous past comes back to haunt her, it has Catherine and Christopher fighting for each other and their love.
Available from:
AMAZON
KOBO
Do you love time travel romance?
Post your thoughts and comments below.
The post Leslie Bowles Writes Time Travel Romance appeared first on Zara West Romance.
December 9, 2020
J. L. Regen Writes Contemporary Romance
J. L. Regen tells us about herself and shares her romantic contemporary set in New York City.
Welcome J. L.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m an ESL teacher, entrepreneurial trainer –launched my company, JL Regen Enterprises LLC, along with a handbook, The Write Rules, a photojournalist, and a novelist.
Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?
Surviving 9/11 and cancer made a huge difference in goal setting.
Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?
I do extensive outlines, without which I can’t function. I do a lot of revisions.
What do you do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m conducting workshops for my company; working with ESL students from K to undergrad college students, yoga, ballet, horseback riding, and, when a vaccine is available, my passion: travel.
Do you have an unusual hobby?
I don’t know if my hobby is unusual or not, but my favorite type of photography is capturing landscapes, which I do in different dimensions.
Secret Desires
By J.L .Regen
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Margo Simmons is ecstatic when she inherits her uncle’s Manhattan apartment and a handsome sum of money. To her chagrin, there are strings attached. She must be gainfully employed in a job for a year. Everything in Margo’s life has complications. When she meets the man of her dreams, she anguishes over how to fulfill her secret desires for a loving relationship because he is still emotionally tied to his deceased wife and afraid to open his heart again. To replace her fractured childhood growing up with a distant stepfather, Margo becomes the guardian of an elementary student who longs for connection and closeness. As the story evolves, readers will see how these individuals unite. Secret Desires is a contemporary romance written from the heart and speaks to anyone who has suffered a loss and had to start over.
Available from Amazon.com and B&N.com
Learn More about J. L. Regen
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J. L. Regen lives in the New Jersey/New York Metropolitan area and has an M.S. in Journalism, an M.S. in English as a Second Language, and an M.S. in Elementary/Special Education. JR has taught ESL in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, to name a few countries. She is the author of Jamie is Autistic, Go for It Leadership Handbook for all Students, and Let It Go, Let It Flow Leadership.
An avid photographer, her photography of Thailand was published in a UNICEF Desk Calendar. Her work also is archived in the New York Historical Society. She is a freelance journalist and ESL adjunct. Her short stories have appeared in online mystery and suspense publications
Visit her website for more information on her books.
Do you like books set in the city?
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
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Now there are two!
Don’t miss the second book in my Write for Success series.
Revision has never been so easy. Just follow the checklists.
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Available from AMAZON
The post J. L. Regen Writes Contemporary Romance appeared first on Zara West Romance.
December 2, 2020
Revision Tips for My Writer Friends
I want to start off with a big accomplishment for me. I successfully completed another National Novel Writing Month draft.
Cheers to all my fellow writers who wrote during the month. Even if you didn’t make 50,000 words just getting into the chair and writing is a grand achievement.
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My efforts at NaNo were complicated by the fact that I was writing and revising my newest Write for Success book Revise Your Draft and Make It Shine.
This book and the first one Fast Draft Your Manuscript and Get It Done contains everything I have learned doing NaNoWri plus what I have absorbed from my reading, workshops I have taken, and most importantly, my fellow authors.
[image error]Write for Success
“The most useful and usable how-to writing workbook I have seen in a long time -maybe ever.” —Christa Bedwin, Professional Editor
Revision Tip 1
One of the most important things I learned is to put my rough drafts away and let them sit as long as possible before reading for revision. So right now my messy, sloppy, barely readable draft is tucked away in its folder, not to be seen again until January. Meanwhile I am working on a Holiday short story for all my dedicated Zara’s Readers Club members.
Revision Tip 2 Use a Framework
Make sure you have a model or outline or beat sheet to structure your story around. This can be one you used to draft from, or if you didn’t use one or veered way off course, one that you find that closely matches your genre. So while your draft is resting, spend some time reading similar works or finding a plot template on the web.
Having a structure to match your draft to is a lifesaver. It will make the entire revision process less stressful and go much faster.
Revision Tip 3: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
The structure is the most important part of your novel. You can have fascinating characters and an intriguing setting, but if the reader has no idea what is going on you will lose them. So don’t worry about fixing grammar or spelling or fancying up the language at first. Focus on getting the story structure in place with a strong opening, a well-paced middle, and a satisfying conclusion.
Once you have that, you can polish up your writing all you want.
Revision Workshop
In January I will be teaching the workshop 30 Days of Revision Tips. In this in workshop, you will receive a revision road map with a tip for revising your draft every day for thirty days. By the end of the month, you should be well on the way to having a more organized and polished draft.
Offered by From the Heart Romance Writers January 2021 REGISTER HERE
Revise Your Draft and Make It Shine
For more revision tips, tricks, and time savers, take a peek at my book. It is short and full of checklists designed to keep me and you on track. There are also oodles of links to useful tools and lists, and at the very back, a whole section of tools just for writers of fiction. Available at Amazon for $2.99 or free from Kindle Unlimited
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Happy Revising!
What do you dislike the most about revision?
I welcome your thoughts and comments
The post Revision Tips for My Writer Friends appeared first on Zara West Romance.
November 25, 2020
Giving Thanks in the Year 2020
This year has been one with so many twists and turns and losses and challenges to our normal lives that it is hard to say Happy Thanksgiving.
But we can give thanks.
On our day of thanksgiving, I hope you will join me in giving thanks for those things that bring us inner peace. The ocean lapping on the shore, the sun rising in the east, the passing of the seasons from the first green shoots, to the glittering frost on the dry grass.
We are alive and the earth is alive.
[image error]Photo by Peter Feghali
Tomorrow morning, when we open our eyes, share a moment of gratitude with the world around you. If you have a dear friend or companion, loved ones here or gone, give thanks for what they have brought into your life. If you have children or grandchildren, take a moment to be grateful for the joy in their eyes and the hope for the future they represent.
Then, however you spend Thanksgiving Day, make it a day of gratitude. I know I will.
Here is a list of things I am thankful for as a writer.
All the wonderful authors who have been guests on my blog.All the readers who have taken time to make comments and ask questions.All the fantastic books I have read, and all the ones waiting for me to read.All the people who have bought and reviewed my books.All the incredible writers I have met through the workshops I have taught.All my dear friends in the writing chapters I belong to.My wonderful critique partners at From the Heart.The encouraging support of my agent and my publisher.Another year to have had time to spend writing the books of my heart.
Making your own list of gratitudes? Tiny Buddha has a list of 60 Things to be Grateful For.
Thank you for following my blog and supporting the authors I share with you. I feel honored to have made so many faithful friends over the last five years since the publication of my first romance.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay engaged with life.
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Thank you for making Fast Draft Your Manuscript and Get It Done a top 50 5 STAR writing craft book on Amazon.
Releasing November 30th. Revise Your Draft and Make It Shine. Book 2 in my Write for Success series.
Order
The post Giving Thanks in the Year 2020 appeared first on Zara West Romance.
November 18, 2020
Susan Payne Writes Regency Christmas Romance
Romance author Susan Payne writes romance set in many different times and places. Today she talks about how she writes and her new Christmas anthology.
Welcome Susan Payne…
Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?
I often tell others I feel like a stenographer. Which tells you I’m a pantser – I write by the seat of my pants. A character comes to me first – possibly both main characters together. They tell me their names, where they are and what period although I can usually tell by their clothes. From there it just flows, and I try to keep up with their words and write down what I see and smell and hear along with them. I take longer since I must describe things along the way. One thing I did learn was not to dismiss something they did or said. I did that a couple of times and had to go back and rewrite scenes since what they had done or said became important down the road. I write their story, and we become close friends.
Do your travels influence your writing?
They do. Since I write historical novels I don’t need to worry if landmarks have changed or if I need to check to make sure I’m not using a real surgeon’s name or step on any copyright infringements. I try to use words of the times and places I am writing about. The foods available for the season and how things were done and by whom. I have placed stories in Spain, the Caribbean, England – all places I have travelled. I seem to immerse myself in my books so that I get a feel for the characters and their lives, but it happens very easily.
Where do you get your ideas?
They rush at me. I used to keep up with them but now I have a file of WIP (works in progress) with numbers beside them. I grab one and go with it when the mood takes me. I have been known to have as many as 5 books going at a time which seems a little crowded but they sort themselves out. I keep the conversations separated and know ‘who’ is talking to me at any one time. All it takes is a show on TV that mentions a mining town or an old medical procedure and my mind is off and spinning out a new story.
Do you ever experience writer’s block?
As you can see from my above answers, that isn’t an issue for me. Sometimes another idea takes my interest and then a story may lay dormant until I take it up again. That’s what makes being a writer so fun – you rarely get bored. I love what I do and I love being able to share my stories. They are to entertain, make the reader want to be friends with the characters and think of them as real but no longer on this earth.
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
I hesitated to ‘put my babies out there to get called ugly’. No one wants their baby called ugly. I finally decided to publish my first series since I didn’t think it traditional enough for a publisher to be interested in. I put 8 stories into 4 books and published them through The Wild Rose Press. They were great to deal with and my books were out there in no time. I used their distribution system which cut down on my work. I noticed they were taking queries and asked if they would look over a few of mine. By that time, I had over 80 manuscripts of all lengths and time periods. The editor liked them and picked me up. Meanwhile, another was accepted by a second publishing house.
Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?
I will finish out this year with two more novels. Three Sisters which is set in western US in the 1870s and, Blind Faith, a Regency. I would like to put together another anthology. I liked finding the right ones to work with one another. I also am going into a slightly different arena by publishing short stories readers can download to their phones, etc. Something to read while waiting in the dentist office or while travelling. I like shorter works myself so that I can get them finished and move on to my own work. I always leave my readers (and characters) with a happy-ever-after and the feeling they have new friends.
A Regency Christmas Anthology.
by Susan Payne
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Three very different couples find love during the magic of Christmas. No matter the status or age or temperament – love can find anyone when the time is right. How much better during the holiday season?
A Regency Christmas Story
Penelope Cooper struggled to maintain a proper place in society, but found herself a failure after hearing of her brother, Christopher’s, gambling debt. As a gentleman, he must pay them immediately. If Penelope can’t convince the Marquess of Leighton to wait for his money, more than Christmas is endangered. Both she and her brother may end up facing debtor’s prison or worse. But could she submit to the marquess’ less than gentlemanly suggestion for repayment?
The Best Christmas Present
Lord Williamsburg found something intriguing about one debutante and after meeting her widowed mother, he understood why. Could he begin a liaison with the widow while seeking a marriage with a more appropriately aged debutante?
Sugar Plum Christmas
Lord Hedley had discovered a sweet tooth and not just for the delicious confections furnished by Gunter’s Tea Shop. The young female bakery chef had made an impression as well. Could she be tempted to bake for him alone?
Available from
AMAZON
Learn more about Susan Payne
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WEBSITE: http://www.authorsusanpayne.com
TWITTER: @SUSANREID460
URL: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Payne
EMAIL: authorspayne@gmail.com
Susan Payne would love to hear from you. Post your comments and questions below and she will get back to you.
The post Susan Payne Writes Regency Christmas Romance appeared first on Zara West Romance.
November 11, 2020
Tena Stetler Writes Magical Romances
Today’s guest, fellow Wild Rose, romance author Tena Stetler writes stories full of magic and love. She talks about her muse, joys, and her inspiring travels.
Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?
Like everyone, I believe COVID19 in the beginning was a shock that reverberated through everyone’s life. The utter disbelief that this could really happen, then the isolation and new normal had my creative muse reeling for a bit. But eventually my muse was back and writing continued. Lack of social interaction as we used to know it is still a problem, but I am dealing with it as I can.
What do you do when you are not writing?
Hiking with my parrot and dog. Camping and traveling. Sitting at home in front of a cozy fireplace with a big bowl of popcorn and a mug of hot chocolate, watching an occasional movie or curled up with a good book.
Do your travels influence your writing?
Yes. Several of my books are a result of our travels. As we traversed the abandoned gold rush cabins on Independent Pass, Colorado, a scene played out in my mind became part of An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement. Charm Me, and Charm Me Again came about in part from a concealed carry weapon class I took and a dog obedience class my dog and I were participating in along with a yoga instructor. I incorporate those places into my books.
What project are you working on now or what book will be next?
I just turned in to my editor at The Wild Rose Press the 6th book in A Demon’s Witch Series. I’m working on a book, Wydler Assignment, that will be part of the the Wil Rose Press’s Wylder West series. The book is a romantic historical paranormal, time travel adventure. A few characters from An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement play an integral part in this book.
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 two series A Demon’s Witch and A Witch’s Journey. They became a series because the characters never ceased to amaze me, and my readers clamored for more from each series. I’m a write-by-the-seat of my pants type person. So, in A Demon’s Witch Series what started out as a three book series has now grown to six. And A Witch’s Journey Series has grown to four so far. As far as a theme, wildlife rescue is one that I love and runs through A Witch’s Journey Series. In my current work in progress it turned out that Killian and Chinoah from An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement needed their own story told. We’ll see what the future holds.
Hidden Gypsy Magic
by Tena Stetler
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The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.
The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.
Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.
Available from:
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FXBNLW5
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FXBNLW5/
Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FXBNLW5/
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/
Barnes& Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hidden-gypsy-magic-tena-stetler/1137482774?
itunes –https://books.apple.com/us/book/hidden-gypsy-magic/id1527513144
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/hidden-gypsy-magic-a-witch-s-journey-book-3-by-tena-stetler
Learn more about author Tena Stetler
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Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog – http://www.tenastetler.com/category/m...
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Tribber – http://triberr.com/TenaStetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tena Stetler would love to hear from you. Post your questions and comments below.
The post Tena Stetler Writes Magical Romances appeared first on Zara West Romance.
October 28, 2020
Meet Romance Author Barbara Burke
Romance author Barbara Burke is an inveterate traveler who particularly loves traveling into the past. She writes historical romance, with an occasional dip into contemporary life. But I’ll let her tell you all about it…
Welcome Barbara,
Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?
It’s not an event exactly, but I remember my mother not being a writer. She was a very intelligent woman who loved books and would have been a great writer, but she had absolutely no insight into how to go about it and no confidence that she could actually do it. She left school at 14 and worked in various factories until she got married. Many years later she bought herself a typewriter and started writing a novel but ripped it up 90 pages in and never tried again. When I started making noises about becoming a writer she was so supportive I think she would have done anything to help. Unfortunately, she died before I got around to it, but I think I probably finished (and got published) my first novel just for her so there wouldn’t be another generation who lacked the confidence to follow that dream.
Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?
Actually, I find it quite difficult. I sweat over every word and every sentence. I’m always amazed by these people who post how many thousands of words they’ve written in a day. I can sit at my desk for hours and only manage one or two hundred sometimes. However, I’m pretty miserable and dissatisfied with myself when I’m not writing so I just have to put up with it.
What are some of your favorite things? Foods. Flowers. Books. Whatever.
All those things. Especially whatever! I am such a pizzaholic it’s practically embarrassing. I can tell you the best pizza joint in Geelong, Australia and describe in exact detail that cute little Italian restaurant where we had pizza in Saint Petersburg, Russia. And don’t get me started on the best takeout pizza in New Orleans or Montreal. I still start drooling just thinking about them. It’s definitely an addiction.
I love flowers but don’t actually have a lot to do with them.
As for books, I remember moving once and the job should have cost twice what the estimate was because of the myriad of books that had to be moved, something that the estimator neglected to take into account. Fortunately we had a plus or minus 10 per cent contract. The collection has grown monumentally since then.
Whatever includes cats, knitting, cryptic crossword puzzles, cheesy Christmas movies, red wine (to go with the pizza) and Jane Austen, not necessarily in that order or exclusively.
Where is your favorite place to write?
This is actually pretty embarrassing, but I find I do my best work in coffee shops. I’m one of those pretentious people sitting with a latte and peering at their laptop. There seems to be exactly the right balance of noise and quiet in these places and I find it really stimulating. I can write furiously and then sit and look around for a minute and then write some more. When covid-19 hit all our coffee shops closed down and I hadn’t realized how much I depend on them. Because we have no covid-19 here (I live on an island that took very strong measures – we’re been called the New Zealand of North America) things have slowly reopened, but I’m still nervous about returning to a coffee shop just in case. I’m thinking about asking my husband, who’s working from home, to bring coffee to me in a big white ceramic cup and then buzz around me sounding like conversations from different corners of the room. However, I don’t think he’ll go for it unless it guarantees a best seller with royalties along the lines of something a J K Rowling book would earn!
Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
In my novella Not2Nite my heroine lives with her cousin Charlotte. The story is set in London during WWII and Charlotte is an aviatrix who ferries planes to the various air force bases across the country. I really fell in love with Charlotte and a couple of reviewers have mentioned how much they’d like to see a story featuring her. I’ve been doing quite a bit of research into female pilots during the war but I haven’t come up with a good plot yet. When I do finally manage to think of something I hope to write a worthy book about Charlotte.
The Counterfeit Princess by Barbara Burke
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Practical Caroline Saxon must travel to London for the season, when all she really wants is to stay in Ireland and breed horses. But a carriage accident leaves her unchaperoned at a posting inn.
Dashing Christopher Hawking just wants a bed for the night. He didn’t expect to find it occupied by a beautiful woman, or to be caught by another guest sneaking out of her room.
To protect Caroline’s reputation, they must pretend to be married, and convince the London ton they’ve made a love match. With society watching their every move, keeping up appearances has never been harder, especially when attraction flares between them in spite of themselves. With family, friends and interested onlookers all contributing to the confusion, when will this charming Regency couple realize a fake marriage just isn’t good enough?
available from AMAZON
Learn more about Barbara Burke…
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Barbara Burke’s nomadic life means she’s lived everywhere from a suburban house in a small town to a funky apartment in a big city, and from an architecturally designed estate deep in the forest to a cedar shack on the edge of the ocean. Everywhere she’s gone she’s been accompanied by her husband, her animals and her books. For the last fifteen years she’s worked as a freelance journalist and has won several awards. She was a fan of Jane Austen long before that lady was discovered by revisionists and zombie lovers and thinks Georgette Heyer was one of the great writers of the twentieth century. She lives by the philosophy that one should never turn down the opportunity to get on a plane no matter where it’s going, but deep down inside wishes she could travel everywhere by train. Ironically she now lives on an island in the north Atlantic which has no trains at all.
https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Burke
https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Burke-162847103814669/
https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
Barbara Burke would love to talk to you about books, writing and more. Please post your comments below.
The post Meet Romance Author Barbara Burke appeared first on Zara West Romance.
