C.J. Ives Lopez's Blog, page 6

Author Interview – Karissa Hubbard

Karissa Hubbard is a woman of God with a kind heart, a coach, and a Children’s author, who loves her family and friends and wants to glorify the kingdom of God. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Karissa Hubbard for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Karissa S. Hubbard resides in Houston, TX, where she is a coach, an internationally-certified Christian counselor, an inspirational speaker, and an author. Karissa holds a B.A. in Journalism with a double emphasis in Print and Broadcast from Arkansas Tech University.

https://authorkarissahubbard.square.site/

She loves God and strives to live a life that glorifies His name every day. Her first publication, The Popular Girl, has won her the Top Expressionist Award from Broadcast Houston and the Most Outstanding Alumni award from Arkansas Tech University.

She has also been interviewed by Voyage Houston and The Doing Far More Show on Eyeconic Television while traveling around the state speaking on her work. In 2022, she was named one of the Top 30 Influential Women: Movers and Shakers by K.I.S.H. Magazine.

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/be-on-our-blog/When did you start writing?

I started writing at a very young age, and I can remember being in preschool and asking my mom for a Lisa Frank journal. I am not sure what I was writing, but that definitely started my writing journey.

What was it like growing up?

I grew up wanting to be “the first girl in the NBA.” Basketball has always been my first love, and I spent every day playing it. At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with a kidney disease that shook up my and my family’s world. That would be the first time I got to really understand who God would be in my life. Life always has its adversities, but it is what makes your journey yours.

https://theauthorsporch.com/character-interview/How was your early life?

I grew up very close with my family. I saw my grandma every day and my cousins as well. We are a basketball family, so I was always watching one of my aunts or playing myself.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My biggest influence has been my niece, she is who the main character is named after, and I just wanted her to have an outline as she grows up. I want her not to chase popularity but be ok with exactly who she is.

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/break-out-of-your-skin/
Tell us about your newest release.

My newest release was The Popular Girl: First Communion; it is about a young lady who is partaking in Communion for the first time and the twists and turns that interfere with it. It is a fun read for all ages.

https://authorkarissahubbard.square.site/Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Definitely First Communion. I just think the story is so cute, but it also gives a clear message we all can learn from.

What inspired you to write this book?

My athletic coordinator at the time, Everett White, who is also a minister, came up to me one day and said, “I want you to write a book about a hood rat and a Church mouse,” and I did!

https://theauthorsporch.com/services/premade/What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I am usually taking a nap or hanging with my family and friends or somewhere in the gym.

What does your writing space look like?

It looks different. Sometimes it’s my bedroom; sometimes, it is a coffee shop. Wherever I can get my creative juices flowing is where the magic happens.

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/promotional-package/If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Karissa Explains It All

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It took me maybe a week. I am big on just write the story first; then, you can go back and make changes. So, I usually try to write it all in one setting and get my thoughts out, then tweak it from there.

https://theauthorsporch.com/the-authors-porch-magazine/Favorite reads?

Honestly, I’m a big supporter of my friends, so anything my friends have written, I enjoy reading.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Mentoring strategies for African American males

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/press-release/What’s your next big project?

My next big project is Book #3. I hear so many males that think The Popular Girl isn’t for them, so I’m trying to create something that can be for everyone. I am also planning a Popular Girl Brunch in my city.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I would say if you are an aspiring author, write the book! You never know who needs to hear your story or who you can inspire. Just always do it for the right reasons.

Follow Karissa

Https://authorkarissahubbard.square.s...

Instagram @authorkarissahubbard

YouTube https://youtube.com/@KarissaExplainss...

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Author Interview – Jesse Bond

Jesse Bond is primarily a romance author, and you’ll find Jesse’s books range from paranormal romance, urban, and high fantasy and all shades in between right down to contemporary. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Jesse Bond, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Born in 1981, Jesse Bond is the pen name for Heather MacDougall. Growing up, Jesse split her time between living in Southern Oregon and Arizona. In 2001, Jesse moved to Colorado to live in the Great Rocky Mountains in a tiny mountain town where she still resides.

Wife and mother of two, her favorite activities include video and board gaming, hiking, camping, and reading. That is, of course, when she isn’t writing her next steamy romance novel. Nothing makes Jesse happier than eight-legged mollusks, dragons and other fantasy creatures, magic, and tacos. Primarily a romance author, you’ll find Jesse’s books range from paranormal romance, urban, and high fantasy and all shades in between, right down to contemporary.

In addition to traditional romance, she also enjoys writing reverse harem and LGBTQ+ love stories. Don’t be surprised if you find something outside of the romance genre, though. Jesse loves to write any chance she gets and will try everything if the inspiration hits.

When did you start writing?

March of 2020

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/be-on-our-blog/What was it like growing up?

I was raised by my mother and grandmother from the age of six. Being self-sufficient and taking pride in my accomplishments was instilled in me at an early age by both independent women. My childhood was filled with outdoor adventure, playing in the desert sun, riding horses, fishing, and spending time with my family.

How was your early life?

My mother and father divorced when I was one, and my mother remarried. That relationship didn’t last long, and we moved from Oregon to Arizona before I turned six. My grandmother joined us in that move, and from then on, my childhood was extremely supportive and stable.

https://www.facebook.com/jesse.bondWhat has been the biggest influence in your career?

The largest influence I have experienced has been reading the works of a multitude of other Indy authors. Some are those I aspire to call peers; others teach me ways in which to better my own writing. Anne Rice and Ken Follet are the authors who really made a difference in my love to read early on and now my love to write.

Tell us about your newest release.

Cabernet & Desires of the Dead was released in December 2022. The twins Checo and Ajla find themselves employed by the most prestigious opera house in the world, but what they find inside is a whole lot different than the dreams they had of it.

https://www.facebook.com/jesse.bond

The work is difficult, the people are questionable, and there is definitely something happening to Ajla. Checo finds a release from his worries when he meets a beautiful man who seems to cherish their time together. Mystery, suspense, and love, can all be found in this gripping novella.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Cabernet & Desires of the Dead

What inspired you to write this book?

A little bit of Phantom of the Opera vibes can be felt in this novella, but it is also a spin-off of the same world from another book, the Stranger Side of Mystic Soup. These shop series novellas took place in a world full of magic, and the idea of the Pinnacle Opera and the possibilities behind its closed curtains intrigued me.

https://www.facebook.com/jesse.bondWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I love to camp and hike with my family, play massive board games, play some video gaming, grow roses, and cook big meals.

What does your writing space look like?

I have a small area set aside for creativity. In that space, I have a lovely three-piece ghost ship for artwork and eleven dual-sided octopus plushies. There is a dragon sleeping under the gentle blue shaded lamp and an interesting book or two for reference next to my laptop. I love my space and find comfort in the small additions I make to it from time to time. (Usually, that is another octopus or dragon!)

https://www.facebook.com/jesse.bondIf you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Love or Regret – Nothing In Between

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

Words flow from me at a rapid pace. It took two months to write Cabernet & Desires of the Dead. Some other novels only take me a month. The only process I keep is an account of names, races, and their motives or personality quirks.

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/promotional-package/Favorite reads?

I have so many. Jennifer Cody’s Diviner’s Game series is pretty high on the list. Anne Rice’s Vampire Lestat will always be a favorite. I enjoy Louisa Masters, Ella Frank, KM Neuhold, NR Walker, Keira Andrews, Roe Horvat, and many others who write M/M Romance which is my favorite genre to read.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Keira Andrews – Semper Fi and CP Harris’s The Boy Who Loved Wicked are absolutely amazing, heart-wrenching, and totally worth every word.

https://theauthorsporch.com/podcast/What’s your next big project?

I have two books in editing currently. The first is a complete rewrite of my first-ever novel, The White River Pack. It never felt perfectly told to me, and I plan to do it justice in the M/M category of Paranormal Romance. Shifters, mates, enemies, magic, and a multitude of personalities fill out this lovely novel.

The second is a spinoff of Wilde Persuasion, a contemporary romance in the M/M category, called The Unexpected Mr. Smith. This next-door neighbor romance is a bi-awakening love story of a single father and the down-to-earth man who falls in love with him.

https://theauthorsporch.com/character-interview/Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Just keep writing. If you have words in you, put them on paper. They are never perfect the first or twentieth time around, but they get better. There’s nothing like the accomplished feeling of finally getting your story out of your head and finally seeing it’s creation.

Follow Jesse:

https://www.facebook.com/jesse.bond

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Out of The Box

Out of The Box: A New World by Lucia Matuonto

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Elvis loved learning about the environment through reading this book. It’s not often that children get to learn about the environment and how it is affecting their future, but Lucia brings attention to the subject eloquently.

I found myself wanting to learn more and looking up aspects of the subject to educate myself more.

Elvis enjoyed this read while we were sitting outside and inside, and I found the characters relatable and a future scary if we don’t change our ways.

I believe children will read and learn how serious the quality of air is if they don’t start working towards a better way of living.

Good Job.



View all my reviews

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DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ & Evlis reviews books independently based on what they enjoy reading. Any other reviews by reviewers are their independent thought and do not represent The Authors Porch’s opinion. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for review. We do not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. Reviews are solely at the discretion of the reviewers’ reading endeavors.

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Author Interview – Misty Rogers

Misty Rogers devours novels of all subjects and sizes and can be found binge-reading romance novels that she finds on the Kindle App or from one of the many physical books she has on the shelves. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Misty Rogers for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Misty fell in love with reading at a very young age, devouring novels of all subjects and sizes since she was in elementary school. Misty’s passion for romance developed with Nora Roberts’ endless span of novels. She fell hard for forbidden love tropes, like the ones within the Twilight Saga (hey, they were popular when she was in Middle School!).

Misty also appreciates classic literature, especially the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Misty now loves to find time in her evenings to binge reading romance novels that she finds on the Kindle App or from one of the many physical books she has on the shelves in her home.

When did you start writing?

2021

What was it like growing up?

I grew up with two younger brothers. Our days were full of playing outside, arguing over video games, and watching Spongebob until we could quote the episodes forward and backward.

How was your early life?

I was always enamored with reading and drawing. From an early age, I could be found in my room devouring chapter books or drawing in my sketchbooks. My parents always encouraged my creative outlets, and their support helped me pursue them as a career later in life.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22177161.Misty_RogersWhat has been the biggest influence in your career?

When it comes to writing, I’m influenced by the authors who helped me fall in love with romance novels. Nora Roberts will always be my favorite author, but newer, spunkier authors like Larissa Moyer and Jena Lyn inspire me to keep writing. Being an active member on Bookstagram has helped me find a supportive and inspiring community that pushes me to keep writing.

Tell us about your newest release.

The Game Plan is the second book in the Dakota Coyotes series but can be read as a standalone if you didn’t read the first book, From the Ground Up. It’s a sports romance that explores the life of NFL players and their significant others and follows Connor and Maci as they learn to be adults.

This book gives a peek into the way that wives and girlfriends of players are treated by the franchise based on real-life research and reports. This book’s a little different than your typical romance in that it starts out with the couple already in a relationship, and we get to witness them evolve in the midst of sudden fame and fortune. The trials of navigating adulthood take a toll on Connor and Maci, and they must figure out how to work together before they’re pulled apart for good.

Blurb: Connor Bunn is a college football star with pro potential. When he gets drafted to a team that wasn’t on the top of his list, he learns that he has a lot of growing up to do if he’s going to make the roster. He moves himself and his girlfriend out to South Dakota, where they begin their life together in a whirlwind of NFL stardom.

Maci Lewis is the girlfriend of the Dakota Coyotes’ newest rookie quarterback – but is that all she is? Amidst the challenges of moving and starting a life in a new town, Maci has to fight to maintain a personality of her own when her boyfriend’s success overshadows her.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22177161.Misty_RogersWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

My first book, Boss Off Limits, will always be my baby. I put my heart and soul into it, and modeled the main character after myself. I had no idea how to write, edit, or format a novel, and I learned it all along the way while writing Boss Off Limits.

What inspired you to write this book?

I wrote Boss Off Limits while coming out of a major reading slump. I Did Not Finish, or DNF’d, several books because I couldn’t find a plot or writing style that held my interest. I decided that if I couldn’t find a good book to read, I would just have to write it. I had experience in copywriting and blog writing, so I used those skills to tap into my creative brain and bring my ideal book to life.

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/press-release/What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I love to spend time outside in my garden or working on landscaping. I enjoy traveling with my family, and binge-watching shows on Hulu and Netflix.

What does your writing space look like?

I always need something to drink while I work, whether it’s an iced Macchiato or ice-cold water. Sometimes I listen to music while I write, but it has to be instrumental; I can’t focus on writing if a song has words (blame the ADHD!). Other than those essentials, I can write just about anywhere. I write at work, in bed, on the sofa, and I’ve even used voice-to-text to dictate ideas while in the car!

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22177161.Misty_RogersIf you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Tripping Over A Flat Surface – an ode to my klutziness.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

My latest novel, The Game Plan, took two months to write. Typically I take around ninety days to write and edit a novel, but I had a date in mind to release this book, so I had to focus my attention on getting it done a little quicker than usual. Starting off, I always write a paragraph outlining what I want the book to be about. Then I create a document with info like character names and backgrounds, settings, and a general timeline of events. This one was a little tricky because I had to ensure information didn’t clash with the first book, like character backstories and the timeline.

I found myself referencing the first book often to make sure they’re both a part of a cohesive universe, even though the second book takes place before the first one. Next, I draft out each paragraph. Usually, I only get a few drafted at a time while the story starts to unfold. I can usually visualize the whole story once I’ve written the first few chapters, and then I create a detailed, bulleted outline to follow. Then, I write, write, write.

I like to write one chapter at a time and typically write them in order. This novel was the first one where I skipped around a bit, and the epilogue was one of the first chapters I wrote. Having the ending already written helped me to connect the dots from beginning to end. And finally, I edit. I’m no stranger to editing drafts after finishing grad school in 2020, so I used my experience to edit my manuscripts before self-publishing. And then, I breathe a sigh of relief!

Favorite reads?

Lauren Asher’s books, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Poe’s classics

Do you have any book recommendations?

Notable romance reads: • In Our Hands by Larissa C. Moyer • Texas Sweetheart by Jena Lyn Historical fiction: • Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg • The Girl in the Triangle by Joyana Peters

https://theauthorsporch.com/character-interview/What’s your next big project?

I’m not sure what my next project will be! I’d like to take some time off this summer to decompress after writing The Game Plan. When I get back into it, I do have a few manuscript ideas I can expand upon, or I can continue with the third book in the Dakota Coyotes series. I don’t like to force myself to start a new project, so I will get back to it when the timing feels right, and an idea sparks inspiration within me.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Just start writing! It doesn’t have to be great because that’s what editing is for. If you have an idea, just get it down on paper then flesh it out from there until you have a story, and you’ll learn a lot along the way. Don’t focus on the technicalities and just write.

https://theauthorsporch.com/home/be-on-our-blog/Follow Mistsy:

https://www.instagram.com/mistyrogers_author/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22177161.Misty_Rogers https://www.mistyrogersauthor.wordpress.com

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Author Interview – M.D. LaBelle

M.D. LaBelle is an international award-winning, bestselling author of 38 books on over 200 paid web novel platforms. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – M.D. LaBelle, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

M.D. LaBelle is an international award-winning, bestselling author of 38 books on over 200 paid web novel platforms and all the online book retailers. She lives in Michigan with her husband and four out of her six children. Her genres include horror, erotica, romance, thriller, fantasy, and children’s books.

https://www.mdlabelle.com/bookstore

M.D. LaBelle has won awards in writing starting at the age of 12 years old, all the way up to a year ago after she began to write again and compete internationally. She took a 16-year hiatus from writing; however, after having a horrible accident and three children later, she is back. Within the last year or so, she has done T.V., radio, internet, YouTube, and blog interviews around the world.

M.D. LaBelle has several social media accounts under her name and a website/bookstore that has some of her eBooks on it and also signed copies of her paperbacks. Check it out at mdlabelle.com/bookstore. She also has an Amazon bookstore which you can take a look at that has almost all of her published works on it at https://www.amazon.in/M.D.-LaBelle/e/B092DTY912%3Fref.

While M.D. LaBelle spends most of her time writing; she does artwork and plays her violin because she also has a B.S. in Art and used to be a professional violinist. Find out more about her books and where you can meet her at her book signings on her website.

When did you start writing?

I originally started writing at age 12 and won the Young Author’s Competition.

https://www.mdlabelle.com/bookstoreWhat was it like growing up?

I read lots of books, but I also performed in quite a few symphonies and won plenty of competitions for my violin as well, so I was always busy. No real-time for socializing.

How was your early life?

I was born with a really rare childhood cancer that only five in the world at the time were ever diagnosed with. After my mother initially found it, they finally sent me to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and they saved my life. Because of this, I have met many wonderful and interesting people through the years as a child.

https://www.mdlabelle.com/bookstore

I met movie stars, T.V. actors, and more. I was also featured in Discovery magazine because I was the only survivor of my cancer at the time in the 1970s. Now, I have found that there still have only been a handful of children who have ever had it. Even though I had an interesting childhood, it was depressing because I always met friends at St. Jude who would not be there when I returned later on.

As a small child, I could not understand why I was so fortunate to live when most of the others died. However, now I live my life to the fullest because I realize that I was saved for a reason, and I don’t intend on wasting the precious time I have left.

https://www.mdlabelle.com/bookstoreWhat has been the biggest influence in your career?

I would have to say, my manager. I would have never published my first book if it hadn’t been for my family and my manager pushing me to find a way. From then on, he has been my rock and helped me to make the right decisions.

Tell us about your newest release.

It is a novella series called The Bad Behavior Series. Just Love Me, Love Me Now and Love Me Forever. It is a dark romance which is my first one, and it is about a female serial killer with a twist. The male love interest is a detective assigned to her case, and she has no idea what or who he really is. However, the further things go, she may or may not find out who he really is more than anyone else will. Then there will be a prequel to it called The Skeleton In The Closet Series, which follows Jon before he meets her a little earlier in life, and you find out what makes him really tick.

http://mdlabelle.com/bookstoreWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

If I had to pick one, it would be The Lusting After Mr. Knight Series only because I could really relate to Dani, and I have found that most women do as well. She is a sweet book nerd who, once she is forced to become a stripper, discovers there is a much wilder side to her than she could have ever suspected.

What inspired you to write this book?

As for most of my books, I had a dream one night a few years back. It started out as a simple love story and turned into so much more. As soon as I have the dreams, I wake up and write them down if they stay with me because, usually, mine are in full color and very real.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Snuggling up with my husband and watching a movie, and of course, always trying to spend time with my kids and our moms. However, they are almost adults now and two of them are, so they don’t really want to spend time with their parents. Lol.

What does your writing space look like?

Actually, I put my legs up on the couch and wrap myself in a blanket with a glass of pop, a snack, and my phone before I turn on my laptop and start typing away. I need to be comfortable, or I don’t get anything done.

Learn MoreIf you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Meant To Be: The Violinist’s Tale. In a way, I sort of have already, obviously, fictionalized. When I wrote that book, I put myself in that place and then wrote the story around it. The beginning, where she has a horrible accident, did happen to me and certain other details in the book. However, the rest of it is fictional.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

That one about a month. At the time, I was still writing on paid web novel platforms, so I got into the routine of writing a chapter at a time and then posting it onto the platforms for the readers to read. So, I would say I wrote anywhere from one to five chapters a day. Sometimes I would even write the whole book and then just post a few chapters a day. That one in particular, if I remember correctly, I wrote the whole book and then put it on there. Of course, I always published them on Amazon as well because that is where I started out. Eventually, I expanded to Barnes & Noble and all the rest of them.

Favorite reads?

Definitely Stephen King’s old stuff, Anne Rice, Danielle Steel, and V.C. Andrews.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Stephen King’s IT, Any of Anne Rice, V.C. Andrews Flowers in the Attic.

Learn MoreWhat’s your next big project?

After a few children’s books, the prequel, and finishing up The May I Alpha? Series, I am going to do a few longer Paranormal romances that involve vampires and werewolves. Of course, I have signed up for a smutty book box too, so I am always generating new books for that while still using some of my old ones as well.

I also have a few horror books on the block to crank out before the end of the year. I have a few book signings, interviews, and other things coming up between the summer and the fall too.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Never stop. If you think you are not good enough, just keep going because there is always someone out there who will love your book or books. Also, never stop at one book. You will not get discovered at just one unless you are extremely lucky.

Follow MD:

mdlabelle.com/bookstore

https://www.amazon.in/M.D.-LaBelle/e/B092DTY912%3Fref

https://www.inkitt.com/MDLaBelle

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Author Interview – Carol Selick

Carol Selick is a gifted songwriter and author. As a songwriter, she partnered with Hall-of-Famer Rose Marie McCoy, Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan, Maxine Brown, Ike & Tina Turner, and Elvis Presley. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Carol Selick, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

When did you start writing?

I got the idea for my book when I was in my late twenties but didn’t get serious about it till many years later.

Learn MoreWhat was it like growing up?

I had a sheltered suburban childhood, but like a thunderbolt, when I got to college in the late 60s and early 70s, I became part of the counter-culture – sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll!

How was your early life?

In my early twenties, I rebelled against the norms of the 1950s and embraced the freedom, especially for women, of the counter-culture. I also aspired to become a singer/songwriter.

Learn MoreWhat has been the biggest influence in your career?

My biggest influence has been the women singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Laura Nyro, who reflected what women were experiencing during that time period. They inspired me to write music and ultimately write about my coming-of-age journey.

Tell us about your newest release.

Beyond the Song is an autobiographical novel based on the author’s coming of age in the ‘sixties and early ‘seventies. A singer-songwriter like her alter-ego Carol Marks, Carol Selick begins each chapter with lyrics she wrote and still performs today. Taken together, the songs introduce the themes of her story and trace the development of her character as she rebels against her strict suburban upbringing to join the counter-culture in hopes of fulfilling her dream of making it in the music business. The narrator relates her tale in a warm, vulnerable, and irrepressibly zany voice as Carol goes to school in Washington DC, drops out to take a pilgrimage to Berkeley, and eventually winds up living in New York in pursuit of making it in the music business. Torn between romance and career, she continually wavers.

http://www.carolselickmusic.comWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Beyond the Song

What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write about my coming-of-age, which turned out to be a unique time in history. I wanted to share my experiences with a wider audience.

Learn moreWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Singing, playing piano, performing

What does your writing space look like?

I sit at my desk with my computer and stare at a sign my artist friend made for me that says – “The Writer Is In” A cup of coffee is by my side!

Learn MoreIf you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

I’m Still Here

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

I started writing it in my late twenties. A decade later, I added to it, and then a few years after that, I had the good fortune of meeting an editor who guided me through the process.

Be on our BlogFavorite reads?

Any book by Erica Jong., Isabelle Allende, or Alice Hoffman

Do you have any book recommendations?

Mary Jane – Jessica Anya Blau, The Air You Breathe – Frances De Pontes Peebles

Advertise in our MagazineWhat’s your next big project?

I’m working on a Picture Book – Play For Me Peter – about a boy who wants to play the piano just like his jazz pianist grandfather did. Want to make it into a series. The next book will be Sing For Me, Sara

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write from your heart, and don’t worry about how critics will react. Join a writing group and never give up!

Follow Carol:

www.carolselickmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/carol.selick/

https://www.instagram.com/carolselick/

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Calling Clarissa

Calling Clarissa by Beth Worsdell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What do you say about a book that keeps on giving?

And when I say giving, do I really mean punishing? Wait, what?

But seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed the comedic acrobats Beth took us on throughout the pages of this masterpiece. I was left in stitches multiple times and found myself wanting to sit in the room with these best friends, sipping wine, eating chocolate, and listening in on Clarissa’s conversations over the phone chat line.

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One thing I did not expect and was pleasantly pleased with was the deep parts of the book that let us look into her life and what she had been through.

I won’t give any spoilers, but beneath the surface of the laughs, this bubbling, simmering storyline was entirely unexpected and grabbed hold of you until the very last page. This book is lighthearted yet deeper than what is beneath the covers, and I absolutely loved it.

Looking for laughs and kink but not anything that will drip off the page? This is your book. You can sink your teeth into this stuff, but it won’t break off the veneers.

https://www.bethworsdellauthor.com/

Bravo, Beth, you have found your stride and cracked your whip. Everyone should read this book because the fifth shade of grey has met its match for those who wanted something light and airy, yet leaving your mind to more of the imagination instead of on the screen showing what happens in this world.

Can’t wait to read more of Beth’s work. She’s quickly become my new favorite author of all time.



View all my reviews

Do you have a book review to share with The Authors Porch? Are you an avid reader who would love to share your reviews with an audience? Reach out to The Authors Porch at admin@theauthorsporch.com to see if we can collaborate on your review to be hosted on our blog. The world needs to hear more about great books, and maybe you’re the person to introduce them to these books. Take a chance on yourself and your ability to influence the book world; you may be the next great book influencer. Some of the things we’re looking for are positive reviews and people who can articulate what they liked about the book. We do not accept spoilers or negative reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ & Evlis reviews books independently based on what they enjoy reading. Any other reviews by reviewers are their independent thought and do not represent The Authors Porch’s opinion. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for review. We do not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. Reviews are solely at the discretion of the reviewers’ reading endeavors.

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The HERO The FEAR and The DATE

The HERO The FEAR and The DATE by Rod Gilley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Oh my, oh dear, get out. That is how I describe the three stories.

Story 1 – Oh My
Story 2 – Oh, Dear
Story 3 – Get Out

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The book may be small, but the impact is enormous. Looking back, some of the greatest writers, Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway, and Charles Dickens, who wrote short stories, captured their audience, and wrote stories, we still study today. They blew your freaking mind in a few pages. They only needed a few words, and this book will do the same thing.

https://www.rdgbooks.com/about-3

It will grab your attention, then blow your mind and leave you wanting to read another one. You won’t sit there and want more of the same story. No, you will want a different story because the story you just read is tied up in a perfectly complete package and have you astonished.

You will want another one, it becomes addicting, and your thirst will be addicted to Rod’s storytelling.



View all my reviews

Do you have a book review to share with The Authors Porch? Are you an avid reader who would love to share your reviews with an audience? Reach out to The Authors Porch at admin@theauthorsporch.com to see if we can collaborate on your review to be hosted on our blog. The world needs to hear more about great books, and maybe you’re the person to introduce them to these books. Take a chance on yourself and your ability to influence the book world; you may be the next great book influencer. Some of the things we’re looking for are positive reviews and people who can articulate what they liked about the book. We do not accept spoilers or negative reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ & Evlis reviews books independently based on what they enjoy reading. Any other reviews by reviewers are their independent thought and do not represent The Authors Porch’s opinion. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for review. We do not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. Reviews are solely at the discretion of the reviewers’ reading endeavors.

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Author Interview – Author Poet Birdman313

Author Poet Birdman313 has been writing poetry for the past 40 years. He has 11 published poetry books and four published poetry chap books. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Author Poet Birdman313 for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Originally from Benton Harbor, Michigan, and graduated from John Wesley College with a B.A. in Social Science, graduated from ITT with a AA in Networking Admin, and received a Computer Tech Certificate from JTI, Birdman313 has been writing poetry for the past 40 years.

He has 11 published poetry books and four published poetry chap books. He has been published in Forward Times Newspaper, Silver Birch Press, Storm Magazine, Harbinger Asylum, Indiana Review News Letter, The Permian Basin Poetry Society, Expressions Anthology, Dandelion in a Vase of Roses, Waco Word Fest Anthology, and in the Nomad’s Choir Poetry Journal along with several newsletters.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Birdman313/author/B01MXOA5YQ

Birdman313 has received several Editor’s Choice Awards and one International award for his poetry. In addition, he has done editing for SOL Magazine and given readings at the following Open Mics: at Jump Cut Café in Thousand Oaks, Calif, Soapbox Sessions in Tarzana, Calif, Waco Word Fest, Waco, TX., Full English Coffee, Expressions, Kick Butt Coffee, Stomping Grounds, Buzz Mill, New World Deli, Malvern Books, Rad Radam, Strange Brew, Hot Mama’s, Texas Nafas, AIPF Festival, Awesmic City Expo in Austin, TX, Taft Street Coffee, Heights Book Store, Starving Artist Gallery, Jet Lounge, Costas Elixir Lounge, Houston, TX, Friendswood public library Friendswood, TX. Coffee Oasis, Murder by Chocolate, Nocturne Coffee Seabrook, TX. Maude Coffee Galveston, TX. October Fest Barnes & Noble in Webster, TX.

He has spoken on blog talk radio with Maverick-Media, Dark and Delicious, Sister-Sister, the Shirley Ann Show, the Authors Corner Blog Talk Radio and Twin Cities network radio programs, the Authors Lounge, and CrowdPublish.TV, Chat and Spin Radio, Performance Poets, Parrott Literary Corner, Chicago open mic podcast and the Cincinnati Orphanage in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tower Coffee Hour, and Reading Between the Wines Podcast. He was presented with a plaque for the poem “She,” a gold medallion, and a pendant.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Birdman313/author/B01MXOA5YQ

He is in a documentary (Poetry is Dead). His Video “Forgotten Time” won first place in The Light Poetic Ministry Poetry Video Contest. His Video, “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,” was featured at Coffee Wine & Words, Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google, and Anchor. He hosted the Spoken Word Contest at the National Black Book Festival in Houston, TX., for six years.

When did you start writing?

As a 4th grader, I started writing but nothing serious until 1974, my freshman year in college.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Birdman313/author/B01MXOA5YQWhat was it like growing up?

I played sports and music, wrote, and had a few friends I would hang out with, but I spent a lot of time alone because I was always teased and picked on.

How was your early life?

In my early life, I didn’t know what I wanted to do besides get away from my hometown and do better than the older people I knew.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Birdman313/author/B01MXOA5YQWhat has been the biggest influence in your career?

Sports, writing, and music,

Tell us about your newest release.

Another Time, most of the poems were written during the pandemic. Nature poems are my favorite to write about, so I used old pictures and videos to capture my vision and words. I really enjoyed writing this book. Most of these poems I shot videos along with the poem and posted them on my Youtube channel.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Birdman313/author/B01MXOA5YQWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Another Time

What inspired you to write this book?

The pictures and videos I had taken before the pandemic hit.

Learn MoreWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Watching sports, listening and playing music, and playing games on my tablet.

What does your writing space look like?

Pens, paper, mp4 player and, books, paper scattered around.

Learn MoreIf you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

The Life of a Writer

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

My poetry books normally take me six months to write and put together.

Learn MoreFavorite reads?

Paul Laurence Dunbar, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Frost, Stephen King, Freddrick Douglas, Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Do you have any book recommendations?

No.

Learn MoreWhat’s your next big project?

Working on my next Poetry Book titled Street Poems.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Never give up.

Follow Birdman313

Instagram.com/author_poet_birdman31355

Youtube.com/AuthorPoetBirdman31355

Amazon.com/author/birdman313

Twitter.com/Birdman313

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Cover Designer Interview – Candace Blevins

Candace Blevins creates covers for urban fantasy, paranormal romance, contemporary BDSM romance, motorcycle club series, and others. We enjoyed having this Cover Designer Interview – Candace Blevins for our blog. Check out this fantastic Cover Designer and follow them for more amazing services.

Candace Blevins writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, contemporary BDSM romance, and two kick-ass motorcycle club series. She creates covers for these genres and others.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/

Candace lives with her husband of twenty-five years and their youngest daughter. Their oldest daughter has flown the nest but frequently comes home for visits. The family’s beloved, goofy, retired racing greyhounds are usually beside her, quietly keeping her company. Or sometimes not so quietly.

How did you get started down this path?

I’ve had graphics skills since the early nineties, so sometimes working with cover artists was frustrating. I started out with publishers, so I had no other options for the first decade of my writing career, but I’m self-pubbed as of three years ago, and I love having the freedom to create my own covers. Now that I’m branching out to help others, it’s nice to take a break from my writing to exercise different creative muscles and create professional covers and promo for other authors. I’ve learned from every cover designer I’ve worked with, plus I know how important getting just the right cover for your creation is.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/Did you know you would become a Cover Designer when you were smaller?

Not at all. My degree is in accounting, but I went from accountant to project manager for a large commercial construction firm, and then I was an IT specialist for fifteen years. Then I started writing, and that eventually became my full-time job. Now, I’m adding cover design in and branching out because I love creating visually and with words.

Learn MoreHow long have you been Designing Book Covers?

I got frustrated with a cover designer way back in 2012, so I created the actual image for Safeword: Davenport, merging the pictures together better than she was managing, and the cover designer only did the text and extra shading under/around the text. I didn’t start creating covers entirely on my own until 2016.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/What Influences your work?

I’ve spent a lot of time studying the difference between covers by major publishers versus indie covers. The publishers create covers so your eyes see the title and author first, and then the image. Indie covers tend to show off the image, so the title and author are an afterthought. I work hard to keep the title from being an afterthought while still making the image a strong component. So, the best of both, I suppose.

Learn MoreWhat is your ideal work assignment?

An author who can clearly communicate what he or she is looking for, and ideally can show me a couple of covers with the general feel of what they’re going for. I keep costs low by having the author find the stock photo(s) they want me to use. In a perfect world, they all work together when there are multiple photos, but when they don’t, I can often find other shots of the same model(s) from an angle that allows me to put multiple people into the same image. I also love creating the promo images once I’ve created the cover.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/Did you go to school for formal training, or has life and skill been your formal training?

I went to college in the late eighties, so there was nothing formal available. I dated a graphics genius in the mid-nineties, and he taught me the basics and more. This allowed me to offer graphics and web-designing services for my IT clients. Since then, I’ve taken a few courses and watched a lot of tutorials.

Learn MoreWhat is your favorite photo? Can you describe it and why it’s your favorite?

My daughter is an artist, and she has four pieces she created as a set, each piece a large circle. They are the four mythical beasts of China, and each is gorgeous. I took hi-res photos of them and combined them into one image, so she could submit them into a contest as a single piece, and I love the look of them as a unit, with the four circles on a solid black background.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/What type of editing software do you use for your craft?

My artist boyfriend primarily used software made specifically for artists rather than Photoshop, but he taught me how to use both. When I got home, I downloaded GIMP, figuring I’d use it to start out, and could switch to Photoshop later when I had the income from graphics work to justify the cost, but then I never made the switch. GIMP does everything I need.

Learn MoreWhat genre do you design for?

Any kind of romance, non-fiction, women’s fiction, mystery, urban fantasy, and more. If you write in a genre I don’t feel comfortable creating a cover for; I’ll be honest and let you know.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/What tips would you give to create the perfect cover?

Covers should look good filling the computer screen *and* as a tiny thumbnail. The title should be readable even at tiny sizes. It should follow the rules of the genre, so readers will recognize it as something they’ll be interested in right off the bat. Most of all, it should create interest and look professional. People say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but everyone does, and an amateur-looking cover is a big turn-off for most readers.

Learn MoreWhat are the must have’s when designing in your genre?

Paranormal romance with shifters should have the animal on the cover, even if it’s off in the background and tiny. It’s better up front with the person or people, but so long as it’s there, most readers will look to see if there are shifters involved, if they see a wolf, bear, or big cat on the cover. Most urban fantasy features a kick-ass female as the main character, and she should be front and center on the cover, looking like a complete badass.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/

Many covers put blood on the mouth or running down the chin to show when vampires are involved, but my vampires aren’t messy when they eat, so I use a tagline (A dark vampire romance).

Murder mysteries should look dark, rather than cheery, BDSM fiction does best with a flogger or paddle or other lifestyle implement somewhere on the cover. Every genre has visual ways to clue the reader in, to catch their attention and move them to the blurb.

How do you tell a story with your covers?

A cover artist once told me the cover is there to sell the book, not to illustrate it. They were right, of course, but I like it best when the cover can do both. I usually create my own covers somewhere around a third of the way through writing the first draft. I know the characters and setting well enough by then, and it’s a big bonus when I can write a scene that fits what the cover ends up showing. I did this before I started creating my own covers, and I still do it now that I’m making my own.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/What does your design process look like?

Decide on person/people versus objects, find the perfect stock image(s), and then find the best background to show off the focal point. I usually decide on a color theme once I have the stock photo or photos and then search for the perfect font. I use the same fonts across series, so this is already decided for many of my books, and that’s a relief because finding the perfect font can be hard. I usually design the ebook cover first, thinking about how to expand it for the cover flat as I go.

As a Cover Designer, what do you struggle with the most?

For my own covers, I have to think like a cover designer rather than an author. When working with authors, I have to gently remind them of the important bits, like having a clear focal point and making sure the title is legible even at small sizes. Also, for smexy covers, making sure the author will be able to advertise the book on FB (if that’s a goal). Their guidelines for paid ads are a whole lot stricter than normal posting rules.

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/If you have the links to the books and/or authors you have designed covers for, please share so we can promote them.

I should probably add a line to my cover art form to get permission to show off the covers I create. I don’t feel comfortable doing so when I haven’t checked in with the authors about it, so for now, I can only show you my own covers I’ve created, which can be seen at: https://www.candaceblevins.com/wp-con....

My amazon author page is https://www.amazon.com/stores/Candace..., and the most recent twenty-plus books are my cover creations. Thanks so much for having me on the blog today! I hope I’ve been able to help authors think about the best way to promote and show off their work!

https://www.candaceblevins.com/cover-art/Follow Candace:

Cover Art

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s... https://www.tiktok.com/@candaceblevins

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