Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 215

Meet Author Kerri Carpenter by Stacy Hoff

Today, Passionate readers, I have on a guest—contemporary romance author Kerri Carpenter. Kerri has a new book out, and it’s on my TBR (To Be Read) list, Kissing Mr. Wrong. Kerri’s here to tell us about herself and her newest novel.

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be here today. My name is Kerri Carpenter and I write contemporary romance. I also go to Zumba classes, love anything with sparkles and glitter, and have a co-dependent relationship with my adorable dog, Harry. But enough about me.

Show of hands – anyone else thrilled that it’s summer? I love this season, and not only because of the BBQs, baseball games, long days, and fireworks (which is like glitter in the sky). You gotta love summer because summer means it’s time to read at the pool or at the beach. In my opinion, summer reading is the best reading of the whole year. So it’s important that you find the right book.

That’s where I come in. I write for Entangled Publishing, and my latest novella, Kissing Mr. Wrong is the story of Vanessa and John, who have a one-night stand and come to learn later that John is Vanessa’s best friend’s brother. Oops! Probably best if they keep their distance. Too bad that’s not a possibility when they get accidentally locked in a bar together.

I loved writing this story and I hope you enjoy it. Especially if you’re reading by water. Personally, my love of reading on the beach began with The Baby-Sitter’s Club series. Claudia was my favorite. Then I moved on to Sweet Valley Twins, which was a gateway drug to Sweet Valley High. Interestingly, Elizabeth was my favorite twin when I was in middle school, but by high school, I came to appreciate Jessica and her wild ways.

By college, my mom introduced me to the fabulous and incomparable Nora Roberts. I blew through her entire backlist faster than the lifeguard could empty the pool for adult swim. My favorite Nora series of all-time is an older one – The Calhoun Sisters.

Today, I’m still reading romance novels at the beach and near the pool. Along with the guacamole and my oversized sunglasses, hand me some Carly Phillips, Sophie Kinsella, Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery , or Robin Carr and I’m an extremely happy girl. For those wondering, I’m currently enjoying “Animal Attraction,” by Jill Shalvis – another summer reading favorite.

Tell me in the comments- what (or who) is on your summer reading list? And always remember that nothing goes better with summer reading than sunblock!

Book Blurb:

Three months ago, graphic designer Vanessa Hewitt slept with the ridiculously hot guy she met after nearly falling to her death while stargazing on a bridge. The adrenaline-fueled night of we’ll-never-see-each-other-again sex fulfilled every fantasy, but with her best friend’s wedding on the horizon, Vanessa can’t stop thinking about what would happen if her sexy stranger passed through town again.

Haunted by his time in Afghanistan, soldier John Campbell returns to his sister’s town just long enough to help plan an engagement party for her. When he realizes her best friend is the sweet one-night stand he’s been fantasizing about for months, he’ll do anything to have her again…though getting trapped together in a storeroom wasn’t quite what he had in mind.

Vanessa is in hell. Or is it heaven? Because with every touch, their forbidden connection grows, until kissing Mr. Wrong starts feeling more like kissing Mr. Right…

Buy Links for Kissing Mr. Wrong:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Mr-Wrong-Entangled-Lovestruck-ebook/dp/B00X3IAXGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430761184&sr=8-2&keywords=kissing+mr.+wrong

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kissing-mr-wrong-kerri-carpenter/1121861495?ean=9781633752863

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kissing-mr.-wrong-entangled/id991714531?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/kissing-mr-wrong-entangled-lovestruck

Entangled Page: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/kissing-mr-wrong/

 

Kerri’s Social Media Links

Website: www.kerricarpenter.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorkerri

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorkerri

Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/authorkerri

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

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/kerricarpenter

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+KerriCarpenterAuthor

Newsletter: http://kerricarpenter.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a125603f84b1b98def932f605&id=1644678312

Kerri also contributes to a group blog called The Waterworld Mermaids: www.waterworldmermaids.com and participates in #TastyTuesday every Tuesday on Facebook with three other authors.

LINKS FOR STACY HOFF

Find Stacy on Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com https://www.pinterest.com/authorstacyhoff/

AMAZON BUY LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE: http://www.amazon.com/Season-Love-Box-Merry-Holly-ebook/dp/B00X3ZAR3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431122019&sr=8-1&keywords=Season+of+love+-+stacy+hoff

AMAZON BUY LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS: http://www.amazon.com/Lawfully-Yours-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00U7U2WCC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425508177&sr=8-2&keywords=book+-+lawfully+yours

AMAZON BUY LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES: http://www.amazon.com/Desire-Everglades-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00NFSMCYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410289138&sr=8-1&keywords=desire+in+the+everglades.

Filed under: A writer's life, Stacy Hoff

Office Space by Heather Novak

Cleaning makes me stabby. Like an out of coffee, stuck in a three hour traffic jam on a full bladder, radio broken, first day of period kind of stabby*.

*Not a dramatization

At my most recent Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America (GDRWA) meeting, several of the wives/mothers complained about how messy their husbands/kids were. Even our only guy – he’s the bravest of the brave – had a story to share. I, however, was very sheepish during this conversation and quietly stared at the table.

I feel close to you all right now as you read about my life, which is now permanently etched onto the vulgar belly of the Internet. Especially if you’re a creepy dude hanging out in his mom’s basement with a penchant for being called Norman. Seriously, it’s like my biggest fan group.

So, in honor of our faceless, somewhat creepy friendship, I’m gonna level with you.

I am terrible to live with.

I’m messy, cluttered, and hate doing dishes. All the middle fingers to you, dishes!

There comes a point, however, when the desperation to clean overcomes. Usually, it’s ten minutes before people are coming over or after a marathon session of Hoarders. Don’t act like you don’t watch Hoarders to feel better about the fact that the socks you’re wearing were scooped up off the floor, despite them failing the smell test.

Mission: Clean house, or at least hide everything in the closet and warn people not to open it.

Deadline: 48 hours

Book on tape: check. (Seriously, the Overdrive app connects to your local library to hook you up with ebooks and audiobooks. You’re welcome, world.)

Reason: Little brother coming to visit AND book club movie night at my house. Let’s be honest. Really just book club. The brother has shared a bathroom with me for ten years, the house being clean will probably freak him out MORE.

48 hours to get our place in grandma-acceptable condition folks. I needed a miracle. I was freaking out like a teenage girl who had broccoli in her teeth for her yearbook picture.

Listen, I am a master and getting grout clean and dusting picture frames. Why? Because I am EXCELLENT at avoiding things I don’t want to deal with. Like samurai good. But suddenly the elephant in the room finally made enough noise (or enough poop) to be noticed.

The truth needed to be acknowledged.

My.

Office.

Was.

Horrendous.

It’s where book club loves to hang out, because I have a book page wall. I know, take a moment and be jealous. (Want to have a book page wall of your own? Click here. And put down tarps…)

Despite the clutter, it was laid out awkwardly. The setup had been rushed when we move in a year before amid a time of crisis. Back then it was “put things where they fit, I’ll fix it later!” Later had finally come.

I was taking a break from writing to spend time with the brother before he headed off to the Peace Corps (stay tuned for my July 2nd blog all about it!) This meant I had no more fictional characters to hide behind. Totally a normal thing to say, right? RIGHT?!

After removing the three-day-old cereal bowls and piles of clothes I had yet to hang back up (my office is also my dressing room), I looked around the weird smattering of furniture and felt…deflated.

The book page wall? Completely bare, with the exception of the handmade table my friend Chie gave me. It was practically a felony. My friend Emily was coerced into working on that wall for four hours.

So like any good sister, I waited until the brother came into town then bribed him with pizza and made him move furniture at the last minute. I know.

Best. Sister. Ever.

 The result?

Much more cohesive and friendly writing work space. Yes, that is in fact a book page tea cup and saucer (thanks to my awesome cousin)! And the best part? I get to stare at my book page wall whenever I’m writing on my desktop.

It’s been about eight days, and my office is still habitable! This is pretty much a record. I owe it all to the power of pizza, little brothers, and the peer pressure of cleaning the house before fourteen women with fourteen bottles of wine descended to talk about hot, fictional men.

Book clubs: A reason to clean your toilet.

This should be our new motto.

Fun fact alert! June 25, 2015 is known for:

National Catfish Day
Log Cabin Day

Suddenly, I feel the urge to go camping and fishing…it’s weird, right

 

 

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking. 

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of Hunting Witch Hazel featured in Falling Hard (A New Adult Anthology).  

Hunting Witch Hazel Trailer

Available Now!

Amazon U.S.

http://amzn.to/1G0aCoQ

iBooks

http://apple.co/1Fb1Nrp

Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1bKvOmc

Kobo

http://bitly.com/1GjXN90

Filed under: romance

Can We Have it All?

This title embodies a question that many of us writers ask ourselves. Really we are asking ourselves if we can write full time because that is what makes us happy, or it could mean we are doing a day job, writing, taking care of kids and essentially, being super mom. Am I wrong? Maybe or maybe not. I don’t think I am but I may not have covered all bases so go ahead and add in what I’ve missed.

Why am I rambling about this? Well, my day job is going through huge change right now which basically mixes up a lot of positions. The end result? Perhaps a better run department with a lot of different positions. Of course, in the meantime, everyone is searching out where they’ll end up. And management is directing all to search out what it is that they truly want to do.

In times like these, I can’t help but reflect on what it is that I love about my day job, what I’d do if I wasn’t working there, whether my writing would ever be able to support my family? There is so much we can ask ourselves and so much to think about that in many cases, that is where it stops. I’m at a period of growth right now so I see to be pushing through these barriers that have kept me stagnant for so long. That being said, I still don’t know the answer to my title. I know the answer I want is a resounding YES but truth be told, I don’t know how to achieve that. Not yet at least.

Moral of the blog? I do (naively or not) believe we can have all we want, but I don’t believe it comes with any ease. Simply said, the first step is deciding what you want. The second is going for it– best of luck!

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, Toni Kelly

#Wattys2015 by Mandy Rosko

Okay, deep breath, so, I signed up my story, The Arrangement, for the 2015 Watty’s awards. It doesn’t have nearly enough views to win I don’t think, but you never know :) Some people have been asking about awards that will not pass over good stories that don’t have a few million views.

Then again, that requires my story to be good. It’s a good thing it’s pretty damned awesome ;)

Just kidding. I don’t know how good it is, since it’s my first Billionaire themed romance, but so far I’m getting no complaints out of it either, which is always good news. I’m pretty excited for it. Aside from getting the preorder up, which will be out next April, I’ve now got it in this competition, and it broke the 55k word limit.

When I first started writing this, it was going to be only 40-50K long, but then I upped it to 60K, then 75K, and now that I’ve got a feel for how the story is going, I don’t think it will be finished before 85-90K.

That’s a lot for me, since I tend to write novellas, but I’m really enjoying the back and forth between these two characters, one who is a haughty, gets what he wants when he wants it Billionaire, and the other who is something of a manipulative, won’t be pushed around heroine.

I like watching them try to mess with each other, and I keep finding things for them to do to each other. I’m hoping it won’t fall into the trap of getting boring and repetitive, but I’m sure someone will comment on it when or if it does.

I’ll be bugging all my readers, Twitter followers, Facebook friends, and newsletter list team for votes when the time comes to vote and announce the winner. That will be cool :) Anyway, I’m updating the next chapter tonight if anyone wanted to check it out :)

http://www.wattpad.com/user/Mandyrosko

Cheers! And Happy Reading!

~Mandy

Filed under: romance

The Fatherly Paranormal-Scope

Fathers in the paranormal world have the same challenges as other fathers.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Father werewolves know it’s important to stay in touch with those dear to you. Make a special effort to communicate with others.

Taurus:

Hobbit fathers are social beings. Throw a party and invite those you love.

Gemini:

Dragon fathers encourage their little ones to follow their dreams. Don’t let the life you want to pass you by.

Cancer:

Pixie fathers use the power of words to convey love. Use your power.

Leo:

Vampires don’t often get to be fathers but when they are they teach their young ones to be independent, and be sure to smile at others without showing your fangs.

Virgo:

Shapeshifter fathers love to party. It’s time to have some fun.

Libra:

Deep in the waves, the mer fathers teach their young to live in balance between the storm and calm seas. Find your balance and regroup.

Scorpio:

Goblin fathers work very hard and don’t take time to celebrate their accomplishments. Change that this week. Celebrate.

Sagittarius:

Elven dads love the outlandish. Do something outlandish this week with those close to your heart.

Capricorn:

Zombie dads are not derailed by gossip. Actually they never say much and only listen. Listening will benefit you this week. Sort out the fact from fiction for yourself.

Aquarius:

Zombies do not understand fireflies and sometimes follow them blindly.  Do not follow anything blindly. Read all contracts carefully. Do not be afraid to take that contract to a trust professional to make sure you’re not making a mistake.

Pisces:

Gnome fathers and grandfathers love to collaborate on projects. Share the work and share the credit.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

The Romance of Time Travel

Recently, there has been an upsurge in the number of time travel romances on the market. One reason that leaps to mind readily is the wildly popular Outlander books and television series. The books have been out since the early 1990s and have a huge following, even greater now that the series has captivated a whole new generation of audiences. I daresay we will see quite a few time travel books come out in the next year or so to help feed that growing interest.

The interest in time travel, however, has been there much longer. H.G.Wells’s The Time Machine comes immediately to mind, and the sub-genre of time travel romance has its beginnings in such science fiction and fantasy. I remember being given a writing prompt in the 8th grade that involved a time machine and a pre-teen brother and sister. I ended up writing a short story set mostly during the Civil War that went on much longer than the original assignment because I got swept up into the fascinating adventure of living in another time and place.

All good historical romance (and historical fiction) are, in a sense, time travels if they transport the reader back into the era they are reading about. If the author uses deep POV skillfully enough, and pays meticulous attention to details, the reader is transported back to the Regency, or Middle Ages, or the Victorian period. They are viewing it through the character’s perspective, but I’ll bet many readers have jumped or screamed or trembled right along with the hero or heroine they are identifying.

Time travel romances add yet another, and in my opinion, more fun layer of having a 20th or 21st century person thrust back in time to an era they may know very little about. Even if they know something of the period, that knowledge may be wrong or it may have certain consequences or ramifications a modern person would know nothing about. In this case, the reader identifies much more with the hero or heroine because they recognize that they themselves would be just as lost, just as bewildered as the character. Thus time travel romances give us both the romance of a different era and the immediacy of understanding the problems and challenges the time traveler faces.

In my just released time travel novella, Crashing Through Time, my heroine, a woman from 2015, realizes that although she’s read about the life of women in 1868 (where she has landed), experiencing some of the customs ladies of the era took for granted is a very different matter.

Excerpt from Crashing Through Time:

She dug into the first sausage using the heaviest knife and fork she’d ever held. Real silver? Jesus. She popped the bite into her mouth, and flavor exploded on her palate. Rich, meaty, fatty pork. Like nothing she’d ever tasted before. If this were a dream, she didn’t want to wake up until after she’d finished breakfast.

Corrine had just begun slathering marmalade on her second piece of toast when the maids returned with a huge copper bathtub and buckets of hot water. She crunched into the bread quickly, loathe to give it up. Her plate looked like she’d taken no prisoners, although where she’d put all that food, she still didn’t know.

“You’ve done well, miss. The master will be pleased. He asked after you twice this morning.” Lily hefted the tray and headed for the door. “He’s requested your presence in the downstairs library once you’re dressed.”

Corinne’s stomach lurched, threatening to dislodge her breakfast. Dream or not, she’d decided over breakfast that the best course was to act with caution. She’d see how much information she could get out of Mister Ian Hunterly while giving up as little as possible about her own life.

The bath proved a blessed relief once she got past the awkward moment when Lily and Molly insisted on helping her undress and get into the tub. Sitting in the hot water, steam curling around her face, the heat soaking into her bones, cleared her head. She needed a story to feed Hunterly—one that didn’t involve falling down a well—and she needed it now.

After washing, she lingered as long as she could, turning possible cover stories over in her mind. How could she explain her presence and her remarks about movies and such out in the greensward yesterday? Finally, the hovering maids made one too many comments about ruining her skin and catching her death in the cooling water. She stood, jumping when they wrapped a thin towel around her and proceeded to dry her. Amazing the things you didn’t realize about life in the past. Like having to be naked in front of people you didn’t know at all. The Victorians were supposed to be prudish, for God’s sake.

Crashing Through Time is part of the boxed set, Crashing into Love, seven stories about love and survival.

Blurb:

Seven planes lift off…seven planes crash…seven stories of struggle, passion and love in the barren Canadian Wilderness, the coast of England, or the steamy heat of a tropical island. Romance hangs in the balance between survival and death.

The set is available at Amazon for just .99! It includes works from such best-selling authors as D’Ann Lindun, Melissa Keir, Daryl Devore, Brenda Dyer, Deb Julienne, and Lisa Kumar. I hope you’ll come check it out!

Filed under: Crashing Into Love, Crashing Through Time, Jenna Jaxon, New Release

Listening to the Dark and Writing by Susan Hanniford Crowley

Titania and Bottom – Henry Fuseli [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I’m not as bad as I used to be. I could stay up writing until 2 am, and still wake up and meet the world at 7 am. Now I’m likely if I make the other side of midnight. Writers are inspired at all different times. Some are morning writers and when I had the time, I wrote in the mornings too. Actually I’m one of those writers that can write at different times of the day.

There’s something soothing about the night that inspires me most of all. The family is asleep and the summer sounds of crickets and other insects are so soothing. It’s just cool enough to keep my attention. An owl calls in the distance and there’s the swoosh of wings. Owl wings? Bat wings?

The dark and silence mixed with sometimes indiscernible sounds teases the imagination and lets the mind drift to where faeries dance in a moonlit glen, vampires hide in the shadows of a city not quite asleep, and other wild and untamed creatures entice us to come out and play. Writers always accept the invitation.

Just past midnight and the night is still young with the scent of lilacs on the air and a distant howl. What adventure lies waiting to be discovered?  What treasure shimmers just beyond the surface of a dark pool? So much to do before the dawn invades. So much to do.

What is your favorite time? Morning bright and fresh with dew?  Noon fragrant with luncheon treats? The night repast with conversation and dancing and perhaps a new beginning? Or are you like me a creature of the night?  Set your clock for just past midnight.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, the romance of life, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Exercises, writing prompt, Writing Topics, Yule

Interview with Author Heather Novak by Stacy Hoff

Today I have a special guest, “New Adult” romance writer Heather Novak. Heather is Nights of Passion’s newest blogger. Yea! You can find her posts right here on Thursdays.

I adore Heather—both professionally and personally (you can read why, below). Get to know Heather a little by reading here about her remarkable life, and I think you will love her, too!

Heather, tell us a little bit about you. What is your writing & non-writing background?

I’m 5’5”, purple hair, weigh – hehe! This is always the most awkward question since I actually hate talking about myself. So I shall try to condense my several decades of living into a few, not-boring paragraphs!

When I was six, I started writing ghost stories on the school bus after reading LJ Smith’s The Vampire Diaries for the first time. In my teens, I was a world competing theater organist – placed first in the United States and third in the world in 1999. I worked for almost a decade as a co-host for the international radio show Somewhere In time Radio (yes, affiliated with my favorite movie), and graduate from Wayne State University with a degree in screenwriting and film.

In 2003, on a break from school, I had several tumors removed that left me with no voice. I filled my time with romance novels, which had taken a back seat to school work and various jobs. Strong heroines gave me the hope and courage I needed to soldier on, learn to speak again, and finally listen to my calling: creating Happily Ever Afters.

I started by making movies and taking graduate courses in screenwriting. When my radio show folded, due to the passing of our amazing host Tom Wilson, I went back to school at Madonna University and spent several years in healthcare as an allergy and autism specialist. I was burnt out from the stress, hardly writing, and reading even less. I wrote a novella and did a limited release, but ultimately put it back on the self until I had a chance to rewrite it.

Then in February of 2013, I lost a dear friend violently and unexpectedly. When I emerged from the fog of grief, I promised that I would live my life in a way that made me happy, like she would want. It was a tough pill to swallow when I realized I had given up the two things I loved the most – books and music.

Within six months, I left healthcare, became a professional ghostwriter/assistant for a prominent business woman, joined a choir, took singing lessons, and filled my car and piano with music again. I jumped head first into drafting all the stories clawing to get out, and I don’t regret a single moment.

I’m very lucky to have the love of my life (I call him Prince Charming because he hates it). He makes sure that I’m showered for work and that I remember to eat dinner! Really, every writer needs one.

You are heavily involved with RWA (Romance Writers of America). Tell us about your involvement with them, and your local RWA chapter.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without Romance Writers of America, especially the Greater Detroit Chapter! That’s actually how Stacy and I met. I was a judge for a competition and she was one of the contestants. She liked my review so much, she reached out to me after and we’ve been friends ever since.

I’m honored to be the historian for GDRWA, a group with an incredible amount of talent. I’m blown away every month at how many people go from first draft to signing contracts. Everyone is so supportive, trying to help out where they can. With connections to agents, editors, publicists, indie-pub authors, traditional published authors, unpublished authors, bloggers, promoters, it’s a wealth of information at your fingertips. I was lucky enough to have the late Patricia Shenberger as my mentor when I joined, and she pushed me forward, even while giving me the hard lessons.

I had the unparalleled opportunity to meet Rita Clay Estrada, the co-founder of RWA, at the Mid-Michigan Retreat in April and she is…epic. Absolutely epic. It’s because of her passion for what we do, what we all strive to do, that we are here today. It was the original RWA that shook up the publishing industry, making it romance friendly. If you even have the chance to listen to her story, you must. And bring tissues.

(From left to right) Picture of Heather Novak, MK Schiller, Rita Clay Estrada (co founder of RWA), Sage Spelling, and Aliza Mann. 

Tell us how your RWA involvement impacts you? 

I honestly have no idea where I’d be without my local RWA chapter. Besides forming professional bonds with peers in different genres and career stages, I’ve formed amazing friendships! I’ve been able to watch my peers succeed, be their shoulder when they cry, and learn from their experiences. I’ve met editors, authors, agents, and other industry professionals I’d probably not have the opportunity to meet otherwise.

I recently released an anthology, Falling Hard, with four of my closest author friends, Shelly Bell, MK Schiller, Aliza Man, and Sage Spelling. We met at GDRWA and leaned on each other as we said goodbye our former president and friend Patti Shenberger who lost her battle with cancer. Our friendship grew stronger and we started having regular critique group meetings every few weeks.

One day, we were talking about indie-publishing and we threw out the idea about doing an anthology together. The idea took root (I still maintain Patti had a hand in bringing us together!) and after many ups and downs, the book came together. I learned so much about about (read: was overwhelmed with) cover design, formatting, editing, meeting deadlines, and promotion. Writing the book is the easy part. But I’m lucky to have these ladies by my side.

Tell us what project(s) are you working on now, including your new release.

Despite an indie-published book with a limited release back in 2010, my first international indie- debut happened on May 31! I’m super excited about being part of the New Adult anthology, Falling Hard. It takes place in Northern Michigan on the campus of Hayvenwood University. All five stories connect to each other and are a variety of genres — Erotic BDSM, contemporary, military, paranormal erotic, and paranormal sweet. My story Hunting Witch Hazel is the paranormal sweet.

Here’s the official anthology trailer:   http://on.fb.me/1HoRkWA

And this is my trailer for Hunting Witch Hazel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO8x0...

I’m working on several other Young Adult and New Adult stories. Hunting Witch Hazel will have a sequel, When It Raines, expected release late summer/early fall of this year. I’m also working on a dystopian YA rewrite/resubmit for a traditional publisher. I have several other projects that deal with bold subjects, from abuse to cancer, and even a polyamorous, dark fairytale.

Anything else  you want us to know about you? 

I’m a strong supporter of sarcasm and an advocate for the Oxford Comma.

I have a huge family! I’m a twin, 3 minutes older than my brother. He’s also an author, very successful in his field (Death Penalty and African Law). My little brother is awesome and is headed to the Peace Corps. I also have four step sibilings, two of which are in the armed forces. And I’m the luckiest auntie with a bazillion (er, ten) nieces and nephews who I love with my whole heart!

This past Christmas, Prince Charming and I made children’s books for my nieces and nephews with two of our “hypoallergenic pets,” Mr. Moos and Monkey. It was called “Mr. Moos and Monkey’s Winter Adventure.” When they’re not posing for books, Mr. Moos and Monkey can be found around the house, making messes and generally causing trouble.

Mr. Moos & Monkey on a sledding trip.

I don’t think I’d have made it anywhere without the support of my dear friend and editor Erika Cooper. Erika works as a freelance editor for Soul Mate. When I told her, oh, eight or so years ago I wanted to write romance, she didn’t laugh at me. Just gave me book after book to read. She is my #1Fangirl.

I touched Josh Groban’s left elbow once. And The Swon Brothers wished me happy birthday at a show. So my life is pretty much the coolest.

Heather, your life is the coolest! I am proud to know you!

 (Read below for Anthology blurbs, including an extended blurb from Heather!)

For a book review of the Falling Hard anthology on “Heroes & Heartbreaker” blog, click here: http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com...

 SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR HEATHER NOVAK

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorheathern

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

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

Website: http://www.heathernovak.net

BOOK LINKS FOR HEATHER NOVAK

Amazon U.S.

http://amzn.to/1G0aCoQ

iBooks

http://apple.co/1Fb1Nrp

Google Play

http://bit.ly/1AY1dYO

ARe

http://bit.ly/1G0a9Ts

Smashwords

http://bit.ly/1AS4eda

Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1bKvOmc

Amazon AU

http://bit.ly/1cJgJT9

Kobo

http://bitly.com/1GjXN90

Anthology Blurb:

From sweet & heartfelt to steamy & spicy, FIVE brand new college campus novellas filled with alpha heroes and tenacious heroines for every romance reader.

This anthology is intended for mature readers, 18 years of age and older.

FORBIDDEN: FRESHMAN YEAR (An Erotic Suspense Novella) by Shelly Bell 

A BDSM romance between a professor and his student turns deadly…

It was only supposed to have been one night of passion, but when Professor Tristan Kelley and freshman Isabella Larsen meet again in the classroom, they’ll jeopardize everything to be together…including their lives.

TIN MAN’S DANCE (A New Adult Novella) by MK Schiller 

If he only had a heart…

Former marine James Hutchinson thought they might have amputated his heart right along with his right leg. That is, until he sees Lilly Franklin dance. In a crazy ploy to meet her, he steals her front row concert seat… but it’s only fair since she stole his heart first.

DARK HEARTS (A Paranormal New Adult Novella) by Aliza Mann

Dark secrets, hidden lives…

While struggling to contain the beast within, Mitchell Rowland imprints on the beautiful and mysterious Aurora Tanner. With Mitch’s dangerous lycan secret and Aurora’s demon father out to kill her, they must band together to fight against the very things that could ultimately keep them apart.

HIGH STAKES (A New Adult Novella) by Sage Spelling 

Betting on Seduction . . .

When rich boy, college jock Blake Holland wagers to seduce the sexy librarian Catalina Vega, he never anticipated the gamble would cost not only his pride… but also his heart.

HUNTING WITCH HAZEL: BOOK ONE IN THE LYNCH BROTHERS SERIES (A Paranormal New Adult Novella) by Heather Novak 

When the person you must destroy is your soul mate…

Witch hunter Grayson Lynch must make the devastating choice between condemning his brother to death or destroying the forbidden love of his life: a witch.

Hunting Witch Hazel, extended blurb:

Grayson:

Here’s the thing about being as goddamn good-looking as me – everyone expected me to be a giant prick…it’s all about knowing your strengths. My strengths? My good looks, my charm, and my ability to destroy witches.

I was happy with my West Coast life, 24-hour pizza delivery, and bikini-clad bodies as far as the eye could see. Now I’m in the small-ass town of Hayvenwood to extract the ransom to save my little brother’s life. And that ransom is locked inside of the sexiest witch I have ever met, Hazel Evanora. I need her powers, and I have less than a week to steal them.

Hazel:

Why do I ride a motorcycle?

Because brooms don’t really fly. It’s the only thing that makes me feel alive…beside Grayson Lynch.

But I cannot let a human get close to me. I can’t risk having any more blood on my hands, no matter how magical it feels when he’s near me. Did I just really use the word ‘magical’? Clearly, I’m selling off my brain along with my powers. But the suffocating bills from my mother’s addiction rest on my shoulders. And if I’m late again, they’ll come after everyone I care about.

Including Grayson.

LINKS FOR STACY HOFF

Find Stacy on Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com https://www.pinterest.com/authorstacyhoff/

AMAZON BUY LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE: http://www.amazon.com/Season-Love-Box-Merry-Holly-ebook/dp/B00X3ZAR3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431122019&sr=8-1&keywords=Season+of+love+-+stacy+hoff

AMAZON BUY LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS: http://www.amazon.com/Lawfully-Yours-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00U7U2WCC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425508177&sr=8-2&keywords=book+-+lawfully+yours

AMAZON BUY LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES: http://www.amazon.com/Desire-Everglades-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00NFSMCYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410289138&sr=8-1&keywords=desire+in+the+everglades.

Filed under: Author Interviews, romance, RWA, Stacy Hoff, Writer's Life

Hitting the Barre by Heather Novak

The post-book-release slump. It is a real thing. You pour your time, heart, and soul (and money for your ice cream habit you’re still in denial about) into breathing life into these characters. Release day hits. You throw up the breakfast you pretended to eat, shut off your phone so you stop refreshing your sales every fifteen seconds, and chew on the ends of your hair. You do interviews, parties, blog posts, and so on.

You’re left wondering how to start all over again. There’s a feeling of being lost.

“Once upon a…” Oh crap…what was it again?

Like your characters have moved on with their lives and left you behind. Oh dear god, now you need to make new ones from scratch.

CUE. PANIC. 

After two weeks of zero progress on my laundry list of projects and hovering deadlines, I listened to the advice from both my therapist and the Romance Writers Report: It was time to combat my panicked slump and consequential writer’s block by taking an exercise class.

I said it.

Exercise. Class.

Go ahead. I’ll give you a moment to cringe.

Ugh.

I’ve been told, apparently, that daydreaming about doing dirty things with book boyfriends is not actually considered cardio. (I beg to differ. My heart rate significantly increases when my book b/f starts talking dirty to me.)

So, after getting approval from my doctor (because, apparently, I adult correctly sometimes), I signed up for a 9:00am Saturday Morning ballet barre class. (WHY DID NONE OF YOU STOP ME?! I’m not sure we can continue being friends.)

Yep. I signed up for a barre class.

  That’s barre, not bar, unfortunately.

This.

Not this.

                                            

What is a ballet barre class?

A class dedicated to making you realize there are muscles you never knew existed the night before. It’s basically ballet meets Pilates, but with less jumping. Or as I like to call it, graceful torture.

I signed up for the class Friday afternoon, due to a sudden sugar high from eating a spoonful of chocolate peanut butter, without really thinking it through. The panic didn’t really set in until the teacher advised me that dress code was crop pants and bare feet, instead of my usual two pairs of pants and socks.

Happy June! Love, Michigan

For those unfamiliar with Michigan weather, it’s been like -20 degrees here for like 10 months. Okay, I’m exaggerating a little, but it really just started being bearable outside. Like, it was 60 the first week in June and I was so excited, I slept with a fan on.

Therefore, my predictably calm Friday evening turned into a mad rush to the drug store for a new box of razors and nail polish. It took two shaves and several minutes of scrubbing hot pink nail polish off the rug and my foot before I felt like I could face the world dance class.

Then Saturday came.

At 7:30am, my alarm went off. I had stayed up way too late reading after my impromptu beauty routine, and then spent the next hour fussing over workout clothes (read: repurposed pajamas) and building a really, solid panic. I excel at panicking.

BUT I REFUSED TO GIVE UP! I WOULD NOT BE TEMPTED BACK TO BED! Mostly because I had already spent $20 on the class and refused to waste it. That’s the price of an audiobook, people.

The dance studio was less than a mile away, however I didn’t risk walking (despite the fabulous excuse I would’ve had to listen to the Irish narrator read the raunchy part of my latest Penny Reid audiobook obsession over and over) because I figured this class was going to hurt.

Oh. It hurt.

I really want you all to feel like you were there with me. So please, allow me to take you step by step…

8:50am: How the hell do I get into this parking lot? Hmm…that sign says one way. I feel it’s more of a suggestion, right? (I did not follow the suggestion.)

8:55am: I’m clearly the new girl. Everyone here is chatting about recent events, wearing these adorable, happy colored workout outfits, and they all have great hair and refreshed skin. I’m in fraying black pajamas with sleep-crusted eyes and purple, messy hair.

8:57am: The ladies on either side of me smiled. Are those “hello smiles” or “pity smiles?” Do they know it’s my first time and this is a secret girl code warning to run? I should’ve watched Mean Girls again. I’m not wearing pink and feel lost.

9:00am: So it begins. I’m told to “check my pride” at the door. Well, I left it in the car, so we’re all set.

9:02am: Okay, this isn’t so bad. Wow, even the woman eight months pregnant looks happy to be here!

9:05am Oh, it’s time for that stretch for those of us who work on computers all day so we don’t look like a hunchback! This feels awesome.

9:15am: I’M GOING TO DIE! I think I’m having a panic attack. Asthma attack? I’m not sure. Clearly this may just be an insanity attack. Wait, YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT WITH THESE WEIGHTS?!

9:30am: *walks over to edge of floor and kneels down* It’s true. I had to take a break. I admit I stopped and grabbed my water.

9:31am: Time for legs. Legs seem less torturous than arms.

9:32am: Oh, no. I lied. WHY DID I THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?! I think my skin is smoking from how much this burns.

9:40am: The nice woman to my left looks down at my shaking legs. “First time?” she asked. I nodded on a laugh that’s almost a cry. “The first time is the hardest,” she swears. “It gets easier after that.”

It took considerable effort NOT to respond, “That’s what she said.” I couldn’t find the breath anyway.

9:45am: Am I laughing or crying?!? Laughing? Good, good.

10:00am: I AM STILL ALIVE! I’m not sure how. I’m also not sure how I’m going to get my shoes back on. Or carry my purse. Thank goodness I drove! That was fun…I think…

Is this what labor is like where you instantly forgot how terrible it was?

10:15am: I am super energized, despite not being able to do more than hobble around. Ideas for my next book are rushing like waves around in my endorphin filled mind. I work out the major problem in my rewrite/resubmit manuscript and solidify the plot for book 2 of The Lynch Brother Series.

10:30am: I sign up for six more classes. Who knew torturing oneself would be the best way to get results? WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS?! WHY AREN’T YOU STOPPING ME?!

10:31am: Do I get to buy cute workout clothes now?

I promised myself if I got through two classes, I could get cute work out clothes. And by cute workout clothes, I mean whatever Target has on sale.

Fun Fact Alert!

Fun fact alert! June 18, 2015 is known for:

The first full day of Ramadan (having started at sundown last night)
National Go Fishing Day
International Panic Day (DON’T WORRY, I HAVE THIS COVERED!)
National Splurge Day (Yes, you really DO need that book!)
And last but CERTAINLY not least, International Picnic Day

Cute guy and a picnic basket? You’re welcome.

No matter what you celebrate today, make it full of laughter and good books!

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking. 

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of Hunting Witch Hazel featured in Falling Hard (A New Adult Anthology).  

Hunting Witch Hazel Trailer

Available Now!

Amazon U.S.

http://amzn.to/1G0aCoQ

iBooks

http://apple.co/1Fb1Nrp

Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1bKvOmc

Kobo

http://bitly.com/1GjXN90

Filed under: romance

Do You Know Your Audience?

This past weekend I was reading sales books for research and I came across one called The Language of Influence. I didn’t get very far in it before I had to leave the bookstore but I’m still considering purchasing it. Anyway, I digress. The reason I brought up this book is because the first couple chapters talk about personalizing the sale to the type of buyer you encounter. Then of course I couldn’t help but thinking about the audience we as writers aim for.

Writing is slightly different (or I believe it should be) so let me explain. As a writer and most definitely as an author, I believe the majority of times it is so easy to get caught up in what is popular, what is the desired theme or subject we write. This can come as a result of chasing a “sale” or trying to play into what an agent or publisher wants. I personally don’t think there is anything wrong with this IF it aligns with what is inside you to write. Basically, don’t force yourself to write something because someone else tells you to. If it isn’t something that interests you, it won’t work out. Plain and simple and definitely something I try to live by.

So what does this mean? Well, to me it means that what I choose to write determines my audience rather than me just determining my audience beforehand. But, I will say that once you do have a target audience, it is important to get to know them. What is it about your books that they like? Can you get to know them and engage them further in the world you create? This is really important when it comes to more of the marketing and social media sites, which honestly I will say is about half of an author’s job.

Moral of today? Get to know your audience and let them get to know you, your characters and the world you create. This will surely make  your job as an author more enjoyable and somewhat easier (if that word is even applicable!)

Happy writing today!

Filed under: A writer's life, Toni Kelly