Anne Patrick's Blog, page 11
January 30, 2012
June Foster Interview & Excerpt
June's Bio: June has a unique story as she didn't begin writing fiction until in her mid-sixties when the Lord placed it in her heart. June is a retired elementary teacher turned author with a wonderful, supportive husband and sixteen grandchildren. June lives full time in her RV and has traveled from sea to shining sea in the beautiful U.S.A. June's heart is to write about Christians who struggle with the results of less than perfect lives and find victory through the power of God and His Word. Give Us This Day, the first in her Bellewood series, will debut February 1, 2012 with Desert Breeze Publishing. As We Forgive will be available September 1, 2012 and Deliver Us on April 1, 2013. June wants nothing more than to write for the glory of God.
[Anne] Good morning, June, and welcome to my blog. First off, I have to tell you, you're living my dream. I've always wanted to travel around the country in an RV. How cool is that! I'm sure you have many interesting tales to tell about your travels, can you share one with us (something unusual or really wild that's happened on the road).
[June] There are so many I can't narrow it down to one. Just to give you an idea – there was the time our awning fell off as we were racing down the wrong freeway in South Dakota. Then the time I met up with an old friend from El Paso, Texas 400 feet under the ground at Ruby Falls, in Tennessee. Then the time we lost the serpentine belt off the RV at 11,000 feet at the peak of Monarch Pass on the continental divide in Colorado. Just to name a few.
[Anne] What's your favorite place you've visited?
[June] Oh, so many. It's hard to narrow it down. But I think one of my favorite tours was when we followed the Lewis and Clark trail to visit the museums and sites depicting the historical trip.
[Anne] Your first book, Give Us This Day, releases Feb 1st. How has the experience been so far? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
[June] Sometimes I read a chapter or two and think, did I write that? I honestly believe the Lord has led me every step of the way. I give Him all the credit. So, all that to say, I don't think I'd wish for anything to be different.
[Anne] Tell us a little bit about Give Us This Day.
[June] Raised by a doting mother and controlling father, the handsome Jess Colton battles against his addictive nature. When Jesus comes into his life, he trades one addiction for another—alcohol for food. His doctor warns him of his poor health as his weight soars past 300 pounds. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison comes into his life and declares her affection for him. He can't figure out what she could possibly see in him.
Holly Harrison has a past. But it catches up with her when she loses her leg and her unborn baby in one night as a result of a motorcycle accident. At this low point in her life, she finds strength through God and a relationship with Jesus Christ while she works as a dental hygienist. But now, no Christian man would want her so she avoids serious relationships. She doesn't plan on falling in love with Jess Colton. She sees past his rolls of fat to the godly, tender man inside. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses all hope of having a future together.
[Anne] What inspired Give Us This Day?
[June] Honestly, I think I tend to look to "things" instead of the Lord at times for my strength. I've seen what addictions have done to others, and I want to portray a character who finds victory. The craziest thing about the heroine. I was getting ready to plot the story, and I saw a picture of her in my mind wearing a prosthesis. I kid you not. I never would've thought that up on my own.
[Anne] This being your first, what have you found as the most difficult in the publishing process?
[June] I suppose like most authors, the rejection letters sting. James Scott Bell's The Art of War For Writers has helped me more than anything to knock that chip off my shoulder. Sometimes, it jumps back up, and I have to knock it off again.
[Anne] You have two other books contracted with Desert Breeze Publishing. Will you tell us about them?
[June] In As We Forgive, Tim Garrett lives with the uncontrollable anger he learned from his father. Only problem is, he's a youth pastor and is now in danger of losing his job. Roxanne Ratner can't forgive her father for abandoning her as a child and doesn't trust men, especially Tim. The beautiful hairstylist fights against her growing attraction to the fiery man of God.
In Deliver Us, Jared Simms begins his Christian life with a sordid past, years filled with mistakes – a one-night discretion, drug use, then a prison sentence. When the struggling janitor discovers the woman from his past, the beautiful Dr. Christine Coleman, he learns she suffered the consequences of that indiscretion, so he hides his secrets from her at all costs and the fact that he's falling for her.
[Anne] Do you use locations you've visited as settings in your books?
[June] Yes. My very first book is set in Chico, California. My sweet husband took me there for a week so I could gather facts about the area. Then the rest of my books take place in Washington State where I lived for ten years. I'm planning a book that will be set in El Paso, Texas where I lived for many years.
[Anne] I'm sure you've read a ton of books. Is there one you've read you wish you had written? If so why?
[June] Maybe Athol Dickson's The Cure because I admire the way the man uses the written word to convey a story. And maybe Latayne Scott's Latter Day Cipher because I wish I had her expert knowledge of Mormonism as well as her ability to tell a story. My next book is a romance between a Christian woman and a Mormon man.
[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?
[June] More than anything, the message. I'd like to see characters whose lives are changed by God's power. But of course, the tension and conflict in the story that keeps a reader turning pages is important as well.
[Anne] Thanks so much for joining us today, June. It's been fun getting to know more about you. In closing please give us a short excerpt of your new book and let us know where we can buy it. Also, where we can find you on the web.
Give Us This Day is available February 1 for download at http://desertbreezepublishing.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores.
June maintains web sites at http://junefoster.blogspot.com and http://infinitecharacters.com. You can email her at junefoster11[at]gmail[dot]com as well.
Excerpt -
With slow determination, Holly reached down and untied the shoe string of her left tennis shoe. Could she really do this?
"What are you doing?" His questioning look accelerated the nervous pangs in her stomach.
Holly lifted a restraining hand to him and continued her work. With an unsteady grip, she pulled her sock off exposing the curved metal of her prosthetic limb.
Jess stared, his eyes the size of large plates. "Oh, good Lord, Holly. What happened?" His jaw remained open.
Wordlessly, Holly folded her jeans up to her knee exposing the entire devise. She released the suction which held the hollow plastic casing over her knee stump and removed the entire leg setting it next to the couch.
Her heart beat wildly as she dared a glance at Jess.
He sat motionless, his eyes enormous. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I thought you'd reject me if you knew. Now do you see? You're not the only one whose body is flawed." Holly leaned back against the couch, her stub barely meeting the end of the seat. Her palms were like ice. She took the risk and showed him. No turning back now. He'd always know.
Jess's voice was barely a whisper. "You haven't told too many people."
"No, very few. Only my family and Dr. Murphy know about it. And Zack. I rode on the back of his motorcycle when the accident happened."
"Holly, I don't know what to say." He gazed at her with woeful eyes.
She wiped a tear away. "After I came to know you, I figured you'd love me in spite of it. That's the kind of man you are. I didn't know how to tell you until now."
Jess eased off the couch and slowly knelt in front of her. He folded her jeans a little higher, gazed at her with eyes of love and compassion, then bent down.
She caught her breath.
He lowered his lips to the stub and kissed it then gazed up at her again.
"I can't believe you did that. I love you for it."
Jess looked up at her, emotion in his blue eyes. With a groan, he moved back up on the couch with her. He placed his arms around her and held her. "You're right. It would've made no difference in how I feel about you, but this makes things even more difficult."
[Anne] Good morning, June, and welcome to my blog. First off, I have to tell you, you're living my dream. I've always wanted to travel around the country in an RV. How cool is that! I'm sure you have many interesting tales to tell about your travels, can you share one with us (something unusual or really wild that's happened on the road).
[June] There are so many I can't narrow it down to one. Just to give you an idea – there was the time our awning fell off as we were racing down the wrong freeway in South Dakota. Then the time I met up with an old friend from El Paso, Texas 400 feet under the ground at Ruby Falls, in Tennessee. Then the time we lost the serpentine belt off the RV at 11,000 feet at the peak of Monarch Pass on the continental divide in Colorado. Just to name a few.
[Anne] What's your favorite place you've visited?
[June] Oh, so many. It's hard to narrow it down. But I think one of my favorite tours was when we followed the Lewis and Clark trail to visit the museums and sites depicting the historical trip.
[Anne] Your first book, Give Us This Day, releases Feb 1st. How has the experience been so far? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
[June] Sometimes I read a chapter or two and think, did I write that? I honestly believe the Lord has led me every step of the way. I give Him all the credit. So, all that to say, I don't think I'd wish for anything to be different.
[Anne] Tell us a little bit about Give Us This Day.
[June] Raised by a doting mother and controlling father, the handsome Jess Colton battles against his addictive nature. When Jesus comes into his life, he trades one addiction for another—alcohol for food. His doctor warns him of his poor health as his weight soars past 300 pounds. Jess is baffled when the beautiful Holly Harrison comes into his life and declares her affection for him. He can't figure out what she could possibly see in him.
Holly Harrison has a past. But it catches up with her when she loses her leg and her unborn baby in one night as a result of a motorcycle accident. At this low point in her life, she finds strength through God and a relationship with Jesus Christ while she works as a dental hygienist. But now, no Christian man would want her so she avoids serious relationships. She doesn't plan on falling in love with Jess Colton. She sees past his rolls of fat to the godly, tender man inside. When Jess drives a wedge between them, she loses all hope of having a future together.
[Anne] What inspired Give Us This Day?
[June] Honestly, I think I tend to look to "things" instead of the Lord at times for my strength. I've seen what addictions have done to others, and I want to portray a character who finds victory. The craziest thing about the heroine. I was getting ready to plot the story, and I saw a picture of her in my mind wearing a prosthesis. I kid you not. I never would've thought that up on my own.
[Anne] This being your first, what have you found as the most difficult in the publishing process?
[June] I suppose like most authors, the rejection letters sting. James Scott Bell's The Art of War For Writers has helped me more than anything to knock that chip off my shoulder. Sometimes, it jumps back up, and I have to knock it off again.
[Anne] You have two other books contracted with Desert Breeze Publishing. Will you tell us about them?
[June] In As We Forgive, Tim Garrett lives with the uncontrollable anger he learned from his father. Only problem is, he's a youth pastor and is now in danger of losing his job. Roxanne Ratner can't forgive her father for abandoning her as a child and doesn't trust men, especially Tim. The beautiful hairstylist fights against her growing attraction to the fiery man of God.
In Deliver Us, Jared Simms begins his Christian life with a sordid past, years filled with mistakes – a one-night discretion, drug use, then a prison sentence. When the struggling janitor discovers the woman from his past, the beautiful Dr. Christine Coleman, he learns she suffered the consequences of that indiscretion, so he hides his secrets from her at all costs and the fact that he's falling for her.
[Anne] Do you use locations you've visited as settings in your books?
[June] Yes. My very first book is set in Chico, California. My sweet husband took me there for a week so I could gather facts about the area. Then the rest of my books take place in Washington State where I lived for ten years. I'm planning a book that will be set in El Paso, Texas where I lived for many years.
[Anne] I'm sure you've read a ton of books. Is there one you've read you wish you had written? If so why?
[June] Maybe Athol Dickson's The Cure because I admire the way the man uses the written word to convey a story. And maybe Latayne Scott's Latter Day Cipher because I wish I had her expert knowledge of Mormonism as well as her ability to tell a story. My next book is a romance between a Christian woman and a Mormon man.
[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?
[June] More than anything, the message. I'd like to see characters whose lives are changed by God's power. But of course, the tension and conflict in the story that keeps a reader turning pages is important as well.
[Anne] Thanks so much for joining us today, June. It's been fun getting to know more about you. In closing please give us a short excerpt of your new book and let us know where we can buy it. Also, where we can find you on the web.
Give Us This Day is available February 1 for download at http://desertbreezepublishing.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores.
June maintains web sites at http://junefoster.blogspot.com and http://infinitecharacters.com. You can email her at junefoster11[at]gmail[dot]com as well.
Excerpt -
With slow determination, Holly reached down and untied the shoe string of her left tennis shoe. Could she really do this?
"What are you doing?" His questioning look accelerated the nervous pangs in her stomach.
Holly lifted a restraining hand to him and continued her work. With an unsteady grip, she pulled her sock off exposing the curved metal of her prosthetic limb.
Jess stared, his eyes the size of large plates. "Oh, good Lord, Holly. What happened?" His jaw remained open.
Wordlessly, Holly folded her jeans up to her knee exposing the entire devise. She released the suction which held the hollow plastic casing over her knee stump and removed the entire leg setting it next to the couch.
Her heart beat wildly as she dared a glance at Jess.
He sat motionless, his eyes enormous. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I thought you'd reject me if you knew. Now do you see? You're not the only one whose body is flawed." Holly leaned back against the couch, her stub barely meeting the end of the seat. Her palms were like ice. She took the risk and showed him. No turning back now. He'd always know.
Jess's voice was barely a whisper. "You haven't told too many people."
"No, very few. Only my family and Dr. Murphy know about it. And Zack. I rode on the back of his motorcycle when the accident happened."
"Holly, I don't know what to say." He gazed at her with woeful eyes.
She wiped a tear away. "After I came to know you, I figured you'd love me in spite of it. That's the kind of man you are. I didn't know how to tell you until now."
Jess eased off the couch and slowly knelt in front of her. He folded her jeans a little higher, gazed at her with eyes of love and compassion, then bent down.
She caught her breath.
He lowered his lips to the stub and kissed it then gazed up at her again.
"I can't believe you did that. I love you for it."
Jess looked up at her, emotion in his blue eyes. With a groan, he moved back up on the couch with her. He placed his arms around her and held her. "You're right. It would've made no difference in how I feel about you, but this makes things even more difficult."
January 22, 2012
Death Clash: The Winner Is...
**guest post by Michelle MassaroFor the last couple weeks, Clash of the Titles has been exploring two books delivering powerful death scenes. That's right, death scenes. The two books were The Vengeance Squad and The Redemption . We met authors Sidney Frost and MaryLu Tyndall and waited with bated breath to find out which title got the most votes. If you missed Friday's announcement, I won't keep you in suspense. Though the competition was stiff, the champion title is...
...
The Redemption , by MaryLu Tyndall
Congratulations!
About the book :
Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After weeks of combating the elements, her salvation comes in the form of a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Charlisse free herself from the seductive lure of this pirate captain and find the father's love she so ardently craves?
While battling his attraction to this winsome lady and learning to walk a more godly path, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest--until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean. Can Edmund win this lady's love while shielding her from his lecherous crew and working to bring her father to justice?
Can the supernatural power of God rescue Charlisse and Edmund from the danger and treachery that await them as they ride upon the tumultuous waves of the Caribbean?
*** A few of the comments from readers :
I loved the Excerpt B.....I look forward to reading the book..it seemed more historical and the genre of books I enjoy reading. I am personally blessed by many of the Christian fiction authors and want to say thank you for all you for your readers. God bless you both!
Someone turning to Christ at the last moment is always a touching scene. It tugs at your heart to know that someone you would never see again, now you will. Very touching!
Keep writing as God leads you. You are bringing God's truth to readers; some who really need those truths in their lives.
About the author:
MaryLu Tyndall, a Christy Award finalist, and author of more than ten novels is known for her swashbuckling historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes.
MaryLu dreamt of tall ships and swashbuckling pirates during her childhood years on Florida's Atlantic Coast. Unfortunately, instead of pursuing that dream, she worked as a miserable, landlocked software engineer for fifteen years. Only by the grace and providence of God, did she decide to answer His call to write a Christian Pirate series. Today, while writing her eleventh novel, she manages a home, husband, and six kids while battling three cats who have decided that her keyboard is the best place to sleep! She believes that without popcorn and chocolate, life would not be worth living, and her sole motivation is to bring others closer to God.
***
What fun! For a sneak peak at the book, check out the winning excerpt here . You might also enjoy her fascinating interview here .
Right now, COTT is in the middle of a brand new clash so be sure to head over there to cast your vote. You just might win a free book!
Happy reading!
January 13, 2012
Angela Britnell Interview & Giveaway
Joining me today is fellow Desert Breeze author Angela Britnell to talk about her new book, Opposites Attract. Be sure to leave a comment for her for a chance to win a copy of the ebook.
[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.
[Angela] I'm not sure of the exact title but it was a book of 365 Bedtime stories for children. This became a special time with my Father and I would want him to read on to the next night's story but he never would!
[Anne] Out of all the books you've read, which one comes immediately to your mind?
[Angela] 'The Rector's Wife' by Joanna Trollope. It's one of the few books I read over and over again. One reason I love it is because it's set in the sort of small English village where I grew up. Her beautifully drawn characters will stay with you long after reading. It's difficult to pick a favorite scene but I think where the light bulb comes on in Anna's head when a parishioner helps her to see that action is the only way forward. She realizes that if she doesn't do something things will only get worse because no one else will do it for her. The consequences of her decision will be far-reaching both for Anna and her family.
[Anne] What's your favorite dish?
[Angela] It would have to be a Cornish Pasty. This is a hand-held pie made with beef, onion, and rutabaga. It was traditionally eaten by Cornish tin-miners as it was easy to carry and eat. Of course it has to be made by my mother!
[Anne] You've just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you've collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?
[Angela] I'll go outside the list on this one – I've always loved the dark red Jaguar driven by Inspector Morse in the Colin Dexter mystery series set in Oxford .
[Anne] What's your favorite television show/movie?
[Angela] If I have to pick one I'll go for the 'Pride and Prejudice' version with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I never tire of watching that. But I'll also have to say anything with Johnny Depp.
[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?
[Angela] As soon as my eldest son left home I painted his room in peach and decorated with cream lace curtains, a tea table, sofa and desk. This is now my favorite spot and no one is allowed to mess with it. I also have a Johnny Depp calendar on the wall perfectly sited to admire and inspire from anywhere in the room!
[Anne] What are you working on now?
[Angela] I've just finished my new novel 'It's Complicated.' It's a contemporary romance set in England . Charles 'Black Ash' Ashton temporarily abandons his jet-setting lifestyle to avoid being blamed for a multi-million pound poker scam and comes face to face with quiet, elegant math teacher Emily Worthing but the odds aren't in their favor. After a disastrous affair cost Emily her heart and prestigious job she now prizes truth and honesty above all things. Ash makes his living at the poker table, where a little deviousness and the occasional white lie never hurt. Put them together and the odds are not in their favor. Emily and Ash have to prove they've an ace in the hand called love.
Angela's Bio -
I was born in Cornwall in southwestern England and return frequently to visit family and friends. After school I joined the Royal Navy and at my last assignment in Denmark met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband. Our itinerant life took us to Sicily , California , Maryland , and finally London . Along the way we had our three sons. On retirement from the Navy my husband took a job near Nashville , Tennessee and we're still here. I've always been a voracious reader and in 2001 took a creative writing class which sparked my writing career. I've had short stories published in women's magazines in the UK , US, and Australia . My first novel 'Truth and Consequence' was published in 2006. I belong to the Red Bandanas Writing Group, Jubilee Readers Book Club, the Music City Romance Writers, and the Romantic Novelists' Association. I also volunteer at my local library so you can see words are important to me.
Opposites Attract book blurb:
Why can no one believe Holly and Brett are content with their single lives? Certainly their interfering parents don't and they decide to take action. The 'Opposites Attract' dating agency has the theory if normal matchmaking hasn't worked they'll turn it upside down. The uptight British policewoman and the laid-back Southern writer are complete opposites and so will make the perfect mismatch. A weekend in Paris turns magical but secrets, lies and sheer stubbornness threaten this romance before it hardly gets off the ground. Holly and Brett will fight love all the way and it's a question of who'll give in first.
Excerpt:
Holly sucked in a deep breath. This wasn't on her agenda. The neat picture she'd formed of Brett Adair - short, thin, pale and chain-smoking - was just blown into next week. She preferred her men sharp, from their haircuts to their suits, to their minds. No way did she have any interest whatsoever in a lanky American with a cowboy hat and an accent straight from 'The Dukes of Hazzard.' He probably made moonshine in his spare time, when he wasn't shooting squirrels or ... whatever they did. She would make her position crystal clear. "The only things I plan on enjoying are the sights of Paris . I don't intend to let the fact I have to see them in the company of a stranger spoil my weekend. It's unfortunate, but I'm sure we can make the best of things."
"Hey, you don't take any prisoners do you?" Brett threw up his arms in mock surrender.
"Actually I do, often, or have you forgotten what I do for a living?"
Brett laughed. The deep, warm sound of it sent a little shiver through her belly. That laugh made her almost give in and smile.
"Smart lady. You're quick on the draw, anyone ever tell you that?"
"Not if they wanted to see me again." Mortified heat instantly flamed in her cheeks. God, that sounded like flirting.
A lazy smile crept from his eyes -- a deep Mediterranean blue she'd have preferred not to notice -- all the way to his mouth, turning up the edges of lips way too tempting to a woman who hadn't been kissed in over a year. Her belly clenched. She told herself she was just hungry.
Brett tipped his head toward her and stared straight into her eyes. One slight move, and his mouth would touch hers. Oh, God. Would he kiss her senseless if she wasn't careful? Her heart raced. Would he dare? Did she want him to?
"Come on, y'all. Time to get on board. Paris , here we come."
Brett took a step back and grinned at his father. "Sure thing, me and Holly here were just getting to know each other. Weren't we, darlin'?"
Holly buttoned her jacket, grateful for the interruption. She could've done something really stupid, there. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm not your darling and never will be. We've merely got to tolerate each other for two days like reasonable adults. End of story."
Don't forget to leave a comment with your contact info to be entered in Angela's drawing.
[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.
[Angela] I'm not sure of the exact title but it was a book of 365 Bedtime stories for children. This became a special time with my Father and I would want him to read on to the next night's story but he never would!
[Anne] Out of all the books you've read, which one comes immediately to your mind?
[Angela] 'The Rector's Wife' by Joanna Trollope. It's one of the few books I read over and over again. One reason I love it is because it's set in the sort of small English village where I grew up. Her beautifully drawn characters will stay with you long after reading. It's difficult to pick a favorite scene but I think where the light bulb comes on in Anna's head when a parishioner helps her to see that action is the only way forward. She realizes that if she doesn't do something things will only get worse because no one else will do it for her. The consequences of her decision will be far-reaching both for Anna and her family.
[Anne] What's your favorite dish?
[Angela] It would have to be a Cornish Pasty. This is a hand-held pie made with beef, onion, and rutabaga. It was traditionally eaten by Cornish tin-miners as it was easy to carry and eat. Of course it has to be made by my mother!
[Anne] You've just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you've collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?
[Angela] I'll go outside the list on this one – I've always loved the dark red Jaguar driven by Inspector Morse in the Colin Dexter mystery series set in Oxford .
[Anne] What's your favorite television show/movie?
[Angela] If I have to pick one I'll go for the 'Pride and Prejudice' version with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I never tire of watching that. But I'll also have to say anything with Johnny Depp.
[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?
[Angela] As soon as my eldest son left home I painted his room in peach and decorated with cream lace curtains, a tea table, sofa and desk. This is now my favorite spot and no one is allowed to mess with it. I also have a Johnny Depp calendar on the wall perfectly sited to admire and inspire from anywhere in the room!
[Anne] What are you working on now?
[Angela] I've just finished my new novel 'It's Complicated.' It's a contemporary romance set in England . Charles 'Black Ash' Ashton temporarily abandons his jet-setting lifestyle to avoid being blamed for a multi-million pound poker scam and comes face to face with quiet, elegant math teacher Emily Worthing but the odds aren't in their favor. After a disastrous affair cost Emily her heart and prestigious job she now prizes truth and honesty above all things. Ash makes his living at the poker table, where a little deviousness and the occasional white lie never hurt. Put them together and the odds are not in their favor. Emily and Ash have to prove they've an ace in the hand called love.
Angela's Bio -
I was born in Cornwall in southwestern England and return frequently to visit family and friends. After school I joined the Royal Navy and at my last assignment in Denmark met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband. Our itinerant life took us to Sicily , California , Maryland , and finally London . Along the way we had our three sons. On retirement from the Navy my husband took a job near Nashville , Tennessee and we're still here. I've always been a voracious reader and in 2001 took a creative writing class which sparked my writing career. I've had short stories published in women's magazines in the UK , US, and Australia . My first novel 'Truth and Consequence' was published in 2006. I belong to the Red Bandanas Writing Group, Jubilee Readers Book Club, the Music City Romance Writers, and the Romantic Novelists' Association. I also volunteer at my local library so you can see words are important to me.
Opposites Attract book blurb:
Why can no one believe Holly and Brett are content with their single lives? Certainly their interfering parents don't and they decide to take action. The 'Opposites Attract' dating agency has the theory if normal matchmaking hasn't worked they'll turn it upside down. The uptight British policewoman and the laid-back Southern writer are complete opposites and so will make the perfect mismatch. A weekend in Paris turns magical but secrets, lies and sheer stubbornness threaten this romance before it hardly gets off the ground. Holly and Brett will fight love all the way and it's a question of who'll give in first.
Excerpt:
Holly sucked in a deep breath. This wasn't on her agenda. The neat picture she'd formed of Brett Adair - short, thin, pale and chain-smoking - was just blown into next week. She preferred her men sharp, from their haircuts to their suits, to their minds. No way did she have any interest whatsoever in a lanky American with a cowboy hat and an accent straight from 'The Dukes of Hazzard.' He probably made moonshine in his spare time, when he wasn't shooting squirrels or ... whatever they did. She would make her position crystal clear. "The only things I plan on enjoying are the sights of Paris . I don't intend to let the fact I have to see them in the company of a stranger spoil my weekend. It's unfortunate, but I'm sure we can make the best of things."
"Hey, you don't take any prisoners do you?" Brett threw up his arms in mock surrender.
"Actually I do, often, or have you forgotten what I do for a living?"
Brett laughed. The deep, warm sound of it sent a little shiver through her belly. That laugh made her almost give in and smile.
"Smart lady. You're quick on the draw, anyone ever tell you that?"
"Not if they wanted to see me again." Mortified heat instantly flamed in her cheeks. God, that sounded like flirting.
A lazy smile crept from his eyes -- a deep Mediterranean blue she'd have preferred not to notice -- all the way to his mouth, turning up the edges of lips way too tempting to a woman who hadn't been kissed in over a year. Her belly clenched. She told herself she was just hungry.
Brett tipped his head toward her and stared straight into her eyes. One slight move, and his mouth would touch hers. Oh, God. Would he kiss her senseless if she wasn't careful? Her heart raced. Would he dare? Did she want him to?
"Come on, y'all. Time to get on board. Paris , here we come."
Brett took a step back and grinned at his father. "Sure thing, me and Holly here were just getting to know each other. Weren't we, darlin'?"
Holly buttoned her jacket, grateful for the interruption. She could've done something really stupid, there. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm not your darling and never will be. We've merely got to tolerate each other for two days like reasonable adults. End of story."
Don't forget to leave a comment with your contact info to be entered in Angela's drawing.
January 9, 2012
COTT Rings In The New Year
IS THERE A BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMPETE ON CLASH OF THE TITLES? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO ENTER THE TITLE IN OUR QUICK SURVEY, BELOW!
*by COTT Sr. Editor, April W Gardner
January is in full swing, starting 2012 off with a bang. At Clash of the Titles, you can take that quite literally! For the next two weeks, we're featuring Death. That's right. Death.
Death has the power to intrigue and terrify, and it's that power that a good book taps into, often leaving a permanent mark on the reader's memory. Visit Clash of the Titles today, to read two Death excerpts and vote for the one that impacts you the most.
Remember that every book you send to the Champions Ring will have a shot at our Laurel Award, handed out at the end of our Tournament of Champions. Coming October 2012!
Between now and our October Tournament, we'll have a slew of exciting clashes—some, old reliables; others, brand new.
Here's what's on the COTT calendar:
Almost Kiss-- (Feb, accepting submissions)
Unpublished Hooks-- (March, accepting submissions)
Here's a glimpse at clashes you might see in the future:
Good GuyBad GuyLeading LadyBack Cover SummaryComparable CoversMayhem and MishapsCreepy CoversAuthor's ChoiceReader's ChoiceTantalizing TitlesYoung AdultChildrens
Is there a specific book that comes to mind that you would like to see compete on Clash of the Titles in one of these clashes? We want to know!! Please enter the book title in the survey box below.
Also new in 2012, once a quarter, a specially selected COTT Champ will be featured in a podcast interview with Christian Authors Guild board member, Cynthia L. Simmons. You can hear our current podcast HERE.
Clash of the Titles thanks each of our readers and voters for making COTT such a fun hang-out during 2011. We look forward to another year of introducing you to amazing new books and giving you the opportunity to win them!
*by COTT Sr. Editor, April W Gardner
January is in full swing, starting 2012 off with a bang. At Clash of the Titles, you can take that quite literally! For the next two weeks, we're featuring Death. That's right. Death.
Death has the power to intrigue and terrify, and it's that power that a good book taps into, often leaving a permanent mark on the reader's memory. Visit Clash of the Titles today, to read two Death excerpts and vote for the one that impacts you the most.
Remember that every book you send to the Champions Ring will have a shot at our Laurel Award, handed out at the end of our Tournament of Champions. Coming October 2012!
Between now and our October Tournament, we'll have a slew of exciting clashes—some, old reliables; others, brand new.
Here's what's on the COTT calendar:
Almost Kiss-- (Feb, accepting submissions)
Unpublished Hooks-- (March, accepting submissions)
Here's a glimpse at clashes you might see in the future:
Good GuyBad GuyLeading LadyBack Cover SummaryComparable CoversMayhem and MishapsCreepy CoversAuthor's ChoiceReader's ChoiceTantalizing TitlesYoung AdultChildrens
Is there a specific book that comes to mind that you would like to see compete on Clash of the Titles in one of these clashes? We want to know!! Please enter the book title in the survey box below.
Also new in 2012, once a quarter, a specially selected COTT Champ will be featured in a podcast interview with Christian Authors Guild board member, Cynthia L. Simmons. You can hear our current podcast HERE.
Clash of the Titles thanks each of our readers and voters for making COTT such a fun hang-out during 2011. We look forward to another year of introducing you to amazing new books and giving you the opportunity to win them!
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
January 5, 2012
Melanie Atkins & her new book Quest for Justice
Special Guest Post by Melanie Atkins
Welcome 2012!
A new year, a fresh start. A blank slate. I love having this new canvas stretched out before me. What will 2012 bring? None of us knows, but it's fun to speculate. Will we travel? Redo a room at home? Adopt a new pet? I wish only good things for everyone. Fabulous sales for all the authors I know, great reads for the readers, and happy travels for those taking off to parts unknown.
Picking up a new book to read is kind of like starting a new year. You might think you know what you're going to get or what you want to happen, but you never really know. The author might surprise you… and bring you gasps along the way. That's what makes life fun!
I tried to do that in QUEST FOR JUSTICE, the third book in my Keller County Cops series. My latest title came out January 1 at Desert Breeze Publishing, and I'm thrilled. Writing this book was a real struggle… but at the end, I was truly satisfied. Abby and C.J. got their happy ending, and the bad guys were locked away. What more can you ask when reading (or writing) a romantic suspense?
Here is a sneak peek inside the book:
Blurb:
Abby Ryals goes behind the sheriff's back to accept an undercover assignment with another agency to avenge fellow detective C.J. Bowman's death, and is stunned to learn he's very much alive when he leaves witness protection and follows her undercover to help keep her safe. Together, they must race the clock to defeat a notorious drug lord before he can discover their true identities.
Excerpt:
The unrelenting volleys of the twenty-one gun salute reverberated inside Abby Ryal's head. With each shot fired, her heart skipped another beat. She tried to breathe, to draw in the cool fall air and clear her muddled senses, but she couldn't. The ache inside her only intensified, and she worried she might throw up right here in front of C.J.'s polished mahogany casket.
C.J. Bowman. Fellow Keller County detective. Her best friend, and former lover.
Dead.
Her stomach heaved. She wrapped her arms around her middle and dropped her head onto her knees. The ancient folding chair creaked as she released a shuddering breath.
Don't throw up. Don't throw up. Not here. C.J. will laugh his fool head off if you toss your cookies on the funeral wreaths. Their too-sweet smell is bad enough, and if you...
She sat up and smothered a laugh.
Oh, God. I can just picture him sauntering through the cemetery with that trademark smirk on his face, making fun of me. He gets off on that. He's always so--
The idea that she would never see him again curdled her stomach.
"You self-centered bastard," she whispered to herself, cringing as the line of uniformed policemen fired yet another round. Leave it to C.J. to go down in dramatic fashion, waging a one-man gun battle with one of the Deep South's most infamous drug cartels.
Tears filled her eyes as she murmured, "Always playing the hero. Only, this time it got you killed, didn't it?"
"Abby, you okay?" Jonah McKee, the detective who'd mentored her since she first got her gold shield six months ago, leaned over and asked with concern.
She nodded stiffly, unable to voice her pain, and aimed her gaze at the shimmering red and gold leaves on the trees bordering the tiny country cemetery. The brisk November breeze iced her heart. C.J. had loved this time of year. He loved to hunt, loved the contest of man against beast. Why, oh why had he chosen to challenge the most frightening beast on the planet -- Salvador Salazar, better known as Sal-Sal -- instead of climbing into his deer stand and scouring the wooded terrain for a prime ten-point buck?
Hope you'll check it out! It's available at Desert Breeze via this link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-245/Keller-County-Cops-Book/Detail.bok
And at Amazon: http://amzn.to/vtJ0bU and other online outlets.
Next month, look for BLOOD RITE, my latest single title release from Whiskey Creek Press (in both print and e-book formats) and CHERISHED WITNESS, the first book in my New Orleans detective series with Desert Breeze, that will come out in print for the first time.
Happy New Year!
Welcome 2012!A new year, a fresh start. A blank slate. I love having this new canvas stretched out before me. What will 2012 bring? None of us knows, but it's fun to speculate. Will we travel? Redo a room at home? Adopt a new pet? I wish only good things for everyone. Fabulous sales for all the authors I know, great reads for the readers, and happy travels for those taking off to parts unknown.
Picking up a new book to read is kind of like starting a new year. You might think you know what you're going to get or what you want to happen, but you never really know. The author might surprise you… and bring you gasps along the way. That's what makes life fun!
I tried to do that in QUEST FOR JUSTICE, the third book in my Keller County Cops series. My latest title came out January 1 at Desert Breeze Publishing, and I'm thrilled. Writing this book was a real struggle… but at the end, I was truly satisfied. Abby and C.J. got their happy ending, and the bad guys were locked away. What more can you ask when reading (or writing) a romantic suspense?
Here is a sneak peek inside the book:
Blurb:Abby Ryals goes behind the sheriff's back to accept an undercover assignment with another agency to avenge fellow detective C.J. Bowman's death, and is stunned to learn he's very much alive when he leaves witness protection and follows her undercover to help keep her safe. Together, they must race the clock to defeat a notorious drug lord before he can discover their true identities.
Excerpt:
The unrelenting volleys of the twenty-one gun salute reverberated inside Abby Ryal's head. With each shot fired, her heart skipped another beat. She tried to breathe, to draw in the cool fall air and clear her muddled senses, but she couldn't. The ache inside her only intensified, and she worried she might throw up right here in front of C.J.'s polished mahogany casket.
C.J. Bowman. Fellow Keller County detective. Her best friend, and former lover.
Dead.
Her stomach heaved. She wrapped her arms around her middle and dropped her head onto her knees. The ancient folding chair creaked as she released a shuddering breath.
Don't throw up. Don't throw up. Not here. C.J. will laugh his fool head off if you toss your cookies on the funeral wreaths. Their too-sweet smell is bad enough, and if you...
She sat up and smothered a laugh.
Oh, God. I can just picture him sauntering through the cemetery with that trademark smirk on his face, making fun of me. He gets off on that. He's always so--
The idea that she would never see him again curdled her stomach.
"You self-centered bastard," she whispered to herself, cringing as the line of uniformed policemen fired yet another round. Leave it to C.J. to go down in dramatic fashion, waging a one-man gun battle with one of the Deep South's most infamous drug cartels.
Tears filled her eyes as she murmured, "Always playing the hero. Only, this time it got you killed, didn't it?"
"Abby, you okay?" Jonah McKee, the detective who'd mentored her since she first got her gold shield six months ago, leaned over and asked with concern.
She nodded stiffly, unable to voice her pain, and aimed her gaze at the shimmering red and gold leaves on the trees bordering the tiny country cemetery. The brisk November breeze iced her heart. C.J. had loved this time of year. He loved to hunt, loved the contest of man against beast. Why, oh why had he chosen to challenge the most frightening beast on the planet -- Salvador Salazar, better known as Sal-Sal -- instead of climbing into his deer stand and scouring the wooded terrain for a prime ten-point buck?
Hope you'll check it out! It's available at Desert Breeze via this link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-245/Keller-County-Cops-Book/Detail.bok
And at Amazon: http://amzn.to/vtJ0bU and other online outlets.
Next month, look for BLOOD RITE, my latest single title release from Whiskey Creek Press (in both print and e-book formats) and CHERISHED WITNESS, the first book in my New Orleans detective series with Desert Breeze, that will come out in print for the first time.
Happy New Year!
December 28, 2011
What inspires Theresa
For me, a new story can start from anything. A snippet of overheard conversation, an article in newspaper or magazine, a person, a dream, another book or a movie can set a story in motion. If the story idea stays in my head without me writing anything down for a few days, if it continues to grow without me consciously thinking about it, I know it could turn into a book.
But it's not until I see the lead characters clearly in my head, that I start putting down notes on paper or in a Word document. A story doesn't come to life until I have the right characters. Once I have the hero and heroine clear in my mind, that's when the plot happens. I start writing as soon as I know the beginning of the book, and I continue to write until I need to do research.
Or until the middle of the book, when writer's block sets in. Never fails. I set the book aside and work on another project for a few days, and then I go back and reread what I'd written. I might have to put it aside again for a few more days, but eventually I'll find the place where the story went wrong and fix it. Soon after I'm writing 'the end'.
Some books are easier to write then others. I wrote Renovations, Book 2 in The Sisters Callaway, in less than three months without hitting that dreaded writer's block. I wish A Difficult Choice, Book 3 of the series, was going as smoothly. This one is really kicking my butt.
Good thing, though. I know I'll find out where I went wrong and finish the story.
I always do.
But it's not until I see the lead characters clearly in my head, that I start putting down notes on paper or in a Word document. A story doesn't come to life until I have the right characters. Once I have the hero and heroine clear in my mind, that's when the plot happens. I start writing as soon as I know the beginning of the book, and I continue to write until I need to do research.
Or until the middle of the book, when writer's block sets in. Never fails. I set the book aside and work on another project for a few days, and then I go back and reread what I'd written. I might have to put it aside again for a few more days, but eventually I'll find the place where the story went wrong and fix it. Soon after I'm writing 'the end'.
Some books are easier to write then others. I wrote Renovations, Book 2 in The Sisters Callaway, in less than three months without hitting that dreaded writer's block. I wish A Difficult Choice, Book 3 of the series, was going as smoothly. This one is really kicking my butt.
Good thing, though. I know I'll find out where I went wrong and finish the story.
I always do.
December 27, 2011
Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews!
What an awesome way to start the week! Kill Shot, Book One in my Wounded Heroes Series received a Top Pick review. Check it out!
"This book was awesome and I can't wait to read the next book in this new series. The story line was phenomonal. Anne Patrick has definitely out done herself with this book. She takes the Christian reading genre to a whole new height. Keep up the good work, and I can't wait to read the next one in this new series."
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nor/Reviews/Angibabi4-reviews-Kill-Shot-by-Anne-Patrick.aspx
Book Blurb for Kill Shot:
Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG's, IED's and even a helicopter crash. Now she's home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who's on the case.
Sheriff Sean Harding doesn't quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired, was found dead in a building she owns. And Kory isn't being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?
December 24, 2011
Meet Kisa
Nothing livens up a house faster than a new kitten. Meet Kisa...Isn't she a beauty!
Zoe is taking up quite nicely with her new roommate, and so is Sailor. I've gotten such a kick watching Sailor and Kisa get acquainted. Sailor was rescued from an animal shelter a few years ago and was never really given the chance at being a normal kitten. She didn't even know how to play. I'd purchased all kinds of toys for her but she showed no interest in them. Since Kisa has joined the family, Sailor is like a totally different cat. They wrestle and chase one another and Kisa has even showed Sailor how much fun you can have with a simple bell and ball.
Zoe is content, at least for the time being, just watching the two having a blast. Every now and then, she will try to join it the fun but Kisa is overwhelmed by Zoe's size so she'll run and hide. As if sensing her fear, Zoe will lay low and just watch. To make Zoe feel better she got one of her Christmas presents early, a new squeaky toy. So between the squeaks and running and playing it's been an interesting few days.
I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your family and friends. Have Merry Christmas!
(((Hugs)))
Anne
Zoe is taking up quite nicely with her new roommate, and so is Sailor. I've gotten such a kick watching Sailor and Kisa get acquainted. Sailor was rescued from an animal shelter a few years ago and was never really given the chance at being a normal kitten. She didn't even know how to play. I'd purchased all kinds of toys for her but she showed no interest in them. Since Kisa has joined the family, Sailor is like a totally different cat. They wrestle and chase one another and Kisa has even showed Sailor how much fun you can have with a simple bell and ball. 
Zoe is content, at least for the time being, just watching the two having a blast. Every now and then, she will try to join it the fun but Kisa is overwhelmed by Zoe's size so she'll run and hide. As if sensing her fear, Zoe will lay low and just watch. To make Zoe feel better she got one of her Christmas presents early, a new squeaky toy. So between the squeaks and running and playing it's been an interesting few days. I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your family and friends. Have Merry Christmas!
(((Hugs)))
Anne
Meet Tigger
Nothing livens up a house faster than a new kitten. Meet Tigger...Isn't she a beauty!
Zoe is taking up quite nicely with her new roommate, and so is Sailor. I've gotten such a kick watching Sailor and Tigger get acquainted. Sailor was rescued from an animal shelter a few years ago and was never really given the chance at being a normal kitten. She didn't even know how to play. I'd purchased all kinds of toys for her but she showed no interest in them. Since Tigger has joined the family, Sailor is like a totally different cat. They wrestle and chase one another and Tigger has even showed Sailor how much fun you can have with a simple bell and ball.
Zoe is content, at least for the time being, just watching the two having a blast. Every now and then, she will try to join it the fun but Tigger is overwhelmed by Zoe's size so she'll run and hide. As if sensing her fear, Zoe will lay low and just watch. To make Zoe feel better she got one of her Christmas presents early, a new squeaky toy. So between the squeaks and running and playing it's been an interesting few days.
I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your family and friends. Have Merry Christmas!
(((Hugs)))
Anne
Zoe is taking up quite nicely with her new roommate, and so is Sailor. I've gotten such a kick watching Sailor and Tigger get acquainted. Sailor was rescued from an animal shelter a few years ago and was never really given the chance at being a normal kitten. She didn't even know how to play. I'd purchased all kinds of toys for her but she showed no interest in them. Since Tigger has joined the family, Sailor is like a totally different cat. They wrestle and chase one another and Tigger has even showed Sailor how much fun you can have with a simple bell and ball.
Zoe is content, at least for the time being, just watching the two having a blast. Every now and then, she will try to join it the fun but Tigger is overwhelmed by Zoe's size so she'll run and hide. As if sensing her fear, Zoe will lay low and just watch. To make Zoe feel better she got one of her Christmas presents early, a new squeaky toy. So between the squeaks and running and playing it's been an interesting few days. I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your family and friends. Have Merry Christmas!
(((Hugs)))
Anne
December 20, 2011
Theresa Stillwagon Shares her Journey to Publication
Today Theresa shares her journey to publication and why she writes contemporary romances. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win one of her ebooks. Take it away, Theresa!
I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing.
My first attempt at writing a book was a historical, and I wrote it long-hand. I was in my mid-teens. I don't think I wrote more than the first chapter.
My second attempt was in the mid 1980s. That one was a romantic suspense I planned on sending to Harlequin. The best thing I could say about that one is I finished it. Every mistake a new author could do, I did.
The next few years were a learning experience for me. One thing I learned was that if I did a plot outline for a book, I would be too bored with it to actually write it. I also learned to show, not tell, to write believable dialogue, to start the book in an interesting place, to know the characters inside and out, but one thing I wished I knew then that I know now is -- not to be afraid to show your work to someone else.
For years I wrote alone, no one even knew I was a writer. It was as if I was ashamed of it. I wrote for ten or so years, finishing three or four books and starting twice as many without 'the end', before I finally trusted my writing enough to let others read it. I was nervous, yes, but I didn't need to be. I still call those first critique partners my on-line friends. Almost every one of them is now a published writer, and I'm proud of that.
A second thing I wish I knew then was to ignore the bad comments of others. People have been telling me my whole life I'll never amount to anything. It wasn't until I decided to stop listening to those negative people that I found out I could.
What would be my advice to a new writer?
Don't be afraid to put your work out there. I started writing almost thirty years ago, and I've only been published since 2008. If I'd listened to my own heart, my own mind, I might have been published years earlier.
You have to believe in your dreams.
Tell us more about your work and your favorite genre.
I love history, yet I could never write an historical.
I love romantic suspense, but I have a hard time keeping track of the suspense part of the story.
And, as for paranormal, fantasy, or steampunk genres, I'm way too lazy to build a proper set of rules and customs to make the story believable.
So why do I write contemporary romance?
I think writing in the same period as you live frees you to add a bit of suspense, or a ghost, or a mystery, without having to worry too much about research.
Basically I write contemporary romance because I'm a lazy researcher. As I'm writing and I come to a spot where I need to research something, I stop what I'm doing and Google the problem. When I have the facts straight on the subject, I go back to writing. In the book I'm writing now, I needed to know the process on how a woman became a Catholic sister. I stopped writing and Googled the town she lived in and found the Sisters of St. Joseph, and I found all the answers I needed. I needed to be sure she could walk away from it. (And, yes, she can.)
For an older book, A Betrayal of Friendship, I stopped writing and researched the state of Alaska and flying. I found out more than I needed to know about the state, but I also found out something interesting about me. I really would like to learn how to fly. (Maybe someday, I'll do just that.)
One bad thing about writing this way is I'm easily distracted. I really need to force myself to write. In those times, I disconnect from the internet and just write.
I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing.
My first attempt at writing a book was a historical, and I wrote it long-hand. I was in my mid-teens. I don't think I wrote more than the first chapter.
My second attempt was in the mid 1980s. That one was a romantic suspense I planned on sending to Harlequin. The best thing I could say about that one is I finished it. Every mistake a new author could do, I did.
The next few years were a learning experience for me. One thing I learned was that if I did a plot outline for a book, I would be too bored with it to actually write it. I also learned to show, not tell, to write believable dialogue, to start the book in an interesting place, to know the characters inside and out, but one thing I wished I knew then that I know now is -- not to be afraid to show your work to someone else.
For years I wrote alone, no one even knew I was a writer. It was as if I was ashamed of it. I wrote for ten or so years, finishing three or four books and starting twice as many without 'the end', before I finally trusted my writing enough to let others read it. I was nervous, yes, but I didn't need to be. I still call those first critique partners my on-line friends. Almost every one of them is now a published writer, and I'm proud of that.
A second thing I wish I knew then was to ignore the bad comments of others. People have been telling me my whole life I'll never amount to anything. It wasn't until I decided to stop listening to those negative people that I found out I could.
What would be my advice to a new writer?
Don't be afraid to put your work out there. I started writing almost thirty years ago, and I've only been published since 2008. If I'd listened to my own heart, my own mind, I might have been published years earlier.
You have to believe in your dreams.
Tell us more about your work and your favorite genre.
I love history, yet I could never write an historical.
I love romantic suspense, but I have a hard time keeping track of the suspense part of the story.
And, as for paranormal, fantasy, or steampunk genres, I'm way too lazy to build a proper set of rules and customs to make the story believable.
So why do I write contemporary romance?
I think writing in the same period as you live frees you to add a bit of suspense, or a ghost, or a mystery, without having to worry too much about research.
Basically I write contemporary romance because I'm a lazy researcher. As I'm writing and I come to a spot where I need to research something, I stop what I'm doing and Google the problem. When I have the facts straight on the subject, I go back to writing. In the book I'm writing now, I needed to know the process on how a woman became a Catholic sister. I stopped writing and Googled the town she lived in and found the Sisters of St. Joseph, and I found all the answers I needed. I needed to be sure she could walk away from it. (And, yes, she can.)
For an older book, A Betrayal of Friendship, I stopped writing and researched the state of Alaska and flying. I found out more than I needed to know about the state, but I also found out something interesting about me. I really would like to learn how to fly. (Maybe someday, I'll do just that.)
One bad thing about writing this way is I'm easily distracted. I really need to force myself to write. In those times, I disconnect from the internet and just write.
