Laura Chapman's Blog, page 47

catching up with kristina knight

Blogger's Note: I'm pleased to welcome Kristina Knight to the blog to talk about The Saint's Devilish Deal. It's been a while since I last had a chance to interview her, and I was excited to see what she has been up to lately. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for an excerpt of the book. Enjoy!

Change the Word: How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Kristina Knight: Ah, what a question! Like a lot of writers, I get my story ideas from everywhere: a snippet of overhead conversation (unabashed eavesdropper here!), stories on the news, pictures in magazines. This particular story was a combination: I'd been to a surfing competition and then I saw a surfing movie … and then I wondered what would happen if a laid-back surfer got all caught up with a Type A woman…and the rest is history.

CTW: What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing this story? 
KK: The research! I set this book in Mexico in an area I'm familiar with (Puerto Vallarta), so that part was fairly simple. But getting the surfing details just right was a challenge!

CTW: How did you overcome it?
KK: I gave myself permission to get it wrong, if need be! Lol Seriously, I did my best, through my research, to get those details write but in the end, I'm not a surfer (gasp!), so I had to be okay with possibly missing a little detail here or there. But, from the response I've gotten, I think I managed to walk the line of real-life surfing and fiction pretty well.

CTW: Where do you find motivation and inspiration for writing?
KK: Oh, everywhere! Books, movies, a beautiful sunset. The ideas and the motivation to do my absolute best with every book I write come from everywhere.

CTW: How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
KK: I don't wait for 'the mood'. Writing is my business and I treat it like one: when I set down at the computer, I'm ready to do the work. I have a couple of cheats – I leave the last scene of the day 'open' so that I'm eager to get back to the page the next day, I make playlists for my books that help me keep the mood of certain scenes and I turn off the Internet connection – that way there are no distractions!

CTW: What literary characters do you have crushes on?
KK: So many! Mr. Darcy, first and foremost. Because, well, Darcy!

CTW: What do you look for in a hunky hero?
KK: A heart. The hunkiest hero out there will fall flat if he doesn't have heart.

CTW: What advice would you offer aspiring authors?
KK: Don't give up and keep learning your craft. Take workshops, listen to the advice of established authors…but know what you want and go after it with determination, focus and joy.

CTW: What are your three most-read books on your bookshelf?
KK: An old Harlequin Presents called Snow Bride – it was my first and is still one of my favorites! The Christmas Present by Johanna Lindsay – I pull it out every holiday season. Huckleberry Finn – that book never gets old!

CTW: What's up next for you and your writing career? 
KK: I have a new release coming later this month that I will be self-publishing. It's called Mr. Right Now and it's a vacation romance set about a cruise liner. And then I have a new series coming out in the Spring that I hope I'll be able to announce very soon!

CTW: Is there anything else you'd like to share? 
KK: Thank you so much for having me here today! I've enjoyed every second!

About the Author
Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a journalist. When the opportunity to focus a bit of energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it. And she's never looked back. Now she writes magazine articles by day and romance novels with spice by night. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and daughter. Happily ever after.


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About the Book

A billionaire surfer… A down-on-her-luck hotelier… One hot summer fling…

Esmerelda Quinn has one shot at saving her aunt's beloved vacation villa – and the only home she has ever known. Putting up with ex-surfer Santiago Cruz's antics? He's burned her before but she can handle The Saint, this time around.

Santiago Cruz wants out of Puerto Vallarta in a bad way but after hearing the stipulations that could cost Esme her beloved villa, he can't leave. And as long as she's willing to play by his rules, they might just have some fun along the way…

As long as he plays by her rules, Esmerelda knows she can salvage the estate – and keep her heart intact. The only problem? The Saint's charms are hard to resist…and soon she finds herself falling for the rich boy down the hall – all over again.

Buy the Book
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Excerpt

“You forget yourself, Esmerelda. You’re talking about making this simple for the staff, that doesn’t mean I need to come to you for every new guest registration or idea I have. Besides, we need this campaign.” Santiago waved his hand. “We need more guests of a certain means to make the villa stand out. Families are great, but they won’t make Casa Constance a go-to destination. These people will. So, we use our new guests as features in a new campaign for the high-end travel magazines. A few shots in the tabloids wouldn’t hurt, either.”

“You weren’t even going to discuss this with me?”

“I’m telling you now. While we’re on the subject—” he tossed a few magazines from his desktop onto her lap “—what do you see in these pictures?”

Esme sent him a killing glance and then flipped through the pages. “Boring. Bland. Not home.”

“Exactly. This isn’t a home, or it shouldn’t be a home first. If you want Casa Constance to succeed you need to treat it like a business. So, make-over, what do you like?”

She tossed the magazines back onto the desktop. “Our guests love the color and textures of Old Mexico. They say so all the time.”

“Your guests haven’t been in residence, at least not actively, in more than a year. We aren’t appealing to anyone right now and we need to. So, makeover starts this afternoon and your new training begins in the morning.”

“I know what I need to know about running a vacation resort.”

“You need to experience a vacation to sell it. We need day-trips, we need amenities. I’ll bet you’ve never gone para-sailing or sky diving, much less enjoyed a couple’s massage.” Her cheeks pinked at the last suggestion and Santiago smiled. “Celebrities visiting Casa, playing on our private beach, being featured in an advertising campaign—with a few pictures leaked to the tabloids to get the word out even sooner. Casa needs this.”

Esme took a few breaths and then settled back into her chair. “I can’t afford to pay the salary of a New York advertising crew. Seriously, Santiago, you have to cancel.”

“My three months, remember? It won’t cost you a thing. The photographer owes me a favor. The only cost will be the campaign copy, which will be negligible. I do know what I’m doing, Esmerelda.”

“Okay, mail.” Esme shook her head as if clearing thoughts of the upcoming ad campaign from her head. “Marquez usually separates bills from letters—”

“As the mail will be delivered to the front desk, I’m happy to see to it. And let’s cut to the chase.” He leaned back in the chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “I don’t want to be tied down to a vacation villa for the rest of my life. But if you really want this, there is something you have to do for me. First.”

Esme swallowed, crossed and re-crossed her legs before clasping her hands in her lap. “What do you want? A payoff? You’ve seen the books, you know there isn’t much money. But if it’s money you want, I’ll agree to your price. I just need time to come up with the capital.”

She really didn’t know him at all. He shouldn’t be surprised, but he was. Surprised and a bit disappointed. “I need your money like I need another surfing championship,” he said, sitting up straight. “No, what I want from you is a bit more. . . ephemeral. I want your time. For three hours each day, you belong to me. No villa work. No guest handholding.” He walked around the desk to rest his hip against one corner. “No conferences with staff. No following the maids on their routine cleanings and no visits to the kitchen to give Gloriana instructions. For three hours each day, your time is my time.”

“You can’t be serious. That... that’s just...” She trailed off when his index finger traced the line of her jaw. He lowered his voice.

“No work. No phones. No villa. You do what I say, what I want.”

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why every author needs an editor and a proofreader

Blogger's Note: Today, Mary Metcalfe, author of New Beginnings, joins us for a guest post as part of her Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour. Mary addresses a topic that every aspiring author needs to consider before they submit their novel to a publisher or hit the "publish" button his or herself. Enjoy the post!

Why Every Author Needs an Editor and a Proofreader
By Mary Metcalfe

When I think of the hundreds of hours authors spend researching, writing, editing and polishing their work I’m still surprised to come across manuscripts that have not been professionally edited and authors who don’t think they need to be. In my day work, I’m a book editor so I see dozens of manuscripts a year. The company I freelance for always provides an editorial evaluation as the first step in the publishing process. It also has the author complete an interview.

One of the key questions for me is “has your manuscript been professionally edited?” When I see “no” and a comment like “I have a degree in English” or “a teacher friend proofread it” I know I have my evaluation cut out for me. Bottom line: I have yet to read an unedited manuscript that is ready for publication without any further work. Many authors don’t realize they need to standardize the spelling of words for consistency; standardize spacing after punctuation; watch for grammatical and punctuation errors; etc.

Historical fiction and non-fiction brings its own set challenges. The words used need to fit the time period of the story. Using the word “sniper” or “foxhole” in an 18th century military piece doesn’t work. The words didn’t exist in military usage at the time. Similarly, the word “socialite” didn’t exist in the 18th century, nor did “call girl” (only after telephones were invented).

As a reader, I want to be transported into the time and place and characters of the novel. So, when a word is missing or the wrong punctuation is used or a word is completely misspelled, it just stops me. The fact that I’m an editor has nothing to do with it. When I’m reading, I’m a reader first and I want the story to flow without interruption.

In today’s demanding world of publishing, an author who doesn’t have an editor or proofreader is up against what I call Reader Revenge. These are readers who post online reviews such as: “great story but there were too many typos so I’m only giving 2*.” That happened to an author who I now edit for. His novels are excellent but his first one encountered several Reader Revenge reviews that kept the book’s rating down to the point that he couldn’t advertise through some of the main online channels such as Book Bub, which requires a minimum 4* rating.

Moral? Every author needs an editor and preferably a separate proofreader. When you’ve spent hundreds of hours crafting your manuscript, it deserves to have professional polishing. You owe it to your readers.

I hope you enjoy New Beginnings. It went through several rounds of editing you can be sure!


About the Author

Mary Metcalfe is the author of three published novels –Winds of Change, New Beginnings, Road to Tomorrow – and currently at work on her fourth. She and her long-time husband live in the foothills of the Laurentians in Quebec,Canada with a small herd of cats and a Canadian Eskimo dog. Their daughter is a published literary non-fiction author.

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Shelfari

About the Book
Workaholic real estate agent Carol Brock can't seem to find a good man. Her first husband cheated with a law clerk less than half his age. Then she found herself in a string of bad relationships with unscrupulous men, including a con man and art thief, who shredded her professional reputation and strained her relationship with her college-age children. Carol has sworn off men and is determined to reclaim her life and career on her terms. But, when Boston’s most eligible bachelor, restoration specialist Devin Elliott, puts in an offer on a charming Victorian, Carol admits she’s attracted. Devin’s offer unwittingly unleashes a psychopathic rage in an ex-girlfriend that spills into Carol’s life. As she and Devin try to stay one step ahead of violence, Carol must decide whether she's ready to risk her heart again.

Buy the Book
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Chapters/Indigo


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greetings from... the mid-atlantic

In my novel Hard Hats and Doormats, human resources manager Lexi Burke travels the Gulf Coast training employees, settling disputes and maintaining order for a chemical company. Like Lexi, my first job out of college involved a lot of travel––I visited more than 20 states in four years. In this series, I'll share some of my real life experiences exploring the country.


The first time I set foot in the Mid-Atlantic, I was awe-struck. It was September 2008, and I caught my first glimpse as my plane finished its trip over the Great Lakes and landed in Buffalo. I was in New York. A place I'd always dreamed of visiting. Sure, I'd sort of been dreaming about Manhattan, but still, this was close.

On that first day, I had to drive from Buffalo to my hotel in a town near Boston. This gave me the opportunity to take in the scenery. I had a chance to see the Adirondacks on the north side of I-90. I saw the Catskills to the south. I paid tolls to a toll booth for the first time.

And, I was pulled over by a police officer for the first time. It was the first time in my 22 years of living that I'd ever seen those flashing lights in my rear-view mirror. I nervously pulled over to the side of the road, and rolled down my window. The police officer asked for my license and registration -- which was my paperwork for the rental car I'd picked up a few hours earlier.

"Do you know why I pulled you over?"

I had a fairly good idea, but I didn't know for sure. "Was it because I was talking on my cell phone?" I asked, not knowing I should have played dumb.

"Yep."

And while he wrote me a ticket for using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, I learned my first valuable lesson -- using a cell phone while driving a car is not only a bad idea, but it's illegal some places.

At the same time, I also panicked. Crap. Was I going to be fired? I'd only been at my job a month, and getting pulled over didn't seem like a good mistake to make that early on the job. Fortunately, after paying my ticket, all was well. But it left a lasting impression.

During my two years of making bimonthly visits east, I had the opportunity to travel across New York state countless times, including several trips through the Adirondacks -- one of my most favorite places in the world. I also visited customers in northwestern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, though I spent the bulk of time in New York.

And with that, I give you my postcards from the Mid-Atlantic.

(Quick Note: Unfortunately, I didn't save any of my photos from Pennsylvania or New Jersey.)

Buffalo Central Terminal in Buffalo, NY.
October 2008.

I first saw this building featured on an episode of
Ghost Hunters, and I had to stop to take a few
photos. I would've loved nothing more than to go
check out the building, but I already felt a bit naughty
driving this close to a derelict building.
My first glimpse of Canada (taken from between Watertown and Massena NY)
Lake Placid, NY (Spring 2009).
Lake Saranac (Spring 2009)
Manhattan (Winter 2010)
I loved how the water would freeze down mountainsides.
I'd never seen anything like it before.
The most beautiful rail yard in the world - Selkirk, NY (south of Albany).
One regret: Not stopping to check this out.
Flying over the Great Lakes toward Buffalo.
I've never seen snow like the snow I saw in Upstate New York.

This is younger me - 23 years old.

About Hard Hats and Doormats
Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.

But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.

While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.

Who says nice girls have to finish last?

Order the Book
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Marching Ink


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cover reveal - 'the right design' by isabella louise anderson

Blogger's Note: Today, I'm pleased to share the cover for The Right Design, Isabella Louise Anderson's debut novel. I had the opportunity to beta read this book last summer, and I am proud of Isabella for all of her hard work and dedication to see this novel through to publication. Best wishes on your upcoming release, Isabella, I can't wait to see the finished product.


About The Right Design
Interior designer Carrie Newman’s day starts out perfectly. For their sixth anniversary, her boyfriend, Roger, gives her diamond earrings, but the sparkle is lost later that same day when she catches him in the act with another woman. Heartbroken and in disarray, Carrie chooses to leave the past behind, possibly forever. She lands in ritzy Palm Beach, Florida where a new job and a new client leave her wondering if The Right Design for her life has finally been found.

**Release date: Coming soon!**
About the Author
Isabella Louise Anderson grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and has been featured on several blogs. While Isabella doesn't blog a lot, she focuses her time on featuring other writers, along with writing and editing.

She lives in Dallas with her husband and cat. She enjoys spicy Mexican food and drinking margaritas, and can be found spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Texas Rangers, and reading.

Isabella's short story, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, was featured in Simon & Fig's Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright, in November 2013. The Right Design will be her first novel.

Connect with Isabella
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Facebook Fan Page
Goodreads
Twitter


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how to dress like a writer - winter 2014 edition

Last winter, I addressed some of the important style factors us lady writers should consider. We do, after all, have a reputation to uphold. But as you also know, fashion constantly changes, so it's time for a refresher on how to look the part when you write.

Whether you're writing from the comfort of home or venturing out into the world, the right look can help you play the part. Of course some items never go out of style for us writer-types: jeans, sweaters, etc.

In 2014, my writer wardrobe tips can be summed up in three little words: Accessories, accessories, accessories. Yes, my friends, we have officially entered the year of accessories. From the perfect hat and bag to the bling around my neck and on my feet, I've carefully selected new accessories to help me channel my writing goddess when I'm scheduling a hot date with my novel.

My Five Winter 2014 Must-Haves
1. Equestrian Boots
About the Photos: Unfortunately Miley Cyrus, Annie Leibovitz and
Grace Coddington weren't available to oversee the photo shoot
for these pictures. I had to snap them Instagram-style on my iPhone.
While the slouchy boots of my past were perfect for an aspiring author, I'm loving this year's new boot. The sleekness of this pair tells the world I'm ready to be taken seriously as a published author. As an added bonus, their equestrian style also suggests I may or may not have a wild, but gentle horse named Buttercup stashed away in some stable. Naturally, my horse is being kept by the equally dynamic and thrilling stable master. Probably someone tall and dark called Niall or Jacques - who I am taming along with the horse. When you're writing books with romantic elements, it doesn't hurt to give the appearance your personal life is as equally thrilling as the stories you craft.

In addition to sending my thoughts in a more fanciful direction, wearing these boots makes me feel like a total bad ass. There's nothing better than feeling like you could rule the world when you're writing.

(Boots by Avenue)

2. Personalized Jewelery

One of my good friends sent me this adorable typewriter key necklace as a "congratulations on publishing your debut novel" gift. Personalized with my first initial, the necklace is so me, and I wear it almost every day. This, more than any other item of clothing, gives a solid shout-out to my writing profession in a subtle way. And best of all -- it goes with everything.

(Jewelery by Rocky Mountain Accents)

3. Purse in Lieu of Laptop Bag

I'm saying buh-bye to my laptop bag this year in favor of two new purses. The first was an impulse buy while watching E! News. During their "Love It Buy It" promo, they featured this navy blue tote from Emperia Handbags. Made out of faux leather (the only way I wear the fur/hide trend), the bag was on a major sale. The interior compartments are great, and there's plenty of room for multiple notebooks, books, pens and even a tablet. This bag is perfect for those days when I'm not using my laptop, but still need plenty of room to store writing supplies.

My Steve Madden bag was a Christmas gift from my sister. She scored major points for listening when I said I was over my laptop bag and wanted a purse big enough to stash a laptop. Like the Emperia bag, it's faux leather and has ample pockets and storage space. I'm currently in editing mode, which means this bag - and my laptop - are going everywhere with me this week, and I love it.

4. Bold Print Scarves

Like last year, I'm fully committed to saving my neck by wearing scarves throughout winter. (Neck protection has been a top concern of mine ever since I read Nora Ephron's memoir.) While I was more into heavily woven textiles last year, this winter my scarf wardrobe expanded to include lighter-weight fabrics with bold prints. My favorites include a black and white zebra print, red and white polka dots and a turquoise and black floral motif. I wore the polka dot scarf to work yesterday, and had multiple people stop to tell me how much they liked it.

On colder days, I revert to my heavier scarves. I'm still leaning towards ones with bright colors, like my teal sparkly scarf.

(Scarves by Target)

5. Caps

According to Elle, we have plenty of hat options available for those of us living in colder climates. This year, I'm embracing the cap. My black cap is a classic from my collection, but I'm pleased to pull it out of storage. My bright cap in bold red also doubles as the perfect accessory when college football kicks off again next fall. (Go Big Red!) With it's large, knit design, the red cap offers plenty of warmth, and can be worn like a beanie. I also recently figured out how to do a fishtail braid, and the caps allow me to wear one without looking like a total idiot.

And as I mentioned, I live in Nebraska. Winter can mean days of 40 degrees or days below zero. Protecting my head and ears from the harsher elements means a healthier, happier me.

(Caps by D&Y and Old Navy)


For more accessory inspiration to spruce up your 2014 style, look here, here and here.

To broaden our writing fashion scope, I reached out to six of my Literary Glam Squad members to discover what other trends are sweeping the writing world this winter. Check out their tips.


Tip 1: Represent Your Brand
Since I brand myself as "the older, divorced, suburban Carrie Bradshaw," I have been into sporting my gold "Jacqueline" necklace that looks just like Carrie's "Carrie" necklace. It had been missing for almost 25 years until I found it in a box last month. I'm also into wearing cashmere scarves, loosely hanging down. They're sexy and they keep me warm, and really define me as a Chicago author! 

- Jackie Pilossoph, author of Jackpot! , Free Gift with Purchase , Hook, Line and Sink Him and Divorced Girl Smiling
@divorcedgirlJP


Tip 2: Get Comfortable
True, I used to be a fashion journalist, but my current writing attire does not reflect this at all. (My former editors would be aghast!) I'm all about comfort these days: tee shirts and yoga pants, with a bulky cardigan and a pair of warm socks if it's cold.

- Anna Garner , author of Lying to Meet You and Sugar Spun Sister
@LibbyMercer1


Tip 3: Stay Warm
Right now, it's almost -40 Celsius in Toronto so my must-have wardrobe has got to be warm. Even though I work from home, I still want to look somewhat put together in case the doorbell rings or I actually venture outside. Comfort is key. This winter, I'm loving my black Lululemon yoga pants that I've had for ten years (they still look new--ish), my fuzzy blue socks and a variety of striped sweaters that hang just so off my shoulders. On particularly chilly days, I throw on my thick purple cardigan that wraps stylishly over said yoga pants and sweaters, and I'm in writing mode. A little deodorant, a swipe of lipstick and mascara, and I'm ready for...the mail to come.

- Samantha Stroh Bailey , author of Finding Lucas
@perfectpen


Tip 4: Embrace Work-to-Play Ensembles
This winter, it’s all about staying warm while I get started on writing my fourth book. With a new puppy in the house and constant trips outside, my new “boyfriend sweatpants” from Victoria Secret are a must. They are comfy and cozy, and being from VS – fashionable too! On my writing breaks I like to clear my head and walk or run on my treadmill, so a workout top with a good sports bra is also handy. I think I am more motivated to work out if I have cute clothes on, so racer back tops in bright colors are my go-to. My breast cancer mug will also continually be filled with hot chocolate and mini marshmallows – a must for typing away at my computer and keeping me on track.

- Samantha March , author of Destined to Fail , The Green Ticket and A Questionable Friendship
@SamanthaMarch23


Tip 5: Don't Fear Color and Flare

I'll be starting a new fashion trend for writers this winter; I like to call it "Bag Lady Chic." To achieve this look, one must wear sweat pants (always black, because I'm all about sophistication), a long cardigan (Rock it like Mr. Rogers, ladies! According to Fashion Allure, cardigans are a sweater trend for 2014.), and to show a bit of whimsy, a colorful t-shirt with a fun, writing-related quote on it (i.e. "I'm plotting against you. I'm a writer. It's what we do."). The look should be completed by stylish, but practical, footwear that will be comfortable when a writer is pacing her office, trying to work out a scene. Santa just brought me a pair of Brooks Pure Flow 2 sneakers that are black with neon magenta accents - neon is hot, my friends!

- Tracie Banister , author of Blame it on the Fame and In Need of Therapy
@traciebanister


Tip 6: Pair Cozy with Stylish
Being somewhat of a (reformed) diva, I'm all about looking fabulous at all times. The only time you will catch me looking anything less than cute is if I'm sick and dashing out to the pharmacy in the middle of the night to buy cough medicine. But when it comes to writing, I need comfort as much as style. This winter, I'm loving leggings with boots underneath a long tunic in a soft fabric. It's a super cozy combo, great for parking it on your behind for hours at a time at your favorite coffee house.

- Lucie Simone , author of Hollywood Ending and Picture Perfect
@LucieSimone

What are your writing wardrobe must-haves for this winter?

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interview with laurel osterkamp, author of 'the holdout'

Blogger's Note: I've enjoyed following Laurel Osterkamp's writing career since reading November Surprise in Fall 2012. Since her last visit, she's published another novel. She's back, today, as part of her Chick Lit Plus blog tour to tell us more about The Holdout and what else is new in her world.

Change the Word: This book revolves around a former reality TV show contestant -- what are your favorite reality shows to watch?
Laurel Osterkamp: I’m a Survivor fan through and through. There have been seasons when I haven’t watched, but I still love the whole dynamic of who is going to get voted off. It fascinates me. I also really enjoy Project Runway because I love fashion.

CTW: If you had to compete or participate on a reality show of the past or present, which one would you choose and why?
LO: I would love to do Survivor, but I’d have to have a version of myself that doesn’t get dehydrated and sunburned so easily. I’d also have to magically become good at throwing things and being fast. If I could just adopt those qualities, I’d be applying for the show.

CTW: What would be your strategy for surviving until the end?
LO: I’d try to fly under the radar for as long as possible, and make lots of friends. It’s always the bossy, flashy people who get voted out first! I’d also try to make myself useful. Maybe I could contribute something valuable at camp, but I don’t know. It’s hard to predict what you’ll be good at.

CTW: Like the main character in this book, you also recently served on a federal jury. What was that like?
LO: It was quite the experience. Most of what I put in the book was true, like all the snacks we were given, the individual TV screens in front of our plush jury seats, and even the stretching breaks. And there was actually a moment when we all thought the judge had dozed off. The jurors were also based off my real-life jury members, but exaggerated.

CTW: I imagine it's hard to track everything both sides say. How did you keep your focus during the trial?
LO: I took a lot of notes. They did provide us all with these little binders, but we weren’t allowed to take our notes with us.

CTW: What was your favorite part about writing The Holdout?
LO: I really enjoyed all of it, but I guess my favorite part was writing the scene where Robin has her breakdown at Island Assembly (tribal council). It was a chance to go a little over the top, and use both humor and drama. It’s probably my favorite scene I’ve ever written for any book.

CTW: Do you have any favorite snacks you like to eat while you're writing?
LO: What don’t I like to eat while writing? J - I guess my favorites include anything chocolate, or cheddar potato chips.

CTW: I'm having fun following the adventures of Lucy, your heroine from Campaign Promises, November Surprise and Blue State via her blog. How do you balance maintaining that storyline while working on other projects?
LO: Actually, I was still so involved in her story when I started writing The Holdout that it was a tough transition. Then I couldn’t think of a last name for Robin; I just kept coming back to “Bricker.” So I thought, what the hell, just make them related. Boom! Robin is Jack and Monty’s cousin, and I have a bunch of supporting characters who are already developed. It was really fun to write about them from a new perspective while also figuring out who Robin is.

CTW: Can we expect another novelette/short story from Lucy?
LO: Probably. Part of the reason I moved Lucy and Monty to Iowa was so I could involve characters like Jack, Robin, and Ian in the blog entries. I’m also writing a follow-up to The Holdout, and Lucy will be in that too. After that, we’ll see. I was thinking about writing a couple of short stories and working on her blog entries from 2012 campaign. I’d like to compile it all into something publishable.

CTW: What's up next in the world of Laurel Osterkamp?
LO: A nap!

Just kidding. I guess just more of the same. I’d love to finish writing The Fallout (my follow up novel to The Holdout) and have it up by the end of the summer, but it all depends on how busy I get. My dream is to someday get paid enough to write full-time.

Excerpt of The Holdout

Henry, Klemi, Grant and I walked back to camp in virtual silence. But once we arrived and set down our torches, I immediately pulled Grant aside and led him down to the shore.

“What the hell!” I demanded. “Why didn’t you vote out Klemi?”

“Because.” His voice was calm in contrast to my intensity. “I don’t want to be sitting next to Bailey when the jury votes. He could win. But Klemi was right when she said that nobody liked her.”

“Nobody likes Bailey either.”

Grant sighs and looks up at the dark, starry sky. “Robin, come on. Bailey is the underdog. He’s seventy years old, crusty, and no-nonsense. He’s worked hard for everything he has. Anyone sitting next to him will look silly and over-privileged in comparison.”

I pretended like the same thoughts hadn’t occurred to me as I crossed my arms over my chest and jutted out my chin. “You’ve really considered every angle, haven’t you?”

“Of course. Haven’t you?”

I breathed deeply to keep myself calm. “You wouldn’t look silly and over-privileged if you had some tragic story about your parents’ death, would you? Or what if everyone thought you blamed yourself for your sister’s addiction? What if we thought that nobody, including your grandparents, loved you? Then you’d be sure to win.”

Grant didn’t even flinch. Either I was spot-on or I was the biggest bitch in the world. I had no idea which.

“So have you been flirting with Klemi to get ahead in this game?”

“Yes.” Grant replied without blinking, without apology.

I could feel tears start to form. I looked away, knowing I had just lost the staring contest. “What about me? Was that about getting ahead too?”

“No.” He reached to touch me but I stepped away. “Okay,” he said. “Since we’re being so honest, I’ll just tell you now that I’m voting you out next.”

I stared at him with widened eyes.

“Robin, it’s what I have to do. I can beat Klemi and I can beat Henry. Neither of them deserves to win and the jury knows it. But I’m not so sure I can beat you.” He grinned like a car salesman. “You should take it as a compliment.”

“What about your original claim that you’d rather go to the end with someone you can trust and respect?”

His face was lit by the glow of the moon and the ocean waves crashed behind us. The evening air was warm with the sand smooth and cool beneath our feet. It would have been so romantic if it wasn’t for everything about him being completely wrong.

“I lied,” he said simply.

“Well, I didn’t.” I stepped in closer, and whispered. “You’re voting me out?” I shook my head. “Not a chance. I will destroy you before I let that happen.”

He laughed. “You don’t scare me. You could have voted me out tonight and you didn’t even have the nerve to do that.”

Then he patted me on the head. “Enjoy your last two days here, Robbie. Because you’re next to go.”

About the Author
Laurel Osterkamp's award winning novels have been hailed as funny, intelligent, snarky and poignant. She is the author of four novels and two novellas, including the November Surprise series, which, like The Holdout, features the Bricker family. Laurel was recently on a federal jury, and she loves watching Survivor.

Connect with Laurel
Website
Blog
Goodreads
Twitter

About the Book
Robin wanted to win The Holdout, a cutthroat reality TV show, so she gave it her all, challenge after challenge. Then she fell for Grant, with his irresistible eyes and heartbreaking life story.

But Grant was only using Robin as they competed for a million dollars. Once home, Robin wants to hide from the humiliation as episodes of The Holdout are aired, and she worries her family was right all along; she’s not a survivor.

Yet she could surprise everyone, and have the last laugh.

Besides, Robin now has jury duty. And as she forges ahead, confronting her demons about bravery, justice, and romance, Robin will come to decide which is more important: the courage to stand alone, or the strength to love again.

Buy the Book
Amazon


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cover reveal: a questionable friendship by samantha march

Blogger's Note: Check out the cover for the next title due for release from my publisher, Marching Ink. A Questionable Friendship is Samantha March's third novel, which is set for release in February.


A Questionable Friendship
By Samantha March
Pub Date: February 2014
Cover Design by Scarlett Rugers

Brynne Ropert and Portland Dolish have been best friends since being paired as roommates in college. Seven years later they are now twenty-five, married, and living in Maine–– but the two women couldn’t be more different. Brynne finds fulfillment in her life as a wife, mother and owner of a small café and bookshop, but is struggling to expand her family. Portland is still coping with her mother’s death during her childhood, and her marriage is unraveling before her eyes. Portland envies her friend’s seemingly stable and easy life while Brynne doesn’t understand the growing distance between them and cannot begin to guess what secret Portland is hiding about her husband and crumbling marriage. While one woman feels shut out, the other enters into a web of lies to protect herself.

A Questionable Friendship explores what really makes someone a true friend, a support system, a sister. How much trust goes into a friendship and when is being a friend not enough? Brynne and Portland’s story will attempt to answer those questions, and show that happily ever after isn’t in the cards for everyone.

About the Author
Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus, which keeps her bookshelf stocked with the latest reads and up to date on all things health, fitness, fashion, and celebrity related. In 2011 she launched her independent publishing company Marching Ink and has three published novels – Destined to Fail, The Green Ticket and A Questionable Friendship. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you can find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers. Samantha lives in Iowa with her husband and Vizsla puppy.

Connect with Samantha
http://www.samanthamarch.com/
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads

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greetings from... the inspiration for 'hard hats and doormats'

In my novel Hard Hats and Doormats , human resources manager Lexi Burke travels the Gulf Coast training employees, settling disputes and maintaining order for a chemical company. Through her adventures, she has the opportunity to see parts of the country that are often missed by most tourists.

Like Lexi, my first job out of college involved a lot of travel––I visited more than 20 states in four years. In this series, which will run on Mondays for the next several weeks, I'll share some of my real life experiences exploring the country.

Though I took that job knowing I'd do a lot of traveling, sometimes it was more of a hardship than something I enjoyed. It was fun at first, but eventually being gone from home would weigh on me. After my first year on the road, I stopped checking out sites and focused more on getting from Point A to Point B.

About three years into my fourth year, I was sent to a new location. While I was there, I happened upon the birth place of one of my dad's favorite poets. I called to tell him about my find, and we carried on a conversation about everything else I'd seen. On impulse, I'd stopped by another couple of attractions while taking short breaks in the drive, and I found myself feeling more excited about what I'd seen. Then he said something that gave me a new perspective.

"You're seeing America," he said. "You're going places most people will never see."

That's when it hit me - he was right. No matter what, I had seen more of America in the past three years than I would've ever imagined. It changed my perspective, and I changed my attitude. I would find more joy in the places I went and create memories. Those memories of America are what I'll be sharing with you. Some are famous places known to most travelers. Others are somewhat hidden gems that took a little more doing.

As a point of reference, take a look at the places I have traveled in my life. Not all of these locations will be featured in this series, because I'm only including places I went in the name of business. But it should give you an idea of where we'll travel together virtually in the coming weeks.

Oh, the Places I've Been

Red: States where you've not spent much time or seen very much
Amber: States where you've at least slept and seen some sights
Blue: States you've spent a lot of time in or seen a fair amount of
Green: States you've spent a great deal of time in on multiple visits

Source: http://www.defocus.net/visitedstates/...
Your turn to weigh in: What are your favorite travel destinations? How many states have you checked off of your "to-visit" list?

About Hard Hats and Doormats
Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.

But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.

While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.

Who says nice girls have to finish last?

Order the Book
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Marching Ink
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upcoming appearances

Hard Hats and Doormats is going on tour. You'll be able to check out new details about my debut novel and the story behind the book at virtual and live events beginning this month.

First up, you're invited to a book signing and launch celebration at Indigo Bridge Books on Jan. 12 at 2:30 p.m.


Located in Lincoln's Haymarket District, Indigo Bridge Books is an independent bookstore that focuses on community outreach and literacy. It also holds a special place in my heart for being one of my favorite local writing destinations. Books will be available for sale, I'll be on hand to sign copies and I'll share some stories, cookies and hopefully good times.

I'll also be making a series of guest appearances online throughout the month. This includes my Chick Lit Plus blog tour, which begins Jan. 27.

Jan. 27 – eBook Addict – Q&A
Jan. 28 – Chick Lit Plus – Review
Jan. 29 – eBook Addict – Excerpt
Jan. 30 – Books Etc – Review
Jan. 30 – Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt
Jan. 31 – Chick Lit Goddess – Guest Post, Q&A & Excerpt
Feb. 3 – Books Etc – Guest Post
Feb. 4 – The Book Bag – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
Feb. 5 – Books Etc – Q&A
Feb. 6 – Cat Lavoie – Excerpt
Feb. 7 – Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review & Q&A
Feb. 10 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt 
Be sure to follow the tour for your chance to win a Lexi's Favorite Things Prize Package.
I hope you'll join in the fun however you're able. This should be an exciting month!

And while we're sharing developments, you can check out the new book trailer for Hard Hats and Doormats.



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ringing in a new year - happy 2014

Happy 2014!

I hope you had a fun (but safe) time celebrating the end of one year and beginning of another with your family, friends or cats. I know technically Jan. 1 is just another date on the calendar, but for me, there's something so rewarding and motivating about looking at the first page of a brand new calendar and imagining what possibilities are waiting ahead.

I also have four new calendars (two monthly desk calendars -- one for my work office and one for my home office -- a daily calendar for keeping track of my blog and guest appearances, not to mention the Warwick Men's Rowing Team Calendar, which was a Christmas gift that will keep giving year-long), which makes that even more exciting.

Even though I seldom manage to keep them 100 percent, I also like making New Year's Resolutions. I'm a goal-oriented gal, and this is like a whole holiday dedicated to setting goals. For me, goals are important.

In life, we're all on a quest to be the best version of ourselves. It's a never-ending journey, and setting goals gives you a map to follow along the way.

In the spirit of the season, here's a list of my resolutions for the new year.
Devote five minutes daily to using my journal. I recently picked up Building the Best You: A Two-Year Discovery Journal, and I'm hoping to follow this journal to help me pause for a few minutes every day to consider where I'm at in my life. If I end up tossing it aside after a few weeks, I won't feel too badly, because I got a deal on it. I also planned to do a Joy Jar last year, and I actually have one to use this year -- so this isn't just nagging reflection!Be smarter with money. I need to use the cash flow spreadsheet my sister set-up for me to better manage my finances. While I'm not destitute, I could be handling my finances better so I can build-up my savings, pay off debt faster, etc.Add more physical fitness to my routine. Try for 30 minutes of cardio three times a week. Do 20 minutes of Pilates on the off days.Dine in more, eat out less. Follow the meal plans I make, which means spending less money eating out and throwing out spoiled food. Plus – healthier living.Manage time better. Carve out uninterrupted writing time every day. Aim for one to two hours on weekdays and three hours on weekends. I bought Scrivener yesterday for a steal thanks to my National Novel Writing Month winner's coupon. So that should be fun.Release new titles. Publish two new novels and one or two shorts this year. Complete two novels for 2015 publication.  Stay in touch. Make a better effort to reach out to old friends by sending more frequent text messages, emails, letters and cards.Keep my new apartment cleaner. It’ll make living more comfortable for the cats and I, plus I won't be embarrassed to invite people over.Travel more for pleasure. Find a way to make a long weekend/semi-extended trip once a quarter. Do more day-trips on the weekends during summer.Live and love my life. Even though I have lots of serious goals in place to be more grown-up and responsible, find more time to enjoy my life and the people in it. That doesn’t mean spending more time at bars, but making legit memories.These are all fairly large goals, but ones I've spent a lot of time seriously considering. I've also done some work toward accomplishing all of these anyways, so I already have a leg-up on making this part of my life.

Are any of you making resolutions? Do you have any you'd like to share?

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