Devika Fernando's Blog, page 27
June 20, 2017
Featured - Book Spotlight for "The Truth about Gemma Grey" by Sophie Ranald
About the BookGenre: Chick lit/romantic comedyRelease Date: 19 June 2017
Life isn’t working out quite as Gemma had planned. Her breakthrough job turns out to involve writing clickbait articles about cats. Her boyfriend Jack is off travelling the world with his glamorous BFF and her mum’s social life puts Gemma’s own to shame.
Then, after a late-night online rant, Gemma’s YouTube channel goes viral and everything changes.
Suddenly, she’s living the dream – only it’s not turning out entirely as she imagined.
Gemma realises she’ll have to choose between fame, real love and being true to herself – because she can’t have it all. Or can she?
BUY LINKS
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071KKJ5JL
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KKJ5JL/
About the AuthorSophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to London in her mid-20s. As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she'd never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister's Boyfriend (Wouldn't It?) seemed to write itself. Her second, third and fourth novels followed, and a fifth is due for release in Spring 2017. Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SophieRanald/
Twitter: @sophieranald
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7233995.Sophie_Ranald
Website: https://www.sophieranald.com
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway
#FreeDailyRead - Forbidden, Book 4 (Lady Sotheby's Curse) - Part 2
Chapter 1
Oxford, United Kingdom
Two Days Later
Jayne Clark rounded the corner briskly, her arms full of files stacked precariously on top of each other—and smacked right into someone coming the other way.
The collision brought her stumbling to her knees with a winded oomph.
For a moment, she sat amid the scattered papers, blinking and wondering idly whether the whining sound in her ears was yet another carpenter with a drill straight from hell or whether the past few days had triggered a tinnitus.
If she had known opening her own restaurant would be that much work and stress, she would never have embarked on the endeavor. But then she reminded herself how lucky she was to finally be living with Robert Astor, the man she loved. With his encouragement and support, she felt as if she could accomplish anything.
“Verrry sorrrry, ma’am. So incrrredibly sorrrry.”
The Indian electrician who had collided with her managed somehow to blush beneath his chocolate-colored skin. He was hovering close by, gesticulating frantically and clearly torn between apologizing profusely and wondering whether it was the right thing to do to help her to her feet.
With a defeated sigh, Jayne scrabbled for the papers and stuffed them into the files. By the time she had gathered everything and managed to climb to her feet despite her throbbing knee, the man in his blue overalls was wringing his hands and still apologizing.
“It’s all right, for god’s sake, it’s not like I need an ambulance.” He looked relieved.
She half-jogged and half-limped down the stairs and along a corridor filled with dust and noise from all the workers trying to meet the deadline. As if to taunt her, the banner hanging out front caught her eye in passing.
THE CALIFORNIAN RESTAURANT – GRAND OPENING JULY 18th
Despite the nagging sound in her ears and the dull pain in her knee, Jayne couldn’t help smile a little. Even with the humungous workload and countless responsibilities, it was still a dream come true.
She was only 24 years old, but with Robert’s and Beatrice’s investment and their generous help, she was going to open her own restaurant, for heaven’s sake! And in Oxford, England! All the stress and hard work made it worthwhile.
A still door-less doorway opened into the main kitchen. The room served as an interim office for now, because the bare counters made an excellent replacement for desks and because the actual office was jam-packed with furniture in its protective wrappings.
She squinted against the visual overload and finally found her business partner back towards a corner. An elegant woman in a sharp pantsuit in unforgiving black stood out like a sore thumb in the middle of the chaos.
Jayne shook her head softly. She’d never understand why Beatrice Egerton-Jones would choose to wear these expensive and sorely out of place clothes inside the restaurant under construction, but she’d come to associate it with the young woman and admired how clean and unwrinkled she somehow managed to keep it at the end of each busy day. It was as typical and tell-tale as her penchant for emeralds and her weakness for Jayne’s raspberry tartlets.
“Beatrice!” she yelled, having to repeat herself twice before the woman’s head snapped up from studying a rolled-out site plan.
She waved at Jayne for a second before wheeling around and shouting an order at a man armed with a hammer and nails.
Jayne walked over, maneuvering around cardboard boxes, toolboxes and a tile-less hole in the floor, left open for god knew what last-minute adjustment.
“Jayne.” Beatrice pecked her on both cheeks once she’d set her mountain of files down and narrowly missed dumping them on the floor again. “You look a mite frazzled, if I may say so. Not that we don’t all have a million reasons for being frazzled.” Even shouting so she could be heard over the din, Beatrice sounded posh and proper.
Jayne was used to the British way of talking now, with its way of sugar-coated criticism and being indirectly direct. Three months in Oxford had acclimatized her quickly.
With a grimace, Jayne lifted herself up to perch on the edge of the cluttered counter top, not caring a bit whether her worn-out grey jeans and paint-splattered sweatshirt would get dirty. Frazzled was the understatement of the year. She’d come in here only an hour ago and already felt as if she’d wrangled a dozen disasters. So much was at stake with this startup, so much depended on it being a success. And while that was the main reason for all the pressure, there was always an underlying excitement that propelled her on and that even infected Beatrice with her always-in-control attitude.
Jayne rubbed her sore knee and leaned over to look at the site plan. “Is anything the matter?” she asked.
Beatrice smoothed a hand over her chestnut-brown hair, which was almost always a superfluous gesture—there was never a hair out of place in whatever neat, understated yet beautiful hairstyle she chose for the week. Sometimes Jayne felt like a donkey next to a purebred mare. Sure, she also cleaned up nicely if she made an effort—but with her average height, her blondish brown, almost shoulder-length hair and her naturally slender but not exactly curvy figure, she wasn’t as captivating as Beatrice. Not that Rob minded, judging from how many compliments he always paid Jayne.
“Well, some fool thought it would be a good idea to deliver the potted plants two days early, so now they’re in everyone’s way and likely to be damaged before they’ll ever have a chance to bloom.”
With a grimace, Jayne made a mental note to herself to speak with Jacques, the notorious interior designer from France they’d hired. “I’m sorry, I have no idea how this could happen. I’ll get right on it. Speaking of plants, what do you think of going for seasonal decoration instead of choosing one signature flower arrangement? I’m planning to adjust my menus according to the seasons anyway, so why not also the table decoration and plants out on the patio?”
“Splendid idea. I knew you and I were the perfect match. I’d never know what to do about all the creative aspects, but you seem to have an intuitive grasp on matters.”
Beatrice smiled at her before turning to bark out another order at the construction workers without missing a beat.
Jayne smiled back, feeling ten feet taller at the praise. “Well, I wouldn’t know a loan application from a delivery bill, so I sure as hell wouldn’t have any idea what to do without you.”
The restaurant venture had actually been Beatrice’s idea. She was a friend of Robert’s and had proved to be an invaluable companion in many ways. Like Rob, Beatrice was from a very affluent family, with all the privileges and quirks that came with being wealthy in England. But unlike some women of her status, Beatrice was a hands-on type, willing to actually put in an effort and make a mark for herself instead of letting her family name and money do all the work. With her civil engineering degree from Oxford and a recent MBA from Cambridge, she was the perfect supervisor for all the work that had cropped up during the renovation.
Like Jayne, Beatrice was a great fan of “fusion cuisine”—integrating various cooking styles and ingredients. She was particularly aware of American trends in cuisine that were—according to her—so lamentably late in crossing the ocean and winning over the British. When Jayne had mentioned her love for California cuisine, with its emphasis on fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats and seafood, Beatrice had taken her hands in hers and declared her a heaven-sent blessing—”Oh my god, Jayne—we must open a restaurant together!”
To Jayne, Beatrice was the brains of the business, the one who not only held all strings but also made sure that none of said strings tied themselves into knots. Beatrice handled all the commercial aspects—finance, marketing, server management, B2B and B2C relationships—while Jayne stuck to what she knew best and loved doing. She was the creative one, in charge of everything design-related, the menu, and managing all the kitchen staff, the kitchen and the cooking equipment. And she would be the chef, at least for a while.
Any hesitation about having Beatrice as her business partner had quickly evaporated in the face of the woman’s relentless enthusiasm. Robert was excited about the idea, too. He and Beatrice decided to put up the startup capital together, also taking out a small business loan, and the three of them became one-third equal partners in the venture. Beatrice still lived in London and had already reduced her job at an international construction firm, which required a lot of traveling around Western Europe, to half time. As soon as the restaurant officially opened, Beatrice planned to quit the job altogether so she could concentrate wholly on the fledgling operation.
It took Jayne a full minute to realize that the increased whining in her ears was in fact the ringtone of her cell phone, half drowned-out.
Robert’s name flashed, making her heart skip a beat. Though they’d technically been together for more than a year now, she still got that giddy feeling whenever he called or they spent time together. She knew that feeling would eventually fade, but she wanted to hold onto it as long as possible.
Their corner of the kitchen was comparatively quiet despite the commotion all around them, so Jayne answered the call in front of Beatrice, sending an apologetic smile her way.
“Rob, hi.”
“Hello, darling.” His deep voice traveled straight to her heart. “Am I disturbing you?”
“Never,” she said, and she meant it.
“I’ve got some of the investment documents ready for you and Bea to sign. Stock certificates, liability insurance forms, you know the drill…” No, she didn’t know the drill—which is why Beatrice and Robert’s help was invaluable. “I’m on the train from London, about to arrive in Oxford, in fact. Why don’t you pop over to the house and we go over the documents, shall we?”
Pop over, Jayne thought. She’d quickly learned that nobody in Oxford ever drove, walked, bicycled or simply came over—they “popped” over. Beatrice detected Jayne’s smile and raised an eyebrow.
To Robert, Jayne said, “Why don’t you just ‘pop over’ here, and then both of us can get this whole signing issue out of the way. We could show you the latest progress, and…”
“Darling?” Something about his tone made her stop mid-sentence, her belly fluttering. “Did you miss me?”
Her response was immediate—he’d been away in China all week. “Yes, of course.”
“I missed you too. Terribly. So terribly, in fact, that I’d rather have you all to myself for a few precious hours. Why don’t we meet in the quiet of our home so I can show you just how much I’ve been pining for you?”
His voice had dropped into a lower register, deep and sexy, making her toes curl in her shoes.
“Oh…” Her breath left her in an anticipatory sigh, but then she remembered Beatrice was watching her, and she felt a twinge of awkwardness. “Um…yeah, sure.”
When Jayne cut the call, Beatrice asked, “Is Rob on his way?” There was a knowing smile on her face.
“Well, we’re meeting at the house.” Now Jayne felt even more awkward. Rob and Beatrice had been close friends from way back in prep school, had even dated a little, but both had realized that romance between them was a bad idea, and had decided to keep their relationship platonic. Beatrice was now engaged to Damien, one of her classmates from Cambridge, and they seemed to be suited for each other just as well as Jayne and Robert were.
Jayne said, “I’m meeting him at the house to pick up the documents for us to sign. I’m sorry for deserting you like this…”
Her business partner shooed her away with another smile. “Off you go, off you go.” She paused and gave a little wink. “Love bird.”
Hoping she wasn’t blushing, Jayne muttered a goodbye and left.
Read Part 1 here
Don't want to wait? Pre-order the book now (release date is June 30th)!
June 19, 2017
#FreeDailyRead - Forbidden, Book 4 (Lady Sotheby's Curse) - Part 1
As some of you may know, I shared my free romance novella When I See Your Face as a daily serial on my blog in 2017. You can have a look at it here. Now it's time for another book to be published as a free daily read.
I'm excited to share the romantic suspense novel Forbidden - Book 4 (Lady Sotheby's Curse) with you all, once again coauthored with Amazon-bestselling author Mike Wells. Stay tuned for a post on each weekday!
Blurb It's been almost a year since Lady Eleanor Sotheby leaped from a hotel balcony into the abyss. Jayne Clark is now living an entirely new life in Oxford, England, with Robert Astor, the man she loves. The horrific memories are finally starting to fade.
That's when the malicious envelope arrives in the mail.
It's a blackmail letter.
And the criminal behind it threatens to destroy everything.
Free Daily Read, Part 1 Prologue
Geneva, Switzerland
Spite.
Resentment.
Rage.
These were the emotions cloying the air as the shocking blackmail letter slowly took form. The text had already been composed, on the plane to Geneva, Switzerland, written in pencil on a legal pad with many corrections until the tone and language were perfect. The damning letter was sophisticated yet nasty at the same time. Oh yes, it would achieve the desired results.
Now, hunched over a desk in a Swiss hotel room, the blackmailer was using a pair of tweezers to painstakingly glue individual letters, cut from British tabloid newspapers, onto a blank sheet of paper. Of course, in these modern times there were other ways to send such a missive—safer ways, perhaps—but the impact would not have been as powerful. Even half finished, the letter was shocking simply in its appearance, with the different type fonts and colors, some letters in capitals and others in lower case, arranged in not-quite-straight lines across the paper. There was something vicious about the way it looked, as if the person sending it were slightly deranged, and perhaps dangerous.
This was good. This was very good.
Also on the hotel room desk were two high quality color photos that had been torn from tabloid newspapers. According to the captions, one picture showed “international socialite Celeste Sotheby” frolicking on the beach with one of her young lovers. The other photo, from an article that had been published a year later in the same tabloid, also appeared to show Celeste Sotheby in the companionship of a man—in this picture, she was sitting next to her “fiancé,” the young, dashing British aristocrat Robert Astor. They were dining together at a Paris restaurant, a few months before their wedding. Such a lovely couple, exchanging adoring glances, oozing money and status from every pore.
But there was a big, delicious secret, a secret that no one in the world except Robert and his family knew about. The smiling, well-dressed girl sitting there next to Robert Astor was not Celeste Sotheby but a girl who simply looked exactly like Celeste. Said girl was, in fact, Jayne Clark, a nobody from Wichita, Kansas. Separated at birth, Jayne was Celeste’s twin sister.
This mysterious twin had come over from America, to her sister’s rescue, because her stupid sibling had gotten herself pregnant by another man while engaged to Robert Astor. Jayne had posed as Celeste while the real Celeste was hidden away in Southern France and secretly gave birth to the child.
Such a devious plan, one had to admit that.
But alas, the wedding had never taken place. Jayne and Robert had fallen in love, and apparently, even though the bitch had scammed him by impersonating her sister, he had forgiven her and they were now quietly living together in Oxford, England.
She and Robert were going to pay, or the whole world would know about their sordid past.
If you studied the two tabloid photos very closely, side-by-side, with the aid of a magnifying glass, there was one slight but crucial anatomical difference between the two females in the photos. This subtle difference had been highlighted with bright red circles of magic marker, courtesy of the criminal mind so diligently at work at the moment.
* * *
The following afternoon, the blackmailer entered Terminal 3 of Heathrow International Airport pulling a carry-on, wearing dark sunglasses, a stylish hat, and a light knee-length coat. To the casual observer, the outfit did not look like a disguise but rather like the attire of an air traveler with bad taste who was trying to appear chic.
The damning letter, addressed with a computer-printed label and affixed with two self-adhesive postage stamps, was inside the coat pocket. A piece of blank paper was folded in half around it so that it would not have to be touched with bare fingers, which might leave prints on the envelope. Wearing gloves in the airport, in June, would attract too much attention—even bad taste would not account for that.
The mastermind behind this wicked plan casually headed towards the post office, but not without some hesitation. The CCTV cameras scattered everywhere around the airport would not be a problem, because only the police could access their recordings. Although Jayne would immediately tell Robert about the letter when she received it, neither Robert nor his socially-prominent parents—the esteemed Lord and Lady Astor—could afford to get the police involved. If they did that, all bets were off. Robert Astor would most likely hire a private detective to investigate. The risks were minimal.
On the other hand, if caught, extortion was a serious crime—in the UK, you could go to jail for up to fourteen years if convicted for it.
A few minutes later, the criminal entered the post office.
...with a pounding heart, approached the letter box...
There were a few annoyed-looking people standing in line at the counters.
…no one paying any attention...
This is it, the blackmailer thought. Once I push this envelope through the slot, there’s no turning back.
Don't want to wait? Pre-order the book now (release date is June 30th)!
I'm excited to share the romantic suspense novel Forbidden - Book 4 (Lady Sotheby's Curse) with you all, once again coauthored with Amazon-bestselling author Mike Wells. Stay tuned for a post on each weekday!
Blurb It's been almost a year since Lady Eleanor Sotheby leaped from a hotel balcony into the abyss. Jayne Clark is now living an entirely new life in Oxford, England, with Robert Astor, the man she loves. The horrific memories are finally starting to fade.That's when the malicious envelope arrives in the mail.
It's a blackmail letter.
And the criminal behind it threatens to destroy everything.
Free Daily Read, Part 1 PrologueGeneva, Switzerland
Spite.
Resentment.
Rage.
These were the emotions cloying the air as the shocking blackmail letter slowly took form. The text had already been composed, on the plane to Geneva, Switzerland, written in pencil on a legal pad with many corrections until the tone and language were perfect. The damning letter was sophisticated yet nasty at the same time. Oh yes, it would achieve the desired results.
Now, hunched over a desk in a Swiss hotel room, the blackmailer was using a pair of tweezers to painstakingly glue individual letters, cut from British tabloid newspapers, onto a blank sheet of paper. Of course, in these modern times there were other ways to send such a missive—safer ways, perhaps—but the impact would not have been as powerful. Even half finished, the letter was shocking simply in its appearance, with the different type fonts and colors, some letters in capitals and others in lower case, arranged in not-quite-straight lines across the paper. There was something vicious about the way it looked, as if the person sending it were slightly deranged, and perhaps dangerous.
This was good. This was very good.
Also on the hotel room desk were two high quality color photos that had been torn from tabloid newspapers. According to the captions, one picture showed “international socialite Celeste Sotheby” frolicking on the beach with one of her young lovers. The other photo, from an article that had been published a year later in the same tabloid, also appeared to show Celeste Sotheby in the companionship of a man—in this picture, she was sitting next to her “fiancé,” the young, dashing British aristocrat Robert Astor. They were dining together at a Paris restaurant, a few months before their wedding. Such a lovely couple, exchanging adoring glances, oozing money and status from every pore.
But there was a big, delicious secret, a secret that no one in the world except Robert and his family knew about. The smiling, well-dressed girl sitting there next to Robert Astor was not Celeste Sotheby but a girl who simply looked exactly like Celeste. Said girl was, in fact, Jayne Clark, a nobody from Wichita, Kansas. Separated at birth, Jayne was Celeste’s twin sister.
This mysterious twin had come over from America, to her sister’s rescue, because her stupid sibling had gotten herself pregnant by another man while engaged to Robert Astor. Jayne had posed as Celeste while the real Celeste was hidden away in Southern France and secretly gave birth to the child.
Such a devious plan, one had to admit that.
But alas, the wedding had never taken place. Jayne and Robert had fallen in love, and apparently, even though the bitch had scammed him by impersonating her sister, he had forgiven her and they were now quietly living together in Oxford, England.
She and Robert were going to pay, or the whole world would know about their sordid past.
If you studied the two tabloid photos very closely, side-by-side, with the aid of a magnifying glass, there was one slight but crucial anatomical difference between the two females in the photos. This subtle difference had been highlighted with bright red circles of magic marker, courtesy of the criminal mind so diligently at work at the moment.
* * *
The following afternoon, the blackmailer entered Terminal 3 of Heathrow International Airport pulling a carry-on, wearing dark sunglasses, a stylish hat, and a light knee-length coat. To the casual observer, the outfit did not look like a disguise but rather like the attire of an air traveler with bad taste who was trying to appear chic.
The damning letter, addressed with a computer-printed label and affixed with two self-adhesive postage stamps, was inside the coat pocket. A piece of blank paper was folded in half around it so that it would not have to be touched with bare fingers, which might leave prints on the envelope. Wearing gloves in the airport, in June, would attract too much attention—even bad taste would not account for that.
The mastermind behind this wicked plan casually headed towards the post office, but not without some hesitation. The CCTV cameras scattered everywhere around the airport would not be a problem, because only the police could access their recordings. Although Jayne would immediately tell Robert about the letter when she received it, neither Robert nor his socially-prominent parents—the esteemed Lord and Lady Astor—could afford to get the police involved. If they did that, all bets were off. Robert Astor would most likely hire a private detective to investigate. The risks were minimal.
On the other hand, if caught, extortion was a serious crime—in the UK, you could go to jail for up to fourteen years if convicted for it.
A few minutes later, the criminal entered the post office.
...with a pounding heart, approached the letter box...
There were a few annoyed-looking people standing in line at the counters.
…no one paying any attention...
This is it, the blackmailer thought. Once I push this envelope through the slot, there’s no turning back.
Don't want to wait? Pre-order the book now (release date is June 30th)!
June 17, 2017
Coauthoring - A Challenge or Fun?
Have you ever read a book written by more than one author? I have – and I’ve gone a step further and also written a book with another author. Bestselling author Mike Wells offered me this unique chance in 2014, and I’m glad I took it. We wrote the romantic suspense trilogy Forbidden together – and this year, we’ll be releasing the long-awaited sequels. Many of the readers and authors who know about this project have asked me about coauthoring, so here are a few personal insights.
What's Coauthoring? Don’t mistake coauthoring for ghostwriting. The former involves two people and their input into a book, the latter means one person does all the work and another person gets credited for it and sells it. Coauthoring can be compared to a multi-author anthology, with the difference that there aren’t many stories contributed to one collection but one story with two contributors. Another term for this is collaborative fiction. This principle is fairly common in non-fiction but still rather rare in fiction. However, co-writing is on the rise.
There are different ways how to handle co-authoring:An author takes another author’s finished (but unpublished) work, edits and remodels it, and publishes it.Both authors brainstorm an idea and plot, and one author writes the first draft. The second author will then edit and rewrite to publish the book.Both authors write simultaneously or in instalments / chapters until they finish, edit and publish the book together.
Mike Wells has tried both the first as well as the second method (with me). As for the third method, it works well too. There are quite a lot of books coauthored by a husband-and-wife duo or authors who are friends. Sometimes the team publishes under a common pseudonym, as is the case with Grant Naylor, Lewis Padgett and Judith Michael. Other coauthored books display the renowned author’s name prominently and show the coauthor’s name in smaller font. Usually the royalty is split or there are some other (financial) benefits for the co-author.
Here are some other examples of authors who ‘hire’ co-authors (some of them really famous):
- Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston
- James Patterson
- Bella Andre
- Tom Clancy
- Wilbur Smith
- Nicci Gerard & Sean French
- Janet Evanovich
- Clive Cussler
The Fun: Advantages & Tips From my point of view, I can see many reasons for / advantages of collaborative fiction.One of the team might have specific experiences or special knowledge the other author doesn’t have.It’s a great opportunity for those who don’t have enough time, because you’re sharing the workload.You can learn a lot in the process, maybe even rediscover yourself or venture into other genres.
Here’s Mike Wells’ take on why and how authors can benefit from coauthored books: “One of the main reasons I am doing it is to amplify my range and output—the more titles you have out there, the more books you sell and the larger your reader base grows. The risk, of course, is that you produce books of lower quality due to various factors, such as the “too many cooks spoil the broth” problem. However, I think by carefully agreeing up front exactly how the book will go, who will do what, etc., you can avoid this problem and actually have a synergistic result, a book that is better than either author might produce on his/her own for the reasons Devika stated above.”
The Challenge: What to Keep in Mind Of course there are things to be considered. Coauthoring a book isn’t just fun but a lot of work too. You need to connect on some level so you can collaborate. The authors need to show dedication and respect for each other and the writing. It’s important that you communicate clearly and regularly, although I know that some authors mostly work on their own / do their part and then “meet” again at the end. There needs to be a sort of “working plan”, each author needs to know their tasks and responsibilities. The authors have to discuss and agree on copyright, earnings, distribution and marketing. Communication is essential during every step of the way, and you need to work together on more than one level – often after publishing too because of promotional efforts.
There are various famous examples of coauthored books, and there’s a lot of advice to be found on the internet. Personally, I am excited about the outcome of my stint with coauthoring. “Forbidden”, the romantic thriller series I coauthored with Mike Wells, is available for download here: http://www.devikafernando.com/forbidden.html
Book 1 is free | Book 4 is available for pre-order now (releasing June 30th) and will be serially published on my blog from next week on.
What's Coauthoring? Don’t mistake coauthoring for ghostwriting. The former involves two people and their input into a book, the latter means one person does all the work and another person gets credited for it and sells it. Coauthoring can be compared to a multi-author anthology, with the difference that there aren’t many stories contributed to one collection but one story with two contributors. Another term for this is collaborative fiction. This principle is fairly common in non-fiction but still rather rare in fiction. However, co-writing is on the rise.There are different ways how to handle co-authoring:An author takes another author’s finished (but unpublished) work, edits and remodels it, and publishes it.Both authors brainstorm an idea and plot, and one author writes the first draft. The second author will then edit and rewrite to publish the book.Both authors write simultaneously or in instalments / chapters until they finish, edit and publish the book together.
Mike Wells has tried both the first as well as the second method (with me). As for the third method, it works well too. There are quite a lot of books coauthored by a husband-and-wife duo or authors who are friends. Sometimes the team publishes under a common pseudonym, as is the case with Grant Naylor, Lewis Padgett and Judith Michael. Other coauthored books display the renowned author’s name prominently and show the coauthor’s name in smaller font. Usually the royalty is split or there are some other (financial) benefits for the co-author.
Here are some other examples of authors who ‘hire’ co-authors (some of them really famous):
- Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston
- James Patterson
- Bella Andre
- Tom Clancy
- Wilbur Smith
- Nicci Gerard & Sean French
- Janet Evanovich
- Clive Cussler
The Fun: Advantages & Tips From my point of view, I can see many reasons for / advantages of collaborative fiction.One of the team might have specific experiences or special knowledge the other author doesn’t have.It’s a great opportunity for those who don’t have enough time, because you’re sharing the workload.You can learn a lot in the process, maybe even rediscover yourself or venture into other genres.Here’s Mike Wells’ take on why and how authors can benefit from coauthored books: “One of the main reasons I am doing it is to amplify my range and output—the more titles you have out there, the more books you sell and the larger your reader base grows. The risk, of course, is that you produce books of lower quality due to various factors, such as the “too many cooks spoil the broth” problem. However, I think by carefully agreeing up front exactly how the book will go, who will do what, etc., you can avoid this problem and actually have a synergistic result, a book that is better than either author might produce on his/her own for the reasons Devika stated above.”
The Challenge: What to Keep in Mind Of course there are things to be considered. Coauthoring a book isn’t just fun but a lot of work too. You need to connect on some level so you can collaborate. The authors need to show dedication and respect for each other and the writing. It’s important that you communicate clearly and regularly, although I know that some authors mostly work on their own / do their part and then “meet” again at the end. There needs to be a sort of “working plan”, each author needs to know their tasks and responsibilities. The authors have to discuss and agree on copyright, earnings, distribution and marketing. Communication is essential during every step of the way, and you need to work together on more than one level – often after publishing too because of promotional efforts.There are various famous examples of coauthored books, and there’s a lot of advice to be found on the internet. Personally, I am excited about the outcome of my stint with coauthoring. “Forbidden”, the romantic thriller series I coauthored with Mike Wells, is available for download here: http://www.devikafernando.com/forbidden.html
Book 1 is free | Book 4 is available for pre-order now (releasing June 30th) and will be serially published on my blog from next week on.
June 14, 2017
Romantic Suspense Novel 'Forbidden, Book 4' Available for Pre-Order
The FORBIDDEN series continues!
Some of you may know that I have coauthored a romantic suspense series with Amazon-bestselling author Mike Wells from America. The FORBIDDEN Trilogy was exciting new territory for me (I'll share my coauthoring experiences soon), and I'm happy to announce that Mike and I have been working on its sequels ever since its release. Book 4, titled Lady Sotheby's Curse, is now available for pre-order. Release day is June 30th.
A click on one of the following links will take you to the book: Amazon, GooglePlay, Apple iBooks, B&N Nook, Kobo, Smashwords
It's been almost a year since Lady Eleanor Sotheby leaped from a hotel balcony into the abyss. Jayne Clark is now living an entirely new life in Oxford, England, with Robert Astor, the man she loves. The horrific memories are finally starting to fade.That's when the malicious envelope arrives in the mail.
It's a blackmail letter.
And the criminal behind it threatens to destroy everything.
More Books If you haven't read the FORBIDDEN series yet, here's your chance to catch up: You can either download Book 1 for free and then get the other two books or buy all 3 books in one.
Book 1 as a free download
Forbidden - Books 1, 2 and 3
And while we're talking about free books - how about some more freebies by my awesome coauthor Mike Wells? They're a great way to get hooked on his series. You can find the download links here.
June 7, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Andre from "Upon Your Love" by Marie Lavender
I love getting to know the characters of books better. This week, I'm chatting to another character from Marie Lavender's latest historical romance novel "Upon Your Love". I interviewed Annabelle recently; now it's Andre's turn.
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, André. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
André: (Bows and sits down.) I appreciate the invitation, Madame.
Devika: André, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
André: Well, I work as a tradesman near the harbor. I own several ships, and thereby make deals with clients who have requirements for certain products. Mostly, I do not go on journeys with the ship captains, but now and then I must to maintain order, to mediate between various parties. My father trained both myself and my brother in the family business, but a few years ago, I broke from them and began to develop my own business contacts. Besides, success should be well-earned instead of provided simply because of your family’s name.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
André: I still have my parents, my older brother and young sister Lina.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Annabelle?
André: I received an invitation to attend a young woman’s season ball. It was fairly customary to go, so I did. I only expected to perhaps cultivate business associations and, of course, keep up appearances for my family’s reputation. However, when I saw her, she was the most stunning girl I’d ever seen. Bright red hair, the most compelling blue eyes. I’ve never suffered from speechlessness in my life, but with her it was difficult at first to overcome the disability. My brother warned me away from her, yet I could not ignore what my instincts were telling me.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?
André: No one else could’ve gotten my attention in her gentle, affectionate ways. Plus, she’s brilliant, smarter than her family ever gave her credit for. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since the night we met.
Devika: You strike me as someone who knows what he wants. What gives you your strength? Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
André: Yes. I’d like to pretend that everything in my life has been perfect, but it has not. My brother Michel was always distant with me. It was his careless attitude, as well as the favoritism my father showed toward him, that urged me to forge my own path. Also, I firmly believe that meeting Annabelle guided me in the right direction.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
André: I always had a great love for the sea, and for a time, I entertained becoming a captain. Fate led me elsewhere. Now, I’d prefer to grow my company into a force that spans more than simply one port. I would also like to settle down at some point, have a wife and a family.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
André: (Frowns.) I’m afraid I was far too foolish, that I overstepped with Annabelle, and perhaps lost the best thing, the best person in my life, the one for whom I was born to live.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
André: I wish I could somehow, some way, convince Annabelle to forgive me. I yearn for her like no other.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Blurb for Upon Your Love
The Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
Purchase Links
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
myBook.to/UYL
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-love-marie-lavender/1125931721
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Upon-Your-Love/Marie-Lavender/9781625265401?id=6842447479054
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887
Trailer: https://youtu.be/UVENg4kOros
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
http://www.ambrosiainnovations.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, André. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.André: (Bows and sits down.) I appreciate the invitation, Madame.
Devika: André, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
André: Well, I work as a tradesman near the harbor. I own several ships, and thereby make deals with clients who have requirements for certain products. Mostly, I do not go on journeys with the ship captains, but now and then I must to maintain order, to mediate between various parties. My father trained both myself and my brother in the family business, but a few years ago, I broke from them and began to develop my own business contacts. Besides, success should be well-earned instead of provided simply because of your family’s name.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
André: I still have my parents, my older brother and young sister Lina.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Annabelle?
André: I received an invitation to attend a young woman’s season ball. It was fairly customary to go, so I did. I only expected to perhaps cultivate business associations and, of course, keep up appearances for my family’s reputation. However, when I saw her, she was the most stunning girl I’d ever seen. Bright red hair, the most compelling blue eyes. I’ve never suffered from speechlessness in my life, but with her it was difficult at first to overcome the disability. My brother warned me away from her, yet I could not ignore what my instincts were telling me.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one?
André: No one else could’ve gotten my attention in her gentle, affectionate ways. Plus, she’s brilliant, smarter than her family ever gave her credit for. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since the night we met.
Devika: You strike me as someone who knows what he wants. What gives you your strength? Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
André: Yes. I’d like to pretend that everything in my life has been perfect, but it has not. My brother Michel was always distant with me. It was his careless attitude, as well as the favoritism my father showed toward him, that urged me to forge my own path. Also, I firmly believe that meeting Annabelle guided me in the right direction.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
André: I always had a great love for the sea, and for a time, I entertained becoming a captain. Fate led me elsewhere. Now, I’d prefer to grow my company into a force that spans more than simply one port. I would also like to settle down at some point, have a wife and a family.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
André: (Frowns.) I’m afraid I was far too foolish, that I overstepped with Annabelle, and perhaps lost the best thing, the best person in my life, the one for whom I was born to live.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
André: I wish I could somehow, some way, convince Annabelle to forgive me. I yearn for her like no other.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Blurb for Upon Your LoveThe Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
Purchase Links
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
myBook.to/UYL
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-love-marie-lavender/1125931721
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Upon-Your-Love/Marie-Lavender/9781625265401?id=6842447479054
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887
Trailer: https://youtu.be/UVENg4kOros
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
http://www.ambrosiainnovations.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
June 4, 2017
Featured - Book Spotlight on "The Man in the Needlecord Jacket" by Linda MacDonald
About the BookGenre: Adult contemporary fiction; Domestic NoirRelease Date: 28th May 2017
Publisher: Matador – An imprint of Troubador Publishing
The Man in the Needlecord Jacket follows the story of two women who are each struggling to let go of a long-term destructive partnership. Felicity is reluctant to detach from her estranged archaeologist husband and, after being banished from the family home, she sets out to test the stability of his relationship with his new love, Marianne.
When Felicity meets Coll, a charismatic artist, she has high hopes of being distracted from her failed marriage. What she doesn’t know is that he has a partner, Sarah, with whom he has planned a future. Sarah is deeply in love with Coll, but his controlling behaviour and associations with other women have always made her life difficult. When he becomes obsessed with Felicity, Sarah’s world collapses and a series of events is set in motion that will challenge the integrity of all the characters involved.
The Man in the Needlecord Jacket is a thought-provoking book, written from the perspectives of Sarah and Felicity. The reader is in the privileged position of knowing what’s going on for both of the women, while each of them is being kept in the dark about a very important issue.
Inspired by the work of Margaret Atwood and Fay Weldon, Linda explores the issue of mental abuse in partnerships and the grey area of an infidelity that is emotional, not physical. The book will appeal to readers interested in the psychology of relationships, as well as fans of Linda’s ‘Lydia’ series.
BUY LINKS
AMAZON UK
AMAZON US
TROUBADOR
About the AuthorLinda MacDonald is the author of three independently published novels: Meeting Lydia and the stand-alone sequels, A Meeting of a Different Kind and The Alone Alternative. They are all contemporary adult fiction, multi-themed, but with a focus on relationship issues.After studying psychology at Goldsmiths', Linda trained as a secondary science and biology teacher. She taught these subjects for several years before moving to a sixth-form college to teach psychology. In 2012, she gave up teaching to focus fully on writing.
Linda was born and brought up in Cockermouth, Cumbria and now lives in Beckenham, Kent.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeetingLydia/
Twitter: @LindaMac1
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4870870.Linda_MacDonald
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 2, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Ethan from "Frost on My Pillow" by Leah Hamrick
Yesterday, you learned more about Lyla, the gifted heroine from "Frost on My Pillow" by Leah Hamrick (click here for the character interview). Today, Ethan spills the beans on my blog.
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Ethan. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Ethan: *crosses arms over chest* “What’s up?”
Devika: Ethan, I’m curious to find out more about you. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?
Ethan: *grins* well, I’m an Ice Bringer, someone who can control Ice… and well, water for that matter. I live in Toledo Ohio, I’m eighteen years old, and I drive a shiny red truck. I come off as a bit of a troublemaker, but honestly, I am the boy-next-door type. If you want adventurous and weird, Rylan is your go-to guy.”
Devika: Okay. What about your family background?
Ethan: *sighs, giving off a huge frown.* well, the only one in my family worth mentioning is my mom. She is amazing, and I love her a lot. My dad? Screw him. He pretended that he was dead for three years…. staged his own death. He’s a bigger bastard than I ever thought. He was hiding over in the Summer Solstice the whole time, using Lyla, my beautiful girlfriend, as a punching bag. If I find him, I’ll kill him. I swear to god.
Devika: I see, that’s rather horrible. So, how did you meet Lyla?
Ethan: *smacks hand over face* “God, it’s a long story, one you’d better ask her. Wait, I think you already asked her that. She tells it better!”
Devika: Fascinating. And what about Rylan, how does he fit into the bigger picture?
Ethan: *narrows eyes, growling* “That asshole is trying to steal my freaking girlfriend! He’s a demon that can turn into whatever he wants. He likes to use his demonic powers and be all nasty. He seems friendly and outgoing, but I know deep inside there is something brewing.”
Devika: Cool. So, tell us more about yourself. What makes you special?
Ethan: “I already said. i can freeze stuff!”
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Ethan: I want to become a chef, and go to culinary school. I plan on getting my own home and having Lyla move in, but who knows what she wants.” *blushes*
Devika: Aww, that's cute. And what is your greatest fear?
Ethan: “Losing Lyla to the demons that are after her.”
Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Ethan: “For these demons and fallen angels to leave Lyla alone.”
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Buy link: getBook.at/FrostonmyPillow
Blurb: One girl, one voice, one magical charm that could change the universe if it falls into the wrong hands…
One boy who will do anything to protect her, even if that means laying down his own life to keep the demons away…
One love that’s sure to show in the stars…
She’s Fire, he’s Ice.
About the Author Leah Hamrick lives in Michigan with her partner in crime husband Jon, young daughter Khloey, and plethora of reptiles, fish, and a tree frog named Sticky. She can always be found with her nose in a YA book, daydreaming and thinking up new ideas for a story, and trying to figure out how to make a characters chemistry clash with one another’s. She is a fan of romance, and anything paranormal. She gets the inspiration for her stories from things that have happened in her real life—except the paranormal/fantasy aspect… She wishes she were that awesome! She enjoys listening to heavy metal music, traveling, watching bad reality TV, and everything pink. She hopes that one day she can be become a well known author, and to keep writing stories for everyone to enjoy for years to come.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spellbindingbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kookycharacters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leah-Hamrick/e/B01MSHHOUS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Ethan. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Ethan: *crosses arms over chest* “What’s up?”
Devika: Ethan, I’m curious to find out more about you. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?
Ethan: *grins* well, I’m an Ice Bringer, someone who can control Ice… and well, water for that matter. I live in Toledo Ohio, I’m eighteen years old, and I drive a shiny red truck. I come off as a bit of a troublemaker, but honestly, I am the boy-next-door type. If you want adventurous and weird, Rylan is your go-to guy.”
Devika: Okay. What about your family background?
Ethan: *sighs, giving off a huge frown.* well, the only one in my family worth mentioning is my mom. She is amazing, and I love her a lot. My dad? Screw him. He pretended that he was dead for three years…. staged his own death. He’s a bigger bastard than I ever thought. He was hiding over in the Summer Solstice the whole time, using Lyla, my beautiful girlfriend, as a punching bag. If I find him, I’ll kill him. I swear to god.
Devika: I see, that’s rather horrible. So, how did you meet Lyla?
Ethan: *smacks hand over face* “God, it’s a long story, one you’d better ask her. Wait, I think you already asked her that. She tells it better!”
Devika: Fascinating. And what about Rylan, how does he fit into the bigger picture?
Ethan: *narrows eyes, growling* “That asshole is trying to steal my freaking girlfriend! He’s a demon that can turn into whatever he wants. He likes to use his demonic powers and be all nasty. He seems friendly and outgoing, but I know deep inside there is something brewing.”
Devika: Cool. So, tell us more about yourself. What makes you special?
Ethan: “I already said. i can freeze stuff!”
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Ethan: I want to become a chef, and go to culinary school. I plan on getting my own home and having Lyla move in, but who knows what she wants.” *blushes*
Devika: Aww, that's cute. And what is your greatest fear?
Ethan: “Losing Lyla to the demons that are after her.”
Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Ethan: “For these demons and fallen angels to leave Lyla alone.”
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Buy link: getBook.at/FrostonmyPillowBlurb: One girl, one voice, one magical charm that could change the universe if it falls into the wrong hands…
One boy who will do anything to protect her, even if that means laying down his own life to keep the demons away…
One love that’s sure to show in the stars…
She’s Fire, he’s Ice.
About the Author Leah Hamrick lives in Michigan with her partner in crime husband Jon, young daughter Khloey, and plethora of reptiles, fish, and a tree frog named Sticky. She can always be found with her nose in a YA book, daydreaming and thinking up new ideas for a story, and trying to figure out how to make a characters chemistry clash with one another’s. She is a fan of romance, and anything paranormal. She gets the inspiration for her stories from things that have happened in her real life—except the paranormal/fantasy aspect… She wishes she were that awesome! She enjoys listening to heavy metal music, traveling, watching bad reality TV, and everything pink. She hopes that one day she can be become a well known author, and to keep writing stories for everyone to enjoy for years to come.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spellbindingbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kookycharacters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leah-Hamrick/e/B01MSHHOUS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
June 1, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Lyla from "Frost on My Pillow" by Leah Hamrick
I haven't featured a paranormal novel in a while, so it's lovely to have Lyla over for a character interview. Stay tuned for a chat with Ethan from the same book soon!
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Lyla. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Lyla: *walks in with an air of confidence* “What’s up, Devika? This is freaking awesome, I’ve always wanted an interview!”
Devika: Lyla, I’m curious to find out more about you. You’re still going to high school, right?
Lyla: “You want to know about me? You’re gonna make my think? I like to ramble a lot, and most of that happens in my mind… okay, here we go. I’m a Fire Bringer, a person who wields the ability to use fire. I used to live in the Summer Solstice, until my stupid stepdad decided to lay his hands on me again. I made a run for it. And yes, I do go to school currently, which is amazing, cause back home I graduated in the eighth grade, it wasn’t a requirement to keep going our school stopped, and we went to work on our family’s farms until we could get married to our betrothed.
Devika: Okay, that’s a lot to take in. What about your family background?
Lyla: *Makes a pheesh noise* “Trust me, there isn’t much to tell. My mom let my stepdad do what he wanted to me, and didn’t even bat an eyelash. Next question.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Ethan?
Lyla: *Starts to giggle uncontrollably.* “I caught his ex Miranda’s hair on fire in class, and since he sat right behind her, he got blamed and almost got arrested. I had to go down and be a witness that he didn’t do anything.”
Devika: Fascinating. And what about Rylan?
Lyla: “Rylan is the one who found me in a park, sleeping on the ground. He is a bit of an oddball.”
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. Tell us more about yourself. What makes you special?
Lyla: “Like I said before, I have fire powers. My boyfriend, Ethan, has powers as well… and then there’s Rylan. He isn’t human either. What a life, right? LOL moment.”
Devika: You strike me as a girl who’s facing some real issues. What gives you your strength? Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Lyla: “Rylan and Ethan both give me strength. They are my biggest supporters in what I want to do, so I can’t complain.”
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Lyla: “I dream of going to college, and maybe one day getting married.” *blushes*
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Lyla: “Losing Ethan or Rylan to the enemies that are going after my special charm.”
Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Lyla: “I don't know, maybe a huge pizza? Yeah, I like pizza.”
Devika: I’m a huge fan of pizza too! *grins* I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Buy link: getBook.at/FrostonmyPillow
Blurb: One girl, one voice, one magical charm that could change the universe if it falls into the wrong hands…
One boy who will do anything to protect her, even if that means laying down his own life to keep the demons away…
One love that’s sure to show in the stars…
She’s Fire, he’s Ice.
Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Lyla. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Lyla: *walks in with an air of confidence* “What’s up, Devika? This is freaking awesome, I’ve always wanted an interview!”
Devika: Lyla, I’m curious to find out more about you. You’re still going to high school, right?
Lyla: “You want to know about me? You’re gonna make my think? I like to ramble a lot, and most of that happens in my mind… okay, here we go. I’m a Fire Bringer, a person who wields the ability to use fire. I used to live in the Summer Solstice, until my stupid stepdad decided to lay his hands on me again. I made a run for it. And yes, I do go to school currently, which is amazing, cause back home I graduated in the eighth grade, it wasn’t a requirement to keep going our school stopped, and we went to work on our family’s farms until we could get married to our betrothed.
Devika: Okay, that’s a lot to take in. What about your family background?
Lyla: *Makes a pheesh noise* “Trust me, there isn’t much to tell. My mom let my stepdad do what he wanted to me, and didn’t even bat an eyelash. Next question.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet Ethan?
Lyla: *Starts to giggle uncontrollably.* “I caught his ex Miranda’s hair on fire in class, and since he sat right behind her, he got blamed and almost got arrested. I had to go down and be a witness that he didn’t do anything.”
Devika: Fascinating. And what about Rylan?
Lyla: “Rylan is the one who found me in a park, sleeping on the ground. He is a bit of an oddball.”
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. Tell us more about yourself. What makes you special?
Lyla: “Like I said before, I have fire powers. My boyfriend, Ethan, has powers as well… and then there’s Rylan. He isn’t human either. What a life, right? LOL moment.”
Devika: You strike me as a girl who’s facing some real issues. What gives you your strength? Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Lyla: “Rylan and Ethan both give me strength. They are my biggest supporters in what I want to do, so I can’t complain.”
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Lyla: “I dream of going to college, and maybe one day getting married.” *blushes*
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Lyla: “Losing Ethan or Rylan to the enemies that are going after my special charm.”
Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Lyla: “I don't know, maybe a huge pizza? Yeah, I like pizza.”
Devika: I’m a huge fan of pizza too! *grins* I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Buy link: getBook.at/FrostonmyPillowBlurb: One girl, one voice, one magical charm that could change the universe if it falls into the wrong hands…
One boy who will do anything to protect her, even if that means laying down his own life to keep the demons away…
One love that’s sure to show in the stars…
She’s Fire, he’s Ice.
May 30, 2017
Featured - Character Interview with Annabelle from "Upon Your Love" by Marie Lavender
Looking for more character interviews with protagonists from Marie Lavender's historical romance "Upon Your Love" (like this one)? Then I've got just the right thing for you. Ladies and gents, please meet Annabelle! 
Character Interview with Annabelle Devika: Welcome, Annabelle. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.
Annabelle: Oh, thank you for inviting me! It’s exciting to be here.
Devika: Annabelle, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Annabelle: Do? Why, I’m just a lady. My mother would say ‘young lady’. She feels I am far too young to be on my own. I just had my season ball a few months ago, and I was introduced to society. But I’m far from idle. I enjoy reading novels and I love promenading around the grounds near our chateau.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Annabelle: My mother and father are both still alive, thank the good Lord. Times are so uncertain, aren’t they? I have no other family in La Rochelle, but I do have an aunt, Céleste, in Bayonne. And Maman’s family came from Ireland, or so the story goes.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet André?
Annabelle: We met at my coming out ball. A highly eligible bachelor, he is one of the most compelling gentlemen I’ve ever met. Not that I know too many.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s the one?
Annabelle: Not only is he attractive, he’s generous and quite honorable. I…cannot help the myriad of emotions I feel whenever he is near.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Annabelle: I believe it was the moment I noticed a pair of warm, chocolate brown eyes staring at me from across the room. I couldn’t look away. I think knowing André changed me, brought me to who I am today. Even if I choose what’s best for everyone involved, I will never regret having met him.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Annabelle: All right. I’ve always done what was expected of me, but I was never like my parents. I supposed that rather than worrying about proper etiquette, I often found myself daydreaming about knights and their ladies in beautiful castles. How silly of me, I suppose. But I never imagined I’d be here, preparing for an uncertain future.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Annabelle: My greatest fear is telling André the truth, and finding out how he might respond. I do not think I could bear it if he’s forsaken me. But I suppose I must survive, no matter what the cost.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Annabelle: Warmth. I never had that with my parents, you see, and if I had someone in my life who felt even half of the same affection I did towards him, perhaps that would be enough.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Blurb for Upon Your Love
The Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
Purchase Links
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
myBook.to/UYL
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-love-marie-lavender/1125931721
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Upon-Your-Love/Marie-Lavender/9781625265401?id=6842447479054
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887
Trailer: https://youtu.be/UVENg4kOros
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
http://www.ambrosiainnovations.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
Character Interview with Annabelle Devika: Welcome, Annabelle. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.Annabelle: Oh, thank you for inviting me! It’s exciting to be here.
Devika: Annabelle, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?
Annabelle: Do? Why, I’m just a lady. My mother would say ‘young lady’. She feels I am far too young to be on my own. I just had my season ball a few months ago, and I was introduced to society. But I’m far from idle. I enjoy reading novels and I love promenading around the grounds near our chateau.
Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?
Annabelle: My mother and father are both still alive, thank the good Lord. Times are so uncertain, aren’t they? I have no other family in La Rochelle, but I do have an aunt, Céleste, in Bayonne. And Maman’s family came from Ireland, or so the story goes.
Devika: I see. So how did you meet André?
Annabelle: We met at my coming out ball. A highly eligible bachelor, he is one of the most compelling gentlemen I’ve ever met. Not that I know too many.
Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s the one?
Annabelle: Not only is he attractive, he’s generous and quite honorable. I…cannot help the myriad of emotions I feel whenever he is near.
Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?
Annabelle: I believe it was the moment I noticed a pair of warm, chocolate brown eyes staring at me from across the room. I couldn’t look away. I think knowing André changed me, brought me to who I am today. Even if I choose what’s best for everyone involved, I will never regret having met him.
Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.
Annabelle: All right. I’ve always done what was expected of me, but I was never like my parents. I supposed that rather than worrying about proper etiquette, I often found myself daydreaming about knights and their ladies in beautiful castles. How silly of me, I suppose. But I never imagined I’d be here, preparing for an uncertain future.
Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?
Annabelle: My greatest fear is telling André the truth, and finding out how he might respond. I do not think I could bear it if he’s forsaken me. But I suppose I must survive, no matter what the cost.
Devika: Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?
Annabelle: Warmth. I never had that with my parents, you see, and if I had someone in my life who felt even half of the same affection I did towards him, perhaps that would be enough.
Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*
About the Book Blurb for Upon Your LoveThe Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
Purchase Links
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
myBook.to/UYL
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-love-marie-lavender/1125931721
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Upon-Your-Love/Marie-Lavender/9781625265401?id=6842447479054
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887
Trailer: https://youtu.be/UVENg4kOros
About the Author Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.
Links:
http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
http://www.ambrosiainnovations.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
Amazon author page: Author.to/MarieLavender
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://marielavender1.allauthor.com/
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://manicreaders.com/marielavender/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos
