**Author Peek** Interview with Melissa McClone
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with
MELISSA McCLONE!!
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INTRODUCING…Melissa McClone!
Hi, Karen! It’s so good to be back at your Killer Book Bench! I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, three kids (two in high school, one in middle school) and a menagerie of animals (fish, cats, dogs.) I’m excited to tell you that since I was here in October with A Montana Born Christmas, I’m now a USA Today best selling author. The boxed set hit at #78!
1. What genre(s) do you write and why?
I write sweet contemporary romance. Those are the stories I’ve always loved to read so writing them seemed like a perfect fit. And it has been. The emphasis is on the romance and emotion. My stories never go pass the kissing and sexual tension. That suits me just fine!
2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
I’ve been asked this question before, and my answer hasn’t changed. If I had one superpower, I’d want to be invisible. I think invisibility is the perfect superpower for a writer and a mom!
3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?
If I’m stuck writing, that usually means I’ve made a mistake or what I call taken a wrong turn. So I go back to the beginning and try to figure out what I did. Once I find it, and fix it, I’m good to write again. This has happened enough time, I finally realized this is just how my brain works!
4. What is your least favorite part of writing?
Staring at the blank page. Coming up with the initial words can be difficult. I much prefer rewriting or revising pages I’ve already written.
5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
I’d make my mom’s lasagna recipe, some kind of veggie dish depending what was in season, tossed green salad, and garlic bread.
6. What is your typical day like?
I’m up by 6 am to feed the dogs and cats. I try to get a few chores done (load of dishes and laundry.) Once I get my three kids off to school, I spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour going through my email inbox and doing a little social media. After that I write (doing 20 minute sprints than taking a break) until noon when I have to feed the cats. I try to do a few more chores or run errands after lunch, then if there’s any time left, I’ll write until 3 o’clock doing 20 minute sprints again. Once my kids are home from school, I spend the rest of the afternoon/evening driving them back and forth to the pool and other places they need to be. We’ll eat dinner once everyone is back home and hang out. That could mean watching TV, helping with homework, or playing a board game. After the kids are in bed, I’ll go back on-line and/or try to get a few more pages written if my husband is away (which is most weeks.)
7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
Conflict is the hardest for me. I like for my characters to be smiling and happy. But that makes for boring reading.
8. How likely are the people you meet going to end up in your next book?
Not likely at all. I might get an idea or mannerism or even inspiration from their looks, but I much prefer to craft my characters from my imagination.
9. Tell us about your hero. Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.
I love Josiah Whittaker. He was first mentioned in my novella Kiss Me, Cowboy. I knew I had to write him as a hero and A Christmas Homecoming was that story. I had him figured out before the heroine! One of Josiah’s strength is his kindness. He’s a billionaire, so has a lot of money to give, but he cares about others feelings. His weakness is a big one—work. He’s a workaholic to the nth-degree. Josiah sees the company he founded and himself as one in the same.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published? Please provide links to your website, blog, books, etc.
The only firm release date I have for 2016 is May 31st for an anthology from Zondervan called Kiss the Bride: Three Summer Love Stories. It contains three novellas published individually this year from me, Robin Lee Hatcher, and Kathryn Springer. But I’m working on a couple projects right now. I hope have release dates set soon!
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Be sure to come back to read more about Melissa and A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING, Bar V5 Ranch Series, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
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Links to Melissa’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcClo...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissamcclone
Purchase Links:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Homec...
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-chr...
ibooks:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-ch...
KOBO:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kindle UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Hom...
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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**:
In one scene of my story, a reindeer is mentioned. I thought it would be fun to put together a reindeer-themed prize pack. Which one of Santa’s reindeer is your favorite?
Answer in the comment section and one lucky winner will receive the reindeer prize pack that includes:
Stuffed reindeer
A Christmas Homecoming Keychain
Socks
Hot pad
Earrings
Cupcake holders with reindeer and Santa picks
Hot chocolate
Ornament
Sticker book
Candy
Autographed Christmas title from my paperback backlist
** Open Internationally **
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Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your story with us!!
