Interview with Kemberlee Shortland

[Kemberlee]

1) What is your name and bio?
Kemberlee Shortland - Kemberlee is a native Northern Californian who was raised in an area known as Steinbeck Country, home to author John Steinbeck. Her hometown was founded by writers and artists, so it's no wonder Kemberlee was bitten by the writing bug so early on. Kemberlee began her professional writing career in 1995 writing programs for special events. She then went onto to work as a book reviewer in 1995. Kemberlee moved to Ireland in 1997 and began publishing travel articles and travel guides for visitors to Ireland. In 1998, she co-founded RIO (Reviewers International Organization), chaired the RIO Award of Excellence awards, headed up the RIO newsletter, and served two terms as RIO President. Kemberlee has been publishing fiction since 2006. And in 2012, Kemberlee and her husband launched Tirgearr Publishing.

2) What is your book title, synopsis, and where can readers find it?
RHYTHM OF MY HEART, book one of the Irish Pride Series

Rhythm of My Heart

Artist Representative, Eilis Kennedy, gave up a singing career so that other women could have a fair chance at having their music heard. Having suffered rejection from callous men in the industry, she thought she would get away from ‘casting couch’ mentality. But when she finds herself in the office of Fergus Manley, all bets are off. Disgusted by his continual come-ons and lewd invitations, Eilis is looking for ‘the one’ who will take her career to the next level, getting out from under Fergus’s controlling thumb.

Aspiring blues guitarist, Kieran Vaughan, is looking for his big break. But after suffering near bankruptcy at the hands of an unscrupulous business partner, Kieran is left picking up the pieces. He’s unsure if the debts will ever be paid or if he’ll ever have a chance to do something with his music. At his whit’s end, he’s about ready to throw in the towel and find a full-time job with real hours.

When Eilis discovers Kieran playing in a seedy pub in Dublin’s Northside, she knows he’s the one rare talent she’s been searching for. With her know-how and his talent, Eilis will finally get everything she’s been waiting for. Neither of them count on the powerful attraction from first meeting. Eilis is so rocked by Keiran’s forthright words that it sends her running. Kieran risks being arrested as he chases Eilis across Ireland.

Seeing what’s happening between Eilis and Kieran, anger wells inside Fergus and he steps up his pursuit of Eilis. Refusing to let Kieran get in his way, Fergus vows to add Eilis’s notch to his bedpost, whatever it takes.

Will Kieran be able to protect her?

This book can be found at http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/aut...


3) Where do you come up with your ideas?
I like 'what if' stories, so ideas can come up anywhere. I do get a lot of ideas while I'm castle hunting. Also while researching, or sometimes just hearing something on the news. Sometimes life experiences. While I'm plotting, I get a lot of my ideas first hing in the morning, just as I'm waking up, before crawling out from under the covers. It's quiet, I'm relaxed, and I'm still under the influence of the Dream Gods. Great stuff comes from that!


4) What books/authors do you like to read?
Primarily, I reach for romance or erotica, depending on my mood. I love romantic/erotic suspense and historical romance/erotica. When I want a break from those genres, I usually head to Dean Koontz. He's a great storyteller who really engages with readers' minds and emotions. He has great imagery. And that he cut his teeth on romances is also endearing. He brings a lot of those emotions into his stories too. What can I say? I love emotional reads.


5) What's your next writing project?
SHAPE OF MY HEART, the third book in the Irish Pride Series, releasing November 2013.