1. How did you get started writing? I started writing Christmas and Easter plays for a local church I attended. In 2006, I was asked to write a full-length play for Still Useable Women’s Conference by the founder, and years later the play blossomed into a series titled The Other Side of Through.
2. What genre (s) do you write in and why? I write Christian Romance. But not so Christian overpowered that anyone wouldn’t enjoy the read. The stories contain real life sticky situations people often find themselves in no matter their religious backgrounds.
3. Tell us about your current series. I am currently writing The Consequence of Temptation, the sequel of The Opportunity for Temptation of the Temptation series. The series follows the lives of three football players and the temptations they encounter with the women they meet on and off the grid iron. It exposes childhood hurts that affected the type of adults the characters became, and exposes the behind closed doors secrets of broken marriages. In, The Consequence of Temptation, the danger of not closing emotional and relationship doors explodes in the lives of every character of the story. The series follows the nature of its title completely. It should be completed and ready for upload by mid-September.
4. What inspired your latest book? It was inspired by an NFL football player named Torrey Smith (my favorite player by the way), who doesn’t drink or smoke. Those characteristics and values inspired me to reverse the aspect of women usually being the virgins in a relationship. I’m not saying if he was or wasn’t a virgin before marriage (that’s personal and his business). Only that his clean and responsible habits inspired the story behind the main character of the book. Outside of that fact, anything else in comparison to his life is coincidental.
5. Where do you get the ideas for your stories? The first series The Other Side of Through is based on courses of events in my own life where I changed several of the instances to protect identities and other ideas come from my everyday surroundings. Still others were birthed out of current works when a scene or idea didn’t flow properly.
6. What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish? If you are certain that writing is your passion and mission… then keep going. Whether you have ten to twenty minutes or two to three hours to write… write every day. I once heard the phrase, “Words make sentences… sentences make paragraphs… paragraphs make chapters… and chapters make novels.” So, keep writing.
7. What is most difficult for you to write?  Characters, conflict or emotions? Why? I would have to say conflict. Mostly because 80% of the conflict in my novels have been personal battles. Oftentimes, I realized I wasn’t as over the situations as I previously convinced myself and my own emotions would threaten to take over.
8. Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses. JaQuan Sulter is a rising football start who spent his life helping his mother care for his younger siblings when his father walked out of their life. He doesn’t drink or smoke, is a virgin and a Christian. He sees the heroine and immediately knows she is his wife. She, of course, has other plans. He endeavors to show her what the true love God designed of a husband in relation to his wife. His weakness is that he can be somewhat self-righteous and judgmental at times without realizing he is doing it.
9. Tell us about your heroine.  Give us one of her strengths and one of her weaknesses. Vanessa Banks is the counterpart of JaQuan Sulter. She is highly intelligent accountant for the football team JaQuan has been drafted to. She graduated high school and entered college at sixteen, and is faithful to a fault in relationships. She is running from the pure innocent agape love that oozes from JaQuan Sulter’s pores. She tends to allow her life to be controlled by and become the person she is dating. She is angry and afraid of God and wants nothing to do with Christianity… at first.
10. What’s next for you? I am current working on a partial autobiography titled, From Abortion to Anointed: The Journey of a Serial Killer. This book has been on the back burner for well over a year and a half. You could say I have procrastinated a bit. I find myself revisiting areas where I assumed I had clarity and closure. This is a work I want to get perfectly right because it is destined to will minister to countless woman who suffer from the guilt of the abortion table. I look forward to speaking engagements and mentoring young women facing unsurmountable odds that have pushed them to considering terminating pregnancies.

Author Bio and Links

Cynthia Middlebrooks Harris is an ordained minister, native of Atlanta, Ga and Christian Fiction author who has published six books. She entered the US Army in 1984, where she met and married her husband of 32 years, Minister Kim Harris. Together, they have two children; Dominique and Stephanie. Cynthia is a true intercessor with a passion and heart to see the people of God healthy spiritually, emotionally and physically. She is a teacher, playwright, Christian mentor and is currently working to earn her degree as a Registered Dietician. Her work has appeared in Higher Connection magazine twice and her ministry expanded to Kaiserslautern, West Germany in 2014. Cynthia understands that her responsibility to God is to spread His word by any means necessary. It is her determination to do just that through the power of fiction, romance and sound & drama. Cynthia was born to write for such a time as this! She lives and breathes her motto, “Ministry is always… Required!”

Order autographed soft copies her books on her webpage www.tosotministries.org

eBooks and soft cover copies also available on Amazon:

• The Other Side of Through: All Things Work Together http://t.co/KQtBtDsDUI
• I Promise http://t.co/6V1klSeyls
• The Valley of the Shadow of Death http://t.co/sgL1PUmflT
• Legitimate Issues http://t.co/zFqLR4Dfkc
• The Fight for Life http://t.co/Rvjf8xwCtc
• The Opportunity for Temptation http://alturl.com/6z2pj

Connect with Cynthia

Email: tosotministries@gmail.com

Twitter and Instagram @Writtercynt

LinkedIn and YouTube: Cynthia Middlebrooks Harris

Blog: www.writingfortoday.wordpress.com

Facebook: T.O.S.O.T. Ministries, LLC

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

Call me a mass market novelist.

I started writing historical romance years ago, focusing on Acadian (Cajun) history. I sold my first book, “A Cajun Dream,” in 1999 to Kensington and it was followed by a novella and a four-part series. All six of those books are now ebooks (The Cajun Series) and available at all online bookstores. I also penned a three-book contemporary romance-girlfriend series called The Cajun Embassy series and it’s also online.

Now, I’m veering into paranormal mysteries.

Tell us about your current series.

My latest series is the paranormal Viola Valentine Mystery Series, starting with the first book, “A Ghost of a Chance.” It concerns a Katrina survivor named Viola Valentine who decides, after the storm, to reinvent herself and follow her dream of becoming a travel writer. But the storm also blew open a psychic door and now she sees ghosts who have died by water as a SCANC, a person who experiences “specific communication with apparitions, non-entities and the comatose.” As she enters her new career, solving mysteries that appear with apparitions everywhere she goes, the one person she hopes to speak to — her daughter who died of leukemia years before — continues to elude her. Or does she?

What inspired your latest book?

When Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I knew I had to do something to help my hometown of New Orleans so I quit my newspaper job and was hired for a Unitarian Universalist recovery program. At the same time, I started freelance writing on the side. One thing I was never able to do as a newspaper editor was travel writing, my dream job, and my new flexibility allowed me to do that.

Both experiences inspired me to write “A Ghost of a Chance,” a story about a newspaper reporter named Viola Valentine who ends up on her roof after Katrina floods New Orleans and experiences an epiphany of sorts. She leaves her loveless marriage, boring job and overbearing family and follows her dream of becoming a travel writer.

What is your favorite part of writing?

Making things up!

What is your least favorite part of writing?

Editing. It’s a necessary part of creating a book but it’s tedious, not much fun.

What is your next project and when will it be released?

The second book in the series, “Ghost Town,” is now available, continuing Viola Valentine’s story. I’ve discounted “A Ghost of a Chance” to a free download to encourage readers to check out my new series.

Here’s the description of “Ghost Town”: Every day at dusk, in a small Louisiana town, the dead emerge from Lorelei Lake. And travel writer Viola Valentine must use her “gift” of seeing ghosts to rid this town of its apparitions. Viola struggles not only with the task at-hand, but hopes that this evolving ability she obtained after Hurricane Katrina will help her reach her beloved Lillye.

Yet, the more Viola struggles to talk to her departed daughter, the more frustrated she gets. Plus, it’s 2008, the height of the Great Recession, travel jobs are hard to come by, and her suffocating family and ex-husband keep making demands. She takes solace in a new love interest, one who teaches her how to harness her anger.

In the end, Viola realizes that only love can solve her problems, from ridding ghosts of lakeside towns to healing a broken heart.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

From real life. My day job, so to speak, is travel writing. Some of my journalist friends are now scared I will put them into my books.

Do you write under a pen name?   Why or why not?

My pen name is Cherie Claire. I was told by my editor at Kensington, when I was first published with them that my real name, Cheré Dastugue Coen, didn’t work because there’s an accent, an unpronounceable French name (which is my maiden name) and Coen is too ethnic. I made Cherie sans accent and Claire was my favorite aunt. On social media, I claim that Cheré is my twin. When you have two lives as freelance writer and author, it feels like there are two people.

What are you currently working on?

Book three in the series, tentatively titled “Ghosts of Mississippi,” and I’m sure you can guess where the story takes place.

Describe the genre of this particular title? 

“A Ghost of a Chance” in my Viola Valentine series is part paranormal, part mystery and a little romance/sensuality with a chick-lit narrative. Hard to find an appropriate genre — fantasy, mystery, ghosts — but I believe fans of Charlaine Harris will enjoy my books.

Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped.

I’m a member of Novelists, Inc., which has helped tremendously. I highly recommend it for those pursuing a career as a novelist, especially if they want to tackle self-publishing.

EXCERPT

I quickly shampoo my hair, feeling better despite the anchor attached to my heart, and step out of the tub. I grab the lush bathrobe on the back of the door and slip inside its comfort, but the ever-present pain won’t let me relax.

It was like this when Lillye died, the endless crying, the dark hole of depression. I could never understand how human beings don’t dehydrate from the amount of water we exude through grief.

I gasp for breath, then exhale, ready to steady my emotions and face the world when I see her in the mirror, faintly, the line of her figure like a shadow marked by a Sharpie. She wears the schoolgirl outfit of the blond in the cave, but her hair combed back into a bun is a muddy red, the unfashionable color, not the one everyone emulates through Clairol. She stares at me sadly through pin-prick eyes above an unremarkable nose. Plain Jane is what comes to me in a flash. And although this apparition, if that’s what I’m seeing, isn’t offering emotion of any kind, I feel her pain. Loneliness, heartbreak and something much more acute.

The loss of a child.

Links

Website: https://www.cherieclaire.net/

Amazon: http://littl.ink/GhostChance

B&N: http://littl.ink/GhostChanceBN

Kobo: http://littl.ink/GhostChanceK

iTunes: http://littl.ink/GhostChanceA

Blog: https://www.cherieclaire.net/my-louisiana-home

AUTHOR BIO

Cherie Claire is the award-winning author of several Louisiana romances. “A Ghost of a Chance,” begins a paranormal mystery series featuring New Orleans travel writer and ghost sleuth Viola Valentine. Cherie lives in South Louisiana where she works as a travel and food writer when not indulging in Cajun culture. Visit her website at www.cherieclaire.net and write to her at CajunRomances@Yahoo.com.

What genre(s) do you write in and why?  I wrote Contemporary Romance. “Wrote what you know.” Mark Twain knew what he was talking about. I read mostly CR, so I am most comfortable writing it. I would also consider writing romantic suspense, which is my other favorite genre to read.

Tell us about your current series.  My current series, Windsor Falls, happens to also be my first. Windsor Falls is a small, mythical town set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. My books are about everyday life; struggling to find love, happiness, acceptance, etc.  I am writing a series because that’s what I love to read. Nothing cuts deeper than coming to the end of the book and having to let go of beloved characters. In a series, you don’t have to.

What is your favorite part of writing? I am a pantser who wanted to be a plotter in the beginning. Plotting makes more sense. Especially since I am a bit of a control freak. It didn’t work. The best part of writing is that I have very little clue as to what’s going to happen. I sit at my laptop and type. The story pours out. Many times, I am very surprised by plot developments. This drives my husband crazy. Which of course makes it that much more fun.

What is your least favorite part of writing? I struggle with external conflict. I’m 40K into my third book and still having issues. Now, internal conflict is my friend. But then I’m a psych nurse. Go figure.

How has your experience with self-publishing been? I have only self-published, so that’s all I know. I LOVE it! As mentioned previously, I am a control freak. The idea of someone else picking my cover art, etc. makes me a bit crazy.

What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish? Decide what’s important to you, especially in your budget, early on. Don’t skimp on important things like your cover art and editing. These things make all the difference.

What is your favorite dessert/food? Anything that’s bad for me… I love pineapple pizza and have no idea why so many find it so abhorrent. Of course, being a woman, I believe that chocolate should be a food group.

How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book? For better or worse, they absolutely do. So annoying me is probably not a good idea. There are shades of people in my life in my characters.

Tell us a little about yourself and your latest book. I recently moved to Charlotte from the great, white North after way too many winters. I am a psychiatric nurse and work night shifts which means I haven’t slept properly in 15 years. While I love being a nurse, writing is my passion. I’m also a rabid soccer Mom. I love dogs and hate (read pathological fear) snakes. I come across as extroverted but am really quite shy.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors? The only way to truly fail is to never try. It took 15 years to publish my first novel, mostly because life gets in the way sometimes. Believe in yourself but also surround yourself with people from whom you can learn. Do your research.

Taking Chances

BLURB

Katie Fitzgerald learned the hard way about love. She vowed to never get involved with a doctor at work, and when she did, he broke her heart. Older and wiser, Katie is serious about not getting hurt again. Dr. Flynn Reynolds, staff cardiologist at Windsor Falls Memorial, just might be the man to change her mind. Attraction explodes between the two from their very first meeting. But Katie is determined to protect her heart. Will Flynn convince her to take another chance?

Excerpt:

Katie Fitzgerald cursed under her breath as she ran across the gravel parking area in heels. Never a good idea. The thought had no more entered her head when there was a sickening snap. She stumbled sideways as the ridiculously high heel of her right shoe fell to the ground. Katie lost her balance and was about to join her heel in the dirt and gravel. The items in her arms scattered everywhere. The string of inventive curses that followed colored the air around her.

Strong arms reached her, picking her up as though she weighed no more than a feather and placing her back on her feet. “I thought nice, Southern ladies didn’t know words like that,” came an amused drawl from behind her.

LINKS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Home-Windsor-Falls-Book-ebook/dp/B06WRX24FS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1490705906&sr=1-1&keywords=kimberley+O%27Malley

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/coming-home-kimberley-omalley/1125887297?ean=2940157243838

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/coming-home-186

Website: www.kimberleyomalley.com

FB: Kimberley O’Malley

Twitter: @K_OMalley67

Instagram: kimberleyomalley67

Author Bio:

Kimberley O’Malley is a recent transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina from the frozen North. She is learning to say y’all but draws the line at sweet tea. Sarcasm is an art form in her world. When not writing, she is a full-time nurse and part-time soccer Mom, but not necessarily in that order. She shares her life with an amazing husband of more than twenty years, two teenagers, and one very sweet Shetland Sheepdog, Molly.

How did you get started writing?

I have always written. I love expressing myself through the written word. I love words! I love word images and word feelings. Language is an amazing gift and words can create amazing feelings and visuals. In high school, I took a creative writing class and knew I had found my niche. My parents, however, directed me toward a more secure career, but I never forgot my love of writing. I have tried off and on over the years to have books published which was so difficult I gave up all hope of ever being published, but then I discovered self-publishing and that really clicked for me. I was so glad that I could actually have a book published and I was publishing the book the way I wanted it to be.

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I write romantic suspense because I love romance and I love mysteries. I love strong heroes who know what they want and know who to get it, and I love strong females who can stand against anyone. I especially love it when they stand up to the hero and the dilemma is between saving the day or saving the relationship. Saving the day may be the only choice but then what becomes of the hero and heroine? You have to turn the page to find out.

Tell us about your current series.

During the summers, when I was young, my father would take us to the mountain ranch where he grew up. We loved it there. We loved riding horses and fishing and hiking. Those summers were special to us and when I was trying to decide on a series, I thought a ranch would be the perfect setting. I tweaked it a little bit and added the Arabian horse training, and then, of course, each book has romance and mystery.

What is your next project and when will it be released?

I’m working on two projects right now, which is a little nerve racking. I sent the manuscript for the sixth book in the Crystal Creek series to my editor and received her comments back the other day, so now I’m going through the manuscript trying to decide what I want to change and what I want to keep. I hope to release this book by the end of the summer. I’m also participating in a boxed set with twenty other authors. This boxed set will be released in November. My contribution will be a novella but it will introduce my next series. Also set in Colorado, this series focuses on college graduates as they make their way into the world. I’m very excited about that and can’t wait to release it.

Tell us about your hero. Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Trent Parker came from nothing, but was never one to settle. He climbed his way up the Hollywood ladder starting with walk-on parts while he waited tables and shoveled asphalt until he had enough money to start his own production company. At last, he has everything he wants: He owns Hollywood. Everyone A-list star wants to work for him. But he doesn’t have one thing – the option for the breakout novel Sunset in Maui. Charisse Whitloch owns that. He’ll do anything to get that option, but he can only do that be getting close to Charisse. If he does that, it will destroy him.

Risking Her Heart Book Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KYD2C3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493569182&sr=8-1&keywords=laura+haley-mcneil

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/risking-her-heart-5

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/risking-her-heart-laura-haley-mcneil/1126310900;jsessionid=D043281AE1D9BA63F12686D6D596B12D.prodny_store01-atgap01?ean=2940154206836

iBooks

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1231808198

BIO

Laura Haley-McNeil is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and women’s fiction in novel length and in short stories. Her work has been featured in several women’s magazines. She has studied piano and ballet and has been a board member for two community orchestras. She and her husband reside in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she jogs, bicycles and crochets.

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book. 

Changing Sky is my most recent book. Skylar Biondi, a former high school math teacher now works for UPS. On her route, she crosses paths with hard-edged Army veteran Enrique Avalos, a motorcycle mechanic in charge is his late uncle’s ailing repair shop. Enrique is coming off a painful divorce and Skylar is reeling from the sudden end of her engagement to marry a major league baseball player. Skylar encounters a young girl in trouble, drawing Enrique into the fray when she attempts a daring rescue.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

Hmm. That’s a tough one, but now that I have some hindsight, it’s easier to answer. I’ll focus on two things.

• Learn your craft. If you’re not good at basic grammar and sentence structure, get Painless Grammar  and Painless Writing. I’m actually skilled at the basics but those books have been helpful for things I forgot, or gaps that needed to be filled. (Like how to use lie, lay, and lain. Oy!) There are many ways to improve, including networking with other writers, reading books on craft, taking classes and getting honest feedback on your work.

We all start out in a unique place. I had no formal training in writing, so once I got the bug to write a book I took a writing class at my local library. It was both helpful and fun and I made some good connections there.

• Find the right balance between developing your unique voice and accepting feedback. Chew on it, but don’t allow other’s perceptions of your work to take over. Honestly, this can be a big challenge. I’ve known writers who are unable to see flaws in their work no matter what anyone said. I, on the other hand, took any and all input to heart. As time went by, I was able to discern what kind of input I needed and am now more discerning about whom I seek out for input. Also, my writing has improved significantly so I no longer need as much help.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

No! I always loved reading but I hated writing. I’m a little rebellious (okay, not just a little) so I bucked writing assignments. They were often on subjects I had little or no interest in, or there were too many formatting rules to follow. I began writing novels on a fluke. It’s been a circuitous route…and I love it. Vive la fluke!

Do you or have you belonged to a writing organization?  Which one?  Have the helped you with your writing?  How?

I joined a few online groups when I first got started but they petered out. People didn’t follow through with critiques and others always asked for help at the last minute. I joined Pikes Peak Writers a long time ago and that was a great decision. I was able to attend classes on craft that were very helpful, but the biggest benefit to me was connecting with two critique groups. My writing flourished once I joined the second group. Everyone was committed and we had a great vibe. The input I received enabled me to see the weaknesses in my work so I was able to focus on those areas.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on the second book in my Colorado Tempest series. The working title is Where There’s Smoke. My main characters are a small town fire investigator and his fiancé. I currently have a total of four books planned for the series. It’s been a lot of fun to write. I geek out on research and there’s plenty of that required for the series.

Do you have a view in your writing space?  What does your space look like? 

I have a great view of Pikes Peak out my office window. I can also see our cattle grazing. We live out in the toolies. J Once our daughter left for college, I waited about five minutes to redo the room so I would have a writing space. It’s a mix of country French wall colors and décor, including curtains in black and white toile fabric with a classic pastoral scene in lieu of sliding closet doors. There are two large windows so I get plenty of light. It’s my happy place.

Excerpt from Changing Sky:

“Enrique, this is Skylar,” Bill said enthusiastically, the moment she’d cleared the door.

A man behind the counter got to his feet. He had dark hair, even darker eyes. His yesterday-morning shadow was split by a brilliant smile that probably got him whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. Gorgeous.

Suddenly the smile fell away and his golden-brown face darkened like the sky in a sudden summer storm. Skylar’s steps faltered at the onslaught of black emotion that emanated from him. She blinked, filled her lungs, struggling to make sense of it. Unsure what to do and fearful she might actually turn tail and sprint out the door, she planted her feet and glanced at Bill. His face fell, his eyes signaling a silent apology. A set-up gone south?

Enrique said nothing.

Skylar slipped on her I-can-handle-this mask and maneuvered the dolly toward the counter. Bill must not know Enrique as well as he thought. He was too nice a man to have done this otherwise. As she scanned the boxes, she silently repeated what she’d said to her reflection hours before. This wasn’t forever. Just until she caught her balance. Found her feet. She passed the scanner to Enrique for his signature. “Any pick-ups today?”

He grunted something that sounded like yes and scribbled his name on the small screen.

Skylar slacked one hip. “So, yes?”

His eyes, now hooded beneath a forest of dark lashes, seemed to telegraph that he didn’t appreciate clear communication. “Yes,” he said coolly.

Skylar wanted to clap and congratulate him for enunciating properly. But he looked to be about thirty, rather than eight. Knowing she would have to come here often, it wouldn’t be wise to stir the pot any more. “Okay.”

Links:

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/TRFischerAuthor/

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445393.T_R_Fischer

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/TR-Fischer/e/B00PR7C9A0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1470100721&sr=1-2-ent

Website: http://www.trfischer.com

Bio:

Author of several titles, including Changing Sky and A Man Around The House, TR Fischer grew up in Colorado. After moving to California and sampling life in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles, TR and her husband moved back to the Denver area. That didn’t satisfy, so the city-dwellers bought some land and took up raising buffalo. Each day is an adventure, on and off the page

Thank you, Cynthia, for having me back as a guest. I believe the last time I was here was in October. I’m very excited to be back to tell everyone about my newest novella, Daring Return, which is part of the Dare To Love Amazon Kindle World. As some of you may know, my release last year, Forever Yours, was part of another Amazon Kindle World. I’ll be self-publishing again in May with yet a third kindle world book, so stay tuned!

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

It’s actually been an exciting experience. I was originally invited by Roxanne St. Clair to write my story, Forever Yours, in her Barefoot Bay world. This has led to being able to write in other kindle worlds, for which I’m grateful.

What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish?

Writing a good story doesn’t end there. After a writer goes through their story and revises many times, they should hire a professional editor. They are an invaluable part in any writing process, because no matter how good an editor you think you are, the professional editor always find something that needs to be redone. Having a published author recommend someone or looking at the acknowledgements in a book is a good place to start the search. Next, they’ll want to have a good cover artist create a professional cover, and they’ll also want to hire someone to professionally format the book if they don’t already know the process. They shouldn’t be afraid to join professional writing organizations to learn as much as possible about self-publishing. There’s a lot involved in self-publishing, and doing it right will help them reach out to readers.

 How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?

Haha, that’s funny because I’ve also written a cozy mystery and had someone I used to work with ask if I could put him in my next mystery as the dead body. I recently ran a contest where everyone knew the prize was the winners name in a future book, so that wouldn’t be an issue because it was up front. Other than that, I can see putting people’s habits or quirks in a book. We’re all different and we run across many unique people all the time with the same habits but, other than a contest winner’s name, I wouldn’t write anything that identified anyone. I just don’t know how someone would react.

Do you write every day? Every week? Odd times?

I definitely write every week and try to write every day. I haven’t gotten my routine down where I could tell you I write thousands of words every day. Sometimes the words don’t flow as easily as I’d like. I’m up early every morning writing before breakfast and sometimes I’m even at my computer until 1 in the morning writing. So, I don’t have a set schedule, but I try to get some words written every day.

If you weren’t writing as a career, what would you be doing?

Okay, that’s a joke, right? Ha, I can’t imagine not being able to write! I have so many different story ideas that I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing. I know I said that sometimes the words don’t flow as easily, but that’s different than not knowing what story you have in mind. One thing people don’t know is that I’ve written several children’s stories. They’re not published, but that’s one avenue I’d like to pursue in the near future.

I’d like to thank you for hosting me today and I hope everyone enjoys my new novella.

I’ll end with my book blurb:

Rose Perez is a physical therapist who shares a secret with Miami Thunder halfback, Bruce Hawkins. They also have separate careers outside of their shared world that could become derailed if their secret gets out. Neither had wanted a relationship.

Does Rose have what it takes to look past the life Bruce is trying to portray or is she starting to fall in love?

Bruce decided early in life that true love was something other men wanted. Does he have what it takes to help Rose find real happiness without risking his heart?

EXCERPT

Before Bruce could say anything else, he heard the slam of Rick’s phone in his ear. The noise factor was probably one of the reasons Rick hadn’t used his cell. After the falling out he had with Rose, Bruce decided she’d be the best person to work with. He’d acted as a jerk, not letting her explain what happened. He needed to give her the benefit of the doubt and if he had to, he’d apologize to her. This day couldn’t get any worse. Then Bruce’s phone rang and he saw Randy’s number on the display.

“How much are you looking for or are you calling to tell me you found a real job?”

“That’s no way to greet your little brother,” Randy said.

“You stopped being my brother when you decided drugs, booze, and women were more important than family.” Bruce got out of his car and slammed his door shut in frustration. This was one conversation he’d rather not have.

“That’s why I’m here. So we can bond. Actually, it was mom’s idea. She suggested I crash here with you a while. You know, maybe pick up some kinda inspiration.”

Bruce had just gotten in the elevator and punched the number for his floor when his brother’s request registered with what he said. “What do you mean crash here? Where the hell are you?”

“Sitting on your couch looking at the great views you have. You know you’ve got a really nice place.”

Bio:

Jennifer Perkins grew up in a small New England town where quaint neighborhoods still remain hidden. This combination has led to a sweet mix of her love of family, romance, and imagination.

With a degree in Marketing, she’s held a potpourri of jobs. She’s an active member of RWA. Her two young adult children, while pursuing their careers are, with her husband, her greatest cheerleaders. Jennifer lives in Florida with her husband. When she isn’t dreaming of interesting ways to enable everyone to join in her characters’ lives, she loves to spend time with family, garden, dabble in photography, and go for long walks on the beach.

Links:

Website:    http://www.authorjperkins.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorjperkins

Twitter:      https://twitter.com/AuthorJPerkins

Pinterest:    https://www.pinterest.com/authorjperkins/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15968745.Jennifer_Perkins

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XC5WTST/ref=la_B01M992WVJ_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488261204&sr=1-2

What is your favorite part of writing?

This is going to sound trite and silly, but I really enjoy making up stories. I once had a writer friend accuse me (lovingly, of course) of enjoying world building more than anything. She wasn’t too far off! J

What is your least favorite part of writing?

Sometimes getting sucked into research can be hard. I mean in that the rabbit holes it can send you down, and in some cases, with some eras, there’s just not enough to be had. Even on eras when there is a lot written, I have a horrid tendency to find the one thing that no one wrote anything about, (or few wrote anything about) and make that an integral part of the story. Those times are when I want to bang my head against the keyboard. *lol* I read widely so can usually find what I’m after somewhere in some form but omg, at times it feels like I’m the only one that every thought of…whatever, in my head, the problem seems to be. Drives my writing buddies insane. They’re constantly asking me “why don’t you pick something easier?” about whatever it happens to be. *eg* What fun would that be?

What is your next project and when will it be released?

My latest project, just released, is entitled House of Dark Envy. It’s a Victorian Romance about the reunion of a couple (Sarahjane and Felix) who split in bad circumstances years ago. Since then, Felix has made his way up in the scientific community in the race between then-prevalent DC power, and the very new form of AC power. Sarahjane, meanwhile, has been dealing with her own art studies while trying to shake off the reputation someone  (so she thinks) *coughcough* branded her with, of being a flirt.

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

It’s been tough trying to make a name for myself; particularly the marketing drives me insane. But I enjoy the other aspects of it, making each book exactly the way *I* want it, when I want it. I’m not sure I’d give that up, just for a “contract”, to be honest.

How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?

Oh, you never know… 😉 I have put a person or two in my books in the past.

What is most difficult for you to write?  Characters, conflict or emotions?  Why?

It seems to change with each book. Sometimes, the characters themselves are difficult, sometimes, there are hardest to deal with, depending. For instance, I have a book I put out last year called Druid Warrior’s Heart. The heroine’s feelings over her father were very hard to write. I can’t say why, because that would spoil it. For House of Dark Envy? The conflict between the Sarahjane and Felix were quite tough. Naturally, I wanted them to kiss and make up, but … yeah, Sarahjane wasn’t having none of it, at first. (stubborn characters!)

Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Felix is a self-made man, a scientist. He’s traveled the world and met some of the giants (or what we know now as giants) in the field of electrical research. House of Dark Envy takes place at the same time as the so-called “Current Wars” when we as a society were trying to find a better way to run our homes than on gas power. Edison and Tesla’s time. Well, Felix is in there working on his own theories, and is just about on to something. J You’ll have to read to see how he does. However, his weakness? Well, it might actually be part of his strength but he was struck by lightning, several years ago, and still has some residual pain from it. For emotional weakness, I’d say Sarahjane’s his biggest emotional weakness. He’s never quite been able to let her go, for all that, because of that incident I mentioned above, she never wanted to see him again.

Tell us about your heroine.  Give us one of her strengths and one of her weaknesses.

Sarahjane, well, she’s still a young lady, still living at home. Which I guess is one of her weaknesses. Because of what someone said about her being a flirt, she just can’t seem to build a real life for herself away from her parents. As soon as she gets a suitor, they hear she’s a flirt and try to take advantage. Poor thing, so she’s kinda been stuck at home, in peril of becoming an old maid. But she’s stubborn too; I’d say that’s her strength. At the very least it gets her traveling the world, and off to York. What happens there, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.

Has your muse always known what genre you would write and be published in?

No! She’s easily distracted by shiny stuff. So, I never have wanted to lock myself into one thing. I just write where we seem most interested, manuscript to manuscript. Hence, I have a paranormal series (Antique Magic), a fantasy romance series (Celtic Stewards Chronicles), and a few historical romances kicking around out there.

What do you have planned for the future?

I have a couple more books I’m working on right now, the next installment in my Celtic Stewards Chronicles series, is badgering me to get it out. I hope to, sometime this year. And (this might combine two questions) but I’m also working on the next in my paranormal series, Antique Magic. I’ve got some other manuscripts in various stages of finish, as well, including a few more Victorian romances like House of Dark Envy and my previous one, Watchmaker’s Heart. So  there’s something coming on the horizon for just about all readers.

House of Dark Envy

Synopsis:

Surely, lightning can’t strike twice…

1888: When Sarahjane attends Lady Morville’s costume party, she never expects to learn her old beau Felix Gryffith is under the illustrious woman’s patronage and stands on the cusp of making a world-changing discovery. Felix, whose lies disgraced her in the eyes of the London elite by labeling her a flirt.

Felix’s love for Sarahjane has never wavered, despite the scandal that forced them apart. He’s desperate to tell her the truth, if he can convince her to listen.

Fate lurked in the shadows that night, years ago. Has it returned to grant Sarahjane and Felix their wishes, or terrorize them?

Excerpt:

From the Prologue

Sarahjane slipped into the garden, grabbing onto a wrought iron lattice to steady herself. Her

laughter rang through the air. She swung herself around the lattice, and stopped before him, resting her delicate hand on his chest.

Her touch warmed him.

Sarahjane lowered her eyes. “Do it for me, Felix. I’ll give you a kiss, if you do.”

Felix swallowed back surprise and longing, glanced around the garden. Everyone was still inside. He ran a hand down her arm. “I’d love to kiss you,” he said. “But not after. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.”

He feared it might be possible. His worry darkened as if storm clouds filled him. “I might.”

Sarahjane laced her arms around his neck. “Now, then. But don’t disappoint me.”

Was she going to kiss him?

She licked her lips.

Young desire warred with his reason.

“Your father will kill us if he finds out.”

“No he won’t. He knows I love you.”

She loved him.

Sarahjane stood on her toes and leaned closer, brushing her lips against his. Lightning tingled from her

lips, into his heart.

Did someone intrude on them? Felix dismissed all but Sarahjane.

He vibrated almost as he had the day the lightning struck him, but this, this was pleasant, in

comparison.

She broke the kiss, batted her lashes. “I do love you, you know. Now. Show me?”

He guided Sarahjane a few strides away from the trellis. Then he returned to it and wrapped his fingers

around the warm, iron bar.

“Felix!” His older brother stepped into view behind her. “Oh,” he said. “Pardon me for interrupting.”

Sarahjane snapped around.

“What do you want, Jackson?” Felix asked.

If you’d like to check it out House of Dark Envy is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WWM8T8R

Universal link: http://hyperurl.co/ff17hh

Bio:

Juli D. Revezzo loves fantasy and Celtic mythology and writing stories with all kinds of fantastical elements. She is the author of the historical romances, House of Dark Envy, Watchmaker’s Heart, and Lady of the Tarot, the Antique Magic paranormal series and Celtic Stewards Chronicles fantasy romance series and more. She is also a member of the Independent Author Network and the Magic Appreciation Tour.

To learn more about this and future releases, visit her at: http://www.julidrevezzo.com

Or

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Juli-D.-Revezzo/e/B008AHVTLO/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julidrevezzo

Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5782712.Juli_D_Revezzo

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111476709039805267272/posts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jewelsraven/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julidrevezzo

Sign up for her newsletter at: http://bit.ly/SNI5K6

Thank you for having me here today, Cynthia!

Tell us about your current series.

Actually, due to insanity running in my family, I have been writing 2 series at once! My Urban Fantasy/Paranormal books, The Elemental Clan Series, is coming to an end this month with the final book, Penance. The series premise is a good versus evil tale, with Elemental beings (those who can wield water, fire, earth and wind) seeking to protect humanity. Meanwhile, the Fallen Angels (very handsome villains) seek to reap human souls to carry out their evil bidding.
My Romantic Suspense/Paranormal series, The Southern Ghosts Series, will have 10 books total and I’m working on Book Four now. Certain individuals can see and talk to ghosts. Sometimes this is a gift, sometimes it’s a curse, but it always makes life difficult for the main character. These ghosts want the hero/heroine to solve their murder in order for the ghosts to pass on to the next realm. What follows is spooky suspense capped off with a bit of romance and Southern humor.

What is your favorite & least favorite part of writing?

Favorite part is when I’m in “the zone” and the characters are talking so fast in my head, I can barely keep up with typing their stories. It’s fascinating when I can surprise myself by what happens in the story. My least favorite part is, when writing the first draft and because I am a pantster, I will occasionally get stuck. On those days, writing is like pulling teeth! I don’t like that aspect, but I know it’s something that I need to push onward to get past.

How much time do you spend promoting your books?  What works best for you?

I always aim for the 80/20 method = 80% writing, 20% promoting. However, like many authors, I often crisscross those numbers. Promotion is a balancing act, for certain. I try to use software tools that allow me to schedule Instagram, Twitter, etc. posts so I’m not doing everything manually. Ideally, I spend my mornings and lunch hours writing, and then evenings doing social media and promoting. My brain becomes mush after about 7 p.m.

What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish?

This is one of the best times to be a writer, because you no longer have to deal with the gatekeepers of the big publishing houses. That doesn’t mean you can submit low-quality work, just that your work has a better chance of surviving. The readers are now the judge and jury. Readers tend to like books that an agent or editor at a pub house may not respond to, but no matter what, always submit and publish your best work that has been edited.

I’ve created a new blog especially for self-published writers. In addition to talking about writing characters such as villains (I have a few Q&A’s on the blog with actors who have appeared in NCIS, CSI NY, and Leverage), the blog features info that will help authors self-publish their books.

Visit my new site here: http://www.howtoselfpublishyournovel.com/savvy-self-publishing/

 What do you have planned for the future?

I plan to continue my Southern Ghosts Series until I finish all 10 books. There are 3 full-length novels out now, plus a novella. Readers want more so I plan to do a book set in every Southeast state. After that, I have a few ideas but I plan to focus on the Southern Ghosts for a while.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

Yes. Never give up. Stories have been part of humankind and history for millions of years. If you have a story you want to write, do it. Make sure to learn the craft of writing, spend time polishing your book, and learn everything you can about the process and then take the plunge! Whether you go the traditional or indie publishing route, if you have a story, tell it!

What did you want to be when you were a child?  Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

Yes! I loved stories of all forms when I was a kid. I used to eavesdrop on my parents, write down random words they said, and then try to make a story out of all the random words. (Yep, I was a weird kid…) While I allowed family and others’ opinions to sway me from studying writing in college (“be practical, study something else…”) I did wind up becoming a technical writer in my day job. By day I write user manuals, by night and weekend I write fiction. My path was inevitable.

Do you have any rejection stories to share?

Yes! This story actually leads into why I began indie-publishing my books. I’m a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) along with other local writing groups. Over the years, I’ve attended conferences and given my elevator pitches to agents, editors, etc. One particular agent I sought out requested I send 3 chapters. I did, she immediately wrote back and asked for the full manuscript.

One week later, she called and left me a message on a Friday, saying she had read the book and wanted to talk to me. Naturally, I was gleeful and figured she would want to represent me and my books.

Alas, Monday morning arrived and when she did call me back, she rejected me – over the phone!

Who ever heard of an agent calling someone on the phone to reject them? I was devastated, but I was glad she said she loved my writing but she was a 1-woman shop and she couldn’t figure out how to market my books. She was, honestly, very kind despite my hopes being stomped on.

So I took the plunge after that, published my books on my own, and have never looked back!

BIO:

Amazon bestselling author Elaine Calloway grew up in New Orleans with a love of Gothic architecture, cemeteries, and all things paranormal. She is currently writing The Southern Ghosts Series, a set of romantic suspense/ghost story tales set across the Southern USA. When she’s not writing or reading, she is helping other writers learn how to self-publish and market their books online. To connect with Elaine Calloway the author, go to www.elainecalloway.com. For those interested in self-publishing, check out her newest blog site www.howtoselfpublishyournovel.com/blog. She currently resides in metro Atlanta with her husband and very spoiled dog.

Buy links:

Amazon Author: http://amzn.to/2lgtI2Y

Barnes/Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Elaine%20Calloway%22

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Elaine%20Calloway&fcsearchfield=Author

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ElaineCalloway

Join My Readers List for Coupons, Goodies, Cover Reveals, etc. http://eepurl.com/LCGUb

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorelainecalloway

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerscanvas

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elainecalloway/

How did you get started writing? According to my mother, I used to lie to her when I was young (about six years old)  and she would punishment me by making me write my lie down. I found that my lies look better on paper than verbally

What genre(s) do you write in and why? I love romance suspense. I love the HEA and then I love pushing people to their limits; not necessarily always in that order.

Tell us about your current book. Currently, I am promoting Tanner’s Devil. A street doctor, former prostitute trying to go legit, but falling in love the her john all the while trying to escape her last pimp who believes if he can’t have her no one will.

What move best describes your life?  Why? I’m bad on paper so I can be good in life.

What inspired your latest book? Putting together a street doctor and an English duke in the 21st century was a challenge. I love challenges.

What is your favorite part of writing? Plotting. Figuring out the problems I’ve caused for my characters and getting them out of the mess the only way they know how.

What is your least favorite part of writing? Not being able to type fast enough or not having enough time to write. If Only I had two more arms.

What is your next project and when will it be released? This year, I hope to come out with Beautiful. It’s about a woman who would do anything for a man to feel beautiful.

What is your typical day like? I get up and do as much of my social media as possible before going to work at a full-time job. I’m a single mom of three kids living in Detroit so that’s an all day responsibility. During the noon time, I write as much as possible. And then I’m a mom again. I blog during the afternoon and then write late at night before going to sleep and starting everything all over again.

How much time do you spend promoting your books?  What works best for you? At least two hours a day goes into some type of marketing for my books. Online or offline.

How has your experience with self-publishing been? I love it! I’m a control freak so independent publishing works well for me. I’ve been at this since 2000.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories? Everywhere actually. I’ve always been a what if kind of person and I want to press the boundaries of the human soul in my characters.

BIO

Detroit Author & Founder of Motown Writers Network, Sylvia Hubbard has published over 40 books on suspense romance.

As a happily divorced mother of three, Sylvia has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work such as the Spirit of Detroit from Detroit City Council and State of Michigan Governor’s Certificate of Tribute Emerging Minority Business Leader Award. She’s spoken all over the United States and Canada about independent publishing, social media, 21^st Guide to Marketing for writers and authors, How Readers can make money promoting their favorite authors and even how to be a single mom.

Recognized as an avid blogger by HoneyTech Blogs, Ms. Hubbard runs over five blogs including How To Love A Black and has had five #1 Best Sellers on Amazon. Her current work is Tanner’s Devil and she has six books coming up in 2016, including four live stories on her website. http://sylviahubbard.com

Related websites:

www.SylviaHubbard.com

www.MotownWriters.com

www.HowToEBook.org

Social Media:

www.facebook.com/sylviahubbard

www.twitter.com/sylviahubbard1

www.instagram.com/sylviahubbard1

www.youtube.com/sylviahubbard1

www.periscope.tv/sylviahubbard1

www.snapchat.com/sylviahubbard

www.goodreads.com/sylviahubbard

www.amazon.com/author/sylviahubbard

Book Link

www.sylviahubbard.com/tannersdevil

www.sylviahubbard.com/beautiful