Thanks for having me here today, Cindy.

1. How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

Losing Patience in Timeless Treasures is my fourth published story – three short stories in multi-author anthologies and one full length novel called TIME FOR LOVE, which is a finalist in the NJ Golden Leaf contest. (We find out the winner this Friday. Keep your fingers crossed!) In addition to my published works, I have two full-length novels and two novellas completed. These all need some work—I’ll get to them eventually!
While my first novel, TIME FOR LOVE, will always hold a special place in my heart, I’d say my favorite is LOSING PATIENCE, which releases today in the TIMELESS TREASURES anthology. The hero, Ethan, broke my heart with his suffering and I loved being able to give him his happily ever after.

2. Tell us about your current series/WIP.

I’m always working on more than one WIP. I can’t seem to settle myself on just one at a time. Currently I’m almost done with a novella I’m writing in response to a submission call and I’m a bit past the half-way point on a second full-length time travel novel. Both will be submitted to The Wild Rose Press. I hope they’re accepted. I loved working with the folks there. In addition to that, my partners and I are brainstorming our next Timeless Tales anthology, which we will release in May, 2015.

3. Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

My ideas come from everywhere. It all depends on what I need to accomplish. For our short story anthologies, my partners and I spend a lot of time brainstorming the connection between the stories. Once we have that connection, I start thinking about it and jotting down ideas. Eventually I figure out something I want to write. Other ideas just pop into my head. I might see or read something that sparks a “What if…” moment.

4. What is your favorite part of writing?

I love brainstorming. It’s such a thrill when a story idea starts to take shape.

5. What is your least favorite part of writing?

Reaching the middle of the story. This is when I realize everything I write is absolutely terrible, all I’m doing is rambling on about nothing, and the story’s never going to end. This phase involves lots of whining to my critique partners so they can ply me with chocolate and kick my ass back into gear.

6. What went into the process? Writing, editing, cover design, formatting, etc. Share your ups and downs and how you went about it. If you used a service, can you share?

All our stories are connected in some way, so we spend a great deal of time brainstorming before the writing even begins. We have a schedule detailing each part of the process so everyone knows what needs to be done when. Thankfully, our strengths and weaknesses compliment each other well and we all naturally gravitated toward the jobs that best suited us. For example, I can be a bit…nitpicky…to put it mildly. Since inconsistent font sizes or random spaces would drive me absolutely nuts, I take care of formatting.
We’ve managed to pull together a great team. So far we’ve worked with two cover designers – Julie Schroeder Designs and Alchemy Book Covers. They were a pleasure to work with and did a great job. Editors were a must, too. We read and critique each other’s stories, but that’s not enough. We have two editors that we’ve worked with on all three books. Mallory Braus for developmental/line edits and Michael Mandarano for copy edits. It’s great to have consistency with our editors. We’re all getting to know each other’s styles and know what we can all do.

7. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a plotter with directional issues.  I love brainstorming the details of my stories. I don’t necessarily know every single thing that’s going to happen, but I know a lot of the scenes that have to take place and I know how the book is going to end. Sometimes, though, I get thrown for a loop somewhere in the middle when my characters take over and do something unexpected. For my short stories, I find I need a scene-by-scene outline or the word count will run away with me.

8. What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I go through phases in what I prefer to read. I used to read mostly historical romance, but after a while I overdosed on them and had to take a break. So now I like to switch back and forth so I don’t get tired of any one genre. For example, right now I’m reading Dan Brown’s INFERNO and Johanna Lindsey’s CAPTIVE OF MY DESIRES. I pick up whichever one suits my mood at the moment.

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

My muse says I must write paranormal/fantasy romance. Any time an idea comes to my mind there’s some kind of supernatural element to it. My published books are currently all time travel romances, but I have other stories dealing with the Fates, with faeries, and witches.

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

I belong to Romance Writers of America, my local chapter, and a few online romance groups. I think they’ve helped me a great deal. I’ve attended conferences, taken online courses, and met some great people. I don’t always speak up on the email loops I’m a member of, but I read the posts and absorb lots of great information. The very best thing I’ve gained from being a member of RWA was finding my critique partners. I never would have met them without joining, so I’m eternally grateful.

Short blurbs for the entire anthology, Timeless Treasures: Stories of the Heart (Timeless Tales Book 3):

A special wish of hope, strength, and love brings five couples what they treasure most in this heartwarming collection of short stories.

Ruth A. Casie ~ Whispers on the Wind

A newly minted knight plans to secure his place in his adoptive family through marriage. But the fates have other plans for him. Will he be willing to give up the life he’s always wanted to be with the woman he loves?

Lita Harris ~ Trusting Kindness

Former lovers are reunited one winter night on a boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. Will a common cause reignite their passion or extinguish it forever?

Emma Kaye ~ Losing Patience

When a wish sends a man back in time, can he save the woman he loves, or is he doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past?

Nicole S. Patrick ~ The Colors of Courage

Can a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve lead a US Marine and struggling artist toward more than they’d ever dreamed of for the future?

Julie Rowe ~ Medal of Honor

When a Chicago surgeon is informed her homeless father has been murdered, she’s shocked to discover he won the Medal of Honor years ago in Vietnam. Now the killer has her in his sights, but the detective on the case has no intention of letting anyone hurt her. Ever.

Blurb for Emma Kaye’s story – Losing Patience

Ethan Baxter never had the courage to tell Patience, his best friend, how much he loved her. So he lost her. First to another man, then again when she died. When her sister tells him Patience had grown tired of waiting for him to declare his feelings, he’s overcome with guilt and grief.

The day of her funeral, Ethan finds an amber heart among her treasured possessions and is transported back in time. It’s a few days before the New Year’s Eve party where she met the man who would take her away from Ethan and ruin her life.

Ethan’s been given a second chance and he’s determined not to waste it. This New Year’s Eve, he’ll be the one winning Patience’s love.

But when the amber heart is lost, his memories begin to fade. Is he doomed to repeat the mistakes of his past and lose her again? Or can he find a way to save the woman he’ll always love?

Excerpt from Losing Patience:
“You almost done in there, Precious?” Pep’s voice drifted through the changing room curtain.

He laughed. “Still can’t think of a nickname for me, huh? You know Precious is never gonna stick.” He stashed the amber in his jeans pocket and rushed into one of the outfits Pep’d forced on him.

Her hmph was audible from within the small confines of the changing room. “No. But someday I’ll come up with something and you’ll regret giving me mine.”

“Aw, come on. What’s so bad about Pep? Peppermint patties are your favorite. All I’m saying is that you’re cool, sweet, and everyone who sees you wants you. What’s wrong with that?”

He swept aside the curtains and stepped out to model for her. The smile on her face belied the negative shake of her head. Why had he never noticed the attraction in her eyes? He’d been a damn fool.

But not this time. This time, things were going to be different. He knew what the future held and he wasn’t going back there. Not until he made damn sure Pep was going to be there waiting for him.

Today was a good start. They were having a great time and he was setting the foundation for them to get together at the party. The party was key. That was his moment. Until then, he wanted to let her know his thoughts weren’t merely friendly.

He crooked his finger to bring her closer. “I’m getting tired of all this changing. Want to step in here and give me a hand?”

Buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00NLNCSDU
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/timeless-treasures

BIO:
Emma Kaye is married to her high school sweetheart and has two beautiful kids that she spends an insane amount of time driving around central New Jersey. Before ballet and tennis classes entered her life, she decided to try writing one of those romances she loved to read and discovered a new passion. She has been writing ever since. Add in a playful puppy and an extremely patient cat and she’s living her own happily ever after while making her characters work hard to reach theirs.

Website: http://www.emma-kaye.com
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