Thank you Cynthia for having me as a guest today.

Tell us about yourself:

I have been writing for many years, and have five print books from small publishers, and 29 indie ebooks. I took a break from writing for many years, working a job to pay the bills. Then last year I lost my job. That was the universe giving me a kick in the butt to start my own business working for myself as an indie author. Now, I have to only answer to myself, but I’m actually the most demanding boss I’ve ever worked for.

How many books have you written, and in what genres?

In the past year I have self-published 29 ebooks and have my 30th coming out this April/May. Granted about a third of these books were already written, but I am a fast writer, and it really only takes me a few weeks to write a book. I’ve also, through determination, designed my own website, created all my own covers, and even my booktrailers that I think are more like movie trailers. I was motivated to do all this from the fact my two sons were laughing at me and telling me I could never do it, since I barely knew how to shut off my computer. Well, it may have been true, but don’t ever give an Aries woman a challenge and think she won’t take it. (Grin).

Daughters of the Dagger Prequel: FREE BOOK. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAMJHOE

What genres do you write and why?

I write all kinds of romance. So far, my books have been mostly medieval, since I love anything to do with castles and swords. I have a FREE prequel book to my Daughters of the Dagger Series out now. Characters from my Legacy of the Blade series make guest appearances, and my Dagger Series runs right into my Scottish MadMan MacKeefe Series. I have just published Ian, Book 3, the last book of the crazy Scottish Highlanders of the series. I also love the paranormal and have many books with paranormal aspects, my favorite being my Elemental Series where four women are part fae and control the elements of nature. I have a few short stories as well, and contemporary books too.

Tell us about your current series/WIP.

I am now switching it up a bit and getting back to my Tarnished Saints series. This is a contemporary series. The Taylor Twelve are twelve brothers of a preacher, but far from saints. Matter of fact, they are nothing but trouble. I am currently working on Judging Judas, Book 3 of the series and it should be released sometime around the end of April or the beginning of May.

Judas is the sheriff of the small town of Sweet Water, Michigan. The series is set around Thunder Lake. Each of the twelve brothers has been named after an apostle. And Judas has some real issues with his brother, Matthew Levi, in Luring Levi, Book 2, since he’s turned Levi in for tax evasion and his brother spent 7 years in prison. They are all bad boys and that’s what makes the series so fun to write. I love writing strong heroes who are usually struggling with inner demons, as well as feisty heroines who can keep them on their feet. (Or off.)

What inspired your latest book?

My parents live on a lake in Michigan, and I spent a lot of time there with my boys when they were growing up. This series, though fictional names of places and characters, is based on a lot on my own experiences. Such as the setting, the surroundings, and things I used to do there, such as playing Canasta – the way the old couple who own the Bed and Breakfast does in my first book – Doubting Thomas. A lot of my secondary characters are based on people I know, but I’ll never reveal those secrets!

What is the hardest and easiest thing you’ve found in the process of self-publishing?

This experience has been exciting, yet at times frustrating too. I still haven’t found the secret of how to get all those reviews I see so prevalent on other authors’ books. I think a lot of people just don’t understand how important it is for authors to have reviews. I also find writing the book the easiest part, but it is time consuming to crank out as many series as I have lately, and that takes time away from marketing the book. It is hard to be author, cover designer, editor, marketer, and doing book trailers on top of that and still have to try to get noticed to sell the books as well. If I could only clone myself a couple times, I could really use the extra help.

Ian – Book 3, MadMan MacKeefe Series: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IO0GDM2

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I pretty much fly by the seat of my pants I’d say. I don’t like to plan too much because my characters are only going to change it anyway. I run with an idea and start writing and let my characters do whatever they want. Most the time, I’m surprised by what happens just as much as my readers are. I kind of let the characters dictate to me and I just type it on the page. However, since I am in the process of writing a twelve book series, I decided I’d better start a Bible for my Tarnished Saints boys. I deal with a lot of intermingling characters. For example, Thomas in Doubting Thomas has six young sons just to start out the story. It is sort of a family saga that I can see ending up as a mini-series someday.

While I don’t really plot, I do go for walks and my characters talk to me in my head. Sometimes I actually have to tell them to calm down and shut up and that I’ll get to their story as soon as I’m able. Poor Judas has been pestering me for a while now, so I’m glad to finally get back to this series. I have all twelve covers done and they look great and I can’t wait to share them. Watch my website at http://elizabethrosenovels.com for occasional sneak peeks at the covers.

Do you write under a pen name and how did you choose it?
I guess the answer is yes and no. My middle name is Rose, so I chose for my writer name to be Elizabeth Rose, since no one can pronounce remember, or spell my last name. The only problem with this is that there are many other authors named Elizabeth Rose. So I’ve come up with a trademark, since I do my own covers. Every one of my books has a rose on the cover by my name. I also have the quirky habit of putting the title of the book as the last words of the novel. It comes full circle I guess you could say.

I’d like to share an excerpt now of Luring Levi, Book 2 from my Tarnished Saints Series. And thank you everyone for stopping by today.

Elizabeth Rose

Luring Levi – Book 2, Tarnished Saints Series: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DV3GY2G

EXCERPT from LURING LEVI

Levi shut off the motor and jumped over the side of the convertible, and Candace hurriedly made her way to the car. She wore a sundress with heels, trying to look professional since she was a TV personality and had to keep up appearances at all times.

“Ready to go?” he asked in a low voice.

“Where were you?” She glanced once more at her watch. “The meeting started twenty minutes ago.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “The town council will chew the fat til I get there. No one knows how to stop the chitter-chatter but me. Believe me, the meeting won’t start until I say so.”

“Excuse me for saying, but you sound a little pompous. And I still can’t believe they let a jailbird be mayor.”

She stepped on a stone with her heels and stumbled. He was there instantly with one arm around her waist and his other hand under her armpit to steady her.

“Even jailbirds deserve a second chance, Candy.”

She was pressed up against his broad chest. His hair was wet and he smelled like soap. But his clothes were wrinkled and she realized he still wore what he had on yesterday.

His blue eyes bore into her and she felt her heart skip a beat. By the heat from his hands on her skin, she realized how close his fingers were to the side of her breast. Thoughts flitted through her mind of the last time she’d seen him. Of the torrid love they’d made that night and the undying passion he’d displayed in bed. He may seem like a cool, careless, no-good womanizer, but the feelings he’d brought out in her had her squirming now at just remembering what he’d done to lure those emotions from her.

He’d brought her to her peak and screaming for more, and more than once that night. Oh, yes, he’d said it was a night he’d never forget, and neither would she. And she’d never been able to look at whipped cream, honey and an assortment of other food items in the same way again after that glorious, sizzling night.

“I thought about you every day while I was in prison,” he said so softly it was almost a whisper. He pulled her body closer to him and before she knew it she was wrapped in his arms.

“I’m sure you thought about a lot of girls while you were there,” she said, making the mistake of looking up when she spoke, only to realize his face was now inches from hers.

“No, just you,” he said, sounding sincere but she knew she couldn’t believe him. He obviously had only thought about her because their night together was probably the last time he’d had sex since spending seven years behind bars. His mouth was so close to her that she could feel his breath on her face. She made the mistake of looking at his lips and when she looked back up to his eyes she noticed he was looking at hers as well.

“That was a long time ago, Levi, and maybe we should just forget all about it.”

“I could never forget,” he said. “Nor do I want to.” And with that he lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss.

Author Bio:
Elizabeth Rose loves anything medieval, paranormal or remotely mystical. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago and is a wife and mother of two boys. She has been a freelance artist and photographer, and creates her own book covers and trailers. She is currently working on her 30th book. She loves to hear from her readers, and would love to know which of her books you enjoyed the most. You can contact her at elizabethrosenovels@gmail.com. Or stop by her website and subscribe to her newsletter, watch her book trailers, or read excerpts of any of her books at http://elizabethrosenovels.com.

Daughters of the Dagger booktrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssDA4LGsqH0

Links:
Website: http://elizabethrosenovels.com
Email: elizabethrosenovels@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Rose-Author/515495781845391?ref=hl

Books available at:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K7X946
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/elizrose
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple