Welcome Wild Rose Press author, Rolynn Anderson!!

Welcome to my small corner of the world, Rolynn - hope you enjoy your time here. I don't think we've spoken much on the WRP online groups so I'm looking forward to talking with you.

First things first, everyone knows how much of a book cover addict I am and I LOVE yours - who was the artist? I think the WRP have some of the very best :)

Okay, the floor is yours!

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM CHICKEN FEET

You know the term ‘gobsmacked,’ don’t you? Gob=mouth. Smacked=hit. The whole thing about chicken feet has me gobsmacked. Did you know that without the ongoing and grand scale sale of chicken feet to China, U.S. farmers would have a hard time making a living? I’m not kidding you. Chicken feet are a delicacy in some cultures, and our chicken farmers are banking on the fact. Literally.

What I’ve learned about readerships across the world has some parallels to the chicken feet story. Now, my target audience for light suspense, sparked with romance, is out there. I know it. You know it. My problem is how to find them. I depend on those readers to buy my books, much like those chicken farmers pray every night for a new culinary concept for yumming up chicken feet.

As I’ve learned about fiction genres, I’ve become aware that each group is on the hunt for readers of their particular story line. I’ve heard about a Regency author who has enormous sales numbers in Indonesia and she’s invested in figuring out why that is true. All of us know that readers across the world line up behind specific category romances: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical, Western, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Suspense, Mystery, etc. Readers divide themselves further by choosing unique romantic premises: M/F, M/M, M/M/F and so on.

Back to the chicken feet. It behooves the U.S. chicken farmer and me, to find out everything we can about our customers. If not, we’ll never sell our stories (or our lip-smacking chicken feet).

SUSPENSE SPIKED WITH ROMANCE

LAST RESORT on sale now, print & download

Corporate fixer Rena Gordon needs to wrench a Canadian resort out of the red in time for the Canadian-American Winter Games-but employees bent on sabotage are blocking her every move. When her loose-cannon sister arrives after being kicked out of yet another school, Rena must face the past she's worked so hard to hide, while fighting her attraction to a local fishing guide.

CIA agent Neal Jackson is undercover as a fishing guide to find terrorists at Big Bay. He needs Rena's confidence to access her employee files without exposing his identity, but despite his vow to keep a professional distance, his feelings for her are anything but businesslike.

Caught between vengeful employees, a sister who likes to party, and a hot CIA agent-Rena's corporate training didn't prepare her for this. Can she trust her instincts to save the people and resort she's grown to love?

Exerpt from LAST RESORT by Rolynn Anderson

Something was wrong.

Her eyes snapped open, startling him. "So let me get this right. You look into the fraud thing with an eye open to my sabotage problems. I don't interact with you, even though you have access to all my documents and computer programs. You do all this work in secret while we show the world we can't get along. I'm not allowed to tell a soul about our arrangement." She took a breath. "Have I got it right?"

"Well said." Neal trailed his fingers down her neck to the bathrobe collar, wishing he could see her in silks again. Better: in the bikini. Best: in nothing.

"I hate it."

"Yeah. But it's my way to keep you safe and your reputation intact."

She took his hands and gazed at them, seeming to search for answers by the feel of her hands in his. "I hardly know you, Neal. The risk...the trust."

"Uh-huh."

"I have trouble thinking straight when you're around." She raised her eyes to his. "I think more clearly when you're gone," she said, placing her hands on his chest. "But I feel...I'm more alive when you're here, especially when I can touch you." She shook her head and gently thumbed his lips. "I have this crazy need to make you smile."

"Right now I'd settle for undoing the knot on your bathrobe."

She laughed.

God, he wished he didn't have to get serious. "Rena."

"Hmm?"

"Something's very wrong here at Big Bay. I can feel it, but I can't find it."

Wild Rose Press: http://tinyurl.com/682vwgv

Web: http://www.rolynnanderson.com

Blog: http://blog.rolynnanderson.com/

FB: http://tinyurl.com/63vsnmt

SUSPENSE SPIKED WITH ROMANCE

LAST RESORT on sale now, print & download

Wild Rose Press: http://tinyurl.com/682vwgv

Web: http://www.rolynnanderson.com

Blog: http://blog.rolynnanderson.com/

FB: http://tinyurl.com/63vsnmt

Thanks for being her Roylnn - your post opens the age-old questions of how we reach the people who we know would love our books! Ideas? I'm all out most of the time but I know blogging and interviews definitely help! Right, well, it's over to you guys for comments and questions.... :)

And Christmas is done - AGAIN...

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Right-This-Time-ebook/dp/B004J16YCY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325078966&sr=8-3

Doesn't last long, does it??

All that buying, planning, wrapping and giving and "poof!!" - all done. So what's next for you over this festive season?

For me, this is always a time for reflecting on what I achieved in the year and what I want to achieve in the following year. My resolutions and goals are nicely perculating in my mind but I won't reveal what they are until after New Year. Patience people, patience! :)

In the meantime, I am happy to share my reflections on 2011 - and very happy I am with them too!

My goal in January was to write three full-length novels and secure an agent during 2011 - I'm pleased to say, I managed all three :D

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paying-the-Piper-ebook/dp/B005NAT7GK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325079061&sr=8-1

The first of those novels was Paying The Piper which was released in August, the second and third novels are with my agent. The second (my first romantic suspense for three years) is currently under consideration, the second will soon leave for the big wide world too. I am looking forward to 2012 just for what I have on the horizon. I am so excited!

But as for 2011, I want to thank Lyrical Press for their support with my two releases, Getting It Right This Time & Paying The Piper. I loved working with them and the covers have received lots of great compliments, and more importantly so have the books, lol! Always a happy day ;)

If you had a Kindle for Christmas, you might want to consider getting your copies...no pressure ;)

Enjoy the rest of the holidays!!

Love

Rachel x

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Just popping in for a very quick post to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

I want to thank every reader who has bought a copy of my books, every reviewer who has taken the time to write about them and every editor who has worked hard to make each of my submissions shine.

It's been an eventful 2011 with my best moment being when I secured representation with my fabulous agent, Dawn Dowdle. Dawn has really made me a better writer and made me believe in myself more than ever before - I am excited to see what the future holds. I will keep you posted with any news as soon as I am allowed to share it ;)

2011 also held the scareiest day of my life - when my eldest daughter was knocked down, her head shattering the car windscreen, the entire time until she recuperated passed in a blur. I never want to experience anything like that again...

Whatever you're doing, whether it be with family and friends or snuggled down with a lover, enjoy and be thankful :)

Here's to celebrating God's good grace and keeping us all safe at this festive time - eat, drink and be merry!!

I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring, how about you??

Welcome Carina Press author, Liz Flaherty!

So glad to welcome you here today, Liz! I have heard some fantastic things about Carina Press and believe they are going from strength to strength. I am following executive editor, Angela James on Twitter and she seems so friendly and approachable. Could you tell us a little bit about the editing process? Did you enjoy it? Oh, and who designed your cover? Gorgeous!

Now I've asked another three questions, shall we start the interview, lol??

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

You mean ONE? Oh, my gosh, I usually have a list. J However, if I’m picking one, I think it’s Kathleen Gilles Seidel. While her stories are great, it’s her voice that makes her my favorite. I’ve said before that I’d read the back of toilet paper packages if I knew she was writing the copy.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I was ten years old, an un-popular, un-athletic geek in the fifth grade. At recess, I’d sit in quiet places and write stories on lined paper. I didn’t call myself a writer, but I knew that’s what I was.

3) Describe your writing space?

I don’t have one anymore. A laptop makes me portable, so I work where I want to be at that particular time. The unfortunate part of that is that I have books, papers, and all the requisite “stuff” that goes with writing all over the house.

4) What are you reading now?

Christmas stories! Once I read this year’s offerings, I do a lot of re-reading of old ones. I have an amazing number of Christmas anthologies on my keeper shelf.

5) How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

One More Summer, which will be released by Carina Press on January 2, 2012, is my fifth published book. I’m not sure I have a favorite, but this one is truly the book of my heart. (There are numerous manuscripts under the bed, but you didn’t mean those, did you?)

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

People, who almost always come to me fully named and flawed. And then the place. Since I can’t plot my way out of a paper bag, plot is always last. Word by excruciating word.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

There are times when nothing works and I panic because I’m positive I’ll never again be able to write a publishable word, and my writing has slowed down so much over the years that I worry it will one day just stop, but usually I can write. Something.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I sew. When I retired, I announced (publicly, of all things—what an idiot!) that I would make bed-size quilts for each of the Magnificent Seven, my grandkids. I’m on Number Five by now, but what was I thinking?

9) Tell us about your latest book?

One More Summer is the story of Grace, the ultimate care-giver, and Dillon, who didn’t show up for her prom fifteen years before the story starts.

The last line in a LaVyrle Spencer book, Forgiving, was, “And they slept, delivered.” Grace and Dillon’s story is indeed one of that kind of deliverance. I can’t promise to have written it as well as Ms. Spencer told hers, but that line has been a beacon for me as a storyteller.

Blurb:

Grace has taken care of her widowed father her entire adult life and the ornery old goat has finally died. She has no job, no skills and very little money, and has heard her father’s prediction that no decent man would ever want her so often she accepts it as fact.

But she does have a big old house on Lawyers Row in Peacock, Tennessee. She opens a rooming house and quickly gathers a motley crew of tenants: Promise, Grace’s best friend since kindergarten, who’s fighting cancer; Maxie, an aging soap opera actress who hasn’t lost her flair for the dramatic; Jonah, a sweet, gullible old man with a crush on Maxie.

And Dillon, Grace’s brother’s best friend, who stood her up on the night of her senior prom and has regretted it ever since. Dillon rents Grace’s guest house for the summer and hopes to make up for lost time and past hurts—but first, he’ll have to convince Grace that she’s worth loving…

Excerpt:

“This is supposed to be a prom.” Dillon pushed aside his dessert plate. He gestured toward the backyard. “The dance floor waits.”

Grace got to her feet. “Remember how fragile these glass slippers are.”

He nudged one of her bare feet with the toe of his sandal. “Damn near invisible too. Isn’t technology something?”

Dillon and Steven had placed citronella torches in the yard, and the scent of the oil blended with that of the flowers. The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” filled the air and Dillon put his arms around Grace’s waist. Gently, not pulling her close. She rested her hands lightly on his shoulders, suddenly shy. Other than aerobics classes in the church basement that Promise had dragged her to, she hadn’t danced since high school.

As they moved across the lawn, however, his arms tightened and her hands crept up around his neck, the left one with its glaring white bandage held palm out. His muscled legs moved against hers, but the motions they made were liquid, graceful, and she wished whimsically for a waltz and a flowing dress.

The song changed, and he sang close to her ear. The grass dance floor was cool and damp beneath her feet, the star-filled sky a splendid ceiling, the flickering torches the most romantic of lights, the subtle scent of roses a seductive aroma. Almost against her will, Grace’s eyes drifted closed as his lips lowered to hers. The ambiance was lost on Grace as Dillon’s kiss took over her senses. All she felt were his hands splayed on her back, his body flush with hers. All she smelled was the pleasant mingling of charcoal smoke and Irish Spring soap that lingered on his shirt and his skin. She tasted only his mouth, flavored with wine and coffee, and she couldn’t get enough of it.

After the third kiss, when her insides were a roiling mass of sensation and emotion, she murmured, “Geezy Pete.”

He said, “You got that right,” and stroked a hand up her back. “What’s this? You didn’t wear a bra to the prom?”

She brought her injured hand into his line of vision and waggled it. “I couldn’t fasten it.”

His hand came around between them to cup one small, denim-covered breast. “What a shame.” He found her nipple and worked the bead of its tip between his fingers.

A low moan slipped uncaught from her throat. Clutching her composure like a lifeline before it disintegrated completely, she said, “The music’s stopped.”

“Do you really think so?” he whispered, and teased her lips with the tip of his tongue until they opened.

They had danced their way to where they stood among the trees. When she opened her eyes again, she caught sight of a torch to their left, anchored into the ground beside the single step that led inside the gazebo.

The gazebo.

“No decent man in his right mind’s going to want you, girl.”

“No, Papa,” she whispered, caught in the horror, and moved restively in Dillon’s embrace.

“Gracie?” His voice was soft, gentling.

“I need to go in.” The words sounded much more urgent than the situation demanded, but she couldn’t unsay them.

“Okay.” He answered immediately, and turned her toward the house, but didn’t release her. “I’ll take you back.”

Steven and Promise weren’t on the back porch. The candles had been snuffed, but the dishes remained on the table. “Leave them,” Dillon said, leading her firmly past the mess and into the house. “Steven and I will take care of it. You go on up.”

She nodded and moved toward the stairs, but turned when she stood on the second one. “Dillon?”

“Yeah?” He smiled at her, the expression not erasing the frown of concern between his eyes.

“Thank you. The ‘prom’ was wonderful.” Without waiting for a reply, she ran the rest of the way up the stairs.10) What’s next for you?

I wish I was one of those who could tell about their multiple-book contracts, but, alas, I’ve never had one. I’m writing a sequel to One More Summer right now, but there are mutterings in the back of my mind that tell me it might not be the right time for that.

Thank you so much for having me. I’ve enjoyed visiting.

Visit me at http://www.lizflaherty.com

Or at http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com/

Find me on Twitter @LizFlaherty1

Or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lizkflaherty?ref=tn_tnmn

Great to have you here, Liz - I am heading over to follow you on Twitter! Questions? Comments? Liz is waiting to hear from you...

The lovely Julie A Lindsey is here today!!

I am so happy to be able to host a visit with fellow Blue Ridge Agency author, Julie A Lindsey - she has quickly became a good online friend to me since I joined the agency in March. If you don't follow Julie on Twitter, do it now - the woman is a machine, I tell you. A machine!!

Anyway, welcome Julie - let's get started :)

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

Ahh. I have a few. Stephenie Meyer is close to my heart for creating a set of characters so fascinating I decided to try to make some myself. Thank you Ms. Meyer. I’m also smitten with Maggie Stiefvater for her magical way with words. Reading her books is a complete out of body experience. Finally, Janet Evanovich for making me laugh so loud and hard her books plummet from the treadmill shelf and speed past my toes at 7MPH on a regular basis. Her humor and wit created my imaginary bestie Stephanie Plum who I would gladly go on any adventure with, no questions asked.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think the notion is still settling. I’ve always liked words, but only decided to try writing for publication about 3 years ago. It’s been quite an interesting ride since then. I enjoy people and hope to do as much speaking as writing. I feel like my business card should say Professional People Person instead of writer.

3) Describe your writing space?

I write on my couch, in front of a television playing Barbie movies around the clock. My kids are 8, 5 & 3. They are always under my feet, elbowing my ribs for space on the couch or needing me for random mommy things. My “office” is now a princess’s bedroom and my couch is now my office. No worries. I’m zen. My mad concentration skills can block out a tornado and a herd of flying monkeys.

4) What are you reading now?

Today I’m reading some delish YA and a women’s fiction. The YA ARC I’m devouring is Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly. I’m also enjoying The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab. Also, I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I’ve got my treadmill book, and my eBook I keep for reading while I wait on my kids, and another on the kitchen counter I pick up throughout the day. So, I’m a three book at a time kinda girl. LOL.

5) How many books have your written? Which is your favourite?

I’ve written quite a few books, five will be released in 2012 J I’m in edits right now on the February and March releases so those came right into mind. In February my sweet romance novella Bloom launches a new imprint for Turquoise Morning Press and it is set in rural Ohio where I live, so the connection there is precious to me. I get a little doe eyed thinking of it.

On the flip-side, the March release is book one in my Killer Confection Saga titled Death by Chocolate. It’s nutty and deliciously deadly…Think Desperate Housewives meets Dexter LOL. I have the best time letting that crazy cupcake killer do whatever comes to mind. She’s June Cleaver off her meds and So. Much. Fun!

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

It’s a tie, but I think the concept comes first and characters take shape as I delve into the idea. I spend a shameful amount of time wondering “what if?” What if I stuck a potato in the neighbor’s tailpipe? What is someone roofied the church social’s vat of noodle soup? What if aliens took over the local Amish community? We’d never know…

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

No. My mind is complete ADD. I have trouble keeping ideas at bay so I can finish one before starting another. I just make notes and get back to work. Since first deciding to write a novel in 2008, I’ve never been without fodder.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I talk to strangers. My 3yo daughter and I love shopping vintage stores, thrift shops and the like in search of the perfect accessories no one else will have. While we’re out, I chat up other shoppers, the clerk, anyone really. I’m like a roving reporter who keeps all the stories for herself. I also read & blog and lurk around social media sites. I love people.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

My latest book is a YA I’m in love with. My heart soars for the girl and swoons for the love interest with every new word I type. I am a YA addict by far and away. I read more YA than anything else, probably a book every 2 or 3 days. There’s such an amazing intensity to the teens in the stories. They live passionately as if they are invincible and love truly can conquer all. No mortgage, pervy bosses or dead beat exes to hang them up. I read those stories and it reminds me not to get so old I forget anything is possible.

10) What’s next for you?

Everything! I feel like everything is waiting just up ahead. My sweet romance novella with TMP arrives in February and begins my “Seeds of Love” series with them. Those books are slated for Feb, Sept and December 2012. The Killer Confection books 1 & 2 will arrive in March and then in December. Meanwhile I’ve scheduled several appearances & events in Ohio for 2012 including the amazing Lori Foster Reader Writer get Together in June, some speaking engagements at local colleges and retreats as well as Boucheron in October. 2012 has so much in store for me, I can hardly stand it!

Thank you so much for having me Rachel. You are an absolutely amazing woman and author and friend. I feel honored to be here!

You are the amazing lady, not me!! Wow, five releases in 2012?? You really are a machine, lol! Love the fact you write around your little ones - it will get easier, I did the exact same thing up until about three years ago. Mine are 12 & 10 now so they're not around as much.

I am sooo buying Death By Chocolate when it comes out! Who is the publisher, by the way? Here's where you can find Julie, day or night...

http://blog.juliealindsey.com/

http://julieannelindsey.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/JulieALindsey

As the lady said, she loves talking to new people - bring on your questions & comments!!

Books, books, books - I love 'em!

As a writer, I have a natural (almost unnatural!) obsession with books and my home as well as my office is overflowing with them. I am a self-confessed bibliophile and despite having over 250 books waiting to be read, I still buy more. This backlog of books are all hardback and paperbacks, by the way – it doesn’t include the 40 + I have downloaded onto my Kindle.

It is usual for me to be reading three books at any one time – a hardback, a paperback and an ebook. Makes complete sense, right? No? Let me explain. The hardback is for reading in bed, the paperback is for reading in the bath or when I am walking the dog (I kid you not) and the ebook is for when I am waiting to pick up my kids from one club or another, or waiting at the dentist/doctors etc. Simple.

Okay, so as you can see I LOVE books with a passion so it is darn near impossible for me to choose a single favorite title – so I’m going to cheat and name my all-time favorite author instead….

It has to be the fabulous Nora Roberts every time.

Now I know there maybe some moans and groans out there, but I seriously don’t know why so many people seem to have such a gripe with the fabulous Nora. She writes fantastic stories, with fantastic characters and most of all a fantastic romance. For me at least, she delivers each and every time. I am yet to be disappointed by any of her books and I’ve read a lot – and yes, I still have a lot to read too!

As for erotic romance I enjoy far too many authors to list but the romances I love to read, even though I don’t write them, is any featuring a hunky cowboy, yum! If you like a bit of erotic Western naughtiness too, I cannot recommend the Cowboy Kink series from The Wild Rose Press highly enough ;)

My latest release is “Paying The Piper” and it’s available now from Lyrical Press. Here’s the blurb:

Nightclub manager, Grace Butler is on a mission to buy the pub where her mother’s ashes are scattered – except the vendor wants to sell to anyone but her. And the vendor happens to be her father…with a secret Grace will do anything to uncover.

Social worker and all-round good guy, Jimmy Betts needs cash to buy a house for three special kids before their care home closes. In a desperate bid for cash, he agrees to a one-time ‘job’ for bad-man Karl Butler. But in a sudden turn of events, Jimmy finds himself employed by Karl’s beautiful, funny and incredibly sexy daughter, Grace.

Their lives are so different except for one unifying thread – they are both trying to escape the binds of their tyrannical fathers. But is the key to their liberty each other?

Buy:

http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_25&products_id=424

Welcome the lovely Wild Rose Press author, Katherine Grey!

Katherine is a debut author with The Wild Rose Press - her first release is an historical romance set in the UK (one of my own favorite sub-genres to write!) and I can't wait to find out more about Katherine and her writing.

Let's get started!

1.) Did you set any goals for 2011?

I did set goals but they were small, and I hoped at the time, achievable. My mom was recovering from surgery late in 2010 with some complications and I was transitioning into a new job in a completely new field so I didn’t want to set huge goals that would only have added to my stress level. I’ve met all the goals I set so far with the exception of setting up a Twitter account. That will have to be a 2012 goal.

2.) What is the best part of the writing process for you?

I love writing the first draft of a story when the characters start coming to life and becoming fully formed with their own opinions, likes and dislikes.

3.) The worst part?

I have two things I think are the worst part of writing. One is writing a synopsis. I dread it and struggle to get 350 or so pages distilled into no more than 4 pages. The other thing I dislike is that first pass at editing/revision. I either start out changing nearly everything, adding and subtracting dialogue, description, emotion, etc or I don’t want to change anything because I’m worried I’ll revise the life right out of it.

4.) What is the book you wish you’d written?

I have to choose just one? I’d have to say To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It was the first book that was assigned for school that I loved and looked forward to reading. It touches on so many themes and is as relevant today as when it was first published. I’ve read it over and over throughout the years and still am in awe of how well written it is.

5.) Favourite author/s & book/s?

Goodness, I don’t think I could name them all here. Just a few of my favorite authors are Jeanne C. Stein, Jill Shalvis, Lisa Kleypas, Janet Evanovich, Suzanne Brockmann, Candace Camp, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Darynda Jones. Some of my favorite books are Whitney, My Love, A Heart So Wild, Dreaming of You, and anything by Suzanne Brockmann and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

6.) Tell us about your latest release?

Impetuous was my debut novel and released in August. It takes place in 1812 London, England and involves the search for a stolen family heirloom with unforeseen consequences for both the hero and heroine.

7.) Tease us with a blurb/short excerpt.

His admiration for her grew with each encounter. Never had he met

a woman who fought with words, who could voice her opinions and

arguments so forcefully without once resorting to tears and the other

emotions many of her gender relied on to get their way.

“I suppose you are angry now that I’ve spoken the truth.”

He tilted his head to the side and looked at her. “No. I was just thinking

how beautiful you look.”

Teresa stared at him with a skeptical expression. “You’re doing it much too

brown. If you don’t mind, it’s been a long night. I would like to get inside

before the sun rises.”

“Do I not deserve a kiss for rescuing you tonight?” He knew he risked her temper,

but couldn’t resist baiting her once more.

“You didn’t rescue me. Freddie did. And I would no more kiss you than I would eat a

bucket of chitterlings.”

Mateo raised his eyebrows. “Really? Then I leave you with one last thing to think

about as you lie in your bed.”

“And that would be?”

“A man driven to desperation will do almost anything to achieve his aim.”

8.) What is your favourite attribute of the hero and heroine?

Both the hero and heroine will do anything to protect their family. That sense of loyalty influences everything they do and why they do it.

9.) What’s next?

My novella, titled The Muse, that will be released in the first part of 2012.

10.) Tell me where you write?

I write at the dining room table. I plug in my ipod and fire up the laptop and I’m ready to go.

11.) Where would you like your career to be in 5 years?

I’d love to be able to write full time and be able to support my family with the income from my writing without having to have a separate job outside the home

12.) Where can we find you?

You can find me at my blog and Facebook.

Blog: http://katherinegrey.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katherine-Grey/265375626827267?sk=wall

Great interview, Katherine! This book has just gone on my TBR list - it sounds as though we have a lot in common with our writing. From the dining room table to dreaming of making a living from writing. What a lovely aspiration!

Comments?

Welcome White Rose Publishing author, Dana Pratola!

Hi Diana, so great to have you here!

I think I am right in saying you are the first author I have hosted who writes for White Rose Publishing, previously part of The Wild Rose Press. They publish inspirational romance which grows in popularity with each passing day it seems. Why do you think this is? I consider myself a very spiritual person and think we all seek the good and the peaceful in our lives. Do you think this is the reason more and more women are turning to inspirational romance?

And one last thing before we start the interview...I absolutely ADORE your cover, beautiful!

1) When and why did you decide you wanted to be a published author?

I don’t know that I ever decided, I just never wanted to be anything else. Well, for a short time I wanted to be an oceanographer. I couldn’t swim and gave up, though I did join Greenpeace, LOL.

2) What is the best and worse thing you have learned from an editor/agent?

I learned so much about editing, being about to cut a lot of words, yet maintain the integrity of the story. The worst thing, hmm. Probably that I can’t keep everything I think is important.

3) Favourite author/s?

Nora Roberts, Jane Austin, Stephanie Laurens, Eloisa James.

4) What is your typical day?

No such thing. Mine and my husband’s schedules change so much there’s no way to do anything typically.

5) Share your blurb or short excerpt from your latest release with us. EXCERPT:

“Your pastor says I’m marked for death.”

The abruptness of the announcement left her momentarily speechless and quite unsure she’d heard correctly. “What?”

“He thinks the devil’s trying to kill me.”

She looked closely for any sign of humor, but Gunnar didn’t have a sense of humor she was aware of.

“Why does he think that?” she asked.

“I told you I have nightmares, right?” Tessa nodded. Gunnar ran his finger along the edge of his napkin. “Well it goes a little beyond that.”

Tessa listened, enthralled, as Gunnar described in terrifying detail what he suffered in the night. A few things made more sense – his hostility for one – and she now had a better grasp of what pushed him toward suicide. God, how had he coped so long with the torment?

“I’d say Pastor’s right,” Tessa said when he finished.

“Great.”

The waiter arrived with their plates then disappeared. “You said when you had the gun to your head,” she shivered inwardly, “it didn’t feel like you. It felt like you were being driven.” Gunnar met her eyes across the table. “I believe you were.”

“Demons, right?” he asked. Tessa inclined her head. “Can they do that?”

“They can’t pick up your gun and shoot you with it,” she said. “But they can be persuasive.”

“Yeah,” he grumbled.

Tessa glanced around the small room. To an eavesdropper the conversation would seem like mumbo jumbo and ordinarily she wouldn’t care if strangers thought her “out there” or weird, but she kept her voice low in consideration for Gunnar’s privacy.

“When was the last time you had one of those dreams?” she asked.

“It’s been a while. Thank God.” He made a sound exactly between a chuckle and a snicker. “I mean that.”

This time when Tessa reached for his hand he left it under hers, turning it upward to lightly grip her fingers. “But you don’t think it’s the end,” Tessa said.

He topped her thumb with his and rubbed gently. “It’s like they’re constantly hovering. Waiting for the right time.”

Tessa refused to acknowledge the chill that swept through her.

“I know when they come for me, I won’t be able to stop it,” Gunnar said. “And one of these times they’ll pull me back there and I won’t come out.”

6) Did you plan this book? Or write it as it came?

First the second, then the first.

7) What surprised you the most when you became a published?

How supportive everyone at White Rose Publishing is, from all the authors to the publishing staff.

9) Do you have a dedicated writing space? What does it look like?

I’m usually at my kitchen table but lately I’ve set up a desk in my husband’s walk-in closet, LOL. There’s quiet and a nice scene of an outdoor café hanging on the wall. Even a candle =-D

10) What’s next for you?

I have several books in the works and the next will be whichever I finish first.

Finish with details of where readers can find you – website, Facebook, Twitter etc

Website: www.danapratola.webs.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/DanaPratola

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11025050-the-covering

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=dana+pratola&sprefix=dana+pratola

Pelican Book Group: http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php

Barnes and Noble.com http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-covering-dana-pratola/1104473665?ean=9781611161014&itm=4

Really enjoyed talking with you, Dana and I wish you all the luck in the world with your future sales and success. Okay, Dana is waiting to hear from YOU! How do you feel about inspirational romance? Any favorites?

DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!

I was woken up this morning by a minor panic attack about my lack of Christmas prepartion AGAIN!! Ever since I've dedicated my life to all things writing (around the kids, hubby, dog and house, of course), Christmas has become a little bit of a last minute panic in our house.

Every year for the last six years, I get to around this time and panic about the presents I've left to buy (the worse being something for hubby this year, grrr!), all the wrapping that needs to be done, cards that need writing and a tree to buy and make look pretty. I am behind, or not even started on all of it.

So once I've updated my blog and answered my emails this morning (I am sitting on the settee with a cup of tea while the kids watch Disney Channel!), I will dedicate the entire weekend to all this Christmassy. No writing! None! Nada! I promise, honestly, I will...Rachel, step away from the laptop!!!

Starting with buying the tree...ready, steady, go!!!

Rachel x