Spotlight Author with Melissa Mayhue

I am so happy to have my writing friend, Melissa Mayhue back here at my place. I have known her almost as long as I have been writing. Well, sort of. I guess I should say, I have known her since I picked up writing again after getting married and having three kids. ;-) We met about six years ago. I think it’s pretty close to that if not right on the mark. She has been a great mentor for me, always there when I have a question, always supportive when I need the support, she’s just great!!!!

Welcome back to Micole Writes Romance, Melissa. For those of you who have never been introduced to my friend, Melissa Mayhue, she writes The Daughters of the Glen series. Her seventh and eighth books come out back to back in February and March.

Thanks so much for inviting me back, Micole. I always love an excuse to visit with you!

When we first met you had just sold your first book. You now have seven books out, the eighth on its way in March. What does it feel like when you see all of those covers looking back at you? (They are beautiful covers I might add!)

It is absolutely a dream come true.

Can you share a little bit about the books that we will be seeing over the next couple of months?

I’d love to.

HEALING THE HIGHLANDER releases on February 22. It wraps up what was a mini-series within the series that began with HIGHLANDER’S DESTINY. In DESTINY, a teenage girl [the sister of that book’s heroine] is kidnapped by the evil Fae [the Nuadians] to make use of the powers she has as a result of her own Faerie ancestry. Even after she’s rescued, Leah knows there is no place on Earth where she will ever be safe from them. In the following book, A HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING, the family decides the only way to keep Leah safe is to hide her where the Nuadians can’t look –the Scottish Highlands of 1293… seven hundred years in the past.

HEALING picks up eleven years later, finally giving us Leah’s story. She’s adapted to life Medieval Scotland, feels loved and safe, and she’s determined to avoid Faeries and their magic at all costs. As you can guess, rather than avoiding the Fae Magic, she has to learn to accept it.

On March 29, HIGHLANDER’S CURSE releases. It’s time that the last of the MacAlister brothers, Colin, finds his own destiny. His back story was so interesting to me, that I’ve been looking forward to writing this book for a while.

How many more books are planned for the series?

There is no specific number of books. It depends on where the characters take me. I can tell you this: the book I’m working on now [WARRIOR’S REDEMPTION, tentatively schedule for end of 2011] picks up with a young warrior first introduced in HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING [Malcolm MacDowylt] and the whole storyline takes a decided twist!

What will you do when the series is finished?

When the stories stop coming or the readers stop reading.

What makes your writing unique?

I’m not sure any author is the best authority on what makes their writing unique. I can say that I try to write stories that appeal to me. I like to think my characters are interesting and I do my best to put them in situations where they’re forced to grow and adapt.

If you had to pick a favorite character that you have created or one that you wish you had created who would it be and why?

That’s really hard. I have different favorites for different reasons. One of my favorite heroines in the series has to be Sarah Douglas from HIGHLAND GUARDIAN. Why? Because she’s older than most of my heroines and she’s a romance writer. As far as secondary characters, Rosie MacKiernan [daughter of the hero and heroine from the first book in the series, THIRTY NIGHTS WITH A HIGHLAND HUSBAND] is one of my favorites because there’s so much more to that little girl than meets the eye. She’s a very old, very powerful soul, reborn . And, I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t add how much I’ve loved every scene ever written with Dallyn Aĺ Lyre, High General of the Realm of Faerie.

Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.

Think total zoo and you’re pretty close.  Both my husband and I work at home – at opposite ends of the house! And though my three sons are out of the house, two of them just became parents themselves this year, so I have three wonderful new grandsons [yes – one set of identical twins who look so much like their daddy it’s almost unreal!] to tempt me away from my writing on a regular basis. I do try to write every day, though I’ll admit to a fair amount of procrastination, which means the closer I get to deadline, the more of a recluse I’m forced to become!


Thanks for dropping in with me Melissa. Good luck with both of your releases.

Thanks so much for having me, Micole. If you’ll be kind enough to choose one of your guests who leaves a comment to today’s blog, I’ll be happy to send them an autographed copy of one of my backlist books of their choosing! They can visit my website – www.MelissaMayhue.com – to choose which book they’d like [keeping in mind that I don’t yet have copies of the two newest releases]. In fact, I’d like to invite all your readers to stop by my website, where I have excerpts from all my books online and available for them to read if they’re not familiar with the series.


See you back here on Tuesday, readers.

Hugs

Micole

Spotlight Author with Diana Cosby

Hope everyone enjoyed their long President’s Day weekend. Mine was filled with… hmmm do you really want to hear about my booooooring life? ;-) How about we talk about something a lot more interesting, like this week’s guest, Diana Cosby, who by the way is a revisiting guest.

Welcome back Diana. You were here with us back in October of 2010. Has anything new or exciting happened since we last spoke?

~Hi Micole, my sincere thanks for having me back at Micole Writes Romance. Yes, so many amazing things have occurred since October:
-His Conquest, the 3rd book in the MacGruder brothers series was released and remained on Amazon's Best-Seller lists for over 100 days.
-I was interviewed by Woman's Day for an article on women who achieved success later in life for April 17th magazine issue.
-Interviewed by womansday.com for an article about women finding hope in romance novels.
-His Conquest is a finalist in the historical division of the 2010 Picture Perfect Cover Contest. http://dunesanddreams.org/picture-perfect/
-I started an International Food Bank Donation Challenge in November of 2012. I'm proud to share that 41 entries were received. This will now be an annual event beginning on November 1st of each year.
-I was named as "Accomplished Author of 2010" at Ask A Published Author: http://www.askapublishedauthor.org/
-His Woman was listed as one of the "Best Romance Novels of 2010."
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/best-romance-novels.html

What do Diana Cosby fans have to look forward to in 2011?

2011 Promises to be an incredibly busy year. My current schedule is:
-February 26th I will be giving a workshop for the Dallas Area Romance Writers on marketing/promotion.
-March 25th & 26th I am speaking at the two day celebration open house for the Grayson College Library.
-April, I am attending the National Trust For Scotland's A Celebration of Scotland's Treasures at the Metropolitan Club Gala in NYC.
-April 9th I am speaking to the Yellow Rose Chapter on, "Writing Tight - Editing For Power."
-June: I am attending the 25th Annual Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games at Maverick Stadium at UTA in Arlington, Texas. I will be signing at the tent of Clan Stewart.
-October 1st, His Destiny, the 4th book in the MacGruder brothers series is released!
-October 13th I am blogging at Borders True Romance: http://bordersblog.com/trueromance
-November 1st blog to kick off the 2nd annual International Food Bank Food Drive at http://magicalmusings.com/
*I am setting up a book signing tour in Scotland for July 2012.

Tell us about your latest/upcoming release.

His Destiny, released this October, is a story about the troubled adopted brother, Patrik. His Destiny is his journey to find redemption, and unexpectedly, love. The back of the book teaser is on my website now!
http://www.dianacosby.com/hisdestiny.html

What are you working on now?

I'm working on what I hope will be the 5th of a six book series of the MacGruder brothers. I've loved Griffin since I first met him in His Captive and have been ultra excited to write his story, one that throws this meticulous planner off balance from the first, and in the end, unexpectedly, he finds love.

For those curious, the sixth book would be the grandmothers, her story and how through her magic is truly woven.

When you write do you painstakingly plan out your manuscript detail by detail, or do you wing it and fly by the seat of your pants letting your characters take you on the journey?

When I began writing, I meticulously planed everything. Now, with exception of the synopsis, I sit down and write.

Besides writing, Diana also gives workshops on writing a synopses, marketing, writing tight-editing, and writing historicals. All of which are great topics for discussion. Can you give us a little sneak of what you teach in these classes?

I love giving workshops on many aspects of writing with my goal to break down what writers often perceive as overwhelming issues into understandable aspects.
For example, many writers dread the synopsis. In addition to reviewing the various aspects of what creates a strong synopsis, I explain that the synopsis is the most powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal because it:
- ensures you have a solid basis/motivation for your novel.
-serves as a selling tool when submitted to an editor along with your first three chapters, which are termed a partial.
-is a story roadmap for you to follow when you’re writing your novel.

What is your best advice on writing a synopsis?

Make your synopsis personal to where the reader, an agent or editor, understands each main character's motive, what drives them as guides the challenges of their each decision in story. When you allow the reader to care, it allows them to connect with the characters and invest in them on an emotional level.

What is your best advice on writing tight?

In each story line know what you're trying to achieve plot wise as what emotion drives your character's decision. If you're writing action, short sentences = fast pace, white space = impact. A slow emotional scene use long sentences = slows the pace, description = visuals for the reader. Pair contrasting words for impact = Silence clattered between them. Show don't tell and many.

What is your best advice on marketing?

Pair your passions. Marketing is hard enough without choosing to do what you don't care for. So, I only do what I love. For example, I love to volunteer, to make a positive difference in others lives, and to inspire people to go for their dreams. So, in addition to volunteering for Habitat For Humanity, Ducks Unlimited and having a Writing Scholarship at a local high school, I donate my books as time to any cause I believe in, as time allows, to help others.

What is your best advice on writing a historical?

Write what you enjoy, what your passionate about. Writing a historical takes a tremendous amount of research in addition to the writing process. You need to love every fiber of what you write to carry you through revisions until you've finally achieved 'The End.'

Diana has so much more to share through her classes, make sure to check out where you can sign up for one of them. Where can we find out more about you and your classes?

I post updates:
-on my website: http://www.dianacosby.com/
-in my newsletter: http://www.dianacosby.com/mailinglist.html
-on my facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diana-Cosby-Romance-Author/150109024636?ref=ts

Thank you, Diana for being a guest once again. It is always a pleasure to have you here.

Micole, it's my sincere pleasure to visit again and have a chance to speak with your fabulous readers. I do have a question for everyone, what aspect of story do you enjoy most? My sincere thanks for your time and have a fabulous day!

Diana Cosby
International Award-Winning Author
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive-Alexander MacGruder/ His Woman-Duncan MacGruder/ His Conquest-Seathan MacGruder
His Destiny - Oct 2011

"Cosby gives you it all - passion, danger, lush history and a touch of magic. Excellent reading." NYT Best-selling Author - Hannah Howell


Thanks again blog readers. You guys are the best. See you back here, Thursday when I will be catching up with my friend, Melissa Mayhue. Make sure to pop back in.

Hugs

Micole

Spotlight Author with Delilah Marvelle

Today I have Delilah Marvelle sharing the spotlight. She has three great books out right now and is here to tell us about them.

Tell us a little bit about the Scandal series that you have out.

I wanted every book in the Scandal series to have a different feel. From raw to emotional to intellectual. And each book is written in that order. Prelude to a Scandal is raw. Once Upon a Scandal is emotional. And The Perfect Scandal is intellectual. Because in the end, I would hate for my readers to get the same read over and over from me. It wouldn't be fun to read and it most certainly wouldn't be fun to write. All three books are linked, not by characters but by an object. In particular, a red little etiquette book by an unknown author.




Book 1, Prelude to a Scandal has a hero who is a recovering sex addict in 1829 who is about to discover he is stronger at heart than he thinks he is.











Book 2, Once Upon a Scandal, is a Cinderella in trousers story, where our hero is the ultimate romantic who is forever looking for his Princess Charming.











Book 3, The Perfect Scandal features a hero who is a cutter and thinks he's a freak until he meets the heroine.






What makes your writing unique?

I love shining light on topics that most historical romances edge away from due to taboo. So you can call me Taboo Girl. That's me and that's what makes my writing unique.

What are you working on now?

I'm currently working on another trilogy, so yes, I've got three projects under way. Really excited about these books!!! I'm doing a ton of research. Sadly, I can't share anything about them, yet, until I get approval to do so and all contracts are finalized, but let's just say I'm about to dig into a realm that has always fascinated me.

What is your writing process and how long would you say it takes you when a new idea is sparked from sketching out the details to getting to THE END?

I must have three things when I write:1.) A Vanilla Starbucks Frappunico.2.) My research books have to be within reach so I don't have to get up.3.) Complete and utter silence. Meaning no one in the house and all phones and twitter and facebook off. Or I won't be able to focus.

Once all those three things are in place, I write about six hours straight. It takes me about 4-6 months to complete a book from spark to finish. It varies on the sort of project it is.


What is the hardest part about your job?

Not writing, lol. Seriously. I love to write and so the hardest part is not having enough hours in the day to do it. Writing is a neverending project, no matter if you're working on the same project or starting a new one. There's always something to work on, edit, write and fix.

If you had to pick a favorite character that you have created or one that you wish you had created who would it be and why?

One of my favorite characters to date would have to be my retired elderly courtesan Madame de Maitenon from my School of Gallantry series. She was such a firecracker and smart ass I loved because she went through a lot to get to where she was but never let anything drag her down during her crazy journey through men and life.

I was at the Emerald City Romance Writers Conference in 2009. I saw you at a book signing. You looked so cute all dressed up in costume. Is this something that you do at all of your book signings?

LOL, whenever I have an excuse to dress up, I do. And being a historical romance author lends itself to the flare of dressing up. But I pick and choose my battles. I don't ALWAYS dress up. I decide if it's appropriate first. But yes, more often than not, I like to dress up.

What’s one thing that you know now that you wished you knew when you started your journey as a writer?

I have to say I'm glad I didn't know half the things going in or I wouldn't have been so starry eyed and willing to do what I'm doing right now, lol. Writing is fun but there's so much to learn and so much I'm still learning as a published author, it's a lifetime of never knowing and learning.


When you aren’t writing steaming hot romances what do you do in your spare time?

I love kickboxing, running, reading, spending time with my family, hanging out with my writer friends, researching projects, and cooking. I went to culinary school and so cooking is my second love next to writing.

Delilah, thank you so much for being a part of my blog. I appreciate the time you have spent here and wish you tons of success in 2011. Where can we find out more information abut you and your books?

www.DelilahMarvelle.com

Thanks for stopping by friends. See you Tuesday when I will have Diana Cosby in the spotlight.

Hugs

Micole

Spotlight Author with Paula Quinn

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day and that the most romantic Valentine swept into the palms of your hands, from the most handsome hunk, (or for the men out there) a sassy woman. I hope your day was filled with chocolate, romance, and a lot of LOVE!!!!!

Today, I have Paula Quinn as my guest. She has been kind enough to share herself with us. Paula, can you tell us a little bit about your latest release SEDUCED BY A HIGHLANDER.


Seduced By A Highlander is book 2 in my Children of the Mist series. It’s about a man’s journey to find honor in the arms of his ladylove…even if she does hate him. After causing a skirmish ten years ago between the MacGregors and the Fergussons that left men dead on both sides, Tristan MacGregor no longer believes in quests. At least, not the kind of quests that men take to find integrity…or damsels in distress. But when he meets fair, feisty Isobel Fergusson at the king’s coronation, he embarks upon a journey into his own heart to find the man he had so wanted to become. Isobel will not be easily won by any knight in rusty armor. Especially a MacGregor. Nor will her brood of six brothers. They hate the MacGregors for killing their father and leaving them orphans a decade ago. But when Tristan follows her home, determined, relentless, and ruthlessly charming in his quest to end the feud and bring peace to their clans, her resistance begins to fail her. Does she dare lose her heart to her worst enemy, especially with the secret she has kept for the last ten years…a secret that will not end the feud, but start it up again?
How long was your road to publication?


Like any author, I had always hoped to see my books in print, but I didn’t work on it as stringently as I could have. I was raising three kids and writing was more of a hobby than a career. My husband actually found my first agent. After that, it took about six months to get published.


Often time’s writers describe writing a love scene like being an intruder in something so very personal. Do you feel this way and how do you get through the dreaded love scene?


It depends on the characters and their story, but yes, I do often feel like an intruder in something that should be sacred. I almost want to turn away and give them their privacy. But it’s more than just being a voyeur that I find difficult. I’m writing romance and there is so much more to it than the sexual aspect. The scenes must be built up slowly in order to appreciate the climax. Emotion must be involved and sometimes it’s draining. Some characters fight the initial surrender of heart, body, and mind, while others yield seamlessly. Like I said, it depends on the characters and their story. Usually though, I’d much rather write about a bloody battle. It’s easier.

Every author that I have spoken to has their own writing process. Some spend weeks working on character building charts. Some use post it notes to plot their entire book. Other’s pull pictures from magazines and make a story board of sorts. What is your writing process and how long would you say it takes you when a new idea is sparked from sketching out the details to getting to THE END?


Every book is different for me. Some stories have been in my head for months and everything is already plotted out. Usually though, they all take unexpected turns during the writing process. With some books, I start out with a picture of a character, someone I’ve seen on TV usually. Most revolve around an event in history. I begin with a character analysis to get to know my hero and heroine’s deepest inner needs and goals. I don’t use storyboards because the story is often there to begin with. Research is time consuming, but I love discovering new facts about whatever it is I need to know. I begin writing and go from there. I guess you would call me a pantser. (Writing from the seat of my pants) rather than a plotter. I like quiet time to go through the next scene before I begin typing it. I have notes all over my manuscript and reminders in notebooks of a scene that came to me to be used at a later time. The entire process of a new idea and The End takes about 6 to 9 months. I would love a year but once you’re published, time is no longer a luxury.

Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.


It’s very uneventful. I still cook, clean, do laundry, etc. I have a busy household with a husband, kids, and lots of pets. I try to write at least five pages during the day, but it doesn’t always work out. I get most of my work done at night, when everyone is asleep and I can focus. Depending on if my muse is at her best, I’m usually awake until 3am. Other aspects of a writer’s life are social networking, promoting my work, answering emails, and doing interviews and blogs. I love connecting with my readers and hearing their thoughts about my books. Good or bad, it’s one of the more rewarding factors of writing.


Where do you see yourself in five years?


Oh gosh, I don’t know. I’ll be happy wherever God leads me in five years.
If you had to pick a favorite character that you have created or one that you wish you had created who would it be and why?


With the exception of two men that I’ve written, my characters are like my children, so I love them all equally. Callum MacGregor from Laird of the Mist and William the Conqueror from Lord of Desire hold special places in my heart. I fell in love with William doing research and his character came alive for me. He made writing my Risande series easy and fun. Callum came to me over and over until his story was finally written, changing my genre to Scottish historicals. I felt a kinship with him and cried so many times while telling his story that I almost didn’t write it.

I read on your site that your least favorite part of writing a book is the beginning. How do you do you remedy this?


I don’t. I still don’t like it. It’s like writing a letter. You know what you want to say, but where to begin? There’s so much going on in my head in the first few chapters that it’s very easy to lose the pace. The characters are new and feeling their way around, meeting one another for the first time, etc. And it’s not just the characters being introduced, but we also must get a first glimpse into the plot. I usually have to go back and rewrite things a few times. It helps to really know my characters before I begin writing….and then, I just write. Editing can come later.

What is the most valuable piece of advice that you have received through out your writing career that you would like to pass along to other authors out there?


Being an author comes with its share of joys and disappointments whether you are just starting or you have been in this business for many years. All of us need advice no matter where we are on this journey. Toughen you hide. Never defend something you’ve poured your heart into. Everyone is different, some will love your work and others won’t. Enjoy every minute of the ride and always work hard to put your best out there.

What’s next in the Children of the Mist series?


My next installment in the Children of the Mist series is Tamed By A Highlander, due out in July 2011. It’s difficult being a woman in a warrior’s world, but Mairi MacGregor has learned to fit in quite nicely. Let her kin believe she’s given up her love of the sword. It’s easy enough to hide daggers in the folds of one’s skirts. Part of a secret rebel militia designed to sweep Scotland free of its Protestant enemies, Mairi has no time or desire for a husband, especially not a lecherous, serpent tongued swine who stole her heart when she was a child and then broke it to pieces. She never wanted to see Connor Grant again after he left her for England. For seven years she has struggled to keep him from her thoughts, but when they are reunited due to events beyond her control, her long battle becomes a war. Fortunately for Mairi, she knows how to fight.
Where can we find out more about you Paula?


Readers can visit me at www.PaulaQuinn.com. I tweet at http://twitter.com/Paula_Quinn and have lots of fun with my readers on my author page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Fans-of-Paula-Quinn/336691429368

Thank you for joining me here on my blog.


Thanks so much for inviting me 

See all of you Thursday when I have Delilah Marvelle joining me.

Hugs

Micole

BREAKING THE RULES with Tawny Weber

Are you hunting for a H.O.T. Valentines read, to get you geared up for the big day? Or maybe you’re just looking for a good, little on the naughty side read. Don’t be shy… ;-) Tawny Weber is your girl. Her latest Harlequin Blaze title, BREAKING THE RULES has already hit shelves. If just looking at the cover doesn’t make you drool, you may need to seek medical attention!!! Just kidding, but judging this book by the cover you are in for a HOT read. And I know, because Tawny made sure I had a copy of BREAKING THE RULES of my very own to read. If all of my jabbering about it hasn’t convinced you, take a little sneak peak at it for yourself.



What do you get when you mix a military hero on a mission with an independent artist hell-bent on proving something? A battle that can only be won between the sheets.

Sophia Castillo is finally calling the shots in her life, and she’s determined to stay in charge. The last thing she needs is a babysitter. Not even a babysitter as sexy as US Army Sergeant First Class and EOD Squad Leader, Maximillian St. James. But when someone is sabotaging her art gallery, she turns to Max for help. When he proves to be a challenge to her independence, she lays down their relationship rules. Hot sex, good times and a lot of laughs are all good. Anything involving their hearts is strictly off limits. Before they catch the vandal, Max and Sophia both have to decide just which rules they are willing to break, and how high a price they are willing to pay.


What is your favorite thing about the characters in this book?

I love Max. He’s a good guy, has great intentions and the women in his life are seriously stressing him out But he’s determined to do the right thing, to keep his promise and to stay true to the rules of conduct he considers important. Sophia is so great for him. Because she’s been hurt badly in the past, she doesn’t fall for the same things many girls do – which makes Max have to work a little harder. But she’s so true to her beliefs and ideals, making her a fabulous match for Max.


Where did you come up with the idea?

It all started with a four foot penis. Really! I had this image in my mind of an art gallery, and two women trying to move this huge statue. Just as they, you know, get a hold of it, the sexiest guy in the world walks in. The scene pretty well wrote itself after that LOL. And from there, the rest of the story took shape. I’ve always wanted to write a military hero, as a sort of ode to my husband, so this was a great adventure for me.


What are you working on now?

I’m working on the second story in my Undercover Ops series right now. The first is titled SEX, LIES AND MISTLETOE and is out in December, and story I’m working on now is titled SEX, LIES AND MIDNIGHT, due out in January 11. The third book in the series is SEX, LIES AND VALENTINES and will follow in February. These are all about a con-artist family and the FBI, are very fun and very sexy. I’m having a lot of fun working on them.

I know you’ve been a busy girl. What do Tawny Weber fans have to look forward to in 2011?

In 2011 I have my current release, BREAKING THE RULES out this month. In May I’ll have a story that I loved writing so much that its currently my favorite ever *g* It’s called JUST FOR THE NIGHT and kicks off Blaze’s 24 Hour Blackout series, and in December my Undercover Ops will launch with SEX, LIES AND MISTLETOE. I’m really excited about all of these stories and hope readers will be, too.


How do we find you and your books?

I’m so easy to find  My website is www.tawnyweber.com and I’m also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TawnyWeber.RomanceAuthor . BREAKING THE RULES is currently available in stores and online, and all of my books can be found on my site at www.tawnyweber.com/books with purchasing links.

Thanks again for coming back to Micole Writes Romance.

Micole, you rock  It’s always fabulous to visit with you! Thank you so much for having me.

And I always love having you here. Thanks for stopping in friends. See you back here on Tuesday, with author Paula Quinn!!!

hugs

Micole

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate

Welcome back friends. This week I have Lisa Wingate here. She has a new book out called, LARKSPUR COVE. Because Lisa is so sweet, she made sure that an advanced copy of the book was mailed directly to my house for my reading pleasure. And a pleasure it was. I will let her tell you more about LARKSPUR COVE in the interview below. I will say the book had me laughing, made me shed a couple of tears, and wrapped itself round my heart. So please, make sure to look for it. Thanks Lisa!!!!

Larkspur Cove

In February, my fifteenth novel, Larkspur Cove will be released. I'm so excited to see this book hitting the shelves! I love small towns and quirky characters, and I love to write about them. Larkspur Cove begins a new series about the sleepy little shore-side town of Moses Lake, Texas—a place where everything is not as it seems on the surface. Here's the story-behind-the-story from a recent interview about the book:

1. Tell us about Larkspur Cove (Bethany House, available in February).

Larkspur cove is set in the small shoreside community of Moses Lake, Texas, a place where looks can be deceiving. When a backwoods recluse is spotted with a mysterious little girl in tow, local game warden, Mart McClendon finds himself headed upriver with an uppity social worker in his boat.

2. Are your characters all brand-new in this book, and which characters will readers find intriguing?

The residents of Moses Lake are fresh from that mysterious place where characters hang out until the right story comes along. Readers will find the game warden, Mart McClendon and his unwilling partner, Andrea Henderson, to be an interesting combination!

3. Is Larkspur Cove pure fiction? Were any real life experiences involved?

A few years ago, I was chatting with an adoptive mother at a baseball game and learned that her adopted daughter could have been one of those tragic statistics we hear about on the news. As an infant, the little girl had been taken on the run by a relative with a prison record. They moved from place to place, always staying ahead of social services, and weren’t found until a year and a half later, when suspicious neighbors submitted a police report. The little girl was rescued and placed with a wonderful, loving family. All I could think, watching that little girl play beside the baseball field, was, Thank God for nosy neighbors! I wondered what would have happened if neighbors had not intervened. Would that little girls’s fate have been like that of kidnapping victim, Jaycee Dugard, who was held by her captor for eighteen years? Those questions became the basis of Larkspur Cove, in which the town recluse is suddenly spotted with a young girl in tow, creating a storm of uncertainty among the lakesiders and raising questions that must be answered.


Thank you Lisa!!! I wish you tons of success with the sale of LARKSPUR COVE. Thank you for the advanced copy, and for sharing your story with all of us! And thank you for being a guest on Micole Writes Romance once again. To find Lisa's books you can look anywhere books are sold, or you can stop by her website at www.Lisawingate.com

Thanks for stopping by readers. See you Friday when another one of my writing pals Tawny Weber will be here sharing her new release!!!!

Hugs

Micole

Valentines Day Fun

Here we are, February first already. Well, I thought I would give you fourteen fun facts about Valentines Day. Plus a few cute guys to drool over. Starting with Cupid at your left. I guess I should correct that. He is what I vision Cupid to look like! ;-) Enjoy the fun facts, and if there are any that you would like to add, leave me a comment. I would love to hear them.

1. Cupid, another symbol of Valentines Day, became associated with it because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid often appears on Valentines day holding a bow and arrow because he is believed to use magical arrows to inspire feelings of love.



2. During the late 1800s, postage rates around the world dropped, and the obscene St. Valentine’s Day card became popular, despite the Victorian era being otherwise very prudish. As the numbers of racy valentines grew, several countries banned the practice of exchanging Valentine’s Day cards. During this period, Chicago’s post office rejected more than 25,000 cards on the grounds that they were so indecent, they were not fit to be carried through the U.S. mail.


3. Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

4. In the 17th century a hopeful maiden ate a hard-boiled egg and pinned five bay leaves to her pillow before going to sleep on Valentine’s eve. It was believed this would make her dream of her future husband.


5. The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love. Ancient cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart. Others thought it to be the source of emotion and intelligence. Some believed the heart embodied a man’s truth, strength and nobility. The heart may be associated with love because the ancient Greeks believed it was the target of Eros, known as Cupid to the Romans. Anyone shot in the heart by one of Cupid’s arrows would fall hopelessly in love. Because the heart is so closely linked to love, its red color is thought to be the most romantic.


6. The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red stands for strong feelings which is why a red rose is the flower of love.


7. Wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the vein of love ran from this finger directly to the heart.


8. Casanova, well known as “The World’s Greatest Lover,” ate chocolate to make him virile.



9. Every Valentine’s Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.


10. Many believe the ‘X’ symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn’t write their names signed in front of a witness with an ‘X.’ The ‘X’ was then kissed to show their sincerity.


11. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other prople to know how you are feeling.


12. In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Heart, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, “You unlock my heart!”



13. In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card.


14. The oldest surviving love poem is written in a clay tablet from the times of the Sumerians, inventors of writing, around 3500 B.C. It was unromantically named Istanbul #2461 by the archeologist who unearthed it.


I hope everyone enjoys the next fourteen days! Especially Valentines Day! Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Micole