Spotlight Author with Candace Havens

Happy belated Mother’s Day to everyone. For all of my readers who are mothers I hope your day was special. Today I have Candace Havens visiting the blog.

Candace tell us about your latest/upcoming release.

She Who Dares, Wins came out in late March. It’s about a private investigator and bodyguard, who protects a professor when his life is threatened. Truth and Dare is my late April release about a forensic anthropologist who is involved in solving a crime and falls in love with a handsome rancher. Both books are fun, have a mystery element to them and they are sexy.

Besides writing, you are also very busy teaching workshops on writing. What sort of workshops do you have to offer?

I offer a variety of craft and career workshops on the Write_Workshop yahoogroup. You can get to that through my website. I teach classes and I bring in other authors, agents and editors for classes. We teach everything from the basics of writing to how to promote yourself as a writer. I also teach paid classes that are really intense workshops where I work one-on-one with the writers.

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?

For the most part I’m a pantser. I just sit down and write. But my new editor likes to have some kind of a synopsis so I have something to work from if I get stuck. I’ve occasionally used the arch Jim Butcher talks about in his writing process where you hit the major story points and small scenes in between. But every book I write I do it differently. It depends on my mood and the type of book it is. Sometimes I write the end first. Sometimes I do a hodge podge of scenes and throw them together. Sometimes I write chronologically.

What is the hardest part about your job?

Time. I’m an author but I’m a TV and Film critic with weekly deadlines. And I’m going to graduate school to get an MH in Humanities. But it’s good because I can tell my students, if I can find the time, you can.

What is your best advice for aspiring authors?

Just sit down and write. Study your craft and take as many GOOD classes as you can. Spend your money wisely and invest in yourself.

You write several different genres, do you have a favorite genre out of the ones that you write? Maybe one that comes a little easier to you than others? Or do you love them all the same?

If I didn’t love everything I do, I wouldn’t do it. A year ago I had no idea it would be easier for me to write in my hero’s head, which has really surprised me. I’d pretty much done first person up until the first Blaze book, Take Me If You Dare. Now I love writing third person too. I love that we evolve and change as writers. I think that’s a good thing.

If you could pick one character that you wished you created from a movie, book or TV show who would it be and why?

Hands down it would be Selene from Underworld. When Kate Beckinsale came on the screen crouching down in that leather, I was sold. Love those movies, even when they are bad and she’s one of my favorites. Oh, and Mary Poppins but that’s a long story for another day.

Give us a glimpse into your writers life.

I’m not sure what you mean by this. But pretty much my dogs wake me up at 7:30 and I usually go until about 1 a.m. I sometimes have to write 18 hours day to keep up with everything I do. That’s why it’s important I love it. (Smile)

Where can we find out more about you and your writing?

http://www.candaceahavens.com/

Readers thank you for stopping in and Candace, thank you for being a guest on my blog.

See you next week.

Hugs

Micole

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Lidsey Hutchison, congratulations!!!! You are the winner of Anna Campbells MIDNIGHTS WILD PASSION!!!

Thanks for stopping in on my blog!

Hugs

Micole

Spotlight Author with Anna Campbell

Welcome back Anna. It is always a pleasure having you here. I can’t wait to hear about your latest release, MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION. So please let’s not waste any time. Give us all the assorted details.

Hi Micole! Delighted to be back. I had a ball last time. Thanks so much for inviting me to blog about MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION. I’m really excited about this book. It’s the only book of mine that seemed to come as a gift from above – usually I really struggle with first drafts but this one just wanted to be told. Mind you, I adore my two principal characters, Antonia Smith and Nicholas Challoner, the Marquess of Ranelaw. They’re both strong people, some might even saypigheaded, and it was great to watch the sparks fly between them. When Ranelaw sets out to wreak revenge on his sister’s seducer, he doesn’t count on encountering opposition from the intriguing Antonia Smith who knows all about rakes and their tricks. Actually that makes the book sound much lighter than it is – there’s a lot of emotional upheaval before these two get their happy ending. It’s the closest I’ve come to writing a classic Regency romance – there are balls and house parties and a duel and an elopement – but there’s still plenty of drama as well. You can read the official blurb and an excerpt on my website here: http://www.annacampbell.info/wildpassion.html

Are your books considered a series? If yes how many more are expected to grace the shelves?

Each book is a stand-alone although there’s a very loose link between CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, TEMPT THE DEVIL and MY RECKLESS SURRENDER. More in terms of, “Oh, I get that reference,” than a continuing story.

What do Anna Campbell fans have to look forward to in 2011?

Lots of Facebook posts? Seriously, I’m addicted to Facebook. By the way, if you want to find me there, I’d love to see you on my Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans I do a lot of giveaways there and basically shoot the breeze. Oh, you mean books, Micole? Why didn’t you say so? MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION is just out now. I’ve also got a Regency ghost romance story coming out in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE in September. You can read an excerpt here: http://www.annacampbell.info/chinesebed.html

What type of hero do you find irresistible?

I like courage, intelligence and a sense of humor. I want him to become a man of honor in the course of the story even if he isn’t one at the start. I like flawed characters if they learn the error of their ways by the end! A certain amount of self-deprecation is always attractive – Ranelaw definitely mocks his pretensions. One of the things I find irresistible in a hero is that he’s passionately fixated on the heroine. That always works for me – especially if he wishes he wasn’t! It never hurts if he’s gorgeous physically but what really grabs me in a hero is his character not his looks.

Do you ever think of expanding your stories and writing another genre? If yes, what genre would it be?

You know, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE historicals. I really have no ambitions to write anything else. I love the way a good historical sweeps you away into a dramatic, larger-than-life, glamorous world. And hey, the clothes are great in Regencies too!

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration is everywhere! Things happening around me, books (I read a lot of nonfiction which I find is wonderful for sparking story ideas), films, the odd quirks of the imagination.

Do you have any advice for writers about submitting your work?

Don’t rush. Do the hard yards to make sure that piece is as good as you can make it before you send it to an agent or editor so the chances of them saying yes are as high as possible. That means putting the work aside for long enough to get some distance from it before you start editing, that means taking a long hard look at it when you DO edit it. You might like to get some feedback before you submit if you’re lucky enough to have a trusted reader or a crit group. Writing contests are great too – you’ll get feedback from total strangers. It can be a nasty shock but it can also be extremely useful.

Please tell us where we can find out more about you and all of your amazing books.

So glad you asked, Micole. I’m pretty easy to track down. The best place to find out about me and the books is definitely the website – www.annacampbell.info As you’ve gathered, I’m a Facebook maven - http://www.facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans HarperCollins have a page with fun things like what I’m reading and what’s the last good film I saw - http://harpercollins.com/authors/31961/Anna_Campbell/index.aspx I’m also on Good Reads -http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/296477.Anna_Campbell I blog with some great writers over on the Romance Bandits. http://romancebandits.blogspot.com I do a book review on the 24th of each month on the Romance Dish - http://www.theromancedish.com/

Thank you again for being a guest on my blog.

Thanks, Micole! I’d like to give away a signed copy of MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION to someone who leaves a comment today. So just a question to get the conversation going - I listed the many places you can find me on the web. How do your readers like to follow an author? Website? Blogs? Facebook? Other? Or would you rather authors remain mysterious creative beings at a far distance?

Okay readers, you’ve read the interview and now the questions she would like answered. Make sure to comment! Maybe you will be the lucky winner of today’s giveaway! Good luck everyone and thank you for stopping in.

Hugs

Micole

JUST FOR THE NIGHT By Tawny Weber

Tawny Weber's latest book JUST FOR THE NIGHT is hitting shelves on May 1st, but if you look hard enough, you might just find it in stores already. I did today while I was shopping at Borders. Here's a little teaser for you. Also Tawny has a really cool new "Members Only" section on her website, where she shares exclusive excerpts, free reads and members only contest. Make sure you drop in www.TawnyWeber.com and sign up.
May 2011

JUST FOR THE NIGHT
By
Tawny Weber

ISBN: 978-0373796168

Things to Do in Blackout…

Power outages happen, and you have to be prepared. After all, you could be trapped somewhere—like in an empty store—with your ex.

Who is still irresistible. And hot.

And who knows how to make the most out of a dark situation....

Checklist for: Larissa Zahn
 Food
 Water
 First aid kit (With condoms. Be prepared. Very, very prepared.)
 Someone you’re still overwhelmingly into (Jason Cantrell, I’m looking at you.)
 Plenty of time in the dark (Read: hot nookie. Lots of it.)
The ability to walk away without regrets in the morning.... (Uh oh!)

24 Hours: Blackout
No lights. No power. And no holding back…



www.TawnyWeber.com
email: Tawny@TawnyWeber.com

Spotlight Author with Gabi Stevens

Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter. Mine was fabulous! I have Gabi Stevens visiting us again here today to tell us all about the book that she has hitting the shelves as we speak! Welcome back Gabi. Tell us about your title, AS YOU WISH that is being released today.

Imagine being part of a family where everyone has a special ability except you? That’s the set up for my latest release, AS YOU WISH. Born in a magical family Regina Scott has no powers of her own. She was content to live out her life as a Groundling until she discovers that she is next in line to be a fairy godmother. Needless to say, her life becomes complicated. In the space of a few days, she has to deal with a bad guy, a curse, an all too enthusiastic mother and a new love interest.

It’s a story about looking past appearances and finding the true heart of both people and an issue. Doing the right thing is never easy, and Reggie faces many challenges before her happy ending.

What inspired you to create this three book series?

I love the Grimm Brothers’ Fairy tales. I studied them in college, in, and in German. When I knew I wanted to write a paranormal romance, I looked beyond the vampire and werewolf stories and wanted something different. Magic has always been a subject I’ve loved to read about, so witches and wizards was a natural progression. But I still wanted something more unusual. Viola. The fairy godmother.

I also like having villains in my stories and planning out a three book series with the same villain sounded challenging. Could I sustain a story arc for three books, yet still fulfill the requirements of the happy ending? AS YOU WISH is its own romance, yet the second part of a greater story. It absolutely stands alone, but also flows and continues from THE WISH LIST and continues with WISHFUL THINKING next year.


Can you tell us what you are working on now?

WISHFUL THINKING, book three, is already finished and turned in. I have a couple of proposals out with my agent, both paranormals, and many, many ideas for other books that I’m getting ready to think out (No, I don’t plot, I think).


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?

If the love scene is intrusive, than it doesn’t belong. There are so many varying degrees of heat in romance today that no author should feel forced to include more than she is comfortable with. Discomfort shows. That’s why you don’t write one if it doesn’t flow from the story. Sex for sex’s sake is pornography, not a love story.

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?

I have two very special characters in AS YOU WISH. Tommy and Joy are Arcani, bakers, and have special needs. Tommy has Down syndrome and Joy is...well, Joy is just Joy. Reggie, the newest fairy godmother and the heroine of the novel, has set up a bakery for her friends and works beside them, taking care of the business aspects because she doesn’t bake. Tommy and Joy are very capable and talents bakers. And yes, they are realistic. I should know. My daughter was the inspiration for Joy. Give her the rules and instruct her, and my daughter can do most things. Oh, she requires supervision for her daily life, but she’s fiercely independent—heck she’s a typical teenager in more ways than not—but she makes her own lunches for school, cooks some, and makes all the brownies for the family. In AS YOU WISH, Reggie truly regards Tommy and Joy as her friends—friends who need perhaps a little more care, but friends first. In honor of Tommy and Joy—and my daughter—I have pledged ten percent from my royalties from AS YOU WISH to Best Buddies International, a group that strives to overcome the prejudices and loneliness that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face. If you want to find out more about Best Buddies™, please visit them at www.bestbuddies.org.

Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.

What life? I work a day job and try to get as much done in the evenings and on the weekends that I can.

What does your family think of your job?

My husband is completely supportive of me. He always has been. Even when I hadn’t yet sold and when I wasn’t making money, he always encouraged me to go to conferences, take the time to write, do what I needed to do. It helped that he’s a computer fiend and was more than willing to get me computer equipment too. The kids love that I write and am following my dreams. They’ve told me that they have made many important decisions in their lives based on that knowledge. I’m thrilled I could actually be an object of admiration to them. At least sometimes.

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

That getting published doesn’t mean you’ve “made it.” There are always roadblocks, from not getting another contract, to personal issues, to lines folding, to the big questions in publishing right now (the role of e-books, self-publishing, etc.). So much is uncertain always. The only thing you can control is your writing.


Thank you for returning to Micole Writes Romance. Tells us again where we can find out more about you and your books.

You can visit me at www.GabiStevens.com, read my blog at www.GabiStevens.blogspot.com, find me at Facebook and at Twitter.

Thanks so much for having me here, Micole. I truly enjoyed my time.

Spotlight Author with Jennifer St.Giles

Spring break has officially started here in California! My kids are doing what kids do during spring break and me, well… I’m doing the same thing I do everyday. Work, run around like crazy, work some more, run around a little more. I thought I would take a minute from all of the craziness to introduce my next guest, Jennifer St.Giles to all of you.

First I’d live to give a big shout out to Micole for taking the time and spending her energy to connect authors and readers. It is sincerely appreciated.

Thanks Jennifer. I enjoy it. It is my pleasure.

Going over your backlist, you have a long list of books, all different genres and written under three different names. How do you keep it all straight?

I love story so much that when I am writing one my mind becomes submersed in the characters , their problems, and their world. Sometimes I will be working on two books simultaneously. LOL maybe I am a bit ADD and actually like delving back and forth between genre’s and stories. I have three pen names and each genre I write has a different style or feel to them. Jennifer St. Giles started out being gothic murder mysteries and then branched into paranormal with my Shadowmen series—werewolves from the spirit world. JL Saint is for my romantic thrillers, edgier stories, still have romance but a lot of action. Jennifer Saints is for sexy contemporary romance. And yes I have even other genre stuff in the works, but my Agent has declared no more pseudonyms. Three is it. I’ve always said writers don’t develop split personalities, they develop pseudonyms….I may be in trouble now. LOL

Is there one genre that calls to you more than another?

The story of love calls to me, no matter the genre, so no to that question, although some books are easier to write than others.

Tell us a little about your latest release

Recently, Collateral Damage was released in e-book and will be out in print Nov.2011. This is the first book in my Silent Warrior Series featuring military heroes. The books currently center around a Delta team who were injured in a mission in Lebanon. In Collateral Damage Jack Hunter puts his life and his heart on the line to save Lauren Collins when they discover she and her children have been sucked into a terrorist plot that has the world on the edge of war.

Also out on April 12th is the e-book of Midnight Secrets with a totally fabulous new cover. It is a historical romantic suspense with a lot of heart. This is the first book in the Killdaren Series about two cursed brothers and a sea captain living under the shadow of murder and three sisters with paranormal gifts and a determination to the truth no matter what the cost. Book 2 in the series, Darkest Dreams, will be out in ebook in August 2011. I am so excited that this series is being given a second chances at finding love in the hearts of readers.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on Book 2 in the series, Tactical Deception where hero, Roger Weston goes beyond the call of duty to save Mari Dalton, the pregnant wife of one of his men killed in action. They foil a plot to kill the president of the United States. In the process Roger falls irrevocably in love with Mari, but knows any future they could have will be doomed when he confesses that he ordered the bomb that killed her husband.

What I plan to write this year after this book. Is book 5 in the Shadowmen Series titled Bewitching the Wolf. Book 3 in my Weldon Brother Series about sexy Southern bad boys, titled Hot Irish. Then just to let you know how crazy I am. I have a Steampunk series in the works and another contemporary romance that I want to finish. Will I get all of that done? NO, But I always say shoot for the stars and you might get the moon, but at least you won’t be stuck in the mud.


Where does your inspiration come from?

Everywhere, life, songs, news, odd events. I can’t seem to find the time to write all that I want to. I wish I didn’t have to worry about finances or writing to make money but had the freedom to just focus the stories that I am bursting to tell.

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?

Can a mother just choose one of her kids? LOL Love them all. As for one character that I WISH I HAD created????? Easy, Harry Potter! Her genius has made her the richest writer ever!

What is the most important advice you can give to aspiring authors?

NEVER NEVER NEVER Give up on your dreams, keep writing and keep honing your craft and YOU will make it.

How long was your road to becoming a published author?

NINE YEARS

Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.

If I only had to worry about writing, then it would be great. I’d write an hour or two then go take care of a few things then come back and write some more and repeat the process. Over the past handful of years I have had to deal with major health issues, major personal issues, major financial, issues, and have moved twice. All of which hound at your mind and make writing harder. But I don’t give up I still keep chipping away at the story and somehow make it happen despite the odds against it.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?

You can go to jenniferstgiles.com. It’s all there! And for all of my latest news you can go to betweenyoursheets.com!

Thank you so much for inviting me. I really appreciate it and hope that you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy my stories and love!

Remember Every Day to Dream, Believe, Create, Inspire, Love, and Heal

Love
Jennifer St. Giles/J.L. Saint/ Jennifer Saints.

Thank you so much for visiting Jennifer. It has been great getting to know more about you. Hope you will come back and visit. And a big thanks to all of my faithful readers.

Hugs

Micole

Debra Salonen & Micole Black She said/she said

She said/she said--two views are better than one

Q: What is your Best and Worst writing habit?

BEST HABIT

Deb’s answer:

My best habit: I write down everything, no matter how silly or trivial.

Even the most innocent comment can lead to a fresh insight or take you someplace you didn’t even know you needed to visit. Small insights can lead to big “A-ha” moments.

For example, when my 85-year-old father-in-law was visiting last month, he and I were talking about growing old. One of the pearls of wisdom that fell from his mouth was: "I know that one day I'll wake up and I'll be dead. And I'm okay with that."

The comment made me laugh, but I also grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled it down. Later, I placed the note on my bedside table, planning to add it to a folder on my lap top. But, before I got around to that, my husband chanced to read it. The look on his face--horror, concern, fear, bemusement--when he asked me about it was truly priceless.

Naturally, his reaction went straight into my WIP. In fact, it led to a key insight of my hero’s back-story. All because I scribbled down a note that probably would have slipped away unremembered if I hadn’t taken the time.

Micole’s Answer:

My best writing habit… hmmm (she scratches her head, wink) If my daughter were here she would tell you that I make a story out of everything. Every person that I see walking down the street, sitting in their car, the kids walking up to her school, every person is my subject. I have verbally crafted some pretty interesting stories about why the guy next to me, sitting at the traffic light, is so impatient in his car. I see everything as an opportunity to make a story, because that is what life really is. It’s everyone’s story.

I think that helps me when I am writing, because if my characters are acting a certain way, (maybe sitting at a traffic light and nervous) I am able to remember just exactly what that gut looked like. It’s a memory trick for me I guess.

My kids have fun while I’m doing it too. At least someone is being entertained by my stories! ;-)

WORST HABIT

Deb’s Answer:

My worst habit? Letting go of perfectionism. I remind myself all the time that a first draft can--and probably should be--fast and loose. Some characters reveal themselves incrementally. The more I write, the more I learn. Maybe I have to earn their trust. I don’t know. But I do know that it’s easy for me to get bogged down in the early chapters, re-writing and fine-tuning scenes that might--in the final draft--not even be included.

Micole’s Answer:

My worst habit is re-writing a manuscript fifty times. But I am sure I could come up with at least ten more bad writing habits I have. ;-)

How do you handle rejection and/or extreme revisions?

Deb’s Answer:

My April and May releases, RETURN TO THE BLACK HILLS and A FATHER’S QUEST, both required extensive revisions. This is not the norm for me. In fact, I can point to several books out of the past 28 that required no changes. So, dealing with massive revisions required more than a few tourniquets applied to my ego.

Basically, a revision is a rejection (of what you initially offered) with some direction on how you can improve your story to make it acceptable. How does a writer deal with that?

Number one, you have to acknowledge that each book is unique. As romance writers we work hard to bash the widely-held belief that “all romance books are alike.” We know that’s not true. And the more books you write, the more you know that each book brings with unique obstacles you have to clear to get that story on paper. The hurdles can be as unique as the book. They can also be problems that originate in your “real” life and keep you from fully committing to your characters’ story.

That’s what happened with me. Not surprising given the emotional duress I’d been under in my real life--first, losing my mother, then a year later, helping my beloved sister fight a losing battle with lung cancer. As my editor said, "I hit a wall." But a contract is a contract.

My advice is to read your rejection or revision letter thoroughly. Use a highlighter to mark the key points. Then set it aside for a day or two to let the comments and concerns gel. When you sit down to start work, break the issues into a bite-size increments. Focus on one piece at a time. One scene. One character flaw. One hole in the plot. And keep at it until you’ve reached “The End.”

I just saw the RT review for the May book. Four stars! That helped assuage any leftover agony of those painful revisions.

Micole’s Answer:

Well let’s see. I have only been rejected once, not because I am just that good, but because I have only turned my manuscript in to one editor. My initial reaction was tears, then it turned into anger (at myself), then of course denial. I ran the gamut of emotions.

Now I look back and am so happy I was rejected, because I know I wasn’t ready to be published.

What is your best advice for aspiring authors?

Deb’s Answer:

Read what you want to write.

If you're an eclectic reader, you probably think that means you're an eclectic writer. Maybe you are, but that is not what your potential editor wants to see. She wants to know that you are well-versed in the line she publishes. She isn’t going to care that you read mysteries and vampire books unless she publishes mysteries and vampire books.

I speak from experience. I love historicals. I used to read tons of them. But I lack the conviction to do the necessary research to write one. I love mysteries and true-crime stories. But I have no desire to write either of those. I love all kinds of romance, but it wasn’t until I narrowed my focus to one line--Superromance--and immersed myself in the most current titles available, that I began to understand the focus, hear the unwritten rhythm and could feel the invisible fabric of the line.

Quite simply: read to write.

Micole’s Answer:

Write, write, write and write some more. The more you write the better you will be and the more confident you will be.

Deb, thank you so much for doing this interview with me. It was a lot of fun. It is my first interview (blushing)

Now here is a sneak peak at Deb’s new books that will be hitting shelves this month and next month. Deb has also offered to do a giveaway to two lucky commenters to win a book off of her backlist! Thanks Deb!

RETURN TO THE BLACK HILLS, 4.5 stars!

Back cover copy:

A risky attraction!

What do a South Dakota rancher and a Hollywood stuntwoman have in common--outside their landlord-tenant relationship? Not much. But from the moment Cade Garrity meets Jessie Bouchard, he's captivated. Although he knows a woman who is paid to take risks is the wrong role model for his impressionable daughter, he can't keep away.

From the start, Jessie is very clear that her stay is temporary. Can Cade be content to let her leave when the time comes? The more he knows about the woman behind the stunts, the more he's sure that she's the one for him. So now he has to convince her to take that big leap into commitment...without a safety net.

A Father’s Quest

April 2011

Is he ready for what he might find?

Jonas Galloway wouldn’t show up on Remy Bouchard’s doorstep without an excellent

reason. Not after a secret destroyed what was so good between them. In this case, though, locating his daughter trumps unfinished business. He hopes he can persuade Remy to see it the same way.

Working with his high school sweetheart makes Jonas want to pick up where they left off. Especially because Remy is more tempting than ever. But he is a father and his little girl has to be his priority. Then an exposed lie hands him and Remy a possible future. And he can’t leave Louisiana without finding out if second chances are all they’re cracked up to be.

Debra Salonen

www.debrasalonen.com

www.superromanceauthors.blogspot.com