by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
How We Met
The lovely Dolores Maroney.
I first met Dolores Maroney in 2011, in the corridor of a hotel that hosted the Romantic Times convention in downtown Los Angeles that year. She was standing with Sarah Vance and both of them were members of my local RWA chapter, the Los Angeles Romance Authors. We bonded there in the corridor, none of us really sure where we were going or what we were supposed to be doing. I’d been to plenty of writer’s conferences before, but never any readers conferences. It felt different, but it was also comfortable in that wherever I went, there were people I knew. Since Los Angeles is my home chapter, there were a lot of us there.
Since then, Dolores and I have become great friends. It near broke my heart when she moved back to New Jersey a month ago, but we have vowed to keep in touch and be roomies as much as possible at forthcoming conferences. Okay – now that I’ve given you our background, here’s the interview, lol!
CA: When you first started writing, what made you decide to write a novel?
DM: Honestly? I never set out to be a writer, so it never occurred to me that I could write something else. I was a stay at home mom and an avid reader of romance. My daughters joked that I had read so many I could probably write my own. I took that as a challenge—and guess what? I found out that I could write one!
CA: You have two erotic series out as Roz Lee, a baseball series and one set on a cruise ship. What drew you to writing those books?
DM: Again, I sort of fell into writing erotic romance. I was working on a mainstream contemporary romance when this crazy story idea popped into my head about an erotic themed cruise ship. The story took hold in my head and I decided to write it down, if for no other reason than to get it the heck out of my mind so I could get back to my other stuff. As I wrote, I thought perhaps I had something, but I knew nothing about writing erotic. Lucky for me, Jan Springer was doing an online class at the time. I signed up, crossed my fingers, and threw my excerpts out there for critique. The overwhelming response from Jan and the other class members convinced me I wasn’t wrong. Turns out, I have a bit of talent for writing sexy! Who would have thought it?
CA: Your latest book is under your other name, Dolores Maroney. What drew you to this story, so different from the others?
DM: I consider mainstream contemporary romance to be my roots. As a reader, I’m a big fan of Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, Mariah Stewart, Nora Roberts, Fern Michaels and Robyn Carr. Not that I’ve accomplished it, but I have always wanted to write like they do. The basic idea, drummer for a rock band falls for the daughter of a rock and roll icon, came to me while driving down the freeway listening to the radio. I fell in love with the characters right away and had to tell their story.
CA: Is this latest story going to be a series, or is it a standalone book?
DM: Lost Melody is a standalone book, though I have given thought to populating Willowbrook, TX with a few more interesting people. We shall see.
CA: For a few years, you were living bi-coastal. Part of the year in Southern California, and the other part of the year back east. Now you and the hubs are back east full time. BUT…where would you live, if the two of you could live anywhere in the world?
DM: Well…we’re both originally from Texas so the South holds a lot of appeal for us. Since our daughters have made their homes in South Carolina we’re thinking of possibly retiring somewhere closer to them. For now, we’re happy to be home in our little slice of woods in New Jersey.
CA: Name 3 simple joys in your life.
DM: My family. My friends. A decadent cup of hot chocolate.
CA: Oh man. I KNEW you were my type of people! I’ve got this decadent hot chocolate recipe…anyway. If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
DM: I think it would be fascinating to speak with Ralph Waldo Emerson. Maybe we could go to the food court at the mall. I’d love to see what he would have to say about that!
CA: Ooh, good choice! Emerson. I’d love to drop by and share a meal with you guys! If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
DM: Finish it. Many aspiring authors abandon their manuscript because it isn’t perfect. They end up with a library full of partial work—and nothing complete. There’s no such thing as a perfect manuscript, but you can’t fix something you haven’t written. So write it. Finish it. Fix it. Or, in the case of my first manuscript, bury it where no one will ever see it! LOL Yep, it’s a pile of dung. But I finished it. I told the story from beginning to end—I just did it poorly. But once I had typed those wonderful last words, the end, I knew I could write another one—and the next one would be better.
CA: It seems like every time I see you on Facebook, you’re just about to get to writing. Surely you don’t write ALL the time…What are the things you like to do you do when you’re not writing?
DM: I read—a lot. I also like to haunt antique stores and flea markets. And when spring gets here, I’ll be out in the yard trying to coax some things to grow—emphasis on the word coax. I have zero talent for gardening, but I love flowers so I keep trying. The garden stores just love to see me coming!
CA: Oh, me too…Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
DM: Oh, gosh. Um…how about this…once upon a time I was an in-home appliance repair technician. Yep. I was one of those folks you called when your kitchen appliances or laundry equipment conked out.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
DM: You should know never to give a writer free rein to say anything they want! Just kidding. All I want to say is, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Don’t listen to those who would tell you that you can’t. You can—as long as you believe in yourself.
Blurb – Lost Melody
Out of sight, out of mind. That’s what Melody Ravenswood was counting on when she invented a new life for herself as Mel Harper in the small farming community of Willowbrook, Texas. She could be herself, whoever that was. Having long since lost her identity to being the only child and sole beneficiary of a legendary rock and roller, she was finally going to live the normal life she craved – a job, a house, friends and no paparazzi.
Hank Travis is the last thing Mel needs in her new life. The local boy turned rock and roll star’s sexy, won’t take no for an answer pursuit makes her long for a life she has only dreamed of. Before Mel can have the future she wants with Hank, she must confront her past and find the Melody she lost along the way.
Buy links – Lost Melody
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance eBooks
Smashwords
About Dolores
Dolores has been married to the same wonderful guy for thirty-three years. They have two lovely daughters and a black lab. She makes her home in the wilds of New Jersey (yes, there are wilds in NJ). A Texan with familial roots that go all the way back to the Republic of Texas, Dolores says you can take the girl out of Texas, but…well, you know the rest.
She’s been a stay-at-home mom for most of her married life – a job she says is under-rated on the difficulty scale. Now that her girls are grown, she’s still available to them anytime, day or night, but she fills her days with writing romance novels and reading.
Dolores is a best-selling, multi-published author of erotic romance under the pseudonym, Roz Lee.
And her erotic books are smoking hot!
Dolores on the Internet
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Thanks so much, Roz, for gracing both my life and my blog today. Sending you tons of hugs honey!
~oOo~
Demon Soul and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle and Kobo! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Raven Bower
Today I’m excited to introduce you to Raven Bower, another writer pal of mine. Settle in and enjoy the interview!
CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
RB: The characters were tormenting me! Novels are a thing that need to be written, a drive that won’t relent until the finished product is complete. They’re nefarious, characters that is, and dead set on getting their way.
CA: Why fantasy?
RB: I write in several genres – fantasy, horror and urban fantasy. These were easy choices for me because I’m enthralled by things that lurk in the dark, creatures that roam the stygian depths of our imagination.
CA: Ooh, me too! Love the dark. How many books/short stories do you have planned for this series?
RB: The Weeping Dark will have between 6-9 books, depending on how the series plays out.
CA: Very cool! So, tell me. Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
RB: Upon the shores of the mighty Lake Superior. She’s beautiful, mysterious, deadly. Though, the thought of enduring so much cold is a bit daunting.
CA: I’d like to visit Lake Superior, but I wouldn’t want to live there. Too cold for me, Brrr! Name 3 simple joys in your life.
RB: 1. My family – husband Lain, kids and furries.
2. Coffee! And tea. Earl grey, hot
3. My sacred pool aka whirlpool that we installed. We did this Egyptian theme in the master bath. Soaking in there – hot and steaming – with books, paper and pen…ah yes. It’s been the birth place of many diabolical plots and characters.
CA: I am SO envious of your Egyptian spa! Do you take reservations? LOL…If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
RB: Let’s see, place to eat is easy – depends on my mood at the time! Lol Right now I’d say Japanese, somewhere with good sushi. Then again, Italian has its appeal – tiramisu! Ahem. Anyway. Let’s see. Who to dine with. That’s harder as there are so many interesting people out there – past, present and fictional. Top among my list of present day people would be actor Patrick Stewart. Among those of the past (deceased) would be Aleister Crowley – he’d be quite an interesting psychological study. Fictional…hm…I’d have to say Deucalion from Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein series.
CA: Aleister Crowley, huh? I’d like to be in on that. As long as I have a really strong guy with me. Crowley kind of gives me the creeps. But back to the interview! If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
RB: There are two books I believe all writers ought to read at least once and they’re especially important for new writers. ‘Finding Your Voice’ and ‘Hooked’ in that order, both are by Les Edgerton.
CA: I’ll have to check those books out. What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
RB: I do assorted things, really depends on my mood and my current hobby. Right now it’s fish – researching them, learning aquascaping and creating dazzling tanks filled with scaley friends.
My Day Job is working as director of Hydra Games, a new arm of Hydra Publications – we launch our first products this April! Basically it involves combining the talents of our wonderful writers, brilliant artists, Rules Gurus (we use the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game system, so we need to ensure stats are all kosher) and editors to create worlds, modules, guidebooks and novels.
CA: I have a couple of sons who are very into designing computer game worlds! I should hook you up with them. Just sayin’. Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
RB: I like coconuts. Really. The flavor and fluffiness of shredded coconut, especially when covered in chocolate. Dark chocolate – because you know not all chocolates are created equal.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
RB: We could keep talking about chocolate! What kind do you like?
CA: I am a huge fan of dark chocolate. And Decadent Hot Chocolate! But before we get sidetracked, let’s take a look at your new release!
Blurb:
When a rash of brutal murders target the most defenseless of her people, spunky captain Shayla Dormyr is determined to bring the culprits to justice. Defying the command of the Prima Canticle, who claim jurisdiction over the ritually slain children, Shayla embarks on a rebellious mission that could cost her rank and freedom.
When she unwittingly exposes a Blood Rune to her prime suspect, the troublesome sell-sword Daibryn, it unleashes arcane consequences that renders them vulnerable to an ambitious and cruel Blood Mage.
Shayla and Daibryn embark on an adventure that will take them to worlds far larger than they ever imagined where love, hate and mystery put their souls to the test.
~oOo~
The book sounds fantastic! Click on this Weeping Dark for the link. You can find Raven at http://www.ravenbower.com/.
Raven and I LOVE comments! So…what’s YOUR favorite type of chocolate? lol!
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Writer Wednesday with Robena Grant
Writer Wednesday is that day I get the chance to share writer friends with you. Today I’m thrilled to have Robena Grant with me. She’s the author of the Desert Heat series, which includes Unlock the Truth and The Blue Dolphin.
My friend, author Robena Grant.
CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
RG: I took a class at UCLA Extension with my then 18-year-old daughter. I thought it was to learn how to write. I didn’t know I was supposed to be working on a novel. So I ran home and started to write, and that became my first finished manuscript. : )
CA: Wow, what a jolt to the system! What genre do you write in, and why?
RG: I write contemporary romance, but I’m always mixing genres. I like stories about people in the world as I know it, and enjoy the journey that young lovers take, or the leap of faith with the second chance at love from an older heroine. I’ve written women’s fiction, paranormal, romantic suspense, and am now venturing into contemporary romance with a magical realism thread.
CA: Is this a series or standalone book? If a series, what is the name of this series, and how many books/short stories do you have planned?
RG: Unlock the Truth is Book #1 of the Desert Heat Series, #2 is The Blue Dolphin, and #3: Desert Exposure. I think of them as spin-offs, a series linked by location and secondary characters who clamor to have their story told. The books can be read out of order.
CA: Ooh, very cool. So there’s really no limit on the number of books you could write in that series! Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
RG: Italy, no France…no, wherever, but I’d want good plumbing, phone, and internet. : )
CA: LOL – I’m totally with you! Italy and France are in my top 5 places, too! Um…Name 3 simple joys in your life.
RG: Hanging out with my adult kids. Drinking a glass of fine red wine. Reading an amazing book.
CA: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
RG: Ernest Hemingway. We’d go to Aux Deux Magots, on Boulevard St-Germain…not so much for the food but for the espresso and the people watching. Then we’d gossip about everyone.
CA: Wouldn’t that be totally fascinating? And I’m sure he’d be drinking whiskey! If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
RG: Always be working on something fresh while you’re submitting something you’ve finished.
CA: Excellent advice! What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
RG: I’m retired from the workforce. Writing is now my full-time job. I volunteer on several committees in my community, like to exercise, attend book club, hang out with friends, take in a movie, or lunch, and travel whenever and wherever I can.
CA: Sounds like an Awesome life! Now…Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
RG: I like karaoke, but I can’t sing.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
RG: Just to mention that Unlock the Truth and The Blue Dolphin are available for Kindle readers. It’s an Amazon three month exclusive with KDP Select, then in May they will be released in print and all digital formats through Wild Rose Press Publishers. Desert Exposure is TBA, but it will also be released in 2013.
How exciting, to have three novels come out in one year! Let’s take a look at Unlock the Truth.
BLURB: Dena Roman needs closure. Three months ago, her sister’s murdered body was
found in the California desert. When a second body is found at the same site, Dena jeopardizes her public relations position to go undercover and investigate. But falling for the main suspect isn’t part of her plan.
Zeke Cabrera needs help. He sold a portion of his family’s Three C’s Estates to keep his citrus farm afloat, but when bodies are unearthed on the site, he’s suspected of murder. Help comes in the form of a communications expert who makes all the difference in his life and business–and in his heart.
Amidst an attack on her life and run-ins with a cantankerous foreman, Dena digs for the truth, even as she forms a strong bond with Zeke. But can their newly found love survive all the deep secrets hidden at Three C’s Estates?
And The Blue Dolphin:
BLURB: When Debbie Williams discovers a dismembered body in the dumpster behind 
her health spa, she’s determined to find out what happened. As a single parent, she must be sure the town she loves is safe for her daughter. Debbie won’t be deterred by anyone–not even the ruggedly handsome agent on the case who doesn’t appreciate her amateur sleuthing.
After his partner’s body is uncovered, DEA agent Jack Davis vows revenge. But three words shouted over the phone before his partner died–azul, delfin, Almagro–are Jack’s only clues. Even worse, a sexy blonde spa owner refuses to stay out of his investigation, and the chemistry between them is difficult to ignore.
As danger strikes ever closer, Jack and Debbie must figure out what blue dolphins and a small California desert town have to do with a dangerous drug cartel…all while protecting their hearts from an attraction neither can resist.
More About Robena:
Robena Grant is Australian by birth but resides in Southern California. She has two adult children, loves travel, and enjoys writing stories about ordinary women faced with extraordinary circumstances. She may be contacted at: www.robenagrant.com where she blogs on a slice of life on Mondays. Also, FB, Twitter, Google+.
Here’s Robena’s Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/author/robenagrant Go “Like” her – and don’t forget to “Like” her books.
I’m sure Robena will be around today, so feel free to ask her questions!
~oOo~
Demon Soul and Demon Hunt are both available for both the Kindle and Kobo! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
My friend, Author Sally Felt. She’s almost always laughing!
I am hugely excited to introduce Sally Felt to all my pals, here on Writer Wednesday. Sally and I go way back, and she’s an absolutely lovely person. I’m thrilled to say her first novel, GOING NATIVE, is out through Ellora’s Cave, and it’s a doozy! I read it quite a long time ago in manuscript form, and I’m looking forward to digging into it again. So settle down and enjoy Sally, hmm?
CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
SF: Everyone in my fifth grade class had to write one. Mine was a hand-illustrated murder mystery that demonstrated mystery was not my long suit. Nor illustration, for that matter. But if I’d written Going Native back then, Mrs. Sharp would have sent me to the counselor’s office for a serious talk concerning the Club Clandestine scene. And appropriate use of éclairs.
CA: Why paranormal?
SF: Um, it’s not. Unless you consider dachshunds aliens. Do you?
CA: *headdesk* Okay, I forgot to switch up the questions. Sigh…and yeah, dachsunds are pretty alien, don’t you think? Don’t answer that, lol!
SF: My lips are sealed.
CA: Okay, back to the questions. Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
SF: Well, Christine, I wish to live winter-free. That means a residence in each hemisphere, yes? Ideal locations are lightly wooded, with lots of song birds. Suggestions? (River otters would be a big selling point.)
CA: I am fresh out of places with river otters and no winter…but I’ll work on that. Name 3 simple joys in your life.
SF: Sunshine. Yum!
Ginseng, my blue-eyed Siamese companion.
Dancing at friends’ weddings.
CA: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
SF: Just one? I would dine with my maternal grandmother at the Green Room in Dallas, and we’d give the chef carte blanche to surprise us. The restaurant has been closed for years, but not as long as Grandma. I figure if the Universe can arrange an evening with a woman who died before I went through puberty, the restaurant should be a snap.
CA: Well of course the restaurant would be a snap! What a wonderful answer. If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
SF: Finish it. Write something else and finish that, too.
CA: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
SF: I’m a professional Tarot reader. My job is to turn cards and reflect someone’s magnificence back to to them. How cool is that? I want to live in a world where everyone knows how special and important they are. Imagine what seven billion empowered, confident individuals could accomplish.
CA: OMG! How did I not know that? I’m so proud! But seriously, sister, we need to TALK to each other more than once every six years or so. Okay. Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
SF: As a child, I was excruciatingly shy. Even at age 15, I struggled to make eye contact. A year as a foreign exchange student went a long way toward changing that, not that I’d recommend such extreme measures.
CA: No way. Really? Well hon, you have totally smashed that shyness, and good for you. Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
SF: We could talk about the summer you came to Texas and helped me drink a full pitcher of sangria. Or the time we went shopping in Vegas and I ended up with an elephant on my head. But perhaps those things are best kept off the interwebs, yes?
CA: Snicker – elephant on your head! And those terribly cute pink kitten heels I wore that killed my feet, while you had on sensible tennis shoes…and I SO need to come back to Texas and spend time with you!!!
SF: Thanks for having me here, Christine, you crazed writer, you. Your command of mischief is equalled only by your work ethic.
CA: It’s totally my pleasure, you tarot-card-wielding goddess. Now on to the good stuff – the novel!
The Blurb!
When a clumsy redhead takes a walk on the wild side, expect one heck of a fall.
Violet longs to break free of her good-girl persona. House sitting a Dallas penthouse loft makes a great start. From her first giddy step in her friend’s sky-high heels, she’s way out of her comfort zone, planting a tipsy kiss on a sexy neighbor.
Eddie is in town to close a business deal—and lick his wounds after a bad breakup. But the clumsy, drawling redhead next door proves a Texas-sized distraction he can’t ignore. Violet’s demure one minute and suggesting clandestine sexcapades the next. Eddie can barely keep up. Or wait to see what Violet does next.
But even when she learns he’s held the key to the future of her family’s business all along, Violet can’t go back to playing it safe. And what began as a champagne-fueled dare becomes a gutsy showdown her heart might not survive.
Sally Felt Bio
One hot July day, Sally played an Irish ditty on her tin whistle while wading in a cool lake. Ducks came from miles around to listen. Now she plays sexy stories on her MacBook Pro keyboard and hopes readers might do the same.
Where to find Sally:
Website: http://sallyfelt.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sally.felt
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sallytex/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sallytex
Buy link (also available at Amazon, B&N, etc.)
~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~
Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Today I have the lovely and talented Toni de Palma on my blog, and we’re celebrating her upcoming release, The Devil’s Triangle, which goes live on February 15, 2013. So without further ado, let’s jump into the interview, shall we?
CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
TdP: Cooper, my main character, was too hard to ignore. He’s a teenage boy with a heart of gold, who isn’t bad on the eyes either. Cooper struggles with doing the right thing and his inner bad boy.
CA: Why paranormal?
TdP: Cooper not only has to deal with his inner Devil, but the real Lucifer too.
CA: How many books/short stories do you have planned for this series?
TdP: Three. I’m putting the finishing touches on the second book, The Devil’s Temptation, now.
CA: Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
TdP: That’s tough. I love Paris, but I also love the Italian island of Ischia where my dad is from. A little bungalow in Key West isn’t a bad idea either.
CA: Name 3 simple joys in your life.
TdP: According to my husband, I am anything but simple, but I’ll try. I love my bike, my dog and family dinners.
CA: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
TdP: I feel like I did this this past summer when my husband, son and I had many wonderful dinners in Italy.
CA: If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
TdP: Find a wonderfully supportive writers group that will also keep you accountable. I would be nowhere without my group.
CA: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
TdP: I teach creative writing at a local college and am planning a writers retreat in Ischia, Italy. You can find out more about the retreat at www.tonidepalma.com
CA: Ooh, a writer’s retreat in Italy! I’ll have to save for it, that sounds divine! And at least, when you’re teaching creative writing, you are also immersing yourself in writing. That’s soo cool! Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
TdP: Don’t tell anyone, but my grammar stinks. Thank goodness for editors!
CA: Oh, I know! I LOVE my editors. They are the BEST people in the world! Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
TdP: Nope, I think that’s it. Thanks!
CA: Thank YOU, Toni, for coming to Writer Wednesday!
The Cover:
The Blurb:
When 17 year old Cooper dies in an attempt to burn down his school, he finds himself in the afterlife. Lucy, the Devil’s sister who has crossed party lines, decides to give Cooper another shot at heaven. The deal? Cooper returns to Earth and has to find a girl named Grace. The rest is up to him.
While Cooper figures out his mission, he’s thrown into the life he’s always wanted. Great parents, a spot on the Varsity football team and a real future are all within reach. But what he really wants is Grace, a feisty girl with an abusive boyfriend who can pound Cooper into pulp if he doesn’t watch out.
While Lucy plays demonic-puppeteer, clues to an unknown past between Cooper and Grace start to unravel. Cooper discovers that what’s keeping him and Grace apart is far more sinister than anything this bad boy could have ever imagined.
Where to Find Toni:
Goodreads book page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13610688-devil-s-triangle
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/465309.Toni_De_Palma
Website: http://tonidepalma.com/
Blog: http://writersbytheshore.blogspot.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/WriterToniDePalma?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniDePalma1
~oOo~
Thanks for stopping by – please give Toni some comment love!
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Today I welcome in mystery writer Marian Lanouette to Writer Wednesday. Enjoy the
interview!
CA: Marian, what made you decide to write a novel?
ML: I’ve written most of my life but recently after open heart surgery I had the opportunity to write full-time while recovering. So instead of short stories or poems, I put the story down on paper I had in my head for years. In two short years I got it published.
CA: Why mystery?
ML: I write mysteries with romantic elements. It’s the puzzle and the steps required to solve a mystery that intrigues me. I love reading a good mystery but I love my romance too. So, both together is a home run.
CA: Ah! Gotcha. I love me the romantic suspense, too. How many books/short stories do you have planned for this series?
ML: So far, I have five books plotted out and started. If they continued to be as well received as If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery, I’ll write as many as my readers want. And as long as I feel I can maintain the integrity of the series.
CA: Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
ML: I would love to live on a Caribbean Island with a house overlooking the water. I think it would be a great place to write.
CA: Name 3 simple joys in your life.
ML: 1.) My husband and family 2.) Walking outside 3.)Reading
CA: Those are three of my simple joys, too. Well, MY husband and family, of course, not yours. ANYway…If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
ML: Maxine’s in Paris, since I saw a movie with Audrey Hepburn. I’d love to have dinner with her. Not only did I enjoy her movies but she was a great humanitarian.
CA: I’m an Audrey fan, too. If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
ML: Ah, it would be research. Research your genre. There are rules. And research the publishers, agents and readers in your genre. I’d also make sure to take some grammar refresher courses and ones on POV. I did both after many rejections. If I did them first I would have saved myself a lot of heartache.
CA: What do you do when you’re not writing?
ML: I walk with my sister, visit with friends, attend writing groups, and last but not least I love to read.
CA: Do you have a Day Job?
ML: No.
CA: Lucky girl! Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
ML: In my latest novel, Burn In Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery, the woman Jake dates works in a crematory. I too worked in a crematory/cemetery for over ten years.
CA: Wow. You must have a million stories to tell! Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
ML: I just want to let everyone know the Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery released on January 18, 2013 from Muse It Up Publishing.
CA: Let’s take a look at the cover.
Blurb:
A botched missing person’s case. A nervous mob boss.
Lt. Jake Carrington’s gut tells him Phil Lucci is being cagey—with good reason. Jake can see this case has been mishandled from the beginning. Sloppy police work? Or does Lucci’s hand reach as far as the WPD? It’s Jake’s job to find the answers.
Then Jake meets Kyra Russell, a woman with an unusual job—she runs the local crematory. Despite the heated attraction between them, Jake becomes more and more suspicious of Kyra. Her gambling problem has already cost her a marriage and custody of her son. More than that, she also happens to be friends with Phil Lucci. Kyra assures Jake that it’s just coincidence, but Jake’s experience and his instincts warn him not to believe in chance. Can Kyra be burning bodies for the mob? If she is, what will Jake do about it?
Marian Lanouette Bio:
One of ten children, Marian took to writing to explore new and adventurous places. While her friends traveled on planes for vacation, Marian traveled in books. With an overactive imagination, it didn’t take long for her to start creating her own characters and stories. If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery that released in 2012, is the first book in the series.
As an avid reader, she discovered mysteries by reading the Daily News as a youngster. Intrigued by the real life crimes, and how the police worked and eventually solved them, ignited her imagination beyond the ordinary.
An English professor marked her final paper with an A, but wrote a note that said, “Well done, though you’re not Virginia Woolf yet, so add a little action to the story.” That one line had her punching up the action in stories to come.
Marian has many plans (books) for Jake Carrington and his crew. She invites you to discover these wonderful characters and share your impressions at: marian.author@gmail.com or www.marianl.com .
You can also find Marian here:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/marian.lanouette
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMarian
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/DnmqRl-J0co
BUY LINK if you are so inclined (and I hope you are!)
The book sounds way cool! Thanks for stopping by, Marian. So folks, what do you think? Do you have any questions for Marian? Let ’em fly! You know I LOVE hearing from you!
~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~
Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?
