Welcome, Donna
I had the pleasure of reviewing your novels, HIGHLAND MAGIC and PRINCE OF PASSION, available now from Total E-Bound. Thank you for granting Enchanting Reviews this interview and the opportunity for us to get to know more about you and your work.
1. Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?
Hi, Rowena! Thanks so much for interviewing me. I was born and raised in Texas, right on the Texas/Louisiana border. With half my family Cajun, I spent a lot of time in Louisiana growing up. I love to travel, so we get away as often as we can.
2. Your stories are all set in the past. If you were granted the opportunity to travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Hmm…so many possibilities. I would go to Medieval Scotland, Ancient Rome, Britain when the Celts ruled the land and maybe even ancient Egypt.
3. If you could meet a famous person from the past, who would it be?
William Shakespeare would be interesting to meet as well as Chaucer. I’d love to have a conversation with either of those two men. Oh, and Cleopatra!
4. Which one of your characters do you feel is most like you?
Oh, they all have a little of me. Glenna from HIGHLAND MIST has my fear of spiders. Elle from A KIND OF MAGIC has my revulsion to touching raw chicken. Though all my characters are much more adventurous than I will ever be.
5. Your novels incorporate the theme of the Fae interacting with mortals. Could you elaborate on the nature of the Fae world and its inhabitants?
If you do any kind of research, you will find that everyone has an opinion of what the Fae are. Some think of them as tiny winged creatures, much like a Sprite. Others think of them as tall, lanky beings more monster than anything.
So, when I came up with my Druid’s Glen series and I wanted to have the Fae involved, I created my own Fae. These creatures are beautiful, sexual creatures who are connected to our world because they once lived on Earth. Whatever happens to Earth, happens to their realm. It’s important to the Fae to keep a balance, which is why they are always around.
As for their realm, the Realm of the Fae, it is a land that pulses with magic where dragons fly in the sky and scenery so beautiful it hurts to look at it. The Fae’s magic comes from their realm and the dragons that inhabit their world.
6. If you had to pick one book to take with you to a deserted island, which one would you choose? Has this author influenced your style?
Just one?! What a hard choice. I have so many authors I love, and books that have touched my heart. I don’t know if I could choose just one. I adore MAN OF MY DREAMS by Johanna Lindsey, so I would definitely take it.
7. Are you reclusive or do you like interacting with other writers?
I love interacting with other writers. Its so much fun to be able to talk to others who understand what its like to be a writer and suffer rejections, bad reviews, great sales, the “big” offer on a book, and so on. This business is like a roller coaster with its highs and lows. It’s imperative for me to be able to share that with people who understand.
8. The genre you write requires extensive research. Do you enjoy the research process?
I love the research. I don’t spend of all of my time researching, though. Still, I love the thrill of finding a small gem in a mountain of research that sparks an idea for a new book or series. Those are the best moments.
9. Tell us more about your obsession with Scotland. Would you like to live there indefinitely or do you think a visit might suffice?
Well, my husband assures me my aversion to the cold would send me packing back to Texas, but I’m not so sure. I’d like to give it a try and find out.
10. What do you do when you are not writing?
Read. I try to clean the house, but with two kids (three if you count hubby), three cats and one dog it gets tiring. I keep asking for a maid for Christmas, but Santa has yet to bring her.
11. Has your journey to becoming a published author been a smooth or bumpy road?
Bumpy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Those bumps keep things in perspective, and make me appreciate what I’ve gained so far in this rocky business.
12. You are working on two sequels now. Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?
I’ve got a new historical/paranormal witch series coming from Cobblestone Press in a few months. I’ve very excited about this trilogy. I also have an anthology I wrote with two of my best friends (Mary O’Connor and Georgia Tribell) about a magical stone and its travel through time. My story begins the anthology in Medieval Scotland, Mary then takes us to Victorian England/Scotland, and Georgia ends the anthology in present day California. The novellas will be released separately before being released in print from Cobblestone.
In September, I have my first release from Kensington and their erotic romance line, Aphrodisia. My novella, Ties that Bind, will be in the historical anthology, THE PLEASURE OF HIS BED, available for preorder now. In May 2009 I have my second release from Kensington with a collection of three novellas of mine titled MUTUAL DESIRE.
In October I have a novella, TEMPTED, coming from Total-E-Bound that is connected to my September Kensington release.
13. What would be the best way for readers to contact you?
I love hearing from readers. You can email me at donna@donnagrant.com anytime. I’m also always at my blog (www.donnagrant.com/blog), so drop by and say hello!
Donna, Enchanting Reviews would like to thank you for submitting your work for review and we hope to continue to provide this service for you in the future.
Interviewed by Rowena
June 2008
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Hazel Statham
Welcome, Hazel.
Thank you for granting Enchanted Reviews this interview and the opportunity for us to get to know more about you and your work.
1. Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?
I live in the UK and have been writing on and off since I was fifteen (many, many moons ago). I am fascinated by the romance and elegance of Regency and Georgian England, and it is this that I hopefully recreate in my work.
Apart from reading and writing historical fiction, my other ruling passion is animals and until recently I was treasurer to a group that raised money for animal charities. We currently share our home with two lovely yellow Labradors, Lucy who is ten and five-month-old Mollie, but over the years we have owned everything from hamsters to horses.
2. Your wonderful stories are all set in the past. If you were granted the opportunity to travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I am fascinated by the Peninsular wars so I guess it would have to be the Duchess of Richmond’s ball when Wellington’s army prepared to march to Waterloo. The air must have been electric with anticipation once it was announced that Bonaparte was on the move and Wellington prepared to intercept him.
3. If you could meet a famous person from the past, who would it be?
Can I have two? Firstly, of course, it would be the Iron Duke himself, Wellington, but the second would be George Brian Brummell, otherwise known as Beau Brummell. With Beau, I could discuss the mores of Regency society and enjoy his cutting wit.
4. Which one of your characters do you feel is most like you?
I would hesitate to compare myself with any one of my heroines, but I suppose it is inevitable that a little bit of yourself seeps into your characters. To a certain degree, their reactions are your reactions!
5. Do you adhere to a routine when you write?
I write as and when the desire takes me – which, to be quite honest, is most days and times when I have a work in progress. I write when the house is quiet but I have also been known to start writing at midnight and continue on until the small hours.
6. How would you describe your author’s voice?
I try to use language that is appropriate for the period in which I write. Modern day words and phrasing only serve to draw the reader out of the era.
7. Are you reclusive or do you like interacting with other writers?
I have several writers as friends and love interacting with them. It’s great being able to discuss your art with other like-minded souls.
8. The genre you write requires extensive research. Do you enjoy the research process?
Very much so. I have read historical fiction and non-fiction for quite a number of years and now find the internet an invaluable tool. However, I feel it is very important to make the story fit the fact, not the fact fit the story as I believe it is the author’s responsibility to be as accurate as possible when stating fact.
9. Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?
Definitely hinder! My muse frequently deserts me when under pressure.
10. Has your journey to becoming a published author been a smooth or bumpy road?
For years I wrote only for my own amusement with no thought of publication. It wasn’t until I joined a writers’ group at the local college that I even considered it. The lecturer who headed the group constantly badgered me to submit my work but it wasn’t until my husband joined ranks with him that I actually sent a manuscript out to All Romance Books. I was utterly amazed and delighted when they accepted my work and immediately submitted a second manuscript, which they also took. Sadly, due to the owner’s demise, All Romance Books closed before the second book was published and I had to look for a new home for my work. Luckily, Wings ePress took the two novels, DOMINIC and MY DEAREST FRIEND and Triskelion took a third, ‘The Portrait’. Again, I was destined for disappointment when Triskelion went into receivership before ‘The Portrait’ was published, but my rights have now been returned and I will be sending it out again shortly. On June 1st, Wings released HIS SHADOWED HEART, and I have two more manuscripts out for consideration with publishers.
Overall, it has been a hectic three years, with several highs and lows, but I am thrilled that what started out purely as a hobby, now enables me to call myself a ‘published author’.
Thank you for granting Enchanted Reviews this interview and the opportunity for us to get to know more about you and your work.
1. Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?
I live in the UK and have been writing on and off since I was fifteen (many, many moons ago). I am fascinated by the romance and elegance of Regency and Georgian England, and it is this that I hopefully recreate in my work.
Apart from reading and writing historical fiction, my other ruling passion is animals and until recently I was treasurer to a group that raised money for animal charities. We currently share our home with two lovely yellow Labradors, Lucy who is ten and five-month-old Mollie, but over the years we have owned everything from hamsters to horses.
2. Your wonderful stories are all set in the past. If you were granted the opportunity to travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I am fascinated by the Peninsular wars so I guess it would have to be the Duchess of Richmond’s ball when Wellington’s army prepared to march to Waterloo. The air must have been electric with anticipation once it was announced that Bonaparte was on the move and Wellington prepared to intercept him.
3. If you could meet a famous person from the past, who would it be?
Can I have two? Firstly, of course, it would be the Iron Duke himself, Wellington, but the second would be George Brian Brummell, otherwise known as Beau Brummell. With Beau, I could discuss the mores of Regency society and enjoy his cutting wit.
4. Which one of your characters do you feel is most like you?
I would hesitate to compare myself with any one of my heroines, but I suppose it is inevitable that a little bit of yourself seeps into your characters. To a certain degree, their reactions are your reactions!
5. Do you adhere to a routine when you write?
I write as and when the desire takes me – which, to be quite honest, is most days and times when I have a work in progress. I write when the house is quiet but I have also been known to start writing at midnight and continue on until the small hours.
6. How would you describe your author’s voice?
I try to use language that is appropriate for the period in which I write. Modern day words and phrasing only serve to draw the reader out of the era.
7. Are you reclusive or do you like interacting with other writers?
I have several writers as friends and love interacting with them. It’s great being able to discuss your art with other like-minded souls.
8. The genre you write requires extensive research. Do you enjoy the research process?
Very much so. I have read historical fiction and non-fiction for quite a number of years and now find the internet an invaluable tool. However, I feel it is very important to make the story fit the fact, not the fact fit the story as I believe it is the author’s responsibility to be as accurate as possible when stating fact.
9. Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?
Definitely hinder! My muse frequently deserts me when under pressure.
10. Has your journey to becoming a published author been a smooth or bumpy road?
For years I wrote only for my own amusement with no thought of publication. It wasn’t until I joined a writers’ group at the local college that I even considered it. The lecturer who headed the group constantly badgered me to submit my work but it wasn’t until my husband joined ranks with him that I actually sent a manuscript out to All Romance Books. I was utterly amazed and delighted when they accepted my work and immediately submitted a second manuscript, which they also took. Sadly, due to the owner’s demise, All Romance Books closed before the second book was published and I had to look for a new home for my work. Luckily, Wings ePress took the two novels, DOMINIC and MY DEAREST FRIEND and Triskelion took a third, ‘The Portrait’. Again, I was destined for disappointment when Triskelion went into receivership before ‘The Portrait’ was published, but my rights have now been returned and I will be sending it out again shortly. On June 1st, Wings released HIS SHADOWED HEART, and I have two more manuscripts out for consideration with publishers.
Overall, it has been a hectic three years, with several highs and lows, but I am thrilled that what started out purely as a hobby, now enables me to call myself a ‘published author’.
11. Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?
Here is the blurb for HIS SHADOWED HEART:
Can a shadowed heart be healed? Can love grow where least expected? The Earl of Waverly believes not. How wrong can he be!
After the death of his wife, the Earl of Waverly, believing his heart irreparably damaged, enters into a marriage of convenience. However, he is not prepared for the healing influence his new young bride has on his life.
Despite the couple’s new-found happiness, nefarious deeds abound and strange happenings are attributed to the ghost of his former wife. Will their love stand the test or will the perpetrator emerge the victor?
A short excerpt:
The earl, fighting his attraction to his new wife, returns home from his club after fleeing her company earlier in the day.
Traversing the long corridor to his bedchamber, he paused momentarily outside his wife’s door, but as no light shone from beneath, he continued on to his own apartment. Closing the door quietly behind him he paused in the centre of the room. All was in darkness except for the pool of light cast by the candles he held and for a moment, their flickering caught the handle to the connecting door. Yielding to an irresistible temptation, he pressed the handle, and finding no resistance there, entered the chamber.
As in his own room, all was in darkness, but turning to where he knew the bed to be he raised the candles higher so that their glow spread across the room, illuminating the sleeping figure there. Crossing to the bed, he knelt at her side and extinguishing all but one of the flames, placed the candelabra on a small table at the side of the bed
The shadows of the remaining light played across Caroline’s sleeping countenance and he smoothed a lock of hair that had strayed across her forehead. He knew the desire that his lips should follow his finger’s course, but even in his state of inebriation, he knew this would be foolish. For several minutes, he watched his wife sleep, eventually placing his head upon the pillow beside her. His lips curved into a loving smile as his eyes drank in her sleep-softened countenance and he felt her breath caress his cheek. The longing to hold her became an almost physical thing and his arms ached with the suppressed desire. Eventually she stirred, muttering incoherently in her sleep, and he raised himself up. What foolishness is this, he thought. I am acting like a callow youth, and immediately he was on his feet. Snatching up the light, he went quickly out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
12. What advice would you give an aspiring author?
If you have the desire to write, just do it. Whether you write with the intention of submitting your manuscript or not, you will enjoy the process and will have an amazing sense of accomplishment when it is completed
What would you like to tell your readers?
I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your comments as I love hearing from my readers.
The best way for readers to contact me are either through my web-site www.hazel-statham.co.uk or email hazel.statham1@ntlworld.com
Hazel, Enchanting Reviews would like to thank you for submitting your work for review and we hope to continue to provide this service for you in the future.
Interviewed by Rowena
June 2008
Desiree Holt
Hi, Desiree.
Thanks for agreeing to chat with Enchanting Reviews about your books. We are so excited about getting to know you better.
1. When did you decide to become an author and why?
I always had a desire to write but family and career took up so much time that there wasn’t enough left over for my personal creative process. That had to wait until we retired. By then, I hade notebooks and computer folders full of ideas just scratching to get out of my brain. Four years ago, my husband finally gave me the kick I needed to get started and I’ve been writing ever since. The thing I like about writing is you start with a blank page and the words you put down on it can create images and emotions for the readers. At least I hope they will!
2. Who is a writer that inspires you? Who is a writer that you admire and would like to get to know better? Do you have an author that mentors you?
Let’s start with the third question. We have several published authors in our RWA chapter and I am grateful for all the help and advice they’ve given me, especially the critique group they run which is invaluable. Lots of writers inspire me, but I think probably Joey Hill has had the most influence. When I started reading her books, I saw how beautiful erotic romance could be and I strive for that level all the time. An author I admire? Lordy, there are so many. I was fortunate to meet Joey Hill last year at RT. I’d really love to meet Toni Blake. Her Tempt Me Tonight is a real keeper.
3. What award that you have won are you most proud of? What award would you like to win?
BEG ME, a short novella released by Total-E-bound, was the Naughty Nibble of the Year from Romanced Reviewers Today.
4. Please tell us about your favorite book that you have published, and what makes it special to you?
I’d have to say it’s a tie between ONCE UPON A WEDDING (Ellora’s Cave) and NIGHT RIDE (The Wild Rose Press). I fell in love with the love story in each one and they still hang around in my mind. I love the ending I wrote for Wedding.
5. How do you come your with your characters and/or plot? Are any of them based loosely on real people in your life? Are your characters usually hard or easy to work with?
Characters are usually easy for me because I meet so many people who make good character models. My heroes are always alpha males with a strong sensitive side and my heroines are never wimpy, even when their situation is desperate. I like writing strong women who don’t come across as G.I. Jane. I want my readers to say, Oh, I want to be like her. And yes, some of them are based loosely on people in my life. Dominic, in DIAMOND LADY, is based on a man I once had a relationship with, for example. I never got him out of my head. The hero of NIGHT RIDE is based on the manager of a ranch I visited doing research for my cowboy books. So yeah, you never know who’s going to pop up in one of my stories.
6. What would be your first rule if you held ultimate power over the male gender?
Respect women and don’t be Mr. Always Right. Sometimes, I really have to smack my heroes when they start this I’m right She’s wrong business.
7. If you had to describe your writing to someone using only 3 words, what would they be?
Erotic, plot-drive, tantalizing
8. What do you like least about writing?
No contest here –Editing, hands down.
9. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read and watch football; spend time with my totally wonderful husband
10. Do you prefer to wear dresses or slacks?
Slacks. Much more comfortable.
11. Bubble bath or shower? Satin or lace? Chocolate or vanilla? Wine or beer? Pillows or blankets? Pen or Pencil? Blue ink or black?
Bubble bath but usually only have time for showers. Lace - love it. Chocolate all the way. Wine - we collect Texas wines. Pen. Blue ink - black looks too heavy.
12. How do you do your research for the BDSM in your books? How did you discover the dominant/submissive world? Is there anything you write about that you would not try?
I discovered it when I started reading Joey Hill’s books and it fascinated me. I started doing research online and discovered a wealth of information. I even joined a couple of online communities, telling them who I was and that I’m doing research for my writing, and some of the members are very helpful to me. The important thing with BDSM is to get across the message it’s not about just pain and manipulation, but about a sharing of need and ways of expressing it that give pleasure to all parties. I always start with the romance and build from their. In TEACHING MOLLY, my heroine is an older woman whose sexuality has been damaged by her former husband. Nick, who falls in love with her, wants to share his BDSM lifestyle with her but worries that she won’t know how to accept it. The way he teaches her and draws her into it is a strong element of their love story.
13. Can you give us a sneak peek into what you are writing now? Or a hint of what is up-coming?
In July Ellora’s Cave will release LINE OF SIGHT, my first shape shifter, and in October my very first single author anthology, HOT, WICKED AND WILD. And The Wild Rose Press will release DREAM STROKES, another of my stories I totally fell in love with. I’m very excited about all of them.
Desiree, thank you so much for your candor in answering our questions. We can't wait to review more work from you in the near future! Thanks again for choosing Enchanting Reviews.
Interviewed by Desiree de Cleves
June 2008
Thanks for agreeing to chat with Enchanting Reviews about your books. We are so excited about getting to know you better.
1. When did you decide to become an author and why?
I always had a desire to write but family and career took up so much time that there wasn’t enough left over for my personal creative process. That had to wait until we retired. By then, I hade notebooks and computer folders full of ideas just scratching to get out of my brain. Four years ago, my husband finally gave me the kick I needed to get started and I’ve been writing ever since. The thing I like about writing is you start with a blank page and the words you put down on it can create images and emotions for the readers. At least I hope they will!
2. Who is a writer that inspires you? Who is a writer that you admire and would like to get to know better? Do you have an author that mentors you?
Let’s start with the third question. We have several published authors in our RWA chapter and I am grateful for all the help and advice they’ve given me, especially the critique group they run which is invaluable. Lots of writers inspire me, but I think probably Joey Hill has had the most influence. When I started reading her books, I saw how beautiful erotic romance could be and I strive for that level all the time. An author I admire? Lordy, there are so many. I was fortunate to meet Joey Hill last year at RT. I’d really love to meet Toni Blake. Her Tempt Me Tonight is a real keeper.
3. What award that you have won are you most proud of? What award would you like to win?
BEG ME, a short novella released by Total-E-bound, was the Naughty Nibble of the Year from Romanced Reviewers Today.
4. Please tell us about your favorite book that you have published, and what makes it special to you?
I’d have to say it’s a tie between ONCE UPON A WEDDING (Ellora’s Cave) and NIGHT RIDE (The Wild Rose Press). I fell in love with the love story in each one and they still hang around in my mind. I love the ending I wrote for Wedding.
5. How do you come your with your characters and/or plot? Are any of them based loosely on real people in your life? Are your characters usually hard or easy to work with?
Characters are usually easy for me because I meet so many people who make good character models. My heroes are always alpha males with a strong sensitive side and my heroines are never wimpy, even when their situation is desperate. I like writing strong women who don’t come across as G.I. Jane. I want my readers to say, Oh, I want to be like her. And yes, some of them are based loosely on people in my life. Dominic, in DIAMOND LADY, is based on a man I once had a relationship with, for example. I never got him out of my head. The hero of NIGHT RIDE is based on the manager of a ranch I visited doing research for my cowboy books. So yeah, you never know who’s going to pop up in one of my stories.
6. What would be your first rule if you held ultimate power over the male gender?
Respect women and don’t be Mr. Always Right. Sometimes, I really have to smack my heroes when they start this I’m right She’s wrong business.
7. If you had to describe your writing to someone using only 3 words, what would they be?
Erotic, plot-drive, tantalizing
8. What do you like least about writing?
No contest here –Editing, hands down.
9. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read and watch football; spend time with my totally wonderful husband
10. Do you prefer to wear dresses or slacks?
Slacks. Much more comfortable.
11. Bubble bath or shower? Satin or lace? Chocolate or vanilla? Wine or beer? Pillows or blankets? Pen or Pencil? Blue ink or black?
Bubble bath but usually only have time for showers. Lace - love it. Chocolate all the way. Wine - we collect Texas wines. Pen. Blue ink - black looks too heavy.
12. How do you do your research for the BDSM in your books? How did you discover the dominant/submissive world? Is there anything you write about that you would not try?
I discovered it when I started reading Joey Hill’s books and it fascinated me. I started doing research online and discovered a wealth of information. I even joined a couple of online communities, telling them who I was and that I’m doing research for my writing, and some of the members are very helpful to me. The important thing with BDSM is to get across the message it’s not about just pain and manipulation, but about a sharing of need and ways of expressing it that give pleasure to all parties. I always start with the romance and build from their. In TEACHING MOLLY, my heroine is an older woman whose sexuality has been damaged by her former husband. Nick, who falls in love with her, wants to share his BDSM lifestyle with her but worries that she won’t know how to accept it. The way he teaches her and draws her into it is a strong element of their love story.
13. Can you give us a sneak peek into what you are writing now? Or a hint of what is up-coming?
In July Ellora’s Cave will release LINE OF SIGHT, my first shape shifter, and in October my very first single author anthology, HOT, WICKED AND WILD. And The Wild Rose Press will release DREAM STROKES, another of my stories I totally fell in love with. I’m very excited about all of them.
Desiree, thank you so much for your candor in answering our questions. We can't wait to review more work from you in the near future! Thanks again for choosing Enchanting Reviews.
Interviewed by Desiree de Cleves
June 2008
Julia Harper
Hi Julia!
Thanks for agreeing to chat with us at Enchanting Reviews. We are so excited to have this opportunity to get to know you better.
1. HOT is your first contemporary novel. Please tell us more about it.
Thank you, Aemelia, for inviting me to chat! HOT is my first contemporary book. When inept robbers disguised as Yoda and SpongeBob SquarePants hold up the bank, local librarian Turner Hastings uses the distraction to pull a little heist of her own. Now she’s on the run in rural Wisconsin with one very sexy, very determined FBI agent hot on her trail.
2. You also write historical romances as Elizabeth Hoyt, how are you able to separate your writing identities? Do you have a favorite genre to write? Or a different genre you'd like to explore?
I have separate websites for my historical books and my contemporary books, but it’s not like I do a whole lot to separate my identities—they are both me, after all! ;-) I like writing both historicals and contemporaries. Writing in different sub-genres keeps me on my toes and keeps my writing fresh—both for me as the writer and for my readers.
3. Have you ever been in the middle of writing a book where you had to stop because another story would speak louder in your head? If so, were you able to finish both?
LOL! Ideas come to me constantly, but if I stopped working on my current manuscript I’d never finish anything. One of the things that professional writers have to learn is to put ideas on the back burner until you can get to it.
4. When you are in the middle of a book, are you able to turn off/shut off the story you are writing when you leave your office/turn your computer off, in order to interact with family and friends and do all the every day life stuff? Or are the characters and story bickering in the back of your mind while you fake normalcy?
“Fake normalcy”? What are you implying? ;-) My family manages to distract me pretty well when I come home from work (I go to a coffee shop to write for just this reason!) But once in a while I’ll zone off into my book. Oddly, most of the time no one notices the difference! ;-)
5. If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
Oh, probably Turner Hastings, the heroine of HOT. She just takes off one day, disregarding society, family, even laws. It might be fun to cut loose like that.
6. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.
I always wrote with the goal of publishing, so when I finished my first book the natural thing to do was submit it. I suppose I was a self-motivator.
7. What kind of research do you do for your books? Do you enjoy the research process?
For HOT I called up an old friend and asked if she wanted to spend the weekend driving around back roads in Wisconsin. We stopped at a lot of antique shops, which was not necessary for the book so it was lots of fun.
8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I garden, although considering the state of my garden at the moment, maybe I should say I weed.
9. Chocolate or Vanilla? Shower or bath? Blue ink or black ink? Beer or Wine? Jeans or slacks?
Chocolate. Bath. Purple ink. Neither beer nor wine since I don’t drink, and jeans.
10. I hear that you have Dante Torelli's story done and to hit bookstores in January 2009, can you give us a sneak peek? Yes we are begging for an excerpt, blurb … anything! Please don’t keep us in the dark –
You’re in luck! My editor just sent me the back blurb for FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, Dante Torelli’s story:
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT?
Free-spirited Zoey Adler is about to hijack a federal agent. And not just any federal agent, but very Special Agent Dante Torelli, a man whose designer suits and Italian shoes are more GQ than FBI. But when her baby niece, Pete, is snatched right in front of her eyes, Zoey doesn’t hesitate to scramble into Dante’s spotless BMW. She needs his help to rescue the baby . . . if only she can ignore his Lips of Sin.
OH, BABY!
Dante’s original mission is down the drain and he’s dodging bullets with a loopy redhead by his side. He likes quiet. She never shuts up. He likes to follow the rules. She throws the rules out the window. But these opposites do more than attract—they ignite. With a henpecked hit man running wild, cooking-obsessed matrons chasing down contraband spices, and a relentless killer tracking them all, Dante and Zoey will risk everything—for themselves and . . .
FOR THE LOVE OF PETE
11. Before I go, I have to ask, because as a native of Wisconsin, even I am shocked by your “Tick-Queen” title, please tell me, did you really have 36 ticks on your body at ONE time? Were you wearing some sort of tick-love potion, i.e. eau de deer?
No! I was wearing near-fatal amounts of DEET, but I was walking a trail that obviously the ticks had staked out—probably it was a favorite of local wildlife. And yes, those were the ticks on my body at one time—I counted them as I plucked them off and threw them in the toilet (I hope this tale of mass tick-icide doesn’t offend any tick lovers out there.)
Julia, thank you for your candor in answering our questions and allowing us a glimpse into your world. It's been great hearing about your books, experiences as an author and some of your insights on life. Congrats on your next release. We can't wait to review more of your work!
Thanks for interviewing me, Aemelia!
Interviewed by Aemelia
June 2008
Thanks for agreeing to chat with us at Enchanting Reviews. We are so excited to have this opportunity to get to know you better.
1. HOT is your first contemporary novel. Please tell us more about it.
Thank you, Aemelia, for inviting me to chat! HOT is my first contemporary book. When inept robbers disguised as Yoda and SpongeBob SquarePants hold up the bank, local librarian Turner Hastings uses the distraction to pull a little heist of her own. Now she’s on the run in rural Wisconsin with one very sexy, very determined FBI agent hot on her trail.
2. You also write historical romances as Elizabeth Hoyt, how are you able to separate your writing identities? Do you have a favorite genre to write? Or a different genre you'd like to explore?
I have separate websites for my historical books and my contemporary books, but it’s not like I do a whole lot to separate my identities—they are both me, after all! ;-) I like writing both historicals and contemporaries. Writing in different sub-genres keeps me on my toes and keeps my writing fresh—both for me as the writer and for my readers.
3. Have you ever been in the middle of writing a book where you had to stop because another story would speak louder in your head? If so, were you able to finish both?
LOL! Ideas come to me constantly, but if I stopped working on my current manuscript I’d never finish anything. One of the things that professional writers have to learn is to put ideas on the back burner until you can get to it.
4. When you are in the middle of a book, are you able to turn off/shut off the story you are writing when you leave your office/turn your computer off, in order to interact with family and friends and do all the every day life stuff? Or are the characters and story bickering in the back of your mind while you fake normalcy?
“Fake normalcy”? What are you implying? ;-) My family manages to distract me pretty well when I come home from work (I go to a coffee shop to write for just this reason!) But once in a while I’ll zone off into my book. Oddly, most of the time no one notices the difference! ;-)
5. If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
Oh, probably Turner Hastings, the heroine of HOT. She just takes off one day, disregarding society, family, even laws. It might be fun to cut loose like that.
6. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.
I always wrote with the goal of publishing, so when I finished my first book the natural thing to do was submit it. I suppose I was a self-motivator.
7. What kind of research do you do for your books? Do you enjoy the research process?
For HOT I called up an old friend and asked if she wanted to spend the weekend driving around back roads in Wisconsin. We stopped at a lot of antique shops, which was not necessary for the book so it was lots of fun.
8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I garden, although considering the state of my garden at the moment, maybe I should say I weed.
9. Chocolate or Vanilla? Shower or bath? Blue ink or black ink? Beer or Wine? Jeans or slacks?
Chocolate. Bath. Purple ink. Neither beer nor wine since I don’t drink, and jeans.
10. I hear that you have Dante Torelli's story done and to hit bookstores in January 2009, can you give us a sneak peek? Yes we are begging for an excerpt, blurb … anything! Please don’t keep us in the dark –
You’re in luck! My editor just sent me the back blurb for FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, Dante Torelli’s story:
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT?
Free-spirited Zoey Adler is about to hijack a federal agent. And not just any federal agent, but very Special Agent Dante Torelli, a man whose designer suits and Italian shoes are more GQ than FBI. But when her baby niece, Pete, is snatched right in front of her eyes, Zoey doesn’t hesitate to scramble into Dante’s spotless BMW. She needs his help to rescue the baby . . . if only she can ignore his Lips of Sin.
OH, BABY!
Dante’s original mission is down the drain and he’s dodging bullets with a loopy redhead by his side. He likes quiet. She never shuts up. He likes to follow the rules. She throws the rules out the window. But these opposites do more than attract—they ignite. With a henpecked hit man running wild, cooking-obsessed matrons chasing down contraband spices, and a relentless killer tracking them all, Dante and Zoey will risk everything—for themselves and . . .
FOR THE LOVE OF PETE
11. Before I go, I have to ask, because as a native of Wisconsin, even I am shocked by your “Tick-Queen” title, please tell me, did you really have 36 ticks on your body at ONE time? Were you wearing some sort of tick-love potion, i.e. eau de deer?
No! I was wearing near-fatal amounts of DEET, but I was walking a trail that obviously the ticks had staked out—probably it was a favorite of local wildlife. And yes, those were the ticks on my body at one time—I counted them as I plucked them off and threw them in the toilet (I hope this tale of mass tick-icide doesn’t offend any tick lovers out there.)
Julia, thank you for your candor in answering our questions and allowing us a glimpse into your world. It's been great hearing about your books, experiences as an author and some of your insights on life. Congrats on your next release. We can't wait to review more of your work!
Thanks for interviewing me, Aemelia!
Interviewed by Aemelia
June 2008
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