Author Jay Scott interviewed me for his blog. Check it out below (click on the photo) and show Jay some love.
Tag: new novel
Meet the Author: Tanya Taimanglo
Today, we’re sitting down with the talented, ambitious, and incredibly clever, Tanya Taimanglo. She recently released a romantic comedy and was kind enough to swing by for an interview. Sit down, take off your eyeglasses, and put them back on if you require them for reading.
You’re the author of SECRET SHOPPER. Share a line/passage with us that the world needs to read.
“I was too preoccupied with my family and being home, that Thomas was really a small blip in my thoughts. Well, okay he was more like streaming classical music that played softly in the background every minute of my day, but my heart and mind could only focus on dad now.” –Phoenix Lizama
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author but can never write again or write forever but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
This is so easy. Best-selling author…just kidding. I would have to say I want to write forever, but not have a bestseller. Writing is as important to me as eating my multi-vitamin. And a one time bestseller is honorable, but equivalent to a one hit wonder, yes?
Ummm, I’d say yes 🙂
If you could live on a college campus and never leave or in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
I’m 39, college is a distant, boring memory. I’d rather be in a small town (which is my reality now and I love it) and be able to travel.
Okay, how about Scotland or Iceland?
I’d say Scotland. I’d like to learn more about kilts and sip tea in J.K. Rowling’s castle, talk shop with her perhaps and dance to some Celtic jams.
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
I have so many, but it’s the Stone Temple Pilots. In fact, it was a goal to see them in concert before debauchery and excess ended any of them. Happily I did that in 2010 in California.
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (I love The Office and Seinfeld)?
I’m very into New Girl with Zooey Deschanel. I love, love Schmidt and find myself sounding like him when I’m scolding my children, which is frightening. But I also dig Jake Johnson’s characterization of Nick. He represents the awkward kind of guy I find endearing.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
Is there anything I’m NOT currently working on. Story lines invade my mind constantly. But, when I finally focus and get some quiet time (usually when the entire house is asleep), I write. Two projects are undergoing construction, one is a YA level novel I drafted during NaNoWriMo 2012, 50,000 words in 30 days deserves some follow through. It stems from my love, well obsession for Wonder Woman, entitled Wonder Summer. Another is a third of the way completed, another romance. Keeping the storyline under wraps for now.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Jane Green. She wrote Jemima J. It was the first time I felt connected to a character, one who was curvy, who wanted or thought there was only a good life for the thin. My question: Was her character, Jemima based on herself? (Mainly because Jane Green is a lovely, slim lady…okay, I really want to know if her thighs were ever fluffy enough to rub).
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Oceans. I’m a Chamorro from Guam, a lovely tropical island-Google it folks. Always, oceans.
Peaches or plums? Peaches when they are firm, but sweet.
Skittles or M & M’s? Peanut M & M’s (I cheated there).
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy, which is why I haven’t read a Nicholas Sparks novel lately, he broke my heart one too many times, so I just watch his books on film.
Beer or wine? Sweet wine (Moscato d’asti) or none at all.
Flying or driving? Driving, until safe teleporting is invented.
Mystery or fantasy novel? I hate surprises, so fantasy.
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
I would take my journal and a pen. Two people? Sorry husband, but I’d take my two kids, they still need their mommy.
You’re able to sit down with any president in United States history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at the White House?
Abraham Lincoln. He’s my 8 year old son’s favorite. We would talk about his family life and how it made him the man he is/was. I would rather be in the White House, but not the 1800’s version, the 2013 version.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes)! What’s it gonna be?
Financial freedom.
Get Secret Shopper (A Romantic Comedy); available on Amazon.com-paperback or Kindle eBook
Connect with Tanya below:
Secret Shopper SUMMARY:
After moving to California from the tropical island of Guam, Phoenix Farmer’s marriage to her high school sweetheart, Bradley unravels. Forced to find a job, she retreats into the world of SECRET SHOPPING and thrives. As Phoenix discovers her true self without Bradley, she becomes an unwilling goddess with the help of her best friend Rachel. She snags the attention of Thomas-the creative, handsome and persistent target she has been assigned to evaluate. Can she hold off Thomas’s charm until her divorce becomes final? What will she decide when her father falls ill unexpectedly and pulls her back to Guam?
This romantic comedy will have you cheering for Phoenix as she rises from the ashes and becomes a shinier version of her former self.
Author BIO
Tanya Taimanglo is a Navy wife and mother of two. Originally from Guam, she’s freezing her buns off in Washington State, but adjusting well—now having an excuse to wear fancy scarves. A former high school English and Creative Writing Teacher, Tanya now enjoys writing up a storm for herself. She had a stint as a Secret Shopper for 4 years. Tanya loves Wonder Woman and Bruce Lee equally and hopes to attend San Diego Comic Con for the third time. Taimanglo also published a children’s book, Sirena: A Mermaid Legend From Guam and short stories, Attitude 13: A Daughter of Guam’s Collection of Short Stories.
Meet the Author: HMC
Today, we’re talking to an author who has grabbed my attention. She just released a book and is taking the social media world by storm. Her genre is similar to mine and as a reader and writer, I can’t wait to read her book. Sit back, lock your windows, and enjoy getting to know HMC.
You’re the author of WHITE WALLS and the cover is brilliant! Share a line/passage with us that is particularly special to you.
Damon tried to stay calm in the face of Sam’s wrath.
‘That’s it! That’s all you’re going to tell me? That we’re going to be all right? What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and wait ’til something else happens? If you don’t tell me what this is about, right now, I’m going to tell Jade everything!’
Damon held his breath for a few seconds before speaking. ‘And who do you think they’re going to believe?’ He was good at being politely poisonous. ‘Yes, they may think both of us are crazy, but whose story sounds the craziest, Sam, yours or mine?’ He hated treating her this way, but it had to be done, and the guilt passed faster than he thought it would. It was for her own good. The more she knew, the deeper the trouble.
‘You bastard!’ Her eyes shone with angry tears.
George was sitting quietly in the corner and had obviously had about enough of this; he moved to leave. But before he could make good his escape, Sam caught him. ‘Where do you think you’re going?’
‘I’m going to make my presence known in the common room so that Anne doesn’t become too suspicious. Calm down before she hears us. You want to be the boss, fine – but stop being such a bitch, will you?’ Then he nodded at Damon and strode back to the safety of his guard chair.
Samantha Phillips surrendered. ‘Okay.’ She sat down on Damon’s bed.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry I can’t tell you what you want to know.’
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to live forever on minimum wage or till you’re fifty but extremely rich. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
Oh no … now you’ve started something. We could be here all day!
Both of those options are terrible. Not because one is poor and because one dies, but because both options limit one’s opportunity to reach for more. The first option limits one’s ability to make money, and the second takes away one’s ability to use their talent, in order to make money.
Life is a game, money moves in and out of our lives, either with or without resistance, and abundance is something we all deserve. I believe in my own abundance, and that’s why I am where I am. To mess with fortune would take away a freedom that goes with the law of attraction, and in my opinion, the very nature of the universe. HA! Yep … hippy. I own it.
If I had to choose one, I’d wholeheartedly choose number two. I’ve been poor before, dirt poor, and it wasn’t so bad, but I can’t imagine living forever in the same body with the same life. I believe in reincarnation, and nothing is permanent. I’m not afraid of change … I’m more afraid of stagnation.
That’s a better answer than the original question 🙂
If you could live on a college campus or in a small town, which one would you choose?
I’m an Australian. I’ve never experienced a college campus. We do have them here, but I have a choice of three universities (colleges) in a 30km radius of my house, so it’s often not necessary for us – unless, you come from overseas, or, live rurally.
So, I’d choose a college campus … just for the experience.
Okay, how about Ireland or Spain?
Spain first! My family on my father’s side is Spanish. I have it down as one of my places to go. Ireland is on the list, too. I love the green, the countryside and the cold, so Ireland is a definite.
My wife and I went to Ireland last year. It was beautiful!
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
None of the above. Salt and Pepper and Boys to Men, all the way. I love metal, classical, rock, punk, RnB, Indie music – all of it. If you suck you suck, though.
And what about your favorite crime show (I love Law & Order: SVU & Criminal Minds)?
Right now it’s Breaking Bad, and Sons of Anarchy. They’re crime shows, right? Let’s say, ‘yes’.
I love Breaking Bad. I do need to catch up on this past season though 🙂
So, is there anything you’re currently working on?
Of course! Robert Mumpkin Myer and the Wish Makers is my childrens’ fantasy novel. It’s about to go to my editor. Also, I have two short stories on the go.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Bryce Courtenay. He was a brilliant Australian Author. He wrote the Power of One and many other successful books, my favourite being, ‘Jessica.’ I would ask him, ‘how did you write so well from the perspective of a woman?’
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Mountains
Kiwi or oranges? Kiwi
Sweet or sour candy? Sweet
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy!
Beer or wine? Spirits
Flying or driving? Driving. (Insert cuss word here) flying.
Mark Twain or James Fenimore Cooper? We don’t study those authors in Australia, however I’d choose Mark Twain, because of ‘Tom Sawyer.’ Did you have to read learn about them in school? We study a lot of English authors, such as George Orwell. However, we did a big unit on F. Scott Fitzgerald, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Yes, though I didn’t study either of them until college. Most high schools, I believe, study Twain and possibly Cooper/Fitzgerald.
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take only one thing with you and two people as well. What and who are you bringing?
Two strangers and a machete. That way if I were desperate … I’d prefer my husband and daughter to be out looking for me.
You’re able to sit down with any president in United States history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at the White House?
I don’t know enough about your presidents to answer that one well. I’d probably say Obama, though. That guy is rad. At the White House, of course. Fly me to America, kids.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes). What’s it gonna be?
I wish I could remember that my happiness is my job – all the time.
Thank you for your candid answers 🙂
Connect with HMC below:
Meet the Author: J.D. Rivera
Today, we’re talking to the lovely J.D. Rivera. She’s a new author with her debut novel set to release in less than a week! Stand up, sit back down, and enjoy getting to know this up-and-coming star.
Your first book, TRYING TO GET OVER YOU, will release on June 25th. Share a favorite line/passage with us that reflects the heart of the story.
“…I would do anything for the baby. Including, giving up the love of my life.”
You’ve got the chance to be a best-selling author or live forever, which scenario sounds more tempting?
Probably best-selling author unless all of my family and friends get to live forever with me. If they can, I would definitely choose living forever.
If you could travel through every state in America or each country in Europe, which one would you choose?
Each country in Europe. I’ve already travelled most of the U.S. so I’d give up what I haven’t seen to travel through Europe.
What is your favorite spoof movie (I like Scary Movie)?
Hot Shots! Loved it!
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I’m working on Cooper’s story from Trying to Get Over You.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
I love way too many authors to have a favorite. If I could ask any of them a question it would be: Is being an author everything you dreamed it would be?
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Ocean
Chicken or steak? Chicken
Skittles or M & M’s? M & M’s
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy
Beer or wine? Wine
Flying or driving? Driving –I LOVE road trips. You get to see so many more things!
C.S. Lewis or Nathaniel Hawthorne? C.S. Lewis
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take only three things with you. What are you bringing?
My husband and two boys. If it has to be material things: my iPad (it has my e-reader), sunscreen, and a bottle of wine.
You’re able to sit down with any president in United States history. Who would you choose and what would you talk about?
George Washington: I’d ask if the way our country is now is anything like he thought it would be.
More about her new book:
Choices in life are hard.
College student Emily Reynolds has been in a three year relationship with Cooper Thomason but one awful night has left their relationship shaken. She soon finds out she is pregnant and Cooper can’t give up his partying ways. Emily leaves Cooper and tries to find a life without him. She finds out a life without Cooper is harder than she thinks. Will Emily be able to move on from Cooper and find a relationship with another man or run back to him?
J.D. Rivera lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two boys. Her life consists of school projects, homework, cartoon shows and little league sports. She loves Diet Mt. Dew, the OKC Thunder, costume jewelry, the beach, and of course reading.
Jackson Paul Baer 