Meet the Author: Esther Wheelmaker

Enjoy getting to know, Esther Wheelmaker.

Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing. 

Fantastical. Intriguing. Funny. HA! I did it. ::smile::

Share your favorite passage from your book in one paragraph or less.

I think one of the best scenes from Gravely Inanimated is when Lucy is showing Garrett how to play the piano. It is a moment where they finally see each other and connect on a different level. Here is part of the scene:

I rested my hand under his. “It’s simple.” I played a few keys in slow sequence while his fingers moved along with mine. “You try.”

When he didn’t move, I peered at him; he was staring at me with the smallest expression of content on his face.

“Sorry.” He brought his attention back to the keys and pressed each one the way I had shown him. “Like this?”

“Yes. Only, slow down a little. And put that finger over this one before you have to hit the black one.” From the corner of my eye, I took note of the way he continued to stare at me. “Do I have something on my face?”

“No. You are perfect.”

A breath came out my nose and I giggled. “You are a silly boy.”

“Do you like that?”

Facing him, I straightened up. I hid my face by turning toward the window to stare out into the garden. “I find it endearing.”

His hand came over mine again. “Good. I wish to do what endears you.”

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?

For sure I would have to take write forever but never have a bestseller. That’s just who I am. My passion lives in my writing, without it I think I would not care for life as much.

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?

Small town!! I love to travel and I don’t mind small towns. Could you imagine all the small town gossip I would get to hear every day? Epic.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or an airport?

Amusement park! LoL. Don’t ask me why that was hard to answer but it was.

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Oh that’s a hard one….you want me to tear my hair out of my head thinking don’t you? Hmmmm. Scotland. Because it’s right next to Ireland. ::grin::

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

Alice in Chains was pretty bad ass.

Is there any good band out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

V is for Villains. They are an up and coming Steampunk band from Chicago and they rock hard core. Total Awesome SAUCE.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is The Office)?

Big Bang Theory! I laugh out loud when watching that show. OOOOOOo! Or Archer… hehehehe.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

Is there anything I’m not working on? That would be a better question. Lets see:

Demonic Charms (book 4 in the last witch series)

Dealing Death (book 2 in the zombiepunk series)

Last Witch Short

Zombiepunk Short

Demonic Craving Novella (featuring Serena and Kasidy)

Call of the Diren (erotica Steampunk fantasy mix)

And I think that may be about it. I write a little word count in each every day so I can have them done no later than the new year.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Tamora Pierce because she is the one that ignited my passion for writing over all other authors. My question would be…Can I be in your next book? LOL. OR Can I have your autograph? No no no! Can I take a picture with you? Ok ok…seriously now… ::deep breath in::

How do you write through the blocks?

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Ocean

Yogurt or ice cream? Ice Cream

M & M’s or Skittles? Skittles

The Daily Show or The Colbert Report? The Daily Show

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy

Beer or wine? Wino over here!

Flying or driving? Flying unless within driving distance, like no more than 10 hours.

Hemingway or Twain? Hemingway!

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?

Notebook and pencil. My dog and cat. Haha. No ummm. I don’t want to pick. People will get mad at me.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

Caesar. He was smart. Like really really smart. Too much hubris but he got really far. I think I would talk to him about his reasons behind taking over the world and ask him his skills at doing so. And we would so meet at his place, since he’s the rich one and all.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be? 🙂

Hmmmm. Probably, like, to never feel pain. I have bad knees and a bad back I live with and I’m only in my 20’s. I would like to know what other people feel in their day with no pain. ::smile::

Connect with Esther below:

Esther’s Website

B & N

Amazon

Meet the Author: Karla Tipton

Today, we’re talking to a writer who likes to play with time. She’s recently released a novel that involves time travel and she likes to pull at the heartstrings. Enjoy getting to know, Karla Tipton.

You’re the author of RINGS OF PASSAGE, which was just released in August. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your book. 

Love trumps history.

Share your favorite passage from your book in one paragraph or less.

She took the ring off – but did not take it off – and she slipped it onto his left hand. And then there were two. But in truth, there was only one.

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?

Best-selling would be nice, but it’s not why I write. I write because I have to. I would go crazy if I couldn’t.

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 would live in a small town and be able to travel. I love road trips in my 1967 Mercury Cougar. Also, I have family who live across the country, whom I miss and visit regularly.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or an airport?

Living in an amusement park would be fun, if I had it all to myself. On the other hand, that would be kind of creepy after awhile. I certainly wouldn’t want to live in an airport!

And what about America in 2013 versus America in 1776?

I think I would give 1776 a try. I love the idea of time travel, and being presented with the opportunity to live in another era is something I could not turn down.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

Nirvana. I didn’t “get” them in the ’90s, but in 2008, it was like a bolt of lightning struck me and I listened to them for two months straight.

Is there any good band out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

The Rolling Stones. They just did a very successful tour this year for their 50th anniversary. They released songs as good as anything else released this year. They’ll still be talked about in another 50 years.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is The Office)?

I don’t watch American primetime TV or sitcoms. There are some BBC comedies I watch on Netflix: “The IT Crowd” and “Black Books.”

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

The novel I’m working on now is “Dangerous Reflections,” a time-travel-fantasy-historical-murder-mystery romance, set in 1910. The love story is between a long-lived-but-ageless wizard Alastor, and a modern post-grad psychology student, Martie, who suddenly learns she’s a wizard and can time travel through mirrors. It’s Harry Potter for adults. There’s a magical and very hot romance at the heart of it.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Charles Dickens. If he could be aware of our modern era when I asked him my question, it would be this: How do the evils of Victorian England compare to those of the 21st century?

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? It used to be mountains, but now lately I’ve started yearning for a rocky coast by the ocean.

Yogurt or ice cream? Coffee ice cream.

Chocolate or sweet candy? Dark chocolate.

The Daily Show or The Colbert Report? I have never watched either one.

Happy or sad ending to a novel? At the age I am now, I prefer happy endings, most definitely. However, in my younger years I would have opted for a “poignant” ending.

Beer or wine? It depends on what I’m having for dinner.

Flying or driving? Driving, definitely. I have 1967 Mercury Cougar that is a pleasure to take a road trip in, cruising to my rock tunes.

Whitman or Poe? My mother handed me a book of Edgar Allan Poe when I was about 10, and I’ve never looked back.

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?

An mp3 player with Rolling Stones music on it and my acoustic guitar. I have a couple of good friends I could be stranded with for long periods of time without wanting to do harm to them, haha.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

Richard III, of course. I would ask him about whether he knew who killed the Princess in the Tower. I already know it wasn’t him.  I’d definitely want to meet at his castle.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be? 🙂

Forget the world, I’m going to be selfish here: That my life, and the lives of my family and friends, be long and healthy to the end.

Karla Tipton cut her literary teeth on gothic romances, Edgar Allan Poe and the vampire soap “Dark Shadows.” Long before there were sparkly vampires roaming through the cultural consciousness, she wrote about ordinary women time traveling through history and falling in love with powerful men of myth and magic. “Genre-bending” came naturally. Despite publishing industry advice to find a genre and stick with it, Karla shamelessly mixed it up, blending history, paranormal, time travel, fantasy and mystery into her novels. When she became fascinated with Richard III, she made a research trip to England, so she could lend authenticity and historical detail to her novel about a romance between a modern woman and her favorite medieval king.

“Rings of Passage,” a time travel romance set in medieval England, is Karla’s first published novel.  Time travel and magic are also at the heart of the project she’s just wrapping up, “Dangerous Reflections,” a romance about a twenty-first century post-graduate student and an Edwardian-era wizard.

Karla is a member of Romance Writers of America, and her writing has earned top honors in several RWA chapter competitions.

When not at her government job or writing novels, Karla plays guitar in a classic rock band.

Rings of Passage is published by LazyDay Publishing at lazydaypub.com

Connect with Karla below:

Rings of Passage on Kindle

Rings of Passage on Nook

Karla’s Website

Karla on Facebook

Karla on Twitter

Cover Reveal: Serenity Falls

Add to your shelf!

Blurb:

Kenleigh Briggs suffered debilitating depression at the age of twelve after losing both parents in a tragic house fire. Her aunt assumed guardianship and forced Kenleigh to learn how to horseback ride. She soon developed a bond with the horses that helped her work out her depression.

Seven years later, young Kenleigh is now a sophomore at the University of Texas, San Antonio. During summer break, she arrives at Serenity Falls, a horse ranch devoted to helping children with disabilities learn to ride. She loves watching the kids build the same healing bonds with the horses that she did. She really finds satisfaction in paying it forward. 

Wesley Adams, the son of the ranch’s owners, is a professional bull rider who lives in Dallas. With his blond hair, Caribbean blue eyes, and tattooed muscular body, he is epitome of every woman’s dream. Wesley is good guy, but he has a bit of a rowdy side.

Kenleigh has learned to take life head on. She no longer holds back, and seizes every opportunity that she has to make herself happy. Content with the way her life is going, Kenleigh never expected Wesley. He takes Kenleigh on the ride of her life, until tragedy strikes again. As Kenleigh and Wesley discover a love like they have never known, will they also discover the best parts of life they are missing?

Tiffany Aleman on Goodreads

Ashley Poch on Goodreads

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Meet the Author: PJ Adams

Today, we’re sitting, standing, and even taking a pleasant stroll with the lovely PJ Adams. Lately, I’ve been meeting so many great people from the UK. Polly is no different 🙂 Sit down, take off your slippers (it’s summer time), and enjoy getting to know this talented writer.

You’re the author of many different romance novels. Share a line/passage with us that the world needs to read.

“I stepped back, found the door, turned, and then I was running back along that corridor, tottering in my Jimmy Choos and intensely aware that I was in this stranger’s vast home, running from him, in very high shoes and no panties.” (from The Object of His Desire)

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?

I’d write forever, and hope for at least a steady audience if I can’t manage bestsellerdom. It’s hard to imagine stopping writing: I’ve been published by big multinational companies, sold stories to the movies, but also been dumped from publishing lists and been badly treated by publishers and agents. Writing is an incredibly up and down business for most of us! One key thing I’ve learned is that I always keep on writing, regardless of whether I’m on an up or heading back down.

 Great advice 🙂

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?

Small town, definitely. I’m more of a small town kinda girl, anyway. I love visiting the big cities, and I love the time I’ve spent at campuses, but I prefer the sense of scale of the small town. And I’d hate not being able to travel.

Okay, how about Scotland or Iceland?

I’ve never been to Iceland, but would love to visit, but if forced to choose I’d go for Scotland – one of my favorite places in the world. The scenery is stunning, the people lovely, and I’m particularly partial to haggis and Speyside single malts.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

The 90s were great for bands over here in the UK: the running battles between Oasis and Blur for attention, Sleeper, Echobelly, and earlier, the Stone Roses. Forced to choose, I’d probably go for Pulp if only for one standout TV performance where rather than lots of camera angles that the other bands had gone for, for the whole of ‘Common People’ there was a single camera trained on Jarvis Cocker, zooming in, pulling away, swinging around him; he completely commanded that performance. Brilliant.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (I love The Office and Seinfeld)?

Cheers is hard to beat, for me, for its performances and for the funny, tight scripts.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

I’ve just started a new serial called The Winner Takes It All, which opens in a storm when a stranger turns up at a bar in a drenched tuxedo, with a roll of fifty dollar bills in his pocket and that’s all he has in the world.

Most recently finished is The Object of His Desire, my romantic suspense novel which was published on 1st July. It’s the story of a young American woman who gets involved in murder and scandal centered around an aristocratic English family. I think it’s one of the best things I’ve written, and I was delighted when it was picked up for the Insatiable Reads summer promotion, along with top romance authors including Sara Fawkes and Julia Kent.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

I love all kinds of fiction, from crime and horror through romance, chick lit and thriller, but I always come back to Charles Dickens. I love the layers of story in everything he wrote. If I could ask him something I’d probably be starstruck and ask something dumb like “Are you really Charles Dickens?” and then I’d realize I’d used up my one question…

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Ocean (from the shore – I get seasick).

Peaches or plums? Plums.

Skittles or M & M’s? M&Ms; although here in the UK I’d go for Smarties.

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy, but with the possibility of either held open for as long as possible.

Beer or wine? Wine. A nice big glass of Pinot Noir, thank you.

Flying or driving? Flying. And a window seat, please.

Mystery or fantasy novel? Mystery.

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?

Assuming I’m not allowed a cruiser as one of my things and two crew-members as my people, I’d go for: a well-stocked Kindle (with an endless power supply!) and a chaise longue so I can sit or lie in comfort; for the people, I’d bring my husband, and as long as neither of them would get jealous, Gerard Butler.

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?

Nixon would be fascinating, but I’d have to go for Kennedy in the hope that I could test out his charm and pry out some inside stories from him. My place, I think; get him away from his normal environment and he might just relax and drop his guard a little.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes)! What’s it gonna be?

Avoiding all the world-peace-like alternatives (an end to disease, poverty, etc), and the obvious materialistic ones (a big lottery win), I think I’d go for the option of living my life how I’d want to: writing, traveling, seeing my friends and family. As I said at the start, a writer’s life is full of ups and downs, and I’d really like the current up to last!

Thank you Polly for your honest and insightful answers. Connect with Polly below and find out more about her recent release.

Writing under other names, PJ Adams is a successful novelist, with several novels published by major publishing houses and optioned for movies. As PJ Adams, she writes in the genre closest to her heart, erotic romance – love stories with that added heat, including The Object of His Desire and Four Temptations.

The Object of His Desire by PJ Adams

When Trudy goes to her estranged brother’s wedding, the last thing she expects is one of those moments: a handsome stranger, their eyes meeting across a crowded room… a tempting, but dangerous stranger. Determined to find out more, she discovers that dark secrets bind him to her brother; she also learns that he’s the kind of man who gets what he wants, and what he wants right now is Trudy.

Introducing her to the world of the super-wealthy, he showers her with designer clothes, shoes, and diamonds, whisking her off to dinner dates by private jet… what more could a girl want?

But as she finds out more about him, Trudy begins to wonder if she can ever love a man she can never fully trust. A man involved in murder and blackmail, who may just be using her as an alibi. Should she run or let herself fall for him? And will he give her a choice?

A passionate erotic romance, where scandals buried away in the past lead to murderous intrigue in the present, in the intensely steamy world of the super-wealthy and powerful.

Available for Kindle:

The Object of His Desire on Amazon US

The Object of His Desire on Amazon UK

… and other ebook formats.

Also available in paperback:

The Object of His Desire on Amazon US

The Object of His Desire on Amazon UK

Polly’s Website

Polly on Facebook

Polly on Twitter

Meet the Author: Melanie Corona

Today, we’re sitting down with a new author: Melanie Corona. Her first book is coming out in August and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know her a little bit better. Sit back, moderately relax, and get to know Melanie.

You’re a new author and appear to be incredibly ambitious. What’s your secret?

I’m actually not that ambitious, but who’s going to read my book if I don’t let people know I’ve written one!  🙂

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?

To be rich is always tempting, if…your not happy with what you’ve got. Minimum wage please. I can always save 🙂

If you could live in New York City or Colorado, which one would you choose?

Well, considering I’ve never been to either place, I would have to say New York.

 Okay, how about England or France?

England, because there are people I want to meet that live there.

 Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

All of the above lol

Nice 🙂 … Is there anything you’re currently working on?

I’m working on my Capture My Heart Series, and a 20k word story for an anthology for the fund raiser EPIC.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Hmmm my favorite author is Marcia Lynn McClure! I would ask her if I could look through her recipe book. 🙂

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Mountains

Strawberries or bananas? Strawberries

Chocolate or sour candy? Umm hello Chocolate!

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Always happy! 

Beer or wine? Neither, don’t drink.

Flying or driving? Driving! I love a good road trip.

Hemingway or Shakespeare? Shakespeare.

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take only two things with you and two people as well. What and who are you bringing?

Oh gosh, you’re making me think! Okay, so, I love the outdoors, so I’m thinking some flint lol and…a knife. Bear Grills 🙂 and whatever friend I conned into being in a position that led me to getting stranded lol.

Best answer to that question thus far 🙂

You’re able to sit down with any world leader in history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or at their place of royalty?

I really don’t know. There are too many people I would want to talk some sense into, and loads I would want to learn from, and I would go to their place of royalty. 

You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes)! What’s it gonna be?

I wish for an endless supply of chocolate 🙂

I’m gearing up to release my first published piece, A Friendship’s Love, in August. All my first drafts can be found on my site and when I’m writing a story, I write it first on there, live. I think it, I write it, and hope it makes sense.

Connect with Melanie below: 

Melanie’s Website

Melanie on Facebook

Melanie on Twitter

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 25^th. 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.

J.D. on Twitter

J.D. on Facebook

J.D. on Goodreads

J.D.’s Blog

Meet the Author: Glenna Maynard

Today, we’re sitting down and learning a little bit more about the up-and-coming romance author, Glenna Maynard. Prepare to fall in love with a girl who can do nothing but write about just that: love.

You’re the author of BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS and I must admit, the cover is eye-catching. If you could give one sentence to describe your book, what would it be?

One sentence, not taking it easy on me ha ha. Beautiful Strangers is not your normal romance, the characters are so real you feel like you are living the story through them.

What is the most difficult aspect when it comes to writing?

Writing the blurb and editing. My first time editing about killed me.

If you could live in a foreign country, which one would you choose?

I would love to live in France, I have never been. But what better place to write about love than in Paris, the city of love?

Who is your favorite band from the 90’s (I’m a big fan of Blink 182 and Counting Crows)?

Now that is tough, I love just about all things 90’s. If I have to choose a few I will say Mazzy Star, Alice ‘N’ Chains, and STP (Stone Temple Pilots)

I almost forgot about Mazzy Star… I love them! So…

What are you working on now?

I just might be crazy but I am working on books 2 and 3 for The Masquerade Series, Beautiful Liar and Beautiful Lover and a stand alone, I’m with you.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Oh a favorite, you don’t hold back! So, I would ask Charlaine Harris why oh why she broke my heart along with the hearts of thousands with the way she ended the Sookie books and demand a real answer.

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Mountains with an ocean view

Chicken or steak? Chicken

Strawberries or blueberries? Strawberries

Comedy or drama? Comedy

Beer or wine? Beer

Cruise or cabin getaway? Cabin getaway

National park or Broadway show? National Park

Shakespeare or Twain? Shakespeare

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take only three things with you. What are you bringing?

Only 3: matches, food, and a raft.

Smart girl 🙂

You’re able to sit down with any president in United States history. Who would you choose and what would you talk about?

Bill Clinton. We would talk about music, books, and why ladies love him so much.

Thank you Glenna for stopping by and giving us such a fun interview!

Find Glenna Maynard at the sites below:

Glenna on Goodreads

Glenna on Twitter

Glenna on Facebook

Glenna’s Website