Up Close and Personal with ‘A Christmas Kindness’ Author, C. C. Gevry

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4RV Publishing, A Christmas Kindness, author interviews, Between the Covers, C. C. Gevry, Cheryl Malandrinos, children's books, contemporary fiction, early chapter reader, first chapter reader

C.C Gevry (pen name for Cheryl C. Malandrinos) is a children’s author from Western Massachusetts. She is a member of SCBWI. A Christmas Kindness is her first book with 4RV Publishing. Ms. Gevry is married with two young children and a son who is married.

C.C. Gevry

The thing about me is that I… like my cats better than most people. Whoops, evil Cheryl slipped out. What I meant to say is I try to be a good person and set an example for my children.

When I first get up in the morning, I… hit the snooze button at least twice before crawling out of bed. I am so not a morning person. I’ve been a night owl for as long as I can remember. I try not to crawl out of bed before nine on the weekends. You can decide if I mean AM or PM. 

The most important thing in my life is… my faith. I would be lost without it. Life can be a tough thing without the anchor that God provides.

I love to travel to… the Outer Banks of North Carolina each summer. We stay at a friend’s house and enjoy two weeks of fun and sunshine. We’re usually down south for my birthday, which makes the trip extra special. Our extended family joined us last year. It was a blast.

In my spare time, I…Did you really say spare time? I had to pause, because between working, my family, and my volunteer work, I’m lucky to get enough time to eat lunch each day. I like to putter in my garden when I get a chance and I read each night.

One thing I learned about life is… that it’s like a box of chocolates…Oh, wait, someone else already said that. Life is what you make of it. Do I have everything I want out of life? No. I’m not living in a house on the Atlantic coast. I’m not a millionaire. I have never managed to buy that candy apple red Corvette I’ve wanted since I was 16. But God has blessed me with a wonderful family. We have a roof over our heads and clothes on our bodies. We’re all healthy, too. What more can I ask for?

The sole mission I am on this earth is to… live long enough to aggravate my children. Oh, you were serious. I hope my books help spread the Good News and encourage youngsters to consider God their friend in times of need and in times of great joy.

One little known fact about me that might surprise you is… I have tons of phobias. I’m afraid of flying, afraid to travel through tunnels or over bridges, and terrified of drowning. I blame my parents. It’s sure easier than paying for therapy.

My favorite time of day is… bedtime. It’s the only time my girls aren’t fighting. LOL!

I love to write about… kids using faith to manage their problems. On a lighter note, I’ve taken to writing some sillier stories solely meant to entertain.

The most difficult aspect about writing is… staring at the blank page. Not because I don’t know what to write, but because I have to stop and look something up, which makes me get lost in my research, which makes me forget what I was looking up in the first place, and then my train of thought is as dead as a squashed spider.

My most favorite aspect about writing is… editing. I know I’m crazy, but I love polishing my work and making it shine.

When I became a published author for the first time, I… told everyone I know. Well, maybe not everyone. I didn’t contact the retired nuns from my elementary school.

The inspiration behind my book comes… 100% from my children.Whether they give me the idea for a story or do something that inspires a story, they are in there somewhere.

The most asked question about my book is… why did you choose a pen name? It seemed like a good plan at the time, but I have to admit it’s made book promotion a challenge. Multiple social media accounts, trying to create a platform for a new name, and just plain old trying to fit in promotion time for two identities makes me wonder what someone slipped in my tea to make think a pen name made sense.

That said, I felt it important to separate my faith-based stories from the ones I am writing for the sole purpose of entertainment. Time will tell if it was the right choice.

Up Close and Personal with ‘Going for Excelsior’ Wayne Hatford

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author interviews, Going for Excelsior, Thriving in Seniorhood, Wayne Hatford

Wayne Hatford, B.A. in French and Spanish, M.A. in International Administration, is a teacher, writer, editor and author dedicated to bridging the gap between the physical and non-physical worlds. To that end, he channeled a friend, Janice Horn ~ “Letters from Janice: Correspondence with the Astral Plane” and, more recently, the spirit essence of Rudolph Valentino ~ “Valentino Speaks: The Wisdom of Rudolph Valentino” and “Going for Excelsior: Thriving in Seniorhood,” all of which are available via Amazon.com. Each of these works explores the “Other Side” while offering insight and practical suggestions on how best to make the most of this one.

A life-long student of metaphysics and transformation, Wayne has both taught in public school and been a personal property appraiser. Wayne Hatford now resides in Santa Rosa, California where he and the Valentino essence continue their collaboration.

His latest book is Going for Excelsior: Thriving in Seniorhood.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

The thing about me is that I …..love beauty, in all its iterations!

When I first get up in the morning, I …..always look out of my bedroom window to greet the day.

The most important thing in my life is …..communication. Nothing is more stimulating than a well-turned phrase or sentence.

I love to travel to …..Italy! More than any other ‘foreign’ country, it feels like home.

In my spare time, I ….. like to haunt certain antique venues, like auction houses and shops.

One thing I learned about life was …..that there is always something more to learn!

The sole mission I am on this earth is to …..normalize the idea that cross-dimensional communication is not only possible but happens all the time.

One little known fact about me that might surprise you is …..I have always been a big fan of R & B music!

My favorite time of day is …..twilight..

I love to write about … anything that has metaphysical import.

The most difficult aspect about writing is …..maintaining the same synergy and flow from sentence to sentence.

My most favorite aspect about writing is …..when it dawns on you that something you’ve written is complete, that you’ve done your best ~ the equivalent of a ‘Eureka’ moment.

When I became a published author for the first time, I …..celebrated with friends, and we all toasted with a glass of champagne.

The inspiration behind my book comes from …..my own experience as a Senior along with a desire to help people view that stage of life through a different lens.

The most asked question about my book is …..how much of your book is you and how much is Rudy? The answer is approximately 50-50.

About the Book:

What if you were as savvy as you could possibly be in matters of aging and, therefore, really soar, breeze through the final chapters of your life with flying colors? The ’senior’ experience, through only the most constructive and creative of lenses! Going for Excelsior” offers practical suggestions for successfully negotiating Seniorhood, a blueprint for active living ~ how to embrace where you’re at in your life, find hidden gems, turn up the voltage. Thriving in Seniorhood is about going beyond what’s expected or being directed at you by the host society and this book provides the reader with the tools and understandings to accomplish that goal. Conundrums solved. The sting removed from such phenomena as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Myths about Seniors debunked. These are only a few of the benefits that can be derived from reading this book which, hopefully, will serve to stretch your consciousness, something that’s rather elastic to begin with ~ in every stage of life.

‘Seniorhood’ ~ Where people often like to perceive us, once we have attained a certain age. Also, where we can choose to thrive, with clarity of purpose ~ and by design!

“Like all those who currently inhabit a body, you, too, are getting ready for Excelsior. Especially allow the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and beyond of your ages to be magical in this regard, for you to be way-showers, preparing yourselves mentally, physically and spiritually for the next phase. There always is a next phase, by the way, and we are always getting ready for it. You are part of a grand design as am I. There is no other option!” ~ Rudolph Valentino

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

Up Close & Personal with ‘Wondertown’ Mac Follows

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author interviews, Fantasy, fantasy author, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Mac Follows, Wondertown

Reclusive writer and composer Mac Fallows first began pitching the idea of a musical book for teens and adults to music and book publishers in the late eighties. But without the technology to support his vision, he didn’t get far.

So instead, he set out to travel the world in search of new challenges . . . and stories. He went on to write and produce over 100 songs in a dozen languages in places including Dakar, Mumbai, Prague, and Santiago for singers including Youssou N’dour, Shankar Mahadevan, Pape and Cheikh, and Kavita Krishnamoorthy.

Along the way he lived with taxi drivers and their families, camped in farmers’ fields, butchered bulls, sold tea, raised chickens, translated travel contracts, worked as a session musician, a construction worker, a teacher, and toured the biggest festivals in Europe as a member of one of Africa’s most celebrated bands.​

Wondertown is the first true musical story he’s published. It includes a full-length fantasy novel, 12 related songs and 17 illustrations.

Visit the Author:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Little Known Facts about Mac Follows:

The thing about me is that I ….. love to write songs that are sung by characters in stories that I’ve also written.

When I first get up in the morning, I ….. stretch. Then I write. Sometimes, I reverse the order.

The most important thing in my life is ….. my family.

I love to travel to ….. West Africa, where the other half of my family lives.

In my spare time, I ….. run as fast as I can.

One thing I learned about life was ….. that animals understand it better than we do.

The sole mission I have on this earth is to ….. live.

One little known fact about me that might surprise you is ….. that my first real concert as an adult performer was in front of 10,000 people and simulcast to TV and radio. My second was in front of 50,000.

My favorite time of day is ….. morning.

I love to write about … the people I’ve met during my travels.

The most difficult aspect about writing is ….. editing.

My most favorite aspect about writing is ….. starting. And finishing. It’s a tie.

When I became a published author for the first time, I ….. wasn’t sure what to think as I was self-published. I can say that the first time I heard one of my songs in a taxi cab, I was pretty pleased.

The inspiration behind my book comes from ….. a mix of the books I read as a teen and the underdogs I met in real life.

The most asked question about my book is ….. When will the next installment come out?

About the Book:

Wondertown is a full-length fantasy novel from Mac Fallows that includes twelve original songs—each one an extension of the story sung by the characters themselves- and seventeen illustrations from acclaimed illustrator, Emrah Elmasli.

The story centres around Neil Abbott, an undersized, introverted eleven-year old boy with the ability to tell about people by touching their possessions. He doesn’t fit in either at home or at school and rarely speaks to anyone, with the exception of his grandmother, who has a secret talent of her own.

One day, after a particularly difficult week, Neil asks his grandmother if she thinks he’s normal, and she responds by telling him the remarkable story of an unlikely hero, who long ago crossed the five parts of the world to free his only friend from a demon lord. Filled with hidden meaning, vivid images, and songs that bring the characters to life, Wondertown is an unforgettable journey to a place inside each of us few of us dare to go.

PURCHASE:

AMAZON | ITUNES

 

Author Interview: Linda Kovic-Skow & FRENCH ILLUSIONS

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Memoir, author interviews, French Illusions, Linda Kovic-Skow

Linda Kovic-Skow resides in Kirkland, Washington. She earned an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting in 1978 from North Seattle Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Seattle University in 1985. She has been married for 27 years and has two daughters. An enthusiastic traveler, Linda also enjoys boating, gardening and socializing with friends. French Illusions, her debut memoir, is the culmination of a three-year project.

You can visit her website at www.lindakovicskow.com.

Welcome to Between the Covers, Linda. Why was writing French Illusions so important to you?

About four years ago, after my husband and I dropped our youngest daughter off at college, I went through a sort of mid-life crisis. I missed being a mom and I wondered how I would fill the void. Sure I had my part-time bookkeeping business, but it consumed only a few hours a day and it wasn’t interesting any more. Something was missing, but what?

This prompted me to review what I like to call my “mid-life list.” This is similar to a “bucket list,” with an important twist. The idea was to refocus myself and figure out the things I wanted to do with my life in my fifties – while I could still do them. My list was short.

-Learn to play the piano

-Travel to Africa to see the elephants

-Travel to Tahiti and see the island of Bora Bora

-Travel back to France (with my family this time)

-Write a book

At the time, I didn’t own a piano and, with two daughters in college (on the east coast no less!), I couldn’t afford a trip to Africa or Tahiti. I had already traveled back to France in 2001 with my family, so that left me to examine the fifth item on my list more closely.  If I did write a book, would it be fiction or non-fiction? What genre would I choose?

The answers to my questions came to me in the shower (which is where many of my ideas seem to materialize, strangely enough). I decided to hunt down my diary from my au pair adventure in France and compose a memoir. Voila! I had found my passion and got to cross another item off of my mid-life list.

What was the experience like writing French Illusions? How did keeping a diary help you write this book?

I have to admit writing my memoir was a lot more complex than I initially imagined it would be. My diary offered a great outline, but I had to research and fill in hard-to-find data on the Loire Valley, the Loire River and the town of Tours. Internet searches produced most of the information and travel books supplied the rest. From the beginning, difficult questions emerged, such as how to deal with the French, and whether or not to italicize my thoughts. Oh, and I really struggled with how much detail to include in my own love scenes.

My favorite chapters to write came in the last section of French Illusions. Throughout most of my memoir, I internalized my unhappiness at the Château de Montclair. Within these last pages, I finally had the opportunity to expose my true feelings in vivid scenes filled with passion and drama. It was a thrilling, rewarding experience.

I know memoirs can take a long time to write. How long did it take you to write yours?

It took me three years to complete my memoir. Initially, I wasn’t sure whether I had enough entries in my diary to produce a good book, so I outlined it. Once I determined that I did indeed have a story, I enrolled in some classes, studied some writing techniques and plunged in. Several rewrites later, after gathering input from my mentor and friends, I turned my manuscript over to the first of three editors.

Can you give us a passage from that diary?

Of course. Below is the very first entry in my diary dated August 22, 1979. I’m not sure who or what prompted me to keep a diary during my trip to France, but I’m sure glad that I did!

“Since a person does not take a trip to Europe everyday, I have decided to keep track of the time I spend in this foreign land. I have written not only feelings, experiences, and hopes; but informational data that many someday be useful upon my return to the U.S.A. This journal shall surely be a reminder of the good times along with the bad.”

Author Interview: Susan DiPlacido & SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL

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author interviews, ROMANTIC COMEDY, Shuffle Up and Deal, Susan DiPlacido

Susan DiPlacido is the author of 24/7, Trattoria, Mutual Holdings, House Money, Lady Luck, Shuffle Up and Deal, and American Cool. Trattoria was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Small Press Romance 2005, and her short story, “I, Candy,” won the Spirit Award at the 2005 Moondance International Film Festival. American Cool won the bronze medal in the 2008 IPPY awards and was a finalist in the 2008 Indie Book Awards. Shuffle Up and Deal was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Small Press Erotic Fiction 2010. Her fiction has appeared in Susie Bright’s Best American Erotica 2007, Maxim Jakubowski’s Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica vol. 6 and 7, Zane’s Caramel Flava, and Rebellion: New Voices of Fiction.

Please visit her online at www.susandiplacido.com or www.susandiplacido.blogspot.com.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/susan.diplacido

Become her friend her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/susandiplacido

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Susan!  Can you tell us where you are from?

I am from Pennsylvania, but I love Las Vegas, and readers can see that love in all my blooks.

Q: How did you come up with your title?

The title was probably the easiest part, because “Shuffle up and deal” is a standard line in the poker world when they’re ready to play, and it had a nice double meaning for this book, as in dealing with life and consequences.

Q: They say you can judge a book by its cover.  Can you tell us a little about your cover and who designed it? 

I’ve been published with small presses before, but I decided to self-pub this book, so I had complete say on the cover design.  I’m happy with how it turned out, because I think it captures the fun and flirty flavor of the book.  I got the main picture from iStock and then worked the rest around it.

Q: Can you tell us something about your book that would make me run out and buy it?

It’s sexier than “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Q: Are there any messages in this book that you want the reader to know about?

No, not at all.  My priority is to entertain the reader.  I’m not Tolstoy, and I don’t pretend to be.

Q: What was your most favorite chapter to write and why?

There’s a section where all the main characters have dinner together.  I loved writing that because group scenes with heavy dialogue can be very rapid and funny, but also challenging to write so they aren’t confusing.  I’m happy with how it turned it out.

Q: Why did you feel you had to write this book?

I never feel like I have to write a book, or am compelled to.  For me, it’s about having fun.  Once I come up with a fun idea, I want to do my best to make it as entertaining as possible and hopefully share it with others and give them a laugh.

Q:  Now, some fun questions – What deep dark secret would you like to share with us?

I’m not sure how much of a secret it is, but vodka and cake make my world go ‘round.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Paris.  It’s obvious why, right?

Q: Are you a morning person or a night person?

Both, actually.  I like to get up and get on it, and I get a big surge in the nighttime, too.  It’s just the entire day and evening that I’m lazy and useless.

Q: Are there any members in your family who also like to write?

There aren’t other writers, but the paternal side of my family was extremely creative.  Sculpting, painting, design, drawing, musicians; they were all very talented.

Q: As a child, were you a dreamer?

I don’t recall sitting around daydreaming much.  One of the things I hear repeatedly is that all girls sit around and dream about their wedding and I can honestly say I never once did that, or even thought about it.

Q: Last but not least, the magic genie has granted you one wish.  What would that be?

I’m supposed to say world peace, right?  World peace.  Or, world peace and healthy and happiness for my family.  Or, more correctly, world peace, health and happiness for my family, and a fat book contract for me.  Fair enough?

Q: Thank you so much for this interview! Do you have any final words?

Thank you so much for having me!

Author Interview: Bob Ferguson & BUZZARD BAY

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author interviews, Bob Ferguson, Buzzard Bay, Thriller

Bob Ferguson grew up in a remote region of Canada without electricity or telephones. He spent evenings listening to an old battery-operated radio and dreaming of faraway places. Later in life he traveled extensively. His travels to the Bahamas form the basis for Buzzard Bay. The author and his wife currently live in Fiji, where Bob writes and his wife teaches. Their children and grandchildren live in Canada.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

ABOUT BUZZARD BAY

Murder, drugs trafficking, kidnapping and betrayal are the detonators that set Bob Ferguson’s explosive thriller BUZZARD BAY into motion.

The tale begins on a cold winter night in a remote area of Canada. Five assassins surround an old farm house. They have already made four kills and this one seems as routine as the others. But then a dog barks and the murderous plan is suddenly disrupted. In a breathless chase over the next two days, three of the assassins lie dead, including their leader. Eventually, the only assassin to escape is a man named Henekie. He had vowed to kill the man they missed and knew someone who would be willing to pay him to do it. He heads back to Germany to find that contact.

The killers’ target is Bob Green, a Canadian farmer who needs some serious funding to keep his business operating in the black. A solution seemed to materialize when Bob joined the other assassination victims to work on a farm project in the Bahamas touted as “the opportunity of a lifetime.” Bob and his wife, July, had spent a blissful honeymoon in the Bahamas, so he is happy to return to his paradise with the promise of making money. But paradise turns deadly when his fellow workers discover that the project is just a front to keep an airstrip open to be used as part of a cocaine distribution route from the islands. Now, the Canadians are being eliminated one by one after being sent back home, and someone is holding July in the Bahamas. Bob must get back to the Bahamas to find her.

The suspense mounts as Bob sets out to rescue his wife and set things right. To do that, he must agree to a CIA plot to go underground and pose as a well-known drug dealer thought to be dead. His decision puts both July’s and his life at stake.

Bob Ferguson’s Buzzard Bay gives readers all the adventure and thrill they could ask for in this unputdownable read.

Q: Welcome to Between the Covers!  Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning?  Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?

I grew up on a farm with no one to play with and thus developed a great sense of imagination. Later in life we were in the Bahamas and came upon an airstrip that had been plowed up because of its usage in the drug trade. The stories I was told about this airstrip were the beginnings of an inspiration for this book.  It was the 70′s and the Bahamas were a major distribution center for the US drug trade and the Bahamian government was cleaning up some of the illicit goings-on as they were promoting the tourism trade.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

The hardest thing for me was to sit down and write what was in my head. There is always a certain amount of research involved and as my book covers thirty years, characters and timelines must be kept relevant. One important thing is to find an editor you can work with.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

I self-published with Xlibris and made lots of mistakes along the way. I found them by doing research on the internet. I felt the most important thing was to get my work out there and then promote it. I figured that if people liked my story they would read it. First books are a learning curve.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

The publisher I went with did not supply an editor and was only interested in getting my book out the door and on to the next one. I will be much more careful next time.

Q: Can you describe the feeling when you saw your published book for the first time?

I was very proud to see my many years of work in print. I think a lot of people start a book but never finish.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

I will do a sequel to Buzzard Bay but right now I am busy promoting this book before I start on another one.

Q: Fun question: How does your book contribute to making this world a better place?

I think giving people a bit of reality about how engrained the cocaine trade is in the world may help them understand how big an influence it is in our lives.

Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?

Cocaine is traded and sold on a cash basis. It is impossible to trace except for the devastation it leaves behind.

Q: Thank you again for this interview!  Do you have any final words?

This book is not for the squeamish but if you like lots of action and nail- biting suspense, you’ll find this a good read.

Author Interview: Cynthia Gail & WINTER’S MAGIC

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author interviews, authors, books, CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE, Cynthia Gail, Winter's Magic

My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our teenage son and three dogs. Life is busy, but when I have free time, I love to read. A math/science girl at heart and a retail analyst by trade, I never thought I’d be writing romance. But one day, a story popped into my head and I had to write it down. The fantasy, escape, and wonder of just reading multiplied by ten-fold and I couldn’t stop my fingers from typing my own fairy tales.

I hope you enjoy my stories. Each one touches on modern day issues, fears, and challenges that women face every day. And each one illustrates that love is within reach if you let down those walls and allow your heart to open. Our lives and experiences are so much more meaningful when we have someone to share them with.

Cynthia’s latest book is the contemporary romance, Winter’s Magic (Book 1 in the Music City Hearts series).

Visit her website at www.Cynthiagail.com.

Welcome to Between the Covers, Cynthia. Why was writing Winter’s Magic so important to you?

Spring’s Surprise, now book #2 in the Music City Hearts series, was actually the first book I wrote. At the first draft stage, I hired an editor to give me feedback and direction. She suggested I take Beth’s character from book #2, create her own story, and plan a full series. I’d already fallen in love with writing, but the guidance and validation from a professional, award-winning author, stirred a deeper passion and I jumped right in.

What was the experience like writing Winter’s Magic?

It was so exciting to write with a purpose. I’m a planner at heart and I felt like I was finally on a path that I had confidence in. Beth is probably my favorite heroine in the series. She’s a strong woman, she’s worked hard to get where she is, and as a result, runs a successful, elite day spa. But even strong women have vulnerabilities. It’s how we face our weaknesses that counts and I think Beth handles adversity with a lot of grace and fortitude.

Can you tell us more about Beth Sergeant and Nick Chester?

Beth’s parents were middle-class, but found a way to send her to the most prestigious, private high school in Nashville, Tennessee. While the invaluable experience prepared her for college, she never felt as if she fit in.

After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. At the age of thirty, he’s built his own business and experienced enough of life to realize everyone has an agenda.

Despite her deep-seated insecurities, Beth can’t resist Nick’s charm and finally accepts an invitation to dinner. She proves she’s nothing like other women Nick’s dated and she slowly learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick’s past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret.

Are there any supporting characters we need to know about?

Sara and Jenny are Beth’s two best friends. Spring’s Surprise is Sara’s story and Summer’s Family Affair is Jenny’s.

Can you open to page 25 and tell us what’s happening?

This is the end of a scene where Nick realizes how different Beth is from other women in his circle. Due to his family’s status, he’s constantly pursued by women looking for prestige and money. But Beth isn’t pursuing him and he can tell by her genuine interaction with his grandfather that she’s someone special he simply has to know more about.

What about page 65?

In a previous scene, Beth’s bank calls a surprise audit of her day spa’s construction expenses, based on allegations from an anonymous source. Nick offers to use his grandfather’s influence to get the audit dismissed, but Beth won’t let him. She has nothing to hide and doesn’t want to ‘use’ his connections. In the scene on page 65, Nick’s ex-girlfriend makes a surprise visit to his office. During the conversation, he realizes she’s the anonymous source. Though he’d promised Beth that he wouldn’t interfere, he can’t stop himself, and calls his grandfather.

Now that Winter’s Magic has been published, what’s your next project?

Spring’s Surprise is under contract and expected to release in March or April 2013. I’m just starting to work with the first draft of Summer’s Family Affair and I’m outlining Fall’s Redeeming Grace.

Do you have anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It’s no surprise that my first book had to celebrate the season. I hope you enjoy Winter’s Magic as part of your holiday collection.

 

Author Interview: Libby Floyd & SPARKELICIOUS

Tags

author interviews, Libby Floyd, Sparkelicious, Women's Fiction

Libby Floyd has been a national on-air television personality for over 15 years with appearances on ShopNBC, Shop-At-Home and The Food Network. She was the youngest ever nominee for the prestigious position of Poet Laureate of South Carolina following the release of her poetry book A Winning Heart. Libby is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and was a contestant in the Miss America and Miss USA programs.

Her latest book is the contemporary romance, Sparkelicious.

Visit Libby on the web at www.LibbyFloyd.com.

Connect with her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/libbyfloyd.

Friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/libby.floyd.31.

Pick up your copy of the deliciously wicked Sparkelicious at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Sparkelicious-Libby-Floyd/dp/0985847638/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345126752&sr=1-2.

Purchase your copy of Sparkelicious at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sparkelicious?keyword=sparkelicious&store=ebook.

Welcome to Between the Covers, Libby. Why was writing Sparkelicious so important to you?

Sparkelicious was inspired by one of my trip’s back home to South Carolina. After moving away to New York and then L.A. after college graduation, I returned after several years to discover the sleepy little Southern town of Greenville was now vibrant and alive. I also found that I’d missed so many family events and still hadn’t come to term with my father’s death. He died in 2000 from cancer and this particular trip home was closure for me. I had also missed the Southern charm and humor of the South more than I realized. When I returned back home to Minnesota, and sat down at my laptop, the story just began to unfold right before my very eyes. I think writing the book was cathartic for me in many ways, even though it’s fiction; it’s based on a few life experiences.

Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s about?

Sure, Sparkelicious is set in my charming hometown of Greenville, S.C. and my spiritual home of Los Angeles — fashion designer Laney Montgomery is at a crossroads in her life and on the heels of turning 40. On a much-needed vacation back home to South Carolina to visit her mom and two sisters, Laney realizes that her family is in disarray but while trying to fix them, Laney learns that her own marriage is in serious trouble back in California and her fashion business is on the verge of collapse. The affections of a handsome younger man don’t help matters either as Laney must fix everyone else before she can find true happiness for herself.

How did you come up with the title?

Sparkelicious was my ‘libbyism’ on television when I was a shopping channel host and selling diamonds, gemstones and gold. I thought it would be the perfect name for Laney’s clothing line in the book and also a catchy title!

Why is your book summarized as a modern day Sex in the City meets a contemporary Steel Magnolias?

Sex and the City because it’s about four women who are on a mission to find love and passion in their lives, yet they are faced with obstacles that they have to try to overcome. Steel Magnolias because of the colorful Southern characters, the humor, the family drama, crisis, betrayal and love that the family has for one another even though they have their differences.

You’re actually a singer as well! Can you tell us a little about that? Sure. I started singing with my sisters at the age of five in talent competitions, and then I sang in pageants during the talent portion of the competition. After college graduation, I moved to L.A. and started writing country/pop songs and had my own band and played in clubs around L.A. I also did a small singing tour of Japan and played in clubs in Tokyo and Osaka. After my time in L.A., I got even more serious about music and moved to Nashville, the country music capital of the world, where I performed with the best players in the business, doing showcases for record companies, hoping to land a record deal. In 1999, I released my debut album on Empire Records, which is still available around the world today.

You were also a contestant in the Miss America and Miss USA pageants.  How did you get started doing that?

I was a very outgoing child and I loved an audience but there was really no other performing outlet in the small town of Greenwood, S.C. but pageants so I did my first pageant when I was five and placed in the top five in The Little Miss Greenwood Pageant. I did a few more pageants as a teenager and then went on to win the title of Miss South Carolina Teen All-American. From there, I competed in The Miss South Carolina Pageant as Miss Greenville, which is part of The Miss America program, where I won the swimsuit competition. I also competed in Miss South Carolina USA pageant, which is part of the Miss USA program and placed in the top ten. In college, while at The University of South Carolina, I was named Miss Greek and was also first runner-up in The Miss South Carolina/Hawaiian Tropic contest. Now, I wouldn’t be caught dead in a swimsuit! I did have a lot of nerve back then!!!

Now that Sparkelicious has been published, do you have another book in the wings?

I’m working on several novels at the moment. One is called Prime Time Divas about the home shopping network industry and another is called Lake Hollywood, which I actually started about ten years ago, so I’m polishing that baby up as I type! And, there are a couple more that I’ve started as well so I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me!

Would you like to tell our readers anything else about you, your goals or upcoming appearances?

One of my goals is to option the film rights to Sparkelicious. I think it would be a great romantic comedy or dramedy, as they say! My goals are to finish and publish my other books and to have a long and successful writing career. I also plan to do some author luncheons and book signings.

Author Interview: Pauline L. Hawkins & ASHES ASHES THE TWINS FALL DOWN

Tags

9/11, 9/11 grief, 9/11 recovery, Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down, author interviews, George W. Bush, Hassan Hussein, New York City, Pauline L. Hawkins, twin towers

Pauline L. Hawkins was born in Munson Army Hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on Easter Sunday. Pauline has been in the health insurance industry for almost thirty years, working her way up from the mailroom to corporate management and claims payment. In 2002, Pauline received her Instructional Design certification, which allows her to create instructor-led and learner-paced training curricula, along with computer-based learning activities and website creation. Pauline has enjoyed writing since she was in high school, and has decided to start sharing her stories. Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down is her debut book.

You can visit Pauline L. Hawkins’ website at http://paulinelhawkins.com.

Welcome to Between the Covers, Pauline. Why was writing Ashes to Ashes the Twins Fall Down so important to you?

Initially when I sat down to write it was to deal with my own grief of 9/11. My actual expectation was simply to put a few words down on paper to work through my own grieving process. It may sound strange, but I find writing down my feelings and thoughts when I’m sad, angry or whatever the emotion helps me work through them. I don’t know if it helps me organize my feelings or simply look at how unrealistic they may be or what. I truly never set out to write a book. But, I soon found out that the more I wrote, the more I had to write. Once I started writing, it was as though the emotional floodgates opened, and all the memories came back – memories that beckoned to be put on paper.

Where were you on 9/11?

When I heard the initial reports about the attacks I was sitting in my car driving to work. It was just like every other day when the initial reports started about a plane hitting the Tower. I was so unbelievable that everyone thought it was a hoax, even the guys reporting the information on the radio.

How did 9/11 change your life?

I lost my security that day. I think prior to 9/11 I actually thought that as long as I was in the United States I was safe. For a while I even felt like I’d lost control of my own life. I’m not sure how much control any of us actually has over our lives but prior to 9/11 I think I was crazy enough to think I had control.

Do you believe the President handled the crisis effectively?

Well if I’m completely honest I never was a George W. Bush fan. However, with the news conferences he held and the things he did in the days and even months following 9/11 I felt he did a great job of rallying the country together. He made sure the government still functioned and I think he did a pretty good job of managing the situation. However, as time went on I think the War on Terror actually became his own initiative to catch Hassan Hussein.

How do you think America has changed as a whole?

I think we’ve become very suspicious of everyone. We spend so much time on heightened alert watching out for suspicious activities that we don’t trust anyone including our neighbors. We have a new word in our vocabulary known as off-shoring and our economy has gone in the toilet and our unemployment rate is skyrocketing.

How do you think the whole situation could have been avoided or will we never be able to answer that question?

I don’t know if the whole situation could have been avoided or not. Could more have been done, maybe. Would it have been enough, I don’t know.

Can you give us an excerpt from your book?

Yes I do, it’s from the final chapter of the book –

“Where Were You on 9/11?”

 

That question has become part of the fabric of our lives as Americans. On 9/11 when the first plane hit, I was driving to work. On that bright sunny day, none of us had any idea what was in store and how it would change our lives. New York City firefighters, police, and other first responders dropped what they were doing, kissed their wives and children goodbye, and headed for Ground Zero. They did this without question and without thought for their safety, not knowing that many of them would never see their families again. These men and women had taken a pledge to protect their city and their fellow man, and for them this was more than just a job; it was who they were. They gave of themselves, and in some cases gave their lives, selflessly and without question.

There are still those first responders today who ask themselves, “Why them and not me?” However, as we all know, there are many questions in life that do not have an answer. There is no rhyme or reason as to the events of 9/11, the deaths of those who died in the actual attacks and the deaths of those providing search and rescue. What we do know is that the heroes lost that day would have done nothing different. Had they known that their efforts would have cost them their lives, they still would have suited up and shown up, if it meant saving a single life. That was the cause to which they had devoted themselves.

Now that Ashes to Ashes the Twins Fall Down has been published, what’s your next project?

The book’s title is Always & Forever. It’s the story of getting back in touch with my high school sweetheart after 28 years and marrying him and having a breakdown that cost me my marriage within six days of my wedding.

Do you have anything you’d like to tell our readers that haven’t been discussed?

I hope readers will feel what I felt as I wrote this book. The feelings provoked were very emotional. Ashes, Ashes The Twins Fall Down will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will make you remember. In this book i have not only shared my personal experiences surrounding that day but I have also shared transcripts received from the hijacked planes. I have also included the personal story of a co-worker of mine returning to the U.S. from her anniversary trip only to have her plane rerouted to an airplane hanger outside of the United States where she spent a week. The readers of this book will come away both enlightened and comforted.

 

Author Interview: Ray East & VOLUSPA

Tags

author interviews, Fantasy, Ray East, Romance, Sam D, Voluspa, YA, YA fantasy romance, YA fantasy romance author

Ray East and Sam D have moved to Voluspa and live in the Forest of Skotos with their 5 year old daughter and a pet Typhon.  They visit Earth with the help of an Empath from time to time. Ray East did her masters in Phsychology from Univeristy of Sussex and has worked as a counselor for adolescents. Sam D used to teach at a SPJC before he moved to Voluspa.

Their latest book is Voluspa: A Magical World.

To get your copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D & Ray East at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/VOLUSPA-A-Magical-World-Sam-D/dp/0985681608/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1

To get your e-copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D & Ray East for your Kindle at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Voluspa-A-Magical-World-ebook/dp/B008BCZBTE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Order your copy of VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD by Sam D. & Ray East at B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voluspa-a-magical-world-sam-d/1111523622?ean=2940014770675

To win a FREE KINDLE FIRE: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/06/24/pump-up-your-book-presents-voluspa-a-magical-world-virtual-book-publicity-tour-2012-kindle-fire-giveaway/

To learn more about Sam D and Ray East, visit their website: www.magicalworldofvoluspa.com

Visit Sam D & Ray East on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/voluspa

Like Sam D & Ray East on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldofvoluspa

Follow Sam D & Ray East at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15592516-voluspa

Welcome to Between the Covers, Ray and Sam. Why was writing Voluspa so important to you?

We wanted to present this magical world which although is comparable to our world yet is exotically different. We tried to create this enchanted land with great details so that it would read as something magical yet very believable. Also set against this magical backdrop we wanted to tell the coming of age story of Amy and her adventure in this magical realm.

What was the experience like writing Voluspa?

It has been the most wonderful experience. Seeing your thoughts take shape and form tangible prose is very satisfying. Being able to convey what you are feeling through words and making yourself understood to others is a good feeling.

How did you come up with the title?

The name ‘Voluspa’ was derived from an old Nordic poem and both I and my co-author liked the name and decided to name the magical realm after it.

Can you tell us more about your main characters, Amy and Drake?

On the surface Amy is like any other fifteen year old girl with her usual share of teenage angsts. But once you get to know her better, you realize that she is a remarkable girl, with a core of steel. She faces whatever life throws at her with courage and spirit. She is no paragon of virtue; like every human being she has her foibles. The admirable part is, she does not let her own shortcomings, difficult circumstances or even evil adversaries defeat her without putting up a fight. In short, she is someone who is brave and loyal, vulnerable yet strong, someone who inspires epic love.

Drake, the hero of this novel and Amy’s love interest is definitely hero material in all sense. He is the ideal boyfriend any girl could wish for. He can be a fierce protector one minute, a romantic companion the other. He is the guy you want in your corner in a tight situation yet he has just the right tinge of ‘bad boy’ in him, to make him devilishly appealing.

What does Amy think of this new world called Voluspa?

At first Amy is in awe of this magical world but soon, with the help of Drake and other friends she starts to feel quite at home in this magical realm. With passage of time Amy realizes that this is where she belongs and she loves being a part of  a magical clan and life in Voluspa.

What kind of people live at Voluspa?

Voluspa is home to many magical creatures but mainly it is inhabited by four clans. Each clan is unique; they have special habitats, professions and most importantly magical powers. The Empaths  are the mind readers with the power to travel to magically move objects or travel from one place to the another with their mind. The Morphus clan comprises of people who can shape shift into different animal forms. The Pulchrous clan is the most aesthetically beautiful clan but don’t be fooled by their golden looks.  They are fierce warriors and most of them possess superlative physical strength or some form of heightened physical power. And last but not the least the Menden clans are peace loving, often reclusive healers. They are great at potion making and casting spells.

Are there any other supporting characters we need to know about?

The character of Helen is of significant importance. She acts as Amy’s surrogate mother, guardian, relative, protector all rolled in one. She is the first mother figure in Amy’s life and helps her adjust to life in Voluspa.

Can you open to page 25 and tell us what’s happening?

This page describes a very crucial moment in Amy’s life. She meets her grandmother after nearly a decade. She gets a glimpse at the house her mother lived and grew up in. This page also features Amy’s initial reaction at meeting her only relative and as such is emotional and important for further development of the novel.

What about page 65?

This page is a perfect showcase for the magical world that this book creates. Amy is exploring an open air market with Drake. Here she comes across the currency of Voluspa – Mcash, for the first time. She also explores a curios shop full of potions and spells – almost comparable to an apothecary shop in our world. All in all this page gives the readers a funny and interesting glimpse into this magical world.

Now that Voluspa has been published, what’s your next project?

I am working on the second book in the Voluspa series. Amy and Drake’s adventure continues.

Do you have anything you’d like to tell our readers that hasn’t been discussed?

I just hope that readers  like my book ‘Voluspa – A Magical World’. I put my heart and soul into this book and it’s a story that I really want to share with everybody. I hope people have as much fun reading it, as I did writing it.