Chick Lit Goddess

...because every author wants to feel like a goddess!

Guest Interview

Sarka-Jonae Miller

3 Comments

SarkaPic

About author Saraka-Jonae Miller:  Sárka-Jonae is a novelist and a health and fitness writer. She has more than 4,000 articles published online and in print, and is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Before writing full-time, Sárka-Jonae was a personal fitness trainer and massage therapist. In her free time, Sárka-Jonae likes to do flash mobs and find her way into music video shoots. She has appeared in the Michael Jackson videos “Hold My Hand” with Akon and “Hollywood Tonight.” She also practices kung fu and yoga.

Sárka-Jonae is an avid traveler. She has visited Costa Rica, Canada, England, Mexico, and Paradise Island. She has also been to France and Thailand researching her next books.

She lives in San Diego with two cats and two dogs, all rescues. She is a huge animal lover and has been vegan for 14 years, ever since she learned of the horrific torture that factory farms inflict on defenseless farm animals.

GUEST INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in one word:  Hilarious

Who or what inspires you?  Reading good books, books that make me laugh or learn a universal truth, inspires me the most.

How did you come up with the title of your book, “Between Boyfriends?”  I always thought the expression “between jobs” was funny. When I was thinking about the relationship status of my character, I realized that “single” didn’t quite fit. She lived her life attached to someone or between boyfriends.

What is your favorite letter of the alphabet?  S

What is a typical day like for you?  Write almost all day, eat a little while writing more, and if I’m lucky have some free time to read.

Hard/paperback or eBooks?  I love eBooks. I always said I preferred hard books until I got an ereader.

What about writing do you love the most?  Writing something that I know will entertain people.

You’ve traveled for research of you book, what was the experience like?  I traveled to research my next book, the sequel to Between Boyfriends. I went to Thailand for a month and loved it. Then, I went back for another month and loved it even more.

What is your favorite quote?  “Write drunk. Edit sober.”

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?  An editor. I do love editing.

What, so far, has been the most memorable achievement in your career?  Getting to #3 on Amazon’s humor best seller lists for humor books and humor ebooks was pretty exciting. Getting asked to submit my manuscript for publication with a small press was pretty exciting too. I’m still waiting to hear back from them.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?  Absolutely! I’m hard at work on the Between Boyfriends sequel. Jan, my main character, visits Thailand to learn Thai massage at the world famous Wat Pho in Bangko, the birthplace of Thai massage. She gets a chance to experience being truly alone, which is difficult but also an incredible opportunity to continue growing as a person.

***

BetweenBoyfriendsCoverPic**Blurb about “Between Boyfriends”:

At first glance, twenty-one-year-old Jan Weston has it all: a gorgeous boyfriend, fun friends, and wealthy parents who take care of all those pesky credit card bills.

Then her boyfriend dumps her, her friendships fall apart, and her parents cut her off. Suddenly without money, without a man, and without a plan, it’s time for Jan to grow up. Determined to get her life back on track, Jan decides it’s time to make it on her own. Can she find her way as a single lady in San Diego?

Can she fix her friendships, her job prospects, and her hair? And can she keep her vow that she’ll never date again, even after she meets a guy who just might be perfect for her?

BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS is a sexy, hilarious story of living life, finding love, and growing up… but not necessarily in that order.

**Contact Sarka:  Blog   Website   Facebook   Twitter

Lilian Roberts

Leave a Comment

LilianRobertsPicture

About author, Lilian Roberts:  Lilian was born the second of two daughters in Athens, Greece. She came to the U.S. to study during the amazing years of the late 1960s and early 70s. This was a time without personal computers, Internet, e-mail, iPads, and iPhones. The U.S. was deeply involved in the Vietnam War, and the anti-war student protests turned bloody and violent spreading across colleges and university campuses. It was a time of patched and embroidered blue jeans, tie-dyed fabrics, wet t-shirt contests, Woodstock, mood rings, pot, and hot pants.

College, marriage, the corporate world, and a beloved daughter kept Lilian’s writing on the back burner for many years. It wasn’t until later on in life that she decided to sit in front of the computer and finally put her thoughts on paper.

Lilian lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She is blessed with a wonderful and supportive family, and circle of friends who have encouraged her along the way and have tremendous faith in her journey.

INTERVIEW

You knew you were a writer when…:  I knew I wanted to be a writer from a very young age. I kept a diary and noted everything that happened in my life and in the world around me. This was not just keeping a diary, this was a real obsession on my part. The crazy thing is that I wrote every day, and now I have drawers of diaries that have been dormant for years. I loved reading, and I bought books, a lot of books and worried that I will never find the time to read them all, so I took speed reading and I was pleased to find out that most of the time I could get through a book in one day.

What was the writing/editing/publishing process like for you?  The writing was easy. I knew what I wanted to write about and how I wanted to say it. The editing however was an eye opener. I found out that the manuscript was too familiar to me and no matter how many times I looked at it, I skipped over a lot of errors. I found a good editor that looked at the ms with a fresh eye and made significant revisions to the content. Self publishing was quite easy.

Sweet or salty?  Sweet

Who or what inspires your writing?  My mother knew how much I loved to write. I preferred to stay home and write or read even as a young girl. I set writing as one of my life’s goals, but other priorities climbed to the top of the list. My mother kept reminding me not to give up and to keep after my dream because nobody was going to make it come true, but me.

How has the social media helped your career?  Social media helped me find several people that have become quite important in my life. I have received great advise from  successful authors. I have found great proofreaders and editors that make it easy to get a clean manuscript and get it published. Social media has given me a way to advertise my book to many people that might want to read it, and has provided me with useful feedback.

How did you celebrate your first book being published?  My first book was published on my husband’s birthday and our daughter was visiting from out of town with her husband. When the book arrived from Amazon I cried. I was happy but I was also sad. I had just lost my mother and she never got to see my dream come true. It was an inexplicable mixture of emotions.

What are you reading right now?  I am reading The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson.

Where would be your ideal writing location?  In the south of France by the ocean.

How do you come up with the title of your books?  I write the book first, and then I pick the title to fit the emotion related to content.

What must a writer have with them at all times?  Paper and pencil, or anything that would work as a note pad.

If you could meet any other author who would it be?  Jane Austen

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?  I am working on the Immortal Rapture series. I have written 9 books but I have only published 3. I am working on cleaning up the other books and have them published later this year and next year. I have also started working on a historical romance novel. from Amazon I cried. I was happy but I was also sad. I had just lost my mother and she never got to see my dream come true. It was an inexplicable mixture of emotions.

**Contact Lilian!:  Website   Facebook   Twitter

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000031_00005]

ImmortalPassion

ArielleBook2Cover

Mary Elizabeth Coen

1 Comment

MaryElizabethCoenPic1

About author, Mary Elizabeth Coen:  First of all I’m Irish born and bred, apart from spending the greater part of my first two years living in London, of which I remember little.

Though I always dreamed of being a writer, I took a rather circuitous route to getting here. You could say I have had several incarnations in this lifetime from Home Economics teacher to Fashion Editor of a magazine, along with being mother to my three wonderful children, Mark, Janet and Emily. Due to demand from clients I opened my own pr consultancy firm specializing in fashion; – the dream job for a fashionista, availing of great discounts on wonderful shoes and vintage clothing!

Sadly it was not meant to last, as my health deteriorated in 2004 and as a result, work had to take a back seat. I became interested in holistic medicine, personal development and writing in an attempt to cope with my diagnosis of fibromyalgia. In the process, I developed a passion for mythology, philosophy and the study of ancient spiritual traditions. As a spiritual seeker, I’ve travelled to Mayan sites in Mexico, visited a famous healer’s ashram in Brazil and undertook a shamanic journey through Peru. I am also a trained bio-energy therapist and have my Grandfather’s ability to channel healing for others.  I love to dance, walk in nature and cook for family and friends.

Mary runs a website called Goddess MECA which stands for Mary Elizabeth Coen Assists the Goddess in everywoman through sharing her love of cookery fashion and mythology.

GUEST INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words:  Descriptive, chatty, informal, informative and fast paced

Coffee or tea?  Tea – herbal when I’m health conscious!

What inspired the idea for your book, “Love and the Goddesses”?  The idea for my novel from a few different sources; – firstly I wished to write an inspirational novel, easy to read and with wisdom woven through.

My personal obsession with the Greek myth of the triple goddess was a driving force along with healing journeys I had undertaken through Brazil and Peru. Listening to friends gossiping about dating gave me the idea of employing the names of the three goddesses as online usernames for my protagonist Kate’s dating exploits.

People would be surprised to know that you…:  I am an energy healer. My grandfather was a very powerful healer and when I got sick I explored alternative therapies, finding to my surprise I had inherited his gift.

What was the most difficult part of the writing/editing/publishing process and how did you overcome it?  A structural edit requires endless concentration and is less creative. I had to stay up late several nights in a row in order to keep my train of thought.

Who would you have play the characters in your book if it were turned into a movie?  Jennifer Garner would be great as Kate. Simon Baker as Geoff and Deborah Messing as Ella.

Walk us through what it’s like in a day of your life:  On a typical day, I get up around 7.45 and call my daughter, get breakfast and drive her to school around 8.50.

Afterwards I drive to Coole Park, former homeland of Lady Gregory and now open to the public. Weather permitting, I will walk for 40 minutes and spend at least 20 minutes in meditation by the lake.

On the way home I will pick up the daily groceries.

11a.m. I sit down with a cup of tea to check my emails and make phone calls.

12.30 I have a light lunch.

1.30 to 3.30; This is my time for writing.

4.00: – I collect my daughter from school.

After that the day is quiet broken and varies quiet a bit depending on what I have scheduled in.

Some days I may have to go to the nearest city or visit Dublin.

On other days, I will do healing sessions for clients in the morning and write in the afternoon.

What is your favorite quote?  “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Where is your favorite place to write?  In the Summer time I love to write in the gardens of Coole Park, a nearby beauty spot, frequented by Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Synge and Douglas Hyde.

How has social media helped you in your career?  Social media certainly helps promote books to an international audience.

Hard/paperback or eBooks?  Paperback and eBook

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?  My next novel is set in the fashion world – one I am familiar with from my time as a fashion Editor and public relations consultant.

MaryECoenPic2

Contact Mary!:

Facebook Public Page

Facebook Personal Page

Twitter

**Buy “Love & the Goddesses” on Amazon!

Love&theGoddessCoverPic

Ellie Campbell

1 Comment

EllieCampbell1

About author, Ellie Campbell:  Who is Ellie Campbell?  Actually ‘Ellie’ is two people – sisters and co-authors Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell.  We are from Scotland, born in Inverness, raised in Edinburgh and then as teens moved with the family to Bognor Regis, the South Coast of England – quite a culture shock since it was two years before people deciphered our accents.  Not being overly academic (or realizing that university would be four years of drinking and partying, judging by our dissolute friends) we took our meager high school typing skills and jumped into the workforce.  Lorraine started writing short stories while working for literary agent, now bestselling author, Carol Smith, followed by a stint at Woman magazine.  Pam returned to England after spending time in San Francisco, Australia and a year-long, round-the-world trip home, got married and raised three children. Travel must be in the blood because not long after Pam settled down, Lorraine took off for South and Central America and never really returned to the UK, except for visits.  She lived in France for a few years, volunteered in an orphanage in Guatemala and ended up working as a charter cook on a boat in Honduras where she met her husband.  They now live on a small Colorado farm with three horses, four chickens, five cats and a dog, while Pam is in Reigate, a country town in Surrey, working part-time in college, and cracking the whip whenever she feels her big sister and writing partner is slacking off.

INTERVIEW

What made you two want to write a book together?

Pam:  Lorraine and I have always been close, being the youngest of four sisters, sharing a passion for horses, and seeing a lot of each other when we both lived in London.  I started selling short stories when Lorraine was traveling and when she settled in Boulder, Colorado, I’d often email her my latest piece of fiction.  Since she was writing too, it was natural for us to talk about the things we were working on or, when we were stuck, to ask for input.  Turned out we were both planning to write a novel about the ‘sister thing’, wanting to use some of our experiences growing up, especially our eccentric and very funny mother (sadly deceased) and all the joys and pains of being a family of four girls, eternally bickering and making up.  It seemed natural somehow to write it together – that way we didn’t look like one was copying the other! “How to Survive Your Sisters” was our first published novel and we were thrilled to be able to share the publishing journey together.

Coffee or tea?

Pam:  Tea. Always.  If I drink coffee I have to eat biscuits. I always feel tea is better for me, more refreshing.  Although I’ll go out for a latte and it’s a bit of a treat.

Lorraine:   Depends.  At breakfast – especially if we go out for it – definitely coffee.  American restaurants can’t make tea.  They give you tepid microwaved water and a teabag – ugh!  If we have a pot of coffee brewing at home I’ll work my way through that and then switch to tea.   I blame my mother for my caffeine addiction.  She used to wake us up with a cup of milky tea laden with sugar.  Funny thing is I hated coffee until I started my first menial office job and then it became the bright spot in a long boring day.

Walk us through what the writing/editing/publishing process was like:

Lorraine:  Well, we squabbled our way through the first novel… no, not really, it was surprisingly easy.  We’d agree the basic story, plan out chapters and then each write a scene and send it to the other one – who would then make alterations and edits as they saw fit and send it back.  And so on.  In a way we were constantly editing and then when it was finished we had a really long book and had to go back and make drastic cuts.  When we started sending it to agents, we were lucky enough that a new agent, Caroline Hardman, liked it and agreed to take us on.  She confessed we’d be her first ever clients – she’s got hugely successful since – and we confessed Ellie Campbell didn’t really exist. Arrow Books offered us a two-book contract, we got the same in Germany, Italy and Serbia.  It was all hugely exciting, especially since Pam and I got to do the publicity stuff – radio interviews and book signings – together.  Being somewhat cowardly, it was nice to have the moral support.

Who or what inspires you to write?

Pam:  In the case of our new book, Looking for La La, it was a heavily lipsticked postcard that arrived through my door, proclaiming – surprisingly enough – passionate love for my husband.  It was exactly as happens to Cathy in the opening chapter. However, unlike Cathy, instead of running frenziedly around town, looking for suspects and alienating all her nearest and dearest (including a murderous and unexpected opponent) I wrote it off as a bad joke.  It did however spark the idea of writing a funny book about marriage and motherhood several years down the line after the honeymoon has worn off.   And I did get a little extra satisfaction from imagining La La reading it.

Lorraine:  I might add that Pam and I are natural storytellers, get us started and we can go on and on…and on and on… We must inherit it from our mother who had a wealth of funny anecdotes and a warped sense of humor.  She’d be telling a story about my father falling down a flight of stairs and getting knocked out cold and she’d be incoherent and crying because she was laughing so hard.

If you could be on one reality TV show, what would it be?

Pam:  Britain’s Got Talent. It’s a show that anyone of any age or any talent can enter. Last year it was won by a dancing dog.  There’s all sorts that enter, group dancers, single dancers, singers, strippers, the lot!  I’d bring my dog along – a border terrier. She probably wouldn’t do anything, but I could let her have her moment of fame.

Lorraine:  Dancing With The Stars.  I’d get super-skinny and incredibly fit, I could indulge in my Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers fantasies, and all the friends who used to laugh at my moves in our disco-dancing days would watch it and marvel.

Tell us one thing that most people don’t know:

Pam:  That just like, Jen in When Good Friends Go Bad, I entered a stock car race with absolutely no prior experience, and in less than two laps I had crashed into a post and written off the car.

Lorraine:  That I have studied different forms of energy healing and even practiced professionally a tiny bit.  My first ever client, a sweet lady in pink twinset and pearls, showed up accompanied by her tall, dark husband who was wearing a flowered dress, lipstick, make-up, and heels.   Halfway through our session my client jumped up, ran to the bathroom and vomited profusely, before returning and meekly climbing back on to the massage table.  It was an interesting experience, I think, for all concerned and I decided shortly afterwards that I’d better stick to writing.

How long did it take to write the first draft of “Looking for La La”?

Pam:  Probably about 6 months from start to finish.  It was one of those inspired books that almost seemed to write itself.  After that though there were plenty of rewrites and alterations.   We made changes to the storyline, beefed up the murder mystery, took out huge chunks to make it move faster.

What was the easiest part about writing the book, and what was the hardest?

Pam:  We really enjoyed writing from Cathy’s viewpoint and following a single character. In so many ways, it was simpler than our other two novels in which we were writing in the third person, balancing four characters, all with their own individual stories.  Plus Cathy’s world was so familiar and fun.

Lorraine:  The hardest part was cutting.  We took out at least two of our much-loved characters and a whole subplot that we realized was fun but not essential to the story. It made the book better in the end, but sometimes it’s painful to let go, even though we’ve learned that usually, as far as novel writing is concerned, less is more.

How did you celebrate the publication of “Looking for “La La”?

Pam:  I booked a Spa. In the novel Cathy is treated to a Spa day by her friends.  It sounded wonderful, so I thought once the book was out that I would go myself with a good friend of mine.  We’re going in the next couple of weeks.

Lorraine:  I bought myself a Kindle Fire.  Between writing, the horse training course I’m taking, volunteering at horse sanctuaries to practice techniques, and taking care of my own animals, the only chance I have to read is in bed.  And then my husband wants the light out right away.  So now with my Kindle I can actually read books again without it bothering him.

What are you reading right now?

Pam:  I hardly have time to read anything, but I’ve just smuggled a book out of my friend’s house, which is “Up the Junction” written by Nell Dunn.  It is quite an old book and it was made into a film, but the dialogue is great and you can dip in and dip out of it.

Lorraine:  I just finished ‘Love The One You’re With’ by Emily Giffin, managed to read most of it on a plane to Indianapolis and home.  I plan to start ‘Yours Truly’ by Kirsty Greenwood.  Just as soon as I can find my new Kindle.  Which is probably buried under the papers on my desk.

If you had to do it all again, would you, and what advice would you give to yourself knowing what you do now?

Lorraine:  Yes, I would do it all again.  I think we had a fantastic childhood, some amazing experiences, incredible luck.  I loved working in publishing.  I loved backpacking. I loved living in LA for two years and also in France.  I loved sailing.  In many ways my life seems to fall into distinct segments that feel like a dream now. Advice – well, I felt very shy and deeply insecure in my late teens and twenties.  I would tell myself to be bolder and not worry about what people thought of me.  It took traveling alone to break me out of my shell.  But even the bad stuff contributed to the person I am today.  And my life is pretty good.

Pam:  I have loved the journey so far, especially my writing career.  It was amazing travelling around the world when I was younger, seeing all these amazing countries – living out in Australia and America.  But I am deeply happy now settled in England with my wonderful family.  I have few regrets as everything that happens turns you into the person you are, good and bad.  I wish I’d spent more time with my parents, as they both died too young and I wished I’d started my writing career earlier I guess.  Advice  to myself would probably be not to have worried so much about things that never happen.  Celebrate the positive, disregard the negative! Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.

Do either of you have an upcoming project, whether it be together or separate?

Pam:  We have just finished our fourth novel together, Million Dollar  Question: a story of two women, strangers to each other, whose lives are overturned by an outrageous stroke of fortune  – good and bad – on the same day. At the moment it is with our agent, Caroline Hardman at Hardman and Swainson.  As for the book after that, well, it remains to be seen.  There may be a sequel to Looking For La La one day – Cathy is the kind of character you hate to leave behind.

**Additional comments by Ellie Campbell:  Lorraine and Pam: Yes, we’d like to thank you, Isabella, for inviting us to be interviewed on Chicklit Goddess.  It’s been fun answering your questions and maybe we can come back and do a guest post some day. Also just to say to all your lovely readers out there, to please contact us.  We love hearing from everyone out there and we do answer all our messages.

**Buy Looking for La La on Amazon!

LookingforLa LaCoverPic

**Contact Ellie Campbell:

Email:

  • chicklitsisters@gmail.com

Chicklit Sisters   Facebook   Twitter

**Other books by Ellie Campbell**

EllieCampbellPic2

WhenGoodFriendsGoBadCoverPicWhen Good Friends Go Bad

How To Survive Your SistersNEW ARROW b adaption (Page 1)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Patricia Mann

4 Comments

IsThisAllThereIsCoverPic

About author, Patricia Mann:  Patricia Mann grew up in New York and moved to California when she was fourteen. She is a professor of communication studies in Los Angeles and lives with her husband, their two kids, and a silly old dog.  Patricia loves to be outside – running, hiking, biking, or walking.  Reading has always been a one of her greatest passions.

INTERVIEW

You knew you were a writer when…?  I was seven years old and I couldn’t get enough of writing so my second grade teacher allowed me to write my autobiography for extra credit.  I have it right here on my desk for inspiration.  It’s pretty cool – with a hard cover decorated in something that looks like 70s psychedelic wallpaper.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?  The smell and feel of a paperback that I can’t put down is something I’ll always love and need.  But recently, I’ve discovered the pleasure of reading on my iPad right before bed, in a darkened room, all tucked in, with the light conveniently provided for me.

You write under a pseudonym.  How did you come up with the name?  My dear friend Corie, brilliant author of the book Orfan, and I were sitting in a coffee shop.  She peppered me with questions about people from my past and places that were significant to me, and we came up with the name together.  If I were to be more specific, I might give myself away. 🙂

How has the social media helped you in your career as a writer?  I started blogging a few months before my book was published, which helped me build a following and engage people in an honest conversation about the themes in my novel – marriage, parenting, sex, the temptation of infidelity, body image, careers, friendships, family, and much more.  I also love to tweet and play on Facebook!  The supportive community of authors I’ve become a part of online is something I cherish more than I ever could have imagined.

Who are your top three favorite authors?  This is so hard! I have so many favorites, but I’ll just say the first three that come to mind: Marion Zimmer Bradley (Mists of Avalon is my favorite book), Barbara Kingsolver, Maya Angelou.

Walk us through your experience of the writing/editing/publishing process:  I was happy being a wife, mother, and professor, but I’ve always been someone who needs to be doing a million things and needs new and exciting experiences. So I joined a weekly novel writing group and went along chapter by chapter, getting valuable feedback from the group members.  I didn’t initially intend for the book to be about an affair between a professor and her former student, but that was somehow the story that came out.  After four years in the group, I felt the book was finished. Though it all started as more of a hobby, positive feedback from readers made me think the book had a shot.  I queried agents and attended writing conferences praying for someone to take me on.  No such luck.  I established a few connections and there were hints at possibly working with me if I changed some things about the book, but in the end, I wanted to be true to my story and myself, even if it would never be published.  I gave up on the book completely for four years.  Then my friend Corie, who always believed in my book, introduced me to her indie publisher.  I realized that was the route for me and began to dust off the book (the computer file, really).  I was shocked by how much work it still needed.  I spent many hours editing and finding inconsistencies that needed to be fixed.  I was blessed to have several friends read and help me edit.  My publisher was very helpful in teaching me what I needed to know to get the book out there and spread the word.  It has been quite the adventure since the book was released on 1/3/13!  I wrote a blog post about the whole process and the miraculous things that happened along the way, in case anyone is interested: http://www.patriciamann.me/thank-you/

What is your favorite word?  Love (cheesy, but true)

If your book were turned into a movie, who would you want to play the parts?  Beth would be Kate Winslet or Jenna Fischer, Dave would be Justin Timberlake, and Rick would be Matt Damon.

Coffee or tea?  Depends on how tired I am. Love them both.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?  YOLO – my kids say it all the time. Trying to take more risks since I’m the second half of the game now.

If you could be on one reality TV show, what would it be?  I would make up my own reality show where I get to hang out with Oprah!

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?  I’m writing a sequel to my novel, Is This All There Is? and also working on a chick lit book co-authored with my mom, who is a nurse and has incredible stories about what goes on in a hospital.

IsThisAllThereIsCoverPic**Is This All There Is? will be on sale for 99 cents from April 4th to April 11th!

**Click HERE to watch the Is This All There Is? book trailer!

**Buy the book:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble

**Contact Patricia Mann:  Website/Blog   Facebook Fan Page   Facebook Friend Page   Twitter

Ann Lee Miller

32 Comments

AnnLeeMillerPic

About author, Ann Lee Miller:  Ann Lee Miller earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University, and writes full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach where she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing at several Arizona colleges. When she isn’t writing or muddling through some crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find her hiking in the Superstition Mountains with her husband or meddling in her kids’ lives. Over 80,000 copies of her debut, Kicking Eternity have been downloaded from Amazon, and subsequent books are receiving top reviews.

INTERVIEW

If you had to describe your writing style in only five words, what would they be?  Fast-paced, sensory, simile-rich.

What is your choice of snack and/or drink while working?  Pumpkin Seeds, decaf tea or coffee, and when extra creativity is needed, dark chocolate.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?  I became a writer the year I discovered Sister Sheila had hair.  I was in fifth grade at St. Hugh’s Catholic School in Miami, knee deep in nouns and verbs, when Sister Sheila walked through the door in a new habit that showed two inches of mouse brown hair threaded with silver. She encouraged my writing while my parents’ marriage was in meltdown.

Who and/or what inspires your books?  Each book is inspired by some nugget. Avra’s God was inspired by an air band—think imaginary instruments—friends had in high school. In the book it’s a real band. Tattered Innocence and The Art of My Life grew from my adolescent years living on a sailboat. Kicking Eternity was the product of ten years of summer camp growing up—the happy in my childhood.

If you could be any character from a book or movie, who would you be?  I’ve always been intrigued by Christy in Catherine Marshall’s novel of the same name. She taught school in an impoverished area of Appalachia, fell in love with the community doctor, and spent the rest of her life there. The location, at least in my mind after reading the book, felt wild and free. Christy loved passionately and was passionately loved.

What is your favorite letter in the alphabet?  A.  ‘Nough said.

Of all the books you’ve written, which is your favorite and why?  The Art of My Life is the book that scrapes the closest to the bone of my life, and I feel like it is my best work.

What is your favorite part of the writing/editing/publishing process?  I love the editing/polishing. Getting the first draft down is hard work, but it has its perks—living emotionally in the story, dreaming about it at night, waking up with new ideas. Plotting is the hardest, driest part for me, but I feel it is necessary to streamline my writing process.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?  This is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I also enjoy public speaking, but it is a distant second to writing.

Do you read the same genre of books that you write?  My books are a hybrid of the two genres I read. I tend to flip flop between coming of age novels and romances because the coming of age novels have the depth I’m looking for and romances have the falling-in-love tension that rivets me.

What does every writer need?  Passion, discipline, and a teachable spirit.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?  My next book, tentatively called Finding My Voice, is about a guy who struggles with his sexual orientation. I’m only a few chapters in.

**Contact Ann:  Email: Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com   Website   Facebook   Twitter

BOOK FEATURE: Tattered Innocence by Ann Lee Miller

TatteredInnocenceCoverBOOK BLURB

A tale of passions indulged, denied, and ultimately forgiven:
On the verge of bagging the two things he wants most—a sailing charter business and marrying old money—Jake Murray’s fiancée/sole crew member dumps him. Salvation comes in the form of dyslexic, basketball toting Rachel Martin, the only one to apply for the first mate position he slapped on craigslist.
On a dead run from an affair with a married man, Rachel’s salvation is shoving ocean between her and temptation.
Rapid fire dialogue and romantic tension sail Jake’s biker-chick of a boat through hurricanes, real and figurative. A cast of wannabe sailors, Rachel’s ex, Jake’s, a baby—go along for the ride.
The many-layered story weaves together disparate strands into a seamless cord. Mother and daughter look eerily alike—down to their lusts. Their symbiotic bond, forged in the blood of childbirth on the kitchen floor and cemented by their secrets, must be cracked open. A son must go home. Sin must be expunged.
Tattered Innocence is for anyone who’s ever woken up sealed in a fifty-gallon drum of their guilt.

Chapter 1

Rachel hot-footed it across the glittering sand of the Dolphin View Restaurant lot, too-new sandals clenched in her hand. The denim of her skirt caught her knees and shortened her stride. She slowed her breath. Hyperventilating wouldn’t help her ace this interview, and crewing on The Smyrna Queen was her only way out.

Worn work boots appeared on the dirty sand in front of her. “Rachel?”

Her gaze panned upward over faded jeans, carpenter’s belt, paint-splattered T-shirt, and stopped at toffee eyes trained on her. Her breath hitched. She’d been prepared for an old-salt captain, not a Diet Coke commercial. Hot granules scorched the soles of her feet, and she burrowed one foot toward cooler sand and balanced the other on a big toe.

She held out her hand, squinting at him. “Rachel Martin.” Her heart hammered like it had when she interviewed for her first and only job—high school athletic secretary—five years ago. But she only had to convince him she could sail, not manage details for nineteen sports.

He glanced at her hand but didn’t take it. A muscle tensed in his jaw. “Jake Murray.”

Palm fronds rustled in the May breeze.

She dropped her hand, swallowing his slight, and burrowed deeper in the dirty sand with her toes. First mate was the only job listed in the Hometown News classifieds she qualified for, and she needed this job to untangle herself from Bret. Why had she thought doing the right thing would be easy?

His pale curls moved in a puff of hot breeze as he frowned at her bare feet. “I’m starved. Let’s  tgo inside.” A halo of chin stubble sparkled in the sun. He shoved his hands into his pockets and strode toward the restaurant, his shoulders hunched.

The screen door banged behind him. A weather-beaten Best Fried Seafood on the Florida Atlantic Coast creaked on a sign overhead.

Rachel marched toward the smells of grease and fish. She dropped her sandals on the Dolphin-shaped mat, slid gritty feet into them, and pushed through the fingerprint-smeared door.

At three, the place was empty, except for a woman peeling shrimp in front of the fan, her support hose rolled into knee-highs. She tossed each shrimp into a huge stainless steel bowl, like morsels of wisdom she’d collected from living.

Rachel fought the urge to drag a chair over and pour out her messed-up life.

Jake moved from the counter, through the back door, to the outdoor seating without casting a glance in her direction.

The counter guy scratched the grouper tattoo on his bicep and yelled, “One super-deluxe combo basket, two sweet teas.”

At least he ordered something I like. And paid for it. She stepped onto the deck and spotted Jake facing the seawall where a beater fishing boat was moored.

His fingers drummed on the picnic table, his eyes slits above an anchor-hard jaw.

Rachel slid onto the wooden bench across from him.

He coughed and glowered at her as if it were her fault she’d caught him brooding.

Okay, so there were worse things than an emo boss.

Jake pierced her with his eyes. “Sail?”

Everything rode on this answer. She took a deep breath. “My dad taught me and my brother to sail. I was the one who caught the bug. I have a Sunfish stowed on a friend’s lawn on the Indian River. Sail every chance I get. I’ve piloted a Catalina 27 a couple of times.” If he was looking for big boat experience, she was screwed. “When you learn on a small boat, you have to grasp wind dynamics to stay out of the drink. It makes you a better sailor.” Her voice went up at the end as if she doubted her own theory.

The grouper-tattooed guy plunked a heaping basket of seafood in the middle of the table with one hand and set down Styrofoam cups with the other. He wiped thick fingers on his starched apron. “Enjoy.”

The aroma made her mouth water.

Jake bit into a piece of fish and cast his eyes toward the awning shading them. A moan of pleasure escaped as he chewed.

She twisted curls up off her neck to let the breeze off the Intracoastal dry the sweat as she popped a scallop into her mouth. She sat back to savor the Dolphin’s magic and Jake’s improved mood.

Jake sprinkled the basket, and salt danced on the grease paper. “Why do you want to crew on The Smyrna Queen?”

Rachel gazed at tiny whitecaps the wind kicked up on the water. “I want to taste the salt spray on a long tack. I want to live the ocean’s moods—summer squalls, flat as glass without a breath of wind, even the big blows. I want water between me and—New Smyrna Beach.” She wished she could bite back the words. Jake didn’t need to know she was running.

Jake cocked a brow.

Don’t ask.

He shrugged and leaned his elbows on the rough wood of the table. “The Smyrna Queen is a sixty-eight-foot ketch. She was built thirty-one years ago, according to her plumbing fittings.”

Rachel stared at the pale hair curling on Jake’s forearms, willing him not to notice how desperate she was. “How big is your crew?”

Jake flattened his lips. “Two. Captain, first mate.”

“Two people can sail a sixty-eight-foot boat?”

“I billed the cruises as ‘hands-on,’ so we’ll get help from the guests. Besides, I rigged her to be sailed by two people when necessary.” Jake wiped his mouth and tossed his napkin onto the table.  “The Queen’s booked through the end of the year, mostly five-day vacation cruises starting two weeks from today.”

“You filled your cruises in this sleepy little town? Amazing.”

“I majored in marketing.”

“I majored in boredom.” The defense mechanism to hide her dyslexia and lack of college kicked in before she realized she’d spoken, and she cringed.

Jake’s fingers drummed again on the planks of the table. “Does crewing bore you?”

“I haven’t been this wowed since an accordion player marched up the center aisle at church.” Had she come down with Tourette’s? If she didn’t put a lid on her sarcasm, she’d sabotage the interview.

Jake’s eyes iced over. “Another church girl.”

She lifted one shoulder. Her stomach quivered with panic. After all her lip, would she lose the job because she’d grown up in church? That was almost laughable. If anyone was a poster-girl for bad choices, she was.

Jake stared at her as if she were a rotting fantailed mullet.

She squirmed on her bench, feeling like he could see inside her. See that she’d let her innocence go too easily. That she’d never recover the five-and-a-half-year-old who pressed her gooey, newborn brother in chubby arms against her Cinderella T-shirt.

He blew out a breath. “Fifteen wannabes bailed over the phone when they heard cooking was part of the job. What about you?”

“I have a shoe box full of yellow ribbons from 4-H cooking competitions.”

“Yellow?”

Take it or leave it. She was trying to shove her way out of something she shouldn’t have flirted with in the first place. But if Jake wouldn’t be shoved….

He shifted on his bench. His eyes darted around the deck and the tiki bar. The door banged behind a man with a white ponytail and an earring hooked through the brown leather of his ear.

“All the bunks are rented out except for my cabin.”

Rachel’s gaze snapped to Jake’s. “So, if I want this job—” Across the deck two teens she recognized from the high school plunked down. Rachel lowered her voice to a whisper. “I have to sleep with you? I thought I’d heard all the lines from B―”

“I’m talking about a job—nothing more.” His eyes darkened to granite. His look said she’d sprouted cystic acne and two hundred pounds. “You’d have to share a small cabin with me, but you would have your own sleeping area and as much privacy as possible. Do you want the job or not?”

Well, okay, then, as long as we understand each other. But he’d made her mad. “I told you on the phone I wanted the job.” She forced the hard edge out of her voice. “I haven’t changed my mind.”

He let out his breath. “If I hire you, you’ll need to plan the week’s menu, grocery shop―”

“I think I know all the steps in cooking.” What was with her passive-aggressive mouth? This job would give her a clean start. But part of her clawed for Bret.

He eyed her. “I’ll let you know about the job.” He stood, tossed bills on the table for the tip, and walked away.

She watched his back lumber around the corner of the building, a wrestler leaving the mat. All the air released from her lungs. Who had pinned whom?

**GIVEAWAY**

Leave a comment below, WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, and one (1) random winner will be chosen to win an eBook of “Tattered Innocence!”

**Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15th**

Love in Translation

4 Comments

Book review of “Love in Translation”

LoveinTranslationCover

“Love in Translation” by Sara Palacios

Book Description:

Still reeling from an unexpected breakup, Emily nurses her broken heart by spending time with her best friends and taking one-too-many vodka shots. After one long night, she takes a hard look inside herself and doesn’t like what she sees. She realizes that she has sacrificed too much in her failed relationships from the past and vows to never settle for anything less than almost-perfect again. As she picks up the pieces and regains her confidence, a sexy Spanish chef moves in across the hall and knocks her off her feet. What ensues is an unexpected and tantalizing affair that opens her eyes – and her heart – to a whole new world and leaves her feeling sexier than she has ever felt.  Emily finally sees how easy love is supposed to be. Is happily-ever-after actually possible? Just when she starts to think so, she realizes that sometimes life gets more complicated before it gets easier. And complicated is an understatement when Steven (her best and oldest friend in the world) confesses his love for her. Everything spirals out of control as Emily must make a choice between love and friendship, and in doing so, possibly risk it all.

LOVE IN TRANSLATION is a modern day love story about following your heart to unexpected places and taking chances in life … because sometimes you will find exactly what you are looking for.

My Review:

Before I singed up to be part of the CLP blog tour featuring Sara and her book, “Love in Translation,” I knew I wanted to read it.  I was curious as to who would Emily be with in the end, the Spanish-speaking chef or her male friend.

The first few pages had me hooked and right away I felt sorry for Emily, and how David broke her heart.  I loved how she handled the break up.  In some parts I found myself giggling because what woman doesn’t go off the deep end at some point of a break up and have too many drinks with friends?  It was during this part that I bonded with her and cheered her on as she proceeded to get over her ex.  When Emily meets the handsome chef fireworks went off and it was easy to see that there was an instant connection between these two, even though he barely spoke English.  It was fun to see how they got along without talking…However, when Steven comes into the picture, there was an undeniable connection between them and I liked him too.  I liked his character and his and Sara’s friendly but flirty banter.

All the characters were likable, especially Emily.  She wasn’t your typical girly girl either, and she knew what she wanted and what she didn’t, (including who she wanted), and for that I liked the book more.  I would have enjoyed seeing more of Emily’s day-to-day life, but it was nice to see what her family life was like, especially her relationship with her parents.

As for how the book ended and without spoiling the ending, “Love in Translation” ended the right way, especially after a certain event…(no, I’m not going to spoil it for you).

Sara’s light writing style made “Love in Translation” a fun and quick read.  It’s surprising that it’s her debut novel, but I know it won’t be her last.  She’s a talented writer and I can’t wait to read more from Sara Palacios!

I give this book 4 stars!

**Buy “Love in Translation”

Amazon Paperback   Amazon: Kindle edition   Barnes & Noble: Nook   Kobo: eBook

Interview with the author, Sara Palacios

SaraPalaciosAbout Sara:  Sara Palacios is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a major in Advertising and a minor in English Literature. It was during her time in college that she really fell in love with the written word and ventured into writing her own stories. In addition to writing, Sara spends a majority of her time reading the works of other authors. She reads most genres – but thoroughly enjoys chick-lit, women’s and historical fiction. When she isn’t busy reading or writing, Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is happily married, the owner of two precious doggies and a new mom to a handsome baby boy. Sara is also an avid animal-lover, runner, yoga enthusiast and wannabe vegan.

What made you want to write a book?  I’ve always been a big fan of writing and after dabbling in it for a while, I finally decided that I wanted to write a book. So, here I am! 🙂

What is your favorite thing to snack on while working?  I am not a big snacker while I write but I do enjoy drinking a rather large glass of red wine – especially if I find myself writing late into the night.

Walk us through a day in your life:  Is this an ideal day? Or a typical day? Let’s go with an ideal day … I typically wake up at 5 and try to get in a work out of some sort then I shower, get ready for work and then wake up the little man so we can leave for daycare. I typically drop him off at 7 am and then I am off to my day job at an accounting firm. I work until about 4, go and pick up my husband (we carpool to work)  and then swing by and pick up Ethan. We eat dinner fairly early and then have family time, whether that entail going for a walk, hanging out and reading books, or play time – it varies by day. Then Ethan goes to sleep (usually around 7-7:30 pm) and that is typically when I read/write and then go to sleep. As you can see, nothing terribly exciting.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be?  I currently work in accounting but if I could pick anything besides writing, I would love to be a yoga teacher or a pastry chef. I’ve been brainstorming ways to incorporate the two.

What do you love most about the Chick Lit genre?  I love how fun it is. It seems like every book is realistic and could be something that has happened to me or one of my girlfriends.

Are you motivated by music and/or movies?  I am such a movie buff. I love romantic comedies!

What is the writing/editing/publishing like for you?  I really enjoy the creativity that goes into the writing aspect but I am not a big fan of the editing process. Luckily I have two very awesome editors on my side who help me out along the way.

Describe your perfect day:  I would love to wake up in a gorgeous house in the snowy mountains and be greeted by my husband and son (and our two dogs). Then I would eat some fresh cinnamon rolls with nuts, a scrumptious bowl of berries and a big cup of coffee. Then I would spend the day on the mountains skiing and then head home, eat a delicious meal (either Italian or Tex-Mex) and then spend some time reading my latest book, which has just landed at #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list. Then snuggle up in the hot tub with my husband and a glass of Merlot.

How has the social media helped your career as an author?  It’s been amazing. I have met so many wonderful people and I an inspired by so many of them.

Team Angelina or Team Jen?  Is this even a question? Team Jen all the way.

What are three things people would be surprised to know about you?  I am a vegetarian. I absolutely HATE the beach. My birthmark is a silver streak that resides in my hair.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?  I am currently working on my next book. I don’t want to reveal too much because some of it might change but it will be a love story with a blast-from-the-past mixed in.

***WAIT, THERE’S MORE**

Click on the picture below to win the “LOVE IN TRANSLATION” prize package, which includes the following:

— 6 pack eau de parfum from Victoria’s Secret —

— $10 gift card to Target —

The following items from Bath and Body Works:

— Carried Away shower gel —

— 3 oz. Sparkling Blackberry Woods lotion —

— Small stress relief candle and small White barn candle —

LoveInTranslationButton

Francine LaSala

8 Comments

FrancineLaSalaPic

About author, Francine LaSala:  Francine LaSala has written nonfiction on every topic imaginable, from circus freaks to sex, and edited bestselling authors of all genres through her company, Francine LaSala Productions. The author of novels Rita Hayworth’s Shoes and The Girl, The Gold Tooth & Everything, she lives with her husband and two daughters in New York. Drop her a line at francine@francinelasala.com.

GUEST INTERVIEW

Tell us about your books, “The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything” and “Rita Hayworth’s Shoes”:  I’m that annoying kind of writer traditional publishers don’t trust because I can’t seem to write in one genre. Rita Hayworth’s Shoes is a quirky screwball rom-com, centering around a pair of “magical,” life-changing secondhand shoes. The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything is more of a kooky psychological drama/light mystery about a woman with amnesia lost in her suburban housewife life who, upon getting a gold dental crown, starts remembering things… So I guess they are alike in that they are both sort of wacky and involve objects that help the protagonists find themselves, and change perspective and destiny, etc., etc. But are completely different in the way they get there. 🙂

What is your favorite word?  Starts with an F, ends with a K. (Hint: It’s not flask, though that’s not a bad one either.)

How do you come up with titles of your books?  They come to me. Sometimes I need to start writing a while to get the title, which eventually pops out of the material. Sometimes I know the title and start from there. That was the case with both Rita Hayworth’s Shoes and The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything. Each started with an experience that sparked a title, and then Blamo! Books! (Well, maybe it took a bit longer than that, but you get it.) If I don’t have a title, it’s impossible for me to know a book. Which I guess is part of the reason I have so many WIPs floating around. (The other reasons being my severe A.D.D. and raising small children…)

Which other authors would you like to meet?  Christopher Moore tops the list these days! But in reality, many of the authors I’d like to meet are all right there in your Chicklit Goddess Facebook group. I feel like I know so many of the ladies so well from our daily interactions, but how cool would it be to raise a glass and rage together! (Well, maybe not “rage,” but whatever grown-up goddesses do for fun…)

Who or what inspires you?  Life inspires me. There are so many things that happen every day, large and small, that are just magnificent. You have to look for them–you can’t expect them jump in front of you like an old friend at the mall or something. You really have to be scanning for them. Sort of like stalker I guess. But truly, there’s just so much out there that inspires! When you look at the world with a writer’s eye, the question really becomes “What doesn’t inspire you.”

Name three things that must every writer have:  1. A burning desire to tell and share amazing stories. 2. A thick skin to guard and protect you when others don’t believe your stories are quite so amazing. 3. An editor to help show you the distinction between what you think is amazing and how your expression of such amazingness may or may not be working.

What is your favorite part of the writing/editing/publishing process?  I love the whole process–when it’s working. When it isn’t, I hate the whole process. In all seriousness though, I love the writing. When it’s flowing, when I feel like I’ve really “hit it,” there’s no greater feeling in the world! (As a side note, I’ve been enjoying the marketing process much more now that it’s become more of a shared, “team” endeavor.)

What are you reading?  Right now, I am reading Cindy Roesel’s Viewer Discretion Advised, as well as a horror novella by Douglas Clegg, and the galley for Patti Callahan Henry’s new novel, And Then I Found You, coming out this April. (Did I mention the A.D.D.?)

If you’re not working, what you doing?  Drinking. (Ha! Just kidding. But it would be boring to admit I’m pretty much always working. Even when drinking…)

What time of day do you seem to work the best?  My most productive time: 4am to 7am. I’m fresh from (maybe not quite enough) sleep, and the mayhem has not yet descended in my house.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?  I always thought I’d be hardcover / paperback girl forever, until I got a  Kindle this past Christmas. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how quickly I was converted… I think I’ll always love to have my most special books in non-digital formats, but the ebook thing really appeals to my “anti-clutter/simplify life” side.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?  Too many projects, too little time!

  • A women’s fiction, multi-generational “fractured” romance that’s still sort of kooky but runs a little darker than my usual fare.
  • A trilogy of absurd “fairy tale” novellas, in collaboration with my husband (who’s actually not a bad writer for an architect).
  • A steamy erotic novel about a trophy wife who takes a break from that life at a reputably raunchy resort.
  • An as-yet-untitled and therefore in-limbo series about ancient party nymphs living in modern times.
  • A novel / screenplay / TV treatment (which will it be?) about college roommates who end up living together again in their 40s…

No wonder I can’t get anything done!

GUEST POST

Write What You Know

It’s unlikely that I’m ever going to write a sci-fi novel about time-traveling part-humans living at a space station on Jupiter. Even less likely that I’ll ever set a story in the Wild West. It may be cliché, but I definitely like to write about what I know. And then, of course, turn it on its ear…

Rita Hayworth’s Shoes comes from a point in my life when my heart (and self-esteem) were shattered by not one, but two relationships combusting over a short period of time. One was long-term and stale (like the relationship between David and Amy). The other was more of a flash-burn. In any case, I really did buy a pair of expensive shoes and did sort of make a wish that with that purchase, things might turn around for me…

The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything was born out of my own identity struggles with marriage and motherhood; with being a freelance writer, which many mistook for being a “free” writer when the economy tanked; with looking to “self-help” to try to help myself get my feet back on the ground. I also do have gold dental crown I never asked for and don’t want, but that’s besides the point!

So yes, I do build my fiction from life. I do sometimes I put into my stories the pain and confusion, the joy and the bliss I have felt. I steal snippets of friends’ and foes’ best lines and build dialogs around them. I create scenes inspired by my awkward times and my most wonderful moments.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that in any story, elements can be lifted right from the writer’s own experience, and there really isn’t anything wrong with that. Whether these experiences become foundation or flourish really depends on the writer and the story.

As for my recent experiences, I’m certainly not going to write a book about going to the grocery store. But I might write a scene about something unusual happening in a grocery store. Who knows–maybe part-human time travelers from Jupiter will land in the produce aisle and surprise my protagonist du jour, a woman in search of a fresh head of broccoli (and, underneath that banal quest, her life’s purpose), then everything will change for her…

And maybe not. I guess the point is that sometimes to make life bearable and understandable, and maybe a little more interesting, we writers sometimes steal from what we know and then switch the elements around and re-decorate them before we slap them down on a page. For me, the best part is being surprised with how it all gets re-expressed and turns out in the end. Life is definitely not like that. What do you think?

RitaHayworth'sShoesPicTheGirlTheGoldTooth&EverythingPic

Click the links to buy Francine’s books!

Rita Hayworth’s Shoes

and

The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything

**Contact Francine!:  Website  Blog  Facebook  Facebook Group: “The Joy Jar Project”  Twitter

Toni Aleo

1 Comment

ToniAleo

About author, Toni Aleo:  My name is Toni Aleo!  (and I’m a total dork!)  I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.  I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!  I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!  When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.

I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life…probably Belle, and did I mention I love hockey?

INTERVIEW

Welcome back, Toni! Since your last interview, what you been up to?  What havent’t I been up to is the real question!! Things have been insane. I finished Blue Lines and thank goodness HOCEKEY IS BACK!

Congratulations on being published by Random House! How did you find out?  Well it is the craziest thing. I remember being a dinner and I got an email on my author account and it was from the publisher but I thought it was fan mail and I was like, I’ll get to it when I get home because I didn’t want to be rude and type out a response, so I didn’t even read it all. Well I get home, and I read it and I swear I screamed so loud, running through the house telling my husband that RANDOM HOUSE WANTS TO PUBLISH ME! It was insane. I found out at the end of September that they wanted me and signed the contract in December.

What did you do to celebrate?  We had a big party and it was so great. All my friends and family celebrating my accomplishment. It was a blessing.

You recently finished “Blue Lines.”  Can you tell us a little bit about it?  I am seriously excited about this book. It will be different from the other three in the fact that the Hero will not be chasing the Heroine. He will be running from her while she tries to convince him that she is a sure bet. It is going to be great.

Who and/or what motivates you to write?  Hockey, my husband, and Shea Weber. 🙂

Are you characters and/or events in any of your books based on real life?  Yes, all of it. Lol. My friends read my books and some get mad, while others laugh so hard they can’t breathe. People aren’t safe around me. I get inspiration from everything.

Walk us through a day in your life:  Well, I wake up, get my kiddos off to school, come home, clean, run errands and then write. On special days, I get to go watch my daughter dance, my husband play hockey, my son play whatever sport he is doing at the time, and then of course, I go to as many Nashville Predators games I can get too!

You’re a huge hockey fan, but have or would you ever incorporate other sports into your books?  I don’t know. I like to write about what I know. I know hockey, so I don’t think I’ll ever stray into another sport. Now I do plan to completely leave the sport behind one day and write something different, but for right now, I am happy with my little hockey romance.

What author(s) would you like to meet?  Rachel Gibson, Richelle Mead, Kristin Higgins, Julie James, and Nora Roberts. They are all my heros 🙂

How do you come up with the titles of your books?  By complete luck. I sit there and think of the book and then hockey terms and by the grace of God, they come to me! Lol.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be?  A nurse. I quit my job as a nurse to become a full time author.

Tell us about your upcoming projects:  Well I am about to start writing book 5, Breaking Away from the Assassins Series, but I also will start a new adult series with the first booked called Rush of Love. I am pretty excited, scared and nervous for the new genre but excited.

Additional comments by Toni:  Thanks so much for having me!!

**Contact Toni!:

Toni Aleo

Facebook

Twitter

**Click HERE to read my review of “Taking Shots” and to read my first interview with Toni!