Author, Author Thursday March 29th

...read all about it!!


Thanks for joining us and please welcome a very talented  author,

Melissa Keir 

 

Welcome Melissa, it's great to have you here today.  Can you start off by telling us a little about yourself…

My life is like the Brady Bunch but without Alice.  We are a blended family with four children. Born and raised in a rural town in Ohio, everyone knew who I was growing up.  If I got a speeding ticket, you can be assured that my parents heard about it before I arrived home. Thinking to escape the horrors of small town living, I moved to Michigan and ended up in an even smaller town. We have only one light in town. 

I’ve worked as a blogger, book reviewer, teacher, and editor over the last twenty years.  Writing has always been a passion of mine and one that I’m glad that I can satisfy today.

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

My mom was my first inspiration.  When I was younger, she wrote a romance novel and tried to get it published.  There wasn’t such a thing as e-publishing or computers, and I remember her writing her story on the old typewriter in our family room. Her dedication and drive to get published was a part of the reason why I wanted to write.  It allows me to be close to her.

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

When I need to, I enjoy doing extensive research.  I take a look at every piece of information that I can find on the subject.  When I was working on my story, Forever Love, I researched Alzheimer’s.  I wanted my character to be realistic and it required me to really understand the disease.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

 I love to write at the kitchen table or kitchen island.  It allows me to be a part of the action, close to the food and drinks, and still be relaxed.  I have written my stories on my couch curled up with the dogs and a blanket or in bed as my husband sleeps next to me.  When the muse comes, I have to write.

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

My favorite genres to read are paranormal romance.  I love shape shifters, magic, and kick-butt characters.  However, I haven’t written in that genre yet.  Never say never! 

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

 I MUST have my computer.  It goes where I go, the doctor’s office, my honeymoon, or bed.  It is the only way that I write.  It gives me a safe way to write and save my ideas.  I don’t plot out my ideas, although I do write down plot bunnies when they come to me.  Otherwise I wouldn’t remember them.  But I do write with the flow of my muse.  Some days it flows like water from the faucet while other days it is a mere trickle.

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

When I need a break from writing, I can be found reading and reviewing books, or working as an editor.  I am always busy.  There isn’t a part of my life that isn’t centered around books.  They are my passion and my escape from the real world.

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

My two dogs are named after characters from some of my favorite TV shows, CSI and CSI:Miami.  They are like my little babies and I spoil them rotten!

Where can our readers find you??

www.melissakeir.com

http://www.facebook.com/melissa.keir#!/profile.php?id=100003150554229

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Melissa-Keir/143020369136928 (fan page)

www.twitter/melissa_keir

I love to hear from readers and frequently post excerpts, blogs and musings on life on my website.

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

My first story “Forever Love” was released on Valentine’s Day and is a part of the Love, Again Anthology by Ruby Lioness Press. It can be purchased in e-book formats from Amazon or B&N.  It can be purchased in print from the Ruby Lioness store (www.rubylionesspress.com/store/).

Forever Love (Blurb)

When Syndie Wilder returns to Amherst, Ohio, she comes back to take care of her ailing father and doesn’t expect to run into the childhood friend who dumped her in high school. When fate causes the two to meet, sparks fly again. But will a childhood friendship turn into a forever love?

My upcoming release “Second Time’s the Charm” will be released on April 3^rd from Rebel Ink Press.  It will be available on Amazon and B&N as well as other online retailers.

Second Time’s the Charm (unedited blurb)

When divorce shreds Lissa’s self-confidence, she gives up on men and throws herself into her sons.  An emergency life threatening illness of her best friend's son puts her on the path to romance. Lissa finds her new love in an unexpected way...introduced by his ex-wife. Who knew that first time loves could lead to second chances? 

Okay, now before we let you go today, we have a few fun questions for you if you don't mind?   

Your Favorite 5

1) Favorite color - green (like my eyes)

2) Favorite dessert - I don't have one.  I try not to eat dessert.

3) Favorite Season - Spring.  I love the way the Earth comes alive!

4) Favorite sad song- I usually don't have a favorite song.  I'm always changing my mind!

5) Favorite Romantic movie - I love Phantom of the Opera and Mama Mia.  They show that love is more than just passion.

And a bonus, what is your ideal romantic vacation??

My ideal romantic vacation is anywhere that I can spend the time with my husband, great weather and enjoy some time away from the daily worries.  :)

Melissa thank you so much for being with us today.  It was great getting to know more about you.  Please come back to visit us any time!

Readers, don't forget to get out there and scoop up these great reads by Melissa Keir. 

Happy reading,

Krista

Monday Madness ...

Good Afternoon!

It's a beautiful day in Michigan but oooh it's cold.  We got super spoiled with the last week or two of 70's and 80's temps but today's high is only 47and the nights are dipping down in the 20's. I definitely don't like that. Every day when our days are cold like this I'm super jealous of my parents and my in laws who all live in Florida.  Maybe I should do some convincing to my husband :) Nah, I actually lived in Florida once and loved it but it was super expensive so I'll just stay where I'm at.  If my hubby decides it's time to pack up and go south, well alrighty but until then I'll just stay inside and stay warm. 

On a side note, really thinking of my parents right now as they have taken the plunge and are as we speak enjoying vacation in Paris.  What a great escape.  I'm so excited for them and jealous that I'm not there too. However I'm sure my parents are quite OK with their baby not joining them on their vacation lol.

Doing alot of computer work today.  Have some blog posts to set up for some guest interviews and some interviews to work on myself for my newest release Second Chances available now thru Ruby Lioness Press.  I am also in the 'think and pitch' process of Second Thoughts and Second Nature, books 2 and 3 as follow ups from Second Chances.  I also have many other story thoughts and projects I'm contemplating so maybe in the next few weeks I can go more into detail on those. 

In addition to all that fun stuff, I recently became a finalist in the Shooting Star Writing Contest for Decadent Publishing's Western Escape line.  Check it out here.  Pretty excited about that and have a deadline fast approaching.  I'll update about that when I can :)

Guess that's the gist of my day but I'll leave you with some parting gifts, or recipes that is.


I'm totally doing 'easy' today so enjoy these easy recipes!


Potato Casserole

1 package (frozen) Potatoes O'Brien
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pint sour cream
cheddar cheese( as much or little as you like)

Mix - Bake at 350 for 1 hour





Fruit Dip


1 large jar marshmallow cream
1 8 oz. block cream cheese( softened)

Combine and service with your favorite fruit pieces.

Makes a great finger food!


Hope you all have a great Monday!!!

Krista

Author, Author Sunday March 25th

...read all about it!!


Thanks for joining us and please welcome a wonderful author and a great new friend, 

Denise Moncrief 

Hi Denise, great to have you here, could you tell us a little about yourself...

I’m a Southern girl. I’ve lived in Louisiana all my life. And yes, I have a drawl. Writing is my passion. I tell people accounting is a skill I learned to earn some money to support my writing habit. I’ve been writing off and on since I was seventeen. That’s more than a few years ago. I have a wonderful husband and two incredible children. They not only endure my writing moods, but also encourage me to indulge my passion.

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

Harlequin romances. My friend Brenda and I devoured probably hundreds of them in high school. I wrote my first “novel” when I was seventeen. Seventeen pages on school ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last Harlequin I read. I love reading. A lot of my inspiration comes from other writers.

Probably my biggest inspiration comes from my daydreaming. I have an incredible imagination. It made me feel guilty to spend so much time thinking about what it would be like to live in other places and be in other situations and know other people. Then one day I got the brilliant idea to write all those scenarios.

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

I like to set my stories in interesting places. So the amount of research I do depends on the location. If I’ve been to the locale, it’s easier to use my impressions of the scene. Otherwise, I have to do a lot of googling. I’ve probably purchased twenty guidebooks on different vacation destinations trying to add local flavor to a story.

If there is some aspect of the story I’m not familiar with, I will do the research necessary to give the plot detail some authenticity. I’ve researched heart transplants, drug interactions, police procedure, hurricanes, architects…Just about anything that might give the story an added bit of reality.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

I sit on my bed with my MAC. I have a cup of coffee on the nightstand and a comfy pillow behind my back. Sometimes the lights are out because it’s late at night. I think I do my best work after nine at night.

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

I’ve read so many books in my life I couldn’t count them. My Goodreads profile doesn’t even begin to mention a fraction of them. I love a good suspense novel. I love a good romance. Those novels that mix the two in a nice, satisfying balance are my favorites. I also like to read in a variety of other genres, particularly novels that explore family dynamics or character psychology. I like to know what makes a character tick. I think reading a range of different styles and genres adds to my knowledge of the craft of writing.

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

My family thinks my MAC is permanently attached to my hands. I never completely plot or outline my stories before I write them. I have a spiral bound notebook where I sometimes flesh out the main characters or rough out a timeline of events if things get a little inconsistent or tangled. Usually, I know how the story begins and how I want it to end, and I let my muse take my imagination from point to point.

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

I like spending time with my family. My daughter and I are shopaholics. I have a few television shows I’m obsessed with. Grey’s Anatomy. Castle. And…I confess, America’s Next Top Model. When I’m not doing those things or working at my other, less satisfying job (accounting), I’m reading.

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

I have a severe crush on Nathan Fillion.

Where can our readers find you??

Please visit my blog at www.denisemoncrief.blogspot.com.

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

Snow White and the Seven Dogs  is scheduled to appear in April in the Unleashed Hearts anthology published by Still Moments Publishing. It will be available at www.stillmomentspublishing.com and at www.smashwords.com.

      Having a daughter, I guess I’ve seen every Disney princess movie ever made. I’m not sure when or how I thought of naming my heroine Snow White, but once I did, the rest of the story just kind of wrote itself. I love tales with a sense of humor, so this story was a lot of fun to write. I write suspense, so I couldn’t resist writing a modern version of Snow White with its wicked Queen (or corporate CEO, in this case). Instead of dwarves, seven pooches named after Disney dogs become her best friends.

Snow flees not only from a criminal investigation for fraud but also from the wrath of her conniving future mother-in-law. Ann Winters is more than willing to let Snow take the fall for her crimes if it will drive a wedge between Snow and her son Anson. With nowhere else to go, Snow escapes to the White’s family apple orchard near Yakima, Washington. Her hideout turns into a not-so-safe haven when the secrets from her family’s past prove to be just as large as her problems back in Seattle. She cringes every time she introduces herself to someone new, but when she meets handsome Eric Prince, he doesn’t react to her Disneyesque name. He acts as if he knows more about her family's past than she does. Enter seven recalcitrant pooches. Snow isn’t a dog person, but Eric seems to know every one of them, and they know him. Eric and the dogs are determined to protect Snow from the danger swirling around her.

Sounds like a great read, i can't wait!  Now before we let you go do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.

Slap Ya Papa Chili

This was my Daddy’s specialty. Like so many other of his recipes, he started his chili with a roux.

Roux

1 med. yellow onion, chopped somewhere between fine and coarse

2 lbs lean ground meat

2 cans chili beans

2 cans chili tomatoes

2 Tbsp tomato catsup

Chili powder to taste

Prepare the roux by browning ½ C flour in a ½ cooking oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook on med heat, stirring almost constantly so it won’t stick for 15 to 30 mins until the roux is the color of coffee with light cream.

Brown the ground meat and onion together. Add together the roux and the meat in a stockpot. Add the chili beans, chili tomatoes, and catsup. Add chili powder. Taste. Add more chili powder. Taste. Add more chili powder. Eventually there will be enough chili powder added that it tastes right.

Daddy loved to extol the virtues of eating onions. He claimed they prevented heart disease, stroke, and cancer. About two and a half years ago, he passed away from an aortic aneurysm at the ripe old age of eight-nine, three months shy of his ninetieth birthday. Daddy said most of the world’s best recipes started with a roux. He always added a little sweet catsup to anything with tomatoes, because he said it cut the acid.

Denise I'm so sorry to hear about your Daddy, he sounded like a wonderful and wise man, and a great cook!!  Thank you so much for being here with us today, it was great learning more about you and I hope you'll come back and visit us soon !!

Readers, thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to get your copy of Snow White and the Seven Dogs when available, at  www.stillmomentspublishing.com   and  www.smashwords.com.

Happy reading !!

Krista



Finally Friday March 23rd !

It's another beautiful Friday in March and we're finally ready for our Turquoise Morning Press back list book of the week.  Please help me welcome....

Buried in Briny Bay

 

by

Bobbye Terry

A Briny Bay Mystery, Book One

Roxie Turner finds herself up to her neck in trouble when her lifelong nemesis, Georgia Collins, is discovered buried in the town’s landfill. To make matters worse, with her characteristic Southern sass, Roxie has been saying she’d kill Georgia for more than twenty years. In fact, she listed the ways to do the woman in, constantly reminding prominent citizens of her intent. It was all a joke, or so she thought. But the joke turns on her as, suddenly, other dead bodies begin to pile up, all murdered with a technique from Roxie’s list.

Enlisting the assistance of handsome hunk, Greg Norris, Roxie’s sister, Trixie Frye, comes to her aid, bent on uncovering the killer and the truth. Can they find out both before Roxie goes to the big house?

Rave Reviews: 

 

~ "Sweet Southern sass and screwball mystery... Nobody does it better than Bobbye Terry." --Maddie James, romance author

~ I'd never met the sisters Trixie and Roxie, but now they are high on my list to follow when I want a clever mystery that is light and easy to read. Bobbye Terry has a winner with BURIED IN BRINEY BAY. It will keep you coming back for more.  Roxie has been running her mouth for 20 years about how much she'd like to murder the woman who had her husband's child and inherited his million dollar insurance policy. When she turns up in the local landfill Roxie is on her way to the big house unless she can prove herself innocent of the crime.  -- Author Nash Black

~ Buried in Briny Bay was my kind of book. Ms. Terry's offbeat sense of humor shines through her quirky characters. People were meeting their maker left and right, and I could not stop grinning. You have to love that!




About our Author:
          A native Virginian, Bobbye Terry now resides in the cotton fields of West Texas with a Chocolate Lab that has a sock fetish. Bobbye is a multi-published author of romantic comedy, fantasy and suspense. Now, writing solo, except for a possible collaboration on special projects, she continues to write with extensive humor, even in suspense, where southern charm meets macabre reality.

This is a must read!  Don't lose out, get your copy HERE!






Author, Author

...read all about it!!


Thanks for joining us and please help me to welcome a great author,

 Karen Booth

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

I think it’s genetic. My dad, my aunt, my siblings, my cousins—everybody is a writer and everyone writes different stuff. Poetry, mysteries, screenplays, science fiction, romance. It’s in our blood.

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

Nothing pulls a reader out of a story faster than an incorrect bit of information. When it comes to careers and businesses, I always research standard practices and the ways things work. Locales are another thing that’s important to know well, I’ve never written anything that took place in a city I’ve never visited. Even then, I will email a friend who lives in that city and ask about restaurants, neighborhoods, etc. The Internet is invaluable.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

I’m very lucky—I have an incredible office with big windows and French doors. It’s very nice. You should stop by some time. I have a spacious L-shaped desk and can really spread out. I also love to write on our screen porch when it’s warm or on the couch in front of the fire if it’s cold. I hope I didn’t just describe a scene out of the unauthorized biography of Nicholas Sparks.

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

I read a ton of romance and women’s fiction because I write in those genres and now I have friends who are published authors. Just keeping up with everyone’s current releases is so much fun. I also like reading non-fiction—biographies, books about music. Good writing is what influences me the most and I seem to key in on the storytelling with fiction. You come across a plot point or something a character does and you say, “Wow. That is so cool the way she did that.”

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

I use my laptop for 95% of writing and the rest is scribbled in a notebook, but those are mostly details I want to add later or character descriptions. I am such a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, it’s ridiculous. I want to be a plotter. I want to plan everything out, but once I see my characters and start to see the story, I can’t stop myself from just writing it, which also means that I will eventually get stuck. I have the worst writing habits. I revise while I write and I am constantly going back to the beginning and starting over.

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

Wait—there’s a world outside my office? I had no idea. But seriously, I love to hang out with my husband listening to music or watching TV—we’ve been really into Breaking Bad lately, but we love Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, I just made him watch Downtown Abbey. I enjoy being in the garden and again, music is always a huge part of anything at our house. There is always music on. I am also completely nuts for college basketball (Go Heels!).

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

I always worry about sharing too much, but I love tap dancing. I took lessons when I was five, again in middle school, and then again as an adult with a friend. She and I were totally the teacher’s pets. Actually, I love all dancing. I can dance for hours if it’s the right music.

Okay for fun, I have a few personal questions,

Your Favorite 5

1) Favorite color – Blue, any shade except Duke blue. Definitely NOT Duke blue.

2) Favorite dessert - Dessert

3) Favorite Season - Spring

4) Favorite sad song- “Nothing Compares 2 U”, the Sinead O’Connor version. I once spent a week crying to that song. It was over the guy who eventually became my husband so this story has a happy ending.

5) Favorite Romantic movie – “Sixteen Candles”. I know it’s not technically a romance, but the ending is so achingly sweet and it’s my favorite movie, period. Every girl wanted to be Molly Ringwald, sitting on the dining room table with Jake Ryan, kissing him over the birthday cake. Every girl.

And last but not least, a bonus question! What is your ideal romantic vacation??

Caribbean—St. Barts or Nevis. Just me and my husband. Kids are at home with Grammy. We have a private villa and a butler and a cook. We don’t do anything but snorkel and nap and drink girlie tropical drinks and eat calorie-free Haagen-Dazs and have sex without worrying that the kids will barge in.

Where can our readers find you??

 In my office or possibly St. Barts. Otherwise, they can visit www.karenbooth.net for even more fun and frivolity.

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

My first ebook just came out through Ellora’s Cave—it’s called Long-Distance Lovers, and was co-authored by my amazing critique partner, Karen Stivali.

Long-Distance Lovers

British musician Tim Wentworth trades his London flat for an apartment in NYC so he can record with a promising American band, but he arrives in Manhattan to learn the gig has been canceled. With no job and a two-month stay in the States, he wonders if the trip has been a waste of time, until he meets charming and talented jewelry designer Jenna Bradford.

 Unlike the groupies who throw themselves at Tim after shows, Jenna couldn’t be less impressed by his music credentials. Bad experiences have led her to have a strict “no-musicians” policy. But when Tim rescues Jenna from an obnoxious drunk, she bends her rules and they embark on a sensuous courtship filled with steamy, passionate nights and intense, unexpected emotions. While they try to find a way to prolong their time together, a family tragedy forces Tim to return to England. Jenna and Tim must each decide how far they’re willing to go to see if their whirlwind romance can lead to a lifetime of love.

Available on the Ellora’s Cave website at http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9719-long-distance-lovers.aspx

Also available on Amazon at http://goo.gl/KG3Yg

Well we have greatly enjoyed you being here today but before you go, do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share with the world.

My critique partner, Karen Stivali, is an incredible cook and shares recipes with me all the time. This is her recipe and her photo. My kids and husband love this recipe and it takes no time. I always have the ingredients in the house.

Applesauce Cake

½ C vegetable oil

2/3 C packed brown sugar

1 C applesauce
1 t ground cinnamon
¼ t salt
1 ¼ t baking soda
½ t nutmeg
1 ¾ C flour

Note: There are no eggs in this cake.

Combine cinnamon, salt, baking soda, nutmeg and flour in one bowl and oil, brown sugar, and applesauce in a second. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring just enough to combine. Bake 30 minutes at 350 in a 9” x 9” baking dish or cake pan.

Thank you so much Karen for being with us today.  I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about you and your new release.  And I love the cake recipe, I know my kids will too!  Please come back and visit us again any time, we'd love to have you !

Readers, don't forget to hop over to  http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9719-long-distance-lovers.aspx  or  go to Amazon at  http://goo.gl/KG3Yg and check out this great book!

Have a great day,
Krista

Tasty Tuesday @recipes

Good afternoon everyone.  In honor of the official first day of spring and some much needed spring cleaning,  I've been sitting at my dining room table with my recipe box and a huge stack of recipes written on everything from napkins to cardboard to receipts and envelopes.  Anything but recipe cards so I've been transferring everything to cards so they will fit into my recipe box and alleviate a little big of clutter.  Then I decided it's been a while since I shared any recipes so here ya go !!  No theme to these today, just a variety of stuff that sounded good.





Pumpkin Dip

1 can sold packed pumpkin (15 oz)
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
2 c. confectioners sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground ginger

In large bowl beat cream cheese and pumpkin til smooth.  Add remaining ingredients and beat til well combined.  Chill for at least 2 hours.  Serve with graham cracker sticks or sliced apples/pears.



Easy No Bake Cheesecake

1 graham cracker crust (bought or homemade)
2 boxes cream cheese, softened
1 small tub cool whip
1/3 cup sugar

Beat cream cheese sugar and 1/2 of cool whip til creamy.  Then fold in the other 1/2 of cool whip.  Pour into crust.   Top with your choice and refrigerate til set up and serve.



Broccoli Chicken Bake

4-6 chicken breasts, cooked, cut into bite size pieces
2 cups Rotini, cooked, drained
1 package frozen broccoli florets, cooked, drained
2 T. olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

In serving bowl, add pasta, oil and cheese.  Mix to coat pasta.  Add cooked broccoli and warm cooked chicken.  Mix thoroughly and serve.   

On a hot day, cool broccoli and chicken, mix and place in frig before serving.



and last but not least, a recipe from my mom.....


Rhubarb Coffee Cake

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
2. flour + a pinch of salt
1 1/2 c. rhubarb (chopped)
1 egg
1 c. buttermilk
1 t. soda
1 t. vanilla

Mix and place in 8 or 9 inch baking pan.  Sprinkle 3/4 c. brown sugar and 1 t. cinnamon over top.

Bake at 350 deg. for 25 min.




Hope you enjoy all the goodies and have a great day!!!

Krista

Author, Author Monday March 19th

...read all about it!!


Thanks for joining us and please welcome a fantastic author,

           Clara Waibel         

Hi Clara and thanks so much for joining us today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a twenty-seven year old accountant living in sunny Switzerland. At night, I let loose the voices in my head and become a writer. That's the only time of the day when I feel completely free.

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

Stories. I read them in books or watched them in movies, and I was fascinated with the concept of taking people away from their daily problems into living a lifetime through these characters.

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

Very. I usually write sci-fi and fantasy with a lot of action. So I need to know the particularities of the human body, like how much strength it can stand or if a person can hold two others from the edge of a cliff, and so on... Oh and also a lot of physics.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

 On the sofa, but that's not good for my back. So, I'll have to go for the office : )

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

I don't have a lot of fixed favorites besides Stephen King, Jane Austen, Neil Gaiman, Oscar Wilde and Herman Melville. Oh and Arthur Conan Doyle, I love Sherlock Holmes. I also liked what Susanna Clark did, Patrick Rothfuss, Suzanne Collins, Junot Diaz...

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

Laptop but I'm buying a desktop next year. I plot my stories all the way and after that, when I have the main points down, I allow the muse to flow.

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

Watching movies, riding the bike or just drawing.

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

English isn't my native language. Hey, that felt good!

For fun, I have a few personal questions,

Your Favorite 5

1) Favorite color - Pink

2) Favorite dessert -Ice cream and chocolate fudge. Or both together!

3) Favorite Season -Summer

4) Favorite song- At the moment is "Somebody that I used to know" from Gotye...I have so many favorite songs I just browse to the most recent!

5) Favorite (Romantic/mystery/comedy) movie -

           Romantic: "Ps I Love You",

           Mystery- "Da Vinci Code"

           Comedy- "Bridesmaids"

And a bonus, what is your ideal romantic vacation??

A paradise beach, a five star resort hotel, and my husband drinking margaritas with me by the ocean.

Where can our readers find you??

www.pomadness.blogspot.com Or Switzerland!

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

You can find my story "Witchy" on the SMP anthology "Spellbound Hearts" available here!

http://www.stillmomentspublishing.com/p/ebook-store.html

Blurb:

Love spells are illegal. The Council sends witches to jail for much less. But when Sally falls for the new guy at the office, resorting to a Fae's help will be her only hope. If only this Fae was as harmless as in the fairy-tales

Thanks for having me, Krista!

Clara it was an absolute pleasure to have you and to learn so much about you.  I would love to visit you in Switzerland.  I also can't wait to read your story "Witchy" in the Spellbound Hearts anthology from Still Moments Publishing.

I hope you all enjoyed today's Spotlight Author, Clara Waibel, as much as i did.  Make sure you visit the Still Moments Publishing book store and get your copy of "Witchy" in the Spellbound Hearts anthology.

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon,

Krista :)

Author, Author

...read all about it!!


Thanks for joining us and please welcome a fantastic author,

Ella Jade

Hi and welcome!  Can you tell us a little about yourself...

My name is Ella Jade and I've been writing for as long as I can remember. The dialog and plots have always played out in my head, but I never knew what to do with them. That all changed when I discovered the eBooks industry.

I'm a SAHM(stay-at-home mom) to two active boys. When I'm not writing, I like to kick box, spend time with my family and spin plots in my head.

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

The characters inspire me. They speak pretty loud inside my head and motivate me to tell their story.

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

Most of my ideas come from my imagination. I've written a few BDSM stories, so I had to research some elements for those stories. Mostly I research locations and geography to get the prefect setting.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

I'm all over the place. During the day, I hang out in the dining room. I've turned that into my office. At night, I can be found in the guest room. I slip under the covers and create. The house is quiet and I can focus.

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

I've always been a big Nora Roberts fan. Yes. I'd definitely say reading her stories influenced the genre I write in. I love a strong romance.

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

My laptop takes a pretty good beating. I also use the Netbook because its portable. I take it when I'm getting my hair dyed or when I'm sitting at my kids' practices.

I start out with a basic outline. It just tells me where I'd like to go, but once I sit down and start typing, I really characters take me where I need to go.

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

These days I rarely take a break. If I do, I can be found at the gym. When a story isn't doing what I want it to do, I walk away for a bit. I'll do laundry or take a hot shower. When I go back, I'm good to go.

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

I'm an open book. lol I could tell you I'm VP of the PTO, but that wouldn't shock you. Although I bet my alter ego (Ella Jade) could cause some jaws to drop on that PTO board. Most people don't know what I write for a living.

For fun, I have a few personal questions,

Your Favorite 5

1) Favorite color - Silver

2) Favorite dessert - Cheesecake

3) Favorite Season - Fall

4) Favorite sad song- Jar of Hearts

5) Favorite Romantic movie - Pretty Woman

And a bonus, what is your ideal romantic vacation??

An island getaway with my husband.

Where can our readers find you??

http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com

Is there an upcoming or current release

you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

           Crossfire of Love

      Releases March 19, 2012

          Can an arranged marriage lead to love?

Recent college graduate Gabriella has finally married the man of her dreams, the older, charismatic attorney Lorenzo Martinez. She's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember and always imagined they'd one day find their happily ever after. Unfortunately, they enter into a union arranged by their fathers.

Lorenzo is charming, protective, and loyal to his crime lord father Carlo. When Carlo asks Lorenzo to marry Gabriella he jumps at the opportunity. He's been drawn to her for many years and knows by marrying her he's helping to protect her father.

Gabby is resentful and won't be Lorenzo's charity case. But sparks fly and the couple soon gives into their desire, realizing they were meant to be together.

What happens when Carlo's enemies threaten their future? Will someone get caught in the crossfire?

available March 19th

at

http://beachwalkpress.com/crossfire-of-love/

Ella, thank you so much for visiting us today.  It was great to have you and good luck with your new release,

Crossfire of Love!!!

Thanks to all our readers and don't miss this great new release from Ella Jade!!!

Have a great day,

Krista