Interview with Wendy Vella, Author of The Reluctant Countess

Please help me welcome Wendy Vella, author of The Reluctant Countess, to Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

M:  First, let me say "Congratulations" on your debut novel, The Reluctant Countess.
Wendy: Thanks so much and thank you for having me on your wonderful blog site.

Q1.  I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for The Reluctant Countess come from?
Wendy:  I was actually looking online for a competition to enter and found one that gave you a scenario for the opening scene; handsome Earl, mysterious Countess and they were both in a ballroom. I’ve never written a story from someone else’s idea before it was quite an interesting exercise and, ‘The Reluctant Countess’ grew from there. I never entered the competition but the book turned out well.

M: Yes, the book turned out well! I’m glad you expanded on the opening scene.
Q2.  What inspired you to write this genre??
Wendy:  The first book I read was Georgette Heyer, These Old Shades, and I was pretty much hooked from the opening page. I loved the idea of writing about an era that I knew so little about and that I or nobody I have ever known has lived in. You do get a certain amount of freedom too, because we know only what we’ve learnt in books not through our own experiences. It’s important that it’s historically correct of course but you can let your imagination run riot. 

M: Georgette Heyer is classic for Historical Romance, especially with that touch of mystery that you brought to The Reluctant Countess.
Q3.  Is there an ancillary character in this book that you had a lot or fun with? Might they appear in a future book?
Wendy:  Lord Sumner was great fun to write.  He’s Patrick, the hero’s, best friend and also finds love in ‘The Reluctant Countess.’ He’s the opposite of Patrick, he laughs often and jokes a lot and has some great one liners in the book. Unfortunately he won’t get his own book because his romance is tied up neatly in the end too. I love his relationship with Patrick, he’s probably the only one in the book who doesn’t give Patrick an inch, and he’s always challenging him.

M:  Yes. Stephen, Lord Sumner, was a great sidekick and provided lots of added color and fun.
Q4.  What would you say makes a romance novel a great love story?
Wendy:  I think a romance novel has to have several elements to make it great; humor is big for me and characters that are not quite perfect. I love sharp dialogue but most of all I love a bit of intrigue. I like stories where the hero and heroine finally get together despite the obstacles they had to hurdle to find each other.

M:  All of those are good elements and I like how you worked them together well in your story.
Q5. Would you please share a surprising thing about your experience writing this book, or about your research?
Wendy:  I didn’t end up using it in the book, but I was researching shops in London and came across the Cow Keepers Shop in Golden Lane in the city of London. The shop was the ground floor of his house where the cows were kept in well ventilated stalls.  People and the milk maids could come and purchase their milk, I thought this was ingenious!

M: Very interesting and thanks for the image!
Q6.  Is any of your writing from your own experiences or is it completely your imagination?
Wendy:  No it’s all my imagination. I do use some traits in my characters from people I know, but mostly it’s just inside my head. It can get a busy in there at times.

M: I appreciate a busy imagination especially when it gets shared in writing!
Q7.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?
Wendy:  Probably only in so far as they limit my ability to write as often as I would like. I work full time and write in the evenings but I’m also a road cyclist so that takes up a bit of time as sometimes my husband and I can be out on the roads for a few hours. I’ve always found the time to write each day and usually fit in 2 to 3 hours most nights.

M: I’m glad you fit the writing time in and share with readers like me.
Q8.  When you get time to read what authors do you read?
Wendy: I have my favorites; Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn and Nora Roberts, but there are so many more who I enjoy, but these are the ones whose books I read as soon as they come out.

M: I agree with several of these… I just have been busy reading “new-to-me” authors like you. J
Q9.  What do you hope your readers get out of your book?
Wendy: I hope my readers enjoy Patrick and Sophie’s journey as much as I did writing it. I hope they laugh and cry and sigh, but most importantly I hope they can’t put it down.

M:  Success - As I noted in my review it does keep you glued and not wanting to put it down.
Q10.   If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

***Wendy: She picked up her skirts and ran towards him as he came through the door, she was distraught and his blood ran cold as he heard her say…

M: Thank you for taking time to share.

Wendy Vella is a lover of all things romantic. She started reading her first Georgette Heyer book at a young age and instantly fell in love with the Regency era. Writing is something she has always found time for; she penned her first novel at eighteen though she says it will never make an appearance further than the closet in which it currently resides.

After having her two children Wendy then joined RWNZ and started honing her chosen craft by entering competitions with some success and attending conferences. Her Clendon and Readers Choice award-winning historical romance The Reluctant Countess will debut in Jan 2013 with Random House in their Loveswept line.

She has an addiction to reading and loves a wide range of genres while her first love will always be historical. She relishes novels steeped in Romance and excitement with feisty heroines and delicious heroes, especially when they are set amongst the treacherous waters of London society.

Wendy is a sucker for a happy ending having secured her own. She has been married to her own dark brooding hero for 28 years and shares her home with two wonderful children, two dogs and anyone else who happens to be visiting at the time. Born and raised in a rural area in the North Island of New Zealand, Wendy loves the beaches and lush green rolling hills of her homeland and is proud to call herself a very patriotic Kiwi!

Visit my website: http://www.wendyvella.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorWendyVella
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/wendy_vella
Email: wendy@wendyvella.com

“THE RELUCTANT COUNTESS” can be purchased from Random House Inc. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/221633/the-reluctant-countess-by-wendy-vella

From Wendy Vella comes a Cinderella story of whirlwind passion between a dashing earl and a beautiful countess—and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.

Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.

Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.

Scribd FREE Excerpt available:Vella ReluctantCountess Final

Thank you to Random House for allowing me to Host a 

GIVEAWAY

1 print book and 3 Net Galley Preview copies.

ENTRY FORM HERE

3 Extra Bonus entries: Comment with an answer to the question from author Vella in violet block and red text above (marked ***).
2 Extra Bonus entries: Comment on my Review - Previous Post.

* This contest is open: US ONLY for Print and 3 Net Galley copies open to ALL.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 18, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 19, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Q&A with Anita Clenney and Giveaway of Guardians of Stone!

 Please help me welcome Anita Clenney, Author of Guardians of Stone. 

Q1. When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?
AC: I have a general idea where the series is going, but things always change. I’m notorious for last minute changes. I suspect I drive my agent and editor crazy. And hubby. 

Q2.  Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?
AC:  I’m not one of those writers whose characters tell her what to do, but they’re always there in the back of my mind. Plotting is my favorite part of writing, so it’s great to just call the characters up and plot as I’m driving or at the movies. And while I don’t dream about the stories after the fact—the warrior series started with a dream—I have really interesting dreams about related things. For instance, this week I’ve been dreaming about vampires. They’re really intense scenes. I have used some in stories. 

Recent release - Order: 
Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Q3.  What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?
AC:  Just write the damned book. Seriously, if you’re a procrastinator like me, you’ll find all kinds of excuses to write later. Later is sometimes too late.

Q4.  Do you have any strange habits when you write?
AC:  No, but I’m always a little strange.

Q5.  What is the single most important thing you've learned about managing your career?
AC:  I have a serious need for better priorities. It’s hard for me because I’m spontaneous. I want to do what I want when I want, but I’m trying to change that so that I do what needs to be done before it needs to be done.

Q6.  What is the craziest thing you've done to research a story idea?
AC:  I do most of my research online, so it’s interesting, but not much crazy action.

Q7.  What is your writing space like?
AC:  I have two spaces. My PC is, of all places, in my laundry room. Not very inspiring, but it’s quiet, and I can easily throw in a load of laundry as I write. I  have another desk in my dining/living room where I can be with the family and still write while they’re watching TV. This space has all my favorite things nearby (not laundry). I have a massive amount of candles in gorgeous candle holders, and my mirrors and topiary and moss balls, all the things that I’m obsessed with.  Did I mention that I’m obsessed with lots of things?

Q8.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
AC: Adventure, hope, and a fun ride.

Guardians of Stone is definitely a fun ride!  Thank you Anita for sharing your writing and sharing about yourself today!

Pre-order:
Amazon | Barnes&Noble| Books-A-Million | Turn The Page

 About Anita Clenney

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney writes mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense novels, including the bestselling Connor Clan series. Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. It was only after several successful but wildly different careers — including work as an executive assistant, a real estate agent, a teacher’s assistant, and a brief stint in a pickle factory — that she discovered her untapped passion for writing. Clenney’s first novel, Awaken the Highland Warrior, won the Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Virginia.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Trade Paperback Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
For 2 Extra bonus entries comment on this Interview or my Review (See previous post)
* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Giveaway + Q&A Interview with Rochelle Alers, Author of Angel's Landing

Please help me welcome National Bestselling Author Rochelle Alers.

“The lifestyle portrayed in these pages reveals snippets of the rich history of African-Americans, and the details of the island’s social structure from past eras are intriguing. It’s always a pleasure to discover little-known facts about racial history in America. Even better, the slow build to the love affair between the leads is believable and satisfying, on all levels. Sit back and enjoy!”

– RT Book Reviews, Top Pick

Q1.  I love series and I always am curious: When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

RA:  I usually plot the first title very carefully. During that process I know whether there will be subsequent books. Spin-off characters seemingly whisper in my ear that they, too, want their stories told. This is what happened with Jeffrey Hamilton from Sanctuary Cove.

Q2.  What inspired you to write this genre?

RA: I wanted to connect with my Gullah culture, and the only way I could do that was to write about it. I’d grown listening to my mother and aunts talk about customs and superstitions that were frightening as well as fascinating. I’d believed many of the superstitions were archaic until I began researching their origins and finally understood why so many have survived countless generations spanning continents and centuries.
Q3.  If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

RA: I would love to live on Cavanaugh Island. Although I was born and raised in New York City – Manhattan to be exact – I’ve come to appreciate small town life where neighbors look out for one another and once the sun goes down a comforting quietness descend on the town.  There are disadvantages of living in a small town – gossip in particular, but the advantages definitely outweigh them.  Living on Cavanaugh Island is like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cool night.  It’s nurturing and soothing.

Q4.  What is one thing you struggle with when you’re writing?

RA: There are times when I struggle with pacing.  I have to ask myself if I’m taking too long to set up the plot by bogging it down with too much detail, and if I am then I’ll definitely have to rush the ending.  There are also times when I reread what I’ve written, and then I have go back and cut, review or even tweak to even out the pacing.

Q5.  What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

RA: Read in the genre in which you choose to write.  If you want to write romance, then it has to be romance.  The same can be said with mysteries or political thrillers.  I read more than 2,000 romance novels before I attempted to write one.  Many were very good and some were just okay, but they helped me to recognize the elements that identify it as a romance novel.

Q6.  Please share your most rewarding experience since being published.

RA:  I’m happy to say there are three:  The first is when I received the call from Veronica Mixon an editor for Doubleday’s Starlight Romance series that she was offering for my very first romance title.  The second was when I received the Vivian Stephens Career Achievement Award for Excellence in Romance Novel Writing.  And the third is when Latoya Smith from Hachette’s Forever line offered for the Cavanaugh Island series.  I’m certain there will be others in the future, but these are the rewarding experiences that stay with me.  

Thank you for sharing with Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Thanks also to Ms. Alers and the fine folks at Forever Romance, Hachette, for offering THREE Books for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for THREE Print Copies

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
Extra bonus +2 for comment on Review and or Interview.

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 26, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 27, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Mini Interviews and Scots/Highland Giveaway: TWO Books - THREE Winners!

Please learn a bit about these two fine authors who share some writing thoughts below.

The

Great Scots & Highland Heat

Blog Tour with

Amanda Scott

and

Margaret Mallory

Mini Q&A with Amanda Scott:

Q1.  When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

o   I’ve done both. My Isles/Templar series began with a two-book contract, for which I’d planned to write about the twin brothers who became the progenitors of Clan Maclean/MacLaine. Those books are Highland Princess and Lord of the Isles. I knew how the hero and heroine of Highland Princess had met and married, because their story is true and documented. I also knew that the twin brother of Lachlan the Wily, the hero of Highland Princess, was known as Hector the Ferocious. That gave me a clue to his personality, and I knew that he had married Christina Macleod of Glenelg. But I knew nothing more, so I gave Christina a bunch of sisters. Then I recalled that the Knights Templar had likely ended up in Scotland not long before these stories took place and realized how easily I could bring them in. Well, the series grew to six books (from Highland Princess to Lord of the Isles on my book list at www.amandascottauthor.com). I do write a general outline for trilogies now, if only to decide how I’m going to connect the 3 books. For example, with my new Scottish Knights trilogy, Highland Master [Forever, Feb 2011], Highland Hero [Oct 2011], and the forthcoming Highland Lover (Forever, April 2012), the stories take place in early fifteenth-century Scotland at a time when the third man in line for the Scottish throne was utterly ruthless and determine to rule Scotland. The heir to the throne was a reckless, womanizing profligate, and the next person in line was a seven-year-old boy. My plan for the Scottish Knights trilogy was for the heroes to be three close friends, all knights who had studied together under the Bishop of St. Andrews but who never, as students, knew each other’s real names. Those heroes do all that they can to help the rightful heir in his battle against the murderous efforts of his wicked uncle to seize Scotland’s throne. Generally, I do plan and outline what I write, but I always leave myself an opening in case a secondary character in one book simply cries out to be the hero or heroine of the next. I’ve posted the first chapter of Highland Hero [Forever, Oct 2011] on my website www.amandascottauthor.com. If readers have questions or comments, they will also find a link there to my email, which is amandascott@att.net. I have learned a great deal from readers, love to hear from them, and I answer all messages.

Q2.  What inspired you to write this genre?

o   I didn’t know that I was writing Romance when I started. I thought I’d just written a historical novel. So it came as a surprise to learn that there were categories. I’ve written 58 books in all so far, set in the English Regency and Victorian periods and in Wales, as well as the Scottish Historicals that I’m writing now. I have a Master’s Degree in British history with an emphasis on England and Scotland, and my heritage is Scottish on both sides with the addition of Welsh on my father’s side. Although I have written a number of books set in the Highlands and have ancestors who were Fergusons from Galloway or Perth and Jamisons from Clan Gunn and Orkney, most of my Scottish ancestors hail from the Borders (Scott, Douglas, Logan, and related septs). I tell people I have horse thieves (reivers) hanging from every branch of the family tree.

Q3.  If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

o   If you mean one of my own books, I can’t imagine. I’m in them – at least, my mind is – when I write them, but I would not want to live in the 14^th or 15^th century. I spend my summers in a rustic cabin in the High Sierras with no road, no sewer, no telephone, and no Internet. That’s enough historical living for me. I like libraries, iced mochas, and driving fast cars. Living in a drafty, smoky castle might be a hoot for a sennight or so, and I love good haggis, but after that…nae, moran taing! (no, thanks)

Please check out my Review of Highland Hero - a sensual richly historical read. 

Mini Q&A with Margaret Mallory:

Q1.   What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

Stephen King’s recommendation in his book, On Writing, to set daily and weekly writing goals has been enormously helpful to me. When I am writing the first draft of a book, I live by my daily and weekly word count or page goals.

I keep an index card by my computer to remind me of Dwight Swain’s advice inTechniques of the Selling Writer to leave out the boring parts.

Q2.  Do you have any strange habits when you write?

I often get caught up in my work and stay in my pj’s far too long.

Q3.  Which authors have influenced you most how?

I’ve always been a big reader of all kinds of fiction. It’s hard to say which of so many authors influenced me, but I loved the old historical sagas by James Clavell and Michener  for immersion in another time and place, the Judith MacNaught and Julie Garwood historical romances for emotional connection to characters, and the old spy thrillers by Le Carré and Ken Follett for suspense and intrigue.

Please check out my review of THE SINNER - a sexy read.

Thank you to Jillian at Hachette for these two books to read and for providing THREE sets of BOTH BOOKS for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for BOTH BOOKS: 

1. Visit BOTH Margaret's website and Amanda's website and tell me something you found interesting and each site.
You must visit both please.   This is required for entry and worth TWO entries.

2.  For extra entry, comment on one or both of the reviews - worth one entry each.

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two more entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Seven total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 2, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on December 3 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Q&A Interview with Shona Husk, Author of The Goblin King

Shona Husk Interview, Author of The Goblin King

Q1.  Do you find writing in different genres requires different techniques?

SH: I write paranormal and fantasy romance so I find them quite similar in that both require believable world building. But where paranormal is grounded in reality with fantasy I can create anything—as long as I don’t break my own rules :). In both cases I build the world and characters together.

 Q2.  When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

SH: That depends on the series…The Goblin King was originally intended to be stand-alone but as I wrote it I realized there were other stories to tell (Dai, his brother, was too interesting to not explore further) and from there the other stories grew. With my Vampire rock stars for Ellora’s Cave I had them plotted before I started as I wanted each of the stories to be very different and yet be linked by the things the band, Lucinda’s Lover, was going through.

Q3.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

SH: I think there are similarities between my day job and writing in that both are creative up to a point and then it’s all about editing and fine-tuning. My interests are quite varied. I love history so that definitely influences my world building. I also read nonfiction about whatever takes my fancy (On my to be read shelf at the moment is a book on the history of swords and also ‘the world without us’). Ideas come from all over the place and no writer is a blank canvas. We all bring our life experiences with us even if it is subconsciously.  

Q4.  Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

SH: No. My characters are not based on real people—or me (I’d run from a goblin or a vampire!). That said I have written my first red-haired heroine, Jaines in Dark Vow, but that’s all we have in common.

Q5.  Which authors have influenced you most and how?

SH: I grew up reading fantasy novels so I think I absorbed the love of world building early (and a love of heroes with swords). These days my favorite authors are still the ones with the ability to take me somewhere else, either back in time or to another world.

Q6.  What is the biggest obstacle you have to overcome when you want to write?

SH: Time at the moment. But while I might be blocking out my evenings for edits, I’ve found writing 500 words during my lunch break a great way to progress something new and then when I do get a week or so between edits the story is already a few chapters in and I can get the rest down fast. I like a fast first draft to capture the story and then when I type it up it gets its first edit before going to my crit group.

Q7.  Please share with us your most rewarding experience since being published.

SH: I just did my first solo book signing on the weekend and it was great to meet people and talk books and writing. It was really nice to be on the other side of the table.

Q8.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

SH: My favorite paranormal creature is…

***Check my review and giveaway where two commenters can win a copy of this fun read!***

 THE GOBLIN KING BY SHONA HUSK – IN STORES OCTOBER 2011

Once Upon a Time…

A man was cursed to the Shadowlands, his heart replaced with a cold lump of gold. In legends, he became known as… The Goblin King.

For a favored few he will grant a wish. Yet, desperately clinging to his waning human soul, his one own desire remains unfulfilled… A Willing Queen.

But who would consent to move from the modern-day world into the realm of nightmares? No matter how intoxicating his touch, no matter how deep his valor, loving him is dangerous. And the one woman who might dare to try could also destroy forever his chance at a … Happily Ever After.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debut author Shona Husk is a civil designer by day and an author by night. She lives in Western Australia and through history, myth and imagination she creates heroes that are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold-sometimes literally.  For more information on Shona and The Goblin King, and where to download the FREE prequel, The Summons, please visit: http://www.shonahusk.com/.

Q&A Interview with Adina Senft, Author of The Wounded Heart: An Amish Quilt Novel

Please help me welcome Adina Senft author of  The Wounded Heart: An Amish Quilt Novel

 

I am looking forward to reading what looks like a beautiful story.

Adina:  I really hope you like it. And thank you for inviting me over to join you on the blog. Here, I’ve got an apple crumble pie that my heroine Amelia made this morning. Would you like ice cream on the side, or fresh cream overtop?

Oh yummy - I love ice cream with warm pie!

1Q.  When you started The Wounded Heart, did you plan to do a series and if so, did you have each book plotted out before you started or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

Adina:  The Amish Quilt trilogy has always been three books. When I came up with the series idea, I knew the issues I wanted to explore with each central character’s struggle: The Wounded Heart would be chronic disease. The Hidden Life would be the perpetual spinster. The Tempted Soul would be emotional infidelity. But that was all I knew!

So for a month before I begin writing each book, I read everything I can get my hands on about those topics and about my Amish setting. Then I begin to do character work, and the plot grows out of that.  The fun part is weaving in hints about what will happen in the next books into the current one. It’s like planning a treasure hunt J

Ha- I never thought about it quite like that! I love treasure hunts and maybe that is why I really like series books. J

2Q.  What inspired you to write this genre?

Adina:  It was one of those things where the universe closes a door in your face, but you feel a breeze on the back of your neck from the window that opened behind you. I grew up in a plain house church (I wasn’t Amish, but was often asked if I was), but it never occurred to me to write from that viewpoint until my editor gave me an elbow in the ribs and suggested it. It was a real “aha!” moment mixed with a whole lot of “duh!”

I love when you get that nice breeze on the back of your neck. Your editor sounds like she encouraged you to look at writing from “what you know” even if it wasn’t exactly.

3Q.  Where did you get the idea for this story/series?

Adina:  I have a friend who suffered for nearly a decade, wasting away and losing control of various bodily parts. She almost died before she went to the dentist and he realized that she was suffering from mercury poisoning from the fillings in her teeth, not fibromyalgia or M.S. After he got all those out of her mouth, she entered a chelation program to cleanse her blood of heavy metals. Her story triggered the idea for The Wounded Heart … and the way the Amish care for each other’s health without help from government formed a nice avenue of conflict that I could use as my heroine pursued treatment.

 Oh my goodness. I am so glad your friend got a proper diagnosis before it was too late. That makes for a good plotline.

4Q.  Could you please share one surprising thing about your research or experience writing this book?

Adina:  There is so much to learn and enjoy about the Amish and the research curve is so steep that nearly everything was surprising to me, LOL! But the biggest thing I learned is how mistaken were my own preconceptions about their culture. There is a reason why they do the things they do and look the way they look. For instance, each piece of a woman’s clothes means something historically and says something about her service to God. The white organdy prayer covering (called a Kapp in Pennsylvania Dutch) is pinned to the hair with three straight pins. But where you pin it says something about how willing you are to submit to the Ordnung. If you wear it far back on your head so that your ears are exposed, maybe you’re having a hard time submitting to the community’s expectations. And if you leave your strings free and not tied, you’re really walking the edge J because the Amish feel the next step after that is to remove the Kapp altogether, and then your principle indicator of submission is gone. You’ll notice in the other Amish communities outside the Old Order, the Kapp is smaller, covers less, and some have no strings at all.

So the art department and I worked together closely when it came to the portrayal of my heroine, Amelia Beiler, on the cover of The Wounded Heart. In the first versions her Kapp was pushed back on her hair, and the strings hung loose in front. But we worked together, and through the marvels of Photoshop, she now looks exactly as she should.

 Thanks for sharing this tidbit - something I never knew.

5Q.  Did your family support you in becoming a writer?

Adina:  Oh, yes. My husband is my biggest fan. He doesn’t go anywhere without a bunch of postcards in the side pocket of the door of the truck, and there are always bookmarks for my latest release in his pocket. He talks to the people in the doctor’s office, in the checkout line, and recently, on his annual hunting trip, he gave one of my excerpt booklets to a fellow hunter miles from anywhere out in the bush!

How great to have supportive family.

6Q.  What kind of books do you enjoy?

Adina:  I’m an eclectic reader. I have healthy collections of women’s fiction by Kristin Hannah, as many of Donna Leon’s Venice-set mysteries and C.S. Harris’s historical mysteries as I can get my hands on, science fiction by Connie Willis, urban fantasy by Jim Butcher, romance by Jennifer Skully and Bella Andre, children’s books by Troon Harrison . . . you name it. At the moment I’m immersed in George R.R. Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire” books. Thank you, HBO. I read lots of Amish fiction, too, but not usually during the actual writing. I have a huge fear of being derivative and echoing someone’s book without being aware of it.

Now I have to go check the Martin books. Good thinking to keep your own voice and not echo someone even accidentally.

7Q.  What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

Adina:  Jenny Cruise was the guest speaker when I was in the M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction program at Seton Hill University, and she said something about plotting I’ve never forgotten. Besides “Start where the trouble starts,” she said, “Two people are arguing about a coffee table. Remember that the table isn’t what they’re fighting about. It’s what’s under the table.” In other words, in important scenes, dialogue should have two levels of meaning—what’s on the surface and what is really bugging the characters down deep that they’re unwilling to come right out and say. I’ve never forgotten it. Of course, it took me the rest of my time in graduate school to figure out how to actually do that on the page.

Very good tip…that depth could make a big difference in how the dialogue and characters.

8Q.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

Adina:  If they can spend a couple of hours in my imaginary town of Whinburg, Pennsylvania, becoming friends with my characters and getting so involved in their lives that they forget the troubles and cares of their own, then I’m happy. That’s all I want. Company in my world. The coffee is on!

Oh yes… Sometimes I miss the quiet country of Pennsylvania where I grew up.  Next time maybe we could have Shoo Fly Pie.

Thank you for sharing with me and my blog readers.

Martha

Adina:  And thank you so much for the opportunity to visit. Have another slice of pie. I know I want one!

Adina

Q&A Interview with Shana Galen, Author of Lord and Lady Spy

Today I welcome Author Shana Galen, Author of Lord and Lady Spy, for Q&A Interview at Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf:

First let me say thank you for this very fun read! I have read some of your backlist books too and I enjoy your writing style.

1.     What makes a romance novel a great love story?

SG: Thank you so much for having me here today, Martha!

A great love story is all about the characters, in my opinion. Rhett and Scarlett, Jamie and Claire, Han and Leia. These characters have personalities that jump off the page (or screen). I have a little note on my desk that says, “It’s the characters, stupid!” Plot is all well and good—and kind of essential—but a great plot populated by flat characters does not make for a good or even a great book.

I guess I can agree as I have read good plots where the characters were flat and didn’t make it work as well as it could have.

2.     Who are some of your favorite authors to read and did any of them inspire your writing?

SG: There are so many authors I love to read. I enjoy historicals by Julie Garwood, Marsha Canham, Julia Quinn, Sophie Jordan, Ashley March, Robyn DeHart, and Sarah MacLean to name a few. I like contemporaries by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, and many more. Julie Garwood and Marsha Canham are definitely my biggest inspirations. I love Garwood’s humor, and no one does historical adventure romance like Marsha Canham.

I love Garwood too and several others you mention.  I will have to try Marsha Canhan.

3.     Do you have any hobbies or live interests that influence your writing?

SG: No, but I have a few that take away from it! I have a toddler, and she’s pretty much my full time job outside of writing. I also enjoy reading and being part of a book club, singing with the band at church, and I just started a fitness boot camp. But that’s more torture than hobby.

Ah yes - other real life activities, especially a toddler, can certainly take time away from writing.

4.     How do you find/develop your characters and their personalities?

SG: I’m not a writer who does a lot of agonizing and soul searching at the beginning of a manuscript. I have an idea, and I have two characters I sort of know, and I just start writing. I find it stifles me if I think too much about a story when I begin. There’s time for analysis later. The main thing is to get some words on paper.

As I write, I come to know my characters. Writing their words and their thoughts as part of the story helps me discover who they are, what’s important to them, and what they want and need. At a certain point in the manuscript I feel like the characters are friends and can go back and refine the beginning of the book and layer in more character development. Sometimes I have a good sense of character early on. And sometimes it takes longer. I was 45K words in to my current book before I realized it was the hero’s book and what he needed. Let me tell you, once I figured that out, the writing wasn’t such a struggle. Until then I just kept on going, hoping it would eventually come to me.

Lord and Lady Spy was that kind of book as well. I wrote 50 pages, and then I didn’t know what to do. The book wasn’t working. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I realized the deep underlying issue keeping these two apart. That’s when I finished the book.

That sounds like a system that would work - defining the character and building from there.

5.     I have to ask: Was this story influenced by a certain movie?

SG: Why, yes! Yes, it was. Mr. and Mrs. Smith was the catalyst for Lord and Lady Spy. I was watching the movie and started thinking, what if the year wasn’t 2005 but 1815? And what if the characters weren’t assassins, but spies? And I went from there. I was so intrigued by the idea of a married couple not knowing the other spouse’s real identity. I had to write it. It took me years, but here it is! And the book really isn’t much like the move.

You are right that Lord and Lady Spy is deferent than the movie. I enjoyed the comradrie and team work of the book much better than the antagonism of the movie.

6.     What is something your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying?

SG: Oh, Sophia would never say, “I give up.” She would never admit defeat. Personally and professionally, she is determined and relentless. She will complete her mission at almost any cost.

Yes - that determination is clear in Sophia’s personality!

7.     Which scene do you like most and would never cut?

SG: My favorite scene in Lord and Lady Spy is the scene in Adrian’s brother’s garden where he and Sophia compare battle wounds. I knew I would have to have a scene like that, if I wanted to have some fun with the Mr. and Mrs. Smith connection. That scene, when I finally got to write it, was so such a joy to work on! It’s funny, poignant, and sexy.

That is a fun scene and turns even sexier. J

8.     Is there an ancillary character you had the most fun with?

SG: I had a lot of fun with Blue, who is another agent both Adrian and Sophia have worked with in the Barbican group. I have a whole back story for him in my head. He’s led a very interesting life! I’d love to write another book and feature him more prominently. He’s not a hero, but he’s a fun secondary character.

Blue was an intriguing secondary character and I would like to read more about him. This book seemed like it ended at a good spot for a sequel and I hope there will be one.

9.     Do you have any strange habits when you write?

SG: Not really. As I said, I have a toddler, so I can’t afford to make sure I have the right drink or candle or music. I just have to write when I can. In fact, I’m writing this at 6:15 a.m. because this is when I have time today! I will say that far too often I’ll get stuck on a page and click over to the internet to check Facebook or Twitter. That’s a really bad habit.

We can spend way too much time on the social networks if we aren’t careful but for an author today it is a necessary promotional tool.

10.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

SG: I want people to enjoy them. Sometimes I get letters from people who have read my books when they’re in the hospital with a sick relative or when their husband is overseas with the military, and they say they laughed or forgot their troubles for a little while. That’s what I hope readers take away from my books—laughter, adventure, and romance.

Wonderful objectives and you succeed at them.

11.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be.

SG: I know why I read historical romance. I love the escape and the past seems like such a glamorous time—the ball gowns, the carriages, the dances and dinner parties. I always wonder what readers enjoy the most. So I would ask readers to finish this sentence: My favorite thing about historical romance is*******

Great question!

Thank you for sharing with me and my blog readers.

Martha

LORD AND LADY SPY BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2011

No man can outsmart him...

Lord Adrian Smythe may appear a perfectly boring gentleman, but he leads a thrilling life as one of England’s most preeminent spies, an identity so clandestine even his wife is unaware of it. But he isn’t the only one with secrets...

She’s been outsmarting him for years...

Now that the Napoleonic wars have come to an end, daring secret agent Lady Sophia Smythe can hardly bear the thought of returning home to her tedious husband. Until she discovers in the dark of night that he’s not who she thinks he is after all...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Japan, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She’s a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Q&A Interview with Tawna Fenske, Author of Making Waves

Today I welcome Author Tawna Fenske.  You can get a good sense of her humor from her interview answers. :-)

Q1.  I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for Making Waves come from?

TF: The story started brewing in my brain on a sailing trip around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, though at that point it was the equivalent of, “wow, men on boats are kinda hot.” The plot didn’t come together in my mind until the economy tanked and tons of people around me started getting laid off. I began mulling the crazy lengths people might go to if they were unfairly sacked by a shady employer. A high seas diamond heist organized by the four most unlikely pirates on the planet seemed like a good start.

Q2. What inspired you to write romantic comedy?

TF: I come from a family of hysterical people who are always cracking jokes and laughing, so you’d think it might have occurred to me earlier to try writing comedy. Hey, I never claimed to be the sharpest meatball in the pot. I started off writing women’s action/adventure several years ago, sold a book to Harlequin/Silhouette’s Bombshell line, and wrote two follow-ups that hadn’t made it to contract when I got “the un-call” from my editor saying the line was being canceled a month before my scheduled debut. It was my 32nd birthday. And the day my cat died. Oh, and the same day my employer threatened to fire me if I kept disobeying the hosiery policy (I did, they didn’t). As all this stuff was hitting me, I thought, “it’s actually kinda funny.” Realizing I could find the humor in something like that got me started finding the humor in my writing, too.

Q3.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing (maybe your dogs)?

TF: Everything around me is a source of inspiration, but I sometimes have to look for it. I’m a natural introvert, so I’m vigilant about dragging my lazy self out of the house to experience something besides the squish of the chair under my butt. There was a period where I tried to do the full-time writer thing, but I realized pretty quickly that my brain shrivels up like castrated sheep testicle when I don’t have regular human interaction. I now work part-time in marketing/PR where there’s plenty of day-to-day silliness to inspire me.

Q4.  Did you do any "hands on" or other unusual research for Making Waves?

TF: Are you asking if the Strip Battleship scene has been fully researched and tested? A lady never tells (so of course!)

Q5.  Do you have a favorite mentor or author that you have learned from?

TF: Too many to count! If I narrow it down just to my genre, my favorite romantic comedy authors are Jennifer Crusie, Lani Diane Rich, and Kristan Higgins. All are hysterically funny, but in completely different ways.

Q6.  If you were to start your writing career over, what would you do first?

TF: There were a lot of stumbling blocks on my road to publication, from that first ill-fated book deal I mentioned, to an early agent relationship that didn’t work out. Tough as those experiences were at the time, I wouldn’t do things any differently. Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way to really appreciate the good stuff when it comes along.

Q7.  What is your most or least (you pick) favorite aspect of promoting?

TF: In some ways, I’m lucky that my day-job for the last 12+ years has been in marketing/public relations. It makes me fairly well-equipped to handle the promotional aspects of being an author, but the downside is that I let myself get too consumed by it – sometimes at the expense of actual writing.

Q8.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

TF: At least five or six good, hard belly laughs and the occasional inappropriate tingly sensation.

Q9.  I think you could have fun with this:  if you could write the “fortune” in a fortune cookie what would it be?

TF: I’m drawing a complete and utter blank on this one (blame it on the double deadline I’m up against right now). I will say that I’m a big fan of reading any fortune I get and adding the words “in bed” at the end. You know, “You will find great prosperity and happiness…in bed.” That sort of thing. It really never stops being funny to me.

Q10.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be? 
TF: The last time I laughed really hard, it was because…

Thank you so much for sharing at my blog.
Martha

MAKING WAVES BY TAWNA FENSKE – IN STORES AUGUST 2011

She always wanted to belong… Just not to a dysfunctional pirate crew…

Juli has trouble fitting in, though she’d prefer to keep the reasons to herself. But when she mistakenly stows away on a ship of misfit corporate castoffs, her own secrets become the least of her concerns…

He knows plotting a diamond heist may be considered unusual behavior…

But Alex isn’t feeling very normal when his unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb. Meeting Juli doesn’t do much to restore normalcy to Alex’s life either, but it sure is exhilarating!

As Alex and Juli bare their secrets—and a whole lot more—they find that while normal is nice, weird can be wonderful…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tawna Fenske traveled a career path that took her from newspaper reporter to English teacher in Venezuela to marketing geek. An avid globetrotter with a fondness for the sea, she shares her heroine’s violent allergy to seasickness medication (though, sadly, has never stowed away on a pirate ship).Tawna is the author of the popular daily blog “Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing” and lives in Central Oregon, where she is working on her next novel, Believe It or Not, in stores March 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.tawnafenske.com/ or follower her on Twitter @tawnafenske. 

Check out my review and the giveaway for a chance to win this fun, fun book!

MBS Blogoversary #18 Spotlight Author Joyce DiPastena

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR JOYCE DIPASTENA

I met Joyce at The Sweetest Romance Author's Group where I won her first novel, Loyalty's Web which was one of  my early reviews when I started this blog.
Joyce writes mystery, adventure and "sweet" romance in the Middle Ages.


I had already set up an interview with Joyce before the Blogoversary event so this spotlight is a full interview rather than the two question format.

Q&A Interview with Joyce DiPastena, Author of Illuminations of the Heart

Q1. I note from your profile that you studied medieval history. Did you think then that you would write stories set in that time period?

A1. Actually, yes, that was definitely on my mind when I decided to major in history and take all the medieval history classes that I could find. I fell in love with the Middle Ages long before college. The book The Conquering Family (about the Plantagenet kings of England), by Thomas B Costain had been a huge influence on me as far back as junior high school. I had dabbled with writing a few medieval stories in high school, but my writing really took off when I went to college. I bought all the medieval history books I could find in the university bookstore, photocopied pages from medieval research books from the university library, and referred to all my medieval history text books for research to write my first complete medieval novel during my college years. So yes, I sort of had an ulterior motive when I decided to major in history in the first place. LOL!

That is pretty cool that you were able to pick a course of study with future writing in mind!

Q2. Do you think you might ever write any other genre(s)?

A2. In high school, I played around with a lot of different eras—the American Revolution, the English Regency, the Stuart kings of England, even some spin-offs from The Three Musketeers. But none of these eras ever held my interest long enough to see me through the completion of an entire book until I set one in the Middle Ages. I’ve been writing in that period ever since and don’t foresee switching anytime in the immediate future. Keep in mind, though, that the Middle Ages lasted for 1000 years, so there may be some other centuries within that time span I might play with someday. Time will tell.

They do say to write what you know and you seem to do well within that precept.

Q3. What most inspires your plots?

A2. A character that intrigues or touches me in some way. It’s the characters and their lives that fascinate me and keep me writing to find out what’s going to happen to them next…and how they will feel about it. I enjoy exploring their emotions, as well as the action aspects of the plot.

Yes, you do give your characters a fullness of emotions which keeps the reader engaged.

Q4.  When researching a book, have you ever found anything "hands on" or unusual required?

A2. Sadly, I haven’t had many opportunities for “hands on” research. I still dream of going to England someday and visiting the castles, seeing the landscape for myself, etc. But for now, I have to rely the excellent research books that are out there and my lively imagination.

I hope you do get to visit England someday. It is beautiful. I wouldn't mind doing more castles too.

Q5.  Since Siriol is an illustrator and Triston an artist do you have some side art talent that you pulled from for their characters?

A5. Hahahaha. I wish! Alas, I’m doing good if I can draw a recognizable stick figure. But I enjoy looking at art, so mostly I just drew from some beautiful reproductions of medieval manuscripts and other art found in books. Aren’t books a wonderful thing? What in the world would we do without them? (I hope we never have to find out!)

I agree- I wouldn't want to do without books to share!

Q.6. When you were writing Loyalty’s Web at what point did you decide to write a second book with some of the same characters?

A6. Pretty much at the moment when I typed “the end”. I just felt so sad for the situation I had left Triston in. I couldn’t foresee any happiness for him in the situation I had left him in at the end of the book. He wasn’t a bad person, just caught up in a tragic situation that had gone beyond his control. Something in me just tugged to find a way to give him a happy ending of his own. And so Illuminations of the Heart was born.

I'm glad you gave Triston his happy ending in this story.

Q7.  Which do you find is most important to you as a writer, voice or story? Why?

A7. I never think about voice when I write a book. I only think about story. The voices of the characters just sound in my head while I’m writing, and whatever voice of my own comes out just does it on its own. After all these years, I recognize that my writing does have a voice that somehow emanates from “me”, but it’s not something I deliberately seek to “put there”. The characters and their story is everything when I write.

That is a good explanation for why the characters and plot flow so consistently and smoothly.

Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season 

Q8.  What three words would you use to describe your writing?

A8. Oh, my, I’m not going to describe my writing for someone else. I’ve had some readers call my writing “lyrical”, but I’m sure for every reader who thinks that, there’s someone who thinks the opposite. Every reader is different, and I’ll let each of them decide for themselves how they respond to my writing.

Good (and safe) response. Okay I'll give my three words for the two books I have read:  rich, warm and full.

Q9.  What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

A9. I love to read, of course. I also enjoy playing the piano, and sometimes I even sing if no one but family is listening. I keep busy in my church. I watch too much TV and spend too much time on the internet…but who doesn’t these days? LOL!

We have similar hobbies except I don't play the piano and I watch very little TV. But lots of internet and reading - Yes!

Q10.  What writing projects are you currently working on?

A10. I’m polishing up a kind of dual romance for the characters of Etienne and Therri from Loyalty’s Web. I hope to submit that to my publisher soon. I have a romance for Acelet from Illuminations of the Heart on the back burner. And I’m dabbling with that first medieval manuscript I wrote back in college. It’s been fun to revisit it. The writing was very immature, but I still love the story. I have dreams of rewriting it into a good, workable novel, but that’s going to be a long term project. Wish me luck!

Joyce, I would say you make your own luck with your hard work. But I definitely wish you great success and I look forward to reading many more stories with your wonderful characters.
Thank you for sharing in interview and in my two year blogoversary!

Please visit Joyce at her links below.
For extra credit you can comment at one of her blog links or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
For additional credit comment on the review of Illuminations of the Heart or Loyalty's Web.

Joyce DiPastena

Loyalty's Web (2007 Whitney Award Finalist)

Illuminations of the Heart (past RWA Heart of the West winner; 2009 Whitney Award Finalist)

"An Epiphany Gift for Robin", featured in Stolen Christmas

Medieval Research with Joyce
Website

Blog

Facebook

A. Giveaway donated by Joyce:
Winner's choice of print copy of either of the two books; Kindle version available for an international winner.
B. I am adding my print copy of Loyalty's Web for Giveaway too- US only.

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