Novel Publicity Blog Tour: Interview with Alyson Miers and Giveaway

I shared my review of Chalinder's Walk in the preceding post. Now, please help me welcome the author, Alyson Miers, and Charlinder to share about their experiences.

Hello Alyson! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf. I have really enjoyed Charlinder’s Walk and there are so many issues covered I am not quite sure where to begin the questions! 

Questions for Alyson:

Q1  How did Charlinder’s Walk develop? Did you have the idea plotted out from beginning to end or did it grow as you wrote?

I had the idea of the post-Plague world first. I could picture the setting, and there was Eileen and company and all their struggles, but for a long time there wasn't really a plot. In 2006, in the first few months of my Peace Corps assignment of teaching English in Albania, Charlinder presented himself and the idea of a walk around the world took shape. It was a story I couldn't have written without some experience abroad.

Q2  Had you planned to cover so many social issues when you began to write or did that grow too?

Looking back, I think the social issues became inevitable once the plot began to take shape. There are just so many ideas banging on steel drums in my head. There will be more social issues covered in my later novels, though perhaps not so many per book.

Q3  What made you create Gentiola as the unique character she is?

That is a very tough question. I had just arrived at site for my assignment, I spent a week reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell because I had almost nothing whatsoever to do with my time, and that book seemed to shake something loose in my mind, so that once I was finished with it, Gentiola began talking to me. She's very quintessentially Albanian in some ways, but in other ways she's a citizen of all countries and none at all.

Q4  Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing Charlinder’s Walk, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

A memory that jumps out is how the comparison---which is not spoken out loud, but sort of left in plain sight in the text---between Charlinder and Marietta's son George. It didn't really occur to me until I was writing the conversation, and this parallel took shape before my eyes. I liked the comparison, so I ran with it.

Q5  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

Creative.

Q6  Did you include knitting in Charlinder’s skills because it is something you like to do too?

It's something I like to do, so I can write it accurately, and it's also a handy skill for a post-apocalyptic setting in a non-tropical climate. It's a way of making things with your hands while you're walking somewhere or waiting for something. It's an accessible field on which gender differences can play out, because everyday knitting has nearly always been classified as women's work, and in pre-industrial setting, it's work that absolutely must be done. So, when we have a man who doesn't have a mother, sister or wife to take care of him, he has to take care of himself by doing things that men aren't supposed to do.

Questions for Charlinder:

Q1  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

Pragmatic.

Q2  Briefly, can you share with the readers the most important thing you want them to learn from your story?

This life and this world are all we have, so we need to make the most of the time we get on Earth and be good to the people and creatures around us.

Q3  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

I would never, ever lie to or manipulate a woman so she'll have sex with me. If she isn't interested, I can find someone else who is.

Q4  What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?

I normally hold that the best fistfight is the one you don't get into, but when someone I care about is being insulted, abused or threatened, I'm throwing caution and good sense to the wind and flying into battle.

Q5 If you (either Alyson or Charlinder) could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

This is from Charlinder:

The best thing you can give to someone is......?

Thank you again for sharing time with my blog followers and me.

GIVEAWAY!

Novel Publicity Blog Tour Notes: Wanna win a $50 gift card or an autographed copy of Charlinder's Walk? Well, there are two ways to enter...

1. Leave a comment on my blog answering Charlinder's Question 5 above. One random commenter during this tour will win a $50 gift card. For the full list of participating blogs, visit the official Charlinder's Walk tour page.
2. Enter the Rafflecopter contest! I've posted the contest form below, or you can enter on the official Charlinder's Walk tour page--either way works just as well.

About the author: Alyson Miers was born into a family of compulsive readers and thought it would be fun to get on the other side of the words. She attended Salisbury University, where she majored in English Creative Writing for some reason, and minored in Gender Studies. In 2006, she did the only thing a 25-year-old with a B.A. in English can do to pay the rent: joined the Peace Corps. At her assignment of teaching English in Albania, she learned the joys of culture shock, language barriers and being the only foreigner on the street, and got Charlinder off the ground. She brought home a completed first draft in 2008 and, between doing a lot of other stuff such as writing two other books, she managed to ready it for publication in 2011. She regularly shoots her mouth off at her blog, The Monster's Ink, when she isn't writing fiction or holding down her day job. She lives in Maryland with her computer and a lot of yarn. Connect with Alyson on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter or GoodReads.

Get Charlinder's Walk on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Giveaway + Interview with Sara Humphreys, Author of Untouched

Hello Sara! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf. I have really enjoyed your characters and exciting action in the Amoveo Series!

Questions for Sara:

Q1  Congratulations on your successful Amoveo Series! I believe there are to be five books - is that right?  I love to ask this question about series:  did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

SH: Hi! Thanks for the congratulations J Yes. There are going to be five books in the series but I did not have them all plotted out. When I was writing UNLEASHED, I figured out the story for UNTOUCHED. It pretty much worked out that way for the whole series. I get the idea for the next book as I’m writing the one prior and sometimes it changes. For example, in the original version of UNTOUCHED the villain was different but I realized that I liked that character far too much to make him evil and kill him off.

Q2   Have you found that any of your skills as an actress add extra help to your career as an author?

SH: Definitely. I use sense memory recall when I’m writing, just as I did when I was performing. As a writer, you have to be able to get inside the head of the characters and understand where everyone is coming from and what their motivations are. It’s actually quite similar to acting.

Q3  Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing Untouched, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

SH: When I was writing Untouched, it was the first time that music played a significant role in the creative process. I heard the song Honey on the Skin and it sparked a wealth of ideas for the story. Now I use music all the time, but it’s especially helpful when I need to spark a lazy muse.

Q4  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

SH: Tenacious. I’m like a dog with a bone and won’t let go until I get where I want to go. My mother calls it tunnel vision and it can be both a blessing and a curse. I try to use it for good and not for evil.

Q5  How did you come up with the idea for Sara’s Angels?

SH: I heard the term “street team” and just kind of ran with it. I put the idea out on Facebook and asked if any of my readers would want to help do some promo in their hometowns. I was shocked by the response! We’re up to 50 angels in 29 states and 3 countries. I’m always looking for more. J  The girls on the team came up with the name. I really like it and I’m so lucky to have this vibrant group of women on my side.

Questions for Dante:

Q1  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

D:  Protector.

Q2  Briefly, can you share with the readers if you have any special plans on how to win over Kerry?

D: I’m going to show her that she has nothing to fear from me and that my only desire is to make her happy. If that doesn’t work, I’ll be tempted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her off like the Neanderthal that she thinks I am. But since I doubt that would get me anywhere, I’d probably ask her best friend, Samantha what the hell I’m doing wrong.

Q3  Do you have any special vulnerabilities?

D: Yes. Kerry. I’ve never met a woman who can set me on edge with one look but she sure has managed that. It’s both unsettling and sexy as hell.

Q4  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

D: Where can I get a good mani-pedi?

Q5  What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?

D: I’m an excellent cook and my specialty is breakfast…in bed.

Final Question:  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

SH: If Dante were to bring you breakfast in bed….he would bring….?

UNTOUCHED BY SARA HUMPHREYS – IN STORES APRIL 2012

She should be seen, but never touched…

Kerry Smithson's modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

Every good model needs a heavenly bodyguard…

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

 

“Red-hot love scenes punctuate a well-plotted suspense story that will keep readers turning pages as fast as they can.”

—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives with her husband--who is very considerate of her double life--and four amazing boys, in Bronxville, New York. For more information, please visit http://sarahumphreys.com, Like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Amoveo and follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/authorsara.

 Sourcebooks has graciously offered TWO Copies of Untouched for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY: 
1.  Answer the Author's Question above (the last of the interview questions.)
2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.
3.  For an extra entry, make a meaningful comment on the interview.
4.  One more entry for commenting on the Review.

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

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 4, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on May 5 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.

Welcome to Tracey Devlyn, Author of A Lady's Revenge, PLUS Giveaway

Hello Tracey! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Martha, thank you so much for having me at Martha’s Bookshelf. Really excited to be here.

Questions for Tracey:

Q1  What inspired you to combine thriller/suspense elements with historical romance?

As a reader, historical romance was always my first love. I found, though, that I gravitated toward historicals with a suspense subplot. For me, the suspense adds an extra layer of interest and reveals a different side of the hero and heroine. From a writer’s perspective, I just love torturing my characters. J

Q2  Are the three books in your contract with Sourcebooks part of a series and if so did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?  If they are stand alone would you share a little about the genre, idea, why they were accepted as a group of three?

Yes, the three books are part of a series. Since the main characters in books two and three are closely associated with the heroine of A Lady’s Revenge, the storylines flowed naturally from book one. But I only had a general idea (aka one descriptive paragraph) of the subsequent stories when I sold.

Q3  Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing A Lady’sRevenge, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

As writers, we’re constantly being told that our first story will likely not sell, that we should consider it a learning experience and move on to the next. We’re told these things to spare us a certain amount of heartbreak and to keep us moving forward. The advice is well meant and, at times, spot on. But sometimes, we have to go with our gut and trust that it will let us know when the gig is up. My gut told me to give A Lady’s Revenge one more chance, and I did. I’m so glad I listened.

Q4  How do find your characters and personalities?  Is there any special inspiration?

Great question! I’ve never thought about this before. Looking back, my heroes and heroines tend to reveal themselves pretty quickly. Normally, one character shows up first and then I come up with a perfect foil for that character. The secondary characters develop out of a need to showcase the hero and heroine and they often provide some much-needed comic relief.

Q5  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

The only thing that comes to mind is “Git-R-Done,” but that’s cheating. J

Q6  How do you handle it when some element of what you're writing decides that it just doesn't want to work the way you want it to?

Most of the time, I go with the flow and trust that the current doesn’t take me over a ginormous waterfall.

Questions for Cora

Q1  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

Survivor

Q2  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

I’d never let my brother Ethan have the last word. He’s rather too sure of himself and must be reminded of who’s boss.

Q3  Do you have any pet peeves?

Having to wear a dress. They’re dreadful contraptions, especially when combined with corsets. I love my silk pai jamahs and wear them as often as I can. But don’t tell Guy. He thinks they’re far too provocative to be wearing about.

Q4  What do you do for fun when you aren’t “serving” your country or pursing your vengeance?

I love lounging lakeside on a blanket with Guy. Sometimes we practice our Tai Chi together and I find that so soothing. When Guy’s not around, I enjoy honing my knife-throwing skills. A lady in my line of business never knows when the need to protect oneself (or others) might arise.

Q5  What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?

When I was in France, I realized I had another talent besides ballroom spying. Matchmaking. No, no, no, I did not actively employ this special skill on my enemy. I simply observed the interactions of others and placed wagers with myself. If I had turned my talent into a trade, I would be an independently wealthy woman. I wonder if this secret skill will be useful now that I’m back in England?

Final Question for giveaway: 

If you (either Tracey or Cora- LOL) could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

BONUS Question:  If I were a kitten, my fur would be the color of______.

Thank you again for sharing.

Thanks—love the format of your interview questions. So fun!

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a print copy of A Lady’s Revenge (U.S. and Canada only, please.)

* * *

BRIEF SUMMARY OF A LADY’S REVENGE:

A British agent flees her French captor’s torturous dungeon and falls in love with the decoder responsible for her imprisonment.

NOTHING GETS BETWEEN A LADY AND HER VENGEANCE

In a daring rescue, beautiful and wily secret operative Cora deBeau is reunited with her childhood friend Guy Trevelyan, who wants so much more from her now than friendship…

HE’LL STOKE THE FIRE UNTIL THEY BOTH GO UP IN FLAMES

But Cora’s mission against the French has become personal, and even the fire between her and Guy won’t deter her. When it comes to getting sweet, cruel revenge, nothing will stand in a lady’s way…

* * *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracey Devlyn writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine's happy ending). An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at:

TraceyDevlyn.com  |  Twitter.com/TraceyDevlyn  |  Facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn

LadyJanesSalonNaperville.com

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR A PRINT COPY 
1. Comment on this Interview or my Review. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, Answer Tracey's Bonus Question at the end of the interview above (in red.)

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.
(Five total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.

* 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 April 27, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on April 28 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Interview with Pauline Baird Jones, Author of the Project Enterprise Series

I am so pleased to welcome Pauline Baird Jones for an interview visit. You can't help but catch her humor in these answers.

1Q       You have written several mysteries before writing in the science fiction romance genre. How does writing a mystery compare with writing sci-fi romance? What are the main differences, and what do these forms of writing have in common?

P:  When I wrote mysteries, they trended suspense/action type mysteries. Then they trended more and more into action adventure. I finally noticed that and decided that I really liked action adventure because it has less graphic violence. I like the high adventure as opposed to the blood soaked. LOL! So I think I was heading toward space for a while before I noticed. In the past, it was probably easier to write contemporary action adventure because we had “big” enemies, such as the Soviet Union. Alastair Maclean made his a/a chops writing World War II, then cold war type fiction, but I didn’t want to write about terrorists. It hits too close to home. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. (wry grin)

My first wholly action adventure novel was Out of Time, a time travel to World War II. While there is lots of peril and yes, bad guys and such, it’s lacks the graphic gore that I see in so much romantic suspense being written now. I know it works very well for many authors, but for me, I just wanted to go a different direction. After the past, all that was left was outer space. And let’s face it, it has almost unlimited scope for action and adventure.

You did a wonderful job of creating new alien worlds and peoples so I am thrilled you went to outer space.

2Q       Is your writing from your own experiences or is it completely your imagination?

P:  I was going to say, I wish my books came from personal experience, then I thought about what happens to my characters (nasty killers and space battles) and yeah, no, like my life the way it is. So my answer would be: my books are totally and completely made up (including the “science.”)

I wondered about that time theory perception being spouted by Lurch... it sounded good even if it was made up. :-)

3Q       Where did the inspiration for the Project Universe series (THE KEY, GIRL GONE NOVA, STEAMROLLED, Steam Time, KICKING ASHE) come from?

P:  I have a highly technical process for obtaining inspiration and plotting. It’s called “pulling it out of my tush.”
I learned this technique from my daughter who is a graphic designer and often under the gun to create.

Okay, I will try to be serious for a moment, but it is hard to be serious about a process that often results in my head wanting to explode. I really wish I knew how and where I got ideas, because then I could go there without the painful thinking and pacing and eating chocolate part (okay, maybe I’d still eat the chocolate). I just start with a character or situation and think, I wonder how I can hose this person? And then, “How can I make everything worse for this character?” And then I make things so bad, I don’t know how to fix it, which brings me to the pulling-it-out-of-my -tush part. (grin)

 I think this is the first time I have heard of this particular technique. LOL
4Q       What type of research went into creating your science fiction romance novels?

Since my science is totally and completely made up, it’s tough to research. I did do a lot of researching of Victorian stuff when I was mixing steampunk into my science fiction. That was pretty fun and interesting. I learned a lot of cool (and rather disturbing) stuff about the Victorians. I blogged a bit about that here: (http://paulinebairdjones.blogspot.com/2012/02/victorian-quirky-and-book-blurb.html) and plan to blog more it because it is very interesting. And weird. Did I mention they were pretty weird?

 I will have to go check out that weird stuff in your blog post.
5Q       Please share one surprising thing about your experience writing the Project Universe series, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

P:  My biggest surprise came when I realized I’d written something with science in it. I really didn’t think it WAS science fiction and then someone called it science fiction and I was like, I don’t write science fiction. I almost flunked science in high school! I thought about it some more and realized that mixing fiction in my science might be why I almost flunked. Oops.

Ha - Oops - Yes... Science wasn't my top class either.
6Q       When you started The Key did you intend the series and did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

P:  I did not. Sara, the heroine of The Key, just strolled into my head one day and wouldn’t leave until I told her story. I had amazing fun writing that book and was sad when it ended. When it released readers asked for more and one of the characters was really ticked he didn’t get the girl and demanded a happy ending and so I wrote Girl Gone Nova and another reader pointed out that I had an unresolved story arc and suddenly I had a series. Now I am sad that is had come to an end (for now at least). Though I plan to return to space soon.

Well - considering how volatile time is... who knows?!
7Q       Is there an ancillary character you had the most fun with?

P:  Helfron Giddioni. When he first appeared in The Key, he was supposed to be a villain of sorts, or at least an antagonist, and he is, but he surprised me over and over. He was so bad, but fun, too. He had such an awful name because he was never supposed to be a hero. (Memo to self: don’t EVER give characters awful names just in case.)

Hel did turn out to be a wonderful character even if he was a little scary in the first book. Who knew there was a good guy under that mean attitude?

8Q       How do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

P:  My career is wife/mom/sister/daughter/friend, so not sure how that affects the writing, though it does give me more time to write now that the nest is empty. And I get wonderful support from my family and friends. My hobbies are reading, knitting dish cloths (yeah, I knit large) and jigsaw puzzles. I do think the puzzle thing influences my plotting. I like the disorder/creating order part and that’s what plotting action adventure is all about.

I can see the puzzle solving at work in this series and it would work for mysteries too. 
9Q       Do you have a favorite mentor or author that you have learned from?

P:  Oh wow, this question could be a whole blog post, but I will limit myself to just one. When I was a young girl, I had a major girl/fan crush on Haley Mills. I wanted to be her. She had adventures and did cool stuff and could sing, too. She did a movie called The Moonspinners and I saw that it was based on a novel. I looked that book up and discovered Mary Stewart. I still love to pull out her books and browse through them, like chatting with an old friend. From her I learned about plotting, satisfying endings and characterization. And she writes great dialog, too.

Oh Wow! That movie started me reading Mary Stewart too and moved me from childhood reads into the suspense/gothic romance genre.

10Q     What do you have planned for your next project?

P:  I’m actually mulling a steampunk novel, set around 1899-1900. I’m a little nervous, because I’ve dabbled a bit in writing history (Out of Time, Tangled in Time), but never wrote an all history novel. Though technically it still won’t be, because it will be made-up-steampunk-alternate-history.

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

P:  What I love most in a book is…._________________________???

THANK YOU for sharing!

Project Enterprise (connected) books:

(1) The Key; Bronze IPPY and Dream Realm Award winner; 2007

(2) Girl Gone Nova, EPIC Book Award Winner

(3) Tangled in Time

(4) Steamrolled

(5) Steam Time, short story, Dreamspell Steampunk, Volume 1, 2011

(6) Kicking Ashe, 2012

Some additional Titles:

Comedy/Suspense Fiction:

Do Wah Diddy Die; Eppie nominee; 2001 (reissued in 2010)

The Spy Who Kissed Me (also known as Pig in a Park), 1999. reissued in 2010

Dead and Breakfast Anthology; Do Wah Diddy Die Already, 2007 (free short story now available at All Romance eBooks)

Mysteries from the Green Mist Anthology;  Deleting Dennis, 2010

Ghostly Dreamspell Anthology; Do Wah Diddy Dead

And more ... see Bibliography at this link. 

Interview with Laura Lond, Author of My Sparkling Misfortune - With Giveaway!

Today please help me welcome Laura Lond, Author of My Sparkling Misfortune.
Hello Laura-
I have to say that I am glad I read the book before I prepared these questions. You have a wonderful sense of humor that comes through in the book.

Q1.  What inspired you to write for publishing?

A: I wanted to be a writer as long as I can remember. Even as a young child I knew I wanted to write books, and not just as a hobby. I knew I wanted to do it for a living. How a young child would get such an idea, I don’t know, but there I was, writing my first “book” with a pencil, in huge all caps, shortly after I had learned my letters.

That sounds like fun and good practice. :-)
Q2.  It appears that you have had experience with traditional publishing and now self-publishing. Could you share some brief thoughts on why you chose to self publish My Sparkling Misfortune?

A: My Sparkling Misfortune was actually my last attempt to go the traditional publishing route. I had completed the book and, as usual, wasted well over a year querying agents and publishers. After 150+ rejection letters I signed with a small publisher, mostly out of desperation. I knew they were new and inexperienced. I decided to take the risk, and I had paid for it. They’d botched the nice, professionally drawn cover I had ordered and paid for. They’d botched the text. They’d botched the formatting for Kindle. Having wasted another year or so trying to get them correct all that, I pulled the book from them and re-released it independently.

 I am glad that an unpleasant experience turned into something good for you.
Q3.  What was the best piece of advice you received regarding your writing career?

A: Write the books you want to read.

There is some succinct, good advice!
Q4.  If you were to start over what might you do differently?

A: If I were to start over right now, I would release books to Kindle and other e-platforms and follow up with paperback and audio versions -- independently, never worrying about agents or publishers. There was no such option back when I was starting out. You either worked with a publisher or paid hundreds, if not thousands, to self-publish a paperback with very limited distribution options. Thank goodness things are so different for authors today.

It seems you learned from tough experience.
Q5.  I am inclined to think that marketing a book is much the same for traditional and self-published unless you are a really big name author. Do you find this to be true and what is your favorite part of marketing/promotion?

A: Yes, unless you are a big name it’s pretty much a one man show -- or a one woman show in my case. :-) You have to find ways to spread the word about your books, all by yourself. My favorite part is interaction with readers. It is always fun to hear from my audience, see what they like and dislike, what they want to know, what they expect from the upcoming books. Another recent favorite is working with voice artists to create audio versions of my books.

I think My Sparkling Misfortune would be a fun audiobook to listen to.
Q6.  Do you have a least favorite part or most difficult element of writing/publishing/promoting?

A: Writing itself can be and usually is difficult, but it is certainly not my least favorite part; it’s what I was born to do. Publishing, now that I do it independently without having to wait for months or years, isn’t a problem, either. Promotion… Yes. I am no social butterfly, I’ve never liked being in the spotlight; for someone like me, there’s little to like about it. The worst part? Radio or TV interviews. I have done them in the past, and it’s just too stressful. “Never say never,” I know, but right now my stance on it is, Never Again. :-)

Hmm - I wonder what trick you could use to help relax for interviews. Maybe practice with a friend?
Q7.  When you started My Sparkling Misfortune did you intend a series and did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent book(s) flow from the first book?

A: I thought it was going to be just one book. As soon as I had completed it though, I began to suspect there was more to the story. Readers’ feedback had confirmed that suspicion right away: virtually everyone who had read it wanted the second book.

There are certainly questions left open at the end of book one that call for more!
Q8.  Is there an ancillary character in My Sparkling Misfortune you had the most fun with?

A: That would be Tulip a.k.a. Jarvi, of course. The way he keeps driving Lord Arkus, the main character, up the wall is something I wish I could do more often in my books.

It had to be Jarvi! He is so much fun.
Q9.  Who did the illustrations for the book and cover and did you get to input a lot with that?

A: The artist is Alla Alekseyeva, she usually does covers and illustrations for foreign language editions of my traditionally published books. I had hired her directly to work on this series, and she has done an excellent job. I had discussed the main characters with her before she started, so we both knew exactly how they should look. The rest was up to her. I just told her I wanted one illustration per chapter, letting her choose what parts of the story she wanted to capture. Having seen her work before, I could fully trust her with that.

Alla did a wonderful job bringing the character views to life and your trust was well place.
Q10.  Do you have a favorite mentor or author that you have learned from?

A: I have learned from many authors and books and I continue to learn. It is hard to name one, but if I absolutely have to, I’d pick C.S. Lewis. He wrote what he loved to write, and he wrote in a magical way.

Yes, C.S. Lewis did write in a magical, gifted way. Thinking of Lewis, your villain profile reminds me a bit of Screwtape. :-)
Q11. If you could ask the readers to finish a question, what would it be?

A: A global question: “I love reading because … ?”

Thank you for sharing and for offering a book copy!

Laura: I’d be happy to provide a Kindle-compatible copy of the book.

Take a peek at my review on the previous post and check the blog tour here.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Kindle Compatible copy provided by the author: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.
This is required for entry.

2.  For two extra entries, comment on this interview and answer the author's Q in paragraph 11.

3.  For two extra entries, comment on my review (one post back).

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

5. 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.
(Eight total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER!

* This contest is open WORLDWIDE.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 2, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on March 3 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Giveaway and Interview with Samantha Grace, Author of Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel

Please help me welcome Samantha Grace to  Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Hello Samantha!

Q1.  What inspired you to write historical romance?

SG:  I love immersing myself in a world that doesn’t provide constant reminders that pull me out of the story. My life is so different from the historical heroine’s life that I’m able to take a vacation for a while. While I like contemporary, I might be reminded of my to-do list just from the mention of a cell phone. Things I don’t want to think about at the moment.

 I had never thought of it that way but maybe that is why historical romance was my favorite genre for years!

Q2.  Did you find anything "hands on" or unusual required when researching your books?

SG:  I had a lot of fun researching how to play Faro. In fact, the whole regency gambling scene was interesting.

 I've occasionally wondered how to play Whist too.

Q3.  What is the biggest obstacle you have to overcome when you want to write?

SG:  I think my biggest obstacle is one most moms face. I worry about being present enough for my family, especially when I have a deadline. My husband is incredibly supportive, but I feel it’s unfair to shift everything to him. He hasn’t complained, but I don’t like putting him in that position. Then my youngest has always been a Mama’s girl, so it’s hard for her when she gets less of my attention.

 It is challenging to juggle family and career.

Q4.  What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

SG:  Keep writing. If you stop to research or edit what you’re writing, you can lose momentum. It’s okay to leave details blank in the first draft. Just place XXX in the spots that are going to require more research. (I also add a comment box with what I need to look up or I might not remember.) Then when it’s time to fill in the blanks all I have to do is search for XXX.

SG:  Here’s one of my tips: If you begin to hate what you’ve written and think you’re a horrible writer, it’s time to go to bed. It’s amazing how the little writing fairies polish it up while you’re sleeping.

Both of these seem like very good, practical tips!

Q5.  It looks like you are very busy with books coming out soon. Have these been in process for a long time and/or how do you find time to write while you are juggling your family?

SG: Fortunately, I have a couple of days off during the week to write while my kids are at school, so that has helped a lot. I was able to cut back about a year ago.

That is nice that you have days that you have the extra time.
Q6.  (a) How do find or develop your characters and personalities?

SG:  The characters basically appear and slowly reveal their personalities as we go along. I may know I need someone to stir up trouble or help the hero, but I don’t know who that’s going to be until they step forward. I view the first draft as our chance to get to know each other.

 That sounds like a nice way to meet and grow.

 (b) Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

SG:  I think to some degree there is a little bit of me in every character, but I think Lana’s brother, Jake, and I share a lot of similar traits. I, too, have a tendency to run into doorjambs or almost fall in front of a crowd. In college, I once got my heel stuck in the only hole in the sidewalk and had to get on my knees to pry my shoe free. Of course it was in front of the totally hot swimmer I had a crush on. These things only happen when I have a witness. I’m also extremely loyal like Jake, and once someone has wronged someone I love, I can’t let go of it easily, even though I’m quick to forgive when I’ve been wronged.

 Jake's loyalty comes through and I am interested in his story.

Q7.  Do you have an ancillary character in Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel that was the most fun to write?

SG:  I love Drew’s sister, Gabby, and I enjoy the two of them together. I think Gabby may have a lot of fun in store for me down the road.

Oh yes- Gabby is a spritely character who I am sure will have fun adventure!

Q8.  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?

SG:  Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half definitely developed from the characters who appeared in Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. There was something about Amelia that pulled at my heartstrings from the beginning. She just wasn’t the stereotypical “other woman”, and I knew she was heroine material. It wasn’t until the second draft that I realized Jake and Amelia’s connection to one another. Book three came from a random story idea, and it felt right for this book. I keep a list of potential stories in a journal when inspiration strikes. I don’t develop them at the time. I just make a note and apparently the right characters tell me which one is their story.

Nice that you get help from the characters - I like that. :-)

Q9.  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

SG:  Hopeful! I’m not unrealistic and unprepared, but I hope for the best from people, and I’m rarely disappointed.

Nice choice and that gives a more positive aspect for life.

Q10. If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

 My heart melts when ____________________.

Thank you so much for taking time to share (both your writing and this interview) with readers.

SG:  Thank you for having me as a guest, Martha. I really enjoyed your interview questions and I look forward to chatting with your readers. Samantha

Thank you to Beth at Sourcebooks for providing a print copy of this fun book for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you found interesting.
  This is required for entry.

2.  Answer Samantha's question in Q10 above - worth two entries.

3.  For extra entry, comment on my review - worth two entries.

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

5. 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.
(Eight total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER for a print copy.

* 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 February 17, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on February 18 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Interview with Amanda Usen, Author of Scrumptious

Please help me welcome Amanda Usen for a visit today!

I see that you have clearly incorporated your cooking experience in your writing so I don’t have to ask that question. So let’s start with some “craft questions.”

Q1. How did you develop your writing craft from poetry to romance??

            No matter what form I use, romance always creeps in. I think all good writing provokes thought or evokes emotion, whether it is poetry, fiction, non-fiction, song lyrics or blog posts. When I’m in poetry mode, I spend hours, days, sometimes weeks, choosing perfect words to convey meaning and emotion. Romance writing is certainly a more expanded form, but I’m still trying to do the same thing – evoke emotion. I’d write faster if I didn’t spend quite as much time looking for the perfect word, but I’m not sure that’s a skill I am able to develop!

Q2. Which authors have influenced you most how?

            I became a big Judith Krantz fan during my formative years. Her characters are bold, smart, creative, sexy and so much fun to read. I’m also a huge fan of Anne McCaffrey’s work. Her kick ass heroines and world-building definitely inspired me. I read for entertainment; it’s one of my favorite things to do. In writing this hot chef series I wanted to write books that would be fun to read, books like the keepers on my bookshelf.

Q3. What are some of the best tip you’ve received on writing?

            The old standbys work for me: write what you know, show - don’t tell, don’t write the boring parts, and cut the first (and maybe second and third) chapter. Nora Roberts once said, “I can fix a bad page, but I can’t fix a blank page.” I remind myself daily that some words are only necessary to get me to the right words. I may struggle for perfect words…but any words are better than no words!

Now some Questions related to Scrumptious specifically:

Q4. Is there an ancillary character you had the most fun with? 

            Olivia, the heroine’s best friend, gave me fits – so I gave her a sequel. In SCRUMPTIOUS, she’s hurtling through crisis after crisis but it isn’t her story. I enjoyed using her cautious personality as counterpoint to my impetuous, grand-standing heroine. Olivia is straight everywhere Marly is curvy, which made her an interesting challenge.

Q5. Please share one surprising thing about your experience writing this book, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

            I have leaned that my procrastination is born out of fear of failure. I always thought I was lazy! I really wish I had known this in college when I would wait until the day the paper was due to write it. *head desk* There are many things that keep me out of my writing chair and they all have something to do with fear. Mostly I’m afraid that I suck, but I also fear rejection, not doing justice to my characters, lack of conflict, lack of motivation, boring sex scenes, blowing deadlines and looking stupid.

The list of reasons not to write goes on forever. In SCRUMPTIOUS, Joe says to Marly, “If you don’t try, you don’t fail, huh?” I can’t go back and start my college papers earlier, but I can be aware of my fears and write anyway.

 Q6. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? 

            With champagne! My husband and I will use almost any excuse to open a bottle of bubbly. And buy steaks, make chimichurri, and whip up a chocolate cheesecake. Trite, but true – we’re chefs and we celebrate everything with food and drink. We couldn’t quite afford Disney, so we took the kids to Splash Lagoon instead. We continued to celebrate there with rum drinks served in plastic coconut cups, necessary because it was freezing in February. That is the last time I put on a bathing suit in winter!

 And we’ll round out with some questions about you... more or less.

 Q7. Which word(s)(up to three)would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

           Funny! I think I’m hilarious. The only person I consistently crack up is my big sister, but one day…the world will know. J

Q8.  Do you have any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

            In LUSCIOUS, the sequel to SCRUMPTIOUS, Olivia and her lawyer spend a romantic week in Italy discovering passion as well as a family secret. At the moment, I’m writing the third book (with its as-yet-unidentified ious-ending title) which will bring readers back into a smokin’ hot Western New York kitchen. Colin and Gia are scene stealers and I can’t wait to explore their story.

Q9.  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be? 

     I can’t resist…                                

Thank you so much for sharing!

Thanks for having me on your blog today! I had a great time answering your questions.

***See my review post for the Giveaway of the ARC copy.***

Mini Interview with Jill Shalvis and Giveaway - 3 Copies!!

Please welcome author Jill Shalvis for mini interview with Giveaway!

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

Getting reader mail and hearing about making people happy or giving them an escape.

2.  What is one thing you struggle with in your writing?

Ha. Everything. The putting of words onto the screen, the believing in myself … getting to The end, everything.

3.  What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Sit your butt in the chair and just write.

Thank you to Jillian at Hachette for this fun book to read and for providing THREE copies for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you found interesting.
  This is required for entry.

2.  For extra entry, comment on the review - worth two entries.

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.
(Six 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 16, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on December 17 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.