Interview and Giveaway with ML Buchman, Author of I Own the Dawn

Please help me welcome ML Buchman, author of I Own the Dawn.

Comment from Martha: I really like The Night is Mine and was glad to snag I Own the Dawn to review as well. I am so impressed by the energy and intensity of your romance suspense titles.

Reply from Matt: Thanks so much! I’m certainly having a good time doing it as well.

1. I love series and I like to this question:  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?

MB: Each book is built on its own. I have a theme of what connects them, sort of a forward vision but always glad to be diverted by chance and possibility. For example, I know the first installment in this series is four books long because I chose a helicopter that has four seats and I’m filling them with women one-by-one; one helicopter, one crew, four seats, four love stories. And to sell the series, I did have a brief synopsis of each heroine and hero. But could I have predicted Dilya in I Own the Dawn or the sad story of “villains” before I wrote it? No.

2. I noted on your blog that you were pulled into romance by a 1996 visit to a RWA national conference.  How does writing a romance compare with writing science fiction? What are the main differences, and what do these forms of writing have in common?

MB: Great question. I’ve always had a love story in all my books, “novel with romantic elements” as they’re called. So once I discovered romances I thought, “No worries. I’ll just shift the focus to the love story and have a romance.” So not! In my science fiction and my thrillers it is the on-going plot that sustains the story. Yes, my characters grow and change and are shaped by the challenges they face. (In many books in these two genres, the character change is miniscule. Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, great thriller reading, but the character is the same guy beginning to end of the book.)

Anyway, I had to write (and discard) several romances before I learned the ins and outs of creating a romance. A story that is based on: no question who the love interests are, who are intensely drawn together from the first pages, and who, with minimal need for the reader to suspend their sense of disbelief, just can’t get together for 3-400 pages. In the romances I enjoy reading and writing, mere plot is not enough to keep them apart. In my SF/F and thrillers, I need to understand what could make them fall in love and let them travel that road. To write a romance I find I must dig deeper into the character and really understand what makes the character the way they are about being in love, both for and against. It’s immense fun.

3. Have you had to do any unique research or what was one of the most surprising things you learned in researching for any of the Night Stalker series?

MB: I researched this intensely. I wanted to be as authentic as I could which sent me exploring in many directions. A couple of things stand out.
a) Going to Heckler & Kock’s on-line forum and asking about how to best use a sniper rifle against (well, that would be telling), and the amount of derision in addition to the help I received.

b) Standing in a gun shop asking really naïve questions of a gun shop owner packing two pistols in a shoulder harness, one at the small of his back and probably more elsewhere. All the while with his newborn girl cradled in his arms.

c) Spending a couple of hours with a woman who flew a double-tour on a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq as crew chief. What she cared about was not what I expected. She signed up for the country, but flew for the people beside her. Her reentry into society was a rude shock in the simplest ways. For years, every meal had been taken care of, there were no electric bills, no question of rent. But most of all, for her and I came to understand for others as I read more and more about soldiers and especially about special forces teams, it was about the people they were with first and foremost.

4. What most inspires your plots?

MB: My sense of justice or injustice. Those who twist humanity into inhumanity creates many of my plots. And my characters are the ones to will fight against that until their very last breath.

5. Is there a particular character you’ve had the most fun with while writing the Night Stalker series?

MB: Dilya. Her insights are her own. She was an accidental character who was supposed to visit for one scene and then refused to leave. It allows her to speak truth in the oddest ways. I love writing the men and women, but she was a complete surprise.

6. If you could have a theme song for the Night Stalkers, what would it be? And/or do you have a dream cast for your books?

MB: Ha! I don’t have a song for my Night Stalkers. They fly in silence, but “We Will Rock You” might not be a bad one. They fly from a place of immense power. My books are all cast, that’s how I see them when I’m writing. I’ll change and shuffle and combine features of several, but I need to see them.

The Night is Mine starring Uma Thurman as Captain Emily Beale and a young Aidan Quinn as Major Mark Henderson.

I Own the Dawn starring a composite of several but mostly Roxanne Dawson (engineer on Star Trek: Voyager) and Jenette Goldstein (the tough gunner-babe in Aliens) as Kee Smith and Jude Law as Lieutenant Archibald “Archie” Stevenson III.

Wait Until Dark… but that would be telling.

7. Where is your writing headed? Sci Fi, Fantasy, Suspense or more Romantic Suspense?

MB: Yes! My wife and I made a list while out walking a few days ago. There are 14 books that I could write right now. More in the Night Stalkers series. A spin-off tale that appears in book 4. I have a contemporary romance series started (Where Dreams are Born is out, book 2 by spring). I have a silly fantasy series of 3-4 that I’m dying to get to. And then, sigh, we thought up a new romance series based on a Tuscan B&B that I’m just dying to start. Being a writer is never having to say you’re bored. :-)

I see that you wrote a guest post about being male and writing romance so I’ll refer readers to this link for those comments: http://goodbadandunread.com/2012/08/16/guest-blog-you-write-what-by-m-l-buchman/

Thank you so much for delivering awesome action and romance packed suspense stories. (I will probably pick up one of your apocalyptic stories before the year is out.)  And thank you for sharing your thoughts with readers. 

Thanks to you for some great questions!

I OWN THE DAWN BY M.L. BUCHMAN – IN STORES AUGUST 2012

Name: Archibald Jeffrey Stevenson III

Rank: First Lieutenant, Dap Hawk Copilot

Mission: Strategy and execution of special ops maneuvers

Name: Kee Smith

Rank: Sergeant, Night Stalker Gunner and Sharpshooter

Mission: Whatever it takes to get the job done

You Wouldn't Think It Could Get Worse, Until It Does...

When a special mission slowly unravels, it is up to Kee and Archie to get their team out of an impossible situation with international implications. With her weaponry knowledge and his strategic thinking, plus the explosive attraction that puts them into exact synchrony, together they might just have a fighting chance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. L. Buchman has worked in fast food, theater, computers, publishing, and light manufacturing. It's amazing what you can do with a degree in geophysics. At one point he sold everything and spent 18-months riding a bicycle around the world. In 11,000 miles, he touched 15 countries and hundreds of amazing people. Since then, he has acquired a loving lady, the coolest kid on the planet, and lives in Portland, Oregon. For more information, please visit http://www.matthewlieberbuchman.com/.

Be sure to check the Contest page for a chance to win a free, signed copy of I Own the Dawn.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for allowing me to host a giveaway here to!
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for Print Copy from Sourcebooks:

ENTER HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries: Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
For 3 Extra Bonus entries: Comment on this Interview
For 2 Extra Bonus entries: Comment on my review.

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 7, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 8, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.   

Interview with R. E. Robinson, Jr., author of The Perses Effect

Today I welcome R.E. Robinson, Jr., author of The Perses Effect

Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us today.

Q1.  Did you always what to be a writer?

RER:  I loved to write even before my high school days. I don’t know why I didn’t pursue a career in writing earlier than now. If I could travel back in time I would tell the younger version of me to take college courses in writing and focus in that direction for a career.

Q2.  Did/does your family support your efforts in becoming a writer?

RER:  Most definitely, my wife has been a huge supporter of me taking a career move into doing something that I enjoy. I haven’t had one friend or family member say don’t do it or you’re wasting your time.

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

RRE:  I get influences from all sorts of areas including TV, movies, other books and the news. I watch a lot of Discovery, TLC and other channels like those to gain ideas and knowledge. I have enjoyed gaming throughout my life all the way from role-playing and board games to video games. They have enhanced my already vivid imagination.

Q4.  Did you find anything "hands on" or unusual required when researching to write The Perses Effect?

When working on the battles I would have my friends play out the characters based on them and give me feedback and advice on what they would do in a certain situation. We would use miniatures and Hotwheels cars to flesh out the scenes. So I have them to thank because I couldn’t have written the final battle without their help.

Q5. Do you do anything especially helpful for your world building? (Notebook, Bulletin board, etc?)

RRE:  My friend who I based one of the main characters upon lives outside of Milledgeville, GA where I live. I used a courthouse plot map of his land with notes he gave me on what his ideal property would be like if the world were to break down tomorrow. Things like defenses, etc.

Q6.  Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?

RRE:  Almost all of my main characters are based on family and friends so they do live near and with me but they don’t do any haunting thank goodness. At least not right now.

Q7.  Do you have any strange habits when you write?

RRE:  Not really, I just won’t be able to write until everybody has gone to bed and the house is quiet. I need full concentration to write just like I did back in college. My wife got me the Dragon speaking program to aid me but I haven’t even opened the box. The story builds in my head and I don’t think I could tell my computer how to write it down.

Q8.  What are some of the best tips you've received on writing?

RRE:  Early on I got advice that my first drafts looked more like a screenplay than a novel. So I made a few tweaks here and there but when there’s something going on that doesn’t need much description then I won’t pad the pages with unnecessary wording or over explain something. If it doesn’t need many words to describe then it doesn’t get many words to describe said thing.

Q9.  Which authors have influenced you most how?

RRE:  H.P. Lovecraft – In my opinion the father of modern horror. His sentence structure is amazing and the stories suck me in without having to be thousand page novels. J.R.R. Tolkien – In my opinion the father of modern fantasy. Everyone that reads his work can pull something different from it, something personal and relatable. Stan Lee – Is the grand daddy of the comic industry. He and his team made superheroes relatable. They had strengths but also weaknesses like the average person. I could go on and on but I won’t.

Q10. Which words (up to three) would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

RRE:  Quiet, easy-going, detail oriented.

Q11. Which words (up to three) would you use to describe Evan in The Perses Effect?

RRE:  Thoughtful, over-thinker, worrier.

Q12.  If you could have readers answer a question what would it be?

RRE:  You saved the toughest question for last Martha. I never really thought about asking readers a question before. Guess I’ll ask this. With children having been affected so adversely by the Perses virus, is there a cure?

Thank you again.

Martha

RRE:  Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to talk about my book. I really hate that my schedule changed and I was not able to be interviewed but I have to keep my night job until I become a well know author and can continue my passion full time.

Thank you.

Ron

The Perses Effect

By R.E. Robinson Jr

Blurb:

The world has been changed forever. Death and mutation have swept across the planet leaving some of the survivors altered into non-human races and gaining powers that would take time to comprehend. Always thinking ahead Evan Root invited family and friends to live on his farm shortly before the comet that started it all was destroyed.

As the remaining population rebuilds Evan Root and his wife Jordan are producing bio-fuel to use and trade. On a routine trip to the market murmurs of disappearing town’s people span the crowd. While at the market Evan’s group is ambushed and when he finally makes it back to the farm he finds out his wife has been abducted. Evan feels her abduction has everything to do with her power.

Hoping it will lead him to his wife Evan and his companions must discover who or what is behind the disappearances while defending themselves at every turn.

Amazon Amazon Paperback 

Barnes and Noble Hardcover           Nook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Perses-Effect/200288616653927

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10793607-the-perses-effect

 

 

 

 

Bio: 

Ronald E. Robinson Jr. served in the US Army and has a criminal justice degree. He lives in Georgia with his family.

Blog Tour Interview with Maria Hammarblad, Author of Kidnapped

I am happy today to welcome Author Maria Hammarblad to Reviews at Martha’s Bookshelf

MH: Thank you for having me on your blog, I'm delighted to be here!

 

See the Full Blog Tour List Here.

Q1. What’s a “Typical” writing day like for you? 

MH:  A typical writing day… I have a part-time job besides writing, and I go to school full time for a Bachelor's degree, so my days are normally a bit chaotic. I try to plan so I don't have to be anywhere first thing in the morning. I check my online stuff, and like to write or edit until noon. It's not continuous, I have three doggies and sometimes they want an extra walk, my husband might need help with something, or I have to do homework, but I at least want to get a couple of hours in every morning. Then, it's off to work or to school. I usually have to do some homework in the evening, but I like to write while my husband is watching TV. I dream of being able to make a living out of writing, of course. It would make life so much easier. Maybe one day. 

Sounds like you keep very busy. I enjoyed Kidnapped and am glad you find time to write entertaining tales!
Q2. Do you do anything especially helpful for your world building? (Notebook, Bulletin board, etc?)

MH:  I normally just keep it in my head, but I am doing something new right now, and my brain isn't big enough. It is an anthology project where several different writers have worked on the world for years. I have a binder filled with notes about the existing world and all its quirks, and I'm making notes for my part of the project on large papers taped all around my office. It's a challenge, and a lot of fun!

It makes sense to me that you would have to have good notes to keep it all straight.
Q3. Did you have special inspiration for writing Kidnapped?

MH:  I did, the hero is inspired by a song from the 1980's: Misguided Angel by Cowboy Junkies. The song is about a woman talking to her family about her man. It has a feeling of goodbye, because she's going with him no matter what, and he is not a model boyfriend. I kept listening to the song while writing, and Travis in Kidnapped became a complex character. He isn't normal even by the widest set of standards, but he tries so very hard, and is willing to sacrifice anything for the heroine.

Travis does turn into a rather lovely hero.  :-)
Q4. If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be OR If you could be one of the characters in your books, who would it be?

MH:  Hmm, I give most of my characters a hard time, I don't know if I'd be up to the challenge. I might enjoy being Alex from Embarkment 2577, because she mostly gets herself into trouble and is rescued. If I could live in someone else's book, I'd love to go to Tolkien's world in Lord of the Rings.

 Tolkien's a great choice... as long as your are a nice character and not an Orc!
Q5. What was the first story you remember writing?

MH:  That's a good question. I remember making picture books when I was maybe four years old, and from there there's a gap until I'm eleven or twelve. I'm sure I wrote a lot of things in between, but I can't remember them. Anyway, when I was about twelve, I wrote a story about a young woman on Mars. The world is dying, turning into what it is today, and the people know they're doomed. They have one rocket on the entire planet, and she becomes accidentally involved with a person trying to flee the impending doom. They make it to the rocket and end up being the first people on Earth. I've been thinking of dusting it off and re-writing it from an adult perspective, but I haven't gotten around to it.

Sounds like that would be a fun adventure... for the characters and for you to pull it together for a book now.
Q6. In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?

MH:  Margaret Atwood! A girl can dream, right? Or Dean Koontz. I admire the way he writes children and dogs. They're so funny, quirky, and accessible.

Ah - I think dreams play a big part of the dedication and imagination for authors.
Q7. Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

MH:  Bubbly. I love the word, and it describes me pretty well.

Interesting choice. Although I don't see any of the characters in Kidnapped as 'bubbly', the story has a certain light humor to it that helps make it really enjoyable.
Q8. Who are some of your favorite authors to read when you are not writing? What are you reading now? 

MH:  Lately, I've read a lot of indie and small press writers. I'll buy anything by Christy Elkins or Chris J. Randolph. Right now, I'm reading a book by P.I. Barrington. She writes thrillers and science fiction.

Now I may have to locate some books by those authors to try. Thanks for the names.
Q9. What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

MH:  For me personally, the best tip has been to watch out for the words "that" and "had" - they sneak their way into sentences where they're not necessary. I didn't even see it until Christy Elkins gave me feedback on a script and pointed it out. I used "had" as both safety belt and airbag to make absolutely sure I stayed in past tense. I still do it, but now I know to watch out for them and throw them out.

Great point. I often have to go back and read even my reviews to take out unnecessary 'fill' words.
Q10.  Is there anything you need in order to write? (ie Chocolate, quiet, music)

MH:  I need coffee and dogs. If I don't start the day with a mug of coffee, I'll just sit staring straight ahead for hours. Without doggies I feel lonely. I sometimes need to change what I write on and with - I type a lot on the computer, but sometimes I get stuck and need to go outside with a notebook and a nice pen. I wrote most of Kidnapped on my iPod touch, e-mailed the chapters to myself, and put it all together in the computer.

I can appreciate your need for coffee to give you a jolt and dogs to give you comfort.
Thanks so much for sharing today.

Besides writing and playing bass, Maria enjoys driving off-road, archery, and Tameshigiri. 

Website: http://www.hammarblad.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad 

Blog: http://www.scifiromance.info 

Twitter: @mariahammarblad 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4114780

Maria_Hammarblad Publisher's website: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com 

Brief "about the book" from author Lynette Endicott 

Kidnapped is a well-written Science Fiction story of a woman kidnapped from earth and taken on a whirlwind tour of the universe with a captor whose heart is thawed by her innocence. This does not please his commander, who pursues, captures and loses both characters. In the process there is fun, adventure, sizzle, and an introduction to different worlds and their impact, one day, on our own. Be sure to pick up Kidnapped by Maria Hammarblad available from Desert Breeze Publishing.

Books by Maria Hammarblad: 

The Goddess's Saga, a series of novels consisting of Touch of the Goddess, Wrath of the Goddess, and Return of the Goddess. 

Embarkment 2577, a series of novellas consisting of Brand New World, High Gravity, and Adam and Eve. 

Invasion and other short stories 

Kidnapped Upcoming releases: Undercover, to be released by Desert Breeze Publishing September 11, 2012. 

Youtube book trailers: 

Kidnapped: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsVFxWCtJo 

The Goddess's Saga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hSYB3kkXx4 

Embarkment 2577: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8stZVGieh1g 

Invasion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irVn1ky7Roo

Guest Post and Interview With Ray Gorham, Author of 77 Days In September

Living With Your Editor

As I came to the conclusion of the second draft of my book, I decided I had probably better have someone with better English skills than myself do a little bit of editing.  In school I had always been a good reader and decent speller, and strong in math and science, but for some reason the rules of English, beyond the basics, never made sense to me.  Fortunately, I have a very talented wife.

Feeling pretty good about my book, I approached her with a 2” stack of paper (I had managed to talk her into editing).   “Prepare to be amazed,” I said (or something equally witty, I’m sure).  She stuck her hand out for the manuscript.  “I’m pretty busy, but I’ll get to it as soon as I can,” she replied.  From the expression on her face, I could tell she wasn’t expecting to be amazed.

Being in need of affirmation after such a long project, I was very anxious to get her feedback.  It was probably only a week, but it seemed like a month before she announced she had the first chapter done.  I eagerly snatched the papers from her hand, expecting to see smiley faces on each page, an occasional missing comma fixed, and a mushy love note at the end of the chapter telling me how wonderful my writing was and how glad she was she married me.

She turned to go make dinner and missed seeing my legs buckle as I glanced down at the first page.  Red ink everywhere!  I stumbled to the bedroom and fell into my writing chair.  With shaking hands I fanned through the 20 or so pages in my hand, more red than black.  My head spun.  I had thought my wife was pretty smart, now I wasn’t so sure. 

Commas, apostrophes, possessives, verbiage, wording—you name it, she nailed me on it.  I opened the document on my computer and started making corrections.  Okay, maybe I need a comma there.  I guess that word fits better.  I’ll trust you on this one.  By the end of the night the first chapter was done, and it was looking and sounding quite a bit better than it had hours earlier.

We did make it through the book, and the final product is much, much better than my original version.  We liked the process so much that we went through it two more times for the book (just kidding about the like part).  In my defense, I can proudly report that there were some pages towards the end of the book that didn’t need any editing, but they were few and far between.

I learned a few things from the process.  A second set of eyes on your work is essential, because no matter how thorough you think you’ve been, you’ll miss a ton.  Editing isn’t personal.  Rules are rules, and no matter how good I think something is, it needs to be said the right way.  Also, English can be learned—she’s been through part of my second book and has commented that I’ve improved greatly on the technical side of writing (hooray for me!).

Finally, I’ve realized why we never hear about people falling in love with their editor.  Agent?  Yes.  Bodyguard?  Yes.  Backup dancer?  Yes.  Director?  Yes.  Fans?  Yes.  Editor?  Not on your life.  I don’t think it is humanly possible to fall madly in love with someone who points out everything you do wrong.  Fortunately for me, I had fallen in love with her years before, so we didn’t have that hurdle to cross.  So my life, and my writing, is much better for it.

INTERVIEW WITH RAY GORHAM:

Welcome today to Ray Gorham visiting with me at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Hello Ray -

I thought your guest post was figurative until I read it and realized it was literal. That is great to have such support and assistance.

I have to tell you that I remember reading Alas Babylon back in the 1970s and I listened to it on Audible last year.  I enjoyed reading 77 Days in September as an updated perspective on an EMP attack against America through a very engaging story.

Q1.  What inspired you to write this particular story? 

RG: I had wanted to write a book for some time, but was tired of so many books with characters who were not moral people.  I don’t want saints, just people who try to do the right thing, even when it is really difficult.  In this story, I wanted to have people who, in the most difficult situation I could imagine, hold on to their decency, and try and do what’s right.

I very much appreciated the real characters you created and the morality aspects of your story.  

Q2.  What is the biggest obstacle you have to overcome when you want to write?

RG:  Finding the time to do it.  I have several ideas for books that I think could be quite enjoyable, but between work and family I don’t have the time I need to write.  I need to learn to do with less sleep I think, or things will never get done.

I can so relate to that problem. 

Q3.  Can you please share one thing you found surprising or unusual when researching or writing 77 Days in September?

RG:  The trigger in the story is an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP).  I found a report online that was prepared for congress a few years back, and reading their assessment of what would happen in with a low level EMP was way scary.  Most experts predict a mortality rate of over 50% for the entire population after the first year, and yet it is something we never hear about.  I ended up wanting to warn people as much as I wanted to entertain them.  Hopefully the book will inspire some people to become more prepared.

I agree that this is a threat that we tend to overlook or downplay.

Q4.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

RG:  It’s not really a hobby, but I like to think about life, and God, and people, and some of my reflections come out in the characters and their conversations.  I thought I kept it pretty light, but there have been a few negative reviews referencing those sections.  Oh well, could be worse, I guess.

I was actually a little disappointed you did not include more faith in the ending of the story. Overall though I thought the tone was balanced.

Q5. What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing and what one tip would you pass on to new authors?

RG:  It’s not really a tip, but I have Steven King’s book, On Writing, on audio book.  I’ve listened to it about three times and it helped give me the confidence I could do it.  In it, he compared writing a story to unearthing a dinosaur, said the writer does the digging and simply uncovers what is there.  It sounds kind of weird, but it worked for me.  For advice, I’d just say sit down and do it, but don’t expect a payback.  I’ve been pretty lucky, but most writers make next to nothing from their efforts. 

I am glad you are pleased with your efforts as I do think you are right that writing is a lot of work often with little monetary return.

Q6.  What do you normally read and what are you reading now? 

RG:  I like history and non-fiction.  I’m currently reading “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” by Thomas Cahill.  I also like Colleen McCulloch’s Masters of Rome series.  I really wish I had more time to read (and write, as well).

Thank you for sharing with my blog readers and me.

RG:  Greatly appreciate your time and interest. 

Find Ray and his book at these links:

http://www.facebook.com/ray.gorham

Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/77-Days-In-September/192933520729507

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/67990

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/77-Days-in-September-ebook/dp/B0052T1O6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312412424&sr=8-1

Q&A With Caridad Pineiro, Author of The Claimed

Please help me welcome Caridad Piñeiro

author of

The Claimed (Sin Hunters)

Questions for Caridad:
Q1  What is a “Typical” day like for you?

CP:  I am an early riser and during the week I head to work on the train.  I usually write on the train during the commute and that gives me some solid time to write.  When I head home, I try to get in some exercise and lots of time with my family.  I don’t normally write at night because I’m too tired, but if a deadline calls, I will do so.  On the weekends, I sleep in a little later (until 6) and then get up and put in a few hours of writing.  Then it’s off to do household chores or maybe a nice long stroll along the boardwalk.

Q2  Claimed is part of the Sin Hunter Series. I am always curious about series books: did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

CP:  I had a very strong idea about the plots for the first two books.  I knew I was going to introduce the world and the Hunters in the first book and then really build on their powers and the mythology in the second.  Of course, I also knew what the romances would be like in both because for me it’s important to have a strong emotional arc for the characters.  As I was finishing up the second book, I knew which two characters would headline in the third and based on what had happened in the battles, created the storyline for books 3 and 4 – THE SHATTERED and THE HUNTED.

Q3  How do find your characters and personalities?  Is there any special inspiration?

CP:  They say writers are the only people where it’s okay to have someone talking to them in their heads!  My characters come to me very powerfully and scream for me to write their stories.  It’s also usually the female characters and because I want them to really have to work to have the happily-ever-after, I generally try to set up the worst possible guy and/or climax for them.  In THE CLAIMED, it can’t get any worse for Victoria than to fall in love with her mortal enemy and I knew it would be hard work for them to get together.

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

CP:  I am a Type AA.  I am very driven and determined, but also kind and friendly.  Basically shy which shocks a lot of people.  I’ve only learned to be more extroverted because of my day job and also because of the writing.  I’ve been lucky to meet so many fabulous people with the writing and I would have missed them if I hadn’t gotten over my shyness.

Q5  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?

CP:  It’s very frustrating to want something to work when it isn’t going the way you want.  But as Einstein said, lunacy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  So I guess what I’m saying is that if it’s not working, you need to step back and figure out a different way of approaching it, otherwise you will continue to be frustrated.  When that happens to me, I’ll take a long walk or a shower.  Both help me clear my brain and think about what I might be doing wrong in a scene and how to get it to work better.

Questions for Victoria:

Q6  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality? 

Victoria: I’m determined to help my people do better, but I’m also lonely because of the weight of leadership.  I’d love to find a partner that could help me carry that burden.

Q7  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

Victoria:  “I can’t….”  There is nothing that I can’t do because I will work hard at accomplishing what I want for myself and my people.

Q8  Do you have any pet peeves? 

Victoria:  People who pollute the environment or litter.  We all share the world and leave it for our children, so we should respect it and care for it.

Q9  What do you do for fun when you aren’t helping your family, friends or managing your business? 

Victoria:  I love to do all kinds of water sports like kayaking, surfing and swimming.  My natural affinity is for the water, so I love to spend as much time as I can in it.

Q10  What is the one thing your reader’s would be surprised to know about you?

Victoria:  That I wish I was more human.  Having the powers that I have brings great responsibility and that can be tiring if you don’t have someone by your side.

Final Question:

Q11  If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

 If I could shapeshift, I’d love to become a ……

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a copy of The Claimed:
1. Answer the author's Question in red at Q11.  This is required for entry.

2. For another entry:  Make a meaningful comment on the interview or review (previous post).

3.  For two extra entries: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.

4.  For one more 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.

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

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

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 22, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 23. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Interview and Giveaway (Open Worldwide) with Jacquie Rogers, Author

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

Questions for Jacquie:

Q1  What inspired you to write western romance?

JR: Thanks so much for inviting me today, Martha!  Ah, western romance—I have a contemporary out although right now I’m peddling my western historical series, ♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥, so I can apply the answer to both.  Mostly it has to do with where I grew up, which is in Owyhee County in the southwest corner of Idaho. 

Time sorta passed us by out there, although we were blissfully unaware of it.  Our family went to Grange dances on Saturday nights where they played Little Brown Jug and old songs of that ilk.  Not a week went by but what there would be some sort of community event—a farmer might be laid up and need his fields plowed, disked, harrowed, and planted; or maybe someone was building a house.  We’d pack up food and tools, then make a day of it.  I had no idea that people didn’t do this everywhere.

Then there’s the history of the place.  Drive south and you can visit a mining town, Silver City, that never knew it was supposed to be a ghost town.  Many of the buildings have be preserved and made into residences.  The Idaho Hotel is still in operation.  And it still doesn’t have electricity.  It’s a wonderful place to spend a day.

Not too far from our farm is an old stage stop.  We explored every inch of it as kids, played cowboys and robbers, and had a ball.  Oh, and we rode our horses all over everywhere.  In the other direction from the stage stop is Graveyard Point, which is well-known in rockhound circles for its geodes.  We didn’t much care about that but we sure had a lot of fun riding there and swimming in the canal below.  Some of these features are in the third book in the series, Much Ado About Mavericks, which will be released in a couple weeks.

What specifically inspired me?  Maybe it was those Holsteins—I wanted them to be Texas Longhorns.  Or it could’ve been Dad’s Buick, which I thought of as a stagecoach under attack.  As a kid, my mind kept thinking up all these stories and, well, I guess I just never grew up!

Q2  I just reviewed Much Ado About Marshals and I see that you have a new title out called Much Ado About Madams. Are your books stand alone or part of a series and if series did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent book(s) flow from the first?

JR: The series, ♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥, is actually a set of books connected by time, location, and a few peripheral characters.  It’s not a true series with an overall story arc, or any cliffhanger endings.  The books can be standalone and read in any order.  In fact, the second book, Much Ado About Madams, actually takes place a couple years before MuchAdo About Marshals, which was released first.  I’m currently writing Daisy’s sister’s story in the fourth book, Much Ado About Miners.  I’m not very far into that book yet so it will be at least six months before it sees the light of day. 

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

JR: I had to do quite a bit of research into patent medicines and I, in my naïveté, had no idea that heroine and cocaine were common ingredients in them.  Anyone could get these medicines and many substances that are illegal or regulated now were as common as aspirin.  (Side note: In 1900, Bayer trademarked both Aspirin and Heroin, but lost the trademarks in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles.) 

I used Hoffstetter’s Stomach Bitters, which contained heroine, so the widows, who both took it for “nervousness,” displayed signs of heroin addiction, which I also had to research.  Of course, addiction wasn’t common knowledge so my characters’ perspective was mostly that the widows were a little crazy.  Another patent medicine, Dr. Liebig’s Lost Manhood Restorer, well, I’ll just let everyone wonder how I used that. Hahaha.

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

JR: Cole Richards came from several sources.  His pure heart and altruism come from a man who owned a farm near ours.  His dilemma came from a song about a woman who was in love with two men, and I wondered what that would be like if the two men were brothers, from the “losing” brother’s point of view.  And the identity issues come straight from Shakespeare, who loved to write romantic comedies where no one was who anyone else thought they were.  I find that concept irresistible!

Daisy was one of the most stubborn characters I ever worked with.  I knew the moment I imagined her bounding up the steps of the Oreana general store (now a church)  carrying a package, that this was a fireball of a woman who knew what she wanted and was absolutely determined to get it, whether it was appropriate or not.  But I didn’t know exactly what she did want, and she simply wouldn’t tell me.  She taunted me and refused to cooperate until I guessed her secret.  She’d let me write about two chapters, then slam on the brakes.  Finally, after many iterations, there she was pouring her heart out to me, but still laughing at me because she’d given me a rocky ride. 

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

JR: Happy.

Q6  What gave you the idea to create the smart, loveable character of Katie, the mule?

JR: Her owner was rather eccentric—he over-compensated for his small stature by learning Kung Fu, and he certainly didn’t follow any trends.  Others thought they had it made when they could buy a blooded horse, so he bought a blooded mule.  Then I did quite a bit if research on mules because I’ve never owned one.  I always thought they were like horses only more stubborn.  Come to find out, mules that come from superior horse and donkey stock are far smarter, stronger, and have completely different personalities than horses do.  In one training manual, the author equates mule personality more to that of a dog only more intelligent.  Add in the current passion for mule racing, and Katie the racing mule was born. 

She doesn’t play a large part in the book, but a strong one.  And even more importantly, she spawned the idea for Socrates in Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues and Merlin in Willow, Wish For Me.

Questions for Daisy:

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

Daisy: Determined.

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

Daisy: I’d never be stuck out on a farm raising chickens and children while my husband had all the fun.

Q3  Do you have any pet peeves?

Daisy: I simply cannot abide dishonesty.  If a man can’t tell the truth, I won’t be giving him the time of day.

Q4  When did you first become interested in crime investigation?

Daisy: I’m not sure whether my interest in forensic criminology came from the dime novel heroine, Honey Beaulieu, Lady Detective, or whether she triggered my latent interest.  Have you read Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi?  Fascinating book, and in that story, fingerprints were used to identify the murderer.  And in real life, there was Kate Warne who worked as a Pinkerton detective before the War Between the States.  I always admired her.

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

Daisy: I can track clues, sort out what’s real and what’s bogus, and spend hours examining whorls in a fingerprint, but those organizational skills don’t transfer to, um, (whispers) housekeeping.

Find Jacquie and her books at these links:

Much Ado About Marshals (Print): http://amzn.com/146639952X

Much Ado About Marshals (Kindle): http://amzn.com/B0058ON1LS

Much Ado About Madams (Kindle): http://amzn.com/B007HRTQ0O

Website: http://www.JacquieRogers.com

Romancing The West: http://romancingthewest.blogspot.com

Jacquie’s blog: http://jacquierogers.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JacquieRogersAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JacquieRogers

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jacquierogers

 

Thank you to Jacquie for offering a GIVEAWAY for one lucky commenter:

US Only: Autographed print copy of MuchAdo About Marshals 
Canada or International: Kindle copy of Much Ado About Marshals and a $10 Amazon gift certificate.

Daisy's Final Question for the giveaway: 

Daisy: If faced with the dilemma where being honest and true to the person you love would place your closest friend in danger of losing his life, you’d __________.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Make a meaningful comment on the Interview or Review -  something more specific please than "nice review", "good interview" - note some detail. :-).
2.  For an extra 2 entries, answer Daisy's Final Question.
3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
(Four total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER - either print or kindle + GC!

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 1, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on June 2 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.