Interview with Kissa Starling, author of Kismet!

Please help me welcome Kissa Starling who has taken time from the holiday season o share in this interview!

M: Your website tells us how you started writing very young. How long did it take you to get published?

Kissa: I was very interested in writing at a young age but didn’t think of writing romance until a few years ago. I entered a Christmas contest I came upon on the internet and was so sure I would win. I didn’t but they did send me a lot of feedback and said they liked my writing. A few months after that I signed my first contract. That was before I adhered to the philosophy about putting all of ones eggs in one basket. I signed four contracts with that publisher and they closed down. It took me about a year to recoup from that. I’ve learned to vary my interests now and things are going great!

M: Oh OUCH – That was a hard lesson!
How many books do you have now??

Kissa: (Had to look at my website for that) I currently have nine single titles out, eight stories in anthologies, and four releases scheduled so far for 2010. Cracker Cowgirl will be released in January from Red Rose Publishing, Vegas Vixens 4Ever will be released in February from Love You Divine Publishing (all proceeds go to charity), Rick’s Story will be released around the beginning of the summer and Lil’ Pet Brat will be released in May by Cleis Press.

I have many other stories on the way…

M: That is good news for us readers!!
What genres do you write? Are there any you would like to write in or don’t see yourself writing in ever?

Kissa: I write in a variety of genres. Of course that all has to do with how you describe genres. I usually do it by readers. I have one set of readers who only read my lesbian works, another that only read my Lifestyle Series, some who read anything labeled erotic romance and then others who prefer the sweet, behind closed doors, kind of romance. I enjoy them all. I read, and write, by my moods, so I have to say I have delved into every area I’m interested in so far. That doesn’t mean I won’t branch out even more in the future. I doubt I will ever write m/m stories because I have no experience with those and don’t usually read them either. That said, some authors are such great story tellers that I read them and the gender of the couple doesn’t matter at all.

M: Well siad! How important to know your readers!!
Can you describe your writing in three words?

Kissa: Multi-modal experience.

M: Interesting choice of words but I think it fits!!
Kismet is such a lovely, sweet story. What was your inspiration for this book?

Kissa: A lot of my stories begin with a thread of truth. I heard a story about an older man remarrying and his family wasn’t happy about it. Not long after a few authors at Red Rose Publishing decided to do a series of books that focused on love after forty. Nancy O’Berry headed the project and we had so much fun working together. I love making characters as southern as possible and Harold gave me that chance. Things kind of barreled from there.

M: I may just have to look for more of that series – this one was so heartwarming!
What is something unique about you that you would like to tell the blogger audience?

Kissa: I’m a kid at heart. My husband still records all of the Christmas specials for me every year. I love to play in the once-a-year snow we get here in Georgia. Oh yes, and I still color every chance I get!

M: Ha – an artist in more than one media!

To learn more about Kissa please visit her website: www.kissastarling.com

Comment on the interview for an extra entry in the Giveaway but make sure you enter the Giveaway post!

Winner of Avenging Allaire!

 Thank you to everyone who entered!  I am guessing that not everyone reads eBooks or pdfs which is a shame as you will miss out on some wonderful books!

I noted as I went through the list on this group that several entrants forgot to leave their e-mail info. I counted all 10 entries and fortunately Random.org picked one so I didn't have to deal with checking profiles to find an e-mail!

Congratulations go to:

I will e-mail you - please respond to confirm within 72 hours.
 BTW - I had to include this link to a fun interveiw with Allaire and Margie! This gives you a small bit of feel for the author's SASS!

Five Winners of It Happened One Night!!

First I confirmed comments, followers and postings!! That resulted in 72 entries! Then off to Random.org I went for five numbers!!

#7 - S7Anna (Facebook post)         Confirmed
#42 - JustPeachy36 (Comment)  Confirmed
#16 - Donnas (Following) - Won elsewhere New Winner #70 Twifanheather! (Comment)
#26 - Pam Keener (Following) Confirmed
and last (but of course not least!)
#53 - Sharon54220 (Following) Confirmed

I'll be e-mailing each of you to fill out the form;
please confirm that you have!
Enjoy the book when you get it!!
I'm enjoying reading it tonight!

Monday's Mailbox December 14, 2009

This Meme starts with Marcia

at The Printed Page

I received two books last week that weren't review books:

Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen - won on the November Giveaways at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Thank you J. Kaye!
I like to read Harlequin books
for quick reads in between other books!

I also won Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

at Anne Bradshaw's Place!

I look forward to reading this

romantic suspense from one of the authors

at The Sweetest Romance Blog

and group.

What are you reading on Mondays? December 14, 2009

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog

I finished some very good books last week!
[Note re codes:  YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review.  There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB:  ----------------

Kindle2:  Wayward Angels - Wounded Warriors Book 4 by Karen Wiesner.  This was a wonderful story giving insight into the struggles of coping with Bipolar disorder! Review to be sent in this week for the author and YGR. An interview and Giveaway with Karen Wiesner, a multi-published author, is coming in January!

            The Spell by Regan Taylor - This romantic suspense has paranormal overtones in the nature of reincarnated lifes.  Lots of mystery and sensual intensity! Review to be sent to CR.

           Right Under Her Nose by LeAnn Coston. This is a good story of two long time friends where the man realizes he loves her but she can't seem to see what is under her nose. Review to be sent to CR.

          Love Thy Neighbor by Patricia Bates. I very much enjoyed this Historical western with feuding neighbors who are too stubborn to admit they love each other! Review to be sent to YGR.

Audible: ---------

Audio CD: True Blue by David Baldacci.  This is a very good action thriller.  J.Kaye and I did a "listen along" on Twitter which was a lot of fun. Audio from Hachette; Review to be posted soon at MBS.  Giveaway in progress.

**************************

 Currently reading: 

PB:  It Happened one Night by Lisa Dale. Can long time friends recognize that they may be meant for one another amid the complication that she is pregant by anothe man? Giveaway ended last night - courtesy of Hachette.  Hoping to post the review late today or Tuesday morning.

Getting Lucky by Carolyn Brown. Neighboring ranchers butt heads!  J.Kaye and I will be doing a Twitter read along on this one starting this week. Reviewing for CR.

Then I'll get back to:
Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson. A thriller about four murderers, 18 to 81, in a forensic psychiatric ward. Reading and reviewing for author through Bostwick. Only just started into this.

Kindle2:  Angel and the Lawman by Barbara W. Starmer.   Historical Western. Reviewing for CR.

Next up:  Call Me Kate, Meeting the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe - Historical fiction about a 14 year old who infilitrates a secret Irish organization.  Reviewing on my blog, MBS, for Tribute Books.

and Released by Kimber Chin. A short suspense. Reviewing for YGR.

Audible: (March to the Sea by David Weber and John Ringo, my own TBR - on hold again - no reading on this till I get reviews caught up.)

Audio CD: What the Dog Saw by Malcom Gladwell.  I just started this and it started much better than I expected from the blurb!  Audio from Hachette. Reviewing for YGR.  Giveaway in progress.