February 13, 2013

The Valentine Interviews:  Shirley Hailstock

Author Shirley Hailstock wraps up the Valentine Interviews with a mini-interview about her latest offering, Legacy.

Bettye: Shirley, what's your story about?

Shirley: Legacy is the story of Michael Lawrence, a traumatized attorney who’s turned his back on the law.  Discovering he is the heir to a fortune, he must return to the city and work with Erika St. James, the beautiful new president of a multinational corporation.  While his thoughts of her stray from the boardroom to the bedroom, someone else has plans to make him pay for past deeds.  And Erika is the pawn he’ll use to force Michael into the open.

Bettye: I don't know how I missed this when it was first published as an Arabesque romance, but now that it's available as an eBook, I'm going to pick up a copy. Can you share with us your inspiration for writing this particularly storyline?

Shirley: Often stories just pop in a writer’s head.  This didn’t happen with Legacy.  The hero, Michael, popped into my head.  He sat on that mountain in Maryland for three years before I found a story for him.  I was on my way to Philadelphia.  I can’t remember why, but I was driving South on Route 95 and the city appeared before me on an extremely clear day.  I looked the skyline of huge building and thought, money; that’s how I’ll get him to come down.  I’ll make him an heir.  Once Erika showed up as the heroine, the story congealed in my head and I plotted it out and wrote.

Bettye: I'm so happy to hear I'm not the only one who gets partial ideas that marinate for years before it all comes together! What would you say to those readers who haven’t read your book about why they would like it?

Shirley: I believe they would like it for the same reason I like it.  I love strong women characters.  I love men who can be vulnerable, but are equal to the heroine.  I love a mystery along with the romance.  So if a reader likes Sandra Brown, she’ll probably like my books.

Bettye:  Forget those semi-abusive alpha males and give me a vulnerable man any day! Do you have any special plans for Valentine’s Day?

Shirley:  Unfortunately, I don’t.  There’s no special man in my life right now and I have a deadline very close to Valentine’s Day.  I’ll probably be writing/editing/polishing the book to get it in on time.

Bettye: Good luck meeting that deadline, Shirley!  Thanks for stopping by.

Readers, Legacy by Shirley Hailstock is now available at Amazon, BN.com, and Smashwords. Download your copy today!   

February 11, 2013

The Valentine Interviews:  Lynn Emery

There's been a lot going on in the world of author Lynn Emery, and she's here to tell us about her latest eBook plus a new audiobook!

Bettye: Lynn, tell us about your new projects.

Lynn: Sweet Mystery is about a woman coming home back to her hometown to bury her father. She is pulled into unraveling a fifty-year-old family “Whodunit?” and the mystery of making love last. My audiobook, A Darker Shade of Midnight, is about an interracial crime fighting couple facing down supernatural and human villains.

Bettye: I read Sweet Mystery when it was initially published under the Arabesque line of paperbacks, and I enjoyed it immensely.  It had a lot of atmosphere, and your writing transported me from my home environment to the Louisiana bayou.  I could practically smell the Spanish moss on the trees!  

What inspired you to tell these stories?

Lynn: Rae Dalcour, the heroine, is a blues musician. I love the blues and tangled family mysteries. A Darker Shade of Midnight is about the Cajun/Creole cultural beliefs about the paranormal world.

Bettye: I admit to enjoying the blues myself (I didn't always, but I married a blues lover and have learned to appreciate the art), and I absolutely adore tangled family background stories.  What would you say to someone not familiar with your work to try to get them to give you a try?

Lynn: Readers who love a good mystery, colorful characters and a flavor of Louisiana culture will enjoy Sweet Mystery. Those who like a good mystery with a little other worldly flavor will enjoy A Darker Shade of Midnight. Both have sensual love stories woven in.

Bettye: And don't forget the atmosphere!  I love the way the settings are incorporated into your cover designs.

Any special plans for Valentine's Day?

Lynn: I can’t say I’ll do anything special on Valentine’s Day, as I’m single at the moment.  :-)

Bettye: And you've certainly been busy...Lynn, thanks so much for stopping by.  

Readers, Sweet Mystery is available in print and Kindle formats at Amazon, in Nook format at Barnes & Noble, and in all eBook formats at Smashwords.  The audiobook of A Darker Shade of Midnight (this title is also available in print and eBook) is available at Amazon. 

February 8, 2013

The Valentine Interviews:  Deborah Fletcher Mello

Today Deborah Fletcher Mello, author of the Stallion series, stops by to chew the fat about her latest Kimani Romance, Passionate Premiere.

Bettye: Debby, tell us what Passionate Premiere is about.

Deborah: Passionate Premiere is the first official book in the Boudreaux Family series.  Renowned actor Guy Boudreaux meets his match in famed filmmaker Dahlia Morrow.  With a reputation for having left a trail of broken hearts behind her, Dahlia isn’t at all happy when the bad-boy actor tempts her to mix business with pleasure.

Bettye: I have to tell you that I'm fascinated with the filmmaking process, so a heroine in that profession has strong appeal for me. Early reviews show this is already an audience favorite. What inspired you to write this particular storyline?

 

Deborah: The Boudreaux Family was a natural spin off from my Stallion family series.  In my book Seduced by a Stallion, Katrina Boudreaux married Matthew Stallion and her brother Mason Boudreaux meets the love of his life, the newly discovered Stallion sister, Phaedra Parrish, in my book Forever A Stallion.  As this family started to develop I loved everything about them.  I was most enamored with the fact that they weren’t all billionaire playboys which allows me a wealth of flexibility with their storylines and my writing.

Bettye: I know what you mean...a few billion goes a long way, and I'm not just talking about the bucks. If someone told you they weren't familiar with your work, what would you say to try to convince them to read your new book? 

 

Deborah: I think readers will like Passionate Premiere because Guy and Dahlia are just a likeable couple.  They’re both building high profile careers and learning how to balance both their professional and personal lives.  They’re also exceptionally passionate with each other and it made for a few really steamy sex scenes.

Bettye: Mmm...A high likeability factor, and steamy sex, too. 

Any special plans for Valentine's Day, Debby?

 

Deborah: Every day with my favorite guy is Valentine’s Day!  We spend a lot of quality time with each other.  He makes my heart sing and inspires most of my stories.  I’m sure this Valentine’s Day will have its share of surprises for us both.

Bettye: I always felt that love is better than anything...Thanks, Debby!

Passionate Premiere is now available at Amazon, Nook, and eHarlequin! Download a copy (or pick up a print copy), and fall in love with the Boudreauxes! 

February 6, 2013

The Valentine Interviews:  Iris Bolling

I'm pleased to welcome Iris Bolling to Chewing The Fat. Iris is the author of the popular Gems and Gents series.  Her latest novel, The Pendleton Rule, went into effect (was published) January 31st.

Bettye: Iris, tell us what you book is about.

Iris: A year ago, Tyrone “Ty” Pendleton connected with Kendra “Kiki” Simmons due to their friends’ dilemma. They shared months of hot passion that neither will ever forget. An emotional difference of opinion created a rift the couple could not overcome.

Proud and stubborn, literary agent Kiki moved to New York to work with her father’s publishing company and to put distance between her and the man who controls her heart.

Successful entertainment agent, Ty, accepted Kiki’s decision to walk away and moved on with his life—until danger surfaced, threatening her life and the lives of others connected to him.

Bound together by uncontrollable forces, Ty and Kiki search for their enemy while trying to resist the passion that burns within—without dying or breaking…The Pendleton Rule.

Bettye: I love that title, BTW.  Can you share your inspiration for writing it?

Iris: The responses to my novel, Night of Seduction/Heaven’s Gate, always had one question...What happened to Tyrone and Kiki? The Pendleton Rule is the response to that question. The nerd-like, always-taking-care-of-others Ty and the spicy, smart-mouthed Kiki had chemistry from the beginning, even when I was writing the first book. I guess I could say the characters inspired The Pendleton Rule.

Bettye: Ah, the spillover effect! Gotta keep the readers happy...when they say they want to know more about two characters, you've got to honor their wishes and give them what they want. I know how that works. Iris, what would you say to readers who haven't yet read your work about why they would enjoy this book? 

Iris: I would say, reading one of my novels is like finding a new love, or a new best friend. You want to spend your time getting to know everything about them. The books have characters you want to hate, some you will definitely love and some where all you can do is shake your head and wonder what on earth possessed you.

Bettye: Did you hear that, readers? If you like characters who are fully developed, this is the author for you!  And Iris has a large backlist of titles to dig into!

Any special plans for Valentine's Day, Iris?

Iris: I never plan Valentine’s Day. My sweetie of 22 years always plans Valentine’s Day. I never know what we are going to do until that morning. However, I do know the night will end with a red box with something sexy in it. :)

Bettye: Well, I wish you a Happy and a Sexy Valentine's Day to you and your sweetie!

Readers, The Pendleton Rule is now in effect at Amazon and Nook!  

February 5, 2013

Review This

There is an interesting post about What Makes a Review Fair? over at The Writer's Guide to ePublishing (WG2E). Guest blogger Talli Roland makes some highly sensible guidelines for writing book reviews. It's worth a look!

February 4, 2013

The Valentine Interviews:  AlTonya Washington

AlTonya Washington, author of the wildly popular Ramsey series, has a new Kimani Romance eBook out (the print copy was published last month, the eBook on February 1st).  She's joining me today to give readers the scoop:

Bettye: AlTonya, what's your new novel about? 

AlTonya: In Provocative Territory, Elias Joss, construction entrepreneur, workaholic, a serious, sexy specimen who has vowed to never be the kind of man his father was. Clarissa David, general manager of her aunt’s chain of gentleman’s clubs, a workaholic in her own right and a curvaceous petite beauty who is the image of the woman Elias’ father almost left his family for. When Elias falls and falls hard for his company’s newest client he berates himself to no end and can’t help but wonder whether he’s got more of his father’s players instinct than he would like. Clarissa is more than a little curious about what she’s done to rile the tall, teal-eyed male but can’t argue the fact that he’s far too provocative for his own good…or hers.

Bettye: I've gotta tell you I love the name Elias. I like the part about women owning gentlemen's clubs...sets sexism back a few pegs, doesn't it?  What inspired you to write this particular storyline?

      AlTonya: From time to time, I sit and jot down ideas (usually a sentence or two) about a basic premise for a story I’d like to write. I compile all these brief ideas in a folder, and my ‘idea’ for this story came to me one day at my desk (day job desk). I thought about the chain of events that might occur when a man meets a beautiful woman and is struck by twin emotions of intrigue and irritation because she is a dead ringer for the woman his father almost left his mother for. Furthermore, the beautiful woman who has intrigued the hero is the niece of his father’s mistress.

Bettye: Great minds think alike.  I have a similar plotline in my own Idea file.  I watched a old movie biopic of a female scientist, looked up her life story, and found something scandalous with such a wonderful twist I couldn't believe it really happened.  But I digress...onto my next question. Your longtime fans will no doubt pick up this book, but why would you tell readers not familiar with your work why they should read it?  

AlTonya: There’s a lot more going on here than the initial issues between the hero and heroine. The storyline goes a lot deeper than Elias's perspective regarding Clarissa’s looks. The unexpected cancellation of another of Elias’s construction jobs rouses a chain of curious revelations that lead suspicion right back to the gentlemen’s clubs owned by Clarissa’s aunt. I think readers will enjoy the gradual progression of the events that comprise this book. During the writing, I was consistently amazed by how these characters really dictated the story. I think that fact made for a very interesting unfolding of the details and believe readers will find it an enjoyable read.

Bettye: I enjoy a nicely layered romance myself. Any special plans for Valentine's Day, AlTonya?

4       AlTonya: Well…that’s a Thursday, so chances are I’ll be working the library desk that evening. But I won’t complain as long as I have a new episode of Vampire Diaries on the DVR and waiting for me when I get home! J  

Bettye: Thanks for stopping by the blog, AlTonya...and Happy Valentine's Day!  

AlTonya's latest, Provocative Territory, is available in both print and eBook at Amazon, Nook, and eHarlequin!

February 1, 2013

The Valentine Interviews:  Chicki Brown

Chicki Brown, author of Ain't Too Proud to Beg, has a brand new novella out just in time for Valentine's Day!  She's here for a mini-interview to tell us all about it...

Bettye:  Chicki, what's your novella about?

Chicki:  You Make Me Feel Brand New is the story of personal chef Jan Davis, a forty-seven-year-old divorcee who falls in love with sports management agent Mac Sinclair, a man eleven years her junior, and how her daughters and his mother react to the relationship.

Bettye: Mmm, yummy. Sex and food, two of my favorites. What can be better? Can you share your inspiration for writing it?

Chicki: This novelette was originally part of a novel about four women over the age of forty, each facing a major life decision. When I wrote the original manuscript, “girlfriend” stories were very popular. By the time I went through the traditional publishing submission route, these stories were no longer hot, so I broke the book up into four stories that I could expand and then self-publish.

I came up with the idea when I considered how my own daughters, who have very different personalities, might react to their mother being in a situation like Jan’s.

Bettye: Sounds like a winner. I personally have always enjoyed the multi-female books.  I wrote one called Once Upon A Project, published in 2008, which was also about four women facing major life decisions, except my group was about to turn 50.  I must say, I'm intrigued by Jan's particular dilemma.  If you're gonna have an issue that causes static in your life, you might as well get some good sex out of the deal, right?

What would you say to those readers who haven't yet read your books about why they would like this particular title?

Chicki: I think if most women are honest, they will confess they have thought at least once about what it might be like to be involved with a hot, younger man. A May/December romance can be a hot button issue, and I believe readers with see the story from the point of view of either Jan, her daughters or Mac’s mother.

Bettye: I know I daydream about it!  My fantasy men have gotten a little older, though, as I've aged.  It used to be Idris Elba; now it's Eamonn Walker...and I've always had a crush on George Clooney.  The age difference there isn't enough to raise any eyebrows--only about four or five years--but they're definitely hot!  

Tell us, do you have any special plans for Valentine's Day?

Chicki: No. My books are way more romantic than my real life. After you’ve been married for thirty-six years, making a big deal over one day is no longer important. LOL!

Bettye: Well, whatever you do, enjoy!  And thanks for stopping in to tell readers about your new novella!

You Make Me Feel Brand New is available now for Kindle and Nook.  It's also available at Kobo for all of us with Sony or Kobo eReaders that take ePUB. Download your copy today, and get your romance on!