Interview with Fantasy Romance Author Serena Clarke

Serena Clarke is from sunny Southern Utah. She has loved writing since she was young and has taken several writing classes. She loves fantasy with a hint of romance. Serena has a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and is a member of the Red Mountain Shadows Publishing team. She is passionate about learning, reading, art, and design. She also enjoys designing book covers for many authors.

“Fantastic read! Lots of adventure and a truly humble hero that is worth admiring! Prince Ander and Rimelda each have so much responsibility on their shoulders. They are determined to protect Camdia and free their people from the darkness. In the process, they learn about themselves and each other. I loved that both the hero and the heroine are both such very good people. They each are willing to sacrifice much to overcome the darkness that is destroying their lands. I love that it is their truly good qualities that helps them conquer their enemies!” --Cheryl Larson

Welcome back to my blog, Serena. The Isian Series is a trilogy. Each book has its own plot and can be read separately, although it’s best to begin at the beginning. The Secret of Isian is the third book in the series and is full of romance, intrigue, and mystery. Please tell us about your new book.

Many prophecies have been uttered about the impending war and those who will seek to stop it. With the war finally upon them, Rimelda, a talented seer, has heard the prophecies and believes she can help. Prince Ander, doubtful of her abilities and her true intensions, but determined to save his kingdom accepts her help and they proceed on a quest to end the war. Hindered by enemies as well as their own doubts, Ander and Rimelda must search for guidance in unlikely places and unravel the mysteries of the prophecies. 

With the world shrouded in darkness, will Ander accept his destiny in time to save the kingdoms and will he admit his true feelings for Rimelda?

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

Prince Ander is introduced in the first book of the series, The Treasure of Isian.  I absolutely loved his character.  He is generous, genuine and courageous.  After finishing the first book, I knew he was going to return to the series.  He was worthy of being a main character and having his own story told.  When I thought about who he was and what kind of adventures he would have and what would help him grow as a character, I came up with the plot for The Secret of Isian. 

Since this is fantasy and almost anything goes, do you have to do any research?

Absolutely.  Though I get to bend the rules a lot because I write fantasy, there are still things that need to be researched.  Emotions that may be experienced by my characters; tools and weapons they might use and the techniques to wield them, for example.  One thing I had to put extensive research into was the practice of knife-fighting and knife-throwing, because Ander is an expert with knives.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

Since I have already told a little about Ander, I will tell you about my other favorite character in The Secret of Isian, and that is Rimelda.  Rimelda is a seer.  She can see the future.  She is confident in her abilities.  She respects those who earn her respect.  She does not care about titles and does not seek praise. 

I read The Secret of Isian and loved it. You are absolutely right about Rimelda. She is a completely different character than any of your other heroines. Where can my readers find you and your books online?

You can visit my website: serenaclarke.wordpress.com

You can also find my books at redmountainshadowspublishing.wordpress.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Isian-Book-ebook/dp/B01AOU7VZM

The books in this series are called: The Treasure of Isian, The Alliance of Isian, and The Secret of Isian. They are in paperback and ebook form. Since I have read this Romantic/Fantasy, my review is below:

“The Secret of Isian is a fast moving tale. Not only does it have romance, but also lots of action, intrigue, and battles as the characters make their trek to save the kingdom. While Prince Ander learns to accept his destiny, he also realizes that his love for Rimelda is growing day by day. For the first time in his life, he has met his match! She is spunky, obstinate, and frustrating. But at the same time, she intrigues Ander because she demands respect. Even from the prince!” –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

Interview with Sweet Romance Author Renee Blare

Born in Arkansas and raised in Louisiana and Wyoming, Renee Blare finds herself nestled against the Black Hills with her husband, crazy dogs and ornery cat. She serves the community of northeastern Wyoming as a pharmacist while penning her Christian stories of action and intrigue. Her first book, Beast of Stratton was an ACFW Genesis semi-finalist and her series, the Snowy Range Chronicles captures the essence of life in the modern west with the release of To Soar on Eagle's Wings.
A true outdoor gal, she loves to fish and hunt and has been seen picking away on her classical guitar next to a mountain lake. She also enjoys interacting with readers and invites you check out her website, blog, and social media.

Welcome to my blog, Renee. Please tell us about your novel: To Soar on Eagle’s Wings.

Thank you for having me, Linda. I’m excited to be here. Of course, I’d love to tell you about To Soar. That’s what I like to call it. J It’s the first book of seven planned novels in my Snowy Range Chronicles series. The Snowy Range is a mountain range in the southern part of Wyoming. It’s in the foothills of these mountains that you’ll find Timber Springs (my own little paradise of a make-believe town where this series takes place…for the most part). This novel and series introduces the world to the rugged wiles of modern Wyoming life and follows the Fitzgerald family as they piece their lives back together following a tragedy which rips them apart at the seams…the death of Becca, the matriarch of the family.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I actually lived in Mt. Pleasant, Texas when I wrote this novel. I was far from the mountains of Wyoming and rather homesick. After buying a “Christian” book on Amazon and ranting for an hour about the not-so pure content I’d read in the first two chapters, my husband challenged me to “write my own.” So I did. What came to mind? Home. Not the multitude of trees, marshy lakes, or beautiful green landscape outside my window, but the towering rugged mountains, icy winters, and small town life of Wyoming so far, far away. I pictured a large family of children, Christian, but human, imperfect with their own little quirks. The Snowy Range Chronicles was born that day.

You are so right, Renee. We need more “clean” romances. What kind of research did you do?

To Soar on Eagle’s Wings was primarily written from my own experiences and knowledge. I did have to research current practices of the Wyoming Game and Fish and how they interact with local law enforcement to verify my own “opinions,” so to speak. Things do change over the years, you know. The upcoming books in the series have taken a bit more research. J The town of Timber Springs is a fictional town but for those who may be curious and know about Wyoming, it’s inspired by several real towns already in existence…Albany, Saratoga, Centennial, Lander, and Jackson. My little town is very small and is located at the foothills of the Snowy Range, southeast of Laramie.

Please tell us about the main character in this story and what you love about him or her.

Rachel Fitzgerald is a preacher’s daughter. She strives to be perfect but knows she’s not, and the illusion is an overbearing load. She’s also a twin which, in many ways, kept her steady and sane amidst the burden. But following her mother’s death, he vanishes from her life and she’s left to battle hers…alone. Rachel is a special person. She shows the battle every Christian faces, not just a preacher’s child. I love how she faces amazing pressure and insecurity and doesn’t buckle. She reaches into the depths of her soul and moves forward. Even in the face of uncertainty and fear, she has enormous strength and faith.

Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

About me? That’s the one thing that I’ve had to get used to about interviews. I don’t talk about myself very easily. Well, let’s see… I know. I remember a time in South Louisiana (I was born in the south.) when I went to a water park. It was such a cool place to go in the summertime. All of us kids congregated in the shallow end and goofed off as our parents lounged on the beach. The older kids usually took to the deeper part of the bayou or raced down the slide. We loved the dragon. It was tall and green and would spit water out of its snout. It kept us drenched as we splashed in the sweltering summer heat. Then…we’d giggle and dunk each other under the muddy water.

It wasn’t until a few years later and we’d moved to Wyoming that reports of this same park being closed drifted our way. I was confused. It was such a fun place to play! My mom said it was for the best but I was so disappointed. I’d never get to go back and splash under the dragon with my friends on summer vacation.

Years later, I discovered alarming news about the water park! It hadn’t merely been closed, but it had been closed the year after my last visit. A huge nest (ball) of water moccasins (snakes) had been disrupted by an unsuspecting child playing around the dragon in the exact spot where I’d been the year before. (They surmised the snakes had been there for a very long time.) I was shocked!

The Lord protected an unsuspecting fool and her friends that day. Why? I don’t know. But I really want to ask Him when I get to Heaven.

Thank you for this wonderful interview, Renee. Below is my review of To Soar on Eagle’s Wings.

"To Soar on Eagle's Wings is such a fun Christian Romance. Even though Rachel is having to deal with the loss of her mother and help her brothers and dearest friend with their little problems, she seems to keep it together. I also enjoyed that the author didn't dwell on the drama of the family, but centered on the the relationship of Rachel and Steve, whom she loved since her teenage years. Steve is so adorable. I loved the fact that he could cook and be so romantic with Rachel and yet he was totally masculine at the same time. I enjoyed this story very much." --Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

Visit Renee at these websites:

Website: http://www.reneeblare.com
Blog: https://reneeblare.blogspot.com
Group Blog: http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com
Contributor to Putting on the New Blog: http://puttingonthenew.com

Interview with Romance/Comedy Author Jennifer Peel

Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-one years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.

“His Personal Relationship Manager is a humorous love story. The bantering between Kenadie and Zander, her guy friend, is hilarious. Whenever Zander teases her, her response to him is adorable. You can tell that he wants to secretly set her up with his friend, Jason, but she won’t have any of it. Her relationship with her mother and her elderly friends is so funny, too. This story is fast paced because of the fun conversations between the characters. It’s a love story full of humor.” –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

Welcome back to my blog, Jennifer. Please tell us about your new romance: His Personal Relationship Manager.

His Personal Relationship Manager is the start of a new series called Dating by Design. This first book is a romantic comedy about savvy business woman, Kenadie Marshall, who is woefully unskilled in the personal arena. After being left at the altar, Kenadie swears off men and starts a high-tech dating service to help people avoid the same fate as her. What or who she didn’t count on was Jason Hadley, a mutual friend of her best friend Zander. Jason is obviously taken with her, but she is too damaged from her previous relationship to see it. Determined to win her over, he does anything and everything he can think of, even if it means using her firm’s service and dating other women to stay close to her.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I will have to give my daughter Kayla, the credit for this one. She came up with the idea of a “matchmaker” that refuses to have a relationship of her own.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I researched a lot of dating sites, which for a married person was a little strange. I also had to make sure I was using coding lingo correctly. Thankfully, my husband is a software developer. But my favorite research was hitting the beach. A huge scene in the book takes place in Florida. Best research trip ever!

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

My hero, Jason Hadley has the patience of Job. He knows what he wants and he goes after it, but not in an overbearing way. He uses humor and finesse. He has this way of making Kenadie feel comfortable in her own skin. He’s the perfect guy to take home to meet your parents.

 

Thank you so much for this interview, Jennifer.  I hope my readers will check out your books. Don’t forget to check out Jennifer’s websites online below.

http://www.jenniferpeel.com

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferpeelauthor

https://twitter.com/jpeel_author

Interview with Author Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

Kathryn loves the idea of finding all of the information for marketing in just one book. When she began marketing in 2002, papers were scattered everywhere - it was hard for her to find the marketing information she needed. Today, at her husband's request, she puts out a newly updated marketing book for herself and for other authors screaming for a little order in their lives. She loves reading, taking walks and spending time at the beach - a hard to reach venture in Utah where mountains are the rule.

Welcome back to my blog, Kathryn. This is an updated book for authors. Please tell us about your book.

Marketing Your Book on a Budget is a hands-on resource for authors needing to get a handle on reviews, blog interviews, free advertising, book trailers, and more. I update the book in January and weed out and add new great places to market for the new year. 

What is the best advice you can give an author?

Stick to it. You won't know everything in the beginning. Don't expect to, but keep an open mind and learn through trial and error what works and what doesn't. Marketing is the hard thing that comes after writing a book, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming or cost you loads of money to do right.

Did you use your own experiences for this book or add some from other authors?

Because this book is my experience only, everything has been tried out by me. If an avenue of marketing hasn't worked for me, I don't include it in the book.

Where can my readers find you online?

Authors can find me at: http://www.ariverofstones.com or at my place of business: http://www.ideacreationspress.com. Right now we have our first ever novel writing contest going! There is no entry fee and two winners will get free editing and their book published with Idea Creations Press!

Thank you so much, Kathryn, for this wonderful interview. I hope many authors will take advantage of this book and learn from it.

Interview with Fantasy Romance Author Anna Del C. Dye

Anna has written seven High Fantasy books in her Elf Series. Two in her Royal Romance Series. One middle grade boy’s Fairy book in electronic format only. She speaks Spanish as a first language and English. She loves fantasy, the medieval era, ruins and romantic music. Anna and her husband are the parents of three princes and a princess.

Don't forget to stop by regularly because I have a new interview and giveaway every week.

Welcome back to my blog, Anna. Please tell us about your Royal Romance, A Kingdom by the Sea.

A secret passageway conceals more than spider webs. The common belief in two kingdoms is that Serena, the Princess of Delmar, wants slaves. Even her fiancé loses his love for her, in commiseration with the islanders captured in her name. When she discovers his betrayal with Linah, a slave girl, it could be the end for Linah and all the slaves held prisoner in Delmar. A brokenhearted princess, now the queen, could become a weapon too powerful and deadly for her opponents to survive. And what will she do about the spies and political intrigue found in Delmar? Will this new queen use her powers to bring destruction to both kingdoms? To mend the rift between her and her fiancé? Or use it as a reason to become a true and kind monarch to her people?

A Kingdom by the Sea is book two in my Royal Romance Series. It has Spanish names and happens by the shores of Chile, my native country. “Serena,” the main character’s name means “mermaid” in Spanish. Her kingdom is “Delmar” which means “from the sea.” “Miramar” the capital’s name, means “look at the sea” or “lookout toward the sea.” Both of these names are those of real cities in Valparaiso, Chile.

In this story is also mentioned their great wine industry, a similitude to the real Chile which has the best wine and grape industry in South America.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

The night after I saw the musical AIDA, I couldn’t sleep because I was disappointed with the ending. I spent the night thinking what would I have done different if it was my story and by morning Kingdom by the Sea had been born.

Aida has a ship’s captain and he is the main protagonist. He is the princess’ lover and he does fall in love with a slave girl. Kingdom by the Sea has some of these elements but the story follows the princess and her awakening to a world she was part of but never knew. It turns out completely different from the musical Aida and that is what makes it awesome.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Mostly memories of my childhood and the scenes I saw when growing up. The salty smell in the air, the seagulls’ noise at the beach and the sea breeze in my face. I also read how to get the names of the different parts of a ship right and a bit about what is entailed in navigating a ship.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

Princess Serena, she is a naïve, self-centered and quite “blond” for a black haired girl. Her fiancé of many years becomes disappointed with the princess when he is told to get slaves for her. After a couple of years, he takes refuge in the company of a beautiful slave girl. The princess, now the queen, is devastated by his betrayal, and the lives of all the slaves in her realm are now at risk because of it. Could she use her new found power to force the captain’s fulfillment of his promise to her? But, why gain his love back when she doesn’t even know what love is… she has never felt it.

What about  Elazar, the affectionate, intelligent stable-hand, who makes her feel different in an exciting new way. Despite Elazar’s own secrets, should he have a chance at her heart after all?

Life is quite complicated for Serena once she opens her eyes and sees what is going on under her nose. What I like the best about her is that she was a sleeping princess, but becomes a powerful queen and although it breaks her heart, the real “her” turns out divine.

Where can my readers find you online?

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

My website: http://www.annadelc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com

Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/o1517897501/shelf

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1066077.Anna_del_C_Dye

Thank you so much for this interview, Anna. My husband loves your fantasies and I know others will, too. Here are some links to where Anna's book is sold.

Anna's Website

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

Interview with Humorous Sweet Romance Author Laurean Brooks

BENEATH A MACON MOON

 

Ms. Brooks creates sassy heroines with “Foot In Mouth Disease” who are accustomed to the taste of their own shoe leather. But there's always a chivalrous hero on standby to rescue her from her self-inflicted catastrophes. Beneath A Macon Moon is a Christian Romance peppered with humor that addresses guilt and forgiveness.

Welcome to my blog, Laurie. Please tell us about Beneath A Macon Moon.

Jaela Andrews was born to well-to-do parents and accustomed to the finer things in life. Jaela has never lacked for any material thing. She is independent, determined and ambitious. Staying busy with her job as an insurance claims adjuster keeps her from dealing with grief and guilt.

When Jaela's mother reveals a shocking secret, Jaela flees to Macon, Georgia to house sit for a couple touring Europe. But her plan for peace and quiet are thwarted by Viking lookalike Eric Larsen, the handyman hired to renovate the Victorian home where she's staying. No one warned her about the renovations and Jaela's had it up to here with Eric's attitude, noisy tools--plus his nosy questions. Why doesn't he mind his own business? Jaela will not return her mother's calls until she's good and ready. If Eric knew what her mother did, he would understand.

Guilt and nightmares plague Jaela two years after her father's death. She was not at his side when he drew his last breath. Her mother must never know she disobeyed, and that her dad died alone. Jaela's attraction toward Eric grows as she begins to realize he's not trying to control her. His concern for her well-being stems from an overly protective nature. Eric gradually melts Jaela's grieving heart, a romantic entanglement leading to marriage is not in her plan.

Can Jaela forgive her mother and grandparents for concealing a twenty-three-year-old secret? She had a right to know. Will Jaela forgive herself for not being there as her father lay dying? Only God can heal her wounded heart.

Eric Larsen was hired to renovate the Victorian home while the owners are away. The project will take all summer, and all the complaints from a feisty young woman will not stop progress. Jaela obviously comes from money. Her sporty little BMW and straight-from-Fifth^_Avenue-wardrobe speak volumes. But she's clueless when it comes to responsibility. Eric has worked to support his family since their father deserted ten years ago. How could Jaela comprehend responsibility or sacrifice? And why did Jaela high-tail it to Macon? Why doesn't she return her mother's calls? When he asks, she lets him know it's none of his business. He's smitten with the sassy little spitfire, but they from very different worlds. Like the pauper wooing the princess, it just wouldn't work. If only there were a way.

With God, all things are possible.

A nosy elderly couple next door add suspense and humor, keeping things lively. Madge Wilcox becomes suspicious when her neighbors come up missing to be replaced by a young woman from out of state. She doesn't buy into Jaela's story that the Cranstons are touring Europe. Madge's obsession with crime solving keeps her binoculars glued to the house next door. Then one night she slips over with her flashlight to search the backyard. Haunted with guilt, Madge has become bitter and suspicious. Can she forgive herself? Can God forgive her for what she did nearly five decades ago?

George Wilcox, Madge's mild-mannered husband, tolerates his wife's eccentric behavior. While she is glued to reruns of Murder She Wrote, George slips next door to “consort with the enemy.” Over coffee and cookies, the wise little man and Jaela bond through heart-to-heart talks.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

Five years ago my husband, son and I were sitting in a restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky when my son called a former co-worker to join us. When Dwayne arrived, he was distraught. “Man, thanks for calling me. I had to get away! My wife's going crazy. She's throwing stuff, tearing up the house.”

I won't disclose the shocking news Dwayne's wife Teresa received. It would give away my plot. But I kept the idea in the back of my mind for three years before I wrote it. With Dwayne and Teresa's permission, I dedicated Beneath a Macon Moon to them. Without them it would not be written.

What kind of research did you do?

I researched Macon, Georgia on the internet. Its tourist attractions, popular restaurants, climate and weather, festivals, and nearby towns. Did you know Macon was one town not invaded by the Union troops? As a result, the city has more beautiful antebellum homes than any other town. Many are open for touring.

That’s so interesting. I love learning bits of history from fictional novels. Please tell us about the main character in this story and what you love about him or her.

This is not easy. I equally love my heroine and hero.

I like Jaela's sassy spirit, her quick wit. Her self-sufficiency and independent spirit are only a facade. Eric sees right through it. She has a lot to learn, and by God's grace she will. Jaela's refusal to accept advice from Eric gets her in trouble. She refuses the map he offers her to guide her through the backwoods of Georgia. As a result, she must eat humble pie, or crow.

I like Eric's character because he is a strong, protective alpha male with a silly sense of humor.  Eric owns a home renovation business. Because he shoulders his family's financial burden, he's had little cash to spend on a woman. Then he meets Jaela and wants to impress her. Sparks fly (in more ways than one). Eric sees Jaela as helpless and tries to protect her. But Jaela misinterprets his chivalry. What will make her realize Eric's only looking out for her?

Now it's time to tell us something about the real you that we'll never forget.

In my mid forties, the manufacturing plant where I worked closed. Employees were offered the opportunity to further their education. I took advantage of it and signed up for Legal Assistant courses at a college 50 miles away. After graduation then obtaining and being laid off from two jobs, I decided to use my newly acquired skills for something different. Instead of feeling that my schooling had been a waste, I used the computer skills to become a writer. The courses using Microsoft Word had prepped me. In fact, every class included a computer. Without these skills, I would not be a published Christian author today. Maybe God looked down the road. Could it be He had a purpose for my life that I had not considered?

Thank you for this awesome interview, Laurie. I, too, understand what you mean about computer skills. I had to take a class to graduate and it was so hard. My children knew everything about computers, but I didn't. So if I needed help, they were there. Without this skill, it would be difficult to be an author in this modern day. 

Ms. Brook's first release, Journey To Forgiveness is an embellishment of her mother's life story, set in the Depression Era. It will soon re-release with a new cover and minor changes to the story.  

A Medley Of Inspirational Romance, is a compilation of four stories which can be downloaded separately or as one unit, in either print or ebook. 

Beneath a Macon Moon, Ms. Brook's latest title, is available in both kindle download or print.

Interview with Christian Romance Author Candee Fick

Candee Fick is the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy with her day job or writing, she can be found cheering on the home team at football, basketball, baseball, and Special Olympics games. In what little free time remains, she enjoys exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.

“Catch of a Lifetime is a super sweet love story. I didn’t know much about football until I read this book. The author knows so much about football that she was able to help me understand this sport. I learned that a college football coach has a lot more work than probably anyone realizes. There is more to it than just teaching techniques only. I also didn’t realize that the boys have to watch film clips to help them with strategy. I grew to respect what a coach has to go through to get his team ready. This was a fun story and I was able to feel the excitement of the game along with the tender romance. Towards the ending, there are some tense moments.” –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

Welcome to my blog, Candee. Please tell us about your sweet romance, Catch of a Lifetime.

Catch of a Lifetime tells the story of a first-year college football coach and a graduate assistant athletic trainer who hates football but has to work with the football program in order to pay for her schooling. It’s a clean and wholesome read even as it deals with real life issues inside a college football program. Here’s the back cover blurb:

He breathes football. She shudders at the very mention of the sport. After a tragedy involving a football player destroyed her family, athletic trainer and graduate student Cassie moves across the country looking for a fresh start, but a change in financial aid lands her in the middle of her worst nightmare. Meanwhile, rookie coach Reed worries his dream career will slip away as injuries plague his players and his star receiver teeters on the brink of ineligibility. As the two work together to salvage the season, sparks fly, and Reed must eventually choose between the game he cherishes and the woman he loves.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

This story nugget arrived in a dream. I woke up living a scene that was so real it stayed with me for at least an hour. As the details began to fade, I realized it had the makings of a good story and so I scribbled down as much of the scene as I could and filed the paper away with other ideas waiting for the right time. Of course, when I pulled out my notes, the characters needed a bunch of tweaking in order to make the situation believable and book length, but the essence of the conflict was still there. Cassie did not want to work with the football program but Reed was hero enough to help change her mind.

Of course, they say to write what you know so several of the individual scene ideas came from my personal experiences as a football coach’s wife and mother to a player who got hurt during a game. I knew a lot about football from my guys, but I still needed to do a lot of research.

What kind of research did you do?

While I fictionalized the college, it was based on a very-real team’s schedule because I needed to know how many games there were in a season, how they would qualify for a bowl game, and a typical week’s practice plan. I also needed to know about NCAA eligibility requirements for athletes, the test schedule for a biology class, athletic training certification protocols, and how to diagnose or treat specific injuries. All those tiny details and many more from sideline game action helped create realism in my descriptions and bring the setting to life.

Please tell us about the main character in this story and what you love about him or her.

Cassie Parker hates football, mostly because she blames a football player for the tragedy that destroyed her family. But she’s also a fierce competitor who remembers the commitment to excellence required in her previous sport of gymnastics as well as the agony of career-ending injuries. She’s dedicated to her new field of athletic training because she wants to help others and resolves to put up with the football players in order to fulfill her vow to her late mother and finish her education. I love how her empathy toward an injured player opens the door for her to face the past and learn how to forgive so she can move forward to a bright future. She’s a spunky fighter in a petite package.

Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I get to read and write for a living. Unfortunately, what I get paid to read is thousands of pages of depositions from asbestos cases and the writing involves summarizing work histories for legal reports. I’m blessed to get to work from home with flexible hours, but it’s definitely my dream that the income from my fiction would someday replace the need to read and write about asbestos. Can you blame me? I guess in that way I’m like my heroine Cassie because I’m doing something I don’t like in order to support my real dream.

Thank you so much for this interview, Candee. It was a great pleasure reading your book. It was so much fun and I hope my followers will check it out.

Interview with Romantic/Suspense Author Shirley Raye Redmond

Shirley Raye Redmond is the author of several sweet romance novels and dozens of children’s books. Many of her titles have won national and regional awards. She is a member of numerous writing organizations including American Christian Fiction Writer, Romance Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and SCBWI. She lives in New Mexico, has been married 41 years to her college sweetheart. They have two adult children, two adorable grandsons and one sassy Scottish terrier.

Welcome back to my blog, Shirley. Please tell us about your new book, Viper’s Nest.

Caring for her 9-year-old daughter, Pippi is Widow Wren Bergschneider's main priority. But she becomes frightened and mystified when she receives an anonymous note hinting that her husband’s traffic death the year before might not have been an accident after all. When an unidentified shooter makes Wren and her boss, history professor Allan Partner, his targets after they emerge from the basement of a 175-year-old insane asylum slated for demolition, their lives take an unexpected—and dangerous—turn.

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Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I actually had a private tour of the Jacksonville Insane Asylum many years ago. Mary Todd Lincoln was a patient there briefly following the death of President Lincoln. Built in the mid 1840s, the asylum was the product of humanitarian Dorothea Dix’s impassioned plea to the Illinois Legislature. Miss Dix was a stalwart advocate for mentally ill individuals mistreated by society. Some were locked away in cellars and attics. Others were put on display in county jails. No medical aid or social services were available at the time for those declared insane. Everyone was lumped into the same category—whether one was a cruel psychopathic killer or a melancholy young mother suffering from postpartum depression.  Dorothea Dix changed that.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Originally, I wrote about my tour of the asylum for a Writer’s Digest nonfiction contest. My submission won an Honorable Mention. People who read the piece urged me to “do something else” with all the historical information I’d collected.  After toying with the idea of for quite a while, I decided to write a suspense novel, using the abandoned asylum as the backdrop of the story. Besides the tour, I did a lot of research on Dorothea Dix and Nazi medical experiments during World War II.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

I am fond of Wren Bergschneider, the heroine of the story. She’s not one of those fearless women who dash headlong into danger. Being a good mother is her first priority, and that priority influences every decision she makes. Since her husband is dead, Wren realizes that if she’s too careless, her young daughter Pippi could end up an orphan. That’s her biggest fear. It makes her particularly vulnerable, and I think that adds to the suspense of the novel.

Where can my readers find you online?

I love to connect with readers through my website at www.shirleyrayeredmond.com and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirley-Raye-Redmond-Author/533496973399344

Thank you, Shirley, for this interview. I hope my followers will take a look at your website and check out your book. It sounds very intriguing.

Interview with Fantasy Author Iain Reading

Iain Reading is passionate about Root Beer, music, and writing. He is Canadian, but currently resides in the Netherlands working for the United Nations. Iain writes middle grade and young adult books. His published works include the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series, The Wizards of Waterfire Series, and the dragon of the month club. To learn more, go to http://www.amazon.com/Iain-Reading/e/B00B0NGI6Q/

Welcome to my blog, Iain. Here is a synopsis of your fantasy: The Dragon Of The Month Club.

This fantasy tells the story of Ayana Fall and Tyler Travers, two best friends who stumble across an extraordinarily magical book and soon find themselves enrolled as members of a very special and exclusive club: The Dragon of the Month Club.

On the thirteenth of every month a new dragon conjuring spell is revealed, and Ayana and Tyler attempt to summon the latest Dragon of the Month. The varieties are almost endless: Air Dragons, Paper Dragons, Fog Dragons, Waterfall Dragons, Rock Dragons, Tree Dragons - not to mention special bonus dragons for all the major holidays, including a particularly prickly Holly Dragon for Christmas.

One day when a conjuring spell goes wrong, Ayana and Tyler find themselves unexpectedly drawn into a fantastical world of adventure based on the various books scattered all across Tyler's messy bedroom. Travelling from one “book-inspired world” to the next with nothing to rely on but their wits and a cast of strange and exotic dragons at their disposal, they must try to somehow find their way home again. From 19th century German folktales to the streets of Sherlock Holmes's London, the adventures of Ayana and Tyler bring these classic stories to life. Filled with fascinating detail and non-stop action these books will spark the imaginations of readers of all ages to inspire a life-long love of reading and seeking out books that are just a little bit off the beaten track.

I understand this is book one. Where did you get your inspiration for this series?

Just outside of San Francisco there is a small town at the end of a dusty road. Just up the street from a haunted hotel there is a wishing tree. And that wishing tree is where this story began. But of course, when you're talking about dragons and books already, what other inspiration do you need? This idea just seemed to come out of nowhere.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

For this book I had to do some of the best research I've ever done: reading. I had to read many stories and books as part of getting ready to write this book. Can you imagine anything better than that? Unlike those pesky Kitty Hawk books I write, I didn't have to go out and travel around the world for research. All I had to do is sit at home in my favourite comfy chair and read.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

The two main characters in this book are Ayana and Tyler. Of the two of them I think I relate to Ayana the most. She is brave and confident, but she's also wounded and sometimes she doubts herself and is frightened. She is human, in other words, just like the rest of us. She has dreams but even I (the author) am not sure yet what those might be. So I am looking forward to writing the rest of the series to find out what becomes of her.

Where can my readers find you online?

http://www.dragonofthemonthclub.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276101.Iain_Reading

https://twitter.com/kittyhawkworld

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorIainReading

Thank you, Iain, for this wonderful interview. I hope my readers will check this series out.

Interview with Regency Romance Author Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch, author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” has won writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of eight and has been listening to those voices ever since. She is a sought-after workshop presenter, and juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children. A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty five years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Welcome back to my blog, Donna. This is the synopsis of your new Regency Romance: The Suspect’s Daughter.

Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love until she meets a mysterious gentleman with dangerous secrets. Working undercover, Grant’s only suspect for a murder conspiracy is the father of a lady who is getting increasingly hard to ignore. They must work together to find the assassins. England’s future hangs in the balance...and so does their love.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

The murder plot in The Suspect’s Daughter was inspired by a true event in England known as the Cato Street Conspiracy, which thankfully, was averted largely in part due to an undercover Bow Street Runner whose name I never learned. This event happened in 1820, the same year my book takes place, and though my conspiracy varied considerably from the true events, there is a similar basic plot.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I’ve been researching the Regency since 2002 when I first decided this was going to be my specialty so I can weave in details about customs, fashion, the political climate and current events into my books. For this book specifically, I researched the Cato Street Conspiracy from many different sources, as well as Parliament and how a new prime minister was chosen. I also studied maps and travel guides to understand the layout of London so I can add little details to make the readers feel as if they are there. In addition, I inadvertently researched concussions when my husband got one, and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome through his friend who’d recently returned home from serving in the armed forces in the Middle East.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

Though Grant Amesbury is a cynic and a loner, his brothers always turned to him when they needed help. Grant would be the last one to classify himself as a dark knight, but he thrives on chasing down villains and dragging them to justice--dead or alive. Intriguing and enigmatic, Grant has captivated readers since the first book in the series, The Stranger She Married, hit bookstores. And each time he appeared in subsequent books, The Guise of a Gentleman, and A Perfect Secret, his fan base grew as did requests for his very own story.

I have been planning to finish his story in time for an autumn release date, but my daughter got married and then our family moved out of state. All of these events took me away from writing. But I was determined to release the book this year—I felt I owed that to my fans. So I pushed and pushed and managed to get it finished in time for a December release date—sort of a Christmas present to my fans who’ve been begging for Grant’s story.

I, too, liked Grant when I read The Stranger She Married, so I’m glad that you have made him a main character in this story. Where can my readers find you online?

Donna's Website: http://donnahatch.com
Donna's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaHatch.Author
The link to buy The Suspect’s Daughter

Thank you, Donna, for this wonderful interview. I hope my followers will grab a copy and read it. Your regency romances are not only intriguing but very clean. A BIG PLUS!