Contemporary: Time Changes Everything @melindadozier #RLFblog

Melinda Dozier, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk
about your book, Time Changes Everything.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entranced Publishing

Cover artist: Ashley Christman

Length: 40,000 words

Heat rating: Spicy

Blurb:

Amanda Larson is dedicated to her job and doesn’t want to make
time for anything else. Until she runs into Jake Edwards. He used to be the cute
boy next door; now he’s a sexy, big shot lawyer.

Jake Edwards isn’t interested in commitment. He’s successful,
sexy, and single–and that’s how he likes it. When he reconnects with Amanda, Jake
realizes he might have to rethink his philosophy on the carefree, bachelor lifestyle.

But, is it too late for them? Or can he convince her that he’s
ready to give her his heart?

Buy links: To be provided on release date

Author website for info: http://melindadozier.com

What are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?

Amanda Larson, 26, Fashion Buyer at Macy’s

Jake Edwards, 27, Sports Contracts Lawyer

Interview

What is the most important thing you do for your career now,
as compared to when you first started writing?

There are a few things
I do as a newbie author that are important. First, take a deep breath and relax.
The author world can be overwhelming, but it is also so much fun, if you stop and
smell the roses. Second, I have a critique group. Since I live in a Spanish speaking
country, I find it difficult to connect with other writers. So, I joined an online
group and found other established authors as critique partners. This is vital for
an author. Other people see your work through different eyes. Third, an author should
establish an online presence through a website, blog, social media like Twitter
or Facebook. Readers will search you out using these outlets. You can also meet
other fabulous writers and learn a tremendous amount of information.

What websites do you visit daily?

I’m addicted to Twitter.
I don’t know why. I don’t know how. It just happened. No matter what time of day,
I get on and something cheers me up, interests me, teaches me or amazes me. The
best fun I’ve had all year!

What do you enjoy most about writing?

My characters take me
to places and experience life in ways that I never have. This is what I love the
most – living through them. I’m a hopeless romantic, so sharing a kiss, visiting
a distant city, working a job I never imagined I could do, bungee jumping can all
take place in my mind. It’s almost as if I was there!

If you could choose anyone to be your mentor who would it
be?

My favorite contemporary
romance author is Jill Shalvis, so to have her guidance would be a dream. She has
the perfect mix of romance, spiciness, humor and sarcasm. Everything I love!

How do you cope with stress as an author?

Lots and lots of coffee.
Good thing I live in Guatemala,
a coffee-producing country.

Do things your family or friends do ever end up in a book?

Yes! I never use real
names, but there are times when something happens that is too good to pass up. I
think “I’ve got to use that in my book.” I also use names of people I
know. For example, Jake’s law firm is uses the last names of my sister – Snell,
Marlow and Grimes.

What are some jobs you’ve done before (or while) you were
a writer?

I’ve been teaching for
17 years and I love it. I don’t think I could give it up. Other jobs in my past
include PR work, a paralegal and waitressing in college.

What kind of books do you read when taking a break from your
own writing?

This question makes me
laugh. I never take a break from writing – or reading for that matter. I am always
writing in some way, be it writing a chapter, a scene, plotting, thinking about
scenes, editing, blogging, guest blogging. It never ends. But, I always read – every
day – usually at night in bed. Most of what I read is contemporary romance and occasionally
young adult (since I teach middle school). My automatic buy authors include: Jill
Shalvis, Shannon Stacey, Ruthie Knox and Susan Mallery.

Imagine you get to go on a dream vacation, but you have only
one hour to pack and leave, and it starts as soon as you finish this interview.
What will you take with you and where will you go?

My dream vacation would be a romantic trip to New York City with my hubby.
I’ve never been, which is ironic because Time
Changes Everything mainly takes place there. I would pack my sexy underwear,
flirty dresses, highest heels and of course my kindle to read on the plane. Will
it happen this year? Wait and see.

What good book have you read recently?

I just finished reading On
the Island by Tracy Garvis-Graves and I absolutely
loved it. In fact, I plan on rereading it again soon. The characters got to me –
you know their kind, the ones you can’t stop thinking about once you finish the
book.

What do you like to do when you’re bored?

My name is Melinda Dozier and I’m a Farmville addict. It’s no
secret that I love computer games and apps. However, it’s been a year since hubs
intervened between my Farmville habit. I’m a proud survivor. Nowadays, I play Words
with Friends, Draw Something, and Song Pop.

Please underline which statement is more like you:

“I am a vacation spa because I am laid back and relaxed.”

“I am a ten-countries in ten-days tour vacation, because
I do things as fast as possible.”