• Do It Write,  Mystery

    Do It Write: Where Karen Cino writes @karencino #RLFblog #Cozy #Mystery

    Karen Cino, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Before we talk about your office, please tell us about your latest book.

    New Beginnings and Chaos at the Compound (Cookie Cutter Cozy Mystery Series Book 1 and 2)

    Genre: Cozy Mystery
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG
    After a traumatic event in her life, Connie Acosta moves into a fifty-five and over community. She decides to start a baking business with her friend Sara. Things take a dramatic turn when Sara gets Connie involved in mysterious adventures at the clubhouse.
    In Book 2, Connie Acosta is officially a resident in the fifty-five and older community her best friend Sara Mazza lives in. Her baker’s kitchen is almost complete and she has met Vic, another resident who is crazy about her. Meanwhile, Sara finds herself in the mist of a love triangle with Vic’s friend Jack and Warren, a police officer at the local station.
    When Sara received a call from her friend at the clubhouse saying there is a dead body floating in the outdoor pool, the women rush there to check things out, getting themselves involved in another investigation, especially when Sara finds a few blue pills scattered in the grass that she didn’t turn into the police.
    Who said seniors can’t get into trouble and fall in love again.
    How long have you been writing?
    I’ve been writing since I’m fourteen years old. I wrote my first novel while I was in college, which still sits on my bookshelf.
    What was your first published book?
    My first book was Roses published in April 2012
    Tell us about your writing space or home office.
    I generally write my outline at my desk. I usually start at the desk and can wind up either in the living room or sitting on my bed.
    Anything special about your space?
    I love the openness and how the sunlight beats down on me. During the summer, I watch the deer run by and the chipmunks walk on the drainpipe.
    What would like to change about your home office?
    I’d like to expand the space so I can add all my bookcases that are spread throughout my house.
    If money wasn’t an object, what would your home office look like?
    I’d have a big writer’s desk and bookcases. I’d build an extension on my home just for my office.
    What office equipment do you use most, other than your computer?
    It would have to be my printer. I print out the pages I write at the end of the day. And of course, a three hole punch.
    What do you think is a must have for an efficient office?
    I feel a room full of colorful pictures, writing quotes on the wall, an echo dot playing my favorite music and most importantly a positive attitude.
    Are you a writing mom/dad?
    Mom. I was a single mom from when my kids were 8 and 5. Boy were those years hard.
    How do you juggle writing and family?
    Now that my kids are grown, I don’t have a problem. But back in the day, I always made sure I took a half hour to myself twice a day.
    What’s the last book about writing that you read?
    How I Write by Janet Evanovich.
    What book or books about writing do you recommend for new authors?
    I’d recommend Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Mass and How I Write by Janet Evanovich.
    What do you like to read for relaxation?
    I love reading series. My favorite genres are Women’s Fiction and Cozy Mysteries. But I do love reading Steven King.

    Where to buy New Beginnings/Chaos at the Compound

    Publisher Mandolay Press
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079K3FLHY/

    Karen Cino Social Media

    Karen Cino has been writing since she was fourteen years old. She started her career by writing poetry, short stories and writing articles for her high school newspaper. After reading Jackie Collin’s Lovers and Gamblers and Jacqueline Susann’s, Valley of the Dolls, Karen found her niche. Karen loves writing about local places that people can relate to.
    Karen loves the summer, loves the beach. Her previous books were written and take place in various places across Staten Island. Karen relocated to Barnegat, New Jersey in 2015. She traded in the Staten Island Boardwalk for the shoreline in Long Beach Island. Her Camp Mirage Series takes place in Barnegat, NJ.
    Karen has two adult children, Michael Giordano who’s a singer, songwriter and producer and Nicole Giordano who works in Retail Management and is also a photographer. In 2014 Karen married John Gatti. Her husband is an actor, teacher and attorney.
    Karen is a member of Romance Writer’s of America, Liberty States Fiction’s Writers Association and Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association.
    Currently, Karen is working on a Cozy Mystery Series and Women’s Fiction Series.
    Website http://karencino.com
    Blog http://karencinobooks.com
    Twitter http://twitter.com/karencino
    Facebook http://facebook.com/karencino
    Pinterest http://pinterest.com/karencino
    Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4444484.Karen_Cino
    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008LCG31Y
    Newsletter http://mailchi.mp/e67ab333db05/summer-newsletter-new-release

     

  • Contemporary,  Do It Write

    Do It Write: Where Anne Kane writes @annekane #RLFblog #contemporary #romance

    Anne Kane, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your latest book.

    Get Off My Cloud

    Genre contemporary romance

    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Six months ago, Lucas met the woman of his dreams, but after a night of amazing sex he woke up to find himself alone. Sent to rescue the daughter of a billionaire from her own folly, he discovers her to be the same woman, and this time he intends to make sure she stays put.
    When Olivia discovers a herd of live dinosaurs existing on a small island in the South Pacific, she’s ecstatic. This discovery could crown her career as a paleontologist and put to rest the rumors that her daddy bought her position for her! Of course, when her father sends someone to drag her home, she’s not willing to comply and the couple must find a way to deal with the sizzling attraction between them while running from a herd of angry prehistoric beasts.
    How long have you been writing?
    I started writing seriously in 2008. Before that I’d make a few attempts but at the first site of a rejection letter I’d convince myself that I was crazy and I’d stop. What I didn’t realize back then was that crazy is a good thing if you want to be an author!
    What was your first published book?
    My first published book was Stranded on Earth. It was published by Changeling Press, and I have since re-released it on my own. It took me almost as long to submit it as it did to write it because I was terrified of being rejected. Did I mention I’m a wimp? Actually I’m not, except when it comes to my writing. Every single time I hit “submit” I cringe. The difference between now and a couple decades ago, is that I don’t let the rejections stop me anymore.
    Tell us about your writing space or home office.
    My office is in a building behind my house. Having it separate means that I know I’m at work and I need to get things done. Not that that always helps. After all, I’m the boss! Seriously though, it’s a very nice office. The walls are pale blue and due to the fact that it used to house an engine hoist, it has a very high ceiling. I put in a big window so I can see the hills across the valley, and the back door leads to my back yard to in the summer my little dog can run in and out whenever he wants. It’s the perfect combination of work space and somewhere I can just sit and daydream. After all, it’s when I’m daydreaming that my characters come to life.
    What equipment do you use most, other than your computer?
    Other than my laptop, I use a whiteboard a lot. It’s a handy place to visually plan out my plots, and to keep track of mundane facts about my characters. It might not sound like a big deal but I need to remember what color my character’s eyes are, if their hair is short, long or absent, and any other facts that are pertinent to the plot. Before I got the whiteboard I spent too much time looking back through my work in progress to see if the heroine was blond, redheaded or maybe had a green stripe down the crown of their head.
    How do you juggle writing and family?
    My family is mostly fourlegged these days and they are quite happy to snuggle up at my feet or on my lap while I write. Or, in the case of Merlin the Mutt, to go stretch out in the sunshine out back. He is such a little prince. He can actually look outraged when I expect him to go out in the rain to do his business.
    Do you have an author newsletter?
    Yes I do! The signup is on my website and I’d be thrilled to add you to my newsletter list. I promise I won’t spam you with daily emails. I tend to send out about four to six emails a year, generally when I have a new release or some other exciting news. http://AnneKane.com

    Where to buy Get Off My Cloud

    Publisher https://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2670
    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Get-Cloud-Stone-Multi-Author-Book-ebook/dp/B0787CJXSH
    Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/get-off-my-cloud-anne-kane/1127627290
    iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/get-off-my-cloud/id1324314823
    Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/get-off-my-cloud

    Anne Kane Social Media

    Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue dog who’s breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act normal, but finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008, and her fate was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage Publishing and just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first submission. Since then she had published more than thirty stories in a variety of sub-genres, all with a happily ever after.

    Her hobbies, when she’s not playing with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing guitar, singing and of course, reading.
    Website http://AnneKane.com
    Blog http://annekane.wordpress.com
    Twitter http://twittercom/annekane
    Facebook http://facebookcom/anne.kane.author
    Pinterest https://pinterest.com/annekaneauthor/
    Goodreads https://goodreads.com/Annekane
    Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/Anne-Kane/e/B004FXZSQ4/