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Rebecca Hunter author of Stockholm Diaries, Caroline #RLFblog #NewAdult
Rebecca Hunter author of Stockholm Diaries, Caroline answers
five easy questions to help readers get to know her better.Author Bio
Rebecca
is a writer, editor and translator who has always loved to read and travel.
Though she earned a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in English Education,
most of what she learned about writing romance has come from other sources.
Rebecca has, over the years, called many places home, including Michigan, where
she grew up, New York City, San Francisco, and, of course, Stockholm, Sweden.
After their most recent move from Sweden back to the San Francisco Bay Area,
she and her husband assured each other they’ll never move again.
Well, probably not.What is your go-to meal
when you dine out?We live in California, so we eat a lot of taqueria food. A
lot. My favorite is a carnitas burrito with black beans, extra pico de gallo
and guacamole, sometimes split with my husband, sometimes all for myself. If
we’re “going out,” I’d choose something with a little nicer atmosphere, but Cal-Mex
is definitely our go-to.Who is your “book
boyfriend” (that hottie you read about and drool over)?Hmm… that might be Lisa Kleypas’s Derek Craven from Dreaming
of You. We watch Craven struggle hard with his past and the idea that he is
incapable of love. He resists Sara as long as he can, but unlike many
historicals the couple is happily together by the middle of the book. Craven is
clearly devoted to Sara, but the rest of the book is about Derek’s attempts to
adjust and to let himself love.When compared to contemporary romance heroes, a historical
hero can be a little more over-the-top, a little crasser or more hardened or
melodramatic, his history a little more fantastical. I think this is because a
reader like me is more willing to suspend disbelief when the setting isn’t
connected to anything in my own experiences. This is especially true of Craven,
whose past I probably would never accept from a contemporary hero but somehow
feel comfortable with in a historical hero!Describe the perfect vacation.
The answer to this changes rather frequently, but these days
I’ve been fanaticizing about week or two in a cottage on a white-sand beach in
Hawaii. In front of us would be some sort of hidden break with steady, rolling
waves where my husband and I could surf. On the beach, we’d have a canopied
swinging futon bed (something I saw on a vacation ad that stuck with me!) where
we’d lie and read after a long surf session. Sometimes our two kids are with us
on this fantasy vacation, playing in the sand and swimming, and sometimes it’s
just my husband and me…What are your hobbies?
Of course, reading has always been one of my favorite
pastimes. Beyond that, I love to hike and surf, but most of all, I love to
spend time with friends and family doing pretty much anything. I’m an
extrovert, but I also thrive on extended periods of time along, a less common
combination in a writer if I’m to believe what I read. To balance my quiet
hours alone, I make sure to plan in time for walks and coffees, especially with
other writer friends.When you read for pleasure,
what kind of books do you choose?I read a lot of romance, both for pleasure and for learning,
but that’s only a recent development. Before I began writing romance, I read
literary fiction almost exclusively. But there were times when I felt too busy
or too scattered to invest myself in literary fiction, so during those periods
I wouldn’t read at all.Now, after many years, I’m finally finding my own personal
balance! I read both romance and literary fiction regularly, depending on my
mood, along with some occasional fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, or mystery that
friends recommend. I’ve been a member of a book club for many, many years, and
that ensures I read at least one book of literary fiction or non-fiction per
month that I didn’t find on my own. Plus, I have elementary-age kids, so I read
plenty of middle-grade fiction as well, sometimes more enthusiastically than
others.About the Book
Title Stockholm Diaries, CarolineGenre New Adult/ContemporaryAuthor Rebecca HunterBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RA Swedish pro hockey player with a
rough reputation meets the American girl next door in a steamy twist of travel
and adventure. Will they be able to overcome his dark past and her uncertain
future to turn their sensual nights into something more?
Photographer Caroline Mendoza finally sheds her safe life in Michigan for
adventure and a fresh start, and her first stop is Sweden. But Stockholm
suddenly becomes more than just a casual stopover when Caroline discovers her
reclusive next-door neighbor is ex-Red Wings player Niklas Almquist, whose
high-profile alpha bad-boy image, both on and off the ice, has followed him
back to Sweden.While Niklas’s darker side draws
her to him, she knows the sensible decision is to move on from Stockholm before
she gets too attached. Her time in Stockholm is running out. She must choose
between what is safe and what her heart tells her is right. Is she strong
enough to take the risk?Buy This Book
Publisher Rebecca HunterAmazon (including Kindle Unlimited) http://www.amazon.com/Stockholm-Diaries-Caroline-Rebecca-Hunter-ebook/dp/B00XZN6PVW/CreateSpace https://www.createspace.com/5621425Author Social Media
Amazon Author Page http://amazon.com/author/rebeccahunterYou May Also Like
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Zi Trace from Tracing the Line by @allyabishop #RLFblog #romance
Interview with Zi TraceThis interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell readers
about himself or herself. Answer the questions as if the character were
talking.Tell us about yourself,
please.Hello. My name is Zi Trace, and I own and manage White Peony Lingerie
and Sensual Pleasures, and I have two sisters, Lux and Blue. Our names are a
long story, if you’re wondering, but suffice it to say, our mother was, um,
creative.I’ve been divorced for two years, and, honestly, I’m just not up for
dating. I’ve tried…well, I’ve surfed a few dating websites at the behest of Lux
(she may have threatened to tie me down to the couch and make me if I didn’t do
it of my own volition, but I’m just not in the mood. It’s not that I don’t like
men—or sex, for that matter—but I’m done, honestly. My husband, er, my ex, I
mean, did me in. And now I’m not sure I can go through all of that again.Authors call what you want
but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?I try to share who I am…with everyone. But it’s…complicated. I didn’t
grow up like other people, and now, when things start to go sideways, I
struggle with the part of me that people will judge, you know? And even when I
want to trust someone, when I want to give them the benefit of my trust…I can’t
quite let go of the fear that they are going to let me down.What can you not do (but
need to do) during this story?Oy, that’s a long list—do we have more than one page for this
interview? :) Let’s see, I struggle letting go of my anger at Lux, I’m trying
hard to understand Blue, but she baffles me. What else…? I demand too much from
Kai Isaac when he tries to be there, and when I can’t stop my emotions from
overwhelming me, I risk everything. And to be honest…sometimes being alone is
easier, you know? You don’t have to clean up after others or worry that someone
doesn’t have your back. But I hate that I feel that way…and I want to stop
feeling so alone when I don’t have to be. I’m not sure how to get that trust
back though.What inner doubt causes
you the most difficulty?That I’ll end up alone. And that I’m not as desirable as I try to
believe I am. I’ve done a lot of self work over the last few years, and I’m
over a lot of the BS society tells us is required for beauty. But I’m still
nervous. I’ve lost weight, and the loose skin that comes with that…it’s never
quite the same, is it? I’ve got big hips, I’m very tall—nearly six foot—and
that leaves me feeling a bit like a giant around my sisters. So when you spend
all day helping women believe that they are gorgeous and sexy, you want someone
to do the same for you.And Kai…yeah. He does that. But he’s…I hate to say it’s complicated
again, but it is! He’s everything I’ve looked for, but he’s involved in a
career that doesn’t resonate with what I believe. I’ll just leave it at that.Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.Oy. Um, wow. So, Kai Isaac. He’s a filmmaker, and we meet when Lux
cons me into showing up at a filming for an advertising video. I had no idea
what was going to happen, and let’s just say…my issue with dating? Yeah. Kai
blew that right out of the water.He’s over 6’6”, with a fantastic body, and these mesmerizing
gold/green eyes that change based on his mood and thoughts. I…yeah, enough
about that. He’s patient, kind, open, and always there. He’s as passionate
about his career as I am about mine, and if he has a flaw—and really, who
doesn’t?—it’s that he has to think through emotional decisions. He’ll never
just answer. And usually, I love that about him. He doesn’t make foolish
choices based on the moment…but some days…I don’t handle that very well. That
probably says a lot more about me than it does him, doesn’t it? :sigh:Oh God, the man can cook, too! He’s amazing in the kitchen…and the
bedroom. ;)What would that person say
about you?Kai would insist that I’m hot, incredible at everything I do, and that
I’m damned close to perfect. (Don’t tell him otherwise! ;) )What is your family like?My older sister Lux is a former Dominatrix, now online dating maven in
the process of expanding her empire. If there’s a BDSM lover in need of a
mate(s), she’s got you covered. And dear God, you should see her boyfriend. Red
hair, built, horse trainer/underwear model with a thick Scottish accent? Even I
did a double-take when I met Fin MacKenzie.Blue—she’s the youngest—is the wild child. Hard to believe given Lux’s
intro, eh? Blue had it the hardest growing up, and I’m not sure why. She was
adorable—tiny with carroty ringlets and a teeny body—she looked like a doll.But she was always treated differently by those who took care of us,
and when it was just Lux and I raising her (practically), I don’t think we were
enough. Not when we were just kids ourselves.She’s lovely—long red hair, petite, with a streak of fire that never
quits. Well, not usually. But something broke in Blue a long time ago, and I’m
not sure anyone can fix it. I’m here for her—I love her dearly. But until she
figures out the demons that drive her, she’ll always have those shadows behind
her eyes.What special skills do you
rely on?I can usually talk to anyone. That’s helped me in business. Of course,
that’s all useless when Kai shows up and turns me into a blushing
sixteen-year-old. That man…If someone from your past
showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?My mother. She formed our childhoods with mental illness and neglect,
and if there’s one person I struggle with categorizing in my life, it’s a
mother who was as sick herself as she made my little sister. I try to forgive
and move on, to love who she tried to be in spite of her actions, but when I
see Blue’s brokenness and Lux’s bitterness, it’s not as easy as it sounds.
Still…I try. That counts, right?Why are you happy (or not
happy) with the way your story ended?No cheating! You have to read to find out…but this is a romance,
right? :)About the WriterWhen you do something effortlessly and people commend
you continuously, you have found your gift.That’s what I tell people all the time. And it’s true.I get story. I always have. I started writing when I was
eight on a Smith Corona (the electronic kind — I’m not THAT old). I wrote
stories in every spiral notebook I had. Eventually, I graduated to a Mac (yes,
I’m one of THOSE people). I imagined new worlds, emotional conflicts, and HEAs
while I waited at stoplights or wandered the grocery store. But here’s the
thing: I didn’t just dream it up and write it down — I critiqued what I read. I
knew when ideas were good, and when they stunk. I ran writing groups, judged
creative contests, and eventually got two graduate degrees in writing. That’s
right: I love it that much.So here I am, years later, writing kickass heroines and
devastating good guys, along with some mystery and vampires thrown in (I
promise: THEY’RE COMING). And what’s really cool? I do what I love. Wanna write
a success story for your life: I promise you, that’s it. Do what you love. And
hopefully, you can make a living at it too. That’s the golden ticket, Charlie.And chocolate doesn’t hurt, either…What
was your biggest challenge in writing this book?The Without a Trace series started as a
co-writing deal that fell through. So when I wrote the second book, I was still
fleshing out the ideas that were never fully my own—I’d been responsible to
another author to make sure the ideas were shared.Zi’s book, Without a Trace (the sister’s
last names are all “Trace”), was my first real foray into what I wanted my
romance series to entail. So in that sense, it was a freeing feeling to be able
to write whatever I wanted! But I also knew I wanted this story to have impact
for those who have experienced abusive childhoods. Part of the reason Lux from Inside
the Lines fell out of touch with Zi and Blue is due to the issues in their
family. Sometimes, we try to simplify those things so we don’t have to get into
the gritty details, but I didn’t want to be dishonest.Many of us have dealt with painful backgrounds,
and I wanted their story to reflect what is possible when you are able to still
believe you are worthy, and still believe that love is possible, even when
we’re all a bit broken. I hope I was able to do that.Why
did you choose this character for the interview today?Zi Trace is a force to be reckoned with,
especially because she never gives up. She fights for what she wants, even
though she’s the most nurturing of the three. Zi keeps going. She’s also a real
woman with the realities of weight loss on the body, the pain of a failed
relationship and pregnancy, and the stains left behind by decisions she never
had a choice in. She’s the one everything happened “around,” but rarely to. And
she was the caretaker of Blue when Lux left, which has its own challenges.I debated writing Kai’s point of view, but
really…he’s so besotted with Zi, what else can he say? ;)When
writing the book, what did you discover about this character that surprised
you?How strong we are when the cards are down. Zi
risks everything to save herself yet again, and when she’s wrong, she owns it.
That’s one of the reasons I loved writing her—she embraces her truth, even when
it’s not comfortable.She’s also a bit more of a prude than she
realized, so when Kai wants to try some, um, more open-minded sexual
experiences, she’s surprised by her reaction. I daresay many of us feel that
way! And it was fun to see a lingerie store owner—who has a backroom full of
sexual toys for women—explore her own prejudices and discover the broader nuances
of her sexuality.Are
any sequels planned for this book?Oh, this is book three! There’s a fourth book
that will be released in October, and that will finish the Trace sisters’
stories—Blue’s book. But there’s a book for Noah Storm that I”m working on (for
those who are already fans—yes, Noah’s book is coming, I promise), plus I have
a spin-off idea I’m working on utilizing some of the characters we’ve already
met. So there’s much more to come in this romance world!What
genre(s) would you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?I’m working on a paranormal romance as well, and
I love mysteries. I have an idea for a romantic suspense novel as well, so…What
would your readers be surprised to learn about you?1. I never ever thought I’d write romance. My
background is in literary writing, and I’ve worked in the publishing field and
edited literary works for years now. But when an opportunity arose to write
steamy romance, I couldn’t resist the challenge. And I’ve had a blast.2. I’ll write pretty much anywhere, but many
know I’m also a professional editor and author coach. I stand 90% of the day at
a standing desk! I even have a small “elliptical” machine that fits underneath,
and I pull that out when I’m in conferences or meetings and get in my workout!
:DWhy
should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a
try?Oo, good question! Let’s see.1. I am passionate about art, exploring our
world and helping us find solutions, comfort, and/or challenges to help us live
bolder and with more love and acceptance of others. I’m not shy about tackling
tough subjects.2. You get to meet Lux and Fin, Ella and Ian,
Noah and Tag (he’s a rescued pit bull with a heart of gold), and learn a bit
more about Blue who, while troubled, will surprise you when this saga is done.3. Who doesn’t love a sexy read?! I work hard to
make sure my sex scenes are unique, plot-focused, and tasteful. They might be a
little kinky (or a lot!), but they are always done with respect to the
characters’ agency. There’s nothing wrong with a little D/s play, as long as
everyone wants it, amiright? ;DPlus, the prequel Crossing the Lines is
free right now. So if you aren’t sure, start with that one and see if enjoy my
style.Is
there anything you’d like to say to your readers?Thank YOU for loving my books. Without your
feedback, I wouldn’t be brainstorming even more ideas and stories for these
characters. I’m honored that you took a chance on a new author, and I hope I
continue to give you a reason to keep coming back for more. <3 YOU ROCK!About the BookTitle Tracing
the LineGenre Erotic romanceAuthor Ally BishopBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RThey say love doesn’t hurt.But it’s a lie. I promise you, love someone long enough,
and they’ll destroy your soul.I’ve spent my life taking care of everyone else: my
family, my ex-husband, my friends. Deep down, I know I should focus on myself,
but how can I when I’ve got one sister about to implode while the other battles
her own guilt?The minute I met Kai Isaac, I should’ve run in the
opposite direction. His business isn’t one I want any part of, and I’ve got way
too much drama in my life already.But his kiss…those eyes…the raging inferno he
creates when he touches me…I can’t stay away. Life’s reeling out of control,
and he’s my only refuge from the storm.My sister Lux says trusting someone means not knowing
everything about them and being okay with it…but what if not knowing the
truth ruins everything?Buy This BookBarnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1122491159?ean=2940151088930Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013NRW9G4Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/567676Author Social MediaWebsite http://allybishop.comBlog http://allybishop.comTwitter http://twitter.com/allyabishopFacebook http://facebook.com/allyabishopPinterest http://pinterest.com/upgradestoryShelfari http://bit.ly/TracingshelfAmazon Author Page http://bit.ly/aabishop -
Journey to Her Dreams by @_iris_b #RLFblog #romance
Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social
media contacts for the author. Today’s featured book is Journey to Her Dreams by
Iris Blobel.About the Book
Title: Journey to Her DreamsGenre: RomanceAuthor: Iris BlobelBook heat level (based on movie ratings): PGWould you travel around the world to uncover
the reason for your dreams?Hollie Anderson, a young woman from
Tasmania, lives on a farm outside Launceston, Australia. She has good looks,
likes her job, and loves to hang out with her friends. But it’s a recurrent
dream that throws her daily life into chaos and takes her on a journey to
Ireland.Sam Shaughnessy enjoys the success as
Head of Advertising for a popular magazine in the Irish capital Dublin. Married
to Padraic, she thinks she loves her husband, but when she meets Hollie under
unusual circumstances, she needs to face the truth, and not just about her
marriage.When both women, so different in many
ways, find out they have one thing in common, it changes their lives forever.Hollie Anderson, a young woman from Tasmania,
lives on a farm outside Launceston, Australia. She has good looks, likes her
job, and loves to hang out with her friends. But it’s a recurrent dream that
throws her daily life into chaos and takes her on a journey to Ireland.Sam Shaughnessy enjoys the success as Head of
Advertising for a popular magazine in the Irish capital Dublin. Married to
Padraic, she thinks she loves her husband, but when she meets Hollie under
unusual circumstances, she needs to face the truth, and not just about her
marriage.When both women, so different in many ways, find
out they have one thing in common, it changes their lives forever.Hollie
Anderson, a young woman from Tasmania, lives on a farm outside Launceston,
Australia. She has good looks, likes her job, and loves to hang out with her
friends. But it’s a recurrent dream that throws her daily life into chaos and
takes her on a journey to Ireland.Sam Shaughnessy enjoys the success as Head of
Advertising for a popular magazine in the Irish capital Dublin. Married to
Padraic, she thinks she loves her husband, but when she meets Hollie under
unusual circumstances, she needs to face the truth, and not just about her
marriage.When both women, so different in many ways, find
out they have one thing in common, it changes their lives forever.
Hollie Anderson, a young woman from Tasmania,
lives on a farm outside Launceston, Australia. She has good looks, likes her
job, and loves to hang out with her friends. But it’s a recurrent dream that
throws her daily life into chaos and takes her on a journey to Ireland.Sam Shaughnessy enjoys the success as Head of
Advertising for a popular magazine in the Irish capital Dublin. Married to
Padraic, she thinks she loves her husband, but when she meets Hollie under
unusual circumstances, she needs to face the truth, and not just about her
marriage.When both women, so different in many ways, find
out they have one thing in common, it changes their lives forever.
Hollie Anderson, a young woman from Tasmania,
lives on a farm outside Launceston, Australia. She has good looks, likes her
job, and loves to hang out with her friends. But it’s a recurrent dream that
throws her daily life into chaos and takes her on a journey to Ireland.Sam Shaughnessy enjoys the success as Head of
Advertising for a popular magazine in the Irish capital Dublin. Married to
Padraic, she thinks she loves her husband, but when she meets Hollie under
unusual circumstances, she needs to face the truth, and not just about her
marriage.When both women, so different in many ways, find
out they have one thing in common, it changes their lives forever.Buy This Book
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/journey-to-her-dreams-iris-blobel/1107150850?ean=2940013566682Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/journey-to-her-dreamsSmashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/133676About the Author
Iris Blobel was born and raised in
Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the
travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland,
London as well as Canada where she her husband. Her love for putting her
stories onto paper has only emerged recently, but now her laptop is a constant
companion.Iris resides west of Melbourne with
her husband and her two beautiful daughters.Next to her job at a private school,
she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.Author Social Media
Twitter https://twitter.com/_iris_bFacebook https://www.facebook.com/IrisBlobelPinterest https://www.pinterest.com/iblobel/ -
S. B. Redstone author of Stardust Dreams@sbredstone #RLFblog #romance
S. B. Redstone, author of Stardust Dreams answers five easy questions
to help readers get to know him better.Author Bio
My first careers in life were helping people. As a
caseworker for the New York City Department of Social Services, Protective
Services, I investigated the horrors of the abuse and neglect of children.
After attaining master’s degrees in School Psychology and Clinical Social Work,
I continued to help children ins schools and my private practice, along with
adolescents and adults. Always striving to improve his understanding of human
nature, I researched and then wrote a personal improvement book, Taming Your Inner & Outer Bullies:
Confronting Life’s Stressors And Winning. Always having a vivid
imagination and a desire to write fiction, I first wrote short stories that
were published on the web and in print. My first novel A Sinister Obsession was
published by Black Opal Books as well as this current novel, Stardust Dreams. I
am a member of the International Thriller Writers Organization and Romance
Writers of America.What is your go-to meal
when you dine out?My favorite meal can only be found at a diner where the
dinner includes an appetizer, soup, salad, main course, and coffee and dessert.
With that said, I begin with pickled herring in cream sauce, matzah ball soup,
plain salad with thousand island dressing, bread, stuffed filet of sole with
crabmeat, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn. Lastly, chocolate cream pie, and
coffee. Of course I can’t finish it, so most comes homes.Describe the perfect vacation.I just came back from it. Three days in Paris and Prague,
riverboat down the Danube, which went through Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
Great food, beer, sightseeing, and friendship. However, it wasn’t perfect
because I didn’t play golf.Tell us about your
favorite toy as a child.It was a gun. And with that gun I had power. I could be a
cowboy, soldier, and policeman. I created so many exciting scenes and stories,
which continue to this day. These days kids and violence is frowned upon, but I
didn’t become the bad people I was shooting, I was the good guy. And I am still
the good guy.What are your hobbies?As a retired person it’s bowling, tennis, golf, and fishing.
I am an artist and photographer and my paintings and pictures adorn the walls.
Cooking is a great love especially making desserts, bread, and soup.If the hero of your latest
book called you on the phone, what would be a perfect ringtone for him?The theme from Star Trek.About the Book
Title Stardust DreamsGenre RomanceAuthor S. B. RedstoneBook heat level (based on movie ratings G, PG, PG13, R): PGLance Forrester is a dreamer. After a celebrated career as
an astronaut and engineer, he and a friend built a secret spacecraft to seek
their destinies in the stars. But, his friend died. Now that Lance has terminal
cancer, he hopes to convince Sage who he hasn’t seen since high school, to join
him on his quest to reach an advanced alien civilization and immortality.Sage Saint Charles lived a wild and notorious life in
Hollywood before she descended into obscurity as a social recluse. Sage has
regrets, more regrets than a person should have. When her drowsy eyes open, in
hospice care, an unfamiliar old man is standing at her bedside.Stardust Dreams is a
love story. This unique tale of hope and faith is so realistic you just might
feel you’ve gone along on their madcap adventure into the galaxy.
Unfortunately, true life is not a child’s fairy tale. If Lance and Sage are to
achieve their happiness , they must first overcome the emotional scars of their
pasts. With every turn of the page, you’ll delight in the fascination and
mystery of unknown worlds and destinies.
Buy This Book
Publisher http://blackopalbooks.comAmazon http://www.amazon.com/Stardust-Dreams-S-B-Redstone-ebook/dp/B00XBJBET8/Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stardust-dreams-s-b-redstone/1121980256Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/545491Author Social Media
Website http://sbredstoneauthor.comTwitter https://twitter.com/sbredstone -
Ella Storm from Crossing the Line by @allyabishop #RLFblog #romance
Ella Storm from Crossing the Line by @allyabishop #RLFblog #romanceInterview with Ella StormThis interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell readers
about himself or herself. Answer the questions as if the character were
talking.Tell us about yourself,
please.Hi! I’m Ella. I live in Brooklyn, New York with my brother Noah—long
story. We own a mystery dinner theater company together, and we’re finally
(finally!) getting some higher-end clientele. I’m super nervous and excited
about that.Authors call what you want
but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?Um. Hm. I suck at dating? Seriously. I can’t seem to get myself out
there. Lux (my brother’s BFF and my friend as well) and Noah go out on the
town. All. The. Time. But the idea of hanging out at bars, going home with
someone just because he’s attractive? Not my thing. Totally fine if it’s your
thing! But I can’t get into it.What can you not do (but
need to do) during this story?I can’t figure out who I am. I like structure, deadlines, and
schedules. And when I meet Ian…he changes everything.What inner doubt causes
you the most difficulty?I was almost engaged to a guy in college, and I thought…well, I guess
we all think we’ve met “the one,” right? Jonathan was handsome and funny, super
smart in that cool way. But I should have known better—he wanted to be the star
in any relationship. And he did a number on me. I can’t seem to get past that.In the story world your
author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.Wow. Ask a personal question, eh? I guess…I want to believe Ian likes
me as much as I like him. But how’s that even possible? Especially once I learn
who he is?Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.Ian Crane. He’s a lawyer and crazy sexy in that just-a-little-mussed
way. We’re leagues apart though, and I’m not sure if this can work.What would that person say
about you?Ian would say I’m beautiful and brilliant and perfect. :sigh:What is your family like?I don’t have much family. My brother and I were raised by our
grandparents after our parents were killed in a car accident when we were
teens. Other than that, Lux is who we count as family.What special skills do you
rely on?I write all of our mysteries, organize the events and moving parts, while
Noah does the business end of things: invoicing, tracking, etc. I’m also
starting to get into scrapbooking (but don’t say anything to Noah about it—I’ll
never live it down).If someone from your past
showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?Jonathan. He hurt something in me that’s still pretty broken.Why are you happy (or not
happy) with the way your story ended?:grins: I can’t give that away! You have to read to find out. ;)About the WriterWhen you do something effortlessly
and people commend you continuously, you have found your gift.That’s what I tell people all the
time. And it’s true.I get story. I always have. I
started writing when I was eight on a Smith Corona (the electronic kind — I’m
not THAT old). I wrote stories in every spiral notebook I had. Eventually, I
graduated to a Mac (yes, I’m one of THOSE people). I imagined new worlds,
emotional conflicts, and HEAs while I waited at stoplights or wandered the
grocery store. But here’s the thing: I didn’t just dream it up and write it
down — I critiqued what I read. I knew when ideas were good, and when they
stunk. I ran writing groups, judged creative contests, and eventually got two
graduate degrees in writing. That’s right: I love it that much.So here I am, years later, writing
kickass heroines and devastating good guys, along with some mystery and
vampires thrown in (I promise: THEY’RE COMING). And what’s really cool? I do
what I love. Wanna write a success story for your life: I promise you, that’s
it. Do what you love. And hopefully, you can make a living at it too. That’s
the golden ticket, Charlie.And chocolate doesn’t hurt,
either…What
was your biggest challenge in writing this book?When I originally wrote Inside the Lines, I had
no intention of writing a book about Ella and Noah. When readers asked to learn
more about the Storm siblings, I figured, what the heck? But when I sat down to
write the book, I had no idea what Ella’s story was. Enter creative writing and
outlining. :) Thankfully, Ella was perfectly content to do what she wanted,
whether or not I liked it. And Noah’s always a little contrary.Why
did you choose this character for the interview today?Ella’s the main female lead in Crossing the
Line. What I personally like about Ella is that she’s very sweet—everyone loves
Ella. But she’s not a pushover. Even when things go wrong in her life, she may
not want to deal with them, but she does. And she’s perfectly capable of taking
care of herself, with or without a man.When
writing the book, what did you discover about this character that surprised
you?Ella’s pretty sturdy—and I knew that. But she
also has a breaking point, like everyone else. Seeing her and Noah at odds
wasn’t what I expected, but I think you get a better feel for why Ella has
evolved the way she has. And hopefully, it offers a clue to what Noah’s hangups
are for his future story.Are
any sequels planned for this book?Crossing the Line is a prequel to Inside the
Lines, the first book of the Without a Trace series, which follows Lux and her
sisters. The third book in the series, Tracing the Line, will be released in
August 2015.What
genre(s) would you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?I’m currently working on two paranormal series,
so we’ll see how those pan out. :)What
would your readers be surprised to learn about you?I never ever thought I’d write romance. My
background is in literary writing, and I’ve worked in the publishing field and
edited literary works for years now. But when an opportunity arose to write
steamy romance, I couldn’t resist the challenge. And I’ve had a blast.Why
should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a
try?Oo, good question! Let’s see.1. My focus for every book is to make sure the
characters have authentic problems that real people have, that they have flaws
that make them human, and that I honor the romance genre with the content. So
if you enjoy romance and you like to feel as though the characters you reach
could be friends of yours, then this book is for you.2. I write steamy romance…so you won’t have to
look far for some heat in any book I write. ;)3. I explore something different with each book,
including mental illness, the realities of kinky sensuality, and diverse
characters with different backgrounds. This book’s a great start to see if
you’ll enjoy my style.Is
there anything you’d like to say to your readers?Thank you so much for reading, and for giving me
the encouragement to continue the series! I’ve had a blast hearing your
feedback, and I appreciate your willingness to take a chance on my series.
Without you, authors have no purpose—so thank you for loving the written word.
<3About the BookTitle Crossing the LineGenre Erotic romanceAuthor Ally BishopBook heat level (based on
movie ratings): RI’ve never believed in love at
first sight, which is probably why I write mysteries, and not romances, for a
living. Besides, I’m too focused on expanding Elementary, a mystery dinner
party business I own with my brother Noah. I don’t have time for romance.When the handsome and successful
Ian Crane books our services, I can barely keep my wits about me. He’s setting
fire to all my rules, and I can’t resist his flames. I don’t recognize the
woman I’m becoming, but I don’t want to go back to who I was.There’s a part of me that can’t
help wondering, what if he’s too good to be true? Because if he is, my heart
will be nothing more than ashes.Heat rating: Toasty warm, with
plenty of flamesBuy This BookAmazon http://bit.ly/xingthelineBarnes and Noble http://bit.ly/xingthelineBNSmashwords http://bit.ly/xingthelineSWCreateSpace http://bit.ly/xingthelineAuthor Social MediaWebsite http://allybishop.comBlog http://allybishop.comTwitter http://twitter.com/allyabishopFacebook http://facebook.com/allyabishopPinterest http://pinterest.com/upgradestoryShelfari http://bit.ly/xingthelineshelfAmazon Author Page http://bit.ly/aabishop -
Ancient Ties #timetravel Jane Leopold Quinn @jelquinnauthor #RLFblog
This quick interview includes info about the author, and
introduces the story.About the Author
Sensual fantasies were locked in my mind for years until a
friend said, “Why don’t you write them down?” Why not, indeed? One
spiral notebook, a pen and the unleashing of my imagination later, and here I
am with more than a dozen books published. The craft of writing erotic romance
has become my passion and my niche in life. I love every part of the creative
process—developing characters, designing the plot, even drawing the layout of
physical spaces from my stories. My careers have been varied—third grade school
teacher, bookkeeper, secretary—none of which gave me a bit of inspiration. But
now I’m lucky enough to write romance full time—the best job in the universe!
And I’m fortunate enough to have found my own happily ever after husband.Interview with Jane Leopold Quinn
Why did you write
this book?I’d always been fascinated by the
ancient world – Rome, Greece, Egypt. When I finally took my first trip to
England, the British Museum in London was a treasure trove, and the Rosetta
Stone was one of the many highlights.But what turned out to be the best
for me was the Roman Museum at Bath, touring the baths, and seeing the
surviving artifacts. I was totally in love with everything there and had no
idea the real impact Bath would have on my life.I took photos of everything I
could see – statues, pediments, mosaics, and a row of tombstones. Roman
soldiers’ tombstones. I took a photo then moved on. The actual bath itself was
much smaller than I’d thought but more impressive and beautiful than I could
have ever imagined.When I got home, I had my photos
developed – yes, this was years before digital cameras. All the pictures turned
out very well except for the one of the tombstone. The edges of the stone were
sharp, but the center where it was carved was hazy. Darn! I told my friends
that the Roman soldier’s spirit was coming out to meet me. Haha.About a month after that trip, I
met the man who became my husband. After we’d been married a couple of years,
we went back to England (he’d never been) and our tour visited some of the
places I’d already seen. Bath and the Roman Museum was a repeat. I wanted to
retake the tombstone photo and hoped it would come out clear this time. I
wouldn’t know until we got home, because I still didn’t have a digital camera.The photo was clear! This time I
claimed the carving was clear because the soldier approved of my new husband.After another many years, I began
writing romance. One of my first inspirations was to write a story about a
third-grade Iowan school teacher (I’d been a third-grade teacher in Dubuque,
Iowa) who visits England and goes back in time to the Second Century Roman
Britain. Oh, yeah, and she meets a Roman soldier. Ancient Ties was born!What is your favorite
genre to read?Big surprise — my favorite genre
is romance. In the past I’ve read almost every kind of book there is —
literary fiction, mysteries, biographies, non-fiction, Mad Magazine, and for a
while I binged on Pulitzer Prize winning novels. Also for a period of time I
read romances. Then I didn’t for years. When I first started writing, I
realized it was romance. I believe in Happily Ever Afters. I can’t abide crying
as a book ends unless I’m crying happy tears. Since I’ve written in many kinds
of genres, I also read all kinds — westerns, contemporaries, Regencies,
vampire. Reading has always entertained me and helped me through rough times. I
can’t imagine living a non-reading life.Who is your favorite
character from fiction (not including your own)?If I say Mr. Darcy, is that too
cliché? To me he’s the quintessential romance hero. Tall, handsome, hunky sure,
but he’s got his wounds. They weren’t written by Jane Austen as we write
wounded heroes nowadays, but he’d been burned by events in his life and by
people like Wickham. He responded by closing down his emotions so another
person couldn’t touch him and hurt him. Once he looked outside his own pain and
focused on Elizabeth’s, then he came alive and accepted love. I’ve tried to
write my heroes that way, warriors afraid that love will weaken them, fighting
their need for a particular woman, not ever sure they will have their own
happily ever after, not knowing that’s the future they actually want.What are you working
on at the moment, and will see from you in coming months?I’ve spent the last few months
working on self publishing books I got back from publishers. AND, I’ve been
creating my own covers. I don’t have Photoshop, but using what’s already loaded
on my computer and Paint and PowerPoint, I can make fairly simple covers. My
latest, Ancient Ties, was created by my using romancenovelcovers.com for the
top picture. The two lower photos of Stonehenge and the Roman Bath in Bath,
England were taken by me on my trips to England. I also created a cover for two
short stories I’ll be releasing soon in one volume, Scorching Mini Tales, with
a photo of the Eifel Tower that I took myself in Paris last summer. I’ve also
created several other covers. It’s been fun to use another creative part of my
brain.As far as writing, probably the
next thing I’ll work on is a western serial of short stories taking place in
one small town with all the characters connected. Working title is Scorching
Mini Tales of the Olde West.Please tell us about
your latest book.Nursing a broken heart, Janney Forrester flies to England for a much
needed vacation. She gets one—and much more. A drive through the countryside
and the sight of a mysterious heavy gold bracelet found nestled against ruined
walls draw her across the crumbling stone threshold of an ancient villa where
she beholds a Roman room in perfect historical detail. To add to the unreality,
there’s the most gorgeous, masculine man she’s ever seen, her every sensual
fantasy personified. Confusion by what’s happening to her vies with attraction
when Janney is thrust two thousand years into the past.Roman soldier Marek Benin Verus considers the woman suddenly appearing
before him as a gift from the gods. Zeus knows he needs one! Battle fatigued
and emotionally scarred after fifteen years in the army, he’s on a leave of
absence and has all the time in the world to devote to seducing this beautiful
woman into his bed. He doesn’t plan on the powerful and dangerous emotions she
inspires in him.Marek’s hard, muscular body is too luscious to resist. Janney decides to
risk the comfort of her safe life and carpe diem—seize the day. Marek
seizes her body and takes her to the edge—and over—to an ecstasy she never knew
existed. Can a new world for her, timeless desire, and a loving exploration of
each other’s bodies forge a passion that survives centuries of separation?About the Book
Title – Ancient TiesGenre – Time Travel RomanceAuthor – Jane Leopold QuinnBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RBuy This Book
Amazon – http://amzn.com/B00WFTJYPGAuthor Social Media
Website and Blog – http://janeleopoldquinn.blogspot.comTwitter – https://twitter.com/jelquinnauthorAmazon Author Page – http://amzn.to/1DfiXkP
