Blog Archives
Mouthwatering Moment… by Rachael Johns
The first Mouthwatering Moment excerpt for May is from JILTED, by Rachael Johns. This book will be published in June, so here’s a little taste…
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ he scoffed. ‘You’ll be a wonderful mother. You were always good with Lucy, still are.’
‘Thanks,’ she smiled meekly. ‘But it’s a moot point. First I’d have to find a man to have kids with.’
As if that would be difficult, he thought. Did she really have such a low opinion of herself? Without thinking, he reached out and brushed his fingertips along her cheek, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear. She caught his hand against her cheek, holding it there as they gazed into each other’s eyes. His pulse thrummed hard and fast. He felt himself leaning forward, losing his balance and much, much more as he stared at her lips and imagined them playing erotically across his. One hand still pressed to her cheek, he reached the other up to steady himself against the tree and dipped his head.
Right before Lady Gaga’s latest hit started blaring from Ellie’s pocket.
~*~
Rachael’s favourite meal: I’ve got a fantasy meal… it doesn’t really matter what the food is (as long as there’s no mushrooms or olives or seafood involved) but my kids will eat it ALL and they won’t fight and bicker or put their feet up on the table while we’re eating it!
Rachael’s favourite treat: Cake – pretty much any kind except fruit cake.
Rachael’s favourite drink: Diet Coke.
Thanks Rachael for sharing your excerpt, I can’t wait to read JILTED!
You can visit Rachael’s website here, and remember to leave a comment below to be in the running for the Mouthwatering May prize draw at the end of the month!
Anita Heiss Answers Juliet’s Awkward Questions! Plus a giveaway!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Photography: Amanda James
Today I’d like to welcome the lovely Anita Heiss to the blog!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
Who Am I? the diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937. An historical novel about the stolen generations it is probably the most significant work I will ever do in my lifetime.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!):
Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
I’m cheerful!
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
My lawyer says I am not challenged by any of these.
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
Yes, I fell in love with Cash Branigan from Manhattan Dreaming. I remember sitting at my desk one day and bursting into tears because I realised he was my perfect match – strong, hot, capable, romantic, thoughtful, runs a restaurant in New York. What more could a girl like me possibly want?
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
Yes, especially the sex scenes, they require a lot of acting out.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
I talk to myself all the time. In terms of my writing though, as I type I say the words out loud and then I read them back to listen for clunkiness.
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Halle Berry or a younger Angela Bassett.
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
I’d be my own character Lauren Lucas from Manhattan Dreaming, because even with her flaws she was a great gal AND got to live in NYC for 12 months, eat a lot of cake, shop with the girls, go on dates and work at the fabulous National Museum of the American Indian.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
For the last twenty years all I’ve had is books, paper, chocolate and booze. I’ll take a bloke to pass the time for the next 12 months!
Thanks for participating, Anita. Your answers gave me a laugh! You have been awarded Mega-Brave Author status on the braveometer!
Visit Anita’s website here.
*To WIN a copy of Anita’s book, MANHATTAN DREAMING, comment below and answer Anita’s question:
Q: ‘I’ve set books in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, New York and Paris. Where else should I set a book and why?’
*Competition open to Australian residents only, and will be drawn on Monday 30th April. Winner will be notified via email and must respond within one week or another winner will be chosen.
Emmie Dark Answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions! + Giveaway!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome Emmie Dark to the blog!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
You do go straight for the heart! 🙂 Okay, my truthful answer is the one I’m writing now – title-less, only five chapters written, and I’m totally smitten by it. The hero is the hero of my heart – if I could find a way to make him walk off the page and into my life, I’d do it!
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!):
Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Hmm. I’d like to think more than one of these apply to me. But I’ll go with neat. I travel a lot for work, and my friends and family are always amazed that by ten minutes after getting in the door, my suitcase is unpacked, put away and the first load of washing is in the machine.
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
I think probably more than one of these apply to me too! I’ll go with Always Late. Not by very much, but I’m regularly a ‘just past the hour’ than ‘before the hour’ kind of person.
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
Every single hero I’ve written! I always fall in love with my heroes. In my book “In His Eyes” that comes out in August, I have a secondary character called Morris who’s a grumpy old guy with a heart of gold. I think I’m a little in love with him, but it’s more of a girl-crush than a romantic one.
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
Yes, I have done that! I also read some of my dialogue aloud – I sometimes wonder what my neighbours are thinking!
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Well, there’s an easy awkward question given I’ve already answered it! 😉 Yes, I will definitely read dialogue aloud. I also find when I’m coming up with plot and character arcs, I need to talk them through with someone. I have a few friends and a couple of crit partners who are handy sounding boards.
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
I’m loving the show “Once Upon a Time” at the moment and I’d love to say Jennifer Morrison. But she’s not really like me – probably I’d more accurately go with someone more quirky, like Tina Fey.
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
I’d like to be Bastian in The Neverending Story. He gets to have a fabulous adventure and once he’s overcome the Nothing, he gets to create a whole new Fantasia for himself. I’ve always loved that book and I’d very much like to have my own luckdragon.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
This is a very tough one! I’m hopeless writing long-hand, so the pen and paper would be no use to me. I think I’d probably like an unlimited supply of book, but I’d be lost without an occasional glass of chardonnay. And a gorgeous companion… sigh. I’ll go with books. At least then I can imagine wine and heroes!
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Be kind to each other. That’s all.
Thanks for participating, Emmie. You have been awarded Ultra-Brave Author status on the Braveometer!
Check out Emmie’s new book, CASSIE’S GRAND PLAN. PLUS, to WIN a copy, leave a comment for Emmie below!
CASSIE’S GRAND PLAN
BACK BLURB
Four steps to a brand-new life
Cassie Hartman knows what she needs to do to get her life under control. First, she’ll get herself promoted. Then she’ll update her appearance. Steps three and four—marriage and family—well, those will have to wait.
Then Ronan McGuire shows up. The too-sexy, too-polished business consultant has the power to derail Cassie’s plans before she’s even really started. If he doesn’t approve her promotion, she’ll be back to square one—and that’s not an option. Cassie needs to keep her focus on that first step, no matter how much Ronan tempts her to skip ahead to the third and fourth ones….
Buy Links:
Harlequin Amazon Amazon UK
B&N Book Depository
Emmie Dark’s Bio:
After years of writing press releases, employee newsletters and speeches for CEOs and politicians – none of which included any kind of kissing – Emmie Dark finally took to her laptop to write what she wanted to write. She was both amazed and delighted to discover that what came out was sexy, noble heroes who found themselves crossing paths with strong, determined heroines. And plenty of kissing.
Emmie’s overnight success has taken about five years to achieve. She began fiddling around with story ideas when the urge to write fiction became overwhelming. In July 2011 she sold her first book to Harlequin SuperRomance and she’s not looking back, with her second sale in September. Both books will be out in 2012.
Emmie lives in Melbourne, Australia, and she likes red lipstick, chardonnay, sunshine, driving fast, rose-scented soap and a really good cup of tea. Like, a really good cup of tea. She’s particularly fussy about it, and has been known to pack her own teabags when she travels. Most members of her family are too scared to make her a cuppa, in case they get it wrong.
…What about you, do you have a Grand Plan for your life?
Fiona Palmer answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Please welcome Fiona Palmer to the blog! Not only is Fiona brave for answering these questions, she is also generous, as she is giving away a copy of her new book, THE ROAD HOME!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
Hmm, I’d have to say the fourth book I’m writing as I’ve grown so much as a writer and I’ve learnt so much now, whereas my first book I was a complete novice. I look back at my first book and cringe with what I know now. LOL
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!):
Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
I’d like to say cheerful, but there are days where that just doesn’t happen (I have kids!!) so I’d have to stick with punctual. I just hate being late. If someone says, meet me at 7, then I have to be there by that time, even a little early so I’m not leaving them waiting. My watch is my best friend. 🙂
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
Well we can rule out the first one. I do like a bit of goss…(I work at the local post office, it’s practically the grapevine lol) But I’d have to go with klutz. But more a klutz in my mind. I can be totally gullible and sometimes just be on a whole other wave length. (I could blame having kids, but I was like this at high school. I have stories, one was ironing my face…I know I hear you all going WHAT, but it happened…and don’t get me started on the other things!)
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
It was Will from my first book. Who wouldn’t want the hunky wealthy next-door farmer? I always wanted to marry a farmer, until I realised the farm would come first LOL.
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
No. Well in a way, it’s acted out in my head like a movie. I’ll be staring at a wall as I become lost in my head as the characters come alive and I watch them go about their business. Then I come to and realise my kids have been yelling at me for the last ten minutes! Kids+writing=hard work.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Again I do, but internally. I’m not a verbal person, I’d much prefer typing emails than phone calls. Just as well I don’t do it out loud because I think I’d scare a lot of people. And it’s a lot faster just letting my mind whizz through the words and ideas. Talking them would slow me down. (Oh and I also have this problem where my brain and mouth aren’t connected very well. I can think of something to say but it comes out my mouth different! It’s a curse.)
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
I’d have to say Sandra Bullock – Her character in Miss Congeniality is close (I’m a tomboy) and she played that so well, she’s not afraid to be a dork.
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Elizabeth Bennet. Because I love her spirit and hey, she’s married to Mr Darcy and gets to live in a gorgeous old house.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
Wow all of them together would be perfect. Okay just one. Hmm I’d have to say the books because then I could escape to all different places and not have to worry about running out of ideas!
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Really I think I couldn’t do it, the pressure would be too much. Trying to figure out what would be the perfect most useful thing to say would fry my brain. Even now I’m thinking OMG what would I say!!
Thanks Fiona, you have been awarded Ultra-Brave Author status on the braveometer!
You can visit Fiona at her website, Facebook, and Twitter (@fiona_palmer)
*To be in the draw to WIN a copy of Fiona’s brand new book (released this week!). THE ROAD HOME, please comment below and answer the following question:
“What would YOU say to the world if you had everyone’s attention for two minutes?”
(Winner drawn Monday 26th March)
Fiona Lowe answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Please welcome Fiona Lowe to the blog! *applause*
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
Logically, if my very first book hadn’t been published then perhaps none of the others would have been. An author learns with each book she writes and I doubt I could have written Boomerang Bride without the foundation of the previous eleven medical romances. I love this book for a heap of reasons….it is my first single title, it is a completely different style of book from my category romances, it struggled to get published and now it is a RT Book Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee and Harlequin are going to print publish it for their NA Reader Service.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Ohhh, hard choice between generous and cheerful. Better go with cheerful.
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
This one is much easier to answer. Blabbermouth in that I like to talk, but NOT in disclosing secrets because I can be a vault of information if required.
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
LOL, EVERY single hero I write. I think you have to love him to write him so you can show him warts and all and make your reader fall in love with him.
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
If it features a lot of movement then I act it out. I have even hung upside down from a window to replicate a scene. Once when I wrote a dinner scene with eight people, I drew a seating chart so I knew who was sitting where.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
I often find myself having the conversation between my characters. It was only embarrassing when I did it in the supermarket. Got a few odd looks!
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Alyson Hannigan who plays Lily in How I Met Your Mother.
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice because she gets Darcy AND Pemberley. I love me an English country manor house.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books.
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
An unlimited supply of books.
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Treat all people from all nations like you treat your child… care for them, expect the best of them, champion them, encourage them, care for them, give them skills, share your wisdom and love them.
Thanks Fiona, you have been awarded ‘Ultra-Brave Author’ status on the braveometer!
Visit Fiona at her website.
Boomerang Bride Out Now! Top Pick by RT Book Reviews! Published by Carina Press
Nominated for an RT Book Reviewers Choice award!
Sydney Harbour Hospital: Tom’s Redemption April 2012
Helen Lacey answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions!
In this segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome Helen Lacey to the blog!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
I have to say my first book, Made For Marriage – because if these two people hadn’t met and fallen in love, then the next six books in my series might never have been written.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!):
Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Cheerful. (Or at least I like to think so)
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
I am an absolute klutz. If there’s a ditch, I’ll fall in it, if there’s mud, I’ll slip over.
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
I just finished writing book five in my series and absolutely fell in love with the hero. He was a doctor with a painful past and I just loved him. Although, I thinks it’s important to fall a little in love with my hero every time a start a new book. If I want readers to love him, I need to love him first.
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
Sometimes I do, especially to get the rhythm of the dialogue right.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Constantly! Coming up with ideas is one of my favourite things, so talking about it, even to myself, makes it all the more fun.
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Hmmm. Tough question. I’d like to have Charisma Carpenter, because I think she’d make a great cheerful klutz 🙂
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
I’d like to be Jo March from Little Women. She was spunky and spirited and had an amazing imagination. She longed to be a writer and it would be great to experience being that driven by a dream in those long ago days.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
A pen and notepad that never runs out.
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
To be tolerant and not judge others. And to read more books, of course.
Thanks for taking part in my Ten Awkward Author Questions, Helen. You have achieved Ultra-Brave Author status on the Braveometer!
Check out Helen’s book, MADE FOR MARRIAGE:
Equestrian Callie Jones was used to difficult parents at her riding school. But Noah Preston took the cake.
How dare he question her teaching abilities, after his headstrong daughter paid no heed to rules—her teacher’s or her father’s?
Single dad Noah was ready to apologize for overreacting. But he wasn’t sorry for the way the stunning American riding instructor made him feel. And he soon learned that there was more to Callie than her smarts, sass and fire: a shattered heart that threatened to splinter even further. Could he make her see that he—and his family—were for keeps?
Buy Links:
Harlequin Amazon Amazon UK Book Depository
Helen Lacey on the web:
Website Facebook Twitter Blog Helen’s Page at RomanceWiki
For full itinerary on Helen’s Celebration tour check out Helen Lacey- Author Page.
Paula Roe answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions!
In this new segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome Paula Roe, award-winning romantic fiction author!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
The first one, definitely. Needed to get that off my chest!
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
ONE??? I would say generous, but I’m pretty sure the general consensus from others is ‘cheerful’ 🙂
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one):
Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
The keyword here is ‘challenging’. I would say slob, but I completely own up to that one… which means it’s not really challenging, right…? The next one would probably be ‘blabbermouth’, then. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
I think Jake Vance from Boardrooms & A Billionaire Heir. Because I wrote him with Seeley Booth (from Bones) in my head and I just loooove David Boreanaz :-*)
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
No, but I do read it aloud, especially the dialog scenes. I can edit out a lot of repetition that way.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Oh, yeah. But only in the car, where no-one can hear me. But of course, other drivers can *see* me, which can be quite disturbing… although probably not as disturbing as watching me belt out a song at high volume…
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Sandra Bullock 😀
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Scrooge McDuck – for all the money, of course!
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
ARRRGGHH!! Toss up. The pen and notepad, which would be awesome? Or the man? Does he have to do my bidding? Because *that* would definitely tip the scales in his favor…
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Stop FIGHTING, people!! Don’t you know there’s a climate change crisis?!
Thanks Paula, you have been awarded Ultra-Brave Author status!
Paula will be special guest speaker at the Australian Romance Readers Awards on 11th Feb. You can also check out Paula’s website here.
Imogene Nix answers Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions
In this new segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome Imogene Nix to the blog!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
Well to be honest of all the ones I have written, I really have a thing for Starfire (Second in the Warriors of the Elector series.) It still needs editing, but I just love Jems character because, to be frank, she is a bitch at the beginning because it is the only way she knows how to cope.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
I think of them all I am a reasonably good listener. Neatness is NOT my best point, and I do get crabby and cranky, and punctuality went out the door years ago.
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one): Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
Grumpy Pants (just ask my husband.)
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
No. Mainly because I would rather spend my time with my husband 😀 (And no, not crawling 🙂 )
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
Sometimes, it depends on the scenes. Some of the fight scenes I actually get my daughters to play the opposite.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Again, sometimes. But I have to be honest, there are some very blush-worthy scenes and I am so pleased no one is around sometimes. 🙂
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Me? I don’t know that anyone could….I would love to say Dame Judy Dench, but I would probably be kidding myself 🙂
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Eve Dallas. She is so seriously strong, but has funny takes on how the world works. I would love to see the world she lives in. Seedy, dirty and bloody, but interesting. Very Dichotomous.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol.
No brainer….especially if I couldn’t put on weight or have a hangover.
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Romance is not bad. It helps to make you feel happy and give you hope. Keep reading those books!
Visit Imogene at her website, www.imogenenix.com
Congratulations Imogene, you scored Ultra-Brave Author on the Braveometer!
Helene Young Answers ‘Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions’ (& Giveaway!)
In this new segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome romantic suspense author Helene Young, who has kindly offerred to give away a copy of Shattered Sky to one lucky commentor!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
Oh no… that’s traitorous not awkward 🙂 Ok I’ve hardened up – Wings of Fear because it’s subject matter is so dear to my heart.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Hmm… Can I add one of my own? You don’t have obsessive there! No? Ok I’ll go with punctual then because no one wants their pilot to be late 🙂
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one): Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
Go with complete klutz… My husband used to call me Frank after Frank Spencer in Some Mothers do ‘Ave em…
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
Oh yes, all of them are serious crushes but Ryan in Burning Lies is my most debilitating crush. I didn’t want his story to end.
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
No, but I read the dialogue aloud and I have been known to try kissing my husband in unusual embraces, normally to poor effect.
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
Yep, and I pull faces! Not good if I’m in a coffee shop or airport lounge… Probably look quite deranged.
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Can I have Judy Dench or or Helen Mirren?
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Lily from Phillipa Fioretti’s book The Book of Love. I’d get to wear vintage dresses, float around in a dreamy haze, eat luscious jam and have gorgeous men fall at my feet.
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
Easy, a) Pen and notepad because then I can create the gorgeous man, write my own stories and be forceably weaned off my caffeine addiction.
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
Can you lot be a bit more tolerant of each other? If you don’t like someone then stay away from them. Don’t get in their face and starting shouting! Sharing is good. Spread the love. 🙂
Thanks Helene! Helene’s website is here.
WIN! To be in the running for a copy of Shattered Sky (must be in Australia), comment below and tell us who YOU think should play Helene in a movie of her life. Prize will be drawn on Monday 12th December.
If you’d like to buy a signed copy for a Christmas present, or just for yourself, contact Helene.
Helene’s books are now available on Kindle too! Check them out here.
And now for Helene’s award…(drumroll)… Helene, you are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!!
Tracy Sumner answers ‘Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions’
In this new segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!
Today I’d like to welcome Tracy Sumner to take the challenge! And if you’d like to win two of Tracy’s ebooks, plus go into the draw to win a kindle at the end of her blog tour, make sure you leave a comment!
1. If only one of your books could have been / could be published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)
Easy answer for me! Tides of Love. Backstory: Tides of Love was written first. Brother: Noah Garrett. Tides of Passion followed: Zach Garrett. Why Tides of Love if I had to choose one.? Well, Noah Garrett is MY type of hero. He’s a marine biologist, Outer Banks, 1898. He lives a controlled life until her meets Elle. Tides of Love is just MY book. That’s all I can say.
2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat. Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.
Generous.
3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one): Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.
Blabbermouth. I’m always late, too!
4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?
See answer #1. Noah Garrett. Though I love my heros! All of them!
5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?
NO. I think I’d feel foolish even if I was alone. Though I do act them out a lot in my mind. Does that count? 🙂
6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?
I talk to myself all the time. And I start conversations in the middle of a sentence/thought with others. Odd.
7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?
Maybe Sandra Bullock? How about Angelina Jolie!
8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?
Scarlett O’Hara. Our personalities are similar. I’m a feisty southerner. And Rhett Butler was an awesome hero!
9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?
a) A pen and notepad that never runs out
b) An unlimited supply of books
c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)
d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference
B. I’m assuming I at least have water or I’d pick C. I’ll go with B; I think any man would get annoying after so much contained togetherness! Even if he was hot.
10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?
ADOPT DON’T SHOP. SPAY/NEUTER. Then, I might have a few seconds left over to talk about my books! Promo!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
facebook.com/TracySumnerRomanceAuthor
@SumnerTracy
Tides of Passion: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005WVPFH0
Tracy’s story telling career began when she picked up a copy of LaVyrle Spencer’s Vows on a college beach trip. A journalism degree and a thousand romance novels later, she decided to try her hand at writing a southern version of the perfect love story. With a great deal of luck and more than a bit of perseverance, she sold her first novel to Kensington Publishing.
When not writing sensual stories featuring complex characters and lush settings, Tracy can be found reading romance, snowboarding, watching college football and figuring out how she can get to 100 countries before she kicks (which is a more difficult endeavor than it used to be with her four-year-old son in tow). She lives in Charlotte, NC, but after spending a few years in “the city”, considers herself a New Yorker at heart.
Tracy has been awarded the National Reader’s Choice, the Write Touch and the Beacon – with finalist nominations in the HOLT Medallion, Heart of Romance, Rising Stars and Reader’s Choice. Her books have been translated into German, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish. She loves hearing from readers about why she tends to pit her hero and heroine against each other and that great novel she simply must order in five seconds on her Kindle.
Ciao!
WIN! Two commenters will be chosen by random.org for two eBooks each! TIDES OF PASSIONand TIDES OF LOVE! And all the commenters will go in the grand draw of a Kindle at the end of this tour! For further stops in this tour, please check the Author Page.
Thanks Tracy for taking part, you have been awarded ‘Ultra-Brave Author’ status on the Braveometer!
JULIET MADISON 