Here to tantalize us…Roni!

Good morning everyone. Today on my blog I have author Roni Hall and her newest book, Montana Wild.

Hi there Roni. I am so excited to have you here today. I love the title of your book. Can you tell us about it?

Sure. Here’s the blurb.
Spiraling downward after losing two loved ones within one week, Jamie’s world was closing in…until she grabs an unexpected lifeline and escapes. Knowing only New York City, Montana is another world and she is unprepared by how the land, the people and even the animals touch her.
After risking her life to save a child, Jamie shares an undeniable bond and the beginning ripples of deep emotions with her co-rescuer, Kevin. However, her past follows her to Montana and threatens all that she loves there.
Jamie has no choice but to hurt Kevin in order to save his life and returns to New York with her ex, Derrick.
Broken, Kevin refuses to believe she doesn’t love him and searches for Jamie, only to find her in Derrick’s lair. Once again Jamie tries to protect Kevin but this time gets caught in the cross fire.

Wow. This sounds super exciting and like a definite page turner. One question I like to ask authors iswhat first inspired you to write?

As a nurse, I encountered numerous memorable patients but there were a few that forever settled into my heart. Montana Wild is fiction, but Jacob, the patient in the story was real. In the span of a human lifetime, I knew him a very short time, but his spirit had a lasting effect on me.

I’m so sorry to hear about Jacob but he sounds like an amazing person. Its wonderful that you continue to carry him with you and keep his memory alive through your writing.

Jacob died decades ago but he stays with me and inspired me to write.

That in itself is truely inspirational. I know that being an author carries with it a set of challenges but despite it all, what is the best thing about being an author? 

I can’t tell you how many people have told me that writing a book is on their bucket list. I am proud to say I did it!

LOL. I know it is something I have always wanted to do since I was a child. To be a published author is a dream come true. That and wanting to be able to be able to tell the future. That one hasn’t come true yet though.  😄 What about you? If you could have one super power,  what would you choose?

Fly, I would definitely fly. It would be the ultimate freedom to soar above the earth and tour the world!

I’ve heard that flying is wonderful but I am so scared of heights. Absolutely terrified. What is one thing that scares you the most?

Bears. I am deathly afraid of being mauled by a bear…started with a childhood dream.

Really? It’s crazy how much one single moment in time can affect us for the rest of our lives. And sometimes it’s really hard to overcome those obstacles. Speaking of which, what is one thing that aggravates you no matter how much you fight against it? What’s your pet peeve?

I have to say it is passivity. Be passionate. There is nothing worse than being passive.

I totally agree. Passion is what makes us strive for everything we want in life. Roni, I want to thank you for stopping by my blog today. I really enjoyed talking to you. But before you go, can you tell us where we can find you and your book, Montana Wild?

No problem. Readers can find me and my novel at one of the links below:

Facebook:      
http://www.facebook.com/ronihall02  

Web site:        
http://ronihall.com

Email:              
roni@ronihall.com

Amazon buy link:      
http://amzn.to/1UZZb4V

Sensual Saturday’s presents…Crystal

Good morning everyone. Today I am happy to have a return vistor. It’s Crystal Firsdon and her newest release, Almost Ordinary. This is book two in the The Song Wreckers series.

Welcome back Crystal!  I’m so glad you stopped by again. 

So we recently talked to you about the first book in this series, Almost Wrecked. Just by reading the blurb, I was instantly hooked. So what can you tell us about Book 2, Almost Ordinary?

Okay, let me give you the blurb. 

Three men changed Molly’s life forever, and now . . .
The one who violently attacked her is caught, though not without unexpected consequences.
The one who abandoned her, needs her, though he doesn’t know it.
And the one who loves Molly stands by as she engages in a quest for answers, though that quest may tear his and Molly’s family apart.
All Molly wants is an ordinary life, but after all is said and done, it may blow up right in front of her face instead.

Wow. This sounds like an incredible sequel. I can’t wait to read it. Speaking of reading, what is the first book you remember reading?

Saturday, the Twelfth of October by Norma Fox Mazur. It was written in 1975, and I read it in the early 80s. Now that I think about it, I really need to reread it, then force my kids to read it too. Awesome book.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that one but I’m always game for new books. As you know, writing and reading go hand in hand. Do you have a specific routine when you write?

When I need to be creative and have longevity of thought—creating and writing the story or developmental editing—I need to be alone, have complete silence, and a clean kitchen/ living room (because those are the areas I see when I write at my kitchen table). If I’m only checking for typos and format errors, I don’t need all that.

It’s so hard to find quiet time to write. At least it is for me anyway. But I love to write. Tell me though, if you could be anything but an author and your current job, what would it be?

An actor/ comedian on a show like Saturday Night Live. Could you imagine: getting paid to be completely silly and act goofy all day? I know it’s actually a lot of hard work, but I’d absolutely love to have a career out of making people laugh and acting like a moron with over-the-top, slapstick comedy.

I love comedians but I am so afraid of public speaking, I know I couldn’t do it. What is your greatest fear?

I have two, which together create a third. First, losing my children. Second, porta-potties. Third, losing a kid to a porta-potty by them falling into the hole.

LOL! 😄 I am afraid of losing my kids too but I never thought of the porta-potty thing. Great, now I’m envisioning giant smelly holes swallowing kids by the handfuls…*shakes head to clear mortifying thoughts*  What about a pet peeve? Do you have one?

I have so many, but it boils down to people who don’t exercise common courtesy. By this I mean people who don’t take the time to walk their shopping carts to the racks provided in the parking lot, who don’t hold the door for the person behind them, things like that.

Arrgh. That is totally annoying. I think if everyone would be courteous of each other, this world would be a much better place. Can you tell us a little more about yourself?

Well, here are some basic facts about myself:

I’m a former high school teacher turned stay-at-home mom turned part-time substitute teacher and school volunteer. I graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn where I earned my Master of Arts in Education so hopefully soon I’ll be back in the classroom teaching.  I absolutely love the romance genre but I can’t decide whether it’s better to read it or write it.
I have a long background in physical fitness so I include exercise in all my heroines’ lives. Lately, regular exercise is quite difficult, but hey, I’m trying.
I live in Michigan with my husband and children where the weather makes it impossible for my naturally curly hair to behave most days. You’ll almost always catch me sporting a messy bun and several bobby pins.

It sounds like you are always on the go. But hey, at  least you can’t say you’re bored. I do have one more question before you go. Where can we find you and your new book?

No problem!  I can be reached at one of the following places:

Website: 

Home

Facebook: 
http://on.fb.me/1mRBOfe

Almost Ordinary buy link:
http://amzn.to/1nSC9To

Crystal, thank you so much for stopping by again and congratulations on your new release.

Here to Tantalize Us….Ryan!

Hello all. Today I have Ryan Jo Summers and her newest book, Glimpse Eternity,  a sweet contemporary romance novella.

Good morning Ryan. I am so glad you stopped by to visit. The cover of your book looks amazing. Can you tell us more about your book?

Kasey Griffin is determined to prove a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis isn’t going to ruin her life or define her expectations. She is dedicated to her pregnant sister, her pets and operating her bookstore, ‘The Next Chapter’. She has everything she needs to have a full and satisfying life–the daily challenges of her condition notwithstanding. 

Then hunky musician Ben Salem rolls into town. Ben’s subtle charm quickly reminds Kasey she is more than a woman with a disease, she is also a woman with a heart. And Ben wants it.

Will Ben still desire her once he learns the terrible details of her condition?

Wow. I already love this and I haven’t even read it yet. I can’t even imagine what a struggle it is to live with such an awful disease. This must have been a very emotional book to write. How did you relax afterwards?

I actually relax by reading. But I have many other ways to relax. Sometimes I go to the nearby river and sit on a rock by the water. Or cooking/ baking. All the chopping/ cutting/ stirring/ etc.. is a form of therapy for me. I write poetry  to work through emotional issues. Mah Jongg. Brushing the cat/ dog. Sometimes just a long drive helps, relaxing and listening to the radio and thinking about some writing puzzle. Sitting on my porch and watching the rain fall while drinking coffee. Swinging on the swing in the patio, basking in the dappled shade while my dog runs around the yard. 

That definitely sounds nice. Everyone can use a little down time. Sometimes I like to listen to music to wind down. What kind of music do you listen to? Do you remember the first concert you went to? 

My very first concert was Styx with my then-husband. It was horrible. The loud, booming noise, music I didn’t like or understand the words, the screaming fans and terrible smoke. I couldn’t wait to leave. The things we do in the name of love, right? I’ve been to a few concerts since to artists I like and was turned off by the insane screaming of the fans, drowning out the performers. I’d rather stay home and watch them  on the computer. 

I agree. Sometimes it can all be a little overwhelming with all of the crowds and pyrotechnics. Music has certainly changed a lot over the years that’s for sure. Imagine what past generations would think of the way things are now. Hey, speaking of which, if you could live in any other time, when would it be?

I would have loved to be around in the later 1800’s. Civil War is ending, new century on the horizon. The frontier is still unsettled. There are so many opportunities for people to make their mark. Life would be simpler without all the technological hindrances of today. Harder, but also less intense, stress–filled with our hurried pace.

Yep, there are certainly plenty of pros and cons with any era. One thing I think would enjoy about that time would be the  old fashioned dresses and riding horses everywhere you went. They are such beautiful animals.

I know! I love horses, all things about them. Their strength, beauty, spirit, grace, willingness to be our friend and helper. They are such gentle giants (usually). I dearly miss having horses. Perhaps one day…

There is nothing better than seeing horses running, just enjoying life. *sigh*  You know, one of my friends loves horses so much, they have a tattoo of one. What about you? Do you have any tats?

I don’t have any tattoos but sometimes dream of getting a phoenix. The mythological bird that burns itself every 500 years on a funeral pyre and is reborn. To me, it is my personal mantra, or symbol of starting over from the ashes of my previous life. I am brighter and better than before. 

It has been really great talking to you today. Before you go, can you tell us a little but more about yourself?

Okay. I’m a North Carolina writer who likes to pen romances with a twist. Love stories blended as inspirational, with paranormal, suspense or time travel–or several at once. I also write non-fiction for regional periodicals. My dad is a songwriter and his aunt wrote poetry, so I came by the writing gene honestly.
I live in a 1920’s cottage with a menagerie of pets. And I often daydream of the shore and frequently uses water as settings in my stories.

What about hobbies?

My hobbies include poetry, bird watching, houseplants and gardening, gathering with friends, hiking in the forest, painting canvas and ceramics, and working wiggly word find puzzles, mah johngg or chess. 

Ryan, thank you again for stopping by. Where can readers find you?

They can click on one of the links below.
 
WEBSITE: http://www.ryanjosummers.com  

BLOG: http:summersrye.wordpress.com  

TWITTER:

Tweets by RyanJoSummers

FB:  
www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Jo-Summers-author-page/312875648810797

ROMANCE REVIEWS:
http://www.theromancereviews.com/mypage.php?location=ryanjosummers

GOODREADS:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6604705.Ryan_Jo_Summers

HAPPY V-DAY!!!

Good morning everyone. Today is Valentine’s Day!

The OFFICIAL Day of love.

First, I want to say: Why only show love ONE day a year? It SHOULD be everyday.  Come on people, life is too short to tell those you love how you feel.  Tell them NOW!!

There, now that I got that out of my system, I will move on. 😌

I know a lot of people go all out all out buying gifts

For women, gifts tend to be:

FLOWERS

CHOCOLATE

JEWELRY

OR A ROMANTIC DINNER

For men, the gifts usually include things like:

TIES

WATCHES

OR SPORTS TICKETS

But whether the gifts are super expensive

Or maybe not so expensive

They are given with love.

So for this Valentine’s Day, spend it with the ones you love

and take a moment and give them a hug

Because after all, it’s Valentine’s Day

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!! Enjoy!!

Here to tantalize us…

Hi everybody! Today I have Crystal Firsdon and her book, Almost Wrecked, The Song Wreckers, Book 1.

Good morning Crystal. Now you told me that this is the first book in a series. How exciting. Can you give us a taste of what it’s about?

1 creep. 2 bodyguards. 3 men who change Molly’s life forever. 

Guitar player Molly Davis is taunted with disturbing gifts by some creep she hopes like heck is a harmless, misguided fan. The owner of the bar where her band plays isn’t taking any chances, however, and hires Gabe Cooper and Caleb “Ram” Ramsey to stand guard over Molly and the rest of the band. 

Cooper is all business and doesn’t mess with Molly’s emotions. She can handle that. Ram is a different story. He’s gorgeous, has a good heart, and is sometimes infuriating. He doesn’t take Molly’s crap, giving him the potential to be the first man to shove his way through her stubbornness and into her life. But a violent attack proves the creep isn’t going away. And that almost wrecks everything.

Wow. That sounds so intriguing. And Ram sounds amazing. I can’t wait to read it. Do you have a soundtrack for your book? Something that keeps your creative juices going?

With the exception of my Christmas novelette, my other 2 books are music oriented, so of course I have a soundtrack to them. Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Pink, Joey + Rory, The Jane Dear Girls, The Band Perry, Adele. Those are the main artists. There are a few boys in there as well, but my main inspirations were the ladies.

While I’m mostly into rock music, I love all of those as well thanks to my hubby. 😌 With all of those great names, I have to ask: What was your VERY first concert? And who would you love to see now?

My very first concert was . . . wait for it . . . Menudo! Remember those guys? As soon as they reached a certain age they were kicked out of the group and replaced with someone younger. They were performing at the same outdoor fair as my dad’s band. I remember getting their autographs.

Now I’d love to see Miranda Lambert. I love twangy girl country. Many of her songs were on the soundtrack I made for my books.

I’ve heard of Menudo but I’ve never listened to them. I was born in 1977 and my first concert was Color Me Badd. 😄 That is a far cry from Miranda Lambert. Speaking of differences, are they any different genres you have thought about writing?

Yes! I have a paranormal romance trilogy mapped out, and another paranormal romance in the very beginning stages.

That is so awesome. I love it When authors venture out of their safe zone. I have a kids’ book in it’s early stages as well. So for anyone that is aspiring to be a writer, what kind of advice can you Give them?

Sit down behind your f***ing keyboard and write. Don’t worry that it sucks. All first, and sometimes second and third, drafts are awful. You can fix it later. Just get the ideas out of your head.

Well said. 😄 I hate to go but my family is going to be wanting breakfast soon.  Speaking of which, do you cook? Is there something special you make?

I cook dinner for the family just about every night, but I don’t consider myself a real cook. My specialty is anything with 5 ingredients or less for the most part. I love the crock pot. Just a few weeks ago my younger son asked me why I’m going back to school to become a teacher again. After my answer he looked at me dead serious, and said, “Mom, you could be a cook in a restaurant.” I told him that only him, his brother, and their dad likes my cooking. He said, “No, Mom. I’m serious. You should be a cook.” I’m still laughing at that one.

LOL. Well my family will never accuse me of being a great cook. Its a wonder they haven’t had food poisoning yet. Just kidding but I’m not a chef. But before you go, can you Give us a short rundown on your life?

Sure. Let me see… Well I’m a former high school teacher turned stay-at-home mom turned part-time substitute teacher and school volunteer. I’m currently a graduate student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn to earn my Master of Arts in Education. Hopefully soon I’ll be back in the classroom teaching.

Wow, that is great. Teachers are super important. A lot of times I don’t think they get the recognition they deserve. What else can you tell us about yourself?

I love the romance genre, and can’t decide whether it’s better to read it or write it. With a long background in physical fitness, I include exercise in all of my heroines’ lives. Lately, regular exercise is quite difficult, but hey, I’m trying.
I live in Michigan with my husband and children where the weather makes it impossible for my naturally curly hair to behave most days. You’ll almost always catch me sporting a messy bun and several bobby pins.

HA HA. I have to day I have really enjoyed having you on my blog today. One last question. Where can readers find you?

No problem. They can find me at one of the links below.

Website: 
http:crystalfirsdon.com/

Facebook: 
http://on.fb.me 1mRBOfe

Find me on Goodreads.
And Facebook.

​Crystal Firsdon
Author of Romantic Women’s Fiction
www.crystalfirsdon.com

Almost Wrecked, The Song Wreckers, Book 1
Almost Ordinary, The Song Wreckers, Book 2 coming February 2016
Sizzle in the Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection

Here to tantalize us…Mandi!

Hi everyone! I want to introduce you to a wonderful author and her new book, To Rome with Love.

Hi Mandi!  Its so nice to have you on my new segment, Tantalizing Tuesdays. I know how exciting it is to have a new book released. Why don’t you tell us about yours.

To Rome With Love placed fifth in the 2014 Heart-to-Heart competition run by the San Francisco branch of RWA, and is the first in a series called Love in the City.  

Wow! Congratulations! What an honor. If you could sum up your book in one sentence, what would it be?

It’s a sexy tale of a funny and talented soon-to-be-divorcee chef trying to resist the irresistible in a city made for temptation.

Sounds sexy alright. I’m intrigued but come on, can’t you give us a little more? Pretty please….

When Gaby Conte’s Italian husband, Danieli, abandons her for a young Peruvian waitress at a restaurant they co-own in San Francisco, Gaby seeks refuge in Rome with her best friend Maria. There, she swears off romance for a long while and Italian men forever. That’s until she meets Silvio, who belongs to an old, aristocratic Roman family and lives in a palace alongside the best private art collection in Rome.

Silvio, who is the cousin of Maria’s husband, is going through his own divorce. He’s gorgeous, of course, which Gaby doesn’t tell him. And arrogant and condescending, which she does. The last thing Gaby needs is more Italian trouble, but the attraction is instant and powerful, and against the backdrop of one of the world’s most romantic cities, both try—and fail—to resist the chemistry between them.

But both Gaby and Silvio have made a rule never to make the mistake of trusting in love again. Will they realize some rules are made just to be broken?

Oh man, this sounds like an amazing book! Now that we know more about it, could you answer a few questions to let the readers know more about you?

Great! Let me know what you need from me. 

1. What inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve been a voracious reader from day one. I love words. The power they have when strung together has always shocked and delighted me. Particularly if you consider they are merely static symbols on a page. And I love stories, which truly are the currency of human life (and look like they’ll survive longer than the European Union.)

I published my first piece of fiction, a short story, when I was twelve, growing up in England. But I didn’t ever consider the life of a writer. I wanted to be a lawyer. One term of contracts and torts quickly disabused me of that notion. My sister suggested I try journalism school and I did and I got my degree and started as a reporter for papers and magazines like the LA Times and the San Francisco Examiner, (now the S.F Chronicle), the San Jose Mercury News, W magazine, Travel & Leisure and more. I loved working in non-fiction, and looking for a new challenge, decided to venture into fiction, a very different-and much harder-animal to tame. So far I love it! 

2. Isn’t it crazy how you start out planning to so one thing and end up somewhere totally different? Okay, next question. What is one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you?  

that I love the concept of American diners.

3. There are so many different diners, it can really blow your mind. So, who is your all time favorite author?

That’s impossible to answer! Here are three: Henry James, Thomas Hardy, Edith Wharton

4. Great choices! It’s so hard to choose sometimes. All right, so what is the hardest thing about being an author?

A blank screen

5. OMG! You nailed it there. I absoulty hate a blank screen. So daunting…Okay, last question. Where is the one place you would go if you could go anywhere?

To Rome

Ha ha, should have known. 😄 Mandi, I want to thank you so much for sharing. I can’t wait to read your book. When does it get released?

 To Rome With Love is being released Feb. 10.

Right before Valentine’s Day. How perfect is that? Where can readers find it?

Author | To Rome With Love |http://amzn.com/B01AO6MH96

Any other books you want us to know about?

Author | The Blasphemy Box |www.amazon.com/dp/0615736831

Sweet. Now if readers want to contact you, where can they go?

http://www.mandibenet.com
http://www.facebook.com/mandibenetauthor

Tweets by MANDYSCRIBEISTA

Awesome. Thank you again for stopping by. Please come by again anytime.