What were you thinking?

Featured Author

 

Donna Fasano, Author

 

SYNOPSIS:

Professor Joshua Kingston thought he'd found the perfect nanny for his son. But once Cassie Simmons stepped into his life, she turned it upside down! His son no longer played by the rules – and Cassie kept making up new ones. He would fire her – if he didn't find her so utterly enticing.

Cassie had a huge secret to hide, and she couldn't afford to lose her new job. But her handsome employer wasn't making things easy. All those silly rules. How was an eight-year-old boy supposed to have any fun? The professor definitely needed a lesson in laughter – and love!

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

I can't tell you how many times over the course of my 20+ year career as a published romance author I have been asked, "When are you going to write a real book? You know a [insert genre of choice, such as mystery, family saga, historical, thriller, horror, western, etc]." So I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell readers why I write romance novels.

I suffered a lot of tragedy while I was growing up, the worst of which was losing my mother just as I was hitting my teens. I felt as though I went from 13 to 35, and when my friends were off having fun, I was cooking and cleaning and helping my little brother with his homework. Romance novels were an escape for me. The Wolf and the Dove, The Far Pavilions, Whitney My Love, Rebecca, The Thorne Birds…if the book featured one man and one woman falling in love, I read it! As a young wife and mother, I discovered Silhouette Romance Novels. These books were short and sweet and uplifting. Each and every story put a smile on my face, and the happy-ever-after endings always boosted my spirits. Are romance novels real? No. Does every relationship end in HEA? Of course not. But if I wanted doom and gloom, I'd watch the evening news.

As an author, I can't think of a better way to use my talent than to bring pure enjoyment to my readers. I tell people that I write cotton candy for the mind. Think about that. When you were a kid and you put a small cloud of that wispy confection on your tongue, what did you do? You smiled. And maybe you even laughed. That's the reaction I'm going for with my short, upbeat stories. That's why I write romance novels. So if you're looking to get lost for a few hours in a fun, cheery story, I hope you'll try one of my books. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Donna is a bestselling, award-winning author of over 30 novels that have sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide. 

You can find her on the web at www.DonnaFasano.com, 

Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DonnaFasanoAuthor, 

Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DonnaFaz.

OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR: Click Here

Guest Interview - Deborah Ledford

Part Easten Band Cherokee, Deborah spent her summers growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina which is the setting for her suspense thriller novels and many of her short stories.

Book two of her Steven Hawk/Inola Walela thriller series, SNARE is The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist, nominated as Best Mystery that captures the landscape of the Southwest.

Classical music themed STACCATO is Book One of Deborah's series. Both books are published by Second Wind Publishing. The "STACCATO Book Trailer" is Now Showing on YouTube.

As well as a suspense thriller novelist, Deborah is also a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize. Her award-winning short stories appear in numerous print publications as well as literary and mystery anthologies.

What is the main premise of this book?  

SNARE is The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist about the journey of a female Native American pop music sensation about to embark on her first personal appearance. An altercation occurs during her concert and peril ensues. Here’s a brief synopsis: One rock star sensation. Two men from her past want her dead. Three others will risk everything to keep her safe. All are in peril. Who will be caught in a trap? SNARE: Revenge with a beat.

Who’s your favorite character in it?  

Although I love my main character, Deputy Steven Hawk, and rock star Katina Salvo was a blast to write, my favorite character is Katina’s Aunt Sylvie. I’m part Eastern Band Cherokee and the Native American elements in all of my works are very important to me. I spent a lot of time on the Taos Pueblo Indian reservation in New Mexico and the people of the pueblo continue to captivate me.

What projects are you currently working on? 

Book three of my Steven Hawk/Inola Walela thriller series is finished. Fingers are crossed that this novel will be released by year’s end. I’ve started a new multi-cultural thriller series that takes place entirely in Taos, NM. I’m also nearing mid-point on a Young Adult mystery that I’m very excited about.

Do you sleep in or get up early?  

My background is in the theatre, so I prefer to stay up very late.

Which do you use most for writing on, laptop or desktop?  

I only use a laptop. I type quite fast so have worn out a lot of keyboards. My latest is an Acer which I have hooked up to a 22” monitor and full size keyboard. I love the set up!

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?  

My desk is actually a dining room table. This allows me a lot of space to spread out my research materials and tabletop speakers so I can enjoy great music while I write. I’m also a professional content editor so I work on clients’ manuscripts early in the morning, and catch up on the necessary correspondences and a bit of social networking. I write in the afternoon—ideally after a refreshing nap. I’ve found that my words are best composed while I’m nearly comatose.

What are your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad?

I’ve been very fortunate that SNARE has received stellar reviews. I’m so grateful for the reviewers who support independently published authors—without them helping to spread the word about our books we would have a very limited readership. 

What's your favorite quote?

 “A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities.” From the stage play Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim.

List 3 books you’ve just recently read and would recommend?

Iron House by John Hart—his Last Child remains one of my favorite books of all time. You’re Next by Gregg Hurwitz. Fallen by Karin Slaughter.

If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?  

Erin Daniels would be the perfect Katina Salvo—she’s not Native American but she has the “look” I imagined when creating this character.

   

Angie Harmon as Aunt Sylvie—Angie is part Native American and I love her speaking voice. 

  

I’ve always envisioned Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue) as my lead character in the series, Deputy Steven Hawk

If you were to attend a St. Patrick’s Day Party, which one thing would you never leave behind and why?

A green derby – What’s not to love about a green hat?

Where can your readers stalk you?  

The first chapters of SNARE and STACCATO, as well as a few previously published short stories, are available at:

My website: http://www.deborahjledford.com/

Facebook Personal Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000454722747

Deborah’s Book Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/STACCATO/246707792355

Twitter: @djledford

FEATURED AUTHOR - CATRINA TAYLOR

Catrina Taylor, Author

Action/Romance/Sci-Fi

Two minds meet by accident. Two lives intertwine despite the war around them.  One teaches, the other learns. Both grow, both survive to find there is more in this war than either expected. Betrayal, misunderstanding, love lost and lives lost lead to desperation beyond words. When a second chance presents itself, can the bridges be built to overcome the past? Can lives be changed despite the pain? Is it possible to let such desire for peace to reach out to their worlds? Find out in the new release Birth of an Empire by Catrina Taylor.

In a mult-site launch announcement, Catrina Taylor has included an incredible and fun Scavenger Hunt.

Scavenger Hunt

Here’s how to play:

Read the questions and the samples at the bottom of the posts, then go to TheWritingNetwork.com and/or Xarrok.com and answer the 5 questions OR the 2 bonus questions accurately and win a free copy of Xarrok’s first novel, Birth of an Empire part 1.  The Top 3 responses will each win a copy.

At the end of the sample on each site will be a link to another post and one to the home of the Scavenger Hunt.

Now, onto the short interview segment:

If we can't understand something in your book, is it magic or science?

It’s science. It may be undiscovered science, but there is always science behind anything they do, encounter, and participate in.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee… always coffee.

Chocolate or cheesecake?

Can I have both? Chocolate cheesecake tastes great with coffee

Who designed the Cover?

The Writing Network

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Morning person… early morning person.

Is there another book coming?

Book two will be out early in 2012, with many origin stories being created along the way.

Excerpt of Birth of an Empire Book 1 - Chapter 2

~Good. Now, tell me how you ended up there.~ Yatrell projected, trying to hide the concern from his voice.

~I told you. I was sold.~ She reached in her pocket and found the now comforting feel of the listening stone. She was glad that none of the trainers had discovered it on her.

Astonished, Yatrell projected, ~Sold? To the military? That sounds wrong even for a Xenonian.~

~No. My master is expecting a wedding announcement.~ She paused briefly and then corrected herself, ~My former master. My new master is something of an enigma to me.~

He shuddered hearing that, still not able to get used to that idea. ~How long have you been there?~

Her projection even stuttered when she thought about it, ~A week.~

Instantly his face turned downward, ~A week and you still can’t move with your team? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?~ He found it difficult to hide his frustration with her when he projected, ~You need to be paying attention to what your instructors are telling you. Not to the minds around you. They don’t know what you need to know, your instructor does. He will be the reason you survive your first battle and your next and every battle after that.~

Flustered and trying not to cry, Kala, projected back to him, ~Yes, I believe this too. I… am … just not cut out for this. I …can’t do this.~

Yatrell asserted confidently, ~Yes, you can. You have no choice now Kala, you must.~ He wished he felt as confident about that as he sounded.

Kala looked at the others, still holding onto the listening rock in her pocket, she told them she didn’t want dinner tonight. Phil acknowledged her and continued to the common area. Kala walked right back to her room. Henessa and the rest of the team went to the common area after Phil for dinner.

Once Kala was in her quarters and Yatrell was done explaining why she needed to do what she knew she needed to do, she began to cry. ~I didn’t want this. I can’t do this. I’m not built to fight people, Yatrell. What is … what am I goin to do?~

He listened to her words, finding it hard to deny what she said but forced himself to do so anyway, ~Anyone can train and work and learn anything if you dedicate yourself to doing it.~

~I’m trying. I’m… lost Yatrell. I don’t belong here.~

~No, you don’t, Kala. Of all of the people I know right now, you belong there the least. That doesn’t change the fact you’re there and need to get yourself together.~

She remained silent as the tears streamed down her face. She clutched onto the listening stone tightly and projected, ~I… can’t. I don’t know how.~

~Keep practicing what you’re told and taught.~

~Ok. I am. My roommate helps me before lights out. I’m trying Yatrell.~

~Kala, you can’t avoid of your training. You need it … or you won’t survive six months.~

Kala remained silent as she laid on the bed. She curled up into a ball and tears flowed down her cheeks freely soaking the pillow. Henessa walked in with a tray of food and sat at her desk with it. She picked at one dish while watching Kala in silence.

Yatrell realized he’d been lecturing her and he softened his tone, ~I just don’t want to lose the only other sane mind in this craziness. I’m … sorry I’m lecturing. If you need anything I can help with, please tell me. I… should go now. Anara is here to visit. We’ll talk soon.~ Without another word, the two let their link go silent.

You can find the book through major retailers including the ones listed below.

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Learn more about the universe around Xarrok at http://Xarrok.com  (check the intelligence page for the questions)

Your next stop for the scavenger hunt is right here: http://noveltakenomore.blogspot.com/

You can find Catrina on Twitter as @TheLadyWrites or you can visit the Facebook home of Xarrok.