Category Archives: Interview

THE BEST KIND OF LOVE is here! It’s here!

I’m so excited to interview our very own Mermaid-Kerri Carpenter today. We are all flipping our sparkly fins in the lagoon as we celebrate the release of THE BEST KIND OF LOVE.

Kerri Carpenter's newest release

Click here to buy Kerri Carpenter’s newest release

I was privileged to be on the ground level of her post yesterday. We were roomies in NYC for the RWA conference, and I was also in her critique group when she started writing Penelope and Ethan’s story.

We started out as a group of six, but a few dropped out, and then three of us stuck it out. We had the best critique group ever. We met at a local bar/restaurant and drank mojitos with cool sugar cane stirrers. We drank. We ate. We laughed. Then we would discuss our books. Best. Critique. Group. EVER.

My favorite scene in THE BEST KIND OF LOVE is when the heroine shoves the hero off the porch and into the rose bush. Hope that’s not a spoiler alert. Is it? Sorry! But, I so loved that scene. It was the type of scene where it just comes alive in your mind. I could completely see it. I loved Penelope’s awesome blend of feisty and vulnerable.

In the spirit of Christmas, I have to sing, “These are a few of my favorite things” about this book. 1) Second-chance love. 2) Feisty yet vulnerable characters. 3) Family dynamics. 4) Fabulous sisters x4! 5) Small-town setting.
This book has it all!

Now, I’d like to ask Kerri some fun questions that James Lipton asks at the end of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO:

1. What is your favorite word? Any two words (or parts of words) combined like awesomesauce, asshat, glittertastic.
2. What is your least favorite word? (I CAN’T believe I’m going to say this but I truly hate, hate, hate this word.) Titties
3. What turns you on? Kindness and loyalty. A really good bottle of wine and some candles doesn’t hurt either.
4. What turns you off? Intentional meanness.
5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound of waves crashing on the beach.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Whistling
7. What is your favorite curse word? Fuck-balls
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I always wanted to play a villain on a Soap Opera or be an MTV VJ in the 90s.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Dishwasher, because there’s nothing I hate more than washing dishes!
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You did a great job! I’m proud of you. Come see everyone – they’ve been waiting.

Man, Kerri, that last answer reminds me of The Titanic when the old woman dies after tossing that diamond into the ocean (WTH?) and her younger spirit moves through the ship seeing everyone again.  Then she sees Jack.  I don’t know what brought tears to my eyes.  Their short-lived yet eternal romance or the fact that she threw that damn diamond into the ocean.  Probably the diamond.

Does anyone have a question for Kerri?  One lucky commenter will be swimming away with a free copy of THE BEST KIND OF LOVE.

Visit Kerri at her awesomesauce website here.  Follow her on Twitter here.

Visit Kerri at her awesomesauce website here. Follow @authorKerri on Twitter here.

Interview with Cover Model James Rizzo

This next few weeks will be an exciting time as I officially reveal the cover of my sequel to Wanted: One Ghost, Distilled Spirits. I knew I wanted the wonderfully talented Taria A. Reed to create my cover again since she’d done such a fantastic job on Wanted: One Ghost. As I anxiously awaited her design, I couldn’t even imagine what she’d come up with. When I saw the proof I was floored! I couldn’t have picked a better cover. She captured my characters Millie Taylor and Sean Lightfoot beautifully. See for yourself!DistilledSpirits-1600x2400

James Rizzo1

Those eyes are so captivating!

I asked Ms. Reed who the models were and she told me. I wanted to thank them for such a fantastic job. My ghost, Millie Taylor is portrayed by the lovely, Liana Young and her hero, Sean Lightfoot is portrayed by the very handsome, James Rizzo.

 

I’ve been lucky enough to have the gorgeous James Rizzo with me today. I still can’t believe he is the cover model for my latest novel, Distilled Spirits. How fantastic is that!! Taria Reed seemed to know what I had in mind for my hero, Sean Lightfoot, when she created the cover with James.

 

So James, I’m going to get right to the meat of this interview. I have an inquisitive mind. I love to research the characters in my books—so I figured it might be fun to ‘research’ the man who portrays Sean Lightfoot for my book cover. As a reader of romance, I like to think that the model actually is the character in the book. As a realist, I know that is not the case so I’d like to see what it is about James Rizzo that makes a perfect character for many romance books.

 

Loni Lynne: Okay…I need to know (I’m probably old enough to be your mother but humor me), just how young are you?

 

James:   I turned 35 on November 14th 

 

Loni Lynne:  Happy Be-lated Birthday, by a few days. 🙂

(Okay, maybe not old enough to be his mother–aunt maybe). I’ve lived all over the United States Michigan, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Hawaii and Maryland, where were you born and did you move around a lot growing up or did you stay in one place?

 

James:  I was born in Wilmington, DE, where I resided until I went to College in 1998.  My first big move was to Maywood, NJ to pursue modeling and acting in New York 12 years ago.

 

Loni Lynne: Since I lived all over the country growing up I ended up going to 13 different schools in 12 years. I loved English Literature, American History and Art. What were your favorite classes in high school?

 

James:  My favorite classes would have to be health and science- such as biology, and chemistry.  I’ve always been very creative and fascinated with the human body.

 

Loni Lynne: You’ve modeled for some great book covers. How long have you been modeling and what made you decide to pursue the career?

 

James:  I have been modeling since I was 20 years old.  I decided to pursue it after competing in body-building for almost 3 years.  I realized I didn’t want to be grotesque with custom clothes so I decided to trim down and pursue acting/modeling. My first transition from Body-building to modeling was when I participated in a Wilhelmina “South Beach Superstar Search”in Miami, Florida.  I won the 2003 top promotional model category and have been doing it ever since.

 

Loni Lynne: No doubt you won! You would’ve gotten my vote.

Fate has a funny way of leading us where we need to be, how did fate lead you to be a cover model? Do you see yourself modeling ten years from now? Where do you see yourself then? Or are you like me and ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ as far as life goes?

 

James:   I have always been a someone that believes in overcoming life’s obstacles through hard-work and dedication.  I can usually accomplish anything I put my mind to.  My persistence in a very competitive industry allowed me to become a cover model.  I see myself living in California as a working actor 10 years from now.  I will continue to model because it has always been a passion.

 

Loni Lynne:  We’ll definitely be looking for you in film and TV.

When you posed for Taria Reed (my fabulous cover artist), did you realize you would end up on the cover of Distilled Spirits? What’s the process for doing a photo shoot?

 

James:  I was not aware I would end on the cover but Taria did mention that she had a few covers lined up for me.  Taria originally discovered me through Model Mayhem, which is a great site for discovering new talent for any project. The process for doing a photo shoot usually consists of photographers and models sharing a mutual agreement as far as type of shoot, location, and time frame.  The shoot should be convenient for both parties and the details such as wardrobe etc. should be discussed beforehand.  I am very experienced and easy to work with.

 

Loni Lynne: Distilled Spirits is a paranormal romance based on a 200 year old ghost (Millie Taylor) who is brought back to life, kind of, by our hero (Sean Lightfoot). Do you believe in ghosts? What would you do if you were to encounter a friendly entity?

 

James:  No, I do not believe in Ghosts but if I encountered one, it would certainly change my outlook about the deceased.  I watch Horror movies frequently and they never scare me, just find them entertaining.

 

Loni Lynne: You’ve been on the covers of so many great romance novels, I am just going to come out and ask…Do you ever read any of them? If so, do you see yourself in any of the characters?

 

James:  Its funny you mentioned that. I tell my mother all the time, “I’ll keep making them, you read them.”  She’s a pretty quick reader and enjoys most of the novels.  My mother usually gives me her synopsis upon completion. Sometimes she mentions how certain characters relate to me.  I always tell her when I’m shooting another one because she likes to say “looks like I have some more reading to do!” haha

 

Loni Lynne:  I can imagine she’s delighted to see you on the covers. She must be very proud.

It took me a while to find my Mr. Right and live happily ever after for 25 years and looking forward to at least another 25. (Okay, yes…do the Math! Like I said…I’m old.) What about you? Have you found Mrs. Right? Or are you still looking for that perfect someone?

 

James:  I have not found Mrs. Right yet.  I will be honest; I’m extremely picky and want to make the right decision. With over 50% of marriages resulting in divorce, I certainly don’t want to rush and regret it later in life.

 

Loni Lynne:  Good thinking. When the right one comes along, it just clicks and you know they are the one.

My ideal date would be a quiet dinner with my hubby downtown and then walking around holding hands on a brisk fall night. (His though is different—he’s such a guy!) I need to know, are you more of a romantic kind of guy or do you prefer a simpler form of dating?  Any great romantic ideas to share? What would you consider the ‘perfect date’?

 

James:  I would consider myself very romantic for the right woman.  I have cooked dinner for Valentine’s Day before and surprised women with flowers.  I really need to be into the girl for my creative/romantic side to come out. The perfect date for me would have to be sharing a variety of favorite food- Italian dishes, seafood, and dessert followed by a lounge with a fireplace, sharing a bottle of wine.

James Rizzo4

A strong jawline–a dependable man.

 

Loni Lynne:  (Wow! That would be ‘perfect’. Fanning myself…)

Okay, now for random questions, shootin’ from the hip!

 

Favorites:

  • Color:  Blue
  • Food:  Steak
  • Movie:  Anything Inspirational – last movie was “Fury” with Brad Pitt
  • TV Show:  Married with Children
  • Actress and Actor:  Scarlett Johansson/Denzel Washington
  • Holiday:  Christmas

 

Loni Lynne: Okay back to some pertinent questions again—If you had your way, where would you like to live? Cabin in the woods/Penthouse apartment in the big city/or a bungalow by the shore? And why?

 

James:  I love the summer months and growing up I would go boating on the weekends with my family.  We use to go to Maryland and make a whole day of it- barbecues, water-skiing, jet skiing, and tubing. I enjoy a warm climate all year round so I would probably want to live in Malibu, CA or Hawaii in a beautiful beach house.

 

Loni Lynne: In your own words, describe yourself (internally—we know you are extremely good looking on the outside) J.

 

James:  I am a very good-hearted person and my friends and family know I am dependable. Loyalty is the biggest attribute my family and I share.  Italians are known for this.

James Rizzo3

Look at that smile…it’s in his eyes, too!

 

Loni Lynne:  I agree. I think those attributes show through in your photos. It’s the strength in your jawline and the smile that reaches your eyes that tells the truth.

If you could pick one thing to change the world, what would that be and why?

 

James:   I wish I could stop the violence in our society and raise more awareness about gun control.  There are entirely too many shootings in schools. Children should stay more active in sports and extracurricular activities.

 

Loni Lynne: A very real issue in our society. It breaks my heart to hear and see it so often in the news.

 

Thank you so much James for being here today and sharing with us. I know you are very busy and taking time out to talk with us means so much. And again, thank you for being such a great cover model! My book really looks great with you on it!

 

If you have time to stop by and answer questions from my readers, we would love to hear from you!

 


 See more of James Rizzo at Taria Reed.

Food and FLIRTING with Kerri-Mermaid

Flirting with the Competition

Flirting with the Competition

Friends,

I’m so excited to be talking food with Kerri-Mermaid today! As you may have noticed, we’re big foodies here in the lagoon. That is, if brightly colored drinks with cocktail umbrellas qualify as a food group. And in the lagoon, it totally does. 🙂

It’s been a busy few days for Kerri, since her first book debuted earlier this week. FLIRTING WITH THE COMPETITION is as much fun as it sounds! Almost as fun as Kerri herself. But don’t take my word for it. Read on to find out for yourself.. .

* * *

Did you know that the two main characters in my new book, FLIRTING WITH THE COMPETITION, make a food-related bet? Whitney and Jordan are up for the same job. They decide whoever loses buys a traditional steak dinner with all the fixings for the other. Who doesn’t love a steak dinner with some creamed spinach and a nice big glass of red wine! Okay, maybe I’m revealing a little too much of myself. On to the questions….

1. What is your favorite food?

Pizza!!! I actually had my favorite pizza when I studied abroad in Italy. But here in the States, I like it with extra cheese and anchovies.

Kerri at a Pirates game with one of her favorite "Pittsburgh" foods - a pierogi!

Kerri at a Pirates game with one of her favorite “Pittsburgh” foods – a pierogi!

2. What is your favorite food memory?

My family is Italian and we do the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve – spaghetti with anchovies, scallops, baccala, and more. This is my favorite night of food the entire year! I have so many memories of cooking with my mom, dad, and Nunnie on Christmas Eve, I don’t even know where to begin.

3. What are Jordan and Whitney’s favorite foods? What do these foods reveal about them?

My hero Jordan is a carnivore – give him red meat and any kind of burger and he’s a happy camper. Although, sometimes he’ll order a nice piece of fish. Totally fits him too. Just when you think he can’t get any more alpha, he’ll surprise you.
Whitney is all chocolate, all the time. Unless she’s being challenged, then she’ll eat anything.

4. What food would be involved in their first date?

Funny you should ask that. While they’re stuck in the elevator together, Jordan describes where he’d take Whitney on their first date. They’d take his family’s boat up to Annapolis and dock it at this little hole-in-the-wall that has the most amazing crabs!

Bibs, mallots – Isn’t there something fun and satisfying about working for your food!

5. If you had to pick one for the rest of your life, would you choose to have mediocre food and excellent sex OR mediocre sex and excellent food? What would Jordan or Whitney say?

Whitney: Excellent food, definitely!
Jordan: Excellent sex, for sure!
(Whitney and Jordan look at each other, smile, and run off somewhere in a hurry.)
Kerri: (Rolls eyes at characters.) Um, I can’t answer this question. My mom will be reading it. *Grin*

Order your copy of FLIRTING WITH THE COMPETITION, available now!

Kerri’s Debut Book!

Hello Waterworld Mermaid Lagoon!!!

I may or may not have shivved a couple of crabs to elbow my way back in here for the release of Kerri Carpenter’s Flirting with the Competition, but there’s not a court in the world that would convict me. After all, you know I’m not missing any of this awesomeness. How could I? Flirting with the Competition is a fab quick read involving hot lawyers, stuck elevators and Jordan. Oh, you don’t know Jordan? Hold on, here’s Jordan:

Flirting with the Competition

Flirting with the Competition

Roll your tongues back up, ladies (and gents). 🙂

I cornered Mermaid Kerri so I could ask her about Flirting with the Competition (out today – go get it!).

OK, I totally teared up and had a few sniffles when I saw the dedication for Flirting With the Competition. You have to share who Nunnie was and why she was right (and she totally was).

Nunnie is my maternal grandmother. When I was about seven or so, I sat at her kitchen counter and wrote a poem. From what I remember, it rhymed and was generally cute. But Nunnie took one look at it and declared that I was a writer. She told everyone in my family that I was a writer and she never stopped believing it – up until the day she passed away at 97 years old. Because she believed with unwavering conviction, so did I.

Now that we’re all reaching for the Kleenex, let’s bring this back to happy land. I want to hear about where the idea for this story started.

*sniffle sniffle* Okay, moving on. In spring of 2013, I was listening to a webinar given by former lovely and talented Mermaid, Robin Covington, who was talking about writing sexy time in novels. (I don’t think that was the actual title.) She said something about utilizing objects in the environment and I thought, what if you don’t have any objects? What if you’re stuck in an elevator? Then I wanted to know who was stuck in an elevator and where they were trying to go. I started writing Flirting with the Competition the next morning. So thanks, Robin!

You realize you are going to be the reason why a lot of readers start fantasying about getting stuck in an elevator. Have you ever been stuck in an elevator?

No, and that’s probably a really good thing because I suffer from a touch of claustrophobia. Although…if I was stuck in an elevator with someone like my hero, Jordan, I’d probably be just fine. Of course, with my luck I’d get trapped with the person who hadn’t bathed in 16 days and started whistling. (I HATE whistling!)

You live in the Washington DC area, is that why you decided to set Flirting with the Competition there? What about the story is true to life when it comes to living in DC?

Secret about Kerri – I set almost every story I write in either DC, Virginia, or Pennsylvania. I’m from PA, went to college in DC, and currently live in VA. Makes research a breeze. 😉

Setting Flirting with the Competition in DC was a no-brainer. People in DC like to work and love to talk about it. In fact, the first question you usually get when you meet someone new is, “where do you work?”

Did you know the ending before you wrote the first word or did you find your way to it?

I knew from that first night that I wanted two enemies trapped together. By the next day I had decided they would be competing for the same job. But who would get the job in the end? No clue. I’m a total pantser (For non-writers: this means I don’t plot out my stories before I start writing) so I came to the ending rather organically. And the ending you’re reading today is actually different from my original version. But I love this one so much more!

What inspired you to write Flirting with the Competition?

I’m a huge fan of reading novellas and I wanted to try my hand at writing one. At the time, I had just finished the 713th revision on a long contemporary romance I was writing and I wanted to do something fun, flirty, and SHORT!

Casting couch time. Who would you cast for Whitney and Jordan?

A lot of writers use actors as inspiration for their characters. I don’t really do that. But if I had to pick…I would go with either Molly Quinn (she plays Richard Castle’s daughter on Castle) or Rachelle Lefevre (who was in the Twilight movies) for Whitney. Jordan kind of looks like Mike Fisher (who plays hockey for the Nashville Predators and is married to Carrie Underwood). But really, any super-hot, super-alpha guy with a heart of gold underneath will do. 😉

Avery and Kerri hanging out in San Antonio this past July.

Avery and Kerri hanging out in San Antonio this past July.

Don’t leave us hanging, what’s next for you?

I have a full-length contemporary romance called, The Best Kind of Love, coming out with Soul Mate Publishing in December. (See above – those 713 revisions totally paid off.) I’m also writing another novella where two people get stuck in a confining space. Any guesses where I’m putting them this time?

 

Thanks Mermaid Kerri! So everyone go out and grab your copy of Flirting With the Competition! Short blurb and buy links below.

*** Giveaway Alert***

Kerri would love to give one lucky person a $10 Amazon gift card. Lots of fun stuff to buy over at Amazon – like a debut novella perhaps. 😉 To enter, all you have to do is answer the following question in the comments by midnight tonight. Winner will be announced in the comments tomorrow morning.

Question: Who would you love to be stuck with in an elevator?

Flirting With the Competition

The sexiest things happen in confined spaces…

Lawyers Whitney March and Jordan Campbell are interviewing at a prestigious law firm. For the same job. And Jordan is determined to win, despite his sexy, capable, and fiery rival. But when the elevator they’re sharing comes to an abrupt stop, they’re stuck—together.The only thing they have in common is determination to get the job…and an unexpected and escalating attraction. And it’s only a matter of time before these competitors indulge in a very sexy little connection between floors.

You can buy Flirting with the Competition here.

Visit Kerri’s website here.

Or Tweet her here.

Or “like” her on Facebook here.

 

Mermaid & Friends: Vanessa Barneveld Swims with the Mermaids

Friends, I had a very special day planned for the lagoon today. I was all set to welcome the fabulous Vanessa Barneveld, whose YA novel, THIS IS YOUR AFTERLIFE, debuts in four short unnameddays, on October 21. I’m a huge fan of this book — not only is it fun, fresh, and touching, but it’s all delivered in Vanessa’s smooth-as-butter voice.

So you can imagine how excited I was when Vanessa agreed to dip a toe in the lagoon. But alas, due to travel difficulties (Vanessa lives in Australia, after all), she couldn’t make it. But not to worry. She promised she would send a replacement. Ah, here comes someone now…

KEIRA: Hi. I’m Keira and I’m clairvoyant. But I’m not your interview guest today. I’m just here as a ghost interpreter.

PINTIP: Ghost interpreter?

KEIRA: Not everyone can see, hear or talk to ghosts, but I can. I’ll relay everything Jimmy says and does for you and your readers. (Whispers) He’s a shameless flirt, so watch out.

JIMMY: (Coughs) I can hear you, Keira.

KEIRA: Whoops.

PINTIP: OMG. You mean you’re Keira and Jimmy? From the book?!

KEIRA: Where else? Why are you so surprised?

PINTIP: (Stutters) No reason. I was just expecting someone, you know, real. In more than one sense of the word.

JIMMY: Do I get a say in what you call this article, Pintip?’Cause I’ve got some ideas. How about Ghost Host? Ghost Host with the Most? Ghost Host Post?

KEIRA: Enough with the rhyming.

JIMMY: Interview with a Vampire Jock?

KEIRA: You’re a ghost, not Dracula.

PINTIP: Uh, those are very…nice suggestions, Jimmy. I’ll give them serious thought. (Clears throat). Why don’t we get on with the interview? So, Jimmy. Wow. I’ve never talked to a ghost before. What’s it like in the afterworld?

JIMMY: Can’t say I was thrilled about dying at seventeen, but now that I’ve gotten used to it, the ability to walk through walls is kinda cool. I had to learn how to get around. After a while, I figured out all I have to do is think of a location and I’ll be there in seconds.

(Long silence)

KEIRA: (Squints, looks around) Jimmy?

(Crickets chirp)

JIMMY: I’m back! I went to Antarctica just then. Pretty cool. Okay, what was I saying? Oh, yeah, travel. I plan to hang around for the Super Bowl. Gatecrash a luxury box.

KEIRA: You could sit on the goal posts if you wanted to. The horizontal bar thingie.

JIMMY: (Laughs) Glad you clarified that, Keira.

PINTIP: Can ghosts taste or touch?

AfterlifeKEIRA: Weirdly—and I never understood this—Jimmy felt a lot of physical pain in the early days of his afterlife. I likened it to phantom pain that amputees get. It’s something to do with nerve endings. Don’t ask me why ghosts get it.

JIMMY: I’m all healed now, in case you were wondering. I can’t feel a thing.

PINTIP: I’m so glad you’re no longer in pain! What do you miss the most about being alive?

JIMMY: Playing football in front of a home crowd. Hearing everyone stamp their feet on the bleachers. I miss the entire cheerleading squad. My car… But, you know what? None of the material stuff really matters. What I miss most is my family and friends. And I especially miss my brother, Dan. We fought in the days before I died. I loved him. I wish I told him when I was alive.

KEIRA: (Chokes up) He knows.

PINTIP: (Blinking back tears, too) I bet he does. So, out of all places, why did you show up in Keira’s bedroom?

JIMMY: Hey, I had no choice. Another ghost, an old lady, found me, said she knew someone who could help. Before I knew it, she was pushing me through a wall and into Keira’s bedroom.

PINTIP: Did you know Keira before you died?

KEIRA: We were in different classes. He was a senior and I’m a junior. The awful irony is that I was invisible to Jimmy when he was alive.

JIMMY: That’s not true! I noticed you. (Lowers voice) Keira with the long black hair and sexy silver eyes—

KEIRA: They’re gray.

JIMMY: Whatever color they are, they’re pretty.

PINTIP: Very smooth, Jimmy. What were your first moments like being a ghost? Did you know you’d been murdered?

KEIRA: Hold it! I don’t think Vanessa wants us to talk the murder.

JIMMY: Who’s Vanessa?

KEIRA: She’s that author I told you about. Our story—your story—wouldn’t be out there for everyone to read if it weren’t for her. Or her incredible critique partners. Or her agent. Or her editor—

JIMMY: Ha! I get it. No spoilers. Well, the afterlife was confusing for the first few days. When I “woke up” after dying, my head just killed.

KEIRA: That’s a really unfortunate choice of words.

JIMMY: Okay, I had a huge headache. Pain that was worse than any concussion I’d ever gotten playing football. There were big gaps in my memory. It felt like I was living a dream.A very intense, confusing nightmare. My death really hit home when I saw my buddies at school and they walked right through me. Keira helped me deal with all of that.

PINTIP: Sounds like Keira has a lot of wonderful qualities. Your brother Dan certainly noticed. Did you suspect any attraction between these two while you were still alive?pintip

JIMMY: (Shakes head) I was too wrapped up in sports and my own life. I had no clue about those two. Dan keeps to himself. But now that I know Keira a lot better, I think the two of them would be great together. He’s an artist. She’s a creative type, too. And she’s got sexy silver eyes.

KEIRA: (Fidgets nervously) No comment.

PINTIP: What about you? Any cute ghosts in the afterworld?

JIMMY: Hey, forget ghost girls. These Waterworld Mermaids are freakin’ gorgeous. Can I have your number, Pintip?

KEIRA: Nuh-uh-uh, Jimmy! Pintip’s gorgeous and smart and talented, but she’s married. With kids. Go find a mermaid your own age. I know one called Ariel. She really wants to be part of your world.

JIMMY: Under the sea?

PINTIP: Unfortunately, I think she might be taken, too.

JIMMY: (Sighs) I guess ghost girls it is.

PINTIP: I’m sure you’ve got them lined up along the pearly gates already. Thanks so much for being here, you two! And give my love to Vanessa!

KEIRA: Thanks, Pintip! We will!

Aren’t they adorable? If you want to know what Keira and Jimmy look like, click here to see the book trailer.

Vanessa will be giving away a digital copy of THIS IS YOUR AFTERLIFE and a $10 gift card from Amazon to one lucky commenter.

IN ADDITION, because we are so proud of our awesome CP, Kimberly-Mermaid and I will also be giving away another copy of THIS IS YOUR AFTERLIFE, along with a lavender-themed gift basket. The gift basket is in honor of Keira’s grandmother, also a ghost, whose presence is always preceded by the scent of lavender.

Four awesome prizes! Two lucky winners!* One amazing book! Comment away!

*restricted to U.S. and Australian residents.

BLURB: When the one boy you crushed on in life can’t seem to stay away in death, it’s hard to be a normal teen when you’re a teen paranormal.

Sixteen-year-old Keira Nolan has finally got what she wanted—the captain of the football team in her bedroom. Problem is he’s not in the flesh. He’s a ghost and she’s the only one who can see him.

Keira’s determined to do anything to find Jimmy’s killer. Even it if means teaming up with his prickly-yet-dangerously-attractive brother, Dan, also Keira’s ex-best-friend. Keira finds that her childish crush is fading, but her feelings for Dan are just starting to heat up, and as the story of Jimmy’s murder unfolds, anyone could be a suspect.

This thrilling debut from Vanessa Barneveld crosses over from our world to the next, and brings a whole delightful new meaning to “teen spirit”.

BIO: Vanessa Barneveld lives in Australia. She has one husband, two cats, and three Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® nominations. When she’s not writing, devouring chocolate or dreaming of going into space, Vanessa works as a closed-captioner for the deaf and audio describer for the blind.

Social media

http://www.vanessabarneveld.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Vanessa-Barneveld/185502258167596

https://twitter.com/vanessab73

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Guy Day: Welcome Very Special Guest Julian Christian!

 


Mermaid CarleneHello fishy friends! I hope everyone is well and having a great week. Recently, Julian and Carlene 3I attended my first San Diego RWA chapter meeting and it was wonderful. As luck would have it, I got to meet our honorary merman there too. I was very humbled and excited when he said yes to coming to the pond for a chat about the male perspective as it pertains to writing romance heroes. You may recognize Julian from some of your favorite romance covers as that’s his “for fun” job. Whether you’ve seen him as a Rogue, Cowboy, Fallen Angel, Navy Seal, Highlander or Pirate, the word I’d use to describe him best is Gentleman. Please enjoy our chat and be sure to leave a comment. I’ll be drawing one lucky person’s name for a special giveaway at the end. Without further ado, I give you a really great guy, Julian…

Carlene: Hi Julian! Thank you so much for agreeing to dip your toes into the Waterworld Mermaid lagoon. Lots of happy writers and readers out there, for sure. So one thing that jumped out right away from listening to you talk was your love for the ocean. I pulled over to watch the sunset at Cardiff recently and it made me wonder, where is your favorite sunset? What’s the last completely spontaneous thing you did?

Julian cover 20 Julian: Sunset is my favorite part of the day actually. Nothing beats the sunsets here in California with the sun setting over the ocean. Last spontaneous thing? Hmmm I try to live my whole life spontaneously. 

C: Very nice. Now I’m thinking about spontaneity and that one perfect moment in romance novels when the hero feels a physical spark as he comes in contact with Mrs. Right for the first time. Can you tell us if you have ever felt this and if so, how would you describe the feeling? Or do you think this electric sizzle is merely a romance novel myth?

 J: It’s definitely not a myth. There is a definite physical spark that ignites. However getting to know someone for their inner beauty turns that spark into a flame.

C: Hold on, do you hear that? I think it’s either hearts melting or one giant collective sigh spilling out and making waves in our little pond. While our readers catch their breath, can you please tell us what is your favorite song and why?

 J: Not sure if I have a favorite. I love all music that inspires, up lifts and makes me feel. 

C: Cool. My favorite for those reasons is “Take Me to Church” by Hozier. The lyrics are very honest. That makes me wonder, does your language change when you’re around your guy friends as compared to when you’re with ladies? I believe one of the ways we distinguish “voice” between heroes and heroines in romance novels is by showing the hero talking a lot more loosely amongst his buddies and I wondered if this is really the case.

J: Well I’m not much of a swearer or vulgar language user so I couldn’t tell you about others. Just not who I am. 

C: I think we can definitely all respect that. Let’s think of other ways we can show a hero’s grit. What is your pain tolerance? When is the last time you did something that really hurt? Continue reading

Mermaids & Friends: Amy Patrick

Friends, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Amy Patrick to the pond today. Her debut, CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING, released earlier this week. It’s such a fun read, and I gobbled it up in one sitting. But don’t take my recommendation alone! Here’s a blurb:

22-year-old Heidi Haynes is almost one year into her “real life”. She has her first reporting job and her first apartment, but she’sCTS FINAL COVER yet to experience first love. Yes, she’s in a comfortable relationship with her college sweetheart, and according to her friends and family, he’s perfect for her. But for some reason she’s not as eager to talk about walking down the aisle as he is.

And while Heidi’s doing what she wants to do, she’s not where she wants to be. She longs for big cities, big-market breaking news, and real independence from her way-too-close-by helicopter parents. Problem is, the last time she left the security of home for new places and new people, things didn’t go so well. Disastrously, in fact, and she came running back to a local college and a “safe” boyfriend.

Well-traveled Californian Aric Serrano plans to stay in small-market-Southern-Hell just long enough to grab a cup of coffee and put together a kick-ass “escape tape”. He’ll serve his one-year contract, then he’s taking off for a higher rung on the TV sports ladder—alone—the way he likes it. But when he walks into the newsroom and meets Heidi, he may have finally found something and someone worth committing to.

Heidi would be so much more comfortable if she could avoid her new co-worker—he’s just her type—the type she’s so careful to avoid. But that becomes impossible when she and Aric are forced to work together on the weekend news. Now there’s no denying the attraction between them, and she’ll have to decide between settling for the “good enough” life she already has or taking the risk of going for what she dreams of, an exciting career and a real love.

This book was as fabulous as it sounds! Just as fabulous as Amy herself, who graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions…

Pintip: Amy, thanks so much for being here! You are particularly qualified to write this story. Can you tell us a little about your background in journalism?

Amy: This series is so much fun to write, because I get to call upon so many great (and not-so-great) experiences from my 12 year career in TV news. During that time I was climbing the career ladder, moving frequently, working at 6 different stations in 4 different states. I met so many “characters” through the years, and naturally they influence my fictional characters and events. I still work for a Boston TV station as a station host, so the story ideas keep piling up!

Pintip: Well, your expertise certainly showed in this book! Tell us the truth: did any of these scenes, or a version of them, ever happen to you? Such as, ahem, stealing kisses in the edit bay?

AmyAmy: Hmmm. There was this one time… No actually I was not guilty of “fraternizing” during my first TV job, as Heidi and Aric are. But I was sorely tempted, because when I met my husband… he was the hot new sports guy. Unfortunately, the part about the nervous stomach and throwing up in front of the governor of Mississippi one minute before air time was also based on fact.

Pintip: Oooh. I didn’t know that was how you met your husband! How romantic! Or maybe I just think it’s romantic after reading your book, lol. What was your favorite scene to write?

Amy: I’m a sucker for first-kiss scenes, reading and writing them, so that was probably my favorite.

Pintip: What was the most difficult scene?

Amy: There were a couple scenes I cried through while writing, but I won’t tell you which ones– don’t want to ruin it for someone else.

Pintip: Good idea! We’ll see if the readers can figure it out once they get to those scenes. I adore your voice. Your heroine, Heidi, is utterly charming, and I love how she says, “Oh, sugar” when she curses. How did you come up with her character?

Amy: Oh, thank you! I’m so glad you found her charming– I can’t help but sympathize with her, because though she’s flawed, she tries so hard to please everyone (sometimes too hard), as many of us are apt to do in our early twenties. She’s a born and raised Southern girl, and there’s still a bit of a taboo about “ladies” cursing in the Deep South, thus the “sugar”. Also, Heidi has a really quirky boss who’s made public cursing, short skirts, and fraternizing grounds for firing at his TV station, so she has to be careful. She’s also living very close to her crazy-but-loving family, and struggling with being a daughter and sister to them while striving for real independence and trying to figure out who she really is. I started my first TV job at 21 years old, three weeks after graduation. So while I was a “professional” and a “grown-up” on TV, I was still very much developing as a person and sometimes felt like a kid faking my way through it all.

Pintip: Ha! I still feel like a kid faking my way through it all! You also write YA under the name Amy DeLuca. How is writing NA different from writing YA?

Amy: I’d say the voice is more mature, and the consequences of your character’s decisions are often more dire. By the time you’re out of college and starting life in the “real world”, you’re making decisions that can have lifelong repercussions, good or bad. And you’re making them with little (if any) influence from your parents. NA characters are in relationships that have a real chance of lasting forever, which is sometimes, but not often true of the relationships in YA books. Of course, everyone who marries their high school sweetheart and stays married for 60 years proves that wrong, but they may be the happy exception. My YA characters never even think about getting married, but I think twenty-somethings are much more likely to have that in their minds somewhere.

Pintip: So true. Lucky for us, we get to experience it all again by reading this book. And I hear there are going to be more books in the Channel 20 Something series. What’s coming up? Might these books involve Heidi’s friends, Mara and Kenley?

Amy: You guessed it! Book 2, STILL YOURS– A 20 SOMETHING NOVEL comes out in September and tells Mara’s story. She’s taken a new TV job in Providence, Rhode Island, the last place she wanted to work because it’s way to close to home and to him, the only guy who’s ever tempted her to abandon the Himbo-hunt and open herself up to actually loving someone.

And in October, Kenley’s story comes out. It’s called STILL ME- A 20 SOMETHING NOVEL. Kenley is reeling from a shocking change in her relationship status and regretting the day she ever left her on-air job for a man. Then she lands a new job at WNN in Atlanta and meets the network’s rising star, and even at the network level, what happens behind the scenes is the real story.

Pintip: Oh, wow! I can’t wait to read Mara’s and Kenley’s stories! I’ll be the first in line to purchase them. Thanks so much for being with us today, Amy!

Amy: Thank you for having me Pintip! It’s a thrill to be here with the Waterworld Mermaids today. And I’d love to give away a copy of the CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING e-book to one of the commenters. I’m curious to ask them: are there any moments from your own career that would make a great scene in a book?

Pintip: That’s a great question! Comment away, friends, and you’ll be entered to win this wonderful book!

BUY LINKS:
Amazon
NOOK/Barnes and Noble
KOBO
All Romance


Amy is a two-time Golden Heart finalist (2013 and 2014) who writes Young Adult fiction as Amy DeLuca and New Adult romance as Amy Patrick. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and two sons and actually craves the heat and humidity of Mississippi, where she grew up. She’s been a professional singer and news anchor and currently narrates audio books as well as working as a station host for a Boston TV station.

Guy Day! Welcome The Kentucky Gent to the Pond

Happy Friday Fishy Friends! I’m incredibly excited for today’s guest because simply put, Josh Johnson is a really great guy with a unique perspective. (You’ll see why below.) I also love the random way I found him. As writers do, I was Google image searching clothes for a character. My rock star drummer needed a tank top. Here’s how it went down: I typed in “Man Tank Tops”, scrolled through loads of images and then Bam! I saw this cool, adorable guy … right away I knew I was looking at Will.

Will Shorts

 

A little further digging and I found he had a blog of his own. A very awesome blog mixing men’s fashion with honest, positive and creative narrative bits that you’ll want to check out. Just my luck, he had a contact link should someone want to work together on a post. I practically shouted yes and not long after, I had myself a Guy Day guest! As you’ll see from our interview, he’s got a fresh, entertaining male perspective that I know will be appreciated by our writer and reader friends alike. And he’s so darn charming. And cool. Please welcome Josh, The Kentucky Gent…

kentucky

Me: For our fishy friends not familiar with The Kentucky Gent, please tell us a little about yourself and what you do, Josh.  

J: I’m a blogger, foodie, free lance writer, and runner from Louisville, Kentucky.

Me: Cool, and what do you love about your job?

J: I love that it never feels like work. I get paid to do what I already love to do. Talk, eat good food, drink good drinks, and wear killer clothes.

Will Black Hotness

I like to call this one “Will Hotness” 😉

Me: The above outfit is pretty killer. So, what type of outing are you typically most excited to get ready for and why? Ie: work, a concert, a walk in the park, a non-stop flight to Aruba?

J: Dinner and drinks with friends. I don’t tend to get dressed up much, but I always love putting together an outfit.

Me: Speaking of Aruba, I know you love the beach which is awesome sauce with us Mermaids. What is the current consensus on hero-worthy swimwear? This is always the one thing I think you’ve got to be practical about, especially with sand and water involved but obviously we all want something flattering too. I hand it over to you, oh mighty subject matter expert.

J: The shorter the better, honestly and seriously. Not so short that we’ve got special bits exposed, but take a hint from the Euro males and show your thighs some love. It’s more flattering on most all body types. Longer, boxy shorts make a guy look short and squatty, which should be the last thing we want to impart on someone when we’re poolside. Prints and bright colors are my go-to’s.

swim

Me: In your opinion, are men actively aware of their style or are they winging it? Do you think the average guy puts more thought into his clothing choices than the average person realizes?

J: I think it’s a toss up. It honestly takes MORE time to look like you didn’t take any time getting ready than to actually look put together. Men are masters of emulation.  We do what we see our guy friends doing, and that’s where I hope I can help out. I keep it simple, most of the time, and don’t wear designer duds. I want to appeal to the average Joe and show him that you can look like a million bucks while still looking like a guy next door.

Me: I like that. Do you listen to music when you get dressed? What’s a great song to get your clothes on to?

J: I almost always listen to music when I’m getting ready. Typically something upbeat, but it does depend on my mood. Currently I’m obsessed with Sia’s new album.

Me: Adore Sia, big time. As romance writers, we are taught to give our characters quirks to help them leap off the page. What are some quirky fashion choices you can give to help us achieve this for our romance heroes?

J: Take iconic pieces and give them a personal twist. Two of those for me would be jeans and chucks. They help me seem more relatable to the average Joe, but I’ll spice up the shoes with some funky socks, or by cuffing my jeans up at the bottom.

white out

Me: If you could style anyone, who would it be and why?

J: That’s a tough one, but I’d definitely style Nicole Richie. Only because she doesn’t really need to be styled, and I’d love to get a glimpse into her life and closet.

Me: Nice. In romance novels, we love a tattooed hero. When I searched out your tank top pics, your tattoos immediately caught my eye. What do yours say about you and are they just as much a part of a man’s style as any other piece of his wardrobe?

J: They all tell a story. Each one of them a different part of me, and a way that I’ve chose to deal with and cope with things that have happened in my life. Tattoos are wearable art, and because of that they’re the ultimate accessory.

tatts

Me: Cool, now let’s have a little fill in the blank fun:

J: A stylish man can also be… insecure.

J: A stylish man shouldn’t be afraid to… stand out.

J: Every stylish man should own a… leather jacket.

Me: Can we talk pj’s? First off, what do you men call them? I probably spent way too much time deciding how my hero would refer to his jammies in my latest book only to realize he probably wouldn’t refer to them in the first place. Am I right or wrong? But we do tend to talk about men’s sleepwear in romance novels so help us out, Josh! Are they pajamas, pj’s, bottoms, pants, lounge pants? Or something else entirely?

J: To be honest I’ve never been a PJ’s kind of guy. I’m incredibly hot natured and HATE sweating while I sleep. When I’m lounging around the house I’m in gym shorts and an old t-shirt, and most guys that I know are exactly the same way. When it comes to sleep I’ve always heard it’s best to sleep in the buff, but when I’m not doing that I’m usually calling it a night in just my skivvies.

Me: There you have it, romance writers, don’t overheat your men! Buff or skivvies, take your pick. 😉  And for the sake of those writing details, let me pick your brain a little further on this topic. For a woman, wearing a nightgown to bed can be a hassle because she ends up getting tangled and twisted. Is there anything similar for a man as far as sleepwear goes that the average woman wouldn’t know about? Anything uncomfortable?

J: I hate wearing a shirt to bed, if it’s too tight you can feel like you’re being smothered, but if it’s too big you end up getting it stuck underneath you as you try to roll over. It’s a pain.

Me: Is there ever a time when fashion just isn’t important to you? I’m looking for a day/situation when you’ve got something going on or nothing at all and you simply say “Screw it. Not worrying about what I look like today.”

J: I have a lot of those days. Luckily for me my style is incredibly laid back, so even on those days I still keep it looking purposeful. If I’m having one of those days I grab for my favorite pair of jeans/shorts and a loose fitting t-shirt. If I’m wearing shorts I’ll cuff up the sleeves on the shirt, and if I’m wearing jeans I’ll cuff them instead. It takes about 2 minutes to get dressed, and I’m still looking fly.

Me: When trying on clothes, are there any body parts guys are checking out on themselves to see if they look good? You know, kind of how we ladies are checking to see if our tushes look good in those jeans.

J: I always lift up my shirt to check out my butt in the mirror. Other than that I check my stomach and love handles.

Will Sexy Butt

Me: You. Are. Awesome. Onto … Grooming! This could be an entire blog post of its own and Josh, if you’ve ever read a romance novel, you know we ladies are OBSESSED with man-grooming. Our heroes’ whiskers in particular. I’m not even gonna go there as to why that is. I guess I want to know how your grooming affects or is related to your sense of style. Is facial hair something that is trendy kind of like hairstyles? Also I’m curious to know how practical is facial hair for a guy? Are these things a chore for you gents to maintain? Are you like, “Damn, I hate having to shave but this is the look I want.”  

J: I actually hate shaving, and haven’t done so in years. I keep a trimmer in the shower, and when I start looking unkempt I trim down the scruff and even up my neck. Growing out a full beard is definitely a task and commitment. It’s important to keep your neck trimmed up at all times or you end up like a wooly mammoth, not a sexy lumberjack. But in the end it’s worth it. Facial hair styles come and go, but I think we can all agree most men look better with at least a 5 o’clock shadow.

Me: Agreed. 😉 It is beyond exciting to have a stylish man in the pond and so I’m taking full advantage! For this last bit, I’m going to give you a couple hero backgrounds and ask you to give us romance writers a practical outfit or piece of clothing for the guy and his particular task. 

Our first hero has been set up on a blind dinner date which he’s not too thrilled about, but it’s not the date’s fault so he’s doing his best. In this frame of mind, what would this guy show up in? So he’s trying to be nice but not trying for a second date. And he’s probably a bit of a loner and doing that adorable brooding thing.

J: That would depend a lot of what he knew about who his date was with, what they liked/didn’t like. If he wasn’t shooting for a second date he’d obviously do his best to be as far from what they were expecting as possible. Based on what I know about romance stories I’m sure the date would expect him to show up in a leather jacket, tight jeans, and an even tighter t-shirt, am I right? (You’re so right, Josh!) I’d tell him to show up in relaxed fit jeans, a t-shirt, and a blazer. He’d still look dapper, but would not be the apple of his date’s eye anymore. He may however garner the eye of a few admirers in the bar.

Me: I like how you think, my friend. So our second hero is the one who’s gonna end up in a sticky and dangerous situation with his love interest and have to save the day. Um, let’s say they ended up running from a nasty ole stalker after an evening walking the local street scene. Our dashing hero should probably be wearing…

J: …Chucks not sneakers. There’s a BIG difference between fashion footwear like Chucks, Vans, etc. and thinking it’s ok to wear Nike or Adidas gym shoes on a date, or in public in general. It’s a no, no. If a date shows up wearing the same shoes he wore to the gym it’s probably best to let the stalker nab him, so kick off your heels and run Forest, run.

chucks

Me: I can’t run because I’m too busy cracking up and rolling on the floor. Whew, okay so this last guy, boy my heart really goes out to him. The poor young man just woke up with a swollen neck, two tiny puncture wounds and looking way too pale. Josh, please have some fun and style our newly made vampire for all those paranormal romance writers out there.

J: In true Edward Cullen (I heart you, Josh) fashion, stick to neutral tones, like beige, gray, tan, and black. It’ll keep from washing out the already pale skin. Keep it simple with a basic t-shirt or woven, jeans, a leather jacket, and boots for that bad-ass broody vibe that we all know we lust after.

leather

Pretty sure I see sparkles in this one. Love.

Me: All right, that’s it. If I could throw you in a net and keep you here in the pond I would! Bare minimum, I hope you’re okay with honorary Merman status. Thank you, Josh. You really rocked it out for us today. Now please share where our readers can follow you for more excellent tips and insight into the stylish man’s world.

J: You can subscribe to my blog by visiting TheKentuckyGent.com, or follow along on the below social media handles.

Facebook: Facebook.com/TheKentuckyGent

Instagram: TheKentuckyGent

Twitter: TheKenGent

Pinterest: The Kentucky Gent

All right friends, so what do we think? Ready to write some well-dressed heroes? For our readers out there, share your faves when it comes to what your romance hero is wearing. And let’s all give Josh some love!

Mermaid CarleneFishy kisses,

Carlene Mermaid

Psst… All the awesome pics used in this post are credited to the very gracious and stylish, Josh Johnson.

 

This Book is LEGEN-wait for it-DARY!

True Story: Almost a year ago, I went to a large networking happy hour where I didn’t know a single person. Luckily, there was another person in the same position. We started chatting and turned out that we were both writers. Even crazier, we were in the same writing group, the Washington Romance Writers. That person is today’s guest, L.H. Nicole, who just released her first novel, Legendary, the first book in her Upper YA/New Adult Arthurian fantasy saga.

In her debut Waterworld Mermaid appearance, please welcome L.H. Nicole.

 

Congratulations on your debut novel, Legendary! Care to tell us a little about it?

Aliana Fagan grew up traveling the world with her famous parents. Her life was her friends, family, her photo art and her love of Arthurian legends. Only two years after her parents violent death, Aliana find herself thrown into a story she never dreamed could come true. King Arthur’s world and that of his Knights of the Round Table. And everything she thought she knew, doesn’t even come close to the truth of the Golden King and Camelot.

Aliana realizes she is the “Destined One” the only person who can help Arthur and his knights reclaim their lost relics, save the seven realms and stop Mordrid for good.

Legendary is also dedicated to my love of Arthurian Legends. I just went back and changed the things that always bothered me about the stories. (Guinevere cheating on Arthur with Lancelot for example.) But it’s also about discovering who you are and learning how to deal with everyone’s expectations of you. It’s also about forgiveness, loyalty, bravery and true love. Legendary

Legendary is only book one. How many more books are you planning and do you know the ending of the series already?

I have 4 books planned total. And yes I know the overall ending, but in truth I have 3 different versions of it written. Which one gets used is up to Aliana. It will be her decision on who she chooses to love and the kind of life she wants.

Now that you are published, what advice would you go back and give your pre-published self (and other pre-published authors out there)?

1. Network with like-minded authors. It’s hard, especially since, until I am comfortable with people or a situation, I am very reserved. I thought that “getting into the circles” would be a little easier, so I put it off. I wish I hadn’t, because I know now what amazing talents and new friends I missed out on.

2. SAVE EVERYTHING. I admit I may have gotten rid of one or two piles of notes/ideas that I am kicking myself for now.

Plotter or Pantser?

Both. I am an obsessive planner, mostly because of my other job as a Pastry Chef, but I continually find that characters surprise me/ refuse to be less in the spot light **Ahem Flora and Lacy** All the characters like to screw with my well laid plans from time to time, but I think it’s always turns out for the best. ;P

Who would you rather: King Arthur, Lancelot or Galahad?

All three? LOL. Honestly, I’m not sure who I’d choose. And I don’t envy Aliana’s choice between Galahad and Arthur. All three guys have wonderful attributes and features that I personally am attracted to, but they also have their faults that drive me nuts. It’s hard to choose.

What person in all of the various Arthurian tales and legends would you most like to be for a day and why?

Titania- Technically she’s only a part of my Arthurian legends, but I’d love to be that powerful and wickedly clever. I think I’d have fun as the crazy-bad-girl-scheming Fae Queen.

I love Inside the Actor’s Studio, especially the 10 questions James Lipton asks at the end of the show. Without further ado:

  1. What is your favorite word? Love
  2. What is your least favorite word? Hate
  3. What turns you on? Gorgeous eyes and stunning smiles.
  4. What turns you off? Smoking
  5. What sound or noise do you love? Music-particularly from my fav artists.
  6. What sound or noise do you hate? Squeaking wheels *shudder*
  7. What is your favorite curse word? Son of a Monkey
  8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I’m already a pastry chef, so I’d say photographer or artist.
  9. What profession would you not like to do? Garbage collector
  10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Here’s your glass of wine.

Lastly, what are you working on now?

Well I just started book 3 of Legendary Saga. We are about to start edits for book 2 of Legendary. And I have another WIP inspired by the Borgia’s TV show, the Greek hero Orion, and some of my favorite anime’s from when I was a teen. It’s set in modern Rome and is full of mystery, intrigue, Phantasmas (phantoms in Latin), secret societies and sweet & intense teen love.

Thank you so much for joining us today! Congratulations on your debut novel and hurry up writing the next one!!! 

To learn more about L.H. Nicole or to buy her amazing book, please visit her website, or catch up with her on Facebook: L.H. Nicole, Pinterest: L.H. Nicole, Tumbler: L.H. Nicole and Twitter: L.H. Nicole.

*Giveaway alert: Dying to read Legendary? Leave a comment below to be entered to win a free copy. Contest runs through midnight tonight.

 

 

 

Contemporary Romance Author Sugar Jamison Swims with the Mermaids

Denny's MermaidsI met Sugar this past summer at RWA Nationals in Atlanta. I don’t remember what we started chatting about, I just recall that I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. It was a very good first meeting. After that, I kept running into her (I swear I wasn’t stalking), and then I complimented her on the cover of her then new release and fabulous title: Dangerous Curves Ahead. By the end of RWA Nationals, I’d found a new bud and a new author I truly enjoyed. Today, she’s taking a few minutes to join us here at the pond. She also has a giveaway (all you need to do is comment to be eligible for a chance to win)! So let’s get started with an introduction and then we can dive into the questions, and Sugar’s fabulous responses. Enjoy!

photo 1

From her official bio: Sugar Jamison is a southern belle trapped in a New Yorker’s body. With a love of big hair and high-heeled shoes, she spends her day at her very normal day job and night dreaming up sweet but sassy romances.

Denny: How long have you been writing and what was your inspiration for the Perfect Fit Novels?

Sugar: I started writing my senior year of college after reading Jennifer Crusie’s BET ME for the second time. I figured it wouldn’t be so hard to write a romance novel. I was wrong. Writing romance is much harder than I thought it would be, but it’s also so rewarding.

Denny: What has been the biggest surprise about the reaction/response to your Perfect Fit series?

Sugar: I don’t know if anything surprised me about the reactions to the Perfect Fit series. Except maybe how many people took exception to my heroine referring to herself as “FAT”. The book is about a plus sized woman. Real women call themselves fat. ALL THE TIME. It’s not a bad word. I’m not degrading myself when I use the word and neither was she. Overweight, plus sized, big. It all means the same thing.

Denny: How much do you love marketing and social media? What have you found works best in promoting your books?

Sugar: I don’t love marketing, but the team at Saint Martin’s Press does a good job spreading the word about my books. I really like Facebook. I update my fan page daily. I feel like most of my readers hang out and connect with me there. I don’t really like Twitter that much, but other people love it. As far as promotion goes, I’m not sure what really has worked in terms of sales. I took out ads in a few places, but honestly I don’t think I got a return on my investment. Goodreads giveaways and the Free Book Friday I found gave me more exposure to readers than anything else. I’m sure there are other things I could be doing but usually I find that word of mouth has worked the best. I get emails from readers who’ve told me that their friends recommended that they read my books. That is the best feeling, much better than getting reviewed by a big magazine.

Denny: Did you have a pre-launch strategy for finding readers? If so, what was it:)? (yes, inquiring minds – noisy ones like me, what to know!)

Sugar: Nope. Sometimes I think I suck at this whole author thing. My publisher sent out review copies all over the place. I think that really made the difference. But I teased it on Facebook and Twitter. I had really great friends who spread the word for me. I’m very grateful for them.

Denny: What did you think I’d ask that you were hoping to answer?

Sugar: I get asked what advice I would give writers. And it would be… besides writing a great book is to build your backlist. Write as much as you can and put out as much as you can, in whatever format you choose to publish in. But make sure that whatever you publish is polished and professional looking.

Denny: What’s the Next Big Thing for Sugar Jamison?

Sugar: My next Perfect Fit book is out February 25th. Thrown For a Curve. I LOVE my hero in this book. I fall in love with each of my heroes, but I really LOVE LOVE LURVE Colin who is my sexy Irish bad boy. My other big thing is that I have another series of books coming out for Harlequin’s Kimani linphoto 2e. The first book is LIBERTY (Ginger Jamison) is also due out February 25th. Here’s a description. When Ryan Beecher returns home after a long deployment overseas, Lexy barely recognizes her husband. The man who left Texas for Afghanistan was cruel and abusive. The man who comes back to her is a badly injured stranger with amnesia—and no memory of their life together.

photo 3Lexy can’t believe how much Ryan has changed. The wounded marine is now gentle, caring and tender. And his touch awakens yearnings she’s never felt before. As he takes them both to the point of no return, can Lexy trust this lover who seems to live only for her pleasure…as he seeks his salvation in her healing embrace?

A poignant and erotic story of longing, secrets and second chances, Liberty explores the limits of desire and the boundaries of love.

Thank you Sugar!

It was great having you in the pond. And readers – COMMENT BELOW to be eligible to receive a copy of “Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas” by Sugar Jamison (and if you’re nice – and only a tad naughty – we may be able to give away an e-copy of Dangerous Curves Ahead, too!)