Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Jacob Terrell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Bedford, TX, and grew up both in north Texas and, for a while, northeast Arkansas. I’ve drifted around quite a bit in some areas, lived a crazy lifestyle for a while. I’m currently in Fort Worth, and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been an avid reader, probably because my mother encouraged it. I was reading Dracula and 20,000 leagues under the sea when I was around 10, and my passion for books has never dimmed. When I was a kid, I had a natural talent, but I nearly always abused it to fake my way through essays and papers on material I hadn’t studied, just because I could write it in such a way that my teachers would be impressed, even if it contained little of the content it was supposed to.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read and write mostly fantasy, and Garth Nix is a big reason why. Growing up, I wanted to be an archaeologist with all my heart, but there came a time when I realized that I wouldn’t be able to fight Nazis while digging up priceless artifacts a la Indiana Jones. I gave it up soon after.
One day, while searching through a new box of donated books at my high school’s library (I had read most of them), I came across a battered copy of Lirael. That and Nix’s other works pushed me to start writing seriously, because I wanted to inspire people the way those books inspired me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Shade of Andrea Fox is my debut novel. It’s the first installment in a story that’s been circulating in my head for the better part of ten years, but it took quite a while of thinking and dreaming (an a whole slew of rewrites and sleepless nights) before I was satisfied with the main arc.
It follows the titular character, who goes by Jill, as she is plunged into an ancient war between immortals of a broken world. Along with her friends- the mischievous Brownsborough brothers- Jill must unravel the false life her father has built to protect her, and discover the destiny that awaits her as Andrea The End.

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Featured Interview With JA Coppinger

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in NJ, the lovely Garden State. I am a long time resident of the Jersey Shore (the real place, not the horrifying TV show!) I actually love Jersey, it’s the only place I know where you can do anything you can imagine in under an hour. Broadway – one hour away. Ski? One hour. Beach, zoo, Yankees, Giants, Mets, Kicks, Nets, museums, five star restaurants . . . one hour! They should change our name to “The Convenient State”.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The first novel I ever read was “The Hobbit” when I was eleven and I’ve been hooked on reading and writing ever since. Fantasy has always been my genre of choice. I love that you can take everyday concerns and expand them into an epic setting where the consequences of simple choices loom so much larger. I think fantasy works are a great way to get people thinking about the way they live their lives. That, and dragons are totally awesome!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Tolkien formed my love of fantasy but I have to say that my favorite author is probably Stephen R. Donaldson. The beauty of his language and the way he pulls you into his worlds always amazes me. His “Chronicles of Thomas Covenant” series is a masterwork. More recently, I’ve become a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson. The man knows how to tell a really good story and keep the pace moving quickly while still providing epic scope to his tales.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“The Screaming God” is my first published novel. It started from a short story I wrote many years ago that I was certain would make me a successful author . . . it didn’t. Still, I loved the characters so much and the dialog made me laugh every time I read it, so i kept playing with it in my spare time and it eventually reached novel length.

The book follows Godslayer, a man whose job is to kill anyone silly enough to declare themselves a god. The job –and the name– are hereditary but as Slayer will tell you himself: he’s the best there’s ever been. the problem is, this time around his bosses saddle him with a partner, the refined Lady Catrina, whose job is to make sure Slayer doesn’t kill the next god on his list before finding out how he’s generating blockbuster crops in the midst of the worst drought in memory. Sounds simple, right? Well, between assassins, smugglers, politicians and the never-ending battle for superiority between Slayer and Cat, simple is the one thing it’s not!

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Featured Interview With Kenny Yao

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Retired Businessman turned Writer from San Francisco, now resides in Manila, Philippines with my four sons aged, 23, 21, 18, and 16. A widower since 2007 and free to serve God and save one more for Jesus.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I like reading when I have free time, and writing when I would doodle and write what-nots way back in grade school.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like reading the books of David Morrell, Eric Van Lustbader, John Grisham, and James Patterson.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I Want Sam is a fiction based on a story-idea inspired by my son Keanu. This young adult novel introduces two main characters any boy and girl could only hope to be.

Meet Sam.
A computer savvy kid, seventeen-year-old Sam Ward, is just an ordinary teen, living a normal high-school life.
But coming home one day… He found his Father dead on the floor.
This changed his life forever. He started running… to become the most wanted teen in the entire world. Together with his nineteen-year-old girlfriend, Delilah, or simply D, a part time school teacher, a professional hacker and a gun buff, they decided to fight back.

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Featured Interview With Ognian Georgiev

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My entire live is connected with the capital city of Bulgaria – Sofia. I am living in one of the quietest districts, named on our national hero Vasil Levski, with my girlfriend Ralitza and our little daughter Valeria. In the last 14 years the profession that is bringing food on my table is journalistics. I am writing about sports.

My job gave me a chance to see the world and to meet some of the most unique personalities. I covered the last two Summer Olympics in Beijing and London for my editions as many other international events.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
During the communism we’ve got one very interesting state policy, called “Book Post”. At the end of each year you’ve got a chance to subscribe and to pay in advance for a selection of novels that are going to be published next year.

My mother was an avid reader. She ordered a lot of books and always was adding to her list adventure novels. This is how I met Karl May, Emilio Salgari and Jules Verne.
We don’t have internet, cable tv or many other distractions for the kids during 80-s. So the reading was great joy for some of us. This is the reason that I became part of the magic world of books.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love non fiction history or sports books, like biographies. Fantasy and crimes are also warmly welcomed to my book shelf. Raymond Feist, Gay Kavriel Kay and Neil Gaiman are some of my favorites. Michael Connelly is always fun to read.
I love also to check new indie authors, who are writing genres near my favorite ones.

The inspiration is a very strange thing. I decided to write my book, which is a non fiction, because of the real life events. One day the main character Galabin Boevski returned surprisingly to our country. It was a shocker for the society, because he was sentenced for a long period in Brazil. Nobody knows why and how he was able to get back home.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“The white prisoner: Galabin Boevski’s secret story” is a novel about a legendary weightlifter, who won everything – Olympic, World and European title. He was a hero in his country and was recognized around the planet. Several years after the end of his career, the news breaks that he is arrested in Sao Paulo’s airport with 9 kg of cocaine. He is with his daughter, a talented tennis player. Both are arrested. After a short trial Boevski is sentenced for 9 years and 4 months.

The book mixes the most interesting moments of his career – Olympic glory, doping scandals, betrayals etc. and the fight for survival in the Brazil prison.
The events on the book are reproduced, thanks to numerous interviews with Galabin’s relatives, friends, former colleagues from national team, coaches, journalists and many others.

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Featured Interview With Girdhar Joshi

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in Mumbai in India. I was brought up in the picturesque mountains of Uttarakhand in India. I was always fascinated by the nature, the beautiful mountains, the gorgeous rivers, the mystical woods, and the stubborn rocks.The childhood memories include walking two-three kilometers on the serpentine path to school, fetching water from the village well at one kilometer distance, picking dried wood on Sundays, and braving the bitter cold winters, sometimes without a pair of shoes or slippers in the foot.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a child I was fascinated with books and had a small library when I was hardly fourteen years of age. Many books in that library consisted of my text books of the previous class. But I had a couple of other collections too. I started with writing poetry when I graduated from my school.

But the formal writing began only recently in 2007 when my first book which is an educational book for the students of information technology in business management, was published by Oxford University Press, New Delhi. It was followed by another book on applications of information technology in business titled ‘Management Information Systems’, published by the same publisher. But I felt there was more inside me. I had some stories that I wanted to tell the world. Therefore, only last year 2013 I started connecting some dots and my debut novel ‘Some Mistakes Have No Pardon’ was published in May 2014.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read both non-fiction and fiction. I am more interested in mystical spiritual stories. Complexities of human relationships intrigue me most. I am influenced by Paulo Coelho, Salman Rushdie, Osho among the contemporary writers. Thomas Hardy, Dickens, and Jan Austin are some of the classic writers who inspired me.

Who inspires me in writing? I don’t know. It is for my readers to tell me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut novel ‘Some Mistakes Have No Pardon’ is about life. This depicts the journey of a man from the time when he was a little chubby bubbly boy playing in the lap of his grandparents to somewhat till the mid of his life when he had attained all virtues and contacted the vices of life. His life-story is guided by some pre-designed schemes which is revealed to his mother in the form of occult prophecy by the inexplicable astrologer, when he was a toddler clung to the bosom of his mother. In the process of growing up and attaining his goals in life, he confronts many adventures, treads paths unknown, and jumps into domains unadvised. In his struggles to find love, retain peace, and enhance happiness, he commits some follies. Some of those mistakes, perhaps, don’t deserve forgiveness in the eyes of the people he values, he loves, and he ruins himself.

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Featured Interview With Delali Norvor

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Delali Norvor. I’m 18 years old and I’m a poet. I’m from Accra, Ghana. I used to split my time between Ghana and USA before moving permanently to Maryland and that is where I live now.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think I have been fascinated with books from birth, thanks to my mom. She used to read me stories 24/7 and that’s how I became a literary addict. I started writing in elementary school but took it seriously in high school when I needed an outlet to express what I was going through and my emotional struggles of fitting in since I was an outcast. Actually, that’s what my third book, “Mother Nature, My Kinship. & the Dolphins,” is about. It poetically details my self discovery on who I am as a human who is not defined by her differences.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and John Grisham. I think I like autobiography and legal thriller. It’s people and issues that I’m surrounded by are the ones who ends up in my writings.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Mother Nature, My Kinship. & the Dolphins,” is about my journey to self discovery and changing the way how I perceive myself. It poetically details my perception on who I am as a human who is not defined by her differences.

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Featured Interview With Philip G Henley

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born on a farm in rural Bedfordshire England. After school and a couple of years of civilian work I spent nearly 18 years in the Royal Air Force specialising in command and control. After returning to civilian life I have worked in project and bid management. I now live in Hampshire in the UK

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always read a lot but I only started writing stories in 2005 but I did not publish until last year. Since then I can’t stop

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Le Carre, Neal Stephenson, Forsyth, Deighton, Asimov, Clark, Follet and more recently Scarlett Thomas and Hilary Mantel. Then there are lots of new Indie authors. I used to stick to spy thrillers and SciFi but i have been expanding my repetoire.

News stories or just dissatisfaction with a book I have just read prompt me to think

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I have two just out the first part of a new Sci-Fi series called The World of Fives, which is set a 1500 years in the future about a a Geographic Observer, think Star Trek meets Star wars meets well I’ve tried to be original. The second new book is a sequel spy thriller to my first book. The new one is called An Agent’s Rise

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Featured Interview With P.S. Bartlett

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in South Baltimore, MD. Our little row house was situated about a mile from Fort McHenry and few blocks from Federal Hill and the famous Baltimore inner harbor. Although back then, the harbor was more about trade than tourism. I moved to suburbia about 15 years ago and still reside there with my husband, my 18 year old son and a 9 year old Maine Coon cat named Columbus. Luckily for us, My daughter and my three granddaughters live right next door.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books as long as I can remember and always had book shelves full since I was a little girl. I’ve also been writing since I could hold a pencil. I used to make my own little books out of construction paper and yarn and also made my own greeting cards and did the illustrations for both.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
At the moment, my favorites would be George R.R. Martin and Diana Gabaldon. Life long authors I’ve loved would be Stephen King, Anne Rice, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Harper Lee and many more. These are also the ones who have inspired me. Whoever I’m reading at the moment is always an inspiration. I enjoy all genres but definitely lean towards historical fiction the most.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book has the WIP title of “The Blue Diamond-An Ivory Razor Adventure” and it will hopefully be published in September. This book is historical fiction as well but also adventure and romance. Think “Pirates of the Caribbean” meets “Charlie’s Angels” and you’re on the right track.

Here’s a little synopsis of the book: When four young women take a leap into the Golden Age of piracy, they not only survive, they thrive and blaze a trail of freedom and adventure. The greatest quest of all comes when Ivory, the eldest of the four, captures a merchant ship smuggling diamonds, of which she happily relieves them, as well as the ship itself. However, she isn’t the only one who knows the diamonds exist—most of all, the large and valuable blue one. She sets out on an adventure to prove she can have it all on her own terms; true love, the blue diamond and her freedom.

However, my most recent published book is “Hope From the Ocean” which is the prequel to my novel “Fireflies” which was released in March of 2013 through GMTA publishing.

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Featured Interview With Bonny Brookes

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I spent my childhood along the shores of the Mississippi in Burlington, Iowa. As a pre-teen I moved with my family to Michigan and after graduating from college, I’ve lived in numerous locations including Monterey and San Diego, California and Taos, New Mexico. I currently live near the shore of Lake Travis in the hill country of central Texas outside of Austin.

When not writing, Bonny catches up with her daughter and friends, cuddles with her finicky felines, travels, plays piano or guitar, reads or photographs nature and wildlife.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
It started when I was five years old and my father would take me with him to his office on Saturday mornings. While he worked, I’d sit at his
secretary’s desk and write and illustrate ‘books’. Each week I loved creating a new story. I still have one of those little books.

Back in college I wanted to be a writer, but my creative writing professor didn’t believe I had written my stories and gave me low grades. Rather than fight back—which I should have—I quit writing for many years. It wasn’t until my friend passed, that I had to write her story, for her kids, her grandchildren and to help me let her go.

I write to inspire, encourage or help others and make a difference on a global level.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors are Danielle Steele, Nicholas Sparks and a newcomer, Kelly Marshall. Although her books are a bit racy, I love the whodunit factor.

I don’t have much time to ‘fun’ reading, and most of the time you’ll catch me reading non-fiction, how to books to educate and improve myself.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This memoir is about best friends and how their unconditional love and support kept them sane through the best and worst of times. Anyone who has ever had a best friend, will enjoy this book, as memories of their own dear friendships are brought to the surface. Linked Lives is the (relationships) Winner of 2014 Beverly Hills International Book Awards and a Reader’s Favorite Book Awards finalist (winner to be announced in September 2014).

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Featured Interview With Randi Redmond Oster

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
From my seventh floor apartment in the Bronx, I’d look out my window and see the lawn where I wanted to plant a garden but the sign clearly said, “Keep off the grass.” Now, I live in Connecticut and grow herbs, vegetables and lots of flowers.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
In seventh grade when my nose grew way too big, my curly hair frizzed and the acne came popping out, I wrote an essay about my inner beauty. The teacher gave me an A+ and had me read it to the class. My knees buckled, as I read, and looked up at the girls with beautiful skin and long straight hair. When I was done, I discovered the power of honesty — one of the cool kids became my friend.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love books that tell a story that I can relate to my life and implement some of the author’s wisdom: Walden, The Glass Castle, Tuesday’s with Morrie. I wrote my book to give some of my life insights to my readers so they can find joy living their lives.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Questioning Protocol is my journey with my son through multiple operations due to complications with Crohn’s disease. It shares my insights of how I handled balancing a job, an aging mother and a sick child without getting depressed or having a total breakdown. I used my skills from almost 20 years in GE plus my compassion as a mom to build a high performing healthcare team focused on my son. The tips, tools and techniques are easily learned and can be implemented by anyone.

It took me a year and a half to write the book. I wanted to make sure that every two pages the reader would have a life “aha” moment. People tell me it is a fast-paced, heartwarming, heart-wrenching and funny read. They say they “can’t put the book down.”

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Featured Interview With Kelly Marshall

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in the Pacific Northwest and am raising my grandson, Dawson. Life is filled with lots of bustling activities including camping, fishing, and traveling. Disneyland is on the agenda this month. When there’s a few extra minutes, I write novels.

My website is KellyMarshallBooks.com. I invite you to stop by and get to know me better. And if you’d like to keep in touch, please fill out a contact form so I can write you back.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always been an avid reader and love a good story. I prefer mysteries, but have been known to pick up a good Stephen King horror tome. Pet Cemetery still gives me the creeps. For romance, no one’s better than Sandra Brown. Kathy Reich and Patricia Cornwall are favorites, as is Jonathan Kellerman. When I retire, I am going to sit in my back yard, sip lemon tea and get lost forever in the magic of stories.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
(see above)

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My books are sexy thrillers. I am upfront about the sensual material when I promote my books. I am doing a three book series about two Seattle homicide detectives, Nick Winston and Pat Strom. I am a former radio announcer who spent thirty years in the business, so I decided to write about what I know. My first book in this series is called The Radio Murders. The two detectives end up vying for the attention of a self-absorbed radio star. It makes their work together intolerable. The popular radio personality is kidnapped and Nick and Strom have to find her before her air runs out.

The second novel in the series is 6 White Roses. Tragically, a young child is found murdered on the shores of Seattle’s Lake Union and the two cops vow to find the depraved murderer who took the life of Emily Chatburn. Nick is torn between two women: his randy, Texan girlfriend Tandy Williams and the fragile mother of the dead child, Elizabeth Chatburn. His obsession with both women complicates an already difficult case. If you find the story intrigues you, sign up to win a copy at Goodreads.com. The giveaway runs between August 10th through September 1st. You might be one of the lucky winners!

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Featured Interview With Deborah Coonts

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My mother tells me I was born in Texas a long, long time ago. I’m not so sure; my mother can’t be trusted. I do know I was raised there on barbecue, Mexican food, and beer. I currently split my time between Texas and Las Vegas where my friends tell me I can’t get into too much trouble… silly people.

I’ve been a lot of things in my life: accountant, business owner, tax lawyer, pilot, flight instructor, dilettante, mother, friend, chief cook, bottle-washer, and all ’round good egg. Yes, I have career ADD and, at this point in my life, am completely unemployable…. so I write. Actually, I have always written, just never made it my vocation until a few years back. And, to tell the truth, writing is the best job ever, well, except for that mom thing.

In my spare time (ha!) I like to fly airplanes, drive fast cars, drink good wine, enjoy the company of those I hold dear, see the world and hear other people’s stories. I used to like to workout, but I got over it.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Books. I’ve always loved stories. and, to listen to my mother tell it, I have always been quite the storyteller. In fact, she has kept copies of some stories I concocted to try to weasel out of trouble and she regularly holds them up as blackmail. But my fascination with books began with a locked closet in the garage….my father’s locked closet. He wouldn’t tell anyone what was in there. Well, I hate secrets, so that just wouldn’t do. At the age of five It took me quite awhile to pick the lock, especially under the cover of darkness after my parents had gone to bed. I finally did, and you can imagine the door creaking open just a bit, darkness beyond, my heart hammering in my chest as my imagination ran wild.

I figured I was in trouble either way, so i might as well finish the job. So, I eased the door open, braced to flee at any moment. when nothing leapt out, I reached inside, having to stretch on my tip-toes to flick the light on. And what was in there?

Three and half walls covered, floor to ceiling with bookshelves containing every paperback my father had ever read. A treasure trove better than anything in Fort Knox. I couldn’t breath as I walked the room. Hardy Boys, Hammett, Spillane, Tarzan, Quartermaine….

I took the first Hardy Boys, killed the light and shut the door. My grandmother had given me a flashlight–she was a great co-conspirator. It took me a few years, but I read every book in there. I even learned it was possible to have sex standing up from the Godfather…of course, that was before I had a good grasp on what exactly sex entailed. You should’ve seen my parents’ faces when I trotted that little tidbit out at the dinner table….

Yes, The Godfather was the last book in my father’s room. After that, I took to riding my pony down the four-lane road to the nearest bookstore. No, my mother didn’t know….

Writing–I won a contest in the 7th grade. I took the Night Before Christmas and rewrote it to reflect life in the ’70s. It wasn’t until single-parenting days that I tried my hand at commercial fiction. Many folks ask me if my stint as a lawyer was good preparation for telling lies. I plead the Fifth on that one, but it didn’t hurt. Anyway, I wrote a terrible international intrigue thing that is buried in the backyard of the house I lived in four houses ago. Then I tried my hand a legal thrillers (yawn). But, I was getting better. Then it was WANNA GET LUCKY?, the first in my current series, and well, I was off and running.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read across genres and anything recommended to me. Right now I’m immersing myself in women’s fiction as I’m working on a new series (while continuing the current one) that is a cross between contemporary romance (there HAS to be romance) and women’s fiction. The title is CRUSHED and it’s set in Napa. Halfway through, I’m liking where it’s going.

In recent years I really have enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and Deborah Harkness’ trilogy beginning with Discovery of Witches. I read Nora Roberts because, well, she is a powerful presence in the romance universe–and I love her stuff. Susan Wiggs, Diane Mott Davidson, Catherine Coulter, Allison Brennan, Nancy Martin…..the list of wonderful writers and absorbing stories is endless. However, I must tell you, I’m a happy ending gal…..can’t do a lot of death and dismemberment.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
To set the stage, I write a humorous romantic mystery series set in Las Vegas. The next book out is LUCKY CATCH, the fifth full-length novel in the series.

This whole story started with a smoking gun.
You see, I’m not much of a foodie. And, I’m not much of a cook either. In fact, I have a love/hate relationship with food—I love it, but I hate it when my jeans don’t fit. And it doesn’t help that I’m more of a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives kind of gal rather than one who favors an exorbitantly-priced, twenty-item tasting menu that stills leaves you lusting after a Whataburger. So, when it comes to fancy food prep, I’m a bit clueless.
Which leads me back to the smoking gun thing.
I was eating dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants in Vegas, Due Forni, with two of my best buds, one of them a chef. As a first course, we ordered some of the homemade mozzarella and their famous bread (totally to die for). I ordered the smoked cheese and, through mouthfuls I expressed my pleasure and my wonder at how they imparted the smoky flavor. I’m originally from Texas and the whole smoked thing is a religion there—but it requires a huge smoker and tons of hickory and I didn’t see that sort of set up at Due Forni. So, I wondered out loud how someone might give fresh mozzarella a smoked flavor.
My bud, the chef, looked at me as if I’d been living under a rock and announced, “With a smoking gun, of course.”
But, of course! A smoking gun. Who knew?
That little tidbit stopped me mid-bite and totally derailed his dinner as I peppered him with questions.
I mean, there’s just something so prosaic about killing someone with a smoking gun, don’t you think?
So, off the story ran, as stories are wont to do. Before long I found myself mired hip-deep in the world of gourmet cookery. And I became interested in the conundrum of serving incredibly fresh food in a place that is as hospitable to the nurture of delicate plants and exotic fish as the surface of the moon. And that led to research into the pipeline for gourmet foodstuffs, the need for temperature control, for impeccable and consistent quality and lightning fast shipments. All of this is incredibly competitive, with the top-tier chefs locked in a fierce battle for the freshest, most unique items on the planet.
The perfect recipe for murder.
Or several, as the case may be… kitchens are dangerous places, you know.
And, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for this sort of culinary chaos.
In LUCKY CATCH, Lucky has been promoted. She is now the Vice President of Customer Relations for the Babylon, Vegas’s primo Strip property, which really doesn’t change anything, it just sounds more important. She’s still charged with keeping the lid on guests, entertainers, chefs and staff who decide to turn up the heat while at the Babylon. Normally, this isn’t a problem, but with the dishy, world-renowned chef, Jean-Charles Bouclet in hot pursuit and the return of her former lover, Teddie, setting her emotions on sizzle, Lucky’s is a bit distracted.
And then, with Thanksgiving approaching, a young woman gets smoked in Jean-Charles’s food truck on the Babylon’s back lot and he becomes the prime suspect. Of course, he goes on the lam leaving Lucky to deal with his sister and his niece who stick to Lucky like a good roux, leaving her to wonder what game he is really playing. To make matters worse, Mona, Lucky’s mother, is up to her normal shenanigans, throwing fat in the fire just when Lucky seems to be taming it to a manageable flame.
Of course, all of this would be easy as pie for Lucky…except the Babylon is hosting a nationally-televised celebrity chef cooking competition and the prized white truffle, one of the main ingredients, goes missing. Not even the truffle pig that Miss P has ensconced in Bungalow 7 in the rarified air of the Kasbah, can find it.
Would someone really kill for a truffle?
As usual, in a bit of shameless product placement, I insert many of my favorite local restaurants in the book, which is one of my favorite things to do. And, of course, I had to sample them anew before doing so… quality control and all of that. Not to mention the tax-deductible thing.
I wonder if the resulting gym membership is deductible as well?
Anyway, please join Lucky on her wild ride through the kitchens of Vegas and find out whether Lucky can clear her chef before his goose is cooked, whether she decides it’s possible to love again without being parboiled in the process, and who her LUCKY CATCH might be.
And whether I might be shot for working a metaphor so hard it rolled over and died.

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Featured Interview With Rachel Walter

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a Pennsylvania girl. I was raised in a small town near the Maryland line and currently live not far from there. I stay at him with my daughter and step kids and write full time. Hockey is as important as breathing, football is a close second.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was about 15 or so when I really got sucked into reading. Around 16 I started writing poetry and when I was in my early twenties I started writing my first novel, True Connection.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have so many authors that I love to read, but Madeline Sheehan is one of my number ones, so much so that I don’t even read the blurbs, I just one-click her books as soon as they’re released. I adore Young Adult, but I think Paranormal, Adult Thrillers, and Suspense Romance are my favorites.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Soul Promise. It’s the second book in The Soul Mate Series. The story follows Henry as he learns to control his new found abilities and managing his inner demons as well as doing what he thinks is right to protect his mate and family.
I started working on this book almost two years ago. Book one, True Connection, underwent major changes before release in 2013, and it took me a whole year to implement appropriate changes to the story and finish it.

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Featured Interview With Craig Pomranz

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Internationally known singer/song-stylist, actor and now author. Craig is Winner of New York’s MAC Award for “2012 Best Male Vocalist.” Originally from St. Louis, MO. Craig lives in NYC and travels the world performing in clubs. Made By Raffi is his first children’s book with illustrations award winning artist Margaret Chamberlain

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
It seems I was always reading. I cannot remember the exact age, but certainly I started reading plays when I became a professional child actor at age 10. Non-Fiction and biographies were my mainstay until I got interested in cooking and entertaining. I now collect cookbooks as well as biographies.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am inspired by the people around me. My first two books are based on real-life incidents with my godson and niece. I read Magazines like The New Yorker and The Atlantic and newspapers. When it comes to books I really read biographies and cookbooks and non-fiction brought to my attention.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I would write to tell you my story. I have really become interested in the idea of how we tell our kids what is appropriate activity, based on gender. Most of the parents of young kids I know are trying on one hand to let their kids follow their own interests, but on the other are concerned about their kid fitting in and not being teased. As a result, atypical hobbies and behaviors are only encouraged so far.

Inspired by true-life incident, my children’s book Made By Raffi is newly released this summer. A donor has given books to all of the Catholic elementary schools in New York. It is the story of a little boy who doesn’t care for sports but likes to knit and sew — at first he is teased for his hobby, but in the end he becomes a hero to his class. The book is being published in five languages and distributed in eight countries so far by UK publishers Frances Lincoln under their diversity imprint, Janetta Otter-Barry Books. Award-winning artist Margaret Chamberlain is the illustrator

I wrote the book to support young boys and girls who are perceived as “different” because of their appearance or hobbies. It is a funny colorful book with a serious message and will interest those who care about promoting diversity and embracing our differences, as well as all children seeking to fit in.

In my research, I have found some shocking stories:

Recently, a principal told a boy he could not bring his “My Little Pony” lunchbox to school because it was a “trigger” for teasing and bullying.

The same week a girl was expelled from a Christian school because of her short hair, perceived masculine look and interest in sports.

Recently a woman in Portland killed her child of four because she thought he “acted, walked and spoke like a gay person.”

On the other hand, I have already received terrific early trade reviews and many supportive messages from those who have seen advance copies of the book as well as from those who have ordered.

I was recently forwarded this email from a man in Istanbul: “Today I enjoyed to preorder your beautiful and meaningful children book for my cousin. Especially here in Turkey we need to learn respect to the one who is different than us. Thanks for your effort to make the world a better place to live. Best regards, ”

I am available for interviews or background conversation on the topic or I can write a blog post to keep the conversation going. Made By Raffi is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNobles.

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Featured Interview With Christopher C. Meeker

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Christopher C. Meeker is a writer, husband, and father of three based in beautiful Central New York where he enjoys the experiences of each new season, especially fall and winter.

After graduating high school Christopher attended Onondaga Community College and the Onondaga Cortland Madison County Career Training Center where he received his certification in Electro-Mechanical Drafting and CAD. He has also earned numerous certificates in the field of information technology. But Christopher’s true passions are languages and the written word.

When Christopher isn’t busy working on his next novel he likes to relax by watching movies (science fiction and fantasy mostly), reading, or playing video games, an activity which has garnered him several world records.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books ever since I can remember. I think my fascination with them began when I was first read ‘The Littles’ by my grandmother when I was around six or seven years old.

I began writing off and on as early as twelve but only dedicated myself to serious writing over the last ten or so years.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors are Edgar Allan Poe, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, J.R.R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony (his Xanth books literally saved my life), Orson Scott Card, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, Drew Karpyshyn, and others.

My favorite genre to read is science-fiction and fantasy, but, I’ve been known to read a mystery or two.

Who inspires me to write? George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Benjamin Franklin.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
HAWTHORNE: Chronicles of the Brass Hand is the story of young Edgar J. Hawthorne who sets out on a journey to the Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa in 1835 after reading of an incredible discovery in the Edinburgh Journal of Science, submitted by close family friend John Herschel.

Traveling with the Royal Air Brigade on the Stratos, England’s newest and most advanced airship, pride of the British fleet, Edgar and the crew are caught unaware and attacked in the early hours of dawn by a flotilla of marauding airships. Outnumbered the Stratos is forced down into the deep jungles of Africa.

With the Stratos crippled and in need of repair Edgar, along with the first officer and a portion of the crew, set out to locate provisions. What Edgar discovers in the jungle, however, convinces him there are other forces involved in the downing of the Stratos. In the attempt to discover the truth behind the attack, Edgar unearths an unbelievable and far-reaching secret.

Finding himself caught up in a conflict that has raged for centuries, Edgar is thrust into a world of which only a handful are aware. With the aid of a mysterious girl and an unlikely ally, Edgar must do the impossible: prevent humanity’s extinction.

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Featured Interview With Barbara Raghavan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Poland in 1956. My early years were spent in Warsaw, until marriage to an Indian diplomat took me first to India and then to a number of other countries.

Since then, I travelled extensively and lived among many different cultures in India, England, Vietnam, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Russia.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Ever since I could put letters together to form words, I have been a life-long writer. I started writing in Polish, but after my marriage I settled down in India and continued writing in English.

My first stories, written at the age of 6 or 7, do not exist any longer. When I was about 9, I wrote a book for some of my friends to read. Once I had left it on my desk and, on return from lunch, I found that the class bully was reading aloud from it and ridiculing it. ‘Hell knows no fury…” Tears streamed down my face while I punched, hit and kicked him, as I snatched the manuscript from him. When the teacher saw the fight and my tears, she scolded the boy, which made me cry even more, since I felt that he was being punished twice for the same misdeed. Who asked her to intervene? I was doing well!

My next memory of writing is connected with the poems of Adam Mickiewicz (a great Polish poet of the 19th century). I was about 10 years old when I wrote a shortened and ‘improved’ version of his poems and took them to a publisher’s office.

I informed the person at the desk that I can work on more poems to make them shorter and more readable. He looked at the precious pages pulled out from a notebook, but didn’t seem interested! I was told that they do not need a shortened version of any poem! I thought I would give them a chance to re-think and left my poems with them nevertheless.

For about a year I kept checking my letter-box.

Need I say, I received no reply…

I kept writing and throwing my manuscripts away – I wish I hadn’t.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read all genres of writing. The Polish author Boleslaw Prus was one of my earliest inspirations. I am particularly interested in writings that explore human psychology.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I wrote a novel about a boy with an obsessive compulsive disorder and a girl suffering from anorexia. The novel is complete, but until recently its fate reminded me of that of the shortened versions of Mickiewicz’s poems. Publishers are not interested in first-time writers.

Today’s world has more options for frustrated authors. I have recently put my two novels (“Born to be Perfect” and “Her Choice”) on Amazon, through the Kindle Direct Publishing route. So, I am finally a published author!

The latest novel, “Her Choice”, deals with social and psychological matters surrounding the controversial and sensitive issue of abortion.

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Featured Interview With John Cunningham Jr.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and reared in Mobile, Alabama and taught high school history in New Orleans, Louisiana. Thus, I am very familiar with my books’ main settings, a two-book Civil War series called Southern Sons-Dixie Daughters. I hold a degree in history from the University of Alabama. Having grown up fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, another key setting, I also know that region well. Since the age of twelve, I have been a serious student of the American Civil War.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have loved books almost as far back as I can remember, and my desire to become a writer began around the sixth grade. Starting in the seventh grade, though, I began reading mostly biographies and history books. This started when my parents gave me a Christmas present–The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, its narrative written by the Pulitzer-prize winning historian, Bruce Catton. This book, with its illustrations and maps, inspired me to study the war deeper. I have been an avid student of the war ever since. Soon, this interest led to interests in other historical eras. History became my passion.
I started writing seriously when I was in my late twenties, after I sold an article to a devotional magazine called The Upper Room. So excited was I when I sold this small article, that I decided to devote myself to studying the craft and to writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre, of course, is historical fiction, both Christian and secular. The three authors who influenced my writing the most are CS Forester, Louis L’Amour, and James Michener. I also enjoy reading Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series, Gilbert Morris, Bernard Cornwell, Jack Cavanaugh, Norma Jean Lutz, and Elmer Kelton, among many others.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Book 1 in the Southern Sons-Dixie Daughters Series, Vengeance & Betrayal and Book 2, River Ruckus, Bloody Bay, are a sweeping Southern saga set against the backdrop of the Civil War’s western naval campaigns.
In Vengeance & Betrayal, the wartime stories of four families living on the Gulf Coast begins – the Westcotts, the Jessups, the Creole Soileaus and the indomitable and devout slave Danny, who escapes bondage and finds service aboard a Union warship and his wife Nancy, cruelly whisked out of his life decades before the war. Their stories are woven together throughout the work, which climaxes at the Battle of New Orleans.
While the Confederacy struggles to build a navy to defeat the Yankee fleet, threatening New Orleans, these families suffer their own personal conflicts: secret courtships, emotional turmoil, and banishment. For those in naval service–-Danny and Confederate Lieutenant Benjamin Westcott, whose family owns Nancy–-vengeance and betrayal approaches as the battle of New Orleans draws near. If the Westcott’s butler Titus succeeds in his plan, and Ben’s mortal enemy Master Xavier Locke of the USS Madison gains the upper hand, both Danny and Ben will suffer heartache and loss in vastly different ways.
Unlike most Civil War novels, which deal with the armies and other settings, Vengeance & Betrayal’s emphasis on the naval war and Gulf Coast southerners sets it apart from similar Civil War stories.

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Featured Interview With Megan Cyrulewski

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Troy, Michigan. After attending Grand Valley State University, I eventually settled into a career in the non-profit sector for eight years. I decided to change careers and went back to school to get my law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While in school, I documented my divorce, child custody battle, my emotionally abusive marriage and postpartum depression struggles in my memoir. I still live in Michigan with my 3-year-old daughter who loves to dance, run, read, swim, grow out of her clothes in a month, and only eats Mac and Cheese. I am also on the Board of Directors for a wonderful organization, Troy Youth Assistance.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I remember my Mom used to read to me while I was taking a bath at night. I loved “Heidi” so much that the cover fell off the book! Ever since then, I’ve loved reading. I will by a book in any genre. Yes – a book – because I have not succumbed to an ebook yet! (I probably will at some point.) I just love the feel of holding a book in my hand.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a huge cliche because I’m an attorney and I love John Grisham. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is phenomenal and I love her new books under her pen name. If I feel like a little romance and mystery, Nora Robers (and her alter-ego J.D. Robb) is my go-to author. As far as inspiration, I find inspiration mostly from my daughter. When you have a child, you see the world through an entirely different set of eyes and it’s fascinating.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I am just an ordinary person who has faced extraordinary challenges and now I want to inspire you to show you that hope gives you the power to survive anything. My memoir is my journey through post-partum depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, visits to the psych ward, divorce, domestic violence, law school and my struggle to survive with my sanity intact – and how a beautiful little girl emerged from all this chaos.

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Featured Interview With Linda George

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Levelland, Texas, west of Lubbock. Since then, I’ve lived in Lubbock, then attended high school in Seminole, Texas where I met my high school sweetheart, who has been my husband for 43 years. We lived in Central Texas for 30 years, near Rising Star. Once our children were in college, we moved to Cloudcroft, NM where we spent five wonderful years before moving back to Seminole to get all of our elderly parents together for more efficient caretaking. We have a summer place near Cloudcroft where we spend as much time as possible. It’s our “little piece of paradise.” Someday, we’ll live there for probably 7-8 months of the year, then take our RV to the Austin area for the winter.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I made the decision to pursue a career in professional writing in 1979, while teaching in the elementary grades in Texas. I naturally looked for a writing teacher, and took two courses from the Institute of Children’s Literature. Many years later, I became an instructor for ICL so I could help other aspiring writers. My husband, Charles, joined me writing full time when I was getting more assignments from nonfiction series publishers than I could write by myself. We eventually wrote 68 nonfiction books for children and teens for half a dozen publishers. We “retired” from writing nonfiction in 2012. By then, I’d had several novels published. I was finally free to write fiction full time. I’ve always been an impatient person, so I chose Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing to get my novels to readers as quickly as I could write them. Since April 2013, I’ve added five romances (which include contemporary, historical, and time travel) to my Amazon “bookshelf.”

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors include those who write really well (so I’m not tempted to “edit” as I read) and those whose stories grab me immediately and keep me reading to an ending I haven’t already guessed. I read in many genres. Among my favorite authors are Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Justin Cronin’s series, THE PASSAGE, THE TWELVE (and someday, I hope, AMY), almost anything by Stephen King, Cornelia Funke’s INKHEART series, the vampire and witch novels of Anne Rice, Anne Lamott, Penelope Williamson (especially HEART OF THE WEST, with a heroine with an absolutely unforgettable name), Deborah Smith, and so many others. I love haunted houses, ghost stories, paranormal, thrillers, and continuing characters.

Whenever I read my favorite authors, I’m inspired to write my own stories in such a way that readers won’t want to put the book down. I also strive to keep suspense going to the very end and to create doubt in the reader’s mind about how the problems are going to be resolved (even though romances always end happily). I want my characters to feel as real to readers as they feel to me. I once asked Nora Roberts, at an RWA Conference, if she ever got her characters mixed up, since (at the time) she’d written 50 romances. Her answer stunned–and instructed–me. “Linda, you’ve known 50 people in your life, and you don’t get them mixed up.” So true. To Nora, her characters are real people. And that’s why her books are so good. My goal is to write about real people–people who are so real to me they sometimes disagree with what I planned for them and insist on doing something different. And yes, occasionally, I have conversations with my characters and they give me exactly the information I need to write their stories.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
In July 2013, my husband and I went on the vacation of a lifetime–to Peru! We toured in Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Inca, and Machu Picchu. It had been our hope throughout more than 40 years of marriage to visit Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Inca. Our guide was a wonderful man named Alex Vereau, who knew more about these incredible places–and the rest of Peru–than we ever expected. Along with the history of each place we visited, he shared stories that eventually became the basis of KISS ME, LYNN–including the story of how he’d fallen in love with a woman on one of his tours, and she’d fallen in love with him. He graciously allowed me to use his name, and also the photograph that I took of him at Machu Picchu on the cover of the book. The story of KISS ME, LYNN is Alex and Lynn’s story–a true story–but it’s mingled with the imagination of the author. It will be up to the reader to guess which parts are real and which tiptoe softly into fiction.

Some readers might refer to a book about a tour as “a travelogue,” and to some extent, that label applies to this book. I’ve included some of the places we visited (my favorites) in this book with brief descriptions of what makes them special, so perhaps the reader will get a feel for what a tour of the land of the Inca would be like. But I’ve also mingled the growing relationship between Alex and Lynn throughout the tour, so the romance is definitely a major part of the story.

I outlined this book while sitting on a stone bench at the Watch Tower overlooking Machu Picchu. Feeling I was almost close enough to touch the city made me want to include my feelings in the story, from the points of view of both characters. I spent several hours on that bench, writing a chapter outline that eventually became KISS ME, LYNN. So the book was started the end of July 2013 and finished on April 21 after careful attention to detail, historical information, and mostly to the characters of Alex and Lynn.

The title comes from the series that I launched in April 2013–the Kiss Me Series. The first book in the series was released that month–KISS ME, CHLOE. There will be more books in this series, all with the “Kiss Me” titles. The covers for these books will be similar, too–with the couple above the banner and the location of the book below.

What did I learn from writing this book? Primarily that I’ll NEVER forget my time in the land of the Inca. I loved seeing Cusco, the “capital city” of the Inca, where the kings lived, and where Pachucatec conceived of a city on a mountaintop where he and his family could go for relaxation and worship. I can still close my eyes and remember sitting on that bench overlooking the magnificent achievement that was Pacachutec’s dream–Machu Picchu–and know that someday I will go back and sit there again, and feel the wonder of the magnificent lost city of the Inca.

I’ve posted photographs of our tour of Peru on my website–www.LindaGeorge.net–so readers can see the places in the book. The places where Alex and Lynn fell in love.

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