Write From the Heart by Cynthia Owens

Please Welcome author Cynthia Owens as she shares how she writes...from the heart.

Nancy: Please explain this subject.

We’ve all read it, or heard it at writing conferences. Any writer, whether a beginner or a multi-published author, has heard those words before: “Write from the heart. Write what calls to you, write what tugs at your soul.”

The words are true.

At least, they’re true for me. All of my books are about the things that have touched me deeply.

My first novel, In Sunshine or in Shadow, is about a place and a people that are close to my heart – Ireland and the Irish. I’ve been in love with all things Irish ever since I can remember, and when I settled down to write seriously, I didn’t even have to think about it. I had to write about Ireland. And since the Irish are known to be survivors, I wrote about Ballycashel, a tiny the west-of-Ireland village, and its survivors of famine and tyranny.

Today I’m still writing stories from the heart. Keeper of the Light, my new release from Highland Press, is a prime example.

When I first conceived The Wild Geese Series, I knew the heroes would be Irish. Five boys who met on a coffin ship grew up together in the New York City of immigrants and crime, and survived to fight in the American Civil War. Originally, I’d planned for each of their stories to take place in New York City.

Then I met Cathal Donnelly…

A story teller and a singer of songs, a dreamer of dreams, Cathal has a rebellious streak and a deep bitterness born in the far-off days of Ireland’s Great Hunger. A restless man, he’s never been able to settle down, and after the assassination of President Lincoln, he becomes involved with the Fenians, whose goal is to free Ireland from the British yoke.
That’s when I decided Cathal had to become involved in the plot to invade Canada.

And that’s when I decided the story would be set on a fictitious island, just off the coast of New Brunswick.

I thought long and hard about using this setting. I wasn’t sure if Canada might not seem to “foreign” to appeal to readers (I’d been criticized about this before). But the pull of the story was too strong, and eventually I decided I had to listen to my heart.

And I couldn’t be happier about the way the story turned out. Not only was I able to showcase some of my favorite things – Irish history and mythology – but I was able to tell the story of a little-known but vitally important piece of Canadian history, one that resonates even today.
Heck, I even threw in a ghost for good measure.

Nancy: What’s next for you?

It’s been an absolutely amazing year for me. Since December of 2012, I’ve had three books released: Playing For Keeps (Book III of The Claddagh Series), and the first two books of the Wild Geese Series, Deceptive Hearts in July and Keeper of the Light in October! I’ve hardly had a chance to take a breath!

But…in the meantime, Book III of the Wild Geese Series, My Dark Rose, is on my editor’s desk right now. My Dark Rose is Dary Greely’s story. Tragedy has left this easy-going but ever loyal man bereft, but a beautiful black-haired Irish rose with the voice of an angel just might be able to heal his heart. And for those of you who are fans of my Claddagh Series, don’t worry. There are many more stories for the people of Ballycashel on tap. Right now I’m working on Everlasting, Shannon Flynn’s story, and Wishes of the Heart, Tom O’Brien’s story. I couldn’t leave the people of Ballycashel, whom I dearly love, behind.

BOOK BLURB

…Like the Wild Geese of Old Ireland, five boys grew to manhood despite hunger, war, and the mean streets of New York…

She was everything he despised…but he didn’t know it

Cathal Donnelly washed up on the shores of an Atlantic island one stormy night, with no memory of who he was or why he was there. But is his lovely rescuer his salvation…or his doom?

She dreamed of a very different life

Laura Bainbridge has spent her entire life on tiny Turtle Island, but she dreams of a Season in London and a presentation to Queen Victoria. Can a handsome Irish stranger with a golden tongue and a disturbing past change her heart and convince her to stay?

As Cathal’s memory slowly returns, both he and Laura must come to grips with his painful past…and fight for a future free of hatred and loss.

Nancy: Will you share an excerpt?

He moaned again, but made no further response. A cloud skimmed across the moon and away again, leaving her with an unimpeded view of his sleeping face. She caught her breath.

He was beautiful.

His skin was fair but for the nasty gash at his temple. A livid scrape slashed across one high cheekbone. His long black curls flopped wetly over his forehead, and Laura fought the urge to brush them back…

His brows were long, dark slashes against the pallor of his high forehead, the two vertical lines between them the only sign of his conflict. A soft moan spilled from his full lips, making her wonder what it might be like to be kissed by that oh-so-masculine mouth.

Her fascinated gaze roved over the freckles sprinkled across his long straight nose, the tiny dent in his chin that surely must deepen into a cleft when he smiled. He shifted restlessly, drawing her gaze to the broad shoulders encased in white wool, down the long body and along his well-muscled legs. His hands were large and square, calloused and bleeding. One of them clutched a canvas bag in a death grip.

“They’re coming for us.” His deep voice vibrated with raw anguish. “We’ve got to…get out of here. Now!” He tried to rise, but fell back with a helpless half-groan.

How can my readers buy your book?  

Amazon    Kindle    Barnes and Noble

Nook    Smashwords    Chapters 

The Book Depository    Booksamillion  

Foyle’s    Powell’s Books

 

More about the author

I believe I was destined to be interested in history. One of my distant ancestors, Thomas Aubert, reportedly sailed up the St. Lawrence River to discover Canada some 26 years before Jacques Cartier’s 1534 voyage. Another relative was a 17^thCentury “King’s Girl,” one of a group of young unmarried girls sent to New France (now the province of  Quebec) as brides for the habitants (settlers) there.

Author Cynthia Owens

My passion for reading made me long to write books like e ones I enjoyed, and I tried penning sequels to my favorite Nancy Drew mysteries. Later, fancying myself a female version of Andrew Lloyd Weber, I drafted a musical set in Paris during WWII.

A former journalist and lifelong Celtophile, I enjoyed a previous career as a reporter/editor for a small chain of community newspapers before returning to my first love, romantic fiction. My stories usually include an Irish setting, hero or heroine, and sometimes all three. I’m the author of The Claddagh Series, historical romances set in Ireland and beyond. The first three books in The Claddagh Series, In Sunshine or in Shadow, Coming Home, and Playing For Keeps, are all available from Highland Press. Deceptive Hearts, the first book in The Wild Geese Series, has just been released, and Book II, Keeper of the Light, will be released in October, 2013.

I am a member of the Romance Writers of America, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. A lifelong resident of Montreal, Canada, I still live there with my own Celtic hero and our two teenaged children.

You can find more information about Cynthia Owens

and my book Keeper of the Light, by visiting:

WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     TWITTER

 
 

Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Laura Browning

I invited author Laura Browning to talk about her latest book.

Broken Heart is a contemporary romance and was released on October 1st.

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book. Broken Heart is the fourth book in a series about a family that is a cross between the Hearsts of newspaper fame and the Kennedys.  Each book is a stand-alone, and this one is about Stacey Barlow-Barrett. Stacey is married, but not happily. When her marriage blows up, it’s the lover she dumped who’s there to pick up the pieces. Stacey travels a very rough road to a happily ever after, but it’s also an HEA that includes some big changes on her part.

Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in? Broken Heart, and its sister stories, are all contemporary romance, which is what I primarily write. I have also written a couple of paranormals involving Selkies, and self-published three vampire novels.

Why have you become a published author? I have to write. I would suspect that’s the response a lot of writers make. I suppose I could have continued to write and never have sought publication, but that would be, as my husband said, like the woodcutter who cuts and stacks his logs in the forest and then simply lets them lie there rather than warming someone’s hearth. I hope my books warm someone’s heart or just provide some relaxation and entertainment.   

What is your writing routine like?  I wish I had a routine. Right now, while I’m working on my master’s degree, there is no routine. I write fiction on those rare occasions when I have some free time. At the moment, the majority of my writing is research-based papers.

Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped? I am a member of Romance Writers of America and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers Chapter. I cannot say enough about how helpful this has been. I have met some wonderful people, made great friends, and received invaluable craft and business information. RWA and its member chapters are wonderfully supportive to all writers.

Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?  Don’t. Give. Up. I am firmly convinced that being a successful, published author is the result not only of luck, but persistence. I always think of that saying about lottery games—you can’t win if you don’t play. Well, you can’t be published if you don’t submit your work.

Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1) I have an EMMY from when I worked in television news, but the really unusual thing about it is we have the statue on the mantelpiece…sitting on top of the handmade wooden box holding my father-in-law’s ashes. Before you say, wow, this woman’s really weird…my father-in-law was gravely ill at the time I was supposed to travel to the EMMY awards ceremony. My husband insisted I go because he said that’s what his dad would want, even though I insisted I had a snowball’s chance in you-know-what of winning. I went, I won, and shortly after I returned, my father-in-law passed away. When we set his ashes on the mantel, I jokingly picked up the statue and said, “Pa, this is for you,” and set it down…the base of the statue exactly fit the lip of the box. So there they both stay, together.

2) I’ve ridden in a Swiss Army rescue chopper along with a Great Dane as part of an airlift off a mountain after a train malfunctioned.

3) I once punched a Frenchman in the face while riding a train from Zurich to London.

What’s next for you? Right now it’s concentrating on completing my master’s degree in education.

BOOK BLURB
Stacey Barlow-Barrett has the perfect life–or, at least, the illusion of one. She’s married to the man her parents approved, and she’s making it work. But keeping up appearances is wearing her down. Her husband, Jace, wants to start a family. Her former lover, Mason, is a business associate she can’t cut off, and he twists the knife at every opportunity. Trying to make everyone happy–everyone except herself–has her on the verge of a breakdown.

When Jace’s best friend moves in, everything that seemed tenuously tolerable is now completely unbearable, and Stacey realizes something is very wrong in her marriage. Jace is keeping up appearances too, and it’s at Stacey’s expense.

Mason is the only one she can turn to for help…if he can forgive her for marrying Jace while the sheets were still warm from their last encounter. And even if he does forgive her, and she does dig her way out of the mess her marriage has become, Stacey may not be ready for what he needs in return: love.

Read an Excerpt HERE
 

Other books available from Laura browning

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I live in the rolling country of central North Carolina in the middle of a small farm along with my husband and son. My background with horses and journalism was the initial impetus for this series, of which Broken Heart is the fourth book. In addition to writing, I teach high school English to at-risk students and am currently studying for a master’s degree in education. In my non-existent spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and my menagerie, now down to one horse, four dogs, a cat, and a lizard (who really isn’t the most exciting pet).

How can my readers buy your book?  

Readers can go to the publisher’s HOME PAGE

Find more information about Laura

and her book, Broken Heart, at:

 

WEBSITE     BLOG    TWITTER   

 

FACEBOOK    GOODREADS

 

HALLOWEEN Ebook Giveaway!

DRAGONS are Scary!
     DRAGONS are Evil!
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The Badger Stoop

Romance, sex, adventure,

and a killing or two can be found

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dragon tales.

 DRAGON Bites is a collection of three similarly themed novellas previously published as separate ebooks by Nancy Lee Badger:

DRAGON’S CURSE, set on the Scottish island of Staffa in the late 16th century, features a young man cursed to transform into dragon at inopportune times and the woman he protects. SOUTHERN FRIED DRAGON pairs a Scottish dragon-turned woman and a federal soldier at Ft. Sumter on the eve of Civil War.

DRAGON IN THE MIST is a contemporary love story on the shores of Loch Ness, which is a short story that won 1st Place in its category in the 2012 Self-Published Stars Contest.

Buy all three stories in this one edition and SAVE $$$. Also, the print version of DRAGON Bites is the only way to read these three in print!   Print ISBN  978-1492270416

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Smashwords          iTunes 

                     
What is it about DRAGONS that scares YOU? Want to win the ebook of
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Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Author Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith stopped by to share interesting facts about her and her book, Blood Moon on the Rise. This paranormal romance was released on May 29^th 2013.

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Blood Moon on the Rise is really a teaser. It’s the first story set in an eventual series set in Present day Detroit. The world is plagued with dangerous supernatural creatures that threaten humans. The Brotherhood of the Blood Moon is a secret organization with the sole purpose of protecting human kind. The Hunters with the aid of their assigned Trackers (those who possess the ability to wield magic) work together to eliminate threats. In Blood Moon on the Rise Tamara, a hunter, and Nicholas, her tracker, have been working together since they were fifteen years old. Now as adults, they face life-threatening dangers which is only made harder by the depth of their feelings for each other. Love between hunters and trackers is forbidden because it puts too much stress on the couple when they are in the heat of battle. But sometimes love is too hard to resist…and it is for Tamara and Nicholas.

When did you start writing toward publication?
I started writing towards publication in my second year of law school about four years ago. That was about the time I met a lady at a local library when I participated in a NANOWRIMO event. She and I became close friends and writing buddies and she was the one who suggested I learn to write romance and that was when I really started pursuing publication.

Do you have any rejection stories to share?
The strength of a writer is only half the time about the quality of the words on the pages. The other part is how the writer handles the trials and tribulations. I found out that numbers play a big part and sheer dumb luck. I’m not a lucky writer. Not at all. I had to learn to play the numbers game. I was rejected 87 times that’s my magic number during my 4 year hunt for an agent. This 4 year period spans from when I finished my first (and completely a mess) first manuscript, to the very first book I got contracted. There were 6 books written between the first every completed book and the first one that got contracted. I queried on 3 different manuscripts and it wasn’t until I figured out to try writing regencies, that I started getting agent interest. I then went on to have 3 agents at one time offer representation. It was very exciting. But as a writer, I’ve learned trouble is never far behind. Due to the hurricane in NY and other situations, the agent I picked retired from the business. I was then on to agent hunting again and found a lovely new agent through a fellow author friend of mine. That was perhaps more luck than I’ve ever been blessed with. She helped me negotiate the first contract I got and is now submitting a new book to editors (fingers crossed).

 

At the end of the day, I have learned that the most valuable thing a writer possesses is the ability to get back on the horse after being thrown (since I’m from Oklahoma this metaphor is accurate). You get tossed like a beanbag, you hit the ground and it hurts like the very devil. You have to get the wind back in your lungs, scrub the dirt and possibly blood from your hands and clothes and march right back over to that horse, grab the reins and swing back up. Those first few minutes after you get back up, you remember the fear of being thrown, the pain still seems to lance through every bone in your body, but eventually your confidence comes back. That’s what it takes to be a writer. And believe it or not, the more times you get thrown, the less scared you become of the fall and the easier it is to get back on. There will still be days when the fall hurts more than it should, maybe the contract you wanted or the agent you wanted doesn’t happen, just keep at it. Statistically, if you have a good book, and you keep submitting, there’s an agent or an editor out there who will take a chance on it. Or, in the alternative, have the courage to self-pub and find the readers who will see the value of your writing. Either way, bravery is a must for all writers who are serious about their careers.

What is your writing routine like?  

I know we as writers are supposed to have routines. I actually don’t, not anything concrete. I’m a lawyer by day. So I tend to write in the spare moments when I’m not working. I probably do about 4-5 hours a night of editing/revisions or writing and if I’m lucky, on my lunch break. I essentially make the most of five minutes here or there to get my notebook out and write. It’s quite funny the places I’ve managed to write (on a train, waiting for dry cleaning, at a restaurant waiting for breakfast- this is a weekly habit). I found the trick is to never let the story get that far from your mind so that the second you have time to put pen to paper, even if it’s just ten minutes, you can hammer out a couple hundred words and feel like you’ve accomplished something. The key I think for any writer is finding the discipline to make it work, no matter what your schedule or how you of a period each day you sit down to do it as long as you make the magic happen!
 

Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?

I’m a member of my local OKRWA, Passionate Ink, The Beau Monde, FFP, and Celtic Hearts (all RWA organizations). They have all be incredible in helping me succeed in my goals. But I do have to give a special shout out to Passionate Ink where I currently serve as the Vice President., we offer members monthly pitch sessions via the internet with REAL EDITORS! You get to pitch 300 words to the volunteer editor that month. I got my first contract through one of these very pitch sessions so I owe Passionate Ink so much!

Please share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.

1)  I’m currently learning to speak conversational Russian.

2)  I lived in China for a month and got to be one of the first Americans since Bill Clinton in the 1990s when he visited, to take a tour of the Panda Preserve in Chengdu and I sat down on a bench next to a baby panda and fed it fruit and got to pet it! The fur was surprisingly springy, like an English sheep dog only a little more bristly.

3)  My mother named me after Princess Diana (my middle name is Diana), and my love of England and English set stories apparently stems from my namesake.
 

What’s next for you?

I’m currently in revisions on my first Regency romance called Wicked Designs which is hopefully going to come out from Samhain Publishing in January. It’s the first book in The League of Rogues Series where a band of titled rogues get caught playing a game of cat and mouse with a feisty little debutante who doesn’t want to be used as a pawn in their game of revenge against her uncle who embezzled from one of the rogues (A duke named Godric who happens to be the hero). I already have books 2 and 3 written and am merely waiting to get them submitted and hopefully published soon!
 

Blood Moon on the Rise BOOK BLURB

Tamara wants nothing more than to protect the world from deadly paranormal creatures. Well, maybe she wants a little more than that. But the man she craves—Nicholas Rubin—is strictly off limits.

For years, Nicholas has been her loyal partner, helping to defeat murderous werewolves and take down unruly vampires.  Nicholas has always given Tamara his protection, friendship, and support. The only thing he hasn’t given her is his love. A relationship between Tamara and Nicholas is forbidden by ancient law, and the consequences could be deadly.

But when a powerful Sorceress threatens both their lives, Tamara has a choice to make: Give into her feelings for Nicholas, and risk her life. Or take a chance on Nicholas, and receive his love—at a price. 

EXCERPT

“Tamara!” A low, anxious shout drew her head up.

Relief flooded her when she caught sight of the man emerging from the shadows by the bar’s back door.

“Where the hell were you, Nicholas? We said we’d meet at the bar at seven,” Tamara snapped.

Her partner, Nicholas Rubin, rushed over and knelt at her side. His face sported a small cut across his high cheekbone, and his clothes were spotted with blood.

“Oh, God, are you okay?” She reached for his cheek, and he flinched, jerking away at her attempt to touch him.

“I got waylaid. Apparently, our furry friend had some goons with him who tried to stop me from following. They knew what we came here for. By the time I got inside, you were already gone. You couldn’t have waited? Damnit Tamara…” His eyes assessed her injuries, his brow furrowing as he concentrated on her. “Come on, let’s get you home and patch you up.” Nicholas held out a hand. Tamara winced when he pulled her to her feet.

“Huh, some tracker you are,” she muttered.

She fingered the crystal on the leather band around her wrist, the one he’d made for her. Even though it had a purpose for her job, she wore it the way a woman would a piece of jewelry from her boyfriend. Here was the man she wanted, the chocolate haired, cinnamon-brown eyed god she craved. He was her closest friend, her partner, and completely off-limits. The ache to touch him, to reassure herself he was okay, was ever present.

Every single minute she was with him, she covered her feelings for him with sarcasm or offhanded remarks. Anything to keep distance between them. But not tonight. She had to feel him, comfort him, even if he wasn’t hurt.

Nicholas’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she reached up to stroke his face. He didn’t pull away, and her heart jumped wildly in her chest. Her hand lingered against his warm skin for a moment longer than it should have. A tiny thrill rushed through her body when he didn’t step away to avoid her.

“You’re the hunter. It’s my job to lead you to the beasts. You have to kill them, remember?” He flashed a wise-ass grin and retrieved her purse and jacket from the ground.

He helped her slide it over her arms, his hands tightening on her shoulders ever so slightly before he let go. The heat of his touch sent her pulse skittering. She had to diffuse the sudden throbbing of desire for Nicholas. It was a battle she fought every hour of every day. Each time she pushed away that hunger for him, it made it harder to work with him. She couldn’t fight off werewolves when she was busy thinking about jumping Nicholas’s bones.

“You are so buying me a beer later,” Tamara snapped, her bravado masking her trembling hands and the lancing pain in her leg.

“Sure. Oh, you might want to fix your jeans…they’re uh…open.” Even in the moonlight, the ruddy stain of a flush on his cheeks was unmistakable. For a brief instant, Tamara thought she saw anger flicker in his eyes.

“Damn.” She fixed her pants and looked determinedly away.

Did he get jealous thinking of her being with other men, of her luring vamps and weres using her body as the carrot on the stick? Or did he not think about her at all? She thought of him every time; with every kiss, every touch, she envisioned him doing those things to her. What would he think if he knew it was him she fantasized about? About the tender yet heated way they’d come together, and how they’d lie still and quiet, hearts beating in time as they slept afterwards.

“Better call it in,” she reminded him, teeth gritted, her head tilted toward the alley and the dead werewolf.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren Smith is an attorney by day, author by night, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She’s a native Oklahoman who lives with her three pets: a feisty chinchilla, sophisticated cat and dapper little schnauzer. She's won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including being an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. Her first regency novel Wicked Designs will be released early 2014.  

Connect with Lauren Smith at:

Facebook     BLOG     Twitter      

Goodreads     Amazon Author Page

Check out my book trailer HERE     

 

How can my readers buy your book? 

Amazon     NOOK

 

 

 

RED SHOES Deals with a Tricky Subject

by Guest Author Donna Steele

 

I was recently asked where Red Shoes came from and why chose such a dark subject.  As for where it came from, Red Shoes started out as a bit of flash fiction. It was a picture and I had to come up with 100 words about it. I guess that’s what being a pantser is all about.

I immediately saw a sophisticated appearing woman trying to garner the attention of a high powered businessman. It wasn’t the real her, she was pretending to be what she thought he wanted in order to attract him. Now remember, none of this was shown, just feet in shoes. But I did not like the businessman. Sight unseen except for my imagination, he was bad news. My heroine had heard the rumors but dismissed them. No one that handsome, smart, powerful . . . you fill in the blanks, could be related to those rumors.

Then she finds out the truth.

I do seem to come up with creative villains. And so far at least, in my books, my heroines have had to pull the hero’s bacon out of the fire. I write strong women (probably because I never realized I was one until I found my own real-life hero)

I realize this is a touchy subject – an abusive relationship, but these relationships do happen. Since I concentrate on strong women, or women coming into the strength they didn’t realize they had, I wanted to show that they can escape even when the woman has been “successfully” cowed. Even if a woman doesn’t think she can stand up for herself, she might rise up on her hind legs to defend a child or a friend and there it is – strength she never saw coming.

I do recommend if you’re stuck (not that that ever happens to writers) that you give this technique a try. It’s incredible when the juices flow, especially when you can take those 100 words and write the whole story as well.

 

bio -

Women strong enough for love.

I write science fiction , paranormal and women’s fiction romance eBooks about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.

As an empty nester with my beloved best friend and husband (who actually encourages this mad passion of mine) I write all the time – whether or not I have a pen or keyboard handy.

Ever since I learned to read—from Superman Comics, Dick, Jane and Sally held no appeal—I’ve wanted to write. The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn me and I’ve read them all.  There just needed to be a little more romance in them. I finally got up the courage and I’m delighted that I’m able to share these stories with you.

My premiere novel, a science fiction romance – Rth Rising – was released on March 3, 2012 through Rebel Ink Press. My romance eBooks Learning Trust, Homecoming, Welcome Home, Red Shoes and Wraith’s Heart are now available at all eBook sellers. Wraith’s Heart is now also available in paperback through Amazon. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

Find out more about RED SHOES

and check out the Buy Links

HERE

What's next for author Donna Steele?

Nowhere For Christmas will be released soon.

Please check it out it

HERE

Nancy Lee Badger Interviews Alexa Bourne

My guest is author Alexa Bourne. Her book, Fractured Paradise, is a romantic suspense novella and was released on November 3^rd, 2012. It was nominated for Best Mystery/Suspense/Thriller of 2012 by the Love Romances Café.

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

I did have several manuscripts finished before I sold. I used to submit them to agents and editors whenever I thought they were ready. I also submitted them to countless contests.

 

Been there & done that. What is your writing routine like?

LOLOL! There is no routine. I’m a teacher in my “real world” so my schedule often changes. I write when I can.

 

What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?

I love researching promotional opportunities. I mostly do interviews, comment on other people’s blogs, tweet and keep busy on facebook. I also run contests every once in a while and my best friend makes many of my promotional items such as bookmarks, cards, magnets, etc. I’m always looking for new ways to promote my books and my genres.

 

Promotion is important, even if you would rather just write. Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?

I am a member of Romance Writer of America and several of the RWA chapters: Kiss of Death (Suspense chapter), Austin RWA, and Celtic Hearts RW. I absolutely believe they’ve helped. I’ve made some great friends, learned so much about the craft of writing and the business, and I feel I have so much support with every new angle of writing I come across.

 

Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?

If you really feel, in your heart, that writing is for you then don’t give up.  Even on my most difficult writing day or when I’m overwhelmed with promotional obligations, being an author is still the best job I could ever have. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.  

 

Please Share three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.

1) I’ve lived in 5 states: RI, MA, TX, NV, AZ
2) I love to sing and I’m pretty good.
3) I wanted to be a music major until I took my first music class in college and barely passed.

BOOK BLURB

Technical analyst Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart?

EXCERPT

“A bit of a disappointment, I expect.” A rich, deep voice with a twinge of an English accent drifted from behind her.

She whirled around. Her hair whipped against her cheeks and made her wish for the hundredth time today she hadn’t packed all her hair clips.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

The stranger paused beside the edge of the clearing, and her heart stuttered. Although no one would mistake him for a Hollywood leading man, this guy could command attention by stepping into a room. Or onto an island.

“That’s okay. You didn’t.” She permitted her gaze to wander over him.

He kept his hands stuffed into the front pockets of faded jeans. The wind tore at his gray long-sleeved shirt, outlining the contours of a well-defined chest. Unruly light brown hair touched his collar. High cheekbones accented his deep-set eyes. Not friendly eyes, but no threat lay behind them either, at least none she could uncover.

He pulled a hand from his pocket and held it out. “Aidan Camden of Dawson Tours, your neighbor from across the water.” He tipped his head toward the way he’d come.

Camden. His name sounded familiar, but why? She shook his hand with a hint of hesitation. “Rachel Grant.”

His fingers warmed her skin, his grip strong and confident. Awareness trailed along her arm. Then again, it could be the accent that made her skin tingle. British accents never failed to stir her emotions.

A trace of a smile danced on his lips. “Aye, the American.”

Huh. “You know of me?”

A low rumble of laughter slipped from his mouth, the sound relaxing her from deep within. “Word travels fast here. I saw you paddling your way out.”

Paddling? No, he’d seen her fighting with the oars. Until today, she’d never set foot on a boat, much less held an oar. But she would consider swimming across the Atlantic Ocean if it would make Nan happy.

“Tell me, Mr. Camden, are you in the habit of following foreigners?”

“No, lass, but you’re all the talk of the Roker area. The mighty Grant descendant, come to see about selling the family cottage.”

Selling?

Author Alexa Bourne

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romantic suspense writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She is thrilled to have the chance to share her love of Great Britain with readers everywhere.

When she's not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV and thinking about exercising. She loves to interact with readers, so visit her web page, hang out at her blog, follow her on Twitter or drop her a note at Alexa@alexabourne.com!

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Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://www.decadentpublishing.com

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