Author's Blog Tour...A New Approach

Mackenzie Crowne tagged me in this blog tour, which is a spin-off of the Writing Process blog tour.
I'm honoured she asked me to be a part of this as she is one of my very favourite authors. She writes wonderful true-to-life characters and delves deep into what makes a character tick...and what ticks them off! Expect fireworks between the hero and heroine in Mac's books - in all the very best of ways *waggles brows* If you haven't read her yet, I highly recommend that you do! My favourites so far? An arm-wrestle between A Song for Sophie and Gift of the Realm.

Wife, mother and really young grandmother, Mackenzie Crowne lives with her high school sweet heart husband, a neurotic Pomeranian, and a blind cat. She calls Phoenix home because the southwest feeds her soul. Though her friends claim she’s a princess, she disagrees. After all, one can’t raise two rambunctious boys to wonderful men without getting a little dirt under their nails. ESPN and dirtbikes are the order around her house, and life at the “Testosterone Ranch” more closely resembles one of today’s wacky reality shows than yesterday’s “Leave it to Beaver.”
A lover of the romance genre, her resolve to share her stories with others was sharpened by a bout with breast cancer. Today she is an award-winning, multi-published author and seven year survivor, living the dream.

Here are Mac’s questions for me:

If you were beginning your writing career today, what would you do differently?

Definitely get started in all aspects of social media sooner! When I first started writing, it was all about the story. Little did I know that when you become published, things change. It's no longer just you and the story anymore. If you're lucky, there might be some folks who'd like to know a little more about the person who wrote the story they've just read and chat to them about it. I know I get a special thrill when some of my favourite authors chat back to me through social media, and the idea that someone feels the same way about little old me - well, that's just magic!

What’s the one thing about you that might surprise readers?

In my early twenties, I seriously contemplated joining the police force. I HATE running any kind of long distance with a passion (anything over 1km is lo-o-o-ng to me) but I would run every day trying to do the required distance within the required time allowed. I joined two policemen during a night-shift to get a feel for what the role required and had an absolute blast racing around in the squad car, going to domestic disputes, checking out the police headquarters and even watching them input the paperwork. It sure didn't hurt that they were both tall, muscular and very good-looking boys...sigh. Is it any wonder I love to write my heroes as cops? :)

Tell us a little about your main characters in your latest book. 
Nate, a cop, sees life in black and white - and to his detriment, this includes people. His emotions and reactions to situations are coloured by tragic events in his past - and the guilt he carries for it. 
Kelly is not your average heroine. Tall and strong, she is the equal - and sometimes better - to most men. She tries hard to hide the obvious flame she holds for her partner, Nate, especially since he makes it clear hes not the romancing kind. Brought up in a close and loving family, she is the polar opposite to his dark, morose personality - and the very best thing to happen to him if only he'd let her in.

What are some of your favorites…

Color? 

Green. I love the fresh, clean feel of the colour. It makes me feel refreshed and happy. :)

Food 

My favourite all-time food would be a well selected antipasto platter. Mmmm...goes so well with wine! But really - I'm easy. Anything I don't have to cook myself is delicious!

Place 

If its not in New Zealand, I'd have to choose County Kerry, Ireland where I have family. I fell in love with that area - and they serve the best Guiness there!

If it was a place in NZ, I'd go with Wainui Falls where my family and I have recently holidayed. Gorgeous scenery, wonderful eateries, and relative solitude.

Now I am tagging three authors. (Click on their names to find out more)

First up is Kelly Matsuura, who also writes under the pen-name of Kelly Noro.
Kelly is Australian but currently lives in America with her lovely Japanese husband, whose work seems to take them all over the globe. 
Kelly's writing is gorgeous! Almost lyrical in style, she has a gift of taking you on a journey, as if you were sitting right there on her character's shoulder. And what worlds does she take you too! A range of genre's, one thing Kelly's stories have in common - you won't want to stop reading until the very last delicious word.

Next, I introduce you to Catherine Mede.
Catherine is a fellow New Zealander and has one of the most incredible imaginations I've ever come across in a person. Full of fantastic and (and sometimes fantastical) ideas, I'm thrilled to celebrate with her as she unleashes her debut novel, Cursed Love, out into the world!

And finally, meet my lovely writing buddy and author of amazing contemporary romance, Serena Clarke. Not only is Serena's work so page-turningly fantastic, but she is the most loveliest of people too and we get along like a house on fire. We finally get to meet in person next year, and I for one can't wait!


Thanks for visiting everyone :-)