Exciting New Author - Leanne Davis

I'm excited to introduce you to debut novelist, and fellow Wild Rose Press author, Leanne Davis. Doesn't that word sound wonderful, Leanne? Author. Woohoo!! Congratulations, and after reading the blurb and excerpt of POISON, I'm looking forward to many more books from you :)

Tell us a bit about yourself.

First, thank you for having me today to talk a little about me and my debut contemporary romantic suspense, Poison.

I live in a small town out of Seattle, Washington with my husband and two little kids. I earned a business degree from Western Washington University. I worked in the construction management field until my daughter was born and I’ve since been home with my kids and writing part time.

When you’re not writing, what do you do for fun?

I love to camp and go boating with my family. We spend much of our free time going to destinations all across Washington State. I especially love to horseback ride with my dad, who has ten horses. He takes me to beautiful, remote locations where only horses and serious hikers can get to. That is about as far from writing and computers as I can get!

Ooo. I've got serious horse-envy! I'd love to do that. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was thirteen, and only stopped for a few years in college…so other than that I have always considered myself a writer. Writing has always been more of who I am than what I do. Publishing was something I wanted to do, but writing is something I have to do…no matter what.

Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

I was thirteen when I wrote my first hundred page novel. (It resembles the story and writing of Anne of Green Gables which was my favourite book at the time. My ten year old daughter is now reading it after she was miffed she isn’t allowed to read Poison) From that first novel on, I always had short stories and then novels in progress. I have five stories in my head for every one that I get written!

I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

Before I was contracted my editor worked with me on my first four chapters to show me some of the mistakes I was making with some of my mechanics. She then had me rework the entire manuscript and resubmit it to her. So…I had about two more months of waiting, when on a Sunday morning at 9:30 I checked my e-mail and there it was…my answer. My entire family was home…so I snuck into the bathroom to read it…just in case it was a no. I would have been crushed and would have needed a few minutes before I could face telling anyone; especially my oldest daughter who has loved this process and riding it with me. When I found out it was a contract offer I literally was jumping around the bathroom dancing…so maybe it was a good thing no one could see me! Then I burst out and nearly screamed; my book is being published!!

I got goose-bumps and a big grin reading that! :) What drew you to write your chosen genre?

My head is full of stories, I don’t know that I choose them…they just are there. So for me it’s always been contemporary stories of fiction that could happen. My debut novel is a romantic suspense…but most of my novels are not. I love to read and write novels that could happen…so I have the escape of fiction but I like the realistic feel that the story could possibly happen.

If you could be one of your characters, who would it be and why?

Kelly from my second book, Notorious. She is a tall,  famous model, rich, and able to do anything she wants in life…so kinda the opposite of the barely five foot, stay-at-home, writer-mom that I am! It’s fun to live other people’s lives, without disturbing my own!

What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

Editing! I get the story down, the characters pretty much who I want them to be, with only a few plotting problems or conflict issues…but oh those mechanics. I spend much of my time on line edits…often more than it takes me to write the story. Many author’s indie publish nowadays without professional editing…and it makes me nuts. Fix the mistakes! Since it is such an issue for me I am hyper aware of it others.

You can't see me, but I'm nodded furiously here about the importance of professional editing! Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created?

 I wrote Poison in 2003, years later my best friend named her son the reverse of my character John Tyler. She had no idea I had written a novel or the characters names! A family member also married a John…I should have changed his name but once my characters are named it’s nearly impossible for me to call them by anything else!

Freaky! Great minds think alike, huh? :) Which one of your books is your ‘baby’ and why?

The first book in a trilogy I have called  Zenith Falling. It was way different kind of story for me for everything from the setting, to the careers, to the romance. And that made it challenging and extremely fun to write.

What are you working on right now?

Book #2 of a new series named River’s End. It is set in a fictional town based on a place I often vacation at in Eastern Washington which is a successful horse ranch run by four brothers… and eventually each brother has their own story to tell.  I am only a couple of chapter’s in but I can’t wait to get back to it, as I’ve been a bit distracted with publishing demands of late. But nothing is like working on a new novel!

Latest news?

Book #2 of my Seaclusion Series Notorious has been contracted and hopefully will be out soon. It is the story of the brother and sister of John and Cassie from Poison, and how they find their way together after being lost (for different reasons) in their own lives.

Great news! I love series books. Where can we find you and your books?

Poison is available on Amazon’s KDP Select for now.

As of July 5^th, Poison will be available in print and other distributors. 

Buy Poison now on Amazon!

Website

Facebook

Facebook Author Page

Twitter

BLURB:

Cassie Reeves betrayed John Tyler a decade ago, but now, John is the only person Cassie can turn to for help protecting her son from her violent ex-husband. John’s quiet life as a small town doctor in Seaclusion, Washington has no place in it for Cassie, her son, or the feelings Cassie’s presence rekindles. John and Cassie’s mutual attraction reignites, despite everything that drove them apart a decade ago, and threatens to destroy them now. No matter how much Cassie has changed, and tried to right her past wrongs, there is no escaping her ex-husband. Cassie knows that only she can end what her ex-husband has started. But will she survive long enough to have a chance at the happiness that has escaped her for so long?

EXCERPT:
Cassie sighed and pushed the flowers onto the counter between them. She tidied her desk, avoiding his gaze. Finally she stood and gathered her things.
He watched her. He didn’t like hearing Tim was scared his mom wouldn’t come home from work. What kind of knowledge was that for a kid to have? Hell, he didn’t like that Cassie was scared that she wasn’t going to come home from work. He didn’t think anyone could fake the fear she had of the innocuous floral arrangement.
Cassie was just about to hustle past him, when he put a hand on her arm to stop her. She paused, looking at his hand, then up into his eyes. Her lips trembled. She quickly dropped her face from his view. She raised a hand to wipe at her cheeks. Tears?
Damn it all to hell. A stab of genuine sympathy filled him. He put a knuckle under her chin and forced her to look up him. Her eyes were glazed in moisture. She was trying not to cry. He swallowed, unsure why her efforts to hold back tears from him put a knot in his throat. Had he become so heartless with his anger that he couldn’t let her fear a man she seemed to think wanted to physically harm her?
“Cassie—”

Debut Author, Niecey Roy

Today, I'm interviewing debut author, Niecey Roy. I love books that make me feel a wide range of emotions, and Fender Bender Blues promises to be all that and more. Check out the excerpt at the end of the interview!

In the meantime, come and learn a bit more about this talented up-and-coming young writer and her journey to publication!

Welcome Niecey! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a bookworm, music lover, wanna-be gardener with a 50/50 kill-grow ratio, I love to cook, to camp, and I prefer to be barefoot and lounging in the sun than cooped up in a stuffy house all winter.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I wrote my first story in the third grade and kept writing since then.

Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

If you’re talking full-length novel, I wrote a historical romance in high school. It was a complete knock-off of a Kathleen Woodiwiss novel I had recently read, though at the time I thought I was being completely authentic. It will never see the light of day. I kept it, though. In a few years, I’m going to pull it out and read it…I’ll probably shake my head and laugh and do a lot of eye-rolling. Fun times J

LOL! Great when you need to remind yourself how far you've come! I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

There was a lot of screaming and laughing and crying involved. Mine was a bit different than most (maybe?). I had queried three publishers for Fender Bender Blues. My first contract didn’t come from The Wild Rose Press, but another publisher I had heard really good things about. I panicked, because I still thought in the back of my head I belonged with TWRP. So I sent a panic-email to TWRP and told them what was up. I waited on pins and needles for them to tell me they wanted my book. When I got the email from my now-editor, I was a blissful mess J

I'm so glad you chose TWRP. They rock! What drew you to write your chosen genre?

I think my genre chose me. When I started writing with the thought of publication in mind, it’s just what I wrote. I read everything I can get my hands on, but writing romantic comedy and contemporary romance was what I latched on to. Not saying there won’t be other genres in my future. I’ve got some ideas a’cookin’…

Ooo! You tease! What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

I think staying focused. I have so many stories I want to write that I have a hard time concentrating solely on one story. I just wish I had more time to write; maybe then sticking to one story wouldn’t be such a problem.

Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created?

Hm… I don’t think so. Although something interesting: I named the male protagonist (I won’t mention what name) immediately, no second thoughts at all, and it wasn’t until the book was in the editing process that I realized the name was actually the name of a real life person that I knew. No wonder why it had been so easy to jot the name down on paper, ha! But, I panicked thinking that guy would think I had a secret crush on him or something and sent a panic-email to my editor begging her to let me change it. Luckily, it wasn’t too late!

LOL! Horror of horrors! And trying to explain would only dig you in deeper...Which one of your books is your ‘baby’ and why?

I suppose Fender Bender Blues is my baby because it’s my first published book.

What are you working on right now?

Another romantic comedy. I hope to have it done by mid-March so that it will be released yet this year. Crossing fingers!

Good luck with that! Your readers will be clamoring for the next, let me tell you! Latest news?

The official release for Fender Bender Blues is May 3, this summer. I’ll be at the RT Conference in Kansas City, MO May 1-5 at the book Expo to sign paperbacks and eBook cards. I’ll also be at the RomCon conference in Colorado Springs June 20-23 and will also have a signing table. So excited!

Sigh...I'm so envious of you American writers. You have the BEST conferences! Have fun at the signing! Where can we find you and your books?

I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, I’ve also got a website. Below are the links where you can find me and Fender Bender Blues. Thanks so much for having me today!

Thanks so much for popping by, Niecey! It was a pleasure having you :) All the very best with Fender Bender Blues. Its a winner - and I adore that cover!

"Classic cars, garden gnomes, and steamy romance? My kind of book!"

~Bestselling Author Kate Perry

FENDER BENDER BLUES

Her life took a wrong turn. He's driven by success. They didn't count on crashing into love...

Rachel Bennett loved her job until the day she finds herself doubting her choices.  Now she's hunting for a new career, but starting over isn't easy.  Her plan is simple—no distractions until she finds her dream job.  She didn't plan on fate throwing her a curveball in the form of a fender bender with a sexy guy in an expensive suit.

Craig Larsen is a wealthy, successful business owner with a plan of his own: survive his current PR nightmare and stay away from his overly determined ex-girlfriend.  His need for control and personal success is turned upside down when he meets Rach, a sassy redhead who can't drive.

Soon they find themselves battling with Rach's grumpy old neighbor, toilet-papering the trees of a high school nemesis, and fighting over the last slice of pizza.  Can two very different people plus one fender bender equal a chance at forever?

EXCERPT:

“Now what?”

“Nothing.”Rach sniffed.

Craig shifted to eye her warily. “Since when do you answer me with single words?”

“Since I decided I’m not talking to you,” she answered with a shrug, crumpling up the white paper wrapper from her sub.  

Craig leaned his face in close to her neck and enjoyed the startled jerk of her shoulders. Her eyes opened wide in surprise. His breath shifted a few strands of hair at the nape of her neck as he whispered, “Why, because you want me?”

“You’re incorrigible,” she said, breathless, her cheeks flushed.

She’s enjoying this. The thought pleased him. Rach was on her back beside him now, her eyes closed. He glanced around the park to see if anyone was watching. No one was. He could swoop in for a kiss and no one would catch him. No one would care, he told himself. She won’t mind…

“I can feel you staring.”

Craig smiled down at her. “So what.”

She peeked at him with one green eye. “So stop it.”

“And if I don’t?” Maybe she’d tackle him, push him down on the blanket and…

She didn’t. She promptly closed her eye and went back to pretending indifference. “I’ll hit you, that’s what.”

“Not if I do this, you won’t.”

He’d only meant it to be a short kiss, but the pleasure of touching his lips to hers kept him there longer. Her tongue was velvet soft and warm against his and the slow mating of their mouths quickened his heartbeat even as he told himself, It’s no big deal, just a kiss.

She nipped his bottom lip and sent heat sliding through his body. The woman could kiss.

She whispered soft against his lips, “Now why don’t you admit that it’s you who wants me.”

Niecey Roy

Fender Bender Blues, a romantic comedy

January 24, 2013 exclusive Amazon digital release

Coming May 3, 2013 everywhere

published by Wild Rose Press

nieceyroy@gmail.com

http://www.nieceyroy.com/

http://www.facebook.com/NieceyRoyRomanceAuthor

https://twitter.com/#!/NieceyRoy

Andrea Downing's Loveland

I'm thrilled to introduce to everyone, Andrea Downing, debut author for The Wild Rose Press. Welcome to Novel Natterings Andrea! :)

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I was born in New York but have spent most of my life in the UK.  However, in 2008, I decided I wanted to be near my baby who had graduated from university in the states and had decided to stay on and work over here.  So back I came to NYC, swapping year-round rain for snow and heat, the Underground for the Subway, and sticky toffee pudding for red velvet cupcakes.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 

About age 6!  I wrote my first story in one of those dappled black and white school books.  Most likely it was a cowboy romance because I watched every western there was on TV.

Do you remember what inspired you to write your first book?

If we’re talking about Loveland, because that is my first published book, it was when I discovered how many large ranches were actually owned by British companies headed by members of the aristocracy.   When I think of it, I must’ve made a wrong turn somewhere down the line and gone east to England rather than out west.  I’ve always loved the west, had our family vacations out there twice a year for most of my daughter’s childhood and, even now, I go every chance I have. So what better subject for me than an English Lady being sent west and falling in love?

I love call stories. Can you tell us about yours and your reaction?

Oh, dear, mine was a bit of an anti-climax.  The editor at The Wild Rose Press who had first asked for a partial and then my full, left the firm for family reasons and I wasn’t told until the very day she said I would hear one way or the other.  So I had to start all over again with a new editor and another wait.  But when I got the email asking ‘how would I like a contract?’ I was already so fed up with the dang thing, and engrossed in mss.2, I was too numb to react any other way than to tell my daughter, who was really excited.  So her excitement for me rubbed off, and then I was really thrilled. 

What drew you to write romance?

I don’t know that I was specifically drawn to write romance but they are definitely the stories I imagine.  I like having happy endings, I like having a beginning, middle and an end, and I don’t particularly go for this modern thing of leaving a story hanging inconclusively.  And, of course, I like to think of people overcoming the odds to be together and fall in love. I mean, who doesn’t like a good love story?

What’s the most challenging part of the writing process for you? 

I call it ‘the tyranny of the clean white page.’  Usually I have the beginning and the end figured out, can even write the last scene prior to anything else—and I recently read that author John Updike is the same.  But that middle bit, that getting from A to Z, is difficult.  I’m a pantser and my characters write the story themselves so I never really know what’s going to happen and at times that white page just looms and torments me.

Ooo! I hear you, sister! :) Has anything coincidental happened in the real world while writing one of your books in terms of the characters, scenes or world you’ve created? 

Oh, this is so funny LaVerne; I’m so glad you asked me this. The very first full length mss I wrote, way back in the 70s—which I actually never showed to anyone because I ended up feeling it was too unbelievable—was about a modern day British Prince who falls in love with a commoner.  Well, duh…guess what?  LOL.

LOL - you're so right Andrea! Maybe you should dig out that old manuscript again? What are you working on right now? 

Well, it’s a double romance—two for the price of one, folks!  It’s Texas Hill Country meets the Hamptons, and ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ mixed with ‘Crazy Heart.’ It’s about the relationships between parents and children as well as the relationships between men and women, and it’s about letting go of the past and facing our fears, the lies we tell ourselves just to get by each day.  But it’s also about finding love where—and when—you least expect it. I know that’s clichéd but it is…

Latest news?

I’m going to be doing a signing at the Loveland Museum and Gallery in Loveland, Colorado, USA on September 14^th.  They are having an evening called “Historical Loveland by Book” and there’ll be several authors there so anyone in the area please do come by and say hello.

That sounds so exciting! Wish I could be there to cheer you on :) Where can we find you and your books? 

PLEASE go check out my appearances page for other interviews and guest blogs at http://andreadowning.com and buy my books at

 http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=991

AND

http://www.amazon.com/Loveland-Andrea-Downing/dp/1612173233/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1342891391&sr=8-4&keywords=Loveland

And LaVerne, thanks so very much for having me.  I greatly appreciate it—this is probably about as close to being in New Zealand or Australia as I’m likely to get in the next few years!

It was my absolute pleasure Andrea. Just make sure you let me know when you're in town! :)

Now, if that cover wasn't enough to entice you (and can I just say, wowsers!), let me tease you with the blurb and excerpt for this fantastic looking story. I'm off to go buy mine now... ;)

BLURB:

When Lady Alexandra Calthorpe returns to the Loveland, Colorado, ranch owned by her father, the Duke, she has little idea of how the experience will alter her future. Headstrong and willful, Alex tries to overcome a disastrous marriage in England and be free of the strictures of Victorian society --and become independent of men. That is, until Jesse Makepeace saunters back into her life...

Hot-tempered and hot-blooded cowpuncher Jesse Makepeace can’t seem to accept that the child he once knew is now the ravishing yet determined woman before him. Fighting rustlers proves a whole lot easier than fighting Alex when he’s got to keep more than his temper under control.

Arguments abound as Alex pursues her career as an artist and Jesse faces the prejudice of the English social order. The question is, will Loveland live up to its name?

EXERPT:

The two men looked over at Jesse who was leading his own horse into the stable, anger etched in every muscle of his face. Joe nodded toward the chuck house and they followed the others in to leave Alex alone when Jesse came out.

She was starting back to the main house when Jesse grabbed her arm and turned her around. “You ever do that again,” he said in a voice she had never heard, intense in its anger, rage just below its surface, “I swear to God, Alex, I’ll...I’ll take you over my knee and give you a lickin’ once and for all.”

“How dare you!” She shook him off. “How dare you talk to me like that! How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are?”

Jesse jabbed his finger at her to emphasize he meant what he was saying. “Who do I think I am?”he snarled back. “Who do I think I am? You ever, ever take a gun off me again and point it at someone, you’ll find out who the hell I think I am. You know that coulda gone off? You know you coulda killed someone? I told you—out there yonder—I told you, you never point that thing at anyone less’n you mean bus’ness.”

“I did bloody well mean business! They were destroying that horse. Furthermore, I knew, and you knew, and they both knew, there wasn’t a shot under the hammer. You taught me that, didn’t you? So there was no chance of an accident!”

“That don’t matter none. You coulda pulled the hammer back twice. Way you was, you were nothin’ better’n a loose cannon, Alex. You ever do a thing like that again—”

“You’ll what?” She shook with her rage as tears pooled against her will. “I apologized to them both and they accepted my apologies. It’s none of your concern—”

“None of my concern! You pulled my gun! You ever do that again— Don’t you walk away when I’m talkin’ to you!”

She turned back to him after a few steps. “You’ll what? You’ll what, Jesse? What will you do? I want to hear it! Say it again. What will you do?” And she stood there in the evening darkness, facing him down, wearing him out like she’d faced down the stallion.

Debut Author - Linda Trout

I'm very excited to be hosting fabulous debut author for The Wild Rose Press, Linda Trout. Welcome Linda! Its a pleasure to have you here :) Please tell us a bit about yourself and your new release, GRAVE SECRETS. The floor is yours...

Thank you so much for having me on Novel Natterings, LaVerne. I love your site!

I’d like to introduce myself to your readers. I grew up in a small farming town in Oklahoma. I recently left the ‘fascinating’ {Did you catch the sarcasm there?} world of oil and gas accounting to pursue my passion of writing full time. GRAVE SECRETS is my debut novel and I’m actually loving getting out and introducing people to my story. No one is exempt. I’ll ask the lady at the post office, tag agency, utility company (wherever) if they read, hand them a book mark, then launch into promoting my book. I’m actually getting kinda brazen about it. The thing is, there are romance readers everywhere! Which is a good thing for us. LOL

This morning a friend sent me a quote…or he might have made it up, I’m not sure, but I’d like to share it.

“The only person you have to be better than today, is the person you were yesterday.”

Too true. As writers, that’s what we have to do – make each story, each book, better than the last. If we don’t we’re sliding backwards and that isn’t what we want to do. We have to continually strive to improve our craft as much as we possibly can.

The friend I mentioned above bought my book at my debut book signing last Saturday.

I later got a note telling me he’d read it in one afternoon. Wow. That’s one fast reader! He said it had just enough sex in it to keep him interested. Didn’t say anything about the plot, the characters, the suspense or the surprise ending. Just the sex. (And there isn’t that much of it!) Guess it’s a guy thing. LOL  At any rate, I hope he at least passed it on to his girlfriend so she could read it, too.

I’m not sure what his expectations were regarding my book, and I don’t think I disappointed him. But what about the next book? Will the writing be up to par? Will it have ‘just enough sex’ to hold his attention? I’ll have to finish writing the book and sell it before I’ll know, now won’t I?

Here’s an excerpt that I’m sure my friend enjoyed.

Sara’s sobs, the first he’d heard from her, broke through his stupor. Was this the reason behind those dark circles under her eyes? The logical side of his brain said to back out of the room and get the hell out of the house. He didn’t need another mental case in his life, didn’t need the responsibility, and later the guilt, when he failed them.

Instead, he gathered her in his arms, then pressed her head against his shoulder. She cried so hard, her entire body shook, and her keening touched him in places he’d thought long dead. He had the feeling this was the first time she’d truly cried since they’d dug up her husband’s body. No wonder there were so many tears.

His shirt was soaked. He didn’t care. He forgot about his mom, about how Sara could already be headed down the same road and simply held her close. When the tears had abated and she’d blown her nose on the handkerchief he’d offered, he kissed the top of her head, whispering it would be all right. She looked up at him, parting her lips. Remnants of tears still trailed down her cheeks. Without thinking, he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers to comfort her.

Sara had been clinging to his shirt, but now moved her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. She opened for him, inviting. Am I out of my mind? He couldn’t get involved with a client. Or a suspect. Sara Adams fell into both categories.

He chuckled to himself. He was about to make the biggest mistake of his life, but right now he didn’t care. When she whimpered he scooped her into his arms, her weight a turn-on by itself, and strode across the hall to the nearest bed he could find.

Thank you again for letting me visit Novel Natterings. I’ve enjoyed myself immensely!

Oh, and I’ll be giving away a free digital copy of my book at the end of my blog tour to one lucky commenter. So comment often! Drop by my website for a listing of the other location on my tour.  http://www.lindatrout.com

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press:

Print: http://tinyurl.com/d4cxc7h

Digital: http://tinyurl.com/cann8jz

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Grave-Secrets-Linda-Trout/dp/1612173071/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342970187&sr=8-1&keywords=grave+secrets+by+linda+trout

I like to think my writing improves with each word I write. The more I write, the better I get. I hope. But how do you know? For that matter, how do you know your first book is any good? Well, for starters, it wouldn’t have sold, but beyond that you want to know how the reading public will perceive it.

Good question Linda. Perfect to ask our commenters. Have any of you felt the urge to contact an author after reading a book of theirs and if so - what was it that made you act? I'd love to know :)
Thank you for visiting Linda and all the very best for sales and the rest of your tour!

Awesome NZ Historic Fiction

The Day She Cradled Me by Sacha de Bazin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ms. de Bazin's debut novel is a compelling account of the only woman in New Zealand's history to be hung for murder.

It opens in a chilling scene of when Minnie Dean is being sentenced to death. We see through Minnie's eyes and feel her disbelief, confusion, loneliness and finally horror as the judge roars those damning words. It is an opening sure to bring goose-bumps to even the most hardened of readers.

I'd heard about this woman, Minnie Dean, years ago as a child. She was a baby-killer and a heartless woman who enjoyed nothing more than to poke hat-pins into children. But like most chinese-whispers, the facts had become grossly misshapen and enlarged beyond the truth until she was nothing more than a scary bed-time story for misbehaving children.

Using actual transcripts of the court proceedings and Minnie Dean's own correspondance, Ms. de Bazin has brought Minnie's story to life and allowed her a voice at last.

Thank you for the wonderful read Sacha and I look forward to your next project.  

View all my reviews