INTERVIEW: Fiona Paul author of Secrets of the Eternal Rose series - AUSTRALIAN BLOG TOUR

I am extremely excited today to have Fiona Paul on the blog for an interview and you can check out my review for Belladonna HERE. PLUS a fantastic giveaway at the bottom.

Title: Belladonna
Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose #2
Author: Fiona Paul
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Release Date: 1st July 2013
Genre: Young Adult Historical
Format: Paperback
Source: HarperCollins Australia for an honest review during the tour. Thank you so much!

Cassandra Caravello is trying to forget Falco, the wild artist who ran off with her heart, as she grows closer to her strong, steady fiancé, Luca. But Luca seems to have his own secrets. When he′s arrested by soldiers in the middle of the night, Cass′s life is once again thrown into chaos. She must save Luca, and that means finding the Book of the Eternal Rose -- the only evidence that will prove he is innocent.

So begins her journey to Florence, a city haunted by whispers of corruption, secret soirees, and clandestine meetings of the Order of the Eternal Rose. And home to Falco, who′s working for the Order′s eerily stunning leader, the Belladonna herself.

Can Cass trust her heart to lead her to the truth this time?

Nothing is as it seems in this seductive thriller, where the truth may be the deadliest poison of all.

Interview

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics? Honestly, they’re mostly based on me. That sounds super-arrogant, doesn’t it? J What I mean is, like everyone else, I have my haughty moments, my shy moments, my angry moments, etc., and I just sort of draw those out in different combinations for different characters. If someone I see IRL does or says something unusual, I will often file it away and use it for a character, but for obvious reasons that applies more with my contemporary characters. As far as physicality goes, my characters tend to present themselves to me as I write, but if not I’ll look at famous people or photo streams to nail down certain attributes.

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design?
I don’t actually know who designed the amazing Australian covers (thank you cover god or goddess), but I can tell you I had very minimal input into any of my cover designs. This may seem unfair to readers, but the reality is that publishers need to make money in order to keep publishing books and some authors are notoriously bad when it comes to business decisions. (This is one reason why we have agents). And just because an author really wants to use her seven-year-old niece’s cool instagram photo for a cover, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for the book.

In one sentence, can you tell the readers why they should read your book?
You should read BELLADONNA because it is dark, romantic, evocative, and shocking and can be enjoyed as a standalone title even if you haven’t read VENOM.

Do you have a favourite non-spoilery scene or quote from Belladonna?
Here’s one I like. Cass is in Florence at a party hosted by the mysterious Belladonna when she gets a headache, but Madalena doesn’t want to leave yet so Cass seeks refuge in the library:

Her head began to hurt worse, blood pounding an uneven tempo in her ears. The guests were loud. Too loud. The airy violin music had sharpened into scalpel blades, each stanza cutting a bloody path across her skull.

Cass found the library and collapsed into a chair. The room was quiet and dim, the only light coming from a scattering of dying orange embers still flickering in the dark fireplace. She turned her back to the wall, refusing to look at the painting of Belladonna draped just as she had once been. What she needed to do was take advantage of this moment and search for the Book of the Eternal Rose. She would, just as soon as her headache faded. Burying her head in her hands, she pressed her fingertips hard against her temples to slow the throbbing.

“Signorina? Are you all right?”

Cass looked up. The silhouette of a man stood in the doorway. Undoubtedly, the handsome house physician. He didn’t sound young, though. Maybe the gossiping hags from tea had been exaggerating.

As the man came closer, his features began to sharpen. Cass dug her fingernails into the armrest of her chair. Her stomach plummeted, and for a second she thought she might faint.

I picked this scene because I like the image of music being able to physically draw blood when you have a headache. Also, Cass is normally too nice to refer to random ladies as gossiping hags, even in her brain, but she has another reason to be stressed here. Finally, I like the build-up to the reveal. Who has stumbled upon Cass when she is vulnerable? Is it Belladonna’s physician...or someone else?

What’s next after the Starling (Secrets of the Eternal Rose #3) and when is it due to be released?
The US will release STARLING on March 1st, 2014, so perhaps you’ll get it a bit earlier. Next I have two contemporary YA novels—a romantic comedy and a murder mystery coming out under my real name starting in 2014. Check out THE ART OF LAINEY:

If you could go back in time, what time would it be, where and why?
I would go back to the 90s because I am a huge music-lover and to me the best music came about in that decade. Also, I wasn’t able to attend all the concerts I wanted to, so I never got to see Nirvana play live.

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without?
Only one? *trembles*I went on holiday in May and my carryon was so jam-packed with electronics that I got flagged for extra security checks all across the globe. I would have to say my netbook. It’s about four years old and I do all of my writing on it because it has a smaller keyboard and I have little hands. I didn’t realize they quit making them until recently and I freak out when I imagine it dying on me and having to switch to a giant widescreen laptop or a smaller tablet with a sketchy external keyboard. Long live the ten-inch Toshiba J

When you are writing, do you have a set routine that gets you started or just go with the flow?
I am basically writing or thinking about writing all the time. When I’m exercising, out with friends, working, on vacation, etc., my brain is always sewing up plot holes or coming up with new ideas. I put notes in my phone. I write them on my hand or on napkins. I have no idea why people put up with this behaviour. As far as actual computer time, I write six days a week with no set routine. I strongly prefer drafting new stuff to revising. I always work on multiple projects—right now I am drafting one, revising one, and proofing 1st pass pages on a third—so that if I am not feeling Project A I can move to Project B and still be productive.

QUICK DRAW!
Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? Coffee
Sweet or savoury? Both
Cats or dogs? Cats. I wanted to say both, but my cats threatened to poop under the covers again if I did.
Day or night? Night
eBooks or paperbacks? Paperbacks.
Favourite all time book? So hard! I will go with a classic—Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince.

About the Author

Fiona Paul is a writer and registered nurse from St. Louis, MO.

(I prefer the short and sweet bio since there's a lot of other stuff to read in these posts that's more relevant than my love of coffee or desire to shark dive).

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~

Giveaway

I would like to thank so very much Amanda from Harper Collins Australia for allowing me to giveaway two (2) Australian edition copies of Belladonna and it is open internationally. How cool is that??

Ends midnight 7th July 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Other participants of this fantastic tour are:

July 1st http://badassbookie.blogspot.com.au

July 2nd http://turnersantics.blogspot.com - ME lol

July 3rd http://treasuredtalesforyoungadults.wordpress.com

July 4th http://speconspecfic.com/

July 5th http://pixelski.blogspot.com.au/

July 6th http://tsanasreads.blogspot.com.au/

July 7th http://bookomatic.blogspot.com.au/

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HarperCollinsAU

INTERVIEW: Ellen Mansoor Collier Author of Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets - BLOG TOUR

Today I would like to welcome Ellen Mansoor Collier to the blog with a fantastic interview with an excerpt from Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets.

Interview

Can you please tell us a little about yourself with 5 fun facts?

1. I used to review mysteries for The Houston Chronicle and learned a lot about fiction that way. As a journalist, I thought it would be relatively easy to write a mystery novel, until I tried to write Flappers (my first book). I don’t know how these multi-published authors crank out several books a year!
2. In high school, I had a British pen pal and actually met him in London a year or so later. He was cute, but very shy! 
3. I love animals and have a soft spot for strays. We own two fluffy, hyperactive Chow-Shepherd mutts adopted from a shelter, a brother and sister who look like vanilla and chocolate, Coco and Champagne. They’re almost eight and always getting in trouble! 
4. After my junior year of college, I worked as a reporter for a weekly newspaper as a paid intern. They even offered me a permanent job, but I wanted to get my degree.
5. I was a tomboy growing up and as a teen, used to teach swimming at the local pool. I still love to swim!

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what was the very first thing you ever wrote?
I wrote a short story by hand when I was about six. I took my first journalism class in high school, served on the school newspaper and won a couple of writing awards (including a UIL award in News writing). In college (the University of Texas at Austin), I majored in magazine journalism and wrote for the school magazine. After college, I worked as a city magazine editor/writer and later started freelancing for national magazines. Between journalism jobs, I worked for two antiques dealers/designers and became more interested in history and antiques.

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics?
Many of my characters are based on real people, namely the Galveston gangsters and high society families. My main characters are composites based on different people, real and fictional. Jazz is a younger version of Rosalind Russell in My Girl Friday, Lois Lane, and Nellie Bly combined.

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design?
As an indie, I get to pick and choose my cover artwork and typefaces. I thought this illustration seemed whimsical and colorful, yet the two bathing beauties looked mysterious, like they were keeping a secret. Luckily my brother, Jeff J. Mansoor, is a talented graphic artist and pulled it all together for me in an attractive design. I’m very visual and enjoy the process of designing my own covers. I may change the covers to photographs for a print version later this year.

In one sentence, can you tell the readers why they should read your book?
Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets provides a behind-the-scenes look at the early Miss Universe pageant in Galveston, and combines a unique historical setting with a fun, fast-paced “Jazz Age mystery” full of plot twists and turns. (Whew!)

Do you have a favourite non-spoilery scene or quote from Bathing Beauties, Booze & Bullets?
My half-brother Sammy appeared, looking dishevelled and rumpled, his shirt half-buttoned and dark hair curlier than usual. “What happened to you?” I asked, stifling a laugh.

“All those dames!” He gasped for breath. “Get a few drinks in ‘em and they turn into vultures! They were all over me!”

“I noticed. So what are you complaining about?” I teased him. “I thought you liked having a fan club around.”

“I do, but…” He looked down, smoothing out his shirt, then buttoned it back up. “I just feel so bad. I don’t know what to do…” His mood turned somber.

“About what? Amanda?” No secret my best friend had a big crush on my handsome sibling.

“About everything…” He paced the tiny office, rubbing his unshaven face, as if trying to think. “I’m in a jam and I don’t know how to get out.”

“What kind of jam?” I could tell Sammy was stalling for time, so I went over to him and shook his arm, to stop his pacing. “Sammy, tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s about the gangs. Their turf wars.”

“What else is new?” Galveston gangs had a long-standing rivalry, and it didn’t take much to set things off. Broadway served as the boundary separating the two gangs, and it was no-holds-barred if and when that line was crossed—the Beach Gang’s turf was located north of Broadway, and the Downtown Gang was south.

Naturally Sammy wanted to stay on good terms with both gangs, who controlled the flow of booze on the Island. Agent Burton had tried, but failed, to shut down their operations, but he did manage to cut off a few sources, including a dangerous bootlegger, for a while—with our help.

“What’s the latest feud about?” Word was, Ollie Quinn had set his sights on the Downtown Gang’s turf, and with his reckless wheeling and dealing, Johnny Jack seemed ripe for a coup.

“Let’s just say the Maceos don’t always see eye-to-eye with Ollie or Dutch Voight. They want to get out of the prostitution racket, but Ollie wants to line up houses all over the island, even set up shop in the clubs.” Sammy took out a Camel cigarette and lit it, avoiding my gaze.

I’d heard similar stories and in fact, Mack confirmed several rumors in a hard-hitting series for the Gazette describing the turf wars, a string of eye-opening articles the gangs didn’t appreciate. In his latest piece, Mack quoted anonymous sources who claimed the Maceos were trying to oust Quinn and Voight, vying for the top spots in the Beach Gang.

“You don’t say. How does that affect you?”

“Word is, the Maceos want to break away from the Beach Gang, branch out onto new turf, start their own operation.” Sammy puffed away, hiding behind a cloud of smoke. “Johnny Jack knows we’re friends, and he didn’t care as long as they kept out of his way and left Market Street alone. But after the ice man hit, all hell broke loose. Now Johnny Jack wants to stop the Maceos cold before they muscle in on his territory.”

“How does he plan to do that?” After a string of recent killings, I saw first-hand how vicious the Galveston gangs could be if you double-crossed them.

Finally Sammy quit pacing and plopped down in his worn banker’s chair. “Jazz, you’ve got to help me. I need a favor, a big favor. ”

“What kind of favor?” I eyed him, skeptical. Sammy always made it clear that I was supposed to stay out of his business, for my own safety, but now he wanted my help?

“Remember the night I spent in jail? Somehow Johnny Jack got the idea that your Prohibition friend bailed me out. So now he thinks we’re best buddies.”

“That’s not true.” I bit my lip, feeling guilty, since I’d asked Agent Burton to get involved, to help get Sammy out of jail. Fortunately he’d managed just fine on his own.

“I just tolerate the guy ‘cause of you. But now I need his help.” Sammy leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Johnny Jack’s putting the squeeze on me. He threatened to tell everyone in the Downtown Gang that I’m Agent Burton’s squealer if I don’t do what he wants.”

“His informant? Bunk! What does he expect you to do?”

His shoulders slumped. “He wants me to convince Burton to raid the Hollywood Dinner Club and shut it down—during the bathing beauty dance routine this Friday night.”

What’s next after the Bathing Beauties, Booze & Bullets and when is it due to be released?
Taking a breather now, but I do have a few more ideas for the “Jazz Age” series. I’ll keep you posted!

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without?
My laptop!

QUICK DRAW!
Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? Arnold Palmers (Iced tea and lemonade)
Sweet or savoury? Sweet
Cats or dogs? Both!
Day or night? Night
eBooks or paperbacks? Both!
Favourite all time book? Rebecca and/or The Great Gatsby. Hard to pick only one!

Thank you Ellen for stopping by today!

The Books

Title: Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets
Series: A Jazz Age Mystery #2
Author: Ellen Mansoor Collier
Release Date: 5th May 2013
Genre: New Adult Jazz Age Mystery

It’s 1927 in Galveston, Texas—the “Sin City of the Southwest.” Jasmine (“Jazz”) Cross is an ambitious 21-year-old society reporter for the Galveston Gazette who tries to be taken seriously by the good-old-boy staff, but the editors only assign her fluffy puff pieces, like writing profiles of bathing beauties. The last thing Jazz wants to do is compare make-up tips with ditzy dames competing in the Miss Universe contest, known as the “International Pageant of Pulchritude and Bathing Girl Revue.”

She’d rather help solve the murders of young prostitutes who turn up all over town, but city officials insist on burying the stories during Splash Day festivities. After Jazz gets to know the bathing beauties, she realizes there’s a lot more to them than just pretty faces and figures. Jazz becomes suspicious when she finds out the contest is also sponsored by the Maceos, aspiring Beach Gang leaders and co-owners of the Hollywood Dinner Club, where the girls will perform before the parade and pageant.

Worse, her half-brother Sammy Cook, owner of the Oasis, a speakeasy on a rival gang’s turf, asks her to call in a favor from handsome Prohibition Agent James Burton: He wants Agent Burton to raid the Hollywood Club during the bathing beauties dance routine--or risk revenge from the Downtown Gang leader. Her loyalties torn, Jazz is faced with an impossible task that could compromise both of their jobs and budding romance. Meanwhile, Jazz fends off advances from Colin Ferris, an attractive but dangerous gangster who threatens Sammy as well as Burton. In the end, she must risk it all to save her friends from a violent killer hell-bent on revenge. Inspired by actual events.

Title: Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play
Series: A Jazz Age Mystery #1
Author: Ellen Mansoor Collier
Release Date: 1st July 2012
Genre: New Adult Jazz Age Mystery

"The Great Gatsby" meets "Midnight in Paris" in this soft-boiled historical mystery, inspired by actual events. Rival gangs fight over booze and bars during Prohibition in 1920s Galveston: the "Sin City of the Southwest." Jazz Cross, a 21-year-old society reporter, feels caught between two clashing cultures: the seedy speakeasy underworld and the snooty social circles she covers in the Galveston Gazette.

During a night out with her best friend, Jazz witnesses a bar fight at the Oasis--a speakeasy secretly owned by her black-sheep half-brother, Sammy Cook. But when a big-shot banker with a hidden past collapses there and later dies, she suspects foul play. Was it an accident or a mob hit?

Soon handsome young Prohibition Agent James Burton raids the Oasis, threatening to shut it down if Sammy doesn't talk. Suspicious, he pursues Jazz, but despite her mixed feelings she refuses to rat on Sammy. As turf wars escalate between two real-life rival gangs, Sammy is accused of murder. Jazz must risk her life and career to find the killer, exposing the dark side of Galveston's glittering society.

About the Author

Ellen Mansoor Collier is a Houston-based freelance magazine writer/editor whose articles and essays have been published in several national magazines, including: FAMILY CIRCLE, MODERN BRIDE, GLAMOUR, BIOGRAPHY, COSMO, PLAYGIRL, etc. Several of her short stories have appeared in WOMAN'S WORLD. She’s profiled a variety of people, from CEOs and celebrities (including Suze Orman), to charity founders (Nancy Brinker et al) and do-gooders. A flapper at heart, she’s the owner of DECODAME, specializing in Deco to retro vintage items. (www.deco-dame.com)

Formerly she's worked as a magazine editor, and in advertising and public relations (plus endured a hectic semester as a substitute teacher). She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Magazine Journalism, where she enjoyed frou-frou cocktails and lots of lattes. When she’s not concocting stories, she enjoys traveling, shopping at flea markets, listening to instrumental jazz, reading cozy mysteries (of course) and taking walks with her husband Gary and hyper Chow mixes (Coco and Champagne).

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~

Interview: Wendy S Russo author of January Black - BLOG TOUR

Tour Schedule

Title: January Black
Series:  N/A
Author: Wendy S Russo
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Release Date: 15th January 2013
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He's been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost...or call the king’s bluff.

Interview

Can you please tell us a little about yourself with 5 fun facts?

1. When people ask me where I'm from, I say I live in Louisiana, but I'm from Wyoming, even though I've lived in the Baton Rouge area for almost half of my life.
2. I was a gymnast in high school. Balance beam and floor exercise. I had more love than skill.
3. My art teacher's husband was a substitute math teacher in my high school. I expressed interest in civil engineering and the man wouldn't let the idea go. He and his wife chaperoned a combined AP English/Advanced Art trip to Denver, Colorado, and he insisted that I go with the boys to Denver International Airport, which at the time was still under construction. I think the girls went shopping. He was very disappointed when I majored in journalism instead, but honestly, the man didn't know me--or more to the point, my abysmal math skills--very well. 
4. I used to know how to sew. I'm hoping it's like riding a bicycle. 
5. No matter how many numbers I'm given in a list, I always stumble on coming up with a response to the last one.

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what was the very first thing you ever wrote?
Sixth grade. I wrote a short story for a young author's contest. It was fantasy, had a huge cast, and dialog that read like a roll call. I didn't win, but I had a great time.

Is there another author that you aspire to be like?
I would love to be as prolific as Lynn Rush or Marie Sexton. Those two can start, finish, edit, submit, and get a contract for a book in the amount of time it takes me to get an idea going. And they're incredible storytellers. I'll admit that I'm envious.

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics? 
I start with an archetype...ie, teenage boy...and I put him into a situation and ask myself "what, when, where, why, how" type questions. All of my characters are built on the characteristics of real people, but none of them are one specific person. They're mosaics of several people.

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design? 
Taria Reed is an artist that Crescent Moon Press frequently contracts to create covers. She was given my cover request and when she was done, I loved it.

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without? 
Oh, that's tough. That would depend on your definition of technology. It would probably be a stone age tool for chipping stone. It could be argued that everything more modern than that is convenience before necessity. It would hurt to lose my cell phone, though.

When you are writing, do you have a set routine that gets you started or just go with the flow? 
I do a lot of planning, but I finding that to get in a word count, I really just have to get in and type. Otherwise, I find myself on Facebook a few hours later no further along than when I started.

QUICK DRAW! 
Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? Coffee! (Mixed with hot chocolate is awesome.)
Sweet or savoury? Savory
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Day or night? day
eBooks or paperbacks? A book is a book is a book. :)
Favourite all time book? The Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson

Thank you for stopping by today Wendy and talking with us.

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Praise

Refreshingly intelligent and loads of fun!
I lost a few hours as I read this book. It's a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out.

~ Christine Ashworth, Amazon Review

The mystery was intriguing - I loved how Wendy Russo weaved in all her secrets throughout the book, how she incorporated just enough to keep you reading, while never actually divulging much of anything. I was guessing for most of it and that's pretty hard to make me do.

~Julie, Clean Teen Reads 

Wendy Russo has created a masterpiece.

~ Ivan Amberlake, Author

Book Trailer

About the Author

Author Wendy S. Russo Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Authorgraph ~

More Information:

January Black 100th Amazon Review Giveaway

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/8/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INTERVIEW: Jax Garren - How Beauty Saved the Beast - GIVEAWAY

Today I would like to welcome Jax Garren to Turner's Antics. Jax is the author of the series, Tales of the Underlight. AND because I love this series, I will be giving away 2 chances to win either book, winner's choice. Read the interview and at the bottom is the rafflecopter widget.

How Beauty Met the Beast (Tales of the Underlight #1)

The Beast
Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley "Hauk" Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He's starting to lose hope…and then he sees her.
The Beauty
Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn't see. After she's kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.
Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

You can read my review HERE.

How Beauty Saved the Beast (Tales of the Underlight #2)

Jolie Benoit left her old life behind to become an agent of the Underlight. Training under Sergeant Wesley Haukon, she’s honing her combat skills, all the while coping with the intense sexual attraction she feels for Hauk. She keeps their friendship casual, but when his high school sweetheart transfers into their division, Jolie finds herself grappling with jealousy.
The Underlight gave Hauk a purpose, but he can’t escape his past completely. The physical and emotional scars from the fire that killed seven fellow Army Rangers will mark him forever. Jolie sends his protective instincts into overdrive, but he’s convinced he’ll never be worthy of her love.
Hauk is determined to keep Jolie from harm. But when the Order of Ananke ambushes them with a new weapon that neutralizes Hauk, making him vulnerable, it’s Jolie who must tap into her hidden strengths to rescue him—or risk losing him forever…

You can read my reivew HERE.

Interview

Can you please tell us a little about yourself with 5 fun facts? 

1. I am obsessed with Vikings and learned how to write Viking alliterative poetry for a scene in How Beauty Loved the Beat (the final book in the trilogy). I am also a nerd. J  
2. I just started watching Supernatural (the CW show) and am almost done with season 2. (Maybe I’ve started season three by the time this posts.) Gotta say, I LOVE those Winchester boys. Why haven’t I been watching this all along?
3. My husband Scott and I met making costumes for a Madrigal choir. The ladies in charge of costuming needed somebody who could cut spring steel into the shapes needed for the bones of the bodices. Much hilarity ensued over Scott being in charge of boning. ;) 
4. I am fascinated by world religions and love visiting temples of various sorts and attending ceremonies. My most recent adventure happened when I accidentally stumbled on the Baha’i temple outside of Chicago at the right time to attend a meditation. What a glorious building! 
5. My favourite movie is Raiders of the Lost Ark followed closely by Star Wars. I’m excited about Disney’s acquisition of Lucas Films (I will always be grateful to Lucas for the wondrous world he crafted, despite my disappointment with the prequels), and have hope for the future. But if Princess Leia gets Disney-fied, she’d better lift the rest of the princesses up to her level and not vice versa. 

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what was the very first thing you ever wrote?

I've been writing for as long as I can remember, starting with telling stories to my stuffed animals at night instead of going to sleep after Mom shut off the lights. I only started taking publication seriously a few years ago, though. I have all kinds of excuses for why it took me so long to go from writing for fun to attempting to write for fun and profit, but I'm glad I finally made the leap!

My very first stories were (not that I knew the word at the time) Star Wars fan fiction told to my pillow and Patty Bear. The first story I wrote down was a fantasy about unicorns and walking a rainbow bridge to a magical land of mermaids and dragons. I've been a speculative fiction gal pretty much my whole life.

Is there another author that you aspire to be like? 

Hm… I don’t think anyone’s path can be identical to another’s. Our differences, in the way we go about things and the way we write, are what make people interesting. But I do have a few favourite authors. I love Kresley Cole’s ability to write what I call juicy scenes, just dripping with emotion and so deeply in a character’s head. She can make the most vile characters into heroes, and I love that about her. I also love Stacia Kane for her ability to make well-rounded characters with flaws that seem so real you love them despite (or maybe even for) those flaws.

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics? 

For the Beauty and the Beast stories, I had the fairy tale to inspire me, of course. I tend to create people who have interests that I’d like to learn more about. Hauk’s an ex-soldier (like my father and grandfather) who does metalworking, which has fascinated me ever since I saw a blacksmithing demonstration at a Renaissance Festival. Jolie is a burlesque dancer, which was something I knew very little about but thought would be fun to check out. Plus it worked well with the “beauty” angle, and made an interesting contrast to the scarred soldier—he sees taking his gloves off as a big deal and she’s comfortable taking it all off in front of a crowd. But that’s normally my thing, I basically take something I'm interested in but don’t know much about and go research, meet people, watch YouTube videos, and learn! Research is one of my favourite parts of writing.

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design? 

Carina, my publisher, does all the book cover designs for us. We get a little input, but mostly the look is up to marketing. I like both of my book covers, though, so that’s been nice! The second did make me laugh, and I re-sent a description of Hauk to them, as the guy on the front cover looks, er, NOTHING like my hero the scarred, tattooed soldier. After my input, they added the Mjolnir necklace (Thor’s hammer; the symbol of the Heathen faith) and kept him all pretty. I figure the hot guy on the cover is the external representation of Hauk’s inner sexiness…

In one sentence, can you tell the readers why they should read your book? 

Hmm… it’s a face-paced read with burlesque dancing, a hero that isn’t handsome and anarchists battling sorcerers. What more could you want? ;)

Do you have a favourite non-spoilery scene or quote from How Beauty Saved the Beast? 

Hahahaha! Uh… usually I have the most fun writing the most intense scenes with the big turning points, so I'm not sure I could give a favourite scene without spoiling too much plot! But, without giving too much away I'll say I had the most fun crafting the scene in the backroom of the after-party, about 2/3 of the way through the book. Jolie’s feeling all kinds of frustrated, has had a little too much martini and finds Hauk alone. It’s a major turning point not just for this book, but for the series as a whole.

What’s next after the Tales of the Underlight series and when is it due to be released? 

The final book in the Beauty and the Beast arc comes out in May (I'm not sure what date yet). That’s the last book I'm on contract for at the moment, but I'm working on a few other things—one featuring Brayden (Hauk’s best friend), another that’s a sci-fi romance set in post-apocalyptic Las Vegas and lastly a paranormal romance between a modern hedgewitch and a man cursed to eternal servitude by a witch during the French Inquisition. I don’t know which will get finished first!

If you could have one special ability, what would it be and why? 

Like a superpower? Teleportation—particularly if I could take other people with me. I LOVE to travel, but the expense of airplanes and hotels makes it impossible to do anywhere near as much as I’d like. But if I could teleport, I could have dinner in Beijing tonight and go hiking Kilimanjaro tomorrow. I could even sleep at home if I don’t feel like spending the money on a hotel or if I want to see my cats!

If you mean like a realistic special ability, I would be a polyglot. I love studying foreign languages, but admit I don’t have the dedication needed to memorize vocabulary and intricate grammar rules, so I have the bare bones basics of several languages down, but couldn't carry on a conversation to save my life!

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without? 

My phone! I barely use it as a phone, but it’s my calendar, my eReader, my email checker, my roadmap, my To Do list… this thing has revolutionized my life and I can’t imagine how I would get anything done without it anymore. And it fits in my pocket! The future is here, and it is smaller than a pack of notecards.

When you are writing, do you have a set routine that gets you started or just go with the flow? 

I was doing a daily page count, and that goal was enough to keep me going—particularly when I was on deadline! But my husband and I became parents this July (we’re fostering with the hope of adopting two lovely sisters, ages 4 and 7), and that’s completely blown all routines we used to have to smithereens. So, now I'm trying to get my head screwed on straight enough to have the concentration to write! Haha. I'm hoping that as things continue calming down I'll start figuring out how to put life’s pieces together. Being parents is still so new to both of us, and while the girls are amazing young people, they’re carrying some baggage that creates extra stress. But we’re all learning from each other, and things are getting better. I hope to be back on my daily page count soon.

QUICK DRAW! 

Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? Coffee! (I like all three, but I’m not supposed to have chocolate for medical reasons. There are not enough frown-y faces in the world for this.)
Sweet or savoury? Savory, definitely. I am a salt-a-holic
Cats or dogs? Cats! (I have one in my lap right now)
Day or night? Night
eBooks or paperbacks? eBooks, no question. I read everything on my phone now. Favourite all time book? Hmm…That’s a tough one! At different points of my life Watership Down, Anne of Green Gables, This Side of Paradise and Jane Eyre would all have been named, but I'm not sure I have a favourite anymore.

Thank you Jax for stopping by today.

About the Author

Jax Garren is descended from Valkyries and Vikings (she’s part Swedish) but was raised a small town girl in the Texas Hill Country. She graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in English and a minor in Latin and stayed in Austin to teach high school. During her eight years in public education she was in a riot, broke up fights, had cops storm her class with guns drawn… and met the most amazing young people who taught her more about life and hope than she taught them about any school subject. 

Jax believes in happily ever afters. She married her real life hero, a handsome engineer who is saving the world through clean energy technology. Her heroine is Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark, the perfect blend of tough and feminine. Jax blames Marion for her dream of travelling to Nepal to experience Himalayan palaces and monasteries and to drink yak butter tea. Jax can be found at jaxgarren.com or on Facebook. She would love to raise a glass with her readers to toast courage, adventure, and love.

~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~

Giveaway

Because I love this series, I am offering 2 winner's a choice of a Kindle copy of either book in Tales of the Underlight series.

Two (2) Kindle copies of either How Beauty Met the Beast OR How Beauty Saved the Beast
Open internationally if you can accept Amazon gifts

Entries close midnight Sunday 24th February (a quick one) 

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INTERVIEW: Melody Manful ~ Dominion - BLOG TOUR

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Melody Manful and finding out a little more about the author behind Dominion. PLUS there is a fantastic giveaway at the bottom.

Title: Dominion
Series: Guardian Angels #1
Author: Melody Manful
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: 16th February 2013

I Dare You.
Look Over Your Shoulders.
Do You See Them?
They are behind you...
They are always behind you.

Abigail Cells had a nightmare the day beforeshe met Gideon, the new guy in school
who has every girl drooling just to be near him. In her nightmare, she was murdered by a magical creature. As she gets to know Gideon, she begins to remember pieces of her nightmare and was shocked when Gideon turned out to be the creature from her nightmare. Who is Gideon really? Should Abby allow herself to fall completely for him, or is he the next disaster waiting to happen?

Interview

Can you please tell us a little about yourself with 5 fun facts?

1. I’m very unpredictable. 
2. I like to always be right, no matter the argument. 
3. I like to eat peanut butter straight from the bottle. 
4. I have a little brother and sister who seem to think I'm the most annoying person on the planet. 
5. Most guys I know don’t understand why I'm such a huge football fan and like action movies. 

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what was the very first thing you ever wrote?
A couple of years ago, I decided to give the world of the authors a chance. I don’t remember correctly but I think the first thing I ever wrote was a song lyric about a girl who could fly away.

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics?
I didn't realize that some of the characters were when I finished writing Dominion, mostly me, but other than that, the rest of the characters were created.

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design?
A very awesome artist named Daniel designed my book cover. I described in detail what I wanted and we ended up with the cover I have now. I love the finish work, and I choose to have the cover look like that because I myself wanted to see a book cover that if I saw in a bookstore couldn't help but be attracted to.

In one sentence, can you tell the readers why they should read your book?
Readers should read it because it has its flaws but when all is said and done, Dominion is a must read.

Do you have a favourite non-spoilery scene or quote from Dominion?
There is one scene in Dominion where Abigail, the girl in Pink, is in a life and death situation and the only thing she has to defend herself is a fire extinguisher.

What’s next after the Dominion and when is it due to be released?
Dominion is out TODAY!!! And what’s next after that is the release of the second book.

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without?
My music player, I never leave the house without it.

When you are writing, do you have a set routine that gets you started or just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow, sometimes when I'm done with a scene I'm like ‘Oh, so that happened.’

QUICK DRAW! 

Tea, coffee or hot chocolate?  Tea!
Sweet or savoury?  Savoury.
Cats or dogs?  Cats!
Day or night?  Night
eBooks or paperbacks?  Both
Favourite all time book? Harry Potter and Gates of Paradise.

Thank you Melody for stopping by today

About the Author

Melody Manful was born on June 8, 1994, in a town in Ghana called Tema. She started writing at a very early age and has been doing it ever since. Melody has two siblings and lives in Denmark with her family. She loves music, reading, and writing, and she puts a great deal into making her friends happy.

~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Blog ~Youtube ~

Giveaway

5 free ebooks of Dominion
2 signed paperbacks of Dominion

Open internationally 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://abgreadsbooktours.blogspot.com

Supernatural Freak by Louisa Klein - GIVEAWAY and Interview

Today I am please to have Louisa Klein visit and answer some questions so we, the readers can get to know her a little better.

Title: Supernatural Freak
Series:
Author: Louisa Klein
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: 9th August 2012

When paranormal expert Robyn Wise is offered an outrageous sum of money to cure a boy who is turning into a dead tree, she's very sceptical. A politician ready to pay that much to make his son stop growing branches instead of hair? Come on! She's more likely to be abducted by aliens. This is a trap. Or much worse. And, of course, it's much worse.
The child is turning into a dark portal, created by a powerful entity determined to absorb Fairyland's power. This means that not only queen Titania and her court are in danger, but the very balance of the magic fluxes.
Robyn'd rather stick a pencil in her own eye but. to learn how to destroy the portal, she has to sneak into the Wizardry Council, a place full of wizards who are hiding something—though it’s certainly not their dislike of her.
There, she discovers a terrible secret that could help to overthrow Fairyland's enemies for good, but puts her in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, and not as a bystander, but as the main target.

I reviewed this fantastic book a couple of weeks ago, if you would like to check it out, please click HERE.

Interview

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what was the very first thing you ever wrote?

I have never ‘realised’ I wanted to be a writer, in the sense that I've never had an ‘epiphany’. I've been telling stories since I can remember, long before I could even read or write. I wrote my first story when I was seven. It was a fairy tale called ‘The Magic Velvet’, already with a lot of humour in it!  

Is there another author that you aspire to be like?

Oh, well, there are many. Talking about mainstream, JK Rowling for a start and, as a general story-teller, my idol: Joss Whedon. 

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics? 

Some partly are, others are totally invented. One author who reviewed my book stated that some of my British characters were ‘overly British’, almost caricatures. Well, if you think I have exaggerated, just come to the UK and look around: most people here are much more eccentric and much weirder than those I put in my book! Honeslty!:). The only character 100% based on a real person is Martino, who’s in fact a dog: my beloved, sweet wonder dog!

{that's sweet}

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design?

My cover designer is Regina Wamba (www.maeidesign.com) and she rocks! She actually works for Harper and Collins, among other things. I highly recommend her, since she’s kind, professional and super-talented! As for why I chose that particular design… I chose it because it’s freaking awesome, don’t you think? ;)

{Yes I do, I love the cover and once you read it, you will understand the significance of the birds.}

In one sentence, can you tell my readers why they should read your book?

It’s an adventurous, action-packed urban fantasy with a cute love interest.

What’s next after Supernatural Freak and when is it due to be released?

Well, Supernatural Freak is the first of a 4 book series. The second ‘instalment’ is called ‘Supernatural Fog’ and I have just started working on it, so there is no release date yet.

{Awesome, can't wait! *woot*}

If you could have one special ability, what would it be and why?

I would love to be able to talk to animals. I think we have so much to learn from them; in a way, they are so much wiser than people! If only we could talk to them, the learning process would be so much faster!:)  

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without?

My laptop. I literally sleep with it by my side. Thing is, I live in the UK and because of my job/my book I need to be in contact with American bloggers and businesses and… You are 8 hours earlier than us! I often get  urgent emails in the middle of the night and I must write back!      

When you are writing, do you have a set routine that gets you started or just go with the flow?

I try to set a routine as much as possible (of course it’s not always possible, because of my job). When I can, I get up at 8, have a pint (literally) of latte for breakfast, send a few emails, walk my dog and then start writing. I usually have lunch at 1 o’clock and then carry on until 3-3.30 p.m. Then, I go to the movies if they’re showing something interesting like The Hobbit or The Avengers. As a journalist, I can enter for free in the afternoon and it’s AWESOME!:)

{Wow, that is awesome.}

QUICK DRAW!

Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? All 3! {haha, me too}

Sweet or savoury? Both!

Cats or dogs? Both!

Day or night? Night and rainy days, please!

eBooks or paperbacks? Both, but when you live in a small place like me, ebooks are a necessity.

Favourite all time book? Alice in Wonderland.

---

About the Author

Source: Goodreads

Louisa Klein is 25, lives in the UK but was born in Germany and brought up in Southern Europe by a German dad and an Italian and French mum, which made her a little confused at first. She has a degree in Medieval Studies and a postgraduate one in Marketing. She's been working in publishing on and off since she was 17. A freelancer and an urban Fantasy writer during the day, at night she puts on a mask and fights British crime. She gets very little sleep.

~ Website ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ 

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~

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Quick Giveaway

Prize is One (1) eBook of Supernatural Freak - since this is a fantastic book, I will also giveaway two (2) Kindle copies - overall there will be three (3) winners.
Open Internationally
Ends Midnight 31st January 2013
Must be over 17 years old to enter
Winners will be notified within 48 hours of end date
Thank you for entering!

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A Cast of Stones by Patrick W Carr - BLOG TOUR

I would like to welcome Patrick W Carr to the blog today. Below is an excerpt and interview with this awesome author. PLUS a giveaway at the bottom.

Title: A Cast of Stones
Series: The Staff and the Sword #1
Author: Patrick W Carr
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: 1st January 2013

An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers Will Love
In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travellers  Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

Excerpt

The woman took another, slow step toward him, her smile stretching the cuts and bruises on her face. “I don’t care who kills you boy, but do you really want to die by the borale arrow?” She laughed. “Do you relish feeling it rip and tear its way out of your flesh leaving you to die from blood loss, screaming in pain?” She nodded back toward Balina. “The captain has a sword, freshly sharpened. He can make your end quick and painless.”

“Don’t believe her boy,” Merodach said. He pitched his voice to carry over the flood below. “A malus never kills quickly. They feed on pain. Come with me. I can take you to safety.” He took a step.

Errol’s tried in vain to watch everyone. The pounding of his heart merged with the flood waters. He cast the briefest of looks down, fought to keep from sobbing. The roiling depths were too far away to survive a jump.

He was going to die. All that remained was to choose between the arrow, the sword, and the water.

Without turning his back to Merodach or the malus-possessed woman, he climbed the railing.

The three of them inched forward.

“Come, boy.” The woman’s voice crooned. “There’s no need for such a death.” Her voice grew mocking. “Don’t you want to be buried in your faith? Don’t you want the priest to bless your grave?”

“Errol, don’t.” Merodach’s voice cut across the woman’s.

For a moment, something in the assassin’s voice penetrated the fear that clouded his thinking. Could he be telling the truth? If he’d wanted Errol dead, he could have simply fired. It would be impossible to miss at this range, but that would leave Merodach open to counter-attack by the malus and her guard.

He didn't want to die. Errol took a tentative step toward the assassin, tried at once to ignore the arrow aimed at his chest and brace for its impact that would kill him.

An animal-like snarl erupted from behind him. Merodach raised the bow, drew.

He launched himself into space, heard the whine of the borale’s arrow merge with a cry of rage and pain.

The water rushed up at him.

---

Interview

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer and what was the very first thing you ever wrote?

I knew in college that writing was something I wanted to try. I even started a book “The Dreams of Daryn.” But after I got about three chapters into it, I got stuck and gave up. Later when I had children, I actually completed a novel I’d written for them, in which they were the main characters. That was a real breakthrough for me because it was the first full-length novel I’d ever finished.

Is there another author that you aspire to be like? 

Writing-wise there are many because I've read so much that I admire. David Eddings, Stephen R. Donaldson, Tolkien, Lewis, Raymond E. Feist, Guy Kay. It’s actually quite a list.

How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on real people’s characteristics? 

I see their personalities in my head before I see their physical characteristics. That may be a bit backward, but I'm more interested in them for who they are rather than how they look. Often, I'll use a family member or someone I know (or know of) for a physical likeness. Often, they’re a mix of people. 

Who designed your book cover and why did you choose that particular design? 

Bethany House was nice enough to ask for my input on the cover. I’d had this idea rolling around in my head and I asked my nephew, Douglas Dabbs, who is an art teacher at SCAD in Atlanta, to mock up a drawing. He was nice enough to do so. Bethany refined the idea into what people see now. I love it. If you’re an author, it’s a wonderful feeling to love the cover that’s on your book. I've talked to some where that hasn't been the case.

In one sentence, can you tell my readers why they should read your book? 

“A Cast of Stones” is a fun story that can be read multiple times and be enjoyed because of the layers of meaning written into the story.

What’s next after A Cast of Stones and when is it due to be released? 

The next book in the series is called “The Hero’s Lot” and is due to be released this July. I'm supposed to get the galleys in a couple of weeks, so it’s pretty much finished.

What’s one piece of technology you cannot live without? 

At this point, it’s my laptop. I would hate to go back to a typewriter for writing. I don’t have that level of discipline yet.

When you are writing, do you have a set routine that gets you started or just go with the flow? Starbuck’s and coffee work well for me, or if I'm at home, I park at the dining room table and listen to music. That usually does the trick.

QUICK DRAW!

Tea, coffee or hot chocolate? I love all three. It’s not unusual for me to have them all in the same day.

Sweet or savoury? Sweet. I’m a sugar freak, which brings me to one of my resolutions.

Cats or dogs? Dogs. We have one named Mel, but I call him Mr. Fruffles. He looks like a throw pillow.

Day or night? Day, but not early morning.

eBooks or paperbacks? Papeerbacks

Favourite all time book? The Belgariad by David Eddings.

---

About the Author

Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.

~ Website ~ Facebook ~ 

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Giveaway

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Author Interview: Dianne Blacklock - The Secret Ingredient

I have had the pleasure of interviewing the awesome Australian author, Dianne Blacklock.  Dianne's latest release is The Secret Ingredient, which came out 1st November 2011.  I was lucky enough to receive a copy for review and if you would like to read my review, please click here.  Now on with the show!

Goodreads Synopsis: Taste was such an evocative sense; Andie had closed her eyes, with the scone melting in her mouth, and been transported back to her grandmother's kitchen... 

Nourishment is nurture. That's what Andie learned from her grandmother and what she's always believed about cooking. But somehow, since marrying Ross, she's allowed her love of food to take a back seat and given up her dream of becoming a chef. 

Lately she's been craving more. And when her marriage falls apart, she's determined to find herself again and take back control of her destiny. 

The first step is taking a job in the kitchen of renowned chef Dominic Gerou. The brooding Englishman is more than Andie bargains for, but the new Andie is ready for anything, even a bad-tempered chef who makes it clear he won't tolerate mistakes. 

In this beautiful new novel, Dianne Blacklock takes us on a sumptuous journey of the heart as Andie uncovers the secret ingredient for her new life, and shows that no matter how many false starts you may have, if you hold on to your passion and your dreams, anything is possible.

~~~~~

Firstly, can you please tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a mother of four sons, a former teacher of communications, and now I am lucky enough to be writing full-time. My first novel, Call Waiting, was published in 2002, and my eighth has just been published in November.

Katie - (Wow, four boys, awesome!  I am sure they keep you extremely busy).

When did you begin writing & did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

You know, that’s a funny thing, I wasn't one of those people who always dreamed of being a writer – I didn't have the audacity. I always loved to write, for as long as I can remember, but it didn't even enter my head that it could be a career. Then, years ago, an old friend suggested we write a Mills & Boon together, thinking we could make some easy money. We soon learned it was not so easy. We were swiftly rejected, so then set about writing what we wanted to write instead, not with a designated publisher in mind. That project kept me going for more than a decade, eventually becoming the manuscript that first gained a publisher’s attention. It was a long, but extremely valuable apprenticeship!

What made you decide to write romance? Where do you get your inspiration from?

I didn't decide to write any particular genre – except for when I tried to write a Mills & Boon, as mentioned above, and that was a complete failure! I’m interested and curious about all kinds of relationships – within families, amongst friends, and between people who are falling in and/or out of love. My novels explore all these relationships; the love story is often the icing on the cake for me, I guess I’m a romantic at heart!

Because we’re social animals, I get my inspiration from everyone around me – which makes my friends nervous at times! There’s never a shortage of material when you’re writing about people living everyday lives.

What research did you undertake (if any) for The Secret Ingredient?

There is such a fascination with food and cooking and all things related, that there is a veritable feast (pardon the pun!) of information to draw on – restaurant websites, blogs, reviews … But I did want to be realistic about what it’s like to work in a commercial kitchen. It’s not as glamorous as people imagine, in fact it’s not glamorous at all. I was able to run everything by a couple of friends who work in the industry, one who is actually a chef.

And I started watching MasterChef! I’d only seen snippets before, my sons have no interest in it whatsoever, but I told them it was for research. I think it helped me pick up on the terminology especially.

I also had to do some research into Ross’s heart condition. I got the idea because my cousin’s husband had been through it, but it wasn’t too difficult to check the medical facts. Google is a wonderful thing.

If The Secret Ingredient was made into a movie, who would you like cast as Andie and Dominic?

Colin Firth for Dominic, no question (though he’d have to be about ten years younger – circa Bridget Jones). While I was developing his character, there were different actors that ‘auditioned’, but as soon as Colin Firth came into my head, he was perfect. Dominic appears arrogant and even haughty at first, but that’s partly shyness, perhaps a little awkwardness. He’s really quite sweet, as readers have been discovering.

Katie - (Oh yes, Colin Firth is perfectly suited)

Andie is more difficult to cast, she might have to be played by an unknown. She’s supposed to be physically quite stunning, so there are plenty of actresses around who fit that bill, but she also needs to have a sweetness and slight naivety, but be smart and tenacious enough to pick up her life and push on. It’s a hard one – I’m open to suggestions!

Is there another book in the works? And if so, can you give us any hints or clues as to what it is about?

There is another book in the works – there’s always another one! It’s only very early days yet, but I've established the main characters. At the moment – and things could change! – it centers around a feisty single mum who’s an activist, whose work leads her to come up against a man who owns and operates a vineyard. Looks like I’ll be doing a lot of research on wine … it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

Katie - (sounds like that will be fun research) LOL 

What are your top 5 favourite books of all time?

Great Expectations, Pride & Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lord of the Rings … then the fifth place I would have to share between so many books that I love, but would not be able to single out one as an all-time favourite above the others.

What are you currently reading and what format do you prefer (paperback or eBook)?

I’m still largely reading paperbacks because I have a stack to get through, and I only recently bought an ereader. However, I’ve just started Sense and Sensibility on my Kindle – I read it a long time ago, and I've seen the movie several times. It’s delicious going back to the original text, and I’m quite happy to read it as an ebook.

Do you have a routine when you are writing? 

When my kids were all at school, my routine was much more strict. Now I waste a lot of time! However, I do prefer to write later in the day than earlier. So in the mornings I’ll go to the gym, and/or do a bit of housework, run errands, whatever. Then I settle down to work in the afternoon. If I’m on deadline, and particularly if the boys are out and about (and therefore not needing to be fed!), I’ll happily work right through into the night.

Do you need something on in the background, like music or the telly?

Never the telly, that would be way too distracting. I do like music, and often develop a playlist for each novel. However, I don’t need it exactly – sometimes it gets me going, but once I’m in the zone, often the music has stopped and I haven’t even noticed.

What's your biggest challenge when writing a novel?

Eight books in, my challenge now is to keep it fresh, find new and interesting storylines, and introduce characters who are unique and individual, but also still feel familiar – readers want to relate to the characters. The first three novels were easier in a lot of ways, because I could write about anything I’d ever been interested in exploring, and create characters without the fear of repeating myself. I would hate to start churning out the same basic story, with just the names and some of the details changed. Fortunately so far, my very loyal readers tell me that all of my books are ‘very different’.

Have you ever thought of writing a series?

I’m often asked if I’ll ever write a sequel to any of my novels – especially when people have a favourite. I always explain that those characters have been put through enough, they've got their happy ending now, so they should be left alone. However, the potential in e-publishing is quite interesting, and I have been toying with the idea of developing a series with chapter-length installments. That is possible electronically, it wouldn't be viable in traditional book format.

QUICKIE QUESTIONS

Favourite food?

Unfortunately for my figure, I’ll eat anything! Narrowing to down to two food groups, I’d have to say chocolate and potatoes. (Not such a quick answer!)

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Although I love chocolate (see above), in ice cream I’d prefer vanilla. I’m an enigma.

Sweet or savoury snacks?

Six of one, half a dozen of the other … please!

Tea or coffee?

Tea first thing, always. Love coffee through the day, but can’t drink it after five. So it’s herbal tea in the evening. (You thought you’d get one-word answers, didn’t you?)

Cats or dogs?

Allergic to cats, so that’s easy. And we've always had dogs since I was a girl.

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Excellent, thank you Dianne for joining me today.  You are a very inspirational Woman, Mother and Author.  I can't wait to see what you decide with the series in e-publishing and the next book.  Everybody must go out and read The Secret Ingredient, it is a beautiful romantic read.

You can find Dianne at her blog, http://dianneblacklock.wordpress.com, on Twitter, her website and find out more on Dianne's books on Goodreads, Amazon and Kobo.