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Author Interview: Deborah Blumenthal

1/29/2015

Meet Deborah Blumenthal, Author of A Different Me, The Lifeguard, The Blue House Dog and other stories

Deborah Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and nutritionist who writes books for children and adults. She has been a regular contributor to The New York Times (including four years as the Sunday New York Times Magazine beauty columnist), and a home design columnist for Long Island Newsday. Her health, fitness, beauty, travel, and feature stories have appeared widely in many other newspapers and national magazines including New York's Daily News, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Self, GQ, and Vogue.

Her latest picture book, THE BLUE HOUSE DOG, was the winner of the Missouri Show Me Readers Award for 2012-2013.

Blumenthal is the author of four young adult novels: FAT CAMP, THE LIFEGUARD, MAFIA GIRL, and her most recent YA novel, A DIFFERENT ME, published by Albert Whitman & Co. on September 1st.

Blumenthal lives in New York City.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

DB: Actually my first book was a picture book called, “The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum.” I was inspired to write it after my younger daughter was three years old and she had a horrible tantrum after a play date.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book, A Different Me?

DB: I’ve always felt that the teenage years are really tough ones, especially if you’re not one of the most popular kids in school. You’re not in touch with who you are yet, you feel as though everyone else has it more together than you do, and inevitably if you’re not popular you blame it on something about yourself that you’re unhappy with –fat thighs, a bump on your nose, acne, or any number of other “faults,” we see when we look in the mirror. When I wrote, A Different Me, I wanted to explore all the painful issues that teens live with on their way to becoming more secure about who they are.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

DB: Allie is smart and successful in school, but she’s fixated on the bump on her nose, and she blames it for the fact that she’s unhappy and unpopular. When she goes online to find other people interested in having their noses done, she meets two other girls her age who also want the surgery, but for very different reasons.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

DB: I just finished another young adult novel that my agent recently submitted to a number of editors. I’ll tell you more as soon as it’s sold!

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

DB: My website is www.deborahblumenthal.com

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Author Interview: Julie Nicholls

1/28/2015

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Meet Julie Nicholls, Author of Demon Within, Her Alpha, and Not For Sale

Julie Nicholls was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, England. Her love of writing didn't fully develop until she moved to Bulgaria after retiring from work at the age of 42. Living in a small village in the South of Bulgaria with her husband and two dogs, Julie enjoys country-life and the freedom retirement brings.

She's the owner of "Literally Sensual" on WordPress, along with other writing friends, but is more known for writing Fanfiction and receives regular reviews.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

JN: When I first discovered Fan fiction, and fell in love with the idea, I decided it was something I could become involved with. As the number of stories I wrote grew, as did my followers, and I receive reviews on all stories posted, and regularly have anywhere from 4,000 – 15,000 hits per month on my work. After discovering how much I was having, I started a word press site called Literally Sensual, which houses short stories but not relating to existing characters from TV or Film.

BBB: What books have you written?

JN: My first book, Demon Within is my only full novel. I have also released two short stories Her Alpha and Not For Sale. I would like to mention that I create all my own book covers and the one for Demon Within is one that I painted.

BBB: Tell us about the main character from your Fallen Angels Series.

JN: Kai of Darkmide is my dream man! Certainly in terms of temperament and looks. I have to be careful not to divulge too much information, because at the start of the story, he is unaware of why he is, for want of a better word, possessed by a ‘Demon.’

He’s beautiful, majestic, six feet seven with dark blond hair, highlighted with silver and gold strands. Scarring on his face, from his battles and the fighting pits do not mar his good looks. Although a barbarian and feared warlord, as the story unfolds we learn about his gentler side. Kai learned from his slavers that killing earned rewards; years of systematic training turned him into a warrior and fighter. He’s never known love and the only thing he fears, is dying alone; unloved. As the story progresses and secrets are revealed regarding his lineage, which he rejects, we learn why he does the things he does. Eloise shows him love, despite his ‘affliction’ and he realizes he can’t be all-bad and deserves a chance at happiness.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

JN: I’m almost finished writing Angel Within, the 2nd book in the Fallen-Angels series, and I hope to release it at the end of Spring 2015. It promises more plots, twists and secrets, and steamy scenes, I hope people will enjoy it as much as the first book.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

JN: If anyone would like to connect with me, they can do so on Twitter @juliemirishka
On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jnichollsauthor
At Fanfiction as Mirishka
On Wordpress http://www.literallysensual.wordpress.com/
Purchase Demon Within on Amazon

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Author Interview: P.C. Marotta

1/23/2015

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Meet P.C. Marotta, Author of Twinkle and the Little Red Ball, In My Mother's Kitchen and other stories

P.C. Marotta is an independently published author. Her books, Brooklyn Italian: A Memoir of Recipes of Days Gone By and In My Mother's Kitchen take you back to a simpler time of family traditions, food and remembering.

Her newly published children's book, Twinkle and The Little Red Ball is beautifully written with a section for children to color in the back. Illustrated by the very talented Amy Houghton from the United Kingdom, this book once again shows the uniqueness of the author. Always with a message, Twinkle and The Little Red Ball is a wonderful story which will entertain children while teaching them that no matter how different we all look, or where we may come from we can all come together as a team for any good cause.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

PCM: My first two books, Brooklyn Italian and In My Mother's Kitchen, we're cookbook memoirs.
Stories that had to be told. I've always felt in life, all of us have inspiring stories that somehow are never realized and then they just wither away. Life is too short and precious not to share wonderful happenings and history.

With those books I was on the brink of my own cooking show, they gave me a chance to be on T.V. and many radio shows and magazines, but something was missing.

I thought to myself, do and write about what you really love and that was easy to answer, dogs.
I was a veterinarian for a little over 23 years I wanted a major change in my life, happier changes. That with my undying love for dogs I started writing happy goofy stories with all the main characters my dogs, with added fun characters that my illustrator creates. Each story is a fun story but it also teaches, they are life lessons to live by. My theory is, if we can change the thinking of our youngest humans, we may very well turn this idea of "it's a me me world of entitlement" around.
We also include coloring pages in the back of our books to encourage creativity. Creativity enriches the soul, spirit and the mind.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book, Twinkle and the Little Red Ball?

PCM: Twinkle is a real Shih Tzu. He really does play with this ted ball he is obsessed with. Twinkle was also born with one of his front legs a bit different than the other so his source of fun and adventure is playing with this red ball.

Since Twinkle is different, a bit more challenged than the others I thought to take the story to another level. Not only is it about a little dog who loses his beloved red ball, it tells the story of how we can be friends and come together despite our differences.

BBB: What do you think children will enjoy most about your story?

PCM: The characters.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

PCM: My illustrator, Amy Houghton, currently is illustrating our 3rd book, No Peonies For Pea. A lovely story about the environment And some adorable characters as well.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

PCM: Go to my website: pcmarotta.com
Follow me on Facebook: PCMarottaAuthor
Twitter: @PCMAROTTA
My books are sold on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Nook also worldwide databases.

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Author Interview: Mary D. Brooks

1/21/2015

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Meet Mary D. Brooks, Author of Hidden Truths, Awakenings, No Good Deed and many other stories

Mary D. Brooks lives in Australia and has been writing for forty years and has published short fiction stories for various Australian magazines and some non fiction pieces before she turned her attention to the Intertwined Souls series. Her first novel was In the Blood of the Greeks which was quickly followed by Where Shadows Linger. She now continues the series with Hidden Truths (Book 3), Awakenings (Book 4) and the soon to be released No Good Deed (Book 5) . When she's not writing, she's a graphic and web designer, travels when the travel bug hits and is chief editor for various multimedia sites.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

MDB: I've been writing since I was eight and after writing short stories and non-fiction pieces, I took the plunge with a novel. I wanted to tell the story of courageous women during World War II and beyond partly because of my friend and next door neighbour who was an Auschwitz survivor and my grandfather who told me stories of his village under German occupation. I was surrounded by strong characters and stories that needed to be told. I had to listen to the voices in my head.

BBB: What books have you written?

MDB: In the Blood of the Greeks
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel begins in a most troublesome period of human history, where subjugated by the might of Nazi Germany, two women meet under extraordinary circumstances. This is the story of Eva Muller, the daughter of a German major in command of the occupying force in Larissa, Greece in 1944. Through the intervention of the village priest she meets Zoe Lambros, a young Greek woman with vengeance in her heart and a faith in God that has been shattered by the death of her family. They develop a friendship borne out of this dark time.

Where Shadows Linger
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel begins in a most troublesome period of human history, where subjugated by the might of Nazi Germany, two women meet under extraordinary circumstances. This is the story of Eva Muller, the daughter of a German major in command of the occupying force in Larissa, Greece in 1944. Through the intervention of the village priest she meets Zoe Lambros, a young Greek woman with vengeance in her heart and a faith in God that has been shattered by the death of her family. They develop a friendship borne out of this dark time.

Hidden Truths
In the third book of the Intertwined Souls Series, Hidden Truths continues the journey of two extraordinary women, Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros, from war-torn Europe to Post-War Australia. It’s 1950 and Eva and Zoe have settled in Australia, but events from their homelands beckon them back to Greece and Germany. Along the way, they are reunited with family and friends and are forced to contend with their own haunted memories and unexpected revelations that tests their courage, strength, and faith.

Awakenings
In the fourth novel in the Intertwined Souls series, Awakenings continues with Eva and Zoe’s tumultuous journey to Greece and Germany. They leave Greece with a new understanding of the past and a renewed purpose for their lives. In Germany they discover unknown secrets and gifts that span generations. With hidden truths uncovered and a peek of their future, they can now work toward making their once impossible dreams come true.

No Good Deed
The newest baby and the sequel to Awakenings.

BBB: Tell us about your upcoming release, No Good Deed?

MDB: No Good Deed is the continuing story of Eva and Zoe; two extraordinary women who worked together in the Greek resistance against the Germans in the first novel of the series. They were from opposite ends of the conflict and their relationship was one born out of hatred; they had to work together and that relationship changed very slowly to friendship and then love. No Good Deed is the sequel to Awakenings (Book 4) where they have come back from Greece and Germany after going to reclaim Zoe's property inheritance at the government's edict. They found more than they bargained for and a new understanding about Eva's heritage. It is now 1951 and all Eva wishes is for a very boring life but she won't be getting her wish. A decision taken by Eva's mother when Eva was a child will have repercussions not foreseen decades later with devastating results. That decision will have a life changing effect on Eva’s and Zoe’s future. The decision was made out of love but as they say No Good Deed goes unpunished.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

MDB: I am working on book 6 of the Intertwined Souls Series, "Into the Light".

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

MDB: Website: http://www.nextchapter.net
Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/marydbrooksfiction
Facebook Series Page: https://www.facebook.com/evazoeseries
Twitter: http://twitter.com/marydbrooksfic
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/621292.Mary_D_Brooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marydbrooks/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNRGsFn6Am8oJIIvi02COig?spfreload=10
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-D.-Brooks/e/B00347V9TW
Newsletter sign-up form: http://eepurl.com/9rMyL

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Author Interview: Michael J. Schneider

1/20/2015

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Meet Michael J. Schneider, Author of The Secret of Sangre De Cristo and other stories

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

MJS: I’ve always enjoyed a good story. My wife thought I ought to write children’s books. Back in 1987 I took a correspondence course from theInstitute of Children’s Literature. That course was geared more to short stories; but I was more interested in writing books. I started the Secret of Sangre de Cristo around 1998 and completed it in 2001. I tried to get publishers interested in it; but had no luck. I contracted with a publish-on-demand company to publish it in paperback form. After I learned it had numerous errors in it, I revised it and published it as an ebook.

BBB: What books have you written?

MJS: Besides The Secret of Sangre de Cristo which is a contemporary young adult novel, I’ve written the following books:

Brendan of Kilrush: This is also a young adult novel. Like The Secret of Sangre de Cristo, I contracted with a publish-on-demand company to publish it in paperback form. After I learned it had numerous errors in it, I revised it and published it as an ebook. The setting for this story, however, is in 9th Century Ireland during the Viking invasions. A sixteen year old, lame shepherd boy clashes with Vikings. I recently signed a contract with a publisher to publish this book so I’ve withdrawn both the paperback versions and ebook version from the market. The publisher tells me the book will probably be released in September 2014.

Swift, Silent and Deadly: Recon Marines in Vietnam: This is a nonfiction book targeted at the middle grade to young adult audience. It is a collection of stories about Reconnaissance Marines who served in Vietnam. Reconnaissance Marines patrolled deep in enemy held territory to try and find the enemy base camps. Since Secret of Sangre de Cristo and Brendan of Kilrush didn’t sell, I decided to take a second course from Institute of Children’s Literature. This course taught how to write children’s books. My instructor encouraged me to write Swift, Silent and Deadly. I had served with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam. After failing to get publishers or even literary agents interested in this book, I published it as an ebook on Amazon Kindle. I also contracted with a company called Bookbaby which formatted the ebook so it could be read on other readers. Swift, Silent and Deadly has been my most successful book so far. It has sold over a 1,000 copies.

Rebecca and the Renegade: This is a historical romance. It is about a 19 year old girl who is captured by Delaware Indians in Western Pennsylvania during Revolutionary War and who falls in love with one of the Indians who captured her. It is only available as an ebook

The Mystery of Skunk Hollow: It hard to classify this book. I have the following book description listed at Amazon.com: “When Ralph Morgan, a retired plumber discovers his rural water well contains cyanide he finds himself aided by a gorgeous redhead, Denise McLaughlin and a stunning graduate student from Kenya, Lala Ngigi, in determining the source of pollution. Their investigation leads them to a criminal network involved in industrial pollution, illegal immigration, and tobacco smuggling.” It is only available in ebook form.

From OMAHA to DA NANG: Reflections of a 2-Yr Marine: This is my personal memoir of my short career as a U.S. Marine. It is nonfiction and probably more suitable reading for a mature audience.

BBB: Where do the ideas for your stories come from?

MJS: As you see from the information on the books I’ve written, my ideas come from personal experience or my personal interests. I got the idea forSecret of Sangre de Cristo for instance, from a newspaper article an old timer read me. At the time I was working as an engineering aid for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. We were surveying a project near Alamosa, Colorado and we ran into this old timer at a hotel there. The article was about some hikers who found a cave in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado with Spanish armor in it. When they tried to locate the cave again they couldn’t find it.

BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

MJS: I don’t think I’ve had serious writer’s block; but I’ve had periods where I put off writing because my interest waned or I couldn’t decide what turn the plot was to take next.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

MJS: My current project is The Mob on Mars. It is about former gangsters who have become respectable casino owners who decide to move their operations to the planet Mars.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

MJS: Probably the best way is to view my author page at Amazon.com. The URL is: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Schneider/e/B0052G1BJ6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

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Author Interview: Hargrove Perth

1/15/2015

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Meet Hargrove Perth, Author of Dark Days Remy Broulette and other stories

A perpetual night-owl and lover of all things horror related, Hargrove finds inspiration in the most unlikely places. Whether inspiration is found in the hidden truths of the serial killers of antiquity or in the present day, it truly can be said that truth is always stranger and often more horrific than fiction. A penchant for research and a dedication to creating literary indulgences that the reader is unable to forget, Hargrove spends a great deal of time researching the larger than life characters of history to formulate characters unforgettable, despised, and strangely adored. She writes horror, dark romance, and paranormal in the Adult, New Adult, and YA categories. Currently a resident of the central midwest, Hargrove says no one city can be claimed as home and tends to have a 'gypsy' like gene, never residing in one city long enough to become attached or long enough to become bored. She recently paired with her long time friend, author Dorothy Dawson, (who is the author of the acclaimed Banesville Series) to write House at Whispering Oaks, their first dual novel together that is a Paranormal Clean Read.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

HP: I have had a long time love affair with horror of any type whether it is written or on film, I cannot stop myself from watching or reading it.I just have a general love of what are considered the horror classics and had so many ideas about what would make a great novel. I started writing years ago but never really pursued it until 2010 and quickly discovered there was a niche for my writing style. I write 'period' horror, set anywhere between the 1400's to the Victorian Era, so my novels are quite different than others on the market. They also are blended with historical figures and places so my characters are dropped in with certain notorious historical figures the reader is likely to recognize.

BBB: How did you come up for the idea for Dark Days Remy Broulette?

HP: Many of your readers, I am sure, have seen a movie from the 90's entitled 'The Serpent and the Rainbow'. There has always been a certain fascination with the 'true' zombies, ones created from magic that are not dead but are more akin to an enslaved being through magic.I just kept thinking about that movie and how those original creatures could be something a bit more. That really was how I came up withthe idea for Dark Days Remy Broulette. It is set in the 400 year time span of the founding of New France/New Orleans when the Creolepopulation was beginning to swell and thrive. The setting was perfect to create a new brand of immortal, one born from Creole Magic and Voudoun Queens, whose creation forces them to survive on the souls of others. They are the French Nzumbe, immortals who cannot die,and who create the traditional Creole/Haitian style Zombi that become their indentured slaves. The Dark Days series is a collection of independentand free standing books - each based on a horrible tragedy that befalls the central character and forces them to make a life changing decisionthat does not always work out for the better of those involved.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

HP: Remy Broulette is, of course, the main character of the book. He is a contradiction of terms and lives in two worlds but belongs to none. He ishalf Choctaw and half French. He is raised in a world of influence where he wants for nothing as the son of Francois Broulette, an associateof the King, who sends select men to settle New France and turn it into a thriving port in the New World. Remy follows the ideals of his fatherand is a staunch supporter of freedom and an advocate against slavery. His ideals, and those of his family, lead to a tragedy of enormousproportions which is what forces to Remy making a decision that will affect him and those around him for centuries. He is quite charismatic, andbeautiful by every definition of the world, but he also complicated, head-strong, willful, and known to have a temper. His unruly nature comes from not only his ideals but also from the darkness his heart bears over the uncontrollable events that befall him.

BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

HP: If any writer says they don't, they can't possibly be telling the truth. Sometimes I go for days without writing - either becausethere just isn't anything there or it just doesn't want to come together the right way. Many famous authors sayyou should write every single day and force yourself to do it even when you aren't feeling it. I just can't do that. If I tryto force myself to write when I am not in the mood or inspired, it is just pure dribble, and I end up having to re-writeall of it. So I don't force writing when the inspiration is not there. I have a cover-art design company called Dark Water Arts so when I can't write, I will work on covers or art to get me inspired. Most of the time that will work.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

HP: Right now, I am currently work on several of the other books in the Dark Days Series -with most of my attention focusedon Sundown which is a twist on the Salem Witch Trials, and the Kindred which is a very twisted tale of the Illuminati. I alsowrite under my real name of Candace L. Bowser, so I am busy re-vamping several of my previously released novelsfor re-release later this summer, so as you can see, there is a lot on my plate right now!

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

HP: I have an account just about everywhere. CandaceBowser or HargrovePerth on Twitter. Candace Bowser on Pinterest, I have Facebook accounts for both Candace Bowser and Hargrove Perth. My books are available everywhere on ebook, at Amazon.com for paperback and at Lulu.com. (I highly encourage a purchase through LULU. This is where I put all my paperbacks and a discount is offered there that Amazon will not honor!) and of course, my website www.candacelbowser.com where I post information about all my books and I have page dedicated to Hargrove. Dark Days will be available through my publisher, Ink Smith Publishing, on June 26th as an ebook everywhere, and as paperbackat not only the Ink Smith site but also Amazon. I will also be hosting anevent soon for the release of Dark Days with autographed copies, swag, and other goodies. If anyone readsthe book and posts an interview followed by a link to it on my author page for Hargrove on Facebook,I will send them a link to the contest to enter at Rafflecopter (which be announced closed to the releasedate on the 26th of June!)

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Author Interview: John Romanos

1/15/2015

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Meet John Romanos, Author of Shallow Graves

John Romanos is an author and musician from Santa Rosa, Ca. Raised in the redwood mountains of Santa Cruz County, he moved north in 2001 to attend Sonoma State University where he received a bachelor's degree in English Literature. John lives with his wife Misty, and an ever-growing ensemble of four-legged creatures.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

JR: My own imagination. As a kid, I liked to make up all these different scenarios and play them out like my life depended on it. One day I might be on the run from ninjas, while the next day I was caught in a huge storm and had to find shelter before it was too late. As soon as I learned how to type, I began taking my pretend world and putting it down on paper. It was just always something that was fun for me. It was like watching a movie, only better because I was the main character.

Years later, when it was time to figure out what I wanted to do as a career, I decided to sit down and think of what I really enjoyed doing consistently throughout my life. After all, if there was something I enjoyed doing on my own time, why not try and make a living out of it? Writing was what I came up with.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book, Shallow Graves?

JR: Aside from writing, I also play music. A couple of friends and I have played in a band for years, originally just jamming out cover songs at our houses. But in 2008, when our employers at the Russian River Brewing Company offered us our first real show, we recruited our friend and co-worker, Al Gorton, to come up with some art work for a flyer. When he showed us the final product, we were blown away! It was this really detailed drawing of a skeleton with kind of a punk/cowboy persona, raising a glass of beer filled with tiny skulls spilling over the rim. The character immediately became our mascot, and our drummer, Gabe, gave him a name and wrote a song about him called "The Ballad of Buck Bloodshot". I felt that the lyrics made an intriguing story, and I decided to take Buck’s evolution one step further.

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

JR: Buck Bloodshot is a gun-slinging, whiskey-guzzling skeleton living (figuratively of course) in the southern United States during the American Civil War. From the moment he crawls from his grave, his mind seems to be fixed on only two things; loyalty to his friends, and revenge on the man who killed them. Through various flashbacks, we venture into his past and see how he has developed from a troubled adolescent, caring for his younger brother and mentally unstable mother, to the stoic, yet fiery gambler whose life gets ripped away before its time.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

JR: Currently, I'm working on the 2nd installment of the "Shallow Graves" trilogy. I pre-planned the story as a trilogy because I have always hated the disconnected feeling of sequels and I knew there was so much more I wanted to tell in this story. I wrote it so it can stand on its own as an individual story, but I have also hidden some things in there that the readers won’t even realize until they read the second and third books. Hopefully it will all tie together pretty well.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

JR: Since this is my first published work, there is not too much out there to discover. I have a Facebook page, which will eventually have a link to a website I'm working on, but for now, that's pretty much it. The book will be available on Amazon.com and by request at most major book stores.

If people are interested in hearing the music that inspired the story, they can search for our band, The Mud the Blood and the Beer. We have videos on YouTube, and our album, "Madhouse", can be heard on ReverbNation, and purchased at Amazon.com.

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Author Interview: Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

1/15/2015

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Meet Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, Author of Another New Life and Hope for Her

Sydney Aaliyah Michelle is a New Adult Contemporary Romance writer, a voracious reader and movie fanatic who hails from Texas.

After surviving 5 1/2 years living in China, she had the courage to finally pursue her passion and become a writer.

Sydney has been blogging at sydneyaaliyah.com for three years, where she interviews people about their tattoos, discusses her favorite movie quotes, reviews books (New Adult & only the ones she loves) and journals about her writing and editing process.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

SAM: I love the idea of creating something from nothing. I can't sing and I can't dance, so I write. I have been writing all my life and I get a thrill when someone tells me my book touched them. The art of story telling inspired me to be a writer.

BBB: What books have you written?

SAM: I have two self published books and a third schedule for next month.

Another New Life - New Adult Contemporary Romance
About secrets and second chances

Hope for Her (Hope Series Book #1) - New Adult Contemporary Romance
What do you hope for?

Hope for Him (Hope Series Book #2) - New Adult Contemporary Romance
What do you hope for now?
Publication Date: December 8, 2014

BBB: How do you come up with the ideas for your stories?

SAM: My stories are based on real life events and situations in my life or other peoples lives. It could be a conversation or a strange situation and a story develops out of that situation.
My latest series is based on my time as an undergraduate student at Florida State University. I compared old money Florida families to english royalty.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

SAM: I just finished the third book in the Hope Series, Hope for Us and I wrote the first draft in a new series about a woman who returns home to find her childhood crush who barely knew she was alive, now can't live without her.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

SAM: You can reached me online through social media.
Blog: sydneyaaliyah.com
Facebook Page: Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
Twitter: @sydliyah
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sydney-Aaliyah-Michelle/e/B00KKYD5US
http://sydneyaaliyah.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=63e28601c9de6c95396ab06cc&id=8893172efb

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Author Interview: Maggie Kaye

1/5/2015

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Meet Maggie Kaye, Author of So Right With You

When Maggie Kaye was in college, she and a friend attempted to write their first romance book. They actually never reached the writing part. Mostly, they lay in the sun, brainstormed, laughed, and snacked, typical behavior for young college students with short attention spans.

Maggie went on to earn a teaching credential in special education and a career in teaching. Although they never completed that first book, the desire to tell stories remained with her. Eventually, she took out a writing pen or in her case a notebook computer her hero (husband) bought her to pursue her dreams and wrote the end.

Today, Maggie lives in the Southern California with her husband, two children, and two cats that sometimes share the keyboard with her. She enjoys writing stories with plenty of heart, humor and a bit of steaminess.

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

MK: The overall desire to write came about while reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Her books made me laugh mostly and sometimes cry. My husband would come home and find me reading and laughing. He would say, “Are you reading Susan again.” That joy of reading her books made me want to try writing. I wanted to make someone feel the way I felt when I read her, so I started trying to write, and I also joined RWA. Since then, I have had an opportunity to meet Susan and tell her she is the reason I write.

BBB: How did you come up for the idea for So Right With You?

MK: The actual seed for So Right with You came out of a contest by Writers in the Storm, a writers group I had found out about through RWA. You had to start a story with the words “It was the night before Christmas….” You know that one. When I started writing it, I had this idea of a boss picking up the line on Christmas Eve, and he hears his secretary talking…Well, I found the story wasn’t going to work for the contest, so I wrote something else. I didn’t win, but the original idea for So Right with You was planted.

BBB: Tell us about your main character, Chloe Lambert.

MK: To me, Chloe is in a period of self-discovery, as many young people are in their twenties. She’s 27 and has red hair and brown eyes. She is a rather straight forward, lay it out as she sees it type of girl. She can also be a bit impulsive. Sometimes, these two things get her in trouble. She works as an administrative assistant. She was about to marry her college boyfriend who she discovers is cheating on her with a friend. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she shows great spirit, picks herself up, and moves on with the support of her friends and her boss. She does have a stubborn, independent streak which makes it hard for her to accept help from others. She was raised by a single mom. This is probably where it comes from. She learned early not to count on anyone but herself. She can be a bit of a klutz. She is a bit more curvier than her friends. I hate to reveal too much, so I think I will stop here.

BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

MK: I have. But I learned if I persist the ideas will start percolating again. Sometimes, I will leave scene and write a different scene. Then I come back with a fresher eye. I also give myself permission not to write perfect, okay I write crap. It’s just to get the gist down. Then come back and pretty it up. Biggest issue for me with writing is time. I work as a teacher.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

MK: I am working on book two of The Girlfriend series So Into You. This book is about Leighton, Chloe’s friend.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

MK: If you would like to find out more about me or my book, or simply want to stalk me, I can be found on FB, Goodreads, twitter and my website. Here are my social links:
My website is http://maggiekayeauthor.com
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7776646.Maggie_Kaye
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maggie.kaye.376
Twitter https://twitter.com/kaye_maggie

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Author Interview: A.J. Irving

1/4/2015

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Meet A.J. Irving, Author of Mama's Purse

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

AJI: I have been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a novelist. In middle school, I wanted to be a sports writer. In high school, I wanted to be an investigative journalist. In college, I focused on becoming a freelance magazine writer. After I became a mother, I found my true passion—children’s literature. The excitement in my son’s eyes during storytime inspired me to become a children’s author.

How did you come up for the idea for Mama's Purse?

My mom always had EVERYTHING you’d ever need in her purse. My family frequently teased her. We’d say, “You have everything except the kitchen sink in your purse!” So, I decided to write a book about a mama’s purse that really has a sink. Now that I’m a mama, I have everything in my purse (except a sink).

What do you think children will enjoy most about you book?

My goal as a children’s author is to encourage children to develop a lifelong love for books and to inspire young minds to use their mighty imaginations. Mama’s Purse is a rhyming picture book with vibrant illustrations that introduces unusual words and keeps kids guessing. What super silly surprises will come out of mama’s purse next?!

BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

AJI: I tend to get writer’s block during the revision process. I’m old school. I start writing all my manuscripts in a notebook. I feel more connected to the craft of writing when I write with a pen. I start revising after I type the manuscript on my computer. I get my best revision ideas when I am walking my dog. There are no distractions. It’s peaceful. I let my mind wander. Then, ideas start popping into my head like crazy and I race home to write.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

AJI: I am currently submitting one of my picture book manuscripts, MILLIE LOU’S MOO JUICE, to literary agents. I am also in the process of revising another picture book manuscript titled MAMA’S HAIR IS EVERYWHERE!

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

AJI: You can learn more about my work on my website, blog, and social media.

Website: http://www.ajsbooksllc.com/
Blog: http://ajschildrensbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajirvingauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aj_irving
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ajirvingauthor/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/104075819972476218185/posts
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajirving
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6646906.A_J_Irving

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