Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring Sloane Taylor

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got busy and ballsy romance author, Sloane Taylor stopping by for a visit all the way from Indiana, USA. If you’ve never heard of this awesome author, here’s her mini bio:


Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that takes you right into the bedroom. Being a true romantic, all her stories have a happy ever after.
Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. Studly, her mate for life, and Sloane now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from city life.

She is an avid cook. Check out “It’s Wednesday. So What’s Cooking?” with new recipes posted each week on her blog http://sloanetaylor.blogspot.com/.  The recipes are user friendly menus, meaning easy. Feel free to email her at sloanetaylor@comcast.net to be included on the Cooking Pals list. These people receive advance notice of the new recipe.

Hi Sharon, it’s great to be here with you! The dock is terrific and the view is gorgeous. And I love your pup. He’s so friendly and swims like a fish!

Why, thank you, Sloane! Yes, my doggy can’t get enough of lake water, that’s for sure. BTW—my whole body blushed just reading your bio! You certainly know how to write great ‘mommy reads’, LOL! Please, sit down and enjoy the late afternoon sun, and help yourself to the Salmon Bruschetta and Smoked Salmon dip. I know you’re a gourmet cook, so I hope I meet your standards with these tasty appetizers. Now before we get into the thick of things, here’s a shot of Schramm vodka on ice to help you cope with any mosquito bites you acquire during our chat. Hmm—perhaps I should make that a double. Salute, Sloane, and let’s get this party started by plugging your upcoming release…

 
Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write PHOTO Op!?
 
You know, Sharon, on the entire flight up from Indiana I tried to come up with an answer and failed. Like all my books PHOTO Op! started as a silent movie that ran through my brain until I wanted to scream. The thing would not leave me alone. The only way to clear my head was to write down the scenes and expand and they became a new book. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But that’s the truth. I’m just glad writing erases all that action from my head so I can concentrate on cooking.

 

Nope, that doesn’t sound crazy to me at all Sloane. After all, artists are complicated creatures. What sets PHOTO Op! apart from other books in the same genre?

 

Maybe the humor and sarcasm? Definitely the location. There are many romances set in Paris, but not in private clubs. Writing PHOTO Op! allowed me to bring a little history and a great deal of the beauty from a city I love to my readers.

 

Oh, I’d love to visit Paris someday! How long did it take for you to start and finish PHOTO Op!?
 
You’d think I was writing a modern day War and Peace with as long as I took. The whole process from first thought to delivering the manuscript to Musa Publishing was about five months. Sharon, I have a small problem – I’m the Queen of Procrastination. If there’s a way I can get out of writing, I do it, even though I’m only the happiest when I write. Another little issue I need to work on.:)

 

LOL, you sound a lot like me! Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

Absolutely! No writer can experience everything they write, so let your imagination soar. Eat, sleep, and think your book all the time. Never let it leave your mind for long. That way you open yourself to amazing thoughts and ideas.

What’s next for Sloane Taylor the author?

Why thank you for asking, Sharon! There’s a slew of work and I’m really excited about from now through March of 2015. Czech Mate releases in December, then January kicks off the Melt the Ice series of four books with each set in a different Scandinavian country. They are stand alone with individual characters that don’t appear in the next book. Next is the Donaghue Brethren series of three books about three brothers in Ireland. Mixed in with the two series are a few single title books. Of course, they’re all romance with a touch of humor for readers over eighteen.
 
Thanks for having me out today, Sharon. Unfortunately, but I have to catch a plane for home. I had a great time hanging out with you. Next time we party, come on down to Indiana and I’ll cook dinner.

That’s a definite date, Sloane, and I’ll bring the wine! Here, let me pour you another shot of vodka seeing as there must be a hole in that glass! Now, before you go, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. Thanks for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock this afternoon. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, Sloane!

Buy Links: MUSA PUBLISHING
 
Learn more about Sloane Taylor on her WEBSITE and BLOG.

 

Stay connected on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring S.W. Lothian

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got fellow middle-grade time-travel author, S.W. Lothian stopping by for a visit. If you’ve never heard of this awesome writer, here’s the dossier on him:

S.W. Lothian is a funny and cool guy from Australia. His kids call him ‘Phil Dunphy’, because he reminds them of the dad from Modern Family.  He isn’t sure whether this is a compliment or not, but he takes it as a compliment.

As an imaginative kid he dreamed of creating exciting worlds and funky characters, and thought he’d be the most famous person to ever do this.  He loved to draw and was dux of Art in High School.  Top of his dream list was to be an animator.  He loved watching all those classic cartoons on TV - Scooby Doo, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Road Runner (surely, Coyote would win one day), Wacky Races, the list goes on and on. 

BOOM!  Then reality hit.  As weird as it may seem, there were not a lot of opportunities for world famous animators in his home city.  The dreams were parked as reality and the corporate world beckoned.  Then, 25 years later, the long-held dream to create erupted like a jam donut in a microwave, and S.W. started writing children's fiction for kids.  Perhaps his awesome stories will become so popular that they will be animated one day.

Hmm, seems S.W.  is running a little late, and it’s almost dusk. Hopefully he’ll get here before it gets

too dark...wait…is that a helicopter I hear? OMG—it is and it’s landing in the middle of my yard. Great, the whirlybird put the campfire out. Classy entrance, S.W.! Unfortunately, since S.W. possesses the knowledge of time-travel, he’s told me he needs to stay anonymous as there are those amongst us who may track him down and use his knowledge for evil. He even hides behind the guise of a golden scarab to keep his identity secret. Thank goodness I don’t have his problems!

While S.W. makes his way to the dock here’s a little about his newest time-travel book, The Fallen Pharaoh—the third in his Quest series:

Warning:  Reading this book could cause anxiety, laughter and a longing to time travel.

It's time to reunite without the burden of a perilous quest.  Let's just sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.  The idea is simple enough.  What could possibly go wrong?

This edge-of-your-seat adventure weaves its thrills and mystery through the very crossroads of time itself.  From ancient Egypt, to the centre of time, to modern Paris.  The gang of four must face their most amazing encounters so far.  The pressure is on.  Who is trying to stop them?  Will our heroes overcome the danger and challenges of their newest quest?  Only time will tell.

The time has come for the legend to rise and protect.

Sounds like an exciting series, S.W.! Lots of adventure, lots of fun! Before we get started, I’ve poured you a tall frosty glass of Coke® to enjoy with a couple of Krispy Kreme donuts. Later, we’ll have some Tim Tam slams with coffee by the fire – um, that’s assuming I can get the fire going again. Oh, and a word of warning, the June bugs are out in full force tonight. They’re our version of scarab beetles and have a knack of getting caught in your hair, so wear a hat! Okay, so let’s get on with our chat…

Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write The Fallen Pharaoh?

The Fallen Pharaoh is part 3 of the Quest series. My inspiration for the series was my lifelong fascination with ancient Egypt and my love of fantasy and action/adventure.  I have always been a huge fan of Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.  I wanted to create a tale about normal everyday kids, who weren’t long lost descendants of powerful ancestors, which find themselves in amazing adventures.  Hopefully something that everyday kids can relate to.  Ancient Egypt provides a great backdrop for a story that is full of fantastic settings, legends and magic.  I relish the grand scale of the settings and love to take my characters to amazing places.  When I write, I can see the movie playing in my head, it’s so vivid.  I dream of my books becoming CG movies one day, as I’m such a fan of them.

I am too! Here’s wishing your dream comes true. What sets The Fallen Pharaoh apart from other books in the same genre?

I think The Fallen Pharaoh is such a mix of different parts of the middle grade/ya genre, it is unique.  As I mentioned earlier, the heroes of this story aren’t born into some ancestral role of destiny, they’re just normal kids.  It’s got the magic of Harry Potter, the action of Indiana Jones, the wonderful mythology of Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicles and the epic settings and fast pace of Matthew Reilly.  All of these things together, create a fascinating story that teaches about history and humanities, while inspiring imagination.  My favourite part of writing is adding in those quirky bits of humour that can provoke a laugh from readers whilst they are in the midst of a mystery or crisis in the story.

I love breaking the tension by slipping in a crack or joke as well. How long did it take for you to start and finish The Fallen Pharaoh?

The idea for this book has lingered within the full plotline of the Quest series for a number of years. I started writing the series in mid-2008, and the original outline for The Fallen Pharaoh (Q3) was born about the end of 2008.  Actually, this book, The Fallen Pharaoh, was to originally have been book 2, but I decided that another book was needed before this one.  After The Cursed Nile (Q2) was released in June 2012, I began writing The Fallen Pharaoh in earnest.

Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

Writing is only half the battle.  Once the book is out there, the hardest thing is being seen and discovered by the audience.  I had no idea that there would be so many others out there on the same journey.  I love reading and writing this genre, as I’m not one of these people who love to watch or read needless violence and murders etc.  Ebooks are definitely the future, but in my experience, readers of this genre still prefer (or it may just be old habits) to have a physical book.  So I think having physical books in stores (if possible) is still an important driver for middle grade books sales.

I find it’s a little like being caught between the old and new world, isn’t it? What’s next for S.W. Lothian the author?

I have a few projects on the go.  The trouble is I need to work out which one to focus on next.  Of course there are books 4 and 5 in the Quest series, but I also have a great idea for a spin off series called Time Square.  Once you read The Fallen Pharaoh, you’ll understand more about what this would entail.  I also have another single book in mind called, Flipside.  Without revealing too much, it’s essentially taking what we deem as the norm, and looking at everything in a totally different way.

To help S.W. celebrate the newest release of his time-travel Quest series, he’s having a few great giveaways! Here are the links:

GOODREADS – 1 x paperback edition of The Fallen Pharaoh.

Open for US, CA, UK, AU, NZ.

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/53053-the-fallen-pharaoh

RAFFLECOPTER – 2 x sets of The Quest Seriesebooks.

Each set contains 1 copy of each book:
The Golden Scarab, The Cursed Nile, The Fallen Pharaoh.

Open internationally.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/97e26d2

or

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTdlMjZkYTI3YzM3Y2VjZGVjMWU1NjZhY2EyN2I5OjI=/

Awesome giveaways, S.W.! Oh, here, let me top up your glass and please grab another donut, it’s a long helicopter ride back to Australia. Before you go, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. Thanks for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock this evening. And don’t forget to say hello to your Mummy for me! Sorry, couldn’t resist. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, S.W.!

Buy Links: Amazon US /Amazon UK / Amazon Canada / Amazon – other countries

Learn more about S.W. Lothian on his blog and subscribe to his Newsflash

 
Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter

 

Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring Marci Boudreaux



Photo by Brianne Boulton

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got busy romance author, Marci Boudreaux stopping by for a visit. If you’ve never heard of this awesome author, here’s her mini bio:

Marci Boudreaux lives with her husband and two daughters. With

an abundance of pets and freelance writing and editing jobs, she somehow manages to find time to write contemporary romance and sometimes, just sometimes, a bit of erotica under pen Emilia Mancini.

Romance is her preferred reading and writing genre because nothing feels better than falling in love with someone new and her husband doesn't like when she does that in real life.

Marci is currently preparing to begin work on her Masters in Publishing because she still has time to sleep.

Okay, I’ve got the campfire all set up for us after our big girl banter, Marci, so let’s begin with a glass of sweet red wine I scored from Muskoka Lakes Winery. Are you sure you don’t want to wear a bug jacket like I’m wearing? I bought extras for our guests from Canadian Tire (my hubby’s favorite store) just in case the mosquitoes get out of control. Then again, wine works too. LOL! Oh, and I made a batch of your famous Mama’s Sweet Revenge Peach Cobbler to nibble on around the fire. If anyone is interested in trying out this sublime recipe, please click HERE and scroll to the bottom.  So, while the cobbler’s cooling, and we’re sipping and enjoying the sunset, let’s talk about your book, Unforgettable You…

Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write Unforgettable You?

Unforgettable You was a great distraction for me. It was the first full length novel I'd written in several years. I was a full time student, editor on the college newspaper, a reporter writing for several magazines, not to mention a wife and mom to two kiddos. I needed something to do to relax. I had also just published a novella as Emilia Mancini so I was inspired to get to writing. It is a great escape for me and I needed that. As for inspiration....ha!...I don't even remember.

Women definitely need distractions! What sets Unforgettable You apart from other books in the same genre?

What I love about this book is it isn't just about the hero and heroine falling in love. The heroine, Carrie Gable, is the primary caregiver for her dead husband's mother, Doreen, who had Alzheimer's. Carrie and Doreen have a bond that is incredibly moving, Carrie takes incredible care of her and we get to see that. I think that is unique for a contemporary romance.

How long did it take for you to start and finish Unforgettable You?

 
With all I had going on, it probably took six months or longer. I spent a lot of time in the newspaper office romancing these two characters.

Six months is pretty speedy for someone as busy as you are. Kudos! Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

 

Romance is kind of a tough genre to find a way to stand out. There are so many amazing writers who share love stories and in so many ways. I think the best advice is to write what you want and don't try to conform to what to what others say you should write. If everyone conforms, no one will stand out.

Fantastic advice, and so true! What's next for Marci Boudreaux the author?

I have just released The Messenger through Secret Cravings Publishing. This is a book I wrote about 10 years ago. I pulled it off the shelf and reworked it, which was a horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE process. The bones were there but the meat was rotten. Grin. The story is about Evelyn Thomas, a reporter fresh out of college working for her father's newspaper. No one at the paper takes her seriously so when she stumbles on a chance to prove herself she jumps at it. Unfortunately for her and for her co-worker Wes Reilly, he's already on the story. Neither one is willing to give it up and end up having to work together to breath the story.
 
It's a romance, so you get one guess where that takes them. Yup, the bedroom.

 

Sounds like you’re not going to slow down anytime soon, Marci! Oh here, let me top up your wine glass. Are you sure about the bug jacket? I think you’re being swarmed. No. I guess the wine must have kicked in after all! Now, before you go, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. Thanks for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock this evening. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, Marci.

Unforgettable You Buy Links: Musa Publishing and Amazon
 
Learn more about Marci Boudreaux on her website and blog

Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter

Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring Vonnie Hughes

Photo by Brianne Boulton

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got Regency romance author, Vonnie Hughes stopping by for a visit. She’s come all the way from Australia to be with us, though Vonnie prefers to be known as a New Zealander, since her family roots are strong there. If you’ve never heard of this awesome author, here’s her mini bio in Vonnie’s own words:

“I write Regency and Victorian romantic suspense and contemporary suspense. I try to make my historicals meaty without being didactic. Rules are the bane of my existence. Often those writing rules take me on a journey I did not expect. Ask any writer. I’m a pantster, but I still have to abide by rules such as external and internal goals, motivation and conflict – the stuff that strikes fear into all writers.

I prefer to write psychological suspense with small amounts of action. Don’t get me wrong – I like action as much as the next woman and Suzanne Brockman is my favorite author – but my writing seems to lend itself to the twists and turns of warped minds à la Ruth Rendell and Jeffrey Deaver. Which says something not very nice about me, huh?”

Ha ha, great intro! Love it, Vonnie. Vonnie? Wakie, wakie, Vonnie! I know it’s almost dusk, but it’s not time to go to bed yet. You’re probably still a little jet-lagged. BTW – thanks for coming on such short notice, as I know you’ll be celebrating Anzac Day with the rest of Australia on April 25^th. Here, this margarita has got your name on it. It’s shaken, not stirred, just the way you like it. Help yourself to the crushed avocadoes on whole wheat crackers. I added some lemon juice and black pepper to give it a bite. Later, I’ve got some rum balls from Schat Bakery, to shock your taste buds. Believe me, it was sooo hard to resist buying anything else there! Now, before you get comfy and nod off again, let’s get on with our chat…   

Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write The Second Son?”

 

The Second Son is unusual because it is the prequel to a book already published almost two years prior by Robert Hale Ltd called Coming Home. These books revolve around a country estate in 19th century Wiltshire. The family name and the estate are called Trewbridge.
 
I love prequels because they reveal back story and roots to the original story or series. What sets The Second Son apart from other books in the same genre?
 
In Regencies the second son in a family is usually a young man of derring-do who, knowing he does not have to inherit the family responsibilities, goes out and lays waste to his life with gambling, wine, women and song. Then of course the older son dies and…you get the picture. In The Second Son, I made the hero a different sort of man, injured physically and emotionally from war. He carries a sour secret: all his life he’s has loathed his older brother, not because he is jealous of him, but because he mistrusts and dislikes him. So of course when that older brother dies, John, the hero, is a mass of nerves, contrition, despair and guilt. Yes, it’s a romance, but it is on the dark side.

I’m beginning to see the Mr. Hyde in your Doctor Jekyll. How long did it take for you to start and finish The Second Son?

It’s only 58,000 words and because it was filling in background for events that had already happened, it did not take long to write. About three months plus one month of revision and editing. (I have trouble getting the words down, but once they’re down I enjoy adding layers and revising etc. Anal retentive).

Seems like editing takes just as long as writing the first draft. Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

As far as Regencies go, there are many, many authors now who are writing Regencies who began writing in other genres first. So it can be done provided you do the research first. Wallpaper Regencies abound i.e. 21st century people dressed in 19th century clothes doing 21st century things. No!
 
Agreed. Research is the key to a well-written Regency. What's next for Vonnie Hughes the author?

 

The first of a Regency trilogy is being considered by Musa Publishing at the moment. I am also in the throes (and believe me, they are throes) of completing another romantic suspense set in New Zealand. Again, my hero is beset by anguish. As you can tell, my theme is wounded heroes and the women who rescue them.

And tell me what man wouldn’t want to be rescued by a strong, beautiful woman? Oh here, let me top up your margarita, and please help yourself to another avocado appetizer, Vonnie. Now, before the sun goes down and the fire flies come out, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. I want to thank you for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock today. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, Vonnie.

The Second Son Buy Links: Musa Publishing and Amazon

 

Learn more about Vonnie Hughes on her website and blog

Stay connected on Facebook

Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring Patricia Yager Delagrange

Photo by Brianne Boulton

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got contemporary fiction author, Patricia Yager Delagrange—a.k.a. Patti— in my circle of writing friends, stopping by for a visit. If you’ve never heard of this awesome author, here’s her mini bio:

Fascinated by broken-hearted couples and atypical families, Patricia weaves engaging tales of men and women who create cohesive families where love reigns supreme. She sprinkles her books with intriguing characters who struggle to find balance in life after tragedy. Whether an unwed teenager, desperate widow, abandoned father, or a couple who stray from their marital vows, her characters form relationships impacted by their desire to create a family.

Aside from writing, her favorite things to do include riding her Friesian horse, Maximus, dot-to-dot for adults, and watching Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington movies. She spends a majority of her days writing while her two very large Chocolate Labs lounge on the couch cuddled next to her and her MacBook.

Patti is a fellow animal lover like me, so I’ve asked her to bring along her Chocolate Labs to play with my Yellow Lab in the lake while we’re chatting on my dock this afternoon. Need any SPF, Patti? You being from California, I bet you’re used to this heat pretty much all year round! And here, let me pour you a large glass of your favorite soda, caffeine-free Coca Cola®. I got up early this morning to go to The Independent grocer in town. Had a devil of a time trying to score some See’s Scotchmallows for you. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find them anywhere, so I picked up some Decadent Chocolate Chuck Cookies instead.

Now, before we get started, here’s the blurb for Patti’s most recent release Moon Over Alcatraz:

Following the death of their baby during a difficult birth, Brandy and Weston Chambers are grief-stricken and withdraw from each other, both seeking solace outside of their marriage; however, they vow to work through their painful disloyalty.  But when the man Brandy slept with moves back to their hometown, three lives are forever changed by his return.

 Such a sensitive subject, Patti. Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write Moon Over Alcatraz?

My inspiration came from Amber Alerts. I’d always wondered how the death of a child affects a family. My story starts with a couple losing their baby at birth and how they deal with that together. In their case it pulls them apart.

Heart-wrenching! What sets Moon Over Alcatraz apart from other books in the same genre?

I’d never read a fictional book that dealt with losing a child at birth and I wanted to write about that, now that I’m a mother. It was a hard thing to write about in an emotional sense.

It must’ve been, Patti. How long did it take for you to start and finish Moon Over Alcatraz?

I can write a book in about two to three months. It’s the editing that takes the most time - another three or more months and then several more months after it gets to an editor.

Quite the process! Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

I think it’s hard to sell the women’s fiction genre to an agent. It seems they want to call it romance. I’d be more comfortable calling it contemporary fiction since that’s what you’d call books written by Nicholas Sparks or Richard Paul Evans.

So, what's next for Patricia Yager Delagrange the author?

I just started my fifth novel. It’s another women’s fiction book and deals with a woman whose husband doesn’t exactly have the same philosophy about raising children. That’s one of the main factors which pull them apart, especially since she wants another child. She finds out he’s had an affair and though there’s a happily ever after, a bit of drama unfolds during the course of their lives together.

Your fifth novel? You certainly are a writing machine! More Coca Cola? Great, let me top up your glass. Um, Patti, isn’t that one of your dogs swimming toward the middle of the lake? Thought so. Okay, before we hop in the boat to go fetch him, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. Thanks for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock this afternoon. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, Patti.
 
Moon Over Alcatraz Buy Links:
 
Musa Publishing

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

 
Learn more about Patricia Yager Delagrange on her website and blog

Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter

Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring Lizzie T. Leaf

Photo by Brianne Boulton

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got romance author, Lizzie T. Leaf stopping by for a visit. If you’ve never heard of this awesome author, here’s a little bio about her:

Award winning author, Lizzie T. Leaf, started life in Kansas, continued her growing years in North Carolina, and currently shivers through the winters in Colorado. She has numerous e-Books of varying lengths and her first print novel, Struck by Lightning, won dual 2007 Beacon awards. Not a bad track record for a gal who came out of the closet with the dream to write after she turned fifty. Her current works fall into two categories…erotic contemporary or paranormal romance. When not writing, traveling, reading, gardening and family consume her time.

Wow, Lizzie has traveled a long way to spend an evening with us on my dock today. And look, the sun’s just starting to set. Beautiful reds and mauves tonight! Insect repellent, Lizzie? No. Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you. Now before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a dram of single malt scotch to help you cope with any mosquito bites you do acquire tonight. Hmm – maybe I should make that a double. After our chat, I thought I’d give us a generous scoop of ice cream I scored from Kawartha Dairy this afternoon. I decided to go with Moose Tracks®, but if you want something different, here’s the list of all their ice cream flavors, and we’ll take a drive over after our chat since the store is open late. So, Lizzie, let’s get this party started!

Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write Emerging Magic?

Emerging Magic - 2nd book in the Magical Love series...the series is centered around a Scottish Cailleach and I love Scotland. Taking some of the mythology I learned about while touring around the country, the idea came to make the Cailleach (the old woman of seasons) into a matchmaker. Push her out of her comfort zone.

Scotland is definitely on my bucket list to visit. What sets Emerging Magic apart from other books in the same genre?

Beyond Magic and Emerging Magic bring together beings that may be unexpected. Nothing like mixing things up.

True, that! How long did it take for you to start and finish Emerging Magic?

Emerging Magic took about six months.

You’re a real writing machine, Lizzie. Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

Let your imagination explore all possibilities.

Now that would make for a great bumper sticker! What's next for Lizzie T. Leaf the author?

Banshee Magic in the Magical Love series is next on the schedule. For my other series, DEAD Viking and DEAD Santa are on tap for this year.

Sounds like you’ve got everything planned out, Lizzie! Oh here, let me top up your glass. Are you sure about the insect repellent? I think you’re being swarmed. No. I guess the scotch must have kicked in! Now, before you go, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. Thanks for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock this evening. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, Lizzie.

 

Emerging Magic Buy Links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble   Learn more about Lizzie T. Leaf on her website and blog  Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter

Books, Banter & Bites on my Dock…featuring Nancy DiMauro

Photo by Brianne Boulton

Welcome to my virtual dock in the wilds of Muskoka, where it’s always sunny and warm no matter what time of the year it is. Please pull up one of the dock chairs, sit your butt down, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Today, I’ve got fantasy/romance author, Nancy DiMauro stopping by for a visit. If you’ve never heard of this wicked-awesome author, here’s a little background information about her:

Nancy DiMauro is a mommy, writer, lawyer, and farmer. Her condo-raised husband agreed to move

out to the country with her 12 years ago because living on a horse farm was her dream. They have two horses in their front yard, and two dogs, three hermit crabs and four cats in the house. Her dear hubby has managed to resist the pleas for a partridge in a pear tree so far. But, he doesn’t realize she planted a pear tree this last spring.

Anyway, she’s lucky enough to have two boys (soon to be 14 and 12). Nancy has been a practicing trial attorney since 1995, and in her free time, she writes. Actually, she’s pretty regimented about when she writes – between 9pm and 11pm 4-5 nights a week. After all, being a writer is one of her jobs.

Since Nancy loves the early morning (I think it’s a must if you live on a farm), she arrived VERY early this morning, and has brought along her favorite appetizer and sweet treat. Now since it’s too early to serve chicken wings, I’ve popped them in the oven to keep warm. In the mean time, we’ll snack on some of her Sesame Seed cookies with our morning tea while we’re chatting and watching the sun come up from my dock. Thank goodness, I managed to slip into Huntsville yesterday to grab some teas from Flotron’s Tweed and Hickory, one of my favorite local shops!

If you wish to sample either the wings or cookies at a later time, Nancy was sweet enough to bring both recipes. She’s my kind of guest! Here are both recipes:

Chicken Wings – single batch

½ cup soy sauce

¼ cup oil (olive is ideal)
1 tbsp. meat tenderizer
1 tbsp. dry mustard
¼ cup lemon juice
1 tbsp. molasses
¼ tsp. crushed garlic
½ tsp. “Accent”
2-4 lbs. wings.

Mix all ingredients together, Marinate, covered, for at least 12 hours, 24 hours is better. Stir occasionally.
Place on a foiled greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

 

Sesame Seed Cookies – Recipe feeds an extended Italian family (and don’t ask about the calorie count).

1 lb. Crisco (I like using the Crisco blocks over trying to scoop it out of the can)

6 eggs
1 lb. of confectionary 10X sugar
6 heaping Tsp. of Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Vanilla
6-7 cups of flour
Sesame Seeds.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream Crisco, add eggs on at a time while creaming.

After all 6 eggs are incorporated; add sugar and baking powder slowly into the mixture.
Then add the Vanilla. Slowly add the flour into the batter until the mixture has the consistency of cooking dough. I add one cup at a time in the beginning. When the dough starts to become more incorporated I add ½ cup a time. The dough should be soft and not sticky.
Roll Dough into logs about ½ inch thick. Cut into 1inch – 2 inch long pieces. Roll the pieces in toasted sesame seeds. Place on cookie sheet.
Cook until bottoms are lightly brown, about 10-15 minutes.

ENJOY. These are great dunked into your morning coffee (or tea, in my case).

So let’s get to business, Nancy. Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write Flashes of Life one of the short stories in Paths Less Traveled?

On one of the Writing Excuses podcasts, Mary, Brandon, Howard and Dan were brainstorming story ideas to show how it might be done. They posed a question about halloysite clay. And sort of challenged the listeners to figure out how to use it in a story. So, I started wondering, how in the world was I going to do that? The neat thing about halloysite is that has naturally occurring nanotubes and may be used to disrupt electronic signals. So, maybe, it would also repel psychic powers. Hum, I can work with that. Then came a long internal discussion about how and why, but since those elements are in a later story, I won’t go into them now.

 

But that story was going to be a murder mystery. So, now I needed my heroine. I started thinking about what a curse being a psychic could be if you were very strong but your talent was so limited as to be practically useless. So, I started playing with the idea of a psychic who could pull memories from the dead. But that wasn’t enough for me. How else could I make her an outcast? I use to have a boyfriend who saw people as colors more than features. One of the people in my building walked by my door one day and he jumped back a step. When I asked him why? He said a flash of orange had just walked past. I knew that orange blur as Sally (not her real name). So, what if my psychic didn’t feel emotion but saw it? I loved the idea of expressing emotion through color. Vonna was born.

Flashes of Life started its life as the prologue of the murder mystery and as Vonna’s origin story. She decides that she doesn’t want the life laid out for her, and chooses another path. Once Flashes was done, I realized that the novel length story I had been outlining to go with it really was better suited to a position later in a series. What? I was writing a series, how did that happen? Anyway, Flashes became a story in its own right.

Oh, I know all about how a series can get started! What sets Flashes of Life apart from other books in the same genre?
 
My kick butt heroine. There are female detectives. There are female psychics. But to my knowledge, Vonna’s the only psychic detective out there.

 

Sounds like you have a winning combination there, Nancy! How long did it take for you to start and finish Flashes of Life?

 

It took me about three months to get Flashes to the point it could be marketable. I originally planned on submitting it to the Writers of the Future Contest, but then had an opportunity to submit it to Musa Publishing. I spent another month on edits after Musa accepted it. So, about four months of work.
 
I do believe I’m a tad jealous of your speed. Do you have any advice for writers wanting to write in your genre?

 

Keep working. Keep mashing together ideas that don’t seem to go together until the puzzle pieces fall into place. Most writers give up before they achieve their publishing goals. Don’t give up.

 

Such sage advice, too. So, what's next for Nancy DiMauro the author?

 

I just finished the first draft of my erotic romance, New Bohemia: Just One Night. It needs to cool off a bit before I can start on edits. I’m editing The King’s Falcon, which follows the other kick butt heroine from the Paths Less Traveled short story collection. And I’m outlining Vonna’s next novel, a thriller about a serial killer targeting feline based shape shifters. My goal is to have the rough draft of that story done by ThrillerFest on the 4^th of July.

 

All I can say is move over Allison DuBois here comes Nancy DiMauro and Vonna! Sounds like you’re one author who knows how to juggle your life! Oh here, let me warm up your tea, and please help yourself to another cookie. Later, we’ll dig into those chicken wings, and enjoy a Vodka Gimlet together. Now, before the sun hits the dock, please let readers know where they can buy your book, and how to connect with you. I want to thank you for taking the time to share your novel and your wisdom with us on my dock today. Cheers and best wishes in ALL your publishing ventures, Nancy.

Buy Links: Musa Publishing and Amazon

Learn more about Nancy DiMauro on her website and blog

 

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