7 Questions with #YA #Author DelSheree Gladden @DelSheree #Invisible

1. Tell us a bit about your family. 

I live with my husband and two kids in New Mexico. My husband is the reason I got into writing seriously and he is a huge help in all of my books. My kids are my inspiration. At seven and ten, they are full of energy and have the most creative minds!

2. How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

Self-doubt and fear can be huge obstacles in writing. It was so scary to show my work to people when I first started out. It was a slow process to develop my skills enough that I had confidence in my work. Once I knew it was the best it could be, sharing it wasn’t as difficult. It boils down to a lot of practice and believing in yourself.

3. What scares you the most?

Aside from small spaces, wasting my talents. I truly believe that everyone has the ability to impact others for good. I hope I can do that through my writing.

4. What makes you happiest?

Being with my family. My life would feel very empty without them.

5. What’s your greatest character strength?

I am a very determined person. When I set out to do something, it’s not often that I don’t accomplish what I set out to do.

6. What’s your weakest character trait?

I am very impatient. I have a hard time waiting for others, so I end up taking way too much on myself and I get overloaded.

7. Why do you write?

I mainly write YA urban fantasy. I deal a lot with blending mythology and legends into everyday life. In 2014, I also plan to release my first adult dramatic romance novel.

Olivia’s best friend is not imaginary. He’s not a ghost, either. And she’s pretty sure he’s not a hallucination. He’s just Mason.

He is, however, invisible.

When Olivia spotted the crying little boy on her front porch at five years old, she had no idea she was the only one who could see him. Twelve years later when new-girl Robin bumps into the both of them and introduces herself to Mason, they are both stunned.

Mason couldn’t be more pleased that someone else can see him. Olivia, on the other hand, isn’t jumping at the chance to welcome Robin into their circle. Jealousy may have something to do with
that, but honest fear that Robin’s presence will put Mason in danger is soon validated when a strange black car shows up outside Olivia’s house.

The race to find out what Robin knows in time to protect Mason from whatever threats are coming becomes Olivia’s only focus.

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Genre - Young Adult

Rating – PG-13

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7 Questions with #Author C.A. Szarek @caszarek #Romance #Suspense

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

I think everyone has these unpleasant things. But I just motor through. Get the words on the page and tell the inner-editor to shut up until it’s the time to analyze the words. I am the toughest critic there is, so when I show someone a something of what I’ve written and they tell me it’s okay, I feel better a little bit, but it doesn’t always keep me from doubting. It is what it is, and I just have to work hard to get through it.

Why do you write?

Because I can’t NOT write. I have been writing since I was about eight years old. I always have, and I always will. It’s just who I am. It’s so much a part of me I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write something. I get grouchy when I don’t write. LOL.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

Yes. Writing is just a part of WHO I am. I can’t imagine NOT writing. It’s never quiet in my head…LOL. Someone always wants out. Wants their story documented.

What motivates you to write?

My characters. They won’t shut up until their stories are down. But seriously, I enjoy learning about them, forming them, holding their hand through crisis and watching them find love. It’s the hopeless romantic in me. They’re real to me and I want to share them with the world.

What writing are you most proud of?

Well, every time I finish a project, when I type “the end” I’m proud because writing is hard! LOL. And when you finish one, it’s a goal accomplished. Then it’s on to the next one. But…Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) my steamy romantic suspense series was my defining moment as a writer for a few reasons. I “met” the characters when I was 17. So they have been with me for a long time, and I adore them. It was my first venture into romantic suspense and I cried a lot when I was writing it. LOL.

And there’s just something about Cole Lucas.

http://www.amazon.com/Collision-Force-Crossing-Forces-Szarek-ebook/dp/B00DOTPX6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390591390&sr=8-1&keywords=Collision+Force

What books did you love growing up?

Anything fantasy. I loved Tamara Pierce, Tanith Lee, Madeleine L’Engle, and Anne McCaffrey. I was also into the comic series, ElfQuest by Wendy and Richard Pini. I remember my fave young childhood book, I think I was in 3rd grade, was Jeremy Thatcher, the Dragon Hatcher, by Bruce Coville.

Who is your favorite author?

J.R. Ward and Anne McCaffrey (may she Rest in Peace). But honestly, there are so many AWESOME AWESOME authors out there I enjoy reading. Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn, Pamela Palmer, Monica McCarty, and many many many more.

Crossing Forces series:

Small Town Texas doesn't always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.

They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.

When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.

Crossing Forces by C.A. Szarek

This is book two in the Crossing Forces series

Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.

Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.

Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.

Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.

Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear—a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.

Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?

Buy Now @ Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Totally Bound | ARe | Sony | Kobo

Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – R

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Website http://caszarekwriter.blogspot.com/

7 Questions with #Author Alex Mueck @AlexMueck #Humor #Historical

1. What scares you the most?

Being boring.

2. What makes you happiest?

Helping others and making them laugh.

3. What’s your greatest character strength?

Captain Coytus is a hero the oppressed, and while he is not afraid to use his fists, he chooses to use humor as his hammer in dealing with racial issues of the day.

4. What’s your weakest character trait?

He is flawed in thinking life is one big joke.  When he takes his mission too far, there are ramifications, things back-fire and tragedy strikes.

5. Why do you write?

I know this sounds cliché, but I love it.

6. Have you always enjoyed writing?

Yes, I used to write stories, and then quit, but was encouraged by a friend to try again, and three books later, I am working on number four and five.

7. What motivates you to write?

I need to have something to do, and when I write it consumes me.  I rarely need any motivation to get lost in creating a story.

"“A historical fiction comedy that packs
as much heart as humor.”
—Michael Dadich, award-winning author of The Silver Sphere

When a Harvard history professor receives a thesis paper titled Jesse James and the Secret Legend of Captain Coytus, from Ulysses Hercules Baxter—an underwhelming student—he assumes the paper must be a prank. He has never read such maniacal balderdash in his life. But after he calls a meeting with the student, Professor Gladstone is dismayed when Baxter declares the work is his own. As he takes a very unwilling Professor Gladstone back in time via his thesis, Baxter’s grade hangs in the balance as he attempts to prove his theory.

It is 1864 as philanderer and crusader Captain Coytus embarks on a mission to avenge his father’s death and infiltrates the Confederate Bushwacker posse looking for the man responsible, Jesse Woodson James. Accompanied by the woman of his dreams, Coytus soon finds himself temporarily appointed to be the sheriff of Booneville and commissions his less-than-loyal deputy to help him carry out his plan.

But when tragedy strikes, the Captain is forced to change his immature ways and redefine his lofty mission—more or less."

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Genre - Humor, Historical Fiction

Rating – R

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7 Questions with #Author Ewell Stewart duPont

1. What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I am very gregarious.  I love being around people.

2. What is your least favorite quality about yourself?

I hate getting up in the morning, but once I am up I am good.

3. What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

History with no mystery - gone. 

4. What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

I am very proud of writing my book. 

5. What is your favorite color?

Royal blue. 

6. What is your favorite food?

I love Oriental foods.  I love the egg rolls. I also like French food. 

7. What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

I love Vienna Austria and England because of the castles. 

This classic collection of poems written by Ewell duPont is heart warming and inspirational. Ewell presents life lessons and outstanding values in each poem. They are for all generations to enjoy.

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Genre - Poetry

Rating – G

More details about the author

Website http://ewelldupont.homestead.com/

#AmReading #NonFiction #Crime - Maximum Insecurity by William Wright M.D.

After three decades as a successful ear surgeon, William Wright, MD is bored beyond belief. He dabbles with retirement, but finds idleness infuriating. He has to do something.

Then he sees an ad for a doctor’s position from the Colorado Department of Corrections at a supermax prison. Now that, he thinks, would be different. His wife has some thoughts on the matter too. She thinks her husband just lost his mind and is on a collision course with a prison shiv.

After his first day on the job, he wonders if she wasn’t onto something. His first patient is an arrogant, callous youth convicted of five cold-blooded murders. Dr. Wright has to steel himself not to bolt.

Nothing prepares a doctor for life at the Colorado State Penitentiary. He quickly discovers treating maximum security convicts is like treating recalcitrant murderous four-year-olds. Always willing to threaten their doctors with bodily harm, they are more interested in scamming drugs than treatment.

Told with self-depreciating humor and scathing wit, Maximum Insecurity describes Dr. Wright’s adventures practicing medicine in a supermax correctional facility without, he’s glad to say, getting killed even once.

Maximum Insecurity: A Doctor in the Supermax by William Wright M.D.

Amazon Kindle US

Rating – PG-13

Genre – Non Fiction

4.4 (21 reviews)

The Christmas Cowboy by Shanna Hatfield @ShannaHatfield #thechristmascowboy

Tate surprises Kenzie by showing up on her doorstep late one afternoon… Standing on her front step, he rang the bell and listened to her footsteps hurrying toward the door. The smile on her face forced him to catch his breath.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” Kenzie asked, kissing his cheek then stepping aside so he could come in out of the cold.

Curiosity got the best of her when he stood staring at her, his good hand still behind his back. Trying to look around him, he turned so she couldn’t.

“What are you hiding?” she asked, her eyes warm and inviting when he stepped inside and nudged the door shut behind him with his boot.

“I couldn’t help but notice you’re missing a very important component of proper Christmas décor,” Tate said, sounding all knowing and official.

“What could I possibly be missing?” Kenzie asked, looking behind her and sweeping her arm toward the living room that did look particularly festive, thanks in part to Tate. “I’ve got a poinsettia, a beautiful Christmas tree, garlands, pine boughs, sugary treats, and a blazing fire. Did you bring me some chestnuts to roast? If you did, I’ve got no clue what to do with them, so you’re out of luck.”

Laughing, Tate raised his arm and held a bunch of mistletoe over their heads. “It seems to me this is the most important decoration of all.”

“Possibly,” Kenzie said, reaching out and looping her arms around Tate’s neck, pulling his head down to hers. Teasing and gentle at first, their kiss soon gained momentum until he dropped the mistletoe on the table near the door and she pressed as close against him as his thick coat would allow.

Taking a breath, she quickly unfastened the snaps on his coat and slid it off his shoulders, carefully over his injured arm, until it dropped to the floor. He tossed his hat on the little chair Kenzie kept by the door while a groan escaped his throat. He took in every feature of her face, the mouth-watering summery fragrance surrounding her, and the softness of the hot pink sweater she wore. Her favorite color currently matched the shade of her flushed cheeks.

Lowering his head to hers again, Tate wrapped his good arm around her waist and slowly backed her toward the living room without breaking the connection of their lips.

“I missed you,” he whispered against her mouth as he carefully guided her to the couch. When her knees connected with the edge, she sank down on the soft cushions, still holding onto Tate. He went down with her, ravishing her neck with sizzling kisses that made her whisper his name in a throaty tone, sending blood surging through his veins.

"10% of the net proceeds from all my book sales December 1-24 will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund®"

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Genre – Romance (contemporary western)

Rating – PG

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Website http://shannahatfield.com

7 Questions with #Fantasy #Author Josh VanBrakle @joshvanbrakle #YA

 1. Tell us a bit about your family. I live with my wife Christine and our two ill-behaved cats, Frodo and Finny (excuse me a moment; one of them is gnawing on the blanket chest). We live in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

2. How do you work through self-doubts and fear? I think almost every author goes through times when they feel like they’re the best writer since Tolkien, and others where they feel like talentless losers. When those lows hit me, I fall back to my incredible support network of friends and family. They’re great for cheering me on, showing me where I’m doing well, and pitching in to help me improve.

3. What scares you the most? You would think that the day The Wings of Dragons hit shelves would have been the happiest of my life, but I was actually terrified. Up to that point, I only had the word of  few close friends that they thought it was good. What if people thought it was terrible? I had never put myself out there like that before. I tend to be introverted, and the exposure made me really uncomfortable. In the end it worked out and people enjoyed it, but I’m sure that paranoia will come back when it comes time to release book two.

4. What makes you happiest? I love hearing from fans that my book has made a positive difference in their lives. You work so hard for so long on a novel, put your heart and soul into it, but you always wonder if readers get out of it what you put into it. When you hear that they really enjoyed it, that they encouraged their friends to read it, that it was something that spoke to them or resonated with them, then you know you’ve done your job as an author.

5. What’s your greatest character strength? When I decide to do something, I go for it all the way. I love the quote from the TV show Mythbusters that goes, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.” That’s me in a nutshell. I don’t do things halfway. I put everything I have into a project, and I think that mindset shows not only in just getting a finished product out there, but having it be something that others will enjoy and share.

6. What’s your weakest character trait? I’ve always been introverted, so publishing and marketing The Wings of Dragons has really forced me to come out of my shell. Suddenly I’m communicating with folks I never thought I would meet and interacting with readers from all over the world. When you write a novel, it’s just for you. When you publish a novel, though, it’s for the readers. You’re baring your soul for the world to see, and that visibility is still something I’m coming to grips with.

7. Why do you write? Because I love to tell stories! I grew up in a family where storytelling was part of everyday life. In particular, my father lived for stories. We would be having a conversation, and all of a sudden he would say, “That reminds me of a story.” We would all groan, but that was just part of the tradition. He would launch into his story, and at the end we’d all laugh because it was funny even though we’d heard it a hundred times. If you’ve ever seen the movie Lincoln and the way that Lincoln is always using stories to get his point across, you have a sense of how my dad was. With writing, I’m telling stories just like he did, only now I can share those stories with a lot more people.

From fantasy author Josh VanBrakle comes an epic new trilogy of friendship, betrayal, and explosive magic. Lefthanded teenager Iren Saitosan must uncover a forgotten history, confront monsters inspired by Japanese mythology, and master a serpentine dragon imprisoned inside a katana to stop a revenge one thousand years in the making.

Lodian culture declares lefthanded people dangerous and devil-spawned, and for Iren, the kingdom's only known Left, that's meant a life of social isolation. To pass the time and get a little attention, he plays pranks on the residents of Haldessa Castle. It's harmless fun, until one of his stunts nearly kills Lodia's charismatic heir to the throne. Now to avoid execution for his crime, Iren must join a covert team and assassinate a bandit lord. It's a suicide mission, and Iren's chances aren't helped when he learns that his new katana contains a dragon's spirit, one with a magic so powerful it can sink continents and transform Iren into a raging beast.

Adding to his problems, someone on Iren's team is plotting treason. When a former ally launches a brutal plan to avenge the Lefts, Iren finds himself trapped between competing loyalties. He needs to figure out who - and how - to trust, and the fates of two nations depend on his choice.

"A fast-paced adventure...led by a compelling cast of characters. Josh VanBrakle keeps the mysteries going." - ForeWord Reviews

Buy @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – YA epic fantasy

Rating – PG-13

Connect with Josh VanBrakle on Twitter

Website www.joshvanbrakle.com

7 Questions with #Author Fenella J. Miller (#Historical #MustRead)

1. Who is your favourite author?

Bernard Cornwall (historical) and Lee Child (thrillers).

2. What books should everybody read at least once?

Shakespeare and Dickens, Jane Austen and the Brontes, after that it's entirely a personal choice.

3. Are there any books you really don't enjoy?

I cannot, and will not, read any book written in the first person present tense. I also don't read erotica or books with excessive violence and torture. Although I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, I will give any genre a try it’s recommended.

4. What do you hope your obituary will do say about you?

I've not given this any serious consideration – I doubt I would warrant an obituary anyway.

5. When did you first know you could be a writer?

I was writing stories and plays as soon as I could hold a pencil. I wrote a play that was performed in the Infant School and a pony book when I was about twelve. I didn't write anything again until in my mid-20s and was trapped in a country cottage, miles from anywhere, with a small child and no car. I decided then that one day I would be a published writer.

6. What inspires you to write and why?

I don't think it would be correct to say I'm inspired by anything or anyone to write. The drive comes from within, I am a writer, this is how I define myself, and published or not, I will always write as long as I can sit in front of the computer and dictate.

7. What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

An interesting question – which will produce a different answer from every writer you speak to.

Twenty years ago getting published was much easier, a writer could send directly to a publisher and there were dozens of major publishers, rather than just five. Publishers were prepared to stick with an author, build their career, which is not the case today. I know many excellent writers who have been dropped by one of the big five because their sales were not high enough or they couldn't get their books into the supermarkets. Nowadays unless you are a celebrity, or have written the book of the century, you are unlikely to get an agent to represent you. Without an agent you cannot get to a book to one of the main five publishers.

This is why I am a hybrid writer – I am traditionally published as well as indie publishing. I would never go back to writing exclusively for a mainstream publisher, I love being in control of everything from the writing and editing, proofreading and cover design. I buy these services; if I don't agree with my editor then I'm not forced to go with their suggestions. I get 70% royalties, I know exactly how much my royalties will be, and I'm paid monthly.

Writing, for me, is the easy part. When I have a story to tell, the book more or less writes itself. As I write historical fiction there is a great deal of research involved in order to get the book accurate, but that is part of the joy of writing.

Marketing has to be done whether you are traditionally published or indie published. I am ambivalent about the benefits of social media. I have a website which I update regularly, and a blog which I try and post on several times a month as well as being a guest and various other blogs. I interact with readers and friends on Twitter and Facebook, I also have a Good Read and a Linkedin account, and belong to several writing loops. I try and limit my time on these things, but I could write twice as much if I didn't participate. Although publishers insist that their authors have a strong Internet presence, I'm not sure how many extra readers and sales all this faffing about actually produces.

World War II brings divided loyalties and tough decisions in this page turning drama from Fenella Miller.

Hannah Austen-Bagshaw’s privileged background can’t stop her falling in love with working-class pilot, Jack, but Hannah has a secret. Torn between her duty and her humanity, she is sheltering a young German pilot knowing she risks being arrested as a traitor. Hannah’s worst fears are realised when Jack finds out what she has done and their love begins to unravel.
Will her betrayal be too much for Jack to forgive?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Historical fiction

Rating – PG

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