Talking with Van Heerling

Welcome Van and thank you for joining us!  

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

Do you work another job when you are not writing?

Oh yes. I am no Melissa Foster… yet. (Hi Melissa, had to get that one in once more.) I am self-employed and in the field of food distribution. For the sake of losing readers to boredom I will leave it at that.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?

I am a big fan of “me” time. I do realize this is selfish but at least I am man enough to own it. With this said, I am not totally self absorb. I have a wife that is six months pregnant. I do my best to pamper her and try to minimize upsetting her the best I can. I realize this may sound cheesy as a cheese ball, but I figure she is doing all the work and it is the least I can do. But as soon as that little sucker pops out—It is “me” time again! Just kidding ladies, more like baby time! 

What is your favorite color? Why?

I have two depending on what mood I am in. The first is deep forest green and the other is cobalt blue. I believe my affinity for these two colors has to do with their depth and richness. 

What is your favorite season? Why?

Fall, without a doubt. I like the way it feels when I go outside. The sight of autumn leaves tumbling down along the street and the crackle underfoot during our evening walks, takes me back to my childhood.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?

I was going to say somewhere in the Andromeda galaxy but if we are narrowing it down to earth I would have to say maybe South Korea or Japan. Maybe one day. I have always been fascinated with the East.

If you could have any car, what would it be?

If money were no object, probably the Porsche 911 turbo, however I have become disenchanted with this car maker. When Porsche came out with a four door I think I died a little, truly heartbreaking. If you own a four door Porsche you should be ashamed of yourself. There I said it!

Tell us about your writing: 

How long have you been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?

I have been writing for about ten years. MALAIKA is the first story I have shown the world. I carry an ugly past with the writing craft. It stretches back to my childhood. I remember being eight years old and struggling in school, when I said to myself, “why on earth would anyone in their right mind ever want to write for a living?” I loathed even the idea of it. I recall thinking one hundred pages of writing may as well be tantamount to a death sentence, but something clicked in my early twenties, which changed my outlook on the subject.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

I am a night owl. No set schedule. But I will say that I do my best work between 11pm and 3am, which makes for a heck of a workday, so I try not to indulge too often. 

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?

Special? No not really, just my trusty desk.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

During the editing process I usually like it quiet. But if I am laying down a lot of story line generally I listen to music. I will say what puts me on edge is when my wife is doing the dishes. The clanking can really throw me off my rhythm. The one thing that tops this is when she shouts my name from another room. More often than not, she needs me at the exact same moment the Muse whispers in my ear.  That’s life I guess.

Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a standalone novel?

MALAIKA means “angel” in Swahili. It is a standalone story and a quick but powerful read. Once I had a reader tell me she read MALAIKA three times and she cried every single time. And then she gave me a big hug. I think a hardy cry is a good thing. We all need to clean the pipes out now and again. 

Where did the idea come from? 

MALAIKA came to me from the heart of the universe—where dreams are born.

How long did it take to write?

The process took about a year, although I did not work on it everyday
.

What is it about?

It might be best to share the synopsis with you:

A middle-aged man with the crushing weight of his American past seeks peace and a simpler life in rural Kenya. Armed with only his smokes and coffee he discovers a friendship with the most unlikely of friends—a lioness he rightfully names Malaika  (Angel in Swahili). But she is no ordinary lioness nor is he an ordinary man. Between them they share a gift.  But not all embrace their bond and some seek to sever it. Discover this new world rich in human truth and sensibility.

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published? 

Yes. My next release will be Dreams Of Eli. Here is an excerpt:

May 1863
Eli Age 26

    During a skirmish two days ago, I lost my company while in retreat. Somewhere in the backwoods of Northern Mississippi I finish a piece of stale bread, stand up and lay my rifle against my shoulder.

    It is not the crack of the enemy Enfield rifle round that startles me. It is the sifting whispers of the bullet as it splits the wild grass in my direction. The shooter, by the sound of it, is between four hundred and five hundred yards off. I know this because I have the same standard issue. The ball strikes me hard in the lower left shin. Blazing white searing pain shreds up my leg and through the top of my head like a thunderbolt.

    I stumble. My rifle catches most of my weight as I plow it into the soft earth from where I had just risen. But the shock is too great. I lose my grip—falling hard and fast to the cool soil where I crush my face against a granite boulder—the flavors of shattered teeth, dusty vapors of bread and metallic blood wet my mouth. But all I can think about is the next eighteen seconds—just enough time for my enemy to reload. The shot that I will never hear is upon me. I knew I would die in these woods. I just did not realize I would be alone. But at this end I do not want my brothers next to me. I want her—Cora. I wait for the final shot that will take me from this life, but it never comes. Instead blackness creeps over me first.

Where can readers connect with you?

Website: www.vanheerlingbooks.com

Twitter @vanheerling

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VanHeerling

Where can we buy your books?

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

I would like to take a moment and thank you Stacy. You are simply fantastic. And I thank you sincerely.

Very Best,

Van Heerling

In this life, seek your own answers, and quote yourself for a change. 

Note to Van:  You are quite welcome!  The Pleasure is all mine... and hopefully my readers!!! 

Don't forget to check out the Launch Party coming soon! 

Wendy Talks about Come the Shadows

Welcome Wendy and Thank You for joining us today!!!

Tell us a little about Wendy Young

Do you work another job when you are not writing?

Yes – I am a work at home mom with a full-time job. I stay very busy from 5 am to 10 pm every night!

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?

It depends on the time of year. Come December it will be baking! Right now it’s an obsession with watching Netflix episodes of the British detective drama Midsomer Murders.

What is your favorite color? Why?

Cobalt blue – it’s a beautiful, crisp color that always draws my eye. If you looked at my home, however, you would say that it’s red. It is very possible I have two favorite colors...

What is your favorite season? Why?

Fall, without any doubt. The leaves are beautiful and the air is cool, with an invigorating but not bone-chilling breeze.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?

I’m not sure it would be anywhere but where I live now – East Tennessee. I love my mountains and I can’t imagine living without them. If I had to move it would be another mountainous place. I’m very fond of Wyoming and Colorado. I find the stark beauty of the Rocky Mountains unmatched.

If you could have any car, what would it be?

I’m really not that much of a car person. I just bought my first new car this summer – a Honda CRV – and I wouldn’t trade it. It looks nice, has good room, and gets me there. That is enough for me.

Tell us a little about your writing: 

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?

I don’t remember not writing. I’ve been at it at least 20 years. In the 5^th grade I know I wrote a poem called Smile, or Smiles, and my parents had it put in a little book. I also remember writing a silly short story about my stepfather (at the time) quitting the police force because they wouldn’t let him have Christmas off of work. In middle school there were various songs I showed to no one. In High School there were poems and awards, and the rewriting of Sleeping Beauty hillbilly style. In college there were more short stories and quick notes about novels. I lost the bug for a few years after college and focused my creative tendencies on crafts like crochet and quilting but three years ago it returned with a vengeance and it’s never really left since. Only in the last 6 months or so did I decide to seriously pursue becoming a full-time novelist. It was always a part of me but now through it I have found a very fulfilling goal. 

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

I definitely have a routine. Most days I write for 1-2 hours and I start around 8 pm. I find it hard to write at any other time of the day. I like to feel in control of my time when I write and during the daytime there are just too many interruptions – child- and work-related, especially.

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?

Three-quarters of the time I write lying on my bed. The rest of the time I write in the living room. I pick the place I can best get the peace I want.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

Absolute quiet – has to be absolutely, deathly quiet. I shut doors and warn my husband off. I get so in the zone, writing by the seat of my pants, that it is very easy to derail my train of thought.

Tell us about your book

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand-alone novel?

My novel is called Come the Shadows and it is the first in a series of books called the Campbell Creek Mysteries.

Where did the idea come from? 

Well, it has its basis in a spec script I wrote three years ago for the TV show Bones, but only about 5-10% of that story made it into the book. I started with the idea of finding completely skeletonized remains and just built from there. The way it plays out in the script is very different from how it plays out in the book, however, and I love all that extra breathing room the story can have in a novel. 

How long did it take to write?

It took ten weeks to write the first draft of the book and another two months to edit it through multiple additional drafts.

What is it about?

The story centers in Campbell Creek, North Carolina. Will Harmon is a veteran officer on the force and he and his wife Laura have raised their family in the town. It’s been a quiet place to live for a long time but things are changing. This discovery of a body – the first in suspicious death in 17 years – in an old factory  on the north side of town sets in motion a chain of events that shatters their comfortable little life.

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?

On November 29^th I will publish the sequel to Come the Shadows – Red Sky Warning. I also have a short story out now, “One Final Night,” and plan to soon start releasing additional short stories in mystery/suspense that center on the early years when Will Harmon had just joined the police force in Campbell Creek.

Where can readers connect with you?

There are lots of ways to connect with me online. The 3 best are:

Blog: http://wendylyoung.wordpress.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/wendylyoungwriter
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wendyyoung

Where can we buy your books?

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Createspace, Kobo, Sony, I-books, Smashwords

Thank you Wendy for Joining us!!! What I really want to see... is that story your wrote earlier - The Sleeping Beauty Hillbilly Style!!!!   

In Awe of Reviews

Any author will tell you that a review can make or break a book. That is pretty much the truth too. Every author I know keeps a eye on what is being said about their books, and we need to.  We want to know what readers think.  We want to know what the reader liked, and also what they didn't like about it. 

Of course all reviews can't be 5 Star reviews, because not everyone likes the same kind of things.  People have personal preferences.  What one person says is great, another person can't say "I just didn't get it".  I understand that because I too have read books that people have raved about, and said "hmmmm...  Yeah this one is not for me."

So, with that said, can I tell you that I am in awe of the reviews I have received from people who have read my books.  Some of the people are friends, some of them are fellow authors, but some of them are from people I really just don't know. No matter who has written the review, I have found myself smiling and giddy inside by the words they have chosen to speak.

The fact that they have first taken the time to read my story excites me.  The fact that they took the time to review the story fills me with pride, and the fact that they liked my stories... well that just plain and simple humbles me. 

So last night I was playing on Goodreads and I found that a new review was posted for my second book, Blue Blood for Life. I read the review, and then I read it a second time and both times I found myself getting tears in my eyes as I read the words the reviewer had written.  Not only was I humbled by his words, but I was in Awe of what he said about my book. 

So with that... I'd like to share with you what he has said. 

Review of Blue Blood for Life by Tim O'Rourke - 5 Stars

I've had this book for a few weeks now and have wanted to find the time to read it - I knew that if it was going to be as good as the first book in the series then it was going to be a real page turner and once picked-up I wouldn't be able to put it down. And I was right! Once again Stacy Eaton has produced a fast paced, vampire-thriller with so many twists and turns I felt dizzy by the end of it.

It's hard to write a review without giving spoilers and I wouldn't want to spoil this great book for those yet to read it. But what I can say is that Eaton has the ability to create some great characters. I'm rather fond of Kristen (just my type of girl) fiery, strong minded, independant and is nobody's fool. This is so refreshing as a lot of female leads in this genre can moan alot and be full of self pity and self loathing - just waiting for the hunky vampire male to come along and rescue her. Not Kristen - sassy and smart to the very end. I think I have a bit of a crush! I love her heightened vampire senses!

A lot of characters from the first book come over into the is book and it was good to read about them all again. It's hard to say too much but there is a rather unpleasant character called Burke and he was so well written I could almost hear him breathing.

The thing I like about Eaton's writing is that the settings are so believable. There is not a detail missing and the police settings are most believable and researched so well I almost felt that I was riding shot-gun with Kristen and Trent.

I also like the way Eaton merges the different point of views of the different characters in this book and the first book. There are only three books that I have read where this is pulled off well as it is such a hard thing to do as I writer. The first book is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker and the other two are both of Eaton's books. Eaton has a very 'Stoker' feel to her writing and for me that is the highest compliment I can pay any writer. Stoker was a gifted writer as is Eaton. 'Blue Blood for Life' fully lived up to my expectations and they were high as the first book in the series was so good.

This a must read and not a book to be missed. I can't wait to see what Eaton serves up next. Awesome!

Thank you Tim... Thank you to all of the people who have read my books and who have taken the time to put their thoughts down as to their feelings of my work.  I hope that as I grow in my writing, I will continue to connect to people and that they will get as into my books as Mr. O'Rourke did.

To see reviews of My Blood Runs Blue - please visit here. Goodreads Reviews - My Blood Runs Blue

To see reviews of Blue Blood for Life - please visit here:Goodreads Reviews - Blue Blood for Life

Write what you know!

Many people say, "Write what you know and know what you write". So in my first two books I write about vampires. Does this mean I know about them? Well, I know a few people who resemble vampires.  Myself... well I have a tendency to bite, and the sight of blood does not turn me off. In fact it kind of excites me.  Is that strange?  I don't know... but maybe that comes from what I really know... law enforcement.

I have been a police officer, or cop as many of you call us, for 11 years. I won't go into the other names we are called, you all probably know a few of them. Anyway, in my years as a cop (I'll use that word because it is easier to type), I have seen and done a lot.  I work for a small department in Pennsylvania.  Right now we only have 7 full time officers and 4 part timers. Yes, we are small and we are country.  

Being a small department has it's benefits.  We aren't constantly on the run, and we get the chance to try different things.  Like trunk inspections, something I'm not personally interested in, but I have two guys I work with that are. We have all kinds of special details for traffic, Halloween safety, sports events and other things that pop up now and again. There are teams like SWAT, or what we call ERT that we are involved in too.

The thing that I like... Forensics... crime scenes... the Who-dune-it... part of the job.  The part that takes patience, intelligence and an ability to see things that some people don't or can't see. Earlier this year I received a huge certification from the International Association of Identification (IAI).  What is this? Well if you have ever seen the CSI shows on T.V. you might have heard they mention they are a CSI level 1 or CSI level 2.  It goes all the way to level 4.  Anyway, I received my certification to be able to carry the title CSI-1.  To me this was huge.  At the time in PA, there were only 109 other CSI-1's!  So I earned a rare title and it is something I am proud of.

But what does that mean to my readers? Well it means, that while some of my stories do talk about vampires, all of my books incorporate the skills of a patrol officer or detective.  I get to use my knowledge to bring stories to life that people watch on t.v. and wonder about.  I talk about patrol, partners, crime scenes and the sometimes terrible things that happen to people. 

Being in this line of work as a cop, not an author, allows me into the back door of so many things that people read about on-line and see on the news.  I don't write about any specific situations that I have been in, I would never do that to the people who were actually involved, but I do take some of those stories and twist them with other incidents to give you something to read and understand about what goes on behind those closed doors of your neighbor's houses. 

I love the law enforcement world. My favorite times are when I am in the lab fuming evidence to search for latent prints, or when I am on the side of the road helping someone who was just in an accident.  The best part of my job, is catching a bad guy in a lie during an interview, and then typing up the criminal complaint for his arrest. I touch lives in my job and I believe I do a good job of it too. With my writing, I am hoping to touch even more lives.  To bring to life stories and characters that fill my mind and make you wonder. I hope to hear from you and hope that you enjoy the worlds that I have created for you.

You can check out my website at Stacy S Eaton to see what other stories I am working on.  There are quite a few.  You can also purchase the two titles that I have already published, My Blood Runs Blue and Blue Blood for Life right there on my website, or download for your kindle application on Amazon.

My Blood Runs Blue - Kindle

Blue Blood for Life - book 2 - Kindle

Oh... and if you are wondering... we don't eat donuts anymore... we moved up to bagels and soft pretzels!

Being Interviewed today by TM Souders

Today I was invited to be a guest on TM Souder's Blog.  

You can find it here!  

http://tmsouders.com/blog/

Come Join us for the interview as I talk about My Blood Runs Blue and my writing habits! 

Thank you TM for the guest appearance!!!

Don't forget to check out the Launch Party of all Launch Parties that we are giving to award winning author Melissa Foster as 

Come Back to Me 

hits the stands on November 1st! 

The age of technology

As I find myself juggling so many things at once to get the word out about my books and to help other authors, I think back about how so much has changed in the last thirty years.

Now I can still remember sitting in my 9th grade computer class, it was the first one ever offered in my high school. We had just gotten a Commadore 64 at home, so I was the only one in the class who even knew what a C prompt was.  Now - 28 years later - it seems that my life, and many other peoples also, revolves around the computer, the internet and the social networking sites.

Many of you, I'm sure, can remember the bag phones that we had what like 18 years ago!!  Those huge things we used to carry around with us and had to plug into a car cigarette lighter to use it. Do you also remember the first hand held cell phone that you had? I do, it was from Sprint, one of their first PCS phones.  I thought it was so cool to clip it right to my belt and have it with me all the time. Dropped calls were no big deal, it just happened.

So after years of traditional cell phones, and moving on to Nextel direct connect phones and then on to smart phones.  I am trying to figure out how I did it all back then.  Of course, back then e-mail was something that you probably only did on AOL, or Yahoo.  And we didn't text, we IM'd.

If you wanted to know what was going on in the news, you turned on the television at 6 o'clock and watched the broadcast, or you picked up the paper from your doorstep the day after it happened. Now, news is sent directly to us 24 hours a day. Weather reports and alerts are sent to our phones on a daily basis. No longer can anyone say they are "out of touch" with the world, because the world is really at our fingertips - LITERALLY!

So as I have spent the last week on vacation, from my job that pays the bills, I think about all I have accomplished.  Let's look at that, shall we....

First and the most important thing to know is that my computer has been on - constantly! I have found myself sitting in front of it - or responding to things sent to my Droid for between 10-15 hours a day.

So during these last 7 days, I have personally Tweeted (alot)! Spent quite a few hours updating my status on Facebook. Put friends into circles on Google +, Joined a Tribe and created another Tribe on Triberr, posted reviews on Goodreads. Then I Blogged... and blogged... and read lots of blogs... all while tweeting it, because everyone needs to know what I am blogging about and what blogs I am reading!  You all care right?

I have also posted on endless groups like my Worldwide Indie Yahoo group, stayed in close contact with many people on Authors.com, spent lots of time browsing the Kindle Lovers page on Facebook and their website Kindle 3, because I can't live without my kindle. Updated my website, searched for photographs of my characters on Dreamstime for my video trailers, Amazon found me shopping, and posting reviews. I also asked for permission to list my books on two vampire romance lists.

I won't even begin to talk about the amount of time, Excel and Word were being used on my computer for spreadsheets and updating WIP's!

I have also shipped out books that were purchased on my own website, and watched my sales rise and fall on my Amazon bookshelf.  Did you hear, My Blood Runs Blue hit #64 on the Kindle charts for Vampire Romance? It did, and then it fell back off, but it was there, someone saw it! 

All in all - if you look at my house - it's a wreck - and some people would say I did nothing on my week off, but I know different. I know that I reached out and shared things with thousands of people. Maybe some of them cared, maybe some of them didn't, but I did it. I would not have been able to spend such awesome time with so many people before if it wasn't for the way that technology has changed our lives.

So....I will continue to follow, to blog, to post status updates, and to tweet about sitting around bonfires in circles until something new comes around... and then... You'll find me there too!

Our Interview with author Amy Manemann

Welcome Amy and thank you for joining us!  

We have a great interview, information about her book and then a great review to reveal today!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Do you work another job when you are not writing?

Yes! In addition to being a full time Mom of a 7 and 8 year old I also work part time at a medical office here in town.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing? 

Playing with the kids and reading, of course!  

What is your favorite color? Why? 

Blue. It’s a calming color for me and in fact I’m in the process of repainting our bedroom blue. My husband is thrilled ;0)

What is your favorite season? Why? 

Spring. I LOVE watching flowers reawakening after a long winter slumber and to hear the sounds of newborn birds snuggled warm in their nests. The winters in Iowa have been pretty harsh the last few years so when Spring finally comes it’s as if new possibilities are just around the corner.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why? 

Oregon. I had the pleasure of visiting Portland Oregon many years ago and fell in love with the beauty of the land and laid back country lifestyle there. It truly is a beautiful state to visit, I highly recommend it if you’re looking for somewhere to kick back and enjoy the simple things in life.

If you could have any car, what would it be? 

Well I drive a Pontiac Montana Mini Van which suits my family great so I’d say anything that’s full size and comes with a movie player!

Tell us about your writing:

How long have you been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby? 

I’ve been writing actually since my middle school days when it was easier to withdraw into myself and write about having an awesome life rather than face the awkward trials of middle school. As I grew older my writing morphed from being just a hobby into a dream of some day having people actually read one of my stories. 

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes? 

As the kids keep me busy and I do still work part time I try to get in an hour of writing a day so I can focus on everything else going on in our chaotic lives. Nothing is ever set routine in our household (unless you’re talking about sports practices!) I typically write when the mood strikes and if I’m busy when that happens I quickly jot down my thoughts and go back to them later when I have more time to be creative. 

 

Is there some place special you like to be when you write? 

One of my favorite spots to write is sitting in bed with my laptop, which typically only happens when my husband is on nights as he’s not a fan of a glowing computer screen when he’s trying to sleep. Another favorite spot is in our living room next to the front window where I can sip a cup of hot tea and stare aimlessly out the window if I get stuck in a spot. 

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

A quiet environment works best for me as I like to be able to block out everything around me and just focus on the computer screen in front of me. 

Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel? 

Deadly Reunion which is book one of the Taci Andrews Deadly Series. This is a planned four book series with book two, Deadly Science, coming out in 2012. 

Where did the idea come from? 

It actually was derived from my own apprehension at being faced with the possibilities of attending my own high school reunion. People always say when you grow up you shouldn’t still harbor old grudges and hurts from your youth but that’s easier said than done. Writing Deadly Reunion was sort of a release for me and though the plans for our class reunion fell through I was able to move past that time in my life.

 

How long did it take to write?

As I didn’t work on it every day (and had multiple writer’s block problems!) I believe it took me around 6 months to complete.  Deadly Science has been a much faster write for me as the writing kinks from my first book have already been worked out and I’ve established an easier writing rhythm that works for me and my family.

What is it about?

Smart mouthed Taci Andrews is an investigative reporter for the Riverdale Times with a lot on her plate. Between receiving a dreaded invitation to her fifteen year high school reunion, her best friend's divorce drama and her own solitary dating status her fun meter is pretty much pegged.

When Taci’s partner goes missing while covering a missing child feature she is suddenly thrown into the story of her career, which oddly enough delves into a past she would rather forget. She soon finds herself squaring off against a malicious class Barbie Doll, the High School Quarterback and a steamy Fireman from her past whose deep blue eyes are still enough to curl her toes.

Concerned about the disappearance of his friend's daughter, Firefighter Tony Parsons returns to his hometown of Riverdale to see what is being done with the case. Having a few connections with the police force he decides to pull in a few favors, running into former classmate Taci Andrews in the process. His last memory of Taci was back in high school when she'd given him a black eye for feeling up her shirt. He had to admit the grown up version of Taci was even better than the adolescent version and when he learns she's covering the story for the Times he decides to tag along.

Despite babysitting three hyped up children, having a disastrous date night, receiving an ominous warning and nearly getting blown up, the sparks that quickly ignite between Tony and Taci are hard to ignore, despite their best efforts. As they delve deeper to uncover the deadly truths surrounding the sleepy town of Riverdale, the old feud that rested between them for ages begins to give way to an unexpected passion.

But new feelings for one another or not they both have a job to do and a missing child to find. Can they put their feelings aside to solve the case or will they be next on the missing person’s list?

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published? 

Yes! In addition to the second book in the Deadly Series, Deadly Science, being released in 2012 I also have three other series in the works to include paranormal romance, thriller suspense and hunky loveable cowboys so be on the lookout for these next three series!

Where can readers connect with you? 

I am always available on my website at www.amymanemann.webs.com, on Twitter @AmyManemann or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Manemann-Author/198959956834001

Where can we buy your books? 

My books can be purchased in both paperback and ebook forms on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. 

Review of  Deadly Reunion by Stacy Eaton

This is the first book in a series that I know will go far. Author Amy Manemann shows a great writing style and a deeply involved plot in this first book published.

Taci Andrews is a great Alpha female who doesn’t let the Alpha males around her control her or manipulator her into doing the “safe” thing. She has her own mind, and she does what she wants, when she wants and doesn’t much care what others think. Her sharp wit and the banter that goes among the characters is playful and brought many smiles to my face as I read it.

Ms. Manemann’s ability to write a strong character without being over bearing was done very well. She also did a great job with hiding some of the plot twists that came about throughout the story. Her descriptions were well thought out and gave you what you needed without overdoing anything.

I look forward to reading more from Ms. Manemann, especially the next installment of “The Taci Andrews Deadly Series”.

Join Amy Manemann and 35 other authors for the 99 Cent Book Event, in celebration of the release of award-winning,

bestselling author Melissa Foster's 

COME BACK TO ME

Tues., Nov. 1 - Thurs., Nov 3. 

ALL BOOKS 99 CENTS, ebook giveaways, and more! www.womensliterarycafe.com  

Our Interview with author Kaira Rouda

Welcome Kaira and thank you for joining us!  

We have a great interview, information about her book and then a great review to reveal today! (I just finished reading her book on Monday night!)

Tell us a little about Kaira Rouda!

Karia do you work another job when you aren't writing?

Until a year ago, I worked full time, most of my life. Most recently, my husband and I created a residential real estate company called Real Living. (If you haven’t heard of it yet, hopefully you will soon!) It’s the fastest growing brand in real estate. My husband continues to run the company, and I’m the brand consultant.

All my life I’ve wanted to write novels – and I have been writing on the side. But now, I’m taking the advice I offered women in my own business book Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs  – follow your passions, put them into action. I’m finally doing just that. When HERE, HOME, HOPE came out in May, it was the most amazing dream come true.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?

Teen wrangling – I have four; playing with my dogs – I have two; and hanging out with friends. Yoga is my favorite workout. Oh, and I like to spend time with my husband – I have one. 

What is your favorite color? Why?

Blue. Reminds me of the ocean.

What is your favorite season? Why?

Summer. I love to be warm.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?

At the beach. Anywhere, really, at the beach, but I am finally living here (as of 2 years ago), and it’s also a dream come true. 

If you could have any car, what would it be?

I hate cars. And I really hate driving – especially in LA! Soooo, if I could have any car, it would come with a driver.

Tell us about your writing

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?

I have written for as long as I can remember. Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, magazine features, newspaper columns, business columns, ad copy, radio spots, speeches, manuals (ick), press releases. I was the society columnist in Columbus, Ohio for 10 years and I’ve written for too many magazines to name. But my dream always has been to write a novel.  

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?

This luxury of writing full-time is new, so I’m figuring out my mojo. Stay tuned!

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?

Anywhere with my laptop works.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?

Either – as long as it’s not pop music as I tend to sing along and that messes up dialog.

Tell us about your book

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel?

HERE, HOME, HOPE is a stand-alone novel, set in the fictive suburb of Grandville. There are three more stories set in the same town, but they aren’t sequential, just some familiar characters pop up.

Where did the idea come from?

  I have no idea, but I am a product of the suburbs, myself.

How long did it take to write?

Originally, six months. Revisions/edits/rewrites/blah – another 1 ½ years.

What is it about?

From the back cover: “HERE, HOME, HOPE is a witty, absorbing tale of one woman’s journey from midlife crisis to reinvention. “ That makes it sound boring, but hopefully it’s not! I was blessed to receive amazing endorsements from some of the best women’s fiction writers working today including Claire Cook, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Beth Hoffman, Amy Hatvany, Katrina Kittle and more. I like their descriptions better. Claire, my cover girl, said: “Reading Kaira Rouda is like getting together with a best friend.” I love that. I’m proud it won the 2011 Indie Excellence Award. That means a lot.

Your other work

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?

As I mentioned, I wrote a business book for women – REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs (Wiley/2008) - that continues to resonate with women across the country. I truly hope to empower and inspire other women with that book, and through other activities I’m involved in.

I published my first short story – A MOTHER’S DAY – this summer, too, and hope to follow with another one this winter.

My next book set in the same suburb of Grandville is ready to go. My current publisher, Greenleaf, would like to publish it, but I’m attempting to get interest from a “big” publisher. If not, I’ll carry on with the Indie path.

Where can readers connect with you?

I love to Skype with book clubs and I’ve been having a blast with that. 

To reach me, visit my website: www.kairarouda.com , my Facebook Fan Page Kaira Rouda Books or on Twitter, @KairaRouda

Where can we buy your books?

HERE, HOME, HOPE is at Hudson News airport locations, at select Barnes & Noble stores across the country and available from some wonderful independent booksellers. It’s also of course on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and IndieBound. 

REAL YOU INCORPORATED and A MOTHER’S DAY also are available online.

Thanks for having me on your blog, Stacy!

Here, Home, Hope - Review by Stacy Eaton

This is a book for women, plain and simple.  Any woman who has reached a point in her life and has started asking questions about what they have accomplished and where they are going from here will find real joy from this book. 

I was able to identify with Ms. Rouda’s Here, Home, Hope very easily as I have had not one, but two mid-life crisis’s.  Reading how she takes the lives of close friends, husbands, children and careers on a round-about merry go round was entertaining and enjoyable. 

Her writing style is easy to read and her book flows very nicely. The only thing I found challenging for me was once in a while the conversation felt a bit rushed and I wasn’t completely clear on the time at some points in the story. 

I loved her plot line, and her knowledge of the world of real estate and staging shined through in her words.  I very much enjoyed her characters and could easily see them interacting with each other throughout the book. 

For any woman who has hit the mid-life crisis point in their life, they will be able to identify with what Kelly and her friends are going through. Any woman with a teen will be able to understand the stress of what Melanie was dealing with, and for all of us… we all know a Rachel White that has come into our lives at some point.

Raising my martini glass to Kaira here!  Great book! Really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of her work! 

Join Kaira Rouda and 35 other authors for the 99 Cent Book Event, in celebration of the release of award-winning,

bestselling author Melissa Foster's 

COME BACK TO ME

Tues., Nov. 1 - Thurs., Nov 3. 

ALL BOOKS 99 CENTS, ebook giveaways, and more! www.womensliterarycafe.com  

Enter to win a set of Signed books!

Now is your chance to win the first two books in the series.

From Today - October 4th - until October 11th you can enter to win the first two books in the My Blood Runs Blue Series, signed!  

All you need to do is:

Friend me on Goodreads  

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4826711.Stacy_Eaton

Friend me and Tweet it:  

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

And post a note on the blog here with your Goodreads name and Twitter Name that you did! 

One Lucky winner will win a Hardcover set of my two books

If I have over 40 people enter, then a second person will win a set of paperbacks!

Over 60 people enter then I will also giveaway 2 additional Kindle sets.

Please tweet and share this link with others!!!

Hardcovers and Paperback for US/Canadian customers only.

Kindle sets open to all!

Blue Blood for Life has been Published!

Friday September 30th, 2011

Blue Blood for Life - book 2 in the series

was officially published!!!

Yesterday I woke up to the excitement of an e-mail from my publisher. My second book was officially published! I logged on to my author account and ordered my books to keep on hand for my friends and family and those who order copies of my book on my website!  

Then I check Amazon, but it wasn't there yet. I knew that the kindle version takes a little while to show up, but I had to check. A couple hours later, I got the e-mail from the publisher stating that the Kindle version has been added.  Happy dance in my chair, and I checked and found that it was in the review and publishing process on Amazon, but still not available for download.  I remembered that my first book took about 24 hours to go live. Okay...I could wait!

Around noon - I did a search on Amazon - and low and behold... THERE IT WAS!!  So as I clicked the purchase button, I danced and laughed around my office as I watched it download to my kindle!  Yes, I acted very childish for a 42 year old woman, but I couldn't help it!  Knowing that my second book was finally published made me more excited then my first book, almost! 

I remember my admin assistant from my police department called me but before she could get a word in edgewise, I pretty much told her, "I have to tell you something!" Then I proceeded to tell her about the book being out and available and I jumped up and down and talked a mile a minute.  I could hear her laughing on the phone. I know she said to me, "I have never heard you talk so fast." I didn't care - I was to excited!  

Currently, the Kindle edition is on Amazon and the paperback and hardcovers will soon be available there. Barnes and Noble will also carry the printed copies. You can also get a signed copy of Blue Blood for Life, or the first book, My Blood Runs Blue on my website. My Publisher does have both the paperback copy available now!

Amazon Kindle

Stacy Eaton Website

Outskirts Press, Inc.