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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Welcome Back - Jennifer Lowery



I’m happy to have Michigan author Jennifer Lowery on “Meet the Authors” again. Jennifer has a new book, which she’ll tell you about.



Welcome back, Jennifer. Tell us about yourself.



Hi Diane and all you fabulous readers out there *waves* Thank you so much for having me today! My contemporary romance, Murphy’s Law, released this month so I’m very excited to be here! Thank you so much for sharing it with me!! 



I’m a wife of twenty-one years to a fabulous man and mother of two teenagers! We live in a small town in Michigan and love it. My son is in college, my daughter in middle school. I write full time now after quitting my job as a Respiratory Therapist (after 13 years). Yep, it was time to follow my dream and do what I love the most! And I’m so happy I did! I have 3 books published now-yay! Hard Core, The Treasure, and Murphy’s Law.

Yay, indeed. Where can readers find you?

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


I can’t remember ever wanting to be anything but, lol. It’s all I ever wanted to be. I grew up writing in journals, filling notebooks with stories, until my parents finally bought me a typewriter in high school!


How long does it take you to write a book?


I’m a slow writer, I think. It varies per book, but usually takes me months to get the first draft done. Then another for revisions. My first drafts are slow because I’m a pantser and I often have to stop writing and ponder where the story is going next, but I’m okay with my process. I’ve learned to accept it. Revisions go much quicker.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?


Spend time with my family, read.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family is awesome!! They are so supportive and understanding! I’m very lucky and I love them for it

What do you think makes a good story?

Strong GMC’s (Goal, Motivation, Conflict). You have to develop your characters. You have to flesh them out. Deeply. Villains included. I don’t think the reader is going to remember your plot. I think they are going to remember your characters and how you made them feel.


What is the best part of writing for you?

Revisions! I hate writing first drafts.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

The journey my characters take me on.

What do you enjoy most about life?

Making my dreams happen and living without regret. You have to give it your all so when you get to the end of your life you can look back and say you gave it your best shot, no matter what the outcome.

Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?

Wherever the story hits, lol. Either with a character or scene. I just start writing and worry about the rest when I get there.

Are your stories driven by plot or character?

Character. I’m a horrible plotter. Thank goodness I have a wonderful critique group and partner.

Which two authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing?

Cherry Adair and Cindy Gerard.



Thank you for having me today, Diane!! I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support!
All my best,
Jennifer

Now let’s hear about your latest book.

Blurb for Murphy’s Law:

Tag: Nowhere to go. No place to hide.

     Home is the last place Jon Murphy can go. After being held captive in Tazbekistan, he returns to the States only to find he can’t face his mom and sisters with what he did while he was a prisoner, so he retreats to the mountains.
     Widow Sara Sheldon has made a lifetime of mistakes and is now running scared from her husband’s powerful family, who are determined to take her daughter away from her. When her little girl goes missing in the Rockies, Sara enlists the only help she can find: a gruff recluse with tracking skills to admire and a body to covet.
     A storm strands Sara and her daughter at Murphy’s cabin, leaving her no choice but to hope her in-laws don’t catch up while she plans where to run next. Murphy resents the invasion of his privacy, but can’t seem to keep his mind--or his hands--off Sara. How can she stand to look at him, with all his scars? He’s not nearly as honorable as she might think…only enough to make sure she’s safe, and then he’ll go back to being alone, the way he should be.
CONTENT WARNING: Sexual content
A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance

Excerpt from Murphy’s Law:

Copyright 2013, Jennifer Lowery
All rights reserved, Lyrical Press, Inc.

Murphy sat at the kitchen table, half in the shadows created by the soft light glowing above the stove, hair tousled from sleep. Naked to the waist. A bottle of amber liquid sat in front of him, an empty glass in his hand. Her gaze landed on his muscled shoulders and trailed across his tanned chest. So much for getting him out of her mind. Now she had the real thing to dream about. Looking at the dark hairs that veed down his chest and disappeared behind the table, she decided he’d been right. He was a dangerous man.
She tore her gaze away from temptation and looked at the granite lines of his face. Beneath the hardness of his expression, something haunting lingered. Drawn, she circled the table to the opposite end.
Murphy met her eyes with coldness that should have sent her running for the safety of her room, but she remained standing in place. He wanted to chase her away. This time she wasn’t running.
“Mind if I join you?” She grabbed a glass and from the cupboard and reached over his shoulder for the bottle.
His hand snaked out and wrapped around hers, preventing her from pouring a drink.
“I mind,” he growled.
“Well, get over it. I need a drink.”
Scowling, he let go of her hand and allowed her to pour a glass for herself. She refilled his glass next, set the bottle on the table, moved to the chair beside him and sat, lifting her glass.
“Cheers.” She brought the glass to her lips. His gaze as she drained the glass made her fight the urge to cough as the fiery liquid burned its way down her throat. Seconds later she felt the familiar warming sensation as it numbed her insides. Her eyes filled with tears. She blinked them away and reached for the bottle.
Murphy held it away from her. “What are you doing?”
“Having a drink. I’m not in the mood for warm milk tonight.”
His eyes darkened and narrowed. “You don’t strike me as the drinking type.”
She wasn’t, but tonight it sounded good. Maybe it would soothe away her problems and make her forget how screwed-up her life was. Talking about Kent earlier had brought back painful memories. She didn’t want to feel that misery anymore.
“Maybe you don’t know my type,” she said.
He studied her closely for a moment before rubbing a hand over his face. “Go back to bed, Sara. Sleep it off.”
“I don’t want to sleep it off. I’m tired of thinking about it.”
Maybe it was the whisky, or his naked chest, or the part of her that had been dormant for six years coming back to life. More than anything she wanted to discover it with Murphy, her strong, scarred hero.
She rose to her feet. He watched warily as she stepped in front of him and positioned herself between him and the table. He leaned back in his chair and sent her a thunderous look.
“You and I are alike in many ways, Murphy,” she said softly. “We’ve both lost pieces of ourselves we can’t ever get back and it has forced us into a life of loneliness and solitude. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being alone.”
He pinned her with a hard glare. “I’m not what you want. Go back to your room before I do something we’ll both regret in the morning.”
His harshly spoken words sent little electrical shocks through her body.
“I’m tired of people telling me what I want.”

Buy links for Murphy’s Law:

Author Bio:
Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side. 
Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.  
 Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children.  When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. 
 Find Jennifer:

Jennifer, I'm so glad you shared Murphy's Law with us. Come back again.
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Lucky in Love Blog Hop


Congratulations to Danielle H. who won the Amazon Gift Card


“Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer.”



In my case, the phone rang and I answered. Let me back up. Two friends decided I needed a guy in my life. After dating/kissing some frogs, I was leery at first. They persisted. “But he’s a really nice guy.” So I thought what the heck.



He called. I answered. We talked for over an hour. An hour with a complete stranger. And I wasn’t the only one talking! After more than forty years together, we’re still talking to each other. Was I lucky in love? You betcha. Luck aided by good friends.



If you want to read more about my first date, download How I Met My Husband free on Amazon. This anthology contains stories from twenty-four authors who were Lucky In Love.


In my sci-fi romance The Pilot, Celara isn't so lucky when she meets Trevarr for the first time.

Excerpt from The Pilot:

“My thruster gimbal got damaged when I kissed an asteroid evading filthy pirates. They didn’t catch me, though.” Celara grinned. “Hey, you new around here? Don’t remember seeing you before—and I sure would remember seeing you.”
He arched his dark eyebrow.
She raised her hand, palm outward, in the traditional indie greeting. “Celara d’Enfaden.” As he stared at her with green eyes as sharp and clear as veridion, she raised her own eyebrow. “And you are . . .”
When he reached into the pocket of his work uniform and pulled out a zircan leather folder, she groaned before he even opened it. She knew what the folder contained. A shiny gold badge, carved with an intricate array of stars, swirls and a tiny red jewel in the center. The insignia of the Coalition.
“I am Administrator Trevarr Jovano.” He snapped his fingers and two armed Security personnel stepped out of the shadows of the Agilean Speeder. “I am impounding your ship and confiscating your cargo.”

The Pilot is available at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords ~ Kobo




Do you believe in luck?

Leave a response and your email address to win a $10 Amazon gift card. For more chances to win enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway.


Now for the Grand Prizes. When you leave a comment (with your email address, of course), you’re eligible for one of the Grand Prizes. We have TWO grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 300 times!

Now what are those prizes?
1st Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
2nd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
(2nd Grand Prize to U.S. addresses only) 

To continue on the Hop go to http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/p/lucky-in-love-hop.html   for more links and to qualify for the TWO grand prizes. There are over 300 participants in the Lucky in Love Blog Hop. You can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 300 times! So, be sure to leave a comment! And don't forget to leave your email address.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Meet Lynda Kaye Frazier



Today I’m happy to introduce you to Lynda Kaye Frazier. I met her through the great group Authors Helping Authors. She is very supportive of her fellow authors.



Welcome, Lynda. Please tell us about yourself.



Well I’m an avid reader of romantic suspense and started writing about a year ago after a vivid dream. I know, sounds clichĂ©, but that’s how it started. I work full time at a Cardiology clinic, then at night you will find me in front of my computer writing. I grew up in Pennsylvania, but now live in Arkansas, surrounded by the Ozark Mountains where I get to enjoy the four seasons without a long, cold winter. Other than spending time with my wonderful family, my favorite things to do are writing, reading and listening to music, but my most favorite is going to the beach. Surf, sand and a good book, my stress relief.



Where can readers find you? 




Twitter- @lynda_kaye






When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?



I never thought about writing a book until I had a dream about a troubled girl, walking on the beach trying to find answers. It was so vivid that I got up and write it down. That’s how my first book started.


How long does it take you to write a book?



I wrote my first full length novel in two months. But it took several more to perfect it for publishers. Writing the story is the easy part. Perfecting it takes the most time but it is time well spent.


What is your work schedule like when you're writing?



I have a day job so my only time to write is in the evening. Usually after 7pm you will find me in front of my computer, writing or answering e-mails



Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?



From dreams, thoughts and sometimes through people watching. I love to sit in a coffee shop and just watch other customers. I work out a story to their actions. It’s a lot of fun as long as they don’t see you and think you’re a stalker.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?


Love to watch movies and listen to music.



What does your family think of your writing?



My family is my biggest support system. When I was discouraged they pushed me forward. I wouldn’t be here without them



How many books have you written?



I have two short stories and one full length novel complete. I have to say my novel is my favorite. All the characters I love are there.



What do you think makes a good story?



Plot. It has to be deep, capture me from the beginning and hold my interest. I read every day and I read all genres. My favorite is romantic suspense but as long as it has a good plot/story line I will read it. I have read quite a few that had very little plot and did not keep my interest.



What is the best part of writing for you?


Watching my characters come to life on paper. Their personalities open up and bonds form. They become part of my life until I finish their story.


What do you enjoy most about writing?



I enjoy how relaxing it is. I lose the stress of the day as my fingers fly across the keyboard.


What do you enjoy most about life?



I work in an office where patients deal with serious health issues every day so it humbles you to where you value the simple things. Every moment you get with your family and how beautiful the sunsets are each night.



Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?


I just start typing and let the story unfold. My characters have in the most part, wrote their own story. It makes writing a story pretty easy. I have tried outlines and plotting but I never stay on course so I just stopped doing it. I do a lot of research because I write about suspense, terrorists and Agents lives. I want to make sure my story is believable with what I write. Being in the medical field I find it hard to watch a tearful moment in a movie where the main character is near death when they have their ventilator tube taped near their ear. Kind of makes you lose the moment when the scene is not believable.



What did you learn from writing your first book?



I learned that writing the book is the easy part. Making it a book worth publishing is the hard part, but most important part. I had no idea how to write when I finished my story and found out quickly after I sent it through a few critiques. I was humbled and forged ahead with workshops and classes on basic grammar and punctuation, something that is so important to making a book a success.


How many hours a day to you spend writing?


Not as many as I would like. E-mails and marketing are taking up a lot of my time but I still try to get a couple hours a day in.


If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?


Pay more attention during English class in high school.



Are your stories driven by plot or character?


Both. I have a character and an idea for a plot and between the two the story unfolds.


How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?



It’s not easy. My children are grown so I don’t have little ones around but everyday life can get in the way and steal your writing time. I set aside computer time every day. Normally in the evening since I have a day job. Now I just have to be disciplined enough to stay off of time stealers like Facebook, Twitter and any other social site so I can spend my time writing. Some days it’s easier than others.



What are some jobs you've done that would end up in a book?



I’m in the medical field so my contemporary story is about a cancer patient. I have also been a bartender during college, I see that one in there also.



If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?


I only have one so this is an easy question. My first one, Rescued from the Dark. You will get introduced to the most wonderful group of eight men who will go out of their way to right the wrong in your world.


What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?


The need for more. I mark on my calendar when the next book comes out from one of my favorite authors. I want someone to mark on their calendar when my next book will be out.



What two authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing?



Cindy Gerard and Suzanne Brockman.  Love both them.



Tell us about your latest book.



Rescued from the Dark is a Romantic Suspense. This is a story about an FBI agent, Jason Michaels who goes undercover with the Irish Mob to get information on their gun smuggling ring. While on assignment he realizes they have joined forces with a known terrorist group manufacturing drugs. He searches for information to tie the two together when he finds out they have kidnapped a fellow agent and the only girl he has ever loved, Mercedes Kingsley. Jason soon realizes they’re using Mercy to perfect their dosage and that his cover has been blown. He knows he has to save her so takes off on a journey that will take him up against his enemies, peers and the Agency that he loves, but willing to give up, to save his country and bring Mercy back to him.



I don’t think it crosses over to any other genres. Strictly suspense with a little intrigue and romance thrown in.


Rescued from the Dark published through Black Opal Books, release date February 16, 2013



Blurb:


She has no memory of their love...



Kidnapped by terrorists and sent into a drug-induced coma, FBI intern Mercedes Kingsley awakes with no memory of her ordeal—or the intimate interlude that left her pregnant. Convinced her child was fathered by her ex-fiancĂ©, she walks away from the only man she has ever loved, determined to make things work with her ex, a man the FBI suspects is implicated in her abduction.



He knows the truth, but no one will listen...



FBI undercover agent Jason Michaels remembers what Mercy can’t and those memories are breaking his heart. Forced to keep his distance from his lover and their unborn child, Jason risks his life to protect Mercy from a cell of international terrorists who have vowed to get the secrets locked in her memory, no matter the cost. Can Jason convince Mercy to trust him until she remembers their past, or will he lose her to a man who will trap her in a nightmare world of darkness from which there is no escape?

EXCERPT:
A
n explosion ricocheted behind Jason Michael’s eyes as the pressure mounted in his head. The rush of panic consumed him. He struggled to move, tried to swallow, but nothing. His throat burned as the flames engulfed his lungs. He needed to breathe but couldn’t. Shit. He strained to make out the muffled voice, but the pounding in his ears erased all hope. His head started to spin and he succumbed to the realization, this was it, the end. He won. The flames dampened and his heartbeat slowed as the drums subsided, then the voice became clear.
     “Give it to him now you son of a bitch. What were you thinking? We still need him.”
     In a split second, Jason sucked in a breath, causing stabbing pains to shoot through his chest. Every muscle fiber burned as the cold blast of air shot through his lungs releasing the oxygen his body craved. He arched his back, raising his chest up to pull in more air when his head snapped to the side and the crack from his neck echoed in his ears. The pain ripped through his jaw, racing across his cheekbone. Before he could gather his senses, intense burning set his face on fire. What the hell?
     The slap against his cheek stung, and his eyes snapped open. He wrenched upright, hitting his head on the roof of the SUV. His gaze darted back and forth looking for something familiar until he locked onto the ice-cold stare of the devil himself, Shaun Flanagan.
     Damn, that was close. Jason could not blow his cover, even if it meant he would die as David Logan and not Jason Michaels.
      “You’re finally awake, my boy. We almost lost you,” Shaun cold, emotionless laugh caused Jason’s blood to boil. “You stopped breathing, I think. It’s hard to tell with this new stuff. I hope you’re not too injured. We’ve got work to do.”
      Jason’s vision blurred, but his other senses were sharp. Shaun had known exactly what the drug would do and the burn in Jason’s throat was a harsh reminder. Shaun’s sarcastic tone spoke volumes to him. He was evil and did not play by anyone’s rules but his own. Jason had spent the last two months undercover, playing their games and doing their dirty work to buddy up tight to this family. He’d earned his spot with Thomas Flanagan, but his son Shaun had issues trusting anyone, even his own father.
     Jason’s anger burned inside of him, but he couldn’t afford to make mistakes, not now. He was too close. It’s time to step it up, but first the drugs had to stop. He rubbed his aching jaw with one hand, clenching his other into a fist to hide his visible shaking. He had to get control of this game before he lost everything.

Rescued From the Dark is available at Amazon.

Lynda, thanks so much for being here today.