Love Romantic Comedy? Check out my interview with author Dee Ernst!

Is there a better way to perk up a lackluster Tuesday than by spending some time getting to know romantic comedy author Dee Ernst? Probably, but the other ways are more fattening, downright sinful, and possibly illegal (in my case, anyway). So we’ll stick with Dee! J

Welcome to my Romance/Chick-Lit 

Author Interview series, Dee!

Me: Let's start with an easy question: What are you working on now?

DEE: I'm working on too many things - a YA that my daughter urged me to write, a sequel to Better Off Without Him, and something about a 50ish woman trying online dating while dealing with the problems of her three adult children.

Me: Your writing schedule sounds like mine – a bit schizophrenic (in a completely good way, of course). How closely do your characters resemble you? Any particular quirk you’re not too afraid to cop to?

DEE: Mona is like me in her attitude and life POV, but she's much younger and more successful career-wise. We both have daughters, dogs, cats and great friends. I've been happily married for 23 years, but, like Mona, I'm a bit of a smart-a**

Me: I love smart-asses! My favorite line of all time is from Steel Magnolias – “If you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit next to me.” Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

DEE: I wish I had Mona's success as a writer.  And her beach house.

Me: Ooh! Me too! I definitely want Mona’s beach house. Okay, now on to something of grave importance (especially considering the beach houses we’re going to have soon)... sunglasses: designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

DEE: I've been very nearsighted for most of my life, and prescription sunglasses are way too expensive for me.  I must confess, I'm a clip-on girl, and I have them stashed everywhere - car, purse, beachbag, husbands car...but I think if I had perfect vision, I'd be a Dior girl.

Me: My mom showed up with a new pair of Dior’s a couple weeks ago… Lots of bling – I definitely approve of your choice. Now, back to writing - Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

DEE: Oh, so this is the fantasy part of the interview?  Then, let's say I'd love to work with Neil Gaiman.  I love his imagination, and he's got a great sense of humor.  He's also very relatable - he really tries to connect with his audience through various forms of media.  I could probably learn a lot from him.  And if I couldn't, I could just stare at him and be perfectly happy.

Me: Ha! And what do you mean by, “Oh, so this is the fantasy part of the interview?” I thought this was all fantasy! We’re writers of fiction! We lie for a living! Geez… you weren’t being honest with these questions, were you? Just kiddingJ. Totally just kidding! …In all seriousness, thank you so much for sharing a bit about you and your writing with us today! One final question... I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

DEE: I'm a huge fan of RPG video games.  I have an Xbox, and just started Skyrim, which is taking a little too much of my time and attention.  In fact, I was on the phone with a friend who asked how the new book was going, and I was like, "Who cares??I'm up to Level 3!!!"

Me: I would have NEVER guessed that about you! Cool.

Is your curiosity piqued? Want to know more about Dee Ernst? Make sure to check out her Romantic Comedy novel – Better Off Without Him – available on Amazon and Barnes& Noble. Or, Check out her Author’s page for more great stuff.

Thanks again for stopping by!

~Heidi

A fresh look at YA fiction! Meet author Marie Lamba!

Wow! I can’t believe Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is on the horizon. To celebrate surviving the feast, and continuing my November Chick-Lit/Romance Author Interviews series, today I have YA author Marie Lamba on the blog talking about writing and life.

Welcome, Marie!!!

ME: Thank you so much for joining us today. I’m excited to have a young adult author check in! What are you writing now?

MARIE: I'm putting the finishing touches on a young adult paranormal called DRAWN. It's about a teen artist who moves to England with her dad in search of a normal life, but once she starts channeling a hot ghost through her drawings, nothing will ever be normal again. It's reminiscent of Jude Deveraux's KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, only for the YA audience.

ME: Sounds amazing! This might be a tough one since you write for a younger audience, but… How closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

MARIE: My female characters tend to really care about their families, but also have a strong need to break out on their own, something that definitely paralleled my own feelings in my teen years. Also, in OVER MY HEAD, my summery YA romance, the family parallels my own in a way. The main character Sang is biracial, just like my own daughters are, and the half Indian half Italian mix flavors the story with lots of humor and culture clashes...especially when Sang falls for a gorgeous college-aged lifeguard!

And Michelle in DRAWN is a Jersey girl and a fine artist with out of control hair.  That's me alright.  I actually studied writing and fine art in college, but then leaned more toward writing afterwards...and my hair now benefits from mousse...

ME: I love that you weave so much of yourself into your characters! And… Ah yes, hair products are a definite necessity! Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

MARIE: My characters often get to put the bad guys in their place, something I'd love to do.  Like in OVER MY HEAD when Sang and her cousin Raina get unwillingly pulled into a catfight with two nasty girls who have been tormenting them. They escape with their dignity, while the tormentors lose their mini-skirts!  Ah, justice.

Also, yeah, I would NOT mind falling for a hot medieval ghost, like Michelle does in DRAWN. Just saying...

ME: I’m with you in regards to characters being able to tell people off! How about this:  Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

MARIE: My older daughter has tons of them, so I live off her hand-me-downs.  Sadness!

ME: No fair (but then again, I don’t have children so I get to be completely selfishJ). Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

MARIE: I get so lost in my own head when I write that I don't think I could work on a combined project... but I wouldn't mind grabbing a cup of coffee with Ann Tyler, and then perhaps going shopping with Sophia Kinsella.

ME: Definitely shopping with Miss Kinsella! Love itJ!  I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

MARIE: That I've been a Girl Scout leader for the past 15 years! Right now I'm leading a high school troop, and we recently took a week-long trip to London. As an author I also do special Skype and in-person workshops for teen Scouts about writing and my YA novels. I've done this now for over 1000 teen Scouts, and it's a great way to share my time and my love of writing with my readers. I hope to do more of these in the future and would enjoy Skyping with book clubs, too.

ME: I bet you get an amazing amount of reader-research done through your time with the Girl Scouts. That’s fantastic! Marie, thanks so much for taking the time to share with us today. I wish you great success!

Don’t forget to check out Over My Head by Marie Lamba, available on Amazon, Barnes &Noble, and many other online retailers! And be sure to look for her upcoming novel, Drawn, available soon! Want to learn more? Visit Marie’s Amazon Author’s page for a complete listing of her books and her author bio!

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by!

~Heidi

Want to know more about your favorite authors? Check out my interview with Shana Norris!

If you’re like me, you’ve gained ten pounds after the “Gobble ‘til you wobble” indulgence of Thanksgiving and are ready to sit back and relax with a great book (treadmill completely optional). Continuing with my November Romance/Chick-Lit Author Interviews series, today I have Shana Norris on the blog giving us a peek inside her process and quirks!

Welcome Shana!

ME: Thanks so much for being with us today, Shana! I know I’m excited to learn more about you and your writing… what are you writing now?

SHANA: Right now I'm working on the sequel to my newest ebook, Surfacing. The sequel is my NaNoWriMo project, and I'm really enjoying just diving in and letting the words come out.

ME: I need to participate next year! I bet a lot of genius comes out of letting top-of-mind ideas flow! How closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

SHANA: Sometimes my characters are a more exaggerated version of myself. Avery in The Boyfriend Thief is my control freak side multiplied by a thousand. I'm not as extreme as she is, and nowhere near as neat and organized, but sometimes I do get a bit obsessive and like to have everything completely under control. I've been known to stress out when things start getting a little too crazy, but thankfully not as much as Avery does.

ME: I know what you mean… it’s like – Ha! See, someone is more neurotic than me. (Even if they are fictional). Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

SHANA: Not really, because characters usually have a lot of bad things happen to them! Other people in the stories are always trying to tear them down or worse. I'm fine with my boring, quiet life and just pretending to be a part of a character's world for a little while.

ME: That’s a good attitude to have. I sometimes wish I lived the exciting, privileged lives of my characters, but then I realize how exhausted I’d be. Let’s talk about something really important: Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

SHANA: I like designers, but I like them from places like Ross or TJ Maxx. I'm pretty tight with my wallet! For me, one pair is enough because I tend to stick with the same pair until it falls apart.

ME: Good call. If it weren’t for my fashionista of a mother I would definitely not have all the goodies I do. Back to writing: Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

SHANA: I'd really love to do a project with Meg Cabot because she's so funny and she was one of my inspirations for writing young adult books. But honestly, my messy and unplanned writing process would probably make me a terrible co-writer.

ME: Wow, you’re about the hundredth author who’s mentioned Meg Cabot… I really need to read something of hers! I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

SHANA: I could eat spaghetti and a vegetable salad every day for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. Yum. You can probably tell that it's almost time for lunch as I write this...and yes, I am having spaghetti today!

ME: Food has also been a general theme with the authors I’ve interviewed… thankfully I’m finally full after the gluttony of Thanksgiving, or I’d be planning Italiano for lunch, too! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us! I look forward to your books and hope you’ll drop by again sometime!

Want to learn more about Shana Norris? Make sure to check out her books, starting with The Boyfriend Thief – available now from Amazon and Barnes & Noble! Also, make sure you check out her Amazon Author’s page for bio information and a complete listing of her work!

Happy Reading!

~Heidi

Chick-Lit for the Menopausal set? Meet Author Donna Ball!

It’s the day before Thanksgiving… so I’m giving thanks to Donna Ball for taking the time to answer a few questions for my Romance/Chick-Lit Author Interview Series! This is so fun!!!

Welcome, Donna!

ME:  Let's jump right in with what everyone wants to know: What are you writing now?

DONNA: I'm frantically trying to finish up a novella for Christmas release, CHRISTMAS ON LADYBUG FARM.  The Ladybug Farm series is like chick lit for the menopausal set:)

ME: I’ve heard it called Hen-Lit… bwahaha! I love it! How closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

DONNA: My characters are always MUCH more fun that I am! However, I notice in my romances that almost all the heroines have a cat.  I too, have always had a cat, although these days she's far outnumbered by dogs.

ME: It always amazes me how many authors have cats. I truly believe they can be wonderful muses. Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

DONNA: I think one of the reasons we write novels is for the chance to live someone else's life for awhile.  The truth is, I can't think of a character whose life I wouldn't want to live!

ME: Me, too! Of course, I try to write only happy endings, and who doesn’t want one of those? Okay, on to something of utmost importance - Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

DONNA: I have extremely light-sensitive eyes (nothing to do with vampirism, I promise!), so I never leave the house without my sunglasses.  I can never have too many pairs-- there is a pair in every room, in my car and in my purse at all times.  With so many pairs of sunglasses, they have to cheap.

ME: *sigh* I love vampires… I don’t write about them though (although one in particular shows up in my fantasies from time to time. Shh, don’t tell). Speaking of appreciating the characters other authors have created - would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

DONNA: I've actually had the opportunity to collaborate with some wonderful authors in my career, and even ghost-wrote a romance novel with a soap opera actress once.  Those were all great experiences. But these days I think I'm too set in my ways for a collaboration (another way of saying I like to be the boss). 

ME: Ghostwriting – so cool! And I bet it was a lot of fun. As to collaboration: We authors can definitely be control freaks – or, I should say, I am. I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

DONNA: I have been studying belly dance for the past four years, and was even in a small dance troupe.  I love the dance, but I'm really in it for the glitzy costumes:)

ME: Now you’re speaking my language! I love bling J. Thanks so much for being with us today, Donna. I hope you’ll come back and do this again!

Don’t forget to check out Donna’s featured book, Stealing Savannah, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Want to know more? Visit Donna Ball’s Amazon Author’s page fore her bios and a complete listing of her fabulous novels!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

~Heidi

A fun interview with a great Chick-Lit author - Sibel Hodge

Happy Tuesday and welcome to another great Chick-Lit/Romance author interview! As an avid reader, I’m having a blast being nosy – I hope you are, too. Today I'm hosting author Sibel Hodge on my blog and I think you’re really going to enjoy getting to know her a bit better.

Welcome, Sibel!!!

ME: Hi, Sibel. Thanks so much for being here with me today. We’ll get right into the juicy stuff… What are you writing now?

SIBEL: I'm just working on my third chick lit mystery series featuring feisty insurance investigator, Amber Fox. She never stops talking so I can't shut her up for long.

ME: Don’t I know it! I never would have imagined a character could get so far beneath my skin, but it’s happened so I can’t deny the fact any longerJ. How closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

SIBEL: Ooh, most of my characters have got a lot of me in them, especially being accident-prone. If something wacky is going to happen, you can bet it will happen to me!

ME: That sounds familiar… whenever something embarrassing happens I usually say, “don’t worry about it – happens to me all the time.” LOL. I love Amber Fox, by the way. Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

SIBEL: Actually, my fifth chick lit novel, The Baby Trap, which will be out in the next few months, is pretty much based on my life! It's about a couple going through infertility treatment and will have you laughing and crying at the ups and downs of modern baby-making.

ME: I can’t wait! Infertility is rampant nowadays… I know all about itL. But let’s talk about something lighter (or darker, depending on your preference). Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

SIBEL: Both. I like a bit of mixing and matching. I live in a hot country so I need ones with good quality UV protection. I've got about five pairs at the mo. My faves are a pair by Paul Smith.

ME: Good call. I live in the Arizona desert, so I definitely agree: good UV protection is a must! Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

SIBEL: I think it's a great idea. There are so many talented authors I'd love to collaborate with. Don't make me choose, I don't want to leave anyone out!

ME: Ha! A Chick-Lit diplomat! I love it! I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

SIBEL: I'm nuts. Oh, wait, I think they already know that bit. Er...I love dancing. Put a bit of dance music on and there's no stopping me.

ME: But are you any good? We’ll leave that for the next interview… in the meantime - don’t stop getting your groove on! Thanks for being with us today, Sibel.

Want to know more? Don’t forget to check out Sibel’s fabulous romantic comedy, Fourteen Days Later! (Also available for Nook). You can also visit her Amazon Author’s page to see her bio and a full listing of her books. If you’ve enjoyed today’s interview, please let us know by leaving a comment, question, or rave review of her work below!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Heidi

A Fabulous Interview with Author Gretchen Galway!!!

Monday Morning… Hmph! BUT… I have Gretchen Galway on my blog today, which puts a smile on my face. We hope you enjoy getting to know her, and her writing, a little better. Remember: Chick-Lit/Romance writers rule! At least, in my mind they do.

Welcome, Gretchen!!!

ME: Thanks so much for being with us today! I’m a fan, so this is extra specialJ. What are you writing now?

GRETCHEN: My first reaction to this question was guilty panic... you know, because I'm doing all the little things except writing my new book... like chatting online with terrific people such as yourself... or eating pumpkin muffins and staring at the ceiling.

But as soon as I finish this interview and brush the muffin crumbs off my ample bosom, I'll be outlining the sequel to Love Handles, my contemporary romance set in the San Francisco apparel industry. The new book will have a genuinely plus-sized heroine (not just a size 12) finding her happily-ever-after with the brilliant, handsome, and hopelessly geeky brother of the hero in Love Handles. My working title for this book is Fat Girl Gets the Guy. We meet our heroine just as she is told she's too large to be the size-18 fit model for Fite Apparel (an exercise wear company) and the hunky geeky guy next door thinks she's a lesbian. She is too tough to let either of these things bother her for long.

It is not intended to be a serious, culturally-impactful read. It should be gobs of fun.

ME: I love it! Not only the plus-size aspect (which is so needed today), but the humor I’m sure you’ll include! And now I want pumpkin muffins. How closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

GRETCHEN: Well, I wish they didn't resemble me so much, but they do. All of them, even the guys. If there's one quirk that keeps popping up, it's the fear of not measuring up to your potential. My main characters tend to be people in their late twenties and thirties who aren't hugely successful in the eyes of the world, but are loyal to their own dreams.

As a fiction writer who years ago rejected the idea of law school... or graduate school... or business school... or a real job... I can relate.

ME: That’s a common theme in my own life… probably why I enjoy your writing so much! Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

GRETCHEN: God, no! (Laughing.) I'm too busy making them suffer (before they get their happy ending) to envy any one of them. Perhaps in the epilogue.

ME: We do tend to make our characters suffer for our art, don’t we? How about this: Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

GRETCHEN: In between. My favorite pair right now are a sporty $35 pair from REI. I can't get them too expensive (though that's the most I've ever paid) because I destroy or lose them.

I have only two demands for my sunglasses:  1) wrap-around so I can see when I drive, and 2) they must be purple.

I love me some purple sunglasses.

ME: Ha! I bought an adorable pair of purple sunglasses on the beach in Mexico this summer. But my designer shades were jealous, so I gave them to my sister-in-law. Wish I’d have known… I would have sent them to you instead. Back to writing: Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

GRETCHEN: It would be hard to have a co-author on the same story, but I'd enjoy writing a novella within an anthology with other writers. Though I like the idea of being a star-struck parasite on a famous genius like Jenny Crusie, I'd also enjoy working with other newcomers (and Indies) who are unknowns like me.

ME: Finally - someone drops a name I’ve actually heard of! I love Jenny Crusie!  I agree though, I’d probably be star-struck. I like the anthology idea though.

I've found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

GRETCHEN: I recently discovered I'm allergic to hair conditioner? That I have one leg shorter than the other? LOL. There is SO MUCH TO KNOW.

(Oh, shoot. You said one thing and I gave you two.)

ME: The more the merrier! Haha. Thanks so much for being with us today and I look forward to reading Fat Girl Gets the Guy (or whatever the final title ends up being. I’m sure it will be fabulous!

Want to know more about the conditioner-allergic Gretchen Galway? Be sure to check out her latest release: The Supermodel’s Best Friend (also available for Nook). Or, go to her Amazon Author’spage for her bio and a complete listing of her books!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Heidi

A Sweet Interview With Author Tela Wallen

Ah, how I love Saturdays! Nothing to do but read - I'm going to pretend I don't have a house to clean, okay? Especially since I have Tela Wallen on the blog today for my fifth Romance/Chick-Lit Author Interview. 


And don't you just love the dog on the cover?

Welcome, Tela!

ME: Thanks for letting us be nosy today, Tela. Can you tell us what you’re working on?

TELA: At the moment I am working on my first non-fiction novel. It's a sort of recipe book for women. I am also working on sequels to my young adult Paint World series.

ME: I’ve always wanted to write a memoir, but that’s as close to non-fiction as I’ll ever get. Speaking of art imitating life – Do any of your characters have traits mimicking your own?

TELA: In Ambition, Victoria is very much like me in the fact that she is a teacher with an interest in art. I have taught English and teach art lessons from my home. I also love animals and would be hard pressed not to include some sort of animals in my books.

ME: You’re the second author I’ve interviewed with an interest in art. Personally, I have no skills in that area. Now animals… I love animals! Do you ever wish you could live the life of one of your characters?

TELA: No, I would choose to continue living my life now. There was a time in my life before I found how to be happy that I would have chosen my fiction world, but not anymore.

ME: I’m one of those people who can be too cheery… almost perpetually cheerful, but I have a streak of snarkiness. I tend to give my characters everything I’d want; cars, houses, hot guys – so there are several whose lives I wouldn’t mind living. Now, onto a question of utmost importance: Designer sunglasses or the cheapies?

TELA: I always opt for the cheap sunglasses. Just run to the dollar store and pick up a pair. Too many sunglasses have been sat on in my car for me to buy expensive ones!

ME: Darn, I love talking sunglasses! But I understand… my OCD keeps me from ever setting mine anywhere besides their fancy case. Okay, I’ll get back to the topic of writing now: Would you ever want to work on a project with another author?

TELA: I would be willing to work with someone. I love Kate Morton's works and would happily enjoy working with her. Her research and attention to details are brilliant.

ME: I think I need to read more books – I haven’t interviewed an author yet who has named someone I actually know! Speaking of “knowing”… Readers love insight into the brain behind the stories. Is there any little tidbit you can share about yourself to satisfy that particular hunger?

TELA: I would like my readers to know I am my own work in progress. I am striving to be the best, happiest me I can possibly be. I have figured out that being happy with myself, just as God intended, is the best thing I can possibly do for my children, my health, my body, and my soul.  I want to pass along that feeling of happiness to other women.

ME: Thanks, Tela! That’s a wonderful message to pass on and I’m sure the sentiment shines through in your writing.

Tela is the author of Ambition Rewarded, which has been called “sweet” and “Innocent” by reviewers, and is available on Amazon. Want to learn more about Tela Wallen? Visit her Amazon Author’s Page!

Have a great weekend!
~Heidi

Meet Romance Author Caddy Rowland!

TGIF Romance and Chick-Lit lovers! And as a bonus, I have romance author Caddy Rowland on my blog today talking about her books! If you’ve missed any of the previous Romance/Chick-Lit interviews, be sure to check them out! I guarantee you’ll enjoy the insights.

…back to nosing out the details of what's between the lines of our favorite author's imaginations and ideas!

Welcome, Caddy!

ME: Hi, Caddy, and thanks so much for being here today! I know everyone wants to find out: What are you writing now?

CADDY: I am preparing Gastien Part 2: From Dream To Destiny for release next month, December 2011.  I have also started writing the third book of the series.

ME: You’ve been busy! Since your series takes place in another century this might be more difficult to answer, but… how closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

CADDY: Both Gastien and I are painters, both love abstract art, and both stand up for our beliefs even if they are not the status quo. We also both really love taking baths!

ME: As an artist, no wonder your covers are so beautiful! Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

CADDY: Sure. I wish could paint as well as Gastien and I think it would have been a blast to have lived in Montmartre, France during the height of Impressionism and then at the turn of the century when cubism and abstract started.  Only if I was male, though.

ME: Men… Hmpf! Just kidding. But I do like being female. Teeheehee. Speaking of girly things: Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

CADDY: I have 2 pair, drugstore stashed in the car, designer in my home for the pool.  I would like one more designer pair for my purse.

ME: Ah, a girl after my own heart. Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

CADDY: Not really. I already have so many of my own books in my head that the ideas will outlive me.

ME: I can definitely see how that would be true. I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

CADDY: I married my high school sweetheart and we are still in love and married many years later; we are childless by choice and never regretted it.  So, in some ways I am nonconformist like Gastien, but traditional in the sense that I fell in love young and did not want to experience other partners!

ME: Goes to show that young love can also be an endless love… no wonder you write romance! Thanks again for being with us today and giving readers a bit of insight into what makes you tick. Best of luck with your writing!

Caddy Rowland is the Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream, which is soon to be a series with the release of Gastien Part 2, next month. Want to know more? Be sure to check out her Amazon Author’sPage. Gastien is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble now! Check her out on Facebook as well.

Have a great weekend!

~Heidi

A "Flirty" interview with author Lisa Scott!

Welcome back!!! Post #4 in the Chick-Lit/Romance Author Interviews series is here and I am so excited to be hosting Lisa Scott on my blog today! I credit Lisa with introducing me to the short story and making me realize how fun it is to get an entire tale in one reading!!! I can personally vouch for how fantastic her Flirts! Collection is.

Welcome, Lisa!

ME:  Thanks so much for being here with us today! As is probably already apparent (*grin*), I really enjoyed your Flirts! And Beach Flirts! collections. What are you working on now?

LISA: Fairy Tale Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories due out in January 2012.  This is my latest collection of sweet, funny romantic shorts.  This time, I'm taking a modern slant on several popular fairy tales, sans the magic.  I'm finishing story #1 right now, in which Scarlet fears her grandmother is the victim of a smooth talking gigolo.  Is her grandmother a senior cougar, or is Jack just a wolf on the prowl?  In "Goldie", our modern Goldilocks is a reluctant squatter who picks the right apartment to crash in.   I'm having a lot of fun with these.

ME: Sounds awesome! I can’t wait to read them. So, how closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

LISA: One of my beta readers pointed out that lots of my characters have cats, versus dogs.  I am a cat lover, I'll admit.  But I also find it hard to write around a dog.  I feel like readers would be mad if the character wasn't spending enough time with the dog because she was out with her new guy!  (And what if she's out all day with the guy?  Who's letting the dog out?)  But I try to include a dog when I can. I also give people dimples often.  Everyone in my family has them.

ME: I don’t have dimples (wouldn't kick them out of bed though), but I definitely can’t live without cats! Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)? 

LISA: Not really.  I think most characters in good fiction are usually facing problems I'd rather not deal with!  (Even though they do get the guy at the end.) But if I could write my own dream story, it would involve a personal chef, a house cleaner, smaller hips, and a lot more travel!

ME: We’re having a cosmic connect moment here - I second all of those! Speaking of really important things… Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough? 

LISA: Oh, you're going to be disappointed in me.  Really disappointed. I slip clip-on frames onto my prescription glasses.  I do have one pair of cheapies kicking around.  :)

ME: I suppose I’ll let it pass as long as your glasses are sexy ;-).  Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who? 

LISA: Oooh.  I love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  But I don't think she'd want me writing with her.  I'd probably insert a scene with me and Jamie and that would ruin everything.

ME: Ha! I’m the same with Janet Evanovich… Ranger and I would definitely be getting it on. Oops, that might have been too much information, but I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

LISA: So many of my stories are inspired by things I've seen and heard in real life.  I have a friend who didn't want to date anymore, because she was tired of being the one who always ended things.  That inspired "Never Been Dumped" in Flirts!  I saw a good looking guy working on a roof one night and that got my wheels spinning.  "Wrong Place, Right Guy" in Flirts! was born.  I love writing short stories because I'm constantly coming up with ideas everywhere I go!  I plan on releasing a new Flirts! collection every other month.  I don't think I'll run out of ideas any time soon.

ME: I certainly hope you don’t! This has been fun, Lisa. Thanks so much for joining us today!

Want to know even more about Lisa and her books? Visit her Amazon Author’s page. And be sure to check out Flirts! on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I know we're all looking forward to the upcoming Fairy Tale Flirts!.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Reading!

~Heidi

November Author Interview series... Today is the wonderful Dalya Moon!

Wow! 3 days into my Romance/Chick-Lit Author Interviews series and I’m worried I’m never going to get through all the great new books I’m finding. Today we have Dalya Moon (is that a great name, or what?), author of Practice Cake… why are these interviews making me hungry? Oh, yeah, Mac-n-Cheese and now cake! Yum. Anyway, I’m not to be deterred from my nosy mission!

Welcome, Dalya!

ME:  Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to satisfy our curiosity! What are you writing now?

DALYA: I'm currently revising two novels, and I have outlines and notes for other projects. I'd rather not say exactly what (as my plans frequently change), but I will say they are not sequels.

ME: I’ll let you keep your secrets… for now - though you have me incredibly curious. Let’s try this one: How closely do your characters resemble you? (Any particular quirk?)

DALYA: Despite what my characters say, I do love singer James Blunt and have the utmost respect for community college teachers. There is no character who is any more "me" than the others. Let's say all the positive traits of my characters come from me and my friends, and all their flaws are entirely fictional!

ME: Ha! Do you ever wish you lived a character’s life (not just in your imagination)?

DALYA: In the first draft, yes. But the longer I work on a novel, the worse it gets for the protagonist. By the end, I'm glad they've found resolution, but I wouldn't trade my life for theirs. I have a great life and a husband who's better than any fictional guy. (Awww!)

ME: I’ll echo the ‘awww’! For a more serious question:  Sunglasses (a particular fetish of mine): designer or drugstore cheapies? How many pairs are enough?

DALYA: I wear regular glasses, so if it's particularly sunny, I have to shield my eyes with my hand. I'm pale and sun-sensitive, so I mostly stick to the shade.

ME: Shade is definitely good, especially when you’re from Arizona, like me. Would you ever want to work on a combined project with your favorite author? If so, who?

DALYA: Whoa, I've never even considered that! On one hand, writing can be lonely at times, and it would be nice to have some company on a long project. On the other hand, I'm bossy! I'd love to meet Margaret Atwood, but at a convention or something, where I wouldn't embarrass myself by actually talking to her.

ME: I’m an author groupie myself, and a dork… I would definitely make a fool of myself. But I’ve found that readers really enjoy connecting with authors… what is one thing you want your fans to know about you that they may not already be aware of?

DALYA: My favorite British sci-fi show is not Doctor Who, but Misfits. There's a lot of mature content, particularly sex, so I do warn folks that it may not be appropriate for younger teens. I find the writing fresh and original, and the casting is incredible. The kids look and act like real people, and the stories are dark, but thought-provoking.

Thanks for having me on your blog!

ME: Thanks for being here! I know your readers and future readers appreciate the insight into what makes you tick!

Bio: Dalya Moon writes novels that are called "sweet" and "light-hearted." She may have to one day murder someone (on the page) to be taken seriously, but for now she’s happy to not be taken seriously at all. She is the author of Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner and Practice Cake, which are both available on Amazon and Smashwords. www.dalyamoon.com

Thanks for visiting!

~Heidi