Elvis, Graceland, and a Numbers Obsession – a Throwback Story

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My favorite numbers are 37 and 17 (in that order). I have no idea why; they just always have been, and they regularly pop up in my life.

Two examples:

Me in 1995, standing at the entrance to Graceland’s driveway.

In the spring of 1995, in celebration of college graduation, my U of Iowa roomies and I embarked on a crazy day trip to Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland – a whirlwind 28 hour experience I’ll never forget.

The first thing I noticed upon arrival? The address: 3717 Elvis Presley Boulevard.

I shrieked like a madwoman.

Later I learned that was merely the tourist area’s address; Graceland’s actual house number is 3764. Still, it was a sign.

That fall, I moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, to pursue doctoral studies in medieval history at UVA.

To escape the stresses of academic life, I taught myself HTML (it was pretty new then) and created a website, Elvis Lives In Evil Levis, dedicated to my obsession of the time: Mr. Presley. (The link takes you to a version archived by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine – for which I’m grateful, since the original, though tidier looking, is long gone. Click on the “My Trip” link at the bottom to read all about my Graceland adventures.)

That website introduced me to my husband.

He found it, emailed me, we started chatting all things Elvis, then discovered we were both grad students at the same university. (Given my site had fans all over the world contacting me, I consider this a miracle.) We met up. We kept meeting up.

Charlottesville, Virginia – July 1999. We look pretty happy, despite the 100+ degree heat!

Elvis brought us together.

Twenty years later, we’re still going strong. Which brings me to my second example:

For Christmas 1996, my mom gave me a numerology book, her way of gently teasing me about my weird numbers thing.

Well, imagine ALL of our surprise when I calculated the numbers for my then-friend/soon-to-be-boyfriend/now-husband’s name: his first name added up to 17, and his whole name to 37. I kid you not.

I knew right then he was the one.

Why the heck do I post about this today? Because it’s March 7th, 2017 – or, in shortened American style, 3/7/17. My two favorite numbers, side by side. It will never happen again in my life time!

I feel as if I ought to play the lottery. Or that Colin Morgan should show up for a visit.

What are your favorite numbers? Why?

Publishers Weekly Reviews A Man of Character! (And they like it!)

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*Squee!* Publishers Weekly, one of the foremost magazines in the publishing industry, reviewed A Man of Character in their March 6th edition
– and they LIKED it!

Forgive me while I run around the room like a crazy chicken,
but I’m so excited they selected my book to review (and gave it a thumbs up).
An author’s dream come true. 

Thank you, Publishers Weekly!

And thank YOU to all my readers who’ve told me how much they love my books. You rock my world, 100%.

Writer Wednesday: Meet Katie Baldwin!

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Hello! Welcome back to Writer Wednesday! Did you notice we were on a bit of a hiatus? Sorry about that (stupid sickness), but all’s well now, and I’m glad you’re here for our weekly mini-interview with a fellow author.

This week it’s Katie Baldwin! Wahoo! Katie and I met through the Virginia Romance Writers, and let me say, she’s awesome. Full of pep and spunk and just a delight to be around – and her debut novel, A Kiss to Build A Dream On, debuts TODAY!

That’s right! Go scoop up a copy to help make the day truly special, will ya? And then settle in for a brief but blissful look into Katie’s life and her new book.

What inspires you to write?

A story, a weird thing someone told me, or just people watching at a cafe can start my mind going! I created “Kiss To Build a Dream On” because I received a gift from Russell Crowe after sending a fan note. He gave me chocolates, y’all!

Name two things people don’t know about you.

1. My first language was Portuguese (I lived in Brazil when I was a baby)

2. I trained to be an opera singer before moving on to writing. 

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out?

Write every day. Even if you don’t feel like it! Even if Grimm is on and you really want to watch it! (or is that just me?) I struggle with the habit of writing every day now and if I had started that way, I’d be a lot further in my writing!

Also, don’t take rejection so hard. Everyone gets it and eventually, you will be a better writer and someone will notice! 

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

I have a weakness for the insecure or wounded woman who doesn’t realize how strong she is until – through the process of the story – she sees her own strengths. I like the alpha to be very alpha but aware that wounded women need to grow by themselves and don’t need saving. 

A Bit About A Kiss To Build A Dream On: 

Bethany Michaels leads a fairly isolated existence, but she longs to be an outgoing and sexually confident woman. When her celebrity crush comes to town, and literally falls at her feet, her prayers seem to be answered. But can she protect her heart while still experiencing true passion?

Hollywood celebrity Aidan Shannon, drunk and lost in small-town Virginia, finds himself in the home of a beautiful woman, and he finds her more than just a little alluring. Bethany is voluptuous and nurturing, fragile, yet steely. And that is a problem for a man who never wants to be tied to another woman again.

Living in the now is good enough for Aidan and Bethany for the short term. When the universe steps in and shows them what’s important, will Aidan take a chance on love a second time around when his girl needs him?

Find it on Amazon!

A Bit About Katie:

Katie Baldwin has a secret life. During the day she is a mild-mannered administrator at a University. By night she writes fantastical tales of romance and mystery. When she is not pacing her home working out dialogue in her mind, she is baking scones and working out dialogue in her mind. Aside from writing, she has a ferocious passion for the Green Bay Packers and Nutella. She can be found on twitter waxing eloquently about all of her passions. Go Pack Go!

Want to connect further with Katie? Find her here:

Facebook | Twitter | Website  

Thanks so much for being here, Katie! And congratulations on your new release!

Writer Wednesday: Meet Marie Johnston!

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Welcome to Writer Wednesday! I’m glad you’re here for our weekly mini-break for a mini-interview with a magnificent author.

Today I’m happy to bring you Marie Johnston, author of paranormal and contemporary romance, whose website insists, “Life is too short to not read romance!” I whole-heartedly agree, and am thrilled to have Marie with us today.

So grab those Girl Scout cookies (I’m my daughter’s troop’s cookie mom, so cookies are on the mind, and in the house) and a cup of something to sip on, and enjoy getting to know Marie and her work a little better!

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

Paranormal! I transitioned to romance after being a diehard fantasy reader. But when I noticed I was scouring blurbs, looking for the romance, I wondered why I didn’t just read romance. Paranormal was a natural transition and after a little Sherrilyn Kenyon and J. R. Ward, I was hooked.

 

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book:

I’m working on Navy short stories and it’s really, really hard to find a Sailor to interview when I live in the middle of the country. My husband’s friend recommended Carrier, a PBS miniseries that followed USS Nimitz on a deployment. It sucked me in and I binge watched all 10 episodes.

 

Name two things people don’t know about you:

I’m a veteran and a triathlete. My knees are shot, so I don’t know if I can get back to sprint triathlons, but I haven’t ruled it out. My soldier days are way past done, though.

 

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out?

Join RWA. Learn the craft.

I had zero knowledge about writing and publishing. But writing seemed so simple compared to self-publishing. I immersed myself in learning the business side, but my writing wasn’t where it should’ve been. I did a lot of things right but so, so many things wrong. I would’ve also loved if someone told me to become a marketing expert and handed me a list of reputable editors. All of it is a lifelong process writing and publishing, but I wish I knew more of those topics when I began.

A Bit About Ancient Ties:

Kaitlyn Savoy might’ve been raised human, but she’s fully embraced her shifter side in her role as Guardian. Protecting her species calls to her blood, but unfortunately, so does her new partner. She pretends indifference to his cutting remarks about her heritage and the inconvenient blackouts she experiences after each shift.

Chayton Eagle’s honorable bloodlines include an ancient father and full-blooded Sioux mother. When he joins the West Creek Guardians and meets Kaitlyn, he can’t believe fate chose her to be his mate. But it’s too late. He already swore himself to another female.

When the two Guardians have to partner for a mission, it brings them too close to resist their attraction. Until Chayton discovers the promise he made in the past may kill his future.

Find Ancient Ties here:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

TypewriterA Bit About Marie:

Marie Johnston lives in the upper-Midwest with her husband, four kids, and an old cat. Deciding to trade in her lab coat for a laptop, she’s writing down all the tales she’s been making up in her head for years. An avid reader of paranormal romance, these are the stories hanging out and waiting to be told, between the demands of work, home, and the endless chauffeuring that comes with children.

Want to connect further with Marie? Find her here!

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page 

Thanks so much for spending time with us today, Marie! I’m glad you could be a part of Writer Wednesday! 

 

Writer Wednesday: Meet Sarita Leone!

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Welcome to Writer Wednesday, that lovely few moments of the week in which you can take a break from everything else and learn a bit about an author and his/her latest release!

This week I’m happy to present Sarita Leone, author of mainstream fiction, mystery and romance novels, short stories, and cookbooks. A “Jill-of-all-trades,” she calls herself on her website, and I couldn’t agree more. Today she’s here to give us a little insight into her writing life and her latest paranormal release, Regenerate.

Welcome, Sarita!

Which type of romance do you love most and why?

I like any romance that shows growth between characters. They need to develop into a romantic relationship. I like to watch the way characters evolve.

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book:

My recent release, Regenerate, is a paranormal romance with loads of action in it. Central to the story is a top-secret intelligence agency. I learned a lot about military terms and procedures. It was a challenge, but fun!


Gone With The Wind coverWhat’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why?

I love Gone With The Wind. I have read it so many times I can recite passages!

I love it because Scarlett is such a strong heroine. She never gives up. She never gives in. She’s not always likable, but she sticks to her goals and underneath it all, she’s just a woman who wants to be loved.

 

A Bit About Regenerate: 

The Octopus isn’t an urban myth—and its agents are anything but ordinary. The intelligence bureau is so well-hidden most doubt its existence. A handful know its location. And fewer walk the halls in the subterranean compound.

Benjamin Sinclair didn’t ask to be a scientific miracle but every mission has its risks and one perfectly placed bullet ended his life—for a brief moment in time.

Nicole Anima battles demons every day. Life as a paranormal resources operative gives her tortured mind a rest—and keeps her from contemplating her own death.

When Anima and Sinclair partner on a globe-trotting race to eliminate the threat about to cripple humanity, all hell breaks loose. Leaping from planes, crashing into continents, dealing with voodoo priestesses, and running through jungles with zombies hot on their trail doesn’t leave much time for romance, but this duo somehow manages to sizzle.

Two agents. Telepathic mind paired with regenerated commando. One world—and a mission to save it.

Find Regenerate on Amazon!

A Bit About Sarita:

Sarita Leone lives in a remote area of upstate New York with her wonderful husband Vito. Their days are filled with laughter and their nights are spent dancing beneath the stars. When she’s not writing, Sarita enjoys hiking, boating, reading and drawing.

For as long as she can remember Sarita Leone wanted to be an author. In fact, when she signed her first book contract she shared the news with her closest childhood friend. Her friend wasn’t at all surprised, saying, “You always said you wanted to be a writer when we grew up. So does this mean we’ve finally grown up?”

That first book contract was for a novel called Snowdance, which was released with Whiskey Creek Press in August 2007. Since then, Sarita has sold several books and short stories.

With such a romantic husband for inspiration and a peaceful hideaway nestled in the hills it is easy to see how writing in the Leone household is a joy rather than a job.

Thanks so much for joining us, Sarita! It was a pleasure to host you. 🙂