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Writer Wednesday: Meet Taryn Noelle Kloeden!

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

Oh, what a spectacular #WriterWednesday it is, for today we have Taryn Noelle Kloeden, author of epic fantasy and a fellow Flash Friday Fiction writer and critique group friend whom I’ve had the privilege of journeying with as she took her debut YA fantasy, The Fenerean Chronicles: Hex Breaker, from initial drafts to published book. WAHOO!

I’m so very excited for her and her brilliant book, which is great fun (and agony and plots twists and suffering) – especially for those who love shapeshifter stories and stories with wolves. But even if you think that’s not quite your thing, 1) you’re wrong, and 2) there’s romance, too! Yippee! Or I suppose I should wolf howl? (Apologies to y’all and Taryn – I’m nearing the end of a mad editing sprint and am giddy on chocolate.)

Anyway, sit back, dig in to the Easter candy if you haven’t already opened it (and if you don’t do Easter, eat the candy anyway – spring is a great time for chocolate. Okay, anytime is a great time for chocolate), and get ready to #JoinThePack!!

Name two things people don’t know about you.

Let’s see what two random facts jump into my mind first, shall we?

1) I think Brandy by Looking Glass is the most romantic song of all time. Although I’m not sure what that says about my definition of romance since Brandy and her sailor don’t end up together. It remains to be seen how much this penchant for unhappy endings will affect the couples in my books. Here’s hoping love still wins the day!

2) I recently marathonned the last season of the Vampire Diaries (I thought you might appreciate that, Margaret). I have to say that as sexy as Stefan and Damon are, if I had to pick a love interest from that show to be with, for me it would have to be the Indian Jones-esque professor Alaric Saltzman.

(ML says: No wonder we are friends! I LOVE Brandy, and Alaric has long been on my list, too (though, um, it’s Damon Salvatore/Ian Somerhalder who served as the inspiration for The Demon Duke. Just sayin’.)

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

I learned that if the FBI ever looks at my search history, they might be a little concerned—although that’s probably the case for most writers. For Hex Breaker I did a lot of research on the effects of altitude sickness and stomach wounds, for instance. When I was writing the rough draft of the sequel Twice Blessed (hopefully being released in 2018), I did a lot of research on the effects of various poisons. Here’s a little preview for book 2: aconite and water hemlock both make an appearance.

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why.

When it comes to romance novels, I’m an Austenite all the way. Of course, Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. But since that’s almost everyone’s favorite, my other go-to is actually Northanger Abbey. I relate to Catherine’s overactive imagination and love Tilney’s humor. It’s such a fun read and a good reminder that things often aren’t quite as dramatic as they might seem. Persuasion is a close-second, though, mostly because of the swoon-worthy Captain Wentworth, who—unlike poor Brandy’s sailor—does come back to Anne in the end…

Talk about the romance in Hex Breaker.

While romance doesn’t dominate the plot in Hex Breaker, it is certainly a key aspect of it. Several different kinds of romances are represented. There’s the uncertainty of first love—and the regret that comes when you let fear of change hold you back. There are strong couples, united in their love and commitment. There are pairings you root for, even though you know you shouldn’t. In short, I think there is something for everyone. It’s an epic tale, and the best epics are filled with love and what we would do to protect it.

A Bit About The Fenerean Chronicles:

Forced to decide between her happiness and her pack’s safety, Rayna Myana chooses to protect those she loves. But when shattered promises and dark magic collide, no one is safe…

For six hundred years, Fenear, a land where humans can take wolf form, has warred with Maenor, its neighboring kingdom ruled by a ruthless dynasty. The possibility of peace emerges when the Maenoren Overlord, Rhael, enters negotiations with Fenearen leaders Bayne and Silver, but their niece, Rayna, is skeptical. Yet, when Rhael proposes to her to strengthen the alliance, she agrees for the sake of her country, despite her family’s objections and a blossoming romance with her best friend. Suspicion of treachery changes Rayna’s decision, but before she can annul the agreement, powerful forces subdue her with a sinister hex. Separated from her pack with Fenear and everyone she loves in danger, Rayna must escape and travel to a distant realm to break the hex. Only then can she save her best friend and her homeland.

Lines blur between heroism and recklessness, dreams and reality, even life and death, and Rayna risks losing herself along the way.

#JoinThePack here:

Amazon: http://goo.gl/6M9tjo

A Bit About Taryn:

Taryn is a lover of nature and all things furry and feathered. As a graduate student in Anthrozoology with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Biology, she is dedicating her life to understanding and protecting animals, both human and nonhuman. This zeal for the outdoors combined with a lifelong love affair with fantasy and horror stories led her to create the YA dark fantasy series, The Fenearen Chronicles. The second installment, Twice Blessed, is due out in 2018. Taryn lives in Richmond, Virginia with her Prima donna cat, Stella, and personal piano player/boyfriend, Lorenzo.

Wanna connect further with Taryn? Find her here:

Wahoo! Thanks so much for being here, Taryn! Much love to you and the greatest success for Hex Breaker.

Writer Wednesday: Meet Jill Haymaker!

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

Welcome to Writer Wednesday! So glad you’re joining us for the chance to get to know a romance author better.

This week we have Jill Haymaker, who writes romance that helps you “find the warmth of love in the cold of winter.” Or, as she also says, “Haymaker to the heart – Romance that knocks you off your feet!”

It may be the beginning of spring here in the northern hemisphere, but we’re always happy to let a good romance warm us up! So grab your beverage of choice and enjoy this quick interview with Ms. Haymaker.

What inspires you to write?

Making people smile and enjoy their day motivates all the actions in my life. I write romance because of the happily ever after. I believe in hope, and want to show a glimmer of hope to others. If I can make a difference in someone’s life, that’s truly inspiring.

Which type of romance do you love most and why?

I love to read and write what we are now calling seasoned romance (stories with heroes and heroines 40 years or older). I love these romances because they give us hope that it is never too late to find love. Older characters also are more interesting than their younger counterparts. They carry a lot of baggage and all have pasts to overcome. They are never one-dimensional.

Name one interesting thing you learned researching your last book:

The heroine in Colorado Wrangler becomes a foster mom to provide a home for an adorable eight year old girl. I had to do a ton of research into the foster care system. I didn’t know just how many children never get out of the foster system and the depressing statistics on their lack of success later in life. I learned how much we need many more good foster homes.

A Bit About California Wrangler:

Melanie Gentry came to Peakview, Colorado to find a father she never knew. Now she’s established a home for herself and her teenage daughter.

Hank Dalton left his past behind and settled into his life as the head wrangler at Peaktop Guest Ranch. He’s a loner and he likes it that way. That is until he runs into Melanie, who makes him want to reconsider that decision. There’s just something about her.

When Melanie adds a foster child and a rescue dog to her family, Hank decides he’s not what Melanie needs. Both must let go of their past mistakes before these two can find a way to blend their lives and create a real family.

Come home to Peakview, where everyone has a chance at love.

A Bit About Jill:

Jill Haymaker was born and raised in Indiana and Ohio. After high school, she attended Bowling Green State University before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1975. Ms. Haymaker has made her home in Fort Collins ever since except for three years in the 1990’s when she left to attend law school at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. She has practiced family law in Fort Collins for the past 20 years. She has three grown children, a son and two daughters. She also has three granddaughters.

Jill has always had a passion for writing. Colorado Sunset was her first full length romance novel in her Peakview, Colorado series. The second through fourth books in the series, Breakfast for Two, Colorado Cabin in the Pines and Colorado Wrangler are also available at Amazon.com. Colorado Cowboy Christmas is her first Christmas Novella. She also has had several short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, the most recent in the book Random Acts of Kindness.

When not practicing law or writing, Jill enjoys the Colorado mountains, horseback riding, gardening, long walks with her Shetland Sheepdog, Laddie, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoys their numerous sporting events. She is also an avid football fan and can be found on autumn weekends cheering on the Broncos, the CSU Rams, and the Huskers. She has a passion for working with high school youth- she is a youth group leader at her church, coaches a high school mock trial team and is a volunteer at cross country and track meets.

Want to connect further with Jill? Find her here:

Thanks for spending your Wednesday with us, Jill! It was a pleasure to have you.

Writer Wednesday: Meet J. L. Lora!

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

Welcome to #WriterWednesday! We’re so glad you’re here.

What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by bringing you a fellow female romance author? Today I’m thrilled to have J.L. Lora here, talking all about her writing life and her latest release, Boss.

I hope you grab a good snack or something to sip on and that you relax and enjoy this quick intro to J.L. Lora!

What inspires you to write?

Writing is the way I cope with everything in my head. I hear something in my head, a line, a conversation and that turns into a scene, a chapter and then a story and if I don’t write that, it will continue until I do.

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

Romantic suspense. I love the idea of love developing in these high pressured situations and the danger stalks every corner and the hero/heroine should be worried about saving their lives but they have to also deal with this explosive attraction neither can fight.

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

I learned a little bit about some guns, police procedures, and some medical stuff I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Name two things people don’t know about you:

When I’m writing and I get stuck, I take two minute showers and that usually does the trick so sometimes I shower like five times a day.
I stopped watching baseball because I get too involved in the game and there’s a lot of screaming and hurling food at the TV.

What fellow romance author do you recommend reading, and why?

We all know the big names like Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I want to recommend my critique partner Cate Tayler’s book Love Me Now which is coming out in May and it’s a beautiful love story about a sassy young woman, a rebellious billionaire, and a pretend engagement.

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

I wish years ago, when I was in college, someone had told me that writing had nothing to do with life experience. That I should go ahead and start writing books but at the same time, I’m one of those firm believers in everything happens at the appropriate time. I’m more prepared mentally now to make the sacrifices I need to for a writing career.

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why?

This is a tough one. I have so many different ones and I am one of those people who misses characters so one day I wake up with the need to revisit those characters and have to pick up the book all over again. Yeah, you asked me a question. I can’t pick one, but here are some. Um, let’s see. Jude Deveraux’s Sweet Liar (Swoon!), Nora Robert’s Carolina Moon and Sweet Revenge, Julie Garwood’s Mercy, Amanda Quick’s Mistress, and Sandra Brown’s Mirror Images and Tidings of Great Joy.

A Bit About Boss:

Boss is the first in the Trinity Series. It debuted March 6, 2017. It’s a story about love, tragedy, empowerment, friendship and embracing oneself. It all begins with Alec and Carissa…

Determined to avoid the violence that claimed her family and friends, Carissa Elliott flees her hometown with a dangerous plan. She has proof that mafia boss Calum DeMateo killed her father—now she just has to catch him. To do so, she’ll have to transform herself from small-town ingénue to New York mafia queen.

When her path crosses with Alec McLean, the sexy stranger with whom she once shared a steamy nightclub kiss, things take an unexpected turn. Alec heads his family’s criminal organization, the kind of man Carissa should want nothing to do with. But he also has a plan to take down Calum, and the flames that flicker between them are irresistible.

Will their vengeful quests jeopardize their chance at lasting love?

Get Boss here:

A Bit About J.L.:

J.L. Lora was born in Dominican Republic and came to the United States just at the age of 13. Her goal in life was always to be a writer. As a child, she told stories to her family and friends and wrote fiction about historic figures. Today, her stories explore the dark side of good characters, people who are backed into corners and how they react to it. She loves strong heroines and their equally powerful love interests. She currently lives in Maryland while pursuing her dream of writing compelling, sexy, can’t-put-down stories about empowered, badass heroines and take-yourbreath-away heroes.

Want to connect further with J.L.? Find her here:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Thanks so much for being here, J.L. Lora! It was a delight to share this time with you!

Writer Wednesday: Meet Katie Baldwin!

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

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!

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

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

A 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!

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

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