Writer Wednesday: Maggie Tideswell & her new release, Goodbye My Love

Welcome to Writer Wednesday!

Today I’m delighted to bring you paranormal romance author Maggie Tideswell, who’s dropped in to share a bit about her newest release, Goodbye, My Love – including a special excerpt!

So please, grab your favorite libation, settle in, and enjoy! And of course I hope you’ll leave some love in the comments.

 


Roxanne’s Ghost Saga

Roxanne’s Ghost Saga, a new mystery series from internationally acclaimed author Maggie Tideswell, is set against the stunningly beautiful backdrop of modern-day South Africa. It is a compelling ghost story of identical twin sisters’ love for the same man, and the magical connection the women share.

And the theme?  Nothing is what it seems.

Here, we move into the realms of the mists of time that could either reveal or conceal.

Book 1, Goodbye, My Love, sets the scene. It introduces country vet, Ben, his four-year-old autistic daughter and the would-be nanny, Jessica James. Jess’ interview with Ben for the nanny position takes place on Friday the 13th. An attraction between the two is immediate, which by all accounts isn’t entirely normal.

Ben’s three oddball sisters-in-law descend on him for the anniversary of his wife Roxanne’s death. They try to convince Ben that Roxanne isn’t dead, more than likely to put an end to whatever might develop between Ben and Jessica. But Ben knows that no one could have survived what led to Roxanne’s death.

His daughter, diagnosed as autistic, only sometimes does she display the symptoms that led to her diagnosis. Autism is not a disease, it’s a condition. A condition with symptoms that can’t be turned on and off at will. So…what is the child really suffering from?

Ben’s wife’s twin sister, Millicent, is accompanied by an over-board caricature of a psychic to Ben’s home in order to help them find Roxanne. Of course, Millicent isn’t happy to find Jess already in Ben’s house—trouble is imminent. But only as far as Ben’s ancient housekeeper, will allow her to. What does the housekeeper know that will keep Millicent’s ruffled feathers under control?

More importantly…

Where is Roxanne?


An Excerpt from Goodbye, My Love:

Chapter 1

Does anyone live here?

The house looked deserted, kind of spooky. Jess couldn’t see any other houses nearby. Sally had not been kidding—this was a rather isolated place.

Dilapidated outbuildings behind the sprawling house looked as unused as the house itself. Some sort of creeper covered most of the buildings except the house—it looked far too fragile to bear the added weight.

There were what looked like turrets on each end of the house, and a domed one in between. That might be a skylight. Jess worried her bottom lip. What century was this place built?

Lightning played over the majestic mountains behind the house, silhouetting it against the darkening sky, but down here in the valley, the late sun cast long shadows over the overgrown garden.

It all fit so well with Friday the thirteenth, because this was creepy. What had she been thinking? She should have postponed the interview until Monday. One weekend surely wouldn’t have made that much of a difference.

Jess studied the map on her tablet, which she held propped up against the steering wheel. This could be the right place, but she had thought that about both the previous two places, and neither had turned out to be Weltevreden. Neither had been as eerie as this place, either.

No, this couldn’t be it. Tapping her finger against the edge of the tablet, she studied the house again. This whole thing smacked of a Friday the thirteenth Sally-prank.

Sally, her bestie since high school, ran a very successful employment agency. The professional image notwithstanding, she still loved pranks of any kind—she would never outgrow them.

Her eyes had lit up that morning when Jess sat in front of her desk, mugs of coffee steaming on the polished wood between them. The platter of doughnuts had been for Jess’ benefit. Sally and her perpetual dieting.

“Something different,” Sally mused, tapping her pen against her front teeth, then pressed a button on her laptop, and reached for the sheet of paper the printer spewed out. “This might be just the thing. It came in just now.” She’d tossed her platinum curls over her shoulder, grinning at Jess.

Another thing Sally would never outgrow, her Barbie-doll looks.

“It has my name on it, then.” Jess leaned her forearms on Sally’s desk. “Tell me, tell me, tell me.” She grinned back, barely able to contain her excitement. “Does it involve a man?”

Neither Sally nor Jess had found their Mr. Full Potential yet, although both had been ready for wedded bliss, the kids and the house in the suburbs thing, a long time ago.

“As a matter of fact it does, but he doesn’t seem to be in the market. It says here that a nanny is required for a four-year-old autistic girl. Dr. Arnold specifically requested that only older women be put forward for the position.”

“How old-fashioned. Where is this job?”

“In the Wellington area.” Sally frowned at the monitor.

“There you go. He won’t find anybody qualified to work that far from Cape Town. It is his child, I presume?”

“It is, but do you seriously want to give this a go?” Sally looked worried as only she could. It went with the Barbie look. “I’m intrigued. What kind of doctor is he?”

“A veterinary surgeon. And a widower, it says here. That is all the information I have for you, I’m afraid.” Sally sat back in her chair. “I shouldn’t disregard so specific an instruction, Jess, but just this once, I’ll make an exception. Then it’s up to you to change his mind for him. It’ll be in his own best interest in the end.” She passed an information sheet across the desk. “I’ll tell Dr. Arnold to expect you at four. I’d pack an overnight bag if I were you. Call me, okay?”

Now, sitting in front of the house that might or might not belong to Dr. Ben Arnold, Jess didn’t feel all that confident anymore. And it didn’t really sound like a prank, unless Sally had kept some information to herself.

There was only one way to find out, and that was to knock on the door and ask.

If there was anybody in the house to ask.

Switching the engine off, she consulted the rear-view mirror to apply some color to her lips and pat her shoulder length bob into place. She took a moment to admire the rich auburn color in the late afternoon sunshine and sighed.

I don’t know about this. It was a long way from Cape Town.

What did people do around here for fun?

Trying her best to ignore the goose bumps on her forearms, she opened the car door and stepped out. Her heels sank into the gravel, her shadow stretching all the way back to the gate.

Only when she turned toward the house did she see the man sitting on the top step in the shadows, his shoulder against the railing, one knee pulled up with his arm resting on top of it. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and it looked as if his feet were bare, too.

Was he there a moment ago? Why didn’t I see him?

Smoothing her palms down her red pencil skirt, she started toward the house and the man on the steps. If he wasn’t Dr. Arnold, maybe he could give her directions.

Taking a deep breath, Jess reminded herself that she wasn’t superstitious about this Friday the thirteenth nonsense. People liked to scare themselves with the silliest things. What was supposed to happen on this day? It was a day like any other.

That certainly looked like a real man on the steps. He wasn’t going to bite her. Today being a Friday and the thirteenth meant nothing, but now that she’d thought of it, the idea would stick with her like the taste of garlic.

Leaving the car door open for a quick escape should she need it, she’d gone no more than a few steps when she heard something other than the crunch of her shoes on the gravel. It sounded suspiciously like a dog whining.

She slowly turned her head, curling her fingers into the fabric of her skirt. It couldn’t be a dog. She hadn’t seen any dogs when she drove through the gate.

I don’t do dogs!

Her breath hitched in her throat when she saw them. They were right next to her car, beside the door she’d deliberately left open, a whole pack of them. Their lips curled away from their teeth, their tongues lolling out the sides of their mouths, dripping saliva onto the gravel. Yellowish eyes watched every move she made.

Where did they come from?

How many were there?

They cut her off from the safety of the Fiesta!

Now she had only one way to go—into that house. Why hadn’t that man called them off? Why wasn’t he helping her?

Slowly, making no sudden moves, she took another step toward the porch. The dogs followed her. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Another couple of quick steps toward the house. The dogs did the same. She broke into a trot, her scream shattered the still of the afternoon.

Missing the first step, she stumbled, recovered her balance, and took the rest of the stairs two at a time. The dogs were on her heels, whining and yelping, their breaths hot on the backs of her legs.

Just as a sharp whistle rent the air, but looking at the dogs, she careened into the man before the noise had even died down. Her momentum sent them both crashing to the floorboard. She landed on top of him, but with the dogs all around them, she hid her face in his neck. Another whistle— right in her ear—made her cringe, but the dogs were gone.

He lifted his head off the floorboards to glare at her, his hands at her waist, as if he was about to lift her off him. Stubble covered his jaw, his lips pressed into a tight line. A muscle jumped in his cheek. He dragged his eyes out of her gaping blouse to meet her stare.

They had to be the greenest pair of eyes she’d ever seen, and he was clearly not amused.

Then she noticed how much leg was exposed by her skirt bunched around her hips and she quickly scrambled to her feet, pushing her skirt back down her legs.

“Sorry,” she muttered, her face on fire. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, but from the corner of her eye, she saw the stranger slowly unfold himself from the floor. Up and up he went, until she felt him looking down at her. Even in her heels, the top of her head barely reached his nose.

With fists on his hips, he glared at her. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she lifted her chin and stared back.

Despite her bravado, she was intimidated and she had no idea if she had reason to be. She didn’t have a clue who he was. For all she knew, he was a vagrant taking advantage of an abandoned house.

She quickly looked him up and down, hoping he wouldn’t notice. A vagrant—looking like that? This man looked too strong, too well-fed, and clean, to be homeless. He smelled good too, of soap and sunshine. Wide shoulders tapered to a flat stomach and slim hips in a pair of well-washed denim cutoffs. The button was undone and the zipped half down. And he had a hard-on!

Jess swallowed with difficulty, forcing her eyes to the garden. Maybe he was the gardener or something.

If he was the gardener, he wasn’t very good at it, judging by the state of the place. The flowerbeds were overgrown with weeds, and grass seeds reached for the sky. With a bit of care, it could be a rather pleasant garden.

Her attention whipped back to the man when he spoke. “What’s wrong with you, woman? Those are lap dogs.” His voice was deep, the timbre vibrating on her skin. “They thought you were playing with them.”

She’d forgotten about the dogs. Erections did that to her, they made her forget everything else. She took another look at the animals. There were only four of them, and now that they were at a safe distance and there was a man on hand whom they seemed to obey, they didn’t look all that fierce, or even very big. By panicking, she’d unnecessarily gotten them both in a rather embarrassing situation.

The veranda was shadowed, despite the lightning dancing over the mountains, yet the peeling paint was clearly visible. She should ask this man for directions so that she could be on her way, but at that moment her nose itched and she sneezed instead. She just barely managed to get her hand across her nose. The dust from the floorboards, and she most likely had it all over her face now. She needed to freshen up before she met with Dr. Arnold. Rubbing her hands over her face was probably making matters worse.

“Bless you,” the man said, his jaw clenched. “Explain yourself.” Fists planted on his hips, his bare chest rose and fell. Jess’ fingers itched to test the contours more fully before she realized that the man was actually angry.

Who was he? And what was he so angry about? Knocking him over had been an accident, which he could have avoided it if he’d controlled the animals sooner. His annoyance didn’t stop him from giving her a thorough inspection, though.

Barely suppressing the urge to stamp her foot, Jess snapped, “Those animals should be locked up.” The hand she pointed at the dogs was streaked with dust. Dropping it, she rubbed at the smudge with her other hand.

“They were, until a few minutes ago. When the visitor I expected didn’t show up, I let them out again. Who are you and what do you want?”

“How rude!” Jess gasped. “Do you welcome all visitors half naked?” His arousal was disturbing her.

“Uninvited visitors never come into the yard,” he growled. He knew she knew about his condition. “That’s what the clinic entrance is for. And I’m not half naked, I’m shirtless because I took it off when my visitor failed to show up for her four o’clock appointment. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hot. If you’re Jessica James, you’re way too late—”

“The directions weren’t very clear,” she interrupted. “I got lost.” Hesitating only a moment, she stuck her hand out to him. “You’re Dr. Arnold?”

He ignored her hand and question, reaching instead for the shirt draped over the railing behind him and shrugged it on. Doctor or not, the man has no manners.

Buttoning the shirt, he leaned in closer. “So, it’s my fault you can’t follow a set of simple instructions? Look, miss, you might as well go back to wherever you came from. The position has been filled. Good day.” He started to turn away.

“What? When? I had an interview for this afternoon!”

He glanced at his wristwatch. “You missed the appointment. You wouldn’t have gotten the job anyway. Sorry for the inconvenience. It was nice meeting you. Goodbye, Ms. James.”

She noticed his eyes on her lips as he dismissed her. “Just a minute. You’re going to disregard my application because I’m a few minutes late? I have excellent credentials, and the agency—”

“Had been told that only older women need to apply.”

“So you’re dismissing my application because of my age, is that it?”

“Yes. And you’re more than a few minutes late. The appointment was for four o’clock sharp, and it’s nearly six now. Take your gripes up with your agent, Ms. James. Your timekeeping actually has very little to do with it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’re wasting my time.”

Jess narrowed her eyes. “I pity the person you’ve employed, if that is in fact the truth. You are a very rude man,

Dr. Arnold.”

He wasn’t exactly what she’d expected—in his early to mid-thirties and attractive, in a wildly blond caveman kind of way. And hot.

If only he had some manners.

It had sounded quite romantic when Sally first told her about this position, but the reality was far from romantic. She didn’t need this man or his job, and especially not his erection. There had to be other positions available in Cape Town. Sally would find her a good job, with interesting work. She would get into her car and drive away without a backward glance.

Not being given a fair interview had nothing to do with Friday the thirteenth. A damp gust of wind blew her hair into her eyes as she turned toward the stairs. It had everything to do with him being turned on by her.

Jess remembered the dogs when they jumped to their feet, tails wagging.

She froze, clutching her skirt. They might be small, but they were dogs. They had teeth. Damn it, she was going to need his help to get back to her car. Gnawing the corner of her mouth, she glanced at him. Would he help her, or would he cross his arms and enjoy the spectacle from the veranda?

Before she could do anything, the door behind them creaked open and pale, gnarled fingers curled around the edge of the wood. Jess took an involuntary step closer to the doctor, goosebumps covering her entire body, her hand to her throat.   Oh, God.

Find Goodbye, My Love here: http://tinyurl.com/n2ko8u4

 


A Bit About Maggie:

Maggie lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with hubby Gareth. Over the years she’s worked in everything from nursing to catering, and then she started writing love stories. With three kids, a girl and two boys, and eleven cats at that time, life could become quite interesting.

The paranormal, things that happen for which there are no logical explanations and ghosts, are of particular interest to Maggie. What events in a person’s life would prevent that person from ‘resting’ after death? The ‘Old Religion’ is another special interest.

And love, of course. Why do people fall in love? What keeps them together for a lifetime when so many relationships fail?

Want to connect further with Maggie? Find her here:

Blog: https://maggietideswell.blogspot.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Tideswell/e/B005GJ3DG8


Thanks so much for joining us, Maggie! Best of luck with your new release! 

Writer Wednesday: Meet Marie Johnston!

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:

AmazonBarnes 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!

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. 🙂

Writer Wednesday: Meet Veronica Scott!

Veronica Scott square photoIt is my privilege to welcome sci-fi and fantasy romance author Veronica Scott to Writer Wednesday. Veronica has not only penned numerous sci-fi and paranormal romances, but she’s also a regular columnist for USA Today’s Happy Ever After section. Wow!

Thank you so much for being with us today, Veronica! May I mention I’m incredibly jealous that Elvis Presley‘s best friend once serenaded you? Because The King, baby! Mercy.

Okay, now that I’ve settled down, I invite you to read on to learn a little more about Veronica, her writing, and her latest release, Hostage to the Stars.


Veronica says, Thanks for having me as your guest today! (You’re so welcome – ML)

TypewriterWhat inspires you to write?

I want to tell the story! Usually the characters come to my mind and an overall situation, maybe a few key scenes, and I can’t wait to write it all out expand the plot and see what happens along the way to the Happily Ever After.

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

It depends on my mood but I mostly read science fiction romance because there are infinite possible futures. I also love fantasy romance for the magic and mysticism, but sometimes I’m in the mood for a good rock star love story, or a Regency romance with a dashing, waltzing Duke.

Hostage

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

I’ve long been fascinated with the true life stories of people who are kidnapped in hostile places, held for long periods of time and either ransomed or rescued. (Or killed, but we won’t go there.)

You want to believe that the Special Forces will be sent in with guns blazing and gallantly pluck you out of that danger, which does happen sometimes but not always. And not rapidly in most situations. I was amazed to learn that many foreign hostage situations drag on for years before a rescue attempt happens, if at all.

As an author, I was highly intrigued at the idea of writing such a situation, but without the multi-year time span. I like my adventures to move along a LOT faster.


And now, a bit about Hostage to the Stars:

HTTS.ScottHe rescued her from space pirates … but can he keep them both safe from the far greater evil stalking a deserted planet?

Space travel without Kidnap & Ransom insurance? Not a good idea. University instructor and researcher Sara Bridges can’t afford it, so when pirates board her cruise liner, she’s taken captive along with the mistress of a wealthy man, and brought to a deserted planet. When a military extraction team sent to rescue the mistress refuses to take Sara too, she’s left to the mercies of a retired Special Forces soldier, along as consultant.

Reluctantly reactivated and coerced into signing up for the rescue operation to the planet Farduccir where he once was deployed, Sgt. Johnny Danver just wants to get the job done. But when the team leader leaves one captured woman behind, he breaks away to rescue her himself.

As Johnny and Sara traverse the barren landscape, heading for an abandoned base where they hope to call Sectors Command for help, they find villages destroyed by battle and stripped of all inhabitants. A lone survivor tells a horrific tale of the Sectors’ alien enemy, the Mawreg, returning after being pushed out …

Searching for evidence to give the military, Johnny is captured. He regains consciousness in a Mawreg cage–with Sara next to him. Death is preferable to what the aliens will do to them… And even if they do escape their captors, can they alert the military in time to prevent another invasion of the Sectors?

Buy Hostage to the Stars here:

Amazon | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Barnes & Noble


writingA Bit About Veronica: 

Best Selling Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance author and “SciFi Encounters” columnist for the USA Today Happily Ever After blog, Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.

Three time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances! She recently was honored to read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “City On the Edge of Forever.”

Want to connect further with Veronica? Find her here: 

Blog: https://veronicascott.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637?ref=hl


Thanks so much for being part of Writer Wednesday, Veronica! It was a delight to have you. 

Writer Wednesday: Meet Tina Glasneck!

tinaglasneckWhoa, wait? It’s Wednesday? Again? How does this keep happening? Yeah, who cares? We LOVE Wednesdays, because it’s Writer Wednesday!

Today I’ve got fellow Virginia Romance Writer Tina Glasneck in the hot seat (I hope it’s hot – it’s getting darn chilly outside!). Tina took time out of her very busy schedule (mom to very young kids, as well as a writer – need I say more?) to share a bit about herself and her writing. Wahoo! So settle in, drink some hot chocolate for me, and leave Tina some comment love when you’ve finished reading all about her.


old-books-11281939505MsrnWhat inspires you to write?

I often think that if I didn’t write, I’d go mad. Writing is like standing outside naked and asking people what they think. It is sometimes hard, lonely, difficult and the path isn’t always filled with sunshine and butterflies. Yet, I still couldn’t imagine my life without my being able to put pen to paper or to caress my keyboard keys. Not everyone will understand the art of my stories, but those that do, they help to keep me coming back to sit down and share parts of my soul, which I’ve bled onto the page.

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

I love paranormal romance, and time travel romance. Simply put, there is something magical about magic, and the ability in such a world to exist. All things are possible, including the bending of time, and space. Additionally, there is something about a dashing Lord, and a heroine who doesn’t feel the need to be subservient to him (due to her modern day disposition and constitution).

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

I am working on creating my first time-travel romance, and in doing so, I had to dig into Viking mythology, and ascertain how far south in modern day Germany the Vikings made it. One thing that I learned while doing all of this research was about the Brothers Grimm, who lived in Kassel during the 19th century. In fact, they compiled their famous fairy tales in Kassel. This of course led me down the road of recreating fairy tales like they used to be. And, in my latest release, 7 Twisted Fairy Tales, I take flash fiction and look at things from the villain’s point of view.

Die Sababurg im ReinhardswaldName two things people don’t know about you.

Two things that people don’t know about me? Well, that is a hard one. Often I feel like an open book.

The first thing is that I collect castles (fortresses and palaces). I’ve always had an affinity for all things medieval, and everything that has to do with knights in shining armor.  I still dream of one day owning my own castle (This is still on my to-be-accomplished list; I’ve already found my knight).

Secondly, I am a romantic; I mean an over-the-top-love-will-conquer-all-and-there-is-nothing-stronger-than-love romantic. So, you probably aren’t surprised by the fact that parts of my life I would actually consider to be part of a fairy tale. I was married in a castle on the outskirts of Kassel, called The Sababurg. It is the Sleeping Beauty Castle, and is surrounded with lovely roses. As you can see, my time travel romance will actually have a little bit of truth. 🙂


7 Twisted Tales cover-page-0017 Twisted Fairy Tales

Do you like fairy tales? Dive into the familiar tales of your youth, but be forewarned — these aren’t your normal fairy tales. They’ve been recreated, fractured, made darker, more sinister. These flash fiction tales are sure to make you look at fairy tales in a new way. Embrace the twisted. 

Released specifically for Halloween, and is a collection of flash fiction stories.

Find it on Amazon!

Want to connect further with Tina? You may find her here:

Website: www.TinaGlasneck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TL-Glasneck-Author-of-Romance-and-Fantasy-1429774030592558/ or https://www.facebook.com/TinaGlasneck

Twitter: @TLGlasneck and @TinaGlasneck


Author Bio:

Tina Glasneck is a crime fiction writer, and aspiring romance writer. She believes in the power of love, complicated stories with complex characters and beautiful settings. Inspired by Jude Deveraux and Kathleen Koen, Tina strives to create stories that keep readers engaged, love that sweeps one away, and a love powerful enough to pull you along for the ride. To learn more about Tina and her melange of writings, visit her at www.TinaGlasneck.com


Thanks so much for sharing some of yourself with us today, Tina!
I, for one, am looking forward to that time-travel romance, indeed, so hurry up and finish writing it, will you?