Writer Wednesday: Meet Nicole Leiren!

Hey hey, May – it’s Writer Wednesday! So glad you popped in for this brief-but-fun-AND-informative interview with an author – a perfect bite-sized chance to get to learn a bit more about them and their works.

This week I’m proud to present USA Today Best-selling Author Nicole Leiren, writer of contemporary romance and cozy mysteries! Nicole and I have known each other on social media for some time, so it’s a delight to get to share her with folks who may not already be familiar with her – and to welcome in readers who are!

But hey, enough from me… Nicole, take it away – we’re excited to learn about your new cozy mystery, Heroes and Hurricanes!


What inspires you to write?

For as long as I can remember, stories have been playing out inside my head (some people call that crazy, I prefer creative LOL) – sharing those stories with others and having them affect them emotionally brings me a great measure of joy. Giving people an escape from the day-to-day grind of their lives is a large part of what inspires me. And, to be honest, if I didn’t get those stories out of my head…it might explode. Seriously…LOL

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

I love romantic suspense the most. Having some type of mystery or life-threatening dilemma our hero and heroine must deal with while falling in love – well, that just gives me happy sighs!

Name two things people don’t know about you:

At age 37, I turned total rebel and got my first tattoo (much to the dismay of my mother LOL) She continued to disapprove when I added my second tattoo a few years later. What can I say, I was a late-blooming rebel 🙂

I started publicly sharing my writing in the wonderful world of fanfiction. Through the encouragement of the readers there, I finally decided to pursue my dream of becoming published. Many of my fanfic readers followed me over and became readers of my non fanfic writing as well.

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

I think it would be that you must decide what you consider a success and be willing to do what it takes (both creatively and from a business standpoint) to achieve that success. There are many ups and downs in the journey and knowing WHY you’re doing this is just as important as WHAT you are doing. Never forget the reasons why you write (see my previous answer lol) and go back to that when things get a little rocky.


A Bit About Heroes and Hurricanes:

From USA Today bestselling authors Nicole Leiren and Elizabeth Ashby comes a decades old mystery…

When Lilly Waters moved to her ancestral small-town home of Danger Cove, Washington, she hoped for a walk down memory lane and a chance to connect with the family she never knew. What she got instead was a bartending job at the Smugglers’ Tavern, a mysterious man promising information about her grandfather—who had been listed as MIA since the Vietnam War—and a dead body she practically tripped over!
When the police point to Lilly as their number one suspect, she decides to take fate into her own hands. She enlists the help of a trivia loving waitress and a hot local security guard who sincerely hopes Lilly is doing more than just passing through. As Lilly searches for clues to clear her name, she uncovers puzzles that reveal secrets about her family and hidden treasure. Each clue brings her closer to the fortune…and to the real killer who will stop at nothing to get the gold.

Pre-order Heroes and Hurricanes here (release date: May 23, 2017):

Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks  |  Kobo  |  Smashwords  
And find Nicole’s Heroes of the Night romance series here:  https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Leiren/e/B011MKQRMQ/

A Bit About Nicole:

Nicole is a USA Today Best Selling author. She has been an avid reader from a very young age. Starting with mysteries, her love for whodunits expanded to include romance and suspense. Nicole’s stories feature what she likes to call her real world heroes and heroines. She enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure!

A Midwest girl, born and raised, she lives in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with her hubby, her own personal hero for over 28 years now.

Email  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Website  |  Street Team  |  Pinterest


Thank you so much for being with us, Nicole! It was a pleasure to have you here. 🙂 

Writer Wednesday: Meet J. L. Lora!

Author J.L. LoraWelcome 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:


TypewriterA 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 Sandy Loyd!

sandyloydWelcome to Writer Wednesday. We’re so glad you’ve taken a little time out of your day to meet our latest featured author, Sandy Loyd.

Sandy is a romance author who writes in several different subgenres (contemporary, romantic suspense, historical and time travel), bringing us “romance with a twist.” Gotta love that!

So gather up that leftover Halloween candy and chow down on some chocolate as you get to know Sandy a bit better! And once you’ve cleaned your fingers, I hope you’ll leave Sandy a note in the comments!


Passports to world travelWhat inspires you to write?

I’m inspired by life. By what I see around me and what I’ve learned through my experiences. I love to travel, especially to other countries, which always inspires me and gets the creative juices flowing.

People everywhere are essentially the same. Most care about what’s important in their lives, such as family, job security and having a home and enough to eat. What makes a foreign city interesting are the added challenges being in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar customs. I see a story in almost any setting.

Gate to ancient medina of Fez, Morocco
Gate to ancient medina of Fez, Morocco

Sitting on a train in a French city while people watching or being led through a Moroccan medina with a tour group, I create stories in my mind. Going through the Medina in Fez was an incredible experience. It’s totally different from anything in the US. It’s a city within a city located within a few square miles. It would be like going into a mega mall that also had food and housing in the 18th century. There are narrow passages that led to everything one might need to live – clothing, jewelry, furniture, food (from slaughtered chickens and pigs to fish, from spices, fruits and vegetables to rices and pastas). The mega structure had homes above the shops. I can’t remember how many lived within the medina, but we needed a guide to keep from getting lost. It took most of the day to tour the narrow passages crowded with Moroccans. Even animals like burros were a common sighting.

I ask myself what would happen if… Someone got lost while someone was chasing them? Why the chase and what would I do? From there a story is born. You get the idea. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to write all of the books that I’ve thought of, so I just come up with an outline and put it in a ‘New Stories’ folder.

 Heart shaped book pagesWhat is your favorite type of romance and why?

My favorite romance genre is Romantic Suspense/Mystery. I love twists and turns.

One of my favorite TV shows is NCIS. They always have some great twists, plus the characters are what make the show. I love the way they have all arced since its inception. They face danger, but they have a lot of fun while they do it.

Those are the kind of books I like. Great characters who face danger, but have a great time while doing it. I’m not into gore and darkness. I see that every day on TV. When I read for pleasure, I want more than just a romance. I want something fun and entertaining to lead me on a twisting adventure.

shannaWhat is your favorite romance novel of all time and why?

My favorite romance of all time is Kathleen Woodiwiss’s Shanna.

The book was an epic adventure with the ultimate hero – Ruark Deveraux Beauchamp. The author revolutionized romance with her first novel, and Shanna took it to new heights. I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved the mystery/suspense element woven into the plot as well as the island setting. Ruark went to great lengths to prove his love and commitment. It was one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read.


lowcountryA Bit About A Lowcountry Christmas Miracle:

Considering the bad blood between father and son, it will take a miracle to get Cade Duval to return to the Lowcountry for Christmas. Lacey Barnes has loved Cade since…forever…and feels up to the task of making sure it happens. Unfortunately, Cade’s in a relationship and Lacey would never poach. Success means her heart will be broken all over again. 

Yet, miracles have a way of happening at Christmastime. Like the miracle of finding true love and the miracle of family coming together. But the most wonderful miracle of all is the miracle of forgiveness.

Find A Lowcountry Christmas Miracle here:

Amazon | Nook | iBooks | Kobo 


Vintage TypewriterA Bit About Sandy:

Sandy Loyd has worked and lived in some fabulous places in the US, including Northern California and South Florida. She now resides in Kentucky and writes full time.

As a former sales rep for a major manufacturer, she’s traveled extensively throughout the US, and has a million stored memories to draw from for her stories. She spent her single years in San Francisco and considers that city one of America’s treasures, comparable to no other city in the world. The books in her California Series, starting with Winter Interlude, are all set in the Bay Area.

 Sandy is now an empty nester who has written almost two dozen novels. She strives to come up with fun characters—people you would love to call friends. We all know friends have their baggage and when we discover what makes them tick, we come to love them even more.

Whether she’s writing historical, time travel, romantic suspense, or contemporary romance, Sandy always tries to weave a warm love story into her work, while providing enough twists and turns to entertain any reader.

Want to connect further with Sandy? Find her here:

Facebook | Twitter | Website  


Thanks so much for joining us, Sandy! 

Writer Wednesday (er, Monday?): Meet Sharleen Scott

sharleenscottWelcome to Writer Wednesday!

What’s that you say? It’s Monday? Oops. Yup. My bad.

See, much of last week I was at the hospital with a loved one, and, well, I forgot to post dear romantic suspense author Sharleen Scott‘s interview.

I apologize to her (and to you), but am so pleased to share more about Ms. Scott now.

 


Red heart shapes on a handwritten old journal.

What inspires you to write?

I enjoying sharing my stories. I’m inspired to write romance, specifically, because I love the romance journey. It’s great fun to create characters, conflicts, and plot twists, and tie it all up with a happily-ever-after ending.

 

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

Romantic suspense. I tried writing contemporary romance but my characters’ worlds always seem to contain mysteries and murders. I enjoy building the suspense.

 

Bull rider at sunset

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

The hero in Caught in the Spin is a retired champion bull rider and my heroine is a big rodeo fan, so I spent a lot of time reading about bull riding. I discovered that rodeo teams are huge at some colleges, which opened up some interesting backstory for my character. Tom Black was a college rodeo champion while pursuing degrees in business and psychology. Both degrees helped him in my story where he owns a ranch post pro-rodeo career and runs up against a psychotic killer.

 

Testament 1Name two things people don’t know about you:

1. I always include plants in my garden to feed the birds when the snow flies. This year I planted broomcorn as well as sunflowers.

2. I’m a genealogy nut. I can spend hours on it.

 

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time?

There are actually two. First is Nora RobertsIrish Trilogy. Three books, I know, but they go together and all are excellent. The other is Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. Jamie and Claire. Need I say more?

 


citsA Bit About Caught in the Spin:

When Tallie Peters lands the job of assistant to Nashville’s’ premier music manager she’s sure things are finally looking up for her and her son. Meeting gorgeous former bull rider Tom Black confirms it. But Tallie’s new life dives into a chaotic spiral with the premature release of her brutal ex-husband from prison. He wants his son and will stop at nothing to take him. Tom offers Tallie and her son refuge behind the gates of the Masterson-Black ranch but soon finds that the best security measures are no match for a determined ex-con with nothing to lose.

Find Caught In the Spin on Amazon!

 


Vintage TypewriterA Bit About Sharleen: 

Sharleen Scott is the author of the romantic suspense Caught series and Tangles, a novel about a family dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. She is currently writing the third book in the Caught series.

Want to connect further with Sharleen? Find her here:

Amazon | Website | Facebook | Twitter


Thanks so much for being here, Sharleen! It was a delight to host you.

Writer Wednesday: Meet Kathleen Mix!

Kathleen MixHeya hiya hoya, it’s Wednesday! #WriterWednesday, that is, and we’ve got Virginia Romance Writer and romantic suspense author Kathleen Mix with us, talking romance and more!

I have the pleasure of having met Kathleen several times in person, and she’s delightful.

*She* might keep in you in suspense, but I won’t – read on and learn more about Kathleen and her work!


sinsWhat inspires you to write?

The people in my stories are my biggest inspiration, To me, they’re not just characters in a fantasy, but real. And, I need to know how they’ll react when life throws obstacles into their path. Most of all, I want to know they’ll be all right.

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

I write romantic suspense because the genre contains what I want to read. I enjoy stories where the internal and external problems facing the hero and heroine combine to make getting together seem unlikely. The excitement of the physical danger enhances the romance.

Secret StrangerWhat fellow romance author do you recommend reading, and why?

I know you want one author, but with so many excellent ones to choose from I’m going to stretch my answer to two. I am a big fan of Roxanne St. Claire because she grabs my emotions.

And I never miss a book by Jennifer Crusie. She can somehow combine perfect characters, great conflicts, and flawless structure into a story any romance author would be well to emulate.

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

I wish I had known that the journey only begins with the first sale. The hard work of finding new ideas and trying to make your next book better than the last is never over.

There is no silver bullet. Authors need to prepare for the long haul. Those who love the work wouldn’t have it any other way.


ImpossibleRansom500A Bit About Impossible Ransom (from Entangled Select Suspense):

The one man she hates is the only one who can save her…

Working as part of a yacht crew sounded like the perfect escape for senator’s daughter Val Ferrell. Glorious Caribbean beaches, turquoise seas, and freedom from her overbearing father? Heaven. But when the ship is hijacked by violent men—who want to use Val to get to her father—Val’s fantasy turns into a nightmare. Now her only hope is the ship’s captain, who happens to be her ex-lover.

After disobeying an order, covert operative Nick O’Shea’s been assigned yacht captain duty. Working side-by-side with the tiny blonde who makes him crazy—and keeping his hands off her—was definitely punishment. But when Val’s life is endangered, Nick must choose between staying aboard and fighting to retake the boat or risking their lives by attempting an escape to an isolated Caribbean island. With the ransom deadline rapidly approaching, he’s running out of time…

Find Impossible Ransom here:

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/impossible-ransom/

http://amazon.com/kathleen-mix/e/B001KHJD5U


writingA Bit About Kathleen:    

Kathleen Mix is a multi-published author of romance and romantic suspense.

Years ago, she escaped the structured life of a computer nerd and database administrator and moved aboard her sailboat with her husband and a reluctant Sheltie. They headed south to the Caribbean, and she wrote non-fiction travel and sailing articles. But since she was sailing under starlit skies and walking on the world’s most beautiful white-sand beaches, her thoughts soon turned to romance and suspense. She started writing fiction while anchored in the Virgin Islands, and the rest, as they say, is now history.

Currently, Kathleen lives in Virginia. For book excerpts and pictures of her boat visit www.kathleenmix.com.

To connect with Kathleen please visit:

@KathleenMix

http://www.facebook.com/kathleenmixbooks

http://www.kathleenmix.com

http://kathleenmix.wordpress.com


Thanks so much for joining us, Kathleen! It’s been a pleasure hosting you. 🙂