Writer Wednesday (er, Thursday): Meet Donna Dalton!

Sometimes life gets in the way, and yesterday was one of those days. My apologies to all my #WriterWednesday fans and especially to Donna Dalton, our featured author today and a fellow Virginia Romance Writers friend.

But we can celebrate a wonderful author like Donna any day of the week, right?

Donna writes novels that romance America’s past. Her newest, Magic In Her Eyes, is a historical romance with paranormal elements – right up my alley. And it debuts TOMORROW. Woot!

So settle in to learn more about Donna and her work. You’ll be glad you did – and I hope you leave greetings in the comments.

 


What inspires you to write?

I love the art of storytelling…the weaving of words into fascinating tales that keep readers coming back for more.

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

I have always enjoyed historical romances. I love reading about the past and how the people of yesteryear lived and loved. It’s almost like reading a fantasy, except it’s real. Very fascinating.

 

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

While researching extra-ordinary abilities for my Gifted Series, I discovered a resource on seeing auras that surround people, plants, and buildings. It said you could teach yourself to see those auras. So, I gave it a try. Not happening. My brain was too busy to slow down and focus. Guess I’ll just leave the aura seeing to my characters.

Name two things people don’t know about you:

First thing people may not know about me is that I love animals. All types. I have had countless pets over the years, dogs, cats, a horse, birds, hamsters, gerbils, and even a black and white rat named Fred. He knew lots of tricks and loved riding on my shoulder. Another thing I love is horseback riding. I enjoy long rides through the woods. The peacefulness and fresh air is quite relaxing.

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

I would recommend Joanna Bourne. She writes historicals that are packed with action and adventure and always include a strong bold heroine. Her style of writing engages the reader from the start, using simple words that deliver powerful hits.

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

I wish I had known that the rough draft is just that…rough. Each sentence does not have to be polished to perfection before moving on. I spent far too much effort on scenes that eventually ended up getting cut. A waste of time. So now, my first draft is just me telling myself the story, no polish, no editing.

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

My favorite novel of all time is Flowers From The Storm by Laura Kinsale. I love stories where the heroine heals a tortured hero. Laura’s writing is exceptional. She paints such vivid pictures with her words. This book is definitely a keeper.

 


A Bit About Magic In Her Eyes:

Meredith Talbot has a secret. In fact, she has nine secrets – her own and those of the eight orphans at Seaton House, a home for children. Each of them has a special talent that if exposed would get them labeled as witches. It is her responsibility to protect the children and their secrets and keep them safe from persecution. Marauding Indians force them into a nearby fort where their safety is threatened by fanatical townspeople and a captivating army officer who try to unmask the children’s extraordinary abilities.

Lieutenant Preston Booth has one goal – to serve and protect his country. The military is the only life he has ever known. It’s the only life he wants. When a child is abducted and Preston goes after the culprit, Meredith has a vision of what will happen to him.

Does she risk everything by exposing her gift? Or keep her secret and risk losing him forever?

Find Magic In Her Eyes here:

The Wild Rose Press – http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5081-magic-in-her-eyes.html

Amazon Kindle: http://a.co/gTC5ehR

 


A Bit About Donna:

Donna lives in central Virginia with her husband, two sons, and a grandson. An avid reader of historical romances, Donna uses the rich history of the “Old Dominion” State for many of her story settings. She enjoys reading stories where characters overcome life’s challenges, where family is everything, and the power of love helps them to succeed.

Want to connect further with Donna? Find her here:

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Website  |  GoodReads


Thanks so much for joining us, Donna! It was a pleasure to have you here. 

The #VRW Awards Luncheon: #FoolForLove & #HOLTMedallion Winners

HOLTFrontProgramThe Virginia Romance Writers‘ second annual awards luncheon kicked off in festive spirits (and with lots of hats) as we celebrated our members’ and contest winners’ accomplishments in tea-party style.

A big thanks to Jacqueline Bragaw, our hostess extraordinaire, who planned and decorated everything with great finesse!

VRW President Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins welcomes us all, while dapperly dressed event planner Jacqueline Bragaw looks on.
VRW President Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins welcomes us all, while dapperly dressed event planner Jacqueline Bragaw looks on.
Desserts
Yes. You should be jealous. 

VRW’s president, Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins, welcomed us all before we feasted on a delicious meal and even more scrumptious desserts, provided by VRW’s very own Amy and Carolyn. Yes, there was much oohing and ahhing – over the taste as much as the presentation!

SwansFOod
We all swooned over the swans.

Another special treat was listening to VRW founding members Carolyn Greene and Cynthia Holt Johnson (for whom the HOLT contest is named!) discuss the history of our chapter (newsletters copied at Kinkos and sent via the good old-fashioned mail? Janet Evanovich and Cathy Maxwell and so many other big names? You bet!).

They encouraged us to move forward in our writing with AUDACITY – the same audacity VRW showed by calling themselves the Virginia Romance Writers when the original members all hailed from Richmond, by launching the Fool For Love contest to encourage unpublished writers, and by establishing the reader-judged HOLT Medallion contest. Go, Virginia Romance Writers!

VRW Founding Members Carole Greene and Cynthia Holt Johnson
VRW Founding Members Carole Greene and Cynthia Holt Johnson
MLandMA
Meg Adams and I showing off our certificates.

Then came the grand finale – the announcement of the Fool for Love and HOLT Medallion winners. I’m so pleased fellow VRW member and writer friend Meg Adams took home 1st place in the Fool for Love contest in the Published Authors division, and it was such a thrill to share in the excitement and giddiness of the other winners.

I was thrice-nominated, an unbelievable honor, and while I didn’t win (and I didn’t expect to), it was such a joy to be a part of this great day. But I’m now the very happy owner of three certificates of merit:

Thank you to the Virginia Romance Writers for all they do in supporting all of us in our writing careers. What a fantastic group of people, and I’m so proud to be able to say I’m a part of it.

I look as startled as I felt to be garbed in a fancy dress - with a fascinator!
I look as startled as I felt to be garbed in a fancy dress – with a fascinator!

A Matter of Time is a HOLT Finalist!

HOLT Medal

amatteroftimesmallI’m excited and absolutely FLOORED to tell you all that A Matter of Time is a DOUBLE Finalist in the Virginia Romance Writers’ HOLT Medallion Contest in the Paranormal and Best Book by a Virginia Author categories!

Excuse me while I go hyperventilate, do the Snoopy dance, and fantasize about inhaling vast amounts of chocolate.

THANK YOU to the Virginia Romance Writers and the HOLT judges for this tremendous honor.

And thank YOU, my friends, family, fellow authors, and fellow readers, for making this possible. WAHOO!

Winners will be announced June 11th. Wish me luck, won’t 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. 🙂  

Writer Wednesday: Meet Caryn McGill!

carynmOh, the spring weather has arrived at last, and it is glorious here in Virginia!

You know what else is glorious? Having fellow Virginia Romance Writer Caryn McGill here for Writer Wednesday! Caryn is such a fun and sweet lady, and I’m so proud to be able to share her with you today. So please read on to learn more about Caryn and her provocatively titled new book, The Wives of Lucifer. (I totally want to read that based on title alone. Don’t you?)


MusicButterflyWhat inspires you to write?

Music, TV, and film inspire me. A simple lyric can spark a story. I’m a big fan of the “what if” method. I take an anecdote, story or real-life situation and wonder what would happen if I just blow it up. Where will the pieces fall? What would I do in that situation? The possibilities are mind-boggling. And fun! Continue reading Writer Wednesday: Meet Caryn McGill!