Love, Art, and Other Obstacles By Sadira Stone
Give a warm welcome to Sadira Stone, author of Love, Art, and Other Obstacles. I see you’ve brought a couple of guests.
Yes, This is Elmer Byrne and Margot DePont of Love, Art, and Other Obstacles. Welcome all! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Elmer, Margot and Sadira as well as Love, Art, and Other Obstacles!
Lets start with Elmer. Come on over here and have a seat.
Tells us about the real you—
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed? sketch pads, colored pencils, sci-fi paperbacks
……What makes you laugh out loud? The kids at the Rainbow Arts Center, where I teach ceramics. They tell it like it is.
……What makes you angry? Snooty people, users
What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you? My foster parents taught me what real family love is, and that the best kind of family is the one you choose.
What do you most value? Connection
…..What do you sleep in at night? Nothing. That’s what blankets are for.
What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with? She has to be creative, funny, artistic, a free thinker. And she has to love sex, of course.
What do you consider most important in life? It’s a tie: creative self-expression, and love.
What is your biggest secret? Confidence: fake it until you feel it.
****
Okay Margot, your turn in the hot seat. LOL
Who are you really? I’m a rebel.
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed? Manga books, mismatched socks, dust
……What makes you laugh out loud? The little kids at the bookshop where I work. I love it when it’s my turn for story hour.
……What makes you angry? Snobs. Judgmental people who try to squash me, or anyone else, into a narrow box.
……What do you sleep in at night? My vintage Godzilla T-shirt.
Who were the biggest role models in your life? Maxie Schmidt, my 90-year-old surrogate grandmother. She sampled all of life’s pleasures and always followed her own path. And she accepts people as they are.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with? Who says I want a forever partner? And who says it has to be a guy? But if I do commit to one person, they’d have to be open-minded, artistic, nerdy, and sexy.
(or if you don’t want romance – Why not?)
What kind of man would you never choose? A judgmental one who wants to clip my wings.
What is most important to you in life? Creative self-expression and independence.
What is your biggest fear? Having to hide who I am
Sadira, Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
This story was great fun to write. I loved the chance to revisit the crew at Book Nirvana, the bookshop at the center of this series. Margot is an important secondary character in the first two books in the series, and readers told me they wanted to read her story. Elmer first appeared in book two, and he’s such a sexy flirt that I enjoyed giving him a story of his own. They’re quite the unlikely couple. At first, Margot’s turned off by Elmer’s cocky, flirtatious ways. Of course, there’s more that she suspected under his pretty surface.
Another facet I loved was developing the Rainbow Art Center, a youth arts program where both Elmer and Margot volunteer. The kid artists and Rainbow Center staff sort of emerged to tell their own story about the importance of art in their lives. If I had great piles of $$, I’d love to sponsor an arts center like this.
I’m definitely a plantser—I plot out the story, but new sprouts develop as I write. Some of them grow fruitful; others need to be trimmed or pruned as I revise.
A little about Love, Art, and Other Obstacles, if you please:
She’s a free spirit. He’s a one-woman man.
Rejected by her family for her bisexuality, graphic artist Margot DuPont yearns for a life with no fences, no limits, and no family ties. Between college, work at Book Nirvana, and an art competition, she barely has time for her part-time girlfriend, much less a flirtation with her competitor.
Dumped into the foster system at a young age, ceramics artist Elmer Byrne craves a big, loving family of the heart. His artist family almost fills that need, but something is missing…until Margot. But when he offers his heart, her thorny defenses shatter him.
Thrown together in an art competition that could jump-start one artist’s career, but not both, their irresistible attraction forces them to reconsider the meaning of success.
Buy Links: Psst…Love, Art, and Other Obstacles is on sale for $2.99 from May 15-29. After that it’s $5.99. If I were you, I’d snap up a copy!
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A sneak peek between the pages:
“Tell you what,” he said. “How about if we have drinks and talk about anything but the competition?”
“Because…why?”
“You’re a real hard-ass, aren’t you?” He rolled his eyes. “Because I like you, Margot.”
“Why?”
He leaned so close their foreheads almost touched, a challenge simmering in his smile. “Have a drink with me and find out.”
If there was one thing she couldn’t resist, it was a challenge. On the other hand, he might not like her so much if he knew about Darcy. Let that be the test, then. Let him prove he wasn’t one of those possessive, controlling guys Darcy warned her about.
“Okay. I will.” She stepped back. “But you should know, I’m sort of seeing someone.”
His thick auburn brows contracted. “Sort of?”
“A woman.”
His nostrils flared on a deep inhalation, but he held her gaze. “Is it serious?”
“Not really.” Might as well serve up the truth, raw and ungarnished. Might as well be honest with herself too. “She lives in Berkeley. I only see her every month or two.”
Holding her gaze, he nodded. “Okay then. Thanks for telling me.” The tense lines of his mouth relaxed into a casual grin. “So, drinks?”
Well I’ll be damned.
About the Author:
Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance from her new home in Washington State, U.S.A. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, plays darts (pretty well), plays guitar (badly), and gobbles all the books. Visit Sadira at www.sadirastone.com .
I’d love to hear from you! Please visit me on all the socials.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Art World, Artist, Bisexual Heroine, Bookshop, Ceramics, Chosen Family, Contemporary Romance, Disapproving Family, Graphic Design, Love Art and Other Obstacles, New Adult Romance, Oregon, Redhead Hero, Rivals to Lovers, Sadira Stone, Steamy Romance, Tattoos by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
#99cents SALE -An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement #MFRWhooks
This week #MFRWhooks is the award winning AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT and it’s on SALE for 99 cents. It doesn’t get much better than that! Where Warrior Angel, Caden goes, trouble follows until he discovers a badly beaten woman barely clinging to life. Unprepared for the entanglement she brings to his doorstep, will he move heaven and earth to save her?
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement!
AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT came about one summer when hubby and I were driving over Independence Pass. It’s one of our favorite drives in Colorado. A beautiful drive if you don’t mind the shear drop-offs. Abandoned cabins (dating back to 1880-1890) dot the landscape near the top of Independence Pass at over 12,000 feet in elevation. As I rounded the back of one of those cabins a complete scene unfolded among the spectacular views. I rushed to the truck and jotted down an outline and An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement was born.
Caden had a story to tell, and insisted it be told before I finished up the series. The heroine in this story is Mystic Rayne. At the time I was writing this our beloved canine companion passed over the rainbow bridge. We were devastated. As the circle of life continued, a new puppy arrived and we named her Mystic Reign, after my character. Do you believe in fate? Well coincidently the release date for An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement was August 6, 2018, which happens to be our dog, Mystic’s birthday.
Click on the cover to read more or purchase.
A little about AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT–
Fallen warrior angel, Caden Silverwind, lives alone in Colorado’s rugged Rockies, healing from physical wounds as well as the mental anguish suffered during battles with dark demons. Then he finds a woman barely clinging to life after a horrendous beating. He is not prepared for the entanglement she brings to his life, nor the feelings she awakens in him.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Agent, Mystic Rayne’s personal dilemma and assignment nearly gets her killed. Divine intervention is a complication she never expected and her growing attraction to Caden is undeniable. Can she trust him with her secret?
Their quest to uncover her attacker takes them from the pristine mountains in Colorado to the wilds of Wyoming. Along the way, they find answers which may place them in more danger. Determined to solve the mystery, they must also navigate their feelings and fears to find love and unite heaven and earth.
A peek between the pages of AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT:
Dislodged rocks and sticks bounced down the path ahead of him as he stopped to admire the view and noticed something in the brush.
She lay naked, battered, and beaten several yards off the trail. Her long, straight black hair fanned around her head, tangled with twigs and bits of grass. Caden moved silently toward her, stopped, and picked up a Bureau of Indian Affairs ID a few feet from where she lay. He stuffed it in his pocket while watching the surrounding area for signs of her attackers. Kneeling down at her side, he saw scratches and bruises on her high-sculpted cheekbones and her full lips had a shading of blue around them. He placed his hand lightly on her chest, felt a weak heartbeat and sensed a brave soul unwilling to give up. God, this is the last thing I need.
Summoning medical help here was futile. The altitude at 12,092 feet, combined with rocky terrain, made it difficult for most rescue vehicles. They’d be too late to save her. He slid his hands under her body. At his touch, a scene unfolded in his mind of snarling wolves, the valiant fight she waged against a male until she was too weak to defend herself any longer, then blackness. Anger surged through him as he carried her along the rocky path to the fifth wheel trailer he called home.
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged An Angel's Unintentional Entanglement, Colorado, Independance Pass, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler, TEna Stetler. #MFRWBookHooks by Tena Stetler with 22 comments.
A Witch’s Journey & Holiday Wedding #MFRWhooks
This week I have two #MFRWhooks for you. A WITCH’S JOURNEY and A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING.
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about A MAGIC REDEMPTION and CHARM ME!
Shall we start with Award winning A Witch’s Journey first book in A Witch’s Journey Series! The book takes place in the small town of Lobster Cove, Maine where things are not always what the seem.
Click on the Cover to read more or purchase.
A little about A WITCH’S JOURNEY – .Former Navy Seal, Lathen Quartz helps Pepper, a powerful witch, achieve her life-long dream of a wild life rescue, but can they save the McKay magic & their love?
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?
A peek between the pages of A WITCH’S JOURNEY:
“What the hell are you doing here, and what have you done to my dog?” Pepper shouted flinging the log to the ground and yanking her cell phone out of her pocket. She tapped in 9-1-1, the operator answered on the first ring. “This is Pepper McKay.” That was all she had time to say, so she left the line open. When she circled her arm above her head, the wind picked up. As she spread her fingers wide, the rain came down in sheets, lightning streaked through the night sky, and thunder shook the ground. The dog glanced up at Pepper, blood clouding its eye, barked once, and barreled into the woods. Mr. Green started to get up off the ground, and Pepper shoved her foot on top his chest. “Don’t move. Or I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Mr. Green rolled to the side and grabbed Pepper’s leg. Slick due to the rain, he couldn’t hold on and Pepper kicked his side and jumped out of reach.
She sliced her arm through the air. Unseen forces slammed Mr. Green to the ground. His eyes glowed an eerie green. Pain erupted in Pepper’s head. He was drawing on her magic. Suddenly, a rainbow shower of knife-sharp feathers zoomed out of the cabin door, across the air, and sliced through the man’s clothes, pinning him to the ground. Red and blue flashing lights reflected against the cabin’s wet exterior. The sirens’ wail echoed all around her, and Kaylee’s scream broke through the chaos, then everything went black.
Lathen slammed on the brakes as he turned into the driveway behind the police vehicle. A rainbow of slivers rose from the ground and streaked into the cabin. He rubbed his eyes, shook his head, and jumped to the ground searching for Pepper. The 9-1-1 call came in at the police station as he’d finished the wiring and was testing the computers. When he arrived, she was lying on the ground, and Kaylee circled above her screeching. As he knelt over her, she bolted upright.
A little about the second book in A Witch’s Journey Series, A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING –Torn in too many directions will Pepper and Lathen make it to the alter?
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
A sneak peek between the pages of A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING!
After she set her glass down, Lathen brushed a couple strands of hair out of her eyes and searched her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m tired, my wedding is in a couple weeks, I have ghosts fighting over who is going to do what. Guests that have no idea the place is haunted and… Your family and pack, my parents, Gwen… To top it all off, the head of my clan, who is a ghost, is sitting in front of me wanting to know who is coming to the wedding and whether the ghosts will be outed. How could I possibly be all right?”
“When you put it that way.” Lathen chuckled. “It sounds just a bit… I don’t know…crazy?” His right eyebrow winged up. She saw mischief sparkle in his eyes. “We could still elope,” he offered.
There’ll be two more books out in this series by summer’s end. Hidden Gypsy Magic and Chocolate Raspberry Magic. More about them in the coming weeks. Watch for theml
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, A Witch's Jounrey, Lobster Cove, magic, small town, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.
Charm Me Again by Tena Stetler #MFRWhooks
#MFRWhooks this week we take a look at CHARM ME AGAIN! A mysterious tale of enchanted tools of the trade set in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and a Scottish Highland Ghost, with nowhere to go. Breaking the curse is only the first step to forever.
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about CHARM ME AGAIN!
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
How CHARM ME AGAIN began:
For several months a Scottish Highland Ghost has haunted Daylan, in his personal life, his professional life and at his forge. Yet, being a talented warlock, he is no closer to discovering what the ghost wants or why he chose Daylan. A trip to his estranged sister’s home in Colorado may have unforeseen consequences especially when family history leads him to a shocking discovery.
As his attraction blooms for Josie, a yoga instructor in his sister’s studio, he realizes there may be more to Josie than he can imagine. When an ancient rogue Fae Warrior set on revenge kidnaps her in an attempt to claim her as his own, a devastating curse comes to light.
Daylan’s world spirals out of control as he searches for Josie. Can he break the age old curse to save her and their future, or will she be lost to him forever?
A peek between the pages of CHARM ME AGAIN:
She swallowed hard and blinked.
Out of the mist, in full Scottish regalia, a ghost stood, his transparent red and green belted plaid blowing in the breeze.
She shook her head, closed her eyes, scrubbed her hands over her eyes, and blinked them open. “What the hell?” burst from her lips before she could control herself. “It’s some kind of bad dream. Right?” She rubbed her eyes again opening only one this time. “Shit, you’re all still here.” She dropped her arms to her sides and glared at Daylan then Summer. “Someone better tell me what’s going on—right now.” Her hands fisted and unfisted at her sides.
Daylan returned her scathing look. “Later.”
“We meet again Shay.” The ghost said. “What kind of attire are ye wearing?”
“Never mind. Ye are the cause of the problem, Daylan.” The leader glared at the ghost.
“Oh, no—not this time,” the ghost said.
Daylan stood straight. “No way. I’m not taking the blame for this.”
Shay grinned. “Oh, now things are falling in place.” He pointed a finger at Daylan. “You are his namesake and that is why Khellan has returned.” He flicked a finger at the ghost. “And you have attached to your namesake hoping he or his twin can break the curse. What a tangle.” Shifting his gaze to her, he continued. “This young lass is caught in the middle with naught power to protect herself.”
“For god sakes. She’s mortal. How can she be caught in the middle?” Daylan shouted. “She shouldn’t even be able to see what’s happening.”
“Yet she does. Something to think about.” Shay shrugged one shoulder. “She is besotted with you, as you are with her. The lass’s blood may be diluted, but it’s there. The cycle begins again.”
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Charm Me Again, Colorado, Ghost, Paranormal Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Rocky Mountains, Scottish Highland, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
