Interview Daphne Dubois Author of Only The Beginning
Give a warm welcome to Daphne Dubois, author of Only the Beginning!
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 Daphne and her new release Only the Beginning! Pssst…Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!
What inspired this particular story?
Only the Beginning started as a short story I posted on Wattpad as a thank you to readers who helped my first romance novel, The Right Fit get published. It ended up growing into a novel and looks lovely on the shelf next to its sibling.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I write the end of the chapter first because I always like to end with a cliff hanger of some kind. For me, coming up with a ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen right now’ idea is easier than starting the scene.
What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
I want them to be entertained and feel like they’ve had an unexpected escape or impromptu vacation.
Why do you write what you write? Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
I have published young adult novels, a mystery series, a paranormal series, and of course contemporary romance. It’s not so much the genre as the story idea that comes to me. I never want to turn away an idea!
You’ve got a time machine, a cloak of invisibility, and one hour. Where would you go, and what eavesdropping would you do?
If movies have taught us anything, it’s that you DO NOT mess with the time space continuum. And no one is ever happy after they’ve eavesdropped on someone. If I had a time machine and one hour, I’d keep going back one hour into the past and take a nap under the invisibility cloak. I bet I’d catch up on years of lost sleep, or maybe I’d use it to write…
A sneak peek between the pages of Only the Beginning.
Melissa blinked a few times, trying to remember the dream. A sense of bliss made her smile into the pillow. She was warm and the bed covers were tucked around her like a cocoon. It must be Saturday, she thought.
There was a shift in the bed behind her, followed by a low sigh.
She froze. In a series of flashing images, it all came back.
The pub. Craig. The intense stare of his eyes. The way he’d kissed her as he unzipped the back of her skirt. He made her feel like she was the most desirable woman on the planet, that there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep touching her.
And she’d reciprocated, opening up to him, losing all her inhibitions. She imagined this was what Lovers’ Oasis was like. The anonymity combined with the fantasy created a freedom Melissa had never experienced before, not ever.
But now reality set in. She’d woken naked, next to a man she barely knew and the earlier courage she’d felt—the reckless delirious abandonment that augmented her physical enjoyment of the afternoon encounter—had morphed into terrified embarrassment.
There was only one choice—she had to leave before he woke. Slowly, she slipped one leg out, her foot searching for the floor. Then she inched her way to the edge of the bed, carefully making sure not to jostle the mattress.
She stood, completely naked, looking down at Craig. He was on his back, one hand was on his chest gently rising and falling as he slept. The sheets pooled at his waist. His face was completely relaxed, his mouth opened slightly, lips parted.
A warmth began to stir inside her, remembering how those lips felt. He’d memorized each of her breasts with his tongue as his fingers slipped down her belly then nestled between her thighs. She’d come for him, then. So quickly…so easily.
Her purse buzzed from the floor making Melissa jump. It sounded like a marching band had exploded through the door. She crouched down and lunged for the purse, grabbing the phone and silencing it. Melissa waited, but there was no movement from the bed. A quiet breath eased through her pursed lips. She read her phone; there were multiple messages from Brooke. The last one was marked “urgent.”
—Where are you?—
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Only The Beginning!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Daphne Dubois, DContemporary Romance, Only the Beginning by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
Interview Kathy Otten Author of A Place in Your Heart
Give a warm welcome to Kathy Otten, author of A Place in Your Heart.
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 Kathy Otten and A Place in Your Heart.
What inspired this particular story? In my research for a previous story I came across mention of a woman named Mary Ann Bickerdyke, who worked as a nurse during the Civil War. She fought hard for the patients, ignoring the dictates of many of the officers and doctors in charge of the hospital where she’d come to help. At the time she arrived many of the food, clothing, and supplies sent by the Sanitary Commission were being, used, sold, or eaten by the officers and orderlies at the hospital. When Mother Bickerdyke (as the patients fondly referred to her) discovered the cook and his friends had been eating food meant for the patients, she put a purgative in some cooked peaches, and threatened the sickening thieves that next time she would use rat poison. When she discovered an orderly wearing a shirt from the Sanitary Commission, she tackled him to the floor in the middle of the ward, sat on him while she pulled it off, then whirled it over her head in triumph. I fell in love with her spirit and Gracie McBride was born. The first chapter includes Gracie doing what Mother Bickerdyke did to the peaches and to the orderly.
Who is your favorite character of all the books you’ve written and why? Johnny Bodine from my book, Lost Hearts. Johnny had a difficult childhood. Raised by outlaws, she learned early to fear men. Dyslexic and used for her skills with herbs, she could never get away. Yet she had an indomitable spirit. She never quit hoping for things to get better, and she’d learned to quietly accept what couldn’t be changed.
What do you want your readers to take away from your books? I hope I’ve made my characters real enough so my readers remember them long after they finish the book. Kind of like the fond memory of old friends. Maybe even miss them enough to reread their story.
What’s your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters flow (Pantser)? I started out as a true pantser, just put pen to paper and go, but over time that has changed. Now I take some time to figure out where I’m going. I usually have an idea of the story and character goals, and most times know that dark moment at the climax. Maybe I’ve evolved with my own writer’s arc to combine the structure of a plotter and the creativity of a pantser.
Speed Round
Favorite Movie: Newsies Live (Broadway musical cast)
Favorite Book: I Spy Something Bloody by Josh Lanyon
Last Book Read: The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman
Favorite Color: Blue
Stilettos or Flipflops: Flip flops
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Ebook or Paperback: eBook
Pencil or Pen: Pen
Streak or Not: Not
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream
Favorite Junk Food: Wegman’s Chocolate Covered, Peanut Butter Filled, Pretzel Bites
Favorite Thing To Do To Relax: Read
Champagne or Gin: Neither
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Neither
Favorite TV Show: M*A*S*H
Hot or Cold: Hot
POV: 3rd Person Past
I’d Die If I Don’t Have: Family
Review or Not: Review
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
Tell us a little about A Place in Your Heart.
Gracie McBride isn’t looking for love; she’s looking for respect. But in this man’s world of Civil War medicine, Gracie is expected to maintain her place changing beds and writing letters. Her biggest nemesis is the ward surgeon, Doctor Charles Ellard, who seems determined to woo her with arrogant kisses and terrible jokes.
Charles is an excellent surgeon. He assumed he would be well received by an army at war. He was not. Friendless and alone, he struggles to hide the panic attacks that plague him, while the only person who understands him is a feisty Irish nurse clearly resolved to keep him at a distance.
But, Charles is sent to the battlefield, and Gracie is left with a wounded soldier, a box of toys, and a mystery which can only be solved by the one man she wishes could love her, both as a woman and a nurse.
A sneak peek between the pages of A Place in Your Heart.
“No. I want you to go home before the death of that ten-year-old boy becomes so ordinary, that one day you wake up and realize you no longer have the ability to feel.”
She squared her shoulders and stepped toward him. “Me own husband was a doctor, sir. I’ve birthed babies and stitched wounds. I stood by William’s side during surgeries and passed him instruments. I helped him clean the intestines of a man gored by a bull, before putting it all back inside that man’s belly. Me delicate sensibilities did not send me into a swoon then nor will they here. I thank ye for yer concern, Doctor Ellard, but ’tis who I am. And by the saints, as long as I have breath in me body, I will feel, and I will care.”
Their gazes locked in that moment and something flickered in his icy depths, overshadowing his usual cynicism with what she suspected might be admiration.
The harsh lines of his face softened. “Saint Jude must indeed be watching over you, Mrs. McBride.”
“That he is, Doctor Ellard, that he is.” He gave her a brisk nod and opened the door.
“You’re not going home then, are you?”
She turned. “Ye know us Irish, Doctor Ellard. We don’t know what we want, but we’ll fight to the death to get it.”
About the Author:
Kathy Otten is the published author of multiple historical romance novels, novellas, and short stories. She is also published in contemporary romance and historical fiction. She is a Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star winner and Utah/Salt Lake RWA Hearts of the West finalist. A Place In Your Heart is her fourth full-length novel . Currently, she is putting the finishing touches on a contemporary young adult novel.
She teaches fiction writing online and at a local adult education center, and is a regular presenter at area events. Kathy also does manuscript assessments and editing. She lives in the rolling farmland of western New York where she can often be found walking her dog through the woods and fields. She has been married for thirty-four years and is the mother of three grown children and one grandson.
Kathy can be contacted at kathy@kathyotten.com
Web site https://www.kathyottenauthor.com
Buy Link Amazon
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with A Place in Your Heart!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog by Tena Stetler with 20 comments.
Kathryn Knight’s Gull Harbor Available on Audiobook
Give a warm welcome to Kathryn Knight, author of Gull Harbor, now available in Audio Book. Yippee!
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 Kathryn Knight and Gull Harbor Audio Book.
Author: Kathryn Knight
Narrator: Kristin James
Length: 7 hours 46 minutes
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Released: Feb 14, 2018
Genre: Paranormal Romance
When Claire Linden’s job sends her to the sleepy town of Gull Harbor, she never expects to encounter her ex-boyfriend. As a medium, the prospect of tackling a haunted house is less daunting than seeing Max Baron again. Throughout their passionate college relationship, he promised to love her forever. Then, without explanation, he abandoned her on graduation day.
Max never intended to break Claire’s heart – a cruel ultimatum forced him to disappear from her life. While he’s shocked to find her in Gull Harbor, he isn’t surprised by the bitter resentment she feels for him…or the fiery attraction that remains between them.
Claire is determined to rid her temporary home of its aggressive ghost, but Max soon realizes she’s facing a danger beyond the paranormal. When Claire risks everything to help a desperate spirit, Max must race to save her – before another tragedy tears them apart forever.
Kathryn Knight spends a great deal of time in her fictional world, where mundane chores don’t exist and daily life involves steamy romance, dangerous secrets, and spooky suspense. Kathryn writes contemporary romance spiked with mysterious hauntings as well as YA paranormal romance filled with forbidden love. Her novels are award-winning #1 Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestsellers and RomCon Reader-Rated picks. When she’s not reading or writing, Kathryn spends her time catching up on those mundane chores, driving kids around, and teaching fitness classes. She lives on beautiful Cape Cod with her husband, their two sons, and a number of rescued pets.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Amazon
Kristin “KJ” James was born and raised in the Nashville, TN area. Acting has always been a passion of hers. Starting on the stage as early as preschool, KJ pursued her passion into college where she received a BA in Communication with a double emphasis in Theatre and Public Relations from Mississippi State University. After college she found herself more and more drawn to voice overs. Several classes, coaching sessions, seminars, research, and a closet-turned-studio later, and she now records and produces audiobooks on a regular basis. She has also done several radio commercials for clients such as Advance Financial, TriStar Health, and GAC. Her ultimate dream is to work in video games and animation, so
hopefully in the not-too-distant future you’ll hear her in an RPG or cartoon. When she’s not in her booth, you can find her crocheting, playing video games, or running agility with her dog, Phoenix.
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook
When Claire Linden’s job sends her to the sleepy town of Gull Harbor, she never expects to encounter her ex-boyfriend. As a medium, the prospect of tackling a haunted house is less daunting than seeing Max Baron again. However, the ghost of a young woman desperate for someone to tell her story embroils Claire into a dangerous situation she may not survive. She enlisted Max’s help, but will he be too late? You’ll have to pick up a copy of riveting audiobook to find out.
The narration brings this exciting story and it’s characters to life. I truly enjoyed the setting on Cape Cod. The twist and turns kept me on the edge of my seat until the satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed listening to the Gull Harbor audiobook and highly recommend it.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kathryn Knight. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
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It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Gull Harbor audio book!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Ghost, Gull Harbor, Kathryn Knight, Mystery, Romance, Suspense by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
Donna Simonetta Author of Riverbend Series SALE!
Give a warm welcome to Donna Simonetta, author of A Sweeter Spot and Love is Lovelier. Their part of the Riverbend Series on sale now for 99 cents. You’re going to want to grab a copy! 
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 Donna and the Riverbend Series.
I love reading small-town romance, and I especially love it when it’s a series set in the same locale—think of the Fool’s Gold books by Susan Mallery. When I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing a series set in a fictional small town, I decided to create one in Virginia, on the border with Maryland.
I plopped Rivers Bend down along the route my husband and I drove many times in years gone by, between our home in Maryland and his late mother’s home in Virginia. Right after you cross the Potomac River into Virginia, you find yourself surrounded by beautiful, green, rolling fields, which are dotted with horses and cows.
The series is centered on the Braden family of Rivers Bend. The first book in the series is A Sweeter Spot, which is about Jeff Braden, a widowed, former NFL player, who has settled back in the hometown he loves with his tween daughter, Sam. Next is his sister Heather’s story––Love is Lovelier. When her first love, and the cause of her first heartbreak, moves to Rivers Bend, old feelings between them don’t seem quite ready to be done.
I am currently polishing up book 3 of the series, and getting ready to submit it my publisher. It’s the story of the wild child of the Braden family––youngest son, Jason. He just might be ready to stop his playboy ways, and settle down with one woman. Shocking, I know!
I’ll be sorry to leave Rivers Bend behind, when I’ve finished the trilogy, but I have ideas dancing around in my head for a spin-off with some characters we’ve met in the first three books, although maybe not set in Rivers Bend. And I do have some thoughts about maybe telling the stories of some of the younger generation in town, as they get older and find their loves. Hmm….maybe we haven’t seen the last of Rivers Bend just yet.
Click on the cover to read more or purchase.
Lets take a look at A Sweeter Spot first:
Magda knows a 28-year-old shouldn’t run away from home, but Rivers Bend is the ideal escape. Helping out her best friend will get her away from her uber-wealthy, controlling grandmother and duplicitous ex. She doesn’t expect the quirky little town to feel so much like home. Add in hotter-than-the-sun Jeff and his daughter, and leaving seems as unthinkable as it is inevitable.
Raising Sam alone, Jeff knew he wanted her to grow up in his supportive hometown. The arrival of a feisty new tenant sends Jeff’s world spinning. Magda fills a void in his life that he’d like to make permanent.
Will love triumph over the most powerful woman in the country, and can they figure out how to make this happy-for-now in Rivers Bend into their happy-ever-after?
A peek between the page of A Sweeter Spot:
“Being cheated on is no fun. It happened to me once. Up here,” he tapped his forehead. “You know it’s not your fault. But here,” he tapped his chest over his heart. “You feel like it has to be your fault – like you could’ve done something to prevent it. But you couldn’t have. It’s all on him, Maggie. Not you.”
She picked a dandelion, whose flower had turned into a puffball, and blew on it, scattering the fluff to the wind. “Maybe. Maybe not. But thanks for the support.”
She pushed to her feet and took a couple of steps toward the river. Jeff rose and followed.
How could he be so angry at a man he didn’t even know? How could this Pierce jerk have slept around on a woman like Maggie? And the prick had even made her doubt herself in the process. It was written all over her anguished face.
He stood behind her and gently kneaded her shoulders. He turned her to face him and cupped her face in his big hands.
“This Pierce guy is the biggest fool on earth to go to someone else when he had you at home, Maggie.”
She blinked away tears, and he felt his heart constrict. Before he could think it through and decide it was a really bad idea, Jeff dipped his head and captured Magda’s lips in a gentle kiss.
Buy Links: Amazon The WIld Rose Press Barnes & Noble Amazon UK Kobo
Click on the cover to read more or purchase.
Now tell us about Love is Lovelier:
Heather and Mick have a long history together, and Heather wants to leave it in the past where it belongs. Yet, here Mick is, very much in her present, thanks to her brother Jeff, who hired Mick to be her boss at the Retreat at Rivers Bend.
It wouldn’t be so bad, except Heather and Mick are still attracted to each other like metal to a magnet. Oh, and her brother is considering offering Mick a partnership in the Retreat, which by rights should be hers. And even if they act on their attraction, Heather is a small-town, country girl, and proud of it, whereas Mick can’t get far enough from his West Virginia coal-mining roots.
Will they be able to get a second chance at their first love and find their happy ending together in Rivers Bend?
A peek between the pages of Love is Lovelier:
“Stick close. I’ll get you out of here.”
He used his broad shoulders as a wedge to propel himself though the crowd; Heather scurried to keep up with him so she could take advantage of the gap he created, not wanting to be so close that she could feel the warmth of his body through his elegant suit, but because she needed somehow to beat this crush of people to the Retreat to make sure that everything was in place for the post-christening party she’d planned for Bethanne – only perfection would do for her BFF.
She watched Mick’s back as she stuck close to him; he looked so strong and fit – it was hard to imagine him the way he was ten years ago, when he’d suffered his NFL career-ending injury, but the same business acumen that kept him with the Portland Pintos organization back then was the reason Jeff and Cisco hired him at the Retreat.
He’d be good for business – she’d just have to keep chanting those words in her head like a mantra, or else she’d do one of two things she’d regret – kill Mick, or kiss him, and she’d gone the kissing route with him before. It did not end well. And tempting as the killing option was at the moment, it probably wouldn’t end any better.
Buy links: Amazon Barnes & Noble The Wild Rose Press Amazon UK
About the Author:
Donna Simonetta career has been a winding road. She worked in the business world for years, got her MLS and worked in a school library, and she is now living my dream as an author. Donna love to read and write contemporary and fantasy romance. She lives in Maryland, with her husband, who is her real-life romance hero. They both enjoy traveling to visit their far-flung family and friends, and spending time on the beach with an umbrella drink and a good book.
Author Links:
https://www.facebook.com/donnasimonettaauthor
https://twitter.com/donna_simonetta
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15422407.Donna_Simonetta
https://www.amazon.com/Donna-Simonetta/e/B06X415TWW/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-simonetta
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with your 99 cent sale on the Riverbend Series, including A Sweeter Spot and Love is Lovelier!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Sweeter Spot, Contemporary Romance, Donna Simonetta, Love is Lovelier by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
