Talking On A Tuesday

Today I'm talking to author Vanessa Johnson.

Vanessa Alexander Johnson is a native Louisianan. She retired from the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2007 after 30 years of service, where she spent the majority of her time supervising the 9-1-1 Communications Division. Since retirement, Johnson, when not spending time with her family, is doing what she loves best, writing and reading, in addition to being a substitute at Boutte Christian Academy when needed.

Johnson started writing after the close, untimely deaths of her mother and son in August and September, 1994. Her first book, dedicated to her loved ones is titled, When Death Comes a Knockin’ (Book Haven Publishing, March 2005, ISBN 1-4116-2470-X), a self-help, inspirational book about loss and grief.

She is also a freelance writer for the Times Picayune, where she writes the Thursday column for the Hahnville/Ama/Killona Town Talk.


Can you tell us about your latest release?

Yes, Sacrifices In The Name of Love is about interracial relations between two teens, Trey Martin and Tessa Phillips who get more than they bargain for when Tessa ends up pregnant, and out of fear of facing her self-professed racist father, she concocts a plan to conceal the baby’s paternity. Tessa is faced with making the most painful sacrifices she’s ever had to make. When she can no longer hide the truth about her baby’s paternity, she opts to leave town, thus leaving the baby and the love of her life behind. A few years later, she returns to find life has changed, but despite the obstacles, she’s determined to right her wrongs, but she must first face her demons and the demons of her parents.

Where do you take your inspiration from?

Life, people, places. Either can spark an idea for a story at any time.

Do you like to work with music playing in the background? And if so, do you listen to a specific type to evoke certain moods?

Sometimes. If I’m writing a love scene, love songs are very helpful. Classical music makes my creative juices flow when I need my story to move forward.

What was it that gave you the final push to submit your first story? And how did you feel when your work was accepted?

I imagined the book making it to the top bestsellers list and so I submitted in order to make reach that goal. I can’t do that if I don’t submit.

Can you describe to us a typical day in your life as an author?

I’m retired, so I don’t have a typical routine. I write when I feel inspired to write. I may write in the morning, or it may be late at night after the house is quiet and peaceful.


What is the best thing about being a writer?

I can let my imagination run wild and write about the things some of us have only dreamed about.

What does your work space look like? Neat as a new pin? Or area of mass destruction?

Right now, an area of mass destruction. I have so many books, I’m out of shelf space, so some are on the floor around my desk. I’ve kept every rejection letter I’ve received, and believe me there are many, and I keep them on my desk as inspiration and use that inspiration to persevere in spite of them.

Which, if any of your stories, has been the most emotionally difficult for you to write?

The only emotionally difficult thing for me to write thus far was my first nonfiction book that I self published. It was about my journey through grief after the loss of my mom and son a month apart in 1994. I’ve had fun writing all of my fiction work.

Most authors that I've spoken with have at least one finished or nearly finished project that they've held onto for a number of years. Do you have any such work?And if so, what has stopped you from submitting it?

No, I don’t. I have plans for having all of my work published.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?

I multi-task especially if I’m not feeling a particular work. I try not to force my writing.

Which of your upcoming projects are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about, and to date I’d say it’s my favorite piece, and that is my next book that I’m doing the rewrites on. It’s titled, Tempted By Love, and it was inspired by small bits and pieces of my life, mingled with a lot of fiction.

When not writing, how do you relax?

Participate in online writing groups and on social sites. I love to read, baking and spending time with my family.

How do your friends and family feel about your work and do you let any of them read your stories?

My family thinks it’s great that I’m a writer, especially when my work if published and they have the finished product in their hands. I have let my husband read some of my work.

Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer? Not too much.

I write a column for my local paper, so I’m recognized more when I go out.

Where do you see yourself in three years time, as far as your writing is concerned?

I would love to be on somebody’s bestseller’s list. I see myself as continuing to write because I have more stories to tell.

If you weren't a writer, what else would you be doing?

I’m retired after spending 30 years on my job. If I weren’t writing, I can’t see my life being any different.

Which of your books would you love to see turned into a movie?

(Laughter) Hell, I’d love to see all of them turned into a movie. I do envision my characters on a screen as I’m writing scenes.

Here is an excerpt from Sacrifices In The Name Of Love.

When the only thing that separated us was our warm, quick, panting breaths of hot air, our eyes remained locked together. We stared deep into each other’s eyes. My entire insides burned with desire. Trey’s stare set my soul on fire, a fire that only he could squelch.

Bolts of electricity burst throughout my body from the nearness of him. I couldn’t contain my desire any longer. I leaned my face towards his, shut my eyes and opened my hot, trembling lips to invite in Trey’s equally hot quivering tongue. Our lips locked in a slow dance as we methodically sucked, twirled, and toyed and explored each other’s mouths.

I felt like I was floating on a cloud, and peacefully drifting towards the heavens. I’d soon learn what it truly felt like to be taken on a journey far beyond the heavens, farther than anything I could’ve ever imagined.

Trey guided me back towards the bed. We fell backwards on the bed without breaking the hold we had on each another. He meticulously planted kisses on me starting at my lips, before he slid his quivering tongue and traced a path down one side of my neck, before he headed down to the center of my breasts. He swept his wet hot tongue gently across my chest from nipple to nipple. He paused to nibble on each one and backtracked along the path to the center spot between my 38-C sized breasts.

Trey glided his tongue down to my navel, circled a path around it and let his hot tongue gently slither down to the brown hairy patch atop my waiting womanhood. The tip of his tongue toyed with my soft mane and traveled further down. He paused briefly at the opening of my vagina. He massaged the inside of my thighs with his lips and headed back to center stage.

My entire body shivered from his hot breath. I cupped both hands firmly over my mouth to smother my cries of pleasure. With the way Trey had taken me to such a level of pleasure with his tongue, I couldn’t imagine the heights he could take me with his rock-hard manhood. It was only a matter of time before I’d soon that find out. I was putty in Trey’s arms. I moaned and groaned lowly, my body eagerly responded to his every request.

Trey raised his body up from his knees to position himself on top of me, but before he could do so, I forced him onto his back and lowered myself between his legs. It was my time to work my magic on him.

My scorching hot breath blanketed his manhood. He gasped loudly and held his breath. His hard penis bounced up and down. I cupped my hand over his mouth to muffle his moans of ecstasy before I devoured it. With my lips, I held his erect shaft securely in my mouth while I retrieved a throw pillow from beside him. I covered his mouth with it. I surely didn’t want my parents to hear his cries and think something was wrong with me and run to my rescue. While something was definitely happening to me, there wasn’t a thing they could do to help me. Trey was the only one who could smother the flame that burned deep within me.

“Oh God. Please. Stop,” Trey hissed through clenched teeth. I didn’t think he actually wanted me to. Although the words flowed from his mouth, his hands locked me securely in place. Trey’s body trembled sporadically as my mouth did its magic on him.

Moments later we lay spent atop my bed. Trey said, “You know you’re the first girl to go down on me. I’ve seen it done on TV, but TV surely doesn’t do any justice at all in terms of just how enjoyable it really is. You can only fully appreciate it once you’ve experienced it, and I definitely appreciate it. I liked it. No, let me rephrase that, I loved it. This isn’t a onetime thing, is it?”

I felt warm inside as Trey spoke. I interpreted his remarks as an acknowledgement that I’d completed my mission to please him. “I aim to please,” I whispered before I climbed back on top of him for round two of our journey to Pleasure Galaxy. I teased his manhood. I slid my slippery, wet tongue around the tip a few times, then glided my tongue slowly up the entire length of his growing hard shaft, and toyed with his testicles with my puckered lips.

“Trey’s manhood throbbed between my moist fingers. I leaned back and stared at the marvelous muscle in my hand, a delicate piece of art, I deduced. I longed to give it the attention I felt it deserved; another thorough workout with my tongue. I felt like a kid who’d been left to guard the candy story. Trey’s penis was my oversized lollipop.

I methodically explored every inch of my new candy, slid. I slid my tongue slowly, gently down its massive length, around his testicles before I headed back to the tip. I savored the warm juices that seeped out. I wrapped my fingers around his shaft and firmly massaged it, gently at first. My hand moved faster and faster. Trey’s moans erupted from the pit of his stomach, through his chest to his lips. I again used the throw pillow to drown out the sounds.

With his manhood still entrenched in one hand, I eased myself on top of him in enough time to squelch the sounds and covered his mouth with mine. Small cries of pleasure still managed to escape, but I quieted them down to a slight whimper.

My mouth begged to be on Trey’s manhood again. Trey held the throw pillow against his mouth and held on to it as if his life depended on it. Maybe he sensed I would swallow him whole if I could. I certainly tried to take in as much of his manhood as I could in my mouth. He was so massive, yet delicious and enticing. I delighted in tasting the fruits of my labor. Trey’s sweet, sticky hot juice poured out of him like a volcano erupting its hot lava. His lava flowed into my open mouth.”

Can you let the readers know where to find you on the web?

My website is www.vanessajohnson.com

Talking On A Tuesday

Today I'm talking to author Nancy Lennea.

Can you tell us about your latest release?

My latest release is a romantic suspense…something new for me. DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN takes place in the picturesque mountains and river valleys of northern New Hampshire. I have entwined my romance between a poor working girl and a Boston-bred art history professor with intrigue, stalkers, severe weather, murder, ghostly voices, and a mountain rescue. I tie it all up at the end, but I left a small door open for my next book, LOVE TO THE RESCUE.

What was it that gave you the final push to submit your first story?

I was surrounded by wonderful men and women who assisted me when I decided to write. Before retiring three years ago, I was a 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Dispatcher for the state of New Hampshire. Down time between calls found me scribbling page after page. I’d go home after my ten-hour shift and type what I had written. Then I shared my work with some of my co-workers. Their suggestions, critiques, and encouragement are the reasons why I have dedicated DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN to the selfless professionals at NH 9-1-1.

What does your work space look like? Neat as a pin? Or areas of mass destruction?

Oh, my. This place is a ghastly mess. I have excuses! I just returned from an eight-day trip to New England. My husband and I moved to North Carolina to be near our youngest son and my sisters. My oldest just bought a house in Vermont. That is where we stopped before we all volunteered at the annual New Hampshire Highland Games. Been doing that for years. This book just came out last Friday so I have been busy setting up interviews, writing articles, ordering bookmarks and book trailers, updating websites and my own blogs, and selling books! I sold two manuscripts to two different publishers last week! That brings the count to five. Also, our cat, Blaze, has a habit of knocking piles of books and papers to the floor. And, any stray rubber bands or paperclips are fair game. I promise it will be clean by…Christmas.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or, do you multi-task?

I am fortunate that I am able to work full-time. In the beginning, four years ago this month, I started with an idea and put it on paper. When finished, I figured out how to send it to agents. When those queries went in the mail, I started the next book. At one time I had four books out at different places hoping for a nibble. I sold my first book SECRET LOVE MATCH, to Red Rose Publishing in August 2009. I sold my next, DRAGON’S CURSE, to Whispers Publishing, in February 2010. BOTH came out on the same day. Having to juggle promoting them was hard, yet rewarding. As I said earlier, I just sold two more manuscripts. One will come out around Christmas and other in the summer. I am currently working on a paranormal that is set at the art museum near my home. All my works are given a colored binder so I know at a glance what has sold and what is being worked on. I find I go faster when working one plot line at a time.

Where do you see yourself in three years time, as far as your writing is concerned?

I’d love to have a book in print. I have older family members who do not read e-books. I would love for them to share my thrill when I autograph their copies. Red Rose does offer their longer books in print once an e-book sales threshold is met. So, I do have a chance for both SECRET LOVE MATCH and DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN. I also have a large historical paranormal out to several agents. I had an idea for a trilogy. I’d love to see it come to fruition. One of my favorite quotes is “Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity,” so my plan of action is to KEEP WRITING. I also want to be a mentor for new writers and the newly published. I learned a lot by the seat of my pants. They shouldn’t have to go it alone.

Can you let the readers know where to find you on the web?

DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN is available for download from Red Rose Publishing.
The buy link is: http://bit.ly/a4NOHE
Visit my website at: http://www.nancylennea.com/
Visit my blog at: http://www.nancylennea-inlove.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in the paranormal or something with a bit of Scottish flair, visit my website at http://www.nancyleebadger.com and blog at http://www.rescuingromance.nancyleebadger.com/

Talking On A Tuesday

Today I'm chatting with author Jena Galifany. Welcome Jena.

Can you tell us about your latest release?
My upcoming September release from Red Rose Publishing is "Her Perfect Man". It is an historical dark romance, with a hint of paranormal. Anna Scott can see bits of the future, and knows that she will have the perfect life with the perfect man. Unfortunately, she can't see just who that perfect man is.

Where do you take your inspiration from?
This particular story was based on a short story I wrote out of anger at my ex-husband. Lol It gained a few fans that wanted me to expound on the original work. It took eighteen years for me to finally get it written so I truly hope it does well.

Most of the time I take inspiration from a song, or a phrase. Now and then, I've written, based on a person whose looks I happen to like. I see my stories as movies in my head before I write them most of the time.

Do you like to work with music playing in the background? And if so, do you listen to a specific type to evoke certain moods?
I have made CDs with the particular songs that make me think about a particular story. I'm currently working on about 12 storylines, bits at a time. I will focus on one and run with it, while continuing to make notes on the others as the music provides.

What was it that gave you the final push to submit your first story? And how did you feel when your work was accepted?
The real push came from two friends at my day job. I was off work for a month with an injury and had a story rolling around in my head. I used the time to write it out. When I returned to work, they wanted to know what I did on my "vacation". I said I wrote a book. Not believing me, they wanted to read it. Once they did, they compelled me to continue the story and several months later, after I had two more books nearly completed in the series, they convinced me to publish.

I found Whiskey Creek Press through my reviewing site and liked their books. I send the first book to them and forgot about it, not expecting to hear anything about it. In two months, I had a contract and was dancing on the ceiling for around three days. I couldn't believe I was accepted on my first try. That was a blessing from God, I'm sure. The contract said any sequels should be submitted to them first. I had two more ready to go and sent them along. A month later, I had contracts for the first three books in the ShadowsForge series in hand. I was totally amazed.

Can you describe to us a typical day in your life as an author?
I wish I had a day as an author. My day begins at 4am when I get up and get ready for my day job at 5am. Throughout the day, I write in my head, and make notes on a notepad lying open on my desk while I process internet orders. I spend my two breaks reading books for reviews I write or for a publisher for acquisition.

Up until this week, I'd get off work at 1:30pm and head home where I'd work a little as editor for a review site, write a report for the publisher, and read emails. Now and then, I'd get some time to write what I'd thought about at work and made notes on. I don't like to work on my stories unless I have a couple of hours to do so.

Beginning this week, when I get off of work, I'll be heading over to my used book store and work there for a couple of hours, until my mother comes in to relieve me to go home and turn into a wife around 5:30. It's a life long dream so I hope it is a success. I will be helping to promote ebooks through the store as well.

What is the best thing about being a writer?
Having the ability to take a story in any direction I want to. I love to travel with my characters. The Ethereal Edge tour with ShadowsForge took me all over the US and England, so to speak. Her Perfect Man took me back to 1910 in Southampton, England and Shyanne's Secret, coming soon from Whiskey Creek Press, took me to 1880 Oregon. It's the only way to travel.

What does your work space look like? Neat as a new pin? Or area of mass destruction?
Mass destruction pretty much says it all. LOL I have notes and projects and reference books all over. I have pictures for visual aids posted around the monitor as well.

Which, if any of your stories, has been the most emotionally difficult for you to write?
Probably Her Perfect Man as Anna Scott is somewhat based on me in my younger years. I actually learned a lot about myself and had to take a step back and apologize about some of the things I'd done. It was an emotional eye-opener for me.

Most authors that I've spoken with have at least one finished or nearly finished project that they've held onto for a number of years. Do you have any such work?
And if so, what has stopped you from submitting it?
The Ice Child. It was one of the first books I set out to write in the mid 1980s. It is a fantasy story based on an old Dungeons and Dragons ® quest that I made up myself and lead a group through as Dungeon Master (aka narrator for the game). It was fun and a lot of silly things happened during the game so I wrote it all down. I think I was always afraid to share it because, a) I was afraid of copyright issues. TSR was never very forgiving, and, b) it's too silly for adults but had a few moments that were not suited for children. I need to work on it when I get more time.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?
I have several works in the fire at any given time. My mind moves from one to another depending on the music I come into contact with or a situation that comes to mind. I try to focus on one, but it doesn't always work that way.

Which of your upcoming projects are you most excited about?
I'm excited to see what happens when Shyanne's Secret comes out. I was known for the ShadowsForge series, the 80's rock band ongoing tour. I want to know if I can write something besides the crazy guys in the band and if Cole and Shyanne will be as popular as Ty and Alexis Synclair were.

When not writing, how do you relax?
Relax? Lol, what is that? I love to read. I love to write book reviews. I love to garden but that has not happened much this year. I love to sew and crochet, but again, I've not had much time for that either. I do hold down a full time job as well.

How do your friends and family feel about your work and do you let any of them read your stories?
If I had not let a couple of friends read my work, I'd have never had the nerve to seek publication. I will forever be in debt to Joyce Anderlik and Brandi Milhon for pushing me to give it a try. My family, on the other hand are about half and half about reading my stories.

Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer?
Not a lot. I'm not quite making what Mr. King and Mr. Patterson make so not much change there. I do love it when someone asks about my writing and love it when I get to do interviews like this one. Thank you again, for allowing me to be part of this.

Where do you see yourself in three years time, as far as your writing is concerned?
I hope to have more time to do more writing. I'd like to have a few more books on the market and be better known. I think that each book I write is better than the last, but I still have much to learn.

If you weren't a writer, what else would you be doing?
Probably not very much. I've dreamed of being a writer for many, many years. Now that I can call myself a writer, I can't think of anything I'd even want to do instead. I'd probably just be reading and dreaming.

Which of your books would you love to see turned into a movie?
Shyanne's Secret would make a great movie. The ShadowsForge series would make an interesting television show, since it follows an entire year plus tour.

Can you let the readers know where to find you on the web?
Web site:
http://jenagalifany.bravehost.com
The ShadowsForge Series is at: http://whiskeycreekpress.com/authors/Jena_Galifany.shtml
I'm on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/jena.galifany
Thanks again for letting me share my life with you and thank you to everyone who has read my books. Without you, I'd be nothing!

Thursday Thirteen

New York is one of my favourite places to visit. So, this week, I thought we would look at 13 fun facts that you may or may not know about Manhattan and New York City.

1.In the 1660s New York City's “skyline” was dominated by a two-story-high windmill.

2.When the Dutch still controlled the region, Wall Street was the city limit and there was actually a wall there.

3.Manhattan's Chinatown is the largest Chinese enclave in the Western Hemisphere.

4.Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,000-year-old Egyptian ruin, can actually be found in New York's Central Park. In 1879 it was given to the city as a gift by the Khedive of Egypt. The 220-ton, 66-foot-high monument took a decade to be fully transported.

5.Why are New York Yellow Cabs yellow? Because John Hertz, the company's founder, read a study that concluded yellow was the easiest color for the eye to spot.

6.The first American chess tournament was held in New York in 1843.

7.The Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan is the only school in the world offering a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing.

8.Dairying is New York's most important farming activity with over 18,000 cattle and or calves farms.

9. New York City has 722 miles of subway track.

10. The "New York Post" established in 1803 by Alexander Hamilton is the oldest running newspaper in the United States.

11.New York's highest waterfall is the 215 foot Taughannock.

12.The Big Apple is a term coined by musicians meaning to play the big time.

13.New York State is home to 58 species of wild orchids.

Talking On A Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone. Today I'm talking to best selling author A.M Wells.

Can you tell us about your latest release?

Susanna’s Heart is my first published work. The story is about a young woman, Susanna Moore, who decides it past time she took back control of her life after her sister’s betrayal. She leaves her home in Illinois and takes refuge in a cabin in the fictional North Georgia mountain town of Benton to heal her broken heart. There she encounters Noah Weber who literally knocks her off her feet.

Noah also knows the pain of heartache. He vowed to never involve his heart again in a relationship. However he finds himself instantly attracted to Susanna, which to his amazement is mutual.

The story’s basic premise is this—can two people who meet and fall in instant lust, let go of past hurts to find their happily ever after.

Also, I must give a big shout out and thank you to all the readers who have purchased the book so far and made it such a great success.

Where do you take your inspiration from?

From events, news headlines, family, friends, music, and everyday life. I’m always listening and taking notes in my head or jotting down ideas and dialogue.

Do you like to work with music playing in the background? And if so, do you listen to a specific type to evoke certain moods?

Yes. I find music is a great resource for kicking starting my writing time and maintaining the flow. In general, my music tastes run the gambit from classical, R&B, opera, Jazz, country, gospel, and Big Band. What I listen to depends on the scene and setting I’m striving to convey through words. Boney James is usually my go listen for love scene. Corrine Bailey Rae when it’s light and easy between h/h in the getting to know you stage. Classical is good listening when trying to convey tension or suspense on the page.

What was it that gave you the final push to submit your first story? And how did you feel when your work was accepted?

Encouragement from a friend and my daughter were what gave me that bit of confidence I needed to first put up a blog and post my writing. The positive feedback amazed me. This gave that extra shove to start submitting to publishers.

Can you describe to us a typical day in your life as an author?

Up at four, first prayer and meditation then writing for two hours before its off to the nine to five. Most weekends I’ll dedicate either the morning, afternoon, or sometimes all day to writing. It’s very important to me to make the time to write and stick with a schedule of sorts. Whether it is on the computer or handwritten in a tablet, I write.

What is the best thing about being a writer?

Getting that first contract offer, but even sweeter still was how well received Susanna’s Heart has been all thanks to the readers out there who purchased the book.

What does your work space look like? Neat as a new pin? Or area of mass destruction?

On most days I’d say somewhere in between. At the moment, I’m striving to be more organized and keep my workspace free of clutter. So far, it’s working out pretty well.


Which, if any of your stories, has been the most emotionally difficult for you to write?

I have a WIP that is the first story I ever sat down to actually write. It’s not a romance, but more a family saga with romantic elements. I started out writing a story about a young girl who stumbles into the arms of the boy of dreams who ultimately becomes the love of her life, but I found that the secondary characters wanted to have their say and story told also. I would not say that is story emotionally difficult to write, but it has been a challenge to give each of now three female leads a voice without overshadowing the others.



Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?

I multi-task, I’ll have two on three stories going at once, which makes it really hard to finish just one.

Which of your upcoming projects are you most excited about?

Venus Reveal for the simple fact that I’m this close to having a first draft ready, which in turn means I’ll be submitting to publishers.

When not writing, how do you relax?

Like most writer before I began writing I was and still am an avid reader. I like to spend what little down time I have reading. I also like to draw/sketch and I’m somewhat of armature photographer.

How do your friends and family feel about your work and do you let any of them read your stories?

I have let my twenty year old daughter read some of my writing. But when I finished the first draft of Susanna’s heart I was more comfortable having one of her friends read it which she naturally took offence to. Go figure.

Overall would say I’ve gotten great support from both my family and friends.

Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer?

Nope, I’m still working that day job. I’ve changed in that I am more self confident. I joined RWA, launched a website (www.amwells.net), and I’m even more determined now to complete and get more of my writing published.

Where do you see yourself in three years time, as far as your writing is concerned?

At the top of New York Times best seller list. Hey, it can happen.

If you weren't a writer, what else would you be doing?

I would focus on my art. Drawing and painting.

Which of your books would you love to see turned into a movie?

A story that is currently under consideration by Romance Magazine it’s entitled Time Out. I think it would make a cute Hallmark movie of the week. The story is about a couple in crises whose kids decide that rather than a divorce what the parents need is a time out. So they arrange for them to take a vacation.

Can you let the readers know where to find you on the web?

Sure, readers can visit my website, www.amwells.net or email me at am_wells@hotmail.com.

Susanna’s Heart is available from the following book sellers.
Red Rose Publishing
Amazon

Great Review for Happy Birthday To Me

I'm delighted to share with you a great review I received from Emily at sensualreads.com

She has rated Happy Birthday to Me as 4 stars!!!

What photographer Clementine “Tina” Holloway really wants for her birthday is her cowboy fantasy to come true. Tina decides to make her fantasy a reality by enlisting the help of Fantasy Realms that cater to erotic escapism for woman and orders a roll in the hay with a primed cowboy as her adventure. Setting out for birthday fun, Tina loses the address but ends up at Sam Farlowe’s ranch believing she is in the right place. A case of mistaken identity leads to a sizzling time and Sam is not ready to let go of all that she has to offer.

Happy Birthday To Me is an amusing short story that captures the reader from the first page. A few hilarious moments as Tina takes the lead in fulfilling her fantasy and Sam following along not quite realizing he is a stud for hire. I thought the chemistry was sizzling and it was a refreshingly new plot.

Sensuality Rating: Sultry
Star Rating: 4 Stars

http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/happybirthday.htm

Talking On A Tuesday

Today Iam talking to author Carol Preflatish.

Can you tell us about your latest release?

My latest release is called "Love, Lies & Deceit." Against regulations, rookie CIA officer Julie McBride and her training officer, Jason Reid fell in love. But, when Jason is arrested for treason, Julie has to decide whether she believes in him enough to risk her own career and life to help him prove his innocence. "Love, Lies & Deceit" is published by Red Rose Publishing and you can purchase it on their web site, or as a Kindle download from amazon.com.

Where do you take your inspiration from?

I take my inspiration from other published writers. I would love to be able to earn a living writing full time and as long as there are writers out there doing that, I know that someday it could be me.

Do you like to work with music playing in the background? And if so, do you listen to a specific type to evoke certain moods?

I do sometimes listen to my MP3 player when I write. I'm a classic rock person. I love listening to the Eagles, Boston, Queen, Steve Miller Band, and Aerosmith. I have a big variety of songs that I listen to. More times than not, I am writing with the television on. I have to have some sort of sound in the room when I write.

What was it that gave you the final push to submit your first story? And how did you feel when your work was accepted?

There was no push to it. I was anxious and excited to submit my first manuscript. Of course, that first one was rejected all over the place. My second manuscript was the one that finally sold. I can tell you, it was a wonderful feeling. My husband and I celebrated by having a special dinner that night.

Can you describe to us a typical day in your life as an author?

Since I have a full time non-writing day job, my typical weekday is doing that. I do try and write over my lunch hour when I can and in the evening I do a little marketing for my book. Mostly, I write on weekends while my husband is at work. Once I throw a load of laundry in the washer, I sit on the couch with my laptop and start writing. I take a few breaks to stretch and refill my iced tea glass and then it's back to the laptop until about three o'clock when I start making dinner. After dinner, I try to get a couple more hours of writing or research in before going to bed.

What does your work space look like? Neat as a new pin? Or area of mass destruction?

As I mentioned earlier, I write a lot on the couch. But, I do have a desk that I sit at sometimes. Normally, it's as neat as a pin, but right now if you could see a picture of it, you'd see it's piled high with magazines, folders, and papers. Obviously, I haven't worked there for a while.


Which, if any of your stories, has been the most emotionally difficult for you to write?

I supposed that would be the story I am just now finishing. I wrote it loosely based on an unsolved mystery that took place about fifty years ago near where I live. The mystery has always been interesting to me, which is why I used it. But, I also wanted it to be different enough so that was not a complete copy of it. In my story, I do solved who did it.

Most authors that I've spoken with have at least one finished or nearly finished project that they've held onto for a number of years. Do you have any such work?
And if so, what has stopped you from submitting it?

Of course, I have one of those, too. It's the very first manuscript that I wrote, the one that was rejected by everyone. Now when I look at it, I can see how terrible my writing was then. But, I love the plot and storyline so much. I really want to try and get it published someday. What is stopping me now is not having enough time to work on it. I started editing it a few months ago, but realized it's probably going to take a full rewrite to get it where I want it. Someday, maybe not until I retire from my day job, I might just get it finished.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?

Mostly, I work on just one project at a time, but I do keep a journal with me to jot down ideas for future books. When I get close to finishing a manuscript, I sometimes start working on another to get a good start on it.

Which of your upcoming projects are you most excited about?

I actually have two of them. I'm really excited about the project I am just finishing and am looking forward to pitching it to some publishers. I also have a manuscript that I started last year and am anxious to get started on it. It's the first one that I have worked on that isn't a romantic suspense, but a romantic contemporary novel instead.

When not writing, how do you relax?

I love watching old movies and television shows. I also love camping and photography.


How do your friends and family feel about your work and do you let any of them read your stories?

My friends and family have been very supportive of my writing. My husband, who was a counter-intelligence agent in the Army, was my technical advisor for "Love, Lies & Deceit." He's not read it, but his help was invaluable.

Has your life changed significantly since becoming a published writer?

I don't think it's changed much. Maybe after I get another book or two under my belt, it might be different. But, unless I make it to the Best Sellers List, I don't look for my life to change much.

Where do you see yourself in three years time, as far as your writing is concerned?

I hope to have a couple more books published and be a more recognized name as an author.

If you weren't a writer, what else would you be doing?

My full time job is in social services, so I would guess that I would still be doing that. Although, I would love to work as a freelance photographer.

Which of your books would you love to see turned into a movie?

I would love to see my first unpublished novel make it as a movie, but I am going to have to get back to work on it for that to ever happen.

Can you let the readers know where to find you on the web?
You can find more about me at my web site, my blog, or on my twitter page.
http://CarolPre.webs.com
http://CarolPre.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/cpreflatish

Thank you so much for having me here today. I have enjoyed it.