AUTHOR INTERVIEW—JADE LEE

Today I'm excited to welcome romance author, Jade Lee, to Over Coffee. Jade’s latest title, 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, is out  and marks the beginning of her hilarious new Rakes & Rogues series. To celebrate her new release, Jade is here for a mini-interview.

 @@@

• What piece of writing advice sticks with you to this day?
  It’s a marathon not a sprint. A little bit every day. In the end, it’ll grow up to be a career. 

• What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Writing funny. It’s a ton harder than I ever thought. But I’m loving the exploration.

• Which one of your characters do you relate to the most?

Flaky heroine with the long suffering hero who (a) GETS her and (b) translates her to the world and the world to her. That would be my husband and me. And a piece of that is in every book I write. 

• Speaking of writing funny, you mention on your blog that 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake is the funniest book you've ever written. Why?

• There’s an escaped turkey in the book. 
• The turkey fights in a duel. Or a melee depending on if you count the turkey as a combatant. Which you should. 
• Everyone in the book has a plan. EVERYONE. And their plans go horribly awry. 
• Because I was focused on joy when I wrote the book.  That’s been my new mantra.  

• Wait a minute. A turkey fights a duel?

There is an escaped turkey who gets in the middle of a duel/melee, but that’s just a small piece of the book. In truth, the main thing is that the whole romp is about people with PLANS. And those plans just don’t work out how they expect. At all. And yes, this is the year of JOY for me. Everything is about being soul-deep happy. It’s not all perfect, but it’s working for me. And this book is one of the results.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Mellie Smithson has a plan…

  

Mellie Smithson is trapped in the country with no suitors and no prospects on the horizon except, perhaps, the exasperating—although admittedly handsome—guest of her father. Unwilling to settle, Mellie will do anything to escape to London... 

  

Trevor Anaedsley has a problem…

  

Trevor Anaedsley’s grandfather has cut off his funds until he gets engaged. Beset by creditors, Trevor escapes to the country—ostensibly to visit his old tutor Mr. Smithson—where he meets Smithson’s lovely daughter Mellie. The obvious solution is suddenly before him—but will this fake engagement go as Trevor and Mellie plan? 

Or will they find that even the best laid plans often go awry?  EXCERPT

BUY: Amazon, B&N, Chapters, Indiebound






                                                                                                                             

USA Today bestselling author Jade Lee has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you, Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than thirty romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, Lee lives in Champaign, Illinois. 

My guest today is a cowboy loving romance author, Victoria Vane (aka Emery Lee). Slow hand is the first in her western romance series, Hot Cowboy Nights. 

• Did you try other genres before you hit with this one?

Although many readers still haven’t heard of me, SLOW HAND, the first book in a hot contemporary Western series, is actually my fourteenth published novel. My debut in 2010 was THE HIGHEST STAKES (writing as Emery Lee), a work of romantic historical fiction set in the world of 18^th century horseracing. I followed up with a sequel called FORTUNES’S SON, set in the gambling world. In 2012 I made the decision to switch gears and write steamy romance. When A BREACH OF PROMISE found an enthusiastic audience, I decided to stay the course. Over the next two years I published eight more hot historicals (The Devil DeVere series and THE SHEIKH RETOLD). But after three years of writing with critical acclaim but only modest success, I have decided to take a leap- three centuries to be exact!

• Why this genre instead of another? What excites you about this genre?

I decide to try contemporary romance, as it’s the most popular genre. And since most romance readers gravitate to certain kinds of heroes, I started looking at what readers like best. I then considered which kinds of heroes I was most attracted to. The answer was a no brainer for me- cowboys. I've loved them my entire life. I’d just never thought to write about them, but as a lifelong horse lover, it only made sense.

I’m most excited about this adventure as I think I bring a new twist to the genre. While cowboy romances are certainly nothing new to readers, each of my stories has a unique tone and theme. In all four books (SLOW HAND, ROUGH RIDER, SHARP SHOOTER and SILVER TONGUE) my heroes are modern day cowboys facing very real and relatable struggles. Wade (SLOW HAND) is burning the candle at both ends between a rural law practice and a struggling family ranch. His brother Dirk (ROUGH RIDER) is a former bull rider, rancher and wounded vet. Reid (SHARP SHOOTER) is also a vet, a marine and back-country hunting guide. Keith (SILVER TONGUE) is a Native American struggling between two vastly different worlds.

These stories are all hot and sexy but still have well developed plots and emotional depth.

Although this new endeavor marks a distinct departure from historical romance, readers will find that my trademarks still remain—well researched, scorching hot, emotionally compelling, character-driven stories. 

• How much do current events play into your writing?

Very much! That’s what I feel makes this series unique. I am a true research geek so most of my story ideas have sprung from things that I read. In setting my series in contemporary Montana and Wyoming, I began following various local newspaper and my stories grew out of news reports that I read.

In SLOW HAND, the two Knowlton brothers are divided over the family ranch. Wade, is increasingly resentful that his law practice is the only thing that’s keeping the ranch afloat, while his brother, Dirk, a wounded vet (ROUGH RIDER) feels the ranch is all he has left. They face the same economic struggles that all ranches are dealing with.

SHARP SHOOTER is truly unique as is features a former marine scout sniper/hunting guide from Wyoming and a wolf biologist as the heroine. At the core of the story is the wolf conservation controversy.

Lastly, SILVER TONGUE takes up another controversial issue - wild mustangs. Most of America is unaware that we currently have almost 50,000 of them stockpiled in government holding facilities which means there are almost twice as many “wild horses” living in captivity than out on the range!

• What inspired this series or characters?

My characters were very much inspired by real people. Nikki from SLOW HAND shares many experiences from my personal life, while her sister Shelby is an amalgamation of my two sisters. Wade was named after my first cowboy crush! 

• Do you people watch when you’re out and about? Does this help with creating your own characters.

Yes. Much of my research is people watching. In writing my cowboy characters I tried to tune in closely to both slang and body language. I had a bit of trouble getting a handle on my Native American character in SILVER TONGUE so I turned to films. I've watch about a half dozen movies with genuine NA actors in an effort to nail down this character.

Victoria, thank you for taking time from your busy writing schedule to answer a few questions. Wishing you the best with this new endeavor! It's a pleasure to have you visit. 

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Sia. I appreciate the chance to talk about my new contemporary series.

                                                                                                                                                                  

In rural Montana…

Wade Knowlton is a hardworking lawyer who’s torn between his small-town Montana law practice and a struggling family ranch. He’s on the brink of exhaustion from trying to save everybody and everything, when gorgeous Nicole Powell walks into his office. She’s a damsel in distress and the breath of fresh air he needs.

Even the lawyers wear boots…

Nicole Powell is a sassy Southern girl who has officially sworn off cowboys after a spate of bad seeds—until her father’s death sends her to Montana and into the arms of a man who seems too good to be true. Her instincts tell her to high tail it out of Montana, but she can't resist a cowboy with a slow hand…

Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound

                                                                                                                                                          

Victoria Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Her books have received more than twenty reviewer awards and nominations including the 2014 RONE Award for Treacherous Temptations and Library Journal Best E-Book romance of 2012 for The Devil DeVere series. Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Email | YouTube

J is for Just a Number

Today is "J" day in the monthlong A-Z Challenge. Our guest today is author Janie Mason talking about why, when it comes to love, age is Just a number.

Thanks Kat for the invitation. I’m thrilled to be visiting.

Almost everyone’s heard the saying, Love Is Ageless, right? Perhaps whoever brought it into everyday use was referring more to an epoch or era, but I believe it also applies to couples. And I’ll say up front, I’m talking about the emotion of love. There have been stories on the internet about elderly couples so devoted that they pass away within days of each other. And every Sunday in my local newspaper there are photos of couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries. Fifty, sixty, even seventy years of loving one another.

I’ve heard it said numerous times that women who read romance often put themselves in the place of the story’s heroine. I’ve done it. And yes, I’d rather imagine myself a twenty-three year old who wears a size four. (After all it’s fiction) But I’m not ashamed to say that I’m into my fifth decade and yet my husband and I are just as much in love as we were in our twenties. Correct that; more so.

My latest release, Worth the Wait, features a middle-aged hero and heroine (not the most flattering descriptor, I admit). Looking back, I didn’t intentionally set out to write about a couple closer to my own age. The hero simply appeared on the page organically, as a secondary character in Redhead Blitz. But the deeper I went into that story, the more I knew his relationship with the love of his life would encompass the last story in The Greenville Girls series.

And Sia, I hope you’re feeling better and stronger each day.

 

Let's chat: So, what do you think? Are you only interested in romance novels featuring twenty-somethings or are you open to reading romances about heroes and heroines who need two boxes of candles for their birthday cakes?

 

 

 

 

Janie enjoys her retro convertible Mustang and brand new motor scooter in Central Ohio, along with her very supportive husband, two college-aged kids, and a big loveable fuzzball of a dog named Bonnie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-school athletic director Al Matthews is as alpha as they come. But when his administrative assistant, widow Annie Marcum, confesses that she's in love with him, then quits and disappears, he'll do anything to track her down and win back her heart. The books in The Greenville Girls series are:  Servicing Rafferty, Redhead Blitz ,and Worth the Wait. For more information’s about Janie, check out her web site at www.JanieMason.com

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "J" book list:

 

Josiah's Treasure by Nancy Herriman: Inspirational (clean) romance set in 1882 San Francisco. I also loved her other book, also an inspy, The Irish Healer.

 

John D. MacDonald: prolific writer of pulp fiction. Though his novels are noir-ish in tone, his best known hero, Travis McGee, is too much of a solid good guy to be an actual noir hero. Still, his novels are addictive.

 

Jayne Castle: Futuristic romances set in a near-Earth look alike, with sci-fi/paranormal elements. Also writes as Jayne Ann Krentz (contemporary romance) and Amanda Quick (historical romance).

 

Jennifer Ashley: The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie. Historical romance. Gotta love a hero who's spent time in an insane asylum.

 

 

Image courtesy of Boians Cho Joo Young / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

INTERVIEW WITH TERRY SPEAR

Terry, welcome back to Over Coffee. I always love having you visit. You share so many interesting things with the articles you written for me. You already know that I love your beautiful Bears. My McKye Bear has gotten lots of comments.

You write several series and did so while working full time. How did you manage your time to do that? 

I was working eighty hours a week. I had my 40-per week job, and then every minute in the morning before work I would catch up on promo and emails. Sometimes I had enough time to write a little. When I got home from work, I’d start writing. I had a word-goal every week. I think it was a 1,000 words a day. And then on weekends, I would write, get caught up on everything else, and write some more. At some point, I knew I couldn't continue to do that. One or the other had to go. It was just too much stress. 

You've recently quit your full time job to concentrate on writing. That’s quite a leap of faith, isn't it? 

It was a huge risk. It was really hard for me to get that full-time library job. And I loved my coworkers and many of the patrons. It was a really big step to take. Yet, I knew, just like with characters in a book, sometimes we just have to take the risk. There was no going back. I had to move forward. I had to take the chance. I had to believe in myself. And I had to work like the devil to prove I could do it. But like when a character’s life is turned upside down, I knew I had to get out of that stressful rat race and do one or the other. Or pay the consequences in health issues down the road. 

What’s happened that you weren't you expecting when left the day job and immersed yourself into your writing career? 

I am extremely goal-oriented. That means, I've been able to get at least 10,000 words a week done on my stories, sometimes as much as 5-10,000 a day. I can actually write a book in a month if I don’t have a lot of other (promotional) stuff going on. 

One of the things that I love about this is I've been able to go to readers’ conventions, something I couldn't do before this because I didn't have enough leave time. What leave I did have, would have to be divided up between my son and daughter and maybe attend RWA Nationals. 

I was able to go to 4 conferences last year, see my daughter a number of times, my son, and visit a number of zoos and other wildlife sites for research. This year I’m going to five conferences, and seeing a little of Chicago where one of the conferences is being held and to the International Wolf Center in Ely with a friend and fan. I also have a book signing while there.

In other words, I’m writing much more, and I’m getting to do lots of fun things, rather than just filling in another 40 hours at a day job. 

You are both traditionally published and publish independently. How do you blend both? 

I love doing both. I have a ton of stories I've already written way before I was published. It took me ten years to finally get a contract. Two of my Highland books were some of the first under contract. When she [acquiring editor] switched to inspirational, no violence, no sex, I started independently publishing the books. Sales from the next three highly successful Highland medieval series was what made it possible for me to quit my day job. 

Doing both means I’m always working on something. 

I have deadlines with traditional publishing and so I always work on the story that is coming up next. If I have time, like with one of the Highland series, a story that was nearly done, just needed some more research and changes, I was able to publish it in between two traditional books. Scenes come to me all the time, so I’m a fast writer. 

Your wolf series pulls a lot from the natural dynamics of a wolf pack. What kind of research did you do to make your wolf world realistic from a wolf’s standpoint? 

Wolves have distinctive personalities, just like dogs and cats do. Just like any animal does. I have a pet roadrunner. He has claimed my home for his territory. He peeks in the windows at me sometimes. He watches me while I take pictures of him outside. I can guarantee that another roadrunner wouldn't be just like him. 

When I do research on wolves, I watch their behavior—wolf reserves in Texas and Nebraska, videotapes of them. Wolves in captivity will do what they wouldn't do in the wild. Which also gives me fodder for my stories. Reading wolf biologists’ accounts also have helped me to create personalities for the wolves based on REAL wolf personalities. But when you hear about them, you think, these are like human personalities. 

Some are shy, retiring, alpha, omega. Some are playful. One was the greyhound of the wolf pack, and her alpha pack leader sister chased her off, but she was the fastest wolf in the pack and would often times chase down the prey they needed to feed the pack. Do you feel badly for her? I did. The sister tried to drum her out of the pack. Tried to force her to be an omega who couldn't share in the meals or take part in the camaraderie of the pack. And yet she was the best hunter of the pack! The sister was killed, and the alpha male took the greyhound of a wolf as his mate. HEA. And this was a true story. 

In a natural wolf pack differences and actions can cause members to be ostracized. 

My example of the greyhound wolf, that’s a good case in point. The sister didn't like her, probably because she was just as alpha, and the other wolves couldn't help but see her as a beneficial pack member. Even the male never tried to chase her away. Just the sister. She would go for days on her own, but she was a real pack animal. And being on their own is really dangerous. So they need a pack’s protection. Yet, she was persistent in wanting to belong to that pack, to that family. They were her family, no matter how much her sister tried to get rid of her. Even going to another wolf pack can spell a wolf’s death. So they can’t just always look for another wolf pack to join up with. 

BUY:AMAZON, B&N, INDIEBOUND

Which brings us to the heroine, Elizabeth, in your current release, Silence of the Wolf.  She also had some serious obstacles to overcome to find her happy ever after. Tell us a bit about her? 

Elizabeth was close to her mother and father. They were good for her. They showed her a love and compassion that everyone deserves to have. But when she lost them, she lost her protection. Yet, she couldn't leave the area either. She still had that draw to be near the wolf pack. She finally had to leave, or be killed outright, but when she had evidence of wrongdoing in her parents’ deaths, she had to return and set things right.  

What do you admire about her? 

Her persistence to do what was right, but when she feared it would cause another wolf’s pack involvement and might hurt them in the process, she was willing to sacrifice her need for setting things right, and protecting a wolf pack that had done nothing but treated her with kindness and respect. So putting aside her needs to protect someone else is what I truly admire about her. And for going on with her life and making the most of it, despite all that she’d been through. 

What’s coming next from Terry Spear? 

I’m currently working on A SEAL Wolf for Sale, set in Montana, so doing lots of research in the new area. After that will be A Silver Wolf Christmas. I’m also working on The Viking’s Highland Lass to release this year, and Phantom Fae, the next in the teen fae series.

Terry, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions. I’m looking forward to reading Silence of the Wolf. 

Thanks so much for having me here today, Sia! Always a pleasure!!!

• My question to readers is do you like to learn fun facts when you’re reading fiction, or does it matter? I always wonder when I’m reading a book if there’s any truth behind the fiction.

                                                                                                                                                      

Terry Spear

"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy IS reality." 

Heart of the Wolf--Publishers Weekly "Best Books of the Year!" 

A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing--USA Today Bestseller

Twitter,  Facebook  Blog