Romance Author Jena Discusses her Newest Romance 'Perfect Man'

Scribal Love Welcomes Jena Galifany


Jena Galifany is an author of Romance.  Her newest work Her Perfect Man is available from RedRosePublishing.com.  

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?


Her Perfect Man was originally called, Murder, Yes or No. After it was received by the publisher, we tossed around a few ideas for the title but found during the editing phase that what Anna kept refering to throughout the story was her "perfect man". Thus we went with that. 


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?


This is the story of a young woman, Anna Scott, who can see things in the future and knows that she will have everything she wants in life. She knows she will have the perfect man but does not see clearly who that man is. Colin Marsec has known Anna since they were both eight and loves her dearly. She doesn't see him for more than a stand-in brother but he hopes she will come to love him as much as he loves her. Unfortunately, Chase Trent shows up, a man who has everything Anna wants. The story begins in 1907 in Southampton, England. It has been listed in the genre of suspense.
 
How long have you been writing in this genre?


I write in several genres. Her Perfect Man and The Long Way Home are the two out of six published works that are listed as suspense. I don't purposely write in any genre. I follow the characters and see where they take me.
 
Who are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


Anna Scott, Colin Marsec, and Chase Trent. Anna is a girl who sees things but doesn't always correctly interpret what she sees. Colin is that wonderful friend that most people have but fail to recognize. He is based on a long time friend of mine who has helped me in several situations over the years. The book is dedicated to him, too. Chase is the antagonist, a cruel man, one of many I've known. There is a lot of personal experience in this story and I learned a lot about myself while writing it.
 
Where did the idea for your book come from?


I was actually angry at my ex-husband when I wrote a short two page story to vent my anger. My close friends who read it wanted me to expound on the blurb with the evil ending. It actually took me eighteen years to finish writing the extended version so I hope it will do well.
 In your opinion, what makes a good story?


A good story will stir emotion. It does not matter what the emotion is, anger, love, hate. But if the emotions are not involved when reading it, the author didn't do their job. It's easy to say that there should be a strong beginning, a tension building middle and a exposive climax, but what emotion did the story leave you with? That's what I look for.
 
Can you give us a quick taste of what's inside?


The Blurb:


Anna Scott could see snippets of the future, what was going to happen before it happened. Unfortunately, she couldn't clearly see the perfect man she knew she should marry, or the years of unhappiness she would have to endure before her dreams came true. 
Colin Marsec would do anything to be close to Miss Anna.  He tried to make her see beyond her dreams, to see him as the man who loved her. Once she chose Chase Trent his reckless living trapped him into an unwanted marriage with a woman who would ruin his life.  


Chase Trent breezed into Southampton fresh from America, presenting himself as the perfect man.  Good looks, charm and money blinded the saucy Anna. Chase was used to the best and this little sample of English tart would look good on his arm.  To top it off, she thought he was perfect.  On their wedding day, Chase proved to his bride that he was the furthest thing from the man Anna expected him to be.   


And what of the flattering and attractive Justin Waring? With so many choices, will Anna find her perfect man? 
 
Is this book a part of a series?  And if so what can we look for in the future?


Her Perfect Man was more of a learning experience and I don't think I will be taking it any further than it has gone.  


Do you have anything specific you would like to say to your readers?


I truly appreciate each person who reads my books. Without you, I would have no purpose for my imagination, no sharing of my words. You give me purpose and I appreciate you!
 
Thanks Jena For Dropping By!


Where can we find you on the web? 


http://jenagalifany.bravehost.com
http://www.myspace.com/jenagalifany
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/jena.galifany 

Murder Mystery Author J. K. Maze discusses her newest novel 'Murder for Kicks'

Scribal Love Welcomes J.K. Maze

Joan K. Maze, writing as J. K. Maze is an author of cozy mysteries and romantic suspense.  Her newest work Murder For Kicks is available from Red Rose Publishing.
 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


The latest book is Murder For Kicks and I got the idea when watching a rerun of Walker Texas Ranger. I thought it would be fun if my less-than-acrobatically-adept protagonist tried to do this. 


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in? 


This is book 2 in the Mollie Fenwick series. She, among other things, is psychic and has a vision where she sees a woman being abducted, forced into a car, at a strip mall. She investigates, discovers it's the one she frequents, and that the site is right in front of a martial arts studio. She signs up for a class, together with a senior citizen friend, and discovers the instructor is Jack Wolf, a Native American hunk who appeared in book 1. 


Her reasoning for doing this is to be on site in order to find the abduction vehicle and also to find out who was abducted. She gets into all kinds of trouble and is pursued by a killer. Neither her detective friend, Bartholomew, or Jack Wolf can keep her from sticking to her guns and solving the mystery.
 
Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them? 


The protagonist is Mollie Fenwick, an artist/part time bus driver for a company serving seniors and the disabled/and an unwilling psychic. 


Bradley Bartholomew, detective with Hamlet Police Department, now a lieutenant. He is her next door neighbor and first met her in book 1 when she discovered a body lying in front of her TV in the living room. This also was a vision. 


Jack Wolf, Native American - artist and man of many talents. He was a walk on in book 1 and refused to leave. 


Henrietta - Mollie's nosy neighbor. She first met Henrietta when Henrietta's cat escaped her apartment because Henrietta had a habit of leaving her door open and failing to understand why the cat couldn't obey the command to stay inside. She's in her 60's and, Mollie discovers, a lot of fun. 


Solutions, Inc. - I have to list this bus company as a character as it is an integral part of the plot. Mollie had applied for the job after her husband's death and was astonished to be hired, especially since she's directionally challenged. 


Jackson - a patrol cop who first appeared in book 1. He and his partner answered the call when Mollie found the body. He becomes a detective in Murder For Kicks and also is the 3^rd hero in her life.
 
What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)


I like the scene where she's tossed into a dolphin tank by the bad guy and rescued by Jackson. 


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?


That changes daily, or perhaps hourly. I have lots of fun writing about Mollie, and salivate over the various characteristics of the 3 heroes. Like Mollie, I can't choose between them. 


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books? 


Yes, it is part of a series, the 2^nd one. Also, I am now working on book 3, which is Murder By Spook. This doesn't have to do with ghosts (well, maybe), but with spies, as in CIA. 


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? 


No. 


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


The difficulties of writing a series. It was challenging. Also, writing in first person was a great learning experience. It would take an entire book to list what I learned from it. 


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?   


Red Rose Publishing. At the time I was looking for a publisher, the original one having closed its doors, I was acquainted with an editor, who suggested I try Red Rose Publishing.
 
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


Janet Evanovich


Stephanie Bond


And many many others 


What books are you reading now? 


I'm reading The Vanishing Man, a Lincoln Rhyme story. I'm also beginning to reread the entire Stephanie Plum series and the Haunted Bookshop series, along with a bunch of other books I haven't read, too many to list. 


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


Murder By Spook, book 3 in the Mollie Fenwick Mystery Series


A Pirate's Heritage - a Viking/Scotland timetravel encompassing the years from 900 to the present.


Widow's Walk - a timetravel thriller/romance set in Northern Minnesota


Deadly Bouquet - book 1 in a series involving a woman who wants to be a cop and is now working for a P.I. The first draft is finished.


I have a couple more on hold, both mysteries. 


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


Yes, I write full time, having retired 3 years ago.
 
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


When I was 8 years old my mother taught me how to type on her ancient Smith Corona typewriter, which was so heavy I couldn't pick it up. I typed my first “book” while at the typewriter, sitting in a spooky attic. I later gravitated to music and art, returning to writing several years ago.  


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Yes, adding the senses wasn't easy for me and I still have to work at it. 


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time? 


Don't ever give up. I once saw a plaque on the wall of a copy room in a hospital. It said, “the successful person is the one who gets up one more time than he falls down.” That's physically impossible, but I get what the writer intended. It took me many years to get published. 


Also, I don't compete with others. I only compete with myself.


Thanks Joan For Dropping By!


You can find J.K. Maze on the web at:

Red Rose Publishing:   
http://redrosepublishing.com/books/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=J.+K.+Maze&osCsid=88c4c0a68551780054f67038447875b2&search.x=14&search.y=12

Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=J.+K.+Maze&x=13&y=17


Barnes and Noble:

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=EBOOK&WRD=j.+k.+maze&page=index&prod=univ&choice=ebooks&query=J.+K.+Maze&flag=False&ugrp=1

Fictionwise

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b88983/?si=0 


http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b106346/?si=0

Meet Multipublished Author Leah Leonard As She Discusses Her Some of Her Work including 'Love Letters at Sunset Hill'

Scribal Love Welcomes Leah Leonard. 


She is the author of several Romance, Paranormal Romance Novels and Young Adult Novels.  Her Latest Work 'Love Letters at Sunset Hill' is coming soon from Red Rose Publishing!


www.leahleonard.com 


Hi Leah!  Welcome to Embraced: Scribal Love.  


Leah: Thanks for having me, Clare!  


Clare: When and why did you begin writing? 


Leah: When I was a kid I loved to play imaginary games which I think translated into writing fiction as an adult.  Since I started pursuing this full time four years ago, it’s become more of a compulsion. I HAVE to do it now.  I always heard about artists who are obsessed with painting, or whatever art they create and I used to think how neat it would be to become so passionate about what you’re doing…I’m there now and it feels good.


Clare: When did you first consider yourself a writer? 


Leah: Actually I’ve been writing things most of my life, but I never considered myself to actually BE a writer or never called myself a writer until after I attended my first RWA conference.  Luckily the first year I joined RWA the National Conference was in Dallas near my home.  I will never forget going into the hotel and looking around at all the other ladies who I thought were just like me – all like to sit home in their jammies and make up stuff.  I remember thinking, “These are my people!”  It was quite an experience. I’ve had lots of jobs over the years – too many, perhaps, so to finally feel like I belonged somewhere was awesome


Clare: What inspired you to pen your first novel?


Leah: The very first fiction I ever wrote (but unfortunately tossed away, assuming it was not worthy of publication) was about a friend of mine who died suddenly.  The second novel I wrote was one I dreamed up while on a cruise ship.  The first was inspired by true events, the second was anything but.  Now my books do a little of both.


Clare: Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way? 


Leah:  I’m LOLing as I write this, but my major influence was Danielle Steele.  Ever since childhood, my mom and I devoured her books. I know a lot of folks like to poo poo her stuff, but I loved it, still do.  She knows how to do high drama as well as anyone, I think.  In more recent years, I’ve admired Nora Roberts, for her prolific ability to crank out the books, if nothing else.   My dear friend Vicki Lewis Thompson has also been an inspiration and has given me many words of encouragement through the years, and Jane Porter.  Jane’s book Flirting with Forty was made into a movie starring one of my favorite actresses, Heather Locklear.  That is exciting!
  
Clare: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing? 


Leah: I’ve penned a couple young adult novels about young girls and Native American tribes which were both directly influenced by my childhood growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I also wrote a historical western romance called Dead Man’s Diamond for Devine Destinies which is about the 1880’s in Tombstone. I love the west! 


Clare: How much of your work is realistic? 


Leah: LOL Not much at all.  In my romance Kiss at Blarney Castle (Red Rose Publishing), I went to Ireland and visited all the places mentioned, yes, but nothing else in the book actually happened.  In my other book Road to Casablanca (Red Rose Publishing), I did go to Morocco in real life, and yes, there was a film festival which just ended before I arrived, but again, other than that, I made it all up.  Sheik’s Design (Red Rose Publishing) has absolutely no truth to it, nor does the story about the singer and the psychic in my novel Country Gold, although I live in Texas, so needless to say, I’ve seen a few cowboys over the years. :)  


Clare: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 


Staying focused, not doing more than one at a time and finishing what I start.


Clare: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? 


For the past ten years, I’ve traveled around the world lecturing about my non-fiction works which are under my real name.  So now as a fiction writer, the book is born from the travel, not the other way around.  Other than writing fiction, travel is my other greatest love so I plan to keep on going.  There’s a lot more of the world I want to see!  


Clare: What is the hardest part of writing for you?


Leah: Two things - Getting started, then finishing.  Once I’m off to a good start, I generally keep going, but there comes a point sometime after the middle where I tend to grow a bit weary.


Clare: How do you get past that?


Leah: I make myself a phony deadline and pretend someone is waiting for the book, whether they are or not.  I do my best to stick to the deadline, which is how I was trained years ago when I used to be in the newspaper business.  It works!


Clare: How long have you been writing? 


Leah: Scary, but over thirty years now.


Clare: How did you deal with rejection letters? 


Leah: With chocolate.  :)   And lots of it….(seriously!) I’m doing better now than when I first started.  I’ve realized writing is a numbers game. If you like what you wrote chances are somebody else will too.  I’ve learned to keep going.


Clare: Tell us about your upcoming projects. What’s got you excited about 2011?


Leah:  Several things.  I have the second installment of my Natalie Locke YA series book called Natalie Locke and the Sundancer coming soon.  This is a YA series about a young girl who is taken in and shown tribal secrets by a Native American tribe.  She owns a rock shop in Albuquerque and has lots of fun adventures.  The first book got really great reviews and my readers are anxiously awaiting part two and beyond.  It’s one of the most enjoyable series I do.  The other one coming out in 2011 is Nascha and the Medicine Man, also a  YA novel, from Parker Publishing.  It’s about a young black girl living in New York City whose mother dies and her grandmother is terminally ill so she is forced to go live out in the boondocks in New Mexico with the father she never knew she had – a Navajo Medicine Man.  I really loved writing that one and can’t wait for my Natalie readers to get ahold of it.


Clare:  How did you wind up writing a book like Nascha?


Leah:  An editor at Parker read Natalie Locke and offered a contract on it, she loved the story so much, but to be a Parker publication, the girl needed to be of mixed race.  I didn’t want to change Natalie’s character to fit because she is so strong, so instead I “met” Nascha, and the rest is history. I plan to make a series out of her too, I love her so much.


Clare: Any other new titles coming this year?


Leah:  Yes!  From Red Rose Publishing, some of my favorites are coming – Love Letters at Sunset Hill and Man of the Year will be out later in 2011.  Not sure of the dates yet though on any of these…


Clare: Love Letters sounds interesting. What’s that about?


Leah:  It’s really romantic! I think readers will find it compelling.  


Here’s a blurb:


Nancy and Bill were high school sweethearts who expected to spend their lives together until 
her family moved away and they thought they would never be together again.  When a chance encounter at a high school reunion brings them back together, they engage in a love affair that threatens to tear her marriage apart until she decides to end things.  Heartbroken Bill suffers a stroke and moves to a remote mountain cabin where he pens love letters to Nancy and still wonders if they will ever be together.  When her husband dies of cancer, Nancy ventures to Sunset Hill to see her one true love.  After all these years, will Bill welcome her with open  arms, or has he moved on?


Clare:  Sounds interesting, Leah.  Thanks for being here today!


Leah: Thanks so much for having me, Clare!  


Clare: Here are some links to Leah’s work:


Natalie Locke and the Shapeshifter
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Natalie+Locke+and+the+SHapeshifter+book+and+kindle&x=11&y=12 


Or check out her many titles at Red Rose Publishing here:


http://redrosepublishing.com/books/index.php?manufacturers_id=170&osCsid=d509c6307788276096549558bac68d7d 

Author Annette Shelley Talks About Her Books The Glob and Beyond 2012: Return to Love

Scribal Love Welcomes Annette Shelley!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Since I was a kid, I always LOVED horror movies and books and wanted to write them.  I've worked on newspaper and yearbook staffs in high school and college and worked for magazines, TV stations and newspapers in my adult years.

How long does it take you to write a book?
Interesting question. This varies.  It might only take me a week or two to write the first draft, but the real work comes in with edits and revisions after that.  The series I'm working on now has been in my head for six years. 

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I've been self employed for several years so getting into the swing of full time writing was not too difficult for me.  On atypical day, I get up, go to the gym and get back late morning to take care of my customers, etc.  Then I normally write in the afternoons from noon until dinner. In the earlier days, I wrote all day and into the night, but had to find time for balance in my life.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I enjoy injecting humor into my work.  Yes, it may be a dark brooding story, but always with a few laughs along the way.  I try to include things that crack me up and hope others find it amusing too.

How do books get published?
You write your best work, submit it to publishers and if they choose to publish it, then it is turned over to an editor who works with you on revisions and then it's released.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Ideas are everywhere.  Sometimes I see something during the day I think would make a good story, other times an idea floats into my mind, or more likely a question arises.  I find myself asking, “What if?” a lot.  That's always a good place to begin a story.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?
My first book was a fiction piece I wrote when I was about twenty five.  At the time I was very self critical so I ended up throwing it out.  If I only knew then what I know now…I didn't start writing books again until 2001 when I began doing nonfiction and publishing those.  Then I wrote my second novel around 2004 and stopped again until 2007 when I finally decided I wanted to pursue this on a more full time basis. I love writing fiction more than any work I've ever done.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to exercise.  The endorphin rush really helps me stay focused on other things. I am an avid spin cycle person, I love yoga, hiking, watching movies and a few drama programs, reading books - of course.

What does your family think of your writing?
My family is the reason I do this now. My mom read some of my early work and told me she thought it was good enough to publish.  My parents and brother in particular have been a huge support.  Without them, I wouldn't be doing this.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How much I love getting lost in these other worlds.  I knew I wanted to do this, but I never imagined enjoying anything as much. 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
In fiction I've written eighteen novels and at least a dozen short stories.  I've lost count…

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Keep going, keep reading books on the craft, listen to your editors.  I see a lot of writers who argue with the editor.  From my experience, the editors only have your best in mind and want to help you make things better.  I never recall a time when the suggestions didn't make my work better.  I think the writer has an attachment to the book - I mean it is our baby, right?  But there is a point where you have to let it go and look at it as a saleable product.  Be open to suggestion.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I do.  I've had the pleasure of having readers tell me how much they enjoyed my work, which is a real thrill. One reader who read all my fiction says she now recognizes books by me just by the way they are written which is really cool.  That means I am doing my job in developing my voice.  That said, I can't rest on my laurels.  I still have much to learn in this business.  I believe it's a lifelong endeavor.  I hope to hear more from readers in the future.

Do you like to create books for adults?
I've always enjoyed writing for adults, even in nonfiction.  I believe there is a real service to humanity in helping adults get up out of their mundane lives and escape into the worlds we fiction writers create.  Fiction gives people escape and opens their minds to the possibilities that exist in the world.  I love it!

What do you think makes a good story?
People must identify with the characters and in my mind, there must be a plot laced with intrigue to get readers to turn the page.  Even in romance, I think there must be an underlying plot underneath the story of the love affair.  


As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a newspaper writer, which I have done.   I also wanted to be a counselor which I've also pursued, and finally, I told my mom when I was little that I wanted to write novels, so finally I am doing that.  It feels really good! 


Tell us about your latest releases
With Red Rose Publishing, my latest is Lady in Red, a spooky tale about a couple of ghost hunters who go off to a haunted hotel for the weekend to investigate and discover more than they bargained for. 


With eXtasy books, my latest sci-fi romance is The Glob.  

Here is a review from Night Owl Reviews who gives The Glob 4.5 stars:

Original and hilarious, The Glob is a quick and entertaining read with just the right amount of spice. Alex, the alien who's taken human form to blend in on his mission to earth, is fabulous. He lands on earth in search of plastic bags to feed his people and discovers earth isn't at all what he pictured. A kind of Mork meets Mindy, his view of earthlings and their habits is hilarious, especially when he discovers sex. The author's storyline is fast paced, and the sex scenes, hot, hot, hot. 


What's next?
Several projects in the mix right now. I'm doing several stories for a Tarot theme for eXtasy which will be coming out this year, some new novels, maybe some more stories with my characters from my Beyond 2012 Trilogy. 


That's your sci-fi, right?
Yes. 


You know I love sci-fi! Tell us more…


The stories begin in the year 3033 and we see the end result of some of the poor decision making made in the year 2012.   
http://www.extasybooks.com/ebjmsite/index.php  

Book one - Beyond 2012: Return to Love - Mankind is genetically modified to consume only fructose corn syrup and thanks to an evil Queen, men and women are segregated and used for reproductive purposes only.  One woman, Myra, fights to bring men and woman back together and end the cycle of darkness.  She falls in love with an alien named Cecil who helps her and teaches her about steak ( an aphrodisiac) and physical intimacy.  


Book Two - Beyond 2012: Return of the Reptilians The Great Shift occurred but darkness is still looming.  Myra's brother Thomas always had a dark streak.  Now he must fight those urges if he wants to continue to have a relationship with Cecil's sister, Cecilia.  Can he tame his nature and find true love? 


Book Three - Rise of the Queen - Here we go back to the beginning, to cataclysmic events of 2012 and find out how the future Queen Devlyn wound up like she did.  All the pieces of the puzzle are wrapped up as she falls in love with Nelek, commander of the Reptilian star fleet. 
 
Annette, Thanks for Hanging Out With Us For A While! 


You Can Find Annette On the Web At:  


http://www.extasybooks.com/ebjmsite/index.php 

Welcome Contemporary Romance Author Elle Druskin as She Talks About Her Book "To Catch A Cop"

Scribal Love Welcomes Elle Druskin!




Elle Druskin  is the author of To Catch A Cop, a contemporary mystery-romance.    




Her newest work is Outback Hero, a contemporary romance.  Both are available from Red Rose Publishing, Amazon Kindle and Fictionwise.

Where are you from?


First of all, thanks for the opportunity to "speak" here.   Your first question is deceptively simple with a complicated response.  I am the original Jersey Girl, born and raised in the Garden State and I went to college in Boston.  That sounds simple enough, but I have lived all of my adult life outside the US, in Australia and Israel.  Yes, that does factor in my writing to some degree.  I do come back to the US at least once a year if not more often and I still consider myself primarily an American.

What inspired you to write this book?

There is a great scene in Harry Potter in which Harry is trying to buy his first wand and generally creates havoc in the shop.  After pretty much wrecking the place, the proprietor tells him, "The wand chooses the wizard."  I think the book chose the author in this case.  A story kept kicking around in my head, a lot of "what ifs."  I let that percolate for a while because I had no intention of doing anything with it.  In the end, I decided to try to write this story because it wouldn't go away. 


I had no idea how to write a novel and I more or less approached it with the idea that since I didn't know and probably nobody would ever see it, well, it didn't matter.  I wrote it, was pleased with myself for managing to do that much and put it away for a few years.  In the meantime, I joined a few writers' groups because I realized that I didn't know anything about the craft of fiction writing.  I knew a fair amount about non-fiction writing because I am an academic by profession and that means you have to keep generating research articles, etc. and I still believe any writing generally helps the process.  


After a few years, I took out the manuscript, read it, and while I thought the plot was okay and the dialogue, there were flaws that could be fixed by a thorough revision.  Okay, did that and then got up the nerve to ask a few critical readers to have a look and give me an honest opinion.  


The first, who is a romance writer, said it was a romance, although a bit unorthodox.  The second said she thought it was a cute mystery.  Honestly, I never saw that.  I did realize there was an element of mystery but I thought it was so transparent, that it was weak.  Imagine my surprise when ALL the reviewers consistently said, "This is a great mystery.  


I should have gotten it, because all the clues are there, but I didn't."  The third one told me I had some elements of a thriller.  In the end, I wasn't sure what I wrote but all three genuinely enjoyed it which was the most important thing.  And honestly, there is no reason why a novel cannot be cross genre, but this one has consistently been cited as mystery first, romance second, thriller third.  Go figure.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I don't know exactly what that means but if you are asking if I write an in-depth synopsis, create character sheets, etc.  no, I don't.  I might think about the general story and have an idea where it is going, particularly a mystery.  I might have an idea how it ends.  I may jot down some ideas as a quick general outline, but for the most part, I let the story unfold in my head and it may not play out in sequence.  That's ok; because I let the characters tell me what is going on and I can put it together in the revisions.  I see them and hear them very clearly and have a good idea how they respond to a number of situations.  I don't battle with them to do what I want, heck, I don't even like some of the things they do, but it's their story, not mine and I have to let them get on with it.


In the final analysis, I am telling a story; a story that is playing out in my head, and trying to find the words to convey what I see and hear so clearly so that anyone can see and hear it along with me. 

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


My most recent book is Outback Hero, a contemporary romance set in Outback Australia.  It is a tribute to the wonderful bush culture of that country and I was fortunate enough to meet some jackeroos, rodeo cowboys and clowns, and lots of other people that make that lifestyle their own which may have some parallels to any remote setting, but is, ultimately, very Aussie in so many ways.

Everywhere in the world we can find real heroes, although I do find hero is a word that is excessively and sometimes, inappropriately used.  To me, a hero is someone who rises to the challenge, doesn't accept that a situation is inflexible, but can do something to change it.  The hero might succeed or fail, but the hero makes that effort and that certainly happens in this book in a very Aussie way.

What is Outback Hero about?


Without giving too much away, the basic story is about a nurse who is fleeing a scandal in New York and Outback Australia is about as far as she can get.  Our hero is temporarily stuck on his family's debt ridden station (ranch to Americans) and can't wait to get back to big city life in Sydney.  Superficially, they are about as different as they can get, but underneath that surface, they both have to discover what really matters in life, to accept the things that they can't change, and to battle for the things that matter and they can change.  Along that way, they just happen to find out that love can hit you when you least expect it.

What books have influenced your life most?


How much time have you got?  I was an early reader and in my family, we were all encouraged to read and own books.  As a child, I had an extensive library and adored many of the childhood classics, Alice in Wonderland, the Oz books, Anne of Green Gables, etc. and the Nancy Drew series.  (I really loved Nancy!).  I love the Harry Potter series.  It may have been written for children, but it has found just as strong an audience with adults.  I also loved many classic novels and novelists including, but not exclusively, Jane Austen, Steinbeck, Hemingway, F. S. Fitzgerald, J. D. Salinger, and so many others.


I love contemporary literature too.  Among the authors I truly enjoy are Amy Tan, Diana Gabaldon, R. F. Delderfield, Larry McMurtry, Sharon Penman, Phillipa Gregory, James Michener, Sara Donati, Thomas Keneally, and so many others, that I can't list them.  If I want a great laugh, I read Jennifer Crusie and Janet Evanovich.  They never let me down.  And I am a sucker for a good mystery so I avidly read M. C. Beaton, Lawrence Block, Faye Kellerman, Batya Gur, and I have recently discovered Dana Stabenow and Sue Henry and enjoying them immensely. 


I also enjoy an Israeli author, Orna Shemor who is not available in English.  I particularly like her detective heroine whose job is translating romance novels but she decides to sometimes change the story because she figures nobody will know anyway.  I get a real kick out of that. 
For a good thriller, I can count on Kathy Reichs and Matt Benyon Rees for a great story that will be unique, educational and entertaining.


While not a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy, I have read Tolkien, and my son, who is a big fan of this genre, suggested several books to me which include Christopher Paolini's Brisinger series and Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books.  I would never have read them if he had not recommended them but they were enjoyable and I can see why he likes them so much.


In non-fiction, I read biographies.  Devoured them as a child, and I still enjoy them.  I also like memoirs, political and historical books.  I could go on a lot more about books and writers that I enjoy, but ultimately, all books influence us in some way.  Maybe they encourage us to do more serious reading on the topic or setting or to visit those places.  Maybe they help us re-think our values.  As a writer, it always helps to read widely and I will elaborate on that a bit later.    

Did you find the idea of having your work published for others to read intimidating?  If yes, why?  If no, why not?


Well, sure.  You hope other people enjoy your work, share your humor, see your story unfold as a satisfying experience, but ultimately, you can't know how readers or reviewers are going to respond so it's always an intimidating and humbling experience. 


I don't take any of it personally, it's about the work, not me and as long as criticism is constructive, then it's useful.  I am grateful that the reviews for To Catch A Cop have been very good to excellent and that has been satisfying and rewarding because I kind of like these characters.  I do know them very well, after all.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Hands down, I have to say Diana Gabaldon.  I have been part of the Books and Writers' Forum on and off for years.  It is a wonderful place for writers, aspiring writers, and readers to hang out online.  Diana has been with them since inception which is well over 20 years ago, generally checks in daily, answers questions and is a tremendous supporter of aspiring writers.  She always responds with polite, entertaining, articulate and concise answers.  A nice freebie is that we often get to see some of her work in progress before publication which is great fun. 

What books are you reading now?


On average, I read 4 books a week.  I love my Kindle and read voraciously on it.  I also listen to books and that is quite different to reading the words.  It can help a writer to hear their words aloud.  What seems great on paper might not sound right, particularly dialogue, but I'm digressing.


As of today, I am going back and forth between two books.  One is academic and one is fiction.  The academic book is Sexual Violence Against Jewish Women in the Holocaust which is a new book and certainly not light reading but an important topic. 


For lighter reading, I have recently discovered Dana Stabenow.  (No idea what took me so long to find her!) Her mystery novels take place in Alaska where she was born, raised and still lives, and many of her characters seem to have arisen from those life experiences.  I find them entertaining, engaging, complex and continually evolving which I always enjoy in a series.

What are your current projects?


I always have something going on and I tend to write more than one thing at a time.  I know some writers don't do that or can't do that but in academia, it is not unusual to work on several different pieces concurrently.  Inevitably, I will get stuck, so rather than agonize, I move on to the next piece, whatever it is, work on that for a while, get stuck and on to the next one.  By the time I get back to the first one, I've had a break and come back to it with a fresh mind.  Sooo, what's on the backburner? 

I have been working on a few things.  The first and most important to me is the second To Catch book.  Those characters wouldn't leave me alone; they kept talking, Lindy kept getting into trouble, and Fraser keeps trying to keep her from getting killed.  And their relationship is evolving.  That book is finished, I hope it will be published this year and I have done a fair amount of work on a third one.  Sometimes, even I am astounded at the messes Lindy gets into, to be honest.

Second project.  I wrote a novella length story quite a number of years ago and put it away.  I still like the basis of the story and the characters but it needs a lot of revision and I am slowly getting there.  This is a contemporary romance set in Scotland (I love that place, it's magic!) about a romance writer with a BIG PROBLEM and a hero where you least expect him to be.  That's as much as I can say for now because it is still a work in progress and I do intend to get that finished this year. 


Third project.  I started what I hope will be a contemporary series set in New Jersey.  (Here comes that Jersey childhood <g>).  I had a ball writing this and I hope it finds a home.  The first book is about a workaholic Manhattan executive who has lost her job and the only one she can get immediately is house sitting a movie's star home in Jersey.  Our heroine loathes Jersey, by the way, but hey, she's desperate.  The job involves a little more than watering plants and before you know it, a very cute vet is on speed dial and the whole town getting involved, taking bets on a lot of possibilities for the hero and heroine.  Again, I don't want to say too much about this, but I laughed while I was writing it which usually bodes well.

Do you find that international audiences are different from your home or native country's audience?

Seeing as I have lived in a number of places, I can't really say.  What matters is writing a good story with strong characters that engage the reader, creating a world that readers can envision, and hooking them with the right proportions of tension, plot, and what you hope appears to be effortless craft.  A good story is a good story and any reader should be able to enjoy it irrespective of background.  That's the bottom line.  
 
Do you see writing as a career?


<G>.  In what way?  As a full time job?  If you are making enough money to live on and can afford to write full time, and most writers are not, well, that's great.  In some ways, that would be nice, but on the other hand, maybe it's not such a bad thing to have to try to balance a job, family, friends and writing.  It's hard admittedly, and often, the writing gets shoved to the bottom of the agenda, but perhaps that struggle is good in some ways.  For one thing, it means that you have limited time to write so you'd better get your head down and get to work instead of procrastinating.  For another, possibly some of those ongoing experiences might be helpful in the fiction process.  They don't have to be, but you never know where ideas may come from.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I don't think so.  The story unfolds for me and I do my best to write it.  I am sure there are elements that can always be improved, but as long as I have remained faithful to the characters and their story, then I have to be satisfied.  And once something is done, it's done.  That's it, unless it is a series like "To Catch."  I do like series because it gives the characters a chance to evolve, mature, gain some wisdom and I appreciate that scope.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Probably in a few places.  The first was at a relatively early age.  I was one of those kids that loved creative writing assignments in primary school and I always did well in them.  Don't know why, only that I did.  I think I enjoyed telling a story.  In high school, I was very fortunate to have a teacher who had been an outstanding journalist in her earlier life.  She was an excellent writer, teacher and supporter and I think most of what I have learned about writing derived from those years of informal tutelage. 


She read To Catch A Cop and said she really enjoyed it and that was very gratifying for me.  Finally, as I said, I still have to produce reports and write scholarly papers as an academic.  I also serve as a grant reviewer and journal reviewer for a number of scholarly journals.  Reading someone else's work with a view towards examining strengths and weaknesses is always helpful. 


 It is often easy to see these elements in another piece of work and ultimately, I would hope that helps my own get stronger from the perspective of overall writing.  I don't think you can or necessarily should try to change your basic style, or rather, voice.  That is quite unique and most editors can spot that in the first paragraph of any work.  They might have to read a bit further to confirm that hunch, but it should be there, front and center.  


While the voice doesn't need to change for the most part, the craft of presentation, characterization, balance of narrative and dialogue, realistic dialogue, solid research (and I don't mean Internet research, but solid library reading) and all the other components that mesh together to create a novel, must also be there.  A great voice is nothing without all the skills behind it.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Sure.  It's always a challenge.  A challenge to find the time to write.  A challenge to work with an idea, or work through an idea until it has matured.  A challenge to find the words that express the scene, the action, the essence of the characters, and situations.  It's always going to be a challenge.  If writing was easy, everybody would do it.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


You always learn something.  I think To Catch A Cop taught me a number of things about plotting, dialogue and tension.  Most of all, I learned not to give too much away too soon, but just the right amount for the reader to be hooked.  That's hard and I often find myself revising current work with that in mind.  Have I overplayed my hand?  Told too much, too soon?  I have to constantly remind myself to let the reader take that journey with the characters and let events unfold through their eyes at their pace.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

I don't know that I am qualified to be giving advice to anyone, but since you asked, this is my two cents worth.


Rule One. Read.  Don't stop.  I assume that anyone who wants to write started out as a reader who enjoyed books, so why would you stop?  There are plenty of reasons to read.  First, because you enjoy it, but also, if you must come up with other reasons, reading helps a writer discover what works (and what doesn't).  Why were you engaged from the first line of that book?  What made you turn that page?  How clearly was the setting created?  Why did you like, love, or loathe the characters?  Characters don't have to be likeable, at least, not all of them.  For fun, you can toss around the story in your head and change it.  What if this happened?  All of that speculation is helpful to a writer.  


Of course, you can't plagiarize, but if you are changing things around significantly, well, you might have a legitimate book evolve or certainly, food for thought which helps a writer in some way.  Most of all, think about conflict and how early and well it was established because conflict is the basis of a novel.  It can exist between individuals, which is usually the basis of romance novels, groups (insert war, political intrigue, etc.) or even be internal. (Hamlet, the great procrastinator who had endless debates with himself), but you'd better get it in your novel and the sooner, the better.

Rule Two. Research.  This depends on the sort of book you want to write.  A general rule, which can be broken, is that new writers should write about what they know, whatever it is.  That might be sufficient and in fact, might always be part of the books you write (see Dana Stabenow for example).  I deliberately set To Catch A Cop in the academic world because it is a world that I know from the inside.  However, and here comes the however, at some point, it is necessary to do some research.  In some cases, depending on the book you are burning to write, extensive research.   Do you need to do all that before you start to write?  Nope.  You can fill in the blanks later or you can choose to start to read some general books on the topic before you start to write.  Your choice.

Often, you don't need to read a full book to get the information you want and need.  As an example, if you are writing a medieval mystery, you probably need to know what sorts of clothing people wore. (you might want to know about coins, weapons, homes, food, etc. --take your pick here).  To learn about these things, you might read a full book about medieval clothes that is broken down by various years, location, gender,  social class, age but if your book is specific to a certain time and place, you might need to read only a small portion of that book.  Up to you.  I get hooked into almost anything I start so chances are that I would read the whole book anyway.   


A number of years ago, I was searching for information about medieval ladies' underwear, don't ask why, but couldn't find it anywhere.  I ended up in a correspondence with an academic who specialized in medieval women and had a rollicking good time writing back and forth discussing lots of things.

Using the Internet as the only source of research is not acceptable.  Sorry, but it isn't.  It's a starting point, but in the end, you need access to a library.  A good library, and that usually means a college/university library.  Visiting the library might also result in finding a book that you didn't even know you needed because if you are like me, you can type in your search, but most of the time, I end up going to the shelves anyway and having a look through the titles.  You never know what goodies you might find there and you won't get that sort of thing online.
A bonus to an academic library visit is that you might meet a grad student or academic who is an expert in the topic you are researching.  


If that's the case, you hit the mother lode and they might be willing to provide information for you that will be extraordinarily helpful, so make sure you acknowledge that contribution in the final draft of your book.

Rule Three.  Don't give up.  Persistence pays.  If writing was so darned easy, everyone would do it.  Keep working, keep trying, keep an open mind and try to learn and improve.  After all, you don't need a degree, license or any formal qualifications to be a writer, you just have to write.

Thanks Elle for Dropping by!


You can find her on the Web at:

Welcome Romantic Suspense Author Betty Ann Harris as she Discusses Her Newest Work "Agent of Mercy"

Scribal Love Welcomes Betty Ann Harris!

Betty Ann Harris is an author of romantic suspense. Her newest work, Agent Of Mercy, is available from Red Rose Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

The title of my latest book is Agent Of Mercy. Sam Blake is an FBI Special Agent. He's assigned to bring into custody a woman who he ends up trying to save and falls in love with. Because he shows this woman mercy, he is the Agent Of Mercy.


What is this book about? And what genre is this book in?

Agent Of Mercy is a mainstream romance-suspense/mystery.

The story is about New York City FBI Special Agent Sam Blake who is working undercover on the Catherine Jones case. Catherine is a mentally disturbed woman who has a deep psychotic hate of men. She finds wealthy, single men and seduces them. Once in her clutches, she steals from them and takes off, leaving them heartbroken and broke, and sometimes dead.

Sam poses as a cunning criminal himself, gains Catherine’s trust and friendship and tries to bring her into custody, only to find himself feeling sorry for her and falling for her feminine charm.

They are both deceiving each other and become engaged in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Catherine deceives Sam and takes all the money and flies to St. Croix, the Virgin Islands. But he’s a good investigator and agent and he’s right on her tail.
Meanwhile, Sam’s assistant, Melissa, who had an affair with Sam previously and who is still very much in love with him, is trying to help him not fall prey to Catherine’s charms, and keep him alive.
　
Who is/are the main characters? And why did you choose them?

Catherine Jones is the main female character who is a pathological liar and a cunning criminal. I chose her characteristics to make her the perfect fem-fetale; a woman women love to hate but men cannot resist.

Sam Blake is a top-notch FBI undercover agent with a sensitive side. And he's good-looking with a dry sense of humor.
　
What is the coolest or best part about your book? (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..)

Here is a scene from Agent Of Mercy that I particularly like and enjoyed writing:
　
“Well, I guess I’ve got nothing to lose.” Catherine took a deep breath and proceeded to lay it all out for Sam. She told him about her father, how he had been mean and abusive to her and her mother.

“My mother couldn’t take anymore and I think she was worried he’d do something to hurt

my little brother. And my little brother was so young, only three or four when she took him

and disappeared.” Catherine paused.

“Where are you from, originally?”

“I’m from New Hope, Pennsylvania.”

Sam, who had been looking out at the ocean, jerked himself around to face Catherine.

“Catherine, what’s your real last name?”

“Jones, why?”

“Do you know your mother’s maiden name?”

“Yes, it’s Sinclair.”

Sam looked like an arrow had pierced his heart, and in a manner of speaking, it had. He acted

as if he had realized something unbelievable, but that’s exactly what it was, an act.

Catherine put her hand on his arm. “Sam, are you okay? You’re scaring me. You look like

you’ve seen a ghost. Should I call a doctor?”

“Catherine, I’ve got something to tell you and it’s going to be a shock.”

“Okay, don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”

“I was born in Lahaska, Pennsylvania, which, as you are probably aware, is near New Hope,

your hometown. I’m thirty years old and you are thirty-seven. God help me, but I believe

I’m your brother.”

Now it was Catherine’s turn to be shocked, but to him, her shock appeared real.

“My brother? God, no, no, it can’t be true!”

“I can understand you being shocked by this, but you’re acting as if it’s terrible.”

“It is terrible.”

“Why?”

“Because, you see, Sam, I’m in love with you.”

-end excerpt
　
Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, why?

My favorite character is Sam because he's got a good heart and soul.

Is this book part of a series? If so? What can we expect in future books?

Yes, Agent Of Mercy is the fourth book in The Special Agent Series, and you will definitely be seeing more sexy special agents in the future.


If not? Are you considering expanding it?

I may branch out into a women's FBI series.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I don't think I'd change anything in the basic story plot, but I would have liked it if I had made this short novella a full-length novel. Some readers have told me that they hate it when the book ends, that they liked it and wanted more. Future books in the series will be longer.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I think I found out that I do like happy endings and I'm not sure I could write a book with an unhappy ending in every aspect. I'm a believer in the truth and like it when justice prevails.
　
Do you have a publisher? And if so, why did you choose them?

The Special Agent Series is with Red Rose Publishing and I chose Red Rose because they were definitely interested in a Special Agent Series. I really enjoy writing this series.
　
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I have always liked Alfred Hitchcock, the King of Suspense, but also like James Patterson.
　
What books are you reading now?

I just started reading Catherine Coulter's Double Take.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

I'm working on the final read-through edit on the sequel to my first book, Eureka Point. The
sequel is titled Beyond The Point. I'm also working on finishing up the next book in the Special Agent Series and I'm about halfway through my first paranormal, Possessing Prudence.

Do you write full time? If not, do you hope to do so one day?

I write part-time, sharing my working time with author promotions and marketing, which includes making video trailers. I must say, I very much enjoy the promotional work, but if I wrote a NY Times Bestseller I'd be a very happy camper and would be as happy as a clam if I could write full-time.
　
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My father was a fantastic story-teller and I think I inherited some of that. I have always loved words and started out reading and writing poetry at a young age. As a teenager I started reading mysteries, and once I started reading them, I couldn't stop. I read every Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie book I could get my hands on. Then came the 007 James Bond books and I was totally hooked on romance and suspense. I also had a fantastic junior high school English teacher who sparked my interest in actually writing myself.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes, I require total quiet when I write, and with a family, house and two dogs to take care of, it's hard to find enough quiet time. I'm also not too keen on formatting my work, but force myself to do it.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

One thing I think is important is to submit to publishers who already have books with them that are of the same genre as yours. Some publishers may publish a lot of erotic books, and if your book isn't erotic, they might contract with you for your book because it's good. But readers of one type of book may overlook your book at the wrong publisher.
As a promotor for authors, once your book is contracted and your release date is in sight, start getting your name out there and promoting yourself and your book. You should really have a website also.

Thanks so much for having me as a guest author.
　
You are welcome!  Thank you for dropping by!

You can find Betty on the web at:　

My website is:  http://www.bettyannharris.com

 

My Special Agent Series Blog is:  http://specialagentseries.blogspot.com

 

http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?cPath=135_40&products_id=333

http://www.amazon.com/Agent-Mercy-Special-ebook/dp/B003XKNG1O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1294694160&sr=8-2

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b114488/?si=0