Jean Grant Author of Soul of the Storm
Give a warm welcome to Jean Grant author of Soul of the Storm! A Deerbourne Inn novel. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Jean and Soul of the Storm.
Thanks for stopping by Jean. I see you’ve brought guests?
Yes Matiu Christiansen and Charlotte MacGregor from Soul of the Storm tagged along with me.
Wonderful! Let’s start with Matiu. Tell us about the real you—
Kia Ora! Well, that’s a choice question. I’m knackered tonight. Too much time on my feet. Worked two jobs today. Wait, what was the question?
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed?
Dirty laundry, old (probably important) papers or bills, and a stack of outdoor enthusiast magazines.
……What makes you laugh out loud?
Funny jokes my cuz back in New Zealand tells me.
……What makes you angry?
Feeling judged or when people try to change the real me. They try to take the Maori out of the mate.
What event in your past has left the most indelible impression on you?
A few bad years with the wrong bros while I was in my teens. Back when I lived in New Zealand. I’ve been in Vermont now for ten years.
What do you most value?
Nature. Family. Competence. Ambition.
…..What do you sleep in at night?
Usually my work clothes, as I’m too tired to change out of them and I crash on the couch.
What is the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Somebody who loves me for me and doesn’t try to change me, somebody who is sweet, kind, and genuine. A love for the outdoors is a plus. I work at the outfitters, do trail mucking, and offer guided kayak tours.
What do you consider most important in life?
Family and my own inner soul. Keeping to your roots.
What is your biggest secret?
I’m opening a business back home in New Zealand later this year…and I kinda met this gal. She’s sweet. But I don’t know how to tell her I’m leaving.
Thank you so much. Now lets put Charlotte on the hot seat. LOL
Who are you really?
That’s a loaded question. I’m, well…I-I like to keep to myself these days. Not sure who I am anymore.
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your bed?
Nothing but emptiness. I’m kind of a neat freak, like routine, (that’s a long story) and I’ve been getting rid of things that remind me of my past. Trinkets, old photos, that sort of thing. Now…inside my closet you’ll find a box tucked away with, well…never mind.
……What makes you laugh out loud?
I don’t laugh much anymore. My sister used to tell the best jokes though especially about her adventures abroad.
……What makes you angry?
My controlling ex. Though he’s long gone.
……What do you sleep in at night?
You mean when I do sleep, right? Well if my OTC meds work and I’m not haunted by nightmares—uh, that’s a long story—I like a thick, warm blanket and flannel pjs. I’m always cold.
Who were the biggest role models in your life?
(silence)
Charlotte?
(sighs) My sister was, but she passed away a few years ago. I’d rather not talk about it. Though she loved life and we used to conquer mountains together.
What kind of man do you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Someone who is not controlling, loves nature, and can see past all my uh, well, my inability to move past something that happened.
What kind of man would you never choose?
Somebody like my ex: controlling, cheating, lying, narcissist. A guy who won’t let me see my family.
What is most important to you in life?
Family.
What is your biggest fear?
(pauses) Mountains.
But I thought you liked to conquer them with your sister?
That was before. This is now. (shudders) No, I just can’t climb another mountain after-after what happened.
Jean, tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult? Do your characters always act as you expect? Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
This was a fun one to write! My first novella and my first book in a multiple-author series. I live in New England and was excited to write about a region near me. I hightailed it to Vermont to do research, go on some hikes, talk with locals. I also traveled to New Zealand years ago for my honeymoon, so from that amazing experience I came up with my hero, Matiu. I like his backstory. He was adorable and inspiring to write. (I tend to love all my heroes). And Charlotte’s backstory just came to me (some inspired by life, some just felt like it naturally applied to her character), too. She is a woman with a tragic past, but who loves the outdoors, and needs to move past some pain and guilt. Matiu is the perfect fella to help her with that.
A little about Soul of the Storm
Tagline: Will love help her summit one more peak?
Blurb:
Charlotte MacGregor lost the thrill of conquering mountains five years ago when her sister disappeared on a hiking adventure without her. Still guilt-ridden, Charlotte heads for a vacation to rustic Vermont with a friend—where she’s surrounded by reminders of her devastating loss and plagued with unanswered questions.
Matiu Christiansen is an outdoors buff. He works multiple jobs to save for his dream of owning an outfitter in New Zealand. He’s never quite felt at home in the United States and he yearns for his Maori roots, but his attraction to Charlotte puts a kink in his plans to move home later this year.
Thrown together by coincidence, Charlotte and Matiu form a kindred bond through their shared love of the outdoors. Can Charlotte surmount her demons to assist Matiu on a rescue when a late-season snowstorm hits? And can Matiu help Charlotte heal from the pain of the past?
Excerpt
She went to feel her ring on her finger with her thumb…but the ring wasn’t there. That old habit would not die even years later.
A dog bark intruded. The man crossed to the back door. “Reka, sweet girl, take your nap. Only a few hours here and then home, okay?” He spoke to her like a father to a toddler. The dog barked again. “A swim and walk this morning weren’t enough for you?”
He approached the dog, petted it, and whispered affections.
Charlotte made a soundless “Aww” and kept perusing.
The man returned, nearer. Residual sweat traced his brow. He pointed to a selection of books in the middle. “These are the best. Depends on what you’re looking for. Honest reviews or glorified fantasies?”
“Honest reviews, always.”
He stroked a hand through his neck-length black hair, the longer top layer falling over his forehead. He squatted and withdrew a few books from the lower shelf. “You could go with the popular or famous names, sure, but I like these authors.” He handed her one.
A book on South America sat in her hands. She muttered, “Thanks. Don’t need that one.”
“Oh, already been there, eh? All good, all good.” He took it and shoved it back on the shelf. “Where do your dreams lie then?”
She swallowed. No, I wasn’t there in that way. I was supposed to have been there. Five years ago. Instead she said, “Well, Vermont for now.”
“You’re in luck. I’m from Willow Springs.”
Buy links for SOUL OF THE STORM:
About the author:
Jean’s background is in science and she draws from her interests in history, nature, and her family for inspiration. She writes historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction. She also writes articles for family-oriented travel magazines. When she’s not writing or chasing children, she enjoys tending to her flower gardens, hiking, and doing just about anything in the outdoors.
You can find Jean on her Social Media links:
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Bookbub ~ Amazon Author Page ~ The Wild Rose Press
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Soul of the Storm!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary Romance, Deerbourne Inn Series, Jean Grant, Soul of the Storm by Tena Stetler with 15 comments.
Interview Misty Simon Author of Liv and Breathe
Give a warm welcome to Misty Simon author of Liv and Breathe!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Misty and her new release Liv and Breathe!
How long have you been writing? I started writing in 1999 so that’s a lot of years but my first book came out in 2005 and I haven’t stopped since then.
Do you see yourself in your characters? Absolutely! I tend to write people who have at least one of my quirks.
What do you want your readers to take away from your books? Pleasure, escape, a time away from whatever life is throwing at them. I like to think of myself as Calgon – I take you away.
Why do you write what you write? Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc. LOL, so um the only thing I don’t write is erotic and inspirational so I write whatever hits my fancy though for the most part they all involve mysteries of some sort. I love the game of seeing if you can figure it out before the big reveal.
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s Know what you want and then go get it! If you want to be traditionally published then know what is selling and see if you can fit your stories into that frame. If you want to self-publish then know the ins and outs of what you’re getting yourself into. But always stay true to what calls to you to write it. Huge numbers of readers are awesome but if you are writing something that just doesn’t speak to you then I think it comes across to the reader and cheats both of you of what could have been an amazing story.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Princess Bride
Favorite book: Maia
Last book read: Guardian of the West
Favorite color: Purple
Stilettos or flipflops: flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea!
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: paperback
Pencil or pen: Pencil
Favorite song: Somebody by Depeche Mode
Streak or not: Nope
Favorite dessert: Pie
Favorite junk food: Tagalongs
Favorite thing to do to relax: Journal
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Both!
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Supernatural
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: First
I’d die if I don’t have: Silver Crayons
Review or Not: Review
Tell us about Liv and Breathe.
Olivia Jameson runs a summer camp called Breathe, giving inner-city kids a chance to see a different life. When the man who owned the camp died, leaving his dream to his son, Liv took charge, and the work means the world to her.
As far as Alex Campbell is concerned, the camp is a hands-off tax write-off. But when Liv calls because her boys are accused of property damage, Alex returns to the place he hasn’t called home since age twelve…and to a girl he barely remembers, now a woman who stirs him like no city sophisticates ever have.
This is Liv’s livelihood, her mission, her dream. Sharing it with a man who doesn’t understand the impact is frustrating. But as he begins learning truths that were hidden from him, both Liv and Alex may have a change of heart. Can Liv open up her life one more time to love?
A sneak peek between the pages of Liv and Breathe!
The clink and clatter of silverware in the busy diner did nothing to block out the thoughts churning through Olivia Jameson’s head. She had made the call earlier this morning, and now she would have to live with the consequences. Hoping she’d survive the experience, she had her doubts it would be easy.
“What can I get you, hon?” Betty, the owner of Petri’s Dish, asked with pad and pencil in hand.
“Just coffee.” At the thought of the storm she may have created, Liv’s shoulders drooped.
Betty’s eyes narrowed behind her thick glasses. “Tell me what’s wrong. You never just order coffee, especially when I have my pineapple salsa pancakes on the Specials board.” Her hand went to her hip, while her expression became mutinous. “So you’re not still worrying about that little ruckus over at the Beckham farm, are you? I told you it would all blow over.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t blowing over. In fact, it had just gotten a whole lot bigger. “They’re pressing charges.” It was as simple and as complicated as that.
“What?” Bustling around the counter, Betty plopped down on the stool next to Liv. A crowd began to gather the second she did. She never sat down for anything, not even when she wasn’t working. “You better tell me what in the world is going on, right now.”
No matter what she said or did at this point, Liv knew the entire story was going to come out soon enough. Such was life in a community their size. Sometimes she wished she lived in Kissinger, the next town over, where everyone seemed to mind their own business.
She might as well take a chance and tell her side before Mr. High and Mighty came rolling into town—if he could unglue himself from his society life long enough to take any interest.
“Some boys in town say they saw my boys over in Beckham’s pastures trying to tip over cows. When these town kids came along, they said they spooked the camp boys, who took off running. According to the accusers, that’s how the fence was broken and how the alpacas got out and ran away. Beckham still hasn’t found two of them.”
By this time, there was a solid crowd of about twenty people hemming Liv and Betty in at the counter. As much as Liv appreciated the looks of outrage for her camp boys, and for the situation in general, she didn’t blame the Beckhams for pressing charges. Especially with the graffiti Mr. Beckham had told her was spray-painted on the side of his barn.
She just couldn’t wrap her head around the idea that her boys would do something so destructive when they knew the consequences and the punishment for not toeing the line.
“I don’t believe it,” Betty declared, and had the majority of the other people agreeing with her both verbally and by nodding their heads. “There’s no way the boys at Breathe would jeopardize their time here by doing something so stupid.”
Liv would have said the same thing to her boss, Alex Campbell, this morning if he’d picked up his phone. Instead she’d left him a message asking him to please come to the farm, and she’d explain when he got here. It would be far better to handle this face to face. That way she could plead the case for her boys and make him understand more easily than she could convey over email. She didn’t want him here, but she wasn’t able to figure out a way to avoid it.
“I agree,” Liv said to the diner at large, but worry still pulled her eyebrows together. “The problem is how do I prove it? I don’t want to accuse anyone else, and I can’t prove without a shadow of a doubt that the boys were all in their beds last night. Not even David. This is a huge mess, just in time for the annual cook-off.”
“Don’t you worry about the cook-off,” Tim from the mechanic’s shop said. “That’s all taken care of, except for a few details. We’ll figure something out with the boys, too. I’m coming there today to work on that car with them. I’ll ask some questions that maybe you can’t ask.”
There was a chorus of agreement while people all went their separate ways. She really appreciated the support, but who was going to be there when Mr. Campbell came riding in to shut down the camp because she wasn’t doing a good job as the director? She couldn’t—and wouldn’t—lose Breathe, a camp that had been around for almost eighty years. It housed underprivileged boys from major cities over the summer, giving them a chance to see real grass and real cows, to ride horses and learn skills and self-worth that would hopefully keep them out of gangs and make them productive members of society.
About the Author:
Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time. She knows how to hula, was classically trained to sing opera, co-wrote her high school Alma Mater, and can’t touch raw wood. Never hand her a Dixie cup with that wooden spoon/paddle thing. It’s not pretty.
Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two insane dogs in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/misty.simon.18
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck withLiv and Breathe!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary Romance, Liv and Breathe, MIsty Simon by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.
Interview Jana Richards Author of Child of Mine
Give a warm welcome of Jana Richards, author of Child of Mine The Masonville Series, Book One.
I think the secret is to keep writing. If you’re stalled writing your novel, write something shorter, like a novella or short story. Or if that’s too much, a blog post, or even a journal entry. Maybe try writing in a different genre, not necessarily for publication, but simply for fun. I believe the secret is to not quit writing entirely because that breaks the habit and makes it much harder to pick it up again. And do whatever you can to bring back the fun and excitement of writing again.
Who is your favorite character of all of the books you’ve written and Why?
That’s a little like asking who’s my favorite child! I love all my characters; when you spend so much time with them, they become dear to you. I admire both Lauren and Cole from CHILD OF MINE for their perseverance in never giving up on love. But I do have some favorites from other books as well. I don’t write Alpha heroes often, but oddly, two of my all-time favorite heroes are take-charge, stubborn Alphas. Cameron Hainstock in SECRETS AND SOLACE, book 2 in my Love at Solace Lake series, is a man who’s had his share of set-backs and heartaches. He’s been let down by love before and he’s wary. He can be gruff and blunt and distrusting. But he also has a huge capacity to love. He adores his five-year-old daughter Tessa and is a wonderful, loving father to her. He’s a loyal, protective (some would say over protective) brother to his siblings. And he’s stronger than he believes. Even though he’s struggled with alcohol in the past, and he’s worried he’ll fail again, love will give him strength.
My other favorite hero (also an Alpha) is Zane Martin in A LONG WAY FROM EDEN. Zane is also one of those (over) protective types. He’s been a single father for years, and when his eighteen-year-old daughter Erin becomes pregnant, he insists that she and her twenty-year-old boyfriend marry. He never knew his father and he doesn’t want that for his grandchild. But despite being stubborn and proud, he’s a tender father and grandfather, and a wonderful son. Zane looks after the people he loves, sometimes even when they don’t want him to. But even when he makes mistakes, he does it out of love.
What inspired you to write? and How long have you been writing?
I’ll answer these two questions together. I was inspired to write by reading romance novels and thinking “I could do that.” Ha! Little did I know! I’ve been attempting to write since the early 1990s. I say ‘attempting’ because those first efforts weren’t ready for publication. I discovered I had a lot to learn. I got really serious about learning my craft and writing for publication in the mid 2000s, and my first novel, HER BEST MAN, was published in 2007. Apparently, I needed a long apprenticeship!
Did you tell friends and family that you were writing a book? Or did it take a while to come out and tell friends and family you were a writer?
I didn’t tell anyone I was writing for a long time, not even my husband. For a while I only wrote when he was at work. I think I felt like everyone would say “Who do you think you are, thinking you can write a book?” When I finally did tell my husband, he was like “Great.” It wasn’t the big deal I’d made it out in my head! I talk more about my writing now, but usually only if someone else brings it up first. My fondest wish is to make enough money with my writing to treat my husband to a few luxuries. As he says, he would love to be a “kept man”. And I would dearly love to keep him! He’s been patient and supportive for a very long time and deserves to be treated.
A sneak peek inside the pages of Child of Mine.
We asked you to come here this evening because we have something we want to tell all of you. Lauren and I are getting married.”
The room went deathly quiet. Lauren tightened her grip on his hand. Her face turned pale as she stared at her family’s stunned expressions. Cole put his arm around her waist, afraid she might faint.
He needn’t have worried. She lifted her chin at a defiant angle and turned to face the others.
“Cole and I have decided this child needs the best possible start in life and that means having a mother and a father. We’ve always been friends, so what better way to start a marriage then with friendship?”
Garrett pushed himself to his feet and came forward. “I think it’s a hell of an idea. You two will make wonderful parents.”
He enfolded Lauren in an embrace. Cole heard her murmur her thanks to her brother. “I think you’ll make a wonderful uncle.”
Charlotte was next in line. She kissed Lauren’s cheek. “I’m so happy for you, sweetie. When’s the big day?”
“In a couple of weeks,” Cole said. “As soon as we can arrange everything.”
Lauren’s parents, Robert and Grace, also extended their congratulations. If they had reservations, they kept them to themselves.
Only his mother remained in her seat, staring at them in disbelief. Cole sat next to her. “What do you want to say, Ma?”
“You can’t replace Billy.” She choked out the words.
“I know that.” He’d known he was second best in her eyes all his life. “I wouldn’t even try.”
“But to marry his wife, to raise his child? It’s wrong. They don’t belong to you. You always wanted what belonged to your brother.”
He wanted to shout at her that the baby was his, that it had nothing to do with Billy. And Lauren was his, too. He’d loved her first. His brother had never appreciated what a gem he’d had in her. He’d squandered his marriage the way he’d squandered the love that had been lavished on him all his life, from his parents, from Lauren, and even from him.
Instead he pressed his lips together and said nothing. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and saw that Lauren stood beside him.
“I know this is difficult for you, Ella. I know you’re grieving. But I have to raise my child in the best way I know how. Aside from my brother and sister, Cole is my best friend in the world. He’s a good man, and I know he’ll be a wonderful father. You should be very proud of him.”
His mother stared at Lauren as if she couldn’t believe what she was saying. Her face twisted. “Don’t you miss Billy at all? Don’t you grieve for him? Nobody understands. Nobody.”
“Ma.”
He said the word a little sharper then he’d intended, but at least it got her attention. She looked up at him in surprise.
“I’m sorry if it hurts you, but Lauren and I are getting married. We care about one another and we care about the baby. The three of us are going to be a family. I wish you could be happy for us.”
Ella dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Finally, with a shuddering breath, she turned to look at him.
“For Billy’s baby’s sake, I’ll try.”
Billy’s baby.
The pain was swift and unexpected. If she’d stabbed him through the heart with a dagger it wouldn’t have hurt as much.
About the Author:
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Child of Mine, Contemporary Romance, Jana Richards, Small town romance, The Masonville Series by Tena Stetler with 9 comments.
Celebrate Quinn’s Resolution by Katie O’Sullivan’s
Today we’re celebrating Katie O’Sullivan’s new release After Hurricane Nina: Quinn’s Resolution- Hot Hunks-Steamy Romance Series, Book 5! Yippee! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out about hot hunk Quinn’s Resolution! Pssst…. Quinn’s Resolutions is still up for grabs for only 99 cents. Download your copy today!
After he loses everything, can she help him find his way back to the music?
Eight Strangers. Eight Unique Stories. All Stand-alone Novellas.
On November 30, 2016, Hurricane Nina hit Bali, Indonesia. In the aftermath of death and destruction, eight strong sexy men will realize it’s time for a change in their lives. A resolution of sorts. A contractor, a personal trainer, a millionaire, a stuntman, a rock star, a thrill-seeker, an army veteran, and a trust fund prodigal will all find a way to conquer their loss and learn to love.
This is Quinn’s story. Resolution: To find his way back to the music.
Quinn MacDonald had it made. With a record label deal and their first single skyrocketing up the charts, his indie punk band is finally getting a taste of rock and roll fame. Bikini-clad women and bottomless bottles of booze fill endless days… until their hotel collapses during a hurricane. He’s still under contract but as far as he’s concerned, the music died along with the rest of his band.
Life has never been easy for Phoebe Snow. Working three minimum wage jobs barely keeps a roof over her head while she and her band struggle to get noticed. But on stage, nothing matters but the music in her heart.
When her band plays a cover of one of his hits, Quinn is blown away. Can Phoebe be the inspiration he needs for more than just writing songs?
A sneak peek between the pages of Quinn’s Resolution!
On the open-air stage in Times Square, Quinn MacDonald was making a very different resolution for the fast-approaching new year. As he stood there with a fake smile plastered on his face, listening to Wiz Khalifa spout on about some after-party, Quinn vowed he would never sing on stage in public again. No matter what the fucking studio executives said, they couldn’t make him do this. Rock stars don’t cry on national television, for fuck’s sake.
He felt raw. Exposed. Alone.
And the duet with Demi Lovato? Someone had to have planned that ahead of time without telling him a thing. There’s no such thing as spontaneous singing for television cameras. Certainly not on New Year’s Eve in Times Square. So let’s add feeling “used” into the mix.
He didn’t like it. It was… wrong.
Sure, he’d promote the album. It was part of the contract he signed. He owed that much to the memory of his friends, and to their families. But as far as Quinn was concerned, the music died in the hurricane along with the rest of his band.
Quinn’s Resolution Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KXYBHK1
About the Author:
Katie O’Sullivan is an award winning writer with a dozen books to her credit, including My Kind of Crazy, Ghosts Don’t Lie, Breaking the Rules, and the Son of a Mermaid series for young teen readers: Descent, Defiance, Deception, and the yet to be released Destiny (Coming soon.) (Hopefully.)
A recovering English major, she earned her degree at Colgate University and now lives on Cape Cod with her family and big dogs, drinking way too much coffee and finding new uses for all the sea glass she obsessively collects from the beach. She writes YA and romantic suspense novels, as well as working full time for a high tech company. Which explains all the coffee.
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Quinn’s Resolution!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary Romance, Hot Hunks, Katie O"Sullivan, Quinn's Resolution by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
