I love the Christmas season! And I love small towns, too. Here are some pictures from the various festivals I've visited so far this month, with my partner in crime (and another author), Susan Saxx!
See below for some of the venues we visited, and some of the lovely crafted items for sale! And...Merry Christmas!
Please welcome Suzie Webster to the blog! We met at the Lust in the Lowcountry conference and am fortunate to have met her! Let's take a look at her story:
Please tell me a little about yourself.
I am first a mom and wife. I’ve been married to my second husband for twenty-five years and we are having a grand adventure together. I have three children, ages 27, 24 and 18, a son in between two daughters. I am a serial entrepreneur. I’ve started numerous businesses and I never tire of learning new things, although I was never much of a student growing up. I started in real estate in 1993, I owned a hair salon in 1996 and I was a professional decorator for five years in the early-mid 2000s. I have produced events since 2008 and I published my first romance novel in 2019. I also own a building envelope business that I started with my husband in 2009. I have always loved reading and I read just about every book in my middle school library. I was also the editor of my literary magazine in high school. An authentic book nerd in every way.
Could you let us in on what you’re working on now?
I just finished a short story for an Anthology being published through our local Romance Writers Association and I am diving back into finishing up the third book in my For Me series. The first two books are a duet and a love triangle between two men and a woman.
Which of your stories is your favorite?
I love my book Stay For Me, the second in the For Me duet. I love writing the men in my books because it’s so fun trying to get inside the male psyche. So writing a book with two hot male leads was so much fun and so sexy! But I will always be partial to my book Revival on King Street because it was my first and I’ll never forget the thrill of finishing it.
What’s your inspiration?
My husband is my muse and my inspiration. He is my #1 beta reader and he doesn’t hold back when giving me his critique. I rely on him tremendously to make sure I am getting my male characters right. He is also the perfect balance of alpha with a soft gooey center when it comes to his family.
How and when did you begin writing?
I wrote a book in middle school, it was a hundred pages long and I was so proud to finish it. I never forgot that feeling of accomplishment and I always wanted to write romance novels because I loved them so much in my teens and twenties. Life got in the way for many decades but I finally published my first book at the age of 49! I just made the decision to do it and four months later I had completed my first draft. It was published nearly a year after I first started.
What is one of your favorite books by another author?
My favorite authors are Jennifer Hartmann, Jewel E. Ann, Pam Godwin and Kate Stewart in the romance genre. But my all time favorite author will always be Stephen King. His books were the cornerstone of my childhood and I adore his twisted mind. My favorite book is Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo, I’ve read it numerous times.
Have you considered writing in other genres?
I think romance is the one for me. I can’t resist an HEA.
What is your writing process?
Do you need silence or music? I need complete silence so I can live inside my story. I am very easily distracted so it’s difficult to write when other people are around.
How long does it usually take you to write a book?
Usually about three months if I am focused.
Have you ever had the dreaded Writer’s Block?
No but sometimes I am in a groove more than other times.
Do you have pets?
I have the world’s best dog named Seamus, a goldendoodle who is 9 years old. He loves to play ball and swim and he’s just so fun and loveable.
What is your favorite part of writing? Do you have favorite plots?
I love the moment when the two main characters connect for the first time. I love to write tension and I really love writing sex scenes.
Anything new on the horizon?
I have an idea for a paranormal book, a real-life ghost story. I plan to write that after I finish my For Me series and the last novella in my Lowcountry Liaisons series.
Do you have anything that you absolutely need to have in order to write?
Peace and quiet.
Could you tell me the heat rating of your books out of 5 flames?
My newer books are four to five flames.
Who is your main source of support for your writing?
My husband is my biggest cheerleader by far. He believes in me more than I believe in myself which always makes me strive to be better. My kids are also a great support system and my oldest daughter, Ryleigh is my personal assistant and social media coordinator.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I started writing books because I wanted to inspire women in their forties and beyond. I want women to know that life only gets better as you get older. My husband and I are having the best time in our marriage right now. We both feel like we have made it through the hard part and we intend to enjoy every minute of these years. As a woman, having the confidence that experience brings enhances everything including in the bedroom. So don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Your partner will thank you.
Have you started your holiday shopping?
I have so many cute ideas for the people on your list!
Check out my shop for more ideas: https://www.mtasiamerchandise.com
I have aprons for the cooks, bakers, and book lovers on your list.
There are mugs for the coffee and tea drinkers... and so much more!
Author Merch By M. Tasia: https://www.mtasiamerchandise.com
Here is yet another amazing author that I met at the Lust In The Lowcountry conference this year. Let's take a look at her story:
Thank you for joining us. Please tell me a little about yourself.
I write sexy, badass women who take on the alpha, and make him crave every second of it. I'm a Southern gal whose wanderlust took me many places until it called me home. I scored a few degrees and many years of teaching along the way. I'm an expert on the history of powerful, shameless women...so I decided to finally write them into fiction too.
When I'm not smiling over my laptop writing the next steamy scene or fight sequence, I'm driving my happy husband and grown kids crazy with the next story in my head.
Could you let us in on what you’re working on now?
A duet that will be out this fall. - AFTER HIM & GET HIM. It's a steamy, romantic suspense story featuring a beautiful vigilante and her tragic hero.
Which of your stories is your favorite?
All of them!
What’s your inspiration?
All the women writers who came before me. Probably Toni Morrison and Virginia Wolfe the most. And Jane Austen. There's too many!
How and when did you begin writing?
I started as a kid. I'm an English major who went down the academic path for a couple of decades before coming back to my own creative fiction.
What is one of your favorite books by another author?
I still love To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Have you considered writing in other genres?
Not really. I love romance too much.
What is your writing process? Do you need silence or music?
I listen to music and take long walks with it. Then I need silence while I write.
How long does it usually take you to write a book?
Too long. :> I've got it down to 3 months or so.
Have you ever had the dreaded Writer’s Block?
So far, not yet.
Do you have pets?
I have plants. I'm allergic to pets unfortunately.
What is your favorite part of writing? Do you have favorite plots?
I really love the whole process, honestly.
Anything new on the horizon?
Yes. Lots. So many books in my head from this world I'm building of women working in security.
Do you have anything that you absolutely need to have in order to write?
I really need to be alone. I can't have other people around me. I sense them too much.
Could you tell me the heat rating of your books out of 5 flames?
6 flames :>
Who is your main source of support for your writing?
My husband is super supportive. He really takes care of me. My friends have been awesome too. And I've made some on bookstagram that are so inspiring now.
Here are a few facts:
November 4th and 5th are the days that authors will be signing books.
For more information about the event, check out the blog: Click Here
For more information about the authors who will be attending: Click Here
This is the FINAL Shameless event...and plans are for it to be MASSIVE!
Get ready for all the pictures coming to my social media channels. I am looking forward to meeting new readers and authors, and an all-in-all fantastic event!
Michele James has just released her new book, Warrior Mine and it has fantastic reviews! Let's take a look at her story:
1. Thank you for joining us. Please tell me a little about yourself.
I live in a southern California beach town with my husband, a mini panther, and two
crazy cattle dogs. I am the proud mother of an adult son and daughter and Oma to my
favorite little person, my grandson. I’m a retired veterinary technician and my pastimes
are gardening, cooking, yoga, and beach walks, especially in the winter and always with a
notebook and pen in my pocket.
2. Could you let us in on what you’re working on now?
Boroughs Publishing Group will be releasing my fifth book, a Medieval historical romance titled
Warrior Mine, on Aug 30th , so I will be diving into social media preparing for its release.
I’ve also started the research for a post-civil war romance that takes place in Hell’s Gate,
Montana.
3. Which of your stories is your favorite?
My favorite to write was The Lion & The Swan, the first book of my Destined series, a historical
romance with elements of fantasy that takes place in ancient Mesopotamia. It’s the story of star-
crossed love between a prince and a foreign slave, and I let myself go full swoon, forbidden love
at first sight.
4. What’s your inspiration?
Books, movies, art, nature, history, life.
5. How and when did you begin writing?
My paternal grandmother, who lived on a farm in Nebraska, and I started writing letters to each
other when I was in elementary school, and I’ve always considered that the start of my writing. I
took a creative writing class in high school and was encouraged by the teacher to continue my
writing. I won a couple of poetry contests in school, and then got about the business of life. I’ve
always been a reader, especially of romances, and I fooled around with writing stories for years
while raising my children, but when my youngest went off to college, I became serious about
writing and joined a local writer’s group, which have been invaluable in my journey to published
writer.
6. What is one of your favorite books by another author?
Precious Bane, by Mary Webb, first published in 1926. I love the purity of the love story, the
language, and how the setting is a character unto itself.
7. Have you considered writing in other genres?
No. Never. Historical romance is where my brain and heart go every time.
8. What is your writing process? Do you need silence or music?
My process evolves a little with each book, and deadline, as far as time of day, time spent at my
laptop, and kitchen table vs office desk depending on time of year and where the sun shines
through which window, but the one consistent thing is that I write the first draft in thirds. I write
the first third, then go back and edit and write through the second third, then go back to the
beginning and edit and write through to the end. This way I tend not to lose the details and the
threads I’m weaving into the story. Then I revise and edit the entire MS two to three times more,
the last edit always being a “read aloud” edit. One thing I’ve learned is that the habit of writing
regularly helps keep the story in your head, even when you’re not actively thinking about it,
which is why so many “aha” moments occur while walking or gardening or in the shower.
I almost always listen to music as I write, and end up with a very loose playlist for each book.
Though when the words are flowing, I don't always notice when the music ends.
9. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
My first book, The Lion & The Sawn, took three years. My fourth book, The Stag & The Owl,
the fourth book in my Destined series and under contract, was written in four months, and was,
as my publisher commented, much rougher.
10. Have you ever had the dreaded Writer’s Block?
Oh, yes. I have learned to “respect the mull”, to take long walks with my little notebook in hand,
to read a book or watch a movie, or three, and then sit back down and open my laptop.
11. Do you have pets?
I have one cat, two dogs, and a colony of lizards in my backyard. I’m a retired veterinary
technician and through the years I’ve also bottle raised hundreds of kittens, dozens of puppies,
and rehabbed raptors and sea birds. I have yet to write a book where the animals weren't
characters in their own right, and probably never will.
12. What is your favorite part of writing? Do you have favorite plots?
I love diving into the characters and their worlds and weaving the different threads of a story
together. I like all plots and tropes; it just depends on the characters and story.
13. Is anything new on the horizon?
Warrior Mine, my medieval romance will be released in 2022.
14. Do you have anything that you absolutely need to have in order to write?
Tea, iced or hot.
15. Could you tell me the heat rating of your books out of 5 flames?
I would say 4 to 4.5, with three to four good, steamy love scenes per book.
16. Who is your main source of support for your writing?
My husband, definitely. Writing a book is very time intensive, and he’s never been anything but
supportive, even if it means cereal for dinner, again. And my SoCal Romance Writers group.
17. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Reviews. Reviews are so important for a book, and so difficult to get. So if you read a book,
please leave a review. The author will be so grateful.
Click the picture below to see all of Michele's books:
October is bringing so many new things! One of them is a new shop I have created for authors, readers, and book lovers.
I would love for you to check out out.
This month I want to share the following article, with a shout out to Jessica Hallet for a well-written piece! It's here: https://shopve...
