Monday 10 February 2014

Interview: Darcy Daniel


What have you had published?

“Playing the Part” and “The Devils’ Cradle”.

What genre(s) of book do you write?

Contemporary romance and thrillers.

What inspired you to write your first book?

A scary event that happened to my mother when I was only about 10. I’ve never forgotten it and used it as a germ of an idea for a story.

How long did it take you to write “Playing the Part”?

About 6 months.

What is the working title of your next book(s)?

Dreaming of You (definitely a working title).

When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always been an avid reader and did well in English classes at school, so it just seemed to come naturally to me. I started to become serious about it just after my son was born.

Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?

“Playing the Part” was published traditionally, but I decided to give self-publishing a try with “The Devils’ Cradle”.

What part of writing books do you find the hardest?

Marketing! The writing part is much easier.

What do you do in your spare time?

I work full time and write in between, so I rarely have spare time. I guess the only break I get is when I actually go away for a holiday.

Who is your favourite author?

Dean Koontz is my all-time favourite.

What’s your favourite genre to read?

Thrillers with some romance.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Just write what you yourself would like to read.

Friday 7 February 2014

Interview: Claire Davon

What have you had published? 
I have self-published two books so far.
What genre(s) of book do you write? 
I write contemporary romances. However right now I am trying my hand at a paranormal series at the same time I am revising a contemporary romance series.
What inspired you to write your first book? 
My first book dates back to when I was a pre-teen. I became inspired again a few years ago to pick up the writing baton and based the male characters on certain celebrities or famous figures I found interesting.
How long did it take you to write “Sense of Adventure”? 
My first draft of Sense of Adventure (at the time entitled “Hunter”) was written in three weeks. I put it down for a number of years and finally revised it over a two month period and self-published it in January, 2014.
What is the working title of your next book(s)?
For now, “Phoenix,” but that will change. I usually use the male character’s name as a working title. This book is the first of a four-part paranormal romance series and the titles I will choose will be linked thematically.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve been writing on and off since I was a child. One of my earliest memories was writing a Kids from C.A.P.E.R. romance novel with me and my friends as the romantic interests when I was eleven or twelve.
Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?
I self-publish at this time.
What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
Usually about midway through the story I decide it is the worst story EVER and it SUCKS and WHY OH WHY did I ever try writing? It’s powering through that time, just slogging through and persisting with daily writing until I get past that feeling that is hard. That and revisions, being ruthless with chopping words and filler plot points or meandering chapters in order to tell the story that really wants to be told.
What do you do in your spare time? 
I have a full time job so writing is what I do in my spare time.
Who is your favourite author? 
So many…for Romance: Ruth Wind or Marjorie Liu. Fantasy: Jacqueline Carey. SF: Neal Stephenson. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Stephen King. Anne McCaffrey. Christine Feehan. Elizabeth Lowell. Neil Gaiman. Jane Austen. Dean Koontz. The list is endless.
What’s your favourite genre to read?
I tend to stay with romance (contemporary or paranormal), fantasy and science fiction, but one of my top ten favourite books of all time is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Good fiction knows no genre.
Do you have any advice for other writers? 
Set a goal every day, whether it’s 100 words, five minutes or two hours, and stick to it. Do the goal you have committed to every day without fail. It will seem weird and awkward at first, that page will be very white and very blank, but the more you do it the easier it gets. And then before you know it, you have a working first draft.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? 
Good luck and keep the words going!

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Blog Tour: Roe Valentine

Blurb: 
Realist, Dr. Carla Harris, believes that people create their own fate, through hard work and careful planning. She believes in playing things safe. But, while preparing for her upcoming nuptials she’s forced to confront the most reckless thing she’s ever done, her estranged husband, Jacob.
Idealist Jacob Moreau believes in soul mates, as much as he believes in saving endangered companies. When his long lost wife reenters his life seeking a divorce, he is convinced more than ever they are meant to be together. And he will do—and lose—anything to have her again.
She thought she had her life planned to perfection. He thought they made perfect sense together. Would marrying Jacob be the craziest thing she’s ever done, or divorcing him?


You can add Almost Married to your to-read list on Goodreads

Title: Almost Married
Author: Roe Valentine
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 27 January 2013

About the Author:
Roe Valentine was born into the right family. Not only does the name Valentine suit her, but her grandmother, unknowingly, introduced the young Ms. Valentine to her first romance novel. She hasn’t read anything else since. She calls herself a romantic at heart and believes that love conquerors all.

The San Antonio native, who now lives in Houston, attempted to write her first contemporary romance novel when she was nineteen years old. That attempt didn’t take, but her story has a happy ending. She kept pursuing the dream until she landed her first publishing contract. Almost Married is her debut novel.

When not busy writing or reading love stories, Roe can often be found in a yoga class or chatting with friends at her favorite coffee shop. Enjoying margaritas with some girl-talk isn’t unusual for her either. For a night in, she watches reruns of her favorite TV shows and, of course, romantic comedies on her Roku, usually with a glass of wine.

Roe Valentine also LOVES talking to readers. You can contact her in the following ways:
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Website
- Email - info@roevalentine.com

Interview

What have you had published?
ALMOST MARRIED is my debut, but I have a second book coming out this year. It’s a 1920 historical romance called LOVE EASY.

What genre(s) of book do you write?
Contemporary romance, historical romance, erotic romance

What inspired you to write your first book?
I wrote my first contemporary romance when I was 19. I was inspired after I read this Harlequin Superromance called Too Many Bosses. While I loved reading historical romances, there was something about the contemporary setting that made me feel like I could be a heroine in a romance novel. So, I just cooked up a story that was rejected all over the place, and for good reason!

How long did it take you to write “Almost Married”?
Well, I don’t like to say this because I could get slapped, but it took me three whole weeks to write ALMOST MARRIED—it was called LEFT TO FOREVER back then. I haven’t been able to repeat that zeal again so far, so it still surprises me how fast I wrote it.

What is the working title of your next book(s)?
LOVE EASY will be published this year with the Wild Rose Press

Current titles for my next books are –
LOVE HARD
DEVIANT HEIRESS (book one of a trilolgy)

When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing when I was a kid, maybe 6 or so. I think I wrote to escape.

Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?
So far I am going the traditional publishing route. If I indie publish, it will be years down the line.

What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
Getting and stopping the momentum. Some days the words just don’t come out. Other days I can’t stop writing, but I have to because of other responsibilities.

What do you do in your spare time?
Usually go to Yoga, read at my favourite coffee shop, or have wine/margaritas with friends. I also like binge watching episodes of various shows. Right now I’m watching Dracula, Frasier (Daphne/Niles romance is one of my favourite), and any documentary/show about the Tudor Dynasty.

Who is your favourite author?
I have too many. Currently, I really like Sylvia Day.

What’s your favourite genre to read?
Romance of course!

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep writing.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for your time! I appreciate you having me on your blog.


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