Award-winning author

Hi Kinzie! I’m delighted you’re visiting here today. Tell us a bit about your alter-ego, Kinzie Monroe, and what makes her tick?

Kinzie was born at the suggestion of one of my publishers because we didn’t want someone to pick up one of inspirational romances expecting mystery and suspense and be disappointed. At first I wasn’t too receptive to the idea but the more I thought about it I sort of liked the idea of having a split personality :-).

I love the premise of your new book, No Greater Love. It sounds like a wonderful inspirational story filled with emotion (the kind I enjoy reading), faith, and love. Please tell us about this book.

No Greater Love has many facets to it, and each one plays a vital role it the way the book comes together as a whole. It has romance, drama, salvation, and sacrifice. It gives a whole new meaning to what it means to lay down one’s life for a friend. Here’s the blurb: Attorney Kirby Shelton has met a lot of wackos in her life. But computer software queen, Leah Dalton, takes the prize. Leah, facing a losing battle with cancer, comes to Kirby with a plan to end her life on her terms. Leah invites Kirby and five of her closest friends to her estate, and offers to make one of them a multi-millionaire. All they have to do is kill her and make it look like an accident. Just as disturbing to Kirby are her growing feelings toward Leah’s ex-boyfriend, Jonas. Will one of Leah’s friends take her up on her offer? Will Kirby and Jonas’ love for one another survive the trials they face? Join Leah on an amazing journey that changes the lives of all those around her.

Your inspirational romance, Reservations for Two, has received awesome reviews. What do you do to celebrate when you get a new contract, fantastic review, or maybe meet a deadline?

I have a ritual I always do when I finish a book or sign a new contract. Go out and eat Chinese with a good friend. Boring, I know, but what can I say. I love Chinese and it helps keep me motivated.

I like your ritual - sounds like fun. Has being published changed you at all? If so, how?

Well, if you ask my friends, I’ve become more of a hermit. That’s only because I’ve had so many deadlines to meet this year. I have found I’m more motivated to keep writing though. And I’ve learned so much from some really great editors.

What advice would you give to a beginning writer?

Read a lot, write every day and never give up! Also, I have a little note on my refrigerator. I don’t know who the author is, but I have it memorized. ‘If you work hard dreams come true. Believe in yourself. Don’t let others make you doubt yourself or what you can do!’

I love your advice to believe in yourself and to never give up. It’s so true! Where can No Greater Love be purchased? And where can you be found on the web?

You can purchase the ebook here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/18418 or print here: https://www.createspace.com/3468867. You can also find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers or you can order it from your favorite bookstore. Book blurbs, sample chapters and buy links for all my books can be found on my website: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com. Kinzie, of course, has her own page there. And we have monthly giveaways. This month Anne is giving away an autographed copy of Lethal Dreams. Visit my News and Events page for details.

Thank you so much, Diane, for having me on your blog. You’re a wonderful friend and a very talented author.

You’re always welcome on my blog - I love having you tell about your awesome books. I’m glad we have some of the same publishers and appreciate our friendship.
Readers, enjoy Kinzie’s trailer for NO GREATER LOVE!

I’m happy to have Evie Alexis here visiting. I want to remind everyone if you leave a comment or have a question for Evie Alexis, your name will be entered in my blog contest. The winner gets to choose one book - either Killing Time, Retired and on the Rocks, Fire and Ash, or The Obsessive Compulsive Romance Novelist. The drawing will be on Friday, August 13th.

Hi Evie! Thanks for taking time for this interview! What inspired you to begin writing?

I’ve always loved to write, even at a young age. It proved a fun hobby. But I was very shy about my work. Teachers spoke highly about my work and always wanted me to share, which I did - reluctantly. It wasn’t until I began writing and posting some short stories for fun and generated some true buzz and interest in my stories that I began to think I could possibly do this professionally.

How did you and your husband meet? Did you fall for him first, or was it the other way around?

Yes, he fell for me first, LOL. My husband and I met at church in Sunday School. I was painfully shy about dating boys even at nineteen, and he was just shy, but not so shy that he didn’t approach me. After a four year courtship, which I’ve dubbed the “4 year plan”, we have been married for eleven years and have two beautiful boys.

That’s wonderful you met your husband at church in Sunday School. My husband proposed to me in church. That was a surprise! Tell three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

Have to really think about this one.
1) I am very clumsy. I once tripped over not one, but two chairs in a friend’s dorm room, did a pirouette in the air, and crash landed onto the industrial strength carpet. Had rug burn on my right arm and two legs for some time.
2) I am weaning myself from politics. It is a world marred by duplicity and extremism. It’s unfortunate though, because the politicians are the ones involved in the laws that affect our lives. If only they had the wisdom of Solomon.
3) I don’t know if this would surprise anyone, but I love the Lord with all my heart, my mind, my soul and strength. I’m never ashamed to admit it. It sneaks into my writing in some form, or is bold and blatant in the stories.

I’m glad you include your faith in your stories. Congratulations on your August release, And Café Con Leche. Why don’t you tell us about your newest release?

And Cafe Con Leche is a multicultural, YA novel that focus on the trials and tribulations of my latest heroine, Isabel Castillo. She has a mother that can make almost any and every teenage gal kiss their own, but as she comes to learn more about herself, her family and her peers, she begins to see how strong and independent she truly is - thanks to her impossibly strict parents.

And Cafe Con Leche sounds like a great book. Where can we purchase it as well as your other releases? And do you have a website we can visit?

And Cafe Con Leche is set for release for August 15. It will be available for purchase at eTreasures Publishing’s bookstore, as well as Amazon and other online ebook retailers. If you look me up under “Evie Alexis” you’ll see my books available at a number of places. As mentioned, Amazon, Fictionwise, and Class Act Books. I have an inspirational novel set for release, The Broken Road to Nowhere. That one will be available through Barnes&Noble and Borders.

Thanks for visiting here today, Evie! I enjoyed learning more about you and your writing! READERS, be sure to visit Evie’s website and blog to read her book excerpts.

DIANE: I’m thrilled to have Stephanie Burkhart here today. Be sure to follow Step on her blog tour to have a chance to win a copy of her book!

STEPH: I’d like to thank Diane for having me today so I can talk about my “sweet” military romance, Destination: Berlin.

DIANE: Before you tell about your new release, Destination: Berlin, please tell us a bit about yourself. I know everyone will be interested in learning more about you!

STEPH: I was born and raised in Manchester, NH with a hungry appetite for reading gothic romance, especially by Victoria Holt. I served in the Army for 11 years from 1986 to 1997 and spent 7 years in Germany. My time in Europe inspired two passions – my love of history and the paranormal. Currently, I live in California and work for LAPD as a 911 dispatcher.

DIANE: You certainly have an exciting background. I liked reading Victoria Holt’s books, too. Readers, enjoy learning about Stephanie’s military romance!

It’s July 1988, a year before the Fall of the Wall. Europe is still divided between East and West. The story opens with American Corporal Sharon Cates on the Berlin Duty Train. She’s in the dining car, too excited to sleep. So is Soviet Jr. Sgt. Dimitri Nagory. He approaches Sharon and strikes up a conversation. Despite Sharon’s apprehensions, she allows Dimitri to join her. They agree to be friends for the night.

Without warning a bomb goes off, blowing the duty train off the tracks. Both Sharon and Dimitri are sent hurling a safe distance away from the burning wreckage. Sharon’s ribs are bruised and Dimitri goes for help. Dimitri overhears two Stasi (East German Secret Police) talk about finding Corporal Cates. She has top secret government documents they want to recover from her dead body. Dimitri goes back to confront her about being a spy and a courier. Sharon denies his accusations, but discovers a secret panel in her briefcase and top secret documents belonging to her unit. Knowing there’s a chance he’d be punished instead of rewarded, Dimitri makes the decision to help Sharon to Berlin – 90 kilometers on foot!

The novel is “sweet” with Sharon and Dimitri sharing a kiss or two.

There’s also a “B” story. Sharon’s best friend, Sergeant Mary Bates, joins military investigators, Maxwell Lawton and Gregory Conk in proving Sharon’s innocence and catching the real spy.

Excerpt:

“But shouldn’t you turn me into your KGB?” she asked.

“I should. That’s what my training reaches me, but I won’t,” said Dimitri, quietly. He briefly looked away from her, so she couldn’t read his face. “I will see to it you make it to West Berlin so you can defend your innocence.”

“You’re going to help me, Junior Sergeant? I’m the enemy.”

“Yes, our armies are, but I recall we promised to be friends – at least for the evening.”

“We did, but—”

“If those codes fall into the hands of the Stasi, it will disrupt the balance of power our governments have strived so hard to maintain for the world’s safety. Corporal, we don’t have a choice. I’m not only protecting my life; I’m protecting yours as well. West Berlin is ninety kilometers away. Most of the traveling will be on foot. Can you do it?” he asked, holding out his hand. She took it and stood up.

“Ninety kilometers to West Berlin on foot? You’re kidding me.”

“No.”

“Why West Berlin?”

“West Berlin has an easier border to cross,” he explained.

“But what about you? Are you defecting? After all, I’d consider these actions traitorous,” she said.

“No. I intend to see you safely to West Berlin. Once you’re in the West then the Stasi will have no reason to kill me. I’ll get my life back,” he explained.

“What will happen to you?” she questioned.

“I have a good military record. I’ll be fine,” he replied, coolly.

“I should go to the American train commander,” Sharon said. Ninety kilometers to Berlin was too far in her condition.

“If you make it to him,” Dimitri said. He crossed his arms. “The Stasi stand between us and them right now.”

Sharon frowned. She felt like she had to accept his help or become target practice for the Stasi. Damn it. “Let’s go.” She removed her pumps and slammed off the heels against a rock. Then she laughed. “They would make great souvenirs for Mary.”

“Mary?”

“I’ll explain later,” she added.

~~~~

Here’s a link to Destination: Berlin’s Book Trailer on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuav1ZTlWOA

Destination: Berlin is a Print book only. Here’s where you can buy it: Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Destination-Berlin-S-Cardin/dp/0595164196/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277131006&sr=8-3

Barnes and Noble:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Destination/S-G-Cardin/e/9780595164196/?itm=1&USRI=Destination%3a+Berlin

IUniverse: http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000008175

Goodie Time: Post a comment. I’ll pick two lucky winners out of a hat to receive an autographed postcard of the cover. Follow me on my blog tour and earn a chance to win an autographed copy of Destination: Berlin. To find out the dates on the blog tour visit my blog, “Romance Under the Moonlight.”

Visit me at: SG Cardin/Stephanie Burkhart Online http://sgcardin.tripod.com

Romance Under the Moonlight
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

BERLIN

I’m happy to have P.I. Barrington here visiting! She’s a fellow Desert Breeze author. She’s a fun and talented woman, and I know you’ll enjoy learning more about her!

What inspired you to begin writing?

Actually, like most authors I’ve always written—it’s like an uncontrollable urge. But I always ran away from it. I only cared about music—working in it, around it and I directed all my energies toward that. Once I’d achieved my childhood dream of meeting Paul (and Linda) McCartney, it all kind of went downhill from there, lol! They were very gracious and kind to me. When I left entertainment, I had all this time and my family kept nagging me to write something. I thought, well, you know let me see if I still have it. I guess I still have a little of that ability.

I’m glad you listened to your nagging family.
Do you outline, “wing it,” or something in between?

Mostly I wing it. I generally know the ending or the last line of the book; then I kind of gear everything toward that. I don’t outline or do index cards or even use software. I’ve tried all of it without success. I really love filling out character worksheets but unfortunately I always forget that I’ve done them or my characters develop differently and always better than what I’ve tried to chart out. Authors call it “trusting the process” and I’ve had screenwriters tell me to create the crime and then “work backwards”. But my interpretation of that is that you don’t really work backwards from the end—you go back to the beginning and create forward toward the end or the crime or whatever. It’s not like that Seinfeld episode about the wedding ceremony in India where every scene is titled “two hours before” “Three days before” and each scene shows the characters earlier and how they got into each scene afterward. I don’t do that; I get the last line and then go back to the beginning and let the plot/characterization work itself forward toward the end.

That’s interesting how you approach writing your stories. Tell us about your latest published title. Where can readers buy this book?

It’s titled Book Two Future Imperfect: Miraculous Deception and it picks up almost immediately after Book One, Crucifying Angel. It’s got more betrayal and intrigue and a surprise or two that affect the main characters, Payce and Gavin in major ways. Readers can get it through the Desert Breeze Publishing website; and barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com, and Sony e-bookstore online. There will be more outlets they can order through soon!

How do you go about developing your characters?

I love telling this to people: I once heard Carol Burnett describe how she got into all those funny characters on her variety show (back in the 1960s/70s) and she said that unlike other actors who get into a character from the inside out, she did the opposite! She said she had to see what the character looked like and then she developed the character’s personality. I usually do the same, only as a creator/author. Many times I’ll have an image in my head but most of the time, I’ll find a photo of someone—actor or not—that embodies the character for me and I develop them from that. I have one character now (in another project) that when I saw the picture I almost cried. I’ve never ever had a picture that was identical to the character in my head and I can’t tell you how that still blows me away whenever I look at it! I was hysterical when I crashed my computer and thought I’d lost it forever! I can’t find it anywhere online again and it has no title, no credit, nothing. But I retrieved it thank God!

What books do you read to relax?

I have not had half a second to read anything for months now. I had to stop reviewing books for Thomas Nelson publishing because I just didn’t have the time. As for what I like to read? Don’t laugh because this is completely incongruous to what I write (near-future crime thriller romances)—but I love historicals—ancient civilization historicals especially. They don’t have to be romances. I am a complete closet ancient history buff. I’m still trying to finish Colleen McCullough’s The October Horse the final book in her Rome series—after five years, lol!

I can see why you stopped reviewing books. It’s so time-consuming.
What movie did you last see in the theatre? Did you like it? What snacks did you have?

Wow, let me see. Um, G.I. Joe. I have to be honest here I was very disappointed in it. I thought they could have done a lot better than just pandering to mindless special effects action. And, I love special effects! It just didn’t do it for me. As for snacks? Popcorn is my weakness. So it’s a Coke and popcorn for me. Sometimes I’ll get candy but I’m a sucker for salty carbohydrates! And Coke—my sister constantly asks me why I don’t just hook up an IV drip from the can to my arm, LOL!

I like salty food too. And Coke! Where can you be found on the web?

I share a website with my sister Loni Emmert, another author at http://thewordmistresses.com and anyone can contact us via this email: wordmistresses@yahoo.com. We love to hear from readers!
Thanks so much Diane for allowing me to share this with you and everyone!

Thank you for joining me today, P.I. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better and hearing about your writing and new release! Readers, be sure to check out P.I.’s books and read the blurb here of her newest release!

BUYING LINKS: Click here to buy from Desert Breeze Publishing!

BLURB OF MIRACULOUS DECEPTION!
Payce Halligan is nearly dead — comatose, at the least — when she disappears from her hospital room with no clue where she’s gone. Even as he searches for his missing partner, Gavin McAllister must deal with a new, ‘temporary’ and hostile partner and rival for Payce, a seductive journalist, and the return of the deadly cult The New Creation.

Please join me in welcoming author, Shawna Williams. She’s a fellow Desert Breeze author. Don’t forget to leave Shawna a comment so that you’ll be entered in my contest this week. Comments left on any post this week will be included. The winner gets Shawna’s brand new release, No Other, hot off the presses. Also Shawna’s going to give a pair of freshwater pearl earrings for the winner of the e-book. The drawing will be Saturday morning.

Thank you for joining me today, Shawna!

To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your book No Other?

Sure Diane. No Other is a 20th Century Historical, Inspirational Romance. It’s set in a coastal Texas town during 1947, a couple of years after WWII. I really enjoyed writing a story set in this time period because, instead of focusing on how the nation recovered in broad terms, I was able to focus on how individuals set about recovering emotionally from such an event.

Jakob is trying to resume life and deal with his anger over the events of the past five years. His parents are German immigrants who were interned at a camp known as Crystal City during the war. As an American born child he feels betrayed and angry, not just at his community, but at himself because of an incident that he was involved in which he feels may have contributed to their arrest.

Jakob was forced to quit school in order to care for his younger sibling during the war. With the war ended and life beginning to settle, he decides to go back to school and get his diploma so he can move on to bigger and better dreams. It’s immediately awkward though because one of his teachers is a girl he previously went to high school with.

Meri comes from an affluent and socially elite family. She’s a dutiful daughter but also conflicted. On the one hand she desperately wants her parents approval — that’s the only time they offer her their love — on the other hand, she wants to be free of the control they exert over her life.

As friendship blooms and feelings develop Meri begins to understand what real love is supposed to be, and Jakob, seeing the pain her family has caused her, wants to shelter her from more. Of course, the first big obstacle is that because of the nature of their situation (her being his teacher) any type of romantic relationship is unethical, and then there’s also the social issues to consider. Meri and Jakob decide to pursue a secret romance, in which lies lead them to trouble in more ways than one. And I’ll leave the rest as a mystery.

Where would you say that you get your most creative ideas?

This particular story was originally inspired by a dream. It’s morphed quite a bit over the years. I take a lot of inspiration though from things I see in life. I have a story coming in December that was inspired by my Grandfather, who grew up as an orphan during the Great Depression. The story isn’t about him, but the idea definitely came to me because of him.

I love hearing stories about memorable moments in people’s lives, and how they met. Sometimes I just take that and run. Old photos are great. I could muse over those all day, and abandoned houses are the best. I take pictures of the worst of them, knowing they won’t be there for long. I mean, think about it, human hands built those houses. Families raised children, celebrated Christmases. I always wonder about the memories created inside. It makes me sad to see a place like that as a ruin, so I want to always have something that shows it existed. I guess I’m just way too nostalgic.

That’s fascinating how you get your story ideas. And after reading No Other, I don’t think you are way too nostalgic. Okay, say you have this great idea for a book, what do you do next? How much plotting do you do?

I have to ponder on an idea for awhile. Usually then I can write a general summary, like a really loose synopsis. After that I have to start giving my characters a lot of thought, and letting them develop in my mind. That’s when I write out character sketches. For me this isn’t about how they look and what they do. It’s more of an emotional sketch. It will include a lot of history that never makes it into the book because so much of who we are is framed by our experiences, so why should it be any different for a fictional character.

Once I’ve done that I start writing. This is when I allow myself to go with the flow. All kinds of unexpected things insert themselves into a story at this point, and as long as I keep in mind where my ultimate goal is, and the scene somehow advances me toward that goal, then I’m good.

Has being published changed you at all? If so, how?

Well, this is just my first book, but I do have contracts for two more. I know I’m busier, and I don’t get out as much as my family would like for me too, so I’m struggling at finding that balance. Deadlines freak me out, so I’m a little more high stung than I used to be. As a person though, I really hope not! I’m just me, and that’s all I hope to be. Though ‘me’ could use a bit of improvement in some areas. I think I just contradicted myself.

How did you and your husband meet? Did you fall for him first, or was it the other way around?

Oh…he’s gonna kill me for answering this one! He hates this story, but I think it’s funny. We met at a Bible study in college, and he actually, to this day, doesn’t remember me. I usually went to a different Wednesday night study group, but I was looking for a smaller one because I wanted something a little more personal, and my friend invited me to hers. I remember when I saw him I thought he was really good-looking – very nice eyes! Well, he was new to the study group too, so afterwards he said he wanted to meet new people and invited me and my friend (who was long-legged and strikingly gorgeous) to get ice cream at Larry’s Better Burger. Anyone who lived in Abilene, TX in the 80s or 90s knows the place. Best homemade ice cream! YUM!

Of course, me — thinking he was very cute – was thrilled. So off we went and he and my friend talked the whole time, didn’t even seem to know I was there. I conceded defeat and slinked away at the first opportunity. About three months later he asked me out. We had gotten to know each other some over the weeks, but it took me by surprise because I figured he had absolutely no interest. We hit it off pretty quick though, and six days later he told me he loved me. That freaked me out, but I eventually came around.

Fast forward about five years into our marriage. One night, we were reminiscing about our first date, and I reminded him that it wasn’t the first time he asked me out. Then I said, “Remember the ice cream, with “gorgeous friend” whom you took on a date or two afterwards?” He got this wide-eyed frightened look and said, “That was you! I just remember that someone else was there.” He felt so bad, poor guy.

So yes, I have lots of fun with this story, but it’s okay. Pretty and sweet as my friend was, she could only hold his attention for one or two dates, but I’ve held it for over eighteen years now.

I love the story of how you and your husband met! Where can we purchase your book? Where can readers find you on the internet?

All Desert Breeze Publishing books are sold through Amazon Kindle, Books on Board, Allromance ebooks, and the DBP storefront. If they aren’t already, then very soon they’ll also be available through Barnes and Noble ebooks, which I believe includes Fictionwise, and also the Sony Reader Store, which is what Borders sales ebooks through.

My personal website is
http://shawnakwilliams.com/
and my blog is
http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/
People always want to know why the word “oldsmobile” is in my blog. The name of my blog is My Father’s Oldsmobile, and it’s named after another true, self deprecating story about a time when several friends and I got into a ridiculous discussion about, “If you were a car, what type would you be?” We couldn’t pick it ourselves. The story’s on my blog. It’s funny.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

This question always stumps me. Um…I guess I could tell you that I love dogs, and most other animals too, but especially dogs. I design jewelry, and I have a fascination with history and geology. Volcanoes are sooo cool! I know quite a bit about the geological processes taking place within the earth, so never ask me about folding, rifts, subduction zones, crystal formations, or to explain the difference between a shield volcano and a composite volcano, because I won’t shut up. Likewise, unless you really want to know, don’t ask me about Minoan civilization, Ancient Egypt, The Greek or Roman Empire, or WWII. I know, I skipped a few years in between there.

I homeschool three kids, so by the time the youngest graduates I figure I will have earned four high school diplomas, including my own. I can also be really sarcastic at times. I keep it in check though until people know me.

For the month of May I’m running a contest with three prizes – a Good one, a Great one, and a Grand one. You can enter multiple times, the details are here. http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/p/no-other-prize-drawing-details.html

Anyone leaving a comment on Diane’s blog for my interview gets one entry (please leave your email. I promise these will all be destroyed after the drawing) And, if you can answer this question you get another entry.

“What happened when Ruth surprised Jakob by walking into his room?”

The answer can be found in the first chapter, viewable on my blog, here. http://noother-shawnawilliams.blogspot.com/

Or through Freado, where you can also read the first four chapters. http://www.freado.com/read/6928/no-other-by-shawna-k-williams
Or through the free sample available as a Kindle download.
http://www.amazon.com/No-Other-ebook/dp/B003K15MY0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1272736275&sr=1-1

I’m impressed that you homeschool plus write. Thank you for joining me today, Shawna. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better and hearing about your wonderful book.

BUYING LINKS: Click here to buy from Desert Breeze Publishing! For Amazon Kindle, click here! Later this week, I’ll post my book review of No Other plus there are reviews on the Amazon Book Page to read.