Bestselling Romantic Suspense Author H.C. Brown

Australia’s H.C. Brown’s aunts traced their family lines to William D' Ansie a French (Norman) knight who rode with William The Conqueror. Never one to shy away from inspiration, “Betrothed to the Enemy,” the story of a young Saxon woman forced into marriage with a Norman knight, became H.C.’s debut ebook in the United States. Published now in the U.S., South Africa, Australia, and the U.K., the author’s popularity continues to grow. So much so, she created her own Yahoo.com chat group solely for her fans. 

Not content in any one romantic subgenre, H.C.’s work includes murder mystery, historical, contemporary, science fiction, paranormal…wherever her mind takes her. “Murder by Design” was a novel that placed in a contest and was quickly contracted by Pocketbooks Australia. Her ‘Purr-fect’ erotic paranormal romance series with a historical ambiance captured readers’ attention around the world. 

This prolific grandmother holds a degree from Oxford, taught physics, chemistry, English Literature and History, is an international all breeds cat judge, and an all breeds tutor judge with the Australian Cat Federation. Forty years ago she married an Aussie surfer she had known for a mere three weeks. Their journey through life together is as exciting today as it was that first day on the beach. 

H.C. isn’t content unless she’s writing. To date, she has had twenty-four books published. This year alone she has seen “A Tryst of Fate” and “Lord and Master” published in ebook format. “Sea Games,” an erotic contemporary romance with a twist, is due out Oct 8^th, “Hurt Me Good” (MM BDSM) Nov 5, “Night Games” Dec 17^th, “Jungle Games” Feb 11 2013. “Dragonfae: The Soul Catcher,” the author’s return to her love of romantic paranormal stories, hits the Internet bookshelves Feb 18 2013. And, of course, she has five projects nearing completion as well as a joint erotic series actively in the works with another author. That doesn’t include the completed seven volume novel-length YA warlock fantasy series waiting for H.C. to revise and submit to agents and publishers. 

Good grief. The woman wears me out just talking to her.

http://www.hcbrown-author.com/ 

Q) Where did this insatiable need to write come from? 

A) I have often wondered this myself.  As a child, my mother used to tell me stories all the time.  She would write me little stories and sign them “from Fairy Blue Eyes”.  I think my bend toward fantasy came from those early years. I had a gift for writing from an early age and won a scholarship at the age of ten to a prominent English Girls School. There I immersed myself in literature and today I still read four to six books a month. 

Q) Okay. Why haven’t you borrowed from your own romantic interlude with a surfer and written that story? We would love to read it. 

A) Romantic interlude? He swept me off my feet —literally. The surf here is dangerous. The rips can drag a person out to sea in a foot of water. I had arrived in Australia a month previously and had no idea of the dangers. A wave knocked me over and I slid between his legs. A bronzed muscular arm wrapped around my waist.  I looked up into his dark blue eyes and hoped he didn’t have a “sold” sign hanging around his neck. I guess writing about this happening to someone else would ruin the memory. Actually, my husband is in many of my stories. Not as a character per say but I instill his attitude and respect toward women in my heroes. 

Q) You were born in England, but moved to Australia. What prompted that decision? 

A) I lived in London. I loved the history but hated the cold and the constant gray sky. I had family in Australia and in Queensland, the sun shines seven out of ten days. The opportunities for a career were outstanding. 

Q) You stay so busy, how do you and your husband keep your own romance smoldering? 

A) We are together 24/7.  He is an artist and specializes in outback Australian scenes mostly the red center. He paints and I write. We live close to the beach and you can usually find us walking hand in hand most mornings. Our romance has never faltered and we’ve lived through some crazy times. I look at him all the time and think I am the luckiest woman in the world to have him. 

Q) What caused you to actually sit down and write a story, then offer it for publication? 

A) At first, I wrote the warlock series for my children with no intention to publish. Publication came to me with Murder by Design as you mentioned earlier.  Readers enjoyed my story and wanted more. I take great pleasure in writing; it is like breathing to me now—an essential part of my life. 

Q) Any parting thoughts for your readers and those yet to be introduced to your work? 

A) For my readers: I value every one of you. Your emails and support are food for my Muse. To those who haven’t read my work: If you like strong yet gentle heroes and heart stopping romance, you will enjoy one of my stories.

DA Kentner is an author and journalist www.kevad.net

Overcoming Life’s Hurdles - 13yr old Rapper Lil JaXe

Jake Zeldin stutters. Unfortunately, some people view “different” as weakness, and Jake became a target for bullies. Sadly, the bullying wasn’t limited to his peer group. Teachers reportedly joined in with comments such as “I don't know what is more annoying, that voice or your stutter.” That was two years ago, and Jake Zeldin now stands on the brink of international fame. 

Jake discovered rap and a freedom not just of his mind, but from his stutter as well. When Jake picks up a microphone, he transforms to Lil JaXe, a talented rapper who has garnered the attention of the music industry and fans alike. Lil JaXe is set to headline the the Canadian Urban Music Conference Sept. 22nd (http://canadianurbanmusicconference.com/). He is also performing at Free the Children’s WE day (http://www.weday.com). His mission? To show others who have been bullied they are not alone. 

With over 1.5 million views of his YouTube video, Jake has also been featured alongside rappers Mos Def and Talib Kweli on Pacha’s Pajamas, a children’s hip-hop album about the environment released in July. This amazing young man is definitely someone to keep an eye on as he performs across the U.S. helping organizations combatting bullying and other concerns that affect us all.

www.LilJaXe.com 

I’m stepping aside now to allow my grandsons Kyle and Brennan Kentner to ask the questions. 

Q) How scared were you the first time you got up on stage? 

A) To be honest when I get up on stage it makes me feel whole. I can communicate like everyone else, it makes me feel confident and liberated. I feel like I was born to perform. 

Q) Do you still attend the same school where you were bullied by your teachers, or are you now privately tutored or home schooled? 

A) The first time I was bullied by a teacher was in Grade six. I no longer go to that school but I visit sometimes and I like to show him that it was actually him putting me down that actually motivated me to get to this point. I do attend a public school where I was bullied again last year however again every time I get pushed down it makes my drive to succeed stronger and stronger. 

Q) Do people treat you differently now that they know you have such a wonderful talent and have become so well-known? 

A) People are amazed by my ability and talent and allot of kids think it is cool that I meet tons of celebrities and get to hang out and rap for them. I still get teased sometimes by people who don't believe. 

Q) Are you a free-style rapper, or do you write your own raps? 

A) I do both. I love to free style and think of things on the spot and it allows me to communicate easily and say things that I want to say without any problems. I also love to free style because it really shocks people to hear the difference from my normal talking.
I have been writing my own songs now for three years. I get my inspiration from things that happen around me and things that I go through. I have written five songs now and I hope to continue. 

Q) How old were you when you figured out rapping was the easiest way of communicating? 

A) I went to summer camp when I was 10, and was asked to join a rap battle.
They gave me a word and I was to create a rap around it. I could not believe that I was ever able to do that without stuttering. From that time on, I never stopped and I never want to stop! 

Q) Do you plan on staying solo, or do you have a goal to merge your talents with other rappers and form a rap band (such as the Wu-Tang Clan or the more "old school" Run DMC)?

My goal is to be solo and to continue to rap and write incredible inspirational songs and to do features for other artists. 

Q) Do you only use rap to entertain, or do you ever "rap" to communicate with friends and family? (i.e. Just normal dinner conversation) 

A) I mainly use rap to entertain. I wish it was that easy to incorporate it with my every day speaking but it is hard to always find things that rhyme. I did recently incorporate the rap into my presentations in school and it is definitely allot easier for me to present in front of large groups when I am rapping.

Kyle and Brennan are the grandsons of author DA Kentner www.kevad.net

 

Historian, Author, and Journalist St. Sukie de la Croix

St. Sukie de la Croix is an internationally published journalist, columnist, fiction author, playwright and photographer. Besides having written dozens of short stories and poems for anthologies and magazines, Mr. de la Croix has seen his dance plays “A White Light in God’s Choir” and “Two Weeks in a Bus Shelter with an Iguana” take life on stage. Teaming up author Rick R. Reed, the prolific duo produced the novel “Ambrose and the Waif,” a compelling story of madness, greed, love, and murder revealed through a series of letters. 

Born in Britain, Sukie became a recognized journalist writing articles for underground and alternative presses. After he moved to the U.S., his frank, outspoken viewpoint of the world around him, as well as his photographic skills, landed his work in numerous periodicals, including a ten week historical series in the Chicago Tribune. 

Sukie’s love and passion for history began his ten year journey into Chicago’s past, culminating in the book “Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall.” Obviously, in order to track events that began in the 1670s, Sukie spent hours on end researching archives, studying photographs and artwork, and piecing together long silenced voices to reestablish a forgotten and many times suppressed evolution of LGBT history in the Windy City. From civil war vice dens to Jane Addams (founder of Hull House) to artists and authors to playwright Lorraine Hansberry (“Raisin in the Sun”), Sukie examined every pebble he could find that might reveal a grain of fact. But, true to his character, Sukie spent as much time on the street, tape recorder in hand, interviewing people and capturing their stories and lives for posterity. Whatever event Chicago could produce, Sukie was there. 

On Rick R. Reed’s recommendation, I purchased a copy of “Chicago Whispers.” What I found was much more than the “abc” style documentation readers sometimes find in history books. Sukie has a voice, a very powerful and distinctive voice, that not only resonates with the reader but lingers in our minds like a trusted friend sharing his time and experiences, encouraging us to ponder the past’s defeats and victories, and accept that history is a signpost to tomorrow.

“Chicago Whispers” is indeed a book that ends with the reader’s beginning.

http://chicagowhispers.com/ 

Q) I am in awe at the diligence required to bring this story to life. What compelled you to begin your decade long journey that became “Chicago Whispers”? 

A) When I visited a gay bookstore and was told there was no book about the history of  the LGBT community in Chicago, I decided to write one myself. Having said that, it's easy to start writing a book, but finishing a book is something else entirely. The most common observation I've received from readers is about my attention to detail, and that came from a blind stubbornness to "get it right." I'm very aware that the lives of LGBT's who have gone before me should be treated with respect, and therefore I tried to keep my own analysis and opinions out of it and let the documents from the period speak for themselves. I've stayed very close to my sources. 

Q) Chicago is notorious for its “that’s Chicago” attitude of social and political surrender. How did you manage to burrow through that barrier? 

A) Corruption has been, and still is, rife in Chicago. It's a part of the city's make up and is what makes it so fascinating. I interviewed 70-year old drag queens who talked about working for the mob with all the ease of a current 20 year old saying they're a barista at Starbucks. I was also shocked by the extent of police corruption and I tried to find something positive to write about them, but the truth is they were vile, as were the politicians, the lawyers, the judges, and organized crime. LGBT's were just a cash cow to them. 

Q) You went beyond the obvious, digging deep into political figures, celebrities, and all races and genders. What was the greatest difficulty you had in piecing together Chicago’s LGBT past? 

A) I tried to keep the chapters in some sort of timeline, but certain people and issues overlapped into different chapters and periods in time. After much gnashing of teeth and pulling my hair out, I decided to just keep writing and worry about chapters later. In the end it all fell into place on its own. I focused on one issue, one person, at a time, and researched until the well was dry. Uncovering gay history is more detective work than anything else, so I waxed my mustache and used my "little grey cells" like Hercule Poirot. 

Q) It is a bit ironic that a ‘Brit’ did what no one else had. Do you believe your foreign roots helped or hindered your efforts? 

A) History books are written by people who weren't there. American authors write about European history all the time, and vice versa. Books about the American Civil War and the Roman Empire are written by people who weren't there. Helped or hindered? Never thought much about it until reporters started bringing it up. I do think the accent helped me in gaining access to some libraries that required a membership card I didn't have.  

Q) “Chicago Whispers” doesn’t end on a contemporary note. How soon can we look forward to the next installment? Yes, we want one. 

A) I've written the sequel, which is now with my publisher, the University of Wisconsin Press. It covers the period June 1969 until June 1975 and documents the radical Gay Liberation Front and the making of a gay community in Chicago. I've also just completed a memoir of growing up a little sissy boy in Post World War II England, and I'm currently writing a novel about lesbians in 1924. After that I'm writing a book of essays. I'm busy.  

Q) Any parting comments for those who haven’t read your work yet?  

A) My mission in writing Chicago Whispers was partly to reclaim the contributions made by LGBT's to the culture of a great American city. The words to "America the Beautiful" were written by a lesbian after she visited Chicago, Katherine Lee Bates. That song belongs to us, and it's a lesbian song. Let's take it back. I also wanted to document the lives of a wondrously diverse group of people whose only common bond was their sexuality, but who somehow carved a niche for themselves in a society that rejected them. And I also wanted to retrace the path of those who set out on the long road to our liberation.

DA Kentner is an author and journalist www.kevad.net

Sh*tty Moms Kilmartin, Moline, Ybarbo, & Zoellner

Four ladies decided to write the book on being a sh*tty mom. Literally.

Potential readers may find the title inappropriate, but that’s only because they haven’t opened the jacket to discover our own complicit involvement in providing literary fodder for the creative process. Basically, that means the authors, social peeping Thomasinas that they are, wrote the book “Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us” about their observations of everyday parenting, branding our foibles and unexpected child-rearing victories with their unique sense of humor, and are now selling those observations back to us. And, yes, that’s a very good thing. 

From the authors’ bios: 

Laurie Kilmartin is an Emmy-nominated writer for CONAN on TBS, and, as a stand-up comedian, has appeared on CONAN, Last Comic Standing, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Comedy Central. She lives in Los Angeles with her son. 

Karen Moline is a journalist and author who has written more than two dozen nonfiction books, as well as two novels. Karen and her son live in New York City.

Alicia Ybarbo is a four-time Emmy award–winning producer. She has worked on NBC’s TODAY show since 2000. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children. 

Mary Ann Zoellner is a three-time Emmy award–winning producer whom has worked at NBC news for 16 years. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters. 

With topical topics such as ‘Your Children Want to Ruin You,’ ‘It’s Come to Your Attention That Your Kid Is Merely Average,’ ‘Yes, the Babysitter Is Judging You,’ ‘How to Get Rid of a Mom Who Wants to Stay Over During the Entire Playdate,’ ‘How to Drop Off Your Sick Kid at Daycare Before the Teacher Figures It Out,’ and, ‘He Wants Sex; You Want to Sew Your Legs Shut for Ten Years,’ there truly is an acceptable psychosis for each of us. 

This book is funny. So, here’s the warning label: Do not read while taste testing a latte’s temperature with an infant on your lap. Do read during a PTA meeting when Mrs. Perfect is extolling her child’s impact on the education system so you have something to blame your hyena laugh on. Do not read at your mother-in-law’s. No matter how you try to explain it, she’ll know you were laughing at her. Again.

http://shttymom.com/ 

“Hello, this is Laurie, I'm gonna respond for all of us if that's ok.” 

Q) How did the four of you not just decide to write together, but to write this book? 

A) MaryAnn, Alicia and Karen came up with the premise, Sh*tty Mom. They wanted a parenting book that was funny and also a response to what seems like one new book a month that terrifies moms into thinking they are doing everything wrong. As a standup, that's exactly how I treat motherhood onstage, so right away, we were on the same page. 

Q) The obvious question; How were the individual topics selected for full frontal assault? 

A) I just took an inventory of my life and notice that I hid a lot of my parenting tricks from people, because they sounded wrong. Anytime I felt like, "I hope no one finds out I do this," I turned it into a chapter. 

That's basically what the book is. So, yes, I do leave my son's breakfast out the night before so I can sleep in on Saturdays. Yes, I have no idea if he was a good sleeper as an infant because as soon as I'd put him down, I'd drown out any noise with an industrial-strength fan. Yes, I barricaded him in his room once so I could get through a conference call without anyone knowing I was working from home with a sick toddler. And I still carry the shame of being yelled at by a naked woman for bringing my 4 year old son into the women's room at the Hollywood YMCA. 

Q) I'm feeling obvious. Any plans for another joint venture? 

A) We all have kids to put through college, we'll do anything. 

Q) The four of you are professionals, each carving your own deserved place in the entertainment industry. Briefly, please describe the give and take process required to pen this book without the use of scorpions hidden in napkins and jalapeno laced sour cream. 

A) Before we sold the idea, Mary Ann, Alicia and Karen had some thoughts, and I ran with them. After we sold the book, I sequestered myself in Los Angeles and cranked it out in about 5 months. At least half of Sh*tty Mom was written on weekends, at a McDonalds in Burbank, while my kid was in the Play Place.  (At this point, there's nothing I can't tune out.) Since we four are of like mind, they left me alone to put it all together. It helped that we were on different coasts. None of the three New Yorkers wanted to talk to me at 11 PM Eastern, and I was too bitchy to converse with at 6 AM Pacific. 

Q) While this question is cliché, the emotions involved never are. Humor aside, what is the one attribute you possess that you hope to pass on to your own children? 

A) Just looking at the world economy, I think we all hope our kids grow into adults who are able to forage for food and sew their own clothes. 

Q) Any parting thoughts for potential readers? 

A) You're a better mom than you think you are, and your neighbor is worse.

DA Kentner is an author and journalist www.kevad.net

NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Alexandra Ivy/Deborah Raleigh

Regency Historical fans may already be familiar with the very talented author Deborah Raleigh – also known as Alexandra Ivy – and her nearly forty published books. In fact, Alexandra Ivy’s “Immortal Rogues” series was originally released under Deborah’s name. However, we readers being who we are and known for our loyalty to specific genres and the authors in those genres, the decision was made for Alexandra Ivy and her fascination with dark, dangerous paranormal heroes to step into the limelight. And what a step it’s been. 

Melding the traditional dark side of vampires and shape shifters with heart thumping romantic suspense, Alexandra’s novels quickly garnered readers’ attention, propelling Alexandra to the bestseller lists. Still, the author’s interest in heroes frequently darting back and forth between chivalry and less than honorable intent isn’t new. In “The Merry Cupids,” part of the “Valentine Rogues” anthology, readers were introduced to the questionable reputation of Mr. Guy Ravendell. Similar characters made appearances in other anthologies such as “One Night with A Rogue” until Alexandra surrendered to a shadow demanding his story be told. The result was “My Lord Vampire,” a regency romance invaded by the commanding presence of vampire Gideon Ravel. It turned out that Gideon had a lot of friends waiting in the darkness. The “Guardians of Eternity” series was born. 

Book 1, “When Darkness Comes,” established what would become an honor roll of seductively dangerous paranormal men sworn to risk their souls in the protection of women standing their ground between good and evil. “Fear the Darkness,” the ninth offering, holds true to its predecessors’ intrigue, romance, and edgy plots. Cassie is a rare and delicate werewolf that threatens the darkness. Caine is a Were in need of redemption. The attraction is smoldering and rife with danger, both from each other, and an evil chaos threatening the world. 

Grab a copy of “Fear the Darkness,” hold onto your seats, and make sure there’s plenty of ice in the freezer. The summer’s about to get even hotter. I should mention that for those who enjoy a little humor in their paranormal, the anthology “The Real Werewives of Vampire County” came out last November.

http://www.alexandraivy.com/ 

Q) You’re married with two sons. How do your boys feel about Mom and her dark, romantic heroes? 

A) They’ve always been very supportive of my writing career despite getting teased by their friends.  It’s not every teenager who goes to a party and has to listen to the love scenes his mother wrote being read out loud J  Thankfully, now that they’re older, they can appreciate the humor of having a mom who writes about sexy vampires.  They even enjoy telling people about my career. 

Q) While most regency fans relish a good rogue, the crossover to paranormal could have been risky for you. Why did you decide to make the leap? 

A) I fell in love with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”   It was such a unique blend of horror and romance and humor.   And of course, the characters were fascinating.  Suddenly a heroine didn’t have to be rescued by her hero.  She could save the world and still be a vulnerable female.   And the heroes (Angel and Spike) were as intensely alluring as any wonderful hero should be, but they were also complex characters with obvious flaws.

I wanted to create my own world where a clan of vampires was entrusted with protecting the humans against the creatures of darkness. 

Q) A Missourian with a degree in Speech Communication, educator, golfer, wife and mother, you also enjoy traveling. How have your European journeys influenced your writing? 

A) When I was writing historicals, nothing could replace actually visiting the locations of my stories.  A photograph or travel book can give details of a place, but a writer needs to see how the sun shimmers off a stained glass window, or smell the smoke from a peat fire.  I write contemporaries now, but most of my characters come from other countries and other times.  It’s been a great benefit to not only have researched the past, but to have walked the same streets as my vampires. 

Q) You once stated that your paranormal stories contain more danger than the regencies. Why hold back in either genre?  

A) My regency readers preferred the unfolding romance to be the center of the story.  That meant the plot had to be woven around the relationship rather than the adventure being the driving force of the book.  And by tradition regencies were “sweeter” than other romance stories.   The atmosphere was light and fun. Paranormals tend to be edgier, bloodier, and sexier. 

Q) You opted to carry the paranormal stories into contemporary instead of leaving them in historical. What was behind that decision and do you have any plans to meld them in the future? 

A) When the idea for the Guardians began to form I could vividly see them in modern day Chicago.   They were powerful and sexy and barely civilized.  I wanted the contrast of their savage natures in a time that’s considered “civilized”.   But one of the perks of writing immortal creatures is that I can set them in past when it fits the story.  I actually took one of the characters from my Immortal Rogue series that is set in Regency England, and put her in my current books.  It was exciting, as well as challenging, to take her from the past and weave her into my Guardian series.  She had tremendous vampire power in the past, but she truly came into her own as a woman in the newest story. 

Q) Any parting thoughts for your fans and new readers? 

A) I want to thank all of my readers!  They’ve been so incredibly supportive, not only reading the books, but sharing word of the stories to their friends.  Their loyalty has given me the encouragement to continue to expand my world.  Without them the Guardians of Eternity wouldn’t exist! 

I also wanted to mention I would be starting a new series in 2013 that will be called the Sentinels.  It’s separate from my Guardians, but it’s still a paranormal with humans who are born with ‘special’ powers and the warriors who protect them.  I hope my readers will enjoy them!!

DA Kentner is an author and journalist www.kevad.net

Author Cathy Lamb

Cathy Lamb is a married mother of three teenagers, including twins, who works late into the night, and believes chocolate is the ultimate remedy for pretty much everything except insomnia. Oh. She also writes stories. Really good stories. 

Holding a Master’s in Education, Cathy taught fourth grade in Oregon, until the twins she was carrying decided they wanted her full attention. Convinced her dream of a writing career would be found in romance novels, she devoted her efforts to amassing a noteworthy, and as yet unpublished, array of said novels. Then, she switched gears to pen a story based on an imaginary image that wouldn’t leave her alone. The image? A fluffy wedding dress thrown into a dead tree.

From Cathy’s questions of why was the dress there, what events had brought the owner to this point, and so forth, “Julia’s Chocolates” became Cathy’s debut novel. Readers flocked to characters alive with Cathy’s quick wit and down to earth charm. 

Since then, Cathy has seen six novels published as well as four anthologies with bestselling authors Lisa Jackson, Debbie Macomber and Fern Michaels.  

“The First Day of the Rest of My Life,” the story of a life coach who can’t field her own future, garnered national acclaim, again, largely in part to Cathy’s ability to inject a common sense humor into women struggling to accept and/or identify where their happiness lies. “The First Day” is a seriously good story and well worth any reader’s time. 

Now, Cathy’s next novel “A Different Kind of Normal” has just been released. A story of a mother and her son who society brands as abnormal, these characters are already warming readers’ hearts and reminding us all of the value of family.

Here’s a link for a sneak peek at chapter one:

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=20810&secid=83&linkon=subsection&linkid=2499

Sorry, you’ll have to buy the book for chapter two. Read one of Cathy Lamb’s marvelous books, and I’m sure you’ll be back for more.

http://www.cathylamb.net/ 

Q) I have to ask. What inspired the character Tate in “A Different Kind of Normal?” 

A) Tate was inspired by an article I read many years ago about a kid with a big head.  Tate’s story is not at all like this young man’s story, but I was impressed by his strength, courage and dignity.  Tate was also inspired by my son’s humor and wit, his love of basketball, and how he makes me laugh. 

Q) Now, you know, because we readers are enjoying your stories of family, friendships, and unpredictable tomorrows, is there a chance we’ll see some of your romance novels? 

A) The only romance stories you’ll ever see are in the anthologies already published, “Comfort and Joy” with Fern Michaels; “Almost Home” with Debbie Macomber; “Holiday Magic” with Fern Michaels; “Beach Season” with Lisa Jackson. 

My other romance stories are pure crap and embarrassing. I don’t even have them anymore. They were shredded years ago, lest someone find them one day and hold them against me for ransom. 

I love writing the short romance stories for the anthologies, above. There is room for the characters to have personalities, problems and issues, there is room for quirky minor characters, there is room for interesting careers and dreams, and there is room for happy endings.  

Q) Intentional or not, your trademark is poignant tales laced with humor that melds perfectly into the story. How do you manage to keep the proper balance between humor and tragedy without it appearing contrived? 

A) Ah, that’s a hard one. I bang my head against the keyboard many times as I write each book to make sure that I hit that sweet spot. I try to mirror life: Sometimes life is devastating. It’s hard, it’s trying, it’s exhausting, it’s so very painful. And, sometimes life is a glowing rainbow. It’s laughter, contentment, gratefulness, excitement, peace and joy, all wrapped up together. I blend the two for my books, so it’s realistic. 

My books always end on hope, though. That I will guarantee for every book I write: Hope.   

Q) In “The Last Time I was Me,” you introduce a bevy of women at a B&B and anger management classes who interact with the main character Jeanne, searching for her perfect version of life. These secondary characters are memorable. Will we see them again? 

A) No. Once I finish a book, despite my readers begging, I don’t plan on writing the second chapter, so to speak, of my characters’ lives. Sometimes readers will write to me and ask what happened to my characters, and I’ll tell ‘em so they can sleep at night, but I won’t be writing stories featuring the same groups again.  I feel like I’ve told their stories, the characters are living their own lives, they’re off and running, and I’m moving on to a new family that’s already frolicking around in my head. 

There is only one exception, a minor character, Cherie Poitras, a kick – butt divorce attorney who wears leopard prints and bang up high heels, has shown up in a couple of my stories.  

Q) Any parting thoughts for your readers and those not familiar with your stories yet? 

A) Please read them! And to my readers, thank you for reading them.  I mean that: Thank you.

I have many letters from readers telling me that my books make them laugh and cry. Sometimes they laugh and chortle and cry and sob on subways and airplanes and people stare at them strangely.  

So, I’ll tell ya this: I, too, laugh and cry over my books. If I’m writing them in Starbucks, I might cry there, too. I cried every time I edited Henry’s Sisters, and I laughed every time I edited Julia’s Chocolates when the ladies had their “Breast Power Psychic Night” scenes or their “Your Hormones and You: Taking Cover, Taking Charge Psychic Nights.”  

In “A Different Kind of Normal” I enjoyed writing about the family lore about witches in the ancestral line. I loved writing about the greenhouse and the herbs and spices and how Jaden Bruxelle could smell an upcoming death in them. I loved pretending that I lived in her 150 year old country home, surrounded by the same flowers her ancestors had grown. I loved writing about Tate, the big headed son, who taught everyone so much just by being himself and I loved writing about the soap opera star mother who was blunt and wild, but oh so dedicated to family, and I loved writing about Jaden and her work as a hospice nurse who saw miracles every day.

Basically, I love to write and tell stories. I always have, even when I was a kid.  I listen to my characters talk and sometimes I talk back.  I live in my imagination a lot. It’s an odd place to live.  

Thank you for writing to me at CathyLamb@frontier.com and visiting my website CathyLamb.net. I blog and I skype with book clubs all the time, so if you would like me to visit  your book club, I’m happy to.

DA Kentner is an author and journalist www.kevad.net

 

Debut Author Rosanna Chiofalo

Rosanna Chiofalo captured my full attention without having read a word of her book. What drew me to her was a line in her bio where she credited meeting and falling in love with her future husband to…jury duty. Oh yeah. How could I not want to know more? 

Rosanna’s parents emigrated from Sicily in the 1960s. Raised in Queens, NY, with its close-knit neighborhoods and lawn chair discussions of everything, she quickly developed a desire to write stories designed to shatter media promulgated stereotypes. In fact, this desire grew to passion and she obtained a BA in English specifically to pursue a career in writing. Having sharpened her pencils and honed her craft as a copywriter and copy director for several NYC publishing houses, Rosanna embarked on conceiving her first novel. 

“Bella Fortuna” is the story of a thirty-year-old Italian-American woman designing and sewing wedding dresses alongside her two sisters in their mother’s New York bridal shop. (How’s that for a series’ nucleus? We can only hope.) Valentina DeLuca has witnessed many marriages, but never her own. Then her childhood crush Michael Carello pops the question and Valentina’s dreams of marriage seem to be coming true, including a fantasy wedding in Venice. Naturally, life isn’t that simple or easy. To reach her happy ever after, Valentina will have to draw upon the strengths and ties that bind of family and friendship, as well as discover her own source of courage and raw determination. 

In the skillfully crafted Valentina, the author presents readers with a woman most of us would want for a best friend. Her warmth, vitality, and integrity shine over every bump and obstacle life can throw at her. This is a story sure to pull the reader into the love of family and the sights and senses of romance in Venice. 

Fortunately, Rosanna is hard at work on her next novel.

Oh! The jury duty? Rosanna’s future mother-in-law was on that jury too and decided the beautiful young Italian woman would make her son a fine wife. Thank God for meddling mothers.

“Bella Fortuna” will be released August 28^th, but is currently available for preorder.

http://www.rosannachiofalo.com/

http://www.Facebook.com/RosannaChiofaloAuthor  

Q) For the record – the jury duty story is true? And, will we see it in a book, because you know we readers want to now. 

A) Yes, the jury story is absolutely 100% true. I couldn't make that up even if I wanted to! Haven't thought about putting it in a book, but several people have expressed to me that it's the perfect plot to a movie or book so maybe I'll consider it! 

Q) Will we enjoy more stories with the bridal shop the center of activity? It’s a great working premise.

A) My second novel, WHEN YOU'RE IN ROME, is also set in the same town as BELLA FORTUNA--Astoria, New York. While a few of the secondary characters make an appearance in WHEN YOU'RE IN ROME, the leading characters are new. Olivia DeLuca, along with her daughters Connie and Rita, from BELLA FORTUNA do make an appearance in WHEN YOU'RE IN ROME. Connie actually becomes friendly with the young heroine in WHEN YOU'RE IN ROME. Readers will see the shop again, but not to the extent that it was featured in BELLA FORTUNA. 

Q) Because it is an important element to your characters, what do you believe you have infused in them to break down the walls of stereotype? 

A) I believe my characters have a strong moral fiber and are passionate about their relationships, especially where family and friends are concerned. They also have a deep pride and passion for their hard work.  

Q) Bless your heart, you included some wonderful recipes in your book and web site. Where did these delightful dishes come from, as I noticed one is called “Grandmother’s Cake”? 

A) "Grandmother's Cake" is actually the name for this dessert. Unfortunately, it is not a recipe passed down from one of my grandmothers. "Grandmother's Cake" is a popular dessert in Italy. I discovered it in a cookbook featuring Italian desserts, and when I went to Rome, I also had it in a restaurant there. A few of the other recipes, however, that are in the back of BELLA FORTUNA are from family members. "Fried Meatballs" is my mother's recipe. "Cinnamon Vanilla French Toast" is my husband's recipe; he's a master when it comes to breakfast! And the "Lemon Wedges in Olive Oil and Vinegar" is another Sicilian recipe I got from my mother.  

Q) What personal message would you like to send to those about to discover your stories?

A) I hope that readers will connect with the emotions and thoughts of my characters, and I'd like BELLA FORTUNA to make them think more about why the events in our lives happen the way they do. Luck and  fate do have a hand in what transpires in our lives, but we also have the power to take control and alter our destinies.

DA Kentner is an author and journalist www.kevad.net