Sunday, April 22, 2012

Author Interview with Patricia Rasey April 22 - 27

Congratulations to Tigris! Winner of eBook giveaway!

We're on location with Patricia Rasey this week. As you can see a crime has been committed. We've received special permission from the local police to follow Patricia around as she shares her new release "Love You to Pieces".


*Ducking under the yellow tape and holding it high for everyone to enter* There's Patricia talking to an investigator. 

Reader’s Haven: Hi Patricia! We've never been this close to witness the ins and out of the police working on a crime scene. Thanks for inviting us. Tell us a bit about yourself  that our readers might not know.

Patricia:  I was always the last one picked for sports. The one no one wanted on their team. I think that’s why, later in life, I chose to take up martial arts and become a 3rd degree Black Belt. Though I am now retired.

 

Reader’s Haven: What made you want to become a writer?

Patricia: I’m a day-dreamer by heart. I have a vivid imagination. I tried a Creative Writing course in high school and loved it. One day—I just knew I had to put my imagination to some use.

Reader’s Haven: Please share a bit about your new release, Love You to Pieces, without giving away any spoilers.

Patricia:  Jaycen McCain is a tortured hero. He lost his daughter a year ago to leukemia, and now his wife’s hand comes home to him in a box. His whole life is destroyed. His wife’s cousin, Sara St. James, wants to help…but Jaycen doesn’t want it. A long the way to finding his wife’s killer…Sara and Jay discover a desire too hard to ignore. 


Reader’s Haven: Do you write under a pen name?

Patricia:  No, I do not. At this point, I have always used my real name.

Reader’s Haven: What types of hero or heroine do you like best?

Patricia:  I love alpha males. Even to read for pleasure. Something about the bad boy is such a turn on. So when I write my bad boy heroes, I need a strong female who can stand up to them.

Reader’s Haven: Tell us about a typical day in your life as a writer.

Patricia:  I have a full time job as well, outside of writing. So I can’t say I have a typical day. I do work from home, so I spend my daytime hours working from the computer, doing emails, keeping up with social medias, and then I start supper. Afterwards, I sit down to hash out my stories. So the biggest share of my writing is done in the evenings and weekends.

Reader’s Haven: Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

Patricia:  I do have some sequels of each other, such as: Deadly Obsession and The Hour Before Dawn, Kiss of Deceit and Eyes of Betrayal. Façade will eventually link to Love You to Pieces sequel: Charred Remains. But all my books can be read as stand alone books.

Reader’s Haven: How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

Patricia:  I wish I could say six months to write and another month to edit, but with the day job, a book now takes me about year. I just don’t find the writing time I used too. Although now that I am working from home again, I have been writing much more over the course of the past year.

Reader’s Haven: Do you have to be alone to write?

Patricia:  For the most part. I don’t like distractions.

Reader’s Haven: How do you go about naming characters?

Patricia:  I don’t have a special way of coming up with names. Either I see a name that catches my fancy—or one just pops in my head. If I am doing a character of a certain nationality, I’ll do research on the Internet.

Reader’s Haven: Is it easier to write about the characters if you find pictures of them before you write or do you write then find character pictures?

Patricia:  Absolutely. I use software for novelists called WriteWay. It allows you to place pictures of in profiles of your characters. I’m a very visual person. So it helps me to look at a picture of my character when describing him/her. And by using visuals—I never accidentally change his/her looks.

Reader’s Haven: How do you pick locations for your stories?

Patricia:  I like small towns, so I have used them a lot in my books. Some town police officials don’t have big crime labs at their disposal, so it makes it more interesting I think.

Reader's Haven: Patricia, thank you again for visiting with us this week! And you have an announcement for the readers?

Patricia: Yes I do! One lucky commenter will receive a copy of Love You to Pieces (Kindle or NOOK, their choice). Readers can find me on the following links.

Blog 

Love You to Pieces on Amazon
Synopsis:

It's been a few months since Jaycen McCain's troubled wife fell victim to a sadistic killer. Losing Kelly Jo has haunted him deeply, and his failure to keep her safe has driven Jay to the brink of a bleak, self-destructive despair. But the small-town police detective has bigger problems to deal with when a string of serial murders crop up on his home turf--murders with eerie similarities to the violence perpetrated on his wife.

Compelled to stop the killer and find much-needed answers about Kelly Jo's final hours, Jay is forced to enlist the help of a woman too tempting for his own peace of mind: Kelly Jo's pretty cousin, Sara St. James. Together, Jay and Sara embark on a pursuit for justice that will take them into an underground world of dark places and dangerous, irresistible desires. As an unwanted passion kindles and combusts between them, the killer closes in, pulling Jay and Sara into the web of an evil that will rock them to their core.


Excerpt:

      Standing, he walked over to the sink and stared at his pale reflection. What had Kelly seen in Dax that she hadn’t in him? A warm body. Turning on the cold water full blast, he splashed his face and washed his hands. Upon exiting the men’s room, he saw Star talking with a shorter girl, wearing a tight pleated skirt and black leather bra.

      Perfect. He’d rescue Sara and get the hell out of here.

      Sara stood with her back to Jaycen, so when he leaned in and whispered in the ear Dax wasn’t lathering in spit, she jumped and set herself away from Count Dracula. “Jay?”

      “We’re leaving.”

      Her gaze widened. “So soon? But—”

      Jaycen gripped her arm and pulled her toward the staircase. She looked back at Dax, who no doubt, stood watching the spectacle Jaycen created. He didn’t give a damn. Dracula should feel damn lucky dragging Sara away had been his only move. Had he followed his gut instincts, the man would be lying in a pool of blood.

      Outside on the sidewalk, Jaycen gulped in fresh air. He released Sara and leaned against the building. She planted her fists on her hips. “You mind telling me what this is all about?”

      Several cars buzzed down the busy avenue as the street lamps cast an eerie amber glow to the cloudy night. Hell, where would he start? The part where his wife likely snorted the white stuff? Or the part where she had Dracula securely wrapped between her thighs as he slammed into her in a public restroom? He stabbed his hand into his hair and fought another oncoming panic attack. He drew in oxygen, squared his shoulders and faced Sara head on. Maybe telling someone might help him cope with Kelly Jo’s betrayal. He certainly wasn’t handling it well on his own.

      Seeing his distress, she stepped closer and laid a hand on his cheek. “What’s wrong, Jay? You’re scaring me.”

      Jaycen bowed his head, not shaking off her touch. He leaned into the heat like a moth drawn to flames. Her gaze widened, her lips parted, and he kissed her… 

Watch the trailer!




Patricia Rasey's Deadly Obssession on Amazon


A killer is loose who has a taste for human blood. Cole presses harder into the investigation, but the body count climbs. He has personal reasons for detesting the press, so sparks fly when Laurie hounds him for a story. Fate forces them to join forces, neither one anticipating the attraction that ensues. But just as Cole thinks he is close to finding all the answers, both personal and professional, Laurie disappears.


All of her books on B&N

Saturday, April 7, 2012

An Interview with Author Jan Romes on "Kiss Me" April 8 - 13

Congratulations Sheree for winning a copy of Kiss Me!

 Deanna and I welcome Author Jan Romes this week. Jan is here to chat about her new release "Kiss Me". First a little bit about Jan so you can get to know the author behind the books.

Jan Romes grew up in northwest Ohio with eight zany siblings. Married to her high school sweetheart for more years than seems possible, she is also a proud mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She likes to read all genres, writes witty contemporary romance, is a part-time fitness trainer, and enjoys growing pumpkins and sunflowers.


Reader’s Haven: Welcome Jan! Tell us a bit about yourself  that our readers might not know.

Jan:  First of all, thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog! Let’s see…something about me that your readers might not know…Okay, I have a few things: I’m a word nerd (not just because I’m a writer). I pay attention and have to love the lyrics to a song before I ever fall in love with the music. When I watch TV commercials I’m drawn to what they say versus what they show. I hate sweet potatoes even if they’re disguised with brown sugar, marshmallows, and pecans. And my week is rubbish if I can’t slide in at least two or three episodes of NCIS. 

Reader’s Haven: What made you want to become a writer?

Jan: I’ve always escaped reality with a good book. One day, I decided to try my hand at writing one. Since I had a full-time job and two active kids, I stashed my stories away and promised to revisit them. When my youngest went off to college, I kept that promise. And the rest is history.

Reader’s Haven: Good for you in following your dream! Please share a bit about your new release Kiss Me without giving away any spoilers.

Jan:  Kiss Me is the first book I was contracted for, but the third to be published – Falling for the cop who wrote her a speeding ticket and dated her spoiled stepsister throws Lacy Goodlow’s world into chaos, but ignoring her heart to keep the peace is not an option.

 
Reader’s Haven: Do you write under a pen name?

Jan:  Sort of – my real name is Janice Romes, but I write as Jan Romes.

Reader’s Haven: What types of hero or heroine do you like best?

Jan:  I’m drawn to strong, but flexible heroes and confident, sassy heroines.(I love verbal jousting between my characters)

Reader’s Haven: Tell us about a typical day in your life as a writer.

Jan:  I start my day with a serious case of bed-head and a jolt of caffeine! Saying hello to the world via Twitter and Facebook follows (good thing they can’t see the bed-head). For the next few hours my WIP gets some attention. When I hit a snag with my thoughts, I make the world a less scary place by getting rid of the bed hair! Then back to my WIP!  In the background of my day, clothes will be washing or drying. Dog will be barking. And the smell of a roast in the oven fills the air. Back to Twitter and Facebook, then a return to the WIP. By most opinions my day would be boring, but to me it’s anything but dull. Stories zip through my head faster than I can write them!

Reader’s Haven: (Deanna) Seems like you do have a schedule though and you have disciplined yourself on the time to be spent marketing each day. Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

Jan:  All of my books have a degree of humor laced through them. (even my WIP which is a romantic suspense has humor woven through it) Also, my characters have to be passionate about something else, besides each other. (they have to have a fondness for the environment or compassion for the homeless or hungry)

Reader’s Haven: How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

Jan:  I’m not a fast writer, so a story takes me about 6 to 8 months from inception to final edits.


Reader’s Haven: Do you have to be alone to write?

Jan:  I prefer to be a lone when I write, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes my husband lurks close by. (He loves to share his ideas about my stories/characters)

Reader’s Haven: How do you go about naming characters?

Jan: Sometimes a name will just pop in. Other times I scan the newspaper to find an incredible first name, and then I play around with a last name.

Reader’s Haven: Is it easier to write about the characters if you find pictures of them before you write or do you write then find character pictures?

Jan:  I find it easier to picture them as I construct my story.

Reader’s Haven: (Louise) Richard Gere is who I picture as the idea cop to pull me over! How do you pick locations for your stories?


Jan:  I’m not well-traveled (other than a yearly jaunt to the Caribbean), so my story locations have to be somewhere I’m familiar with so I can provide accurate details.

Deanna and Louise, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here today! 

Readers, I'll giveaway a pdf copy of Kiss Me to one lucky commenter! Please leave your email address so we can easily contact the winner. Thanks!

Reader's Haven: Jan thank you again for visiting with us all week. Good luck in the drawing everyone!

You may find Jan on the following sites: 
 

Twitter @JanRomes




Excerpt:

“Sir, seriously,” she whimpered. “I haven’t been drinking. And I need to get going.” She held her wrist up so he could see her watch. “My sister’s bachelorette party has already started, and if I don’t get there soon, she’s going to blow a gasket.”
Deputy J. Kelly’s eyes widened perceptibly.
Crap. He was picturing the same thing she was—drunken women and lots of alcohol.
Regardless, she was late. Lacy blew out a weighty breath of frustration, and contemplated making a move for his gun or handcuffing herself to his cruiser; anything so she wouldn’t have to face the wrath of Angela.
Deputy Kelly’s first command was for her to walk a straight line. Ha! Her sandal teetered on a stone and she swayed sideways. Next, touch the end of her nose. The earth must’ve shifted, because she missed and almost jabbed herself in the eye. And because of the diet cola she’d downed on the way there, she was fidgeting all over the place. “Are we done?”
Without answering the question, he leaned forward and took a big whiff.
An involuntary prickle of pleasure pulsed through her.
“I’m not going to administer the breathalyzer because your eyes aren’t glassy or red, your speech is not impaired, and I don’t smell alcohol on your breath.”
Duh. He’d been sniffing for alcohol, not enjoying her perfume.
She mumbled a feeble thank-you, but it was drowned out by a car filled with teenagers who buzzed past and hollered “Strip-search her.”





Friday, April 6, 2012

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