I do still have a little ways to go before I'll open again for review requests, but in the meantime, I posted a new review today for The Love Programme on the review page. Go check it out :)
Monday, August 25, 2014
Catching up with Reviews
Yes, I know. I'm way behind on reviews. But the good news is ... I'm catching up!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Interview with Natalie-Nicole Bates
Here's a chance to get to know Natalie-Nicole a little bit better:
1. What inspired you to write your first book?
That would be Change of Address. I had an idea for two people previously unknown to each other, discover that the house they thought they inherited is actually in dispute. There are two wills, signed by two different attorneys on the same date. I’d never seen anything like that before.
2. Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write?
The television is usually on in the background, but I don’t really pay attention to it. Sometimes I use the iPod, but I often find it distracting.
3. How did you decide on the titles of your books?
I don’t think I have a clear answer to that. I’ve just been lucky to have the titles come to me as I’m writing the story.
4. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I don’t really have what I’d call a ‘mentor’. I have three authors I love and admire (unfortunately all are deceased now). Jacqueline Susann—a few years ago, someone gave me a copy of Valley of the Dolls as a gift. I was absolutely blown away by it! Although it was written in the 1960’s, the writing is transcendent. Dominick Dunne—the male equivalent of Jacqueline Susann. He managed to squeeze about six lives into one. A truly amazing human being. Sidney Sheldon—Master of the Game, one of my hands down favorite books.
5. Which stage of the writing/editing process is the most challenging for you?
The start. I always find writing those first few pages the most challenging. Once I get that done, I roll.
6. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?
I was born in Russia, but now live in the United Kingdom. I just received my degree in Mortuary Science this past spring. It’s strange because I can’t actually practice—I’m allergic to almost all of the chemicals involved. It actually put me in the hospital! I’m interested now in cemetery preservation. I write both contemporary and paranormal romance, and have been published since late 2011.
7. If you could sit down and chat with just one of your characters, which one would it be and what would you ask them?
I love, love, love, Daniel Tremont from SEE ME. He’ll also be the hero in my upcoming paranormal novella SAVE ME (Believe Again). It’s a sort of retelling of SEE ME, but more of a funked up fairy tale. He’s one of the characters who latched on to me and refuses to let go. I would just love to hear him speak about his never ending life.
8. Do you have any advice for other writers out there?
Always seek out a comprehensive writing course to learn the correct process for writing a book. I can’t tell you how many promising writers fall down on things such as point of view.
9. Who have been your biggest cheerleaders during your writing process? Who are the ones you have to share your news with, about your books, immediately?
My husband. I have a few close writing friends I share with, but always my husband.
1. What inspired you to write your first book?
That would be Change of Address. I had an idea for two people previously unknown to each other, discover that the house they thought they inherited is actually in dispute. There are two wills, signed by two different attorneys on the same date. I’d never seen anything like that before.
2. Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write?
The television is usually on in the background, but I don’t really pay attention to it. Sometimes I use the iPod, but I often find it distracting.
3. How did you decide on the titles of your books?
I don’t think I have a clear answer to that. I’ve just been lucky to have the titles come to me as I’m writing the story.
4. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I don’t really have what I’d call a ‘mentor’. I have three authors I love and admire (unfortunately all are deceased now). Jacqueline Susann—a few years ago, someone gave me a copy of Valley of the Dolls as a gift. I was absolutely blown away by it! Although it was written in the 1960’s, the writing is transcendent. Dominick Dunne—the male equivalent of Jacqueline Susann. He managed to squeeze about six lives into one. A truly amazing human being. Sidney Sheldon—Master of the Game, one of my hands down favorite books.
5. Which stage of the writing/editing process is the most challenging for you?
The start. I always find writing those first few pages the most challenging. Once I get that done, I roll.
6. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?
I was born in Russia, but now live in the United Kingdom. I just received my degree in Mortuary Science this past spring. It’s strange because I can’t actually practice—I’m allergic to almost all of the chemicals involved. It actually put me in the hospital! I’m interested now in cemetery preservation. I write both contemporary and paranormal romance, and have been published since late 2011.
7. If you could sit down and chat with just one of your characters, which one would it be and what would you ask them?
I love, love, love, Daniel Tremont from SEE ME. He’ll also be the hero in my upcoming paranormal novella SAVE ME (Believe Again). It’s a sort of retelling of SEE ME, but more of a funked up fairy tale. He’s one of the characters who latched on to me and refuses to let go. I would just love to hear him speak about his never ending life.
8. Do you have any advice for other writers out there?
Always seek out a comprehensive writing course to learn the correct process for writing a book. I can’t tell you how many promising writers fall down on things such as point of view.
9. Who have been your biggest cheerleaders during your writing process? Who are the ones you have to share your news with, about your books, immediately?
My husband. I have a few close writing friends I share with, but always my husband.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Blog Tour Stop Cover Reveal
The Merry-Go-Round
by Donna Fasano
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2009
What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing two projects at once. I've never done this before, and I can’t decide if I love it or hate it. I’m writing a Christmas Novella entitled Almost Perfect Christmas, the story of man who enlists the help of a woman in giving his daughter a perfect Christmas. Unbeknownst to him, his little girl has every intention of playing an angelic matchmaker. The other project is the first book of a 3-book series called Following His Heart, the story of a man who is eerily drawn to a woman, and after they fall in love, they discover what brought them together, and it just might tear them apart. Yes, the description is vague, but that’s just the way it has to be for now. I’m chuckling as I type this. Both books are contemporary romance novels and are due out this fall.
What are you reading now or what do you have in your TBR pile?
I just finished Learning to Swim by Sara Henry. I’m currently reading Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour. On my TBR pile you’ll find A Reluctant Hero by Jackie Weger, Creatus by Carmen DeSousa, The Neighbor by Dean Koontz, Three Junes by Julia Glass, One Way or Another by Elaine Raco Chase…should I go on?
What flavor is your writing style?
I always tell people I write cotton candy for the mind. Think back to when you were a kid and you took a bite of that delectable confection. What did you do? You smiled. That’s what I’m going for in my romance novels.
Was writing always the first thing you wanted to do in life?
No, I wanted to be a teacher, but then I met and fell in love with my husband. We married and began raising a family. It wasn't until my children started school that I started writing.
While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?
I believe there’s a lot of me in my protagonists. I write about women who are strong, yet vulnerable. My main characters and my secondary characters have flaws and make mistakes (don’t we all?), but then most of them do all they can to learn, grow and become better people.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
One piece of advice I often give to writers is to READ. Don’t just read in the genre in which you write. Read everything. And then figure out what you liked and what you didn't…and then think about why. Reading and analyzing the writing of talented people can help you perfect your own skills.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I bow down to readers! I am so appreciative that they spend their hard-earned money on my books and then take the time to read my stories. I am so blessed to have a job I love, and I wouldn't have this job if there weren't readers who love romance novels.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I came to writing through my love of reading. I spent many a Saturday as a kid in the local library. I loved books, but I never imagined I would ever write one. My husband gets the credit for my becoming a writer. When my children started school and I decided to find a part-time job, he looked around at the piles of romance novels in our home and said, “You've read a lot of those. Why don’t you try writing one?” So, you see. It’s all his fault.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not my latest book, but one of my titles—Where’s Stanley?—features an ending that I didn't come up with. I handed in the completed manuscript, and my editor suggested a different ending. I wasn't happy, but I did as she asked. Personally, I think the book suffered for it, but readers seem to enjoy it.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Old Yeller, Sounder, The Bell Jar, To Kill a Mockingbird…how can people read these books and not be influenced? There are so many titles that inspired me and moved me, molded and shaped me, there isn't time to name them all. The characters in these wonderful books help young readers to decide what kind of individual they want to be.
Do you ever experience writer's block?
There was a time when I’d have said no. I have a plant-your-butt-in-the-chair-and-the-words-will-come attitude. But I did suffer writer’s block while my dad was battling cancer. It’s difficult to write feel-good happily-ever-after when your beloved father is dying.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
I do, yes. I equate an outline with a road made; how do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a map? I might write the first chapter or two on the fly, but I always take the time to plan out where I want the story to go. Now that’s not to say that the characters are going to stay on the straight and narrow. They decide to veer off the highway every now and then, and that’s when I have to do a quick reroute.
Have you ever disliked something you wrote?
I've never published anything that I disliked. I have started projects that haven’t seen the light of day, either because I couldn't figure out where to take the story, or I couldn't make the protagonist sympathetic or likable. It’s a rare occurrence, and when it happens, I just set the story aside and hope I can someday come up with a solution.
Author Spotlight: Natalie-Nicole Bates
The Heart of the Hunter
by Natalie-Nicole Bates
After a devastating accident, Barret Atkins has accepted a quiet, solitary existence. His life is turned upside down, when he finds the badly injured Kansas Smith, left for dead in a case of mistaken identity. As Kansas begins to recover, Barret must face some deep scars of his own. When the couple begin to fall for each other, their lives spin into a revival of past hurts, jealousies, and betrayals, causing Barret to put a halt to their budding relationship.
Barret’s hesitation causes his best friend-turned vicious rival, Duncan Craig, to pursue a friendship with Kansas. Where will this leave Barret? Can they all hold on long enough to escape Kansas’s attacker, and will they ever conquer their own inner demons intent on keeping them apart?
Buy Links:
Social Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BatesNatalie
Street Team Sign Up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/441841792565396/
Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/585466478240251/
Bio:
Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.
Visit Natalie online at www.natalienicolebates.com
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Crazy Couple Weeks
Yep, it's been hectic. Book releases, preparation for first child to start school - life has been getting the one up on my blogging when it comes to new articles. But with some of the stuff out of the way, I'm going to start posting regular articles here once again.
And continue to keep your eyes open for more blog tours. If you have any you'd like let me know about, please email me at sweetlycleanromances@gmail.com.
Also, as an author, if you'd like to have your book mentioned on the Facebook page, please fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hVSXLTQDu4RxY5g6T3aR966zmG9TJZBZ-L4OLyfwcVw/viewform
And, if you are a reader that just read a great book you'd like me to know about, please PM me on the FB page or email at the address above with the book title and author name.
Thank you for all your support and for sharing my love of books!!!
And continue to keep your eyes open for more blog tours. If you have any you'd like let me know about, please email me at sweetlycleanromances@gmail.com.
Also, as an author, if you'd like to have your book mentioned on the Facebook page, please fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hVSXLTQDu4RxY5g6T3aR966zmG9TJZBZ-L4OLyfwcVw/viewform
And, if you are a reader that just read a great book you'd like me to know about, please PM me on the FB page or email at the address above with the book title and author name.
Thank you for all your support and for sharing my love of books!!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Changes to Author Services
A few changes have been made to the Author Services page, including a new way of sharing your book. Make sure to check it out!
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