Guest Author Interview: Kim Watters

Today we are interviewing Inspirational Romance Writer Kim Watters. She is giving away a copy of AND FATHER MAKES THREE.  
Alexis: Hi Kim, thank you for visiting Happily Ever After Thoughts again. Can you start by telling us why you decided to write Inspirational Romance?

Kim:  Thanks for inviting me here, Alexis. I love hanging out with you and your followers. I also love being able to write my two favorite things. Romance and my faith. So finding a house where I can do both was fantastic.

Alexis: What is AND FATHER MAKES THREE about?

Kim: I think the blurb says it best.

“Your Daughter Needs You.”
She’s saved countless lives, yet there’s one person emergency room doctor Elizabeth Randall can’t rescue—her adopted daughter, Jordan. Perhaps meeting her biological father, Blake Crawford, will be the lifeline Jordan needs. The handsome, guarded firefighter takes risks every day. But facing the daughter he never knew—along with lovely Elizabeth—has him thinking about family. With fatherhood thrust suddenly upon him, there’s no way he can turn his back on his sick child. Will working together to give Jordan a second chance at life also lead them to a second chance at love?

Alexis: This sounds wonderful! Where did you get the idea for this story?

Kim: I'd brainstormed the idea with my critique group while finishing up ON WINGS OF LOVE. I also had a friend diagnosed with Large Cell B non-hodgkins Lymphoma and needed to have a bone marrow transplant to put her cancer into remission.  So I started doing the research and FATHER MAKES THREE  was born. In my friend's honor, I have dedicated this book to her. Today she is in remission and living life to the fullest.

Alexis: I'm so glad to hear that :-) What are your favorite character traits of Elizabeth and Blake?

Kim: Elizabeth never gave up the faith that they would find a cure for Jordan. Even during her lowest moments, she believed that her daughter would get well. Having to deal with her biological father though wasn't something she expected. As for Blake, he never thought he'd be father material, but given the chance he did all right. He didn't let his past dictate his future.

Alexis: Now there's a man readers can admire. This is your third book for the Love Inspired Line. What kind of writing routine do you have . . . or do you?

Kim: Well, I work a full time job so I get up really early in the morning, usually around 4:30. I answer e-mails and do some on-line social marketing and stuff and then get down the writing. I quit around 6 to walk with my neighbor and then make sure the kids get ready for school and I get ready for work.

Alexis: Wow, you get a lot done in the morning! I'm a morning person too, but usually I'm writing at 1:00am :-} What can we expect next from you? Do you have any new releases coming or a work in progress?

Kim:  Good question. I just turned in another proposal to my editor with the working title A Christmas Angel, so I'll have to keep you posted. I've also put my backlist up on Amazon and Barnes & Noble so you can look for some of my romances there. Amazon also just bought my first publisher so STAKE YOUR CLAIM will be available soon in e-book format.

Alexis: That's great! I know when I discover a great writer like you, I like to find all the books they've written and catch-up :-)

Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us. It's always a pleasure having you visit.

Kim:  My pleasure. Of course, now if I could visit your island paradise for real.........:)

Alexis: I promise to keep posting photos so you can you feel like you have :-)

For a chance to win Kim's AND FATHER MAKES THREE, be sure to leave a comment for her. If I have contact information, I will let you know when you win, otherwise, check the side column for your name on Wednesday under WINNERS (below the blog hop).

For more information on Kim's books, go to http://www.kimwatters.com/index.html

Alexis: Check out this excerpt from AND FATHER MAKES THREE.
 
"Dr. Randall? Dr. Elizabeth Randall?" Pulling her focus from the patient chart in front of her, Elizabeth Randall snapped her attention to the tall man next to her. Anger simmered beneath her calm facade as she took in his brown hair and strong jawline covered with a hint of a five o'clock shadow. Under any other circumstances, she might have found the stranger attractive. Not now.

"Yes. I was wondering when you'd get here."

It was about time someone from Child Protective Services showed up. Mario Martinez-Alvarez had been at Agnes P. Kingfisher Memorial Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, just under two hours waiting for a caseworker to appear. The child's black eye and broken ribs had not been caused by a simple fall from a high chair. Mario's stepfather had been taken into custody and the mother had yet to be found.

Unlike some, Mario would recover, but each time a young innocent victim came through the hospital doors, her heart broke at the injustice. Children were precious. A gift from God that some people took for granted.

Not Elizabeth. Her fingers tightened on the pen in her hand until it became painful.

"Excuse me? You know why I'm here?"

"Of course. The boy has been transferred upstairs. Dr. Harris is his attending now." After signing her name, Elizabeth closed the chart and turned slightly so she could rest against the nurses' station. She took in the man's casual clothing—a dark blue Phoenix Fire Department T-shirt and jeans. In all her experience with CPS caseworkers, she'd yet to come across one dressed so casually, who didn't carry a briefcase or at least a notebook or day planner of some sort.

Maybe she'd been hasty in her assessment. "You are with CPS, aren't you?"

Uncertainty clouded his blue eyes as he shifted his weight. "No, I work for the City of Phoenix Fire Department."

"Oh. Sorry." Elizabeth softened her tone, feeling guilty for letting her bad day affect her work. It wasn't his fault her adopted daughter, Jordan, had developed another infection at her IV site. Crossing her arms, she gave the man her full attention. Concern furrowed the lightly tanned skin on his forehead. "How may I help you then, Mr….?"

"Blake Crawford. Blake William Crawford."

He spoke his name as if she should know him. He looked vaguely familiar now. If he worked for the fire department, it was quite possible she'd seen him bring in a patient or two, but they'd never been formally introduced. She'd remember meeting someone like him.

She grasped his extended hand, surprised to feel a slight connection. She shook it off as fatigue.

"Dr. Elizabeth Randall. But you knew that. I'm afraid I'm at a disadvantage here."

"I need to talk to you about my daughter."

"Your daughter?" No female children had been brought into the E.R. today and she'd already met the fathers of the few who had come in over the past week. None of them were Blake Crawford. "I don't believe I've met your daughter. When was she brought in?"

"She wasn't."

"Then I'm afraid I can't help you. Have you spoken to her pediatrician?"

"I have no idea who her pediatrician is. She doesn't live with me." He ran a hand through his short, cropped hair as his gaze darted around the area before it returned to her. "She's with you."

Alexis: Don't forget, for a chance to win this wonderful story, leave a comment for Kim :-)

Review: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY by E L James

For those of you have been following my reviews, I tend to only write reviews on books that I felt were well written and kept me interested.  Fifty Shades of Grey has had so much publicity and people who don’t typically read romance, including men, have heard of the novel, so I decided to read it and review it no matter what I concluded.

Anastasia Steele graduates from a Washington college, fresh into the work world and a virgin in the sexual world.  The first man she meets, Christian Grey a billionaire, through a final project for school decides to claim her.

Christian wants Ana to sign a contract as his submissive.  This means she must do whatever he wants sexually as he’s the dominant. 

Ana falls in love with Christian, yet he doesn’t seem to reciprocate more than many sexual acts minus the emotion. 

I became intrigued with E L James’ novel at the point of Christian offering Ana the contract and wondered how she would react. 

After further reading, I felt a subplot or two would have moved the story deeper.  The conflict remained stagnant as it didn’t shift in intensity at any point as Ana’s reaction to the different sexual escapades mirrored one another.

I did enjoy E L James variation in word choice and the ending leads you directly to the next novel - Fifty Shades of Grey is the first of a trilogy.  E L James is commendable in her ability to market her work, originally self-published, to create growing interest and have her work currently retained by Random House. 

I’ve talked with many who’ve also read the novel and have heard everything from “boring” to “I devoured all three novels.”  Guess you’ll have to read it for yourself :-)      

Enjoy,

Dawn

         

Guest Author Interview: Laura Breck

Today we are interviewing Contemporary Romance Writer Laura Breck. She is giving away a copy of DANCING IN A HURRICANE.

Alexis: Hi Laura, thank you for coming back to visit Happily Ever After Thoughts. Can you start by telling us why you set your romances in big cities?

Laura: Hello, Alexis! Thanks for having me here today. I love your blog, and I'm excited to chat with you and your readers. 

Big cities have always fascinated me. I live in a little-big city, Saint Paul, Minnesota, and I love the variety of businesses and people here. A big-big city like Miami is even more exciting. The cultural variety, the nightlife, the beach! I enjoy traveling, and exploring cities always gives me inspiration for writing.

Alexis: Well, your trip to Miami was a great inspiration because I absolutely loved this book! Why don't you tell our readers what DANCING IN A HURRICANE is about.

Laura: I'd love to. Bree Prentis is from a relatively small town near Seattle, Washington. She's been estranged from her identical twin sister for five years because of a life-altering prank her sister played on her. When her sister is accidentally killed, Bree inherits everything from her: a beautiful home in Miami, an extremely lucrative, but mysterious business, and a sexy Cuban-American housemate and business partner, Sixto Doria.

Sixto is drawn to Bree's honest, wholesome personality, but he's hiding a secret from her. He knows the amoral, semi-legal secret behind the business they own. His reasons for keeping it from her are justifiable, but the guilt of his dishonesty puts an emotional wall between Bree and Sixto.

Alexis: This is a great set-up and your subplot strains their relationship as well. Where did you get the idea for this story?

Laura: I dream up my story plots. Literally. I woke one morning with the idea for the book. Everything from Bree and Sixto's first encounter to the secondary characters, Marisa and Rico who have their own story, to the darkest moment when all four characters' stories converge. 

Alexis: Wow, you have a great muse! What are your favorite character traits of Bree and Sixto?

Laura: I enjoyed writing Bree's sheltered, conservative background. The culture shock she experiences in Miami was much like what I felt the first time I traveled to Florida. Sixto's dedication to his family is his strong quality. He would, and does, do anything to protect them.

Alexis: I know you write fast. Can you share with us what your writing process is like?

Laura: I do write fast on my first draft. I throw it down and clean it up later. My first draft flows quickly onto the page, then in the second and third revisions, I add details and flair. I usually plot the story very heavily, and write from that, but lately I've found myself 'pantsing' - writing by the seat of my pants. It's been working well so far!

Alexis: I understand pansting as that is what I do as well, but it makes for lots of revisions for me, (sigh). What can we expect next from you? Do you have any new releases coming or a work in progress?

Laura: I have a shorter story coming out soon (200 pages compared to DANCING IN A HURRICANE's 400 pages.) It takes place right here in Minnesota. I wanted to write a book about the most beautiful place on earth (in my humble opinion), the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Minnesota/Canada border. 

It's remote wilderness camping where you head into the lake-dotted forest in a canoe, carrying everything you need on your back. The perfect setting for an ex-military hero, a city-girl heroine, sabotage, and romance!

I'm currently writing the sequel to DANCING IN A HURRICANE. WADING INTO A RIPTIDE is where I tell the stories of four characters introduced in Dancing: Élian, Cara, James, and Dayami. I'm having a blast writing it! 

Alexis: Excellent! That means we have a lot to look forward to from you. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us. It's a pleasure having you visit.

Laura: Thank you for the great interview questions, Alexis. I'd love to hear from your readers. Do you enjoy a book about a big city? A small town? A remote wilderness? What's your favorite setting and why?

Alexis: For a chance to win Laura's DANCING IN A HURRICANE, be sure to leave a comment for her. If I have contact information, I will let you know when you win, otherwise, check the side column for your name on Wednesday under WINNERS :-)

For more information on Laura's books, go to http://laurabreck.com/

Alexis: Check out this excerpt from DANCING IN A HURRICANE.

Excerpt:

Two hours later, Bree had gotten in an hour nap and was almost finished with her yoga workout.

At a knock on her  door, she called, "Come in," from the down dog position.

He laughed. "All I can see is your butt."

"Because it's so big?"

He shook his head. "You're not okay with that, are you."

"Sixto, I'm fine with my body. It's not what defines me."

"Profound, chica."

She looked at him from between her feet. "I'm an enigma."

He sat on her bed and watched her movement. "Does that hurt?"

"Being an enigma?"

He laughed. "No, yoga."

"Mmm. At first, then it feels good." She knelt and sat back on her heels. "Want to try?"

He scratched his cheek. "Not with you watching. But to prove that I'm open to trying new things, I'll borrow your DVD. Someday."

"That's the sweetest thing you've said to me all day."

He stood, but she put out her hand. "A couple more minutes?"

She balanced the top of her head on the yoga mat, put her hands on the back of her head, elbows down to make a triangle, and slowly lifted her legs in the air.

He walked over to her, standing in front of her. "Cariña, this is a view of you I've never seen.

She toed him in the chest. "Don't bother me while I'm opening my blood vessels."

He ran his hands down her calves. "Sexy blood vessels."

She giggled. "You have hair on your legs."

He glanced down at her face. "You're just noticing?"

A vision of him in his swim trunks crossed her mind. "But you don't have any hair on your chest?"

He stepped back and sat on the bed. "Weird, isn't it?" A teasing smile quirked his lips. 

"Do you shave?"

"Yup. For photo shoots, I shave my chest and trim my leg and arm hair."

She lowered her legs and lay on her side, feeling the blood circulating through her body. "Does it bother you?"

His eyebrows drew together. "Not until now. Does it bother you?"

She sat up and crossed her legs, pretzel style. "Not at all." Leaning forward, she touched her forehead on the mat. "I shave my legs every day. Does that bother you?"

"Uh uh." He cleared his throat. "But that's what women do, shave their legs."

She sat up and looked at him. Did he think she found him less masculine because he shaved? She stood and walked slowly toward him, swaying her hips. "I like your chest smooth." Stopping in front of him, she stood with her knees between his. "But I'd love to see it with hair sometime." She put her hands on his t-shirt over his chest and rubbed circles. 

He grabbed her and pulled her down on top of him.

"Yikes! Sixto!"

"Cariña, I'll stop shaving. For you." He ran his hands up her back under her shirt. "No bra?"

She grinned her naughtiest smile. "Nope."

"Kiss me, Bree."

She touched her lips to his, slowly kissed him, enjoying the building tension. His body vibrated, but he didn't grab or overpower. He let her lead.

She ran her tongue along his lower lip. "Mmm. You taste good." He opened his mouth and she deepened the kiss, touching his tongue with hers. When she shifted, her nipples rubbed his chest and they both moaned.

Lifting her head, she looked into his eyes. "Too much?"

His voice choked. "Yeah."

She slid off him, avoiding his hard member and sat next to him. "Sorry. I know better." 

"Yeah." 

She smiled. "You bring out the naughty in me."

He grinned and sat up, put his arm around her shoulders. "It's going to get worse." He kissed her neck then bit her shoulder.

A shiver of delight scuttled through her. "I know." She ran one finger down his clavicle to his stomach. "Help me be good."

He grabbed her finger, brought it to his mouth, and kissed it. "Do you realize, Bree, that your lips say no, but your body says yes?"

She narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"

"There's a term for a woman who wants to make love, but always says no."

"You're calling me a tease?" She grinned. She was never accused of that before. It was kind of exciting to have that much power over a man.

He stood. "You're gloating, but it's not much fun on this side of it."

"I…" She stood. "It's been difficult for me too, Sixto. You have to understand that while you have no doubts, I'm conflicted."

"Ha." He shook his head. "No doubts? Hell, woman, I'm second guessing everything I do when it comes to you." He backed up a step. "This is all new to me. I've never felt this way about anyone before."

She closed her eyes for a second, the sweet emotion of his disclosure made her chest ache. She reached for him, put her hands on his arms. "It's the same for me, Sixto." 

Alexis: For a chance to win this great story, be sure to leave a comment for Laura :-)

When First They Meet

In your opinion, how soon is soon enough for your hero and heroine to meet? First page? First chapter? Normally, I like the love interests to meet rather quickly….within the first or second chapter.

           

 However, I recently read a novel by one of my favorite authors and surprisingly, the hero and heroine didn’t meet until a couple chapters into the story. And it was fine. Actually, better than fine. The beginning of the story was the setup. In my humble opinion, the setup was absolutely necessary. The rest of the story, the romance of it, the falling in love, would not have made a bit of sense if I hadn’t known before hand the “why” of it. And because I knew the “why” of it, the anticipation of when these characters would meet for the first time grew….and grew….until I couldn’t wait. I knew it would be good.

            

 Not only good, but outstanding.

           

 And it was.

            

 This author did such a fantastic job of building my expectations, my eagerness, I couldn’t help the long sigh that escaped me or the rush of goose bumps when the hero and heroine laid eyes on each other. Anticipation is a good thing!

            

 So, how soon is soon enough? First page? First chapter? If it’s done well and the anticipation builds, I don’t think it matters, as long as they fall in love by the end of the story.

As always, happy reading!

Marie

Guest Author: Charlene Keel

Hybrid Author Charlene Keel Talks About THE LODESTONE

Thanks, HEAT, for the opportunity to share my books. It seems fitting as we in the U.S. prepare for Independence Day that I introduce readers to Cleome Parker, liberated, independent woman and budding feminist—not easy to be in 1830s England, especially if you’re the illegitimate daughter of a madwoman.

As if that doesn’t make Cleome’s life hard enough, along comes handsome, arrogant Drake Stoneham who wins her grandfather’s inn and tavern in a card game. Alone and penniless when the old man hangs himself in shame, Cleome convinces Drake to let her run the inn for him.

Writing this book has been a journey. It began as The Tavern House (Dorchester, 1976) after I read Catherine Cookson’s The Dwelling Place and was inspired to try a historical. While I was fortunate to have been published so early in my career, I was also at a disadvantage because my publisher put out whatever I turned in without assigning an editor to work with me—and I had no idea what I was doing.

Some 30 years later I got the book out and read it again and was absolutely horrified. There were holes in it that you could drive a coach and four through! I got the rights back, rewrote it and changed the title. It was probably the most uplifting creative experience I’ve ever had.

The Lodestone had a brief life on my now-defunct e-pub site, Tantalizing Tales, where I published it under my pseudonym, Kathryn Fairfax (I thought that was a better name for a romance author). On Kindle, it’s under my own name only because I couldn’t figure out how to include a pseudonym in my account—perhaps a happy accident. Of all the books I’ve written I think this one is my favorite.

I recovered rights to all my old titles and self-published them as ebooks, which makes me a hybrid author since I also publish with traditional houses. HCI Books/HCI Teens has just released Ghost Crown, the second book in my new YA paranormal adventure-romance trilogy—and my co-author J. Gabriel Gates and I are delighted with the reviews. 

Here’s a bit of The Lodestone:

Excerpt: THE LODESTONE

He sprawled nearby in the regal-looking easy chair, which bore the eagle’s head insignia on each of its massive arms. Pleading her case would be more difficult than Cleome first thought, with him sitting so close to her, the firelight reflecting off his hair. Once more his dark appeal assaulted her senses. Heavy brows accented his wide forehead and arched above large hazel eyes. A little smile, as if he were humoring a small child, played at his lips as he gazed at her.

“Pray,” he continued more gently. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Miss Parker. I promise I’ll not bite you or harm you in any way.”

She took a deep breath and before cowardice could overwhelm her, she plunged ahead. “It has occurred to me, Mr. Stoneham, that—as you have no plans to reside here throughout the year—you will need someone to see after the place in your absence. I have, for some time, performed many tasks in helping my grandfather run the inn. I have kept the ledgers, supervised the staff, ordered menus, purchased supplies, and the like.”

“You are suggesting that you, a mere slip of a girl, become the innkeeper?”

“It’s true I’m young, sir, but the staff all respect me. And I believe they will vouch for my efficiency.”

“My eyes can do that,” he said curtly, shifting his weight in the chair. “So you want to remain here and serve me?” He paused, but she remained silent. “Is that it?” he prompted.

“Yes, sir.” She could feel her self-control wilting under his penetrating stare. Her hands clasped tightly in her lap to prevent them shaking, she pressed her lips together, determined not to cry. She had not shed a tear as yet, and she would die before giving him the satisfaction of reducing her to feminine histrionics.

“But you cannot even heed the simplest order,” he protested calmly. “I was not out of this house an hour but you instantly disobeyed my wishes.”

“I explained why I prefer to work.” She wanted to jump to her feet and pound his unfeeling chest, but she forced herself to remain seated.

“Did you stop to consider what my reasons might be?” he asked. “Perhaps it was in my mind to sell the place. What then?”

Her gaze did not falter beneath his as she responded, “Then perhaps, if the work I’ve done in your absence is satisfactory, you’d be kind enough to recommend my services to the new owner.” A flicker of hope came to life within her. If he were to sell the inn, perhaps a more understanding employer would take her on.

“Put your mind at ease, mademoiselle,” he grumbled. “I have no plans to sell. And so you are offering your services to me, when it’s obvious you cannot bear the sight of me. With good reason, I might add.” The quick, surprised look she darted at him gave her away completely and she wished, for her mother’s sake, she could recall it. She didn’t like him, it was true; but she did not wish to make him angry. There was too much at stake. “Well?” he demanded.

She had to look away from him as she struggled to hold her emotions in check. “I must see that my mother has lodging and a little food every day,” she said at last. “We have no relatives to whom I can appeal and she will not survive if we are set upon the road. I would suffer anything rather than allow it.”

He leaned close to her and placing his hand beneath her chin, he drew her face up so that she was looking directly into his eyes. And then he spoke one distinct word.

“Anything?” he asked softly.

To buy THE LODESTONE: http://www.amazon.com/The-Lodestone-ebook/dp/B006YYW0S6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340303185&sr=8-1&keywords=the+lodestone+by+charlene+keel

For more about Charlene's books, visit her at www.charlenekeel.com/