Category Archives: Author Spotlight

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight, WOTR Event

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight – Mellanie Szereto

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Mellanie Szereto

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Mellanie Szereto


When her fingers aren’t attached to her keyboard, Mellanie Szereto enjoys hiking, Pilates, cooking, gardening, and researching for her stories. Many times, the research partners with her other hobbies, taking her from the Hocking Hills region in Ohio to the Colorado Rockies and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes, the trip is no farther than her garden for ingredients and her kitchen to test recipes for her latest steamy tale. Mellanie makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband of thirty-four years and their son.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The second to last book in the series is usually the hardest for me to finish. The first book in the series is always easiest because…new series!

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

You should see my list of to-write book titles! Blurb writing is by far the most difficult!

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

I have two favorite memories as an author–writing The End with my first book and receiving my first fan email!

What is your definition of success?

Having readers who love my stories is the highest measure of success to me, but making a living at writing is up there too!

What are your social links?

Newsletter signup: https://www.subscribepage.com/mellanieszereto
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto

What are your buy links? 

Website/Books page: https://www.mellanieszereto.com/books
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/mellanie-szereto/id540431015
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mellanie Szereto
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Mellanie+Szereto
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=mellanie%20szereto

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight, WOTR Event

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight #6YearFamily – Dawn Brower

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Dawn Brower

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Hello, my name is Dawn Brower and I have been writing now for six years (I think…). When I was younger I wanted to be a writer, but not a novelist. My dream was to be a journalist. I don’t know when or where I gave up on that idea. Life…just happened. My father believed I’d be the next Mark Twain. I think he had high expectations (and at the time I thought he was nuts). If I had one wish, I’d have liked to have finished my first book while he was still alive. It might not be a classic by any stretch, but the fact that I finished a book would have made him proud.

I have 70+ books of various lengths available now. All romance, some historical, some time travel, some contemporary, and some romantic suspense. I like to play in a lot of sand boxes. Most of my books fall into some realm of historical though.

I live in Michigan, and have most of my life (one year I lived in Florida. That was the year hurricane Andrew hit and it freaked my mother out. We moved back to MI two weeks later.) For the most part I love it here, but I hate winter. To be more precise…I hate snow. I can deal with the cold. Snow makes me cranky in my advanced age.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

This one depends on the book(s). Some the first is harder, because it takes more research, and planning. You need to organize what you’re going to do and outline the plan as much as possible. It’s not harder to write, but harder in the sense its more work initially. Some books start out with only one book in mind and they spin into a whole series. Writing that book opens your mind up to other possibilities. Then some books, that come later, it’s like pulling teeth to get the characters from point A to point B. It’s not a this or that sort of answer for me.

What comes first? The plot or characters

The plot mostly, but the characters play a huge part in how it forms in my mind.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

At one time I would have said Karen Marie Moning. I used to devour everything she wrote, and I went to many events that involved her. She is the reason I’m close to a select group of people. I met them because of her. Now? This is hard because I’ve met so many authors I look up to. I think Nalini Singh. She’s one of my favorite authors I have not yet met yet.

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

What sparks your imagination? When will Bluebell get a book? Do you need a beta reader? I volunteer as tribute. 😉

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

The blurb. I hate, hate, hate blurbs. I actually enjoy naming things lol.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

That feeling after finishing my first book. It was exhilarating. There was a time I thought I would never have the patience to write an entire book, and the fact that I did, still amazes me. Now 70+ written works later…that still leaves me with a heady feeling.

What is your definition of success?

Meeting my deadlines… Writing is rewarding, but let’s be honest…it helps that people actually buy my work so I can keep writing. Every book is a new sense of stress and praying that people will like it. Would it be nice to hit it big? Yes. But it’s important to me that I put out good stories and that people enjoy them. I’m all right with my place in the world.

What are your social links?

instagram.com/1DawnBrower

facebook.com/1DawnBrower

twitter.com/1DawnBrower

What are your buy links? 

Amazon

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight, WOTR Event

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight – Chelsea Camaron

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Chelsea Camaron

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Chelsea Camaron is a small town Carolina girl with a big imagination. She’s a wife and mom, chasing her dreams. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and romance thrillers. She loves to write about blue-collar men who have real problems with a fictional twist. From mechanics, bikers, oil riggers, smokejumpers, bar owners, and beyond she loves a strong hero who works hard and plays harder.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The others after it!

What comes first? The plot or characters 

Depends on the series – most of the time a single scene starts in my mind that I can’t shake and I build from there.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Madeline Sheehan

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series. 

Naming the book!

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

pressing publish for the very first time

What is your definition of success?

Writing a story from beginning to end is a win. I have so many projects unfinished, getting to the end is a simple success to me that I treasure.

What are your social links?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorchelseacamaron
Twitter: @chelseacamaron
Instagram: @chelseacamaron
Website: www.authorchelseacamaron.com
Email chelseacamaron@gmail.com
Join Chelsea’s reader group here: http://bit.ly/2BzvTa4

What are your buy links? 

www.authorchelseacamaron.com

Amazon

Author Interviews, Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight of Siera London

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Thank you for hosting me Twinsies Talk Book Reviews! 

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself. I’m Siera London and I write really sexy and emotional love stories. Heroes really do exist in Sieraland. Men who know what they want make my knees weak. I published my debut novel, Chasing Ava in 2015 and…twenty-two books later, I still love typing THE END. 

When you are writing, what are some go to’s that you need? i.e. Foods to eat, noise level, place to sit. Peace. Quiet. Pen, paper, and my laptop. For my latest release, Prime Ripped, I dictated most of the book. 

What or how would you describe the books you write? I write juicy stories about messy people who deserve love even if they don’t believe it’s possible. Family is important to my characters. Most of them will have one or more wacky relatives to battle with on the road to happily ever after. 

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?  Meet?! I want to eat dinner and then spend the night with Talia Hibbert, J.R. Ward, and Lee Child. Yeah, I’m that chick. 

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person? Ha, I wish! I write best at night, but life forces me to write during the day (when I’m home alone). 

What is your favorite memory so far as an author? Receiving my first reader review for Chasing Ava. Logan and Ava’s story belonged solely to me for eighteen months before I hit publish. I feel in love with them before their story was written. When I received that first review, I knew someone else loved them too. 

Do you have a book that is your most prized possession?  Hmm, I don’t think so. Each book is a diamond, precious and beautiful, with a brilliance of its own.

What are your social links?

If you like communicating via text message, Text EZSIERA to 474747. If you want to see my travels, grandbabies, as well as Siera London book updates: 

Join my VIP Reader Mailing List for exclusive first looks at my upcoming books. https://www.subscribepage.com/sieralondonvipreaders

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsieralondon

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/siera_london

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/siera-london

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/siera_london

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sieralondon

Website: https://www.sieralondonauthor.com

What are your buy links?  Check out my Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1Oce1Ht 

I’ve written five book series and two standalone titles. All my titles are available in Kindle Unlimited, so you don’t have to choose. 

     

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight #MOA #RoyalReaders – Caroline Andrus

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Caroline Andrus

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Caroline Andrus and I write books for teen and new adult audiences.

When you are writing, what are some go to’s that you needs? IE Foods to eat, noise level, place to sit.

Most of my initial writing (before edits) are done on my phone with my earbuds in and Spotify on! (Usually in a waiting room while my kids are at their activities.)

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

Meeting the readers and other authors!

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

I’ve already met my idol, Richelle Mead, twice. 🙂

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person?

My writing is all over the place and not in the least bit consistent.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

When a young fan heard I had a new book coming out in a couple weeks time, she jumped up and town and squealed. Highlight of my career thus far!

What are your social links?

I’m most active on Twitter @AndrusCaroline

What are your buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Andrus/e/B010P9ZO0Q/

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight #MOA #RoyalReaders – Beth M James

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Beth M James

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Beth M James. I’m an author who writes novels based on strong characters, lessons learned, and elements of romance. I write contemporary, fantasy, and mystery. When I’m not writing, I like to spend time with family and friends, take walks, jigsaw puzzles, and spend time at our tiny home up north.

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

I love meeting people. I’ve met some great and interesting people at signings, both readers and other authors. I always learn something new whenever I attend.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

I would have loved to met Kathleen E Woodiwiss. She was the one to hook me on romances.

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person?

I’ve learned to be flexible when and where I write since I also have a full-time job. I’ve created first drafts during lunch breaks, I’ve worked on edits in our RV while traveling on the road, and I’ve created stories while sitting on a chair in the middle of the driveway at our tiny home. When at home, I’ll write in the evenings and weekends. I have an office where I’ll sit at my desk or sit on the floor with my back against the couch.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

My favorite memory is being interviewed for an article in Time Magazine about writers and self-publishing. I was just starting out at the time and researching how to self-publish. The interview was by phone, and we talked for an hour. When the article came out, I was so excited to see my name in Time Magazine. How cool is that!

Do you have a book that is your most prized possession? What is it and why is it so amazing?

My prized possession is actually a manuscript for “The Fulfillment” by LaVyrle Spencer. It’s like a lucky charm, having something she created, and that keeps me motivated.

What are your social links?

Website: www.bethmjames.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BethMJamesAuthor,

What are your buy links?

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-M-James/e/B00C2F9IIQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Author Spotlight

#AuthorApotlight @MOA #RoyalReaders – Lizbeth Selvig

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Lizbeth Selvig

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Lizbeth Selvig. I live in southern Minnesota and I write contemporary small town and western romance. I’m also planning to add Scottish contemporary to my list soon. In my non-writing life, I love to quilt, read, horseback ride, travel and, especially, hang out with my three grandkids. We are also an extended family filled with animals–from many horses to dogs, cats, alpacas, goats and a pot-bellied pig! I’ve been married since forever to my real-life romance hero and we’ve raised an equine veterinarian daughter and a musician/business major son. We also love to hike and have made several long-distance (200-mile/100-mile) treks.

When you are writing, what are some go to’s that you needs? IE Foods to eat, noise level, place to sit.

I generally love to have it quiet in my house when I write. I can deal with music–especially instrumentals or nature sounds–but I definitely can’t have a television on because that is a shiny, glittery thing and I can’t leave it as background–I have to watch! (Shiny object syndrome, you know.) So–no distractions for my squirrel brain is the best bet. Weirdly, though, I can go to a coffee shop and write just fine despite the other people. I guess they aren’t as glittery and distracting as moving pictures!

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

Definitely meeting the people–both readers and other authors. I really enjoy the opportunity to tell new readers about my stories even if they don’t buy my books right there. I love finding out what people love to read! As a bonus, I really like seeing how other authors display their books. I’m always looking for a more creative and attractive way of setting up my table–and my fellow authors are always so inspiring!

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

I have been so lucky to meet many of my favorite authors over the years. One of my new favorites is JoJo Moyes (“The Giver of Stars” and “Me Before You”). She isn’t really a romance author but I’ve fallen in love with her talent and the way she crafts a story. I’d also really love to have a one-on-one conversation with Tami Hoag. She was one of the original members of my local RWA chapter and I’m “friends” with her online. But I’m just getting into her books and would be thrilled to meet her in person.

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person?

I only WISH I kept a consistent schedule! I am so random about when I write–but I definitely do not advocate working that way! I am motivated by deadlines, so I write the most and best when I HAVE to get things done. I’m also a pathological night owl and write most easily from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sadly, when I have to be up early in the morning, that doesn’t work well so I’m always trying to find a consistent time that really works.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Winning the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award and later finaling in the RWA RITAs were both career highlights. But I think my favorite memory was the first time I got a review that said my book had changed a reader’s perspective and made her life better. That was a pretty big “Wow” moment!

Do you have a book that is your most prized possession? What is it and why is it so amazing?

I guess the closest I have to a prized book is an old hardcover edition of LaVyrle Spencer’s “Morning Glory” that she signed at an event years ago. I told her I was aspiring to be an author and she wished me good luck with my writing in the inscription. She was my first real author-hero, and I am convinced her good wishes kept me working toward being a little like her!

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizbethselvigauthor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lizbethselvig
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lizbethselvigauthor
Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LizbethsLegions/
Bookbub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lizbeth-selvig
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/LizbethVIPLetter

What are your buy links?

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Lizbeth-Selvig/e/B007QUOYM2

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight #MOA #RoyalReaders – Nancy Pirri and Natasha Perry

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Natasha Perry

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I am a romance author writing under the pseudonyms, Nancy Pirri and Natasha Perry. I am also the owner of Melange Books, LLC, a multi-genre small press publishing company located here in Minnesota.

When you are writing, what are some go to’s that you needs? IE Foods to eat, noise level, place to sit.

I seem to write best with background music playing–almost any kind. I write at an actual desktop computer with the music and the writing flows.

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

Meeting and networking with other authors from around the world.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Renee Rose-I’d love to meet her. She writes mafia romance and sci-fi romance with kink. She’s a dynamite writer.

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person?

My own personal writing I do on Sundays, other days of the week are devoted to my company, Melange Books, LLC

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Taking a TOP PICK-4/12 star rating for my first romance novel, The MacAulay Bride, with the now defunct Romantic Times magazine.

Do you have a book that is your most prized possession? What is it and why is it so amazing?

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. This author can write! The telling of this novel is unique, unlike anything I’ve ever read before and held my utter interest start to finish.

What are your social links?

www.nancypirri.com

https://twitter.com/nancywriter

https://www.facebook.com/NancyPirriAuthor/

What are your buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nancy+pirri&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight #MOA #RoyalReaders – Julien Bradley

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Julien Bradley

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Julien Bradley

When you are writing, what are some go to’s that you needs? IE Foods to eat, noise level, place to sit.

I follow the sun throughout my house so I sit in various locations to write. I must have something to drink, usually coffee or water. I try to follow a keto diet so my go to is typically nuts or raw veggies. My writing play list consists of musical scores or movie soundtracks. NO LYRICS because I tend to want to sing along. Helen Jane Long wrote the Aviator just for my female protagonist Mony Strong (or at least I’d like to think so). I like it quite in the house when I write.

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

Making a new fan.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

I’ve met my favorite author William Kent Krueger a few times at mutual book signings. Another author I would love to meet is Sylvia Day.

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person?

I have off work on Fridays (I’m a clinic nurse) and I write evenings when my spouse is at work. Really anything I have a moment to myself I try to write .

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Having a fan ask me to take a picture with them.

Do you have a book that is your most prized possession? What is it and why is it so amazing?

Charlotte’s Web, I was a farm girl and I identified with Fern

What are your social links?

I have a website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and I just started on Instagram.

What are your buy links?

Website and Amazon

Author Spotlight

#AuthorSpotlight #MOA #RoyalReaders – Tara Vasser

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Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Tara and I write contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. My paranormal romance and urban fantasy world, which are one and the same, contain everything from Vampires, to Witches, to Shifters. There’s a little something for everyone who enjoys the supernatural.

When you are writing, what are some go to’s that you needs? IE Foods to eat, noise level, place to sit.

I typically write when my two little dudes are in bed for the night, right around 8PM until about 10:30PM when I go to bed. I don’t usually eat anything while writing, and some of that comes from sitting on my bed during those hours. I either like to write in silence, or sometimes I’ll listen to some instrumental-only classical music. Anything with singing and lyrics distracts me too much because then I want to sing and dance along!

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

One of my favorite things about attending signings is getting to interact with the readers in person. We spend so much time behind computers where we might get to make a short comment here or there on social media, but nothing compared to meeting someone in the flesh. The other thing that I really like about signings is getting to see author friends! Sometimes the only time I see certain people is at the few signing events I attend each year.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

I would love to meet Meghan March sometime. Her work and the way she runs her business has been so inspirational to me. Everything I’ve seen of her has been so amazing and she’s always very interactive with her fans. I had the great fortune of meeting my ultimate unicorn author, Elisabeth Naughton, at RWA a few years ago. That was absolutely amazing being able to tell her that she inspired me to write my first story.

When you are writing, do you have a consistent schedule where you write every day at the same time or are you a sit and go on different days to get it done kinda person?

I have a full time job during the day and then my family to take care of in the evenings, so at night is really the only time I have available to write. I am not as consistent as I’d like to be, but I’m working toward writing every night Sunday through Friday for my 8ish to 10:30ish time block. Every once in a great while I’ll take a day off work to write, or sit down for a couple of hours during the weekend, but there’s a lot to balance.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

My favorite memory so far as an author would be my first signing event, when someone took a chance on me as a new author and bought my book. I definitely had some tears that day. It was amazing knowing there are people out there who will support you and your creative endeavors.

Do you have a book that is your most prized possession? What is it and why is it so amazing?

My most prized book possession is my copy of Dune. I read it when I was 13 or 14 years old, and it was the first non-kid book I ever read. I still have the same copy I would take with me into trees to read until my legs would fall asleep. It was really what turned me on to reading more than what was required in school!

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraVasserAuthor/
Website: https://www.authortaravasser.com/
Twitter: @TaraVasser
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tara-vasser
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15325170.Tara_Vasser
Instagram: taravasser

What are your buy links?

https://www.amazon.com/Tara-Vasser/e/B01IGB9ZXW