#AuthorSpotlight – Carson Mackenzie

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

My name is Carson Mackenzie. I am a single mother with two grown sons. I live in the South with one son, a Great Dane, and two shelter dogs who think they run the household. I don’t know any of the Twinsies.

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

Writing the first books in a series can be hard because it is the book that will either peak a reader’s interest or not. However, to me, the books that follow are the hardest. The first book is fresh, a new idea that brings on the excitement of new characters and building a world around them. With the books that follow, as an author, you want them to be as unique as the first. The main characters in the following books deserve to not to be overshadowed by the mains in the first book and given their own different and engaging storyline. The goal is when the series is completed, readers feel from book one to the last book written had the author’s complete devotion to their characters and story was achieved.

What comes first? The plot or characters?

I start with a basic plot, then once the characters form – I start writing and allow the characters’ personalities to complete the plot as they guide me through telling their story.

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

Nora Roberts – I grew up reading her. Over the years, she is one of the only authors who’s stories and writing has kept me entertained to point I keep coming back for more.

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

When did you realize you wanted to be an author? How long did take you gain enough courage to take the plunge into allowing others to see your work? Are you a disciplined writer or do you only write when the mood strikes?

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

None. I title the book and write blurb before I even start typing the story. If it is to be a series, it is also name prior to working on book.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

My favorite memory is from my first published book. It was a private message from a reader who stated she enjoyed the story and was looking forward to reading more along with watching me grow as an author.

What is your definition of success?

Success can be defined a number of different ways – For me it is knowing people are reading and enjoying my books as much as I enjoyed writing them.

What are your social links?

“Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carson-Mackenzie/e/B019CYGYSQ/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarsonMackenzieAuthor/ Webpage: https://www.carsonmackenzieauthor.wordpress.com/ Carson’s Crew: https://www.facebook.com/groups/carsoncrew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carsonmackenzie4/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14764937.Carson_Mackenzie Allauthor: https://allauthor.com/profile/carsonmackenzie/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carson-mackenzie MeWe: https://www.mewe.com/i/carsonmackenzie Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/l2k1l8 ”

What are your buy links?

“Speed (Book 1) – Universal – https://books2read.com/speed Crusher (Book 2) – Universal – https://books2read.com/crusher Devil (Book 3) – Universal – https://books2read.com/devil-blackhawkmc Ghost (Book 4) – Universal – https://books2read.com/ghost-blackhawkmc Jag (Book 5) – Universal – https://books2read.com/jag-blackhawkmc Coast (Book 6) – Universal – https://books2read.com/coast Snatched (Book 1) – Universal – https://books2read.com/snatched-havenmc Hawk’s Bounty (Book 2) – Universal – https://books2read.com/hawksbounty Keg’s Revelation (Book 3) – Universal – https://books2read.com/Kegsrevelation Her Way or No Way – Universal – https://books2read.com/her-way-or-no-way Touched by the Music – Universal – https://books2read.com/touchedbythemusic ”

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight – Melonie Johnson

Melonie Johnson

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Melonie Johnson
I’m a Star Wars junkie and Shakespeare groupie. Known as #thewritinglush, I love dark coffee, cheap wine, and expensive beer. And margaritas. And mimosas. And mules. Basically any cocktail that starts with the letter m. I met my future husband in that most romantic of places—the mall—when we were teenagers working in stores across the hall from each other. Today, we live happily ever after in the magical land midway between Chicago and Milwaukee with our two redhead daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a pair of hermit crabs. After teaching high school English and Theatre for several years, now I write smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin. Declared a “writer to watch” by Kirkus and a “fizzy, engrossing new voice” by Entertainment Weekly, my debut series, SOMETIMES IN LOVE, has appeared on the Amazon Best Books of the month, and been featured in Cosmopolitan and Woman’s World. Watch for my next romantic comedy, TOO GOOD TO BE REAL, out July 6, 2021.

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

Even though later books in a series have more logistical challenges because you are juggling multiple books at various stages of the publication process, starting a new series is harder because you are getting to know the characters, establishing the world, defining relationships, etc. It takes time and drains a lot of creativity.

What comes first? The plot or characters

Almost always the characters.

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

I have been so lucky to meet several of my most favorite authors, including Karen Marie Moning Diana Galbadon, and Laura Kinsale.

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

1. What are your tricks for making the words flow when “writer’s block” hits?
2. Which of your books would you choose to be made into a movie?
3. If you could write outside your published genres, what would you try?

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

Crafting the blurb! So tricky to boil it down to the right bits and tie it up in a neat package.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Romance Game Night at the Strand Bookstore in NYC

What is your definition of success?

A fan base with readers who connect with my stories and love my books.

What are your social links?

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/melonie-johnson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewritinglush/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MelonieFJohnson/_saved/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelonieJohnson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelonieWrites/

What are your buy links?

Too Good to be Real: toogoodtobereal.com
Sometimes in Love series:
Getting Hot with the Scot: https://meloniejohnson.com/books/sometimes-in-love-2/getting-hot-with-the-scot/
Smitten by the Brit: https://meloniejohnson.com/books/sometimes-in-love-2/smitten-by-the-brit/
Once Upon a Bad Boy: https://meloniejohnson.com/once-upon-a-bad-boy/

#AuthorSpotlight – KB Cinder

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

KB Cinder, I’m a contemporary/rom com author who writes books like Jack Off and Circle Jerk 😉 I don’t know any of the Twinsies!

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

Gahhhh. The ones after. Characters don’t always follow your plans for them.

What comes first? The plot or characters?

Characters!

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

Lucy Score 🙂

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

“1) Do you write chapter to chapter in order or do you bounce around? 2) Do you have any weird writing rituals? 3) How do you keep your funny even when life’s not so funny?”

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

Blurb. Condensing your baby into one little snippet is like pulling teeth.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Coming up with the concepts of Circle Jerk and Jack Off. I resisted a lot of my gut instincts early on. Embracing my kind of funny has been such a relief.

What is your definition of success?

Writing what makes you and your readers happy.

What are your social links?

“https://www.facebook.com/kbcinderauthor https://www.instagram.com/kbcinderauthor/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19210548.KB_Cinder”

What are your buy links?

#WOTR21 #Christmas #ShortStory #Newsletter #Freebie – Coldcocked by Saint Nick by Melonie Johnson

Coldcocked by Saint Nick

She never saw it coming…
Classic holiday story of boy meets girl,
boy knocks girl out with his giant candy-cane,
boy falls for girl and they live happily ever after.
Well, not exactly. But it’s a start.

As the pop culture liaison for Chicago’s biggest morning talk show, Tiffany Hunt spends her December covering celebrations, performances, and charity functions. Which is how she winds up onstage as a volunteer host of the annual Jingle Ball, a fundraiser supporting the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. Her packed schedule of holiday events might seem glamorous, but the stressful days often leave Tiffany with a headache—sometimes literally—like when one of the performers accidentally beans her in the back of the skull with a giant plastic candy cane.
The wielder of this oversized peppermint prop turned weapon of destruction is Nick Santos, an occupational therapist who moonlights as a caroling crooner in an a cappella group. When Nick insists on keeping Tiffany company for the evening to make sure she’s feeling all right after bonking her on the head, she’s unable to resist. How can she refuse a doctor’s orders? Besides, she is feeling a little woozy, especially when said hot doctor lays his hands on her…
Oh, she’s going to be on the naughty list for sure this year.

Goodreads

Newsletter sign up for this freebie HERE

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book from the author off her newsletter sign up.

This was a super cute and super sweet short story.  It’s a perfect hour read when you are sitting by the fire and getting excited for the holidays!

This story is about a Christmas bu-hum bug named Tiffany. She is kinda down on the holiday. She doesn’t really enjoy the season and the magic around it.  While not paying attention to the band she is getting ready to talk about after they finish singing,  she gets knocked in the head by Nick…well Dr. Nick.

The story is about how a quick insta-chemistry with the Doctor, who also loves to sing acappella, turns the holiday into the romantic time it surely should be.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Melonie Johnson—aka #thewritinglush—loves dark coffee, cheap wine, and expensive beer. And margaritas. And mimosas. And mules. Basically any cocktail that starts with the letter m. She met her future husband in that most romantic of places—the mall—when they were teenagers working in stores across the hall from each other. Today, they live happily ever after in the magical land midway between Chicago and Milwaukee with their two redhead daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a pair of hermit crabs. After earning her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, Melonie taught high school English and Theatre in the northern Chicago suburbs for several years. Now she writes smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin. Declared a “writer to watch” by Kirkus and a “fizzy, engrossing new voice” by Entertainment Weekly, her debut series from St. Martin’s Press, SOMETIMES IN LOVE, has appeared on the Amazon Best Books of the month, and been featured in Cosmopolitan and Woman’s World. Watch for her next rom-com, TOO GOOD TO BE REAL, arriving July 2021.

Visit her at meloniejohnson.com and find her on Twitter and Instagram at @MelonieJohnson.

#WOTR21 #Paranormal #Series #Saga #Vampires #SpinOffSeries – Pam, The Mate Series book 3 by Teresa Gabelman

Pam (The Mate Series, #3)

With a past best left behind, forgetting was something Pam Roark could not seem to do. Nothing was more important than her mate, VC Warrior Duncan Roark, and her son, Daniel. But the circumstances surrounding Daniel and his remarkable abilities throws her back into nightmares she can’t escape.

During her journey to protect her son from those who would exploit him, Pam realizes it isn’t Daniel who needs help, but herself. With the help of her mate and son, a path leads her to the life she was meant to have—without the horrors.

The Mate series delves into the kickass world of the Warriors’ mates and how united, they can make a difference—just like their badass Protectors. Follow along to see how these exceptional women’s newfound freedom affect those around them and which Warrior may or may not support their feisty independent mate’s new and exciting path.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book but kinda feel it was just as much Daniel’s book as it was Pam’s book.  This book was Pam dealing with her past that also affected her son Daniel and mate Duncan.  We find out even more about Kenny, what he did we didn’t know about, and who he was in business with we didn’t previously know.  Like dude was so bad!!

We also see Duncan trying too be a badass warrior but also dealing with his son and mate’s need to know and not know what is happening in the world.  We see Daniel coming to terms with what makes him special plus what may be his downfall.  We see Pam struggling as a mom, wife, social service employee and so much more.  She wants her family to be safe and her friends to be ok, but she is also losing control of everything around her.

The book was good as it moved us forward in the world.  We see Duncan and Pam reaffirming their love and commitment to each other, but we also see the struggles that being parents have on them.

I loved getting to know grown up Daniel.  I can’t wait for his real book even though I am sure it’s a ways off since he is not ready for “grown up stuff” yet.

I loved the movement in the story line of Charger and Raven.  I am eagerly awaiting that book in my greedy hands!!

Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ‘Protectors Series’. When not writing about sexy alpha vampires and the women who drive them crazy she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole/Kindle, at a MMA event or spending a fun evening with family.

Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time she would love to hear from you!

Website: www.teresagabelman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa…
Email: tgabelman@live.com

#AuthorSpotlight – Michelle Geel

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself and which Twinsie do you know.

“Hiya! I’m Michelle Geel, a mom of 2 kiddos & 4 dogs, and I live in a coastal city in South Africa. I’m kooky and weird, and sarcastic in the best way possible (there’s a good way?). The off-the-cuff sh*t I often spout tends to be highly entertaining to those around me and in my book, keeping my loved ones laughing is always a bonus. I’ve just signed up to the TwinsieTalk newsletter, so am looking forward to getting to know everyone on the team. I write contemporary steamy romance, and am still learning to live with my NSFW brain (I still have a daytime job). Although my first two books are trad published by DDP (Deep Desires Press), I am now flying solo as an indie-author and have released my first self-published novella, Playing Offense, just last week! (Playing Offense is part of the Girl Power Romance anthology – where women have been placed in positions which are generally filled by men.)”

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

I have not written a series yet, but I’d suppose the follow-ups would be. Especially if each book covers a different couple & there’s interaction between the couples from each book (e.g. brothers). Timelines are tricky to keep straight and readers are not fools – they pick up on every-freaking-thing!

What comes first? The plot or characters?

Ooh, toughie. It would depend what triggers the idea. If I see an extraordinarily handsome man, I’d build the story around him. If it’s the plot, the characters will soon emerge.

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

Ooh, you guys don’t make this easy. I’d have to say TL Swan, simply because I’ve known her longer and have interacted with her on a few occasions, but we’ve never actually ‘met’.

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

“Tee often speaks of how she rewrites entire books. I’d love to know whether it’s a complete rewrite, or whether she keeps the scenes she really likes (which may limit her). She has a beautiful style of writing. It pulls you right in and makes you feel as though you’re actually watching a movie. I’d love to know what (if anything) she attributes this skill to. When she jots down her plot – does she strictly stick to it, or does she go where her characters take her?”

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

B.L.U.R.B.!!! (maybe like multiplied by a few million, just to cover all the bases)

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

“C’mon, these are like final-stage questions at Who wants to be a millionaire! (and I have no lifelines left) Gosh, it’s pre-published author stage, but I guess the night I received the email from the publisher, offering to sign me & publish my first book. (I wasn’t sure that my writing was good enough to even self-publish, so their offer was a huge feather in my cap.)”

What is your definition of success?

As an author, it would be the ability to write a story so well that it completely captivates the reader, swoops them along the bumpy rollercoaster ride, and spits them out – satisfied – on the other side. #goalachieved

What are your social links?

“https://www.facebook.com/MichelleGeelAuthor/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/276850519695721/ https://www.instagram.com/mich3geel/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17773786 http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07B7DR4J1”

What are your buy links?

“Playing Offense: http://amzn.com/B08LZJWH83 Crimson Tide: http://amzn.com/1090763255 Finding a keeper: http://a.co/3PFJSt1”

#WOTR21 #Novella – Never Gone by JM Walker

Never Gone (A Novella)

Atlas Horne was my weakness.
No matter how much time had passed since I last saw him, the feelings I had, never went away.
He left when we were kids and took my heart with him, leaving a gaping hole behind.
Seven years.
That was how long it took for him to man up and come home to me.
But little did he know, I wasn’t giving in that easily.

WARNING: This is a quick second chance romance that’s hot, dirty and oh so passionate. No characters were harmed in the making of this story, but I can’t say the same for their clothing.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

Oh snap Atlas and Marley are a super sexy 2nd chance romance.  The story is all about losing the young love you always planned to be with forever.  When life throws you back in their path do you finally take that chance like Marley to “say goodbye” or do you plan on making them yours again but forever like Atlas does??

Considering this is a short story there are some twists and a turn even to make you want punch the main characters.  But of course, the twists and turns help our main characters realize they need each other all the more.

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who hit USA Today with Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. She loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

#WOTR21 #Rocker #Drummer – #DoubleReview Inferno, Feverish Book 3 by Jade C. Jamison

Inferno (Feverish #3)

His past was supposed to stay in the past.

Dane, Last Five Seconds’ drummer, is the “quiet” one. It’s not just because his bandmates are boisterous and love sucking up the limelight.

It’s part of who he is, where he comes from. But he’s determined to break free from the chains of his past.

When it catches up to him, his comfortable world shatters, leaving him with an injured back and an inability to perform his work onstage. To get back on the road as soon as possible, he undergoes physical therapy to aid with his recovery.

Enter Charlie. As his physical therapist, she’s a hell of a caregiver, but she’s also feisty. Sometimes she’s abrupt. And snappy. And downright rude. And, like Dane, she’s got a few hidden scars.

But Dane sees something inside her, something that speaks to him. Although Charlie holds him at arm’s length, even after he’s no longer her patient, Dane is finally able to penetrate her armor. While his scars have never fully healed, hers go even deeper.

As they work through their pasts together, Dane is convinced it will make them stronger, but can they ever move beyond their insecurities and hang ups enough to trust each other…or are they destined to be alone?

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

STAHP!!!  They are back!!  The LFS guys are back!!!! I am so excited.  Its been FOREVAH since we got to see the guys…..Clay and Emily are good.  Sam and Grace are planning the wedding.  Brian is dealing with his divorce and then there is quiet Dane.  Dane has always been a little on the quiet side and this book we get to know him and why he is so “shy”.

Childhood bullies leave a mark on our sweet Dane.  After reconnecting with one he gets a bit stupid and overly drunk which causes him to hurt his back.  Off to Physical Therapy he goes.  Except falling for his therapist isn’t what he should be doing.

Charlie is a mess.  This girl lives with scars and trauma that no one should be able to recover from and yet here she is rocking her façade of a happy life.  She feels some ways about Dane but pushes and pushes and pushes him away.

When Dane kinda stalkery but not really stalkery but yet stalkery finds her and asks her out they seem to click.  Both, however, have crazy low confidence and read the wrong vibe the other throws out at times which makes things hella mess.  I’m telling ya they are the perfect match for the other but they kinda step on their own toes at times.

Charlie is petrified of love but Dane’s light just crumbles her walls. Dane is so in love with Charlie and yet he reads things she does the wrong way which makes him feel less than.  Gah, these two!!  Seriously they have all the chemistry and all the love but also all the fear when you go all in with someone.

I loved the story and seriously this makes me want to do a reread to remember the awesome story of Clay and Sam but then I gotta go back to Brad/Val/Ethan since that is where we met this ban of awesomeness!!

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

I so thrilled to have Last Five Seconds back.  I mean really, I get to see Clay/Jet again *sigh*. Ok I know let’s get back to Dane. Dane is our quite shy drummer.

Dane is dealing with demons from his childhood when he falls off the stage at a concert. He has to have therapy where he meets Charlie. Charlie has no idea who Dane is and Dane is intrigued by her. Once Dane is back on his feet, he seeks out Charlie.  Dane had a bit of stalker in him for this…lol.

Charlie has her own issues she is dealing with.  While Dane is pursuing Charlie, she has to decide if he is worth chipping away at the wall she built to protect herself.

I loved Dane but Charlie took a bit to get used to.  These two had chemistry but man it took a while for them to get it together. I so enjoyed watching Dane and Charlies story evolve.  I also realized how much I missed my man Jet.

1. Dream 2. Play some music 3. Write 4. Blow readers away 5. Repeat

Jade C. Jamison is a steamy romance author, heavy metal fangirl, wife and mom, coffee connoisseur, cat lover, and vegan foodie–not necessarily in that order. She loves life and believes we learn our wisest lessons when reading, especially fiction. Her heroines are fierce, her heroes all but broken, both seeking redemption together. Whether those books are set in a small Colorado town or big city, she strives to take her readers’ breath away…one story at a time.

Find out more at www.jadecjamison.com OR
http://www.subscribepage.com/JadeCJam… (newsletter)

#WOTR21 #AuthorSpotlight – Ellis Leigh

Ellis Leigh

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Ellis Leigh, USA Today bestselling author of paranormal and sci-fi romance. I like fur, fangs, and long walks through creepy forests late at night.

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

I think the later books become harder mostly because, as authors, we build entire universes in our minds. All those details–all the foreshadowing that happens along the way–has to be logged and tracked somehow. The farther along a book is in a series, the more re-reading of past books I have to do to jog my memory.

What comes first? The plot or characters

Characters. Always. Every books starts as a GIF in my head of a particular moment in time. That moment tends to spotlight the overall goal of that character. The character profile fills in from that, then the plot builds around that moment. Character is always primary, though.

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

I met her! I adore Kelley Armstrong, and I was lucky enough to meet her at the RWA convention in New York. Her Women Of The Otherworld series inspired me to revisit my love of paranormal romance, and I am forever a fan of hers for that.

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

How do you build your characters to have such depth and personality? As a genre skipper, how much reading do you do in the genre you’re writing in at the moment? Can I have Jeremy Danvers, please?

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

All of it. Every single aspect because it affects marketing and visibility. I may want to name a paranormal romance some super simple name, but I have to be able to show a reader what’s inside at a glance. Cover, title, subtitle, and blurb are vital to a book’s success for sure.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

I was at a reader convention once, standing in line at the coffee shop at like six in the morning in my pajamas and hoodie. Picture it–no makeup, messy hair, bleary eyed. I’m talking fresh out of bed with no shame. It was at that moment a reader of mine came running across the lobby SCREAMING my name. She was so excited to meet me that I couldn’t even be mad when she snapped a selfie with me. I wanted to, and I’m sure somewhere out there is a horrible picture of me trying hard to smile pre-coffee, but she was a gift. I will forever be grateful for that moment of being seen.

What is your definition of success?

I don’t think I have one for myself. I always have goals–financial, production, noticeability–but nothing I could say is a direct component of “success.” Ask me in another five years.

What are your social links?

https://www.facebook.com/ellisleighwrites

https://twitter.com/ellis_writes

http://instagram.com/ellis_and_kristin

https://www.facebook.com/groups/feralbreed/

What are your buy links?

http://author.to/ellisleigh