Today, I’m pleased to introduce to you Linda Lee Williams. I met Linda in my writers’ group, eNovel Authors at Work and she’s been really sweet and supportive during our interactions, right from the start. Like so many others in our group, she’s a really lovely person to talk to. Therefore, I hope you will enjoy, as I will, hearing all about her and her work today.
When Abby Lawrence shows a house to Ambrose Slater, she’s unable to resist the handsome, sensitive hybrid-vampire, who is a powerful mortal. As she witnesses the deterioration of his brother’s marriage to a regular woman, Abby must decide if she can embrace the vampire lifestyle or give up the only man she’s ever loved. Ambrose must choose whether to risk losing Abby’s love or setting her free, even if it kills him…
Can a vampire baker and a spunky realtor make their relationship work? Or will their quirky families and the odds against them doom their love affair?
Emaline Hoffbrau is a beautiful, confident vampire. After losing the vampire man she loved, she doubts that her soul mate exists. When the charming Garrett Thompson comes along, he turns her world upside-down. Can Garrett accept what Emaline is? Or will he break her heart in a different way?
Juliana Slater is a gorgeous, manipulative vampire. She’s married to Chad Browning, a “regular man.” Although Chad loves Juliana, he’s not sure he wants to be her husband anymore. Will a tragedy decide their fate? Or can the two of them forgive each other and learn to trust again?
Gretchen Eberhardt is living with Bertram Fulbright, a sexy vampire and “ladies’ man.” To complicate matters, he’s slept with her best fang friends. Can a vampire couple find lasting love together? Or will Bert abandon Gretchen for another woman one day?
All is not what it seems to be on the eastern seaboard…
Abandoned late at night, Norah Sheridan shows up on Geoff Hammond’s doorstep, leaving him no choice but to take her in. Attracted to Norah, Geoff risks breaking every promise he’s made to his dying mother. Will Norah care that the handsome, renowned painter and his other artistic friends are vampire-human hybrids, pursuing their talents in Bridgeport, Connecticut? Or will she fall in love with Geoff despite herself?
When Errol Fleming moves in across the hall from Andie McNaughton, her life takes another unforeseen and perilous turn. Sweet, shy, and a bit reclusive, Andie has enough phobias to confirm that she’s “crazy.” Beautiful but imperfect, Errol bears his own disability. Despite the challenges their relationship faces, they decide to take a chance on each other.
Their future is threatened, however, when Andie hears a voice and dreams about “Noah.” She begins having visions of the handsome stranger and traveling in her mind to a mystical tropical island. Errol’s haunting dreams about the island and Noah’s obsession with Andie only add to the mystery of what’s happening…
Is Noah a figment of Andie’s imagination? Or does he exist in an alternate reality? More important, can Errol save Andie from the idyllic world she’s escaped to? Or will he lose her to her phantom lover?
Hello Linda and welcome to my blog!
Hi Frossie, very happy to be here!
What inspired you to write the Blood & Company Romance Series?
The idea for Old Town Nights grew out of a spooky, windy evening spent in Lincoln Park. My husband and I were invited to a Halloween party. As we strolled the darkened streets, heading for our friends’ apartment, we saw a lot of “vampires” out and about… and it struck me: what if some of these costumed people were the real deals? What if they lived and worked among us, seemingly ordinary, normal people—but they weren’t. What would they do to “blend in”? How could they manage to keep their dangerous secret from the rest of us?
When I answered those questions, my vampire-human hybrid series was born. Each book presents different love stories, fraught with the usual relationship issues—except, of course, with a little more “bite.” In the final novel, a tragic mystery from the first book is solved… and the Slaters’ lives are forever altered.
What other writing have you done? Anything else published?
I have a novel titled Elsewhere, a paranormal romance about two imperfect people whose relationship is threatened by supernatural forces. I’m also one of fourteen authors in an anthology called Treasured Moments. I wrote “Summer Song,” a short story about an elderly woman in a nursing home who relives her memories through music.
“Summer Song” sounds wonderful, I must say. Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?
My favorite hobby is birding. Every spring, my husband and I look forward to the return of our broad-tailed hummingbirds. We hang out nectar feeders and plant lots of salvia, their favorite flowers. Friendly, fearless, and fun, the colorful little sprites add joy to the summer months—especially when the hummers bring their youngsters to the feeders!
Oh, that’s lovely! What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).
I’m revising/editing Brothers of the Night, the final book in my series. If all goes well, I hope to publish the novel in June. I’m working on a novel about reincarnation, which I’ve titled Loving in the Past. With any luck, maybe I will finish by fall! Then again, I have an idea for a Christmas novella I’d like to write… so, who knows?
Reincarnation… a favorite subject of mine for fiction. Look forward to that book, Linda! Do you have any advice for other indie authors?
Don’t rush to publish your work. The worst advice I received was “to get as many books out there as quickly as possible.” Manuscripts require multiple revisions and several sets of eyes—beta readers and proofreaders at least. Brush up on grammar, punctuation, and syntax. If you hire an editor, verify the person’s skills or your book will still contain errors.
Indie authors are held to a higher standard than traditionally published authors. Readers who blithely ignore mistakes in trad books will not blithely ignore the mistakes in yours. The best you can do is to stack the odds in your favor and hope that readers will enjoy your stories.
Sound advice! Tell us something about your website/blog. What will readers find there?
My website is a place to learn more about my books and me. Generally, I host other authors on my blog, post excerpts, or write articles. The blog connects to my Amazon and Goodreads pages. I also have a blogspot on Google+: Indie Lindy. That site is interactive, whereas my website blog is not. Often, I connect the two blogs.
What are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?
My husband, my family, my friends, my health, my memories, and the kindness of other people. I’m also grateful that I live in a magnificent state like Colorado, where I’m surrounded by splendor. When we moved here, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!
I never let a day go by without being thankful for my many blessings.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who cared.
Who is your favorite poet? Quote a couple of lines from your favorite poem.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
–Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
How lovely and true… Thanks a lot for being here with us today, Linda.
Thank you, Frossie, for this opportunity to present my work.
Linda Lee Williams writes “contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.” Her stories revolve around imperfect characters, their families and friends, and a host of life issues. Currently, she has four published novels and is part of a short-story anthology.
After moving to Denver from Chicago, Linda taught creative writing classes and formed a writers’ group. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, biking, and birding. She loves critters of all kinds. During her journeys she’s called Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado home. Wherever she roams, she finds inspiration in her surroundings.
Visit Linda’s AMAZON PAGE
Visit Linda’s WEBSITE (includes a blog)
Visit Linda’s “IndieLindy” BLOG
Other links:
Google+: http://bit.ly/14zGJfs
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/11vMnxR
http://www.enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams
https://www.facebook.com/author.linda.lee.williams
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123006.Linda_Lee_Williams
http://www.pinterest.com/lindaleewilliam/
https://twitter.com/williamslindal
Good advice! I’m on a tear to get four books out this year, but I’ve made a deal with myself not to push them out until they are ready – both from an editing point of view and development. I find once I write a book if I sit on a bit more layers can be added, which always makes for a better book!
I absolutely agree, Amy! There’s always room for improvement and if you leave the MS for a month or two at least, you can then revisit it afresh which helps with adding new ideas, not to mention finding your own typos, huh! Thank you for your visit 🙂
A fascinating interview. I love to hear about how other writers approach their work. Thanks, Fros & Indie Lindy (I loved that moniker) :-).
Thank you for your visit, Pete. Yes, ‘Indie Lindie’ made me chuckle too, it’s inspired 🙂
Thank you, Frossie, for the beautiful post. I’m honored to appear on your lovely blog. Appreciate your comments as well, Amy and Pete. We writers share much in common!
Thank you Linda, for our lovely online chat. Such a pleasure to have you, honey 🙂 Also, thanks to you I now know what ‘birding’ means 🙂 I love humming birds. Pity we don’t have them in Greece!
I agree that get as many books out there as quickly as possible is terrible advice! It takes time to get a quality product ready for market, and that’s what books are (in addition to labours of love and works of art) – products. Lovely interview. Can’t say I’m a birder, especially since my nickname is bird. 🙂
At least it’s not birdy, then I’d be worried, thinking you try to fly as a bird ‘Matthew Modine’ style – LOL. Thank you for commenting, sweetie 🙂
Great interview! I always love your hummingbird photos.
Thank you for your visit, Teri 🙂
Great article!!!
Thank you for your comment, AJ. Lovely to see you here 🙂
A lovely introduction to your work and your life!
Many thanks for your visit, Sandra 🙂
Your nickname is “Bird,” Julie? I guess we can save that for the next time Frossie interviews you! Seriously, thanks for dropping by. We belong to a wonderful writers’ group, don’t we?
This is a great interview and it’s just what I always thought of Linda – a thoughtful, caring person. Good job. Looking forward to reading more of her books. Loved the interview!
Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind comment, Abby 🙂
I’m really enjoying these interviews.
“Someone who cared” – yes that’s a great epitaph.
Indeed, a great way to be remembered. Thank you for your visit, Bronwyn 🙂
I really enjoyed this interview, Fros and Linda.
I love the birds that hang out on our block too. We have twin Magpies and twin Butcher Birds this year, and one baby Peregrine Falcon, at least we think she’s a Peregrine Falcon, lol.
After reading the blurb for ‘Elsewhere’ again, I now have to move it up on my TBR list. 🙂
I don’t know the names of many birds, not even in Greek, so I am impressed to hear these lovely names for birds. I know magpies and we have loads in Greece, including where I live. Sometimes, I’ll see a robin and they’re so beautiful, but mostly in Athens we get to see crows, swallows and sparrows and I think that’s it. Thank you so much for your visit, Dale 🙂
Well, Golly, Linda! I love birding, too. I have a feeder that draws so many different birds. I didn’t think we had many hummers until I was sitting on the back deck in a red robe and one landed on arm. I was speechless. Great Interview. Loved it.
JackieWeger
No Perfect Destiny
Oh, you guys make me so envious that you have hummingbirds in your parts of the world. They must be so lovely to see. I could have a feeder in my garden, but I don’t encourage birds anymore because of my cat, Felix. I saved a little bird from its mouth once, poor thing it was unscathed but terrified. So I don’t even throw bread for the birds anymore either. It’s a price to pay for having a cat I guess 🙂 My mother in law in England has feeders for both birds and squirrels. It’s such a lovely thing to do, feeding those little ones, good for you guys! Thank you for visiting, Jackie 🙂
Thank you, Abby, Bronwyn, & Dale. I’m glad that you enjoyed my interview and didn’t think it was “for the birds.” LOL.
Sorry to be so late in coming to this. I only got the email this morning. I really enjoyed this interview with Linda.Loved the line about stories with a ‘little more bite’. Stunning scenery in the photo.
It’s lovely to get to know the people behind the books in these interviews, Fros.
Thank you for commenting, Mary! Indeed, stunning photos. I have a thing for Colorado, it’s so magnificent, so that picture made me particularly envious 🙂
The Blood and Company series sounds fascinating, Linda. And what great inspiration. Agree about taking time to have multiple revisions of your MS and to hire a good editor and proofreader before it goes out there 🙂 Good luck. Great interview
Thank you for your visit, Ellie! I appreciate it 🙂
Ellie, Mary, Teri, Jackie, Sandra, & AJ: I thank all of you for visiting and for leaving kind comments. I’m happy that you enjoyed learning more about my books and me. Again, thank you, Fros, for featuring me on your beautiful blog. You are most generous with your time–a truly wonderful person.
Best wishes, everyone. And happy birding, Jackie!
You’re very sweet, Linda, thank you 🙂 No wonder hummingbirds land on your hair. You’re such a sweet, benevolent being and surely they see that in you :)))
Not only did the interview make me want to read your books, Linda, it made me want to meet you! Delightful! I have written about my close encounter with a hummingbird myself. I enjoyed reading about you very much. Great job as always Effrosyni!
Thank you for your visit, Marsha. This interview reminded me of you because of the hummingbirds. The scene you describe with one of them in your book will stay with me forever, honey. Hugs xx
Thanks for your kind comments, Marsha. We are a wonderfully supportive group of authors, aren’t we?
I’d like to read about your “close encounter with a hummingbird.” I have had many, especially with the females, who like to land in my hair or visit me when I’m sitting out on the patio!
Frossie, your kind comments brought tears to my eyes. Everyone in our group is very special, and I know they would agree that you’re pretty sweet yourself… 🙂
Thanks again for featuring me on your lovely website and for all of your support. It means a lot to me, dear friend.
I have no words, Linda. The pleasure is all mine, not just to have you on the blog, but to have you as a friend. Have a blessed day sweetie 🙂 xx