February 22, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Susan Tarr

Hello peeps! I’m thrilled to host today fellow member of eNovel Authors at Work, Susan Tarr. Susan’s books will intrigue you, and she’s brought loads of pictures to show, some of them old ones related to her book, Phenomena, inspired by a real story.

As a child I knew Malcolm, who was then a young man. Dad often invited him home for meals. Malcolm was one of the ‘lost children’ forgotten or abandoned by their families. We followed his story from childhood to adulthood as best we could even after he was eventually discharged back into the community. When considering the tragedy and abuse of Malcolm’s wasted earlier years, it is a story of immeasurable sadness. Yet he ultimately rose above it all, and with admirable strength, courage and innate resilience, was finally able to free ‘the regular boy within’ as he had always wanted. I was raised within the community of the Seacliff Mental Hospital village so it was difficult to know where fiction ended and the greater truth took over…

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Miranda, a quirky, strong-minded and lovable young woman, splurges her inheritance on the old Miranda Bay Sanatorium in the sub-tropical Bay of Islands, New Zealand, simply because it bears her name. She knows little about running a business and depends heavily on loyal cousin Pansy’s expertise. In her frantic drive for success Miranda hires a motley crew to get cracking on the property. Hamilton, her lascivious financial advisor, seizes the opportunity to undermine her. But now with paying guests expected, she must make some serious decisions.
So the guests trickle in – hardly the sophisticates Miranda has envisaged. At the brink of despair, she experiences deepening depression and manic behavior…

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Bethany, recently returned from Europe, seeks medical advice for a stomach upset. Because of her mixed parentage, she has inherited a specific gene, which has made her a candidate for colorectal cancer. She challenges her diagnosis; she is too young for this kind of condition and she has too much life to live. And so she sets off on a whole new journey of discovery, taking her eclectic group of friends with her.

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Jack's Cover Pic KDP Cover Final

I’m Jack. I’m a real pedigree dog, and I’ve got real papers to prove it. My parents have abandoned me into boarding kennels in the Far North of New Zealand, while they travel the world. I’m not at all happy about that. However, I shall do my best to maintain my dignity while getting on with the job. Among these unruly and noisy mutts, I intend to remain aloof and guarded. And as for that black cat with the skinny tail and missing eye, there’s no way she’s getting anywhere near me. At all! And I’ll keep a diary so when my parents return they can read how absolutely miserable I have been all these months. Yes, I shall keep a diary…

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Hello Susan and welcome to my blog!

Hi Frossie, thank you for the invitation!

What has inspired you to write PHENOMENA – The Lost and Forgotten Children?

Since I worked at various psychiatric hospitals in New Zealand, the inspiration for writing about historic mental health from the perspective of a young boy came about. The boy in the story (once he’d grown into a man) visited our home often as we were growing up. Dad would bring him home for meals so he became a small part of our family.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

When writing my books, I am barely below the surface. I guess to read my work is to know me. Or at least a large part of how my mind operates. Oh! And I see myself in pretty much every Sandra Bullock movie. I can guess what she will do next and how she will probably fail spectacularly. (*laughs*)

I love Sandra Bullock! I expect you had good vibes about her role in Gravity! What genres do you read mostly, and what are you reading now?

I love a good book of historic fiction. I’m fortunate to be reading Jana Petken’s latest work, prior to publication. She’s my favorite author.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Never ask family and friends what they think of your WIP. My husband seems to think that gives him authority to wield a red pen. And family and friends want to preserve their relationship with you, at any cost.

Choose an editor once you have rewritten and edited your work until you are heartily sick of it. And then follow up with a proofreader. A proofreader is vital.

Great advice, Susan. Choose a male and a female character from your book and tell us which actor and actress you’d cast to play them in a film adaptation.

PHENOMENA would need Forrest Whittaker.

MIRANDA BAY & When the ROLLER COASTER Stops would have Sandra Bullock. Perfect casting.

Sandra again! Now I want to read your books more than ever (*giggles*) What were your most and least favorite subjects in school?

Human Biology and English were my favorites. I always wanted to be a missionary doctor. Math, I cannot do!

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?

‘Wuthering Heights’ sticks in my mind for the wrong reason. It was required high school reading. It bored me witless. But then I discovered that same book in my personal library a few years back. I read and wondered at the brilliance behind such a story, and the writing. I laugh at the amazing growth in my reading taste and my understanding of others’ writing.

What are your five favorite books, and why?

Of Mice and Men. Well, Steinbeck is Steinbeck, after all. The simplicity of his writing wraps itself around you.

Geek Love. I accidentally discovered this Katherine Dunn work. Brilliant, crazy, demented writing. Where on earth does this woman get her weird ideas from?

An Angel at My Table. Janet Frame was an inmate at SEACLIFF Mental Hospital, which is where my work PHENOMENA the Lost and Forgotten Children is set. I get her! I get her scenery descriptions. Especially since I was raised in the Seacliff village, here in New Zealand.

God Knows. Joseph Heller’s take on King David and his court. Hilarious.

The Rain Queen. Katherine Scholes. I was married and raised my little family in Kenya, so reading this book and loving it just made sense.

In most of my reading, I am exploring our fragile mind and seeing things from a whole new perspective. That’s what grabs me; the frailty of our human condition. But I love a good humorous story too.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I love my thoughts. I love the way my brain thinks. My writing generally crosses the genre, and happily so. I make my characters quirky, lovable and over the top in some cases. When they come alive they take me down paths I had never imagined. That’s when I let go and simply follow them. I form an emotional connection with them. Because I have several books on the go at any one time, I can direct whatever emotion I may be experiencing at that time into a specific work. You know that time in real life conflict when you say, after the event, ‘If only I’d said…’? Well, this is my chance to say exactly what I would have said given that chance.

I know exactly what you mean! Tell us, is it true you used to run a kennel with your husband?

Yes, that’s right. It also included a cattery, and we exported specialty cats to Europe, South Africa and USA. I would give injections to the dogs and cats, if required, nurse them back to good health, or sit with them when they faded away. We also rehabilitated animals from car accidents with physio and exercising and groomed show dogs or mutts. Anything animal/poultry was never too hard for us to master.

Wow! It must have been really rewarding for you both…

Oh yes, a glorious period in our lives.

You’ve brought photos!

Yes! These are the boarding kennels. You can also see our grapes growing over the fencing. There were 14 large kennels inside, and 4 large runs outdoors. The settings were all very park-like.

The cattery is the gorgeous wee house. Completed in color steel and with ranch sliders. Like a granny flat.

Wonderful! Is this your house in the last picture?

Not the one I live in now, but the one we lived in at the time.

I love it, so near the water. Looks absolutely enchanting. Thank you so much for sharing these photos with us, Susan, and for being here with us today. It’s been a real pleasure!

Thank you for inviting me, Frossie. I had a wonderful time!

Author Pic Susan Tarr

I grew up way down south in New Zealand. Otago was very cold in the winter, with ice formed over puddles. We used to break those on our way to school. We lived near the old Seacliff Mental Hospital, and we shared our little primary school with patients from there. I worked at various psychiatric hospitals in New Zealand before sailing to Kenya, East Africa, in a 28ft yacht. From Kenya I wrote letters home to Mum and Dad that eventually turned into stories. And from there my love of writing, travel and tourism came into being.

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February 15, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with romance author, Jan Romes

Today I’m pleased to welcome romance author, Jan Romes. The timing is perfect, just after Valentine’s Day, to meet such a prolific author of delightful romantic fiction! Check out these wonderful covers… the two first books are only 99c today (do double-check on Amazon when you visit)!

lovinglindy

Lindy McPherson is a self-proclaimed nerd and animal lover who dreams of owning her own pet store. She’s also pictured herself falling head-over-heels with a like-minded nerd whose passion for fur creatures is immeasurable. The only progress she’s made toward living the dream is to work at a pet store, and the only guy who’s paid her any attention – not for the right reasons – is the handsome stiff-as-a-board schmuck next door…

Interview with Georgina Troy

Today I’m pleased to welcome Georgina Troy, or as is her real name, Deborah Carr. Georgina sets her romances on the enchanting island of Jersey, off the coast of France, where she lives.

JERSEYKISS

‘Enticing, enchanting and intriguing’ Christina Jones best-selling author of Tickled Pink. Book One in The Jersey Scene series by Georgina Troy.

People say that it’s hard not to fall in love living in the ‘Sunny Isle’ of Jersey, but for Bea Philips, still reeling from a divorce and the loss of her beloved godmother, she’s not sure she can find the time. Between her soon-to-be-ex husband trying to take away the home she grew up in, surly but attractive builder Luke renovating the house, and her old flame Tom re-appearing at work, she’s worn out!

Is life going to give Bea a break for once…and maybe let her fall in love?

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A Jersey Dreamboat

Enticing, enchanting and intriguing’ Christina Jones best-selling author of ‘Tickled Pink.
Book Three in The Jersey Scene series by Georgina Troy.

Event planners Izzy and Jess are badly let down when a Jersey socialite hires them for the busiest weeks of the season and then cancels at the last minute, leaving the girls with no bookings and no money. Feeling despondent, they try a night out to cheer themselves up, and meet the captivating and aristocratic Ed, who invites the two on a luxury yacht cruise to Nice, together with his two brothers. Romance builds through heady days of blue skies and warm seas, but when a last-minute wedding booking is offered, the girls must return to Jersey, and real life has to begin again … or has it?

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Broken Faces

‘One to Watch: In Deborah Carr’s Downton-esque tale, Broken Faces, a soldier suffers a life-changing injury in the Great War’. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE

Broken Faces is the story of four friends who have to come to terms with the changes in their lives brought about when one of them, Freddie Chevalier, suffers a life-changing disfigurement in the Great War.

It doesn’t take Freddie, his best friend Charles Baldwyn, Charles’s fiancée Meredith, and his younger sister Lexi, long to discover that the idyllic life they relished before the war at the Baldwyn’s ancestral home in Shropshire has vanished forever. They are forced to take charge of their lives and find a way to live with the consequences of the choices that they and others have made.

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Hello Georgina and welcome to my blog!

Thank you Fros, it’s great to be here.

What has inspired you to write The Jersey Scene series ?

I was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme and sent in my book, which was then named Bea Stings, to be critiqued by an anonymous published reader. In her report she asked why I didn’t make more of Jersey in my book and it occurred to me that I was missing an opportunity to show readers more of the beautiful island where I live. A writer friend then suggested changing the title to include Jersey in it and from there my Jersey Scene Series was born.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

Although I write contemporary romances as Georgina Troy, I also write historical romances as D M Carr, and in December 2015 my first historical romance, Broken Faces, was published. The sequel to the book will be out later in 2016. The idea of this book came from my interest in my great-grandfather, Charles Wood, who was in the 17^th 21^st Lancers. I’ve always been a romantic and when I came across photos of men who’d suffered horrendous disfigurements during that time I wondered what it must have felt like for a young man, known for his good looks, to have to cope with losing them in the worst possible way.

Sounds like a very interesting read. What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

A Jersey Bombshell

I always have a few projects on the go at once; I’m an empty nester and have more time than I’ve ever had before to concentrate on my writing. I’ll soon be working on final edits for A Jersey Bombshell – book 4 in my Jersey Scene series that’s due out in April with Accent Press. I’m also working on the final edits for a psychological thriller, Run For The Shadows, being published by Green Shutter Books under (another) pseudonym, Ella Drummond.

My goodness, you’re keeping busy. Well done! Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

I love being able to control everything about a self-published book, but I think the most important things that an indie author has to ensure before publishing their book is that the editing is done well, the book has a professional-looking cover, and that they have a presence on social media – an author page on Facebook, Twitter account, Pinterest account, etc.

Are there any sites or writing tools that you find useful and wish to recommend?

I’ve been a reviewer/contributor to Novelicious.com for over six years now and it’s a brilliant site that includes authors giving their top five writing tips. I’ve learned a lot from reading these posts. I’m also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, as I mentioned before they have a brilliant New Writers’ Scheme whereby unpublished writers can send in one manuscript a year to be critiqued. Many well-known authors have taken this route and I was lucky enough to be a member for a few years before being offered my contract with Accent Press.

Excellent recommendations – thank you, Georgina. Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

Rudi

I have three Spanish rescue dogs that I take for walks on one of the two beaches near my home. We were only intending adopting one of these dogs after our Miniature Schnauzer died in October 2014, but we’ve already adopted three within nine months. That’s our limit though… I think.

Jarvis & Claude

Oh, they’re so cute! What do you enjoy the most as an indie author that you imagine you wouldn’t if you were traditionally published? If you had a choice would you still go indie?

I’m both traditionally published and self-published and I love being both. My Jersey Scene books were initially self-published but were taken on by Accent Press, a brilliant indie publisher, who signed me for a four-book deal. I love being with them and having the support of a professional editor, marketing team and being in a group of other supportive authors. However, I also enjoy the control of self-publishing, where everything is up to the author, from choosing the cover of the book, to the price and how it’s promoted. You can also see how many books are being sold each day.

Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?

Debs Shed 2014

I write in a shed in the garden. It’s been featured in Woman’s Own magazine a few years ago and was even a category winner in the Shed of the Year competition in 2009. My desk is a 1950s table and I sit on a pink Lloyd Loom chair. The shed is filled with pictures, posters, old birthday cards, discarded manuscripts and is a bit of a mess, but I love it in there and being in the shed always inspires me to write something.

That looks wonderful! It’s been a pleasure to have you here today, Georgina, thank you so much for your time.

Thank you too, Fros, I really enjoyed our chat.

GT headshot

Georgina Troy is the pseudonym of Deborah Carr. She lives in Jersey, an island fifteen miles off the coast of France. Jersey has a great scope for romances, with beautiful wind-swept beaches and intriguing inhabitants and when Georgina realized that no one else wrote romances set on her island home, she decided she had to provide some. Her contemporary romances are published by Accent Press.

Her debut historical novel, Broken Faces by D M Carr, was published in December 2015. Broken Faces was a runner-up in the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition and received a special commendation from the Harry Bowling Prize. Broken Faces is published by Green Shutter Books. This year, a psychological thriller, Run For The Shadows, will be published under a second pseudonym (Ella Drummond).

Visit Georgina’s Amazon page US UK

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Other links for Georgina Troy & DM Carr

https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor/

https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy

https://www.pinterest.com/georginatroy/

https://www.facebook.com/D-M-Carr-568839916628666/

https://twitter.com/DebsCarr

https://deborahcarrblog.wordpress.com/

https://debcarrs-daydreams.blogspot.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/deborahcarr/

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February 1, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Katie Hayoz

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Katie Hayoz, author of Untethered, a B.R.A.G. Medallion winner. Untethered is a wonderfuly written tale about a girl who’s unpopular in school, has family troubles and, much to her horror, keeps having out of body experiences as well. I absolutely loved this book and will be reviewing it soon on this blog. For now, let’s browse through Katie’s stunning book covers and get to know a little about her, shall we?

Untethered

Sixteen-year-old Sylvie isn’t comfortable in her own skin. In fact, there are times she can’t even manage to stay inside it. Junior year is off to a less than stellar start for Sylvie: Her parents are splitting up, her little brother is sitting at her lunch table, and she’s the target of the school bully. Plus, she accidentally astral projects, slipping out of her body again and again at all the worst times. Sylvie is cast as the class freak and a medical misfit. She wishes she were somewhere else. Someone else. But it’s only when her best friend catches the attention of the boy Sylvie’s loved in secret since the fifth grade that Sylvie makes up her mind to do something drastic…

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immersedkh

WHAT IF LOVE TURNED YOU INTO A MONSTER?

Forget petticoats and demure female behavior. Melusine Doré prefers armored corsets and knives and slays evil creatures for a living. The grim and gruesome don’t frighten her; she’ll take on a cyclops or a dragon and not even break a sweat. But when her rival, the charismatic Levi Cannon, comes to town, all her buried fears begin to surface. Melusine realizes she is in danger of something much more horrifying than facing blood-thirsty beasts – she’s in danger of falling in love. Because love alone has the power to reveal a secret terrible enough to completely shatter her world.

Set in the muddy streets of 1850s steampunk Chicago, Immersed by Katie Hayoz is a dark yet romantic fantastical romp. It is a stand-alone novella, the first in a series of adventures that follow Melusine on her quest to rid the world of monsters…and her struggle to come to terms with every monstrous facet of herself.

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submergedkh

WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT YOURSELF WAS A LIE?

Melusine Doré is as practiced at guarding a secret as she is at wielding a weapon. Yet her past refuses to stay buried. Her worst fears are realized when Melusine and her companion, Levi, get called to hunt a beast in her birthplace of Malheur. The second she sets foot on her native soil, nothing proceeds as she planned: a beautiful tinker sets her sights on Levi, a gentle monster kills for sport, and an admission of love becomes a betrayal. Melusine comes face to face with the lies of her family’s past—and a truth that could destroy her.

Adventure number two in the Clockwork Siren series, Submerged takes us from the muddy trenches of steampunk Chicago to the sticky swamps of Louisiana to the slippery side of love.

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popscornkh

Hello Katie and welcome to my blog!

Hello Fros. It’s great to be here.

What has inspired you to write The Clockwork Siren Series?

I am lucky to be a part of the Blazing Indie Collective—a group of indie authors who got together to inspire and challenge each other. We decided to have a challenge with the goal being for each of us to write a romantic novella with a mermaid in it. Immersed, the first adventure in the series, was my contribution. It’s the story of Melusine, a female monster hunter who is afraid of nothing except falling in love. It is what I call a dark yet silly fantastical romantic romp set in steampunk Chicago. Lots of innuendo. Lots of weapons. And, I hope, lots of fun.

Sounds intriguing, I must say! Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I can’t say I am like the characters in my books, but my values and doubts are the driving force of many threads in their personalities. The character in my YA novel, Untethered, is full of insecurities and self-hatred—that came from my own feelings as a teen. But I like to see determined, smart women in books. I don’t like romance that portrays men using force on a woman as something sexy. However, I do think women want and need love, and that we often have a difficult time coming to terms with different aspects of ourselves. Like just about everything I write, Immersed is centered around self-identity. Not sure what that says about me…

I share your views, and also enjoy writing and reading about strong women. What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

I’m currently getting the third adventure in the Clockwork Siren Series ready for publication (February 16). Melusine and Levi discover someone is trapping and torturing monsters, and they will find themselves in a traveling variety and freak show to investigate.

Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

This is a constant struggle for me. Since writing more seriously, I’ve gained almost 30 pounds! My father-in-law rigged a desk to a stationary bike for me, but I realized I had a hard time concentrating on my writing while spinning away. So I bought a Fit-bit and am starting off by just being conscious of how little I move. My goal is to at least get up to my 10,000 steps a day.

Oh I feel you, Katie! I now use an egg timer to make myself take short breaks every now and then to stand and move around. Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?

My workstation, like my writing process, is an absolute mess. There are papers everywhere, cards I meant to send but didn’t, spare change, reference books, pencils that need sharpening and my computer. This is how I write, too. Everything is just piled onto the page and it takes me a while to sift through and find order. I don’t have anything for inspiration per se, but I do have one of those lamps that imitate sunlight. My desk is in the darkest part of the apartment in the hallway, so the light helps me feel I am not writing in a cave.

Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?

I have to write to dead silence. Or maybe white noise, like a fan or the hum of the refrigerator. Music makes me lose my concentration.

Finally I’ve found you, LOL! I thought I was the only one who needs total silence. If you could have one superpower what would it be?

I am the absolute laziest person in the universe. If I had a superpower it would be telekinesis, so I could clean the house, set the table and get the TV remote without lifting a finger. But then I guess I would be the size of an elephant. So next power would be teleportation so I could snap my fingers and be somewhere…oh, man. Same problem…

LOL! If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

Flamenco dancer. I took lessons for a while, but I would have needed to start at age 3, not 30, if I wanted to make a career of it. I love the control and power and intensity in this kind of dance. If done right, it’s impossible to watch and not be blown away. Plus, it’s not often you can wear a ruffled, polka-dotted skirt over the age of 8 and not look ridiculous.

What are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?

SAM_4689

Besides popcorn? No, just kidding. My husband had a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2012 and survived. I’ve always been grateful for family, but that cemented it for me. I’m so, so lucky to have two happy children and a husband who made it through something so difficult. And I’ll even add the cats, Oreo and Noodles, to that. They’ve brought us joy in some seriously tough times.

Sounds like you’re truly blessed, Katie! Thank you so much for being here with us today – and for the chuckles; you’re one funny girl!

Thanks a lot for inviting me, Fros. I appreciate it!

Katie grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where she acquired an irreversible nasal twang and an addiction for books with a slightly dark edge. She now lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. She has been an avid reader of speculative fiction for years. While she has a penchant for the paranormal, she devours a range of books — along with popcorn and black licorice. She consumes all three in large quantities. Luckily, the books don’t stay on her hips.

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Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/katiehayoz/

A humorous chat with award-winning author @katiehayoz #ASMSG #IARTG Share on X

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January 25, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with women’s fiction author Jenny Hale

Today I’m pleased to welcome women’s fiction author, Jenny Hale. Jenny’s book covers are simply stunning. Check out these three fine specimens:

“I absolutely loved this book! … A beautifully written story you won’t be able to put down and one of the best festive reads I’ve ever read.” 10/10 This Chick Reads

An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.

Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be? Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas. When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble… With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?

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LOVEMEFORME

“You’ll love Libby’s heartwarming journey as her life changes in ways she’d never have expected… A warm, light, brilliantly romantic story.” 5/5 GirlsLovetoRead.com

Love Me for Me is a beautiful, touching story about coming home, the importance of family, and the special place that first loves hold in our hearts. Fans of Carole Matthews, Trisha Ashley, Susan Mallery and Susan Wiggs – and anyone looking for a perfect, feel-good summer read will enjoy this.

Sometimes you find perfect where you least expect it…

Libby Potter has just lost the perfect job, the perfect apartment and the perfect boyfriend. Moving back to the home town that she couldn’t wait to escape when she was younger was definitely not on her to-do list. Especially as it means running into the man whose heart she broke when she left. Pete Bennett can still make Libby’s world stop with just the sound of his voice – even ten years on. Only now, she is the last person in the world that he wants to see. As everyone else welcomes Libby home with open arms, she realizes she’s missed that special closeness that comes from lifelong friendship. And, as Libby seeks to make amends with Pete, she begins to wonder whether she made the right choice in leaving all those years ago. When an amazing career opportunity gives her the chance to leave again, Libby will have to decide what her version of perfect is… and where she really belongs.

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SUMMERBYTHESEA

Summer by the Sea is a beautiful, heart-warming summer read about sisters, first love and not always getting what we want – but sometimes ending up with exactly what we need.

They say there’s always one summer that changes you.

For Faith the one summer she can’t forget is when she fell in love as a teenager – only for her sister, Casey, to steal her man. Now, at the request of her beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, Faith has agreed to a family holiday – at their childhood beach house, where it all began. Faith hasn’t seen her sister in years but is finally ready to forgive and forget, enjoy the sunshine and relive happy memories. What she’s not ready for is meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house – or the long-forgotten feelings he ignites in her. Can Faith overcome the hurt of the past, rekindle the close bond she had with Casey and make this summer THE ONE to remember?

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Hello Jenny and welcome to my blog!

Hi Fros! Thank you for inviting me.

What was the first thing you ever wrote and how old were you then?

When I was eight years old, we wrote a book in school as part of a program called “Young Authors.” We bound our own books using cardboard and fabric, and we edited the drafts before binding them. I still remember doing it and loving every minute.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

I’ve published five books and I am in editing for number six.

Wow, that’s great. Good luck with the launch. Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

I love learning languages. Currently, besides English, I only know Spanish and not perfectly. If I had all the time in the world, I’d try to learn them all!

Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

When I write main characters, they are extreme versions of me. I have all the traits of my main characters in some form and, if I were put in those situations, I would probably have similar reactions to my characters’.

What were your most and least favorite subjects in school?

In high school, I absolutely loved Geometry and Algebra—I often joke that it’s because they are the only forms of mathematics containing letters. Once I got to college and beyond, there were more classes than I could list. I love learning languages, linguistics, and culture the most.

If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

I spent 18 years as an elementary school teacher before becoming an author. I am still teaching right now. This is my final year and I will focus on writing full time. So, I suppose, I could say if I weren’t a writer, I’d go back to teaching.

Do you have any pets?

Yes. I have a Chihuahua called Taylor.

Oh, how cute! Thank you for bringing a photo. What are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?

In no particular order: I’m thankful for my family, my home, the people I’ve met along life’s journey, and my writing career.

A lovely answer . . . And how would you like to be remembered?

Above all, kind.

Thank you so much for being here with us today, Jenny. It’s been a pleasure.

Thank you too, Fros, for this opportunity to talk about my work.

Jenny Hale is a women’s fiction author from Virginia. Her books have sold worldwide, reaching top ten Amazon lists in the US, the UK, and Canada, and have been translated into multiple languages to be sold at major retailers in Europe. Her novel, A Christmas to Remember was a number one best selling Kindle Women’s Romance Fiction title in the US, and Summer by the Sea, released in 2015, was mentioned nationally on the Happy Every After blog for USA Today. She is currently at work on her next novel.

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January 18, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with mystery author, Anne Zouroudi

Hello peeps! Today I’m thrilled to welcome award-winning mystery author, Anne Zouroudi. I picked The Messenger of Athens years ago, before I even became an indie author, and loved its powerful prose. I was delighted when in time I met Anne online, to discover the lovely person behind the popular books. I don’t know about you, but the covers of her Mysteries of the Greek Detective Series make me dream of sparkling Greek island waters and quaint tiny village scenes. If that’s where you wish to drift with your mind during your next read, Anne’s stories will take you straight there.

messengerofathens

When the battered body of a young woman is discovered on a remote Greek island, the local police are quick to dismiss her death as an accident. Then a stranger arrives, uninvited, from Athens, announcing his intention to investigate further. His methods are unorthodox, and he brings his own mystery into the web of dark secrets and lies. Who has sent him, on whose authority is he acting, and how does he know of dramas played out decades ago?

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feastofartemis

From the real life Shirley Valentine, Anne Zouroudi’s seventh Greek mystery with the popular detective, Hermes Diaktoros.

The olive harvest is drawing to a close in the town of Dendra, and when Hermes Diaktoros arrives for the celebratory festival he expects an indulgent day of food and wine. But as young men leap a blazing bonfire in feats of daring, one of them is badly burned. Did he fall, or was he pushed? Then, as Hermes learns of a deep-running feud between two families, one of their patriarchs dies. Determined to find out why, Hermes follows a bitter trail through the olive groves to reveal a motive for murder, and uncovers a dark deed brought to light by the sin of gluttony.

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doctorofthessaly

My first question must be, why do you want no investigation? If some malicious person has robbed you – as you believe – of your precious sight, why do you not want that person caught, tried and punished for their crime?

A jilted bride weeps on an empty beach, a local doctor is attacked in an isolated churchyard – trouble has come at a bad time to Morfi, just as the backwater village is making headlines with a visit from a government minister. Fortunately, where there’s trouble there’s Hermes Diaktoros, the mysterious fat man whose tennis shoes are always pristine and whose methods are always unorthodox. Hermes must solve a brutal crime, thwart the petty machinations of the town’s ex-mayor and pour oil on the troubled waters of a sisters’ relationship – but how can he solve a mystery that not even the victim wants to be solved?

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annezouroudidetcser

Hello Anne and welcome to my blog!

Hello, Fros! Thank you for the invitation.

What was the first thing you ever wrote and how old were you then?

I was bitten by the writing bug early in life. At age ten, I entered a national essay competition and won a runner-up prize, a very smart ballpoint pen, which was presented to me in school assembly. Unfortunately several decades passed before I won any other prizes. From my teenage years onwards I always wrote, mainly short stories though I attempted my first novel at eighteen. When my mother died, I discovered that manuscript hidden away in a cupboard. Though it wasn’t as bad as it might have been, it won’t ever be making it into print.

What inspired you to write The Mysteries of the Greek Detective?

In a word, Greece. When I first set foot on Greek soil – almost thirty years ago now – I felt I had found my spiritual home. Everything about the place – the sea and landscape, the people, the way of life – seemed so idyllic. Over time, I discovered a few flaws and imperfections, but they serve to add spice to my writing. I feel my duty as a writer is to present the whole picture, the good and the bad. Before I wrote The Messenger of Athens I was reading a lot of crime fiction and couldn’t find any set in Greece, so I decided to try and fill the gap. I drew on the Greek myths too, because they’re full of the most amazing stories and characters, and that touch of the mystical brings an unexpected twist to my novels. In short, I wrote the kind of book I’d love to read.

And I’m sure many readers will agree with me when I say, thank goodness for that! Tell us Anne, do you see yourself in any of your characters?

As my creation, my investigator, Hermes Diaktoros, is naturally a man after my own heart. Like him, I abhor life’s unfairness and injustices. I’m very politically aware, and I’ve always been quick to support deserving causes and speak out where I see the need. Like Hermes, I’m also a stickler for good manners. There’s a scene in The Doctor of Thessaly where a woman pushes in front of Hermes in a queue, and he gives her cause to regret her presumption. I’m jealous of his ability to generate instant payback for those who behave badly towards others.

What are you working on at the moment?

I needed a break from Hermes after I finished The Feast of Artemis – writing seven novels in seven years was tough – but I’m very pleased to say I’m now working on a new Greek Detective novel, which will be available later this year. Having finished the Seven Deadly Sins, I’m moving on to the Ten Commandments, which will keep me busy for a while. In the meantime I’ve been penning short stories. My most recent is Swan’s Lament, a ghost story set in the Lincolnshire fens where I was born.

A ghost story? Yay – you got one reader hooked already! Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?

I’m a huge fan of Neil Gaiman, whom I discovered only relatively recently when I read American Gods and found his (other) world view coincided pretty closely with mine. He’s a writer of huge imagination. His books remind me of Alan Garner’s magical tales, which I so adored as a child. And I love David Mitchell for the boldness in the scope of his writing, Niall Williams for the beauty of his prose and Michael Connelly for his ability to make me keep turning the page.

If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

I already have another profession, or at least an occupation. My partner and I have a little land where we grow most of our own vegetables and keep a few chickens. It’s hard work, but there’s nothing like the taste of food you’ve grown yourself. I’ve got quite green fingers – last year I managed to grow aubergines, peppers and even a couple of melons – not bad for dull, grey England! I’m also a keen cook, and I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant or a proper English tea-room. I may give that a try, one day.

Wow, these look fantastic! I bet you made Moussaka with these gorgeous eggplants!

Oh yes – more than once! (*grins*)

Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

There’s a cure to writer’s backside I’d recommend to every author: get a dog. A dog is the best possible companion when the words aren’t flowing as well as they might. They’ll trot along silently at your side for hours, until the knots unravel and the sentences begin to oblige, and all that walking eases the aching back and stiff muscles which are inevitable when you’re bent over a keyboard for hours at a time.

I was heartbroken to lose my much-loved canine companion of twelve years recently but there’s a new boy at my side now, a young rescue dog called Harry. Harry had a very poor start in life but now he’s being spoiled rotten and he’s thriving.

Harry Jan 2016

Oh, well done for saving Harry, and I understand he saved you too. Been there, Anne. You’re lucky to have found each other.

Thank you, Fros.

I see you’re holding one last photo there; can we take a look?

Of course; this is our splendid white leghorn cockerel.

cockerel 2

Oh, very beautiful. Thank you for sharing these photos! Last question: how would you like to be remembered?

Quite simply, as someone who told a good yarn. That would be the ultimate compliment.

Thank you so much for being here with us today, Anne!

Thank you, Fros. It’s been a pleasure!

annezouroudi

Anne Zouroudi was born in Lincolnshire and grew up in the north of England. In young adulthood, she pursued a high-powered career which included time on Wall Street and travel to Singapore, Canada and the capitals of Europe, but following a holiday to Greece, she abandoned the corporate world to marry a fisherman and begin a dramatically different life on a remote Greek island. Inspired by Greece’s beauty, people and mythology, she wrote The Messenger of Athens, a crime novel with mystical overtones featuring enigmatic investigator Hermes Diaktoros. Six other novels followed, each based on one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Anne’s work has received wide critical acclaim and has been shortlisted for a number of awards, including the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards and the Desmond Elliott Prize. She currently lives in the UK but spends as much time as possible in Greece, which is still the main inspiration for her writing.

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January 11, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Laney Smith

Today I’m pleased to welcome Laney Smith, author of the Time Capsule Series. Laney sets her romance in Lock Creek, a small town where people love to gossip and are anything but what they seem!

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When Anne Howard moves to the sleepy town of Lock Creek, she thinks she’s found a quiet place to hide from her guilty past; that’s until the gossiping locals prove her wrong. One of the favorite topics of conversation here is the devilishly handsome Sheriff Derrick Decker. With a long line of hopefuls, and despite his resistance to commitment, Derick soon finds himself irresistibly drawn to Anne, but so does a charming firefighter, Trevor Thomas. Shy but sassy Anne finds herself torn between the two men. Is Derrick corrupted as the rumors say? Is Trevor Thomas really the saint he appears to be?

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InTheirOwnTime

Despite the many bumps along the road, the love between Anne and Derrick continues to flow strong. But the beautiful town of Lock Creek still harbors danger for their dreams to a blissful future in marriage in the face of Trevor, who hasn’t said his last word yet. As new, dark secrets are revealed, Lock Creek is veiled in mystery and intrigue once again. Things aren’t always what they seem, and the people in this sleepy town know that too well…

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Derrick still enjoys the admiration of the people in the small town of Lock Creek. But, despite his best intentions to hide his many mistakes of the past, now he is in danger of having it all out in the open. Before he knows it, he’s at a risk of losing Anne, the woman he loves, the only one he ever had to chase… Will his past stay where he left it, or will this reformed wild child have some explaining to do?

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When Anne and Derrick return from their exotic vacation, they find Lock Creek in a big mess. The locals are being a handful and now a serial killer is on the loose…

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Hello Laney, and welcome to my blog!

Thank you for the invitation, Fros. It’s great to be here!

Tell us, Laney, do you see yourself in any of the characters of Lock Creek? And do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I think it is a little of both. I tried to create a world filled with people I would want to know. You have to have the people you don’t want to know, also. Otherwise, it is too unbelievably perfect and disturbing. Therefore, I wrote the antagonists to be everything that puts me off. I like to think I’m nothing like them, and I don’t value their traits. Having said that, I think you have to put some of yourself in them, too, since they represent everything you don’t want to be.

Are there any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

There are so many things. I’ll narrow it down to three: spending time with family and friends, just about anything outside (just being out of the house), and going to sporting events.

What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

There is a fifth book in the works for the Time Capsule Series. I have a murder mystery that will be coming out. I have quite a few love stories that I’m working on. It is somewhat non-stop. I just roll with whatever pops up and I work with that until something else happens. It is fun and I’m really excited to see what the New Year brings.

Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?

I like Nicholas Sparks because his stories are just beautiful. I like other stories, but The Notebook is probably my favorite. I also like Stephen King because his stories freak me out and mess with my head. He has his own style, and somehow, he has managed to hold on to that. I also respect the fact that he is kind enough to pass along encouraging and motivating words of wisdom for other authors.

What genres do you read mostly, and what are you reading now?

I like reading non-fiction, criminal psychology books. I wanted to be a criminal psychologist, so I read the true crime type books and that feeds that interest a little. I like mystery and suspense. I also have an appreciation for books that make you question the reality you know, as with Stephen King’s books. I enjoy anything that engages your mind. For me, if it is believable and realistic, I probably want to read it. As far as what I’m currently reading, I read on Sundays. I start a book when I wake up and usually finish them before I go to bed. I have a few on my TBR list. So, we’ll see what comes up. I recently downloaded “The Necklace of Goddess Athena.” Maybe I need to read that one next.

LOL – thank you, Laney, it’s an honor you chose one of mine. Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Many authors are indie for reasons of their own. Not every author is indie because they weren’t “good enough.” So, to think that you don’t have to be as good as traditionally published authors is a tragic gamble. Actually, you should try to be better. Many readers have no clue what the difference is between traditional and indie. They couldn’t care less. You are an author with a published book, and they have expectations built around that fact. If you are the first indie author they ever read, be the standard that the others are held to. Being indie isn’t a crutch. It’s a challenge to do it better. If we don’t see it that way, why would anyone else?

Well said! What do you enjoy the most as an indie author that you imagine you wouldn’t if you were traditionally published? If you had a choice would you still go indie?

I love being an indie author. There are benefits to both routes. I write under a different name and I’ve signed with a publisher under that name. I have experience in both realms. There are benefits to both sides of the coin. However, with indie, you don’t have to have approval to do anything. You do what works for you. When you’re indie, you pick the cover art. The publisher told me they would show me the final cover once it is completed. With indie, you can be who you truly are. When I’m representing the publisher, I’m like their character and I have a part to play. Don’t get me wrong. That is kind of fun. It is just two different sets of rules. Both have benefits. I have now seen both sides. I have released a book, as an indie author, since signing with a publisher. I have no regrets for either decision. I have learned a lot with both options.

Good luck with that, Laney. Sounds exciting and very promising. Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?

I have a desk that I usually work at. If that isn’t working for me, I will take the computer and go sit outside on the patio. As far as inspiration – my boys are watching. I have to do this so they can see that I bust it to do this. But, when the hard work pays off, it is a lesson for them, I hope. I also have different things that inspire specific characters, settings and scenes. Sometimes, it is a photo, a person, or a song. Sometimes it comes from the most unexpected things and in the most unexpected ways. However it happens, I am always thankful for that inspiration.

You have two beautiful children there, Laney. I bet they inspire you endlessly to keep on trying. Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?

I do! I listen to just about everything, so my playlists look like I’m in the middle of some kind of crisis. I have had scenes that were inspired by a song. A song inspired the most heart-breaking scene I’ve ever written. That scene is in Lock Creek: Time of Death. The scene unfolded as though I were watching a movie screen as the song played. I’m pretty sure I will never be the same, ever! I like it when that happens. That scene broke my heart. I can laugh at myself for that. It is silly, maybe. However, I feel for those characters in the same way I do for other people that I care about. I know that music helps me write a lot. Even if it is just to set a certain mood or whatever, I think it is necessary.

Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?

My website is http://www.authorlaneysmith.com. I have a lot of fun photos from various events. There is a listing for almost every interview or article. There is a web store where you can order signed or personalized copies of the books I have written or am currently involved with. There is a blog with a few postings. I think there’s an event calendar there somewhere. Of course, there is a contact form and causes I support. It has just about anything anyone would ever need. So, stop by, say hi.

Thank you for your time, Laney. It’s been wonderful to have you.

Thank you so much, Fros, it’s been a pleasure.

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Laney Smith has enjoyed writing her entire life. She had her first poem published in 1995. Since then, she has written multiple stories for local newspapers. She is the proud mother of two wonderful, brilliant and talented young men and has two younger brothers. Though she currently resides in California, she has lived in places such as Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Colorado. This has given Laney an exciting opportunity to experience aspects of life that she uses to create settings, characters, and even ideals. Through the encouragement of friends and family, Laney has now decided to pursue her hobby on a more serious level. Thus, “One Year’s Time” was born (the first book in the Time Capsule Series) and it is with great pride that she brings this fun story to you.

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December 21, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with bestselling author, Martin Crosbie

Woo-hoo! It’s not often that I have indie superstars on my blog the likes of Martin Crosbie so excuse my big excitement today! When Martin accepted to do the interview, I couldn’t believe it. Goes to show that sometimes, all you need to do is simply ask. Martin is a bestselling author with a recent kindle scout winner in his arsenal: his crime novel, The Dead List. His book, How I sold 30,000 eBoooks on Amazon’s Kindle, is always handy in my office, a ‘promo bible’ for all intents and purposes.

howisold30kebooks

Outlines the methods the top 5% of successful self-published authors utilize to produce their eBooks in a professional, cost-effective manner.
Shows what happened after Amazon changed the rules and what you need to do right now to adjust your strategy.
How to adopt the philosophy that will allow promotional opportunities to come to you.

In February 2012 Martin Crosbie’s self-published eBook “My Temporary Life” hit Amazon’s top ten overall bestseller list. The next month Amazon posted a press release revealing that Crosbie had made $46,000 in one month, with one book. Prior to this, his novel was rejected one hundred and thirty times by traditional publishers and agents. In the months that followed, “My Temporary Life” and its sequel have been consistent sellers, often sitting atop Amazon’s rankings. Crosbie’s story has been mentioned in Publisher’s Weekly, Forbes online, and other media outlets around the world. In fact, Amazon referred to him as one of their 2012 success stories in their year-end press release. “How I Sold 30,000 eBooks on Amazon’s Kindle-An Easy-To-Follow Self-Publishing Guidebook” tells the story of how he became a full-time writer, detailing the specific steps he took to find and connect with his readers. Plus, it describes how he adjusted his strategy when Amazon changed their systems.

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#1 BESTSELLER – ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
#1 BESTSELLER – CONTEMPORARY FICTION

“It has everything, simply everything-a coming of age, a romance, and a thriller all rolled into one delightful read.”

Malcolm Wilson learns that everything is always temporary. Growing up, he’s raised by a promiscuous mother who can’t stay out of trouble, his best friend is a thirteen-year-old alcoholic, and the masters at his tough Scottish school are always raising their canes in his direction. When he becomes an adult, he escapes, and chooses the safe route, watching the world from a distance. Everything changes the day he meets the beautiful, alluring, green-eyed Heather, and when he learns of Heather’s own abusive childhood and the horrific secret she’s been carrying, Malcolm decides to help her. And, this time he’s not backing down, whatever the cost. The first book of the “My Temporary Life” Trilogy tells a story of love, friendship, and what it truly means to be a hero. A top-ten overall Amazon best seller, this grand, sweeping story has been enjoyed by readers all over the world.

Be sure to check out Martin’s other books-My Name Is Hardly – Book Two of the My Temporary Life Trilogy, Lies I Never Told-A Collection of Short Stories, How I Sold 30,000 eBooks on Amazon’s Kindle-An Easy-To-Follow Self-Publishing Guidebook – 2014 Edition, and Believing Again: A Tale Of Two Christmases.

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The dead man’s head rests on a halo of blood. His hands are locked together as if in prayer. Rookie police officer John Drake is first on scene. His superiors want to call it an accidental death, but he isn’t convinced. In his previous life, Drake saw his share of dead bodies. He knows this was not an accident. When he uncovers a list with five names including the name of the dead man, there’s only one question. Are the names on the list suspects or potential victims?

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me in Lake Ont

Hello Martin and welcome to my blog!

Hello Fros, it’s great to be here!

First of all, congratulations for your latest novel, The Dead List – a Kindle Scout winner! Was it the first time you submitted a book on Kindle Scout? How did you find the process?

This was my first Kindle Scout submission; yes. The process was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. During the thirty days you try to build interest without bombarding your followers with requests to check out the preview of your book. So, I guess in some ways it was just another normal day for a self-published author. I believe in this book, I think it’s a great story and really wanted to tell it. I’m hopeful that Scout will help me reach more readers than I could by myself.

What has inspired you to write The Dead List?

It’s very loosely based on a true story. I was originally told about a dead list type of situation by a man many years ago. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but this gentleman was the last man standing. I always found the whole process fascinating but I wasn’t sure how to tell the story. And, you know how that works. You eventually buckle down, create your characters and let them fill in the blanks. It seems to have worked.

Yes, indeed it has! Martin, I’ve read your book, How I sold 30,000 eBooks on Amazon, and thought it was a wonderful tool for indies. I keep it handy near my desk for its great tips on promotion. With the indie world being so fluid, how hard do you find it to keep revising this book so that it can stay updated? How often do you need to do it? And would you be happy to share here a tip that you have learned since you last revised the book? I’d love it if you could share one here the first time!

Thank you for reading my book, I’m glad you find it useful. The book is taken from workshops that I have taught and you’re right, it’s difficult to keep revising as the indie world continues to evolve. As you know from the book I believe that approaching your career in an ethical manner and following a professional process rather than one or two distinct things will help you connect with readers. Having said that though, I still believe that if a writer has written a great book it will find an audience. So, the best thing we can do is keep writing and continue to become better writers. I don’t know if I can give you a tip, but one thing I have learned recently is that I can write faster and produce more than I believed I could. Others were doing it so I’ve been trying to increase my output. Whether all my scribbles will be published remains to be seen, but for me, I know I can write more than I have been. My writing mentor always told me there’s no such thing as writer’s block. Writing is a job and we just put the words together until they start making sense. I believe he was right.

I agree with you that writer’s block doesn’t exist. It’s just lack of determination, and the absence of a solid writing plan/method. Sometimes, a decision for better time-management is all you need. What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

I was very fortunate with my first book. I published My Temporary Life at the end of 2011 and readers really enjoyed it. A major Canadian newspaper wrote a story on me when my book hit top ten overall on Amazon and called me a “traditional publishing reject”. I’m one of those authors who was lining his walls with rejection emails. I had 130 of them for that book before I published it on my own. My Temporary Life is a tough book to categorize. It’s part coming of age, part adventure and part romance. Nobody quite knew what to do with it, but readers seemed to like the book and posted positive reviews. I was very lucky.

Perhaps it was luck in part, but I am sure it all started with the brilliant-writing bit, otherwise people wouldn’t have spread the word about it in the first place. I think you’re being very humble, Martin!

*chuckles* Perhaps, thank you.

Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

Brandy, 30K book, and me

I enjoy movies with subtitles. There are a couple of very good film festivals locally each year and I love sitting in dark theatres watching foreign films. And I have a black lab who walks me most days. Plus, I’m a lapsed runner. I’ve run several half marathons and a full marathon. It’s my goal this winter to hit the treadmill consistently so I can train outside next spring and get back to long-distance running. And now that I’ve said it out loud I actually have to do it.

LOL! My husband is a marathon runner and I know the kind of commitment and inner strength it takes to do this. You have my full respect! Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I was teaching a workshop a couple of years ago and a couple of ladies kept referring to me as “Malcolm”. Malcolm was the protagonist in My Temporary Life. When I told them I wasn’t him they repeated in unison, “Oh yes, you are.”

Malcolm has become a favorite character of many readers. I receive emails from his admirers telling me what he can and cannot do in the follow up books. It’s been quite interesting to see how folks have taken such a personal interest in him. When asked I tell people that even on my best days I don’t think I’ll ever be able to measure up to Malcolm, but we can dream, can’t we.

What you just said might as well be the best elevator speech you could give for your book. I am hooked! What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

I’m writing the second book in the John Drake (The Dead List) series. I will probably submit that to Kindle Scout also. I’m also playing around with a short novel that is still in draft form. It’s the follow up to a Christmas romance I published a couple of years back –Believing Again – A Tale of Two Christmases. And, I am always plugging away at the third book in the My Temporary Life trilogy. One day I will be pleased to announce that it is complete.

What genres do you read mostly, and what are you reading now?

As I write this I’m due to leave on a short holiday so I’m filling my kindle with books. Amazon has many of the classics available for free and I’ve been taking advantage of that. I recently completed a Wilkie Collins book and enjoyed it very much, but right now I spend every night with Madame Bovary. She’s quite a woman, I mean book. She’s not real, is she? Was she? Either way, I’m enjoying my time with her very much.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Don’t rush it. Put the best product you can out there and take your time doing it. If you’re not happy with the result then go back and find more beta readers to freshen it up before you publish. And, don’t be afraid of criticism. I’ll once again paraphrase my writing mentor. He told me to listen very carefully to everything he said and consider his comments. Then if I didn’t agree throw them out the window because nobody knows your work better than you do.

Great advice! Are there any sites or writing tools that you find useful and wish to recommend?

I write a monthly article for Indies Unlimited. Those guys volunteer their services to try and help the Indie author community. I highly recommend you check them out. And, I keep a list of tools for authors on my own website too.

Well, Martin, it’s been a huge honor to have you here with us today. Thank you so much.

Thanks for having me, Fros, this was fun!

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In a press release, Amazon called Martin Crosbie one of their success stories of 2012. His writing journey has been chronicled in Publisher’s Weekly, Forbes Online, and Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper. Martin’s latest novel The Dead List is a Kindle Scout winner and published by Amazon’s Kindle Press.

He makes his home in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Visit Martin’s Amazon page US UK

Visit Martin’s website

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martin.crosbie.3

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Martinthewriter

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

December 14, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Greek-Australian author, Mary D. Brooks

Hello peeps! Today, I am pleased to welcome a Greek author from Down Under! Mary D. Brooks is one of the latest additions to eNovel Authors at Work, who writes urban fantasy set in Greece during WWII. Check out these stunning covers:

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It’s 1942 in German Occupied Greece during World War II, two women, one Greek, the other German must work together to help Jews escape. They have to put aside their mutual antipathy to each other to accomplish their clandestine operation. They know that one wrong move will put an end to their lives.

Fourteen year old Zoe Lambros’ faith in God is shattered after her mother’s death at the hands of the German Commander. She determines to defy the enemy in every way she can–including a festering urge to kill the German Commander’s daughter, Eva Muller.

Eva Muller has a tortured past, and a secret, if revealed, will lead to certain death at the hands of her father. Despite knowing the risk, Eva is working with the village priest to help the Jews escape. With her activities closely observed, Eva needs help to continue the clandestine operation. Zoe is not who Eva has in mind but they have to find a way to work as a team.

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Eva Muller and Zoe Lambros return in the award winning second novel of the Intertwined Souls Series. Eva and Zoe migrate to Australia seek refuge and a new life at the end of World War II in the ‘Land of Milk and Honey’. They try to fit into a society marred by prejudice and must hide their love for each other. Eva struggles with the ramification of her tortured past as she tries to overcome the mental constraints forced upon her. Zoe’s dream of being an artist is just a dream but Eva has a plan to make that happen even if means working at a menial job.

Shadows from their past and machinations of old enemies plunge them into mortal danger. They are about to find out the hard way that moving thousands of miles away does not protect them from those that wish them harm.

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Eva and Zoe Lambros return in the third novel of the award winning Intertwined Souls Urban Fantasy Series. They have left Greece and Germany behind, taking their secrets of new paranormal abilities, visions of the future and their love back to Australia to finally settle down for that sought after family life they so desire.

Their plans unravel when Eva is involved in a shocking accident that reveals misguided good intentions from the past will have repercussions for her future. Zoe is overjoyed to learn that their wish for children will finally be realized when she finds out she’s pregnant but she has to contend with the possibility of losing the woman that she loves.

The truth about the origins of Eva’s gifts are revealed but is it too late to save Eva’s life? Secrets from the past, visions of the future and supernatural mentors takes Eva and Zoe’s lives out of ordinary and uneventful. Truly, No Good Deed goes unpunished.

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Tags: lesbian fiction, urban fantasy, historical, WWII

Hello Mary and welcome to my blog!

Hello Fros – thank you for inviting me.

What has inspired you to write the Intertwined Souls Series?

Two very special people in my life put on the path that led to my very first novel. My grandfather Kyriakos Mitsos from Larissa, Greece who was in the Greek Resistance during the German occupation of Greece in World War II and my adopted grandmother Evelyn Elephan who was an Auschwitz survivor. I met Mrs Elephan when I was 10 years old and she influenced my life in a profound way.

When I was ten I met Mrs Elephan and she became my adopted grandmother because my parents worked shift work and she took care of me. I learned what those numbers on her arm meant and when I was old enough she gave me a book called “I am Rosemarie” by Marietta D. Moskin. It was about a teenager living through the Holocaust. Mrs Elephan and I then had in-depth conversations about the Holocaust and I had a million questions. She told me one day that I was going to write about the people that history books don’t talk about. It wasn’t a wish of hers; it was a statement of fact. I was going to write about the unsung heroes who tried to save the Jews and others. Someone tried to save her but in the end they were found out and she was sent to Auschwitz. Mrs Elephan was the first to encourage me to write after I said (at the tender age of 10) that I was going to be a writer. She said ‘Do it Mary, I know you can.”

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When I was thirteen I visited my grandfather in Greece. He was a pigeon breeder and we would sit up on his flat top roof with his pigeons when the sun would be setting and tell me stories about when the War came to Larissa. I was a history nut and I was in heaven; hearing a first hand account of a truly historic moment in Greek history in a town that was 5000 years old was EXTRAORDINARY and a gift. When I would go back downstairs I would write down what he told me so I wouldn’t forget it. I was beyond deliriously happy to be in Greece, the land of my birth and heritage.

My visit lasted three months and it was one of those life-changing moments. Neither Mrs Elephan nor my grandfather lived long enough to see my first book “In the Blood of the Greeks” get published. It’s set in Larissa and is about two women on opposite sides coming together to save Jews and in the process they save themselves. It incorporates what my grandfather and my adopted grandmother possessed in abundance: courage and strength against the odds.

When I started to research the book, one thing led to another and I found more horrific things that included gay men and women and incorporated that into my story. I have a lot of gay friends and along with the stories about Final Solution of the Jews, their story also resonated with me. I wanted a different take on the war and it’s victims in addition to Larissa having a huge Jewish population that was almost destroyed in the rush to exterminate them. So many lives were intertwined.

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When I was 36 years old I went to the Holocaust museum in Washington DC. Another amazing woman who survived the holocaust once again changed my attitude to life. I don’t remember her name but I remember her words as she recounted her story in the survivor videos. I stepped out of that building with a new mindset on September 8, 2001. The holocaust and the victims of Hitler’s brutality and inhumanity have been interwoven into my life since I was ten years old.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Mary. That was truly compelling and whetted my appetite for your series! What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

I’ve written two more fiction novels: Awakenings, and Hidden Truths. Also, two novellas and two adult coloring books to relax the mind.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I think every writer puts part of their personality in their characters. Both of my main characters have bits of me in them but not fully. I wish I had Zoe’s bravado and take-no-prisoners attitude. I’ve got a smidgen of it but not the full glorious Zoe version. It’s fun to write them and just let go.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Tell a good story, support your fellow authors and work hard. You want to be an indie author? Get down and dirty and find out as much as you can. If you don’t know something, ask. There is bound to be someone who has already asked the question and you will find the answer. Learn from others who have gone before you and give credit where credit is due.

Are there any sites or writing tools that you find useful and wish to recommend?

I have a ton of sites I like to visit. Here are a few:

http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/ – I found this site quite by accident while doing research on book promoters and it has been a fantastic resource. Many times I’ve gone in to check if a certain promotor is listed.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/ – I love this site. Run by the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus which is one of my favorite reference books.

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/ – again found when doing research and has been a useful site.

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/ very useful info about designing the exterior and interior. I typeset my own novels and I’m a cover designer (although I have only done two covers: A Widgie Knight and Book 6 Nor The Battle To The Strong which hasn’t been unveiled yet).

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/ – LOTS of useful info here and one of my favorite sites.

http://www.theindependentpublishingmagazine.com/ – very useful and up to date.

http://www.amightygirl.com/blog/ – any site promoting positive messages about women and girls is a must.

http://www.writersdigest.com/ – got a ton of their books and very useful information

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ – I’m fascinated by human behavior so reading this site is a great way to understand the human mind.

And a ton of other great sites – I use Feedly as an RSS reader to easily catch up with all the blogs and news sites.

As for writing tools, I use Scrivener, Word, In Design, and Photoshop.

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Thank you for sharing these, Mary. I’m sure they’ll prove useful to many. Choose a male and a female character from your book and tell us which actor and actress you’d cast to play them in a film adaptation.

Oh that’s already been done! We filmed scenes from my novels in Los Angeles in Feb 2015. Eva and Zoe came alive – well they are alive in my head but I saw them in real life. Kat Cavanaugh (Eva) and Penny Cavanaugh (Zoe) – an awesome married couple – agreed to be my characters. They even look like them. They feature on the covers of my books.

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What do you enjoy the most as an indie author that you imagine you wouldn’t if you were traditionally published? If you had a choice would you still go indie?

I’ve been published by small press publishers from 2000 to 2015 and then I took control of my own books in March 2015. I love the control it gives me to be an indie author. I’m a control freak when it comes to my work and setting the agenda for my work and how to do it is liberating. If I had to do it all over? Absolutely. No one cares about your work more than you and frankly no one is going to care more about how to market them or show love for them more than you. It was overwhelming at first but once you sort out the noise and get down to the good stuff, it’s a great journey.

Who is your favorite poet? Quote a couple of lines from your favorite poem.

I have three favorite poets: William Earnest Henley, Rudyard Kipling and Leonard Cohen. Here is an excerpt from Invictus by William Earnest Henley:

“It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”

A terrific poem, indeed. Thank you for being here with us today, Mary!

Thank you for this opportunity, Fros!

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Mary D. Brooks lives in Australia and has been writing since she was eight when she rewrote her favorite tv shows when stories didn’t quite end up the way she wanted. Sometimes in a world of her own, she relished the quiet to invent new stories and worlds. Mary has written non-fiction articles for Australian and US magazines but her first love is fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s designing sites, creating art or being chief editor/owner of AUSXIP.com You can find Mary’s author site at http://www.nextchapter.

Visit Mary’s Amazon page: US UK

Visit Mary’s website

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ausxipmaryd

Character Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zoe_lambros

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marydbrooksfiction

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

December 7, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Effie Kammenou

Today, I am thrilled to welcome a Greek-American author from New York, Effie Kammenou. Effie’s debut novel is Evanthia’s Gift, a dramatic family saga that’s responsible for my recent bouts of insomnia… I’m finding it impossible to put it down. The more I read, the more I am intrigued about what happens next. I will be reviewing it when I’ve finished, but for now, here is the stunning cover before my chat with Effie begins!

In the year 1956, Anastacia Fotopoulos finds herself pregnant and betrayed, fleeing from a bad marriage. With the love and support of her dear friends Stavros and Soula Papadakis, Ana is able to face the challenges of single motherhood. Left with emotional wounds, she resists her growing affection for Alexandros Giannakos, an old acquaintance. But his persistence and unconditional love for Ana and her child is eventually rewarded and his love is returned. In a misguided, but well-intentioned effort to protect the ones they love, both Ana and Alex keep secrets – ones that could threaten the delicate balance of their family.

The story continues in the 1970’s as Dean and Demi Papadakis, and Sophia Giannakos attempt to negotiate between two cultures. Now Greek-American teenagers, Sophia and Dean, who have shared a special connection since childhood, become lovers. Sophia is shattered when Dean rebels against the pressure his father places on him to uphold his Greek heritage and hides his feelings for her. When he pulls away from his family, culture and ultimately his love for her, Sophia is left with no choice but to find a life different from the one she’d hoped for.

EVANTHIA’S GIFT is a multi-generational love story spanning fifty years and crossing two continents, chronicling the lives that unify two families.

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Hello Effie and welcome to my blog!

Hi Fros! It’s great to be here!

Tell me, is Effie short for Effrosyni by any chance?

No, actually, my name is Efthemia!

Oh, a lovely Greek name! What has inspired you to write your book?

The inspiration to write Evanthia’s Gift came from a couple of sources, but it was my mother’s passing that put me on the path to writing. In 2012 my mother passed away after battling pancreatic cancer for two and a half years. I was trying to be the strong older sister, a compassionate mother and aunt, and a supportive daughter to my grieving father. I never allowed myself to fully express my emotions. One night I sat at the computer and just started writing. It was my way of working through my grief.

I’d heard stories all my life of my mother’s childhood in Athens, and her experiences during WWII as a child. My father had his own stories growing up in NYC, his tales of how his family came to America and for what reason, and his own experiences as a flyer in WWII. I took all those stories and gave life to several characters.

I knew there was a lot of truth in this book! It’s palpable as I read; I believe the best books are those that contain honest feelings and true experiences from their authors… Yours embodies both. Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I see myself, or parts of myself in several of the characters. As an author, when you develop a character, their voice comes from within you. Sophia lives in my timeline and has had some of the same experiences that I had. Her emotions come from me, although her traits and talents are modeled after one of my daughters. Anastacia is my mother, and the inspiration of the story. However, I do see parts of myself in her as well. Most of the characters, even some of the men, have a tiny piece of me—a trait, a point of view, or an experience.

Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?

I have a background in theatre and studied all the classic playwrights from ancient Greece to modern day, but Shakespeare still holds my heart. As for fiction, I love the classics there as well. Jane Austen and John Steinbeck are my two favorite classic authors. I enjoy women’s fiction and contemporary romances. Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Sophie Kinsella, Adriana Trigiani, and Sylvia Day are among the novelists I read most often. But the one contemporary author who has captured my attention more than any other is Sylvain Reynard who wrote the Gabriel series. His beautiful use of language is breathtaking, and he keeps me intrigued with his knowledge of literature, religion, art, history, and culture.

You mentioned a couple of my favorites, Effie. And thanks for the tip about Sylvain Reynard! Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

I continue to take all the advice my fellow authors are willing to share with me. But I will say this: I have never met a community of professionals so willing to help each other. Every author I’ve reached out to has responded, and was more than willing to help and steer me in the right direction. My advice? Reach out to authors. They will help you. But the most important piece of advice I can give anyone looking to publish or self-publish, is not to rush. Take your time and do everything as it should be done. Make sure your manuscript is ready for publication. It took me almost three years to write EVANTHIA’S GIFT. It’s a long book – 548 pages. Get a critique partner and beta readers. Their suggestions will improve your work. When you think you are done and you think you have tightened your manuscript as much as you can on your own, get a professional editor. And don’t skimp on the cover. Get a professional designer whose work you admire.

I couldn’t agree more with all the points you made! Choose a male and a female character from your book and tell us which actor and actress you’d cast to play them in a film adaptation.

This is an amusing question for me because where I work we spend much of our free time casting the movie version of the characters in the books we are reading. It’s a little more difficult with my own work since I have visions in my head that are not inspired by movie stars. The other issue here is that the book spans fifty years. So, do you use two different actors for each character, or simply age them?

For the adult Anastacia I could possible see Melina Kanakaredes. I see both of them as elegant, beautiful women. For the teenage Sophia I see Mia Sara as she was as a teenager. She is actually exactly what I had in mind. Dean is harder for me. Maybe Zach Efron or Stephen McQueen (Steve McQueen’s grandson). I would rather the reader have their own vision and not be influenced by the appearance of stars, unless of course the book was made into a movie.

Zach Efron as Dean sounds ideal, so thanks for that, I’ll remember when I resume reading tonight, LOL! Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?

I do not have an author blog or website at this time. I do write a food blog where I not only share recipes, but also traditions and stories that reflect the food. Between some of the chapters of Evanthia’s Gift, I’ve added recipes, ones that will enhance the Greek experience for the non-Greek reader. Since publishing the novel, I have been posting these recipes on my blog with an excerpt from the story that refers to the food.

Well done, Effie! I also find that recipes work well to promote fiction. People love to try new tastes so you get a lot of interaction from readers on the blog and on the social media. Next question: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

I would like to have the power to speak every language. The idea of being able to communicate fluently in every country would be not only useful, but also enlightening. How wonderful would it be to fully immerse yourself in a culture?

What a wonderful answer, I love it! What were your most and least favorite subjects in school?

Without a doubt, Drama and English were my favorite subjects in school. In my last year of high school, an Independent Creative Arts Program was piloted. It was a wonderful experience. The theatre group within this program performed children’s plays for the district, improv theatre and classic plays—all of which were produced, directed and acted by the students. In college, I was a theatre major and I enjoyed the literature classes as well as the acting classes.

The subject I liked the least was science. It was my weakest subject, which is ironic since my dad was a chemist. This was also the reason I did not do well. I would ask him a simple high school level question and get a PhD-worthy answer. His answers were way over my head, and it wasn’t until I stopped asking him questions that I started to do marginally better.

If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

Without a doubt, I would be an actress. It was what I went to school for, and had always hoped to be. I think I needed a lot more nerve and a thicker skin at the time, and I never pursued this dream properly.

I can see you’ve come with lots of photos! How delightful! Can we have a look?

Sure!

Oh! This one looks intriguing! Is there a story behind it?

Yes! The girl in the grad. cap is my niece, Athena, who had always struggled in school, but my mother encouraged her to go to college. When she was fighting through her pancreatic cancer, my mother spent time with each grandchild. She told Athena not to quit, no matter how long it took to finish. She made Athena promise to graduate. If it wasn’t for her yiayia she would have given up. She put that message on her hat because she thought she would see it from above and be at her graduation in spirit.

Oh that’s so sweet… and what about those two stunning young ladies at Paramount Studios?

They are my daughters. Eleni, 29, is a 6th grade teacher, ballet teacher and tennis instructor. She is currently doing her PhD in administration. Alexa, 25, is a graphic designer and video art director for Real Simple Magazine. She has aspirations to someday work at Paramount or Disney studios.

I hope she succeeds. Best of luck! And this one’s in the States too?

Yes, that’s me, my sister, Athena, and Alexa at EPCOT food and wine festival. The other photos are various ones with my husband, friends and family.

Love them! Thank you for sharing these and for this wonderful chat, Effie!

Thank you for this opportunity, Fros, to talk about my work.

Effie Kammenou is a first generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing, or posting recipes on her food blog, cheffieskitchen.wordpress.com, you can find her cooking for her family and friends.

Her debut novel, EVANTHIA’S GIFT, is a women’s fiction multi-generational love story and family saga, influenced by her Greek heritage, and the many real life accounts that have been passed down. She continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her recent interview with him was published in a nationally circulated magazine.

As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, Effie incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the book.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.

Visit Effie’s Amazon page US UK

Visit Effie’s food blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EffieKammenou?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EffieKammenou

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26069535-evanthia-s-gift