Welcome to my slice of cyber real estate! Both Trish and Tricia,
the two halves of my writing self, are thrilled to have you. I hope you enjoy cruising
through the pages to find out about my upcoming books, how I got into this crazy
writing business, and where in the world I'm going to be popping up in the future –
either online or live and in person.
Today, I’m featuring one of my Wet Noodle Posse buddies, Merrillee Whren, who writes for Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Her latest release is Mommy’s Hometown Hero, out this month.
Q. I know you live near the beach (I’m supremely jealous), but if you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?
A. That is a tough question. I love living at the beach, so thinking of another place is hard. We own 21 acres of timberland in Washington State just north of Spokane, and I’ve thought that if I win the lottery or someday get a six-figure advance that it would be fun to build a second home there. Of course, I’d be hard pressed to spend a whole winter there.
Q. What is the most fun part of writing for you?
A. The most fun part of writing is typing the end. Actually, I do like doing revisions once I get over the initial “They want me to change what?” Once I’ve written the story, I like to go back and make it better.
Q. Have you considered writing anything totally outside of what you’ve published so far?
A. I have only considered writing children’s books, not YA, but books for kids in elementary school. I used to be an elementary school teacher, and I enjoyed teaching reading by using novels. I’m not sure that will happen because I haven’t had any brilliant ideas, but maybe someday I’ll be struck with an idea just for kids.
To find out more about Merrillee and her books, visit her Web site.
So far in the last hour we’ve had rain, sleet and now snow. Bleh, bleh and bleh. Oh well, at least it’s almost the end of January. For some reason, Feb. 1 always seems like a huge turning point for me. I can officially feel like spring is only a few weeks away.
For you Supernatural fans, I’m blogging about Dean’s and Sam’s differing senses of humor over at the Supernatural Sistsers blog today. Please, come on by.
An invasion of the Romance Bandits to Romance Novel TV, that is. All this week, the Banditas are guesting over at RNTV. We were given five photos, and groups of four of us each came up with separate, short vignettes. Then, visitors to RNTV have the opportunity to write the next line of one or more of the vignettes for the opportunity to win prizes. I’m one of today’s four vignette writers, and we already are having a great time reading the next lines. So come on over and play.
I’m also blogging at Title Magic today about one of the books I read recently.
And we’re starting our second full week of Winchester fun over at the Supernatural Sisters blog. Today, Natalie is giving us her take on Jensen Ackle’s (aka Dean) newest movie.
I’m a big fan of the Underworld series of movies, so it should come as no surprise that I broke out the movie theater gift card I got for Christmas and went to see Underworld: Rise of the Lycans today.
While I like the original two movies better, I enjoyed this prequel/origin story. We got to see way more of Lucian (Michael Sheen) and more of his backstory that led to the Lycan/Vampire war. And we got to see more of the love story between him and Sonja, vampire elder Viktor’s daughter. Their story and how it played into the start of the war was covered in a few bits in Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, but here we see it as it’s happening. Have to say I enjoyed Kate Beckinsale’s Selene more than Rhona Mitra as Sonja, but I think part of that was because Rise of the Lycans is much more Lucian’s story and thus the focus is more on him and his actions. Oh, and Michael Sheen is a very fine actor. His emotions rang more true than hers. Just by looking, you’d never guess this is the same guy who played Tony Blair in The Queen and David Frost in Frost/Nixon, but the acting ability shows in both types of movies.
For fans of the first two Underworld movies, you’ll see some familiar characters other than Lucian and Viktor, and the ending has a nice shoutout to what’s to come chronologically but what we’ve already seen in the screen.
Today’s Thursday Three features author Jana Mercy. Let’s give her a big welcome, and be sure to ask her your own questions after seeing how she responded to mine.
Q. Jana, have you ever caught yourself getting embarrassed by anything you were writing?
A. No, so far I haven’t caught myself getting embarrassed by anything I’ve written. I enjoy writing sensual romance as I feel it is a very real part of the world we live in and definitely a part of my life. I do thing there is a difference between blatant flamboyance and sensuality. Sensuality is in, flamboyance, not so much in my opinion.
Q. What is the most difficult thing you’ve ever written?
A. STRIP OR TREAT was the most difficult book I’ve written due to the intricate plot. I usually write character driven stories and that story had a lot going on plot wise.
Q. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A. Well, my favorite superhero is Ironman, but I don’t see myself as an Ironmaiden. Maybe I could be Magneto-woman so Ironman would be super attracted to me.
LOL! I’m trying to envision Robert Downey Jr. trying to figure out what that irresistible force pulling at him is.
Jana’s books:
Strip or Treat (10/29/08) Underground Pleasure (12/21/09) Her Big Bad Wolf ~ coming soon from Wild Rose Press with co-author McKenna Chase
I’m taking part in an online auction, the proceeds of which are going to help a mother and daughter in California who are dedicated readers and who have recently found themselves homeless. You can see the details of their story, including a link to the daughter’s blog about her homelessness experiences, and all the items up for bit here. I’m donating a critique, and I think it’s on the third page of the item listings. There are lots of critiques, books, and other items available.
Four of my writing buddies and I have started a new group blog, but this one has a different focus — the show Supernatural and our mutual fangirldom. We’re going to be blogging Monday-Friday on a variety of topics related to the show, including a recap each Friday of the previous night’s episode. Be sure to check out Natalie Damschroder’s recap from last Friday of last Thursday’s “Family Remains.” Each Sunday, we’ll post a preview of what is coming in the week ahead.
Today, MJ Fredrick is talking about the current and upcoming movies starring the Winchester men (aka Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
Welcome back to our second installment of The Thursday Three, the regular mini-interview where I ask an author three random questions. In the spotlight this week is debut author Elisabeth Naughton.
Q. You write romantic adventure. I know two other writers who write stories in this sub-genre as well, and yet it doesn’t seem to be a huge market despite the popularity of these types of movies. Do you think there is a big untapped romantic adventure market out there?
A. I think the romantic adventure market is extremely untapped. So many people have been e-mailing me – even before STOLEN FURY was out – telling me how much they were looking forward to the novel. The blurb and cover really sparked interest in the sub-genre as a whole. And with the success of movies like National Treasure, Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone (which I hear they’re remaking now), I think the potential for romantic adventure novels to really take off is enormous.
Q. If you were going to be stranded on an island for a year and were able to only eat one type of meat, one type of vegetable and one type of dessert during that time, what would they be?
A. Oooh. Hard question. Let’s see…
Meat: Salami. Okay, don’t read anything into that one! I just like hard salami (Oh, boy. I’m totally stopping there). (Insert Trish falling out of her chair laughing here.)
Vegetable: Green peas. Fresh off the vine. Do they grow on deserted islands?
Dessert: Coconut cream pie. MaryAnn was always making them on Gilligan’s Island, so I’m pretty sure I can get one on my island. I LOVE coconut cream pie.
Q. What was the last movie that made you cry?
A.The Lazarus Project. There’s a scene early on in the movie where the hero, played by Paul Walker, is sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t plan but found himself wrapped up in. He’s in prison, sitting at a table with his wife and daughter, trying to explain to his daughter that he won’t be coming home, ever, as he’s being executed the next day. I had tears running down my face when I watched that scene. It was heartwrenching.
Elisabeth’s debut novel, Stolen Fury, is out now from Dorchester Love Spell.
To unearth a centuries-old secret, an archaeologist must team up with the rakish thief who’s stolen both an ancient relic and her heart…
“A rock-solid Debut” — Publisher’s Weekly
Now it’s your turn. What would you like to ask Elisabeth about her book? About the romantic adventure sub-genre? About, um…, her food choices?
One of my writing pals, Elisabeth Naughton, is having a fabulous contest to celebrate the release of her debut novel, Stolen Fury, a romantic adventure. Be sure to check it out before the Jan. 17 deadline.
Also be sure to check back here on my blog this Thursday when Elisabeth will be the author in the spotlight for my second The Thursday Three.
We are firmly in fleece weather now which has me wearing three layers of clothing — inside! I’m SO ready for spring. It’s another of those code, wet, dark winters that just seems to make the season seem to last forever. Bleh. I saw the forecast for the coming week, and one night we’re supposed to get down to 12 degrees. Double bleh.
So, did anyone else watch the Golden Globes. Let me say, TiVo makes watching an awards show much nicer. You can fast-forward through not only the commercials but the parts you don’t want to see, whether that’s categories or long-winded acceptance speeches. My favorite moments of the night included Kate Winslet being so happy to win for her role in Revolutionary Road and how she not only told her husband, Sam Mendes, how much she loved him but also her co-star (from RR and Titanic), Leonardo DiCaprio; so many people being happy for Mickey Rourke winning for his role in The Wrestler; and the enthusiasm of all the people associated with Slumdog Millionaire (I don’t think they stopped smiling ear to ear all night). Also of note, I haven’t seen any of these movies yet. The most poignant moment for me was when Heath Ledger won for his role in The Dark Knight.
