Sorry I think I misled everyone about the contest. LASR sets a different question every day (nothing to do with me or the interview, but they're usually easy to find) and each day's answer goes into the draw at the end of the week. You can have a second chance to win a copy of Starquest by leaving a comment on the review itself.
Oh dear, I've neglected my poor Blog a bit lately. I've been busy with my horses, Harry and T'pau, during the recent snowfalls. We don't get a lot of snow in the UK and when we do, I love it. That's really the only connection the picture has with this blog - it's the bridleway near where I keep them. Anyway, the main news I have is that I'm being interviewed at Long And Short Reviewstoday, if you fancy going along to check it out. There's also a chance to win a copy of 'Starquest'. I'll be at their chat loop tomorrow, as well: Long and Short Romance Yahoo group and I'd love it if you would pop over and ask a question (one that I can answer, please :) ) just so I don't feel I'm all alone, talking to myself!
I have some more winter pictures I'll be posting up later this week - and I have one or two interviews lined up too, so don't forget to visit.
14 February 2009
12 February 2009
I'm being ROASTED today.
Well, not literally, I have my book 'Starquest' featured at the wonderful Book Roast Blog.
Please come over and keep me company. There's hot chocolate and mallows and everything, and one lucky person will win a copy of Starquest by simply answering a very silly question! :)
I am very pleased to welcome Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux to my Blog today. Pamela is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a member of White Roses in Bloom Authors. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”
HL: Hi Pamela, why don't you telll us a little more about yourself
PT: I am a wife/mother/grandmother and born-again Jesus lover who works in the insurance industry after more than 20 yrs in bookkeeping.
Wow that sounds like a busy life style Pamela. What do you do for fun when not writing?
PT: Fun, what’s that? LOL! Seriously, playing with my granddaughter is the most fun thing I can do. I also enjoy spending quality time with my husband and reading.
HL: Well that's a great way to unwind, and I couldn't think of anything better myself. When did you start writing?
PT: I began writing more than 25 yrs ago in 5-subject notebooks after reading one-too-many insipid little romances.
HL Oh yes, I think a few of us can relate to that one! What comes first: the plot or the characters? PT: Usually the characters but sometimes a plotline will come to me and a book will evolve around that. For instance, my book The Inheritance evolved from a single thought….. They say life begins at forty, but for Rebecca Sinclair that’s far from the truth. Of course I had to know why HL: Now isn't that a great way for a book to start. It's so exciting when you get an idea like that and the book sort of grows from that one moment.
Tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it:
PT: My latest novel release is Tempered Joy and it is book 4 in the series. I believe readers will enjoy the conclusion to this lives of these characters which began in book 1, Tempered Hearts. I do have an idea for a fifth book, but it’s only an idea. My latest short-story release is Winter Madness (due out March 11th from The Wild Rose Press) and I think readers will enjoy watching true love overcome pessimism.
HL: Great to have a series, Pamela, and y0ur new short story sounds so warm and inspiring. If someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character and what actor would it be and why?
PM: I absolutely love Melissa Gilbert and would have her play any heroine in any one of my books.
HL: Good choice. What have you learned about writing since you were published that surprised you the most?
PM: Guidelines change, writers evolve in both style and voice, editing can be both a pain and a joyful process as can promotion.
HL: You're so right there Pamela. Tell me, what’s you’re writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?
PT: I am 100% a SOTP writer – always have been, probably always will be. About the only thing that has changed is I edit more as I go than when I first started writing. I’m finding it more and more difficult to turn off the internal editor but miss the thrill of unbridled, uninhibited creation. HL: Oh that internal editor! She can be such a busybody sometimes! Do you have a support system? Did you have a writing community? What valuable lessons have you learned from them?
PT: My family supports me very much as do many writing friends. I’ve not only belonged to various writers’ groups, I’ve co-founded one. About the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to never give up and stay true to yourself.
HL: And what is your personal definition of success?
PM: As beauty is to the eye of the beholder, so is success to the individual. The definition of success changes over the years. As a new writer it may be finish something, and then submit. After publication it is write more, stay published, increase sales, make more than you spend on promotion LOL!
HL: Very phylosophical, and very true. I can certainly relate to the last part too, as can most other small press authors I'm sure.What is your favorite source of inspiration?
PT: Reading.
HL: Yes, I have to agree. There's nothing like reading a great book by a favourite author to set the imagination going and inspire one to aspire to write one as good. One last question Pamela, just for fun. If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?
PT: A bear – I’d love to curl up and sleep during the cold winter months!
HL: Now that sounds like a sensible idea. It's so cold over here at the moment I can see the attraction in being curled up in a nice warm den until spring! Thanks so much Pamela, it's been really interesting and enjoyable talking to you, and I look forward to the release of 'Winter Madness'.
I asked Pamela to choose an actor for our 'Featured Hunk' . You'll find her choice in the right hand column about half way down. *Sigh*.
There are links to Pamela's many books below :
Including:
The Inheritance (ISBN# 1-60154-055-8 ) The Wild Rose Press – available in Ebook & Print) All Pamela's The Wild Rose Press titles can be found HERE
Tempered Joy (ISBN # 1-933866-14-4 ) Com Star Media- available in Ebook & Print)
SEE ALSO 'A SWEETHEART OF A CONTEST' a couple of Blog Posts down!
Available Feb. 4, 2009 in ebook and in print March 20.
A pre-release review from Cheri Jetton of Novel Editions
gives this story a four-star rating.
HL: I’m thrilled to welcome back to my Blog the talented Miss Mae. Miss Mae has already achieved great success with her wonderful romantic suspense ‘See No Evil My Pretty Lady, which was an intriguing twist on the Jack The Ripper story and an exciting and romantic tale in its own right, but today I am nearly as excited as she is because her long awaited second book ‘Said The Spider To The Fly is released today!
For those of you not familiar with the delightful Miss Mae, here’s a little bit about her.
Ms. Thomas enjoys writing humor and non-fiction articles. The Front Porch Magazine, Good Old Days, and WritersWeekly are a few of the publications where her work can be found. Under the pen name of Miss Mae, the Pure Southern Genteel author, her first book, “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady”, published by http://www.thewildrosepress.com/, earned highly acclaimed reviews and won the Find a Great Romance ‘Reader’s Pick of the Month’ award. MyShelf.com has listed, “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” in their Top Ten Reads of 2008. With her experience as a best selling romance novelist, she’s headed a critique group for aspiring writers. Her second book, “Said the Spider to the Fly” by the same publisher, and “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred” by Class Act Books are both 2009 releases.
Congratulations on your release, Miss Mae, Perhaps we should give the readers a little taster first, with the ‘backpage blurb’!
MM: Mona Murphy returns to Copper Springs to attend her grandfather’s memorial service. His passing appeared ordinary enough—the official report stated he’d tripped and fallen down the staircase. Yet Preston Hitchcock, the insurance agent who’d sold a half million dollar policy to Mona’s grandfather days before the old man died, isn’t convinced, especially when bloody towels are discovered in the backyard.
And that’s only the beginning. Who is the hit-and-run driver who attempts to run Mona down? Why is her old boyfriend more ardent for her affections now than ever before? And why is Mona helpless to guard her heart from the devastating influence of Preston’s practiced lady-killer smiles?
Secrets Mona never knew existed in Copper Springs become exposed. But none is so revealing as the one she fights to hide—and the very one that might save her life.
HL: Oooh that Preston is quite a hunk! And what an exciting blurb, How could one resist not wanting to delve into the pages? Right let’s dive in and read an excerpt then!
“Ah.” Preston inhaled an appreciative sniff. “Strong coffee and warm doughnuts. What could be better?”
“Nothing at the moment,” she agreed, stepping beside him to the counter. After he paid for their order, Preston extended his hand to receive change from the cashier. A five-dollar bill slipped off his palm, fluttering to the floor. Mona bent and retrieved it, then paused, rubbing the currency between her fingers.
“Something wrong?” Preston threw her a sharp glance.
“No. Nothing.” She shrugged against the curious look the cashier gave her.
Folding the fiver, Preston stuffed it in a shirt pocket, a speculative expression in his eyes. “You sure?”
“Hey, I know you.” Recognition rang in the cashier’s voice. “Yeah. You’re the girl that helped a bunch of us find Terri Smith’s lost cat. We never figured out how you knew it was stuck in a drainpipe on Jeff Toombs’ property.” She flashed a toothy grin. “We reckoned you must have had a spiritual connection with the cat. You know, like a psychic or something.”
“Sorry, but you’re mistaken.” Mona twisted on her heel and strode to an empty table. She kept her gaze lowered as Preston settled the tray before her. The edge of his coat grazed her knees when he sat down, his broad-shouldered frame blocking the view of the cashier. Trying to ignore the goose pimples that swam down her arms, Mona stirred her coffee, catching the whispers that floated through the air.
“…I know that’s her…”
“…no one could find that cat, but she led us straight to it…”
“…heard say that she gets premonitions…”
How can she remember me? It was years ago.
People don’t forget, Mona.
She rubbed her forehead with cold fingers, fighting the urge to jump to her feet and rush away into the night. Preston’s chair squeaked as he distributed his weight evenly. Laying the Fedora on the tabletop with one hand, he reached for a sweet roll with the other.
“These doughnuts are almost sinful, but I can’t resist.” Icing oozed down his scarred fingers, and one by one, he raised them to his mouth, his tongue licking the sticky mess. Then he sank his teeth into the pastry, tearing off a large bite. He winked at Mona, speaking between sugar-glazed lips. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for these babies.”
“Don’t apologize. Enjoy.” Picking up a plastic fork, she cut her doughnut into small pieces. Preston chuckled. “It stands to reason that a gal who makes coffee wearing jeans and heels would eat a doughnut with a fork.”
“You have a problem with that, mister?” Her gaze lingered on a crumb stuck to the corner of his mouth. Without thinking, she reached over to brush it off, her thumb stroking his bottom lip. The contact sizzled a sensation so sharply pleasurable that she gasped.
HL: That’s really got me wanting to read more, Miss Mae – and I gather you’ve already had a rave review – I know Miss Mae’s a bit shy so I’ll just copy a bit of it here, shall I!
“Ms. Jetton, of Novel Editions says: “…This author has a marvelous sense of timing which keeps you turning pages even when the hour grows late…Miss Mae is definitely a writer to watch…”
You can read the whole review here:
http://noveleditions.com/noveleditions/?p=276
Wow, it’s great to receive a review like that, before the book was even published, isn’t it! Tell us what else you have in store for us, Miss Mae.
MM: “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred” is due to be released from Class Act Books, in April 2009
Here’s the Unedited Blurb:
Schoolmarm Winifred Merryweather guards her identity as the daughter of one of London's most notorious villains. Separating her life from his, she spends her lonely existence with her cat, Theodore, and meeting twice monthly at the estate of Lord Nelson Chatham, head of the local reading club. Losing herself in the pages of an absorbing mystery story tickles a delicious chill down Winifred's spine -- until the day that she and her group are forced to live through one.
Enter Remington Hawthorne, a newspaper reporter whose flirtatious charms thaw Winifred’s icy reserve. Thrown together in the midst of a chaotic adventure, can they complete the meaning of the clues before the tale reaches the page that reads, ‘The End’?
HL: That sounds fantastic Miss Mae can’t wait for the release of that one too! I know you’re quite a busy lady on the web, where can the readers expect to find you next?
MM: Feb. 10, I am scheduled for an all day Romance Party at Brenda Williams Yahoo Group. Join me—to keep me company!—and to learn more about “Said the Spider to the Fly”, read excerpts from “It’s Elementary, My Dear Winifred” and read excerpts/reviews about my best selling romantic mystery, “See No Evil, My Pretty Lady” a MyShelf.com’s Top Ten Reads for 2008! I’ll hold a contest and the winner will receive a free copy of “Said the Spider to the Fly.”
HL: Noted in my diary! I can certainly promise the lucky person who wins ‘Said The Spider To The Fly’ a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable read (Yes, I was privileged to have a sneak preview folks, and it had me guessing all the way.)
Well many thanks for sharing your release day with us Miss Mae, it’s been wonderful having you here, and I wish you mega sales with ‘Spider’.
If you’d like to find out more about the talented Miss Mae, you can visit her at the following sites:
I've just heard that my story 'Dancing With Fate' is up for 'Book Of The Year' at LASR in the novela section. 'Dancing With Fate' is one of the 'Songs Of The Muses' series about the Greek Muses.
There are some really great stories up for this award, including several from the Wild Rose Press, so it's really hard to ask for your vote - but if you read the review and do fancy voting for it, it would be SO much appreciated!
My ‘muse sister Michelle Hart is also in the running with her great story in the same series ‘No Funny Stuff’ which is a wonderful story and I’d be almost as happy to see her win, as to win myself!
The Best Book of 2008 poll will run from Monday, February 2, though Saturday, February 14. Thanks for reading - and if you are kind enough to vote for me your support will be greatly appreciated and you'll have my undying gratitude!
As we all know, the flagging economy is forcing businesses to make tough decisions and the book industry is no exception. Book stores are closing. Publishers are laying off people, cutting back on production, and pulling titles from distribution.
What’s an author to do?
Get those sales up.
So, Fellow author and Friend, Pamela S Thibodeaux, is having a Valentine’s Day contest Where Everyone Gets a Gift!
Between Jan. 31st & Feb. 13th
Everyone who enters will receive Thib’s Teaser (a pdf with blurbs/excerpts/discount coupons/short story) AND their name will be entered into a drawing for the GRAND PRIZE – simply email Pertinent Promotions at ppromocntst@aol.com with Sweetheart Contest in the subject line.
No Purchase Necessary to Participate
~HOWEVER ~
Purchase any (1) Tempered noveland, along with Thib’s Teaser you will receive a Special Surprise Gift and your name will go into the drawingtwicefor the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (include your mailing address for the surprise gift).
Purchase 2 Tempered novels and in addition to Thib’sTeaser you will Receive a Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Choices or Cathy’s Angel and three chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your surprise gift)
Purchase the first 3 Tempered novels (Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams & Tempered Fire) and in addition to Thib’s Teaser you will Receive: A Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Cathy’s Angel or Choices a FREE autographed copy of Tempered Joy and 4 chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase toppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your autographed copy of Tempered Joy & your surprise gift)
Together we can take the Tempered Series to Amazon’s Best Seller List!
**Amazon Purchase NOT Your ONLY Option**
If you purchase Any of the Tempered Series according to the rules above from your local book store, MAIL a copy of your receipt to Pertinent Promotions c/o Pamela S Thibodeaux, PO Box 324, Iowa, LA 70647 and your prizes will be the same as those listed.
Same rules apply if you purchase DIGITAL copies of The Tempered Books *Note* If you purchase digitalcopies of Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams, and Tempered Fire according to the rules above, you will receive a digital copy of Tempered Joy. *Digital copies also available @ All Romance Ebooks!
Winner will be announced on Feb 14th
*All entrants will be added to Pertinent Promotions and the Author’s personal mailing lists.*
Grand Prize: CD of Pam's TWRP titles which includes 3 short stores (Cathy’s Angel, Choices, & A Hero for Jessica), 1 full-length novel The Inheritance and an advanced copy of Pam's Upcoming Release Winter Madness (short story) and a Valentine Gift Basket!
I am very pleased to welcome Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux to my Blog today. Pamela is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a member of White Roses in Bloom Authors. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”
’ve learned is to never give up and stay true to yourself.
