Blog

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic (Natural Magic Book 1)?

All of my favorite books, from childhood on, inspired me to write this book. If I had to pick a word it would be “delight.” You know that feeling when you just want to hug a book and slip it under your pillow so that maybe even after you fall asleep while reading it, you’ll continue to dream in that world? That’s the feeling I had and wanted to share with readers. The character’s names and a few other small details were inspired by the Maida book series by Inez Haynes Irwin. I adored that series as a child, and fully immersed myself in it! It’s not well known as she wrote the first story in 1905. I was a quirky kid and read a lot of old books!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic (Natural Magic Book 1), what would they be?

It's an eclectic mix! "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac, "Magic" by Coldplay and The Nutcracker Suite!

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love cozy fantasy and women's fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Assistant to the Villian, The Invisible Hour, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It's a toss up! I loved writing the scene where Maida discovers magic is real and is dragged into a new world, literally kicking and screaming. I also loved the encounter with absolute truth and every single exchange with the literary squirrels.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

When I'm stuck, I always go thrifting. My best ideas come from sorting through other peoples junk!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

A rising tide lifts all boats - I truly believe in the power of community.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

A feeling of delight!

Ciara Blume is the author of the new book The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic (Natural Magic Book 1)

Connect with Ciara Blume

Author Site

Facebook

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Arise the Queen (The Goldenchild Prophecy Book 4)?

It's actually inspired by a true-to-life person. I first came across Gwendolyn of Cornwall's story during my research for another book, and fell head over heels with the vision I had of her. She was Boudicca before Boudicca was Boudicca!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Arise the Queen (The Goldenchild Prophecy Book 4), what would they be?

Ooh, love this question! I actually do have a theme song that I use for all my videos for this series. "The Greatest Quest" by Adriel Fair, but if I had to choose a contemporary/popular song I'd have to say "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera -- an oldie, but it fits.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My reading tastes have shifted so much, but I really love reading Romantasy of all flavors.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Court of Talons by Jennifer Chance, House of Fire & Magic by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Josephine by Anne Gregor.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Oh, man. There are so many! I loved giving Gwendolyn her moment of vengeance--long overdue after 4 books. But I also really loved the "kiss scene" in this book. I think so often, especially as a veteran romance writer, I have evolved away from "the kiss" and neglected to savor the moment in the way it should be. This is also something I adore about YA -- a return to the exquisite joy of that first kiss.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I don't have a lucky mug, but I can't start without coffee, for sure. My amazing husband roasts our coffee at home and it's just so delish!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I strive to live by the Golden Rule -- always. It's important to me that if I expect a certain treatment from others that I return that favor.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I would very much love it if women felt empowered by Gwendolyn's story. Gwendolyn is such a strong character, and I love so much that she's the first person I know historically speaking who kicked a cheating husband to the curb and took him for all he was worth (essentially taking back what he took from her).

Tanya Anne Crosby is the author of the new book Arise the Queen (The Goldenchild Prophecy Book 4)

Connect with Tanya Anne Crosby

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Burn the Freeze?

I've always been fascinated with how the mind potentially relates to the universe. I've also been involved with corporate America and seen the greed that many are consumed with. I think those two parts of my background were the impetus for this story.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Burn the Freeze, what would they be?

They're in their forties so it would most likely not be current. I'd say anything that has an edge and rebellious spirit to it - The Clash, punk rock, Public Enemy.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Thrillers, Sci-Fi, Classics.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Midnight Library, The One.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scenes where the main character is tapping into universe intelligence. I also enjoy creating a dystopian world.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Don't judge others.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Try to do what they can to eliminate the polarization and hatred that some people seem consumed with. Also, try to understand new technology since it's what people in power ultimately use to govern society.

S.M. McVicar is the author of the new book Burn the Freeze

Connect with S.M. McVicar

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write 23 and You and Me?

When I first started thinking about this novel in 2018, home DNA tests were BIG, and I’d just heard a story about a real-life secret baby who discovered her dad through one of the tests. While I wasn’t ready to write a secret baby trope, the idea of those DNA tests really appealed to the nerdy part of my brain. So I wrote a story about a man who’s grumpy (for reasons) and learns he isn’t who he thought he was, from an overbearingly sunshiny woman.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of 23 and You and Me, what would they be?

23 and You and Me has a TON of music in it – the heroine, Sunny, is a singer/actress – and one song that’s highlighted is "Shallow", the duet from A Star is Born. Sunny and the hero, Gabe, sing it karaoke-style, and that’s when they realize they’ve fallen for each other.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Rom-coms are my favorite!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I just finished The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood, and right now I'm reading Earth Magic & Hot Water by Lauren Connolly.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene I loved writing the most was the scene where Sunny and Gabe drive into a snowstorm. Sunny skids into a guardrail (an experience I had once!), and Gabe overcomes his fear to take over driving. Once they make it to the next small town, the motel is full, of course, except for one room. Gabe and Sunny have to pretend to be newlyweds to snag it, and I loved writing the hijinks!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I don’t know if this is quirky, but I write every morning before work. A friend and I usually get on Zoom about 5:45 in the morning, and we sprint together until around 7:30.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I hope readers will be inspired to live their life for themselves and no one else.

Michelle McCraw is the author of the new book 23 and You and Me

Connect with Michelle McCraw

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Big Island Travel and Adventure Guide (Travel and Adventure Guides)?

My 50th birthday cruise around the Hawaiian Islands was cancelled due to the virus but our airline tickets were still good so we went to Oahu for a week. I spent hours upon hours researching what to do, where to go, where to stay, and where to eat on the island. When I got back I realized not many people can, or even want to do all that research, so my Travel and Adventure Guides were born.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Big Island Travel and Adventure Guide (Travel and Adventure Guides), what would they be?

My new theme song is "I Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Cozy Mystery is my favorite genre to read, I am writing in the cozy mystery genre too. Hopefully I will release my series early next year.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

OMG the list is long... but Jana DeLeon is my current love. Her swamp cozy mystery series is so much fun, I'm trying to get caught up on those.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I am a fan of adventures and recently thought of the thrillometer which I incorporated into this book for the first time. I hope you love it too.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have a menagarie in my office: two fish tanks, three guinea pigs, and my three dogs either at my feet or in my lap. I have my favorite mug from Disney, the Jungle Cruise: it goes for niles and niles and niles.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Oh yes: be humble, work hard, be kind. It's on my coffee coaster.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Life is short and slow down to see the beautiful world. I hope to help with that.

Ocean Breeze Adventures is the author of the new book The Big Island Travel and Adventure Guide (Travel and Adventure Guides)

Connect with Ocean Breeze Adventures

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Digital Threads: The Small Business and Entrepreneur Digital First Marketing Playbook?

I have always thought that sharing my knowledge and experience would lead to new opportunities. Digital Threads begins where my previous book, The Age of Influence, left off. It was from the writing of that book that led many businesses to contact me requesting help with their influencer marketing, but after working together with them, I realized that there were other digital marketing channels that might be more effective at helping them reach their objective. The methodology of Digital Threads was born, and after applying it to several Fractional CMO clients, I realized it was the perfect time to share my experiences in the format of a book to serve all of the entrepreneurs and small businesses that could benefit from my experience.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I do like to read nonfiction business books, I find inspiration in them, not only for my career, but for life in general. And, yes, it is the same genre I like to write in!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am actually doing research for my next book so I am digging into the classic books about entrepreneurship: The Lean Startup, Zero to One, The E-Myth Revisited, Rework, and Traction!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I actually enjoyed the chapter about user-generated content. Businesses invest a lot of time and energy into creating social media content that simply doesn't get any visibility. It's hard to compete with content creators and influencers for the attention of social media users. That is why I wrote this chapter: To teach businesses to invest the time and energy they spend in creating their own content to instead invest that time into developing relationships and making efforts to encourage others to share content about their business. I want businesses to rethink why and how they use social media, and this chapter provided me the opportunity to do so.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I definitely write in spurts. While some writers write every day, I write for many hours when I get into the groove of writing!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

80% of success is showing up!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I purposefully did not define what Digital Threads meant until the concluding chapter of the book. That was done intentionally because I wanted the reader to understand that it was not just one channel or activity but multiple digital threads that would lead a business to success in digital marketing.

Neal Schaffer is the author of the new book Digital Threads: The Small Business and Entrepreneur Digital First Marketing Playbook

Connect with Neal Schaffer

Author Site

Facebook

Buy The Book