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What can you tell us about your new release, The Stars in Her Eyes?

Thank you so much for having me here! My newest release, The Stars in Her Eyes, is unlike anything I’ve written so far. It’s a new adult-aged reverse harem love story set in Hollywood, California. Even though the book is smoking hot, there is also an unparalleled depth to the friendships in the story, complex and painful pasts that the characters have lived through despite being so young, and most of all, a burning desire for the main character to achieve her dreams—all while stumbling upon an unexpected love affair unlike anything she’s ever experienced.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

It’s cliché, but I really have been writing for as long as I can remember. My mother was a natural writer and editor, and my whole family was big on reading. So even though we didn’t have a lot growing up, we always had books. I started my first journal when I was in third grade (it was a Judy Blume diary!), and have kept one ever since. I wrote my first family newsletter when I was in sixth grade called something stupid like The McCarey Gazette. And of course, I was an angsty, boy-obsessed teenager who wrote horrible poetry about love and heartbreak. But it wasn’t until high school when teachers started noticing my writing, making me aware of my abilities, and encouraging me to continue with it after graduating. When I attended Queens College, my professors there really helped me craft my writing in both organizational and business communications, as well as poetry and creative writing. One of my professors, Dr. Ron Bassett, basically told me on every paper that I needed to do something with my writing. So . . . I listened. Eventually.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

No fair! Don’t make me do this! Seriously . . . it is so hard to choose. But one of my all-time favorite books is The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. It’s the only book I can still quote the first line from, and where I fell in love with both Robert Frost and Rob Lowe. I mean, what’s not to love? Off the top of my head, I’d have to say I also loved The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, Beloved by Toni Morrison, Salt by Nayyirah Waheed, and basically anything by Colleen Hoover (though I always recommend Confess first).

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

So, first of all—I can’t even imagine this scenario! I am a far better writer than speaker, and I get super tongue tied when I’m fangirling. Seriously. I once met Mary Higgins Clark and, literally, I couldn’t get a single word out. Even though I was in my twenties, my mother and brother had to save the show and jump in to make things less awkward while she signed my book. But I’d probably interview Toni Morrison, because Beloved is one of my favorite books. I guess I’d just want to talk to her about character development and how her characters come to her (to see if it’s a similar experience that I have), if they’re based on any one she personally knows, and how she’s able to tap in to write such intensely beautiful, poignant, complex, affected characters without absorbing too much of their pain.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Hands down it’s the creative process. I’m a panster, and when a character “comes to me,” they come to me screaming for their story to be told. I love nothing more than to sit down and actually write and get lost in the words and conversations and romance. I love how my characters surprise me and have very distinct voices and ideas of their own. For me, writing it a very intuitive process, and I listen to my heart and my gut first when it comes to the both the story’s plot and the character’s motivations. And when I’m inspired, I can’t wait for any opportunity to snuggle up with my lap top and get lost in their world.

What is a typical day like for you?

Coffee, carpool, breakfast, working out/meditation/journaling time, walking the dog, writing, lunch, writing some more, carpool, then family time for the rest of the night. I’m in the car for over two hours every day so that’s usually when ideas come to me or I run character conversations and scenarios through my head. Sometimes I have to pull over and type it up on Notes or dictate something really fast because I can’t wait till I get home! But I’m very fortunate to be a stay at home parent who also gets to write full time.

What scene inThe Stars in Her Eyes was your favorite to write?

Omg . . . so many! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but basically any love scene where the main character, Creslyn Knight, is building her relationships with her three love interests—Matías, Knox, and River—I had so much fun writing. They were each so different, and one of the hard things with contemporary reverse harem love stories is how to sell the fact that the female MC could realistically fall for multiple men. So there is a lot of character and relationship building. I also loved writing all the texting conversations because it really gave a chance for some fun, sexy, witty banter to transpire where we learn so much about the characters.

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

I do, actually. My favorite quote of all time is: “It doesn’t take a Herculean effort to be a miracle in somebody else’s life.” We impact, interact with, and influence people every day and it takes nothing away from your own being to be kind to someone else, to lift someone else up, or to help someone find the resources or assistance they need. Sometimes it can be the littlest things that can have the most profound impact on somebody else. You may never know what it is, or that you even did anything. But they know. I think we’d all be better off if we remembered there’s enough to go around for everyone, and even the smallest act of kindness or compassion can make the biggest impact in somebody else’s life.
Thank you so much for having me today! It’s been so much fun.

C.M. Albert is the author of the new book The Stars in Her Eyes

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By J. Saman

The Edge of Forever is a brother’s best friend, second chance romance with a bit of a twist. This story begins with Aria, our smart, feisty heroine, out having a good time with her friends. Only, the night takes a turn for the worse when she receives a call from the hospital. Her best friend, Josh was attacked and about to be wheeled into surgery. Aria races to the hospital and quickly discovers that Josh’s surgeon is none other than Weston Kincaid, her first…everything.

It’s been ten years since Wes has seen Aria. Ten years since she crawled out of his bedroom window that last time. Ten years since he left and never came back. Life had a way of keeping them apart. But now this sexy surgeon is older, wiser and the horrible demons of his past aren’t quite so debilitating. He’s ready to fight for the girl he never got over. But is he too late? Can time really heal all wounds?

The Edge of Forever weaves in and out of time, taking you on a journey through Aria and Wes’s past and present. We’re hit with growing questions surrounding Josh’s attack. Do Wes and Aria know the people responsible? Will they be brought to justice? This story is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge (pun intended) of your seat until the very last page.

I quickly fell in love with Wes and Aria. Both separately and together. What really drew me to them was how real they felt. My characters aren’t all good and they aren’t all bad. They are flawed and damaged and experience emotions we all do–insecurity, doubt, frustration, jealousy, depression… The list goes on and on. This book was sort of about that for me. This story is about how life is messy, raw and occasionally brutal, but it’s also beautiful, full of hope and love. It’s also about how the best things in life are worth fighting for.

 

J. Saman is the author of the new book The Edge of Forever

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By Danielle Norman

Sometimes the toughest cowboys are girls. It was that phrase that got me started with this series. For twenty-five years I lived in a small town in Florida where literally everyone knew your name. The school where my children attended took all the kids outside to sit in the field to watch the space shuttle launch and there was a sign in front of the school that read, No Horses Allowed on the Sidewalk.
To say it was a cowboy town was an understatement.

People always hear stories about the good ole days, well this is one of those places that is a short car ride away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, and life is still like the good ole days.

When people think of Florida this isn't what they envision. So I decided to write a series set in the town of Geneva, Florida it was rich with history, I kept all of that in there, like the fact that one of the conspirators in the Lincoln assassination is buried in the tiny cemetery but only his head, then I added my characters and finally mixed in a love story. I believe readers will love this country theme that isn’t a western. Of course it has my typical sarcasm throughout.

Steadfast is book three in the Iron Horse series although it can be read as a stand-alone. It is the story of Holland Kelly, she is the youngest of the three Kelly sisters. The bane of her existence is her next-door neighbor Dick Brooks. Okay, his name really is Reid but Holland thinks Dick sound so much better. When they are forced to come to a meeting of the minds the country girl wants to send his Thoroughbred ass packing back to Kentucky with his Triple Crown and his Mint Juleps.

Danielle Norman is the author of the new book Steadfast

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