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Interview with Ainsley St Claire, author of Promise

What can you tell us about your new release, Promise?

It is second in the Venture Capitalist series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Based in San Francisco, it is the story of a woman dealing with child abandonment and a man who was born with a platinum spoon in his mouth and a paparazzi darling. Together they are sizzling hot, but they struggle to get together.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I've always had stories in my head and one night in a terrible bout of insomnia, I outlined my first book, In a Perfect World. Which on reviewer called a spicy version of Nicholas Sparks. Since then Promise is my third book and I have plotted out five more with ideas for two separate spin-offs.

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

Ever? Books have always brought about life changing events. As a girl I loved the Trixie Belden series and through the thirty-three books I found a love reading. In high school I read To Kill a Mockingbird and it inspired me to go to law school. Jane Austin's Emma was the first love story I read and I was hooked on love stories. I love complicated love stories. Characters aren't perfect and I love to celebrate that, but still help them find (with lots of hot and steamy) that happily ever after.

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

I'm inspired by the independent author community. I think I would line up several indie over coffee and chocolate (or if it's late a glass of good scotch and chocolate) and just talk about what inspires them and what they would do differently.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I have two busy young boys. I love that I can write while in line for carpool or waiting for a sport or activity to end. I get some of my best inspiration in the car.

What is a typical day like for you?

No two days for me are the same. I have a job working in legal consulting and will travel one week a month. Thankfully I don't sleep a lot and will write late into the night after my kids go to bed. My favorite day is one where I speak at a conference in the morning and then go hide in hotel room, order a thin crust pepperoni and mushroom pizza to be delivered with a lot of Diet Coke and just let the story pour out of me.

What scene in Promise was your favorite to write?

(Spoiler alert!) When she confronts her birth mother and tells her off.

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

I am a ray of sunshine with a bit of hurricane thrown in.

Ainsley St Claire is the author of the new book Promise.

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Interview with Kerrie Noor, author of Four Takeaways and a Funeral

What can you tell us about your new release, Four Takeways, and a Funeral?

It is the third in the Bellydance and Beyond series; funny stories about a group of women from the same Bellydancing troupe.

Four Takeaways and a Funeral is about love, loss and friendship which, come to think of it, the other two books are too! This time the story is about Mavis, Nefertiti’s best friend.

When I wrote Four Takeaways and a Funeral I was coming to terms with the loss of my parents and I wanted to write about death, how it comes so unexpectantly-even when it is expected. And how, at times, it brings out the worst in families. I couldn’t go to either of my parent’s funeral, so I went to town on the funeral scenes; let rip with comedy and outrageous characters...Drowned my sorrows in farce.

I also had been working alongside my husband in his family Indian restaurant. We moved from a posh succulent place of grand chandeliers to a rundown cupboard of a place.

And thought, there is a comedy here…And I don’t think I have finished yet!

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My parents loved comedy but could be very critical. When I was a child I used to try and entertain them with animated stories, making them laugh was not easy but when I did it was gold.

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

What Katie Did- as a child

Catcher in the Rye- as a teenager

Darling Buds of May-as a young woman

Just William- as a mother

Jeeves and Wooster- as a mature woman and budding writer of great British wit!

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

Germaine Greer, I just watched a documentary of her on BBC. She is from Melbourne like me and is as rude and arrogant as a few relatives I grew up with. My aim would be to see if she could say something positive about another human being.

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up, make coffee, go back to bed and write until something aches, then make more coffee, write until the ache appears again. This cycle will continue until a) I am hungry, B) the postman comes c) I have to go to the shops cause there is nothing to eat.

Once I am all written out, I try to do something active and not watch too much TV (not always successful there) i.e. dance about like a 70’s chick with intermittent Bellydancing, walk, potter, pretend to clean.

In the evenings I stick on Midsummer Murders or something else I have seen about a million times and blog, promoting, marketing on the internet, or at least think about it.

I do go out sometimes. Just can’t remember when!

What scene in Four Takeaways and a Funeral was your favorite to write?

The funeral scene. I had different ideas about the funeral scene, in the end, Mavis did herself proud and the bad guys get to show their not so bad side.

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

Kind people are the happiest people I know.

Kerrie Noor is the author of the new book Four Takeaways and a Funeral.

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Interview with Michael E. Thies, author of The Curse of Pirini Lilapa

What can you tell us about your new release, The Curse of Pirini Lilapa?

The Curse of Pirini Lilapa is the second novel in the series, The Guardian of the Core. It takes place immediately after the Trials of the Core concludes. As the first novel is more character driven, this novel will definitely expand upon these characters but now take you to places you’ve only imagined. As you follow the three main characters in the story, you get to see various landscapes, landmarks, and cultures that shape the nations within each planet. As the worlds start to expand, readers will notice fresh and new character perspectives that all will come to play a role in telling the tale of Pirini Lilapa. It’s also symbolic that new perspectives are added because I want to show the readers that no one is safe from the Curse of Pirini Lilapa and the motif and event that dominates the storyline.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

R.L. Stine was my favorite childhood author. His Goosebumps books really interested me and I remember actually meeting him at Disney World one year when I was super young. It was at this point that I actually wrote my very first picture book for a second grade class. Since then I’ve been writing with a passion I suppose. The idea for the Guardian of the Core series came about when I was in middle school and wrote a story about a fantastic battle of gods inside a coliseum.

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

This list is in no particular order but these are five of the books that I remember the most.

Feed by M.T. Anderson (it makes me really question the way our society is going right now because it seems so real and in the future).
Eragon by Christopher Paolini (While the other books in the series lacked, this book was exceptional and very well done by an author so young).
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (I was recommended this book as a must-read by an author friend. Slow and confusing at the beginning and, to be honest, not a good model for any author, but the ending was worth it due to the amount of surprises it contained. Also, it helped me improve my writing significantly.)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (I didn’t appreciate this book when I was forced to read it in high school, but now, as a teacher, teaching the book, I have a new-found appreciation for the story line and the characters within).
Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda (For some reason I just remember this book because of the riddles that it posed throughout. I do know that parts of this book has seeped into my writing and my imagination as this was one of the books I was reading when I first started writing what would become the series, Guardian of the Core).

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

It would have to be Ernest Hemingway. I want to know how he managed to write so well when he has such a reputation for being a drunk. What was life really like for him back then? Although he didn’t make my top five of books read, it’s because I find his short stories to be better than his novels. I just think it would be cool and interesting to hang out with him for a day.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I think my favorite part about writing is being able to interact with people in unknown ways. This includes interacting with myself. Every time I write a scene, a little part of me is talking with this imaginary characters who are my subconscious. It’s interesting. Sometimes they do things I don’t expect but I know that they have to happen and I couldn’t write it the same any other way. Also, writing is a way of interacting with my fans and the people around me. I love to inspire people in one way or another (probably why I’m a teacher) and it’s encouraging to see that many individuals do like the storyline and the characters within and I hope that they find themselves the same way that these characters find themselves in the book.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m a teacher in China so my day is rather strange. We go to school from 7:30 to 5:20 here. In this particular city there is a break time during the middle of the day which I use to go to the gym and exercise and then after the day is finished I spend time on my novel or short story or whatever I’m doing at that point. Sometimes that hour is spent promoting the book or blogging about something. Sometimes it’s to write 1000 new words in my next novel. China has been great because it’s allowed me and given me so much free time. In the States I’m unsure how people are teachers and authors because they must not get any sleep.

What scene in The Curse of Pirini Lilapa was your favorite to write?

If I told you that I may give away a part of the plot 😉 Instead, I’ll tell you who my favorite character was to write in. Surprisingly my favorite character perspective was Aiton Paen (Hydro Paen’s younger brother). He is a new perspective added to the mix this book and I believe people will really connect with him as so many things happen to him and his family. It was really good putting myself in the perspective of an 8 year-old going on 9 and having him deal with issues of family expectations and societal pressure. My hope is that he comes across genuine and organic to the readers. He has a lot of memorable scenes in the novel and that is probably another reason why I liked interacting with him and using his voice.

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

Yeah, everyone should know this one actually, “Just do it.” The Nike slogan. It’s simple, yet elegant. So many times I think people overthink things (“What if I wear this outfit? Will he like me?” … “Should I text her back?” … “Should I live abroad or stay in the States?”) I think so many people are worried about what others think and should be content with fulfilling who they are and not caring about other people’s attitudes. If you want to wear that dress, wear it. If you have always wanted to travel, then travel. Most importantly, if you say you’re going to write, then write. Don’t think about writing, do it. That is why I try to do 1000 words per day when I’m in draft mode (now I’m in publishing and promoting mode so my time is elsewhere). When I was contemplating teaching abroad or in the States, I used this slogan and now it’s been a great adventure. Obviously, people should research and be educated upon what they’re “doing” before they do it, but experience everything you can. You only get one life to live, why waste it?

Michael E. Thies is the author of the new book The Curse of Pirini Lilapa.

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Interview with Elin Peer, author of The Genius

What can you tell us about your new release, The Genius?

This book is part of my highly praised Men of the North series where all books can be read as stand alone. However, reading them in order will give you a deeper understanding and help avoid spoilers. It’s set four hundred years in the future where women rule the world, except for a small part in the North where the last ‘free’ men live. In this book we follow Shelly, a curious genius with photographic memory, who despite her unusual brain power isn’t very bright when it comes to social situations. When Marco, her teenage crush, mistakes the now ten years older and attractive Shelly for a sex-bot, Shelly goes with the flow out of curiosity and lust. The book is both heartwarming and funny and offers some steamy scenes too.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’m an avid reader myself and love a good story. My goal is to keep you turning pages and write “un-put-downable” books.

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

I loved The Clan of the Cave Bear when I read it as a child. Same with Tolkien’s books, and lately I love everything by Susan Elizabeth Philips.

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

Noah Trevor – I would want to talk about his book “Born a Crime” and learn more about his fascinating back ground. He is someone I respect and admire a great deal.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

The escape it gives people who need a break. I love receiving messages from around the world and interacting with my readers.

What is a typical day like for you?

Drop off kids, answer fan mail, do an hour of “office” work, take my dog out hiking with a friend, and then 3-4 hours of writing before picking up kids again. Sometimes I write after dinner too. All in all, this rhythm allows me to publish around five books a year.

What scene in The Genius was your favorite to write?

The one where Marco mistakes Shelly for a sex-bot and thinks his job is to test her and he makes comments to the designers about what he likes and doesn’t like. It was funny.

Elin Peer is the author of the new book The Genius.

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Interview with Marcy Kennedy, author of Cursed Wishes

What can you tell us about your new release, Cursed Wishes?

Cursed Wishes is the first book in my historical fantasy series.

Most people would die to save the ones they love. But would you live a life worse than death instead?

In 1500s Scotland, Ceana Campbell, the unwanted daughter of the village drunk, accidentally does the one thing every sane person knows not to do. She angers a fairy.

As punishment, the fairy forces her to make three wishes—and the man she loves will suffer the opposite of whatever she wishes for herself.

To spare him, she takes on the cursed side of the wishes and ends up erased from the lives of everyone who mattered to her and doomed to fail at everything she tries. At first, the sacrifice seems worth it.

What she didn’t count on was how rescuing one person she loved would put another in jeopardy.

Now, to save the life of her little brother, she must convince a man who no longer remembers she existed to help her hunt for someone powerful enough to break a curse of the fae—a feat which could put them in the middle of a supernatural civil war, where an angry fairy will be the least of their problems compared to the monster they’ll face.

What’s historical fantasy and what makes your book unique from other historical fantasy?

Historical fantasy takes place in a recognizable historical time period and in a real-world location. It’s more about how the author plays with history than it is about magic (though magic can be included), so you’ll find authors writing about legends like King Arthur and Robin Hood or about mythology from different regions.

I didn’t want to retread the same ground of writing about Greek and Roman myths or Norse mythology, and I hadn’t seen a lot of other fantasy series exploring Scottish myths (even though Scotland is a popular destination for time travel books). Scottish mythology has some of the most interesting creatures and monsters in my opinion. In the first book, I have fairies, selkies, and a monster called a nuckalevee, which is a horse-like beast with a single eye and no skin.

Where did your original “seed” idea for Cursed Wishes come from?

It was the idea of wishes where two people had to receive opposite results. I wanted to play with the idea of what that would mean and what the relationship between those two people would be like.

What scene in Cursed Wishes was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the final battle near the end, but not for the reason you might think. I did love writing a fast-paced, tense, action scene, but I had the most fun writing that particular scene because of the monster in it. With mythological creatures, you don’t have much to go on when you’re creating them. That means there’s a lot of room for creativity. I didn’t want to create a mindless monster that was frightening only in physical appearance. I wanted a creature with strong motivations and desires. In the end, I made the creature’s appearance and actions match with what was inside—it feeds off of pain and suffering.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I think I became an author because I never wanted to stop having to play make-believe—just kidding.

I wanted to become an author because I believe stories have the ability to help people. They can give us hope, teach us to be more empathetic to others, and encourage us to strive to be better than we are. The stories that stick with us are the ones about people who didn’t give up when things got hard and who refused to let evil win. They’re about people figuring out what it means to love and the value of self-sacrifice. And, if nothing else, stories give us a safe, healthy place to go when we really need a break from the troubles of life. I wanted to be part of that. I think the world needs that.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

This might sound strange, but I don’t know that I like writing per say. I like having written, and I like polishing up the words I’ve written. The actual writing itself is a bit more challenging.

If we’re talking about the entire creative process, my favorite thing is the characters. I love digging into what makes these people tick and inventing ways for them to grow and be challenged.

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

I’m a Christian, so I’d have to say that the motto I live by is from 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Even though I don’t write books with explicit Christian content, I still want to do the best job possible with my writing—and in everything I do—and to act in a way that will please God.

Marcy Kennedy is the author of the new book Cursed Wishes.

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The Story Behind Taking Summer by Emily Bishop

By Emily Bishop

What it’s about:

Taking Summer is my attempt at creating a summer read which is as hot as the hottest summer days! It’s about two characters who really couldn’t be more different:

A vegan reporter, Summer, set on discovering the truth about the ranchers in small town Dripping Springs, Texas. She’s sassy, yet sweet, and set on doing the right thing. Obviously, she won’t let anything distract her from her professional goal… right?

A hot-as-hades rancher, James, who is totally allergic to anyone from the media, and is closed-off, a mystery, and enigma to be unwrapped. Or, ahem, undressed.

The two collide when Summer chooses his ranch as the source for her investigation.

These two can’t stop fighting or… you know, touching. Throw in a jealous ex who’s come back to town to reveal all of James’ darkest secrets and you’ve got a recipe for disaster and deliciousness.

My Favorite Scene:

Oh wow, I think my favorite scene to write was James’ and Summer’s initial encounter when she arrives at his ranch. She almost runs into his cows (her worst nightmare and his) and there interaction is just so freaking hot, my fingers were burning writing it!

My Favorite Character

Hands down, James. He’s strong and he’s carrying his burden all by himself. He doesn’t want to open up to anyone, but Summer’s lightness and innocence, her quest for truth, just unlocks that side of him and from there, it’s history. Literally.

I particularly loved writing up James’ history. It’s so tragic, but at the same time kind of funny. I hope it gives everyone a few giggles when it’s eventually revealed what happened to him in the past which made him ‘oh so jaded.’

Hottest Secret:

Now, I’m not going to give the game away, but I will say that there was a… surprise at the end. 😉

Emily Bishop is the author of the new book Taking Summer.

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The Story Behind Reckless Love by J. Saman

By J. Saman

Reckless Love is a best friends-to-lovers, second-chance, standalone. It starts with a string of text messages, where our hero, Jameson, is begging our heroine, Lyric, to come home. And this prologue sort of guts you. You feel her conflict. You feel her anger. You feel her heartbreak, because it’s been four years since she’s heard from the man who was supposed to be her everything. Her forever. Until he wasn’t.

Lyric is the daughter of a rock star and is serious about music in her own right, but as a producer instead of performer. Jameson is your typical college jock. Cocky, smart, charming and likes his fun, with women and parties and sports. But when he sees Lyric, the girl he grew up with and always had a thing for, sitting in his college class, everything changes. But Jameson has his own battles, his own stresses that seem to be mounting, one on top of the other, as the story progresses.

The two become best friends and eventually lovers before their dreams and lives take over reality and separate them. And with that separation comes a long-distance relationship that is on a collision course for failure. And with that failure, comes heartbreak. We pick back up four years later, where our story began, and watch as Jameson guts himself to try and win Lyric, the love of his life, back. But second chances don’t always come easy.

This story came to me in a dream. And when I woke up, I couldn’t get it, or the characters, out of my head. I wrote it in 2 weeks. It flew out and is actually a little different than my typical story. My characters often have more of a tragic arc to them. But I fell in love with Lyric and Jameson (especially Jameson) and I fell in love with their story. In fact, it might be my favorite book to date.

J. Saman is the author of the new book Reckless Love.

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Interview with Julieanne Lynch, author of Beneath the Lighthouse

What can you tell us about your new release, Beneath the Lighthouse?

My latest novel is a thrilling, creepy, paranormal adventure for lovers of Young Adult horror and chilling mysteries. It follows Jamie McGuinness, the sixteen-year-old protagonist, whose life is less than ideal.

After the death of his sister, Jamie sinks into depression. His grief controls every thought and action. Those who should care the most have changed and become monsters before his eyes.

He struggles to cope, and his only saving grace is the lighthouse where his sister was found dead. But it is here where his journey truly begins. It’s not your average teenage horrorfest. It deals with some serious themes; such as physical and mental abuse, depression and sacrifice. All give an edge to Jamie’s story, providing the reader a deeper understanding of his thoughts and feelings, and add to the overall reading experience.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always been a reader. Books were my savior when I was growing up, and they became a source of comfort to me. It was my love of books that inspired the storyteller within me, and authors like Stephen King, Raymond E Feist, Terry Goodkind, and Terry Pratchett stirred the desire to pen my own work.

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

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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

Oh, there are so many, but I think my first guest would have to be Stephen King. I would ask if he hadn’t been such a phenomenal success as a writer, would he have continued teaching. And if so, would he have been satisfied.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love the escapism it gives me. I find it therapeutic to go into my office, close the door, and just lose myself to my imagination. Whether I’m working to deadline, or writing for pleasure, the whole process allows me time to unwind from the often-chaotic life of a mother of five.

What is a typical day like for you?

My days vary. Normally before any writing gets done, I’ve lunches to make, and school runs to do. Between the hours of 9:30am and 1:40pm I write. (I’m normally always working to deadline.) I break from writing to get my youngest child from school, and I find that once the homework is done, dinner is cooked, and everyone else gets in, I can’t really go back to work until after their bedtime. I do however like to write at night. That’s when my creativity is at its best.

What scene in Beneath the Lighthouse was your favorite to write?

Without giving too many spoilers away, I’d have to say the scene towards the end, involving Jack, Iliana, and Jamie inside the lighthouse was my favorite. I loved having Jamie completely taken over by Iliana. The duress Jack was put under in his final moments was one of the most thrilling, if not emotional, scenes I’ve ever written. It’s complex. It’s edgy. It’s gripping. As a writer I felt very pleased.

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

Yes. Every day I recite the following, because even on my darkest days, I need to remind myself that there is hope. “Even if the hopes you started out with are dashed, hope has to be maintained.” Seamus Heaney

Julieanne Lynch is the author of the new book Beneath the Lighthouse.

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | June 26

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Julieanne Lynch, James Patterson, Lisa Jackson, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | June 26

Searching for some hot new release romance books? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Blaire Broderick, J. Saman, Kimberly Readnour, Emily Bishop, Elin Peer, Ainsley St Claire, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!