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What can you tell us about your new release, Mustang Daddy?

Mustang Daddy is my fourth release with Prism Heart Press, and I am so excited to share it with everyone. As a native Scot, moving to Texas was a daunting experience for me. It has become home for me and my family, and I wanted to write something that could honor that transition for us. This book is not only sexy with a lot of southern charm, it’s also emotional, and heartfelt. I think fiction allows us to reflect on truths in our own lives, and Mustang Daddy takes the reader on a journey. There are definitely elements of my own path over the past year in there. I’m really proud of how it turned out, and I hope readers love Maddox and A.B. as much as I do.

What's the last book you read?

The War of Art, by Stephen Pressfield. I did a lot of work last year that focused on the principles of martial arts and philosophies like The Art of War by Sun Tsu. This book is a motivational text for anyone who is creative – writers, actors, even entrepreneurs. It’s about getting over the idea of “inspiration.” As a writer, we often procrastinate, waiting for an epiphany to strike. This book is a great tool to teach yourself to be positive, and overcome that negative inner voice. I would most definitely recommend it to friends.

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

• The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger is the first that springs to mind. I was completely blown away the first time I read it. The complexity of her timelines, and the attention to detail required to put it off is astounding.
• Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte is a firm favorite of mine. I studied it at University, so my copy is dog-eared with notes in the margins and post-it notes everywhere.
• Persuasion, by Jane Austen is one of the first romance novels that really sucked me in. I wrote a paper on it for school, and I just loved the fact that it was a true second chance love story.
• Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James, has to be on the list. I wouldn’t consider it the best writing by any stretch, but I really fell in love with the characters. It came along at a time in my life when I needed to remember that I’m a woman and a wife – that my husband desires me. For that reason alone, it will always be in my top five.
• The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. I devoured this trilogy in three days while on vacation in Italy. When I turned the final page, I had the worst book hangover of my life! I honestly felt like I didn’t know what to do with myself. That’s a true sign of an epic read.

You're hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?

First on the list would be Steven King. The man is a legend. I would love to sit down with him and pick his brain about anything and everything to do with writing.

Second would be Kristen Proby. I love the way she writes. It seems so effortless. I would really enjoy comparing methods of inspiration with her.

Final choice would be S.C. Stephens. From the moment I met Kellan Kyle in Thoughtless, I haven’t been able to shake him. He has imprinted in my mind as one of the ultimate book boyfriends. I would really like to fan girl over that series with her!

What is a typical day like for you?

I have two kids that are currently in the phase of life where I act as a taxi service most days. I attempt to write while they’re at school, with my fur baby by my side, but most of the time, inspiration strikes in the evening when the kids are in bed. I try to balance being a mom, a writer, a friend, a wife, and a self-promoter on social media. Some days I fall woefully short in all things, but there are those rare days when the stars align and I feel like I can conquer the world.

Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?

I have two. The first one is cuddling up on the sofa with my hubby, kids, and dog, watching a movie and just enjoying their company.

My second happy place, can go with me wherever I roam. It’s that corner of my mind where all my fictional characters live. When you get that spark of inspiration and can’t do anything else until you sit down and type – it feels like I can fly!

What scene in Mustang Daddy was your favorite to write?

There was a particularly emotional scene in the book. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I would say it was my favorite to write. It deals with love and loss, and the relationships in our lives that can feel out of our control at times. Coming out of a difficult year, it definitely provided me with some much needed catharsis.

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

I recently lost a dear friend to brain cancer. I was working with him on a book about his life journey, and the business he built over the past ten years. My mantra is his whole philosophy on life – Not Dead Can’t Quit. I’ve been through a lot of tough times in the past ten years, and have pulled through when experts didn’t think it was possible. I thought for so many years that surviving was enough, but I’ve come to realize that being a survivor isn’t about luck, it’s about refusing to give up, even when it feels like there’s no hope left. If I’m alive and there’s a breath in my body, then I have a chance to influence my life, my decisions, and how I respond to whatever life throws my way. Not Dead Can’t Quit.

Sienna Parks is the author of the new book Mustang Daddy. 

Connect with Sienna:
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What can you tell us about your new release, The Cowboy's Baby?

With 'The Cowboy's Baby,' I'm returning to the Corbett billionaire family that I first introduced in 2015. The brothers all had their stories told but I've been hankering to write western lately and the idea just popped into my head one day - why not give the Corbett cousins their own books? Set in the country, but featuring the same sexy, brooding alphas that my readers love? Billionaires don't always wear suits and live in downtown penthouses! The Cowboy's Baby is my version of a good old-fashioned romance, without skimping on any of the heat fans know to expect from me

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

Outlander, A Song of Ice and Fire Series, anything by Stephen King, Jane Eyre, The Secret History.

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

Stephen King! It feels like people are starting to appreciate him now, in a way they maybe didn't in the past. He seems to have an almost magical ability to make his books 'readable' - the most mundane scene or everyday event and somehow he manages to turn it into a total page-turner. I'd love to ask him how he does that.

What's on your writing desk?

Phone, mug of lemon and ginger tea, lip gloss, notepad and pen - not much else. My desk is directly in front of a window and I like to keep it clear of clutter - an organized workspace is, for me, an organized mind.

What's a typical day like for you?

Typical weekday? Most days I get up at about 6:30 and go for a run before it gets too hot - I like that time of day, something about the dawn light and the calm before the rush hour traffic usually puts me in a good state of mind. After that I take care of errands, of which there are always many - I'm one of those people who needs to have everything taken care of and put away before I can get down to work - or fun.

Most of the morning is spent writing and/or researching, and sometimes I'll take a short nap in the early afternoon. I live within walking distance of a few close friends and we often drop by each other's houses unannounced for an early dinner or a walk in the local park. I really make an effort not to live too hectically, even though that's not always possible. If I don't see friends in the evening, I'll go to a yoga class or just chill out by myself and catch up on whatever TV series I'm currently binging on (I'm really excited about the return of Game of Thrones right now!). It's not the most exciting life, but I love it. If I've got work I love and friends around me, I find I don't need to be bungee-jumping in my free time. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

What's the best advice you've ever received?

Never give up. It's familiar to the point of banality and for that reason I think it might get overlooked sometimes, or dismissed as 'too obvious' when it's anything but. Nothing comes without hard work. No one's life is free of struggles or obstacles. All any of us can do is pick ourselves back up, over and over, keep trying, keep going.

What scene in The Cowboy's Baby was your favorite to write?

Am I allowed to say all of them? OK, that would be cheating. I think my favorite scenes to write were the ones where Tia and Dallas are getting to know each other, realizing their preconceived notions about what a 'city girl' or a 'cowboy' are supposed to be out of the way and really starting to see the other person. There's a lot of humor in their early interactions, and I admit I laughed at quite a few of my own jokes while writing. Of course, the final scene was also lovely to write, but I can't say anything about that without giving it all away!

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

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - This is an Anais Nin quote that I read recently - it speaks to me in general but it also applies neatly to The Cowboy's Baby and the theme of not allowing fear or past hurt to keep you closed off from like or love.

Imani King is the author of the new book The Cowboy's Baby. 

Connect with Imani:
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What can you tell us about your new release, Hunter?

Hunter is my new dark, criminal romance about a man just out of jail and his pursuit of the sexy FBI agent who put him away.

Which books would we be surprised to find on your shelves?

All the Jack Reacher novels – I don’t know if that’s very surprising. All of Janet Evanovitch’s books, too. And Gillian Flynn.

What fictional literary world would you most like to visit?

Wherever Jack Reacher is.

You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?

Gillian Flynn because I’d love to sit and talk with her. Her mind fascinates me. J A Huss because she is just wonderful. And Lee Child because, well, have you seen him?

What's your favorite thing about writing?

The characters. The heroes especially. The big man in this story really made my heart pound.

BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?

Mind reading. No contest.

What scene in Hunter was your favorite to write?

All of the action scenes. There’s a whole lot of both kinds of ‘action,’ and they were all great fun. If I had to pick just one, I guess the climax. The twist there actually surprised me, the direction it took.

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

Life is for living. Do it now.

Alice May Ball is the author of the new book Hunter. 

Connect with Alice:
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What can you tell us about your new release, Priceless Kiss?

It's about two characters involved in something we all know about--the pain of getting rid of beloved heirlooms. But it turns out to be much more.

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

The Night Circus, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Pillars of the Earth, The Magicians, and In the Woods.

Who are your literary heroes working today? Why do you admire them?

Audrey Niffennegger is one of my favorites. And she's so kind in person, and generous!

If you had to pick one place to vacation for the rest of your life, where would you choose?

Disney World!

What's on your writing desk?

A television! I don't really use that desk for writing, though--I mostly write in bed.

What's in your Netflix queue?

Orange is the New Black and House of Cards!

What scene in Priceless Kiss was your favorite to write?

The scene where our hero surprises our heroine at the end of the book

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

I just want to get better with every book until I'm a book master!

Amelia Wilde is the author of the new book Priceless Kiss. 

Connect with Amelia:
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What can you tell us about your new release, Tied?

It’s a story that is very close to my heart, about two damaged people finding love and acceptance.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My mother – she always loved to read and she started me reading at a very young age. Once I started reading, I started writing and I never stopped.

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

The top five books which have stayed with me would be On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves, Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts, Arsen by Mia Asher, The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy, and Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer.

What fictional literary world would you most like to visit?

I love the towns that Maeve Binchy wrote about.

What's on your writing desk?

My planner, a cat, my favorite pens, and little gifts from my hubby that make me smile.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

Making others happy - there is no other feeling like it.

What scene in Tied was your favorite to write?

The scene where Ty hold Holly's finger with his.

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

Always believe in your dreams.

Carian Cole is the author of the new book Tied. 

Connect with Carian:
Author Website
 Twitter

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What can you tell us about your new release, Violent Hearts?

Violent Hearts is the 3rd book in my current Dark Billionaire series that has a high-class escort agency as its central element. In this book, the male hero, Jared King is an aspiring politician who wants to buy a woman to function as his partner in public to make him appear more eligible. He says of himself that he's cold-hearted and cunning, and incapable of love - but he's also a Dominant who needs a woman to submit to his will sexually. The heroine, Ann Porter, is a journalist, who ends up in the agency's file by chance. She's more suitable for the position than any of the girls Jared hired before and just as cunning as he is, which is confusing for Jared. In a way, this book was a little influenced by my recent binge-watching of House of Cards, as it does include similar kinds of intrigues. However, it's not quite as dark and political.

What's the last book you read?

The last book I read was Pet by my author friend Isabella Starling - a really intense and dark MFM menage with powerplay elements. Highly recommended!

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

That's a tough one! Off the top of my head, I would say Ivory and Emeric from Pam Godwin's Dark Notes, which is also one of my favorite books.

If you were a teacher, what book would you assign to your class?

That depends on what I would want to teach my class! If I wanted to teach them something about writing, I would assign 'On Writing' by Stephen King for sure.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

Definitely Stephen King! I used to devour his books and learned so much from him about storytelling and character building. He also seems to be a pretty cool guy to hang out with! I'd also love to meet a bunch of author friends who I've met online during the past 2 years, but we all live scattered across the globe.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Cuddled up with a hot drink and either a good book or a Netflix marathon with my husband.

What scene in Violent Hearts was your favorite to write?

I always enjoy writing the first 1/3 of a book the most, when we are still getting to know the characters and the characters a getting to know each other. With this couple, the early bantering was especially fun, because my heroine is more confident and sassy (or so I hope) than my girls usually are. I loved writing their first two encounters between them, when they were clearly attracted to each other, but both too stubborn to really show it.

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

"Head up, tits out and strive forward." - One of my author friends once said something along those lines and I like the feminine pragmatism behind it.

Linnea May is the author of the new book Violent Hearts. 

Connect with Linnea:
Author Website
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