WELCOME MEGAN HART

MEGAN HART

When she was in the third grade, Megan Hart fell in love for the first time. Not with a boy (that would wait until fourth grade), but with a story. The Homecoming by Ray Bradbury leaped out at her from the pages of a library book, and she tumbled head over heels. In the dark ages, before the days of photocopiers, the only way for her to keep a copy of this story was to copy it out by hand so she could read it over and over again. Something funny happened, though, as she carefully printed it on lined notebook paper.

She made “improvements.”

At age 12, reading Stephen King’s The Stand for the first time one memorable summer, it occurred to her that people really did write books for a living. That’s when she decided to become an author.

Megan began writing short fantasy, horror and science fiction before graduating to novel-length romances. In 1998, as a stay-home mom, Megan took up writing in earnest, attending her first writing conference and getting her first request for a full manuscript. In 2002, she saw her first book in print, and she hasn’t stopped since.

Published in almost every genre of romance fiction, Megan also writes fantasy, science fiction, women’s fiction, horrifyingly awful screenplays and continues to occasionally dabble in horror.

Megan’s goal is to continue writing the kind of books she’d like to read. She spends too much time playing the Sims. Her dream is to have a movie made of every one of her novels, starring herself as the heroine and Keanu Reeves as the hero. Megan lives in the deep, dark woods with her husband and two monsters…er…children.
Connect with Megan at these sites:

Q&A with Megan Hart

Writing and Reading:  
-Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?
Of course. I like to say about my work that everything is fiction, and all of it is true. I don’t do everything I write about, and I don’t experience everything I write about, but I usually know someone who has. Drawing from personal experience means keeping ears and eyes open to other people’s experiences, too.

-Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
I most often start at the beginning, know the ending, and discover the middle along the way. I used to write in order, but now I’ll write scenes that move me, even if they’re not in order, then put them together in the revision process. I’m not a huge plotter. I like to discover the story as it unfolds.

-Your routine when writing?  Any idiosyncrasies?
I sit at my computer and…write. Sometime I write on my laptop. Very rarely, by hand. I listen to music and drink Coke Zero and sometimes coffee or tea. I procrastinate on the internet and then write some more.

-Is writing your full time job?  If not, may I ask what you do by day?
Writing is my full time job! Hooray!

-Who are some of your favorite authors?
Jacqueline Carey. Robert McCammon. Clive Barker. Stephen King. Gary Jennings.

-What are you reading now?
The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett.

-Are you working on your next novel?  Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m working on the final part to my horror serial, The Resurrected, and I’m about to start final revisions on Flying, my next erotic fiction release from Mira. Flying’s about a woman who, in order to block out some pain in her life, flies to various airports and meets men and has one night stands. Then she meets a man who changes her life, and they begin a passionate affair! Hooray!

Fun questions:
-Your novel will be a movie.  Who would you cast?
For Tear You Apart, Will is definitely Norman Reedus. I can’t even pretend otherwise. Elisabeth (if I can’t play her, because um, hello, she’d get to kiss Norman Reedus) I’d like to see Gillian Anderson.

-Would you rather read or watch TV/movie?
Depends on the book or show!

-Favorite food?
Steak

-Favorite beverage?
Coke Zero!

Thank you for stopping by CMash Reads and spending time with us.

Thanks so much for having me!

ABOUT THE BOOK

I don’t know which stop I got on at; I only know the train is going fast and the world outside becomes a blur. I should get off, but I don’t. The universe is playing a cosmic joke on me. Here I had my life—a good life with everything a woman could want—and suddenly, there is something more I didn’t know I could have. A chance for me to be satisfied and content and maybe even on occasion deliriously, amazingly, exuberantly happy.

So this is where I am, on a train that’s out of control, and I am not just a passenger. I’m the one shoveling the furnace full of coal to keep it going fast and faster.

If I could make myself believe it all happened by chance and I couldn’t help it, that I’ve been swept away, that it’s not my fault, that it’s fate…would that be easier? The truth is, I didn’t know I was looking for this until I found Will, but I must’ve been, all this time. And now it is not random, it is not fate, it is not being swept away.

This is my choice. And I don’t know how to stop.

Or even if I want to.

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: Erotic Fiction
Published by: Harlequin Mira
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780778314776

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WELCOME CARLA NEGGERS

CARLA NEGGERS

Carla Neggers is the New York Timesbestselling author of more than 60 novels, with translations in 24 languages. Born and raised on the western edge of the beautiful Quabbin Reservoir in rural Massachusetts, Carla grew up with tales of her father’s life as a Dutch sailor and her mother’s childhood in northwest Florida.

At a young age, Carla began penning her own stories on a branch high up in her favorite sugar maple. Now she enjoys spending time at the family homestead (now a tree farm) with her six brothers and sisters and their families.

When she’s not writing, Carla loves to travel, hike, kayak, garden, and, of course, dive into a good book. She lives with her family in Vermont, near Quechee Gorge.
Connect with Carla at these sites:

Q&A with Carla Neggers

Writing and Reading:  
-Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?

I can’t always pinpoint what sparks an idea, but I can with Declan’s Cross. On one of our trips to Ireland, my husband, Joe, and I decided to visit Ardmore on the south coast, in the heart of Saint Declan country. Saint Declan is one of the ancient Irish saints, and seeing the ruins of his monastery and walking along the cliffs of this gorgeous part of Ireland appealed to my imagination. Of course, I wasn’t imagining Emma and Colin, my two FBI agents, taking a romantic stroll on the beach. I was asking myself, “What if an American turns up dead on the cliffs and Emma and Colin are sucked into the investigation?”

-Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
At the beginning, but it’s not that simple. I don’t just start on page 1 and keep going page by page until I type The End. I’m not that linear a writer. There’s a lot of back-and-forth in my process.

-Your routine when writing?  Any idiosyncrasies?
I’ve come to understand that my writing has a natural rhythm that works for me, but it doesn’t involve a rigid regimen. X number of pages per day or X number of hours per day. At the beginning of a book, I’m up and down from my desk a lot. I’ve done some of my best “writing” while hiking or kayaking! Once the story establishes itself, I have a more predictable “routine.” At the end…I could write 20 hours a day!

-Is writing your full time job?  If not, may I ask what you do by day?
Yes, writing is what I do. My first “day job” was cleaning motel rooms as a kid. That was great experience for an aspiring writer!

-Who are some of your favorite authors?
I have a long, long list of favorites, including many writer friends. I love to reread “classics” by Mary Stewart, Rex Stout and Alistair MacLean. I’ve also just started buying the reissues of Helen MacInnes’s novels.

-What are you reading now?
COLD by Stella Cameron. It’s the first book in her new Alex Duggins mystery series set in the Cotswolds in England. Joe and I are visiting the Cotswolds soon, so it’s perfect timing. Fabulous book!

-Are you working on your next novel?  Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m deep into the next Sharpe & Donovan novel, HARBOR ISLAND, and I’ve put the finishing touches on CIDER BROOK, my next Swift River Valley novel set in a small town in New England not unlike the one where I grew up. A “treasure hunter” comes to little Knights Bridge, but things don’t go as planned from day one when a volunteer firefighter rescues her from a fire at an abandoned cider mill that just might have the answers to a 300-year-old pirate mystery. I love writing both series!

Fun questions:
-Your novel will be a movie.  Who would you cast?
Oooh…wouldn’t that be fun? I have no idea. I’d love to hear what readers have to say!

-Would you rather read or watch TV/movie?
Almost always read, especially when traveling, but I love to dive into a good movie or TV show.

-Favorite food?
Depends on my mood. Right now it would be almost anything with apples since they’re in season. Yum!

-Favorite beverage?
Coffee in the morning and a glass of good red wine in the evening (although not every evening!). Then there’s a good Irish whiskey, but that’s only for special occasions.

Thank you for stopping by CMash Reads and spending time with us.
Thank you for having me. Happy reading!

ABOUT THE BOOK

For marine biologist Julianne Maroney, two weeks in tiny Declan’s Cross on the south Irish coast is a chance to heal her broken heart. She doesn’t expect to attract the attention of FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan—especially since a Donovan is the reason for her broken heart.

Emma and Colin are in Ireland for their own personal retreat. Colin knows he’s a reminder of everything Julianne wants to escape, but something about her trip raises his suspicion. Emma, an art crimes expert, is also on edge. Of all the Irish villages Julianne could choose…why Declan’s Cross?

Ten years ago, a thief slipped into a mansion in Declan’s Cross. Emma’s grandfather, a renowned art detective, investigated, but the art stolen that night has never been recovered and the elusive thief never caught.

From the moment Julianne sets foot on Irish soil, everything goes wrong. The well-connected American diver who invited her to Ireland has disappeared. And now Emma and Colin are in Declan’s Cross asking questions.

As a dark conspiracy unfolds amid the breathtaking scenery of Declan’s Cross, the race is on to stop a ruthless killer…and the stakes have never been more personal for Emma and Colin.

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: Suspense
Published by: Harlequin Mira
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780778314639

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WELCOME CYNTHIA BRIGGS

CYNTHIA BRIGGS

Cynthia Briggs celebrates her love of cooking and writing through her cookbooks, “Pork Chops & Applesauce” and “Sweet Apple Temptations.” She has authored two e-books titled, “The Adventures of Lily and Leon: A Soppy Fish Tale” and “Bumper Crop: Beginning with Apples.” Cynthia wrote a nostalgic cooking column for seven years, she’s published in seven “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books, “Woman’s World Magazine” and numerous on-line publications. She enjoys speaking to women’s groups, critiquing cookbooks, and coaching budding authors.

Cynthia makes her home in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Ed, and their favorite dachshund, Leon.
Connect with Cynthia at these sites:

GUEST POST

Confessions of a Country Chef

If you talked to my kids they’d tell you their childhood was riddled with cooking mishaps. They claim we had zucchini for dinner every night, and in their opinion, any meal that included zucchini was a blatant error by the chef. Aside from my zucchini phase of cooking flops, I will confess (for the sake of this article) to my share of cooking faux pas.

My first big goof was in my early teens when I made Spanish rice. The recipe called for 1 1/2 cups cooked rice and I put in 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice. Needless to say, with the additions of so much water and tomato sauce, we ate Spanish rice every night for a week. The family never let me forget the blunder. I learned to read directions more carefully.

Not too many years later, I watched a cook in a small restaurant douse an enormous prime rib with a thick crust of salt and roast it for 3-hours. When the opportunity arose for me to make my first roast, I poured a very thick crust of salt over a 2-pound beef roast and put it in the oven for 3-hours. It came out of the oven a salty, inedible cinder. I learned to under salt rather than over salt.

Another time, I was living far away from my family when I made my first Thanksgiving dinner. I purchased an 8-pound turkey and baked it for 8-hours, “like Mom always does.” I was depending on the new-fangled cooking indicator to pop-up when the turkey was done. The doneness indicator failed, dry turkey jerky was the result. I put a good ‘cookbook with a meat cooking chart’ on my Christmas list.

Then when I was old enough to know better, I made probably my biggest culinary mistake. My husband and I had just gotten married. Beef stroganoff was one of my hubby’s favorite meals, so one night I served picture-perfect beef stroganoff over a bed of egg noodles.

We both filled our plates and before taking a bite I left the table to fill our water glasses.

When I returned, Ed was slowly eating the stroganoff and looking red-faced. “What’s wrong, Honey?” I asked him.

“The stroganoff tastes different than any I’ve ever tasted.” He replied reaching for his water glass.

I took a bite and, to my horror, I’d used cayenne pepper in the stroganoff instead of paprika. I learned to read labels more carefully.

This last 4th of July I tried making homemade baked beans by using black beans instead of white. Experience told me to make the beans ahead of time in case they didn’t turn out; experience knew what she was talking about. I calmly told myself, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” and made something different.

Over the years I’ve bungled my share of appetizers, entrees, desserts, side dishes and snacks. I’ve added too much mustard to the deviled eggs, roasted the turkey with the giblet packet still inside its cavity, and once I forgot to put baking powder in the baking powder biscuits.

My kids and their dad were the recipients of many culinary experiments in the early days, but I think they’ll agree that the successes far out-weigh the failures. Most of my cooking and baking skills have been learned through trial and error, yet culinary misses can make the difference between a mediocre cook and an excellent cook.

Thankfully, I’ve learned from my kitchen missteps. These days I can honestly say I haven’t charred meat or fowl, haven’t overused the salt shaker or used cayenne pepper instead of paprika…but then…the day isn’t over yet.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Cynthia Briggs message in Pork Chops & Applesauce is about focusing on what’s important in life; and how taking a break to reflect upon memorable family gatherings and the sharing of dinners provides a respite from the fast pace of living in today’s hectic world. Cynthia says, Your Roasted Garlic Potatoes are in the oven baking along with your Surprise Parmesan Meatloaf. The Pear Pie with Crunchy Pecan Crust is cooling on the counter. The dishes are done, the cut flowers are in a vase on the dining room table, and the whole house smells like paradise! Now, before your guests arrive, it s time relax and read one or two of the nostalgic and often humorous stories that introduce many of the recipes in Pork Chops & Applesauce. Enjoy!

BOOK DETAILS:

Publisher: AuthorHouse; 2nd edition
Publication Date: July 14, 2004
Number of Pages: 193 pages
ISBN-10: 1403381658
ISBN-13: 978-1403381651

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WELCOME BACK ALLAN TOPOL

ALLAN TOPOL

Allan Topol is the author of eight novels of international intrigue. Two of them, SPY DANCE and ENEMY MY ENEMY, were national best sellers. His novels have been translated into Japanese, Portuguese and Hebrew. One was optioned and three are in development for movies. His new novel, THE RUSSIAN ENDGAME, is the third in a trilogy of Craig Page novels, following the successful CHINA GAMBIT and SPANISH REVENGE.

In addition to his fiction writing, Allan Topol co-authored a two-volume legal treatise entitled SUPERFUND LAW AND PROCEDURE. He wrote a weekly column for Military.com and has published articles in numerous periodicals including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Yale Law Journal. Currently, he is a blogger for Huffington Post.
Connect with Allan at these sites:

ABOUT THE BOOK

Following on the heels of The China Gambit and Spanish Revenge, national bestselling author, Allan Topol, returns with THE RUSSIAN ENDGAME. This time he offers a riveting conclusion to a dangerous three-part game of international conspiracy, politics and greed. When former KGB agent Dimitri Orlov orchestrates an alliance between two world powers bent on domination, he unleashes a powerful chain of events that will rock the Western World. The agenda? Eliminate the President of the United States and seize classified military weaponry capable of shifting the balance of world power. But before this nefarious scheme can reach fruition, Craig Page, joined by Elizabeth Crowder, is on the scene, ready to confront a painful past and the enemies that helped create it. But can the indomitable Director of Counterterrorism emerge victorious? Finding himself facing an old enemy unexpectedly catapulted into a lethal position of power, Craig is pushed to the limit in an effort to foil his enemy’s deadly plans and keep potentially devastating military technology out of the hands of those prepared to destroy the world as he knows it.

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: Espionage/Intrigue
Publisher: SelectBooks; 1 edition
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 1590799992
ISBN-13: 978-1590799994

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WELCOME CAMI OSTMAN and SUSAN TIVE

Cami Ostman is an author, editor, life coach and a licensed marriage and family therapist with publications in her field. She blogs at7marathons7continents.com and on the psychologytoday.com blogger team. She has appeared in several publications, including O, The Oprah Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Adventures Northwest, the Mudgee Guardian in Australia, and La Prensa in Chile. Cami is a runner and a dog lover who lives in Bellingham, Washington.  Connect with Cami at these sites:

As a writer, editor and researcher Susan  Tive has worked on a variety of academic articles exploring psychology, feminism and religion. Susan’s interest in these subjects led her to become an editor for several non-fiction titles including Faith and Feminism and Rachel’s Bag. Her new anthology Beyond Belief: The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions will be published in April 2013 by Seal Press.  Connect with Susan at these sites:

Q&A with Cami and Susan

WHO
If you could meet any author, who would you like to meet? Why them and what would you say?
Cami: I’d like meet Jon Krakauer. I’ve loved how he has been able to do extensive research and then turn that research into compelling stories. Everything he writes is scenic and alive. I’m not sure I’d have anything particular to say to him so much as I’d like to follow him around taking notes while he worked on a book so I could imitate his efforts.
Susan: I would love to sit down and talk with Anne Lamott. I have enjoyed her books for years. Operating Instructions, made me laugh out loud about the challenges of becoming a mother. Bird by Bird, her book about writing is one that I reread every year for inspiration and practical advise. I would love to talk to Anne about how she writes with such a perfect balance between the poignant and the humorous and how she finds the courage to be so honest and brave in sharing her life with her readers. But honestly it would be fun to have her regale me with her famous one-liners so that we could spend most of the time laughing uproariously and wiping away the tears.

WHAT
What is your favorite type of writing? Do you have a favorite? Or would you like to tackle something you haven’t yet?
Cami: I love non-fiction. Because I’ve been both a writing teacher and a family therapist in my professional life, real life stories fascinate me. That being said, I do have a novel in my computer that calls to me and I’d love to take my craft into the realm of fiction long enough to complete that book.
Susan: Ironically, as a reader, I love fiction. Long, epic novels that I can get lost in are my favorites. As a writer I enjoy working with factual and real life material and finding the themes and narrative within it. As a grant writer by profession I have a great deal of fun utilizing this rather rigid format to not only get the facts across but also to create a story that touches at an emotional level as well. For me the goal of my writing is to engage people and get them to care, whether you’re touching an individual or trying to improve the lives of many, writing is an extremely rewarding activity.

WHY
What was the real driving force behind sharing this story and taking it to publication?
Cami: With Beyond Belief, I really felt that many voices would be more powerful than one—or two. Susan and I had talked about our respective experiences inside religious communities for a long time before we pitched our book idea to Seal Press. We understood that to speak about what had happened gave us some sense that we weren’t alone. I hoped that our anthology would allow those who contributed to it to realize they weren’t alone either. But more than that, we wanted to start a conversation in our culture at large. We wanted to say, “Hey look what’s going on. Can we talk about this?”

Susan, what would you add?

The entire writing process has been so rewarding. I’ve enjoyed getting to know and working with all of our amazing writers. Hearing their stories and helping them to edit their work was an invaluable experience. Beyond Belief has been successful in creating a larger community of women who share important experiences. It has gotten important conversations going among people who might not have talked to one another otherwise.

As we’ve been touring and promoting the book we’ve received great feedback from readers who appreciate the stories. If they haven’t gone through the experience they’ve learned more about extreme religions and if they’ve been there they are grateful that these stories are finally being told. Readers tell us they feel less alone and more empowered because they now know the stories of others have gone through the same experiences.

WHERE
Where do you find the inspiration to write? If you don’t have inspiration, what makes you get up each day and write, never knowing if it will be published or not?
Susan: Since I’m primarily a nonfiction writer my inspiration comes from a desire to connect with people through the exploration and understanding of whatever topic I am working with. Often I write because I have questions to ask and writing is the best way to unravel them and find out what lies beneath. Sometimes I just want to share an experience, a feeling, a scene to capture it outside of myself so that others can share in it too, other times writing is the best way for me to figure out what I am really trying to say.

I am deeply moved by the process of writing. The activity of writing brings forth many different parts of myself. I like the fact that it is deeply personal and yet to reach full fruition must be oh so very public. I’m a shy person who wants and needs to communicate, the intimacy and safety of the written word is where I find my voice.

Cami: Some days I have inspiration and some days I don’t. I suppose I always feel compelled to DO something with the thoughts that crowd my head. Writing is the best thing I know. Whether I’m blogging or writing my own story or playing with fiction, I’m taking what’s going on inside and letting the page (or computer screen) hold it for me. Many days I don’t write anything worth publishing, but when I do hit on something I think will be interesting or useful to others, I feel excited.

When I coach writers, I tell them to make a commitment to write 500 words a day as a minimum. That can be harder than you’d think, especially when you know most of those words will only live in your own files. Still, this keeps you going, and some of those words will stick around and become work that feels significant.

WHEN
When will we see another book from you? Any sneak peeks for us at your WIP?
Susan: It’s been hard for me to keep from dreaming up a bunch of new anthology topics because Beyond Belief was so much fun. Currently I’m working on a memoir. It’s an interesting story about the ten plus years I lived as an Orthodox Jew in a small community in New Mexico. In it I explore many of the same questions we asked in Beyond Belief. Why would a modern well-educated young mother become religious? What did she gain and lose? My story has an interesting twist that I think many readers will be surprised by. Although I take on a religious lifestyle that limits my freedom and choices I actually thrive in the religious community. Because of the strong friendships and community support Orthodoxy provides I gain the strength I need to overcome major obstacles and radically change my life. It’s sure to be a page-turner!
Cami: Well, I just got back from Japan where I did some research for a new book I’m tentatively calling Chasing the Goddess. I’m in the process of visiting several sacred sites where the divine feminine has been or is revered. I’ve posted some pictures on my travel blog: 7marathons7continents.com. If anyone is interested in following along, they can sign up for my newsletter on my coaching site: camiostman.net.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Beyond Belief addresses what happens when women of extreme religions decide to walk away. Editors Susan Tive (a former Orthodox Jew) and Cami Ostman (a de-converted fundamentalist born-again Christian) have compiled a collection of powerful personal stories written by women of varying ages, races, and religious backgrounds who share one commonality: they’ve all experienced and rejected extreme religions.

Covering a wide range of religious communities—including Evangelical, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Calvinist, Moonie, and Jehovah’s Witness—and containing contributions from authors like Julia Scheeres (Jesus Land), the stories in Beyond Belief reveal how these women became involved, what their lives were like, and why they came to the decision to eventually abandon their faiths. The authors shed a bright light on the rigid expectations and misogyny so often built into religious orthodoxy, yet they also explain the lure—why so many women are attracted to these lifestyles, what they find that’s beautiful about living a religious life, and why leaving can be not only very difficult but also bittersweet.

Read an excerpt

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: Non Fiction, Women’s Studies
Publisher: Seal Press
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
ISBN-10: 1580054420
ISBN-13: 978-1580054423

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WELCOME KRISTAN HIGGINS

 

KRISTAN HIGGINS

Kristan Higgins is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award. Her books have been praised for their “genius level EQ, whippet-fast, funny dialogue and sweet plots with a deliciously tart edge” (USA TODAY). She lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband and two extremely advanced children, one shy little mutt and an occasionally affectionate cat.
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Q&A with Kristan Higgins

On Writing and Reading:  
-Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?
Sometimes I do, sure! Not current events so much as a current mood, maybe. But for some of my books, I definitely use personal experience. Stalking, making up a boyfriend, falling for someone completely inappropriate. For THE NEXT BEST THING, I used my family as inspiration. Sadly, I come from a long line of young widows, and I wondered what it would be like to be widowed before you turned 30, and to be in a family (like mine) where remarrying just wasn’t done. For my next book, THE PERFECT MATCH, I tried to draw on the idea of an arranged marriage. There are so many matchmaking services now, and I think people have less patience for waiting to find love spontaneously. I had a lot of fun with that. Also, I had a dream that I was going to marry a guy I didn’t know. We were both very optimistic about how things would work out!

-Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
I always start with the “what if” idea and see where it carries me. I do love to outline, and there are certain anchoring scenes that will definitely make it into the book. But one of the unpredictable things that happens so many times is that I think I know a story, until about page 265…and then I have a moment where I smack my forehead and say, “Oh! So THAT’S what this book is about!”

-Your routine when writing?  Any idiosyncrasies?
I can only work in my office. Once upon a time, I could write with the kids around. Those days are over. The children killed those days. I also need seltzer water, chocolate and my dog. I write almost every day. I talk to myself a lot. Lie on the floor sometimes and pretend to be single. That’s normal, right?

I usually start my writing day by reading what I wrote the day before. I also need to look at pictures of the actor or celebrity who inspired the hero. Need to, I tell you. It’s part of my process.

-Is writing your full time job?
Yes. That, and motherhood.

-Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robyn Carr, Eloisa James, Jill Shalvis, Sarah MacLean, Julie James, Huntley Fitzpatrick, Elinor Lipman. Had enough? Need more? Stephen King, Elizabeth Strout, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Mallery, Dean Koontz, Jonathan Tropper.

-What are you reading now?
The Newcomer by Robyn Carr. It’s so good, I have to force myself to slow down so I don’t miss anything.

-Are you working on your next novel?  Can you tell us a little about it?
Sure! My next novel is a story of opposites attracting: a very kick-ass heroine, and a rather gentle sweetheart of a hero. Her ex-fiancé is getting married after rather publicly denouncing her; his ex-wife is in town, hoping for a reconciliation. They both could use a friend of the opposite gender. Let’s see…there’s hockey involved; chocolate cake and lots of it; a super-genius dog and a Satan-worshipping cat. J

Fun questions:
-Your novel will be a movie.  Who would you cast?
For THE NEXT BEST THING, I’d cast Jake Gyllenhaal as Ethan, and myself—oops, wait a sec—uh, and Reese Witherspoon as Lucy.

-Would you rather read or watch TV/movie?
I love TV these days! There are so many amazing shows…I’m kind of addicted to Breaking Bad (get it?). Love The Bridge and Orange Is the New Black. That being said, I’ll see just about anything if you give me a silo of popcorn. Saw The Conjuring twice. What does that say about me?

-Favorite food?
Popcorn. Also, chocolate. Preferably, Milk Duds tossed in popcorn to soften and smear. Try it. Thank me later.

-Favorite beverage?
Coffee.

Thank you for stopping by CMash Reads and spending time with us.
Thank you, Cheryl! It’s been a pleasure!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lucy Lang isn’t looking for fireworks…

She’s looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who’ll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won’t inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can’t risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn’t enough either. So it’s goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate “friend with privileges,” and hello to a man she can marry.

Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn’t going anywhere. As far as he’s concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: contemporary romance
Published by: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780373777341

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WELCOME JULIA ASEL THOMAS

JULIA ASEL THOMAS

Julia Asel Thomas writes stories with vivid descriptions, authentic dialogue and revealing narration. Her debut book, Loving the Missing Link, presents the engrossing and moving story of a young, small town girl who grows up, lives and loves while trying to find a balance between despair and hope.

Like the protagonist in her debut book, Loving the Missing Link, Julia Asel Thomas knows small town life. However, Julia’s experiences were quite different than Cheryl’s. Julia is the middle child of seven children and the daughter of a church organist and a business manager. Growing up in the small town of Hamilton, Missouri, Julia’s family enjoyed a reputation as a bright and interesting family. Julia thrived on the quiet and carefree life she lived in that gentle place.

When Julia was in high school, she earned a scholarship for a trip to Cali, Colombia as a foreign exchange student. The experience, although it only lasted a few brief months, had a profound influence on the rest of her life. After her time abroad, Julia realized in a very real way that, although customs may differ from culture to culture, the substance of human emotions is constant. We all need love. We all need to feel secure. We all have happy moments and sad moments. Back from Colombia, Julia become ever more interested in capturing these human emotions through music and writing.

After high school, Julia took a break before going on to college. During this time, she married her husband, Will. Will joined the Air Force, and Julia accompanied him to bases around the country, taking college classes in each town where they resided. Their two children were born in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Will was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Married in 1976, Julia and Will are thrilled to celebrate each new anniversary and look forward to staying together for life.

Julia began writing fiction at the age of ten, when her 5th grade teacher gave her the assignment to write about “My Worst Day.” Julia took the opportunity to concoct every possible disaster a young child could face during the course of a normal day. The teacher loved her work and asked her to read it to the class. From then on, Julia wanted nothing more than to be a writer.

In 2007, Julia began earning her living by writing articles, press releases and website content for a number of clients. As she settled into a routine of working every day on her writing, the old urge to write fiction resurfaced. In 2012, Julia started with a story she had written in 1985 and continued it to create the story in Loving the Missing Link.
After Julia’s husband, Will retired from the Air Force, they moved back to Missouri and now live in Kansas City, Missouri. Find out more about this author by visiting her online:
Connect with Jlia at these sites:

GUEST POST

“Life Long Learning and Self-Education”

Is education an institution, run by the government, prestigious private organizations or religious groups? When I was younger, I thought so. The trouble with that attitude is that I still wanted to keep learning whether I was ensconced in one of those organizations or not. And, especially in the digital age, there is no reason learning has to end when the school doors close. Lifelong learning and self-education have become increasingly popular these days, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

I began my quest for self-education during the years I was following my husband around in his Air Force career. I did go to college off and on as I was able. But there were always in-between times when I would arrive at a college town at the wrong time to begin the semester when it started. Yet, I didn’t want to put my education on hold for those months. That is when I became involved in self-education.

Yet, even then learning outside of school was not a new concept for me. My mother read to me, and all my brothers and sisters, nearly every day of our early childhood. My father also read to me at night sometimes later on, usually out of a chapter book like Tom Sawyer. Music in our house ran the gamut from Tchaikovsky to Johnny Cash. It was an intellectually rich environment to grow up in.

As I grew older, I began to choose my own intellectual adventures. Someone would talk about a subject that I didn’t know much about, and I was off to the library to learn more. If I knew someone who was familiar with the subject, I would pester them until they told me enough about the subject to satisfy my curiosity.

I once took an English course in which we were asked to read, “Working” by Studs Terkel. The book is a series of interviews with everyday people about their jobs. I found it fascinating. After that, I always asked the people I met about their jobs. About whether they enjoyed their jobs, what their responsibilities were on the jobs, and about how they got their jobs in the first place. This is one instance where traditional education spurred me on to pursue a different kind of education outside the classroom.

Now, whenever I learn about a new subject, I get on my computer and find out what I can. The biggest challenge is sifting through all the dreck to discover reliable information. But, after doing this for years, I have learned more about how to find those sites and how to evaluate them.

I am much older now than I was when I spent those Saturdays running off to the library, but I am not too old to keep learning. I don’t think I ever will be. My father once told me, “No matter what you lose in this life, no one can ever take away your education.” I have remembered that statement through the good times and the bad. I am more committed than ever to exploring my interests and the world around me.

I think I will be like my mother as I get older. She lamented one day that she didn’t understand why she was still stuffing her head full of information, even though she believed she would never have the opportunity to use any of it. I hope I was able to reassure her and help her see that education is useful, but it is also an end unto itself. No matter how old you get or what your circumstances may be, life-long learning is a joy and a quest that is well worth the effort.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Loving the Missing Link is a fabulous tale about love, success, hope and music. During the 1970’s. Young Cheryl Simpson feels trapped in her small Missouri town. As her mother tries to help her find a way up and out, Cheryl begins to feel that it is all an impossible dream. She sees herself living a boring and dismal life for the rest of her days. Just at the moment when she is about to give up on happiness, she gets the opportunity to join her high school band. The band promises a connection with the world outside her town, but Cheryl does not see any future for herself in music. It is just a tool to get where she wants to go. However, Cheryl’s mother arranges for Cheryl to take private lessons with an accomplished musician, who helps her realize the beauty and awesome power of music.

Still, Cheryl feels that small-town inferiority and finds it too hard to believe that she could ever be anyone special out in the “real” world. On the eve of a music contest that could help her earn a music scholarship, Cheryl begins to panic. Scared and feeling alone, Cheryl runs off with her high school sweetheart and gets married, leaving the band behind.

During the next years, Cheryl and her husband make a life for themselves. Cheryl meets friends along the way who help guide her to becoming the woman she wants to be. She becomes interested in the arts again. All the while, Cheryl and husband Jerry face the challenges of homelessness, miscarriage and an extra-marital affair before an unexpected disaster brings Cheryl’s life crashing to the ground. Cheryl survives, with the help of her extraordinary friends and her life-long love for music.

BOOK DETAILS:

Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Number of Pages: 190
 ISBN10: 1480106240

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WELCOME RUSS WHITNEY

RUSS WHITNEY

Russ Whitney is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and best-selling author who is a leader in the business, real-estate investment, and financial training fields.  Personally and through his companies, he has supported a wide range of charitable organizations including domestic-violence shelters, youth programs, and Salvation Army services.  Whitney is the author of more than thirty books, workbooks, and home-study courses including Building Wealth, The Millionaire Real Estate Mentor, and The Millionaire Real Estate Mindset.
Connect with Russ at these sites:

GUEST POST

The following excerpt is taken from the book Inner Voice: Unlock Your Purpose and Passion by Russ Whitney.  It is published by Hay House (Available September 23, 2013) and available at all bookstores or online at: www.hayhouse.com

In my search for the meaning of life, I’ve come to understand that life is essentially a game, a game that consists of a daily search for the truth with the creator of your understanding. When you realize this, it gets easier to live in the present. If you think about professional sports, this makes sense: The players prepare for the game, play it, learn from it, and then play the next one. They don’t spend a lot of time beating themselves up over something they did that they can’t do over. They don’t spend a lot of time worrying about the next game; they understand the difference between preparation and worry. When they are playing the game, that’s all they’re focused on: playing the game right now. And that’s what you should focus on: playing the game of life right now in the here and now—that is, today!

The game of life is a lot like any game that’s played under a time clock. For example, in a basketball or football game, there are 60 minutes on the clock. The game starts, it’s played for an hour, and then it ends. It’s done. The scoreboard tells you whether you won or lost. And regardless of how you did in that game, you go on to the next one and the score starts over at zero.

In life, each “game” is one day. Today. Our season—instead of being a period of months, as in sports—is our lives. But if you ask professional sports players if they spend any time or energy while they’re on the field or the court thinking about the last game or their next game, they’ll most likely tell you no. They are focused on the now, on the game they’re playing at the moment. That’s how winning seasons are achieved and championships are won: one day at a time, one game at a time.

This isn’t to say that players don’t train; they absolutely do. They practice, they study their opponents, and they develop their skills. They have goals and strategies to reach those goals. But when they’re “in the game,” that’s the only place where they are. When they get “out of the game,” when they are distracted even for a moment, is when they make mistakes. They know it, and that’s why they exercise the discipline to stay entirely in the present, in the game, while they’re playing.

Of course, the “game of life” isn’t about making baskets or touchdowns. As I’ve said, it’s a daily search for the truth with you and the God of your understanding. A key word there is daily; the time clock is today. That doesn’t mean that we can’t have plans and goals for tomorrow, next week, and next year. We can, and we should. We just can’t live in those goals; we have to stay in today. If we don’t, we fall into anger, anxiety, frustration, fear, and doubt. We start to play the “what if” game: “What if this happens?” “What if that happens?” “What if I don’t have enough money?” “What if I get sick, have an accident, or experience some other crisis?” Play that game, and you’ll be filled with unnecessary anxiety. When you worry, you’re essentially planning for bad things to happen. The way to avoid worry is to stay in the present. Today all is well, and you know what you have to do today. Keep it there.

If God didn’t build us with enough energy to be in tomorrow, He certainly didn’t give us enough energy for yesterday. Usually when we go into yesterday, we go into guilt, shame, and resentments. Certainly we all have happy memories, and we should treasure them. But most of the time, when we go back to yesterday, we waste a lot of time beating ourselves up about things we can’t change. We focus on mistakes and regrets. That’s time off today’s clock.

If the game of life is a search for the truth and the time clock of life is today, you need a scoreboard to determine if you’re winning or losing. Your scoreboard doesn’t count points. Instead, it’s a ratio that measures how happy, joyful, and spiritually free you are against your feelings of anger, anxiety, frustration, fear, doubt, guilt, and shame.

One more critical thing to remember about living in the present is this: Where you are today isn’t where you were yesterday or where you’ll be tomorrow. You must keep seeking, keep learning, keep doing, keep taking action so that the plan for your life will continue to unveil itself.

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Inner Voice: Unlock Your Purpose and Passion” traces how one man’s struggle to find the true meaning of life evolved into a worldwide movement known as the Inner Voice way of life. Internationally recognized businessman, financial expert, and real-estate icon Russ Whitney spent five years and 20,000 hours researching and developing the program. It is built on simple yet powerful principles and strategies that guide readers through identifying their purpose; developing their passion; and living a life of peace, joy, and success that is richer and more fulfilling than they ever dreamed possible. “Inner Voice” is a dramatic departure from Whitney’s earlier best-selling books, which all focused on financial success, real estate, and wealth-building strategies. In “Inner Voice, ” Whitney explains the happiness that can be found in humility; the importance of living in the moment; the need to understand, recognize, and master the immutable law of powerlessness; and how to surrender and find solid answers and peace with what you can’t control. He teaches readers to use life-changing tools, including the Discovery Chart, two-way conscious contact, and Character Asset Checklist to achieve and maintain a connection with the Inner Voice. A step-by-step guide demonstrates exactly how to apply Inner Voice principles and strategies on a daily basis to be free of anxiety, frustration, fear, doubt, guilt, and shame so we can live the life our Creator intended for us.

BOOK DETAILS:

Publisher: Hay House
Publication Date: September 2013
Number of Pages: 204
ISBN: 978-1-4019-4345-5

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