Red's Bookish Treasures

Tag: Facebook

  • Red’s Author Chit Chat with Marci Belle

    Red’s Author Chit Chat with Marci Belle

    Hi Marci, I am so happy to have to with us today. I was one of the lucky ones to read your debut Delicious and I fell in love instantly. Food, cooking and sex! Yes please. I just finished Earth and Desire, your latest book. Amazing! Let’s get to this interview. I can’t wait to learn more about you.
    1) What genre do you write and when did you start writing?
    Marci: Contemporary Romance. I’ve written poetry since childhood, except it got dirtier as I grew older. I didn’t take it seriously until I started culture blogging 4 years ago, and I only just started writing romance last November.
    Red: I didn’t know we had blogging in common. No wonder we have bonded.
    2) Do you have a favorite book that you have written?
    Marci: “Delicious is my favorite. I love the cast of characters and the protagonists are pretty sexy. It’s based around food, London and California which was easy for me to make happen because I’m a California girl based in England who loves food.
    It was also hilarious at points. At least it was in my head. I felt like it was my true writing voice as well. Although that is still developing. The actual plot was mad and really fun to write too.
    Red: Ok, now I am starting to think we are twins separated at birth since I am a born and raised Californian.
    3) Do you have a favorite character from your books? How do you select the names of your characters?
    Marci: Well, Jack Connors in Earth & Desire is my favorite character to be honest. He’s earthy and has a very unusual magnetism about him. He’s not your typical character. He’s an Irish Traveler and brings a lot to the table.
    I try to be a bit realistic about names. Geography and culture has a lot to do with naming a character. Although, the names can sometimes form a character. I feel that coming on in my future books because I have some great ideas that need interesting characters.
    Red: I fell in love with Jack. His subtle calmness drew me in.
    4) What is your favorite part of being a published author?
    Marci: Having people say they love your work.
    Red: Well let me just say, “I love your work”. LOL
    5) Where is the strangest place you had a book or character idea come to you? 
    Marci: My head. Seriously, it’s a pretty strange place.
    Red: Great answer!
    6) I am sure you dont sit with a timer but if you had to guess how long does it take for you to write a book? 
    Marci: I’m not as organized as other authors, I’m only just getting this right, but I would say that when I am writing, I write about 3 hours a day. A novella can take me about 3 weeks. Sad right? I have to be into the story and sometimes there are those mental block things.
    Red: Being organized is hard. If you find the secret to that mystery please let me know.
    7) Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
    Marci: I do. I am a firm believer in constructive criticism. My Betas I think have saved me from brutal criticism because so far I love all my reviews. Of course, I haven’t read all the reviews for my new release.
    Red: Here is my review of Earth and Desire- I loved it!Earth & Desire
    Marci Belle continues to keep me turning the pages of her books. The way she describes the characters and the scenes paints a picture that allows me to dive into this story like a movie set. I had a clear picture of who Jack is and why he was such a great man for Annie. I love that he isn’t overpowering, just a calm man who is falling in love with a women who is content to let it happen. Earth and Desire is a sexy easy to read book that I highly recommend.
    8) What do you do what you suffer from writer’s block?
    Marci: Go out and have fun. What’s the point in sitting around and dwelling? Or I read, because there’s always inspiration in another author’s work. I find I’m relaxed and when I’m ready, well, I’m ready.
    Red: Secret? I was struggling with blogging block and I jumped in and finished our interview. You helped me today and you didn’t even know it.
    9) Which of your books do you wish more readers were aware of?
    Marci: Delicious. I think it’s a great first read.
    Red: I recommend Earth and Desire too! Can’t wait to see what else you have for your readers
    10) Did you have a mentor when you started?
    Marci: Yes. I love my mentor. Jade West is still my mentor. I worship the ground she walks on. Aren’t I just the luckiest?
    Red: Yes! You are lucky! Jade is amazing! I have been a fan of hers from the beginning. Dirty Bad Wrong is on the top of my list. I remember waiting for her release and then devoured it. Oops sorry, I was fangirling. Please tell Jade I love her…. maybe you can introduce us and I can interview her soon… hint hint.
    11) What advice would you give an aspiring author?
    Marci: Hang on tight and keep persevering. Also, find a mentor. Facebook has started a new mentoring program for writers. I’m open to more mentors so I’ve signed up. One thing that was told to me was to read. Read a LOT.
    Red: Great advice. 
    12) What can we expect from you in the future?
    Marci: Well I’m doing a Christmas anthology that will be full of amazing dark romances by amazing authors. I just can’t reveal who. I’m surprised at how much I’m enjoying writing the darkness. I also am working on a full-length after that. Terrifying.
    Red: Something different for you fans is always fun.
    13) Tell us something fun. Anything that can make us smile or giggle. Life is too short, lets spread some smiles around.
    Marci: I just found out that cold showers help men produce more testosterone are rather helpful in the bedroom.
    Red: And here we thought is was just to cool off.
    14) Anything Else?
    Marci: Please help support indie authors like myself. It’s a rough ride without support form the book community. Trust me, we appreciate you all.
    Red: I agree! It’s a give and take and I appreciate the support I receive from the indie authors too.
    Thanks for sharing with us Marci! I look forward to reading more of you books.
    ~Red xoxo
    Delicious: A Sexy Foodie RomanceDelicious: A Sexy Foodie Romance by Marci Belle
    https://amzn.to/2ybHKL6
    blurb: “Love Your Enemies, For They Tell You Your Faults.” – Benjamin Franklin
    CALVIN
    He’s the London restaurateur and lady-killer who almost had his dreams shattered by the merciless American food critic, Evie Cooper. After publishing her damning review his restaurant is crumbling to dust.
    The relaunch is Calvin’s last opportunity to salvage his aspirations of owning a Mexican restaurant in London’s most exclusive neighborhood. He’ll do anything to keep Evie away from The Aztec of Mayfair. The problem is, he has no clue what she looks like.
    EVIE
    When Evie meets the sexiest man she’s ever laid eyes on during a crammed flight to London, she’s unaware of what she’s getting herself into. At the point of introduction, she’s faced with the horrible reality that she’s stuck in mid-air with the man who has claimed her as his mortal enemy. She must hide her identity at all costs.
    Just when she thinks she’s had a lucky break, he reappears, and this time, he’s shamelessly flirting with her.
    A Stand Alone, Enemies to lovers Novella for the foodie in us all.
    Reds Review
    Two of my favorite things, food and sex. OK 3, hot man! Marci Belle brings us into the mind of Evie the food critic. How she meets the one man she should have never met, let a lone fall for. Reading this story kept me looking for more about each of these main characters. Great quick read and definitely left me wanting to see what else this author has for me in the future.
    About the Marci Belle
    A California native living in beautiful England. One of the many things that keep me busy is my English-born daughter who likes to correct me when I don’t say things the British way. “Mum, it’s tea not dinner, and dinner not lunch.” Do you feel my pain? There’s also my jazz singer, artist, spiritual daughter who broke my heart when she grew up and moved back to California. She refuses to read my naughty books. I think we can all agree that is wise of her. I love to write sultry contemporary romances made up of characters I’ve observed over a pint of Hereford cider or a spot of lunch in this foreign world I inhabit. And of course, I like to create amazing American characters inspired by the melting pot I grew up in. Throughout the years’ people have repeatedly suggested I write my life story, but I prefer to put a little bit of myself into each book. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you anyway.
    (more…)
  • Red’s Author Chit Chat with Kristine Raymond

    Red’s Author Chit Chat with Kristine Raymond

    Hi Kristine, Thank you for letting me interview you today. I love finding new to me authors and sharing them with others. Let’s get started.

    1) What Genre do you write? 

    Kristine: Romance, both historical western and contemporary, for now…..

    2) When did you start Writing?

    Kristine: Labor Day weekend 2013. A momentous step into this journey I find myself on.

    Red: I love that you call it a journey. 

    3) Do you have a favorite book that you have written?

    Kristine: Whichever I’m writing at the time because it’s all shiny and new …lol. Seriously, though, I don’t think I can pick a favorite. I love all of my books for different reasons – some due to the stories themselves and others for the emotions I felt while writing them. 

    4) How about a favorite character from your books? Do you have a specific way you choose the characters names?

    Kristine: This question I can answer with a ‘yes’. Jack Tanner from Hearts on Fire (and the rest of the Hidden Springs series) is my favorite. There’s just something about his personality that I fell in love with the moment I created it, and I haven’t written one to match his since.

    As far as coming up with names for my characters, that happens in a variety of ways. Some are family names, some I choose by looking in the phone book (yes, I still have one of those lying around), some randomly pop into my head, and sometimes I refer to the lists and lists of baby names I have saved on my computer.”

    Red: I never thought to look at baby names for suggestions. 

    5) What is your favorite part of being a published author?

    Kristine: Sharing my stories with the world and when readers love the same parts of my stories that I do.

    6) Where is the strangest place you had a book or character idea come to you?

    Kristine: Strangest? I don’t know. A lot of scenes are written in my head while I’m mowing my lawn. Spending an hour on a riding mower has a way of clarifying things for me – though I’m out of luck in the winter. I’ve had scenes and characters come to me in dreams. That’s always neat – to wake up and know what happens next.

    Red: I can picture you on a riding mower with a pad of paper on the steering wheel taking notes lol.

    7)  I am sure you don’t sit with a timer but if you had to guess how long does it take for you to write a book? 

    Kristine: It depends on the story. Tempted took me four years to write, though I wasn’t working on it the entire time. Snowflakes in Winter, from the Seasons of Love collection, took me five days. I guess I’d say, on average, two months. That’s without writing every day. When my characters decide to stop speaking to me (which happens all of the time. I don’t know why. I’m a delight to be around), it can take a week or more for them to cozy up to me again.

    8) Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

    Kristine: Not so much any more. I used to obsess over them before realizing that regardless if they’re good or bad, I can’t do anything about them. A review is one person’s opinion based on their personal viewpoints and experiences and while I always hope they enjoy my story, that they ‘get’ what I’m trying to say, not everyone is going to like the plot or the characters or my style of writing.

    9) What do you do what you suffer from writer’s block?

    Kristine: Cry. No, not really, but when my imaginary friends stop speaking to me my feelings do get hurt a little bit. Being unable to fashion together words in a meaningful way when I have a story to tell is frustrating, but I’ve found that trying to force them out doesn’t work for me. So, I take a step back, work on a project that isn’t book related, and wait for the words and my brain to sync up.

    Red: I’ve had a lot of authors agree that stepping away can reset your brain. Makes sense.

    10) Which of your books do you wish more readers were aware of?

    Kristine: All of them. I know that sounds like a pat answer, but it’s true. I’ve written over a dozen books encompassing four different genres. That’s a lot of variety for a reader to choose from. Any and all are a good pick!

    Red: Let’s hope this chit chat will bring some new readers your way!

    11) Did you have a mentor when you started?

    Kristine: Several. Laramie Briscoe showed me the ropes – what I needed in order to self-publish (cover designer, formatter, etc.) and she answered my endless questions. LL Collins came to my rescue when I was uploading Here to Stay to Amazon. It’s amazing how scary that is the first time you do it. And there have been numerous others who’ve helped me along the way and continue to help me. That’s what I love about this journey. Though writing is a solitary endeavor, there is an awesome community – authors, bloggers, readers, designers, formatters, editors, betas – just outside the door, so to speak, offering help and encouragement. I don’t think there’s a single one of us who does this alone.

    Red: Thank you for the shout out to all of the people it takes to raise a book baby. 

    12) What advice would you give an aspiring author?

    Kristine: Write what’s in your heart. Learn as much as you can about every aspect of the process, but make sure your words are authentically yours. Write your book. It’s okay to be scared but do it anyway. Write what comes from your soul, not what you think people want. Soak up every bit of advice you can, and then do it your way. It’s okay to not follow the crowd; to go off in a different direction. It’s okay to try new things. If it doesn’t work, try something else. Never stop learning. And never stop writing.

    Red: Truth! 

    13) Tell us something fun. Anything that can make us smile or giggle. Life is too short, lets spread some smiles around.

    Kristine: I want to be Betty White when I grow up.

    Red: BEST ANSWER EVER!!

    14) Anything Else

    Kristine: Just, thank you. Thanks for helping out authors like me, for taking time out of your life to share about our books. I appreciate it more than you know. Thanks for the interview, Red. It’s been lots of fun being here.

    Thank you so much Kristine. Having you here with us has been great!

    ~Red xoxo

    CHECK THIS OUT !!

    Enduring Traditions: A Hidden Springs Novella by Kristine Raymond

    Amazon https://amzn.to/2FjamJs

    It’s the turn of the century and progress has made its way to Hidden Springs.

    Leaving his hometown two decades earlier to become a physician, Micah Tanner has returned, eager to educate folks in the ways of modern medicine. However, what sounds like an easy task is anything but when he discovers his neighbors prefer seeking help from the local medicine woman instead of sending for the doctor when they’re ill. Determined to put an end to her ancient customs, he’s unprepared for the effect she has on his heart.

    **This is the final book in the Hidden Springs series

    Tel-e-ka, or Ellie as she’s known to the townsfolk, is a young Yavapai medicine woman struggling to find a balance between the old ways of her ancestors and the new advances in the field of healing. It doesn’t help that the new doctor thinks herbal remedies are a thing of the past and has no problem telling her so, or that she finds herself attracted to him. A medical emergency outside the scope of her experience changes how she views her own beliefs – and his.

    When age-old traditions meet modern-day practices, the sparks that fly rival those of the town’s New Year’s celebration. Can a couple from two different backgrounds share a love as enduring as their traditions?

    About Kristine Raymond

    Kristine Raymond didn’t figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up until later in life. If you haven’t guessed, it’s being an author. Since writing and publishing her first book in 2013, she’s gone on to complete two romance series – one historical western and one contemporary – write an anecdotal, non-fiction short about her first year as an indie author, and try her hand at contemporary erotic drama. When she’s not writing, she’s learning how to navigate the publishing and promotional side of the business. When she’s not doing that, she enjoys spending time with her husband and furry family, reading, gardening, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

    You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and Google+, or visit her website at http://www.kristineraymond.com to keep up with her latest news. When you do, be sure to sign up for her newsletter!

  • Double Trouble Book Club

    Double Trouble Book Club

    °❈*✫•NEW•✫*❈°

    ✮ Double Trouble ✮

    📚✮ Book Club✮📚 (18+ all genre)

    ➡️ Our mission is to support indie authors by purchasing their books, reading, reviewing, sharing and having fun doing it.

    At the end of the 2 week read, there will be an exclusive Q&A once your reviews have been confirmed.

    Go to our new page to find out how to sign up

    👉 https://tinyurl.com/y73wzfgx

    Calendar of Book Events :

    ➡️ Start Date 11/13 End Date 11/27

    Promised Land Lane by Marcus Brown -Horror- Q&A 11/29 5pm est

    http://getbook.at/MBPrmLandLn

    Fragile by Drew Sera -Dark Erotic Romance- Q&A 11/30 9pm est

    Buy Link https://drewsera.com/product/fragile/

    ➡️ Start Date 11/27 End Date 12/11 –

    Up to Bat by Maggie Jane Schuler -Romantic Suspense- Q&A 12/14 7pm est

    http://getbook.at/up2bat

    📖 Readers – Complete this membership form (only need to sign up once): https://goo.gl/forms/uD12lS0Qzz5WZOPQ2

    📖 Authors – submit your book request here: https://goo.gl/forms/m3scGJcfwrQ9bnrC2

    ***********IMPORTANT*********

    This club is for 18+ only due to books with Adult only content.

    #DoubleTroubleBookClub #AllGenre #SupportIndieAuthors

    https://www.facebook.com/DoubleTroubleBookClub/

  • New Release: No White Knight by Angel Payne & Victoria Blue

    New Release: No White Knight by Angel Payne & Victoria Blue

    No White Knight (Secrets of Stone Book 8) 

    by USA Today bestselling author Angel Payne & Victoria BlueRelease Date:  16th OctoberGenre: Contemporary Romance Goodreads

    Synopsis
    The quest… I’m Maclain Stone, and Taylor Mathews is my obsession, my reason to be a better human. Is that even possible? For her, I’ll try. Years of living in the fast lane—literally and figuratively—are catching up with me, as I fight to shift gears and win the right to commit to this incredible woman who has tumbled into my life.
    The fight… I’m ready for change, but is she? So far, she’s rejected every offer I’ve made and shut every door in my face. If she can’t admit her feelings to herself, how can she commit to me?  The fall… She’s so close to showing me everything she is. I can feel her need in the fire of her touch, taste it in the connection of our kisses, and glimpse her surrender in the intensity of our passion. Yet I want more. But I can’t be her white knight until she admits she needs saving.
    **Can this be read as a standalone? 
    The books are companions, not serials, meaning that backstory, secondary characters, and other elements will be easier to relate to if you read the instalments in order, but the main romance of each book is a stand-alone.  
    Buy the Book!
    Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GGzSVd 
    Nook: http://bit.ly/2HfiTdo 
    iBooks: https://apple.co/2tToYG8 
    Google Play:  http://bit.ly/2GGdtY0 
    Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IBmpOG 

    Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_NoWhiteKnight 

    Meet the Authors

     

    USA Today bestselling romance author Angel Payne has written for four publishing houses, and is also independently published. She loves to focus on high heat romance starring memorable alpha men and the women who love them.
     
    She has numerous book series to her credit, including the Suited for Sin series, the Cimarron Saga, the Temptation Court series, the Secrets of Stone series (with Victoria Blue), the Lords of Sin historicals, and the rebranded Honor Bound series, as well as several stand-alone titles.
     
    Currently, she is serving as the Vice President of Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Ink Chapter.
    She lives in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and beautiful daughter.
    https://www.facebook.com/authorangelpayne/
    https://twitter.com/AngelPayneWrtr
    https://www.instagram.com/angelpaynewriter/
    Victoria Blue lives in her own portion of the galaxy known as Southern California. There she finds the love and life sustaining power of one amazing sun, two unique and awe inspiring planets and three indifferent, yet comforting moons. 
     
    Life is fantastic and challenging and everyday brings new adventures to be discovered. She looks forward to seeing what’s next!
    https://www.facebook.com/victoriablueauthor/
    https://www.instagram.com/missvictoriablu/
    https://twitter.com/MissVictoriaBlu