Fresh Water Pearl Bracelet

This is a picture of the pearl jewelry that will be included in the big prize giveaways. I'll post pics of other stuff throughout the month.

NO OTHER - PRIZE DRAWING DETAILS

On June 1st I'm hosting a drawing for three prizes.

Grand prize
Book as a Kindle download, or preferred ebook format, Tote, Poster, Notebook, Sterling silver-gold overlay Locket, Goat's milk Soap & lotion, Postcards, $10 Amazon Gift certificate, Pearl bracelet and earrings.

Great Prize
Book as a Kindle download, or preferred ebook format, Tote, Poster, Notebook, Postcards, Pearl bracelet and earrings, Honey Soap, $10 Amazon Gift certificate

Good Prize
Book as a Kindle download as a preferred ebook format, Tote, Notebook, Postcards, Poster, Pearl bracelet and earrings, $5 Amazon Gift Certificate

(DBP is in the process of loading books to Barnes and Noble and Sony Reader store. These may be available at the closing of this contest, and if so, the winners may opt for downloads from these stores.)

All right, here are the rules:
This contest runs the whole month, starting on the 1st, and you can enter multiple times.

For everyone who leaves a comment on any blog I'm touring, on the day I visit, there's one entry (please include your email with the comment. I promise these will all be destroyed after the contest). I will post on my own blog each day where you can find me.

If you follow me on twitter, my blog or my Facebook fanpage, that's an entry for each. Search Shawna K. Williams.

A question pertaining to my book will be posted on my blog, and blogs I'm visiting every day throughout the month. Email the answer to (shawnawilliams@allegiance.tv) and you either get one to three entries, depending on how hard it is to find the answer to the question. I'll give hints where to find them. Many will come from the chapters accessible through the free sample available on Kindle, Freado (first four chapters), or the first chapter, which you can read by clicking here.

If, at some point in the month, you decide to purchase my book email me (honor system) and I'll enter your name five times.

And last, if you post this contest on your blog, let me know and I'll enter your name three more times. If you find my blog through one of these postings, or by word of a friend, email me and tell me whose blog, and I'll enter both of you twice.

These rulles will be available for viewing all month by clicking on NO OTHER - PRIZE DRAWING DETAILS in the top left corner of my blog.

I think that about covers it.
Happy reading and good luck!

No Other Trailer

Look at the trailer my son made!

Winner of Trish Perry Book

Hello! I want to take a minute to congratulate Beverly on winning Trish Perry's book, Sunset Beach, and also to thank everyone who participated in the drawing.

As some of you know, my book, No Other, releases on Saturday, May 1st. I'm in the process of putting together some contests for the blog tour. During the month of May I plan to give away small prizes, such as copies of the book, posters, notepads and jewelry. At the end of the month there will be a grandprize giveaway, which will include the book, autographed poster, notebook with the No Other book cover, a sterling silver-gold overlay locket, goat's milk lotion and soap, a $10 Amazon gift certificate, a pearl bracelet w/ matching earrings and an assortment of postcards -- some with the book cover (autographed), and some of my daughter's talented photography. The total value of the prize is around $75. The winner will be chosen through a drawing at the end of the month. I'd like readers to have the opportunity to enter their names multiple times, so I'm working on some fun ways to do that. I'll have the details posted midweek. In the mean time, you may notice that No Other's cover is posted to the left on my blog. You can click on that to read the first chapter of the book.

Happy reading and God bless.
Shawna - Author of Grace-Inspired Fiction.

Author Interview: Trish Perry

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Inspirational Author, Trish Perry. This is Trish's first time on my blog so let me start by saying, "Welcome!"

SW: Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

TP: My life has gone through a number of different phases, as has anyone else’s. Professionally I’ve worked with attorneys, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a stockbroker, and now as a writer. I may start a day job over the next year or so, as a court reporter, but we’ll see about that. Personally, I’ve experienced singlehood, marriage, and divorce, and I’m very happy in my current state. I have two fantastic kids and an amazing grandson. But I’ll be an empty nester in a few more months, which I both look forward to and dread. Still, I know the looking-forward-to is going to win out. I’ve published four novels in the inspirational market, with a fifth releasing in September and at least two more coming out in 2011. Life is good!

SW: When did you first become interested in writing?

TP: Besides mere dabbling here and there through the years, I got serious about writing after I went back to school to get my Psychology degree. I got good feedback and had such fun writing for my various courses that I started taking creative writing classes. By the time I finished my degree, I had changed my mind about going into counseling and decided to write fiction instead. But it still took years of writing before I got my first book contract.

SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?

TP: The first few things I published were poems, personal essays, devotionals, short stories for kids, and other small pieces. Those are never a waste of time—they’re a great place to start. Every byline is a step closer to a book contract. I went through plenty of rejection before getting any of those items published. And I still have a full novel (my first one) tucked away, unpublished. When you want to write a book, you have to think multiple books, and you have to be willing to accept that they won’t all get published. But they’ll all teach you something about the craft.

SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?

TP: I always need stewing time. It’s easy enough to come up with an idea for a novel, to write out a paragraph or two that describe a story I think would be fun. But then I need to simply think before I write word one. I have to imagine my lead characters—what they’re like, what they want, what they face. And yes, I always have to do some research before I can begin any writing, and then I research during the entire writing of the book.

I’m not a seat-of-the-pants writer by any means. I need more structure than that. But I am more flexible now than I used to be. I know where I want my story to end up, and I know some of the major plot points before I write. But after I plan out the first ten to fifteen chapters of the book, I often start writing, just to get the project moving. Otherwise I get so caught up in planning, the actual writing doesn’t get done. As I write those first chapters, other story elements take place that I hadn’t expected. I’ve come to enjoy that part of the process. It keeps my right hemisphere active.

SW: Tell us about your latest release?

TP: My most recent novel is Sunset Beach. Here’s a brief description:

Sonny Miller is tired of not knowing who she is. Soon she’ll begin graduate school to earn her masters in Psychology. But how can she counsel future clients about their identities when she isn’t even sure about her own? To that end she has cooked up a little meeting at a certain beach house in San Diego.

Sonny’s mother, classical soprano Teresa Miller, isn’t aware she’s about to be reunited at the beach house with her sister, Melanie Hines, after 25 years of estrangement. And Sonny isn’t aware her mother has invited a surprise guest of her own. Russian adoptee, Irina Petrova, finds herself dragged along on a trip so tumultuous she summons her handsome concert violinist brother for moral support.

The four women converge on the funky little beach house in San Diego, each with her own disappointments and hopes about family, identity, and love. For Sonny, the trip reveals all she expected and more than she ever dreamed.

SW: What inspired you to write this story?

TP: Sunset Beach is the fourth book in a series (The Beach House Series), originated by author Sally John. Sally wrote the first two books in the series, and I wrote the third (Beach Dreams) and then Sunset Beach. Each book in the series takes place in the same setting but involves all new characters. By the time I wrote Sunset Beach, I wanted to write a romance, but I also wanted to write about relationships between women—mothers and daughters, sisters, and friends. This novel combines those concepts.

SW: Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them, and what endears them to you?

TP: The first thing I knew was that I wanted to write about estranged twins. From there I thought about what might have caused them to separate from one another, which brought about my third character, who is actually the romantic heroine. And when I developed her romantic entanglement, the fourth woman came about through her association with the hero. What endears me to all four of these women is their failings. Even the character who seems most well adjusted has issues with competitiveness and jealousy that she comes to recognize during the story.

SW: What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?

TP: I know that my ability to write, and every book contract I receive, is a gift from God. So I hope to honor Him with my effort with each book I write. I try to write entertaining stories, and I don’t aim for any kind of message with them. But a theme typically emerges while my characters struggle through whatever their conflicts are. I leave that up to God, because He knows whom He wants to reach. When I get a letter from someone who describes how one of my books influenced her, I always think, “Oh, you’re the one He gave me that story for!” Very cool.

As far as long-term goals are concerned, I honestly look at this business as a one-step-at-a-time endeavor. Of course I would like to be writing and publishing until my last day—that’s a goal—but I don’t stress about whether or not I’m currently writing my last book. If God wants me writing more books, He’ll provide the contracts. When He draws me to other ventures, I’ll follow.

SW: Any ideas for future projects?

TP: Yes! My next novel, which releases in September, is the first in a new series with Harvest House Publishers. As with The Beach House Series, each book in the set will share a common setting—in this case a charming, historic town in Virginia, about an hour west of Washington, D.C. The series is called The Tea Shop Series, and the first book is called The Perfect Blend. Here’s a quick blurb about it:

Steph Vandergrift left everything to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, who then stood her up at the altar. Too embarrassed to return home, Steph hopes to earn enough to get by until she can decide what to do next. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel hires her and appreciates the extra help at the tea shop.

Also appreciative of Steph is Kendall James, one of the kindest, most eligible bachelors in the area. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her run-away fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always blended so well.

Christie Burnham, the frank-talking equestrian from whom Steph rents a room, and her frillier sister Liz become fast friends and confidantes to Steph. Between the two sisters, there isn’t much any man is going to pull over on Middleburg’s newest bachelorette and tea shop employee.
I’m currently writing the second book, the title of which we just changed. Unless we change it again, it will be called Tea for Two and will release in March 2011.

SW: What's your favorite movie, food, and place to vacation? Also, any other hobbies?

TP: Wow. I’m a real movie buff, so I can’t pick just one. I love The Philadelphia Story as much as I do Braveheart, and I love Lilies of the Field as much as Lars and the Real Girl. My tastes run the gamut, although there are plenty of films I won’t watch because they’re too vulgar, gory, or just plain stupid.

Favorite food? I’ve been dieting lately, so I’ve discovered how very much I love what I can’t have; namely, pastries and chocolates. But I truly enjoy all good food (thus the dieting), and the only things on my “Don’t Like” list are okra and cooked celery. I’m very easily pleased in the food department.

And vacations? I love the sun and the beach (although I can’t swim—honestly can NOT swim). I love Italy. And someday I’d like to take a cruise, either European or Caribbean. I love the idea of sitting on deck, just reading and enjoying the weather. And there’s the eating, of course.

SW: Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?

TP: That sounds as if you’re asking for book recommendations, so let me throw a few out there. As with movies, my taste in books varies widely. Here are a few I’ve read lately and enjoyed: The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney, Havah by Tosca Lee, The Big 5-0 by Sandie Bricker, How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely, The Code of the Woosters, by P.G. Wodehouse, and The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt. (A word of caution, by the way: these aren’t all Christian novels.)

Trish is giving away a copy of her book, Sunset Beach, please leave a comment and your email to enter.

For more on Trish and her books:

http://trishperry.blogspot.com/

Purchase her latest release.

Drawing winner, and Trish Perry is my next interview.

Melanie, I do believe you won yourself a pair of pearl earrings. Congratulations!

Tomorrow I have Trish Perry on my blog! She giving away a copy of her book, Sunset Beach.

Author Interview: Jay Morgan

Today I get to introduce you to Jay Morgan. Jay is a talented writer whose gets to vent his hysterical, and quirky, personality through his books. Not a dull moment! This is Jay's first visit to my blog, so let me start off by saying, "Welcome!"

SW: Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

JM: I started life as a boy, grew into a man and married a wonderful woman who turned me into a Romance novelist. I guess that's the short version. The longer is I'm from a small town in Northern Louisiana and pretty much never left. I have, as said, an amazing wife who is also an author with several books under her belt. Jenna Leigh, in case anyone was wondering. We just became honeymooners again, as our daughter is now off in college. Aside from that, we are the proud property of a Chihuahua named Paco and a cat overlord named Mr. Bean. Everything else is subject to change depending on the whims of the cat overlord.

SW: Hey, I have a Chihuahua! Love little dogs.
When did you first become interested in writing, Jay?

JM: I'm never really sure what to say to this question. So, I'll go with the truth. Always! I became a writer to stay sane and have failed miserably. When you're born with all these voices—uh I mean stories—floating around in your head, you need an outlet to get them out. It was either writing or well I'm really not sure what else.

SW: Writing as a coping mechanism, I've heard of that before. Maybe most of us writers are a little bit looney. What genre do you prefer writing/reading? And why does this genre appeal to you?

JM: That's a toss-up between comedy and paranormal but I've seemed to have melded them together so I didn't have to choose. Why do they appeal to me? Because I love to make people laugh and laughing at scary stuff like vampires, werewolves and ghosts was my coping mechanism growing up. Let's not forget bullies and maiden aunt's who popped their false teeth out to kiss you. Shiver! But seriously, the world is so full of real pain and horrors, I hope that for however long it takes someone to read one of my books, the reader can escape from all that reality and enjoy themselves. If I succeed in doing that, I'm content.

SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?

JM: I don't think there's enough room in here to go into it. I will give this piece of advice to anyone reading this. Never let someone else take your dream away. If being a writer is what you want, you keep writing. I don't care how many times, a submission comes back or life throws an anvil on your head, the minute you toss your first word on a screen, you're a writer. You just need to have enough faith in yourself, to wait until your time comes. Because it will. I promise.

SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?

JM: To be honest, I just start writing. A line gets stuck in my head and I run with it. Both Love at First Stake and Were Love Blooms started that way. When they became series, that approach changed. Love Bites became a big picture project. I wanted each book to be stand alone but contain elements that would drive the underlying plot of the series further, so now me—a total panster—found myself actually plotting. Sure before I knew my Point A and my Point E but now I had to look down the line to point Z. I even found myself researching. Ick! Okay, I need to lie down after saying that.

SW: You're funny! Tell us about your latest release in the Love Bites series?

JM: The next book is Love Free Stake Hard. To me it is my favorite. Well, until the next one of course. Love Free follows the adventures of Demetrious de Mecini, introduced in Love at First Stake and Dela McNamara, a cemetery tour guide who gets drawn into Deme's world. They find themselves on the run from a trio of hit women, inquisitional monks and a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the Slayer/Vampire alliance. That's about all I can say without giving away too much.

SW: What inspired you to write this series, and tell us about your other series too?

JM: Man, I wish I knew. It just kinda popped into my head. The Southern Werewolf books happened the same way. I had this stray thought about a werewolf moaning about shaving her legs and the next thing I knew I had four chapters written. The rest came from me wanting to write a series based in the South, with characters true to the people I grew up around. Because, believe me Southerners are this funny all the time. What's the word I'm looking for? Yeah, eccentric. We're eccentric and I'm leaving it at that.

SW: I can attest to that be the absolute doggone truth! Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them , and what endears them to you?

JM: This is a not so well kept secret, but my friends are my characters. I love to base them on the people I love, and that helps them come to life for me writing them as I hope they do for the people reading them.

SW: I wanna be in a book! Can I be your friend? What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?

JM: Make people happy. That's my long term goal.

SW: Any ideas for future projects?

JM: Tons of them. I just need to find the time to start working on them.

SW: Any other hobbies or interests to share?

JM: Who has time for hobbies? I'm too busy writing.

SW: Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?

JM:Anything from Desert Breeze Publishing of course. Seriously, we've got one of the best group of authors around. And there's something for everybody, so you just can't miss.

Jay, thanks so much! Best of luck to you on your books. I have two on my Kindle. My problem at the moment is that I have more books than time, but I know I'm going to love them.
God bless!

For more about Jay Morgan and his books here's his website.
His next book in the Love Bites series will be available June 1st, but here are links to purchase his previous books in the series if you want to play catch up before the new one comes out. Love at Fist Stake and Love to Stake Another Day.

I tried to think of something werewolf, or vampire related as a giveaway, but my brain is blank, so I decided to give away a pair of bronze colored, fresh water pearl earrings on silver hookwires instead. I don't have a picture b/c I haven't made them yet, but I promise they'll be pretty. Just leave a comment with your email to enter. If you leave a comment with an idea of how to tie the earrings to the themes of Jay's two series, Love Bites or Southern Werewolf, I'll enter you twice.
Happy reading!

Thanks!

Thank you Nicole Zoltack at Nicolezoltack.blogspot for this lovely blog award!

There are lots of wonderful bloggers out there, so here's who I'm giving this to.

Kat Heckenbach at http://kat-findingangel.blogspot.com/
Regina Andrews at http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com/
Diane Craver at http://www.dianecraver.com/blog/
K. Dawn Byrd at http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/
Michelle Levigne at http://michellelevigne.blogspot.com/
Tina Pinson at http://tinapinson.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Hartz at http://jenniferhartz.com/
Anne Patrick at http://suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/
Michelle Sutton at http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/
Deb Kinnard at http://justtellthestory.blogspot.com/
K.M. Wilsher at http://gzusfreek.blogspot.com/
Cathy Bryant at http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Thank you, Cathy Bryant at Wordvessel for this lovely award.

This award is passed on to blogger's that inspire others and show positivity and creativity.


The rules for accepting the award are:

1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post

2) Pass the award onto 12 fellow bloggers

3) Link the nominees within my post

4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.


I'd like to pass this award on to:
Kat Heckenbach at http://kat-findingangel.blogspot.com/
Regina Andrews at http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com/
Diane Craver at http://www.dianecraver.com/blog/
Nicole Zoltack at http://nicolezoltack.blogspot.com/
K. Dawn Byrd at http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/
Michelle Levigne at http://michellelevigne.blogspot.com/
Tina Pinson at http://tinapinson.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Hartz at http://jenniferhartz.com/
Anne Patrick at http://suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/
Michelle Sutton at http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/
Deb Kinnard at http://justtellthestory.blogspot.com/
K.M. Wilsher at http://gzusfreek.blogspot.com/

Winner!

Congrats to Jo on winning the drawing for Regina Andrews book, Destiny's Designs. Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Reading.

Monday I have Jay Morgan on my blog talking about his Love Bites series. Funny stuff!

Author Interview: Regina Andrews

I'd like to welcome Regina Andrews to my blog today. Regina is multipublished author with several books through different houses. She is also a fellow acfw member, Desert Breeze author and inspirational romance writer.

SW: I feel like we have a lot in common, Regina. Would you mind telling us a little about yourself?

RA: Gladly! I am a native New Englander, born in Rhode Island, and grew up near the ocean in a very happy, loving, close-knit family. Always loved school, music and the outdoors but I was never good at sports, lol! Currently I live on the East Side of Providence and am Ecopy Manager for Ross-Simons Jewelry. My husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary in June, and 3 weeks ago we went to the shelter and brought home a new "daughter", Tiana, a 2-year old calico mix.

SW: Love cats! When did you first become interested in writing?

RA: Right from the get-go. Before I went to school, my mother read with me every day. Boy, was that a special time. Then, right before I started first grade I jumped out of a tree and broke my left arm. Couldn't wait to tell that story to anyone and everyone, and I think that's where it all started.

SW: What genre do you prefer writing/reading? And why does this genre appeal to you?

RA: Oh, romance, romance, romance! And inspirational romance, with the extra dimension of God's presence, is my absolute favorite. The world needs more of God's message of happiness and love! Also I enjoy reading biographies and thrillers.

SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?

RA: The ups really carried me through the downs. I've met great writing friends through all the groups I've been associated with through the years. The downs were all the rejections. But that taught me acceptance; and the frustration of knowing that I am really good strengthened my resolve. My big up was the fact that my first acceptance occurred on the same day as my parents wedding anniversary. I still tear up when I remember how that felt.

SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?

RA: Usually the heroine comes to me first with her story and I take it from there. It's important to listen to her, so I disassociate myself and become just the camera lens through which her story is told. Then after she tells me her story, I do go back and research details for accuracy so readers don't get derailed from the emotion by inaccuracies or sloppy construction.

SW: Tell us about your latest release?

RA: Currently Destiny's Designs is available at Desert Breeze Publishing. It is an inspirational romance about an interior designer based in Newport, RI, with various locals around the world. It's about learning to "let go, let God."

SW: What inspired you to write this?

RA: I actually worked as an Assistant Interior Designer and saw some really well-off folks who were starved emotionally, even though there was so much beauty and opulence around them. God's love, once they opened their hearts to it, filled the void they were experiencing. 

SW: Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them , and what endears them to you? Also, tell us about the setting and why you chose it?

RA: My heroine, Lisa Machon, loves beauty and security, yet her life has been filled with chaos and upheaval. As a result, she tends to try and control as much of her life as possible. (She and I share a love for interior design, and the happy world she tries to maintain is the happy world I come from.) Neil Lamont, the hero, is a carefree sailor who seems to have no control or governors on his life. (Haven't we all know – and swooned – over a guy like that?) They both see in each other the opposite characteristics of their own make-up. They open their hearts to God's word and to His love, and together, they enjoy the world of happiness and love that I wish everyone could have. Newport is close to home. The other locales – Paris, Milan, the Algarve, Monaco – are all areas I have visited and love very much.

SW: What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?

RA: I really hope that folks would be heartened by my books, and their belief in God and the power of love would be elevated. I'd love to make my readers happier. Long term, I aspire to write full-time, always improving of course, increase my readership and share the joys of a faith-directed life. I'd love to hear from my readers about how my books touched their lives.

SW: Any ideas for future projects?

RA: Yes, I have an Inspirational Romance series in development right now and have just finished the first book in the series, Light of the Heart.

SW: Any other hobbies or interests to share?

RA: Well, I love to travel and hope to visit San Francisco in the fall. Mini golf is fun and I sing in the choir at church. Shopping, of course, is my number one hobby, lol! Seriously, I am quite involved in InSight, a non-profit devoted to the visually impaired. I have a radio show w/them and read the newspaper and current events on the week-ends.

SW: Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?

RA: Always learn, always be grateful, always trust God and listen to your heart and always ask questions and grow…Most of all, don't ever be afraid of anything, just jump off that cliff and remember – you won't fall, you'll fly!

Thank you very much for having me, Shawna.

You're welcome, Regina!

Regina is giving away a copy of her ebook, Destiny's Designs, Just leave a comment to enter the drawing. I'll anounce the winner Saturday.

For more about Regina and her books:

http://www.reginaandrews.com/

Winner

Congratulations to Sandee61! You won Gerrie's books.

On Thursday Regina Andrews will be visiting to talk about her new book, Destiny's Design.

Author Interview: Gerrie Ferris

Today I have the pleasure of introducing Gerrie Ferris. Gerrie uses her years of experience as a journalist, writing about real life crime, to write compelling novels of crime fiction. This is Gerrie's first visit to my blog.

SW: Welcome, Gerrie! Would you mind telling us a little about yourself?

GF: I was born in St. Louis, Mo., educated at the University of Missouri, moved to Georgia to work for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. I'm married to Col Alan Jay Finger, USMC (Ret.)

SW: When did you first become interested in writing?

GF: Like most writers, my love of the written word began at an early age. Writing, shaping letters, was fun. Putting sentences together was even more fun. I always loved to write home to "Mom and Dad" when I went away to camp. Since I was a little girl, I found I could get my point across better by writing than speaking.

SW: Yes! More time to consider one's thoughts and words. What genre do you prefer writing/reading? And why does this genre appeal to you?

GF: The short answer is: crime. Whether romantic suspense or traditional mystery, I'll always have a criminal aspect to the story.

SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?

GF: I knew I would write novels one day, but my journey was not linear. I married in college, had two children, then didn't work until my children were school age. During that time, I wrote a novel. It was never published. I submitted to a few agents and publishers, and got nice remarks and encouragement to keep writing. I landed a job at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution where I worked for almost twenty years. I retired to write novels.

SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?

GF: I write by the scene method, building the story scene upon scene keeping in mind the setting and where my characters obviously go next. I research as I write, as the necessity to know things my characters get into arises. I build toward an arc, the scene where the hero or heroine has an epiphany. I know how the story will end and keep within that structure. Sometimes it's hard to keep the characters in line.

SW: This is very similair to my method. Tell us about your Laura Kate Plantation series?

GF: In this romantic suspense series, Laura Kate O'Connell is a strong heroine who doesn't hesitate to go head-to-head with tough men. She was born and raised in South Georgia. Her family goes back to the southern aristocracy, but her grandfather and father squandered her immediate family's riches. Her father and brother died and her mother lives in an unreliable state of mind. Thus Laura Kate was raised by her wealthy Uncle Wallace, owner of Live Oaks Plantation.. She pursued a career as an overseas correspondent until a death in her family called her home and she inherited the plantation. Her passion for justice, and her investigative expertise learned as a reporter, along with her intimate knowledge of her community, make her an excellent unofficial private investigator when murder shows up. In "When Serpents Die", Laura Kate finds herself attracted to the irreverent, but charming Jack Rhodes. They fall in love. In "Honored Daughters", Jack wants to marry her, but she wavers because she harbors an idea that someday she might return to her career. She has the time to ponder her indecision because Jack's in England, and she's pursuing a murderer, who may be her stalker.

SW: Yikes! Sounds really intriguing! What inspired you to write this?

GF: Having lived in Georgia and reported from all over the southeast, I came across characters like those I create in the Plantation novels. The character of Laura Kate can be likened to a modern Scarlet O'Hara – headstrong, beautiful – but unlike Scarlet, she is not spiteful. She would never be a home-wrecker.

SW: What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?

GF: Creating stories that entertain readers. That is my short and long term goal.

SW: Love the purity of that! Any ideas for future projects?

GF: I have two more Laura Kate's in the works. "Wagon Dogs" will be released by Desert Breeze in October 2010. My mystery novel, "The End Game", will be released on April 27 in hard cover. I hope I sell the second in the series.

SW: Excellent! Any other hobbies or interests to share?

GF: I play golf, garden and love to go boating.

SW: Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?

GF: Write what you know and learn everything about the discipline you choose, or the discipline that chooses you. I'm naturally drawn to crime fiction, while others prefer fantasy or romance or the literary style. Each has its demands and techniques. Understand how character, plot, theme, setting interact within a given genre. There are many excellent books to guide you. And, if you're with Desert Breeze, trust your editor. Gail Delaney is a gem.

SW: That she is! Thank you Gerrie, and best of luck with you current and future novels.

Gerrie is giving away the first two book in her Laura Kate series, When Serpents Die and Honored Daughters. Just leave a comment (with your email) to enter the drawing. I'll post the winner on Wednesday.

For more about Gerrie Ferris and her books:

http://www.gerrieferrisfinger.com/index.html

Also, I'd like to remind everyone that Desert Breeze Publishing is celebrating their one year anniversary by offering 20% off the entire catalog. Enter 1yrdbp at checkout.

And The Winner Is....

The Winner of K. Dawn's romantic suspense, Queen of Hearts, is...........Miss Mae!
Congratulations!

I'm gonna skip an insightful blog post today because my kids are testing with our homeschool group tomorrow, and I went to bed at 6:30 am this morning, so my brain's not working. I'm sure you guys understand. :)

Author Interview: K. Dawn Byrd

Today I have the pleasure of introducing debut author, K. Dawn Byrd. Her first book, Queen of Hearts, was just released on April 1st by Desert Breeze Publishing. K.Dawn is here to tell us more about her book, her writing journey, and herself.

SW: Welcome K. Dawn. I'm going to start with the question my guests have seemed to hate the most. Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

KDB: I'm an author of inspirational romantic suspense and have two books coming out this year through Desert Breeze Publishing. I have been married for fifteen years and share my house with my husband and two spoiled rotten hairless Chinese Crested dogs.

SW: When did you first become interested in writing?

KDB: I've been an avid reader forever, but never really considered writing for publication until a little over two years ago. That's when I started studying everything I could find about the craft. With each edit, I learned how to write a tighter copy and a better story.

SW: What genre do you prefer writing/reading? And why does this genre appeal to you?

KDB: I enjoy reading and writing inspirational romantic suspense because the suspense adds tension. I recently finished my fifth book, which is a romance (no suspense.) Even though I had a lot of fun writing it, I'm still a suspense fan at heart.

SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?

KDB: My journey to publication was rather short compared to some authors. I have been writing for a little over two years. I believe that I became published within a year and a half of writing my first novel because I've read and studied every book I could find on the craft and have edited my manuscripts many times.

SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?

KDB: I plot, but normally veer off course as my characters develop a life of their own and take me down roads that I never intended to travel. For this reason, I've learned to start with a very loose plot and then explore the "what ifs" with my characters.

SW: Tell us about Queen of Hearts?

KDB: Daphne Dean is proud to be serving her country stateside during WWII as a reporter and an Office of Strategic Services operative. When the photograph she takes of the crowd at a murder scene places her on the mob's hit list, she's forced into hiding in a vacant mental asylum in the middle of nowhere with terrifying secrets of its own.

Daphne believed herself to still be in love with her ex-fiancée, Kenneth, until she spends several days locked away in the asylum with Vito, the mob boss' son. Can she put the terrifying events that occurred there behind her and allow herself to pursue a relationship with Vito? Or, will she return to Kenneth who has turned his back on his country by becoming a draft dodger and a black market racketeer? One thing's for sure, it won't matter if she can't escape the mental institution alive.

SW: What inspired you to write this?

KDB: Queen of Hearts was my NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project for 2009. I had a historical rolling around in my head and contacted the editor at Desert Breeze to ask if she had need of one. That was in October and I was told that she had a spot in April. She said that if I wanted to write it, she'd hold that April slot. Talk about pressure! What if she didn't like it? I wrote almost 60,000 words in 30 days to complete the NaNoWriMo challenge. I then edited the book a couple of times before sending it to her Jan 1. Lucky for me, she liked it.

SW: That's amazing! And Desert Breeze had already accepted another of your books so Gail knew that you were good. I'm going to give some serious thought to participating in NaNoWriMo in Nov.

Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them, and what endears them to you?

KDB: My characters are normal people who feel what we feel. They're people who've loved and lost, but weren't afraid to try again. My heroine is smart, brave and independent, but she also has a soft side as most women do. My hero is tall, dark and handsome, but he has a family background that he must overcome in order to live a happy life. I develop my characters by filling out character worksheets so that I'll come to know them and what makes them tick.

SW: What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?

KDB: I approach writing realistically. I've read that less than 1% of all authors make a living from writing. That said, I have no plans to quit my day job. Writing is a therapeutic hobby for me that I enjoy immensely. I hope to continue to create stories that encourage and entertain others.

SW: Any ideas for future projects?

KDB: I am currently working on a romance about a woman whose life is changed forever when she finds a wallet on the beach and locates the owner.

SW: What about hobbies? Any interests you'd like to share?

KDB: I rode a Harley Davidson for a few years, but there's not enough time in the day for everything. I sold my Harley to have more time to write. I love to read. I also enjoy judging writing contests and usually judge a half a dozen different ones every year.

SW: Other than your book, which I'm currently reading and enjoying very much, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?

KDB: My recommendation to unpublished authors is to study everything you can get your hands on pertaining to craft. If you can't afford to purchase books, there's a list of excellent websites on my blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Thank you K. Dawn. Best of luck with your current and future books, and God bless!

K. Dawn Byrd's book, Queen of Hearts, can be purchased here. She's also giving away an Amazon gift certificate for a free download. If you'd like a chance to win, leave a comment and I'll enter you in the drawing. I'll announce the winner Thursday morning.:)
If you want to know more about K. Dawn and her books, check out her website.

God bless! And happy reading!