The Book Imp

Em Petrova Interview

2012-02-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to our world Em Petrova. As we live in an enchanted forest and we are magical folk, let us transport you to another world for your interview today. Tell us where you would like to go and why.

*clicks heels* There’s no place like a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean!

I – What would you say is the most important thing to consider before starting to write a book? Goal, motivation, and conflict of the characters. Since I write erotic romance, sex is a major part of the plot to consider too. If your characters aren’t together, they aren’t having sex. The sooner you throw them into action, the better the outcome of the book.

M – How do you plot your male characters? Are they based on people you know or your ideal man? Do you have physical or mental pictures of your male characters? My male characters sort of crash-land into my mind when I least expect them to. I can visualize them very clearly and I hope my readers can as well. Each hero must be a fantastic lover, or willing to pump it up, and he must have flaws. A little torture helps too. Everyone loves a tortured hero!

P- Do you like to work in peace and quiet? Or noise?

I have four kids, so I often write in the midst of chaos. When I’m alone, I always have music on.

F - What do you like to do for fun?

Write! I have the BEST job in the world, don’t you think? I get to spend all day playing with my characters and introducing them to my readers!

A – What has been the most amazing point in your life so far?

Becoming a mother.

I – What is your favourite musical instrument and why?

I play the piano but my daughter plays the violin. I love listening to her, so I’d have to go with that.

R – Do you like reality shows?

I love shows like Project Runway or Top Chef. I did get into the Glee Project with my kids too. But I’m not a Real Housewives of Snookie kind of gal LOL!

Y – What is your favourite memory from your youth or childhood?

Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and seeing dolphins behind me.

Thank you for your time! I’ve loved answering your questions!

Em Petrova

~where words mean so much more~

www.empetrova.com

BUY OUTLAWS OF LOVE http://www.loose-id.com/Outlaws-of-Love.aspx

Em Petrova lives in backwoods Pennsylvania, where she raises four kids and two feral kittens and pays too damn much for utilities. But seeing her sexy husband tromp out back with a chainsaw in hand is well worth the frustration of living miles from a mall. She adores writing sex scenes and anything paranormal. When she has the opportunity to mix the two, she’s in her element.

You can learn more about her smutty reads at http://www.empetrova.com/

Outlaws of Love

Blurb:

Upon traveling west to marry, Annabelle Stephens longed to leave her nickname of Sweetheart Annie and the strict rules of Boston society behind, but the taboo freedom she faces wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. When a sexy outlaw storms into her rented room and kidnaps her, she’s embroiled in a dangerous game with not one man, but two.

Until now Xander Hollis wanted one thing—or maybe two—to stop the Southern Gorge Railroad from stealing the homesteaders’ land, and to act on his desires with his partner in crime James. Like Robin Hoods of the old west, he and James embark on a mission to rob from the rich and give to the poor. When he refuses to let go of the woman who could identify him, he finds he’s in true danger. Danger of losing his heart to the heiress of the very railroad corporation he struggles to bring down.

Jeanne Bannon joins The Book Imp

2012-02-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to our world Jeanne. As we live in an enchanted forest and we are magical folk, let us transport you to another world for your interview today. Tell us where you would like to go and why. It could be another time or a setting that is special to you. Just say the word and we are there…….

If I could be anywhere I would be sitting on a beach. It wouldn’t matter where, just as long as it’s by the ocean and water is calm and clear.

Now that we are sitting in your special place, we have a few impish questions to ask of you.

B – How do you carry out your background research?

Fortunately with Invisible I didn’t have much research to do. It’s a contemporary story about a teenage girl. I have an 18-year-old daughter and a pretty good memory so that’s what I relied on to make the book as real as possible.

O – Do you ever obsess over your work?

Of course I obsess. I think about it all the time. Usually I’m obsessing about how I think my writing is not good enough, or that I haven’t written enough on any given day. I’m always pushing myself and can be hard on myself, but I think without those qualities, I would never have finished Invisible.

O – From a writing point of view, what has been your most memorable occasion?

My launch party. It was held at a local bookstore and I loved being surrounded by family and friends. And we sold out of books!

K- Of all the kisses you have ever written about, which is your favourite and why?

I would have to say Lola’s first kiss. She’s my main character in Invisible. The kiss was sweet and innocent and really meant a lot to Lola. It was also pivotal in that it set her on a path of determination. That’s all I can say without giving away too much.

I – What would you say is the most important thing to consider before starting to write a book?

For me the most important thing is to have an outline. I can’t write without one. It will change and develop as I write but I don’t like to start out staring at a blank page with no idea what’s going to come out of me. Also, the most important part of any novel (in my opinion) is the ending and without an outline how can an author plan an ending where all the loose ends are tied?

M – How do you plot your male characters? Are they based on people you know or your ideal man? Do you have physical or mental pictures of your male characters?

In Invisible, no, the male characters were not based on anyone. I try not to make my characters physically perfect. I want them to be real. But of course, the lead character will possess qualities that make him attractive. He may not be physically perfect but he’s desirable...does that make sense?

P- Do you prefer to write from the male or female point of view?

Good question. Since both of my novels are written from a female point of view, maybe I should say a female point of view. Although I have started another YA novel in which I write from a male point of view. Okay, it’s a toss up. It doesn’t really matter.

F - What do you like to do for fun?

I’m really boring, I like to read and hang out with my family. Though I do love to travel but don’t have enough time or money to do as much travelling as I’d like.

A – What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Again, I’m really boring. I did go up in a hot air balloon once. Sadly, that would be the pinnacle of adventure for me.

I – What is your favourite musical instrument and why?

The piano. I suppose the reason why is that I’ve always wanted to learn to play one. Perhaps one day.

R – What genre of books do you like to read the most?

I love to read literary works, in particular historical novels. Of course, I could never ever write one. But I greatly admire the authors who do. It takes way too much time and research for me.

Y – What is your favourite memory from your youth or childhood?

Being with my grandmother. There’s one day in particular that I remember vividly. It was Christmas Eve. I was about 8 years old and we were on our way to my aunt and uncle’s house. I recall the feeling of safety and love I felt while snuggling with my grandmother in the back seat of the car. That was the best feeling in the world.

Blurb

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.

Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

Excerpt

Chapter Three

I always leave Grandma Rose’s apartment with a smile on my face and an ache in my heart, wishing my mother were like her. How lucky for my mom to have such a wonderful, almost normal, mother. While I’m stuck with a parent in an ever-present state of adolescence, whose life’s mission is to desperately hang onto what’s left of her looks. My mom, with her rat’s nest of hair stacked high on her head, dyed cherry red with chunky blonde highlights and dark brown lowlights, and extensions thrown in for good measure. A woman can’t ever have too much hair, she’s forever saying. Giving me her version of what passes as parental advice. I prefer Gran’s words of wisdom – “extensions make a woman look trampy” and “dye your hair only when the white comes in.” It seems more dignified, because I think a woman can have too much hair.

Dad’s just as bad with his funky jeans, Ed Hardy tee-shirts, pointy-toed boots, pierced ears, tattoos and soul patch. He’s going to be fifty next year for God’s sake. The thought makes me cringe. I live with dim-witted middle-aged teenagers.

Gran tells me all the time it’s not what’s on the outside that’s important and I know she’s right. I suppose I’m a bit of a hypocrite, since I’m always complaining about my weight or my height, or the fact I don’t have a boyfriend. But I’m supposed to be obsessed with fitting in and with my looks, after all, I’m the teenager.

It’s only a ten-minute walk home from Gran’s. I tilt my face towards the sun, soaking in the warmth of the spring day as I make my way along familiar streets. When I approach the park on the corners of Whiteside Avenue and Moorehouse Drive, I stop dead. Sudden dread causes the beat of blood to fill my ears.

There are three boys and a girl - Nino Campese, Tyler Campbell, his girlfriend Julia and Jon Kingsbury. They’re seniors like me and even though we’ve known each other since kindergarten, once adolescence hit and separated the weak from the strong, the cool from the nerd, I became prey. Hunted by those better looking, and with more attitude, simply for entertainment.

I plunge my hands into the pockets of my jean jacket and hang my head. Taking large quick steps, I tread quietly. They’re talking and laughing and the foul scent of cigarette smoke wafts past me in the breeze. From the corner of my eye, I spot Julia and Tyler sharing a butt as they cling together under the large plastic orange slide. Nino’s holding court and Tyler’s laughing at something Nino’s said and Jon, well Jon just stands there looking bored.

Why is he with them? My heart sinks. I thought Jon was different.

Tyler’s eyes flicker my way, immediately I pick up my pace.

“Hey!” someone yells.

I don’t answer.

“Where do you think you’re goin’ ya fat cow,” Nino hollers, as he jogs up beside me followed by Julia and Tyler.

“Home,” I say, not stopping.

Nino jumps into my path. “Where’s your girlfriend?” He sneers and spits a snotty gob at my feet.

“Lesbo freak,” Julia chimes in and flicks a butt at my face.

It bounces off my chin with a burning sting. I glare down at her with her hawkish nose and eyes that are too close together. “Get out of my way,” I growl through gritted teeth and try to step around them, but Tyler grabs my elbow, his fingers bite into my flesh and a small groan escapes me.

“We’re not done talkin’ yet hippo,” he snarls.

I yank free. Tears sting my eyes and the heat of anger and embarrassment reddens my face.

“Leave me alone!” I scream and push. Tyler’s tall, but skinny and I manage to knock him on his ass. But as soon as I take a step, Nino and Julia are on me.

“Leave her alone,” Jon calls. He’s hung back away from the action and is still standing by the orange slide.

I slam a shoulder into Julia’s face and hear a crunch as my bulk meets her nose. Blood spurts and the purple blur of manicured nails flash past, as she whips a hand to her face.

She gazes up at me in surprise. “You broke my nose, you bitch!” Then she looks at Tyler with eyes that say ‘you better do something about this.’

My heart beats so hard, the swishing of blood in my ears is a roar. They’re swearing, yelling and threatening me, but panic has taken over as adrenaline pushes into my veins, and I make out nothing coherent.

I turn and try to run back the way I’d come. But another hand is on me, biting the flesh of my upper arm through the fabric of my jacket. Then a fist smashes into the back of my head. “You’re nothin’ but a fat dyke.”

My knees smack the gritty concrete as my legs buckle, and deep heaving sobs erupt from me. Why do they hate me?

“Where the hell did she go?” Nino asks, his voice laced with astonishment.

“Holy shit!” Julia and Tyler exclaim at the same time. “What the…?”

Slowly, I pivot and look at them. They’re turning in circles searching for me.

Jon is with them now. “She’s gone,” he whispers in wide-eyed disbelief.

“What? How?” Nino asks.

I creep away on elastic legs.

Links:

Twitter: @JeanneBannon

FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanne-Bannon/182120961844916

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/user/jbannon4398

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Jeanne-Bannon/dp/1466368756/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318029462&sr=8-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/88217

Solstice Publishing: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/products/Invisible-%252d%252d-Print.html

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12586579-invisible

Interview with M. L Guida

2011-11-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to our world M.L Guida.

I – What would you say is the most important thing to consider before starting to write a book?

The most important thing I consider is an idea where I see the story heading. Before I write, I have to figure out my characters’ enneagram. An enneagram is a personality type. This will help develop the character’s goal, motivation and conflict.

M – How do you plot your male characters? Are they based on people you know or your ideal man? Do you have physical or mental pictures of your male characters?

Like I said before I identify their enneagram. In Cassandra, Eric is definitely an eight which means he’s a leader, the boss and/or controller. He’s a demon and an alpha male. I get a definite picture of my male characters in my mind. Some authors use pictures, but I don’t.

P- Do you like to work in peace and quiet? Or noise?

Both. I hate to admit this, but most of the time the television is on. I like the noise, but there are other times, especially in the summer, where I like to write outside.

F - What do you like to do for fun?

I like to ski, take my dog for a walk or watch my nephews and niece sports game. There’s nothing like cheering for my nephew when he racing down the side line with the football in clutched next to him.

A – What has been the most amazing point in your life so far?

I have to admit it’s getting published. Many people dream about it, but it’s actually happening to me and its exciting.

I – What is your favourite musical instrument and why?

I love to listen to the electric guitar. I never left the 80’s. I love to listen to Eddie VanHalen strum his guitar or the first three notes of ACDC’s You Shook Me All Night Long.

R – Do you like reality shows?

I do. I used to be addicted to the Biggest Loser, but after Jillian left I lost interest. But the one I always wanted to go on with my younger sister was the Amazing Race. I would love to travel all over the world and do all those crazy antics.

Y – What is your favourite memory from your youth or childhood?

My favourite memory is waking up on Christmas morning. I used to wake up really early like two or three in the morning. I’d run down the hall to the living room and see all the toys around the Christmas tree and run back and wake my sister who got mad when I told her what she got. I have to admit I love Santa Claus and still do.

M. L's story appears in the paranormal romance anthology, Finding Ms. Wright, available here.

Interview with Lori Corsentino

2011-11-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to our world Lori Corsentino. As we live in an enchanted forest and we are magical folk, let us transport you to another world for your interview today. Tell us where you would like to go and why. It could be another time or a setting that is special to you. Just say the word and we are there…….

I’d love to visit England, either in current times or during the Regency period. I’m just fascinated by it.

I – What would you say is the most important thing to consider before starting to write a book?

An aspiring author needs to commit themselves to the project. That means you need to be working on the project, five days a week, just like a job. Whether it be plotting, brainstorming, or actually writing, the author needs to put in the time.

M – How do you plot your male characters? Are they based on people you know or your ideal man? Do you have physical or mental pictures of your male characters?

I work with a bunch of guys, and I’ve been friends with various men most of my life, so I take information I’ve learned and use it for my male characters. I always throw something in that I would find ideal, but I’d say that my heroes are a nice mish-mash of the best – and not so best – of what I know of the men in my life.

I have to have an actual picture of my hero before I can begin to “hear” him clearly. You can bet I look through a lot of magazines looking for the right guy!

P- Do you like to work in peace and quiet? Or noise?

It all depends on what I’m doing. When I’m writing intently, I usually like some background music. New age, classical, and jazz are all good because they don’t have words in them. When I’m plotting, I usually like silence, or music with words. It’s funny how sometimes I can associate a specific song with a character. In Evelyn, I have found a song that represents Alexander to a T! I’ve also found one that is Claudius’ theme song. Both are new age and have a medieval taste to them.

F - What do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy gardening and digital photography. Combine the two, and you have a wonderful spring or summer day spent at the Denver Botanic Gardens photographing the beautiful flowers. I also enjoy creating jewellery with natural stones.

A – What has been the most amazing point in your life so far?

I think viewing the scenery on the train trip from Denver to Glenwood Springs, Colorado was pretty amazing to experience. You can’t see that when travelling in a car.

Visiting the monument in Pearl Harbour, and the cemetery at the Punch Bowl on Oahu were both amazing. It was an honour to, for a time; share the same space as the brave crew of the Arizona. The Punch Bowl is a beautiful place, fitting for the souls it hold. Besides, just being inside an extinct volcano was pretty amazing.

I will also say November 15^,2011 was full of amazing things. It was the release day of my novella Evelyn in the Finding Ms. Wright anthology. That was pretty amazing!

All of these things have taken my breath away and made me sit in awe, but for many different reasons.

I – What is your favourite musical instrument and why?

I’d say the guitar, because there is so much you can do with it, and so many different sounds that it is capable of producing. Think about flamenco music, and then compare it to you favourite heavy metal or country band. Each type of music uses the same wood and strings, but the hands and mind of the one who wields it gives each a completely different interpretation. What an amazing instrument.

R – Do you like reality shows?

No – not really. There is little to no reality in reality shows. I’d prefer a good documentary if I want to see some real life.

Y – What is your favourite memory from your youth or childhood?

Being in the mountains, camping and/or fishing on a summer morning with my family is a biggie. Snuggling up to my Dad when I was a child, or being held by my Mom comes a close second.

Lori’s love of reading has transcended to include penning her own tales of romance. She is experimenting with writing in several different genres, including paranormal – a definite favorite. “There is just so much you can do when you step outside the known world,” she explains “and creating a paranormal story allows you to take yourself and your readers anywhere your imagination wants to go!” Her debut novella, Evelyn, will be published as part of the Finding Ms. Wright: Three Tales of Extraordinary Love anthology available from 5 Prince Publishing .

Finding Ms. Wright is now available on Amazon.

Interview with Aubrie Dionne

2011-11-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to our world, Aubrie Dionne. As we live in an enchanted forest and we are magical folk, let us transport you to another world for your interview today. Tell us where you would like to go and why. It could be another time or a setting that is special to you. Just say the word and we are there…….

I’ve always wanted to go to the spaceport on Tatooine, the desert planet in Star Wars. We’ll need some good bodyguards, though, because the bar can get kinda rowdy.

Now that we are sitting in your special place, we have a few impish questions to ask of you.

B – How do you carry out your background research?

I google everything from planet and star names to space terms, such as a quasar. I ask people questions like: How would a ship the size of a small city land in the ocean of another planet. Usually they look at me kinda funny, but then they give me ideas in their answers.

O – Do you ever obsess over your work?

Um…yes. I think you have to obsess to a certain extent in order to get it done. There were many nights where I sacrificed American Idol, playing spider solitaire, or sleep to get in my word count.

O – From a writing point of view, what has been your most memorable occasion?

I think getting an agent was a big one for me. When I first started writing, I had no idea what a literary agent was. After reading several blogs online, I soon figured out that it was a big deal to have one, and that certain larger publishers won’t even look at your work if you don’t.

It took querying four books at about 100 queries each to find Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge. Thank goodness she liked the first three chapters of Paradise 21!

K- Of all the kisses you have ever written about, which is your favourite and why?

When Aries first kisses Striker is pretty steamy. She’s never kissed a man before, and he’s trying to recover from a bad choice in love. So, it’s two people coming together from very different worlds.

I – What would you say is the most important thing to consider before starting to write a book?

If it’s your first book, it probably won’t be published, or at least not by a big publisher. You have to write many books to perfect the craft of writing, like playing an instrument, or learning a new language. The whole process takes time. Years. Maybe even a decade.

I thought I’d write one book and be the next J K Rowling. Boy was I wrong. Four books and six years later I’m finally reaching a successful point in my writing career.

M – How do you plot your male characters? Are they based on people you know or your ideal man? Do you have physical or mental pictures of your male characters?

I pictured Clive Owen for Striker, my main character. Don’t tell him, though, because I’d never be able to actually talk to him or meet him in real life. No way.

I’m a very girly girl, so writing manly characters is not my forte. I had to work at it. I watched a lot of manly shows like Rocky and Terminator to get a feel for the lack of words men use and their strange way of hiding their true feelings.

P- Do you prefer to write from the male or female point of view?

Female, of course!

F - What do you like to do for fun?

I actually turned what I like to do for fun into a career. Twice. I teach flute and write for a living, so both of my careers are fun. Sometimes they’re not, (Like when a flute student hasn’t practiced in a month, or when I’m stuck on a plot point) but at least I enjoy what I’m doing most of the time.

A – What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I’m only adventurous in my head. *hides face* I actually don’t do anything adventurous. The two things that I’ve done that took the most courage were standing up in front of the orchestra to play a Mozart concerto, and sending out my books into the public.

I – What is your favourite musical instrument and why?

Well that one’s easy. I’m a professional flutist.

R – What genre of books do you like to read the most?

Science fiction and fantasy. I like to travel to other worlds. The more different than our own, the better!

Y – What is your favourite memory from your youth or childhood?

I used to play pretend outside with my sister and the boy next door, who shall remain nameless for his own benefit! We used the swing set as a space ship, and we’d act out all of the original Star Wars movies. My sister and I always fought over who’d be Princess Leia!

Follow the link to buy Paradise 21

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/paradise-21

Blurb:

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.
But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.
The life of the man she loves.

Thank you for the fantastic interview!!!

Welcome

2011-09-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better in life than a good book and we fairies love good books. Here you'll find reviews and interviews from authors all over the world. We look forward to sharing our love of books with you and inspiring you to read them too.