X-Treme Caution Release BLitz

☆♡☆♡☆X-Treme Caution☆♡☆♡☆

By: Taylor Johns, author

BUY: Amazon
TBR: Goodreads

●•٠ⓑⓛⓤⓡⓑ٠•●

Ten years of celibacy is no match for the passion she evokes in me.

Holding her through her tears melted my heart.

The fire I discovered in her, burned through my carefully constructed walls, leaving ashes in its wake.

Walls I built to protect myself, no that’s not true.

I built those walls to protect everyone else from my rage.

A rage that cost me more than I had to give.

The thing is, she’s different. 

Laney is my match.

As I allow her in, she pushes me away.

Maybe it’s for the best. 

Maybe I need to rebuild my walls to keep us both safe.

*X-Treme Caution is the spin off from Taylor’s X-Treme Series but can be read as a standalone.
Check out Taylor's X-Treme series here:
X-Treme Confusion (book 1):  Amazon
X-Treme Lies (book 2): Amazon 

Find out more about Taylor and her other books at the following links.

Website: www.taylorjohnsauthor.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/29r2suV 

Author group~ Taylor’s Tasty Tidbits: http://bit.ly/29cE1zI 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/taylor-johns

Meet the Author - CORA A. MURRAY

Welcome all.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Cora A Murray, author of The Dark Alpha, The Dark Omega, The Dark Delta, Surviving Earth: Makayla's Journey, Charlotte's Last Wish, Beginning Again. NEW RELEASE: Surviving Earth: Makayla's Journey Continued.

ME: Hi Cora, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

CORA A. MURRAY: Cora A. Murray is a pen name I devised from the love of two great women, my mother and my oldest sister, who may no longer be with

us, but will reside in my heart forever.

I'm a mother of two adult sons and the grandmother of a handsome grandson and a beautiful granddaughter. I have been married for the past thirty-four years to the same wonderful man. I live in the beautiful state of North Carolina. I love to travel, fish, read, and hang out with family and friends.

ME: What genre do you write?

CORA A. MURRAY: PNR, Contemporary Romance, Dystopian/Horror, Christian/Spiritual

ME: What are you working on at the minute?

CORA A. MURRAY: Editing Surviving Earth: Makayla's Journey Continued. Writing Aiden A Dark Brothers Novella, also writing a new series called Vampire Shifter chronicles.

ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

CORA A. MURRAY: SE:MJC,

"Hey, over here,” Clara calls from the kitchen counter, holding up a handwritten note.

"What does it say?" I ask hesitantly.

"To whoever may find this place and my note, we were once happy here until the night two infected men showed up. My mom being the kind-hearted sort she was insistent upon helping as best she could, but nothing she did helped. Late one night the now new zombies fell on us, eating at their own pace going through the house taking bites of everyone. My mother hid me away. Only three of us remained human after this, we did our best to keep them at bay, even forcing some into the basement and more into the garage, they seem to be afraid of flames so we used torches to force them where we wanted them to be. I had help at first, but what I didn't know was that they'd been scratched when we rounded the zombies up. Now I lay here waiting for the end to come because you see those two turned and now I'm turning. I can feel a difference in my body, I'm

dying. I know. Please whatever you do don't open the doors and release the small horde. Also, if you will, please do me a huge favor and end my life for me. Thank you. Jamie Sutherling”

Wiping a tear away, Clara lays the note back on the counter. "That's so sad. She must be the rotten zombie over there,” she whispers, gesturing to the now deceased zombie

ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

CORA A. MURRAY: I would love to see Gal Gadot play Makayla, Charlie Hunnam as Logan, maybe Arielle Kebbel as Clara. There's so many characters, but these are the leads.

ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

CORA A. MURRAY: I wish I was more like my characters, they're all pretty strong emotionally and physically.

ME: When did you decide to become a writer?

CORA A. MURRAY: I've written most of my life, but my best friend pushed me into publishing in 2015.

ME: Which writers inspire you?

CORA A. MURRAY: Erica Stevens, Teresa Gabelman, Christina Escue, Carrigan Richards, Marisa Oldham, Angie Martin. I feel like they get it so much easier.

ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

CORA A. MURRAY: I write on my iPad. Most think wow isn't that hard, but I'm used to it. A MacBook Air is definitely a buy in the future.

ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

CORA A. MURRAY: My characters usually lead the way.

ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.

CORA A. MURRAY: I read so much, probably 20 books or so a month. Anything by Erica Stevens, Brenda K. Davies, Teresa Gabelman, Casey Clipper, Marisa Oldham, Melanie James, Barbara Devlin.

ME: What book are you reading now?

CORA A. MURRAY: It's an ARC of Losing Hope by a good friend, Michelle Windsor.

ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

CORA A. MURRAY: I would hope it does, but honestly, I don't think so. If you give from Amazon some trade them in, if you send straight to their device, I

usually don't get any new reviews.

ME: How do you relax?

CORA A. MURRAY: Talking to my friends, Facebook, reading, talking with the hubs.

ME: What is your favorite quote?

CORA A. MURRAY: This is so hard, I may need to think on it.

ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

CORA A. MURRAY: Just keep writing, editing can come later, just get that first draft down.

ME: What does your writing process look like?

CORA A. MURRAY: My hubby says, I type away as I get the idea, pause, check Facebook. Write furiously, think on it, reread what I've written and check my addiction. Facebook.

ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

CORA A. MURRAY: Editing. I hate editing, everyone that knows me well will tell you the same. Lol.

ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

CORA A. MURRAY: I'm not altogether certain of my racy love scenes. They have heat, but what exactly does the reader want? Heat, love, or lots of sex.

ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?

CORA A. MURRAY: I think the biggest is my grammar. Also, I know I can do it, even if I have to struggle the whole way.

ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

CORA A. MURRAY: Christina Escue, my best friend, she's the one that pushes me to write.

ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

CORA A. MURRAY: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, my first favorite author. I'd love to ask her some of these same questions.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?

CORA A. MURRAY: I love to write about Paranormal Romance.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?

CORA A. MURRAY: Paranormal Romance, I love that anything can happen.

ME: What secret talents do you have?

CORA A. MURRAY: I'm a pretty good cook. I'm usually empathic, I can see someone and know they are hurting, Sad, confused, or most emotions.

ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

CORA A. MURRAY: Super Healing, I'd heal the world's children.

ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

CORA A. MURRAY: Scotland, castles, the lore. Omg yes.

ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e. Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page: Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.

CORA A. MURRAY:

Facebook

Amazon

Goodreads

ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

CORA A. MURRAY: I just want to thank my readers, I mean an author is nothing with a good reader.

ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

CORA A. MURRAY: Thank you so so much. I had a blast.

Meet the author - JF HOLLAND

Welcome all.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing JF Holland author of The Only One, This Time, Second Chance, Full Circle coming End Dec. Blue Christmas, Date Night, Moon Sworn, Bound by The Moon, Fire in The Moon, Light up The Moon, Magic in The Moon (coming soon) Immortal Flame.

ME: Hi JF Holland, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

JF HOLLAND: I still live in the small town in Partington in Manchester, UK where I was born at home on January 10th, 1968.  Now a wife and mother, I live with my husband and 6 children- and a small menagerie of animals.

I've always loved the underdog, the fighter. But, let's face it, we all want to believe in a happily ever after. As a huge fan of books (book nerd is the endearing term my children use), as I have an immense paperback romance collection (which also includes paranormal romance). If I'm not writing, I've got my head stuck in a good book. You can't beat reading. I love watching the plot and characters come to life in my imagination; so much better than television.

When I was younger, I tended to re-write books and fairy-tales where I wasn't completely happy with the ending. My perchance for alter stories confused the hell out of my children once they learned to read as none of the books matched the stories I'd read them growing up.

Until I became ill, I had a varied career including Admin, Customer Service, and Teaching unemployed adults IT and customer service skills.  I'm now at home full time, classed as disabled (neuro fog can make life, and writing fun and challenging at times). So instead of twiddling my thumbs and feeling sorry for myself I decided it was time I started to do something I love with my life. So, I began to write my own stories again. it keeps my mind active and it's fun. Is it easy, hell no, but it’s worthwhile. I’m challenged each time I write due to how my brain now processes information. I find it difficult learning new things or retaining information, but I look at it as I did learning to stay on my feet and walk again. I also don’t always see what’s right in front of me, broke a foot with that one, my head told me a leg had moved when it hadn’t. I’m also probably the only person around who could run over her own foot while sat on a mobility scooter, fun explaining that one in A&E.

ME: What genre do you write?

JF HOLLAND: Heated Contemporary & Paranormal Romance

ME: What are you working on at the minute?

JF HOLLAND: I'm just finishing up the 5th book in my paranormal shifter serial, Magic in The Moon, due for release at the end of the month (fingers crossed) relapses can interfere sometimes. I'm also partly way through the 4th book in my standalone read contemporary series (Dennison Property Services). Full Circle is due out at the end of December.

ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

JF HOLLAND: 

Magic in the Moon (shifter)

As Nathan lumbered down the side of the old house, he watched Jaden, disappear through the trees, before going up the wall which ran around the property. He ran along the top of it in a crouch, flattening his body and using a stop start motion, trying not to garner any attention, keeping to the cover of the trees which grew before the wall. 

                                    Nathan tried to stay out of sight too, using the building, statuary and old gravestones - not an easy fete for a nearly eight-pound grizzly. As he got to the edge of the house, the back grounds came into view. Maisie, now out there in the open was trying to edge further back from the others - looking for an escape route.

                                    Eyes widening, he spotted that she held a brunette before her as a shield, knife to her throat. Eyes moving around restlessly as he stood in the shadow of the house - going low and shuffling forward, he spotted Helena. Nicolas and Adam were on one side of her and Sam on the other. She was playing with a ball of fire, tossing it in the air and taunting Maisie.

                                    Probably not a good idea.

                                    Especially not when she was using a hostage as a shield. Maisie was crazy and psychotic enough to slit her throat and try to use the ensuing chaos as a means of making her escape over the wall. 

                                Eyes shifting back to the others, he watched Helena again flick the flame in her hand smirking, and heard Maisie growl. The sound drew his attention and Nathan watched how the madness now swirled in her eyes, like a sickness. Mouth thinning at her uncoordinated, jerky movements. Obviously, she was feeling trapped. She took surreptitious looks over her shoulder,

awkwardly shuffling backwards, dragging her captive with her.

Full circle (Contemporary) and unedited

Beth gazed into his eyes, seeing nothing but truth. No guile visible and head tilting to one side she nodded.

            “I know what you mean.”

            “You do?”

            “Yes, I’m comfortable with you.”

            “Not too comfortable I hope,” Len grinned. “I don’t want to be another Alan.”

            “No, what I feel for you is not brotherly,” she told him holding eye contact.

            “How hungry are you?” Len asked, finishing his beer in a long swallow.

            “For food, not so much,” Beth told him, watching his pupils expand as he watched her.

            Len pulled his wallet out of his pocket and left notes on the table to cover their meal. He put his empty glass on top and rose - holding out his hand to Beth. She finished her own drink, then put her glass down and stood, slipping her hand into his.

ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

JF HOLLAND: I've always seen Jason Momoa as Jaden, one of the main characters in the Bound Books. Jaden is a black Jaguar shifter.

ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

JF HOLLAND: No, I don't make up what I write. I see the story in my head as a movie screen, so I just write what I see, surrounds, conversations, how they look, what they feel.

ME: When did you decide to become a writer?

JF HOLLAND: I've always written, when little if I didn't have a book in my hand I was writing or drawing.

ME: Which writers inspire you?

JF HOLLAND: I have a few favorites, but I do love humor in a book, therefore Jill Shalvis, Lynsay Sands, JR Ward.

ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

JF HOLLAND: I use a laptop (can't sit at a desk) on days when my hands don't want to play (but my speech isn't slurred) I use text to speech.

ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

JF HOLLAND: I'm a pantster, I start with a simple idea and see where it leads. I've found that once you give a character personality, they tend to do their own damn thing. I'm surprised at half the things that appear in my books.

ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.

JF HOLLAND: I read quite a lot, not as much as I used to. Then again writing eats up a lot of my reading time. I have a lot of favorites, JR Ward, Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter, Jill Shalvis, Lana Adrian, Christine Feehan, Lynsay Sands - the list goes on.

ME: What book are you reading now?

JF HOLLAND: I'm reading JR Wards, The Chosen.

ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

JF HOLLAND: That's a tough one because it only works if they read the book and that you can't guarantee.

ME: How do you relax?

JF HOLLAND: I read, spend time with my dogs, I love live music and have a son who's a drummer in a band. I also occasionally go to the cinema.

ME: What is your favorite quote?

JF HOLLAND: My own, 'The dust will still be there tomorrow!"

ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

JF HOLLAND: Just write, but write what you enjoy yourself as it transfers to the page. Also, don't expect everyone to enjoy what you write, or you'll be extremely disappointed. Also, don't expect to release everything that you write, I have a file full of partial or full manuscripts that I had written before I released my first.

ME: What does your writing process look like?

JF HOLLAND: A general idea, then I sit and write what I see playing in my head. Sometimes it moves so quickly it's more like jotting down notes. Then once I've finished - and not always with an end - I go back to the beginning again. I do a read through and flesh out the scenes, restructure for flow and pace. Then, when it's all fresh in my mind I'm normally shown the ending.

ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

JF HOLLAND: Marketing, trying to get your books out there and into hands.

ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

JF HOLLAND: Sex scenes are difficult believe it or not. You have to take in to account so many factors. Hand positions, if this was there would that fit here. You would not believe how technical it can get.

ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?

JF HOLLAND: I research each shifter's animal, so I get their sounds and movement right. I've learned some of the craziest information since I began, like a grizzly bear can weigh up to 800 lbs. and that they clack their teeth in warning. It’s also weird how when I can't take in a lot of information, snippets like that stick lol

ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

JF HOLLAND: My editor, she's always around for a bit of moral support or to kick me up the arse.

ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

JF HOLLAND: Marilyn Monroe, I'd really like to know her true story, not what people say about her.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?

JF HOLLAND: I love paranormal because you are not limited in your imagination.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?

JF HOLLAND: I read what I write so Contemporary and Paranormal Romance

ME: What secret talents do you have?

JF HOLLAND: I can put leg behind my neck, but no, I'm not showing you lol

ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

JF HOLLAND: Time travel, I'd like to be able to go back in time and spend time with loved ones who are no longer here.

ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

JF HOLLAND: Italy, the canals and the buildings as well as some of the beautiful countryside and beaches.

ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e. Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page: Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.

JF HOLLAND:

FACEBOOK     FACEBOOK PNR FAN PAGE

TWITTER    GOODREADS      AMAZON

ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

JF HOLLAND: The importance of reviews, reviews are like tips for authors. If you like the book let them know, leave a review, even if you just say, 'I enjoyed it,' or 'I'd recommend it' tell a friend, share a post.

ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

JF HOLLAND: Thank you so much for your interest, it's appreciated.

Meet the Author - GILLIAN ZANE

Welcome all.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Gillian Zane, author of Cheat (1), Shark (2), Liar (3), and Creep (4) (new release on 13th)

ME: Hi Gillian, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

GILLIAN ZANE: Hi! I'm Gillian, I'm from a town called New Orleans. I usually don't say I'm from Louisiana, because well-- there is Louisiana and then there is New Orleans. No offense to the rest of Louisiana of course. I'm gonna be all cliche too, and say I've wanted to be a writer since I was like a microorganism...well technically maybe 5th or 6th grade. I wrote this comic and short story piece that landed me in HUGE trouble in 6th grade. I went to Catholic school, and 6th grade was taught by a failed priest that was a bit of misogynist, so you know, girls were destined for pumping out kids, why teach them? So, my girls taking over the class and tying all the guys to the desks, comic/short story, didn't go over well. But, it was his dirty mind that interpreted it as sexual. So, yes I've wanted to write for a long time. And I was trying after college, was even shopping agents for a Middle Grade I wrote, called Sassafras Sojourn. But, then this big storm hit, and most of my stuff got wet, including the three manuscripts I had finished. And I got a bit sidetracked from writing. Became a corporate drone, got laid off a few times, tried to take over the world-- didn't go over well, so then I decided to write again. And instead of going back to my old ways of YA and MG, I figured - why not an apocalypse new adult romance, that is basically erotica with zombies? And who needs an agent, I can do this myself? I wrote it. And I wrote another. And the books sold. The rest is history.

ME: What genre do you write?

GILLIAN ZANE: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Apocalypse Romance

ME: What are you working on at the minute?

GILLIAN ZANE: It is NANOWRIMO - and my motto of Go Big or Go Home, but I really like Home...so go Big at Home, is being put into use. I'm finishing the Karma Inc. series, book five, called Crook and I'm collaborating a PNR with a friend of mine, that will be based in New Orleans (because the place is kind of cool and people like to read about it) and will have crazy supernatural things like witches, and shifters, and vampires.

ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

GILLIAN ZANE: Excerpt of CREEP --> “Cassie! Where ya been?” A dripping wet Fallon trotted around the pool toward me.

“A little R and R,” I lied to keep up the charade. I didn’t want to explain the atrocity that had become my life.

“Jelly!” She rolled her eyes. “How’d you get something like that, you’ve been gone forever?” She emphasized the forever in an exaggerated accent.

“I guess I was stressed,” I shrugged.

“You missed all the drama, girl.” Her eyes were as big as saucers, her lips pursed like a fish to emphasize all the crazy. It took everything in me not to roll my eyes.

“Fill me in.” I really didn’t want to know, but it was expected, and I didn’t want to hurt Fallon’s feelings.

“Not while you’re wearing that,” she frowned at me. I looked down. I was in a thin shirt that was boxy and not flattering, the only thing under it was a sports bra and cotton panties with leggings. So much for inconspicuous. I looked like I had recently escaped a mental institution. I tapped my bra self-consciously; the two vials of liquid were still there.

To fit in, I manifested a bathing suit, and a tiny purse to hold my vials, then trailed after Fallon as she chatted her way to the pool.

“Persephone is finally gone, we have a new boss. Ohemgee, Cassie, he’s fucking hot, like hot hot, not like nerdy hot Brandon. Like my panties are tingly wet just thinking about him.” She squeezed my arm and I tried not to wince. “He’s not exactly receptive to any of us, though. Kind of scowly, and bossy. He yelled at me a few times.”

“Scowly?” I asked. She rolled her eyes and handed me a beer from the cooler next to the pool.

“Oh, and Trish and Otto are an item, like really an item, moved their shit into one house and stuff, calling themselves Trotto, or maybe Trito, I don’t know, but it’s weird. Em said she heard them fighting and hot new boss guy went over there to break it up. It was a mess.”

“Trish and Otto?” I asked stupidly. I couldn’t place an Otto.“Yeah, they do make a cute couple,” Fallon sighed and glanced over at Trent who was sun bathing, even though he could tan with a thought. Fallon had been crushing on him for a while. Sensing eyes on him, Trent sat up, took his sunglasses off, and did the cool-guy-chin-jut-greeting thing.

“Hey Cassie! You’re back. Boss said you’d be back today. Well, he said the missing operative would be back today. Never said your name or anything, just that if we see 'the missing operative', to tell her to go to his office immediately because he’s tired of being fucking short-staffed…” Trent said in one breath.

“Yeah, I think I already have a case,” I responded despondently. I guess it made sense, considering I was supposed to be on some kind of weird Afterlife vacation for the last month. I really didn’t want another case though.

“Already, really girl?” Fallon rolled her eyes. “Whatevs, you’ve been off duty for like months. Wish.” I had the urge to tell her all about my off-duty status. Maybe that would wipe that frown off her face, but I bit my tongue and kept it to myself.

“Months? It was that long for you guys too?” For some reason I thought it would only be that long for me.

“Yeah, you never came back from your last case. That was like, at least 3 months ago.” Fallon frowned at me. “We thought something happened, or you got promoted without them telling us. That would have sucked. They didn’t tell us shit. But it happens like that sometimes.”

“They said it was only a month or two,” I replied. “That’s what they told me.” Fallon shook her head and Trent looked skeptical.

“You were on R and R and you didn’t know how long it was? Where did you go? Antarctica?” Trent asked.

“Uh, no, just like a relaxing place in Afterlife.”

“I’ve never heard of an operative doing that.” Trent got up from his chair, so he could grab a beer.

“I don’t like to be normal,” I shrugged, and Fallon laughed a little harder than the joke required, like she was faking it or didn’t get the joke.

“Don’t worry. No one thinks you’re normal.” She laughed again loudly, and I frowned, not sure if I should take it as a compliment or an insult.

ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

GILLIAN ZANE: Britt Robertson (Cassie) and Tyler Hoechlin (Drake)

ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

GILLIAN ZANE: No, not me. But, I will imagine them kind of like acting it out.

ME: Which writers inspire you?

GILLIAN ZANE: Right now, I'm inspired by my friends around me, my local girls in a writers group have been my biggest inspiration so far, Alys Arden, Dawn Chertier, and Lila Felix have kept me going. But, to start out, what made me fall in love with writing and want to write, authors like R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike put that seed in my head, and then later authors like J.R. Ward, Kersley Cole, and many more I can't name made me fall in love with the genres I chose.

ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

GILLIAN ZANE: MacBook

ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

GILLIAN ZANE: I do a loose outline, lots of plotting, with focus on world building.

ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.

GILLIAN ZANE: Because of my genres, I've been sticking to a lot of YA lately, since it won't interfere with "ideas." Right now, I'm a huge fan of Veronica Rossi

ME: What book are you reading now?

GILLIAN ZANE: I'm reading Dan Brown's ORIGIN, which isn't Young Adult, but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

GILLIAN ZANE: I think that giving the first book away in a targeted marketing strategy seems to work to get people interested in your series. I hope at least. But, really different things work for different authors.

ME: How do you relax?

GILLIAN ZANE: What's that? Okay fine, gaming.

ME: What is your favorite quote?

GILLIAN ZANE: “Stupid people are dangerous.”

― Suzanne Collins

ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

GILLIAN ZANE: Finish a book. Just finish it, it might be a terrible book, you might put it in a closet somewhere for eternity. But, finish a book. Once you get over that first hurdle, the rest comes a bit easier.

ME: What does your writing process look like?

GILLIAN ZANE: If you need a mental picture, you know that ADHD kid? That ONE kid that is jumping off the walls, telling crazy stories about the pet rock they just found, interrupting you in the middle of the night to tell you about their weird dream, making odd noises...playing pranks continuously... yeah that's my writing process.

ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

GILLIAN ZANE: The elevator pitch

ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

GILLIAN ZANE: Sex scenes, there are only so many ways you can describe a certain action

ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?

GILLIAN ZANE: Once you hit publish, it's not your baby anymore.

ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

GILLIAN ZANE: My NOLA Writer Gals

ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

GILLIAN ZANE: Albert Einstein

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?

GILLIAN ZANE: Alphas - male and female

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?

GILLIAN ZANE: Fiction, mostly modern settings.

ME: What secret talents do you have?

GILLIAN ZANE: Secret? I'm such a showboat I don't keep any of them secret.

ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

GILLIAN ZANE: Telekinesis

ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

GILLIAN ZANE: Greece

ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e. Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page: Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.

GILLIAN ZANE:

Web Site

Twitter

Facebook

Amazon

Goodreads

ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

GILLIAN ZANE: Nope, I'm good.

ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

GILLIAN ZANE: You are very welcome, thanks for having me!

Meet the Author - ANNE STONE

Welcome all.

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Anne Stone author of:

 Life’s Forever Changed: The Show Me Series – The Prequel

Links:

Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon CA

Amazon AU   Kobo   Barnes & Noble   iBooks

Life’s Second Chances: The Show Me Series #1

Links:

Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon AU

Amazon CA   Kobo   iBooks   B&N

Life’s Gateway to Happiness: The Show Me Series #2

Links:

Amazon   Amazon UK   

Amazon CA  Amazon AU

Kobo   iBooks  Universal link   

Barnes & Noble

Life’s Turned Upside Down: The Show Me Series #3

Links:

Amazon   Amazon AU   Amazon CA

Amazon UK   Barnes & Noble   

Kobo   iBooks

Never Lose Hope: Williams & Company #1

Links:

Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon CA

Itunes   Barnes & Noble   Kobo

The Show Me Series Boxed Set: Volume 1 (Books 1-3)

Link:

Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon CA  

Amazon AU   Barnes and Noble   Kobo   Apple

ME: Hi Anne Stone, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

ANNE STONE: I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri but now live in the cold state of Wisconsin with my faithful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I write heartfelt sweet contemporary romance and I am the author of the Show Me and Williams & Company series.  I love to tell a story and that’s what you’ll definitely get in an Anne Stone novel. 

My degree is in education, but I've worked in the corporate sector managing a large number of staff.  Now, I work from home where part of my day is still spent in the corporate world and the other part is dreaming of my heroes and heroines. 

ME: What genre do you write?

ANNE STONE: Sweet Contemporary Romance

ME: What are you working on at the minute?

ANNE STONE: I have started a new sports romance series.  I’ve completed the first book and am three-fourths of the way through the second book.

ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

ANNE STONE: Here’s a sneak peek at a portion of the Prologue to Life’s Forever Changed that was released on October 22nd.

It was a warm summer day in St. Louis—hotter than all get out, the last day before Alejandro left for the University of Wisconsin.  He’d procrastinated all summer with this visit, but he needed to accomplish it before heading home for his going away party.  It was one of the hardest things he’d done in a long, long time. 

He made a left turn and entered the one place he had avoided for more than two years.  The vivid green grass surprised him as he came to the fork in the road.  After a long, hot summer, most everything was brown, but not here.   The fresh growth made him feel a bit brighter as he made his journey.  He wound his way through the various roads, all the while hoping he wouldn’t get lost.  He’d been here only the one time, and he recalled that winter day in vivid detail.  It had been bitter cold.  He remembered walking into church for the funeral mass beside his mother and friends and then driving the lonely miles that led to him

saying a final goodbye to his best friend.  Today as he drove along, he shivered, recalling the bitter wind as it had whipped through the pin oak trees, rattling the last of the leaves that still hung on their branches as he rounded the bend that led to Jacob. 

Jacob and he had become best friends in kindergarten and had experienced everything together from learning how to tie their shoes to the big day when they crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  They’d even held a joint Court of Honor when they received their Eagle Scout Awards.  They were like two peas in a pod.  Wherever Jacob was, Alejandro wasn’t far behind, and vice versa. 

Alejandro slowed the car as he approached the section he’d committed to memory— section fifteen.  He remembered the number because they were both fifteen when he’d lost his friend.

ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

ANNE STONE: My latest release is Life’s Forever Changed which is the

Prequel to The Show Me series.  I went back and wrote this after writing half of the series.  When I originally wrote Life’s Second Chances the first book in The Show Me series, I envisioned Shawn Christian as Alejandro Alvarez and Kelly Monaco as Angelina Samuels.

ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

ANNE STONE: No, I can’t say that I have.

ME: When did you decide to become a writer?

ANNE STONE: I started writing in college and then put it aside.  I started back up after my father died.  Right before his death, he made me promise to publish my books, so I did.  I owe this journey to my father.  He had a lot of confidence in me and knew I would give it my all to succeed.

ME: Which writers inspire you?

ANNE STONE: I follow Jeannie Moon, Jennifer Bernard and quite a few more. 

ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

ANNE STONE: I write using a computer, but I have been known to write an entire book longhand.

ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

ANNE STONE: I plot out some scenes, not many.  I basically write down events that I’d like to see happen.  Sometimes they make it into my book and sometimes not.  On quite a few occasions a thought pops into my mind out of nowhere and changes the direction of the book.  That happened with the book I’m working on right now.  One thought changed the entire direction of the book.

ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.

ANNE STONE: I read way too much!  Some of my favorite authors are: Jeannie Moon, Jennifer Bernard, Lindsay McKenna, Bernadette Marie and way too many more to list….

ME: What book are you reading now?

ANNE STONE: I am reading In Too Deep by Kimberly Kincaid.

ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

ANNE STONE: I do.  I have to say I’ve developed a wonderful following by doing this.  Many have become some of my best fans.  In today’s world, people don’t want to take a chance on an unproven writer and definitely don’t want to spend their hard-earned money on an unheard-of author. 

ME: How do you relax?

ANNE STONE: When the weather is nice, I work outside.  Otherwise, read or do some type of craft.

ME: What is your favorite quote?

ANNE STONE: “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations, I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they may lead” Louisa May Alcott

ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

ANNE STONE: Write, write, write!  I was told to have several books ready for publication before publishing my first book live.  I actually had three written, and I have slowly released them.  I currently have two completed books and a third almost done.  I just need to complete the editing process.  In fact, I stopped on my current work-in-process to write The Prequel to The Show Me series.  Soon, I will have three in various stages waiting for publication.

ME: What does your writing process look like?

ANNE STONE: I draft my idea and then start writing.  Nothing particularly special.

ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

ANNE STONE: I do the majority of the marketing myself.  I find that social media consumes my day.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to pass a little bit of that off to someone someday.

ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

ANNE STONE: I write sweet, clean romance.  Sometimes, I think the emotion is hard to write and other times not. 

ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was it?

ANNE STONE: I love all of my characters and some more than others.  I’ve been surprised to see readers not particularly care for some of my main characters.  I’ve learned that not everyone is going to enjoy my stories as much as I do.

ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

ANNE STONE: I have a writer friend that helped me find my first editor.  I’ve also had quite a few of my writer friends share with their followers my books which especially helped when I was first starting out. 

ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

ANNE STONE: I’d love to meet several of the U.S Presidents and ask them how they led our nation through the various challenges faced while president.

I’d also like to meet Anya Seton as her writings influenced me so much.

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?

ANNE STONE: I write sweet contemporary mainly because I want to appeal to a wide audience from young to old.  I love writing family based stories. 

ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?

ANNE STONE: I read pretty much everything.  I love second chance romance. 

ME: What secret talents do you have?

ANNE STONE: I don’t think I have any.

ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

ANNE STONE: I’d love to see into the future.

ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

ANNE STONE: My number one bucket list item is visiting Antigua and has been for many years.  Right behind that is Bora Bora.

ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e. Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page: Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.

ANNE STONE:

Facebook    Street Team     Goodreads

Website     Twitter     BookBub

Pinterest      Amazon       Newletter

ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

ANNE STONE: I think you’ve pretty much covered a lot of ground here.  Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of Anne Stone with you and your followers.

ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

ANNE STONE: Thank you allowing to share myself with you and your followers