Category: Interview

Field Trip Day!

8/17/2015

I've been crazy busy this week with writing and editing two of my short stories for a contest and an upcoming anthology. Both of those short stories are very different from what I usually write. I'm geeked to release them to the public, but it's not time yet. When I finally get the chance to share them with you, I'll post links here. Patience, grasshoppa!

In the meantime, pop on over to my friend (and MOSAIC co-author) Step Gonzaga's blog. Stef asked me some in-depth questions about my creative journey and my advice for budding creatives. Even if you know me well, I bet you'll learn something new.

http://stefgonzaga.com/creative-stories-s-j-henderson-writer-author/

Make sure you say hi to Stef--and me, of course. It's been lonely here! Sniff sniff!

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Liebster Award 2015

7/12/2015

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So, my amazing friend Krysten nominated me for a Liebster Award. I don't even really know what that is, although I have participated before. Since I haven't been real chatty on my blog lately, I figured it was time to change that up. Thanks, Krysten! Make sure you visit her blog at www.krystenlindsay.com/blog/. Tell her MPerks and I sent ya. ;-)

Rules:
1. Thank the nominator
2. Display award in post
3. Nominate other bloggers
4. Answer the 10 questions that your nominator has given you

Answers to Krysten's questions:

1. What was the reason for starting your blog?

I started my blog to talk about my books and writing--pretty much everything my family and friends were sick of hearing about on my personal blog. I like to talk about what my writer friends have up their sleeves, too (besides their arms, of course).

2. What was the last thing you ate?

Some leftover movie theater popcorn. We saw "Minions" yesterday, and free popcorn refills. Life is good.

3. Have you read any books lately?

So lucky to have so many writer friends! I'm never at a loss when it comes to reading material. Currently reading FABLED by Vanessa Eccles. I finished PAPER TOWNS by John Green before that. Now I'm working on critique partner manuscripts for the bestest CPs ever! Muah!

4. What is your current favorite trend?

This is a surprisingly difficult question. I'm going to go with yoga pants. Not even a trend... More like a lifestyle.

5. If you could be any Disney character who would you be and why?

Probably Jessie from Toy Story because BULLSEYE.

6. What do you think is the hardest part about living in 2015?

Not living in the 90s? Seriously, let's bring that decade back.

7. If you had to pick only one music artist to listen to for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Florence + the Machine. I heart her so much. I had her LUNGS CD in my old minivan for almost two years straight because it wouldn't read another CD if I ejected it. You would think it would get old, but it really didn't. The saddest part is that I don't have the words even remotely memorized even after all that repetition. My brain sucks.

8. What is your food weakness?

Chocolate chip cookies. MAN. Now I want cookies.

9. Are you a night owl or early bird?

Night owl. I love how quiet the house is when everyone else goes to sleep. It's really the only time I almost feel alone in this house.

10. If you had the opportunity to go back and relive one day of your life, what day would you choose?

The day I noticed my horse acting a little weird and brushed it off (because he was weird). A few hours later it was too late to help him get better. This is a bummer way to end these questions, but it's true.

10 Questions for Nominees

1. What was the reason for starting your blog?

2. What was the last thing you ate?

3. Have you read any books lately? If so what have you read?

4. What is your current favorite trend?

5. If you could be any Disney character who would you be and why?

6. What do you think is the hardest part about living in 2015?

7. If you had to pick only one music artist to listen to for the rest of your life, who would it be?

8. What is your food weakness?

9. Are you a night owl or early bird?

10. If you had the opportunity to go back and relive one day of your life, what day would you choose?

Now I'm going to nominate a few peeps:

Karen Mahara
Niki Lenz
Sonia Poynter
Vanessa K. Eccles
Kim Graff

If I didn't tag you and you'd like to participate, DO IT and let me know about it!

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New Release Day and 10 Questions with Kristin D. Van Risseghem

5/20/2015

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I'm thrilled to announce the release of my friend Kristin's Young Adult Fantasy novel, THE GUARDIAN, A SWORD & STILETTOS. I'm not sure if Kristin remembers this, but I was a very early beta reader for this novel, so it's really cool for me to see her writing grow and change over time and. And now her book is being released TODAY. How exciting is that?

Kristin is such a supportive and enthusiastic person, and I'm so pleased to have her on my blog today. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about my wonderful friend and her kick-butt new book.

10 Questions with KDV

What drew you to writing?

I took a lit course in highschool and a reading one in college. Didn’t think anything of it but enjoyed writing and reading back then. I started reading as something to do before I met my husband. Then when Twilight came out, a group of friends created a book club and it’s been downhill ever since. I read a ton. My cousin started writing and she asked me to (beta) read for her. I did but didn’t really know what I was doing. One of her friends asked me to read one of hers too so I did b/c my cousin said that my comments were spot on.

Then in January 2013 I dreamed of the warehouse scene. Didn’t think anything of it until the next night I had the same dream in the warehouse. Woke my husband up and told him about it. He said I should write it down. Of course I didn’t. The 3rd night, I dreamed of the tattoo and knew I had to start getting it down on paper so to speak. I started writing when I got home from work and wrote until the wee hours of the morning, so 7-8 hours at a time. Go to sleep a few hours and get up for work. Did that for 3 weeks.

What about your life influenced your drive to create?

I go all out in everything I do. Never half do stuff. It’s an all or nothing attitude.

Who are your favorite authors?

Not in any order: Richelle Meade, Julie Kagawa, Kristin Cast, Cassandra Claire, Kristin Hannah, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Sophie Kinsella.

JK Rowling gets her own line.

Describe the ideal situation for your reading time? Around 10AM, it’d be in the low 70’s and sunny. I’m out on the bow of the boat with my pillow propped up for my back. I have my pink cooler stocked with a couple bottles of ICE water, a bag of chips (Funonions) and a few bottles of beer or hard lemonade. And ready to read for a few hours. As the sun moves, I move with it for optimal sun exposure. Of course I’m in calling distance to my hubby to go get me more water, more snacks, more sun lotion…and of the battery charger b/c I forgot to charge the Kindle.

If you could invite any 7 people (living or dead) for a day out, or a meal together, who would it be?

Wow, that’s a lot of people to think about. So let’s start with the dead: Plato (maybe b/c I want to go to Greece), Einstein, and Lincoln. For the living: Prince William (OK, Kate can tag along) at Buckingham Palace, my husband (I guess) b/c when I asked him this question to get ideas, he said “I only need to have my wife”, Bill Gates (just so I could see his house), and I’d have an open spot so we could have a revolving visitor.

What is your favorite hot beverage?

Chai tea latte, but if it’s around October…then it’s pumpkin latte at Starbucks. (Note from S. J.: Girrrrrrrl, we could totally hang out with our books and PSLs...)

Can you share a little about your family? I’ve been married for 11 years. Met my hubby at a bar at the Mall of America when we both attended a mutual friends’ b-day party. I knew he was the one when I met him. He proposed 7 months later. We don’t have any human kids, but we’re proud parents of two calico cats (Daizy and Minnie). We had a dog (Sunny), but had to put her down in July 2014 for her own health reasons.

What were you like as a child? What was your favorite toy?

I loved stuffed animals, had a crap ton of them. I think one of my favorites was the two foot My Pretty Pony. I still have it.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation. I don’t like waiting in lines and I want to be where I’m supposed to be immediately.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be? What would you wear?

I’m not good at catchy names, so I’m going to steal Wonder Woman. I’d be wearing a purple cape for sure and as for the rest of the outfit? For sure it won’t be spandex!

Now that we've learned a little bit about Kristin, let's check out her book. Drum roll, please!

Introducing...

The Guardian, a Sword & Stilettos

Zoe Jabril could be just another 17-year-old girl attending parties with her friends and checking out cute guys—except her best friend is a Guardian Angel, and the boy she crushes on is a Nephilim, half-Angel, both sent to Earth to protect her. A high school classmate happens to be a trendsetting shopaholic Fairy. And now there’s a new Werewolf in town.

Now Zoe has to deal with her feelings toward Shay, who spreads a strange electrical current through her body every time he touches her. She is under constant attack from Demons, trying to kill and stop her from fulfilling the Prophecy: a girl will be born who will unite the Enlightens to battle evil. Then on top of that, between boring homework and drama with girls at school, she has to control new found talents if she’s to prevent the Devil from escaping Hell.

In order to do so, Zoe must devise a kick-ass plan ASAP or watch everyone die, because she’s running out of time. She turns eighteen in two months—the date Armageddon kicks off.

Excerpt

I stumbled into Kieran as a tremor moved through me, the hairs on my arms stood at attention like tiny lightning rods. “Do you feel that?” my voice sounded breathless, even to me.

He glanced sideways, “Feel what?”

“Look.” I held out my arms to him, “I feel strange. Like someone…” I rubbed my slightly numb hands over my forearms and sucked in a breath, as he hooked his head around. I fell into step beside him. “Never mind. It’s probably nothing.”

This happens when lightning’s about to strike, right?

The heat from the sun radiated off the few cars parked along Boutique Row, their owners engaged in mid-afternoon shopping. Store fronts displayed the new and trendy ‘must-have’ dresses, shorts, and shoes for the spring season. I paused to see my reflection. Not a hair was out of place. Thank God.

The Coffee Grind’s signature cinnamon dessert scent wafted through the air and my teeth hurt with the memory of sinking them into it time and again. What I wouldn’t give to be able to park my back end on one of their leather wing-back chairs and crack open a book, while the fire crackled next to me in the original stone hearth.

“Earth to Zoe,” Kieran’s gentle voice broke my trance. He poked my shoulder. “Are you going to order or what?”

My face flamed. “You could’ve ordered for me.” I rummaged through my purple backpack. “You know I get the same thing every time.”

Kieran watched me rub my arms, as he told the cashier, “She’ll also have an ice water.” He tilted his head toward the menu board. “Anything else?”

“Did you order me a chai?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Cause you know I can’t function without a good cup of—”

“You can’t function with it, either.”

Then I turned my attention toward the clerk, unsure if I recognized him or not. I hope he doesn’t know me. “Nothing else. Thanks.” I handed him some bills.

“How’s track going, Zoe?” the clerk asked.

Damn.

“Think you’ll make it to State?”

I realized he was a sophomore on the team. Our paths crossed during several meets. He looked thin in his black polo shirt, and I knew a mirror would reflect a similar physique in me, though my lavender sundress tried to disguise it.

I shrugged. “I have fast times, but we’ll see. If I don’t make it this year, there’s always senior year.”

My fingertips skimmed the glass display of mammoth muffins and assorted pastries as we moved down the aisle to the ‘Pick-up Here’ sign. A heavy coffee aroma hung in the air.

A figure in dark clothing with yellow-tipped, spiked hair stared at me from outside the glass entrance door. His eyes narrowed on contact with mine.

Chills rushed through my body.

Get the Book

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Kobo
Nook

Meet Kristin D. Van Risseghem

Kristin D. Van Risseghem grew up in a small river town in Minnesota with her parents and older sister. And after receiving a double Bachelor of Science degree from Winona State University in Paralegal and Corrections, she worked as a Paralegal for various law firms around the Twin Cities for 14 years. Then she left the legal field and is now a Senior Buyer for a technology company.

Currently, Kristin lives in Eagan with her husband and two Calico cats. She also loves attending book clubs, going shopping, and hanging out with friends. She has come to realize that she absolutely has an addiction to purses and shoes. They are her weakness and probably has way too many of both.

In the summer months, Kristin can usually be found lounging on her boat, drinking an ice cold something. Being an avid reader of YA and Women’s Literature stories, she still finds time to read a ton of books in-between writing. And in the winter months, her main goal is to stay warm from the Minnesota cold!

Kristin’s first book, The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos, is published by Kasian Publishing.

Connect with Kristin

Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

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Q&A with THE LAST STORED's Sonia Poynter

1/14/2015

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Today I'm super-excited to be hosting Sonia Poynter, my friend and newly-published author (eeeeeeeeeeee!). To celebrate the release of her Young Adult Fantasy novel, THE LAST STORED, Sonia agreed to let me ask her some grown-up questions. Grown-up questions aren't usually my style, but I was going for something new to start out 2015. Ahem! Stop laughing.

Let's continue, shall we?

Q&A Time!

Sonia: First of all, I would like to thank S. J. for hosting me on your blog today. I met S. J. on a Facebook group, and her kindness has overwhelmed me. Every day I’m amazed by writers support and help. I’m truly blessed.

1.     What do you do when you’re not writing? As of late, all I do is write, but when I’m not writing I read, binge on Netflix, eat extraordinary large amounts of sweets, and spend time with my family who, I’m sure are very familiar with the back of my head. (Because all I do is sit at my desk.)

2.     Are you a full-time writer, or do you also have a “day job”? I let go of my small business this past summer and now devote my time to writing. My husband gave me the green light and I pushed on the gas. I love doing what I do. What other job allows you to dream all day, watch squirrels out my office window, and connect with other awesome writers.

3.     If you experience writer’s block, what do you do to break through it? I let my mind wander, go for a walk, look out the window, call up a friend and laugh, watch people, but after all of that I write. For me, nothing beats writer’s block like sitting your butt in a chair and putting words on paper, one after another. I find that merely the act of writing gets your brain in gear. Is what I write sometimes bunk during a block? Sure, but writing gets me over the hump.

4.     What book have you read more than once? That’s an easy one for me, The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I still remember my brother, telling me and my cousins all about this fabulous book he read. We sat captivated as he threw his baseball against our brick house. Once I read it, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to write fantasy, and I knew there had to be some sort of element of magic in it.

5.     Thinking about your book, THE LAST STORED: Any part of it based on your own experiences, or completely from your own imagination? Tell us more! The idea for THE LAST STORED came to me after the loss of my own father. I wanted to explore a daughter’s love for her parents, and the pain of losing a loved one. How do you get through the day when you are stuck in routine and grief? Then, like many writers I asked myself a bunch of what ifs. What if another world apart from our own existed? What if we forgot of this world? What if that world stored something here, a girl?

6.     Favorite character from your book? Why? My two main characters Amber and Cree are of course my favorite, but I do have a special fondness for Chaney, a Marj. He isn’t introduced until the middle of the novel. It felt like Chaney created himself. Before I knew what was happening, he was on the page. Why do I like Chaney? Almost immediately I liked him. Think if you had a soft-spoken Viking for a big brother, and that would be Chaney. He and Lin act as a comic relief with the swirl of emotion which always surrounds Amber and Cree. I even thought about writing a prequel with his point of view exclusively. I still might do it!

7.     So you’ve published a book, which is totally awesome. What’s next for you? Currently I’m working on a speculative fiction novel, called A LITTLE MURMMUR OF NOTHING. It takes place in a dying town called Wanda. The only thing this town is known for is a hanging tree. Abbot Haggard wants to put Wanda on the map and he plans to hold a celebration for the Tree, after all people do love the macabre. It follows several characters, little Oswald Crofter – orphaned because of the Tree, Heavy Hannah – She received her name because of the way she did business not because she’s at all heavy, Tammy Tuttle – Abbot’s secretary, and of course Abbot Haggard.

8.     What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? The worst came from a high school English teacher. I wasn’t an A+ student and she questioned my work. I remember her handing me my short story back, it was an A, but she had written across the top, “Did you really write this?” In my teenage mind this devastated me. She had thought I’d cheated and copied someone else’s work. Looking back, I question if that was what she really meant, but at the time it hurt.   What has been the best compliment? Best compliment came from someone who really helped me to get The Last Stored polished. She told me that my writing was very lyrical. I of course had to look it up and when I did I was pleasantly surprised.

9.     What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Read lots, write lots, keep a childlike sense of wonder, and develop super thick skin.

10. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? God has given us a great gift with books, I can’t imagine what my childhood would have been like without hobbits, dragons, and fairies. Never lose your curiosity. And the most important thing I can share with readers is to live in the Light! Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Great advice, Sonia! And I really enjoyed learning more about you and your writing.

The Last Stored

After the sudden death of her parents, making it through the day is a struggle for Amber Megan Peel. In the midst of her grief, an exquisite bird perches on her garden fence and shows her visions of a vivid landscape and a dark lord slouching upon a throne. She thinks the visions are tied to her sorrow. But when a boy flies through her kitchen window to tell her she’s the Last Stored, she wonders if she’s just lost her mind.

Cree of Din is tasked with one job: Bring Amber home. For seven years, Cree has trained as her protector and it is the ultimate responsibility. Failure means Amber’s certain death, and that’s not an option for Cree – especially since he’s falling in love with her.

The Returning has begun. Now all Amber and Cree have to do is enter Tali, a world of unimaginable splendor and equally unimaginable horror, and defeat Lorthis. If they can’t, not only will Tali plunge into darkness, but so will Earth.

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Field Trip Day!

12/12/2014

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Today we're taking a field trip to Krysten Lindsay Hager's blog, where Daniel is pondering (and answering) life's biggest questions. Stop by, say hi, and enter to win a Kindle version or audiobook version of DANIEL THE DRAW-ER!

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Today's Field Trip

12/1/2014

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Pssssst!

Today I'm visiting over at Sharon Ledwith's blog, talking about all kinds of weird and funny stuff, as usual. Head on over there and say hi, and enter my giveaway for an ebook or audiobook version of DANIEL THE DRAW-ER.

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The Legend of Ghost Dog Island

9/18/2014

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I can't believe I haven't posted anything for an entire week! Wow, I have no idea where all that time went. Actually, I do, but it would make a very boring blog post. I'll save you all of that to say, I'm here now, and I've invited my friend Rita Monette to give us the low-down on her Middle Grade book, THE LEGEND OF GHOST DOG ISLAND.

Side note: Maybe you've noticed (I have!) that a lot of my writer friends write about dogs. Talking dogs, dogs who live with witches, ghost dogs, you name it. Before you ask, no, that's not a prerequisite to being my friend and/or featuring a book on my blog. Apparently that just means that dogs are so interesting that they are in a lot of books. If my dogs were featured in a book, though, it probably wouldn't be that interesting. And it would probably have a title like WOOFWOOFWOOF: ENTER THE POSTMAN or WHY CAN'T I HAVE MORE TREATS?: ONE DOG'S STRUGGLE TO KEEP HER GIRLISH FIGURE.

See? Boring.

However, Rita Monette's THE LEGEND OF GHOST DOG ISLAND is anything but boring. Keep reading to learn more about this howling great mystery.

Behind Every Legend Lies the Truth

Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her fisherman father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better crabbing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels something is watching her from a nearby island.

Nikki learns of a local legend about something sinister inhabiting those swamps, stealing the souls of dogs…which would explain the strange howling sounds. Papa reassures her there’s nothing on the island but gators and snakes. He would know. He’s spent his whole life trapping and fishing those bayous and swamps. But Nikki and her new friends uncover strange happenings from years ago that may have started the old legend, and town folks aren’t talking. Then her beloved beagle goes missing.

Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the real truth behind the legend of Ghost Dog Island…before it’s too late.

Excerpt

Mama closed the door behind her. She knew once Papa got going on one of his tales, there was no stopping him.

The last traces of daylight seemed to disappear in a hurry, as if Papa had ordered it away. The glass globe of the kerosene lamp clinked. He touched a match to the wick and adjusted the flame until it filled the room with pale light and gray shadows. He motioned me to sit next to him on the worn sofa.

I hurried to his side, not knowing what spooky legend he was going to tell this time. But as scared as I’d get, I always enjoyed hearing ’em.

“Mais, there’s a legend told around these parts.” That was how they always started out. He leaned down so the light from the lamp made eerie shadows across his face.

I rolled my eyes, determined not to get spooked this time.

“Folks say there’s something living out yonder,” he went on. “Legend has it the monster lures dogs to the island using evil spells. Then at the peak of the full moon, they’re turned into hollow spirits with glowing eyes.” Papa put on his eeriest sneer. “That there’s Ghost Dog Island.”

“Ghost dogs?” I pulled my knees up against my chest and wrapped my arms around ’em tight. My mind conjured up images of a huge monster with drippy fangs and dogs with bright yellow eyes. I thought about the feeling I had of something watching us. Was there really a creature out there? Did it have its eye on my best buddy? I shuddered.

IEEEOWWWOOOO-oooooooo! The howling sound echoed again across the bayou.

Get the Book

Musa Publishing

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About Rita Monette

Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. After retiring from her job as an administrative assistant for the State of Michigan, Rita began doing what she always wanted to do…write, draw, and paint. Five long years later, Musa Publishing offered her a contract for her debut middle grade novel, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, and now the sequel, The Curse at Pirate’s Cove, which also include her artwork. Her stories are set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state. Rita now lives with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee.

Connect with Rita

Author website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

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Middle School Time Warp With Krysten Lindsay Hager

9/8/2014

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In honor of kids everywhere returning to the hallowed halls of learning, or whatever, I've invited my homegirl Krysten Lindsay Hager over to play a game of Truth or Dare. Well, mostly it's a game of Truth, as she's taking us back to her middle school days with her rad answers.

If you haven't met Krysten before, she's the totally tubular author of TRUE COLORS. TRUE COLORS is about middle-schooler Landry and her group of friends, and the totally outrageous things that happen when Landry ends up on a modeling reality t.v. show. Let's just say, it's not pretty! Middle-schoolers and middle-schoolers at heart will relate to (and cringe along with) Landry and her frenemies.

You can find TRUE COLORS on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and just about anywhere digital books are sold.

You should totally buy this book. Everyone's doing it, it's no big deal.

Now, for a little Truth or Dare...

Always on time or always late? Oh, I can’t lie. Late. I could have used a Harry Potter invisibility cloak to slip into class unnoticed. In my book, my character Landry always just slips in the door after the bell and that was totally me.

Teacher’s pet, worst nightmare, or fly beneath the radar? Tried to fly under the radar. I can’t say I was a nightmare or anything, but really tried to stay out of the line of vision.

Buy lunch or bring lunch? Bought my lunch. I don’t know if anyone else remembers this from my school, but the cookies always tasted like they weren’t really baked. They ruined chocolate chip cookies for me for years and I never cared for cookie dough ice cream because I didn’t get the appeal of cookie dough. I am pleased to report I never got salmonella and died from those.

Be honest--grafitti on the desk, on the notebook, or both? (Bonus points if also on the bathroom stall door. Bonus points if you don’t tell anyone I’m giving you bonus points for defacing school property.) I went to a strict private school and they would have removed my hands for defacing school property. I did write all over my Trapper Keeper (Mrs. Jon Knight, Mrs. Troy Aikman, Mrs. George Michael.) But in high school, I wrote all on my desk during a math test. We were supposed to do math in our heads, but that just wasn’t going to happen.

Favorite Spirit Week dress-up day? The school colors were blue and gold and the uniform colors were navy and white—I look awful in all of those colors, so really that did nothing for my school spirit. It might have even broken it a little. Landry says she looks like a dead goldfish in her school uniform colors and I second that for myself.

High school mascot? It was a bobcat. In middle school it was a panther. I think a panther could take a bobcat in a fight.

Most embarrassing school memory? I once walked into school with a Velcro roller still stuck in my hair. Not my finest hour.

Worst class ever? Anything with math.

Did you play any sports? If yes, what? Does shopping count? What about lip gloss applying?

Favorite after-school activity? (Bonus points if it involves “After School Special” and you can remember the specific name.) I took dance classes. There may or may not be a video somewhere of me in a and Minnie Mouse costume dancing to “Hey Mickey,” when I was twelve. I was tall and let’s just say I looked older than twelve and the costume looks positively obscene on me. I never thought anyone would see it, but one of the girls in the number went on to be a Rockette or something and they ran that performance of all things on the news because of her. I thought no one would recognize me with my mouse ears, but I got phone calls. I still cringe over that one.

Tell us about your first middle-school boyfriend. (Bonus points if he pegged his pants or had a rat tail.) I think I can accept those bonus points for the pants. He was at least a foot shorter than me and he went to a different school so I felt so cosmopolitan.

Favorite band? The Bangles were my fave in sixth grade and their Everything cover inspired the characters: Landry, Peyton, Devon, and India.

Compare your middle-school hairstyle to an animal. Be creative. (For example, if you sported a mohawk, you could say “skunk” or “porcupine” or something else mohawk-y because that’s all my brain is coming up with right now. Bonus points for a photo of said hairdo.) Probably skunky because there was an unfortunate moment with Sun-In in the 7th grade. However, if you keep up with the Sun-In and the excessive blow drying it will turn dark brown hair from orange to gold to a sickly wheat color.

Krysten then. I love the Glamour Shots pose.

Celebrity crush? Oh wow, how much time do you have? I liked George Michael for years, Jon Knight, Troy Aikman, Grant Hill, Jalen Rose…those are the ones I remember and am willing to own up to.

Fashion must-have? In middle school we were limited to what we could wear, so bracelets were my go-to for my school uniform (particularly friendship bracelets and bangles), but in high school I was obsessed with Versace jeans. In middle school I owned that Esprit purse that every single girl in my zip code had. I think at one point is was illegal not to own it. I didn’t even like it because I thought it was boring and I wrote a short story about that stupid bag.

About Krysten

Krysten now, no Sun-In

Krysten Lindsay Hager is an author and book addict. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows (like Hart of Dixie, The Goldbergs, Dallas, and Devious Maids.) She’s worked as a journalist and humor writer, and also writes middle grade, YA, and adult fiction. You can find her work in the Patchwork Path anthologies: Friendship Star, and also Grandma's Choice and in several of the Country Comfort Cookbooks as well as many humor essays and news articles. Her debut novel, TRUE COLORS, was released by Astraea Press this summer. You can see what she’s reading and reviewing at the Book Foodies blog

Connect With Krysten

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

And don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway to win a copy of Mindy Mymudes' GEORGE KNOWS or my DANIEL THE DRAW-ER! Only a few more days to share and enter!

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Triple Threat or Double Trouble? Interview with Jo Noelle

9/1/2014

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Today I'm happy to host author Jo Noelle... or should I say authors Jo Noelle? Jo Noelle is the pen name of a mother and daughter writing team made up of Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson (Hey, Deanna! Cool last name!). While some ladies write and publish one book at a time, today I'm floored to announce three, count 'em, THREE brand new releases by this duo.

First, let's learn a little bit about Canda and Deanna (collectively Jo Noelle, remember). Then we'll move onto each of the three books, and give readers a chance to enter a super-fantastic giveaway for $100 Amazon Gift Card (swooooooon!). Grab your favorite drink and let's get down to some serious girl talk.

Interview

1. What music do you like?

Deanna: I don’t know how to answer that. Do you mean today? I listen to everything, rock, classical, rap, alternative, opera. And I know the words and sing along—with the opera songs sometimes I sing gibberish until I know the words again.

Canda: Rock. I like rock. Not soft rock—it’s not really rock. I like alternative too. My favorite bands are (in order of their appearance in my life) KISS, Aerosmith, (I really liked the BeeGees but I’ll deny it in public), Nirvana, Good Charlotte, and Linkin Park.

2. What kind of books do you like?

Deanna: I like “issue” book. I like self-helpy books. I like YA romance and Chick-lit. Oh and travel books especially the ones with itineraries that tell you what to eat where and give you maps.

Canda: I like snarky characters, romance is the story not the subplot, and paranormal is a big plus. I hate contemporary literary fiction. Gahhh! Too many issues to deal with in my spare time.

3. What is your favorite snack?

Deanna: chocolate covered macadamia nut with caramel cluster things you buy at Costco.

Canda: Peanut M&Ms

4. Teaser for your book in one sentence?

Falling in love is easy in fiction--in high school, not so much.

5. What is your writing process?

We make an outline, chuck it out the window before chapter 2, we argue, negotiate, plead, pout, sometimes threaten to quit. Then we compromise and keep writing. And we laugh a lot.

6. What was your road to publication like?

We wrote the books, rewrote them a few times, got lots of feedback, rewrote them again, sent them to an editor, rewrote, another editor, rewrote.

7. Favorite dessert?

Deanna: Muddy Buddies

Canda: chocolate mousse

About the Books

Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life

Lexi Middleton has been socially invisible to her classmates, but starting her junior year, that’s going to change. First, she’s determined to hook a boyfriend, ensuring dates with flowers and possible kisses on the doorstep. Second, she wants to be a writer for the school paper, even though it freaks her out to think of everyone judging her by her punctuation and metaphors. High school is difficult enough—keeping up her grades, dealing with increasing sibling rivalry, and trying to stay out of the way of her personal nemesis, Amberlee—but when Lexi catches the eye of her long-time crush, she also becomes the focus of mean-girl tactics. Caught between who she was and who she wants to be, Lexi must decide how to confront a bully, and choose who to let into her heart.

Damnation

Cassie is going to heaven—if she can get amnesty from hell in the next twenty days. Her assignment is to change the eternal destination of a girl in Albuquerque to earn admittance into heaven.

            No sweat.

But when Cassie returns to earth during her three-week, mostly-mortal assignment, her old habits get in the way, (apparently habits don’t die when you do), the partners assigned to help her are anything but helpful, and it turns out the girl she is supposed to help is the only enemy she made on her first day of school.

            Oh, I’m so going to hell.

Things aren’t all bad—it helps to have a hot angel on your side. Mmm-Marc. Even though he’s all about heavenly business, Cassie would like to make it personal.

            Assignment with benefits.

Newbie

The housing market is crashing, and Sophie’s life is crashing with it. At twenty-four, her successful real estate career evaporates. She’s broke, can’t find a job, or pay her bills, leaving Sophie wondering how her successful lifestyle became so fragile.

At the urging of her roommate, Sophie accepts a job in her fallback career—teaching six-year-olds. She hopes it’s temporary. After all, how long can a tanking economy last anyway? The best part of the new job is Liam, another employee at Rio Grande Elementary. The worst part of the new job is, well, teaching.

Sophie has a surprise real estate closing from a contract she wrote months ago, leading her to a niche in the real estate market and to a new partner, Kevin. Sophie must choose between Liam or Kevin and between a lucrative career or recess duty.

Meet Jo Noelle

Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids.

She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains.

Oh, and by the way, she’s two people—Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team.

Enter Jo Noelle's Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Connect with Jo Noelle and Get Your Own Copies

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Website

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Newbie
Damnation
Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life

Visit the Other Blog Hop Participants!

1. Procrastination Station
2. Lala's Books
3. Weaving a Tale or Two
4. Adrienne Monson
5. S. J. Henderson, Author (MOI!)
6. Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters
7. Renae's Writespot
8. Author, Julie L. Casey
9. Christy Dorrity
10. Writing Robin
11. Jordan McCollum
12. Lisa Swinton, Queen of Random
13. Word Paintings Unlimited, Author Sherry Gammon
14. Cortney Pearson
15. Canda's InkBlast

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Their Tangled Hearts, An Interview with Mary DeWeber

8/25/2014

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So... Fun fact: I write about children with magical pencils and snarky teenagers making their way through mysterious worlds, but I have a guilty pleasure--romance novels. Call it chick lit, if you want. I'm not afraid of your labels. Because of this, I was excited to share with my readers THEIR TANGLED HEARTS, a faith-based romance with an attractive setting (a ranch!), differently-abled children, and, yes, L-O-V-E. What's not to adore about any of those things?

Let's start out with an interview with the author of THEIR TANGLED HEARTS, Mary Deweber, and then we'll get to hear alllll about her book.

Interview with Mary DeWeber

So, Mary... When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I always thought it would be fun to be an author, but never thought I had what it takes. Even when I finished Their Tangled Hearts, I doubted it would ever get published.

What books have you read more than once?

I love the ‘Love Comes Softly’ series by, Janette Oke.

What is your favorite quote?

The inner side of every cloud is bright and shining.
Therefore I turn my clouds about and always wear them inside out,
To show the lining!
-Emily Loring

Is THEIR TANGLED HEARTS based on people you know or places you've been?

The characters and story are purely fictitious. My husband, Jeff, and I did live in the mountains outside of Denver for a while in the early 1990’s.

The characters are a compilation of all the heroes and heroines I’ve read about in the past.

Who would you choose to play your characters if your book became a movie?

I think Julianne Hough would make an excellent Emma! She’s an accomplished actress and sings beautifully. For Jake I’d like Josh Turner. But I’m afraid they might be up-staged by Sam Elliot as Ken the stable boss!

THEIR TANGLED HEARTS is set on a ranch and involves people with disabilities. How did you go about researching for these characters and settings?

I watched a documentary about large animal therapy.

Your main character, Emma, takes a job as a cook at a cattle ranch. I'm a fan of food, so I want to know--what's your favorite food? What is your least favorite food?

My favorite food would have to be chicken enchiladas. Least favorite…canned spinach! I’ll eat it fresh any day!

Speaking of food, I'm a big fan of sucking on Cinnamon Fire Jolly Ranchers while I write. Is there a snack or drink that's a must-have during your writing process?

Decaffeinated Coffee with milk. Caffeine either makes me grouchy or puts me to sleep!

What was the most challenging part of writing THEIR TANGLED HEARTS?

Trying to keep the details of the tragedy that happened to Emma at a minimum while focusing on her healing.

Best piece of advice for new writers?

Don’t get in a hurry. Let your characters mature. Research your subject matter and check your facts but don’t get so bogged down in details that you get frustrated and quit. And remember that there is no time limit on how long it’ll take to finish your book. It’s not over until you decide it is. (S. J. comment: Really good advice that I needed to hear today, thank you!!)

About the Book

Emma had spent the last five years learning to cope with tragedy. She should have known that Doc had something up his sleeve when he'd talked her into taking a cooking job at a Colorado cattle ranch. Cooking was the easy part. Working with disabled children was something she was decidedly not prepared for. Throw in a tall dark mountain of a man with a voice like warm velvet and she was completely over her head! It would take God to straighten out the tangled mess she had made of her life.

Excerpt

“I’m s-so s-sorry.” Emma stammered.

“Don’t be,” the man smiled. “Do you have nightmares often?”

“They’re not usually this bad.” Suddenly cold, she shivered and clutched the blanket to her chest. Confusion colored her voice as she asked. “How-?”

“I came in late last night and couldn't sleep. I was on my front porch waiting for sunrise when I heard you scream.” Smiling he held up his hands. “It’s a good thing I still have the key or I’m afraid I would have broken the door down.”

While he spoke he got up from the side of the bed and moved to a chair. For the first time she saw he was wearing an open jacket and flannel shirt. No wonder he had felt so warm and comforting.

“You must be Emma. I heard about you from Sue, when I called last evening to see if she needed anything from town before I headed out.”

She realized that he’d deliberately been talking to give her some much-needed breathing space, in which to gather her wits.

When he reached out his hand, Emma didn't hesitate to place hers into it. “I’m Sue’s brother Jake Peterson,” he introduced himself formally, as he politely shook her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Peterson,” she said automatically. “I’m Emma Winters.”

As Emma sat looking up at him, she was suddenly struck by the absurdity of the situation. A bubble of nervous laughter welled up from some secret place deep inside and surprised her by escaping.

Jake, determining she was not hysterical, grinned and soon they were both laughing.

About Mary DeWeber

Mary DeWeber has always been a voracious reader. She often found unusual places to curl up with book including the branches of a sycamore tree! She spent hours entertaining her five children with stories that she would invent on the spur of the moment. Not afraid of tough subjects, her deep faith shines through her. Mary now resides in Arkansas in a hundred-year-old farmhouse with her husband Jeff and their dog Gretchen.

Connect with Mary

Website
Avery Anne Publishers
Goodreads

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About the Book

Excerpt

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