Woohoo! New Review for Next Time I'm Gonna Dance

This new review just came in for Next Time I'm Gonna Dance.

NEXT TIME I’M GONNA DANCE is a fantastic tale of family and friendship and the bonds that strengthen when forged in fire. Ms. Rettstatt has definitely created a remarkable story filled with hope, and I will look forward to whatever she happens to write next.

Reviewed by Melissa Kammer
NovelTalk (click here to read the full review)

What A Character!

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I'm blogging on Friday, May 28 at The Book Boost Blog on the subject of "The Character of the Character."

If you're a character, or if you know a character, or perhaps you've created a few characters--stop by. I'd love to hear your thoughts.


Linda

Meet Author Nancy Henderson

I want to welcome fellow Champagne Books author Nancy Henderson as my guest blogger today. Nancy has three Historical Romance novels and one Paranormal Romance published with Champagne Books. I've asked Nancy a few questions so that we can get to know her and bit more about her writing.

I love to know what prompts authors to sit down to write that first book. And I love 'what were you thinking' questions. So, tell us: What were you thinking when you sat down to write your first novel?

Tough question! I guess I was thinking what I always do when beginning a book “What if?” What if two people from two different worlds fell in love? What if there were conflicts? What if each of their goals conflicted? After I can answer those questions, I have a novel!

I love your answer. I think all fiction begins with a 'what if' question, and then imagination takes over. It's exciting. Where do you find your story lines for your books?

Ideas hit me unexpectedly. Usually when I’m driving and can’t write them down.

I hear you, Nancy. I've learned to use the record option on my cell phone and transcribe it later.

Who are the people who make up your group of supporters and cheerleaders? How do they show their support and encouragement?

My family is great support. My mom taught me the love of books, and I have no doubt that love started me writing. Also my readers are great support and encouragement. When they ask me about a certain secondary character, when I’m going to write their story, things like that are always motivating.


What would you like readers to know about you on a personal level?

That I love books as much as they do. I love to talk to readers about books and characters.


What are your favorites?

Chips or Chocolate? Anything chocolate

Summer, Winter, Spring, or Fall? I love summer, spring, and fall. I’m not a winter person at all. I just don’t like being cold!

A traveling vacation, or stay at home and relax? I’d stay at home and relax with my two cats.

Dancing the night away or sitting by a cozy fire? Sitting by a cozy fire. I have two left feet. LOL

Soda or wine? Actually coffee. I’m not sure how many pots per day I drink. Over two, I know for sure.

Where do you settle in to write? Please tell us a bit about your writing space and how you work.

I have a small writing office. It looks like a cave because it’s so cluttered with books, pictures of places I’ve been, and of course my two cats walking all over my desk.

Please tell us a bit about your latest novel.


My latest novel, Stranger In His Bed, is a historical romance. A spy for the British, Cat Sterling is used to living dangerously. Despite having a bounty on her head, she never expects to be shot in the line of duty and left for dead.

Angus French had enough problems without finding a near-dead woman on his property. A Revolution was coming, and British sympathizers have just burned down his tavern. The last thing he needs is to be caught housing a woman who’s working for them.

The price on Cat’s head will more than pay for the damage done to his business. He never expects Cat to see him as security and kindness, two things she’s never had in life. And he never expects to learn that Cat has a few secrets of her own.

Stranger in His Bed sounds intriguing and action-filled, as well as a great romance. One for my 'to be read' list, for sure. Would you like to share something about your current work in progress?

I’m currently writing two historicals, both set in the Adirondack Mountains in New York in the 1870s. Kind of a small town pioneer story with lots of quirky secondary characters.

If you could go back and do one thing differently in your writing career, what would it be and why?

I would write more, find more time to write, make it more of a priority. I’d write despite the dishes overflowing in the sink or the carpet needing vacuuming.

Where can readers find you on the web?

I’m all over. LOL. My website is: http://www.nancyhenderson.com/
My twitter address is http://www.twitter.com/nancyehenderson
My blog address is http://nancyhenderson.blogspot.com/

Any other thoughts you'd like to share with readers or with aspiring authors?

For readers I would say, never stop reading. Read in all genres because you never know where you’re going to find that next favorite author. For writers, I would say never give up. Writing is the most difficult profession out there, at least in my humble opinion. Keep writing. If you stay at it long enough, you will get published. Just a matter of time.

Thanks so much for having me, Linda!

Nancy, thanks so much for being here today and for sharing your work and a bit about yourself. Folks, I hope you'll pop over to Nancy's website and check out her books. Maybe I'll bump into you there.

Hitting Two Ports in One Day

Tomorrow I sail into two ports on my Sailing into Summer Blog Book Tour. Come by and visit me at Dames of Dialogue at

http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com/ then stop by The Book Boost blog at http://thebookboost.blogspot.com/ and read my thoughts on characters.

Hope to see you all there.

Linda

Next Stop in the Sailing into Summer Blog Book Tour

Please join me tomorrow when my Virtual Book Tour sails in at Patti's Write Spot and I am interviewed by author Patti Fischer. Here's the link to get you there:

http://romrevtoday.blogspot.com/

So, come sail with me, catch a glimpse of my newest novel. Shooting into the Sun, and chat about writing.

See you there.

Linda

Next Stop on the Sailing into Summer Virtual Book Tour

My Sailing into Summer Virtual Blog Book Tour docks on Friday, May 21, with romantic suspense author Anne Patrick at:

http://suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/

Please stop by if you can.

Thanks.

Linda

Renting to Own - Coming in August

My novel, Renting to Own, now has a publication date -- August, 2010 -- from Class Act Books. Here is a blurb:

Twenty-three-year-old single mom, Lily Champion is finally getting her life on track: she's renting to own a house she loves, has secured a decent job, and feels the foundation settle beneath her feet. That is, until she's forced to quit the job and has to find another one fast, two men vie for her attention, her landlord puts her house up for sale, and her child’s father appears, demanding to see his daughter.

I loved writing this story, and I hope you will all enjoy the book when it becomes available.

Linda

Featured Guest: Anne Patrick

Today, I'm very pleased to welcome author Anne Patrick.

Anne is the author of ‘Sweet’ Edge of Your Seat Romantic Suspense and has penned more than a dozen novels. She’s a confessed suspense junkie with a bad habit of mixing chocolate and diet colas when writing, which can, and often does, lead to mayhem. Her heroines are usually strong willed, witty, and often very opinionated…combinations that usually land them in situations where death seems imminent. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she now makes her home in Kansas. When she’s not fulfilling her passion for writing she enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling to foreign countries to experience new cultures.

Now, let's get to know Anne and her writing a little better.

What inspired you to write your first novel?

My mother. As a kid I was always dreaming up crazy adventures which often landed me into trouble, so she suggested I start writing them down. It kept me out of the dog house and saved her a lot of gray hairs I suspect.

How long did it take to get published? What was that experience like when you got the first contract?

After I got really serious about my writing, about two years I think. Most of that time was spent polishing a couple of manuscripts I had with a pro editor. To be honest I owe my first two sales to her. She was brutally honest with me in the areas I needed to improve, but was also very encouraging.

What is your writing routine and the setting in which you usually write?

Since I still have a day job, which I love, I write in the evenings and on weekends. And as most of my readers already know, I’m a rocking writer. You’ll find me in my favorite rocking chair with my laptop, with a good supply of diet soda and sunflower seeds (and chocolate) until the wee hours of the morning.

Do you belong to any writing groups or critique groups?

I belong to a few writing groups, but I’m mostly active in The Sweetest Romance Authors group & Romance and More Promotions group at Yahoo.

Has any of your work received an award?

My second novel, Journey to Redemption was a Top Ten Finalist at P&E Readers Choice for Best Mystery last year.

Tell us a bit about your most recently published book.



Out of the Darkness, coming in May, is my latest release. It’s about former FBI profiler Alex Michaels, who is on the run from the serial killer who murdered her sister and left her with a career ending injury. She meets up with a ex-pro football player turned truck driver and relying on her instinct, which has been honed through the years, she seeks refuge with him and his failing business. What she doesn’t realize is the killer is hot on her trail and will stop at nothing until he finds her.

What are you working on presently?

I have another romantic suspense in the works, as well as an inspirational romance.

I know you also write as Kinzie Monroe. Please tell us a bit about Kinzie and her work. How did you come up with that pseudonym?

Kinzie writes inspirational romance. Her debut novel, Reservations for Two was released in February. Her second will hopefully be released this summer. The name Kinzie Monroe just sort of popped out at me from a list of possible pseudonyms and so I ran with it.

Who are the authors you enjoy reading? Who inspires you with their writing?

I have a long list of favorite authors, but the one that inspires me the most is Dee Henderson. If you haven’t read her O’Malley series or Uncommon Heroes series, you’re really missing out. She is a fantastic Christian Fiction author who writes spell binding tales of adventure and intrigue laced with inspirational messages.

How do you balance writing with promotion and the rest of life?

That’s a tough one. Since I’ve only been at this a couple of years now, I haven’t quite mastered the balancing thing. But that could be because I’m not a very organized person. If I’m in the middle of a story, it’s going to come first. I’ll spend the necessary hour or so promoting each day but after that it’s me and my characters. Thankfully, my family understands this obsession of mine and still loves me :-).

Where can you be found on the web?

You can find at my website: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/; my blog: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/; on Facebook and MySpace. You can also find me on Twitter under the user name suspensebyanne. I warn you though I’m not a very prolific twitter. If I get up to fix dinner or I’m going to go grab a diet coke I won’t be twittering about it :-).

Where can readers purchase your books?

Out of the Darkness can be purchased from the publisher at http://www.champagnebooks.com/. You can find buy links for all my books on my website and blog, you can also find my books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Fictionwise. My print books can also be ordered from your favorite bookstore.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

I would just like to thank you, Linda, for having me on your blog today. It’s been a real treat!


And thank you, Anne, for being here today. Out of the Darkness sounds intriguing, and I've added it to my TBR list, for sure. I look forward to joining you on your blog on May 21.

Linda

Sailing into Summer Virtual Book Tour

I'll be kicking off my Sailing into Summer Virtual Book Tour on Wednesday, May 12 when I am interviewed at Just Write! with romance author Anne Marie Novark. Please come by and be sure to comment or ask any questions.

Here's the link, if you'd like a preview of Anne Marie's blog. Just Write

Happy Sailing!
Linda

SHOOTING INTO THE SUN

SHOOTING INTO THE SUN is now available at Champagne Books (click to purchase).

Click on the book cover to read an excerpt.

(Cover design by Trisha FitzGerald)