Interview with Jasmine Haynes/Jennifer Skully/JB Skully

*** CONTEST***
I am elated to have Jennifer Skully/ Jasmine Haynes/ JB Skully as a feature on my interview site! I love her to pieces! After her book It Must Be Magic I was hooked. I do have to confess that we’ve made great friends online and she seems to be a wonderful online friend…but…I get to meet her in person this September at Lora Leigh’s Readers Appreciation Weekend (RAW 2008) and that is going to be so awesome! I highly recommend you read her books! Somebody’s Lover is one that I tell everyone they must read! I swear it was one of my all time favorite books! Now that I’ve rambled on about how great she is, you should probably get to her interview LOL! Oh and she’s also having a contest for a copy of her book The Fortune Hunter (which is also awesome) Just leave a comment up until Midnight Sunday (Mar 2) and she will choose a winner from all the posts. Make sure to leave your email addy after the post!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

JH: Thanks for having me, Crystal! Ah, my genres, I write erotic romance as Jasmine Haynes. My latest book, The Fortune Hunter, received a JERR Gold Star Award, and the sequel, Show and Tell, is out in July 2008. As Jennifer Skully, I write quirky romantic mysteries and my latest is It Must Be Magic. As JB Skully, I’ve created the Max Starr series, mystery, romance, psychics, ghosts, that one has it all. And gosh, why do I write these stories? The characters just seem to talk to me. I’ve always loved a good romance and a good mystery. That’s why I write different kinds of romance, too, so I can feed the mystery side as well.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

JH: Honestly, I’ve always been a writer, even when I was a child. I’ve known forever that’s what I wanted to do. As far as making it a career, it’s not an easy thing to break into, so I became an accountant instead. However, I never gave up the dream and wrote in the evenings.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

JH: My inspiration was Marguerite Henry. She wrote wonderful horse stories. As a child I read every one of them. There was also Albert Payson Terhune, who wrote stories about collies. Again, I read them all, and I knew I wanted to write, too.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

JH: When I have a deadline, I generally work 7 days a week, although I might take a day off for coffee with a friend or to visit my mom. I have a goal of 10 pages a day, and it usually takes me about 4 or 5 hours to do that. And if I get more pages done, that’s great!

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

JH: Terrified!

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

JH: I love to read, of course, and I love classic movies, too. My collection is almost 1,000 now! Thank goodness for Turner Classic Movie channel! I also love to hike or go to the beach. My dog loves a long walk on the beach, but the waves scare her!

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

JH: Between all three names, I have 17 books out, and two in the can almost ready for release. I think my favorite is the Max Series. Though there are actually 5 books in the series and each is a stand-alone murder mystery, I consider them one story because they follow the evolution of Max Starr’s healing after her husband is murdered, how she comes to terms with losing him, and discovering why he was murdered. And of course, there’s a hunky detective, Witt Long, the new man in her life. I always envisioned Max’s whole character arc, not just each individual story.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

JH: They’re totally from my imagination. I get bogged down in facts and personality quirks if I base my characters on real people. I don’t even like to use the names of people I know because I get influenced by that.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

JH: The JB Skully Max series is available through http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com and of course, anyone can go to my site, http://www.skullybuzz.com and there are buy links all over the place! Plus excerpts, a contest, movie trailers and lots of other fun stuff. I also have a newsletter for updates on new releases. To subscribe, send an e-mail to skullybuzz-subscribe@yahoogroups.com And of course, I love e-mails, send to skully@skullybuzz.com

What a fun interview, Crystal, with great questions! Thank you!

CA: No, No, thank you Jennifer! You’re such a great person and the ones that have not read your books have no idea what they’re missin’!! If you would like to read the book reviews I have posted just visit these links…

Somebody’s Lover: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/08/somebodys-lover-three-sensual-tales-by.html

It Must Be Magic: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/search?q=jennifer+skully

The Fortune Hunter: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/11/fortune-hunter-by-jasmine-haynes-print.html

Interview with Steven Gilby *CONTEST*

Steven is a bang up guy with an awesome personality! He is even offering a copy of Curse of Darkness Part 1. All you have to do is answer a question... read the interview to find out what the question is. Make sure to leave your email addy after the post!!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

SG: So far the only genre that I’ve written is something like the movie Underworld. Vampires, werewolves, and action every now and again. I’ve always enjoyed swords, so I incorporate sword fighting in my story as often as I can. The story I am referring to is called Curse of Darkness and it a series of 4 novellas.Other genres that I want to try out are drama, romance and science fiction. Another story I have in the works has demons and angels, specifically the seven archangels of heaven such as St Michael, Uriel, Raphael and the rest(I don’t remember ALL of their names lol)The one genre I’ve always wanted to try but am a little scared to do is Fantasy. For something like that, you usually need such a large world and my brain would explode if I had to create a whole universe right now lol

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

SG: High school, sophomore year! I even remember the first time I visualized something I wanted to write about. I was listening to Evanescence and it was the beginning where she sang, “How can you see into my eyes like open doors?” I just got the image in my head of someone lying on the ground dying and that’s how my story Curse of Darkness was born lolBut after that, I knew that I wanted to be a writer despite knowing how extremely hard it is to be successful. It’s not about money. It’s about fun. And I really enjoy writing.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

SG: First of all, it has to be my friends. Without them, I wouldn’t have a lot of the characters in my stories. My other inspiration is music. I listen to music constantly, day and night. If it isn’t a scene with action in it, I usually listen to something soft. If action, then I listen to some hard rock. I remember listening to Reise Reise by Rammstein about a hundred times writing one part in Curse of Darkness Part 2.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

SG: Like when do I write? I’ve never done things like I’ve always been told other people do them. I was always told that writers write for at least 4 hours a day. I can’t do that in one sitting or really in the whole day. I’ll probably turn out something that looks like crap lolSo I write on and off throughout the day, and now that I’ve gotten myself a job at Wal-Mart, I will be bringing a pad and pen to work and jotting down notes and things I see that interest me.But my schedule is scattered through the day, but some days I don’t write at all. Like right now. WRITER’S BLOCK MAN! Someone give me a chisel so I can chip my way through it! lol

CA: Hopefully you’ve gotten over your writers block by now and are typing your little heart out!

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

SG: …Enjoy! *big smile*

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

SG: I love to see movies I haven’t seen! The smallest thing can inspire me. I also like to see my friends. We hang out and play games. Which brings me to the other thing I like to do. I play loads of video games just looking for something new, something that no one has done in a book before. It’s easy to please the eyes with special effects, but it’s hard to please the mind with only words.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

SG: I haven’t written a novel length book. Just novella, but so far only two. Curse of Darkness Part 1 & 2 and I am currently working on part 3 of 4. I’ve done three stories about the pasts of a few of the characters from the story, though and I’ve written a couple other short stories to help with more elaborate description. In the works, I have a story called Church Day(the one with the angels and demons), The Crusaders, and one called Dark Carnival. My favorite out of any story I will ever write will always be Curse of Darkness Part 1. It’s my baby. My pride and joy. Even though it’s nowhere near perfect lol

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

SG: Right now, I have at least 10 people who are based on real people. I even use their names! They let me. *big smile*Some are fictional, but based loosely from another fictional character. My character Magnus is based off of the character Laurell K. Hamilton’s books, Anita Blake Vampire Hunter. Her character is calm and cool and handsome and in control. His name is Jean-Claude(I hope I spelled the second part to his name right)The video game character Vincent from Final Fantasy 7. I loved the name Vincent and just how cool he was, so I made a character, also named Vincent, but gave him more of a Bruce Campbell type of personality. He calls young people “kid” and all that kind of stuff.My best friend John is an Alpha Male(Alpha Male idea also taken from the Anita Blake books) and he’s also a real badass! In real life, he’s pretty funny, but he can be like that too, so I used that part of him and developed a character with that. As for the main character, I am embarrassed to say, I used my own name. I was only 16 when I started it, and over the years I couldn’t really see anyone else’s name there, but hopefully I can find a name to put in there that fits nice and snug.(wow this answer is long lol)

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

SG: Any number of ways. I have a MySpace page(www.myspace.com/steven_blue) and a page on deviantART(http://blue44.deviantart.com). I haven’t made anyone hate me in my life, so I have no problem in giving out my address if you don’t mind. It’ll be at the bottom. Also, the phone I’m sharing with my dad and my brother right now(number at the bottom with the address). Also, my e-mail address, and my messengers(Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger
If you purchase online, I have self-published the first two parts of Curse of Darkness on lulu.com PART 1 http://www.lulu.com/content/1425484 PART 2 http://www.lulu.com/content/1428611

(361)205-3570 -- NO PRANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

dark_war_lord_123@yahoo.com (also my yahoo messenger address.
Feel free to drop me a message)Gilbysteven@msn.com (my MSN messenger address. Again, feel free to drop me a message)
Steven Gilby
1806 HWY 35N Apt C-3
Rockport, Texas 78382

SG: ****CONTEST**** As an extra tidbit, I’ll try my hand at a small contest lolThe best answer wins a free copy of Curse of Darkness Part 1. Who doesn’t want a free book, huh? LolYou have the choice. Become a vampire, a werewolf(also immortal like vampires), be BOTH but it kills you in the end, or stay human. Which would you choose and why? I’ll do my best to watch the blog spot here and pick a winner.

CA: Steven what a great idea for a contest! So I know I can’t win but I would choose the vampire! LOL I have my reasons *big smile* Thank you again for visiting my blog this week hopefully we get you a lot of responses!

Interview with Diana Groe/Emily Bryan

Diana Groe also writes under the name of Emily Bryan. Hopefully you'll enjoy the interview enough to leave a comment... Diana loves hearing from her readers!

DG: First of all, Crystal, thank you for inviting me to your site!

CA: You are very welcome Diana, it is great to have you here with me this week. I absolutely loved Erinsong and Silk Dreams and hopefully I will get around to reading Maidensong soon. I have yet to read an Emily Bryan novel..but it’s also on my to do list! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview with me!

CA: What genre(s) do you write? I write epic dramatic historicals as Diana Groe.

DG: MAIDENSONG, ERINSONG and SILK DREAMS are angsty passionate stories in exotic settings. I also write sexy, light-hearted tales for Leisure Books as Emily Bryan. Look for DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS (March 2008) and PLEASURING THE PIRATE (August 2008). Though I love my historicals, I've been playing with both romantic suspense and paranormals. Why do you write the stories that you write? I write the kind of story I enjoy reading. If I'm entertained, maybe someone else will be too

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

DG: I started writing my own stories in 2001 and after a pretty steep learning curve, MAIDENSONG was published in May 2006.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

DG: My husband likes to take credit for my writing. He keeps threatening to have a T-shirt printed that reads MY WIFE WRITES ROMANCE NOVELS . . . THE RESEARCH IS KILLING ME! However, he hastens to add: WHAT A WAY TO GO!

CA: I love that your husband tries to take credit for your writing LOL! And he has a point..what a way to go!

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

DG: When I was working 40 hours a week, I wrote 2 pages each evening, 10 pages on Saturdays and 5 on Sunday. Now I write full time, so my day starts at around 8 and I work till my husband comes home from his job. My goal is 10 pages a day. Sometimes it's less, sometimes more. Depends on where I am in the story.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

DG: Hopeful.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

DG: I love traveling. My hubby and I try to go on a cruise every year. Exploring a new place, meeting new people, I adore that kind of adventure. I also enjoy ballroom dancing, singing and of course, reading.

CA: How many books have you written?

DG: 5 as of August 2008

CA: Which is your favorite?

DG: It's always the work in progress.CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

DG: I do have a shirt that warns :CAREFUL OR YOU'LL END UP IN MY NOVEL, but really my characters are all fictional. Do I freely borrow from people I know? Sure. Nothing is ever wasted on a writer. We pick and choose attributes and gift or curse our characters with them. Because my characters are a mix of strengths and flaws, I hope they feel real to readers.

CA: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

DG: This is a tough business, but ever let anyone tell you you can't. Work hard. Don't buy into the myth of the muse. There's no such animal. There is only the willingness to take an idea and grow it into something that will propel you for 400 pages. Stop by my websites www.dianagroe.com and www.emilybryan.com and check out my Writer's Corner for more tips and encouragement.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

DG: Both my Diana Groe and Emily Bryan books are available through my publisher's site www.dorchesterpub.com, at Amazon, Barnes& Noble, Borders, and your local bookstore. Also, I'm thrilled to share that DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS will be sold at Wal-Mart! My email is listed on my websites, along with an opportunity to sign up for my no-spam, no-advertisement newsletter. There are also links to my blog and my MySpace sites. I love to hear from readers!You can check out the book reviews of Erinsong, and Silk Dreams that I’ve posted by visiting these links:

Erinsong: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2007/08/erinsong-by-diana-groe.html

Silk Dreams: http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2008/01/silk-dreams-by-diana-groe-print-book.html

Interview with Amanda Ashley

Those of you that know me, know that I have an obsession with vampires. Well Ms. Amanda Ashley has been gracing my bookshelf for years because I love her romantic paranormals. Her vampire novels are always tastefully written and packed with all I could ever ask for. So it is a great joy and honor to have her here with me this week. I suggest if you’ve never read one of Amanda Ashley’s novels…then go pick up them all right now! You have no idea what you’re missing.

*Mandy, Thank you so much for visiting with me this week, I can not express my gratitude enough* *If you would like to read the review I have recently posted for Ms. Ashley then just go to http://bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/2008/01/dead-perfect-by-amanda-ashley-print.html

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

AA: I used to write historical romances as Madeline Baker, but now I write paranormal romances as Amanda Ashley.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

AA: I guess the night I sat down and started my first book. Up until then, writing had never entered my mind. It wasn’t something I’d always wanted to do, although writing always came easy to me. I was the editor for our church newsletter for several years, and I wrote a lot of poetry.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

AA: I suppose all the romance novels I had read.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

AA: I don’t really have a schedule. I write on and off all day and most of the night.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

AA: Nervous!!!!!

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

AA: Play with my webpage, go for walks, go to the movies, spend time with my family, shop, and take long bubble baths with a good book.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

AA: I’ve written 24 historical romances, 4 Silhouette romances, 9 short stories
16 paranormal romances, 7 time travels, and 3 fantasy romances
As for a favorite….I guess I’d have to say Night’s Illusion, which will be published next year, although I’m still partial to my first vampire book,
EMBRACE THE NIGHT, and my first historical RECKLESS HEART.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

AA: No, they’re all from my imagination.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

AA: My email is DarkWritr@aol.com. My website is www.madelinebaker.net
You can buy my books in stores, or order them from my publishers’ websites:
Leisure books: http://www.dorchesterpub.com/
Zebra books http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/catalog.cfm
I also have ebooks available at www.belgravehouse.com

I run a contest on my website every month. Please see the contest page for details at www.madelinebaker.net

Interview with Bobby R. Woodall

CA: This is a first for me, I just finished reviewing Bobby’s western novel Mercer’s Manor. I have never actually sat down and read a full blown shoot ‘em up kind of western as Bobby calls it but I have watched them on TV when I was smaller. I much rather prefer the books. So here ya go world, put your hands together for Western author Bobby Robert Woodall.

CA: What genre(s) do you write?

BRW: I write westerns

CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?

BRW: I’m from Oklahoma originally but live in Indiana for the last 37 years I used to be a cowboy. In fact when I met my wife I was shoeing horses and mules at a dude ranch (Stupid Charley’s). The name of the ranch is funny as my wife and her college roommate had a lab mouse from college named “Stupid Charley. Anyway, this mouse was all the time running backwards so they just named him Stupid Charley. The two girls wanted to have an adventure and summer was coming up at college, so they decided to look in magazines for dude ranches in Colorado. In the meantime, a buddy of mine and I decided to go to California to become gigolos (we figured we were good lucking dudes) and women would be falling over each other to get at us. ROTFLMAO! As luck would have it, we 2 Romeos were in a bar, got in a brawl and finally deposited at the gutter in front of the bar. The brawl started when my friend Robert, who had a firecracker called a screamer in his back pocket (it was around the 4th of July). One of the patrons at the bar was a drunken Indian who decided to walk around us. In the process of going around us, he spied the firecracker sticking out of Roberts butt pocket. Grinning to himself, the drunk applied the lit end of his cigar to the fuse of the screamer. I was at the far end of the bar trying to put the make on a lovely Indian maiden. I say lovely, because she had at least thee teeth in her mouth; two stained with berry juice and one yellowed and broken plus her hair looked as if it was due an oil change any minute.

All of a sudden, Robert let out a hoop and hollers. Seems as the firecracker was burning its fuse he was being burnt in the butt. He quickly reached behind him to remove the offending screamer, but got burnt; therefore he threw his hand up in the air and hollered. I thought he was making fun of the Indians by doing an impromptu war dance. It looked as if the battle was on. I looked around and hit the first person I saw (a big Indian). My Paw had told me to always get in the first punch. He in return hit me back (it was only right as I had hit him first). After slowing having my facial features rearranged by Hiawatha and moving my nose to where my right ear was, I backed up to a juke box that was blaring out, Honky-tonk Angels! Raising my fists to ward off more blows I looked out of the corner of my eye that was not already closed and saw Robert take on two more of the noble breed. To make a long story even longer, we were thrashed royally or to put it in plain English beaten almost to a pulp and thrown into the gutter. We crawled to our car and the next morning there was a tap on the side window. Bleary eyed I looked out the window and could of sworn it was Wyatt Earp or maybe Wild Bill Hitchcock. This apparition starring back at me was dressed up in full cowboy regalia; chaps, boots, Levis, etc., etc. He even had a handlebar moustache that was stained with tobacco juice. His dishwater hair peeked out from under the biggest Stetson I ever had seen. Rolling down my window a smidge, I asked what he wanted. "You boys shoe horses?" I was raised on a farm so I stated that we did, although I knew Robert was scared of horse. That meant that yours truly would be doing all the work. We worked at the dude ranch I met my wife. I knew her 30 minutes and asked her to marry me. I'll be the 1st to admit I was a tad slow, but I had to know her name first. One has to set his priorities right. We eloped and then started the long saga of the adventures of BobbyRobert!

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

BRW: Always wanted to be a write, but I had an English teacher in high school tell me, Woodall, you could not put 10 words together to make a proper sentence! Well, Madame, I put over 187,000 words together to make two novels. I find that I can make sense though others may not like it, but I tell them, Eat your heart out! As I mentioned before, hopefully I am not being too redundant, but I like reading. One day I told my wife, Babe, that’s what I call her. All other women are doll! I think I can write as good as these guys.She told me to do it and see. She is my inspiration for without her I would be lost! So I wrote one novel and it got published. I wrote another to prove I was not a flash in the pan and it got published. Hey, I thought to myself. I’m on a roll. Therefore I’m busy writing more; a murder mystery, another western, a children’s book, a horror story and a scary story.

What’s the difference between a horror story and a scary story? In a horror story there’s a lot of fantasy. In a scary story, it is a case of it might or might not happen. I’ve been compared to Louis Lamoure but there are 2 important things about that. First and the most obvious, I’m alive and he isn’t. God rest his soul! Secondly, he takes 3 chapters to describe a blade of grass. To me, a blade of grass is a blade of grass, I describe people. I want people to walk a mile in my boots or at least look at my characters through my one-eye

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

BRW: I don’t have a schedule as I don’t believe in work. That’s a nasty four letter word I detest. If the mood strikes me I write. Lately the mood has eluded me. Although tomorrow is another day, maybe it’ll return. If it doesn’t, then I’m a realist. I got two novels now; I am satisfied with just having a contented mind.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

BRW: Satisfied and accomplished! You see, I had a horrible auto accident 35 years ago that left me with brain damage (No I’m not a babbling idiot, although my wife would disagree with me sometimes). My car hit two mail boxes, one telephone poll, and rolled end over end five times. I was declared legally “dead” three times. I was in a coma for 47 days. Funny thing though. I did not break a bone in the accident, but after two weeks in the hospitals neurotically unit, I was dropped out of bed and broke my hip socket. Let me tell you the hospital wasn’t safe at all! The doctors told me wife if I survived I would be a vegetable. This carrot not only survived but authored and got published 2 novels. My novels have neither profanity nor graphic sex scenes. The English language is too full of proper words to have to resort to profanity. Also I am not the world’s mommy and daddy. People should learn about sex from their parents.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

BRW: Eating, sleeping and thinking of what if that happens or what if that over there happens. Life is too short to wallow in self-pity. Of course I did my fair share of holding pity parties for ole Bobby, but then I remembered. Back home in Oklahoma there was a sign that said, I felt sorry because I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet! Sure, I wear a patch, but I’m not blind. I limp somewhat especially when I’m tired, but I am not confined to a wheel-chair. I talk in a slurred tone but at least I’m not mute, although there have been times when my kids and wife wished it to be so. I am considered by Social Security to have Cerebral Palsy and am classified as totally disabled not handicapped. Anytime your cerebrum is damaged the Social Security puts a large umbrella over it and calls the condition Cerebral Palsy.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

BRW: I have authored two so far. As far as favorite it’s hard to say, depends on the mood I’m in at the present. CLEARWATER is about a serial killer”of the old west whereas MERCER’S MANOR is a post Civil War epic! I like CLEARWATER when I’m feeling hungry for adventure. On the other hand I like MERCER’S MANOR when I feel in a nostalgic or history type mode. I have a sequel to MERCER’S MANOR in the back of my mind. Bringing it forward is another matter altogether.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

BRW: They are from my imagination plus real life experiences! I ask my friends if I can use their name in a story and they say yes, they even go so far as to tell me what character they want to be. Writing is a form of therapy. One can vent out his anger, relive a fantasy or get rid of frustrations. It's wonderful to be alive at this time and in this very moment! My wife says, Bobby, you’re full of it as a Christmas turkey. Maybe so, but I’m writing it all down and getting paid for it!

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

BRW: They are not only in print but electronically too. They can be purchased at the following web sites:

http://bobbyrobert.com
http://www.myspace.com/bobbywins1
http://www.amazon.com/books
http://www.synergebooks.com/
http://www.barnesandnobel.com/
http://www.ebookmall.com/
http://www.booksamillion.com/
Finally, people can read the excerpts of both novels at
http://www.bookswelove.net./Woodall.html

Bobby aka BobbyRobert

Bobby R. Woodall C.H.B., M.F.F., A.G.G., E.S.P.Author of "MERCER'S MANOR & CLEARWATER"http://www.bookswelove.net/woodall.htmlhttp://howfamous.com/profiles.asp?quserid=bobbyroberthttp://www.MySpace.com/bobbywins1

Interview with Barbara Grovner

Barbara Grovener is the Author of Even Numbers and she is going to be hanging around this week. So make sure to leave her a comment and check back to see her answers. I have learned a little something from her interview…she does permanent make-up. While I’m not afraid of tattoo needles, once they come at my face that could be a different story ;)

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

BG: I LIKE WRITING FICTION BEST BECAUSE IT ALLOWS ME TO USE MY IMAGINATION. EVEN NUMBERS IS FICTION BUT IT IS BASED ON MANY STORIES I HAVE HEARD FROM WOMEN WHO WERE SEXUALLY ABUSED AS LITTLE GIRLS.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

BG: I HAVE BEEN WRITING EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER. AS A CHILD IT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET MY POINT ACROSS. THIS IS MY FIRST NOVEL, THOUGH, MOSTLY BECAUSE I WAS RAISING THREE CHILDREN PRACTICALLY SINGLEHANDED. NOW THAT THEY ARE ALL GROWN, I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR WRITING.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

BG: FOR ME ALMOST ANYTHING OR ANY TOPIC CAN BE INSPIRATIONAL. BUT I LOVE HUMAN INTEREST SUBJECTS.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

BG: RIGHT NOW I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR WRITER’S BLOCK. BUT I’M PATIENT, THINGS WILL COME TOGETHER IN MY HEAD AND THEN THEY’LL START POURING ONTO THE PAGE.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

BG: CAN I MAKE THAT TWO WORDS? LOL! PROUD AND NERVOUS.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

BG: I HAVE A HOME BASED BUSINESS. I DO PERMANENT MAKE-UP. YOU KNOW WITH A TATTOO GUN. EYELINER, EYEBROWS, LIPS; THAT KIND OF THING.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

BG: I HAVE WRITTEN TWO. EVEN NUMBERS IS THE FIRST TO BE PUBLISHED. MY SECOND BOOK WILL RELEASE NEXT FALL. I HAVE TO ADMIT I LOVE THE SECOND BOOK MORE!

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

BG: WITH EVEN NUMBERS MANY OF THE CHARACTERS ARE BASED ON REAL PEOPLE; BUT WITH MY NEXT BOOK I MADE SURE THERE WERE PLENTY OF COLORFUL FICTICIOUS CHARACTERS.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

BG:

www.myspace.com/barbaragrovner

YOU CAN PURCHASE MY BOOK AT MOST MAJOR BOOKSTORES SUCH AS BARNES AND NOBLE, WALDENBOOKS, BORDERS, BOOKS A MILLION AS WELL AS AMAZON.COM AND MANY INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF THIS INTERVIEW. I HOPE WE CAN DO THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR WHEN MY SECOND NOVEL RELEASES.B

Interview with Yvonne Mason *CONTEST*

Recently having reviewed Tangled Minds for author Yvonne Mason, it is a great pleasure to have her here with me this week! Check out www.bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com for Yvonne's review! Also she is hosting a contest for a personlized autographed copy of Tangled Minds so make sure to enter! Thanks so much Yvonne for sitting around with me this week!

CA: What genre(s) do you write?

YM: I write in the crime genre for the most part. Murder, Mayhem and Madness!

CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?

YM: I have an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice that has enabled me to know both the criminal mind and law enforcement. I am also a bounty hunter. I hunted in Georgia before moving to South Florida in 2006. The criminal mind is an interesting mind. They all have illusions of grandeur and illusions of being smarter than those who hunt them. They are very predictable, however, including those who are serial killers and other victim type criminals. They all have a comfort zone. They all believe they are invisible.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

YM: When my mother taught me how to write which was before I even started school. I always was better at writing my emotions instead of talking about them. Most children have invisible friends when they are little. I had characters in my head fighting each other to be put down upon paper and brought to life.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

YM: My first inspiration for serious writing came when I was in seventh grade and had to write two papers. The first was a paper based on the book In Cold Blood and it was not your ordinary book report. We had to explain which criminal was the less guilty and why. It required me to seriously consider my argument and explain it in detail at the early age of twelve.

The second paper was to write a situational story about seven people who were in the middle of a nuclear war. There was one bomb shelter. Each of the seven people had things that would contribute to the new world. The catch was the shelter could only hold five people. I had to explain who was chosen and why. These two projects required me to think outside the box and those lessons remain with me to this day.

My brother Stan is equally an inspiration - even after my writing was rejected all those years I never stopped believing - because he doesn't. Stan believes he can do anything he wants to do and will not take "you can't do that" for an answer. He finds a way. So have I . Dreams will become real when one believes. Truly believes.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

YM: Since I am semi-retired, I am able to write when I want or the characters scream to be heard. I am always writing in my head. The characters never sleep. When one hushes for a while another takes over.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

YM: This is like giving birth. Tangled Minds is my second published work. Stan's Story, A Touch of Love was my first. Stan's Story took 25 years to complete and another 10 years of rejections before it was born. The feeling is comparable to sending your child out on its own for the first time. You know you have done the best you can do in raising it. You only hope that you have done enough. Once it has left the nest you turn your attention to those left at home and watch from afar as the fledgling finds its way in the world. So it is with my books. They are fledglings leaving the nest. I only hope I have raised them right and that those who find them will enjoy them and pass them on to others. In every book I write there is more than a story. There is something for each reader to keep with them long after the last page is turned.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

YM: It seems like I am always writing but when I am not I like to research other stories, grow orchids, and travel.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

YM: Tangled Minds is my second. Stan's Story, A Touch of Love was my first. My third, Brilliant Insanity, will be out in the fall of 2008. In 2009 there will be a true crime book released. It is the story of Gerard Schaefer who was the first serial killer in South Florida where I live. Behind these, there are several more waiting to emerge.

As to which is my favorite, that is like asking me which child is my favorite. I have no favorite. I love them all because each has contributed to my life in different ways. Stan's Story brought courage, hope and the feeling that if we accept ourselves for whom we really are then we have already succeeded. This book is about my brother who is challenged. Tangled Minds brought healing in novel form. While the characters for this novel were all my imagination, the basis for the story was real. Brilliant Insanity brought my love for the criminal mind to the forefront. It gave me the opportunity to entertain while showing how serial killers really portray themselves in their world. The Gerard Schaefer story is long over due. This book brings to the world the destruction of lives, which should have never happened. It shows how a cop in Martin County used his badge to kill at least nine women and maybe as many as 34.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

YM: Both. Stan's Story is about my brother who was born in 1952 when there were no resources for the challenged. The doctors told my mother to either put him away or prepare to bury him. He was never given any chance of success. My mother refused and Stan succeeded in his life and is still successful today. Tangled Minds is a novel based on a real crime that happened in Gainesville, Georgia. A young man I knew went to prison for ten years because of his involvement with the crime in this story. Brilliant Insanity is all my imagination but my husband was the inspiration and idea for the book. He is retired from the State Attorney's office in South Florida. Gerard Schaefer is real and he was one of the cruelest and most horrible serial killers to date. Trust me when I say this book is being written in a way that has never been done before.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

YM: My books can be purchased online at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnes&noble.com/ or http://www.borders.com/. They also can request the bookstores to special order as well. Any readers who would like a signed copy, which I love, can reach me at http://us.f812.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=ysam51@yahoo.com for information.

In closing, I would like to say - without readers we as writers would have no reason to write - we greatly appreciate them as well as their continued support for our craft.

CA: What's this I hear about a contest?

YM: I value my readers and fans very much. To show my appreciation, I am running a contest to win a personalized autographed copy of Tangled Minds. Details can be found on my "Tangled Minds Contest" blog located on my Myspace website http://www.myspace.com/authorsdream57. The contest will run from February 11, 2008 through March 3, 2008.

(due to my blogger set up the banner may not show up clearly) Click Here to Enter the TANGLED MINDS CONTEST!

Interview with Author Geri Ahearn

I can guarantee most of you don’t know this, but as of recently Author Geri Ahearn and I have become wonderful friends and she’s decided to accept me as her internet adopted daughter LOL! I just love her to pieces, she is a sweetheart through and through and we always have to send each other one message a day to make sure neither of us are MIA LOL! Take a look at Geri’s interview and leave her a comment or question and she will drop in from time to time to answer you!

CA: What Genre(s) do you write?

GA: I've written, and had published three books of poetry, two children's books, and one book of humor about children.

CA: Why do you write the stories that you write?

GA: Through the last fifteen years, I found that writing poetry for me was not only a stress-reliever, but it was an art of self-expression, a great way of venting bottled-up feelings and a substitute for pain killers during an unexpected crisis in my life.
Through thirty years in Nursing, referring specifically to
the years when I floated onto pediatric units in the hospital, and worked for severely handicapped children, I always read books to the children. I read to them, even on days I was not scheduled to work. Sometimes, I'd be working on a different unit such as med/surg, but on my breaks, I'd visit the children and read to them. My gift to them was usually a funny story.
The smile on their little faces was worth a million dollars, which was my reward. These children, and one of my daughters who is also a disability since birth, have inspired me to write for children.

"From America's future Leaders" was written simply as
another way of saying, "Laughter is the best medicine."
When I watched the movie "Patch Adams" if I recall
the title of that movie with Robin Williams, the moral
of the story is exactly the reason I just quoted. When
viewing that movie, my inner thoughts came to life.
In the countless years I spent as a medication Nurse, administering sometimes ten or twelve pills to a patient per Doctor's order, I realized medication is needed without a doubt for important medical reasons, such as controlling the patient's blood pressure, or prevention of clots.

But, I also learned that combined with lifesaving
medication was a need for T.L.C. Tender loving care
meaning Not treating the patient like a number in the
grocery store was as important as those pills and injections.
I learned in thirty years of Nursing that the will to live
and become strong to survive is the result of two essential factors. Proper medical treatment, combined with loving care will nurture almost any ailments, emergencies, and progress in healing in many diseases for the exception of the terminally ill.

That was one of the reasons why I wrote that book. The second book is the reason is that I've always loved kids. I learned that millions of children out there are just little people, with great minds, and kind hearts. Most of them simply need what adults need love and respect.



CA: When Did You Realize You Wanted to Be a Writer?

GA: It was always a silent, secret hidden inside of me as
a child, perhaps at about age twelve. I knew that living thefast-paced life growing-up actually overnight, that this secret hidden behind a closed door would not open for me for many years, of course life gets in the way. But, I also knew that what we see in life was going to be the key many years later, which would open that door. I began working at age fifteen, devoting most of my
life to helping people. Experience of what you see, and living life are essential ingredients to writing that book. A writer can do years of research to write on a certain topic, but the best knowledge on any topic is first-hand experience.

CA: Who Or What Was Your Inspiration For Writing?

GA: My Dad was my hero, my strength, and my inspiration for writing.
He basically taught me to believe in myself, to get up quickly when I fall, and to never quit. He taught me how to survive through the storms, and when things get tough to focus on good memories.

I followed his footsteps in his mission in life to help others, and give all you can, without ever expecting anything in return. I learned from him and living life that life's greatest rewards are not materialistic, not something we can purchase in a store. Life's greatest rewards are earned through self-satisfaction, love, and respect. My Dad was my inspiration to write poetry.

A terminally ill child of age three was my inspiration to write for children. He was the reason for my first children's book, "The Nurse In The Purse" which I became determined to make a series. I used to read to him, even on days not scheduled to work. He loved "The Cat In The Hat" by Dr. Seuss. He could barely move, but his smile was worth a million dollars when I read to him. After his passing, the book was published and made a series in his memory.

CA: What is Your Work Schedule Like When You’re Writing?

GA: I began laughing out loud as my first initial response to this question. Writing is a discipline, which requires learned behavior.

There are millions of writers out there who must toss and juggle their writing life, and their careers. Most writers are not fortunate to live the leisure world of just writing. Most writers must balance two separate lives, career and writing. May I also include
family responsibilities. If one does not balance the two lives, something will be lacking. Either that book we started fifteen years ago will be loaded with dust, buried in a box, or we will faithfully work on writing like an obsession, and wind up hurting financially.
If writing and career, including family obligations are not balanced, the end result can lead to insanity. In all due respect, our mental health is as important as our physical well being. One simply does not work without the other. Discipline is a great guide, along with
drawing a line to mental health vacations. These vacations don't have to be expensive. A few days, perhaps a week at just total rest and relaxation.

My work schedule is busy, I'm a single Mom, and run a business. However, at least two days a week, I'm writing something towards a new project, perhaps my next installment for my children's book.

CA: Your Book Is About To Be Sent Into The Reader World, What
Is One Word That Describes How You Feel?

GA: HIGH......A Natural High--as if I just had three glasses of red wine, or one pina colata.

CA: What Do You Like to Do When You Are Not Writing?

GA: Gardening has been my hobby for over twenty-five years. I love nature, walks, and the great outdoors. I like reading, and love spending time with my daughter, and Pepper who is one adorable Poodle.

CA: How Many Books have you Written?

GA: A total of 6.

The Titles Are The Following: INSPIRATIONS, WORDS TO LIVE BY,
LIFE'S POETIC JOURNEY, THE NURSE IN THE PURSE-(book 1)
Introduction. THE NURSE IN THE PURSE-VOLUME 1. FROM
AMERICA'S FUTURE LEADERS.

CA: Which Is Your Favorite?

GA: My Children's series- "The Nurse In The Purse."

CA: Do You Tend to Base your Characters on real People, or are
they totally from your imagination?

GA: I base my characters on real people in most of my writing.

CA: How Can A Reader Contact You, Or Purchase Your Books?

GA: The Following Books can be purchased by contacting the Author
At: PoetessGeri@aol.com

Inspirations--(chapbook) poetry

Words To Live By--(chapbook) poetry

The Nurse In The Purse-book 1(introduction) book 1

The Following Books can be purchased at these Websites:

Life's Poetic Journey- Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, AuthorHouse.com

The Nurse In The Purse-Volume 1- Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com,
AuthorHouse.com

From America's Future Leaders- Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com,
AuthorHouse.com

Also, if the reader contacts the author & requests a certain book--
any book sold on other websites--the author may have copies on
hand to offer special discounts. Please Contact: PoetessGeri@aol.com
Links to my websites are:

www.authorofpoetryandchildrensbooks.com

www.myspace.com/geri_ahearn

www.authorgeriahearnsbookreviews.blogspot.com

Also, I have been published in several anthologies in the last
ten years at:

www.poetworks.com

CA: Thank you so much Geri for taking time out of your super busy schedule to interview with little ‘ol me! You know I love ya!!

Interview with Darlena Taylor-Bonds

This week as one of my three featured authors, I have Ms. Darlena Taylor-Bonds here to visit.
Darlena, I wanted to start off by thanking you for dropping in and sharing with the readers and myself a little bit about you and your books. I hope everyone that visits will leave a comment or question for Darlena and make sure to check back for our responses :)

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

DTB: I write fictional books, because each title represents whatever charity I donate to.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

DTB: Once I realized that I wanted to change careers, I went into the next career I had interest in.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

DTB: Because everyone has a good story to tell, I chose to write mine.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

DTB: Hectitic, some days I can only write one page.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

DTB: Realic.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

DTB: Motivational speaking

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

DTB: I had 11, my favorite is : My Southern Roots: Statesville to Detroit

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?Both

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

DTB: Online at www.myspace.com/yaniamon or the books are available at B&N,Borders,Target.

Interview With *Birthday Boy* Denis Sheehan

**** NEW NEWS CONTEST ADDED*******

Since Denis won't share his birthday cake with me and you guys, I went out and bought a sweet little treat for all those that post this week! So if you still want in on that free chocolate action...and have not posted....post a comment right now! I will choose a winner Sunday, and then let the winner know so that the sweet treat can be mailed out on Monday! DON'T Forget to leave your email address on your blog post!!Hugs, Crystal

CA: I would like to start off by wishing Denis Sheehan, author of A Nobody's Nothings, a very Happy Birthday! I told him in honor of that he could have his very own special week. I have had the pleasure of laughing at his antics from converstions, and throughout his interview I giggled quite a few times. Thank you so much Denis for taking the time out to do this interview! OH, before I forget....Denis says if you purchase his book and mention this interview you will get an uber cool bottle opener/ wine key. Being the reviewer I got in on that action and love my bottle opener...as I don't drink wine LOL! So go and buy his book! Here's the interview:

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

DS: My writing includes everything from metaphorical stories to real life experiences to poetry that’ll make you gag and everything in between. One story in my book is a metaphor about how I think the Catholic Church treated my mom when a priest, at the end of his homily said, “if you get divorced, then you are going to hell.” I was sitting next to my Mother, who was in the middle divorcing my drunkard abusive father, and will never forget the look on her face. Here was a beat up woman raising three young kids on her own, busting her tail at night as a waitress, and still managing to bring three brats to church every Sunday. Try as hard as she did, the Catholic Church still passed judgment on her. Another story details my guest appearance on The Oprah Winfry Show, and there’s the poem that won $75 while also getting me banned from future contests. I write to just get it out of me whether it’s to help sooth my soul or maybe help the reader better deal with crap that’s going on in his or her life, or help them forget it for a bit. On the flip side, I’ve had personal experiences that I am crass enough to think others will find entertaining or shocking or, well, gross. One reader told me my book, A Nobody’s Nothings, “porks all sorts of emotions.” I really like that up and down flow of the book and I also like to think that the reader is always guessing what is real and what is just my imagination.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

DS: When I was in grade school, I use to write all sorts of stories just for the fun of it, but never really took it too seriously and never thought about writing for anything other than fun, and to goof on my friends. I remember writing a fact-based essay about why Bo Derek was my hero and feeling annoyed when I discovered I had received an F for my efforts. It was a well-written essay and addressed the topic, but I guess parochial schools frown upon a 7th grader detailing bikini-clad lovelies. Now that I think of it, I remember enjoying being able to piss people off with words and relished the idea. About ten years ago, I started publishing a music/movie/book ‘zine called Askew Reviews and that’s when I started taking things more seriously, if that’s the right word for it. I started off writing reviews and small columns, and then graduated to short and not so short stories. I’ve also started a novel, which should be interesting to see how that progresses.

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

DS: My Grandfather use to write all the time, but he never had the attention span or patience to actually finish anything. I remember as a child listening to his story telling and being amazed at his wonderful descriptions and flare for words. He wrote the same way, but was able to better verbally communicate his thoughts at length as opposed to writing them down. A guy named Jim Testa, Jersey Beat fanzine fame, also had influence on me as he was the first to publish stuff written by me: cd reviews and short stories. His confidence in my writing gave me confidence to continue with writing which has led to my zine and the book. Oddly enough, Jim also motivated me to branch out on my own when he edited some content in a short story I had written. I wasn’t angry about the edit, but I did not like knowing that the full story, though the point of the piece was fully intact, wasn’t in front of the readers’ eyes.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

DS: I write all the time, but I get the meat and most creative parts done from 12AM to about 5AM, as I am a night owl. I’ll go out to a local pub, have a few drinks, come home, put on some music, and disappear into a notebook or keyboard. I am lucky enough to have a great day-non writing- job that gives me lots of free time to work on my personal writing, and freelance work, to lay the groundwork for ideas, thoughts, and other junk I want to write about. Come nighttime, I tear into the stuff I jotted down during the daylight hours. Writing is amazing as it makes time fly by so quickly. It is not a rare occurrence for me to sit down at midnight, then six minutes later see the sun shine through my window.

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

DS: Proud. My first book was published Sept 2007 and the sense of accomplishment was insane. Writing it was hard, and fun, but I was proud that I actually stuck with it and got it done. The feeling I got holding the finished product in my hand is something I wish everyone could feel. I was also nervous due to some if my book’s personal content and how it would be handled by my family, which is why I have a disclaimer at the beginning of the book for my Mother and Aunts to “please stop reading.”

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

DS: Being a single dad of a six-year-old girl, life revolves around her and I absolutely love it. I am one of the lucky single dads as I have my daughter 90% of the time and really enjoy doing stuff with or simply hanging with her. On the days I am free from daddy responsibilities, you can find me at a local lighthouse fishing, reading, and drinking beer out on the jetty. I love the ocean and everything about it, except for sunburns. I have the skin tone of a urinal. Then of course, there’s the local pub and the not so local pubs I frequent with friends.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

DS: I have written one book, A Nobody’s Nothings, and published 12 ‘zines (lucky 13 out soon). I have a book of letters/responses that will hopefully be published by the middle of 2008; the writing part is completed, I just have to compile it and get it ready to go. I think A Nobody’s Nothings will always remain my favorite as it was my first, and we all know the emotions tied with “the first one.”

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

DS: A Nobody’s Nothings is made up of stories that are fiction and nonfiction, but real people, reality, and truth creeps into everything I write; which is somewhat frightening if you read my stuff. One of my stories, “Time,” is based on my cousin meeting his father at his favorite pub to give him a sentimental retirement gift, but things did not go as he had hoped. I recall my cousin telling me the story and how much it bothered him, but he didn’t go into detail. I always felt for my cousin and decided to write the story through the eyes of a female barfly, but added what I thought may have been missed by my cousin. Then again, my novel will be pure imagination.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

DS: Feel free to visit boneprint.com or email me at boneprint@gmail.com.
Or snail mail $10 to
Bone Print Press
PO Box 684
Hanover, MA 02339
Reviewers can request a book and I am always up for interviews.
Thanks for taking time to read my nonsense!

CA: Thank you so much Denis for a wonderful interview. You sound so laid back and a genuinely fun guy. I hope to hear more from you in the future. And now that we’ve become email stalkers, I am sure I will LOL!