Interview with June Kramin

In the Limelight with…..

 June Kramin

Welcome and thanks for agreeing and being part of this blog. The first book I have read of June was Double Mocha, Heavy on Your Phone Number, a Contemporary Romance that I really liked. You can read more about my Review HERE

Thanks for asking me!

I thought it a good idea to catch up with you and see what you are up to since the last time I reviewed a book for you and was also part of the Book Barrage that CBLS Promotions held for your new release Money didn't buy her Love where you can stand a chance to win a copy

Good idea. I’m always up to no good! ;) 

I have been busy putting out 2 Women’s fiction a year as well as 2 in my middle grade series. There is still plenty on my laptop to keep me going for a while. There is always something at that “beat it to a pulp & submit it” stage. I’m currently sitting on eight women’s fiction novels and 4 books in my middle grade series published. One more of each is scheduled for November.

Author’s Interview Questions

Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

I usually get “This is my friend the famous author.”  I reply with, “Not yet, but thanks.” There is a big misconception about writing.  I try not to give out too many gory details about all the work involved, just that I’m still plugging away every day.

      1.       In general do you like to talk about you writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?

I’ll talk to anyone that asks. I love to share what I have learned over the years with someone that wants to know. I won’t approach someone new & just start blurting the fact that I’m a writer. I love that at signings, at least one writer always shows up. Not to buy your book, to ask you how you did it.

      2.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

I’m working on a sequel to a thriller. I don’t have #1 published yet, but part 2 was nagging at me so I’m going while the spirit (or muse) moves me. My MC, Hailey, stumbles on a bag of money and Parker helps her flee when the men involved come after her.  The twists and turns it took surprised even me. The way I tied them together and the things I put them through honestly made this one of my favorites. Thriller are more my thing. There is still a slight romantic element, of course, but a lot more action.

My May 25^th release is Money Didn’t Buy Her Love.

Blurb: Trying to get his bearings on an unfamiliar street and not paying attention, Jeremy slams his breaks to avoid hitting the most beautiful bride he has ever seen. When Danielle climbs in his truck, he assumes she’s in a hurry to get to her wedding; he didn’t realize she was escaping one. He agrees to let her return to his apartment so she can call for help, only she refuses to leave.

 As the days pass, Jeremy finds it harder to fight off her passes and claims of falling in love with him. Besides having almost ten years on her, Jeremy discovers the family secret she had been trying to hide. How could the daughter of a billionaire settle for a plumber living paycheck to paycheck?

 Despite every tactic her father throws at her and an ex-fiancé who refuses to let her go, Dani stakes her claim to the only thing she has ever truly wanted in her life and fights to make Jeremy hers.

      3.       Why this particular genre?

I don’t know what it is about me that loves to write feisty women. Or maybe it’s that I like to write men that love them unconditionally despite it. In any case, the romance genre is what steals my heart when I write.

     4.       What inspire or motivate you to write?

I’d have to say the characters. Every novel starts with 1 simple idea – the characters take it from there. In this book, all I envisioned was a guy slamming his brakes to avoid hitting someone not paying attention. Suddenly she was in a wedding dress. Dani’s character grew from there. I love when I get unexpected twists. It’s like I’m reading it - not writing it.

      5.       What is the writing process like for you?

When I get to settle into my writing, I read the last page or so to see where I left off and then just keep going. I’m not an outliner at all. Rarely do I have a few notes that I want to follow or somewhere in particular I need it to go. It gets there when it’s darn good and ready.

     6.       What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

Of course when someone loves your story, thanks you for the great read or great cry – it’s awesome. When someone picks apart something small, as if they read it with just that intention, it burns. You know going in that not everyone is going to like your work but it’s still a downer, no matter how much you think it’s coming.

      7.       Any advice for struggling writers?

I guess the old “Don’t give up” is what holds true. Hearing “No” constantly wears you out. Putting yourself out there takes guts. You have to be ready for rejection & criticism. You may think you’re a patient person, but nothing can compare you to waiting for everything & the one thing you want is just one step away. And then one more. Shampoo, rise, repeat.

      8.       What is your favorite genre to read or write?

Writing suspense/thrillers are what I have been leaning to lately. I’ll always have some romantic element, but I love the “Biting your nails, can’t wait to see what happens to bad guy” element.

      9.       Favorite author?

John Sandford. I love to follow a series. I didn’t think I’d be a cop-thriller kinda gal, but I just love following his characters.

      10.   What do you like to do when not writing? 

When weather permits – you’ll find me on my dog, Ringo. Shhh… I haven’t told him he’s a horse.

      11.   Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?

I really don’t have one. The only thing I really would love to do is travel. Pick any country with cool history & castles. Maybe someday time and money will allow it.

      12.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?

I’m not much of a thrill seeker anymore. Growing up on Maui, there was always something for us to do that was dangerous or illegal. Jumping off bridges that people had been paralyzed doing just that, swimming through underground tunnels where people have drowned …. Yeah. Stuff you don’t tell Mom about for sure. Always wanted to hang glide or skydive but never got around to it. Now I don’t want to. LOL

      13.   This or that questions:

       ·         Coffee or Tea - Coffee

       ·         Sweet or sour – Sour

       ·         Home make meal or takeouts – homemade

       ·         Winter or summer – summer

       ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – gah. Neither. To bed early & would love to sleep late!

       ·         Telephone or visits – visits.

       ·         Which social network do you prefer? Facebook

       ·          Blogger or website? website

       ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless

Most family is very supportive. I have an aunt that buys 12 copies every time I get something in print. Of course Mom & Dad want one as well as another aunt & uncle on my hubby’s side. Some just aren’t into it, though, & I just let it go and never bring it up. Clueless is a good word for some. They don’t get “me” the person (in case you didn’t get the memo, writers are odd) so they don’t think they’d be in to what I “do” with that.

And Finally

Moto/wisdom in life you live by. 

“The ultimate secret in life is the sure knowledge of death, for without it man would not strive to leave his mark upon the earth.” ~ Sarah Jessica Parker – Somewhere Tomorrow

Contact details and buy links of the newest books you would like the readers to know.

http://www.junekramin.com/

http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin

http://about.me/june.kramin

http://www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/

https://twitter.com/junekramin

Amazon page: / B&N Page: 

Thanks once again for your willingness to share with me and the readers.

Thanks for having me! Happy Reading!

June

Well our time is up and I want to thank June and my guests for visiting today. Please remember to support the authors and leave a comment we love the interaction and connection with readers.

Next week on 

In the Limelight with...

Ute Corbone

Until then

In the Limelight with.... Author Sylvia McDaniel

In the Limelight with…..

Sylvia McDaniel

Welcome and thanks for being part of this blog.

I thought it a good idea to catch up with you and see what you are up to since the last time I reviewed a book for you.

Really loved all your books, follow the links to learn more about the ones I reviewed

The Reluctant Santa

The Curvier Widows

Author’s Interview Questions

      1.       Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. (a)Does this happen to you and (b) what do you say?

My family doesn’t read romance.  In fact, I’d say that 90% of them are romance snobs, so we don’t talk much about my books.  I have a sister-in-law who asks about my books and is very sweet.  I have another sister-in-law who asks me if I have considered writing inspirational books and I have an aunt who told me she doesn’t read those books. So besides my mother and another aunt who is very sweet to me, I don’t have much support from family members. I’m not considered famous by any means.

      2.       In general do you like to talk about you writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why? 

      I have certain friends I talk to all the time about my writing. I’m kind of close-lip when I’m working on a new project.  It seems the more you talk about it, the less appeal it has to you as  a writer. So I try to hang on to that enthusiasm until I type the end.

  

      3.       What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about? 

      I’m working on a holiday novella that goes with The Burnett Brides.  It’s an older heroine – Mama Burnett is finally getting a taste of what her matchmaking feels like.

4.       Why this particular genre? 

I grew up reading historical romances and loved them. I still do, but contemporaries also hold a special place in my heart.

      5.       What inspire or motivate you to write? 

      Writing is creating my own movie in my head.  I am the director and I love creating my own story.

      6.       What is the writing process like for you? 

       I write the first draft down and dirty. It’s ugly. Then I go back and polish. Revise and revise again.  I go through a book about 6-8 times before I’m done.

     7.       What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?   

     The best part is creating the story. The worst part is when the sales are slow or you get that really UGLY review.  My worst review said something along the lines of “Getting a root canal was more fun.” Huh? Seriously?  The same book received a lot of 5 star reviews.  You can’t please everyone. I hope she had gas with the root canal. 

      8.       Any advice for struggling writers? 

      Love what you do and forget everything else. Forget the bad reviews, the rejections, and the bad critiques. Put your love for what you do in the words on the page.

     9.       What is your favorite genre to read or write? 

     I Love historical and contemporaries.

     10.   Favorite author? 

     Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson.

     

     11.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write? 

      Ha! Since I’m on the computer so many hours of the day, I just grab any chance I can to read. Recently I’ve become addicted to Audible books and listen to them in the car.

     12.   What do you like to do when not writing? 

     Hiking – being outdoors.

     13.   Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it? 

     Alaskan Cruise, retiring in Colorado and traveling in an RV around the states.

     

     

       14.   What have you done so far on this list? 

       Been to Hawaii, hiked the Rocky Mountain National Forest and hiked in Yellowstone.

      15.   Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share? 

      White water rafted in Colorado

       

      

       

      16.   This or that questions:

       ·         Coffee or Tea - Both

       ·         Sweet or sour – Sour

       ·         Home make meal or takeouts –  Homemade Meal, but we eat way too much take out.

       ·         Winter or summer –  Summer

       ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird – Early bird

       ·         Telephone or visits – Telephone due to lack of time

       ·         Which social network do you prefer? Facebook

       ·         Blogger or website? Both

       ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless 

              My husband is very supportive, but the rest of my family is clueless.

And Finally

Moto/wisdom in life you live by. 

Love what you do and never give up!!!

Contact details and buy links of the newest books you would like the readers to know.

www.sylviamcdaniel.com

http://sylviamcdaniela.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/SylviaMcDanielAuthor

Twitter @WriterSylvia

Book Plug

The Cuvier Widows

They Met Over His Dead Body

Until the day of Jean Cuvier's death, his wives had no idea that he had promised until death do us part to more than one woman. Now, the Cuvier Widows must deal with his duplicity, while wondering who poisoned their wayward husband. Can they ever learn to trust and find love again?

Wronged Amazon | Smashwords  

Betrayed Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

Beguiled Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

Look for The Wanted Bride due out May 1.

Thanks for having me!!!

Was my reviews helpful? Please like them on Amazon

The Reluctant Santa 

Wronged

Betrayed

Beguiled

Well our time is up. Thanks Sylvia for speaking with us. I enjoyed the Interview. It is really great to learn more about you and I hope your books is a great a success.

Please remember to support the authors. Buy their books, give them good feedback and tell people about them.

Next time on In the limelight with....

June Kramin

April 28, 2013

Until then....

Today I welcome D.A. Serra on the blog

In the Limelight with...

D.A. Serra    

PRIMAL

Welcome and thanks for being part of this blog. 

I thought it a good idea to catch up with you and see what you are up to since the last time I reviewed a book for you. I reviewed Deborah Serra's Book Primal in January of this year. 

HERE is the link.

I simply loved this book, raved about it to every one that gave me a moment to say something. From beginning to end this book was gripping, thought provoking and an exceptional read.

So when Deborah agreed to be part of this celebration I was livid with excitement. To me Primal is in the same category as Heinz Konsalik's books. Great story teller.

That is enough about me though.

Here is her answers to my questions.

Hope you enjoy as I did when preparing this post. 

      1.      Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. Silly I know. I mean if I was you would not have asked it. 

           (a) Does this happen to you and 

           (b) What do you say?

Actually I don’t think I’ve been asked if I’m “famous”.  Although I have been asked once or twice for an autograph, which I find bizarre and embarrassing.  The two most often asked questions I get once I’ve been introduced as a writer are:  do I know anything you’ve written; and where do you get your ideas?  For the first question, I have to keep frustration out of my voice, as I’ve heard it so many times and it is such an absurdly phrased question because I have no idea what someone else has seen or read – so I smile and do the best I can.  For the second, I explain that many of my creative thoughts start with just a phrase or a particular character that enters my mind from, I suppose, my unconscious. 

2. In general do you like to talk about your writing and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If not, why?

I really hate talking about my writing and I have a tendency to stumble around mentally when I’m forced to.  I’ve spent so much time and effort working for the perfect illustrative phrase, and the perfect emotive moment, that I want it to be read – for the work to be experienced in the way intended.  Some books and stories don’t lend themselves well to the thirty seconds most people are willing to give you at a cocktail party.  My thriller, Primal, has always been slightly easier to talk about and I think that is because thriller readers are so in-tune with their genre that they are along for the ride as soon as you start talking.

    

        3.  What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?

As mentioned, I hate summarizing, but I know I must get better at it, so, for this particular book I’ll speak conceptually:  I’ve just completed a novel (literary fiction – The Blurry Line) about the line between conscious and unconscious decision-making and how our new knowledge of brain function damages our beloved concept of Free Will.  I am very proud of this work.  It is currently being considered by editors at three different publishing houses and I’m hoping for the best.

Meanwhile, I am half-way through a humorous travelogue I’m writing with my sister.  It is about a trip we took together after our youngest left for college and we felt disoriented and sad so we took off for Ireland.  It was a funny and poignant trip and the book is called 2 Broads Abroad: Sisters Fly An Empty Nest – Out After Curfew and the Kids Don’t Know.

     4.   Why this particular genre?

I have always moved between genres.  First, I put Primal out into the marketplace.  Primal is a thriller with a mother and child at the core, then I finished The Blurry Line, and now I’m doing a humorous memoir – moving genres allows me to stretch into different worlds and voices.  For the twenty years that I wrote for TV & Film, I constantly shifted from one format and genre to another.

      5.      What inspire or motivate you to write?

I cannot remember a time when I was not writing so motivation has never been an issue.   If I get to a spot where I don’t feel particularly inspired I just go read some Charles Dickens.  Sometimes his genius spurs me onward, and sometimes it just makes me feel crappy about myself, but either way it always leads me back to the words.

6. What is the writing process like for you?

I start very early in the morning before the requirements of the day overwhelm me and I write for about five or six hours.

     7.   What is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?

The worst part of being a writer is waiting for others to read.  The best part is that one sentence that has the perfect metaphor – that one flawless phrase.

      8.      Any advice for struggling writers?

Try to work on two projects at a time:  one that is the love of your life, and one just for the money.  Understand that it is a business as well as an art and approach it that way.  There is no crime in writing commercial material as long as you’re working on what matters most as well.  I always encourage writing students to have two projects going all the time.

      9.   What is your favorite genre to read or write?

I read so many different genres but I do love literary fiction where both the story and the language matter.

      10.   Favorite author?

I appreciate so many writers for different reasons: if I’m reading history I love Thomas Cahill and I’ve read his hinges of history series several times; for essays, to my mind, there is not a living or dead writer who can match David Foster Wallace in psychological insight, humor, vocabulary, or erudition; for fiction, I will always read Ann Patchett and Barbara Kingsolver.  All that said, if I were forced to choose one writer, just one, I would have to be Charles Dickens. Dickens is in a world of his own.  His fiction writing literally changed society, influenced child labor laws, helped to abolish debtor prisons, and gave a human face (however ugly) to both sides the French Revolution and Reign of Terror.  He makes me laugh and cry while composing some of the most beautiful and often recited passages in English literature.  Can anything more be expected of a writer?

      11.   Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?

I’m a cuddle up on the soft sofa girl.

      12.  What do you like to do when not writing? 

I have taken ballet my whole life, so I continue to take 3 classes a week.  I am also quite an intrepid traveler having been in 7 countries in the past two years.  Also, I have a very close and overly involved family – and yes, I love that.

      13.  Do you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?

I would love to take a boat from the ancient site of Troy (located on the coast of northern Turkey) and follow the path of the Odyssey with a Homeric scholar onboard.  I know National Geographic did a trip like this once and I wish I could have gone but it was really expensive.  Still, I haven’t forgotten it.

      14.  What have you done so far on this list?

As a traveler I have:  trekked into the Congo and been touched by a wild baby Mountain gorilla in the Virungas; I have been helicopter skiing in New Zealand, dog-sledding along the Canadian border, seen the Kermode Spirit Bear in situ in British Columbia, traveled by myself to central China where I saw the terra cotta warriors, sat in the Church of the Split Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia, and I lived for a month in a 16^th century Scottish castle.  This is the traveler who is always restless inside of me.

      15.  Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?

I would count getting off the plane in Xi’an, China, with no language skills whatsoever, all alone, and just getting a cab to the hotel as my most daring moment.

      16.  This or that questions:

             ·         Coffee or Tea - coffee

             ·         Sweet or sour – sweet

             ·         Home make meal or takeouts – home made

             ·         Winter or summer –  winter

             ·         Night-owl or Early-Bird –  early

             ·         Telephone or visits – visits

             ·         Which social network do you prefer? none

             ·         Blogger or website? Website www.deborahserra.com

             ·         What does your family say about your career? Supportive or Clueless - Supportive

And Finally

Contact details:  www.deborahserra.com

Buy links of the newest books you would like the readers to know.

If you like thrillers please buy Primal. 

Our time is up and once again I want to thank D.A. Serra for being part of this blog. 

This was a good Interview and I loved the answers. Thanks Deborah for joining us today. You are an inspiration to the rest of us. Hope that the book will do well and that your other ventures will be fruitful.

Remember as always support the authors.

Next time on In The Limelight with....

April 24, 2013

Sylvia McDaniel