Anne Marie Becker

Anne Marie Becker won the 2009 Golden Heart for her novel ONLY FEAR. As someone who's read it, I can attest it's spine-tingling and chilling and it's an awesome way to pull an all-nighter. Just make sure you're not alone....

BLURB OF ONLY FEAR:

After a violent incident with a patient leaves scars on both her mind and body, psychiatrist Dr. Maggie Levine craves isolation. A radio talk show host seems to be the perfect profession, a job where she can help people from a distance while staying safe. When a strange caller begins stalking her on the air and murdering people to get her attention, Maggie realizes she can no longer close herself off from the outside world.

A personal security expert, former Secret Service Agent Ethan Townsend is no stranger to tracking down the most violent monsters of society and bringing them to justice. Still, it will take all of Ethan's skills to protect his new assignment, the irresistible Maggie, from a man intent on teaching her the ultimate lesson in fear…

SHALL WE PROCEED? AFTER ALL, IT'S ONLY FEAR. Let's get to know Anne Marie Becker!

DONNELL: Small towns or big city?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: I’m somewhere in between. I live in a small city, and LOVE it. But for a variety of activities and excitement, it’s hard to beat the big city.

DONNELL: Favorite Room in Your House?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Living room – that’s where everyone in the family tends to gather, and where I get most of my work/writing done.

DONNELL: You’re having a dinner party. Which of your characters would you invite? Exclude?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Invite: Damian Manchester and anyone from the SSAM team. (Wouldn’t those mindhunters make interesting conversation? They do in my head all the time.) Exclude: the serial killers!

DONNELL: Have you ever written a character who wasn’t meant to be a hero/heroine but he/she wouldn’t go away?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Yes! I am working on a trilogy now (separate from my Mindhunters series), but one of the secondary characters wants to be a hero. Sigh. I like him, so he’ll probably get his way…

DONNELL: When writing, do you listen to music?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: I don’t seek out background music unless I’m struggling with a scene (in which case I like the soundtracks for movies), but when I write at a coffee shop or at home when family members are around, sound tends to be a natural part of the environment. Having young children, I’ve adapted to write under almost any circumstances.

DONNELL: What’s in your refrigerator right now?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Lots of stuff! My kids are picky eaters, so I have various things to satisfy the munchkins. For me… iced tea, yogurt (pina colada and peach are my favorites), cottage cheese, strawberries & blueberries, salad fixin’s… And a couple V-8 juices with which I tried to get the kids a healthy serving of vegetables. Didn’t go over very well. :P

DONNELL: What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you WISH more people COULD know?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Oh, that’s a toughie. I guess I’d say that I want people to know I’m not crazy. It may seem like that some days, when I have a million things to do and three color-coordinated lists going to tell me all the activities I need to keep track of, as well as my personal goals, but I’m happiest when I’m organized.

DONNELL: Favorite hobby in the winter? Favorite hobby in the summer?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Winter: reading! Summer: reading outside! :)

DONNELL: What’s your favorite holiday and why?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Thanksgiving. I love having the family around and the satisfaction of cooking for them. And there’s none of the pressure of getting the right gift for everyone!

DONNELL: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: I’m learning (now that I’m receiving feedback from readers) how truly chilling I am. I guess my quirk is that I love writing villains. I find it intriguing to get inside their heads.

DONNELL: What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing/researching a book?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: The stimulus for the SSAM team (and thus, the Mindhunters series) was a show I saw on the Vidocq Society. I was fascinated that a group of people came together on a regular basis to discuss cold cases. And I believe they do this over lunch! What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall…

DONNELL: High heels or hiking boots?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Bare feet. ;) (But if I must wear shoes, they’re on the hiking boots end of the spectrum.)

DONNELL: Dog or cat person?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Definitely cat. I don’t dislike dogs, but they’re so high maintenance. (Did I mention I have kids—and characters—who already require all of my attention?)

DONNELL: Which is your favorite language other than your native language?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: German, because it sounds so different. But I studied Spanish in school.

DONNELL: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: School counselor or teacher. Helping others really is my passion, and I’ve done both in the past. I miss it sometimes.

DONNELL: What’s the first thing you do when you finish a book?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: Book a spa day.

DONNELL: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

ANNE MARIE BECKER: One of my ancestors who originally immigrated to America. I don’t know much about my family tree, and would love to learn more.

And now it's Anne Marie's turn to ask readers a question.

Who’s your favorite hero, heroine, or villain – either from a book or movie, and why?

Anne Marie is giving away ONLY FEAR to one lucky reader who's brave enough to comment. And if your curious, check out here web page at www.annemariebecker.com

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. Those leaving comments through Sunday at noon CST following this post will be eligible for the drawing.

Theresa Ragan

THERESA RAGAN
The author of Medieval Time Travels, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense, and her first Romantic Thriller, Abducted, recently released under the pen name T.R. Ragan.

Theresa has been writing for nineteen years and has garnered six Golden Heart nominations in Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart competition for her work. She lives with her husband, Joe, and the youngest of her four children in Sacramento, California.

Her latest title is Taming Mad Max (ASIN: B004XWJ6OC). Read the Excerpt.








LET’S GET TO KNOW THERESA
ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
THERESA: Often. Once I have committed to reading a book, I take my time and enjoy every word. When I read a book written by a favorite author, I savor every word.

ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?
THERESA: My first romance novel was Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armor.

ANGI: What’s your favorite “love” word?
THERESA: I’ll stick with “love” :-)

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?
THERESA: My husband. He’s been encouraging me to keep writing even though he’s never read a word of my stuff. His mother read my very first book, Return of the Rose, and told him it was wonderful, and he believed her. :-)

ANGI: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
THERESA: The Brave Tin Soldier and The Ugly Duckling are two of my favorite. The Tin Soldier is kind of sad but I’ve never forgotten the angst I felt watching the soldier go through his journey.

ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
THERESA: Tweety Bird.

ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?
THERESA: Mean people

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
THERESA: I take my kindle everywhere I go and read in the car. I usually read after dinner and before bed.

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?
THERESA: I love listening to the birds in the morning. Nothing better.

ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
THERESA: Action Adventure

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?
THERESA: A story about 4 kids trying to find something and going off on a journey. It was so long ago, I don’t remember what they were looking for.

ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
THERESA: It’s A Wonderful Life and Love Actually

ANGI: Who’s your favorite villain?
THERESA: Hannibal Lecter

ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
THERESA: Honestly, I do.

ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
THERESA: story-telling is much easier for me.

ANGI: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
THERESA: After writing for two decades, if I have a true fan out there, someone who feels connected to my characters and stories and is eagerly awaiting my next release, then I would have to say, “I LOVE you!”

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: I’m going to put you on the spot, Theresa… who is your all-time favorite hero that you’ve created (published or to-be-published)? And of course, WHY?
THERESA’S GOTTA ANSWER: That’s an easy one. I adore Derek Vanguard, Lord of Braddock Hall, from Return of the Rose. I spent five years with Derek while writing that book. Derek is a tortured soul who does not know how to love. It seriously takes him 400 pages to understand that maybe, just maybe, “love” is real. Derek Vanguard is ultra arrogant, one-hundred percent alpha male, but he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.

WHAT A SIX PACK DRAWING !!
Theresa will give a free download of any of my five ebooks [via smashwords OR gifted through Amazon] to FIVE commenters and ONE print copy of Return of the Rose [the only book I have in print at this time]. A total of SIX commenting winners.

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. Those leaving comments through Sunday at noon CST following this post will be eligible for the drawing.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?
I am writing my second romantic thriller, my third medieval time travel, and my second romantic comedy. Which book, if any, would you be most interested in reading next?

YOU CAN CONTACT THERESA at theresaragan@surewest.net
AND FIND HER AT:
Website/Blog Twitter @theresaragan Facebook

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter (#GetLostStories) or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us tomorrow when Donnell will be here with Anne Marie Becker. Remember to check back daily to GET LOST in your favorite stories! ~Angi

Adrienne Giordano

ADRIENNE GIORDANO'S
A JUST DECEPTION
Book #2 in the Private Protectors SeriesCarina Press
ISBN: 978-14268-9216-5
The protector: Peter Jessup, former Navy SEAL, currently employed by Taylor Security. He likes being the hero—in charge and in control.

His client: Lawyer Isabelle DeRosa. The sexy brunette is the personification of Peter's fantasies. She's willing to get physical but nothing more serious.

The assignment: When Isabelle becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her cousin, Peter is there to protect her and help her find the real killer. Their investigation leads to a big-name charity that seems to draw cult like followers. Isabelle manages to infiltrate the group and become close to their leader, leaving Peter both jealous and worried for her.

As their search leads to danger, Peter realizes he's falling in love with Isabelle. He wants all of her, but she's too used to guarding herself to let him in…

MAN LAW

Book #1 in the Private Protectors Series
Carina Press
ISBN: 978-14268-9185-4
Security Consultant Vic Andrews lives by his Man Laws:
Never mess with your best friend's sister
Never get caught
Never get attached
But he can't deny his irresistible attraction to Gina Delgado, a young widow with three kids and plenty of strings attached. Even so, having a physical relationship doesn't mean they're "in a relationship."

Gina lost her husband to tragedy; she is not getting emotionally involved with another man in a dangerous profession. Sleeping with Vic is just stress relief.

Until one of Vic's assignments goes wrong and the target selects Gina and her kids for revenge. There's nothing Vic won't do to protect Gina and the children—the family he realizes, too late, he wants. He'll accomplish his mission but will he have lost his only chance at true love?

~ ~ ~ & COMING IN NOVEMBER ~ ~ ~

RISKING TRUST

Book #3 in the Private Protectors Series

Carina Press

A LITTLE ABOUT ADRIENNE GIORDANOAdrienne writes romantic suspense and women's fiction. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her work-a-holic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog.

THE QUESTIONSANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
ADRIENNE: Not as often as I'd like. With a son in multiple sports and a traveling husband, there isn't nearly enough time to read anymore. I do try to read each night for an hour. When I'm on vacation, I usually do three or four books in a week. My idea of heaven.

ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?
ADRIENNE: As a child it was The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. I was in first grade and bought the book and the album (dating myself!) from the Book Mobile. The first adult fiction I remember reading was Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon. I loved that book. They also made a television movie out of it, but I liked the book better. I catch the movie every now and again on one of the classic stations. Gotta say, Armand Assante looked great!

ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
ADRIENNE: Bugs Bunny. He's such a hoot.

ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?
ADRIENNE: Betrayal.

ANGI: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?
ADRIENNE: As a matter of fact, there is. :-) Play it.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
ADRIENNE: I typically carry my Kindle in my purse, so I read whenever and wherever I get the chance. I do love to sit on my deck with a glass of wine and read. I grew up on the Jersey shore so my favorite place to read is on the beach in late afternoon when the crowd thins out. The combination of quiet and salt air relaxes me. Now that I live in the Midwest, I miss my beach reading. I still visit my Jersey shore every year though.

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?
ADRIENNE: Speaking of the beach, I love the sound of breaking waves. It's like going home to me.

ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
ADRIENNE: Action Adventure.

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?
ADRIENNE: It was a ghost story in college that I got an "A" on. There were many others before that, but that one that sticks in my head. I think it made me believe I could write a book.

ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
ADRIENNE: Ooh, tough one. I'm a sucker for the Godfather and Gone with the Wind. If I want something lighter, I go for As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson or The Birdcage with Robin Williams. The Birdcage is pure insanity. Hilarious movie.

ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
ADRIENNE: If I'm being honest, no. As crazy as this sounds, I usually put myself in the hero's role. Considering I'm a woman, I think that's pretty darn twisted. Between us (and the entire internet), I think I may have been Vic Andrews (Man Law hero) in a prior life. If you've read Man Law, you realize what a frightening thought that is for me. *grin*

ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
ADRIENNE: Storytelling. Hands down. My father was a fantastic storyteller and I like to think I inherited a tiny, tiny bit of his talent in that area. He's been gone almost nine years now, but sometimes I close my eyes and imagine him telling me about the time he fought off a whale. The first time he told me the story, he had me hooked until he got to the part when he punched the whale in the mouth. I couldn't believe I fell for it up until that point. So funny!

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: I’d really really like to know what gave you the idea for the MAN LAWS ?? At first glance, they remind me of BARNEY STINSON’S book on How I Met Your Mother. And are the MAN LAWS a part of Book #2 in your Private Protectors Series?
ADRIENNE’S GOTTA ANSWER: My hubby and I attended a 40th birthday party where one of the men offered a toast. He spent five minutes declaring a man law that the birthday girl could no longer go shopping with his wife. I was wildly entertained by the idea of this man law. Then it hit me that I should write a book about a rule breaker who only knew how to follow his own set of man laws. It was great fun. And yes, some of the man laws in the book are actual rules men follow. I did research!

Vic Andrews does show up in book two, but the man laws stay in book one. Book two is Peter "Monk" Jessup's book. Peter was a secondary character in Man Law. I was fascinated by the fact that he always wore a do-rag and decided he needed his own book. We all have jumping off points and the do-rag was mine. It gave me a lot of ideas for Peter's backstory. I think readers will be surprised by a few things about him.

TWO BOOKS to TWO LEAVING COMMENTS. That’s right, Adrienne will give one copy of MAN LAW to a commenter and one copy of A JUST DECEPTION to a second commenter. One book each.

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. Those leaving comments through Sunday at noon CST following this post will be eligible for the drawing.
ADRIENNE WANTS TO KNOW: Readers, think about your favorite hero/heroine in a book or movie. What is it about him/her that you loved?
YOU CAN FIND ADRIENNE at her website; on Facebook; on Twitter; at Romance University; or contact her at agiordano@adriennegiordano.com.

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter (#GetLostStories) or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us tomorrow when I host the fabulous Theresa Ragan and on Friday, Donnell will be here with Anne Marie Becker. Remember to check back daily to GET LOST in your favorite stories! ~Angi

Melanie Atkins

Detective Mitch Ransom is in control of his life until he agrees to testify before the grand jury against a brutal serial killer. Then he’s kidnapped, threatening his court appearance, and finds himself trapped with a woman he doesn’t like and believes he has to protect. Tiffany Golden, a police dispatcher, is trying to break the mold set for her by her stripper mother. She wants to become a cop and is on the road to reaching that goal when she’s kidnapped along with Mitch and is forced to cooperate with him in order to escape.


SHIELD OF VALOR
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61252-078-0

BEHIND THE SHIELD
"Put your hands up and keep 'em there. Both of you."

Keller County Detective Mitch Ransom whipped around. He knew that voice. It belonged to Sky Stringer, a low-life skunk he'd served with in Iraq. The ex-military man hunkered close by, brandishing a Taser and ogling Tiffany Golden, whom Mitch had just run into. Literally. The coffee on both their coats attested to that.

Mitch slapped his belt. Damn it. He wasn't wearing his duty weapon, and his cell phone was in the Jeep.

Tiffany stared at Stringer in wide-eyed panic.

Mitch took note of the empty, dark street corner before stepping forward. Stringer held the Taser loosely in his left hand, telling the detective that if he challenged Sky, he'd pay for it. So he simply glared at his former comrade.

"Put that bug zapper away, Sky. Right now."

"Forget it, Detective." The lanky man in the tattered camouflage jacket spat the title like it tasted bad and swung the weapon toward the leggy blonde. Tiffany Golden was a police dispatcher and a former beauty queen, more of an acquaintance than a friend. Sky eyed her with want. "Get your hands up, too, Tiffany. You're going with us."

"Have you lost your freaking marbles, Sky?" Tiffany's eyes rounded. "You and I went out a couple of times, sure. But that doesn't mean you can order me around."

"Tiffany?" Mitch lifted a brow. She was too loud and bouncy for his tastes, but he never would've placed her with a skunk like Sky even if he'd known the jerk was out of jail. What the hell was going on?

Tiffany kept her well-manicured hands in the air. "I was bored, okay? He's ex-military."

"Yeah, with a dishonorable discharge." Mitch curled his lip. "Not to mention that he's an ex-con."

"You went to prison?" She gaped at Sky.

"Shut up, Mitch." The ex-con's cheeks darkened, and he glared at Tiffany. "I wouldn't have been caught if it wasn't for him."

"I didn't buy liquor at the PX and sell it to the Iraqis like you and your pals did," Mitch said. "Barker might've been the ring leader, but you were right behind him."

"You turned us in, you cheese-eating rat. Might as well have stabbed me in the back."

"Sky, go away without hurting us and maybe Mitch won't arrest you." Tiffany bumped Mitch's arm as if to convince him to acquiesce. "I'm on my way out of town, and I can't--"

"Knock it off, blondie," Sky interrupted. "I ain't lettin' either one of you go. I gotta take him, and you're a witness. My boss will kill me if I let you run your mouth."

"I won't say a word. I promise." She shook her head. "Just let me get to my car, and I--"

"Shut the hell up and be still!" He scowled and waved the Taser.

"Do what he says, Tiffany." Mitch stepped in front of her. Sky must have been hit in the head or something, especially if he wanted to involve the blonde dispatcher. She was flighty just like Mitch's mother had been, more trouble that she was worth. Not to mention unreliable and stuck on herself. He'd sooner be trapped with the sixty year-old librarian from the new branch on Hopkins Street.

Tiffany shoved him aside. "Look, Sky--"

"I said for you to shut your pie hole." The former infantryman jerked his free hand to the left. "That's my car. The red compact. Now, I'm gonna open the trunk and you're both gonna climb inside, real quiet like. We're going for a ride."


MELANIE’S SHIELD
Melanie Atkins is a multi-published author of romantic suspense, a fan of crime dramas, and an avid reader. Writing is more than an escape for her -- it's a way of life. She grew up in the Deep South listening to tall tales and penning stories about her cats. Now she writes gripping stories of love, suspense, and mystery with the help of her furry little feline muses.


THE INTERROGATION
ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
MELANIE: Every time I read, write, or watch TV or movies. I love stories, and I love to escape. Reading takes me away to another place, another time. I love that feeling.

ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?
MELANIE: The Ant that Can't … of course, he really could. I looked for it to read to my kids when they were young, but never could find it.

ANGI: What’s your favorite “love” word?
MELANIE: Always.

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?
MELANIE: I don't want to zero in on anyone in particular, but I do admire all the brave men and women in blue who protect and serve. We don't do enough to thank them.

ANGI: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
MELANIE: I was never into fairy tales, really. I'm more a Dr. Suess girl. Nonsensical rhymes get me every time.

ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
MELANIE: Sylvester the Cat. Can't help it; I'm a cat person.

ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?
MELANIE: A lack of common sense. People have brains. They should use them. Don't you agree?

ANGI: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?
MELANIE: Something fast and driving, like Muse… especially for the scene when the strike team bursts into the warehouse. I can just picture it. Men in body armor holding big guns… sigh.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
MELANIE: I read on the elliptical, the treadmill, and the bike at the gym, and whenever I take my mom to the doctor. Wish I had more time, but then I'd never get anything written.

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?
MELANIE: My granddaughter's laughter. She's just a year old and finds joy in the simplest things. That always makes me smile.

ANGI: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
MELANIE: Action Adventure, hands down. I love romance, but fairy tales push my buttons.

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?
MELANIE: A story about my cats. I don't remember what they were doing, exactly, but I do know I wrote it in church. ; )

ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
MELANIE: Silence of the Lambs. Serial killers trump fairy tales, too.

ANGI: Who’s your favorite villain?
MELANIE: Hannibal Lector, of course. He makes my skin crawl… and that's a must for a villain, IMHO. The creepier, the better.

ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
MELANIE: Sometimes, if she's kickass enough. Depends on her role. I don't like wimpy heroines.

ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
MELANIE: Writing, definitely. Plotting is a chore for me.

ANGI: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
MELANIE: Stay tuned for more Keller County Cop books and several single titles, too -- including my favorite book ever, out of all I've written: BLOOD RITE comes out in January in both ebook and print at Whiskey Creek Press. Hope you'll check it out!

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: WOW Melanie, how in the world did you get over 4800 Facebook friends? That’s not really my question. LOL I’m always fascinated with the deleted scenes on a DVD. Are there any deleted scenes from SHIELD OF VALOR or any of your other titles that you would have loved to include, but they just didn’t work in the final version?
MELANIE’S GOTTA ANSWER: Yes. I deleted a really hot sex scene from CHERIESHED WITNESS, the first book in my New Orleans Detective series (also available at Desert Breeze). It pushed the envelope a bit much for it to fit in with the rest of them. Had to tone it down. I think it's a better book now, though. More emotional and intense. Just sayin'.

MELANIE will be giving away a copy her backlist ebooks. (YAY international entries!)

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Open internationally. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. Those leaving comments through Sunday at noon CST following this post will be eligible for the drawing.

MELANIE'S QUESTION
Do you like FBI books? I'm thinking taking my next series (after Keller County Cops) in a different direction. Let me know what you think.

CONTACT MELANIE at melanieatkins@comcast.net
Website Facebook Twitter
Blog Google +

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter --our Tweet hashtag: #GetLostStories-- or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes.

JOIN US TOMORROW when I host Adrienne Giordano. I’m back again Thursday with Theresa Ragan and Friday Donnell will be here with Anne Marie Becker. Remember to check back daily to GET LOST in your favorite stories! ~Angi

Barbara Longley

GET LOST WITH BARBARA LONGLEY'S DRUID LAIRD

Barbara grew up in a litter of five; she and each of her siblings were born in a different state. Moving around so frequently, she learned early on how to entertain herself with stories. As an adult, she has lived on a commune in the Appalachians, taught on an Indian reservation, and traveled from coast to coast. When her own children came along, Ms. Longley decided to try something new—staying put. She has made Minnesota her home ever since.

By day, Barbara teaches young children how to read. She holds a Masters in Education, and has taught elementary education for many years. By night, she likes to explore things mythical, metaphysical, and paranormal. Much of what she learns makes its way into her stories, where all things are possible. While she loves teaching, reading and writing are her passions.

HEART OF THE DRUID LORD

Cursed with immortality, Dermot MacKay craves death. To lift the faerie curse placed upon him and his men over 1600 years ago, he must return the soul of his reincarnated wife to the exact place and time of her murder. But her soul is currently residing in the very modern Sidney St. George – and first he has to convince her to accompany him to Scotland.

Sidney doesn’t believe Dermot’s wild claims of immortality and rebirth. Yet she cannot deny that she is drawn to the sexy Scot. Nor can she explain the sense of déjà vu his touch elicits. Desperate for answers, she agrees to go with him – only to learn too late that to help the man she loves is to lose him forever…

Thanks so much for having me here at Get Lost in a Story!

CAT: Is there a playlisat you’d recommend for reading your latest release?

BARB: If I were to suggest a few playlists to go along with HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD, I'd suggest anything by Loreena McKennitt or the Chieftans. Any Celtic music would go nicely with my tale about a cursed Druid, his lost love and the evil Tuatha Dé Danann princess determined to keep them apart.

CAT: Where do you read and how often?

BARB: I read at home snuggled up on my living room couch or in bed. When I read, I like to have the iPod going, and I read a couple books a week unless I get really busy with other things. I have a Sony e-reader, and a Kindle, so one or the other is always tucked away in my purse for those times I find myself in a waiting room or in a line.

CAT: What was the first story you remember writing?

BARB: The first story I wrote was a children's bedtime poem called, Sleepy Time. That was twenty years ago at least. My two children were little, and I wrote it for them. It was accepted by a small cottage publisher that went belly-up before the project was completed.

CAT: What is your favorite movie of all time.

BARB: I don't have a favorite movie of all time. As new movies come out, they shove my list of favorites back. I tend to prefer romantic movies like, A Walk in the Clouds, Ever After and Pride and Prejudice. I also like anything having to do with Scotts, like Braveheart and The Highlander.

CAT: Who’s your favorite villain?

BARB: I like a villain who has depth and complexity, and who isn't all bad, but I don't have a favorite villain.

CAT: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

BARB: I love to story-tell through my writing. I think most artists who choose writing as their medium of choice are natural story-tellers. I have Irish roots, and the Irish come from a long oral tradition of story-telling. Maybe it's in the genes.

CAT: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

BARB: I'd like to tell my readers that the kindest, most generous thing they can do for any writer they like is to leave positive comments and good ratings on the site where they purchased the book. Also, if you like what you read, tell a friend. Word of mouth is the best promotion ever! I'd also like to say thank you to anyone who reads my debut novel, HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD.

CAT: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

BARB: I read and write with music in the background, and the genre changes often. Lately I've been listening to a lot of new country music, but I also like classical, ethnic and popular music. I'm not one to change my music according to what I'm writing. I just like to have background noise.

CAT: If you couldn’t be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

BARB: If I couldn't write, I'd like to figure out some kind of job where I could travel to Europe frequently. Maybe a travel agent site reviewer, or something like that. I've been a teacher for many years. Maybe I could utilize my teaching skills in a new and creative way. I like the idea of being self-employed, but I'm not sure I'd get along well with my boss.

CAT: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

BARB: If I could travel to the past, I'd go to the late Renaissance period in the Highlands of Scotland. Of course, I'd have to be wealthy and be able to pass for a lady of noble birth, because things would be a little dicey otherwise. Imagine the research a person could do if they could travel through time. That would be incredible.

CAT: What do you do to unwind and relax?

BARB: To relax and unwind I take my dog for long walks, and I always bring my iPod. It's also a good way for me to work through plot or characterization issues when I'm stuck.

CAT: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

BARB: If I could invite any one of my characters to dinner, I'd invite Dagda Mor, the high king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He plays a huge role in the plot, but we only get glimpses of him. If it weren't for Dagda Mor, the Druid Laird wouldn't have had any way to end the curse of immortality. Dagda Mor is a sexy, older man, and I'd seriously consider having a little fling with him, so dinner would only be the beginning.

CAT: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

BARB: Do I read reviews of my books? Obsessively, but I think that might be because I'm so new at this. Maybe once I have a few more books out there, that will change.

CAT: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

BARB: When I decided to write with the serious intent to be published, I sat down and mapped out a five year plan. I wanted to be published within five years. I just made it. That's pretty huge for me. It's a thrill, and it hasn't sunk in yet.

Barb would like to give away a copy of HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD. It's an e-book, so readers have to know that and have a way to read it. She can send it as a pdf, which is downloadable to any device.

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Carina Press authors of fantasy, paranormal and steampunk Blog

Lena Coakley

LENA COAKLEY'S WITCHLANDERS

Today I'm hosting another YA author. This time a fellow Torontonian. I'm very excited about her debut fantasy novel, Witchlanders, which earned a starred reviews in both Publishers' Weekly and Kirkus . (For those of you who don't know what that means... let's just say it's a very big deal and so well deserved.) I love when great covers and great reviews and great publisher support happen to deserving people. (Not that all authors aren't deserving--I just love when it happens to a friend.) :) If you think the photo of this cover is beautiful, you should see the real thing. It's a book that begs to be held and opened and read.

ABOUT LENA COAKLEY

Lena was born in Milford, Connecticut and grew up on Long Island. In high school, creative writing was the only class she ever failed (nothing was ever good enough to hand in!), but, undeterred, she went on to study writing at Sarah Lawrence College. She got interested in young adult literature when she moved to Toronto, Canada, and began working for CANSCAIP, the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers, where she eventually became the Administrative Director. She is now a full-time writer living in Toronto. Witchlanders, her debut novel, is both a Junior Library Guild selection and an ABC New Voices selection.

ABOUT WITCHLANDERS

* Exquisite storytelling plus atmospheric worldbuilding equals one stunning teen debut. Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

* Plot twists unfold at a riveting pace, the boys’ characters are compellingly sketched, and Coakley explores her subject matter masterfully without falling prey to safe plot choices. Publishers Weekly (starred review)

High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.

It’s all a fake.

At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?

But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—

Are about him.

GET TO KNOW LENA COAKLEY

MAUREEN: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

LENA: I used to think my three favorite movies—The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—had nothing in common, but I’ve recently realized that they mark me as a worldbuilding addict. I like to be taken to exotic places I’ve never been before, whether they be Oz, Morocco, or ancient China.

MAUREEN: That's a great insight! What’s the first book you remember reading?

LENA: I vividly remember Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and the effect that it had on me. The image of Max’s room gradually turning into a forest was probably my first experience of finding the surreal in the everyday—something I still love in the literature I read now.

MAUREEN: What’s next for you as an author?

LENA: My agent was very surprised—and pleased, I hope—to get a peek at my next project, because he was expecting another high fantasy in the same vein as Witchlanders. Instead I’m working on my first historical fantasy—with no swords, bones or witches in sight. I can’t spill too much about it yet, but I can tell you that it does take place in 1834 and…I’ve taken two vacations in a row to the north of England.

MAUREEN: Cats or dogs?

LENA: People who’ve read Witchlanders might be surprised that I’m picking cats.
I do love Bodread the Slayer, the dog in my book, but since I’ve never actually owned a dog, I’ve never had that strong bond with one that you get from sharing your life with an animal. I’ve definitely had that with cats. When I was growing up we had a cat named Oscar that I loved as much as any person.

MAUREEN: What was the first story you remember writing?

LENA: I remember writing a play in Junior High School called Phaeton’s Chariot of the Sun. It was about how the mythical island of Atlantis was destroyed by a nuclear power plant. I would pay good money to read it now, but, sadly, I didn’t keep it. I suspect that I bludgeoned the reader over the head with the message, but at the time I thought it was utterly brilliant.

MAUREEN: Do you remember your grade one teacher’s name? If you remember her/him, why does he/she stand out?

LENA: Mrs. Yearsley. I’m pretty sure they gave her the first graders so that they would love school right off the bat. I have no idea if I learned anything—I probably did—but her great skill was to make every, single one of her students feel like they were her favorite. We adored her, and it wasn’t just her students. I distinctly remember other teachers just dropping by the classroom for no reason and gazing at her. She was some sort of siren of the first grade.

MAUREEN: Love that! What’s your favorite kid joke?

LENA: Knock knock.
Who’s there?
The interrupting cow.
The interrupting cow…
Moo!

MAUREEN: A classic. ☺ Which era would you most like to live in and why? Least?

LENA: My problem with questions like this is that if I could go back in time I would feel this great need to save my heroes. “Mr. Van Gogh! Don’t shoot yourself! You’ve probably just got lead poisoning! Mr. Wilde! That Bosie character is bad news. Find a boyfriend with no parents!” I’d just be running around from place to place trying to alter history. But perhaps it would be cool to go WAY back about forty thousand years to the time when mammoths and saber toothed cats roamed the earth and humans were still coexisting with Neanderthals. There is so much we don’t know about that time because it was before written history. But I’d only go if I could bring my glasses, a handful of antibiotics and maybe a shotgun.

GOTTA ASK -- GOTTA ANSWER ☺

MAUREEN: Why do you think fantasy is so popular with young people in particular?

LENA: Hmm. I can tell you why I loved fantasy when I was young—and why I still do. Many people assume I read fantasy for escape, but I really don’t think a fantasy is any more escapist than a contemporary novel. I think fantasy often talks about weighty issues in metaphor, and maybe there is something I enjoy about that—it’s a way of seeing an issue from a completely new point of view.

I also just love the surprise of being introduced to new worlds. Perhaps this appeals particularly to the young because youth is a time for exploration. It’s a time when people want to break out of the confines of their own world and discover something totally different.

LENA ASKS READERS:

I loved the question about the first book I remember, so I’d like to throw it back to those reading this blog: What’s the first book you remember reading?

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH LENA

Website: http://www.lenacoakley.com%20/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lenacoakley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lena.coakley

Barbara Kyle

A NEW QUEEN OF HISTORICALS

BARBARA KYLE
Barbara is the author of the Tudor-era novels The Queen’s Gamble, The Queen’s Captive, The King’s Daughter and The Queen’s Lady, all published internationally. Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’ including Beyond Recall, a Literary Guild Selection. Over 400,000 copies of her books have sold. Her latest contemporary novel of suspense, Entrapped, written under her own name, is available as an e-book. Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S. She lives in Ontario with her husband, where they enjoy sailing their Cal-46 ketch on beautiful Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.

~ ~ ~
Barbara's latest book is a current release with a new contemporary suspense also available. I couldn't chose which book to feature so decided to show all.

THE QUEEN’S LADY The Thornleigh Series Book 1KensingtonSet in the nerve-jangled court of Henry VIII during his battle with the church for a divorce, THE QUEEN’S LADY is the story of Honor Larke, a ward of Henry’s chancellor, Sir Thomas More, and a lady-in-waiting to Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Forced to take sides in the religious extremism of the day, Honor fights to save the church’s victims from death at the stake, enlisting Richard Thornleigh, a rogue sea captain, in her missions of mercy, and finally risking her life to try to save Sir Thomas from the wrath of the king.

“Riveting, heady, glorious, inspired.” Susan Wiggs

EXCERPT

THE KING’S DAUGHTERThe Thornleigh Series Book 2KensingtonWhen Henry VIII’s bitter daughter, Queen Mary, launches her reign with a vow to annihilate heretics, young Isabel Thornleigh must act quickly to save her family. Determined to rescue her father from prison, she entrusts her mission, and herself, to ruthless mercenary Carlos Valverde. But Isabel is also pledged to spy for the rebel leader whose men are bent on overthrowing the Queen. Caught up in a dangerous maelstrom of intrigue and shifting loyalties, unsure of who is friend and who is foe, Isabel knows only that she must unmask the mysterious traitor bent on destroying her family.

“A complex and fast-paced plot, mixing history with vibrant characters.” Publisher Weekly

EXCERPT


THE QUEEN’S CAPTIVE
The Thornleigh Series Book 3Kensington

England, 1554. In the wake of the failed Wyatt Rebellion, a vengeful Queen Mary has ordered all conspirators captured and executed. Among the imprisoned is her own sister, twenty-year-old Princess Elizabeth. Though she protests her innocence, Elizabeth’s brave stand only angers Mary more.

Elizabeth longs to gain her liberty – and her sister’s crown – and in Honor and Richard Thornleigh and their seafaring son, Adam, the young princess has loyal allies. When Mary releases her from the Tower, hoping she’ll make a false move and condemn herself, the Thornleighs return from exile to help Elizabeth in the fight of her life.

To save her family and Elizabeth, Honor must turn a headstrong princess into a queen before "Bloody Mary" destroys them all.

“An exciting tale of the intrigue and political maneuvering in the Tudor court.” Booklist

EXCERPT

THE QUEEN’S GAMBLEThe Thornleigh Series Book 4Kensington
Young Queen Elizabeth I’s path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England.

Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the Queen’s loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth’s trust only goes so far—Isabel’s son will be the Queen’s pampered hostage until she completes her mission. Matters grow worse when Isabel’s husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly cold war.

“Action-packed adventure that expertly blends fiction with history ... a pulsating story of valor and greed, love and passion, and the tremendous cost of loyalty.” Publishers Weekly blog

EXCERPT


ENTRAPPEDASIN: B0056AEQVISet in Alberta, Canada, Entrapped is the story of Liv Gardner, an ambitious young oil executive intent on stopping farmer Tom Wainwright who is sabotaging her rigs after a spill of lethal “sour” gas poisoned his wife. Desperate to save the company she built, Liv plants evidence to frame Tom. But when the evidence is used to indict him for a murder he didn't commit, only Liv can save him.

“A cast of vivid characters, and none of them, from the slick oil baron to the vengeful radical to the not-quite-professional investigator are quite what they seem ... many jolts and twists and turns that will leave no one unsatisfied.” Giles Blunt, internationally acclaimed award-winning author of Crime Machine

EXCERPT

QUESTIONS & ANSWERSANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
BARBARA: Always, if it’s a well told story. It can be any genre. If the characters grab me, I’m theirs.

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?
BARBARA: That’s easy: my husband. We’re sailors, and while I’m often nervous, even scared, he’s always calm and resourceful – and he never yells 

ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?
BARBARA: People who deny the seriousness of environmental problems.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
BARBARA: I read a lot of research material for my writing, and that’s pretty constant. (I enjoy it, too.) For pure pleasure I read fiction and non-fiction that’s NOT for research, every night, in bed.

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?
BARBARA: Wind riding through the trees.

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?
BARBARA: A short story about an opera singer. It was awful. Thankfully, I’m a quick learner *grin*

ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
BARBARA: It’s a tie: “Howard’s End” and “As Good As It Gets”

ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
BARBARA: Definitely! Every time.

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: Barbara, you write and think in two completely different time periods. Will your historical fans see a connection to your contemporary thriller work?
BARBARA’S GOTTA ANSWER: Yes, I think they will. I always feature a strong woman, and my characters always face huge challenges, so those are constants in both genres. Also, the heroines in my historicals and my suspense thrillers have to make hard choices about loyalty, another constant. I think such choices fascinate readers because we all face hard choices in our own lives.

BARBARA WANTS TO KNOW: I believe that, although the settings of my books are 450 years apart, human nature never changes. I’d be very interested to know if readers agree!

In honor of Barbara’s visit, I have a handful of romance trading cards to mail to a blog commenter. (Winner chosen by Random.org)
Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

Fans can CONTACT BARBARA at bkyle@barbarakyle.com
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DON'T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter (#GetLostStories) or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join us tomorrow when Maureen hosts Lena Coakley. I’ll be back next week with Melanie Atkins, Theresa Ragan and Andrienne Giordano. Remember to check back daily to GET LOST in your favorite stories! ~Angi

Janet Gurtler

Today I'm thrilled to be hosting YA author Janet Gurtler.

Janet Gurtler lives in Calgary, Alberta near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a chubby Chihuahua named Bruce. She does not live in an igloo or play hockey but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot. Visit Janet at www.janetgurtler.com

ABOUT HER LATEST BOOK

IF I TELL, October 1, 2011, Sourcebooks

It was like watching a train wreck. I wanted to look away but couldn’t take my eyes off them.

IF ONLY…
If only I hadn’t gone to that party. I never would have seen what I did. Jackson wouldn’t have driven me home. I wouldn’t have started to fall for a guy just out of reform school. I could go back to pretending everything was normal. I wouldn’t be keeping a secret from my mom that could blow our family apart….

GET TO KNOW JANET GURTLER

MAUREEN: What’s your favorite holiday?
JANET: I love the idea of Christmas. I love that people are in giving moods and strangers on the street (and in the shopping malls) wish each other well. I love that families make an effort to get together. I don’t really like the commercial gimme, gimme aspect of it. I must admit though, I love giving people presents. I would give people presents all the time if I was rich.

MAUREEN: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
JANET: I love contemporary YA fiction (which is probably why I write it) I’m a sucker for really emotional stories, especially stories that make me cry. I also love really quirky characters like the ones that A.S. King writes.

MAUREEN: Oh, I love A.S. King, too. Do you believe in ghosts?
JANET: You know what, I totally believe in ghosts. Not the scary, rotting skeleton kind of ghosts in scary movies, but I believe that sometimes the spirits of people who have passed linger around on earth. I have a couple of personal ghost stories, one that still freaks me out today. Of course I don’t tell my ten year old son I believe in ghosts because he would probably never sleep alone in his bed again. Like him, I was intrigued but terrified by ghosts when I was a kid. Actually I guess I still am.

MAUREEN: What’s next for you as an author?
JANET: I am busy working on my third book for Sourcebooks, a story about a girl who accidentally kills a boy who a peanut allergy when she kisses him after having a peanut butter sandwich.

MAUREEN: Oh, that sounds like a great story. I can't wait. Finish it please. Now. Hiking boots or high heels?
JANET: Hiking boots. Or Doc Martens. Would someone please send a memo to the fashion police to have Doc Martens become stylish again? I love the look of high heels on other women, but I hate wearing them. I pretty much never, ever wear high heels.

MAUREEN: Fashion-shmashion. Wear your Docs. :) What was your favorite book when you were twelve?
JANET: Oh….this one is so easy! A Wrinkle in Time. I loved this story so, so much.

MAUREEN: Would you rather sky dive or scuba dive?
JANET: Um NEITHER, ‘kay thanks. Okay, but if someone made me choose at gunpoint or something I would sky dive. I am claustrophobic and I think scuba diving would finish me off.

MAUREEN: What sound or noise do you love?
JANET: I LOVE the sound of ice crunching under my boots in the winter.

MAUREEN: A true Canadian girl. :) What’s your favorite kind of cheese?
JANET: Mmmm. Brie cheese melted in some sort of sweet pastry. Heaven. Fattening, fattening heaven.

MAUREEN: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
JANET: I get kind of geeked out even imagining I have fans! I’d tell teen fans (see it makes me giggle just writing that) “BE WHO YOU ARE. Don’t try to please everyone else. Be yourself. You kind of rock.”

MAUREEN: Strawberry daiquiri or a beer?
JANET: Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri please. I quit drinking alcohol seventeen years ago. Wow! That’s a long time ago!

MAUREEN: Did you belong to a clique in high school? Which one of the standard high school stereotypes did you best fit in to?
JANET: Funny enough the group of popular girls in my first highschool called themselves, “The Clique”. I was on the fringes of that group, friends with some of them, not so much with others. I lost my way for a while and was kind of a pothead but that didn’t last too long. In my senior year I moved to a new city and high school and was a total loner/sad puppy. It was a very hard year.

MAUREEN: Moving at that age is so tough. Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
JANET: I do read reviews of my books. I’m not strong enough not to. I think I’ve “kind” of learned to filter reviews in my head. Not everybody is going to dig my stories and I try to be okay with that. It’s hard, I’m a people pleaser at heart. ☺ Luckily I’M NOT HER did really well with professional reviewers so it was nice to read them! At the time I’m doing this interview, I haven’t seen any professional reviews for IF I TELL. I must admit to being a little nervous but in the end, writers really have no control over the reviews. I think they’d only really influence my writing if there was a consistent theme in more than one interview of something I could do to actually improve my writing.

GOTTA ASK -- GOTTA ANSWER ☺

MAUREEN: Your website says you once worked as a DJ. What tunes should we listen to while reading your book?

JANET: Great question and kind of funny because I’m the type of writer who doesn’t play music when I write. I like to have total silence and no distractions. Same when I’m reading, although when I’m reading I can pretty much block out most noise. That said, I would suggest Eminem. He’s kind of an angry dude, but he’s pretty honest and emotional. Or even (I almost feel embarrassed saying this) how about some angsty Avril Lavigne songs. Not the Skater Boy stuff, but like the Good- Bye Lullaby. It KILLS ME! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHMDS7lolyc



A QUESTION FOR READERS

JANET ASKS: What is one thing you’d love to tell your parents, but are too shy/scared to tell them?

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH JANET:

TWITTTER: https://twitter.com/#%21/janetgurtler

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/janet.gurtler