Meet Celia Bonaduce, Romantic Comedy Writer Extraordinaire

Meet Celia Bonaduce, who writes romantic comedies, which some reviewers have labled Women's Fiction.
I met Celia at a Romance Panel at The Flintridge Bookstore in La Canada. I loved her style and bought her first book, The Merchant of Venice Beach on the strength of it. I loved the story. 
Celia mentioned at the panel, the disparity between the story and the cover.

For reasons known only to Kensington Press was marketed as . . . well you judge. Here is the cover. The Cover has NOTHING to do with the story. The book has 88 reviews on Amazon. Most of them are five star, but a few were disappointed because the cover promises a different type of story. Here is are some excerpts from the book:

Excerpts from THE MERCHANT OF VENICE BEACH:

"It was as if he had offered her a pearl and she had asked for the discarded oyster shell."

"The bike-path hugged the curves of the Pacific shoreline like a pair of Spanx"

“This is going to be worse than signing up at a gym,” Suzanna thought. “Well, maybe not. I don’t think they are going to weigh me at the dance studio.

There are two other books in the Venice Beach series: Comedy of Erin and Much Ado About Mother. You can read more using the link and Amazon's "look inside" feature, but here's a sample) I note they are doing better with the covers on these two. 

Excerpt from COMEDY OF ERINN:

“Cary was just saying how much she enjoyed your plays…back in the day.”

            “Really?” Erinn asked, genuinely startled whenever someone remembered her work.

            “Oh yes,” Cary said.  “Especially Family of Mann.  I saw it many times with my mother.  We loved it!”

            “Well,” Erinn said, “It can’t compare with Isn’t That Weird?”

            Mimi glared at her, but, in her determined agent’s way, tried to keep the focus on Erinn’s accomplishments.

            “Oh, I remember the reviews,” said Mimi. “ ‘Erinn Elizabeth Wolf tugs at your heart strings and brings tears to your eyes’.”  It was quite a time!”

            “And now here I am, having tea with the woman who tugged at a million heart strings and brought tears to a million eyes,” said Cary.

            “Two million eyes, actually,” said Erinn, absently.  “Unless you’re assuming that Family of Mann  played to one-eyed audiences exclusively.”

Excerpt from MUCH ADO ABOUT MOTHER:

Erinn took stock of her sister, Suzanna: She’s a good sister, a good wife, a good mother, a good daughter. She runs a crazy little teashop and bookstore at the other end of town and she’s loved by the entire community. She’s got a great epitaph waiting for her. Erinn quickly tallied her own self worth: She was a good writer and TV producer. "But I’m going to be cremated, so I don’t have to worry about filling up a big piece of granite," she thought.

I REALLY love your humor. 

Celia, I know you have another life beside your writing life. Will you please tell us something about yourself.

I’m a field producer on HGTV’s House Hunters.  It really is the best job ever.  I travel all over the United States (I’ve been to every state except Alaska!) - and have the great opportunity to see a city literally “behind the scenes”.
I want your job! 

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when Kensington told you they wanted to publish your book.

That is a moment no new author ever forgets! I was actually on a House Hunters shoot, and I saw I had a call from NYC - I thought it must be my niece, and excused myself to take the call (my family doesn’t call me when I’m on set unless there is an emergency, so I ALWAYS answer!)  But it wasn’t my niece - it was my agent telling me that Kensington wanted a three book deal!  I was so stunned, I practically fell over.  I sat down as quickly as I could, but forgot I had my glasses in my back pocket.  I did break them, but I didn’t care.
That is a wonderful story. Thank you

When and where did you find your agent.

Getting my agent, (Sharon Bowers of the Miller Bower Griffin Agency of New York) was a classic six degrees of separation situation. One of my friends was repped by her and I had sent my book to my friend to see if she liked it.  My friend not only liked it, but offered to send it to Sharon! OK, that’s only one degree of separation.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?

I consider myself a romantic comedy writer, rather than a romance writer.  I would say, first and foremost, Nora Ephron is my favorite. I love a new writer named Joshilyn Jackson and hope one day to be  David Sedaris or Bill Bryson.  My literary GOD is Neil Simon.
I love Neil Simon! Next to Tom Stoppard and Noel Coward, he's my favorite.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?

The day I got the call from Sharon Bowers that she was going to represent me was probably the most exciting day of my writing life.  I had been submitting material for over two years and to finally have someone besides my mother say “You’re a good writer” was wonderful. Knowing I wasn’t going to have to continue to roll the ball uphill by myself was just such a relief.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?

I’ve been working for HGTV shows for about 12 years.  My first producer’s job was on a show called SIMPLY QUILTS - and I actually got hired because I knew how to sew (the thought process being “it will easier to teach a seamstress how to produce than it will be to teach a producer how to sew”).  I just loved that show - and I still quilt to this day!
I love their reasoning.

My sister-in-law- collected and sold antique quilts in the seventies. I used to mend them for her, using antique fabrics. Apparently the red and green dyes they used is the 1800's cause fabric to rot more easily than other dyes. I did a lot of leaves and roses.

What’s your snack of choice while writing?

No food or drink gets anywhere near my computer (or sewing machine)!

I love the Medieval Gingerbread Recipe from The Merchant of Venice Beach. I already put it on my Recipe Page.  Try this, my friends. It's wonderful. I made it Celia's way and then made it substituting almond meal and coconut flour for the breadcrumbs for my Paleo-manic son.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

Do NOT fear rejection!  I hear people say “I’m afraid to star submitting my book” and I have to wonder - why?  If you get rejected, you life doesn’t change ONE BIT.  But if someone says “yes” (and it only takes ONE) - your whole life changes. GO FOR IT.

Tell us about your latest release. 

I have a new series called WELCOME TO FAT CHANCE, TEXAS - which will be rolled out in July 2015.  It’s another trilogy - but this time the action takes place in a ghost town in Texas instead of Venice Beach.  Dymphna, one of the heroines from MUCH ADO ABOUT MOTHER (book three of the Venice Beach Romance Series) leads the way.

Excerpt from WELCOME TO FAT CHANCE, TEXAS:

Dymphna looked around the room. There was a sideboard with bagels, cream cheese and assorted jams, a tray of perfectly presented pastries, pitchers of orange, grapefruit and tomato juice alongside a silver tea and coffee service. There was also an array of purposefully mismatched teacups and crystal juice and water glasses. None of the food had been touched. If it weren’t for the fact that a few of the teacups were absent from the line-up, there would be no indication that the library was already full of people.

Dymphna fleetingly thought of her friend Suzanna’s teashop in Venice. Suzanna could give this household a tip or two about throwing a brunch. Suzanna effortlessly made every day seemed like a celebration at 'The Rollicking Bun.' Nothing was picture perfect at The Bun, but everything was inviting. Everything in this room was picture perfect, but nothing was inviting.

I just pre-ordered the book on the strength of your excerpt.

What’s your current WIP?

SLIM PICKIN’S IN FAT CHANCE, TEXAS is the second book of the FAT CHANCE series and I’m working away on this right now.  I love animals and I’ve added a bunch (we are in Texas after all) - but worried I might be focusing too heavily on our four legged friends!

And finally, where can we find you online?

Website: http://www.celiabonaduce.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celia-Bonaduce/352890508156101

Twitter: @celiabonaduce

Instagram: Yocelia

Media: http://www.celiab.name/

Thank you for being here. Celia has graciously offered one set of the three Venice Beach romances to one lucky reader. You know the drill. Happy reading and be sure and try the Medieval Gingerbread.

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Meet Dale Ibitz, Romantic Urban and YA Fantasy Author. Giveaway.

Dale Ibitz was born in Oxford, Connecticut, grew up in the state of Washington, and then re-located back to Connecticut as an adult. Always a lover of books, she spent much of her childhood reading, visiting the library (her best friend's mother was a librarian), and writing. She majored in English at Central Connecticut State University, and she's been writing young adult fantasy and mid-grade contemporary for seventeen years. Wow!

Dale's a fan of hiking and the outdoors, seriously good writing, and she never, ever starts the day without chocolate and coffee (preferably together). Music inspires her, and she likes to listen to alternative metal. When she listens to lyrics, she finds herself imagining stories behind the words...it's a great writing exercise. What a great idea for a fantasy writer.

Dale is, by nature, a klutz and has years of funny tidbits of real-life comical events which she constantly seems to stumble in to. If you were to visit Dale's house, you'd meet her husband, 2 kids, their dog Lea (most people simply refer to her as The Beast...and for good reason), and their cat Luna (affectionately known as Loony Luna). And Yes, I stole this from Dale's Amazon Author Page where you can see her YA Fantasy series, which also looks like good reading.

Thanks for being here, Dale.
I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.
It was Soul Mate Publishing in fact! When they first showed interest in Kiss Me Dead, I wasn’t putting too much stock in it…other publishers had expressed interest and then passed. When SMP offered me a contract, my stomach dropped to my toes and then swooped up into my chest. It’s a euphoric feeling!

If it isn’t too nosy . How about the first time you kissed your true love?
We’re all friends here, right? LOL That first kiss was actually a disappointment (don’t tell him that) because it was pretty sedate (which is code for no tongue action). The 2nd kiss is what’s memorable. That one had all the bells and whistles, heat-inducing, heart-thumping, sensual and hot. That’s about all I’m gonna say on that one!

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?
Okay, when I want steam factor, I always go to Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series. Not only are they smokin’, but she has a way of writing that makes you fall in love with characters that you’d otherwise think were dicks. Can I say that word on your blog??

Definitely. Say it three times if you want.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
What I really love is when people talk about characters in my books as though they were real people. It means I’ve connected with someone through my writing.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
Well, reading, natch. But I love the outdoors, whether it’s sitting in a lawnchair, putzing in my garden, or walking/hiking.

What’s your snack of choice while writing?
Coffee. And Chocolate. Preferably together. 

Soul Sister!!!

What genre or genres do you write? 
I have a YA fantasy series, called the Last Moon Rising series, and a new adult urban fantasy. The book I’m writing now is a venture into the steamier side of urban fantasy.

Tell us about your latest release. 

Kiss Me Dead 

follows the paths of two characters. Christian is half-reaper, half-human who’s enslaved to Giltine, the Goddess of Death. He bargains with her for his freedom, because what Christian wants most in the world is his freedom; freedom from living in the Other World, freedom from reaping souls, but most of all, he wants the freedom live life as a human and fall in love. Giltine curses him with the kiss of death, so while he does earn his freedom from her world, it ends in disaster. He needs an angel to break the curse.

Brooke is a long, long long lost descendant of a Naphil. She has issues of her own, because not only can she see reapers, she saw one steal her brother’s soul. After the traumatic experience, she sort of resigns from life because she fears the reapers. What she discovers about herself is that she has the power to stop reapers from stealing souls.

When the two meet, sparks fly. Christian can break his curse by kissing Brooke dead. Brooke can avenge her brother's murder by killing Christian. Neither planned to fall in love.

Wow. I love where your imagination takes you.

What’s your current WIP?
The working title of my current WIP is The Reaper’s Kiss. A little steamier than Kiss Me Dead, it follows the path of William, one of the minor characters in Kiss Me Dead. I like building characters that live in that gray area, embracing the idea that bad people can do good things, and good people can do bad things. We don’t live in a world that’s totally black and white, and neither do my books. That would be boring!

And finally, where can we find you?
Oh, I’m around!
My website: http://authordaleibitz.weebly.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleIbitzAuthor?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaleIbitz
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4855357.Dale_Ibitz
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00522HCDO
Yes you are! Thank you so much for being here, Dale. 
Dale is giving away three copies of Kiss Me Dead for your reading delectation. Do the Rafflecopter Thingy. 

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A Little Bit of Irish and a giveaway

Aye and Begorrah and may the Luck of the Irish be with you.

Somewhere inside, there is a little bit of Irish in most of us. Probably put there by Leprechaun dust. Leprechauns are another tribe of the Faerie Folk that live is a shifting fold of time. Are they alive now? Well it depends on how time folds. It’s always possible to catch a glimpse of one.

In 2013 I went to Ireland to celebrate my seventieth birthday. I wanted to see a Leprechaun; hear musical Irish voices, meet the people and visit the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. You are never too old to want true love.

My sister in law, Jane Dunning, and her husband James, have travelling hearts. Jane insisted we not book accommodations ahead of time. She said she had to see the hostel to be sure it would be a good place to stay. Jane proved to be an expert accommodation picker. We travelled around by bus. We all preferred being able to look out a window, rather than having to concentrate on driving on the other side of the road.

Ireland is a beautiful, magical place. For me it felt like magic might be around every corner. We visited castles and public houses and seaside villages.

The cows sold me on Irish butter. They lie around in impossibly bright green fields doing Yoga.

I didn’t find a real matchmaker, but I did find a pot of gold: An idea for a book, Kate’s Hero, which is in its third revision.

I lost the first six chapters in the second revision. Was told it was back story and the tellers were right. Close to 20,000 words down the drain. That hurts.

Most authors lose chapters in a second draft. Those of us who are “pantsers” have to write our way into the story. Usually the loss is one or two chapters. Not six! While I have a beginning, middle and end, I also have new chapters to write to make up for the loss of those first six. Right now, the story is at least 8,000 words too short.

I’ve posted the current first eight chapters on the “Romance” Tab. If you would like to read them and tell me what you think, I welcome comments.

Gift and Recipe time.

For St. Patrick’s Day, I buy corned beef, spread the spice packet on top, wrap in in heavy aluminum foil and bake it at 250 degrees for five or six hours.

I serve it with cabbage, pan sautéed with Irish butter. And on the side, Sour Cream Horseradish sauce. Because everything is better with sour cream, Even dirt..

Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce Recipe:
Ingredients:

1/4 to 1/2 cup prepared horseradish (according to your taste)
1 pint (2 cups) sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt

Preparation:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine horseradish, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt; thoroughly mix. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Now for Gifts:

I need the gift of inspiration, so I am giving the gift of books. I am giving an eBook, an Audio Book and paperback copy of Time and Forever. Enter below. I would love to know where you would choose to celebrate.

An Irish blessing for you:

  May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven. half an hour before the devil knows you're dead

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Meet Historical & Contemporary author, Samanthya Wyatt

Some of Samanthya's best dreams came too when her books were published and she has more coming!
Samanthya, please tell us a little about yourself.

My morning usually starts with a cup of Java. If I’m lucky, hubby gets up first and brings me a cup of coffee in bed. Mmmm. What a way to greet the day! Then I head to my laptop for a few precious moments of picking my brain. I married a military man, we traveled the United States and abroad. He loves the mountains so we settled in the Shenandoah Valley. We love to take rides in our 1969 Mustang.

A convertible, no less! From 1969. My favorite year.In Time and Forever, my heroines time travel back to 1969.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when you found you’d made your first sale.

I received an email from an editor requesting a full of my MS. Two days later, another email offering a contract. My heart pumped, my eyes grew wide and the smile on my face couldn’t express the excitement I felt inside. I shrieked. Then I ran to my husband and told him my good news. I think he was almost as excited. We ate out, had drinks, and spent any money I would have made selling my first 100 books. LOL

 How about the first time you kissed your true love?
When I was young we went to drive-in movies. We were on a double date. Hubby and I sat in the back and he just leaned in and planted one on me. That's great.
I loved drive-in movies. I miss them so much. Susan Elizabeth Phillips' book Dream a little Dream has two people restoring a drive-in.
Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?

Who has not been inspired by Kathleen Woodwiss!! There are so many favorite authors, Shirlee Busbee, Janelle Taylor, Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, Jude Deveraux, I’m really afraid to mention names for fear of leaving someone out. I’ve found many other authors as well and I look for new authors to read in any genre.
I'm a huge Jude Deveraux fan. I've read most of Catherine Coulter and I think some Johanna Lindsay.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
When I saw my first book cover. It was beautiful. Seeing the cover with my name and the title of my first book made everything real. My dream had come true.
I agree! 

This is Samanthya's first cover.The Right One is available at Amazon for the trifling expenditure of 2.99 

You had a second book come out the next week, Something More, also a mere, 2.99  That must have felt like two desserts!

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
Reading. Gosh I love to read. Since I joined RWA, I’ve joined other chapters, made a lot of friends and found some great aspiring authors. I chat, exchange ideas and join in Facebook parties. I love the beach. What better place to read than on the beach.
Beach!! Yes!! My favorite beach in Kailua, Oahu has a stand of Ironwood trees. I scoop myself out a chair and sit in the shade and read for hours with dreaming breaks to stare at the ocean, or jump in. Occasionally I get to swim with a giant turtle.

What’s your snack of choice while writing?
LOL. Coffee, more coffee, and more coffee.

Got a recipe you want to share?
I have a wonderful recipe that is easy. Believe it or not. Sauce for your meatballs. A bottle of catsup and a can of beer. They are so yummy. Throw your meatballs into a crock pot and use enough of the two (one small bottle of catsup and 1 can of beer) to cover your meatballs.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

No# 1. Join RWA. From there you learn to do a number of things. You can join chapter groups, critique groups, you’ll find friends and receive a lot of help. Take every workshop offered—GMC, POV, character interviews, etc. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did. Enter contests and keep your mind open. Take criticism as constructive. Make your writing better. Don’t expect success overnight. It is a long, hard process. If you are determined, keep trying. Don’t give up.

What genre or genres do you write?
My main love is historical. Dashing Lords and pirates seem so romantic. One day I was playing around to get my mind off edits and I wrote a scene with two women bantering back and forth on a cruise ship. The words seemed to flow. So I ended up writing my first contemporary romance Something More. I have books published in historical and contemporary romance. I plan to do a Christmas contemporary and a Firemen series soon. I interviewed some real fireman for the research and background information to be as accurate as I can be.

Tell us about your latest release.

In the first book of the One and Only Series, “The Right One”, Katherine’s brother is missing. Book 2 is Stephen’s story:

The True One

Will the passion they share be enough? He must choose—her or revenge.

Captain Stephen Radbourn accepts an intriguing proposition which results in horror. His ship in splinters and his men captured, he is a broken man. A band of rebels rescue their leader from a dungeon, taking the near dead captain with them. Fearing capture and thinking the tortured man will die, they leave Stephen in the care of a woman, who he believes is an angel of mercy. A man of passion, with a trail of satisfied maidens to prove it, he finds his heart captured by the lovely widow.

Jennifer Faircloth departed England full of a young girl’s fantasies of romance and adventure. Her young husband dies leaving her a widow to survive alone in a foreign land. When a near death English captain is dropped at her door, memories emerge of the family she foolishly left behind. While caring for him, her curious imagination turns to an overwhelming awareness she cannot deny. He must flee for his life and he takes her with him—back to England—back to the family she’d deserted. She wants her family to forgive her, but she wants Stephen’s love even more.
Sounds great!

What’s your current WIP?
The Only One, book 3 in the One and Only Series.
A dangerous lord’s warning sparks devastating results

One impulsive kiss to prove the young girl flirted with danger shakes Giles’ firm resolve, causing him to flee. Tormented with longing for the woman who branded his very soul, he returns to claim the love he’d carelessly thrown away.

A girl’s determination triggers a woman’s desire
From the first moment Alexandria saw the duke she decided he would be hers. A feisty girl seduces the lord with a woman’s passion determined to get the man she wants.

Thank you for visiting. You can find Samanthya  at her website here: www.samanthyawyatt.com

You can also find Samanthya Wyatt on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Soul Mate Publishing, and Night Owl Reviews.

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Like funny mysteries? Time travel? YA? Meet Pamela Dumond

I met Pamela DuMond at LARA, the Los Angeles chapter of RWA. The first book I read of hers was funny mystery called Cupcakes, Lies and Dead Guys. I loved it and bought some more. And I asked if she would appear on my blog.
Pam, please tell the readers a little about yourself.
I discovered Erin Brockovich's life story, thought it would make a great movie and pitched it to 'Hollywood'. I write romantic funny mysteries, YA, and New Adult romance, including rom-com.

Link to this ebook sampler below.

My YA time travel novel, The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book 1), was recently optioned for film and TV. The sequels, The Assassin (Mortal Beloved, Book 2) and The Seeker, (Mortal Beloved, Book 3) hit shelves in 2015.

My novels The Story of You and Me and Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys made the Quarterfinals in the Amazon Breakout Novel Award Contest.

 Wow. I need to read these and catch up..

I’m addicted to TV shows -- The Voice, Reign, and Outlander! The movies Love Actually and The Bourne trilogy (with Matt Damon -- not that other actor guy,) make me cry every time I watch them. (Five thousand times.)

I’m also a chiropractor and cat wrangler. I love reading, the beach, working out, movies, TV, animals, my family, and friends. I like strong coffee, hearty cabernet, dark chocolate, non-GMO foods, and I live for a good giggle. I’m originally from the Chicago area, but home is now Venice, California with my fur-babies.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.

I was repped by an agent at a large NY lit agency. In 2010 the agency fired my agent, and me as well, because I hadn’t sold yet. So, I was thrilled when a small press loved my book and offered to publish it.

Shortly thereafter I wrote a YA book and looked for literary representation — again. Following months of rejection, I decided I needed to trust that this was still a good story. I needed to say yes to my work. So I self-published The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One.) To say it’s been a wild ride is an understatement.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?I love reading Ann Brashares who writes YA, as well as romance. Her book My Name is Memory is probably one of my favorite books of all time.
I enjoy reading Robert Crais’s books. His characters and scene details capture the essence of Los Angeles. Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Susanna Kearsley are a few more authors among many whose works I enjoy reading.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
Again, this is a tie between when my first book - Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys - was published, and … 

…developing my YA book The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) for a TV/Film deal with my entertainment manager, a show runner and a producer.What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
Another tie—working out, reading, and watching my fave TV shows!

What’s your snack of choice while writing?
I’m sad to say it is crackers.

Got a recipe you want to share?

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Thanks, Pam. By the miracle of anchor tags, I put your recipe on my recipe tab. A simple task which only took four brain burning hours. It will be enshrined on my recipe tab forever.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?
Write every day. You can always get better. Just get the words on paper and then edit, edit, edit! Learn from those authors, editors, agents, bloggers, reviewers who are already out there. Join groups like RWA and local affiliates like LARA - Los Angeles Romance Authors. You’ll meet like-minded people who will support you in your efforts.

What genre or genres do you write?
I write comedic mysteries, YA, and NA romance. I love romantic comedy.
Me too! I love your Annie Graceland books.

Tell us about your latest release.

Cupcakes, Diaries, and Rotten Inquiries (A Romantic, Comedic Annie Graceland Mystery, #6)

Annie Graceland's a thirty-something-year-old baker with a pinch of psychic ability. She's empathic—she can feel other person's lusts and desires in her own body. No biggie if she experiences someone else's cravings for dark chocolate or a foot massage.
But Annie's recently acquired a spookier skill—she can see and talk to ghosts. And much to her dismay, they also talk to her—nagging her incessantly to solve their murders so they can go to the Afterlife.
Annie’s former college boyfriend, Mack ‘The Man’ McManus asks to ‘friend’ her on Facebook. Should she accept his request? She’s getting divorced and is happily dating a new hunky guy—Detective Raphael Campillio.
She hasn't seen Mack in years and they don't even live in the same state. What could possibly go wrong? She says yes and accepts his Facebook friendship.

Unfortunately, Mack has NO boundaries. He stalks her on FB, sending her photos and non-stop messages. He shows up unexpectedly at her work—he’s visiting for a Used Car Convention. He not only expects her to show him the town, but hopes to re-kindle their romance—and he won’t take no for an answer!
When Mack is murdered in a manner fitting his profession, his befuddled ghost materializes at Annie’s apartment and won't leave her side. It’s up to Annie, her BFFs Grady and Julia, and her arch nemesis—the ghost of Dr. Derrick Fuller to solve Mack’s murder, and send him to Afterlife before her Annie’s mother arrives in town for Thanksgiving.
Will Annie and her friends solve the crime before she loses what little remains of her sanity?
Cupcakes, Diaries, and Rotten Inquiries is a Cozy, Culinary, Humorous, Romance, Mystery Series written ala "Bridget Jones Diary" in a first person, 'Dear Diary' fashion. The characters reveal their private thoughts, hopes, dreams, and naughty desires.
This is an ENHANCED ebook. In addition to the text of the story, it contains links to official music videos, movie and book trailers, animal health information, and of course - real recipes are included!

I also just published the Pamela DuMond Free eBook Sampler (Romance, Mystery, and Humor with Heart.)
This free sampler contains excerpts from my works of fiction.
Thank you. Just grabbed it for my ipad.

What’s your current WIP?
I’m writing the sequels to my YA time travel book, The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One).

I plan on publishing The Assassin (Mortal Beloved, Book Two) and The Seeker (Mortal Beloved, Book Three) summer 2015.

And finally, where can we find you?

Website Mailing List Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest Blog Cupcakes Book Trailer

Grab Pamela's books on Amazon B&N Kobo Audible Ibooks

Thank you so very much, Susan, for having me on your blog today! I’m happy to give away

Two ebook copies of Cupcakes, Diaries, and Rotten Inquiries
One eBook copy of The MessengerOne eBook copy of Part-time Princess.

Wow! I am entering this giveaway myself! Thanks for being here Pamela, You are an inspiration and I love everything of yours I read so far. Pacing  myself so I don't run out of you..

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Q&A With Robyn Carr on her new book One Wish

Robyn Carr's seventh Thunder Point Novel is out - One Wish. It's available in hardback, paperback Audible and Kindle and I have a copy to give away!

I'm halfway through the book and I love it!! Every Thunder Point novel is stand alone, but it's much more fun to read them in order. In every Thunder Point novel we meet and fall in love with new characters and learn more about some of the supporting characters from other books. Robyn also introduces new peripheral characters that you know are going to get their own book.

Blurb: Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she's proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she's created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace's fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace's past catches up with her, and she knows that's not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He's determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

Robyn, in One Wish, Grace moves to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. You live a pretty quiet, humble lifestyle but you are still a #1 New York Times bestseller! Have you ever been in Grace’s position and wish you could escape and start a whole new life?
I  love my life – it’s exactly the life I want. That being said, I sometimes feel a bit over-exposed. And I’m continually surprised that people would treat me differently now than they did 10 years ago. I’m flabbergasted when I meet a reader and she cries because a book or books has meant so much to her. A couple of readers brought husbands to a signing and they made a big deal worshiping me for bringing romance back into their lives – that was so much fun, I can’t tell you. And there have been so many readers who have thanked me for getting them through personal loss or hard time – I am so grateful. But run away? Never. I chose my life and I chose very well.
I write about that a lot – you can live whatever life you choose. Maybe you can’t decide how much money you’ll have or whether you’ll always be healthy, but you can choose where you live, what kind of friends you’ll have, how you’ll spend your time, what you dream of, how or if you worship, what your priorities will be – that’s how you live an authentic life. My characters do that. My readers like that.

I fell in love with Mikhail, Grace’s no-nonsense former figure skating coach. Do you think he’ll stay and find a life in Thunder Point? (Please say yes!)
Oh, I don’t think Mikhail is going anywhere. He seems to be settling in. Grace and her mother are his only family now.

If you had ONE WISH what would it be?
What a loaded question! If I had one wish for today it would be that I wish I wasn’t having this back spasm or whatever it is – but I’m not falling into that trap of having one wish. I’ve heard all those genie jokes. A million bucks turns into a million male elk roaming suburbia. Remember, I am a disciple of It’s A Wonderful Life – the smallest act can produce an avalanche of goodness or riptide of despair. I wish to do my best every day, remember right from wrong, love well and honestly and laugh repeatedly. And live to be a healthy 126.

But Grace Dillon is another story – that’s the heroine in One Wish. She’s spent her whole life being part of a the isolating and high-pressure world of competitive figure skating. She gave it everything she had, she did well and now, living a completely different kind of life, one of quiet, self-sufficiency she’s happy to finally be like everyone else. But then she meets someone special, someone she never dared hoped to have in her life. Now she has one secret wish. And she’s doing all she can to make it come true.

I hear A NEW HOPE which comes out July 1st (can't wait.) has some elements of mystery in the plot. How often do you add suspense to your novels and do you do any research to prepare to write a murder?
I’m not a suspense or mystery writer, but sometimes it seems to be what the story calls for. Sometimes I can’t even recall where the mystery came from. I was researching young athletes and stumbles across the great number of them pestered or stalked or injured. I recalled the attack on Nancy Kerrigan just as she was preparing to compete in the Olympic trials. All that came together and I began thinking What If? That’s the thing about these books – sometimes it’s a crime, a mystery, a deep emotional problem, a challenge… See how fun my days are? Never a dull moment.

Tease us. What do you want new readers to know as they start A NEW HOPE? 

Just when you think life is nothing but pain and agony, you could meet people who remind you that there is so much good and hope in the world. Ginger, who you will first meet in One Wish, finds a whole new life in Thunder Point. All she had to do was be open to it.

Thank you for the interview, Robyn. I am delighted to say I have a paperback copy of One Wish to give away. Use the Rafflecopter entry form. Happy reading

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