Chatting with Author Toni LoTempio - Raven's Quest Virtual Book Tour and #Giveaway

“In 1995, I joined the staff of SUSABELLA PASSENGERS AND FRIENDS, where I have been a staff reporter for over 10 years, winning their Margaret Sutton Award for Distinguished Writing in 1998. I joined the staff of NIGHT OWL REVIEWS IN January 2011 as the suspense reviewer/columnist. My column, DARK STREETS, is featured on a monthly basis.

In 2007, Whiskey Creek Press published BOUND BY BLOOD, a tale of possession, and EBONY, which deals with zombies and the dark side of man. EBONY was #2 on the Fictionwise bestseller list for e-books for the month of July 2007, beating out Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story. In 2010 I self published NO REST FOR THE WICCA, which made Amazon’s list of top one hundred in Occult in March 2011, (and has been there for 33 weeks!) and my short story, THE SACRIFICE, appears in the e-published anthology KISS ME KILL ME, and another, a follow up story to NO REST FOR THE WICCA, appears in the anthology EVERY WITCH WAY BUT WICKED.  Proceeds of sales of EWWBW benefit Nathan Fillion’s charity, KIDS NEED TO READ!

Currently single, I work full time and live in Clifton, NJ, with my muses: Rocco, Maxx, Gata and Trixie. Rocco is also known as Rocco the Sci-Fi Blogging Cat and has appeared on the Sci-Fi Saturday Night website and radio show, and also on the Kids Need To Read website where he holds the distinction of being the first (and possibly only!) blogging cat to support this charity.”

Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads

MM:  Many authors relate their characters to people they know.  Is this the case with your characters and do you see yourself in any of them?

TLT:  Oh my I am always basing my characters on people I know. Everyone I come in contact with gets fair warning that they may appear in a book someday LOL.  And yes, I do puta bit of myself into each of my heroines – for example, Raven gets her strong personality and sarcastic sense of humor from yours truly.

MM:  Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

TLT: That is like asking me to choose one of my cats over the other, LOL. They are all my favorites, because I created them.

  

MM:  Who is your most favorite character from any book of all time?

TLT:  Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind.  I can absolutely identify with her independent spirit.

MM:  If you could dive into the pages of any book, which book would it be and what character would you be?

TLT: Any Perry Mason or Midnight Louie mystery. I’d love to be Paul Drake (or Midnight Louie) and prowl around and solve the case!

  

MM:  If your book was to become a movie, which actors/actresses do you see playing the parts of your characters?

TLT:  I honestly havent’ given this question much thought, believe it or not! But I think for Raven, I could definitely see Megan Fox in the role! As for Finn – he’d have to be a redheaded hunk and a half. And a Scottish accent wouldn’t hurt, either.

  

MM:  What can we expect from Toni LoTempio in the future? Any new projects?

TLT:  I’m working on a new paranormal romantic suspense series I hope to release in April 2013 via Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

  

MM:  Where can readers connect with you?

TLT:  Website under construction, so the best place is ROCCO’s blog, which is updated weekly. www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a wonderful pleasure.

In this short novella, Shapeshifter Raven Grace and her psychic lover, Finn McPhee, are back, traveling to parallel time in search of a demonic killer.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

EXCERPT

The woman staggered into the center of the floor, weaving like a drunk. She looked to be in her early thirties, her full red lips matching the nearly non-existent dress she wore of the same color. “Death to all” she rasped, staggering forward. Her hand shot upward, and the large butcher knife there gleamed with fresh, red blood.

Raven pushed forward, her eyes darting around the large room, desperately seeking Finn. She caught sight of him. He’d been pushed back against a marble pillar, and was slowly inching forward.

His voice, inside her head: Got your weapon?

She nodded grimly, even as her fingers reached inside the useless purse slung carelessly across one slim, bare shoulder. She pulled out her weapon, cocked the safety, and plowed forward.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Hedy do the same.

And then the air was rent with another, commanding voice, a feminine one.

“Drop it. Drop the knife now.”

The knife wavered wildly in the air as the woman took a step backward, her eyes glazed over and glassy. The speaker moved into the center of the room, and both Raven and Hedy stopped in their tracks, taking in the tableaux before them. The woman who stood calmly training her stunner on the knife-wielder, was thirty if she was a day and looked to be in perfect shape, if the curves beneath the form-fitting white Dior number she wore gave any indication. Her black silk fall of hair, parted in the middle, framed a face Raven knew George would describe as “million-dollar”, but there was a steely set to her jaw, a coldness in the thin set of her lips, that kept her from being beautiful. Still in all – she was a package no man would kick out of bed, of that Raven was certain.

The newcomer moved with the speed of a striking cobra, gripping the knife hand and twisting it backward. “I said drop it.”

Fingers went limp, and there was a sharp clink! as knife met floor. The woman whipped one hand out, and the next second shiny handcuffs had been slapped on the offender.

“I need help here,” the brunette snapped. “She needs a doctor, she’s obviously drugged. Someone get a medic – what are you all waiting for?”

On the podium, Sully cleared his throat. “You’d all best listen to her, and get used to it. I realize this isn’t exactly the best introduction, but…” His arm swept out, indicating the woman. “My successor…Captain Darla Barnes.”

Communing with the dead is an everyday occurrence for PI Morgan Hawkes. A half-Wiccan witch who can commune with spirits of those caught between worlds, Morgan uses her talents to exorcise the trapped ghost or demon as part of the Paranormal Investigation Squad – until a string of murders with a voodoo slant prompts the Special Forces Agency to ask for her assistance. Someone’s killing pureblood witches- and the SFA’s convinced Morgan’s heritage (her father was a voodoo priest) could be instrumental in solving the mystery. Teamed with dashing SF agent Cole St. John – an Inheritor Vampire that sets her blood racing – the two of them fight their attraction for each other as they race to stop a madman from unleashing a demonic force upon the world.

Raven Grace was a college senior with ambitions of a career in law enforcement when she met the demon Aega, whose bite turned her from mortal to Shapeshifter. Now a member of the Recovery Organization, Raven keeps the peace between humans and errant Hellhounds, trolls, wizards and the like while trying to track down Aega and bring him to justice. After a particularly dicey encounter one night with a Hellhound, she goes to the aid of a girl who’s been attacked and near death—and is amazed to find Aega’s bite mark on the girl’s arm. Determined to get to the bottom of this, she revisits the victim’s apartment and there discovers her closet is a portal to a parallel universe, where people she knows lead vastly different lives. She also gets a glimpse of the Recovery Captain there—a six foot, redheaded Scotsman named Finn McPhee, whose sexy accent and even sexier bod sets her senses aflame. Seeking answers, Finn takes Raven to the magickal underworld, where an ancient fae informs them the demon’s quest is rooted in Scottish mythology and magick. As they delve deeper into legend, the truth comes to light—Aega is only a pawn, subservient to another, darker demon…a being who knows the truth about Raven’s heritage, and who orchestrated her return to this parallel universe for the ultimate showdown. Now, Finn and Raven find their passion for one another must take a backseat to Raven’s battle with a dark force who won’t be satisfied until he’s claimed her soul for his very own…

2 giveaways at each stop for choice of E-book above:
No Rest for the Wicca
Raven's Kiss (Book 1)Raven's Quest (Book 2)

October 24 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
October 25 - Interviewed at Mass Musings
October 29 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
October 31 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
November 2 - Interviewed at Immortality & Beyond
November 6 - Interviewed at From The Mind of Omegia
November 8 - Book Feature & Excerpt at All Things BooksNovember 8 - Book Feature & Excerpt at My Escape
November 12 - Book Feature & Excerpt at For The Love Of The Reading
November 13 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Two Fantasy FlooziesNovember 15 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
November 19 - Guest Blogging at Waiting On Sunday To Drown
November 21 - Interviewed at Angels & Warriors Radio
November 23 - Review & Guest Blogging at A Book Lover's Library

VBT Tours: Go Publish Yourself by Katie Salidas

Katie has done it again! Even with a new baby, though he's getting big, she's released another book. Stepping out of the Urban Fantasy Realm, Katie is here to help you, Go PublishYourself!

Welcome Katie!

BK: Tell us a little bit about your new release...

KS: Go Publish Yourself! will help you avoid the common stumbling blocks and get you on the road to successful self-publishing. This handy dandy guide is filled with insider’s tips and tricks, and it will unscramble the world of self-publishing into simple, easy-to-follow steps.

BK: You have written the Immortalis Series, an Urban Fantasy, how different was it to write this book compared to the series?

KS: Writing non-fiction is a totally different experience. With fiction, you can make up worlds and design characters. Non-fiction (now this is going to sound boring, but it’s not) is very straight forward. You lay out the facts and make them clear for the reader. It’s less imaginary and more technical. Trying to do it without it reading like stereo instructions is the where you can add a bit of flair.

BK: Katie also just released the 4th installment in the Immortalis series, Soulstone, congratulations Katie :).

KS: Thanks! I’m thrilled to have that one out! I can’t wait to see what readers think of it.

BK: What inspired Go Publish Yourself?

KS: It started as a collection of blog posts. I spent about 6 months writing on topics about self-editing, self-publishing, and marketing. The posts were very popular and the feedback I received was wonderful. It was then that my editor suggested I put everything together in a nice easy-to-read format. That’s when Go Publish Yourself took shape. It’s a handy dandy quick reference guide for all levels of self-publishers.

BK: What, in your opinion is the first thing a new author should do before Self-Publishing?

KS: Well, before considering self-publishing, you must have a complete manuscript. I know that sounds a little “Duh,” but it’s a serious step. Before you even think of sharing your work with the world for profit, you better be sure it’s ready. It needs to be complete: have a beginning, middle, and end, as well as be beta tested so-to-speak. You should have that complete manuscript worked over by a critiquing group or partner to ensure the story is good and the plot isn’t full of holes. Self-publishing should only be considered when you know you have a product to publish first. In other words, don’t think “Hey, I’m going to write and publish a book,” before you’ve written the first words.

BK: What is the most common mistake you see authors do when Self-Publishing?

KS: In my opinion, it’s forgetting to take that first important step. Having your work looked at by another person. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have your work critiqued. Yes, it takes time out of your production schedule, but having a separate pair of eyes (from a person not invested in the story or the author… no letting your mom critique your work) does wonders for your work. A critiquer will spot the plot holes, the inconsistent characters, and the unbelievable scenarios in your work that could lead to a bad review. Once they spot them you can fix them and make the story really shine. Next comes editing and that is the second biggest mistake I see in self-publishing. Critiquing and editing are not the same thing but new authors often treat them as the same. You must have a qualified editor look at your work after it has been through the critiquing phase. And as you’ll see in my book, I have a few very reasonably priced editors listed. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to produce a good book.

BK: How often should an author be marketing their work in a 24 hour period?

KS: I don’t think it’s a question of actual time spent. It’s more about how you approach marketing. There are different types of marketing. You have active marketing. For example, tweeting about your book. That’s the kind of marketing that should be done sparingly. Just a couple of times a day (and when I say a couple, I mean 2) It is necessary to make your work available and link it far and wide, but people tend to tune that stuff out. Do it too much and it becomes spam and then you piss off potential readers and they stop following your forever. Then there is passive marketing. Let’s say I am active on a message board. In my signature I have a link to my amazon.com page. Every time I make a post on this particular message board, my signature is visible. If people like what I say, they may want to check out my work. They might click the link. That’s the kind of marketing that people should be focusing on. Connecting with readers on a personal level and gaining their trust and interest. This blog post is also a form of passive marketing. I hope that you’ll find it interesting and informative, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll want to learn more. =)

BK: Where do you recommend an author go to publish their work?

KS: That’s really dependent on what formats they want to be published in. But, for arguments sake, I’d suggest starting with ebooks and Kindle. Kindle is one of the easiest to setup and the most widely known of the ebook devices and Amazon is the biggest etailer out there.

BK: What is one thing you learned through writing Go Publish Yourself?

KS: That the learning process never ends. While having my work beta tested, I was able to see the advice I was giving put into practice. My readers came back and told me what worked and didn’t. That let me go back and revise prior to production of the book.

BK: You've recently had a new baby, Hunter, how do you fit your writing in while juggling everyday life?

KS: In short – I don’t. Sadly, I haven’t written anything new since Hunter was born 4 months ago. That’s not to say I won’t get anything written soon, I just haven’t figured out how to juggle my schedule.

BK: How are you liking being a Mom all over again?

KS: The jump from one kid to two has been interesting. I’m a lot more relaxed about having a newborn in the house than I was when my daughter was little, but learning to split my attention between two kids has been hard. They always want my 100% attention to themselves. LoL. But it’s great, and I love both of my kids.

BK: Please tell us where readers can connect with you and purchase your works...

KS: You can always find me on Facebook. I practically live there.

https://www.facebook.com/katiesalidas

And on my personal website

http://www.katiesalidas.com

or on my publishing site

http://www.risingsignbooks.net

BK: Katie, as always it's been a pleasure having you with us. Is there any upcoming projects or events you'd like to share before we let you get back to your life?

KS: BK thank you again for having me! I love popping by to chat with you! And I hope to be back soon with more exciting news. For now, the focus is on Go Publish Yourself! and Soulstone, but as soon as I have something new in the works, you’ll be the first to know!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy life to chat with us today Katie. Good luck in the future and we will continue to look forward to your work.

Self-Publishing made simple. Get your polished novel ready for Kindle, Nook, or Print in thirty days or less.

Avoid the common stumbling blocks and get on the road to successful self-publishing. This handy dandy guide, filled with insider’s tips and tricks, will unscramble the world of self-publishing into simple, easy-to-follow steps.


What’s in the book?
Common Misconceptions
The Business of Self-Publishing
Basic Costs & Budgeting
Publishing Formats: Epub, Kindle, Smashwords, & Print
Cover Art
Interior Layout
Pricing
Printing and Distribution
Marketing Basics: Platform Building, Book Signings, Blog Tours, etc.

And much more!


Don’t make rookie mistakes. Learn from an insider!

Katie Salidas is an author with several successful self-published titles. Each of her titles was created in the DIY (Do It Yourself) style, without the aid of author service companies. Through trial and error she has gained the knowhow to successfully publish print and ebooks. Go Publish Yourself! has that knowledge assembled into an easy-to-use format, packed with no-nonsense tips and quick and dirty tricks, so you can take your novel to the next level.

So, what are you waiting for? Go Publish Yourself!

I am Super Mom!

Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, I can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. I can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, I still find time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). I can do all of this and still have time to write my novels.

Sorry… I can’t even write that with a straight face.

Lies all lies.

Here’s the reality. I’m a sleep-deprived, overworked, mom who just doesn’t know the meaning of the word balance. I try so hard to do it all, (be super mom, wife, & author) and at the end of the day I fall face forward into the couch.

Yes, you read that right, I tend to sleep on the couch. It’s a point of frustration for my hubby and a thing of comedy for my daughter. Imagine waking up to your little child yelling, “Mom slept on the couch again!!!”
Because being supermom (or trying to) means a lot of time devoted to family, writing is often done when said family is peacefully snoozing away. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep with my laptop, on the couch. It just happens. Then, bright and early at 7am either my hubby (on his way to work) or my daughter (getting ready for school) wakes me up.

Writing is my passion. It’s a part of me. More than just a hobby, it’s a compulsion. I have to do it. If I don’t do at least one writing related thing each day I get cranky.

Hopefully, my passion can be your entertainment!

Over the last two years I have written and published (via my publishing company, Rising Sign Books)

April 19 - Interview & Reviewed at Immortyl Revolutions
April 23 - Reviewed at B'Tween Prose, Faerotic Prose, Loves 2 Read
April 25 - Guest Blogging at Alchemy of Scrawl
April 27 - Interview & Reviewed at AZ Publishing Services
May 1 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
May 4 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
May 5 - Interview, Fun Facts & Review at Books Are Cool
May 7 - Guest Blogging with Louise James
May 9 - Reviewed at Ereading on the Cheap
May 10 - Guest Blogging at Brenda-Steve's Blog
May 11 - Guest Blogging at MK McClintock's Blog
May 14 - Guest Blogging at For The Love of Reading
May 14 - Reviewed at AZ Publishing Services & Interviewed at KWOD Radio

Interview with David Fingerman and Review of Silent Kill - Virtual Book Tour

Today I am doing an interview with author David Fingerman,  plus giving a review of Silent Kill,  a much anticipated post.  Sorry it's late David,  we lost our kitten and our pit and youngest son are so upset.  I had to make a flyer and put it around town lol.

Anyways,  welcome to Walker's Muse David.   I loved Silent Kill!  David is also giving away a signed copy of Silent Kill at the end of his tour,  so leave David a comment to gain an entry and visit his website for his schedule,  or view the Calendar Of Events page for authors on tour.

BK:  Please tell us a little about yourself.

DF:  I've lived in Minnesota my entire life. I love this time of year and am not a fan of summer. Me and heat don't get along. I got severely sunburned years ago when I went to Miami during spring break. My ideal weather is cloudy, 60 degrees, and a good wind. My ideal day is writing in a dimly lit room while listening to my old LPs (vinyl is the way to go, man). Despite rumors to the contrary, I'm really quite sane (clinically speaking). 

BK:  What inspired you to pen your first title? 

DF:  Inspiration for my first published short story, "Autumnal Equinox" came from a Loreena McKennett song, All Souls Night. Inspiration for "Silent Kill" came from so many years of sitting in the courtroom. One gets to see the best and worst of human behavior and emotion. It's something I strive to capture in my writing. 

BK:  How long have you been writing? 

DF:  Pretty much since I learned how. But serious writing, since the early 90s, at least that's when I sent out my first short story in hopes of getting it published. (On a side note ~ it never happened. It's now collecting dust in my file drawer. I think there's a moral in there somewhere about perseverance.) 

BK:  What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel? 

DF:  I had written a lot of short stories and had the mindset that a novel is just a really long short story. It's a totally different thought process. Honestly, I didn't know what I was doing at the beginning (some would say that I still don't). Then there's the research. I'm somewhat lazy when it comes to research, but the deeper I got into the "Silent Kill" the more research I had to do. 

BK:  Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing? 

DF:  Just having a book published is a thrill. I certainly don't mean this as a slap to self publishing ~ there are so many advantages to going that route, and I have the utmost respect for authors that do (I've gone that route too), but for me there was a certain validation that someone in the publishing business thought my work was good enough to put into print. 

BK:  Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp? 

DF:  Stay in school and don't take drugs. KIDDING! Messages? Absolutely not! I just want to tell an entertaining story that will stay with the reader long after they put the book down. But seriously ~ stay in school and don't take drugs. 

BK:  Where do you hope to take your writing in the future? 

DF:  The New York Times bestseller list and movie rights would be just ducky.

What advice do you have for writer's just starting out? 

Write every day and write because it's a passion. Join a writers' group. Develop a thick skin. If you can't take criticism (and unfortunately, not all of it will be constructive) you're probably in the wrong line of work. 

BK:  Anything else you would like to share with us today? 

DF:  Follow my virtual book tour and leave comments. At the end of the tour I'll be drawing a name and sending the winner an autographed copy of "Silent Kill." 

Oh yeah ~ stay in school and don't take drugs. 

LOL.  Great advice David.  Awesome that you are doing a giveaway too.  So please be sure to leave David a comment for your chance to win.  

Now for the Review :). 

http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com

Silent Kill by David Fingerman was an excellent mix of mystery and suspense.  From the first page Fingerman holds nothing back.

Louise Miller is a female cop that gets a lot of hassle from her fellow officers.  Her brother Andrew is a new cop in a different precinct.

When Mark Lone Bear,  her friend and fellow officer turns up missing,  Louise puts in all effort to find out what happened to him.

Throughout the investigation,  her brother who is getting broken in as a rookie,  stumbles upon a development in Louise's case,  Mark Lone Bear and his car.

When two more people end up missing,  Andrew and Louise work to find answers to Mark Lone Bear's murder and the kidnappings.  The closer they get to finding the murderer,  the more danger that befalls upon those they love and care for.

Was Mark Lone Bear mixed up in something he shouldn't have been that led to his death?  When one more kidnapping hits Louise a little too close to home,  will she save all three before they end up dead too?  Find out in Silent Kill.

Fingerman did an excellent job in his first full length murder/mystery.  Full of suspense and with an imagination that will leave you wanting more,  this is one title you will want to get your hands on.

The perfect mix of crime,  mystery and suspense,  I couldn't put it down until I knew what happened in the end.  I give Silent Kill ***** (5) Stars,  BK Walker.  http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com


Learn more about David Fingerman by clicking the book cover. 

Purchase at Amazon,  Barnes and Noble and Fictionwise.

---

BK Walker Books - All Rights Reserved

Behind The Words with L.E. Harvey

Today my guest is Lauren Harvey!  Please give her a warm welcome. 

L. E. Harvey is a writer and model in Harleysville, PA.  She greatly enjoys all that Philadelphia city life has to offer.  When L. E. is not writing or working on the political scene, she models as a pinup and "alt" (alternative) model.  L. E. admires women like Betty Page, and "Rosie the Riveter" has been her idol since childhood.  She is currently affiliated with The Gypsy Queens, Angels With Ink (AWI), The Cherry Girls, and Curvy and Rocker Pinups.  L. E. Harvey is a proud participating author in Operation E-book Drop, sending e-book copies of her books to the men and women of the U. S. military across the globe!

The Person Behind the Words 

L. E. Harvey 

Who are we writers, that you purchase our work without knowing us? It's a rarity in our times to make any kind of purchase without research, test drives, and the like. Yet, writers are in that tiny percentage of people whose work will be bought, and no one knows a thing about the person in that picture on the back.

Who are we writers? Are we recluses who hide away, typing words for hours on end? Or are we that person who smiled and said, “hi” as you passed by on the street this morning? Who, or what, makes a writer?

Well, just like anything else in life, there is a tremendous variety of personalities in the writing world. Some writers are reclusive. Others are always out and about. Some are extremely friendly. Others can't be bothered to give you the time of day. Writers are as different as peacocks are from chickadees.

Since I fall into this interesting grouping of people, let me tell you a little about the person in my picture.

I am multi-racial. I grew up hearing various accents and languages. It makes for some very interesting and even comical stories. A Spaniard trying to speak to a Slav in English when English was not the primary language for either makes for an unusual conversation! I loved it, though. I am very proud of my mixed heritage. I love being a mutt. Plus, it can be fun to speak to people in unusual languages when they have no idea what you're saying. It's especially good for those annoying sales people that approach you on the streets of cities like New York or Las Vegas. 

I come from a small, but very tight family. Family was always very important, and we all love and respect each other tremendously. We also know how to make each other laugh. We've found that laughter is the most important thing in life, and we make sure that we can't get enough of it. It's a rarity that you see a family picture without at least one of us making some kind of comical expression.

Mine was also a theatrical family. We were always on stage. We sing, we dance, we act. Performing was such an enjoyable outlet for me as a child. The only real issue now is that I will often spontaneously break out into show tunes, and I can't really control it. I don't mind, though. It typically makes people laugh, which is a good thing. 

Since singing was an integral part of my upbringing, music has always been important to me. I listen to nearly every genre of music. There are a few I'm not necessarily particular for, but if the musicianship is good, then you can rest assured I'm listening to it. From opera to heavy metal to bagpipe music, I listen to it all!

That love of music, theatre and comedy has really come into play in my side work as a pinup girl. Let's face it: pinups are cute, coy and entertaining. Since making faces in front of a camera comes quite naturally to me anyway, I had no problem transitioning into the pinup world. It's just a new way for me to carry on the family's tradition of fun facial expressions. 

As for my “real” job as a writer, I've been writing my entire life. While most kids would go out and play baseball, I'd run up to my room to go write a novel. Writing has been my life-long passion, and I know that I am one of the very few people who get to say they are truly living out their dream.

There is so much more to a person than one can fit into a guest blog. Hopefully this has helped you to know the person behind the book. So, the next time a friend comes over and they spot one of my books on your book shelves and they ask about it, you can tell them I'm that crazy lady who breaks out into show tunes and knows how to say colorful phrases in Slavish! 

Lauren is currently on virtual book tour with Authors Supporting Authors,  so please leave a comment here today for her and gain an entry for your chance to win a copy of one of her book at the end of her tour. Lauren's next stop is June 5, with Katie Salidas at http://myimmortalstories.blogspot.com

Please also visit Lauren on the web at http://www.leharvey.com  and on Facebook too.  Thank you so much for stopping in Lauren.  It has been a pleasure. 

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VBT Pit Stop with author Tasha Wright

Please give a warm welcome to Tasha Wright,  author of "When A Tattered Past Catches You".

Synopsis:

Tough willed, strong as nails Willa will do whatever it takes to provide for her family even if that meant putting her life in danger or on hold. Living the street life meant not allowing anything or anyone to get close enough to hurt or destroy her. But, after the death of her mother she is forced to return home and confront a past she tried to erase from her memory.

As Willa confronts a tragic past she also has to confront something else, her long lost love, Damon. Living the street life and becoming the head woman in charge was something Willa did with ease but there was always something or someone missing in her life. Will Willa let down her guard and allow Damon back into her life again or will she continue to live the street life?

Thank you so much for stopping in Tasha.  It is a pleasure having you here today.

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

I first began writing short stories when I was sixteen years old. My mother pushed me to utilize my wild imagination, so she bought me a computer. From that day I have never stopped writing and I still have the same BIG passion as I did when I had first begun writing.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I feel for each author it will be the time they dedicate to writing. Of course when your work is published you then have so many events and things you will need to do to promote your work but you must make time to continue writing on other works as well. For myself, it would take me about nine months to complete a book. However, many authors will read their work and make the necessary changes, which could run you into a year.

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

When I am writing my work schedule is very hectic. I have so many things to juggle with my personal endeavors as well as work and school.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to write about things people can relate to. I write in such a way that I appear to be talking to my readers. I want my readers to have a connection with me when they are reading my work.

How do books get published?

Of course you have to present a body of work to wither a publisher or agent. It depends on the writer what route they would like to take. I used a book entitled Writer’s Market for a while. It gave me every publishing company in the United States with their contact information and what you will need to submit for them to determine if they will represent you. You will need to stay dedicated and understand that every agency will not accept your work. With every no there will come a yes as long as you are presenting quality or promising work.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I use my own imagination of things that happen in relationships and everyday life. I do not take things from my family or friends lives and write about it. I feel that would be a huge exploitation of their lives.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first book when I was 21 years old. However, I didn’t take the steps of publishing the first book until about two years ago.

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

When I am not writing I just try to relax. I have a loving boyfriend who is very supportive of my writing so there are many times he will make the time to get me away from my atmosphere and allow me the time to rest my mind.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family is very supportive of my writing. My family has always encouraged me and they are very excited for me.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I have learned that I can challenge myself and multi task. Many times I will write two or three books at a time. I toggle between each book and it has shown to really benefit me.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

You must first have the desire and the passion to write. Learn the basic structures and grammars so that you’re writing quality books. When you do find your representation, check them out! Every great person must have an even greater team behind them. Writers know what they want to say and sometimes see a word that isn’t really there and that is where your editor will come in. Remember it is not just you, it is a team.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I just began with actually publishing so I have had the pleasure to hear from some of my readers. There has been a pattern of them enjoying my ability to write about things they can relate to. Readers have also said they like the fact that if they think they have figured out what will happen I take a turn and flip it. My work is unpredictable.

What do you think makes a good story?

I feel it takes imagination and desire to write a good story. You do not want to write several books and have your readers feel you write about the same things all the time. That will tire your readers and possibly turn them away.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I began writing short stories when I was sixteen years old and at that time I set a life goal to become a published author. I am doing what I want I wanted to do and I love every moment it. I am very humbled and appreciative.

Thank you for taking time to chat with us.  Tasha is on Virtual Book Tour with Authors Supporting Authors and The Virtual Book Tour Cafe',  so be sure to follow along with her at her various pit stops,  leaving a comment along the way for your chance to win a copy of When A Tattered Past Catches you.  You can view her tour schedule at her website http://authortashawright.webs.com

Purchase When A Tattered Past Catches You at the following locations 

www.BarnesandNoble.com, www.Amazon.com, www.Borders.com,

When a Tattered Past Catches You

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