The Write And Long Of It... Author Interview with #MFRWauthor @RuthACasie

MFRW Author Ruth A. Casie talks about her writing.
Ruth A. Casie writes contemporary and historical fantasy romance for Carina Press, Harlequin and Timeless Scribes Publishing. Formerly from Brooklyn, New York, she lives in New Jersey with her very supportive husband Paul. When not writing you can find Ruth reading, cooking, doing Sudoku, or counted cross stitch. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren.  They all thrive on spending time together.  It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world. She loves to hear from readers, so drop her a line at Ruth@RuthACasie.com.

Why did you decide to write romance novels? 
I love reading romance novels and when a friend said she was going to write one I thought I would too.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing? 
I write historical fantasy so not much of my life experiences although being able to zap some people would be really great. I think there’s a bit of me and my daughters in my heroines and my husband and son in my heroes.

What kind of research do you do for a book? 
My research is mostly on-line or in the library. Although, I got so into old manuscripts with these characters that I took a manuscript course at Stanford University.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms? 
A good friend decided to write a romance story. I wanted to help as a critique partner or beta reader. After a few hours of talking about her book she convinced me to write my own story and we would possibly sell hers and mine as a series. Life got in her way with looking at colleges for her daughter and training for the NY Marathon. I, on the other hand, kept on writing. When I was done I really didn’t know what to do with ms. I found RWA. I spent a year editing and learning what to do with the story then submitted it to agents and editors. It was picked up by Carina Press.

Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? 
I have two books coming out in March, The Druid Knight Tales and Knight of Rapture. They are both part of my Druid Knight series and continue the story of Arik and Rebeka. Their story wasn’t over and many fans asked for more.

Knight of Rapture, a Historical PNR Fantasy, with Timeless Scribes Publishing

For months Lord Arik has been trying to find the precise spell to rescue his wife, Rebeka, but the druid knight will soon discover that reaching her four hundred years in the future is the easiest part of his quest.
Bran, the dark druid, follows Arik across the centuries, tireless in his quest for revenge. He’ll force Arik to make a choice, return to save his beloved family and home or stay in the 21st century and save Rebeka. He can’t save them both.
Rebeka Tyler has no recollection of where she’s been the past five months. On top of that, ownership of her home, Fayne Manor, is called into question. When accidents begin to happen it looks more and more like she is the target. Further complicating things is the strange man who conveniently appears wherever trouble brews—watching her, perhaps even….protecting her? Or is he a deliberate attempt to distract her? Rebeka can only be sure of one thing—her family name and manor have survived for over eleven centuries. She won’t let them fall… in any century.

Where did the idea come from? 
The Druid Knight stories are historical fantasy time travel stories. You may see a little Knight in Shining Armor (Jude Deveraux) and Outlander (Diana Gabaldon) influences in the stories. But what really inspired me was the Lisa Kudrow program, Who Do You Think You Are?, the Ancestry.com program. I kept thinking what would it be like for a 21st century alpha-woman to confront a 17th century man of her dreams? And how would he handle the situation?

What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I write an outline to keep me on track then begin to write. My goal is a chapter ever two days. Each day I re-read what I wrote, make some edits and go on from there. The re-read helps me get back into the story and edits help to contain all the rewrite at the end. At least, that’s my plan!

What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions? 
We’re empty nesters and I retired from my job eighteen months ago. Other than the community work I do for several organizations, my time is my own. In addition, my husband, Paul, is very supportive. While he is a brainiac and not necessarily into the historical fantasy time travel stuff, it’s great to overhear him tell others what I do.

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Paul and I love to go to the movies and we take ballroom dancing lessons. He says that’s one way to get is arms around me.

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
The list of my favorite authors are a mix of genres: Jude Deveraux, Diana Gabaldon, Eliza Knight, Terry Brisbane, Diana Cosby, Margaret Mallory, Jennifer Probst, Roxanne St.Claire, Eloisa James, Julie Rowe, DC Stone, Jaci Burton

How can readers connect with you?
Website:  www.ruthacasie.com
Personal Blog:  www.ruthacasie.blogspot.com
Google+: google.com/+RuthSeitelman
FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/13GwuQ1
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792909.Ruth_A_Casie

You can also preview her book here:
EXCERPT from Ruth's latest book, Knight of Rapture

BUY LINK

She took another step and past the stone marker.The air chilled and the sky turned an array of colors. Everything around her began to swirl. She realized her mistake too late. The portal, she was in the portal.Arik. Close to him now, she reached for him but her hand passed through the form. She examined her hand turning it over then spotted the shadow of the man. An illusion? The shadow turned towards her. She watched as the wind washed over his face and it changed. “Bran,” she whispered in disbelief. Her head swiveled while she searched for something, anything to grab on to. The portal had one use and she had no intention of leaving.Get out, her brain shouted.His lips twisted into a cynical sneer. He tilted his head in jaunty satisfaction, snapped his fingers and vanished.“No,” she yelled. “Arik,” she closed her eyes and screamed in her head trying to mind touch him while the wind tore at her.“Beka,” he boomed.Her eyes snapped open. She shielded them from the dust and debris and stared at Arik on the other side of the opening. He stood at the high plateau, miles away. His hands were braced on the opening’s edges, which were nothing more than solid streams of whirling wind. He struggled to keep the portal from closing.“Come.” His voice didn’t allow for any argument.The wind whipped at her, pushed her back. She tried again. “I can’t. The wind. Keeps. Pushing. Me. Away.” She shoved her staff in front of her and anchored it in the ground. Against the gusting wind, pulled herself towards him.“A little more, Beka.” He gripped the edge of the portal with one hand and stretched the other out to her. She shoved her hand towards him as far as she could. The tips of their fingers brushed. In a burst of effort he caught the top of her hand, a precarious hold. With a tight grasp she wrapped her fingers around his thumb.Safe, she wasn’t far now.She concentrated on his face. The corners of his mouth turned up as he pulled her towards safety. The wind grew stronger buffeting around them then changed its path. Before she could brace herself for the new direction, the gust blasted them. Without a firm grip, her hand began to slip. She pushed through the building panic. His smile slipped. The expression on his face turned to determination. Again her hand slipped until he held her by her fingertips.He held them fast—crushing them but that didn’t matter. He had to hold on to her. Every muscle strained. Inch by inch he brought her closer to him. She tried to help him the best way she could. Anchored to the edge of the portal, Arik encouraged her on. But his alternatives were limited. The closer she got to him, the stronger the gale blew. Just a little closer, that’s all she needed for Arik to grab her and get her out of the portal.The wind exploded from another direction.The blasting gale pushed her staff away from the opening, across the dirt, cutting an ugly scar in the ground and dragging her away with her staff.Away from Arik.

#Thursday13 Favorite Foods from #MFRWauthor @LizziTremayne

For today's Thursday13, #MFRW Author Lizzi Tremayne shares thirteen favorite foods.                                                           A Long Trail Rolling
                                                       Book 1 in The Long Trails series 
                                                                  Blue Mist Publishing.

Blurb

It might have been the mare that did it, stopping dead in her tracks, nearly dropping Aleksandra over her shoulder, or maybe it was the flies that buzzed around the blood pooling beneath the butchered man in the Pony Express station doorway. Whichever it was, it got her full attention.
Blurb: Seventeen year old Aleksandra, trained in the Cossack arts from infancy by her father, finds herself alone and running to prevent her Pa's killer from obtaining a secret coveted by the Russian Czar, one which could alter the forces of power in Europe. Disguised as a Pony Express rider in 1860's Utah Territory, she finds herself in even deeper trouble when she rides full speed into the middle of the Indian Paiute Wars. Her Californio boss Xavier has a strength to match her own, but can they overcome their differences before the ever-increasing odds overtake them?

Buy link  Store


Lizzy's favorite foods:
(not necessarily in order)
--baklava, that's been sitting for a day or two... mmmmm...
--zurek
--sourdough waffles and pancakes with real maple syrup
--fresh fruit or produce from our orchard or garden, just picked and eaten IN the garden for breakfast!
--candied walnuts
--danish aeblekake, made with apples or any other fruit! (not the layered and caramelised one)
--aebleskiver
--a really good steak, , from our coobeasties...perfectly medium rare and nearly charred outside (lots of carcinogens, makes up for fact that don't eat them otherwise!)
--gorgeous fresh salad
--perfectly ripe cantaloupe (Rock Melon to us down under)
--strawberries and cherries.. preferably injected with something after being dipped in dark chocolate...
--OH YES... how could I forget my staple... dark chocolate
--Eggs... every day. :) every way. Free range from our chickens.
--Black forest cake... made with.. yep, you guessed it.. dk choc.
--Cheese... preferably Castello Blue... hmmm.. that's fifteen... but when it's your favourite foods we're talking about, who's counting?

You can find Lizzi here:
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#MFRWauthor Interview with @AdamMannAuthor The Road to Beria #erotica @ButterflyBooks9

Meet MFRW Author Adam Mann.

Adam has lived and worked in Africa and Asia for many years.  He has always been fascinated by personal relationships, and in real life is now enjoying his fourth marriage, after being widowed, divorced, had one marriage annulled as this ‘wife’ had forgotten to get divorced.

As a result he has extensive experience of social and sexual activities, which he brings into all his 16 books in explicit detail.  Underlying all these activities is a quest for a loving and ongoing relationship with his partner.  Three novels have been based in Africa.

http://www.adammannauthor.com

Why did you decide to write?
I started writing historical novels in 1996, which I enjoyed but the research is extensive.  When I approached Smashwords to publish that first novel I noticed a lot of erotic books being published.  I read one or two and thought I could do a lot better, and probably had considerably more experience and had acqured a greater technique than the authors of the novels I had read!

What I did not like was the frequent use of four letter words!  I think that those are completely unnecessary, and I would never have used one or sullied myself when making love to a beautiful lady!

Where are your books set?
Three of my books are based in Africa, and in countries which I know well, and I have brought humour into the stories, in one case as a joke.

I have seven children and four grandchildren to youngest of which is an absolute angel – a seven year old granddaughter.  Now I know where they come from!

I have lived and worked in developing countries most of my life.  I prefer the clean air in the mountains to a tropical beach - salt water and sand are not my favourites.  My most horrific experience was visiting the site of a massacre during the Biafran War, which I detailed in my biography.

Is humour important in books?
I do enjoy a good sense of humour, but there is not one specific experience that I remember.   I do enjoy my life and my family, even though a daughter of a friend of my wife was murdered two days ago – five men have been arrested! My favourite author is still P G Wodehouse.

What's your writing process like?
I write most of my romance novels in about three weeks, but before I start I use Excel to detail the characters and the plot, and the word count as I write each chapter.

The story in some books does not always stay with the original plot, as the characters can take over.
I am happy to be contacted by readers, through the guest page on my website www.adammannauthor.com or even directly to my email address adammannauthor@gmail.com.

Tell us about your writing career.
Although I started writing so many years ago, I did not start my romance novels until three years ago.  I find that when not writing I’m dealing with book promotions.  I have written over 20 romance novels with 18 at Smashwords and one each at Blushing Books, Phaze Books and eXtasy Books. And I have six or seven more in the pipeline.

I find the long wait for agents and publishers is frankly intolerable, so I revert to self-publishing in most cases.  This also means self promotion – who is the brand; the author or the book?  This gives established publishers a head start.

When I can finally put together a manuscript, a synopsis and a book cover I can relax, and pick up the book I was reading before I started that novel.

Princess Le Ngoc Han from QUANG TRUNG,

Roxanne Green from RED HIGH HEELS,

Helga Hufflepuff from HELGA’S RED THIGH BOOTS,

Tong Craig from KEEP OFF THIS GRASS,

Nick from SERENDEPIA,

Denis from SINGAPORE HEAT,

William from IT’S JUST NOT CRICKET!,

All the characters developed by P G Wodehouse.

Share your latest release.

The Road to Beira, an Erotic Contemporary Romance, with Butterfly Books

Colin and Monique meet one another on a dusty road about one hundred miles from Beira in Mozambique.  They had previously known one another when they were students but over twenty years ago, and then their lives had taken completely different paths.

Monique had just been through a nasty divorce, and had settled down to raise her two children whilst getting on with her career as a recruitment specialist.  The tall dark Colin still attracts her and she realizes that she would have to take the lead if their relationship were to develop and romance were to blossom!

It works!  But her life is complicated by the lawyers representing her recent husband who try to stop her relationship with Colin.  Can her glowing auburn hair, her attractive breasts and passionate body win the battle?

Remote Africa, Old friends attracted, auburn hair, 

tall and dark, attractive breasts, love and passion

EXCERPT

“Let’s stop here for lunch?” suggested Laura, and the driver obediently drove the vehicle to the verge of the road.  There was very little traffic now that they were nearly one hundred miles from Beira.“How far is it altogether?”“We measured it several times, and it’s about 260 kilometres from Beira, which is about 165 miles,” said Hugh joining in the conversation.  He had been quite quiet until now.They sat on a grassy bank to eat lunch, ensuring that the driver was also fed, but they decided to leave the wine until they arrived.  The rainy season was just ending, so the landscape was green, and the hills were a dark grey in the distance.  There was no sun today but it was not cold.Monique, due to force of habit, put away the uneaten food, and packed the plastic box into the vehicle, whilst the driver started the engine.  Or at least, he tried to start the engine!The engine was diesel, which usually are very reliable, and the driver got out to open the bonnet.  He was not an engineer so he just poked around at various parts of the engine, checked the water level in the radiator, and looked around for help!  He was lucky, as another 4WD vehicle was just approaching.The driver stopped and a tall thin European got out and approached them, seeing the vehicle bonnet open.“Can I help?” he asked in English.“We stopped for lunch and now it won’t start again,” explained Hugh.“Colin!” exclaimed Monique, “what are you doing here?”They all looked at Monique, and then the new arrival.“Monique?” he said, “perhaps I should ask the same!”Monique turned to the others; “we’re in luck, this is an old friend of mine from university days and his name is Colin.” and then she turned back to Colin.“What are you doing here?” she repeated.“I work here,” Colin explained, “I’m doing a survey for a new community development plan,”“What about you?” he added.  Colin could remember the attractive student he had met so many years ago, but circumstances did not allow them to do more than meet for an occasional coffee.