Light My World with Zee Monodee

It's all about Ubuntu this week and today I have Zee Monodee, my wonderful editor of Dragonfly Moments and a talented writer, talking about her new Ubuntu release, a love story set in the exotic island of Mauritius which is also part of Africa. She's also answered my interview questions. Because she's been on my blog before, I'm not going to share her bio. The interview questions also give a good idea about the author. And she's so fascinating!

"Light my World" is a multi-cultural, contemporary romance, Bollywood style. It's book two of the Island Girls Trilogy.

Blurb:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that to find a prince, a girl has to kiss a few frogs along the way. But what happens when a modern-day princess comes across…an ogre?

So what if a girl has to kiss a few frogs to find her prince?

Tired of her Indian-origin mother’s relentless matchmaking, Diya Hemant is determined to find her Prince Charming on her terms. Armed with a definitive list of requirements, she is sure she’ll know her man when she meets him…

But looking and finding are two different things, especially on the tiny island of Mauritius…

When her path crosses surly British widower Trent Garrison’s, it’s hate at first sight. And though fate keeps pitting her against him, she’s certain he can’t be turned into a frog let alone a prince.

Can this modern-day princess overcome her own expectations and see beyond the ogre to the man beneath?

Excerpt:

Still squatting in front of the children, Diya peeked up for a first glance of him.

Brown linen trousers covered his long legs, and she craned her neck to take in his tall body and broad chest. He’d rolled the sleeves of his cream-coloured shirt to his elbows, revealing big, powerful-looking hands and strong forearms dusted in dark hairs. A tense, corded neck lay visible beneath the open collar of the shirt, with a slightly pointed chin above it. Strong jaw, and chiselled, taut, handsome features. Deep-set grey eyes, very much like the elder boy’s, squinted at her beneath thick eyebrows the same hue as the neatly trimmed dark hair on his head.

Diya gaped. This hulking Adonis was her neighbour?

He has offspring to boot, whispered a little voice.

She snorted under her breath. Just her luck, again. He was taken. What is it with this weekend from hell?

“You?”

The word rolled off the Greek god’s tongue, and the British accent and disbelieving tone dripping with spite jolted her like an electric current.

This man, and the savage who’d hit her car the day before, were the same person.

The surprise zinged through her; she gasped, and brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

In doing so, she lost her balance and toppled over onto her arse to lay flat on her back. Pain from hitting the hard marble erupted all along her spine, and she caught herself before the back of her head smashed into the floor. Quick save, and thank goodness most of the broken glass lay in her flat, and not in the lobby. She’d have been in for some major injury, otherwise.

“Are you okay, miss?” a little voice asked.

Would this nightmare ever end? She must appear like an undignified heap, and there went all the leverage she could bring to this meeting. Humiliation piled onto her anger at being caught in such a stupid position, in front of him, no less.

“No, I’m not okay.” She glared at the oaf. “It’s all because of you, you beast.”

“Dad?” Matthew asked. “What’s he done?”

Confirmation he was the boys’ father. Great. Could something, anything, go right for her?

“Oh, forget it,” she said as her voice broke.

Shoot, she wouldn’t cry, would she?

“Of all the people in the world….”

He spoke the words softly. The disbelief in them wiped away her feelings of self-pity, and hurt like a stab, in the same go.

Was he rude by nature, or did he always itch for a fight? Either way, she wouldn’t let him off the hook.

“What?” she asked. “Go on. What were you gonna say?”

“Nothing,” he said through clenched teeth.

“It’s not nothing. So don’t be a chicken. Say it.”

He remained stubbornly silent.

She glowered up at him. “So?”

He tightened his jaw. “You’re the one person I hoped to never meet again.”

This had to strike beyond rude. What a bastard.

Outrage at his insult filled her, but the distaste for him and his cavemen-like ways won the battle. “Same here, mate.”

“You know each other?” Matthew asked as he peered back and forth at them.

“Yeah,” they both growled.

Buy links:

Decadent Publishing
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble

Book Trailer

Author Interview:

What is the best thing for you about being a writer?

Working from home! While I love interacting with people all the time, I am not exactly a social person in the sense that I’m more of a pyjamas and comfy slippers gal. I rarely, if ever, wear full makeup, and I put myself together only just enough to not appear like a hag when I go out. So having to dress and cake on the makeup to go to work every single day is not my cup of tea (did I also mention I have tons of bad hair days?) I thus love the freedom to be me that writing enables. And since I am also a huge control freak, being able to work on my own schedule is a huge bonus – I get to do everything I set myself to do during the day.

What is the hardest thing for you about being a writer?

Getting over the jitters and apprehension to actually start writing. Never mind if it’s a new book, new chapter, new scene – there’s always this nagging little voice keeping me back and poking at me to ask “can I hope to write something as good as what I’ve written so far?”

To me, writing demands a lot of courage on behalf of the writer, because you’re not only putting yourself out there through your work, but your first critic will always be you, like when you see that blank page or go through what feels to you like the word vomit you’ve barfed out that day. My inner chicken comes to fore way too easily, and it’s hard sometimes to tell her to shut up and leave me alone. J

What genre/s do you write and what genre is your latest release?

Well, my main genre is contemporary romance. Whether this takes place with an Indian-culture slant set in Mauritius, or in more mainstream types like my small-town romances set in England, at the heart of all my stories is a romance.

I’ve tried my hand at romantic suspense/dark espionage, too (felt scary coz I seemed to like the dark themes way too much!), and also at paranormal romance/urban fantasy with the self-pubbed Eternelles series co-written with my bestie.

But my latest is the genre I love best – contemporary romance with a comedic bent. I love romcoms and though I cannot write funny to save my life, I can do light and fluffy rather well, if I may say so, and this comes out in much of my contemporary romances.

What essential things have you learned about writing in the last year?

That you’ve got to trust your gut. If something’s not feeling right, listen to what your gut is telling you – it is always spot on the mark! And I’ve also learned that I have my way of writing and putting a story together, and that it’s okay if this way doesn’t agree with how other writers work. I plan a lot, plot a lot, overthink my stories in daydreams a lot, and then one draft where it all goes onto the page and I’m done with the writing part (editing is another matter from this point on!)

Find what works for you – that’s the best advice I can think of giving any writer.

Who is your favourite heroine from your books and why?

Lol, I would have to say Diya Hemant from Light My World. She and I are the most alike – we’re girlie girls who know what we want and how to set out to get it, and we’ll let nothing stand in our way. At the same time, Diya is infused with very solid morals and her flighty exterior hides a deep and fragile persona that she camouflages with the ditzy butterfly façade.

To me, Diya is the embodiment of all a girl should be – if I had a daughter, I’d wish for her to grow up to become like Diya.

What type of hero do you like? Super alpha, wounded or somewhere in between? Or even something totally different? You could give an example from a movie or well-known book.

I don’t like super alpha men – makes me want to bash them over the head too much! Wounded....yes, it would mean they have been taken down a peg or two and be more of a realist and less holier-than-thou as most men tend to be....

So, yeah, definitely somewhere in between. My type of hero can be a headstrong Alpha or the more easygoing type – but there’s always this line he would never cross; there’s a limit to what he’ll take in the name of love, a boundary that keeps him from being a doormat.

I suppose all my heroes fit this ‘template’ (so to speak).

Tell us about your journey in writing this book.

Well, I’d never planned on writing this book at first! I didn’t even know Diya Hemant existed! I started her sister’s story (Lara in The Other Side) and suddenly, there she was, the baby sister, barging her way through and being a cheeky and almost-adorable brat.

And back then, when I’d started writing (Light My World is my second penned book, btw), I kept thinking I had to use hard and desperate conflicts in my book, like in literary stories. But as I wrote, I realised ‘heavy’ and me were like oil and water; we’d never mix. At least not like fluffy and light merged with my style and persona.

So I knew Diya’s story, with her being so upbeat and well, yes, tiring with her extra energy, would have to be a comedy, all the way. How to make things more and more complicated all while keeping it light? That was a journey I had tons of fun with – putting roadblocks along her path, little setbacks that have huge consequences. Probably the book I had the most fun writing!

Tell us three quirky or interesting things about yourself.

Hmmm... Let’s see....

I’m a good cook but I hate cooking. I know, sounds like an oxymoron, but there you have it. My dream is to afford a cook!

I’ve got severe myopia and have worn thick glasses since I was 8. So yes, no wonder I was one of the ‘nerds’ in school!

I’m a lip balm and lip-gloss junkie – I can never get/buy enough of them! There’s this store called Reserve Naturelle and my husband always tries to steer me away from its outlet at the many malls here because if I go in, you can be sure I’ll be coming out with a tube of lip-gloss or a pot or two of lip balm every single time!

What rituals do you use to help you focus or get the words down on the page e.g. music or a snack.

Not a ritual really, but whenever I sit down at my desk with my laptop, I’ll light up a scented candle. The delicious smell helps me centre myself and focus better, it seems.

But otherwise, I just tell myself “come on, girl. This is what you gotta do, so do it! Now!”

Mention something unique about your books and your writing style.

Mauritius. It’s the setting and the backdrop of many of my stories. While there are other Mauritian authors, I don’t think any uses the light and fluffy, pop/commercial fiction angle I use in my books, and my experience as an Indian-origin young woman in this setting and melting pot of cultures gives me a distinctive writing style with unique elements, I believe.

What book would you like to work on next?

Well, I have a few books contracted and releasing this year, so it depends on the series I have out and when they’d need their next instalment out.

But if it were just me, I’d get to work on a story I have that’s titled “Against The Odds.” It’s part of the small-town Daimsbury Chronicles series, but this one is a longer/full-length book, and the focus is the unlikely coming together of an Indian-origin heroine who’s just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and her billionaire playboy boss whom everyone dismisses as a party animal. Both of these characters, Megha and Magnus, hide aspects of themselves from the rest of the world, and it’s only together that they can show who they really are.

And another thing – Megha’s journey with breast cancer, from her diagnosis to her treatments and her recovery, is very much my own journey with the disease as it happened to me the first time I was diagnosed 9 years ago. In it, I want to demystify breast cancer, and show women that there’s hope even after such a devastating diagnosis.

I read this book and I have to say that Diya is such a sweetie and you'll fall in love with her as well as the hero. Zee, I love your scented candle idea! And I agree, cooking sucks! But working from home rocks. It was so lovely to learn more about you.

Ubuntu Line April Blog Hop

Pop Culture in Africa

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning "I am what I am because of what we all are." It speaks of unity and working together. So, as authors of the Ubuntu Line with Decadent Publishing, we are working together to bring awesome books set in Africa.

This April, we have organised a blog hop with wonderful prizes and an opportunity for you to discover more about Africa. The theme of this blog hop is "Pop Culture in Africa." The modern Africa is very different to what has been portrayed in classical literature. It's a continent full of colour, life and fascinating culture. Won't you Escape to Africa for the next week and a half and discover things you didn't know about the lovely continent.

Art Pop Culture

Today, I'm going to talk about art in South Africa where my book is set and specifically street art. In my Ubuntu Line book, Tessa is an artist struggling to get her new gallery going. Ryan takes her to see some pavement art in the centre of Johannesburg. The moment they share while looking at the 3D realistic artwork painted on the pavement, touches Tessa's soul. She feels an intense bonding with Ryan but her need for stability holds her back. To her, Ryan is a free spirit and not someone to depend on, or so she thinks. She wants Mark who is good father material for the family she's dreamed of for years.

South Africa has some fascinating street art but is fairly new in terms of being graced with pavement art. Kurt Wenner, the pioneer of pavement art in the world, drew three 3D artworks in chalk for Hyundai in April 2013 - one in Durban, one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. Kurt Wenner was a scientific illustrator for NASA who gave up his lucrative position to live in Italy and study the old Roman masters. He has spent most of his life teaching others art and produces magnificent works himself. He's even published a book called "Asphalt Renaissance" talking about the revival of street art through 3D pavement art. Street art has a power that other art lacks in that it touches everyone - the man on the street, the everyday person. It's not confined to galleries where often only the cultured, financially stable or educated visit. Street art is often done by the ordinary person too. I love this African street art at Khayelitsha township.

Street art is a big part of our culture - from designated (controlled) graffitti to African art on buildings and structures and several sculptures adorning shopping malls around South Africa. I think pavement art takes it to a whole new level. There's nothing like walking down the road and seeing a picture that takes you into its world with a quality of depth perception and reality that's beyond the norm. If you're interested, take a look at one of Kurt Wenner's works done in April last year in South Africa: V&A Waterfront Pavement Art

Here's a little excerpt from the scene in my book when Ryan takes Tessa to see the art:

“It’s down a back street.”

He drove in silence, the muscles in his arms like orchestra music, so in sync with every movement. She turned away and watched some wide-eyed school children carrying their heavy bags from school, playing recklessly with one another by the road. Longing tugged at her heart a moment, and she swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Here it is,” he said with a dramatic whisper. He parked the car and opened the door for her, escorting her to walk with him down the road. What could be so interesting and artistic about this place? Maybe there was a secluded artist living in one of the flats with a hidden talent—a modern-day Picasso.

They crossed a busy street over to the center of a traffic circle, like the eye in the midst of a storm. Then her eyes opened as if for the first time. Her legs remained rooted to the spot. People walked past them as if they were on any street or sitting on an ordinary park bench.

“Can I step on it?” she asked.

“Go for it.”

Traffic roared around them. Taxi drivers shouted for their passengers through their windows, hooting at the other cars. But those sounds didn’t take away from the experience. She stepped on the artwork painted directly onto the paved middle of the traffic circle, her body wanting to take the spiral staircase that majestically wound itself down to a dungeon scattered with treasures, artifacts, and ancient statues. The astounding detail and use of perspective created a depth that was beyond reality.

“Who painted this?”

“I can’t remember his name, but we can get the tourist brochure at the info booth if you want to find out. He has several more scattered about town. I know where they all are."

The moments when they stood, poised, Ryan’s arm brushing hers, the whole world seemed to fade. She imagined herself with him in the ancient dungeon, walking through wooden treasure chests overflowing with twinkling jewels and chunky gold chains and coins. She bent down at the base of the stairway and touched a large ceramic pot with primitive artwork painted on its middle. A snake peered out from the eye socket of a skull sending a shiver down her spine. The dusty pavement and the noisy people didn’t distract her. After some time, she glanced at him and the gentle smile he gave her, with a breeze whipping his hair, completed the whole picture. They didn’t need to talk. The time was for reflection and savoring, a moment in her life to remember forever.

Purchase Dragonfly Moments here: Amazon

Here are the prizes you can win by entering the Rafflecopter giveaway below - just click on the link.

Grand Prize

$30 Amazon Gift Card

The Dashing Debutante Print Book by Alissa Baxter

Love Through Time E-book by Nana Prah

Wedding Gown Girl E-book by Kathy Bosman

Book Bundle 1

Lord Fenmore’s Wager Print Book by Alissa Baxter

A Touch of Winter Anthology E-book by Nana Prah

A Valentine Challenge E-book by Kiru Taye

Book Bundle 2

Send and Receive Print Book by Alissa Baxter

Three Tiers for Win E-book by Kathy Bosman

An Engagement Challenge E-book by Kiru Taye

Book Bundle 3

The Complete “Eternelles” Series by Zee Monodee

Adrasteia E-book

Seraphine E-book

Inescapable E-book

Indomitable E-book

To enter the competition, click the rafflecopter link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For tomorrow's hop, go to to Zee Monodee's blog.

The blogs you will visit during the hop are:
9 April - Zee Monodee - Author's Corner
10 April - Nana Prah - Writing Romance and Loving Life
11 April - Inge Saunders - Inside These Lines
14 April - Kiru Taye Writes
15 April - Alissa Baxter
16 April - back here for a final chance to enter.

Bringing Your Baby into the World

Getting a book out there for people to read isn't a simple process. I tend to see it like having a baby.

First the baby is conceived. The book idea is come up with and the first words are penned. Sometimes, the beginning of a book is exciting, new and full of promise. Sometimes, it takes much sweat and tears to come up with the idea. I know for some women, to conceive may take much travail - fertility injections and timed love making. I'm so grateful that I had the opposite problem, hence my second and third children coming a little earlier than planned!

Next the baby (foetus) develops slowly in the womb. I'm going to compare the first trimester to the writing stage of the book. Being pregnant is a mixture of pure thrill and intense discomfort and trouble. I've been pregnant three times. Each time, there were some challenges and each time, there was the magic excitement of bonding with the child inside me especially when they began to kick or I saw an ultrasound scan (which weren't too clear in Zambia years ago.) This is the time period of writing the book. There are days when the words just flow and other days when it's like swimming in mud. Some books require extra research and rewriting of scenes. Some pregnancies require extra care like in my first pregnancy, I had to take bed rest for a week or so because of spotting. With my second, I had persistent bladder infections. (TMI, sorry.) Some books flow and are finished within two months. I can't say I've had any very easy pregnancies but I think some women just fly through them.

The second trimester is that euphoric stage when you've sent off your book and received a contract for it. The second trimester means usually all the morning sickness has gone, you have the pregnancy glow and you have the physical outward sign of all your hard work - carrying the baby. So, once you have a contract, you have something to show for all your hard work. It's a euphoric feeling. Your baby is going to see the world and the world is going to see your baby (book).

Then towards the end of the second trimester and entering into your third, you have this lo-o-o-o-o-ng waiting feeling - that stage between receiving the contract and waiting for your first round of edits.

I don't know about you, but those nine months tended to drag when I was pregnant. The time seemed to almost stand still. Especially towards the end, when your stomach is expanding and stretching your skin to the max, when your belly button is no longer a meteor hole but a mountain. When you can't reach your feet to cut your toenails and every movement is a great effort. Forget about shaving your legs. Afternoon naps keep you sane and you wonder if you'll ever have this baby.

That's how I feel at the moment. I have four babies in the womb at the moment. Four babies I've spent the last nine months or so working hard to ready for the world and they don't seem anywhere nearly ready to come out.

Then the day comes. You go into labour. You receive your first round of edits. Ouch! Editing. Your body is wracked with pain, you writhe, you don't know if you're going to make it. Is your baby going to survive and come out healthy? Will you survive or lose your voice totally? No, your baby will come out flushed and let rip a huge scream after a lungful of air to announce to the world that he/she is healthy and full of life. So, hang in there, those painful few moments before your book is birthed are the hardest but they will come to an end!

Those first few days are so exciting! You are riding on the high of bringing your new child into the world. You are bonding with how she looks (the new cover) and how perfect she now is. You sometimes doubt yourself. Will you be a good mother? Will you give this child all the attention and nutrition she needs? Will your child be happy and succeed in life? Will you be able to promote this book so it sells? Will this book succeed? Will it take off and find a life for itself in the world?

That I can't answer you but I'm sure you'll be a wonderful nurturer of your baby.

My oldest son with his newborn sister - 2003

For those reading this blog who aren't writers or women, I hope you weren't bored silly. It was fun to write though. Possibly, this analogy could be compared to bringing any dream of yours to completion. It takes time and hard work.

PS: Once the baby is born, the real work begins. Once your book is published, the real work begins. Promo!

Book Spotlight - Midwife to Destiny with Nana Prah

Today I have the lovely Nana Prah talking about her new release with the Decadent Publishing Ubuntu Line. The book is a medical romance called Midwife to Destiny. Over to Nana:

The birth of Midwife to Destiny

I’m so happy to take over Kathy’s blog today. She asked me to talk about the origins of Midwife to Destiny.

A couple of years ago my friend introduced me to the Afro Romance Writing Competition on Facebook where people would post a chapter of their work and have it critiqued. There were eliminations of participants after each chapter. One of the requirements was that the romance had to be set in Africa. I didn’t have such a book written at the time so I decided to be a reading participant.

It took me all of a week to realize that I could write just as well as those who had taken the time and courage to enter. So I set off writing. Instead of writing a chapter or two to enter, I wrote the whole novel within three weeks. Granted, it wasn’t phenomenal work on my part, but it wasn’t horrible either and it got better when the participants critiqued the work. It was like having eight beta readers for the first four chapters.

The competition was fierce and I won third place, made a few fantastic friends, and later on got a publishing deal from Decadent Publishing (a whole other story). 

The moral? Even when you don’t think you have a story, you do, so sit down, write, and then take the risk to share it. Who knows what will happen?

The Blurb

Ghanaian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.

Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to rekindle what they started. His sudden appearance in Ora’s Emergency Department sends sparks flying all over again.

They’re in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages? 

Buy Links

Amazon | Decadent |ARe | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

Contact Details:

Blog : www.nanaprah.blogspot.com

Twitter: @NanaPrah

Facebook: Nana Prah, Author

Enjoy the following excerpt for Midwife to Destiny:

Ora focused on putting one foot in front of the other as if she were a one-year-old learning how to walk. After turning the corner and seeing the back of his head, she froze. She would know that head anywhere. He’d grown his hair out a little, but his adorable, Will Smith ears gave him away. Initiating the process of pivoting and sprinting out of the ED unnoticed sprang to mind when he turned around and his gaze caught hers.

The air became charged with tension and neither of them moved. Her heart threatened to pop out of her chest with the force of each beat. The nurses stood between them, looking back and forth as if they watched a tennis match. They didn’t bother to hide their expressions of curiosity.

They’d never seen Ora behave in such a manner. Not cool as a cucumber super nurse. Like herself, they kept looking at the new doctor just because of his tall, broad-shouldered, gorgeous stature. The past three years had matured him, adding a few lines around his eyes and the new feature of a goatee with a moustache changed his countenance a little. But otherwise, the same man she’d met three years ago, at least in the physical sense, stood before her.

After an eternity, Ora snapped back to attention. “Akwaaba, Dr. Lartey. Welcome to the ward.” Madam Professional stuck out her hand for a handshake.

Her words seemed to drag him out of his own stupor. “Uh….”

She had rendered the man speechless. Ora’s gracious nature—that’s what she blamed it on, anyway—took pity on him and she touched his shoulder. The contact sent sensual awareness through her and she recoiled her hand.

“Hello, Aurora. Please forgive me. It’s just that I’m a little surprised to see you.”

“Not as much as I am,” she muttered, attempting to squash both the joy bubbling up inside of her at seeing him again and the overwhelming sadness of what she’d been missing for so long.

“Pardon me?” he asked.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s a surprise to me, too.” She tried to smile, but it came out contorted, as if she’d been able to have a painful, rocky bowel movement after being constipated for seven days.

I’m  giving away a $20 Amazon gift card.

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Spring in Your Step Blog Hop with Candelight Reads

I'm taking part in the Spring in Your Step Blog Hop with Candlelight Reads blog. We're talking about Spring and what we like to do in my favourite season of the year.

First of all, just for your interest, we're not going into Spring here in South Africa where I live. Instead we are approaching Autumn or Fall although it hasn't hit us yet. The days are still balmy and sticky but a few leaves have started falling. The trees haven't turned orange, brown and red yet.

When Spring comes in September, I'm desperate for some warmth. We really are spoilt here. Our Winter is only about five months long but for me (who hates the cold), it's a long time. We don't have heating in our homes so have to dress up warm even inside and it seems to drag on forever. How I love Spring. The flowers come out and brighten up our lives, banishing away the dry, brown deadness of everything. Spring has a certain smell. My daughter and I can always smell when it has arrived. We usually go outside into our yard and pick fresh flowers to put in a vase for the kitchen table. We also watch our Chinese mulberry tree. We know Spring has arrived when it starts getting bright green leaves. Spring is in full force when the leaves have filled up the branches and the mulberries start appearing. In Spring in 2012, there were so many mulberries that it filled up bowls and blanketed the ground with purple. Spring 2013, we started our first vegetable garden and with the plentiful rains, the courgettes flourished. Here's a pic of my daughter with one of our smaller courgettes (zucchinis):

For the blog hop, I'm going to give away a PDF copy of Wedding Gown Girl to a lucky commenter. Please put your email address in the comments section below so you can receive your prize. The reason I chose my debut novel is because some of the book is set during Spring. Kienna has a Spring personality - she's fresh, innocent and likes wearing pastel colours - the colours of Spring.

Here's a link to my book to see what it's about: Amazon

Why I Write Romance and Giveaway Continues

Today is the second day of the Love and Diamonds Anthology giveaway.

I'm going to share a fairly short blog post on why I decided to write romance.

About 13 years ago, I did a writing course on writing for children. That's what I thought I wanted to do. I enjoyed the course and the assignments but struggled to get my stories to shine. I then wrote my first novel - a story about a car that goes into a place called Motoland where he talks and drives himself. The story was inspired by my toddler's love for cars. In those days, I used to write my books down on paper while looking after my son and a baby. I then transcribed them when I had those brief moments of reprieve like when I had a babysitter or my baby and toddler were sleeping. Oh, do I remember those busy, busy days. And my third one hadn't even arrived yet.

Those three little stories have since been revamped and put onto Smashwords for free.

I gave up writing while we relocated to SA and life got busy again. Only about a year later, while shrivelling up with boredom running a very quiet little church bookshop, I decided to pick up my pen again. I wrote another kid's fantasy novel which makes me shudder when I read it now. It truly was very rough and I made all the mistakes like telling and not showing. I sent it out to publishers but received rejection letters. Understandably.

My husband suggested I try an adult novel. Not sure if it was me, I tried it anyway and thoroughly enjoyed how the words flowed. That book was such fun to write and it ended up being an inspy romance. Also, very rough and crude but a good story.

Then I discovered ROSA (Romance Writers of South Africa) by accident when I was searching for publishers on the web. Rubbing shoulders with other romance writers, I realised romance was my natural writing inclination. I've always enjoyed watching romance movies and reading romance. I'm addicted to happy endings, to light, happy books. Maybe because this world is so dark at times and tragedy and fear surround us in the news and sometimes touch people we know, I want to write about light, happy, funny things. Love is about the best there is. Love is what we all long for and need.

I suppose I'm probably the last person people expected to write romance when I was growing up. I was a nerd through and through. I didn't have boyfriends and was quite shy. Not that I didn't want any but it just didn't happen. I cringed when my parents watched anything romantic on TV. Being deeply involved in church and religion and sometimes misunderstanding what was taught, I shied away from anything mildly sexual.

Then I met my hubby. He wooed me very well. I resisted him in so many ways. I think many of my friends thought I would never take that plunge and marry him but I did and things changed.

So, that's my story.

Don't forget. The Love and Diamonds anthology from Astraea Press is still available on Amazon. It's a great compilation of romantic stories. You can buy it here: Amazon

I'm giving away a copy to one commenter on this blog post or yesterday's blog post.

Love and Diamonds

Image thanks to Boykung of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Diamonds are supposed to be a girl's best friend. I still haven't fathomed where that statement comes from but I suppose my ring has been a trusty companion the last 18 years of my life.

When I think of diamonds, I often think of the concept of "getting there." In my story for the anthology, Rosalee felt she was like a rough diamond straight out of the mine. She wasn't sparkling and perfectly geometrical with neat edges. She had a serious flaw - she chose the ring with her boyfriend but then changed her mind after he proposed to her. A diamond straight out of the ground is very different to one that has been cut and polished. I couldn't find a free image on the net to show you but it basically looks like a milky stone with bumpy and rough edges. Some even look yellow or black. A diamond has to go through a process to get to it's perfect form. Rosalee lost Sam, the man she loved because she rejected his proposal. She learned about being more careful about her actions. She discovered things about herself and also discovered that she still loved him.

I've had a bit of a "rocky" relationship with my engagement / wedding ring the last year. It's been giving me a rash. I even soaked it in hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and scrubbed it with a toothbrush to get rid of any germs, lastly boiling it in water for twenty minutes but I still can't wear it. I think it may be too tight for me. Sigh ... That means I've put on weight. I don't want to resize it though because in winter, everything becomes loose again. This ring has a special place in my heart. It's the ring I found and Kevin bought for me, the ring I gave back to him, and then the ring I gladly accepted in the end. It's been on a journey to Zambia and back. It's been with me through having three babies, being hi-jacked at gunpoint, crashing our car into a cow in the middle of the Botswana wilderness roads and coming back to South Africa where I've had other experiences. I can't wait to wear it again when the cooler weather comes.

Love and Diamonds Anthology is a book of stories. What's so great about it, is that you enter into the minds and souls of fifteen different writers whose lives are unique and colourful. Yet these writers have something in common - they want to write about love and life.

You can buy the Anthology here: Amazon

I'm having a giveaway for the next two days on this blog. The prize will be a Kindle copy of the anthology. All you have to do is leave a comment below. I'd love it if you shared and tweeted about the giveaway to all your friends, too.

Ashley Stambaugh with Debut Novel, Collide

Today, I have Ashley Stambaugh who is spotlighting her debut urban fantasy novel, Collide. The book sounds fascinating!

Blurb:

Melina Rowe never thought her quiet, simple life could change to one full of fear and confusion just by accidentally bumping into someone. But after she collides with an elderly man named Walter, she starts to hear people’s thoughts and have unsettling visions.

Walter reveals himself as a guiding angel and explains to Melina that she’s a rare type of human who can absorb angel powers. But her special ability is more of a problem for her than a gift.

The powers are too strong for humans and will eventually kill Melina unless she can successfully use them to help a select individual who’s in need of guidance. Her chances are slim, though, seeing that the handful of other humans this has happened to before didn't survive.

Scared for her life, Melina desperately tries to help a young man named Lee, but his continual resistance and her struggle with the powers make it almost impossible. Her situation only grows worse when a trio of soul-snatching demons is sent by an unknown entity to take her soul and kill her.
As a determined Walter sets out to discover who sent the demons and why, Melina must defend herself from their relentless attacks all while trying to use powers she doesn’t fully understand to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. If she can’t figure out how to break through to Lee, the powers will ultimately destroy her. But if the powers don’t kill her first, the demons will.

Excerpt:

Melina Rowe peered out of her bedroom window and wrinkled her nose. It was late October, so she knew it was cold outside, but it also appeared to be windy. These weather conditions weren’t her favorite, but she was determined to continue with her morning runs until snow prevented her from doing otherwise. She pulled her long brown hair up into a ponytail, slid a fleece headband on over her ears, and zipped up her coat before heading out her apartment door and down the stairwell to her bookstore below. The store didn’t open for another hour, so she had plenty of time. She took a quick look around and then turned to exit through the back.

Starting off in a slight jog, she followed her normal path toward the park, taking in the city in its early morning state as she went. Traffic was light, and there was only a handful of people out and about. The sky was a dull gray, and brown, dried up leaves swirled and danced around her, giving the city an even gloomier feeling. She hoped the blustery wind didn’t mean rain was on its way.

After only a few short blocks, the wrought iron gates that surrounded the park appeared alongside her. She picked up her pace and rounded a corner to her right, making her way toward the entrance, when she came upon an elderly man walking from the opposite direction. They met each other so suddenly that neither of them had a chance to move out of the way. Melina collided with the man, and it was in that moment that it happened.

As soon as their bodies made contact, she felt a powerful surge of energy pass through her and then a bright white light exploded between them, knocking them both away from each other. Melina, who had been knocked to the ground, pushed herself up to her feet, wondering what had just happened. The sensation that went through her body was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was very sharp and intense, like an electric shock, but at the same time it was soothing and warm. The feeling still lingered in her body as she finally looked over at the man.

After catching his balance, he looked over at her, and she noticed his expression of confusion and shock. His mouth opened as if to say something, but nothing came out. He stared at her for a moment and then finally he spoke to her.

“You,” he muttered.

“Excuse me?” she asked, returning his confused look.

“You’re one of them.”

Interview:

What is the best thing for you about being a writer?

 Being able to bring life to the many different characters that develop in my head, and then to see others enjoy them just as much as I do.

What is the hardest thing for you about being a writer?

Rejection.  Even after you make it out of the querying phase and into the publication stage, you still have to worry about your book being rejected by readers.  We authors work so hard on our books, so it can be painful when others don’t feel the same about it.

What genre/s do you write and what genre is your latest release?

This is my first book, and while it does have some romance, the main story line makes it more of an Urban Fantasy.  Paranormal Romance is in my future, though.

What essential things have you learned about writing in the last year?

I’ve learned that I can’t force myself to write.  There have been times when I’ve sat down with my laptop and said to myself, “Okay, you need to get some writing done today,” and then nothing comes out.  If I just let the ideas happen and come to me naturally, then I’m much more productive.

Who is your favourite heroine from your books and why?

Since this is my first book, I’d have to say Melina.  But even when I start to publish more books, I think she’ll always hold a special place in my heart since she was my first heroine.

What type of hero do you like? Super alpha, wounded or somewhere in between? Or even something totally different? You could give an example from a movie or well-known book.

I like a humble hero.  One who knows that he’s the one to save the day, but does it because he knows he can and he should, not because he wants fame or glory.

Tell us about your journey in writing this book.

I completed the first version of this book back in the summer of 2009.  I started to send out query letters to various literary agents and publishers, but after receiving nothing but rejections, I knew I needed to rewrite it.  So I did.  And then I sent out more query letters, only to receive more rejections.  So I rewrote it a third time, and I guess the third time really is a charm.  A little over four years from when I sent out my first query letter, I finally received an offer of publication in the fall of 2013.  And as the saying goes, the rest is history!

Tell us three quirky or interesting things about yourself.

My birthday is the day after Christmas.

I play online computer games with my husband.

My favorite color is brown.

What rituals do you use to help you focus or get the words down on the page e.g. music or a snack?

I have to have some type of background noise.  Music is preferable, but sometimes I turn the TV on really low.  It may sound strange, but my mind tends to wonder from one thing to the other if the room is completely silent.  Oh, and having some type of chocolate to snack on helps, too.

Mention something unique about your books and your writing style.

Something unique about Collide is that it’s a new spin on the normal angel and demon storyline.  The main character, Melina, isn’t an angel or a demon, nor is she a human who falls in love with an angel or a demon.  Melina is a unique human who can absorb angel powers.

What book would you like to work on next?

Collide is the first book in a planned trilogy, so I’m currently working on its sequel.

Thank you Ashley. I normally read romance but I'm really keen to get stuck into your novel. Of course, brown is a lovely colour - it's the colour of chocolate.

You can buy her book here: Astraea Press and Amazon

Writing Process Blog Hop

Thank you to Elsa Winckler for tagging me to take part in a writing process blog hop - a chance for authors to spread their wings far and wide for more people to discover them. You can find Elsa's writing process blog post here: Elsa's Website. She's a prolific Afrikaans romance writer who has recently had an English romance published by Escape Publishing called "Love, in Writing." It's a beautiful story and can be purchased here: Amazon. I'm amazed how someone can write novels in more than one language. I certainly couldn't do that.

So, today, I'm going to give some details of my writing process. I'm answering four simple questions:

1. What am I working on?
At the moment, I'm actually writing a book for my alter-ego. I write books under a pseudonym and I'm working on a new line that Decadent Publishing has brought out called Beyond Fairytales. You get assigned a Grimm's fairytale and must write a romance based on it. I was given The Frog King which is similar to the children's cartoon movie, The Princess and The Frog. I'm writing a contemporary fantasy romance which has now become one of my favourite genres to work on. The book is about a single aspiring writer who buys a bureau from an antique shop which magically brings one of her characters, a hot Theo, to life, as her husband. For someone who's enjoying her freedom as a single, a new husband dumped on her, no matter how cute, is a total nightmare. Joanie is set out on getting rid of kind, gentle Theo, but the magic and Theo have other plans.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
It took me a while to work out my own style or voice as they call it. From reviews and comments on my books, I've realised that my stories and characters are mostly sweet, gentle and tender. I think it just comes out naturally and I don't intend to write like that but that is my natural voice. Even my books under my pseudonym, although spicier, are essentially sweet romances. As much as I would want to write about very strong-minded, tough and spunky characters, they usually don't end up like that.

3. Why do I write what I do?
My main aim is to make characters who are real to life. I generally don't like those that are super-rich, super-put-together or perfect. I like characters with flaws that my readers can relate to. Maybe because I'm just an ordinary, everyday person, I want my characters to be the same. I also tend to prefer to read books about everyday people, not about billionaires or rakes. I write romance because I'm a lover of romance. Since I fell in love with my husband, my heart has become like putty. I never used to cry in movies, now I cry so easily. And also because I gave my husband such a hard time before I accepted his proposal, I tend to enjoy making my characters find it very difficult to say yes.

4. How does your writing process work?
My first job is to come up with a book idea. I come up with the gist of the story in my head. I don't write it down in detail. Maybe I'm superstitious but as soon as I write an idea down in too much detail, it loses it's power for me. I never plot the whole book beforehand but just start writing with a general idea where the story is headed. I write a bit and then brainstorm the next step as I do other tasks like housework. When I sit down again to write, I have an idea what direction I'm going. Sometimes I stick to it, other times I don't. Basically, I'm a hybrid pantster but lean more towards pantster than plotter.

I've tagged two other authors who will blog about their writing process a week from now - the 17 March. Zee Monodee, author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and urban fantasy novels and Leigh Hann, contemporary romance writer.

Excerpt Day

I'm going to start a new thing - once a month, I will post an excerpt from one of my books. Today, I'm going to post from Dragonfly Moments, my Ubuntu Line book.

Ryan was standing a foot from her again. His woodsy, manly scent drifted into her senses.
“Do you always listen in on other people’s conversations?”
“Don’t settle for less.”
Her vision blurred for a moment. What did he mean by that? Was he referring to Mark? How dare he? It was her decision. How dare he come back out of the past and start assuming things about her.
“I don’t know what you mean, and you’re starting to upset me.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. Look, I think you’d better go.”
“Kicking a customer out.” He winked. He never used to wink like that—that much she remembered.
“Are you really intending to buy anything?”
“Paint me something from your heart. Truly from your heart, and I will buy it.”
What? Goosebumps ran up her arms. Paint something specially for Ryan? It was as if he’d touched a chord inside her that was only hers. She knew what painting from the heart implied. The proof was at home in her cupboards. But Ryan mustn’t know that.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said again.
“Yes, you do. Let me know when you’ve done it.”
“I don’t even have your number.”
“Here’s my business card.”
He handed it to her, and she dropped it on her desk like a hot coal. So she wasn’t going to get rid of Ryan and all the memories so easily. Business was business. Having someone commission a painting was a first for her.
“Thanks.” She let out a shaky breath and looked down at the papers on her desk, desperate to find something to busy herself with. Too much intense emotion for one day. At least her evening with Mark would be calm and ordinary.
Ryan left, and she walked to the door, intending to lock it, but no, it was still working hours. The relief of him leaving was short-lived. Now she had to face up to the empty gallery and her crazy thoughts about Mark leaving. But, everything would happen for the future good. She had to look to the future, not be swayed by silly current emotions.
She padded to the painting with the red roof and studied it. It would have looked wrong with a brown roof. His attention to detail was commendable yet not good enough to have noticed how much she loved him all those years he visited them. And he hadn’t been clever enough to dump Annie and date her. All his fault.
A muffled groan escaped her lips. Just when she’d moved on with her life and forgotten about Ryan, there he was, back in it.
Too bad. He could stay in but at a distance—a comfortable distance. Given how she’d made it through art college working part time until late most nights, she could stop him from swaying her. He wasn’t going to get in the way of what she wanted and needed. He couldn’t offer her the guarantee of forever or have her need for a family met.
Running to her desk, she pulled out the baby magazine from inside a drawer and let her fingers slide over the glossy pictures of the soft little bundles of humanity displayed on the pages. She would make a good mother, that was one thing she knew. Anyone who wanted a child as much as she did would be the most devoted mother in the world.

Buy here: Decadent Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Book Review - Only for You by Tista Ray

Today, I'm posting a review of Tista Ray's second novel called Only for You. Tista is an award-winning young adult romance novelist.

A copy of this book was given to me for a review.

Here are my thoughts on the book:

This book is a young adult romance written from the male point of view which was refreshing and very personal. It’s a story of young and troubled love – real, vulnerable and very beautiful.

I’m amazed at Tista’s ability to get the reader inside the character’s head and heart to the point where you feel so deeply for someone who is flawed, confused and broken. Many romances seem to come from the perspective of the writer, no matter how much they make us feel. In this book, you really become the character. You become confused, naïve, desperate, passionate. She allows her characters to falter and fall even to the point of total destruction. Then suddenly they rise above, strong and new. You think they’ve messed up for good and that there is no hope yet you cannot help but continue to read.

I loved the way she steeped the book in their weaknesses – like you knew Edward was too possessive at one stage, yet you understood why he was like that and then he changes. I love the way he changes and grows throughout the story. Each character has a transformation, subtle yet real.

Tista has a unique writing style that feels just like the characters she writes about.

The only part I struggled with was the song at the end. Personally, I think the book would have been complete without it. I understand why it was written, and there was some beauty in it, but at times, it was hard to read.

This is a story with a difference – with a brutal honesty and tender love that reaches the depths of your soul.

All in all, an excellent young adult romance.

You can purchase the Kindle version of  "Only for You" here: Amazon and the paperback version here: Amazon.

Guest Author Interview Tara Andrews

Today, I have fellow Decadent Publishing author, Tara Andrews, talking about her debut novel, Long Overdue. Her book is a 1Night Stand story. They are fascinating love stories unique to Decadent Publishing.

In addition to her obsessive need to write, Tara Andrews spends her day managing the business office for a community hospital. She lives in upstate New York with her wonderful, supportive husband and two children – who make everything worthwhile. If all that doesn’t keep her busy enough, she’s also a part time student. Tara’s a procrastinator (advanced-level) who likes to spend every spare moment reading – even those moments that shouldn’t be spared.

Tara, reading is so hard to break away from. I understand. You sound like an extremely busy person who needs that breakaway time.

What a stunning cover!

Long Overdue

Blurb

Jill Malone has been looking for love for all the wrong reasons. A reality check has her signing up for a no-strings attached night to simply forget about forever after. The last thing she expected was to know her blind date.

Blake Anders doesn’t need help finding a date, but he’s tempted by 1Night Stand’s reputation of arranging exactly what a person needs. And he needs more. Though doubtful, he agrees to one night and hopes to discover his perfect match. He didn’t count on Madame Eve reaching deep into his past to give him a night with the woman he never forgot.

Fearing another broken heart, Jill works to keep herself from becoming attached, but Blake goes all in to convince her that he wants their long-overdue love to be more than a one-night stand…

Excerpt

“I think there’s been some sort of mistake,” she managed.

“But, we’re here. And I don’t think it’s a mistake.”

Of course, he’d be polite, while wondering what happened to the size zero, with extra-large breasts, he ordered. “I don’t know.” She shook her head and swore disappointment flashed across his face. “I’ll be honest; I am not comfortable.”

“And let me be honest. I’m looking forward to an evening with you.” Ooooh, smooth. Then again, she didn’t expect less, given his tabloid reputation. Still, her legs felt a little less stable.

She faced him. What really went on in his head? “You don’t find it strange that you know me?”

His killer smile set off butterflies in her belly and a warning bell in her mind. “No. In fact, it makes sense.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I used to wonder about you. A lot.”

Jill forgot to breathe. Forgot almost everything. Did he say…?

“Didn’t you ever wonder about me?”

Jill exhaled. “I’m taking the Fifth.” His smile grew. She shook her head, recognizing dangerous territory. “I’m still not sure.” Not sure she’d measured up. Not sure she’d survive with her heart intact.

“Stay for a drink.”

She wavered at his low-voiced offer. Dammit, he’d become even more handsome than she remembered.

You can buy her book here: Decadent Publishing and Amazon

Author Interview

What is the best thing for you about being a writer?

Long before I attempted writing anything, I was a perpetual daydreamer.  I’d think up these wild stories – you know, everything from saving the world to meeting my favorite celebrities.  So, in a way, I’ve always been a storyteller in one way or another.  Being a writer is a dream-come-true for me because I found a way to put life into my stories.

What is the hardest thing for you about being a writer?

For me, the hardest thing about being a writer is – believe it or not – being a writer.  LOL.  I’m only half-kidding.  For starters, I find I’m always trying to stay focused on finishing one story, while another’s left to simmer.  And unfortunately I also have a full time job that keeps me from writing to my heart’s content.  So I find it hard when I have to stop writing when I’m on a roll.

What genre/s do you write and what genre is your latest release?

My debut that was just released, Long Overdue, is a contemporary short story.  But I also enjoy writing paranormal as well.

What essential things have you learned about writing in the last year?

The editing process of Long Overdue was a real eye-opener.  All writers have heard the terms “passive phrasing” and “show, don’t tell”, but this experience really pushed me to do better and I learned a tremendous amount in the process.  And, truthfully, I had an awesome editor that I owe that to.

Who is your favourite heroine from your books and why?

Well, since I only have one published book so far, I will have to say Jill Malone!  What I like about Jill is that she’s down to earth, someone I can picture having a drink with after work.  She doesn’t let her fears stop her either.  From meeting her friend in the city at the beginning, to following through on her date, she keeps moving forward.

What type of hero do you like? Super alpha, wounded or somewhere in between? Or even something totally different? You could give an example from a movie or well-known book.

Oh, man, a tough one!  I can say, I do like heroes who are self-assured.  Does that make them an alpha… maybe.  Right now, a bunch of Regency Lords are popping into my mind, and Iron Man.  J

Tell us about your journey in writing this book.

When I started writing Long Overdue I was also taking classes online to pursue a degree.  So it was slow going!!  I thought I’d never finish.  When I finally did I sent it off to be read by an author friend, who was kind enough to send me feedback – that I didn’t open for weeks because I was too nervous to read her comments.  But as always, the anticipation is worse than the reality. 

When I finally sent it in to Decadent Publishing, I felt like that was an achievement regardless if it got accepted or not.  Though, I’m so glad they did accept it!  And ever since, each step of the way so far, I’ve learned something new, the journey is still in progress.

Tell us three quirky or interesting things about yourself.

I like to say I was born in California, raised in Virginia, and grew up in New York.  My Dad was in the Navy and we travelled around quite a bit.

While living in Virginia, between my parents’ New York accent and, well, everyone else, I’ve heard every pronunciation of my name; Ta-ra (the way I say it now), Tah-ra, or Tee-ra, and occasionally something that sounded like Terror.  Seriously, there was a time I hated to even say my own name.

I like a wide range of music.  My husband laughs because Metallica will be on one second, and then the next shuffled song is Let It Go from Frozen. Country, classical, Motown, 80s Pop – I have a little bit of everything. LOL.

What rituals do you use to help you focus or get the words down on the page e.g. music or a snack?

I actually use an egg timer to help me get focused.  I tend to procrastinate – I’ve practically made it an art form.  To get myself started, I set the timer to twenty minutes and write.  When it goes off I take a five minute break and then set it for another twenty.  By this time, I don’t really need to set it for a third time because I’m back on track.

What book would you like to work on next?

I’m working on another 1Night Stand right now and so far it’s a lot of fun to write!

Thank you, Tara.

You can find Tara here: Website, Facebook, Twitter.