Interview with Stacy Green, Author of Ashes and Bone + Giveaway

Just when Jaymee Ballard’s life seems to be on track, a massive derecho attacks the Delta Crossroads sowing destruction in its path. Her boyfriend, investigative journalist Nick Samuels, comes up missing, and she fears the worst.

Nick’s abandoned car contains evidence of his involvement uncovering a controversial case mired in political power and greed. While her friend and local detective, Cage Foster, heads up the inquiry into Nick’s kidnapping, Jaymee finds it impossible to sit back and do nothing.

Enlisting the help of her best friend, Dani Evans, Jaymee discovers a trail leading to the dangerous and secretive Dixie Mafia. Facing a fraudulent Confederate artifact scheme, dark local history, and a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows, the two friends find themselves holding the key to not only Nick’s disappearance, but a shameful town secret someone will kill to protect.

1. Can you tell us about your newest release, Ashes and Bone,  in twenty words or less?
Stacy ) Ashes and Bone is about love, friendship, mystery and the desperate measures a person will take to hide their crime.


2. How long did it take you to write Ashes and Bone?
Stacy ) The first draft took about six weeks, with several rounds of editing after that. Once I figured out the core plot, the story flowed well.

3. If you had to choose, what song would be your theme song for Ashes and Bone?
Stacy ) This is tough because I listened to a lot of music writing this. I'd have to say Lana Del Ray's "Ride" because it encapsulates a lot of the sadness some of the characters are feeling, and really illustrates Nick's realization that he's fallen back into old patterns.

4. If Ashes and Bone were made into a movie, who would you cast as Jaymee and Nick?
Stacy) Oh wow, that is a really tough one. I think Elizabeth Olsen could really embody Jaymee's fragility, but, at the risk of jumping on a bandwagon, I'd love to see Jennifer Lawrence play Jaymee. She's pretty versatile. As for Nick's he's a little older, mid-30s. I'd love to see Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy or Bradley Cooper as Nick. 

5.  Are you working on another book in the Delta Crossroads series? Can you tell us anything about it?
Stacy) No, this is the end of the trilogy. It's been a wonderful experience, and I love the characters, but I think I've ended it well. I'm working on a new thriller series that will be out later this year, and I'm very excited about. It's definitely different than the Delta Crossroads Trilogy. 

Thanks so much Stacy!

Born in Indiana and raised in Iowa, Stacy Green earned degrees in journalism and sociology from Drake University. After a successful advertising career, Stacy became a proud stay-at-home mom to her miracle child. Now a full-time author, Stacy juggles her time between her demanding characters and supportive family. She loves reading, cooking, and the occasional gardening excursion. Stacy lives in Marion, Iowa with her husband Rob, their daughter Grace, and the family’s three obnoxious but lovable canine children.

Website: www.stacygreen.net

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Twitter @StacyGreen26

To purchase Stacy's books on all vendors, visit her books page.

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Dark Connections Virtual Book Tour - Interview & Giveaway!

1. Can you tell us about your book in twenty words or less? 

Continuation of suspense, mystery, and power that will leave the reader wanting  more. 

2. How long did it take you to write Dark Connections? 

The initial draft only took a couple of months. It took another four to expand the scenes and develop many characters. It would have been sooner but I was in school at the same time and trying to get Deep Connections marketed. 

3. If you had to choose, what song would you choose as the theme song for Dark Connections? 

Any Other World by Mika or The Fire Breathes by Skillet. It is hard to find a song that fits it. 

4. If Dark Connections were made into a movie, who would you choose to play Brenna and Slaton? 

I have the hardest time coming up with the answer to this. I don’t watch enough movies to know them all real well. All those that have read the books say Amanda Seyfried for Brenna. For Slaton, that is so hard, too. I really don’t know. That would take a lot of time to think about. Maybe Will Finley. 

5. Are you working on another book? If so, can you tell us anything about it? 

I am working on about 12 books. One is Deadly Connections which will end the Connections trilogy. I have a horror novella coming out next month and the rest vary from contemporary fiction to paranormal suspense to a comedy. I’m all over the place.

The story continues from its start in Deep Connections. Brenna has given her heart to Slaton, but Creeper just won't die. Death cannot stop him from possessing the one to fulfill the prophesy. Now Brenna and Slaton have to fight not only for their own lives but for all those they love. As they do, they discover who Creeper really is and why he wants Brenna so badly. Be prepared for more mystery, suspense, and sweet love.

Rebecca Graf spent over twenty years in the accounting field with no way to release her creative juices. To do so in accounting, could get you life. So she began writing online. From there, she ventured into fiction. Dark Connections is her fifth published book with many more in the works. Rebecca is the mother of three children and lives with them and her husband of twenty years in Wisconsin.

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Softly & Tenderly by Lisa Binion Tour - Interview & Giveaway

1. How much research did you have to do for your novel, Softly & Tenderly? 

My mom died when I was eight years old, so I didn’t have to research how the death of a parent affects a child.  I did however have to research what happens to the body after death, and I had to do some research on funeral homes. 

 2. Death is always a sensitive subject, but more so with a child. How did you treat this subject matter differently than anything else you've written? 

The death of a parent is really hard on a child.  Bad dreams seem to always come.  I found that the other kids at school treated me differently when I went back after my mom’s funeral.  Ones who haven’t experienced it just don’t seem to understand.  They seem to be afraid to even talk to you much less associate with you in any way.  The beginning where my dad ran down the stairs screaming for an ambulance really happened.  That morning is forever burned into my memory no matter how hard I want it to float away.  The rest is pure fiction, but I know firsthand how a child would react in such a situation. 

I don’t know that I really treated it any differently than anything else I have written.  I didn’t set out to show how the death of a parent makes a child feel.  If I managed to get that across, it was a total accident.  There are still times that I cry over mommy’s death all those years ago.  I wrote this to help me deal with seeing my mother breathe as she lay in the coffin.  I know that was all in my head, but it wasn’t in Lori’s head. 

 3. Is it difficult to get a full story in such a short novel?  

Softly and Tenderly is just the beginning of a much longer story.  I never really planned on publishing it in the first place, but when I told Rebecca what I had written, she wanted to read it.  Once she read it, she decided that it needed to be published. 

 4. What are you reading right now? 

I am reading The Children of Hamelin. 

 5. Are you working on a new story? If so, can you tell us anything about it? 

I am working on the next part of Softly and Tenderly.  Lori has so much more in store for her.  The beetles will not go away because they have so much more for her to learn.  Her life is about to get very interesting.  

I’m also working on Whisper.  That is a novel about one very unique spider who befriends a young girl about to commit suicide.  Renny appears to be friendly, but does she have ulterior motives? 

And I’m working on my second confusing words book.  The first one will be published by next month sometime. 

 6. Do you have any suggestions for anyone who is trying to get published? 

Never give up.  Be determined, and write, write, write.  Not every publisher will like your story, but there is one out there who will.  If you have to, publish it yourself.  There is always room for another good writer.

“Mom died in her sleep last night.” Those are terrifying words for a child to wake up to. The beetle that falls off the stretcher and stares at her is only the beginning one of the strangest and most frightening times in Lori’s life. Death is not a pretty thing, especially not when the funeral is to be at the Lights Out Chapel and Crematorium.  Once she walks into the funeral parlor, she experiences things that no little girl should ever have to experience. No one is acting normal. No one can see what is going on. Is Lori the only one who sees the blood oozing from the pictures of Jesus on the cross? Doesn’t anyone else see the beetles? Is Lori hallucinating when she sees her mom sit up and hears her speak? There is absolutely nothing soft and tender about what happens to Lori.  From her overly morbid piano teacher to the creepy preacher and a father that just isn’t acting like himself, Lori is surrounded by people and things that hint of something bizarre. Once she leaves the Lights Out Chapel and Crematorium, things will go back to normal. Or will they?

About the Author - Lisa Binion is a writer, editor, and wife. She makes her home in the beautiful state of Kentucky. Her two children are now grown, but she has been blessed with two beautiful grandchildren, Tyler and Zoey. Her family also includes four dogs, four cats, and two goats. 

 As the Fiction Writing Editor for BellaOnline, she writes articles, reviews fiction books, and interviews fiction authors. She is also an editor for Silver Tongue Press and Edit 1st. In her spare time, she attempts to clean house and relax.  You can find her at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BellaOnline-Fiction-Writing/125143070846792., http://www.silvertonguepress.com/, and http://edit1st.com/.

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Claiming Jeremiah by Missy B. Salick - Author Interview

On the same night that twenty four-year-old Jordyn Sims has a miscarriage, her sister-in-law Tori Sims conceives a child. Nine months later, Tori, a long term heroin addict, abandons her two-hour-old drug addicted newborn Jeremiah, in a hospital stairwell. Jordyn receives the news and pursues foster adoption. However, Oscar, Tori's possessive drug-addicted boyfriend, is not about to give Jeremiah up so easily. While in confrontation with Tori and Oscar, Jordyn seeks help from the Administration of Children Services (ACS), only to discover she is faced with a maze of departments, regulations, legalities and overworked social workers. Jordyn, however, remains strong and continues to push through the uphill battle, even after she discovers she's pregnant.

With all odds against her adoption of Jeremiah, and her pregnancy at high risk from increasing stress, will Jordyn win this tough battle, or will her world crumble before her?

1.   You cover several sensitive, but relevant issues in Claiming Jeremiah.  How did this affect the way you wrote it?

A: I struggled with how much do I include. How much of me do I truly put on the pages? Because this book was based off of my experiences to foster adopt my son, there were many times that it was emotionally draining to write certain incidents. By writing them it revived feelings that I had buried. Then I remembered when I was going through this, there wasn't a book I could turn to, to give me the hope and encouragement I needed. So, because of that I kept writing. 

2.  Did you have to do a lot of research for your novel? How long did it take you to write it?

A: I held a lot of one-on-one interviews, more so than research. From the beginning phases, to me putting it down for a year and returning to finish it -  it took me around two years. 

3.  Jordyn is a strong character, yet weak too.  How did you maintain that balance?

A: There were times when it was challenging, because she needed to be strong to be able to fight the variety of obstacles standing between her and Jeremiah. But at the same time she is a sensitive young woman who is currently fighting her own demons that weakens her. Therefore, when it was okay for her to fall apart she completely broke down, but when she needed to be strong she was ready.   

4.  Is there something about your characters that only you know that you would share with us?

A: Of course. I will give you a little tease... Jordyn is not so much the good girl that is portrayed in Claiming Jeremiah. You will have to stay tuned for the sequel to learn more. 

5.  What are you currently reading?

A:  Sister Soulijah: A Deeper Love Inside 

6.  Are you working on a new novel? If so, can you tell us anything about it?

A: Yes. It is a novella, Untitled at the moment. The genre is different from what my readers have seen with Claiming Jeremiah. The story is a romantic comedy about a young woman whose fed up with her husband taking advantage of her kindness and decides he needs to reprove his love to her. To do that they must start all over  and the first step is dating each other again.  

w: www.jjapublishing.com 

w: www.meetmissy.com

f: www.facebook.com/meetmissy24 

Tracey Devlyn, Checkmate, My Lord - Interview & Giveaway

Huge thanks to Wendy for having me today at Minding Spot! I look forward to chatting with everyone. 

1. Can you please tell us about your new book, Checkmate, My Lord, in 20 words or less? 

A desperate mother falls in love with the spymaster she’s forced to betray. 

2. How much research is involved when writing a historical romance? 

Honestly, not much more than any other novel. The first two books are probably the hardest, because the author is verifying and re-verifying all the little historical nuances like doorknob vs. latch, veranda vs. terrace, Lord Somerton vs. Lord Sebastian, sidewalk vs. pavement, etc. Then the world becomes part of the author’s vocabulary and the only research she needs to do for subsequent books is for items that drive the plot like location details, what instruments a physician used, etc. 

In talking to author friends, every genre or novel needs a fair amount of research. Historical novels might be a bit more difficult/intimidating because of the words. We have to make sure, as best we can, that they’re historically accurate. There are a great many primary sources in Google Books to help us, though. I’ve found GB to be a great way to check words, by refining my search to a specific time period.  

3. Is there anything about Sebastian and Catherine that only you know that you can share with us? 

Sebastian likes to dance, but never allows himself  the luxury, for fear of losing focus of his surroundings. 

Catherine would like a completely frivolous weekend with a group of lady friends. For a long time, she’s had to set fun and frivolous aside to take care of her daughter and to mediate her neighbors’ complaints. 

4. If there was one thing from Checkmate, My Lord that you wish you could bring to present day, what would it be and why? 

Sophie Ashcroft. Every time I read her pages, I feel happy. I’d love to have her scampering about my house, causing mischief and making me laugh. She’s 100% sunshine and love. 

5. Are you currently working on a new book? Can you tell us anything about it? 

I’m putting the finishing touches on A Lady’s Secret Weapon—Book 3 in the Nexus series. This is Ethan deBeau’s story.  Readers find out a great deal more about the mysterious Specter in this book, and I had a great time developing a heroine—Sydney Hunt—whose secrets rival Ethan’s. I think readers will enjoy watching these two circle each other like wary predators. The fun part is when they finally pounce. 

  

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

Thanks, Wendy! Loved your questions, and I look forward to answering many more from Minding Spot readers.

Spymaster Sebastian Danvers, Lord Somerton, has spent the last decade protecting England’s shores against a French invasion. Known for his cold logic and ability to sacrifice anything for the greater good, few can outwit him, and even fewer dare challenge him. Until now.

After being exiled to his country estate, Sebastian is surprised when his beautiful, no-nonsense neighbor turns her seductive wiles on him. But years of intrigue have left him wondering why a respectable widow would risk scandal for a few nights in his bed. Sebastian takes his time unraveling the widow’s secrets, for he quickly realizes she might be the one sacrifice he is unwilling to make.

Living a quiet existence at Winter’s Hollow, Catherine Ashcroft spends her days doing little more than caring for her precocious six-year-old daughter and negotiating her neighbors’ various complaints against their absentee landowner, the enigmatic Earl of Somerton. But, all her boredom comes to a searing halt after learning her newly returned neighbor might have had something to do with her husband’s murder.

Catherine's orderly existence soon upends and she now finds herself in a desperate bid to save her daughter’s life. But she must betray the earl to do so, even though she no longer suspects him of foul play. Lauren succumbs to the the earl’s passionate kisses and recognizes the same loneliness she has felt for years lurking in his hard, crystalline eyes. As her lover’s enemies close in, will Catherine be able to save both her beloved daughter and the handsome spy who has stolen her heart?

Tracey Devlyn writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey Toward the heroine’s happy ending). She’s a co-founder of Romance University, a group blog dedicated to readers and writers of romance, and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville, Chicagoland’s exciting new reading salon devoted to romantic fiction.  

An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at:  www.TraceyDevlyn.com. 

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