Before I left for NYC I did an interview with the talented and beautiful author ANGELA HAYES, who is visiting me today and she’s bringing MY kind of gift: a book sale! Her novel LOVE’S BATTLE is on sale from July 17 until the 31. Find out a little more about Angela below, and then check out a special treat at the end of the post.
What drives you to write?
The fight against insanity. Honestly, I’m sure it’s the same with many writers. Our heads are filled with tons of different plots, characters, images, that it’s essential to our mental health to get it out before it overwhelms our brains and we’re reduced to babbling crazy people. Although I’m sure my husband would already say I’m there. I’m constantly talking to myself while trying to mentally put my characters and plot in order.
What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?
At the moment, I’m published in fantasy, but I have a paranormal and cozy suspense/mystery that I’m working on. I also have an idea for a contemporary that I’m trying to figure out. Right now, fantasy and paranormal are really speaking to me. I’m more comfortable traveling outside the realm of reality than I am working within it right now.
What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why?
I read them all. No joke, my Kindle and bookshelves are filled with nearly every romance genre there is. If the cover grabs my attention and the blurb holds it, then I’ll read it.
What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday?
Unfortunately with a day job and tweens I don’t write everyday like I should. I’m more of a binge writer. I’ll go days at a time without writing anything down, but when I finally get to it, I spend close to eight hours at the computer stopping only for potty breaks and coffee.
Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?
I get the most work done at my kitchen table. I’ve tried to work in the living room, but once I sit on the sofa I pull a Rip van Winkle- I fall asleep without even trying.
Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision?
The majority of the time I listen to music. When creating my outline, I try to create a playlist to help keep me inspired while I’m writing.
Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not?
While writing Love’s Battle I listened to I think I’m falling for you by Colbie Caillat and a few others. While writing a recent short story it was Be My Forever by Christina Perri and Ed Sheeran. The songs help to keep me in the moments that I’ve created.
How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP?
My current WIP is a short story that I wrote for The Wild Rose Press’ Valentine’s series. My idea for it came by wanting to loosely tie Love’s Battle and other future fantasy books together with a new trilogy/series. Once I had a central character that acted as a link between the two, I created a community around her and that’s how I got Flora and her friends. From there I tried to pull in Valentine’s themes and fae elements.
Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?
Character, always. For me my characters control my plot. First I have to figure them out to figure out what they’re going to do.
What 3 words describes you, the writer?
Scatter-brained, Hopeful, Determined.
Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!
I’m very particular about how much toothpaste is on my toothbrush. Too much and feel like I’m blowing bubbles. Too little and it feels like nails on a chalkboard screaming inside my head.
If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be?
As long as I could keep my mascara and lotion, I’ll gladly give up my BB cream.
What three words describes you, the person?
Cheerful, Bookworm, Eclectic
Favorite sound :My kids laughing.
Least favorite sound: The kids arguing.
Best song every written: It changes daily, right now it’s How long will I love you by Ellie Goulding. So sweet.
Worst song ever written: It’s a small world after all. That is one song that gets stuck in your head and you can’t get it out. I bet you’re singing it right now
Favorite actor and actress: Anna Kendrick and Liam Neesen
Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead): Nora Roberts. I’d love to know what her thought process is and how she thinks.
What turns you on? Someone who sees an issue and works to resolve it on their own- Initiative.
What turns you off? Initiative is a big thing we’re trying to teach the kids at home. Not having any is not only a huge turn off, it’s highly annoying.
Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”): My last first date was over thirteen years ago, but if I could imagine one, it would have to be something along the lines of… “Don’t worry it’s not contagious!” Haha.
What’s your version of a perfect day? A day spent with family that ends with good food and a good book.
Peggy here: Here’s a treat: Blurb and Excerpt from Love’s Battle:
BLURB:
Love Howard has more than a knack for matchmaking. Born from a forbidden passion and a twelve-hundred-year-old promise, she and her sisters can literally see true love. And while Love has no problem bringing other couples together, her own romantic life could use a little help.
Danton DeAngelo has always been well grounded in reality. So it throws him for no small loop when the woman he’s fallen for believes that she’s been reincarnated eleven times and can actually see true love.
Now Danton is faced with the biggest decision of his life. Accept Love for who she really is, or walk away from her forever.
EXCERPT:
The hand Love pressed to her brow was visibly shaking. “There’s something I need to tell you. I just need you to keep an open mind.”
“What is it? Are you sick?” Danton asked.
“No, I’m not sick.” Her voice trembled on a forced laugh. “It’s something else. Something I‘ve been trying to prepare you for. This would be so much easier if you believed in magic. If you could believe that what I’m about to tell you is the honest truth.”
Turning, Love opened the iron chest, the hinges groaning with the effort as specks of rust littered the floor. From its depths she pulled out a clear plastic bag that she held tight to her chest, eyes closed, before handing it to a confused Danton.
“This is my tartan, my plaid. Before it faded and was dinner for the moths, it was once patterned in checks of green, gray, and brown. The purple and white stripes that ran through the hem identified the wearer as part of the royal family.” Love tapped the plastic, her finger pointing out where each color should be. “It was a gift from my father. The first and only time my sister’s and I met him, he was on his deathbed, we were eighteen. A week later our mother died in the same moment he drew his last breath.” Needing the extra air Love drew a breath of her own. “That day was the thirteenth of February, eight-hundred and fifty-eight AD. My father was Cinaed mac Alpin, crowned king of the Picts and Gaels. He was Scotland’s first king.”
“Eight- hundred and fifty-eight?” That couldn’t be right, she was only twenty-five. “Don’t you mean Nineteen-eighty-seven?”
“No. I was born for the first time in Scotland during the middle of the ninth century.”
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