Today I’ve got Wild Rose Press and Candy Hearts author NANCY FRASER visiting. Her new CH release ONLY YOURS released yesterday and it’s a goodie. Stick around after her interview to read a little sumthin’ sumthin’ from it. Guaranteed you’ll head over to WRP to buy it!!
Here’s Nancy
Nancy, The Writer
- What drives you to write? The short answer: I’m not good a much else (creatively at least). I don’t knit or play an instrument. I’m lucky if I can draw a straight line with a ruler. So, writing it is. Also, it might have something to do with my love of all things books.
- What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?I write in multiple genres. Only Yours is my twenty-fourth book and among those I’ve done historical (post-Civil War), erotic romance, vintage romance, 1920’s historical, and even a time travel/paranormal. I know a lot of publishers say you should concentrate on one genre to build your brand. However, I find bouncing between the different styles keeps my writing fresh and introduces me to all types of readers.
- What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? LOL. At the moment I’m doing something I’ve never done before, reading across multiple genres one after the other. I’m almost done with the entire Candy Hearts series and have enjoyed everything from sweet to steamy, aliens, magical creatures and everything in between. When NOT reading an entire series, I’m usually drawn to unusual historical time periods (such as the 20s, 30s and 40s).
- What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day? I wish. I have a “schedule” that has me writing every week day and editing on the weekend. However, I’m also within 20 minutes driving distance of both sons and five grandchildren, so my well-crafted schedule might be pretty but not as accurate as I’d like.
- Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? From when I first started writing back in the early 90s and up until 2014, I’d always stolen some space in another room in my home. When I retired from working in the outside world at the end of 2013, I promised myself I’d create an office. So, I moved to a larger condo and used the extra bedroom to make myself a dedicated writing space and I love it.
- 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 tunnel vision? When I’m writing a scene/chapter, I prefer to do it in solitude. I can create notes, either long hand or on the computer, with company around. When my grandchildren are visiting (sometimes overnight), the only writing I seem to get done is social media and the occasional story I write with them.
- Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? No, not really. If I happen to sit down at the computer with the radio playing, it’s usually on a classic rock station. However, I don’t go to the trouble of playing dedicated music.
- How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? My Candy Hearts book was actually taken from real life and based on my late cousin, Wanda. The idea of being almost engaged to your college sweetheart but then being overtly attracted to his older brother came directly from her life.
- Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? The plot. Then, I mold the characters to fit. Of course, being headstrong, they don’t always go along with what I want, but I’m adaptable.
- What 3 words describes you, the writer? Persistent, flexible and award-winning (although this last one might be considered two words).
Nancy, The Person
- Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! Back in my early twenties (ages and ages ago), I used to drive stock cars and compete in the Powder Puff Derby.
- Who was your first love and what age were you? I was a late bloomer. I didn’t really have a crush on any boy until I was in my teens. Before that, boys were just a nuisance. My first crush was Jake Miller in eighth grade.
- If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. July 27, 1996 – the day the late and wonderful Katy Duffy called me and said she’d like to buy my book. (Okay, I know I should have said something to do with family but … hey … you only get ONE first sale.
- Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Silk boxes during breakfast. Commando before and, hopefully, after.
- If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? At my age … a good moisturizer.
- What three words describes you, the person? Nurturing, compassionate, crazy.
- If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? This is, quite possibly, the hardest interview question I’ve ever had to answer. I have a list of favorites a mile long but I’d probably go with the one I’ve sung more often in the past two years than any other. Rubber Ducky.
- If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? This might be the easiest question I’ve ever had. Damian Sutter from Elizabeth Lowell’s Silhouette romance, Chain Lightning. I have lusted after that man for decades and the book itself was what made me want to write romance. What would we do? LOL … use your most vivid and naughty imagination and we’d do it along the Great Barrier Reef.
Bonus round
I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:
- Favorite sound – my youngest grandson’s laughter (he is hysterical)
- Least favorite sound – any of my grandchildren crying
- Best song every written – How Great Thou Art
- Worst song ever written – Too many to name, but anything with vulgar lyrics (I can’t understand how it’s even considered music)
- Favorite actor and actress – Dean Cain (serious underrated) and Sandra Bullock
- Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) – Nora Roberts on payday for obvious financial reasons
- What turns you on? – a well-written book read by a naked hunky man
- What turns you off? – a book with copious mistakes AND songs with vulgar lyrics
- Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) You’re paying the bill, right? (Peggy here: OUCH!!)
- What’s your version of a perfect day? – Sleep uninterrupted by family or bodily functions until 9am, Starbucks delivered to my door, write from 9 until 4 (with plenty of breaks for life-sustaining coffee), dinner with my family, play and story time with my grandchildren, and bed by 11pm. Oh, an all of social media done by the promo fairy for one full day.
About Nancy:
Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books in both full-length and novella format. Nancy will release her 25th book in 2016. She is currently working on her next Rock and Roll novella and two new erotic romance novellas.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Find Nancy here: Website // Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads // Amazon
And now, as promised: here’s a snippet of
, available now at: AMAZON //THE WILD ROSE PRESS
Everyone expects Rebecca Winston to marry her high school/college sweetheart, Garrett Langley. The problem is, the flame’s gone out on their romance. They’re still best of friends, but only friends. When Garrett’s father has a heart attack, his older brother Wyatt (an L.A. attorney) returns home for the first time in years. The attraction between Rebecca and Wyatt is immediate.
Can Rebecca expect her family and, especially, Garrett to understand that her desires have changed and turned toward Wyatt?
Can Wyatt get past the feeling that he’s poaching his younger brother’s girl?
Excerpt:
Wyatt pressed down on the accelerator, pushing the sports car a little harder, skirting the legal speed limit for the boulevard leading to her parents’ home. The purr of the finely tuned engine echoed through the tight confines of the car, setting her pulse on a complementary rhythm. Soft jazz played in the background, its melodic tones sinking into her senses, ratcheting up her heartrate yet another notch.
Before she realized it, he’d pulled the car to stop in her parents’ driveway.
“Home sweet home,” he said. “Or, at least I assume you still live with your parents. I guess I should have asked.”
She bit back an outright laugh in favor of a more ladylike chuckle. “Yes, I do still live at home. According to my mother, it’s the proper thing to do.”
Wyatt hopped out and came around the back of the car to open her door. Her mother would have been proud of how she’d waited for his assistance. Usually, she opened her own door before Garrett could get there.
“Would you like to come in and say hello?”
“I’d better not. I’ve been given an order to relay to the cook. I wouldn’t want Christina to have to wait for her supper.” He took hold of her elbow, as he had in the hospital. “I’ll see you to the door.”
Another round of sparks shot up her arm. She pulled away and took two steps forward. “It’s not necessary.”
He caught hold of her wrist and turned her to face him. His dark gaze flared. “Thank you for coming to see Pops. He obviously adores you.”
“It was my pleasure.”
She was about to pull from his grasp when he tightened his grip, stopping her in her tracks. “My brother’s a lucky man.”
Her cheeks flooded with warmth. “Thank you.” He smiled and her heart did a little flip inside her chest.
His deep voice softened to a mere whisper. He released her wrist. “You’re welcome, Re…becc…a.”
She swallowed, smiled and dashed to the porch. By the time she turned back toward the drive, Wyatt had already climbed into the car and cranked the engine. The way he’d said her name, drawn out and distinct, had reminded her of a cat unfurling its lazy body in front of a raging fire.
And her with no extinguisher in sight.
I hoped you enjoyed this interview with Nancy – I certainly did! You can view all the book covers of the CANDY HEARTS novellas ( yup, all 40 of ’em) here
Even my dreams have been boring and uninspired of late. I have listened to many writers’ treatments to cure writer’s block. I’ve walked away from the laptop for a time; I’ve forced myself to sit down at it and write something, ANYTHING, just to keep my hands and fingers busy. I’ve taken a walk – too many, in fact. I’ve got shin splints. I’ve taken a nap; I’ve made enough soothing cups of tea until my teeth need to be whitened professionally, they are so stained.
Peggy Jaeger, Author 