Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Interview with Leslie Scott, Author of Two Hearts, One Stone.


What made you decide to be an author? I’ve always been a writer. I decided about three years ago I wanted to make it a career and here I am.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least? I dislike the stress. There’s a point once you’re published where writing becomes work and with that work comes deadlines, bad reviews, author events, marketing, etc. Then I have moments where I lose myself in the imaginary world I’ve created and I forget all of that stuff. My favorite part about being a writer—creating stories that other people enjoy. I don’t really care about being told my story was good. What I like is when someone gets excited, tells me that the characters feel real to them. Things like that make everything else worth it.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing? So, I draw inspiration from everything. Things I see, things I do, things I read. What is it Chaucer says in A Knight’s Tale—"All human activity lies within the artist’s scope.” For instance, at dinner my friend’s husband told us a story about something that happened to him when he was a teenager. On it’s own, the story was hilarious. But in my head I started asking “What if?” Those two words are what start the vast majority of my novels. “What if this happened…”

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with? Every. Single. One. Though not consistently. Some sections/acts/chapters are more difficult than others. My first finished manuscript seemed to write itself. I haven’t looked at it in years, I’m sure it’s awful, but it seemed to open the flood gates and all the other stories flowed from that one (as I’d never finished a novel before that point).

You’ve written four novels and are working on a fifth novel. What’s your favorite time management tip? Just do it. Get of Twitter and write.  I should probably follow my own advice. But if you want to help me not do that, follow me and become a part of my distraction.

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer? Both. I’m actually working on a workshop for plotting pantsers, because we are out there and we need to unite! There are times when the words flow, the story comes out of nowhere. And there are times when I have to stop and plan what’s next. Also, I’ve found that outlining lets me get an idea out, while I’m working on a different project, and doesn’t distract me from the unfinished project.

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be? Don’t stop. Writing makes you happy, which makes everyone around you happy. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, so why quit? Write on.

Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote? Well… funny you ask, I’ll drop my Youtube channel in the links and such, but I have playlists for each novel that I listen to on repeat. My editor sometimes listens to them when she’s editing my novels—which amuses me.

Tell me more about Two Hearts, One Stone. Horse trainer Stone Dempsey’s life is all about the ride—with horses and women. He uses his equine talents to impress the country club set and earn money for Smoky Mountain Reining Horses. When his drug-addicted sister deposits her sick baby on his doorstep, he’s suddenly saddled with real responsibility.

Dr. Emmersyn Cole’s goal of starting a practice in her favorite place on earth is finally coming to fruition and she is not going to be sidetracked. Everything is going great until Stone swaggers into her life, half-dressed with a smile that could melt her insides. She's determined to keep her distance…until he rushes into her grandfather’s home, clutching a feverish baby, terrified and vulnerable, and her heart’s hard shell begins to crack.

In only a few short weeks, Stone’s wayward heart suddenly relies on two women—one who needs him—and one that he might not be able to live without.

How about an excerpt from Two Hearts, One Stone?
His upper lip curled into a snarl, but it did little to dampen her flourishing attraction. She took a step forward and sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Ready to do just about anything to wipe the forlorn look from his face.
That’s how he does it.
Without even trying, he’d reined her in like his horses. She stood closer, at ease, and far too eager to please him. When she lifted her gaze to his, the slow burn of tension-laced desire beckoned her.
“Oh no you don’t.” Emmy took two dramatic steps backward.
His laugh in response wrought a heat in her cheeks. Annoyed with her behavior, she fisted her hands on her hips and spun away. She was an intelligent, highly educated, independent woman. Absolutely not the sort to get sucked into the Stone Dempsey tractor beam of sex and debauchery.
She only managed half the length of the barn when, abruptly, he stopped laughing.
“Emmersyn.”
Had the sound of her name ever held such a heated promise?

Where can readers find more about your stories, books and you on the Internet?

Youtube Playlists: http://bit.ly/2O6IDea

Buy Links:
 
Leslie, thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Now Available for Pre-Order: Eye of the Eagle!


Release date: November 12, 2018


One soars like an eagle. One strikes like a thunderbird. But for both hearts, revenge can be deadly when it's nourished.

Anomaly Defense Director and shapeshifter Bert Blackfeather doesn't need a boss with no experience. So what if she's beautiful or gives him a jolt when she shakes his hand? He never plans to get seriously involved with another woman—not in this lifetime.

Phoebe Wagner, an empath with psychometric abilities and an advocate for the deaf, gets more than she bargained for with Bert. One touch and she relives his IED injuries. So what if he's handsome and hot? She doesn't need to add his secrets to her own. Phoebe's are bad enough. 

When his niece goes missing from Hotel LaBelle, Bert goes to Montana to help—and Phoebe insists on going with him. Can these two hard-headed people share their darkest secrets in order to work together? It may be the only way to save an endangered child—and their own hearts when Bert's past rears its ugly head.


Short Excerpt:
His heart stuttered and heat flushed his face. “You sure you’re ready to see me—in the daylight?”

She frowned and pursed her lips. “Do I look like someone afraid of taking on a challenge?”

“No. You look like a kick ass heroine named Thunder Heart, and I would be honored and privileged to share your bed.”

“You promised me flying lessons.”

“And you shall have them. Now, where did we leave off?”

She stood, placed her hands on the sides of his chair and leaned in for a long passionate kiss. He closed his eyes and gave her a preview, taking her with him in his memories, soaring over the hotel, and then swirling and swooping down to the river to grab a fat flopping trout in his talons.

She pulled back, breaking the connection, blue eyes wide, her full red lips agape. “Amazing. I want more.”

“Advanced flying lessons require both of us to be naked—and in bed, as close as two people can get.”

Phoebe stood back. “What are you waiting for? Let’s get going.”

He chuckled. “Well, you are my boss. I don’t want anyone to say you coerced me or I forced you. Do we need to put this in writing?” She tilted her head and gave him a puzzled look. “A legal document perhaps? I, Phoebe Wagner, hereby enter into consensual sex freely and without coercion with one Bert Blackfeather…”

She stomped her foot. “Give me your phone.” He handed her his cell.


Praise:
“Sharon Buchbinder plunges readers into a high-paced tale with intriguing paranormal elements that fit perfectly into the landscape of Taken. Be prepared to read into the night because Buchbinder grabs you with characters you can’t help but love, or hate, and pulls every heartstring to the last page.” ~~Nancy C. Weeks, author of the Shadows and Light series and The D’Azzo Family series 

“Sharon Buchbinder seamlessly blends intriguing, sexy characters, and fast-paced suspense in a page-turner you won't be able to put down until the end.” ~Sharon Saracino, Author, The Earthbound Series 

“Ms. Buchbinder weaves ancient secrets and modern mysteries into a beautifully written story that will keep you turning the pages.” ~USA Today Bestselling Author, Roz Lee 

PRE-ORDER: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HLSGYW6

Thursday, September 20, 2018

New Release: Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan by J.J. Brown


On the last day of summer, a molecular biologist living in New York City faces two mysteries in my new novella, Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan. The first mystery, she attempts to solve with the tools of science: Which disease killed an unborn baby in Puerto Rico? But the answer to the second proves elusive, and is blocked from her memory: Who took her home after drunken reveling the night before?
The scientist, Antonia, gets a five AM call beckoning her to Old San Juan, where a frozen fetal sample awaits analysis. She responds at once, excited by the opportunity. Antonia is a risk taker. The most likely suspects are diseases carried by mosquitoes: Malaria, dengue, chikungunya, West Nile, and Zika virus. The DNA for each disease is distinct, and she takes on the challenge of identifying which caused the fetal death.
She scrambles to prepare for her flight while getting over a massive hangover. At the same time, she looks for clues to trigger her memory of the prior evening. Once in Puerto Rico, she finds a mystical and confusing world and a singing mosquito haunts her dreams.                                                             
Her journey is one of courage as she searches for the disease-causing pathogen responsible for this new case. When the next day unfolds, the facts she discovers about the medical case and about herself astonish her.


The story for my new novella began when I was working as an editor, researching news stories about Zika virus two years ago. I was also writing about pandemics of the past, like malaria. During that time I was reading about mosquitoes as vectors of disease, and became fascinated with their life story and how it has been linked to ours throughout history.
I completed the story just after I read an August 2018 report on Zika from the National Association of County and City Health Officials. It covered a new Vital Signs publication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, that found babies born to women with Zika virus developed health problems not apparent at birth. About one in seven of these babies were having birth defects. But they also were having vision and hearing problems, seizures, or developmental delay. The news brought this mosquito-borne disease into focus again, as an ongoing public health concern for pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies in the U.S. territories including Puerto Rico.
A scientist myself, I bring my experience with DNA studies into this new story. I hope you will agree after reading Mosquito Song, the job of virus hunting can be exciting!
Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan is available for Kindle readers and at Goodreads.
About J.J. Brown
Author J.J.Brown was born in the Catskill Mountains of New York and lives in New York City. She completed a PhD in genetics and worked as a research scientist for 20 years before turning to writing.
Connect with J.J. Brown