Author Interview!

I want to give a warm welcome to a fellow Mississipian Author, Patricia Neely-Dorsey. Her book of poems, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, is a celebration of history, heritage, culture and community. And we're practically neighbors! I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Patricia, so sit down with some sweet tea or coffee and enjoy our conversation.

Deborah: Hi, Patricia. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?

Patricia: Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. I try to show that there is much more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed .I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry ,Prose and The Written Word.

Deborah: Sounds very interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?

Patricia: I must say that the inspiration for my poems is love: an overwhelming/overflowing love of the south , love of family, and love for the beautiful relationships that I have been blessed to enjoy in my life .

Deborah: How long have you been writing, and did you know at a young age you wanted to be an author?

Patricia: Oh my goodness! I am a very late bloomer in this writing game!
I really had no inclinations of wanting to be a writer or author a book.
I wrote my very first poem on February 14, 2007 at the age of 43!
I woke up on that Valentine's Day with this poem swirling around in my head. I quickly got up and scribbled it down. It was the first of many more to come, in much the same manner ,fully complete title and all.

Deborah: We have something in common. I didn't start writing until I was in my 40s also. Do you have a special place in your home where you like to write? If so, what does it look like?

Patricia: I really have to laugh at that, (LOL) because as I state in the foreword of my book, I never sat down to intentionally write any of the poems in the book. They just all came to me like gifts ,as I say, neatly packaged.
Actually I have probably written 80% of the poems in my car.
While driving along, a poem will just come to me and I have all kinds of scraps of paper, envelopes and receipts with poems scribbled on them.
My car seems to be my own personal "think tank " (LOL)

Deborah: Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.

Patricia: Color : Black (since I was about 15)

Number : 5 (since forever)

Food: Oh my goodness..Where do I begin... You will see in my book that I am obsessed with food! ..aren't all Southerners (LOL)
Readers we see that I make lots of references to food in my book.
OK where do I START or END???
Love southern cooking,lots of fried stuff ..
fried okra(a big favorite) fried pork chops, fried pies (pies period)
pizza, chocolate, nut fanatic, fruit (cherries, watermelon) Drink: Iced Tea, Lemonade, FuzeMusic: Lots of different kinds Neo Soul, Old School , Blues, some rap

Author: Me of course! (LOL) No seriously, I love Margaret Walker, and Maya Angelou. I would have to say that I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings has been my favorite since I was in junior high school.
I have read it SO many times.

Actor/Actress: Hmm I love Angelina Jolie movies, and how can I not say Denzel Washington?Movie: SO MANY...The Color Purple, Malcolm X, Godfather I, II, and III, Good Fellas, Gone With The WInd, My Dog Skip, Love and Basketball ....

Deborah: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?





Patricia: Of course spiritual sense I would want God/Jesus always with me
I would want to have my son and my husband there but also not because I wouldn't want them stranded. I would always want to know how my son was and how he was doing and being taken care of.



Deborah: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?



Patricia: You must be very Persistent, Patient and Positive.



Deborah: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?



Patricia: Hmm...I have a tattoo and I got it at age 40..But, that's no secret because it's in the book (LOL)
Hmm..how about..I am a southern woman..who loves good southern cooking..but can't cook...but that's no secret either 'cause it's in the book.
I give up! (LOL)
My LIFE is an open book...Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia(LOL)
READ THE BOOK!!.....Please (smile)





Deborah: I had such a blast having you on my blog. It seems we have alot in common, the love of Mississippi, southern cooking and a tattoo. I have one of tinkerbell. It's been fun.






SOUTHERN LIFE If you want a glimpse of Southern life, Come close and walk with me; I'll tell you all the simple things, That you are sure to see. You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees, Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees, Caterpillars on the step, Wooden porches cleanly swept; Watermelons on the vine, Strong majestic Georgia pines; Rocking chairs and front yard swings, Junebugs flying on a string; Turnip greens and hot cornbread, Coleslaw and barbecue; Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes, Fried pies and pickles too. There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet, And cool, green grass beneath your feet; Catfish nipping in the lake, And fresh young boys on the make. You'll see all these things And much, much more, In a way of life that I adore. Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems
BOOK AVAILABLE: www.reeds.ms/book.asp
or www.Amazon.com AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com


To purchase Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, go to: http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Mississippi-Magnolia-Life-Poems/dp/097962942X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251520724&sr=8-1



Take care ya'll,
Deb

Author Interview-Contest included!

Hi, and Happy Weekend. Today is Clare Austin day on my blog. I've had the wonderful opportunity to interview Clare. And a contest is included. How awesome is that? After reading our interview, keep reading to find out info on her contest. You could be the lucky winner of a free downloaded copy of her book.

Clare's the Author of Butterfly. Now available at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Deborah: Hi. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?

Clare: My first fiction work was just released by The Wild Rose Press. The title is Butterfly and it is the first story in The Fadό Trilogy. Fadό is an Irish word meaning “once upon a time.” It is a contemporary romance with a mix of humor and pathos. Butterfly takes place in Boston but the main characters are Irish. It is available from the publisher at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ or from Amazon, Borders and B&N websites. I will have it in brick and mortar stores later this month.

Deborah: Sounds interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?

Clare: Music has always been a huge part of my life and that love has been passed down to my children. They are all musicians but only one is a professional. My main character in Butterfly, Flannery Sloane, is very loosely based on my son, for the similarity in their passion for music.

Deborah: How long have you been writing, and did you know at a young age you wanted to be an author?

Clare: I submitted my first manuscript to Doubleday when I was eight. I don’t have it now, nor do I have the rejection letter. But I remember the kind person who told me to keep writing and someday I would be published. I have always loved to tell stories but I never really thought of myself as an author…just a story-teller.
Four years ago I wrote my first novel. Then I worried that I didn’t have another story in me so I wrote three more. Butterfly was my fourth book and my first sale. It all happened very fast. I had some rejection letters, but I think I was lucky because I have not had to wait years to be published.

Deborah: Do you have a special place in your home where you like to write? If so, what does it look like?

Clare: I write on a laptop, in a recliner in my bedroom. I like my feet up. From my chair I can see the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains. I have a desk next to me with a cup of pens, framed copies of my three current book covers, and the silk rose I was given at Colorado Romance Writers when I sold my first manuscript.
My cairn terrier, Maggie often sits on my feet as I write.

Deborah: Our writing places have a few things in common. My dog, Gizmo usually sits at my feet as I'm writing, but instead of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, I see birds feeding in our bird feeder that's hanging off our live oak tree. Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.
A. Color: Green
B. Number: Three
C. Food: Fresh fruit…mostly berries…even better dipped in dark chocolate
D. Drink: San Pellegrino fizzy water with a splash of berry juice or lime.
E. Music: If I’m playing it…Irish traditional fiddle or classical violin. I love Italian rock music.
F. Author: For romance, I still love the early Kathleen Woodiwiss books. I do read all the time and much of it is outside the genre in which I write, so there are many favorites.
G. Actor/Actress: This is really hard. I like Tom Hanks, especially his early comedies.
H. Movie: Do I only get to pick one? I watched Seabiscuit last night and I love it. Romance?...The Princess Bride.

Deborah: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?

Clare: My husband, because he is the love of my life and my best friend.

Deborah: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?

Clare: Write your heart and then be realistic about the business of publishing. Get involved in an organization like a local RWA group. Participate in a critique group that has at least one published author as a member. I believe in the advice Hemingway gave… “Write as well as you can and finish what you start.”

Deborah: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?

Clare: I’ve trained horses and competed in Three Day Eventing. It was a fun, challenging and an incredible adrenalin rush. One of my upcoming releases, Hot Flash, has this equestrian sport as a backdrop.

Deborah: Sounds exciting. Again, thank you for stopping by. It has been a pleasure talking with you. Take care.

Clare: Thanks for having me here today. Please go to my website http://www.clareaustin.com/ for more details about my books.

Clare

Contest:

Clare will be giving away a free download of her book each week of her tour to a lucky commenter, randomly drawn from the comments during that week. At the end of the tour, one commenter will win an autographed copy of the novel.

Butterfly is the story of Flannery Sloan, the youngest of the Sloan siblings who were born and raised in Ireland and resettled in Boston. They have a band called Fadó, which is an Irish word meaning "once upon a time." The stories take place in and out of an historic pub in Boston.
BLURB: Flannery Sloane is a free spirit, her soul blessed by Irish musical tradition. She doesn’t care where she’s going or how she’ll get there. Joy and passion are her only map. And, though she’s not interested in falling in love, she wouldn’t mind a little fun with a fine-looking man. Hunter Kincade could fill that bill and have a bit of change left over.
Hunter thrives on punctuality. He is in the music business with his focus on the bottom line. The pretty fiddle player with the bright green eyes would make his next production worth the price of a CD. But Flannery never wears a watch. She’s late for everything but the downbeat of a fiddle tune.
Their only common ground is the belief that falling in love is a danger to health and sanity. They’re all wrong for each other...and they are so right.

Long and Short Reviews calls this novel "enchanting reading" saying, "The musical imagery in Butterfly makes the story sing with magic that encompasses the senses of the reader. It reveals sadness, joy, hope, and deep, hidden needs—physical, spiritual, and emotional."

Excerpt #1

He lost sight of the fiddler in the mobs of tourists enjoying the April sunshine.
No sooner had he decided to give up on his quest than he heard hands clapping in rhythm with the beat of the now familiar Irish drum.
Then he saw her.
She lifted her instrument and, with the surety of a bird’s wing slipping through the air, bow was laid to strings and life was breathed into melody.
He moved to the edge of the gathering where he could have an unobstructed view of the musicians. She looked up, and he thought she recognized him for an instant. Then her eyes turned and followed another. She smiled and nodded.
Cade had never thought of himself as the jealous type, but he did feel cheated out of that smile.
As soon as the last vibration of strings quieted, a man Cade recognized from O’Fallon’s came up behind the fiddler and, with disturbing familiarity, spoke in her ear. She responded with a hug and an adoring look in her eyes.
Cade had been raised to be competitive, in sports as well as in business, and the appearance of a rival on the field made him want to draw blood. He wanted the fiddler in his studio, and if she ended up in his bed, that might be as nice.
He stood and listened until the sun set and the air held a chill that thinned the throng. The musicians were packing it in.
He hadn’t realized he was staring, until she walked up to him and stood so
close he could smell the scent of her warm skin in the cool evening air. Her approach to introduction took Cade completely by surprise.
“Are you lookin’ at me or waitin’ for a bus?” she said, one hand on her hip and a sassy smile on her lips.

Excerpt #2
Flannery swung through the door into the dining room with a flourish but nearly tripped over a bar stool when she saw the now familiar profile, broad shoulders, and curly dark hair of the man who had come to see her sister.

“Sufferin’ ducks, and if it isn’t himself come to brighten the day at O’Fallon’s.” Cade was as
compelling as she remembered. Today he was dressed in jeans, a black knit shirt, leather bomber
jacket, and a slow smile that would stop a saint in her tracks.

“What can I get you?” She thought a couple of shots of good Irish whiskey would sort him out.

“I’d try the fish an’ chips if you would join me?”

She gave him one of her best smiles, turned toward the kitchen, and yelled, “Hey, Jamie, I’m
taking my break. Give us a one an’ one, a serving of the bangers and mushy peas, a couple o’ Harps, and an Inishowen, would you there?”

“Anything for the love of my life,” Jamie called from behind the door.

“Stow it, Jamie Mac!” Flannery shot back, then turned to Cade. “He’s always good fer craic, our
Jamie.”

“Craic? Inishowen? One and one? Would you like to translate?”

“Whatta ya mean ‘translate’? You speak English don’tcha?” she teased. “Okay...I’m just giving you a time. ‘Craic’ is fun, ‘Inishowen’ is a whiskey from County Donegal, and a ‘one and one’ is what we, the feckin’ Irish, call fish ‘n chips.”

Flannery’s pulse quickened at the way his dark eyes, shaded by long lashes, swept lazily over her, undressing her, right here in a public place. Yes, as her girlfriends back home liked to say, “He was a ride.”

Flannery Sloane is a free spirited bohemian with a soul blessed by Irish musical tradition. She doesn’t give a care for where she’s going or how she’ll get there. Joy and passion are her only map. And, though she’s not interested in falling in love, she wouldn’t mind a little fun with a fine looking man. Hunter Kincade looks like he could fill that bill and have a bit of change left over.
Flannery never wears a watch. She’s late for everything but the downbeat of a fiddle tune. She’s happy serving pints in the pub and playing for tips and smiles. Hunter thrives on punctuality. He is in the music business with his focus on the bottom line. The pretty fiddle player with the bright green eyes would make his next production worth the price of a CD.
Their only common ground is the belief that falling in love is a danger to health and sanity.
Will it take more than Irish magic to pull a man like Hunter into the spell of a woman like Flannery? They are all wrong for each other...and they are so right.

Author Interview

Good morning ya'll. I had the pleasure of interviewing fellow author, Christine Clemetson. Her book, A Daughter's Promise, is available at The Wild Rose Press. Grab some coffee and enjoy our conversation:

Deborah- Hi. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?

Christine: Hi Deborah! Thanks so much for having me stop by! My first release, A Daughter’s Promise” came out from The Wild Rose Press. It’s set in war torn Italy, 1944, where Serene Moneto made a promise to her dying mother—a promise so haunting that it directs the course of her life. When she chooses to save an American soldier from death, she risks everything—her name, her life, and capture by the Germans. Finding forbidden love with this soldier tears her world apart.

Deborah: Sounds interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?

Christine: I wanted to give a voice to people that lived during this time period in WWII. I wanted their stories of survival and hope to be heard by others. So I decided to place an American soldier right in the middle of Italy on Anzio beach head and the only chance of his survival would be through a local woman. When they find love, they ultimately look to each other for hope. I wanted to capture that inspiration on paper.

Deborah: How long have you been writing, and did you know at a young age you wanted to be an author?

Christine: I think I’ve been writing all my life. In the third grade, I wrote a story by hand and asked my mom to staple it together. I knew early on that I had these stories to tell and once I got my first library card and read some of the greatest stories in the world, I was hooked!

Deborah: Do you have a special place in your home where you like to write? If so, what does it look like?

Christine: I have an extra bedroom with a beautiful view of our backyard. Nothing on earth compares to having the windows open on a warm day and writing. My favorite place outside of my house is on my beach chair, writing with pen and paper.

Deborah: Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.
A. Color: Pink, of course!
B. Number: 7
C. Food: Chicken Parmigiana
D. Drink: A warm Coke.
E. Music: Keith Urban, hands down!
F. Author: LaVyrle Spencer. Any one of her books.
G. Actor/Actress: Harrison Ford. Charlize Theron
H. Movie: The Notebook.

Deborah: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?

Christine: Great question! It would have to be my hubby. He’s supportive not just of my writing, but me as a person. There are people in your lives that help us reach our dreams and help us grow—that would be my husband.

Deborah: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?

Christine: Keep writing and don’t let go of your dreams. Every time you put a word on the page, you’re moving closer to your dream.

Deborah: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?

Christine: Thank you for stopping by and reading my interview! I hope you enjoy my story. It’s all of you that keep us going as writers and creating the stories we love!

Again, thank you for stopping by. It has been a pleasure talking with you. Take care.
Thanks so much Deborah for having me as a guest! I really enjoyed your questions.

Deborah: Thanks Christine, I really enjoyed having you as a guest on my blog. Check out 'A Daughter's Promise'. Available at www.thewildrosepress.com

Christine Clemetson – A Daughter’s Promise

Blurb

A Daughter’s Promise, by debut novelist Christine Clemetson, is a sweeping love story of sacrifice and unexpected hope. In war torn Italy, 1944, Serene Moneto made a promise to her dying mother—a promise so haunting that it directs the course of her life. When she chooses to save an American soldier from death, she risks everything—her name, her life, and capture by the Germans. Finding forbidden love with this soldier tears her world apart. Against the backdrop of a war raging right outside her door, can she choose happiness? Despite the promise she made those years ago?
See the trailer at http://www.christineclemetson.com/trailers.html


Excerpt

They both knew Serene’s turn had come. She took in a deep breath and touched his arms in a stiff embrace. She hugged him the way she had rehearsed in her head over and over, the way a mother would hug her son going off to war.

“I don’t care who sees,” he said gruffly, pulling her closer. He pushed her chin up with his
fingertips, and bent his head to kiss her.

She took his lips, his body, all of him, into her heart for the last time. Feeling the rapid beating in his chest, she fought the urge to mold her most intimate part against his.

When their lips parted, his warm breath on her neck made her body shiver. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her face into his jacket. “I’m not ashamed about
what I said to you last night or what happened between us.” Her voice cracked. “It’s a sin, I know, but it was the most beautiful—”

“Ashamed? I don’t think I’ll ever have that kind of love again.”

Trembling, she stood back a little, clinging to her emotions with the delicacy of a spider web. “But you were right. We made the most logical decision.”

“Jesus, Serry. I want to tell you so bad that I—”

“You’re all set, then?” Sam said, coming back into the house.

Serene let go of Miles, letting her one finger intertwine with one of his pinky fingers. She couldn’t let him go.

Slowly, he released her and went to the door, putting one foot on the outside pavement before hesitating and turning back. His eyes were red, and she clutched the stair banister to keep from running to him. How much she loved him would be a secret
she’d take to the grave.

Carrying a bottle of whiskey, Marcus passed him at the door and gave him a friendly slap on the back. “I came to give you a goodbye, Coulson.”

Serene stood up straight and froze.

Miles jerked himself away. “Change of heart about me?”

His answer was Marcus’ deep kiss on Serene’s cheek and an arm around her waist. “I realized, Coulson, that I’m proud of her for taking the responsibility for you. I thought it was about time that I offered my apologies for the undiplomatic way I acted. We’re all in this for a cause, no? Why don’t we share a bottle to celebrate?”

“No, your change of heart doesn’t rub me the right way.” Miles offered an apologetic glance to Serene and then shifted his gaze back to Marcus. “You hurt her, and I’ll hurt you. You understand me?”

“Have a safe trip,” Marcus drawled.

Serene watched the driver help him in and her knees weakened. As the truck’s engine started, she braced herself against the wall.

“Don’t worry. Serene. Just think of this as a wedding present from me. No more worries about your American. He is well now and gone for good. Your only thanks is to marry me.”

She couldn’t hear him. Her throat ached and she made no effort to wipe the tears spilling freely from her eyes. She started for the door, but he grabbed her by the shoulders.

Remember, check out Christine's new book.

Take care ya'll,

Deb

New Release

Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know "Kindertransport" will be released by The Wild Rose Press on the seventh of August.
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/kindertransport-p-3543.html Paste this link to the address bar to find it.

An excerpt:

I filled a syringe with morphine.Could innocent blood ever be washed away?
Would my hands ever be clean again if I continued on this course?

The gas would make them choke, gasping for breath as life was strangled to nothingness. Morphine would make them euphoric, and an overdose would put them to sleep, peacefully, with no pain. A sleep from which they would not awake, but they would be safe from the evil that awaited them otherwise.

I filled the second syringe. I thought of each child as I punctured the rubber stopper, the needle sucking up the lethal fluid filling the tube. Little Wilhelm. My treasured leader of the pack. The braces on his legs never stopped his imagination from soaring.

Lara. An artist’s soul expressed with the one good hand she had. Art reflective of the beauty living in her heart. The twins. Isn’t intelligence measured with creativity? I would sorely miss their energy.

My hand slipped., and the needle grazed the knuckle of my thumb. I swore and bit my lip. Perfect. I’ll kill myself before I get a chance to euthanize my children. Then, after I enter Heaven’s gate, if He lets me inside them, God can tell me I am an idiot and a murderer.

I rubbed my shoulders. They hunched with an invisible weight that made my back ache.