Going After The Heart by Kristine Beairsto

Today we have awesome Kristine Beairsto visiting to tell us about her recent book Going After The Heart. Kristine it's a pleasure to have you here, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thank you so much for having me!  I'm a year round, flip-flop girl from San Diego, CA.  I've been addicted to romance novels since I was a teenager.  The rare times I'm not reading or writing, I can usually be found spending time with my husband and our two little girls or cheering on one of my favorite New York sports teams.

I love romance novels. How did you decided to enter the world of writing?

Growing up, I devoured books, thanks to a love of reading shared by my family.  My father always toyed with the idea writing science fiction stories and I loved to sit and listen to his ideas for stories and the worlds he built in his mind.  At eleven, after writing several short stories, I tried my hand at a longer story, hammering out a novel length story about a rock and roll band.  As soon as I wrote the words The End, I knew I had found my passion.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family is very supportive, always has been.  My seven year old thinks it's really cool that I write my own books, until it's time for me to review one of her writing assignments for school.  Then she wishes I did something a little less cool. = D

Where do you get your ideas?

Lots of different places.  Some ideas come out of seeing movies or reading other books and adding that “what if this happened instead” tag to the plot line.  My most recent release, Going After the Heart, came out of a bad dream I had.

Can you tell us a little about your book? 

Certainly.  Going After the Heart is about a woman named Lizzy Bergstrum who thinks her life is going great.  Her marriage, career, and daughter - everything is perfect.  Then out of the blue, her husband leaves because he's convinced she doesn’t even know he exists anymore.  After getting over her shock, she decides to go after him to fix things and has to find the fine line between making changes and not compromising who she is. 

What is your writing process?

When I come up with an idea for a story, I flush it out as much as I can in my head.  If I have to do research, I do as much research as I possibly can because that can sometimes fuel ideas for creative scenes.   Then I work out a rough outline of the plot and start working on my first draft of the story. 

What was the hardest part for you when working on your book?

The hardest part with Going After the Heart was trying figure out how to get my hero, Gavin Lizzy’s husband, to realize she wasn't the only person responsible for the issues with their marriage.

What influenced or inspired you to write?

I've always enjoyed making up stories since I was very young.  My parents and grandparents were my biggest influences that inspired me to start writing those stories down as I got older. 

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work?

Not in Going After the Heart, which still kind of shocks me.  LOL!  In my previous two books, I took out quite a few scenes because the story ran entirely too long, but somehow I seemed to contain my normally wordy self for Going After the Heart. 

Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?

Hmm, that's a real tough one, but if forced to choose, I'd have to pick Gavin.  There's just something I love about a wounded man. ; )

Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us?

My next book will hopefully come out in April and tells the story about a woman whose parents died and she finds herself the guardian of her younger brothers and sisters.  To make extra money to make ends meet, she works for a black market antiques dealer authenticating antique books.  There's complications, of course.  And the hero will get involved, of course. LOL! 

Where can we find more information about you and your books?

I'm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorKristenBeairsto and Twitter at www.twitter.com/AuthorKBeairsto.  And of course, my website www.KristenBeairsto.com.

Do you have any last words?

Thanks again so much for having me!!  This was fun!!

Thank you for stopping by and please promise to return to talk about your new release.  

Fun Questions ~

I love weekends because? What's not to love?! LOL!  The best part is probably the freedom to really do whatever you want, whether it's be super lazy or go conquer a mountain.

I hate? Being really hot or really cold. 

I want to buy?  My husband says you might want to sit down and get comfortable, you're going to be sitting here for a while if I list out all the things I want to buy. LOL!!  He knows me too well!

My favorite song is?  At the moment, my favorite is Mz. Hyde by Halestorm.

My favorite precious stone is?  Amethyst and rubies

I want to travel to? Why? I want to see just about the entire world, but the place I'd really love to visit is Italy.  I've heard so many wonderful things about Italy that I can't wait to experience myself.

I want to meet?  Why? Gwen Stefani.  I’ve loved her music since I was a teenager and have really enjoyed seeing what she’s done with herself.  She seems like someone who has it all.

I want to invite   -------------- to dinner. Why? Michelle Obama, nothing political, I just think it would be interesting to compare notes on being working moms raising girls.

My dream is to? Quit my day job and write full time. = D

My favorite book is? Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Asuka's Confession by Eva Marie Paulliere

Today we have author Eva Marie Paulliere.  We will learn about her new series Asuka.  Eva,  please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Ohio and now live in Florida. I have an educational background in art and foreign language study. Professionally, my background is in education, business administration, and during leaner times, the “food service industry” (That’s code for “server”). I have a spouse, and two daughters. I like to read, write, and speak Japanese.

How did you decided to enter the world of writing?

I had a story idea so vivid, I could not get it out of my mind. I had to write it lest I go mental.

What does your family think of your writing?

My kids are proud of me, although they are too young (daughters 6 and 9) to read any of it! My spouse is proud of me too, but the time-consuming aspect is sometimes difficult on the marriage.

I can relate to this. Your family wants to spend time with you. Where do you get your ideas?

It’s mostly severely embellished life experience.

Can you tell us a little about your book? 

Well, I have several, actually. The series I am working on right now is “Asuka”. It’s about a young Japanese woman who escapes the Yakuza and finds herself working for the CIA because she wants to avenge a death. The short story prologue, “Asuka’s Confession” tells of her time in Japan, and the event that changed the course of her life. I’m working on the next story “Asuka’s Escape” which I’ll have out sometime before summer. 

Wow, the story sounds real interesting. I need to read it. What is your writing process? 

Usually while I am innocently reading a book, eating at a restaurant or driving my car I think of some situation and it just takes off into a story. Then I have to get to the nearest laptop and write it all down as it unfolds and explodes in my head. After a few hours of hectically writing down notes, I make an outline. The next two to four weeks is spent neglecting just about everything else until I get the first draft done. After that, I have an author contact, Ellen Clare look it over and make revision suggestions. I then revise it about five times then get it proofread and published. 

What was the hardest part for you when working on your book? 

I would sometimes type as much as 12,000 words in a day, and my fingers would get SORE. 

What influenced or inspired you to write? 

I’ve been involved with music, sketching, and even did martial arts for awhile. I’ve done more drawings than I can count, and have composed some symphonies as well. I think it was just the next thing for me.  

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work? 

That’s top secret! Seriously, though, my criterion is this: if it doesn’t forward the story, I delete it. 

Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?

I love Asuka. She’s a bridge between Asian and Western culture, a character any woman can identify with. 

Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us? 

I am going back and forth between making the final revisions of “The Player” to finish up my “Two Stories” trilogy, and I plan to do a lot of writing on the Asuka series in the coming years. 

Where can we find more information about you and your books? 

AuthorEva.com 

Do you have any last words?

Can I have a cigarette? 

lol, if you want.  It has been a pleasure having you visit. I loved learning about you and your work.  

Fun Questions

I love weekends because?

I can write.

I hate?

Self-righteousness. I’m above it.

I want to buy?

A small country.

My favorite song is?

Heartbeats by The Knife. If my first book “Cheryl’s Secret” is ever made into a movie, I’d want that playing on the credit roll. If you read the book, you’ll see how it fits.

My favorite precious stone is?

Diamonds, of course.

I want to travel to? Why?

Japan. I love those people.

I want to meet?  Why?

Stephen King. He’s at the top of my profession, and I read a lot of his books when I was younger.

I want to invite   -------------- to dinner. Why?

Bobby Flay. I’d ask him to cook.

My dream is to?

Have my books made into movies. “One Woman”, especially.

My favorite book is?

How to Write a Damn Good Novel, by James N Frey

Utopian Estates by Angus H. Day

Hi Angus, I'm thrilled to have you visiting and sharing your work. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Fort Collins,  Colorado with my wife and son.  My daughter has embarked on her career as a graphics designer.  I've been an Infantryman, Swine Farmer, smattering of other trades and jobs and now I'm a manufacturing pharmaceutical chemist.  What aspect of my life that is devoted to fitness favors swimming in open water which means I spend most of the year working out in a pool then hit the lakes when it warms up a bit.  My wife Cheryl safety kayaks for me when we manage to make it work.

How did you decided to enter the world of writing?

I got to a point one day when I was waiting on everybody else in the house to get off of the computer when it hit me.  Start doing what I had wanted to do for the last thirty years, write science fiction stories.

What does your family think of your writing?

They think it is pretty cool for the most part.  Sometimes they cringe when they hit a sex scene but a lot more of the time they just shake theirs and go 'Who knew?'.

Where do you get your ideas?

I've read extensively, experienced way more than a person is entitled to and I am a scientist.  That being said, sometimes I just pull them out of my ass.  The ability to picture a scene in my head helps, once I stop laughing uncontrollably for no reason.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

The one coming out by 01 JAN 13, Utopian Estates, takes place mainly on Mars.  The female protagonist is a lesbian and the daughter of a legendary Tribunal Marine Colonel.  She takes her first job working for a real estate construction company on Mars and shenanigans ensue.

This story sounds interesting.  What is your writing process?

I try to be a planner but nine times out of ten I end up being a pantser.  Following an outline or mind-map is a useful way to break out of writers block but if you stay within the lines I find that the joy of my writing suffers.  I also like to create awkward situations that bring depth to the story.

I also use an outline to keep me on track, but I also allow the story to flow out, lol.  We have that in common.   What was the hardest part for you when working on your book?

The hardest is usually getting everything else off of me so that I can complete my ideas in relative peace.  This next year I will be making a concerted effort to keep to a schedule that those around me will need to respect.

I can related to that.  What influenced or inspired you to write?

The need for creativity with a low cost for entry.  It is therapy for me.

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work?

There are two aliens that didn't finish their story in this work.  I intend to bring them to completion three books from now.

Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?

In Utopian Estates my favorite character is Ronnie Rockman.  He's old, seen a lot, in a new body, takes no shit and is also a hero to some degree.

Oh yeah, he sounds awesome.  Old and a new body?  Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us?

The next book is called Destined for...Something and it follows a guy through the Next You Universe as his stupidity, bigotry and other narrow-mindedness herd him to his, tada, destiny.

Where can we find more information about you and your books?

I maintain a facebook group, blog and authors page.  There is also a next you website.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/166437960168946/

http://angus48.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngusDay

http://nextyouniverse.com/

Do you have any last words?

Don't let the big five publishers dictate your reading list.  Life is too short.

Thank you for visiting.  Angus I hope that you return and share your next books with us.  I'm adding them to my list to read. 

Fun Questions ~

I love weekends because?

They usually give me a break from the week.  * Sheer genius that!

I hate?

Wasting life on negativity.

 My favorite song is?

Changeable from moment to moment.

My favorite precious stone is?

Emerald because I like it.

I want to travel to? Why?

I've traveled enough, I want to enjoy where I'm at.

I want to meet?  Why?

No real front runners there either, God I'm boring.

I want to invite   -------------- to dinner. Why?

Londo Mollari from Babylon 5 because we could drink Brevari to wee hours, carouse and it would be okay.

My dream is to?

Have people enjoy my work.

My favorite book is?

Dune.

Take 2 by Linda Bolton

Hi Linda, it's awesome to have you visiting.  I look forward to learning all about you and your book.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself.  

I’m middle-aged, a grandmother (GiGi), I work full-time in HR, I’m a fitness rep (I so need to workout more and eat better), and I write romance.

How did you decided to enter the world of writing? 

I’ve been writing poetry and short stories since I was in high school. I finally decided to try a novel and it just flowed.

What does your family think of your writing? 

When I was married, my ex thought it would just be a hobby. My daughter thinks its pretty cool that her mom writes novels.

Where do you get your ideas? 

I write contemporary romance and get my ideas from reading and watching celebrities as well as my from my friends. Everyone knows anything they say or do can become part of a book or a blog.

Can you tell us a little about your book? 

Its about Alexandra. She’s in her mid-forties, in a blah marriage, and feels her life is at a stand still. She wins a trip to her favorite talk show and meets her celebrity crush. They keep a connection and, in a freak car accident, her husband dies and she’s in a coma. Derek, her celebrity crush, comes to her and then the two of them struggle with the challenges of love, paparazzi and their own relationship fears. There’s travel to wonderful places as well as relationship struggles. 

What is your writing process? 

I am, for the most part, a panser. I research my main characters and locations, and plan the beginning and ending. All that is in between is written by the characters. I’m just along for the ride.

What was the hardest part for you when working on your book? Learning how to add enough detail without it being wordy. 

What influenced or inspired you to write? 

Reading others work has always motivated me to write. I love Candace Havens and Jade Lee. Meeting other published authors has really inspired me to keep trying and to think it might be possible. 

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work? 

I wrote a really cool ending scene for the book but the book was too short. Once I added to the story the ending didn’t fit so I deleted it. Then I found a place to put it but I had actually deleted it. It was gone and I couldn’t remember all the detail. I have learned to save everything. 

Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why? Kathleen, Alex’s best friend. She takes Alex to a speed date meeting. I laugh every time I read it. 

Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us? 

I have a few books going right now - 2 erotic romances and another contemporary. The contemporary will be the story of Tristen Bane, you meet him in my current book. 

Where can we find more information about you and your books? You can find my book on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Take-2-ebook/dp/B00ATPVW2Q and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-2-ebook/dp/B00ATPVW2Q

as well as FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/lindaboltonauthor

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/lindalou42

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6875749.Linda_Bolton

Do you have any last words? 

My book, Take 2, just came out Dec 29. I would like to invite everyone to take a look and, when you read it, please leave a review. Thanks so much for having me! 

Linda it has been a pleasure. I'm going to put your book on my to read list, lol.  I will read it when I'm finish with my saga. 

Fun Questions 

I love weekends because? I don’t work my full time job, HR, and I see my granddaughter.

I hate? 100 degree days in Texas, because they last for months!

I want to buy? Tons of cool things for my granddaughter

My favorite song is? Wanted by Hunter Hayes

My favorite precious stone is? Aquamarine...my birthstone

I want to travel to? Why? Scotland...Men in kilts with accents! Need I say more?

I want to meet?  Why? Gerard Butler. Because he is Derek!

I want to invite   -------------- to dinner. Why? Gerard Butler! To take advantage of him!!!

My dream is to? Have a man tell me the things Hunter Hayes sings in his song, Wanted.

My favorite book is? Diana Gabaldon’s series about Jamie Frazier