Kasie West

First and foremost, please tell us a little bit about yourself.  About myself....hmmm....I'm pretty boring. Most of the time I'm busy doing mom stuff which these days includes a lot of driving. I feel like a taxi driver. I have 4 kids. My oldest is 15 and my baby is 6. They keep me busy. When I'm not doing mom stuff, I love to read, watch movies, and eat chocolate. (Yes, sometimes I do all of those things simultaneously) 

You tend to write various types of genres.  What's your favorite to write and why?  What are you most comfortable to write and why?  I write both paranormal and contemporary in the YA genre. I really like to write both a lot. Although my paranormals feel very contemporary so maybe that's where my heart lies. I love the characters and emotions of which tend to take center stage in a contemporary.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?  I'm mostly a pantser. I say mostly because I do have the key points plotted when I sit down to write. I generally know my characters when I sit down to write. And most often I know the end. Everything else I discover as I write.

What is your writing routine?  I really don't have one. I write when I find time. With 4 kids, being a mom always comes first. Although, this year, for the first time, all of my kids are in school, so that has become my main time to write these days. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty awesome.

Where do you find your inspiration?  I get inspiration when I get out from behind my computer and do something, anything. My husband and I went on vacation recently and an idea for a story came to me while grabbing my suitcase off the cart. This happens a lot when I let my brain relax and just get out and live.

In THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, the story is essentially Pride & Prejudice meets Pretty in Pink.  Why did you mesh these two iconic stories?  I didn't set out to mesh these two stories. That description actually came about after the story was written. :) But I love those two stories so I'm perfectly fine that mine is a mash up between the two.

On that note, how do you make your story unique while sticking with the general concept?  I think that two writers given the same idea would write two completely different stories. We each bring our own experience, our own voice, and our own spin on every story. So I didn't consciously try to make it different, I just wrote the story.

Where did you get the inspiration for PIVOT POINT?  Pivot Point was inspired by the movie Sliding Doors. I love the idea of alternate realities and exploring how choice can change an outcome.

What can you tell us about SPLIT SECOND?  Split Second, the sequel to Pivot Point, is a continuation of Addie's story. She learns a lot of things about the Compound where she lives. She also gets the chance to see and get to know Trevor again. This story also has another POV character--Laila.

What type of relationship is your favorite to explore and develop?  I love the best friends falling for each other relationship. That's fun for me. But I also love getting to know the mysterious stranger.....yeah....I guess my favorite is whatever one I'm working on at the moment because they are all so fun.

 What type of person is your ideal hero when you're both reading and writing?  Are they the same?  Why or why not?  I like humor when I both read and write. I think humor is such a good way to offset tension. I think lighter moments make the darker ones feel darker and vice versa. So I love a funny or sarcastic main character.

What type of person is your ideal heroine when you're both reading and writing?  Ah, I thought the last question was this question. Maybe because I always think of the main character as the hero. Ha. Okay, so, my answer to this one is pretty much the same. But I do like characters that complement each other. I think that if a hero has a weakness, that should be the heroine's strength and the opposite. It makes for a strong couple. This doesn't always have to be the case, but some of my favorite stories are when this is the case.

What has the publishing process been like?  Long. :) It's been a long, sometimes frustrating, but very rewarding journey. There were times I wanted to give up, there were times I didn't. It took years of writing, years of querying, and then months of submitting before I got my first publishing contract. 

Would you recommend advertisements or did you market your books through a different venue?  I am an awful marketer. This is one reason I really wanted to go traditional--because I'm so uncomfortable with self promotion. I do what I feel comfortable with, which is twitter, Instagram, and a blog, and I focus most of my energy on writing.

Are you working on anything now?  I'm always writing something. :) And also, right now I'm critiquing for a friend.

Any upcoming releases?  I have two books coming out in 2014. The first is SPLIT SECOND, sequel to Pivot Point. It is available for preorder now: 

http://www.amazon.com/Split-Second-Pivot-Point-Kasie/dp/0062117386/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380999961&sr=8-1&keywords=split+second+by+kasie+west

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/split-second-kasie-west/1115554619?ean=9780062117380

And then I have another contemporary coming out in the summer of 2014 called ON THE FENCE. 

Contact info:

www.kasiewest.com

https://twitter.com/KasieWest

Inara Scott

You have 4 books coming out in the next 6 months.  How does that happen and how do you find the time to release the books as well as write new ones?  That sounds very intimidating, doesn't it? LOL! Here's the crazy thing--I'm also a full time law professor, so I teach and write academic papers during the school year and generally write my fiction over the summer. This year is a bit of an anomoly, because some deadlines got moved around and I wrote a lot over the past eight months. But for me, writing is like TV, or candy, or movies...it's my downtime and the thing I most love to do. I will admit that I write in spurts. For example, this summer I wrote two books because I wasn't teaching or publishing. But I can't write like that all year long. I need breaks in between books to regain my energy and creativity. I think the most I could write would be 3 books a year. I am in awe of people who crank out 6 or more books a year.

Please tell us a bit about your YA October release, A SLEEP SO DARK.  Where did you get the inspiration for it?  This book is so much fun--I can't wait to share it with everyone! A Sleep So Dark is a romantic thriller with a paranormal twist, but like most of my books it started with a character. At the time I was writing it, my daughter was doing gymnastics at a gym pretty far from our house, so I'd just stay and write while she had her practices. Well, you can't put me in a setting like that, surrounded by these crazy gymnastics moms shouting at their 5 year-old daughters without inspiring a book! So my inspiration was Tandy, the main character, who has been pushed all her life by her mother to be an Olympic gymnast, and is now struggling to rebuild her life after her mother's death. From there, I ended up with cowboys (because they're sexy) and snowstorms (because they're scary) and hot football players (because, well, they're hot!). And dreams, because who hasn't had a terrifying nightmare and wondered what it would be like if dreams could come true?

What can discuss about your other upcoming releases?  My November release is called Falling for Mr. Wrong, and it's an adult contemporary romance in my Bencher Family series from Entangled Publishing. It's about a mountain-climbing woman who finds herself babysitting for the guy she had a crazy one-night stand with years before. They are totally wrong for each other--of course! But romance ensues... The January release is called Reforming the Playboy, and it's part of a three book contemporary romance continuity from Entangled set in the fictional town of Passion Creek, Colorado. In Reforming the Playboy, Kira Butler has to confront her college boyfriend--who happens to be an international art star--to keep some very sexy drawings he made of her from ending up on the Internet.

And last, but definitely not least, I will be releasing the third (and final) book in my Delcroix Academy series in late winter. For those who have followed the series, I promise I will wrap up all of your questions. Like, Is Jack really dead? Is Cam as cute and sweet as he seems? And most importantly, what's REALLY going on behind Grandma's foggy glasses? :-)

You've written so many genres.  Do you have a favorite?  Why or why not?  Well, I've written YA and adult, historical, paranormal, fantasy, contemporary (long and short), and now, thriller...so I must plead guilty to the charge of having a short attention span. But do I have a favorite? My favorite things are happy endings, true love, and swoon-worthy romance. I don't really care what package you put them in. When I'm super busy, I tend to write shorter, more straightforward books like my contemporary romances. When I have more time, I like to delve into deeper, more complex plots, like my young adult books. I suspect in the future I'll bounce back to historicals, just because I've always wanted to publish a pirate romance. My fervent hope is that my readers will hold my hand and come along with me, even though I rarely take them back to the same place twice.  

What's the publishing process been like?  Hmm...how much time do you have for me to answer that? LOL! The short answer is that it's a rollercoaster, and if you want to write and publish, you've got to sign on for the ride. I'm not big on looking back, so I'll just say that I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am right (write?) now. I publish what I want, have worked with wonderful people in many countries, have a great relationship with Entangled Publishing, and feel supported by my fans and my editors. I couldn't ask for more.

How do you advertise your work?  When I have a new release you'll see me doing the blog tour thing, and of course I'm pretty active on Facebook (www.facebook.com/inarawrites) Twitter (@inarascott) and Tumblr (inarascott.tumblr.com). I've been lucky to be a part of some wonderful teen book festivals and have had great school visits as well. Really, any way I can talk to readers, I am all over.

Any advice for aspiring writers?  See response above about publishing! Be in it for the long haul. Don't hit send too quickly. Revise revise revise. Find editors, critique partners, and writing groups so you stay connected, supported, and challenged. Know that not everyone will love your books. That's okay. Love what YOU do and take pride in what makes your writing special.  

Marina Adair

First and foremost, please tell us a little bit about yourself.  Thanks for having me here today! Okay, a little about me … I am a screenwriter turned romance novelist who has a thing for burgers, beer, and Jane Austin novels—sometimes simultaneously. My relationship with Eggo waffles boarders on unhealthy and I hate mayonnaise. I am also a mother and a wife, I love reading and I am a HUGE Hart of Dixie fan.

Team Tucker! 

Are you a plotter or a pantser?  Plotter. Obsessive plotter.

What is your writing routine?  I wait until everyone is off to school or work and the house is quiet. Then it is butt in chair, head down, and I write. Lately, my goal has been a steady 15,000 words a week, so roughly 3000 words a day. If come Friday, I am under then I make up the words on the weekend.

                              

Where do you find your inspiration?  Country songs. My critique partner and I always joke that if we could, we would move into Luke Bryan song. Right now Crash My Party is at the top of the list.

Did you have to do any research for your ST. HELENA'S VINEYARD series?  Since I lived in St. Helena for a few years, the setting was easy, but when I got to the third book in the series, AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD, I was faced with Frankie Baudouin and Nate DeLuca, two rivaling winemakers. I realized quickly that although I am an expert wine drinker, I had no idea what goes into being a wine maker. So I went to my wine-go-to-guy, Gary Galleron of Galleron Wines. He was sweet enough to answer all of my questions, even the ridiculous ones—and great guy that he is, he didn’t even laugh at me once. Gary gave me better understanding of just what goes into owning a winery: from the planting, to harvest, production, and right on to sales and distribution. He was a life saver—and Galleron wines are incredible. Yum!

Your ST. HELENA'S VINEYARD series deals with cheating.  How do you develop your heroines so they can move on and trust a worthy hero after going through such betrayal?  Betrayal is something that I think most readers can relate to, plus it is one of my favorite obstacles to tackle—especially when the characters have a past with each other. I like to figure out what my heroine’s goal and biggest fear is, then put her in a situation where the only way to accomplish the goal is to overcome the fear. And who stands in the way of her goal … the hero, of course.

In AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD, my heroine Frankie has experienced enough betrayal and disappointment in her lifetime to understand that it is just easier to go it alone. The idea of leaning on someone—especially a man—is terrifying. So I put her in a situation where, if she wants to save her new vineyard, she has to live and work with the one guy who broke her heart and her trust, Nate.

What can you tell us about BE MINE FOREVER without giving too much away?  Book #4 in the St. Helena Vineyard series, BE MINE FOREVER, comes out January 21, 2014 and follows the baby of the family, Trey DeLuca. After watching each of his brothers trade in their man-card for a minivan, Trey develops a severe allergic reaction to commitment, compromise, and kids. So of course I paired him with the sexy single-mom next door who isn’t in the market for a man—so much as a Manny to watch her son. It was fun to witness the commitment-phobe playboy fall hard, especially when the woman he is falling for comes stock-ready with a kid, white picket fence, and a life that screams commitment.

What can you tell us about your SUGAR, GEORGIA series?  The Sugar, Georgia series is a brand new series I am writing for Grand Central Publishing. The first book, SUGAR’S TWICE AS SWEET, will release late 2014. It follows Josephina Harrington, a New York socialite whose perfect life is uprooted when she finds herself dumped, homeless, and broke—and the only asset she has left is her great Aunt Fairchild’s old plantation house in Sugar, Georgia. One look at the dilapidated in and Joie realized that she does need a man—one that wears a tool belt and knows a thing or two about renovations.

With three Master’s Jackets and a nasty sex scandal under his belt, PGA playboy Brett McGraw decides to return home and lay low before he does something else stupid . . . like lose his corporate endorsements. But when Brett calls on the new neighbor to settle a dispute, he’s given a tool belt and a hammer. One look at Joie’s long legs and city-girl sass and playing contractor doesn’t seem so bad. Especially if it means spending his days watching her parade around in those ridiculous heels and his nights in her bed. Too bad for him, she is done with men.

When will you write another SWEET PLAINS TEXAS novel?  Those Tucker boys have a special place in my heart. When I wrote Tucker’s Crossing I mapped out a story for all three brothers, and one for Gina and Logan. I plan to finish the series, but there is no publication date as of yet. I hope that after I wrap up the DeLucas and the Sugar, Georgia series, that I will be able to take a trip back to Sweet Plains, Texas and stay for a while.

What type of relationship is your favorite to explore and develop?  Enemies to lovers who have a heated past. I love the idea of a second chance at a first love. There is so much natural conflict and tension that stems from those kinds of stories, and finding believable motivations for them to give into the chemistry is always so much fun.

What type of person is your ideal heroine when you're both reading and writing? 

I love the sweet, girl-next-door who has a secret wild side. I also love heroines who find out how strong they really are when their perfect world collapses and they have to pull themselves back up.

 What type of person is your ideal hero when you're both reading and writing?  I love my heroes to be all male. I don’t like them whiny or brooding or dark, I love them funny and charming and so full of banter and swagger that they burn up the page. But I also love them to have a vulnerable side.

Are they the same?  I think what my hero and heroine want is ultimately the same, but how they go about getting there takes very different courses—which is where the conflict and tension comes in.

What has the publishing process been like?  I am with two different publishers right now and I think I really lucked out. I absolutely love my editors and the teams that work on my books.

Would you recommend advertisements or did you market your books through a different venue?  My publisher handles all of my advertising and marketing. They do such an incredible job of it I have never had to consider additional promotions outside of blog tours.

How involved are you in terms of editing/book cover/release date/marketing process? This is a tricky question. I am as involved as I am allowed to be. I have a great relationship with all of my editors, and I really listen to their advice and suggestions, and we have created a great back and forth dialogue to make each book the best it can be. As for covers and release dates, I have input but in the end the final decision is up to that team.

Are you working on anything now?  I am just finishing up book #5 in the St Helena Series, FROM THE MOMENT WE MET. It follows the only sister in the family, Abby DeLuca, who after 8 years of being stuck in a marriage of lies, finally gets her divorce. Ready to rebuild her life and embrace her new found freedom, Abby lands a job designing the Wine Country’s newest premiere wine and cheese shop. Only day one into being man-free her ex-husband arrives on her door step—in an urn. To make matters worse, Jack Tanner, former NFL heartthrob and the guy who stole her virginity and then broke her heart, is the hired hammer for the remodel—and he won’t back down until Abby agrees to one date with him.

Any upcoming releases?  October 29, 2013 ~ Autumn in the Vineyard (St Helena Vineyard #3)

http://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Vineyard-Helena-Novel-ebook/dp/B00CRMUJV4/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

January 21, 2014 ~ Be Mine Forever (St. Helena Vineyard #4)

http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Helena-Vineyard-Novel-ebook/dp/B00EJYI6KY/ref=pd_sim_kstore_4

June 2014 ~ From the Moment we Met ~ (St. Helena #5)

August 2014 ~ Sugar’s Twice as Sweet (Sugar, Georgia #1)

Website: www.MarinaAdair.com

Twitter: @MarinaEAdair

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marina-Adair/313569728682853?ref=hl

Thanks for having me today! :)