When
did you know you wanted to be a writer?
My
older sister Lumi had her own room where she'd spend time with her girlfriends
while I had to share a room with my younger sister, Monica. Lumi's room was
like a treasure box, with giggles, secrets and adventures. Needless to say, I
wasn't allowed in her room when she was at home.
But
when she wasn't, I would be a bad girl and sneak in and rummage through her
clothes, her books, her drawers. It was during one of those incursions when I
came upon a beautifully written notebook, a love story.
I got sucked in from the first page and fell
in love with the heroes, Raluca and Alexandru. I laughed with them, cried with
them, felt my heart melt at the sight of them, lived life through their eyes. I
was addicted to their story and Lumi's room manifested itself into more of a
forbidden fruit.
Unfortunately
their love story never lived to see the printing light and I often wonder if
they had the happily-ever-after ending. You see, one day Lumi came home earlier
and found me devouring her notebook. I was mortified I was caught red handed
and she was furious about my trespassing. She yanked the notebook from my
hands and yelled at me to get out of her room.
I never sneaked back into her room. We never talked about it, but ever since then all I've done was to wish I'd meet my writing muse and take a chance at writing.
I never sneaked back into her room. We never talked about it, but ever since then all I've done was to wish I'd meet my writing muse and take a chance at writing.
Well,
fast-forward 20+ years later, I opened a blank word document and began writing.
And never stopped.
What
genre do you write and why?
Romance and women's fiction.
Simply put because I'm a hopeless romantic and a true believer that love makes
everything possible.
It’s a contemporary war
romance set in the middle of the Iraqi war, a love story between two opposites.
Maj. David Hunt is an American doctor in the US Air Force, and Lt. Cassandra
Toma is a Romanian doctor in the Romanian Army. Fate has them both deployed to
the M. Kogalniceanu (try to say this word, please) Joint Air Base shortly after
Saddam Hussein’s execution.
They meet. They clash. A
forbidden passion consumes them with the intensity of an erupting volcano,
leaving her heartbroken and him with tarnished honor and pride as an officer.
The only way out for David is disappearing into the dangerous warzone in Iraq . Their
flame was supposed to be over when destiny brings them back under the same
roof, this time with a common goal—to find Cassandra's brother, Maj. Robert
Toma, kidnapped by insurgents while on patrol.
To rescue Robert, Cassandra
and David put aside their resentments, uniting forces against a common enemy.
Trying to forget the painful past, Cassandra opens up to give David—and their
love—another chance. What she doesn’t realize is that her anguish is the result
of David’s impetuous action—one reckless choice he made for which she may never
forgive him.
His mistake, his secret, could
cost them both the love they've finally found.
What
marketing methods are you using to promote your book?
I have to admit, I don't do
enough to promote my books, but I promised myself I'd put in more effort. Until
a year ago I couldn't fathom the idea of blogging. Now I like it. This is my
first virtual book tour, which had proved so far really exciting. Connecting
with readers, maintaining old relationships and developing new ones, word of
mouth. Giveaways on GoodReads. Participating in blog hops. Facebook. For
readers asking for signed copies I also have bookmarks to share.
What
formats is the book available in?
Paperback and e-format.
What
do you like to do when you're not writing?
Watch comedies. Go to B&N
with my son and niece and make up stories about the people around us, based on
their gestures and body language. Play a game that (in over 15 years I’ve been
playing it) I only won twice. Having tea with my older sister every weekend.
Who
are your favorite authors?
Mary Balogh, Linda Lael Miller,
Margaret Mitchell (traditional authors). Cindy C Bennett, Sherry Gammon,
Jeffrey Moore (indie)
Edit. Edit. Edit. When you
think you're done edit again.
What's
your favorite quote about writing/for writers?
George Bernard Shaw:
"Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until
drops of blood form on your forehead."
What's
the best thing about being a writer?
Holding the first copy of your
book. It's like holding your child for the first time.
Where
can people find out more about you and your writing?
Anything
else you'd like to add?
From the bottom of my heart,
thank you for reading my stories. All your letters and emails mean the world to
me, reinforcing the fact that my books have found a loving home on your
shelves.
10 Comments
Love this book!! Lots of heart and soul!! Great interview, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment Sherry. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
DeleteLindsell,
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for hosting my book tour and for the interview. Your efforts are much appreciated.
XOXO
Please call me Jo :)
DeleteYou're welcome. I wish you all the best with your book.
Jo,
DeleteThank you once again for a great opportunity. Great website with lots of helpful info.
XOXO
I may have to steal that Shaw comment!
ReplyDeleteStrange, my wife and I play a similar game. People watching is a great time killer and I learn a TON about writing from doing it.
Splitter
(PS...Mrs. Splitter says hi lol)
I love the game of people watching. A fun way to find inspiration.
DeleteSplitter--if you steal it, then ransom must be paid. I bet Mrs. Splitter comes up with better stories. LOL
DeleteExcellent interview. Love the Shaw quote, and hated it at the same time, because it is all too true!
ReplyDeleteI agree. A great quote.
DeleteI love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.
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