• New Writer Tips

    Interview: Jane Wenham-Jones

    Jane, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Tell us about your latest book, including its
    genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

    Prime Time is billed
    as a romantic comedy but it does have its dark corners. It is the story of
    Laura who has shocking PMT and is – ill-advisedly as it turns out – encouraged
    to go onto a daytime tv programme to talk about it. What happens next will
    change her life…
    How do you come up with ideas?
    I pretty much write
    down everything that ever happens to me…
    What is the single most important part of writing
    for you?
    That wonderful moment
    when you can type “the end”.
    What is the most important thing you do for your
    career?
    I’ll give anything a
    try. I’ve been on radio and TV, worked as a presenter and interviewer, written
    short stories and articles, features and columns, fiction and non-fiction. I
    could probably do with being a bit more focussed on just the one or two areas
    instead of trying to do it all, but it’s been a lot of fun.
    What do you enjoy most about writing?
    Being able to
    “have my say” I suppose.
    What do you enjoy most about life?
    Variety. I am not one
    of these writers who can be pinned to the computer for a 16 hour stretch. I
    like to go out and do lots of different things. But I always consider that to
    be part of the process. If you never leave your study how you have anything to
    say?
    Where do you start when writing? Research,
    plotting, outline, or…?
    A basic idea. My first
    novel was: the buy-to-let market, my second, infidelity, my third – running a
    wine bar… and so on.
    What did you learn from writing your first
    book? 
    That it’s not as easy
    as it looks…
    How many hours a day to you spend writing?
    On theory 6 hours a
    day. In practice? Sometimes I don’t write at all – too busy fiddling with
    emails and tidying the kitchen. But when deadlines loom I’ve been known to
    write all night. I finished wannabe a writer in a 36 hours stint with no sleep
    at all.
    If you could give the younger version of yourself
    advice what would it be?
    Get on with it!
    What are some jobs you’ve done that would end up
    in a book?
    I’ve been a barmaid,
    bought and sold property, worked as a secretary and a copywriter – all these
    have come in useful in books various.
    If I was a first time reader of your books, which
    one would you recommend I start with and why?
    When I am reading a
    new author I like to start with their first one. Mine  was  –
    Raising the Roof. But I’ve developed a lot since then. So I would say now –
    read the blurbs and see which one appeals to you most and I’ll just hope you
    like it SO much you can’t wait to read the others :-)
    What do you hope readers take with them after
    reading your work?
    A smile and a dollop
    of empathy
    List two authors we would find you reading when
    taking a break from your own writing.
    Joanna Trollope and
    Fay Weldon
    What’s your next writing ambition?
    I want to be an agony
    aunt on a national newspaper – editors please note! :-)
    A biography has been written about you. What do
    you think the title would be in six words or less?
    Jacqueline of all
    trades.
    If money were not an object, where would you most
    like to live?
    By the sea plus a flat
    in London
    If you were a tool, what would people use you to
    do?
    Open wine bottles.
    As a child, what was your favorite thing about
    school?
    Reading my way through
    maths
    If you came with a warning label, what would it
    say?
    Take in small doses
    Please
    Fill in the Blanks
    I love pizza with fresh
    basil.
    I’m always ready for a
    glass of champagne.
    When I’m alone, I relish
    it.
    You’d never be able to
    tell, but I was once a model.
    If I had a halo it would be constantly falling off.
    If I could play the
    guitar, speak fluent French, sing like an angel, and only weighed seven stone,

    I’d consider it a good result.
    I can never get to
    the end of my to-do list
    because I keep adding to it.
    My
    Booklist
    Raising the Roof
    Wannabe a Writer
    Wannabe a Writer We’ve
    Heard Of
    Perfect Alibis
    One Glass is Never
    Enough
    Prime Time
    Find
    Me Here
  • Author Marketing

    Why I Created Marketing for Romance Writers

    Picture yourself cruising the net looking for a good spot to
    promote your new book when you happen upon a great review site. You decide
    to request they read it. First question: Title of book — hah! Piece
    of cake. Publisher: Duh! This is easy too. ISBN: Hmmm. You tap your fingers on the keyboard. Didn’t I see that in an email? So you open a new window and start
    rummaging through all the stuff in your inbox. It has 475 messages in it so it
    takes awhile. You notice an email from a fellow author and read it, respond,
    then decide to see what’s in that cool looking newsletter that just came. About
    an hour later you close the email window and there in the background is that
    review site — still waiting for the ISBN that you never found. Sound familiar?
    I thought so. I’ve done things like this, and so have many
    others. In 2006, I created Marketing for Romance Writers so I could get some
    writing done but still help about a dozen friends with questions like “How
    do I get my book reviewed?” “I’m drowning in email. How do I create
    folders?” “What’s the #1 thing I should do to market my book?” I figured if I helped them, they’d help me when I had a question too. Guess what? It worked. We all helped each other.
    I answered their questions with articles on how to create a
    review request form, how to determine what kinds of folders you need, and ideas
    on how to find out who was talking about you online. These were things I was learning myself, and I enjoyed sharing. Since that time, those
    twelve people have morphed into over twelve hundred, and I am not the only person answering questions. Our group is a self-help group that relies on crowd sourced answers. Everybody shares info and news. We started calling the
    group MFRW because we talked about it so much and the title was too long to
    write out. We invited guest speakers to come help us learn, and we shared with
    author groups and our publishers. We gave free workshops. I decided at the beginning that we would not charge for
    lessons because everyone needed a chance to learn and not everyone could afford it.
    We began a professional newsletter, gave seminars,
    workshops, and had Q&A sessions. We started two blogs and a Facebook group. We created a few excerpt books to give away. This month, we added a website, and in July, we’re sponsoring a free, two-day Marketing
    Summer Camp with over a dozen guest speakers, panels, and a large number of
    giveaways and handouts.
    Things have changed. Yet the more they change — the more
    they stay the same. A recent discussion on the Yahoo group asked “When
    does marketing become spam?” Last count, there were over fifty responses
    in two separate topics relating to that subject. We also took on the task of
    liking each other’s Amazon author pages, and on Facebook, we regularly like and
    tag each other’s books as a way to help with sales.
    Our Author Blog Banner
    Yes, we’ve come a long way. We started out with a Yahoo
    group and a dozen friends, and we’ve become a crowd with multiple aspects of
    social media. We have a newsletter editor, two proofers, a blog director, five
    group liaisons, a promotions director, and me. Eleven people to look after the
    goings on around a group that started with only a dozen members. Yes, things
    have changed, but they are still focused on the same five things as they were
    in the beginning. Our motto is still “seek, teach, share, learn, succeed.”

    Our Volunteer Staff

    Kayelle Allen Founder 
    Newsletter Editor: Rochelle Weber
    Proofers: Cat Gardiene, JJ Keller
    Blog Director: Lynn Crain
    Promotions Director: Karen Cote’
    Group Liaisons: Jeanne Barrack, Jean Drew, Dawne Prochilo, Heaven O’Shey, RJ
    Garside

    Join Us!

    We still help one another and look for ways to advance our
    careers by working together. It’s been a little less than six years since we
    started on this journey. I can’t wait to see where the next six takes us. Won’t
    you join us?

    Where to find Marketing for Romance Writers online:

    Our Marketing Blog Banner

    Sign up for Summer Camp by joining the Yahoo Group.

    All
    members are enrolled. To take part, read your messages. That’s all there is to
    it!
    img credit: “You have a new book” rgbstock.com
  • Author Interviews

    New Media for Authors: Cherif Fortin, Lynn Sanders

    Angelique, a new medium for authors.
    Welcome back, Cherif Fortin and Lynn Sanders.  I’m excited to feature the new ebook/app you’ve illustrated, Angelique. I think this represents a true turning point for authors and multimedia.
    – – –
    “Are you back, Angelique?” He waits in his library,
    alone, drawing back curtains on memories of love so many years lost. Reports of
    dead men, bloodless, all eerily similar, tell Vincent the tale. Stalking in
    shadows, she seeks him. Will she have him still?
    Told first in Helen A Rosburg’s poem “Angelique,” the story
    of Angelique and Vincent’s undying love now comes to resplendent life in this
    novelette illustrated by Cherif Fortin and Lynn Sanders and offered in
    animated-book format. With its beautiful prose and breathtaking images, this
    instant classic vampire story will haunt and delight readers for eternity.
     – – –
    Cherif Fortin is a freelance photographer, illustrator, and
    writer living in Chicago, Illinois. At one time he has worked as a professional
    stuntman, as a full-time firefighter, and as one of the country’s leading
    romance cover models. Cherif’s artwork has been featured on the covers of
    hundreds of books in dozens of countries, and on calendars and collectibles. He
    runs the successful Fortin & Sanders Studio along with partner, Lynn
    Sanders, producing commercial art and photography for leading clients
    internationally. He lives with his wife, Dawn, and their three children: Kira,
    Kai, and Lara.
    Lynn Sanders is an artist, photographer, and writer of
    romance fiction and children’s books. She is co-owner of Fortin & Sanders
    Studio, which produces cover art for some of the top publishers in the world.
    Her paintings have been exhibited at Epcot
    Center and are owned by
    private collectors such as Hugh Hefner and Fabio. She has three adult children,
    three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She lives in northern Illinois with Ce Ce, her
    faithful Cirneco dell Etna.
     

    Welcome to Romance Lives Forever! Your artwork has been an
    inspiration to us at RLF for a long time, and we’re thrilled to have you here.
    Let’s get started on a few questions about you as individuals, then as
    partners, and spend the rest of the time talking about Angelique.

    Questions For Lynn

    You pioneered a
    technique using oil-glazing and photography to create rich new images. How did
    you adapt this technique to digital media?
    I’ve been working in the image business since the 60’s. In
    the early 90’s I never thought I would be so tied to this thing called a
    computer. I guess I was drug kicking and screaming to the digital illustrating
    process. We still hand glaze a lot for our portrait work but for illustrations
    we can simulate the look in the computer so much faster. When we want to do
    display pieces we do a lot more hand work on the image. It gives a nice texture
    to the piece.
    What are the
    drawbacks of working with a partner who is not located near you? How hard is it
    to collaborate long distance?
     We travel back and forth quite a bit but the computer
    and the telephone make looking and discussing projects very easy. When I was
    younger I wouldn’t think twice in jumping into a car and going to the Chicago
    studio. Cherif would come out three to four days a week to the Rockford studio.
    We hear that a
    certain Cirneco dell Etna is part of your life. Will you tell us more about
    this special relationship?
    She was my dear little rescue dog Che Che. She just passed
    recently. I had her for 11 years. She was around 4 when I got her from Helen
    Rosburg who had originally rescued her. Che Che was a one woman dog from the
    beginning. She could run like a deer and practically would turn herself inside
    out with glee when I came home from a trip. Bless her little heart, like all of
    us she got old and was having seizures and the vet said we had to put her to
    sleep. I now have two hungry, ornery cats named Boo and Dusty.
    Do you think keeping
    secrets is good or bad?
    I try to keep my wild, crazy sex life a secret. Seriously, I
    always found anytime you think you can keep a secret, invariably it gets out.
    What song would best
    describe your life?
     If I Can Dream. Elvis Presley and My Way.
    If you were a tool,
    what would people use you to do?
    I would be an artist brush. People would use me to paint the
    world happy, caring and romantic.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    Be true to yourself. Take some chances and create something
    beautiful.
    What is the most
    important thing you do for your career?
    I work at it almost every day. I take images and play with
    them. I try to keep my radar up for new avenues of exposure, i.e. blogs!
    How are the
    children’s books coming, Lynn?
    Well, thank you for asking. They are ready for a publisher
    to give them a home. I have 9 of them. Che Che modeled in one along with
    Cherif’s son Kai. There’s another featuring a dragon with Cherif and his
    daughter Kira. Little Lara, Cherif’s youngest daughter, is my model for one
    called Pickles and Peas. I just love them.

    Questions For Cherif

    Is it true that at
    one time, you were a fireman, a stuntman, and worked in a medieval-based theme
    park?
    Yes. Currently I enjoy two careers: I am a full-time
    firefighter for a busy suburban department near Chicago and also a freelance
    illustrator/photographer. I’ve been a fireman for 9 years and an artist since,
    well, forever. Prior to working as a firefighter, I worked as a stunt performer
    for a medieval-themed dinner show company called Medieval Times. This lasted 12
    years and my duties included sword fighting, horseback riding, and training of
    both horses and stuntmen. In 1993, Lynn Sanders and I started a commercial art
    and photography studio which has been in business ever since. We’re known as
    Fortin and Sanders and we provide a variety of services including book cover
    illustration, design, high end portraiture and event photography.
    In what way did these
    jobs prepare you for creating artwork using photography and illustrations?
    Passion’s Blood
    I think having a variety of experiences broadens your
    horizons, which is always helpful. I’ve met many talented professionals across
    various fields, and I always try to learn something from them. A big part of
    being a freelance artist is developing your entrepreneurial skills and small
    business acumen. I meet people all the time that might be doing something
    totally different from me but in a way that makes me think, “hey, this
    could really help me be better”. I try to emulate those people. Working at
    Medieval Times certainly helped refine my eye for medieval subjects, period
    costumes, horses, etc.
    What do you enjoy
    most about life?
    Spending time with my friends and family. I am lucky to have
    very kind, loving and interesting people in my life.
    How do you balance
    life with deadlines and work?
    One thing that is increasingly difficult as I add
    commitments to my life is finding time. I have two full-time careers, three
    growing kids, a wife, a book in the works, several artistic projects, friends,
    hobbies and a new Doberman puppy to manage. It can get pretty crazy and
    sometimes overwhelming. My touchstone is making time with my family on a daily
    basis. Regardless of what’s going on with work, having fun with the wife and
    kids is my antidote for stress.
    What is the craziest
    thing you did as a kid?
    This one time, at band camp… ;)
    How do you respond to
    negative people?
    I try not to! Negativity attracts negativity, so I just
    steer clear.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    There is no point in wasting time worrying. What will be,
    will be. The key to life is not in finding happiness, but making it.
    What is the most
    important thing you do for your career?
    You know, I’m still trying to figure that out! If I had to
    pick one single thing, I would have to say networking. Meeting others and
    interacting with them has opened many unexpected doors for me and led me in
    directions I couldn’t have come up with on my own.
    What is the answer to
    the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?
    The answer is 42, of course (for the Douglas Adams fans out
    there).

    The Public Can Find Cherif Here

    Questions For Lynn and Cherif Together

    What new project are
    you working on now?
    Lynn: We are
    always working on stories and illustrations. We also do fine art portraiture
    for private clients, painting everything from pets, to children, brides and
    corporate execs. We are still illustrating book covers for a variety of clients
    and we hope to keep doing that for many more years to come.
    On a personal level, I just finished a series of paintings
    for a group of silk-flyer acrobats. I’m also working on illustrating some kids
    books which I’d like to see published one day, and I’m doing a lot of portraits
    of Elvis, which I sometimes put up for sale on eBay.
    Cherif: We’re
    spending a lot of time promoting Passion’s Blood and Angelique these days,
    doing signings and appearances. We’re also finishing production on some artwork
    for the Gordie Brown Live! Show at the Golden Nugget Casino, which you can see
    on 8 billboards throughout Las Vegas.
    My personal projects lately include doing family portraits
    as well as some paintings exploring fantastic and mythological themes. I’m
    putting the finishing touches on a new book which features art techniques for professional
    photographers; I’m hoping to have that ready by the end of the year.
    How do you come up
    with ideas?
    Cherif: Ideas
    have never been a problem, it’s the execution that can be tricky! For me, ideas come from everywhere: literature, art,
    movies, comics, video games, magazines, conversations with friends, etc. I try
    to stay inspired by keeping in touch with other artists online, visiting art
    blogs and forums, and I keep an “inspiration” folder on my pc in
    which I put works that for one reason or another catch my eye. It’s at well
    over 2 gigs in size currently, and I add to it nearly every day. If I find I’m
    blocked for new ideas I just rummage through that folder a little and in no
    time my juices start flowing.
    Cherif Fortin in Passion’s Blood
    Where do you see your
    partnership going in the next ten years?
    Cherif: I’m
    really excited by the interactive apps we’ve been working on for the iPad
    available through iTunes. I hope we can grow in this area and do projects that
    take advantage of technology in cool new ways. I’d also like to take on a role
    mentoring other photographers and artists, perhaps through seminars or tours.
    What advice do you
    have for cover models today?
    Don’t go into book cover modeling expecting it to be your
    main thing: it’s a niche opportunity at best. Diversify your portfolio and work
    where you can get it.
    What advice do you
    have for photographers in the book cover industry?
    Same as above.

    Questions about Angelique

    Angelique is “at the intersection of movies and
    traditional printed books” (Cherif to Kathleen Pickering at Romantic Times
    Convention). It’s an eBook as well as an interactive app for iPad. It’s also a
    form of multimedia which can be used as an audio book read by the author, and
    allows the reader to interact with the illustrations. The information we’ve seen
    at RLF shows us that readers can touch areas of the illustrations to bring them
    to life.
    Please tell us more
    about this amazing product.
    It’s an illustrated book for the new century! The story is a
    gothic horror-romance set in turn of the century Paris. I dont want to reveal
    too much about it to readers, other than to say I am very proud of the work
    authors Helen Rosburg and Ali DeGray did: it’s at turns touching and
    horrifying, inspiring and chilling, and the end is truly bittersweet and
    memorable. We couldnt have asked for a better story to illustrate. The app
    takes advantage of today’s technology by augmenting the reading experience with
    multimedia: sound, movement, etc. All the illustrations are animated to bring
    the scenes to life, and there’s (optional) voiceover narration by the author,
    for those who want the audio book experience. We think it is at the ground
    floor of what books will become in the digital age.
    What gave you the
    idea for creating Angelique?
    Helen Rosburg wrote Angelique. We were inspired by her words
    and she asked us to illustrate it.
    How hard was it to
    find someone who could make your ideas a reality?
    We were lucky to be working with Medallion Press on this
    project. We have a long history of working with them, doing cover art and other
    illustrated books, and we know the people there and have developed great
    relationships. They are pioneering a lot of digital publishing strategies and
    are fully behind the idea of interactive books. There’s really no one better we
    could be partnering with for a project like this.
    Scene from Angelique
    In what way is this a
    step forward from your previous, similar app, Passion’s Blood?
    Every time you do a new project you refine your old
    techniques and discover new ones. Passion’s Blood was sort of a proof-of-concept
    project, to see if the idea of an interactive book was even possible for us. Angelique
    was an opportunity to refine our work, and we really got into painting
    specifically for multimedia, sometimes doing multiple versions of each
    illustration to make the animations come together.
    Do you plan
    additional apps of this type? Will there be a sequel to either of the current
    books?
    We have beautiful images for a sequel to Passion’s Blood. Patrick
    Lambke (“The Black Knight” from a recent Nat Geo documentary series) and
    Cherif will model for the main characters again. The female lead is modeled by
    Stacy Walker. We’re waiting to see how all this comes together.
    The illustrations
    were all done digitally. How different was that from using photography as your
    medium?
    We used photography mainly as reference in Angelique, to
    help us keep the likenesses consistent and make sure our figures and lighting
    were correct. The approach is different, but we can work effectively using
    either digital or traditional techniques.
    What do unique products
    like Angelique and Passion’s Blood cost?
    There’s a great special going on right now. You can download
    the apps from iTunes for only 99 cents.
    Where can readers
    pick up copies of these apps?
    Angelique: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angelique/id524692340?mt=8
    Passion’s Blood: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/passions-blood/id435952988?mt=8
    Both are available through the iPad or on iTunes.
  • Author Interviews

    Angelique Interview: Cherif Fortin, Lynn Sanders

    Angelique.

    Welcome to Romance Lives Forever! Your artwork has been an
    inspiration to us at RLF for a long time, and we’re thrilled to have you here.
    Let’s get started on a few questions about you as individuals, then as
    partners, and spend the rest of the time talking about Angelique.

    Questions For Lynn

    You pioneered a
    technique using oil-glazing and photography to create rich new images. How did
    you adapt this technique to digital media?
    I’ve been working in the image business since the 60’s. In
    the early 90’s I never thought I would be so tied to this thing called a
    computer. I guess I was dragged kicking and screaming to the digital illustrating
    process. We still hand glaze a lot for our portrait work but for illustrations
    we can simulate the look in the computer so much faster. When we want to do
    display pieces we do a lot more hand work on the image. It gives a nice texture
    to the piece.
    What are the
    drawbacks of working with a partner who is not located near you? How hard is it
    to collaborate long distance?
    We travel back and forth quite a bit but the computer
    and the telephone make looking and discussing projects very easy. When I was
    younger I wouldn’t think twice in jumping into a car and going to the Chicago
    studio. Cherif would come out three to four days a week to the Rockford studio.
    We hear that a
    certain Cirneco dell Etna is part of your life. Will you tell us more about
    this special relationship?
    She was my dear little rescue dog Che Che. She just passed
    recently. I had her for 11 years. She was around 4 when I got her from Helen
    Rosburg who had originally rescued her. Che Che was a one woman dog from the beginning.
    She could run like a deer and practically would turn herself inside out with
    glee when I came home from a trip. Bless her little heart, like all of us she
    got old and was having seizures and the vet said we had to put her to sleep. I
    now have two hungry, ornery cats named Boo and Dusty.
    Do you think keeping
    secrets is good or bad?
    I try to keep my wild, crazy sex life a secret. Seriously, I
    always found anytime you think you can keep a secret, invariably it gets out.
    What song would best
    describe your life?
     If I Can Dream. Elvis Presley and My Way.
    If you were a tool,
    what would people use you to do?
    I would be an artist brush. People would use me to paint the
    world happy, caring and romantic.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    Be true to yourself. Take some chances and create something
    beautiful.
    What is the most
    important thing you do for your career?
    I work at it almost every day. I take images and play with
    them. I try to keep my radar up for new avenues of exposure, i.e. blogs!
    How are the
    children’s books coming, Lynn?
    Well, thank you for asking. They are ready for a publisher
    to give them a home. I have 9 of them. Che Che modeled in one along with
    Cherif’s son Kai. There’s another featuring a dragon with Cherif and his
    daughter Kira. Little Lara, Cherif’s youngest daughter, is my model for one
    called Pickles and Peas. I just love them.

    Questions For Cherif

    Is it true that at
    one time, you were a fireman, a stuntman, and worked in a medieval-based theme
    park?
    Yes. Currently I enjoy two careers: I am a full-time
    firefighter for a busy suburban department near Chicago and also a freelance
    illustrator/photographer. I’ve been a fireman for 9 years and an artist since,
    well, forever. Prior to working as a firefighter, I worked as a stunt performer
    for a medieval-themed dinner show company called Medieval Times. This lasted 12
    years and my duties included sword fighting, horseback riding, and training of
    both horses and stuntmen. In 1993, Lynn Sanders and I started a commercial art
    and photography studio which has been in business ever since. We’re known as
    Fortin and Sanders and we provide a variety of services including book cover
    illustration, design, high end portraiture and event photography.
    In what way did these
    jobs prepare you for creating artwork using photography and illustrations?
    I think having a variety of experiences broadens your
    horizons, which is always helpful. I’ve met many talented professionals across
    various fields, and I always try to learn something from them. A big part of
    being a freelance artist is developing your entrepreneurial skills and small
    business acumen. I meet people all the time that might be doing something
    totally different from me but in a way that makes me think, “hey, this
    could really help me be better”. I try to emulate those people. Working at
    Medieval Times certainly helped refine my eye for medieval subjects, period
    costumes, horses, etc.
    Illustrator Tour via Innovative Online Book Tours
    What do you enjoy
    most about life?
    Spending time with my friends and family. I am lucky to have
    very kind, loving and interesting people in my life.
    How do you balance
    life with deadlines and work?
    One thing that is increasingly difficult as I add
    commitments to my life is finding time. I have two full-time careers, three
    growing kids, a wife, a book in the works, several artistic projects, friends,
    hobbies and a new Doberman puppy to manage. It can get pretty crazy and
    sometimes overwhelming. My touchstone is making time with my family on a daily
    basis. Regardless of what’s going on with work, having fun with the wife and
    kids is my antidote for stress.
    What is the craziest
    thing you did as a kid?
    This one time, at band camp… ;)
    How do you respond to
    negative people?
    I try not to! Negativity attracts negativity, so I just
    steer clear.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    There is no point in wasting time worrying. What will be,
    will be. The key to life is not in finding happiness, but making it.
    What is the most
    important thing you do for your career?
    You know, I’m still trying to figure that out! If I had to
    pick one single thing, I would have to say networking. Meeting others and
    interacting with them has opened many unexpected doors for me and led me in
    directions I couldn’t have come up with on my own.
    What is the answer to
    the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?
    The answer is 42, of course (for the Douglas Adams fans out
    there).

    The Public Can Find Cherif Here

    Questions For Lynn and Cherif Together

    What new project are
    you working on now?
    Lynn: We are
    always working on stories and illustrations. We also do fine art portraiture
    for private clients, painting everything from pets, to children, brides and
    corporate execs. We are still illustrating book covers for a variety of clients
    and we hope to keep doing that for many more years to come.
    On a personal level, I just finished a series of paintings
    for a group of silk-flyer acrobats. I’m also working on illustrating some kids
    books which I’d like to see published one day, and I’m doing a lot of portraits
    of Elvis, which I sometimes put up for sale on eBay.
    Cherif: We’re
    spending a lot of time promoting Passion’s Blood and Angelique these days,
    doing signings and appearances. We’re also finishing production on some artwork
    for the Gordie Brown Live! Show at the Golden Nugget Casino, which you can see
    on 8 billboards throughout Las Vegas.
    My personal projects lately include doing family portraits
    as well as some paintings exploring fantastic and mythological themes. I’m
    putting the finishing touches on a new book which features art techniques for
    professional photographers; I’m hoping to have that ready by the end of the
    year.
    How do you come up
    with ideas?
    Cherif: Ideas
    have never been a problem, it’s the execution that can be tricky! For me, ideas come from everywhere: literature, art,
    movies, comics, video games, magazines, conversations with friends, etc. I try
    to stay inspired by keeping in touch with other artists online, visiting art
    blogs and forums, and I keep an “inspiration” folder on my pc in
    which I put works that for one reason or another catch my eye. It’s at well
    over 2 gigs in size currently, and I add to it nearly every day. If I find I’m
    blocked for new ideas I just rummage through that folder a little and in no
    time my juices start flowing.
    Where do you see your
    partnership going in the next ten years?
    Cherif: I’m
    really excited by the interactive apps we’ve been working on for the iPad
    available through iTunes. I hope we can grow in this area and do projects that
    take advantage of technology in cool new ways. I’d also like to take on a role
    mentoring other photographers and artists, perhaps through seminars or tours.
    What advice do you
    have for cover models today?
    Don’t go into book cover modeling expecting it to be your
    main thing: it’s a niche opportunity at best. Diversify your portfolio and work
    where you can get it.
    What advice do you
    have for photographers in the book cover industry?
    Same as above.

    Questions about Angelique

    Angelique is “at the intersection of movies and
    traditional printed books” (Cherif to Kathleen Pickering at Romantic Times
    Convention). It’s an eBook as well as an interactive app for iPad. It’s also a
    form of multimedia which can be used as an audio book read by the author, and
    allows the reader to interact with the illustrations. The information we’ve
    seen at RLF shows us that readers can touch areas of the illustrations to bring
    them to life.
    Please tell us more
    about this amazing product.
    It’s an illustrated book for the new century! The story is a
    gothic horror-romance set in turn of the century Paris. I dont want to reveal
    too much about it to readers, other than to say I am very proud of the work
    authors Helen Rosburg and Ali DeGray did: it’s at turns touching and
    horrifying, inspiring and chilling, and the end is truly bittersweet and
    memorable. We couldnt have asked for a better story to illustrate. The app
    takes advantage of today’s technology by augmenting the reading experience with
    multimedia: sound, movement, etc. All the illustrations are animated to bring
    the scenes to life, and there’s (optional) voiceover narration by the author,
    for those who want the audio book experience. We think it is at the ground
    floor of what books will become in the digital age.
    What gave you the
    idea for creating Angelique?
    Helen Rosburg wrote Angelique. We were inspired by her words
    and she asked us to illustrate it.
    How hard was it to
    find someone who could make your ideas a reality?
    We were lucky to be working with Medallion Press on this
    project. We have a long history of working with them, doing cover art and other
    illustrated books, and we know the people there and have developed great
    relationships. They are pioneering a lot of digital publishing strategies and
    are fully behind the idea of interactive books. There’s really no one better we
    could be partnering with for a project like this.
    In what way is this a
    step forward from your previous, similar app, Passion’s Blood?
    Every time you do a new project you refine your old
    techniques and discover new ones. Passion’s Blood was sort of a proof-of-concept
    project, to see if the idea of an interactive book was even possible for us. Angelique
    was an opportunity to refine our work, and we really got into painting
    specifically for multimedia, sometimes doing multiple versions of each
    illustration to make the animations come together.
    Do you plan
    additional apps of this type? Will there be a sequel to either of the current
    books?
    We have beautiful images for a sequel to Passion’s Blood. Patrick
    Lambke (“The Black Knight” from a recent Nat Geo documentary series) and
    Cherif will model for the main characters again. The female lead is modeled by
    Stacy Walker. We’re waiting to see how all this comes together.
    Cherif Fortin, Lynn Sanders
    The illustrations
    were all done digitally. How different was that from using photography as your
    medium?
    We used photography mainly as reference in Angelique, to
    help us keep the likenesses consistent and make sure our figures and lighting
    were correct. The approach is different, but we can work effectively using
    either digital or traditional techniques.
    What do unique
    products like Angelique and Passion’s Blood cost?
    There’s a great special going on right now. You can download
    the apps from iTunes for only 99 cents.
    Where can readers
    pick up copies of these apps?
    Angelique: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angelique/id524692340?mt=8
    Passion’s Blood: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/passions-blood/id435952988?mt=8
    Both are available through the iPad or on iTunes.
  • Modern Western

    Interview with Lynn Cahoon

    Bull Rider’s Brother.
    Welcome
    to Romance Lives Forever.
    Tell us about your latest book, including its genre.
    Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?
    The Bull Rider’s Brother is a
    series contemporary romance. It’s been called a modern western – but I think of
    it as a book about home.
    Shawnee, Idaho is known for two things. Amazing
    salmon fishing and the first local rodeo of the summer. For four friends,
    growing up in Shawnee,
    meant one thing, making plans to get out. Five years later, that wish has been
    granted for all but one. What happens when they all get together again changes
    five lives.
    When James Sullivan visits his hometown’s rodeo
    weekend and learns that his high school sweetheart had his child – six years
    ago – Lizzie’s world is thrown into turmoil. In The Bull Rider’s Brother, James
    struggles with family and Lizzie questions the risk of love.
    What is the most important thing you do for your
    career?
    Do things outside of writing.
    I just went to Cincinnati
    with my husband for a baseball weekend. We laughed, talked, and he listened
    while I plotted through the new book in my minimalist way. And when I left, I
    knew what the story was about. Finally.
    But I have to say being part
    of a writing community is important as well. People to cheer you, critique your
    work, and pass on opportunities are vital. I love my RWA chapter, MORWA. I
    think being part of your community marks you as a professional.
    If you could give the younger version of yourself
    advice what would it be?
    How long do we have? Okay, I
    won’t talk about the running screaming from the first husband, or taking the
    plunge to do something crazy rather than always taking the safe road.
    Or maybe that’s the answer. I’d
    tell my teenage self to pack up your car the minute you graduate and head to California to live with
    your big sister until you get a job or get into college. Then, get your advance
    degree first, before having a child or getting married.
    So in other words, put
    yourself first for once, especially when it matters.
    Is your muse demanding?
    My muse isn’t demanding, she
    lets me get away with murder most of the time. I can push off writing without
    repercussion. The problem occurs when the story’s not working. I got about
    10,000 words into my most recent WIP and knew it wasn’t right. Something was
    missing. Since I’m not a plotter, I had to go back and figure out what in the
    goals and motivations was hanging me up.
    Once I found it, I rewrote
    most of that story in my head before I went to sleep that night. The next day,
    I was at the computer bright and early and pounded out the words.
    Are your stories driven by plot
    or character?
    How do you balance a life outside of writing with
    deadlines and writing muses?
    I’m a true believer in goal
    setting, time management, and baby steps. When you look at the enormity of
    writing a book, the number of words and scenes, it can over whelm even the most
    confident author. So I set daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. I just
    reviewed 2012 and planned out my intended writing projects for the rest of the
    year.
    What is the craziest thing
    you did as a kid, and would it ever end up in a book?
    What are some jobs you’ve done that would end up in a
    book?
    The first book I wrote (and
    finished) was a romance about a training designer. I’ve worked in training for
    over ten years with a state agency so the material was easy to access. I knew
    Melinda and her daily routine. But Melinda got to develop and implement
    training for a corporate accounting software division. I got to write about
    welfare rules and regulations.
    I’m thinking my stint waiting
    tables during my divorce for food money may make it into a book or a story.
    If money were not an object, where would you most like
    to live?
    I’d love to live in Seattle. A small condo
    near the center of the city. If I had a yard, the maintenance is part of the
    rent or condo fees. I like the energy of the city. I used to think NYC – but
    money would really have to be not an object to live where I want to around 72nd
    street.
    What song would best describe
    your life?
    Rodney Atkins, If you’re
    going through Hell – It’s a country song (naturally) and came out just about
    the time I was doing chemo. I remember crossing the Mississippi
    river on my way to get a shot to build up my blood count, the song
    came on, and I just bawled. And then I followed the advice. I didn’t look back,
    I just kept going.
    Funny, the big decisions of
    my life all have a soundtrack. My divorce? Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw.
    Picture yourself as a store.
    Considering your personality and lifestyle, what type of products would be sold
    there?
    I’d be a country craft store.
    I loved quilts and yarn and projects and antiques. That’s me.

    Please Fill in the Blanks

    I love pizza with everything but olives.
    I’m always ready for talking about books.
    When I’m alone, I try to get a lot done.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I was a flag corp member
    in high school
    .
    If I had a halo it would be
    lopsided
    .
    If I could go to school forever, I’d be happy.
    I can never run for office because I can’t work a crowd
    like the professionals
    .

    Find Me Here

    Shawnee, Idaho is known for two things. Amazing salmon fishing and
    the first local rodeo of the summer. For four friends, growing up in Shawnee,
    meant one thing, making plans to get out. Five years later, that wish has been
    granted for all but one. What happens when they all get together again changes
    five lives.

    When James Sullivan visits his hometown’s rodeo weekend and learns
    that his high school sweetheart had his child – six years ago – Lizzie’s world
    is thrown into turmoil. In The Bull Rider’s Brother, James struggles with
    family and Lizzie questions the risk of love.
  • Character Interviews

    Brothers in Arms: Character Interviews Kendall McKenna

    Brothers in Arms 

    Today I have a special treat: two interviews by the heroes of Brothers in Arms by Kendall McKenna. I’m turning the blog over to her. Take it away, Kendall!

    – – –

    I’ve written a story called Brothers In Arms. It’s not your
    typical m/m erotic romance, in that it’s pretty heavy on plot, action and
    mystery. There’s a romance, to be sure. And the times the guys do get together,
    it’s scorching! The two main characters are Jonah Carver and Kellan Reynolds.
    Jonah is an active duty Recon Marine. Kellan used to be Jonah’s platoon
    commander in the beginning of the war in Iraq. They’re a couple of smart,
    competent bad-asses.
    As if serving in combat together wasn’t enough, these two
    found themselves at the center of an international mystery that they had to
    resolve, while staying alive, and rekindling their romance. When the bad guys
    made the mistake of snatching Kellan, you can imagine Jonah’s reaction.
    First, I’d like to introduce you to each of the guys in
    turn, and then let them answer some questions in their own voices. I think
    you’ll find Kellan a little more forthcoming than Jonah, but that’s just how
    Jonah is.

    Kellan Reynolds: CEO, author, retired Recon Marine Corps
    Captain.

    What is Kellan like?
    Kellan is an intellectual man of action. He’s thoughtful and
    methodical, but when the situation calls for action, he doesn’t hesitate. He’s
    ambitious, and focused, not afraid to actively pursue what he wants. Kellan
    belongs in a bygone era. He believes in, and actually lives by, words such as
    duty, honor, and integrity. Kellan is charismatic, very much a natural leader. He’s
    got a sense of humor he keeps under wraps, except with those closest to him,
    namely Jonah.
    What would Kellan say is his strongest point?
    His intellect. Kellan believes his ability to think through
    issues is his biggest strength. He’d even go so far as to say he’s able to
    think his way through the opposing side of an issue.
    Does Kellan think he has a weakness?
    Yes. He believes his weakness is his tendency to worry about
    his public image. But, if you catch him in a weak moment, he’ll jokingly tell
    you that his only weakness is Jonah.
    What does Jonah think Kellan’s weakness is?
    Jonah thinks Kellan is damn hear perfect. If pressed, he’ll
    tell you that if Kellan has a weakness, it’s that he’s too careful, that he
    doesn’t push back as soon as he should, when someone pushes him.
    What drives Kellan to do the things he does? What
    makes him want to be the “good guy?”
    The thing to understand about Kellan is that, he is the
    “good guy”. He truly believes it’s his duty to do the right thing. It would
    never occur to him to do anything else, or anything less.
    What’s your main character’s favorite guilty pleasure?
    Sex with Jonah.

    Now, I’d like to ask Kellan some questions, directly. Let’s
    get his take on a few things.

    A biography has been written about you. What do you
    think the title would be in six words or less?
    I’ve already written it. It’s called ‘Brotherhood of
    Warriors’.
    If money were not an object, where would you most like
    to live?
    Wherever Jonah would want to live. I know he likes Southern
    California for the surfing, but Hawaii
    is even better for the kinds of outdoor sports he enjoys.
    If you were a tool, what would people use you to do?
    I’d be a measuring tape. People would use me to ensure
    everything fits the way it’s supposed to.
    As a child, what was your favorite thing about school?
    English class. English Lit. English Composition. Anything to
    do with reading and language.
    If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
    I don’t need a warning label. I’m pretty user friendly.
    I love pizza with everything but anchovies.
    I’m always ready for the unexpected.
    When I’m alone, I text Jonah.
    You’d never be able to tell, but sometimes I miss being a
    Marine.
    If I had a halo it would be stuffed
    in a drawer under my socks.
    If I could fly I’d take Jonah someplace he’s
    always wanted to go.

    Next, I’d like to introduce you to Gunnery Sergeant Jonah
    Carver: Recon Marine.

    What is Jonah like?
    Jonah is a prickly son-of-a-bitch. He’s extremely smart and
    extraordinarily competent. He does not suffer fools gladly. He’s got a biting
    wit. He’s so good at being a Marine, he inspires awe in many, and intimidates
    others. And he could give a damn. He’s not overly social, but when engaged, is
    quite humorous.
    What would Jonah say is his strongest point?
    Jonah believes his strongest point is that he is the best
    damn Marine he can possibly be.
    Does Jonah think he has a weakness?
    Not that he would admit to out loud. If you catch him in a
    weak moment, he might admit that Kellan is his only weakness.
    What does Kellan think Jonah’s weakness is?
    His dislike of other people. Kellan sometimes wishes Jonah
    wouldn’t be quite so stand-offish, and would cut others some slack.
    What drives Jonah to do the things he does? What makes
    him want to be the “good guy?”
    Jonah is a Marine. Semper Fidelis. As far as Jonah is
    concerned, there is no other way for him to be.
    What’s your main character’s favorite guilty pleasure?
    80’s music. Tech gadgets. Kellan.

    Now it’s time to ask Jonah a few questions, and get his
    unique take on things.

    A biography has been written about you. What do you
    think the title would be in six words or less?
    He Hated Incompetent People
    If money were not an object, where would you most like
    to live?
    Australia.
    New Zealand.
    Hawaii.
    Anywhere the sun and the surfing is good. Kellan can’t be out of D.C. for very
    long or he starts to get twitchy, so, I’d probably have to settle for Miami. Just so we could
    be on the east coast.
    If you were a tool, what would people use you to do?
    I am not a tool. I am a weapon. The right weapon for the
    job.
    As a child, what was your favorite thing about school?
    The first day of summer vacation.
    If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
    Stupid people will be shot on sight.

    Please Fill in the Blanks (as the character)

    I love pizza with beer.
    I’m always ready for sex.
    When I’m alone, I text Kellan.
    You’d never be able to tell, but if you can’t tell, why
    would I tell you? I lose the advantage that way.
    If I had a halo it would be something
    my niece made for me from construction paper and glitter. Doesn’t mean I’d wear
    it.
    If I could fly I’d take Kellan anywhere he wanted
    to go.

    About the Author

    Kendall McKenna’s first work of fiction was written at the
    worldly age of nine, and was a transformative work that expanded on the story
    told in a popular song of the time. She tried her hand at vampire and cowboy
    fiction, winning high school poetry and short story contests along the way. It
    wasn’t until she discovered the world of m/m erotic fiction and found her
    stride with cops, Marines and muscle cars, that she felt inspired to share her
    stories with readers who enjoy the same things. Kendall was born and raised in Southern California, where she still lives and works. A
    non-conventional relationship has kept her happy for the last decade. Her four
    dogs enjoy it when she writes, as she sits still long enough for them to curl
    up around her.

    Books Coming Soon

    Waves Break My Fall

    Find Me Here