• Author Interviews,  Science Fiction

    Paul Harry: The 5 Moons of Tiiana

    Paul, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s discuss your book first, and then dive into the interview.

    Book title: The 5 Moons of Tiiana

    Genre: Science Fiction

    Buy links: Amazon, my website (www.5moons.com)

    Publisher: Sphere Publishing, LLC

    Cover artist: .R. Bale

    Length: 159,007

    Heat rating: PG13

    Blurb:

    The 5 Moons of Tiiana is a science fiction narration on a soldier caught in the middle of an interstellar war, faced with rescuing the princess he loves, and solving a 2000 year-old mystery that just might yield the secret to bringing peace to both sides of the galaxy.

    What are your main characters’ names? Occupations? Ages?

    Rez Cantor / Captain of the Shadow Guard / 36 yrs

    Leanna / Princess of Melela / 16 yrs

    Philip Golan / scientist / 38 yrs

    Oolat / Solula / age unknown

    Ahska / Motula / age unknown

    Interview with Paul T Harry

    How did you get your start in the industry?

    I first got into writing about forty years ago. I had read a story in the historical book that so intrigued me I felt the story need to be fictionalized and expounded upon. That was my first foray into writing a novel. Needless to say, that was way before the web and way before self-publishing and when I finished the book I couldn’t get anybody to read it. That was extremely disheartening and did little to soothe my ego.

    Sometime later I was reading the Sunday paper and the little news blurbs they use for filler. One of the blurbs was a short article on the EPA investigating something or other and shortly below that was an article about Arnold Schwarzenegger starting to film Terminator two. It was then that an idea struck, and I began to wonder what would happen if the world’s ecological systems collapsed and someone, say from the future had to return to the past to save the world. I was really taken by that concept but I knew a story wouldn’t do it justice.

    Now my background in high school and college was theater. In fact, I had written a rock opera in college with two other friends, and we obtained some moderate success with it, but I had never written a screenplay before. So I got a book by an author by the name of Sid Fields on screenwriting, and I went to the University library, and I began looking at screenplays and how they were formatted. Taking that knowledge I wrote my first screenplay and I entered it into the Nevada screenwriting competition. To my surprise I took third place and suddenly doors began open. It was so much easier to have Hollywood open to looking at my material than a book publisher. So for the next 30 years I spend most my time writing screenplays.

    Now fast-forward to the present. Everybody and their brother wants to write the next hit movie; the field is cramped with screenwriters and the competition is stiff. And, to make matters worse, Hollywood now is less willing to take a chance on an unknown—so what’s a writer to do? Well for me, the answer was simple. Get back what you do best—write a killer story and use today’s technology to put it out to the public. So that’s what I did.

    What is the most important thing you do for your career now, as compared to when you first started writing?

    As I stated earlier, when I started writing, computers were comprised of a small six-inch screens with green lettering. There was no Word or WordPerfect, and the Internet was a fledgling baby. Now today, we have a world filled with Internet connections, social media, and the means to advertise to millions. So for me, it’s learning how to master all these new social happenings like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

    What websites do you visit daily?

    Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, KDP, CNN are just a few.

    If you could change something about your first book, what would it be?

    The opening. I was never satisfied with the way my first book opened. But ironically, thirty years later I ran across something that gave me a technological inspiration, and I’m thinking of revisiting that story and making a few changes. We’ll see if it works.

    What do you enjoy most about life?

    Figuring out why we do it. Why do we come here? And what are we supposed to learn? I believe that there’s a reason for everything. For me, just getting up each morning and counting my blessings is enough. I have a terrific family and a decent life. Sometimes that’s all you need.

    If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?

    Don’t smoke the pot, stupid. It’s a waste of time.

    Do you have a muse? Describe this person, please.

    I can’t say that I have a muse per se, but I did have a very good friend who passed away from cancer several years past. He was my sounding board. I could runs ideas passed him, get his feedback, and he wasn’t afraid to give me the truth whether I liked it or not. I miss him.

    What does “balance” mean to you as a writer?

    When I find it I’ll let you know.

    Do things your family or friends do ever end up in a book?

    Not really.

    What are some jobs you’ve done before (or while) you were a writer?

    I grew up in Las Vegas. I spent many years there as a craps and blackjack dealer in a number of major casinos. The stories I could tell would probably curl your hair, but that’s another tale.

    Which of your books would you recommend to someone who doesn’t normally read your genre, and why?

    I would recommend this one: The 5 moons of Tiiana.

    For this story, I did something that I’ve never done before. I wrote it in first person. I did this for several reasons. First, I wanted to emulate one of my favorite authors, Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was the author of Tarzan, and more importantly, John Carter of Mars. His John Carter series was written in first person, and surprisingly, I found it easier to voice my main character in the same way.

    I think writing in first person allows the story to flow. It enables the reader to have a personal attachment to the main character as he forgoes the trials and tribulations of his journey. It also allows the reader to learn or discover the story at the time as the main character. I just find it more personal, and I’ve already had a number of readers who normally don’t read science fiction take a chance—to their surprise they’ve enjoyed the story.

    Additionally, I’m not an overly abstruse writer. I like to follow everything I learned as a screenwriter. Grab your audience as quickly as possible and hold on to them. I believe this book is a good example of that. I think it grabs you in the first few pages and doesn’t let go—at least I hope so.

    What kind of books do you read when taking a break from your own writing?

    The books I read are little out there—not exactly your standard fare. I am intensely curious about what our fate is, where we go after here, and the expansion of our lives within the universe. One of my most recent reads was: journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life between Lives by Dr. Michael Newton. You know the old adage, “truth is stranger than fiction.” Read this and you will know why.

    What do you think is the future of e-publishing?

    I think e-publishing is awesome. I think it opens up a world of incredible possibilities for many many people. Never before have we been given the opportunity to put our thoughts, dreams, and desires out to the general public with such ease. I would equate it with the advent of the printing press, and a revolution in the making.

    What was the proudest moment of your life so far?

    I could say it was the birth of my children or getting married, (they were great), but honestly, it was the standing ovations I got for the rock opera I co-wrote and produced while in college.

    Imagine you get to go on a dream vacation, but you have only one hour to pack and leave, and it starts as soon as you finish this interview. What will you take with you and where will you go?

    I would take my wife and daughter to Hawaii with only the clothes on our backs. Anything you need to be bought there and it’s only the memories that mean anything anyway.

    What is your favorite holiday and why?

    Christmas, seeing my daughter go nuts says it all.

    What good book have you read recently?

    Destiny of Souls: New Case Studies of Life between Lives by Dr. Michael Newton.

    Where were you at midnight, on December 31st when the new century started?

    I quit my job at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and went to the Eagles concert at the Mandalay Bay.

    What do you like to do when you’re bored?

    I’m not sure with the PG rating is on the site, so let’s just say I sleep.

    If you were a color, what color would you be?

    Red, maybe blue.

    Please Fill in the Blanks

    I love pizza with spicy stuff.

    I’m always ready for (see the bored question).

    When I’m alone, I try to get things done.

    You’d never be able to tell, but I goof off a lot.

    If I had a halo it would be tarnished.

    If I could sell a million books I’d quit my stupid job.

    I can never stop because it feels too good.

    Find Me Here

    Website: http://www.5moons.com

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/RezCantor

  • Character Interviews

    Character Interview: Tunney Nichols (Jean Joachim)

    Today on Romance Lives Forever we’re featuring a character
    interview with one of Jean Joachim’s heroes, Tunney Nichols of The Renovated
    Heart.
    Jean’s allowing him to be interviewed by Adora Smutz, so we’ll step out
    of the way and let her take over!

    The Renovated Heart.

    I’m lucky today to have Tunney Nichols, hero of The
    Renovated Heart here with me for an interview. Leave a comment with your email
    address and Tunney will select a name at random to win a copy of “The Renovated
    Heart.” Sit in that chair over there, Tunney, would you like some coffee? *Jean
    pours coffee*. First question.
    Are you upset your
    name is not in the title?
    No, not really. The house I grew up in is on the cover, so
    I’m happy. I’m not that egotistical, no matter what that crazy lady
    interviewer, Adora Smutz, might be telling you.
    Is your love interest
    the way you pictured her? Or would you have preferred someone with a different
    hair color?
    Are you kidding? Better. Kit is better than I could have
    imagined. Her beautiful hair, shining in the moonlight, her big…soft…round…fits
    so well. *blushes*. She’s perfect, Jean. Good job, I wouldn’t change a thing,
    even that little beauty mark on the inside of her left thigh. Hey, did I just
    say that? *Puts his hand over his eyes.*
    Sunny Days,
    Moonlit Nights
    Do you have any
    annoying habits your author did not share with us in your book?
    Yes, I do and I’ll be damned if I’m going to share those
    with the world here! I’m not stupid.
    Any hobbies we might
    be interested in knowing about?
    Nope, just lovin’ my beautiful woman. ‘Spose that’s more of
    a regular activity than a hobby. Tunney snickered.
    Are you happy with
    the profession your author chose for you or would you rather be working at
    something totally different and why?
    I love building. Almost as much as I love Kit. Like
    reclaiming and saving old things, like my house…and my life! *laughs*
    Would you like to be
    taller, blonder, thinner, or smarter than you have been portrayed?
    Nah. Jean caught the sexy beast in me just right! Not that
    I’m bragging or anything. But Kit seems happy with me. That’s enough for me.
    The Marriage List
    Now for a personal
    question. Is there enough sex in the book for you? Would you have liked more?
    Hey, show me a guy who says he wouldn’t like more and I’ll
    show you a liar! If she had put any more in the book, it would have crossed
    over from steamy to erotic. Kit and I like to keep some things to ourselves. *wiggles
    his eyebrows*
    Did you author handle your “love” scenes the way you like or
    was she too explicit or not explicit enough?
    I’m okay with her descriptions. Did I say that okay, Jean?
    *grins*
    Is you’re heroine a
    good kisser?
    Kit? Oh the best. She’s great in the sack…wait. I think I’m
    not supposed to say that. Don’t tell Kit, okay? *whispers*
    Are you happy with
    the setting? Did you want a bigger house or car?
    I love that old house but I could have used a fancy sports
    car. Win some, lose some.
    Now and Forever 1
    How many re-writes
    did you have to live through?
    Jean made me promise not to tell. And I’m expecting a
    hundred bucks in my bank account by tomorrow, Jean. *winks*
    Did your author
    listen to you when you tried to redirect her?
    Jean didn’t need direction from me. Is that the way you
    wanted me to say that, Jean?
    Did your story end
    too soon?
    My story will never end. My fairy tale with Kit will last
    forever.
    Who was your favorite
    supporting character?
    Zoe was. The kid’s got guts.
    Did you fight much
    with your author or did you two see eye-to-eye?
    Now and Forever2
    No one fights with Jean and gets away with it. Oops, is that
    TMI? Seriously, she wrote me just the way I am. Turns out that for a writer,
    she’s a pretty good listener, too.
    A bit about the Renovated House
    Can a broken heart be renovated like an old house? Kit’s
    life came to a halt when her husband slapped her with a divorce. Finding
    herself without a job or a place to live, she’s forced to take Tunney Nichols up
    on his offer of cheap rent for his parent’s house. The catch: she must allow
    him to renovate while she’s living there. Out of fear, Kit tells a lie she soon
    regrets as she is drawn to the sexy man plastering and painting his way into
    her heart.
    Now and Forever3
    Can Sarah forget the abuse from her late husband? Can she
    fix her heart and the hearts of her children? With her two children in tow,
    Sarah relocates to be near her sister, she meets Jim, a neighbor and English
    professor. A mutual interest in writing, paves the way for a friendship that blossoms
    into romance. But is Jim the right man for Sarah or does another man from her
    past still light her fire?
    Find the eBook here
    (paperback coming in a couple of months):
    Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-renovated-heart-jean-joachim/1112214883?ean=2940015017380
    Are: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-therenovatedheart-891099-149.html
    Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-renovated-heart
    Stop by Jean’s Facebook page for latest news of her books. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-Joachim-Author/221092234568929
  • Vampire

    HALF: Interview with Elise VanCise

    Elise, welcome to
    Romance Lives Forever! Let’s jump in and learn details about your book, Half.
    Genre: Paranormal Thriller
    Buy links (you may list several):
    Publisher:
    Cover artist: Elise VanCise
    Length (words): 39,570
    Heat rating (as for movies, R, PG13, etc.): R
    Tagline: Which HALF will win?
    Blurb: Guarding CEO Alex Blazen during a charity gala was an
    easy job for Valeska Gorstef…until all hell breaks loose…literally. Forced to
    face her own darkness, Valeska may lose her only chance to live a human life. Two
    sides of her soul will be at war. Which HALF will win?
    What are your main characters’
    names?
    Valeska Gorstef, Alex Blazen
    Occupations?
    Valeska owns Black Knight Securities and works as personal security
    for clients. Alex is CEO of Blazen Enterprises. A conglomerate of different industries
    and businesses including medical research.
    Tell us about your latest
    book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?
    HALF is a paranormal thriller, with dashes of action, horror,
    and of course romance. HALF centers around Valeska Gorstef. When she takes a job
    as personal security for CEO Alex Blazen, Valeska is forced to look at the dark
    half of her soul she’s tried to keep buried. She may be forced to make choices that
    will lead herself those she cares about most deep into that darkness. Her fear is
    not being able to come back into the light. Which HALF will win?
    What do you enjoy most
    about writing?
    I love the process of creation. Seeing the world in my head unfold
    and grow as it falls onto the paper. Falling in love or hate with the characters
    as they become three dimensional.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    Don’t let others instill doubt, be confident in who you are.
    Be the square peg in the round hole.
    Is your muse demanding?
    She can be very demanding at times. To the point of being in
    a shop and having to stop in the middle of it, pull out pen and notebook to write
    down the idea pouring out.
    Are your stories driven
    by plot or character?
    I believe both, I think of it as planting a garden. The characters
    are the seeds and the plot the soil, water, and sun. You see and feel the characters
    grow with the foundation of the plot goal and the events that surrounds it guiding
    the growth until they finally bloom.
    What are some jobs you’ve
    done that would end up in a book?
    I’ve had a couple of interesting jobs. The ones that might make
    it into a story in one variation or another would be administrative secretary for
    a school, medical records researcher, clerk for supervisor of elections office.
    What do you hope readers
    take with them after reading your work?
    I hope they were able to feel like they were part of the story.
    List two authors we would
    find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.
    Elmore Leonard, JD Robb
    A biography has been written
    about you. What do you think the title would be in six words or less?
    Yes, She Did.
    If money were not an object,
    where would you most like to live?
    If money were no object I would have a huge luxury house boat.
    I could dock anywhere I wanted for as long as I like, then try some place new.
    Picture yourself as a
    store. Considering your personality and lifestyle, what type of products would be
    sold there?
    I’m a casual kind of person. I can dress up and be fancy when
    the occasion calls for it but mostly comfy jeans and a soft tee, other products
    would be DVDs I keep a stack handy on my desk to pop in while I’m working. Mugs,
    I have an addiction to mugs and coffee cups, and peanut butter Oreos.
    Do you play any online,
    board, or role-playing games? Which ones?
    I’ve not been playing a lot of games as of late. On Facebook
    I play The Ville, Family Farm, You Don’t Know Jack. And on G+ I love Gangs of Boomtown.

    Please Fill in the Blanks

    I love pizza with extra pepperoni.
    I’m always ready for an adventure    
    When I’m alone, I read, write, or plot J     
    You’d never be able to tell, but I am near sighted in one
    eye and far sighted in the other. It really messes with my perception sometimes
    .
    If I had a halo it would be crooked.
    If I could win the lottery I’d travel to all the places
    on my list
    .
    I can never change a light bulb because I’m so scared
    of heights I won’t get on a step ladder
    .

    Find Me Here

    Website: http://elisevancise.webs.com
  • African American

    Interview with Synithia Williams

    You Can’t Plan Love

    Synithia, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about your new book. Tell us about You Can’t Plan Love.

    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Publisher: Crimson Romance
    Length: 78,000 words
    Heat rating: R
    Buy link: Coming soon http://is.gd/Mwc3Qd
    Tagline: Love doesn’t always go according to plan.
    Blurb:
    After several bad relationships, Kenyatta Copeland decides to
    control her love life with the same discernment she uses in her professional life.
    Knowing firsthand the heartbreak that comes when desire and emotion
    rule a relationship, Kenyatta assumes marrying Brad Johnson will lead to a stable
    life. But as much as she believes she can plan her future, it’s hard to ignore the
    way her boss, Malcolm Patterson, ignites her passions with just one look. After
    Malcolm learns of her engagement, he makes a play for her heart and reminds her
    that passion between a man and a woman has its perks … but also its costs. When
    Brad suspects there’s more than work between Kenyatta and Malcolm, he works harder
    to keep Kenyatta by his side. Torn between her promise to marry Brad and her irrepressible
    longing for Malcolm, Kenyatta must decide if she can live her life in a passionless
    marriage of convenience or once again trust her heart. Yet Brad isn’t as perfect
    as he seems, and by the time Kenyatta realizes this it may be too late.
    What are your main characters’
    names?
    Kenyatta Copeland
    Malcolm Patterson
    Ages?
    Kenyatta 28
    Malcolm 33
    Occupations?
    They both work for H20 Environmental-An environmental consulting
    firm with offices throughout the Southeast
    United States.

    Interview

    How did you get your start
    in the industry?
    I am a newbie to the publishing industry. I’ve written for years,
    but it wasn’t until 2010 that I decided to pursue publishing. I made a goal to finish
    one of the many novels I started by the end of 2010, and then made another goal
    in 2011 to revise and perfect my novel. The goal for 2012 was to query and see what
    type of feedback I got. I still can’t believe my dream came true relatively quickly.
    What is the most important
    thing you do for your career now, as compared to when you first started writing?
    I continue to research ways to improve my writing. I’ve joined
    Romance Writers of America and have plans to start attending my first writing conferences
    this year. I’ve purchased several books on character development, plotting and even
    writing steamier sex scenes. It’s important to me to get more books out there that
    are even better than my first one.
    What websites do you visit
    daily?
    Outside of Facebook and Twitter, I regularly visit my publisher’s
    site http://crimsonromance.com, PubRants
    and The Newbie’s Guide to Publishing.
    What do you enjoy most
    about life?
    That wonderful–yet fleeting–moment when my boys are being sweet
    and my husband and I look at each other and smile.
    If you could give the
    younger version of yourself advice what would it be?
    Take some creative writing classes while in undergrad. My major
    was biology, so I took some fun electives (sociology of sex, history of jazz, and
    public speaking for example) but I didn’t take a creative writing course.
    What does “balance”
    mean to you as a writer?
    Balancing my day job, family and writing. When I made up my mind
    to try and publish my first novel I thought the hardest part would be finding time
    to write. Luckily, that wasn’t hard to do. My kids go to bed at 8:00 every night,
    except on weekends. So it was easy to wait until they went to bed then write after
    9. But, when you add in the social media aspect, it can impact your life throughout
    the day. The need to check Facebook, Twitter and your blog. If I push that to 9
    p.m. then I’m not writing until 10 or 11. I’m still learning to balance this so
    at the moment I refuse to sign up for Tribbr, Pintrest or Google +.
    Do things your family
    or friends do ever end up in a book?
    Ha! That’s a loaded question! Indirectly, yes things my family
    or friends do ends up in a book. Conversations I’ve had may spark an idea, or interests
    of people I know may become interests of my characters.
    What are some jobs you’ve
    done before (or while) you were a writer?
    My day job is the Environmental Coordinator for my county. Although
    working in public service has its difficult days, I really enjoy my job. I help
    develop air quality programs and water quality regulations that have a direct impact
    on the quality of life where I live. When the bureaucracy gets me down, I get to
    do fun projects with other “greenies” that promote green business practices and
    personal sustainable behavior change. In 2010 our areas largest paper listed me
    as one of the areas Green Queens, and although the title means every time someone
    throws away a plastic bottle their calling my name, I love the fact that my efforts
    are appreciated.
    Which of your books would
    you recommend to someone who doesn’t normally read your genre, and why?
    I only have one book right now, so of course I recommend it.
    If someone hasn’t read a romance within the last ten years then I would say give
    this book a try. Romances aren’t full of weak damsels in distress waiting on a strong
    man to save them. That idea makes me want to gag. I wrote about the struggle for
    a professional woman who’s been hurt in the past trying to pick a man based on reason
    instead of romance. Kenyatta is also struggling between choosing her career over
    the wishes of the man she thinks is perfect for her. These are real decisions that
    women face daily that I think many can relate to.
    What kind of books do
    you read when taking a break from your own writing?
    I read romance. Historicals are my favorite, but after decided
    to pursue publishing I started reading more contemporary romances. Everyone once
    and awhile I’ll try something outside of the genre if it’s recommended. But if I
    need to just relax and waste an afternoon, I’ll pick up a romance.
    What do you think is the
    future of epublishing?
    I think it’s here to stay. I was one of those people who once
    refused to buy an e-reader because I loved “real” books, bookstores, and libraries.
    I still do, but I also love the convenience of e-books. For others like me who’ve
    embraced ebooks and the convenience they provide, I can’t see epublishing as a fad
    that will go away. Just like we evolved from VCRs, to DVD players to Netflix I think
    it’ll be the same with books. The only difference is that some books will still
    be worth having in a hard copy on a shelf.
    What is your favorite
    holiday and why?
    Thanksgiving, because you have all of the eating and family togetherness
    of Christmas without the hassle of buying gifts.
    What good book have you
    read recently?
    Two, the Rebound Guy by Farrah Rochon and Temptation Rising by
    A.C. Arthur.
    If your life became a
    movie, who would you want to play you?
    Angela Bassett, because I love her.
    Which statement is more
    like you:
    “I am a vacation spa because I am laid back and
    relaxed.”
    “I am a ten-countries in ten-days tour vacation, because
    I do things as fast as possible.”
    Please Fill in the Blanks
    I love pizza with artichoke hearts and mushrooms.
    I’m always ready for a get together with friends involving
    wine
    .
    When I’m alone, I read and watch television all day long.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I’m shy. It’s difficult for
    me to come up with “small talk,” but I’ve had to learn because I do a lot of networking
    in my day job. Now I just ask a bunch of questions and try to get people to talk
    about themselves
    .
    If I had a halo it would be bronze, dented, and tarnished.
    Synithia Williams
    If I could only win the lottery I’d have vacation houses
    in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and London
    .
    I can never skydive because I’m afraid of heights and
    just thinking about it makes my palms sweat.
    My Current Books
    You Can’t Plan Love from Crimson Romance
    Contests
    To celebrate my first novel, I’m giving away a Reusable Bag filled
    with Swag! Details coming soon on my website.
    Find Me Here
  • RLF Gems

    RLF Gems – Blog Stats for July 2012

    RLF Gems.

    I’m proud to present the top bloggers (by page load) for the month ofJuly 2012. There were two ties with the exact number of hits. I checked that twice – and it’s correct.

    We had huge hits this month for the articles on MFRW Summer Camp, and readers were enthralled by new releases from Gemma K Murray, Starla Kaye, Kendall McKenna, Elizabeth J Kolodziej, Maggie Brooke, and others. Here are the top five by page hit:

    1. MFRW Summer Camp (Kayelle Allen)
    2. Gemma K Murray
    3. Terri Molina
    4. Starla Kaye (TIE)
    4. Elizabeth J Kolodziej (TIE)
    5. W Lynn Chantale (TIE)
    5. Maggie Brooke (TIE)

    Participants this month in alphabetical order by first name are:  Casey Crow, Elizabeth J Kolodziej, Gemma K Murray, Jannine
    Corti-Petska, Kendall McKenna, Lisabet Sarai, Liz Borino, Maggie Brooke, MS
    Spencer, Ruby Duvall, Starla Kaye, Teri Molina, and W Lynn Chantale.