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Contemporary Holiday: Christmas Goes Analog @Kate_Lowell #RLFblog #LGBT
Christmas Goes Analog Kate Lowell, welcome
to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about your book, Christmas Goes Analog.Genre: Contemporary
HolidayPublisher: Loose IdCover artist: Valerie
TibbsLength: 30,000 wordsHeat rating: ExplicitTagline: When plans
to celebrate a traditional Christmas together with Rob’s family fall apart, Shawn
decides to create their own Christmas tradition.Blurb:When Rob’s dad was injured
by an uninsured driver, it spelled the end of Rob’s carefree childhood and, more
important to Rob, the idyllic Christmases they used to have. Hard work and sacrifice
nets him a degree in computer programming and then a contract at a rapidly-growing
video game company. Things are looking up, especially when he meets his new System
Administrator. But the closer it gets to Christmas, the more bugs there are in the
system.Shawn’s found him. The
Guy. But Rob’s had it rough and it’s been years since he’s been anything but responsible.
It all comes boiling to the surface when a family financial crisis is followed by
a work emergency that ruins Rob’s plans to bring Shawn home to meet the family over
Christmas holidays.With Rob’s mood growing
darker the closer it gets to Christmas, Shawn needs to find some way to give Rob
the Christmas he’s so desperate for. And he just might have the plan…Buy links:Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/christmas-goes-analog.htmlAmazon http://amzn.com/B00H2TWRVW/ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-christmasgoesanalog-1366214-149.htmlWhat are your main characters’ names, ages, and
occupations?Robert Forbes, 24, works
as a video game programmerShawn Thomson, 26, works
as a system administrator/hardware guy at the same video game company as Rob.Interview
How did you get your start in the industry?I was laid off one summer,
from a job I hated, and decided that I would give the writing a serious go, as a
way to take back the parts of me that the hostile work environment had crushed.
I started several different projects, in differing genres, and kept noodling away
at them until I had one finished. At some point, I stumbled across my online critique
group, which has been the best thing that ever happened to me, because it was their
support and approval that convinced me to submit something. I was lucky enough to
catch the eye of Raven McKnight at Loose Id and it’s been a fantastic experience.
It’s nice to work with someone who gets your goofy jokes and actively encourages
your weirdness and ‘not in the box’-ness.What is the most important thing you do for your
career now, as compared to when you first started writing?I give it time and treat
it seriously. I think I’m more forward about promotion, because a professional treats
promotion like a part of the job. And I’m more likely to give myself the ‘down’
time between drafts, because I understand how I write much better now. I tend to
write a clean first draft, but–like many pantsers–it’s more of a detailed outline,
not a full first draft. RewritesUnderground Erotica are necessary to add in the layers of information
and make sure plot elements are properly supported. So I keep a number of different
projects going at once (I have about a dozen right now, at various stages, from
single scenes to more than half finished.)What websites do you visit daily?Daily? My email. Twitter.
Absolute Write. My critique group. News sites and any interesting links that show
up in my Twitter feed or elsewhere. I try to stay off the internet, if I can, since
it can be a huge time waster and I’d rather make words.If you could change something about your first
book, what would it be?Lol. I’d write the prequel
first. The biggest complaint about the first book was that people wanted to know
the story of how Levi and Glynn got together. Bite Me Tender took place about four
years into their relationship. But I love those two so much, they’ll definitely
be coming back.What do you enjoy most about writing?I like that I’m independent,
that it’s a structured activity that taps my creativity in a way that everyday life
doesn’t even come close to. If you want to get all psychological about it, I’m an
INTJ, which makes me analytical, creative and someone who can’t help fusing things
that, on the surface, don’t belong together. Writing feeds a part of me that the
day job can’t even touch.If you could give the younger version of yourself
advice what would it be?Write anyway. Find some
time. Find some people to help you learn to do it better. Don’t be ashamed of your
ideas, don’t let anyone tell you that girls can’t write scifi or fantasy. Own your
weirdness and seek out people who are also weird. Experiment. Don’t think of a failed
project as a waste–it’s practice.And don’t let anyone
tell you that you’re too aggressive and it’s not appropriate. Screw that. Push.What is your work ethic when it comes to writing?When not tied down by
other responsibilities, I like to hit a minimum of 1500 words a day, though not
necessarily all on the same project. It’s nice if I get it all on one, but it rarely
works that way. A lot of days I’ll go beyond that, but not always. I keep a number
of projects going at the same time, because some days my subconscious isn’t ready
with the next step of a story, so I move to something else. As long as words are
coming out, I’m happy, but there have to be words each day.How do you cope with stress as an author?Work avoidance, until
I can’t take it anymore. :P Then I very deliberately open up a file that doesn’t
have a due date and put about 250 words on it. After that, things tend to flow smoothly.
But I do have a tendency, once I get a book open, to obsess over it and work on
it all the time, which is part of my stress-coping mechanism.Do things your family or friends do ever end
up in a book?Can I plead the Fifth,
even if I’m Canadian?I’ll confess, names
of people around me often end up in books. Very rarely do personalities get transplanted,
though, since characters tend to arrive in my head with very definite ideas of who
they are and what they want. Random stories often appear, with names changed to
protect the guilty. You’re all fodder to the word machine!What kind of books do you read when taking a
break from your own writing?I read MM and other
LGBT fiction, plus a variety of fantasy and science fiction. I’m a spec fic writer
by nature, but I love the challenges of writing in the MM genre and the freedom
it gives me to write about themes and ideas that are skated over or often downright
ignored in mainstream publishing. So I go back and forth between my two loves. Last
MM book read was the Power Play duology by Rachel Haimowitz and Cat Grant. Last
sff book (series, really) read was John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War, which was an interesting
setting, though I found I was getting a little tired of the ‘Oh, what a cool universe
I’ve created’ by the fourth book, and began hoping for a bit more story.Bite Me Tender What good book have you read recently?I listen to a lot of
audiobooks, because I do a lot of driving. So, I’m ‘reading’ Joe Abercrombie’s The
Blade Itself trilogy, which is a pretty interesting take on the fantasy genre. It
looks on the surface like a fairly generic epic fantasy, but he takes a number of
classic fantasy archetypes and–shifts them, ever so slightly. Odd little combinations.
His characters are likeable, the story keeps me coming back, though it’s so subtle
I really can’t explain the draw. Next book slated for listening is a non-fiction
about sociopaths.What do you like to do when you’re bored?Lol, I do research.
Or household repairs. There’s always a list for both. Right now, I’m researching
San Francisco history,
reading up on police procedures and making lists of angelic hierarchies. I’m also
fixing two broken chairs, building support frames for the firewood in the basement
and contemplating building a swinging gate in the pony barn.If you were a color, what color would you be?Red. Definitely red.
Or midnight blue.Please complete the sentences
I love pizza with ham
and pineapple.I’m always ready for
a nice bottle of red wine. Australian, preferably.When I’m alone, I giggle
and immediately throw my to-do list out the window, in favour of reading about boys
in love and drinking wine.You’d never be able
to tell from looking at my house, but at work I’m really incredibly organized.
Anally so, so to speak.If I had a halo it would
be dented and crooked, or lost under a pile of papers somewhere.If I could change
one thing about myself, I’d like to be able to sing, instead of just scaring
small children.I can never watch
horror movies because then I’m trapped in my house with the axe in my hand,
until the authorities take me away.Previous Books
Bite Me TenderBlurb: Levi is a werewolf.
His boyfriend, and the love of his life, is a witch. After living together for three
years, they decided to commit to each other and change Glyn into a werewolf. Levi
hoped the pack would accept Glyn more readily as a wolf. Glyn hoped it would eliminate
his erratic magic and erase the OCD it caused. One year later, they’re still trying…Levi can’t understand
why his bite won’t change Glyn and he’s running out of time to figure it out. His
pack is being threatened by a larger one, he’s facing dissension in the ranks of
his own ruling council and Glyn’s grandmother is poking her witchy nose into their
relationship.Under threat of a violent
takeover, the council pushes another potential wolf at Levi, infuriating Glyn and
adding weight to Levi’s own doubts. Council machinations divide the two lovers,
leaving both men questioning their lives, their love, and what they’re willing to
endure for each other.Full moon is a time
of power and change. It could be a disaster, or it could be the key to happily ever
after. If they’re strong enough to wrestle their happiness from its bloody claws.Amazon http://amzn.com/B00EIIYQ6YARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bitemetender-1268404-340.htmlNuts About You (in the Forgotten Menagerie anthology)Blurb: Nathan’s been
crushing on one of his regular Bulk Mart customers for a while now. In squirrel
form, he sits on Vince’s bird feeders, munching on seeds and enjoying the eye candy.
Until the day Vince notices him raiding the feeder…Storm Moon Press http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Forgotten-Menagerie.aspxAmazon http://amzn.com/B00G61D3BUARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-forgottenmenagerie-1326427-166.htmlLove UndergroundContemporary Romantic
Comedy, found in the Underground Erotica anthology. It was produced by a group of
erotica writers at Absolute Write as a fundraiser to help support the massive forums
there. My story is about the lengths we go to, in order to make our loved ones proud
of us. Even if it means trying to ignore your claustrophobia to go spelunking with
your outdoorsy boyfriend.Author site http://wp.me/P30c7r-hsFind Me Here
Website: The Blunt Instrument
http://thebluntinstrument.wordpress.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/Kate_Lowell -
Sin Eater’s Prince @ketadiablo #RLFblog
Sin Eater’s Prince Cover Love at Romance Lives Forever is a short intro to a
book and includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
author. Today’s featured book is The Sin Eater’s Prince by Keta Diablo.The sin eater has been shunned by the local villagers all
his life, except by Andras Maddock, the local physician. In love with the one
man he believes will never return that love, Owen is shocked when Andras saves
him from death at the hands of a vampire.Dagan, Dark Lord of the Underworld, vows to avenge his
father’s death and obtain the Prince of Wales’s mystic sword from Andras. The
claymore’s power holds an immunity the vampires have coveted for centuries.Star-crossed love, sorcery, and bloodlust collide on a
vengeful path where only one side will remain victorious.Buy links:
Amazon http://amzn.to/HlboOLBarnes and Noble http://bit.ly/LxNxusKobo http://bit.ly/MoF14kFind Me Here
Website: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.comBlog: http://ketadiablobooks.blogspot.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/ketadiabloFacebook: http://facebook.com/KetaDiablo.AuthorPinterest: http://pinterest.com/ketadiablo/Author Amazon page: http://amazon.com/Keta-Diablo/e/B002BODURI -
Changing Tide @dpdenman #RLFblog #gayromance
Changing Tide Cover Love at Romance Lives Forever is a short intro to a
book and includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
author. Today’s featured book is Changing Tide, by DP Denman.Genre: Contemporary Gay RomancePublisher: North
Shore Press (Indie)Release Date: 10/3/13For Jack Lewis love comes from unexpected places…so does tragedy.
When David arrived on Vancouver Island, he was
just another tourist. A few hours on the water together proves he is more than that.
Attraction draws them together but an attempt at a meaningless fling fails one touch
at a time when Jack feels more than he thought he would. The love affair sparks
fear in David and jealousy in Emerson, the man who frequents Jack’s bed.At odds with the men in his life, Jack tries to talk David into
staying and Emerson into going but the attempt could leave him empty handed.Buy LinksPaperback ($7.95): http://www.amazon.com/Changing-Tide-DP-Denman/dp/0989612309/Ebook ($2.99): http://ow.ly/pFhmfAbout the Author
DP Denman is an M/M (gay) contemporary romance author from
the soggy splendor of the Pacific Northwest.
She is an eclectic reader, obsessed writer, and determined LGBT rights activist
who lives with her fur babies and a pair of hyper-caffeinated muses.Find Me Here
Website http://www.dpdenman.comBlog http://dpdenmanauthor.blogspot.com/Twitter https://twitter.com/dpdenmanFacebook https://www.facebook.com/dp.denmanPinterest http://pinterest.com/dpdenman -
Character Interview: Nat Seddon from Burning Ashes @HLewisFoster #RLFblog #LGBT
Burning Ashes H Lewis-Foster, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. we’re
excited to interview your character, Nat Seddon from the book, Burning Ashes.Genre: Gay RomancePublisher: Dreamspinner PressCover artist: Leah Kaye SuttleLength: 200 pagesHeat rating: SensualTagline: Sporting rivalry turns to passion in a tale of true
love and cricket.Blurb: Intelligent and confident, Australian cricketer Nat Seddon
is one of the world’s best bowlers. He’s openly gay, but keeps his private life
to himself, with everything under control. But on the last day of his team’s Ashes
tour of England, he meets Scott
Alverley, England’s
promising new batsman. Nat tries not to be attracted to Scott, but he can’t help
finding the privileged young man handsome and endearing. Nat is tempted by a little
end of tour fun, but finds himself playing agony uncle to a virgin. Instead of going
home to bask on a beach, he spends a wet week in the north of England with Scott.
Try as he might to resist, he can’t help falling hopelessly in love.The hectic sporting calendar is a persistent obstacle to their
growing romance; Nat and Scott are rarely even on the same continent. They make
the most of the time when they can be together, but the months apart take a toll
on Scott, professionally and personally. The possible solutions are nearly unthinkable,
but if they are willing to make sacrifices that will change their lives forever,
they might hold on to the love they found in the Ashes.Buy links:Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4255Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Burning-Ashes-ebook/dp/B00FS1RTXC/What are your main characters’
names, ages, and occupations?Nat and Scott are professional cricketers. Nat Seddon is 27 years
old and plays for Australia,
while Scott Alverley is 21 and plays for England.Interview with Nat Seddon
Tell us about yourself.Hi there. My name’s Nat Seddon. I’m a professional cricketer
and, as I’m sure you can tell from my accent, I play for Australia. I’m a fast bowler, which
means I have to keep myself pretty fit, and at six feet five, there’s quite a lot
of me to keep fit. I love cricket, but when I’m not playing or training, there’s
nothing I like more than curling up with a good book and a glass of wine.Tell us about Scott.I know this’ll sound really soppy, but Scott is the only man
I’ve ever loved. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t a virgin when we met, but my sexual
partners had always been friends and nothing more. But then I met Scott and everything
– and I mean everything – changed. I don’t
mind admitting I was a bit uptight before I met Scott. I was always in control of
my life and I didn’t let anyone get too close. We spend so much time travelling
in this job, I didn’t want the heartbreak of a long-distance relationship, but the
moment I met Scott, well…I tried so hard not to fall for him, but there wasn’t a
damn thing I could do about it.Scott couldn’t be more different from me. He’s got wavy blond
hair and he’s quite slender for a sportsman. And let’s face it, he could be a catwalk
model. I still get shivers just looking at him sometimes. He’s the most beautiful
man I’ve ever met–and the scattiest. He’s so disorganized and he comes up with the
daftest ideas. You’d never think he passed his exams with flying colours at that
posh school he went to. But he’s also the sweetest, kindest man I know. He’ll probably
drive me nuts when we finally get to live together, but I don’t care. I love him
and that’s all there is to it.What do you think is your strongest point?I think most people would say it’s my dedication to my work.
I dread to think how many hours I’ve spent in the gym and the practice nets over
the years. I want to help my team win, whatever it takes, and I suppose I’ve brought
that same dedication to my relationship with Scott. I hate it when we’re apart just
as much as he does. I guess I’m not capable of doing anything by halves.What was it like where you grew up?I grew up in Brisbane.
My mum is a doctor and my dad’s a barrister, so I had a pretty comfortable childhood.
I went to a good school and I had some great friends, so I really can’t complain.
I got a bit of stick when I came out, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Mum was amazing.
She was so supportive, whereas Dad…let’s just say I steer clear of my father if
I can. He’s never come to terms with what he calls my ‘lifestyle choice’. The truth
is he can’t stand the thought of his only son with another man. We’re civil to each
other for Mum’s sake, but that’s as far as it goes.As a child, who was your best friend? Tell us about him/her.My best friend at school was Andy—he’s a writer now and still
a good mate. We had so much fun together and got into all sorts of scrapes. I told
Andy I was gay when we were fifteen—he was the very first person I told. He shook
my hand in this really grown up way and said, “That’s all right, mate. Makes
no difference to me.” Then he got together with our other friends, Mark and
Barry, and they swore to beat the crap out of anyone who gave me any trouble. I
was big enough and strong enough to look after myself, but it was great to know
they were all on my side.Describe a place of perfect refuge.That would have to be Honeysuckle Cottage, Scott’s parents’ place
in the Lake District. We went there the day after
we met, and we really got to know each other there. It was where we made love for
the first time too, and you never forget that. There’s an open fire and cozy sofas,
and shelves overflowing with books. The views of the countryside are breathtaking,
and the housekeeper, Mrs B, keeps the fridge stocked with delicious food, which
Scott is only too happy to cook. So I’d be glad to hide away with Scott in Honeysuckle
Cottage any time. Good food, good books and the man I love. What more could a guy
want?About the Author
H Lewis-Foster has worked with books,
in one form or another, since leaving university. As a keen reader of gay fiction,
she decided to try writing herself, and is now the proud author of several short
stories and a debut novel.H. has lived in various parts of the
UK and has recently moved to
the north of England,
where she’s enjoying city life, especially the theatres and cinemas. She tries not
to watch too much television, but is a big fan of Downton Abbey, and while she’s
writing, she loves listening to Test Match Special (where they spend far more time
talking about cakes than cricket!)Find Me Here
Website: http://hlewisfoster.wix.com/booksTwitter: https://twitter.com/HLewisFoster -
Character Interview: Chance Ralan from Forever is Now @KimberVale #RLFblog
Forever Is Now Kimber Vale, welcome back to Romance Lives Forever. We’re excited
to interview your character, Chance Ralan from the book Forever is Now.Genre: Contemporary, M/MPublisher: Liquid Silver BooksCover artist: Valerie TibbsLength: 51,000Heat rating: HotTagline:If you love someone, set him free. If he steals something of
yours, hunt him down and make him sorry.Blurb:
Alex Bremen is over Chance Ralan. Ever since his high school
boyfriend ditched him nine years ago, Alex has barely thought of Chance at all.
Sure, Alex attended a concert or two when his ex’s band, Armageddon Showdown, was
in the area, but that was more curiosity than anything else. Who wouldn’t want to
see firsthand how his once clean-cut boyfriend transformed into a pierced and tattooed
heavy metal god?But when Chance has the nerve to record a love song Alex wrote
for him years ago, Alex crosses the country to confront him. Revenge becomes a dish
best served sizzling hot. The two men lock horns, but find the chemistry between
them has only intensified with time, and occasionally love needs to do some growing
up before it can be done right.Buy links:
Liquid Silver Books http://lsbooks.com/forever-is-now-p827.phpAmazon http://amazon.com/Forever-Shooting-Stars-Book-ebook/dp/B00F2M2YSM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378908904&sr=1-1&keywords=forever+is+nowARe https://allromanceebooks.com/product-foreverisnow-1291116-149.htmlWhat are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?Chance Ralan is a twenty-eight year-old lead singer and guitarist
for the heavy metal band, Armageddon Showdown.Alex Bremen is the same age, and is an up-and-coming documentary
film producer.Interview with Chance Ralan
Tell us about yourself.Hi. My name is Chance and I’m a recovering alcoholic. Oh, wait.
Wrong place for that.Tell us about Alex.Well, he’s hot as hell, for one thing.Actually, he’s too good to me, but at the same time, he doesn’t
put up with my shit. It works, ya know? He makes me a better person, which is pretty
much how the whole partner thing goes, I guess. Whenever I step on my own dick,
he’s the first one to point it out, but also the first one to kiss it and make it
better.What do you think is your strongest point?Being a killer musician, for sure.What would Alex say is your strongest point?Ummm…how great my ass looks in leather? I don’t know. Maybe my
drive to succeed.What would Alex say is your biggest weakness?I’ve been accused of being selfish once or twice. Yeah, probably
being full of myself. But, I mean, can you blame me?What was it like where you grew up?Newburg, New York?
Honestly, it was kind of a hole, if you know what I mean. Some rough crowds. Some
crime. So you get into your own group of assholes and ride it out. Strength in numbers
and all that. Sticking out too far was never a good plan.What do you wish was different about your life?If I had a time machine, I guess I’d…ah fuck. Don’t make me answer
that. I’m pretty sure saying that I’d do the same shit over again would only get
me in trouble, and I’m not so sure I’d change.Describe a place of perfect refuge.I’d love my own island. White sand,
tiki hut with all the amenities. Just peace and quiet until I feel like making some
noise with my guitar. I wanna play a concert for a bunch of fishes. And Alex. He’d
be one of my amenities. Maybe
the dog could come too. Maybe.About the Author
Kimber Vale writes erotic romance of all stripes, from her sci-fi
to hot manlove. Come for the sex. Stay for the story. Find her M/M work published
under K. Vale. Stalk her on Facebook and Twitter @KimberVale, and check her site
for updates, freebies, and new releases at kimbervale.com.Previous Books
Sticking It (Free Download) http://mmromancegroup.com/3543?age-verified=43cec7a624Star Catcher http://lsbooks.com/star-catcher-p799.phpMultiple anthologiesBooks Coming Soon
I’m currently finishing up my second Shooting Stars book, called
“Double Takes,” which is bisexual rocker Gio Savale’s story (M/M). For
anyone who is hoping for a glimpse of Chance and Alex in the second book, have no
fear—you’ll get to see what those boys are up to as well.Find Me Here
Website: http://kimbervale.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/KimberValePinterest: http://pinterest.com/kimbervale/boards/ -
Single Use Only @pendermackie #RLFblog #contemporary
Single Use Only Pender Mackie, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let’s talk about
your book, Single Use Only.Genre: M/M ContemporaryPublisher: Loose IdCover artist: April MartinezLength: Novel, 257 pagesHeat rating: HotTagline: Mike’s tired of the hook-up scene, Chris hasn’t even
been to a real gay bar, but when the two men meet they discover they have much more
in common than a mutual friend.Blurb:Mike Strenton
is tired of the hook-up scene. All the men he meets in the Las Vegas gay bars are interested in one thing
only and only one night. Been there done that. About to turn thirty-eight, Mike
avoids casual sex until his need for contact is too great to ignore. He secretly
longs to meet someone who sees beyond his laugh lines and broad shoulders to the
sensitive lover underneath. A man who will choose him over the early morning walk
of shame.Twenty-something Chris Bennington has never even been to a gay
bar though he’s into men as well as women. He sees the funny side of just about
everything, including his first time with Mike. Chris wants a lover who doesn’t
have a problem with his quirky sense of humor, his inability to cook or his bisexuality
and he thinks Mike fits the bill. All he has to do is convince the big guy he’s
not just sticking around for breakfast.Buy links:Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/single-use-only.html http://amzn.com/B00FKHFJAY
ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-singleuseonly-1310144-149.htmlWhat are your main characters’ names, ages, and occupations?Mike Strenton
is thirty-seven and starting to feel his age. Mike’s the props manager and photographer
for the Erogenous Zone, an all-male revue in Las Vegas.Chris Bennington is a happy-go-lucky twenty-seven. He works as
a blackjack dealer for an older, Irish-themed casino on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.Interview
Tell us about your story’s world. What is it like in this
period or place?Like Stage Fright, my first full-length novel,
this new story, Single Use Only, is set
in modern-day Las Vegas.
Many of the characters are in both stories, though each novel features a different
couple. In Stage Fright, Jesse, the main
character, is closeted. He’s living a lie and that distain for his own behavior
bleeds over into his surroundings. Vegas seen through Jesse’s eyes is a seedy place
full of cheap illusions and tarnished facades.Chris and Mike don’t
see Vegas that way. Mike notices the hummingbirds in his backyard and the way the
sun brings out the different colors in Chris’s hair. Chris just notices Mike. In
Single Use Only Vegas is a playful place.What inspired you to write this book?My editor. Mike and Chris
are secondary characters in Stage Fright and
have a mutual friend, Jesse, who dances at the revue. When I wrote Jesse and Val’s
story I gave Jesse a roommate who was a hopeless cook with an offbeat sense of humor
and a fondness for goofy T-shirts. That’s Chris. I wrote Mike as Jesse’s best friend,
and a kind of mentor for him. Chris and Mike never met in that story, but my editor
thought they’d be perfect for each other. She was right.Which character in your current book do you think readers
will like the most?That’s a tough call.
Some readers will have a soft spot for Mike. He’s been rejected, more than once,
so he’s cautious, but he still secretly yearns to be loved, to be valued. I think
that desire to cherish and to be cherished will resonate with a lot of people.Other readers will enjoy
the way Chris’s mind works. He doesn’t always think like the rest of us and he’s
a little bit clueless at times. But once he figures out what he wants, he goes for
it. He’s a breath of fresh air for Mike and perhaps for some readers too.Why do you write?I’ve always entertained
myself with stories. I still do a mental rewrite if I don’t like the ending of a
movie. Before I started writing my stories down I’d make up a story every night
when I lay in bed, usually picking up where I’d left off the night before when I
fell asleep. Now that I’m sharing I fall asleep faster. I write because the stories
in my head need to get out.When you write, what things do you want close at hand? (Coffee,
water, chocolate… pictures of gorgeous hunks for inspiration…?)I don’t really need much.
Coffee in the morning for sure and keep it coming please. I prefer my laptop, but
I’ll use paper and a pen or pencil if necessary. Single Use Only was written almost entirely from my favorite corner
of my couch. Hardly any chocolate was harmed during the writing of the story, though
many, many coffee beans were sacrificed.What aspect of your life do you write into your books?My sense of humor sneaks
in there every time. I can’t seem to help myself. When I first (shyly) told a friend
I’d written a book, the first thing she asked was, “Is it a funny book?”
She didn’t believe me when I told her it was a romance.When an idea hits you, what do you do to capture it?Usually I scribble it
down on whatever I can find, trying to record as many details as possible. I don’t
like to use my computer then, because I’m usually nowhere near it and I can scribble
much faster than I type. Plus, if I make a typo I always have the overwhelming urge
to correct it and sometimes I’ll lose the flow if I do that.I have a whole file folder
full of scraps of paper, napkins and sticky notes. I even have the rough outline
of a story featuring a police officer, a criminal and a plane crash jotted down
on a cardboard coffee cup sleeve.What other jobs have you held besides writing?I grew up on a dairy
farm so I’ve milked cows (by hand and with a milker) and helped deliver calves.
I’ve been a coat check girl, a waitress, an ice cream scooper, a short order cook,
a dispatcher (for a photocopier repair company, which I’ll bet is not nearly as
interesting as being a dispatcher for the police) and even a blackjack dealer, though
not in Las Vegas. I’ve done a fair bit of technical writing too, which means I automatically
write in the passive voice. I had to train myself not to do that.Which of your books was the hardest to write and why?The ones that aren’t
finished. Seriously though, I always have a spot somewhere in every book where I
think I’ll never finish. Short story, novella, novel, it makes no difference. At
some point I’ll want to chuck the whole thing in the little trashcan icon on my
desktop. If I push through and keep going, I do get past that. I may have to rewrite
a few scenes at a later date, but I do get my mojo back.Do you believe in luck?I do. Not the must-carry-a
rabbit’s foot-in-my pocket kind of luck, but I do believe chance influences outcomes.
Sometimes for the better and sometimes not.What kind of music do you listen to while driving? Same question
when writing?I usually don’t listen
to music while writing. If a song’s got words or is too loud I’ll get distracted
though sometimes I listen to moody, instrumental soundtracks while writing. I love
electronic music. Right now a favorite is the Tron: Legacy Reconfigured soundtrack
and when I’m driving I like my music nice and loud so I can tap my fingers and sing
along.Do you play any musical instruments?Tuba, which I was forced
to learn in high school. No one else would play it and apparently we couldn’t have
a band without a tuba. I also play a little bit of piano, but that’s only because
I can still read music and I learned the keyboard fingering from my daughter. One
day, when I have more time I’ll take lessons and learn to really play.What is your secret talent?I have more than one.
J I can wiggle
my ears plus I can pick things up with my toes. That second one’s a useful skill
when someone’s stinky socks are left lying around like discarded snakeskins. A curl
of my toes and a quick flick of my foot and those babies are in the laundry basket.What’s your favorite movie?I don’t have just one,
but I love action or sci-fi movies, British comedies and film noir. Some
of my favorites are Blade Runner, The Fifth Element, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz,
Touch of Evil… I could go on and on.Please complete the sentence
I love pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers.I’m always ready for chocolate.When I’m alone, I secretly enjoy the fact that no one else
is around, though I know I should be more sociable.You’d never be able to tell, but I’m quite shy.If I had a halo it would be confiscated
pretty quick.If I could go back in time I’d learn several foreign
languages.I can never be an Olympic gymnast because I’m much
too old.Find Me Here
Website/Blog: http://www.pendermackie.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/pendermackieFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pender.mackiePinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pendermackie/Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4716055.Pender_Mackie