Friday, March 15, 2024

This week in The Loft: New author Arabella Ames!

Joining me this week in The Loft is new eXtasy author Arabella Ames. Arabella writes contemporary romance and enjoys exploring the dark side of love. As a full-time author, she spends her days with her cat, Cat, drinking espresso and falling in love with morally gray men. She has her MFA in fiction writing, and enjoys traveling, mountain climbing, and consuming novels. Currently, she is working on the first book in a new three-book romance series that will be released later this year.

The avatar for Arabella Ames

S:  Good morning, Arabella. Thanks for joining me today!

How do you develop the characters in your books? Do you use photos or a vision board?

A:  I meet my characters in the same way I might come to know someone in real life. With every interaction, I have a better understanding of their motivations and personality, and even begin to know their more private hopes and fears. I tend to avoid photos as reference for my characters, unless they are inspired by a real person, and there are details I find important to include.

S:  Do you utilize tropes when writing romance?

A:  I do use tropes when writing romance. There's a certain joy in picking up a novel and knowing things will work out in a way that the reader likes. Happily Ever Afters and guaranteed plot points aren't for everyone or every genre, and that's okay. But in romance, I think there's an added thrill in seeing common themes play out. So much of real life mirrors art and vice versa. In fiction, we have control. And there's comfort in that.

S:  I think people read romance for the comfort the stories bring. Despite how bad things get, readers hold onto the hope of a happy ending.

What do you write first—the blurb or the book?

A:  I will always write the book first. It's funny, I can easily write 60,000 words, but ask me to write a short paragraph summarizing the story, and I'll panic.

S:  Blurbs are tough to write, but holding off until the manuscript is finished makes it so much easier.

Do you write in other genres?

A:  I do write in other genres. My second favorite is fantasy, but every story I write includes love in some way. Our lives need love, and I think our fictions do as well.

S:  I find it hard to write a story without some sort of romance. It comes in so many shapes and sizes. It's everywhere around us. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

A:  Summiting Mt.Kilimanjaro in 2022. It was my second attempt. I'd previously climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018, and wound up 2000 feet short of the summit. So being able to go back and overcome, not only a mountain, but a previous personal failure, was the ultimate accomplishment.

S:  Wow. That's an amazing accomplishment. 

What inspired "Hostile Takeover?"

A:  I found myself falling out of love with my career, which was a corporate management role at the time. Although growth at the company was no longer what I wanted for myself, there was endless inspiration, and it began with a seemingly simple premise. We've all had, or known someone who's had, a forbidden workplace romance that fizzles out for one reason or another. But what if, despite all odds, you were meant to meet them, and they were determined to make things work, no matter what. Naturally, I took that idea and made it into a dark romance kidnapping plot.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Hostile Takeover?"

A:  This is my debut novel. I finished the book, got it to the editor, and three weeks before it came out, quit my corporate job. It's a huge risk, but I've never been happier. In many ways, I credit this book with changing my life.

Here's the blurb--

Career-driven Meghan always thought that she would make partner by thirty until a new transfer is brought in to help close a corporate merger, disrupting her plan with motives that have the potential to upend more than just her career.


S:  That certainly sounds suspenseful! Where can readers buy "Hostile Takeover?"

A:  It's available at most booksellers, including--


Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Hostile-Takeover-Arabella-Ames/dp/1487439822/

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hostile-takeover-arabella-ames/1144802664?ean=2940179564072

Google Books:  https://books.google.com/books/about/Hostile_Takeover.html?id=PTnxEAAAQBAJ

S:  Arabella, congratulations on the publication of your first book! If you'd like to learn more about Arabella and her books, please visit--

Website:  www.arabellaames.com
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@authorarabella

Friday, March 8, 2024

This week in The Loft: Author Janina Grey

Joining me today in The Loft is author Janina Grey. While her latest series is contemporary romance, with a magical/paranormal twist, Janina also writes historical and paranormal time travel romances. By day, she guides domestic and sexual assault survivors down their path of healing and empowerment. By night and in the shadows, Janina works her magic as a pagan high priestess. In the wee hours before dawn, Janina brings her characters to life, creating their journeys based on the crazy adventures she’s lived out over the years. When not working, Janina may be marching for women’s rights, kayaking, camping, or drumming and dancing around a fire. She and her husband, David, share their 115-year-old Mohawk Valley farmhouse homestead with a few resident spirits and a very squawky murder of crows.

Author Janina Grey

S:  It's so nice to see you again, Janina. Thanks for visiting!

What do you think is the biggest issue facing romance authors today?
 
JWriting romance is the easy part of the game, if you ask me. The most challenging aspect of becoming a successful romance author would have to be marketing and as a part of that, building your fan base. Many authors are working full-time day jobs, taking care of kiddos at home, and writing their stories in any spare moments they can find. When do we find the time to market? By that, I mean finding the time to explore the market, create the content we need to promote our work, keep up on social media, find the best avenues to promote our work, and finally, scheduling and distributing your promo materials into an already jam-packed life. 

S:  I agree with you. Marketing is a lot of work and very time-consuming. I hate that it takes away from writing.

Have you ever attended a writer’s retreat? Did you find it helpful? 

J:  Writing retreats are da bomb! I belong to a group of writers who frequent a beautiful B&B in Remsen, NY called Thistle Dew. It is run by Andrea Kaczor, a romance author herself. We try to schedule a weekend-long retreat quarterly, peppering in supportive lunches here and there throughout the year. These writing retreats are where I usually get my batteries recharged, where I plot my WIP, and where I really get to know my characters.
If you’ve got a supportive writing tribe, a quiet, spacious location that has lovely views, ample writing space, romantic history, and great food, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to for your weekend getaway.

S:  That sounds like a wonderful experience!

Why write romance?

J:  Have you seen the state of the world? As a journalist, I wrote love stories with no intention of getting published. It was like my therapy to get my mind off my job. I’d print them all out and put them in boxes--usually boot boxes although one ended up in a box the family Bible came in--and share them around to my friends. We called them my Boot Box series. When we moved up here and I started working with domestic violence victims, I again wrote as a means to escape. I needed to reaffirm that true love is possible. Add into that mix wars, a pandemic, famine, murder, riots, a climate crisis that’s threatening our very existence, and we need a little happiness to take our minds off the chaos that’s spinning all around us. On top of all that, the market is filled with genres that do not have happy endings normally. True crime, horror, suspense, murder mysteries, and action movies blow people up every three minutes and leave the hero or heroine surviving, but oftentimes, alone. There is not enough love in this world. Not enough consensual sex. Not enough happily-ever-afters.


S: How do you develop your characters? Do you use photos or a vision board?

J:  Tarot is my go-to when it comes to fleshing out my characters. I have a general idea of what their personality may be like, so I give them a birthdate and an astrological sign and moon sign that backs up their personality. Then I do a Tarot spread--usually the Celtic Cross--to find out what their conflicts past and present are, what their hopes and dreams are, and all that fun stuff. I do a second spread called The Bridge that tells me what they need to do to get where they have to go. I tweak the plot and backstory a bit based on what the characters tell me, but the general story starts with Tarot.

S:  What a fascinating way to develop characters! 

What would you like to people know about you as a person or as a writer?

J:  Sometimes romance authors are viewed as dreamers who aren’t very logical, or who have soap opera mentalities. I’m tough. I’m a fighter. I’ve beaten three different types of cancer in my lifetime. I work with domestic violence survivors. I wrote a program and teach it to convicted domestic violence offenders that helps them relearn what healthy relationships look like. I’m not a person who lives in a fantasy world. In addition, I’m a practicing third-degree high priestess and witch running a six-coven tradition for the last nearly 20 years. I may be an advocate for true love, but I’m not a pushover. All of this is reflected in my characters, especially my heroines.

S:  What is the best/worst thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?

J:  The worst thing that happened to me as a writer was losing my first, and only agent. She was an editor from a prestigious publishing house just starting her literary agency business and I won a chance to talk to her at a RWA conference I attended. She liked what she heard, and I thought her connections would prove to be really beneficial. She was having a lot of family issues. I was having a lot of family issues. For more than a year, she said she was submitting my work and it was getting rejected. Finally, she said she was closing her business due to her family situation. I asked for the list of publishing houses she’d submitted my work to, so I could continue submitting and not duplicate the ones who’d already rejected me. She never gave me the names, so part of me thinks she’d never submitted my work. By the time all was said and done two years had passed. I think that’s why I haven’t approached any agents since then.


S:  I have to admit, when I began publishing books, I was told that I had to have an agent. I decided to put that decision on hold and 25 books later, I've never regretted that decision. 

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

J:  The thing is, I never chose to write books. It just happened. I’ve always written stories, from the time I was in elementary school, to my time as a journalist, until now as a romance author. I don’t think I could ever stop writing books. As it is, I have three first drafts completed, two first drafts half-done, and two books roughly outlined. I’m midway through my current WIP, and there are not enough hours in a day to get these all written. So, yeah. I think I’ll always be writing books.

S:  What do you consider your greatest achievement?

J:  I have so many achievements that I would consider great. My two kids, Anthony who is now 32 years old and Allie Rose who is 26 years old, top the list. Surviving thyroid, kidney, and uterine cancers over the course of 30 years definitely deserves the #2 spot. But one particular experienced I aced that brought me out of my comfort zone would have to be the trip to Australia I took alone. This was huge because I’d never gone anywhere without my husband. It meant leaving my young babies with my husband and that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. That trip changed my life. I feel like it was my awakening, a rebirthing of sorts. I found myself. It made me realize what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. And when I returned my world was different, and it’s never been the same. Looking back now, I believe that trip down under, where I got to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the sun set and a full moon rose, saved my life and is the reason why I am still here to this day. So, aside from birthing my two babies, and kicking cancer’s butt, my solo trip to Oz was my greatest achievement in my life so far. But who knows what tomorrow holds?

S:  What inspired "Lost in Your Rhythm?"

J:  I had a dream about a guy and a girl who had tattoos that sort of matched, even though they were privately designed and the two did not know one another. I don’t have any tattoos, but I love the artwork and stories behind some of the ink I’ve seen. The tattoo the woman in my dream had flowed over her whole upper body like a sleeveless tank top, and covered scars from a radical double mastectomy she’d undergone as the result of breast cancer. I was just recovering from uterine cancer and a full hysterectomy and I felt this dream was telling me that it was time to tell the story of a survivor. I have numerous friends—beautiful, strong, courageous, resilient women— who have battled all sorts of cancers and won. I wanted Liza Minelli Purkypile and 
"Lost in Your Rhythm?" to be a tribute to them/us.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about 
"Lost in Your Rhythm?"

J:  This third book of the Earth and Sky series. published by soulmatepublishing.com. It also takes place in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, just like Books 1 and 2, "Love in the Forest" and "Life is for Living." It touches upon small-town life and big-city life, both of which I’ve lived. It takes things from my life and expands on them, like the Ancestors Supper that Brooke hosts, and the seasonal celebrations mentioned throughout the series that are actually Pagan holy days, equinoxes and solstices. Finally, Purkypile is a real last name. I’ve been researching my family genealogy and discovered that name a few hundred years back in my lineage. I thought it was a cool name so I decided to use it.


S:  Janina, thanks for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Janina and her books, please visit--

Website:  www.janinagrey.com
Amazon:  amazon.com/author/janinagrey
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/janinagreyauthor
Goodreads:  goodreads.com/author/show/18967836.Janina_Grey
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/janinagrey_author/
Bookbub.com: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/janina-grey

Friday, March 1, 2024

This week in The Loft: Canadian Author Dani Collins

Joining me today in The Loft is award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins. While she is best known for writing contemporary romance for Harlequin Presents and Tule Publishing, Dani also writes historical and erotic romance. She thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with laughter and heat thrown in, just like real life. Dani lives in southern British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, who was her high school sweetheart.

Author Dani Collins

S:  Good morning, Dani. Thanks for joining me in The Loft!

What do you think is the biggest issue facing romance authors today?

D:  Finding your reader, but that’s always been a challenge. This is the best of times and the worst of times for it. Social media makes it possible to connect with people around the globe, but there’s so much content, it’s hard to be seen.

S:  The rise of self-publishing has really flooded the marketplace, and that makes it difficult to promote a book. I've found social media very time consuming, but it has to be done.

Do you have a literary agent? 

D:  I did have an agent and I got her with this book, actually! We had a very good relationship and I found her to be invaluable with industry information, but we’ve since parted on good terms.

S:  Have you ever attended a writer’s retreat? Did you find it helpful? 

D:  I’m going to attend my first one this May. I find writing conferences to be overwhelming, but this will be only a dozen people and it feels like there will be a slower pace and a chance to really connect. I’m very excited!

S:  Why write romance?

D:  Why not? I’ve always found romance, with its guaranteed HEA (Happily Ever After) to be very hopeful and uplifting. The world is a rough place. In romance, everything works out. I’ve always found that to be very reassuring. 

S:  I've always found reading romance to be a great stress reliever.  When I was in law school, we'd trade romance books. It provided the break we needed from studying.

Do you outline the plot for your stories before writing?

D:  Sometimes, I plot ahead. I often like to go into the opening blind, with only a few details and an idea for the first few scenes. Once I get to know my characters, I might plot out the rest. Sometimes, I have to write a synopsis for my publisher before I’ve finished writing. Sometimes, if I get stuck, or if I’m rewriting a draft that doesn’t seem to be working, I’ll write out the plot points and rearrange them before going in and moving the chunks of story. Often, when I’m in the final push through the last fifteen thousand words, I’ll write out the various scenes that have to happen which helps me get it all down, then I go back and clean it up.

S:  I find outlines too limiting. I pretty much let my characters dictate where a story goes

Do you write in other genres? 

D:  I like to say I write anything, so long as it’s romance. I write billionaires and virgins for Harlequin, small town for Tule, historical and erotic romance, and romantic comedy for other markets, including self-publishing. I like variety. I find that when I switch between subgenres, I come into another one feeling fresh and ready to exercise different creative muscles.

S:  If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

D:  Absolutely!

S:  What do you consider your greatest achievement?

D:  Publishing. Making it my full-time career.

S:  What inspired "Marrying the Nanny?"

D:  My aunt showed me pictures from her visit to a tiny village on the British Columbian coast where her son--my cousin Lorne--had worked for 20 years. I immediately knew it would be a wonderful place to set a book. I had been noodling a Three Men and a Baby take-off, one where three half-brothers take custody of their infant half-sister. From there, it was a matter of finding them the appropriately complicated love interests.

S:  That sounds like a great twist.

Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Marrying the Nanny?" 

D:  It’s the first in my Raven’s Cove trilogy, coming out in 2024. After "Marrying the Nanny," look for 'Forgiving Her First Love." Book Three isn’t titled yet. These books are pure delicious escape to the wilds of British Columbia’s central coast. You’ll see wildlife, go whale watching, and witness three rugged, remote, untethered men fall head over heels for the women who bring them out of their shells, while they also learn to become a family with their adorable baby sister.

Here's the blurb--

When infant Storm is orphaned, nanny Emma Wright, on a work visa and still reeling from a painful divorce, yearns to adopt her but must relinquish Storm to her three adult half-brothers. They remind her of a pack of wolves–protective, but not prepared to care for a baby. Alpha male Reid is especially aloof and intimidating.

Like his younger brothers, Reid Fraser left the Westcoast village of Raven’s Cove at eighteen and never looked back. Now a successful corporate consultant who rescues failing businesses—which is what this fly-in fishing resort has become, Reid must rally his brothers to save Storm’s inheritance, but he and his estranged brothers barely get along. They can’t deal with an infant, too. They need the nanny.

As Emma coaches Reid through midnight feedings and teething, they try to ignore the sexual pull between them. Then they learn Storm may have family who could take her from them. Reid proposes a marriage of convenience, but will it be enough to keep this fractured family together?

S:   That sounds like such a sweet story! Where can readers purchase your book?

D:  It's available from--

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C95P69GS

Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marrying-the-nanny-dani-collins/1143697276?ean=2940160866758

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/marrying-the-nanny

Apple:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/marrying-the-nanny/id6450614753

Google:  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Dani_Collins_Marrying_the_Nanny?id=RY7kEAAAQBAJ

S:  Dani, thanks so much for joining me today! If you'd like to learn more about Dani and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://danicollins.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DaniCollinsAuthor

X:  https://twitter.com/DaniCollinsBook

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/danicollinsauthor

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@danicollinsauthor

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dani-collins

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Dani-Collins/e/B009RC6AAG

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572063.Dani_Collins

Linktr.ee:  https://linktr.ee/danicollins

Friday, February 23, 2024

This week in The Loft: Author Kate Hill!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Kate Hill.  Kate is a vegetarian New Englander who loves writing romantic fantasies. Her stories span a broad range of romance subgenres, including Viking historical romance, erotic and paranormal romance, and romantic suspense. When she's not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out, watching horror movies, researching vampires and Viking history, and running the Compelling Beasts Blog, which is dedicated to antagonists, antiheroes, and paranormal creatures. Kate also writes as Saloni Quinby.

Author Kate Hill

S:  Welcome, Kate! I'm so glad you had time to join me in The Loft!

What do you think is the biggest issue facing romance authors today? 

K:  I think the biggest issue is also the biggest asset. Indie publishing allows for more work to be available for readers and offers greater opportunities for writers, but it also creates more competition. Personally, I think it's better now that there's more access to a wider variety of stories from more authors. People are more likely to find stories and characters they connect with.

S:  Love does indeed come in many shapes and sizes. I love that there is now so much diversity in romance books.

Why write romance? 

K:  I've always enjoyed reading romance, but I couldn't always find the plots or character types I wanted to read, so I wrote them.

S:  I know what you mean. I wanted to see more strong women and more men who supported their dreams in romance books. And that's why I started writing books.

How do you develop your characters? Do you use photos or a vision board?

K:  I keep notebooks, but my favorite way to get to know characters is to think about how they deal with everyday situations I find myself in. I imagine them with me and think about how they'd react to normal situations.



S:  That lends authenticity to your books.

Do you outline the plot for your stories before writing? 

K:  I like to work with a loose outline, with lots of wiggle room for the inevitable changes that happen during the writing process.

S:  What do you write first—the blurb or the book? 

K:  I usually write a summary along with an outline, but the actual blurb that goes with the final book is usually written and polished after the book is complete.

S:  I stopped writing the blurb first after I completed a few books. I found them too confining.

How do you get reviews?

K:  I find reviews hard to get and would love to get more. Currently, I have an ARC group I'm grateful for and I also make my new releases available at Booksprout.



S:  A while back, I began to suspect that reviews are not necessarily an accurate measure of the quality of a book. I've read books with thousands of reviews and found them seriously lacking. That makes me wonder what truly drives the "review engine." I still don't have a satisfactory answer. 

Do you write in other genres?

K:  I'm a huge horror fan and enjoy writing it sometimes. Some of my books are romantic horror. I hope to write more horror in the future.

S:  If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

K:  Definitely. Writing is a way of life for me. I write because I love it.

S:  What inspired "Northman's Pleasure?" 

K:  "Northman's Pleasure" is the sequel to "Northman's Passion." While writing the first book, I got attached to Grim and Asgerd, and wanted to give them their own story.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Northman's Pleasure?"

K:  "Northman's Pleasure" is a short, spicy historical romance set during the Viking era. It's related to "Northman's Passion," but it can be read as a stand-alone story. It was originally published several years ago. This version has been re-edited and contains two additional scenes after the main story.


S:  Kate, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Kate and her books, please visit--

Friday, February 16, 2024

This week in The Loft: Author Josie Lugo!

Joining me today in The Loft is fellow eXtasy author Josie Lugo. Her debut novel, "The Voices," is a paranormal romance. Josie is a full-time author whose stories are a mix of happily ever after and contemplative endings. Currently based in North Carolina, Josie follows her husband around wherever he takes her, writing on her laptop, her phone, or just jotting down ideas in her notes. When she finally takes a break from writing, she says she’s definitely reading.

Author Josie Lugo

S:  Welcome to The Loft, Josie. I'm pleased you could join me today.

Why write romance?

J:  The simple answer is that I write romance because it’s my favorite genre to read. But the more complex answer is that I write romance because in some aspects it’s easy. Will they or won’t they end up together? The conflict itself already exists so I can focus on the characters. Who are they, what are their goals, and how does that change how they look at relationships. No two of my characters from any of my stories are the same. And that’s the fun part of writing.

S:  Do you utilize tropes when writing? 

J:  Of course! Using tropes is not only really common but also effective for a reason. I’m not even sure it’s possible to write a story without at least one trope. Still, I lean into them since I know I’m writing for a specific audience.

S:  When I started writing romance, I didn't even know what a trope was. Now I see them in my stories, but I don't intentionally adhere to them.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

J:  Absolutely. I love getting up and going to work every day. I love getting my stories published and writing new ones. This is literally my dream job and I’m happy to get to do it in this life, let alone another.

S:  Do you outline the plot for your stories before writing? 

J:  Yes, I do. Before I start, I write down everything I can think of that I want to happen in the story, every major point that I want to hit in the same way you’d describe the major events to someone who hasn’t read the book. How I get from point A to point B will be determined in the day-to-day writing, but a guideline is great for those moments when I’m asking myself, what next. Also, I think it’s important to note that I’m not strict on plot outlines. If I’m writing, and the story seems to flow better in a different way than I outlined, I’ll let it continue in the new direction. It’s supposed to help me, not hinder me.

S:  I am a true pantser. When I have an idea, I just start writing. I have no idea where the characters or the story will wind up.

What do you write first—the blurb or the book?

J:  The book. I never even consider a blurb until I’m getting ready to submit my book for publishing. Somehow, it’s easier to write 85,000 words in a story than a condensed blurb for the back of the book.

S:  What inspired "The Voices?"

J:  There were two major inspirations that came together for this story. The first is my love for the fated mates trope. I’m a big believer in fate and adding romance to that concept is the perfect cup of coffee for me. The second is the idea of parental love. At the core of it, parents are just people. And just like there’s bad people, they’re bad parents.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about ‘"The Voices"?

J:  This is my debut novel with eXtasy books. It's a story is all about love. Parental, platonic, and romantic. Leo ends her story with more people in her life to love her. It’s a feel-good read. Also, it's the first book in a series called Shifters of Summerdon.

Here's the blurb--

Leonora Carmichael didn’t think anything of her move to Summerdon, Montana. It was simply a new place to live, another place to need therapy for the voices in her head. Until one day, when she doesn’t adhere to the threats to leave town, and she’s kidnapped, mistreated, and interrogated. Her rescuer? The same male whose voice she’s been hearing in her head her whole life. Instead of a psychotic break, Leo learns she’s part of the supernatural world. Now she has to figure out how to be a human in a shifter relationship, handle a human mother who knows nothing of paranormal creatures, ignore the jealous tantrums of an ex-lover, and how to be brave against the very real nightmares from her time in a cell.


S:  Where can readers buy your book?

J:  It's available at--




S:  Josie, thanks for joining me today and good luck with "The Voices!" If you'd like to learn more about Josie and her books, please visit--

Monday, February 5, 2024

When politics interferes with love, can love survive?


Getting married isn’t easy when your father’s the President of the United States! After reluctantly agreeing to a White House wedding, Sarah Lee Pearson, the president’s daughter, finds herself swept into a political maelstrom of unimagined proportions.

The White House staff and the first lady see the wedding as a political event, a way to sweep the president into his next term. Congress is complaining about the collateral costs. The media is delightfully rehashing every aspect of Sarah’s life, even those events that have nothing to do with the impending marriage. And the American public? Visions of an American royal wedding have swept them into a frenzy and vendors take advantage, making a quick buck off of everything from limited edition t-shirts to commemorative teacups.

Sarah and her fiancé, Sam, fight hard to ignore the craziness, but after learning a bounty has been put on their heads by an anti-government militia group, they have to decide whether a White House wedding is indeed worth it. And given all the hurtful controversy, perhaps a better solution is to not get married at all.

Now 50% off at: https://www.extasybooks.com/the-white-house-wedding

Friday, February 2, 2024

This week in The Loft: New Extasy Author Andrea Brellick!

Joining me today in The Loft is new eXtasy author Andrea Brellick. Andrea's first book, "At Her Will," is romantic suspense. A resident of Toronto, Canada, Andrea has worked as a waitress, bartender, a film extra, and a retail sales representative. She spends the warm months walking her dog, swimming, snacking with friends, and sketching ideas for her next story. In the cold months, she does the same thing! Andrea says her next book will probably be a horror story.

Author Andrea Brellick

S:  Good morning, Andrea! Thanks for joining me in my loft today.

This is your first book. Do you plan to stick to the romantic suspense genre, or are other genres calling to you?

A:  While I enjoyed writing an erotic thriller, creating the darker scenes was my favorite part of the process. That said, I think I’ll write a horror story next. I’m a big fan of Stephen King–I started reading his work when I was eight years old–so, I’m looking forward to re-reading his stories in preparation for my own. 

S:  I'm a real fraidy-cat. Horror stories almost always lead to nightmares!

How do you develop your characters? Do you use photos or a vision board?

A:  For the visual development, I watch a lot of movies and shows. Then I go on long walks, preferably on foggy days, and think about it more. When I’m all by myself, which is rare, and usually on public transit commuting to work, I record notes on characters.

S:  Do you outline the plot for your stories before writing?

A:  Yes. The outline often includes dialogue to remind me of the “feel” I’m trying to convey in each chapter.

S:  I always had difficulty with outlines in school and that hasn't changed. I'm a "pantser." I just start writing and see where the story goes.

What is the best thing that has happened to you as a writer?

A:  Receiving encouragement throughout the drafting process for this book, particularly in the early stages. I didn’t fully appreciate those early supportive comments at the time, but now I go back and look at the early drafts–yikes. The positivity no doubt kept me going.

S:  Every author needs a few cheerleaders!

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

A:  Yes, but would have started earlier, probably in my twenties. I’ve always been interested in writing books. However, it took time to push through the self-inflicted doubt--I don’t know how, I don’t have the time, etc.--and settle into the right mindset.

S:  What inspired "At Her Will?"

A:  The first source of inspiration is my experience working in many industries. I’ve had jobs in retail, hospitality, childcare, film, advertising, and teaching sports. Second would be the characters from films and shows of all genres.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "At Her Will?"

A:  Despite the book’s dark and disturbing themes, the goal of my story is to entertain readers. When I wrote this book, I constantly reminded myself that it’s my job to convince readers that their time is better spent reading my book than engaging in other forms of entertainment, such as watching TV/a movie, going to a concert, or listening to a podcast. If my audience feels that reading my book was a good use of their time, I did my job.

Here's the blurb--

A year after her sister’s death, Katey Philips receives a mysterious message. The message suggests her sister didn’t die by accident on the night she hosted a work party. Disguising her identity, Katey moves across the country to work at the public relations firm that employed her sister. Katey quickly learns she doesn’t work at an ordinary PR firm. The company runs a second line of business her sister never spoke of. This secret work is dangerous and shameful, and participating in it is the only way Katey can uncover what happened to her sister. Katey must choose how far she’ll go to find the truth, even if it means sharing the same fate as her sister.


S:  That sounds fascinating. Where can readers buy "At Her Will?"

A:  It's available at--


S:  Andrea, thanks so much for joining me today, and good luck with your book. If you'd like to learn more about Andrea and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://www.andreabrellick.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/andreabrellick/

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