This week in The Loft: Romance author Amber Daulton!

Visiting me this week in The Loft is author Amber Daulton! Amber is the author of  the Arresting Onyx series--stories of romantic suspense--and several standalone novellas, including "A Marry, Merry Christmas" and "A Hero's Heart." Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. Amber lives in North Carolina with her husband and four demanding cats. 

Author Amber Daulton

S:  Good morning, Amber!

Tell me, what’s the best advice you have ever been given?

A:  Just keep trying even when you’re feeling bad about yourself and the quality of your work. No one is perfect. Don’t rush a project. Give it the love and attention it needs to be the best it can be. You as the writer, the readers, and the book itself deserve it.

S:  You're so right. Sometimes, we feel the need to rush a project and in my experience, those are the books that fail to satisfy me and my readers. Books are like children. They need to be nurtured!

Complete this sentence:  “Writing is…

A:  ...the fruit of happiness.

S:  (Smiles.) And for others, the fruit of despair. Isn't it wonderful to do what you love?

What's your favorite day of the year?

A:  Halloween. When my hubby and I were dating back in college, we would dress up, knock on doors for candy (we got a lot of strange looks from people), and then hit a party. Nowadays, Greg and I bake desserts like cake and brownies, and binge-watch horror movies. We no longer dress up, but it’s just fun to eat a lot of sugar and watch movies.

S:  (Shudders.) I get the sugar part. I'm a bit of a fraidy cat. Horror movies tend to give me nightmares!

If you could have any animal in the universe as a pet, what would it be and why?

A:  I’m a big animal lover, but I prefer cats to all other fur babies. For my special pet, I’d love to have a Siberian tiger with a gentle personality. I don’t want to be eaten, you know! 

S:  You are offered one of the following gifts: A day back in time, a glimpse into heaven, or perfect health. Which would you take and why?

A:  I’d choose perfect health. While a day back in time and a glimpse into heaven would be thrilling, it’s only a momentary distraction. Good health for the rest of your life allows you the freedom to live as you wish and do what you want—barring any unforeseen accidents. You wouldn’t be bedridden or in pain from disease, and you could accomplish so much more in life before you die of old age.

S:  (Nods.) Because I have MS, that certainly makes a lot of sense to me.

Tell me about your latest release, "Lyrical Embrace."

A:  Sure. Here's the blurb--

Out-of-work violinist Erica Timberly decides enough is enough. She leaves her abusive boyfriend and flees the big city, but then her car breaks down in the middle of the night. Though wary of men, she accepts help from Dylan Haynes, a stranger driving by on the road, and soon recognizes him as the sexy former drummer of her favorite indie rock band. Maybe, just maybe, her run of bad luck is finally turning around.

Music teacher Dylan Haynes knows Erica is in trouble, and her black eye is only the first clue. The stubborn yet vulnerable woman needs a friend, but he’s determined to give her everything she deserves.

Will Erica listen to the music in her heart and trust Dylan, or will her past always threaten her future?

S: Oh, I love books about the music world! Where can readers buy your book?

A:  It's available at all major booksellers, including--

Publisher:   https://bit.ly/2AIkSFk 
Amazon:   https://amzn.to/2ChIhNT
Barnes and Noble:  https://bit.ly/2ChIhgR
iTunes:  https://apple.co/2M3T9mW
Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lyrical-embrace

S:  Amber, thanks so much for joining me today! 

If you would like to learn more about Amber and her books, please visit--

Facebook Author Page:   www.facebook.com/amber.daulton.author

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AmberDaulton1

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/amberdaulton5/

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624921.Amber_Daulton

Amazon Author Page:  http://amzn.to/14JoZff

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

Next week in The Loft:  Author Tina Swayzee McCright!

This week in The Loft: Author Claire Gem!

Today in The Loft, I welcome author Claire Gem! Claire writes emotional romance, including contemporary romance, women's fiction, and supernatural suspense. She is the author of the Haunted Voices series--contemporary romance with a Gothic twist. Her books have been recognized by the New York Book Festival, The HOLT  Medallion Awards, the National Reader's Choice Awards and InDTale's/Heart Indie Awards. Claire lives in New England with her husband.

Author Claire Gem

S:  Good morning, Claire! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me today. 

What should people know about you?

C:  When I write romance with a happy-ever-after, I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been happily married to the same man for over 40 years. They should also know that the reason I write supernatural romantic suspense is because I truly do believe in the paranormal. I believe in ghosts and reincarnation. I believe we all get to come back more than once to have another crack at life—and that sometimes spirits get trapped and can’t leave this realm without a little help.

S:  Forty years! That's quite an accomplishment! 

Do you have an alternative occupation?

C: I work by day in scientific research for Tufts University. Very scientific, left-brain stuff from 7 a.m. to around 3 p.m. Then I switch gears and exercise the right-brain with my writing.

S:  That's quite a switch! Why do you write romance?

C:  Honestly? Because love makes the world go ‘round. I know that’s cliche, but it’s true. At least it has been in my life. And in this day and age of tragedy and sadness, I believe love is the only thing we have to hold onto, to keep us afloat. I like to give my readers hope that there is a possibility for finding your soul mate, and for living a happy-ever-after.

S:  I was recently criticized for allowing my characters an HEA. I was pretty shocked. I think you're right, love is what gives us hope.

Complete this sentence: “When one of my books is released, I . . .”

C:  Freak out that there might be typos, glitches in the plot, or repeated words that I’ve missed. One of my first books was published by a small publisher, and the editor I had hailed from Hell. Plus, she didn’t know what she was doing. It was published with tons of glitches. When I was having the book made into audio, the narrator called me and said, “Uh . . . did you send me the unedited version of this book?” So, I’m uber-sensitive about these things. I actually read my own work—out loud—before I hit “publish.”

Books by Claire Gem

S:  (Chuckles.) I call that "writer's remorse." 

Where do you do your best thinking?

C:  Believe it or not, in the dark. My best ideas come to me in that fuzzy place between awake and asleep. Sometimes I will wake in the middle of the night with a character talking in my head. Some people call that crazy. I call it creativity.

S:  Ah, so many sleepless nights. Some of my best ideas have come in the middle of the night.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

C:  Aside from raising three amazing children into successful adults? Well, I guess it would have to be my first Haunted Voices novel, "Hearts Unloched," winning the New York Book Festival in 2016. My husband and I attended the awards banquet at the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan. It was quite a thrilling weekend!

S:  That's quite an accomplishment!

If you could live in any period of time, when would it be and why?

C:  Believe it or not, I would go back to the late Middle Ages, in Western Europe. Belgium, to be specific. I have been fascinated with that time period and that location all of my life, even though I have no known ties there. I love the art, the music, and yes, even the way life was back then--way tougher. I already said I believe in reincarnation. I believe I lived there, in and around the early 1400s, in a past life.

S:  I can understand that. I feel an affinity with the old, old West. When I read a cowboy romance set in the 1800s, something seems so familiar.

If you could “seize the day,” how would you do it?

C:  Ah, Carpe Diem. Yes, I also have a pretty good background in Latin, which I took to as though it were a native language. I was the weirdo who did four semesters of Latin in college. If I could seize the day, for just one day, I would whisk my beloved husband off to spend in the city of Ghent, Belgium. We might even have time to drive to Antwerp, the one city I didn’t get to visit on my trip there about 15 years ago.

S:  A genie grants you one wish. What is it?

C:  I would wish for another 20 or more years—happy, healthy ones—with my husband. He is 15 years older than I am and I live in constant worry I will someday have to go on without him.

S:  (Nods.) That's difficult to think about, isn't it?

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

C:  That’s easy, and it came from the head of SoulMate Publishing, Debbie Gilbert. She told me to read it out loud. Wow, was she right!

S:  The first time I did that, I was amazed at how much it improved what I had written. 

What is your favorite day of the year and why?

C:  Why, Halloween, of course! It’s always been my favorite holiday, even before I began writing ghost stories. It’s the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, the day when the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest.

S:  (Shudders.) I guess I'm a bit of a 'fraidy cat. While I believe in the paranormal, more than one ghost has given me nightmares!

If you could have any animal in the universe as a pet, what would it be and why?

C:  I already have Boss Baby Leo, who is my furry muse. He’s a white Persian kitten who sits in my lap while I write—and tries to type a little on his own if I leave the room! Now if I could find a baby dragon, I would definitely adopt him. I’m sure he and Leo would get along just fine.

S:  (Laughs.) Hopefully, there won't be any singed fur involved!

Claire, thanks so much for joining me today!  If you would like to learn more about Claire and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://clairegem.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/clairegem.author/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gemwriter

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Claire-Gem/e/B00TS7C5FY/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMxsgMymIHiBe5ZTy7yPwScdtdJgH5EyE

Next week in The Loft: Author Amber Daulton!

This week in The Loft: Author C. Becker!

Joining me this week in The Loft is author C. Becker! Ms. Becker unites soulmates through mystery and intrigue, writing tales of romance and suspense with a sprinkle of science.  She also writes children's books. After a career as a medical technologist, she turned to writing. Her first novel of romantic suspense, "Finding E-U-P-H-O-R-I-A," was released in March. The mother of four children, she is a native of western Pennsylvania.

Author C. Becker

S:  Welcome to The Loft! I'm so glad you could join me today. 

Tell me, where do you do your best thinking?

C:  I do my best thinking at night when my family is in bed and the house is quiet.

S:  (Nods.) Sometimes, that's the only time the house is quiet.

At one time, you were a medical technologist. Are you now a writer full-time or do you have an alternative occupation?

C:  I feel like a “Jack of all Trades, Master of None.” First and foremost, I’m a mom with four kids who keep me quite busy. I’m a substitute teacher in the county where I live, which I love because it gives me the flexibility to conduct author visits at schools with my children’s books. I’m also the music director at a church in my town, where I direct the choir and play the service music every week. And I play piano for my church every week.

S:  Wow. You're a busy lady! If a genie granted you one wish, what would you ask for?

C:  The ability to teleport myself from place to place. I’d save so much time.

S:  (Chuckles.) I think all moms wish for that at one time or another. What’s the best advice you have ever given? 

C:  No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them.

S:  What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

C:  If you want something badly enough, keep trying.

S:  Apt advice for an author. What do you crave? 

C:  Deep dark chocolate. There is no other option.

S:  (Holds up a Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate bar.) I agree!

You are offered one of the following gifts: A day back in time, a glimpse into heaven, or perfect health. Which would you take and why?

C:   I’d definitely take the glimpse into heaven. I would use that visual to keep me motivated to live a good life and to help others change their lives, too. Plus, I’d write a best seller about heaven.

S:  I'd also like a peek, just to build the anticipation. 

Tell me about your book, "Finding E-U-P-H-O-R-I-A."

C:  Sure. Here's the blurb:

Hailey Langley refuses to be a victim and has moved on from her traumatic past. But her marriage problems worsen when a deadly illicit drug threatens to draw her into the life she left behind.

Mark Langley has allowed his job to interfere with his marriage, but he never suspected the secrets in Hailey's past might hold the key to solving both of his current investigations.

Together, they must unravel the mystery of the drug called Euphoria and find a way to save not only their marriage, but countless lives, before it's too late.

S:  That's sounds like an intense tale! Where can readers find your book?

C:  It's available at all major booksellers, including--

Publisher:  https://www.thewildrosepress.com/books/finding-euphoria
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Euphoria-C-Becker-ebook/dp/B07NPX6ZBL/
Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130573850?ean=2940161287873
Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/finding-euphoria

S:  C., Thanks so much for joining me today! For more information on C. and her books, visit--

Website: https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor
Blog:  https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor/blog-1
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/CBeckerauthor/
Twitter:  @cbeckerauthor
Amazon author page:  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07NRWPWX3

Next week in The Loft: Author Claire Gem!

Take a peek at the latest issue of the Marketing for Romance Writers Magazine!

I'm the featured author!

https://newsstand.joomag.com/en?q=Marketing+for+Romance

This week in The Loft: Author Amy Romine!

This week in The Loft, I welcome fellow eXtasy author Amy Romine! Amy has written more than a dozen books about romance, adventure, and suspense. She has a need to make her characters truly deserve their happiness, thus taking them on many a twisted journey. From serial killers to demons, Amy holds nothing back in the name of true enduring love. A mom of three, Amy resides in Pennsylvania.  

Author Amy Romine

S:  Welcome, Amy!  I'm so glad you could join me for coffee today!

What should people know about you?

A:  I am a mom first. I adore my kids.

S:  (Nods.) Probably the most important job you will ever have.

Why do you write romance? 

A:  I love reading romantic suspense, so I love writing romantic suspense. I enjoy being God and making my characters work for their happy ending.

S:  (Chuckles) I am sure making your characters work for the HEA can be pretty entertaining.

Do you have an “alternative occupation?”

A:  Yes, I am an Operations Analyst for a document solutions company. Been with the company for 17 years. I love it and it pays the bills

S:  Always nice to have a job you love. Otherwise, getting up in the morning can be difficult.

What’s the best advice you have ever given? 

A:  Have faith in this reality. Everything happens for a reason. I truly believe and live that every day.

S:  What’s the best advice you have been given?

A:  Trust your gut.

    

S:  (Takes a long sip of coffee and smiles). That's pretty great advice, not only for an author, but also a mother.

Complete this sentence:  “Writing is….” 

A:  Writing is like breathing. Writing is a necessary and required function for my sanity and survival.

S:  Tell me about your book, "Little Angels."

A:  Sure. Here's the blurb:

When Special Agent Nick McFarlane receives news that his partner of eight years is in trouble, he doesn’t hesitate. Throwing himself into a deep cover operation to expose and shut down The Micahs, a child trafficking ring, Nick enters, unprepared for the reality that awaits.

Special Agent Meredith Richards took the assignment fully aware of the consequences. Leaving her life behind, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get out with her life until she shut the Micahs down for good.

When Meredith’s informant is murdered and her contact inside the organization starts to lose control, Meredith is forced to make choices she can’t take back. On the edge of sacrificing herself, her principles, and her life, she begins to wonder if she will survive the case, or if she even wants to.

S:  Wow, that sounds intense. However, I like that the story revolves around a real life problem, child trafficking. Where can people buy your book?

A:  It's available from all major booksellers, including--

Publisher:  https://www.extasybooks.com/little-angels/
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Little-Angels-Amy-Romine-ebook/dp/B01MQL1EW4/
Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-angels-amy-romine/1125190789?ean=2940153865874
Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/683445
Book trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqc9PJ5x5fM&feature=youtu.be

S:  Amy, thanks so much for joining me today. To learn more about Amy and her books, visit--

Blog:  http://amyjromine.blogspot.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WritesRomineAuthor
Twitter: @amyjromine
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjromine/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Romine/e/B004DM8D3C/ 

Next week in The Loft:  Romance author C. Becker!