Spotlight, Interview, and Giveaway - The Only Exception by Magan Vernon

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The Only Exception by Magan Vernon
Publication date: April 9th, 2013
by Beautifully Broken Books 
Genre: NA Romance

Fiercely liberal Monica Remy prefers to blend in. Despite her tattoos, piercings, and outspoken personality, she transferred to Central to escape—before she finds out that her next door neighbor is the uber conservative governor son, Trey Chapman.

No matter how hard she tries to avoid Trey, he still finds a way to get under her skin. Monica can’t stand his crisp white shirts or his staunch views on women. But she can’t help counting every freckle on his face and wondering what it would feel like to have him stop talking politics and kiss her.

A class debate project forces the unlikely pair to work together, and the political lines are blurred in late-night make out sessions. But despite their fiery chemistry, Trey’s politics threatens to smother their relationship for good.

**Due to sexual content and heavy subject matter, this book is recommended for ages 16+** 

Amazon | Goodreads

Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world. She is in a very serious, fake relationship with Adam Lambert and constantly asks her husband to wear guyliner. He still refuses. She also believes her husband is secretly an alien, disguised as a southern gentleman.

Where to find Magan:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Note: Due to my procrastination in providing the questions to Magan, she was sweet enough to complete this interview while in the hospital awaiting the birth of her daughter.

Claire Marie Vernon was born April 16th 2013 at 11:01 am weighing 8lbs 3oz and measuring 21 inches long.
— Magan Vernon (@MaganVernon) April 16, 2013

Congrats to the entire Vernon family on the new addition :)

Hi Magan! Welcome to Phantasmic Reads. It's great to have you here today!

Did you really get in trouble for passing around a V.C. Andrews book in school? Which book was it? :) It turns out that letting your friends read the sex scenes from The Landry series in sixth grade science class is highly frowned upon. Who knew?

You say you've never been to Disney World. Do you have any plans to change that someday? I have two little girls who I'm just waiting to be old enough and then I’m booking my first ticket there!

What was the inspiration to write a NA novel with political elements? I was a poli-sci major in college and always fascinated by the topic. It wasn't until an episode of New Girl in which Schmidt pretended to be Mitt Romney's son that it really came into fruition.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? I can write anywhere, literally, but usually I like sitting in the atrium at work and writing. No internet to distract me.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? What is it? I don’t write linear. I write the beginning on my computer and the end on my iPad.

What are your pet peeves? People who don't capitalize "i"

What's your guilty pleasure? Teen Mom 2

What do you like to do when you're not writing? Play with my daughters

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies? Uhhh...I have a talent for memorizing stupid movie quotes.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? Ebooks, I can read anywhere and stop and start a new book right away.

What are you currently reading, or what did you recently finish? One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy. Cute so far.

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point? By the time I get myself and my kids ready I barely have time to breathe let alone make the bed! Lol

What are three things you never leave the house without? Cell phone, keys, ID

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination? Central College is based around the college I went to, Illinois State University, so I had Monica's same classes and worked at the same coffee shop.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why? John Boy. I just loved every thing that came out of his mouth.

How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you? Joey and Josh were really hard to write for obvious reasons and I had to push through that to move the story forward.

Which character speaks the loudest, to you? Do any of them clamor to be heard over the others? John Boy. For some reason I just love the foul mouthed boy.

What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read? My creative writing teacher in HS told me a writer should always be a reader so I always find time to read. I’m a big legal thriller fan, actually. And of course NA.

If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why? oh tough one...um....Harry Potter probably. Hook up with Draco and do some magic...in more ways than one.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why? Lauren Myracle, Jodi Picoult, and Gayle Forman. Each woman writes grief and love so beautifully that I would love a dinner convo with them.

How do you get past writer’s block or distractions like the internet? I just keep writing. I’ll switch scenes or do word sprints and reward myself with twitter.

Favorite book from childhood? Little Critter

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Every night :)

Do you have any pets? I have an American Staffordshire terrier named Snogs. A big baby.

Name a place you'd love to visit someday? So many. I always wanted to visit Sicily where my family is from and was blessed to be able to do that in 2010.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? Never quit!

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? Thank you so much for taking a chance on an indie author. You are all the reason that I keep writing :)

Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it? Just about everyday of my pregnancy, lol.

Speed Round:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less: Sexy, witty, emotional. The Only Exception is a must read.

Pen or pencil? Pen

Milk, white, or dark chocolate? White

Dogs or cats? Dogs

Pie or cake? Cookies :)

Plotter or pantser? Pantser

Coffee or tea? Coffee

If you could have any superpower what would you choose? Flying!

Thanks again for visiting with us today, Magan!

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[Blog Tour] Spotlight and Interview: Some Like It In Handcuffs by Christine Warner

Some Like It In Handcuffs by Christine Warner
Genre: Light-hearted romantic suspense with humor
Publication Date: March 20, 2012
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Sunny Kennedy, the only female in a family of blue blood male detectives, is determined to prove testosterone isn't the only qualification required to solve a cold case. Handcuffed while undercover then taken to the precinct by an attractive detective, her domineering family demands she work with Detective Judson Blackwolf, or she’s off the case.
Judson Blackwolf thinks women in law enforcement should work behind the scenes. The prospect of working with his Captain’s sexy daughter doesn't thrill him. He only agrees in hopes of solving the murder of his one time mentor’s daughter. Once the case is over, he’s moving to Montana to heal his wounds from the loss of his last partner.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends. Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines. A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

Where to find Christine:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Hi Christine! Welcome to Phantasmic Reads :) Thanks for taking a little time to let readers get to know you better!

You say cooking is a favorite way to spend some time. What are some of your favorite things to cook? 

I love to cook the normal, everyday things like pastas, various chicken recipes and seafood…but I also like to try new recipes too. Sometimes they go over well and get added to my recipe roster and sometimes they are a one try meal. Depends on the verdict of the hubs and kids. I’m not a picky eater, so I like to try cooking just about anything J

Tell us a little about your 'furry friends'.  Do you have any pictures you'd like to share?

I have 2 golden retrievers. The oldest one is Tess and she’s the sweetest girl ever. Very affectionate. Then there is Libby who is about 3 years younger than Tess, putting her about age 7. We believe she is part chicken because she is afraid of everything, even though she’s huge. LOL She’s even afraid of plastic bags. The only thing she doesn't fear besides treats is a ball. She has about 20 of them.

We also have 2 cats. Chocolate is about 17 and my shadow, and then there is Smoky who believes he’s a dog and hangs with the big girls. At the moment I don’t have any pics I can share because I’m having issues with my laptop and that’s where all my pics are stored. UGH L

What's the strangest thing you've seen while people watching?

I hate to say it, but I can’t think of anything. I do like to people watch though because it gives me some interesting character quirks that I can use when writing. I also take note of facial expressions and reactions to use while writing.  

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

 I write in my living room even though I have a cozy office. I find that I like all the windows and the sunlight. My view is a nice inspiration. I’m also more productive in the morning. As the day goes on and I tire out, my brain doesn't seem to stay on track when I’m writing. lol

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know if it’s interesting, but I do like to write when it’s totally quiet. No noise at all—well, except for the snores of my dogs and purrs of my cats J

What are your pet peeves?

 LOL…I like the toilet paper to be put on the roll so that the toilet paper hangs over, not under. I will take it off and redo it if it’s not put on that way. That’s basically about it…besides people putting away something when they are done using it.

What's your guilty pleasure?

 Dove chocolate…or anything chocolate. lol

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

 I love to read, cook, watch movies, walk in nice weather and just hang out with my family and friends.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

 Not that I can think…geesh, how boring am I? lol

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I like them all J

What are you currently reading, or what did you recently finish?

I just finished In The Still of the Night…a true crime story by my favorite true crime author Ann Rule.

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

LOL…I admit I don’t see much point. I do it the lazy way. I straighten up the bed in the morning but only make it “perfectly” after I launder the sheets.

What are three things you never leave the house without?

My purse, my cell and a notebook with pen in case I think up a plot, character name, or a scene in a current wip. (oops…I guess that darn pen made it 4 things.) lol

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

I wish I could say I was a PI or had 4 over-protective brothers, but I don’t. Some of the characteristics of some of the characters are from people I know (including myself), but most everything is my imagination.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

I just love Sunny Kennedy the heroine. I love her sass and spunk and her naivety. She’s a person who I could see as a friend in real life.

How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

I actually liked all my characters. Not that I’d want them all in my life if they were real, but I can understand why each one is the way that they are. Life wasn’t always fair to them, so I can sympathize with them and understand them all J

Which character speaks the loudest, to you? Do any of them clamor to be heard over the others?

Definitely Sunny spoke the loudest. LOL Although I have to admit I got along well with Judson. He liked his humor toward Sunny.

What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

I’m always drawn to contemporary romances. I can’t name specific titles because I have so many authors and titles I adore. As for reading time, I used to devour a few books a week, but that isn’t the case anymore. I do always carry a book with me and sneak in some reading time when I can J I alter my reading tastes between romance and true crime.

If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

I’m going to be selfish and ask to go into my upcoming release with Entangled Publishing titled Bachelor’s Special which releases in June. I’d love to be the main character Jill. Not only is she a chef, but I just love her personality and the way she handles herself. Plus, I’m sure I’d love to get the chance to cozy up to her hero Chet. YUM!!

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

First off I’d choose true crime author Ann Rule. I love her books and have read each one. She’s had an interesting and long career and I know we’d have an amazing conversation. Then I’d love to meet Jennifer Probst. I recently read her book The Marriage Bargain and loved it. Her characters were so fun and I can’t wait to read her other books. I’d also love to meet Lori Wilde. Again, I have read several of her books, I’ve talked with her on facebook, and I truly respect her.

How do you get past writer’s block or distractions like the internet?

I don’t believe in writer’s block. I think there are days or times words just flow and other times they don’t. As for avoiding distractions like the internet…that is a tough one. I basically just have to kick my own butt off line. Lol Again, some days it’s harder than others. lol

Favorite book from childhood?

The first book my mom bought me and that I read was THE KITTEN TWINS...I still have it. Torn and tattered it’s a happy memory for me J

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

A better question is do I ever write in anything but my pj’s? lol I actually am a total comfort girl and wear scrubs and a tshirt when I’m home most of the time. They aren’t really my pajamas, but close enough J

Name a place you'd love to visit someday?

Any of the Hawaiian islands.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Read, read, read and you’ll only improve your own writing by seeing how other authors handle certain situations and scenes.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my books J I hope that they always leave you with a smile on your face J

Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

I live in a small town and had to run to the post office one morning. I ran out the door wearing my scrubs and tshirt and my slippers. Lol I noticed it when I was halfway there and basically said…who cares? We all lived to see another day, so it’s good J

Speed Round:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:

The last thing PI Sunny Kennedy wants is another man telling her what to do, until she meets sexy detective Judson Blackwolf while working a cold case.

Pen or pencil?

Pen

Milk, white, or dark chocolate?

Milk

Dogs or cats?

Can’t pick…love them both. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats J

Pie or cake?

Cake

Plotter or pantser?

Plotter

Coffee or tea?

Tea

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

The ability to move at lightening speed. Think how quick I’d do housework and then I could get down to writing J

Thanks again for visiting with us, Christine. It was great to have you! Lots of luck with your current and future books!

And thank you for having me…I had a great time!

Feature Week: Midnight Fire Series by Kaitlyn Davis - Interview and Giveaway

Ignite - Goodreads

Simmer - Goodreads

Blaze - Goodreads

Scorch - Goodreads

I'm very excited to be bringing you a week of posts about the Midnight Fire series by Kaitlyn Davis. First up, an interview with Kaitlyn!

Hi Kaitlyn! Welcome to Phantasmic Reads :)

So...Buffy is a big influence for you?

YES! Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite TV show of all time. Obviously, Buffy is a kick-butt heroine, but there is so much more to that show--forbidden love, deep friendships, world-ending action, laugh-out-loud jokes. Buffy taught me that you can laugh and save the world at the same time--that genre lines were made to be blurred.

Do you love Angel as much?

Hm...tough call! I think as a TV show, something was lacking--they took too much of the humor away (I need me some Xander!). But as a character, Angel is fantastic! And he was the first Hollywood crush that I remember having :)

Any other favorite shows and/or movies?

I love the 90s! Dawson’s Creek and Friends round out my top three favorite television shows of all time! Add in some Sex in the City, The Vampire Diaries, Game of Thrones, and Homeland, and I am good to go!

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Anywhere and everywhere! Starbucks and my couch are probably the top two, but I also frequent the library, parks, and occasionally my desk :) Normally, I like to write in the afternoon, but if I’m on a roll I’ll keep going until I fall asleep mid-sentence!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

This is totally bizarre, but I wrote every chapter of the Midnight Fire Series to be just about seven pages single-spaced! It started as a way to make sure I was using enough vivid detail, but then it just became normal. I don’t think I’ll repeat that technique ever again, but for these books it worked!

What are your pet peeves?

Really quiet, repetitive noises! Leaky faucets may be my downfall...

What's your guilty pleasure?

Reality television! It is not uncommon for me to marathon-binge on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or The Voice.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I love photography! I actually designed the covers myself :) I also semi-play the Ukulele, but I want to take lessons to improve a bit.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

EBooks! I love traveling with an entire library on my person at all times! But if it is a book I love, one I know I’ll read a dozen times, I’ll splurge and buy it as a hardcover.

What are you currently reading, or what did you recently finish?

The Clockwork Princess ! I can’t wait to find out what happens between Tessa, Will and Jem--I am SO Team Will!

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

No point... unless my mother is coming for a visit!

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

A little bit of both! There are no scenes or characters completely based on real life events/people, but I’ll steal some character traits here and some sayings there.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

So tough! I definitely fell in love with my two leading men, but I have to say my main character Kira has got to be my favorite! She is thrown so many curve balls and her life is turned completely upside down, but she manages to keep it together and persevere. I love a girl who can kick some ass and doesn’t let the boys fight her battles!

How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

Ooh, that one makes an appearance in the later books so I don’t want to give anything away. But you’ll probably know when you read it!

What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

Definitely not as much time as I would like, but I do squeeze it in whenever I can! Some of my favorite authors are JK Rowling, Cassie Clare, Richelle Mead, Robert Jordan, Tamora Pierce, Lynne Ewing and more!

If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

I want to go to Hogwarts!! I want a wand to choose me, I want to play Quidditch, I want to step on platform 9 ¾, I want my own owl and I want magic! :) Obviously, that would be Harry Potter!

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

Tolkien to learn the intricacies of world building, Cassie Clare to learn how to break my readers’ hearts (and put them back together again!), and Shakespeare because damn he had a way with words.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

As often as possible...

Do you have any pets?  

I WANT A DOG!!! Sorry, huge puppy lover! I can’t wait until I can afford one!

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Write the story that speaks to you--the one that latches on and consumes your thoughts until putting it on paper is only way to stop thinking about it!

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you!!

Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

Oh yes! Proudly :)

Speed Round:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:

Heart-pumping action. Heart-stopping romance. Characters you’ll fall in love with. Scenes to keep you reading until dawn.#MidnightFireSeries

Pen or pencil?

Fine-point sharpie!

Milk, white, or dark chocolate?

Milk... yum...

Dogs or cats?

DOGS!

Pie or cake?

Cake :)

Plotter or pantser?

Total plotter.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee... lots and lots of coffee...

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Flying!

Thanks for letting us get to know more about you, Kaitlyn!

Kaitlyn Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. She's been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to finally share her work with the world. She currently lives in New York City and dreams of having a cockapoo puppy of her own.

Where to find Kaitlyn:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

There is a tour-wide giveaway for an ebook set of the entire Midnight Fire series (four books) to three different winners! Fill out the Rafflecopter below, and good luck!

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[Blog Tour] Spotlight & Author Interview - An Affair to Dismember by Elise Sax

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An Affair to Dismember
The Matchmaker Series, Book One
Elise Sax

Genre: Comedic romantic mystery
Publisher: Ballantine (Random House)
ISBN: 978-0345532220
Number of pages: 320
Word Count: About 80,000

Book Description:

Certain to appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Katie MacAlister, Elise Sax’s hilarious series debut introduces matchmaker-in-training Gladie Burger, who stumbles into a dangerous quagmire of murder and red-hot romance.

Three months has been Gladie Burger’s limit when it comes to staying in one place. That’s why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family’s matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What’s more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still, Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has “the gift.” But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.

When Zelda’s neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family’s drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor’s death was murder. It’s not too long before she’s in way over her head—with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she’s unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued—either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/sox1nLfSEmY

Amazon | BN | Wal-Mart | BooksAMillion | Goodreads

Praise for An Affair to Dismember:

“Elise Sax’s new Matchmaker series is off to a rousing start! . . . Sax gives the comic mystery genre a new spin. . . . A fun read sure to entertain.”—RT Book Reviews

“Fans of laugh-out-loud romantic suspense will enjoy this new author as she joins the ranks of Janet Evanovich, Katie MacAllister, and Jennifer Crusie.”—Booklist

“Elise Sax will win your heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

“In the tradition of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, Elise Sax’s new novel is a funny, sexy ride.”—Valerie Frankel, author of Four of a Kind

“What a fun book! It will leave readers begging for more.”—Kim Gruenenfelder, author of There’s Cake in My Future

Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before trying her hand at writing fiction. She lives in Southern California with her two sons. An Affair to Dismember, the first in the Matchmaker mystery series, is her first novel.

Where to find Elise:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | YouTube | Huffington Post

Welcome to Phantasmic Reads, Elise! It's nice to have you here today!

Thank you so much for having me here!

You've had some interesting careers. What type of journalism were you doing in Paris?

--I mostly did television and radio, based at UNESCO, which is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. In other words, I interviewed loads of people on all kinds of topics, from the war in Bosnia to fashion shows to the Human Genome Project to genocide in Rwanda.

How did you go from journalism to private investigator?

--I wanted to make more money! And I thought…I can do research, I can interview people. So, I started working for an investigation firm in New York.

Did you have any really strange or interesting cases as a PI?

--Yes! But if I tell you, I would have to kill you.

You mention in your bio that you're taking dance. Is there a specific type you're learning, or is it all different types?

--All different types, but my favorites are swing and salsa. I wanted to learn to dance my whole life and finally one day I walked into Arthur Murray and said, “Give me a good-looking young man to dance with.” And they did!

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

--All right. This is just between you and me… I love to write in bed while I watch TV. I doubt Nora Roberts writes that way.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

--Besides writing in bed while I watch TV?

What are your pet peeves?

--Computers losing my work. I have all kinds of backup programs, but it still happens on occasion.

What's your guilty pleasure?

--Oh, that’s a no brainer. CHOCOLATE. Any kind, but See’s is my favorite.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

--Don’t tell my editor because I’m supposed to always be writing, but I love to read, play the piano, dance, and travel.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

--Yes, but I don’t kiss and tell.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

--I’ve never read an ebook. I bought a Kindle, but I’m afraid of it. However, I’m sure once I get over the fear, I will love it. For now, my favorite is a big, thick hardcover. A hardcover always feels like a real treat for me.

What are you currently reading, or what did you recently finish?

--I finally read Eat, Pray, Love.

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

--I have a duvet. So, making the bed just means straightening out the duvet in the morning. That way, I can be lazy yet relatively tidy.

What are three things you never leave the house without?

--My keys, my sunglasses, my sense of humor.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

--I get a lot of inspiration from real life weird news stories. And I had a Grandma Zelda, but she wasn’t psychic or a matchmaker.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

--The tea shop owner Ruth Fletcher. She says it like she sees it.

How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

--Oh, that’s a hard one! I mean, they are all my creations so it would be like not liking one of my children. Besides, if I don’t like a character, I kill him/her.

Which character speaks the loudest, to you? Do any of them clamor to be heard over the others?

--The series is written in the first person, in Gladie’s point of view. So, it’s her voice that I hear telling the story.

What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

--No, I don’t read nearly as much as I would like to, but I still buy piles of books. I love all genres, from romance and mystery and science fiction to classic literature.

If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

--Oh, I would so love to have a fairy godmother! I would ask her to put me in Outlander before Jamie Fraser meets Claire. Why? To deflower him!

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

--Shakespeare (just to hear him speak), JK Rowling (because she is my idol), and God (I mean, he wrote a hell of a bestseller).

How do you get past writer’s block or distractions like the internet?

--I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

Favorite book from childhood?

--The Hotel New Hampshire (I was precocious.)

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

--Do I ever NOT write in my PJ’s?

Do you have any pets?  Would you like to share pictures?

--We adopted a black lab “Dolly” from Labrador Rescuers last year.

Name a place you'd love to visit someday?

--I’ve never been to Bora Bora, but it looks amazing.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

--Keep writing. Nobody got published by giving up.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

--Yes! Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoy the Matchmaker series. It’s like a little miracle that the story I write (in my bed while watching TV) can give pleasure to others. I’m very grateful.

Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

--Or forgot to wear my bra and my shirt was actually see-through? Or there was food on my face, stains on my clothes? Or my skirt was tucked into my underpants? Uh…Yes.

Speed Round:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:

--An Affair to Dismember is a funny story about Gladie, her psychic matchmaker grandma, sexy love interests, and murder.

Pen or pencil?

--Pen

Milk, white, or dark chocolate?

--Milk

Dogs or cats?

--Dogs

Pie or cake?

--Oh, can I pick both?

Plotter or pantser?

--Plotter

Coffee or tea?

--Coffee with my cake; Tea with my pie

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

--The power to heal. Oh, that would be a lovely superpower.

Thanks so much for spending time with us today, Elise. It was a pleasure!