Catching Up with Susie Medwell

Hi, folks! Come on in and grab a chair.

Today we have the talented Susie Medwell with us, chatting about writing across the genres, time management and more. Her newest release, the contemporary romance Text Me, Tweet Me, Need Me, just hit the e-shelves a few weeks ago. She’s contracted with three publishers and has also ventured into the ever-growing self-pub world. She also pens erotica romance as Zara Stoneley.

Susie, Text Me, Tweet Me, Need Me brings into focus the unavoidable presence of technology in today’s dating scene and relationships. What inspired you to add this modern twist to your first contemporary romance? Writing is all about what-if’s. I find social networking/dating fascinating – in theory it lets us meet people we might never have otherwise bumped into, but can we really ‘click’ with someone we meet in cyberspace? And what if that someone isn’t really a stranger? Couple that with the fact that I’m a firm believer that we find love when (and where) we least expect it and I had a story I really wanted to write.

 Your heroine is a journalist. Do you have any experience in the field? How much research did you have to do? I did some freelance work many years ago, and also have friends who work in journalism so my research could be done over a glass of wine (my favourite type)!

 Having read some of your erotic romances before, I couldn’t help but notice that although the sex scenes in this book sizzle, they are tamer than those in your other works. What are the main differences between the sex scenes in an erotic romance and those in a very steamy contemporary romance? For me, it isn’t the actual language and content of the sex scenes that differs between erotic romance and steamy contemporary romance, it is the reason the scene is included. In an erotic romance the sex is an integral part of the story – it affects how the relationship develops and the characters grow – you can’t remove the sex scenes without damaging the story. In a contemporary romance you could remove the sex scenes (or make them sweeter!) without affecting the story, as the development of the relationship and the growth of the characters aren’t dependent on them. In contemporary romance the trend today is to avoid purple prose and call a spade a spade, so the language is still ‘to the point,’ as it is in a more erotic story. In one of my erotic romances though, I might push the characters boundaries during a sex scene so that they can overcome some issue (e.g. of trust), however in ‘Text me’ the issues are resolved outside of the bedroom!

You just got started as a published author just over a year ago and you already have quite a few books out. What’s your secret for being so prolific?  I actually don’t feel as though I am prolific! I really wish I had more time to write, and could type quicker, as I have so many ideas and stories I want to tell. For a few months last year I was between jobs and the extra time made an enormous difference to my writing. I’m working part-time at the moment and finding it much more difficult, as my warming up time each day (at least an hour before I really get in to the swing of things) eats up too much of my actual writing time. I suppose the answer to your question is that I have a real desire to tell the stories that are lurking in the back of my mind, writing isn’t a chore, it’s a love and a necessity!

 À la Twitter, can you please describe your book using 140 characters or fewer? One hot text can lead to another, but can secrets from the past destroy every hope of passion in the future?

 

AUTHOR BIO

Susie has been writing stories for as long as she’s been reading them – it’s rumoured that she’s related to Elizabeth Gaskell so it could be in the genes! She submitted her first novel, a thriller, when she was twelve years old but as she hit her mi- teens her tastes shifted from action to romance. She was soon addicted to alpha heroes, and what could be better than writing about them?

She’s had an exciting and varied life, which feeds into her stories... she’s got an Honours degree in Computer Science ...a teenage son... a cat...a cottage in the English countryside...and her own sexy alpha hero! She loves sexy high heels...good food....good wine....music...coffee (lots and lots of coffee)... and sunshine, so whenever she can, heads off in search of the sun and inspiration for her stories. Susie also writes erotic romance as Zara Stoneley.

WHERE TO FIND SUSIE -

Website - http://www.susiemedwell.com

Blog – http://susiemedwell.blogspot.com

Twitter - @SusieMedwell

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/susiemedwell

Amazon author page – http://amazon.com/author/susiemedwell

 

 

BLURB

TEXT ME, TWEET ME, NEED ME
A Lyrical Press contemporary romance.

Texting and tweeting can lead to trouble when the truth gets out…

Dating your boss is bad. Finding out he’s married with a baby on the way is a whole lot worse, but losing your job when you show him the door really sucks. And when he knows all your family secrets, there’s bound to be trouble. But the job Samantha’s got lined up can put her life back on track. One last date for research purposes before she can finish her article on online dating–then she’s a man-free zone, and it’s serious journalism all the way.

Ben has only one thing on his mind: to keep the promise he made to look after Sam. All he has to do is work out how he can support a girl who distrusts men, hates charity, and definitely doesn’t want rescuing. He thinks he’s come up with the perfect solution, until he realizes it’s his heart, not his money he needs to invest.

But can Sam see past the lies and learn to trust a man again? And more importantly…will Ben still want her when he learns about her past?

CONTENT WARNING: Contains hot texts, sexy showers, a girl who can pack a punch, and lasagne.

 

BUY LINKS – Amazon (UK), Amazon (US), Lyrical Press, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, ARe  

Catching Up with Jenny Brigalow

Morning, folks! Are y'all ready for a HOT rodeo rider?

The talented Jenny Brigalow stopped by to catch up and tell us about her debut romance, A Man for All Seasons. Gosh, don't you just love her cover? She's also giving away a copy of her ebook, so please leave a comment!

The Blurb:

When successful rodeo rider and racehorse trainer Chad Cherub steps off the plane at Heathrow, love is the last thing on his mind. He’s travelled from Australia to do a business deal with the wealthy entrepreneur and racehorse fanatic, Walter Driscoll. However, he soon finds himself distracted by Wally’s gorgeous daughter, Seraphim.

Sweet, spoiled Seraphim, a gifted dressage rider, is also distracted. Engaged to the eminently suitable Barry Wellington-Worth, the arrival of cool, confident Chad forces her to re-examine her life. When she discovers the devastating truth that she does not love Barry, and learns that Chad’s cook has been injured, Seraphim jumps at the chance to take up the position on his remote property and scape the confines of her English life.

In the great dust bowl of the Australian Outback the couple find they have more in common than horses. Their love blooms as they work hard to start a new life together. But Seraphim’s family, and the past, threatens to tear them apart. It is only when the truth is laid bare that the barriers are broken own

What inspired you to write A Man For All Seasons?

A visit to the Outback. It's just so vast and the people that live there are  so tough and resilient. Such a contrast to England's gentle, green terrain. It was wonderful to be able to bring the two contrasting landscapes together between the covers of a book.

Describe A Man For All Seasons in 140 characters.

Love overcoming all the odds in the Outback

What actor or actress would play Chad and Seraphim in a movie?

I'd love to see two fresh faces! There are so many talented young people out there just waiting for a chance.

What advice would you give someone experiencing writers block?

Firstly,  I'd say don't worry too much . I think that a writing block is just part of the process. It will go away! I've got a few ways of dealing with it. Sometimes a break helps. (A cuppa and bit of chocolate helps most things.)  Also, going out for a walk seems to oil the cogs. Cheers my dogs up too. When it's a major hurdle I get out the pen and paper and start scribbling. I use flow charts to try and create a new path. And always I try to remember that this is my story. My place. And my people. I can do anything. So, when in doubt, go nuts. You can always come back and change it.

 

What's next for you?

I'm busy polishing another romance, set in north Queensland based around the rodeo scene. And also I'm researching for a YA fantasy series that I'm developing. And finally I'm writing the third and final novel for my Overlander trilogy. Lots to keep me out of mischief.

BUY LINKS: Steam eReads

Amazon

Amazon UK

Interview with Kamy Chetty

Today, the talented Kamy Chetty is here with us to talk about her release. And there's a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

Kamy, what inspired you to write Falling into Paradise?

The characters. I started with the what if question/ What if there was this drop dead gorgeous playboy who was the sheriff of this small town, in walks this city slicker who is cute but has all these rules you have to follow. She prim and proper and the total opposite of him who is a total charmer, wouldn’t you want to lock them in a room, turn on the heat and see what happens?

Describe Falling into Paradise in 140 characters or less.

Two people who are afraid to love or trust for different reasons, are thrown together by fate and their mutual attraction for each other. Sophie must rely on Damon to help clear her of charges brought against her by the family of the woman he once loved. As their attraction grows so does the danger and when Paige, Sophie’s sister is rescued from the foster system and placed in her care, things become more than complicated as Damon faces the things he’s missed and ached for. But is that life a dream and is the playboy willing to risk his heart once again.

What actor and actress would play Damon and Sophie in a movie?

That’s easy- Damon would be played by Ian Somerhalder of course because that’s the Hottie I looked at when I was writing him and Sophie will be played by Charlize Theron

What advice would you give to someone experiencing writer’s block?

It’s really hard but it helps to have a routine, like music, I have the same playlist I play when I am writing the book. I light scented candles and prepare my office and my workspace, then I play my special playlist and then I am off.

If it’s bad, try walking or some other exercise. And if it’s really bad and nothing you do helps then don’t waste that time- use that time to edit another piece of work.

 

What's next for you?

I have another book coming out in June, it’s not tied to this- it’s a medical set in the US. The story is Nick and Skylar. He is an ex-marine- yes I have a thing for men in uniform. But I already have calls for Wolfe’s story so that needs to be written and I have a few ideas for that book so watch this space.

I have a thing for men in uniform, too! Your book sounds intriguing. Good luck! Kamy has kindly offered to giveaway a copy of Falling into Paradise to one lucky commenter. Be in it to win it, folks!

 

Kamy Chetty was born in South Africa. She is now settled in New Zealand with her family. She began her career as a nurse but she is now a published author. Her novel FALLING INTO PARADISE (genre: sexy romantic suspense) was recently released by RED SAGE.

 

 

 

 

BUY LINKS:

Red Sage Publishing

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble