Monday Moments with Donna Shields and her Deadly Curses.

Monday Moments are with Donna Shields, author of Deadly Curses, who has popped in during her tour to do a fun, short-answer  interview. 

There are some details about the book and read on to find out how to enter Donna's Rafflecopter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

 

Donna shields

You're very welcome, Donna, take a seat and we'll get started! 

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you? When my husband and I first started dating, he would drive by my work and leave me a note or a flower under the windshield wiper blade.
Do you ever write in your PJ’s? All the time.
What are your pet peeves? The people that drive slow in the passing lane.
Cats or dogs? I don’t have either currently, but if I had to pick I would go with a cat. They love to cuddle.

White wine or red?  No wine for me. I’m not a fan. Now if it were rum.... 

Coffee or tea? Definitely coffee.
Vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Chocolate.
What are 4 things you never leave home without? Phone, money, notebook and pen (never know when the inspiration to write will hit.)
Laptop or desktop for writing? Laptop.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? Either early in the morning or late at night when all is quiet in the house.
An actor you have a crush on? It will always be Sean Connery first.
What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? I am absolutely hooked on Once Upon A Time. I’m not completely caught up (only on Season 3) but if it weren’t for classes, a job, and kids I would watch it marathon style!
What made you decide to be an author? I always enjoyed writing and reading stories since sixth grade when my English teacher had us creating stories and reading novels such as To Kill A Mockingbird and Treasure Island. Fell in love.
How did you choose the genre you write in? I’m a paranormal junkie. Anything out of this world is fair game for me. My true love is ghosts.
Is there a particular author who may have influenced you? I can’t say there is only one. I think reading Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Delores Fossen, Julie Miller, and whole host of others had their own influence over me.
What is your all time favorite book? I would have to say Duma Key by Stephen King
What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release? It has to be ‘reverse the curse’ It struck me so funny. Here is part of the conversation:

“This is serious business. The clock has started and there’s no turning it back. We have to reverse the curse.”

Trent raked his hand across the top of his head. “I think you may have lost it. Reverse the curse? Really?”

Brutus barked, wagging his stub of a tail.

Ciarra wanted nothing more than to stomp on his foot.

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one? I would have to say it was Trent. He wanted to really make fun of Ciarra and the whole issue of the curse. I had to rein him in.

Where do you get your ideas from? They pop in my head at the strangest times. Watching Pawn Stars for instance sparked an idea for a new book when I saw some rare coin.
How did you choose your title? I didn’t choose it until I was halfway through edits. And it was a pick between three different choices. I just thought Deadly Curses was it.
How do you cure writer’s block? Most times I just have to walk away and do something not related to writing. That usually works. If not, I find pulling out a notebook and a pen works its own magic. Staring at a computer screen is just unnatural.
Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer? Never give up, never stop writing, and never stop reading.
Great advice, Donna!

Here's more about Deadly Curses: 

Dr. Trent Moore’s life is complete – a no-strings relationship, financial security, and great health – until he is summoned to his father’s grave and discovers a grave robber stole one of his father’s bones … a finger bone. From there, Trent’s seemly perfect world spirals out of control. Strange occurrences happen, and the sexy lead detective informs him a grief stricken mother has placed a curse upon him. As his near death experiences ramp up, and he finds himself falling in love, he’s beginning to believe there may be some truth to it all. But, will he run out of time before he can tell her he loves her?
When Detective Ciarra Pacelli is assigned to a prominent judge’s suspicious death, she doesn’t know her little world is about to be turned upside down. She discovers other possible victims of a deadly Voodoo curse, one being the gorgeous and stubborn doctor. As she becomes wrapped up in protecting him at all costs, she finds she’s fighting against her developing feelings for him. Once she realizes she can’t, she gives her all in finding a cure against the curse that promises to take him away from her for good.

 Buy Links: Amazon

 Published by: Soul Mate Publishing

I’m Donna Shields, author of paranormal romance and romantic suspense – published with Soul Mate Publishing, mom of six, gramma of four precious cuties and wife to an imperfect, yet amazing husband of fifteen years and counting (He’ll say a hundred, roll his eyes, and smile). Psss…I’m imperfect too, but don’t tell him that….

We call the beautiful state of South Carolina our home where there isn’t much hustling and bustling going on, where people are friendly (for the most part-it’s called that Southern Hospitality), strangers wave and say hello with a smile. And it doesn’t hurt being centrally located where the ocean is a mere three hour drive and the mountains no more than an hour and a half away.
I’ve been writing for five years steadily, but have always dabbled with writing short stories here and there. I’m a sucker (no pun intended) for all sorts of paranormal. And when suspense and adventure is thrown in the mix, I’m a truly happy girl. I enjoy writing both genres and at times the lines between the two blur, combining to make paranormal romantic suspense. My heroines are strong, even if quiet. They are independent, yet scarred and in need of a true love. A real hero, one who understands they need their space, but will love them fiercely. The hero may have a hard exterior, but inside he’s a mush ball. And the hero needs that woman who can tame him down a little and love with all her heart and soul.

 Donna’s Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Goodreads | Amazon

Thank you for visiting, Donna. Best wishes for the rest of your tour and for great sales of Deadly Curses. 

Slainthe! 

Enter Donna's Rafflecopter draw here: 

 

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While you are waiting...a sunday Snippet!

It's Easter Sunday and the sun is shining!

The weather has been at its weirdest because on the first of April we had flurries of light snow. Today the sky is clear and the temperature might have topped the 20Deg C mark. 

I had intended to have a new post ready to update on the 'I'm Gonna Build a House' series but the processing of photos is taking a little while - no surprise since I've taken hundreds. 

Till I have the post ready, I'll post an excerpt from my recent release- Monogamy Twist. I've had a few really complimentary words on Facebook from readers who loved reading it. If they put a review on Amazon, that'll be fantastic since reviews really do help to spread the word about enjoyable books.

This scene is from early in the story, from Chapter Four.

“I don’t understand why you were checking all the windows if you’d already broken into one. Your movements were pretty sneaky.”

Her questioning was measured and purposeful. Needed the fine details tuned, did she? Well, he guessed she deserved to know since he needed her to help him one hundred per cent.

 “It’s my job,” he answered, perusing the photographs hanging in a montage on her wall.  

“What? But you said you weren’t…”

“A burglar? Of course, I’m not.” Encouraged by her naive responses sardonic laughter spilled forth. “I’m a Chartered Surveyor. My current focus in the UK is renovation of old properties.”

“So you were checking all the windows as a professional?” That rosy little blush stained her cheeks, though he contrarily wished it hadn’t. “I’m sorry about that.”

Brushing off her apology with a terse wave of his hand, Luke enjoyed telling her more of his farcical story, though she had a cute little way of squirming up her nose when she was working something out, which distracted him from the main purpose.

“What did you mean ‘and that’s history, but not quite’?”           

“My being willed the Hall isn’t as straightforward as it seems. That’s where you can help me.”

He had a gut feeling she was going to be perfect for his needs.

“Me?”

Her bewilderment was exhilarating. He soared up in front of her.

“We’ve established that I’m not a burglar, but you, Miss Rhia Ashton, are a multiple trespasser.” He let his index finger gently mock in front of her nose. “You’ve been trespassing on that property for some time.” His tongue clicked against his teeth. “Disregarding the law.”

“Gus told me it would be fine to walk Thor there.” Her voice faded to nothing.

Creasing his dark eyebrows in doubt, Luke determined Gus needed to be eliminated from her life.

“Neither you, nor Gus had permission to be there. So here’s the thing. Unless you want to go back to the police station and be charged with quite a few offences, I think you might need to listen to the proposal I’m about to put to you.” 

Slainthe! 

Laura Huntley and her Black Eyed Boy.

Happy Friday to you!

Last week it was my turn to be launching a new release from Crooked Cat Publishing, but today it's new kitty Laura Huntley's shot as she lets her 'Black Eyed Boy' fly onto the vitual bookshelves. She's very busy at her Facebook Launch Party  
(there's an open invitation, I believe, to join her -  just click)
but has taken the time to be interviewed by me. I'm very pleased this is happening because it was only yesterday that I realised I had made a huge mistake in not sending on the questions to Laura. But the trooper that she is, Laura returned the answers immediately! 

Hello Laura, catch your breath from the hectic Facebook partying and have a seat. Let's get to know you a bit better....


Thank you for having me over, Nancy. My first novel, Black Eyed Boy, is released today and I couldn’t be happier. What a dream come true.

Tell us about your writing history. When was the first time you decided to write and when was the first time you did? I have been writing since I discovered that cat rhymed with mat. I used to write a lot of poems when I was a little girl. Then, I wrote a fantasy adventure story, at the age of nine, and I knew that was what I wanted to do. I started sending off my flash fiction and short stories in 2012 and I haven’t looked back.

Tell us about your first book? How did you decide on the characters, plots and title? Firstly, I had a main character in my head. Emily is loosely based on my younger cousin. I had to wait for the plot to land in my lap and I was overjoyed when the idea descended on me from out of nowhere. I longed to write something a little bit different and I very much hope that I have. There was a fair amount of research to plough through before I could make a proper start. The internet was handy, I spent a long time in the library and I listened to a lot of music. The title, Black Eyed Boy, came from the song by Texas. It was an achingly perfect fit.

Did anyone influence you / encourage you to become a writer? Writing has always made me happy. It’s an itch I have to scratch and I end up feeling miserable if I go too long between projects. Teachers were extremely encouraging throughout my school days. I always had glowing school reports for my creativity, way with words and imagination. It was a totally different story with maths …

Who would you hope plays the characters in a movie version? Ooh, good question! Last year, I watched a programme, Glue, on E4. There was a young actress on there and I kept thinking that she could play Emily. (to see Charlotte Spencer from Glue click HERE)

Jackson Rathbone

As for Dylan, the only actor I can think of is Jackson Rathbone. He has that sultry smile thing going on and he has lovely eyes.

 (http://www.freeallimages.com/jackson-rathbone/)

Other characters: Julianne Moore as Emily’s mum and Daniel Day Lewis as her dad. Jamie Bell as Billy.

Did you have it all planned out before you write your stories or do the characters and story surprise you?
Black Eyed Boy is my first novel and writing it has been an interesting learning curve. Normally, I’m not particularly strict with myself and I tend to write quite freely. This was entirely different. I had precise notes of what needed to happen, chapter by chapter. Once the characters take over though, they can change my plans quite easily and that’s cool too. They know best.

Which character did you most enjoy writing? Hmm, that’s a hard question. As dreamy and charismatic as Dylan is, I would have to choose Emily. She’s a complex character and I came to admire her bravery and determination to be happy under some truly horrific circumstances. She’s my hero. I hope that anyone who reads my book will root for her as I did.

What would your characters say about you?
Wow. I’ve never been asked that before. That’s an intriguing concept. I think Emily and I would get along well. She may find that I am an older version of her in a few ways. I think that Dylan would laugh his head off that I had quite fallen for his charms. That’s okay. One glimpse at that slow, warming smile and I’d be a puddle on the floor anyway.

What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favourite thing?
I love everything. From that initial spark of the idea and I can’t write it all down fast enough … to the final few words of my manuscript when I’m crying like a fool. It’s an escapism, a beautiful retreat and an overwhelming compulsion. I am certainly at my happiest when I’m working on something that I love.
Editing. Oh my. I really do hate it. It’s the bossy older sister. I just had fun creating this brand new world and then I have to come and clean it all up with a mop and bucket. It drives me absolutely crazy. I can sit for hours, sometimes, merely trying to choose between two different words THAT MEAN THE SAME THING! Thank goodness for brilliant editors, I say. I was lucky enough to have Sue Barnard working with me and she was a fantastic breath of fresh air. I hope to work with her again once I submit the sequel.

Thank you, Nancy, for the fascinating questions. They certainly made me think.

About the Author.

Laura has written since childhood, her head has always been constantly filled with story ideas.

Living in Sheffield with her partner and three children, she is a huge fan of the charming and picturesque coastal town of Whitby, a jewel of North Yorkshire.

She runs a writing group at her local library, encouraging like-minded scribblers to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

Laura’s short stories, flash-fiction and poetry have been widely published in many anthologies. Black Eyed Boy is her first novel. Currently she is writing the sequel, Green Eyed Girl. Emily and Dylan will return.

www.twitter.com/laurahuntley  @laurahuntley

https://www.facebook.com/LauraHuntleyWriter

http://laura-huntley.blogspot.co.uk

Buy from AMAZON UK

Thank you for coming today, Laura, and the very best wishes for a cracking launch of Black Eyed Boy. 

Slainthe!