Interview: Maggie Blackbird + Giveaway

Today I have Maggie Blackbird on the blog and we talk about her writing, her debut M/M romance, Blessed, and some of her favorite books and authors.

Even better? There's a giveaway at the end of the post for an ecopy of Blessed AND it's open INT. Enjoy! :)

TBQ: Hi Maggie! Introduce yourself – perhaps in the form of 3 unique, wacky, or fun things about yourself?

Author Interview: Alison Packard

Today I've got Alison Packard on the blog again and this time we're talking about her newest contemporary romance, Playing for Keeps (out tomorrow!). Enjoy!

TBQ: Welcome back to the blog, Alison! Since Kame and I have previously done a couple interviews with you, I’m going to try not to go over the same things again today. So unless there’s something new you want to share with readers about you/your life, shall we just jump right into talking about your newest release?

Interview with Mia Hopkins + Giveaway!

When I was in college, I took a class called prison literacy. It was a long time ago, so my memory of the coursework was pretty vague. I remember learning about adult literacy and the many challenges for adults who are learning to read. But I have very vivid memories of our weekly tutoring trips to a nearby maximum security prison. It was a formative experience for me, and in many ways set me on a path to being a teacher.

I was so happy to read Thirsty, a book that respected and amplified these stories of prisoners who are re-entering into society. I was so impressed with the book that I reached out to Mia Hopkins for my first-ever author interview. She was so gracious about answering my questions, and I hope you’ll enjoy learning a little about how she wrote Thirsty. I can’t wait to read the sequel, Trashed, which comes out in July.

~Jen

And because Jen loved this book so much, she's also giving away FIVE ecopies of it. Info at the end of this post. Good luck!

Jen: First person point of view books are so popular right now, and one of my lingering interests is to write a whole blog post talking about point of view and why it matters. I’ve read tons of books with alternating 1st person POV, and many others from the heroine's POV. But Thirsty exclusively sticks to Sal’s point of view. As an author, did you go into the book with the intention of sticking to Sal's POV or did it happen as you were writing? 

Author Interview: Elizabeth Bright + Twice as Wicked Sale!

Today I have Elizabeth Bright on the blog for a fun interview, to celebrate her debut title (came out fall 2017) which is currently on sale! Buy links and more details below, but first, let's jump right into the interview, shall we?

TBQ: Hi Elizabeth! Please feel free to tell us a bit about yourself first – perhaps in the form of 3 unique, wacky, or fun things about you?

Quickie Interview with Sarah M. Anderson: Alter Ego + Excerpts!

Today I have Sarah M. Anderson on the blog . . . along with historical erotica author, Maggie Chase. Read our little quickie interview to find out who Maggie is, plus learn a bit about their newest releases, including some excerpts! 😃

TheBookQueen: I guess the cat – er, author – is out of the bag. You’re Maggie Chase! Or Maggie Chase is you! However you want to look at it, you’ve been juggling two different writing careers this year. I’m exhausted just thinking about it! What made you decide to write under Maggie Chase? Have you learned anything from the experience, good or bad?

[Author Interview]: Pamela Clare + "Tempting Fate"

Today Pamela Clare is back on the blog with another interview, this time with Kame and Pat. They're talking about Pamela's writing in general, and the various genres she's done, and in particular her latest releases, Tempting Fate!

Kame: Hi Everyone! It has been a while since I have reviewed or done an interview for TBQ. My life with teens has left me little time to read for fun. TBQ has graciously invited me back to talk to one of my favorite authors. Pat and I are very excited about Pamela Clare’s new contemporary romance series based in the imaginary Scarlett Springs Colorado. We are so excited that Pamela has joined us today.

Pamela, thank you so much for joining us. 

Author Interview: Aislinn Kearns

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, AISLINN!

Aislinn is an Aussie girl that loves to travel and see the world. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and History, which she loved, and then went on to do a Masters in an unrelated field. She now largely pretends that last degree never happened.

She is the author of the ‘Soldiering On’ books, a Romantic Suspense series. She enjoys reading, writing, travelling, watching action movies (particularly if they have a romance!), and fantasising about her future cottage in a forest. Now that she’s published, her next life dream is to own a dog.

Where to Find Aislinn:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

TBQ: Hi Aislinn! Introduce yourself – perhaps in the form of 3 unique, wacky, or fun things about yourself?

Author Interview: Erica Taylor

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, ERICA! :) 

Erica Taylor is a mother of two and military wife married to her high school sweetheart. Raised in the mountains of Colorado, she holds a BA in History from the University of Colorado. Erica has been writing stories since she can remember, picked up her first romance novel while on a beach vacation as a teenager, and fell in love with falling in love, with sexy heroes and the feisty women who challenge their lives.

A self-confessed geek, Erica loves anything Harry Potter, Doctor Who or Star Wars, can spend hours in Target with a Starbucks, and truly believes a cat makes a home. Currently living in South Africa, Erica can often be found writing during soccer practice or piano lessons and is not afraid to let dinner burn if it means getting the story out of her head. 

Where to Find Erica:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

TBQ: Hi Erica! Introduce yourself – perhaps in the form of 3 unique, wacky, or fun things about yourself?

[Author Interview]: Jessica Peterson + Giveaway!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, JESSICA! :) 

Jessica Peterson began reading romance to escape the decidedly unromantic awkwardness of her teenage years. Having found solace in the likes of Mr. Darcy, Jamie Fraser (OMG love the gingers!), and Edward Cullen, it wasn’t long before she began creating tall, dark and handsome heroes of her own. 

She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Mr. Peterson, and her smelly Goldendoodle Martha Bean.

Where to Find Jessica:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

TheBookQueen: Hi Jessica! Can you tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself?

[Author Interview]: Jess Michaels!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, JESS! :) 

Jess Michaels always likes the "good parts" when she reads romance, so it makes sense that she writes erotic books. She is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of over 50 novels and novellas. When not writing, she enjoys being a geek and trying to keep the cat from scratching the furniture. She lives in Tucson with her husband.

Find her online at www.authorjessmichaels.com, on twitter (@jessmichaelsbks) or on facebook (JessMichaelsBks)

Jess Michaels is a pseudonym for author Jesse Petersen (urban fantasy).

Where to Find Jess:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

TheBookQueen: Hi Jess! Let’s start out with something simple: tell us a little bit about yourself, and what made you decide to start writing. 

[Blog Tour -- Author Interview]: Elizabeth Varlet + Giveaway!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, ELIZABETH! :) 

Elizabeth Varlet is a nerd at heart and spends way too many hours binging on episodes of her favorite television shows. If you love Doctor Who, Supernatural, Stargate, Star Trek, Sherlock, or Firefly you are already her best friend.

She started writing stories in high school and hasn’t stopped. Now, her characters like to get frisky under the covers – or the stars, they’re not picky. She’s a thirty-something, newly married, world traveler who devours books like they were candy.

Where to Find Elizabeth:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter |Tumblr

TheBookQueen: What inspired the idea for Sassy Boyz?

Elizabeth: No one thing inspired the Sassy Boyz but choreography videos certainly helped. I remember watching Yanish Marshall and Brian Friedman’s version of Breath On Me and I was instantly captivated. Anyone who can watch that and not think it is sexy must have something wrong with them. 

[Author Interview]: Rebecca Hunter!

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, REBECCA! :) 

Rebecca is a writer, editor and translator who has always loved to read and travel. Though she has been involved in book projects for many years, she only recently branched out into writing her own fiction. Actually, writing her first novel was a birthday present to herself... her 29th birthday, in case you're wondering, though possibly not her first 29th birthday.

This first novel dissolved into a complicated mess, but out of its ashes rose a new idea, an idea for an entire series, in fact: Stockholm Diaries. The stories are born from the author's love of and longing for Stockholm as well as all the wonderful romance potential that the city holds for both visitors and long-time residents. And, as you may have guessed, it is also part of the setting for her own private Stockholm Diaries story.

Rebecca has, over the years, called many places home, including Michigan, where she grew up, New York City, San Francisco, and, of course, Stockholm, Sweden. After their most recent move from Sweden back to the San Francisco Bay Area, she and her husband assured each other they'll never move again.

Well, probably not.

Where to Find Rebecca:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

TheBookQueen: Hi Rebecca! Let’s start off with a fun question: tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself.

[Author Interview]: Angela Evans

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, ANGELA! :) 

As a child Angela remembers her mother telling friends that Angela would read anything she could get her hands on, even the back of the cereal box. That changed when she discovered romance novels as a teenager, secretly reading her mother’s entire collection of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and being amazed at how captivating the stories were. She knew that writing romance novels was what she wanted to do for a living.

She has recently finished her soon to be published novel Hiding in Plain Sight and begun writing the second book in the series. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) as well as her local chapter and she enjoys being active in both.

Angela lives in Southern Illinois where she is living her own happily ever after with her husband of over 20 years, their two children, a very spoiled white german shepherd and two equally spoiled cats. When she’s not writing she loves reading, cooking, and photography.

Where to Find Angela:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The_Book_Queen: Hi Angela! Let’s start off with a fun question: tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself.

[Author Interview]: Sasha Clinton

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, SASHA! :) 

Sasha Clinton discovered romance novels at the age of thirteen and has been addicted to the genre ever since. After getting a degree in Chemical Engineering and realizing that there was no way she could ever be an engineer, she decided to follow her passion and write romance novels. Sasha has lived in New Delhi, Melbourne, Manchester and Boston and continues to move frequently. But wherever she is, she’s hard at work on her next book. 

Where to Find Sasha:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The_Book_Queen: Hi Sasha! Let’s start off with a fun question: tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself.

[Author Interview]: Gretchen Rily

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, GRETCHEN! :) 

Gretchen Rily writes sexy contemporary and paranormal romances with strong heroines, bad boys with good hearts, and offbeat humor. A happy hermit, she is eternally grateful her friends let her text instead of call and pull her out of the writing cave every few weeks. She has too many book hangovers, listens to 80s/90s rock music way too loud and eats way too much guacamole. 

Where to Find Gretchen:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

The_Book_Queen: Hi Gretchen! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

[Author Interview]: Rosanna Leo + Excerpt

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, ROSANNA! :) 

Rosanna Leo is a multi-published, erotic romance author. Several of her books about Greek gods, selkies and shape shifters have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Romance and The Romance Reviews. 

From Toronto, Canada, Rosanna occupies a house in the suburbs with her long-suffering husband, their two hungry sons and a tabby cat named Sweetie. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair. 

A library employee by day, she is honored to be a member of the league of naughty librarians who also happen to write romance. Rosanna blogs at www.rosannaleoauthor.wordpress.com

Where to Find Rosanna:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Tsu

The_Book_Queen: Hi Rosanna! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you get started writing romance?

[Author Interview]: Scarlett Cole

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, SCARLETT! :) 

Scarlett Cole is a contemporary romantic suspense / contemporary romance author (represented by Beth Phelan at The Bent Agency). Her debut novel, THE STRONGEST STEEL, book one in the Second Circle Tattoos series, will be published by St. Martin's Press on 07/07/15.

When Scarlett isn't writing, she spends her time reading, hoarding mason jars, and working out to off-set an epic sour candy habit. 

Having travelled the world for work and fun, Scarlett is a citizen of both Britain and Canada. A true city-dweller, she considers Toronto and Manchester home and likes to set her books in vibrant locations such as Miami and Los Angeles.

Where to Find Scarlett:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

TBQ: Welcome to the blog, Scarlett! Or perhaps welcome back, in a way, since we pimped your first cover quite hard when it was first revealed last year. :D

 I know Kame and Pat have both loved your books, so we're all excited to have you here today. I'll let Pat take it away.

Queer Romance Month: Mini Interview with Cecil Wilde!

This mini-interview with one of our contributors is brought to you in support of Queer Romance Month.

QRM runs throughout October, celebrating love stories in all shades of the rainbow in all shades of romance. Join us, and over a hundred LGBTQ+ authors and allies, for essays, flash-fiction and much, much more.

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, CECIL! :) 

Cecil Wilde resides in Australia, accompanied by a cat who takes up most of the bed, a family of possums in the roof space, and more spiders than they’re entirely comfortable with. They write altogether cuter queer romance than their image as a grumpy cynic might suggest.

Where to Find Cecil:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Recommend a book you love, but feel is under appreciated.

Queer Romance Month: Mini Interview with Keira Andrews!

This mini-interview with one of our contributors is brought to you in support of Queer Romance Month.

QRM runs throughout October, celebrating love stories in all shades of the rainbow in all shades of romance. Join us, and over a hundred LGBTQ+ authors and allies, for essays, flash-fiction and much, much more.

WELCOME TO THE BLOG, KEIRA! :) 

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and fantasy fiction, and—although she loves delicious angst along the way—Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.” 

Where to Find Keira:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

A queer romance you'd recommend to a newcomer

Interview with Christi Barth + Excerpt!

WELCOME BACK TO THE BLOG, CHRISTI! :) 

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.  

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.  Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.  

Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Where to Find Christi:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

TheBookQueen: Welcome back, Christi! I know you were here for an interview when All For You came out, so I've tried to come up with some new questions. But first, let's talk a bit about your newest release, Back To Us. In just a couple of sentences, please tell our readers why they're going to love this book.