Action, Romance, and Feel-Good Family...

Are all recipes Whimsical Publications has cooked up to keep you warm and happy this fall. Check out these great new releases!


 

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Falling in love was the last thing on Marcie’s mind when she came to Milan from Philadelphia and got a great job in an international company—where a charming Italian named Roberto happens to be her closest coworker.

When Roberto tells her about his unhappy love affair with another woman, Marcie is deeply moved—and at the same time realizes that she has fallen in love with him. Roberto seems to be falling in love with her too. But how could he even think of starting a love affair right after ending another one? He is bound by ties he can’t escape—a wife he doesn’t love and a seriously ill daughter he cares very much about. She wasn’t sure she wanted any part of such an ill-fated affair.

Marcie falls into a restless sleep burdened with this realization. She awakens the next morning in Roberto’s body. This has to be a dream, she thinks, until she goes to her office and collides with the real Roberto—who has just had a dream of waking up in her body. As even stranger events follow, Marcie begins to wonder, suppose they were really in each other’s bodies? Can forbidden love be that strong?

 

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 Everything in thirteen-year-old Tim McGrew’s life stinks. It was bad enough his dad left, but even worse, he must move to his grandparent’s remote ranch on Nowhere Mountain, leave his friends and school behind, and give up playing baseball.

He loves his whacky grandma and enjoyed summer visits at the ranch backpacking and horseback riding with his
grandpa. But now Grandpa is dead. And Tim and his dog, Tiny, are the only males in a house full of women. To top off his problems, Grandma adopts a wild burro from the Bureau of Land Management and expects him to train it.

Tim hopes it’s true that Grandpa’s ghostly vibes still linger around the ranch because he needs help taming the long-eared donkey with a noisy bray, and even more important, needs advice on how to get his parents back together. 

 

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It is December 2012 and the world is on edge about the foretold end of humankind. 12 follows multiple characters
through the Mayan prediction of the end of the world. While battling for their lives, these individuals come up against natural disasters of every kind. Go on a thrill ride with Peyton, a teenaged babysitter who suddenly finds herself protecting her charge amidst devastating tornadoes. Join college student Lily Singh while she struggles to survive earthquakes in a foreign country. Follow scientist Kyle Phelps as he discovers the local volcano is about to erupt and there is nothing he can do but try to outrun it. There’s even the tale of an entire nation sinking to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, taking along its inhabitants and possibly the American news crew sent to broadcast the events. Will humanity be able to persevere as it always has? Or will they slip silently into the night, returning earth to its original owner, Mother Nature?  

New! Loving Roberto

 

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Falling in love was the last thing on Marcie’s mind when she came to Milan from
Philadelphia and got a great job in an international company—where a charming Italian named Roberto happens to be her closest coworker.

When Roberto tells her about his unhappy love affair with another woman, Marcie is
deeply moved—and at the same time realizes that she has fallen in love with him.
Roberto seems to be falling in love with her too. But how could he even think of starting a love affair right after ending another one? He is bound by ties he can’t escape—a wife he doesn’t love and a seriously ill daughter he cares very much about. She wasn’t sure she wanted any part of such an ill-fated affair.

Marcie falls into a restless sleep burdened with this realization. She awakens the next morning in Roberto’s body. This has to be a dream, she thinks, until she goes to her office and collides with the real Roberto—who has just had a dream of waking up in her body. As even stranger events follow, Marcie begins to wonder, suppose they were really in each others' bodies?  Can forbidden love be that strong?

EXCERPT: 

Flirting. It was a part of the local language. The Italian way with words, wayward and enticing. Inevitably, Roberto had abetted and encouraged her. Or maybe he had started it, and she had unconsciously fallen in step. Non importa. What did it matter why it had happened? This was Italy, where accidental love was thing to be embraced, not resisted.

Even so, her growing closeness to Roberto had seemed perfectly innocent to her—right up until that painful moment last Friday when he had confessed his affair with the other woman. And then came the weird dream this morning.

Starting from today, being close to Roberto while keeping them both out of trouble—and out of each other’s shoes—was definitely not going to be easy.

At the end of the afternoon, Roberto materialized in her office.

He approached her desk silently, the same way he always approached her in the conference room. This way of walking in on each other was a habit they both had developed recently. There was nothing premeditated about it. It was a kind of secret code, a way of saying “we belong to each other,” and it was so subtle that nobody would ever notice they were doing it. Other colleagues in the department always paused in a co-worker’s doorway to announce themselves before entering. Barging right in to someone’s office was considered rude.

“Oh, Roberto,” she said, and turned to face him.

Unlike Marcie, he was impeccably dressed in the clothes she had lovingly selected from his drawer. He seated himself without waiting for an invitation—another breach of office etiquette that they allowed themselves—and waited. She knew exactly what he was waiting for. He wanted her to con-firm that nothing had happened this morning.

“Too late for coffee,” he said. “Couldn’t get free in time, sorry. Desolato.”

She waved a hand dismissively. This was not about coffee.

“Roberto, we have to talk about what happened this morning.”

“Happened? Something happened?” Roberto glanced quickly down at his chest as if he half-expected to see something unusual there. Then he looked up, visibly relieved. His appearance—cardigan, pants, and all—was perfect.

Marcie studied his face. It was a disturbed face, but not a seriously frightened one. It was at a level of two or three on the panic scale, not a seven or eight as she had seen on his face the time the whole sound system went down the evening before the annual stockholders’ meeting. Obviously, he had not taken in the full measure of this thing that had happened. She would have to break it to him gently.

“Roberto,” she said with forced patience, “did you have a weird dream before you woke up this morning?”

He nodded. “I did.”

“Of course you did,” she said.

In order not to break the news to him all at once, she added, “I guessed it when I bumped into you in the corridor. You looked kind of tense and headachy. That’s how I could tell you probably had a bad dream.”

It did not sound convincing to Marcie, but Roberto nodded.

“So tell me, what was it? Did you dream you were in my apartment in Milan?”

“Yes, that’s it exactly!” He looked surprised.

Marcie was speechless for a moment. She had only figured this out for herself after mentally going through her own motions over and over. Only after reviewing her own bizarre morning trajectory had she worked out in her mind what must have been Roberto’s parallel experience. Not until he spoke the words was she quite sure that it had happened this way, that it was an exchange of bodies—that it had happened not just to her, but to him.

“And in this dream, did you imagine that you were me?” she asked cautiously. “I mean, like in a dream, of course—were you, in this dream, inside of a woman’s body? And did you get dressed by putting on this awful sweater?” She held up a tatty sleeve for his inspection. “And these pants?” She stretched her legs out before him. “And then did you take the subway from my stop to the office?”

“Exactly,” he said. He shook his head doubtfully. “You always amaze me, Marcellina. How did you know what I dreamed?”

“Because, um, I don’t know how to say this, but let’s just say that I thought I was you this morning. I woke up in your apartment, in Treviglio. And I was in your body. And I had to drive your car to the office. And then I bumped into you and sort of bounced back in my own body.” She paused. “And Anna Maria was still asleep when I left. She must have worked late last night, am I right?”

“Right,” he said. “Hey, how do you know that?”

“Because, Roberto, I don’t know how to say this, but I think maybe it really happened.”

Dead silence.

“Roberto?”

Silence.

Whimsical Publications' Author of the Week: Destiny Booze

About Destiny: Destiny Booze grew up at a campground in Virginia where her childhood was full of hard work. There was also an element of excitement as she met a large variety of diverse people with widespread tales about fun and adventure. She grew into a young lady with a very active imagination.

Destiny attended Virginia Western Community College for two years. Her writing career began as a community journalist, yet creative writing was always her passion. In May of 2009, she released her debut romantic suspense novel, Altered Beginnings.

Other titles by Destiny Booze: Predetermined Endings (2009), The Curse of a Mind (2010).

Destiny resides in Botetourt County, Virginia with her husband, son and house full of pets where she strives to be the best wife, mother and writer that she can be. Her family is always priority number one. Other things of great importance to her are friends, and YOU, the readers!

Find her here: http://www.destinybooze.com/

And check out her book Altered Beginnings!

 

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The headline in the small town newspaper read Girl Missing, Presumed Dead or Worse.

Leigh Lawson returned to Nags Head, North Carolina after four years with a huge shock. That big and bold headline was about her! Everyone thought she was dead!

The truth was that she was doing well. While gone, she had gotten clean from drugs and worked hard to get her
bachelor’s degree in engineering. With her life back on track, she returns home in hope that she will receive a warm welcome. Instead, she gets the townsfolks' disdain.

Everyone hates her, everyone except Jason Altarez, an ambitious and resilient reporter with his sights locked on
Leigh. He chases her with oozing charm and romance, but does he really want her or is he after his next story?

Leigh’s life soon spirals out of control when the police recruit her for an undercover assignment. They want her to go back to the life of her troubled teenage years, back into the drugs, and help them to bring the local drug supplier to conviction. It may be Leigh’s only chance to redeem herself with her family and friends. If she can complete this one assignment, the town will forgive her. The only problem is that she needs to figure out how to stay alive in the process…

Jason is her continuous partner through it all, proving his dedication to her as he struggles to keep her safe. Leigh
wants to believe he is a man of his word. She wants to believe that her heart isn’t completely foolish for falling for him, especially when she discovers evidence that Jason may be working for the very drug dealer that Leigh is trying to have arrested. Will he betray her in the end or will he demonstrate the most romantic notion of all – that love at first sight truly exists?

Whimsical Publications' Author of the Week: Janet Durbin

About Janet:

I've been told "remember us when you're famous" by several people I know, especially after they heard I've written three books. But that is not my intentions.

My intentions is to have something out there for people to enjoy, to talk about, to wonder where in the heck the idea for that book came from. Not for fame and fortune.

After is a creation from love, love for my son. It became something fun and exciting when he moved away from writing to other things. Stolen is a continuation of that fun, and Vengeance will close out that trilogy. But, fear not, other books are in outlined form for those characters. Drayco, Shyanne, and Drizzle are too near and dear to my heart to let them end so suddenly.

Innocence Taken was a step out of the norm for me. I seldom swear, much less use the type of language used in that book. But it too was fun to write. It was a challenge. A challenge that forced me to step out of my comfort zone. And I feel I met that challenge. More books with Nature and Web are planned; and who knows, they may be just as graphic. Just make sure to keep all the lights on when you read them.

I have other ideas ready when the time arises for me to get to them. And as long as there are people who want to read my books, I will continue to write them. Even if people forget who I am, I will still write. For it is not my intention to be famous and without privacy. It is my intention to fulfill a dream, which I am doing...one book at a time.

Hugs to all my readers.

Find Janet here: http://www.janetdurbin.com/

And don't miss her great scifi/adventure book After!
 


Buy meHave you ever wondered what the world would be like if something created by the government escaped? What if it was  a virus, a virus so deadly it killed incredibly fast? So fast that a cure was out of the question. What would you do?

Journey with me to find out how the twins, Shyanne and Drayco, handle the outcome of just such a virus, and how the  world around them seems to have fallen back in time to an era before technology, an era where the sword rules.

The twins become separated shortly after the deaths stop. Over time, they begin looking for one another when the  longing for family fills them. After they find each other, they learn that someone else is looking for them, as well. The  Boss wants Shyanne badly. Why—they don't know—but they're going to find out.

With their animal companion, a genetically altered mountain lion named Drizzle, the twins embark on a cross-country  journey. They encounter many obstacles along the way, but the worst is a mercenary named Ruben. He will stop at  nothing to accomplish what he is paid to do, even if it involves killing his own men. Unfortunately, he succeeds in getting Shyanne.

Now Drayco must survive his biggest challenge, a challenge filled with pain and suffering, if he is to help his sister  survive the Boss.

Whimsical Featured Author: Celia Yeary

About Celia: Celia Yeary is a seventh-generation Texan, and her life revolves around family, friends, and writing. She has five  published romance novels, one short story in an anthology, four “coming soon” novels, and published essays with a local magazine.

Celia is a former science teacher, graduate of Texas Tech University and Texas State University, mother of two,
grandmother of three, and wife of a wonderful, supportive Texan.

Find her here:  http://www.celiayeary.com/

And don't miss her great novel Heart of a Hero!

 

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Matt Carrington escapes a terrorists’ prison while in the Army, but he has difficulty escaping the trappings of a
demanding fiancé and his own parents. To get away to think, he meets pretty, girl-next-door Lauren Delaney, the kind of woman he desires. But his fiancé and his parents have other plans. They determine to have their way—no matter what Matt wants.

Lauren Delaney is an independent young woman who quickly befriends the soldier hero who comes to town. Knowing he has another life in Dallas, she holds a secret, too. But she pretends neither have a problem in order to have the summer with him.

During the long hot months, a hurricane almost destroys the town. Matt and Lauren work with a team to save as many residents as they can, and in the process fall deeply in love. When the danger is past, the two lovers suffer from their own lies and misunderstandings. Can they find peace and happiness without hurting others?

EXCERPT:

By eleven-thirty, Matt entered the River Café. He smiled when he saw his table with a reserved sign on it. He chuckled to himself, thinking she was going a little over-board, but it made him happy.

Lauren spotted him immediately and walked quickly to him, as though she had been waiting and feared another
waitress would get to him first.

“Hello. Would a small table by the window be all right, sir?” she asked formally with the menu clutched to her chest.

Matt grinned. “I see it’s reserved for someone. Maybe I could just sit at the bar.”

“Oh, I think I can pull some strings and let you have it. The person who reserved it is so good-looking he’s probably out beating off the girls. May I seat you?”

Now, he laughed. “Yes, ma’am, pretty lady, you may,” he said in a whisper as he leaned toward her.
He heard her suck in her breath a tiny bit. Maybe his nearness made her nervous, because she stumbled slightly as
she turned toward the table.

“Would you like tea with lemon?” she asked with mock politeness.

He only nodded slowly at her, while he gazed into her eyes.

Lauren stared back and didn’t move for a moment.

“Be right back,” she said, but paused a beat before she walked away.

As soon as she left, a paunchy middle-aged man approached his table. “Hello, there, son. Name’s Leonard Elkins. You are Matthew Carrington, are you not?” He rocked back on the heels of his highly polished dress shoes.

Warily, Matt studied the man in the striped dress shirt and blue pants held up by bright red suspenders. Without
standing, he replied, “Yes, sir, I am.”

“May I sit for a moment while you wait for your drink?”

“Be my guest.” He didn’t want to be impolite, but he thought the man acted a little too impertinent.

“I’ll get right to the point, seeing as how I have a short lunch time today. Bonner has an Old Settler’s Day every year at the end of August. You know. Carnival, food booths, bands, and speeches. The Chamber of Commerce would like it if you would be part of our celebration and allow us to introduce you as a gen-u-ine hero. The introduction would come between...”

“Hold on, sir. I must decline. I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t do speeches, or...”

“You needn’t speak,” he interrupted, “if you don’t want to. Just let ’em see you. But we’d really like a speech. It would...”

“Here’s your tea.” Lauren stood so that her back turned slightly to Mr. Elkins. She gave Matt a regretful look and
walked away.

“No,” Matt said firmly but politely. “I cannot. I will not. Please understand.”

“Well, I’m just not going to take ‘no’ for an answer,” he said, as he snapped his suspenders with his thumbs. “Consider this. As I see it, you’re somewhat obligated to help us out here. We paid your salary, you know, when you were in the U.S. Army. Look at it that way. Taxpayers pick up the tab, so we’d appreciate it if you would give us a little in re-turn. We’re not asking much, mind you, only about fifteen minutes or so of your time. I’ll give you a couple of days to think it over. You’re staying out at Eleanor Carrington’s place, aren’t you?”

Matt stood and placed a twenty on the table, retrieved his ball cap, placed it on his head, and began to walk out.

“Now, see here, young man,” Leonard called after him. “I was only being neighborly, welcoming you to town. No need to get all riled up.”

Hearing this statement, Matt turned back around and towered over the short, stocky man.

“Sir, good day,” he said in a low voice. “And don’t ask me again. The answer is ‘no.’ It will remain no until hell freezes over.”

In an attempt to keep his emotions under control, he walked as sedately as he could out the door. “Damn, damn,
damn,” he muttered as he moved down the sidewalk a few feet. His lunch with Lauren as his waitress was ruined. Not only did he not get to eat, the man prevented him from speaking with her. No way could he stay in there. “Damn!” he said once more for good measure.

Interview with Linda Swift

We have Linda Swift here to share about her writing and herself! Drop a comment to win a copy of her book, Single Status!

WP: What do you write?

L: I write a potpourri of genres – contemporary and historical fiction, short stories, poetry and articles.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

L: I write whatever story clamors loudest to get out of my head, and it is not always the same genre or even what I had planned to write next.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

L: Reading wonderful books as a child sowed the seeds of wanting to write stories myself. I was an only child and I've had imaginary characters in my head since very early in my life.

WP: What inspires you?

L: I'm inspired by people and their lives, either those I have observed or those I've read about. I find historical people and events attract me now more than current situations.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

L: I indulge in what a writer friend calls "creative procrastination." I do busywork on the computer, write letters, organize files, or read other authors.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

L: The one whose story I am currently working on. I relate to that character and suffer and rejoice with them and miss them when I finally let them go.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

L: I think I may try a Regency someday. I have read some recently that have more depth that those I previously read and that has inspired me to try my hand at it.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

L: I hope they will remember my characters as I remember some from books read long ago. I think this is the highest honor an author can achieve.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

L: I'm focusing on promoting the books I had released in 2011, especially Single Status which was a Whimsical publication. I am also getting some short stories ready for print.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

L: You can visit my website at www.lindaswift.net or my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/home.php?clk_loc=5 or my author page on Amazon where you will also find all of my available books.

Interview with Tara Manderino

Tara Manderino is here to talk about herself and her writing! Drop a comment below and have the chance to win a tote bag and a free download of Heart Quest, the book that follows False Notes.

WP: What do you write?

T: I write all over the place, it seems. Paranormal / vampire, Christian, Regency, Historical U.S.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

T: I love each of the genres I write -- when I’m there. It’s not so much that I pick the genres as the characters tell me where they fit. I’ve had some pretty hairy moments. In my historical U.S., of which False Notes, the first in a series is with Whimsical Publications, there are two secret service agents. Their stories lead them to trouble and romance throughout the country. While I was finishing up False Notes, which I tend to think of as Simon’s story, I could hear Luke (the other agent), telling me to hurry it up. I needed to get to his story and while I was dithering, his romantic interest, Maj, was getting further away. The man would not shut up. And when he wasn’t talking, he was stomping around in his boots. Very annoying. He finally settled down when I was half way through his story.

These men are men of action, but very much of their time, 1874, U.S. The world was a fascinating place: constant discoveries, the transcontinental railroad, and overall faster moving than the decades before the Civil War. As secret service agents, they were among the first of their breed. Their role was primarily seeking out counterfeiting then later expanded to dealing with issues of national security.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

T: When I realized I couldn’t afford my reading habit -- somewhere around third grade, I thought there simply had to be a way to get more books. It finally dawned on me -- actually, I think my father told me -- someone had to write those books. After that, I kept a yellow pulp tablet and a BIC ballpoint pen under my bed for some time. This was heady stuff. In the parochial school I attended we didn’t get to use ink until the middle of third grade! I think my parents felt sorry for me, and by the next Christmas I had my very own (toy, but working) typewriter. It only typed in caps, but I was a happy person. I used that typewriter for about 3 years when I graduated to a real one.

WP: What inspires you?

T: Everything and nothing.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

T: I would like to say I never get writer’s block, but it’s simply not true. The best way for me to overcome it is to -- not write. I either totally immerse myself in some major house cleaning project or a different craft. When I get caught up in either, all these little people in my brain start yammering at me to finish and please get to the keyboard already.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

T: They’re all my favorites! I love each one of my heroes, although Simon from False Notes, is holding the place of honor at the moment. He’s very confident, always on the move, a bit brash, and yet is totally blown away by the heroine.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

T: While most of my books have an element of mystery to them, I haven’t written a straight cozy mystery. I think I should enjoy doing so but haven’t got around to it yet.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

T: I want readers to be entertained, to be taken away to a different time and place, at least for a short while. I want the reader to experience the adventure of the emerging frontier along with Simon, Luke, Kirsten and Maj in False Notes, or the ball rooms and country side of the English Regency and the gentle caring and loving that weaves its thread through all of my stories.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

T: Heart Quest, was released two weeks ago. This is the second book to President’s Orders, of which False Notes was first. I have another vampire / urban fantasy book coming out at the beginning of February.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

T: I love connecting with readers and other writers! You can find me on the web at:

Website: http://tjmanderino.webs.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taramanderino

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TManderino

Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/TaraManderino/

Interview with Brieanna Robertson

Author Brieanna Robertson is here to talk about herself and her writing. Drop a comment to win a free download of one of her titles!

WP: What do you write?

BR: I write contemporary and fantasy romance with humor in most everything, even the serious stuff.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

BR: I think they chose me actually. Lol. I’ve been writing love stories since I was in middle school. It’s just what I’ve always seemed to be good at, and I like to tell love stories that have more of a real world feel to them. Not always the fluffy fairy tale with a neat and tidy happily ever after, but characters with real world flaws and obstacles to overcome to be with one another. I think that love really can conquer all, but it’s work and it takes effort. I like to tell stories of characters who are dedicated enough to one another to put forth that kind of effort.

And I love fantasy because I’m a bit of a rebel. I don’t like following rules so fantasy is fun because I have the freedom to make up my own. I also love creating worlds and creatures straight from my imagination.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

BR: For as long as I can remember, I have never wanted to be anything else. Even before I could write coherent sentences, I was making up stories and adventures in my head and playing them out with my stuffed animals. For the longest time, I didn’t realize that not everyone thought like that, lol. As soon as I realized that writing was the outlet for those stories, it was the only thing I ever wanted to do.

WP: What inspires you?

BR: Everything. Life, my experiences, traveling, my friends, my relationships. I tell everyone close to me they should watch out because they never know when I might use something of theirs in a story.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

BR: Music mostly. Music and lyrics are my main source of inspiration to help me set a scene or get over a certain obstacle. If that doesn’t work and I have a really bad case of writer’s block, I usually badger a close friend and bounce ideas off of them until something gives.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

BR: Jaide from Amaranth of the Wild Things. He was a very complicated and difficult character. Since he began the story as the villain, it was a challenge to write him redeeming enough for the reader to like him, but dark and ruthless enough for him to be believable. Throughout the process, because he was such a challenge to write, I fell absolutely in love with him and all his problems lol.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

BR: Nope. I tried mystery once a very long time ago and that was a disaster. I’m really horrible at it, lol. I’m happy with the genres I write. Sci-fi would be fun, but I don’t have the technical mind for it, and given my dislike of following rules, that would probably be a disaster too.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

BR: The main message I try to convey in almost all of my stories is to be true to yourself. Follow your dreams and reach for the stars. Carpe Diem is an ongoing theme. I also hope that I can tell a story that evokes emotions from my readers and leaves them feeling fulfilled or inspired in some way.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

BR: My latest release from Whimsical Publications was Stage Presents, Book 5 in the Serendipity Series, a series of mostly lighthearted contemporaries. I also re-released my fantasy novel Warrior’s Rise through World Castle Publications. Currently, I am in between projects, but look for more soon!

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

BR: My main website is www.brieannarobertson.com and you can follow me on my facebook page as well http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Brieanna-Robertson-Fantasy-and-Serendipity/224740111698

Interview with Pat Dale

We have author Pat Dale here to share about himself and his writing! Everyone say hello :) Drop a comment below and have a chance to win a copy of either his book A Girl's Best Friend or Crossed Lines.

WP: What do you write?

P:I write a variety of genres; romance, romantic suspense, sagas, psychological suspense, and YA, but there’s a hint of romance in almost everything I write.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

P: I’ve never figured that out. My first effort was a mainstream novel that went on and on. It involved a lonely man’s quest for a proper companion and spoke of romance, though larger themes such as life and death got in the way of the romantic side of the story. After that, I wrote a group of funny romances, a couple of romantic suspense novels, and a smattering of non-romance books. Now I’m concentrating on mysteries and they also have that hint of romance in them. Can’t get away from it! LOL

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

P: I started writing while in college, but my music got in the way and I didn’t heed my English Profs who told me I should be a fiction author. Forty years later, I slowed down a bit and smelled the coffee. I’d written the first fifty or sixty pages of half a dozen novels over the years but never finished any of them. Then fifteen years ago, I started writing seriously and haven’t stopped yet. Go figure…

WP: What inspires you?

P: A beautiful sunrise or sunset. A rainy day when the water drops spatter over the sidewalk. A girl’s smile. A boy’s absentminded shuffle down the street. You name it and I get inspiration from it.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

P: Writer’s block usually occurs when I’ve written myself into a corner and it doesn’t play forward. If I stop and wait, I’ll get back on track. Sometimes I have to go to something else and get my mind totally off what I’ve been working on. Often, it’s my dips in mood that I mistake for writer’s block. I have very high highs and very low lows, and that affects my work more than anything else. I hate the lows but it’s a part of my system and allows me to have those highs where everything comes together like some kind of magic.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

P: My favorite female character is Molly Dennison, from that first book, (COMPANIONS), yet to be published. She epitomizes my idea of an admirable heroine, brought to a sorry position by factors beyond her control, yet she lets nothing or nobody hold her down. Literally an unsinkable Molly Brown.

My favorite male character is Daniel Quinn, a detective I’m still polishing for the mysteries in my new St. Louis Blues series, the first of which (TOCCATA) will be released next April. He’s a lovable rogue with disparate talents for jazz and detecting, along with an uncanny ability to attract women who can’t resist his charm.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

P: Just one. I’ve always wanted to write western stories, ala Zane Grey. Maybe some day, but at my age it’ll have to be soon. LOL

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

P: A sense of enjoyment and satisfaction from a story well told.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

P: Good news; I’m still alive and kicking. On a more serious note, I have a family saga, set in the eastern Missouri Ozarks due out in January. THE EVIL WITHIN is definitely not a romance and contains vicious scenes not for the faint of heart, including violent rape. The story of a soldier back from the war zone to recuperate from PTSD, hoping to find peace and quiet in his little home town. Instead, he finds the same sort of evil in his town, his family, and in his own heart that he’d tried to escape in Iraq.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

P: My website is: http://www.patdale.net but it’s a bit long in the tooth, due for a makeover very soon.

I also have a new website: http://www.pat-dale.com that will be up and running by early in the new year. It will be dedicated to my mystery and non-romantic writing. I also have an ongoing blog at: www.patdalesblog.blogspot.com where I opine on various topics on a more or less regular basis.

I invite all of you to drop by any of the sites to see where my dysfunctional brain has taken me recently.

Ah, who knows the idiosyncrasies of the human mind?

Interview with Destiny Booze

Hello to author Destiny Booze, who is sharing about her writing this week. Comment below and have a chance to win a free pdf of one of her books!

WP: What do you write?

D: Romantic suspense novels and thrillers.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

D: I write what I love to read! I'm a huge follower of the romantic suspense genre. Have any recommendations for me? Send them my way.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

D: I began writing stories in Elementary School. It was an escape for me, a cheap form of therapy even, and still is. I love, love, love to write!

WP: What inspires you?

D: Everything, anything, or nothing. Friends, family, acquaintances, strangers. I'm a people-watcher for sure. I have a very active imagination and it frequently roams to places that I cannot explain. :)

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

D: Reading! If I get stuck at a certain spot in my story, I will reread it from beginning to end, and most often, that will get me back into the plot where I need to be. Or, I will take a step back and read something relaxing and entertaining, then return to my story. The creative juices usually take off again.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

D: Garrett from The Curse of a Mind. He is the autistic brother of the heroine. Writing from his point-of-view was a definite challenge, but his character really came to life for me, and he is my favorite character thus far! I truly fell in love with him.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

D: I've played around with a little science fiction and fantasy storylines that may turn into something in the future. We shall see.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

D: Hope. I believe in people. I think they can overcome any trial life throws at them, and the characters in my stories often do have to overcome some serious hardships from their pasts.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

D: I have a release scheduled for November 28, 2011! I'm so excited! It's called Accelerating Circumstances, and here's a blurb.

Jenny is different. She can read people’s minds.

At age seventeen, Jenny Reid was arrested for killing her own mother. There was no evidence that an intruder entered the house. No one believed her as a teenager when she tried to tell them how she felt the killer’s rage saturated within the walls, that she knew the presence of evil had been there. The police thought she was crazy, not psychic.

A conviction was never made in the case due to lack of evidence. Jenny is still the sole suspect, but now, she is doing something about it. She’s on the right side of the law, an FBI agent determined to finally find justice for her mom.

Two men stay by her side—William, her partner, a darkly intense agent with a scary past and Nate, a bad boy with too much charisma to be a good thing. But, no man will keep her from finding out the truth about her mom. The time has come to set things right.

Nothing will stand in her way. She’ll come up close with evil again and face the ultimate choice—kill or be killed in these ACCELERATING CIRCUMSTANCES.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

D: I'm all over the place out there. If you see me, be sure to say hello! Here's a few specific links to catch me.

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Destiny-Booze/152893818389

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/destinybooze

You can also find out more about me, my books, and where to contact me through my website at http://www.destinybooze.com

Interview with Danielle Thorne

We have author Danielle Thorne sharing with us today! Comment below to win a free copy of a book of your choice penned by this awesome author!

WP: What do you write?

D: I'm a sweet romance writer concentrating on the contemporary and historical genres. This next year will be the release of my first Young Adult paranormal.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

D: I love history. The romance and adventure of the past is very real, and I hope to bring it to life as I create characters that I would like to meet. Writing contemporary romance is fun because there is more freedom to write from my own experience of places and situations.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

D: As soon as I could write sentences down and string ideas together I understood that I had an outlet that allowed me to escape and create. My second grade teacher made early predictions.

WP: What inspires you?

D: Traveling and experiencing new things really jumpstarts my creative juices. Also, watching classic movies and reading good books can inspire ideas.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

D: I have to walk away and let things stew for a while. However, the only real solution to writer's block is discipline, pure and simple.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

D: My favorite character I've created is Captain Julius Bertrand from THE PRIVATEER. I suppose I'm drawn to mysterious personalities, so I enjoyed portraying a complex character that not everyone gets. On the other hand, I know now that I have more writing experience I was far too close to him, but that doesn't change the fact that I'll always be enamored of him.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

D: My first paranormal will be released in 2012. This is definitely new territory for me.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

D: My wish is that readers will fall for my characters and enjoy a little getaway and adventure. I also hope to provide them with clean fiction and sweet romances that they can share with their friends and family.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

D: This October I traveled to Kentucky for a four author book signing where I gave away copies of one of my ebooks and signed print copies of Whimsical Publications', JOSETTE, my first Regency Romance that has really made me proud.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

D: My official website is http://www.daniellethorne.com

Readers can follow my blog at: http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com

Chase away those cold winter nights...

With this great anthology!




Buy me

When the cold of winter sets in and your body shivers, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, a warm blanket, a comfy chair and a good book. Join the authors as they share stories that will scare you, thrill you, delight you, break your heart and entertain you, all set with a winter theme.

Hearts of Fire by Regina Puckett
Mantequero by Jenny Twist
Christmas Angel by Sharon Donovan
Till Death Do Us Part by S.M. Senden
Long Winter by Paul McDermott
Christmas Hope by Jane Wakely
Burgers and Hot Chocolate by Angela Adams
Saving Santa by Melissa Hosack
If Only by Janet Durbin

EXCERPTS:

Fiction-Winter Anthology 2011
Whimsical Publications,
LLC/paperback, 174 pages
December 2011
$11.95

ISBN-13: 978-1-936167-66-1

--Christmas Hope--

Another Thanksgiving alone. Karen sighed as she took the cookies out of the oven. She wondered briefly if she should sell the bakery and move to Florida to be closer to her parents. She immediately
discarded the idea. She loved her shop, Delightful, and she worked hard to make it a success in this town, which she loved just as much.

Karen had grown up in Woodland Springs and wanted to live the rest of her life here. She’d dreamt of opening a bakery in the small town and did everything she could to make that dream happen.

She had other dreams, too. She wanted to get married and start a family. She wanted to be surrounded by friends and relatives. Unfortunately, while she’d stayed close to home for school, most
of her friends had traveled to far away colleges and never came back except on holidays. Her parents got tired of the cold winters and moved to Florida. She had made new friends, of course, but
sometimes she longed for things to be the way they used to be.

The holiday season was the worst time of the year for Karen. Not for business, but for her personal life. Maybe she should take a vacation. She would, but she didn’t want to close the store during the
busiest time of the year. The day after Thanksgiving, everyone started to come home for Christmas. Woodland Springs bustled with all of her old friends coming home to spend a white Christmas with
their families and share the experience of the Christmas Carnival with their children.


--Christmas Angel--

“I want an abortion,” Eve hissed, glaring at her husband as he struggled to control his SUV during a complete white-out on the northbound lane of Lake Shore Drive. Gusts of bitter wind howled, sleet pummeled the windows, turning one of Chicago’s main arteries into a car graveyard. She cranked up the radio, fiddling until she stumbled upon a rock song to her liking. “And I want a divorce.”

“You’re drunk,” Oliver said, dark eyes flashing in the oncoming traffic. “We’ll talk about this when you’re sober.”

“I’m not drunk, and we’ll talk about it now,” Eve said, turning up the radio a notch. “I’m sick to death of your self-righteous attitudes. Your constant moralizing drives me mad. I only had a few drinks. It was a Christmas party, after all.”

“A few drinks?” Oliver snorted, skidding on the off-ramp from Stevenson Expressway. “Don’t make me laugh. You were tilting back that Sangria like it was cherry soda. You’re pregnant and shouldn’t be drinking at all. You shoulda seen yourself out there on the dance floor in that skin-tight red dress, rubbing up to all the male jockeys, shimmying and kicking up your stiletto heels like you were a
contestant in Dancing With the Stars. You looked ridiculous. Everyone was laughing and pointing. Honey, you made a royal ass of yourself.”

--Mantequero--

June stood at the edge of the precipice, the wind whipping at her clothes as she looked down into the crevasse. Far below, the river was a tiny silver snake. An eagle circled beneath her, its wings stained red with the light from the setting sun. What would it feel like, she wondered. What would it be like to just lean forward and launch yourself into the void? She imagined herself gliding on the warm air currents, floating, gradually going down, down... You would just have to flex your legs and arch your arms upwards into the air. Unconsciously, she flexed her legs.

“No!” Strong fingers gripped her shoulders and pulled her back from the edge.

She turned to look at her would-be saviour and smiled.

He was a young man, tall for a Spaniard, and pale, but with that arrogant beauty so many young Spaniards had. His eyes were so dark they were almost black below the sweeping lashes.

“Hello, Beautiful,” he said.


--Hearts on Fire--

“Look at those eyes! They’re absolutely gorgeous.”

Even with two heavy trays precariously balanced under each arm, Jordan managed a quick glance in the direction Katie was pointing, but didn’t get to see too much of the man her friend was gushing
over before one of the trays began slipping. She leaned sideways to compensate for the extra weight and when that didn’t help; she wrapped the ends of her fingertips around the edge of the tray to try to keep it from dropping onto the floor and splattering green beans everywhere. With one knee balancing the tottering tray and the other leg braced inwards to offset the awkward position, she gave
a snort of disbelief. “Really, you’re drooling over Santa Claus?”

Katie reached over and grabbed the tray Jordan was trying so desperately not to drop onto the floor. “Don’t be silly. That’s not the real Santa Claus.”

With thirty children under ten years of age milling around, Jordan didn’t want to begin a long, drawn-out conversation about whether or not Katie still believed in Santa Claus, so she set the remaining
tray onto the nearest table and nodded. “You might be right, but even if that is true, the guy is way too old for you.”

Katie set the green beans next to the Jordan’s tray and spun around again. She was quiet for a moment before declaring to everyone within listening distance. “I don’t think so. He appears to be
close to our age, but then it’s really hard to tell with that ugly beard covering up most of his face.”


--The December Bride--

Missy Dewing Jenkins believed she had finally achieved what she had worked so hard to get in her life. It had taken her over forty-eight years and two failed marriages to get it, but she was sure things would now be just as she had always dreamed they would be, because she believed that finally, at long last, she had arrived.

It was the first of December and her wedding day. She had always dreamt of a winter wedding, the world dressed in white and her own dress as pure white as snow. The night before Mother Nature had
obliged her by making the world a winter wonderland, six inches of new snow glistened in the sunlight like sugar spilled across the landscape.

She loved the snow, the winter and the cold. She had been called an Ice Maiden before and it had pleased her. It sounded so clean, so perfect, and so much like the woman she aspired to be. Now it
was all coming true like the Snow Maiden’s dream of her Prince of Winter who rescues her.

Missy knew she had found her prince. At last she had married Kevin Jenkins, the man of her frozen reveries; the man who was going to fulfill all her hopes and dreams.


--Burgers and Hot Chocolate--

All of Main Street heard Bing Crosby crooning “White Christmas” from Sparks Café. Huge silver bells and glittery red garland decorated the streetlamps. Bright, colorful Christmas lights hung in store windows. As a dry, brash cold nipped the air, a soft dusting of snow sprinkled the cars and sidewalks. The white flakes added to the festive mood that spread through the quaint, coastal village of Magic
Lake Island. More snow was being forecasted for later in the week. It appeared Bing’s dream of a white Christmas had a good chance of coming true.

As I strolled along the brick path, I mingled and exchanged friendly greetings with the holiday shoppers. This was the aspect of small town living I enjoyed the most. Practically everyone knew each
other, and often for those who didn’t, tossing a smile or a pleasant nod was still the norm. Even if they had just passed each other in the supermarket no more than thirty minutes beforehand, folks always
greeted one another as if they hadn’t been together for years. It was the Friday before Christmas and the town folks celebrated the merriment of the season.

I turned the corner and trotted up the freshly swept steps of a red brick building. Easing open the door, I stepped inside and felt the immediate hot rush of radiator heat. The room was nearly filled to
capacity. Parents, grandparents and anyone with an attachment to a school-age child ambled through, searching for available seats. In typical Magic Lake fashion smiles, hellos, and handshakes
were being exchanged.

This afternoon was the Magic Lake Elementary School Holiday Concert. Framed by evergreens with strings of holly and twinkling lights suspended from the ceiling, the auditorium looked cheerful, warm and inviting. I stood by a pair of double doors in the back which had a pine wreath hanging on each wooden panel. Pulling off my wool gloves, I scanned the massive hall for a vacant seat. While I
wanted to be able to see and enjoy the show, I felt the choice seats upfront belonged to family. I was just a volunteer in the After School Program. I helped by serving snacks, assisting with playground
activities, aiding children with homework, and playing board games with them while they waited for parents to pick them up after finishing work.

"Miss Theresa, Miss Theresa, you’re here!”


--Long Winter--

“And for tonight's weather… There’s no end in sight for the current freezing conditions, I'm afraid…“

Tom sighed, and turned the radio off. “So true…“ The words, although he'd spoken them sotto voce, without conscious thought, ricocheted accusingly around the spartan tiled kitchen. There were no drapes, curtains or other softer surfaces to restrict the madcap mocking cacophony in the crockery.

'Talking to yourself again; it'll get you locked up if someone ever hears you,' he thought to himself and shrugged. What were the chances of anyone intruding on his late night loneliness? All but zero, he told himself as he debated whether he could really be bothered to brew another pot of coffee. Besides, it was a bad habit, and one he had to lose before it became a problem.

In a fortnight he'd be writing May on his correspondence, and Britain had been Iceland.com since…he paused and thought back. There was no doubt about it: mid-October. Six months, already, and no end in sight. Who'd have thought winter in the UK could ever last this long?

For no reason, a melody threaded its way through his brain, and he knew immediately it would haunt him for hours on end. Such melodies and their associated lyrics invariably did. He'd discovered a long time ago that this was one of the drawbacks of being a writer. For no apparent reason, he recalled that he’d first heard it as a child, on a pre-recorded BBC Music program designed to help non-
specialists to teach young children to sing.


--If Only--

Her father normally ran the business, but he was home sick. Mother felt obliged to stay with him, as usual, hence the reason she was here instead of home studying. She didn’t mind, though. It made her
feel good to be able to help her parents.

Sitting on the tall stool, Jenny looked down at the book lying open on the counter before her again. It was math, one of her worst subjects. She hated this class, but knew it was necessary if she was going to graduate in the spring.

Several hours passed and darkness blanketed everything outside before she knew it. The lights inside the store were bright enough to allow her to see the math problems easily, though, so she
returned her attention to the pages. She was intent on having her homework finished as soon as possible so she could enjoy the rest of the weekend.

It startled her when the door chimed, because she never saw lights from a car indicating anyone had arrived at the store. She looked up at the person or persons entering the building with a sigh of relief.
Customers allowed her to get away from the torture of school work for a little while. There were three people, all of them young men. Jenny didn’t recognize any of them which was unusual because her father’s store was the central hub for the residents in this part of town. There was no other place to get gas and small groceries. Two of the men were shorter and had blond hair. The third was tall. His long, dark flowing hair mesmerized her. All three were very handsome, but he stood out to her the most.

“We need beer. I bet its back here,” one of the blonds said as he hopped toward the back of the store.

“Mercedes, you stupid nut, what do we need beer for?” the other blond asked as he followed.

“Because I want it…that’s why.”

The dark haired man remained close to the counter, staring at Jenny. His eyes were as black as the night. They were captivating.

She felt uncomfortable, her heart racing. She wasn’t sure what his intentions were. Was he going to rob the store? Were he and his friends going to attack her? Or were they just there for beer?

“Raymond, you want any?”

The man wearing a white t-shirt, black leather pants and a long black coat never took his eyes off her as he spoke, “No, not this time, Ben.”

“Suit yourself, man. Your loss.”


--Saving Santa--

I’ve always been a big fan of the Christmas season. As a child, I would stomp through the snow-covered woods near our home to pick out the perfect tree with my father. The two of us would then
drag it home where my mother and sister were waiting with warm eggnog, another holiday favorite. Every year, I wrote a letter to Santa, believing in my heart that he would read it with care.

As an adult, my love of the holiday hasn’t diminished. I now live in a big city, so I’ve traded in the fresh pine for a fake tree equipped with built-in twinkly lights. Nowadays, I spike my eggnog, too. I still write
that letter to Santa, but I no longer mail it to the North Pole.

With all my gusto for the holidays, nothing prepared me for the couple that stood expectantly outside my apartment door. I’d just finished lugging my tree up from storage when I heard the persistent
knock. Dropping the awkward box, I threw open the door with a cheery smile. “Hell…o…” I trailed off in
surprise.

In the hallway were a man and woman, both no taller than four feet. They were dressed in attire that would have fit right in with the Christmas setup at the mall. They wore green and red elf costumes
made of a fine looking velvet, their outfits completed by little bells on the tips of their shoes and hats.

“Cara Faulk?” the woman inquired in a squeaky yet angelic voice. On my stunned nod, she continued, “I’m Emma. This is Bernie.” When the man didn’t respond, Emma elbowed him in the ribs,
finally producing a cordial nod. “We’re…” She glanced at Bernie before turning back to me with a winning smile. “We’re here to congratulate you on your sweepstakes winning! You’re in for a real
treat. You’ve won an all-expense paid vacation for the weeks leading up to Christmas.”

Interview with Regina Puckett

Whimsical author Regina Puckett is here to share with us today. Comment below and get a chance to win a free copy of her novel Waiting for Mary Elizabeth!





WP: What do you write?

R: All of my stories are sweet romances.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

R: I love writing about falling in love. I began swapping short stories with a good friend in the eighth grade. Things were going well until my mother found out. She was quick to put a stop to my new writing interest, but even a mother can’t stop what is meant to be. Even at that young age my stories were more about the beginning stages of falling in love than what happens after the wedding.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

R: I can’t think of a better career to have. Words are powerful things. Writers create worlds that millions of other people can go visit for a short time. Writers can make people laugh or cry. There are people out there that actually create brand new worlds from nothing more than their imaginations.

There’s no other job out there that let’s me create the perfect man or a love that lasts forever.

WP: What inspires you?

R: Little things catch my attention and they slowly worm their way into my thoughts and daydreams. I find myself wondering, what if… Of course then I have to pull all of those what ifs together and make a complete story out of them. My biggest what if came from a dream I had several years ago. I dreamed I had to raise another woman’s child. The real journey came the next day when I couldn’t get the dream out of my mind. I slowly built on the dream for about three years until I decided I had to write all of my daydreams down and before I knew it I had the first book in my Warren family series.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

R: I hate writer’s block. It really stopped me in my tracks on book four of my Warren family series. It kept me blocked for about three years. I would write four chapters and then come to a complete roadblock about where the story was going. I would hate everything about the book so I would tear it all up and completely start all over again. I went back to the beginning five times on Love’s Great Plan. I actually wrote book five and had it completely edited before I understood my two main characters in book four. Once I understood my main characters the book was easy to write. I really believe the only way to get over writer’s block is to keep writing.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

R: Gregory Blackwell is the man I wish every man could really be. He is my main character in my newest novel, Waiting for Mary Elizabeth. He is not only gorgeous and sensitive but also has so much integrity. He’s the man every woman wants for a partner.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

R: I envy writers who write good mysteries. It would be great to be able to create such a good puzzle that the readers can’t wait to find out what the answer to it is.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

R: I hope to able to keep my readers entertained for a few hours. I know when I read, I like to escape my day to day life and slip into someone else’s shoes for a short time. When it’s a love story, I want to fall in love, and if it’s a mystery, I want to able to solve it before the end of the book. I want to create characters the readers can relate to. I want everyone to care enough to fall in love right along with my couple. When someone tells me that I made them cry or laugh, I know then that my characters were people the readers were able to really care about.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

R: I have a book signing on January 7, between the hours of 2 and 4 for my latest sweet romance, Waiting for Mary Elizabeth. The signing will be at Hasting Bookstore at 1660 Memorial Boulevard, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130.

My short story, Hearts on Fire, will be released in a Winter Anthology at the end of 2011 by Whimsical Publications.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

R: http://reginapuckettsbooks.weebly.com

https://twitter.com/#!/ReginaPucket

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12377576-waiting-for-mary-elizabeth

Interview with Diane Craver

Today we have Whimsical Author Diane Craver here to share about her work and herself. Comment and be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card!



WP: What do you write?

D: I write a variety of genres. I write historical fiction, inspirational romance, contemporary sweet romance, chick-lit mystery, and women’s fiction.

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?

D: I first published in non-fiction but realized it was more fun and a wonderful escape to write fiction. I enjoy giving interesting careers to my heroines and heroes. I especially love writing dialogue.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?

D: I’ve always enjoyed writing but when our oldest daughter Sara was a toddler, I started writing non-fiction. I wrote a partial manuscript, Born to Love, about her and how my faith became stronger as a result of having Sara. It was very therapeutic for me to examine my faith and to learn to give thanks to God for our situation of having a child with special needs. I never finished the book, but several articles about my faith journey were published in various Christian magazines. I also have had articles published in Woman’s Weekly and other publications.

WP: What inspires you?

D: Different things inspire me. It might be something I hear from a television newscast and it makes me think of a story I want to write. Sometimes it might be a personal experience of mine but I will fictionalize it. My historical fiction, A Christmas Gift, was inspired by my father. I had thought of writing a story about him for a long time. His life was hard with his mother’s rejection at a young age so he was raised by various relatives. Some homes were better than others, because he stayed at times with an alcoholic uncle. Even though both parents deserted him, he had a deep faith and was able to be a good father to me and my siblings.

Also I wanted the young daughter to be the one to help her dad with his disability. I thought it fitting that she could make him believe that his obstacle could still be overcome at his age. In turn, he gives her a beautiful gift that comes from his heart.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?

D: I take a break and do something else. Usually ideas will come to me while I’m away from writing so I can return with a refreshed mind and realize what needs to be written next.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?

D: That’s a tough question. There are two characters I probably enjoyed writing the most. They are Whitney Benson and Debby Reeves. Whitney is a former New York producer and moves back home to take care of her ill mother. I can relate to Whitney because she’s the youngest sister and has two older sisters. I happen to have three older sisters so it was fun to write Whitney in Charge with older sisters playing matchmaker to their little sis. And, of course, I have to say Debby is one of my favorites because she’s so like I was at a young age…a brat but lovable. LOL Debby is a character in A Christmas Gift.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?

D: I don’t have any genre I’d like to try.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?

D: I hope my stories will be a wonderful and fun escape for readers. I enjoy writing scenes with humorous dialogue. Before I’m completely satisfied with my work in progress, I must do tons of rewrites. I always try to write the best book possible. I hope my readers will be inspired and come away with a feeling of satisfaction and hope.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?

D: My latest release is The Proposal and it sells now for 99 cents by itself. It was published in a Christmas anthology a year ago with 3 other authors. I’m thrilled to have my sweet contemporary romance available this season on Amazon and Smashwords. Another Christmas book to enjoy is A Christmas Gift and I’m happy to say it’s available in both paperback and ebook. To purchase a copy, visit these sites: Whimsical Publications, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Smashwords.

I’m a contributor to a brand new cookbook! The title is Sweet Sunshine: Baking Sweet Memories and it’s in ebook format and paperback. The authors will not receive any royalty money and all the profits go to a worthy charity. Within these pages, several featured authors have shared a childhood memory, some pictures of us as little kids, recipes, and a few have written a story, complete with artwork and coloring pages. Recipes include; Cookies, Cakes, Pies, Desserts, Fudge & Smoothies! It’s available on Amazon.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?

D: My blog is http://www.dianecraver.com/blog and my website is http://www.dianecraver.com. To read book excerpts and other writing information, please visit my website and blog. If you leave comments on my blog, you’ll be entered to win my frequent giveaways.

Interview with Anne Patrick

We have Whimsical author Anne Patrick here to tell us a little bit more about herself and her books today. Let's all give her a warm hello! Comment below and have a chance to win a free copy of her book Journey to Redemption!




WP: What do you write?
A: Inspirational romantic suspense & inspirational romance

WP: Why do you choose the genres you do?
A: I'm a suspense junkie. It's in my blood. And everyone needs romance in their life.

WP: What made you first want to be a writer?
A: I can't remember a time when I wasn't making up stories in my head. Writing them down just came naturally.

WP: What inspires you?
A: Life. There are stories all around us.

WP: What kicks the brain into gear when you have writer’s block?
A: Reading and long walks.

WP: Who is your favorite character you have created?
A: I have two. Sadie in Fire and Ash, and Maggie in Reservations for Two.

WP: Is there any genre you want to try, but haven’t yet?
A: No. I'm comfortable where I am. Maybe in the future. I write what's on my heart.

WP: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?
A: I not only want them to enjoy the adventure, my hope is that it touched them in some way...inspired them.

WP: What’s your latest news and do you have anything releasing soon?
A: I have a new inspirational, Renegade Hearts, and a new suspense, Kill Shot: Wounded Heroes Book One.

WP: Where can we find you on the web?
A: My website: http:www.annepatrick.weebly.com and my blog: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com