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