Thursday, August 15, 2013

Dianne Hartsock -- Guest Blog and Giveaway


This post is part of a Goddess Fish Promotions virtal tour to celebrate the 4th Anniversary of Breathless Press. Lots of prizes are up.. so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter at the end of the post. To celebrate today, Dianne Hartsock has stopped by--enjoy!
*****

Hello! My name is Dianne and I'm supposed to tell you five fun and exciting things about myself. Easier said than done! Even though I write in that very delicious genre, m/m erotic romance, my personal life isn't quite that fabulous. Let's see…

No. 1: I'm the floral designer for an upscale, eclectic gift shop where we sell everything from garden/house plants, gifts, music, books and art, with a tea bar and my own floral shop smack in the middle of it all. I have to admit I love my job; most of my inspiration for my characters comes from my customers. Just the other day I was privileged to create a lovely arrangement from a soldier to his man who lives in our area. Oh swoon! Not only did I get to make something beautiful out of roses and alstromeria and gladiolas, but the card he sent with the flowers melted my heart! So romantic. I think that's what I like best. I get to see the fondness and happiness in a person's eyes when they come into the shop to order flowers for the one they love.

No. 2: Even though I drool over a hot sexy m/m romance story, my first love is the simple sweet romances of the turn of the last century. I have a collection of romance novels ranging from the 1880's to the 1920's. Oh gosh, could those authors write! Such pathos and heartache and angst. Such joy and celebration at the endings! You think authors put their characters through the wringer these days? But back then, wow! True love at its finest, with all the drama of self-sacrifice and honor and betrayal and friendships lost that a person could wish for in a romance. They're probably why I make sure all my stories have a happily ever after with their true loves. I wouldn't dream of writing anything different.

No. 3: I have a confession to make. I absolutely and hopelessly love junk food. True! My perfect dream for a foodfest day would be a maple bar with bacon breakfast with cups of hot strong coffee. Lunch would be a feast of nachos and guacamole, tacos and ice cold stout beer. Dinner would be ribs, cornbread slathered with butter, baked beans and more beer. (Anyone else getting hungry?) I'm not a big desert eater, but a rich chocolate cake with layers of chocolate frosting would hit the spot.

Okay, I don't eat like this! But I do indulge on occasion. I mean, come on! These are the simple pleasures of life, right? *wink*

No. 4: Don't tell anyone, but I have a giant crush on one of my gay customers. I know, very silly of me, considering I'm way too old for him and well…not a man. There's that. But anyway, what a doll! Enormous shy blue eyes that can pierce my heart from across the room. Longish black hair that swings down to hide his perfect face. Tight compact body. Oh sigh. His boyfriend's a cutie and hovers protectively around him when they shop. Not jealously, but as if his man is the most precious thing to him in all the world. Buddy, I'd be hovering too! And touching and licking… Well, you get the idea! I haven't used them as characters yet, saving them for something special I have in mind for later this year. *wink, wink*

No. 5: Yes, a love potion! Not really. My last secret, at least for now, is that I'm a huge sci-fi geek. Not that I've ever dressed up and gone to a convention or anything, but I have most episodes of Star Trek, Stargate, and Firefly memorized. Oh, and I own and have read most of Ray Bradbury's stories, more than once, I might add. We have a parade in our town once a year called 'Alien Daze' where aliens from all over the galaxy come to march. And yes, I have dressed in my Starfleet uniform a couple of times, science officer of course in honor of Spock. My husband and I are also planning a visit to Roswell, NM, one of these days to see the big UFO parade there. Yes, I'm a nerd, but harmless!


So! Thanks so much for stopping in. Don't forget to enter the contest for the Kindle give-away. And since I'm a big believer that dialogues should work both ways, please leave me a comment telling me a something about yourself. I'd love to get to know you!

About the AuthorAfter growing up in California and spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, Dianne now live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play.

She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms her hands which kindles her imagination.

Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/diannehartsock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4707011-dianne-hartsock
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Dianne-Hartsock/e/B005106SYQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1361897239&sr=8-1

About the Publisher:
Breathless Press is an e-book publisher specializing in Romance and Erotic(a) stories.

Our mission statement is simple: To provide the opportunity for readers to connect with romance authors through the purchasing of quality e-books at a low price.

Starting in the summer of 2009, Breathless Press came into existence. Since then, we have been producing top end romance and erotic stories for valued readers to enjoy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

17 comments:

  1. What I found most interesting is that you have a collection of romance novels ranging from the 1880's to the 1920's. Wow I would cherish these for sure. Loved the interview.
    Sue B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue! When I was sixteen my Mom gave me about ten novels she'd saved from when she was a young woman. They started it all. :)

      Delete
  2. most interesting? that you're a M/M romance writer...I <3 M/M!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lee! So glad you made it by. Isn't m/m yummy! It's pretty much all I read, as far as modern romances go.

      Delete
  3. Thanks, It's Raining Books, for having me over today!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like learning five things about the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *waves* Hi Theresa! Glad you liked the interview. :)

      Delete
  5. Great interview...must be fun to have inspiration walk right into your shop!

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *hugs* I met a man yesterday with the most gorgeous, impish grin! I'll have to use his lips in a book sometime. :)

      Delete
  6. I love the idea of the old romance novel collection! What a great thing to have! I'd love to read one of those :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura. They're such sweet stories. I cry through most of the book, but guaranteed a happy ending! Thanks for stopping by. :)

      Delete
  7. Thanks for sharing your post and the giveaway. Sounds like a great book and I am looking forward to reading this one. evamillien at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dianne...I'm also a huge Firefly fan. My favorite days are when SCI HD runs a Firefly marathon...or a Dollhouse marathon (like they did recently). I'm a big Joss Whedon fan.

    It sounds like you have a fun job at the gift shop. I'd love that!
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine! I haven't heard of 'Dollhouse'. I'll have to look into it. Thanks for dropping in. :)

      Delete
  9. Hey Dianne :) I'm jealous of Oregon! And your customer crush... He sounds gorgeous :)

    My husband and I recently did a Firefly week and watched the whole season. Planning on Serenity tonight, and then... It'll be back to moping :P

    questingknight4 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

So... inquiring minds want to know: what do you think?