This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Heatherly will be awarding a $25 Starbucks gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Welcome to It's Raining Books and thanks for agreeing to answer a few of our questions. Did you do any kind of research to determine the details of your characters’ lives / lifestyles?
For All of Me, I had a nice interview with a local midwife in town, also a friend of mine. In fact, I named the birthing center A Little Miracle after the one she runs. My cousin is a cardiologist, so I interviewed him about crazy resident hours.
What is the best book you ever read?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
She never wrote another novel, but really, did she have to? How could you top that?
Who inspires you?
Authors who manage to produce quickly and effectively – like Bella Andre, for one – Shelley Adina, for another - because I’m still working on that process. Also, I’m inspired by authors who don’t give up.
What sacrifices have you had to make to be a writer?
This is an interesting question – I had to think for a minute as to whether I’ve made any sacrifices at all. I have sacrificed TV time – thank goodness for the DVR, right? The other small sacrifice I’ve made is housework – no time to do it, but hey, sacrifices must be made!
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
I can only speak for myself, but I think it makes a huge difference. Often if an author skimps on the cover I wonder if they’ve also skimped on the editing.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
The jury is still out on that – I don’t buy a book based on a trailer, and I’m not sure that many readers do, but I do think they’re so much fun. If I had more time, I’d definitely create one.
What was the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How difficult it is. I understood why so many say they’ll write a book someday, but never do. Or others who start a book and take ten years to finish it. Writing a novel from start to finish is incredibly difficult. I used to feel like it was a huge ball of yarn that kept falling apart, and I kept picking up threads and trying to put them back in place. My solution was to break it down into manageable chunks – Act I, Act II, Act III. As my lovely critique partner once said and I quote, “Dude, writing is hard.”
Truer words were never spoken.
What’s the worst job you’ve had?
I’ve been pretty lucky with jobs, but I think the worst one had to be my first job at Burger King. I didn’t last.
Do you have strange writing habits?
Define strange. If it’s strange to suddenly start talking about imaginary characters and trying to work out a plot point in the middle of dinner with your family, then I have strange writing habits.
What would you do for a second chance with your first love?
Welcome to wine country and the small town of Starlight Hill, California, where the wine flows freely and so does the gossip.
The town has never quite forgiven Ivey Lancaster for leaving their favorite son, Dr. Jeff Garner, when she met a man on an online dating site. But the real truth of her absence is something Ivey doesn't want anyone to know.
When a sudden change of plans forces Ivey to work with her hunky ex, she must keep it professional or risk her heart all over again.
Enjoy an excerpt:
“No, it’s not a good idea. I need wide open spaces when I’m around you,” she added.
“It’s not like you have a lot of choices.”
“Wow. I’ve waited all my life to hear a guy tell me that.”
“C’mon, Ivey. Let me help. Just stay the night and we’ll figure things out in the morning. You don’t have much time to decide, because this offer is going to be rescinded in about ten seconds. And then what will you do?”
“I’ll figure something out!” But she took another pointed look in the direction of the FBI. One thing you could say about those men was that they didn’t look friendly.
“Yeah, and there is the park. Of course, the bench isn’t very comfortable, and Burt won’t let you sleep on it. I tried once.”
“Look, I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“Ten, nine, eight, seven . . . ” He began the countdown.
“Would you stop counting?”
“Five, four, three . . . ”
“Fine! If it will get you to shut up, I’ll stay with you. Temporarily.”
"This is an interesting way of flirting,” Jeff said from the other side of the bed.
What the hell?
“What are you doing in here?" Ivey rolled off the side of the bed and fell in a heap on the floor. "Oh, ow." This floor was so much harder than it looked.
"Are you all right?" He leaned over the side of the bed, shirtless. And who knew what else he was “less.” In all their time together, she’d never known him to sleep in anything but his birthday suit.
Ivey held up her hand. "No! I mean yes, I'm fine, and stay there! Please don't get out of bed."
But of course he hopped out of bed, flipped on the light and was next to her in seconds. “Did you hit your head? And why are you squeezing your eyes shut?”
I won’t look, I won’t look, I won’t look. “I’m okay, you ninny.”
“If you’re okay, then open your eyes and look at me.”
Please let him have some clothes on. She slowly opened one eye and then the other to find Jeff crouched next to her wearing a pair of dark boxer briefs. Okay, not so naked. But still. “I’m looking at you.”
He gazed in her eyes intently—as if he’d lost his keys in there. “Where does it hurt?”
“Oh no, I’m not telling you that.” He’d completely unnerved her with his penetrating eyes and his stupid boxers.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Let’s put it this way: you’re not touching where it hurts. Got it?” Her lower back had taken the worst of it, right next to her ass.
About the Auhor:
She no longer sings unless you count randomly bursting into song to annoy her children (and the dogs).
Heatherly lives in northern California with her family, including two beagles, one who can say ‘hello’ and the other who can feel a pea through several pillows.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004162426412
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Heatherly-Bell/e/B00PCY9WOO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Twitter: @heatherlybelle
Website: http://www.heatherlybell.com/
Buy the book at Amazon - CURRENTLY $0.99
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Fun excerpt and promising storyline!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt best. This book sounds like such a fun and interesting read. I will totally be adding this book to my "to-read" list.
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt so much I read it twice. It was just as good the second time.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteNice interview
ReplyDeleteI liked the interview
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