Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway: The Belle Stalker by Minnette Meador



Today we're welcoming author Minnette Meador to the blog on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the urban fantasy thriller, "The Belle Stalker".

Remember, Minnette is giving away a small Kindle ($79) plus a Portland Tote filled with goodies to one randomly drawn commenter. So comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a Kindle and goodies!

And there's more: anyone who sends their name and address to mmeador@minnettemeador.com will be sent a surprise package of goodies!

Even better? She has a special prize for THIS blog and its commenters ONLY: One commenter will win an opportunity to be cast as a secondary character in the next GHOST OF A CHANCE book coming out in 2012.

So, don’t forget to leave a comment. How can you go wrong?

And now, without further ado, please welcome Minnette:



I see that you write in a great number of genres. Do you find it a challenge to switch gears? Do you have a favorite genre in which to write?

Sometimes.

I have very unique “voices” for each genre that I like to use. You have to focus to maintain them as you write. My acting experience has taught me every character has a different tone and rhythm. I’ve extended that to every book has its own voice, just as every character within that story has theirs. For example, the historical novels have a slow elegance of language and my comedies are quick and frisky. THE BELLE STALKER, my first thriller, has fantasy, comedy, and suspense, so the voice is quite varied. Each element adds to the texture of the story. Or at least I hope it does! LOL I always say whatever I’m writing is my favorite genre and that’s probably very close to the truth. I’ve never met one I didn’t like.

Do you write more than one thing at a time?

Someone told me once that Sagittarians are very linear people. For me that is the absolutely truth. I like balance in my art, calm in my music, and to finish one thing before going onto another. If I have incomplete projects before I go onto the next, it drives me crazy, so I plow through and get one done before another. ~sigh~

What's a typical day for you?

Since I work full time, I won’t bore you with the humdrums of Monday – Friday and the frantic rushing at night to get stuff done, but the weekends are my days to write. There is no such thing as a typical day; again, being a Sagittarius I grow bored quickly of the same old routine (while at the same time thriving on it… go figure). My ideal day is:

1. Kiss my husband, and then again if it is called for.
2. Go through email/FB/Etc. over a cup of coffee and good tunes
3. Clean up my space (I’m not a neat freak but I can’t work on a messy desk… although the rest of the house doesn’t bother me so much)
4. Write, write, edit, write
5. Write, write, edit, write
6. Have DH throw food at me from time to time.

Ah, that would be heaven. The truth of the matter is I write in spurts, knocking out 10-15K at a sitting whenever I can get the world (and myself) to shut up long enough so I can work. Then I layer and edit for hours. I wrote the last 20 chapters of Centurion over four marathon days because an agent asked for a full and all I had was a very small partial. Necessity is an absolute mother sometimes.

Share any writing quirks or habits you have.

Writing in spurts is one. I listen to music, but it has to be absolutely perfect. I’ve spent hours looking for that perfect combination for each book. I can write anywhere… buses, cars, walking (yes, walking – I write dialogue while I walk), chatting with friends. My focus to pretty good when I’m motivated. I love coffee when I write, so I’ve adopted decaf since the docs won’t let me drink the stuff after 12 noon.

Who are some authors that have influenced or inspired you? Why? How much time do you have?

Just like writing, there are very few genres I don’t LOVE to read. The classics have always inspired me; I wish we could still write like that, but these days it’s frowned upon (I would LOVE to know what today’s publishers would think of Plato, Dickens, or even H.G. Wells). I started out in Sci-Fi/Fantasy so such writers as Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Robert Heinlein (a personal favorite), Frederick Brown, Piers Anthony, Farmer, Philip K. Dick, Larry Niven, Asimov, Greg Baer, and then sci-fi comedy writers like Douglas Adams, Spider Robinson, and Terry Prichard really influenced me. Ann McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Mary Stewart, Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers (the Lord Peter Wimsey series), and of course, one of my all time favorite writer, Rex Stout (of Nero Wolf fame). I read an eclectic assortment of books both fiction and non-fiction. I’m currently reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Haunted America, and several others. Though I can only write one book at a time, I can apparently read several at a time. It’s an enigma! Oh, and why do they inspire me? Because they are so flipping good! I mean, come on!

Do you have anything in the works we can look forward to? If so, tell us all about it!

The Egyptian Pirate (2012) - Hasani has a reputation to uphold as the world's greatest pirate; but that's hard to do when you're wasting away in a Syrian jail for making love to one of the Parthian king's daughters. For the first time in his life his luck has run out and he faces a very real possibility of losing his head for good this time. When a mysterious woman shows up and helps him to escape, he falls in love for the first time. The problem is... she is taken prisoner and swept away to Egypt, the last place he wants to be. Will he risk his life and riches to save her or follow old habits and simply walk away. There is something about this girl...

Haunted Hearts (2012) - Book II in the Ghost Series. Dyna is having a bad day... a really bad day. Her house is now filled with ghosts, the neighborhood association is trying to get her evicted, and she just found out she's pregnant with a demon child. To top everything off, a handsome cop thinks he can make it go away, but all he is doing is making it worse! What's a girl to do?

Phantom Hearts (2013) - Book III in the Ghost Series. He's suave, he's debonaire, he can say or do no wrong, the ladies love him, and life couldn't be any sweeter. That is until he finds out he's the devil's love child and strange things start happening around him. Enter a sexy, snoopy female reporter who not only seems immune to his charms but does everything she can to double his trouble. He simply can't resist her and that's where the fun begins. Will he fight the evil deeds blooming in his head or will he finally succumb to his father's wishes and "join" the family business. Only a crazy girl knows... and she's not talking.

Arpeggios In The Darkness (TBD) - Sci-Fi YA - It's hard being the first half-Alien/half-Human hybrid... Your mom and dad are gone all the time, the paparazzi follow you everywhere, and you find out your voice can kill. What's a girl to do?

Then I have several other work in the works (go here for a list). After this last tour this year, I’m heading into relative seclusion to get the next four books done.

Thanks so much or inviting me to this amazing blog site. You are an angel!

Would you share the blurb for The Belle Stalker?

The police have done all they can, but it isn’t enough. When Belle finds the mutilated body of her lover strewn across the furniture she knows only her ex-husband, Homicide Detective Mike Cranston can stop the maniac who has been dogging her steps for over a year. The only problem is the man who stalks her...is not a man at all. Belle plays a dangerous game and only hopes that Cranston can stop the monster before it’s too late.





Find Minnette and her books:

http://youtu.be/avY8W6i0rw4 Audio Excerpt

http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com/p/books-by-minnette.html Written Excerpt

http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com/ Blog URL

RESPLENDENCE PUBLISHING (all eFormats except Kindle & Nook):
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/381-200-103-422-5--the-belle-stalker-by-minnette-meador.html

AMAZON BUY LINK: (Kindle)


AMAZON DIRECT LINK:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Belle-Stalker-ebook/dp/B0064PA6LI/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321749531&sr=1-8

BARNES & NOBEL DIRECT (Nook):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-belle-stalker-minnette-meador/1107087599?ean=2940013589698&itm=1&usri=the+belle+stalker

All Romance eBooks:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thebellestalker-625303-140.html

28 comments:

  1. In what way is 'classic' writing frowned upon? I would think there would be a ready market for it. I found myself nodding reading through the list of authors. I read one book at a time. I like to concentrate fully.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  2. Good morning, everyone! Thanks for coming over and a special thanks to the It's Raining Book Blog. What an amazing site! Make sure to follow while you're here...

    Good question, Marybelle... I'm talking about the really old books (i.e. Dickens). The style is considered dated, although brilliant. You just don't see books written like that anymore. The language is more updated these days.

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  3. I have to say I am guilty of not being able to read the classics easily. I find it hard to concentrate on them exactly because of the wording. Probably because I can easily speed read through the style of writing that is what is popular now, and I tend to gobble up books quickly that way.
    Minnette, I just love trekking along behind you, lol. I get the giggles relating to your daily routines - many match mine, although I am a reader, not a writer!
    Thank you for your wonderful giveaways and the chance to win! I also get to find so many wonderful blogs to follow as well!

    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@Hotmail.com

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  4. Morning Minette!! Its interesting that you put out books like that. I wouldn't know from how you go hiding to coming out sometimes lol. But I find if I'm writing fanfiction or something else sometimes spurts are useful.

    Do you feel when you *have* to have something written right away, and sort of being forced you get your best work or semi-best?

    yamikokoro(@)gmail.com

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  5. Wow, how great would today's prize be?! (Pretty darn sweet, in my opinion.)

    Speaking of Dickens, I always get the urge this time of year to read A Christmas Carol. I'd once intended to read it once every year but that hasn't happened. I love it though but there is usually a sate of parodies this time of year so I often get my fill of it without even reading it!

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  6. I don't read the classic books now, but I did read several when I was in school, mostly part of my reading assignments for English and American Lit. But I agree that since I've discovered modern day romances, the classics just don't do it for me anymore.

    That said, one of the items on my Christmas wishlist was a copy of 'Forever Amber' written in 1942 by Kathleen Winsor...and I got it! While not really a classic, I think it can be considered a classic modern historical romance. How convoluted is that? Can't wait to start reading it! I read it first in 1959 or 1960.

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  7. "doing the Horseshack" memememememememe:) Gads I am oldddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd! :)

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  8. Gosh haven't read a "classic" in awhile, big fan of Arthur Conan Doyle and Mary Stewart and once went through a stage read all their works. Maybe will pull those out again.

    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  9. Hi Minette! How are you?

    I love reading the Classics! However, I have to be in the mood. For me, different days, different things strike my fancy. It all depends!

    :-)

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  10. All the books sound great. You have a stiff schedule ahead of you. Good luck. Keep writing.

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  11. Great interview; I enjoyed reading it.

    I look forward in reading The Belle Stalker.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  12. Great interview!

    Happy holidays!

    elizabeth@bookattict.com

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  13. Hey, guys! Sorry I missed out at lunch time again... just getting hammered at work so I can take time off for the holidays...

    You are so sweet, Gene. I LOVE that you follow along. The blogs are amazing, aren't they? I think I'm following all of them.

    When I'm inspired (having to write something NOW) I think I do my best work, Yami - But sometimes it surprises me. I had the hardest time writing the final article for our tour last night and didn't think anything was going to come to me, but then it did and I'm pretty proud of it. You'll see on on Friday...

    LOL, Laura! I'm giving away two of these during the tour and I'm so exciting about it. I get to interview the winners and try to capture them in the book. It should be a blast! I LOVE Charles Dickens and can read him over and over again. My favorite of his is David Copperfield... my favorite scene is the 20-year old wedding banquet still sitting on his aunt's (?) table. If you haven't read any of Dickens, this is the one to read for my money.

    I haven't read that one, Karen, but I've heard about it. I'll have to get it for my Kindle, if it's available.

    Hi, Bama! LOL - You are too funny!

    I've done that too, Jean... I like to read books back to back. I just finished the entire Nero Wolf series (almost 50 books), have done it with Stewart, Conan Doyle, and several others in the past. Oh, to have that kind of time again to read! One day... ~sigh~

    Hi, Teteatete! I need to be in the mood for some of them, but some I love anytime. The Lord Peter Whimsy novels are amazing and those were written in the 20's and 30s. If you like British mystery these are the archetype for the gentleman detective of the era and absolutely delightful.

    Thanks, MomJane - I'm going to have to go into seclusion for several month and going to miss all this socializing, but I'll be back at it next year when I get the books done.

    Thanks, Tracey!

    Thanks, Elizabeth!

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  14. I enjoy almost all types of books. So why did you chose this one. Thanks again for the opporunity to enter the contest also.

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  15. me ilove t enter and win and then blog n the author site me if i was some one it would be a women in the early years near the south
    desi the blonde@ msn.com

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  16. Hi, Lilly! If you mean Belle Stalker it actually started out as a thriller over at Textnovel and grew from there. That's a great place to read new fiction, BTW. textnovel.com...

    I've got you in the drawing, Desi! Oh, forgot to mention Gone With the Wind as one of my all time favorites. I LOVE Margaret Mitchell!

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  17. You have so much going on Minnette, and you still manage to be linear! I remember Belle Stalker staring on textnovel. I really should go back there sometime. I love the way you write about different characters having different tones and rhythms--it really shows in your novels (and I admire you tremendously, successfully writing in so many genres). And we share a love for Peter Whimsey! Hurray! I used to read them voraciously when my granddad borrowed them from the library!

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  18. That makes me interested in what you have planned for us on friday! xD;; I can't wait to see what you've got in store for us. Its hard to believe its almost over and its close to Christmas too.

    yamikokoro(@)gmail.com

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  20. Oh my gosh Minnette! You are one busy lady! But oh boy do all those books sound fabulous. The hard part now will be to remain patient while you get those creative fingers of yours to work the magic. :) But seriously, I love how you write and any/all the books you write I add to my wishlist here. I also think its cool that someone will win the opportunity to be a character in your book. Will they be a good guy or an evil one I wonder? ;)
    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

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  21. Sorry I'm late again :) Just got off work. Great post and your ideal day sounds ideal to me to :)

    leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  22. Hi Minnette..."Sagittarians are very linear people"...that fits me too!

    Catherine
    @capefearlibn
    catherinelee100[at]gmail[.]com

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  23. Thanks, Sheila! It doesn't surprise me you're a Whimsey gal... I bet your would love Rex Stout too! Give it a try...

    Hi, Lady! Thanks so much for the very kind words. I have two different groups of women in the next book; a coven of new age witches who are trying to recruit Dyna and a gaggle of new age home association yuppy women who are trying to get her kicked out of the neighborhood, so the person will be a member of one of those groups... but that's not in cement; until I meet that person and get to know her character it may spark something completely different! We'll see... good luck everyone~ :o)

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  24. Hi, Leanne ~waves~ Aw, if only...

    LOL, Catherine... I am SO sag it isn't funny! And I don't really believe in all of that but there are some definite characteristics at work there!

    Well, all... I'm off to bed. Had a very late night last night writing and my poor pooch wasn't feeling very well so we both paced throughout the night. I'm off to sleep....

    Thanks so much for coming over. If you want to leave a comment, please do I'll pick a winner tomorrow morning early as always.

    My very special thanks to It's Raining Books! You guys have an amazing blog. Make sure you all follow them!

    See you tomorrow... second to the last day! Oh, my! Minnette ;o)

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  25. And the winner of yesterday's prize is....

    Gena! Congratulations, girl! Drop me a line at mmeador@minnettemeador.com and we'll make arrangements.

    Now onto the next stop! :o)

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  26. I totally want to be a secondary character!!! You could call me May.... or June... or Autumn.... or Augusta.... *giggles*... yeah... uh... wine makes me silly...

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