Three years ago if you told me one day
I would love to read and I would write a book that would be published, I would
have told you you were crazy-out-of-your-mind. Since then I have read 130+
books and written 2 complete novels (one of which is being published) and I
have 3 more in the works.
When I'm not reading or writing, I can
be found with my husband supporting my two children on the soccer fields. Or maybe running around with my camera
taking photos while camping and/or hiking. Or lastly, and most probable - I'm
watching movies on Netflix while simultaneously perusing Facebook. Our family resides in the state of Virginia along with our old-unintelligent-diabetic cat named Lucky.
- Are your characters based off any friends or family?
No,
my characters are straight from my imagination!
- Rain or Snow?
I
LOVE snow! Ask my kids, if it snows when they are sleeping I run outside and
take photos. And if there is no school the next day, I wake them up and make
them go outside with me. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because I’m a winter
baby.
- What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I really didn’t read much as a child or a
teen. But when I joined the library summer reading program one summer (by peer
pressure from my friends who enjoyed the hobby), I enjoyed reading Judy Blume’s
books.
- What time period in history would you want to visit?
Egyptian
times back when Cleopatra was alive! Egypt fascinates me. My husband and
I took a weeklong trip there back in 1995, and I found it even more interesting
than I thought I would.
- In one sentence explain why we should read The Keeper?
The Keeper is a unique paranormal romance that
will suck you in with intriguing twists and turns— many you won’t see coming.
- What inspired you to become an author?
I
just sat down one day on a whim in my late thirties and started writing. My
very first story was an epic fail. I cannot do a contemporary YA love story.
Then when the idea for The Keeper happened, it felt like the most natural thing
to sit and write a paranormal romance. Go figure.
- Would you rather write stories or read stories?
I
don’t think I can choose between the two, because it depends on my mood. There
are some days my characters won’t shut up, and I have to write what they tell me. Then on the days when they take a break, I
get to enjoy reading.
- Too hot or too cold?
Ask my husband, I am always too cold! In fact sitting here typing this I wish I was wearing socks. My feet are freezing!
- Describe yourself in one word.
First
word to pop in my head, crazy! Haha! Okay, for a real answer, I will say creative. Not just in the writing
sense. Although, The Keeper was
pretty creative. But I’ve always enjoyed
arts and crafts, scrapbooking, and photography. So, yeah, I will go with
“creative”.
- Do you have a play-list for The Keeper? If yes what is your favorite song on the list?
I
think I am the only author who doesn’t have a play list. Music doesn’t
influence my writing or my stories in any way, shape, or form. I enjoy all
kinds of music though, mostly the kind I can dance to. I love to go dancing.
Also, there is nothing better than tunes you can sing to while on a long drive!
- What is your favorite past time (excluding writing, or reading).
I
love photography! It’s even better when I can combine it with family road
trips, hiking, and camping.
- What movie and/or book are you most looking forward to this year?
Hmmm. Movie? The Hunger Games was a biggie
for me, but saw that (and really enjoyed it). Then there is Breaking Dawn, Part
Two!
For
a book, I can’t name just one…so we need to say books:
City
of Lost Souls, by Cassandra Clare
Black
Dawn, by Rachel Caine
Nevermore
(the last Maximum Ride), by James Patterson
Lauren,
thank you for this interview, the questions were great! Some of them really had
me thinking. Whew! J
Thank you so much for
being here Natalie! J I find that I am also cold all the time… it can be
quite annoying!! From your writing and our conversations I think creative applies nicely, you definitely have to have creativity to come up with a story line like The Keeper!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Yay for winter babies! *high-five* I'd love to visit Egypt some time, that had to have been amazing. Best of luck the The Keeper, it sounds excellent. Off to check it out right now.
ReplyDeleteEgypt does sound awesome! :) I was a fall baby: I guess I have the best of both worlds (;
Delete*high-fives* Heather back! Thanks girl! =)
DeleteSIDE NOTE: I usually don't chat with the on going interview/giveaways so people can voice their opinions on what they think without me around, but rest assured if it's not your cup of tea I am cool with that.
And Lauren, I totally meant to send you a pic of me on a camel to go with this interview. I forgot!
Winter baby? Count me in, and I am in love with egyptian history! The Keeper sounds really interesting, can't wait to get my hands on it.
ReplyDeleteEgypt is definitely fascinating, I love how they have such a presence. I would LOVE to visit the Nile! The Keeper is amazing, definitely get your hands on a copy!
DeleteElle ~ I threw in a little Egyptian "mention" in The Keeper =) I couldn't resist.
DeleteEgypt and the Nile are like no other place I've ever been. Felt like I was on another planet.
*blushes* at Lauren's kind words :)
I'm a winter baby, and love Egyptian/World History. Hope i win it. Thanks for the guest post and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering Georgette! :)
DeleteYay, Georgette another winter baby! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Well, by golly, I'm a summer baby and I've always longed to visit Egypt, to stand beside the Sphinx and to take an evening tour of their famous Valley of the Dead! :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the Keeper, it sounds great and I'm going to add it to my TBR list!
Don't worry... summer baby status notwithstanding we'll let you stay ;)
DeleteM.A.D. ~ I'm sad to say out of the whole Egyptian experience, the only thing I was...hmmmm...how do I put this?
Delete...I was not disappointed, but maybe sadly surprised that the Sphinx wasn't as large as I thought it would be in person. Still cool, nonetheless, to see it though! :)
So happy you put The Keeper on your TBR list! I hope you enjoy it!
And I just have to say that I am freezing at the moment. Sat all evening in cold wet weather to watch my daughters soccer game. I can't get warm :(
I'm a little jealous that you've been to Egypt.
ReplyDeleteAwww don't be, just put it on your wish list and maybe one day you will get there! :)
DeleteI'm jealous too... although I would feel unsafe in any foreign country!!
DeleteYeah, I did feel a little uneasy, and that was how many years ago? Nowadays I think it's probably worse, but given the opportunity I would do it again! :)
DeleteThe Keeper sounds great :)
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks, Sian!
DeleteI can't take full credit for the blurb (if that's what you're talking about). My editor's helped me with it. It was very hard for me to put 224 pages into a few paragraphs LOL.
I hope you get to read it one day! If you like the blurb, then you will think the book is even better ;)
Thanks for stopping by!
The book is even better than the blurb!! :)
DeleteEgypt is one of my dream destinations. :) the pyramids of Giza and all.. i wanna see a sphinx! HAHA
ReplyDeleteand a paranormal romance with lots of unpredictable twists and turns would be a great read.. thanks for the chance to win a copy of it. :)
I've been to over a dozen different countries and Egypt is by far my favorite. Hmmm I might have to add some photos of Egypt to my fan page on facebook for everyone to gander at.
DeleteThank you for commenting Aldelei89! =)
My family and I love watching documentaries about Egypt, it is so fascinating, from the pyramids, to the mummies, and the rich history. Thank you for the guest post and givewaway. It is always interesting to get a glimpse into the writer behind the stories.
ReplyDeleteYes, me too! And I can't help but grab a National Geographic magazine when something Egyptian is on the cover!
DeleteI love to chat about me, my family, my travels... anything you want to know, just ask ;)
Thanks for stopping by!
I want to win coz the book's interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Michelle! Hope you have a wonderful day! =)
Delete