PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Author: Kathy Bosman
Publisher: Astraea Press
Pages: 216pages
ISBN: 9781621352136
BLURB from Astraea Press
Three Tiers for Win is a story of adventure, romance, and family passion that unfolds with the backdrop of the 2012 London Olympics. Elaine said she would never date an athlete as they’re too driven. That’s until she meets kind, yet intensely focused and ambitious South African Olympic swimmer, Winston Harper. He stands for everything she’d chosen not to go for. Win also has a bad family history which keeps him from opening his heart to her. When intense attraction and affection breaks through some of their barriers, family secrets and conflicts pull them apart again. Only Elaine’s support and Win’s brokenness can draw them back together, but will that be strong enough to wipe away the past?
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What is your
name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Kathy
Bosman. I was born in Durban, South Africa but now live about 300 kilometres
north of Durban in Newcastle.
Did you always
want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
As a young child
I dreamed of being a writer but actually forgot about it. After that, I was
interested in art and social work. I even wanted to be a ballerina once.
When did you
first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I think I felt
like a proper writer after I started focusing more seriously on the craft and
didn’t just dabble in it from time to time. It became a passion and something I
wanted to do every spare moment. It still is.
Did it take a
long time to get your first book published?
Yes. I started
writing in about 2005 – I wrote some children’s books. I received my first
contract in 2012.
Do you work
another job as well as your writing work?
I homeschool my
three kids – one a teenager. I’m a lazy teacher who’s not very good at Math. I
love teaching English though!
What is the name
of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what
would you say?
My latest
release is Three Tiers for Win. It is a story of opposites attract where family
secrets and conflict seek to pull the lovers apart at every turn.
Who is your
publisher? or do you self publish?
I have four
books out with Astraea Press and another one out with Decadent Publishing. I’ve
dabbled in self-publishing but much prefer going through a professional editing
process and having the backing of a publisher to promote my books. I have a few
freebies on Smashwords – some of my kiddies’ books – one being the first book I
ever wrote.
Do you have a
"lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting
for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
The best way to
deal with the wait is to start on the next project. To keep on checking my
emails is very nail-biting. It never gets easier.
How long does it
usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing
it?
It normally
takes me about 4 – 6 months to write the rough draft and then I like to leave
it for a month to come out of it. I then take a couple of weeks to a month to
edit it and then send it off.
Which of your
books were easier/harder to write than the others?
I found the
easiest books to write were “Three Tiers for Win” and another book that is
coming out with Decadent Publishing in August next year, called “The Dance of
the Firefly.” I don’t know why some books are easier than others.
What can we
expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of
a different genre?
I’m interested
in writing a few fantasy romances. I’ve started my first one and hope to write
several more.
Do you have
plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Three Tiers for
Win is the second in the Wedding Girls Series. I may write a third one but I’m
struggling to come up with who to write the book about. The inspiration will
come at the right time.
What genre would
you place your books into?
Sweet, contemporary
romance.
What made you
decide to write that genre of book?
I started off
writing children’s books, then moved onto inspirational romance / woman’s
fiction. When I tried contemporary, I received my first contract. I realised
that’s the genre I flow with the best.
Do you have a
favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
Whew, that’s a
hard one. I think the favourite is the one I’m working on or just finished. If
I had to choose, I loved “Three Tiers for Win” the most.
Do you have a
favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
Once again, it
comes down to “Three Tiers for Win.” I adore Win, the hero in my book. He’s
flawed but alpha at the same time. I also liked Kienna in “Wedding Gown Girl”
and my heroine, Rowena, in “The Dance of the Firefly.”
If you had to
choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and
why?
Rowena of
course. She’s a dancer. I love to dance.
How long have
you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve been
writing seriously now for six years. My love for books and stories inspired me
to write.
Where do you get
your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
They all come to
me from different directions. Usually I like to think of what my character does
for a living first – it will probably be something I’m interested in, too. I
also like to think how the romance will be – whether an opposites attract, a
strange meeting like in “Wedding Gown Girl” or a single father falling for his
daughter’s teacher like in “The Dance of the Firefly.” I often go through trope
lists and choose one for my novel.
Do you have a
certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain
chair?
I like to work
in our school room / study in my old, very tatty but very comfortable swivel
chair.
Do you have
anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release
them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Occasionally if
I feel I need extra help or another eye, but at the moment, no one has the time
to help me. I do wish I did have a critique partner to help out at times. I
would love to get reviewers to review them first if I had a chance.
Do you gift
books to readers to do reviews?
Yes. I love to
do that.
Do you read all
the reviews of your book/books?
Yes!
What was the
toughest/best review you have ever had?
The toughest
reviews have been the ones for “Cosmetic Heart” which was released by Astraea
Press in July. Although that book was written from my heart, I somehow think I
may have missed the mark in getting the message across to readers. The best
review I had was for my book, Dragonfly Moments, where the person said it was
one of the best romances they’d ever read. To know I touched someone’s life was
worth all the hard work!
Would you ever
ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your
book/books?
No!
How do you come
up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover
of your books?
Astraea Press
usually uses “For the Muse” designs for my books. They make stunning covers.
The titles usually come to me part way through writing the story.
Do you choose a
title first, or write the book then choose the title?
Occasionally, the title
comes to me at the beginning of the book, but usually I just use a temporary
title until I can think of a more apt one later on in the book.
How do you come
up with characters names and place names in your books?
I love looking
up baby names on Google for character names. I usually use real places near
where I live for place names.
Are character
names and place names decided after there creation? or do you pick a
character/place name and then invent them?
Name first.
Do you decide on
character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or
as you go along?
Mostly as I go
along.
Do you basic
plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you
let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I come up with a
basic plot first but the details form as I write.
How do you
market/promote your books?
I try to arrange
blog posts on fellow writers’ blogs. I promote on Twitter and Facebook and tell
as many people I can about my book. I try to arrange giveaways sometimes and
put my books up on sites like Goodreads and The Romance Reviews.
What do you
think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
That is the
greatest mystery ever and if I knew the answer, I would write a best seller.
Have you ever
suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the
"block"?
I went through a
stage about a year ago where I suffered a block or burnout with my writing. I
think the best was to take a break and do something else for a while. It was
frustrating but necessary.
What do you do
to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?
I like needlework
like tapestry and knitting. I also write a couple of non-writing related blogs.
Have you ever
based characters on people you know or based events on things that have
happened to you?
Yes, loosely.
Are there any
hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops
Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
Yes, there are.
Every one.
Is there a
certain Author that influenced you in writing?
I’m not sure
about this one. There are way too many to count.
Which format of
book do you prefer, ebook, hardback, or paperback?
I like reading
an ebook as I don’t have to hold the pages open.
What is your
favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
There are too
many wonderful books out there. I can’t say which is my favourite. I very
seldom read a book a second time.
Do you think
books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie
transfer?
The movie very
seldom captures the full essence of a book. The only one I can think of is
“Marley and Me” – the story about the naughty Labrador dog. The book was way
better but the movie did capture the emotions of the book. I read it to my kids
and we loved watching the movie afterwards.
The Lion, the
Witch and the Wardrobe was also well done but could never capture everything in
the book.
What are you
currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or
paperback)
I usually read
several books at the same time. At present, I’m reading a Harlequin Kiss
romance written by a writer friend called “Too Much of a Good Thing” – a
paperback by Joss Wood. It’s great – she’s a brilliant writer and an
inspiration to me. She only lives about 100 km away from me but we’ve never met
face to face.
Do you think
ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No.
Do you think
children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do
Imaginative writing?
Strangely enough,
this week my kids were complaining that we were doing creative writing again!
They said their friends who go to school only do it about once a month. I was
shocked. School has become way too pressurized and only concentrates on the
logical side of learning. Creativity is stifled which is really sad. But I
believe that the real creative souls will overcome all obstacles. A large part
of our homeschooling curriculum is reading but I’m afraid it’s not the same in
schools nowadays.
Did you read a
lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in
your life?
I was an avid
reader and loved creative writing. It’s always been a part of my life but only
recently did I realise I could make a career out of it.
Did you have a
favourite author as a child?
Yes, I loved C S
Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series. I also enjoyed Anne of Green Gables and
Pollyanna.
Do you have a
treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
I wish I’d kept
some but I didn’t.
Do you have a
favourite genre of book?
I love to read
contemporary romance more than anything else.
Is there a book
you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't
finish?
There are
several books on my kindle that I’ve stopped reading part way through. I doubt
I will ever read “Fifty Shades of Grey” or “Harry Potter.” I won’t read
something just because it’s popular – it has to appeal to me.
Are there any
New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we
watch out for them?
I don’t know if
she’s a new author, but I love fellow Astraea Press writer,
E A West’s books. Fellow Decadent Publishing author, Alissa Baxter, who is also
South African, writes romance with a very different slant. Her new book, The Blog
Affair, has just come out.
Is there
anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it
be?
I would try to
make my heroes more alpha maybe and I would make my heroine in “Cosmetic Heart”
kinder. I would up the emotional content of some of my books – make the
characters’ feelings more intense and take the reader into their soul more
deeply.
What do you
think about book trailers?
They are
beautiful and I wish I knew how to make one myself.
What piece of
advice would you give to a new writer?
Write, write and
write. Get someone who’s published to read through your books and give you
advice. Take their advice and read up about writing. Don’t take criticism
personally – even bad reviews. Keep on writing and believing in yourself.
Do you or would
you ever use a pen name?
I have written
some spicier novels under a pen name.
If you could
invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy
chatting with?
Debbie Macomber,
my new favourite author, Owner of Astraea Press, Stephanie Taylor, and my
editor from Decadent Publishing, Zee Monodee.
Where can readers follow
you?
Your
Blog Details?
http://www.kathybosman.com
Your
Website?
http://www.kathybosman.com
Your
Facebook Page?
http://www.facebook.com/kathy.bosmanauthor
Your
Goodreads Author Page?
Your
Twitter Details?
PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Author: Donna J Collins
Publisher: Astraea Press
Pages: 28pages
ISBN: 9781621352099
BLURB from Astraea Press
Irene Elizabeth found the man of her dreams and lived an idyllic life, until she found herself locked in the grasp of an unending winter. Her father, Lord Winthrop could never accept the fact that she chose the love a common smith dwelling in a peasant cottage. With his dying breath, he returned his daughter to the Winthrop manor—magically sealed in a snow globe.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Author: Calico Daniels
Publisher: Astraea Press
Pages: 74pages
ISBN: 978-1482583458
BLURB from Astraea Press
Big Creek might be a stereotypical small town but even they have drama.
Heather loves her little café, and her best customer is the county Sherriff. She’s been waiting months for him to ask her out…maybe she won’t have to wait much longer.
Bronson feels at home in Big Creek even though he hasn’t been the Sherriff for long. Small towns have their perks and a pretty café owner who cooks like an angel certainly doesn’t hurt. Now, if he could only get over his nerves and drum up the gumption to ask her out.
Throw in a gossip mill, a redneck festival and an ill timed attempt to help and you end up with some laughs, some ruffled feathers and a town that is….Redneck Fabulous.
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Calico Daniels. I was born and
raised in Texas and still live here with my husband, Buford, our two kiddos and
a bevy of farm animals and pets including a dog named Crusty and a cat named
Biscuit
Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did
you want to be?
Yes and no. I have been writing for many
years but was actually discouraged from trying to become an author by someone
very important in my life because I just wasn’t “good enough”. I went to
college to be a veterinarian but married and became a mother. So plans changed.
When I was pregnant with our second child our son was diagnosed with having
Autism so I left my office job to be a stay at home mom. Boredom soon took hold
and I started stalking my favorite authors online…then after being encouraged
be a couple of them I started writing myself.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part
of a series?
It is. Fried Pickles and the Fuzz is the
first in the Redneck Fabulous series. Book 2, You, Me and Sweet Tea has been
contracted and I am working on #3, Feedbags and the Fashionista now.
What genre would you place your books into?
Romantic Comedy for sure. But I also place
them as Hick-Lit
Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who
is your inspiration?
LOL Life J I have a very country family and MOST of the
things that happen in my books have really happened to one or more of the
people in my family J There is NEVER a shortage of laughs when we all get together.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then
choose the title?
LOL Both J Sometimes a title just comes to me and it’s
so good that I have to write a story for it. Other times I have the story but
no title. It’s a toss up.
How do you market/promote your books?
I market myself more than my books. I have
been told that I leave a VERY memorable impression when people meet me and I
use that as the basis for my marketing. Readers can read my books…or not. But I
think that if they remember ME they are more likely to pause and give a look
when they see my name attached to a cover if they like me as a person.
What do you think makes a book a bestseller?
Luck and timing. No one is really sure WHY
some books hit the bestsellers lists and others don’t. I personally think it is
dumb luck and whatever just happens to be trending at that time. All it takes
is for a book to hit a couple of lists and get facetime and sometimes that is
it. Of course there are those who have made a name for themselves by writing
stories with topics that contain so much shock factor that readers purchase and
read just to see what it’s about.
Have you ever suffered from a "writer's
block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
Oh yeah. Time is generally the only thing
that breaks my blocks. Sometimes I try to just puch through but it rarely works
out in the end and I end up deleting everything I forced myself to write J
What do you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a
hobby?
I cook, knit, I am a HUGE movie buff and
spend way too much time on Netflix and Hulu J I also raise chickens and garden.
Have you ever based characters on people you know
or based events on things that have happened to you?
All the time. I have some really funny
stories from my family that are ALWAYS working their way into stories J It is known around
here that unless you are willing to have it show up in print, you might not
want to tell me.
Are there any New Authors you are interested in for
us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
Wendy Knight for sure. She is a YA fantasy
writer who is AMAZING! She really has a way of giving the reader the full
effect. Emotions, passion, anger, hope. It’s all there.
What do you think about book trailers?
If they are done well they are great. But in
reality, I don’t think they really get to readers like we would hope. Sadly I
think that readers don’t go trolling YouTube for trailers.
Where can readers follow you?
Your Website ?
Your Website ?
www.calicodaniels.com
Your Facebook Page?
Your Facebook Page?
https://www.facebook.com/calico.daniels
Your Goodreads Author Page?
Your Goodreads Author Page?
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