Okay so it looks like I fell off the planet. Promise - I'm still here. The last four years have been ... hard. There's no other word for it. Everything is fine. I'm fine, but I've been the caregiver of my mom who has Dementia. Between her needs, work, etc I seem to have lost control of my time. I am still writing and am trying hard to get back to my blog.

In case you weren't aware Phaze and HSWF which where under the Mundania Umbrella have closed. I was smart enough to get my titles back before all this happened. I'm happy to say the three books I sold to HSWF have been picked up by Melange Books and are available through their Satin Books imprint. I have even sold a new title to them called Magical Quest due out in 2022

I have also been lucky enough to find a publisher for my Vespian Way series. I'm now with Blushing Books under the name of Bethany Drake. I have five titles out with them right now and am close to submitting two more. There's Desire's Destiny, Desire's Duty and Desire's Promise. Then there is two in my werewolf series, Tears of the Queen and Legend of the Tears. I have just finished the rough draft of the third book in the series and have plans for a fourth one the moment I submit it.

I'll probably still be sporadic here on the blog. Unless I win the lottery and can hire someone to help me I can't avoid it, but know I'm still here still working hard in the background and am hoping to do better at keeping my blog alive.

Barb:)



Friday, October 23, 2015

Welcome my latest Guest N.N. Light!

I want to welcome N. N. Light. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.

My name is MRS N aka N. N. Light and I have been creating stories ever since I was little. My grandfather remembers when I was two years old, I would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with my hands on my hips. Let’s just say I was a born storyteller. I am an author, blogger, book promoter/reviewer, freelance writer and social media marketer. I'm blissfully happy and love all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports and baking.

Tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is a contemporary romance novella titled, Planting the Seeds of Love. It's the story of Sally Rayton, torn between two men: Jack (her childhood friend who loves working side-by-side with her on the farm) and Trevor (her city boyfriend). She must follow her heart and choose between her life in the city with Trevor or her country life with Jack.

Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?

Oooh, great question. My favorite villain (not including my own beloved Than from my debut novel, Princess of the Light) has got to be Dracula. I love how powerful, twisted and romantic he is from the beginning. The mythology of Dracula goes back a long way so that appeals to my historical self. I love that even though he's a monster and takes advantage of weak minds, he still loves like you and me. Love conquers all, even the undead.

2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?

My favorite character out of Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella is Jack. He's the childhood friend of Sally and has loved her ever since they were little. He was such fun to write because while he's trying to be the best friend Sally needs, his unrequited for her overtakes his logical brain. He's the sexy guy-next-door with a heart of gold every woman craves.

3.) What do genre do you write? What made you pick that one?

I normally write paranormal romance but Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella is my first foray into the contemporary romance genre. I was nervous, at first, because I've never written without paranormal elements before.

I picked contemporary romance because I was in a bit of a rut, writing-wise. I wanted to try something new and this is the result. I loved sharing Sally's story and I'm now hooked on writing contemporary romance novellas.

4.) What are you working on now?

I'm in the middle of writing book two in my Princess of the Light series. I'm also brainstorming a contemporary romance Christmas novella.

5.) What got you to start writing?

I was born. Seriously, I've been writing ever since I was little and it's a part of me, like breathing. I've had this ability to write and tell stories since I was young but it took me thirty years to figure out what to do with this gift. It's been my dream to be a published author and I can't image what else I'd rather be doing.

6.) Where do you get your ideas from?

I free-write a lot and that is the best place I get my ideas from. I also write flash fiction using a writing prompt. In fact, the bare bones of Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella came from a flash fiction I wrote back in March 2015.

Besides that, story ideas come from people and circumstances around me. I find inspiration in the everyday and my loved ones know they're fair game for a future book. *smiles*

7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?

I have stage fright. Put a microphone in front of me and I'm a mess. I stammer and stutter my way through. I'm much better writing a speech than performing it. Thus, writing and book promotion are my natural abilities.

8.) Do you have any special talents?

I love to bake. I love trying new recipes and even creating my own. I make everything from bread to cookies to desserts.

9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?

My writing mentor, Josh Pahigian, told me this valuable advice: when the road gets rough (whether writing or promoting), keep going. Being an author is a marathon, not a sprint.

I've had a lot of obstacles and mishaps in my writing/publishing career. There were circumstances where it seemed impossible to go on and I contemplated giving up. Then I remembered what my mentor said and I kept going.

The road is rocky and the statistics are stacked against authors to be successful. There will be times when you want to give up but those who stay the course are the ones who overcome adversity and are successful.

10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?

I would love to talk with Agatha Christie. I'm one of her biggest fans and I would love to sit down with her for a chat (with tea, of course). I'd pick her brain on creating complex characters and being a female author in a male-dominated profession. She did things her way and I love that about her.

11.) What song would you say describes your life?

"Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman- Turner Overdrive
You get up every morning
From your 'larm clock's warning
Take the 8:15 into the city
There's a whistle up above
And people pushin', people shovin'
And the girls who try to look pretty
And if your train's on time
You can get to work by nine
And start your slaving job to get your pay
If you ever get annoyed
Look at me I'm self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day
And I'll be

Taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
I've been taking care of business (it's all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime
Work out

If it were easy as fishin'
You could be a musician
If you could make sounds loud or mellow
Get a second-hand guitar
Chances are you'll go far
If you get in with the right bunch of fellows
People see you having fun
Just a-lying in the sun
Tell them that you like it this way
It's the work that we avoid
And we're all self-employed
We love to work at nothing all day
And we be

Taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
We be been taking care of business (it's all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime

12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?

I've thought about this a lot and my first thought was a penguin. But truthfully, I hate the cold and that wouldn't be much fun for me. So, I think I's like to be a lioness. I get to hunt, take care of my family and lay around in the sun. Yup, sounds like a good life to me. *grins*

Title: Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella
Author: N. N. Light
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, New Adult Romance

Blurb:
Torn between two men, Sally must follow her heart and decide if love will lead her to the city or the countryside.

Twenty-Two year old Sally Rayton returns to the family farm she deserted four years ago to bury her grandfather. Her plan: to settle her grandfather's estate and return to her life in the city with her boyfriend, Trevor Mattson.

Her childhood friend, Jack Smith, has other ideas.

Jack convinces Sally to transform the farm into a brewery and fulfill her grandfather's dream while keeping the Rayton Farm in the family. Sally works side-by-side with Jack while Trevor is hundreds of miles away in the city. The more time she spends with Jack, the stronger her feelings are for him.

When Trevor shows up to propose to Sally right before Christmas and finds her in Jack's embrace, she must make the biggest choice of her life: true love.

Excerpt:
"Jack, thank you so much for the lift into town," a woman replied behind Sally. "Let's grab some lunch before we shop."
Sally froze. She stared at Linda who shook her head. What was Jack doing with a woman in town?
"Here, let me take your coat, Emma," Jack said.
Emma? mouthed Sally to Linda.
"She's the daughter of Lonnie and Mary Beth." Linda gave Emma the look-over and scoffed. "She can't be a day over sixteen."
"What do I do?" Sally panicked. Normally she didn't care what Jack did or who he went off with. Curiosity got the better of her and she turned around.
Emma stood five foot three with curly blonde hair and innocent green eyes. Her figure was slim with curves in all the right places. Sally narrowed her eyes as Emma stood on tiptoe to kiss Jack on the cheek.
Fuming, Sally turned around. Linda chuckled.
"What?"
"You better tone down your jealousy, darlin'. You're shooting darts everywhere."
Sally gritted her teeth.
"I'm not jealous. If Jack wants school girls kissing him, what do I care?" She took a deep drink of her coffee, draining the cup. She slammed it down.
"Simmer down, here they come," whispered Linda. She waved to Jack while Sally swore under her breath.
"Well, fancy meeting you two here," Jack drawled.
Without looking up Sally retorted, "I told you I was coming into town today."
Linda kicked Sally's leg under the table. Sally plastered a smile across her face, greeting Jack and Emma.
"Yes, what a coincidence." Sally noticed Emma looping her arm in Jack's and snuggling closer.
"I was on my way into town to pick up those parts we ordered for the tractor when I ran into Emma walking by herself in the snow." Jack smiled. Emma squeezed his arm.
"He pulled over and offered me a lift into town. Isn't he a gentleman?" cooed Emma. Jack patted her hand.
Sally's chest constricted at the sight of the two of them acting all couple-y. She stared into his twinkling eyes. Oh God, is he laughing at me? Emma can't have him. He's mine. Wait what?
"So," Linda broke the strained silence. "I have to go powder my nose. Emma, would you care to join me?"
"What's that?" Emma looked confused.
Linda laughed. "It's the bathroom, dear sweet child." She stood up, untangled Emma from Jack and guided Emma away from the table.
Jack sat down.
"What's with you today?" he asked.
"Nothing." Sally cleared her throat.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Really!" A few diners turned to stare. Sally flushed with embarrassment. She didn't mean to talk so loud. She looked everywhere except in Jack's direction.
Jack observed Sally as she fidgeted, first with her coffee cup then with the silverware. His gaze unnerved her and she practically jumped out of her chair when he placed a hand over hers. Electricity flew up her arm while warmth filled her core. Butterflies raced around her stomach, only she didn't feel sick; she pulsed with life, like never before.
"Sally...look at me."
Sally shook her head.
"You'll only laugh at me."
Jack's thumb caressed her hand gently, causing her breath to hitch.
"You know I'd never laugh at you. Laugh with you, definitely, but never at you."
Sally lifted her gaze to meet Jack's loving eyes. He slid his fingers between hers, never breaking eye contact. Sparks flew between them. He moistened his lips with a flick of his tongue. Her gaze dropped to his lips.
"Please tell me. I'm begging you," he whispered.
Unable to think clearly through the fog of desire, Sally tilted her head to one side. Her skin vibrated with heat while her nerve-endings jumped at the slightest caress.
"Tell you what?" she whispered. Her throat dry, her breathing shallow, she wet her lips with her tongue. She was under a spell and everything fell away except for Jack's passionate eyes.
"Tell me what my wasted heart needs to hear." His eyes flashed. "Tell me Emma made you jealous."
Sally started to nod but Emma interrupted.
"What are you guys talking about in hushed tones? Crops and stuff?"
Jack groaned. He dropped Sally's hand as if it burned him, causing the water glasses to jostle.


Buy Links:
Available at Amazon Worldwide exclusively: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01581XM50



Newsletter:
If you would like to sign up to be an exclusive member of #TeamPOTL, send me an email:

info [at] princessofthelight [dot] com

You'll get a free short story and you'll get sneak peeks into what I'm working on. Plus, every Friday, you'll get a special shout-out on Twitter. :)

Author Bio: N. N. Light has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let's just say she was a born storyteller.

She was born in Minnesota, lived in Southern California only to move to chilly Ontario, Canada to marry her beloved husband MR N. She is blissfully happy and loves all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports and baking. Her mantra is to spread the Light.

Most of the time you can find her on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. She is a proud member of ASMSG, Independent Author Network and Marketing for Romance Writers.

In addition to being an author, she's also a book promoter/reviewer and social media marketer. She loves books, has ever since she was young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives her great pleasure.

She’d love to connect with you either via email or via these various social media sites:




3 comments:

  1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Barb, for the interview and for allowing me to introduce my contemporary romance to your followers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for joining me - I loved your answers!

    Barb:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. An interesting insight into a talented fellow author.
    How funny that you chose Dracula as a favorite villain! I will have soon a novel based on the historic character who gave birth to the infamous vampire.
    I loved your choice of an animal - lioness!
    Best of luck with your writing, Mrs N!

    ReplyDelete