Spotlight: Author Celia Kennedy Visits to Talk About Her Newest Release!

Today, we're doing something a little different. Celia Kennedy is stopping by to talk about her fascinating new release, which is just in time for April Fools' Day!

Hello again, Celia! It's great to have you back on MLB.  :)



Hello! Thanks so much for having me!

My pleasure, of course! So, let me ask a few questions since you're here...

All right.

Can you tell us a little about your latest book? When did it come out and where can we get it?

In the winter, several Chick Lit authors wrote an anthology called Cupids on the Loose and I was fortunate to be a participant. I hadn't written a short story like that in years and it was so much fun. And it was great fun to work as a group. So an April Fools Day Anthology was conspired - because how much fun would it be to write a story about pranks, romance, and get people to laugh?

We have eight short stories by eight authors. Each of us take on our ode to April Fools' Day. All are funny, all touch on love in some way, some are quite poignant, while others are just silly (mine for example).

At the time I'm writing this, the book has shot to Number Two on Amazon in the Anthologies Category. Download a FREE copy by following this link to Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FWEVxd IF you have another eReader, the book can be downloaded for FREE at: http://bit.ly/1N3oiAM

That's great! So, what inspired you to write your story in the anthology?

My story is called "April's Fool". Celebrities are the fodder for so much fun, mostly because of what we think their lives are about based on tabloids and entertainment TV. So, I decided to write a story about a celebrity who goes missing as a result of a miscommunication and his personal assistant has to hunt him down. Some fun twists and turns lead us from Los Angeles to Melbourne.

Hmm..that is interesting!

What, do you feel, sets this apart from other anthologies?

Great question. I think anthologies are generally a collection of short stories or music. What makes Fools Rush In different is that there is a common thread of April Fools' Day and the genre, Chick Lit, really lends itself to quick, fun reads.

So...give us a teaser or two if you can.

Here are our story blurbs!

Operation:  Tom Foolery by Suzie Jay

Maddison Leary can’t stand her job. She wishes she could quit but can’t afford it. Things start to look up when her usually mean spirited boss Angela asks for her help to organize an April Fools’ Day prank to play on her brother Tom. Maddison is relieved to see Angela’s fun and playful side until she realizes there is evil intentions behind this prank. Now she is involved and can’t see a way out. The last thing she wants to do is hurt the kind hearted and very handsome Tom Pritchard. Can she save herself and Tom from an April Fools’ Day disaster?

Fool Me Once by S.E. Babin

When Alex snags the attention of Beckett Dean, the most popular guy in high school, she knows something is afoot.  After all, she’s nerdy, awkward and her braces can be seen from outer space. Surely Beckett’s interest isn’t romantic.

Beckett is focused on popularity and maintaining his rep as one of the coolest guys in school. When Alex becomes a target for the town’s annual April Fools’ joke, Beckett reluctantly befriends her, only to ultimately ruin the rest of her high school days. Devastated at his behavior, he tries for weeks to apologize. Alex, though, wants nothing to do with him.

Fast forward several years. Alex is successfully running her own business. She still thinks about Beckett, but in an angry stabby way.  When their paths collide once again, will Beckett’s apologies still fall on deaf ears or will she finally grant him the forgiveness he seeks?

Who Does He Think He's Fooling? by Laurie Baxter

It’s April Fools’ Day at ACME Office Amusements and boss Jessica is encouraging a little friendly pranking. But pals Tom and Amy have other things on their minds after an uncomfortable incident the night before has left things more than a little awkward between them.

Fools In Love by Whitney Dineen

Forty something, Corrine Breslin, is divorced and feeling fabulous for the first time in years! Enter a business trip to Chicago and an accidental run-in with former high school debate partner, Ryan Rosco. April Fool’s Day weaves a magic spell on this couple, insuring a happy ending for all.

Don't Prank Me Now, Prank Me Later by Amy Gettinger

What happens when your mischievous fledglings get old enough to assemble a car in the house? How do you get that Play-Doh smell out of your shoes once they’ve been filled with it? And can you revive a friendship that well-deserved anger has blocked for years? These are the questions Xenia Marcks deals with in this fun and pranky April Fool’s Day story.

  

April's Fool by Celia Kennedy

When you hitch your wagon to a star, you might find yourself in an awkward situation!

Talia Rhodes, Personal Assistant to celebrity Shane Clarke, finds her vacation on hold when her boss goes missing! Getting the answers means following a trail from a police station in Mexico to a coffee shop in Melbourne, Australia! One long plane ride later, Talia comes face to face with her boss – will the joke be on her?

Fool's Luck by Enby Alabasel Neville

Amy McKinsey had everything going for her except for one small thing … a serious case of bad luck.

Amy had a great job at Glitz, a lifestyle and fashion magazine in Los Angeles. With a promising career in marketing, great friends and a fabulous wardrobe, it diverted attention from her being a magnet for mishaps.

Her job was on the right track until her new boss, Sarah, a beautiful and vicious young socialite with zero work experience arrived on the scene, determined to wreak havoc on the marketing department starting with Amy’s job.

Beaten down and disheartened by Sarah’s daily verbal assaults, Amy pursued her dream job at Condé Nast in NYC in hopes of a new beginning. Was it possible to leave her misfortunes behind?

 

Fooled Around and Fell In Love by Connie Stephany

Tom Parker had been prey to his mom’s April Fool’s pranks for as long as he could remember.  Getting back at her was long overdue and this was the year he’d make it happen.  With a little coaxing, he was able to convince his best friend, Colleen Toogood, to help him pull it off. All it would take was a fake engagement and his great-grandmother’s wedding ring.  What could possibly go wrong?

These all sound great!

Since we've had you on the blog before, I'm sure readers are curious about your next writing project. Can you tell us what you've got cooking up now or is that a secret?

I was thrilled to be here when I released Kathleen's Undressed, The Accidental Enigma. There has been a very positive response to The Accidental Series, so I am working on Marian's story. The tentative title is Marian's Misguided, The Accidental Roadie. It is so much fun writing a book full of Marian's sarcastic sense of humor, but revealing a more tender side to her normally tough exterior. I'm hoping to release it in December 2015.

Awesome! Can't wait!

Thanks so much for stopping by to tell us about this book, Celia!

Readers, you'll just have to pick up a copy of this awesome new release, which is free right now, by the way!  ;)

About the Author:


Celia Kennedy was born in Wurzburg, Germany on a military base. Her parent’s penchant for traveling has stuck with her, she’s lived in and traveled through several countries.  The imagined world has always fascinated Celia. She has studied Art History, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Architecture. Her thirteen year career at UW in Seattle ended in 1996. Not wanting to be homeless, she left the academic world and worked as a Landscape Architect, married the love of her life, became a mom, has been PTA President, Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout leader.  The unimaginable wealth in her life is the most fascinating thing to her. Her love of travel, the designed and natural world, friendship, self-discovery, wine, chocolate, AND love are the foundation of her books.  Celia published her first book, Charlotte’s Restrained, The Accidental Stalker in December 2012, Venus Rising in August of 2013, Sugar It’s Cold Outside, Cupid on the Loose Anthology, April’s Fool, Fool’s Rush In Anthology, 2015 AND Kathleen’s Undressed, The Accidental Enigma on February 23, 2015. Three other works are in progress.  

Author Links:  
  
Website:  www.celiakennedy.weebly.com
Blog:  www.womanreinventsself.blogspot.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CMKAuthor  
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KennedyCelia  
Amazon Author Central:  http://www.amazon.com/Celia-Kennedy/e/B00AW5KEZO/ Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/celiakennedy/
Google+:   https://plus.google.com/u/0/106475224814075459757/posts  

Celia's Books:

          

 

Exclusive Character Interviews on Devika Fernando's blog!

Devika Fernando was kind enough to let both Fara Bellamont and Captain Grant Hill from Upon Your Return stop by her blog on the 17th and today, the 24th! So exciting! You can see the interviews below:

Featured - Character Interview with Fara Bellamont - Marie Lavender

3/16/2015

 

I'm so excited to have two gorgeous ladies visiting my blog today! Ladies and gents, please welcome Fara Bellamont, the heroine from "Upon Your Return", and the awesome author who's behind her, Marie Lavender. We have a fun Q&A session ahead of us.

Character Interview

Devika: Welcome, Fara. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.

Fara Bellamont:  Oh, it is my absolute pleasure! Thank you kindly for having me (makes a big production of curtsying and then finds a comfortable seat in her Victorian dress).

Devika: Fara, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?

Fara:  Why, I am a lady (she says with a hand to her chest). Though I must admit, now that I am older and a bit wiser, I have entertained being a seamstress a time or two. But, I digress. I am who I am, an heiress. I am not useless, however. When I am not entertaining my uncle’s guests or running the household, I read literature, play the pianoforte or work on my embroidery. Don’t say anything, but I often leave the house without an escort as well. I doubt my uncle is any the wiser.

Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?

Fara:  Oh (hesitates). I came to La Rochelle at a young age to live with my uncle after my parents suddenly perished at sea. I have no one else.

Devika: I see. So how did you meet (hero/heroine)?

Fara:  (Blushes.) Oh, it was all my fault, I assure you. I insisted upon meeting my fiancé alone at the docks, and after dispatching a couple of ruffians who dared to accost me, Captain Grant Hill was so magnanimous in offering me a place to stay for the night. Of course, I hadn’t a choice at the time as I was fairly unconscious.

Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s/she’s the one?

Fara:  How does any woman know? Your palms sweat, your heart beats wildly in your chest, and you nearly forget to breathe. And when he kisses you? Mon Dieu, it is like nothing you would have ever imagined. I suppose that I fully knew when he became less the handsome rogue and more a human being with strengths and flaws. Of course, he will always be a dashing rogue, won’t he?

Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.

Fara:  Oh, I have always wanted to go on great adventures someday, and I hoped for a man to fill my life, one I could love, who could love me in return. My parents are to blame for that dream. With regards to goals, I suppose that my most basic goal is to be happy. Life has been rather unpredictable lately, however.

Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?

Fara:  My parents taught me that love was everything – love for family, romantic love, love in general is more important than social expectations. And seeing the love between them every day cemented that notion. I supposed that, in a sense, made me quick to want the same for myself, however hard that is to accomplish for a lady.

Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?

Fara:  My greatest fears were realized when my parents were killed by pirates when I was eight and a half. If you had asked me after I’d left the convent, I would have plainly said that I feared marrying a complete stranger and living with such a man for the rest of my life. Now? I hope upon hope that Grant never discovers my secrets. It will ruin everything.

Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?

Fara: I only wish for peace and love. How could anyone wish for more than that?

Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*


If you enjoyed this interview, don't forget to stop by again in a week from now, we'll be having the dashing hero Grant over!

About the Book & Author

Upon Your Return blurb
Fara Bellamont has been back in society for a year after leaving Cluny Abbey, where her uncle sent her long ago. When he chooses a suitor for her for marriage, she fears that she will be forced to marry a stranger and live a miserable life. But, Fara finds herself thrust into an adventure of a lifetime when unforeseen circumstances cause her to place her trust in a strange man for protection. His intervention not only saves her, but puts her in an even more compromising position. Grant Hill, a trading captain, is enchanted by the young heiress not only because of her beauty, but because she is hardly conventional. Underneath her ladylike exterior lies a tigress. Grant cannot help but offer his protection as she is in need and he is far from immune from her charms. Fara just never bargained on the passion that she feels for Grant Hill. As events unfold, she must decide whether her desires and the dictates of her heart should trump the rules of society…

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/tpwAq8YFdv8

Purchase Links

Universal Amazon Link: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00I0D9LQ8
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/
CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4284739

Author Bio

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things

Author Links

http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10ahttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos

 

Featured - Character Interview with Grant Hill - Marie Lavender

3/23/2015

0 Comments

 

Exactly a week ago, I had Fara Bellamont, the heroine from Marie Lavender's historical romance novel "Upon Your Return", over for a character interview.

Today, I'm swooning over the hero Captain Grant Hill while asking him my questions!

---

Character Interview

Devika: Welcome, Grant. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat.

Captain Grant Hill: Oh, it is sincerely my pleasure, Madame. (Lifts her hand to bow over it.)

Devika: Grant, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living?

Grant: I am a trading captain. I run the fine clipper ship, La Voyageur, and in doing that, I meet the demands of my clients who require certain items from different ports.

Devika: Interesting. What about your family background?

Grant:  Ah…I usually hesitate to divulge my meager beginnings, but for you, as you have been so kind, I will make an exception. My father was a Lieutenant in the British army, and he met my mother, who was French, while on a tour of duty. I lived in London for a time with my parents until they both died of disease. After that, I had no one except for perhaps Captain Smith of The Challenger, who taught me all I know now. And there is also Eric, whom I would count as family, but the way in which we met is not my story to tell.

Devika: I see. So how did you meet Fara?

Grant:  I stumbled across Fara in the harbor of La Rochelle one night when I was returning to my ship from a meeting with a supplier. It seemed she was in a bit of trouble, and I couldn’t very well walk away from a lady in peril. And a fine lady she was…(Smiles secretly.)

Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know he’s/she’s the one?

Grant:  (Rubs a hand briefly over his face.) I suppose you know when she is the first thing you think about in the morning, and before you go to sleep. You know when she is a constant distraction in your mind, not just her lovely face or body, but her redeeming qualities – her many kindnesses, her smile, the way she challenges you in small ways.

Devika: Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life.

Grant:  I suppose I achieved what I wanted. I wanted to be a sailor and through working on many ships, I became one. Watching Captain Smith made me seek more for myself, and I found La Voyageur and made it my own, and I hired the best damned crew I know…er, pardon the language, Madame. As for dreams, my secret dream is to see my mother again. I wish that was possible. She was the kindest woman I ever knew, until Fara.

Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today?

Grant:  I regret to say that being forced into the streets at such a young age gave me a thicker skin than I ever imagined. I worked up from the dregs of society to get to where I am today. I was determined that I would survive, and I have.

Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear?

Grant:  My greatest fear is causing harm to Fara because of all the secrets I keep. And second? Having to walk away to protect her, and possibly never seeing her again.

Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would you wish for?

Grant:  All in all, I suppose I would want peace, to throw off the dark burdens that hound me every waking moment. I would like to live a nice life, a contented one.

Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. *waves*

About the Book & Author

Upon Your Return blurb

Fara Bellamont has been back in society for a year after leaving Cluny Abbey, where her uncle sent her long ago. When he chooses a suitor for her for marriage, she fears that she will be forced to marry a stranger and live a miserable life. But, Fara finds herself thrust into an adventure of a lifetime when unforeseen circumstances cause her to place her trust in a strange man for protection. His intervention not only saves her, but puts her in an even more compromising position. Grant Hill, a trading captain, is enchanted by the young heiress not only because of her beauty, but because she is hardly conventional. Underneath her ladylike exterior lies a tigress. Grant cannot help but offer his protection as she is in need and he is far from immune from her charms. Fara just never bargained on the passion that she feels for Grant Hill. As events unfold, she must decide whether her desires and the dictates of her heart should trump the rules of society…

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/tpwAq8YFdv8

Purchase Links

Universal Amazon Link: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00I0D9LQ8
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/
CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4284739

Author Bio

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things

Author Links

http://marielavender.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MarieLavender/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10ahttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos

 

 

 

 

Wonderful 5 Star Review for SECOND NATURE!

I am so excited to announce that I stumbled across this amazing Amazon review today for Second Nature, book one of the Blood at First Sight Series!

One of the Best Vampire Romances I have read, March 14, 2015

By 

Azia

Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Second Nature (Blood At First Sight Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

One of the Best Vampire Romances I have read! I really enjoyed reading this book. Very well written and easy to read. This book is on my "favorites" book shelf... to be treasured! This story has it all...and the best part is the happy ending. Left me wanting to read more about these two, and their future adventures together. So looking forward to reading many more stories by this author! If you are looking for a great Vampire romance... I Highly recommend this book!

 

 

Thank you, Azia, for your awesome book review! More books in the series are coming!

A Chance to Win a Free Book!

Hi, readers! Stop by The Romance Reviews at their 4th Anniversary Party today and compete for your chance to win a free ebook of Second Nature!

You have to register to qualify, but is painless, I swear. Just head to the site, sign up for free (unless you already have) and then answer as many questions as you like for the prizes they're offering today. The question for Second Nature starts with "What does Desiree read aloud..."

So, head on over to the party at TRR! You won't be sorry!

Oh, and just so you know, they're offering prizes every day this month for various romance titles. It's definitely worth looking into in my book!  :)

What Does Success Mean?

What Does Success Mean?

I stumbled across this question while reading a blog post yesterday, and it was unrelated to writers. This question, which clearly had the blogger stumped, was just as thought-provoking for me. I thought I would turn it on all of you. 

“Success” is a complicated word. Writers at any level of their careers can struggle with this problem of properly defining “success”. So, what is success, in your opinion? Now, before you jump in and tell me that success is a house in the Hampton’s and a summer home in France, which are worthy goals, to be sure, perhaps you should give yourself time to ruminate on this question. I posit this question to you, and then dare you to come back to it five years later. I bet your answer would change. 

The truth is that we’re all in the same crazy boat, whether we’re just starting out as writers, or whether we’re self-published or traditionally published. The competition is fierce, forcing us to get rather creative in our author journeys. Both indie and traditionally published authors have to work their butts off, and anyone who thinks it’s simple is just plain wrong. So, I urge you to consider the following questions carefully.

1.     How do you define success?

2.     What are your goals as an author?

3.     Why do you write?

4.     Is there a moment that has made you especially proud? Or more than one?

5.     What do you require to be happy?

“Wait a minute, Marie. This is getting deep. Aren’t you going too far?”

Not really. As authors, we must constantly reevaluate our goals, and shape them as trends change. We evolve as writers, just as we grow as people through our experiences. And I sincerely think these questions can help anyone, even if you aren’t a writer.

What does “success” mean to you? Is it measured by a steady paycheck and food on the table? Or do you have loftier goals in mind? What is your passion? Have you pursued it? If you haven’t, why not? And what will satisfy you in the long run?

As an author, is it enough to see how far you’ve come? Maybe not, but it should weigh into your goals on some level. Why not take a moment and recognize it? Did you imagine you’d be here five years ago? Well, heck, I certainly didn’t! I was just trying out the self-publishing fad after years of writing and actively working on my big manuscript. Fast forward five years and now I’ve published twenty books, I run three blogs, moderate several discussion groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, I’ve had numerous author interviews, both on blogs and on the radio, written countless articles, and the story ideas just won’t quit. I’m just plugging away, steadily working on my goals. Instead of thinking, “Well, gee, I’d love to be a millionaire someday”, I am thinking of specific projects, and what kind of progress I’d like to make on those.  

So, what is success to you, and how do you go about defining it?  Maybe you have a role model you look up to, someone you know has gone through a lot to get where they are today. Well, that’s great! Is that person your idea of “success”? Or could you also be just as inspired by a mother of three who works a day job, manages to get a promotion, and still carves some quality time out of the day to spend with her children? 

No matter our goals as authors, we can’t forget that we are human beings as well. How do your goals fit into your life? Life will go on regardless of whether we write. The clock will keep moving, and the people who depend on us will still require our attention. Being an author can feel like a solitary, juggling journey at times, but it’s not exactly lonely. A whole community of writers who’ve been through the same thing, who are going through the same thing, are out there as well.

Despite all of that, it’s good to define your idea of success, and answer some important questions for yourself from time to time. Your answers may change as you grow as an author.

So, what is “success”? I’ll give it a go. To me, it is pursuing your dreams and taking the risks to achieve them.

What are my goals? I don’t ask for the moon, and I don’t really care for being a millionaire. My ultimate goal is to make it into a bookstore, and I don’t mean just walking into one. LOL. I’d like to see at least one of my titles on the shelves. 

I don’t know how it will happen and I don’t know when, but there it is. I think the goal is achievable, and I will continue to work towards it while enjoying the crazy journey along the way. Do I have other goals? Sure, I do, but they are smaller goals, as aforementioned. The great thing about being an author is that you can reshape your goals as publishing trends change. Will bookstores go out of style? Will ebooks take over entirely? I don’t know, but honestly, I am satisfied with where I am right now.

Why do I write? I am answering the call inside of me, the urge to put pen to paper, and I am honoring the characters who need their stories told.

A proud moment, or moments? There have been a few. Receiving a book contract was one, and I can’t even describe how it felt to see my book in print for the first time. Amazing! And third? Well, I think I feel a wonderful thrill every time that I finish a manuscript. There’s just something about knowing the world you’ve created has played out to the best of your ability, that you’ve told your story and honored your characters. 

And then there’s that tricky question…

What do you require to be happy as a writer or author? For myself, just give me the ability to write (a keyboard, or a pen and paper), maybe some fresh air and a good drink like hot tea or water. Then I am set! I don’t need anything fancy, just that connection to the page, to the story and I know I can’t lose. Writing is who I am. To take it away would be a personal tragedy. If I ever get stranded on a deserted island, I'm probably screwed because I'd have no creative outlet. Although if I could find a way to create a makeshift pencil, I guess I could write on palm leaves. LOL. But, I digress. Back to the topic of success.

So, is that enough for you? Can you content yourself with how far you’ve come as a writer or author (remember that those successes should be celebrated too!), and knowing that you are still working towards your ultimate goals? An even if you’re not a writer, these questions can be just as thought-provoking. Let me change it up a bit in that case.

1.     How do you measure success?

2.     What are your professional/personal goals?

3.     What is your passion? Why do you do it? If you haven’t pursued it yet, why not? What’s standing in your way?

4.     Think about some of the proudest moments in your life.

5.     What do you require to be happy?

Wow! See how that completely changed everything? Why shouldn’t we take a step back from our busy lives, and try to define “success” for ourselves? It will mean something different for everyone. Maybe your definition of success is that mentor you’ve always looked up to. 

Perhaps it’s one or both of your parents. Just because that person isn’t in your industry doesn’t mean you don’t admire their trials and successes, big or small. Or maybe success for you is defined by a specific item you’d like to earn or acquire.

So, what does success mean to you? Think about it. I dare you.

Pretty Good Reviews for the Heiresses in Love Series!

I just came across these two reviews for Upon Your Return and Upon Your Honor. Not too bad!  :)

Upon Your Return (Heiresses in Love Series, #1)
by Marie Lavender (Goodreads Author)

Cynthia's review

Feb 02, 14

3 of 5 stars

bookshelves: romance

Read from January 30 to February 02, 2014

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

I loved the cover of this book, very nice and sexy. I found Captain Grant Hill to be a wonderful sexy character. He was a wonderful protector of a very stubborn lady who know what she wants and doesn't let the world tell her what she should do. It took a lot of balls or I guess I should say backbone to do some of the things she does. I found this to be a very sweet, loving, passionate book. Fara was born in a time where women had little rights and others took control, you had no say even in marriage. There are a lot of twist and turns it is hard to keep up at times, and I did get a little confused but all in all it was a very good read. 

 

 

A story of finding true love, February 26, 2015

By 

Cyn

This review is from: Upon Your Honor (Kindle Edition)

This was intriguing story filled with excitement from Chloe running away after her father’s death to her being kidnapped along with falling in love. The author gives you a wonderful plot but at times it is just too long. I found this enjoyable read but found my mind wondered at times. The author did pull me back in with wonderful parts in the book.

Chloe has already lost her mother at a young age, to lose her father at 19 was too much add a man that claims her father wanted her to marry him and take over her money was more than she could take. She decides she should go to her grandmothers, gets on a boat and leaves life as she knows it. Chloe is a very strong willed lady and goes through some trying times. Gabriel finds her and does his best to protect her, men kidnap her but Gabriel finds her. Both have a lot to learn as they travel the seas and endure many trying times.

I thought the author gave us wonderful characters with a story to tell. I loved Gabriel for his strong caring ways. He grew to be a wonderful man you could lean on, one that cares so much and gives so much. Chloe grew to be a better person to learn to trust and found that not all mean are evil or have bad intent.

I felt this was an enjoyable read at times long winded and could have been cut down a little. All in all it wasn’t a bad read. At times I was a little confused but I worked it out. The author does have a wonderful plot with wonderful characters. She tells a story of lost, pain and sorrow as they grow to become stronger more meaningful adults. I wouldn’t say this is your normal historical romance but a good one with a wonderful ending.