Apr 18, 2016 | April 2016, Blog, Coffee With, Maisey Yates
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte with Coconut Milk and a drizzle of caramel and chocolate:) What would you order?
Maisey: Well, if it’s Fall…a pumpkin spice latte. Otherwise I just drink Americanos with a little bit of cream.
Rae: Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. Congratulations on your RITA nomination in the Contemporary Romance: Long category for Brokedown Cowboy. Super exciting and what an honor. Where were you when you got the call?
Maisey: I was home. We get the calls very early in the day, so it was just after 8 in the morning. I had gone into my office with a fresh cup and then the phone rang. My coffee ended up getting cold. 🙂
Rae: For those who are not familiar with your work can you tell us a little bit your books and series. You write about cowboys, bikers, billionaires, royalty, and so much more. Can we expect any more releases from your current series?
Maisey: I have three full length books in the Copper Ridge series this year, plus two that will be released in the Harlequin Desire line. As for the future, there will be at least six more books in the series released over the next couple of years.
Rae: Any future standalone reads?
Maisey: My Harlequin Presents (where my billionaire and royals hang out!) tend to be standalone, more or less. And I have two really fun ones coming this summer. One with a hero who has amnesia (Carides’s Forgotten Wife) out in August and that was SUPER FUN to write.
Rae: A quick little plug – readers should run to Amazon right now, Brokedown Cowboy (Copper Ridge Book 2) is $0.99 on Amazon. Readers, this is a perfectly priced book to start your collection or add to it! 🙂 I’ve had the chance to read a few of the Deacons of Bourbon Street. How did you research for this series and did you collaborate with the other authors in this series before you began to plot? Have you ever had a ride on a motorcycle? I did once, a Harley Davidson and it was a thrilling experience.
Maisey: I am…way too much of a chicken to get on a motorcycle. But the series came out of a trip to New Orleans for RT a couple of years ago with Megan Crane and Rachael Johns. Jackie Ashenden wasn’t there, but when we got that series idea we knew we needed her, because her heroes are just so perfect for that setting. We all ended up plotting over Skype during a few different sessions, and traded what we were working on around.
Rae: Where do you draw your inspiration? Do you get to travel to any fun places in the name of research?
Maisey: I do a lot with google. But I’ve been inspired to write a lot of places after going there. Recently I wrote a Presents with a scene in Musee d’Orsay in Paris, which I would never have thought to do if I hadn’t had the chance to go. I also spent a few days on the Oregon Coast while working on Bad News Cowboy, but that’s an area I’m familiar with so I went mostly to get the vibe.
Rae: Can you tell us when and where you will be in the upcoming months?
Maisey: In May I’ll be at BEA and Bookcon, signing Tough Luck Hero and Take Me, Cowboy. And then in July I’ll be in San Diego for the Romance Writers of America.
***** 8 Tantalizing Tidbits ****
1. What is a must read book and why?
Edge of Obsession by Megan Crane. I would never normally read dystopian. But her world is fantastic, the heroes are hot (Post apocalyptic vikings anyone??) and the story is epic.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
I think if you come to Oregon you have to check out Bandon by the Sea and old town. It’s a lot like I picture Copper Ridge.
3. Castles or Beaches?
Beaches for sure.
4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
I have played many instruments in my day. Piano, flute, tin whistle, trumpet and violin.
5. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist?
Heh. Country. 🙂 And I love Dierks Bentley (I got to see him in concert last August and I nearly swooned to death) and Sam Hunt.
6. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go?
I would LOVE to go to Italy. Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Milan…I’ve been to Australia twice now, and before that was my bucket list locale. So now I want to see more of Europe.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
I weekly view some shows, but I’m a BIG binge watcher. Most recently Supernatural and Gilmore Girls (LOVE)
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
I have to go with the Edge Books by Megan Crane (which I recommended above too). It is SUCH an interesting world, and I’d love to see it on the big screen.
Thanks again for hanging out! Time for another Latte 🙂 Happy Reading Dear Readers.
Happy Writing Maisey!
**********
Here is a quick teaser for One Night Charmer that releases tomorrow.
Copper Ridge, Oregon’s favorite bachelor is about to meet his match
If the devil wore flannel, he’d look like Ace Thompson. He’s gruff. Opinionated. Infernally hot. The last person that Sierra West wants to ask for a bartending job—not that she has a choice. Ever since discovering that her “perfect” family is built on a lie, Sierra has been determined to make it on her own. Resisting her new boss should be easy when they’re always bickering. Until one night, the squabbling stops…and something far more dangerous takes over.
Ace has a personal policy against messing around with staff—or with spoiled rich girls. But there’s a steel backbone beneath Sierra’s silver-spoon upbringing. She’s tougher than he thought, and so much more tempting. Enough to make him want to break all his rules, even if it means risking his heart…
** synopsis provided by the author**
**********************************************************
To find out who wins the 2016 RITA in each category head over to Romance Writers of America on July 16 at 8PM PT. Winners will be announced and be sure to follow #RITAGH and #RWA16 for all the news that night!
Good Luck to all!
Author Info:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit.
In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
Apr 15, 2016 | April 2016, Blog, Coffee With, Marnee Blake, RITA 2016 Finalist
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte with Coconut Milk 🙂 What would you order?
Marnee: I love anything with Mocha. So, Mocha Latte, probably. I’m currently hooked on Dunkin Donuts iced mocha swirl coffee with cream. Yum.
Rae: Thanks so much for hanging out with me today and Congratulations on your recent RITA nomination Best New Book – Altered.
Marnee: Thank you for inviting me! And thank you for the congratulations! It’s been an exciting few weeks. 
Rae: When you received the call were you with anyone? Who did you share the news with first?
Marnee: The call for the RITA? Actually, my whole family was home to share with me. My kids started Spring Break on March 25, and my husband works from home every Friday. So, everyone witnessed my squealing, “Oh my Gods!” Right after that, I texted my closest writing friends.
Rae: Can you tell us a little bit about your Altered that’s nominated for Best New Book? Aspiring writers want to know, did you enter this book in any contests before it was published?
Marnee: ALTERED was actually a 2014 Golden Heart® finalist as well. The book is a New Adult sci-fi romantic thriller. It was so much fun to write. Before I signed with my agent and became contracted, I usually entered one or two contests per book I wrote. I would always recommend entering the Golden Heart®, if an author’s book is ready and able to be entered. I finaled in 2014 and 2015. The Golden Heart® experience is unique and worth the entrance fee every time.
Rae: How did you know that you wanted to write adult sci-fi romantic thrillers?
Marnee: I actually didn’t know that was what I was writing when I was writing ALTERED. LOL! The characters showed up with the catalyst for their story–a flu that kills most of a small town–and I went from there. I thought it was YA, because my main character, Blue, and some of the supporting characters are still in their teens. That’s how I marketed it.
Rae: Without giving away any spoilers the story starts off with Blue, the heroine getting violently ill and then waking up to discover everyone has died, well almost everyone. Sounds exciting and very on-the-edge of my reading.
Marnee: I think that ALTERED would appeal to any reader who likes action-packed, fast-paced reads. Though technically the book is a sci-fi romantic thriller, I think that the speculative aspects are accessible. The story takes part in our world, in our time. It’s not dystopian. It was sort of my way of playing “what if” about some scary things I read once.
Rae: When you wrote this story did you know what was going to happen or did it evolve as you were writing it?
Marnee: I did know what was going to happen when I started writing. I’m a pretty serious plotter. I can’t go forward without know what’s going to happen.
Rae: What was your biggest obstacle or challenge while writing this story?
Marnee: As far as obstacles or challenges, I guess there are hard parts of every book, or spots that need to be adjusted. Thank goodness I’m surrounded by incredibly smart people–critique partners, agents, editors, copy-editor–and all of them helped to mold this book into its best form.
Rae: For fans who are anxiously awaiting the sequel Avenged this June can you give us a peek? What can we expect?
Marnee: AVENGED follows two of the characters who appear in ALTERED, Nick and Kitty. While Blue and Seth’s story reaches a happy place in ALTERED, Kitty and Nick are still in limbo. AVENGED gives them their chance.
Rae: I love your cover design and can’t wait to see the next book – Entangled Publishing has some very creative cover designers.
Marnee: Isn’t that cover gorgeous!? It was designed by the incredible Louisa at LM Creations. I love it. 
Rae: Thank you again and I’m thrilled we had a chance to sit down and chat.
Marnee: Thank you for having me!
*** 8 Tantalizing Tidbits ***
1. What is your must read book and why?
Oh, good question! I would say Perfect by Judith McNaught. It was one of my gateway to romance novel books, and it hits all the feels.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
My hometown is a small town in Western PA. I’d suggest visiting the local truck stop. They make salads with fries on them out there. It’s a Western PA thing…and it’s delicious.
3. Castles or Beaches?
Castles. I’m the palest person you’ll meet, so most sunny-weather activity requires SPF 2847456. But, even if that wasn’t the case, I love the history of castles and the interesting lives that live there.
4. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go?
Ireland. So much cool folklore, and the pictures are so gorgeous.
5. What is your guilty pleasure?
Godiva chocolate bars, the kind you buy at the check out at Barnes and Noble. My hubs and I aren’t big card givers, but he will pick them up for me for Valentine’s Day or anniversaries…or if he’s just feeling sweet. Now that’s a real hero, ladies. 
6. What are you afraid of?
Spiders. Or pretty much anything that jumps out at me. I don’t like surprises at all.
7. Organized or Free Floating?
ORGANIZED. I’m a Virgo, so my spaces have to feel calm and orderly before I can focus. I’m also a scheduler and a listmaker.
8. What is one thing your can’t live without?
Blistex. I think I’m addicted.
Thanks again for hanging out! Time for another Latte 🙂
Happy Reading Dear Readers.
Happy Writing Marnee
To find out who wins head over to Romance Writers of America on July 16 at 8PM PT. Winners will be announced and be sure to follow #RITAGH and #RWA16 for all the news that night!
Good Luck to all!
Author Info:
Rita® finalist and double Golden Heart® finalist Marnee Blake used to teach high school students but these days she only has to wrangle her own children. Originally from a small town in Western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic boys. When she isn’t writing, she can be found refereeing disputes between her children, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.
Apr 14, 2016 | April 2016, Blog, Coffee With, RITA 2016 Finalist
In addition to my reviews, Blitz’s and news I am thrilled to have the following authors on the blog for Coffee With .
Mark your calendars dear readers now for the following Coffee With dates and join us!
Be sure to follow me here on the blog, on Twitter: @RaeLatte and Facebook: Rae Latte so you don’t miss out on all the fun!
April
15 – 2016 RITA Best First Book Finalist Marnee Blake
18 – 2016 RITA Contemporary Romance: Long Finalist and New York Times Bestselling Author Maisey Yates
22– Contemporary Romance Writer MK Meredith
20 – 2016 RITA Contemporary Romance: Long Finalist Kimberly Kincaid
25 – 2016 RITA Best First Book Finalist Scarlett Cole
27 -2016 RITA Novella Finalist and USA Today Best Selling Author Robin Covington
May
2 – New York Times Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely
10 RITA 2016 Romantic Suspense Finalist, award winning and Bestselling author Loreth Anne White
12 – RITA 2016 Contemporary Romance: Short Finalist and USA Today Best Selling Author Heidi Rice
17– RITA 2016 Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length finalist and New York Times Best Selling Author Jaci Burton
19– RITA 2016 Paranormal Romance Finalist M.J. Scott
24 – RITA 2016 Historical Romance Short & New York Times Bestselling Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
June
2 – RITA 2016 Contemporary Romance: Long finalist, Amazon and Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author Tracy Brogan
7 – RITA 2016 Double Finalist Asa Maria Bradley for Best First Book and the Paranormal Categories
Date TBD
RITA 2016 Double Finalist in Romantic Suspense and New York Times Bestselling Author Roxanne St. Claire
Contemporary Romance Author Harper Kincaid
***** More to come!!! *****
Apr 4, 2016 | April 2016, Blog, Coffee With, Katie Ruggle
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte with Coconut Milk 🙂 What would you order?
Katie: A chai latte, please! I’m definitely a tea drinker, since any amount of caffeine makes my heart race, and I talk very fast (more so than usual, even :-)).
Rae: Thanks so much for hanging out with me today.
Katie: Thank you for having me! I love your reviews, and I’m so happy to be here.
Rae: Thank you for your kind words. I am thrilled that everyone will soon be able to discover the men and women from your Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue series. I am in love with your characters and can’t wait to see what mischief they get into.
Katie: I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series! It’s so scary letting the characters out into the world—I worry that no one will like them. It’s a little like letting your kindergartner get on the bus that first day of school, I imagine.
Rae: I think readers will rejoice knowing that they are investing in a series where each book will be released every two months or so – music to our ears! Are there any plans for books beyond the fourth one?
Katie: Even though I was cursing the packed release schedule while doing edits, I’m really glad they will be coming out so close together. I know the pain of reading the first in a series, falling in love with it, and then having to wait forever for the next one.
Although I don’t have any plans for a fifth Search and Rescue book at this time, it’s not an impossibility (or even an improbability). Also, there might’ve been some discussion about a future spin-off series, but you didn’t hear that from me. 😉
Rae: I must give thanks to your cover designers – LOVE them! Yup, sexy and edgy – makes you want to dive in with them 😉
Katie: Agreed! I love them, as well. Sourcebooks’ art department, the photographers, the models—everyone involved did an awesome job.
Rae: For those who have not read On His Watch they need to run over to their e-retailer and download it now, while it’s free! The first book in the series will be here in hours, the release day is tomorrow! Congrats. What was your biggest obstacle while writing this series? Were there any challenges while writing the books?
Katie: Thank you! I’m equal parts thrilled and terrified about the (quickly!) approaching release of Hold Your Breath. Although writing the rough drafts was a relatively smooth process, with only minimal head-to-desk thumping, the biggest obstacle presented itself during edits—my schedule! I’m currently working the 10pm to 6am shift at a bakery. When I get home, I take the dogs for a run and then settle in to write or edit or do whatever else needs doing (while trying to resist the lure of Facebook. Darn those cute cat videos that keep me from working!). At 1pm (or 2pm or 3pm), I head to bed. As much as I like baking bread for many people, my dream is to write full-time eventually. Until then, I grab sleep when I can get it.
Rae: I am fascinated that you lived “off the grid” for a while – how long? What, if anything, did you miss most from modern civilization? How close was your nearest neighbor?
Katie: I lived in the Rockies for three-plus years. It honestly wasn’t as rough as it sounds—I had internet (okay, so it was satellite internet and only a baby-step faster than dial-up, but still…internet). After I was snowed in with a nonfunctioning wind turbine and propane generator and no clue how to fix either of them, I decided that a Plan B was necessary (as were Plans C-ZZ), so I had plenty of power after that. Living off-grid was mostly a matter of changing habits: charging all my electronics during the day while the sun was shining (gotta love that solar power), not using anything heat-producing (energy-suckers!) at night, and just being aware of electrical use.
I missed fresh produce the most—if I couldn’t make the thirteen-mile trip to the grocery store (which happened often), then I was stuck with frozen and canned vegetables and fruit. I’m not sure how far away they were in terms of mileage, but I could just manage to see my closest neighbors’ house from my driveway (I had thirty-nine acres). They were the best neighbors ever. About a year after I moved into my mountain home, they sent me a letter. Expecting to find a complaint about my dogs’ barking or something equally unappealing, I reluctantly opened it, only to find that they were very sweetly introducing themselves and offering to be my “Plan B” if anything was to go wrong (it was like they somehow knew how much I loved back-up plans). Although I rarely saw them except to wave as our pickups passed on the road, I always knew they were there and willing to help. It was reassuring in a place where the average emergency-response time was close to twenty minutes.
Rae: What inspired you to get your ice-rescue certification?
Katie: Honestly, it was less an inspiration and more of me stumbling into it. The fire department where I was volunteering at the time offered the course, and I thought, “That sounds interesting and kind of fun.” It was both, but also humbling…very, very humbling. Trying to “save” someone while dealing with the drysuit and the effects of the cold water was much harder than I expected. Let me just say that Lou’s first attempt was stellar compared to mine.
Rae: Wow, you’re skilled in Krav Maga, boxing and gymnastics – I know who I want with me when I need reinforcements 😉 I’ve always wanted to learn Krav Maga, but fear I wouldn’t be able to move after the first lesson. What would you suggest to anyone interested in learning?
Katie: Um…I wouldn’t exactly use the word “skilled.” The more classes I take, the more I realize how little I actually know. Krav Maga is awesome—you should try it! You’re right about it being a workout, but I like that it’s so practical. Instead of moving just for the sake of exercising, you’re also learning self-defense. To anyone interested in starting, I’d suggest ignoring your worries that it’ll be awkward and you’ll look dumb because you don’t know what you’re doing. Force yourself to go to that first class, and I bet there’ll be other raw beginners there. Plus, everyone’s concentrating on what they’re doing, so no one will even notice (much less mock) any dorky moves you might throw out there. A lot of places offer a free first class, as well as women-only courses. You’ll love it—it’s fun to feel like a bad-ass, even if you do limp home and fall face-first onto the couch afterward.
8 Tantalizing Tidbits:
- What is your must read book and why? This is the Wonder by Tracey Ward, because it’s a sweet, simple, beautiful story.
2.What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown? If you’d asked me a few months ago, when my hometown was Fairplay (aka South Park), Colorado, I would’ve answered the liquor store/taxidermy shop. I mean, you can’t beat that kind of one-stop shopping. When asked why the “liquor store” sign over the door was upside down, the owner answered, “It’s not upside down if you’re lying on the ground.”
Now that my address is a tiny Minnesota town (population 214), I’m not sure how to answer…I mean, all three bars on the same block-and-a-quarter making up the downtown seem like lovely places, but I don’t think I’m qualified to give can’t-miss recommendations yet. I’ve got a few years before I’ll achieve “local” status.
3. Castles or Beaches? Both. Is both an option? I visited Ireland for the first time a couple of years ago, and I fell in love with the castles. However, I’m a huge fan of SCUBA diving, and that works better somewhere with a beach (unless I do moat diving?).
4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. When I was small, I gave myself a new last name, and requested that I be called “Katie Ruggle Pittman.”
5. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go? Ack—so hard to choose. I want to go everywhere! I’m going to have to pick New Zealand, though.
6. What is your guilty pleasure? Tropical Skittles. Oh, and cookies.
7. What are you afraid of? Ticks. Ugh. I’m fine with pretty much any other creepy-crawlies (I saw a huge spider in the hall at work the other day, and I said, “Hey, little dude,” and kept on walking), but ticks make my skin crawl.
8. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one? No tats, only because I couldn’t decide on what I wanted. I also have a bit of a short attention span (“Squirrel!”), so I was worried that I’d get tired of it or, even worse, start to hate it.
Rae: Thanks again for hanging out! Time for another Latte 🙂 Happy Reading Dear Readers. Happy Writing Katie!
Katie: Thank you Rae! This has been fun. I can’t wait to see your review of Hold Your Breath!
Rae: Readers be sure to come back tomorrow for my review of Hold Your Breath and another chance at a fabulous giveaway.
*****GIVEAWAY CLOSED*****
Sourcebooks Casablanca is giving away
ONE print copy of Hold Your Breath to a lucky reader at the end
of this Blitz!
For a chance to win, answer the following question:
Would you ever be willing to live “off the grid” and if so, where would you go?
At the end of the blitz all names from each daily post will be pooled together and a winner will be randomly selected by Books I Love A Latte on 4/6/16. This giveaway is exclusive to BILA and not a blog-wide giveaway.
Once posted the winner will have 24 hours to comment or another name will be drawn.
* Note: contest open to US & Canada residents only.*
Author Info:
A fan of the old adage “write what you know”, Katie Ruggle lived in an off-grid, solar- and wind-powered house in the Rocky Mountains until her family lured her back to Minnesota. When she’s not writing, Katie rides horses, shoots guns (not while riding, although that would be awesome), cross-country skis (badly) and travels to warm places where she can scuba dive. A graduate of the Police Academy, Katie received her ice-rescue certification and can attest that the reservoirs in the Colorado mountains really are that cold. A fan of anything that makes her feel like a bad-ass, she has trained in Krav Maga, boxing and gymnastics.
Dec 8, 2015 | Blog, Coffee With, December 2015, Meredith Wild
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte. Today I’m feeling a bit festive and may try a gingerbread spiced Latte with Coconut Milk 🙂 What would you order?
Meredith: I’d order a Crème Brulee latte from the Gulu Gulu café in my old stomping grounds, Salem, Mass. Since I’m a Floridian now, I’m more likely to have a sweet tea 😉
Rae: Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. I must say, your Hacker series looks fabulous! I absolutely love the covers!
Meredith: Thanks! I actually designed the original covers myself (I was a graphic designer in a past life). I love simple covers that don’t give too much of the story away and make people wonder what you’re reading!
Rae: Congrats on the Today Show mention earlier this fall. Did you know they were going to mention you? How many friends and family members texted or phoned you after the segment aired?
Meredith: I got a brief heads up that they were going to mention it. I was in back to back interviews that day, but my Facebook definitely blew up with comments when it posted!
Rae: While I haven’t yet read the Hacker series I’m fascinated with the idea that it centers around computers/software development. I’m hoping it makes it into my holiday gift stash this season.
Meredith: I ran a software company for a decade before I started writing full-time, so I had a lot of inspiration from my experiences in the tech world. I also had an amazing team of programmers and designers whose personalities made their way into the books. It was fun to weave those experiences in with a steamy love story.
Rae: I read that before you started writing you were a voracious reader. Are you still able to read as much?
Meredith: As a mom and full-time writer, I don’t have a ton of time to read but it’s an important part of the creative process. “Keep good sentences in your ears,” as they say, and once a book pulls me in, I make time to see it through.
Rae: When you first set out to write this book did you ever imagine how large it would become?
Meredith: I didn’t imagine that my readership would grow so much and so quickly, but like anyone else, I had big dreams.
Rae: As the former CEO for a software company was there anything that you had to research that came up while writing your series that you had not experienced before?
Meredith: When I was writing some of the hacker scenes, I definitely consulted with my geek squad that I used to work with at my company to make sure everything sounded legit.
Rae: I admire that you strive to keep your writing and your family life separate and hope that your fans respect that. I can’t imagine that it’ easy.
Meredith: The line between my author life and my “real life” gets blurrier with time. Being a writer is a huge part of my life, and my family is a huge part of who I am as a person, so fans get occasional glimpses into my personal world. People in the media have been really good about respecting my privacy though.
Rae: For those not familiar with your series can tell us… should we read the series in order or can each book be read as a stand alone?
Meredith: The series should be read in order, starting with Hardwired.
Rae: Will there be any additional books in this series?
Meredith: I’m tentatively plotting a spin-off story around two side characters, but I have no immediate plans to write or publish that book.
Rae: What’s next that we can look forward to?
Meredith: Right now, I’m writing Into the Fire, the second book in the Bridge Series. People who read Cameron and Maya’s story in On My Knees, Bridge book #1 have been patiently waiting for this sequel, so I’m looking forward to delivering it this coming June.
Rae: Thank you so much for hanging out with me – it’s been a blast!
Meredith: Thanks for having me! Have a great holiday!
Happy Reading Dear Readers.
Happy Writing Meredith!
***8 Tantalizing Tidbits***
1. What’s your Must read book and why?
If You Need to Cry, Go Outside, by Kelly Cutrone. This book is like an anthem for women. Sort of like Lean In meets fashion, with no corporate politeness or filter. Kelly has a great story and so many powerful points to make. She’s progressive, bitchy, and owns it. I love everything about this book, and if I loan it to you, it comes with strict instructions to return it when finished.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
Right now I call Destin, Florida home, so I would have to advise spending a full day on the beach. Crystal white sands, emerald waters, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some dolphins too!
3. What is one thing that readers would be surprised to know about you?
I sleep with a teddy bear.
4. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist?
Alternative mostly, but my playlist is pretty ecclectic. I have way too many favorites to name! The Neighbourhood, Tracy Chapman, Family of the Year, Bonnie Raitt, and X Ambassadors are some of what I’m listening to lately.
5. What is your guilty pleasure?
M/M romance
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
I have two tattoos. The first was a Celtic trinity knot which I had inked back when I was a rebellious college student.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
Binge. I can never remember to watch weekly. I’ve had a crazy year so I’m behind on a ton of my favorite shows!
8. Do you love to cook or go out to eat?
I’ve recently rediscovered my love of cooking, but I can’t resist a fine dining experience with the hubby. If I had to choose, I’d always go with the latter.
Author Info:
Meredith Wild is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of romance. Living on Florida’s Gulf Coast with her husband and three children, she refers to herself as a techie, whiskey-appreciator, and hopeless romantic. After self-publishing her debut novel Hardwired in September 2013, Wild used her ten years of experience as a tech entrepreneur to push the boundaries of her “self-published” status, becoming stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstore chains nationwide and forging relationships with the major e-tailers. In December 2014, her fourth book in the series hit #1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists, a rare feat for an indie author.
Under her own imprint, Waterhouse Press, Wild went on to sell over 1.2 million ebooks and 200,000 trade paperbacks before signing a $7m deal with Hachette’s Grand Central Publishing for the acquisition of her five Hacker Series novels. The fifth and final book, Hard Love, hit #2 on the New York Times bestsellers list and #6 on the USA Today bestsellers list its release week. While complete, the series continues to grow in popularity worldwide. Foreign rights have been sold in over 20 languages, including all English-speaking territories, most of Europe, and Brazil.
When she isn’t living in the fantasy world of her characters, she can usually be found at www.facebook.com/meredithwild. Find out more about what projects she’s working on next at www.meredithwild.com.
Oct 27, 2015 | Blog, Coffee With, Kathryn Le Veque
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Latte and since it’s Fall…well that means it’s time for a Pumpkin Spice Latte with Coconut Milk 🙂 What would you order?
Kathryn: I have an issue with caffeine (unlike a lot of my sweet author friends, I am not a caffeine hound!) so I would drink hot chocolate or water. I’m a big water drinker!
Rae: Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. I must say, your Medieval Historical Romance series looks fabulous! I want to let you know that while I haven’t read your series I have downloaded Books1 and 4 of De Wolfe pack to my e-reader thanks to Amazon and am reading The Wolfe now. I am hooked and I’m only on page 3. These books are rich with details and you have an extensive set of characters, how do you keep them all straight?
Kathryn: I don’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday but, somehow, I can keep everything straight in my head about the, literally, hundreds of characters I have written about. I also have an assistant who has done character charts and book bibles, which helps a great deal. When I write, I use an outline – I always know how a story will start and finish, but I let the middle kind of write itself. Any author will tell you that stories do write themselves and I love that fluidity when characters have dialogue that flows so easily or when scenes are seamless from one to the next. I don’t use whiteboards or charts for my novels; just fairly detailed outline in a spiral notebook. I very fortunate I can keep nearly everything straight!
Rae: Congratulations on the launch of Amazon’s World of the de Wolfe Pack for Kindle. Since your books span from 1230-1471 I love that you broke down everything an aspiring and/or established author would need for information on your website. I’m excited to read about the de Wolfe Pack from your backlist and the new adventures that come to life on amazon. Thank you so much for hanging out with me today.
Time for another Latte. Happy Reading Dear Readers. Happy Writing Kathryn!
18 Tantalizing Tidbits
1. What is a must read book and why?
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. Pure brilliance and perfect writing.
The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley. Literally, the best Medieval Romance ever.
Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler. Cussler at his best with adventure galore. An example of how to leave readers breathless.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
Old Town Pasadena! This is where the city began. When I was in high school, it was mostly run down and derelict. It was a place you simply didn’t go because of the bums and crime. Then, after I graduated, they started renovating those beautiful old buildings and now it’s the gem of the city. Not to be missed!
3. Castles or Beaches?
Seriously? You’re asking a Medieval writer from California this? Beaches, I got. What I want are castles! LOL!
4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
I’m very musically inclined and educated. I play four different instruments and read in all three clefs.
5. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist?
I am a head-banger. Yes, that’s me….
6. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go?
Good question! I have always wanted to go to Egypt and the Middle East simply from a historic stand point because I have always wanted to trace the Crusader routes. Maybe someday when the situation there calms down, if it ever does…!
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
Which one?! LOL! We can start with a weekly massage and manicure.
8. What are you afraid of?
Heights, flying, and SNAKES!
9. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
No tats. This girl’s body is clean.
10. Organized or Free Floating?
Definitely organized in my business. But I throw my clothes all over my closet and leave them there, so that’s free floating. I’m a hybrid of both!
11. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
I have an odd habit. I watch old black and white movies – only – and use them as white noise when I write. In other words, they’re on a loop without sound as I write. That’s kind of my TV habit. I said it was weird!
12. What’s your favorite TV show and why?
I Love Lucy because, well, I love Lucy!
13. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours :)?
Any of the Clive Cussler novels that Clive wrote before he started collaborating with other authors. He was at his best back in the 70’s. They made Raise the Titanic into a movie and I loved it, so I’d love to see others – Serpent, Pacific Vortex, etc. Can you tell I’m a big fan? I love a great adventure!
14. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
The Thing (from another world). 1956 – a perfect example of great storyline, snappy dialogue, and great directing, with some cheesy fun thrown in. Adore it.
15. Would you rather see a movie in the theatre or at home on DVD and why?
DVD without question. I don’t like sitting in a dark theatre for two hours. I get too restless!
16. One thing you can’t live without.
My Himilayan cats – I have two of them and they are my babies. Such sweet, gentle animals.
17. Do you love to cook or go out to eat?
Both. I’m a good cook but I’d rather go out to eat!
18. If you could invite 5 people to dinner (not friends and family – that’s too easy) who would you invite? It could be anyone past or present.
• Thomas Jefferson (brilliant man and architect)
• God (explain to me about the universe and how it really works)
• Major Dick Winters (E Company, 101st Airborne – Band of Brothers Commander) – just because I think we will never again see a man like this ever again.
• Louise Brooks (1920’s movie star, prototype of the flapper, brilliant actress and film historian). Tell me about life in the 1920’s and 1930’s and dish the dirt!
• Frederick Douglas (Freeman, abolitionist, novelist, philosopher). Because I want to hear his greatness.
Author Info:
KATHRYN LE VEQUE is a USA TODAY Bestselling author, an Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance and Historical Fiction. She has been featured in the NEW YORK TIMES and on USA TODAY’s HEA blog. In March 2015, Kathryn was the featured cover story for the March issue of InD’Tale Magazine, the premier Indie author magazine. She is also a quadruple nominee (a record!) for the prestigious RONE awards for 2015.
