Jul 11, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, July 2019, Lori Ann Bailey, Robin Bielman, Tawna Fenske
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With only thirteen days until Romance Writers of America 2019 I’m curious what authors and industry professionals always include in their suitcases, what they stash in their conference bag to avoid hunger pains and the things they forget once and hopefully never again.
While some of the authors contributing are not attending, we love they want to hang out and play. We hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 soon comment below so we can meet up in NYC.
Thank you to all who have dished and those who are still sharing their wisdom. Stay tuned for more comments and follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
Today in the cafe are USA Today Bestselling Author and 2019 RITA Finalist Tawna Fenske, USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman and Author Lori Ann Bailey.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Tawna Fenske:
- A mini electric skillet. Food is expensive at conferences, so being able to cook my own meals saves me a bundle. It fits neatly in my carry-on (I NEVER check luggage!), so all I have to do is find a nearby grocery store as soon as I arrive to stock up on things like eggs and fresh veggies.
- A Tide stain stick. I spill food CONSTANTLY, so this helps keep me stain-free.
- A cardigan. For some reason they air condition the conference rooms to sub-zero temps, so this keeps me from freezing.
- Comfy shoes. You spend a lot of time on your feet getting from place to place, so leave the toe-pinching heels at home.
- My HydroFlask reusable water bottle. I keep it in my purse and chug water all day to stay hydrated.
Robyn Bielman: A sweater (because I’m always cold inside the hotel and conference rooms), my laptop, comfortable shoes, a cute notepad for taking notes, and my glasses. 
1. I keep a spreadsheet of everything I need for conference. It’s super easy to print out and I update it as needed so I don’t have to start over each time I pack. Here are my top five must haves.
2. My twisty towel – shower towels are too big to wrap my hair in, plus if you have roommates, you don’t want to hog all them.
3. A water bottle – sure, you can take a cute one like a Swell, but a used plastic one works too. There is usually water provided at the back of meeting rooms where you can refill it. Trust me on this one – the last NY conference was my first and I was so desperate for a drink that I purchased the $6 bottle in the gift shop. I will never do that again.
4. Female sanitary items – even if it’s not “that time of the month” – I was so nervous at my first conference that my friend came to visit me early and I was not prepared.
5. Band-Aids – and keep them in the bag you have with you! – As you can see, my first conference was filled with rookie mistakes – the worst being that I wore uncomfortable shoes. They were so bad that the day of pitch appointments, my feet were bleeding, so I sat in the pitch room waiting for my time. I was so nervous I missed the appointment with the agent I wanted to pitch to even though I was sitting in the room waiting. Still shaking my head over that. But good news, I was able to pitch to her later and she is now my agent, despite my poor choice in footwear.
Which leaves me with probably the best thing to take with you – A positive attitude – sometimes things happen for a reason. (my manuscript was not where it should have been that first year) Please enjoy conference and make the most of your time there. Remember that all workshops are being recorded this year, so don’t stress if you can’t make it to everything. Have a great time enjoying your journey
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Tawna:
- Nuts, dried fruit, protein bars, jerky, and tons of water.
Robin: Usually some type of granola bar or small bag of almonds.
Lori Ann: Beef jerky, peanuts, trail mix, and breath mints.
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Tawna:
- Last year I forgot my eyeglass cleaning cloth, which is ridiculous for someone who wears glasses and constantly smudges them. Fortunately, there were a number of authors handing them out as schwag.
Robin Bielman: Hmm…I can’t think of anything I forget. Usually I overpack and bring way more than I need/wear!
Lori Ann: A corkscrew for opening wine bottles. 😉 Adding this to my spreadsheet now.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before #RWA19 so that hopefully no one needs to make a quick run to the lobby market or drug store around the corner. I’ll see you soon for new authors and more ideas!
For more packing ideas if you’re at RWA be sure to check out the following session for more tips and tricks. I know I will!
20/20 Sessions
(Sessions repeated 3 times in an hour: 3:15 – 3:35 p.m., 3:35 – 3:55 p.m., 3:55 – 4:15 p.m.)
Cheapskates Unite! How to Do RWA Nationals on a Budget
Speaker: Tawna Fenske
We’re all on a budget. Learn how to save money on flights to the RWA Annual Conference (or any conference or convention) using rewards programs and comparison websites like Kayak. You’ll discover how not to go broke buying conference clothing, as well as how to save on meals. As a bonus, you’ll learn how to never pay baggage fees again by using only a carry-on or two, no matter the length of your trip.
About Tawna Fenske:
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
About Robin Bielman:
Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops (and by frequent she means daily but she’s trying to break the habit), and spend time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons.
Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby (see above) and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch on social! xoxo
About Lori Ann Bailey:
Lori Ann Bailey is a wife and stay-at-home mother who realized overindulging in wine was a bad idea. She started reading romance as an escape from everyday stresses only to discover she’d always had her own reality and stories dancing in her head. Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, she writes hunky highland heroes and strong-willed independent lasses finding their perfect matches in the Highlands of 17th century Scotland.
She has served two years as the Washington DC Romance Writers Program Director and is currently on her second stint of service to Romance Writers of America as a member of the National Workshop Committee.
After growing up and attending college in Mississippi, she lived in Ohio, Manhattan, and London, but chose to settle in Vienna, VA with her husband and four children. And while she loves her life, most days, she’s behind the computer writing or at the sink washing everyone else’s dirty dishes, dreaming of being in Scotland or New York City.
May 17, 2018 | Blog, May 2018, Tawna Fenske
Chef Sugarlips by USA Today Bestselling Author Tawna Fenske is almost here! This sexy and sweet story will invade your dreams with yummy goodness from the Ponderosa Resort.
Amber and her sister run a reindeer ranch down the road from the Ponderosa, and for fans of Studmuffin Santa, there is lots to love here! Two sisters are hoping to cash-in during the “holiday off-season” by using their ranch as a rustic wedding venue. When they find themselves without a chef, it’s time to think outside the box and ask for help. Perhaps the Ponderosa would be willing to help out, after all, they aren’t even open for business yet. There is just one little issue to work through, the Chef is about to turn Ambers world upside down ;).
Sean Bracelyn is putting the finishing touches on his new resort when a vision from his past walks through the door. Will he be able to keep his feelings in check? A childhood crush has returned and is standing in his kitchen and he’s about to discover that the little girl he dreamed of is now a grown woman he won’t be able to forget. This is sooo good!
What happens when the famous chef and reindeer rancher reunite? One-click and discover a story full of fabulous one-liners, honest revelations, and the discovery that all families are not created equal but everyone has family issues to navigate. Throughout this story we are introduced to Sean’s siblings which is great news! That means there is more ranch excitement to be released in the future! The question is, whose story is next?
Dive into this story and satisfy that gourmet palate with some decadent eats. Be forewarned, you will find yourself hungry from the hot cooking and even hotter chemistry ;). Amber and Sean will discover that sometimes you need to have a little faith that friends can be trusted and that family isn’t perfect. Like relationships, they are often full of imperfections and in need of a little love to grow and be amazing.
Readers, this is one Scorchin must read! Caution, may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C.
I received this ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
One-click here and dive into your next book adventure!
Author Info:
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA-nominated, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, stepkids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna’s Links:
Author Website: www.tawnafenske.com
Author Blog: http://tawnafenske.blogspot.com/
Author Twitter: @TawnaFenske
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TawnaFenskeBooks
Author Street Team/Facebook Group: Fenske’s Frisky Posse https://www.facebook.com/groups/678271329019151/
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnafenskebooks/
May 17, 2018 | Blog, May 2018, Tawna Fenske, The Extra Shot
Welcome to The Extra Shot where we bring you EXCLUSIVE content from Authors who have books releasing in the near future.
Stay connected with Rae Latte and Books I Love A Latte for Book Reviews, Excerpts, Teasers, Coffee With (Interviews), Giveaways, Authors Dish, Book Sales, and other Tasty Tidbits.
Today you’ll find an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from Chef Sugarlips by USA Today Bestselling Author Tawna Fenske to jump start your weekend along with a fabulous giveaway too! This book releases tomorrow so one-click your copy now and get ready for a great new book adventure tomorrow!
Be sure to stop by the blog later today for my review on Chef Sugarlips, you don’t want to miss the first book in the Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedy series! If you read Studmuffin Santa you will recognize a few familiar characters who have their own standalone read! Haven’t read Studmuffin Santa? Be sure to check out the giveaway below!
I watch her exit my office in the corner of the barn and make her way to the side door and out into the crisp spring afternoon. The second the barn door closes, I yank my sweater off one shoulder and sniff my bra strap.
Nothing. It just smells like the lilac body lotion I’ve been wearing lately.
But I know I smell something, and I’m pretty sure I’m on the right track. I pull both arms inside my shirt sleeves and contort my hands behind me to unhook my bra. Mission accomplished, I snake it through the left sleeve of my sweater and pull it out at the wrist cuff like a deranged magician.
I hold up the bra for inspection, but it looks fine. Lavender and lacy, it’s one of my nicest pieces of lingerie. But when did I last wash it?
I hold it to my nose and have just started to inhale when the barn door flies open.
“Amber, hey—oh.” Sean freezes halfway to my office, blinking against the dim light of the barn. And at the sight of me smelling my bra.
Slowly, I lower my cupped hands to the desk and lay the lacy scrap there like a dead pet. “Sean.”
He looks at me, then at the bra, then back to my face, detouring only a little at my unsupported assets hidden beneath magenta cashmere. “I—uh—” He steps forward, hesitating at the door of my office. “Your sister said you were out here. I came by to grab my coolers?”
A quicker-thinking woman might shove the bra in a desk drawer or try to pass it of as a hanky.
I’ve never been that quick.
“So—I—right.” I take a deep breath and gesture toward the lavender lace laid out on my desk with the cups pointing jauntily at the ceiling. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m smelling my bra.”
“The thought did occur to me.” He leans against the doorframe, and I can tell he’s trying not to smile.
I drop into my desk chair with a little more bounce than expected. Sean’s eyes flicker, but he keeps them on my face.
“Right, see, there are certain things no one really tells you when you’re a girl.”
He hesitates, then settles into Beth’s vacated seat. “Okay.”
“Like everyone knows you wash your panties every day, right?”
“One can assume.” He’s having a harder time holding back laughter, I can tell.
“But no one ever sits you down and says, ‘here’s how often you should wash your bras.’ Like is it once a week? Every few days? Monthly? I honestly don’t know, and then how do you remember which ones you washed when and whether there’s this one random bra in the back of the drawer that got skipped the last time you did delicates, and now you’re pretty sure it’s been years since the damn thing saw soap and water?”
My voice has risen to the pitch of a crazy person, to say nothing about my actual words. My God, he must think I’m insane.
Slowly, the smile spreads over his face. He folds his hands on the desk, and I’m conscious of the fact that his knuckles are scant inches from my favorite bra. Is it wrong that I’m wishing my boobs were still in it?
“You remember what I said in the chapel?” he asks. “About how you’re way different from Ethereal Mermaid Amber I used to imagine?”
I nod, not trusting myself not to say another damn word.
“I like this Amber better,” he says. “The quirky one who says stuff other people are probably thinking, but don’t actually say? I’m digging that about you.”
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Coffee With
Authors Dish
Tawna Fenske: When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA-nominated, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, stepkids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Are we CONNECTED on Social Media?
Feb 20, 2018 | Blog, February 2018, Tawna Fenske
The Test by Tawna Fenske is a book adventure in self discovery with the perfect balance of humor, and dialogue that’s honest and real. T
he scorchin’ hot chemistry readers, it’s absolutely delicious. Do you have the courage to step out of your comfort bubble to discover your true self and your deepest desires?
Just when Lisa Michaels thought her entire world was falling apart, she decided to do the unthinkable. Can Lisa do the complete opposite of what people expect when she meets Dax Kensington. Both will be found guilty of judging by appearances, how will this crime be resolved ;)? One night readers, it will change everything and take them on a journey for thirty days.
In a world where people make snap judgments, Tawna shows us what happens when those assumptions are not what they appear to be. If you live life the way others expect you to, you’ll never be happy or satisfied. Those bad boys aren’t always what you think.
This book has so many layers, with every turn of the page you find another molten bite. In fact, there is one scene that will surely singe your e-reader. Perhaps we all need our own list? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the courage to commit? I wonder how many readers will connect with Lisa and feel the urge to come out of their comfort zone to tackle our fears. Are you ready?
Tawna writes romance with humor, the romance is hot and sassy, and characters will leave you wanting more! While I prefer scotch on the rocks or a glass of wine, I think I might have to order a Dirty Martini, x-tra dirty sometime ;).
Scorchin – Caution, may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C. I received an ARC from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Author Info:
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA-nominated, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, stepkids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna’s Links:
Author Website: www.tawnafenske.com
Author Blog: http://tawnafenske.blogspot.com/
Author Twitter: @TawnaFenske
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TawnaFenskeBooks
Author Street Team/Facebook Group: Fenske’s Frisky Posse https://www.facebook.com/groups/678271329019151/
Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnafenskebooks/
Feb 19, 2018 | Blog, February 2018, Tawna Fenske
Ok readers, the e-book is still up for grabs as the prize has yet to be claimed.
Per the rules, a new name has randomly selected.
Good luck!
Rae: Thank you for hanging out with me.
Tawna: Thank YOU for inviting me! I always love chatting about book stuff.
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Spiced Latte with Coconut Milk topped with chocolate drizzle.
What would you order?
Tawna: I’m a serious tea fanatic, so I’d order a big mug of whatever black tea sounds interesting, plus sugar and milk to mix in after it’s steeped for just the right amount of time.
Rae: Let’s talk books – Happy Book Birthday for The Test releasing today. Not only do we have the usual drinks being served up by our barista, we’ve got cake because no birthday is complete without cake!
Tawna: Thank you! I am sadly devoid of a sweet tooth, so you get all the cake, but can we order a big pile of tater tots to share?
Rae: Of course we can order tater tots! That sounds yummy. While we’re waiting for those to cook up, can you please tell us what type of books you write for readers who are not familiar with your books? Are they standalones or part of a series?
Tawna: I write romantic comedies that run the gamut from fluffy beach reads, to longer books that straddle the line between women’s fiction and romance, to holy-cow-I-hope-my-boss-doesn’t-see-this erotic romantic comedy. THE TEST falls into the latter category, with equal parts humor and steamy-sexy fun. Though it’s the second book in a series, I write all my books as standalones, so you can totally nab THE TEST even if you haven’t read THE LIST.
Rae: Tawna, I was unable to put The Test down. An opposites attract story that proves love happens in the least likely of places to people who may never have thought they were compatible. I wonder how many readers will connect with Lisa and feel the urge to come out of their comfort zone to tackle a fear or two. Discover what they truly need to live their best lives with passion and love. Perhaps we’ll see a movement with readers posting their own lists and tests?
Tawna: Awww, thanks so much for the kind words! I’m so glad you liked the book! I had a blast writing buttoned-up Lisa and finding ways for her to step out of her comfort zone, either sexually or by trying other things that made her uncomfortable (volunteering to wash dogs at an animal shelter or trying karaoke). I would love to see readers’ own lists of things they want to try that force them to tackle fears or try something new and scary.
Rae: The books you write for Entangled are laugh-out-loud funny with the perfect amount of spice, sometimes even more than I thought was possible. Often, your characters like to push boundaries, and defy stereotypes. Have you ever had a character do something that shocked you as the words appeared on the page?
Tawna: Definitely! I’m very much a seat-of-my-pants author, so I’m constantly surprised by my own characters. I just finished writing the yet-to-be-titled follow-up to my holiday rom-com STUDMUFFIN SANTA (which is slated for release in May) and a twist came from out of nowhere about two-thirds of the way through writing the book. I was sitting there at my desk going, “Sean, I had no idea, why didn’t you tell me?!”
Rae: When you set out to write this story what research did you do? Without giving away too much, Dax has a fascinating career, and I love how uninhibited his character is ;).
Tawna: I have to admit, Dax is one of my favorite heroes I’ve written. Researching Dax’s career was a combination of internet searches and some of what I already knew about Hydro Flask (a company based in my town that makes the sort of steel-walled reusable drink containers Dax’s imaginary company makes). As for his secret hobby, I actually wrote a hero in another book with that career (my RITA Award finalist NOW THAT IT’S YOU) and did a lot of research at that time. I was so fascinated by that world that it just made sense to add another dimension to Dax’s character.
Rae: Do you plot your book before you sit down to write?
While I prefer flying by the seat of my pants, I’ve learned the hard way that I do better when I have at least some sense of where a story is headed. I’m also contractually required to have a synopsis for all my books with Entangled Publishing, so I don’t meander as much with those stories as I tend to with some of my others.
Rae: Do you use tools like a whiteboard or notebook to jot down all the details?
Tawna: I’ve never tried the whiteboard thing, and usually have a Word doc with a bunch of rambling ideas and miscellaneous words that probably read like they’re written by a drunk chimpanzee.
Rae: As a reader who appreciates a book with well crafted covers, your team at Entangled keeps delivering stunning work. How involved are you in the design process?
Tawna: I always fill out a cover worksheet with details like my characters’ hair and eye colors and whether they have tattoos, but I don’t usually contribute much beyond that for the covers. I’m not a super visual person, so I prefer to leave book covers to the experts. Entangled is so great at it that I always know I’m in good hands.
Rae: Writing a book doesn’t happen overnight and you have a day job that keeps you busy. How do you find the time to write all the words and balance between career, family, and writer? Is there a secret formula?
Tawna: I use an old-school paper planner instead of tracking things on my phone, and it’s made a world of difference. My Erin Condren Life Planner is divided into sections for author stuff, day job, and family/personal so I can see where things overlap and if there are certain weeks where I’ll need to dial back commitments in one area to make time for the others.
This is my fourth year using that method, and I can’t imagine doing it any other way now.
Rae: Have your two worlds ever crossed and what happened if it did? Meaning, do your co-workers or clients know you write, and have they ever read your books?
Tawna: I work part-time as the PR and Communications Manager for my city’s tourism bureau, and while I keep the two worlds separate as much as possible, it’s never been a secret what my “real” job is. Social media and marketing are a huge part of my day job, and when I first applied almost eight years ago, the bosses spent quite a bit of time perusing my social media feeds. If I remember right, the day they visited my author blog was a day I’d posted a piece titled, “My hole got plugged and my jugs aren’t full” (an innuendo-laced post about grape stomping as research for a book set at a winery). Suffice it to say, they know exactly what I write, and as long as I never mistakenly post nekkid pictures on the company Facebook page with 185,000 followers, it’s all good.
Rae: I appreciate how much you connect with your readers on social media, what is the most challenging aspect of sharing with your readers? Are you still able to maintain some privacy in your personal life?
Tawna: I’ve always been a pretty open book on social media, so what you see is what you get as far as photos and posts about my social awkwardness and random absurd things that happen to me (which is part of why I write comedy, but I digress). I love connecting with readers on Facebook in particular, though there are times I catch myself spending too much time there and needing to step back for the sake of a book deadline. I suppose that’s the downside of being an author whose day job career is focused on marketing and social media—it’s hard to shut it off!
Rae: What can we expect in 2018?
Tawna: I’m super-excited about the release of THE TEST, and February is such a fun time to have a new book out. After that I have a Kindle in Motion title called GOING UP, which is a fun little rom-com novella about two strangers who meet in an elevator and find each other again thanks to a mischievous packrat. The story itself is a kick, but the added visuals are going to be really cool. That comes out in April, and then the book that follows STUDMUFFIN SANTA will be out in May. It’s a busy first quarter!
Rae: Where can readers find you in 2018?
Tawna: I’m most active on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TawnaFenskeBooks, but readers who want to keep up with all my new releases, sales, exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and of course, my famous videos can subscribe to my newsletter at www.tawnafenske.com/subscribe
Rae: Thank you for hanging out in the cafe today.
Tawna: Thanks so much for inviting me! Er, are you going to eat those tots?
Rae: I’ve had way too many, you enjoy the tots. Readers, enjoy these Tasty Tidbits from Tawna!
1. What is a must read book and why?
Mine or someone else’s? 🙂
One of my favorite books of all time is Judy Blume’s SUMMER SISTERS. I love the altering viewpoints, the coming-of-age details, and the way the romance unfolds differently than you might expect.
Of my own books, I’d say THIS TIME AROUND holds a special place in my heart. The single dad hero is a lot like my husband, and his daughter is based on my own stepdaughter.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
I would take you standup paddleboarding on the Deschutes River. My dog usually rides on the front of my board, and I’ve taught lots of friends to SUP over the years.
3. Do you take-in or cook? If so, what is your “go-to” dish?
I looooove to cook, and I’m a total foodie. I make a salmon chowder that’s to-die-for, but I’m always experimenting with new recipes.
4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Probably not much, since I’m pretty open on social media. I suppose people are usually surprised to learn I’m an introvert, since I’m very outgoing on Facebook or when you meet me in person.
5. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist?
I love all kinds of music, and every book I write has its own musical playlist. I listen to a lot of Ben Folds, War on Drugs, Mumford and Sons, and Lord Huron. I also adore ‘80s butt rock.
6. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go?
I was lucky enough to spend my 20s and 30s globetrotting all over the world, so I’ve covered a lot of ground already. Asia is one continent I’ve never touched though, so I’d love to spend several months roaming there. I wouldn’t mind going back to Australia or New Zealand, either.
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
I never feel guilty about pleasure of any kind!
8. What are you afraid of?
Needles. I can handle vaccinations, but I will completely lose my mind if you come near me for a blood draw or an IV. I can’t even handle a blood pressure cuff. Pretty sure I died of some sort of weird blood-letting ritual in a past life.
9. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
I have five total. The first was a starfish on my ribcage, and I got it not long after my divorce because I admire the fact that you can rip their limbs off and they’ll regenerate new ones. It’s also because I’ve always loved the Starfish Story: https://starfishproject.com/the-parable/
10. Organized or Free Floating?
Free floating by nature, but forced to be more organized or I could never balance everything between my author life, day job, and family life.
11. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
Not a TV fan at all. I have no idea how to even operate the television in our home.
12. What’s on your playlist?
I listen to a lot of Pandora internet radio, and I’m constantly creating new stations and finding new artists. I mentioned before that all my books have playlists, and the one for THE TEST features The Shins, Radio Citizen, Morrissey, J Minus, The Smiths, and several others.
13. What play or musical do you want to see next?
We have tickets to several plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland in a few weeks, but I can’t recall what we’re seeing.
14. Are you a crafter?
Nope! I’m creative in lots of other ways. Er, that wasn’t supposed to sound pervy.
15. What’s your favorite TV show and why?
Sorry, I’m always lame at this one. I don’t watch TV.
16. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
Maybe something by Kristan Higgins? I’m just not a visual person, so TV and movies don’t do much for me.
17. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
I watch It’s A Wonderful Life every Christmas. It’s my dad’s favorite, and it always warms my heart.
18. Would you rather see a movie in the theater or at home on DVD and why?
I would rather sit quietly on the couch reading a good book while my husband watches a movie and maybe tells me later what it was about.
19. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Sex. You’re sorry you asked now, aren’t you?
20. If you could invite 5 people to dinner (not friends and family – that’s too easy) who would be at your table? Where would you eat?
Lucille Ball, Ben Folds, Jane Goodall, Barack Obama, and Betty White. We’d eat at my house so I could cook and also drink lots of wine without needing to drive anywhere.
21. If you could try any career for a day, what would it be?
Shepherd. Or maybe pirate.
22. Person you admire and why?
My parents are pretty much one person, since they’ve been together since sixth grade, so I’m going with them. They’re funny, smart, caring, hard-working, and did I mention the whole been-together-since-sixth-grade thing? #LifeGoals
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Jan 19, 2018 | Authors Dish, Blog, Delancey Stewart, January 2018, Naima Simone, Tawna Fenske
Welcome to Authors Dish where your favorite authors share what they are reading. In addition, if you enjoy reading their books they have suggestions for similar book adventures by other authors. It doesn’t get better than that!
Today in the cafe are Delancey Stewart, Tawna Fenske and Naima Simone
Rae: Who are you reading?
Delancey Stewart: Melanie Summers, Jill Shalvis, Susan Mallery, and Suanne Laqueur
Tawna Fenske: So many books! I have a couple Jill Shalvis books cued up for Christmas reading. I’m also looking forward to What Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeymi and a new mystery read from debut author Kathleen Valenti called Protocol. Oh! and Kristan Higgins’ latest –she’s tops on my auto-buy list!
Naima Simone: Right now I’m reading Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai. And I have Hate to Want You in the line-up right after it. Alisha Rai! OMG! Where have I been? I think I’ve found a new author to stalk. LOL!
Rae: If readers are a fan of your books, who should they consider reading?
Delancey Stewart: Tracy Brogan, Terri Osburn and Melanie Summers
Tawna Fenske: If you enjoy my zanier romantic comedies like Making Waves or Frisky Business, you’d probably enjoy books by Jennifer Crusie or Linda Grimes. If you like my meatier rom-coms that straddle the line between women’s fiction and romance (This Time Around, At the Heart of It, About that Fling), you’d probably enjoy Kristan Higgins. If you like small-town romance in a shorter, cozier read (like my newest rom-com, Studmuffin Santa), you’d probably like Kait Nolan. And if you enjoy my super-steamy erotic rom-coms like The List, you’d probably enjoy Lauren Blakely, Victoria Dahl, or Samanthe Beck.
Naima Simone: Samanthe Beck, Lauren Hawkeye, Gina Maxwell, Cathryn Fox, Robin Covington, and Nina Crespo.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Let me know dear readers if you try any of these books. I’ll see you next week – same time for new authors and more fun!
Author Bios:
Delancey Stewart: Award-winning author Delancey Stewart writes contemporary romance.
Stewart has lived on both coasts, in big cities and small towns. She’s been a pharmaceutical rep, a personal trainer and a direct sales representative for a French wine importer. But she has always been a writer first.
A wife and the mother of two small boys, her current job titles include pirate captain, monster hunter, Lego assembler and story reader. She tackles all these efforts at her current home outside Washington D.C.
Tawna Fenske: When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA-nominated, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, stepkids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Naima Simone: USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone’s love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey, Sandra Brown and Linda Howard many years ago. Well not that many. She is only eighteen…ish. Though her first attempt at a romance novel starring Ralph Tresvant from New Edition never saw the light of day, her love of romance, reading and writing has endured. Published since 2009, she spends her days—and nights— writing sizzling romances with a touch of humor and snark.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
