Oct 13, 2020 | Blog, Coffee With, Giveaway, October 2020, Pru Warren
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a spiced Latte with Almond Milk and a drizzle of chocolate in my mug. What’s in your cuppa?
Pru: Yours sounds pretty good! At the moment, though, my cuppa is a vat of Earl Grey with an embarrassingly large quantity of half-and-half as well as my personal demon, sugar. Also – thank you. I’m delighted to be here!
Rae: Congratulations on your recent release of “Joan’s Journal” in the Anthology Love Gone Viral. I love that all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. Romance fiction is so powerful and the community is so giving. I can’t wait to hear how much you all raise.
Pru: Me, too! And I love that we’re donating 100% of the proceeds to programs that combat hunger. There’s something so offensive – so intrinsically wrong – about people in this nation going hungry. I think about families with hungry kids and it makes me almost ill. Even in this bizarre economy, that’s not the world I want to live in. I hope we can sell a lot of books, to help people in need. Fingers crossed!
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1. What is your must read book and why?
I have two entire bookcases filled with the books I hope come with me if I’m ever abducted by aliens; the books I need to have if I’m trapped in a Kurt Vonnegut zoo on another planet. But if I had to pick just one… hang on. Let me go stare at them. Oh, Lordy. Don’t tell the others I chose a favorite: I’mma pick Jennifer Crusie. “Welcome to Temptation.”
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite?
You’re going to northern Virginia, and we’re either going to get souvlaki pitas at the family restaurant down the street or we’re hitting one of the Great American restaurants; I like Artie’s because they have insanely good hot fudge sundaes. (Sugar. My own personal demon. Comes with me everywhere.)
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Given that I am entirely unpublished until now, I can’t imagine anyone knows anything about me in the first place… but okay: I can harmonize a ton. I always wanted to be a back-up singer.
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
It used to be romance novels instead of terrifyingly sad Book Club picks – but now I’m writing romantic comedy and I’m proud as could be of it!
5. What are you afraid of?
Snakes. I saw a black snake in the garden two years ago and abandoned the space entirely. I wish he’d do more weeding; things are looking very tatty in his kingdom.
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
No tats. I admire them – but I keep evolving. I can’t imagine choosing one image that would continue to delight me for the rest of my life.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
Binge. Definitely. I just blew through “The Expanse” (and then all the novels), and before that I had to rewatch the entirety of “Parks and Recreation” while doing an annoyingly hard jigsaw puzzle. Before that… I think it was “Jack Ryan.” Jim from The Office cleans up NICE.
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
“Poison Princess” by Kresley Cole. It’s YA, but it’s very, very good! Wish she’d get cracking on the next one; I’ve got an envie for the sequel. (From the books. I’m making inside jokes to myself.)
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Burt’s Bees pink grapefruit chapstick. I have them hidden all over the house, in the pocket of every coat, in every tote bag. There are two in the car – just in case. As addictions go, it’s pretty milquetoast… but I’m not alone. There are a lot of us chapstick addicts!
10. What’s the one career that gives you the shudders?
The job of picking up road kill on Rock Creek Parkway.
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see?
I’d be shocked to see a handbag or purse; I carry only my phone in a case where I can stick credit cards, etc. There’s nothing shocking here; maybe the Nordstroms gift card my mother gave me before she died? Will you accept sentimental instead of shocking?
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use?
Would that it were something more elevated… in fact, it’s solitaire. Jeez. I should make up something better. Pretend I said THE NEW YORK TIMES APP. There. That sounds teddibleh intelligent.
Rae: Thank you for hanging out today.
Pru Warren will write a customized “first kiss” love scene staring you and your favorite celebrity.
She just needs a few details and then you can have an exclusive mini-story, just for you.
She points out that there’s a one in a million chance that one day she’ll be a huge best-seller – and on that day, won’t you be proud to have that private love scene
Contest runs 10/13/2020 – 10/23/20 at 11:59 PM
ONE winner will be randomly selected. Answer the following question … what was the first romance book you ever read?
Be sure to follow Books I Love A Latte for more giveaways and fun!
Winner will be randomly selected. If winner doesn’t claim prize within 24 hours a new winner will be drawn.
** For all giveaway rules read here.
Pru Warren (who is writing this in the third person as if she was simply too modest to toot her own horn) has been making up stories since roughly the Bronze Age; “Love Gone Viral” is her first attempt at publishing. To see the epilogue, sign up for her entertaining newsletter at PruWarren.com. Then you can download either a clean or a dirty version of what comes next for Joan and Philip! Her first rom-com, “Cyn & the Peanut Butter Cup” is scheduled for publication in January.
Sep 29, 2020 | Blog, Coffee With, Meg Napier, September 2020
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a spiced Latte with Almond Milk and a drizzle of chocolate in my mug. What’s in your cuppa? That sounds delicious!! I’ll have the same, please :).
Rae: Congratulations on your recent release of Second Drop in the Anthology Love Gone Viral. I love that all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. Romance fiction is so powerful and the community is so giving. I can’t wait to hear how much you all raise.
Meg: We, too, are keeping all fingers and toes crossed that we bring in tons of money. The need in our country right now is shamefully great, and if we can help and bring readers some joy at the same time, it’s a win all-around
.
1. What is your must read book and why? Thanks so much for having us, Rae! But why, oh why, do you have to start with the hardest question first? I read constantly, and my list of most favorite authors is huge. But if I absolutely had to choose, I’d still cheat and give you two: Mary Balogh’s Beyond the Sunrise and Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto.
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite? I grew up outside New York City. There’s good food on just about every corner of the city that never sleeps!
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you? I’ve spent almost my entire life thinking of myself as a writer but am only now getting completed works out in the world for people to read.
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Sweets!
5. What are you afraid of? Dying with my house still so messy and cluttered that my children never forgive me!
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one? No tats – I’m a boring old lady!
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)? (hanging my head guiltily) I don’t watch much tv – there are too many good books to read and listen to!
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )? (once again hanging head guiltily) I don’t like to watch movies made from books. My kids got so mad at me when I stopped watching the Harry Potter movies.
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without? Tea
10. What’s the one career gives you the shudders? Road Construction. I see those poor people out in all kinds of weather and feel so guilty.
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see? I broke my wrist a while back and switched to an itsy-bitsy purse, so not much, I’m afraid!
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use? Audible!
Find me at MegNapier.com or on my Facebook page.
Meg Napier’s friends during her high school years all expected her romance novels to hit the shelves decades ago, but she foolishly allowed “serious pursuits” to get in her way. Now that her beloved children can feed, clothe, and most importantly, support themselves, she’s free to turn her attention to her first passion – putting words to paper that capture your attention and make your heart sing in quiet joy. Her stories tell most frequently of second chances–in life, love, and sometimes even at rediscovering a soul-mate from a previous life. Writing is as fundamental as breathing, but when little roadblocks appear, it is the support of her wonderful husband and family that gives her the motivation to carry on. Email her at [email protected] or find her at:
Website: MegNapier.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MegNapierAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NapierMeg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megnapierauthor/
Jul 20, 2020 | Blog, Coffee With, July 2020
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a spiced Latte with Almond Milk and a drizzle of chocolate in my mug. What’s in your cuppa?
RG: Thank you so much for presenting us today, Rae! Oh yum! Your latte sounds heavenly! I like my coffee straight up, usually late morning, after a run and breakfast, and then a few cups throughout the day. Unless I’m in a hot tea mood, especially if it’s a London Fog with coconut milk. 😊
Rae: Congratulations on your recent release of “Bending Love” in the Anthology Love Gone Viral. I love that all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. Romance fiction is so powerful and the community is so giving. I can’t wait to hear how much you all raise.
RG: Thank you! I love that we’re doing this and I’m grateful and humbled to be part of these wonderful writers who donated, not only their time, but their stories, to help raise money for World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. This especially hit home for me, as I’ve spent time with families in the Appalachia area who struggle with feeding their families on a daily basis. It’s heartbreaking and something I want to help change.
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1. What is your must read book and why?
RG: WOW! This is a difficult question. I have several times infinity plus one, but I’ll narrow it down to one, otherwise, we’ll be here for the rest of the year. 😉 ANYTHING and EVERYTHING by Alex Westmore. But my all-time favourite by her is Ride for Tomorrow – it has zombies, a lesbian romance, and a cool twist. What’s not to love about a romance set during the zombie apocalypse?
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite?
RG: Head on over to East TN, Rae, and I’ll take you to Open Doors Coffee House for your spiced latte with almond milk and an amazing breakfast of scrambled eggs, avocado, and gluten free toast or a waffle, if you prefer. Then after sitting on my porch for a spell watching birds and squirrels, we’d hop on our bicycles and pedal to Ole’s Guacamole for Pechuga Fundidas. In the evening, we’d drive to a little “hole-in-the-wall” called Ridgewood BBQ for – you guessed it! – mouth-watering traditionally smoked beef BBQ and fries (this is the real reason we rode our bicycles earlier). One sec while I go grab some now…
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
RG: Okay, back. YUM! You missed some amazing BBQ! Let’s see, where were we? Ah, surprises! Does anything surprise anyone anymore? J/K… I could talk about my desire to learn how to draw comic books, as I am a writer and can barely draw stick figures. However, the one thing that would probably surprise most people is – I have become an expert in rescuing mice from glue traps. One rescued mouse – I have a special bond with this one in particular, because it liked my expensive chocolate above my partner’s inferior pseudo-chocolate – gripped my finger with its tiny paw before dashing away. It was beautiful!
3. What is your guilty pleasure?
RG: FINALLY, Rae, an easy question! 😊 At the moment, it’s Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon’s Rick and Morty. I can’t get enough of them! I recently bought a couple of Rick and Morty shirts, started collecting the comics, and am currently watching Season 4 (no spoilers, please).
5. What are you afraid of?
RG: I’m terrified of people finding out my fears and then using them to prank me. (Not today, buddy!)
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
RG: Ah! If only my tats could speak, the stories they would tell… Luckily, they can’t! But if they could – the first one might tell how my parents completely freaked out when I came home with one. My mom, knowing nothing about tattoos (my ENTIRE family was adamantly against them), thought it would “go away” if I simply scrubbed it with alcohol and bleach – don’t worry, I didn’t do it. I have two, but am planning on at least one more. My first one, a dragon, is on my left shoulder – you might even get to see it if you run or work out with me. 😛
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
RG: Both. During work, I enjoy the background noise of “The Office” and I just let it run continuously – I may or may not be known to reenact lines of random episodes at random times (but, if you’re really curious, feel free to ask my partner about it).
During my downtime, I enjoy watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fringe, and Rick and Morty. I try to limit the episodes to 1 or 2 at a time so I can savour each one. Although, one year I binge-watched Fringe, because John Noble was going to be at DragonCon. 😊
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
RG: Besides mine, eh? I would love to see Westmore’s Ride for Tomorrow turned into a movie. Also, Jane Lindskold’s Through Wolf’s Eyes. Both would be amazing to watch!
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
RG: Well, Rae, we’ve had to learn to live without a lot lately, haven’t we? However, I have to say, gluten free chicken wings and French fries covered in cheese from Beef O’ Brady’s. Unfortunately, I discovered my local one – after a long bike ride to get there – was closed down without warning and without signs ☹. Thankfully, there’s another one about thirty minutes away and Bite Squad delivers. 😉 What? I bet you thought I’d say BBQ from Ridgewood – that’s for special occasions and you coming down would be a special occasion. 😊
10. What’s the one career gives you the shudders?
RG: Answering phone calls. Been there. Done that. Not for me.
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see?
RG: Hmm… Well, it would depend on the situation. If we’re talking my daily life, I stuff my pockets full of different things. The hand sanitizer would be no surprise right now, neither would the mask or wallet, but you might be surprised to find a lighter (nope, don’t smoke) and a pocket knife (hey! I’m a country girl – it’s a useful tool to open things, slice an apple, etc.).
If we’re talking hiking, then the duct tape in my backpack may surprise you (again, country girl – we use duct tape for everything!).
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use?
RG: Well, since quarantine/self-isolation, it’s been Bite Squad. Hands down. I should buy stock in it 😉
Rae: Thank you for hanging out today.
RG: It’s been great getting to hang out with you today, Rae! Hope everyone has a fantastic week and enjoys the book!
Randi Goldleif lives in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee with her partner. Always drawn to reading and writing, she dictated her first story to her mother in the first grade.
She constantly found herself in trouble during elementary and middle school because she was either reading books in math class or reenacting grand adventures of damsels in distress on the playground.
When not creating stories, she can be found hiking, running, or hanging with friends.
Website: https://therandigoldleif.com/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/randi.goldleif.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aylashaladiah
Jul 17, 2020 | Blog, Coffee With, July 2020
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a spiced Latte with Almond Milk and a drizzle of chocolate in my mug. What’s in your cuppa?
Meredith: Thank you so much for having us, Rae! You and I think alike! I’ve got a latte made with oat milk with a sprinkle of cocoa on top.
Rae: Congratulations on your recent release of Falling Through Air in the Anthology Love Gone Viral. I love that all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. Romance fiction is so powerful and the community is so giving. I can’t wait to hear how much you all raise.
1. What is your must read book and why? Just about anything by Sarah MacLean – she’s an awesome writer who writes fantastic stories!
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite? Welcome to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC! There are simply too many restaurants to choose from, but two of my favorite are Tony Cheng’s—the best dim sum (Chinese dumplings) in town, and Lengano Ethopian Restaurant (which is actually in Silver Spring, MD, but it’s close enough).
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you? The love of my life, the man I married nearly 30 years ago, is from Kolkata, India. When we married I learned to speak his native language, Bengali, and we’ve gone back to visit almost every year since our children were born so that they could know their family there, the language, and culture.
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Sitting in a café with a latte and a croissant chatting with a friend or writing. It’s my absolute favorite thing to do!
5. What are you afraid of? All sorts of nasty, horrible medical procedures.
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one? Nope! One of my children has tatoos and I cried a little inside when they got them.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)? Definitely weekly. I like to drag out a good story. I do the same thing with books – the more I enjoy it, the slower I read! My two favorite shows just now are Gilmore Girls and Gray’s Anatomy (yeah… I never saw them when they were being produced, so I am now).
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )? Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover, by Sarah MacLean. There’s some fun stuff in there I’d love to see come to life!
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without? Air… er… my husband… Consumables? Tea. Or French fries… yeah… French fries!
10. What’s the one career gives you the shudders? Garbage collector. No thank you!
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see? Nothing! I carry to smallest, tiniest little purse I can get away with. Whatever fits my phone, a small wallet, a pen, and a pair of reading glasses (yeah, I’m old!).
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use? Gmail, and that horrible game I’m addicted to (Homescapes – argh! I can’t stop playing!).
Meredith Bond‘s books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won’t soon forget.
Merry loves connecting with readers. Be sure to find her:
Website: http://www.meredithbond.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithbondauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrybond
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/merrybond/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/847484.Meredith_Bond
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meredith-Bond/e/B001KI1SNE/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredith_bond/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meredith-bond
And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter: http://meredithbond.com/subscribe/ and get a free short story every month along with all of Merry’s news and the opportunity to get her next book before it’s even published!
Apr 26, 2020 | April 2020, Blog, Coffee With, Katee Robert
Rae: Welcome to the blog. I’ve got a Dalgona Whipped Coffee in a fancy mason jar. It’s my new must have thanks to my teenager daughter who insisted we make one.
What’s in your cuppa or glass ;)?
Katee: When I drink, I usually prefer an Old Fashioned, but we’re out of most of the stuff so these days when I drink, it’s just straight up bourbon!
Rae: For those not familiar with your writing, how would you describe your books and where would you suggest they start if selecting from your backlist for the first time?
Katee: My books are bonkers sexy romps. My backlist can fall into basically 3 categories—saucy cotton candy types of stories (start with Wrong Bed, Right Guy), small town murder mysteries (start with The Devil’s Daughter), and mob-type really sexy dark romance (start with either The Marriage Contract, or deep dive into the bonkers WTF with Desperate Measures).
Rae: Congratulations on your surprise release this week. What was the inspiration for this story and will there be more unexpected books while we are navigating social distancing? Has that helped your creative writing process and do you think you’ll change the way you write moving forward?
Katee: Thank you so much! This book surprised me as much as everyone else. Like everyone else, I’ve been hit hard with the pandemic funk and completely fell out of reading because I couldn’t concentrate. Nikki Sloane’s Filthy Rich American series broke that for me. I inhaled it, and it convinced me that I might be into father-in-law stuff. Once I finished the books, I couldn’t get the idea of it out of my head and it just morphed into this whirlwind drafting of a book in a week. It was like having an out of body experience, but it brought me an absurd amount of joy.
I don’t know that this will change my creative process overall, but it was so fun, I expect I’ll be diverting my schedule for another pseudo taboo book before the end of the year!
Thank you so much for hanging out. It’s time for a round of dirty dozen…
1. What is your must read book and why?
The book that I reread every single year is Anne Bishop’s fantasy series, the Black Jewels trilogy (it’s an omnibus. Totally counts!). It’s one of those that you either love or hate, and it imprinted on me hard when I first read it because of the world-building and characters just jump off the page. It does come with heavy trigger warnings, though, so be warned before you dive in.
2. If I visit your hometown, where am I going and what’s the best place to grab a bite?
This little hole-in-the-wall place called Dick’s that has the best burgers on this side of the state!
3. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
I’m never quite sure how to answer this question because I’m a bit of an over-sharer. Maybe that I’m really into YA horror, even though I can’t stand most other horror except slashers.
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
My favorite thing in the world is seeing movies by myself. Just going in and enjoying the whole experience alone. It recharges my introvert soul.
5. What are you afraid of?
Ghosts, spiders, serial killers. Maybe in that order.
6. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
Tats all the way. I am covered. I have a full sleeve, both my ribs done up, and a bunch on my back. They’re all literary and heavy into fairy tales.
7. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
I’ve a binge watcher, but I’m not a very good one. The only seasons I seem to finish these days are cooking shows.
8. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
I would love, love, love to see Kresley Cole’s contemporary trilogy made into movies that do them justice, dark and seriously sexy.
9. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Coffee. It’s my life.
10. What’s the one career gives you the shudders?
Teaching middle schoolers. Which is kind of hilarious because for like half a year, I thought that’s what I wanted to do.
11. If I opened up your handbag/bag/briefcase, what item would I be shocked to see?
Not sure about shocked, but there are an absurd number of protein bars in my purse at any given time. I’m the Snack Mom.
12. What app on your phone/ipad gets the most use?
Instagram. It’s my happy place.
Rae: Thank you for hanging out today.
Katee: Thank you so much for inviting me!
Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
Website: www.kateerobert.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKateeRobert
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katee_robert
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398028.Katee_Robert
Instagram: http://instagram.com/katee_robert/
