Jan 31, 2024 | 2024, Authors Dish, Blog, January 2024, Jeanne Adams, Mariah Ankenman, Samantha Chase
Welcome to Authors Dish – a time to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones as they share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
Today we are officially one month into 2024 and with that …. hopefully a month with a planner that is well used, filled with amazing adventures, goals, and tasks. If you’re a booklover than I’m sure you have those stacks of books waiting to fill our shelves with a goal to read them all. Are you ready for a little author fun?
Today we’ve got NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase, Bestselling Author Mariah Ankenman and Author Jeanne Adams ready to dish!
1. With the new year underway, do you have a “word” of the year or do you set monthly goals?
Samantha: You know, I never got into the “word” thing and I don’t know why. I had to pick a word of the year for this retreat I’m getting ready to go on (and it gave my great anxiety to have to do it), but my word is CONFIDENCE. As for setting goals, it’s a little like making a New Year’s Resolution every month and I can honestly say that I don’t. I know that I have things I have to do, but life seems to really get in the way sometimes – especially these last few years – and I always seem to end up feeling defeated because I didn’t reach my monthly goal. So now, no goals.
Mariah: I don’t really have a word of the year unless you count “panic” lol, just kidding. I’m more of a task person than a goal person. I set out achievable tasks I need to accomplish then get a ton of satisfaction crossing them off the list when they’re done.
Jeanne: I do pick a word of the year – this year is FOCUS! Grins. I’ve had a lot going on in the last few years and finally a lot of that is resolved so now…I get to FOCUS!
2. If you’re a snow lover what is your favorite thing to do outside in the winter months? If you prefer the sunny beaches and warm sand …. where would you rather be?
Samantha: Ooo…I wouldn’t say I’m a snow lover, but I certainly love a good snowy day! I love the quietness of a day when the snow is coming down and just love watching it. I’m not a winter sports person, but I used to LOVE to get on a sled and go down a big hill when I was younger!
And I think I’ve mentioned it before that I do also love the beach, but only in the off-season when it’s cooler! Lol!
Mariah: I love the snow! It gives me an excuse to sit inside and read under a cozy blanket. I used to ski, before it got too pricey. I love a quiet walk in the snowy woods, but my kids prefer making snow forts and sledding. Once I set up my aerial hoop in the snow. It was freezing but I got some really fun photos and video.
Jeanne: I AM a snow lover!! I love to watch it snow from inside the house and make soup and chili and other hearty things. Grins. I do like to have a good snowball fight, however, and I like to ski.
3. It’s January and we’re all thinking about staying organized and setting our goals, what are the top five things you’ve found to help motivate you and keep you on task?
Samantha: Nothing! Lol! My attention span is like a squirrel in traffic – it’s all over the place! Staying organized is hard for me because it never lasts long. My office slowly starts to fill with papers and notes and other random stuff (like snack wrappers!) and I find that I need to work with no chaos around me. I’ve taken to writing more in our bonus room because it’s neat and peaceful. As for keeping me on task? Seriously, nothing does except fear of a looming deadline.
Mariah:
1.My desk calendar where I can write everything down.
2. Coffee
3. Chatting with my agent about the years plan
4. Coffee
5. More coffee!
Jeanne: Getting that new planner set up and ready to go is my number one thing to motivate me and keep me on task. I use a combination Bullet Journal and Sarra Cannon’s HB90 calendar method to keep me on track. Number two is to set aside sacrosanct time on Sundays to plan my week – as Stephen Covey would urge – to put the “big rocks” (writing, family, etc) in first before the days fill up with minutia
Number three would be to add stickers and color! (it helps me!) Four is look at the calendar every night before I go to bed. And last but not least at #5 is plan BIG, stretch goals, Beyond goals and Good goals – the three tiers lets my brain know that Good is good enough, but there’s bigger levels if I have time and energy to streeeeeeetch!
4. If you could create a winter drink what would you call it and what would be in it?
Samantha: I am not an adventurous drinker at all. I’m relatively boring. It’s either water, Coca-Cola, or hot cocoa. No flavors, just the basics. So maybe just a really rich, chocolatey cocoa called Simply Yummy. Lol!
Mariah: I actually made a winter cocktail called the Coco Mint Martini a few years back. It’s peppermint vodka, irish cream, and chocolate syrup poured into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass and top with whipped cream. It’s delicious!
Jeanne: If I could create a winter drink….hmmm…Probably some kind of hot coffee toddy with Kahlua and my fav coffee and cream. I’d probably call it something goofy like a Ski Lift (caffeine..get it?)
5. Do you have a winter bucket list?
Samantha: To stay warm. It was really cold last week here in NC, but today, I had to put the A/C on because it was 75 degrees in the house!
Mariah: Not really a bucket list, but we’re going to see the Ice Castles in Cripple Creek next month. We haven’t been in years and I’m so excited to go again.
Jeanne: Always! It only really works if it actually snows, however. As in, curl up with a good book and watch it snow. Pile on extra blankets and read in bed. Make Snow Creme. Build a Snow Fort and have a Snowball fight. You get the idea!
6.You just found out a snowstorm is headed your way and you need to run to one store to pick up provisions to last for three days. Where are you shopping and what are you putting in your cart?
Samantha: I love knowing we’re going to be snowed in! When that happens (whether it’s snow or a hurricane) I love to bake. I don’t know why, but if there’s a storm coming, there will be cake, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies. But when it’s cold out, I’m going to make a batch of turkey chili, a batch of creamy corn chowder, and a big pot of sauce with meatballs and sausage. We may be cold, but we won’t starve! The Italian in me will not allow that to happen 😊.
Mariah: Bread, soup, canned food, water, cheese, firewood, sidewalk salt, coffee, vodka, batteries.
Jeanne: Thankfully, I can get books online if I run out of reading I already have, right? For me, it’s the local grocery to be sure I have eggs, sourdough bread, the makings for chili and chicken soup, coffee and Diet Coke. I’m good!
Click here for a link to ALL of Samantha’s Books on Amazon
Click here for a link to ALL of Mariah’s Books on Amazon
Click here for a link to ALL of Jeanne’s Books on Amazon
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Website
Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her. Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books, visit her website http://mariahankenman.com/ follow her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter.
Jeanne Adams is an award-winning author of more than 20 thrilling suspense, wicked Urban Fantasy, paranormal romantic suspense, and dramatic space adventures which have been compared to the works of Robert Heinlein and Jack McDevitt. Both traditionally and independently published, Jeanne is a sought-after speaker for her Body Disposal for Writers Worldbuilding for Writers, Plotting for Pantzers, and her workshop on Fight Scenes in Fiction.
Jeanne helped create the Nora Roberts Writing Institute at Hagerstown Community College; served on the Board of Directors for Romance Writers of America; was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine; and is a showrunner on ConTinual, the online Con that Never Ends. She’s currently completing her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction and has won numerous awards for both her fiction and non-fiction work. Jeanne lives in DC with her sports-mad husband and sons, as well as three large, boisterous dogs. Find links to her latest work on her website or through most online purchasing platforms!
Find her at:
www.JeanneAdams.com
Twitter: @JeanneAdams
Facebook: JeanneAdamsAuthor
Instagram: @JPAGryphon
Pinterest: JeanneAdams (Especially her Writerly Things board!)
Dec 4, 2023 | 2023, Blog, December 2023, Samantha Chase
A Merry Montgomery Christmas by New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Chase is a must read this holiday season with a dash of spice, a dollop of sweet, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you are new to Samantha Chase or a dedicated reader this book is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. If you love your stories packed to the rafters with easy to follow details you’ll find that here. A plot that includes celebrations, holidays, and plenty of food and merriment for all – that too!
When the Montgomerys gather there is bound to be some shenanigans and mischief, especially if the patriarch William has just a toe in the room ;). A man devoted to his wife and family he wants everyone to be as happy as they are. Is it possible he’ll be able to leave his matchmaking days behind him while away for Christmas? Are you ready for another adventure? It’s time to pack your bags and get ready to discover who might find love this Christmas season in a winter wonderland of fun.
The attention to detail, the character and plot arcs, all those couples, not to mention the twists, and turns how did you keep it all straight Samantha?!?!?. If you’ve never read a Montgomery Brothers book and want to know if there will be spoilers, that all depends. If you’re looking for a book that delves into a family that you’ll wish was your own and one that comes with a ton of adventure, mischief, and lots of love … do something different this holiday season and dive in to this holiday romance. Once you discover the Montgomerys and uncover how amazing they are, you will want to go back to where it all began and discover this series.
It’s time to enjoy the reunion, reconnect, or meet new beloved characters as they gather to reflect, share, and enjoy the holidays with their family. With so many Montgomery books you are guaranteed reading through the new year! Devoted fan, reader or just discovering Samantha Chase for the first time this is sure to satisfy and hopefully you will find that it captures all the feels of a holiday romance read. I enjoyed catching up with three generations of Montgomerys under one roof and was delighted that with all the couples the story moved at a fast pace and left me wanting more. I love a reunion book where we visit with old friends and find out what they’ve been up to and where they are now.
If you are new to this series to read as we count down to the end of the year, consider spending the holiday season with The Montgomerys. By the time you are finished you’ll wish you could be a part of this amazing family. I have a feeling there is so much more to come in the next year and I can’t wait! A sinfully sweet, hotter than sweet with bedroom romance that tingles in all the right places, and a dash of spice to satisfy that slightly spicy craving.
I received an advance reader copy from Valentine PR and Samantha Chase for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“May I have everyone’s attention?” William called out and surprisingly, the room grew quiet quickly. “I’d like to say welcome to everyone. It’s not often we can get everyone at the same place at the same time, but except for Carter, we’re all here.”
He paused and nodded to the servers, who began passing out drinks.
“I really just wanted to take a minute to say what a blessing all of you are and I’m so thankful that you were all able to make the time to have us come together like this,” he went on. “You’ve all gotten the tour of the house, I know Monica has sent out at least a dozen emails detailing all the local attractions and activities, and I appreciate all the patience because we’re going to be putting in some work hours for the next several days.”
“As long as you keep it to only several days, we’ll keep being patient,” Monica teased and everyone laughed.
“If everyone has a glass, I’d like to make a toast,” William said loudly. “To family. It does my heart good to see how much we’ve grown. To look at all these young faces and see this next generation just fills my heart with joy. I look forward to hearing all about what you’re doing with your lives and all the exciting things you’ve been up to!”
“Just don’t tell him too much about your personal lives,” Jason called out with a mischievous grin and again, everyone laughed. “He may look harmless, but he spent a lot of years playing matchmaker, so unless that’s what you’re looking for, be careful what you share!”
William didn’t let it bother him. He knew it was all said in fun and most of the kids here were too young for him to do any serious matchmaking.
That didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about it, though…
“Yes, yes, yes,” he said once the laughter died down a bit. “All of your parents owe their happiness to me.”
There was a round of light arguments that went on for a few minutes, but all it did was make him smile. In this room were families that were started because he had been a little crafty. And if they all wanted to poke a little fun at him over it, he’d take it. Their smiles and laughter and the look of contentment on their faces spoke volumes.
“Anyway,” William finally interrupted, “I’d like to raise a glass to family. It’s everything. Here’s to a wonderful retreat and a wonderful holiday. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” everyone called out and then it became a bit of a free for all. The kids ran up to grab snacks and then immediately took their bounty down to the lower level. As much as William wanted to push a little for them to stay up here, it got noticeably quieter, which meant the adults could actually have a conversation.
Then he noticed that Lily was still up here. Kissing Monica on the cheek, he made his way over to his granddaughter.
“I thought you would have taken off with all your cousins,” he said, noticing the glass of champagne in her hands. “Should you be…”
She rolled her eyes while laughing softly. “Grandpa, I’m 22. I’m allowed to drink.” Then she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m glad I could be here for this. I’ve missed you.”
Was there anything sweeter than hearing those words from your grandchild? He wondered.
“I’ve missed you too,” he told her before leading them over to a sofa in the far corner of the room. “So, tell me all about dancing on a cruise ship. What was that like?”
Her entire face lit up as she tucked her legs under her and got more comfortable. “It felt like I was dancing in a Broadway show every night! The costumes were amazing, the music was awesome, and the audience always seemed to be having a good time.” Pausing, she took a sip of her champagne. “During the day we offered dance lessons on the different decks and sometimes we had to step in and help in other areas.”
“What areas?”
Now her face scrunched up a bit. “Serving in the lounges or restaurants.” She sighed. “I am definitely not a server. I dropped a lot of stuff and messed up orders, but I didn’t have a choice. It was one of the reasons it was so hard to get time off. They were always understaffed and guilted us into taking extra trips.”
“Well, that’s not very professional of them,” William chided lightly. “Are you going to go back after Christmas?”
“I don’t think so, but…I need to do something.”
“Lily, sweetheart,” he said with mild amusement. “I hardly think you need to be putting so much pressure on yourself. Your parents would love to have you home for a little while until you figure out your next move. And if you really want to work, we could always find a position for you at Montgomerys.”
The laugh was out before she could stop it. “Oh, Grandpa…” she began. “You know I am not a finance person or an office one. So, unless you’re suddenly hiring entertainment for the office, I am not someone you want behind a desk.”
Fortunately, William saw the humor in it as well. “I just thought…”
Reaching out, she rested her hand on his. “I know I can go home with Mom and Dad and it would be great. I could hang out with Sloane and Becca and just relax. But I feel like I need to be proactive. I want to audition for the Rockettes, but that’s not until April. There are some other possibilities, but most of them aren’t until May. Basically, I’ve got time on my hands and it’s bugging me.”
“A typical Montgomery trait, I’m afraid. We don’t like to be idle.”
“Exactly!” she said with a smile. “So, what about you, Grandpa? What’s new with you? I hear there’s a big merger and you’re all going to be working on it while you’re here, but is there anything else exciting going on?”
He glanced around before leaning in slightly. “Well, don’t tell your grandmother, but…I’m going to surprise her with a trip to Scotland for our fiftieth wedding anniversary.”
Her blue eyes went wide. “Seriously? That’s amazing! And totally romantic!”
“You think so, huh?”
“Oh, definitely!” She sighed. “You’re one of the good guys. I don’t think they make guys like you anymore.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know. It just feels like most guys don’t want to put any effort into a relationship. It’s kind of depressing.”
“Maybe you’re dating or looking to date the wrong kind of men,” he suggested. “Are you currently dating anyone?”
She nodded and smiled. “Ash. He’s a bartender on the ship, but he’s also one of the mechanics. He’s got an amazing motorcycle collection that he’s restoring when he has time off.”
“Interesting.”
Lily sensed a hint of disapproval. “He’s a nice guy. Really. He’s going to come here for New Year’s Eve, so you’ll get to meet him.”
“I believe the last boyfriend of yours I met was…”
“Gunner,” she replied. “He was a drummer in a band.”
William forced himself not to cringe. The boy had too many tattoos and a bad attitude. “Yes, I remember. And who did you date after him?”
“Hmm…there was…Troy—he was a skateboarding champion—and then Jett.” She took another sip of her drink. “He was a tattoo artist.”
He was beginning to see a pattern here.
“Maybe it’s the type of guy you’re dating that’s the problem, Lily,” he said carefully. “Perhaps if you went out with someone who…you know…works in an office or is a little more…I mean…or a little less…?”
Laughing softly, she squeezed his hand. “I get what you’re saying, but believe me, the last thing I want is to date a guy who reminds me of my dad. I’m not looking for the suit and tie guy. I want someone who’s edgy and fun and artsy and creative! I want someone who would jump up on stage and dance with me. Does that make sense?”
He nodded but refrained from saying anything. She certainly wasn’t going to make it easy for him to find someone suitable for her.
“William? Lily? Come have something to eat,” Monica called from across the room. “Lily, the stuffed baby portobellos are fantastic and I know how much you love stuffed mushrooms. Come taste!”
Before she stood, Lily leaned over and kissed William on the cheek. “Thanks for hanging out with me. I always love when it’s just the two of us. Remember when you used to push me on the swing in your backyard?”
Tears stung his eyes because he remembered it vividly. “I do.”
“Sometimes, I miss those days,” she said quietly, holding out her hand to him as they both got to their feet. “Now let’s go grab those mushrooms before they’re gone.”
***Excerpt shared with permission from Author Samantha Chase. Not to be copied without permission.
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Website
Oct 31, 2023 | Blog, Jeanne Adams, Mariah Ankenman, October 2023, Samantha Chase
Welcome to Authors Dish – a time to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones as they share a little bit about themselves. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.a
If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
As October comes to a close, we’ve got NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase, Bestselling Author Mariah Ankenman and Author Jeanne Adams ready to dish!
1. October means we are officially into the Fall with everything “spiced” and spooky. What’s your seasonal speed? (Pumpkin Everything, Maple Lover, or Skip the Spice … I’m all about the tinsel and Peppermint)
Mariah: Pumpkin and Apple cinnamon are my jam! I’ve even done both as vodka infusions, yummy!
Samantha: Definitely not a spiced or spooky girl. Not a fan of either. I’m just patiently waiting for the tinsel and peppermint too!!
Jeanne: I am allllll about the pumpkin, people! Don’t particularly like pumpkin spice, but love pumpkin anything else. I love fall! I love Halloween! Never met a spooky scary skeleton I didn’t love.
2. Growing up certain houses were known for their “treats” and we never missed those doorbells. What do you pass out for the kiddos?
Mariah: We have a candy bowl with a variety of chocolate/gummy/sucker candy and a bowl with toys for kiddos who can’t have sweets or don’t want them. I love handing out treats at Halloween and I always let kids take a treat from both baskets if they want.
Samantha: I know I’ll catch a LOT of grief for this, but I am so NOT a lover of Halloween. We don’t decorate and I buy just the basics. It’s all brand name and the good stuff, but it’s fun sized and everyone gets a handful.
Jeanne: I pass out the good stuff! I have Hersheys and good chocolates, as well as Skittles and fruity things. I keep a separate non-peanut basket for a few neighbor kids I know with peanut allergies. (Well packaged to prevent cross contamination!) and some things that are certified gluten free too.
3. Do you toss a few extra bags of your favorite candy into the cart for snacking during the season?
Mariah: Heck yeah I do!
Jeanne: I always have to buy an extra bag for the kids close to Halloween because my household will have “snacked” on the big candy bowl!
4. What is your idea of a perfect fall day activity or adventure? Where are you and who are you with?
Mariah: Me and the fam heading off to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkins to carve while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Samantha: Perfect fall day would be driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway and seeing all the beautiful colors of the leaves changing. Of course my hubby would be right there beside me and then
we’d stay at some quiet little hotel with a great view.
Jeanne: Perfect Fall day activity or adventure is decorating for Halloween with my hubby and kids! Or going to a festival or a fall pumpkin patch to get pumpkins to carve. LOVE carving those pumpkins!!
5. Do you have a Fall bucket list and what is on it?
Mariah: We always have to make it to the Pumpkin Festival in town. I also love horror movies, so I make sure to watch as many as possible during spooky season. We also host an annual Halloween party for all our friends which is always a ghoulish good time.
Samantha: Don’t laugh, but…we always go to the beach in the fall. My husband fishes, I write, the weather is gorgeous, and it’s peaceful. I look forward to it every year.
Jeanne: My Fall bucket list is to go to Keene, NH to their pumpkin festival. 1000s of carved Jack-o-lanterns!
6. If I were to visit your hometown, is there an orchard or farm I should visit for the best fall produce, corn mazes, and fun?
Mariah: Yes! Check out the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield for their pumpkin festival and corn maze. The best in the Denver area!
Samantha: Not really my hometown, but we’ve lived here for almost 30 years and there is a cute little farm about ten miles up the road that has all of those things.
Jeanne: There are several! But my fav is Butler’s Orchard in Maryland (not far from where I am in DC) is amazing! They have pony rides and face painters and pumpkins and apples and cider…well, if it’s fall and fun, it’s at Butlers!
Click here for a link to ALL of Samantha’s Books on Amazon
Click here for a link to ALL of Mariah’s Books on Amazon
Click here for a link to ALL of Jeanne’s Books on Amazon
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase. If you click on the link and purchase the featured book and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small percentage between 2-6%. Any profit earned from this transaction is given directly back to readers via giveaways (gift cards, books, etc.) Thank you in advance.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Website
Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her. Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books, visit her website http://mariahankenman.com/ follow her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter.
Jeanne Adams is an award-winning author of more than 20 thrilling suspense, wicked Urban Fantasy, paranormal romantic suspense, and dramatic space adventures which have been compared to the works of Robert Heinlein and Jack McDevitt. Both traditionally and independently published, Jeanne is a sought-after speaker for her Body Disposal for Writers Worldbuilding for Writers, Plotting for Pantzers, and her workshop on Fight Scenes in Fiction.
Jeanne helped create the Nora Roberts Writing Institute at Hagerstown Community College; served on the Board of Directors for Romance Writers of America; was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine; and is a showrunner on ConTinual, the online Con that Never Ends. She’s currently completing her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction and has won numerous awards for both her fiction and non-fiction work. Jeanne lives in DC with her sports-mad husband and sons, as well as three large, boisterous dogs. Find links to her latest work on her website or through most online purchasing platforms!
Find her at:
www.JeanneAdams.com
Twitter: @JeanneAdams
Facebook: JeanneAdamsAuthor
Instagram: @JPAGryphon
Pinterest: JeanneAdams (Especially her Writerly Things board!)
Sep 30, 2023 | Authors Dish, Blog, Mariah Ankenman, Samantha Chase, September 2023
Authors Dish will once again be on the blog, a chance to connect with your favorite authors or discover new ones. I’m always so appreciative when they take the time to chat and hang out a bit while writing all the adventures we crave. I’ll be sharing their links and bio so if they are a new author for ya, you’ll have all the info you need to check them out.a
Readers …. the fun is back. The response has been overwhelming, the authors are ready, and we are here for it. If you’re an author and interested in dishin’ comment below or hit me up on any of my social media platforms.
Now, to round out the month we’ve got NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase and Bestselling Author Mariah Ankenman.
1. You’ve been tasked with naming the next “it” nail polish. What color is it? What’s it called?
Samantha Chase: – No idea! Lol! Nail colors are seriously not my thing. I get a French on my fingers and either red, pink, or coral on my toes.
Mariah: – Red and I’m calling it “Seduction.”
2. What are the top three things on your bucket list?
Samantha:
– To walk the red carpet at a movie premier for one of my books
– To go to London
– To own a beach house
Mariah:
1. Travel outside the US
2. See one of my books in a Barnes and Noble
3. Learn to play the Hurdygurdy
3. What signature dish does everyone ask you to bring?
Samantha: – My chicken parm. It is a favorite of almost everyone I make it for. It used to be my eggplant parm, but somehow it got switched! LOL!
Mariah: My pasta salad. It’s delicious!
4. What song sums up your life?
Samantha: – Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
Mariah: Time To Be Awesome from My Little Pony Friendship is Magic
5. In some stores there is Christmas merchandise out, what word would you use to describe what we are seeing?
Samantha: – UGH!! (But seriously, too soon!!)
Mariah: Happiness!
6. It’s back-to-school season, what does that look like in your house? Has your nest grown and flown? (Just happy the kids are back in school. You’re in the cave -don’t care. It’s the best time of year ‘cuz the kids are back in school, or No idea I’m in my bat cave and haven’t seen sunlight for days.)
Samantha: – Our nest has flown ☹
Mariah: FREEEEEEEDOM!!!!!!! LOL, but seriously my kiddos are back in school which means I get 6 hours of uninterrupted writing time! I’m the house manager so I still have work outside of writing (cleaning, groceries, errands, etc), but I usually spend all morning at my desk getting words in and it’s glorious!
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her. Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books, visit her website http://mariahankenman.com/ follow her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter.
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Mar 29, 2023 | Blog, Coffee With, March 2023, Samantha Chase
Rae: Welcome back Samantha Chase to the blog. With spring on the horizon I have an Almond Caramel Coconut Milk Latte with drizzles of caramel and white chocolate in my mug. In honor of your book release my barista baked up a batch of peanut butter blondies and chocolate covered strawberries. What is in your cuppa?
Samantha: I am a very boring drinker and it is straight up hot cocoa for me!
Rae: Cocoa sounds yummy! I find that reading is best when I have a beverage and a snack, what do you need to have for yourself when you are settling in to read?
Samantha: Normally I’m reading in bed and snacking and drinking there is a big fat no-no. However…if I’m feeling sassy and in the mood for a mid-day read, I am all about some cookies. Wegman’s has these double chocolate ones called Chocolate Indulgence and let me tell you, I am HERE for them. They are the perfect snack when I’m reading.
Rae: Ok, those really do sound delish. I’ll have to look for them the next time I’m at Wegmans. In a few words, can you describe the type of books you write?
Samantha: Okay… I write contemporary romances that are hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. That’s my tagline. But people still mistake that to mean that I write clean or sweet, and that’s not exactly true. There is definitely some steam on the page, but we fade to black for the good stuff 😉
Rae: Samantha is here to dish all things Shaughnessy as we celebrate the release of One More Chance which hit shelves yesterday. While writing One More Chance what songs were on your playlist?
Samantha: Thanks for having me on the blog! So…this series was greatly inspired by the music of Bon Jovi and I went back there for Mick’s book, as well. The song that really was a standout for Mick and Sienna was “Bed of Roses”, but I do have an entire Band on the Run playlist on Spotify.
Rae: Great song list, readers click on that link. How much research and travel was involved before crafting Mick’s story?
Samantha: I didn’t do any traveling while writing, but I did a lot of research and some of the places I had been to in the past and drew from my own experience. I was born and raised on Long Island and spent a lot of time in Manhattan so to have the story kickoff there was me just using the familiar. When they went to Memphis, I had to do the research because I’ve never been – but it’s on my bucket list! Vegas, L.A., San Francisco are all cities I’ve traveled to, as well.
Rae: Will there be more books for The Shaughnessy’s or Band on the Run? I feel like there could be another epilogue or novella somewhere down the line, maybe Christmas time?
Samantha: So…if it were up to me, there would be more books. I actually introduce two potential stories in this book, but I won’t write them unless there is a huge demand for them. As vocal as fans of this series were about wanting Mick’s story, preorders weren’t great so I’m not sure how release week is going to play out. As for a bonus epilogue, the special edition paperback (which will be available in a few weeks) will have one.
Rae: You recently shared that you got the rights back to many of your books and recently re-published thirty-two books. Wow, thirty-two. What was your process to make sure all the details were managed? Did you have to create new book covers, what was that process like?
Samantha: I think I still have PTSD from the experience! LOL! I kind of thrive on chaos. I got the rights back the week before Christmas so…that meant nothing was going to get done until the first of the year. I didn’t get clean files back so every single book had to be re-edited, re-formatted from PDF to a Word doc, re-proofed, new covers…it was just all SO much. On top of that, I had a new release schedule in place for 2022 that I needed to stick to. It literally took a village to get it all done. I had three people for each step that needed to be done – except the covers. I have one cover artist and she was AMAZING. And while it was fun to design new covers, it was a lot of work. I had a giant dry erase board in my office that kept me on task.
Rae: Did you make any minor edits or changes to any of those books?
Samantha: Most of the books just got minor edits – things that my previous publisher missed, but I did add content to two of the Montgomery Brothers books – WAIT FOR ME and TRUST IN ME – because they were shorter and I just felt like they needed a little more. Everything else I had to just let go otherwise these books never would have gotten back up on retail sites.
Rae: In the midst of all that re-publishing, you were writing new books as well. Was there one story during this process where the characters decided they had a different story to tell and took you on a different path than the one you envisioned?
Samantha: Since I’m not big on plotting/planning my books, most times I’m surprised where my characters go. Lol! It makes writing so much fun when you don’t put yourself in a box and try to force the characters to behave a certain way. However…my father passed away in February last year (completely unexpected) and we hadn’t spoken in several years. We did get to have those last two weeks of his life to make our peace with one another and I was the only one in the room with him when he died. A month later, I started writing KISS THE GIRL (Magnolia Sound’s final book). I always knew that book was going to deal with a character’s death. I knew that from the moment I started writing the series. I just didn’t realize how much that character’s death and his relationship with his children was going to mirror my own relationship with my dad. So it was a VERY emotional journey and very cathartic for me because I got to say a lot of things in the book, that I never got to say with my dad.
Rae: What was it like to sit down and write Micks story? This story, it was one that I have been waiting for and it was amazing.
Samantha: Years ago – when the original series ended – I really thought I was good with ending it at three books. Readers asked for Mick’s book, and I just sort of figured it would be a bonus, short story somewhere down the road. Last year I was part of a small town promo group and I wrote a short version of this book – it was only 20K words. Well, after readers read it, they wanted a more fleshed-out story so the 20K book got expanded to 72K words! And I was really glad that I did because we got to really dig deep into what was motivating Mick and Sienna to finally take this chance at this point in their lives. Mick’s in his mid-40s and Sienna’s only a few years younger. Love doesn’t only happen in your 20s 😊
Rae: So true! Without spoiling too much, you sprinkled a few beloved characters in a unique and clever way. What made you decide to blend both worlds and revisit the gang?
Samantha: Back when the Band on the Run series was released, I don’t feel my publisher did a good job of promoting that it was a spin-off of The Shaughnessy Brothers series. They gave the covers a completely different look and it wasn’t until the series was over that someone was like, “Oh, should we have put that on the cover?” If ever you want to do a blog on what NOT to do when working with a publisher, I’ll gladly contribute.
Anyway, being that I could do anything I wanted with this story, I wanted to give readers a chance to get updates on as many past characters as I could. And if they are just now finding this series with ONE MORE CHANCE, they can know that there are ten other books for them to read! Lol! The Shaughnessys were such a great family, and the band wouldn’t be here without them, so it just seemed right to check in with them all.
Rae: Speaking of the guys, they have been patiently waiting, should we bring them in?
Samantha: ABSOLUTELY!!!
Rae: Welcome back Riley Shaughnessy, it has been a while since you were here. The last time you were here was back in 2017 and 2016 when your siblings were kind enough to join you. (Readers you can check out those here … Coffee With the Shaughnessy’s Holiday Spice (2017), Samantha Chase Blitz Day 2: Coffee With the Shaughnessy Brothers (December 2016), and Samantha Chase Blitz – Day 2: Coffee With Samantha Chase and The Shaughnessy Family (June 2016)) I hope they are all doing well. I am thrilled the Shaughnessy gang’s all here. Matt Reed, Dylan Anders, Julian Grayson and Agent and Manager Mick Tyler, thank you for being here. Welcome.
I hope everyone had a chance to grab a cuppa at the bar, my barista told me he crafted a few new drinks in your honor. I like to start with a little bit of trivia questions … think of it as an opening act, Mick these questions are for you too.
Rae: You created a spotify playlist – Who are you listening to?
Mick: Thanks for having us here, Rae! If I’m looking for comfort, I tend to listen to something a little softer. And not just ballads, I really enjoy listening to soft jazz or even the old crooners like Sinatra. If I’m on the road, my list is primarily acts that I’m considering representing or I’ll choose whoever is popular right now to get a feel for what fans are looking for. And when we’re all together and hanging out, I like listening to the groups I represent – and primarily, Shaughnessy. (Winks)
Rae: What is the one app on your phone that gets used the most?
Mick: Instagram. Gotta make sure my clients are getting seen!
Rae: Home cooked or Door Dash?
Mick: I do enjoy when Sienna and I sit down to something we cooked together, but we’re both so busy that we use Door Dash more often than not.
Rae: Salty or sweet?
Mick: Oh, definitely sweet!
Rae: Book, Audiobook, or Podcast? Last one you read or listened to?
Mick: At night, Sienna and I love to read while we’re in bed and both tend to gravitate toward ebooks. When we travel – especially in the car – we sometimes pop in an audiobook, but primarily enjoy listening to Podcasts. The last one I listened to was Bandsplain which essentially is like a very polished version of those wee-hours conversations you have with your best music buddies. Definitely a good listen.
Rae: How often do you meet up, as a band – in the studio, just hanging out, or on the road? When you meet up is it easy for the wives to join- I hear they are friends as well?
Riley: My family and Dylan’s are still primarily set in L.A. so we get together fairly often.
Matt: Vivienne and I are east coasters all the way, but we go out to L.A. probably every three months or so for the sole purpose of getting together to jam or record.
Julian: Yeah, Charlotte and I made the move to the east coast and we spend most of our time there unless there’s something going on with the band.
Dylan: Paige and I are the last holdouts on getting a vacation home on the east coast. (laughs) And because these guys all have houses, we just crash with one of them!
Riley: We’re contemplating having to get a bigger place with a guest house just for Dylan and Paige…
Dylan: It’s not like we’re there that often, dude…
Julian: He can practically claim you as a dependent.
Mick: Alright, everybody play nice!
Riley: As for our wives, they are the best of friends and are thrilled to have Sienna as part of their group. We’re all fairly blessed that everyone gets along and genuinely likes each other.
Dylan: It’s true. We’ve only done one major tour in the last several years and it was a true family affair – wives, kids, and dogs!
Mick: Do not even get me started on the dogs…
Julian: Normally, I’d prefer to stay at a house – Airbnb or something instead of a hotel just for the sake of the dogs – but when you’re only staying for a night or two, it’s just not as practical.
Rae: What are the chances we might see Shaughnessy on tour or in the studio this year?
Riley: We’re currently in the studio right now and trying to get the last few songs done on this album.
Matt: I’m the reason we’re rushing. Vivienne’s pregnant and as much as she doesn’t mind being away from home, I think right now she’d prefer it.
Dylan: I think we’re all…I don’t want to say rushing, but we understand. We worked out a lot of the stuff before getting into the studio, so things are moving at a good pace.
Julian: We’ve been doing this together for so long, and we talk to each other so often, that it feels more like we’re putting the finishing touches on it all once we hit the studio. We each have studio space in our homes, so even when we’re not together, we’re working on the music in our own spaces. Vivienne will be sleeping in her own bed in no time.
Rae: Do your kids know how famous you all are?
Riley: My kids know it, and our oldest daughter – Aislynn – tries to use it to her advantage at school! Last week Savannah and I got called in because she tried to bargain with her Science teacher…she wanted to give him tickets to the next Shaughnessy show if she didn’t have to dissect a frog!
Mick: (laughing) I love that kid.
Dylan: Dude, that’s brilliant! But I’ll probably aske someone else to babysit next time we’re in town. I can’t have her giving my boys any ideas.
Julian: Our kids are still a little too young to fully understand it, but we really try to downplay it at home. We just want to live a normal life.
Matt: This is going to be our first baby, and I haven’t mentioned it. (wink)
Dylan: I started telling my boys as soon as they were born! Bedtime stories were all about the band and places we’d toured.
Riley: Dude, seriously?
Dylan: What? It’s not like I was talking about groupies or anything…
Julian: Does Paige know? I’ll bet you like a thousand dollars that she has no idea those were the bedtime stories!
Dylan: NEXT QUESTION!!
Rae: I love watching the evolution of bands as they transition from wild days of dating to finding their person and settling down, some might even say driving a minivan too? Do you think any of your children might dip their toes in the music industry? Would you be ok with that?
Julian: I wouldn’t say I’d forbid it, but…I certainly wouldn’t encourage it. This business is hard and it not always a safe space, you know?
Matt: (sighs loudly) For the love of it, you can’t still be this uptight.
Julian: (shrugging) I can be whoever the hell I want. But if either of our kids showed an interest on their own – with no prompting from me or Charlotte – I’d be sure to be there to guide them.
Riley: I think we’d all want to be there for our kids – especially in this industry. Not that I want to get into the whole Nepo Baby debate, but if other people saw that they had talent, I’d want to encourage them.
Matt: Whatever they want to do, I’ll encourage.
Rae: If you could take time off, switch gears for a bit, where would you be and what would you be doing?
Julian: I’d love to rent a place that is quiet and where we could just sort of go unnoticed. There’s a small town in England that I stayed in years ago that I always promised Charlotte I’d take her to. So…
Riley: One of my brother Hugh’s resorts. Hands down. I don’t even think I care which one, just…go and relax and drink some fantastic wine and eat some amazing food.
Matt: Vivienne’s folks live in Paris and we’ve gone there to visit multiple times, but I think I’d love to go and see them and then go on to Italy and just walk around and see the sites and eat the food. Viv used to be a food blogger so I think she’d love that too. So much of our time is spent doing stuff related to my job, that I’d love to do something that I know was just for her.
Dylan: Aww…
Matt: Shut up. What would you do?
Dylan: Time off and not doing anything music related? I’d love to be sitting on the beach somewhere tropical and maybe doing some fishing. I’d love to teach the boys how to do it – catch out own dinners, clean the fish…I think that would be a blast!
Mick: Until Paige had to come and clean fish guts off of everyone, right?
Dylan: Well…maybe.
Rae: Mick, what is it like knowing this band is stronger than ever in light of the obstacles along the way? I know you went above and beyond to support them through some rather tough times.
Mick: The five of us have been through…everything together. I don’t look at Riley, Julian, Matt, and Dylan as clients. They’re family. And you do whatever it takes to make sure you’re family is happy and healthy. I look at these guys now and it still blows my mind how far we’ve come. And the thing is, it’s not all one-sided. These guys have been there for me, as well.
Riley: We’re brothers.
Matt: Definitely.
Julian: Absolutely.
Dylan: There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for each other.
Rae: Without divulging the identity of anyone, what is the craziest request you ever had for a client – on tour or just in general?
Mick: Oh, good Lord…sometimes it amazes me what people ask for. The craziest was a certain diva who insisted that her entire dressing room be done in hot pink silk and chandeliers, along with a seafood bar with enough food to feed a dozen people at every stop. She never shared the food with anyone except her boyfriend and her mother, and most of the food got thrown out.
There was another request that was…unusual. A client – whenever we toured down in Australia or New Zealand – insisted that he have a day with no responsibilities so he could have the time with…penguins. (Nods) He loved spending time with them in their native environments and…
Dylan: TWICE! I asked to do it TWICE! Geez!
(Everyone laughs hysterically)
Rae: Mick – Did you ever think of walking away from all of this or focusing on less talent? It seems like with Shaughnessy it’s more than just being their agent and manager, what do you attribute that to? Were there any moments in the past you thought they may not make it as a group?
Mick: I knew from the moment Riley Shaughnessy walked up on the stage in that dive bar that he was going to be a star. All of them. I spent almost a year combing the clubs in Hollywood and every night I’d leave disgusted. The night I saw these guys? It was obvious immediately that they had talent. They were the first band I signed and they are the gold standard that I held other acts to for a long time. Then I had to remind myself that different acts bring different…magic, you can say, to their music.
I’ve dealt with smaller acts and bands/singers who weren’t nearly as talented as I wanted them to be. Some were one-hit wonders, some lasted a little longer, but I have always believed in doing what I can to nurture the talent. Does it always pay off? No. But if I see even a small spark of something, I’m willing to give them a try.
But back to these guys…like I said, I just knew from the moment I saw them that they were different. I feel like we all kind of grew up together – we learned this business together – and we navigated it all together. I made mistakes and they forgave me, they made mistakes, and I did the same. We all genuinely like and respect each other. But…like any family, sometimes we fight and say or do things we shouldn’t. At the end of the day, though, we talk it out.
Riley: Mick’s the king of tough love. We all hate it when it’s focused on us, but ultimately, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that once we calm down, we know he’d never do anything to hurt us. There’s a trust there that…I don’t know…it was just there from day one.
Rae: Riley, after sitting here and talking with you guys I can see how much you genuinely care for each other. It’s why fans are so enamored and devoted, you guys are the real deal.
Ok, Mick, this one’s for you… If you had the opportunity to have dinner with one person, past or present who would it be and why?
Mick: Ooo…I feel like I should say something music related like Brian Epstein – who managed the Beatles. But I don’t know if it would be to learn from him or to maybe brag about how well I’ve done for myself. (laughs) My whole life has been about this path – this industry – and I’ve had the opportunity to sit and eat with a lot of my idols. But if I had to pick one, I’d really love for it to be the late Freddie Mercury. That voice…I still get chills.
Rae: Mick, I’ve asked so many people that question and I don’t think I’ve ever had the same answer. That sounds like it would be a fabulous dinner!
Before we go, for all of those young music dreamers out there, what is one piece of advice you could give them that you wish you had received when you first started in this business all those years ago?
Mick: Persevere. It doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t sell yourself short and listen to the critics with a grain of salt. Not everyone has your back.
Riley: Definitely persevere, and remember to always be good to the fans. They’re the reason you have a career. Don’t screw it up by being a jerk to them.
Matt: Know your limitations. We’re all not going to be Jagger, Jackson, or Mercury, and that’s okay. Go out there and be the best at what you do and don’t ever think you don’t have to keep honing your craft.
Dylan: Know who your real friends are. There are people out there who will just want to ride your coattails and don’t care about who you really are. Keep your circle small.
Julian: This is a business first and foremost. Sure it’s fun to get up on stage and have people cheering and singing along, but it’s not just a big party. Know what you’re signing, be wise with your money, and have a plan for when it’s all over.
Dylan: Geez…that was depressing.
Julian: I just said it’s not just a big party…
Dylan: Yeah, I know but you made it sound just…ugh.
Matt: Dude, are you just meeting Julian? That’s how he talks all the time!
Riley: Bottom line? Yes, Julian sounds like Eyeore, but he’s right.
Mick: It is like herding cats with these guys, but it’s never boring!
Rae: Samantha thanks again. If fans are looking to find you this year, where can they catch up with you?
Samantha: Thank YOU!! This was a blast!! Readers, you can find me primarily on FB and IG, but here are all my links!!
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Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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