Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.’

The incredibly multi-gifted Xio Axelrod poses this week’s challenge:

 If you weren’t a writer, what other creative career would you most want to try?

Okay, here it is. I love being a writer and I would never want to give that up. But, I also always wanted to be an actress. The idea of jumping into another persona has always seemed fascinating and intriguing. I tried my hand at community theatre a few times and loved it. But to actually pursue it as a career…? It’s such a hard road full of rejections. I suppose like writing. The two careers are similar in the process of trying to succeed. You have to put your heart out there and hope that someone who has the power to ‘make it happen’ will set their sights on you and your work. That’s the thing about being in the creative pursuits, as opposed to a ‘real’ job. You never know from one day to the next what will happen. There are no 9-5 parameters. We work in the adrenaline rush of acceptance (or even the dream of acceptance).

Then again, I’ve always loved art and the idea of putting paint to canvas every day….

Well, enough daydreaming. Time to get back to my WIP.

Let’s see what the wonderful and talented Susan Peterson Wisnewski would chose.

http://spwwrites.com

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.’

Let’s hop over to the incredible Elizabeth Janette and check out her superpowers.

http://elizabeth-janette.blogspot.com

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.’

This week the talented Ronnie Allen, author of the just released Gemini, suggested the question.

What is the theme in your novels, recurring or in one, that sends a message about an issue in society to help people? Was it developed by you intentionally, or did it evolve through the characters and plot?

As I was thinking about this question, I realized that I do have one consistent theme in my books. It wasn’t developed intentionally, but it is definitely important to me and came out in my writing. My heroines face unique obstacles and triumph. They also manage to find true love, even though their situations make it nearly impossible. The message is: never give up, no matter how it appears today!

Kennedy, in “Texas Summer”, is an outcast who becomes a scapegoat.

Dariana, in “The Defiant Bride”, is being forced by the King to marry a terrible man she has never met.

Marilee, in “Captain’s Captive” (coming soon from Black Opal Books), is running away to save herself from a killer who desires her fortune.

Hannah, in “Hannah’s War” (coming soon from Eternal Press), is escaping a vicious, abusive husband during the Civil War.

All these women have adversity and it makes them stronger. I just read a saying that goes as follows: God only gives you what you can handle. God must think I’m a badass. Obviously, that sums up all my heroines.

Let’s see what Ronnie Allen’s recurring theme is…it will definitely be interesting!

http://ronnieallennovel.com/blog

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.’

And now the incredibly creative Fiona Riplee, who clearly believes in a challenge, has come up with this:

Write a flash fiction of 250 words or less about a long lost love. Include the words: hammer, chisel, and coping saw.

So, here’s mine…..

A truck sat outside the house with ‘Jamison Construction’ emblazoned on the side. Could it be? Her heart was hammering in her chest. She still smelled of airplane fuel and cramped quarters and there he was, working on the home across the street from hers. Jonas, with his chiseled features and ripped abs. The hole in her heart throbbed painfully. He had been her first, the gold standard, and everyone else fell short by comparison. Perspiration trickled between her breasts.

Why had she left town again? Oh, yes. He wasn’t ready to give up his “so-called” freedom.  He needed to see the world. And yet, here he was, seemingly as settled as any one man could be.

Shaking, she emerged from the cab and heard footsteps pounding across the asphalt.

“Lisa?”

She pretended not to hear.

“Lisa?” he repeated. “I know you can hear me. Just tell me one thing. Are you married?”

She screwed up her face, unsure, confused, tamping down hopeful. She just stared at him as the cab chugged down the street.

“Because, if you’re not….”

He skidded to a stop, still holding a coping saw in his hand. He always was an artisan.

“You want to cut me?” She glared at the tool.

He laughed out loud and dropped the thing at her feet. “Well, are you?”

“No, Jonas.”

“Do you want to be?”

“What?”

“My wife? I can support you now.”

“What about seeing the world?”

“I’m looking at it.”

Let’s see what the incredibly wonderful Tracey Gee came up with…..

http://www.lovextra.com/category/blog/romance-writers-weekly/

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.’

The wonderful Jeanne McDonald is asking the questions for this week:

1. Describe that moment you first felt like a true author (not just an aspiring one).

I think I always felt like a true author. But, the day I got an email from my first publisher offering me a contract was a huge boost to my writing self-esteem. I couldn’t believe it. I felt legitimized. Finally, it was okay to close my office door and take the time to write without guilt. What an amazing feeling!

2. Name three authors who you inspire you.

First would have to be Kathleen Woodiwiss. A friend gave me one of her books to read years ago. I had never read a romance before and I was captivated. I wanted more.  I read all of her work and then went on to read other writers in the genre.

Jude Devereaux‘s Velvet series was certainly an inspiration. She created characters, like Woodiwiss, who were so real I felt like I knew them. And her historical research took me back in time.

 Another would be Stephen King. I was in the grocery store and picked up a copy of “Salem’s Lot”. I slept with the lights on for three nights after reading it. What power in the written word.

I wanted to create their magic and every day I aspire to that.

3. Describe your favorite fan moment (either you as the fan or one of your readers approaching you as a fan).

I was having a pedicure one day and a woman sitting next to me kept staring at me. Finally, she said, “Aren’t you that writer? The one who wrote “Texas Summer” and “The Defiant Bride”?” She was actually blushing. “I just love your work. When is your next one coming out?”

Wow!

Let’s hop over and see how the talented Andrea answered the questions.

A.S. Fenichel http://asfenichel.net/blog

‘Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.’

The wonderful Fiona Riplee has challenged us this week:  Write a Flash Fiction that’s 500 words or less with the following items: an empty parking lot, an abandoned SUV & a chihuahua sitting in the driver’s seat.

Here’s mine:

Did nobody see the poor chihuahua? It had to be 150 degrees in that car. Why would anyone with an ounce of humanity abandon a living thing in a closed SUV in this tortuous heat? Karen looked around. The parking lot shimmering in the afternoon scorch was empty. The poor little pup was in the driver’s seat, as if he wanted to just start the car and lower the windows himself.

Karen approached the car and the dog looked up at her. His little pink tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth and his panting fogged up a circle on the window.

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll get you out,” she promised. She tried the driver’s side door. Locked. Then she ran around and tried the other door. Also locked. Karen looked around for a rock to break the window. She found one and turned to the vehicle, arm raised to strike.

“Hey, lady, what do you think you’re doing?”

Karen spun around, her eyes spitting fire. “Is this your car?”

“No. Is it yours?” If she hadn’t been filled with fury, she might have instantly noticed how tall and handsome he was. He strode over and stopped a footstep away.

“Someone left that dog to die. Well, are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me save him?”

“Did you try the doors?”

She heaved a sigh. “Are you going to help me or not?”

He gazed into her eyes and smiled. He was really so good looking. Focus, Karen. The pup.

He took the rock from her hand and pounded on the back window. He slammed it hard, harder. A crack appeared, then more, and finally a hole. He kept at it until the space got bigger. Then, he reached through and unlocked the door.

The puppy was too weak to move now, so Karen slid inside the stifling vehicle and gently lifted the tiny dog.

“We need to cool him down and hydrate him. Come with me. My office is just around the corner.”

Karen narrowed her gaze.

“I’m a veterinarian. Come on, we haven’t got time to waste.”

Cradling the pup, Karen followed the good looking stranger for half a block. Sure enough, the front door boasted “Kirby Animal Clinic”, Paul Kirby, Veterinarian. It was Karen’s and the dog’s lucky day.

Eight months later, Charlie the Chihuahua trotted down the aisle, a white ribbon gracing his neck, as his new parents said “I do”.

Let’s hop over and see what the very talented Brenda Margriet comes up with.

http://www.brendamargriet.com/blog

‘Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box. 

The brilliant Xio Axelrod came up with this week’s challenge: It’s been a while since we interviewed our characters. Here are five questions, you choose which of your characters will answer.

Wylie Nichols from “Texas Summer” has stepped up here to answer the questions.

1. What’s your favorite word?

I’m a man, so my favorite word is “yes”. But, since I’m a writer, I have to say I truly love all words.

2. What is your fondest childhood memory?

I had a great childhood, but my fondest memory is when my dad built me a treehouse. I would climb up into my sanctuary and dream dreams.  I don’t think I would have been able to write novels without that experience.

3. What one thing in your past do you wish you could do differently?

I wish I could have met Kennedy sooner. Maybe I could have saved her from so much isolation and pain.

4. Vanilla or Chocolate?

No question…chocolate.

5. If you could have lunch with one famous person (alive or not) who would it be and why?

I think I would have to choose Ernest Hemingway. He’s definitely one of my heroes. I aspire to move people and speak to them the way he does.  Although, I wouldn’t mind breaking bread with Stephen King, another master of the craft.

And now that’s hop over and see which of Xio’s characters answers the questions.

Xio Axelrod

http://www.xioaxelrod.com

‘Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box. 

This week the fabulous, multi-published Sarah Hegger wants to know what we want for Christmas.

Every Christmas I waited. I hoped for the great Christmas miracle: the event that would elevate my life, the present that would bring me what I really wanted.  I even hoped that the animals truly did speak on Christmas Eve and maybe they would impart some great wisdom that would change my life.

I was always disappointed.

Over the years, I disdained the holiday, thinking of it as nothing more than an excuse for retailers to badger us into spending money we didn’t have on things we didn’t need.

This year, though, things changed. A few weeks ago, I was very sick. Like…may not recover sick. And it occurred to me that the most precious thing I had was life. And if I could hang onto it, I needed to be grateful. And there was one more thing. Love. I have people who love me. There are lots of people in my life, but there is a precious group who make me a better person because they care about me. From my husband to my friends to my editors who refine my work to my dog, I am surrounded by love. Wow!

And that is what it’s all about. Christmas is about love. I have it in abundance and I realized that the true gifts of Christmas have nothing to do with presents under the tree. It’s about sharing that love. Being there for those in need. Giving time and showing you care in return.

Writing romance novels is one way I can say there is a happy ending, no matter how difficult the road. Because at the end of the journey, there is Christmas.

So, with a true attitude of gratitude and from my most sincere heart, I say to my colleagues and readers and friends…Merry Christmas. And that is my Christmas wish for you all: to surround yourself with love and take joy in your life.

I wonder what the talented Eden Ashe wishes for. Let’s hop over and see….

Eden Ashe http://edenashe.com

‘Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

1, Have you always written Romance?

No. I have written TV shows and screenplays and a novel about a female serial killer.  But romance is much more satisfying.  I have written three so far and I am starting on #4.  If you’ll pardon the expression, I just love romance!

2. How do you deal with critiques about the romance genre?

The same way I deal with any criticism.  I consider the source.  Romance isn’t for everyone and that’s fine.  The fans of this genre may not like another.  It’s a big world out there and we’re all different.

3. What’s the one thing about our genre you’d like people to know.

That it’s not just a bunch of fluff.  That we spend countless hours on research to make our historicals accurate. There is real substance in our work. Fiction is just that and our genre is just as valid as any other.

Let’s see what Rhenna Morgan has to say about it.

Rhenna Morgan http://rhennamorgan.com/blog/

And don’t forget those comments.