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Spotlight On Author: Tess St. John

Happy Friday All,

The drawing/contest part of this post is now closed...but please feel free to read the interview.

I got my days mixed up. This week has been nutty for me, so for some reason I thought next week was the 27th (even though yesterday was the 26th, I kept thinking for some reason I was posting this on the last day of the month). Anyway, I feel horrible I didn't have this up earlier...but at least I'm getting it up now.

Today is a special Author Interview Day. I'm going to call it "Mutual Admiration Day" because of this:  I've got Tess's interview on here today, and today she's got a guest blog post on her HER blog that I did! Below (after the interview) there's a link I provided to the guest blog post I did for Tess St. John's blog. There's a short part about writing fantasy/paranormal, then I do an interview with the hero of my novel, Surreal--his name Monroe Dubay and he's a man-beast lion...to check out what all that means, read the interview on here with Tess St. John, then after the interview click on the link provided below and go check out my post!

As you all know, Tess St. John is a friend of mine. We met when I was first getting interested in the NWHRWA. She was absolutely wonderful about welcoming me. We met [in person] at that year's Lone Star Conference and that sparked a friendship that has spanned over 2 years already. We became each other's Critique Partner (she's fabulous). She believes in me, encourages me and has helped me so much.

So please, give a warm welcome and applause to my dear friend, Tess St. John. CONTEST:  If you post your email address (or at least email it to me) I'll enter you for a drawing tonight. One lucky winner will get a copy of Tess St. John's book, Second Chances. I'll close the contest about 10:30 p.m. Central Time. **Edit as of 2:55 p.m. Central time:  If you have trouble posting a comment, email me and let me know you want to enter to win a copy of Tess St. John's book**

Me:  You write in Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense and Romantic Mystery genres. Do you have a favorite out of those that you enjoy writing the most?

Tess:  I think it depends on when you ask me! If I'm working on a historical, all I think about is how much I enjoy that. Then when I'm writing the contemporary romantic suspense/mystery I absolutely love that. So today, I love historicals!



Me:  Authors pull from all sorts of places for inspiration. Do you have a particular source of inspiration, or is it anything and everything?

Tess:  Since I see scenes when I write, I'm not sure where the inspiration comes from. I think it's just my blessed life, to be honest.


Me:  For Fun: What's your favorite color?

Tess: Red.


Me:  What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Tess:  Write. Write. Write. Then write some more. I believe classes are wonderful and critiquing others' work is educational, but unless you write, you'll never be a writer. And read everything you can get your hands on.

Me:  For Fun: Do you have a favorite book hero, and if so, who is he? (I know your husband's your favorite, but aside from him...someone from a book you read).

Tess:  I have so many! But if a gun was pointed at my head, I would have to say Cam Rohan from Lisa Kleypas' book "Mine Till Midnight".


Me:  What books are on the horizon for you to put out this year (and their genres)?

Tess:  I released "Emma's Chance" (a short story) and "Second Chances" (book one of my Chances Are Series), in April, those are historicals. I also hope to release "Don't Let It Show" and "Eyes of Jade" (books one and two of my Undercover Intrigue series)  this summer (note: Tess doesn't have an exact date for those releases, yet). Then before the end of the year I hope to have "Angel Eyes", "Eyes of a Stranger", and "Lyin' Eyes" (the rest of the Undercover Intrigue Series) out by the end of the year (if my health cooperates).


Me:  Where will your books be available?

Tess:  Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.


Me:  When you're not writing what's something you enjoy doing?

Tess:  Spending time with my family, playing pool, reading, cross-stitching.




Me:  Second Chances and Don't Let It Show are listed on your website as the first novels you're releasing. Can you tell us about them?


Tess:  "Second Chances" --Love that frees a heart - also captures it. Lady Emma Easton’s elopement to an elderly earl shields her from an abusive father, until her husband’s death leaves her vulnerable once again. Only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake. After losing his wife, Lord Drake vows never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever.


"Don't Let It Show" -- Attorney Gail Martin's life can't get any worse. Her client has been convicted, her law license suspended, and her inbox inundated with a strange riddle. But things start looking up when a handsome cop saves her from the press. Undercover FBI agent Sam Newton is in Houston to catch drug dealing cops while pretending to be one. His identity must be kept top secret, but his attraction to Gail can't be concealed or ignored. He's tried, repeatedly. As their love deepens, Gail confides she doesn’t believe the man in jail for her mother's murder is guilty. She and Sam investigate her mother's case, hitting nothing but dead ends. When tragedy strikes, Gail is left with only the email riddle, which leads her on a deadly quest for the truth about her mother’s life and death—if she can stay alive long enough to solve it.


Me:  What do you hope the future holds for you as a writer?

Tess:  Just that I can continue to write. I have two other historicals I hope to release in 2012 and a Reality Love Series in Outline form. I just want to write.


Me:  Anything else you'd like to add?

Tess:  Thank you, Bethany, for this opportunity to be interviewed! It wasn't as painful as I thought it might be! And thanks to everyone who stops by!  My website is http://www.tessstjohn.com

Thank you so much, Tess St. John, for doing this interview. Thank you everyone for your patience with me as I "get my footing" after a busy several days!

To check out the guest blog post I did on Tess St. John's blog, please click here.

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Comments

Unknown said…
Terrific interview, Tess! Can't wait for 'Don't Let It Show' to come out...:)
Anonymous said…
Cool interview!

Sarah
sjones2024@sbcglobal.net
Anonymous said…
Thanks so much for having me, Bethany.
Anonymous said…
Thanks, William...I'm hoping for it to be out in early June!!! And congratulations again on the release of Street Heat!!! I'm reading it right now and loving it!
Anonymous said…
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sarah!
Melissa said…
Awesome interview! I had no idea you had so many books in the works! You've been busy, girl!! :) I can't wait to read them all!
Bethany said…
William,

I'm sure "Don't Let It Show" will be good! I've read part of "Angel Eyes" and part of "Eyes Of Jade" both really good! Thank you for dropping by. Good to "see" you :-)
Bethany said…
Sarah,

Thank you! Good to "see" you :-)
Bethany said…
Tess,

It was great to have you on here :-)
Bethany said…
Melissa,

Thank you for dropping by. Good to "see" you :-)
nutspan said…
Ok, a little late but,

nutspan@hotmail.com
Valerie
Bethany said…
Valerie,

Don't worry that you were late. We had some internet issues, and some other things came up, so I'm late closing this out. I'll go ahead and put your name in. Thank you for dropping by. Good to "see" you :-)
Bethany said…
The contest is now closed. Anyone who wasn't Tess St. John or myself has their name entered in for the drawing (yes, even if you didn't put your email address, if I have your email address from something else and you commented today, you're entered).

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