Happy Friday Everyone,
A special shout out to my parents who are celebrating 45 years of marriage today--congratulations!
Today I'm happy to introduce to you a friend of mine and a very talented author, Melissa Ohnoutka. Melissa's Faithful Deceptions, which I reviewed and definitely enjoyed when I read it. She's incredibly nice, cheerful, and a lot of fun to know. She also has a blog, where you can go and see what's happening in her world.
Anyway...introducing Melissa Ohnoutka:
Me: Faithful Deceptions came out in March, do you have plans for future releases? If so, what and when?
Melissa: Yes, I'm working on a short story called "Shattered Souls of Innocence." It will tie my first two books together and should be released soon. Then "Target of Betrayal" will follow this summer.
Me: What made you choose human trafficking for your novel?
Melissa: I watched a Lifetime mini series back in 2005 or 2006 with Mira Servino and Donald Sutherland called "Human Trafficking." I had no idea this went on in America or to what degree. When the movie ended, I sat down and didn't stop till "Faithful Deceptions" was finished.
Me: What are the pros and cons of "indie" or self-publishing?
Melissa: Pros - control over storyline, cover, page count, price, promotion, and the direction I want my career to go.
Cons - Haven't found any yet. LOL One might say marketing, but from what I've learned, unless you are a best selling author you end up doing most of the marketing yourself anyway.
Me: For Fun: what's your favorite breakfast food?
Melissa: Fruit & nuts. I know, I'm boring. LOL
Me: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Melissa: Never give up, trust in yourself and learn all you can.
Me: Do you plan to only write Romantic Suspense, or do you plan to write in other genres, as well?
Melissa: I have no idea why, but I love suspense. I have a young adult suspense and middle grade already written, but in need of major edits. They too have their fair share of suspense. To be honest, I've tried writing a simple sweet romance. I just can't keep my heroine out of trouble. LOL After I finish up the three dealing with human trafficking, my plan is to challenge myself to work on something light.
Me: For Fun: what flavor donut do you like?
Melissa: Chocolate filled. Okay, now I want one really bad! :)
Me: Have you thought of writing a sequel to Faithful Deceptions, or is it a stand-alone?
Melissa: "Faithful Deceptions" started out as one book, but has somehow evolved into a three book sequel. Although each book will be tied together with the human trafficking, they will also be able to stand on their own as well.
Me: What do you think defines a person as a writer?
Melissa: Sitting down and writing. I've come across lots of people who want to write, but having the dedication and determination to actually sit down and do it is a whole different story.
Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
Melissa: Just a big thank you to you, Bethany! Your support has been awesome through all this!
Faithful Deceptions and you'd like to check out Romantic Suspenses, be sure to check out either Amazon Kindle / Barnes & Noble Nook (in-prints are or will be available).
Have A Fascinating Friday!
A special shout out to my parents who are celebrating 45 years of marriage today--congratulations!
Today I'm happy to introduce to you a friend of mine and a very talented author, Melissa Ohnoutka. Melissa's Faithful Deceptions, which I reviewed and definitely enjoyed when I read it. She's incredibly nice, cheerful, and a lot of fun to know. She also has a blog, where you can go and see what's happening in her world.
Anyway...introducing Melissa Ohnoutka:
Me: Faithful Deceptions came out in March, do you have plans for future releases? If so, what and when?
Melissa: Yes, I'm working on a short story called "Shattered Souls of Innocence." It will tie my first two books together and should be released soon. Then "Target of Betrayal" will follow this summer.
Me: What made you choose human trafficking for your novel?
Melissa: I watched a Lifetime mini series back in 2005 or 2006 with Mira Servino and Donald Sutherland called "Human Trafficking." I had no idea this went on in America or to what degree. When the movie ended, I sat down and didn't stop till "Faithful Deceptions" was finished.
Me: What are the pros and cons of "indie" or self-publishing?
Melissa: Pros - control over storyline, cover, page count, price, promotion, and the direction I want my career to go.
Cons - Haven't found any yet. LOL One might say marketing, but from what I've learned, unless you are a best selling author you end up doing most of the marketing yourself anyway.
Me: For Fun: what's your favorite breakfast food?
Melissa: Fruit & nuts. I know, I'm boring. LOL
Me: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Melissa: Never give up, trust in yourself and learn all you can.
Me: Do you plan to only write Romantic Suspense, or do you plan to write in other genres, as well?
Melissa: I have no idea why, but I love suspense. I have a young adult suspense and middle grade already written, but in need of major edits. They too have their fair share of suspense. To be honest, I've tried writing a simple sweet romance. I just can't keep my heroine out of trouble. LOL After I finish up the three dealing with human trafficking, my plan is to challenge myself to work on something light.
Me: For Fun: what flavor donut do you like?
Melissa: Chocolate filled. Okay, now I want one really bad! :)
Me: Have you thought of writing a sequel to Faithful Deceptions, or is it a stand-alone?
Melissa: "Faithful Deceptions" started out as one book, but has somehow evolved into a three book sequel. Although each book will be tied together with the human trafficking, they will also be able to stand on their own as well.
Me: What do you think defines a person as a writer?
Melissa: Sitting down and writing. I've come across lots of people who want to write, but having the dedication and determination to actually sit down and do it is a whole different story.
Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
Melissa: Just a big thank you to you, Bethany! Your support has been awesome through all this!
Faithful Deceptions and you'd like to check out Romantic Suspenses, be sure to check out either Amazon Kindle / Barnes & Noble Nook (in-prints are or will be available).
Have A Fascinating Friday!
Comments
And congrats to your parents, Bethany.
Glad you liked the interview. And thank you about my folks. I'm really happy for them. Thank you for dropping by--always good to "see" you :-)
And Melissa.... DECEPTIONS is a classic! I've been fortunate enough to read part of SOULS, and it's going to knock people out of their chairs. Cannot wait for the next in the series...:)
I've had the honor of meeting Ms. Ohnoutka. ;-) She really is a sweet lady. It's kind of scary to think someone so nice could write something like human trafficking. FAITHFUL DECEPTIONS is definitely full of suspense and I loved it.
Jenn!
Thanks for stopping by Tess, Will and Jenn! I'm so glad I'm not alone on this wild journey! :) And in case you've missed my new favorite quote:
"I'm not shy, I'm just stalking my prey!" LOL
I like pastry with Bavarian creme filling, in case anybody wants to know.
Thank you very much. Very excited for my folks. Thank you for dropping by :-)
Thank you for both things. I agree with you about FAITHFUL DECEPTIONS. Thank you for dropping by :-)
Thank you. I'm very proud of my folks. Good quote :-)
Come down in October for the NWHRWA Lone Star Conference. I plan on being there and Melissa usually goes. I'm not a big fan of Bavarian Creme donuts, however, for my wedding there was this bakery called Bavarian Cakery and they made this Bavarian creme that was so good! Thank you for dropping by! Good to "see" you :-)
Congrats to your parents! May the rest of their years be fun and full.
Tonette
LOL thanks. LOL breakfast food and donuts...always good to encourage one's appetite. Thanks for dropping by :-)
Thank you so much on both accounts. Glad to see you were able to drop by. Have a great day :-)
Good mornin' Bethany and Melissa!:) I *wish* I was having a chocolate filled donut for breakfast after reading this:)
A big congratulations to your parents, Miz Bethany:) And big kudos sent your way, Melissa, on the interview and on writing such an intriguing story:) I'm glad to hear there's another novel on the way:)
Thanks also for sharing your views on the brave new world of indie-pubbing...it's always nice to hear each author's take on it:) I find many aspects of it liberating also:) As I heard another author say, "Hey, NOT having to write a synopsis alone is a big enticement!":) Both sides of publishing have valid points...but I've enjoyed the freedom with the indie pubbing a lot.
Okay...where are the rest of the donuts? (I like Bavarian creme too...so I'm sure those are all spoken for...BTW, I still have my eye on the chocolate one...just sayin':)
Thank you for dropping by and sorry you had trouble leaving a comment--anyone else who has trouble commenting drop me an email: bethany.averie@yahoo.com and I can post it on here for you.
Thank you about my parents. I'm very proud of them. Just keep your hands off the Cinnamon Twists and nobody will get hurt (love Shipley's Donuts, and their Cinnamon Twists are so yummy) :-)
I've read Melissa's book and enjoyed every page from front to back. I'm waiting for the short story- the title is fabulous! Thanks for giving us a chance of getting to know Missy better!
Congrats to the parental unit!!! That's quite a wonderful feat.
LOL I don't believe you about the rear-end thing.
No problem about the interview, I enjoyed putting out there.
Thank you for the congrats for my folks. We're all very happy for them.
Thank you for dropping by :-)