Happy Monday readers.
Let's kick off what is sure to be a wonderful week with new rose Susabelle Kelmer and her new book, Fairest of the Faire.
Welcome Susabelle, tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.
I would say I’m ambitious about my projects. Whether that is putting my vegetable garden
in at springtime, working to complete a craft project, or writing a novel, I
set big goals and expect to reach them. I’m also the busiest person I
know. I work full time, grow most of the
veggies we eat, ride my bike, attend Zumba classes, work on web pages, crochet,
sew, and paint. I am a true Renaissance
woman: I like to do a lot of
things! Another word used to describe me
is consistent. I am good for my word,
never make promises I can’t keep, and never met a deadline I didn’t like.
What are your three favorite things?
Chocolate is a given. Who doesn’t
like chocolate? Chocolate bars, chocolate
cake, chocolate chip cookies. And I
don’t think there’s anything better than a sunny day spent hiking in Rocky
Mountain National Park, which is virtually in my back yard. And at the end of the day, my bed is my
favorite thing, because when you’re busy all the time, the bed is the only
place you get any rest!
Are you self- published or with a publishing company (if so, which
one?)?
Fairest of the Faire is published through The Wild Rose Press, and
comes out June 5th, 2015. I am previous
self-published; Second Chances is
available through lulu.com. I also have
a book of erotica for plus-sized ladies, published under the pen name Clarissa
Rounds. Phantasies is also published by lulu.com.
What for you is the best part of writing? What is the worst?
The best part of writing is getting the stories out of my head. There are always multiple stories up there,
fighting with each other trying to get my attention. The one that gets written gets to leave the
melee. Of course, that makes room for
another story to take its place! The
difficult part for me is that first round of editing. I think that first draft is just horrid and
should die in a fire. Getting through
that first round takes some real guts, but is completely worth it in the end.
Was there any particular inspiration for your characters or story?
Gage Youngblood was modeled after a player I saw at the local
RenFaire. My best friend and I took our
daughters to the fair for the day, and he was the first character we took a
picture of. It struck me that this would
be a fun job to have, and I started talking to a few of my friends and my
brother who all work at RenFaires. They
were great resources for building Gage’s character. As for Connie, I have always had an affinity
for schoolteachers, since I trained to be one too. Connie was easy to build – shy,
conscientious, and generally in over her head.
How much is your character like you?
Connie is not a lot like me, except for her somewhat conservative ways (she
is a schoolteacher, after all!). Also,
she has my hair.
Music is a big influence on my writing. I have certain songs that
inspire each chapter, or the whole book. What helps to inspire you?
Gosh, I listen to so much music! My
iPod contains more than 12,000 songs. I
tend to listen to classical music more than anything else when I’m
writing. I’ve loved classical music
since I was a child, and the fact that there are no words definitely
helps. For intense scene writing I may
turn up the Tchaikovsky or Dvorak. For
intimate scenes, I may use some Natalie Cole or Anita Baker. For party scenes, I may use Katzenjammer or
Cairo Emerald. Location scenes may get
me in the mood for music of that space – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for New Orleans,
for instance, or the Gypsy Kings for Latin locales. Fairest of the Faire was written to the
Medieval Babes, Flogging Molly, and The Pirate Shantyman and the Bonnie Lass.
When writing, which do you prefer to write with, computer or paper and
pen?
I do both, but I primarily use my computer to write. I type very fast, about 130 wpm, so I can
almost keep up with my brain as I’m typing.
But if I find the ideas are coming slowly, or I am just not getting a
character, I will hand-write for a while.
I feel like that slows my brain down some, and allows me to think more
clearly. When I write by hand, it is
loose-leaf wide-ruled notebook paper and a fine-tip Sharpie pen.
Theme: Second Chance Love
SubGenre: Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Imprint: Champagne
Rating: Spicy (PG13)
Keywords: romance, contemporary
romance, widow, Renaissance Faire
Page Count: 296
Digital Price: 4.99
Print
Price (if applicable): 15.99
The
renaissance fair is filled with characters and
romance, but will it end in
storybook love?
Blurb:
Schoolteacher
Connie Meyers is suddenly a young widow, her husband killed in a horrific car
accident. Heartbroken to find out he had gambled away everything they had, she
moves to her sister-in-law's Midwest home to rebuild her life. A trip to the
local Renaissance Faire with her nieces leads to a summer job as a costumed
storyteller.
Avowed
bad boy and fair performer Gage Younglood is infatuated with Connie at first
sight. Despite his deliberately commitment-free life, and Connie's
don't-touch-me attitude, he soon has her in his arms, realizing quickly she is
also in his heart.
When
she is threatened by her late husband's bookie, he steps into the role of
protector, his fate forever sealed with hers.
Excerpt:
“Who said anything about
a relationship?” he said, standing up so he could tower over her again. “I’m
just trying to have a little fun. You know, fun?”
If he’d been an animal,
she was sure he’d have had hair raised on the back of his neck, he seemed so
angry, and it struck her painfully. She hadn’t wanted to anger him or hurt him.
She turned away from him and closed her eyes to tamp down the tears she knew
would come if she let them. She crossed her arms over her chest, to hold in the
pain. Being tired made her much too vulnerable.
“Yes,” she finally said.
“I know about fun. Life isn’t always fun, though.”
“Princess.” His voice was
soft, tender. “I won’t hurt you. It’s not in my plan.”
Despite herself, she felt
the shivers of desire race down from her shoulders, down her arms and legs, and
back up to that secret, soft place at her core. She bowed her head and gritted
her teeth, hoping for the feeling to go away.
“And what is your plan,
Gage?”
“It’s a simple plan. I
want you to feel good. I want to feel good, too.”
Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
The Wild Rose Press
Author Bio
Susabelle
Kelmer is a wife and mother living at the base of the Rocky Mountains in
northern Colorado. She believes in romance, second chances, and the magic of
moonlight. When she isn't writing, she works with students with disabilities in
the college environment. http://www.susabelle.com
Susabelle’s
tagline: Love is Everything.
Social Media
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SusabelleKelmer
Thank you for hosting me today, Angela! It was fun to get to share a little about myself and my characters with readers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you could visit Susabelle. I was amazed by how fast you can type. I really need to practice. There is no way I could type as fast as my brain moves. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt and a lovely cover, Susabelle. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover and I like the Renaissance Fair aspect, interesting inspiration!
ReplyDelete