Monday, June 8, 2015

Author Interview- Susabelle Kelmer

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

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting me today, Angela! It was fun to get to share a little about myself and my characters with readers.

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  2. I'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!

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  3. Great excerpt and a lovely cover, Susabelle. Best wishes!

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  4. Beautiful cover and I like the Renaissance Fair aspect, interesting inspiration!

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