Thursday, July 2, 2015

Author Interview- M. Kate Quinn

Happy Thursday readers. 
We're just one day away from the weekend. Yippeee!
And to kick it off right, let's celebrate author M. Kate Quinn's her new release, Restless Spirit. 





Welcome M. Kate and congrats on your new release. 




To start, tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.  

Artistic, Bawdy, and Character

What are your three favorite things? 

My grandchildren – Cecilia, Quinn and Ean

 Are you self- published or with a publishing company (if so, which one?)?

I’m published with a publishing company – The Wild Rose Press.


What for you is the best part of writing? What is the worst? 

The best part of the process for me is when I go back to my rough draft and “flesh out” the story.  The worst is writing a character out of a corner I’ve put him in.

Is there a process you stick to, or do you just write as it hits you?

I’m more of what they call a “plotter.”  I work best (in any arena) when I have a game plan.  So, I create an outline which I loosely follow.  My stories have a way of veering here and there.

Was there any particular inspiration for your characters or story? 

 For Restless Spirit  I wanted to write a ghost story.  I have been fascinated with ghosts since I was a little girl. 

How much is your character like you?  

Aubrey Donner and I have a few basic characteristics in common—loyalty, determination, humor, the desire to achieve our dreams.

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?  

Music works well for me, also.  When I’m writing a romantic scene I will listen to some favorite music, usually country ballads. 

What’s the one thing you would do if you could be your character for a day? 

 I’d embrace the idea of a seance.

What is the ultimate goal you have for your career? 

 I would like one of my books to hit one of the big lists. 

Describe your perfect day?  

My perfect work day would be to rise early, take a good long walk, grab a cup of coffee, and head into my study to create.

As the holidays approach, what traditions do you have?  

Well, the holidays are a ways away, so I’ll talk about the next upcoming holiday which is Father’s Day.  My husband and I are a second marriage so we celebrate Father’s Day on the day before, the Saturday, so that our blended family can all be together.  We have six grown kids, some with spouses or significant others, three grandchildren, and we always have a ball when we are together.

Will there be more books in your series, or can you tell us about any previous books?  

Restless Spirit is the second book in my Ronan’s Harbor Series.  There will be a third and right now all I know is that it will involve a bridal store with a rather reluctant shopkeeper.  All three books takes place in a fictitious beach town I created that is nestled at the Jersey shore.

When not writing, what can you be found doing?

  I spend Tuesdays visiting my soon-to-be 89-year-old mother.  You can touch base with my feisty mom’s antics by checking out my Facebook page on any given Tuesday.  I always post a snippet under the caption of “Tuesdays with Margaret.”

Favorite item of clothing in your closet?  

I just purchased a dress for my niece’s wedding and I absolutely love it.  The wedding is formal so the dress is long and is a periwinkle bluish color with sequins.  Snazzy!

If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?  

My foolish heart would vote for Richard Gere, but my artistic side would probably want to spend time with Meryl Streep.

 Favorite writer, book?   

So many books, so little time.  Right now I’m very much enjoying reading Liane Moriarty.  I loved “What Alice Forgot.”

When writing, which do you prefer to write with, computer or paper and pen?  

I use the computer now more than anything.  However, there are times when I’m not at home and I will grab paper, any paper, to jot things down.




Genre: Romance
SubGenre(s): Contemporary, Paranormal
Rating: Sensual (PG-PG13) 
Keywords: romance, romantic comedy, ghosts, clairvoyant, small town, dog, Jersey shore, beach 
Digital Price: 4.99 
Print Price (if applicable): 16.99

ISBN:   978-1-5092-0208-9 Paperback 
            978-1-5092-0209-6 Digital 



BLURB

 Book II of the Ronan’s Harbor Series published by The Wild Rose Press.
Strange things are happening at Aubrey Donner's cottage in Ronan's Harbor, NJ. Noises in the night, crashing antiques and an eerie presence all add up to only one thing: her cottage is haunted.
Her new job hosting a pet-related program on local television finds her battling to hide her lifelong fear of dogs from local no-nonsense K-9 officer Asa Kavanaugh and his four-footed, pony-sized partner, Scout. Aubrey can't wait to be done with the duo until she realizes she can use Asa and Scout's help to wrangle her phantom. While chasing shadows, yearnings of two wounded hearts collide, banishing old fears and unveiling the possibility that true love may really exist after all. 


EXCERPT


  “When I initially asked you to bring a memento to the séance I didn’t realize we would be sitting
amongst so many. It’s fine. Please, have a seat.”
     A triple-wick candle with its zealous flames had been placed in the center of the table. It cast a dancing
glow over the purple covering Joanie had found downtown at Franklin’s today.
     “At this time we will place our hands on the table and stretch our fingers out wide.” Ira’s tone was
authoritative. His words’ substantive quality only served to rattle Aubrey more. Her knees shook under
the table.
     “Touch your pinky fingers to the person’s beside you,” Ira continued. “We are making an unbroken ring.
We do this to protect against negativity.”
     Aubrey placed her hands on the table, watching out the corner of her eye at Asa beside her. His big
masculine hands were outstretched. His right pinky sought and found her left. A kind of vibration extended
from their connected digits, and she was tempted to pul laway. She knew better than to meet his gaze she felt onher, wooing her to turn her head.
     On her other side, Joanie also placed her hands into position and pressed the tip of her smallest finger
against Aubrey’s right one. One by one, they all formed an unbroken ring of their hands.
     “Let us begin,” Ira said, the cadence of his voice clergy-like. “We close our eyes and still our minds.”
      Aubrey squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep her thoughts still as Ira had asked. But there was a big man, with a teasing dimple, sitting beside her, his electric finger pressing onto hers. She shook her head and tried to dismiss the sensation that quivered through her veins.

BUY LINKS



BIO

Romantic Comedies with Heart

Award-winning author, M. Kate Quinn draws on her quirky sense of humor, hopelessly romantic nature, highly developed sense of family and friendship, and her love for a good story while writing her novels.  Her Perennials Series began with Summer Iris (Wild Rose Press, July 2010) a Golden Quill Award finalist for Best First Book. The second, Moonlight and Violet (Wild Rose Press, June 2011) won the coveted Golden Leaf Award for Best Contemporary Novel 2011. The last in the series, Brookside Daisy (Wild Rose Press, February 2012) was a Gold Leaf Award finalist.  Her next project, The Ronan’s Harbor Series, is a trilogy of romances set in a quaint shore town, the first installment, Letters and Lace, released June, 2013.  The second book in the series, Restless Spirit, is due to release July 1, 2015.
            M. Kate Quinn, a life-long native of New Jersey, makes her home in Central Jersey with her husband. 

SOCIAL LINKS

Facebook:  Fans of M. Kate Quinn

Twitter:  @mkatequinn

1 comment:

  1. Hi M. Kate, thanks for being on the blog today and sharing your new book. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration for this particular book?

    ReplyDelete