Mariposa's Musings

What inspired you to become a writer? I’ve always been somewhat of a writer, whether by writing poems and short stories, filling a journal, or torturing teachers who chose essay questions. But about ten or so years ago, I spent a little time soul-searching and decided I wanted to pursue writing more seriously. I wanted to write novels. I began taking writing classes and eventually I started writing more than flash fiction and short stories. I discovered my characters had a lot to say when I began writing novel length fiction. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own)? My favorite romance characters are old school. Romeo and Juliet (I think I was one of the only kids in the eighth grade excited about the assignment) and Rhett and Scarlett. Tell me what inspired this story. The usual question I hear (like most authors) is, “Where do you get your ideas?” My answer is often, everywhere since it’s a challenge to explain how a story brews in my brain and t...

Did you know an Italian study discovered that recovering heart surgery patients were happier taking waltz classes than those who cycled or ran the treadmill? I know I'd rather be on the dance floor than anywhere else. Quick update: I've been busy with the final edits on the 2nd title in the Rhythm & Romance series. Harris Channing just sent me the cover and it's gorgeous! I hope to release "Ladies Man" later this Fall. Today I'm guest posting at Louise http://louiselyndon.blogspot.com Lyndon's blog about a certain cowboy who first invited me onto the dance floor. My sister  Wild Rose author is based in Melbourne, Australia and I'm thrilled to be her guest. Hope to see you there!

What inspired you to become a writer? A dream, actually. I had a dream one night and a single image stuck with me. It seemed to have a story and I was intrigued. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own?) Oh, this one’s easy. Jamie and Claire, from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. Jamie is just swoon worthy and I like that Claire is such a strong character. Tell me what inspired this story. Hahaha. I’d always wanted to try my hand at writing erotic romance. I read a lot of it. One day, I thought, “Why not?” This was my first attempt. I wrote this book originally for me and me alone and I followed the muse. I think I chose a billionaire theme just because it was popular and I’d never done one before. I wanted to see if I could. lol What is one of your favorite romantic locales? Hmm. That’s a tough one. I’ve never been anywhere outside of the US and nowhere I’d particular call romantic. But for the sake of the question…Paris, I suppose. Or Italy. Or Gr...

Did you know that the original title of  Ian Fleming 's " Moonraker " was "Mondays Are Hell"? While I'm not thrilled with Mondays, I love spies and novels of intrigue. That's why I'm excited to chatting about Package Deal at fellow Wild Rose Press author  Stanalei's Fletcher 's blog today.  For more intrigue about Stanalei  and her latest release, Dead Reckoning check out the following posts: Mariposa's Musings   Create on the Side Hope to see you there!

What inspired you to become a writer? I think I was inspired to become a writer by reading Alistair MacLean . I love his stories of espionage and intrigue. He’d offer a love interest for the protagonist, but I couldn’t help wanting just a little more romance from the couple before the story ended. I figure the only way I was going to get that ending was to write the book myself. Thus, I stored away the idea of writing stories until I had the time and ability to really focus on making it a career. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own?) My two favorite romance characters are Jack O’Neill and Samantha Carter from the original Stargate series. They danced around the attraction in so many episodes that I started to dream up my own FanFiction stories just to get them together. Tell me what inspired this story. I’m not 100% sure where the inspiration for Dead Reckoning came from, but I do remember when Hurricane Katrina struck, that I had an idea for a ch...

What inspired you to become a writer?   From an early age, I loved curling up with a book and losing myself in the stories. In high school, I looked forward to English class and dreamed of writing the great Canadian novel. Instead, I followed the conventional advice of the times and pursued a career in teaching. But, in my heart of hearts, I knew that someday I would resurrect that writing dream. When I took advantage of early retirement in 2008, I decided to devote my second act to writing. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own)?   My favorite authors include Ann Patchett, Ann Lamott, Jane Green, Maeve Binchy, Gail Bowen, Louise Penny, and Adriana Trigiani. The protagonists in these novels are older and wiser, having encountered many bumps on the road to romantic love and personal fulfillment. One of my favorite quotes comes from Maeve Binchy : “I don't have ugly ducklings turning into swans in my stories. I have ugly ducklings turning into c...

Blues at 11: Kimberly Delagarza is a familiar face in Los Angeles as she can be seen nightly on the evening news. She drives a fancy car, lives in a house on the beach and wears designer clothes. But the TV anchorwoman has been accused of murder No one believes she didn’t kill her louse of an ex-boyfriend after he dumped her. Her next picture may be on a wanted poster, and her home may be The Big House and she may soon be wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. Can Kimberly catch a cagey killer who will stop at nothing to bring her down? What inspired you to become a writer? I am not certain what inspired me.  I always just felt like I HAD to write. From the time I was young I was making up stories and as I got older they seemed to keep focusing on romance or adventure. I was a voracious reader so I think if anything inspired me it was reading those books and wanting to make up my own stories. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own?) I absolute...

Note from Mariposa, The original post had to be deleted and re-posted due to formatting problems. Personally I think gremlins are to blame.  Special thanks to Casi for her patience with the technical difficulties. A ghost town submerged beneath Atlanta's famous man-made Lake Lanier reportedly lures victims to a watery grave. But when Lacey Montgomery's car spins out of control and hurtles into the depths of the icy, black water, she awakens in the arms of a handsome stranger, in a place she’s never heard of–– 34 years before she was born. When the 2012 lawyer tangles with the 1949 hunk, fire and ice swirl into a stream of sweltering desire. Bobby Reynolds is smitten the moment the storm-ravaged woman opens her eyes. Learning the truth about her origins does nothing to stop the passion from taking root in his heart, and leaves him torn between finding a way to help Lacey return to 2012 or convincing her stay with him. The desperation to find her way home di...

What inspired you to become a writer? You know, I don’t remember a particular event.  I remember writing as a young girl so I guess it’s always been in my blood.  Of course, when I was smaller, it was mainly writing some pretty bad poems for my grandmother. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own?) I love old school romance.  Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester from “ Jane Eyre ” by Charlotte Bronte come to mind as well as the main character from “ Rebecca ” by Daphne Du Maurier.  Oh, there’s also Allie and Duke from “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks. Tell me what inspired this story. The idea for Asylum Harbor came from a family vacation to the beach where we visited Shell Island.  Yes, this place actually exists but no one lives there.  Vacationers like to visit during low tide to grab seashells and sand dollars. What is one of your favorite romantic locales? The beach is one of my favorites.  Definitely Williamsbu...

What inspired you to become a writer? After my son was born, Handsome and I were shopping in a Half Price bookstore and I told him I was looking for Dick Francis mysteries. He asked why I liked them so, and I blurted out, “Because I wish I could write like him.” But I didn’t try to write for a long time. A friend prompted me to do so. My mind had really expanded in writing and I love it! Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own?) I’ve always been drawn to curious heroines, particularly those in mysteries. I cut my teeth on Nancy and Trixie. Oh how I wanted to be them and have their adventures. As a teenager, my mom lent me her Emilie Loring romances. The women where strong and looked for someone to match them. They were willing to try new things and go new places. Eventually, I discovered stories by Mary Stewart who weaved intriguing suspense into her romances. Tell me what inspired this story. (see question 1) My friend suggested writing the open...

the Shucker's Booktique After her fiancé dumps her and her beloved Aunt Jenny goes missing, Willa Eklund travels to Lobster Cove with a broken heart to search for Jenny while running her bookstore. When a mysterious man visits the Shucker'sBooktique on a stormy night drenched in rain and covered in mud, Willa's heart melts under his stormy gaze. She wants Lon and the answers he may have, but he also has a secret. Can Willa trust him? Lon Devlin is a Tempest, a water sprite who can only take a human form during stormy nights. He rides the waves, lives by the tides, and nothing can hold him down, not even a beautiful woman. When he visits his mortal friend, he discovers she's missing and her intriguing niece has taken her place. He wants Willa, but he also wants answers. What happened to Jenny? What inspired you to become a writer? My mother and fellow author, Jo-Ann Carson , always encouraged me to write. I grew up in a very remote island off the west coas...

What inspired you to become a writer? I've always been a hopeless daydreamer with multiple scenarios bouncing around in my head. But I never equated that with being a writer until I read an interview where the writer said that she decided one day to turn her daydreaming into a book.  Well, duh! That seemed like a fun thing to do, and if you knew me well, you'd know I usually leap before I look. Before I knew it, I was chin deep into a writer's world. Who are your favorite romance characters (besides your own?) Usually the characters in the last book I've read are my favorites. They're fresh on my mind and still linger in my heart and imagination, so they get first place until I read another great romance. Tell me what inspired this story.  Men who are born leaders and commander have their own unique attraction, however, not every woman finds that quality endearing, especially in the beginning. So I thought it would be fun to see how one reacts when ...

Burdened by Desire , Elemental Sisters II Blurb: Jocelyn, an Elemental, is stuck between the mortal and immortal worlds, yet not quite a part of either. Her power over the elements of the Earth won’t evolve until she meets her mate. Before then she’s an easy prey and a coveted possession for the Malums Inmortalis who wish to conquer the world. Alpha werewolf, Landon, has been living with the knowledge his fated female, the one woman created for him, is just beyond his reach. For months he’s forsaken her, refusing to accept his mate because she can never grant him a much-needed heir for his nearly extinct pack. Despite his decision Landon finds himself drawn to Jocelyn and when an attempt is made on her life, he realizes his destiny lies with her.  Can they overcome the long-held prejudices of his kind and defeat their enemies in time to find what the future holds? What inspired you to become a writer? There was nothing in particular that inspired me ...