Welcome, Randy. Camp is about hospitality so what’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the Starship Enterprise, you speak it, you get it.
It depends on my mood and the time of day. I don’t do coffee but enjoy the rest. Since it’s a little on the cold side today, let’s go with cocoa.

Hot cocoa it is. Tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp. If you’re not the camping type. Tell us about your favorite adventure or vacation. What made it special to you.
have to admit I’m not much at camping and haven’t camped for years. I married a woman years ago whose idea of getting away is to be waited on, so Hilton here we come. As for a favorite vacation spot, that would probably be the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay in fall. Breathtaking scenery, just enough of the comforts with being too touristy and some of the best seafood anywhere. It’s also where the inspiration for my series was born.

Sounds beautiful. I love the Chesapeake. The sound of water. The smells, yes even the fishy ones. So, Randy, tell us about your latest project and if there are any things on the horizon.
My most recent work is a ghost story/mystery entitled CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY and book number two in my new Haunted Shores Mysteries series. It was released late this summer—in somewhat crimped style thanks to Covid—and has done fairly well thus far, gaining a national award and 5 star reviews from four different national and international reviewers. I’ve been working hard on book number three which will be a Christmas ghost story mystery. Great fun.

Do you have a tagline? Life Motto? The value of our life can be measured by the impact we have on others. Were their lives better because they intersected with yours.
​
Oh, I love that. How long did it take you from conception to publication?
That’s a little hard to say. The origin book in the series, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE, which set the parameters for the series, took about three years from concept to release. Because I had some of the parameters established and some research groundwork already laid, this second entry, CRIMSON, took only about eighteen months.

Are there any mentors, authors, or books, other than yours, you would like to give a shout-out to?
Without a doubt, that would be William Kent Krueger, author of the best selling Cork O’Connor series and winner of the Edgar award. Early on in my writing journey, I was fortunate enough to meet him at a writing conference and he gave me much good advice. We connected several times since and he was very supportive of my writing efforts. He even wrote a blurb for the first book in my series. We still stay in touch.

Literary success means different things to different people. What does that look like to you?
Like a lot of other authors, I’d love to see my name on the best selling list, though I’ve come to realize that may be a bridge too far. I think for me literary success is when I’m able to create a work that transports the reader for a few hours and helps them sees their world a little more clearly. When I receive that kind of response or review from my readers, then I feel I’ve succeeded with my pen—okay with my computer.

Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. How you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19.
During this challenging year, I’ve found writing to be a life and sanity saver. In the darkest days of the pandemic—and yes, that may be now—I found, when I could go into my office and sit down and write, everything else disappears, at least for a while. Since my writing is historical, I could get lost in the times brought to life by my writing. At my desk, I was able to jettison the anxiety, fear and uncertainty of the “real” world and live within the pages of my creation. As a bonus, I was also able to get more writing and revising done then at any time in my life.

Good for you. This affects creative muses differently. I'm glad you are able to embrace the situation and make the best of it.
Now for the fun questions

• If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be and who would play you? “He Made A Difference” Matthew Mcconaughey
• What is your favorite mug or teacup if neither T-shirt with graphic or Meme? I have a mug and a Tervis and a tee shirt with the words “My favorite people call me Papa”
• Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? My extended family is dispersed all over the country. Before Covid, we would get all fifteen together every other year at some fun location like Nashville for a few days of fun and take some photos to capture these precious moments. My favorite is the last group picture with everyone laughing and smiling. It beams back at me on my desktop.
• If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? How about James Taylor’s “You Got a Friend.” My daughter and I even danced to that at her wedding.

• Favorite childhood book? Because of my family circumstances growing up, I don’t remember too many books from then. I made up with that with my own children. I think our favorites would have to be some of the Roald Dahl books like James and the Giant Peach or the BFG.​ ​

Hi Roni! I'm so happy to have not only a fellow Wild Rose Press author, but a fellow NJ Romance Writers, and she doesn't live far from me. What can I offer you? Coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the Starship Enterprise, you speak it, you get it. 
I love coffee, but had to cut down several years ago LOL.  So in the evenings, it’s decaff or a cup of cocoa.  On Friday nights it’s always Amaretto—my favorite!

We'll add some Amaretto to the coffee and voila both. Tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp. If not what about a grand adventure or vacation?
I have never gone camping, and honestly, don’t have a great desire to rough it!  I would try it if the conditions weren’t too rough LOL.  One of my MOST memorable trips was to Greece.  I’d wanted to visit that country since I was a teen, and absolutely loved Greece and the people who lived there.  I felt very at home there, too.  Later a psychic told me I had had several happy lives there in the past.

I once heard that in Greece flowers we pay for, grow like weeds. I can only imagine the beauty and scents which fill the air. Tell us about your latest project and what’s on the horizon. 
“Meet Me at the Inn” is a novella set in the Vermont world of the Deerbourne Inn.  At the end of my novella, “Enchanted Vermont Nights” which is also set at the Deerbourne Inn, I felt sorry for the heroine’s cousin Tarren.  So I decided to give her a happy ending and wrote this story!  Right now I am about halfway through a new novella for The Wild Rose Press’ new cookie series (for next year’s holiday season). 

I adore the Deerbourne stories. I'll need to add it to my growing TBR List. Do you have a tagline? Life Motto?  Always a happy ending!

Well, that's a great one. I love a HEA. How long did it take you from conception to publication? 
For this book, about a year.  I did the first version in a couple of months, then spent a month revising.  Then, I sent it to my editor.

Are there any mentors, authors, or books you would like to give a shout-out to?  
I really enjoyed your book, DV!  Among my favorite authors are Heather Graham, Beth Ciotta, Nancy Herkness, Judi Fennell and Peggy Jaeger.  I wrote to Phyllis A. Whitney when I was a teenager because I loved her books.  I also read her writing books and she actually wrote back and told me to keep working at my own writing, and not to give up.

Roni, thank you! I'm honored to be named with such an illustrious group. Tell us, what does literary success look like to you? 
Having my name known my romance readers.

Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19.
Actually, writing about fictional characters’ problems can help escape the reality of Covid and its accompanying stress.

Now the fun questions 

• Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?  I do have a Cancer the Crab charm (my zodiac sign) I bought in Florence, Italy on a gold chain.  I love it. It reminds me of my trip to Greece and Italy when I was young.
•  If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?  “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
• Favorite childhood book?  The Nancy Drew series
• Last movie you saw?  The first Star Wars of the new trilogy (Yes, it’s been years since I was in a cinema).  On TV, last movie I saw was an old Ronald Reagan western called “Cattle Queen of Montana.”
• Last book or movie that made you cry?  I purposely stay away from those.
• What weird talent do you have?  I can hear the beginning of a rock and roll song from the late 60s or early 70s and identify the song within a few notes.
• If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?  Popcorn
• Last thing you googled? why?  An artist named Federico Uribe from South America.  My husband and I were at the Montclair Museum of Art and saw his work, which was fantastic.

Roni, what a pleasure spending time with you around the fire. Can you leave us with more about you and your books.

Actress Tarren Reilly is still smarting from being dumped by her former boyfriend--whom she stole from her cousin. Reeling from the pain she has caused, she agrees to a fake relationship for publicity reasons.
Country singer Clint Jackson has wanted Tarren since they first met. Together, they visit the Deerbourne Inn for the Thanksgiving holiday, where he plans to suggest they take their phony relationship to the "friends with benefits" level.
Both Tarren and Clint are dealing with personal issues from prior entanglements. As they draw closer, can Tarren and Clint deal with their pasts and turn a pretend relationship into the real deal?


www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-Inn-Deerbourne-Book-ebook/dp/B08HJ2VTQP

More about Roni
​Roni has published 8 romance novels and one novella.  Her books have been nominated for the New Jersey Golden Leaf award and the National Readers’ Choice Award.  “Marquis in a Minute” won the NJ Golden Leaf award for Best Regency Romance. 
Roni is a member of New Jersey Romance Writers (she served as its president in 2016); Romance Writers of America; and the Authors Guild.
 Roni lives in northwest New Jersey with her family, including their dog.  She is also a realtor at Jersey Success Realty, a company she and her husband own.  She served on the board of her local animal shelter, Noah’s Ark, for eight years.

http://www.ronidenholtz.com/
www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-Inn-Deerbourne-Book-ebook/dp/B08HJ2VTQP

Welcome and thank you for stopping by the campfire. Campfires are about hospitality as well as conversation so what can I offer you? Coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the wishing well. I put stuff in and pull out whatever I like.
I would like a hot cocoa with maybe a kiss of Amaretto. 😊

Oh, yum. That sounds delish. I'll try one too! Tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp. It's been a while since you've been at my campfire. Tell us about your experiences.
I’ve camped a lot over the years. We hit a lot of KOA’s (camp grounds) growing up while on family vacations. That is probably where I first got my love for camping, and other outdoor activities.

We are KOA people as well. Especially when traveling to a new area. Most times you know what your going to get. If anyone is interested here's a link to their site koa.com/   So, the campfire is all about discussion, will you share with us about your latest projects? 
Tangled in Tinsel is my Christmas Romance that is releasing on December 7th this year. Pre-order is available for e-book and print through Amazon, and other avenues. My next story I have in process is actually a follow up to Tangled in Tinsel. My character Dustin Keith was bugging me about telling his story. So his story is scheduled for next Christmas. The working title is Kisses and Lemon Snowflakes. It will be a novella. 
I also have an approval to write a novella for the Wylder West series through Wild Rose Press. His Wylder Lass will be in the works soon as well.

Busy, busy, Lady. It never ceases to amaze me how an author creates a character and then that character clammers to be heard. I've heard some great news about the Wylder series. Such an interesting concept. Fans of historical fiction are in for a treat. But back to Tangled In Tinsel, how long did it take you from conception to publication?
I had started writing this story years ago and it didn’t take shape until I changed a few aspects. Tangled in Tinsel wasn’t originally a Christmas story. The story underwent a title change and a season change from Summer to Winter. I believe the story flowed smoother after both of those changes were made.

Many reader don't know that an author, many times, has to tear apart a story, and then reassemble it, sometimes more than once, until it's available to them. Hence the often long process. N. Jade, Are there any mentors, authors, or books you would like to give a shout-out to?
To all of the authors who wrote a Christmas Romance this season. It’s been a tough year. I hope to enjoy the season with a few stories of hope and love. (A diversion for a bit).

It certainly has been. I think it is our calling as writers to help our readers take a step back from what's happening in the world, and give them a well deserved break. Especially in the Romance genre a message of hope and often escape has helped me through some rough times. Can you tell us what literary success looks like to you?
Being published!

Ha, short and sweet, you nailed it. One of the things we do at campgrounds is help others with ideas and problems. Do you have any Life Hacks for Authors? Tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19. What a strange year! I never had any loss of work from my day job – who knew I was essential. 😊 Anyway, I think I was able to finish Tangled in Tinsel because it was an escape from the strangeness going on around me.

So writing helps authors and readers to escape for a while. Now the fun questions
Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? I have a small doll that was given to me by my grandma. She was a doll collector. She repaired dolls, made wigs and clothes for dolls. She even had a doll she dressed in the Smithsonian at one time. Can you tell us what makes it special to you? It’s special because it came from her. Great memories of walking into her doll room and looking at all of the dolls on display. 

What is your favorite mug or teacup if neither T-shirt with graphic or Meme. I have a t-shirt that has seen better days. There is a picture on the back of cowboys walking away in their Wrangler jeans (showcasing their wrangler butts) and it says “Forget the Whales. Save the Cowboys.” (I do care about the whales too, but I mainly bought it for the “Wranglers.”

What’s your favorite cartoon and why? I absolutely adore Winnie the Pooh. He’s just so loveable.

What do you think the headlines will read 40 years from now? 2020, a year not for the faint of heart.

Last book or movie that made you cry? I’ve been watching Hallmark channels Christmas specials – just name one movie that made me cry?????

What's the last thing you really geeked out about? New season of the Mandalorian – so pretty recent. Ha ha

Thank you so much for stopping by the fire and sharing with us. I'm sure we all wish you great success and are looking forward to reading Tangled In Tinsel. But let's dangle a carrot. Can you give us a little teaser?

Tangled in Tinsel 
Sugar plum fairies eat your heart out…
Madison Reynolds had visions of a different kind dancing in her head. Home for the holidays in Cedar Bend, Colorado, Madison must focus on helping her bedridden pregnant sister, not fantasize about the one who got away. But how is she supposed to forget about her high school crush when she bumps into him at every turn?
From the moment Ryder Sanders untangled the reindeer antlers from Madison’s hair his Christmas season appeared brighter. The time spent in her company leaves him more smitten. So, why does she still treat him as if he has cooties? They’re not in high school anymore.
Can the two find a forever love? Or will their wishes melt away like icing on a Christmas treat?

ABOUT ME
I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma with one sister and three brothers. I met my husband while attending college. After college I held various accounting positions and have worked as a legal assistant. 
I enjoy reading and have been writing stories since high school. Now that my family is grown, I'm working on writing and getting published. 
I am a former member of the Wichita Area Romance Authors and Romance Writers of America.

Find out more about N. Jade Gray at these places
www.njadegray.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/njadegray/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njadegray1 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njadegrayauthor/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16468684.N_Jade_Gray 
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/n-jade-gray 
https://www.amazon.com/Tangled-Tinsel-N-Jade-Gray​ebook/dp/B08M99MCN6 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tangled-in-tinsel-n-jade-gray/1137963195?ean=9781509234493

Hi Tena! Welcome to my fire. What can I offer you?  The camp fridge is a wishing well, you speak it, you get it. This time of year it’s cocoa, with a big bowl of popcorn.

Tell us about your camping or glamping. I believe you are similar in that way to me.
Yep, we camp as much as our jobs will let us. Though camping is in a 38 foot Fifth Wheel with all the amenities you could ever want.  No roughing it here.  LOL Yep, we got surround sound and a big screen TV.  Admittedly, we don’t use the TV it much.  Too busy hiking, sitting around the campfire or watching the wildlife. We have huge tinted windows to watch the wildlife outside the trailer.
 
That's great and it truly is similar to our adventures. Tell us about your latest project. What book are you talking about today and what’s on the horizon.
HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC is on the agenda today.  It’s my new release and the third book in A Witch’s Journey Series.

Sounds pretty bewitching to me I found out recently there's Romanian blood running through my veins. Gypsy would fit my love of travel. Do you have a tagline? Discover the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic!

How about a "Life Motto"?
You are forever responsible for that which you have tamed.

Hmm, does that include husbands I wonder?😉 How long did it take you from conception to publication?
A year.

It's quite the process. Are there any mentors, authors, or books, you would like to give a shout-out to?  
There are so many authors with The Wild Rose Press that are ready, willing and able to help, so shout out to them all!! ROSES ROCK!

I totally agree with you. I feel blessed to have landed in the Garden.  Can you share about what literary success look like to you?
Knowing that readers are enjoying the fruits of my labor and imagination. Every time one of my readers wants to know when my next book will be out and they just finished the new release, my heart is so full it nearly explodes.

It's an amazing feeling and I bet that happens often with you and your books. Life Hacks for Authors. Are there any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19.
Promo is a thorn in every author’s side. I keep a spread sheet listing my endeavors. Listing what is working this week, what is not – note accordingly.  Also listen to your heart when you write, take critiques but don’t change everything because one person suggested it. If several do, that’s a different ball game. Exercise everyday!! Your body needs it.
My family has been very lucky as far as COVID-19 is concerned. My husband is considered essential personnel, so he has kept working throughout, so far. That being said, we take extra precautions when he’s out and about. Masks, gloves, laundry, washing hands, disinfect everything. Me, working from home, still seems more isolated than before, because weekly lunches with writer friends have been curtailed. Conferences canceled or virtual. Virtual is okay, but miss the contact. 
 
Now the fun questions  
If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be and who would play you? She did WHAT?! Poppy Montgomery
Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you? Funny you should ask, I have had this little skelton for 25 years, it blow bubbles every Halloween (my favorite holiday)  It makes me smile.
What is your favorite mug or teacup if neither a T-shirt with graphic It’s my signature  “"I have the soul of a Gypsy; the heart of a Hippy; the Spirit of a Wolf, and I don't howl alone. Join me?"  It’s on an old worn out T-shirt.
Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? 
My husband, Bruce, and our parrot, Taco, taking a nap together (Taco was asleep on his chest) after a fun day at Lake Tahoe.
Teach me something I don’t know in two sentences.   Parrots never stop learning even into their senior years. They also never forget.
Which super hero would you like to be existing or you make up? WonderWoman
What do you think the headlines will read 40 years from now? Can Mankind survive?
What's your favorite cookie? Peanut butter cookies.
If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for  the rest of your life, what would it be?  Roar by Katy Perry
What’s your favorite fairy tale?  Beauty and the Beast
Favorite childhood book? Any of Nancy Drew or Trixie Beldon mystery books.
Last movie you saw? Practical Magic. It is almost Halloween you know. LOL
Last book or movie that made you cry? The News.  Really, I make a practice of not watching or reading sad things. Life is a big enough roller coaster now days.
What weird talent do you have?  The ability to sometimes know what someone is going to say before they say it.
What’s your go-to coffee order? None, I’m a tea drinker.
What’s your favorite ‘90s jam? Bon Jovi  - Have A Nice Day – or Living On A Prayer
If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be? Pizza, my favorite food group. LOL
What's the last thing you really geeked out about? A new computer program
Last thing you googled? why? What the gun laws were in Wyoming 1878. It was for my new WIP part of the Wylder West Series 

Thank you readers for stopping by the campfire. This is a fun place to learn about new people, chat, and share books. If you're like me then every camping trip has time spent reading around the fire. I'm so sad I have only one trip remaining for this season. That said, the campfire blog will continue to burn merrily.  I hope you enjoy today's chat with ​award-winning author Carol Van Den Hende

Before we get started I want to let our other visitors know I read the book Carol is sharing with us. Here's the link to the Goodreads review if you would like to read it. 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3567601153 

Hi, Carol. Thank you for joining us today. Can I offer you a refreshment? Coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like Aladdin's lamp, you rub it, you get it.
Since I’ve launched and managed some of the biggest chocolate brands in the world, I’d definitely like Cocoa, thanks!

Oh, my! I hope our visitors ask about that gig and how you got it. There goes my attention, let me get my focus back.  Tell us, have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp.
A confession: when my husband first took me camping in our 20’s, I was enthusiastic to try it. But pretty soon, I found that sleeping on the ground amidst insects, and showering in communal stalls was not for me lol.

And that's where the glamping comes in. King size bed and hot and cold running water. Priceless. So tell us about your latest project. I'm excited for you sharing Goodbye, Orchid today, and also what’s on the horizon. 
Goodbye, Orchid launched a few weeks ago. I’m thrilled that it’s been named one of the most anticipated 2020 fall reads: Buzzfeed l Parade l Travel+Leisure, and Winner: 2020 American Fiction Award l Pinnacle Achievement Award.
This beautiful novel asks “Can love blossom after life changes in an instant?” Inspired by combat-wounded veterans, a portion of profits will be donated to The Heather Abbott Foundation and USA Cares, who support post-911 veterans and their families. 
It’s especially heartwarming to hear how the story has touched military vets:

• As a combat decorated and wounded veteran, Goodbye, Orchid captures the mindset, roller-coaster and daily heroics of my experience after being injured. All around excellence.” 
• —Doc Jacobs, Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart-decorated Navy Corpsman, CEO Doc Jacobs Foundation, author There and Back Again
• In this most worthy novel, the protagonists’ lives are shattered and they re-emerge champions A tale of sacrifice and rebirth; heroism is in the details. 
• —SSGT Aaron Michael Grant, author of TAKING BAGHDAD: Victory in Iraq With the US Marines

​Wow! That's amazing. You must be so proud. Do you have a tagline? Life Motto?
“Be the change you want to see” and “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” – Bill Gates

Those are both great sayings. One of the most asked questions I get is "How long did it take you from conception to publication?" What about you?
7 years, so the fact that’s it’s been well-received says that it’s a topic with longevity. That’s a quality I aim for, one that Ryan Holiday espouses in his book “Perennial Seller”

Are there any mentors, authors, or books you would like to give a shout-out to?
Publishing is a team sport so there’s too many to name. I will say that NJRW is acknowledged in Goodbye, Orchid for so many members’ generosity and camaraderie, including yours for hosting authors around your campfire!

Thank you. I don't know what I would do without the support of my local chapter and my "Rose Garden" authors. What does literary success look like to you?
My personal why is to inspire hope and empathy for people and planet, so when my work can do that, then I’ve done my job well. It’s heartening to hear that readers feel more optimistic after reading Goodbye, Orchid, including combat-wounded veterans who inspired the story, and “there are many lessons in this book, one that stands out is not prejudging others.” (Credit: InD’Tale Magazine, from their 5-star Crowned Heart review October 2020) 

Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others.  
As a career marketer and strategist, my main advice is start with your broader purpose, what makes your brand unique, and clarity of your goals and strategies before jumping to tactics. 
Once you get into execution, stay nimble, strengthen networks, and remember that marketing is an act of creativity!
That's an interesting perspective, one that makes sense. It is creativity. 

Now the fun questions 

1. What do you think the headlines will read 40 years from now? I hope they say “Worldwide party to celebrate the reversal of global warming”
2. What's your favorite candy, cookie, pasta. Since I’ve worked on and visited plants that make M&M’S, DOVE, TWIX, MILKY WAY and more, it’s hard to pick! 
3.  Favorite childhood book? Adventures like The Secret Garden and The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe whisked me to imaginative new lands
4. What’s your go-to coffee order? Black, because the extra calories make me feel guilty 😊
5. What’s your favorite ‘90s jam? I’ve accumulated eclectic knowledge of obscure industrial bands like Prodigy, Nitzer Ebb and Front 242.
6. If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be? I’d transport my humorous hubby and I to Castello di Montegufoni outside of Florence, where we’d dine al fresco on the crustiest bread, freshest tomatoes, and chilled prosecco!
7. If they made a movie about your life, who would play you and why?  Lucy Liu, because there aren’t too many Asian actresses with attitude lol

​Carol, it's been a pleasure having you at the campfire. Can I stow away to France with you? :) And before you go, please leave us some information on your book and how readers can find out more about you.

Rising from ashes is hard.
Giving up the one you love is harder.
 
Thirty-two year-old Phoenix Walker is an entrepreneur who has built an agency with a heart almost as big as his own. To add to his good fortune, he’s falling for Orchid Paige, the beautiful half-Asian marketer who’s collaborated with him on a winning military campaign.
They’ve grown close after months working and traveling together. She’s even divulged the trauma in her past that makes her panic over images of injured vets. He’s trying not to cross their professional boundary.
Their relationship is at a precipice.
Until an accident changes him forever.
Now, he’s faced with the hardest decision of his life. Does he burden the woman whose traumatic childhood makes him feel protective of her? Or does true love mean leaving her without explaining why?  

What people are saying
A richly detailed story of star-crossed lovers...all told with unforgettable heart and insight.
—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times Bestselling author of Pictures of You, Cruel Beautiful World and With or Without You
A book full of soul and heart about love, loss and redefining oneself. I adored this modern, important take on the power of love.  
—Karin Tanabe, author of A Hundred Suns

https://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Orchid-Carol-Van-Hende-ebook/dp/B08BTJR137/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54297964-goodbye-orchid  
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-van-den-hende
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodbye-orchid-carol-van-den-hende/1137190600?ean=9781646631889 
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Goodbye-Orchid/Carol-Van-Den-Hende/9781646631889?id=7964592335699
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54297964-goodbye-orchid

https://www.instagram.com/carolvandenhende/
https://fb.me/CarolVandenhendeAuthor
https://twitter.com/c_vandenhende
https://carolvandenhende.com/contact  
https://www.pinterest.com/goodbyeorchid/  
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfd3hQ4FIY53zafnVOlM81Q
https://linktr.ee/cvdh  
Free chapter one by entering your email here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sdw0qzrf7q
​

One of my favorite fellow Wild Rose authors is back today. We've Peeked through her window but now she's on my turf. So, my friend, what’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, or wine?  
Hi, Donna, thanks so much for having me today. I have two favorites, coffee and wine. But these are also the two beverages I spill most often. I was thrilled when I discovered wine-away. This looks like a small bottle of wine, but is actually a spray that removes wine stains!

Ha, I have wine sippy cups with lids and it's always 5:00 somewhere. Tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp? 
I love both sitting around a campfire or having a fire in the fireplace, but my idea of camping is a nice camper or log cabin to stay in. My husband and I actually met at a campfire. It began to rain and he placed his hat on my head. That was thirty-two years ago.

That's a great campfire story. And if the weather gets bad, we can go inside and light the fireplace. Tell us about your latest project. What’s the title and genre? 
Mountain Blaze, a contemporary romance, will be released on November 2nd. This is the first in my Carolina series.

That's so exciting. Not only a new book, but a new series. Do you have a tagline? 
Can Dillon and Diana elude a killer while their newfound love grows?

How long did it take you from conception to publication? 
This book took almost a year. Dillon McCoy is a rodeo rider. I did a lot of research on rodeo riders and had what I thought a great prologue introducing Dillon and giving the reader a glimpse into why he leaves Texas and heads home to North Carolina only  to have my editor tell me it wasn’t relevant to the story and to cut it.

Ouch. But that's what we have editors for. I had a chapter in Rock House I had to delete. I made it a bonus. So you can offer it as a gift to your fans. I have a myriad of projects at various stages of development, how about you? Anything you’re itching to get to?
The second in the Carolina series, Island Heat, is underway. I also have a work in progress that takes place in England during the twenties that I’d like to finish.

Are there any mentors, authors, or books, you would like to give a shout-out to?
I belong to the First Coast Romance Writers. We just finished an anthology, Romancing the Holidays, which is a collection of twelve stories. A part of the proceeds from the sales will be going to Feed America.

That's so wonderful! Good for you and First Coast Romance Writers. What does literary success look like to you? 
Hitting the best seller list!

Life Hacks for Authors. If you’re a beginner writer, take online writing classes.

Now the fun questions  If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be and who would play you? 
The title would be, Fight On, and Sandra Bullock would play me. 

Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
 I have jewelry that belonged to my grandmother and mother, but I have a doll my grandmother made for all the girls in my family. They were all named Marcia and she can still make me smile.

What is your favorite mug or teacup. If neither, T-shirt with graphic or Meme?
This would have to be a sign I have hung up. It depicts a woman from the fifties holding a drink and a cigarette. She’s saying, “I’m one drink away from proving his mother right.”

Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? 
I have a number of family moments, but for me personally, it would be the day I held my first published book.

Favorite childhood book? Or writing that inspired you to become an author.
I loved the Nancy Drew books. In all of my romances, there’s some kind of mystery.

If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
Center Field. It makes me want to dance.

If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be? 
The lasagna I had in Verona, Italy.

Worst household chore? 
I’m a neat freak, but I don’t like cleaning the bathroom.

If you could time travel, where would you go and when? Why? 
This is a hard one for me, because I’d love to time travel. There’re so many places, time periods, and historical people I’d like to meet. I suppose if I had to choose, it would be England in the twenties, and I’d like to meet Agatha Christie.

Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants? 
Definitely the first class tickets. My sister-in-law used to work for the airlines, and my husband and I flew first class often. Talk about spoiled!

Did you ever win something? What? 
I won a $500 shopping spree at a department store and a $250 certificate at Talbots. It didn’t take me long to spend both.
​
Most campers play board games. What games do you like? 
Sorry, Harry Potter trivia, Monopoly, Clue.
​

Disillusioned by his wife’s betrayal, rodeo star Dillon McCoy comes home to the mountains of North Carolina to lick his wounds. When he agrees to take over the family ranch, the Lazy M, he’s unaware danger waits.
Diana Thompson is having doubts about her engagement to Trent Sawyer. She agrees to leave Chapel Hill and spend Thanksgiving with her friend Jenn at the Lazy M. When Diana and Dillon meet, neither can deny their attraction, but both must resolve past relationships while fighting their growing desire. 
After Dillon turns down an anonymous offer to purchase the ranch, attempts are made on his life. When a body is found, Dillon sets out to discover who wants the McCoy land enough to commit murder.


Excerpt
Dillon smiled and Diana thought it the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. There was a slight cleft in his chin, and fine lines formed at the corners of his eyes. Diana inwardly groaned. The butterflies were back.
“I’d hold onto you. I wouldn’t let you fall,” he softly said.
With his slow southern accent, the words sounded like warm honey rolling off his tongue. The depth of his eyes and the sound of his voice mesmerized her.
The horses stood side by side. Her and Dillon’s legs touched. He leaned toward her, and the light aroma of wood smoke, hay, and his spicy cologne filled her nostrils. Diana knew what he was about to do but had no willpower to stop him. He cupped her cheek and their lips met.
Gentle at first, his lips glided over hers. He increased the pressure until she opened her mouth and his tongue slipped in. Diana moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms around her waist, he deepened the kiss. Before she realized what he was doing, without breaking their kiss Dillon lifted her from Flora and placed her across his lap.
Cradled in his arms, Diana clung to him, delicious sensations filling her. Her body came alive in a way that surprised her. The only thing that mattered was this man and this moment.
Flame moved, bringing her back to reality. Diana’s eyes fluttered open, and she stared into Dillon’s, deep with passion and need.

Buy links
Amazon Author Page -- https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26
B&N --https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Debby+Grahl?_requestid=5525094
Bio
Award winning author, Debby Grahl, lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David. Besides writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach and a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are New Orleans, New York City, Captiva Island in Florida, the Cotswolds of England, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and, of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books. His Magic Touch, a paranormal romance, was released by Wild Rose Press December 5, 2018. Her latest book, Mountain Blaze, will be released November 2. 

You can find more about Debby at the following:
Website -- www.debbygrahl.com
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs
​Bookbub -- https://www.bookbub.com/search/authors?search=debby%20grahl
Twitter -- https://twitter.com/DebbyGrahl



​

Welcome to the campfire everyone. I'm so glad you joined us today. Before we get to today's amazing guest let me fill you in on our trip post the debacle of a lost axel. Head over to https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/d-vs-guest-blogs-reviews-and-so-much-more.html if you're intersted on the before. We finally got 2Hoots (my camper) back and were able to get to Mystic Connecticut for the final days. Oh my goodness it's so beautiful there. We met fabulous fellow campers, toured ships and the museums. We visited the Mystic Aquarium www.mysticaquarium.org/ and Pete got doused by a Beluga Whale and even squeezed in a winery stoningtonvineyards.com/ .  This weekend we're "driveway camping" with my grands. We'll sleep in the camper, have a fire in the chiminea and spend some time playing games. Now with out further delay let's get a beverage and hunker down around the fire with today's guest. Today I’m welcoming to the Campfire Mark Rosendorf, author of The Witches of Vegas.

​Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure to join you at the campfire. 

So Mark, what’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the Starship Enterprise, you speak it, you get it. 
Hmm…I’m up for an experiment, how about we mix all four of these up and see what we get? 

Ha, adventurous but ah- No. Let's leave the mixing up to me. We'll have mochas. Mix the coffee with the hot chocolate. Tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp. 
I camped a few times back when I was a kid (around 13 and 14). My father used to take me camping along with my uncle and two friends. We went two years in a row to camping grounds…but being honest, in both cases, the grounds were near civilization and showers. Today, I prefer an actual bed when I sleep. 

As do I. Hence the Glamping. You have some news about a recent release. Can you tell us about your latest project. What book are you talking about today and what’s on the horizon
“The Witches of Vegas” is the story of teen witch, Isis Rivera, her family of witches and their vampire mentor who use their powers openly on the Vegas stage as magicians. Isis had a rough life until the age of nine when The Witches of Vegas found her and saved her from a foster family who tried to kill her out of fear of supernatural abilities they just didn’t understand. They’ve trained her in the use of her powers so she can join them on the stage in front of their sold-out audiences. 
It is also the story of Zack Galloway, a fifteen-year-old magician’s assistant to his uncle after the witches’ show dominates Las Vegas and inadvertently runs most of magic out of Las Vegas due to an inability to compete. Zack’s uncle can’t afford to pack up and leave, but if his show keeps having weak attendance, they could end up living in the streets. 
Neither Isis nor Zack are the evil of this story, they’re just on opposing sides. But the evil is coming in the form of Valeria, a four-hundred-year-old witch with a grudge against humanity. Isis and Zack will need to bring their families together before its too late. In fact, it may already be too late. 

Ah, a Romeo/Julietesque starcrossed love. I love the twist. Do you have a tagline? Life Motto?
My favorite classic tagline: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”  
My new life motto: “Everyone should check out ‘The Witches of Vegas,’ whether you’re a teenager or simply one at heart.”

How long did it take you from conception to publication?
“The Witches of Vegas” hit me one night, at about 2 in the morning, as if the voices of the characters were speaking to me. They told me their story so I could share it with the world. For several nights, I was taking notes with a pen, notepad and flashlight, trying hard not to wake my wife (I was successful at this…mostly). Soon, the story came together, a lot faster than any other story I’ve written. As always, the editing process takes about as long as the writing process. 
Publication-wise, as any author will tell you, it’s a long and daunting task. It was especially for me because it had been a few years since I wrote professionally. I thought that life was behind me. But, like the mafia, “Just When I Thought I Was Out, They Pull Me Back In.” With “The Witches of Vegas,” it’s an entirely new genre and audience (young adult fantasy). So, it was literally like starting over. But I do believe it is my best work, by far. 

Good for you. Never give up. Never surrender. I think people are born with the need for creativity. It would be a shame if we gave it up because it might be daunting. Tell us, are there any mentors, authors, or books,  you would like to give a shout-out to? 
The first book that really made me want to be a writer was “The Time Ships” by Stephen Baxter. It was a direct sequel to HG Wells’ “The Time Machine.” Every chapter was short, but ended on a cliffhanger that kept me turning pages. It was the kind of story I fell in love with and wish I wrote. I knew then that, someday, I’d write a story that would make others feel the way this one made me feel. 

I read his Time Odyssey series which he wrote with Arthur C. Clarke. Loved it. I'm going to have to go back and revisit Stephen and his works. Now with The Witches of Vegas out and I hear getting fabulous reviews,  what does literary success look like to you?
I’ll let you know when I achieve it. Ha ha. In all seriousness, literary success is hard to judge. An author wants everyone to read our work, but no matter how many do, there’s always an audience out there that hasn’t. So, we keep promoting, trying to reach as many people as possible. We can have the greatest story ever, but it doesn’t matter if people just aren’t aware it exists. 

Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others.  I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19.
As far as writing, the best advice I give is to read your work out loud. Just like in a song, a story flows, and if it any point sounds awkward, it’s not structurally correct. 
Regarding COVID-19, I’ve been lucky that no one in my family contracted the virus. However, the need to quarantine has actually given me more time to write. I am working at home and my work hours haven’t changed, except when my day ends, I can start writing (no pesky drive home from the office). Plus, being unable to go out on my free time has also provided additional time to write. This is the same situation with my editors, so “The Witches of Vegas” came out ahead of schedule. 

Lemonade from lemons, good for you. Now the fun questions. What is your favorite mug?
For Valentine’s Day, I bought my wife a mug that reads “Those who fart together, stay together.” We both found that one hysterical and it’s now her go-to mug for hot cocoa. 

Teach me something I don’t know in two sentences.
It’s impossible to hum while holding your nose. You just tried it, didn’t you? 

What do you think the headlines will read 40 years from now?
Based on the direction our news media has gone, I would expect in forty years, there won’t even be news in the headlines, just a notification on why you have to be angry or upset today.  By then, they won’t even bother telling you “why.”  We can see with each passing day the news becomes less detailed and more emotional manipulation. And that’s on all sides of the political spectrum. There was a time when the news would report the facts and we would ask ourselves how we feel about it. Today, they tell us how we feel, and we ask ourselves if what they’re reporting is actually what happened.

Favorite childhood book?
When I was four years old, my mother wanted to give me a head start on my reading before going to school. She tried to teach me how to read, but I just wouldn’t sit down long enough for her to finish a lesson. So, she came up with another idea. My mother took construction paper and made books for me about a fat cat named Pat who sat on a hat. After I learned the “at” words, the books moved onto “it” words. Once I mastered those, the words became more complex. I would wake up each morning to find one of those books scotch taped to my wall. They had pictures of Pat the fat cat. The last page always read “The End, Mark’s Book.” I guess her strategy to get a wild kid to sit down and learn to read worked. Because now he’s a published author. 
(awwwwwww, I love your mom) What weird talent do you have?
I used to be a professional magician (which would be noticeable to anyone who reads “The Witches of Vegas.” I performed in college and now, as a guidance counselor for special needs high school students, I teach magic as part of our performing arts program.

If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?
I’m a meat and potatoes man. Any type of meat and potatoes…but my favorite meat is rib eye…or any meat that’s on the bone.  

What's the last thing you really geeked out about?
On random chance, I sent a copy of “The Witches of Vegas” to Penn Jillette (from the world famous magician team, Penn and Teller). Frankly, I was amazed and a bit disturbed about how easily his home address came up on google, but I figured I had nothing to lose by sending it. The worst case scenario was he wouldn’t receive it. 
Penn sent me an e-mail thanking me for the book, telling me how great it looks in concept and cover design…and since it’s young adult, he’s giving it to his teenage daughter, who is a magician herself, to read first. I was so excited about this, I barely slept that night. I certainly hope that they, and everyone else around the world enjoys “The Witches of Vegas”…it is geared towards teens and anyone who enjoys witches, vampires and magic.
 
That's an amazing story, Mark. Good for you in taking the initiative to send it. I'll bet she'll love it. If you could leave us with a bit about the book and yourself and where readers can find more, I'd appreciate it.

Where can Witches and their vampire mentor practice their powers without being discovered or persecuted?

By using their magic, the Witches of Vegas become the number one act performing on the Las Vegas Strip--a great achievement for them, but not so much for the magicians--who can't possibly keep pace.

Isis Rivera is the adopted fifteen-year old daughter of The Witches of Vegas. Zack Galloway is the teenage nephew and assistant to the last magician left in the city. Although they should be rivals, when Valeria, a four-hundred-year-old witch with a long-seeded grudge against humanity arrives in Sin-City, both teens act to bring their families together to stop the evil hag in her tracks.
But can the combined witches' powers and the ingenuity of the magicians be enough to stop Valeria from taking over the city and possibly the world?
https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Vegas-0-Mark-Rosendorf/dp/1509232117
Website: www.markrosendorf.com 
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MarkRosendorf 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mark-Rosendorfs-The-Witches-of-Vegas-113603592013139/ 
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54251394-the-witches-of-vegas


Biography
Mark Rosendorf 's writing is based on the personalities and experiences he has come across throughout his life, coupled with his own wild "if only I could do that" imagination. He is the author of the young adult series, The Witches of Vegas. He is also credited with The Rasner Effect series, a suspense/thriller trilogy published between 2009 and 2012.
Born November, 25th, 1974, and raised in Queens New York, Mark holds a Master's Degree from Long Island University's Human Development and Leadership program. He is a licensed Guidance Counselor for the New York City Department of Education's special education district. He began his counseling career in September, 2001. Prior to that, he worked in the hotel industry.
Mark has also moonlighted as a professional magician. Today, he teaches magic and Illusion to his students in order to teach teamwork while developing their confidence.
Having accomplished his goals of becoming an author, Mark decided on an early retirement from writing. Then, one night, at two a.m., a new and unique story shot into Mark's brain like a lightning bolt, screaming for him to write it. Mark found himself spending several nights taking notes on the characters and their stories. That is how The Witches of Vegas was born.
This is Mark's first young adult novel

Good morning and happy Saturday. I'm so glad you could join us. Before we get to today's guest here's our camping update. We made it to Niagara Falls late last Friday night. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday we enjoyed not only beautiful weather, but the amazing sights. We walked around the Falls and took in the sights on Saturday. Sunday was wine trail day and we had a blast. Some of the wineries were along Lake Ontario and wow what an amazing sight. Monday we went on Maid of the Mist and experienced the Falls intimitley. I can't even describe the emotions well. But here goes Awe inspiring. Tear evoking. Heart pounding to name a few. Afterward we drove to a beach on Lake Erie since I didn't get to see it last year do to fog. Head on over to my so much more page to see some of my pictures because today's guest is patiently waiting.  

Today I’m welcoming Annette Miller to the campfire. Hey Annette! What’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like Aladdin's lamp, and I'm ready to give it a shine.
I prefer iced citrus green tea.


You got it.  Now,  tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp? If not what're you thoughts on camping?
I’ve never camped or glamped. My idea of roughing it is a black and white tv and an am radio.
Ha. That truly would be roughing it for me. My 2Hoots has color tv and a full stereo system inside and out. So, what book are you sharing with us today?

The book I’m talking about today is my new novella, Praline Dreams. It’s part of The Wild Rose Press’s One Scoop or Two line. It’s about a mermaid and her father who run an ice cream shop on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ. On the horizon is the 5th book in my Angel Haven series.

I read Praline Dreams and enjoyed it so much. Our visitors can read my review here
www.goodreads.com/book/show/53461416-praline-dreams?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ZSC2rrQEt9&rank=2#other_reviews 

Do you have a tagline?
The tagline for this novella is “Love can be sweeter than ice cream.”

One of my most asked questions is how long it takes to publish a story. How about you?
This book went fast. I wrote the rough draft in a week and did all the editing the following week. The whole process only took two weeks to get to my editor.


Wow! That was really fast. Good for you. Are there any mentors, authors, or books, other than yours, you would like to give a shout-out to? 

My 9th grade English teacher, Sister Mary Harper. She was the person who started me really thinking about being a writer.

Sometimes it takes just one person to make a difference in someone's life. We're all glad you had Sister Mary in yours. Annette, you have quite a few books out and more on the horizon. Can you tell us what literary success looks like to you?

Literary success to me is having lots of readers who like my books and me making more money.

Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others? I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19.
I really don’t do anything special. I plot out chapters for future books in notebooks. It keeps me on track when I go to type it in. The whole Covid-19 thing (or as I like to call it, the zombie apocalypse) hasn’t affected me too badly. My husband is disabled so I’m home 95% of the time. I’ve actually almost finished the 5th book in my series.

Now for some fun questions

If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be and who would play you?
The title would be “You Should Have Listened to Your Mother.” I think I’d like Rebel Wilson to play me.


If you were an animated character, who would you be and why? 
I’d be Daffy Duck because I also make plans that go awry and have a bit of a temper.

Which super hero would you like to be existing or one you make up?
If I were a superhero, I think I’d like to be Storm from the X-Men. She can fly, she’s beautiful, and she controls the weather. How awesome is that?

What’s your favorite fairy tale?
My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. Love conquers all, you know.

What's the last thing you really geeked out about?
Last thing I geeked out about were the Avengers movies. I’m a comic book nerd and Jeremy Renner’s depiction of Hawkeye was perfect. He’s my favorite Avenger.

Annette, thank you so much for stopping by the campfire today. Could you leave us a little about your book?

As the summer season ends, Daria Drake and her father prepare to close their ice cream shop on the Atlantic City boardwalk. After Labor Day, they'll return to the mer-city of Tor, their home under the ocean. When a handsome man enters one day and kicks out a trio of troublemakers, Daria's captivated but won't chance loving a human.
Zale Monroe is the captain of the palace guard in Tor, but the queen has forced him to take a vacation. He didn't expect to find a beautiful girl and her father being harassed in their ice cream shop. These men are trouble, but how can he convince Daria of this without giving away his merman secret?

Links:
amazon.com/author/annettemiller
https://www.facebook.com/angelhaven619/
https://twitter.com/AngelHavenR
https://www.instagram.com/annettemillerauthor/?hl=en
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annette-miller

More about Annette
Originally from Baltimore, MD, Annette Miller married an Air Force man a year out of high school, getting the chance to see Germany and most of the United States. Always a fan of science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, she didn't discover romance until her oldest son was two. Then, she couldn't get enough. Her husband retired from the military and after reading so much paranormal and seeing all the hero movies, she decided romance and superheroes went together. That's when her Angel Haven series was born and the rest, as they say, is history.

Annette has been a member of the Romance Writers of America and the New Jersey Romance Writers since 2001. She is a former president of Writing In The Bluff,a romance writing group in Memphis, TN. She is also a member of Malice In Memphis, a mystery writers group.

Her third book, An Angel's Heart, finaled in the American Fiction Awards in July, 2018. Her novella, www.cupid, placed fourth in the International Digital Awards in October, 2017.

Thanks!
Annette

--
https://www.annettemillerauthor.com/
wildrosepress.com
Angel Haven Romance Series

Hi Maria! Here's a blanket. It's a little chilly today. What can I get you, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the Starship Enterprise, you speak it, you get it. 
Since it’s morning, I’ll take coffee. After 5, it would definitely be wine. 

Girl after my own heart. Here you go. I do have some pumpkin spice if your in the mood.  Tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp? 
Nope. I’m not much for bugs, wild animals, scary nighttime sounds, or dirt. I don’t like to be cold either. On the other hand, I do like campfires (as long as I can go inside before bedtime), talking to friends for hours, and staring at a starry sky.

That's exactly why I have a 5th Wheel. Indoor plumbing, heat, and a bug free environment. Tell us about your latest project. What book are you talking about today and what’s on the horizon?  
Today, I’m talking about “The Blueberry Swirl Waltz”. It takes place in the small factory town of Roebling, NJ in 1951. I loosely based my heroine (Katie) on my mother, who had grown up in Roebling, and was a ballroom dance teacher in Trenton, at Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio. The hero (Chaz) is a Roebling cousin who has come back home after college to work in the family business. Katie and Chaz reconnect at Katie’s mother’s Ice Cream Shoppe which was based on my grandmother’s confectionery and ice cream store. My fond memories from the early 60s of that shop came flooding back with this book. I interviewed my mom about the shop as well as her time teaching ballroom dance for my blog. The interviews are on my website at http://www.mariaimbalzano.com I also have a book coming out on October 21st. It’s part of The Deerbourne Inn Series published by the Wild Rose Press. It’s called “A Song for Another Day.” The hero is a singer/songwriter/musician who wants to break into the Nashville country music scene. The heroine is a singer/dancer who aspires to a role in a Broadway musical. They meet over the summer in Willow Springs and fall in love, but their careers are taking them in different directions. This book is available for pre-order on amazon. 
  
I've read Blueberry Swirl Waltz and gave it a 5 Owl review. Here's the link if our guests are interested  www.goodreads.com/book/show/53256993-the-blueberry-swirl-waltz?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=B0R37e4Vfh&rank=1#other_reviews Do you have a tagline or a Life Motto? 
Not a tag line, but a life motto. I have two daughters (who are now young adults), but when they were younger and had a problem at school, or with a boy, or with a girlfriend, I would tell them, “We are not mush women. We are strong and independent and capable of handling any problem.”  They always laughed at me when I said this, but today they are amazing women who are definitely not mush women.
 
I love that! I wonder who many "NON" Mush Women are with us today? Hand's up and be counted. How long did it take you from conception to publication? 
If we’re talking about my first published book (which was published in 2013), it took fifteen years. I had a lot to learn (and I was working and raising two daughters).  For “The Blueberry Swirl Waltz” it took about six months. 

Wowza! Fifteen years. Can we say perseverance? Most writers have a posse. Are there any mentors, authors, or books, you would like to give a shout-out to? 
When I first decided I wanted to write a book, I had no idea where to start. A flyer crossed my desk for a legal seminar called “How to Write Your Book in Fourteen Days – A Lawyers Guide).”  It was given by Steve Manning. That half day seminar helped get me started, since all I had in my head was an idea. To this day, I use that guide to blueprint each new book.  

Thanks for that information. I'm sure many will be looking it up especially me. I'll make it easy. Here's the link to the book. www.amazon.com/Write-Book-Anything-Days-Guaranteed/dp/0969261314  Will you share with us what literary success look like to you? 
As long as I’m happy doing what I’m doing, I count that as successful. I recently retired from the practice of law. I was a divorce lawyer for over thirty years. Writing romance full time instead of battling it out in the courtroom makes me extremely happy. 

Good for you. Being able to do what makes you happy is an amazing privilege. Do you have any Life Hacks for Authors. Tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others.  
I believe the most important parts of writing a book are 1) outlining your story (my outline is a blueprint for every scene, every chapter) and 2) editing. Once I’ve tackled the inciting incident, the conflicts between the characters (internal and external), two turning points, and the black moment in my blueprint, the book is easy to write. The edits are then the most important and most time consuming exercise, but critical to making your book shine. 

Wow, I'm more of a Pantser but finding with writing my second Impact Book I need more structure. You sound very organized. I guess it's the lawyer in you. Now, on to the fun questions. Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you? 
When my first book got published, my husband took our family out to dinner and presented me with a gift. It was a diamond ring with five small round diamonds in a row. I call it my book ring. I had written five manuscripts and the fifth was the first one to be published. 

What is your favorite mug or teacup if neither T-shirt with graphic or Meme? 
I have two favorite wineglasses.  One says “Oops! Did I buy wine again instead of milk?” The other says, “Home is where mom is.” 

What's your favorite candy, cookie, pasta?  
I love M&M’s. I’ve convinced myself that only having a handful isn’t so bad.

If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones. It gets me dancing, and I love to dance.

What’s your favorite fairy tale? 
Cinderella. I love the rags to riches trope, especially where ball gowns are involved. ​

Maria, Thank you for spending time around the fire with us today. Before you leave, could you tell us where we can find your books, you, and maybe a sneak peak at Blueberry Swirl Waltz?

After a family crisis, Katie Hathaway must return home to help out in the family's ice cream shop. She leaves behind her dream job of teaching ballroom dance to spend her summer scooping ice cream and mixing milkshakes. 
Chaz Hollander, Katie's high school crush, has also returned to town to work in his family's business. After Katie treats him to a blueberry swirl sundae, he invites her to the town's upcoming dance. The only problem is he has two left feet. 
When Katie starts giving Chaz dance lessons, their chemistry ignites, and the postponement of her dream doesn't seem as ominous. But financial woes and a suspicious business deal cast a shadow on their budding relationship.

Here's a little exerpt

She’d thought she left this small town behind, yet here she was on the Fourth of July, standing on a patch of grass she’d walked over at least a hundred times while growing up. But this time, she was an observer, a silent owl using a tree for cover, taking it all in.
“Would you mind sharing your space with me?” Chaz’s intimate whisper rained through her veins, as his breath tickled the sensitive spot below her ear.
She peeked over her shoulder, and he was so close her blood effervesced. “I suppose I could. This is a very special spot that I reserved weeks ago.”
“I’d be honored if you’d consider it.” His magnificent smile sealed the deal.
“Consider it shared.” 

Buy Links for The Blueberry Swirl Waltz
Amazon www.amazon.com/Blueberry-Swirl-Waltz-One-Scoop-ebook/dp/B0871PFNPZ
Barnes and Noble (Nook) www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz-maria-imbalzano/1136868420?ean=2940162717799
Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz/id1508636829
Kobo  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz
Google Play   https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Maria_Imbalzano_The_Blueberry_Swirl_Waltz?id=zubmDwAAQBAJ
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz-one-scoop-or-two-by-maria-imbalzano
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53256993-the-blueberry-swirl-waltz
BookSprout Review Link https://booksprout.co/arc/37947/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz

September is here. Can we have a moment of silence for summer. It was a strange one certainly. Hubby and I have been on a few camping trips. Last weekend was amazing and we met such great people. We fell in love with Darla the dachshund next door in particular. This weekend were home in New Jersey and it's great to have a fellow Jersey Girl around the fire. Below is one of our latest fires. I hope you enjoy not only the fire but the great conversation around it. Be kind. Be safe. Be the sort of person you'd like to call friend. Now without further yapping from me...

​Today I’m welcoming contemporary romance author and fellow Garden State homegirl, Jennifer Wilck, to the fire. Glad you could join us Jennifer, what’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like Aladdin's lamp, you speak it, you get it.
Oh gosh, I have to choose? Well, since we’re sitting around the fire looking at the stars, I’ll have cocoa, please.
​
One cup of my secret recipe for cocoa coming up. While my brew is bubbling, tell us, have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp?
Ha! Well, yes. My husband used to go camping with his family when he was young, so we started camping when we were first married. However, our ideas of what’s acceptable for camping out are very different—he’s more of a “put everything you need in one backpack and sleep on the ground” and I’m definitely “where’s the hotel and tile shower,” so we compromised. We had a nice tent, an air mattress or two, and comfy pillows. My two favorite trips were 10 days through the Smoky Mountains, although we never went more than two in a tent (we’d break it up with a stay in a hotel for my sake), and then several years later with friends at a wolf preserve. It’s been a while since we last went, and I wouldn’t mind trying it again.

Oh my I wonder if it was the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia NJ? That's one of my favorite places. But in the meantime, tell us about your latest project. What book are you talking about today and what’s on the horizon? My latest project is Whispers in Washington, a contemporary Jewish romance that’s part of the Ticket To True Love series. The TTTL series is a multi-author anthology. All the stories incorporate a ticket of some kind—mine are parking tickets—and a small town in the Poconos with a natural spring that supposedly helps you fall in love. It was a little tricky fitting all that into my story, but it was fun to do! I was so honored to be asked to join the group—there are some really good authors in it—and Whispers in Washington comes out September 29.

Just came back from a Pocono's camping adventure, so you have my attention. Do you have a tagline? Life Motto?
I think the tagline on my website represents me pretty well: Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After. Because really, life is so much easier to handle when you laugh and love.

I love that and it's so true! How long did it your book take you from conception to publication?
I just had to look that up. For Whispers in Washington, it will be almost exactly a year. Wow, that flew by!

Very few writers can go it alone. Are there any mentors, authors, or books, you would like to give a shout-out to?
Well, I’d like to send a big thank you to JB Schroeder, Eli Collier and AJ Scudiere/Savannah Kade for inviting me to be a part of the Ticket To True Love series. They’re wonderful writers in their own rights and they were so helpful with all my questions.
​
Jennifer, tell us. What does literary success look like to you?
It’s a balance between writing what I love, attracting a following of devoted readers, and being able to make those readers laugh, cry and escape the world for a little while.

I agree. Touching the life of a reader and giving them something away from the onus of our busy lives are important. Do you have any Life Hacks for Authors. Tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19.
I think my best tip is keeping a schedule to help with time management. Regardless of what’s going on, I try to divide my day up into writing, marketing and household activities (which vary constantly). Especially during quarantine, when things are so uncertain, knowing that on Wednesdays I always do X, Y, and Z keeps me productive and semi-sane. And especially when I’m having a hard time motivating, setting a word count—even a short one—or doing writing sprints—enables me to get the WIP done.

Being organized certainly is helpful . Thank you for sharing. Now the fun questions

Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
A fuzzy dice (the kind that hangs from the rearview mirror)—my husband won it for me when we were dating, and he put my engagement ring in it when he proposed.

What is your favorite mug or teacup if neither T-shirt with graphic or Meme.
“They whispered to her, you cannot withstand the storm. She whispered back, I am the storm.” I’ve seen this as a meme, on T-shirts and mugs, and I love it.

Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours?
Family game nights during the COVID quarantine. None of us were where we expected to be, but my husband and two college kids were here with me laughing and trying to beat each other at Dominion.

Teach me something I don’t know in two sentences. The trick to making light and airy matzah balls is to boil them in seltzer, rather than regular water. Otherwise they come out heavy and sit in your stomach like a rock.

Favorite childhood book?
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe series

Last movie you saw?
JoJo Rabbit

Jennifer, thank you so much for joining me around the fire today. I'd love for you to leave some information about your book and where readers can find out more about you.

Blurb
Naomi's life has been destroyed…
When Naomi Adelman’s crooked politician husband was arrested, her life, and that of her daughters, was destroyed. Divorced and rebuilding her life, Naomi is wiser, stronger, and determined not to let anyone hurt her or her family again. Her new life doesn’t include falling for her charming and good-looking neighbor. 
Max bet everything and lost...
Max Bruder bet his entire career on the Adelman story and lost everything. So, he figures that karma has smiled down on him when Naomi moves in next door. This is his chance to revitalize his career. Except the closer he gets to her, the deeper he falls for her. And soon, the line between interview subject and lover blurs.
If they fall for each other, they may jeopardize their chance at a future.
When Max’s true motive is revealed, will Naomi be able to forgive him? And will Max be able to stop the whispers to protect her before it’s too late?

Excerpt 
“Problem?” Max asked. They’d stopped in front of their building. 
She turned so fast, her hair caught on the stubble at his jaw. “No.” She brushed the hair away from his cheek, the slight textured stubble rubbing against her palm and sending heat straight to her belly. His lips parted, and he leaned forward. 
Would he kiss her? Did she want him to? She shouldn’t, she barely knew him, but her skin tingled, her breasts tightened and her breath came in short gasps. 
He didn’t kiss her. Instead, he reached his free hand out and stroked the side of her head, smoothing her hair in place. “Yes,” he whispered. 
She frowned, and tried to hide her disappointment. “Yes, what?” 
“Your hair is as silky as I wondered.” He let his hand glide down her neck to her shoulder, and the contact brought out goose bumps. “Are you cold?” he asked. 
She didn’t know how to answer. Was it okay for her to say, “no, I’m attracted to you?” Or should she say “yes”? 
As if he understood her dilemma, he let go of her hand, slid his arm behind her shoulders, and drew her into the warmth of his body. 
The man was a furnace and she wanted to groan in pleasure. They stood toe to toe, his hand running up and down her spine, her breasts pressed against his hard chest. Would he kiss her? Should she kiss him? Her brain short circuited and desire flooded through her. All she could do was focus on the warmth flooding her, the soothing sound of his humming something she couldn’t quite catch, and the zings of desire running throughout her body. 
​Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Washington-Ticket-True-Love-ebook/dp/B08B5J66BN
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-in-washington-jennifer-wilck/1137178511?ean=2940163042593
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/whispers-in-washington/id1518669050
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/whispers-in-washington
Author Links:
Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/
Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck