Welcome to the Campfire, Charlotte O'Shay.

One of my favorite things to do is sit around the fire. Whether it’s away in a campground or at home in front the chiminea, some of the best conversations I’ve ever had, have been with a cozy flame and sparks drifting up into the night sky joining the stars. But in this time of Covid 19, I find myself distancing close to home. Our first official camping trip is cancelled. Most likely our May trip as well.  Instead I've set up my office in 2HOOTS and I'm driveway camping. Lemons and lemon-aid, right.   Please feel free to leave comments or questions below. Also, if you would like to keep up with Welcome to the Campfire and other information, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. Okay, without further delay, let's set the mood. I've got some smooth jazz playing in the background. Since I'm inside we have the fireplace going. When it's a bit warmer we'll move this party outside. I hope you enjoy our conversation. 

Hi Charlotte. Thank you for joining me today at the campfire. What’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, or wine?  
Coffee till we reach a non-judgmental time to open the wine.

I'll let you in on a secret. Happy hour starts earlier when you're camping. But in keeping with social conventions the coffee pot is always on. Now, tell us have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp. 
Hard no to regular camping though I love to travel via car or train. My life of outdoor adventures so far has consisted of getting lost in snowy woods with my best friend when we were ten, numerous nature walks and hikes resulting in numerous incidents of hornet, wasp and bee stings and allergic mosquito bite reactions. Even the beach, which I adore, has its dangers. I came home from Jones Beach as a teenager with not only sunburn but poison ivy. Who knew a New York girl could be such a fragile flower? I do have a plan to drive along the east coast to favorite coastal towns from Maine through Key West staying in B & B’s along the way. Wish me luck with the wildlife I’ll encounter.

Hey NY girl, I'm a Brooklyn native. But wow. You and the outside need to foster a better relationship. We actually are planning on doing the Maine to Connecticut coast this fall. Maybe I'll see you. Can you tell us about your latest project? What’s the title and genre?
It will be my first indie so I’m on quite the learning curve at the moment. It’s called My Only One and it’s romantic suspense.

Do you have a tagline for your book?
Time’s running out for Esme to pay her father’s debt to the cartel
My author tagline is Happily ever after in the City of Dreams  

How long did it take you from conception to publication?
I have four books published right now and two with my editor at The Wild Rose Press.

You're quite prolific so I'd suppose you have something you're itching to get to. 
I’m so excited about my indie series. The first book of a projected seven book series is a romantic suspense but the theme of the series is a NYC family of nine (including parents) and how they live life and find love. I plan to self-pub the first title My Only One this year.

I'm looking forward now to adding them to my TBR list. Often writing can feel like a solo affair but sometime we need others. Are there any mentors, authors, or books, you would like to give a shout-out to?
I read voraciously and am constantly inspired by the talented authors I encounter through their work. A few clunkers here and there give me the idea of what not to do. I have read and reread Stephen King’s On Writing as well as every craft book I can get my hands on. One of my favorite things about this business is that I’m always learning.

Charlotte, what does literary success look like to you?
I’m living it. The idea that a complete stranger will read a book of mine and be entertained is the ultimate.

Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks or anything you specialize in that you would like to share with us?  
Though I’m published, I consider myself a student more than a teacher of anything. I strive to read, write and meditate every day.

Now for the fun insight questions

1. 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 cherish my father’s wedding ring. He was a true romantic, athletic, musical, a great cook and provider. We grew up with nothing but I never realized it till much later.
2. 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? New York, New York Frank Sinatra
3. What weird talent do you have? I can make a meal out of anything in the fridge. I could go on Chopped. Is that a talent or just being a mom?
4. If you could time travel, where would you go and when? Why? One hundred percent I would go back to Revolutionary War era. I can’t imagine anything more exciting being a part of the beginning of our nation.​
5. Most campers play board games. What games do you like? I LOVE board games especially in front of a roaring fire on a rainy day. Puzzles of any kind but especially Liberty wooden puzzles, Scrabble, Headbands (more of a drinking game), Charades.
6. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with? My husband. We started our conversation many years ago and I hope we go out like in The Notebook minus the Alzheimer’s.

Once again thank you, Charlotte for being with us today. If you could,  would you please leave information on your books and where we can find out more about you? Oh, and I hear you brought a recipe for us.

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Their No-Strings Affair
 
Honey packs everything she owns and heads to NYC to jumpstart her art career. Her cheating boyfriend is history, and she finally acknowledges the truth of her mother's mantra: Careers are forever and happily ever after isn't in their DNA.

All she needs is a job and a place to live. What she doesn't need is a taciturn, sexy, ballbuster but she's woman enough to know the difference between need and want. Isn't she?

Jake's childhood was marred by tragedy and his future hijacked to a promise born of guilt. His failure drove him to a career as a SEAL and a security expert.
But it's not enough. Now he'll give up his freedom in reparation for the life he lost. Honey may be the last sweet stop on the road to a joyless future. If it's what they both want, where's the harm in a no-strings affair?
www.amazon.com/Their-No-Strings-Affair-City-Dreams-ebook/dp/B07QLJP5J7

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About the Author
​Author Charlotte O’Shay was born in New York City into big family and then married into another big family.
Negotiating skills honed at the dinner table led her to a career in the law.
But after four beautiful children joined the crowded family tree, Charlotte traded her legal career to write about happily ever afters in the City of Dreams.
Charlotte loves to challenge her heroines and heroes with a crisis and watch them figure out who they are while they fall in love.
  
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Recipe for the Campfire
Quick and Tasty Shrimp (feeds 3-4 ppl I usually add a salad and another veg option to complete the meal)
1 bag frozen, raw shrimp (I use Trader Joe’s)
1 bottle Beer (anything with some bite, not sweet)
Old Bay seasoning
Olive Oil
1 can cannellini or white beans
Fresh, rinsed spinach as much as you like because it cooks down.
Heat griddle, cast iron or shallow pan. Add Old Bay and olive oil.
When pan is hot add partially thawed shrimp. Season shrimp again with Old Bay.
Stir it around and about five minutes in add half bottle beer.
Add drained cannellini beans and the rest of the beer. Continue cooking  and stirring another five minutes.
Add spinach which will start wilting right away. Continue to stir when liquid is absorbed and shrimp is well cooked remove from heat— about three minutes.