LA REMENICKY @remenickywrites #RomancewithaTwist #ContemporaryRomance #ParanormalRomance

RW:   Tell us about yourself, your family, where you live, etc.

LR:     Thanks for having me here on your blog. I’m a wife and mom to two furbabies—Bella (German Shephard/Black Lab mix) and Rainy (English Masiff). We live in Northeast Indiana (our town has been called the world’s largest truck stop) is our home, at least until we decide to move. As we’ve lived here all our lives it may be a while before that happens. I’m the awkward one who never knows what to say—I definitely write better than I talk.

RW:   We’re almost neighbors! I'm at the other end of the Tri-State. We should get together when one of us travels north or south.

Meanwhile, who are your favorite characters among the books you’ve written?

LR:     That’s a hard question as they are all special in different ways. If I have to choose one I guess it would be Jackson McKenna from Invisible. A violent event changes the course of his life forever for the better.

RW:   Why did you decide to write?

LR:     I thought about it for years. I’ve always had an active imagination—when I was younger I used to imagine my own plotlines for the shows I watched on television. (Of course I was the heroine and I was rescued by the hero/es and we lived happily ever after.) Back in high school a couple of friends and I started writing a story told in letters between three friends. Little did I know one of my friends continued to add to it over the years. One day she mentioned that she had written more to the story and asked if I wanted to read it. Of course I wanted to read it! Then she mentioned a little thing called NaNoWriMo and explained how it was a “competition” to write 50,000 words in a month. I’m like, “Okay, I’ll do it with you. How do I sign up?”. November 2013 I wrote over 50K words and that mess eventually turned into Saving Cassie. I originally self-published and went on to publish two more myself. In 2015 I hooked up with Lavish Publishing when they changed owners and I am releasing my sixth book the beginning of April. Hard to believe a story started in high school led to this.

RW:   Would you like to write a different genre or sub-genre than you do now?

LR:     I would love to write a horror novel—I’m a huge Stephen King fan. Unfortunately, I have yet to come up with a plot for one. Maybe someday. That’s the beauty of indie publishing—I can publish it myself and not worry if a publisher thinks it is “worthy.”

RW:   Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? Where did the idea come from?

LR:     My latest release was Last Chance Christmas, a novella inspired by characters from Invisible. When I finished Invisible, I knew there was more to the relationship between Brent and Jordan and I was right. The story was originally going to be in an anthology but I couldn’t get it finished in time. Luckily, Lavish liked it and released it the week before Christmas.

RW:   If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

LR:     I would love to live on a beach somewhere. There would have to be shade as I would look like a lobster after about ten minutes but I love being near the water. The smell of saltwater, the crash of waves, it’s incredibly relaxing. Currently, I would love to live in Hawaii. It looks so beautiful and there is so much more than just the beaches.

RW:   I can tell you from painful experience, you’d better have plenty of money if you want to live in Hawaii. It’s a great place to visit—for about three weeks. But, maybe I’m prejudiced. I was there as a Navy wife and I lost both my parents and had both my kids while we were stationed there. Between grieving and wacked-out hormones, I probably wouldn’t have been happy anywhere.

But please, tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

LR:     Where There’s Faith is book three in my Fairfield Corners series. It’s a contemporary small-town romance with a twist of paranormal. The Fairfield Corners books are all stand-alone stories that take place in the same small Indiana town. Each story follows a different couple—Where There’s Faith is the story of Robert Newlin and Faith McMillan. This one took me a year to write—getting Robbie’s mindset correct took some time. Release date is April 4, 2017. Goodreads link: http://smarturl.it/FateSteppedInGR

RW:   If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

LR:     Caution: Can go from zero to bitch in 2.3 seconds. Sometimes that Irish red-head temper rears it’s ugly head.

RW:   What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

LR:     Leaving something tangible in this world. Opening a box of paperbacks is a feeling like no other—satisfying and scary at the same time. It’s my baby being released into the world—will it be loved, hated, or ignored?

RW:   Hunky heroes or average Joe?

LR:     Both! Depends on the day and my mood.

RW:   Party life or quiet dinner for two?

LR:     Definitely a quiet dinner for two—I’m not much of a party animal.

Loving Jessie’s Girl ~ Love On The Double Book 1

The Plot:

Until AJ Monroe left Indiana after college he always lived in his identical twin brother’s shadow. He made a life for himself in Denver, Colorado, away from Jessie, away from Indiana. But when AJ feared for his brother’s safety, he left everything behind to step back into the shadow he thought he had outgrown. Finding his brother was AJ’s only concern...until he met Jessie’s girl.

Fiercely independent, Rina Abbot hid her true situation from everyone, including her best friend, Jessie. Out of money and unable to care for her rescue dogs she had no choice but to accept the help of the handsome stranger with a familiar face. Afraid to trust him, she tried to ignore the feelings he stirred within her as they searched for his missing brother.

But secrets never stay secrets for long. Finally open about their feelings for each other, Rina’s secrets begin to wreak havoc on their lives. Will Rina’s secrets force AJ to give up his dream of loving Jessie’s girl?

Author Bio:

L.A. Remenicky ~ Love Stories With A Twist

L.A. Remenicky is a wife and mother of two fur kids. An avid reader all her life, she finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) during NaNoWriMo in 2012 and has never looked back. When she’s not typing away on her latest story with music playing in the background, she can usually be found spending time with her family and friends.

Stalk me here:

Email:  mailto:LARemenicky@LavishPublishing.com

Website:  http://www.laremenicky.com

Blog:  http://laremenicky.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laremenicky

Google+:  http://www.google.com/+LARemenickyauthor

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/remenickywrites

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191202.L_A_Remenicky

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/laremenicky/

Amazon Author Page:  http://amazon.com/author/laremenicky

Facebook Street Team/Fan Group ~ Remenicky’s Remenions:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1425708337682216/

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/remenickywrites

Buy Link:

Universal:  http://mybook.to/JessiesGirl

Amazon:               https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NACSATD

Ruth Kaufman @RuthKaufman #Author #Actor #HistoricalRomance

I’m thrilled to welcome Ruth Kaufman to my blog this week.

RW:   Tell us about yourself, your family, where you live.

RK:    I live in Chicago, not far from Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan. I’m also an actor and voiceover talent. On any given day, I could be auditioning in person or from home, doing an on-camera and/or VO job, writing, or working on releasing or marketing my books. I have a TV commercial running, do a lot of e-learning narration and will soon film a recurring role in a web series. If anyone is interested in that career, more info is at www.ruthtalks.com.

RW:   How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

RK:    It depends on the book and the characters. I make my medievals as historically accurate as I can, so I endeavor to see the world through those characters’ eyes in their time period. I wrote two contemporary humorous women’s fiction novels (hwf) that are perhaps and perhaps not somewhat informed by many years working in corporate America, my pursuit of acting, and (see below) dating after 40. As they say: “Only my hairdresser knows for sure!”

RW:   What kind of research do you do for a book?

RK:   That depends, too. For my first medieval, I actually visited Castle Rising in England, where the heroine lives. For my second, in which the heroine is a stained-glass painter, I jumped through a lot of hoops to track down a key book available only at the Art Institute of Chicago. My third book features a bride tournament. I researched the rules and procedures for jousting-type tournaments, but adapted them to what I thought they’d be if women competed for a man’s hand in marriage. I set my hwfs and also part of a time travel in Chicago to make it easier for me to see and know where they are as the characters makes their way about town.

RW:  Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? Where did the idea come from?

RK:   My most recent novel-length release, My Once & Future Love, is a medieval Arthurian paranormal. The opening scene of a wounded man fleeing his enemies popped into my head. Then I had to figure out who he was, who was after him, who might help him, etc. He had a few secrets, and I had to figure out what those were.

RW:   Can you describe the funniest thing that ever happened to you?

RK:    How much time do you have? I’d say online dating in general. If you’re in a relationship or off the market, you probably can’t imagine what it’s like out there. I tell stories at live lit events about my experiences, so at least something good comes out of them. At the last show, the audience was so incredulous and laughed so hard I ran out of time before the big finish. Unfortunately for me, every word is true....

RW:   City life or country life? E-Book or paperback? Zebras or elephants?

RK:    City! I love going to the theatre and checking out some of the many amazing restaurants in Chicago. I need to go a lot of places for my acting career, so it’s great to have public transportation because I can learn lines/read, etc. on the bus or train. Both e-books and paperbacks have their purposes. I read e-books when I’m out and about so I don’t have to add the weight of a paperback to my bag. I like paperbacks at home, because even advancements in e-page turning aren’t quite as satisfying as an actual book.

RW:   What can we expect from you in the future?

RK:    I’m planning to release those two hwfs (see above), one in the spring and one in the summer. I’m working with a cover designer on both covers. And perhaps I’ll release that time travel in the fall. On the other hand, discoverability is such a challenge that I don’t know if I’ll continue beyond this year.

RW:   Which comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?

RK:   The first scene, which has elements of all three, almost always comes first. An image just pops into my head. For At His Command, I saw a woman collapsed on a horse that was plodding over a hill in a forest. Then I “what if,” or ask questions to expand upon what I already know. Who would see her, and what would they do? If someone was following her, who would that be and why? Who is she, where was she going and why?

I’ve had a lot of improv training (and give workshops for authors). I think that helps with this approach. In an improv scene, once something has been established, you’re not supposed to negate it. Rather, you justify and heighten it. So if you say, “I’m so glad I’m your sister,” I can’t say, “No, I’m not, I’m your boss.” I can say, “And I’m glad you’re the little sister so I can boss you around.”

RW:   Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

RK:    I’m a pantser (write from the seat of my pants), not a plotter who outlines in advance. So I want them to take control and let me see through their eyes. I think if I control too much, it might sound like author intrusion...something I want to say vs. what the character wants to say. I think my acting background and the experience of portraying other characters in a variety of settings helps with motivation in particular.

RW:   I’m always ready for (fill in the blank).

RK:    Peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. Watching “my” TV shows. I really enjoyed No Tomorrow, adore The Good Place and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (and wish I could be them), and confess that on many Monday nights my neighbor and I will probably be watching The Bachelor. Dance Moms, anyone?

RW:   Thanks so much for joining me, Ruth. One of these days I’ll have to get downtown so we can get together. Maybe I can catch a ride with the kids next time they take the great-granddaughter to the zoo. Let me know when you’re going to be at a convention. I’d love to take one of your improv classes. And now I’m going to have to go look up your commercial!

At His Command

The Plot:

King Henry VI sends Sir Nicholas Gray to protect the recently widowed Lady Amice Winfield from undesirable suitors. Though Nicholas intrigues her, she yearns to run Castle Rising without a man’s control.

Nicholas doesn’t want the responsibility of marriage, but can’t deny he’s attracted to Amice. And he’s surprised to finally find in Castle Rising a place he feels at home. A kiss sparks desire neither can ignore, yet serving opposing factions seeking to govern England threatens to pull them apart.

At court, the king and queen reject Amice’s pleas and command her to wed a highly-ranked lord who’ll provide connections and coin for the king’s depleted coffers that Nicholas cannot. How can she follow the king’s command when she’s a scribe for his rival? How can she marry another man when she’s falling in love with Nicholas?

Ruth’s Bio:

Ruth Kaufman is the author of My Once and Future Love and the Wars of the Roses Brides trilogy, AT HIS COMMAND, FOLLOW YOUR HEART and THE BRIDE TOURNAMENT. Accolades include 2016 Booksellers’ Best Historical and Best First Book award winner and Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® winner.

An actor and storyteller with an M.S. and J.D, Ruth has had roles in independent features, web series, pilots, national TV commercials, and hundreds of voiceover projects. She enjoys chocolate peanut butter milkshakes and singing in a symphony chorus. Learn more at www.ruthkaufman.com and www.ruthtalks.com.

Excerpt:

Sir Nicholas Grey’s scout leaned forward in his saddle, holding up two fingers to let the others know two horses approached. Nicholas heard only the slight jangling of harnesses blended with wind rattling through the trees, but relied on his scout’s uncanny ability to hear what no one else could.

He and his eight men sat alert, deep enough in the forest to avoid being seen while maintaining a clear view of the road through leafless branches. Nine armed men could frighten travelers. ’Twas best to let them pass.

Each man watched, each horse sinking deeper into chilling mire as a mud-covered, black palfrey plodded over the rise in the road, its long mane whipping in the frigid winds.

“No rider,” Martin, the scout, murmured.

“Look again,” Nicholas replied. At first, he too had thought the horse was riderless. Now he could see a woman collapsed on the animal’s back. Her dark hair draped down its flank, mingling with the horse’s mane. The palfrey placed each step as if trying not to jostle its burden.

Another horse, this one a brown rouncey ridden by a thin, balding man, galloped after the palfrey. A look of triumph brightened the man’s face as he spotted the horse ahead of him. He bent forward, extending his hand. Fingers like talons grasped the woman’s tangled hair.

“Mine!” he cried.

***

Amice Winfield jerked awake. Agony forced her head back, allowing her to see the man who gripped her hair as though he’d perish if he let go.

Harry Winfield.

She screamed. Arrows of fear pierced her as she clawed at his fingers. Her horse bolted, leaving her dangling from Harry’s hand by a small clump of hair. The long strands held for a few seconds, then tore from her head.

Pain seared her scalp. She dropped into a puddle, stunned by her fall and her stinging head, Amice could only stare at her tormentor while freezing water soaked her clothes. How she hated him. How she regretted her desperate flight from home. But what other choice did she have?

Harry gaped at the dark tresses hanging from his hand. He threw them to the ground as she struggled to rise. Panic gripped her as his hostile glare changed to a slow, confident smile.

“There’s nowhere to run. I’ll catch you if it’s the last thing I do,” he vowed. He leapt off his horse.

Amice tugged her sodden skirts, trying to haul them out of the puddle. Where was her mount? Too far away to reach without being caught, weighted down as she was. Sprays of water flew as she heaved her skirts over her arm. Heart racing, she ran for the trees. A branch snagged her. With a cry of frustration, she pulled the wet wool until it wrenched free.

Ignoring twigs tearing at her skin and icy mud that sucked away one of her shoes, she forged ahead. She gasped for air as she plunged into a tiny clearing, then came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a group of mounted men. Slimy hair slapped her face and clung to her cheek.

Panting, cold air stinging her throat, she sought a path to escape the strangers. Alarm coursed through her. She focused on the man at the head of the group. Anxiety and uncertainty warred within her though she sensed an almost tangible power emanating from him. The wind tossed his chin-length black hair as he stared down with a stern expression.

Will he help me? Am I better off with him or...? Before Amice could decide, branches snapped behind her. Harry ran into the clearing. Instinctively she moved closer to the commanding stranger.

Contacts:

Website www.ruthkaufman.com

Blog http://www.rjkaufman.blogspot.com/

Twitter  @RuthKaufman https://twitter.com/RuthKaufman

Facebook Ruth Kaufman Author & Actress https://www.facebook.com/ruthtalks

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7454412.Ruth_Kaufman

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Kaufman/e/B00JH7Z40S

Buy Links:

Amazon:  http://amzn.com/B00QPG52A6