Friday, February 27, 2015

My Author Website Update is Complete!

Dear Gentle Readers,





Updates on my author website, carolannkauffman.weebly.com have been completed.  When looking at it, keep a few things in mind.

One, I wanted simple. Tall headers, great cover photos, clearly labeled headings, and links. I wanted the website to reflect the simple, straightforward theme I follow in my work.  Remember, I taught first grade for most of my thirty-five years as a public school teacher.

My readers come for the content, not to be bombarded with too many columns and stimuli. The pages have a more coherent look, a page has been added for Collaborative projects, and new book covers have been added.  All and all, I am very happy with the results.






All of the Time After Time novels are listed under the series title page, but each novel has it's own page with a cover photo and book description. Some reviews, awards, special recognition notices will be added along the way.





Upcoming Projects got a new look, and that will be changing as new ideas morph into new books. Charming Deception is done.  It HAS been done for over a year.  I'm dealing with salvaging and retyping from a corrupt file on a computer that is not one I normally use.

Sea Witch is coming along very well, and I think you'll like it. Love and alien life forms in the warm, sunny waters of western Florida.  A smart, strong female lead.  A hero who will melt your heart.  And a sea witch, me maties! (Pirate talk)




We've added a page for collaborations.  The Books To Go Now Valentine Cookbook came out earlier this year with some great recipes.  It was a fun project and all the proceeds go to the National Literacy Council.  I look forward to more collaborative projects in the future.


I'm working on Daisy's Dilemma, a Monday Mystery Society Anthology, with the wonderful Books To Go Now authors, Alison Jean Ash, Giulietta Spudich, J.W. Stacks, and Samna Ghani.  The first volume, A Mystery for Marissa by Alison Jean Ash, with be out soon.  Daisy's Dilemma is Book Four in the series.

 Stop by http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php  and tell me how you like it to be entered in the free ebook drawing on March first.  Winner gets his or her choice of any ebook on my Amazon Author Page list.

As always, I thank you for your support and participation.  I appreciate each and every one of you. Have great day.  Stay warm.  

Hugs,
Carol

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Interview with Author Kristine Raymond

  
Kristine Raymond
Brownsville, Kentucky


Good morning, Kristine, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors. What have you written?
I’ve published the first five, out of eight, books in the Hidden Springs series. Plus a story called A Lesson in Patience that can be found in the book, Read for Animals.


What is your favorite genre to write?
I’m not sure that I have a favorite.  I’m enjoying the historical westerns that I’m writing now but I also look forward to writing contemporary.



Favorite food.
Mushrooms.  Fungus is considered a food, right?        


I have never known anyone who loved fungus before.  You are an original.Tea or coffee?
Tea, all the way!


Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza.  Mushroom, of course! (see above!)


Where would you like to visit?
I’d love to go back to New Orleans.  I was there in October and didn’t have nearly enough time to sightsee.  I’d also love to see the Pacific Northwest.


Favorite musical artist.  Do you listen to music when you write?  What?
I don’t have just one.  My musical tastes are all across the board.  But I must have complete silence when I write.

What makes you laugh?
My husband.  And also when my pets do silly things.


Favorite work of art or sculpture.
I’m not into art at all.  Nature, on the other hand, provides some spectacular scenery.


How old were you when you started writing?
Dabbling? 13 or 14.  Seriously?  46


Describe your perfect evening.
Sitting out under the stars in the springtime, listening to the frogs in our pond as they croak.  A soft, mild breeze rustles the new leaves, and everything is calm.


Where do you get your inspiration?
I’m not sure that I’d call it inspiration.  More like the crazy ideas that my brain comes up with.  And I don’t know where they come from; they just appear.


What do you do when you get a writer's block?
Stress, mostly.  I hate having an idea and not being able to get it from my brain to the keyboard.  I’m starting to get better about it though.  It usually happens around the same time in every book, and I know that I will eventually get past it.


Who is your favorite author?
I don’t have a favorite.  There are many that I like, whose books I read over and over again.  Laura Ingalls Wilder, James Herriot, Sandra Brown, Karen Robards, PJ Tracy, Spencer Quinn; to name a few.


Best book you ever read.
Again, no favorite.  If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, I’d be hard-pressed to pick one.


Last book you read.
Forgiven Love by B. Maddox. 


I am reading that right now!  Love her. What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
I don’t know.  It took me 46 years to finally figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.


That's cute.  I like that.  Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My husband.  He’s always believed in me, believed that I could do anything.  I’ve tried my hand at several different endeavors over the years and he’s always cheered me on, even when the results have been disappointing.



If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 
My dad.  He passed away three years ago and I’d love the opportunity to catch him up on all of the things going on in my life.  And just to hear his voice.


What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Take the leap.  Don’t give in to your doubts.  Learn as much as you can but don’t be afraid to write in your own style.  Be authentic.






HERE TO STAY 
Amazon - U.S. - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GH4GCQ4
                 CA - http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00GH4GCQ4
                 AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00GH4GCQ4
                 UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GH4GCQ4 
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-to-stay-kristine-raymond/1118482510?ean=2940148153306 
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/here-to-stay-10 
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_Here_to_Stay_historical_western_r?id=ogD2AwAAQBAJ&hl=en
All Romance Ebooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heretostay-1720948-158.html


HEARTS ON FIRE 
Amazon - US - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HIOO7NC
                CA - http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00HIOO7NC
                UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HIOO7NC
                AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00HIOO7NC 
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-on-fire-kristine-raymond/1119586369?ean=2940149441921 
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hearts-on-fire-8 
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_Hearts_on_Fire_historical_western?id=4NWeAwAAQBAJ&hl=en
All Romance Ebooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartsonfire-1720952-158.html

ABBY'S HEART  
Amazon - US - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGUOJD0
                CA - http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00IGUOJD0
                UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IGUOJD0
                AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00IGUOJD0 
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/abbys-heart-kristine-raymond/1119586437?ean=2940149442102 
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/abby-s-heart-2 
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_Abby_s_Heart_historical_western_r?id=d9eeAwAAQBAJ&hl=en
All Romance Ebooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-abby039sheart-1720953-158.html

A CHANCE ON LOVE 
Amazon - U.S. - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR5W690
                 CA - http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LR5W690
                 AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00LR5W690
                 UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LR5W690 
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-chance-on-love-kristine-raymond/1119945456?ean=2940149764747 
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-chance-on-love 
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_A_Chance_on_Love_historical_weste?id=fdoBBAAAQBAJ&hl=en

A WILL OF HER OWN 
Amazon - U.S. - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R9PN54C
                 CA - http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00R9PN54C
                 AU - http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00R9PN54C
                 UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00R9PN54C

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-will-of-her-own-kristine-     raymond/1120947273?ean=2940149909698
Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-will-of-her-own-1
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kristine_Raymond_A_Will_of_Her_Own_historical_west?id=lrTjBQAAQBAJ&hl=en
All Romance Ebooks - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-awillofherown-1720955-158.html

Where to find me

Amazon Author Page
Goodreads Page
Twitter Name
Facebook Page
Pinterest
Instagram
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Email address
Website





Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Author Interview with Hunter Marshall

Hunter Marshall
Idaho



Good morning, Hunter, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors.  Can you tell us what you've written?  
I've written several short stories, but through the years they have been lost-- my first novel is “Wake Up! Based on a true story of abuse and betrayal”.

What is your favorite genre to write?   
Realistic fiction or Romance

Favorite food: 
Home-made caramel popcorn                

Tea or coffee?
Peppermint Tea

Pizza or ice cream? 
YES

Where would you like to visit? 
Scotland or Denmark


We really need to get together and book this Scotland trip.  So many of the authors I interview list Scotland as a place they want to go!  Favorite musical artist.  Do you listen to music when you write?  What? 
I don't really have a favorite artist, but my favorite genres are Country and Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.  Yes I listen to music when I write,  With “Wake Up!”, because of the content and how close to home it is I listen to mostly heavy metal.  My husband says he can tell which parts I'm reading or editing by the music I'm listening to.

What makes you laugh?  
My childrens' antics

Favorite work of art or sculpture.  
The sculptor of David by Michelangelo

How old were you when you started writing? 
8 I think.  Wrote a short story called “Pierre the Craw-fish”

Describe your perfect evening.  
Picnic in a meadow or mountains at dusk

Where do you get your inspiration? 
My family

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 
Step away until the manuscript calls me back and this one has many many times

Who is your favorite author?  
I don't have a favorite really but I like books with a “real” feel to them

Best book you ever read. 
“Calder Born, Calder Bred” by Janet Dailey

Last book you read. 
“Sister Warriors” by Lisa Marie Main

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?  
I am a Social Worker

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My mom, because she has never given up on me even when I wanted/want to give up on myself.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 
My grandma.  She was a huge part of my life and I want to know what she thinks about my becoming an author.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 
Don't quit and, even if you don't feel like it. . . write, write and write some more.