INTERVIEW: Romance Author Brenda Hasse

 

Brenda Hasse

Fenton, MI

USA

 

Good morning, Brenda, and welcome to Vision and Verse. What have you written? 

I have written both fiction and nonfiction and published indie and traditional. In fiction, I have written many genres – picture books for children, YA historical romance, second chance romance, romantic suspense, pre-teen historical mystery, metaphysical/visionary. In nonfiction, a human trafficking biography, ghost stories and history of Fenton, MI. In total, I have written sixteen books and am currently editing my seventeenth book.

What is your favorite genre to write? 

Romance

Favorite food.    

Chocolate

!

Tea or coffee? 

Coffee

Pizza or ice cream? 

Pizza

Wine or beer or soda or what? 

Water with lemon

Where would you like to visit? 

I have been to Scotland twice and would love to revisit it.

Favorite musical artist. 

ELO

Do you listen to music when you write? 

No.

What makes you laugh? 

My grandchildren.

Favorite work of art or sculpture. 

The Veiled Virgin by Giovanni Strazza

I love that one, too.
How old were you when you started writing? 

In my 30s, but I did not publish for a decade or so. 

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write? 

I define myself as a pantser. I use a character card for each character in my book. It contains physical and emotional characteristics that I refer to while writing. Even though I start with a basic outline, it may change as I write.

Describe your perfect evening. 

My perfect evening is in the company of family. Even though I enjoy my quiet time to write, being with loved ones is always welcomed.

Where do you get your inspiration?

 I like to think I am chosen to tell a story. Sometimes, the inspiration finds me. For instance, the book about a young woman who was human trafficked here in the United States happened during a book signing. The woman and I began talking and she shared her experience with me. After telling me her story, she admitted she had never told anyone else about her experience, not even her family. She didn’t know why she was telling me. I could think of no other reason other than I was supposed to write her story.

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 

I don’t experience it often. I try to always have something in mind before I sit down at my laptop to write.

Who is your favorite author? 

Jane Austen  

Best book you ever read.

 A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

Last book you read. 

I read the ARC of Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles 

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 

Knit, garden, spend more time with my husband and grandchildren. I am retired but worked as a computer programmer analyst and, later, a guest teacher in my local school district.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why? 

My grandmother, because she was always there for me when my mother was not.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, would it be and why? 

Just one? There are so many – Jane Austen, Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin, Leonardo DeVinci . . .it’s difficult to pick just one. 

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 

Write for the love of writing. A career in writing is an uphill climb, so don’t quit your day job. 

Do you have some links for us to follow you? 

www.facebook.com/BrendaHasseBooks

https://www.facebook.com/brenda.hasse

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChq4B48Bd6hTAf7Ztk5oyvg

brendahassebooks.com/

 

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BOOK REVIEW: What Lies Beneath by Bill Kitson

 

What Lies Beneath by Bill Kitson was not one of those average, happy, “Good-Looking British Detective Inspector Solves Crimes in a Lovely Sleepy Village” novels. 

No, this tale is dark. Dark crime. Dark villains. Gripping action. Heartbreak. 

DI Mike Nash, is as flawed and lovable as they come. He is likable and believable. 

The story itself was sometimes hard to read because it brings to light the horrors of what evil men are capable of. 

Once you start reading this book, you’ll want to block off some time to finish reading it because you will need to know how it ends. 

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ART: Vintage Seed Packets

Beautiful art can be found all over! On the trees. In the sky. On seed packets, especially these old vintage ones. 

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SCHEDULE: July 22-26, 2024

 

Mon., July 22 - ART:

Vintage Seed Packets

Tues., July 23 - BOOK REVIEW:

What Lies Beneath

by Bill Kitson

Wed., July 24 - INTERVIEW:

Romance Author

Brenda Hasse

Thurs., July 25 - TV TIME:

Paradise

(Netflix)

Fri., July 26 - CHRISTMAS BOOK IN JULY:

I Need Christmas

by Carol Ann Kauffman

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TV TIME: Vigil, Season One (Peacock)

 

A Glasgow Detective is sent to investigate a murder of a sailor aboard a nuclear submarine with some problems.

The talented Suranne Jones plays the Scottish detective Amy Silva brilliantly in this thrilling action-packed series.

An excellent supporting cast and the tight interior of the sub make this a heart-pounder.  

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BOOK REVIEW: Beachfront Bakery, A Killer Cupcake by Fiona Grace

 

Beachfront Bakery, A Killer Cupcake by Fiona Grace is another great cozy by an author who does not disappoint. 

Ali Sweet needs to start over to clear her name, so she moves to the beach and opens up a lovely little beachfront bakery. 

What could possibly go wrong? 

Great characters, great setting, and some good twists and turns. 

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ART: American Artist Bruce Beshara

This sailboat painting by Bruce Beshara stopped me in my tracks. 

I could get lost in this gorgeous painting. The sailboats! The water!

The sky! It is absolutely spectacular. I can only imagine how beautiful this would be on a big canvas.

 

 

I know the biographical information on Artist Bruce Beshara is sketchy, but this is all I could find. A few sources claimed “biography coming.” 

References:

Art Cavern

Fine Art America

Facebook

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SCHEDULE: July 15-19, 2024

 Mon., July 15 - ART:

American Artist

Bruce Beshara

Tues., July 16 - BOOK REVIEW:

Beachfront Bakery, A Killer Cupcake

by Fiona Grace

Wed., July 17 - INTERVIEW:

Canadian Author

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

Thurs., July 18 - TV TIME:

Vigil - Season 1

(Peacock)

Fri., July 19 - CHRISTMAS BOOK IN JULY:

Christmas at Star Lake,

A Madison Rand Book

by Carol Ann Kauffman

                                                                    VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

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BOOK: July Fireworks Sky, A Cat Collier Mystery by Carol Ann Kauffman

 

In July Fireworks Sky, the seventh book in the Cat Collier Mystery Short Story series, private investigator Mary Catherine Collier, known as Cat, finds herself in a disturbing, life-altering situation related to her brother’s trial. 

The outcome will have far reaching effects for not only herself, but Carter, Spencer, and others.

The location for this cozy mystery bounces back and forth from her quiet, sleepy hometown of Heaton Valley, Ohio to New York City, where Cat has another branch of her detective agency and a wonderful, new love. 

Will Cat finally find the honesty she’s looking for?

Available in kindle format and paperback on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/July-Fireworks-Collier-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B07TCD63G5

Excerpt:

 

M

eanwhile across town at a Manhattan coffeeshop, Erick Carter Larson sipped a large black coffee while waiting for his cab to the airport. His flight to Heaton Valley, Ohio, departed at two o’clock. His father, Detrick Bittmor, called him back to Ohio to aid in the defense of Dane Collier, Cat’s brother, in a murder trial.

In walked Granddad Larsen. He took a seat near the window, looking out into the busy street and crowded sidewalk of New York City. 

Carter was surprised because Granddad isn’t fond of Manhattan and usually avoids it. As Carter gathered up his things to join his grandfather, Yvette entered the coffeeshop. She hugged Granddad Larsen and sat down.

Carter ducked behind the wall. To his knowledge, Yvette and Granddad didn’t even know each other.

Carter looked around and spied a young man wearing an old  black hoodie with a college insignia on the back.

“Psst! Hey! I’ll give you $50 for your hoodie.”

“You nuts, man? Do you think I got this beauty at Goodwill?”

“$100 then,” said Carter.

“I don’t know. I really like this hoodie. It’s broke in just right. It’s my fave.”

“$150.”

“Mmmm.”

“Are you in a hurry?”

“No.”

“Okay, $150 to rent your favorite hoodie. I’ll give it back as soon as I’m done. See that pair by the window?”

“The hot babe and the old guy?”

“Yes. Hot babe is my girlfriend. And I want to sneak up close behind them to overhear their conversation. And I need your hoodie to do it.”

“Hot babe’s cheating on you with the old guy?”

“Maybe.”

“Ahh, that’s sick, man. Sure. Here. I’ll wait over there,” Hoodie Guy said. He gave Carter his hoodie. Carter slipped him cash.

Carter pulled the hoodie up and walked quietly to the front of the coffeeshop with his head down. He slid into a chair facing the back of the shop, but close enough to his grandfather to eavesdrop.

 

“Yes, Yvette, I realize he’s still angry at the world. But he’ll settle down soon.”

“But he’s so miserably unhappy.”

“I know it seems that way right now. But it’ll pass.”

“I hate to see him so sad.”

“Yvette, Erick changed for the worst when he moved to Heaton Valley with Mary Catherine Collier and chummed around with that immoral degenerate Detrick Bittmor.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“He became so giddy and giggly. Those are not good traits in a New York City lawyer, or any man, really. Didn’t you see it?”

“No. He was never giddy or giggly around me. He was… quiet.” 

“Well, it was annoying at best. He’d go on and on about the beautiful shade of blue of the sky and the pretty clouds. He’d rave about how delicious the food tasted that he bought on the corner from a street vendor. He dressed like a hippie-beatnik-flower child. Pink shirts!”

Erick Carter Larsen looked down. He pulled the hoodie tight across his chest to cover his Ralph Lauren Classic pink dress shirt.

“And he was always smiling. No, over-smiling. All the time. It was like he joined a cult or something. Damn it, my brilliant, serious-minded lawyer only grandson turned into a silly pre-teen girl. Aren’t you glad he’s back in town?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you two spend time together?”

“Well, yeah. We go out to dinner or see a show. He escorts me to all my work-related functions.”

“That’s good.”

“He’s not in the least bit affectionate toward me.”

“Was he ever? Erick was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve.”

“Yeah, that’s true. But he pulls away from me whenever I try to… touch him.”

“We had to step in and do something. We had to do something to get him back on track before he wasted his whole life skipping through the park, marveling at the pretty clouds and butterflies, and holding hands with Little Red Riding Hood."

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TV TIME: Rebel Moon, Part 1 + 2 (Netflix)

I know many true Star Wars fans were not thrilled with Rebel Moon, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The space visuals were fantastic. 

The casting in this one was right on the money. Sofia Boutella as Kora, the warrior turned farmer turned back into warrior on the peaceful planet Veldt, was outstanding, as was the supporting cast.

  

I hope "they" give Zack Snyder the go-ahead for more Rebel Moon.

                                  Continue reading this article on Wikipedia, Rebel Moon 

                                                                    

 

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Vision and Verse does not store any personal information like email addresses, home addresses, etc. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.