Sushi, distractions and Queen, oh my
Today's featured authors: Shirley Jump, author of The Sweetheart Bargain; K.M. Scott, author of Crash Into Me; and Sophie Littlefield, author of A Bad Day for Romance. We're talking 'bout finding inspiration in the movie Up, Queen and sushi.
Shirley Jump, author of The Sweetheart Bargain (contemporary romance, out Sept. 3)
Three things about me that would surprise readers:
• Despite the number of books I write in a year, I really am a HUGE procrastinator and easily distracted by shiny things or trashy television shows. I'm like that dog in Up when I try to work — focus on the page, look at the words, then Squirrel! I tell myself I procrastinate because I like to write the way I like to read — all at one time. I hate putting a book down and picking it up a few weeks later. If I am engrossed in a book, I want to know the ending now. An entire day will pass while I finish that book (oh, wait, that might be a procrastination-on-the-book action … Oooh! Squirrel!)
• I love sushi. I mean, really love sushi. Like in the manner of would-eat-it-every-day-if-I-could LOVE. My favorites are the crunchy and spicy ones. I'm not a fan of raw fish, but if there's a crab/shrimp/avocado/tuna sushi on my plate, I'm in heaven. We have a local sushi place with a chef trained by the Sushi master who first brought sushi to the U.S., and he is Ah-Mazing.
• I have zero coordination or natural rhythm. To the point where I can't clap along to a song, because half the time I end up looking like I'm having an epileptic fit. I'm that woman everyone pities in Step Aerobics because my foot is always missing the step or I'm five paces off from the rest of the class. I can't sing, can't play video games and can't do any sports except running, because it's a low-coordination sport. Except I have tripped over my own feet, and over sidewalk curbs and over … Oooh! Squirrel!
Here's the blurb about The Sweetheart Bargain:
"A fun, heartwarming small town romance that you'll fall in love with…." Paste BN best-selling author Jill Shalvis
You can't teach an old dog new tricks – unless you're a Sweetheart Sister…
The Sweetheart Sisters, a trio of sassy, well-meaning grannies (who aren't against a sip of bourbon with breakfast) are ready to dispense advice and help create happy endings with a little of what they do best—meddling.
Animal therapist Olivia Linscott is the Sweetheart Sisters's first target. Running from a bad relationship and a lousy job, Olivia is determined to save the dog shelter she inherited from the mother she never knew, and, above all, to protect her broken heart. The Sisters want to tie the divorcee together with wounded helicopter pilot Luke Winslow, even if the intended pair keeps slipping the leash.
Luke's dreams were shattered by a career-ending eye injury. Adrift and bitter, the last thing he wants is romantic involvement. But when a Golden Retriever, in worse shape than he is, scratches on the door, the dog brings in a whole lot more than puppy love…
Top Pick from Romantic Times Book Reviews! "The Sweetheart Bargain features two strong willed, albeit damaged, leads, a supporting cast of wonderfully colorful characters, a beautiful beach town and a story that will have readers laughing and then crying in turns."
Find out more at www.shirleyjump.com.
K.M. Scott, author of Crash into Me (contemporary romance)
Three of my favorite '80s songs:
• Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer. I think a lot of why I loved this song was because of the music video. The song is a perfect anthem for a romance writer, of course, and is still sexy to listen to.
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. Seeing a theme here? I still love this song. It's got a great sound and Freddie Mercury was such a great front man. I have great memories of this one from middle school dances.
• Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon. Sticking with the love idea, this song is from the first concert I ever saw. Let's just say I was far too young to be going to a concert in a major city with just my best friend and no adult supervision. Good times!
Here's the blurb for Crash into Me:
What would you give up for everything?
Tristan Stone was powerful, commanding, sex incarnate. And he wore it all so well. From the moment his mesmerizing gaze met mine, I had no choice but surrender to everything he was. His power. His decadence. His passion. He was all I never knew I needed.
He wanted to possess me, and I wanted to be his everything. All I had to do was accept what he offered. But everything has a price.
Find out more at authorkmscott.blogspot.com.
Sophie Littlefield, author of A Bad Day for Romance (contemporary romance, out Sept. 2)
Three of my favorite places to read or write:
• When I was growing up, I was one of those kids who always, always had my nose in a book. My favorite reading spot was a rope swing hung from a tree in our back yard. A piece of metal pipe formed the "seat," and over time I perfected the art of kicking off and spinning around the tree, the rope winding around the trunk. The tree grew on a steep hill, so there was the added thrill of danger as the swing arced high over the ground.
• I love to read while walking for exercise. I used to walk along a repurposed railroad route, flipping pages as I tried not to plow into other walkers, cyclists, strollers, rollerbladers and pets.
• I moved into an apartment last year, living on my own for the first time in almost 30 years. I have a tiny balcony with a chair wedged in the corner, and I love to read there in the evening, listening to the sounds of the city and balancing a wine glass on the ledge.
Blurb for A Bad Day for Romance:
Edgar-nominated author Sophie Littlefield's fifth story in the award-winning Stella Hardesty mystery series, which began with the national bestseller A Bad Day for Sorry.
Stella Hardesty is a seamstress with a sideline job in vigilante justice. Two days before her best friend gets married, Stella Hardesty has nothing more pressing on her mind than fitting into her fluffy pink bridesmaid gown, mixing her next cocktail, and enjoying a romantic weekend with her sometimes beau, BJ Brodersen. Just as she's headed to the bridal shower, word comes that BJ and smokin' hot sheriff Goat Jones have gotten into a dustup over Stella's affections.
Before Stella can recover from this startling development, more bad news comes along. The minister's niece, the hard-to-love pageant princess Divinity Flycock, has been arrested for the murder of her fiancé. The bride begs Stella to clear Divinity's name so that her minister will be able to perform the nuptials. When Stella starts digging into the case, however, she uncovers a world of jealous nightclub singers, firearms dealers and the ugly underbelly of reality TV. Hot on the trail of the truth, she's distracted by the arrival of the sheriff, who finally seems ready to make a claim for her affections.
Find out more at www.sophielittlefield.com.