Interview: Mary Sue Seymour

How cool is this?!? Pens and Peonies would like to welcome, for the first time ever, The Seymour Agency founder Mary Sue Seymour!

Mary Sue collaborated with a 10-year-old art student to create a children's book! What?!? Yes, that's right. The illustrator is 10-year-old Samantha Flynn, and the author is Mary Sue!

The book's title is Friends in a Storm.

Blurb:Squirrel is locked out of his house in a rainstorm. He's standing at his door as the rain pours down. His fur is soaked, and he is cold! So Owl takes him home to warm him up. Squirrel finds his key but stays with his friend for a while. Suggested age range for readers: 2-8.

In light of this wonderful collaboration, and on the verge of the second book, Pens and Peonies begged Mary Sue for an exclusive interview.

P&P: Hi, Mary Sue! So great of you to take time to answer some of our burning questions. We're excited to hear that you wrote a children's book. First question: What made you decide to write a children's book?

Mary Sue: I was teaching elementary school at the time right out of college and wrote it for my class.

P&P: So many authors have great call stories. Would you tell us a little about how your book came to be published with Guardian Angel Publishing?

Mary Sue: I met Lynda Burch at a writing conference in Kansas City 2 years ago. Told her I had some picture books I’d written way back in my teaching days, she asked to see a couple and bought them.

P&P: We're interested in hearing how you collaborated with a 10-year-old. Where did that idea develop?

Mary Sue: Samantha had some health issues at the time I asked her to illustrate the book. I knew how talented she was and thought it would be good for her. Her mom loved the idea! She did some of the illustrations 3, 4 and 5 times. What patience!

P&P: Are there any more books in the future for you?

Mary Sue: Yes, Where Will We Fly will be released soon but that will be illustrated by artist friend, Cheryl Spadaccini.

P&P: Okay, last question. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you'd like to share with our readers?

Mary Sue: I wrote those books over 20 years ago! Never give up.

~~~

Isn't Mary Sue amazing?!? We're so glad she stopped by today. So... what do you have buried from 20 years ago?

Spotlight: DOON by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

Happy Book Birthday to DOON by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon! Isn't the cover fabulous?!?

Here's the blurb:

Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy. But why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes?

When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months. But the Scottish countryside holds other plans. Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna's great aunt---and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation.

Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica's daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they've longed for... or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

 

 

Connect with Carey and Lorie on Twitter:

 

@careycorp

 

@lorielangdon

 

 

The more congrats, mentions, and followers they get, the more prizes will be added to The Seymour Agency's Progressive Giveaway!

 

Want to enter the Progressive Giveaway? Be sure to click HERE.

 

Want to share the book birthday love on Twitter?

 

Congrats to @careycorp and @lorielangdon for their new release! DOON is finally here! http://pensandpeonies.blogspot.com #amreading

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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xoxo ~Marisa

 

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Spotlight: Macy Beckett

Today's spotlight is shining on one of my favorite contemporary romance authors: Macy Beckett! From her super cute website to her smoking hot heroes, this author's Sultry Springs series makes me want to move to this small town!

Macy writes hot and humorous romance set in the fictitious town of Sultry Springs, Texas, where first loves find second chances. Her debut novel, Sultry with a Twist, released in October of 2012 by Sourcebooks. Macy likes to say she grew up everywhere. A former military brat, she graduated from high school in Munich and went on to earn a BA in English from Texas State University. After residing in eleven different states, she finally abandoned her nomadic lifestyle and settled in the heart of Ohio with her husband and three spirited children. When Macy’s not writing, she’s reading across all genres and quite possibly obsessing over Battlestar Galactica. Come learn more about the Sultry Springs series at www.macybeckett.com

Feeling the Heat

How do you stay under the sheriff's radar in a town that prides itself on knowing everyone's business?

Leah's not sure it's possible, but she's determined to avoid Colton Bea for as long as she can. Seeing him again would be too heartbreaking-and she knows from experience his bone-melting kisses are way too tempting.

Colt still hasn't forgiven Leah for her sudden disappearing act ten years ago. He may no longer be the hellion he was in high school, but he's still willing to play dirty to get what he wants. And he won't let Leah get away again. Armed with chocolate éclairs, a killer smile, and an adorable niece, he will make sure that this time the love of his life has plenty of reasons to stay.

Task:

"Like" Macy Beckett on Facebook

Why?

Because she's awesome! But also because "Like"-ing Macy's Facebook page will add prizes to the Progressive Giveaway. The more "Like"s she gets, the more prizes added!

Click HERE to "Like" Macy's Facebook page.

Want to enter the Progressive Giveaway? Be sure to click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you've read the first two books in her Sultry Springs series. I did, and I loved them.

xoxo ~Marisa

Spotlight: Kate SeRine

Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) faithfully watched weekend monster movie marathons while growing up, each week hoping that maybe this time the creature du jour would get the girl. But every week she was disappointed. So when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed that her characters would always have a happily ever after. And, thus, her love for paranormal romance was born.

Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project.

Find out more about Kate at www.kateserine.com.

Along Came a Spider (Transplanted Tales)

Along came a spider. . .
When Trish Muffet is attacked at a grisly crime scene, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Nicky "Little Boy" Blue. But since walking away from everything two years before, Nicky's been doling out vigilante justice as "The Spider," taking on the vicious predators of the night in hopes it'll lead him to his ultimate target--Vlad Dracula. And he needs Trish's help.

Although Nicky's renegade style goes against everything Trish stands for, she'll do what she must to bring Dracula down. With danger stalking her, Trish knows the only person she can count on is the one man who has the power to leave her breathless. There's no way she's letting this spider frighten her away. . .

Task:

Follow Kate on Twitter.

Then, check HERE to see how many prizes were added to the Prize Pack.

As always, commenters rock!

...and don't worry about entering to win just yet... we want to build the prize pack first and then the entry form will be posted.

The Seymour Agency's Progressive Giveaway

Pens and Peonies is sponsoring a Progressive Giveaway during the months of August and September!

The more follows, adds, friends, and subscribes received by the participating authors, the more prizes will be added to the giveaway!

Every time The Seymour Agency authors hit a milestone, the prize pack will be updated to include more prizes until the end of September.

How to enter: Start by following this blog, so you don't miss out on release day posts. Check back on release day to read about the author, the book, and the "task" to help build the prize pack.

Terms: U.S. addresses only. Must be at least 18 years of age to win. Void where prohibited. Giveaway hostesses are not responsible for items once shipped. We reserve the right to change any and all rules or conditions as needed. Complete and correct information must be provided as requested, or the entry will automatically and immediately be null and void. Bounced email will automatically void an entry. If we cannot locate your follow or other entry options, your entry will be voided. Once the winner email is sent, that winner will have 48 hours to respond to the win with the information requested in the notification email.

The Seymour Agency Authors with August/September releases:
August 1: Kate SeRine's Along Came a Spider
August 6: Macy Beckett's Surrender to Sultry
August 6: Isabella Alan's Plainly Murder
August 20: Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon's Doon
August 26: Laura Simcox's Ivy Entwined
August 27: TBA
August 27: Kait Ballenger's Twilight Hunter
September 1: Mary Ellis' A Little Bit of Charm
September 1: Amanda Flower's A Plain Disappearance
September 3: Isabella Alan's Murder, Plain and Simple
September 3: Ashlyn Chase's How to Date a Dragon
September 3: Jessica Lemmon's Hard to Handle
September 9: Marisa Cleveland's Reforming the Cowboy
September 10: Carl Prude Jr.'s Anchored in Light
September 10: Jenny Sulpizio's Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe
September 24: Amanda Flower's Andi Unexpected

Task:
Follow, Add to circles, Join this site with Google Friend Connect, or Follow by Email the Pens and Peonies blog. This is just to get things started. No milestone must be reached to achieve the first prize.

Prize Pack:
Thrill Ride by Julie Ann Walker - this book is signed and new
Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston - this book is signed and new
The Search by Shelley Shepard Gray - this book is signed and new
Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson - this book is signed and new
Swag bag of goodies from Laura Simcox - author of Ivy Entwined
A Plain Disappearance by Amanda Flower - this book is signed and new
First chapter critique by ACFW's 2012 Agent of the Year Nicole Resciniti

Interview: Jodi Linton

Congrats to Jodi Linton! She signed a two-book deal with Entangled Suspense back in May.

Keep connected with her and watch her journey!

Website: http://jodilinton.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jodilinton30

Facebook: facebook.com/JodiLintonAuthor

Twitter: twitter.com/JodiLinton1

Tumblr: jodilinton.tumblr.com

Fast Facts:

Coffee

Night

Rivers

Red wine

Liquor

Ice Cream

Laptop

Casual

Ponytail

Shower

Summer

Motorcycle

Our interview with Jodi:

1. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I have been seriously writing for five years, but I have always had a love for storytelling since I was a child.

2. What is my writing schedule?

My day job “stay –at-home mom” keeps me pretty busy, so I write mostly at night. Although, I was able to finish this book in two weeks, and then I handed it off to my husband for him to do his first round of nitpicking. No. He was great. I knew one day marrying an English teacher would pay off, and he did a wonderful job, giving me some of the best editorial advice.

3. What do you think makes a good book?

I believe a good book lets you have your cake and eat it too. The setting is as much a part of the book as the characters. The characters leap off the pages, and the VOICE grabs you from the first sentence.

4. Do you have an agent?

Yes. I’m represented by Sharon Belcastro and Ella Marie Shupe of The Belcastro Agency.

5. What were the last three books you read?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Catch Me a Cowboy by Katie Lane, and For Love or Money by Cathy Perkins.

6. What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Dr Pepper.

About Jodi

Jodi Linton grew up across the street from a cow pasture, where she was more likely to been seen selling Kool-Aid in a Dixie cup at ten cents a pop, or inviting neighbors over to watch one of her plays staged on her father’s Bass boat. Even though she never owned one of the bovines, she’ll admit that the smell of cow manure had a lasting effect, making it easy to spot a cow a mile away.

In 2001, she traded in the rednecks, cowboys, and mesquite trees of her hometown to chase destiny out west. After a few years of mucking it around with the roughnecks, dust storms, and droughts, she decided to dust off her boots and head home. With a History degree in one hand and a marriage license in the other, she followed her husband in 2006 to the Texas heartland, fabulous Austin.

Somewhere down the line, she started writing. Maybe it was the boring job search, or maybe it was the crazy characters dancing inside her head that help put pen to paper. Whatever the case, writing sure beat the heck out of working for a temp agency. The first story was about a boy lookalike Indian Jones who chased after vampires in small town Texas. The second story was a YA contemporary about the Grim Reaper, and well half-way through she decided to shuck them both, partly due to the birth of her son, and mostly because she wasn’t awe struck with the premises.

Taking a break from writing to raise her son, she filled the time by reading, and insistently fell in love with mysteries, especially ones with witty, spunky heroines. Four months later, she had a manuscript about a smart-mouthed deputy and her rotten ex-boyfriend dueling it out in small town Texas.

After settling into the Texas Hill Country with her husband and two kids, she joined the Writer’s League of Texas, and signed with The Belcastro Agency. Today she can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry.

There’s a good chance she’s brushed paths with a few of her characters, but she’ll never tell, those lips are sealed.

xoxo ~Marisa

Interview: Kiru Taye

Wow! Pens and Peonies is so super pleased to have Kiru Taye on the blog!

Thank you, Marisa for hosting me today.

Island Bound is a sensual, contemporary romance novella, set in Brass Island, Nigeria. It’s the story of Christy and Joshua who are on the verge of a marriage breakdown and how they get their second chance at a life together.

When I was researching reasons why couples filed for a divorce, I found out that outside of Infidelity, lack of communication was the next most stated reason. If a couple is not communicating well with each other it's a great indicator that they are drifting apart. But unlike infidelity this reason can be remedied a lot easier than trying to fix the trust broken by infidelity.

Here are the Top Ten reasons listed:

One: Infidelity in marriage

Two: Communication breakdown

Three: Abuse (Emotional, Psychological, Physical)

Four: Financial issues

Five: Sexual Incompatibility

Six: Boredom

Seven: Religious or cultural issues

Eight: Issues over bringing up children

Nine: Addiction (gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc)

Ten: Divergent priorities and expectation

Blurb:

When Christy Inemi-Spiff discovers that the man she vowed to love and honor has no such feelings for her, she’s determined to cut her losses and move on with her life. A quick, quiet divorce is all she wishes for Christmas.

However, Joshua has other ideas. He’s not ready to walk away yet, especially when he doesn’t understand why Christy wants out of their marriage. So he demands she agree to spend a quiet Christmas on a remote African Island with him, hoping they can salvage their relationship. If she still wants a divorce after these two weeks, he will let her go. But not before he’s had his fill of her.

But with the sparking tension between them, and the secrets behind the disintegration of their marriage threatening to explode, will either of them get their wish? Or will this season of good will show them what really lies at the bottom of their hearts?

Read an excerpt here

Buy links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK|Barnes & Noble |Kobo |Decadent Publishing |All Romance eBooks | Smashwords

About Kiru Taye

A lover of books, as a teenager Kiru Taye used to read novels under the blanket during lights-outs in boarding school. These days, with a young family to take care of, she's still sacrificing sleep for the pleasures of a good book.

During the day though, she transforms her wildly vivid imagination into sensual, atmospheric romance stories with passionate characters.

When she’s not writing or reading, she'd hanging out with family and friends or travelling. Born in Nigeria, she currently lives in the UK with husband and children.

For a comprehensive list of her books, check out her website: http://www.kirutaye.com

You reach her via her Blog | Facebook |Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Giveaway

To celebrate the summer, Kiru is giving away 2 $10 gift cards to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do to enter the prize draw is toleave a comment on this blog post andvisit my blog to enter the rafflecopter prize draw. This contest is open internationally. Entrants must be 18 years and over. Contest ends 31 August, 2013. Winners are chosen randomly via rafflecopter.

xoxo ~Marisa