And the winner is....

Hello friends!

I'm here to announce the winner of the FREE eBook copy of Kelly Moran's "Summer's Road."

I'm so excited to congratulate

CAROL WONG!

YAY!

And now my friends, I'm taking a few days off to spend with my kiddos.  I'll see you all in a week! 

Cheers!

Sarah

Twenty Questions with Author Kelly Moran!

Hello again my friends!

Today I'm so pleased to continue my two day salute to author, poet, mom, and all around super girl, Kelly Moran.  Kelly's newest book  Summer's Road will be released on Friday, March 25 from our friends at The Wild Rose Press  (And you can pretty much purchase it where ever else online you get your books!) 

Yesterday Kelly discussed book reviews.  Today, I put her on the veritable hot seat with my hard hitting questions.  LOL!

Feel free to comment at the end.  And remember, be sure to leave your contact info...one lucky commenter is going to get an eBook copy of Summer's Road FOR FREE!



1) Hi Kelly!  Welcome!  What biographical information would you like to share with us?

Let's see... As for writing, I'm a member of RWA, was a Finalist in the 2008 Best Books Awards and the 2009 Indie Excellence Book Awards, and I'm a reviewer for Bookpleasures. Personally, I'm a mom to four-year-old twin boys with another boy on the way in July. I love MLB and NFL, card games, and sleeping when I can. *wink*


2) When did you begin writing?

Really young, like eight or so, with poetry and short stories.


3) What inspired you to become a writer?


I think some people are just born to. Some people see equations in their heads. Others need people around and contact. Then there's us writers... we hear voices and see characters that are only real to us. In a way, one almost has acknowledge that or go crazy. Literally, I mean.

4) Your published works span a wide array of genres from romances to short stories to poetry to a children's book. What's your favorite genre to write?

My main focus is romance and children's books. The poetry, etc. was how I began my career, but not where I'm headed long-term.

5) I know it's rather like asking a mother to pick your favorite child, but what's the favorite book or story you've written and why?

Eh, hmm. I'd have to say SUMMER'S ROAD because it was my first attempt at romance. The first draft was written when I was sixteen. Of course, it's evolved and been rewritten since. And thankfully, something to be proud of now.

6) And speaking of motherly stuff...can you brag about your kids for a moment?

LOL. The twins are four, and though very close, they are very different in their personalities. One loves people and interaction, the other to be left to his own devices. One is very emotional, the other very logical. They share a common love of superheroes, however. They are both also too smart for their own good. They register a year intellectually ahead of other kids. I'm curious what the new little one will be like. (Hopefully quiet).

7) Do you write with a soundtrack for whatever you're working on, or do you write in complete silence?

I have to write in silence, though music does inspire plots and characters.



8) As a busy mom, when do you find time to write? What's your schedule like?


I cloned myself years ago. Crap...shouldn't have admitted that. I mean... I work my writing in around others things going on. The family comes first, but if I keep my priorities set and limits known, I do okay. I only work part time, so I write a bit in the morning or early afternoon, and I don't let myself get behind in my reviews.



9) Your new book, Summer's Road, is a very well reviewed romance. How about a little synopsis/blurb?

After her father’s death, Summer Quinn realizes just how alone she feels in the world. With no family to fill her life now, she finds comfort among friends, but yearns for true love, contentment, and family. When her boyfriend, Matt, suggests they raise their relationship to a higher level, Summer jumps at the chance to get everything she’s always wanted. Only, she doesn’t expect the heat arising between her and her best friend, Ian – a man who never seems to settle down. A man the complete opposite of what she’s looking for. But when her estranged mother reappears after twenty-eight years, Summer’s world completely flips upside down. As secrets from her family’s past and Ian’s true feelings for her emerge, Summer’s now faced with choices she’s not sure she can make. The rest of her life’s happiness hinges on her confronting a past she’d rather deny and legitimately opening her heart to love, even if it’s not where she expected to find it.

10) Did anyone in particular inspire your main characters?  

No, not really, though the heroine, Summer, is a lot like myself. The songs "Collide" by Howie Day and "The One" by Gary Allen inspired the new plot and most of the story.


11) How was it working with The Wild Rose Press?

I loved it. According to my editor, Stephanie, not a lot of edits were required, so that went smoothly. The chat loops and promo dept have been easy to talk to in regards to reviews, cover art, and my trailer.

You Tube link to Summers Road


12) Favorite Book/movie/TV show?

I'm not even going to get into "favorite books" as there's just too many. TV= Bones, House, Fringe, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Ghost Hunters, and Forensic Files. Movies= Princess Bride, Exorcist, Spaceballs, Harry Potter, Clue, The Proposal... (too many, really.)

A big reason why I like Kelly...she has an EXCELLENT list of favorite movies!



13) Favorite Actor and actress?

I love Sandra Bullock, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, and Joshua Jackson.




14) What are you reading right now?

I review one to two books a week. I'm going through the March and April Sourcebooks and Grand Central titles now.


15) Do you snack when you're writing and if so, what are you eating?


Oh, I only eat healthy foods. Carrots. Tofu. (Did that sound convincing? No? *sigh* ) Okay, I'm a huge chocoholic and coffee junkie. Popcorn is my biggest weakness.

Coffee, chocolate and popcorn...the food pyramid of chapions!  (Or at least writers!)

16) Starbucks or Caribou coffee?


Hmm. Both? I love SB mocha's, but Caribou's reg coffee.

Told you these questions would be hard hitting!  And she hasn't dodged any at all!

17) Most hiliarious childhood memory? (Example...the one time in my life I was trying to be cool, I got on my cousin's pony and tried to show off my riding talents. Pony walked me under the clotheslines and nearly decapitated me.)

Oh boy. My freshman year of high school my friends and I decided to make a horror movie. As it turned out, I was the murderer at a sleepover. There was ketchup everywhere (fake blood).

NICE!  Kelly is obviously going to be a triple threat: author, mom, and horror movie director!

18) What are some of the best/worst movies made from novels and why?

I remember being really disappointed in the book-to-movies on Nora Roberts from Lifetime. A lot of the variations on Pride & Prejudice were bad too. I was, however, very impressed with the Twilight saga and the Harry Potter ones. Well done. Atonement was outstanding!







19) If your life story was made into a movie, who should play the part of you?


First off, I'm no where near interesting enough to have a movie made about me. But if I were to indulge in grand illusions, Michelle Williams captures my quiet broody side, and Drew Barrymore would play my silly, eccentric side well. Bonus that both ladies are way prettier than I.

Oh stop it!   Personally, I would have Catherine Bell (JAG, Army Wives) play me, but makeup would have to make her short, blonde and fluffy...


20) What would you like readers to take away from "Summer's Road?"


I suppose whatever they feel after is the right thing. I love the "friends falling in love" aspect to it, the forgiveness, the "happily ever after." My books tend to have a serious undertone quality, because that's just how life is. My heroine has depression and some childhood abandonment issues. I hope readers take away a sense for what that's like, but know that there is a way out. To understand, as I see it, that sometimes friends are your family.



Thank you Kelly, for your answers!  Now, my friends, if you have questions for Kelly about raising twins or her brand new book, comment below...remember, leave a tiny bit of contact info so one of you can win a FREE e-copy of "Summer's Road."

Author Kelly Moran on Book Reviews

Hello my friends!  I have a really special treat for you all! 

I'd like to introduce you to a woman I'm proud to call friend:  Kelly Moran.  Kelly is an author of several published books, recipient of an Editor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement, inducted into the Who’s Who Book of Americans, placed as a Finalist in the 2008 Best Books Award, a Finalist in the 2009 Indie Excellence Book Awards, a respected reviewer for Bookpleasures, a former staff writer for Poetic Monthly Magazine, and a Romance Writers of America member. 
In short, when it comes to writing, Kelly knows her stuff!

She also interviews authors on her blog and offers Manuscript Critique Consultations. Though most of her family is in the Carolinas, she resides in Milwaukee, WI with her husband, twin sons, and black lab.  (Oh yeah, and she's expecting another happy bundle soon!)

What brings us all together today is Kelly's newest book, "SUMMER'S ROAD" brought to us on FRIDAY, the 25th by our friends at The Wild Rose Press.  I'm so thrilled to be able to share this with you all!  (But I'll let Kelly give you some more details herself!)


One of the things Kelly is passionate about, in fact the very reason we met, is book reviews.  Today she's talking about just that thing and tomorrow she's allowing me to fire off some hardball questions for your reading pleasure.  And, in the end, when the dust settles,  one of you lucky folks who sends us a comment  (And contact info) is going to get yourself a FREE eBook copy of "Summer's Road."

Oh I have your attention now, don't I?

Well, my friends, sit back and take a listen...Kelly's got some words of wisdom!

Big, big thanks to a fellow author and friend, Sarah, for letting me guest the next couple days. After my guest post and Sarah's Q&A, she'll pick a commenter to receive a FREE eBook copy of my new release, SUMMER'S ROAD, coming March 25th wherever books are sold. 



I have quite a few guest blogs coming up, so here I think we'll discuss reviews! Reviews? That's what I said! Reviews.


As all of you now know, I am an author. I am also a book reviewer for Bookpleasures, judge a number of writing contests, and I interview authors on my Blog at Blogger.


Let’s start with my bad experience. (Drum roll.) Awhile back, a friend of mine from a social media site alerted me to a negative review on Amazon about one of my books. Intrigued, I went to check it out. It was, in fact, not a negative review, but a slam on me. It was apparent that said reviewer had not read the book and was interested only in slamming me. This probably wouldn’t have bothered me, except said reviewer put words in my mouth that I did not say, which was of concern. I contacted Amazon, and they removed the review. This person then went about setting up a Blog to ridicule me and further put inaccurate words in my mouth. After the support of friends and family, I just let it go and said reviewer has been mute.




What did I learn from this? Never provoke crazy? Oh yeah, that too. But seriously, as a writer, don’t let it get you down. It has always been my opinion that when you put yourself out there as an author to be reviewed, you have to be able to take the positive and the negative. Not everyone is going to like your work. Simple as that. And reviews are just opinions. Take the advice and criticism, and use it to better the next book. Of course it was my reputation that concerned me at the time, it dawned on me afterwards that no one would have taken it seriously anyhow. Not to mention, negative reviews can have as much of an impact on sales as positive ones. We are human. It hurts when a bad thing is uttered about our precious pages. But remember, this too shall pass.


I have reviewed small press, self-published, and large mass market authors alike, positively and negatively, through Bookpleasures. The bottom line, they all thanked me. That is my advice to you as a writer. Thank the reviewer for their insight and time, and move on.


However, if you do not review professionally and are an avid reader posting reviews, please remember, good or bad, that there is an author behind every page. Try to be constructive and tactful, and for the love of all humanity, make it about THE BOOK!


Best of luck to you! XO

Thank you Kelly for a great point of view!  Now, friends, if you've got questions for Kelly about her book or book reviews, go ahead and ask below.  Remember to leave a bit of contact info because one of you might just win an ecopy of Summer's Road for FREE!