Update with Author Bethany Maines + Prize Pack Giveaway

*Looking for the next modern day superwoman? Check out this exclusive update with author Bethany Maines and comment for a chance to win a Prize Pack: a copy of Compact with the Devil, a Medium dark blue T-shirt with the words “Agent” printed across the back, and The Write Stuff Bookmark. 

Bethany Maines is back to discuss her new sequel to her debut novel, Bulletproof Mascara. Bethany’s novels are action-packed thrillers that have been described as The James Bond of Chick Lit. During the day, Bethany works as a graphic designer for an architectural firm. At night, she’s helping her main character, Nikki Lanier, operate within a cosmetics company’s international espionage operation. In her spare time, Bethany has a third degree black belt and teaches Karate to kids. Her sequel, Compact with the Devil is out!

1) Tell me about your fabulous new book:

Compact with the Devil, is the sequel to Bulletproof Mascara.  This time Nikki is facing the dual threat of work politics and a terrorist as she tries to save the life of European pop star Kit Masters.

2) Compact with the Devil brings back Nikki Lanier, the kickass spy in league with Carrie Mae cosmetics founded to help women from all over the world. First off, I loved your previous novel, Bulletproof Mascara. Secondly, what fabulous cosmetic devices does a spy like Nikki have at her disposal?  

Well, unfortunately due to a slight luggage snafu, Nikki actually ends up getting more of the fabulous cosmetic devices used on her than she uses on the bad guys.  But there are knock-out injection rings, steel whip belts, and stylish knife-proof gloves.

3) Oh no! Where is the acid nail polish when you need it? How did you come up with the story line and idea for this novel?

Well, with this series I have several goals that I think of as “mission parameters” – there has to be an exotic locale, action sequences, and fun, and I have to show Nikki’s growth as both a spy and a woman.  I’d recently been to Paris, so I knew I wanted to set it there, and it is the city of romance, but I just wasn’t sure how to get there. But while I was kicking around for a plot, I ended up watching Hard Days Night with the Beatles. I just loved the atmosphere of fun and all the frantic running around.  And I thought…  “What if the Beatles had been spies?”  It all sort of snowballed from there.

4) Nikki’s investigating a Basque anarchist who may be planning on killing a Carrie Mae operative which leads her to a bad boy pop artist on tour. Can you give us some juicy details of what happens? Does Nikki really break up with CIA agent Z’ev Coralles and gets fired?!

Both of those things are true!! You have no idea how hard it was to make those two break up!  But Nikki and Z’ev have issues; issues that can’t be resolved if one of them is in South America with another woman.  Then throw in Kit Masters, the pop star, who is devilishly handsome, flirtatious and well, just a little bit in need of being rescued… Well, let’s just say it’s recipe for sparks to fly.

5) What is at the true heart of this book?

Fear, and overcoming fear. Kit Masters is afraid that he can’t be creative without alcohol and drugs.  Z’ev is afraid that Nikki’s hiding something from him (he’s right of course) and he’s afraid of losing her. Nikki is afraid of what Z’ev would say if he really knew about her job.  And in a sense, she’s afraid of becoming good at her job and stepping into a leadership role.  Being the leader means that you take responsibility for your actions, but also the actions of people you command.  Nikki’s pretty afraid of that sort of responsibility and she’s afraid that it will separate her from the people she loves.  But at the same time, she’s driven to help people who need her.  So she has to choose to overcome her fears and step into the role she was born for.

6) Is Nikki Lanier a modern day Charlie’s Angel or female James Bond?

Too funny! And the answer is… Neither! Charlie’s Angel’s, while totally awesome and very similar to Nikki in their fashion sense, are being bossed around by a dude on a speaker phone. Nikki takes orders from another woman (Mrs. Merrivel), and just occasionally she doesn’t take orders at all.  Which is much more similar to James Bond, of course (who doesn’t love Judy Dench as M?), but James Bond is fairly callous and hard-hearted (a requirement of his job, true), but also kind of a man slut. My brother and I once figured out that James Bond averaged 2.5 women per movie – the good girl, the bad girl, and usually some random girl in the first reel.  Nikki does not believe in killing because the government said so, she believes in saving people.  And also, she’s pretty monogamous.

*To Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Compact with the Devil Prize Pack:

Simply leave a comment answering the following bolded question!

Rules for this contest:

*You can enter anytime from right now up to Sunday (May 8th). Those who comment will be entered to win. Giveaways are U.S. only (sorry!) When you comment, you will be asked for your email address. This information will not be made public. It will only be used to contact the winner. You must provide your name.

For additional entries and chances to win:

*Subscribe to this blog!

*Become a member on Facebook: The Write Stuff

*Follow me on Twitter

*Tell someone and have them comment here! (Make sure you have them point out they referred you!)

*Twitter, Facebook, or Blog about the contest (you must provide a separate comment that you did this with a link).

Every name is assigned a random number. The more you enter, the more numbers are assigned to your name. The range of numbers is put into a Random Number Calculator and the winning number is chosen! I’ll announce the winners on May 9th! Once contacted, the winner will have three days to email me their mailing addresses. If I do not receive a reply within the allotted time, I will pick another winner. Good luck!

*If you were a female spy, which make-up ammo would you want to try out: Pepper Spray Perfume, flash grenade lipsticks, acid nail polish or knockout breath mints? 

For Example: Gimme the Pepper Spray Perfume! The perfectly concealed bff whom will back you up every time!

Interview with Author Sara Bennett Wealer + Giveaway

Sara Bennett Wealer is a shinning new author full of soul. A major in voice performance, journalist, longtime choir member, magazine newspaper writer, and most recently a singer in the Cincinnatti Symphony Orchestra. She’s here to discuss her debut Young Adult novel, Rival, and let everyone in on why writers should always keep writing.

1) The million dollar question: How did you become a published author?

By writing, writing, writing, revising, revising, revising, and submitting, submitting, submitting—then refusing to give up when things got discouraging, which they do for a lot of people who are trying to make this particular dream come true.

2) What was the query process like?

My first query process was really easy, since I landed the first agent I queried. She was a good agent and a pretty big name at the time, but after a while I came to the conclusion that we weren’t a good match. My second project took much longer and was like many that you hear about: I’d research a batch of agents who I felt might connect with my work, sent queries, sent samples when requested, and then collected rejections until I got a couple of nibbles. I couldn’t be happier with my current agent!

3) Wow. Now, I’m jealous! It sounds like a fairy tale sans the agent break-up. Did you ever feel like giving up when you were in the thick of it though?

Yes! And the thing about trying to get published is that, in most cases, nobody gives a hoot if you do give up. This is a pretty solitary pursuit, and if you decide to just start watching TV every night instead of working on a book or writing query letters, then who’s going to stop you? There are tons of other writers out there who’ll fill the void with good work. So you really have to motivate yourself and be doing this because you love it. Or because you’ve become obsessive about it, which is sort of how I felt toward the end. I told people it was like banging my head against a brick wall. The next blow could be the one that brought it all down, so the only thing that could stop me was massive brain damage!

4) LOL! I might just put that last quote up on my wall. So how exactly did you find your agent match?

Through all of this I’ve learned how important it is to connect with someone who believes in your work and really *gets* what you’re about as a writer/author, because things don’t always get easier once you land an agent. Then you go on submission to publishing houses, many of whom will say no. And getting a book deal brings its own angst, though that’s a post for another day. You really need someone in your corner who’s going to build you up when you need it, give you hard truths in a way that you can handle, then stick by you when you’re successful and when things get challenging.

5) Very true. Speaking of your corner, who has been your biggest influence when it comes to writing?

I really admire Edith Wharton and the dry, observant, often biting way that she wrote about the society she lived in. As for modern-day influences, I’m lucky to have some great friends and critique partners, including Sara Zarr, Mandy Hubbard, and LK Madigan, who, very tragically, passed away earlier this year.

6) Sara Zarr is one of my favorites too. Now that your a fabulous author, what has been your favorite author experiences so far?

I love signings and good reviews. It’s just such a nice affirmation after all that hard work to know that people are liking and connecting with the book.

7) As a writer, I’m always seeking more advice. What tips do you have?

Would I be dating myself too much if I said I hear my inner RuPaul saying, “You bettah WORK?” For writers who are trying to get a manuscript ready, you really need to be committed, first, to finishing, and second to revising and polishing and making it the best it can be. Make writing a priority, then seek out and follow good critique. For those who are ready to start looking for agents and publishers, my best advice is not to give up. If you feel like you’re close but just haven’t connected with the right person yet, keep trying. If you’re hearing some of the same comments about things that could be fixed in the manuscript, then I’ll take you back to RuPaul: Work it some more, girl, then put it back out there. (Now I’ve got “Sashay, shantay” stuck in my head… ack!)

8 ) Me too! So let’s discuss your debut novel Rival:

It’s the story of two girls, once friends, now enemies, who are getting ready to go up against each other in a major singing competition. It’s all about friendship and envy and realizing that the people we think we hate the most might just be the ones we really want and need on our side.

9) Your novel revolves around the world of music. Why did you choose that in particular?

I’ve been heavily into music for most of my life. I was a singer through school, and only just recently stopped singing in choirs (kids plus dayjob plus novel writing means not much time for other things, so singing had to go for awhile). I know how the arts can spark creative tension, and it just felt right to set a story about rivalry in that world.

10) An a final note, you’ve mentioned on your website you live with more cats than anyone needs…so now that you’ve sparked my curiosity…exactly how many cats do you have?

I have four, and all were strays in need of a home, so how could I say no? They are wonderful pets, and a couple are getting on in years, so we’ve told ourselves we’ll cut down by just not replacing them when they pass.  Of course, I also have kids who love kittens, and I love kittens, too, so we’ll see how well we do sticking to that promise.

11) Every one knows how much writers love coffee and coffee shops. Or maybe I just love taking latte a little too much! Either way, I have to ask…what’s your favorite coffee drink?

Sadly, for health reasons I’ve had to cut way back on my coffee consumption. These days I guzzle green tea. But when I do treat myself, I like a good black coffee or a mellow mocha. Over Christmas I got a little addicted to Starbucks’ Caramel Brulee Lattes.

Carmel Brulee Lattes-love! Thank you Sara for sharing!

*To Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Rival:

Simply leave a comment answering the following bolded question!

Rules for this contest:

*You can enter anytime from right now up to Sunday (April 24). Those who comment will be entered to win. Giveaways are U.S. only (sorry!) When you comment, you will be asked for your email address. This information will not be made public. It will only be used to contact the winner. You must provide your name.

For additional entries and chances to win:

*Subscribe to this blog!

*Become a member on Facebook: The Write Stuff or Facebook: 26 Countries and 1 Kitchen!

*Follow me on Twitter or Cook26Countries on Twitter.

*Tell someone and have them comment here! (Make sure you have them point out they referred you!)

*Twitter, Facebook, or Blog about the contest (you must provide a separate comment that you did this with a link).

Every name is assigned a random number. The more you enter, the more numbers are assigned to your name. The range of numbers is put into a Random Number Calculator and the winning number is chosen! I’ll announce the winners on April 25th! Once contacted, the winner will have three days to email me their mailing addresses. If I do not receive a reply within the allotted time, I will pick another winner. Good luck!

*Who is your biggest influence in your life?

For Example: All the authors I see and hear from. My parents for supporting telling me to shoot for the stars. My husband for always urging me to go into writing. Even when many laughed at me for wanting to write, he never did. In fact when I do publish a book, he’ll say, “I told you so.” Without his support, I wouldn’t have taken the plunge this early in life. Thank you sweetie!

Update with Author Marilyn Brant + Giveaway

Award-wining women’s fiction author and avid member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Marilyn Brant is here again to discuss her latest novel, Friday Mornings At Nine. I had the wonderful chance to meet Marilyn while at an author event in St. Louis, MO. I have to tell you. She is one of the sweetest, funniest author’s you’ll ever find. Her fabulous personality is reflected into every one of her novels. Her debut novel, According to Jane, won the Romance Writers of American’s prestigious Golden Heart® Award.

The Write Stuff is checking back in with Marilyn, to rave about her new novel which I loved reading.

1) Friday Mornings at Nine revolves around 3 middle-aged women who always meet for coffee. First off, what’s your favorite coffee drink?

My favorite coffee drink is anything warm, sweet and preferably laced with chocolate, like a mocha latte with swirls of whipped cream and chocolate sauce drizzled on top…yum!

Now that I’ve bought the exact drink you described because I couldn’t resist… what do you feel is the significance of the role of friendship in a woman’s life?

I think it’s one incredibly important component for most women’s happiness. Not everyone needs lots of friends or constant activity (personally, my inner circle is pretty small), but I don’t know any woman who doesn’t need someone trustworthy to confide in at times, someone to sit with and just chat about daily life, or someone with whom to share good/bad news or triumphs and fears.

I don’t think there’s any situation that a good friend or two can’t help you through, even if it’s just taking the time to listen to you or to run through a list of pros and cons with you. There’s no price that can be put on a genuine and supportive friendship. And I do think, as women get older, their friendships get even better — they’re deeper, more honest and, I think, truly valued as the priceless gifts they are.

I will say that this is something the women in the story are still in the process of learning, though. To get the gift of a genuine friendship, one must also *be* genuine. And to be capable of being honest with others, one must also be honest with oneself. In my opinion, a willingness to be compassionate but truthful is at the heart of every good friendship — and every good marriage, for that matter.

2) The three gal pals, Bridget, Tamara, and Jennifer are struggling with feeling stuck in their lives and marriages. How did you come up with the story line and idea for this novel?

Years ago, a woman I knew had been telling me about how dissatisfied she was in her marriage. Despite having two children she loved, the differences between her and her husband were growing steadily, and they eventually got divorced. I also knew there was a man from her past that still haunted her memories and there was a new guy as well that she eventually had an affair with… All of these factored in to my wondering about the logistics of infidelity and the mindset leading up to why and how a spouse might stray.

This woman wasn’t the only person I knew who was having marital issues, though, and I could see how tempting it could be for someone who had regrets about a past relationship to interact with old boyfriends via email or Facebook or, perhaps, have an encounter with some hot-looking man she’d met through work or some other activity. Even though I had no interest in reconnecting with any guys from my past (trust me, several of those relationships ended so terribly that I *really* didn’t want that!), I was fascinated and a little freaked out by how easily I could hunt down people I used to know online and, also, how relatively simple it would be — if motivated — to have emotional affair with someone, even if nothing physical happened between us.

About 4-5 years went by, however, between first getting the idea for the story and beginning to draft the book. It was a premise that needed to simmer for a long time in my head before writing…to give me time to observe lots of other relationships and, in fact, to hear from other women about their own experiences with infidelity and their fantasies about men outside their marriages. I do think it’s one of those topics where, the more we’re open to discussing it, the better it is for women — either to know that what they’ve been feeling is normal or to know where there might be a real problem in their relationship.

3) These women also discover they each have secret crushes in their lives and cannot help but wonder about it all: crushes, their lives, and their husbands. Can you give us some juicy details for each character?

Sure! Bridget loves cooking and always dreamed of being a chef, but she put those ambitions aside to raise her three kids. She’s now back in the workforce as a part-time secretary at a dental office. There she meets Dr. Luke, a man who appreciates different cuisines and also sees her freshly in a way she feels her sports-obsessed husband no longer does.

Tamara is the wife of an affluent but frequently traveling lawyer and the mom of an only child who just started college. Without their son at home, she’s not sure what she has in common with her husband anymore, but she seems to have made a conversational connection with Aaron, the divorced younger neighbor down the street. It doesn’t hurt that he looks very hot without his shirt on.

And Jennifer is a stay-at-home web designer with two teen daughters, married to a high-school Spanish teacher. She’s the techie and he’s the poetry guy that she married on the rebound after David, her computer-programming college boyfriend, dumped her. A part of her is still convinced that David is her soul mate. Now, thanks to the Internet, the he’s resurfaced and wants to meet up with her again at a college reunion.

4) What do you think is at the heart of this novel? What message do you want readers to take away from it?

At its heart, this is a story about *choosing*, not *cheating*. One very consistent thing I’ve found is that most women recognize the fact that there are other attractive men out there in the world, but we tend not to act on that attraction — or even fantasize about it overly much — unless there’s a disconnect in our primary relationship/marriage. When we know ourselves and know our significant other and we feel we’ve really chosen to be in this relationship (despite our partner’s inevitable faults — and our own), then we’re not living in regret or self-delusion, and our attractions to others are both kept in check and are, typically, fleeting fantasies.

The trick is to really know oneself, though. To really see the people around you clearly. To really listen to what they’re saying. And, after taking in this awareness, to turn that same attention inward and make sure your inner needs and wants are in sync with your outer environment. I don’t think people can fully, honestly be in a relationship (be it marital, friendship or otherwise) unless they know why they’ve chosen to be there. So, I wanted to write a story where, over the course of the novel, these three women have to come closer to learning who they are, what they want and which relationships they’re genuinely able to commit to seriously.

5) Tell us about your upcoming novel, A Summer in Europe, because The Write Stuff wants all glamorous hints yesterday:

Being a very impatient sort myself, I’m more than happy to spill! I *just* got the cover art (it’s up on my website for anyone who wants to take a closer peek: http://www.marilynbrant.com) and in my publisher’s book catalogue they described the story this way:

On her 30th birthday, Gwendolyn Reese is given an unusual gift by her eccentric aunt: a summer grand European tour arranged through her aunt’s Sudoku and Mahjongg Club. Gwen reluctantly leaves her “almost fiancé” and heads to Europe with her aunt and a collection of offbeat club members.

Abroad, Gwen is slowly but surely transformed. She has conversations she’d never expected, is spellbound by London theater, touches a glacier, races through the Louvre, and shares a passionate kiss with a wild young physics professor. And when her old life comes calling again, she must choose between the practical choices she’s always made, and a world open to infinite possibilities…

I’m really excited about this novel! It has a lot of my favorite things packed into it: traveling, musical theater, physics, Sudoku, art, romance at all ages and gelato. (I am *very* fond of gelato!) The Mahjongg, however, took a little getting used to…LOL.

Thanks, again, Brittany! Wishing you and all your readers a wonderful day.

~Marilyn

Thank you Marilyn!!

*To Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Friday Mornings at Nine:

Simply leave a comment answering the following bolded question!

Rules for this contest:

*You can enter anytime from right now up to Sunday (April 10). Those who comment will be entered to win. Giveaways are U.S. only (sorry!) When you comment, you will be asked for your email address. This information will not be made public. It will only be used to contact the winner. You must provide your name.

For additional entries and chances to win:

*Subscribe to this blog!

*Become a member on Facebook: The Write Stuff or Facebook: 26 Countries and 1 Kitchen!

*Follow me on Twitter or Cook26Countries on Twitter.

*Tell someone and have them comment here! (Make sure you have them point out they referred you!)

*Twitter, Facebook, or Blog about the contest (you must provide a separate comment that you did this with a link).

Every name is assigned a random number. The more you enter, the more numbers are assigned to your name. The range of numbers is put into a Random Number Calculator and the winning number is chosen! I’ll announce the winners on April 11th! Once contacted, the winner will have three days to email me their mailing addresses. If I do not receive a reply within the allotted time, I will pick another winner. Good luck!

*What’s your favorite coffee or (gasp! I promise not to be offended…) tea drink?

For Example: I live for my custom coffee drink: Iced 1/2 pump white mocha and 1/2 pump Vanilla Latte!

Weekly Fabulous Updates on interviews, giveaways, beauty, and travel…all The Write Stuff!

Susan McBride, Judy Feldman, Marilyn Brant, and Brittany Roshelle

This week, I’m very excited to announce we’re checking back in with award-wining women’s fiction author, Marilyn Brant, and my dear friend whom I met in person at an author event, Wine, Wit, & Lit in St, Louis, MO. Stay tuned later today for your chance to win a signed copy of her latest novel, Friday Mornings at Nine!

At Betty Confidential, I have two new beauty articles to share with you:

15 Ultimate Face and Eye Creams- Roll Back Time. Due to the fact that face/eye cream is normally very expensive I included items for every price point.  My favorite bargain item that yields real results is the new Olay Under Eye Brush.

10 New Fragrances For April- Mesmerizing brand-new scents. Marc Jacobs has a trio of Cocktail Body Splashes out that come in huge, 10 oz bottles, and will last a long time. Did I mention they smell heavenly?

My fragrance article also ended up featured on Yahoo Shine!

Over at 26 Countries and 1 Kitchen, my husband and I tackled our last Russian Dishes:

Learn How to Make Your Own Peeps or Moon Pies!

Husband and Meat Thermometer vs. Wife

The next country up this week that we will attempt to cook: Mongolia