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About Jan:
I've been writing most of my life, but only seriously in the past three
years. I have a degree in social work, but spend my time in the summer
working in our family-owned plant nursery business. I give lectures and
landscaping advice to customers and occasionally write a gardening column
for the local newspaper. I was born in South Georgia, but have lived in Buffalo
for a long time, having married a native son. Married to a commercial
pilot, I have done quite a bit of traveling but lately am content to hang
around the pool in Florida during the winter. I'm an avid birder, a retired
tennis player and an over-the-hill skier. I like to muddle around with
acrylics on occasion. Nature is a favorite theme of mine.
Favorite Authors:
I am a slut reader and voraciously gobble up anything in print. To rest my
mind and to remember what good writing is about, I grab a Steinbeck and
read a few lines. I'm especially fond of "The Winter of Our Discontent."
I loved the Regency romances and am heartbroken that they are not selling.
Currently Writing:
I've been working on a new Romantic Suspense--Chapter one written today. I
am as yet unpublished.
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Jan's Website
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About Susan:
I have been writing fiction for a short-time (if you consider 3 years a short time); most of my written work has been in the completion of my dissertation (a collection of grief assessments). While I have found personal accomplishment in my doctoral work and dissertation, I came to realize that I needed/need to write something a little less serious (yes, research regardless of construct is a serious business or that is what the academics told me, and they’re really smart so they must be right), this complimented by my gregarious nature (I don’t think anyone who has met me would call me shy, at least not after the 1st meeting), the perpetual need to laugh (I know sarcasm is the lowest form of humor, but it is… well, funny, and anyway I prefer to call it irony that way it isn’t mean or at the very least it can be considered partly self-abasement--after all what we are writing is a part of us, even the parts we really don’t like all that much, hence the sarcasm, I mean irony), and my love for a happy ending (in part due to the fact that it is usually a daunting process that is worth the effort (at least is after you know how it ends) – I like a challenge (and I know that this is something that my husband would second). My newest challenge is to write stories that embody these components (expressive, comical, and happy ending to recap) successfully (i.e., published and enjoyed by others), but no so much so that I have to give up my day job as a professor (ahem – just incase anyone from work comes across this).
Favorite Authors:
(in no particular order in case they stumble upon this) MaryJanice Davidson, Jayne Ann Krentz (and all her pseudonyms), Hannah Howell, Jane Austen (I don’t think she’ll stumble here, but she is the one that started it all, her and Barbara Cartland)… and a couple hundred others that shall remain on my bookshelves, but nameless here.
Currently Writing:
I am currently working on a romantic paranormal with humor (big surprise) about a woman that tries to hide her true self (even from herself), but learns better…
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About Helen:
I've been an avid romance reader ever since reading "Gone With The
Wind" at age 16. (I know, I know, no happy ending, but you've got to believe
That Rhett and Scarlett finally got it together!) From there I moved on to
the romance trends of the times, including Harlequin's simple love stories
(the mysterious tycoon and the secretary) to the steamy historicals of the
seventies and eighties, and right through to today's amazing story lines. So
it was a natural progression that I would try my hand at writing romance.
It's been a love affair from the very beginning.
A newspaper reporter in the real world, I've written five manuscripts
so far, and am hard at work on a romantic suspense. I have three wonderful
children, and a great husband who makes creating heros easy. I look
forward to the day (hopefully soon!) when I can announce my first sale on these pages.
Favorite Authors:
Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockmann, Tess
Gerritsen, Robert B. Parker. All time favorite: F. Scott Fitzgerald. (In fact, my son is named after him!)
Currently Writing:
a suspense, tentatively titled "Broken Memories".
The ms has been requested by Harlequin Intrigue.
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Helen's Website
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About Sharon:
I grew up Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating with a degree in psychology from Carleton College, I went on to receive a M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University. I have happily worked at university counseling centers in California, Massachusetts, Delaware and most recently, New York.
My first novel, Nothing But The Rent, started off as short story that was supposed to help me learn how to use my new word processing program--and the rest is history! Nothing But the Rent was on the Blackboard Bestsellers list, Waldenbooks list, USA Today’s bestseller list.
Because I have lived in so many places (Alabama, Ohio, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts Delaware and New York), I have friends all over the country and love to travel. Two of my favorite places are Paris, France, and Lake Tahoe, Nevada. I am a cat lover and refer to my cats, Jet and Charlie, as "the boys." I am an avid or maybe rabid, sports fan, particularly for my hometown teams, the Browns and the Indians. Don't mention the Steelers or the Ravens around me.
I discovered a love of reading long before I became a writer. Some of my favorite authors are J. California Cooper, Alice Walker, Jonathan Kellerman (another psychologist/writer), Sue Grafton and Amy Tan. Other interests include spending time with family and friends, movies--classic or contemporary, dining out, brisk walks, long naps, and watching the leaves turn in the fall.
I live in beautiful, Western New York and have published three mainstream novels with strong romantic elements: Nothing But the Rent, Sheer Necessity, and Near Perfect. My books can be purchased at
Favorite Authors:
Currently Writing:
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Sharon's Website
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About Natasha:
I fell in love with the written word as soon as I could read. I
started
writing my own stories while I was still in grade school. I even
passed
around my own version of fanfic to my classmates long before the term
was
ever coined. I live with my own real life hero who is happy to tell
everyone that he’s my inspiration. We travel in our RV whenever
possible –
the great thing about writing is I can take it anywhere.
Favorite Authors:
Jennifer Crusie, Dean Koontz, Mary Janice Davidson, Suzanne Brockmann,
Susan
Johnson, Emma Holly...I could go on and on.
Currently Writing:
I am currently writing sexy contemporary romances for Samhain Publishing, and sizzling erotic romances for Ellora’s Cave and Red Sage Publishing.
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About Nancy:
I live in western Pennsylvania with my husband, who is retired after a twenty-eight year career with the Pennsylvania State Police. I write romantic suspense and he’s a built in consultant. I’ve worked a variety of jobs throughout my life; from bank teller to veterinary assistant to fitness instructor. My current job, which I thoroughly enjoy, is working part time fitting and selling lingerie at Braserie Dearie, a bra boutique in Erie.
As a young girl I loved reading. One of my first romance stories was ‘Mrs. Mike’ by Benedict Freedman. I’ll never forget the handsome Canadian Mountie and the beautiful young bride he carried off to his world of adventure.
I have dabbled at writing from the time I was in high school, but the old cliché “life got in the way” applies. Then one fateful winter day a few years ago I attended a presentation in Erie by authors Jamie Denton, Holly Jacobs and Susan Gable. I had reservations about starting a new career at this point in my life, but I left that meeting with an “I can do this” feeling and have never looked back.
To me writing is a constant learning experience. I have attended four Beach Bound Retreats on Isle of Palms, SC, sponsored by the LRWA; the 2008 Cleveland Rocks conference, sponsored by NEORWA, and this past summer I took a class on ‘Voice’ at the Chautauqua Institute in western NY. Each has provided me with countless ideas and tools to help me pursue my writing career.
When time permits I find selective online classes helpful and encouraging. I’ve entered several contests and am proud to have placed second and fourth with two separate entries from my first manuscript. This past year I was a finalist with a short ‘Ghost’ story sponsored by a library in Texas.
Favorite Authors:
Kathleen Woodiwiss and Nora Roberts. Also, high on my list of favorites are Laurie Breton and Linda Howard.
Currently Writing:
I write romantic suspense and find it extremely helpful to have a retired policeman on hand. I am currently revising my second manuscript, “Deadly Reflection”, which is the first in a series of three “Deadly” stories. I strive to make my stories interesting, authentic, and realistic by drawing from life experiences and using familiar settings.
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About Paula:
I've loved books and have been creating stories for as long as I can remember. I credit my mother for encouraging that love, as she read me nightly bedtime stories and never said no when I asked her to "read it again, Mommy, please?" As a child, I'd create stories based on my favorite movies, like Babes in Toyland or Pollyanna. Casting my friends as characters, I'd direct them in plays based on the stories I made up. When I got into middle school, I started writing stories about my favorite teen idols, Davy Jones and Bobby Sherman, then illustrate them with colored pencil drawings and paste on photos of their heads, which I clipped out of Tiger Beat and 16 magazines. I also wrote a story about myself and my friends getting locked in Macy's for the night, which was a big hit when I read it aloud to them at a party. It was that night that I realized how satisfying it was to be able to entertain others with my stories. When I read Gone With the Wind in my teens, I knew I'd found my writing niche. I discovered and joined RWA in 1989 and since then have been working to become a published romance author.
Favorite Authors:
Barbara Samuel, Dean Koontz, Jennifer Crusie, Deborah Smith
Currently Writing:
Single-title contemporary romances full of love and laughter
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Paula's Website
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About Alison:
I'm always intimidated when I read that an author has been writing since the first grade. Me, well, I got a late start. I didn't consider writing until the summer after my first child was born and of course, I targeted the children's market. I soon shifted to writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Although I had success in that venue, I eventually worked up the nerve to try my hand at writing a full-length novel. That was about five years ago and I have since completed three manuscipts. Since I first put pen to paper eleven years ago, I've also had three more children! My motto is slow and steady wins the race. I recently signed with my agent and have high hopes for the future.
Favorite Authors:
As an avid reader, I'm always discovering new authors with wonderful voices. But a few authors are must reads for me. They include Lisa Gardner, Erika Spindler, and Wendy Corsi Staub. Can you tell I love suspense?
Currently Writing:
I am currently targeting the category romantic suspense market.
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About Karen:
Multi-published author of erotic (as Trixie Stilletto) and traditional (as Karen Troxel) romances, Karen is a born story-teller and can't remember a time when stories weren't bouncing around in her head. Her romances have been praised for humor and memorable heroes.
An award-winning journalist in another life, she is married to her soulmate who is also a writer.
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About Amanda:
I got hooked on the hot stuff early! I remember reading "Flowers in
the Attic" and "Clan of the Cave Bear" in the fourth grade. True, those
books aren't exactly romance, but it was heady, heavy stuff for a
ten-year-old! Sadly, my older sister ratted me out, and my copy of "Flowers
in the Attic" was confiscated. Thank goodness for the public library or
I would never have known how that story ended. Or the other books in
the series. . .
I love reading novels with romantic elements. I like strong, sassy,
adventurous characters who make me giggle, weep, and well, pant. Right
now I'm trying to write a book just like that, but my three small
children, fun husband and part-time job as a pastry chef keep pulling me
away from the keyboard. By the time my kiddies go to school full-time, I
want to have written several romances. For now, I'm happy to have a good
start on a hot story about two chefs cooking along on the back burner.
Favorite Authors:
Barbara Samuel (so tempted to write her a fan
letter!), Anne McCaffrey, Diana Gabaldon, Iris Johansen, Nora Roberts,
Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster
Currently Writing:
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Amanda's Website
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About Maxine:
Maxine Wilson-Perry was born in Buffalo, New York. She lives with her husband of eighteen years, Maury.
They share their home with their two wonderful dogs and two wonderful cats. She is the author of the novel "The Haunting of Dr. Andre C. Brass." The novel received five stars on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com with great reviews. The story "The Haunting of Dr. Andre C. Brass," was inspired by her love for paranormal romance and her beloved dog, Blue.
Portion of the proceeds from the novel is being donated to the local animal shelter in her belated dog Blue's name.
She enjoys reading romance novels that were created by so many authors, it's hard to name just a few.
Favorite Authors:
Currently Writing:
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