It’s not exactly appropriate to hang around a school, but that’s where I find myself come Monday afternoon, parked just outside the gates, watching as people come in and out. I personally don’t know why anyone would want to be a high school teacher, but props to them, because someone has to do it and I’m glad it’s not me. I look down at the DMV picture I have of Cara. She’s an attractive woman. Extremely so. Warm brown eyes, smiling right at me, long, lush brown hair and her lips upturned at one corner. I find myself wondering how she will react to finding out that she has a half sister. Or maybe she already knows and doesn’t care. Some people aren’t so friendly with certain sides of their family, and the fact that she took her stepfather’s last name makes me think she isn’t too close with her own biological father. She apparently has a boyfriend who is a biker; I saw his name on the deed to her house. I hope that’s not going to be an issue for me and he’s not going to cause any problems. I’m here today to make sure I have the…
Hi, and thank you so much for inviting me to visit. It’s lovely to be here! In your latest book, CLAIMING HIS VIRGIN PRINCESS, your hero Noah Carson is a billionaire. This is a common thing for a romance hero. What makes a billionaire hero so attractive? What is your favorite type of hero to write? It’s interesting how many heroes are rich, isn’t it? One thing I particularly enjoyed about Noah was his perspective on wealth and power. He doesn’t come from money but from very humble origins and worked hard to build his commercial success. I think there are a couple of reasons why billionaire heroes are popular. At the most obvious level a rich hero can do things that are poor hero can’t, like whisk the heroine away on a luxurious yachting trip, as Noah does. But for me, the real appeal lies deeper. That wealth is a sign of the hero’s success. One of the things most people find attractive is competence – whether it be a man who can fix things with his hands, or solve a problem, or just be very, very good at whatever it is he does. If he’s a businessman his…
1–What is the title of your latest release? My Legacy – releases March 22. 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Have you ever been in a stalemate with the head of the mob? Me neither, until Sebastian Romano walked into my life. This enemies-to-lovers mafia romance will keep you on the edge until the very end, when Sebastian gets more than he bargains for. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The book is set in New York, and I have always wanted to set a book in New York city, a mafia romance seemed fitting for the location. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! Maddison runs an art gallery and is a smart, savvy businesswoman. I think we would have lots in common and have a great time together. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Dangerous, Demanding and Delicious. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That Sicily is now on my travel bucket list. The blue waters are calling my name. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I certainly tweak things as I go, but no…
Years ago, when my dad was still living, my folks and I always took a yearly ride from their Massachusetts home to visit friends in Vermont. As we traveled through southern Vermont, we passed through a quaint little town I thought would make a perfect setting for a cozy mystery. I tucked the idea in the back of my mind. Back then, I’d been juggling two ideas for a new cozy series—popovers and grilled cheese. When my niece Ashley paid me a visit, and I posed the question to her: “If you were going to write a culinary cozy mystery set in Vermont, would you choose popovers or grilled cheese?” Her answer came instantly: “Grilled cheese!” Luckily, my wonderful agent agreed and asked me to write a proposal. Ah, I can do that. Easy cheesy! Or so I thought. I wrote what I believed were three enticing chapters, along with a synopsis. The main character was Marnie, a woman who gets fired from her job on her 40th birthday. As chapter one opens, Marnie stops at the local sandwich shop where her dear friend, a character I dubbed Dumpy (a childhood nickname he embraces!) presents her with a…
He wanted to spare her sensibilities. Somewhat. But he couldn’t resist a smirk when she blushed furiously. She scowled at his grin, and he made an effort to control his outward amusement. “I propose such attempts should occur a minimum of six times a month, at least twice a week, every week, save for when you may be…” He froze, trying to think of a delicate way to put it. “Indisposed.” She scowled again but didn’t object to his phrasing. “However, should one of those weeks be missed for any other reason, then a third day should be added to the following week.” She frowned, and he braced for her to argue against the frequency he suggested. “I do not agree.” As he suspected. “Six times a month won’t be nearly sufficient.” His eyebrows hit his hairline, and her blush deepened so much he was surprised her eyes weren’t watering. That…was not what he had expected her to say. She took a deep breath. “I simply mean that only attempting twice a week will greatly reduce our odds and could make this drag on for months. As the objective is to accomplish this…
I’m a morning person. An extreme one. Most days, I’m awake and rolling before 5 AM. Half an hour later, I’m happily planted inside my writing lair (even on weekends). Which means, when I tell people I’m that kind of morning person, I’m treated to no-end of long, horrified looks. But as much as you might think it, I’m not crazy. Getting up super early works for me. I love coffee, quiet, and the shadowy vestiges outside. I want full focus and a free spirit. I need my characters to show up, and if I’m up before dawn, they arrive on the front stoop of my mind in quick order. Some are polite and knock. Most don’t bother. They flip the door to my imagination open, walk in (usually in combat boots) and make themselves right at home. And I gotta say… That’s just the way I like it. So there you have it…just a little something about me. Thanks for stopping by, and please feel free to follow me in all the usual places for book updates and special giveaways. Drop me a line anytime. I’m always happy to hear from you! Where to find me: Website: https://www.CoreeneCallahan.com Amazon Author Page:…
As a reader, I was never really interested in reading YA stories until a few years ago. I find them very compelling since the main characters are usually dealing with transition and emotional upheaval. What inspires you to write YA fiction? To me, they’re compelling because there’s so much our characters to deal with in such a short time and they’re not always ready for them. I love putting myself in the shoes of my heroines and seeing how they act/react. Life is suddenly very complicated. You’ve got your first love, first heartbreak, school, family, friends, the pressure cooker that is social media. When you’re a teenager, everything feels like a life-or-death situation. At least, that’s how I saw things back then! On top of all that, there’s the bewildering physical changes. And that’s just contemporary YA. Imagine what happens when you’ve got vampires, witches, ghosts, and/or aliens lurking around. Imagine if *you* are a teen witch and struggling to find your place in the world. It’s funny—I started writing YA fiction when I was about 13-15 and literally haven’t stopped. Like a lot of kids, I went through a turbulent time back then. The library was like a safe…
Black History Month is generally the time readers challenge themselves to read and learn with books centered around the theme of Black History Month. Books such as HIDDEN FIGURES by Margot Lee Shetterley, and the upcoming SHINE BRIGHT by Danyel Smith, shed light on the accomplishments of various black people. Graphic novels such as WAKE by Rebecca Hall, and the MARCH trilogy by John Lewis, offer us a glimpse into the various tribulations black people have encountered in their quest for true equality. More recent books such as STAMPED by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and THEY CAN’T KILL US ALL by Wesley Lowery speak more on the issues we are still tackling even today in 2022. There are quite a few splendid nonfiction books about black history, but I’d like to challenge readers to start incorporating more black fiction authors into their reading throughout the year. I recently saw a statistic which indicates that nearly 90% of people don’t have a close friend of another ethnicity or race, and perhaps reading both fictional as well as nonfiction books written by people of color may be a starting place for some. …
1–What is the title of your latest release? THE BACHELOR BETRAYAL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Gazette insiders tell us there was an unchaperoned encounter between a certain deliciously mysterious earl and a flame-haired lady who’s rumored to keep daggers hidden within her skirts. Things are about to get dangerously scandalous in Maddison Michaels’ next Secret, Scandal and Spies release. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I love setting my books in the mid to late Victorian era – there was so much innovation and inventions happening during this period of history, that it really gives so much more depth to a story line! Plus I loved the ballgowns of the period, lol! 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely!! I want her to teach me some of her fighting skills!! She’s a no nonsense, kick ass female!! 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Honorable, masculine, and a protector. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned all about the history of the War Office – which was fascinating! I also learned that one could purchase rubber sheaths…
What can you tell me about your new historical mystery THE DEBUTANTE’S CODE? THE DEBUTANTE’S CODE is the first book in a new mystery series that stars Lady Juliette Thorndike, an aristocrat, and Mr. Daniel Swann, a Bow Street Magistrate’s Court detective. Lady Juliette, newly returned from finishing school is eager to be reunited with her parents and begin her debut season in London Society, but upon her arrival finds her parents are missing. Lady Juliette uncovers the truth about her parents, a family secret they’ve been hiding for generations, and she determines to carry on their legacy. In addition to her parents going missing, artwork and valuables are also disappearing from the homes of the Beau Monde. As Juliette embarks on her new life, she must keep her secrets from the dashing Detective Swann, who is growing ever closer to discovering who is stealing the artwork, and who the Thorndike family really is. From the book’s description, it seems like there might be a hint of romance in this book. Do you try and have a balance of mystery and romance? In THE DEBUTANTE’S CODE, there is more mystery than romance, as the characters from this book will feature…