Posts Tagged ‘author interview’
Someone Took The Cork Out Of Her Lunch…
February 5, 2016 | 
Author I love introducing you to the best authors and Vikki is one of them. She is also very funny!
About the Author
Vikki Claflin is an award-winning humor writer and blogger, public speaker, and former newspaper columnist who lives in Hood River, Oregon. Her celebrated humor blog Laugh Lines shares the hilarious ups and down of midlife.
A Quack and a Daisy…
I love introducing you to authors and their fabulous books. This author, Aileen Stewart is the first children’s author I’ve featured here. She is also a friend and we share the same publisher. Aileen is extremely busy with marketing, writing and her family so I appreciate her taking the time to do an interview for us.
Ghosts, witches and rescued kitties…
I love introducing you to authors. I met Chrys Fey through The Insecure Writers Support Group. I hope you enjoy getting to know her and her work as much as I did.
About the Author
Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes and 30 Seconds. She is currently working on the sequel to Hurricane Crimes that’ll serve as book two in the Disaster Crimes series.
When Fey was six years old, she realized her dream of being a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida where she is waiting for the next hurricane to come her way.
The Interview
You write in several genres, what is your favorite genre to read?
I read just about every genre, but I especially love reading the genres that I write – romance, romantic-suspense, and supernatural/paranormal.
What was the last book you read?
’ve been reading a lot of children’s and YA books lately, so the last book I read was A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeline L’Engle (A Wrinkle in Time Quartet #3).
Did you grow up in a household that encouraged reading, writing or both?
Oh yes, I did. My mom would take me and my siblings to the library at least once a week during our summer breaks. I thought of those trips as library sojourns. And she was an aspiring author, too. She wrote many children’s books and read them to us. I would watch her, at the dining room table, writing and illustrating her stories and I knew that was what I wanted to do when I got older.
Do you have a designated writing space? A schedule? Any rituals?
My desk is in a section of my bedroom. I have a “Wall of Accomplishments” and a “Wall of Inspiration” to motivate me while I write. My one ritual is to listen to music. Music is my muse. As for schedules, I don’t really have one, but in the morning I get all of my blogging and social media done. Then in the afternoon and evening, I try to write. I say “try” because some days just aren’t writing days.
Share your journey to publication:
In the beginning, I had only published a few flash fiction pieces online and a couple of poems. I was trying to get an agent for the first book in a series, which features Avrianna Heavenborn, the detective in Ghost of Death, when I came to the conclusion that I’d have to break into the publishing world with something else. Enter, Hurricane Crimes. I sent Hurricane Crimes to one small press and got an acceptance. That came after years of no success, though. Since then I’ve published a novella (30 Seconds) and two more short stories (Ghost of Death and Witch of Death). Some things happen for a reason…even rejections and setbacks.
What are you writing now?
I am working on book three in my Disaster Crimes series. Book one is a short story, Hurricane Crimes, and is available on Amazon. Book two is a novel and is the hands of my editor. I am currently awaiting word on its fate. But that’s not stopping me from writing the next story in the sequence. If nothing can stop my characters, not even disasters, than nothing can stop me from writing about the next disaster they face. 😉
Coffee, tea, wine or whiskey?
Tea. I’m a sucker for hot tea even in the summer…in the heat of Florida. I drink green tea every morning. Chai, chamomile, and lemon-ginger are three of my favorites.
Any pets?
Yes, I have four kitties that I rescued as babies. They were born outside my old apartment complex a couple of years ago and were in danger, so I took them in. They are named Cole, Clover, Milo and Otis.
The Books:
Witch of Death Blurb:
Detective Reid Sanders doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but when he’s faced with a crime scene that defies the laws of nature, he has no other choice but to start believing. And solving a magical murder involves working with a witch.
Liberty Sawyer embodies the look of your classic evil witch, so, it’s no surprise when she uncovers the murderer is a witch that she becomes Reid’s number one suspect. If she can’t convince him otherwise, more people could lose their lives to dark magic, including her.
Witch Book Links:
Amazon US / Amazon UK / The Wild Rose Press / NOOK / KOBO
Ghost of Death Blurb:
Jolie Montgomery, a twenty-one-year-old woman, wakes up in an alley next to her corpse. She has no memories of her murder or the night she died. She didn’t even see the killer’s face before he or she took her life. Wanting justice, Jolie seeks answers in the only way a ghost can…by stalking the lead detective on the case.
Avrianna Heavenborn is determined to find the person responsible for a young woman’s death. She gets closer to the killer’s identity with every clue she uncovers, and Jolie is with her every step of the way.
But if they don’t solve her murder soon, Jolie will be an earth-bound spirit forever.
Ghost Book Links:
Amazon US / Amazon UK / The Wild Rose Press / NOOK / KOBO
Connect with Chrys here-
Author Links:
Facebook / Blog / Website / Goodreads
Thank you for reading and thank you Chrys,
Doreen
The Caregiver…
I belong to a writer’s group, Lower Buck’s creative Explorers. It is such an inspiring and talented group. The latest published author in our group is, Maria Casale. I had the privilege of listening to her read excerpts from her new novel The Caregiver as she wrote, rewrote and edited. Maria’s writing is lyrical, just beautiful. I am looking forward to reading the ‘finished’ product.
The Author:
The Book:
When Lillian Thomas is hired to care for cantankerous, bedridden Ellen Wilmot, it is Ellen’s beautiful, strangely familiar old house that immediately claims her devotion. But when Ellen’s daughter and granddaughter come to stay, Lillian finds herself drawn into the family’s loves, lies and resentments. And she faces a terrible choice…. The Caregiver is a story of mothers and daughters, the perils of obsession and what it means to be “the help.”
The Interview:
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Oklahoma, so when I was little I said “Hey!” instead of “Hi,” but I mostly grew up in Trenton, New Jersey.
Did you grow up in a home that promoted reading or writing?
Yes, my parents both loved to read. My mother always had a book in her hand—even when she shouldn’t have had a hand free for it. She had an elaborate system for reading while washing dishes. She really fostered my love of reading and always gave me books—when I grew up and had to choose my own books I found it kind of overwhelming at first. My parents were also very conscious of writing and very tough critics: when I had to write my first book report in fourth grade my father told me that the correct way to learn to do this was to read the New York Times Book Review section. He was serious!
Have you always wanted to write a book?
Maybe, in a vague kind of way. I have always loved books. If I had to choose between being a reader and being a writer, reader would definitely win.
For a long time I didn’t really think of myself as someone who could write a book. When I was younger I wrote poetry. I came in second in a school poetry contest and decided that was it. I figured even someone who came in first had very little chance of making a life as a poet. The person who came in second better just give up! I really stopped writing then other than for school or work. When I started writing a lot again in my thirties, I wrote a bunch of interconnected short stories, and then I got the idea for The Caregiver, and finished the first draft in ninety days.
Do you have any pre-writing rituals?
I can write anywhere, any time. I just need a really nice pen and a spiral notebook (I’m a lefty so I need to write on something that lays flat in the middle). When I don’t feel like writing I buy new pens and notebooks to coax myself.
Did you map your story before writing or did you just let it flow?
The Caregiver was a let it flow project—I definitely found out what was going to happen as I went along. I’ve written other projects with a little more mapping out ahead of time—just loose outlines, basically. I don’t think I’m ever going to be one of those writers with story boards and reverse outlining and so forth. That isn’t fun for me, and I know if I’m not having fun I won’t do it. So I stick with a level of (dis)organization that lets me feel like writing is an adventure.
Do you have a dedicated writing space?
No. I’ve made a pretty conscious choice to make writing portable. Coffee shops, libraries, my dining room table, my bed—as long as I have a notebook, pen and sometimes my laptop, I’m good to go.
Do you have a day job?
Yes, and it requires me to write horrible, passive-voice bureaucratese! I sometimes think this is some kind of special torture designed for novelists, or maybe just lovers of strong verbs. I have great coworkers, though.
What are you writing now?
I’m working on a couple of projects at once, which happens fairly often (see disorganization, above). My primary project is a novel called Snow Angel, about three cousins whose mothers are three sisters. I’m interested in how patterns repeat and change down the generations. And there are some family secrets, and a dead body.
What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Irish Breakfast tea.
Your guilty TV pleasure?
X-Files reruns and Downton Abbey.
The Caregiver is available in paperback or Kindle format from Amazon:
Maria blogs about reading and writing at http://bookwormrrriot.com/
Thank you Maria and thank you for reading,
Doreen
Meet the lovely Ruth Curran…
I’m so happy to introduce you to Ruth Curran. Of the bloggers I look forward to meeting in real life she is definitely in my top five. Ruth and I have a few things in common, one of which is we both shared a traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident.
Wait till you see the view from her writing space…
Please join me in congratulating Ruth on the release of her book, Being Brain Healthy.
The Author:
Ruth drew on her experience successfully overcoming a traumatic brain injury suffered in an automobile accident to become an expert on maximizing brain health and function through lifestyle modification and “turning up the noise on life.” Curran is passionate about the connection between the brain and daily functioning and believes everyone—regardless of age or stage of life—has the ability to use neuroplasticity to live a richer, deeper, more fully engaged life. She has created a series of photo-based thinking puzzles, games, and apps that help players work on cognitive abilities such as attention, memory, and executive functioning. Curran has a master’s degree in cognitive psychology as well as more than 28 years of experience as a strategist, business development executive, and organizational behaviorist.
Back of the book:
The journey to wellness when coming back from a brain injury can be a long one. It is one author Ruth Curran knows well. Faced with myriad cognitive challenges after her own traumatic brain injury resulting from an automobile accident, Curran decided to “turn up the volume” on the things that she loved in order to expedite the healing of her brain. She found ways to work through the discomfort and discouragement that can plague those suffering from traumatic brain injury as well as other conditions, chronic illnesses, and age-related changes that affect cognition and brain health.
In Being Brain Healthy, Curran shares her 18-month path to recovery along with the techniques she used—and continues to use—to amplify her everyday experiences with the goal of maximizing brain health and function. Her book is one of hope, not only for those whose brains have been compromised through injury or illness, but also for anyone who wants to think better and improve their cognitive abilities.
Curran has the unique ability to share her insights on brain health and healing in a manner that makes complex neuroscience matters make sense to even those taking their first frustrating steps toward recovery. Convinced that everyone can build better thinking skills and work their way out of what she calls “the fog” regardless of its cause, Curran shares how she did exactly that and made her entire life more fulfilling.
Being Brain Healthy combines the most cutting-edge research with what works in practice and fits in daily life. Curran helps readers understand how the brain and body work together and how the partnership between the two can be utilized to create a more healthy brain. Curran outlines how the newest science, activities, and exercises can help those with thinking challenges make the most of every day. Her “being” brain healthy methods—and book sections—include Be Active, Be Social, Be Engaged, Be Purposeful, and Be Complicated.
Also included in the book are personal stories from individuals on their process recovering from brain challenges. Their accounts along with insight and information from Curran will inspire readers to amplify their experiences and take their own brain functionality to the next level.
The Interview:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Hammond, IN, one block away from the IN / IL state line – a short train ride from Downtown Chicago.
Did you grow up in a home that promoted reading or writing?
My mom was a teacher and preached the value of books, good grammar, and an ample vocabulary. She shared her love of reading with my brother (a recently retired English teacher) and me. It seemed as if my mom always had at least three books on her night stand, a newspaper in her lap, and a stack of New Yorkers waiting for her. As I got older, books were my escape. When I was a teenager my aunt got me into reading mysteries. We picked authors (and their detectives) and followed them from start to finish. I waded my way through bogs, pubs and smoke filled interrogation rooms, and strolled along the streets of so many foreign cities courtesy of amazing mystery writers – ones that took me somewhere I had never been and seamlessly planted me right in the middle of daily life. I am always reading something, listening to at least one audio book, and have a stack of publications calling me.
Do you have a dedicated writing space?
Have you always wanted to write a book or were you compelled to write this one for personal reasons?
I remember the day that my freshman English teacher, Mrs. Chang, told me I was good writer. I was shocked. My handwriting and spelling were (and still are) horrendous so I was used to pages filled with red marks and comments about the benefits of taking my time and neatness – nothing beyond the surface and certainly nothing about the quality of my writing. Enter Watergate and Woodward and Bernstein and my passion for writing took another turn. I was going to be a great investigative reporter. Life, as it does, eventually led me in a different direction but every job I had involved some kind of writing. I don’t think I ever saw myself writing a book until recently. This book got in my head a couple years ago and it was not letting go. I started out writing a much expanded version of my blog on brain health, brain healthy lifestyles, and that connection between how we act and how we think. It was good information with great practical, everyday application but it was not relevant. With great prompting from a dear friend, I saw that I had to tell the story of how I got here and to own the fact that the value of my journey was being lost – especially if I just kept it locked up in a safe in my head.
Other than physical damage to the brain due to injury or illness, what psychological or sociological factors might affect one’s brain health?
The two biggest issues are stress and social isolation. Prolonged stress or periods of isolation – physical, psychological, or sociological –can change how your brain works and how well you adapt to future situations. Both of these conditions can re-wire your brain in the long run.
What is the number one thing people should do daily to boost their brain health?
Smile. Your brain and your body are programmed to reward those things that make you feel good. Smiling is the fastest route to feeling good.
What are some common misconceptions people have about brain health?
There are two misconceptions about the brain that make me absolutely crazy. First, we are born with a certain number of brain cells and there is nothing we can do to make more. That is so wrong. We can absolutely encourage our bodies to grow new neurons and, beyond that, we can encourage our neurons to form new connections. Second, older brains don’t perform as well as younger brains. That too is untrue. Older brains may perform differently but definitely not worse.
The Links:
The website/blog
Ruth shares her insights and proven techniques for amplifying everyday experiences at
http://www.craniumcrunches.com
To buy the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Being-Brain-Healthy-Ruth-Curran/dp/069239995X
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/@CaptCruncher
http://www.midlifeboulevard.com
Lady Thy Name Is Trouble…
Fellow Insecure Writer, Lori MacLaughlin is an author!
Congratulations Lori and thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for my readers…
Lori L. MacLaughlin traces her love of fantasy adventure to Tolkien and Terry Brooks, finding The Lord of the Rings and The Sword of Shannara particularly inspirational. She’s been writing stories in her head since she was old enough to run wild through the forests on the farm on which she grew up.
She has been many things over the years – tree climber, dairy farmer, clothing salesperson, kids’ shoe fitter, retail manager, medical transcriptionist, journalist, private pilot, traveler, wife and mother, Red Sox and New York Giants fan, muscle car enthusiast and NASCAR fan, and a lover of all things Scottish and Irish.
When she’s not writing (or working), she can be found curled up somewhere dreaming up more story ideas, taking long walks in the countryside, or spending time with her kids. She lives with her family in northern Vermont.
Lady, THY NAME IS TROUBLE
The Book
Trouble is Tara Triannon’s middle name. As swords for hire, Tara and her sister Laraina thrive on the danger. But a surprise invasion throws them into chaos… and trouble on a whole new level. Pursued by the Butcher, a terrifying assassin more wolf than man, Tara and Laraina must get a prince marked for death and a young, inept sorceress to safety. There’s only one problem – eluding the Butcher has never been done. Aided by a secretive soldier of fortune, they flee the relentless hunter.
Gifted with magic and cursed by nightmares that are all too real, Tara must stop an army led by a madman and fend off an evil Being caught in a centuries-old trap who seeks to control her magic and escape through her dreams – all while keeping one step ahead of the Butcher.
The Interview:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on a dairy farm in northern Vermont, USA, and I’ve lived in Vermont all my life. I love the beauty of the state — its forests, mountains, and farmlands. I’ve always enjoyed the small-town feel, the moderate climate, and the distinct seasons, though at this point, winter and snow are not at the top of my favorites list.
Did you grow up in a household that encouraged reading or writing?
Absolutely. My parents read to me all the time when I was young. They are great readers themselves. My mom loves mysteries and the old-time romances of Grace Livingston Hill and Emilie Loring. My dad has read tons of westerns. I think he has every Louis L’Amour book ever written. My grandparents were readers, too. I distinctly remember visiting their houses as a kid and being impressed by their shelves upon shelves of books. Writing was encouraged, as well. My grandmother wrote columns for her hometown Fulton (NY) Patriot newspaper for years.
Do you have a designated writing space? A schedule?
Yes, I do have a writing space. I turned what used to be a small bedroom/office into a little library with my computer desk in one corner and bookshelves along the walls. It’s a cozy space with a window that looks out into the woods behind the house. The only disadvantage to this is that I sometimes get distracted by the various birds flitting through the trees and the antics of the squirrels and chipmunks. I used to have a writing schedule, but that has pretty much gone out the door over the past few months as I worked on getting my first novel published. After the blog tour this month and the A to Z Challenge in April, I hope to be able to spend more time writing and finishing up edits on Book 2.
What was the last book you read?
This World Bites (Loni Townsend.) It’s a funny story about zombies, vampires, and an unusual group of people led by Cera, a woman with elemental powers. The group travels from world to world, searching for a cure for Cera’s father. Their encounters with the local inhabitants, and the dark and deadpan humor made me laugh and grossed me out at the same time.
Share your journey to publication:
My journey to publication has spanned so many years — years spent writing, revising, and writing some more. My story grew and evolved as I did. As I matured as a person, my characters matured in depth, my story in scope. Words about life and love and loss ring so much truer once you’ve experienced those things for yourself.Years of intertwined day-to-day living and writing as a hobby culminated in the decision, about a year ago, to take a leap of faith into the world of self-publishing. I’ve spent the last year learning about author platforms, social media, ISBNs, book cover design and layout, and all the many facets of the trade. I can’t count the times I felt completely overwhelmed by all the things I had to learn. I’ve had my share of setbacks. But I never gave up. As of February 27, 2015, I am a published author. Woo hoo!
Do you have a book trailer?
I have two of them, actually. The first is about the overall story, but I realized afterward that it didn’t include the romantic elements integral to the story. Partly to remedy this, and partly for fun, I made another one that focused on the main character, Tara, and her internal struggles with love, loss, and new possibilities.
Lady, Thy Name Is Trouble
Tara (character study)
What are you writing now?
I’ve been working on the second book in the series, Trouble By Any Other Name, which is in the final editing stage. It’s about Tara’s struggle to discover who and what she really is and to destroy the evil Being that is trying to steal her magic and escape through her dreams. I hope to have it published by the end of the year.
What is your favorite music genre?
I enjoy pop rock the most, but I’ll listen to anything other than screaming headbanger stuff and rap. Rap will make me get up and leave the room.
Coffee, tea, wine or whiskey?
Milk for me, please. I’ll always be a dairy girl.
Thank you, Doreen for hosting me!!
The Book is Available:
Amazon:
Kobo:
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/lady-thy-name-is-trouble
Lori’s blog: http://lorilmaclaughlin.com
Posted in "Bristol boyz Stomp", Doreen McGettigan, Guest Post, Insecure Writers Support Group, Interview | 
Tags: A to Z Challenge, author interview, bristol boyz stomp, doreen mcgettigan, Insecure Writers Support Group, Lady, Lori MacLaughlin, social media, Thy Name is Trouble, true story, writing | 
13 Comments »
His Name Was Ben…
A few years ago I read Paulette Mahurin’s first novel The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap. I loved the book and looked forward to her next. His Name Was Ben was worth the wait.
Paulette has offered a kindle version of His Name Is Ben for a lucky commenter.
Hearing the words “it’s cancer,” threw Sara Phillips’ life into chaos, until an unexpected turn of events and a chance encounter with a stranger changed everything—his name was Ben. Based on real events, Ben and Sara discover that when all else fails, healing can come in the most unexpected ways. Chilling and heart wrenching, His Name Was Ben is a triumph over the devastating circumstances and fear experienced when faced with a terminal illness. In this narrative, the power of love conquers shadows and transforms the very nature and meaning of what it is to be fully alive. From the award winning, best-selling author of, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, comes a story filled with soul and passion that will leave the reader thinking about it for days after the last page is closed.
Meet Paulette Mahurin:
Paulette lives with her husband Terry and three dogs, Max, Bella, and Lady Luck in Ventura County, California. She grew up in West Los Angeles and attended UCLA, where she received a Master’s Degree in Science.
While in college, she won awards and was published for her short-story writing. One of these stories, Something Wonderful, was based on the couple presented in His Name Was Ben, which she expanded into this fictionalized novel in 2014. Her first novel, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, made it to Amazon bestseller lists and won awards, including best historical fiction of the year 2012 in Turning the Pages Magazine.
Semi-retired, she continues to work part-time as a Nurse Practitioner in Ventura County. When she’s not writing, she does pro-bono consultation work with women with cancer, works in the Westminister Free Clinic as a volunteer provider, volunteers as a mediator in the Ventura County Courthouse for small claims cases, and involves herself, along with her husband, in dog rescue.
Profits from her books go to help rescue dogs.
The Interview:
Thank you, Doreen, for having me over to your great site, for reading and reviewing my book. I’m grateful for your help.
Where did you grow up?
West Los Angeles, near UCLA. A lot of the scenes in my book, His Name Was Ben, take place in areas where I grew up in West, Los Angeles.
Did you grow up in a reading or a writing home?
No, my parents both worked and I took to writing on my own. It just happened at a young age, that I started writing in a gifted diary and found a great enjoyment for writing. That love has never left me.
The main characters in, His name was Ben are both cancer patients. Are they based on real life people or more of an accumulation of people you may have known or come across in your work?
The real Ben and Sara were a couple who I met and worked with while in college. Some of the story line about their pasts has been altered/fictionalized to protect their anonymity. They inspired me to write a short story about them while in college which won a national award and was published. After my first novel, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, I expanded Ben & Sara’s story into a full length novel.
What publishing route did you choose and why?
With this book, I self-published through createspace. I worked with the editor from my first book, who had many years professional experience working at Simon & Schuster. I also worked with an excellent design person and a handful of experienced authors/readers. When promoting my first book, I connected with a lot of self-published indie authors. Many have well written compelling stories, some were best sellers. This motivated me to attempt doing my second book this way and with my profits going to help rescue dogs it worked out to be more beneficial.
What are you writing now?
I’m writing a story that centers on the unjust imprisonment of Captain Alfred Dreyfus to Devil’s Island in 1895 and Emile Zola’s attempt to publish a letter in the Paris press to free him. It is known as one of France’s largest anti-Semitism scandal. I just finished reading the transcripts from the libel trial that Zola went through as a result of his heroic challenge. It’s a fascinating true story but I’m writing it from a historical fiction perspective. I’m up to chapter twenty on the first draft.
You volunteer as a court moderator- my imagination wants to believe you are taking notes and we may read about them one day.
I’m seeing a lot of very interesting things and mediating some even more fascinating things being in the courtroom setting. Unfortunately, I can’t keep the notes or talk about anything that goes on in the mediation as it’s all confidential. That’s the beauty of mediation, you get to have your say and come to your own mutual agreement of how you want your court case to be ruled and with that signed agreement as a defendant nothing goes on your record against you, credit report, etc. The benefit for the plaintiff is you don’t have to have the burden to prove your case to the Judge.
What is the last book you read?
“Tempesta’s Dream” by Vincent B. LoCoco is a wonderful love story that centers around operas and the love of opera. I was hooked on it right away, had trouble putting it down, and didn’t want it to end; it was that good.
My Review of His Name Was Ben:
Author: Paulette Mahurin
My apprehension of reading a cancer related story dissolved quickly as I fell in love with the characters Paulette crafted with such depth.
I want to call the book a bittersweet love story, a love that developed between two people that happened to have cancer, after they met by chance in an oncologist’s waiting room. This is more a story about life and living than it is about illness and dying. It is a life story.
This story left me surprisingly uplifted and reminded me that love will find us when and where we least expect it and that there are absolutely no coincidences in this world.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good love or life story.
LINKS
FOR HIS NAME WAS BEN:
BEN AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Name-was-Paulette-Mahurin/dp/0692264698/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411271225&sr=8-2&keywords=paulette+mahurin
BEN GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23255291-his-name-was-ben
BEN SHELFARI: http://www.shelfari.com/books/38013543/His-Name-was-Ben
BEN FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/His-Name-Was-Ben/277140049142291
AUTHOR’S BLOGSITE:
http://thepersecutionofmildreddunlap.wordpress.com/
AUTHOR’S TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/MahurinPaulette
PRESS ARTICLE ON PAULETTE MAHURIN DONATING PROFITS TO DOGS:
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/sep/08/ojai-authors-historical-novel-teaches-tolerance/
PROFITS FOR HIS NAME WAS BEN GOING TO CANINE ADOPTION RESCUE LEAGUE: http://carldogs.org/purchase-name-ben/
Posted in "Bristol boyz Stomp", Doreen McGettigan, Interview, The Stranger in My Recliner | Tags: author interview, author interviews, Book Review, books, bristol boyz stomp, California, cancer, doreen mcgettigan, His Name Was Ben, interview, Love Story, Paulette Mahurin, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, true story, writing | 18 Comments »
Gold Diggers and Dead Beat Dads/ Author Interview and Review…
I recently read Gold Diggers and Dead Beat Dads. I am excited that the author, Valerie Rind agreed to answer a few questions and I applaud her for writing an intelligent, important and due to the serious subject a surprisingly witty book.
My Review: Smart, well written and eye opening…
The author had me at the title, Gold Diggers and Dead Beat Dad$. The book is a compilation of some extremely painful, personal stories of financial exploitation and ruin committed by those the victims most loved and trusted.
We are taught at a very young age that it’s not polite to ask someone about their financial status including how much they make, how much they save or their credit rating. The author shines a bright light on the financial wreckage that can happen if we don’t shake off the controversy and start asking personal financial questions before we say I-Do.
Valerie Rind writes from her heart as she shares her own devastating story of lending her deceptive husband money for a start-up business and discovering a financially devastating secret he kept from her for many years.
Along with the heartbreaking stories and valuable lessons learned by others the author offers common-sense tips on avoiding and overcoming financial ruin. It is written well and left me feeling like I was not alone after being devastated financially by loved ones, myself.
An important book for anyone considering marriage, caring for an elderly loved- one or blending a family.
Author bio:
During a hiatus from my career as a corporate attorney, I worked for a local housing authority, where I created its pilot personal finance program for 300 low-income individuals.
For fun, I served as one of the founding volunteer moderators for the my FICO community forum.
My resume is a checkerboard with gigs like sailing on Caribbean yachts, running the office of a TV and film casting company, and negotiating megabucks contracts for a Fortune 200 technology company.
Irrelevant credentials: BA in Russian Language & Literature from Duke University. LLB and Masters of Law degrees from the University of Sydney. Yes, in Australia. I currently live in the Washington, DC area.
Interview:
What 3 questions about finances would you suggest to ask before considering a serious relationship with someone?
In Gold Diggers and Deadbeat Dads, I list more than 50 questions, so it’s hard to narrow it down to three!
A key topic is how your potential mate handles debt. Ask: Do you have any credit card or student loan debt? How much? What are the interest rates? Do you pay in full or only the minimum amount due? Do you ever pay late? Exceed the credit limit? Is it time to get a card with better terms? What’s your plan to eliminate your debt? (You should be worried if your sweetheart has no plan).
How can someone considering a midlife marriage that involves blending a family protect their own personal finances and their children’s inheritance?
Opinions vary on whether couples should have entirely separate or combined bank and investment accounts. It’s such an individual matter, and the best solution is often somewhere in the middle.
It’s critical to get your will or trust updated, along with the beneficiaries for your 401(k) accounts, IRAs, and life insurance policies. One couple delayed taking care of business, and the second wife was left with almost nothing when her husband died. Blended families are a challenge if people have different ideas about “entitlement” to inheritances.
Can you share your path to publication, any difficulties along the way, and why you chose the path you chose?
I tried the “traditional” route first. Agents were interested but none seemed like a good match. I was frustrated and put the manuscript on the virtual shelf for five years. Periodically it annoyed me that I hadn’t finished the project. One day I read about self-publishing. Wow, all I have to do is push a button! If I had known how much time, effort, and money it would take to self-publish … but it’s definitely been worthwhile and a lot of fun.
What are three red flags one should watch for concerning a mate’s finances that might suggest we are being lied to or scammed?
Your partner is evasive about certain bills, bank statements, or other mail. When you ask questions about money matters, you get dodgy answers.
Her phone rings often with urgent, private calls or texts from people you don’t know.
He is often inexplicably late, absent, or unavailable.
Do you listen to music or work in silence while writing?
I definitely need music to stay “in the zone.” I love an obscure Internet radio station called XPoNential Radio that plays “an eclectic blend of blues, rock, world, folk, and alternative country.” Sometimes I get temporarily distracted when I stop to download a song that’s playing!
Are you planning another book?
Yes. People are already sharing their stories with me for the sequel. I’m interviewing leading authorities on subjects such as child support enforcement. There weren’t enough stories to fill a whole chapter on family businesses gone wrong, so I’m seeking more anecdotes on that topic.
Connect with Valerie here:
Blog:ValerieRind.com
Twitter: @ValerieRind
Facebook: Valerie Rind
Google Plus: +ValerieRind
Various purchase links:
Available on Amazon in paperback:
Gold Diggers and Deadbeat Dads
Gold Diggers and Deadbeat Dads: True Stories of Friends, Family, and Financial Ruin
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