Beverly and Tamara: Welcome to SSLY. Thanks so much for joining us today. So first why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a working mother of two grown children and recently married again. I started writing when my kids were much younger and have been writing Romance novels for approximately 15 years! I did take a break when life took over for a while but I’m back and loving it more than ever! My children used to fall asleep at night to the clicking of the keyboard and to this day they say this is a comforting sound for them.

Tamara: What do you HAVE to have when you are writing?

I have to have a blocked off period of time where I won’t be disturbed, or won’t have to stop to take care of something mundane like ‘real life’.

Beverly: When did you start to write, who influenced you?

I started writing about 15 years ago. My first novel was written with a friend of mine under the name of Lexie McGuire (Forgiven Secrets –recently published FINALLY!) I didn’t think I could write a ‘whole novel’ on my own. Now I am writing under the name of Samantha Quinn and love writing solo. (in fact I can’t seem to stop!! Susan Elizabeth Phillips was a big influence in my writing. I like to think I have some of that wittiness and sass in my heroines.

Tamara: What do you think are the qualities that make up a “hero”?

I look for great looks of course… a strong body is dreamy, but honestly he has to have strength of character. Honesty and integrity are a must. A great sense of humor because he needs to be able to make me laugh as well, and if he’s got broad shoulders, well all the better. He has to make the heroine flutter a little inside and even when he’s fighting his own demons, he will be there for the heroine.

Beverly: Can you describe your favorite character? And which of your books is he/she in? How do you come up with your characters?

My favorite character is Miranda Peterson from my next novel “Never Say Die” by Samantha Quinn, coming out later this year. I love her inner strength born of life’s difficulties, yet she’s kind and sweet. She’s bright and optimistic. I’m a “pantser” (write by the seat of my pants) writer and the characters seem to develop as I write. It’s almost like they have a mind of their own and I look forward to where they will take me.

Tamara: What are the hardest scenes for you to write? Suspense? Sex? Dialogue? And why?

It varies and depends on how easily a book or scene is flowing for me. Sometimes it may be the suspense, and other times the sex… sometimes the dialogue. I of course, like it best, when everything flows smoothly but that isn’t always the case. In all honesty, I sometimes find the opening scene the hardest to write so will sometimes start writing then scrap the first chapter or two until it seems like a good place for the story to start. The rest can be filled in later.

Beverly: What is your favorite scene in your favorite book?

I love all the scenes. Corny but true!! My favorite though is the final scene when we know where everyone is and what they were really up to. Since I write Romance, it’s all wrapped up in a “happily ever after”. Having said that, this also makes me a little sad… Until I write the sequel!

Tamara: Who would you choose as your “book boyfriend/girlfriend”? From what book? Author?

I’m a monogamist when it comes to book-boyfriends. I’m completely dedicated to the one I’m reading at any given moment.  They all have touched my heart while I’ve lived through their story. Susan Elizabeth Phillips has GREAT heroes. They always make me laugh and that’s a key component to capturing my attention. I LOVE ‘Hunter Sloan’ in my new book Never Say Die (2014). He’s tall dark and rugged and isn’t afraid to swoop in, (unasked) and rescue who he sees as the naïve Miranda Peterson. Sparks fly whenever he gets overbearing but his heart is in the right place.

Beverly: What is the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done? Or would like to? What? We are all about the love!

I had sex in a cemetery on a tombstone from 1952. Not kinky but daring none-the-less, for a straight-laced, girl like me. Don’t tell anyone though. 😉

Tamara: What are your favorite types of heroines? Do you like the damsel in distress who needs saving or the kick-ass variety? Why?

We all need to be rescued a little; both heroes and heroines. I like when a heroine thinks she’s tough but discovers that she’s not as tough as she thinks she is, or conversely she thinks she needs rescuing and does some rescuing herself once she discovers her inner strength. I guess I like heroines who discover transformation.

Beverly: What was your worst date ever?

OMG! There have been so many! I started a book about them all at one point so I could keep track! They will all eventually end up in a story at some point. Anyway, on one occasion, it was Valentine’s Day. He decided that I was his “wow” which was quite funny given I had just said a few day before, to one of my friends, that I wanted to find someone who thought I was his “wow.” We had reservations at a local restaurant and met at a restaurant that was owned by a friend (just in case he was crazy). He decided I was his entrée and he couldn’t (wouldn’t) stop reaching for my hand. It was supposed to be a light lunch to get to know each other and he was insistent that it turned into dinner, and an over night stay. He moved his chair around the table to sit beside me instead of across from me and brought a CD, which was really a thoughtful gift. There was no attraction on my part and I when I explained that I needed to go and thanked him for lunch, he got very angry and started yelling right there at the table. Did I mention he was drunk? Instead of making him wear my drink, I got up and walked calmly to the door. Once I got to my car, I laid rubber, unable to get out of there fast enough.

Tamara: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you? (You have food, water, shelter, all the necessities, so nothing mundane)

My husband, of course… My shoes (one must look good, even on an Island, and a satellite phone. I must be able to check my email!

Beverly: What is your “guilty pleasure”?

Chocolate. Ok… Chocolate and Peanut Butter. I once dumped a man because he was allergic to peanuts. Honestly, I saved his life! It was really a selfless act. I would have had a peanut butter cookie, come home and given him a kiss and Wham… End of the happily ever after!

Tamara: What dream or goals have you yet to realize?

To make the New York Times Best Seller List.  That and have a closet just for my shoes!

Beverly: What was your most embarrassing moment or the craziest thing you’ve done? C’mon dish!

I’m not easily embarrassed. I love to sing. Once a friend and I were singing and when it came to her time to sing—I sang her verse instead. I realized immediately (the look of shock on their face gave it away) and I said “woops”. We started the verse over and continued. After all the show must go on!

Tamara: If you were a color what would you be and why?

Purple… No wait! Blue… No Pink. Some people say I’m indecisive. Maybe… I love all colour! Life without colour would be boring. I’m a Gemini—I do not apologize for my indecisiveness.

Beverly: How do you know you’re in love?

For me, it’s a warmth that fills my heart. He’s the one I want to tell as soon as anything exciting happens, and the one I want to lean on, and know I will be safe when I am feeling road weary. I feel secure and cherished with him and want to make him feel the same way. We fit and even at the end of a very busy (or trying) day, I can’t wait to get home to see him so we can spend time together.

Tamara and Beverly: Okay. We are SSLY so we have to ask. Who loves you?

I am recently married. We eloped last November and married on a beautiful warm beach in Florida. I call him Guapo! (Handsome in Spanish.) He is my hero and encourages me no matter whether he understands what I’m doing or not. If it’s a dream or goal, he encourages me to go for it! You gotta love that!

Beverly: Congratulations!

Now for some quick fun questions:
Boxers or briefs? “Boxer briefs” It’s really the best of both worlds
Coffee or Tea? Neither.. I take my Caffeine cold in a Diet Coke
Tall, dark and handsome or Blond and buff? Tall Dark and Handsome
Hairy chest or smooth? Either as long as it’s framed by broad shoulders! Gotta love broad shoulders
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate!
Kinky or Sweet? Sweet
Fast or slow? Fast cars and sloooow love making
Public or private? Private… with the exception of that one incident… but that’s just between you and me, right?
Top or bottom? Oh honey, there are so many sides—variety is the spice of life.

 

 

Living with her grandfather and opening a bookstore in quiet, Summit Colorado has kept Taylor Hunt too busy for a relationship. Although she believes in romance, she’s not looking. She can’t trust her instincts where men are concerned.

Joel Reed writes a nationally syndicated sports column. He travels with sports teams, adores the beautiful women in his life, but doesn’t have time for a permanent relationship.

When fate throws Taylor and Joel together, it’s Joel’s secret that can destroy the one relationship he now truly wants.

The road to discovery meets with hilarious consequences, but will it end in heartache?

Synopsis

Taylor and Joel have secrets. It’s fate when they meet, and this, along with help from meddling friends, leads to a touching romance with hilarious consequences. Ultimately it’s Joel’s secret (or deception, according to Taylor) that destroys her trust and their future. But love conquers all with a comical conclusion.

Forgiven Secrets” –by Sandy Heathers and Linda Appel, writing as Lexie McGuire – NOW AVAILABLE at http://www.amazon.com/Forgiven-Secret… For Kindle click here