Dear Readers,
It’s 2014 and an unexpected 73⁰ here in SoCal! Let’s all settle in at the Books We Love Blog. I’ve tuned into SlackerRadio.com on my iPad. New Orleans Jazz is blasting, a mug of Starbucks' Christmas blend coffee with a dash of leftover (nonalcoholic) eggnog is at my elbow, and I’m ready to rock!
BWL: Why did you choose the genre you write in? Is it your favorite to read, or another reason?
CV: Western Contemporary Rodeo Romance is an action-paced, yet down-home genre—one of the reasons it appeals to me. I was blessed in living both a rural and urban--somewhat nomadic life-style during my childhood. I enjoy the sport of rodeo and when my children were young, Pro Rodeo events were included in our vacations. My father is from Texas, competing in bronc riding during high school years. As you can see, my familiarity with the sport is one reason I include Western Romance in the genres I write, however, it is not the only reason. For those of you who have visited the Western states, you know how intensely rugged the geography can be; and have encountered the strong-minded and independent thinkers (both men and women) that this type of remoteness fosters. Just placing individuals such as these in a room together creates memorable heroes and heroines, don’t you think?
Look at Lynx Maddox and Rachel Scott; Brede Kristensen and Amberlynn. The mountains of Montana, the remoteness of New Mexico, and the state of Texas & its cowboys--these are the real-world settings that my readers remember and write to me about. Lynx and Brede are the heroes that my readers fall in love with.
BWL: Describe yourself using 5 words.
CV: Curious. Friendly. Complex. Reflective. Witty.
BWL: What might a reader be surprised to learn about you?
CV: (I still can’t believe I did this!) Mr. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess) requested to read my short-story, twice. And I refused. Twice. (What can I say? It was junior in high school, and I didn’t wantanyone reading what I wrote).
BWL: What was your favorite book as a child or young adult?
CV: Jane Eyre. My favorite quote, “I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because have seen more the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.” Delightfully spunky, our Jane!
BWL: What super power would you like to have and how would you use it?
CV: Healing. Not only could I heal minor injuries like cuts and bruises, but I could also help ease the pain of people suffering from serious illnesses. Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and AIDS would all be history.
BWL: If you could go back in time for one day, which time period would you like to visit?
CV: 47 BC, Alexandria, Egypt. Before Julius, Caesar ordered the ships in the harbor set on fire. At that time the Library of Alexandria held over half a million documents from Assyria, Greece, Persia, Egypt, India and many other nations. Over 100 scholars lived there to lecture or translate. I can’t even begin to comprehend all the knowledge that was lost. Plus, getting a glimpse of Cleopatra would be a real perk!
BWL: Choose one person, living or dead, you’d like to share a meal with.
CV: Nigella Lawson. She is a delightful television personality, has lived a very interesting life --and I’d really like to know how she comes up with so many ways to prepare green peas.
BWL: Name one thing you’d like to change about yourself if you could.
CV: Quit being a night owl. (Going to sleep at 11:30 or 12:00 and getting up at 5:30 AM is nuts!)
BWL: What’s one genre that interests you, but you’ve never tried to write?
CV: Epic. The idea of a celebrating the exploits of a hero appeals to me, yet my ability and the attention span to produce a 404k novel eludes me.
BWL: Thanks Connie!
Please come back over the next couple of days to read excerpts from Connie's BWL titles. Find her books here: http://bookswelove.net/vines.php
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