Friday, January 31, 2014

Author, author... Cupid's Promise by Kimberly Quinton




Please welcome Kimberly Quinton !!
So great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I never know what to put here! J I grew up in several small towns all around Texas and Arizona and then went to college in the south and married a boy from New Orleans—so I feel like I’m a hybrid southerner-westerner. I started writing romance as an escape from a job that stressed me out and then when I had a baby and quit that stressful job to be a full-time mom (a whole other level of stress!) I decided that maybe the writing thing would be my new thing and I got serious about it. My babies are now in elementary school, and thanks to a very supportive superhero of my own, I get to write full-time!
 
 

Do real life events find their way into your stories?

In subtle ways. I did visit Boston and fell in love with New England. I worked in a medical center for years so I feel like I “know” doctors and my hero in Her Wish Before Christmas was a physician. We’ve all had pain or heartache or fallen in love and can remember what that feels like, even if we didn’t experience exactly the same scenario in the book. I’m a people watcher and I think a lot of my characters are drawn from that.
 
 

Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
I have and not realized it until re-reading later… And I use names of people I know or little quirky things friends do. Not intentionally, but it happens.




Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
 
I love pinterest! I have a whole “Hero Inspiration” board and I’ve started boards for my stories. I love to find pics that resemble the heroes and heroines in my head and since this series is centered around holidays—I have holiday themed pins that get me in the mood.



When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?
 
I write when my kids are at school and in the evenings if I have a deadline or am behind. I am trying to write on my new WIP every day, before editing, blogging, and social media… But it’s so hard not to check email first!
 
 
 

How do you feel about marketing your book?

I like blogging and I love it when someone leaves a comment or interacts on twitter or facebook, but I don’t think I could do it every day. I’m not a shy person, more of a hermit because I’m too lazy to go out, but once I am out, I usually don’t want to leave the party. I’m also a watcher or lurker on a lot of sites. I have to get better at commenting and interacting myself!
 
 
 

What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?

I like twitter and facebook for their instant gratification. I like blogs for actual information. For marketing and what actually works- I have no idea. I get most of my book recommendations from word of mouth, friend’s lists on Goodreads, reviews or if I like the author as a person.




Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
 
 I’m still a newbie, so I have to write the full manuscript and get it accepted. I’m not in a “sell-on-proposal” kind of relationship with an editor or publisher. Hopefully one day, but I feel like I still have so much to learn it’s not my time for that yet.




Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?   If so, what is it?
 
 I have story ideas for every genre in romance plus a mystery/thriller and several cozies. I have enough to keep me busy for years and new ideas come every day!




Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
 
I don’t, but I do “feel” like him or her when I am writing in their point of view. I’ve brought myself to tears and scared the dickens out of myself when I’m in the zone. Those are my favorite days.

 

Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1)      Favorite Male Actor  - Do I have to have one favorite? I have categories, but I will watch anything with John Cusack…I’m an eighties girl after all.

2)      Favorite vehicle – DeLorean from Back to the Future.

3)      Favorite way to relax – Ummm… Reading and wine…Movies and wine…Girls night out and wine… There’s a theme there.

4)      Favorite ice cream – Anything with lots of chunks of stuff- Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked is awesome.

5)      Favorite outfit – Yoga pants, tee-shirt and flip flops is my indoors uniform. If I have to go out, it’s jeans and tee. But, I do like to dress up for dates and such as I have a large collection of fun heels.

And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
 
Since I dream of winning the lottery (Don’t we all?) I have given this some thought and I would have to have a winter place and a summer place. Winter in Tahiti and Summer in Switzerland sounds good to me.

 

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: Kim@KimberlyQuinton.com                        


 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
 
 
Cupid’s Promise
Holiday Hearts Book 2
By
Kimberly Quinton
A sweet contemporary Holiday romance with a touch of paranormal
Shot through the heart...
 
Cupid’s Promise
Cupid's Secret promises to set Laurel Cove on its ear with a sexy new boutique that answers what a woman desires. When the owner ends up in the hospital it's up to Lena Ridgeway to make sure this heart-stopping opening goes off without a hitch, but she finds her every idea challenged by a no-nonsense businessman.
Capitalizing on a feeling...
Marcus Blackwell is a bottom-line kind of guy and he knows that sex and hearts sell. When he arrives to find his latest venture in chaos, his partner injured, and a model- turned-manager in charge, he rolls up his sleeves and dives in. If only he could keep his mind-and hands - off the sultry model with her whimsical faith in a fake holiday.
Can't fight this fortune...
Lena can't help teasing the straight-laced, business-only boss who keeps sneaking into her dreams. One passionate kiss has her believing he may be the one she's waited for all her life, but she'll need every arrow in Cupid's arsenal to prove she is his true Valentine....
 
Buy links:     Decadent Publishing    Amazon    B&N   ARe
Rafflecopter Giveaway:
A $25 gift card to Amazon
An ebook copy of Her Wish Before Christmas
 
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One last thing before we let you leave us today.  Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.

I’ve had this recipe for years and it’s from an old cookbook that I no longer have and I can’t remember what it was! Maybe a Pillsbury something. But, I make this around Thanksgiving or Christmas and everyone loves it.

Zucchini Orange Bread

This recipe makes 2 loaves

4 eggs

1 1/2 C sugar

3/4 C Oil

2/3 C Orange Juice

2 C Shredded unpeeled zucchini

3 1/4 C All Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

2 tsp grated orange peel

1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)

Glaze

1 C powdered sugar

2 to 3 tsp orange juice

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour bottoms of two 8x4 or 9x5 loaf pans. In large bowl, beat eggs until thick and lemon colored; gradually beat in sugar. Stir in oil, 2/3 c orange juice, and zucchini. Stir in remaining bread ingredients; mix well. Pour batter in pans.

Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool slightly

In small bowls, blend glaze ingredients, adding enough orange juice until desired spreading consistency. Spread over warm loaves. Cool completely, Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator,

 

 

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for having me today! Hope you enjoy the recipe! It's a favorite.

    ReplyDelete