~~~DREAMING OF BOOK GIVEAWAY, INTERVIEW & SNEAK PEEK~~~

~~~~~~Dreaming of Books Giveaway Blog Hop, Interview & Sneak Peek~~~~~~

Welcome to the Second Annual Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop.

The dates for this hop are Friday, January 13th to Wednesday the 18th. 

Thanks to Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf for co-hosting.

Nearly 200 blogs are each hosting a giveaway for something a reader, author or blogger would enjoy! Just click the Dreaming of Books Giveaway Picture on the right hand side of your screen for a list of all the wonderful authors, bloggers, readers, reviewers and more that are giving away some awesome prizes!!

Yay! I’d like to thank Davee Jones for joining us today on The Demon Side! I'm so excited to hear from her and her upcoming novel On Ellicott Street!

Before we get to the nitty-gritty, tell us a little about yourself? 

First, I must say Heaven, thank you very much for having me here with you today. I will be 42 years young in 2012. I decided I could live the last half of my life achieving goals I honestly never dreamed possible. I have my children who look up to me, and it’s important to me that I show them they must continue evolving. I stay active, and began participating in triathlons last year with my husband, now, I’m hooked. I coach little league softball for my daughter. I love to cook and collect cookbooks. I recently began learning about wines and enjoy a good red blend on occasion and I absolutely love sharing martinis with family and friends when we get together. I have a deep Christian faith, and it gets me through the rough times. There is no box that can classify me. 

Did you wake up one morning and say “Hey, I think I’ll write a book today!” or has writing always been a passion for you? 

I’ve always written in one form or another. I wrote poetry in college, one poem made it into our college art forum publication. I kept a journal, especially during the most difficult times in my life. I didn’t really believe I could write a book, because it seemed so daunting. One day, probably after a workout when my endorphins were spinning, I decided to begin writing the first chapter of an honest to goodness book. I haven’t stopped writing since and that was about two years ago. Ironically, my first book published, On Ellicott Street, is not the first book I wrote. The first book I wrote, Finless, started it all and is scheduled for release in April 2012.

Can you tell us what On Ellicott Street is about? 

This story is about the stereotypical older woman/younger man. However, although age is an integral part of the story line, it isn’t the main focus. The story is about a man recognizing the beauty of one woman, and becoming attracted to her because of her life experiences. In turn, this gives her the confidence to accept who she is, as well as appreciate the comfort and true romantic love she deserves.

What inspired you to write On Ellicott Street? 

It’s actually a “who”-One of my best friends, we’ve known each other almost 40 years! She decided not to accept the status quo of working mom going through the motions of life, and instead started living joyfully. She radiates now, it’s awesome.

When you write do you draw from your personal life or experiences? 

The characters I create hold traits of people close to me-both the positive and negative. However, I do not reveal enough or make it so personal that it would embarrass either me or my family and friends. There are times the story line involves deeply held feelings. I hope to make my characters genuine and believable and the best way is to re-create the roller coaster of emotional experiences in life. I also like to write about places I’ve been or would like to go. I also recently wrote a story about an era I enjoy - the 1930’s.

I know I can’t write a word without my IPod, a Pepsi and a bag of Hershey kisses. What must you have while writing? 

I must have a beverage, usually water, but, sometimes coffee, a cherry-lime diet Dr. Pepper, Throwback Pepsi, or wine. The beverage depends on the scene I’m writing. ;) I also must have music for inspiration; either my Mp3 or I’m also a Rhapsody junkie and just turn on a playlist. My faves are Muse, Phoenix, Pink, SiA, Kings of Leon, and several soundtracks to my favorite movies.

At least you had a Pepsi somewhere in there even though it's a Pepsi Throwback. I didn't want to have to kick you out of my office.  They call it a Throwback for a reason. *shudders*  :P

How do you manage your writing career and life outside of the computer desk? 

I have lists everywhere, and keep pencils sharpened to add to and take away from those lists. I also tell myself I must get _______ done before I can write. Writing is my reward for getting housekeeping and other tasks finished. I also work full time away from the writing scene, so, my time for writing is sometimes quite limited. I also explained to my family that in order for me to be successful, I would need to be unavailable at times to take care of writing business, networking, blogging, etc. They understand and are so far very supportive. I multi-task extremely well, that helps tremendously.

Can you give the readers a little taste of On Ellicott Street?

 

They arrived at the shop and Eli held his hand against Cassie’s forearm to signal her to remain seated. He got out of the passenger side and smoothly arrived at the driver’s side door to open it for her. Some feminists might take offense to chivalry, but Cassie’s opinion held fast that gallantry needed reviving. She felt secure and beautiful when Eli followed through on those small courteous nuances.

They ordered chai tea and found a spot at the back of the shop. They sat next to each other on an oversized love seat and began talking once again. Eli and Cassie talked for four more hours. The topics ranged from world politics to Feng Shui to American history. Where one was deficient in knowledge about something, the other explained happily. They also moved closer together as the night blossomed into pre-dawn until they snuggled cozily in the overstuffed loveseat, dozing occasionally.

 

“I guess I should take you home now, it’s almost six a.m.!” Cassie giggled, astonished at the time.

Eli sheepishly grinned in return. 

“Yes, I suppose we have almost worn out our welcome here.” Once seated safely in Cassie’s car, Eli gave her directions to his home. 

When they pulled into the driveway, Cassie did not know what to do next. She truly wanted to crawl in bed next to Eli and breathe in his warm, masculine scent until it lulled her to sleep. She wondered if he thought the same thing.

“Look, I don’t want you to leave yet. Is that too forward for me to say?” Eli implored. 

Cassie shook her head and softly vocalized her assurance. “No.”

“Good, then, it’s settled, I’ll come let you out and welcome you to my humble abode.” Eli once again exited the vehicle and came around to open her door. He grabbed Cassie’s hand as they walked up to the front door, stroking the softness of her hand with his thumb. Eli took out his key and unlocked the door with almost a single motion. He opened the door wide, and extended it for Cassie’s entrance.

Eli did not flip on a light immediately. Instead, he drew Cassie near and breathed in the scent from the top of her hair. He pulled her close to him, holding her frame tightly against his. Eli smelled her skin and freshly washed hair, and he inhaled deeply as quickly and often as he could before he moved away from her.

He used his foot to push the front door closed, without moving away from her. “Oh, wow, you smell amazing and you feel even better. Do you know what you have done to me?” Eli whispered against the top of her head.

Cassie’s mind raced rapidly, desperately trying to keep up with her heartbeat. Eli’s arms felt strong and secure. Cassie had not felt this safe since she was a child. However, the heated surges she felt through her loins were nothing childlike. She squeezed Eli even tighter to her as she breathed in the smell of his chest against her face. Cassie could not articulate how she felt at that moment, so she had no idea what to interpret from Eli’s question. Funny how in the midst of the passion, she wondered if he intended her to answer his question.

“Is that a rhetorical question?” Her voice was muffled against his shirt.

Stunned by the ridiculousness of Cassie’s comment, they began to laugh. What began as a gentle giggle turned into a full on belly roll, end of the night, punchy laugh-fest. “You are something else, Cassie Stewart, something else indeed.”

How can we get more of you and On Ellicott Street? 

This eBook will be available for purchase on February 17, 2012 from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Secret Cravings Publishing.

Psssst….However, you can win your own advanced PDF copy early! I will draw one lucky winner from the names of all comments received on Heaven’s blog, as well as my own blogspot, so, comment early and in both places for your chance to win.

http://finless.blogspot.com/

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/

http://www.facebook.com/finless.book

I am so excited for you and your new novel. I have been such a fan for a while now and I know I can not wait to read On Ellicott Street! Thank you so much for joining us today!

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