Cindy Bauer Books

Our Author of Note this month is Cindy Bauer. I so appreciate Cindy stopping by The Bookshelf.

Q. Welcome, Cindy! I know my readers want to know all about you as a writer, and we’re going to get to that right away. But first, we’d like to know who you are outside your office. Tell us about Cindy Bauer, the lady next door.

A. First I want to thank you for having me. I’m honored to be here.

I’ve been married almost 32 years to a wonderful man who makes me laugh. We don’t have any children, though we did try. I lost seven and we finally gave up. We decided it was not in the Lord’s plan for us. We both grew up in Davenport, Iowa. In fact, we were born at the same hospital. I’m 15 months older than hubby.

We’ve lived in five states and have moved many times, but we planted roots here in Missouri in 1986, when called upon to help my dad with my terminally ill mother. She passed in 1988. I have one brother and sister, both older than me. They’re actually my half-siblings, but since they were “in place” when I was born, I’ve never considered them as anything but my brother and sister.

I work at our local daily newspaper. We publish five days a week. It had been my dream for years to become an author. My sister, a former journalism teacher, hounded me to begin writing the book(s) I had long ago dreamed of, but pushed aside once I got married. So my journey began. And what a ride it has been!

I enjoy spending time with hubby, the dog and meeting challenges. I enjoy helping others and have a close relationship with the Lord.

Q. That said…you recently “fired” your publisher and are now trying to place your trilogy elsewhere. I wish you great success with that! Tell us about your books.

A. Yes, I did sever ties with PublishAmerica. If you are a serious writer, POD publishing or self-publishing is not the way to go. My books are an Inspirational Fiction series. I began with Chasing Memories, which I based around my own “memory box.” The story developed itself as I wrote. In order to complete the whole picture for my readers, a trilogy was inevitable.

Chasing Memories is about a young widowed mother. While helping her elderly neighbor, she’s hit by a careening car on an icy street. She wakes up in the hospital with amnesia (hubby’s idea by the way). The story is her struggle with learning to live with virtual strangers and strengthening her faith in God by trusting Him to guide her along her journey in recovering her memories. The ending actually has two surprises, which of course I can’t tell you about.

Shades of Blue picks up where Chasing Memories left off. In Chasing Memories, Laura’s closest friend Susan Barnes becomes the main character. At the end of Chasing Memories, she had moved to Kansas City, got a new job, new apartment and become engaged! The book begins with her wedding. Susan thought she had married an upcoming attorney with a promising future. Turns out he’s a drug dealer, has an alcohol problem, and becomes abusive as well. The story is based on “could-really-happen” life events and how Susan deals with them, drawing her closer to the Lord.

The final book, Crystal Clear, is about Annie, the daughter. It picks up where Shades of Blue left off. I’m still in the process of getting down the rough draft, after rewrites on the first two for submission as a series to more reputable publishers. The series is intended to be enjoyed by anyone, from young adults and up. I hope the stories show that though life may throw some difficult obstacles, you can take the experience and knowledge from those events and use them to your benefit and possibly the benefit of others. In other words, don’t dwell on what went wrong in the past, but use the knowledge gained to better your future instead.

Q. What was your inspiration for this series?

A. After mom’s untimely death, our immediate family basically fell apart. She was the glue that held us together. I began to feel the need to tie up those gaps in our family communication. I started saving everything, from greeting cards, to photos, to letters and put them in a container (very large mind you), now kept on the floor of my bedroom closet. I call it my “memory box,” with mementos to reflect on later in life. I wanted to pass that on to others, thus the beginning of Chasing Memories, which is based around a memory box. Family is so precious and we need to treasure them now, and hold them close in our hearts after their passing. Though they are gone in sight, their love and their souls are still very much here with us! Don’t go through life with regrets. Sometimes there is no tomorrow. So tell them every day that you love them.

Q. How long does it take you (on average) to write a book, from first word to being ready to place in a publisher’s hands?

A. Interesting question. I work full time, plus I’m a housewife. With hubby’s physical limitations, there is more work now than there used to be. So, approximately nine months. Much longer than I would like, but I just don’t have the time I need to spend on them to complete them sooner.

Q. What do you enjoy most about writing? Least?

A. The reaction I get from my readers and learning what they took with them by reading my books. I was recently delighted to learn my sister-in-law’s daughter-in-law, who recently lost her job, decided to go back to college after reading my first book Chasing Memories. And after reading Shades of Blue, she said she has bonded with the characters and doesn’t want me to move forward with my mystery-suspense series, but write more in this series, instead.

Least? Getting that rough draft down. Fine tuning it is the easy part. It’s getting that rough draft down that I get wrapped around.

Q. What books are on your nightstand right now?

A. I recently became a book reviewer for Bookpleasures.com. I’m getting a chance to read others’ works, which I am learning a lot from, plus it’s an opportunity to express my abilities as a writer and reviewer. Right now I am reading Angels of Maradona by Glen Carter. Next I have a new one from author Kelly Moran, called When the Leaves Stop Falling. I just read Hard Evidence by best-selling author Roxanne Rustand, and still have her other two to cover. Plus, I have one by a new author, Donetta Garman, (whom I actually know), called Growing Up Ugly.

Q. I know that interviewers often don’t ask the questions an author would really like to talk about. Is there anything you’d like to say that I haven’t touched on?

Cindy Bauer was born in Davenport, Iowa, where she grew up the youngest of three children. Always an avid reader, she dreamed of becoming a writer. She graduated from Assumption High School in 1975 and married her husband, Robert, in 1976. The couple moved to Missouri in 1986. Cindy's dream to write resurfaced in 2003, and with encouragement from her husband and her sister, she wrote Chasing Memories (2006). Shades of Blue followed in 2007. Currently Cindy is working on the third and final novel in this series, Crystal Clear.

Ruth Frances Hoskins interviewed by author Cindy Bauer

(May 2008)

Author: Ruth Frances Hoskins, Ph.D., H.H.S., LCSW

ISBN: 978-1-4327-1395-9

Publisher: Outskirts Press Inc

Review link

CB: After reading your book, I simply must ask, is this a biography of your own life?
 
RFH: Yes it is.
 
CB: What was your purpose or motive for writing this book and what do you hope your readers will take away from the experience?

RFH: Dreaming the date of my mother's death was a pivotal point and inspired me to write Dream Moments The Voice in Your Dreams, Prophecy and Intuition. One morning, I woke-up with a date given to me in a dream. It was a spiritual life-changing event. Twenty years ago when I dreamed the date of my mother's death, and she did die on that date, I published the story in FATE magazine. FATE magazine requested I notarize the story to validate the truthfulness of the dream. I went to the notary, validated the authenticity of the dream, and sent it to FATE for publication. FATE magazine published the dream and sent a small check. That was validating too! But more importantly, the dream gave me time to prepare for my mother's sudden departure from this earth. I hope my readers will become interested in paying attention to, tracking, and writing down their dreams. Besides prophecy and expanded intuition, dreams offer a wealth of psychological and spiritual information! 
 
CB: How long from start to finish, did it take for you to write it from manuscript to published format?
 
RFH: It took two years.
 
CB: What other books have you written and can you give us a short description?
 
RFH: I wrote a book called No Time for Down Time? The book offers tips on how to take time and balance life everyday. It teaches a person the importance of reducing stress. I teach a process called Effortless Meditation Therapy (EMT). I describe the process in the book.
 
CB: Are there more works in your future and if so, what are you currently working on now?
 
RFH: I am thinking about writing another book. I like writing in the style that I wrote Dream Moments, The Voice in Your Dreams, Prophecy and Intuition. Since I completed writing Dream Moments more prophetic dream information was given to me in dreams emphasizing the prophetic nature of dreams. I am considering writing a follow-up, Part II. Combined with the importance of wellness and self-care. 
 
CB: I'm curious, what is your definition of the difference between a sleeping and waking dream?
 
RFH: In my opinion, and to use a phrase, life is but a dream. Everything has a dreamlike quality. The difference between nighttime dreams is that at night, when we sleep, we have the ability to travel outside of the body. In the nighttime dream world we are not limited to our physical body. Our perceptions include other dimensions. Like Jesus said, There are many mansions in my father's heaven. In dreams we have a 360-degree point of view. Jesus made a reference to it in the Bible. He knew that someone would betray him. He had a deep abiding faith and a well-developed intuition.  He delivered this message to his disciples. A waking dream is a more direct delivered message we receive while we are awake. Sometimes we get a message from someone who says something to us and it stimulates our intuition.  The message resonates and brings information that we need, or have been searching for.
 
CB: Will this book be a part of a series and if so, what context is the series based upon?
 
RFH: It may be a part of a series. I like writing about my dreams. Dreams are psychologically and spiritually interesting. The context may be similar to Dream Moments the Voice in Your Dreams Prophecy and Intuition. In my writing I am self-reflective, memoir style. I am a psychotherapist and I look for hidden meaning.
 
CB: Where is this book available and are you offering signed copies? If so, how might one contact you to get a signed copy?
 
RFH: All major bookstores Barnes and Noble etc. carry Dream Moments, the Voice in Your Dreams, Prophecy and Intuition. Yes, most definitely, one can receive a signed copy. Please email me at Relaxwithruth@gmail.com
 
CB: You were recognized in the 2005 National Register’s of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals. Explain how this came about and did you receive any awards for your work?
 
RFH: They contacted me and asked me if I would like to be a part of their professional network. I accepted.
 
CB: And last, is there any additional information you would like to pass on to your readers?
 
RFH: Take time for yourself! Take care of you body, your mind, and your spirit. Nurture yourself everyday. Pay attention to your dreams and expand your perceptions, vision, and horizons. Believe in yourself. Life is challenging but keep going knowing that God has a plan for your life. You are special and unique. Close your eyes and tune into the higher parts of yourself and know that you are a precious child of God.
 
I wish to thank you, Ms. Hoskins, for the opportunity to interview you and I wish you all the best in the field of writing and publishing.

CB: The Making of #A0210208 is fictional, yet based on fact. What parts of the book are fictional, if a Memoir about your own life?

CC: The book is based on the factual events of my life prior to becoming incarcerated. Because I did not keep journals or diaries throughout my life, it is fictional only in the sense that I reconstructed dialogue I couldn’t precisely remember and compressed timelines for events to move the narrative along.

CB: What inspired you most to write a book about your life?

CC: People have always told me I needed to write about my life because my story could help other women like myself who have gone through similar issues. I believe each of our voices is important and each of our stories are worth telling.

CB: It’s my understanding you are planning on a 3 book series. Which time periods in your life will the three individual books cover?

CC: The first book, The Making of #A0210208, is about the events that occurred in my life leading to my incarceration. The second book, The Revelation of #A0210208, is about my incarceration, my eventual and repetitive re-incarceration and my experiences within the criminal justice system. The third book, The Redemption of #A0210208 is about my post-incarceration experience and my recovery from that lifestyle.

CB: You wrote The Making of #A0210208 under the name of Jayne Dough. But your real name is Chianti “Serena” Camara. Why did you at first, wish to remain anonymous and then reveal your real identity?

CC: When I first wrote the book, it was never my intention to reveal my identity. I wrote the book for my inner circle, so-to-speak. I wrote it to cleanse myself of my past and for the women who have followed in my footsteps. It was never intended to be a best-seller or to have a wide audience. I wished to remain anonymous for three reasons.

First, my family; my two eldest daughters are in my book and there is a lot of pain around the truth of their conception, infancy and childhood. As for the rest of my family, they were only aware of general details about my lifestyle and choices. They knew I struggled with substances and that I went to prison, but they did not know all the explicit details. I live on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, which is a very small place; everyone knows everyone and I did not want to shame my family anymore than I already had.

Second, I didn’t think the messenger was important, just the message itself.

Third, everyone who read the book has pushed me to get it out there. They have urged me to take it further because they feel it is compelling and well written. They feel I have provided new insight and an outlet for the silenced voices of many other women like me.

Eventually, I realized it was necessary, and that it would be next to impossible to promote my book without revealing my identity; no book signings, no TV interviews, no press coverage. When confronted with these obstacles, I spoke with my family members and got their encouragement and support before I decided to go public.

CB: Now you actually work at the very institution where you were once a prisoner. That fact alone is quite fascinating! How did this transition take place?

CC: Believe me that it was no small feat! The resistance from the administration of the institution was overwhelmingly oppressive. They were by no means happy to have an ex-offender within their ranks, functioning as a peer. They did everything imaginable to discourage me. Of course, I have dealt with their oppression before and it was not so difficult to face it and overcome it this time.

CB: Do you feel you’ve made a difference in these women’s lives and if so, is there anyone in particular that stands out?

CC: Yes, I believe I have. I liken myself to be a “translator”. What I mean by that, is that my experience and my history have given me the articulation to provide the same old rehabilitation information in such a way that these women can understand and relate to because my story is their story. As a result, they can retain and utilize the information in their own lives. It’s all about the restoration of these women’s resilience and empowerment.

There was one woman I worked with that I remember in particular. She was in her late fifties, and was incarcerated when I first met her and began working with her. When our journey together ended and it was time to part ways, she said to me, ‘I never knew an old dog could learn new tricks and that those tricks could come from a young pup, must be a wise old soul in that pup.’ She was amazing! Her willingness to look at a lifetime of doing things in a way that wasn’t working for her was awesome. Her open-mindedness to ways of doing it differently was inspiring and hopeful.

CB: Have you since reunited with your family and how did they accept your book?

CC: It’s an interesting question because of the word “reunited”. My family has always been supportive of me; it was really I who isolated me from them because of the events that evolved in my life and because of the choices that I made as a result of those events. Eventually, I came back to them and their arms were still open, even if their trust in me had been impaired. That part took some time to repair and rebuild. They have whole-heartedly accepted my book, even my two daughters who have both read it. We talked a lot about the details and I believe we healed some wounds in the process.

CB: After your trilogy series, do you plan to continue writing and if so, what genre?

CC: No. I do not plan on a writing career. I just wanted this to be out there and then over. It’s kind of like literally closing those chapters of my life once and for all.

CB: You are truly to be commended for coming forward with your story and for sharing it with others, especially current inmates at the prison. What do you hope to accomplish by your book and your work at the prison?

CC: I haven’t thought of the outcome, the end result. I have totally committed to the journey, the planting of the seeds. I have no idea what will become of the harvest. I leave that in the capable hands of the universe. It is yet to be revealed.

CB: Have you been offered any movie deals? I ask this because your story is truly amazing.

CC: No. I have been told that it is an amazing story. It won the 2007 Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice award for my genre. The problem, as with all POD and self-published books, is lack of exposure. Enough people have not read it yet for it to gain the momentum it would have if it were available the way traditionally published books are available. This does not discourage me though because I believe in my soul that it will eventually get the exposure it deserves which will get it into as many hands as it is destined to reach. It is a compelling and unique perspective that is enlightening and insightful. I have been blessed to be the author of my own life.

CB: Were you ever an avid reader or did you ever wish to become a writer while growing up? Or at any other time?

CC: Avid reader…yes, eventually. Being incarcerated redefines reading to pass time! I never wished to become a writer, and as I said earlier, I will not be writing anymore after the trilogy. I have written poetry and short stories over my lifetime but more for therapeutic purposes than anything else. I do believe that avid reading enhances your writing style and competence.

CB: When you say, “...sometimes drug addiction is deliberate”, what did you mean by that?

CC: Some people believe that addiction is a disease or an affliction; that people use drugs in gradual stages beginning with experimentation and become addicts without conscious awareness. Some people believe addicts use drugs to numb themselves, to escape, to die.

That was not the case for me, nor have I found that to be the case for many other women who have reported similar “pathway” experiences. Survivors of Domestic Violence often use drugs to live, to feel, to become free. Of course the addiction eventually overpowers our conscious decisions. But initially, the use of drugs can be a deliberate act. A singular event. A conscious choice. An informed decision with full knowledge of the inevitable outcome. The difference is that some people cannot fathom a person choosing something so harmful. For people who have survived even more deadly things, the drug can be, and often is, a saving grace. The lesser of two evils, if you will.

CB: Do you feel that God has intervened in your life to save you and if so, why do you think that?

CC: I think that each person’s relationship with God is unique to his or her own experiences and understanding. I don’t often discuss this with other people. My relationship with God is very personal and private. In a nutshell: God will either lighten the load or strengthen your back!

CB: What are your future goals in life, as in, where do you want to go in life from here and why?

CC: My goal is to move to Texas to the property I bought two years ago. I plan to raise horses and my two precious grandchildren. I want to live a simple country life like the one of my childhood.

Over the last twenty years, I have lived my life trying to overcome all odds and I did. I have come full circle in that respect, and now it is time to move on and give back to my family and myself.

CB: What advice would you like to give women in an abusive relationship?

CC: Figure out what part you have in the dynamic and set about changing it. It is the only thing you can change. You can never change him. Find out who you are and why you are, and then realize he will only compound that; he will never heal it for you. Let it go.

He is not the nice guy you met, he never was. What he pretended to be in the beginning of the relationship was a façade. He did that to get a commitment. The problem is that you cannot pretend to be someone other than who you are for very long. He hasn’t changed. He resurrected.

CB: In parting, tell us briefly about your other 2 books planned in this series and what are your plans in publishing them. Will you be using the same publisher or submitting to others, possibly agents?

CC: I have written most of the second and third manuscripts. I will finish them when I get to Texas in June. I do not want to use a POD or self-publishing agency in the future. Instead, I will look into traditional publishing, which is why the books are not out yet.

CB: Where can we buy your book and do you have a website we can visit?

CC: You can visit my website at www.authorjaynedough.com where you will find several options for purchasing the book. You can also find the prologue, the synopsis, the reviews and the press releases/articles for the book to get a better idea of its content.

CB: You have a book trailer as well. Did you create it yourself and where can we view it?

CC: I created it through a website - onetruemedia.com - where they take you through a step-by-step process to create the trailer. You can view it on my homepage of my website.

CB: And finally, I have to ask this, do you think that God put you on the path you are on now, as far as writing and teaching about your experiences with life thus far and if so, do you think it was for your own healing as well as helping others, or do you believe He just wanted you to minister to others to try to help save them?

CC: I believe that our lives are written before we are born and that nothing happens by mistake. I believe that we are all compelled to a journey that is purposeful and intentional. I believe no interaction is neutral. I believe we are bound one to another with purpose. All you have to do is open your heart, your eyes, your ears, your mind, your soul, in a way you have never considered before and the objective will be revealed.

(April 2008)

CB: How did you come up with the theme for your new book, The Love of His Brother?

JA: When I first came up with the idea, I had just gotten back from a trip to Montana, quite a wild experience for a born-and-bred city girl like me! So, that gave me my setting. Then I batted ideas around in my head: What kind of terrible situation could I throw my poor heroine into? What would keep her and the hero apart? Eventually, I came up with the idea of a widow who finds herself falling for her brother-in-law.

CB: Do you ever plan on trying to rewrite and publish your first two novel attempts, Like Roses, and the untitled circus romance mentioned in your bio that was previously submitted and rejected by Harlequin?

JA: I have a soft spot for Like Roses, just because it’s the first book I ever finished. I wrote it when I was a junior in high school. As you might imagine, it’s a mess! Back then, I wrote on lined notebook paper. Part of it’s handwritten, part of it’s typed, I have editing scribbles all over it, and it’s tied together with green yarn through the three-hole punches. But I love looking at it because it reminds me of a time when all that drove me was a passion for writing. So, no, I’ll never rewrite that one, but I’ll never get rid of it, either.

As for The First of May (the circus story), that’s a big MAYBE. I was in college when I wrote that one. Back in 1983, setting a romance in a circus was kind of cutting-edge... I’d certainly never read a book with that setting before. I still love the story and have started rewriting it a couple of times, only to get sidetracked by other things. Of course now that Water for Elephants was such a big hit, and Lisa Samson has an inspirational circus story coming out next month, the market for Big Top novels may be saturated at the moment!

CB: Who, would you say, has been your biggest influence so far in your writing career?

JA: During my school years, there were several authors whose books I read over and over, until they were about ready to fall apart. From Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books I learned about keeping stories authentic. From Richard Adams’ Watership Down I learned about creating vivid characters (it’s a story about rabbits, but he makes you care about every one of them!) From Lois Duncan’s young adult thrillers I learned about tension and pacing. But the great thing about all these authors is that I didn’t know they were teaching me anything at the time. Their books were so entertaining, so engrossing, I stayed up late reading them, anxiously turning each page, even after I’d already read them. That’s the mark of a really great writer.

As an adult, my biggest influence has probably been LaVyrle Spencer. The first romance novel I ever read was Twice Loved. She blew me away with every nuance of her story. After that, I hunted down every book she’d ever written, including some that were out of print, and I bought every new book as soon as it hit the shelves. I shed a tear the day I found out she’d decided to retire (no kidding, I really did).

CB: Are you working on your next novel now, and if so, what will be about?

JA: I’m currently working on The Pastor’s Wife, the story of a woman who finds herself thrown back together with the pastor-husband she left three years prior. It’s a romantic story with forgiveness at its core.

CB: You have a very interesting bio! Tell us a little bit about growing up in Hollywood and if it influenced you in any way during your journey to becoming a published author.

JA: I grew up right in the heart of Hollywood. My mom worked at the Broadway Hollywood, which was right on the corner of Hollywood and Vine (If you watch the I Love Lucy episodes where they went to Hollywood, you can see the sign from their hotel window - just a bit of trivia here, there is no hotel in Hollywood that would give you the view they had. But it sure looked nice!) I went to Bethany Lutheran gradeschool, and several of my classmates were in ‘the business.’ I grew up with a love for theatre and a flair for the dramatic, to be sure! But I was sick a lot as a kid, so books became my best friends. Remember, that was back before the days of cable TV and VCRs. When you were stuck in bed, a book was the best way to escape and become someone else.

CB: You lived above a mortuary and your grandparents were good friends with the infamous Bela Lugosi. That had to be a most unique and interesting memory. Did you ever consider writing horror?

JA: Bela died before I was born, so I never met him, but my mother has vivid memories of him. She calls him ‘Uncle Bela’ and describes him as a kind, sweet man. Very different from his public persona.

The funny thing is, I don’t like horror. I used to make graveyards in the playground sandbox, but to me, that was just a normal extension of my familiarity with the mortuary. People died, they had a service downstairs, then they drove them to the cemetary. Simple. My mom and I used to watch the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows together, but that was more campy than anything else. And I can watch Bela’s movies, because I don’t consider them horrifying. So horror, at least in the modern-day context, doesn’t interest me. But I’m a big fan of fantasy and Sci Fi.

CB: You’ve been through rejection of your manuscript before. What advice or encouragement can you give other authors about that possibility in publishing that might help them?

JA: To quote from the movie Galaxy Quest: ‘Never give up! Never surrender!’ I know we’ve all heard people say not to take rejection personally, but I haven’t gotten to that point yet! I do take it personally, for about ten minutes, then I grieve a little, shut that door, and move on. It’s important to allow yourself to feel whatever emotion is appropriate when you first receive that ‘no,’ just don’t wallow in it. Yes, rejection hurts, but then you’ve got to shake it off and keep going. Never forget that publishing, even Christian publishing, is first and foremost a business. At the same time, God has a master plan. So it’s not personal yet very personal at the same time. It’s a strange balancing act, to be sure. But if God put it in your heart to write, that’s what you need to do.

CB: Are you planning on writing in any other genres?

JA: I’ve got so many book ideas! Whenever I get a thought, I write it down somewhere, then put it in a file. I’d love to write historicals, thrillers, mysteries, but more than anything, I’d love to write a time travel story that isn’t full of paradoxes and loops. It’s a personal challenge I’ve set for myself.

 CB: What do you hope your readers take with them after reading one of your books and why?

JA: When people get to the last page of one of my books, I want them to feel satisfied. If they’re already Christian, I want to reaffirm the love God has for them. And if they’re not Christian, I hope they feel a sense of hope and excitement about a God who has so much love for His children.

Thanks, Cindy, for the opportunity to chat. It’s been fun!

Jennifer’s sites:

• http://www.jenniferallee.com
• http://www.jenniferallee.blogspot.com
• http://www.shoutlife.com/jenniferallee

CB: You sent in your first manuscript at age 13 and it was rejected. Tell us about that.

AG: Well, that’s sure a scroll down memory lane. When I was about eight years old, a teacher gave my oldest sister a ton of old books.

Time passed and I received THE most beautiful rejection letter ever. I had written and mailed in the manuscript in longhand. The letter stated that once I was older and had learned the format enough to attract an agent to represent me and my literary works, they would be happy to consider them. I’ll forever remember that letter advising me to never give up on my dream. And, that I had potential.

CB: Was your book, Dear Mr. President, Please Send My Daddy Home, inspired by one of your own daughters and if not, how did the idea for the book come about?

AG: My husband is an Army Sergeant who is full time active duty (not overseas though), but miles away from home. During the initial activation, he did not come home on a regular basis. My oldest daughter, then seven years old was missing him tremendously. Combined with that and the stories my husband would tell me about soldiers telling him how their children were missing them and all the things they were missing out on being away from home. Instantly, a light bulb came on to compile stories about children missing their military parents. Then, I felt I just wanted to simplify it and create a short picture book of a child writing a letter to the President of the United States pleading with him to send all the soldiers home.

CB: On your website, you say you were chosen as "Sensual Romance Author..........2006 Paranormal Romance Pearl Award BEST DEBUT (NEW) AUTHOR Nominee". Tell us about that nomination and how it came about.

MC: I was online one day and an author friend told me we were both nominated in this category. There were an awful lot of names to vote on. I didn't win, of course, but it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless.

CB: You’re a history buff. So how is it you wrote a paranormal romance novel?

MC: It is a time travel romance partly born of a wish to travel back in time and see how people lived over a hundred years ago. Life may have been more difficult back then, but it was also simpler. I think people cared more about one another than they do now. Writing a story about such an adventure is about the closest way actually to experience it. Finding the man of your dreams while time traveling? An added bonus.

CB: What authors or books have inspired you?

MC: There are so many. I have had my nose stuck in a book for as long as I remember. I'd say Laura Ingalls Wilder inspired me the most. She had such a vivid imagination for detail even after many years had passed. She brought the pioneer era to life for millions of little girls worldwide. I also enjoy John Jakes, Julie Ellis, Karen Michelle Nutt, Thea Devine, Ron Kruger (a must read for anyone needing some spiritual guidance), and many more.

CB: Is writing a hobby or a career move for you?

MC: Right now, unfortunately, it is more of a hobby. I am a full time mom and I want to be there for my children all I can before they grow to adulthood and move on. So this time is special to me to do for them and put my things on hold for just a little while. I do have hopes later on of my hobby evolving into something more. I do enjoy writing stories of true love.

CB: Do you plan to ever follow-up on your dream of becoming a historian?

MC: It would be nice to say yes to this question, but I doubt if this will happen. The death of my historian mentor/friend in 1989 and life in general has taken me in a different direction. But it is nice to think about sometimes. Researching and touching things that have been handled by people now long dead in some dusty museum would be a dream come true.

CB: What steps are you taking in promoting your book?

MC: When my book was first released, I was gung ho about trying to get the word out there, but I'm just one person. I have encountered many obstacles in my promoting efforts. Currently my only promotion includes business cards, word of mouth, and online networking. Ironically, Sales are somewhat better now than they were when I was trying to promote.

CB: What obstacles have you encountered while promoting your book and how did you overcome them?

MC: Due to the publisher's low discounts and non-return policies, I found myself unable to use bookstores as an outlet for sales, unless I bought them myself and placed them on consignment. This is death to mass marketing my book. It will not happen without a publisher who wants to do these things for its authors. This obstacle in itself woke me to reality fairly quick, and I feel it is not one I will overcome. I have neither the money nor the resources to mass market a book alone. I will carefully research for another publisher when my next submission is ready.

CB: Did you submit to more than one publisher before your work was accepted, if so, how many times was it rejected, and why?

MC: I submitted to a few publishers, not too many. One publisher had it two years before rejecting it. That rejection was a pretty difficult pill to swallow. The reason for my manuscript rejection was because I did not take the time to edit and polish it adequately before submission. Live and learn!

CB: Who is Andre and why do you want him on your next cover?

MC: Andre Birleanu is the Russian hunk from the reality series " America's Most Smartest Model". He cast his Soviet spell on my daughter and I as we tuned into the show each week. He was rather rude and vocal, but he was the only one who stood up for what was right when another contestant lowered himself to devious schemes to go on and win the competition. Andre isn't as handsome as others you may see on various romance covers. There is, however, a certain charm and sex appeal he exudes which made me plaster him on my Myspace page and keep in mind for a future cover. Andre is the type that you just hate to love.

CB: Which do you prefer to read, Romance or History?

MC: I love both genres. I mostly read historical romance, but every once in awhile I just like a good historical family saga. I have just ordered the "Swan" series by Celeste De Blasis. It was published more than twenty years ago and I am just now running across it. I look forward to reading it. I love romance and history. I can't choose just one.

CB: What are your plans for your next novel, i.e.: genre, plot, characters, storyline, etc. and why?

MC: I have already begun my next novel. It is another time travel romance. It involves Allyanna Beaumont, a high and mighty lawyer who finds herself lost and stranded in 1880 Kentucky. Cord Layton raises fine horseflesh, but is a little slower then the average Alpha hero. He struggles to realize the strength and love he carries within when he tries to tame the alluring twenty first century attorney who, when she speaks, makes no sense at all.

I am also working on a few new short stories that will be historical erotica. I am somewhat shy about writing the latter, but found I enjoyed writing the steamy scenes in Everlasting Journey, so I thought I might try out this genre.

CB: As a mother, have you considered writing for children? And if not, why?

MC: People have asked me this before, but I don't think writing children's stories is my thing. My mind is so wrapped up in love and romance that it would be very difficult for me to get my muse down to that level for children. It really doesn't interest me to write children's fiction, although I have heard there is some great money in it.

CB: Any tips you would like to recommend to aspiring authors who are yet unpublished?

MC: Write what you like and write what you feel. Write something that you are familiar with and have read a lot. Don't listen to the little niggling voices in your mind trying to take you down. Just write! Don't be afraid to put a part of yourself in the story and let your emotions flow onto the screen. Now is not the time to be shy and hold yourself back. I fix minor flaws as I go through, but don't worry about the big things as I write. It will stunt your muse. There will be plenty of time later for edits. Do not ignore basic grammar rules and sentence construction. Just because you think your story is the next bestseller, without good writing, no publisher worth its salt will accept it. I do not mean to sound harsh, but if I can save you some grief down the road, I will.

When the story has been written and edited until you are sick of it, here are some further words of advice: RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, and more research!

Visit author websites, message boards, publisher websites and see how their books are selling and for how much. Don't be afraid to ask other authors how their experiences with those pubs have worked out. Some say get an agent and some do not. I believe most novels sell better with agent representation. Joining a writer's group is also a great idea for support, critiques, and encouragement.

Stay away, I repeat, stay away from places (online and in the real world) that do not let you speak honestly about your writing and/or publishing experiences. There are good and bad aspects to this whole writing deal and you should not have to put up with rudeness or bad behavior directed toward you for asking honest and legitimate questions. If you experience this, get away as fast as you can.