Interview with Deanna Sletten, Author of Maggie's Turn

Deanna Lynn Sletten writes women’s fiction and romance novels that dig deeply into the lives of the characters, giving the reader an in-depth look into their hearts and souls. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Deanna’s romance novel, Memories, was a semifinalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Indie Books of 2012. Her novel, Sara’s Promise, was a semifinalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Indie Books of 2013 and a finalist in the 2013 National Indie Excellence Book Awards.

Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her northern Minnesota home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing in the boat on the lake in the summer.

Visit Deanna at her website at www.deannalsletten.com.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I grew up in southern California living near the beach and with a pool in the backyard. It was the typical California lifestyle. Then, in my teens, we moved to a farm in northern Minnesota, which was the exact opposite of our other life. But I grew up, married, and stayed in Minnesota. I've been married forever, have two grown children, four cats, a bird, and an incredible Aussie dog. I've actually been writing for years, but was unable to secure a traditional publishing contract, so I just kept writing. During that time, I was also a freelance writer, writing articles for various websites and publications.

I love spending time outdoors from spring to fall, and especially love autumn here in Minnesota. We spend as much time as possible in our boat on the lake during the summer, and I also love walking the trails in the woods around our house with my dog. Winters are long here, great for writing but not so great for spending time outside. I also love to travel and hope to do a lot of it in the upcoming years.

When did you begin writing?

I actually started writing novels years ago when my first child was just a baby. I wrote every free moment I could find. As my children grew older, I'd bring a notebook along with me and write in my minivan during all those times I'd wait to pick them up from school or activities, and also during baseball practices. I finished three books this way, and started writing ideas for many more. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with all these books and book ideas, since I couldn't seem to find a publisher, but I kept writing anyway. Now I'm glad I did. When I learned about self-publishing in 2011, I already had books I could publish and enough ideas to keep me going for a long time.

What is this book about?

Maggie's Turn is about a mother, wife, and employee who one day just drives away, without planning to, and finds herself on a journey of self-exploration. Maggie and her husband, Andrew, have been together since college, but their relationship has turned stale and he's started taking Maggie for granted. Her children, ages 19 and 14, treat her like she's their personal servant, and Maggie feels she no longer has any control over her own life. She's worn out, run down, and feels uninspired in her life. As Maggie journeys across country, she meets some interesting people who inspire her, and she also spends time having difficult conversations with her husband over the phone as they both try to make sense of what has happened to their relationship. Maggie's Turn is not just all about drama and heartache, though. It's a fun, sometimes humorous story of one woman's journey to reconnect with her passions.

What inspired you to write it?      

                                      

I've been a mother. I've chauffeured kids around day after day in a minivan, I've sat at sporting events year after year, and I've tried balancing work, home, kids, and husband. Is this the story of my life? No. But I think almost every mom knee-deep in motherhood has thought once or twice about just driving away from all the chaos for a much needed break. Women today are expected to do it all, from raising the kids to bringing home a paycheck, and it can be overwhelming at times. I think most mothers can relate to Maggie and understand why she ran away, and will enjoy joining Maggie on her journey.  

Who is your biggest supporter?

I have many. My husband is 100% behind my writing. My kids cheer me on. I have many online author friends I have met over the past two years who have been very encouraging and supportive. And most importantly, there are my readers, the people who have read my books and have left lovely reviews. They are really the best support group a writer can have.

Who is your favorite author?

F. Scott Fitzgerald is my favorite author. I've read all of his work, and enjoyed it very much. I love his humor and sarcasm as well as his writing style. He knew his lifestyle was ridiculous, and he made every effort to make fun of it in his novels. He was honest, and knew how to not take himself too seriously, although he did take his writing seriously. It's a shame he hadn't written more in his lifetime, or hadn't lived longer; because I'm sure he had many more novels in him.

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

Since I'm a self-published author, the road to publication was pretty smooth. In my quest to learn about self-publishing, I ran into a wonderful blog by fantasy author Lindsay Buroker (http://www.lindsayburoker.com/). She wrote in-depth about her self-publishing journey and I learned so much from reading her blog. From there, I did more research and learned to format my ebooks and everything else I'd needed to self-publish. My daughter, Deborah, had gone to college for computer design technology, so I coerced her into creating my book covers for me. (This ended up quite nicely for her because she decided she loved creating book covers and now she has her own online business, Tugboat Design, (www.tugboatdesign.net), and has created numerous covers for self-published authors.) I published my first book in November 2011 and by March 2012, I already had three self-published books online. 

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Amazon Kindle ~ $3.99 – http://www.amazon.com/Maggies-Turn-ebook/dp/B00DZVZ1FK/

Paperback ~ $10.99 ~ http://www.amazon.com/Maggies-Turn-Deanna-Lynn-Sletten/dp/1491277289/

*After October 15^th, Maggie's Turn will be available on B&N Nook and on Kobo. (I will send these links to Dorothy so she can let everyone know as soon as I publish them.)

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Yes, I have both. Readers can find me on my website at www.deannalsletten.com and at my blog at www.deannalynnsletten.com.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

I've spoken with so many aspiring authors who are afraid to take the plunge and self-publish because they are still afraid it will ruin their credibility and their chance of ever acquiring an agent or a traditional publisher. Believe me, it won't. If you are watching the self-publishing world, and you should be if you are considering self-publishing, you see self-published authors hitting the top 100 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble more and more. These authors are often approached by agents and publishers. So don't be afraid to place your book out there. It is a chance to get feedback from readers, sell books, and make money from your writing. And if you sell well and make it to the top 100, that's even better.

What is up next for you?

I am currently working on my sixth and seventh novels, both women's fiction, which I hope to have out in the spring and summer of 2014. Sorry, that's as much as I wish to give away for now. 

Is there anything you would like to add?

First, I'd like to thank you for being a host for my Maggie's Turn book blog tour and for sharing my book with your readers. Without the generosity of book review bloggers like you, I'd have never been able to get the word out about my novels. I'd also like to thank all of the wonderful readers who have bought my books and supported me by leaving reviews on all of the vendor sites as well as on Goodreads. November marks the second full year I've been self-publishing my novels, and this has truly been a wonderful journey for me. I never thought I'd get a chance to share my stories with readers, so this has been, and continues to be, a dream come true. 

First Chapter Review: The Greeks of Beaubien Street by Suzanne Jenkins ($100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

I received a copy of this first chapter from the author through Pump Up Your Book. The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a contemporary women's fiction book.

BLURB:   Nestled below the skyline of Detroit you’ll find Greektown, a few short blocks of colorful bliss, warm people and Greek food. In spite of growing up immersed in the safety of her family and their rich culture, Jill Zannos doesn’t fit in. A Detroit homicide detective, she manages to keep one foot planted firmly in the traditions started by her grandparents, while the other navigates the most devastated neighborhoods in the city she can’t help but love. She is a no nonsense workaholic with no girlfriends, an odd boyfriend who refuses to grow up, and an uncanny intuition, inherited from her mystic grandmother, that acts as her secret weapon to crime solving success. Her story winds around tales of her family and their secret laden history, while she investigates the most despicable murder of her career.

The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a modern tale of a family grounded in old world, sometimes archaic, tradition, as they seek acceptance in American society. They could be any nationality, but they are Greek.

COVER: Unique. This cover manages to capture the setting, the main character, and her heritage in one fell swoop. It certainly catches the eye.

FIRST CHAPTER:  News of a young woman found dead in an alley wakes homicide detective Jill Zannos early one morning. Gretchen Parker has been brutally tortured and killed. It will be up to Jill and her partner Albert to find out why.

KEEP READING: Though there is a bit too much backstory for my taste, the opening chapter of The Greeks of Beaubien Street holds a steady pace. Filled with several characters, the reader gets a glimpse into Jill's life as a homicide detective in Detroit. Her work and her personal life blend together to create a woman worth getting to know, as much as for her smarts and psychic-like connection to the crimes she must solve, as for her heritage. A good amount of setting detail paints a solid picture for the reader as she moves along. The chosen genre of women's fiction is a bit perplexing, but I'm guessing the character of Jill is more of the focal point than her occupation and crime solving abilities based upon the synopsis. In the opening chapter, her partner Albert plays a minimal role. I'll have to see how this plays out as I move along. I definitely want to read more.








Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 147931174X
ISBN-13: 978-1479311743
Warning: this novel contains a graphic depiction of rape.

Purchase at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Suzanne Jenkins is the author of the Pam of Babylon Series. The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a new series about a Greek homicide detective who grew up above the family grocery store in Greektown, Detroit. Jenkins has fond memories of growing up in a Greek American household in the suburbs of Detroit. She currently lives in the west Michigan lakeshore area with her husband, two dogs and two sheep.

Visit her website at www.suzannejenkins.net. Visit her blog at www.2sheepinthecity.com.

~ ~ ~ $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD/PAYPAL CASH GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and Suzanne Jenkins are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash!

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter form below. If Rafflecopter form does not load, you can visit the author's tour page at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/12/27/pump-up-your-book-presents-the-greeks-of-beaubien-street-virtual-book-publicity-tour/


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I received a free copy of this chapter from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Interview with Rozsa Gaston, Author of Paris Adieu

Rozsa Gaston is an author who writes serious books on playful matters. She is the author of Paris Adieu, Dogsitters, Budapest Romance, Lyric, Running from Love and the soon to be released Paris Adieu sequel, Black is Not a Color Unless Worn By a Blonde. Rozsa studied European intellectual history at Yale, and then received her master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia. In between Rozsa worked as a singer/pianist all over the world. She currently lives in Connecticut with her family.

You can visit Rozsa’s website at www.parisadieu.com.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I always wanted to be someone else when I was a child. I was raised by my grandparents as an only child, and I always wanted to have brothers and sisters and a father and mother around. I think a lot of readers may relate to those unfulfilled longings.

Where did you grow up?

West Hartford, Connecticut.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

Sitting out on the back patio in the summertime with my grandmother, looking at the sun go down over Avon Mountain while sipping black cows. I wrote a short story about it -- "Black Cows at Sunset."

When did you begin writing?

Eight years ago in July, our daughter received a diagnosis of a permanent condition. I couldn't process it. That August I holed up in our study for the entire month and wrote my first book, Mystique. I was hooked on writing after that.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I'm like Balzac in my writing habits. He used to write everyday from seven to eleven am then break to go out to a cafe for lunch, then spend the rest of the day doing other things.

I write from eight am to one pm, Mondays through Fridays. I'd love to go out to a cafe afterward, where I could sip a cappucino while editing my work. I just can't find any cafes in my neighborhood to go out to. It's probably just as well, since I have an eleven-year-old, a two-year-old, a husband and a dog to keep me busy when I'm not writing.

What is this book about?

Paris Adieu is a coming of age tale of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

The book has two themes: 1) how to be comfortable in your own skin and 2) how to fake it till you make it.

Paris Adieu's heroine, Ava Fodor, is clueless about both at the start of the book. By the end, she's figured out a thing or two - thanks to the insights living in Paris has given her. Ava studies French women, French food, French attitude - while French men study her. By the final chapters of Paris Adieu, she's more or less transformed herself into the woman she wants to be. And if she hasn't entirely, at least she's learned how to fake it till she makes it.

What inspired you to write it?

The inspiration for Paris Adieu is the plump, frizzy-haired nineteen-year-old girl I once was, who went to Paris as an au pair and discovered I didn't need to be anything other than who I was to be fabulous. Okay, I'm still working on it... If you're working on being fabulous too, read my book.

Who is your favorite author?

Françoise Sagan really bowled me over with Bonjour Tristesse. I'd love to hate her since she wrote it when she was seventeen, but I'm too busy learning from her for her spare, elegant prose style.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?

My agent is Sharon Belcastro of Belcastro Agency and she is one fabulous chica who has her finger on the pulse of what readers want and where the publishing industry is heading. Check her out on the Belcastro Agency Facebook Page.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Paris Adieu is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

Where can readers find you online?

Please visit www.parisadieu.com, or the Paris Adieu Facebook Page or follow me on Twitter at @rozsagaston.
Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

Yes. Google "Paris Adieu by Rozsa Gaston" and the You Tube book trailer will come up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9cUI6nFtyc

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

I have two pieces of advice I'd like to share.

Never stop writing. Write because you love to write, because you can't live without writing. The more you write, the more your writing will improve.

Don't be afraid to offer the same message again and again. If it's a good one, people will want to hear it again and again. Messages on forgiveness, sacrificial love, revenge, ambition, passion, loss, desire don't get old. Readers will always be interested if they're delivered in readable, well-crafted prose.

What is up next for you?

I'm hard at work on Paris Adieu's sequel, Black is Not a Color ... Unless Worn by a Blonde. It's the story of Ava's relationship with her father, who has a heart attack soon after she returns to New York from Paris. Caring for him consumes her, putting the brakes on her budding romance with Pierre, the Frenchman she has met at the end of Paris Adieu. There's another more important man in her life whom she needs to figure out first.

Zsolt Fodor is a Hungarian poet fond of saying crazy, cryptic things such as "black is not a color unless worn by a blonde." No one understands him, foremost of all, his daughter. Ava learns how to accept, love, and care for the man who fathered, but didn't raise her. It's a struggle, but with the help of friends she's made at her new job at the United Nations - a few Serbs and a Romanian - she begins to understand something of her father's own fractured background and the difficulties he has endured as an immigrant in New York City. By learning to love and forgive her father, Ava learns how to look at men in a new light. But is it too late to find Pierre again? I can't wait to finish the story and find out myself, so I can share it with my readers.

The Story Behind Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren

Today's guest blogger is Kaylin McFarren, author of the women’s contemporary novel, Flaherty's Crossing.

From Pacific Northwest’s award-winning author Kaylin McFarren comes a powerful novel about love, loss, and the power of forgiveness…

Successful yet emotionally stifled artist Kate Flaherty stands at the deathbed of her estranged father, conflicted by his morphine-induced confession exposing his part in her mother’s death. While racing home, Kate’s car mishap leads her to a soul-searching discussion with a lone diner employee, prompting Kate to confront the true reasons her marriage hangs in the balance. When her night takes an unexpected turn, however, she flees for her life, a life desperate for faith that can only be found through her ability to forgive.

Read an excerpt from Flaherty's Crossing at the book's website.

"The Story Behind Flaherty's Crossing" by Kaylin McFarren

I'm often asked about the story behind Flaherty's Crossing and to be honest, it's not an easy one to tell. My father was a hard-working Irishman who aside from expecting dinner on the table promptly at 5pm never had much to share or complain about. There were disappointments, of course, since money was often tight. But my dad was content working his blue-collar job, reading the nightly newspaper, watching sports, and visiting occasionally with neighbors. My only interaction with him came from camping and skiing trips where he spent most of his time working on outboard motors and insisting that my family had a good time. I never had a serious or lengthy conversation with my dad as he preferred to keep his emotions hidden away. But sixteen years ago that all changed when he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Over the course of his two and a half year battle, I was given small glimpses into his past. I discovered that my father's inability to communicate had little to do with the affection he kept buried inside. But this cruel disease was aggressive and soon took its toll. Before long, it was time for me to bid him a final farewell. I was not only heartbroken over losing a parent but also for never knowing who this man truly was. As a result, I was angry at him, at God, at the world in general. I needed an outlet to release all my pent up emotions and found it in front of my computer, punching away on keys. This therapeutic exercise gradually evolved into a related fictional story about a woman’s personal journey to find faith and forgiveness.

In the process of writing Flaherty’s Crossing and exploring my main character’s growth, I found myself learning and growing as well. I discovered I wasn't alone. There were thousands of daughters and sons like myself who had similar stories to tell – who had strained, complicated relationships, but loved their parents none the less. I've learned that through my writing, I can inspire and touch lives and can urge others to mend fences and relationships before it's too late. This novel truly has a purpose. Not only did Flaherty's Crossing heal my heart, but I believe the message it carries can make a difference for other families as well. I've chosen to donate 100% of my proceeds to the cancer research center at Portland's Providence Medical Center with the hope of finding a cure in our lifetime. This story has opened my eyes to possibilities and given me a voice that I plan to use in future stories with the intention of inspiring and uplifting lives.


Linda Yoshida, aka Kaylin McFarren, is a rare bird indeed. Not a migratory sort, she prefers to hug the West Coast and keep family within visiting range. Although she has virtually been around the world, she was born in California, relocated with her family to Washington, and nested with her husband in Oregon. In addition to playing an active role in his business endeavors, she has been involved in all aspects of their three daughters’ lives – taxi duties, cheerleading coaching, script rehearsals, and relationship counseling, to name but a few. Now she enjoys spending undisciplined time with her two young grandsons and hopes to have many more.

Although Kaylin wasn’t born with a pen in hand like so many of her talented fellow authors, she has been actively involved in both business and personal writing projects for many years. As the director of a fine art gallery, she assisted in furthering the careers of numerous visual artists who under her guidance gained recognition through promotional opportunities and in national publications. Eager to spread her own creative wings, she has since steered her energy toward writing novels. As a result, she has earned more than a dozen literary awards and was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest.

Kaylin is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College, which originally sparked her passion for writing. In her free time, she also enjoys giving back to the community through participation and support of various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

You can visit Kaylin online at www.kaylinmcfarren.com or visit her book’s website at www.flahertyscrossing.com.