Get to know Author Valerie Ullmer today on @RomanceBooks4Us #RB4U @valerieullmer

Welcome to Romance Books 4 Us, a place for all romance and all genres. We’re very happy to have you here with us today. First, tell us a little bit about yourself…

Please tell us a little about yourself...I live in Denver, Colorado and have been a writer since 2010, but I self-published my first book in 2016.  I have a very supportive husband who allows me to stay at home and do what I love.  But when he’s not at home to spitball ideas with, I bounce ideas off of my black lab mix, Maddie, as she stares as me as though I’m stupid with eyebrow raises and deep sighs.  She doesn’t really help with my story ideas, but she makes me laugh.

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?  Every book I’ve ever read inspired me.  I devoured books as soon as I truly started reading novels, around my senior year in high school, and I haven’t stopped.  Each novel, each word, has inspired me.

Do real life events find their way into your stories?  Not particularly.  I mainly put in phrases that I or someone I know might use, or a particular personality quirk that I like, but no true events have become part of my stories.

Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?  It’s always something different.  There are so many people and events that influence my inspiration that they are never the same.

When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?  My husband and I don’t have kids, and since my husband works all day, I write when I feel like it during the day.  I have to say that I’m most productive early in the morning.  By afternoon, I’m flagging and my brain screeches to a halt.  I do love to read at night though, it helps me relax.

Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?  I’m curious about writing mysteries, but I don’t think I would be able to plot such a twisty-turny story that would capture readers attentions, but you never know.  It could be in my future.  I never thought I would write gay romance, but I find that I’m loving it.

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?  I have to write at my desk in the living room with the TV off and music playing softly in the background.  If I move to my couch, I find myself surfing the net, which I get lost in and forget what I’m doing.  So the desk or nothing.

As a reader, what types of genres do you enjoy? And do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?  I read mostly romance, but lately, I’ve only been reading M/M or gay romance.  I find that the situations are completely new for me and I love most of the ones I’ve read.

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, iPad or the old-fashioned pencil and paper?  And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?  My favorite is with pen and paper.  I outline my entire story, plot points and everything, before I type it into Scrivener.  Since most of my story is fleshed out with my outline, it makes my story easier to write when I get to my computer.

Share your favorites:

Favorite color –It changes between blue and green, depending on my mood

Favorite dessert/snack –cupcakes

Favorite Season –Fall

Favorite sad song –Fix You by Coldplay

Favorite Romantic movie –When Harry Met Sally…

Favorite Actor –Robert Downey, Jr.

Favorite Actress –Jessica Chastain

Favorite way to relax –Reading

What is your ideal romantic vacation?  Exploring anywhere with history as long as my husband is with me.

Where can our readers find you

Email:  valerie@valerieullmer.com

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/valerieullmer

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/valerieullmer.author

Website/blog:  http://www.valerieullmer.com

Amazon author page:  https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Ullmer/e/B01FSWMI9A

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15293708.Valerie_Ullmer

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-ullmer

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

My story, Fall for You, a New Adult M/M Romance, is featured in the All You Need is Love Romance Collection.

Ethan Sutton had come to the stunning revelation that he’d fallen in love with his best friend, Sebastian Young.  Although friends since childhood, Ethan vowed to keep his feelings for Sebastian under wraps and live the rest of his life with this one secret between them rather than risk a lifelong connection and never see him again.  But when they move into their own apartment at the start of their third year of college, can Ethan keep his feelings from showing when they live so close together?

Sebastian Young had an epiphany about Ethan at the end of last year and arranged for the shared apartment he’d found over the summer to be closer to Ethan and see if a relationship could develop between them.  But as they settle into their lives in a new place with such close quarters, ex-girlfriends, nosy downstairs neighbors, and Sebastian’s own doubts, their relationship could be in jeopardy before it even begins.


Can two best friends admit their feelings and fall in love?

Buy Links:   

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078PZR8HY

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/all-you-need-is-love-27

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/all-you-need-is-love/id1330261438?mt=11

B&N:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/all-you-need-is-love/id1330261438?mt=11

Interview of Author Beth Wylde

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Beth Wylde.

Latest Book: Broadly Bound: Broad Horizons Book #1 (A GLBT BDSM anthology with stories by Beth Wylde, DL King, Syd McGinley and Kathleen Bradean
Excessica Buy Link
Also available for kindle and nook or in print at: https://www.createspace.com/3802757

BIO:
Erotic author/editor Beth Wylde writes what she likes to read, which includes a little bit of everything under the rainbow. Her stories span the spectrum in genre from paranormal to contemporary and in pairings from lesbian, het, bi, ménage and more. You can find her online at http://www.bethwylde.com/ or email her direct at b.wylde@yahoo.com

Beth also hosts a yahoo group strictly for writers and aspiring authors of lesbian fiction called Sapphic Planet. For info on membership email her directly.

Q: How did you celebrate publishing your first book?
A: After I got over the shock of seeing my name on it, I called the friends I knew who would support the type of story I wrote and we went out to dinner and I gave them all signed copies of the book and we took pictures of me holding a copy.

Q: What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?
A: I write when and where I can. With three young kids at home I have to make every moment at the keyboard count. I may get up in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn or work sometimes when they are at school. I don’t usually set a certain goal limit because things pop up that can’t be predicted so I do what I can and try to be happy with that. I tend to write things out longhand a lot and then go back and type it up later.

Q: How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
A: Just about every character has some kind of trait of mine. I tend to add in personal touches to make the stories feel more realistic to me. It helps me focus more when I’m writing them. If something sexy is taking place it’s usually a scene or a kink or fetish that personally turns me on or something I’m interested in.

Q: If you could change something about your first book, what would it be?
A: I’d have picked a better publisher. I should have done more research before submitting to the first place I saw that was open for subs. It was a harsh lesson but also an important one.

Q: Do you eat comfort food/listen to music when writing?
A: I love to eat so there’s often food at or near my computer. As for music, I can’t listen to it while I write. (I am one of those people that can’t hear a song without singing along) but I often use certain songs to help get me in the right frame of mind, depending on the type of story I’m working on.

Q: How do you choose names for your characters?
A: My characters usually name themselves. I get a lot of story ideas in my dreams when I sleep. As I start writing or typing the names just come to me. I leave them blank until then. I can’t force a name on a character or the story stops for me.

Q: Covers. Ever get one you wish you could change?
A: Oh yes. I had one cover I approved for an ebook anthology and later the book went into print. I was so freaking excited until I opened the box with my print copies and saw that the cover was totally different from the ebook and the new cover was dreadful. A total beefcake cover and it was a GLBT anthology so it didn’t fit in at all and whenever I took copies of that book to shows it never sold either. People would look at the cover and move on. I am so glad that book is out of circulation. I hope to self pub it sometime soon with a decent and fitting cover.

Q: Give one advice tip to an aspiring author.
A: Do your research. After you’ve written the story and have it perfect check out the publishers you plan to sub to. Ask questions, check them out. Buy a book or two of theirs and see if the editing is well done and if they are publishing what you are writing. There’s nothing worse then being stuck with a bad publisher or getting rejections because what you are sending them does not fit with what they normally sell.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing that you haven’t yet tried?
A: I have never done historical. I’m not sure I’d have the patience for the research but I’ve thought about trying it. I would love to write a vampire story someday. I’ve always had a fascination with them but I’d have to have an original spin on vamps in order to attempt it. They’ve been done to death. LOL

Q: Any part of a book that drives you crazy as you write: beginning, middle, or end?
A: The end. I always have the opening idea, and some knowledge of what’s going to happen, but I am a total punster so I never know how the story is going to end until I get there. Sometimes that’s really frustrating and I wish I could outline but I can’t write that way.

Fun Stuff:
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
A: Halloween. I get to dress up in crazy costumes. I love any excuse to dress up.

Q: What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I have a rather explosive temper. I’ve always wanted to own a huge RV and travel for a year.

Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A singer, preferably a rock star. LOL

Q: Favorite food.
A: Just about anything. I’m not a picky eater. I don’t do spicy though.

Q: Favorite happy memory.
A: The birth of my children. Holding them for the first time.

Q: Favorite drink.
A: I’m a soda junkie. I’ve been trying to drink more water but I LOVE Dr. Pepper.

Q: Hot summer days or chilly winter nights?
A: Bring on the heat!

Q: What is the top thing on your bucket list?
A: To write a bestselling novel.

Q: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A: I’d want to teleport. It would make traveling to events and back home again so much simpler and fast.

Q: Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
A: My temporary website while the original is getting an overhaul is: beth-wylde.tripod.com. You can also find me on twitter, fetlife and facebook. My busy yahoo group will be gearing up for a month long chat event in June so to join in on the fun visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bethwylde/ and I love to hear from readers. You can email me direct at b.wylde@yahoo.com

I run a yahoo group for authors and aspiring authors of lesbian stories. If you are interested in joining email me about Sapphic Planet at b.wylde@yahoo.com

BLURB:
Welcome to Broad Horizons; the world's first and only strictly GLBTQ BDSM entertainment facility. It's opening night and the owners, Dani and Maryanne, want to invite you inside for a first hand look at what they've created. With ten themed bondage rooms, a main stage with several smaller performance areas, a second level observatory, two bars and a dance floor, plus a few extra surprises, your pleasures are only as limited as your desires. Tonight's event is by invitation only so bring your RSVP, your proof that you're over twenty-one years of age and your imagination because this evening almost anything goes.

EXCERPT: from Broadening Our Horizons by Beth Wylde
I slammed the door to our apartment as hard as I could. The door rattled the frame as she jumped to a sitting position, her eyes darting around the room in an effort to figure out what the hell was going on. As her gaze settled on me, she calmed instantly. The wild look on her face turned to something darker and more serious. She swallowed hard and cast her eyes downwards toward the floor. I knew, by the way her hands shook where they gripped the covers, that I really had been ignoring her. I promised myself then and there that it would never happen again.

The walk across the floor to the bed took only seconds, though it felt like forever. We were hanging on the edge of something truly world-shattering and I needed to know she was with me for better or for worse before I offered up everything I had to her.

“Look at me.”

She obeyed my command instantly, peering hesitantly through her blonde bangs as she settled into her submissive role. We don’t live the lifestyle twenty-four seven but Maryanne can usually tell when I need to be in charge and she’s able to slip into the role effortlessly. “Yes, Master. What can I do to please you?”

I shook my head. “No questions from you. It’s my turn. It’s just me and you, no games. I want the truth. No lies between us. I’m going to ask you something and I want you to answer honestly, no matter how much you think the answer might upset me. You won’t be punished for being honest but if you lie to me there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Yes, Master.”

“Are you happy here with me? Living in this place? Or would you prefer to be somewhere else with someone else?”

She sucked in a deep breath, her face showing her shock as she slowly replied to one of my questions. “I don’t mind living above the club. I know it’s necessary, at least until things take off.”

“What about your happiness?”

She blinked. “What about it?”

“I need to know that you’re okay with all of this.” I flung out my right hand in a gesture meant to encompass everything around us. “I know this past year has been hard on you. I know I haven’t been as attentive to you as I should have been. If you want to leave, I’ll let you. I won’t like it but I’ll understand. You can go, right now, no strings attached. I’ll consider our relationship over and you’ll be free to search for a new Domme who will treat you right.”

She looked close to tears. “Are you getting rid of me?”

I forced myself to stand back. All I really wanted to do was run to her side and sweep her up into my arms. “No. I thought you might want to get rid of me.”

She shook her head in violent denial. “Why would I want to do that? I love you. I know you’ve been busy lately, we both have, but things will be different once we open tomorrow night.”

I nodded and moved across the floor at a run, sinking down next to her on the bed. “Yes, things will be different, but they are going to start tonight.”

Anything else you’d like to add?
One thing, and this goes for most writers I think. We love feedback. If you read a story and you enjoy it take a moment to let the author know. Send them an email or write up a review on Amazon. It only takes a minute or two and, I know personally, it means the world to me to know people are enjoying what I work so hard to create.

That’s it. Happy reading!!!

Hello! A First Post from Rose Anderson

Calliope the writer's Muse

Hello everyone, my name is Rose Anderson. I’m a multi-published author of erotic romance and recent addition to the terrific twenty gold members that make up Romance Books ‘4’ Us. I’ve enjoyed this group since discovering it two and a half years ago, so I’m very happy to be involved.
From here on out, the 4^th of the month will be my posting day. I promise to make my posts interesting (yes, I proudly fly my nerd flag). Consider this my invitation to share your own thoughts in comments below. Let’s get a conversation going!

I thought I’d do my first post on inspiration.

Were you to go looking for a dictionary definition for inspiration, you’d find an interesting corollary – not only does inspiration mean a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul, it also means to draw in breath.

As a writer I understand that. Occasionally inspiration will come flying out of the blue – a thought immediately exerted upon my mind and soul as involuntary as drawing a breath. It’s remarkable really. And as if that wasn’t enough, there are times where I feel like I’m in the back seat and someone else is driving! That happened to me with Loving Leonardo. Curiously enough, a little dog named Maggie had a paw in it too.

Maggie is my daughter’s little terrier mix. Small in stature, but large in personality, Maggie has the typical terrier brain. If you could read the thought bubble over her head it would say: Murder murder murder squirrel! Murder murder murder. A wild turkey walked through the yard today. I thought she was going to explode in outrage. Honestly, all this little pooch thinks about is chomping squirrels, chipmunks, birds, rabbits, anything really. When my daughter lived in Colorado, Maggie held elk in the same murderous regard.

To distract her from these lethal thoughts, I turn on the TV with the volume down. Maggie then makes herself comfortable in her dog bed and watches it. Seriously. She’s a regular couch potato who loves cat food commercials and goes nuts over the Geico zipline pig. My friends and family find it hilarious. 
  

So one day last summer, Maggie was watching the mid-day news and I didn’t realize it was loud enough for me to hear. I rarely watch TV so pay it little mind. That day’s news was all about politics, specifically progressives and women’s issues. Suddenly Elenora Schwaab, Victorian suffragette, sprang fully formed from my head like Athena sprung from Zeus.

The next thing I knew, Ellie proposed marriage to Nicolas, an art historian who was also a confirmed bachelor and just happened to be a gay man. To my complete surprise he said yes and they went off to Venice on a wild adventure to find a book Leonardo da Vinci created for his long-time lover Salai. And wouldn’t you know, they met Luca aboard ship, himself a historian with a keen interest in Leonardo da Vinci. As the compatibility, friendship, and affection grew between them, their time together became sensually charged. Before I realized what was happening, they’d given me a polyamorous love story. I wasn’t looking for that and I wasn’t expecting it either, but the details came pouring out as if I were the biographer taking notes on their real lives – like I was in the back seat going for a ride. (I suspect Calliope the writer's Muse was in the driver's seat.)
 

As far as inspiration goes, the divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon my mind that day helped me create one of my favorite stories. I can honestly see a series of Ellie, Nicolas, and Luca’s adventures on the horizon. What began in Loving Leonardo continues in Loving Leonardo – The Quest. The story is all about love without boundaries, for really, we never choose whom we love. Love chooses us.

A Little Bit About Rose
Let Rose Anderson sweep you away on a sensual tide of memorable storytelling. An active imagination compels Rose to write everything from children’s stories to historical nonfiction, and she especially enjoys creating reader-interactive stories like Loving Leonardo and Dreamscape. She has four erotic romances out now (told in six novels), and there are more on the way. As a regular blogger, Rose invites you to subscribe to her Main blog for updates, author tools, and other interesting things. While you’re there, check out her links! http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/

Today's my day for The Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer Reads contest. Come see!
http://calliopeswritingtablet.blogspot.com/

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Anderson/e/B004XDGWL6/