What is a blog hop? A blog hop is where a group of authors get together and post on each others blog. It’s purpose is to introduce readers to great new summer reads!

My current release, a short story titled “Found Rhythm”, is included in the Seven Dress Sizes collection.  This collection  takes you into the lives of seven different  modern women.  All struggling, in a full scope of shapes and sizes, to find the key to unlocking self worth, acceptance of  their personal beauty, and natural confidence.

What is a woman’s worth ? What is beauty? Depending on culture, commercialism, family, or our peers, men and woman have allowed society to dictate a woman’s worth based on nothing  more than the outer shell of her existence.

There is no perfect number. No measurement or shape is safe under the judgmental eyes of the world.No eyes can judge a woman as harshly as her own.

My story features Isa Taylor, a size 7 chef who struggles with societal expectations that she’s the perfect size and shape, and her cultural expectations that say she’s not.

Now, on to the blog hop fun topic!

1. When writing are you a snacker? If so, sweet or salty?
I am a HEAVY snacker and beverage consumer.  I am not a snack discriminator though 🙂  I enjoy anything from chips, to fruit, to nuts, to cake.  For beverages, I’ve got to have me a steaming cup of coffee.  Even if I don’t drink it, I just love the smell of it as I write.

2. Are you an outliner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants? Are they real pants or jammies?
I couldn’t fly by the seats of my pants even if they grew wings! LOL  No, I am a heavy planner and plotter. I cannot write a story without knowing my characters and at lease a loose idea of their journey.  Now, keep in mind that “loose” for me means I have a 1-2 pg synopsis and at least a skeleton outline (major Act plot points, turning points, and a solid ending).  But that said, I am learning to let my panster side out to breath more.  So I’m currently a 85/15 split on my plotter/panster ratio  (Yes, this is a real metric… I’m an analyst so I know these things… 🙂 )

3.When cooking or baking, do you follow the recipe exactly or wing it?
When cooking, usually the first time I make something I follow the recipe exactly so I have a feel of the flavors.  Then the next time I make it, I add my own flavor.  That said, I’ve developed a nasty habit of either forgetting to get an ingredient or thinking I have it at home when I don’t.  So this calls for me to be a bit crafty and creative.  So far, all my gambles have paid off anI’ve been proud of myself and my results.  I rarely bake, but if I do I follow the instructions exactly.  I am more apt to play and be creative when cooking, but I consider baking to be more of a chemistry experiment.  I’ve had more than my fair share of lab projects go awry in chemistry, so I’ve learned to follow the directions exactly. 😉

4.What is next for you after this book?
I’m currently hard at work on a contemporary romance that I hope to have completed within the next 2 months, then I will start the process of submitting it my targeted publishers.  I also have 2 additional wips on me once I’ve finished this one: 1 romance and 1 dark paranormal

5. Last Question…on a level of one being slightly naughty to ten being whoo whoo steamy, where does your book land?
Hmm, I have to say “Found Rhythm” falls squarely at a 5-6.  This short is a mainstream with romance elements.  There is only one love scene, but I think it’s pretty steamy..or so I’ve been told. Being that my current wip is Contemporary Romance, the heat action will be in the 7 range.

For more summer read ideas, check out these wonderful authors:
Jodi Vaughn
Lisa Sullivan
Chudney Thomas