Interview & GIVEAWAY with author Sherrill Bodine

Interview & GIVEAWAY with author Sherrill Bodine

Hey everyone! Taking a break from all of the catch up posting for a bit. This post is actually scheduled for today! Whoot whoot! I am finally making some progress after that horrid bout of illness! Today is a special day because it is a part one of two. The book I have featured today is written by two wonderful authors and I have the opportunity to share interviews with both of them with you. Today is the fabulous Sherrill Bodine and Saturday you will be treated to the wonderful Patricia Rosemoor. Sounds fantastic, yes? There is also a GIVEAWAY of BLING for this tour so make sure you enter before you head out today! And Ms. Bodine has a question for everyone. Your feedback is valuable so please give us your opinion. Please allow me to introduce to the blog:

**SHERRILL BODINE**

**BIO**

I’m sure growing up in my grandmother’s house, taking care of my developmentally disabled mother, forged who I am, but I don’t believe any one thing defines me. My philosophy of life is that we are all in this together—and we need to embrace one another with as much grace, humor and compassion as we can muster. I see life as big, bigger, biggest, and I want to take everyone along with me on the journey. I not only attend black-tie affairs and work on charity board projects, but I am also just as likely to be taking a grandchild to lunch and a movie. I’m happily married to John, with whom I eloped when I was an 18-year-old freshman in college. It was quite the scandal. We have four beautiful children and 11 grandchildren.

I won my first writing award in the seventh grade in a statewide essay contest about a television broadcast of Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. Instead of Silver Skates, they sent real skates, which I enjoyed immensely. I’m only sorry I don’t still have them so they could hang in my office.

While moving 22 times across the country and rearing our children, I sold stories to Fate Magazine, Home Life Magazine and True Confessions. In 1988, I sold my first novel and a week later received a two-book contract from Fawcett. Sixteen novels later, I’ve seen The Other Amanda win the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America Write Touch Readers’ Award and Talk of the Town chosen by Cosmopolitan magazine as its “Red Hot Read” for February 2009.

Sherrill is also known as Lynn Leslie and Leslie Lynn

You can find out more about Ms. Bodine in the following places:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

**WRITTEN IN THE STARS**

Publication Date: August 12, 2013

Published by Entangled Publishing - Suspense Imprint

**BLURB**

“A passionate tale of destiny, danger and dark magic—and a love so powerful that it conquers time.” Mary Jo Putney, New York Times Bestselling Author.

‘A love so deep that it can last through centuries?
In 1601, Lady Elizabeth York’s star-shaped birthmark proclaims her a child of magic. When she arrives at Dunham Castle to marry Carlyle, heir to the Duke of Lennox, but finds enchantment in the eyes and touch of Will Grey, the Duke’s bastard son. Bewitched by Elizabeth, Will defies all for their love, and his jilted half-brother places a curse on them both.
Searching for a treasure ship sunk long ago, present-day marine archeologist Cordelia Ward is pursued romantically by both salvager Innis Foley and treasure hunter Morgan Murphy. She is haunted by a murderous nightmare where one man is the killer and the other the victim, but which man is her enemy, which her soul’s mate? Can a journal that belonged to her ancestress, Lady Elizabeth York show her the answers…in time to save her true love?
Chased by evil, two women discover their own magic to fight the villain’s curse on the Posey rings that draw them to the men they are destined to love.

Buy Links

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**INTERVIEW**

How has your life changed since becoming published?

I have what I call my square of life – health, wealth, love and perfect self- expression. Writing for me is my perfect self- expression. It makes me feel complete.

That is wonderful ~ to have something that fulfills you in a true-to-self way. What is your typical day like?

During the week, I’m either writing, attending charity lunches/dinners/meeting ( I’m on several charity boards in Chicago) but I always make time to spend with my husband and children! Weekends are totally for family, friends and fun!

Family time is really important. IT is great that you can make time for everything. Tell us a little about your current release WRITTEN IN THE STARS.

I honestly LOVED writing this book. Particularly Elizabeth’s journal entries – the right words just came quickly – THAT doesn’t often happen to me. Perhaps it is because I truly felt connected to Elizabeth and Will and their epic love story.

If only it was always so easy! Just shows that this book was meant to be, yes? Any upcoming projects you would like to tell us about?

My agent is ready to send out the proposal for my memoir, IN MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE, to interested editors. This book about my growing up taking care of my mother, who was labeled mentally challenged from birth ( of course in those days they said retarded) and our life long journey together is the book of my heart. Please send positive energy for this one to be published! Thanks!

Positive energy sent! Wishing you tons of good karma on this one. How do you keep in contact with your readers?

I LOVE connecting to readers but I’m a techno sub-zero!!! But I’m trying to move up to a zero! I tweet, facebook, I have a website and I’ll happily give my email to all interested readers!

But you are wiling to learn and that is key. Well done! What is your favorite thing about this book?

The reincarnation and the sense of danger and destiny.

Sounds fabulous! What’s next for you?

Professionally? – I hope I’ll be writing the memoir for a wildly enthusiastic publisher! Personally? I’m off to London and then on to Romania for a wedding in September.

Romania for a wedding? Sounds wonderful! When did you begin your journey as an author and what pulled you in the direction of writing?

I needed to write down the daydreams in my head!! Imagination is a gift! I won a state wide essay contest in the 7^th grade – sold stories to magazines when rearing my children – just couldn’t stop writing!

Any special quirks or habits when writing?

I always do my first draft on a wide ruled white tablet, writing with a black pen. When I come home with a new tablet and a package of new pens my husband knows I’m starting a new book.

Ha! I love it! How do you celebrate when you finish a novel?

Champagne and a new piece of jewelry!

Great! I think it is important to celebrate in some way whether you go big or small. That recognition of completion is important! Was there something in particular that gave you the idea for this book?

I have always been fascinated by the idea of reincarnation – even more so after researching it for WRITTEN IN THE STARS

I love having an idea, researching it, and then finding that you are even more intrigued. Any advice you’d like to share for aspiring writers?

NEVER SURRENDER!!!!!!

Ha! That is a new one and right to the point. I picture it being screamed at the top of the lungs with pen in hand and writing tablet to breast. A colorful flag flying overhead in the wind as you stand at the top of a hillside. Sorry. The image hit as soon as I read that. *grins* Do you have any other hobbies or interests besides writing?

I LOVE to travel!!! And I’ve been fortunate in being able to indulge my wanderlust!

You probably have some amazing travel stories to share. Salty or Sweet?

The two combined is the perfect bite!

Agreed. Alcoholic or Non-alcoholic?

Alcoholic

Agreed ~ most of the time. What is your favorite drink?

I only drink champagne because it is the only alcoholic drink I like!

No coffee? Tea? Soda? Particular kind of bottled water? There must be something!What is your favorite holiday?

I’m crazy about Christmas!!! I give an almost –Christmas Eve party for all my friends who have no family around to celebrate with them. It has grown into quite the production – I love it!!

That sounds like so much fun and an amazing thing to look forward to. Favorite place you have ever visited?

England and Scotland – I know that is two but couldn’t pick one over the other!

I would love to go to both places. SO jealous right now! Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly

I! LOVE! THAT! M&M’s or Skittles?

M&M’s

Yes! Who is your favorite fictional character ever?

Francis Crawford in Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles

Favorite meal?

Wonderful cheeses with nuts, great bread and a glass of champagne

I am sensing a champagne theme here. LOL

Now how about a little taste of WRITTEN IN THE STARS?

**EXCERPT**

By reading any further you are stating you are at least 18 years of age.

If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary for you to exit this site.

There was little Will had not seen in court, the battlefield, or the bedroom, yet watching Elizabeth walk to the warm, spring-fed pool at the edge of the woods behind his grandfather’s cottage filled him with wonder.

He slipped his arm around her waist and her head rested on his shoulder. Freed of her ribbons, her ebony hair blown by the evening winds flowed across his throat and chest, filling the air he breathed with the scent of lavender.
At the far side of the pool they came to the limestone rim, festooned with vines and heavy purple blossoms.
Laughing, she slipped off her kid boots, slowly uncoiled her celestial girdle and placed it carefully on the ground. Wearing only her loose gown with hanging sleeves, she walked into the shallows.
Turning back to him, her thick, wavy hair cascading over her breasts, her huge eyes lit by the setting sun, she beckoned to him.
“Come, Will. Join me in paradise.”
Leaving most of his clothes in a pile next to hers, Will waded toward her. He felt the warm spring water rush over his feet and calves.
To him, Elizabeth was a creature of magic, of desire, of love he would follow through eternity.

**AUTHOR QUESTION**

My books have been fortunate to get great reviews – been chosen to be a “red hot” read in Cosmopolitan Magazine – been picked up by Doubleday/book of the month club – BUT my numbers are not great – what can I do to attract more readers?

**GIVEAWAY**

     a Rafflecopter giveaway

So what did you all think? What are your thoughts about books with multiple authors? DO you tend to like them more, not as much, or about the same? How do you feel about reading this book based on the blurb and excerpt? I always welcome your comments to please feel free to comment below on any portion of the post.

And don't forget to answer Ms. Bodine's question. She is looking to expand her following. As active as I know you all are, I am sure that you can offer some positive insight. So get to commenting!

I want to thank Ms. Bodine for being here today as well as all of you for continuing to hop in and see the posts. I wish everyone a fantastic day! Don't forget to enter the contest for your chance to win. I wish all who enter the best of luck! See you all soon! Until then ...

HAPPY READING!!!