Lorraine is one of the nicest people I've encountered in the writing world. I "met" her through Six Sentence Sunday many many months ago, and I became enchanted with the sweet and sexy snippets she posted each week. She's also very supportive of other writers--I'd love to take one of her classes in person. So I'm thrilled that she's agreed to be one of my Friday Friends participants, and I'm even more thrilled to start reading her debut novel, Devin's Second Chance. There's cowboys and rodeos and all kinds of yumminess involved!
But let me hand the mic over to Lorraine, so you can discover how delightful she is.
Thank you for having me on your blog, Donna! I'm thrilled to be here!
I'm so glad you're here! Now, of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? Why do you love them best? (We won't let the other characters see your answers.)
I think this depends on my day and who is behaving. Today I'm going to say my favorite is Annie Bingley, the heroine from my upcoming release Annie's Christmas Plan, Book 2 of the Morning Lake Series. She is obsessed with two things: crafts and trying to make everyone happy. I loved cheering for her as I wrote her story. She tries so hard and nothing ever seems to work the way she plans , except for her unexpected relationship with the hero, which she didn't plan at all.
I definitely know what you mean about "who is behaving". *glares at some of my characters* What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (We're hoping to add some new ones to our repertoire.)
Searching stock photography sites. I'm addicted to them! I've lost hours on those sites.
Oh yeah, that's a great one! If you were able to go on a writing retreat (and bring all of us along, of course!), where would it be?
My first thought was to choose some place exotic, like Greece— I've always wanted to go there—but I think I would enjoy a writing retreat at a lakeside cottage better. I can see it in my mind's eye, it has huge shade trees, a garden swing and a dock. The cottage can't be too rustic, though, because I enjoy indoor plumbing and I'd need electricity for my laptop.
I've always wanted to go to Greece too. But your cottage sounds lovely! So what is the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?
Just. Only. Looked. Oh, and in my last m/s, the characters seemed to have developed a fondness for checking the time. Yep, they did that in every other scene!
I love the checking the time one! Tell us the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.
Since I hope to have my bills paid off before I hit a million (fingers crossed - LOL), my big plan is to give ereaders loaded with a bunch of great books to all the kids in a classroom. At two million, maybe I could give them to the whole school!
See? Didn't I tell you she was the sweetest! Okay, now it's time for the Tasty Ten, where we get to know Lorraine in a speed dating kind of way:
Coffee or tea? Coffee, especially when it is a ginger spiced latte. Yum!
Drafting or revising? Revising
Twitter or Facebook? I love Twitter, but lately I think Facebook is trying to woo me over.
Winter or Summer? Summer!
Baseball or Football? Football, in the UK sense of Football (I blame that on my Scottish hubby)
Contemporary or historical? Yes! Both! I love to read historicals, but my brain usually creates contemporary stories. Go figure.
Pirate or cowboy? You are cruel to make me choose! I'm feeling a little like Sophie, but I'll go with cowboy.
Rare or well-done? Medium well
Scrambled or fried? Scrambled
Biter or licker? (Hey now! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Oh… of course… that's exactly what I thought when I read the question… ;) Licker!
Thanks so much for being here, Lorraine. I'm looking forward to having more of your books on my Nook!
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Author Bio
When Lorraine Paton finished her master’s degree, she was tempted to sign on to do a doctorate, but then she realized she wanted to write fiction more. So, by day, she works in a hectic office, and by night, she lets loose her passion for writing romance novels. She lives with two cats who hate one another and a wonderfully patient man with a sexy Scottish accent in Alberta, Canada, which is where her contemporary stories take place. A diehard romance reader and writer, her goal is to bring happily-ever-afters to as many people—or characters—as she can. Devin’s Second Chance is her debut novel, and she’s excitedly planning the release of more stories in 2013 and beyond!
Social Media Links:
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Book Buy Links
Devin's Second Chance is available at:
Blurb: Cowboy Devin Trent can't believe his matchmaking mom is trying to set him up with Claire Best, a local photographer. She knows better than anyone why he doesn't deserve a second chance at love. What surprises him even more is that he is drawn to Claire and she seems interested in him, too. However, he suspects Clair is keeping a secret. Will Claire's secret end their relationship before it begins?
Excerpt:
At the far end of the barn was another door. It was ajar. Sunlight pierced around it, as if it was yet another magical entrance to yet another magical world. Dust motes glittered in the sunrays like fairy dust.
Claire had just reached the door when it swung open.
There, framed with sunlight, was Devin. The air around him glowed like a halo around a Greek god. Did Greek gods have haloes? It didn’t matter. The point was he was magnificent. Big. Powerful.
Then she knew why she was here, why she’d struggled to drive her bike over that awful gravel road. She wanted Devin to spirit her away from everything.
Thank you so much for inviting me over to your blog today, Donna! :-) This has been fun!
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 19, 2013 at 08:54 AM
Thanks for being here, Lorraine! I had tons of fun too. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 19, 2013 at 09:29 AM
Ginger spiced latte, I must try this. Soccer is a big deal in my house. The hubs and I both play and now we're getting our boys to play too. Much fun.
I fell for Lorraine six sentences at a time too. Congratulations on your debut. I'm so happy for you. :)
Posted by: S. J. Maylee | July 19, 2013 at 10:18 AM
I'm intrigued by the ginger spiced latte too. I'll definitely try that when winter rolls around again. So you're a soccer fiend, are you? Good thing you've got your whole family into it. :) And I love this: "I fell for Lorraine six sentences at a time too." What a great description!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 19, 2013 at 10:33 AM
S.J. - You should absolutely try the ginger spiced latte! Although, I don't think it'll be available until closer to Thanksgiving. It is one of my fave things about winter!
And, you are both making me blush. :-) Thanks!
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 19, 2013 at 01:02 PM
It's fun to make you blush! :) Since I don't really HAVE a favorite thing about winter, I may have to adopt the ginger spice latte now. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 19, 2013 at 01:23 PM
I'm loving the Friday Friends interviews, but I am especially loving the excerpts! Oh, what wonderful imagery with the sunlight and the hero looking like a Greek god. Sigh. Well, no wonder why Greece came to mind first, Lorraine, for the place to go for a writing retreat! LOL
Posted by: Melissa | July 19, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Melissa, I'm so glad you're enjoying these! And I hadn't made the connection between the Greek god and the Greek writing retreat. It makes perfect sense though, doesn't it? LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 19, 2013 at 03:12 PM
Hi, Melissa! I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt! :) I agree with your sigh. Aw, Devin... he's as yummy as the ginger spice latte! (And, I hadn't made that connection between Greece and the Greek God reference either - LOL!)
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 19, 2013 at 03:52 PM
Great snippet!
My very first book was a cowboy/family story. I loved writing the barn scenes. Something so visceral and earthy!
Posted by: Deb Salonen | July 19, 2013 at 04:26 PM
Thank you, Deb! There are a couple of barn scenes in Devin's Second Chance, and I had a lot of fun with them. I love cowboy stories!
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 19, 2013 at 04:47 PM
I love cowboy stories too -- such sexy creatures! I'm looking forward to more of these barn scenes. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 19, 2013 at 05:18 PM
So your characters have you on a timetable with their clock watching huh? Very impatient of them. LOL Great interview ladies. I never knew you taught Lorraine. Cool!
Posted by: Heather Boyd | July 19, 2013 at 07:27 PM
Hi, Heather! Yes, my characters *were* impatient but I don't know why... it isn't like there was a race against time to save the world or anything like that. Maybe they were trying to tell me something like: "Finish this already!" LOL
As for teaching, I teach classes at my writing group, usually once a year. And, I am co-teaching a 3 hour workshop on sexual tension at the When Words Collide conference in Calgary. It should be a lot of fun! I'm really looking forward to it. :)
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 19, 2013 at 09:58 PM
Lovely post, Donna and Lorraine!
Posted by: Kate Warren | July 19, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Thank you, Kate! It's been fun! :)
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 19, 2013 at 11:04 PM
Eeek, Heather -- our characters are timing us? LOL How can I goof off if they're doing that?
Kate, thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Lorraine, thanks again for being here. It was such a treat!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 20, 2013 at 07:55 AM
Donna, thank you again for a lovely day! :-)
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 20, 2013 at 09:24 PM
I'm late to the party but enjoyed the interview! Lorraine, we need to keep you away from barns. :)
Posted by: Patricia Preston | July 20, 2013 at 09:34 PM
Late again. Ack! I don't know where Friday went.
Really enjoying these interviews, Donna. Lorraine, it may sound strange, but I would definitely take the lakeside cottage over Greece. I've always dream of secluded waterside retreat. *happy sigh*
Looking forward to Annie's Christmas Plan. Devin's Second Chance stole my heart. Wishing you continued success for an awesome book!
Posted by: Mae Clair | July 20, 2013 at 11:21 PM
Lorraine -- you're so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Patricia -- you crack me up! Lorraine and barns are a good thing. :)
Mae -- you're not late. Internet time lasts forever. :) I'll take just about any getaway. In fact, I'd need a getaway from my getaway, so both choices sound good!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 21, 2013 at 08:16 AM