Today here on Sorensen Shorts, we have author Calene Love Flores with her new release Sidewalk Flower, is this cover not just awesome, it's amazing, but then, Evernight Publishing always has awesome covers. But then, they have awesome authors come to think of it...there might be a connection there what do you think?
Buy links for the book will be added to the bottom of the post, and if you want to try to win an eBook copy of the wonderful book, be sure to answer this question “What is the best concert you've ever been to and why?” Be sure to include your email address.
Website: www.carlenelove.com
Blog: www.carlenelove.com
Twitter: @cloveflores
Facebook: Carlene Love Flores
The Interview ---
Welcome to my blog Carlene, lets give the readers an amazing interview ---
1) What genre do you write and why?
Carlene - I write contemporary romance with a darker, edgier feel. The gritty stuff is intriguing to me and most times when I sit down to write, that’s what comes out.
Laurie - I like darker and edgier and I am sure most readers do, it really takes us out of the ordinary into the splendid I think.
2) Are you aware of any themes that run through your stories? If so, what are they?
Carlene - Sure, a theme I am drawn to is when characters have lost faith in people and the world and question whether they have what it takes to get it back. I like to write stories that show you don’t have to be perfect to be spiritual and there is absolutely no shame in being sexy.
Laurie - That's a great theme, its the sort of story line that offers hope to the readers
3) What would you like readers to take away from your stories?
Carlene - I’d like them to feel a touch of the intimacy that I've hopefully shared between them and the characters.
Laurie - As a fellow author, I have to say that I feel getting the readers to 'feel' the intimacy within a story line is very difficult, but I think you've done a great job of it.
4) What inspires your stories?
Carlene - Well, this story in particular was inspired by a charity auction I won to meet and go backstage with one of my favorite bands. The story itself is completely fictional but seeing what normal people the band and crew were behind the scenes was incredibly powerful for me.
Laurie - Now I'm jealous, I've never been backstage...it must have been awesome.
5) Will you be attending any book or writing conferences this year? If yes, which ones? Where and when?
Carlene - I hope to attend the Romance Writers of America’s national conference in Atlanta this coming July 2013. I also stay active in my local writers association, the Washington DC Romance Writers (WRW).
Laurie - I had no idea you were so close to me. I live in West Virginia and Washington DC isn't that far from me. I also haven't attended a conference, but hope to do so soon.
6) What is your writing schedule like?
Carlene - My daytime schedule allows me to write during the week for about four hours each day. But the time I enjoy most is sneaking downstairs in the night after the house has gone to sleep.
Laurie - I had to giggle when I read the second part of your answer on this one. I often get up when the house is asleep just so I can have the 'me' time to write when a book has grabbed me and the scenes just keep flowing.
7) Do you have any other passions besides writing? If yes, what are they? Why?
Carlene - I absolutely love going to live music shows. Instead of only taking camera pictures, I find a scrap of paper or napkin and doodle pics of the band as they play, scribbling pieces of their lyrics as they sing them. I take it home and it’s a great memory to hold onto.
Laurie - I love music, and hearing it live is like nothing else.
8) What is your best memory?
Carlene - Definitely seeing hubby’s face when our son was born. That’s one of those freeze-frame moments.
Laurie - Awwww...I love it.
9) What is your favorite comfort food?
Carlene - I’m a San Diego girl living on the east coast, and when I went home this summer, I ate rolled tacos at least four times a week. They’re just not the same anywhere else.
Laurie - Rolled tacos...interesting.
Carlene - Candles, especially pine scented ones and blue lights. I keep a white, artificial Christmas tree lit year round in my office with baby blue twinkly lights.
Laurie - A girl after my own heart, candles, year round Christmas trees...nothing better.
13) What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Carlene - Since it’s holiday time, I will freely admit to eating cans of the jellied cranberry sauce as a meal. If they’d sell it year round, I’d eat it year round!
Laurie - There is nothing wrong with that...I love cranberries and they are absolutely full of antioxidants...LOL
14) What is your favorite way to promote your work?
Carlene - I enjoy Twitter, Facebook, and blogging with the Waterworld Mermaids although this is the first time I’m promoting my own work so we’ll see how I do! Honestly, I’d love to be able to physically say hello to people as well, shake hands, give hugs. I’m a huge fan of attending San Diego Comic Con but that’s a bit dreamy of me ;)
Laurie - I have a Twitter account, but rarely use it and I fairly live on Facebook. Waterworld Mermaids sounds intriguing.
15) Where is your favorite place to write? Why?
Carlene - In my dark bedroom underneath a blanket cave I’ve just constructed. I think I just love the night that much.
Laurie - A night owl...I can respect that since I do a lot of my own writing fat night too. There is just something about the night.
16) What was your favorite vacation?
Carlene - A couple years ago, hubby, kiddo and I went home to San Diego and attended all four days of Comic-Con. It was amazing! The convention center is located right there on the harbor so even if you’re stuck standing in a gargantuan line, you’ve got all that beautiful scenery to stare at. Plus it never fails, a troop of guys dressed as the 300 Spartans will pass by. This particular trip was so special because I got to sit in on Andy Whitfield’s last Spartacus panel.
Laurie - OMG, what woman on earth wouldn't want to watch 300 men troop by dressed as Spartans, Oh i think I would have fainted.
17) If you had another career, what was it?
Carlene - There was a time when I was a phlebotomist and I have to say it was a very cool job. If I ever wrote about vampires, I’d know how to describe the popping feeling when entering a vein.
Laurie - Oh I hate having blood drawn...lol
18) If you could have one wish, what would it be?
Carlene - For everyone to remember to Be Here, Now.
Laurie - I like that.
Carlene - Lucky.
Laurie - Good one...I love it.
20) Are you a cat or dog person? Do you have any pets and if so, please tell us about them.
Carlene - I am an animal person. My most recent pet is a white, gray and black hamster named Darling Depeche Mouse, named after a Sherrilyn Kenyon character and my favorite band. I also have a pug, a bulldog, a black cat and two guinea pigs.
Laurie - And here I thought I would be the only one in the world with such a wide variety of animals in my home...LOL
21) What is the one thing you most want to do that you haven’t yet?
Carlene - Travel to England. What kind of Depeche Mode Devotee am I if I never visit Basildon?!
Laurie - I've lived in England, when I was a young girl, my father was stationed there with the Air Force, and I can remember it being so completely awesome that I want to also visit it as an adult.
22) When the zombies take over, what will you do?
Carlene - Feed them. I’m a horrible cook and zombies may be the only species who might appreciate my concoctions.
Laurie - This made me laugh hard...I'm a good cook, or at least that's what I have been told, so I would be barricading myself in the house hiding from the zombies...LOL
23) Please tell us about your most recent release and where we can purchase it.
Carlene - Sure! Sidewalk Flower is about a jaded musician’s assistant torn between the worlds of her selfish, rock star best friend and his handsome, humble cousin from Tennessee. Released on January 11, 2013, by Evernight Publishing, it is available through Evernight Publishing, Amazon for Kindle, All Romance E-books, and BookStrand.
Laurie - It sounds wonderful.
24) Please give us your urls and your publisher’s url.
http://carlenelove.com/
http://waterworldmermaids.com/
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/
25) Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers? Please do so here.
Carlene - I’d like to thank them with all my heart for stopping by, taking a moment to spend with us and encourage them to let me know what they think about the book! Oh, and enjoy a live show for me wherever they are ;)
Laurie - Thank you very much for stopping in and sharing so much with us today. I wish you luck with your wonderful new release.
Ok everyone, here are the buy links for Carlene's book, now don't forget to answer this question in the comments section “What is the best concert you’ve ever been to and why?” to qualify to try to win an eBook copy of Sidewalk Flower.
Buy Links ---
Evernight Buy link-- http://www.evernightpublishing.com/sidewalk-flower-by-carlene-love-flores/
Amazon Buy link-- http://www.amazon.com/Sidewalk-Flower-Pointe-Novel-ebook/dp/B00AZR275O/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1357905030&sr=8-16&keywords=Sidewalk+Flower
All Romance E-books Buy link-- https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sidewalkflower-1041391-148.html
BookStrand Buy link-- http://www.bookstrand.com/term-search?term=Sidewalk+Flower
