My Blog

Speed Dating for Readers #8

All of today’s authors come from a place that creates unique
stories. Because of their path through life, their champions take us to a place
that may feel familiar yet strangely new. They are creative, funny and always
ready to spin a yarn. Of course that’s true of all writers. Navigating who best
fits what you like in today’s book market is sometimes confusing. With my
series, Speed Dating for Readers, you can discover your next favorite author
without leaving home. You can even connect with them through social media. Take
time to follow up with these amazing people. I would also love to hear from
you. 

Lisa Ricard Claro

Hi, I’m Lisa
Ricard Claro, and I’d like to thank Tierney for allowing me to introduce myself
to you. I’m an award-winning author with published articles and stories
spanning multiple media. I live in Georgia with my husband of 35 years, and I’m
mom to a ruggedly handsome son and two stunningly beautiful daughters—okay,
so I may be a tad biased. My other great love is fur-babies! I have a huge
heart for rescues, and though I’m partial to dogs and cats, over the years
we’ve made room in our home for fish, hamsters, hermit crabs, parakeets,
snakes, and rats. So far, I’ve included only rescued dogs and cats in my
novels. They may play a substantial role, like the mutt, Pirate, in my new
release, Love Built to Last, but
sometimes they’re just bit players (as in two upcoming novels, Love to Believe and Love to Win). I write contemporary romance because I believe in
happily-ever-after, and I include pet companions because I think the presence
of a dog or cat, however limited, adds heart to any story. When not writing
novels or blogging, you’ll find me spending time with my family, reading, or
daydreaming about living at the beach.

John Hegenberger

Cross Examinations by John Hegenberger

“How long does it take to publish a book?”30 years?  Three years? Three months?
Three days? Three hours?For me when I recently published Cross
Examinations, a collection of short private eye stories, the answer was all
the above. I wrote the first draft back in 1988, which is still
today the setting for the tales. Not long after, I encountered a series of
personal needs involving my family and friends and found it best to put the
manuscript into a drawer and build a career that assured us all a steady
income. It all worked out beautifully, because about 27 years later with a
career completed and three children grown, I was nearing retirement and it was
time to reopen that drawer.

Thus in 2012, I entered a whole new world of
electronic publishing. The book went through a three weeks of rewrites.

But then came the daunting task of learning to
properly format and post an eBook. After another three days of studying, I
pressed the Send button and launched my book into the world.

Ah, but then… came the agonizing three hours wait
before the book became fully available on the website. Finally, success was mine! The collection of short stories is out there now
available to a wide audience, available at www.amazon.com/dp/B00XT5F562

So, as you can see, the process contains many
stages, but at each step along the way, I knew I was getting closer to the
fulfillment of my dream.

Meet Eliot Cross, Columbus-based P.I. in 1988.

A series of serious crimes:  Kidnapping.
Murder. Art Thief. Blackmail. Comic Books?

http://johnhengenberger.com

https://www.facebook.com/john.hegenberger

https://twitter.com/jhegenbe

Jami Gray

I’m the eldest of 37 (yep, you read that right: 3 and 7)
children. My family resembles three generations of the United Nations meets
Special Needs, so writing came about in an attempt to find “me” time amidst the
chaos. I came into my family at 12, and was adopted at 14, and early on learned
life left you with two choices: roll with life’s punches or stand up and hit
back. I struggled to my feet and hit back, an attitude reflected by my
characters. I’m the proud partner of a geeky god (okay, “god” may be pushing
it, but he’s all mine, so hands off!) and the mom of two awesome young men who
are destined to leave a unique mark on the world. To balance the gender ratio
in my family, we recently brought two lovely, furry princesses into our desert
home. 

Besides writing, chocolate, coffee, and my family, I’m also one half of
Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions, which offers two editing beasts who’ll polish
your written gems for the price of one. I have two series available: an urban
fantasy series with Black Opal Books, The Kyn Kronicles, and a paranormal
romantic suspense with MuseIt Up Publishing, PSY-IV Teams.

You can stalk me via social media
at:

Website:   
http://www.JamiGray.com

Facebook Author Page:  

Ronald Paxton

 I was born in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in the
foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I’ve always loved sports
and am proud to say that I was the starting shortstop for the 1968 College of
William and Mary baseball team that was the northern division winner of the
Southern Conference. I know what you’re thinking – I’m old. Don’t remind me. I
ran marathons as a younger man, finishing several in under three hours.

I was always an indifferent student, but loved
reading and writing as far back as I can remember. I was also an elementary
school spelling champion. There’s a talent that won’t make you rich.

In 2007 I retired from a varied career in the
investment business as well as social services. With more free time
available I rediscovered my love for writing and began submitting my short
stories to publishers. I sold my first short story in 2008 and signed a
contract for my first novel in 2011. I’ve written four more novels since then.

I live in Newport News, Virginia with my wife of 45
years (We got married at the age of five. See, I’m not really so old.)