This week’s listing of blog posts that gets Tracey’s Seal of Approval:
WTF Cover Saturday: Hilarious cover! 
Finding Your Creative Center: My friend, Tina, outlines the steps she took to get out of a creative funk.
Kate Spade Brings Back the Beach Bags of My Youth: OMG, I want one now. So cute. Also, can there be a gummy version? They would be a cute, fashionable snack!
Speak up, be heard. You agree, right? Isn’t that Kate Spade tote adorable?
As a wife and mother of three it amazes me that only 46 years ago, my family wouldn’t have been legal!
In 1967, a Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia, invalidated laws that prohibited interracial marriage. In honor of that decision, I’ve gotten together with a group of fabulous authors and bloggers of interracial romance to participate in the Loving Day Blog Hop. For reading this post and leaving a comment, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win some swag from me, including a copy of my first book, which releases in January 2014 from Entangled Publishing.
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Why I write interracial romance
I read my first Harlequin when I was 11 years old– and I was hooked. [Click here to read my blog post about my introduction to romance novels.] I’m not going to lie, those explicit love scenes were titillating. But it wasn’t long before I was swept away in the romance, the glamour, the relationships! I couldn’t get enough. They sold boxes of Harlequin Presents at flea markets for $2.00 and before long, my room was full of every category trope you can imagine.
I carried a book with me everywhere, like an asthma inhaler or an EpiPen.
In school: instead of reading great lit-tra-chure, I was reading about the handsome boss and his plain jane secretary.
In church: I was thrilled when it was my turn to usher; my mom couldn’t see what I was hiding in my hymnal!
At home: weekends were my favorite; nowhere to be and a book under my pillow.
But it didn’t take long to notice that none of the heroines looked like me. One of the cornerstones of a romance novel is when the hero first “sees” the heroine. Pages were spent rhapsodizing about the heroine’s beauty; her long silken blond, or red, hair; her large blue, or green, eyes and her silky soft pale skin. Yeah, none of that described me. And to a girl of 12, it almost felt like women who looked like me weren’t worthy of a love story.
That all changed as more and more books about relationships between African American men and women were made available and I could finally read stories where sexy powerful heroes found big brown eyes, full lips and smooth cocoa skin desirable. I even wrote my own novellas for my friends so they could have their own fictional HEAs.
But 18 years ago I met the love of my life… and he was white. When the time came for me to pursue a career in romantic fiction, there was no question about the type of stories I would write. I would write stories that reflected my love journey and experience. Stories where men who looked like my husband fell in love with women who looked like me. When you read a Tracey Livesay novel you’ll find powerful men, smart women, drama, passion and excitement. The fact that the hero and heroine are different races is a beautiful bonus.
Thank you for stopping by Mimosas @Midnight. Please leave a comment to be entered in my drawing. I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday, June 18th. To keep the Loving Day spirit and support another author of interracial romance, stop by Rae Lori’s website for her contribution to the Hop.
True Love… in black & white.
Connect with me on Facebook & Twitter!!!
This week’s listing of blog posts that gets Tracey’s Seal of Approval:
To Baby or Not to Baby- That’s the Question: A great article with a POV not often expressed about contemporary romance novels.
Surprises, Taxes and Monday’s Fortune Cookie: I love supporting my friends and Denise had a blog post about the great year she had. It was so positive and true of spirit that I wanted to share it with you.
Which Self-Published Story is Right for You?: You know I love quizzes! Which book did it suggest for you?
Have you had a great year? If so, why? If not, how can you make it better? Which post did you like best?
This week’s listing of blog posts that gets Tracey’s Seal of Approval:
What the $#&*$^?: I don’t mind a little profanity in my stories. I mean, what’s the f%^$#n’ deal?
Secret Project Revealed!: If you’re a geek woman, or a man who loves us, please make sure to check out this post. There’s a new gathering place for us!
From Otherkin to Transethnicity: Have you heard of Otherkin before? When I did I hurried home to Google it. I’m shocked. Like, seriously shocked. I went down the google rabbit hole trying to figure out if these people REALLY believe this or if it’s this generation’s LARPing and/or D & D. I have to stop, my head hurts.
Do you mind profanity in stories? What are your thoughts about Otherkin?
It’s been a while since I’ve brought you a Friday entry; lots of reasons, no need to bore you with them.
When I write, I like white noise in the background. Complete silence freaks me out. Sometimes, when my mind needs a little freedom, I’ll put the TV on but mute it. That way, when I look up, to take a break from the computer screen, I’m surprised by what’s on the TV and that sometimes leads to a breakthrough.
Crazy? Maybe. But it works for me.
Anyhoo, this past week, I noticed a trend when my gaze happend upon the TV: groups of people, mostly white, with a couple of minorities sprinkled in. If the minority was black, they always had “natural” hair. Didn’t matter if it was a man or a woman, they had “natural” hair. This made me think of a Weekend Update sketch on SNL: Corey, the non-threatening guy in all Super Bowl commericals.
On the other hand, this commercial surprised me so much, I had to rewind the Tivo. There are many interracial families, and the representation on TV shows has increased, but to see one portrayed on a TV commercial was wonderful. Bravo, Cheerios! **When I went searching for the commercial I found this article, It’s 2013 and People are Still Getting Worked Up About Interracial Couples in Ads.**
What did you think of the videos? Have you noticed a trend in marketing that has bothered or pleased you?
Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.
Grab your beverage of choice (Mimosas for me, of course!), roll up to or flip open a screen and let some talented writers talk to you about their writing process.
This week: Tonya Burrows is in the spotlight!
Writing is her one true love. She wrote her first novel-length story in 8th grade and hasn’t looked back. She received a B.A. in creative writing from SUNY Oswego and she’s now working on a MFA in popular fiction at Seton Hill University. When she’s not writing, she spends time reading, painting (badly), exploring new places, and enjoying time with her family. Give her a good horror movie over a chick flick any day. (“And, let’s be honest, I’ll take a bad horror movie too!”) She shares her life with two dogs and a ginormous cat in small town in PA. So let me get out of the way and cede the stage, stool and microphone to Tonya:
1. Have you always written stories?
Since I was old enough to put a pen to paper. I remember telling my 1st grade teacher that I was going to be an author someday, but it wasn’t until 8th grade that I really started taking that idea seriously.
2. When did you decide to write professionally?
It’s always been my dream. I finished my first novel-length story in eighth grade and wrote seven more throughout high school. I started querying agents when I was nineteen.
3. What made you decide to go the route you chose (eg. traditional, e-pub, indie)?
Last year after my March RWA meeting, a writer friend of mine (hi, Helen! *waves*) told me about Entangled. I had just finished writing SEAL of Honor and I was ready to start querying, so I went home and checked out their website. I liked that they felt Indie, but had wider distribution like a traditional NY publisher. It just so happened that my editor had a wish list posted on their blog and one of the things she wanted was a hero-focused special ops romantic suspense book with series potential. That’s exactly what I had, so I sent in my query.
4. What is your writing process (hrs/day, days/wk)?
Since I don’t have room for an office, I write at the kitchen table and try to get all my words done while my boyfriend is at work because the apartment is nice and quiet. I try to write a minimum of 1000 words every day except for holidays or other special events like the recent birth of my first niece. I’ve found I can’t take weekends off like some writers because when Monday rolls around, I have trouble getting back into the swing of the story and end up procrastinating. If I write something every day, I don’t (usually) lose my momentum.
5. How do you write (crappy first draft then revise or revise as you go)? Why?
When I sit down to write, I usually go over and revise the words I wrote the day before to get me back into a creative mood. I also tend to skip around a lot. I don’t write in a linear fashion at all.
6. Do you get writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it?
Yes, I get writer’s block more often than I like to admit. I handle it by writing in a nonlinear way. If I get stuck on a part, I skip ahead and write a scene later in the story. By the time I go back to the part that had me stumped, I know exactly what needs to happen because I already know what happens in the next scene or chapter.
7. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
When my characters come to life and take over the story. That’s when writing becomes easy because at that point, I’m just sitting back and letting them tell their story through me. Plus, I love it when they surprise me. I’m a plotter, but it always thrills me when the characters decide something is not going to happen the way I had planned.
8. Where were you when you got “The Call?”
Really, my Call started with an email that arrived on my birthday. I was sitting at the kitchen table at my grandma’s house, completely heartsick, in no mood to celebrate anything. Then my iPad dinged. The email that had just landed in my inbox was from my editor saying she loved my book and the potential series and wanted to talk to me on the phone. Of course, I knew what that meant and started flipping out. I emailed her back telling her I was available to talk any time and made it barely ten steps away from the computer before the phone rang. We talked for almost 2 hours. You can bet I was in the mood to celebrate after that. Best birthday present ever! {Tracey’s Note: That’s one of the better call stories I’ve heard! }
(If you want to know the entire crazy story, you can read it here: http://tonya-burrows.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-call-story.html)
9. If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing you have since learned about the business of writing, what would you tell them (you)?
Hi, younger Tonya. Relax and enjoy every word you write because none of them have been a waste of time. You will get to where you want to be someday and those words *will* help you get there.
Fun Topics:
10. Wine, liquor or beer? What’s your favorite of the spirit you chose?
Liquor. I’ve never been able to stomach beer and although I enjoy an occasional glass of wine, it makes me sleepy. My favorite brand of liquor is Malibu. Mix it with pineapple juice and it’s a little slice of tropical heaven! {Tracey’s Note: Going on the grocery list…}
11. What author(s) are on your automatic buy list?
J.R. Ward, Larissa Ione, J.D. Robb (on audio because the narrator is superb!), Suzanne Brockmann, John Sandford… and I could keep going but these are my top five. {Tracey’s Note: I’m checking out JD Robb on audiobook right now!}
12. What TV shows are you watching?
My must-watch, never miss an episode shows are Supernatural, Castle, The Voice, The Walking Dead, Doctor Who, and Face Off. I also enjoy watching Investigation Discovery and the Military Channel, but I consider them research.
13. Who is your celebrity crush and why?
Hmm, this one is a toughie. I love both Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner. As for why… have you seen The Avengers? Oh, major swoon-a-thon. Can’t wait for the sequel next year! {Tracey’s Note: There must be something in the air! That’s two for RD, Jr.}
Thanks for the interview, Tonya! You can find more info at her website: www.tonyaburrows.com, connect with her on Facebook at TonyaBurrowsAuthor and on Twitter @TonyaBurrows. Her Entangled Select, Seal of Honor, is available NOW!!!
It’s a good thing Gabe Bristow lives and breathes the Navy SEAL credo, “the only easy day was yesterday,” because today, his life is unrecognizable. When his prestigious career comes to a crashing halt, he’s left with a bum leg and few prospects for employment that don’t include a desk.
That is, until he’s offered the chance to command a private hostage rescue team and free a wealthy American businessman from Colombian paramilitary rebels. It seems like a good deal—until he meets his new team: a drunk Cajun linguist, a boy-genius CIA threat analyst, an FBI negotiator with mob ties, a cowboy medic, and an EOD expert as volatile as the bombs he defuses. Oh, and who could forget the sexy, frustratingly impulsive Audrey Van Amee? She’s determined to help rescue her brother—or drive Gabe crazy. Whichever comes first.
As the death toll rises, Gabe’s team of delinquents must figure out how to work together long enough to save the day. Or, at least, not get themselves killed.Because Gabe’s finally found something worth living for, and God help him if he can’t bring her brother back alive.
First off, can we agree that is one HOT cover? Good, now, what do you think about writer’s block? And who’s on your automatic buy list? Tell us what you think and make sure you check back next week to see which fabulous author is hanging out at the T-Spot.
This week’s listing of blog posts that gets Tracey’s Seal of Approval:
Come and Get it-How Sperm Became one of America’s Hottest Exports: Ewww!
That Was Soooo Yesterday: My friend, Sofie, did a great recap of her experience at Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, Va. I was there and it was a great time.
Everyone Has a Big But: LOL! Great title from my friend, Tameri. This is a really inspiring post about committing to a goal and then doing the hard work necessary to bring that goal to fruition. And how awesome is her daughter?
Do you have a big but? 
What will you do to get rid of it? Okay, I’ll stop. LOL Which post did you like best?
Grab your beverage of choice (Mimosas for me, of course!), roll up to or flip open a screen and let some talented writers talk to you about their writing process.
This week: Louise Rose-Innes is in the spotlight!
Louise writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. When not writing romance, she works as a freelance marketing consultant and web copywriter. So let me get out of the way and cede the stage, stool and microphone to Louise:
1. Have you always written stories?
Yes, I have been writing since high school. In fact my English teacher suggested I start writing seriously after I wrote a composition she enjoyed. I began with short stories and always kept a diary. I progressed to longer length fiction after university.
2. When did you decide to write professionally?
When the economy took a downturn and my freelancing work dried up, I decided to make a go of my romance writing and see if I got anywhere. That was about five years ago. I self-published my first two books and my third got picked up by Entangled Publishing and is due to be released later this year.
3. What made you decide to go the route you chose (eg. traditional, e-pub, indie)?
I had a fairly good run on Amazon with my second contemporary romance, The Italian Inheritance, which I self-published but I always wanted to work with a traditional publisher like Entangled so when they offered for my romantic suspense, I jumped at the chance. I feel each route has its place and savvy authors are experimenting with both. I’m a marketing consultant in my spare time, and I run a blog called www.marketingforromancewriters.com, so self-publishing was an attractive prospect for me. It allowed me to put all my marketing experience to the test.
4. What is your writing process (hrs/day, days/wk)?
I write when my son is at school, so every morning from about 9am to 2.30pm. I’m really fussy about this as it’s the only time I get during the week. Weekends and after 3 is reserved for family activities and sport.
5. How do you write (crappy first draft then revise or revise as you go)? Why?
I plan my entire story before I start, so my first draft is usually straight through. I don’t stop to edit or change anything until I’m at the end of the story. I may pause to make side notes, which I follow up on later in the re-write. After the first draft, I’ll go through it and re-write sections, correct grammar and inconsistencies and so on. I usually do two or possibly three drafts before it’s ready to submit.
6. Do you get writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it?
No. I don’t really believe in writers block, to be honest. I think some days it’s hard to get going and you have to force yourself to open the laptop, but if you’re working on a story and to a plan, you always know where you’re going. Making sure my plot is air-tight and fully resolved before I start writing is key.
7. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
I like the end of the first draft. It’s an overwhelming phase as the enormity of what you’ve accomplished sets in. Then I get excited about the re-writes and perfecting the rough draft. It’s exciting because the hard work is done and the end is in sight.
8. Where were you when you got “The Call?”
I won the NaNo Smackdown competition run by Entangled and my romantic suspense got selected to be published. I was in bed reading when I saw the email come through on my iPhone telling me I’d won. I was over the moon!
9. If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing you have since learned about the business of writing, what would you tell them (you)?
To write more often. I stopped and started a lot when I was younger and I think if I’d sat down and written a complete draft like I do now, I would have progressed a lot quicker than I did. But when you’re young so much else is happening in your life (career, men, partying) and your confidence as a writer isn’t as consolidated as it is when you’re a bit older.
Fun Topics:
10. Wine, liquor or beer? What’s your favorite of the spirit you chose?
Definitely wine. I love a nice dry Sauvignon Blanc.
11. What author(s) are on your automatic buy list?
Clive Cussler, Ken Follet, Michael Connoly, James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Jilly Cooper, and my ‘friends’ in my romance writing groups – a strange mix, I know. I love thriller novels as well as romance, which is why breaking into romantic suspense works so well for me.
12. What TV shows are you watching?
The Mentalist, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Elementary, King.
13. Who is your celebrity crush and why?
I have several. I love Simon Baker from The Mentalist, but Jonny Lee Miller is growing on me from Elementary. He makes a sexy Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law has always been a local favourite and of course, Daniel Craig.
Thanks for the interview, Louise! You can find more info at her website: louiseroseinnes.com, connect with her on Facebook at Romantic.Novelist and on Twitter @LouiseRoseInnes. Her latest contemporary romance, The Italian Inheritance, is available NOW!!!
Set on the glamorous Italian Island of Capri, it’s a story about a London-based nurse who discovers she’s heir to a vast Italian fortune.
Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VJ1M44/.
How do you write if you have young kids? And what shows are you watching? Tell us what you think and make sure you check back next week to see which fabulous author is hanging out at the T-Spot.
This week’s listing of blog posts that gets Tracey’s Seal of Approval:
Blackberry 10 tells your friends when you’re watching porn: Good thing I have an iPhone.
The Cocktailery Affair- The Drink from U.N.C.L.E.: You know I love a good drink! My friend, Alexa Day, shows you how to make a good one.
Why I Now Hate Erotic Romance: I’ve seen a lot of the problems this author writes about, but I disagree with some of her points. Still, it’s an interesting post and a discussion I think we should have about the genre, especially with this perception in the media that it IS romance. It’s not. Explicit sex scenes and a HEA does not a romance make. Likewise, I’ve read some erotic romance that I’ve loved and that I thought was well written, like The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden.
Which post did you like best? Why?
Grab your beverage of choice (Mimosas for me, of course!), roll up to or flip open a screen and let some talented writers talk to you about their writing process.
This week: Gina Maxwell is in the spotlight! 
In 2009, Gina started writing as a hobby while her kids were in school, and it quickly became an obsession she couldn’t stop, and then a dream to publish stories of love and passion for romance addicts just like her. Three years later, her dream came true when she signed with Entangled Publishing. She has two series: Fighting for Love with MMA heroes for the digital Brazen imprint and a paranormal romance trilogy, Desires of the Soul, set to release both digitally and in mass trade paperback in Summer 2013, for the Entangled Select imprint. When she’s not writing or wrangling plot bunnies, Gina keeps busy with her wonderful family and their ever-growing extra-curricular schedules.
So let me get out of the way and cede the stage, stool and microphone to Gina:
The Yin-Yang Relationship
One of the best compliments I’ve received when it comes to Rules of Entanglement is not only that readers love how different my hero Jax is from my heroine Vanessa, but how well they work as a couple. They are, for all intents and purposes, complete opposites. He doesn’t own a watch and she believes in being on time—always! To give away all of their differences would be to spoil the book for you, but penning their story really drove home the fact that the Yin-Yang relationship is one of my absolute favorites to write. Being able to develop characters that are so different and yet so perfect for each other is not only a challenge, but it’s also one wickedly wild ride. Often times, the Yin-Yang relationship seems to be the most interesting. Yes, compatibility with someone is amazing, but when it comes to “opposites” couples, there’s just a little something extra that keeps them going. It translates well on paper, but sometimes, there are moments of doubt when you think to yourself, “these people would never really be together.” In those instances, you only need to look to real life to verify your work.
Take this couple I know. Let’s call him Nick and we’ll call her Amanda. Nick likes to hunt and fish and would rather be in a tree stand than doing anything else in the world. Amanda listens to classical music, loves British comedies and does Yoga. Apart, it would never dawn on me to envision these two as a couple, but when they are together, it’s like they were meant to be. The same goes for Jax and Vanessa. I couldn’t have written any other hero for her and I for damned sure couldn’t have put him with any other woman. They fit together. For all of his surfer swagger and her DA discipline, one thing is for sure; in their case, opposites not only attract. They smolder!
Thank you, Gina! You can find more info at her website http://ginalmaxwell.com, connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ginabisbeemaxwell and on Twitter https://twitter.com/Gina_L_Maxwell. Her Entangled Brazen title, Rules of Entanglement, is available NOW!!!
Seven days. And seven rules to break…
District Attorney Vanessa MacGregor firmly believes that structure and order are the stuff that dreams are made of. Happiness can be planned—and it starts with the seven rules she’s laid out for her future. But as she’s organizing her best friend’s wedding in Hawaii, all of Vanessa’s best-laid plans are about to meet their match in a wickedly hot MMA fighter…
Jackson “Jax” Maris is focused on surfing, training, and fighting. That is, until he opens up his big mouth, and finds himself having to pretend he’s engaged to his little sister’s best friend, Vanessa. When they’re forced to share a romantic bungalow, however, their little charade suddenly takes a turn for the seriously sexy. And while Jax is definitely not part of Vanessa’s long-term plan, he has seven days—and seven naughty nights—to turn her seven-rule plan upside down.
Links to buy:
Purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rules-of-Entanglement-ebook/dp/B00C2RXV5K
Purchase from Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-of-entanglement-gina-l-maxwell/1114954602
iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rules-of-entanglement/id627967125?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rules-of-Entanglement/book-79vPbOU0JE-fzYPtvKevZg/page1.html
Do you believe in Yin-Yang? Or do you endorse Like w/Like? Tell us what you think and make sure you check back next week to see which fabulous author is hanging out at the T-Spot.
