Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Passion for Writing Series: Author Karen Templeton




Since 1998, Karen Templeton has written dozens of heartwarming, family-oriented titles for Harlequin Books, including RITA-award winners A MOTHER'S WISH (2009) and WELCOME HOME, COWBOY (2011). An East Coast native, this mother of five sons has called New Mexico home for nearly thirty years.

Learn more about Karen at/on:



The Passion for Writing - From Karen's Pen

Where does your passion for writing come from?
Passion? Not sure that’s the right word, since passion can, and does, burn out. Just as with relationships, it takes a lot of work to continue doing something that, at least occasionally, you really, really want to walk away from. :-) Writing, or at least writing well, is hard. And often frustrating, when the brain might cough up an idea, but the words to express that idea are hiding in the crevices, sniggering and refusing to show themselves. Sigh. That’s not to say I don’t have moments when a scene falls together, or a character “says” something I had no idea was going to come out of his mouth, and I’m like, “This is the best job ever.” But do those moments compensate for alllll the others when I want to email my editor and wail, “I can’t do this anymore!”

Um…sometimes?

And yet…I do feel that writing is – for now, at least – a calling. My calling, anyway. Why? Because my stories are about healing, about people overcoming all sorts of obstacles that would keep them from finding and accepting love in their lives. At their most basic, these are stories about good triumphing over evil – grief, fear, feelings of unworthiness, anything that would keep someone from embracing the best that life has to offer. And that’s what keeps me slogging away on a project during those dark times when I have no idea what I’m doing, or even what I’m supposed to be saying. Because above and beyond entertaining my readers – which is, of course, my primary goal – if I can perhaps encourage or inspire a few along the way, as well, then it’s all worth it. In spades.

If your passion for writing was a color, what color would it be and why?
A rainbow. :-)

How do you keep the passion burning in your relationship with storytelling?
Again, it’s not passion, but a sense of purpose that’s thus far seen me through forty or so books. And I’m only a vehicle for that, not the originator. I’m a firm believer that there is only one Creator, and that the more we humans get ourselves out of the way, the more the divine Mind, or Soul, can shine through us. So whenever I’m tempted to feel discouraged I remind myself – vehemently, if necessary – Who’s really doing the work, and that there is no impediment to His perfect expression.

In other words, writing isn’t about me. I’m just the intermediary. :-)




[Pre-Order Today at Amazon!]



Releases August 1 on eHarlequin.com (ebook and print)

From the moment four-year-old Ryder Caldwell laid eyes on his parents’ housekeeper’s tiny baby girl, he was a goner, determined to protect the little girl forever. But as childhood melted into adolescence, so did those protective feelings, forcing Ryder to end their relationship before they made a mistake. But how could he have predicted that his rejection would send Melanie Duncan running into his brother's arms? Now, ten years later, Mel has come home-and she's not alone. She was always the woman Ryder couldn't forget-and now she's accompanied by the child he hadn't known existed. And suddenly the good doctor can see everything he's been searching his whole life to find...right in his own backyard....



To read the first chapter of THE DOCTOR'S DO-OVER, head to Karen's website!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Passion for Writing Series: Author Morgan Mandel





You’ll find romance in Morgan Mandel’s mysteries, and vice versa, since she loves mixing genres. She’s an active member of Chicago-North RWA, where she’s served in many capacities, including president. She was also the library liaison for Midwest Mystery Writers of America, and belongs to Sisters in Crime and the Electronically Published Internet Connection.

Her latest paranormal romantic thriller is Forever Young: Blessing or Curse, Book One of the Always Young Trilogy, available in Print, Kindle, Nook, Smashwords and more. Other available novels by Morgan Mandel include the romantic suspense, Killer Career, the mystery, Two Wrongs, and the ever popular reality show romance, Girl of My Dreams.

Morgan also contributed two short stories to The Corner Café: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories.

Learn more about Morgan at/on:



The Passion for Writing - From Morgan's Pen

Where does your passion for writing come from?
For years I worked as a legal secretary, taking orders. I was also an avid reader. Then I chanced upon a program by RWA members at my local library. I discovered that authors were real people, with real lives. Not only that, though they followed directions about formatting and crafting quality books, ultimately they were their own bosses.

I couldn’t be in control at my day job, but I could be in control of at least one area of my life. I could write what I wanted, when I wanted. That was over 15 years ago, yet my passion for writing continues.

If your passion for writing was a color, what color would it be and why?
When writing’s going well, the color’s a serene blue.

When I run into writer’s block or am editing for the umpteenth time, yet still finding errors, the color turns red.

Writing isn’t always smooth sailing under a clear blue sky, but it’s my passion.

How do you keep the passion burning in your relationship with storytelling?
Online writing groups, such as BBTCafe and DorothyL, plus the semi-monthly meetings of Chicago-North RWA are wonderful motivators. It’s great to be amongst people with common interests and goals. Also, every time I attend a writing conference and listen to the guest speakers, I feel energized and ready to tackle the toughest manuscript.

Still, I have to admit there are times when I’m just not in the mood to write, so I don’t force myself. I know the urge will come back even stronger later, because it always does. Something inside compels me to reach out and share my stories with others.

Thanks for hosting me at your blog today, Shonell.





[purchase today]


Morgan’s latest full length novel, Forever Young, Blessing or Curse, is about a 55 year old widow who takes a pill to be 24 forever. Dorrie’s beautiful and young, but getting old isn’t the only way to die. A chance discovery has her fleeing for her life.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.




Excerpt from Forever Young


A limp object lay sprawled in the parking lot where Dorrie was to meet her husband. It looked like, no it couldn’t be...

Pulse pounding, she hit the brakes and flung open the door. A few steps, and she stood staring in disbelief at her husband’s still form. That red streak didn’t belong in Larry’s salt and pepper hair, nor should it mar his olive skinned cheeks, and trickle onto his white cotton shirt.

She groped in her purse for the smartphone. Fingers shaking, she dialed 911. “There’s been an accident at the Life is for Living Institute. I need an ambulance. Hurry, please.”

A helpless feeling engulfed her. If only she knew first aid, but in all her fifty-five years, she’d never bothered to learn. She had to do something, but what? Bending down, knees scraping the asphalt, she touched her husband’s hand. “Larry, it’s all right. I’m here.” She wanted to be brave for him, but couldn’t keep her voice from quavering.

He whispered something she couldn’t catch, something about his iPhone.

“I found it on the nightstand, Larry. It’s right here in my purse.”

“Dorrie, I want you to keep it. Something’s…on it,” he gasped.

She bent closer. “I know honey, all those songs and photos. They mean a lot to me, too. Don’t worry, when we get home tonight, we’ll share them together.”

“No, more…Life is for Living isn’t…Forever Young isn’t…”

He struggled to speak, but his voice faded in and out. He probably shouldn’t talk. Where was that ambulance? Her husband needed help.

Larry flashed a weak smile and looked straight into her eyes. “Love ya,” he whispered.

Stifling a sob, she completed the ritual. “Love ya, back.” In their thirty years of marriage, how often had they said those words to each other?

His lips stilled. His hand slackened. His brown eyes stared unseeingly, as his face froze into a smile.

This can’t be happening. Larry, you can’t leave me. It’s too soon.

Blood rushed to her head. Roaring filled her ears. Larry couldn’t be gone. She’d prove it. Dorrie bent to kiss his lips. They felt warm and soft. He must be alive. Soon the ambulance would come, the paramedics would fix him, and he’d be all right.

She glanced again at Larry’s still form. The truth hit, sucking her breath away. She didn’t need a medical examiner to tell her what she could see with her own eyes. Larry had left and would never return. Her stomach convulsed, her chest heaved with sobs. It shouldn’t end like this, not in the middle of a parking lot. Larry deserved better. So did she.

In the works is Blessing or Curse: A Forever Young Anthology, about others who take the Forever Young pill. Always Young will follow, bringing back the original heroine to close out the trilogy.