CHATTING WITH TONI CLOUTIER TODAY

                 Thanks so much for having me today, Lisa. Just a

                 reminder for those who comment to please leave

                 your contact info so I may reach you in case you 

                 are a winner.

What did you see, hear or dream that inspired your book?

While sitting on the floor cleaning one day, I had a thought of, ‘What would happen if a woman fell in love with the man she blamed for killing her husband?’ The idea wouldn’t let me go, so I sat down with a pen and paper and began to write.

That’s an interesting thing to think of when cleaning floors. However, come to think of it, it is usually stuff hubby has tracked in, so actually pretty logical. LOL!

  

Which one of your main characters came across strongest to you?

 Jodi. She’s funny, loving, and believes sex needs to be a huge part in everyone’s lives.

How long did it take you to fall in love with your Hero/Heroine?

This was the first book I’d ever written and it took me 10 years to actually get it published. So I’ve been with them for sooooo long, they have become “real” to me. Not sure when that moment of “love” hit me, I just know I never got tired of being with them.

Did you borrow certain traits for your characters from someone you know personally?

 Not really.  

Is this book a single category or can we expect to see more of your characters in a series?

This is book one of a series. I am working on the second book now. However, I have written two other books and one does visit a couple of characters and the country & western club that is in TPG, but it is not part of the series.

Often, the books that I write will feature characters seen in one series or another however are not part of that series. I totally understand.

What is your most difficult “no-no” when you write? (Show vs. tell, dialogue, plot problems, passive voice, etc.)

Sentence structure. Honestly, my critique partner will say something sounds awkward. I know what I am trying to say but it doesn’t always come across so clearly.  I’ve been getting better at watching out for this.

Thank God for critique partners. They can be a lifesaver!

When you take a break from writing, what do you do to allow your brain time to regroup?

Watch TV or play with my cat. I enjoy sitting in the living room with my son and husband and striking up a conversation because I know we’ll end up laughing.

It sounds like you have a wonderful loving family who supports you and all of you have that chemistry that makes being together so sweet.

Would you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser?

Panster. I sit and write what comes to mind and then I will plot out a blog. A blog is a plotting format I learned from an RWA workshop.

I too am a pantser, but I’m taking this STAR workshop on Deep Story Techniques and trying to see how I can do both. It’s going to be tough to incorporate both techniques.

In one sentence, tell us what your book is about.

THE PATRIOT GIRL is about a woman who falls in love with the man she blames for killing her husband.

What is your one “guilty” pleasure?

Hmmm…I don’t have one! I deserve all my pleasure and enjoy every moment…no guilt involved.

I’m so inspired by your positive attitude! I think I shall have to rethink guilt and reward systems.

Toni, thanks so much for being a guest here today. Everyone, please don’t forget to leave a comment for a giveaway of Toni’s latest release; THE PATRIOT GIRL!

                                         

                                                         BLURB:               

MaKayla Adams has always been curious about the wild side of life. Making love with her late husband wasn’t exciting, and she never could understand the big deal…until hunky nightclub owner Dustin James hires her as a public relations consultant. His touch arouses feelings she’s never known, and his kiss tempts her to cross the line between business and pleasure.

Dustin doesn’t remember the car accident that put him in a coma three years ago, but since his recovery, he’s pushed his own needs aside to be a single father to his young daughter. When MaKayla offers to help publicize his country nightclub, however, she ignites deeper feelings he can’t ignore.

But there is more than mutual attraction between MaKayla and Dustin—there is a shared past connected to her husband’s death. Will the truth bring them together or tear them apart?

EXCERPT:

She tilted her head toward his touch. “We do have an unusual chemistry, but anything more between us would complicate things.”

“In what ways?”

“Alex wouldn’t understand. Not to mention Paul’s parents.”

“What about what MaKayla wants?”

A loaded question she didn’t know how to answer. She wanted what she couldn’t have—not to be alone, the noises in her backyard to go away, a husband to spoil, and another child to mother.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. What matters is doing the right thing.”

“For who?”

“For everyone.”

“Even if it means being unhappy? When was the last time you did something for MaKayla without worrying about consequences?” He rolled his tongue and smiled.

“There was liquor involved. Otherwise, I never would have growled at you.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “Because it’s inappropriate.”

“A tease?”

“Yes.”

He cupped her cheeks between his palms. “I find you sexy as hell and I’m going to kiss you. The time to stop me would be right now.”

Links:

Website: www.tonilynncloutier.com,

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonilynncloutier

Twitter: @ToniLCloutier

Linked In: http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=toni+lynn+cloutier,

Good reads: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=209524634&trk=tab_pro

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7580713-5667355?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=toni+lynn+cloutier

Giveaway:

Comment or ask a question and you could win an ebook copy of THE PATRIOT GIRL.

The more you follow throughout the year, the more chances you’ll have to win the grand prize.

See my website for more details.