Tell me what makes Melissa Manship “tick” as an author or a person or both:
I come from a family of five siblings, being the “baby” and quite a bit younger I learned to entertain myself. I had a wild imagination and kept my family entertained. My mother is an accomplished writer of poetry. Her love of books inspired me, more so, later in my life. A few years ago, the love of cycling bloomed again and on my many 40 miles plus a day rides and soaking in the nature I would listen to music and through music, stories would be created. Finally, one day I decided to hand write this story, with exploded into a novel, then the sequel soon to follow. 
If you could go anywhere in the world to live, where would you go and why? Describe your residence once you get there:
Well, our dream, my husband of 35 years and I, would like to purchase a sailboat and cruise around the world. So, I would describe our residence as a vessel, hopefully, 35 ft long and the world is our decor.
Do you have a muse or a person who inspires you to write? Tell us about them:
I really don’t have a muse per say, but I do have a person that encourages me to keep going. She is high spirit and when I first met her, I didn’t like her very much. I thought she was too chipper, too rah-rah sis-boom bah for me. But over the short time I’ve come to know her, she was just what I needed in my life. I love her so much and I suppose she is my muse. She reads my work and tells me if it’s good, if something doesn’t work, she lets me know. 
Of all the books you have written, tell us about your favorite one and why it was your favorite:
Well, I have only written two. The first book took me four years to write, from conception to final print. But the sequel I think is my favorite. I often wonder if I should release it first. 
What book are you working on right now? Do you have a release date you can share with us?
Beautifully Kept Secrets I’m hoping to release it by the end of February
Other than writing, what else are you passionate about?
Camping is one passion, I have grown up camping with my family. Now I continue with my own family. Biking the Greenway and entering local organized bike rides of either, 100, 65, or 35 miles. 
What have you found to be the most difficult part of being an author?
Editing and promoting. Neither areas do I excel in. 
We want to come visit your library. What books might we find on your shelves that we wouldn’t expect to find?
The Twilight Series, Game of Thrones, and every one of Richard Paul Evan’s book. Oh, and firefighters manuals. 
If money were no object, what philanthropic contributions would you make and why?
I would contribute to Thorn, Ashton Kutcher’s organization of Sex Trafficking also Ian’s Sommerhalder’s Foundation, to sustain the Earth through better eco ways. 
 Tell us about your most memorable moment as an author:
When someone I knew but didn’t tell about my book asked me about it. She caught me off guard. I was walking under the sally-port getting ready to go to work. She told another person beside her that he could get my book on Barnes and Noble. 
Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert? Why?
Introvert. I don’t like bragging about myself, it embarrasses me. I find it hard to talk to people, now if I can write to them then I don’t know when to shut-up.
You’ve got a whole weekend to do whatever you want to do, how are you going to spend it?
Reading the many books, I’ve bought but hadn’t had the time to read them or watch romantic movies. And of course, write. I love to hike and walk our Heeler, Bleu Boy.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give a younger version of yourself?
Keep going and just write what you want. The rest will figure itself out. 
The sky is the limit…tell us anything else you would like to tell us…
Every young writer dream of writing the next big hit and when that doesn’t happen it can be disheartening. But learn your craft. It comes with hard work and sometimes it doesn’t turn out like you hoped. I’m included in those young writers. Still hoping for some success. I don’t have the time like full-time writers do, but I do what I can, when I can. I still love to write and if it is still fun for me, I will continue. In just the two books I have written, I can see drastic improvements from the first book to the second. But I still love the first story, it’s what gave me the drive and creative juices flowing that I didn’t know I had in me. The business side of promotion and different websites still is so new to me and very hard for me to navigate. If I could afford to pay someone to do all that business side for me I would, if I had monetary fortitude. 
I believe in my stories, first Beautifully in Over My Head: Lyssa Forbes had years of guilt and pain wearing on her soul, desperately wanting to keep damaged heart locked away, only to be uncovered by the one man that owned the key. Ian St. James, CEO of his Foundation for awareness to Alternative Fuel, has had his own share of pain, uncovered by a sweet and innocent creature, tougher than nails and a love just as sharp, aimed straight for his heart. Lyssa’s compelled to tell Ian her dark secret, but trust doesn’t come easily, and it comes with a heavy price. An unassuming love affair pursues, but her past crept into her new life and once again wreaked havoc. In order to find each other, they had to lose where they were to get their direction. Back to each other. 
Second Novel. Beautifully Kept Secrets: Lyssa Forbes life finally seemed to be on the right track. Ready to start a new life with Ian St. James. But the ghost of her past materializes to wreak havoc and chaos. Ian St. James, her reason for existing and Ronan Crane, join forces to take back what is theirs A search through the sub terrain underground of New York City, leads them on a chase for her life. Ronan’s own secretive past draws him back into the underground world of secret agents. This time the clock is ticking to save Lyssa and the secret she holds. 
Where can readers find you? Please list your social media, website, and other links you’d like to share below:
Facebook- Melissa Manship Author
Instagram-resecup5
Read.Amazon.com
Barnes and Nobles
Beautifullyme.godaddysites.com-working on this site now, but will be up soon E-mail Resecup5@comcast.net
Twitter- Melissa manship@resecup5

Tell me what makes Thea Valentine “tick” as an author or a person or both:
~Coffee by day, wine by night. In all seriousness, I've learned that you can't make everyone happy so I just move to the beat of my own drum. 

If you could go anywhere in the world to live, where would you go and why? Describe your residence once you get there:
~Ouray or Silverton, Colorado. I would have a log cabin, surrounded by the mountains and wildlife. Just the quietness allows you to become one with nature. 

Do you have a muse or a person who inspires you to write? Tell us about them:
~When I write a story I have someone different in mind. So each story is a little different from the next. 

Of all the books you have written, tell us about your favorite one and why it was your favorite:
~Not too many people know this, but several years I published a book. Not happy with it so I pulled it. Since then I wrote another book, Crimson Kisses of Hyacinth. It is definitely my "book baby." I allowed myself to write more freely and was able to put more expression into it. 

What book are you working on right now? Do you have a release date you can share with us?
~I'm working on several books right now. The first one is Sweet As Honey and it's release is July 13th and then I'm working on a book with my husband called The Haunting of Helldorado Ridge. The release for that one is July 19th. 

Other than writing, what else are you passionate about?
~I enjoy anything to do with the ocean, reading, photography, bees.

What have you found to be the most difficult part of being an author?
~The most difficult part is getting your name out there, having to figure out different ways to promote yourself, and the self-doubt. It takes a lot for an author to put their work out there. Most people don't realize what's involved.

We want to come visit your library. What books might we find on your shelves that we wouldn’t expect to find?
~Well you would find a few of my favorite books, The Secret Garden, Eat, Pray, Love, Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland. I even have a few that range from horror, inspirational, romance, biographies, and I even have a Harry Potter collection. 


If money were no object, what philanthropic contributions would you make and why?
~There are two that I would contribute too. An organization here in Ohio called the Hattie Larlham Foundation (they provide medical, residential, recreational and work training services to those with   intellectual and developmental disabilities), and the other would be to one of the local animal rescue organizations in my county. 

 Tell us about your most memorable moment as an author:
~I think I can speak for most authors but that memorable moment is always when you hold a paperback that has your name on it. You sit back and say "yup I created this."

Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert? Why?
~Definitely an introvert in person. I prefer to stay home. I've been trying to become more extroverted. I , continuously, push myself in situations that I know would be good for me. 

You’ve got a whole weekend to do whatever you want to do, how are you going to spend it?
~Writing, watching movies, listening to some relaxing classical music with a glass of wine. 

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give a younger version of yourself?
~Don't try to grow up too fast. Enjoy life! Remember happiness starts with you!

The sky is the limit…tell us anything else you would like to tell us…
~I would like to share a little bit about myself. I’m married to a man, whom I call, not only, my husband, but my best friend. Being pen pals for over a year we decided to have a once in a lifetime, short courtship. This December we will be celebrating 25 years of marriage. Together we have two handsome boys (21 and 22). In June, we will be gaining a daughter in law and three beautiful grandchildren. In addition to our home we have two four legged babies (Bindi-a dog and Lilo-a turtle) whom are both rescues from abusive homes. 


Where can readers find you? Please list your social media, website, and other links you’d like to share below:
Website: https://jnbbrugge727.wixsite.com/authortheavalentine
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTheaValentine/
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Thea-Valentine/e/B07D16Y8C6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1547297192&sr=8-1
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/3198659613
AllAuthor: https://allauthor.com/profile/authortheav/
Twitter: @AuthorTheaV
Instagram: Author_Thea_Valentine
https://www.instagram.com/author_thea_valentine/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17934818.Thea_Valentine
Facebook Street Team (Thea’s Hyacinth House): 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/325291554883356/ 
FacebookGroup:TheHelldorado Outlaws:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/helldoradooutlaws/?ref=bookmarks

 It's one of those days that I'm full of things to say...opinions, logic, humor, etc. so buckle up buttercup and grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a few...but beware...I'm going to speak my mind and my mind may not always agree with everyone else's...but that's okay...we're all different for a reason!

Every morning I have a ritual where I wake up, grab a glass of tea, and head back to bed to skim through my email and social media before doing my author stuff which comes before getting ready to go to the paycheck earning job. Today was no exception. And as usual, I ended up voicing my opinion on several posts...even though I knew it would draw attention from folks who did not agree with me....so let me share...

The first headline I came across was "Child Arrested for Refusing to Stand for Pledge of Allegiance". At first glance one would think this poor child's rights had been violated. Not true. The child was arrested for becoming disruptive after he stated he would not stand for the Pledge because the American flag was racist. He made threats to school officials. He was asked to leave the classroom 20 TIMES. Now...logic would have it that if you or I went into a public place and became disruptive and had to be asked to leave 20 times and failed to do so...would we not be arrested for disorderly conduct? And rightfully so. I commented on the post and have already had a response "the teacher shouldn't have engaged the child and the child wouldn't have been disruptive". Are you KIDDING me? I'd have gotten a firm whack to the rear end by my teacher and another one when I got home.  It's the teacher's JOB to maintain order in the class. Moving along...

Next article was about a grandfather complaining because an AR-15 gave a homeowner an unfair advantage over his grandson who was burglarizing said homeowner's home with his two friends. Seriously? I think 3 criminals against 1 homeowner was the unfair advantage here. The criminals made the choice to commit a crime and the homeowner made the choice to protect his property just like the 2nd Amendment gives him the right to do. It ended poorly and it's heartbreaking a young man had to die, but the root cause of the whole incident was the young man's choice to commit a crime...not the AR-15. And while we are on the topic of AR-15's let me give you a quick lesson that the main stream media won't. The AR in AR-15 stands for ArmaLite Rifles-the company which designed the AR-15. It is not an assault rifle. An assault weapon is one which is fully-automatic...in other words...a machine gun would be an assault weapon but an AR-15 would not because it is only a semi-automatic weapon. 

And then we have a meme with the words from the late David Bowie..."Religion is for people who fear hell, spirituality is for people who have been there." Yes. I have an opinion about religion. It's not for me and I'll tell you why. One of my undergraduate classes was titled "The Religions of Man". Think about that for a moment. This is what I get out of it...religion was created by man to create rules to control other men. Religion has been the cause of many wars over the history of the world. Murders have been committed in the name of religion. How cruel is it to tell a child if they don't behave they are going to go burn in this fictional place called Hell? Certain religions say that God is a forgiving and loving God...yet they preach that if you don't get saved from your sins you are going to perish in this pit of fire? What loving God who has created a man or woman in his own image would EVER toss them in a pit of fire to burn for eternity? Now, with that said, let me clarify...I do believe in God...the Creator of all that is. I believe there is a Heaven and that we are all going to end up going back there someday because it was our home to begin with. Can't wait to see you all there!

Next subject on the agenda is a little more lighthearted than the above. I just ran across a meme that started off with "Stop Apologizing". That hits home. I've spent so many years apologizing for things that I shouldn't ever be sorry for...wearing what I want to wear, being who I want to be, and loving who I chose to love. The meme went on to say "Do It Fearlessly" and it was in terms of accepting that you are who you are and you are going to spend the rest of your life with yourself so why not love yourself more? When you love and accept who you are for who you are then you are free to be the best you can be. By your own standards and not someone else's. Be uniquely YOU! And while you are being uniquely you...have compassion and empathy for others. You can't buy lasting love or loyalty. People were meant to be loved and not used. Things were meant to be used and not loved. And never say something you don't mean because you never know if it will be the last words someone hears from you. 

Okay, my time has run out and it's time to put some time into the chapter of Beneath the Magick Oak so it can be ready for all of you on March 8th! Have a wonderful week and don't forget to tune in on Wednesday for my guest author interview with Thea Valentine!

Hello Everyone!  This week I am excited to present Kristine Raymond who is not just an author, but also the wonderful hostess of Word Play which is a prime opportunity for you to get up close and personal with your favorite authors via her podcasts. You can find Kristine’s website at https://www.kristineraymond.com/ and I hope you head over and take a look at all she has to offer!
Do you have a muse or a person who inspires you to write? Tell us about them:
Only the voices in my head.  They’re extremely persistent and jabber away at the most inconvenient times, but, I’ll admit, I miss them when they go off and pester someone else.
Of all the books you have written, tell us about your favorite one and why it was your favorite:
My WIP is always my favorite book because I’m so caught up in the story and with the characters.  As to the ones I’ve already released, I honestly can’t pick a favorite.  I love all of them equally.
What book are you working on right now? Do you have a release date you can share with us?
I’m working on a cozy mystery – my first in that genre – titled Finn-agled.  It’s still, sort of, in the development stage, so I’m not going to share too much, except to say I’m having a blast writing it and, hopefully, you’ll love reading it.  There’s no firm release date yet; only that I’m planning to hit publish in the next few months.
Other than writing, what else are you passionate about?
My hubs, my fur babies, and Earl Grey tea, in that order.  Though, some days, a cup of hot tea just hits the spot, you know? 
What have you found to be the most difficult part of being an author?
It depends on which day you ask.  Most of the time, I’d answer marketing, because promoting myself and my products is in no way my forte.  However, self-doubt is also an emotion I struggle with.  I’ve published fifteen books to date and in the middle of each one I’ve questioned if what I’ve written is any good and should I even bother finishing the story.  Then I shake it off, get back to work, and write the best book I know how.
We want to come visit your library. What books might we find on your shelves that we wouldn’t expect to find?
My collection of children’s books might surprise you.  A few favorites I acquired through Ebay or from used booked stores, but most are the actual copies I owned as a child.  And, while I doubt the shelves lined with romances would astonish you, the books by Dean Koontz and the Kellermans – Jonathan and Faye – might raise an eyebrow or two as they’re a departure from the romance/thrillers I usually read.   
Tell us about your most memorable moment as an author:
There are too many to choose just one, but here are a few –
When I saw my very first book cover – the one for Here to Stay – for the first time.  I cried.  Happy tears, folks.  Happy tears.
When I hit ‘Publish’ for the first time.  Although, I still get that same thrill each time I send one of my babies out into the world.
Someone buying one of my books at my first book signing.  Actually, this never gets old.
You’ve got a whole weekend to do whatever you want to do, how are you going to spend it?
Sleep, sleep, then, sleep some more!  With a houseful of fur babies constantly needing my attention and more on my to-do list than I ever have hopes of finishing, sleeping in is a luxury.  No; more like a pipe dream.  Get it?  Pipe ‘dream’…lol.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give a younger version of yourself?
Don’t sit around and wait for an invitation.  If you want something, go for it!  
Where can readers find you?
 Instagram, Book + Main, and BookBub.  And, thanks for having me on your blog today, Teresa.  I enjoyed being here.

It's Saturday night and I am experimenting with Keto recipes tonight. At the beginning of the year, I made the conscious decision to eat healthier, exercise frequently, and get this old body into the best possible shape ever. 
I have had some ups and downs, but I have been really good about doing my yoga almost every day, drinking kale and spinach smoothies for breakfast, watching the calorie intake. Then I heard more about the Keto and intermittent fasting thing and the more I read, the more I was sure if I am going to get rid of this extra body fat this was the way to go.
On the menu tonight is shrimp and broccoli alfredo (sans noodles), spinach salad with eggs/bacon/cheese and avocado balsamic vinegar dressing, garlic and rosemary bread made from eggs and coconut flour, and dessert is a Keto friendly cheesecake where I substituted Stevia for the sugar. Not a bad menu and I can't wait to sit down and enjoy the meal in a little bit when everything is ready.
I've done some research as any good author does and found that over 40% of all adults struggle with an insulin issue which results in the fat collecting around the belly and when they do lose weight, it comes off places such as your butt (explains why my butt is nonexistent these days). The Keto plan along with intermittent fasting is the way to go.
I've managed to get to the gym three times this week which included cardio, weight training and the reward of a massage in the hydro-massage chair, tanning, and red-light therapy. I'm thinking by the time summer rolls around and I can get back to my lake place, I should be in pretty darn good shape! And I should feel fantastic!
Alas, the writing is going well and I am getting very excited about my new release Beneath the Magick Oak which will be available on March 8th! You can get a jump start by pre-ordering if you would like. If you like time travel...faeries...Ireland...this book is for you! I am also working on a historical western romance novella which will release in April. Younger man...older woman...wink wink…
After these two releases, I am going to be working on another dark erotic romance. This one will be a lot hotter than some of my more recent ones, so if you are an erotic romance lover, you are going to want to keep an eye out for this one! Here's the premise...one broken man...one woman who likes to fix broken things...hot sex...a love hate relationship...extracurricular activities...oh my...how will it all end? I am also excited to be working with a group of other authors to bring you a variety of short romantic tales in an anthology that will release in September...the proceeds for this one will go to assist homeless veterans.
To wind up 2019, you should expect a paranormal novella set in New Orleans, another Possum Creek book, and another Magickal holiday tale The Magick Quilt.
Okay folks, my timer just went off so it's time to pull the break out of the oven and get started on the alfredo. Have a wonderful Saturday night and don't forget to tune in on Wednesday for a candid interview with the awesome Kristine Raymond!

PS- If anyone else out there are doing Keto and want to share your recipes...drop me a line at teresa.keefer.author@hotmail.com