Elizabeth Seckman-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I am a former social worker, constant day dreamer, and mother of four fabulous boys. My first book, PAST DUE, is for sale from World Castle Publishing. It’s available online in E-Book and print.

I also have a house in desperate need of cleaning. No set date on completion.

FOLLOW Elizabeth on: Goodreads / Website / Twitter /

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TRC: Hi Elizabeth and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the December release of HEALING SUMMER.

Elizabeth: Thanks for having me here! It really is my pleasure. I had some laundry to do, but this is waaaayyyy more fun!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Elizabeth: I’m the mother of four boys. I’m married my college sweetheart. And I used to be a social worker. That covers it all right?

TRC: Many authors develop their love of writing at an early age. What sparked your desire to write?

Elizabeth: Writing has always been my bliss. I was a late reader. It took me two years of kindergarten and half of my first grade year to learn! I remember getting the story “Heidi” for Christmas. I loved the cover and I WANTED to read that book so badly! I remember stumbling through it with my sister helping me. When I got done, I read it again. Then when I realized people made up those stories, I started writing my own. I used my mother’s “McCall’s” magazines for illustrations. They were some awesome reads.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you faced as a writer?

Elizabeth: Plain old insecurity. I don’t mind the hard work, but there is always that worry that the story won’t connect with the readers. I don’t fear rejection from editors, I fear being hated by readers!

TRC: HEALING SUMMER is the latest release in your contemporary romance series focusing on the three Coulter brothers. Would you please tell us about the premise?

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Elizabeth: I started with the story of Jenna and Tres and it was only going to be one story. When I finished the final chapter with poor Craig licking his wounds in Montana…I felt like he had to have his say and his happy ending. Then when I finished “Healing Summer”, the youngest brother, Trip, seemed to be yelling in my ear, “Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” So, he gets his story too.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters in your storylines which models or actors would best represent your ideal images?

Elizabeth: I’ve been fired from the job of casting director by my niece. In all honesty? I hardly ever watch TV and my knowledge of Hollywood is sorely lacking. Let me call Kari…be right back…Okay, Mollie will be played by Rachel Bilson and Craig will be played by Joe Manganiello.

TRC: Mmmmm Joe Manganiello!!

TRC: FATE INTENDED is the final book in the trilogy. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Elizabeth: Since Trip is the youngest Coulter, he’s been at the brunt of big brothers’ shadows and attitudes. He needed a big story. So, Trip will leave his boring life and controlling girlfriend behind when he joins a group of shadow ops and starts dating a cute cleaning lady…who unfortunately is the daughter of a Russian . Oh, and she is on the lamb for murder. It’s complicated, but love often is.

TRC: Are any of the characters or premise of the storyline based on real people or situations in your life?

Elizabeth: Not really. Jenna is loosely based on my oldest sister in that she can’t cook and she is obsessive with her privacy.

TRC: If one of your characters could speak for themselves, what would they have to say?

Elizabeth: Barbara, the mother of the Coulter men, would say, “I just want my boys to be happy. After losing their father, the only thing that mattered to me was my sons. And I’m not turning them over to just any female.”

TRC: While writing or working on your storyline, have ideas or characters ever come to you in dreams?

Elizabeth: No. I hardly ever remember any dream. Have you ever dreamt about your storylines or leading characters? No, but I do plan plots as I wait for the sandman.

TRC: What have you learned writing this particular series?

Elizabeth: In “Healing Summer”, I had antelopes on the plains. The final editor caught the mistake and noted it. The publisher called to inform me that there are no antelope in Montana. I guess when you’re home on the range, it’s the deer and the pronghorn that play.

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good and/or bad?

Elizabeth: A good book review is priceless. And by good, I don’t necessarily mean glowing. Good reviewers know books. They understand literature and the elements of a story. They can pinpoint what works in a story and what doesn’t. These reviewers know how to express themselves without being snarky or taking personal jabs at writers. There is much to be learned from them. I pay close attention…it’s a great way to learn.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Elizabeth: My best writer buddy and fellow World Castle author, Celeste Holloway, is my word lifeline. She is my moral support too. I had lost faith in “Past Due” after a measly eleven rejections and Celeste had to put a foot in my hiney. The story was headed for the trash and I was moving on, but she refused to let me give up.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Elizabeth:
1. All my kids will be happily raised and on their own. (Wow! I’m a little depressed now.)
2. My house will be clean.
3. I will finally stop using the treadmill as a clothes hanger and do daily exercise.
4. My husband will finally take me on a honeymoon. (We’ve been married twenty years and we’re still trying to work this out!)
5. More books. Books that hopefully have a large following of loyal readers!

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Elizabeth: “Elizabeth, would you like a cup of tea and some homemade cookies?” Most certainly!! How kind of you to ask.

TRC:  **Offers Elizabeth a cup of tea and some homemade chocolate chip cookies**

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Elizabeth: I am currently researching and polishing up the final book in the series, “Fate Intended”. I also have a historical romance I am polishing up and working on a new book I have been dying to get on paper and out of my head!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Elizabeth: Thank you!

LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food chocolate
Favorite Dessert strawberry shortcake
Favorite TV Show “Supernatural”
Favorite Movie “Gone with the Wind”
Last Movie you saw “The Hobbit”
Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark chocolate
Last Vacation Destination Outer Banks of North Carolina (Avon to be exact!)

TRC: Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you all the best.

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Elizabeth Seckman is offering a paper copy or ecopy of both of her novels PAST DUE and HEALING SUMMER to ONE lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address along with your comment as Twitter etc does not allow for contact information.

3. Giveaway is open to INTERNATIONALLY.

4. Giveaway runs from January 20 to 23, 2013