Friday, August 31, 2012

Interview with Author, CHAR CHAFFIN

Char Chaffin

 





PROLOGUE


Northeast Oregon, April

Hidden was good. She could live with hidden.

Kendall Martin stared at the speck on the map. She’d have missed it if she blinked twice. Lakes, streams, and rivers surrounded it. A single road, at least something resembling a road, ran from the speck to another, slightly larger dot, both surrounded by rough terrain and flanked by a ribbon of river.

On a map of Alaska, within the vastness of its landmass, the minute spots of civilization were insignificant.

She laid the oversized atlas on the edge of the bed, and continued folding sweaters. She stashed underwear and nightgowns, neatly-rolled socks, and three pairs of slippers in the open packing box. Two more boxes, already sealed and labeled, sat stacked in a corner of the bedroom. She’d packed her linens, cleaned out her medicine cabinet, and threw away anything resembling a sedative.

Where she was headed, she should never again need a sedative.

Her kitchen looked stark with its scrubbed counters and empty cupboards. What few plants she’d nurtured had been given to a neighbor. Dry foodstuffs went to the local Bread Line. She’d dumped the rest.

A single, four-hour garage sale had ridded her of the sofa and matching recliner, a few end tables, as well as the stripped bed. Its new owners were slated to come for it later in the day. She hadn’t been in town long enough to collect more than some basic furniture and a few necessary kitchen odds and ends. Nevertheless, Kendall had ruthlessly pared her belongings down to what she could fit in a handful of boxes and three hard-sided suitcases. Without an ounce of regret, she’d rifled through a collection of photographs, using scissors to cut out images she didn’t want, keeping others intact, and tossing the discards into the trash.

She didn’t want any visual reminders. She had enough mental ones to last a damned lifetime.

Nerves, anticipation, worry, all fluttered inside her stomach, a queasy, anxious mix. A hundred times already, she’d asked herself if such a massive move was right for her. She couldn’t help the tremors overtaking her as she sealed the last box of clothing. Several times during the day, she stopped in the middle of whatever she’d been packing, and sucked in one long, deep breath in an attempt to keep from hyperventilating.

She’d never lived anywhere other than Oregon. And yet, her journey would take her to a tiny speck within the immense, formidable force of nature called Alaska.

Scared spitless. Unbearably excited.

Yeah, that about covers it.

 


BIO
Char Chaffin started reading romance, science fiction and horror at a very young age. Her love of books is directly responsible for her overflowing bookcases, and the bounty stored on her Kindle threatens to eclipse her entire paper collection. Char currently writes mainstream and contemporary romance filled with family, rich characters and engaging plots. For her, it all comes back to the love.

Char began her writing odyssey as a poet, crafting Victorian-style poetry, then went on to writing short stories. She found her niche when she began writing longer and longer short stories, until she wrote her first novel. It might never see the light of day, but writing it taught her a lot. Over the years she worked a variety of jobs, from farm hand to costume designer to fiscal accountant, before deciding a writing career was her true focus.

In addition to writing, Char is also an editor for Soul Mate Publishing.

A native New Yorker, Char lives Upstate on a sixty-acre farm with husband Don, rat terrier Daisy Mae and two barn cats who constantly slack off on the job of keeping the barn free of varmints. The Chaffin extended family is scattered all over the United States and Alaska.

When she’s not pounding away at her keyboard or burying her nose in books and Kindle, she tends a huge vegetable garden and helps Don maintain their farm.

LINKS
YOU TUBE TRAILER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJieck3U17Y&feature=youtu.be


CHAR'S WEBSITE
www.char.chaffin.com

FACEBOOK
http://facebook.com/char.chaffin

TWITTER
 http://twitter.com/char_chaffin

GOODREADS
 http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5337737.Char_Chaffin


 

 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Totally HOT Thursdays



I am bringing to you today a very handsome man that we all know and love. I had the pleasure of meeting him this April at the RT Convention in Chicago and I have to tell you he is such a gentleman. He was easy to carry a conversation with and always smiled. Please help me welcome him here today.

May I introduce to you.....CJ HOLLENBACH!

Thank you for visiting us at Heart of Romance, CJ! We are very excited to speak to you today and get to know you a little bit.


SARAH- I have to start by asking to most popular question, and that is how did you get started in the modeling industry?

CJ- I started in mainstream modeling after college. As a graphic designer, when I went to ad agencies looking for work with my portfolio they thought I was a model. The art director from a large department store told me to have pictures taken and come back. So, I did. The rest is history(?) I entered the "Mr. Romance Novel Cover Model Pageant" 20 years ago at an RT convention. I didn't do my first cover until 8 years later. It's much easier these days to do cover work. There are many stock photo companies out there that shoot in many cities in the country. When I started it was NYC. Period! It was much harder to do back in the day....


SARAH- Can you tell us some of things you have modeled? Book covers, magazines, etc.

CJ- I have run the gamut. Magazines, newspapers, runway, book covers, of course. I had to turn down a Meatloaf album cover years ago. Huge mistake on my part. There isn't much in the industry I haven't done. I have done hand and hair modeling too. So, far no feet, though!



SARAH- How many book covers have you graced?

CJ- I get asked that question a lot. I REALLY should know. Shouldn't I? Dozens and dozens. I've lost count. There are covers out there that I haven't even seen. Somebody is always sending one they've found. These days you do a day's shooting and they take a thousand photos. You get paid for the day and NOT per cover. It never used to be that way. In NYC you'd shoot for 1 hour for 1 cover. You were in and out. These days you can be on 20 covers from day's shoot and I have been. There have been a few covers I really detest and don't even count them. They're not even on my website.



SARAH- Would you please tell us where you are from? Do you still live there?

CJ- I was born in Pennsylvania, but live in Ohio. I have lived elsewhere, but presently back in Ohio.....



SARAH- Do you have siblings or are you an only child?

CJ- I have one older brother who lives in Columbus, Ohio....


SARAH- Please tell us one thing about you that we would not find if we Googled you.

CJ- A good question... My confirmation name is Anthony and I got the Manhood award my senior year in high school.



SARAH- Do you have another profession besides modeling?

CJ- I write, but not nearly enough anymore and am a graphic designer....


SARAH- Are there any charities you are interested in? Please leave a link so that we may read more about it.

CJ- The Humane Society and The American Cancer Society. There is a lot of cancer in my family....



SARAH- Okay, if you don’t mind, I would like to ask you some quick and easy questions.

Sunrise or sunset?  Sunset. Sunrise comes too early for me!!!

Mountains or beach?  Mountains....

Hot or cold?  Cold. You can always put more clothes on. But, you can't take more clothes off...Now, wait a minute....

Long hair or short hair?  DUH! Long hair. LOL
*I meant on a girl... LOL! We love your hair!*

Luck or destiny?  A little luck. I DO believe in fate, though too. Someone once told me "YOU have to lay the bricks to get to where you're going..." And I have....

Hotel or camping?  Hotel. No question.

Favorite feature on a woman?  A tiny waist. Picture Julie Newmar as Catwoman on "Batman". I'm showing my age, but she had a rockin' body. She spoiled/ruined me as a child.

Favorite meal?  Chicken Fajitas

Favorite drink?  Vodka and cranberry or a Gray Goose martini....

Favorite animal?  Chimps, but not the kind that rip your face off....

Favorite vacation spot?  Haven't been to Greece or Hawaii yet. I think I was Greek in a previous life. The Hollywood Hills was a cool place. Spectacular view...


OKAY EVERYONE! Here is your chance to win an autographed picture of CJ and one of his T-shirts. All you have to do is answer this question correctly!

**What does CJ stand for?**
     A) Curtis James
     B) Charles James
     C) Christopher James


I want to thank you, CJ, for being here today and allowing me to interview you. Good luck in your future.

For anyone who is interested in staying in touch with CJ’s career, then click on these links. www.cjcovermodel.com "CJ Hollenbach" on Facebook

Enjoy the rest of the pictures below!


Have a great day everyone!
Love,
Sarah

 
 
CJ on shoot!

 
 
 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Looking for a new book to read?

 If you are looking for something new to read, please consider picking up  Broken Prophecy by Raven Raye.
Back Cover Blurb:
Only Killian’s bloodline was created with the planet. No other can accept the Seal and no human can carry the seed to bear the Heirs of Aeden.
Killian, King of the Fey, is in love with Marcella Rowan, human and forbidden to his kind. An errant Angel, seeking revenge, awakens creatures thought long dead or mythological. Marcella’s life in danger and against the Divine Council’s orders, Killian saves her from death—by claiming her as his soulmate. As earthly and other-earthly creatures polarize toward good or evil, Marcella and Killian must survive the forces driving them apart. Only their love can unite the worlds of magick and mundane. Only their love can force their peoples to put aside bigotry, jealousy and fear to overcome the evil tearing the earth apart. Only the magick they make together can repopulate earth’s garden in Aeden.
 
LINKS
Sheila R Polansky/ Raven Raye
www.soulmatepublishing.com
www.ravenraye.com
Broken Prophecy--2010 FFL winner/2011 DoD winner

Friday, August 17, 2012

The winner is!

The winner of the autographed picture of male model, Benny Bekro is:

Ann Montclair!

Please email me at sarah-hoss@hotmail.com so that we can discuss getting your picture to you!
Congratulations!

The winner is!

The winner of the autographed picture of male model, Benny Bekro is:

Ann Montclair!

Please email me at sarah-hoss@hotmail.com so that we can discuss getting your picture to you!
Congratulations!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Totally HOT Thursday





I am bringing to you today a very handsome man and a new face on the modeling scene.
**ALSO- anyone who leaves a comment below, will be put in a drawing for an autographed photo of  Benny! You must check back here tomorrow to see who was chosen and read the instructions on how to claim your prize!

Thank you for visiting us today at Heart of Romance, Benny! We are very excited to speak to you today and get to know you a little bit.


SARAH- First off, let me start by asking to most popular question, how did you get started in the modeling industry?


BENNY- I always wanted to model. When I was young people told me I should. I always loved fashion and that world. But I grew up in an African family, and if you don’t know, that type of family is very strict and stuck in their ways. They don’t believe in that type of stuff (music, art, fashion, dancing, entertainment). They think it is a waste of time and it never happens. They only see doctors, engineers, mathematician, economist, etc. As I got older, got a degree and worked in corporate America, I realized it wasn’t for me. After talking to friends, I decided ill give it a try. Not to mention random people kept asking me if I was a model. I guess it was my look.



SARAH- Can you tell us some of things you have modeled? Book covers, magazines, etc.

BENNY- I have done a lot of runway shows for various designers from high end to low end. I have done New York Fashion Week. I have done many shows up and down the east coast. I’ve been in in a few magazines and a book so far. One magazine is backed by 50 cents the rapper, another called Fashion Avenue News Magazine. Both of those are internationally distributed. I am also on pages for various sites.




SARAH- Would you please tell us where you are from? Do you still live there?

BENNY- I am Originally from the Ivory Coast, West Africa. Came to the states when I was 7. I now live in New Jersey.




SARAH- Do you speak more than one language and if so, where did you learn it?

BENNY- I speak 2 languages. French and English. I used to know a third called Joula, native to my home country, but I lost that growing up in America.


SARAH- Do you have another profession besides modeling?

BENNY- I work for a financial services company. I have an analyst type position.              



SARAH- Are there any charities you are interested in? Please leave a link so that we may read more about it.

BENNY- I don’t have a particular charity. But I always said when I could, if I don’t create one, I would donate to a charity that helps inner city kids in bad cities to give them a chance out. I grew up in a city like that and I know how hard it is to get. Most times its not the kids fault. Its circumstances and their environment.




SARAH- Okay, if you don’t mind, I would like to ask you some quick and easy questions.


Satin or lace?  Both depending on the day

Mountains or beach?   Beach

Hot or cold?  Hot

Bikini or one piece?  Bikini

Luck or destiny?   I make my own luck and control my destiny

Favorite feature on a woman?  eyes

Favorite meal?  Lol Peanut stew and white rice (Google it), im so african

Favorite drink?  Cranberry vodka

Favorite animal?  lion




Benny, I want to thank you again for stopping by and visiting with us. I appreciate your kindness and wish you all the best in the future!


For anyone who is interested in staying in touch with Benny’s career, then click on these links.

www.bennybekro.com

www.modelmahem.com/1895809

www.facebook.com/bennybekro

www.facebook.com/bennybekrofans



Have a great day everyone!

Love,
Sarah







Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Here it is!

I am so excited to finally be able to show you my book cover for HEAVEN SENT. I want to thank Debbie Taylor at The Wild Rose Press for her work designing it.

My novella, HEAVEN SENT, will be released on December 19, 2012! Just in time for the Christmas season, so if you find yourself trying to think of Christmas gifts, I hope you consider books! They make a great gift.

Cover designed by Debbie Taylor with The wild Rose Press

BOOK BLURB

When forgiveness heals the soul, love heals the heart.


Flight nurse Tenlee Hawkins is used to making quick decisions, but one decision she made the Christmas day her mother died haunts her. Wrestling with the past, she spirals into depression—until the day she finds a man unconscious in her woods and saves his life.


When Sam awakens in the hospital with a concussion and no memory, Tenlee rescues him again. She takes him into her home and her life. But as Sam recovers and remembers who he is, he's torn. A guardian angel isn't supposed to fall in love.


As the promise of true love grows, Tenlee realizes that Sam has helped her much more than she ever helped him. But Sam is filled with guilt knowing he must soon leave. Will it take a Christmas miracle to find the life with Tenlee he’s always wanted?

***


Thanks for stopping by today and for following along with me on my writing journey. I am very excited for this stage and can't wait to share more with you!

Much love to you,
Sarah Hoss