Thursday, April 30, 2020

Teatime and Books Interviews Award Winning Author Janet Walden-West About Her Newest ~ Salt + Stilettos - South Beach Romance



Sweet Home Alabama meets Top Chef when Miami’s most determined image consultant clashes with Samoa’s most uncooperative chef in a race to rebrand him as South Beach’s newest star.

 Brett Fontaine learned early that appearance matters and not to count on anyone but yourself. Trading her red-dirt roots for the title of Miami’s go-to image consultant, she refuses to let anything jeopardize her new life.

Not an influential client-turned-stalker who’s up for parole.
Not post-kidnapping panic attacks.
Certainly not the stubborn, attention-phobic chef she’s challenged to transform into a celeb in ninety days.

Will Te’o can almost taste the dream he sacrificed American Samoa, culture, and cherished family ties for—opening a four star restaurant in the most cut-throat culinary location in North America.

Unfortunately, that requires navigating it’s equally cut-throat social scene. When his first public performance ends in a social media spectacle, his only option is turning to the stiletto-wearing nemesis who’s invaded his kitchen.

Neither expected to share anything but barbs, yet somewhere between accidentally bonding over comfort food and office-wrecking sex, they’re named South Beach’s hottest pairing. Until Brett’s stalker engineers a reputation-shattering reveal. She may be going down, but she’s not taking Will’s dreams with her. Now Will’s pulling out all his new skills and cooking up a last-ditch event. He’ll prove to Brett that relying on the right person makes for the perfect recipe—or be left heartbroken in the spotlight.


Ebook and paperback: April 21st from City Owl Press

Good Reads Link

Amazon 

There’s a tour-wide giveaway! Open to US residents only.







About the Author:


Janet Walden-West lives in the southeast with a pack of show dogs, a couple of kids, and a husband who didn’t read the fine print. A member of the East Tennessee Creative Writers Alliance, she is also a founding member of The Million Words craft blog. She pens diverse Urban Fantasy and inclusive Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance.

A 2X PitchWars alum, 2019 Pitch Wars Mentor, and Golden Heart® finalist, her debut multicultural Contemporary Romance, SALT+STILETTOS, is due out April 21st 2020 from City Owl Press. She is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary Agency.




Find her at:
​Twitter: 
@JanetWaldenWest
https://www.amazon.com/Janet-Walden-West/e/B07DD9FNQ5/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Author Interview:


Janet,
Thank you for hosting me, and SALT+STILETTOS. I’m always happy to talk books and writing.
Janet

1.      What is your writing process like?
My characters show up, fully formed, and nag at me until I give them their own story.  Luckily, since romance is character driven, that usually works out well. After writing myself into a corner several times when I first started writing, I’m a reformed pantser and die-hard plotter. I go allllll out on outlines. J Since mine are detailed (15-30 pages) it usually takes me a few weeks to get to the point of beginning a story.
After that, all bets are off. I can write anywhere—waiting for kids, in doctor’s offices, at dog shows. Some days I only get a few pages done, other days the words are flowing and I honestly lose track of time. At least, until someone (kid, dog, or chicken) shows up demanding dinner.

2.      What or who inspired you to become a writer?
I only picked up a pen about 10 years ago, thanks to a newborn. Who. Would. Not. Sleep. I multitasked while also not-sleeping, and caught up on a favorite show. Where the writers killed off my favorite character.
I swore I could write a more fitting series ending. I couldn’t, at least at first, but that decision led to conventions, classes, immersive writers retreats, and finally, to publication.
3.      What is your current WIP?
I write both contemporary romance and urban fantasy with strong romantic elements, so I have several projects going. I’m outlining a second book in the South Beach world (more chefs and kitchen fun), doing edits on an urban fantasy short story due out in June, and finishing the last book in an urban fantasy trilogy that I hope to have out in the Fall.
4.      Do you have any writing rituals?
Coffee. Anything else is negotiable.
5.      What advice would you give an aspiring author?
The best advice I ever got was to simply get involved. Find classes or workshops dealing with craft. Once a draft of your story is completed, find a few critique partners. Our world is in transition and no one knows what the new normal will be, but there is a wealth of information, help, and camaraderie online.

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