Jori for the WIN!

I didn't mention this on my blog last week, but Torn Canvas was an InD'Tale Magazine RONE Award finalist for best New Adult book--and the awards ceremony was Saturday night (my birthday).

What a shock it was on Saturday night when my friend Danyelle Ferguson (who accepted it for me and won in her own category for Sweet Confections) who posted this picture on Facebook! I was at a writing retreat and we all started squealing.

I have to mention how much I loved my main character in Torn Canvas, Jori Virtanen. He was sooo flawed because of something awful that happened to him as a teen. In many ways, he became like the monster who perpetrated the wrong on him.

Yet that wasn't who he was. This story is his journey out the misery that was created for him and then he unknowingly embraced. It's very much a story of redemption.

And a love story.

With pirates.

And painting.

Danyelle said I really needed to prepare an acceptance speech. I thought it was a waste of time, but I'm really grateful now that I took her advice. Here's what I had her read for me:

I cannot express how thrilled I am to have won this award—crazy considering I’m a writer, right? I’m sad I couldn’t be there in person, but I want to thank my friend Danyelle Ferguson for accepting on my behalf. 

I’d like first to honor my fellow nominees. I know what goes into the crafting of a book, and I value their hard work and dedication. Thank you!  

Others I want to thank are those involved with the RONE awards—the reviewers, the fans, the judges, and the staff at InD’Tale magazine, who make this all happen. I’d like to thank my critique group who helped me shape this story, but especially to my editor Katharina Brendel who, with her insightful questions and observations, helped me see how this story should be told.

I’d also like to thank my husband Edward for his undying support and encouragement. I couldn’t have a better fan. I couldn’t do this without him. 

This award means the world to me. We writers are readers first, and it’s our love of storytelling the fuels our tales. Thank you all!"

Um. Yeah. I had a great weekend.

How about you?

Danyelle Ferguson - Author Interview and Spotlight

My special guest today is the charming Danyelle Ferguson. We're both member of a writing group called Authors Incognito. She's got a new book out, Sweet Confections, but I have some questions for Danyelle first.

1. You were just given a yacht. What would you name it?

The Sea Sick Princess   (boats and I just don't get along)

Dang, I guess you won't be going with me and hubby on our next cruise, huh?

2. Who is your favorite secondary character in Sweet Confections?

I actually have two. Chloe - who is Graydon's speed-demon talking/texting cousin. She just makes me laugh, laugh, laugh. The second is Rachel's nephew Stockton. He has autism and is based on my son at that age. Stockton just makes me want to go back in time and snuggle my little guy some more.

I love when secondary characters have depth. I think it adds to the entire story, makes me want to read more.

3. What's you're favorite movie line?

"Brinkley! Here, Brinkley!"  (and your toes curl as you wait for Tom Hanks to come around the corner)

Such a fun movie!

4. Chocolate: milk or dark?

Absolutely milk chocolate!

You and I could split some bridge mix and both come away happy. :D

5. What project are you working on now?

I'm working on book two of the Indulgence Row series - Love Under Construction. This is Charlee's story as she breaks away from the construction company she's worked for since her teen years and goes out on her own to rehab the Indulgence Row houses into a charming shopping district. What Charlee doesn't know is that Peter (the boss's son) has had a long-time crush on her - and now that they are no longer co-workers, the way is free for him to pursue her . . . except for the many mishaps and bumps along the way.

I love the sound of these. I'm a girl who really enjoys SciFi and epic fantasy but I love me some good romances too. Congrats on the release of Sweet Confections! 

According to Rachel Marconi chocolate heals all wounds. That and throwing darts at pictures of her ex-boyfriend. Burned by yet another bad relationship, Rachel decides to reprioritize her life, putting her dream to compete on a Food Network Challenge on the top of her list and dating at the bottom crossed out in red sharpie. But what's a girl to do when a certain sexy guy keeps asking her out?

Cue in Graydon Green, a former pro hockey player turned restaurant owner. After a lot of persistent and humorous teasing, he finally convinces Rachel to commit to a date. Just when things begin to warm up, threatening notes directed at Rachel arrive. When her bakery is vandalized, Graydon's protective streak goes on red alert. Is it her obsessive ex-boyfriend stalking her? Or maybe a challenger trying to sabotage the competition?

Either way, Rachel is definitely going to need more chocolate - perhaps drizzled over ice cream and devil's food cake.

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Also available on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBookstore.

About the author:

Danyelle Ferguson discovered her love for the written word in elementary school. Her first article was published when she was in 6th grade. Since then, she’s won several awards and her work has been published world-wide in newspapers, magazines and books.

Danyelle grew up surrounded by Pennsylvania’s beautiful Allegheny Mountains. Then she lived for ten years among the majestic Wasatch Mountains. She is currently experiencing mountain-withdrawal while living in Kansas with her husband and family. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing and singing in the kitchen, and the occasional long bubble bath to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy.”

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