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The Home of the Romance Novel

Interview & Giveaway with Minnette Meador, author of The Belle Stalker

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Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel

Today I am welcoming Minnette Meador to the blog.  She is the author of several books, including The Belle Stalker, her most recent release.  I had the opportunity to meet Minnette at the RWA book fair in Bellevue, Washington last month.  What a wonderful lady, certainly a pleasure to talk to!  It must be said, she uses such yummy men on her book covers!

 

She is touring today with Goddessfish Promotions and is offering a handknit scarf and an eBook from her backlist as a prize to one lucky commenter for today’s stop.  Minnette will also be giving away a small Kindle plus a Portland Tote filled with goodies to one randomly drawn commenter, along with daily prizes.  The Kindle and tote bag are limited to US and Canada only;  if an international winner, an Amazon GC will be substituted.  (ALSO:  PLEASE NOTE:  Any reader who sends their name and address to Minnette will be sent a stack of signed swag. Just drop her a note at : mmeador@minnettemeador.com)

To follow the tour and increase your chance of winning, click HERE to find the list of blogs.

 

Barb – Tell us a litte bit about yourself and your writing of The Belle Stalker:

Minnette – Belle Stalker started out as a thriller I was writing for Textnovel.com – This is an amazing site where writers submit new project and they get uploaded to cell phone and read around the world. People vote on their favorites and it’s a real hoot. Take a gander… there’s wonderful stories over there. Anyway, it started out as a thriller and ended up an urban fantasy thriller since I couldn’t resist adding a… well, we’ll save that for later. Definitely NOT a vampire…though I love vamps, don’t get me wrong.

Barb – Who are your cheerleaders? Who continues to encourage you to write?

Minnette – I have been blessed with a wonderful family that supports me every step of the way and a husband who is an absolute angel. I’ve also met the most amazing group of women during my last two tours that have become my friends, my confidants, and my mentors in so many ways. You know who you are! I’ve been overwhelmed by the support and love I’ve received this past year and after two years of my husband being very ill, it has lifted my heart higher than I ever thought possible. In addition, I have met some of the most amazing writer friends through RWA groups and my local chapter, Rose City Romance Writers. They have encouraged me, critiqued me, kicked me in the butt when I needed it and helped to make me work to improve my craft constantly. I honestly don’t think I could have done this without them.

Barb – What’s the hardest part of writing The Belle Stalker?

Minnette – This was my first thriller and my first urban fantasy, though I’ve written lots of straight fantasy in the past and I’ve read a ton of urban fantasy. I had to work at not falling back into the language of epic fantasy when I was with the mythic creatures. It’s easy to do. Writing in multiple genres can get a little confusing at time; I have to keep those voices straight in my head! LOL

Barb – What’s your favorite part of writing The Belle Stalker?

Minnette – Writing, “The End.” LOL Actually, I love to do the actual writing, but editing is my forte. I love to layer in back story, fill in gaps, put in sounds, smells, and textures to make them more tangible. But I think my favorite part of writing this book was researching homicide investigations with the Portland Police Bureau Homicide Division. I write about that later, but it was probably the most enlightening piece of research I’ve done… and that’s saying something.

Barb – Which scenes were the hardest to write?

Minnette – Love scenes (i.e. sex scenes) are very hard to write, I don’t care what anyone says. It’s as hard to be fresh and inventive as it is with a partner you’ve been with for twenty years (come 2013 with my husband). But I’ve been extremely lucky to have a loving, caring husband as an example of what my heroes should be like. I’ve been told my sex scene are pretty hot… I certainly hope so! LOL

Barb – How long did it taken you to write The Belle Stalker?

Minnette – I started it in 2008 or 2009, shelved it for a while and picked it back up last year. It took between 3-4 months altogether. It’s the only book that I didn’t write all the way through like the others. I worked on it off and on for a while then focused on it last year to finish up. The research started on this book in 2009.

Barb – Who is your favorite character in your new release?

Minnette – Hands down, Mike Cranston. He is funny, sarcastic, a wise guy to the bad guys (which gets him in a lot of trouble, believe me), fiercely in love with his ex-wife Belle, he a cop and a good one, he’s handsome, dashing, an alpha male and a good friend. Plus, he likes kids. What’s not to like? I really hope the commenters get to read about him. Here is an audio reading of the second chapter if you’d like to meet Mike: http://youtu.be/8Iv6sFrq5o4

Barb – Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Minnette – Not as much in this book. There are always bits and pieces of me everywhere. I have Mike’s big mouth and Belle’s stubbornness, I think. I’m NOTHING like Tequelin ~shiver~.

Barb – Where can your fans find you?

Minnette – I am all over the web and you can just do a Google search for Minnette Meador. Here are my main hangouts:

Minnette’s Web Site

Contact Minnette

Amazon Author Page

Facebook
Writer’s Room FB Group – Tips, Tricks, & Traumas

Twitter

LinkedIn

Book Links:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/The-Belle-Stalker-ebook/dp/B0064PA6LI/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321749531&sr=1-8

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-belle-stalker?keyword=the+belle+stalker&store=ebook

Resplendence Publishing: http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/381-200-103-422-5–the-belle-stalker-by-minnette-meador.html

Kindlegraph (for a signature): http://www.kindlegraph.com/about


Thanks so much for inviting me back to post on Sugarbeat! I love this site and I love the posts you guys put up. Keep up the good work! Minnette :o)

THE BELLE STALKER
An Urban Fantasy Thriller
by Minnette Meador

The police have done all they can, but it isn’t enough. When Belle finds the mutilated body of her lover strewn across the furniture she knows only her ex-husband, Homicide Detective Mike Cranston can stop the maniac who has been dogging her steps for over a year. The only problem is the man who stalks her…is not a man at all. Belle plays a dangerous game and only hopes that Cranston can stop the monster before it’s too late.

Media Links

I’d like to thank Minnette for dropping by and sharing about her latest book! Pick up the Belle Stalker or any of her other books, find a cozy chair and settle in for a good read! The perfect way to fill a cold and snowy day 🙂

About Barb Drozdowich

Social Media and Wordpress Consultant Barb Drozdowich has taught at University, trained technical personnel in the banking industry and, most recently, used her expertise to help dozens of authors develop the social media platform needed to succeed in today’s fast evolving publishing world. She owns Bakerview Consulting and is the only reviewer on this blog.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Preston

    Researching homicide investigations would be horrific & terribly fascinating at the same time I think. I’m looking forward to ‘meeting Mike Cranston.

  2. Minnette Meador

    Good morning, all! Just wanted to sip a little coffee with you this AM and remind you that besides the prizes, you can also get a stack of swag sent to you. Just email me at mmeador@minnettemeador.com and I’ll send it out.

    Hi, Mary! You’re always the fist… you must live on the east coast! It was amazing to sit down with homicide and go through an investigation with them. I write about it later in the tour, so stay tuned. I think you’ll like Mike… he’s a bit of a smart ass, but I like that about him. He’s a fierce protector and friend.

    • Barb

      Morning Minnette!
      Thanks so much for dropping by to say hi! I hope you are enjoying this bright, sunny crisp day! I certainly think someone needs this book for a Christmas present….just trying to think of which of my sisters would like this better…..

  3. Gina Marie Pettitt

    This book sounds like it has the best of everything. I love fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, romance, and when authors manage to have more than one in a story it just makes the story that much meatier. This sounds like It is a great book can’t wait to read it.

  4. Christiana

    Good morning Minnette,

    The more I learn about Mike, the more I like Mike. He has all the qualities that makes for a great alpha hero, including that whole in love with his ex-wife part!

    Tiana
    Tianadawn@gmail.com

  7. Karen H in NC

    I think you have a new convert to your dark side! Yes, the more I read, the more I know I must read more.

  9. Joan O

    This book has a little bit of everything I like in a book and I can’t wait to read it. (I think I will read it in the daylight and not at night.)

  10. Laura Albert

    Ooh, I’m looking forward to the homicide investigation discussion! (Though, like Mary, I’m also horrified at the thought.)

  11. Minnette Meador

    Hi, Barb! Thanks so much for having me… I think both of your sisters (or is it more?) need this book. LOL ;o)

    Thanks, Gina – I hope you get an opportunity to read it. Let me know what you think! :o)

    Their relationship is very special and very volatile too, Tiana. Fire sparks whenever they are around each other… in more ways than one.

    Got you in there, Nancy! Thanks! M:o)

    Just as I planned, Karen ~muhahaha~ I KNEW I could corrupt you! :o)

    Thanks, Deanna!

  12. Yami

    Hey Minnette~!
    Thats interesting I didn’t know that this one you didn’t sit there and work on all the way. LOL, I have that experience to a degree, even though right now I’m writing for my own pleasures. Currently the first most original story I worked on is sitting on the back burner with tons of revisions waiting.
    Okay question time:
    Do you ever get like the voices in your head (its the only way I can describe them) telling you one thing with the story when you think it should go the other way?
    yamikokoro(@)gmail.com

  13. Denise Z

    Thanks for sharing today. I hopped over from twitter to enjoy the interview. I think The Belle Stalker certainly sounds intriguing and love the suspense that my imagination brewed with just the reading of this post. I am interested in seeing the dynamics play out between Belle and her ex – what a combo! I wish you well on your release of what sounds like a very interesting read.
    @ZDz59001

  15. Cheryl Lynne

    Great post, very interesting. The Belle Stalker is on the top of my TBR list. It sounds wonderful! cheryllynne(at)rocketmail(dot)com

  19. Tracey D

    I have enjoyed Minnette’s other works and know I will enjoy this one.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

  20. Minnette Meador

    LOL, Joan – I guess that’s the general consensus though I think you could read it at night. Especially with your honey in bed with you…

    It was just amazing, Laura! Make sure to stay tuned…

    Hi, Yami and congrats on your win this morning! My characters talk to me all the time. Sometimes they are right and sometimes they are wrong. I used to give them free rein; Now I make sure they “hit their marks” meaning they keep the story on track and moving forward. That’s why I outline now and do meticulous preparations before I even write. I still do quite a bit of “seat of the pants” writing, but I trying to stay within the framework of the story. That doesn’t mean things won’t change… most times they do. You should read some of my original plot lines before the book is done. It’s really funny to see how far outside I got from it. But that’s why I do them; they are simply a guide for me to follow, like a map. That doesn’t mean I can’t go off into the bushes and do a little exploring! :o)

    Hey, Denise, my first Twitter person! ~Squee~ Thanks for coming over. I hope you can hop along during the blog with us. Lots of things coming up.

    Hi, Tammy ~waves~ The cover really is gorgeous, isn’t it? I am in the thinking stage right now on the next Ghost book (coming out in October next year) and starting my research. I have to do the following (so far): meet and interview a palmist, hang out with some goth girls, investigate Wicca; interview a neighborhood association president; etc. THEN I can start writing stuff down. :o)

    Yeah, Cheryl! I really hope you like it.

    You better read it, CB! LOL I really want to know what you think.

    Thanks, Regina!

    Bama – xxxooo

    Thanks, Tracey D – I think you might enjoy this one. It’s very different from the others…

  21. Minnette Meador

    PS… I’ve been getting request for swag at my email address (yeah!). If you don’t hear from me after you sent a request, send it again or message me over at FB. Sometimes my junk filter takes out new emails… And just a heads up; I just ordered The Belle Stalker trading cards to add to the collection and I’ll see them probably late next week, so I’m going to wait to ship everything out together. Trust me… it will be worth the wait! They came out amazing! :o)

  22. Yami

    Thanks! I’m so thrilled to of gotten another set of your books. *laughs* I see, that would be interesting to see the original plot lines. Does that ever get frustrating when you have an idea set for one spot and it goes completely somewhere else? I know sometimes it drives me a little crazy but it sometimes makes it better in my case does it yours?

  23. Minnette Meador

    Sometime. The thing is you never know until you get there; another idea might blossom fueled by something earlier in the book or you have a brilliant idea that one of the other characters gives you. You never know where the journey will lead you… that’s why you’re a bit vague with the details. ;o)

    • Barb

      Minnette, So you are saying that both my sisters, my 5 sister-in-laws and my mom need a copy of your book? I’m so happy when Christmas shopping goes this smoothly *grins* Hope you enjoy the rest of your tour!

  25. Chelsea Rafferty

    Just running in to say hi *smooches* 😉 Sorry I’m late, stayed up all night and then took an extended nap, if it wasn’t for all your lovely reminders everywhere I would have forgotten lol *hugs*

  27. Minnette Meador

    Well, we did it again! Thanks so much to everyone who came over to play today. What an amazing time I had! You guys are the best

    And of course a very special thanks to Barb for letting us use her wonderful blog to play on! I’ve said it before… this place rocks!

    I will announce today’s winner in the AM… but probably NOT at 6am like I usually do… I’m sleeping in! And don’t forget, if you want your very own lovely copy of THE BELLE STALKER, it is available at Resplendencepublishing.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ARe, as well as other fine e-Book outlets.

    Love you all and see you on Monday at my next fabulous stop! Have a great weekend everyone! Minnette :o)

  35. Minnette Meador

    You are more than welcome, Chantel!

    Hi, Katie! Got you in there!

    Thanks, Molly. I’m so glad you could come over. Lots of stops yet to come and you’re welcome to visit the old ones for more chances to win.

    Hi, Cait. Glad you’re making the blog hop rounds!