Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Feature Author Rene Folsom


Hey Loves, today I’d like to introduce you to our Feature Author, Rene Folsom! She is an amazing author of sexy Romance and Paranormal short stories and novels. Check out her interview with us below for an exclusive excerpt out of her newest work in progress!!  

About Rene Folsom
As an award-winning web and graphic designer, Rene Folsom has always grasped the ability to transform information into art. After many years in the design industry, capturing the attention of the reader with great graphics was no longer her only goal. While her artistic side will always be her source of inspiration, Rene has found that branching out into the literary world with her heartfelt, romantic, and rather steamy stories by combining her love of art and reading, was just the next step in her journey.

Being a mother of three and wife of one, Rene has had to juggle career, kids, family, grocery shopping, and stain removal. Years of experience has provided her plenty of creative material to work with. Using both words and design, taking these very different experiences and bringing them all to paper has proven to be quite enjoyable for both writer and reader alike.

Obtaining her degree from Santa Fe State College in Gainesville, Florida, Rene studied everything from fine arts to sculpture and vocals, but found her true artistic inspiration when she took off to Italy after graduation.

Still residing on the beaches of sunny Central Florida, Rene Folsom now adds the title of “author” to her belt, providing contemporary and paranormal romance stories to her readers. If you like stories that ratchet up your heart rate and make you lose your breath, then basque in the glow of your eReader and let one of Rene’s books take your heart, body, and soul on a journey.

Show her some love and check out her website and Like her pages!
Website: http://www.renefolsom.com  

Check out her Short Stories and Novels: 

Roommate Romance Series: GoodReads

~Heart You (#1): FREE right now!!  http://www.amazon.com/Heart-You

Roommate Romance Review: These are stand-alone sexy short stories and can be read in any order. I had the privilege of reading all 3 and I absolutely loved them! They are quick easy reads that will get your motor running! LOL  Heart You and Share You are both F/M/F situations and Bind Me has a male dominant but it doesn’t get into any heavy BDSM or anything like that, just a little tying up. ;)  Each short story is about one hot night, but you get a little bit of background as to how these opportunities come about. Great reads, go get your copies now! ~Kendra

Soul Seers Series: GoodReads

~Voices of the Soul (Soul Seers #1): FREE right now!!  http://www.amazon.com/Voices
~Eyes of the Soul (Soul Seers #2): http://www.amazon.com/Eyes
~Truths of the Soul (Soul Seers #3): http://www.amazon.com/Truths
~Blood of the Soul (Soul Seers #4): http://www.amazon.com/Blood
~Secrets of the Soul (Soul Seers #5): http://www.amazon.com/Secrets
~Hearts of the Soul (Soul Seers #6): http://www.amazon.com/Hearts


Cornerstone Series: GoodReads

~Shuttered Affections (Cornerstone #1) http://www.amazon.com/Shuttered-Affections
Check out our review HERE



~Exposed Affections (Cornerstone #2) Releases November 13, 2013! Add to GoodReads



COVER REVEAL!!!
Exposed Affections Synopsis:
Staring at the hands of two men greedily clutching her legs, Julia is frozen in place—unsure of how she should react to their dual-intimacy. It’s one thing to have her photography professor show an interest in her, but to also have his identical twin making advances puts Julia’s mind into a total state of chaotic confusion.  Is she able to handle the pressure of choosing between two men who both manage to take her breath away?

In the last week, Julia Peterson’s life has become an emotional roller coaster with breathtaking twists that include breaking all the rules with a certain professor, to gut-wrenching horror as a stalker from her past lurks behind the scenes and threatens her new happiness.  

Despite her attempts to conceal her secrets and keep her friends in the dark, she must learn to cope with the idea that not all secrets are meant to stay hidden. When her haunting past comes at her with a vengeance and life is determined to beat her down, Julia must discover true strength within herself before she is able to open her heart, find who she really is, and learn to love.

Exposed Affections is the second novel in the Cornerstone series, contains mature content, and is meant for adult readers ages 18 and up.


Author Interview:


1.      Where are you from?
Born in New Smyrna Beach, Florida (just south of Daytona Beach) and currently living in Keystone Heights, Florida

2.      Can you tell us a little about your family?
Well, my husband and I will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary this December and we have three children.  My husband is more than just my best friend and lover—he completes me and I cherish each and every day we get to spend together.  I’m amazed my children are still alive considering they enjoy pushing my buttons.  All I have to say is, they’re lucky they’re cute.  LOL  In reality, I have the best children and wouldn’t trade them for the world.

3.      Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, as what?
Yep.  I plan to dress up as a speed bump.  :)

4.      When you aren’t writing, what do you like to do with your time?
Writing is actually not my full time job.  I am also a graphic designer and enjoy creating custom book covers for other authors. I also love anything involving fine arts, especially pottery and clay sculpture.  In my limited free time, I enjoy reading and pretty much anything outdoors.  I love to fish, scallop, hunt, hike, swim—anything to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

5.      When and why did you begin writing?
I actually started writing as an outlet, a way to relieve stress.  When Cynthia Shepp announced she would be doing another anthology, I decided to submit a short story, Voices of the Soul, just for fun.  Not only did Cynthia love the story and pushed me to continue with the fictional adventure, but many other people said I needed to pursue publishing independently.  So, long story short, it’s all Cynthia’s fault!

6.      What inspired you to write your first book?
My first published book, a short story called Heart You, was actually a Valentine’s Day challenge I decided to expand on after the fact.

7.      Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m not really sure whether I have a specific “style”, but I love a good tease.  I want to write about characters that will leave the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to continue with the story while holding their breath with each turn of the page.

8.      What are you reading right now?
I actually took a little break from reading to finish my latest novel.  Now I have to get back into the reading groove.

9.      Who are some of your favorite authors?
This is a difficult question because I have so many.  Just some include Christin Lovell, Laura Kaye, Maya Banks, etc. but there are some recent indies I’m really looking forward to catching up on.

10.  Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?
Not that I can recall.  Book is always better.

11.  Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks?
eBooks to read, paperbacks to cherish.

12.  Where’s your favorite place to write?
Out on my second story balcony, facing the lake in my back yard.

13.  What music are you listening to at the moment?
Pandora Snow Patrol  channel.

14.  What is something you hate doing? Why?
Cleaning and doing housework.  I mean, who likes doing housework?  Dishes and matching socks are at the top of my hate list.  Oh, and making my kids clean their room.  I’d rather stab myself in the eye with a rusty fork than fight with them about their rooms.

15.  Where does the inspiration for your characters come from?
Most of the time, my characters are completely fabricated.  Vary rarely do I have a specific person who inspires my characters.  However, certain scenes, locations, and actions can be fabricated based on certain experiences I’ve had in the past.

16.  What are your quirky habits?
The only quirky habit I can think of is I like to rub the smooth part of my fingernail over my lips while I think.

17.  Any advice for other authors?
Editors are your friends.  Editors are essential to the writing process and, no matter what the cost, they’re worth every single penny.  I’ve met several indie authors who insist on self-editing.  Self-editing is VERY hard.  No matter how skilled someone is with editing and proofing other works, editing your own writing is a whole different ballgame.  I rely on my editor to make my stories as professional as possible so my readers aren’t distracted by unnecessary typos.  The last thing you will want is a bad review because of poor editing.

18.  Is there anything you want to tell your readers?
Just that I adore them and can’t thank them enough for giving my books a chance.

19.  Can we expect more short stories like Heart You, Bind Me, and Share You?
Yes!  I already have an idea for a fourth Roommate Romance short story that will be titled “Flatter Me”.  I just need to find time to get the words down.

20.  Can you tell us a little bit about what you are currently working on?
I just finished the second book in the Cornerstone Series and sent to my editor yesterday (10-28-13).  So, after taking a little breather, I plan to work on a new untitled novel I already have in progress about a fiery redhead who works as a fashion photographer.  The story starts out in Berlin where she meets a cute guy she wants to have an international fling with before she heads back to the states.  In addition to this quick little fling, she really has her eyes set on her boss, but never entertains the idea of moving in due to their professional relationship.  She will struggle with the internal battles any woman does when she lusts after two gorgeous guys.  How about a little teaser?


Unedited excerpt from an untitled WIP (German snippets also unedited):
The clicking of my camera’s shutter was all I could hear over the low rumble through the crowded room.  Several models shuffled around my equipment in any attempt to navigate through the dilapidated and cluttered quarters.  We were crammed tighter than sardines, but the opportunity to shoot in this abandoned building was rare and we just couldn’t pass it up.
I heard one of our Russian models curse as she managed to plow over the leg of my main light stand, effectively screwing up my lighting.
“Of all that is holy, could you please watch where you all are going?  I know it’s cramped but kicking over the equipment is just going to slow us down!” I yelled as one of the set minions scrambled to fix the issue.
The run-down building nestled in the trendy central Berlin district of Mitte was once a swinging cabaret club.  For decades, it sat alone and forgotten, hidden inside the courtyard of another property.
Fortunately, we were the first publication to be granted access for a full-blown photo shoot.  Fashion photography in abandoned or run-down buildings was becoming a huge trend.  Even though the models were less than thrilled to be ankle deep in eighty-year-old rubble, the scene was ingenious.
I could hear a male model in the other room complaining about yet another issue with his wardrobe.  Honestly, the male models were way more of a challenge than the females.
Framing her in my viewfinder, my last female model of the day was wearing a white wedding gown and sitting along what looked to be a small stage.  With an idea suddenly popping into my head, I grabbed the arm of one of our male models inching by and told him to go lay his head in her lap.  The scene was perfect since he was only wearing a pair of slacks and dress shoes.  No shirt was needed for a diamond-in-the-rough shot like this one.
The beautiful, leggy blonde with smoky eyes and silky curls looked elegant in contrast to the ruin around her.  The small stage she sat on had a few wide, shallow steps leading down which allowed her to drape the dress and prop her leg on the top step.  The muscular and slightly scruffy looking male model took a natural position on the next step below her, gently placing his head in her lap and looking up at her as if she were his reason for breathing.
“Can I get some moisture over here, Jimmy?” I called out to the set do-boy.  Knowing exactly what I wanted, he quickly scuttled over to the male model with a spray bottle of water and proceeded to spray his muscles, neck, and face, making it look like the man was glistening with perspiration.
“Perfect,” I whispered as I continued my triggered assault.
“Okay.  Lean back on your right arm slightly and turn your head away, keeping your gaze down, as if you’re avoiding his passionate stare,” I instructed the blonde.  She was a natural and took it upon herself to continue with several more heartbreaker poses.
I had a dream about these two models last night.  I didn’t even notice they matched the faces until I pulled the male model into the frame.  Each time the shutter closed then opened within my camera, I saw the visions—flashes of my dream—tiny snapshots of their future together.  It was as if putting them together in those mere few seconds of chance would break the ice and allow them to get to know one another.  The premonition of last night’s dream made me smile.
I was such a sap.  Even though fashion photography wasn’t what I would have chosen for my career path, I enjoyed working with these models… mostly.  So, when my visions saw them happy and healthy, I got all gooey inside.  Of course, I would never admit my weaknesses to anyone.  No one needed to know my soft side.
“That’s a wrap!” I yelled as I stealthily stowed my camera and the few other items I made sure to keep with me at all times.  I brought my camera bag closer to my face and sniffed the fresh leather.  God, it smelled so much more wonderful than the stuffy building and grime we were stirring up.
I probably looked like a nutcase for sniffing my bag.
“What do you mean it’s a wrap?  Sofie, we still have a few hours left in here,” the set manager wined as I slung my bag over my shoulder.
“I don’t need a few more hours, Meg.  I’m done.  I got exactly what I needed,” I assured her as I began making my way out of the rubble.
“Ty is going to go bat-shit crazy if he gets wind you skipped out on this!” she hollered behind me as I continued to walk away.
I could have said something sarcastic and rather humorous, but Meg didn’t seem to get along well with my smug sense of humor.  Without stopping, I turned and kindly said, “Just let me handle Ty.”
Tyson Bond was extremely handsome, very full of himself, a little hotheaded, and lucky me… he was my supervisor.  Going to school with the infuriating man was tolerable, mainly because I could avoid him for the most part.  But to have him as my boss was just icing on the craptastic cake.  Even though he didn’t come with us to Berlin, he would’ve soon found out I left the photo shoot early.
On my way there from my hotel, I spotted a quaint little café and now that I was free, I was dying to check it out, maybe grabbing a bite to eat and relaxing while there.  My boots began an upbeat clopping rhythm along the wide stones of the sidewalk as I made my way back to the main square.
Without fail, my phone started buzzing in my pocket.  I had no doubt in my mind it was Ty.  My mouth began to salivate at the thought of having an intense man like Ty in my pocket.
Really, Fie?  Get a grip.  He’s a total asshat.
Still, I couldn’t help the smirk that found its way to my face as I answered.
“Well, hello, Chief.  To what do I owe this pleasure of hearing your masterly voice?” I chimed in an overly sarcastic tone as I continued to pound the sidewalk with my boots.
“Don’t be a smartass, Fie.  Meghan just called frantically babbling something about you leaving before the shoot was over?” he questioned in a rather calm but authoritative tone.  “I know I don’t need to remind you how much we’re shelling out for this gig, right?”
“Slow your roll, Ty.  I nailed it.  Not only did I work twice as fast as the other photographers, but I’m telling you, I completely captured what I was there to do.  I’m heading for a bite to eat and then will upload my images to the server as soon as I get back to the hotel,” I paused as I listened to him breathe.  He really did make my mind swim with some rather explicit thoughts.  I shook my head to clear the thoughts of him lying in bed, naked, with mussed up hair, as I’m sure he was woken up by Meg’s unnecessary phone call.  “You won’t be disappointed, Ty.  I promise.”
“I know, I know.  You’ve never disappointed me, Sofie.  Honestly, I began laughing when I heard you bailed, knowing you probably had the shot and just felt you were finished.  Although, it did earn me a few curses from Meghan who mumbled something about unprofessionalism.  She’s more PO’ed than anyone.”
“Then why did you call to give me shit, Ty?  Got nothing better to do in the middle of the night?” I seethed.
“There’s nothing better than hearing your stimulating voice, Fie.  You’re even more sexy when you bring that firecracker of an attitude,” he said with a seductive rumble to his voice.
He always knew how to twist my stomach in knots.  I may not like working with the man, but damn, his words and his body were always so alluring.  Ty’s seductive act was probably the reason I didn’t like working with him.  How did he expect me to control myself in a professional manner when he was making my stomach flip flop like a fish out of water?
“Fie?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” I said with a huff as I picked up the pace.  I could just see the small café peeking around the traffic a few blocks ahead.
“I know you think I’m sexy too.  You’re just too stubborn to admit it,” he coaxed with a sleepy drawl to his tone.
“I think you need to stop smoking that shit and go back to bed, Tyson,” I joked, even though I was attempting desperately to hide the smile in my voice.
“Ahh, I’m only high on you, sweetness,” he hissed as he emphasized the double ‘S’ sound.
“Now I know you’re full of shit,” I rasped as I deftly leaped over a small puddle beyond the curb.
Just as I began to cross the street towards the café, I suddenly bumped into something hard.  Very hard.  It panged against my cheek and temple, causing me to practically bounce back and my phone to go flying in the air, clattering to the uneven concrete and just barely missing another puddle of murky water.  I knew my ass didn’t fare as well when I felt the liquid seep into my jeans.
A slew of incoherent words and expletives hurled out of my mouth as I winced from the impact.
“Fluch! Sind Sie gut?” I heard a voice say as a strong set of fingers wrapped behind my neck.  My German was anything but fluent, however, I could understand more than I could say.  I think he asked if I was all right.
“Yeah, I’m… ahh,” then, as I looked up into his beautiful blue eyes, I remembered he probably couldn’t understand me.  So, I tried my best in his native tongue.  “Ich bin gut.”  Yeah, I butchered it.
A smile crept its way across his face as he arched a brow, pronouncing his strong jaw even more and making me forget I just made a complete fool of myself.
Damn.  He is hotness personified.  Germany has some serious meat.
“Either you hit your head harder than I thought or your German sucks,” he said with a light chuckle.  The sound of his laugh was even more captivating than his looks.
“Definitely the latter, but maybe both?” I said as I touched my cheek and grimaced at the pain.  My breath hissed between my teeth has I sucked in air and closed my eyes.
Yeah, that’ll leave a mark.  Geez, Fie.  Such a fool.
I tried to sit up and braced myself with my other arm, continuing to scowl at the sudden ache in my hip.
“Damn.  Here, let me help you up,” the handsome hero said as he lightly grabbed my elbow to help me to my feet.  When I staggered, he suddenly swept me off the ground and carried me over to a nearby bench as if I were a feather-light child with a scraped knee.
“Oh, lord!” I squealed.  “I can walk!  I can walk!”  I clamped my arms around his thick neck, digging my fingers into his skin.  I don’t know why I was worried he would drop me.  He seemed to handle my weight with ease.  But I still buried my face into his chest and the action actually calmed me.  He smelled of a spicy men’s deodorant and—was that fresh apple pie?  I inhaled his warm, intoxicating scent and cringed slightly at the feel of my cheek hitting his hard muscles.
“No need to make you walk when I can just as easily carry you.  Here,” he said as he gently sat me down.
While watching him walk back over to get my camera bag and phone, I realized what I ran into—a damn streetlight post.  The metal pole was at least eight inches in diameter and, being the total klutz that I was, my face decided to get intimate with the stationary object.
Handsome walked back over to me and handed me my phone first.  Through the speakers, I could hear Ty’s frantic voice.  I rolled my eyes at the idea of explaining my graceful meeting with the pavement to Ty.
“Sofie!  What the fuck?  Tell me you’re okay!”  His voice was somewhat muffled and distant since I still didn’t have the phone to my ear.  Never taking my eye off the handsome stranger, I decided to quickly pacify Ty and let him know I was fine.
“Yeah, I’m okay.  I just proved to all of Berlin that I am now an international walking disaster.  I gotta go though.  I’ll call once the photos are uploaded.”  Without waiting for his response, I pressed the red end button.

Thanks again Rene for stopping by For the Love of Books!! We love supporting amazing authors like you!

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