OH! And don't forget to check the Rafflecopter at the end of this post! Ellen is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner! Whoot!
Thanks AJ for hosting me at Tattered Pages. It’s such a thrill to be able to reach out to new readers. I hope your fans enjoy reading about my newest release Poplar Place.
I'm thrilled to have you as well, Ellen! And I gotta say, that I LOVE the cover for your new book! So let's start by telling everyone about your work. Assuming
you write in the romance genre, do you stick to one sub-genre or write across
lines?
I write in both romance and women’s fiction, and yes I absolutely write across lines. For instance Poplar Place has romance, suspense, legal drama and a dash of paranormal. That may seem like a lot but somehow the plot is able to weave it all those elements into a cohesive storyline.
Awesome! Now, I see Poplar Place was released by Turquoise Morning Press on March 7th. Congratulations! But, have you ever considered self-publication?
I
toy with self-publication all the time, and eventually I plan self-publish a
novella that represents my style of writing. There is a certain freedom you
gain when you self-publish. I can have total control over everything, from
release date, to editing, to cover art and marketing.
I totally get that. It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? So what's up next on the docket for you? What
are you working on now?
I’m
working on a romance trilogy called Love,
California Style. Currently, I’m writing the second book titled Planning for Love. I’m also researching
and writing a women’s fiction, WWII spy novel tentatively titled, Nazis, Spies and American GIs.
I
have two school age children so I tend to write my novels during the school
year from September thru May, so I can take time off in the summer to be with
the kids.
That is my life to a tee! LOL Tell us, who
your favorite author is and why?
That’s
too hard! I have many favorite authors. One of my favorite authors is Janet
Evanovich. Her Stephanie Plum novels always make me laugh. The characters are
wonderful and I simply don’t know how she continues to come up with such zany
plotlines.
I know that was a loaded question, but you handled it perfectly! Give
me the five top words your best friends would use to describe you.
I’ll
do you one better. I was once asked to describe myself in 140 characters or
less (Twitter style), so here goes.
Author, mother,
wife, shoe lover, chocoholic, fashion fan, sarcastic wit, autumn enthusiast,
dancer, book worm, and good-time devotee.
One
last thing… Book
Groups – Visit my website, www.ellenbutler.net
to find book club questions on Poplar
Place. I’m available to be a guest author for book clubs as well. Fill out
the contact form on the website for more information.
Fabulous! Now, for a peek inside Poplar Place!
Newly minted librarian, Cara Baker, effectively cuts
ties with her tumultuous life in Pittsburgh, and moves to South Carolina where
she
embraces the peaceful, laid-back style of small town living. Everything seems
to be falling into place when Cara finds the perfect house to round out her new
plans. Well… perfect except for the immovable hermit living on the top floor.
She throws caution to the wind, and buys the fabulous house—hermit and
all—without meeting him. By wooing her reclusive renter with notes and
mouthwatering meals, he caves and invites her up to the apartment. Preconceived
notions are blown out of the water, when she finds Danny isn’t the nerdy Mr.
Mole she envisioned.
Unfortunately,
FBI phone calls from her past bring Cara’s summer idle to an abrupt halt. Will
demons from a former life destroy Cara’s tranquility?
Genre
– Women’s Fiction, with romance & suspense
Publisher
– Turquoise Morning Press
Release
Date – March 27
Excerpt
I resigned
myself to returning the FBI phone calls. I couldn’t put it off any longer. Both
Bryant and Hutchins had left phone messages again yesterday, and their
persistence made me nervous. Rolling out of bed, I shuffled downstairs to start
the coffee, my liquid courage. I drank half a cup and dialed. Hutchins didn’t
answer. I braced myself and dialed Special Agent Bryant.
“Bryant.”
“It’s Cara
Baker.”
“Listen, I have
some news. The U.S. Marshals have lost contact with Tony Rizolli.”
I paused to
digest this.
“Cara?”
“You must be
joking! How the hell did that happen?”
“His tracking
anklet was cut, and he disappeared.”
“Do they think
he’s been whacked?”
“They’re not
sure.”
“Why are you
calling me? You do realize I no longer work for the DA’s office.”
“Yes, we know
that.”
Exasperated I
asked, “Then why are you calling to tell me this? Not much I can do.”
“I’m concerned
about your safety. Tony bore a lot of hostility toward you.”
“The FBI’s
concerned, or you’re concerned?”
“I’m concerned.”
He stated matter-of-factly.
“What does the
FBI think?”
“The FBI thinks
there’s a leak in the Marshals’ office and Rizolli’s six feet under.”
“Why does Tony
have so much animosity toward me? He walked into a shiny new life provided by
the American taxpayers.”
“The money.”
I took a moment,
rubbing a hand across my eyes. “What does he know?”
“We’re not sure.
I think one of the pencil pushers at the Marshals’ office told him about the
Cayman accounts during relocation. There was very little legitimate money he
could take into the program. He wasn’t happy about it.”
I sucked in a
breath. “Agent Bryant….”
“Call me Tom.”
“Tom, what
exactly are you worried about?”
“If Rizolli isn’t
sleeping with the fish, he’s a loose cannon. I don’t trust him. You may be in
danger.”
“And?”
“And you need to
watch your back. Call me or Hutchins if you see anything suspicious. I mean anything
out of the ordinary. If you see a strange car in the neighborhood, get the
plates and call me.”
“I’ll take that
under advisement, Agent Bryant. What about Denise?”
“She’s covered.
I’ve called in some favors.”
“Fine. Please
let me know if anything new develops.”
~ * ~
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Ellen
Butler lives in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, and she considers
herself an old-new writer. In other words, she’s old to writing, new to novel
writing. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Policy, and
her history includes a long list of writing and editing for dry but
illuminating professional newsletters, and windy papers on public policy. The
leap to novel writing was simply a creative outlet for Ellen’s over active and
romantic imagination to run wild.
You can
find Ellen’s debut release, Second Chance
Christmas, at Amazon. Professionally, she belongs to the Virginia Writer’s
Club, the Northern Virginia Writer’s Club, and is a founding member of the Tempting
Romance blog. When she’s not writing, Ellen is either, running around after her
children, decorating a neighbor’s house, or holed up in her favorite lounge
chair reading. Ellen is an admitted chocoholic and confesses to a penchant for
shoe shopping. Book club questions for Ellen’s novels can be found on her
website.
Website:
www.ellenbutler.net
THANKS EVERYONE FOR VISITING WITH ELLEN TODAY!
OX AJ XO
2 comments:
Thanks for being here with me this weekend Ellen! I'm thrilled for you and your new release!
Thanks for having me AJ! It's great to be here at Tattered Pages!
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