Saturday, March 29, 2014

Check out Poplar Place with Ellen Butler!

I'm so excited to be featuring Ellen Butler at Tattered Pages today, who brings to us her latest release, Poplar Place! Whoo Hoo! But before we give you a sneak peek into Ellen's story, she agreed to sit down and answer a few questions for me (poor girl)! Please join me in welcoming Ellen Butler!

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.

Oh my gosh, that sounds incredible! So, after finishing a manuscript, do you take some time off or dive right in to the next story?

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.

Oh my gosh, I think you and I are the same person. LOL Thank you so much for submitting yourself to my interview! Is there anything else you'd like to add for your readers?

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
ISBN # 978-1-62237-274-4
FIND POPLAR PLACE AT THESE RETAILERS:  B&N / TMP / AMAZON / SMASHWORDS
 
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.”
~ * ~
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.
 
 
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

THANKS EVERYONE FOR VISITING WITH ELLEN TODAY!
OX AJ XO

2 comments:

AJ Nuest said...

Thanks for being here with me this weekend Ellen! I'm thrilled for you and your new release!

Ellen B. said...

Thanks for having me AJ! It's great to be here at Tattered Pages!