Welcome Guest Author - LK Hunsaker

LORAINE: Hi Steph! It’s great to be on your blog today to talk about my military romance, Moondrops & Thistles! It’s especially nice to talk about this one with you, given your Army background. Thanks for having me. :-)


STEPH: Loraine, I always enjoy it when you pop in. Being a military wife is like being in the military and you were in the same time I was - and in Germany. Now, I don't know much about "Moondrops & Thistles." What's it about?

LORAINE: Daws, aka Sgt. Fred Dawson, U.S. Army, is a Desert Storm veteran who brings his men home safely just to lose his friend and CO in an accident he feels is partly his fault. When he’s sent home to NYC on leave to regroup, he runs into Deanna Meyers, a fiery independent spirit in search of a loyal, honest companion. Deanna is trying to work her way up in the world of advertising and meets roadblocks, some of which her actions have created. Although any relationship they have would have to be long distance, they decide to give it a try.


STEPH: How long did it take you to write? Was it a NaNoWriMo project?

LORAINE: Moondrops did start as a Nanowrimo project. I wrote the first 93,000-some words of it in November 2010. It was only meant to be a quick write novella, but it turns out the characters had too much to say. From start to finish, with filling in, rewriting, editing, rewriting a bit more, re-editing, getting others to read and proof it, and get it out, it turned into an eight month project. But that’s for the full 150,000 word version. Then I went back to condense and add some spice, so there was another couple of months work in that.



STEPH: What was the inspiration for the story?

LORAINE: Honestly, it was a reader request. Readers just loved Daws when they met him in my 2009 release, Off The Moon, and asked for more of his story. I have a habit of writing short stories as free reads to go along with my novels, and one of them featured Daws and Deanna when they first met. I used that as a jumping off point, pulled the idea I knew Daws was military while writing Off The Moon, and then decided he had to be a Desert Storm vet. Why? It was a story I needed to tell, since my husband is a Desert Storm vet and there are more implications to that than most people realize. So in a way, it also became my own story.

STEPH: My husband, Brent, deployed to Kuwait in June 1991. I didn't get deployed. Now I'm curious. How did you come up with the title, "Moondrops and Thistles?"

LORAINE: Since it’s related to Off The Moon, I wanted the title to reflect that (no pun intended). Also, the scene where they meet takes place in the rain after midnight, so I wanted to bring the rain image into it. Therefore, Moondrops. Thistles comes from an Abraham Lincoln quote: “Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.” As even amateur gardeners know, thistles aren’t easy to get rid of. You pluck them and they grow back. It’s a wide metaphor embedded within the story.


STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research for the story?

LORAINE: I did a fair amount of research for it, yes. It is fiction but it follows a historical timeline as far as the events of Desert Storm. The spicier version doesn’t show as much of that, but I always have dates in mind, and sometimes stated, within my stories and so details need to be accurate. Also, Fort Drum is not one of the bases I’ve had a chance to see, so I relied on internet research plus help from a couple of friendly military strangers who were based there. For Deanna’s job, I had to research the advertising business as well as real places in NYC. I’ve been there but only briefly so I mixed my experience with research in hopes it turned out realistic to those who know.


STEPH: What are Daws strengths? Weaknesses?

LORAINE: Daws is very intelligent, capable, and discerning. He has a subtle sense of humor. He’s loyal to a fault. He’s brave. And he’s well built. On the other hand, he’s learned to be wary and distant. He has trouble dealing with the effects of his actions and accepting help to deal with it. And his temper can get the best of him.


STEPH: What does he find attractive about Deanna?

LORAINE: The fire he sees in her is the biggest draw. He craves it, the warmth, the spark, the life. He loves that she’s been knocked down often and just keeps going. He loves that she’s affectionate but not needy. And he can see how huge her heart is beneath her sometimes prickly exterior.


STEPH: Hollywood is calling. Cast Daws and Deanna.

LORAINE: Oh, this is a tough one. I’m familiar with so few actors, but let’s see...

Daws: he has to be tall and sturdy, strong face, calm personality, and he’s in his late twenties.. maybe David Boreanaz from Bones. I could see him playing Daws.

Deanna: after some research, I’d say Ali Landry, since Deanna is curvy and in shape and has a touch of attitude that shows all over her face. Or Kate Winslet would work.


STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

LORAINE: I have a Sony Reader. I don’t use it a lot since I prefer to hold a print book in my hands, but I love the convenience of taking a bunch of books with me when I travel and being able to download ebooks! There are many I bought that way I wouldn’t have bought in print, so it opens the door for more variety and for new authors to discover easily.


STEPH: Fun question: what's your favorite holiday treat?

I think it would be a toss up between chocolate covered pretzels and cheesecake. The cheesecake would probably win if it had chocolate chips. :-)


Thanks again, Steph! I’ll give away a copy of the shorter and spicier edition of Moondrops & Thistles to one of your readers who leaves a comment. Be sure to check out my blog, also, for a chance to win the full print version, plus a transforming mug with cover art, and a Support Our Troops bracelet.


Blog: http://lkhunsaker.blogspot.com
Website: http://www.lkhunsaker.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.lkhunsaker
Moondrops Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/MoondropsAndThistles
Free reads at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lkhunsaker

Buy Links
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31804
(shorter and spicier edition)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/71151
(full edition, also at BN.com, BAMM.com, or at your local indie store from Indiebound.org)
http://www.elucidatepublishing.net/fiction.html
(personally signed trade paperback with bookmark)

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfxYqzhfehE

Congrats to the Be Mused GRAND prize winner - LK Hunsaker!

I'm proud to announce the Grand prize winner for my Be Mused mini blog tour is - (tada!) LK Hunsaker!!

She won a Be Mused mouse pad, Be Mused Coffee Mug, 2 Be Mused Magnets and several signed postcards.

Now my requirement was that you had to post on all the blogs but that didn't happen. :( So what I did was I went to every blog and wrote down the name of everyone who posted on a "post it" and threw the "post it" in a hat. If you visited more than one blog, I put your name in the hat for that visit. My son, Joe, pulled out the winner.

Congrats again to Loraine! I really appreciate all the support I received on the tour and I hope to see you next month when I go a mini blog tour for my novel, "The Hungarian."

Here's a book teaser I had made up for my short story in the Be Mused antholgy, "Matchmaking Amusements." Enjoy! Steph LORAINE: Send me your snail mail so I can mail out the prize.

Welcome LK Hunsaker - Author of "Off The Moon"

Hi all - I just want to welcome author LK Hunsaker and her new release, "Off The Moon." I've known LK for a couple of years now and I've had an opportunity to read her book "Rehearsal." She's here today to talk about her new book. Her main character is a rock star, "Riveting" Ryan Reynauld and in this blog spot, he's being interviewed by "AK Avoxx." Enjoy! Steph

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Hello! Today I’m welcoming back my celebrity reporter, AK Avoxx. He’s managed to not only get the infamous Ryan Reynauld on the interview block again, but also his bodyguard Fred Dawson, better known as Daws. I hear he had an interesting time juggling both together, especially as Daws is not known for talking to reporters other than to tell them to back off. Take it away, AK!

AK: Ryan? Wait, Ryan! Can I catch up with you again for a minute?

RR: Hey AK, I’m kinda in a hurry. Schedule with my publicist..

AK: I was just talking with Ned and thought I’d bounce what he said off you.

RR: (turns) Ned? (note a slight eye rolling) Why?

AK: Happened to run into him and he was glad to talk.

RR: Yeah, I’m sure he was. What do I have to argue this time?

AK: Other than comparing you to a baby kitten, he actually focused a lot on the respect he has for you.

RR: (throws a glance at Daws when he chuckles) Uh huh, sorry, I have to run and I’ll talk to my drummer about the kitten comment. You could maybe not print it.

AK: Tell you what. I won’t print it if you’ll give me a few minutes.

Daws: Sounds like blackmail.

AK: Not at all. Only an offer. So what’s with the girl? The one usually by your side now?

Daws: No comment. As he said, he has a schedule to keep. (starts pushing Ryan along)

AK: Hear she’s related. (moves around in front of Ryan, pushing his luck with Daws) That true?

RR: How about we talk about the new album? Isn’t that what people want to hear? Do that and I’ll give you a few minutes.

Daws: Reynauld, you’re already late. We gotta get moving.

RR: Yeah so they’ll deal with it. (eyes AK) Work for you?

AK: Guess if that’s my only option. So how’s it coming along?

RR: Like pouring molasses with a hangover, thanks for asking.

Daws: Don’t print that.

RR: Why? It’s truth, but it’ll come along as always.

Daws: It would come along faster if you would get to the studio and quit jabbing.

RR: Hey, I made a deal with the man.

Daws: And you like to hear your own voice. One minute, Reynauld. Only one.

RR: (grins and returns to AK) What else did you want to know about it?

AK: Is the girl hanging around slowing your progress?

RR: Has a girl ever slowed my progress? (shrugs with a grin) Have a dozen girls at a time slowed my progess?

Daws: Reynauld. You want him to print that?

RR: Why not?

Daws: Give the man something he can use and let’s go.

RR: All right, don’t get your shorts in a knot. (ignores a glare from his guard) The album. No title yet. Still floating a few songs around we’re unsure about. But we’re in the studio a lot so there is some progress. It should work out to something buyable.

AK: Should?

Daws: It’s coming along well. You know he doesn’t talk up his own music.

AK: So how about you share more since he doesn’t say much about his works in progress?

Daws: As always, good songs, deeper meaning than most bother to get, and Mac’s producing again. The songs are floating around because they’re all recordable. It’s a matter of choosing which to put on this one.

RR: How about you two sit here and chat and I’ll go on to work?

Daws: (grabs Ryan’s arm as he turns) Try your own version of that instead of making it sound unbuyable, which Patricia will not appreciate, by the way.

RR: So it’ll give her a challenge.

Daws: You give her enough challenge. And everyone else, too.

AK: Speaking of, what was that stunt about the other day? With the girl and window ledge? Actually a stunt or more than that?

RR: Hey, didya see the press I got from it? Well worth the fine. Might have to try it again in some way, or something as spectacular. Sure beat my impromptu bridge concert. Nice fine on that one, too. Didn’t expect people to stop driving!

AK: Traffic jam for two hours. I’m sure that was a good fine. Next time you plan a stunt, give me a call, would you?

RR: Hey, you know they aren’t planned in advance. They just kinda happen last minute. More fun that way. I’m sure something else will come up soon if you wanna keep tailing me.

Daws: (shakes his head) I have to find a better job.

RR: Yeah, you know I keep you from getting bored. (shoves his arm) Been more than a minute, I think.

Daws: Well over.

AK: So you’re really giving me nothing at all about the girl living with you?

RR: Well, for the record..

Daws: Reynauld, no comment. That’s all you need to say.

RR: No, I have to say this. She’s staying at my place, not living with me. In the spare room. Not mine. And that’s all I’m saying at this point.

AK: At this point? So possibly…

RR: Hey, if I decide to say more, I’ll have Patricia give you a call. But I gotta go.

AK: Thanks for your time and I’ll wait on that phone call. (watches Daws push Ryan through the crowd of girls that had formed around them during the interview) There you have it, straight from the kitten’s mouth. A possibly buyable album slowly on the way and a girl in the spare room. There has to be a better story behind all of that.


Author note: the interview with Ned (Ryan’s drummer) is here in order to understand the kitten reference if you missed it: http://www.elaineforlife.com/LaineysBlog/tabid/463/EntryId/144/OFF-THE-MOON.aspx

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Buy Link for Off the Moon :
http://www.elucidatepublishing.net/books.html

Off The Moon website:
http://www.lkhunsaker.com/OffTheMoon/main.html

Also, be sure to check my blog for novel-related features. I have an interview with NYC drummer Gino Scalmato up, as well as an interview with singer/songwriter Vicki Blankenship. More to come! http://lkhunsaker.blogspot.com


Off The Moon
LK Hunsaker

"Riveting" Ryan Reynauld is immersed in a world of music, parties, and temporary companionship. Having risen to the top of the pop charts, his biggest concern is objecting to the way his music is produced. That is, until he finds a young woman standing on a window ledge. Against the advice of family and friends, and through media attacks and fan protests, Ryan determines to care for her himself, making a promise that threatens to destroy his career.

Convincing the skittish girl she can learn to trust again comes with a steep price. Sometimes the path to recovery begins by allowing your world to implode.

Elucidate Publishing
November 2009
Print ISBN 978-0-9825299-0-4
Ebook ISBN 978-0-9825299-1-1

Also available to order from your local bookstore or to request from your library. Will be at all major US and UK online bookstores around the end of December.


Thanks for letting me chat here today, Steph!

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Next up— Off The Moon: The Inside Scoop, hosted by The Pen Muse, Dec 1
http://www.thepenmuse.com/

The full tour itinerary is available at http://www.classicromancerevival.com

Don't forget to leave your comments! One person from each blog will be drawn to receive a signed, mailed copy of the short story LK has written as a bit of a prequel to Off The Moon, called Toward The Sky, plus there will be a signed print book drawing for anyone who comments on at least 8 blogs! Winners will be posted at http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/?p=1520