Great Books on Goodreads

Check out Goodreads, created by Candace Clayton, for info on new books, including mine!
http://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?n=diana &e=diana@dianarubino.com&i=LTM2MDYzMTcwNDM6MzE3

4 Cups Review of my Comedy Time Travel from Coffee Time Romance

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/

Rating: 4 cups
A comical frolic through five centuries of time, One Too Many Times is the journey of Richard and his king brothers (including King Edward IV) to the twenty-first century. Richard slips into the present with a protection spell gone awry just in time to land at a séance being held by a group trying to speak to his spirit.
Annie, a writer and historian, is breathless with surprise when she manages to not only raise Richard’s spirit but also her pulse when looking at his very real, very male body. Anyone can hold out for awhile against a charming man, but this man was the same king she has spent her life studying. How do you resist a little up-close research?
To set the history straight, the time traveling brothers sign on to a project to rewrite history, so to speak, by making a film about Richard as he truly was. But will he be that person again or choose to stay in the future with the lovely Annie and live a love that is timeless in the true sense of the phrase?
A richly written piece with flowing dialogue that shifts seamlessly from today to centuries ago, this story is multi-layered and well-formed. The blending of both historical fact and comedy makes this read fun and the spirited, bawdy humor of the Kings kept me smiling. Although the plotting and research were exceptional, the emotional depth could have been slightly more riveting but I found myself cheering the brothers and their ladyloves along. Full of imagination and unlimited possibility, this book touches on everything from UFO's to historical political maneuvering. And, if you can pluck the historical fact from fiction between giggling about the comical escapades, you even get to learn quite a bit about the time period.
Virginia
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Romance Author Hannah Howell is Future Guest Here

My friend and fellow romance author Hannah Howell will be guesting here soon; her blog address is:
http://hhowellauthor.blogspot.com/
Stay tuned!

Check Out Romance Author Hannah Howell's New Blog!

Romance author and RWA New England Chapter member Hannah Howell has a new blog,
http://hhowellauthor.blogspot.com/
Check it out!

Discussion on Hamilton, Burr, and some other Colorful, Brilliant and Crabby Founding Fathers

I've been having a lively chat with historian Bob Johnson of Pennsylvania and sharing some of my insights that I've gleaned from studying our founding father
My knowledge of Tommy J (Thomas Jefferson) is rather limited, as he never captured my imagination as did my fav historical figures: Mozart, Richard III, and now Hamilton and Burr, but I do think TJ was rather hypocritical saying that all men are created equal as his slaves slaved away at M'cello.

Now that I've read everything I could get my hands on about Aaron, he definitely got a bum rap thru history. People hate him simply cos he killed AH, but don't know the backstory. AH busted his balls, to put it bluntly. It's only natural that Burr called him out, as barbaric as dueling is to us. I just read in a book yesterday that dueling was only for the upper classes; farmers, etc. never would have considered it. Well, la di da!
After a few years of researching AH and writing about him for a year, I got to know him pretty well, but have read so many conflicting reports about his character, I'm not sure even if I like him. But I do believe that he never speculated or embezzled Treasury funds, and since my book centers on his relationships with his wife and mistress Maria Reynolds I came to believe that his admitting adultery rather than let his enemies think he was ripping off the Treasury made him out to be of stronger character than the rest of them.
I just finished reading a few things about Sen. Wm. Maclay of PA, who's going in my Burr/Eliza book. What a character! He's worth a book of his own!

Angela's Answers

Thanks to all who attended Angela's visit here on Friday. She was unable to log on and answer your questions, so she sent them to me, and here they are!
Dawne`: Thanks for your note. And as you've seen, all your questions are answered in "author's interview". Thanks again, for your encouragement; the same to you. Sincerely, Angela

PaulaB: Thank you so much for your familiar story. I grew up in Noo Yawk, where it was more brutal! Sincerely, Angela
1. Maggie dove: Thank you for your wonderful comments. It helps me a lot.
2. Bobjinpa: Hello Bob, thanks for your good wishes. The same to you.
3. Nora LeDuc: Thanks, Nora. My wishes are the same to you.
4. Jannine: Buongiorno, Jannine. Grazie per la sua lettera. Anch'io sono cento per cento italiana. E sono molto orgogliosa di essere italiana. E` vero, gl'italiani sono molti romantici. Grazie per gli auguri. Auguro tante belle cose. Ciao, Angela

Chat with Comedy Romance Author Angela Rosati

Here is an in-depth interview I did with Angela. Say hi and ask her anything you'd like to know. She'll be popping in for the rest of the day.

You, the Author


Tell us more about yourself! Readers love to know about the authors, and this would give you the chance to make them feel close to you!

I love to read and listen to romantic, Italian or American music. I love to watch opera discs. I got interested in writing because at age 66 I got my first computer and what do oldies do? They start writing family history because kids and grandkids don't want to hear boring stuff. They will appreciate it decades hence.

If you have 2 hours free time tonight, what would you rather do? Why?

I would like to watch old Hollywood black and white films

What kind of books do you love to read? Why?

I like nonfiction, war stories (Yes, an old girl likes to read that stuff) and really good fiction.

What type of music do you enjoy relaxing to?

ah, I love music. I don't play an instrument but I listen very carefully to opera, Italian love songs and some classical. Favorite composer is Puccini.

What is your stress buster?

I make bread! All that kneading is great, especially if you think of someone you want to kill, your dough comes out smooth and wonderful. I used to think of my then husband's girlfriend! When I had the opportunity, I gave her a black eye!

If a fairy grants you one wish and one wish only, what would it be? Why?

good health for all my descendants.

What's your biggest regret in life?

not telling my then sisters-in-law to shut up because they don't know more than I do or did at the time.

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

getting married and going to Italy alone with my husband

What makes you happy/sad/disappointed/frustrated/hopeful/angry? (Pick one)

What makes me happy...my family.

What are your wildest dreams/fantasies/kinks/quirks?

Wildest dreams...got it! My book is published. Didn't know I could do it. Neither did anybody else. Ha!


Your writing

When did you write your first book? How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote it in 2000; it was my auto/bio and it took me six years...six years of hell. I'll never publish it.

Did you encounter any obstacles in writing? What are they? How did you overcome them?

none, because when I'm ready I sit down to write...that doesn't mean everything comes out fine...not at all. I listen to my CDs and that soothes me. Give me chocolate and music and I'm like a big lion....calm!

How did you feel when you receive your first contract? What did you do? Any celebratory dinner, dance, event, etc to commemorate the occasion?

I was incredulous, then I screamed, danced around the kitchen. The family wanted to take me to the ER. We all went out to dinner. Just what I need; more calories!

Any writing peeves, things you wish you could improve on, things you do with exceptional talent?

Gee, no! There's no room for improvement. (Uh, oh, here come the men in white coats to bring me to the loony bin!!) I'm still learning and it's wonderful.

What do you think about editing?

Editing...very necessary, eye opening and a learning tool. I really like it; the opportunity to sharpen and delete is there.

Where and when do you write? Tell us about your favorite work place and time. Any special reason? How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story? How do you go on from there? Maybe you can give us an example with one of your books.

Sometimes a line from a song. There's an old Italian song, the first line of which is, "They told me tomorrow you're getting married and I'm here serenading you." Another line from the same song, "I'll always be by your side." I wrote about ANNA, whose young friend must return to Italy. Years later he returns the day before she is to marry and he says these lines to her. She marries and three years later, her husband is killed in an auto accident. A few years later, at her brother's wedding reception, in walks Lorenzo, her first love. Such mush makes me cry! I write about Italian Americans because I know them so well, having "groan" up with them.

What books can you recommend to aspiring writers to improve on style, character development, plot, structure, dialogue, etc?

I highly recommend, "Give 'Em What They Want" by Marshall Cook and Blythe Camenson. Prof. Cook was my professor when I took an online course at Wisconsin U. I was, then, a 76 year old college girl!! Prof. Cook is also a great writer. Imagine, he never discouraged me! And I learned a lot from him.

What is your must-have book for writing?

Must have book....same as above. Even though it's very clear; I find the query letter the hardest thing to write. I've written several and always included a bucket of blood!

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Me? Give advice? Well, all I can say is do what the smart guys say; write, write, write. It also helps to pray. I'm serious about that. I don't kid with God. He's the boss!!

Your books

What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

What genre do you write...I write mushy romances and I write them because I don't have to do research!

Among those that you've written, which is your favorite book and why?

Favorite books I've written...Anna, the title of which I changed to: THE LAST SONG, because I wish I had been like her.

Where do you get your ideas? Do you jot them down in a notebook, in case you forgot?

They come from anywhere and I don't jot them down, I start writing even though I've got something going already. At the moment, I have a book I started and was interrupted. It's waiting for me, but don't worry, my characters haven't aged.

Which book is the closest to your heart? Why?

I've been reading for a long time...The Good Earth, The Robe,The Birth House.

Which of your books feature your family/friends, etc? What characters are modeled after them? Why?

Which books feature family/friends...All of them.

Which of your heroes/heroines is most similar to you? Why?

none! Well, all because they're not evil, mean, bitchy! But, that's where the similarity ends, which is good for them.

Who is your strongest/sexiest/most lovable/hottest hero/heroine? Why?

All, because they're absolutely not like me! In YOU DON'T LOVE ME, Raf is persistent in pursuing Lily.

Have you ever wanted to write your book in one direction but your characters are moving it in another direction? What did you do in such a situation?

Writing in one direction, then characters changing... Yes, that has happened and I just had to go with the flow and somehow, I got back to how I wanted the story to go.

Tell us more about your current release.
WANTED:HUSBAND is my current release, publisher Moongypsy. It takes place in the '50s. It was a time when Italian American girls were expected to marry asap. Match makers got busy trying to match up the unmarried, marriageable girls. It didn't matter if the guy resembled and sounded like a gorilla; he was breathing. Get 'em hitched. What pain!

Any new projects, work in progress?

I'm working on THE SISTERS. One is nice, slightly crippled. The other is bitchy. Both are beautiful.

What is your day like?

I have a healthy breakfast and read Investor's Business Daily. Makes me sound smart, but I subscribed for my son. I read the editorials and sometimes, I write in. Then I do some chores, and get to writing. Sometimes the whole day has slipped away, but I make up for it. My computer is attached to me. Sometimes, when I'm stuck, (Oh, never writer's block:):) ) I re-read the last few pages, then I go!

What is the most difficult aspect of writing for you?

I find it really hard to write sex. This is my my son, Frankie, calls me Mother Superior!

Are you a romantic at heart? What is the most romantic thing your husband has ever done for you?

At the time, each spring we'd walk in the garden checking this or that. He'd always pull a flower from the fruit tree and give it to me, saying, "Here, romantica."

Did you always know that someday you’d become a writer? If not, what was the catalyst that pushed you in this direction?

Never.

Describe yourself 4 words....comedic, ugly, freckle faced, honest.

What does your writing space look like? neat, music, good light.

Where can readers learn more about you? www.Angelasnews.blogspot.com