If I could, Lauren, I’d like to tell you about my new story Two Hearts Surrendered, which is featured in the Magical Weddings Anthology – due to be released on June 16.
The first thing that popped into my head when I was asked if I’d like to contribute a story was this: why not try writing something a little different from what I’m accustomed to? Military stories are very popular these days. But with some of the terrible things happening in the world today, what I wanted was to get into the head of my character, who was returning home as a wounded warrior. Luke Bryant had struggles to begin with – he was abused as a child. It’s my heroine’s ability to believe in their love and to stand by his side, even though my hero is effectively attempting to shut Kelly Callahan out of his life – that eventually leads them to an enchanting happily-ever-after.
Here’s our blurb for the anthology:
From sweet to spicy, the romances bundled into this set cross time and unite hearts, cast spells of laughter, battle wedding jitters and fight back tears, while weaving love’s hopeful magic throughout 1400 pages.
Our headliner is Leigh Michaels, a national bestselling author who’s written over 100 novels. Leigh’s story is a lovely historical romance – Her Wedding Wager – about a heroine whose future is dependent on a bet. Aileen Harkwood has been coordinating this project, and her contribution is The Last Wedding At Drayhome – an enchanting story about a witch and warlock – and a love too long denied. Eve Devon’s captivating love story, The Dress, spans time – through a dress weaved with magic, while USA Today bestselling author Raine English has written Second Chance Bride, a charming story about a bride who just might’ve chosen the wrong groom – as communicated by a telepathic rescue dog!
The other highly talented, USA Today, best-selling, and award-winning authors featuring stories are: Lynda Haviland, Jody A. Kessler, Jane Lark, Bess McBride, L.L. Muir, Jennifer Gilby Roberts, Jan Romes, Heather Thurmeier, Elsa Winckler, and Sarah Wynde.
I can’t tell you how I excited I am to be part of this group!
Having gotten to know you, I’d say you’ve earned your spot! Congratulations, Tamara!!!
Right now, Magical Weddings is available for pre-order at only 99c. It’s already reached bestseller status at Amazon – at #3 for Hot New Releases, and #14 for anthologies!
Magical Weddings is available at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1F79wCB
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magical-weddings-leigh-michaels/1122015285?ean=2940151303484
iBooks: http://apple.co/1F7a2Ao
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1F79Y3Q
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1F7a8rY
Now let me share with you what I learned about Tamara Ferguson.
Favorite book or film?
Random Harvest (with Greer Garson & Ronald Coleman)
Why?
Besides the fact that I’ve loved old movies my entire life, with the suspense and romance, this one has it all. There’s a twisted plot; the couple fall in love and Coleman can’t remember his past. Coleman’s in an accident and develops amnesia again – this time remembering his former life and returning to it. But eventually – of course! – the couple find love with each other again.
Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?
That’s a no-brainer – gardening. But I’ve been so busy, my yard is looking like a jungle these days!
What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?
I think romance suspense will always be my favorite to write. Even my new adult romances involve a mystery – the stories just seem too simple otherwise. I’ve always loved reading romance and suspense too. But what’s funny is, I have to be in a certain mood to read a different genre. When I was young, I loved light and funny. But these days, it kind of bores me, and I need to read something deeper and more intense.
When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?
I use both! I write up my outline in a college ruled notebook, and add to it – by detailing my chapters with one or two lines as I move along through the story. It’s the only way I can stay on track, cause I tend to wander off into different directions, as I consider what’s next ( and with whom ) in the next novel of each series. I prefer writing with the computer, of course. But I always carry a small notebook – ideas seem to pop up in my mind at the strangest times.
Compared to when you first started writing, have you noticed any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?
No doubt about it, I’m a much better writer! I’ve become more articulate with practice. My sentence structure used to twist up quite a bit and I had to do a lot of heavy-duty proofing. But now the right words and new ideas for the next novel are spinning through my mind even when I’m not actually writing.
What draws you to this genre?
I was never as enthused with contemporary romance as I was with historical when I began reading it. I finally figured out that, to me, it just wasn’t as romantic! So, I guess, I decided that I wanted to write contemporary romance because I wanted to make my stories more romantic than the authors I was reading – and more like what I would want to read myself!
Are you a plotter / planner or do you prefer to dive right in?
I do a little of both – I begin with a simple outline and plot. Usually I have the story in my mind already, and begin by writing my epilogue, and setting a scene from the past. Many times conflictions in the past are what greatly affect my characters’ future, as well as challenging their ability to make a commitment and fall in love! Rather than expose too much information about my characters at the beginning, I like to reveal bits and pieces moving forward. And I do like to trick the reader a little – my favorite characters to develop are those who appear to be unlikable on the outside, but actually have redeeming qualities on the inside. Maybe because they were abused or molested . . . usually there’s a reason for their attitude or behavior? I guess because I search for the best in people, I want my reader to be able to find it as well.
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
On the surface, my writing appears simplistic – but I write a complicated story! I put a lot of depth into my characters’ backgrounds, and my heroes and heroines, in particular, never have it easy. Through the story, there are challenges aplenty to overcome before they can finally reach their happily-ever-after. I’ll never write a story without an HEA! I want my reader to finish my story feeling positive (and maybe even with a smile on their face.)
Why do you write?
I’m one of those crazy people who just decided to write. I’ve been an avid reader my entire life. But even back when I was a teenager, once I finished reading a book, I remember thinking about how I would change the story to make it better! And, most particularly, the mysteries—I seemed to always be able to pick out the villain.
And I’m a full-time caregiver to a severely autistic and mentally impaired son who has Type I Diabetes. Once he graduated from school and I discovered his vocational programming wasn’t going through because of Illinois’ budget cuts, I was somewhat overwhelmed when I realized my life would probably never be my own again. (There’s a twenty year waiting period for placement into an institution equipped to handle his type of problems.) And now there’s the potential for an even worse problem – our new governor is trying to cut out programs and funding for my son and others like him! At the back of my mind, I’ve been hoping to become a successful writer so that I’d have another source of income to fall back on since I can’t work away from home now.
Plus writing occupies my mind. It keeps me from considering the what if’s. No matter how difficult my circumstances are, there is always someone out there who has it much worse. And here I am, now, beginning to experience moderate success as a writer.
What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?
Music has always been a big inspiration in my life. I sang in a choir from the time I was nine as a first soprano, was a madrigal in high school( we won a first in our state) and even sang through my freshman year in college. And I have a little secret – my Tales of the Dragonfly stories?- they were ALL created with the inspiration of particular songs (Foreigner, Journey, Maroon 5, Jefferson Starship + MORE!)
What else do you have in the pipeline?
I’m inventing my next Kissed by Fate Story – That Unexpected Kiss – while I’ve been working on my next installment of Romantic Suspense – Tales of the Dragonfly Book III: Emergence. This is the story of Lucy Callahan, the eighteen-year old girl who was kidnapped and assaulted in Book I: In Tandem. The members of the human trafficking ring who were responsible for capturing her have remained at-large. It’s nearly a year later, and Lucy’s still having troubles recovering from her ordeal when she realizes she’s being stalked by the man who raped her. Her inner strength shines through when she assists the FBI and confronts her rapist – while falling in love with the former FBI agent who’s acting as her bodyguard. Lucy lives and works in Gabe Giordano’s home, as his seven-year old daughter’s nanny, while attending the college where Gabe is a professor.
Where can people learn more about you and your work?
Blog: https://tammysdragonfly.wordpress.com/
Websites:http://www.TalesOfTheDragonflyTheBook.com
http://www.KissedByFate.com
Twitter @Tammysdragonfly https://twitter.com/Tammysdragonfly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamara-Ferguson/579374595502809
https://www.facebook.com/KissedByFate?ref=hl
Google+: https://plus.google.com/108952992124602192038/posts?hl=en
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tamara-ferguson/94/a05/946
Email:Tammysdragonfly@gmail.com