It’s the spring season for blog hops and awards, and I’m delighted to take part in two of these today. Are you ready for my 10 questions, sunshine?

Ten Questions Blog Hop
(aka The Next Big Thing)

Jo and Ron over at the Lazuli Portals (Story Telling with Love and Light!) very kindly invited me to take part in this blog hop. I’m delighted to say ‘yes’ even though I missed my nomination to begin with, having been away from the computer for a few days (shocking notion, I know)! But Jo and Ron are extraordinarily forgiving, so here goes…

My task is to answer ten questions about one of my books or projects, and then tag 4 or 5 other bloggers or novelists who I hope will do the same.

1. What is the working title of your book or project?

Sophie’s Encore

2. Where did the idea come from for the book or project?

It’s the logical conclusion of my rock star romance trilogy ~ the third and final book in the series (but by no means my last!).

3. What genre does it fall under, if any?

Contemporary romance; chick lit; humour; self discovery

4. If applicable, who would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

I have answered this question many times but I have recently changed my mind. At this precise moment in time, while I’m finishing up the last lot of polishing edits before the masterpiece goes to the publisher, I see in my mind the following people… (they would HAVE to put on a British accent though, pretty please)

Sophie ~ Reese Witherspoon. Or maybe Piper Perabo.

Dan (the rock star) ~ the man himself… Mr. Jon Bon Jovi!!!

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your manuscript or project?

Her rock star is waiting in the wings, but will he get a second chance?

6. Will your book or story be self-published or represented by an agency?

Sophie’s Encore will be published by Sapphire Star Publishing on 5 September 2013!

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It took me about 12 weeks, but not all in one go as the writing process was disrupted by two book launches (Book 1, Sophie’s Turn, in September 2012, and Book 2, Sophie’s Run, in February 2013), plus a month-long break from writing in December.

8. What other book or stories would you compare this story to within the genre?

That’s a tough one. There are plenty of books out there featuring rock stars but my feeling is that the Sophie series is different in feel and nature. It’s sweet yet sexy, glamorous yet firmly grounded in the real world. I’d say it’s Bridget Jones rocks Notting Hill!

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book or story?

I love rock stars. What more can I say? I am the eternal rock chick, and the modern-day fairy tale (girl meets Prince Charming/rock star) simply captivates me.

10. What else about the book or story might pique the reader’s interest?

It’s not just about rock, nor is it just about love. Sophie’s Encore tackles some deeper issues as it continues the story of Sophie a few years on. Her character has grown; events have transpired that have changed the course of her life; nothing is quite as it seems, new beginnings need to be made ~ if perhaps reluctantly. Sophie’s Encore concludes Sophie’s journey of self-discovery, and this sense of finding oneself in the wider context of the pursuit of happiness has run through the entire series. I hope it inspires as well as entertains!

There. Wow!

This is the place where I’m supposed to tag… and I shall, just after I’ve introduced the next award. Bear with me while I spread some…

Sunshine!

My sunny and cheerful disposition (not my words!) has prompted not one but two fellow authors to nominate me for the Sunshine Award. A big thanks to the amazing Linn B. Halton and the wonderful Dana Mason for their vote of confidence and enthusiastic acknowledgement of my blogging and writing endeavours.

The Sunshine Award comes with a few simple rules:

(1) Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post.
(2) Do the Q&A below.
(3) Pass on the award to 10-12 deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs. Here are my answers to the sunshine questions:

Favorite Color: Blue! Without the shadow of a doubt, it’s blue. I love sea blue, sky blue, turquoise, navy. Blue. I dress mostly in blue. My eyes are blue. And I once, very briefly, had blue streaks in my hair.

Favorite Animal: Um. I’m not an animal person. Don’t get me wrong, I love cats and dogs as much as the next person but…I’m just not an animal person. *whispers* Sorry!

Favorite Number: Three. I like to think lucky!

Favorite Non-alcoholic Drink: Cranberry and Orange juice (mixed half and half) over crushed ice with a slice of lime.

Facebook or Twitter: Both! I’m addicted to both and some days, I hang out more on Facebook, others on Twitter.

Your Passion: Rock music. Rock musicians! Writing. Chocolate. Seafood. And, above all, my family. 🙂

Giving or getting presents: Giving. I always feel really awkward about receiving presents, I’d much rather give.

Favourite Day: Saturday. A lie-in, no commitments, a lot of long, unstructured hours ahead. Bliss!

Favorite Flowers: Roses. I had white, red and variegated (if you call it that ~ I’m not much of a flower connoisseur) roses in my wedding bouquet. Roses are some of the few flowers that don’t make me sneeze (I got terminal hayfever, LOL). And I adore that they are spiky.

Passing the baton, sharing the joy!

I’m going to be slightly unorthodox here. Rather than nominating five people for the Next Big Thing and ten for the Sunshine Award, I’m going to list some amazing authors and I’ll leave it up to their discretion whether they’d like to accept one or the other, or both. Some of them have already been tagged for one or the other, I’m sure, so this is my Friday pick’n’mix for them! Rock on:

Carrie Butler

Carol E Wyer

Debbie White

Katie Mettner

Jane Risdon

Jen Tucker

Jo Lambert

Samantha Stroh Bailey

Talli Roland

Tracie Banister

Tonya Kappes

Have Fun, Ladies!