Amazon: http://amzn.to/1tzwwc3 B & N: http://goo.gl/mtJDg9 iTunes: http://goo.gl/mnw9Vj Kobo: http://goo.gl/4uPd7v Smashwords: http://goo.gl/Ueu5oo | As a true testament to how social media can work, while gawking at tasty pictures of men on Terri George's Facebook page I kept seeing another name pop up. After stalking her page and further looking her up on Goodreads, I found that A.R. Senault had recently published her debut novel 'Without End' and was looking for reviews. I sent her an email and rest is history. As I did with my first Author Feature, I decided to start with a little interview so you can get to know her too! How long have you been writing? Did you always want to be an author? I’d say my whole life, but that is not true. Through college, I wrote constantly and my papers and research always had a creative twist. However, I've forever been a story teller. To pin it down to a time frame, I’d say the summer of 2011 I wrote a set of travel journals during a family trip to Turkey. My friends and family raved about the journals and a recurring theme was, I had to begin writing. I know I don’t just speak for myself when I say I’m glad you took the leap! |
What is something that you wish more people knew about you?
I held my father’s hand while he died. The moment was poetic and profound. I was a changed person, instantly. I think fear always held me back from doing or being the person I wanted to be. Facing my greatest fear, letting go, and finding out that I not only could, but would survive, changed me. It has been a challenging road, but every day, the real and authentic me becomes more prevalent.
I’m glad we’re getting the chance to know the authentic you :-)
Please share one of your most embarrassing moments with us...
About nine years ago I went to Ankara and stayed at my brother-in-laws house. This was shortly after my first son was born, it was July and I hadn't gotten out much over the summer. I got this wild idea that I would get a spray tan. The craziest aspect of my harebrained scheme was to tell the lady to go medium to heavy, I wanted to look tan. Well, a whitey like me turned 50 shades of orange. I scrubbed and exfoliated for days.
We landed in Ankara and were meant to stay there for several days. My brother-in-law has a beautiful house full of the finest china, art, antique furniture, and the softest, highest quality linens my hands had every touched. Did I mention the linens were white? The bedding sheets, the duvet cover, the pillow cases, the fluffy Turkish towels, were all white. Let me include that it was God awful humid. I’m absolutely certain that you can put together the pieces and figure out what happened to the white linens.
I had to explain the reason for the orange striped filth. Needless to say, I learned how to say, fool and spray tan, in Turkish that summer.
*Giggling* Do we have any remaining evidence of your orange self?
I never did that again!!
Aside from writing, what would you say a few of your greatest skills or talents would be?
I am a home improvement goddess. I have done everything, tiling, wood floors, shelving, painting, replacing toilets, breaking down walls, you name it and I've attempted and done it. Rather well, I’d say.
Let me know when your schedule opens up…I think I have a few things for you to work on at my house!
What/who are your biggest inspirations in life? In writing?
My dad was my biggest inspiration. He did a job he loved. He did it well, was well respected and made a good living at it. Rarely do people work at a job they love. I admire him for that.
You’re so right…most people can spend an entire lifetime trying to find a job they love!
In writing, Susan Vreeland was my high school English Literature teacher, she inspired my creativity. I also admire Cathy Lamb and Sarah Vowell.
I love to hear when a teacher was someone’s inspiration!
Susan Vreeland is also a New York Times Bestselling author. My favorite book she wrote is 'Girl in Hyacinth Blue'.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I’m going to be honest and I will get hazed for this. Watching the Bachelor and Bachelorette. Yes, It’s true. I find it hysterical how those people can fall so deeply in love with someone who is also dating 25 other people. Are they mad?
So you like it because it’s a study on the human heart and mind? ;-)
Yes, but mostly for the irony of it all. And I’ll admit, I like to pick the guys.
I held my father’s hand while he died. The moment was poetic and profound. I was a changed person, instantly. I think fear always held me back from doing or being the person I wanted to be. Facing my greatest fear, letting go, and finding out that I not only could, but would survive, changed me. It has been a challenging road, but every day, the real and authentic me becomes more prevalent.
I’m glad we’re getting the chance to know the authentic you :-)
Please share one of your most embarrassing moments with us...
About nine years ago I went to Ankara and stayed at my brother-in-laws house. This was shortly after my first son was born, it was July and I hadn't gotten out much over the summer. I got this wild idea that I would get a spray tan. The craziest aspect of my harebrained scheme was to tell the lady to go medium to heavy, I wanted to look tan. Well, a whitey like me turned 50 shades of orange. I scrubbed and exfoliated for days.
We landed in Ankara and were meant to stay there for several days. My brother-in-law has a beautiful house full of the finest china, art, antique furniture, and the softest, highest quality linens my hands had every touched. Did I mention the linens were white? The bedding sheets, the duvet cover, the pillow cases, the fluffy Turkish towels, were all white. Let me include that it was God awful humid. I’m absolutely certain that you can put together the pieces and figure out what happened to the white linens.
I had to explain the reason for the orange striped filth. Needless to say, I learned how to say, fool and spray tan, in Turkish that summer.
*Giggling* Do we have any remaining evidence of your orange self?
I never did that again!!
Aside from writing, what would you say a few of your greatest skills or talents would be?
I am a home improvement goddess. I have done everything, tiling, wood floors, shelving, painting, replacing toilets, breaking down walls, you name it and I've attempted and done it. Rather well, I’d say.
Let me know when your schedule opens up…I think I have a few things for you to work on at my house!
What/who are your biggest inspirations in life? In writing?
My dad was my biggest inspiration. He did a job he loved. He did it well, was well respected and made a good living at it. Rarely do people work at a job they love. I admire him for that.
You’re so right…most people can spend an entire lifetime trying to find a job they love!
In writing, Susan Vreeland was my high school English Literature teacher, she inspired my creativity. I also admire Cathy Lamb and Sarah Vowell.
I love to hear when a teacher was someone’s inspiration!
Susan Vreeland is also a New York Times Bestselling author. My favorite book she wrote is 'Girl in Hyacinth Blue'.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I’m going to be honest and I will get hazed for this. Watching the Bachelor and Bachelorette. Yes, It’s true. I find it hysterical how those people can fall so deeply in love with someone who is also dating 25 other people. Are they mad?
So you like it because it’s a study on the human heart and mind? ;-)
Yes, but mostly for the irony of it all. And I’ll admit, I like to pick the guys.
What's your "adult beverage" of choice? Beer… Any kind in particular or whatever’s handed to you? I love a draft Hefeweizen. What is your go to comfort food? Dark Chocolate Can’t resist a bit of dark chocolate myself! | |
Describe your taste in music.
Eclectic. My last five concerts were Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, One Republic/The Script/American Authors, Dave Matthews Band, and Coldplay.
Nice!
What is a pet peeve of yours?
Rubber bands on people’s wrists. It gives me the total weeby jeebies.
Hmmmm…okay…we’ll leave that alone ;-)
I hate anything tight around my wrist…When I moved from Virginia, my staff at Barnes & Noble threw rubber bands at me like ceremonial rice.
Tell us one random fact about yourself...
I used to be a competitive figure skater.
Wow! Not something you hear often. I don’t get along with ice very well…
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Crazy, Funny, Loyal, Loving, Lifelong.
What is your current writing project?
I am currently working on 'Without Words', the second story in my 'Melrose Shops Series'. The story is about BB’s quest to fall in love. I’m both excited and nervous about his story because I put a twist on BDSM that fans may not appreciate.
And you’re going to leave us hanging with that thought? Will we hear from Johnny in the second book?
Of course Johnny and the entire gang will be in 'Without Words'.
A.R. Senault's debut novel can be found at many online retailers. Follow the links at the top of the page to get your free copy while you still can!!! Reviews and an excerpt of 'Without End' will be posted later this week.
Eclectic. My last five concerts were Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, One Republic/The Script/American Authors, Dave Matthews Band, and Coldplay.
Nice!
What is a pet peeve of yours?
Rubber bands on people’s wrists. It gives me the total weeby jeebies.
Hmmmm…okay…we’ll leave that alone ;-)
I hate anything tight around my wrist…When I moved from Virginia, my staff at Barnes & Noble threw rubber bands at me like ceremonial rice.
Tell us one random fact about yourself...
I used to be a competitive figure skater.
Wow! Not something you hear often. I don’t get along with ice very well…
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Crazy, Funny, Loyal, Loving, Lifelong.
What is your current writing project?
I am currently working on 'Without Words', the second story in my 'Melrose Shops Series'. The story is about BB’s quest to fall in love. I’m both excited and nervous about his story because I put a twist on BDSM that fans may not appreciate.
And you’re going to leave us hanging with that thought? Will we hear from Johnny in the second book?
Of course Johnny and the entire gang will be in 'Without Words'.
A.R. Senault's debut novel can be found at many online retailers. Follow the links at the top of the page to get your free copy while you still can!!! Reviews and an excerpt of 'Without End' will be posted later this week.