Queen of Hearts by Andesanya, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Anarie brady and Jae El Foster
Please welcome authors of Queen of Hearts
Adesanya, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Anarie Brady, Jae El Foster will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Queens of Hearts
by Adesanya, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Anarie Brady, Jae El Foster
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GENRE: Anthology: Romance, BDSM, Ancient Gods, cannibals, soul eaters, zombies
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INTERVIEW:
First of all, let me say thank you for hosting me today as part of the virtual book tour for Queens of Heartsanthology from DCL Publications. My story ‘All I Want is to be Happy’ is a quirky romantic comedy that I’m excited to promote today!
1: When did you first decide to submit your work for this anthology, and who or what encouraged this big step?
My very first publication was in a DCL Publications’ anthology last winter called The Greatest Gift of All. When DCL announced the call for submissions for Queens of Hearts, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with them again. One of my co-authors let me know about the first anthology, and I was excited to be included in this one as well.
2: What was it like to write for an anthology?
It is always just a little bit frightening and a lot exciting. I mean, at first when you commit to it, you normally have no idea who else is going to be in the collection or what they will be writing. While it’s not a competition by any means, you want to be original and creative and make sure your story stands out as an individual, just like everyone else’s stories should. This anthology was a bit less scary than my first one, and I knew almost immediately that I wanted to honor my LGBTQ friends with a funny, romantic, and exciting tribute. I also wanted to create an opportunity for the drag community to shine positively on a new platform. So, it seemed natural to me that ‘All I Want is to Be Happy’ is about a drag queen.
3: Can you tell us a little bit about the black moment in the book?
Oh, I do love a good black moment! The black moment, for those reading this, is that point in the book where things seem hopeless and only something gallant or great can raise it back up. In ‘All I Want is to Be happy,’ Michael’s black moment comes when he is busted by his romantic interest for doing something pretty dubious. The black moment is created by a series of hilarious misadventures that seem to explode into one great big, solidly entertaining moment of intensity.
4: If you could be one of the characters from ‘All I Want is to Be Happy,’ which one would it be and why?
Brenda is almost one hundred percent based off of me, I am pleased to say. Brenda is Michael’s bff in the story and the one that he can always cry to and rely on when things are rough. She also likes to eat, and I’ve never been one to turn down a good dessert. The person I’m closest to in life is a gay guy, so it seems natural for Brenda to be Michael’s best friend.
5: What expertise did you bring to this story?
I’ve spent many a day with drag queens. They’re wonderful, loving and so full of culture. Not to mention, my best friend is gay. As for the humor, that’s what I do. I like to make the world laugh and to feel good. I like to make people happy and to feel fun and flighty romance vicariously through my characters. For me, there’s no better feeling than reading something that makes you smile, laugh, and reflect. I write how I live – full of life, love, hope and humor.
6: How did you come up with the idea for ‘All I Want is the Be Happy?’
Once I knew that I wanted my Queen for the Queens of Heartsanthology to be a drag queen, my story seemed to take off. Then, after the initial competition where Michael – as Rayne – wins the top crown, I decided the story shouldn’t be focused solely on the drag persona, but also on Michael as and what he actually wants out of life. We’re in a new day where the LGBTQ community should not and does not have to be afraid to find true love, and Michael’s tired of being alone. He wants his chance for a Mister Right, and that was something of importance when finding my balance within the story. Like most of us, he had to have a network of people in his life, aside from his bff Brenda. He had to have a family member with a strong presence – his mother – and people who help him get through the daily grind of life, like his roommates and his boss at the bookstore. A lot of time and effort came into choosing what Michael’s dayjob was, what his roommates were like, and what the backstage area of the drag bar consisted of. Each different space had to produce a new, different life, and that sort of creation exhilarates me.
7: If you were the casting director for a film version of ‘All I Want is to Be Happy,’ who would play your leading roles?
Hmm… I love the question because I haven’t really considered it. I think Amy Schumer would make a great Brenda. She’s fun and bubbly, kind and quick with her lines. A perfect Michael would be Darryl Stephens from Noah’s Arc. My second choice would be Tarell Alvin McCraney from Moonlight. I think either of them could pull it off. Toby and Phyllis Thompson are the owners of the shop that Michael works at, and Phyllis never physically appears in the book. However, a brilliant Toby would be Kevin Klein – handsome, funny, and seasoned. Taraji P. Henson would make a beautiful mother for Michael. I know she could work it. As for Madame Vivian, I would almost (almost) kill to see RuPaul in the role. It would be a great irony, as they practically worship Rupaul backstage at the drag club in the story.
8: Who or what inspired you to start writing?
I am inspired by life. Life in all of its flaws and its perfections. There is nothing, in my opinion, more powerful and inspirational than the world around us. I’m inspired by happiness to spread it to others. I’m inspired by sadness to create something that will help mend it. My early writings were poetry – simple musings of life’s beauty. Beauty and humor should always be shared, and life should always have an avenue of escape with positivity, fun, romance, humor, and adventure. I write splice of life chick lit, romantic comedy, women’s fiction… whatever you want to call it. As long as it makes people happy and chuckle a bit, then I’m happy to write it.
9: Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?
I have just wrapped up a story called ‘My Name is Not Cupid,’ which I think is the funniest, most charming thing I’ve written yet. It will be released in September in a DCL Publications anthology called Falling for You. It is about an angel, stripped of her wings and sent to Earth to complete a new assignment as a mortal. If she succeeds, she gets her wings back. If not… well… you’ll have to read the story and find out. I’m also nearing the completion of my first novel Runaway Heiress, which is a wild, whirlwind romantic comedy about a jet-setting heiress who is tired of living under her daddy’s thumb and takes off on the adventure of a lifetime. I’m super excited about both of these upcoming projects and I hope my readers are also!
10: What is the best and worst writing or publishing advice you ever received?
The best advice I have received so far has been to be true to myself and to write things that make me happy. Everything I write makes me happy. I giggle the whole way through my writing process, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. The worst advice that I’ve gotten was to listen to my co-author Jae El Foster. Don’t get me wrong; I love Jae El dearly and he’s a fantastic writer, but never ask him for help on a story unless you want something horrifying to happen to your characters. By the way, the person who said to listen to Jae El was Jae El. I hope he reads this. Hi, Jae El!
11: Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
Not officially, but my editor at DCL absolutely rocks, and she’s not afraid to tell me when something doesn’t work. I also rely on the eyes and minds – and comments and criticisms – of my closest friends. If you can’t rely on them for honesty, then what good are they?
12: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I’d like to thank you again for hosting me today on this wonderful platform! Thank you for the great interview. I’ll admit – it’s my first! Thank you to everyone who has stopped by today, and to DCL Publications and Goddess Fish Promotions! If anyone has any questions, shout ‘em at me in the comments and I’m happy to respond. I’m a Nashville girl so you know I’m chatty!
BLURB:
A romance anthology unlike any other, Queens of Hearts will seduce you, romance you, make you laugh, and make you afraid with four very different stories from four different, talented authors.
‘Regina’ by Adesanya
Her name is Queenby definition, and she wears her dreads – dreads she spent half of her life growing – atop her head as her crown. Her name is Regina, and as romance sweeps through the wintry air with promises of Saint Valentine and Cupid’s mighty arrow, she finds herself entangled with a handsome man who knows all the right things to say. As a love affair blooms and romance comes into full blossom, Regina and Clive seem like a match made in Heaven. But is Regina really the woman that Clive believes her to be, or will a dark secret put an end to their cold-weathered fling?
‘All I Want is to be Happy’ by Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe
Michael is feeling down over his life. He works two jobs, has four roommates, can’t afford a car, and he’s as single as they come. Worse yet, after winning the crown at a local drag competition, he begins comparing himself to his nemesis – Madame Vivian, whom he stole the crown from. Now, as a popular author and a missing wallet come into his life, Michael finds himself on a series of misadventures that will either help him see the silver lining of life or drive him further into his self-despair.
‘On Bended Knee’ by Anarie Brady
As the Greek goddess of Springtime and the queen of the underworld, Kora divides her time equally between her husband, sweet and gentle Aides, god of Hades and her dominant, Grant, a.k.a. Grannus, Celtic god of salt water and spa. This arrangement suited all three of them perfectly for years. However, when Hecate, Kora’s handmaiden and supposed best friend decides she’d make a better paramour for Aides, things could change drastically for everyone.
‘You Don’t Eat People You Love’ by Jae El Foster
An infection is spreading throughout the town, and it has made its way to the countryside where a party of high school seniors is underway. When the infection spreads through the party in a most savage way, Bethany and Tommy must flee for their lives before they too are either eaten like their friends or they become a part of the living dead. Will sheer determination and the love that bonds their teenage romance be enough to keep them alive, or will they face a fate that is much worse than death?
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EXCERPT:
Regina by Adesanya
In the downtown section, the riverfront made for a beautiful setting for a long walk. Some would even say it was romantic. They walked side by side, but they did not hold hands, appearing only as two friends walking off a heavy meal.
Finally, Clive turned to her. “Alright,” he admitted. “I give up. I can’t place your accent for nothin’, Queen. So you have to tell me.” He placed his hands together, as if praying. “Please?”
Regina smiled at him. “I am Nigerian,” she told him. “Of the Hausa people.”
Clive could not hide that he was impressed. “Damn, girl. That’s… incredible. You’re incredible.”
Most other men would have taken the opportunity to move closer, perhaps take her hands and try to initiate the first kiss. But he did none of this.
Clive was a gentleman. At the end of the evening, as she stepped to the cab to go home, he again kissed her lightly on the cheek.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
ADESANYA:
Although born and raised in Chicago, Adesanya often draws inspiration for her writings from her Nigerian heritage. Her love for the written word developed at a young age, and today, she enjoys sharing her own stories with the world. Sometimes the tales are romantic. Sometimes they are frightening. Adesanya believes that these traits and more are what make up Life in all of its pain and glory, and no matter the genre she tackles, it is always Life that she is writing. Currently, Adesanya resides on the West Coast, USA. ‘Regina’ in Queens of Heartsis Adesanya’s first release with DCL Publications. She can be found online by following her on Twitter @theindieauthor or on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/adesanyaindieauthor.
JENNIFER PATRICIA O’KEEFFE:
Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe is an author of romantic comedy and anything quirky. She resides in Tennessee, just outside of Nashville where she shares a home with her cats. Ms. O’Keeffe loves to make the world laugh and to find humor and love in the least likely of places. Readers may keep up with her and her writings by following @authorjpokeeffe on Twitter. She is currently working on her first full-length novel Runaway Heiress, and her short stories ‘We Made Snow Angels’ and ‘All I Want is to Be Happy’ can be found in the anthologies The Greatest Gift of Alland Queens of Hearts, respectively.
ANARIE BRADY:
When not dreaming up steamy romance novels, Anarie Brady spends her time cooking delicious meals, sipping beautiful wines, and enjoying her time with her husband of over 30 years. She published her first novel, Conquest of a Fairy, in 2008 and hasn’t stopped writing since. Her novels are available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. She’d love to hear from readers. You can find her at https://twitter.com/AnarieBradyor on Facebook, Instagram, and https://anariebrady.blog. Her recent DCL Publications releases include ‘As I Follow, So Shall I Lead’ in Kings & Queensand ‘On Bended Knee’ in Queens of Hearts.
JAE EL FOSTER:
Jae El Foster is an author with whom you question going to bed with at night, but you dare to venture beneath the sheets with him anyway. As the venture concludes, you are perhaps romanced by it, or perhaps you are frightened by it. Don’t worry because you are always satisfied by it. Despite the title or genre of the book, Jae El sets out to please you with climatic and unexpected conclusions that will make you tremble with emotion. Hop aboard the Jae El train and give it a good ride. Follow him on Twitter @jaeelbooks, ‘like’ him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorjaeelfosterand visit his website at www.jaeelbooks.com. ‘You Don’t Eat People You Love’ from Queens of Heartsis Jae El’s tenth release with DCL Publications.
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
Adesanya, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Anarie Brady, Jae El Foster will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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