Saturday, July 30, 2011

Q&A with Dianne Venetta and Giveaways




Dianne Venetta's Bio:

Dianne lives in Central Florida with her husband, two children and part-time Yellow Lab—Cody boy! When not whacking away at her keyboard crafting her next novel you'll find her in the family's organic garden chasing grasshoppers and plucking hornworms all the while crafting wild analogies between kids and plants and men. Definitely men.


A girl's gotta have fun, right?

When she's not knee-deep in dirt or romance, Dianne contributes garden advice for various websites and volunteers in her kids' school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses--or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she's done all right



Book Description:

In a race against time, cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home; the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny. And one that puts her career on the line.






Dianne, welcome to Romance Author Buzz.  Is there a behind the book story for Jennifer's Garden?


Jennifer's Garden epitomizes the showdown between a career woman's criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means. Briefly married early on, I thought long and hard about a second go-round with marriage. Who wants to repeat that mistake? Not me thus I debated on how best to go about choosing my next husband, the one I'd have children with and love until I'm old and blonde (not gray—never gray!). Should our relationship be based on personal chemistry or professional compatibility? Education, religion? There are so many factors, but which should top the list?

Looking around, I noticed many of my contemporaries were seeking men of equal or greater "stature," ie. potential suitors had to be equally or more successful, equally or more educated. Sure it made sense on a socio-economical level, but would it translate into overall compatibility as well?

That was the question then and the one now--facing my heroine in my current novel.

Do you plot or let characters lead you?

Both. I'm a plotter, outliner and like to have a general idea where I'm going before I set out on any given journey, but my characters have minds of their own too, and come up some crazy ideas! Being of spontaneous nature, I follow. Always up for a good adventure, right?

How long been writing?

Started writing about fifteen years ago. Inspiration struck and I was called to write a book centering on the relationship between mothers and daughters. Working through issues with my own mother at the time, I realized much of what we experience is simply rote learning, ie. we learn a cycle of behavior as youngsters and repeat that cycle of behavior as adults—unless we specifically choose otherwise and change direction.

What currently working on?

Currently I'm writing the third book in this series of novels with connected characters all of which is focused on a woman's personal growth and self-actualization. Each heroine has her own distinct set of issues and challenges she must face, yet each has friends on hand to help love and support her while she works through them. It's what we women do!

Favorite character?

I love Sam Rawlings! Is that bad? Like saying you love one child more than another? Oh, but this woman is so much fun to write, not only because of what she says and does but her general philosophy on life. In developing her, I drew from three people I know, combining their VERY different personalities into one strong can-do woman who makes for quite an interesting individual!

Best thing about my job?

I get to write my stories all day. I can spend hours upon hours at my computer and not even notice the passage of time. To earn a living this way is beyond dream come true.

Worst thing?

I don't have enough time to write all the books I want to write as fast as I want to write them!

Daily schedule?

Wake up, get coffee, start laundry and get writing! With the kids out school, I add a breakfast break, followed by a trip to our backyard garden. Weed, harvest, feed the peanuts, peppers and sweet potatoes, we then head back to the house.

Okay kids, time to play or read so mom can get back to work! But next thing you know, it's lunchtime which means eat, play and run errands. I mean, since I’m not able to write, I might as well be productive on the home front!

Until the husband comes home and wants to know what's for dinner. Ruh, roh. Forgot. But we have wine, right? Oh, thank God—quick, thaw some frozen fish! Cruising back on track we sail past dessert, baths, spousal conversation and it's off to bed.

Play lead role in movie version of my life?

Oooh…that's a tough one. The younger wild and crazy me, or the older sassy and fun-loving me?

Definitely want readers to know?

I write because I love to write. I have to write. When the first inspiration struck I don't believe it was coincidence. The story running through my head centered on mothers and daughters and working on the relationship with my own at the time I took it as a sign: detour!

Life is about living and loving and sometimes that means taking unexpected turns as we follow our heart. If no one else reads my books but my daughter, it's still worth it. Writing is a labor of love and my way of sharing with her the things I've learned along the way—hopefully—setting her on her best foot forward.

Which is why they better be entertaining or she won't learn a thing!

What do you want your readers to remember about you when someday you retire?

When I retire I want people to remember-- My stories were sexy and fun and hopeful—a reminder that HEA exists for all of us.

What are you currently reading?

In My Wildest Dreams by Christina Dodd and just finished Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. I enjoy splitting my time between historical and contemporary.

What's your favorite song?

Favorite song -- James Taylor's You've got a friend

What's your favorite color:

Favorite color -- Hot pink, baby!

Motto?

(My tag line :) "Given the proper care and feeding, a woman will bloom in time; her own sweet time!"

Where can your readers find you?

Website
Facebook

Dianne, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your latest release and for the giveaways.


Free ebook giveaway Jennifer's Garden – Leave a comment on this blog to enter contest and send her an email: dianne@diannevenetta.com (so she can contact you!). Three random winners will be chosen by August 31st.  Don't forget to leave your email as well on this blog.

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