Twilight Thursday

KOOLIN OFF with K.T. BISHOP

MLM: Congratulations on your recent success.

K.T.: Thank you very much. It's been a pleasant surprise. While I am grateful for any success, there are still more obstacles to climb. Catching a Cuban Curveball has been on the best-seller list at Red Rose Publishing for three months.


MLM: Tell us about Catching a Cuban Curveball.

K.T.: This book, the sequel to Curing a Cajun Cold, surprisingly opens up Arnaz Booker's life. Booker assumed he knew a lot of stuff about his childhood. Turns out, his father was alive and living in Los Angeles. To quote the late Tupac Shakur, Booker was ready to “live and die in L.A.”-- confronting his father.


MLM: Some authors have trouble writing a series. How do you make it so easy?

K.T.: I've always been fascinated by the two to three book sets. Everything I've written, with the exception of two, are pretty much connected. Series, in my eyes, bring closure to characters.

MLM: What makes a great book in your eyes?

K.T.: An intriguing storyline, hero and heroine with differences who usually come together at the end. I love bringing people together for a happy ending.

MLM: You have a unique assortment of books at Red Rose Publishing that mostly revolve around Interracial/Multicultural theme.

K.T.: The IR/MC storyline is a topic I am very comfortable with. I can't explain why. Whenever I start to write, words just come out. I am fortunate that the subject matter ranks up there with paranormal is so popular.


MLM: Is there a topic you'll always avoid?

K.T.: Anything to do with women getting abused by men and babies treated badly. I've always hated those Lifetime TV movies of men slapping women around like Mike Tyson did opponents in the 1990's. I'm always a sucker for the guy meets girl, they date, get engaged, married and have kids.

MLM: With E-books slowly weaving their way into the public consciousness, are Print books becoming irrevelant?

K.T.: Not yet, but in five years, Ebooks will have taken over. That being said, I love print books (Can't wait for my first one). I can sit in Booksamillion, Barnes and Noble and read for hours.

M.L.M.: Some authors set measuring sticks for themselves. What are your goals?

K.T.: I am sure some writers reach for the skies, setting goals to be on the New York Times' best-selling list or sale a huge number of copies. I'm more of a realist. Building a strong, loyal audience, sell several books, landing critical acclaim and someday have a book signing in my hometown. In this business, you must take baby steps.


M.L.M.: What's the next step for you?

K.T.: Writing something that isn't me. I have a Love Holiday trilogy under consideration. I wanted to try something different-- writing stories about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. There are countless books on Christmas and Valentine's Day , but not many Turkey Day and January first ones.

M.L.M.: Thanks for visiting us.

K.T.: No problem, glad to stop by.

M.L.M.: Could you leave us an excerpt?

K.T.: Glad to. Enjoy....

EXCERPT:

His entire body trembled with shock after discovering he had a father he‟d never known. His mother, the one person he thought he could always count on, had stabbed him in his back. Clara was currently unavailable to confront, she was working a double shift at Tuscaloosa Medical Center.

The oak desk felt his wrath instead. He slapped the row of books from the top, along with the letter, dated January 24, 1969.

Arnaz, whose heart was still racing to the tune of a motorboat, read another letter, this one dated June 18, 1990. He had been at Fisk University attending a pre-med camp at the time.

Valden was attempting a career as a solo artist, having left his band, the Tropics after twenty years. He was currently living in Los Angeles.

He rolled up his fist and punched the two pillows. “That damn woman has been talking to this man the whole time.”

The damaged soul scribbled the number of his long-lost father onto a tiny notepad and slid the letters under his bed. He was going to go and find this man. Arnaz unwittingly involved his advisor, Jax Jackson, in his bizarre plan the next afternoon, as they ate hamburger platters on the patio, underneath the bright sunshine. “Could you get me an internship in LA?”

“Why are you interested in Los Angeles?”

He rolled his eyes and came up with a lie. “U-h, it would be great to leave the south for a spell.”

Jackson seemed to believe this, and ended the questioning of his prized student. He called the LA Lounge Magazine, which happened to have an internship available.

BUY LINK: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?cPath=135_35&products_id=651

REVIEWS:
http://goteroticromance.blogspot.com/2010/08/curling-up-by-kt-bishop.html

PHANTASM FRIDAY

Curling up……with K.T. Bishop

Author KT Bishop dropped by Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem to promote his latest release, Curling Up, published by Red Rose Publishing.

Readers can check out my website at

http://www.kenibird.blogspot.com/

MLM: Congratulations on the newest release.

KT: Thanks, this is my third release at Red Rose. The two previous have been released in the spring and guess that’s a good time for me (Laughs).


MLM: Curling Up has a few interesting connotations.

KT: The original title was Feel the Fire, about an Olympic gymnast and figure skater. That book got slapped around like a five-pound bag of flour. It did not go very far and was rejected. I went back to work and rewrote it to Curling Up, referring to an Olympic curler and kept the figure skater.


MLM: Give us the skinny on Curling Up.

KT: The hero, Robin Friesz, travels to Canada for a radio job and bypassed attending college in Alabama. He runs into trouble and gets caught into a drug raid. Somehow, he overcomes this and lands a spot on the Olympic team. Inga Johan was a Swedish child actress who just got unemployed. Like Robin, she finds herself at the Olympics. Their first meeting was not love at first sight.


MLM: You’ve written quite a few sports books.

KT: Yeah, I am trying to corner the market. I’ve always wanted to make my own mark in the sports romantic side. There are always so many romance stories involving athletes and their loved ones.


MLM: Is there something else you want to write?

KT: Right now I am tackling a Cougar series. I’ve always been fascinated with the older woman-younger man storyline and wondering why it’s so popular. For me to write something like that is truly different. I also hope to have a Holiday series for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Again, I am trying to avoid the Fonzie syndrome and not be typecast and do other things like Harrison Ford and Denzel Washington.


MLM: The interracial/multicultural genre has worked well for you.

KT: I love writing about different races coming together, not just black men and white women of the USA. I plan to explore romances in Sweden, Italy and Japan with a few upcoming titles. And you can write those stories without the racial tension involved because people love to read about happy endings.


MLM: What is easier for you to write, a series or stand-alone?

KT: Believe it or not, a series. Curling Up, right now, is the only book that doesn’t have a sequel. If the book becomes a hit, I will have no choice but to do a sequel and have closure. One book I finished last summer became a series. To me, a series always gives my characters closure.


MLM: What is the ultimate dream for you as an author?

KT: Talk staring down a double-barrel shotgun. It’s a bunch of things for me, which may be different for other authors. Making the best-seller list and tons of cash into the bank account. Getting printed books and having a book signing in the hometown. From there, nothing’s sweeter than having your book turned into a movie albeit TV or the big screen. (Jane Porter, Nicholas Sparks have done this).


MLM: Have any upcoming releases?

KT: Catching a Cuban Curveball, the sequel to Curing a Cajun Cold, will be out later this summer at Red Rose.


MLM: Before you leave, could you leave us an excerpt?

KT: Be glad to.

Inga eagerly returned to the scene of her most embarrassing moment two hours before the elimination began. Her green eyes were fixated on the ice rink and she was determined to come out on top. “It won’t happen again,” She told herself.

Opposing skaters taunted Inga during the line. “Hope you have another comedy act for us. You’re not getting through.”

Inga smirked at the remarks and waited her turn. She rocked back and forth to neutralize her nervousness. When Inga turned around to look at the audience, she was stunned to see Robin in the stands. His uncanny presence lit a fire in her belly once again.

She found inspiration under the ballad of her home land’s rock group, Roxette’s song “Must’ve Been Love.” She turned in a near flawless performance. Frowning, she perfectly skated in a circular motion three times.

The crowd, including an impressed Robin, gave her a standing ovation. She mumbled, “Inga, you did your best.” Despite the accolades, she still refused to smile. She knew that applause wouldn’t be enough to get her to Vancouver, in February.

Four names were called out, leaving two spots available. Inga nervously sat on the bench, shaking, both hands covering her mouth. “Oh shit, I didn’t make it.”

As the public address announcer blared out, “The final spot goes to Inga Johan of Sweden,” she leaped three feet in the air. She exhaled heavily as Hendericksen mobbed her. “I did it Coach Hen!”

“Uh, I never lost faith.”

Robin, who admired Inga’s resolve, stopped by her corner and reluctantly offered congratulations. They had their first civil conversation.

He shook her hand and smiled. “You did well out there; it took a lot of guts to come back from something like that the other day.”

His presence caused a lump in her throat. “T-thank you.”

“Guess I’ll see you in Vancouver?”

She smiled as her body continued to heat up in his presence. “Yeah, I’ll see you in Vancouver.”

“Have a safe trip back to Sweden.”

Inga’s eyes locked onto his caramel body as he left the arena. Suddenly she had found her inspiration in the American curler. She looked forward to getting to know him better at Vancouver. Those ninety days couldn’t come fast enough.

Please Welcome Author...K.T. Bishop!!

Everyone Welcome Author...K.T. Bishop!

Thank you for taking the time to interview with us! K.T.’s debut novel is Picking Cotton, an Interracial Sports Romance novel, will be released on April 16 by Red Rose Publishing.

Readers can check out my websites at www.myspace.com/kenibird and http://www.kenibird.blogspot.com/

1. How do you feel with the book coming out?

K.T.: A little relieved. It’s been a long time coming. I wrote this book during the Fourth of July in 2007. An E-book company rejected me five months later. I got encouragement by a fellow author to not give up and rewrite it. Three months later, I submitted it to Red Rose and here I am.

2. Do you see any significance to the release date?

K.T.: Yeah, there’s some symbolism. Exactly a year ago, Wendi Felter, Publisher of Red Rose sent me a contract for the book. Guess you can say it’s my one-year anniversary (LOL).

3. Is being an author your full time job?

K.T.: No. I began my career as a sportswriter at a Deep South newspaper in the early 1990’s. I still have that profession as my day job. With this recession, I’m scared we may end up as cut bait like other newspapers across the country.

4. How did you end up on this side of the business?

K.T.: I’ve always wanted to write a book. I really enjoy this side of the genre. I’ve always read romance novels in the Book Stores, where the people wanted to kick me out for not buying anything (LOL).

5. What was the reason behind writing a football romance?

K.T.: Football has a lot of interesting storylines, especially with the quarterback and cheerleader. They are the two most popular people in school.

6. Interracial romance seems to be selling at an all-time high.

K.T.: There are some many multi-cultural and bi-racial stories out there via e-books or in print. It’s red-hot right now. I’m honored that Red Rose has given me a chance to be part of it.

7. What makes the Cotton book different?

K.T.: I’ve seen countless interracial romance angles between white men and black women. Rarely have I seen any about the black men/ white women. The white woman/black man has been discussed on talk shows, but never put into a book.

8. Do you have any advice to fledgling authors?

K.T.: Don’t get discouraged about getting your manuscript rejected. Rejection is part of the business. I’m working on a history book about the black QB’s in the Canadian Football League. I’ve built up enough nerve to write and not get weary of being rejected.

9. The$ 64,000 question-- Tell us about PICKING COTTON

K.T.: The interracial football romance story takes place in the summer of 1985 where M.L. Cotton begins his dream of becoming a Division I-A quarterback at a Deep South school from Spanish Fort, Alabama. It’s the first book in the Cotton Series.

10. What’s your writing process?

K.T.: It depends where I am. If I’m covering a game near my office, I usually jot things down on paper and type them in later. If I’m out of town working, I put them into the computer and email myself. Ideas for storylines and plotlines have entered into my head virtually from everywhere. I’ve made notes in restaurants on paper napkins. I even keep a notepad near my bed, in case something comes to me during the middle of the night. I have three nieces between the ages of seven-months, four- and seven-year-old. When I am writing a scene or scribbling to build one, they often sit in my lap and write on my paper. Believe it or not, some of my best ideas come from them interfering.

Bonus round: Can you give us an excerpt of your book:

ML was headed out to find Jennifer, just as Randy emerged from the bathroom.

“Hey where you going partner.”

“I’m going to find this girl I met today named Jennifer.”

“You talking about that cheerleading exhibit on the other side?”

“I guess so.”

“My girlfriend’s over there; I was going to take her out to eat dinner. You can come.”

The idea of a three-some appealed to him about as much as getting a root canal. Jennifer was the only thing on his mind.

The duo drove to the girls’ dorm in Randy’s pick-up truck. He asked for Monica Talbert at the front desk. The five-foot-six blonde emerged from the elevator, softly kissing Randy.

“This is my roommate, ML Cotton, and he’s gonna join us for dinner, if that’s cool.”

Monica asked the two quarterbacks if her roommate could accompany them. “I don’t want to leave her alone.”

Randy nodded in approval.

ML said, “Why not, I have nothing to lose.”

His heart pounded like a bass drum when Monica introduced Jennifer to him and Randy. It was his second encounter with the long-legged goddess. Once again, he turned into a statue in her presence.

He saw the recognition in her eyes and began stuttering, “Y-you’re that girl who gave me directions today.”

She giggled and extended her hand. “I’m Jennifer Monet’, and you are…”

Remaining in a Zombie-like trance, Randy wound up introducing them both.

“I’m Randy Fonte, and this is ML Cotton of Spanish Fort, Alabama . It’s our pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

He didn’t even notice when Randy snapped his fingers in front of his eyes. He was locked into Jennifer like a kid in a candy store. He admired everything about her, especially her tight blue jean shorts with a white low-cut blouse.

Jennifer abruptly ended his silence, bellowing, “Yo, I’m hungry, let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Uh, wait here. I need to go get the car; we all can’t fit into his truck.”

While riding back across campus, Randy offered advice on this sweltering evening.

“Get it together buddy.”

“I’ve never seen anyone so pretty before. She almost made me forget why I’m at this camp.”

“Just be yourself, and you’ll be fine.” Waiting for the guys to return, Monica teased Jennifer about a secret admirer, “someone has a crush on you, doo-dah, doo-dah.”

“Oh great, I have a guy who’ll stare at me all night and a badly singing roommate.”