Brynna Curry, Author of Earth Enchanted, Talks Writing & #Giveaway

Paranormal romance and romantic suspense author Brynna Curry is my guest today. She is a lifelong believer in the importance of reading. She enjoys the writing process, helping others hone their craft by lending her time to review books, critique manuscripts and serving as a contest judge. She loves hearing from her readers.

When she isn’t writing, Brynna is often found haunting the library for new books to read, at the park with her children, or just spending an quiet evening at home with her husband, Jackie, watching old westerns on TV. She makes her home in North Alabama where the history is rich with music and culture, forests and lakes are abundant and beautiful, and every day is another adventure.

Anne - Welcome, Brynna. It’s a gorgeous summer day and I’m excited to talk writing. Let’s begin with Earth Enchanted. Would you tell us about it?

Brynna - First published in 2009, Earth Enchanted is the first in a series of five books. Elemental Magic features the Corrigan siblings from Ireland, a family with an ancestry of magic.  Liv Corrigan, telepath and writer, visits her brother in the States only to find he’s neck deep in a diamond smuggling ring. While there, she meets ex-cop Jackson Roarke, a man with secrets still reeling from his wife’s death.  

Here is a short blurb. 

Writer Liv Corrigan has the worst luck with men -- her telepathy tends to make them run for the hills. When she meets widower and ex-cop Jack Roarke, she decides to keep her talent hidden. Things are looking up until their third date crashes and burns as the man who murdered Jack’s wife turns out to be after him too.

Injured, Jack retreats with Liv to his house under armed guard. But with Liv’s mysteries rapidly coming unraveled, a diamond-thief killer to stop and passion in the air, the safe house is anything but safe for their hearts!

Anne - Of the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?

Brynna - Devin McLoch, always. He speaks the loudest to me, maybe because of his background, his magic or perhaps just his kindness and fiercely protective nature when it comes to family. Even when I think it’s time for him to fade into the background, Dev keeps popping up where you least expect it.

Anne – He sounds fascinating! How many rejections have you received? Was one more memorable than others?

Brynna - Seven. Two from Harlequin, the others were from agents. All but one were very detailed in the reasons they turned me down. I used to have them hanging up, but I keep them in a file now. I needed the frames for my book covers. LOL!

Anne – It’s important to remember a rejection is just usually one person’s opinion, and as such v very subjective. Do you have any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Brynna - Always do your homework. Research is as important as the writing. Read books in the genre you want to write. See what sells. Read agent/publisher/author blogs. They are a fountain of invaluable advice. And mostly just work very hard. Treat it like a job, because it is. Never give up.

Anne - Quick. Your four favorites – author, book, movie, song, quote.

Brynna – Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Book: Little Women, Song: “One of These Nights” as recorded by the Eagles, Quote: “May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.”

Anne – Would you share an excerpt of Earth Enchanted with us?

Brynna – Certainly!

Jack scanned the bookstore as he sat in the hard metal folding chair, at the small table, and wrote. He thought his hand would fall off. Whoever said writing wasn’t real work had to have been crazy. He knew things about two hours’ worth of people their mothers probably didn’t know. Mandy Lou something or other had a granny who thought he was grade A and she was his number one fan. She didn’t look old enough to be allowed to read his brand of horror, but she had two copies of each of his books.

Jack had politely—he hoped—shrugged off the forty invitations to dinner, fourteen offers for coffee, and two very indecent proposals for ‘wild, hanging from the chandelier sex’ to quote one lovely fan. All in all, a long day barely described it, but he’d seen people and observed, that was for sure. If it helped with the new book, it might have been worth it, and then again maybe not.

Ellie dropped by to see how things were going, and then promptly ran away when he tried to beg out. He didn’t like being maneuvered, and Ellie was a champion at it. Entertaining the notion of strangling her got him through the second hour, but considering he needed a good editor, he changed his mind.

The line grew shorter. While he juggled the newest Hastings baby on his knee, which the boy’s proud papa had insisted on, Jack inscribed a message in the front cover to Mrs. Hastings, another number one fan and the mother of six children all under ten. How does she have the time to read at all? His message to her read, “Mrs. Hastings, I’m your number one fan. You rule. Jack.” Mentally saluting her efforts, he passed back junior, and sent them on their way. He automatically reached for the book a slim hand offered. Eyes down on the cover of what he’d created, he said the same thing he’d told countless others. “Hi, who should I make this out to?”

“Just sign it to Olivia Corrigan, fellow mystery writer.”

Her voice alone lifted his eyes to meet hers, a musical lilt that teased of mist and bogs, faeries and leprechauns. She was dressed professionally, but he could easily imagine her calling up a wild wind or casting spells. She was only about 5’4” and slim, claimed black Irish coloring. He saw a flash of what might have been a premonition, but after blocking the gift so long he couldn’t hold on to it. Did he smell rain? Candles or lightning? But the sun was shining. For a moment he just stared, couldn’t speak , and was certain he knew her but couldn’t remember where from.

“Is something the matter?”

He quickly signed her book, before he forgot that was the reason for their meeting in the first place. She was the last in line, and he was free. Thank God! Sorry, muse, position filled.

“Jack Roarke, it’s a pleasure, Miss Corrigan.”

Anne - Where can readers find you online?

Brynna – At my website, on Facebook, and Twitter. I’m also on LinkedIn, Goodreads, Shelfari and pretty much everywhere as Brynna Curry.

Anne - You’re offering a giveaway ecopy of your book to one lucky reader. What question would you like them to address in a comment to be eligible for the draw?

Brynna - I will give away a copy of Earth Enchanted or substitute for any of my other eBook titles that can be found HERE. This contest is open internationally.

Question for readers to answer: If you could have any kind of magical ability, what would it be?

Anne – Great question, Brynna. The winner will be announced here on Friday, June 29. Good luck and thanks again, Brynna, for dropping by to talk writing!

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