RomCon Tuesday

It is time for our Tuesday post which will be dedicated to RomCon and all the authors who will be attending in June.  This week I have chosen to highlight a couple new to me authors that I have tried.

Rebecca Forster

I just finished Hostile Witness (which happens to be free so check out her site) and it was not bad.  I usually don’t go for the lawyer/crime type books so a little out of my element but I would pick up another one sometime.   Here is a little about Rebecca.

As an advertising executive I marketed a world-class spa when it was still called a gym, did business in China before there were western toilets and mucked around with sheep to find out how my client’s fine wool was made. Then I wrote my first book. . .
On a crazy dare, I tackled a project that would prove to be my passion – I wrote my first book. Though I had never written before, I was lucky enough to sell that novel.  Many books later – including the bestselling legal thrillers, the Witness Series, and the USA Today top seller Keeping Counsel – writing is still the most exciting thing I have ever done. Now, with the emergence of e-readers like Nook, Kindle, Kobo and IPad, the world of publishing is getting even more exciting.
I earned my B.A. in English at Loyola, Chicago and my MBA at Loyola/Marymount in Los Angeles. Who knew that after all that studying I would be writing fiction fulltime? Today, instead of putting on a power suit in the morning, I pack up my computer and head out to Coffee Cartel. This is a wonderful neighborhood coffee shop where I am welcome to write as long as I want.
When I’m not at my favorite table next to the suit of armor, I am speaking to philanthropic and writers’ groups about the brave new world of publishing for Kindle, Nook and other e-readers, teaching at UCLA Writers Program or having a ball at middle schools teaching with The Young Writers Conference.
I’m one of six kids and my brothers and sisters are split between Missouri (where I was born) and California (where I grew up). My mother lives close and at 86 she can outrun me. Take a look at the photo gallery to see some pictures of our adventures. I don’t know which I loved more, Alaska or Germany.
Traveling is one of my favorite things  but  when I’m home I  love cooking, quilting, movies (especially zombie movies), the theater and, of course, reading. It will probably come as no surprise that mystery, suspense and thrillers are my favorite novels.  A tomboy at heart, I’ve played in a local tennis league for the last 14 years. My favorite shot? The backhand volley at the net.
I have been married for 34 years to a man I met in high school but don’t jump to any conclusions. When Harry met Sally could have been our story. He is a superior court judge and helps me when I need to research crucial scenes for my legal thrillers – I always have to fix a special dinner though to get the inside scoop on things.
I’m am the proud mother of two grown sons. Alex is in film and Eric is a playwright now serving in the Peace Corps in Albania (we’ll be traveling to his village soon and I can’t wait). Both are exceptional young men and I am proud that they are following in my creative footsteps. 

Holly Jacobs

I just picked up A One-of-a-Kind Family yesterday and so far it is really good, can’t wait to finish it.  Here is a little about Holly. 

I am first, and foremost, the mother of four of the most fantastic kids you’ve ever met. They keep me busy, make me crazy and add more joy to my life than I could ever have imagined (and they’re working on adding some grey hair). My husband is my strongest supporter, my best friend and, well, just a great guy! I’ve yet to write a hero who is half the man he is.

I absolutely love ice cream, seagulls and thunderstorms. Living in Erie means I’m on the shore of one of the great lakes…there’s nothing like a summer sunset! My love of Lake Erie is probably why you’ll find so many beaches in my books…it’s also why I went with a beach theme for my website! There’s just nothing better!

I’ve been in love with books, with words, ever since I can remember. I read JRR Tolkien’s Hobbit in third grade. How much I understood, I don’t know, but I fell in love with Middle Earth and visited often. Heinlein, Lewis and Bach all soon joined him on my list of must read authors. Trixie Belden, The Black Stallion, Little House on the Prairie . . . the list goes on and on. It was rare not to find me with a book in hand!

From that love of reading I seemed to naturally progress to writing. I’ve toyed with a little of everything, but I must confess, though I “found” romance a little later in life, I fell head over heels for the genre. When I began writing, it seemed like the right place for me to be.

Why? Because it’s a genre about people, about relationships. I can add in the sci fi, the fantasy, the suspense, the mystery. I can add in any plot, but it all boils down to the people and that is why I fell for it. Watching two characters overcome the odds, overcome themselves . . . what could be more satisfying?

Have you had the chance to read one of these authors?  If so what books and what did you like, or dislike?

 We have been asked about keeping track of the books you read and we are currently finishing up a spreadsheet that you can use.  You can also go to Shelfari where you can keep track and give recommendations.  Can’t wait to start hearing how everyone is doing out there.