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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Interview with Author Naima Simone and Giveaway

Please welcome back to RFTC Naima Simone, author of Secrets and Sins: Malachim.

Naima Simone is a multi-published author in contemporary and erotic romance. She’s a member of RWA’s Southern Magic chapter, mother of the Dynamic Duo, lover of everything Vin Diesel and wife to the fabulous husband who tolerates this affair.

Places to find Naima:

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Sure thing! I’m a wife to a wonderful, patience-of-Job husband, mother and social secretary to two active, uh, precocious children. I’m the McDonald’s customer who always orders a medium coffee with 7 creams and 9 sugars—they’re not even shocked anymore. China East’s BEST customer. Fan-girl of everything Nalini Singh and disciple of Dr. Phil’s. And oh yes, I write romance books, too!

Did you always want to be a writer?
Well, I’ve always loved to write, but I think I considered being a published author a pipe dream until I joined my local RWA chapter in 2008 and realized, Oh my God. I’m sitting down, talking, laughing, learning with people who were exactly where I am. And they did it. Why can’t I? And with their encouragement, the many, many things I learned—who knew there was such a thing as GMC?—that pipe dream came true.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
Before Malachim, I would’ve said plotter. But now I’m a hybrid. 70/30 plotter/pantser. I needs me an outline. But I’ve also learned the outline should be fluid and “written in pencil” because things can change as I write. And mostly, it’s always for the good!

Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere! Shoooot, I’m watching Breaking Amish and having an idea right now! LOL!! But music, commercials, television, radio, books, news, conversations with my father, church…everywhere!

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
A Boston atty falls for the mysterious woman he hires. But she has a dark, secret past & it's come calling. And some secrets can kill...

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
Just about every genre in romance. But my favorite themes are tortured, dark heroes seeking healing and redemption, and who finds both in love. I love strong, intelligent, kick-ass heroines who overcome their own wounds and are only stronger for it. I love heroines who curse lie sailors. LOL!!

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
My favorite book of all time is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. My next favorite—and which I read every year—is Son of the Morning by Linda Howard. God, it’s such a fabulous book! I don’t care how many times I read it—which has been a lot since I first read it in 1998—I discover something new. And I enjoy it more!

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Fight scenes and love scenes! LOL! And for the same reason: you have to incorporate choreography, internal dialogue, external dialogue, and emotion all together. Whew! They’re tough but soooo worth it!

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Oh snap! Nalini Singh, Linda Howard and Nora Roberts! The years of experience, the knowledge, the personalities and accents all at one table? I would serve a 14 course meal just to keep them there! LOL! And it’s not just because of what I could glean from them. Talk about colorful, funny and intelligent. They would just have to be incredible fun to talk with.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Oh yes. I’m working on the third book in the Secrets and Sins series, Raphael. My deadline is fast approaching, so I’m getting ready to turn it in. After that, it’s on to book four, Chayot.

I love the dinner question! What author would you invite to dinner? And what would you serve? One of my fourteen courses would be stuffed mushrooms! Just because who can resist them??


Looking like sin and smelling like trouble…

When Danielle Warren shows up on Boston attorney Malachim Jerrod’s doorstep looking for a job, his first thought is trouble. Well, actually his first thought is how does a woman with the face of a saint have the voice of a sex phone operator? But sexy trouble or not, he’s desperate for a paralegal to help keep his struggling law office afloat. Can the boss keep his distance from the silk of his employee’s skin, the siren lure of her body…or ignore the haunting vulnerability in her eyes.

She’s the last thing he needs…

Danielle’s name is not her own, but the new identity finally allows her to take control of her life, make her own decisions, and she refuses to allow anything—even an unwanted hunger for her new employer—to distract her. Distraction is as dangerous as the desire she spies in Malachim’s gaze and the need that renders her defenseless to his touch. But the shadowy figure stalking her every move and growing more violent by the day makes letting her guard down impossible.

But the only one he desires…

Danger is on the hunt, threatening the boss she’s falling in love with. Should she fight for the future of her dreams or flee to save Malachim’s life? Danielle must make a decision. Because her lies are unraveling. And some secrets can kill…

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Check out the Secrets and Sins series:


Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 1 $25 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)
  • 1 Sailboat Necklace
  • 1 "Reborn' t-shirt and a signed copy of her book Kissed by a Vampire
  • 1 $10 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)
  • 1 signed copy of Courtesan’s Courtship and 1 Swarovski Crystal Bookmark

To Enter: 
  • Please answer Naima's question: What author would you invite to dinner? And what would you serve?
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to the Entangled Ignite Authors for sponsoring this tour-wide giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 comments :

  1. Eloisa James, I think. She's one of my favorite authors... Although I do have very many... A big bottle of wine!

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    1. Oooh, good choice, May! I love Eloisa James! Her and Johanna Lindsey are two of my historical favorites. And wine? Yeah, another good choice. I mean, how can you go wrong with wine? Even if the food stinks, by the time the wine is flowing, who would care? LOL!!

      Thank you so much for coming by and adding to the fun! Have an awesome Hump Day!

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  2. Charlaine Harris. I was a fan of her mysteries well before the Sookie Stackhouse books and then True Blood. I'd definitely want to discuss where she feels True Blood did better than the books and those points which she really hated. I can't count on anything coming out right every time I cook, but probably beef in a dilled sour cream sauce on rice. I've never really had the beef and sauce turn out bad, the rice can occasionally be under cooked, but I now have a gas stove again so maybe that will help.

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    1. Oh definitely! And I would love to have a seat at your dinner table and hear the answer to that question. Really good one!! Anne, I'm of the culinary-challenged camp, so I tooootally understand every dish not coming out as planned...or as pretty as it looks in the recipe book picture. Did I mention the stuffed mushrooms would be cooked by my husband? Snicker! But the beef in a dilled sour cream sauce on rice sounds delish!!

      Thank you for visiting and making me hungry, Anne! LOL! Happy Wednesday!

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  3. Great giveaway! I would invite E.L. James to dinner and I would have it catered, so I wouldn't have to do any work and could just talk to her the whole time. lol

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    1. Hi, Marcy! *waving*
      You are a woman after my own heart! LOL! I love your catering idea. One, the food would be better. And two, no clean-up afterward! Yaay! Not completely sure which one makes me the happiest. Hee-hee! Awesome choice, Marcy! I swear, I'd smuggle in a recorder in my bra to catch what she says! LOL!

      Thank you a million for visiting today and joining in the fun! Happy Hump Da-a-ay!

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  4. You bet, Kathy! It's like the mother load of giveaways, right? The only not-so-great thing about it is I can't enter and win! LOL!!

    Thank you for coming by, Kathy!

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  5. Thank you so much, RFTC, for having me back! Once again I had--and am having!--a ball! You are so awesome!!

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  6. I would invite Nora Roberts. I would love to pick her brain to see where all those ideas come from. I would also order out, because I can't cook.

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    1. I would so crash your dinner party, Janice! And not just for the food! LOL! I love Nora Roberts. When I first started reading romance as a girl, she was one of the first authors I read. Shoot, still do! She is so incredibly prolific, and her imagination? Wow! That's all I have: WOW! :-D

      Thank you for stopping in and adding to this cool conversation! You made it that much cooler!

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  7. I would have to invite Sandra Brown. There would be a 3 course dinner
    Staters- Lobster Bisque or Warm Salad with Calamari and Scallops

    Entrees- Filet Mignon with veg and serve on a bed of cream potatoes topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions and a red wine jus or Penne Alfredo

    Dessert- Coconut Cream Pie served with Strawberries and a rum coolie or Assorted icecream topped with Fruits

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    1. Good God, woman! Can I come over now?? LOL!! That's what I'm talking about! I don't even know what to say because I"m too busy slobbering... Oh right, yes. Sandra Brown is a goddess!! I love--like love, love, love--her books. She's another author I've been reading since I was a kid. Best Kept Secrets, Slow Heat in Heaven, Charade, Envy. I just finished her most recent release, Low Pressure. She is the Queen of Twists! Awesome choice, Shontel!

      And thanks for coming by, stirring up a ravenous appetite, and adding to the fab-u-lous Hump Day conversation!

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    2. you are so welcome. her books got me started i just need to pick her brains lol so have to fatten her up first

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  8. I would totally invite Nina Croft to dinner. I'm her bggest fan-girl. :D And then Katy Regnery...and perhaps Chris Keniston, because I just read her book recently, and I love it. :D

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    1. Hi, Bethanne!
      Oh, Nina Croft is gooood!! Cool choice! I'm in total book envy of her latest Brazen title with Entangled, Losing Control. I haven't heard of Katy Regnery and Chris Keniston, but now I'm going to look them up! I love discovering new authors--well new to me. And I might have some new dinner guests. :-D

      Thank you a ton for coming over, Bethanne!!

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  9. I read For Love or Vengeance by Caridad Pineiro's and enjoyed it. This was a great post.

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    1. Oh, Lori, I knoooow, right? I mean, Caridad is a-MAZING anyway, and For Love or Vengeance is such a good book! The second in the series is coming out later this month and I can't wait!! I'd invite Caridad to dinner and serve her my mother's shrimp-and-broccoli macaroni and cheese! It says "I love you!" like nothing else can. LOL!!

      Thank you for stopping in, Lori!! Wonderful choice!

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  10. Hi Naima,
    The person I would invite to dinner would be Linda Howard. She is one of my all time favorite authors and I would serve whatever Linda's favorite meal is. I love her book "To Die For" with Blair and Wyatt. I think it's one of the few books that Linda has wrote that has some comedy in it.I would love it if Linda wrote an updated version of this book.
    Thanks for the contest and more info about you Naima.
    Ginger aka robertsonreads

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    1. Hi, Ginger!! *waving madly*
      I LOVE Linda Howard! Another author I grew up reading! She is an artist with words. And her characters are so amazing! I met her at a Readers Luncheon, and when she told me she liked my shoes I almost snatched them off and offered them to her! LOL! She's so funny in person. Of course Son of the Morning is my all-time favorite of all books, but I've read Shades of Twilight, Dream Man, and After the Night so many times I had to buy the more recent releases because the covers were all torn up and pages were falling out of my old copies. LOL! Yes, I read them that many times... :-D

      Thank you for coming over and adding to this truly fun and awesome conversation, Ginger!!

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  11. There are too many fabulous authors to choose from, but like a true mom I'll go with JK Rowling 'cause what better way to impress my young adult kids? I'd probably go with an Italian meal theme and get my wonderful husband to help with the lasagna. :-)

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    1. LOL!! Good point, Glenda! Get you some major cool points with the kids! And shoot, JK Rowling's is just an awesome pick! Thanks to her, my son and I bonded over books. And yuuuummm, lasagna. Garlic bread, too? Don't think I didn't catch the buttering up of the husband, either. LOL!

      Thank you for visiting and throwing in your fab choice of dinner guest! And dinner!

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  12. Just the other day I was just thinking about who, living or dead, I'd love to invite to dinner. I think my father, my maternal grandfather, and my maternal great-grandfather. All three of these wonderful men died before I was old enough to appreciate their storytelling...and I may have been too young for some of their stories, anyway. Now I'm writing a book inspired by second and third hand versions of their tales, and I wish I'd had the chance to hear them for myself. As for what I'd serve...they were all good old Southern boys, so I'd go for fried okra (Dad's favorite), biscuits or cornbread, green beans cooked with fatback or bacon, and a nice baked ham. Dessert? That'd be banana pudding, my friend. Banana pudding...ummm....

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    1. That's beautiful! And what an unbelievable dinner! I would love to sit at that table, not speak, and just listen. I can only imagine how colorful the stories would be. I'm just thinking about my own grandfather, and I would love to do the same. What an awesome book to write! Aaaand I think I just gained ten pounds reading your menu. Oh wait...drool. Had to catch it...LOL!! I grew up in the north--am now living in the south---but my grandmother was from Virginia, and whew! She could cook everything you just listed and it was de-lic-ious!! Dang, I'm hungry...

      Thank you so very much for coming over and adding something different and just as cool to the conversation!!

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  13. There are so many authors that I would love to have dinner with...JR Ward, Jill Shalvis, Annie Seaton, Catherine Hemmerlng, Nicola Marsh, Elizabeth Otto, Diana Quincy, Naima Simone, Caridad Piniero, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Julia Quinn....wow I haven't even scratched the surface!! I am afraid when I get this excited I would end up serving McDonald's!!!

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  14. *sniff sniff* Stop. Just stop. You had me at Naima... LOL! You added my name in that spectacular list, Sheila? I'm so honored!! I, too, love everyone you named! Can you imagine the party that would be? Whew! I'd changed dinner to a sleep over! LOL! All awesome choices, Sheila. And hey, I don't know about the rest, but a 10 piece nugget meal and I'm all yours! Hee-hee!

    Thank you a bunch for coming by and joining in!

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  15. Hi Dani and Naima! Great interview you guys! I loved learning more about you, Naima! This is such a hard question. Just one? *sigh* I'll go with Jill Shalvis. I love her to pieces! Congrats again your release!!

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    1. Hi, Robin! *waving*
      Thank you! I love visiting here with Danielle and the RFTC blog! It's so much fun! Oooh, good one with Jill Shalvis, Robin. She's awesome! I've never had the opportunity to meet her in person, but I would love to. I'd probably have a flat-out fan girl moment! LOL! And embarrass the bejezuz out of myself.

      Thank you for coming over, Robin! And just for the record, I'd invite you to my dinner party! :-D

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  16. I would invite Diana Gabaldon and I would probably serve some Haggis since she writes about Scotland and then for dessert I would make some of my signature cupcakes!

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  17. I would invite Laurell K Hamilton. I think I would serve Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. It is something that everyone likes and is easy to make. I am a huge fan of Laurell's book and think she would be interesting to meet.
    I loved Naima's book so very much. The first book I ever read by her and fell in love with it. I also loved Caridad's book. Also a first buy her and definitely fell in love with her characters and story.
    Thanks for the fun giveaway.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

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  18. Tiffany Reisz, because she's so interesting. Also kind of scary, so have no idea what i'd serve. can't cook, anyway!

    Mims

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