Answering Reader’s Questions From The Saunders’ Choice Blog Tour

Last week was a blast. I traveled to 50 blogs, meeting most of these bloggers and readers for the first time. I was impressed by the questions asked and I was stumped on a few until I took time to work out what I thought about a few of them.

Read on. You’ll know which ones they were.

Q: Which character do you most relate to from your book? Congrats on the release.

A: Thank you for celebrating the release with me. I think I most relate to Riddle, who is sweet, magical, and even more reserved than I used to be.

Q: Where do you do most of your writing? Congrats on the release.

A: I do most of my writing at home and move around the house a lot. Sometimes I’m kneeling, other times standing, most of the time sitting, which I’m obviously trying to change. When you move the body, you move the mind.

Q: Do you plan on doing more writing while locked up due to Coronavirus?

A: I do plan to write more, with or without social distancing. I’m currently writing the final book in the Natural Gifts series.

Q: Did you design the cover of your book?

A:  I turned cover design over to the very talented Victoria Cooper last year. She and I agree that Saunders’ Choice is our favorite cover in the series so far.

Q: Gina, What do you most enjoy about writing in this genre?

A: What I love about writing fantasy romance is all the magical beings I get to meet and the worlds they inhabit. Thanks for asking.

Q: My question for the author is: Is there a story, novel, movie, television series, etc.-that you would want to write a continuation of? I remember back in the ‘90’s when we got ‘Scarlett’, the sequel to Gone With the Wind. Any ideas?

A: I loved thinking about this question. There are two TV series that ended that I would love to see continued; Warehouse 13 and The Librarians.

Q: My question for the author is: Were you always intrigued by mermaids? Are you a fan of the Disney animated classic, ‘The Little Mermaid’? How about the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale?

A: I used to pretend to be a mermaid, diving to the bottom of my neighbor’s pool and looking for treasure chests. My daughter and I are now joined by my granddaughter when we watch Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid. I don’t believe I’ve read the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen yet.

Q: What is your current read?

A: I’m reading a contemporary romance right now – Charming You by Kris Jayne. It’s the first book in her Thirsty Hearts series.

Q: My question for the author is: Are you a big fan of any famous fantasy works, like ‘The Hobbit’ or ‘Game of Thrones’?

A: I love this question. I love Harry Potter and Narnia. Two of my favorite fantasy worlds.

Q: Favorite color?

A: I am partial to most of the blues, purples, and greens. I think it shows up in my book covers.

Q: My question for the author is: Have you noticed any positive changes for women in your field, since you started writing professionally?

A:  I have noticed prizes specifically for women authors and residencies for us. I see both of those as positive changes.

I told you it was fun!

Now for some news. I’m involved with two special events right now.

Saunders’ Choice (A standalone Natural Gifts novella that can be read in any order), The Dreaming (Natural Gifts Book 1), and my non-fiction self-help workbook, Keep It Simple:Permission to Illuminate Your Life Easily, Effortlessly, & Joyfully are all on sale for 0.99 (Kindle). Click on the #feedyourreader picture and you’ll be taken to a list of all the books that are on sale and enter the #giveaway for a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card.

Fresh Fiction is running a #giveaway to celebrate Saunders’ Choice. You can enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

Good luck with the giveaways! I’d love to see one of you win one or both of these prizes.

Here’s one last piece of good news. This one comes directly to your inbox. It’s a free animal charmers story featuring Stan and Lucy from Desert Sunrise.

Take care of yourself and reach out if you’re having a tough time. No one is alone.

Thanks for reading,

Gina

Desert Sunrise Has A New Cover!

A hot one night stand after her best friend’s wedding could not turn into her wildest fantasy come true. Could it? Their best friends haven’t been hiding a connection to a parallel world or the fact that they’re sharing a psychic bond that will change everything they know is true and real. Right?

Restaurant critic Lucy Shannon’s ex-fiancé put her heart in a blender and punched the puree button. A couple years of therapy later she knows how to enjoy herself for a night when the right ranch foreman asks.

Stan Spellman has seen one or two happily married couples but his heart has never been stolen. Lucy’s a safe bet since she lives hours away from the ranch.

They’ll find out what they unlocked the moment they were introduced; a soulmate bond and their own set of extraordinary gifts.

The bond will bring them together however it has to.

Buy Desert Sunrise today and immerse yourself in this twisty, sexy fantasy romance.

Thanks for celebrating Lucy and Stan’s news! Many, many thanks to Victoria Cooper Art for bringing them to life.

What’s your good news today?

Gina

Joshua Tree Nights

Desert Sunrise release day cvr

 

In Desert Sunrise, book two of my Natural Gifts series of Uplifting Paranormal Romances, Lucy and Stan have a romantic night under the stars.  This video will give you an idea of what that night looked like for them.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/joshua-tree-time-lapse-sunchaser-pictures_n_4718312.html

 

That’s also the night that their natural gift starts to unfold.  Oh, what a night!  And you may understand more of why I love this beautiful desert!

 

 

As always, thank you for reading,

 

Gina

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Dana and Lucy’s Favorite Animal Videos #3

Just when we* thought that Peaches, Cream, and Dan are the most inventive dogs in the World, we came across this video.  We’re wondering what would happen if we showed the video to the dogs, you know, to inspire them…

And hey, if your dogs can do this, please share the story.  Did you charm them into it?

 

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Dana and Lucy

Our author has a newsletter, and we’ve seen great stuff there, too.  If you’re not receiving it, you can sign up for it here.

*I’m Dana Carapelli-Jacobs, the main character in the first book of the Natural Gifts series by Gina Briganti.  You can read about how I discover the love of my life, and a whole other plane of existence in my book, The Dreaming. The Dreaming is where you will meet Peaches and Cream, golden retriever litter mates given to the twins by my parents.

**Lucy Shannon-Spellman has her own romance in Desert Sunrise, book two of the Natural Gifts series of uplifting paranormal romances by Gina Briganti.  When you read it, you’ll see more and more why this series is called Natural Gifts.  That’s where you’ll meet our wonder pooch, Steely Dan.

 

Oh, and feel free to send us links to your favorite animal videos.  We always have time for one more.

Dana and Lucy’s Favorite Animal Videos #2

By now you’ve figured out that Lucy* and I** spend time on our phones watching animal videos because they are too good to pass up, and too good not to share.  We don’t plan these things; one of us will just wander into the other’s office and we’ll watch the video together.  When we find one as adorable as this, we have to share it with you guys, too.

Oh, and we don’t think our author would mind that we’re posting videos on our own.  Do you?  So far, she hasn’t said anything.  She’s busy finishing up the third novel in the series.  Wait until you see what happens in that book!

You’ll have to let us know which animals are your favorites.  The bunny has my vote, while the peek-a-boo at the end has Lucy’s.

Thanks for watching!

Dana and Lucy

*Our author has a newsletter, and we’ve seen great stuff there, too.  If you’re not receiving it, you can sign up for it here.

*I’m Dana Carapelli-Jacobs, the main character in the first book of the Natural Gifts series by Gina Briganti.  You can read about how I discover the love of my life, and a whole other plane of existence in my book, The Dreaming.

**Lucy Shannon-Spellman has her own romance in Desert Sunrise, book two of the Natural Gifts series of uplifting paranormal romances by Gina Briganti.  When you read it, you’ll see more and more why this series is called Natural Gifts.

Oh, and feel free to send us links to your favorite animal videos.  We always have time for one more.

Coffee Flour- Yes, That Would be Flour Made From Coffee

Carter* and I** were browsing articles about food, and we found this one about coffee flour.  To say the least, we are intrigued.  We know you’re not surprised that the two of us sit around in our spare time reading about food.

We’d like to know, have any of you used it?  We know a lot of you love to cook as much as we do.

It is gluten-free, and according to CoffeeFlour.com, it contains fiber, protein, iron, antioxidants, and potassium.

Suggested uses are to make it into pasta, baked goods, and granola.

We’ll be sure to share the news if we experiment with it.

Dana and Carter

*Carter is now a young chef in the Natural Gifts series of uplifting paranormal romances.  **Dana is technically his stepmother, but practically she is his mother, boss, and mentor.  You can read about how they met in The Dreaming (book one), when she fell in love with his Dad, Joe.

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Enjoy This Funny Animal Video!

Dana* and I** were working (hey, I can hear you laughing!) when we came across this video.  It reminded us so much of Dan**!  This is totally something he would do.

We just had to share.  We hope you like it as much as we do!

Lucy & Dana

*Dana Carapelli-Jacobs is the main character in The Dreaming, the first uplifting paranormal romance in the Natural Gifts series by Gina Briganti.  It’s a story of love on a whole other plane.  Of existence.

**Lucy Shannon-Spellman is the main character in Desert Sunrise, book two of the Natural Gifts series by Gina Briganti  You can read all about how her hopes to find true love came true.  Not to mention meeting her best canine friend,  Dan***.  She’s in for so many surprises!

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What Lucy Thinks About The Natural Sisters Cafe in Joshua Tree, CA

What Lucy Thinks AboutBy Lucy Shannon*

The first time I tried the food that would become The Natural Sisters Cafe, they were vending at the Joshua Tree Events Center.  A fully-functioning restaurant was still a dream at the time.  I was impressed then, and I’m even more impressed now.

If you tell me that your offerings are natural, I’m automatically expecting you to know what that means, and to live up to it.  The Natural Sisters know natural foods.  They know how to prepare it, and how to present it.  If you’re into health food, you know that getting it right takes skill.  Lots of skill.

Natural Sisters Wheat Grass Wheat Grass Shot & Joshua Tree Coffee Co. Coffee

Natural Sisters Breakfast 1

Veggie and Hummus Wrap

Desert Sunrise Smoothie

Natural Sisters

My hands-down favorite meal at The Natural Sisters Cafe is their biscuits and gravy.  They are made from scratch, feature vegetarian sausage, and are covered in their luscious gravy.  It’s too much food for one, but now that I indulge in breakfast with my handsome cowboy, I can order it and a muffin or a smoothie and share all of it.

Did I mention that all of their offerings are vegetarian or vegan?  You’re right.  I didn’t.  Stan and Joe don’t miss the meat when they eat there, which is testament to the fact that you probably won’t focus on that, either.

The Natural Sisters Cafe is one of those restaurants where you can order anything on the menu.  Their smoothies, egg bagels, create your own sandwich, salads, soup of the day, and fresh juices happen to be my favorites.  I wonder what your favorites will be!

The Natural Sisters Cafe

61695 8 29 Palms Hwy

Joshua Tree, CA 92252

(760) 366-3600

Almost forgot the stars!  The Natural Sisters Cafe is a solid five out of five stars!

*Lucy Shannon is a character in the Natural Gifts series of uplifting paranormal romances by Gina Briganti.  You can read the story of how Lucy Shannon fell in love with her cowboy in shining spurs in Desert Sunrise, book 2 of the series.  The Natural Sisters Cafe, and this review of The Natural Sisters Cafe, are real.

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