Take 5 with Loretta Wheeler

Romance author Loretta Wheeler, author of the recently released Siren's Call dropped by for a cup of coffee and a grilling by yours truly.

Loretta is a fun--and funny--lady so I'm peppering her with fun questions today, and she's giving me some answers that make me chuckle.

Giveaway Alert

Loretta is giving a Kindle copy of Siren's Call to one lucky commenter. So don’t be shy, share your thoughts!

1. What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to food and drink?

My guilty pleasure when it comes to food is anything sweet or loaded with carbs. I love chocolate, but then again, what woman doesn’t? I haven’t met one! And, second best, is any form of pasta. Both of these guilty pleasures are big no-no’s for me because I’m diabetic. Of course, I realize they’re big no-no’s to most everyone who stays on a diet, so at least I have company over here in the whining department.

2. What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?

I have to say, the only thing I feel guilty of regarding books, is the money I spend. I’ve become a Kindle addict because it’s so easy to click and buy.

I try to order a sample first, to make sure I like the author’s voice. That does prevent me from downloading some books I think I might like, then find I don’t. So, my guilty pleasure is downloading as if I owned stock in Amazon.

3. What's the worst review you ever received?

The absolute worst review and experience was an extremely low starred review given to me after meeting with a couple over dinner.

The wife was writing her first book and wanted to know if she could anticipate a contract of at least $500,000 for the first piece.

I searched for an answer that didn’t end in a tirade of laughter, and explained she would need to study the craft and minimize her expectations a touch.

The husband was not pleased and later that evening I found a thinly disguised name attached to an extremely negative review. I’ve never experienced anything like that, before. And I have never received such a low review before.

4. What did you do, if anything, after reading that review?

I didn’t respond to the review. The only time I respond is with a thank you or an elaboration to a question a reviewer might ask. I try to keep the focus on the positive when answering my readers.

In this case, I began screaming pretty quickly. I have to say, I raved for quite a spell. I think it could best be described as a Texas Hissy Fit.

I called a couple of author friends and said, “You want to hear a good one?” Of course they screamed and raved too, which made me feel some better. It’s that misery and company thing, you know? Then I popped a piece of sugar-free chocolate, trying to help the endorphins along. *LOL*

Sometimes authors are very vulnerable to people with really dark intentions. My advice regarding this? Buckle up, Buttercup; it’s a rough road out there in the writing world. Get ready for some hard knocks as well as all the wonderful things that await you.

Just remember wonderful usually outweighs the rough stuff. Oh, and keep a supply of chocolate around, it’s a writer’s remedy for darn near anything.

5. What's the best review you ever received and what did you do, if anything, after reading that review?

I’ve been fortunate to have a few really outstanding reviews. And as I’m sure most authors do, I read them a couple of times.

The first read gives a rush of joy. The second, I’m looking at the words more deeply. After that, I’m dancing down the hall, sharing the words with anyone who’ll listen.

With Siren’s Call, one review I received was verbal as well as written. I met the person at a conference, and he told me he had a difficult time finding the right words to describe the story. He finally wound up saying it was magical, lyrical, the words luminous. His words still stay with me and they’re what I choose to focus on when things aren’t always magical. And his words help.

Any final thing you'd like to say to SlingWords readers?

Yes! Thank you for coming by and sharing your thoughts. And please, if you enjoy a touch of sensuality in your reading, give Siren’s Call a read. Who knows, maybe you’ll find it lyrical too, and then be tempted by the siren’s call to leave a review. Just think, you know what I’ll be doing after I read the review...dancing down the hall, laughing, and popping sugar-free chocolates like crazy.

Remember the Giveaway

Loretta is giving a Kindle copy of Siren's Call to one lucky commenter . So don’t be shy, share your thoughts! Leave a comment for my guest.

Siren's Call by Loretta Wheeler

This short, sensuous story about Michael, one of the characters in the Southern Breezes series, serves as a bridge between Southern Breezes/The Verandah and Southern Breezes/The Siren’s Shop, the next book which will be released soon.

Siren's Call was originally published in an anthology and then found its home inside the Southern Breezes series.

They have been with us for centuries...beguiling us with their beauty...tempting us with their charm...seducing us...and evolving...

Legends have been with us since the beginning of time, and every once in awhile we discover these legends twine eerily with the truth, filling us with a sense of wonder and the unsettling thought that perhaps, just perhaps, the lore may be true.

Down in the Florida Keys, Michael, a sculptor and charter boat captain, is drawn back to the same area of water, over and over again...because something is pulling him there, throughout the day...and long into the night.

Takeaway Truth

The weekend is approaching. Looking for a sexy read?

Try Siren's Call by Loretta Wheeler.