Interview with Author Lana K. Dempsey

My guest today is debut author Lana K. Dempsey. Hello! Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age! It’s such a pleasure to have you here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?


myBook.to/ACowboysTrueColors



Hi! I’m Lana Dempsey. I write about hot cowboys. Thank you for having me! 


A COWBOY’S TRUE COLORS is my debut novel and can be found on Amazon. It’s the first in a series. The second one is due to come out this summer, July 2016. Book three won’t be far behind; it’s due out August 11th! It’s a novella which will be published in The Hell Yeah! Kindle World. Book four is already in the plotting stages.

Book One is about a group of young adults who come into a family legacy of subtle, but definite, supernatural powers. More everyday magic, if you will. Nobody is flying through the air or anything. Ha ha! Meanwhile, they fall in love, have hot sex, and uncover an epic, multi-generational conspiracy. It’s a rich, layered story with a few surprises along the way. 

It’s a no-brainer for me. I grew up in Texas, painting a picture of a hot cowboy comes easily. I love my characters and the early feedback is all good! I know you’ll love them too!

How exciting! Congratulations on your new series! 

So, is there anything that prompted A Cowboy's True Colors? Something that inspired you?


Aside from the cowboys all around me wearing their jeans like nobody's business? Ha ha! 


I was reading Stephen King’s book about writing called ON WRITING. There was an exercise in which you sit down and write for about an hour and see what happens. The story that is now the series THE MYSTICAL TRADITIONS OF BUCKSHAW RANCH is what came out. I ended up with nine hand written notebooks over the coming weeks. The idea just took off and morphed into an epic tale. I’m still amazed at what came of a such a short, simple writing exercise.

However, I need only take a trip into Shiner (Yes, the town that makes the beer) for lunch, sit by a window and watch the real men walk by. All it takes is one with a story on his face for me to set off down the merry trail of creating a fictional world.
 

Wow! Sounds like it has been a fun ride!


Let's try a different question.
 
When did you know you wanted to write? Or has it always been a pastime of yours?


As a youngster I was attracted to the trappings. I liked pretty journals, nice pens, and the idea of having something to say worth writing down. I was a born storyteller and made my mother listen to endless stories from as far back as I can remember. The first time I ever wrote down a full story I was twelve. I found a beautiful silk bound journal and just sat down and started writing. Being a writer is something I’ve always wanted.

Great! It's fun to hear about an author's journey.


Do you have any favorite authors yourself, Lana?


I love Sable Hunter, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Alice Hoffman.

All right. 


Do you write in a specific place? Time of day?


I write in the mornings mostly. I have a room that is half workout room and half writing area and half dressing area. I know, that’s too many halves, but I never claimed to be strong in math.


There are exceptions, of course. I’ve written on napkins, note pads, and even texted myself when an idea struck.
 


Oh, yes, the pain when you can't find something to write on once an idea strikes. I'm familiar with that. :) These days, I just make sure to carry a small journal with me at all times.

So...are there any words you'd like to impart to fellow writers? Any advice?

If it’s boring to write, it’ll be boring to read.

Find some quiet time and just sit down and write. Then, read, read, read, and read some more. 
 
Such great advice! Thank you for offering those words of wisdom. 

 

And thank you so much for stopping by to visit us here today at Writing in the Modern Age.  It was so nice having you!  :)


Readers, here is the blurb for A Cowboy's True Colors.

myBook.to/ACowboysTrueColors
 

Everyone’s last year in high school is always chaotic. This is especially true for Astrid at White Wood School. As if having a bully, an absentee father, and a best friend with a big problem weren't enough – she also has to deal with having a secret power. Anytime she sees someone, Astrid also sees a kaleidoscope of colors surrounding them. Each individual’s emotions swirl in a changing pattern, allowing her to know what they’re feeling. This sixth sense complicates her life further, especially when she meets the one person whose colors she can't read - Victor Berenger, a tall, handsome cowboy with smoldering eyes. Every time Astrid is around him, she thinks her heart will beat out of her chest. When she finds out he is equally drawn to her, she’s thrilled. The man certainly knows his way around the bedroom. Life seems just about perfect…until the day Astrid’s vision takes a new twist. A set of colors appear on the school grounds–only this time they aren’t attached to a human! A mystery unfolds that threatens Astrid and her friends. To her surprise, Victor holds a piece of the puzzle. Join these two as they learn one another’s secrets, as well as the hidden, magical history of White Wood School. 

*Content Warning: Contains explicit scenes and language. Intended for 18+ Audience


Here is an excerpt.


For the briefest moment he stopped his scan of the room and studied her. Or was she remembering that wrong? She was never sure. Either way, his expression didn’t change and he continued his inventory of his fellow classmates. After that, he hadn't spoken to her until the last couple of days.

            “Ah, yes. I'm sorry about that, I was a bit distracted. It wasn't for lack of interest, I assure you.” Victor pressed himself a little closer to her under the blanket.
            “You don't seem very distracted now.”
            This made him laugh. “Honestly, I've been worried about my brother. Right now he seems a bit taken with your friend, so I feel a little less guilty about indulging in my own interests.”
            “Is Reggie okay?” she asked.
            When Victor didn't answer right away, her mind raced through various possibilities. Maybe Reggie was sick. He hadn’t been to school; they’d only just met him tonight.
            “I'm sorry, I really can't share that with you right now.”
            Astrid instantly regretted having asked. The lighthearted mood was gone. Dang it! She chided herself for having brought it up. Then she had an idea. Before she could talk herself out of it she leaned into him and with her open palm drew a long caress down the length of his thigh. She felt him freeze up. Afraid she might have offended him with her forwardness, she paused and tilted her head up a little bit in an attempt to read his face in the dim light.
            How wrong she had been.
            Victor met her upturned face with the full force of his lips on hers. His leather jacket whispered as he reached around and grabbed her by the back of the neck to pull her closer to him. Despite her heart beating so hard it seemed about to jump out of her chest, she turned into him draping her knee over his leg. She brushed against the bulge between his legs with her thigh. The warmth there and the image of what lay beneath those Levi's made her melt entirely.
            “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long.” Victor practically growled the words when he finally pulled away from her long enough to speak.
            “I want to do more than kiss you.”
            The feel of her voice, hot and sultry against his neck, was enough to drive him wild. How had he held this in for so long?
            “That can be arranged," he told her, thinking ahead of places he could get them some privacy. Maybe next time at her house, before her mom comes home, he plotted.
            “Where can we go? I'm not kidding, I want you now.” The urgency inside her would not be ignored. This new, demanding part of herself seemed to be taking over.
            “Now?” His heart stuttered a beat as he realized she was completely serious. Again he grabbed her by the neck and kissed her long and hard, this time pushing his warm tongue past those sweet lips. Eagerly she responded, pressing her chest up against him and letting out a tiny moan.
            That was it, he was completely undone. I will have her now, he said to himself. “This way,” his voice was thick with the ache of desire. Gathering up the blanket, he draped it over his shoulder and grabbed her by the hand.
            She followed silently, her body alive, vibrating to an age old rhythm. Watching him walk ahead of her, she suddenly felt a proprietary right to watch the roundness of his behind without restraint. It was beautiful and she couldn't wait to see it in the flesh.
 

Purchase Links: 

Amazon Universal: myBook.to/ACowboysTrueColors










This book sounds interesting! We'll be sure to check it out! :) 

Author Bio 




I'm Lana, a life long Texan, dog lover, and writer of sensual romance. When I say 'sensual romance' I mean I include real life in my stories, and real life includes sex.

I divide my time between Austin Texas and a small family ranch not far from Shiner. Shiner is the home of Shiner beer, I've been known to stop off at their tasting room before rolling up my sleeves to get to work on the ranch. Like many Texans I've got a bit of everything in me, German, Native American, and some Creole influence. Nothing like a little spice to liven things up.

Writing is much like reading, I need to feel the story in the same way a reader would. I adore leading men who are strong, but aren't afraid to love. My goal is to fall in love as I write, it's the only way my reader will as well.

Come with me and get to know a hot cowboy or two. It'll be fun!
 

 
Author Links:

 



Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lanakdempsey


Lana's Book:
myBook.to/ACowboysTrueColors
 

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