Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Promo and Author Interview: Lyrics Heart and Soul by Anne Marie Citro @AnneMarieCitro




Book info:
TitleLyrics Heart and Soul  
Author:  Anne Marie Citro
Genre:  Contemporary romance
Published:  November 14th, 2016

Synopsis:

One of America’s most reclusive rockers, Ryder Vaughn, gets an unusual sentence handed down to him. The judge, hoping to teach him the value of human life, sentences him to ten months of community service at Reach Within Centre for individuals with special needs. Ryder is convinced that, if he isn’t crazy already, he will be by the time his sentence ends. However, his only other option forfeits his band’s livelihood.
Five minutes after stepping into the centre, his entire life changes when he meets a gorgeous, little spitfire who will challenge everything he has ever believed about himself and the world around him. 
Francesca's devotion has always been to her family, friends, and the job she is passionate about. Her life hasn’t been easy. She sacrifices a lot for the ones she loves and for her dream to visit Italy. Then Francesca finds herself in a desperate situation, and the tattooed beast who is serving his debt to society must save the headstrong woman from a secret that could destroy her. In turn, Francesca teaches Ryder, if you love something enough, it’s worth fighting for. 
Ryder knows he isn’t worthy of love, but this incredible beauty makes him want it. 
Ryder can save Francesca from her secrets, but can she save him from his? Is Ryder strong enough to endure the kids she loves and her crazy Italian family? 
Ten months can fly by or it can last an eternity.

Purchase Links:






Author Interview:

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1)What does your writing process look like?  Do you know the whole story when you start?  Or do you just start writing and go with it (seat of the pants writing)?  If you plan it out, how do you do that?  Outline, note cards, post-it notes, etc.?

            My writing process is all over the board. I have a writing app that I develop the story in. I know the beginning of the story, where I hope it will go, and the ending. I write notes in the note section of this app constantly when an idea strikes me. It also helps me develop the characters. It gives me guidelines to develop a physical description of the character, and their role in the book, their character's traits, age, and occupation. This really helps with secondary characters because two months down the line and fifteen chapters in, I sometimes forget things about secondary characters and even primary characters. It has been a lifesaver more than once. 
            That being said most of my chapters are written by the seat of my pants. I used to write extensive notes, and then when I sat down to write the character took over, and my notes went into the trash. What really freaks me out is when I sit down to write and I have an idea where I am going. Then I write for seven hours only to finish and reread it and find that is not at all what was going to happen and I find it hard to believe I wrote it.

2)  How do you come up with your ideas for your stories?
            I get asked this question a lot and it is simple for me. Real life sparks my interest and my imagination. I read or hear a headline of a news story but not the context of the story. Or I see news cast that inspires me to wonder what their life is like. I then create a story or a character around that. For example, I heard on the radio years ago about Prince Harry being on vacation, and one of his friends sold a naked picture of him to the media. I couldn’t even begin to understand how that felt. So, I created a character Edward in my first book to answer that question for myself. But I had to do a lot of research to be realistic and lend credence to my character. I am writing a series but every book in the series is a stand-alone book and my fair Edward shows up in every book because my fans loved him and I wasn’t ready to goodbye to him.

3) How long have you been writing?
            I have been writing for two years. My first book I wrote on weekends because I worked full time with special needs teenagers during the week and it was physically as well as mentally demanding. I also have four sons and a husband so the only time I could write was on the weekends. The first book took me a year. Then I took a sabbatical from my job and I wrote my second book. I am two chapters away from finishing my third and I have a complete mock up for the next three books. I hope to finish them all this year. I write eight hours a day, six days a week. I write in an office that my husband gave me at his place of business. I love my life and I am so torn between two jobs I love. 

4) What tips do you have for aspiring writers?
            Be true to yourself and your writing. I remember reading my first bad review and thinking “What am I doing? I am not really a writer” but then I read the next five reviews which were great. You aren’t going to please everyone, and that’s okay. Write what you love and you will please your fans and yourself. Listen you have to live with the characters in your head. I would rather keep them happy and quite then the people that don't like my books. It makes for a calmer place in my head.  



About the Author:
Anne Marie Citro grew born and raised in the greater Toronto area of Ontario, Canada. She grew up in a large, loving family. Anne Marie is married to a very patient man. He is the love of her life. They have four very cool sons, and the girls they brought into their family that have become daughters of her heart. She has been blessed enough to finally have a beautiful granddaughter after four sons. She has her own personal gaggle of girlfriends, who enrich her life on a daily basis and make her laugh. Caesar Friday is her favourite day of the week. Caesars with the girls and date night with her hubby. She works with special-needs teenagers that have taught her how to appreciate life and see it through gentler eyes. Anne Marie was encouraged by her husband to follow her life long dream to write. She loves the characters that take over imagination and haunt her dreams. She loves the arts and she has tried her hand at painting, wood sculpting, chainsaw carving, wood burning, metal and wire sculptures. Yes, her husband is a very patient man! Anne Marie is an avid reader and enjoys about three books per week. But nothing makes her happier than riding on the back of her husband's Harley and  throwing her arms out and feeling the wind race by. Anne Marie and her husband take a few weeks every year to travel to spectacular destinations around the world. Anne Marie is excited to see what the next chapter holds for her life. 

Contact Information:



Twitter: @AnneMarieCitro