Take A Chance On Laverne Thompson!!

Well, razzle-dazzle-me, we've finally arrived at Friday!

If your week has been a little lack-luster, take a gander at the luscious piece of eye-candy gracing the cover of Laverne Thompson's latest release, CHANCES ARE!

Now, that is definitely what I'd call sweet treat!

Laverne is here today to give us the scoop on the writerly-ways. Cop-a-squat and let's get ready to have a good time!



1) If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

She was the kind of woman that didn't take no for an answer.

2) Using three words, describe your voice.

Screechy, low, and accented.

3) Real life is out there and it happens a lot! How do you keep yourself motivated and productive as a writer?

Thank God real life happens. Some of it's fodder for my imagination. LOL. It's not hard for me to be motivated, but with 2 active teenagers a husband who travels and a dog it takes some doing to be productive. I usually try to write during the day when everyone's out of the house. After 2:30 it's almost impossible. By the time I settle down for the night I just want to chill. But depending on what I'm working on I might write for an hour before bed. But I'm most productive during the day. Weekends if the fam is home I have to hide to get any writing done.

4) What has been the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome in your writing/career?

Finding the time to market my work. Most people don't realize you spend as much time marketing as you do writing.

5) What is your favorite aspect of writing? (ex: world building, character building, plotting, etc.)

In my contemporary work, character building bringing two people together and developing the relationship around their characters. But with my fantasy/paranormal/sci/fi world building. That is probably my favorite aspect of writing, world building I can let my mind really go.

6) What would be your advice to aspiring authors on creating a stand out query letter?

That's tough. I think first you have to have an interesting story. If you do you hook them with that first. Get them wanting to read more.

7) Got any news to share? What's up next for you?

I have several things in the works but nothing I can talk about yet, other than to say look for more world building work from me this year. But my latest, CHANCES ARE is a contemporary with a touch of intrigue available from Red Rose Publishing. To read excerpts of my works or to take a peep at what's coming soon check out my website lavernethompson.com Meanwhile enjoy the excerpt below of Chances Are. Oh by the way I had a chance to meet my cover model Jimmy Thomas at RT, what a sweetheart.

EXCERPT-

The cool air slapped at Kayla, a tall striking woman with short curly sable-colored hair, as she walked out of the bank, her head held high, clutching a large cardboard box. Who would have thought her entire office, her professional life could be reduced to one box? But she'd be damned if, after fifteen years of faithful service to this bank, and the last three as the branch manager, she'd allow some pimple faced bozo with a bunch of initials after his name to see her cry. She'd wait until she got to the privacy of her own home to do that.

Maybe not even then.

The heavy oak door slammed shut behind her. The self-satisfied sound of Mr. Newington's nasal voice still ringing in her ears.

"Ms. Michaels, I'm here to inform you in person, this branch is slated for closure in two weeks. A few of the tellers and staff here will be transferred to other branches with openings; however, there are no openings for your position..."

She turned around to scan the almost empty mid-day autumn street of Old Town Alexandria for a cab; she'd probably have to walk up to the busier main road. Someone bumped into her shoulder—hard. Her box tumbled out of her hands, and her things scattered all over the sidewalk. The jerk who jostled her didn't even bother to stop and help, he just muttered sorry and ran on.

"Asshole!" she screamed at his retreating back. After being treated so rudely, boy, it felt good to be able to yell at someone.

She bent down to pick up her things, when a large pale long fingered hand moved into her line of vision.

"Here you go," a deep masculine voice said, causing her lower abdominal muscles to clench and contract.

The hand held a very pricey Waterford paperweight in the shape of the Capitol dome which used to sit on her desk. It had been a gift from her sister last Christmas.

She reached to take the paperweight away from him, when his fingers brushed against hers. Immediately, she pulled her hand back, dropping the paperweight in the process. Good thing it landed in the box on top of her sweater and not on the brick tiled sidewalk. Her sister would never forgive her if she broke it. But who could blame her. Her gaze followed his masculine hand to a black leather-covered arm, up and up to the most incredible sight she'd ever seen in her life. She blinked twice. Her troubles got shoved to the back of her mind.

Now, that is what a call a tasty teaser! I'm still googly-eyed over that cover model. And to meet him at RT?! *sigh* Definitely a Kodak moment! I'd like to thank Laverne for letting me interview her. If you'd like to sneak-a-peek at the book video for CHANCES ARE, click here.

THANK YOU, TLN'ers! I'm feeling a little show-tuney, so here's a song to get stuck in your noggin! CELL BLOCK TANGO from CHICAGO!! Have a swingin' weekend and don't be afraid to get a little naughty!