The Romance Reviews

Sunday 28 June 2009

MEET LIANA LAVERENTZ


Do you like deeply emotional stories with a hint of danger and a little spice that will keep you up turning the pages? Then meet an author who creates such stories, Liana Laverentz. She’s a very talented, award-winning author whom I know personally as a hard worker, a fair-minded woman with the soul of a true lady—and she’s a great mom.
From her own pen, she describes herself as: free-spirited, courageous, passionate, committed, compassionate, and loyal. Liana? Tell us what you mean when you paint this picture of yourself.
Liana: “I’m free-spirited in that I follow my own path, tend to make up my life as I go. If something doesn’t work for me, I change it. I’m constantly a work in progress. I work from home, and, according to my son, am “not like other moms” in that I have built my schedule around him and make every effort to be here when he is here. We spend hours at a time talking, reading to each other, watching movies, going places and just hanging out. We go to the Y together. We go on road trips. We go to festivals and concerts. We have people over for dinner. I love to feed people and share great conversation, and most of the time it’s on the spur of the moment. So every day is an adventure.
I’m also “not like other moms” in that I wear my pjs most of time, and work at all hours of the day and night. I wear jeans most of the time when I leave the house. I don’t join committees because I dislike schedules and meetings, but if a friend is in need, I’ll drop everything to be there for him or her. That includes things like volunteering at the church festival, collecting money for the homeless, serving refreshments at a social function. You might say I tend to my own little acre, and that keeps me plenty busy. I am passionate about my spirituality, which I practice 24/7, 365 days a year. I am always looking for ways to become closer to God.
I say courageous, because I used to be a total scaredy-cat. Now I challenge myself constantly to push my personal envelope and do things I have never done before. I once did a workshop based on the book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, using myself as an example. I spent an entire year just doing that, taking on challenges and projects I wasn’t sure I could handle, and with each success, my confidence grew. I found out that once you’re committed to a course of action, things almost magically start to fall into place.
As for loyal, once you have me as a friend, I’m there for life. I still write to and see my best friend from first grade. This summer I plan to visit friends from high school. My relationships are the most important part of my life, with my son, my friend Louis whom I blog about on Fridays, my faith sharing group that meets weekly, a few writer friends and my parents. I tend to those relationships carefully, treat them as the jewels that they are, and have been blessed beyond measure by all of them.”
Liana, your answers and descriptions of yourself encourage me to study my own life and discover where I’m lacking. I know your Balance with Liana speaks to these beliefs, and I can attest that the advice you give can benefit everyone.
You also state that you write about heroes and heroines with these same qualities: two characters you’d like to spend time with, invite into your home, and hold in your heart. I haven’t read your EPPIE Award-winning Thin Ice, but I read the numerous complimentary reviews and glowing reports. Congratulations on the success of this novel.
Liana: “Thank you so much. Thin Ice truly is the book of my heart, and I am thrilled it has received the response that it has”.
Ashton’s Secret is Liana’s next release, and how lucky we’re talking today, because the release date was Friday, June 26, 2009. I can confirm that this novel is first-class. From the first page, Meghan and Nick will keep you reading. Drawn together by the mysterious death of Meghan’s sister Heather, Nick and Meghan must learn to trust the other before they can unravel the truth. The town believes Nick killed Heather and got away with murder, even though a suicide note was found. Meghan also believes her sister did not commit suicide. But if Nick did not kill her, who did? The sleepy little town of Ashton holds that secret, and many others as well.
Here’s a short excerpt:
Nick leaned with deceptive casualness against the doorjamb on the other side of the screen door, his arms crossed. His expression could only be described as one of bored detachment.
At least he wasn’t stiff with hostility. Meghan hazarded a smile and held up the plate of brownies. “I brought these over to apologize. For trespassing on your property yesterday, and sticking my nose in where it doesn’t belong, today.”
“Don’t tell me you’re the Welcome Wagon representative in Ashton, too. For a city girl, you sure have a flair for community involvement.”
“Are you telling me I wasted my time baking these?”
He didn’t look bored anymore. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she saw amusement lurking behind those dark eyes.
“Nope,” he said. “I like brownies. Did you make them yourself?”
She beamed. She couldn’t help herself. “From scratch.”
He eyed her speculatively from head to toe, then back again, making her feel warm all over. Was he getting ready to hit on her?
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Why’d you make me brownies?”
“I told you. I wanted to—”
“Haven’t you figured out yet I’m the black sheep of Ashton? Maybe you should think about shopkeeping as a permanent career change. You’re slipping up as a reporter.”
“I’m not a reporter. And I know people consider you a troublemaker.”
“Got a thing for bad boys, do you?”
Meghan stared. Never had any such notion occurred to her. But now that she thought about it…
“No,” she stated emphatically. “Certainly not.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I told you. I came to apologize. To be, well, you know…neighborly.”
He arched a black eyebrow. “And to get me to do the same?”
Ignoring the lazy challenge in his voice, Meghan offered what she hoped was a winning smile. “I hadn’t thought of that, but now that you mention it…” She arched her own expectant eyebrow.
Several heartbeats passed before he unfolded his arms and slowly pushed the screen door open. Looking into his enigmatic eyes, Meghan realized a symbolic door was being opened to her, as well.
The door to what, she had no idea, but was more than game to find out. With a gracious nod, she stepped inside.
For more information, go to www.lianalaverentz.com
Thank you for your wonderful answers. Please leave a response for Liana. I know she’d love to hear your comments. Celia Yeary



-and-
Amazon.com

15 comments:

Lindsay Townsend said...

A super interview, Liana and Celia. (No worries re the date, Celia.) Beautiful pictures and lovely covers for your novels.
I love the back-and-forth in your excerpt, Liana!
I like the idea of ytour being in your pjs, Liana.
Thanks to you both!

Savanna Kougar said...

Lovely sexual tension in your excerpt.
Here's to many, many sales!

Francesca Prescott said...

Ooh, Liana, I often work in my pjs, too! And then the postman rings the doorbell and I have to go and face him with bedhead hair (the totally unsexy version!) and my grotty old pjs. Each time I vow it won't happen again, but...

Celia, you really do the best interviews! Liana, I loved reading about your quest for courage through challenging yourself. I try to do the same...and, goodness me, it's a scary road, but SO rewarding on a personal level (like my first reading just over a week ago).

This interview made me eager to meet you, Liana. I hope it will happen one day!

And Celia, you already know I'd love to meet you!

xx Francesca

Linda LaRoque said...

Wonderful, excerpt, Liana, and I admire your devotion to spending time with your son.

Best of luck with sales!

Linda
www.lindalaroque.com
http://lindalaroqueblogspot.com

Liana Laverentz said...

Thank you, everyone for stopping by! Lindsay and Savannah, glad you liked the excerpt. Francesca, it would be lovely to meet. And Linda, my son is the best--but then I'm totally biased. He's so much fun to be around. And getting so mature at the same time. Fascinating, teenagerhood.

Cindy K. Green said...

Great responses Liana. Thanks for describing yourself so thoroughly. Isn't it great being 'not like other moms.' ;)
I loved Thin Ice and look forward to reading Ashton's Secret. Congrats on the new release!

Sarah Simas said...

Lovely interview, Liana and Celia!

I really enjoyed the excerpt. I love good tension between hero's and their heroines. Such an intoxicating feeling. LOL

Thanks for a good read!

And Pj's...*sigh* sounds devine. LOL I love working around the house or writing in Pj's, but my ultra fav is my hubby's old workshirts. No worries about staining those with bleach! And the cotton is so threadbare, it's soft as silk. Man! Now, I'm gonna have to get back into my pj's! Hubby's gonna think I never got dressed! *yikes!*

Mona Risk said...

Liana, you're a great example of courage and perseverance. Your Balance column is what keeps me going these days. I read through your emails every time I am about to let go.

I already have Thin Ice and Jack's Return. I am sure I will soon get Ashton's Secrets as I am hooked to your writing.

Wishing you the best as you so deserve it.

Unknown said...

hello to all our friends--thank you, all, for reading our interview. Liana and I appreciate the time you took to stop by.
Mona, I'm like you--I wait for Tuesdays and Liana's Balance Days on The Book Spa. It seems I always need a boost, and I get it from her.
Linda--thanks! I know how busy you are, so I'm ven more happy you dropped by.
Sarah--I wear the same things for pj's that I do to hang out aorund the house--summer Russel athletic sweat pants and sleeveless tees. DH never knows if I'm "dressed" or not.
Frances, you sweetie--what would I do without you?
Savanna--thank you for reading and making a comment, We do appreciate it!
Lindsay-- thanks, friend. You do know how to run a successful blog. OPne day, i might ask for your secret!
Celia

Unknown said...

Hello--please ignore all the typos in the above post. It's late, I'm tired, and my eyes are crossing! I've been on the computer all day.
Ugh. So sorry to be so sloppy--please just interpret. Celia

Maggie Toussaint said...

Hi Celia, Liana, and Lindsay,
I very much enjoyed Celia's interview of Liana. I admire Liana's expanding vision for herself and her courage to live each moment in the present. That's truly a great gift and a wonderful way to build community with your family and friends. I've read Thin Ice and Jake's Return and enjoyed them both. I'm looking forward to Ashton's Secret which is on my to-be-read list.

Unknown said...

Liana, as always your posts about your journey leave me inspired and ready to take on a new challenge.
Celia, the more I read about you, the more I realize just how talented you really are.
Fabulous post ladies.
WIshing you both much success in all that you do!

Liana Laverentz said...

Cindy and Sarah and Mona and Maggie, thanks for stopping by! I'm really so surprised that I actually inspire anyone. I'm just trying to live the best life that I can. Celia, thank you so much for all your hard work putting this interview together. And Lindsay, thank you for hosting us! It's been a pleasure. I'm going to print out these comments for when I need inspiration!

Diane Craver said...

Great interview, Liana and Celia!

Good luck with the new release! Looks great!

Liana Laverentz said...

Adelle and Diane, thanks for stopping by. Here's wishing you successful sales in return! Adelle, one of these days we will have to meet in the middle and have lunch.