Connie Vines's Page

Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Connie Vines

Award-Winning author, Connie Vines lives deep in the quirky suburbs of Southern California in a butter-yellow house shaded by mimosa and magnolia trees with her husband.

Connie has published over one hundred fiction and nonfiction articles, seven genre novels and educational student activity books. She has also ghost-written two literary novels and one screen play. Under the pseudonym of Addison Murray, Connie published with Kensington/Zebra where her romance novels were translated into more than ten languages.

Connie has been a member of Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America since 1986. She has also served on the executive board of the International Chapter of Romance Writers as Vice-President, Secretary and Newsletter Editor of the YA Writers' National Network, and is currently the President of The GothRom (Gothic Romance) Chapter of Romance Writers.

Taking full advantage of her nomadic childhood, Connie weaves her regional and international experiences into her novels and novellas.

Watch for: "Rand" Book 3 in her Rodeo Romance Series, her Cajun anthology, "Gumbo Ya Ya--for women who like romance Cajun" and her novella (set in SoCal), titled: "Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow".

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Interview:

What, or who, inspired you to become a writer? Since my father was career military, our family relocated frequently.  This contributed to my being a very shy and quiet child; and is also the reason I am very observant.  To be a writer one needs to cultivate an awareness of the world that is more than visual.  There must be an instinctive ‘knowingness’ which I believe is the author’s voice.  As for inspiration, I come from a family of ravenous readers.  I also knew my family tree was peppered with writers, composers and musicians.

When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published?  While I had always desired to be a writer, I became a focused writer about 20 years ago.

Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and why?  Yes, I believe my environment and upbringing did play a major role in my desire to be a writer.  I recall asking for a filing cabinet as a birthday gift when I turned eight. 

Do you come up with your title (s) before or after you write the manuscript (s)? I come up with a title before I begin my novel.  Usually, it’s a terrible title (a college professor stated the title came first), and I change it numerous times.  When I near the final act of the novel, I come up with my final title (the one my characters like).

Tell us why you write the genre (s) that you write?  I began writing children’s fiction and nonfiction when my children were young.  I then branched out into YA/Teen historical fiction, and later, woman’s fiction.  During this time I also published nonfiction articles on writing as a craft and worked part-time as an acquisition editor for an independent Christian publishing company.  I also did a short stint as a ghostwriter.  I can’t pinpoint why I write in a specific genre.  It is more of a case of the ‘the story finding me’.

Tell us your most rewarding experience while in the writing process? I love to conduct research (like you hadn’t already guessed!) and (as strange as it seems) I like to interview people.  However, even though most writers won’t admit it, typing: The End is the best part of the writing process.

Tell us your most negative experience while in the writing process?  Sometimes a story just won’t come together.  My first four novels were all published with only very minor revisions, the fifth novel is saved on a CD.  I don’t know if I will ever go back and rework the storyline.

What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Never stop studying your craft.  Always, always enjoy life!  It isn’t all about publication, it’s about the journey and making friends.  Become involved.  I have served on numerous boards of the years, and am currently serving as president of GothRom (writers of romantic Gothic fiction) Chapter.  I also judge writing contests on a local and national level for adults and young adults.

Who is your favorite author and why?  Me (just kidding).  Oh, there are so many: Charlotte Brontë.  I can’t count the number of times I read Jane Eyre; Robert Lewis Stevenson; Charles Dickens; Rudyard Kipling.  As for contemporary authors: Charlaine Harris’ The Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries are a fave of mine.  I recall the 1^st book being a Book of the Month selection—I was forever hooked after reading the blurb!

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?  My writing has received recognition: The H.O.L.T. Medallion (Honoring Outstanding Literary Talent), The Orange Rose for Published Contemporary Romantic Fiction, The International Romance Writers’ Award for Excellence.  As well as: Fool For Love (Virginia Romance Writers) and First Impressions for Paranormal Fiction (Tampa Romance Writers), and Colorado Gold (Rocky Mt. Fiction Writers).  My YA novels: The Dream Real Award, Independent e-Book Award; Frankfurt E-Book Award (Bill Gates), finalist and National Book Award, nominee.

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Lynx (A Rodeo Romance Book 1) – by Connie Vines

With a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate, rugged cowboy Lynx Maddox had one goal in life—to win the coveted Silver Buckle rodeo championship. But when he sets eyes on lovely Rachel Scott, he becomes determined to capture her as well.

Rachel traveled the circuit with her famous rodeo rider dad until his fatal accident in the arena. Now, she wants nothing to do with that world—or the men who risk their lives for one brief moment of glory. But her attraction to Lynx becomes too powerful to deny. . . and his unexpected gentleness too seductive to resist. . .

H.O.L.T. Medallion Finalist, Orange Rose Finalist, Colorado Gold 2nd Place,

Fool for Love 2nd Place, and Award of Excellence Winner.

Previously published as "Ride a Wild Heart"

Reviews:

“Connie has a wonderful gift for making her characters come alive for her readers. A must read!” 4 ½ Roses --romance.com

Highly Recommended. Written by a gifted writer—a worthy addition to anyone’s book collection.” Under the Cover Reviews.

“Kiss-Ass heroine!” Reader’s Review @ Author’s Den

“Instant action/Sizzling attraction! This book kept the pages turning, and a box of tissues close at hand.”

“A rare find. A must read!” Word Museum.

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Cold Coffee Press Book Review For ‘Lynx’ - by Connie Vines

‘Lynx’ sets a warm, romantic tone for book one in Connie Vines’ Rodeo Romance Series. This is short, easy, lazy afternoon read. With strong characters like Lynx, Rachel, Dan and Charlene the Rodeo small town country environment breeds friendships, excitement, danger, attraction, reluctance and full blown passion.

As a reviewer I read many genres and this was my first Rodeo romance. To my surprise this short story and colorful characters kept me turning the pages and refilling my coffee cup.

The fact that Connie’s father is from Texas and she spent summers in the Texas panhandle as a child is interesting. Her father rode broncs in amateur rodeo events while in high school. I’d like to imagine that the Texas setting is probably is some ways kin to the author’s real home environment set in the “quirky suburbs of Southern California” where she lives with her husband “in a butter-yellow house shaded by mimosa and magnolia trees”.

‘Lynx’ is a romance with a couple of Texas recipes thrown in for extra spice. This first book in the Rodeo Romance Series was selected as the H.O.L.T Medallion Finalist and the Orange Rose Finalist. Only time will tell us where the series will go and how many hearts will be won or lost.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Lynx’ (book one) in Connie Vines’ Rodeo Romance for the romantic and young at heart. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Amazon Kindle Purchase Link
Barnes and Noble Purchase Link

Author Connie Vines’ Published Books
Brede (Rodeo Romance Book 2)
Lynx (A Rodeo Romance Book 1)
Ride A Wild Heart/Summer Magic (Double Delights #22)
Whisper Upon The Water

Author Connie Vines’ Website
Author Connie Vines’ Blog

Cold Coffee Café Author Connie Vines
Cold Coffee Press Author Connie Vines