Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

CALISA RHOSE--Romance Author

We're having a party at Vintage Vonnie today! Welcome! My guest is romance author, Calisa Rhose. We're celebrating her release--TODAY, in fact--of her debut story, Home. Isn't the cover dreamy?



I am so excited to be here with you, Vonnie! Thank you for helping me celebrate the release TODAY of my first book with The Wild Rose Press. HOME is available NOW!!!!! And it felt like this day would never come but it is here! To celebrate, I’m at two blogs today. After you comment here, hop over to AJ Nuest’s Tattered Pages and leave a comment for another chance to win your own copy of HOME!

Whistle! Confetti! Streamers!
So let’s get on with this countdown!!!!
DAY FOUR!!!

Calisa, being the sweet person she is, has agreed to answer some questions I sent her.
1.   What is your life like away from the computer? Tell us something about your household. Jazzie, my cat, wants to know if you have any kitty-pusses. Life away from the computer usually has me going to work or somewhere with my darlin’ hubby. After 28 years I love that we aren’t totally sick of one another. Lol I spent time with my beautiful granddaughters when I can, because they just grow up SO fast! And, yes, Jazzie. I have a very spoiled Himalayan Siamese Persian named Trouble, and her moniker suits her perfectly.

2.   What authors and genres do you like to read? I mostly like contemporary and paranormal genres. As for the authors, I read everyone I think. I have your book on my Kindle, in fact, I have dozens of Wild Rose Press authors waiting for me to read! But I love Ms. Nora Roberts and Sharon Sala. I love reading new authors and new to me authors. I have been known to read the occasional historical, steampunk or fantasy, too, if they catch me in the right mood.

3.  Do you enter writing contests? If so, has this been a positive experience for you? Before publishing I entered exactly one contest of which I didn’t even final in. lol I always ‘plan’ to enter, but just never do. I’m thinking of entering the local rwa chapter contest again this year, though.

4.    Do you ever dream of writing in a different genre? As a contemporary author, I don’t normally write historical- so I guess you could say HOME IS my venture into ‘another genre.’ I’m also working on some paranormal works.

5.  What part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst? Everyone says it’s the first idea that excites them the most. I’m no different in that, but writing THE END gives me a thrill like nothing else can. To know I have given that first spark of an idea life by finishing the story is nice. On the flip-side, I hate that part in the middle when all intelligent creativity seems to fly out the window, you can’t figure out how to breathe new life into a wilting wip to reach the end. Ugh! I shiver to think about it. lol

6.  What are you currently working on? Right now I’m trying to get through that lifeless middle on a cowboy novella that I hope to submit as part of a series for TWRP’s Yellow Rose line. I’m also and constantly thinking and adding to one or another of five shifter books in a paranormal series. Yes, I work on all simultaneously, but that works since it’s a continuity series.

7.  What is one of your most embarrassing or laughable moments? That would be the night I watched a crush next door undress for bed and he turned to face the window just as he unzipped those tight levis. The curtains were wide open facing my house and I was all teen-agnsty-eyes as he began to ease the jeans down...and then his little brother flipped the light out at THAT moment. Then a few weeks later crush boy, Nick, let me know he knew I was watching! I could have died. Then he said he didn’t mind and when would I return the favor?... OMG!!! That scene may make it into a book some day.
Oh, hon, I think you should use it. What a hoot!!

8.   Tell us about your current release…or soon to be release. HOME is a story about hope and love in a time when people were more focused on the Vietnam war and all its ramifications. Two unlikely people, each fighting stigmas from a town they had always called home and differences in their pasts, find hope and a future together when all seems lost. Will they each realize home is more than a geological location, or people they thought cared? I hope you read HOME to find out.

BLURB:

What could a gypsy and a Vietnam veteran have in common?

Silvertown’s outcast, Poppy Tippen, has loved football hero Sam “The Force” Callahan forever. But he never seemed to know she was alive. Now he’s home from the war and she suddenly finds herself comforting him from the demons of “that damn war.” Is his attention merely an escape from the haunting nightmares? Or does she hold the interest of the only man she’s ever truly loved?

Sam Callahan’s only solace from the war nightmares wrecking his life comes in the unlikely form of a gypsy girl with stigmas of her own. He’s known Poppy his entire life, but there’s something different about her now. Something special he desperately wants to hold on to. Can he convince her she’s the only thing he needs to put the past behind him?


Excerpt:

“I’ll always want you, Poppy.”

Her head shook in automatic denial. “You’ll want a girl who fits your life. Not some gypsy with no family lineage to brag about. Your momma won’t accept that, either. She’ll make you choose someone like Connie, someone who fits into your world. Not the girl everyone avoids and whispers about behind her back. You’re gonna be the town’s doctor. You need an uppity wife who will make you proud.”

When Sam laughed, his chest shuddered against her back. Deep, husky, real. He turned her in his arms and looked down at her, smiling. “Poppy, do you honestly think I give a damn what people think? Look at me! I’m the town outcast, the survivor who should have died saving the others, not be here planning a future that includes a wife, a medical practice. “I shimmy under park benches, run from my mother’s lipstick, for God’s sake. I wake up screaming and crying over nothing in the middle of the night, crawl under my bed and hide, shaking, until morning. Hell, I can’t even be a doctor because I haven’t finished school yet.”

“I didn’t know. It must be awful for you.” No matter how it hurt Poppy to know he used her, it felt much worse to know how he hurt alone. “The only time it isn’t awful is when I’m with you. When I think of you.”


Get your copy of HOME at The Wild Rose Press. Buy link is: http://bit.ly/sdT0E9
Or order at Amazon: http://amzn.to/vmLNov

Small-town country girl Calisa Rhose lives in a semi-remote area of Oklahoma with her husband, five dogs and one horse. All of her three daughters and their families live within throwing distance. She’s a member of RWA and the local chapter OKRWA. She intends to nurture and continue to grow as an author with the help of her family and supporters.

Find Calisa at her website/blog http://calisarhose.wordpress.com

On twitter @Calisa_Rhose and Facebook @Calisa Rhose

She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at calisa.rhose@gmail.com
ATTENTION:
The day following the New Years Day party, on my blog, I will be giving away the first copy of HOME to one lucky commenter! The more you comment this week, the greater your chance to win! Don’t forget to leave your EMAIL ADDRESS in all your comments this week! Be sure to come to my BIG SALE PARTY on my blog on January 1, 2012!

You can find the full tour schedule on my website at the link above.

52 comments:

Calisa Rhose said...

I have wanted to be on your blog from the first time I commented! I love it, the mood and colors (and that delish chocolate!). For those who don't know-- today is also my actual birthday. How cool is that for a release date celebration? Thank you for hosting my release day bash, Vonnie!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Haaaa-py Birrrrrrthday, sweet Calisa.
Happy Birthday to you.

Bet'cha didn't know I could sing, did ya? I sang with a group back in the '60's. Yup. Five girls. We sang gospel and were known as The Gospel Belles. Frankly, the Ding-a-Lings would have been more fitting.

Enough about me. I'm tickled you're here and sharing your fabulous book with us. And in case I didn't express it well enough, have a fan-tazz-tical birthday.

Liz Flaherty said...

Hey, happy birthday, and happy release day, too.

Beth Trissel said...

Calisa, what a happy day. Many, many congrats. I very much enjoyed reading your interview with Vonnie while my naughty kitty attacks the tree and learning more about you.
Your book sounds very good. I can't believe Amazon had it out before it's release at TWRP.

Calisa Rhose said...

Thanks for that lovely rendition, Vonnie! I didn't know you were in a group, how fun! And thank you for having me here on my birthday and for release day!

Calisa Rhose said...

It's wonderful to see you here today, Liz! Thanks for coming by.

Calisa Rhose said...

My kit is probably haunting her food dish right now. I need to go fed the beast. lol Thanks for being here to help me celebrate! And I can't believe HOME was out on Amazon early, either. According to their note it was out on the 15th! I just found it last week. lol

Jerrie Alexander said...

A double celebration! What fun!! Congratulations and happy birthday, Calisa.

The book sounds like a must read.

Callie said...

Hey Calisa, happy release day and happy birthday. What a celebration you'll have today! Best of luck with Home. I loved it.

Joanna Aislinn said...

Happy B-day/release day, Calisa! Your interview was fun and yes--work that 'embarrassing moment' scene into a book somewhere. (Hysterical!)

Off to get me a copy of HOME!

Have a great day, y'all!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Happy B-day!! And mega congrats on the release!! Whoo-hoooooooooo! Hope 2012 is a year filled with many sales for you and new stories flying from your fingertips.

christine warner said...

Great interview ladies! Congrats again on your release Calisa!
And for whatever it's worth, you need to put that embarrassing moment into a story! LOL...love it!

Calisa Rhose said...

Great to see you here Jerrie! Thanks so much for partying with me!

Calisa Rhose said...

I'm happy you liked HOME Callie! When I began this story I had no idea where I was going with it. I mean- how can you tell a full story in that many words? I had never tried for fear of falling flat. Wow- flat sure feels good! lol Thanks for the wishes and for dropping in.

Calisa Rhose said...

Oh, Joanna- I could tell some stories of my "wild days" that I shouldn't have probably even experienced. Man- if Daddy only knew! *wink*

Thanks for buying! Love ya. Don't forget to pop over to my blog and say hey to Joanna today, too!

Calisa Rhose said...

Your enthusiasm is infectious Jenn! Thanks so much! May the faeries of 2012 bless you as well!

Calisa Rhose said...

Hi Christine! I really debated telling that particular story but it beat admitting my crippling fear of spiders-- or rather the time my sister got me to rip off my shirt in front of a (different) crush with an imaginary one...

Yeah- if I didn't hate those 8-legged things so much I might try to work that one into a scene. lol

Joyce Palmer said...

Happy birthday, Calisa. And, happy release day! Wishing you many sales! And many more birthdays with new releases...Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a birthday, Calisa! To have it together with your Release Date is just awesome! Super Congrats! I'm a big fan of evocative, artistic covers and "Home" has all of that! Enjoy your upcoming year! What a start with so much more to come!
Nancy

Calisa Rhose said...

Thank you Joyce! Great to see your comment worked. :)

Calisa Rhose said...

The first time I opened the email and saw my cover I got chills! Kudos to artist Tina Lynn Stout. Thanks Nancy.

Maeve Greyson said...

Happy birthday AND happy release day, Calisa!!!

Anna said...

Calisa, you are an amazing woman with amazing stories to tell...nonfiction ones as well as fiction, as I learned today while reading your most embarrassing moment! It has been such a pleasure, getting to know you in OKRWA, and getting to know your spectacular voice through the pages of home. Great interview, Lady, may your birthday be every bit as fun as you are.

Alyson Reuben said...

Oh my, the memory of the neighbor boy undressing in front of the window MUST go into a story, Calisa! So few of us were ever lucky enough to have a view like that! Make him a few years older and put a cowboy hat on him... lol Congratulations on the release of HOME! And I hope you have the very happiest of birthdays! You totally deserve it!

Great interview, Vonnie ;)

Ceri Hebert said...

A birthday and release on the same day? Can't get much better! Great interview Calisa! Loved your most embarrassing moment story. Should definitely make it into a book. Love it!

Joelene Coleman said...

A double "wonder-whammy" - Happy Birthday to you and "Home." A memorable moment all the way around. I'm off to check it out!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

What do you think, ladies? Let's pick a name for Calisa's new story which includes her most embarrassing scene.

I'll start it off--"The Man at the Window."

Any other ideas????

Lynne Marshall said...

Being on digest is kicking my butt when it comes to keeping up with your blog tour, Calisa! Sheesh. Please know I'm so happy for you and your characters sound so wonderful. love, love, LOVE Natalie Wood.

Also - had a good laugh with you about your most embarassing moment. Sounds like you were meant to be a romance writer even way back then! :)

Hi Vonnie! I always crave chocolate when I visit your blog. :)

Calisa Rhose said...

Wonderful to see you here Maeve. I look forward to visiting you Friday! Thanks for taking time out of your day to drop in. :)

Calisa Rhose said...

*blushing* Wow Anna. Thank you for those humbling praises! I always thought I was boring and plain but you make me feel way opposite! Thank you babe!

Calisa Rhose said...

Hi Alyson! Yeah- Nick always put on this shy-guy air and then he let his true nature shine through! lol I still think of him and wonder where he is today. He even drove a hot car in my favorite color!

Thanks for stopping in to help me celebrate!

Calisa Rhose said...

Hi Alyson! Yeah- Nick always put on this shy-guy air and then he let his true nature shine through! lol I still think of him and wonder where he is today. He even drove a hot car in my favorite color!

Thanks for stopping in to help me celebrate!

Calisa Rhose said...

Lovely seeing you here Ceri! I'm already thinking of a way to fit Alyson's cowboy hat on my Nick! lol

Thanks for coming by!

Calisa Rhose said...

Thanks Joelene! You are so sweet!

Calisa Rhose said...

Hey Vonnie- Nick's Nickers Thanks for today! I'm having a blast!!!

Calisa Rhose said...

I'm sorry Lynne. Maybe I can email the schedule to you. *wink* Thanks for the kind words. I love Natalie, too. This pic IS Poppy!
Yep- by that time I had several stories under the bed. Oddly- none of Nick. lol

Off to get more chocolate!

Darcy Lundeen said...

Great interview, Calisa. And, yes, Nick, his outward shyness but inward bad-boy vibes and that peek at him through the window definitely have to go into a story. Just found out that it's your birthday as well as your Release Day when Joanna did her blog post on your website. I sent you dual birthday and release wishes over there and happily repeat them here on Vonnie's site. So Happy Birthday and Happy Release Day, Calisa. And thanks so much, Vonnie, for hosting Calisa and for having such a colorful and informative (as well as yummy looking) website.

Brittany said...

Happy birthday and happy release day! We all know how long anticipated this day is and I hope that this day will always be a day to remember! We all are so proud of you!

Kellie Kamryn said...

Sorry I'm late to the party! Congrats on the book release - it sounds fabulous! All the best with it and great interview :)

Calisa Rhose said...

Hi Darcy. I'm glad you visited Joanna and found your way here! Thanks for the kind words and wishes. Soon it will be your turn!

Calisa Rhose said...

Glad you came over Brit! What a nice surprise. lol Thanks for the nice things you've said! I'm thrilled this day is here!

Calisa Rhose said...

Wonderful you made it Kellie and you're not late at all! Thanks for the wishes!

Nancy Jardine Author said...

It's a yipee day! Congrats and all the best for geat sales!

Calisa Rhose said...

LOL Thank you Nancy!

Joya said...

Calisa,
Congrats, congrats to you! Best wishes for fabulous sales and reviews. I can't wait to read HOME. What a great premise with interesting characters.

Calisa Rhose said...

Great to see you Joya! Thank you so much for the congrats!

Jeannene Walker said...

Congratulations Calisa!! I'm just busting a gut for you today. Hope the whole was a blast

Karen Michelle Nutt said...

Hi Vonnie and Calisa!
I enjoyed the interview. I was chuckling over your peep show and the the hot guy confronting you later. lol Good Lord, I would have died on the spot. Definitely would be great in a book.

What a wonderful Birthday present to have your book released!! Congratulations!

Calisa Rhose said...

Jeannene don't do that! lol But thank you and it's been a blast of a week!

Calisa Rhose said...

It's such a fond memory Karen. I can still remember sitting in the dark on my patio feeling such guilty pleasure! lol Did I mention I was "sweet" sixteen at the time? *snort*

Brenda Wallace said...

Oh yes! That scene MUST wind up in one of your books!

Calisa Rhose said...

That is the general consensus Brenda! lol Thank you for coming by!