Our mentors are editing, our mentees are revising, and we hope you’re making progress on your own manuscript! While we’re all working toward the Agent Showcase on November 3rd-9th, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2016 Pitch Wars Teams.
And now, we have . . .
Rhonda Shaw – Mentee
Diana Gardin – Mentor
Rhonda, why did you choose Diana?
Many reasons. 🙂 Specifically, I liked that Diana was a hybrid author, and when I saw in her Pitch Wars wish list that she gravitated toward “emotional, dark, and edgy stories,” I knew I wanted to get Promise Me Always in front of her. I also liked that Diana has written in multiple sub genres within romance.
Diana, why did you choose Rhonda’s novel?
Rhonda’s book speaks for itself. It definitely spoke to me. A rock-star novel has been done before, time and time again. But NEVER, at least in the NA category, has it been done with a rap star as the hero and a gifted ballerina living in the hood as a heroine. The characters literally leaped off the page and the story is very close to my heart!
Rhonda, summarize your book in three words.
Emotional, Gripping, Compelling
Diana, summarize Rhonda’s book in three words.
Intense, Raw, Passionate
Rhonda, tell us about yourself. What makes you and your MS unique?
I am a hybrid author with three published sports romances (two with Carina Press and one SP). I’m a diehard sports fan of all Detroit teams (yes, even the Lions), and a big-time animal lover, especially dogs and moose (yeah, don’t ask why moose, I can’t even explain it). I am blessed with the ability to work from home with my co-worker, Keno, my silly French Bulldog, who keeps me entertained while stuck in boring meetings. A life-long dancer until my body said, “No more!”, my dance background did play some part in the inspiration of this MS. More information about me and my books can be found on my website,www.rhondashaw.com.
Promise Me Always is my first New Adult, and what makes this story unique is while the hero is a musician, he’s a rapper. Its setting and the timeline it follows through the lives of both the hero and heroine is also a bit different. Promise Me Always is a gripping and powerful love story, and I can’t wait to get it in front of everyone.
Diana, tell us about yourself. Something we might not already know.
Something you might not know about me is that I have a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. I absolutely love working with kids, but writing is my true passion and my current full-time career. Published Books: http://www.dianagardin.
Check out Diana Gardin’s upcoming release . . .
THE ASHES SERIES BOXED SET BOOKS 1-3
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 17, 2016 (The boxed set will be on sale for the FIRST WEEK ONLY at 99cents!)
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Category: New Adult/College Romance
Blurb:
3 College Romances that will steal your heart!
Book 1: OUT OF THE ASHES (Paige and Clay) – Now available!
Paige Hill, a recovered burn victim, lost everything in her family’s house fire. As she picks up the pieces and enters college with the help of her best friend, Clay Forbes walks into her life…and everything changes. The sexy, bad-boy soccer star turns Paige’s world upside down in the best way. But when his ex decides she’ll do whatever it takes to get rid of Paige, their romance could be cut short…and so could someone’s life.
Book 2: SETTLING ASHES (Clay and Paige, continued) – Now available!
Clay Forbes’ mission in life? Prove he’s innocent of murder and find his girlfriend Paige so that he can fix the damage that’s been done. Before it’s too late. There’s only one problem: he has no idea where Paige is, and she’s taken off with her old high-school sweetheart, Beau. Tracking her down won’t be easy and convincing her of his love will be even harder, especially when there’s still a murderer at large in their small college town.
Book 3: ASHES ADRIFT (Gillian and Drew) – Releasing November 17
Gillian Ambrose has her act together. She’s nearly finished with her Fashion degree, she’s launching a successful lingerie line, and she’s left the scars from her past back in her old hometown. Until her brother is released from prison and the all drama she left behind comes barrelling back again.
Drew Garrick never planned to fall for Gillian. They were thrown together again and again when their best friends began dating. One night with her in his bed to get her out of his system, that’s all he wanted. But now that her brother is back in town and he’s asked Drew to protect Gillian from his revenge-seeking enemies, Drew has to admit the truth to himself: he fell for Gill when she fell into his bed. And now, there’s no going back.