Welcoming Neva Squires-Rodriguez to the VHP Family!

Happy Thursday, world!

Today, I would like to take the time to introduce you to another new member of the VHP family, Neva Squires-Rodriguez!



Neva Squires-Rodriguez was born and raised in a neighborhood located on the North Side of Chicago. Mother, Wife, Expert at Multitasking... and now, Author, Neva creates electrifying stories with a twist.

Neva Squires-Rodriguez earned her Masters Degree from National University, a feat which she worked very hard to obtain and says she will work even harder to pay off.

She claims to be a typical American, full of dreams that will hopefully get her to a more comfortable lifestyle one day. She says, “God has a plan and I will follow wherever it is that He takes me.”


Q: You call yourself "Mother, Wife, Expert at Multitasking... and now, Author, Neva creates electrifying stories with a twist." Obviously, you're a busy woman. How do you find time to write as you balance work and family?

I love writing, but my family takes precedence. I write during my lunch break at work, at night after the kids go to sleep and in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner. Needless to say, I'm not the best cook, but I have a passion for writing.

Q: You mention how your parents introduced you to writing as a child. When/how did writing sneak it's way into adult your life?

Great question Lauren. When I was about 22 years old my friends at work and I started writing short stories and sharing them with one another. I didn't find the courage to go public with my writing until after I went back to school for my Masters degree and had received a great deal of positive feed back from instructors and classmates.

Q: How have your life experiences in Chicago influenced your writing?

My experiences in Chicago helped to put the flavor in what I write. In Edgewater-the neighborhood that I grew up in, we were one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago during the 90's. I had the opportunity to get to know people from many other countries and in turn I learned to appreciate the life that we live in our own. I believe that you will see some of my appreciation, in my writing-especially in book 1 of the Liliana Series.

Q: You say that you enjoy reading stories that empower women. Do you use your own writing as a way to empower women?

I do, but more so I like to show growth in my stories. Readers are going to find that my writing is very different than they may be used to. I enjoy showing struggle. Why? Not that I am condoning it in any way, but I want women or anyone for that matter to see that no situation is worth giving up on. There is nothing too tough that they cannot handle. We need to learn to find our inner strength, even when we believe it is non-existent. Sometimes watching others overcome extreme obstacles is helpful. That is exactly what you will find in my writing.

Q: Tell us one thing about yourself that we would never expect (a funny story, a talent, a passion in life, etc.).

I would say an odd thing that I do is set goals for myself that I think are unattainable. Then I work my tail off to get to them, for example getting published, I didn't think that I could ever do it and here I am. Nothing is impossible.

About Neva's first release: Book 1 in the Liliana Trilogy.


Boom!

That deafening sound changed Liliana’s life forever. Her mother sits dead besides her,shot to death on the streets of Chicago.

Within weeks, Liliana is sent to live with a father she doesn’t know in Colombia - a foreign land and filled with challenges for Liliana.

While working to pay off her father’s debt, she meets the love of her life, who frees her from her father’s illusory home, only to bring her into a new world of twisted surprises.


Where to find Neva Squires-Rodriguez online



Website: http://NevaSquiresRodriguez.com

Twitter: @NevaRodriguez22

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neva-Squires-Rodriguez/1497271613835645

Blog: http://NevaSquiresRodriguez.com

Next on the Agenda...

Happy Thursday, everyone!


I know you're sitting there wondering what I could possibly be up to. All 8 Loving Her stories are out now. You can purchase Volume 1 and Volume 2 now.



I should be on vacation after all of that, right?



Maybe.

I'm not, though.

Nope.




In fact, I have a full-length novel coming your way!


It's a story about self-discovery.



It's a story about history.



It's a story about forbidden love.



It's a story about prejudice.



It's a story about personal strength.



It's a story about a horse.



It's a story about a piano.



It's a story about a house.



It's a story about strong women.



It's a story about a husband away at war.




It's a story about resiliency.




It's a story about isolation.




It's a story about ghosts.




It's a story about starting over.




It's a story about being in a new place.




It's a story about family.




It's a story about dedication.



It's a story about life and death.



Have I piqued your interest yet?



Good!

'Cause it's a story that's going to blow you away!


Candles on the Spinet, the latest from author Lauren Shiro. Coming your way soon!

New Addition to the VHP Family: Tamara Philip!

Good Thursday morning, gang!


I apologize for being quiet. It's been difficult balancing pain management, doctor, PT, massage and other appointments, writing, and of course, life.


I'm back now, and I am going to introduce you to 3 new writers. Writers that you absolutely must check out! Writers who are the newest additions to the VHP family.



To start, today I am introducing you to Tamara Philip! She's smart, she's fun, and she's a great writer!

Her first release with VHP is called The Trouble with Playing Cupid.



Come join us in a fun conversation so we can all get to know her better. :)




Your profile and website talk about how you spent most of your life in NYC. As you reflect back, what are the greatest positives and negatives to growing up in a large metropolis?

Positives would definitely be the diversity. from the people to the food to just different ways of thinking. I learned how to speak my mind, thanks to growing up in NYC.
Negatives would be I just can't deal with outdoor stuff. I'm afraid of wild life!



They also talk about an international adventure where you met many people and you ate too much. Was there one country’s cuisine or one particular dish that you absolutely love(d)?

I'm pretty easy to please, food wise since I eat anything that I'm offered but I absolutely love England's steak and kidding pudding.


You said that you secretly loved writing even as a young child. What does it feel like to now seriously pursue that passion?

I feel complete. Maybe that sounds cliche, but I didn't know how much I need writing in my life until I started to back again.

What is it about writing that you love so much?



Are there any parts of the writing process that you dislike?

Writer's block. It really is as horrible as they say.

What was your inspiration for The Trouble With Playing Cupid? I think it was an ode to my teenage years where I had a crush on anybody who smiled at me and smelled good.

You mention that you are working hard on your second novel. Is it a follow up to The Trouble With Playing Cupid or is it another story?

It's not a follow up. It's a YA novel called The Diary of a big Dummy. It's just a funny, not really coming of age tale.>/b>

Could you give us a quick blurb about it?
Sure. Joss Kugler was an apathetic, self absorbed loudmouth, and She was more than happy with her life just the way it was, until Jack Buckley decided to barge in and disrupt it all. Will she choose to let love in or will she tell him to take a hike?


What could you tell us one thing about yourself that no one might ever suspect? Be it something funny, something unusual, a hidden talent, a passion or hobby.

To this day whenever I'm washing dishes, I daydream that I'm a super successful singer and pretend that I'm in concert performing.

That's awesome! Maybe one day we'll all be lucky enough to actually see you in concert! ;)

Here's a quick blurb about your new release, The Trouble with Playing Cupid.




One New Year's Eve, shy singer, December Brown drunkenly texts her talk show host pal, Trace Randall, about her long time crush on the aloof actor, Tom Elmswood. Thinking the two celebrities would make a cute couple, he unwisely decides to play matchmaker... in front of a live studio audience. Things start to go downhill when Tom admits he's never even heard of December before. Now what seemed like a sure fire hit quickly becomes a flop. Will these two lonely hearts ever make a love connection or has this cupid's arrow missed its mark?

Get your copy today!