ROBsessed Giveaway: Travel down DARNAY ROAD and FINDING MY THUNDER for Fiction Friday!

ROBsessed Giveaway: Travel down DARNAY ROAD and FINDING MY THUNDER for Fiction Friday!

We're big fans of Diane Munier's work and have a double hitter for you this Fiction Friday!



As you may know, we did a giveaway for Diane's first novel HERE and we even go to chat with her about her stories and moving her counselor fan fiction work into the published realm. Click HERE if you missed our interview!

Since that giveaway, two other stories have been launched and I loved them both when I first read them. We're doing a 2 week giveaway for a package of both books for 2 winners. Deuces all around! Both stories also take place in the sixties and if you know anything about Diane, you know she can write amazing period pieces. The woman transports you. I feel like I step into a time machine when the story takes place in another era.

Here are they synopses for Darnay Road and Finding My Thunder but I'll say a little bit extra right after:

Darnay RoadIt starts out in 1963, spanning ten years in the life of Georgia Christine. At ten years old, she and her best friend Abigail May are mystery solvers. They get to the bottom of things like–what is inside the altar at their Catholic church? Rumor says the bones of the saints. Climbing that holy gate and entering the forbidden area so they can take a look means the threat of eternal flames is not greater than their curiosity. It’s not different when they meet Easy and Cap, the brothers from the other side of the tracks. Those two may live on Scutter, the most down-and-out street in town, but they are always in the road riding their beat-up bicycles. And when someone dies on the tracks behind Abigail’s house, the mystery surrounding them deepens. But so do their friendships. When Abigail moves away and Cap is no longer around, it’s as natural as breathing for Georgia and Easy to step in the gap toward one another. But Easy is in trouble and even a dedicated-mystery-solver-turned-teenage-problem-solver is limited in what she can do. When Easy has to leave will their friendship just be a sweet memory or can Darnay Road stretch long enough to keep them connected even if that gap becomes an ocean?

Finding My ThunderThe story takes place in the late sixties. Hilly Grunier has been in love with Danny Boyd since she was a kid telling scary stories on summer nights at the fire hydrant while Danny pulled close on his bike. But when Danny is thirteen, their friendship ends when he and his brother Sukey have a vicious fight over Hilly. Years pass, and Hilly carries a secret and growing love as she watches Danny rise athletically to the top of their school’s food chain. He even dates the prom queen and rumor says they are engaged. Now Danny has graduated and shows up in her dad’s shop looking for some temporary employment until the army picks him off for Vietnam. He’s thrown aside his college scholarship and the golden girl. He seems to be searching for something new before he leaves town. He seems to be searching for her. Hilly can’t let him go overseas without showing him how she feels. But once he’s gone, her own battle intensifies. It’s a long road to finding her thunder.

I didn't know how I was going to feel about reading a story with kids as my guide when I first read Darnay Road. This was pre-Tonio mind you. But I read anything Diane does. Of course I didn't regret it. The story is vivid and intense. I was always trying to figure out what was up with Easy just like Georgia. I fell for their coming-of-age story and the road they took to get there. I'm also pleased that the published work included an epilogue! I never want to leave Diane's character so any extra will always make me jump for joy.

Finding My Thunder was one of the first stories from Diane that took my by surprise. It was the last I read when I first discovered her and went on a binge of whatever was complete at the time. I didn't think I wanted to go to the 60s when I was so thoroughly in love with her post-Civil War work (My Wounded Soldier! Bringing Bella Home!). I ended up loving this story so much. It's darker in ways then her other work. There's pain that unfolds and your heart cries out for these characters. But you get the title right? You have to go through what Hilly goes through and it's worth it. She's worth it. It's a powerful love story in more ways than you can guess.

There are other exciting developments for Diane: By now you probably know that Deep In The Heart Of Me completed and is being readied for publishing. We also know we'll be getting a sequel of that story! My Wounded Soldier will also be two books. Two wonderful books that I can't wait for. You can keep up with the latest from Diane (who is also writing mysterious and intriguing dribbles titled Sam) on her blog HERE!

Now let's ready to go back into time! Start in the early sixties with the kids on Darnay Rd then close out the decade with Hilly and Danny while she finds her thunder.

Giveaway Guidelines

• You only have to click a button, which you'll see when you enter. Tweeting the giveaway is optional but gives you more chances to win!
• Giveaway is US/Canada only! Worldwide giveaway coming next time!
• You MUST enter using Rafflecopter or your entry will not be counted 
• You can enter once a day, everyday, until the closing date - Friday, May 8th
• There will be 2 winners receiving eBooks DARNAY ROAD and FINDING MY THUNDER by Diane Munier!
• Winners will be chosen by random.org and announced after the giveaway ends

Good luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Who are our winners for Manwhore??
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congrats Cyndee and Elizabeth! We'll email you to get your information!

If you want to purchase any of the latest books featured in this post, click the Amazon links to buy now!

ROBsessed Giveaway: Our interview with Me and Mom Fall for Spencer author, Diane Munier, for Fiction Friday!

ROBsessed Giveaway: Our interview with Me and Mom Fall for Spencer author, Diane Munier, for Fiction Friday!

Our giveaway for Me and Mom Fall for Spencer is still going on for another week. We'll announce 4 worldwide winners next week and more details are below.

We got a chance to speak to the author, Diane Munier, and she answered some questions about her first published story, fan fiction, Edward and of course, Rob!



ROBsessed Interview with Diane Munier (counselor)

ROBsessed: How long have you been writing? Did it start as a hobby or did you study the form?

Diane Munier: It started very young in one form or the other. The movies were such an escape for us from a turbulent home life. I remember being very bad in the theater. I don’t think Mom was paying attention, but finding those heroes on screen and then in reading-- I can almost see that process in my life. I needed heroes to believe in for a fundamental sense of safety. I did this comedic writing in high school (which explains why I still can’t speak French after two years.) And I wrote my first novel in those years and really enjoyed the process of creating a tale, moving the characters around.

Study came later. Lots of it. Writing seminars for years. I watched several people explain methods of putting a story together. Some had elaborate storyboards. Those were the years I thought a more organized method held the secret to good writing. But…nah.

I found many things helpful but nothing substitutes for keeping writing. Actually learning to write is where many writers were camped out so they didn’t have to face writing. So….

The characters in my stories drive the plot. I may know where they are going vaguely, but I’m willing to change all of that if they show me something new. And they do that all of the time. I just start writing. At some point I’ll go back and review the chapters and start an outline. But that’s only for reference. The most helpful thing is that act of writing the outline. I remember this way.

I’ve had some positive validating experiences along the way and worked really hard to claw down to an authentic voice. That was like a digging process—writing honestly. For a lot of years I was so angry at my writing. I’d think—what a bunch of (bleep). But that’s just part of the journey. For me it was. I suspect a lot of writers quit there. Which is a shame.

ROBsessed: The first story I read by you was Turkey Baster. Where did you get the idea for this story and why was it one of your early adventures for Bella and Edward?

Diane Munier: I was lying in bed thinking about someone I knew and loved and they so badly wanted a baby and I was thinking of surrogacy, did I love this person enough to imagine having a child for her, and what could motivate such love and was it even possible, and how was it possible, and that led to a woman who might do such an outrageous act and then who was the man that signed up for this? And I started to laugh because the title hit me (it was probably close to Thanksgiving) and I had read of someone using a turkey baster for artificial insemination (don’t try this at home). But what if you used a person that way—as the baster? So it went like that.

ROBsessed: What was inspiring about Twilight that it was the fanfic road you traveled over other stories/characters? 

Diane Munier: For me, Edward was an old-fashioned hero. And I love them. I really was most intrigued at how much Edward had in place. Of course his hundred and five years of life had given him time to be prepared. But I loved how he had this thought-out world. In their family everyone knew their role and performed it perfectly. They worked for each other. And he pulled Bella into that. His family is very old-fashioned and traditional (potential for blood-sucking aside). But think about it. Edward gave us family.

I think that is missing today and that protective Cullen-family-dynamic stirred a deep ache in the readers.

Edward was not only a lover, he was a devoted son and father. He hit all the bases.

Yes he was handsome and romantic and doting, but he protected and sacrificed and provided. The second half of that sentence is what is lacking today in relationships for many women. The cultural message has been to protect, sacrifice and provide for yourself. Bella was doing that. Then along came Edward and we all went wild. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Bella is the lone wolf. She’s had to parent her mother, and then her father. She comes from a fragile place of not being very protected and not developing much of a sense of self-protection. Bella’s family dynamic was very today and now. Edward and his world transcended Bella’s fragmented family structure.

And we loved it.

[Editorial note: *swooooooooning at her answer*]

ROBsessed: One of the many things I love about your work, is that you've kept canon relationships with the core Twilight characters but can still bring in characters we love as if we've known them all along - your kids especially (Johnny, Charlie, Junie). And your last two works, you practically don't use the names we know, DITHOM especially. Hello Tonio and Sobe! Those are names that I imagine you get to use in a published version. Has this been a conscious decision? Moving away from the obvious Twilight identifiers? I feel like DITHOM isn't fanfic and publishable material already...except that last name ;)

Diane Munier: I’m never writing with Twilight foremost in mind. I am writing to the ancient themes that are also done very well in Twilight, the biggest one being the devotion of the central characters.

When mama and papa are committed a whole world can be built on top of that (Carlisle and Esme, Bella and Edward). When that kind of covenant is there, it’s like the table under the dishes. There has to be a commitment and B and E have that—it’s unto death! If the commitment isn’t there the dishes fall to the floor (Bella’s family.)

Once that central commitment is there, a family can be built on it, and that includes friends.

SM built a solid traditional family. Women went wild.

I respect those themes and the generous opportunity to write in the Twilight arena with, in my opinion, the best readership ever, and SM’s generosity and technology have allowed this merge of writers and readers. Out of that merge has become a continued evolution of tremendous creativity—some extraordinary creativity. Not only have writers been validated there, but readers have evolved. They have been able to turn into super-readers. By that I mean, what readers (like myself) have only wished they could do (have access to those writing books they love, have a way to show support, watch a story be developed allowing a level of reader involvement and investment on a grand scale here-to-fore unparalleled and unknown) the technology today has brought things to a whole new level.

On the names like Isbe, Sobe, etc., that’s probably for me. It helps me keep them distinct. I’ve been turning out a lot of work and want to honor the workroom of Twilight while maintaining something unique and individual to my characters if possible.

ROBsessed: Why was Me and Mom Fall for Spencer your choice for a debut? Tell me what you loved about developing Sarah, Spencer and Marie.

Diane Munier: I choose this story to debut because it’s middle of the road for me, test the waters. It was well liked but not my most loved. That’s about how deep that decision was. And four of my stories were tied up with my agent. And I’d only pulled MaMfiLwE and HH. So since HH was in New York, that left MaM,etc. That’s about it.

What I loved about developing these characters was their weirdness. Sarah is childlike. She’s made a very good life and she’s tried to be compassionate in her life, but she’s also in a state of arrested development. Like a lot of us. So much time passes while we figure things out. Then when we do we say—wish I’d have figured this out sooner. But there is a process of growth in life that’s hard to control. Even if you determine to live all-out the process still has to move along at its own speed. Once the change comes, you can’t say, “I should have just leapt to this. The process was a waste of time.” On the contrary, the process brought the change. No change without process.

Spencer jars Sarah’s process in a big way. And she challenges his. He’s a runner, but she doesn’t run. And…she can’t. Run. So vicariously everyone is affected and everyone ultimately moves vertically or horizontally.

I had women who felt very passionately about Sarah as a heroine. They related to her quirks. Most of us are Sarah-like in that we are not the standard idea of the leading lady. Sarah was in that gap so she became a vehicle for the under-represented perhaps. People like me.

ROBsessed: I find lovely threads of humor in many of your stories but this story was the first time I read something you specifically noted was part of the humor genre. I love the humor in Me and Mom Fall for Spencer, mainly because of Sarah. Was this a test for you write or is it something that came from the characters naturally?

Diane Munier: It came from them. It flowed out of them. Even hurtful people can be incredibly funny. And hurt people are often the funniest. I didn’t give it a thought really. I just listened and sometimes they were funny.

ROBsessed: You set several stories in the Midwest. Is this a preferred location? What inspires you about a setting when you decide where to place your story? Do you see the characters is certain settings and/or eras first?

Diane Munier: I love the Midwest and we need to get over the stereo-types about it. We have access to the same ivy-league schools, the same books and movies and music. We are no less enlightened. Yes, it is my preferred location. I adore it actually. But I love us sea to sea as well. My roots are Midwestern however.

When it’s locale first I see it and it inspires me to hear and see what might have gone on. So right away I’m seeing the character. If it’s character first I’m immediately drawn to an idea of his or her environment. The kiln where they were forged.

What is the history here? What happened here? When? Who lived here and who died here? On and on.

ROBsessed: Tell me what you hope readers experience when nestling down into their favorite spot to read Me and Mom Fall for Spencer?

Diane Munier: I hope they can suspend judgment long enough to enter and ride in someone else’s skin. I hope they can go that deep in, that I’ve gotten out of the way enough to allow that. I hope they are entertained, yes, but also blessed in some way, reminded of something good, maybe even precious.

I’m writing small stories about real things that may be some of the most important things. That’s my hope anyway.

ROBsessed: I saw Darnay Road is up next - a story that keeps its name and its Easy. That made me smile. Is that still slated for late March?

Diane Munier: Yes. And Finding My Thunder. They are fighting it out right now. I’m kind of pulling for FMT but we’ll see. It mainly relies on manuscript preparation as we get under the wire.

[Editorial note: The cover for Finding My Thunder was shared on Diane's blog! Here's a glimpse of it if you haven't seen it already. It will also be the next book up and Darnay Road will follow.]



ROBsessed: I hope to interview you again for your next release and I can't wait for the day I see My Wounded Soldier in upcoming. We'll get Rob to play the movie version. It must happen. ;) Final question and since we're a ROBsessed blog, what's something about Rob that you believe is worth adoring?

Diane Munier: Thanks so much for all of this. Really. I have always been blown away by your support on Robsessed. I remember the first time it happened, that you mentioned one of my stories, someone told me and I thought it was a mistake. I still do! But I really appreciate it.

On Rob - Due to technology we have been allowed to watch Rob’s story unfold. That has been as captivating as Rob’s role as Edward. What I find most endearing about him is that he is his age, put in this beautiful exterior, and at first he seemed bewildered by the whole thing—all the accolades and he seemed painfully aware it was too much. And it was!

But let’s face it – God made him on a good day. (quote stolen from MWS) And we’ve watched him figure it out as he’s been pulled along on a speeding train. He provokes the young girl inside (sigh) and the mother (no don’t do that! Or I’m so proud!). For me as a writer, he’s downright inspiring. Like Edward, he hits all the bases. I get it. I do.

Well if that wasn't an awesome note to close the interview on, I don't know what is. I get super sappy when folks dish out some sweet-lovin praise for Rob. Diane nailed it. He hits ALL bases. *le sigh*

Click HERE if you missed the synopsis for Me and Mom Fall for Spencer last week as well as some other 411.

You can enter the giveaway just under the guidelines. Many ways to enter!

Giveaway Guidelines

• You only have to click a button, which you'll see when you enter. Tweeting the giveaway, following Diane on Twitter and visiting her Facebook page are optional but give you more chances to win!
• Giveaway is worldwide!
• You MUST enter using Rafflecopter or your entry will not be counted 
• You can enter once a day, everyday, until the closing date - Friday, March 20th
• There will be 4 winners receiving an eBook (Kindle) of Me and Mom Fall for Spencer by Diane Munier! You can download Kindle apps for free. We can give winners instructions if needed. 
• Winners will be chosen by random.org and announced after the giveaway ends

Good luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want to purchase Me and Mom Fall for Spencer tout de suite, click the Amazon link to buy now!

ROBsessed Giveaway: A beloved author has published Me and Mom Fall for Spencer and it's here for Fiction Friday!

ROBsessed Giveaway: A beloved author has published Me and Mom Fall for Spencer and it's here for Fiction Friday!

So how do I feel right now about this particular giveaway?



By this point, you guys should definitely know who counselor is. If you don't, you haven't been reading the ROBsessed Giveaway posts. At all. ;)
In fact, there will be no FanFiction Friday at the bottom of the post because it's all blended up in this goodness.

counselor has published her first story on Amazon! Me and Mom Fall for Spencer by Diane Munier was released last weekend and is the star of our giveaway. You might have read the fanfic (Me and Mom Fall in Love with Edward) but in case you haven't, here is the synopsis for the published work:

The house next door to Sarah and her mother Marie has been vacant since the murder that happened there when Sarah was ten. Their neighbor, Frieda, was like a second mother to Sarah and she died brutally and the neighborhood never recovered. No one has lived in Frieda’s house for seventeen years. 

Imagine Sarah’s surprise when it finally sells to an on-line buyer. She looks through the thick growth separating her house from the other and a wild man looks back. 

He’s not exactly wild. He’s thirty-seven year old Spencer Gundry. Once he shaves the beard and gets a haircut, he’s not hard to look at. 

Well Sarah’s mom doesn’t think so, and neither does she. Problem is, Spencer has a few secrets of his own.

I looooooved this leading male - Spencer. Oh my goodness. And this leading female - Sarah? She was hilarious. Laugh-out-loud funny. Her inner thoughts are a treasure. The lightness, sexiness and hilarity that unfolds in the beginning is a joy. When the story shifts gradually into serious and deeper issues, you find yourself completely committed to the healing and happiness of the characters. You've laughed, cried and swooned this whole time so that you long for Sarah to grab her piece of light in the darkness and never let go. It brings a smile to my face remembering this reading adventure and you won't be disappointed by this debut novel.

counselor has also reported on her Fanfiction.net page that several other stories are being pulled except for the first chapter. If you haven't saved or read these yet, you have until March 7th to get busy! Here are the stories being pulled and we'll eventually see on her Diane Munier Amazon page:

• Darnay Road - oh this rich, coming-of-age story. This story is a gem and wonderfully relatable. This is also the next story to be published later this month! Click HERE to check it out and look whose name is the same. *le sigh*
• My Wounded Soldier - SCREAMING! This one. I'd like this book optioned and Rob starring. TYVM.
• My Ex-Con - OMG. Could I love a ex-con more??? I think not. Not that I have experience loving ex-cons or anything. I just mean...oh you guys get what I mean. He's HOT and so loving and knows how to get down down down. 
• Bringing Bella Home - I feel like this one is underrated compared to the period cousin, MWS, but BBH is wonderful. The strong, silent type never had meant so much. 
• Love Like a Hurricane - What an excellent title because I felt like the love in this story was oh helluva twister, just like love can be. Whips your heart up into a mess and you can't see any way out of it but with that one person. I love when we go on serious adventures in counselor's stories and this is no exception.
• Roar Like a Lion - If you haven't noticed already, counselor doesn't just do exceptional (and unique) characterizations of Edward & Bella, she NAILS her supporting characters. Each story, they're all fantastic and this is another one that features a great bond between Edward & Jasper. 
• Look How You Turned Out - I loved this Bella in a similar way that I loved the Bella in Me and Mom Fall in Love with Edward (now published and featured in this giveaway!). They're stories that let us get deep into Bella's mind and I love seeing Edward through Bella's mind ;)
• Finding My Thunder - This story read the most personal to me. I felt deeply invested in Bella "finding her thunder". Maybe it's because of the tragic elements that make the story very emotional. Likely it's just counselor's skill to take her readers down the roads she paves and experiencing her characters lives so fully. Yeah that sounds about right. 

So those are the ones heading out! The other stories will remain and counselor is not leaving fandom. Of course she isn't. Not when we are still HIGHLY committed to Tonio! Did you cry on the last update of Deep in the Heart of Me? Because I sobbed like a baby. Pops and Tonio get me all verklempt.

My adoration is clear. I've followed counselor's stories for years and I'm very happy for her. We're going to do it up for her and this will be a worldwide giveaway with 4 winners, running 2 weeks with lots of ways to enter and win! Check out the details....

Giveaway Guidelines

• You only have to click a button, which you'll see when you enter. Tweeting the giveaway, following Diane on Twitter and visiting her Facebook page are optional but give you more chances to win!
• Giveaway is worldwide!
• You MUST enter using Rafflecopter or your entry will not be counted 
• You can enter once a day, everyday, until the closing date - Friday, March 20th
• There will be 4 winners receiving an eBook (Kindle) of Me and Mom Fall for Spencer by Diane Munier! You can download Kindle apps for free. We can give winners instructions if needed. 
• Winners will be chosen by random.org and announced after the giveaway ends

Good luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Who are our winners for Walking on Trampolines??
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congrats Cathy and Betsi! We'll email you to get your mailing address.

If you want to purchase any of the latest books featured in this post, click the Amazon links to buy now!

Donna Scott from Water for Elephants talks about infamous Robert Pattinson scenes

Donna Scott from Water for Elephants talks about infamous Robert Pattinson scenes

Donna Scott plays Barbara in Water for Elephants and I love her. She was so candid and personable when I met her and had the best Rob stories. Truly class act.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

The Fab Life

Katy Perry & Robert Pattinson -Here's What Katy Has To Say About It

Source