Welcome author Leona J. Bushman

Give a warm welcome to Leona J. Bushman to the LR&M Blog. 

CONTEST INFORMATION: Leona is giving a free e-book copy of Ulfric's Mate for people who comment. Tell your friends about it.   Make sure to leave your email address with your comment in order to get your copy of this amazing book!

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Hi  I'm an avid reader, author, artist, and mother of five. Also, a cancer survivor. My youngest, now three, is a miracle in more ways than one (unexpected and born after the cancer) as he has Down Syndrome. We go camping, walking, garden, and love to watch Doctor Who together and sometimes, my 11 yo and I will get to watch Supernatural together. Otherwise, I find time to write by letting them have time on their gaming system. lol

What is your most interesting writing quirk? 

That I can write regardless of what's going on around me, if I know what I want to say. For a lot of reasons, I've left my house to get 'peace and quiet' by writing at fast food joints and gas stations. I wrote at Costco just recently. Talk about busy :D lol

My first thought upon reading your question was caffeine and chocolate. Then I realized that was pretty standard to a writer. I think I have 1000 of my twitter followers simply because I said I was the High Priestess of the Church of Caffeine and similar conversations. :D

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)? 

The Ulfric's Mate is the first in a series of shifters and trouble is brewing. The two main characters, Nolan and Alex, are both strong werewolves in different ways. There's a chemistry between them that I love and the intrigue was fun to write. I think Alex grows into her own the most in this story, beginning with her daring intervention on Nolan's behalf. Because of the personal journey Alex takes through this, and defending others even when she doesn't know who they are, she's one of my favorite characters that I've ever written.

Teaser alert: there is a short story, Barely There, in the Ravaged Anthology coming out August 3rd, that introduces a couple more characters that you'll see more of in future works.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I was writing another story, and Nolan spoke up and wanted, no demanded, some immediate attention. I'd seen a call for more werewolf stories and it was like he said, "See? Told you to write me!" I wrote a quick short, sent it off for submission, then, the editor I have now, sent it back and pretty much said, make it longer. So I did.

That's usually how it happens to me. I'll see a chance remark, or hear something on the news, and, without even trying to think about it, I'll have a story evolving in my head.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why? 

This is a hard one to answer. I love to read. I read all genres/types. But, I think I'm going to say, Christine Feehan. She has three series out that I love, and they all have their own flavor. I'd love to talk to her about her methods for keeping it all straight! My favorite series is the Drake Sisters. At the moment. I think, my real favorite is whatever I'm reading at the moment. Christine, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and JD Robb had strong influences on me at the time of writing The Ulfric's Mate

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What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing? 

READ. There are other things, don't give up, learn about your craft, etc. They are all good advice. But you need to READ. Whether you're published yet or not, reading is important. I mentioned before that I'm an artist. I took classes at our local community college. My instructor said something that has stuck with me, even though it's been literally years since I heard it: You can't create in a vacuum. It's true for all art, and after all, what is writing but another art form? If you don't feed yourself, how can you grow?

Can you share with us something off your bucket list? 

It's not very realistic, but do bucket lists have to be? :D

I want to write, paint, photograph, and just breathe in historical sites all over the world for 6-12 months, or longer. lol I want my kids to see other cultures up front and realize the world will go on after us, that not everyone is the same and that's more than okay, and to learn other languages.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Um, that's a hard one. My list is long and varied. Delusion in Death by JD Robb and Samurai Game by Christine Feehan probably top the list because I'm so deeply into them. But there are also a long list of lesser known authors sitting on my kindle, waiting for a read.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress? 

Oh wow. LOL I never stop writing, except when I'm editing or painting. I have a fantasy story (~60k words) set in a world with very strict guidelines, a Victorian vampire romance short story (~9k), plus the next full length sequel (sitting at ~21k) and short story (sitting at ~11k) in The War of the Were series.

If we asked your muse to describe you in five words, what would they say about you?

Stubborn, creative, loving, strong, did I mention stubborn?

Anything else you want to add? Links?

I love being a writer J and it hasn't sunk in, really, that I'm published with Breathless Press. I keep feeling shock when people say they can't wait to read it, or they got it. That's what I've been saying to other authors!

The Ulfric's Mate by Leona J. Bushman

War of the Weres Book 1

Breathless Press

Nolan Littlebull is the alpha of the Wahpawhat pack of werewolves and the lead detective on a series of murders of pregnant women from his pack. Torn between human justice and were justice, he travels deep onto the Yakama Reservation tracking the ones responsible. He is attacked by one of the rival pack, only to be defended by another from the rival pack.

Alexandria George is the healer for the Lupins. She defends the mysterious wolf in their territory from her pack's bully and escapes with the stranger.

Nolan and Alex face the complications of being mated and together they must find and identify the killer while facing an uncertain future.

Here's an excerpt: http://www.breathlesspress.com/ulfrics-mate which of course includes a buy link!! 

I'm on twitter @L_Bushman and have an author page under Leona Bushman on FB. Talk to me!