Wednesday Spotlight with Karenne and the CTR crew

Hello and welcome to Wednesday Spotlight! We all love getting those glowing reviews, winning those fun contests, and chatting it up, right? Today I have a special treat. I am pleased to have Karenne and her crew from Coffee Time Romance & More to chat with us! Karenne has rounded up some of her best staff members and they will be here all day to answer any questions you have. Don’t look now but here they come soaring through space in a coffee mug! Let’s give Karenne and her crew a warm welcome!

Thunderous applause explodes through cyber space as the coffee cup makes a smooth landing on stage, bright lights twinkling in a kaleidoscope of crimson, burnt orange and amber. Karenne steps out, followed by her amazing crew. They wave madly at their adoring fans. Sharon greets the crew with warm cyber hugs. Welcome! It’s a pleasure to have you as my guests today! Make yourselves comfortable on the deck and my butler Oliver will be right out with refreshments. But first, here is a little about the crew:

KARENNE
Hmm, well I am the pushy broad who makes my staff miserable! Lol I am known as the ‘nag-a-nator’. As for personally, I am a SAHM who homeschools her kidos, runs a local childrens’ organization, loves to read, and plays at being a chef!

DELANE
Hi Sharon,
I am a reviewer with Coffee Time Romance part time and full time I am an 18 year
member of the armed forces. I have been with Coffee Time for almost a year and I
love to read. I have been reading since I was a child; the library and book mobile
were my best friends. I am a mother of 5 children; we are truly a his, mine, and
ours family. My oldest two son's now serve their country and my three youngest
are still at home with us. I look forward to answering any questions that come my
way.

KIMBERLY
Hi, I am Kimberly. I am a reviewer with Coffee Time. I am also the Contest Coordinator.
I have been here for a little over a year now.
The reviewing is easy to understand. The contest coordinating involves scheduling
and writing the contests plus monitoring the entries. It is a lot of fun. I'm kind
of a organizational freak so it suits me!!
I have been married to my knight in tarnished armour for almost 16 years. We have
five furbabies and live in Northeastern Oklahoma.

DANIELLE
Hi Sharon, thanks for having us. Your personality is amazing! Let me tell you a little
about
Myself and then get to my duties at CTR. I met my husband in High School but didn’t
Actually start dating him until after we graduated. The sweetest thing is that the
first time he
Saw me he went home and told his mother that he found the woman he was going to marry.
You can actually read our love story on my CTR webpage, it is pretty spectacular.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Reviewers/Danielle.html
. Anyway, my hubby and I got
Married when I was 20 and have now been married for 11 years. We have 2 children.
Our
Son is 9 going on 10 and our daughter is 8 going on 16. LOL. We live in Northern
Michigan
Where there are 3 season. Fall, Winter, and Construction. The only other notable
thing
About me is my father was in the Air Force. I was born in London, England. We then
Moved to Lubbock, TX then to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, then to Plattsburgh,
NY.
After my parents divorced my mother and my siblings and I moved to Northern Michigan
Where I have been ever since. I have been to 13 different schools and married a man
Who lived in the same house and went to the same school his whole life. How ironic
is that?
----->My biggest job at Coffee Time Romance is doing book reviews. I do both Ebooks
And print. If it is via Ebook, I use my trusty Ebookwise 1150 to hilight any key
Points within the storyline that may be important for my review. If it is print,
I use a good old fashioned yellow hilighter lol. When I actually do the book reviews,
I try my hardest to be fair and not judge based on whether I like the genre itself
Or not. Instead, I focus on how an author writes, is the story told smoothly, and
Whether it comes together at the end or not. Now, by coming together let me stress
I don't necessarily mean as in a HEA (happy ever after) ending. I have read books
That has a HUGE cliffhanger but I give it a rave review because it just fits. The
Reviews I like best are when I have to read a novel whose genre is something I don't
Care for, and then I find myself loving the story. To me THAT is a great author and
What a spectacular writer should be.
----->Another job I have at CTR is doing author interviews. I just started back in
January and quickly got over my nervousness and butterfly stomach lol. I have to
Say that being able to read an author's book before I do the interview is a HUGE
Plus. And not just because I love to read, but because it does give me some insight
Into their work and how they put a story together. Once I have finished the novel,
I try to shell out between 10 and 15 questions about their book and the life they
Lead in general. Then I send it to them to answer and wait for a reply. Reading the
Answers to my questions is always fun because then you get to see their true personality
Come through. I remember my very first interview was an author whose book was very
Graphic and bloody but her interview was very refreshing and fun to do. It shocked
Me because I assumed that her writing style for the interview would be the same as
Her novel.
----->As you can tell by now, I love to talk. It comes from being the middle child
In a family where everyone is loud lol. One of my favorite jobs is when we do the
Book Brew for the Coffee Crew. This month it was contemporary and next month it is
Erotica. As readers, we get to blog all day about what our favorite books are, even
If they are ones we did not review. This is done the first Monday of each month and
I have to say it keeps my obsession with books fed; especially when I see books that
I haven't heard of that sound really great. Here is the website in case you or anyone
Else is interested:
http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/

HOLLIE
Hollie is a mother of 4 beautiful and active children (5 if you count The Smurf...a/k/a
the husband) who works part time in the local primary school. As a member of Coffee
Time Romance & More’s Coffee Crew, Hollie spends her free time reviewing books, interviewing
authors, chatting with other book lovers, and is the Coffee Write Coordinator. Coffee
Write is her new passion which is a wonderful area with a new monthly story that
changes daily with people who introduce their spin and change the story line.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=255

SABRINA
My name is Sabrina and I am the Live Chat Coordinator, Which means I schedule all
the authors who chat with us on Tuesday nights @ 9 PM EST. If you haven’t been to
a live chat, you should give it a shot- we like to have fun in there (bats eyes innocently).
I also help out moderating the forums with an amazing group of ladies. I joined Coffee
Time Romance & More two years ago and have been helping out for about a year and
a half. My favorite part of Coffee Time is interacting with the authors, watching
new authors rise and established authors progress.

CHEROKEE
I am a reviewer at Coffee Time Romance. I get to read books and review them. This
is something that I love doing. I also do interviews at times, too. I love being
a part of Coffee Time Romance. The people are super nice and it is like a huge loving
family. (A lot of the reviewers say Karenne keeps them locked in the basement, but
they must be really secretly hid, because I have found no locked basements. Karenne,
is a super cool person and I enjoy working with her.)

BRENDA
Hi Sharon,
I was born and raised in Texas with a short excursion to the state of Washington.
After graduating from high school and testing the college waters, I joined the Army.
I was in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in Alabama until I was accepted for Officer
Candidate School. I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the last WAC Officer
Basic Class. I served at Fort Devens, Massachusetts until the Army started to do
away with the WAC. I was then assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado as a Military Police
officer. While there I served as the first female on Fort Carson to serve as a Company
Commander of a unit containing both women and men. It was the 19th MP Company.
I served in Pirmasens, Germany as the first female Provost Marshal. I left active
duty after serving at Fort Irwin, California and moved back to Texas where 8 years
later, I retired from the Army Reserve. I also worked in Adult Probation and Corrections.
I've never married and have no children. I do have 2 brothers, 1 step-brother, and
1 step-sister. I'm living with Multiple Sclerosis on a ranch and enjoying my 3 dogs,
5 cats, my friends and my garden.
Books are my addiction. I've loved to read since I was in grade school.

MAURA
Hi Sharon,
I am Maura and I have been with Coffee Time as a reviewer for a little less than
four years.
I am married with no children but have three dogs who I train for competitive obedience.
I have been a Deputy Sheriff for twenty years, have a Bachelors degree from Cortland
State and a Masters from NYU, both in psychology.
I am a voracious reader and just love my part time (lol) job as a reviewer.
I live on Long Island way out on the North Fork among the beaches and wineries, which
go great with books.

Sharon: Well there you have it folks, a nice introduction from each of my guests from Coffee Time Romance & More. Now that we’re all settled on our tiki chairs on the terrace overlooking the beach, allow me to ring for my butler/cabana boy. Oh Oliver, come on out. We’re ready for cocktails!

Oliver soars through the rippling waves on his surf board, winking wildly at the ladies. Dressed in his spanking new fluorescent canary yellow speedos, he pumps his grapefruit-size biceps. Ladies, ladies. I’m here to please. May I get y’all a cocktail?

Karenne: (slaps Oliver on the butt) Coffee

Danielle: Hi Oliver. You are as handsome as Sharon said you were. Could you please
get me a Cranberry Soda with a splash of
Vodka please?

Delane: A corona with lime, please.

Kimberly: (Silence as she stares at the gorgeous Oliver) Uh, did you say something? I think an ice cold glass of pink lemonade will work just fine for me. Whew… he is a hot one… I mean, the weather, the weather is warm today!!

Hollie: oh yes please vodka and cranberry juice please

Sabrina: Lemon Drop Martini please

Sharon: Ah…Oliver…bring me a Bloody Mary, please!

Cherokee: Margarita' please

Brenda: Mocha frappachino.

Maura: Gin&Tonic

With a sweeping bow, Oliver appears, balancing a tray of drinks in one hand, snacks in the other. With a wicked wink, he places cocktail napkins down, the drinks and an assortment of snacks. Here we go ladies, popcorn, bridge mix, rippled potato chips and French onion dip made from onion soup, walker crisps, a fresh fruit tray of strawberries, grapes and melons, chocolate covered strawberries, Peanut Butter Cups and Goobers. Y’all just let me know when you need another cocktail and I’ll be right over. Oliver struts off singing, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Sharon: Well now, let’s have a toast. Raises her Bloody Mary to one and all. To Karenne and the staff at Coffee Time Romance & More. Here here! But suddenly FOOTLOOSE blasts over the speakers and Oliver grabs Danielle and takes her for a wild spin around the terrace. Come on hope ya got your dancin’ shoes on, darlin’. Let’s show ‘em how it’s done! Oliver shouts above the chorus of cheers, Everybody cut loose!! With one final spin, he grins broadly.

Danielle: Phew Oliver. You certainly know how to cut a rug don’t you?!

But then the song changes as the disco ball bathes Karenne in a kaleidoscope of flashing lights. Celebration blasts from the cyber speakers and Oliver grabs his partner. Put on those disco shoes, darlin’! He serenades her. Cel e brate good times…come on!! It’s a celebration! Come on!

Karenne: Love Disco! (dances around the beach singing loudly and off key)

Once more the song changes to a favorite punk rock by Bon Jovi. Grinning and clapping his hands, Oliver grabs Sabrina for a spin. Puffing out his chest, he belts it out, It’s my Life!! He struts his stuff, pumping his biceps at Sabrina.

Sabrina: Sabrina: Is trying to be polite and not drool while Oliver is working the floor.
But feels really light headed

But then the music changes to a slower beat and the sound track from Across the Universe blasts. Oliver takes Delane by the hand and pulls her close as he sings in her ear the words to Let It Be. Thunderous applause explodes as Oliver gives a sweeping bow and escorts Delane to her chair. He winks and asks Did I sing it as well as Tim?

Delane: Wow what a knee weakening serenade. You are so talented Oliver (sigh).

Then the music pulsates to a wild beat and Oliver appears with a guitar. He grabs Sharon and yanks her on the bar. They rock it to Walk This Way by Aerosmith. Oliver belts out the lyrics All started with a little kiss…like this…walk this way. The song ends and he plants a big one on Sharon’s lips, blowing kisses to his adoring CTR fans! Ladies, ladies, who wants to be next! Oliver can rock it all night long!

Sharon: Whoo hooo that’s why I hired him!

But then, quick as a wink, Oliver snatches up his trumpet and plays along to the smooth sound of jazz by Chris Botti. And when When I fall in Love comes on, he grabs Kimberly, pulls her close and serenades her. When I fall in love…it will be forever. Then he gives a wild wink to the girls.

Kimberly Ah, a man who can appreciate some of the finer things in life, a slow song, a soft woman and a beautiful day in paradise. I may never leave.

But then a dramatic hush comes across cyber space as Oliver appears in a puff of blue smoke. The thundering organ grinds to The Phantom of the Opera. After a stellar performance, he grabs Hollie, dips her in grand style and does the Foxtrot with her, gazing into her eyes. When the song is over, he kisses her hand and winks. A little bird told me you used to love musicals and classical before the kids.

Hollie: oh my favorite *swoons in traditional English style

Oliver plucks up a white Stetson and plops it on his head. Swaggering his hips, he struts over to Cherokee, casting her a wicked wink. With a devilish smile, he croons it out to George Strait’s Amarillo by Morning. When the song ends, he lassoes her to his chest and bestows his Stetson on her head.

Cherokee: Oh, be still my heart, I think I may be falling in love…

And when 40 Cups of Coffee by Tennessee Ernie Ford blasts on the speaker, Oliver is sweeping Brenda off her feet, twirling and swirling her around with his fancy footwork before pulling her close. And when the song ends, he gazes into her eyes and winks.

Brenda: You Casanova you! What a flirt!

And when the beat pulsates to What I Like About You by the Romantics, Oliver grabs Maura out of her seat and shimmies down, grinning from ear to ear. He pulls her close and whispers in her ear, “Never wanna let you go, make me feel all right!” He ends the song with a wicked wink.

Maura: “After dancing to that song, especially with Oliver who can catch their breath
enough to talk!”

Oliver takes a sweeping bow. Hope y’all enjoyed the music. There’s plenty of cocktails and snacks and we still have dessert.

Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. Now it’s time for the panel of questions. I’ll present three questions. Answer the best you can…and remember. A prize from Bath & Body will be given to the best voted answer by the bloggers. And by the same token, a prize will be given to the best question a blogger asks. Now with no further ado, here they are:

Question Number One: While working at CTR, what is the zaniest event you can remember?

Question Number Two: Who would you like to see jump out of a cake on your birthday and why?

Question Number Three: If you could star in any literary fiction, which would it be and why would you want to be cast in this role?

And for the answers:

Karenne: hmmm, zaniest event…I think it the zaniest events are the eLoop chats on our Erotic Yahoo Group. With erotic authors and readers all talking about sex, books, and prizes, we go nuts! I also love the Latte Lounge events when we get tons of authors in there gabbing back and forth. I love to laugh.

Danielle: Oh boy, the zaniest event I can remember huh? Hold on, this splash of Vodka
has clouded my brain. Oh now I remember. Hollie mentioned earlier that she is the
coordinator for the Coffee Write. Well I like to participate but I don’t consider
myself much of a writer, so I try to cover it up with humor. I wrote a scene where
this girl was trying to get out of sleeping with this man and she suddenly found
this…ahem…sex toy that she used as a pretend knife. I laughed the whole time but
I don’t think the other writers appreciated my sense of humor. The one person I would
love to see jump out of a cake would have to be my all time favorite sexy hero, Hugh
Jackman. As for why, HELLO honey, he is HOT!! Has anyone ever read Sherrilyn
Kenyon’s Hunter novels? I always expect a huge yes and am surprised when people actually
haven’t read them lol. I would love to play Bride from Night Play. Not only was she
plus size, but she could kick some major butt! What more could you ask for a perfect
heroine than a woman who didn’t fit the typical stereotype when it comes to being
pretty bad *ss! Plus she gets to sleep with Vane! Wow baby! LOL.

Kimberly I think the zaniest event would have been my introduction to the Coffee Crew. I thought I would just review books and meet some people in cyberspace. All of a sudden… BOOM, my inbox was filled with some of the most outrageous comments and welcomes. Once I got done laughing and being anxious, I settled in for a long stay. (She blushes and adds) Now I’m the one with some of the outrageous welcomes. My birthday cake… I probably should say my husband, right? That is the correct answer! (looks over her shoulder) But he’s nowhere to be found…Colin Farrell. He’s a sexy Irish bad boy who knows how to have fun. As for a star of literary fiction… hmm… you are going to make me think on that one. Ooh, I got it, Lady Arwen from the Lord of the Rings books. She is so beautiful and kind, yet willing to sacrifice herself for love. To me, it is one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Delane:

The zaniest thing about our outstanding group is the crazy emails that go around. I love how everyone feels free to mention how scared we are of the Mistress beating us or some other crazy punishment. (Sorry mistress, please forgive me)

Oh Lord. Okay the politically correct answer would be my husband but (in a whisper with a wink) I would really love to see a cross between a biker and a cowboy with twinkling blue eyes, long jet black hair, 6’4, muscles everywhere and now I need to stop because well anyway. Can I have one of him, two if you can find them? TWINS! Pretty Please!! (I hope my Mom doesn’t see this, she thinks I am a good girl which I am REALLY)

Okay wow; let’s see I would like to star in a light submissive role. I don’t need someone to tell me what to do outside of the bedroom; I can lead my own life, but in the bedroom a man that takes charge makes me want to GROWL!!! Oh yeah, and if it involved a shape shifter well I would just be in heaven.

Hollie: Zaniest event?? It has to be the Samhain spring showers we had last year on the forum, 4 weeks of nonstop posting. I’m just happy I could take part and didn’t have to juggle the moderating for such a huge event but we did have a lot of fun.

Honestly?? Any of the CTR staff I spend so many hours working with and around them but live too far away to ever get to meet them.

Adela MacAye Roberts is the first (or last) Celtic witch in Lyn Armstrong’s Celtic witch series. Not only does she have an amazing kilt clad Scottish Laird but she goes on to have two amazing children who also have amazing powers.

Sabrina: 1) Hands down, The Live from RT chat in 2008. It was a 4 hour pure crazy event. We
had an author with her lap top having everyone stop by and say hi to us outside the
vampire ball. We got to talk with cover models and amazing authors. Whew that was
fun!
2) If I had to pick anyone to jump out of my cake i think it would have to be Joaquin
Phoenix - Before his funky stage he's in now.
3) This is a hard question. I am going to have to go with Beth from J.R. Ward's
Dark Lover. Let's face it who wouldn't want to be the one who tames big bad Wrath.
mmm Yum!

Cherokee: 1), I am sorry, a zany event doesn’t pop into my head, even though I know there are some there kicking me in the head. I will say the days that Danielle is away, and unable to post, are not as fun as when she is among us. She has this enthusiastic energy around her that just explodes when she sends out a message on the boards, and it always makes my day a bit brighter. Without her posting, as well as Delane, Hollie, and some of the others, the events would be too quiet. I am just glad there are some Coffee Time Reviewers who know how to bring out the zany and bring on the smiles.
2) Please give me Johnny Depp to jump out of the cake…the man can take on any role and deliver one hundred percent. Have him jump from the cake then carry me off to some island where some great adventures will begin.
3)Not sure if this one will count, but the characters in Thelma and Louise…I would want to be Susan Sarandon, and Karenne to be Geena Davis…the only different thing is we certainly would not go driving off the cliff…we would be having a rip-roaring good time, and no doubt get in tons of trouble.

Brenda: 1) The zaniest event I ever attended was off line. Karenne and I attended a convention in Reno. Trying to find authors we wanted to meet and introduce Coffee Time at the same time; was an arch-falling, vericose-vein popping, marithon dash through a hotel whose square footage was at least football field size!
2) Sigh... Is the Marlboro Man still alive? He is hot! I doubt he’d jump out of the cake. He’d probably just reach over; grab me, and lay one on me. That’s all my heart could stand anyway.
3) One of my literary favorites is Robin D. Owens Sorceress of Faith. The heroine is Marian who has powers needed in the alternate world. Magic and flying horses just appeal to me. I think I would enjoy a visit to another world.

Maura:
Pretty much anything in this group can get a little zany.
Our daily emails make me laugh constantly and the Tuesday night live chats can get
very wild.
I just had a birthday and whoever jumps out of that cake would have to be agile and
jump high enough to dodge all those candles!
Elena from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld books; who wouldn’t like to be the only
female werewolf, her adventures… and Clayton.

Thank you ladies. I love your answers. Now who’s ready for dessert? Oh, Oliver, come on out with that scrumptious tray of treats.

Oliver swaggers out, wheeling a silver caddy filled with Strawberry and French Vanilla Pudding Cake, rhubarb crumble and custard, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, caramel bars, cheese cake, pie and oatmeal cookies, tiramisu and steaming pots of coffee and tea. He presents his culinary delights with a devilish wink. And before it has a chance to melt, he rushes a huge dish of coffee ice cream to Brenda and feeds her the first spoonful. Hoots and whistles filter through the air. Oliver preens. Who wants a piece of ice cream cake? He unveils the decadent treat and cuts the first piece for Maura. Now y’all give a shout if you need anything else. It’s been a pleasure. Enjoy!

Sharon: Thank you, Oliver. That brings us to the end of another Wednesday Spotlight. What’s that Oliver? Oh, all right, I’ll ask them. Oliver blushes a deep crimson red. Sharon sighs and turns to her guests. Oliver is requesting that you leave him a coffee crew rating on his performance. It’s up to you, my friends, but if you wish to make Oliver’s day, he will treasure a coffee cup rating. Thank you all for joining me today on Wednesday Spotlight. It’s been a blast.

How many cups does Oliver deserve:
Karenne: (leers at Oliver up and down) sigh, he brings coffee and snacks and turns on the Disco as well as a Disco Ball…5 Cups
Danielle: Oliver honey. I will give you a 4 cup rating. Now now, don’t be upset.
I only give 5 cup ratings to men who do a little strip tease. LOL. I am kinky like
that!
Danielle: Thank you Sharon so much for having me. I loved the questions, your sense
of humor, and Oliver’s amazing dance skills. Now if I could just get him out of his
butler uniform, it would make things that much spicier!

Kimberly: 5 cups with sprinkles, whipped cream (fantasies about Oliver spring to mind), oops, sorry, lost my concentration, oh, and a cherry on top. Thank you, Sharon! This has been so much fun. (Kisses Oliver’s cheek) Thank you, Oliver.

Sabrina: 5 cups perfect!

Holly: With all these goodies and and the wonderful dancing I say defiantly 5 cups

Delane: 5 Cups for the outstanding serenade and cocktail service!!!

Cherokee: I would most certainly give Oliver a 5 cup rating. He is a gentleman by far and knows how to treat ladies, right! He rocks!
And thank you, Sharon, for this wonderful time that we were able to share with you. I adored your questions and your warm personality. You are simply wonderful!

Brenda: Thank you very much for the lovely evening. Oliver, you are a gem. I think you deserve 5 cups if only for the blush!

Maura: Thanks Sharon, Oliver definitely deserves five cups with whipped cream and caramel
on top!

The overwhelmed Oliver passes out cold, a big smile on his face!

Sharon: Well, ladies, you did it. You made cabana boy’s day! Thank you all so very much. Now, relax and party on. Here come the readers and bloggers to ask you questions. And as soon as we can get Oliver to come around, he’ll be at the ready to make more cocktails!