Author Spotlight: Diane Burton

Today I'm trying something new...an Author Spotlight. I usually spotlight the books and mention the author but this time, I'm focused on the author. Diane Burton writes amazing science fiction romance and now romantic suspense stories that will be sure to delight you. I put Diane to the test with some questions. I even got her with one she'd never heard before!

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Hello Diane and thank you for visiting today.  Tell us a little about yourself. 

I’m Wife, Mom, Nana, and writer—not always in that order of priority. If the grandkids come over, everything else goes by the wayside. I’m published in science fiction romance and soon to be published in romantic suspense. I love movies, especially action adventure and romantic comedy. I enjoy quilting but don’t make the time much. And my husband and I are building a house. A new venture for us. Since we’re long-time DIYers, it will be a real treat to move into a house and not have to change things.

Thanks!  It sounds like you have an interesting life. The house will be a new adventure. I'm jealous because my hubby and I wouldn't be able to do it...too much fighting!  Now on to some personal questions. 

If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself? Laugh more and don’t take things so seriously.

That's so important! For what are you grateful?  My family. 

If a zombie virus took over the world, how many days do you think you could last before you were infected? And what would you do to postpone the inevitable?
I have never been asked that question before. It’s really funny as I just watched a repeat episode of “Castle” involving zombies. Now that I’ve delayed answering the question…I guess five. I’d hide.

My hubby hopes we can kill a few before they get to us. What television sitcom is most like your family? Why?  I grew up in Archie Bunker’s house. My dad was Archie’s clone. I’d like to think my family was like Happy Days. My kids would say it was more like I Love Lucy because of the crazy things my girlfriend and I would do.

Those are some wonderful shows! What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? Watch movies.

Let’s find out a little bit about you as an author. Did you always want to be an author? No. I wanted to be a teacher, which I was for over ten years. I didn’t start writing until my kids went off to college.

We should talk about teaching some day! What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables), Daphne DuMaurier (Rebecca), Victoria Holt & Phyllis Whitney (gothic romances); Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick.

I loved Jayne Castle's works! Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? coffee

Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books? A dog appears in almost all of my books.

That's very cool. What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?  Women writers both online and in my RWA chapter are the most generous people. They willingly share info, tips, and their time.

I love that about authors. Tell us about your latest release.

Switched Revolution wraps up the Switched series about twins trading places.

Blurb:

Actions have consequences as Space Fleet Captain Marcus Viator and NASA reject Scott Cherella discover when they switched places. Does the reserved Marcus have what it takes to imitate his smart-aleck twin? Despite help from his love, Veronese, Scott’s already been outed by two of Marcus’ best friends.

When rebels steal the ship with part of the crew aboard, Scott has to rescue them and retrieve the Freedom. The stakes increase when he discovers the rebels are heading for Earth. They know he’s a fraud and they want Marcus. The safety of the Alliance of Planets depends on Scott and his allies.

Excerpt

Gloria held out her arms to Jessie who seemed to have no qualms about accepting a hug. “Oh, I can’t wait to see that grandbaby. May I?”

She reached toward Jessie’s protruding abdomen. Jessie took her hand and brought it to rest on top. Gloria’s eyes widened, and she quickly removed her hand. “It kicked. Oh, my goodness.” She giggled and touched again. “Active.”

“Oh, yes.” Jessie laughed. “Very active.”

“Do you know what it is yet?”

“I—We want to be surprised,” Jessie said. “We can tell you we’re having twins.”

Gloria jerked her hand away as if burned. “Twins?”

She actually stumbled back against Marcus. He put his arm around her to steady her and felt her tremble.

“Are you okay, Mom?” He was surprised how right it felt to call Gloria that.

Jessie ran back into the garage and brought out a canvas chair. As he eased his mother into it, Jessie asked, “What happened?”

Gloria touched her temple. “I’m being silly. Pay me no mind.”

“Seriously, Mrs. C. Did Max trip you?”

“No, no. It’s nothing.”

Jessie went back into the garage and came out with a paper cup. “Here’s some water. Do you think the heat got to you?” The late April day, which started out cool, had gotten progressively warmer.

“No.” Gloria took a sip of water. “Hearing about twins always . . . affects me. I—I thought I was going to have twins. When I was pregnant with you, Scottie.” She patted his hand.

Since he and his twin had switched places, Marcus often had to remind Jessie to call him Scott. More often than not, she called him an endearment, like honey. Hearing his own mother call him by another’s name seemed . . . wrong.

Gloria cleared her throat. “One day, I felt— I can’t explain it. I felt different. The doctor said he must have been mistaken about twins. When you were born, I was so sure there would be another baby.” She pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed at her eyes. “Don’t listen to me, Jessie dear. Nothing will happen to your babies.”

Marcus knelt beside her and held her hand. It seemed like the right thing to do. He knew exactly what had happened all those years ago, and anger surged through him as her words reminded him of the Gemini Experiment. Only a lifetime of controlling his emotions enabled him to conceal visible evidence of hatred for the one who had stolen his mother’s baby. Her other baby. Him.

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Wow, great excerpt. I would have been so pissed. I'm glad his mom didn't know. How did you decide on your story plot?  The two other Switched books, while complete on their own, left readers wondering what happened afterward. Okay, I wanted to know what happened. LOL. Could Marcus pull off masquerading as his brother? Would their mother realize he wasn’t Scott? He and Jessie (whose story was told in Switched) are very dear to my heart because Switched was my first published book.

How did you choose your characters names and location for your story?  I use a baby names books. The first time Hubs saw them he asked if I was trying to tell him something. LOL. The location had to be a star ship. I love Star Trek (esp. the new movies) and Firefly.

Do you have a favorite scene? Why? The scenes with Marcus and his mother. I put myself in the mother’s place.

Those would be the hardest for me. Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why?  Jessie because of her irreverent sense of humor.

Let the readers know how they can get a hold of you…

Website:  www.dianeburton.com 

Blogsite:  http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dmburton72

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor

Goodreads: Diane Burton Author

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/

Amazon author page: http://amzn.com/e/B00683MH5E

Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!!

I’d like to thank my readers. I love hearing from them when they’ve enjoyed my stories. And a special thanks to you, Melissa, for having me here today.

Thank you Diane! It's been a pleasure having you!


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Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. She is the author of science fiction romance the Switched and The Outer Rim series. With One Red Shoe, soon to be published by The Wild Rose Press, she takes her writing in a new direction into romantic suspense. She is also a contributor to the anthology How I Met My Husband. Diane and her husband live in Michigan. They have two children and two grandchildren.

You can find the Switched series at all major online retailers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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