No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston

Hi Beverly, I'm thrilled to have you visiting and sharing. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

For the last twenty years I’ve been a Domestic Engineer raising four kids and building custom homes with my husband. In January 2012 I published my debut novel No More Wasted Time. I love coffee and I’m addicted to my spin bike!

How did you decide to enter the world of writing?

I was inspired to write after waking up from a nightmare that my husband had died and I was on a boat in Bora Bora scattering his ashes on the lagoon.  After weeks of worrying my husband was going to fall off the roof he’d been working on, I realized it was simply a horrible nightmare and he wasn’t going anywhere. However, that tiny fragment of a dream haunted me, building into a story that wouldn’t rest. A few weeks later I sat down and started typing. Three years later, I published No More Wasted Time.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family is very supportive of my writing. My oldest daughter helps me critique, edit, and design mock ups for the covers of my books. My husband keeps paperbacks in his truck and sells them to his friends and clients. I admit my youngest daughter was a bit embarrassed when I sent her to school on Teacher Appreciation Day with a copy of No More Wasted Time in a brown paper bag, but I knew the teacher would love it!

Where do you get your ideas?

No More Wasted Time started as a dream, but many of my ideas come from places I want to travel or have traveled to. I love diving into a travel magazine that whisks me off to an exotic beach. My husband and I were lucky enough to vacation in Bora Bora a few years ago. Greece and Italy are on my bucket list, so for now I’m writing them into my stories. 

Can you tell us a little about your book?

No More Wasted Time is my debut novel and the first book in the Mathews/Clemmins Family series. It’s been on Amazons Best-seller list in Travel for 8 months and it’s made the Top 50 list on Facebooks “What to read after Fifty Shades of Grey” for 19 weeks!  

After losing her husband to a sudden heart attack, Tess Mathews escapes to Bora Bora to lay her husband and sorrow to rest. What she doesn’t expect is a new beginning.
Tom Clemmins is an A-list actor whose life revolves around work and an onslaught of women. He travels to Bora Bora for a much-needed break. Tom has a few ideas of how he’ll enjoy his vacation, but love isn’t one of them. Until he sees Tess.
Reserving a private shark-feeding excursion to scatter her husband’s ashes into the lagoon, Tess is furious when Mr. Hollywood bribes his way onto the boat, leaving her no other choice but to share the boat ride.
Tess is torn between tremendous guilt and zealous lust when their boat ride turns into a week full of romance and desire neither thought imaginable. Utterly smitten with a woman for the first time in his life, Tom casts his commitment phobia aside and whisks Tess off to Malibu where he introduces her as his “girlfriend” on the red carpet.
As the paparazzi besiege, can Tess survive the media blitz that ensues in order to find her second chance at love? 

What is your writing process?

I’m a pantser! I have a general idea of the story, but I don’t plan or outline. The story comes to life while I’m sitting at my computer, riding my spin bike or of course at 1:36am. I keep notecards next to my bed, in the car, in my purse and even next to my bike! I prefer to write in the morning and try to write daily, but some days are better than others. 

What was the hardest part for you when working on your book?

The hardest part was and still is finding balance between family, writing and now marketing. When I started writing, I was consumed with this story in my head for eight months straight. I slept 4 or 5 hours a night and was on my laptop the rest of the day. My poor family didn’t know what to think! My kids would ask, “Do we have any clean socks?” I would practically growl in response. My husband cooked a lot of dinners and my kids all learned how to do laundry. 

What influenced or inspired you to write?

I had never written or even dreamed of writing anything until after my dream. Now, I find inspiration everywhere!  

Was there a scene that you didn’t add or you removed in your finished work?

Yes. I moved a scene and I deleted a few too. But my editor did make a few suggestions that I refused to change. My story line is a bit different in the fact that you learn what happens after the happy ending. It really brings the reader full circle into the lives of the entire family. I’m very happy with my decision. 

Do you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?

This is the most difficult question I’ve ever had to answer! I love them all! 

Do you already know what to write next? Can you tell us?

I’m currently writing Shayla’s Story, the second book in the series and it will be out this Spring. Book three is yet untitled, but it is about Tracy Mathews. The forth book is JC Mathews story titled, The Perfect Someday. It is already complete and waiting patiently on my desk to be published. All of your favorite characters weave in and out of the series and readers can expect to travel back to California, Colorado, Greece, Tuscany and even Bora Bora.  

Where can we find more information about you and your books?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Wasted-Time-ebook/dp/B006XB6RRU/ref=zg_bs_159953011_1

Website: http://www.beverlypreston.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beverly.preston.7?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter @beverlypreston 

Do you have any last words?

Thanks so much for having me!  My pleasure and please visit when your next book is out. I would love to learn all about it.

Fun Questions

I love weekends because? Weekends start with a 6am Jacuzzi and coffee with my husband!

I hate? Apparently not much because I couldn’t think of an answer!

I want to buy? I have a crush on the 2013 Orange Camaro.

My favorite song is? I have too many favorites.  Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield inspires me and I do love Nickelback, but that’s an entirely different inspiration!

My favorite precious stone is? Tahitian Pearl…it’s not a stone, but it is precious.

I want to travel to? Why? A little island in the South Pacific called Rangaroa to go drift snorkeling. They call it shooting the pass!

I want to meet?  Why? George Clooney! Do I really need to explain? J

I want to invite ------ to dinner. Why? I’m sure George would be very entertaining!

My dream is to? Live life to its fullest and try to enjoy the small things in life.

My favorite book is? Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas