Please join me in wishing Vanilla Heart Publishing’s newest addition, Neva Squires-Rodriguez a very Happy Birthday as we all celebrate the release of her debut contemporary romantic suspense, Liliana!

Neva and I both hail from Chicago, where she resides with her family, and that makes for some fun chat between us. Find out a little bit more about this enchanting author in her interview, and if you would like a chance to win an ebook copy of Liliana, just comment or ask Neva a question below. Two random winners will be selected; please check back on this page for winners’ names on Saturday, the 23rd of August.
Neva Squires-Rodrigues
Tell us one thing about yourself that no one else knows… please! I won’t tell.
I wore a nice pair of sandals to my Master’s degree graduation ceremony. When my aisle was called to walk up to the stage, the strap on one of my sandals broke. I didn’t know what to do. I managed to scuffle up to the stage and while I was waiting to be called, I literally almost cried. The woman who was ushering us to the stage asked if I wanted to borrow hers, but at the last minute I leaned over and took them both off and walked across the stage barefoot, sandals in hand. I think this is just a minor example of how we manage to get through difficult things in our life, no matter how devastating they may be at the time.
Have you always dreamed of writing a book, seeing your name on the cover?
Yes of course. I think that every author dreams of seeing their name on the cover of a book. It makes you feel like you’re on top of the world and no one can ever take that feeling away from you. Your words are written in history and will be read for generations to come.
Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
Liliana is definitely my favorite character. I think that readers will be left on edge and surprised with what happens next. Liliana allows readers to see how she struggles to find her strength from within. Readers will witness her growth and will be amazed with the many twists and turns in this book.
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
The hardest part of writing my books, is putting my laptop down for the night. I get so involved in the story, that I don’t want to lose my focus. I wish that there was a way to write throughout the night, but alas I need to sleep so that I can get up and go to my other job, the one that is paying the bills for now.
What do your significant other and family think of your writing career?
For the most part they are all very supportive of my writing, more so now that I am actually being published. My best advice to anyone wanting to become a writer, you can ask for support, but don’t count on it. Learn to find the drive within yourself because there are going to be many people that try to convince you that you can’t do it. There is an overwhelming possibility that your work will get rejected. Keep that drive going and take any criticism you get along the way as positive feedback.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
My car was once hit by a drunk driver. It was New Years Eve and I was heading home with my family and my car was hit from behind. That year we had a heavy snowfall and my car began to spin and eventually hit a median. I am thankful that because of the snow, everyone was driving that much slower, including a semi-truck that was driving in the lane next to mine and managed to avoid hitting me and to the fact that my car spun away from the car that hit me, otherwise my children may have been crushed. The drunk driver kept going and the police did catch him, but were unable to charge him with a DUI because he abandoned his vehicle and started walking. To kind of give you an idea of how fast he was going and how much snow there was. He made it 2 miles down the road even though he had knocked two wheels off his car.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I go to sleep. I love to sleep. I wish that I could do more of it. I have four children and work full time, so there is no unwinding and relaxing for me.
What question do you wish was on the list? Your answer?
‘What is your favorite quote?’ Mine is “Set your goals so high that everyone around you thinks you’re crazy.”
-Wilfredo “Pastor Choco” De Jesus
Liliana
Book 1, The Liliana Series
by Neva Squires-Rodriguez
Now Available in All Electronic Editions!
Coming Soon in Print and Audiobook!
Boom! That deafening sound changed Liliana’s life forever.
Her mother sits dead besides her, shot to death on the streets of Chicago.
Within weeks, Liliana is sent to live with a father she doesn’t know in Colombia – a foreign land filled with challenges for Liliana. While working to pay off her father’s debt, she meets the love of her life, who frees her from her father’s illusory home, only to bring her into a new world of twisted surprises, dangers, and deceit.
Liliana Links
Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Liliana-Book-1-Neva-Squires-Rodriguez-ebook/dp/B00MV4UD5A
Apple
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/liliana/id910741453
Smashwords Direct for all ereader devices
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/468277
AllRomance
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-liliana-1602026-149.html
Liliana Sneak Peek Video
or
http://youtu.be/orYSBQ0eMkg
A Taste of… Neva Squires-Rodriguez
free download first four chapters
This Neva Squires-Rodriguez sampler is free for your enjoyment. All of Neva’s novels will be published in both print and ebook editions for every reading device, through all online retailers and in select bookstores around the world. Audiobook editions are being produced by professional audiobook narrators and production houses and will be released as they complete production. Audiobooks available at Amazon, iTunes, and Audible.
Where to find Neva Squires-Rodriguez online
Website: http://NevaSquiresRodriguez.com
Twitter: @NevaRodriguez22
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neva-Squires-Rodriguez/1497271613835645
Blog: http://NevaSquiresRodriguez.com
Happy Birthday, Madame Author!
Psssst… Her birthday is Friday, August 22nd (wink)
Happy birthday Neva & kudos on the book.
Chelle, we’re proud of our latest author. What a kick that she’s from the north side of Chicago where I grew up. Did I ever grow up?
Thank you Chelle, my astounding author friend!!! ❤
Happy birthday, Neva. Best wishes for much success! 🙂
Teresa, thanks for stopping by. How gracious of you in the midst of your own family joy to take the time to send good wishes to Neva.
Thank you so much Teresa, your well wishes mean everything to me!!!
Reblogged this on NEVA SQUIRES-RODRIGUEZ and commented:
Thanks for the awesome interview Charmaine Gordon. It was great working with you on this!!!
Reblogged this on Tamara Philip, Author and commented:
A fantastic interview with a brilliant new writer, Neva Squires-Rodriguez