Michelle Marcos

Get Lost in This Story…

Secrets to Seducing a Scot – Out in Stores TODAY!!!

Meet the Highland Knaves, an infamous clan of outcast Scots who live for justice, lust for freedom, and long for lovers bold enough to tame them…

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Torn from a pampered life of luxury and thrust into the midst of a Scottish revolution, Serena Marsh is shocked to meet the brutish man who has been assigned to protect her from the rebels trying to kill her—Malcolm Slayter, the most rugged, most dangerous, and most undeniably attractive man she's ever encountered…

THE KNAVE OF HEARTS
Malcolm has no loyalties, no country, and no sense of propriety. Hired by her father, Malcolm agrees to protect the lovely lass for a fee. But when Serena challenges Malcolm's authority—and engages him in a risky flirtation—all bets are off. When the battle heats up, it's anyone's guess as to who's seducing whom…and who'll surrender first.

Welcome to Get Lost in a Story today, where I am excited to host my friend and fabulous historical romance author, Michelle Marcos! Michelle and I met in 2007 at our very first Romance Writers of America conference, when I was a spanking new writer with stars in my eyes and she was a newly published author, awaiting the release of her first book from St. Martin’s. We hit it off immediately, finding we had much in common, and have been friends ever since.

Michelle and Heather catch up at RWA 2010 in Orlando

Not only is Michelle a terrific author, but one of the loveliest people I know. I’m so excited Michelle is spending her release day with us at GLIAS! If you haven't had the opportunity to check out her wonderful books, I highly recommend you do, and so does RT Book Reviews, who gave her latest book 4.5 stars and named it a Top Pick! Congrats Michelle!!!

Michelle Marcos has finally reconciled herself with being thought eccentric. She owns too many cats and struggles with a debilitating Starbucks addiction. How a child of Cuban parents living in Miami could become such an Anglophile is still anybody's guess. She graduated several centuries ago from the University of Miami with degrees in English and Education. Afterward, she spent a few years being one of the "cool" teachers in a middle school, and had a brief but illustrious acting career playing roles like Lusty Housemaid, Death, and (perhaps prophetically) Author. She finally found her true calling as a writer of historical romance.

So, let’s get to the Get Lost Interview!!!

Heather: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Michelle: When I was a teenager, I thrived on Ian Fleming novels. I used to run out and buy the soundtracks to the James Bond movies (they were on LPs in those days) and play them while I read the books. Hearing the music while experiencing the rich writing helped me to get lost in the story. So naturally I use that same multisensory technique to immerse myself in my stories as I write them. I still buy soundtracks (on CDs now) and play them as I sit at the keyboard. Besides James Bond movie soundtracks, I have a very eclectic collection consisting of everything from Pirates of the Caribbean to Brideshead Revisited. And I recently discovered that iTunes has a whole radio station called Cinemix, which is devoted to soundtrack music, free!

Heather: What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you WISH more people COULD know?

Michelle: That I’ve always wanted to be a Bond girl. I still daydream about it. Oh, not the sort who just gets caught in scrapes that Bond has to rescue her from. I want to be the female alter ego of Bond, the one he has to compete with to get the information he’s after. I would outwit him a time or two, and maybe even kick his butt in a fight. But in the end, he’d win his prize for queen and country, and me along with it. And while he held me in his arms, succumbing to his passion for me, I’d look up into his handsome face and whisper, “Oh, James…”

I’m sorry, what was the question again?

Heather: What’s in your refrigerator right now?

Michelle: Here’s the thing. I can cook, right, just as long as I can make it in the oven. So what I’ll do is put some Shake ‘N Bake chicken in the oven, plus a corn casserole, autumn vegetables, and a cake. Everything all at once. And voila! Dinner. If it requires too much technique, I’ll screw it up. As long as it’s in the oven, it’s safe from me. And I always make enough for a couple of meals at least, so I’ve got some leftovers from a meal I made last night: meatloaf (it’s really good if you make it with Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix), and a home-made rum cake. Anyone want some?

Heather: What is your favorite cheese?

Michelle: Havarti. Mmmm.

Heather: What sound or noise do you love?

Michelle: This may sound dorky, but my cat, Rocky, has a special purr which he makes only when I hold him in my arms. It’s his version of aaahhh, and I love to hear it.

Heather: What turns you off like nothing else?

Michelle: Apathy. I can’t stand to be around jaded people. You know the type. They roll their eyes at everything and everyone, and you can't get them excited about anything. I feel sorry for them because they've lost all sense of wonder. And there is so very much to marvel at!

Heather: Tell me how many hats you have in your home?

Michelle: One. I’m too short and fat for hats. In a hat, I look a giant mushroom. The only hat I own is a big fuschia one with a feather in it which I won at a Valentine’s Day church event. Apparently, no one got my hat memo.

Heather: How much money does it take to be happy?

Michelle: $4.42. That’s all that’s required for a java chip frappuccino.

Seriously, though, I once heard someone say that the richest person in the world is not the one that has the most, but the one who needs the least. I decided to test that theory, and you know something? It’s true. I surprised myself when I did away with a lot of the trappings in life I thought I needed, like cable TV. I realized that they had become just that—a trap—and the less I needed to worry about them the more liberated I began to feel. The things that make me happiest now are the simplest things…like when a prayer is answered or a sick pet has a good day.

Heather: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Michelle: Coffee, please. Cream and sugar. Thank you. And leave the pot, please.

Heather’s GOTTA ASK – Michelle’s GOTTA ANSWER J

Heather: So, I happen to know (after a jaunt to Universal Studios with you and Avon author Katy Madison last summer…in 105 degree heat, I might add!) that you are a roller coaster enthusiast. Tell me, what’s been your favorite ride ever, and why do you love them so much?

Michelle: Wasn’t that day fun? Maybe fun is too generous a word considering all the perspiration. The snowcapped turrets of Hogwarts were laughable considering the triple-digit heat. But that day still ranks up there as one of my favorites. Even though we were in line for 90 minutes waiting for a 90-second Harry Potter ride, it was great just to be together.

Living in Florida, I’ve been to Disney World and the surrounding parks more times than I can count. Roller coasters and rides are great, because they make your heart race and your tummy flutter—just like being in love! But one of the best rides I’d ever been on was the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas. Talk about an immersive experience… that ride made you feel as if you really were on the Enterprise and on a mission to save Captain Picard. That Captain Picard is HOTTT. That’s right. Three T’s.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

Michelle: If, like me, you fantasize about being on a mission with James Bond, which one of the actors would you have play the role of Bond? (Let’s see if your choice is the same as mine. J )

If you’re not a Bond fan, who would YOU have rescue you from a fate worse than death? Or better yet, submit you to a fate worse than death?

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?**

Michelle: I’d like to offer a signed ARC of Secrets to Seducing a Scot. To win, go to http://www.michellemarcos.com/contest.php and enter your contact info. Also, leave a comment below. The winner will be selected by random drawing on August 5, 2011.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Michelle! Where can your fans find out more about you on the web?

Michelle: I love, love, love hearing from readers, so please find a way to stay in touch with me. You can reach me by email at michelle@michellemarcos.com or visit me on my website at www.michellemarcos.com.

Also, connect with me on:

Facebook at http://facebook.com/michelle.marcos

Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Michelle_Marcos

**Note: Offer void where prohibited. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

Join us tomorrow when Angi hosts Leanna Ellis!