11/21/2014

Get Lost in the Magic of The Boss's Mistletoe Maneuvers

Buy link: Amazon 



Seduction in a Santa Claus suit? 

When millionaire Chaz Monroe goes undercover at the ad agency he bought, he has to figure out why his star employee, Kim McKinley, won't work on the very important Christmas campaign. He'll go to any length to get answers from the beautiful go-getter--if he has to kiss them out of her, so be it.
 
Kim can't believe Chaz's nerve. So why is she always falling into his arms...and into his bed? Soon, this exasperating man unlocks her secrets just in time for a Christmas she'll never forget...and one he may never live down!

A Spicy Excerpt:

     A shiver of annoyance passed through Kim McKinley.
     She was willing to bet that this new guy was good at lording over people. He had that kind of air. Chaz Monroe was a devil in a dashing disguise, and if she didn’t behave, if she said what was really on her mind, she’d be jobless in less than ten minutes.
     “Did you want something in particular?” she asked.
     “I wanted to get acquainted. I’ve heard a lot about you, and I have a few questions about your file,” Monroe said, his eyes moving over her intently as he spoke. He was studying her, too. Maybe he searched for a chink in her armor.
     She’d be damned if she’d let him find it…
     Chaz Monroe got to his feet and walked right up to her.
     She had to wince to keep from backing up.
     He came very close. Obviously, he had no intention of preserving her tiny circle of personal space.
     Then he invaded it.
     And hell…
     Up close, he was even better. 


Linda Thomas-Sundstrom is award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance novels for Harlequin's Nocturne and Desire imprints. Vampires, Werewolves and Spirits are the usual fodder for this writer, who also swears that the sheer magic of the Christmas season is equally as compelling for inspiration. Linda lives in the West, juggles teaching, writing, family, and caring for a ranch, and says that there are so many stories she wants to write, she types as fast as she can.

Jillian: How often to you get lost in a story? 
Linda: I get lost in story nearly every day, either listening to audio books on my way to and from work, or in my writing. I’ve always loved books, and need a very long time to get to my list of want-to-reads.

Jillian: What’s the first book you remember reading? 
Linda: The first books I remember LOVING, were the Nancy Drew series for young readers. I devoured those and still have the set.  

Jillian: What’s your favorite fairy tale? 
Linda: Cinderella. Always love the idea of a Fairy Godmother willing to help a girl out of a jam… and of course, the handsome prince scouring the countryside for his woman. *wink* I use versions of this idea from time to time in my books, minus the glass slippers. I mean – OUCH! 

Jillian: What sound or noise do you love? 
Linda: I love the wind in the trees, and the sound of running water. I also love the sound of soft wind-chimes. Most of all, though, I love the sound of my husband’s laughter.

Jillian: What would you say is your most interesting quirk? 
Linda: I’m a real girly-girl. Spunky, yes. Fiesty, certainly ( I have been known to cuss like a sailor). But I love the color pink, and pastel-hued flowers, tiaras and pretty china teacups, fluffy wedding dresses, and lots of diamond bling. And I sleep on a Barbie pillowcase.



Jillian: Describe your favorite kind of hero to read/write? 
Linda: I have a certain hero type I use a lot… the kind of man (no matter the species) that I just wouldn’t be able to resist. These guys, whether leather-clad or wearing a tux, have certain characteristics that knock my sox off. These are – soulfulness, loyalty to a cause, adherence to their principles, the ability to laugh, and a desire to help others in need. I also must mention here that the guys I write about are also beautiful on the outside. Tall, very masculine, and handsome to the max.

Jillian: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
Linda:  Writing. I love words, and collect them in notebooks. Having been a dancer in my early career, I love the rhythm of writing, and how to make my sentences flow. Stringing sentences and paragraphs together is like choreography to me. How things look on a page matters. The way a story unfolds matters. Not like putting a puzzle together, but making a story dance. I think that’s why some folks say I have more of a literary style than others in my genre. It’s all in the way words work for me.

Jillian: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind? 
Linda: Nope. Can’t listen to music when I write. I need complete silence. Oh, I can be influenced by some pieces of music, but I tend to want to choreograph movement when I hear something I like, rather than tapping it out on paper. That’s what being a dancer does. I think movement is in my DNA. So, I listen to my muse instead.

Jillian: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book? 
Linda: I close my eyes as soon as I type THE END, and take a moment to wonder how the heck I got all that done. It’s both a relief, and a sadness, since I like being inside those worlds I write about, and sometimes there’s a slight sense of loss at being removed from them. Then I call my husband and tell him – and we celebrate that night with champagne. If I have another deadline, I start on the next book right away, the next day, to keep the worlds alive.

Jillian: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were
Linda: Does being a writer get old? Do I feel jaded after writing so many books? The answer, of course, it a resounding NO to both questions. I’m a writer. If I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing. I get stressed when I can’t get to the keyboard, or don’t have time to get my ideas down. I have so many ideas I’d like to write up, and quite a few characters wanting their stories to be told. I want to write in all kinds of different  genres… and follow wherever my heart leads. Writing is never a chore. I don’t diss the time I spend exploring the written word. And I hope, more than anything, that my muse likes it here.

Jillian: There really is something in the air during the Christmas season. What makes it makes it magical and romantic for your characters? 
Linda: Ah…. The smells. The lights. The baking. The sudden sense of camaraderie. The giving, whether commercial or otherwise… All of these things make the season magical for me. That, and SANTA, of course.

Linda has a question for commenters: I’ve just written my first contemporary romance novel for Harlequin’s Desire line. It’s titled The Boss’s Mistletoe Maneuvers… (say that fast five times!) I think the reason the transition from paranormal to contemporary romance was easier for me because I wrote about Christmas and the magic of Christmas. What is it about Christmas that you love most?  

And yay! Linda is giving away a copy of The Boss’s Mistletoe Maneuvers to one lucky commenter. (U.S. only)

Find out more about Linda and her books: Website: https://www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaThomasSundstrom

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. 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.


21 comments:

  1. Hi Linda,

    What a great title and love the cover too. Desire has so many cute covers for Christmas this year. I love Christmas for the music, food and magic of the season. yenastone at aol dot com

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    1. Thanks, Tammy. Gosh, I'm a sucker for all the nice Christmas covers, and think Desire did a great job on mine. Love the light touch, the snow, and the glittering backdrop. Very happy! Glad you like it.
      Cheers-
      Linda

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  2. It was fun getting to know you better, Linda! And I can't wait to read your first Desire!

    I love Christmas stories, too. And like you, I think there's a bit of magic about the season... Or maybe it's the time of year when miracles are more likely to happen. :)

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    1. Hi Judy - thanks for dropping by! You are so right about miracles. One of mine is that I got to write this book, and it's on bookstore shelves. Writing is still a wish come true. Love it..... and btw - I have your new book, too!
      xo
      Linda

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  3. Hey Linda, I didn't know you were a dancer! *high five* Funny, but I love writing to music. After a while the words just fade into the background and I don't notice it much. LOVED this book, by the way!

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    1. Hi Christine...*BIG WAVE*. I love that you loved this book. YAY -Happy dancing- really. I know a lot of writers like to be inspired by a tune. That happened to me one time only, and my Nocturne book "Golden Vampire" was the result. Quite the experience. But not normal for moi.
      xo
      Linda

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  4. I love the cover and the story sounds great, definitely going to be on my TBR list.
    There is not much I don't like about Christmas other then maybe the commercialization of it, otherwise what is there to not like. I love the music, the decorations, all the cookies and candy (at least that wasn't my first on my list), giving to people you love and people in need, and top on my list is the family time!!

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    1. Howdy Linda. Thanks for adding me to your TBR list. I really appreciate that. And all the things you've listed are the very things that make me want to skip right over to December 25th!
      Have a lovely Thanksgiving.
      Linda

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  5. not entering, just stopping by to wave *waves*. My favorite part of Christmas is Christmas Eve and everyone is in bed but me I am doing last minute Santa stuff and the only lights on are the tree (multi colored of course) and there is Christmas music playing. I love to sit and watch and listen.

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    1. SHARON - *waving back*. Christmas eve is magical. If you have kids, and are playing Santa, it's a truly beautiful thing. Enjoy to the max, my friend! And have a happy Thanksgiving from now 'til then.
      xo
      Linda

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  6. the decorations

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  7. Hey Linda! What I love most about Christmas is having my daughters home. Then the music. The tree. The gifts! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you, too, Jeanne. Family is the best! Good friends are a close second. :)
      xo
      Linda

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  8. The moment the tree is up and the lights go on the house is turned into a magical place, don't you think?

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  9. Oh yes, Jill. It's a stunning moment, somehow removed from time. For a few breaths, you're INSIDE the magic. Fantastic. ✫*¨`*✶♪.¸¸.✻įƒ¦*✿*•įƒ¦✰

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  10. Hi Linda,

    So your contemporary guy is a devil, not literally this time. That's what i love about your writing, your nuanced multi-layered characterizations and then there's the other stuff as well.

    Bob.

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    1. BOB... hello! Thanks for stopping by and for the praise. Love it! Thanks so much. Hope you like this one! Have a great holiday season, will ya?
      xo
      Linda

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  11. Hi Linda. I'm looking forward to reading your new Desire title. I think people seem to smile more during the holidays and I love looking at houses all done up in lights. :)

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Marcy - thanks for stopping by! Yes... smiling is terrific. :) And lights like fairyland. Have a great holiday,
      Linda

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  12. CONGRATULATIONS TO... TAMMY for winning a copy of my Christmas book The Boss; Mistletoe Maneuvers!! YAY.... Tammy, please message me on Facebook, and the book will be in the mail! :) :) :)

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