A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval
Intelligence Officer, Geri left her Naval career to pursue a writing career.
She has travelled the world, living in such far-flung places as Whidbey Island,
Washington State and Moscow, Russia. Geri enjoys creating love stories that
stand the test of time, and with settings that she has personally experienced.
She's lived it, now she writes it!
Wedding Takedown
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Florist Kayla Paruso has
been hired to decorate the mayor’s daughter’s wedding, but when she witnesses
the murder of the mayor’s top aide, rumors of corruption—even a cult
connection—swirl through the town. Could the mayor really be involved? Luckily
the SVPD offers Kayla the very best protection: Detective
Rio Ortego. Who just happens to be the last guy Kayla dated. With
the wedding fast approaching, Kayla’s the perfect person to pry into the
mayor’s dangerous secrets, but Rio won’t hear of it. And as their old
attraction reignites, Rio’s cop instincts clash with his need to safeguard the
woman he’s falling in love with all over again…
Check out an excerpt!
And now for the good stuff :)
Lara: How often to you get lost in a story?
Geri: Reading, daily. Being a voracious
reader is a prerequisite for any writer, and this
is especially true of fiction
writers. I try to read at least one to two romance genre
stories each week, and
I read a lot of stories outside our genre, too.
Lara: What three things are, at this moment, in your
heroine’s purse, satchel, reticule, weapons belt
or amulet bag (whatever she
carries)?
Geri: I’m working on a proposal for a new
series (still top-secret!) and my heroine has
wet wipes, lip gloss and her
phone. [Lara: I like it! Sounds very practical!]
Lara: Do you write while listening to music? If so
what kind?
Geri: I can only write to silence or
classical music, no vocals. I have a playlist for my WIP
that I listen to in
order to get into the hearts of my hero and heroine, but I can’t listen to
it when I’m putting words on the page. I really believe that the transfer of words
from
our muse through our brain, through the heart, and onto the page, is
sacred. I don’t want
it mucked up with outside influences.
Lara: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Geri: Walk my dog with my hero of over
thirty years, yoga, knit, bake, garden. I’ve
recently rediscovered the joy of
going to the movies now that we’re empty nesters.
Lara: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other
words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?
Geri: The heroine’s welfare—if she’s in
danger of being hurt emotionally or physically,
he can’t focus on anything else
but fixing it for her. Whether she needs him to help or
not! [Lara: Awww!]
Lara: What one thing about your hero drives his
heroine crazy? And what one thing about your
heroine drives her hero nuts?
Geri: In Wedding
Takedown, Kayla struggles with Rio’s stubborn thinking—he won’t do
anything, to include committing to her, if he feels it’s detrimental to her. He
makes up
her mind for her—which Kayla can’t stand! [Lara: That would bug me, too!]
Lara: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?
Geri: Romance is what shows up on the page
for me. I like the resolution of it, the
guaranteed
happily-ever-after-for-today. And I love that in romance I have the freedom
to
put life’s most devastating conflicts and events into the story, and show that
love will overcome. Always.
Lara: What’s the first thing you do when you finish
writing a book?
Geri: Take a break and go out for lunch or a
movie. Go to the cosmetic store and get a
new lipstick or blush. Anything to
get out of my head and experience what’s been going
on outside of my writing
cave!
Lara: What are the next five books on your ‘to be
read’ pile?
Geri: Too many to mention, seriously! And
your book, Lara. You are so talented! [Lara:
You're so sweet! :) Thank you!]
You're so sweet! :) Thank you!]
Lara’s: What has
been your most rewarding publishing moment?
Geri’s
GOTTA ANSWER: Besides “the call” back in May of 2006 (I was living in
Belgium and had just cut my hair super-short, it was a beautiful spring and the
scent of flowers
floated into the kitchen as I answered the phone in our 200 year old home), it’s been
signing and working with my agent, Emily Sylvan Kim. And of course, each time I sell
another story or series, and when I finish a book. Having said all of the above, nothing
beats when a reader not only says they enjoyed my story but make an incredible
observation about a character that I didn’t even realize I’d put there…that’s story magic.
Where can you find Geri?
floated into the kitchen as I answered the phone in our 200 year old home), it’s been
signing and working with my agent, Emily Sylvan Kim. And of course, each time I sell
another story or series, and when I finish a book. Having said all of the above, nothing
beats when a reader not only says they enjoyed my story but make an incredible
observation about a character that I didn’t even realize I’d put there…that’s story magic.
Where can you find Geri?
What's next for you?
Silver Valley Book #3, Title TBD (I’m partial to
At Risk).
What about previous releases?
Her Christmas Protector, Silver Valley PD Book #1.
GIVEAWAY ALERT! Geri is offering a copy of Her Christmas Protector to one of
the commenters!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Geri! I look forward to reading this one! :)
The story sounds very exciting. A very interesting Q & A thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Sounds like a great book! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes... My TBR list is LOOOONG too. Too little time and too many good books. :)
Enjoyed other books by you... this sounds like a book and series I would enjoy also! Thanks for sharing Geri! greenshamrock at cox dot net
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Colleen! And congrats on winning the contest!
DeleteWelcome Back, Geri !!
ReplyDeletenice interview
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thanks for having me! I love coming to Get Lost in a Story. And this was special because it's also release day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Release Day, Geri. I love your books. You write with so much heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such kind words, Tammy!
DeleteLove the sound of this book!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Colleen--you're our winner! Thanks everyone for commenting!
ReplyDelete