Get Lost in a Story: Get Lost with Geri Krotow! ***GIVEAWAY***

Hi everyone! I'm thrilled to welcome Geri Krotow to the blog today. This is her second release with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and it's the second time we've shared a release month! :) I know you'll enjoy her books as much as I do, so sit back, relax, and get to know Geri!

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!]

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?

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!