Get Lost in some Florida Heat

Born and raised in Minnesota, Jody has remained close to home living with her husband of twenty plus years, three children and a cat named Holly. Growing up, she enjoyed reading V.C. Andrews' the Dollanganger series, starting with Flowers in the Attic, S.E. Hinton, and Stephen King to name a few.

She has traveled throughout the United States, to the Bahamas and Cancun, Mexico. Between watching soccer games, scrapbooking and being the COO of the Vitek household, she writes contemporary romances.

Website:  www.jodyvitek.com

Facebook:  Jody Vitek Author

Blurb:

Maggie Carlisle thought she left her ex-husband’s drug life behind in Texas. Left with a physical scar, she struggles to shed the emotional pain and falls in love with Trent Randall. But, Kevin Shaw, a man from her past, looks for revenge through Maggie. Emotional blackmail forces her to choose between true love with Trent or a life based on lies and deception with Kevin.

Trent Randall, a boarding and breeding ranch owner and offshore powerboat driver, loses focus of his racing when Maggie enters his life. Trent contemplates whether Maggie’s worth the danger after he is involved in a racing accident. Trent can’t help but let his heart lead the way when he finds out Maggie’s in trouble.

Excerpt:

Trent strolled around the counter and closed in on her. Her stomach flipped. His slate eyes had a hint of blue shining through.

Maggie stepped back from his looming figure. He was too close. Her voice quavered. “I’m alone because I want to be...and I’m okay with it.”

“Are you afraid of me, Maggie?” He teased as he moved closer to her body.

“No,” she squeaked and ran out of counter space.

“Why do you avoid me?” He backed her up against the wall, his hands around her waist, trapping her.

“I don’t avoid you.” Not about to show her unease with his close proximity, she mustered a firmer voice. “I’m putting a little space between us.” Quickly she added, “At least I was trying to.” Her face felt warm, and a hot wave swept through her belly.

“Why do you need to put space between us? I’m male, you’re female, and we’re attracted to one another.” He smiled suggestively.

“Speak for yourself.” She strained to say it firmly, only to fail.

Her knees weakened when her eyes made contact with his dark smoldering eyes. She bit her lip and averted her eyes from his. “I think...” Her gaze went back to him. “It’s late, and I need to get to work.”

“I hope you’ll think again about coming to my party,” he whispered as he leaned close into her ear.

Her eyes closed, betraying her, at his slow and delicate delivery of his soft warm lips on hers.

FLORIDA HEAT is available from Melange Books and Amazon.

I’m excited to have Jody with us this weekend.  She my Midwest Fiction Writers’ chaptermate and a terrific writer.  FLORIDA HEAT is her debut novel and if I wasn’t a huge fan of Jody’s already, I would buy the book for the cover alone.

CAT:  How often to you get lost in a story? 

JODY:  Every time I read, I get lost. When I’m reading, I lose all focus of what is going on around me. I travel to the stories location and become the character. For some time I quit reading because I couldn’t immerse myself into the story. I would be reading and instead of reading for pleasure, I was studying the author’s writing style and critiquing. Reading was no longer enjoyable for me. I’m happy to say, I’ve started reading again and getting lost in the story.

CAT:  What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

JODY:  I love being lost in contemporary romances, but read other genres. Lord knows I didn’t grow up reading romances.

CAT:  What’s the first book you remember reading? 

JODY:  This is a tough one. I loved reading when I was growing up and there were so many. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume is the one I remember reading in fifth or sixth grade. You know when you’re waiting to become a woman and have all these fears, anxieties and excitement mixed together, this book was fantastic to read during that time. I remembered and loved the book so much that I bought it for my daughter.

CAT:  What’s your favorite fairy tale? 

JODY:  Cinderella. And this is kinda funny and corny, but while we were on vacation two years ago, we celebrated the families July birthday’s. I’m a July baby along with my husband and nephew. My mother-in-law picked up a Cinderella decorated cake that had figurines of Cinderella and her fairy godmother with a thin plastic horses and coach scene. I kept them and have them looking over me in my office. It was a year later that my fairy godmother‑bibbity‑granted me‑bobbity‑my wish‑boo‑of becoming a published author. Believe in what you want, but I do believe that dreams do come true.

CAT:  Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release? 

JODY:  I listened to Toni Braxton while writing some scenes, but usually I need it to be quiet, so anything by Toni. I recently purchased Def Leppard-Rock of Ages, The Definitive Collection and there’s a song on there that I think fits a particular scene very well–“Two Steps Behind.”

CAT:  Where do you read and how often? 

JODY:  I usually read when I’m in bed. Daytime is my time for writing, writing related work and doing many other daytime chores.

CAT:  What was the first story you remember writing? 

JODY:  Well, if you really want to go back, it would be from when I was in grade school. It was a story about a bionic frog. Yes, I said frog. The bionic part came about because of the great TV shows of the 70’s. But in all seriousness, my first story is called Love At Sea. My dream wasn’t to be a writer so I didn’t start writing until I quit working to be home with my two children at the time. Love At Sea was my sanity saving grace. It’s what started my writing career. I showed a close friend who thought it was great. Little did we know it wasn’t ‘all that’ and needs a lot of TLC if it ever wants to see the light of day.

CAT:  Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing? 

JODY:  Of course I’m going to read reviews of my book. Isn’t curiosity in our human nature? If the reviewer has a valid point, it may very well influence my writing but as a writer, you can’t satisfy everyone’s taste. You need to write what’s within you. I’ve had critique partners come up with some great descriptive lines, but I didn’t use them because it didn’t stay true to my voice.

CAT:  What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing? 

JODY:  If you stay true to your dream, it will come true. Never give up. Take a break, but never give up. Once my writing became a career, my only dream was to see my book in print. Now it’s a reality and I need to move on. Time to write and sell the next book.

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

JODY:  Coffee! A pot a day and sometimes more. I must have coffee. Black. No cream or sugar. If it’s from a coffee shop, then I usually add cream because it’s too strong for my taste.

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

My youngest, eight years old, has asked me multiple times where I’d like to go if I could go anywhere in the world. I haven’t been able to give to him an answer because I’d like to visit everywhere. I do prefer a warm locale with water though. I think it has something to do with being a crab‑my astrological sign. I would love to go back to Florida. So, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

JODY is offering a small gift from Bath & Body Works tied to the book to one commenter.

Terri L. Austin Gets Lost in a Story

When Terri L. Austin isn’t writing, she enjoys eating breakfast at her local diner, watching really bad movies, and hanging out with her kids when they’re home from college. She lives in Missouri with her funny, handsome husband and her high maintenance peekapoo. Her debut novel, DINERS, DIVES & DEAD ENDS (Henery Press, July 17, 2012) was a 2011 Get Your Stiletto in the Door finalist. Stop by her website and see what's new or drop her an email to say hello. She loves to hear from readers!

The book... 

As a struggling waitress and part-time college student, Rose Strickland’s life is stalled in the slow lane. But when her close friend, Axton, disappears, Rose suddenly finds herself serving up more than hot coffee and flapjacks. Now she’s hashing it out with sexy bad guys and scrambling to find clues in a race to save Axton before his time runs out. With her anime-loving bestie, her septuagenarian boss, and pair of IT wise men along for the ride, Rose discovers political corruption, illegal gambling, and shady corporations. She’s gone from zero to sixty and quickly learns when you’re speeding down the fast lane, it’s easy to crash and burn. 

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(available on iBooks from your iPad, iPhone, or iTouch)

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What they're saying...

 

“Austin’s debut kicks off her planned series by introducing a quirky, feisty heroine and a great supporting cast of characters and putting them through quite a number of interesting twists.” ~~ Kirkus Reviews

"This traditional mystery captured my attention from the opening pages to the exhilarating finale...this was an enjoyable read in this debut series and I look forward to more adventures with Rose and the gang for years to come." ~~ Dru Ann Love, The Cozy Chicks Blog

“I predict this will be a long and successful series...I strongly recommend picking a copy up to read this summer. I know I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. Five stars out of Five.” ~~ Lynn Farris, National Mystery Review Examiner at Examiner.com

“What a blast! Diners, Dives & Dead Ends is a fast-paced mystery loaded with wonderful wit and humor that had me laughing and loving every page. Terri Austin will hook you right away and keep you riveted until The End. I want more!” ~~ Ann Charles, Award-Winning Author of the Bestselling Deadwood Mystery Series

Let's get to know Terri...

Susan: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

Terri:   First of all, thanks Susan and all the Get Lost in a Story ladies.  I appreciate the opportunity to chat with you! My favorite kind of story? I love a book with snappy dialogue, humor, and emotion. The best books are ones that leave me a little sad when I turn that last page. I find myself wanting to spend more time with the characters and I’m sorry it’s over.  I don’t care if it’s mystery, romance or paranormal. I love all genres. 

Susan: How much do you and Rose Strickland have in common?

Terri: Like Rose, I took college classes that seemed more interesting than practical.  Who wants to take Biology when you can study Vampires in Film?

Susan: When Hollywood calls, who do you see playing Rose?

Terri: Kristen Bell.  Veronica Mars is one of my favorite TV shows.  Evah!

Susan: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Terri: Nope, I like white noise.  And I always get songs stuck in my head.  Usually bad ones that I hear at the grocery store.  They stay lodged in my brain for days.  So I try to avoid music when I’m writing or otherwise I’ll sing We Built This City for a week. 

Susan: Is it true that you play the triangle in an all-girl band?

Terri: Yes, it’s true!  And I rock it out.  When I go into my triangle solo, it kills every time!

Susan: What would you say is your most interesting quirk?

Terri: I don’t know about interesting, but I do know a disturbing amount of useless pop culture trivia.

Susan: What has surprised you the most about being published?

Terri: My family is actually impressed with me.  They weren’t amazed with knowledge of trivia or the fact that I play the triangle in an all-girl band, but writing a book earned me a little respect.

Susan: What’s the first book you remember reading? 

Terri: Caps for Sale.  I always remember the guy on the cover looked like the man from the Pringles can and I loved Pringles.  But the first book I became obsessed over was Little House in the Big Woods.  I wanted to be a pioneer girl for years after reading the Little House books.  Until I realized pioneer girls don’t have air conditioning or access to ice cream. 

Susan: What book have you read over and over? What about this book keeps drawing you back?

Terri: Dark Fever by Karen Marie Moning.  I love Mac’s evolution from Rainbow Girl to Kick Butt Heroine.  Plus, Barrons.  Oh, Barrons, how I lust for you! 

Susan: What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

Terri: When I need a pick me up, I watch Napoleon Dynamite’s dance.  He’s got some seriously mad skills.  Even with the snow boots.
 

Susan: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Terri: Pride and Prejudice—the one with Colin Firth.  And I sniff in disdain at all other P & P adaptations.  Not that I don’t watch them, it’s just that I’m sniffing and acting all superior when I do.

Susan Gotta Ask: What is your favorite scene in Diners, Dives, & Dead Ends?  

Terri GOTTA ANSWER: There’s a scene between Rose and Roxy that got pretty emotional.  Rose was very vulnerable and it made my tear up a little when I wrote it. 

UP NEXT: When will your next release be available? The next Rose Strickland mystery will hopefully be out in December! 

Y'all drop by and see Terri anytime at:

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Terri has a couple questions for you...

What do you think is the most important quality in a fictional hero? What makes an epic villain?

Please tell her what you think in the comments section. Thank you all so much for visiting with us at Get Lost in a Story today!


You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Award-winning author Sarah M. Anderson may live east of the Mississippi River, but her heart lies out west on the Great Plains. With a lifelong love of horses and two history teachers for parents, it wasn’t long before her characters found themselves out in South Dakota among the Lakota Sioux.  She loves to put people from two different worlds into new situations and to see how their backgrounds and cultures take them someplace they never thought they’d go.

When not helping out at school or walking her rescue dogs, Sarah spends her days having conversations with imaginary cowboys and American Indians, all of which is surprisingly well-tolerated by her wonderful husband and son.

You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover

Or can you? That old saying may be true in some deep, meaningful sense—the grizzled, snarly old biker may have a soft spot for kittens and brake for babies—but when you’re talking about an actual book?

You better believe it’s judged by that cover.

So today we’re going to look at some covers for a little compare n’ contrast. And since I’m writing the blog, we’re going to use my covers. (Funny how that works out, isn’t it?)

Here we have A Man of His Word, my December 2012 debut. Lovely, isn’t it? We’ve got our hero and heroine locked in a tender embrace. We also have a campfire, which plays into the plot very nicely. So far, so good. But wait! There’s more! We also have some trees, some sky, some grass, various kinds of boots, and a horse hiding in the shadow.

Whew. That’s a lot going on. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, because I do love the pose Dan and Rosebud are in. She’s not having her shirt ripped off and he’s not bending her into some unnatural, predatory pose. They’re very much equals on this cover, just as they are in the book.

Then we come to my current book, A Man of Privilege. As you can see, it’s a radically different cover. Not a heroine in sight; instead we have our hero taking up a good deal of the image, with only a drink, a captain’s chair, a curtain, a Capitol building, and a lamp (of all things) to keep him company. He screams power and authority, and the look on his face? LOVE.

The contrast between the two book is striking, isn’t it? One is outdoors; the other indoors. One is a couple; the other a determined man. One has a semi-pointless horse; the other has a pointless lamp.

So which is the better cover? That depends on a lot of different factors, the most important of which is how you measure ‘better.’ Is it hunkiness? The Privilege wins, in my opinion. Is it romance? Then Word does it for me. Is it sales? I won’t know those numbers for another six months, maybe more. Is it reader feedback?

Well? Which is the better cover? I’m giving away a copy of A Man of Privilege to one lucky commentator! Plus—bonus—every week I’m giving away one of these handcrafted (by me!) book necklaces from everyone who commented throughout the week! Check the Authorial Moms blog every Sunday to see if you were the winner!

A Man of Privilege Blurb:  She isn’t what he expected.

Blue-blood lawyer James Carlson is working on the case of his life.  After winning this trial, his career will be set.  He won’t let anything...or anyone... alter his course.  Then he meets his witness.

Maggie Eagle Heart makes him question everything--his family, his goals, his future. Because she’s the one woman he wants, and she’s the one woman who is completely off limits. Yet even as he struggles to keep their relationship all about business, he can’t deny the attraction is mutual--and irresistible. 

James has always done what is expected of him…until now.

This post is brought to you as part of the A Man of Privilege/Distinction Blog Tour.  For a complete tour schedule and rules, visit www.sarahmanderson.com. Comments on this blog will be entered to win a signed copy of A Man of Privilege.

Next tour stop is July 10: Romance Novel News

    

A Man of Privilege is available! Visit your favorite bookseller, at Amazon, or for the Nook.

Emily McKay

Emily McKay is a Rita nominee and a Romantic Times Life Time Achievement nominee. She’s written for Harlequin Temptation, Mills & Boon and Silhouette Desire. Her books have been translated into thirteen languages and there are over half a million copies of her books in print. She's such a total geek that she’ll talk about books with just about anytime anyone stands still long enough to listen. Her books have been described as “complex and surprising” by Romantic Times and “lighter than air” by All About Romance. Her current books is a July Harlequin Desire release, The Tycoon’s Temporary Baby. She also co-writes young adult as Ivy Adams. The International Kissing Club will be out in January 2012.

The Tycoon's Temporary Baby

To keep custody of her baby niece, Wendy Leland needs a rich, successful husband—fast. But when Wendy's very rich, very successful, very sexy boss offers himself as temporary husband, she's reluctant. In such close quarters, reining in her crush will be tough—and necessary. Because tightly controlled tycoon Jonathon Bagdon can only be proposing for one reason: to stop his star assistant from leaving. But when he plays the role of newlywed with passion, it becomes crystal clear that going from boardroom to bedroom will change both their bottom lines.

Excerpt

Jonathon Bagdon just wanted his assistant to come home, damn it.
Wendy Leland had left seven days ago to attend a family funeral. In the time she’d been gone, his whole company had started falling apart. A major deal she’d been finessing had fallen through. He’d missed an important deadline because the first temp had erased his online calendar. The second temp had accidentally sent R&D’s latest prototype to Beijing instead of Bangalore. The head of HR had threatened to quit twice. And no fewer than five women had run out of his office in tears.

As if all of that wasn’t bad enough, the fourth temp had deep-fried the coffee maker. So he hadn’t had a decent cup of coffee in three days. All in all, this was not his best moment.

Was it really too much to ask that at this particular time— when both of his business partners were out of town and when he was putting the finishing touches on the proposal for a crucial contract—that his assistant just come home?

Jonathon stared into his mug of instant coffee. contemplating whether he could ask Jeanell—the head of HR—to go out and buy a coffee maker, or if that would send her over the edge. Not that Jeanell was at the office yet. Most of the staff wandered in sometime around nine. It was barely seven.

Yes, he could have just gone out to buy himself a cup o’ joe—or better yet, a new coffee maker—but with one deadline after another piling up, he just didn’t have time for this crap. If Wendy had been here, a new coffee maker would have magically appeared. The same way the deal with Olson Inc. would have gone through without a hitch. When Wendy was here, things just worked. How was it that in the short five years she’d been the executive assistant here she’d become as crucial to the running of the company as he himself was?

Hell. if this past week was any indication, she was actually more important than he was. A sobering thought for a man who’d helped to build an empire out of nothing.

He knew only one thing, when Wendy did get back, he was going to do his damnedest to make sure she never left again.

Wendy Leland crept into the executive office of FMJ headquarters a little after seven. The motion sensor brought the lights up as she entered and she reached down to extend the canopy on the infant car seat she carried. Peyton, the tiny baby inside, frowned but remained asleep. She made a soft gurgling sound as Wendy lowered the car seat to a darkened corner behind her desk.

She rocked the seat gently until Peyton stilled, then Wendy dropped into her own swivel chair. Swallowing past the knot of dread in her throat. Wendy studied the office.

For five years, this had been the seat from which she’d surveyed her domain. She’d served as executive assistant for the three men who ran FMJ: Ford Langley. Matt Ballard and Jonathon Bagdon.

Her five years of Ivy League education made her perhaps a tad over-educated for the job. Or maybe not, since she hadn’t procured an actual degree in any of her seven majors. Her family still thought she was wasting her talents. But the work was challenging and varied. She’d loved every minute of it. Nothing could have convinced her to leave FMJ.

Nothing, except the little bundle of joy asleep in the car seat.

When she’d left Palo Alto for Texas to attend her cousin Bitsy’s funeral, she’d had no idea what awaited her. From the moment her mother called her to tell her that Bitsy had died in a motorcycle crash, the week had been one shock after another. She hadn’t even known that Bitsy had a child. No one in the family had. Yet, now here Wendy was, guardian to an orphaned four-month-old baby. And gearing up for a custody battle of epic proportions. Peyton Morgan might as well have been dipped in gold the way the family was fighting over her. If Wendy wanted any chance of winning, she’d have to do the one thing she’d sworn she’d never do: move back to Texas. And that meant resigning from FMJ.

Only Bitsy could create this many problems from the grave.

CAT: How often to you get lost in a story?

EMILY: My own or someone else’s? I almost never “get lost” in my own books as I’m writing them. I’m not the kind of writer who sits down at the computer and time flies. I never look up four hours after sitting down and realize I’ve written twenty pages. I’m the kind who plunges in, types like mad, and looks up to realize I have written three sentences.

However, I love getting lost in other people’s books. It doesn’t happen very often these days (it’s just harder when you’re a writer). For that reason, when I find a book I really love, I try to clear out my schedule for a day or so and just sink into the story. It’s only once or twice a year I find a book so good that I don’t want to do anything but read it. When that happens, I indulge myself completely.

CAT: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

EMILY: Would it be too bratty to say “A good one.”?

I can get lost in all kinds of books. Of course, I love romance (both historical and contemporary). I recently read Grace Burrows’ The Heir and totally got lost in that. This year I also reread Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Even though I’d read it when it came out, it sucked me in all over again and I didn’t want to do anything else but read for days. Other books I’ve gotten in lost in recently are When You Reach Me, a middle grade by Rebecca Stead; Holes, the modern middle grade classic by Louis Sachar, and My Invisible Boyfriend; a YA by Susie Day.

CAT: What’s the first book you remember reading?

EMILY: I remember my mom reading The Hobbit to me when I was in about second grade. Not long after that, I picked up The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. That’s the first novel I remember reading myself. It was about that same time I knew I wanted to be a writer when I grew up.

CAT: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

EMILY: I’m a big fan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the early nineties. Raphael was my favorite.

CAT: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?

EMILY: I rarely have a whole playlist. Usually at some point in a book, I pick a single song that is the song for the book. For my latest release, The Tycoon’s Temporary Baby, the song was “Within Your Reach” by the Replacements, which is from the soundtrack from Say Anything. The song just seemed to capture the emotional yearning that both the characters felt, but never said aloud. I just checked on iTunes, and I played that song 86 times while writing the book. (Who knew iTunes even kept track of that kind of thing?)

CAT: Who’s your favorite villain?

EMILY: Lord Voldemort is a really great answer to this question (I’m going to see the latest movie this afternoon, so I have Harry Potter brain). He’s so truly evil. But I don’t think he’s my favorite. We never really understand him. Intellectually, yes, maybe, but not emotionally.

I villain that I really love is Captain Barbossa from Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. (For the record, I didn’t like the second movie and haven’t seen any of the others. So for me, it’s all about the first.) He’s evil and diabolical, but I nearly cried at the end of the movie when that apple rolled out of his hand. Even though he was the villain, I cared enough about him that I wanted him to get a bite of the apple.

CAT: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

EMILY: I’m definitely a story-teller rather than a writer. My family has a very strong tradition of oral story-telling. I grew up listening to the stories told around the table. Mostly stories about family and the crazy things different people had done. A lot of stories about my grandfather, from when he was on the police force. Stories from when my uncle served in WWII. This oral tradition is just part of my genetic makeup. It’s part of my soul. Now, learning how to translate those oral stories into publishable fiction, that was the tricky part....

CAT: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

EMILY: Probably J.K. Rowling. I’d love to just ... well, bask in her greatness first of all. And then pick her brain. I’d love to know when she came up with the different elements of story. I’d love to know if she always had a plan for how the Malfoys would turn out. When did she know the major elements of the Snape/Lily/James storyline. Things like that.

If J.K. Rowling wasn’t available, I’d probably pick Jim Butcher or Elizabeth Peters, my two other favorite writers. They both also have long running mystery series and I’d love to pick their brains. As for someone who isn’t a writer ... I can’t imagine. If I’m going to go all crazy fan girl, it’s going to be with a writer.

CAT: What do you do to unwind and relax?

EMILY: I bake. Cooking works too, but for a bone-deep chill, baking rules. I actually get antsy if I don’t bake often enough. I think I’m addicted to it.

It’s funny, ‘cause my sister says the same thing. I can go maybe three or four weeks without baking, but that’s it. I try not to think too deeply about my baking addiction. I’m afraid it’s a window to my deeply troubled psychosis. Or maybe just a love of cookies.

CAT: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

EMILY: I try not to read all of them or the really horrible ones. That can be just crushing.

And it seems like people are far more likely to give bad reviews than good ones. When I get a good review, I try to really cherish it. I find myself writing more reviews myself these days. If I read something and love it, I make sure I write a great review.

CAT: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

EMILY: I think the greatest gifts that writing has given me aren’t things I knew I wanted. Yes, being a published author is a dream come true. It’s an incredible blessing to be able to tell stories for a living, but the real gift is the writers and fans I know as a result of being in this business. Writing has given me the best friends I’ve ever had. I feel just incredibly lucky to be in this business and to know all these great people.

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

EMILY: Hot coffee in the morning, iced tea the rest of the time. As far as I’m concerned, good coffee is ambrosia from the gods. I was on vacation recently somewhere where the coffee wasn’t any good. I think I slept twelve hours a day while I was there. Apparently I can barely function without my morning cuppa joe.

CAT’S GOTTA ASK

If you were a t-shirt, what color would you be and why?

EMILY’S GOTTA ANSWER

I would probably be my Peace, Love, & Tacos T-shirt that I’ve had since college (maybe since high school). It’s worn and comfy. I’m not particularly glamorous, but I’m comfortable with myself. <g>

EMILY’S QUESTION FOR HER FANS:

If you’re a fan of category romance, what is your favorite category hook? (ie. Secret baby, woman in jeopardy, etc?)

Mira Lyn Kelly

Mira Lyn Kelly gives us The S Before EX

Mira Lyn Kelly lives in rural Minnesota with her husband and four children. Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon, she is at work on her fourth book for the Presents Extra/Riva lines.

Mira loves to hear from her readers on Twitter and Facebook

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THE S BEFORE EX

“Oh, my God, isn’t that your husband?”

Claire Brady stiffened at the urgent whisper. An instant before, she’d been basking in the afterglow of a deal that, now struck, concluded her business for the next week—mostly. The gallery was too much a part of who she was to ever truly be put aside, even for a single day. But in that moment, her phone had been quiet, her mind at peace, her senses drifting with the gentle breeze as she’d absorbed the bustle and beauty of Rome’s Piazza Navona while light circles, courtesy of a dishy Italian seated to her right, stroked over her palm.

It felt good. She felt good. And she’d wondered if maybe this time…

Well, so much for that.

She shook her head apologetically at Paulo, the dishy Italian under consideration, and then shot Sally, her best friend, assistant, and perpetual alarmist, an emphatic no.

She’d known sharing the secret of her ex would come back to bite her, but the balanced against the isolation of holding herself apart for so many years, Sally’s occasional false alarm was a price she’d been more than willing to pay. Still, this was the third “Ryan” sighting this month alone.

“The man lives in California. The United States. Besides, if he were traveling abroad, we’d already know about it,” she promised with a nod toward the newsstand at the corner of the piazza.

When all else failed, fell short or slipped away, there was one thing in her marriage to Ryan Brady that Claire could count on. And that was the media keeping her abreast of every sordid detail of his liaisons, financial conquests and daily adventures. No waiting by the door with a cocktail at five for her. She had the world news to tell her how his day had been and with whom he’s spent the night. And in this case, she had it on reliable authority that as of fifteen hours ago, Ryan Brady had been meeting with his lawyer in downtown L.A.

To read the full first chapter go to The Book Link.

CAT: If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy?

MIRA: Oh this is a question I’ve spent much time contemplating. AFTER setting aside a portion to pay for the kids’ college, I would totally indulge my hermit tendencies and buy a mountain retreat dedicated primarily writing. An important clarification, this lottery we’re talking about paid out an obscenely huge jackpot, for which I’m the sole winner (Dream big, right?!). So the retreat is spacious and spectacularly tricked out with all the amenities. There are enough rooms for all the kids to have their own…which means when (instead of bringing them with me) I leave the family at home for my week off, I can take several of my writer BFFs and we can all write together!

CAT: Do you have any hobbies?

MIRA: I actually used to have tons of hobbies. Knitting, crocheting, photography, scrapbooking…writing. I’ll let you guess which one got greedy and did away with the rest J

CAT: Where’s the one place you’ve always wanted to visit, but haven’t yet gone?

MIRA: Las Vegas. I just love the spontaneity and possibility of the place and have a million story ideas that I’d love to flesh out with some real life experience…Well, okay, I’m already married and not really into breaking the law…so waking up hitched to some gorgeous billionaire who’s name I don’t recall, isn’t the kind of real life re-enactment I’m after. But the shows, the hotels, the strip…I’d love to do some people watching and experience the vibe of the place first hand!

CAT: Do you have a large or small family?

MIRA: We’re a family of six (three boys, aged 9, 8, and 6, and a girl, also 6). At times our family feels very big (I’m thinking specifically of the way we’re outgrowing the seating in our living room!) and at other times feels pretty small. We’re a tight knit bunch, who all like to laugh and spend time together.

CAT: Are you a dog or a cat person?

MIRA: I’m a dog person. Mostly because we grew up with a standard poodle who wholly believed she was a real dog. Chased Frisbees, wore her hair shaved short and without adornment, pulled me around on my skateboard like she was a sled dog… But also because I have ridiculously bad allergies and living with a cat would put me in an iron lung (hence the poodle, lol)

CAT: Paper or e-books?

MIRA: Ahh, the age old debate. Honestly, I’m more of an e-book girl these days. It’s the convenience and the instant gratification and the downloading a sample to see if you’re really interested. I still enjoy lazing through a bookstore…but because of where we live, I really only get into one about three or four times a year…and usually with four surly kids in tow. So the whole browsing experience isn’t what it once was.

CAT: Do you reread your books after they’re published? If yes, do you find yourself wanting to revise them?

MIRA: I do EVENTUALLY reread my books, but it takes a REALLY long time before I’m ready. I usually spend about a week revving myself up to finally do it. I’m just terrified of what I find! Then after all that angst, I fall back into love with characters and story I haven’t seen in all too long. When I start thinking about the things I woulda, coulda, shoulda done differently, I try VERY hard to step back and let it go. Then I make a mental note to check that manuscript I’m subbing just ONE MORE TIME, lol!

CAT: Favorite form of exercise?

MIRA: I walk on the treadmill (so I can read while I do it, lol) and I LOVE yoga. It’s a workout that stretches and tones and can be modified to whatever fitness level you happen to fall in. And it doesn’t require the coordination of something like step aerobics which usually leaves me humiliated and more often than not sporting some injury I didn’t have before I started the class.

CAT: Which character did you think of first?

MIRA: Definitely Claire. I loved the idea of a heroine so desperate for emotionally distance from the hero, that she puts herself on another continent to get it! The opening line for the book is actually the “idea seed” I started with on this one. I just kept playing with it, until I had Claire. Separated from her husband Ryan for six years, she’s filed for divorce—ready to put the heartbreak of her past and the life she can never have behind her. Only bringing Ryan back into her life—even just to hash out their settlement—means coming face to face with a few things that haven’t changed at all.

THE S BEFORE EX is available through the RIVA line in the UK now (Link: http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/books/Riva/The-S-Before-Ex.htm ) and will be released as a Presents Extra in October.

Mira is giving away one copy of the UK edition of THE S BEFORE EX (US residents only).