Margaret Mallory

THE GUARDIAN
Book I: THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERSPocket
ISBN-13: 9780446575164
ISBN-10: 044657516X




Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.


PASSION IGNITED


After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . . and claim the bride he's long resisted.


As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer.



GET LOST IN THE STORY


The room fell away as Ian stared at the young woman who stood in the glow of the firelight. Her hair was the most beautiful shade of red he had ever seen. It fell in gleaming waves and framed a face so lovely it squeezed his heart to look at her.


When she lifted her gaze and met his, the air went out of him. There was something very familiar about this lovely, green-eyed lass, but Ian could not place her.


"Ian." Alex jabbed him in the ribs.


Ian knew he should stop staring at her, but he couldn't help himself.


"Hmmph," Alex grunted as he pushed past Ian. He strode across the room and greeted the young woman with a kiss on her cheek, as if he knew her well. "Ach, you are a sight to behold," Alex said. "If I were your husband, Sìleas, ye can be sure I wouldn't have kept ye waiting a single day."


Sìleas? Ian shook his head. Nay, this could not be...


The young woman was nothing like the scrawny thirteen-year-old he remembered. Instead of gawky limbs and pointed elbows, she had graceful lines and rounded curves that made his throat go dry.


"Welcome home," the young woman said to Alex in the kind of throaty voice a man wanted to hear in the dark.


"Ye two must be hungry after your travels. Come, Sìleas, let us get these men fed," his mother said, taking the lass by the arm. His mother gave him a wide-eyed look over her shoulder, the kind she used to give him when he was a lad and had committed some grievous error in front of company.


When Ian started to follow the two women to the table, Alex hauled him back. "Are ye an idiot?" Alex hissed in his face. "Ye didn't even greet Sìleas. What's the matter with ye?"


"Are ye sure that's Sìleas?" Ian said, leaning to the side so he could see past Alex to the red-haired lass.


"Of course it is, ye fool," Alex said. "Did ye no hear your mam just say her name?"


From the corner of his eye, Ian saw the back of Sìleas's skirt disappearing up the stairs. It occurred to him he had the right to follow her up and take her to bed. Tonight. Right now. Before supper, if he wanted. And again, after. The part of him between his legs was giving him an emphatic "Aye!"


His reaction startled him. For five long years, he had planned to end the marriage as soon as he returned. He'd harbored not a single doubt.


But he made that plan before she turned into this enchanting lass with curves that would have him dreaming of her naked as soon as he closed his eyes.


Aye, he most definitely wanted to take Sìleas to bed. Any man would. The question, however, was whether he wanted her to be the last woman he ever took to his bed.


~ ~ ~


Margaret Mallory started out as a Midwest girl. Except for two years in Africa, she grew up in small towns in northern Michigan, where her dad was a county extension agent. She received degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan Law School, and then headed to Washington, DC to save the world. When that failed, she packed up and moved to the Pacific Northwest for no reason except that it was beautiful and far from her last jobs and boyfriends. She admits to having a vague notion of finding herself a park ranger with a dog. The man she met was not a park ranger, but he was willing to get the dog. Marriage and children soon followed.


Margaret spent many rewarding—but rather wearing—years in jobs devoted to improving services for abused children and care for the elderly. Not long ago, she surprised (shocked?) her friends and family by abandoning her legal career—and steady job—to write novels. She is thrilled to spend her days writing stories of love and adventure, instead of going to endless meetings. After all, she has always loved romantic tales, heroic deeds, and happy endings. And, at long last, she can satisfy her passion for justice by punishing the bad and rewarding the worthy—in the pages of her novels.


With her two children off to college, Margaret spends most of her time working on her next books. She loves to hear from readers.


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS


ANGI: How often do you get lost in a story?
MARGARET: It’s the only way I write well, so I can’t get lost often enough! I know I have a good scene when I make myself weep. If I cry revising it the tenth time, then it’s a really good one.


ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?
MARGARET: Pipi Longstocking, but maybe I remember that one because Pipi is a redhead. ;)


ANGI: What’s your favorite “love” word?
MARGARET: A chuisle mo chroí. It’s Gaelic and means pulse of my heart. Sigh.


ANGI: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
MARGARET: It’s more of a legend than a fairy tale, but I’d say the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.


ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
MARGARET: Road Runner


ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
MARGARET: Embarrassing, but I have a hard time putting a book down at night. Sometimes I take it into the bathroom with me when I wash my face, and then I make the mistake of deciding I can read just a couple more pages. After fifteen minutes, I get tired of reading standing up so I sit on the toilet. Then an hour will go by...


ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?
MARGARET: That’s easy because it wasn’t that long ago. I had one “practice book” before I got published. Before that, I hadn’t written a word of fiction since high school English.


ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
MARGARET: I am a huge movie fan, so I can’t say just one. Some of them are The Gladiator, Clueless, the 6-hour BBC production of Pride & Prejudice, Strictly Ballroom, Horseman on the Roof (French), Lord of the Rings, When Harry Met Sally, Bend it Like Beckham, Last of the Mohicans, There’s Something About Mary, Casa Blanca….OK, I’ll stop.


ANGI: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
MARGARET: Of course!


ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
MARGARET: Writing, but it isn’t easy for me.


ANGI: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
MARGARET: Thank you for the lovely messages! I am honored every time a reader tells me that my book kept her up half the night or helped her escape the stresses of her day.


ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: So, Margaret, it’s been awesome getting to know you over the past couple of years. I’m a huge fan of your first medieval series and can’t wait for The Guardian. It’s the first of a four book series, can you give us a real quick peek into the next three?
MARGARET’S GOTTA ANSWER: The four heroes of THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS series are close friends and cousins, so readers get to meet all of them in THE GUARDIAN. A lot of readers have already been asking me about Alex’s book, THE SINNER, which is next and comes out November 1st. After that is Duncan’s book, THE WARRIOR, and finally, Connor’s book, THE CHIEFTAIN. Readers can find more information about my books on my website: http://www.margaretmallory.com/.


MARGARET’S QUESTION FOR YOU: I love prologues, both as a reader and as a writer. I attended a writing workshop, however, in which the presenter said that prologues are a big turn-off for a high percentage of readers when they pick up a book while browsing in a bookstore. So I'm very curious. Do you like prologues? If you saw a prologue when you opened a book in a store, would you be less likely to buy it?


LEAVE A COMMENT and you might… Margaret is giving away a copy of KNIGHT OF PLEASURE, which was a RITA & Booksellers' Best Award finalist and won the historical category of The Maggie & The Beacon Contests last year.


Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an electronic 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.
YOU CAN FIND MARGARET on her Website on Facebook and on Twitter. Maraget has terrific photos of Scotland on her website & Facebook!


DON’T FORGET OUR WEEKLONG contest and updates on The Crew beginning Sunday with prizes drawn on JULY 4th. LIKE us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for daily updates on who’s “Getting Lost.” Come back Friday when Donnell interviews Misty Evans and return tomorrow when Maureen hosts Mary Sullivan & Victoria Essex. ~Angi

Francis Ray

Francis Ray, a native Texan, lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman's University, she is a School Nurse Practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1999 and 2000, she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award.

Ms. Ray's titles consistently make national bestseller's lists. INCOGNITO, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for Black Entertainment Television. She has written forty-three books to date. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, EMMA, The Golden Pen, Atlantic Choice. WBI Book Award and Borders 2008 Romance Award for Bestselling Multicultural Romance.

THE TURNING POINT, her first mainstream, was a finalist for the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award. At the release event for THE TURNING POINT in May 2001, Ms. Ray established The Turning Point Legal Fund to assist women of domestic violence to help restructure their lives. The fund is administered by The Family Place. February 2005 heralded a personal triumph with the release of her first Christian fiction anthology, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.

Ms. Ray had five books published or re-released in 2010, four scheduled for 2011, and five for 2012. She enjoys writing fiction, where intelligent women through hard work and perseverance triumph over adversity, just as they do in real life.

UNDENIABLE

Kimani

June 21, 2011

When wealthy Texas heiress Rachel Malone defied her powerful father to elope with Logan Prescott, Logan truly believed that their marriage was forever. But that was before a trumped-up assault charge set the whole town—and the woman he loved—against him. With a heart full of pain, Logan fled Stanton—and the bittersweet memories of the passion he and Rachel had shared. Now, eight years later, he’s back — more arrogant and dangerously seductive than ever. And this time the stakes were higher. For Logan clearly wants revenge and he also wants Rachel.

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

FRANCIS: Every time I write I get lost in the story. I have to if I'm to connect with the characters so the story will be real. Then, there are the books I read. Getting lost in the story is a wonderful benefit of reading a good romance novel.

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

FRANCIS: Although my first romance was a historical, I love contemporary romance novels. I enjoy reading about strong characters dealing with today's problems while falling in love - which always enriches the story.

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

FRANCIS: My first book I remember reading was Grimm's Fairytales. While some of the endings I wasn't pleased with, I enjoyed the magical quality that anything is possible/can happen. The endless possibilities in those stories is one of the reasons I wanted to become a writer.

CAT: Where do you read and how often?

FRANCIS: I read contemporary, paranormal, and historical romances. Unfortunately, because of my writing schedule, I don't read as much as I want to. I try not to read novels when I'm writing. I don't want to inadvertently put anything in my book I might have read in another novel.

CAT: What was the first story you remember writing?

FRANCIS: The first story I remember writing was a lush historical romance, that I never sent to a publisher. My mentor said it wasn't ready, and since she was a well-established

author whom I trusted, I started on another book - a contemporary romance - which did sell. Writing is an emotional journey. You live with the characters so long it's very difficult to accept that you missed the mark, but if readers can't 'feel' the emotions you're trying to convey, immerse themselves in your novel, then you've done the reader and yourself a disservice.

CAT: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

FRANCIS: I'd like my fans to know that I really appreciate them and their unfaltering support. Because of them I have written 43 books with 5 scheduled for 2012.

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

FRANCIS: I write while listen to Country & Western music. There's a lot of stories of pain and joy in the music. The lyrics gives me a lot to think about.

CAT: If you couldn't be a writer anymore, what profession would you take up?

FRANCIS: I'd be a Master Gardener, but I truly hope I can continue writing for a very long time.

CAT: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

FRANCIS: After giving thanks, I grab a Pepsi and "think" about cleaning my cluttered office that is filled with research material and papers everywhere.

CAT: What question are you never asked in interviews, but wish you were?

FRANCIS: The question would be who had the greatest influence on you as a writer? The answer wouldn't be a single person. I'd have to start off with my parents who taught me I could be anything I wanted, then my husband and daughter who put up with take-out meals, a not so clean house, and a distracted wife and mother so I could follow my dream. Without their support and belief in me, I wouldn't have published.

CAT: What do you do to unwind and relax?

FRANCIS: I love shopping and sharing new experiences with my daughter, who is also my assistant.

CAT: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

FRANCIS: I'd most like to invite the Taggart brothers, the Grayson clan, and Rio. They're strong, often complex, honest and independent characters who value family and friends.

CAT: What personal dream have you accomplished in writing?

FRANCIS: I hit the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists!!

CAT'S GOTTA ASK:

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

FRANCIS' GOTTA ANSWER: Yellow, because it's a happy color and would brighten up people lives.

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

What irritates you most about a hero/heroine?

Francis is giving away a copy of BREAK EVERY RULE to three separate people.

MEDDLE WITH A MILLIONAIRE and what do you get?

MEDDLING WITH A MILLIONAIRE
Harlequin Desire
ISBN: 0373731078

I thought we’d celebrate Cat’s release week with some inside views from Emma Montgomery and Nathan Case (without spoilers) and even from Cat herself.

CAT’s STORY: I ventured into the world of writing romance fiction while still in high school. It has been my passion ever since. Stories come easy to me. For every one I write, I plot 3 more. This can get distracting when I’m trying to finish one book and the characters from other stories clamor for my attention. Fortunately, I multi-task well.

Ten years ago I put my writing career on hold in favor of motherhood. I spent a couple years working two jobs and saving money so I could adopted a little girl from China. She turns eleven this year and these days she’s more inclined to give her mother some quiet time to write.

Another passion of mine is sailing. I used to do a bit of racing when I lived in Florida, but like writing, I haven’t had time to do much sailing. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to hook up with a terrific friend who is multi-published in technical and travel writing. Erik put together a crew of eight friends and we embarked on a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. With all the sailing I’d done, I’d never called a boat home before.

Living with seven other people lead to an article that I wrote for International Yacht Charters & Vacations. Getting published in a national magazine boosted my confidence. Pulling a series of novels off my old computer reminded me how much time I had devoted to writing and I began to think that maybe it was time to revisit my dream to be published.

In 2010, I entered the Golden Heart for what I hoped was the last time. The book, Fake Fiancée, Real Love went on to win. A month later, I sold a different book to Harlequin Desire.

So, here I am, 4 years later, living my dream of writing romances that will appear in bookstores around the country, and maybe even around the world.

ANGI: Who knew Cat first?

NAT: 

 That'd be me. She seemed pretty interested in my background and we spent a fair amount of time talking about my family and my problems with my half-brothers. I had no idea what she had in mind for me. Of course, now I'm as happy as I could be, but there were times, I really wanted to put her on a slow boat to the south pole.

ANGI: Is Cat an easy person to work with? Did she have trouble getting your story right? 


EMMA: Cat's great to work with. She had lots of ideas for us, but it did take her forever to get it right. Not that I minded. It gave me a lot more time with Nathan. He's so great. Sexy. Strong. Yet he takes care of me.

ANGI: What was Cat’s first reaction when she sold your story?

EMMA: Thrilled. She'd spent three years thinking about us. Never stopped believing we'd get our happily ever after. We're glad she got hers, too.

ANGI: What’s Cat’s favorite scene in your story? 


NAT: 

 She's very partial to the opening scene. Spent forever getting it right. First it happened in a hotel room. Then a bedroom. Finally the study. Let me tell you, it was great spending all that time getting Emma hot and bothered up against the door.

ANGI: Have either of you gone sailing with Cat?

EMMA: 

 We both have. She talks about that crew of hers all the time and when we went with her it was as if we were old friends. She's mentioned another sailing trip in Europe, but I have a feeling she's got a different couple in mind to bring along.

“I want the fairy tale ending. What’s wrong with that?” Emma asked. 



“Women get rescued in fairy tales,” Addison pointed out. “Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty. All rescued. I thought you were trying to prove to your father that you can take care of yourself.” 



ANGI: Emma, Addison is your closet friend. Tell us what went through your mind when you heard those words. Everyone around you, including your father and brother, knew you wanted the “fairy tale.” Had you ever thought that all the women got “rescued” before Addison had that conversation with you? 


EMMA: 

 Well, I got bailed out a lot when I was young. I guess you could say "rescued." Maybe I didn't have the best judgment when I was in my teens and early twenties, but with four older brothers always watching out for me, plus my controlling father, I knew no matter what happened, they would take care of me.

Still, it bugged me when Addison compared me to fairy tale princesses and took me to task about proving I could take care of myself. I guess I thought I was acting more responsible than I was.

ANGI: Be honest, before meeting him as an adult, did you ever have dreams that Nat was really your knight in shining armor?

EMMA: Ah, no. Nathan isn't really the knight in shining armor type. He's got a bad boy vibe going. Very hot. He's not what I would describe as a prince charming. More like his scoundrel younger brother. But he's all that I wanted.

“When their eyes locked, all casual thoughts went out of his head. He targeted her like a jungle cat sighting a leggy gazelle and had her out the door and in his car before an hour had passed.” 



ANGI: The attraction between you and Emma is obvious and amazing. Just reading about your first encounter as adults gives me goosebumps. Did you have any hopes of a relationship?

NATHAN: I'm not sure the word "relationship" was in my thoughts when we first reconnected. I wanted more of Emma. In bed. Out of bed. Wherever. It wasn't until later, when I realized she wasn't on board with marrying me that I started thinking I needed to be with her on a whole different level than just physical.

ANGI: When Emma’s dad put the condition of marrying his daughter onto the deal of your lifetime, what did you think? And why did you pursue her? 


NATHAN: 

 At first it pissed me off that her dad put both of us in that position, but it didn't take long for me to decide that deal or no deal, she and I were going to end up together. I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to admit how much she meant to me.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW FROM READERS?

EMMA: Nathan and I are pretty hot for each other. Do you like your romances sweet or sexy?

YOU CAN FIND CAT AT:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Cat’s debut Harlequin Desire MEDDLING WITH A MILLIONAIRE is a blast and I hope you’ll pick up or download your own copy soon. Come by tomorrow for MILLIONAIRES Heather would like to meddle with. Should be loads of fun. Stop by next week when I host historical author Margaret Mallory.

Cat's giving away another copy of Meddling With A Millionaire today and everyone who comments this week will be put into a drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card.

READERS' CORNER

P A U L A

G R A V E S

A N S W E R S

Y O U R

Q U E S T I O N S

To celebrate the release of the third installment of COOPER JUSTICE: COLD CASE, we've gone to our readers and asked them to submit questions for Paula to answer.

As a child, Paula Graves's favorite books were Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries and Harlequin Romances. When she realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, she knew she'd found her calling. Now Paula writes for Harlequin Intrigue, where she gets to play both matchmaker and murderer and has a blast doing it. She loves to hear from her readers, who can reach her by clicking the contact button on her website, www.paulagraves.com. And today, some of those readers have asked what they’re most curious about . . . Paula.

Paula wrote her first story when she was 6 years old about her neighborhood friends and her solving a mystery. She wrote her first romance after her friend, romance author Kristen Robinette, talked her into trying it. I’ve known Paula through our Harlequin Intrigue Authors’ listserve. She’s giving, shares her time, and I know her family is very dear to her. Her characters are strong men who work hard, play hard and love hard. And her heroines aren’t your typical damsel in distress. I know she’s very excited about her 2011 RITA final for CASE FILE: CANYON CREEK, WYOMING. She’s also a double Daphne du Maurier finalist.

Tell us a bit about all these books, Paula. AND don’t forget to include your favorite scene from this month’s release: COOPER VENGEANCE.

Thanks for inviting me, Angi! CASE FILE: CANYON CREEK, WYOMING was the first book of the Cooper Justice series, and I'm thrilled to say it's also one of my two finalists in the Daphnes. The other Daphne finalist, CHICKASAW COUNTY CAPTIVE, is the second book in the series.

This month's release, COOPER VENGEANCE, is the final book of the Cooper Justice series and features the eldest Cooper brother, J.D., whose life has been marked by tragedy—the unsolved murder of his wife Brenda. We finally get to the bottom of who killed his wife—but not before J.D. meets Natalie Becker, a woman whose own grief fuels the fire in her belly as she seeks to prove who killed her sister. J.D. believes the same killer is behind both murders, but Natalie thinks she knows exactly who killed her sister.

Can they pool their resources and work together, even if their theories don't mesh? And just how much will their simmering attraction to each other complicate the situation?

I have two favorite scenes from COOPER VENGEANCE. One takes place in the middle of a ritzy fundraiser being held by the heroine, Natalie, and her parents to raise money for her dead sister's favorite charity. Because they fear the killer may be at the party, JD goes undercover as a waiter. There's a scene where he and Natalie sneak away from the fundraiser to talk, and they end up first in her sister's childhood bedroom, which her mother has turned into a shrine, and later they go to Natalie's childhood room, which is very different. There's some subtext, using the room to compare the two sisters, and how Natalie sees herself versus how JD sees her. The other scene happens later in the book, and it's a scene between JD and his 13-year-old son, with whom he's had some tense moments earlier in the book. I can't give any details, however, because it would be full of book spoilers.

FROM YOUR FANS
DESERE ASKS: Paula, when a story line grabs you and it is say onein the morning what do you do try to go back to sleep, make a mental note of it or get up immediately to write it down or pull out your laptop?
PAULA: I work a day job, so I can't just get up and write. If I have a thought about a story, I'll get my cell phone out and make a note, then roll over and go back to sleep.

TIM ASKS: Tell us about a real-life hero that you’ve met.
PAULA: When I was very little, my mom and my dad put their own lives at risk to pull some neighbors from a house that was filled with carbon monoxide. At the time I didn't realize what a heroic thing that was, but remembering it from adulthood, I see how brave they were and how they just saw it as something that had to be done, regardless of the risk to themselves. I wish more neighbors behaved that way--the world would be a better place.

TAMMY ASKS: MAJOR NANNY is your next book due out in October. A very intriguing title. Can you share some details about this plot?
PAULA: MAJOR NANNY is the 4th book in a multi-author series from Harlequin Intrigue called Daddy Corps. The first three books were GI COWBOY by Delores Fossen, BABY BOOTCAMP by Mallory Kane and COWBOY BRIGADE by Elle James. Daddy Corps is about a group of former military men who are hired by a rich businessman (and former CIA agent) to form an agency called Corps Security and Investigation. Their first job is to provide protection to the Texas governor, Lila Lockhart, who's running for president.

My book features former Marine Corps sniper Harlan McClain, who's on the spot when the governor's announcement of her candidacy ends with a literal bang--a bomb blows up under the dais where she was standing. In the chaotic aftermath, Harlan and the governor's aide, Stacy Giordano, work together to help survivors and...well, let's just say the bomber's not finished. When the governor hires Harlan to work with Stacy on security for an upcoming fundraiser, the sparks start flying between them, even though neither Harlan nor Stacy has any desire to get involved in a relationship.

Stacy's five-year-old son, Zachary, has Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. He's very high functioning--precocious in many ways (reading, verbal), but has serious socialization deficits. However, he develops a huge crush on Harlan, which is where the "nanny" part comes in.

TAMMY ASKS: Favorite cartoon character?
PAULA: Pepe LePew. I like his go-getter, never say die attitude.

AMANDA ASKS: Did you ever find the hero and heroine inspirations for the Cooper Cousins books that you were looking for back in October 2010?
PAULA: I have! The first two books are already written, and I'm about half way through the third. There'll be six altogether, and they'll be out in 2012.

TAMMY ASKS: Favorite flavor of ice cream?
PAULA: Rocky Road

AVI ASKS: When you pick the age of you characters, do you prefer younger or more mature heroines?
PAULA: I like heroines in their late twenties to late thirties. Usually 29-34. It's just a good age--mature and centered, but still young enough not to be jaded.

QUILT LADY ASKS: Have you ever based a book on something that happened to you in real life or maybe a friend of yours?
PAULA: I take bits and pieces of experiences from real life, but my real life is much duller than those of my characters.

TAMMY ASKS: Favorite time of the day?
PAULA: Recently, it's become early morning. We have a back deck that we just added benches to, and I sit out there with my cats and dogs and enjoy my little container garden. My mom comes out there, too, and we sit and talk. It's nice to have that quiet time before I have to go get dressed and head to my day job.
~ ~ ~
You can find Paula at her website, http://www.paulagraves.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Graves/115479116348
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Paula_Graves
~ ~ ~

GOT ANOTHER QUESTION FOR PAULA?
For those of you ASKING A QUESTION…your name will be put in the hat for additional Paula Graves' books. Remember, you MUST ask a question. And I'm putting everyone's name who submitted a question for the blog back into the hat for a chance to win some of Paula's books.

Submitting The Question WINNER: AMANDA
Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If possible, international participants may receive an electronic book store gift card. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

DON’T FORGET to LIKE us on Facebook or FOLLOW us on Twitter to keep track of who's next to "Get Lost". Come back tomorrow when Simone hosts Ellen Hartman and Friday when I’ll return with Thriller Author Linda Castillo. ~~ Angi

Susan Sey

Susan Sey lives and writes in St. Paul, MN, where she has two charming children, a lovely husband and an accidental prairie in her front yard. She’s dreamed of seeing her name on the cover of a book even longer than her neighbors have dreamed of seeing her mow the lawn.

Her Golden Heart winner MONEY, HONEY was published by Berkley Sensation July 2010. Her follow up novel, MONEY SHOT, will be released June 2011, thus proving that when it comes to dreams, unlikely isn’t the same as impossible. Though you may not want to share that with her neighbors, who still cherish hopes regarding her lawn.

A three-time Golden Heart finalist, Susan loves her family, ice cream and happy endings, in that order. She also loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at susan@susansey.com.

MONEY SHOT

READY…

Secret Service Agent Maria “Goose” di Guzman knows something about penance. A tragic mistake forced her to replace the dangerous, impulsive girl she’d been with someone better, smarter. Someone sexy, cool and utterly controlled. But one crack in her perfect façade lands Goose on tiny Mishkwa Island, investigating naked hippies, frisky moose, and a red hot park ranger who sees straight through her.

AIM…

When Rush Guthrie traded in an elite military career to police his tiny island home town, he got a pretty good deal: a park ranger’s badge, a resurrected conscience, and signs of life from his MIA sense of humor. A guy couldn’t want anything more. But when Goose turns up--all sexy curves, sad eyes, and thorny questions--Rush realizes he can want more. A lot more.

FIRE!

While Goose pursues the island’s deepest secrets, Rush pursues the brave, funny woman inside all that careful perfection. But the truths they uncover put everything on the line--life, death and true love. And they’ll only get one shot at all of it.

CAT: Where do you read and how often?

SUSAN: Okay, if I confess this I don’t want any flack from the book police. I’m a stay at home mom and when it comes to squeezing in time for my favorite addiction (before even Diet Coke, and that’s saying something) I can be ruthless. So brace yourselves. Are you ready?

I read in the shower. Yeah, that’s right. I said *shower*. With the water on. I tried sitting in the dry shower but the kids caught on and now I have to actually be standing under the spray for them to leave me alone. It’s murder on a paperback, but so far my Kindle is holding up remarkably well.

CAT: What was the first story you remember writing?

SUSAN: Oh, my. I believe I tried my hand at a historical set during the American Revolution back when I was in middle school. A romance, of course. Remember the 80s? All those heaving bosoms and swashbuckling pirates? Man. Good times.

Anyway, I wrote maybe a chapter before I realized a) this writing gig was tougher than it looked. And b) I didn’t know my Revolutionary history all that well. Now I write contemporaries. And yeah, writing is still tougher than it looks.

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

SUSAN: I think I could watch Emma (the Gwyneth Paltrow version) forever. Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley? Yes, please.

CAT: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

SUSAN: I panic because it’s so much easier to revise and polish than produce new pages. But there’s something so hopeful and optimistic about the blank page, too, especially after you’ve spent months fixing and polishing and correcting. Every time I fight my way clear of the last book’s tragic flaws I think to myself, “Okay, lesson learned. I’m never writing myself into that particular corner again.” Turns out there are limitless corners into which a girl can write herself if she’s really hell-bent on hosing up a perfectly good idea. And I bet I’ve spent time in 90% of them.

CAT: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

SUSAN: Well, it’s not the past, technically. Or, hey, it might be. How the heck do I know? I want to go to the Seven Kingdoms from George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. He’s created such a rich and tactile world, so detailed and vivid. I want to visit Winterfell and ride up to the wall with the Dark Watch. I want to see High Gardens and Storm’s End. I want to meet those dragons and experience a summer that lasts seven years. I think that’s the big draw right there, actually. Minnesota sort of failed to produce spring this year and the idea that summer (if it ever gets here) could last a few years really appeals to me.

CAT: What do you do to unwind and relax?

SUSAN: Read. Oh, I love reading. You might think writers get sick of books the way bakers get sick of bread but I have books all over the house. One at the table to read with my lunch, one on my night stand to read before bed. One in my purse in case I get stuck somewhere for a few minutes. And then there’s the To Be Read stack, currently tall enough to be a danger to small children and pets under thirty pounds but I cherish fond hopes toward every paperback in it.

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

SUSAN: I’d love to tell you I don’t read them but I’d be a filthy liar. Of course I read them! I’m not making art here; I’m writing genre fiction. I love writing it, but my priority isn’t fulfilling my muse. I’m here to entertain people. Lots of people, if I do it right. So I have to know what people think of what I’m writing. And the only way to find out is to log onto Good Reads or Amazon and experience the savagery. Not always fun but definitely necessary.

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

SUSAN: Seeing my first book on the shelf at my local library. It was better than seeing it at the bookstore, to tell you the truth, because there were many stretches of my life where bookstores were outside the budget. But the library was always there, and my gratitude knows no bounds. I love to look up my books on the computer to see how many copies are checked out. It’s more satisfying than checking my sales numbers any old day.

CAT: What’s your favorite kid joke?

SUSAN:

Knock, kock.

Who’s there?

Interrupting pig.

Interupting pi--

OINK.

Heh. Love that one. It my 4 y.o.’s favorite. She’s been telling it for months but only sporadically times it correctly or supplies the right punch line. Any old animal noise will do as far as she’s concerned. Or sometimes she’ll just yell out a barnyard animal at random. She’s funnier than the joke itself.

CAT’S GOTTA ASK – SUSAN’S GOTTA ANSWER

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

Basic black, baby. Never out of fashion, always slimming, hides the dirt nicely.

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

In MONEY SHOT, my heroine begins the story exquisitely groomed and in complete control. And when she starts to lose control, the way you do when you’re falling in love, her perfectly straightened hair is the first casualty. When you lose your grip on the status quo, what’s the first sign? Curly hair? Popcorn for dinner? Obsessive housekeeping? (If yes to that last one, you have a standing invitation to visit me.)

Susan will be giving away a signed copy of MONEY SHOT (Berkley Sensation, June 7. 2011!) to one lucky commenter.**

**Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American 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