Interview with romance author Claire Marti

Romance author Claire Marti joins me today and we’re chatting about her new contemporary romance, At Last in Laguna.

During her virtual book tour, Claire will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a luck randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga. At Last in Laguna is the second book in her Finding Forever in Laguna series from The Wild Rose Press.

Welcome, Claire. Please share a little bit about your current release.

Here’s the blurb:

Alyssa Morgan has secretly been in love with her older brother Nick’s best friend, Brandt Dempsey, since she was an awkward, lonely teenager. When she catches the bouquet at Nick’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and propositions Brandt to a two-week fling. He’s tried to ignore how Alyssa has blossomed into a strong, talented, gorgeous woman because as his best friend’s baby sister, she’s off limits.

After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together?

What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write about a hero who rose above a tragic childhood and becomes a success despite it all. He gives back by building Tearmann House, a center for abused children and women. He’s scarred inside, despite appearing like another handsome successful guy on the outside. Alyssa has her own demons to contend with too. Throwing them together in the brother’s best friend trope adds an element of lightness, fun, and forbidden romance.


Excerpt from At Last in Laguna:

What was his deal this morning?

She’d give him the cold shoulder if it killed her.

And it just might.

He’d rejected her, so why was he opening doors, hovering, and acting like a pest? Practically breathing down her neck. She could swear he’d sniffed her. Sniffed her. He couldn’t conceal his awareness. If he were so attracted to her, he would’ve agreed to her proposition, right? Since he’d shot her down in flames, he could at least have the decency to ignore her today. Rude, infuriating man.

Inhaling a deep cleansing breath, she forced herself to concentrate on the center. Sunlight streamed through the abundance of windows and along with the high ceilings imparted a feeling of freedom and space, perfect for the planned occupants. Because they’d decided to wait to obtain her input for the more specific room layout, the building’s interior remained a shell. She’d add to her brother’s amazing design and ensure Tearmann House’s beauty and serenity.

Serenity. What a concept. Ha.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I just submitted the manuscript for the third book in the Finding Forever in Laguna series to my editor. I’ll be working on edits for the next few months. I’ve got a new contemporary series with three sisters set in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I started writing stories when I was seven years old. I’d even create covers and turn them into actual books for my family and friends to enjoy. Does that count? My first published magazine article was in 1997 for Delicious magazine about health supplements. I signed my first contract in March 2016 for the Finding Forever in Laguna series.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I was a yoga teacher who wrote and I’m transitioning into a writer who also teaches yoga. I teach a few public yoga classes, train a few private clients in their homes, and write for YogaDownload.com, an online yoga website for whom I also teach classes. Each day is different, but I have a dedicated writing space in my home office. I block out my writing time each day around the yoga.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My cats assist me when I write. Lola either drapes herself over the top back of my chair or wedges herself next to me. Beau plops himself wherever he can so he can keep an eye on the action.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An actress, a writer, a dancer, an international explorer, Dr. Doolittle #2. Not necessarily in that order.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I hope my stories will transport you away from your daily life for a few hours and leave you with a smile on your face.

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Wild Rose Press | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

Buy links:
Amazon | The Wild Rose Press | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!
Thank you for having me!

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Special excerpt from chick-lit romance Still Counting by Phil Fragasso

Today I have a special excerpt from Phil Fragasso’s chick-lit romance, Still Counting.

During his virtual book tour, Phil will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

A little bit about the author:

Phil Fragasso sold his first article at the age of 16. Since then he has written and published a wide variety of books, articles and essays. After many years as a corporate marketer, he left to pursue endeavors that were more fulfilling personally and more contributory on a societal level. Today he focuses his time on writing and teaching.

A little bit about Still Counting:

Adam Donatello and Nina Morales share an immediate and powerful attraction, and their future together seems assured. But love is difficult enough without adding complications – real or imagined – to the mix. Nina sees life as a thousand shades of gray, while Adam tends towards black-and-white. He wants to move fast; she needs time. Nina sees her past liaisons with women as immaterial to their relationship, while her disclosure drives Adam to a state of irrational jealousy. He doesn't know how he could compete with a woman; and his suspicions – which Nina views as hypocritical – lead them both to make decisions they may live to regret.

Excerpt from Still Counting:

“This is absurd. She was just a dog. What’s gonna happen when my parents die?”

“It’ll be different. It will be just as hard, probably harder, but it will be different. There’s something very special about our relationship with animals, especially with dogs. They love us unequivocally and there’s none of the personal baggage that screws up our minds and hearts. They never get angry or disappointed with us and they don’t hold grudges. They’re totally dependent on us. Like a child. Losing a dog is more like losing a child than a parent or spouse.”

I nodded but realized Nina couldn’t see me. “I think you’re right.”

“Of course, I’m right. I’m always right. And the sooner you learn that the better we’ll get along.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“No one has.”

“I’m serious. You’re incredibly thoughtful. You’re smart, creative and”—I paused for a moment—“you’re beautiful.”

“You’re sweet,” she said. “And I’ll gladly accept the thoughtful, smart, and creative compliment, but I am not beautiful. No way.”

“Nina, you are a gorgeous woman.”

“Then you’re blind. I’m chubby. My boobs are too small, my legs are short, my ass is fat, every single day is a bad hair day, and I’m a couple years away from having to shave my mustache.”

I laughed. “And yet somehow it all works.”

“You doing okay?” she asked.

“Now I am.”

“So were you calling to ask me out for tomorrow night?”

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

“Pick me up at seven-thirty. I should have something I can fit my fat ass into.”

“Do your best,” I said. “See you then.”

Links:

YouTube | Amazon | Wild Rose Publishing 

Buy links:

Amazon | iBook | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

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Interview with romance author Peggy Jaeger

Romance author Peggy Jaeger is here today to talk a bit about her new novel, First Impressions.

As she does her virtual book tour, Peggy will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance author who writes about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can't live without them. 

Peggy holds a master's degree in Nursing Administration and first found publication with several articles she authored on Alzheimer's Disease during her time running an Alzheimer's in-patient care unit during the 1990s.

In 2013, she placed first in two categories in the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest: Single Title Contemporary Romance and Short/Long Contemporary Romance.

A lifelong and avid romance reader and writer, she is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter.

Welcome, Peggy. Please tell us about your current release.

Family Practice Doctor Clarissa Rogers’ first impression of Padric Cleary is biased and based on gossip. The handsome, charming veterinarian is considered a serial dater and commitment-phobic by his family and most of the town. Relationship shy, Clarissa refuses to lose her heart to a man who can’t pledge himself to her forever. 

Pat Cleary, despite his reputation, is actually looking for The One. When he does give his heart away, he wants it to be for life. With his parent’s marriage as his guidebook, he wants a woman who will be his equal and soul mate in every way.

Can Pat convince everyone – including Clarissa – she’s the only woman for him?

What inspired you to write this book?

This is the 3^rd book in my MacQuire Women Series. In book 2, There’s No Place Like Home, I told the story of Moira Cleary. Moira has a twin brother, Padric ( Pat) and I fell in love with him when I was writing, so I wanted to give him his own happily ever after ending. First Impressions is his love story.


Excerpt from First Impressions:

“Have you ever been friends with a girl before?” she finally asked.

“Friends?”

“Yes. Friends.”

“Have a beer and shoot some pool friends? Or the kind with benefits?”

She laughed out loud, shook her head and grinned. “Have you ever been friends with a girl without having sex mixed into the equation?”

“Not since I was sixteen,” he admitted and then felt his neck heat. “Why?”

She cocked her head again. “It’s no secret I’m attracted to you, too. I think my reaction to the way you kissed me proves it.”

“Why am I hearing a ‘but’?”

Her lips twitched at the corners. “But I don’t jump into bed with a man because I’m attracted to him.”

“I never thought you did.”


“Good to know.”
He cocked his head. “So, what’s being friends got to do with anything?”


Clarissa sighed and settled back against the doorframe. “Can I be honest?”


“I would hope so.”


“I’ve been hearing about your reputation with women since I moved here, and I’m not looking to be the flavor of the week.”

He stared at her for a second as hurt washed through him. “When you say honest, you don’t pull any punches.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

At this moment I am editing the 4^th book in the series, The Voices of Angels and writing the 5^th. I also have another series I’m working on titled the Will Cook for Love series about 7 sisters. I am actively seeking an agent to represent that work, so if there are any out there reading this and are in the market for something new….give me a jingle. I know that was a shameless beg and I know I should be contrite about it. This is me, being contrite.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Wow, every day I still feel like a fraud! I wake up and can’t believe I’ve actually been published in book-length fiction. Years before I started writing fiction I wrote newsmagazine and trade magazine articles on topics ranging from motherhood to Nursing profession topics. Back then I did consider myself a writer. I was prolific, published and paid for my work. That writing was all straight forward topical work, though. Writing using my creativity, actually making up stories, for some reason, is different to me and has made it harder for me to consider myself a full fledged writer yet. Don’t get me wrong – I know what I do is considered good ( it wouldn’t have found a reputable publisher is it weren’t) but I’m still struggling with being judged for my imagination. You’d think I was a unconfident teenager reading this!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I actually retired from my day job this past April and am now allowed the privilege and joy of writing fulltime. It used to be I got a few pages in catch-as-catch can. Now, I am at my laptop 8-10 hours daily and then 3-5 hours/day on the weekends updating my blogs (I have 2). I write every day. Every. Day. To me, writing is like breathing – I couldn’t survive if I didn’t do it. My website’s tagline is Writing is my Oxygen, so that tells you something.

I usually get up, get hubby off to work, go to the gym for an hour or so to keep my chair-ass from growing, and then sit down at the laptop. Life does intervene; I am still a wife, mother, housekeeper, bill-payer, grocery shopper and cook. I don’t sit solidly for 8-10 hours. My butt really would be the size of Montana, not to mention, numb. But when you add the hours I do spend each day (I have chronic insomnia so my days start sometimes at 2 am and goes until 9 pm) writing, it adds up to a typical 8-10 hour workday.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I use speech-to-text when I’m writing dialogue, then I play it back so I can get the feel for what the dialogue actually sounds like. Rhythm, cadence, tone are all important to me to get just so, and using this helps with that. I use different voices for the characters when they are speaking as well. Anyone walking by my house might either think I’ve got a houseful of people inside, or else I’m a total multiple personality sufferer.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Exactly what I am: wife, mother and writer! Yeah, I know…I’m livin’ my dream.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Just this: I had my first novel published when I was 54. Don’t ever let someone tell you that you are too old, not talented enough, or wasting your time if you have a dream in your heart. Keep it strong and work toward it. Take chances and risks if it will bring you closer to seeing your dream fulfilled. I don’t believe in luck. The definition of luck to me is when preparedness meets opportunity. I got a publishing contract based on a contest I entered that the publisher of Wild Rose Press was judging (opportunity). She liked what I wrote, asked me to send the manuscript (preparedness) and a year later I had a book in my hands and contracts for a series. Don’t ever give up on a dream…no matter what. God wouldn’t have put the dream in your heart if he didn’t plan on seeing it fulfilled. Remember that. ‘Nuff said.

Links:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon author page | Instagram

Thanks, Peggy! Happy writing.

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Excerpt from historical romance Traitor's Curse by Beth Trissel

Today is a special excerpt from the historical romance novel, Traitor’s Curse by Beth Trissel.

During her virtual book tour, Beth will be awarding a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a randomly drawn commenter. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

A little bit about Traitor’s Curse:

Halifax, North Carolina, 1783.

Captain Stuart Monroe returns home from the Revolutionary War to find Thornton Hall threatened by a peacetime foe: debt. He knows the location of a treasure amassed to pay for the capture of Benedict Arnold that would restore his manor to its former glory. The catch, it's hidden in the graveyard, and coveted by old enemies.

Hettie Fairfax inherited the Sight from her Cherokee ancestors, and her otherworldly visitors warn her, and Stuart, away from the buried treasure. Half-dead from fever, she delivers a message: the treasure is cursed. But will he believe a girl half out of her mind with illness? Even when a very real enemy attempts to poison her? Stuart soon wants to marry Hettie, but she fears her "odd ways" will blemish his reputation. The spirits have their own agenda, however, and the battle against darkness tests everything the couple holds dear, including their love for each other.

Excerpt from Traitor’s Curse:

Stuart clasped her shoulders. She was flesh and blood beneath his grip, yet seemed not of this world. “What did he say?”

“To watch for your coming.”

“How could they possibly anticipate my visit?”

“That has not yet been revealed.”

Her answer baffled him, as did she. “Why did you call me master? Are you a servant?”

“No.”

He’d doubted she was in anyone’s employ. Her smooth hands, opulent coverlet, and refined manner, all bespoke gentility. And she smelled of violets, a costly scent.

He gazed deeply into those mesmerizing eyes. “Why are you here?”

“I seek the living among the dead.”

A peculiar reply from the haunting stranger. “Who?”

“You. Stuart Monroe.”

Again, the sensation of ants scattering down the nape of his neck. “How did you know I would come?”

“I was told. In a dream.”

She spoke like one in a dream. The cold mist, the woman—an apparition in the fog—seemed unreal. Yet she was no ghost.

“You can foresee events?” A sense of dread possessed him.

“In glimpses. Your father appeared to me.” Her barely perceptible voice faded entirely, and her eyes fluttered, then closed. She swayed against him, any further explanation muffled by his coat.

Stuart held her fast and kept her from sliding to the cold earth. What did his father have to do with this visitation? Was the woman in his arms some sort of witch?

A little about the author:

Married to her high school sweetheart, Beth Trissel lives on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by her children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, her love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into her work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of her inspiration. She’s especially drawn to colonial America and the drama of the American Revolution. In addition to historical romance, she also writes time travel, paranormal romance, YA fantasy, and nonfiction.

For more on Beth, visit her blog, One Writer’s Way. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit Beth’s Amazon Author Page where all her books reside.

Buy links:

Barnes and Noble | Amazon 

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