Category Archives: Romance

August 30, 2015 · 10:11 am

Is writing all you do?

Snarky question, right? I was asked this a few weeks ago when I was getting my nails done (yes, I’m spoiled, deal with it.) and a fringe acquaintance who happens to know I’ve had 2 books come out this year already, asked this. I could describe the tone in her voice as snotty or condescending, but it wasn’t. She was truly asking honestly because she couldn’t believe a person could spend hours daily at a laptop, writing. That’s exactly what she told me.

No, I didn’t hit her – wet nails, remember? I dealt with the question and then had a come-to-Jesus-moment when I realized several other people where listening to our conversation. Listening intently, I’ll add. So I didn’t reply in a snarky, rude way to her question. I took the opportunity to lay out my daily writing life.

 

typewriter

But it got me to thinking afterward how many non-writing people must think the same way this chick does. I put up a post question on my facebook page asking my writing friends to tell me the nasty, little diggy things people have said to them about being writers over the years. Here are a few of the replies I received: (  my thoughts are in the ( ) )

  •  “Oh, isn’t writing a nice little hobby.” (No. Stamp collecting is a hobby. Writing in a calling.)
  •  ” I wish I had time to sit around and write stories.” ( What’s stopping you? Oh, yeah…no talent.)
  • “You must have too much time on your hands.”  (Sure, like the house cleans itself, the laundry puts itself into the dryer, and the food materializes out of the cabinets  by magic.)
  • One of my former English teacher’s said, “You write smut.” She claims she didn’t mean it “that” way, but it still annoyed me.  ( Really? She didn’t mean it that way?  In what other context is the word “smut” a good thing?? Bad English  teacher.)

Here are some I’ve heard from other writers as well:

  • “Print is dead. You’ll never be able to support yourself.” (This chick was TSTL – for those of you who don’t read romance that stands for Too Stupid To Live
  • “Is there any money in that?”(Rude, much?)
  • “I could write a book if someone paid me to do it.” (No, you couldn’t.)
  • “Aren’t you bored out of your mind at home all day?” (No. I’m bored talking to you about this topic.)
  • “You must be able to catch up on all your tv watching now.” ( Really?)
  • “It’s a good thing your husband works.” (This one was said to me!!) (( In reply, I smiled serenely and said, “Yes. And he’s a doctor, too. Bitchy, much?))

I never cease to be amazed by what comes out of peoples’ mouths. I’ve said this often in my life but it needs to be repeated: There’s a very thin line between saying something and thinking it. 99% of the stuff I think, I never give a voice to because I know it will either hurt someone’s feelings or be misconstrued. I have enough problems with impulse control issues without adding saying rude and inappropriate things to people who deserve to have rude and inappropriate things said to them into the mix.

So, back to my fingernail fandango. I explained to the woman sitting next to me that I treat my writing as my job. I get up each day just like she does; I get hubby off to work, do laundry, grocery shop, clean the house, pay bills and do a thousand other things before sitting down at my laptop for between 8-10 hours JUST LIKE A JOB I had to leave the house to do. Every two weeks I take a lunch hour break to get my nails done; once a month, an hour to visit my stylist so I can keep my bottle blonde hair coiffed. I told her I pen a blog 3-4 times a week, in addition to doing visit stops at other webpages, do my own marketing and promotion for my books and on any given day have 3-4 books in various rotations of edits, galleys and writing. I am not sitting on the couch in lounging pajamas eating Milano cookies and drinking Pomegranate Cosmos all day long. The television doesn’t go on until after dinner – if at all – and I make it a habit to try and get some sort of exercise 5 times a week. Plus, I cook a full meal from scratch every night for my husband and I. Once in a great while we will go out to eat on a weekend night.

bonbons

She stared at me, wide eyed and ( thankfully) speechless when I was done. The only sounds you could hear in the room were from the manicurists speaking in Vietnamese. And I sincerely hope they weren’t talking about me. But if they were,  I hope it was in a good way.

BTW my nails looked great when I sauntered out of the salon a half hour later.

manicure

 

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August 29, 2015 · 10:13 am

My Sexy Saturday # 107

Well, it’s Saturday once again and that means a listing on the My Sexy Saturday blog hop. Here’s a sexy scene from my two new peeps in FIRST IMPRESSIONS due out on 9/23 but available for preorder now. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it….FirstImpressions_w9816_2_85

 

“Pat?”

He didn’t answer, but continued to hold her prisoner, gaze, body and soul. She couldn’t take a full breath, didn’t dare to, afraid she’d break the spell he’d woven around them, afraid she’d lose the thin thread of control she clutched to prevent herself from jumping on him and eating him alive.

“Clarissa,” he whispered, his nose nuzzling along the outer edge of her jaw.

“Y-yes?”

His lips skimmed her throat, trailing lazily along the column of her blouse. He placed an open-mouthed, wet kiss along the skin beneath her ear, and she finally let out the breath she’d been holding, fearful she would faint dead away if she didn’t.

“I smell turkey,” he said softly, and took her ear lobe into his mouth.

As he gently sucked on it, Clarissa felt a punch of lust straight through her midsection. “Wh-what?”

She gasped when his tongue slid against her throat. “And biscuits.”

“Biscuits?” Confusion vied with a hunger that had nothing to do with food.

“Mmmm. Turkey and biscuits.” He licked her collarbone and then sucked at the skin covering it.

“Oh, sweet Jesus.”

With a smile dancing on his lips, he pulled back and looked at her face.
 “Clarissa, I’m starving.”
  She blinked a few times.
“You wouldn’t, by any chance, want to share your dinner with me, would you? Friend.”
  The cloud of erotic sensations he’d spun around her finally started to disperse. His stomach growled again, and even the kitten heard it this time because she startled and dug her nails into Clarissa’s arm.

 

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August 28, 2015 · 10:00 am

An interview with author Maria Imbalzano

 

 

mimbalzano-pressToday I’m hosting the lovely, talented Maria Imbalzano, a Wild Rose Press author and sistah. Maria is one smart cookie – not only is she a matrimonial layer in New Jersey ( hallaaaa, Jersey Girl!!) she juggles her demanding law practice, motherhood and a secondary writing career. And she juggles them well.  I recently interviewed Maria in depth – even she admitted some of the questions were a little hard – so read on and learn more about her and her most recent novel from the Wild Rose Press,  Dancing in the Sand

 Questions for The Writer in you…

What drives you to write? I love the creative process. It’s fun for me to make up stories, conceive characters, and determine their secrets, flaws and motivations.

What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? Contemporary. I am familiar with the present and as they say “write what you know.” It’s closer to real life and it’s easier to draw from real life experiences – whether my own or someone else’s. It would take an enormous amount of research and studying to learn enough to write historical. I suppose I don’t have enough creativity to write paranormal since I would have to build my own world. Contemporary is the place for me.

What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? Mostly contemporary, but I also like to read historical.

What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? I wish I could, but my day job gets in the way. I’m a divorce lawyer, which keeps me in the office many nights until 6:30-7:00, and I’m also involved on non-profit Boards and attend many evening functions such as Chamber of Commerce events, Bar Association dinners, and charitable fundraisers. There are not enough hours in the day, but when I do sit down to write, I am very efficient.

Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? I am lucky to have an office all to myself. I have a large desk with three sets of drawers for filing, a printer, and a bookcase with dozens of books on writing. The office also has a couch where I often sit if I’m editing, and an elliptical machine in case I feel the need to move. This office was originally set up by my husband, but as soon as the desk came in, I took over. I do that everywhere in the house.

Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision? I like quiet. The only sounds I hear are my characters talking in my head.

Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? I don’t listen to music when I write because I would be singing along, or worse, dancing in my chair. Neither is conducive to writing.

How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your new release? The premise for “Dancing in the Sand” came to me in a dream. Young, passionate love exploded over the course of a weekend–the kind of forbidden, but oh so exciting love. Horseback riding was involved along with an accident. The dream was so vivid, so romantic, and a little disturbing, that I wrote it down the second I woke up. From there, I created the heroine to be a dance major at NYU. I love dance and took lessons for years including ballet, tap and modern jazz. I suppose Ava is my alter-ego.

Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? Plot comes first for me. I need to know the story before I can populate it with the appropriate characters.

What 3 words describes you, the writer?  Plotter,  Persistent,  Non-stop Editor

And now, you the Person ( mom, lawyer, wife, etc….:)

Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I don’t think this is unusual but I love to dance. I took ballet, jazz and tap for twelve years when I was younger. Now I just go to Jazzercise to get in my dancing. For our daughter’s wedding, I choreographed a dance for the bride, bridesmaids and two moms to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” We surprised everyone with our great dance moves.

Who was your first love and what age were you? I was fifteen, he was nineteen. We worked together at a movie theater. He was so handsome and had gorgeous green eyes and smelled amazing. Ahhh, first love.

If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. Our wedding day. It was such a beautiful October day (Halloween) and everything was perfect. Unfortunately, so much is going on that day that you don’t remember everything and all you want to do is have a replay. I felt the same way about our daughter’s wedding.

Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? All of the above

If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Blush – I could improvise with lipstick, right?

What three words describes you, the person?  Social,  Hard-working, Persistent

If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones

If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? Scarlett O’Hara before the war when we would dress up in ball gowns and attend over-the-top parties. We’d flirt and dance and vie for the same handsome man.

Bonus round

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

  1. Favorite sound – raindrops on the roof when I’m snuggled up in bed
  2. Least favorite sound – lawnmower impinging on a beautiful summer day
  3. Best song every written– God Only Knows by the Beach Boys
  4. Worst song ever written – Yellow Submarine by the Beatles
  5. Favorite actor and actress – Julia Roberts
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead)-Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State-she’s a smart, strong, intelligent woman who fits well in a man’s world
  7. What turns you on? A guy in a suit and tie
  8. What turns you off? A guy in a sleeveless sweatshirt and sweat pants
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) “I have a girl friend”
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? Sitting on the front porch of our beach house with my husband and listening to the ocean while reading.

Peggy here: Wow, Maria! You and I have a lot of similar likes and dislikes. Gone With the Wind is one of my all time favorite books and I would love a chance to hang with Scarlett for a day before a nighttime ball too! And I wish I could see that video of the dance routine at your daughter’s wedding. I’m betting it’s amazeballs. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions – long and lengthy though they were. It was my pleasure to host and get to know you…

Now, for our readers, here’s a little taste of DANCING IN THE SAND available now...

 

DancingintheSand_w9669_300

BLURB:

An accomplished dance major in New York City, Ava Woodward is pursuing her dream of becoming a professional in a national dance company. But a celebratory weekend in Newport, where she meets the man of her fantasies, has devastating consequences that change her life forever.

Brian Stanhope, a Harvard graduate, poised to join his father’s company, suffers a brain injury in a horseback riding accident, which affects his memory. He has no recollection of his graduation party weekend or the beautiful dancer who turned his head and stole his heart.

When they reunite eight years later, the magic of their powerful attraction binds them together, but the past holds a secret that even love may not be able to overcome.

Excerpt from Dancing in the Sand:

Approaching his sister’s dance studio to the right, he heard a pounding beat, not at all similar to the classical music that fueled Carrie’s usual dance practices. He stopped to watch through a small square window off to the side. Ava, dressed in a black leotard and tights, leaped and twirled through the air like a spinning top, set on its course around the circumference of the room while Carrie spun in a more confined area in the center of the room.

Brian’s eyes sought Ava as her tight body coiled and released, coiled and released. Her arms were at once fragile and muscled, highlighting biceps and long, graceful fingers, sweeping through the air to mirror her legs. Her leaps were huge, with powerful extension and maximum air between her and the floor. No sooner would she land than she’d pull her limbs into herself and pirouette on her toes, spinning fast enough to make him question the physics of it all. This was no prissy ballet. This was fast and furious modern dance where you could feel the beat in your throat. Okay, maybe he’d experienced a little too much dance in his life, but this was definitely as good as anything he’d seen on the New York stage. Ava was even better than his sister.

What happened to the shy, vulnerable girl he’d just met? On the dance floor, she was a powerhouse. Full of confidence, energy, and magnetism.

When the music ended, he stood rooted to the floor, and his hands came up in a spontaneous clap.

“Who’s out there?” Carrie flung open the door to reveal their intruder. “Brian, what are you doing here? I thought you were playing tennis.”

“I am. I was. I-I had to come in for more balls.”

He stared at Ava, with her dark brown hair pulled tight in a bun at the nape of her neck, drops of sweat beading on her chest just above the scoop of her leotard and above her full upper lip. Hot and sexy. He swallowed, fantasizing about licking the moisture from her mouth, her neck, molding that cute little powerful body into his.

“Then why are you just standing there?” Carrie placed her hands on her hips, challenging him to stop staring at her friend and walk away.

“I’m going.” He backed away from the door, but couldn’t seem to make his body turn and move down the hall.

Until Carrie slammed the door in his face.

Biography:

Maria Imbalzano is a matrimonial lawyer in central New Jersey where she not only uses her law degree to navigate her clients through the court system, but her psychology degree to guide them through their personal struggles. While writing motions, legal memoranda, and briefs is fascinating, it pales in comparison to creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys.

In addition to practicing law and writing fiction, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters either at home or at the Jersey Shore.

 

Visit Maria at http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Facebook –

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/mariaimbalzano

@mariaimbalzano

Blog Link

http://www.mariaimbalzano.com/category/blog/

Website Link

http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

Goodreads Author Page

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276749.Maria_Imbalzano

Buy Links for “Dancing in the Sand”

Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Sand-Maria-Imbalzano-ebook/dp/B0121Q8F5W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438005888&sr=8-2&keywords=dancing+in+the+sand&pebp=1438005895512&perid=18SVGPFKD2FG4CB7B7BR

Barnes and Noble Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dancing-in-the-sand-maria-imbalzano/1122378243?ean=2940150767836

All Romance

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dancinginthesand-1857206-149.html

Bookstrand

http://www.bookstrand.com/dancing-in-the-sand

Kobo

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dancing-in-the-sand

The Wild Rose Press

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6348

 

 

 

 

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August 26, 2015 · 9:18 am

I’m not a very good waiter…..

No, I’m not talking about serving you dinner or drinks. I mean I’m not good at waiting for things to happen, people to get back to me, emails to be answered.

I guess I could have titled this piece I’m Impatient and it would have meant the same thing.

I’ve always been impatient, even as a child. I was that kid in the cartoon tootsie roll commercial with the Owl – remember? Only I was the owl. “How many licks does it take to get the middle of a tootsie pop? one..two..three.crunch.” That was me. There was no way I was waiting to lick the pop down before tasting the chocolatey tootsie center.

I’m that adult that hits the elevator button 30 times just in case it forgets to stop at my floor.

The minute I sit down in a restaurant I expect the serve staff to be jonny-on-the-spot with a drink order and menu in hand. Those 9 months of pregnancy? Yeah, not happening again. I could only handle the long wait once, hence the only child. Good thing I’m not an elephant.

I’m that person in the 10 items only checkout line who  has 9 items and will chastise the person in front of her who has 12.

I hate waiting for people to get to the point – ergo my rude habit of finishing other people’s sentences. It’s a good thing I didn’t go into politics. Or Public Relations. I’d be a nightmare to work with. Who am I kidding?? I’d be fired from any job that required me to be subtle and play the waiting game.

I haven’t called someone  on a phone in years. Know why? When you call someone, 9 times out of 10 you need to leave them a message because they’re too busy to pick up. Know what I do instead? Text. Why, you ask? Because people respond to texts IMMEDIATELY!!! I never, ever wait for a text response because I don’t have to. They are always, always answered  as soon as they are received.

Love that. LOVE THAT!

I know: obnoxious, right? To the max. That’s me.

As a writer, I have to wait all the time. I wait for query responses from editors and agents; I wait for contracts, first and last edits; galleys; advance checks. I wait anxiously for release dates and the second I know them I start publicizing them. Pre-orders are my life’s-blood.  Writing is a waiting game and the road to publication is psychologically tortuous for someone  like me who has zero patience tolerance.

I must remember to ask my mother one of these days about my toilet training. Seems that might be where all this started…..hmmmmm.

So, are you a good waiter or a bad one like me? Let’s discuss…….

 

 

 

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August 25, 2015 · 9:46 am

More things I believe…

Yesterday’s blog was fun to write, and after I posted it I realized I had more things I believe. Here they are:

  1. Pizza should be included in the FOOD PYRAMID as an actual category.
  2. I will always remember to do something AFTER it was time for me to remember it! Or in other words, too late.
  3. Every child deserves the right to love, shelter, food and a future. Every child. Every child.
  4. I’m a grown-up and if I want to have dessert first, I can and will.
  5. When someone is speaking smack, they need to be shut down. Immediately.
  6. Do a good deed just because…not because you want someone to recognize that you did it.
  7. There’s never a punishment for the truth.
  8. There is always a punishment for a lie.
  9. If you make a vow – you stick to it. Same goes for a promise.
  10. A smile and a gentle touch go a very long way to making someone feel better.

What about you? What do you believe? Let’s discuss…..

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August 24, 2015 · 10:52 am

10 things I believe

Today’s blog is a little different because I’m not talking about writing ( for once!)

These are the top 10 things I believe with all my heart:

1. Good will always triumph over evil. ALWAYS

2.People are basically good; circumstances change them.

3.  If you eat fish for dinner and don’t empty the garbage right away your house will smell like stale, old…you got it!

4. Girlfriends are like fine bottles of Port(my favorite!)…they only get better with age.

5. If a woman says “fine,” when asked if something is wrong…run.

6.  If you have a choice to work for overtime pay or spend the day with your kid…ditch the OT. You can’t buy a memory      with overtime pay.

7.   Children are like flowers…they need food, attention, nurturing and most of all daily doses of love and affection to grow to be beautiful.

8.   Superman wins over Batman EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. DO not argue with me about this…you will lose.

9.   Bottle blondes have as much fun as natural blondes.

10. Laughter can cure just about anything; love certainly can.

 

Any thoughts? Let’s discuss…

 

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August 22, 2015 · 10:17 am

Long and SHort Anniversary Party

Join Long and Short Reviews for their 8th anniversary party. Click on the link and you could…win a prize…find your next favorite author…just answer a question on the link about my debut novel SKATER’S WALTZ, which, btw, in on sale now for #99cents until 9/3. So if you haven’t read it, now’s your chance to for less than a dollar!

 

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August 22, 2015 · 9:17 am

A sexy Saturday tease….

Ok – here’s a scene from my soon-to-be-released 3rd book in MacQuire Women, FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

FirstImpressions_w9816_2_85

Since it’s a #mysexysaturday feature, this one’s rated pg-13 ( and maybe even R!), so no kiddies in the room when you read it!

He bent and, while she slept, traced his tongue around one nipple until it hardened and beaded in his mouth. He felt her start to stir, watched as her legs pulled upwards and her back arched. Even in sleep she stirred his blood.

His hand dipped down, trailed over her abdomen, over her pelvis, to rest on the core of her heat. He slipped one finger between her beautiful, plump lips to find her hot and ready.

“Pat?”

He smiled at the surprise in her sexy sleepy voice. “Right here, sweetheart.” He bent and kissed her, slow and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world to take with her. She shifted under him, wound her hands up along his shoulders to settle at the nape of his neck. “You smiled in your sleep,” he said against her mouth, his tongue outlining her bottom lip. “What were you dreaming about?” He pulled back to look down at her.

Her hands clenched in his hair. With a determined tug, she brought his mouth to within a breath of hers. Her nose slid along his, back, then forth, as her eyes, no longer slumberous, but wide awake and wanting, bore right through him.
“You,” she whispered. “I was dreaming of you.” She moved so their mouths joined again.


“I want you,” he told her, his lips tracing her jaw. “Right now. And then again.”

She pulled her head back so she could look at him. With a lazy smile he found both charming and wickedly seductive, she gave him back his words. “I’m right here. Right here with you. And I want you, too. Right now. And then again.”

Whew! Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m off to the shower after reading that one, and I wrote it!

Comments? Thoughts? Let’s discuss….

 

 

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August 21, 2015 · 9:21 am

A visit with Linda O’Connor

Today I’m hosting fellow contemporary romance author Linda O’Connor. We recently found out we were inches away from one another at RWA in NYC last month, both of us working at the Literacy Signing for the Nora Roberts Foundation. After interviewing her, I realize we share a lot more than just that chance encounter! Here’s Linda:

Linda O'Connor author

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Peggy! It’s my pleasure. Now…

What drives you to write? I have a story to tell, lessons to teach, places to be, people to meet. . . wait what was the question?

What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? I write contemporary romance stories with humor– I like when the heroines are strong characters. Maybe their life would be better with the hero, but they do okay on their own, too.

What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I read contemporary romance with humor or anything that Nora Roberts/JD Robb writes. I usually read for relaxation so I’d rather not read something sad.

What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? I set aside two days a week to write without interruption (and if I can get away with not making dinner those days, even better). I’m a physician and work part-time at an Urgent Care Clinic, but any other time I can sit down and write, I do.

Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? We live on the water so I like to sit so I can see (and hear) it. Outside or in our living room with my laptop both work.

Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision? I prefer silence. It’s hard to filter out questions about the laundry, dishes, lost articles… usually the interruptions come right when I’ve thought of the perfect line.

Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? No, I prefer quiet.

How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I’m a genius.

Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? I have an idea for the beginning, middle, and end of the story and then develop the characters.

What 3 words describes you, the writer? I’m still learning.

Now for the personal, nosy stuff!

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing. I don’t drink coffee.
  2. Who was your first love and what age were you? I married my first love! We met at the hospital when I was a 4th year medical student and he was a third year ophthalmology resident. I think he liked my eyes.
  3. If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. Oh that’s a hard one… well actually last Thursday was pretty fun.
  4. Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Gee, commando would mean less laundry.
  5. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Sunscreen.
  6. What three words describe you, the person? I love leftovers.
  7. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? You lost me at “If you could sing”.
  8. If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it be, why, and what would you do together? I’d hang out with Eve and Roarke in 2060. Driving a flying car would be a blast, and I’d like to try out that healing wand they have.

Bonus round

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

  1. Favorite sound – my husband’s voice (especially when he says “I’ll make dinner.”)
  2. Least favorite sound – wind chimes
  3. Best song ever written – Be Real by The Jaded Gentlemen
  4. Worst song ever written – I don’t think there is a worst song ever written. Even if I’m not fond of a song, there’s probably another audience who enjoys it.
  5. Favorite actor and actress – Mark Kratky, Chilina Kennedy
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) I actually like being me.
  7. What turns you on? Humor
  8. What turns you off? Prejudice
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) It’s been a while since I had a first date, but I only have memories of charming men and a lovely time. Now, if you’d asked about the second date . . .
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? Writing from 8am – 3pm, bicycle ride, swim, someone else making dinner.

And here’s the fun stuff:

Perfectly Reasonable

 

 

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Love what you do and do what you love. Sounds perfectly reasonable, but chances are, you’ll find your passion in the last place you look . . .

Margo MacMillan finished medical school, but in the process, her self-confidence and self-esteem took a beating. So for the sake of self-preservation, she’s stepped away from medicine to re-group. In the meantime, painting soothes her soul and pays the bills.

Trace Bennett set his sights on a medical degree and has to prepare the perfect medical school application. His big plan is to paint his condo for a little feng shui divine luck. When Margo shows up to paint, he realizes he’s found exactly what he’s looking for. He just has to convince Margo to share more than the art of medicine.

She’s got it. He wants it. It’s Perfectly Reasonable.

Biography:

I’ve been writing romance novels for four years and sincerely thank Debby Gilbert at Soul Mate Publishing for the ultimate encouragement to my writing – with the leap to publishing. I have many titles including Doctor, Mom, and proud Canadian, but “Linda O’Connor – hereinafter called the Author” on the SMP contract was one of the sweetest.

Contemporary romantic comedies are my favourite novels to read and write. I balance writing with my work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). I like to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk with my husband, or dance every day.

Laugh every day. Love every minute.

I love connecting with readers.

Book Trailer: 

Website: 

amazon author page: 

Goodreads author page

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor

Twitter: @lindaoconnor98

 

Thanks for hosting me, Peggy! Listen Girl, this has been an absolute delight! I swear, we’re dopplegangers, only you’re the smart, pretty one!

 

 

 

 

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August 19, 2015 · 10:06 am

Lots going on…

Whew! This is some week. Who calls these the dog days of August?? Not for me.

Monday I had a piece published on Contemporary Romance that you might have seen ( or not!) Here’s the link. It’s about literary rejection, but the lesson in it could be applied to almost anything in life worth wanting and striving for.

Friday I’m  being featured on The Roses of Proses Fearless Friday blog talking about my Dancing with the Stars experience earlier this year. Again, the lessons I learned during that time will suit me for a lifetime. I’ll post the link when it’s live.

Saturday  8/22/15 is my biggie day though. Three monumental things going down for this little author:

  1. It’s the beginning of the I Love Book Boyfriend’s Scavenger Hunt . You can find the instructions by clicking on the previous link. Lots of prizes to get and you may find your new favorite author by visiting some of the author pages listed.

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2.I’m also featured on the Long and Short Reviews 8th Anniversary blog party: here’s the link but it won’t go live until         the 22nd so don’t email me if you can’t get on!! You need to answer a question you’re given and you could win a                       prize.

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3. Starting on 8/21/15 my debut novel SKATER’S WALTZ will be on sale for 2 weeks for 99cents for the ebook. If you         haven’t gotten a copy yet, now is the best time todo it because the book will never be priced lower. Just go to amazon or Wild Rose Press starting on the 21st to upload your copy. I mean, really, 99cents?? What a fabulous deal.

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One last bit of exciting news. On August 20 [ which is tomorrow ) I’ll be a guest author on the EXQUISITE QUILLS  author takeover extravaganza. I’ll be LIVE from 6-7pm East coast time and there’ll be prize giveaways, fun trivia and questions for people participating. Click on the above link to get an idea of what’s to come and I hope I see you there!

Whew! That’s enough for this insomniac. More later…..

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, Life challenges, Romance, Romance Books, RWA, Skater's Waltz, Strong Women

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