That’s a super tough
question because I love reading, and I admire so many fine authors. But if I
had to pick, I’d have to say my favorite author is Sandra Brown. She writes
sexy, fast-paced fiction that always satisfies. Sandra started out with Harlequin,
writing straightforward love stories, and then became a romantic suspense
author. Now she pens thrillers. I
love the progression of her career path.
Start simple then move to more complicated plots. It’s a path I hope to mimic.
2)
When did you first consider
yourself a writer?
A writer writes. Being published has little to do with
it. I considered myself a writer
when I began drafting poems. I was
in graduate school, earning a degree in English, and I began writing
sonnets. I joined a writers group,
and the journey I’m still on began.
3) Describe your writing space?
I
sit at a long conference table in front of a giant picture window that looks
out at forest, pond and creek. On
my desk, I have a large computer monitor, an ergonomic keyboard, and a reading
lamp. I sit in a big executive
chair, and I’m perched near a woodstove. Typically, a couple of rescued Pit
Bulls and a lazy Labrador keep my feet warm.
4)
What are you reading now?
At this very moment I am reading Lee
Child’s The Affair, Nora Roberts’s Red Lily, and Harlan Coben’s Livewire. I always have a few books going, and I finish about five a
week.
5)
How many books have your
written? Which is your favourite?
I’ve written five, of which I’ve published
two: The Billionaire’s Bauble and One Wet Summer. I have one forthcoming
in August titled Good Things Come in Tall
Packages. One Wet Summer is my favorite at the moment as that is my most
recent publication.
6)
What comes first, plot or characters?
For me, characters. I know who the story is about before I
know what the story is about. I need to be emotionally connected to the
characters. Once I am sure of who
they are, I put them together, imagine a conflict, and I follow them as they work
their way out.
7)
Do you ever suffer from
writer’s block?
Yes. I find that if I
force myself to write, I eventually write something worth saving. If I waited until I felt like writing,
I’d rarely write. I’d much rather eat, sleep, or read. But I know I have to write. Why? Because nothing satisfies like
finishing a story. I’m a hard
worker, and I enjoy achieving. I
often think: what else would I do with
this time? Then I remember I
would eat, sleep, or read, so I write.
8)
What do you like to do when
you’re not writing?
Besides eat, sleep,
and read, you mean? I love to
hike, cycle, listen to music, cook, dance, garden, and hang out with my
family.
9)
Tell us about your latest
book?
One Wet Summer is about a complicated hotelier and an uncomplicated
vacationing school teacher who find unexpected passion and romance poolside.
It’s sexy, sweet, and centers around three characters I grew to love--Ben,
Maura, and Jessie; they’re terrific characters who grow and change quite a bit
within the tale. It’s a romantic
story about forming a family, and how taking unwelcome risks might offer great
rewards. (GODDESSFISH--You can use my blurb or tagline for this part if you
want)
10)
What’s next for you?
Good
Things Come in Tall Packages is the next in the series. It’s a contemporary romance novel
featuring Lucy Alcott and Joe Connors who readers meet in One Wet Summer. Look
for it August 2012 from Musa Publishing.
One Wet Summer
by Ann Montclair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Maura Fields loves her uncomplicated, independent, single
life, but things quickly change when a summer vacation opens the door to an
unexpected world of passion and desire. Wealthy Savannah hotelier Ben Driscoll
had his playboy lifestyle upended when his ex-wife died, entrusting him to care
for their daughter—a child he sequesters and vows to protect from future
heartache and disappointment. Can the wall Ben has built around his heart
withstand the assault from the intriguing, beguiling Maura, or will it crumble,
leaving him vulnerable to the undeniable attraction and unbridled need to make
her his own?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Maura had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Why not?
What was she here for? Fun. And escape from the responsibilities of catering to
children. This man looked like more fun than she had ever had, and Savannah was
certainly an escape from the confines of her seventh grade classroom at Atlanta
Mills Middle School. Ms. Fields was just Maura today, and damn, it felt good.
“My name is Maura Fields,” she said, and she giggled as his
lips pursed—as if he were tasting her name and found he liked its flavor.
“Maura Fields: single woman, no complications. Are you married, encumbered in
any way? I hate to be so blunt, Ben, but I am a woman alone on vacation, and I
don’t want to find myself taken advantage of, even by someone as beguiling as
you.”
He looked taken aback as his blue eyes rounded and one
eyebrow arched. “Ms. Fields, I am not married. Does that make you feel more at
ease with my invitation?”
“Why, yes, it does!” she couldn’t help but exclaim.
“So, I will see you at four, ready to swim?” he inquired
again, but this time it sounded like a statement, a predetermined actuality.
Maura liked an assertive man, especially one so dapper. She nodded her head
affirmatively, not trusting herself to make a dignified sound.
Ben bowed slightly and slowly raked his brilliant eyes over
her body, toe to top. With an appreciative smile playing about his sexy mouth,
he said, “Maura, you’re the best thing that has happened around this old place
in a very long time.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
I was born in Los
Angeles, California, where my parents and grown daughter now reside. I
currently live in the Finger Lakes region of New York with my sexy hero, our
handsome son, and a pile of lazy dogs and ferocious cats. I enjoy a plethora of
hobbies including but not limited to attending concerts, hiking and cycling,
cooking, and gardening. I love to dance, to dress up, and I'll go just about
anywhere a good time can be had.
I've built a
satisfying career as an English professor at a small, rural community college,
and now I'm also writing and publishing romance. I've finished and sold a few
contemporary titles, and I'm working on perfecting a Tudor historical, and
penning a modern day romantic suspense.
I plan to spend the
rest of my life reading and writing in my little cabin in the woods.
My biggest wish is
that each of my readers will be inspired to believe in and find their own
happily-ever-after.
LINKS
Web site: http://www.annmontclair.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AnnMontclair
Buy link: http://www.musapublishing.com/
Ann will be awarding three $10 Musa Publishing GCs to randomly drawn commenters during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/04/virtual-book-tour-one-wet-summer-by-ann.html
Thank you for hosting Ann today.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks so much!
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