1) What
kind of music do you like? Sixties.Sorry, but it’s
the best ever. Beatles. Stones. Animals. Janis Joplin. BobDylanBobDylanBobDylan.
Yes, I know, I’m one of those goofy sixties lovers. But Bob Dylan is the
greatest poet of the twentieth century. End of discussion.
2) Describe
your dream home…
Great question! White clapboard. Green
trim. Nice porch, big kitchen, writing room and bedroom upstairs, two guest
rooms and huge great room downstairs. Overlooking the water. Quiet, 100 year
old small neighborhood a half mile from town. Which is also small. But 30
minutes away from a major university so I can hang out with smart young people
and go to lectures and good restaurants when I want some distraction. Sigh. I
can see it!
3) Favorite
literary hero & heroine?
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Rhett
Butler. (Wow, would that make for an interesting mash-up!HA!)
4) What
are you reading now? Liliana Hart, who may be my
new heroine in the book world. Kathy Maxwell, who is my heroine in any world.
Just finished The Awful Mess by
Sandra Hutchison…fabulous and interesting contemporary and the most
unconventional but realistic love story I’ve read in a long time.
5) What
did you do on your last birthday?
Dinner out with my favorite “Mr. Perfect”
(take that, Cary Grant!), hubby Phil-the-fist, my New York marine with the
tough demeanor and heart of gold. We do my favorite Mexican restaurant with
kids and friends and I drink two much (which is 2 drinks) and cry and count my
blessings. So much fun…
6) What
comes first, plot or characters?
I character. One big problem and it’s
solution. Then a title. Then I mull and write.
7) Do
you ever suffer from writer’s block? No. I suffer
from fear of sucking at writing, and poor time management, and laziness, but I
can always write if I sit down and make myself.
8) Do
you ever want to be someone else? Who?
No. I want to be a better me, but I
wouldn’t trade places with anyone.
9) Tell
us about your latest book?
DATING CARY GRANT is a story that I wanted
to share ever since I imagined it. I love him, I love old movies, and I know
how we non-movie star people idealize and wish our lives could be like what we
see on the screen. And that we know it’s not realistic, but of course, we still
want it. I loved the apartment Molly lives in located in Kate Hepburn’s old
neighborhood in Manhattan’s Turtle Bay. I loved the constant surprise at the
door. The reality TV group stalking her. And getting to write a secondary
character who I could hear speaking in my head was a blast!
I had several editors tell me they liked
the story, but couldn’t publish it because “No one will know who Cary Grant
is.” I couldn’t believe it, and I was blessed to find publisher Debby Gilbert
of Soul Mate Publishing who said, “I love Cary Grant. Let’s do it!”
I hope readers will enjoy this interplay of
real and fantasy and if they didn’t know Cary Grant before, will love him when
they meet him in the book.
10) What’s
next for you?
I’m working on a women’s fiction novel with
quite a lot of suspense called KISS ME
TWICE. It’s about a woman trying to decided if she should go to her
fifteenth college reunion. Her ex-husband (boo, hiss, huge mistake) will be
there. As will the foreign exchange student she fell in love with and never
forgot, even though he broke her heart. She goes. What happens next is pretty
damn surprising, if I do say so myself.
Great
questions, Rachel! Thanks so much for letting me visit your blog and meet your
readers.
Readers, do you ever by a book
based on an author interview? Why or why not?
Dating Cary Grant
by Emelle Gamble
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
A modern Manhattan fairy tale starring…
Tracy Connor, a New York City career woman who loves her job
and classic movies.
Mike Connor, her estranged husband, a small town Mayor who
loves his wife but doesn’t seem to have enough time to see her.
The handsome stranger, Philip Adams, who lives downstairs
from the small sublet Tracy has temporarily moved into. He’s charming, funny
and looks a lot like her very favorite screen icon, Cary Grant.
Dating Cary Grant is a romance all about New York City
career woman Tracy Connor struggling with real issues with her real guy, her
husband of six years, Mayor Mike Connor of Cukor, Connecticut. Tracy is a smart
woman, but some of her problems with relationships are partially caused by her
unrealistic expectations that real guys should – and can - behave like matinee
idols. Mike’s problems are also caused by the fact that he’s such a great guy
and overextends his heart, and his appointment calendar, to every constituent,
friend or stray animal who crosses his path.
Tracy is also being stressed by a TV reality show intent on
showcasing Tracy and Mike’s personal life, as well as the imminent takeover of
her employer, a small, private television station, by a billionaire with
unlimited funds and no taste.
Dating Cary Grant considers just how selfless a man needs to
be to meet his wife’s expectations, and just how honest a woman must be with
herself about what she’s willing to give, and give-up. And Cary Grant is along
to help prove that any woman’s search for ‘Mr. Perfect ‘ might take her to a
surprising place to find him.
Excerpt:
Tracy put her hand on the knob to open the door a crack so she could
hear better, when suddenly someone knocked, then knocked a second time!
The vibration went right through the door into her forehead. She yelped
and stepped back, just like the other night, but this time, thankfully, the
lock was engaged.
“Hello?” a man asked pleasantly. “Sorry if I startled you.”
Tracy stared at the door, immobile with surprise. She cleared her throat
and put her right hand over her heart, as if that would slow the galloping beat
down.
The man knocked twice again. “I don’t want to be a bother, but I’ve come
to borrow ice cubes, if you have them. It’s quite a catastrophe, really, having
no ice, so you can save the day if you have a tray or two to spare.”
His voice was smart and cultured. He had the accent of an Englishman by
birth and world traveler by choice.
“Why don’t you come downstairs and have a drink, for that matter? If
you’re decent, of course. Or even if you’re not.” He chuckled and tapped the
door gently. “Come on. Shy, are
you? Don’t be afraid, I promise I’m a perfect gentleman this time of night.”
“Yes, hello,” Tracy surprised herself by replying. “But I’m sorry; I
don’t have any ice cubes. Sorry.” What a pinhead, she chided herself.
Apologizing when I had no reason to, just like the woman on the bike told
her.
“No ice cubes? You poor darling! Well, you must open up and go
downstairs with me. I’ll steal some for you from the party. Right out of
someone’s glass. It might be rude, but, well, I’m willing to be rude in times
of crisis. No girl with a voice as lovely as yours should be without ice cubes
on a Saturday night. What if she fancied a cocktail?”
Tracy smiled. “Actually it’s Sunday morning. About three thirty, as a
matter of fact. And I certainly can’t come out, as I’m dressed for bed, and
it’s a bit early for me to be drinking a cocktail.”
“Early? Well, that’s all the way you look at it, my dear.” The door
creaked as the visitor leaned his weight against it. “To my way of thinking,
3:30 a.m. is the very heart of the evening. Why don’t you throw on something
more acceptable to the general public and join me? What do you say?”
Tracy put her hand on the door and peered through the stained glass but
could make out only a vague figure of a man in a dark suit. His voice was
amazing. If he looked half as hot
as he sounded, then the neighborhood was even better than she had expected.
Should she open the door to get a look at this guy? She glanced down and
frowned at the white tee shirt and pink socks she‘d been sleeping in. The shirt
was Mike’s. Suddenly the image of her husband filled her head, squelching her
curious impulse.
Tracy crossed her arms over her chest. “Thanks, but no. Sorry.” She
grimaced. God lord, I am pathetic. “Goodnight!” Her voice was firm. “I’m going
back to sleep now. Have a nice party.”
“Well, all right. But next time I’ll stay here until you come out and
meet me properly,” the man replied. “I’ll go back to my friends. Although you
don’t sound like you need it, you’ve still got a few hours to get your beauty
sleep. Good night, Miss…?”
It’s Mrs., she thought. “Connor. Tracy Connor.”
“Sleep tight, Tracy Connor,” the man said.
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
Emelle Gamble was a writer
at an early age, bursting with the requisite childhood stories of
introspection. These evolved into bad teen poetry and worse short stories. She
took her first stab at full length fiction in an adult education writing class
when her kids were in bed twenty years ago. As M.L. Gamble, she published several romantic suspense
novels with Harlequin. Soul Mate
Publishing brought out Secret Sister, a paranormal women’s romantic fiction
novel in the summer of 2013. This was followed by the novella, Duets, in
November, 2013, and the follow on novel starring the characters from Duets,
Molly Harper, in January, 2014.
Always intrigued by the
words ‘what if’, Emelle’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an
extraordinary situation. She most
enjoys reading stories that surprise and amaze her, and hopes her readers will
enjoy the challenging and exciting journeys her characters take.
Emelle lives in suburban
Washington D.C. with her husband,
Phil, her hero of thirty years,
and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. These girls, like all good
villains, have their reasons for misbehaving. Her daughter, Olivia, and son,
Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to
society, their mother’s fondest wish.
Emelle Gamble contact
links:
Email:
emellegamble@aol.com
Website: www.EmelleGamble.com
FaceBook: Author Emelle Gamble
Twitter: @EmelleGamble
Secret Sister is now available on Amazon! http://amzn.to/17J2Bn6
Once and Forever is now
available on Amazon!
http://amzn.to/1h9fZWv
Duets, a novella, the
prequel to Molly Harper,
http://amzn.to/1cagyNa
Molly Harper now available
on Amazon
http://amzn.to/1a7k8Gx
Emelle will be awarding a
$50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and the Reviews Tour.
A digital copy of Dating Cary Grant will be awarded to 5 randomly drawn
commenters also during this tour and the Reviews Tour.
A $25 Amazon gift card will be awarded to a randomly drawn host also between
the two tours.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
Thanks Rachel! Very generous of you to host me on your lovely blog and meet your readers! Tell me readers, have you ever made your significant other jealous? How'd that turn our? Good luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteNice to know that we also have Bob Dylan in common! I can't believe people would say that no one would know Cary Grant. BLASPHEMOUS! lol
ReplyDeleteAnyway, in answer to your question of the day, yes, I have done that many times. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it backfired.
And a wave to Rachel Brimble, whose books I also enjoy. Have a good one, ladies!
Andrea, thanks so much for stopping by. And yes, I think your experience is what usually happens when we try and play with those explosive emotions! I try never to do it, but did once in my life. No, I won't give the details. HA! I'll save for a book.
DeleteI liked learning more about Emelle's likes and life
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Debbie Carney! That's one thing that happens on my blog tours...lots of personal details. Uh, oh! HA! Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteThe title got me. I <3 Cary Grant so hard.
ReplyDeleteThis books for you, Maggie Steele. A double scoop of Cary! HA! Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteInteresting interview today. I liked the fact that you think of the title before writing. I've often heard it said that the first sentence of a book is the one that needs to grab the reader's attention right away. So do you write the one you write first the one that stay in place or do you change it later?
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
Gosh, you got me thinking Karen, and I don't think I have ever written a first line that stayed put. This current book originally started with "Nothing good every happens to my family on Good Friday." Which I then, after a few weeks of writing changed to "I saw a ghost today." Which is now also gone, as is the first person voice. Sigh. I HATE WRITING. HA! Not really, but I'm sure you get the point. If life is a river, writing is the silt at the bottom. Good to hear from you! Good luck!
Deletecute interview. 60s music eh?
ReplyDeletemadtvk34 _(AT)_ yahoo _(DOT)_ com
Thanks Teresa! Yes, hardcore. Carole King. Righteous Brothers. Mary Wells. The Temptations. DylanDylanDylan. HA! Tired yet? Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI loved this book. I really thought it was exceptionally good. The next one you are writing sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteThanks MomJane! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Good luck in the drawing. And yeah, the next one sounds good to me too, now if I could just write the darned thing! HA!
DeleteHi Emelle! Thanks for sharing a great excerpt and interview. I try not to make my significant other jealous...I want to harbor positive, happy feelings in our relationship. =)
ReplyDeletebrookeb811 at gmail dot com
Good on you, Brooke! Yes, making someone jealous intentionally is the road to disaster. My heroine in DATING CARY GRANT knows this...but things happen. HA! Thank you for your post, and keep up that smart behavior.
DeleteGreat interview! I love getting to know you a little more in each interview you do. =) And 60's music is awesome,.. I happen to like all music era's but I sometimes find myself listening to 80's music the most lol.
ReplyDeleteOn question 9, did u make a mistake & say Molly instead of Tracy? lol ;)
The book sounds really good!! I love your writing & this book is added to my TBR list! =)
Take care!!
Brandi
BLeigh1130 at yahoo dot com
Brandi, LOL, yes sharp eyed goddess, I said Molly and meant Tracy. Jeez, too many book tours too close together! I need you to proofread before I post! Thanks for the kind words...80's music, huh. Like...??? wham, David Bowie, Donna Summer? I like a lot of that too but DYLAN RULES. xxx Good luck in the contest.
DeleteA fun interview. Love your mash up of hero & heroine.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I really enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteI like 60's music also but can't stand 70's. Classic black and white movies rock!
ReplyDeleteI like both the post and the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the author comments and the book blurb
ReplyDeletei liked the variety of the questions, it let me get to know you better than some of the other blog tours i have followed before. :)
ReplyDeletetammy ramey
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I cannot believe anyone doesn't know who Cary Grant is! What an obnoxious statement that editor made! Sometimes I've been known to purchase books because I was intrigued by the interview and wanted more. Marcia Berbeza Mberbeza@aol.com
ReplyDeleteLoved the interview and the sneak peek!!!!!
ReplyDeleteA fun interview--really enjoyed reading it! Good luck with sales, and with the rest of your tour!
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't know Cary Grant? Good grief! Have you ever seen that movie TOUCH OF PINK? It's kind of an m/m take on Doris Day movies, where a young Pakistani set designer has Cary Grant as sort of his guardian angel through all his romantic troubles...it's flawed, but cute (and Kyle MacLachlan is actually okay as Grant).
ReplyDeleteTrix, vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com
I loved the excerpt. The story sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt! Certainly has me wanting to know what happens next. :)
ReplyDelete