Author Interview: Nicola Marsh (Not the Marrying Kind)

Today I welcome Nicola Marsh, author of Not The Marrying Kind, recently released by Entangled Publishing.  Hope you enjoy the interview and Nicola's new book too!

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

At the risk of sounding like a complete nerd, reading!

What's your favorite season?

Love the sizzle of summer but I love wearing boots and rugging up in winter too. Then there’s beautiful mild Melbourne autumns…too hard!

Describe your ideal reading space (no expense spared here).

On a luxury yacht cruising the Greek Islands with Gerard Butler, Channing Tatum and Hugh Jackman helping me flip the pages.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?  

New York

What three things do you need in order to write?  

Ideas, inspiration and a lot of luck.

What's the first sentence of Not the Marrying Kind?  

Beck Blackwood could kill them.

Do you have a favorite line in Not the Marrying Kind?  

Beck: “I need a wife fast.” Poppy: “Why? You knocked up?”

Tell us what is Not the Marrying Kind is about.

A fiercely loyal woman who’d do anything for the sister who raised her and a life-hardened desert bad boy who’s determined to prove he’s better than his past. Both are tough on the outside but marshmallow on the inside.  Is there anything sexier than seeing a bad boy tamed?

Dish, who’s your favorite character?

That’s like being asked to choose between my kids, impossible! Though Beck is pretty sexy…and he looks exactly like Gerard Butler…

How did you feel when you finished Not the Marrying Kind?

It’s always a huge relief to finish a book but if I’m particularly attached to characters, like Poppy and Beck, it can be a little sad saying goodbye. Which are what sequels are for!

For all of us impatient readers, what is up next for you?

 Another marriage of convenience story, this time with Harlequin Presents Extra. MARRYING THE ENEMY, releasing September, is the first in a duo, centered around the glamorous jewelry world in Melbourne, my home city. Romantic Times Magazine gave it 4 ½ stars: “This

spirited and poignant romance features a vulnerable alpha hero who is perfectly matched with his sassy heroine.”

I love the fact Ruby proposes to Jax in this book! Love a strong heroine who knows what she wants and will go to any lengths to get it!

Thanks Nicola!

Thanks so much for having me!

USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair.

She’s had 32 books published with Harlequin Romance and Presents series, a fun, flirty contemporary mainstream romance BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD with Entangled Publishing (nominated for Romantic Book of the Year 2012) and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

Her first category romance for Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence series, NOT THE MARRYING KIND, releases July 2012, with another category contemporary romance FALLING FOR FLYNN releasing with Crimson Romance October 2012.

Her urban fantasy young adult novel SCION OF THE SUN releases November 2013 with Month9Books.

She’s also a Waldenbooks and Bookscan bestseller, has finaled in a number of awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath,

More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

A physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her favorite, curling up with a good book!

She loves interacting with readers so you can find her:

Website


Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

 

NOT THE MARRYING KIND BLURB:

Who said marriage had to be convenient?

LA party planner Poppy Collins has kept her side business—planning divorce parties as the Divorce Diva—under wraps, but keeping her sister's company afloat is proving tougher by the day. When a new divorce party prospect gives Poppy the opportunity to save the day and boost her bottom line, she can't pass it up. But this time, she's about to get way more than she bargained for…

Vegas golden boy Beck Blackwood knows Poppy's secret, and he's not afraid to use it to get exactly what he wants—a wife. With his reputation and corporate expansion plans on the line, the only way he can repair the damage is by getting hitched, and fast. And if blackmail is the only way to get Poppy to the altar, then so be it…

But they're in the city of high stakes, and Poppy has a few aces up her sleeve. Now it's time to find out if they're playing to win…or if they're playing for keeps.

Link to excerpt

Buy links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

YouTube link

Guest Blog: Wild Texas Rose by Jodi Thomas

WILD TEXAS ROSE is my 25^th historical romance about Texas and I’m happy to say that I think readers will discover something new in this book that I’ve never seen done in a historical.  I love writing about groups of people and this time I have more than one romance going at once.  It was great fun to write and I lost a great deal of sleep because even after I turned off my computer I couldn’t turn off the story.  The characters were still dancing in my head. 

My husband also developed a strange habit of saying, “All right, all you people, get out of this bed.  We’ve got to get some sleep.”

In WILD TEXAS ROSE, Rose McMurray is one of those wonderful people who is always organized.  I hated her and loved her instantly when she walked off the pages of TALL, DARK AND TEXAN as a little girl and I understood her when she stepped into this book. 

Duncan, on the other hand, lives his life in the moment.  Never planning.  Never realizing what he truly needs.  At the wedding of Rose’s best friend, they discover a plot that could get many people killed and join forces with others to fight.

I had a great time writing WILD TEXAS ROSE.  Of course I love a good love story and this book is packed with three.  I also like watching the couples fall in love in different ways because love never comes in quite the same way to anyone.  I think this story is tender and I promise it will keep you laughing.  No one in the book is perfect, but they all do the best they can.

Thanks for reading,

Jodi Thomas

www.jodithomas.com
www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor
www.twitter.com/jodithomas

About Wild Texas Rose:
Release date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: 978-0-425-25037-2
Retail Price: USA$7.99

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas presents her latest Whispering Mountain novel WILD TEXAS ROSE, about a woman who’s cursed when it comes to love—and the man determined to save her.

Twenty-five-year-old Rose McMurray may be beautiful, smart, and capable of running her adopted family’s ranch at Whispering Mountain, but she’s backed away from marriage three times without giving any reasons. Everyone thinks Rose is a coward, afraid of any adven-ture, including falling in love. She’s never done a single wild or reckless thing in her life...until now.

“At the top of everyone’s favorites list.”  —Romance Junkies
“Wonderfully written, romantic, and delightful.”  —The Romance Reader
“Exceptional...Packs a powerful emotional punch.”  —Booklist


About Jodi Thomas:
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 35 novels and 11 short story
collections. A RITA winning author, Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

www.jodithomas.com
www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor
www.twitter.com/jodithomas

Where does Michael A. Rothman Write + Kindle Giveaway (Heirs of Prophecy Tour)

 

Where you are Writing?

Really?  You truly want to know about my writing space?  Okay, you asked for it.

Since I seem to find time to write, take notes, or do this type of activity almost anywhere I am sedentary for more than a couple minutes, there are lots of possible locations where this can happen.

That being said, I have captured a couple of the more “productive” locations I have spent time at for your amusement.

In the front yard, where my wife’s rosebushes are. And no, the young lady who is reading HEIRS OF PROPHECY is not my wife, nor do I have a daughter. J

This is a picture of my spot on the bed. Admittedly it seems to be occupied at the moment, but trust me – lots of my writing has happened from that nightstand with my laptop.

The cat is sitting on the table in my kitchen, and yes – he is the model for the cat “Silver” that is pictured on the back cover of HEIRS OF PROPHECY. I have spent an inordinate amount of time writing on the kitchen table.

The chair on the left is often occupied by my derriere during the summer and I bring the laptop out there and write quite a bit. Admittedly, the picture I am showing you was soon after an ice storm, but just picture lots more green and lots more sun.

And last but not least – most authors probably won’t admit it, but with the availability of smartphones with the ability to hack in notes to self or laptops, many have likely sat here and typed up good portions of their novels.  (I will note that the cat is usually not in the location grabbing a drink though.)

I hope you enjoyed the quick tour through a variety of my writing locations.

About Heirs of Prophecy  - Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound | B&N

The Riverton family had been enjoying a simple summer vacation when, through a fluke of nature, they found themselves in a strange new land.

The Riverton brothers quickly realize that in this world, they have gained unusual powers. Powers that their parents fear will attract the attention of Azazel himself - the merciless wizard who brutally controls this world.

The two brothers soon learn that an ancient prophecy has finally been initiated by their arrival in Trimoria. As the heirs of this prophecy, they are destined to lead the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and even a misfit ogre against the prophesied demon horde.

Only one thing stands in their way.

The evil wizard who has learned of their presence, and has sent assassins to wipe them from existence.

Tools of Prophecy:
Book II in the Prophecies series
 
The TOOLS OF PROPHECY is the second volume in an epic saga which describes a prophecy that has placed the Riverton brothers in the lead roles of a struggle to save their world from being overrun by unspeakable horrors. This destiny requires that they face off with the demons that nearly destroyed their world over five centuries ago.

In the first book, the population of wizards had been practically eradicated by the former tyrant. The Rivertons are now charged with creating an Academy of Magic, recruiting qualified students, and furthering their own training with secrets that have long been held by the reclusive elves.

Despite their youth, a mysterious spirit has engaged them in an epic struggle to gain mastery of their newfound skills, help raise and train two armies, and stay alive long enough for their final showdown with destiny.

The only things that stand in their way are the assassins hired to destroy them and the Demon Lord’s minion who holds a personal grudge and intends to witness the young boys’ deaths.


About Michael Rothman - Website  | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

I am an Army brat and the first person in my family to be born in the United States. This heavily influenced my youth by instilling a love of reading and a burning curiosity about the world and all of the things within it. As an adult, my love of travel allowed me to explore many unimaginable locations. I participated in many adventures and documented them in what will be a series of books, the first of which you have just read.
 
Some might put these books in the Fantasy genre, and I never had issues with this label. After all, the adventures were, without any doubt in my mind, fantastic. I simply quibble with the label of "Fiction" that some might put on these tales. These tales should be viewed as historical records, more along the lines of a documentary.
 
I've learned one thing over the years. Magic is real. Keep exploring, and you too will find your magic.
- Mike Rothman

Giveaway:

Michael is giving away a Kindle during the Tour! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter, US/Canada only.

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Book Tour Stops:
Monday, July 16th - Mundie Kids
Tuesday, July 17th - Owl for YA
Wednesday, July 18th - Chapter by Chapter
Thursday, July 19th - Book and A Latte
Friday, July 20th - Sweeping Me

Monday, July 23rd - Reading in the Corner
Tuesday, July 24th - Soul Unsung
Wednesday, July 25th - Proud Booknerd
Thursday, July 26th - Bitter Sweet Enchantement

Monday, July 30th - My Reading Room
Tuesday, July 31st - Book Brats
Wednesday, August 1st - Paranormal Indulgenlence
Thursday, August 2nd - Mandy Kay Reads
Friday, August 3rd - Snowdropdreams

Win a Nook from Entangled Publishing's new Covet imprint!

In order to help Entangled Publishing welcome a new imprint to their already wonderful line of imprints, they are having a great contest to win a Nook!  What do you have to do?  Simply enter the Rafflecopter below, it's their Rafflecopter for their contest, I'm just helping host it and helping get the word out about this new imprint.  I'm a big fan of Entangled Publishing and their romances so be sure and check out COVET!   COVET: Contemporary romance with a paranormal twist. Get ready to laugh, experience romance, and fall in love with this brand new take on paranormal books.   Covet is a digital only imprint from Entangled Publishing, an exclusive, boutique publisher of romantic fiction. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Entangled's goal is to bridge the gap between traditional and indie publishing, giving both readers and authors the best of both worlds. Get more information at www.entangledpublishing.com
Length: 291 pages ISBN: 978-1-62266-952-3 Release Date: July 2012 Imprint: Covet	Length: 293 pages ISBN: 978-1-62266-950-9 Release Date: July 2012 Imprint: Covet	Length: 291 pages ISBN: 978-1-62266-953-0 Release Date: July 2012 Imprint: Covet

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Promo Blitz: Haceinda Moon by KaSonndra Leigh

Hacienda Moon by KaSonndra Leigh

Gothic Romance

Date Published: July 28

Synopsis: 

A Pathseekers Novel

Love, obsession, and betrayal, the most powerful human emotions, are spun together in this gothic novel. Tandie Harrison is a police medium who has just suffered a divorce after losing both her psychic visions and her daughter in a car accident. When she leaves New York City to start a new life near her hometown, she moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby Rose, and falls for its enigmatic caretaker, EricFontalvo. Their burgeoning affair ignites a centuryold curse, ensnaring them in a web of danger, deceit,and intrigue. Soon Tandie learns that in placid Bolivia,the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected.

Hacienda Moon is a seductive tale of one woman’s journey to confront the demons of her past and find the courage to face her future. It is a mesmerizing novel that explores the deepest depths of human nature, and the characters will hold and haunt you long after you have read the final chapter.

Author Bio: 

KaSonndra Leigh was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to
write about people doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora's Box (good writer's
block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

Website

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Book Review: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

Publisher: Lakehouse Press

Pub Date: June 24, 2012

356 pages

ISBN: 9780615660

The Paradise Diaries #1

My Review:
Dante's Girl is a delightful, fun, cute and yet still serious in a way book.  I read this on my recent vacation and it was the perfect feel-good book to while away the afternoon in the hammock.  It took me away to a different country, to a different life and reminded me of that first love as a teenager.

Reece is a very endearing main character.  I think almost any girl can relate to her.  She's off to her father's for the summer, somewhere she really doesn't want to be when the crazy volcanic ash thing happens and so does Dante and her whole summer changes.  Her life also goes crazy back home.  But she copes, she's strong and even though she hasn't really been in love before, I really admired the way she handled the relationship.  She is very typical teenage girl, but I think she also shows girls a strength they can have also.  I like that.  She's spunky, she's fun, and she's not too in-your-face I can do it all.  She has weaknesses and needs help too.  Reece is just a great character who grows through the book.  And Dante.  Dante is amazing as well. At times I found him a little wishy-washy, but I realize he needed to be that way to have growth in his character.  But what I really love about him was the romance he had in him. And before everyone jumps and says no teenage boy is that romantic, my husband who was my boyfriend at the end of high school was romantic, so teenagers can be romantic.  In fact take away the money and royalty and Dante reminded me a bit of my husband back then.  So that made this read even more fun on a vacation away with my husband of almost 15 years (and we have been together 20).  But back to Dante, he's handsome, sweet, and he grows up a lot in this book.

The plot is driven mainly by the characters then by romance and finally by a small suspense plot. Added all together and it makes this a very quick and enjoyable read.  I found it to be well put-together, and enjoyed everything that made up the book as a whole.  The romance was my favorite of course, but Ms. Cole does everything well.  I was very impressed by this novel and how situations are handled in it.

Dante's Girl is a great summer or anytime read for teens 14+ (some sexual situations/discussions, fade to black but they are there, handled very nicely I thought, age recommendation is just my opinion).  It has a great storyline, wonderful characters, a heartfelt romance and an ending that ends just right, but leaves you ready for the next book in the series.  Ms. Cole has captured first romance brilliantly in Dante's Girl.  She had me remembering those days with happy thoughts as I read along with Reece and Dante's story.  And she kept a smile on my face through the entire story (except for a few intense moments, but hey it's a romance, you have to have those).  Dante's Girl is just one of those great feel-good reads that you need to read!

My Rating: 5.0/5.0

About Dante's Girl
Release: June 22nd by Lakehouse Press
goodreads | amazon | B&N

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London. Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring. 

Until this year. 

And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:
 
1.  I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.
2.  If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.
3.  I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.
4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.
5. See number four above.  Because it brings with it a whole slew  of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.
 
Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine.  He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis.  I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots.  See the difference?
 
But hearts don’t care about differences.  Hearts want what they want.  And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.
 
My heart just might be crazy.

About Courtney Cole

website | twitter |  facebook | facebook fan pageCourtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could.
 
She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds.
 
Every Last Kiss is her debut novel and she followed it with the rest of The Bloodstone Saga (Every Last Kiss, Fated, With My Last Breath and My Tattered Bonds).
 
Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.
 
Learn more about Courtney and her books at www.courtneycolewrites.com

***I received this book from Kismet Book Touring for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***