Win a copy of the Delightful, Cozy, Murder Is a Dirty Business

 Tricia Sander's debut novel, Murder Is a Dirty Business, is a funny, cozy mystery. The cover says it all.  GCrime Pays. When I read the description, I asked Tricia for a copy.  I loved it and can't wait for the next one. Tricia is giving away an eBook copy to one lucky reader. 

This book combines mystery, humor and women's fiction in one delightful recipe.What a wonderful debut. I love the characters and I didn't guess who did it until the end.I welcome a wonderful new talent in the vein of Jill Churchill and Joan Hess.

Tricia, please tell us a little about yourself. I’m a procrastinator, a fabric hoarder, and I’m addicted to office supplies. Other than that, I’m pretty normal. I student taught 5^th grade for one semester. That was all it took to send me packing. I’ve been a telephone operator, operator supervisor, warehouse-person, warehouse supervisor, material coordinator, and a trainer and worked in the same location the entire time, for the same company, even though we went through two mergers/acquisitions. How I survived I will never know.

When eating out, I ALWAYS manage to get the lettuce core in my salad. And if I like something, it will go away. My favorite shampoo-discontinued. Preferred dishcloth-no longer stocked. Most comfy socks on the planet-out of stock FOREVER. My beloved peach mango tea-gone (though I managed to find it in Finland and cleared the shelf.) Please do not tell my friends, though. I act like I don’t like them, so they’ll keep hanging around.  Cheers!

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book. Blew me away. A critique partner suggested I submit to her publisher. I fully expected a rejection because they primarily publish romance. Mine has elements of romance, but not really a full-blown love story. When I received the acceptance, I couldn’t stop smiling. I must have read the email twenty times before I believed it. I showed it to my husband, then started phoning and emailing my family and friends. My husband took me out to dinner to celebrate, and the celebration continues.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre? Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Series) and Goldy Schulz (Diane Mott Davidson’s Culinary Mystery Series) are my favorite heroines. They are quirky and sassy. Two combinations I love. My all-time author crush is Harlan Coben. I literally will not put down a Coben book until I am finished. Then I go into depression because I must wait for the next one.

 What is your favorite pastime, other than writing? Traveling and photography. I can’t pin it down to one. My family didn’t travel when I was a child. So, wanderlust is not genetic. Almost every part of traveling appeals to me, except maybe airport delays, but even delays can provide fodder for interesting novels. In 2013, I visited my 50^th state—Oregon, and I’ve been to all the Canadian provinces, except one. The last couple of years I’ve managed to go to Italy, Croatia, Greece, Russia, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Brussels, Denmark, Estonia, Germany.

My major coup this year was Kenya and Tanzania, Africa, which was capped with a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. I already have plans for Spain, Morocco, The Canary Islands, and Portugal for later this year and Qatar and Oman next year. If you want to see some of my travel photos, check out my website. www.triciasanders.com

 Any advice for new writers just starting out? Do not let the critics get you down. You’re doing this for you, because you have a story to tell. Not everyone will like it, much like you have books you didn’t particularly care for. With that said, be careful with your words to other writers. You can squash someone’s dream with negative feedback. Always took for the positive.

Tell us about Murder is a Dirty Business – A Grime Pays Mystery. 

When Cece Cavanaugh’s husband empties their joint bank account, steals her designer luggage, and runs off with a younger woman, Cece must decide whether to ask her manipulative mother-in-law for a handout or get a job. Choosing the easier path, Cece lands a job cleaning a crime scene where a high school coach was murdered. When his wife is implicated—a young woman Cece practically raised—Cece finds herself mopping floors, balancing an empty checkbook, and ferreting out a killer.

Amid all this messy business, Cece bumps heads with a handsome detective. She tries to ignore her growing attraction to the detective, but he gives new meaning to the term “hot flash.”

After she stumbles onto a clue that could vindicate her friend, her elation turns to panic when she haphazardly confronts the killer. Through the danger and romance, Cece discovers self-reliance and inner strength.

And that crime – at least, someone else’s – does pay the bills.

What’s your current WIP? I am working on Book 2 of the Grime Pays series. Cece continues to get herself in trouble when she agrees to clean a hoarder’s home. I also have a women’s fiction novel in progress which features a traveling widow.

Can I be a beta reader?

And finally, where can we find you?

Website: www.triciasanders.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortricialsanders/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/36458199-murder-is-a-dirty-business

YouTube Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/OXRJSRSmTjg

And my local Panera Bread Co.

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Murder-Dirty-Business-Tricia-Sanders-ebook/dp/B076KVQ4WR

Thank you for being here, Tricia. And thank you, dearest readers for reading to the end. I am so grateful for each and every one of youl

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Dogs and Romance and Ryan Jo Summers

Ryan Jo Summers has a new romance out which sounds like so much fun.

 It Happened at The Park

Blurb: 
Practical city planner, Cassidy Grant, just inherited her sister's beloved dogs. Excepts she's a career girl more into heels and matching accessories. She's not a dog mom. Worse, she is required to take the furry darlings to the dog park.
Jilted at the alter, Ethan Sheppard finally got a dog. And he loves their bonding trips to the dog park. He's also the secret cartoonist whose drawings poke fun at the city leadership that might hurt the mayor's chances at reelection.
After Cassidy and Ethan meet, she asks for his help to manage the pups, and along the way, he learns she will be fired if she can't identify the cartoonist to her boss. But telling her will cost his job.
Excerpt:
Jake pulled eagerly at his leash, his long tail whipping in the air as they neared the park entrance. Swinging the gate open just enough to allow them through, Ethan unhooked the leash, releasing Jake. With a bark, he was gone, racing to join his canine pals.
     Looping the leash through his belt, Ethan stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and studied the attendees. He offered a friendly wave to some of the doggie moms and dads that he knew. A few of the dogs came up, wagging around, begging a pat, before racing off again.
     “Jake’s looking good.”
     Ethan spun around at the feminine purr behind him, feeling himself go tense. “Yep, he loves these morning runs,” he replied to the brunette standing almost eye to eye with him. He’d figured out pretty quick Gwen was hot into him weeks ago. The fact that she came to this park, when there were others closer to her, was a good indicator. She never brought a dog, so he surmised she just came to prowl around, sniffing for available males. And it seemed he was pretty high up on her list of desirable ones. So far, he’d been unsuccessful in convincing her he didn’t return the favor. He wasn’t into needy lionesses on the hunt. She had a way to make him feel like a chunk of raw meat.
     She inched closer, enough for him to breathe in her almost overpowering perfume. Some floral stuff mixed with more flowers. Sort of like walking into a funeral parlor full of sympathy bouquets. Her ample bosom brushed his sleeve and he inched further back.
     “And what about you, Ethan? What do you love in the morning?”
     He could imagine what she wanted to hear, and he wasn’t about to encourage her. He rocked back another step. “Coffee,” he replied instead. “Bacon and eggs. Pancakes.”
     Her hopeful smile slowly faded. Whatever she might have said back was lost when he heard a cry of frustration and a gleeful bark. Whirling, he looked for the source of the sounds.
     “Remi! Stop that!”
     He recognized the little brown and white ticked dog racing freely now that his leash was dropped. Or pulled from the hand of the woman in bright red heels. Heels? At a dog park? Her black business suit and red hat looked equally out of place. And didn’t she know you were supposed to take their leashes off inside the fence? Apparently not, because the other little dog was still attached to her leash as well, wrapped around the woman’s wrist. Now that her partner was free, the little blond and white dog spun in circles, mad to join him. In her hand the hapless women clutched a cell phone, wedged up near her ear.
     Rocking back on his heels, he took in the show, smothering a smile. Remi, full of freedom, darted just far enough to stay out of reach but close enough to keep the woman in pursuit. The woman, a pretty, petite blond with a serious up do topped by a rolled brim chenille hat, stumbled along in her heels and all but dragging the scruffy Chi/terrier along. She alternated between hissing at Remi through clenched teeth then pushing the phone back to her ear to talk rapidly to someone.
     Seeing she wasn’t making much ground, Ethan settled himself on a bench to watch, arms spread out comfortably. Gwen faded away like a ghostly specter. He remembered Remi, a Parsons Russell terrier and Australian Shepherd mixture, as being a handful on the best of days. The smaller one, a terrier/ Chihuahua and question mark, always struck him as a cute, well behaved pooch. Except, he’d never seen the pair here with the blond. He’d definitely remember her.
     “Remi!” She whispered fiercely to the little dog, who was having a delightful time, barking over his shoulder at her. She pressed the phone back up. “No, Adam, I agree we have to stay on schedule with this project. Any delay now could be disastrous. Tessa, come on! Yes, I have a meeting tomorrow with Mr. King and I should have some solid answers then.” She lowered the phone, eyes cutting into the dog. “Remi!” She slapped the phone back to her ear. “What? No, everything’s just fine, why do you ask? Where am I? Oh, out enjoying one of the offerings of our fine community. It’s such a pleasant morning, I thought why not, right?” She offered a strained chuckle.
     It was all Ethan could do to hold back his laughter. Clearly, she was trying to hold a meeting of some sort. Didn’t she know a park, full of barking dogs and yelling people was the last place for that?
     Finally, she hung up the call, tripping over Tessa’s leash. Checking on Jake, Ethan climbed to his feet. He’d have to save these dogs from this woman or this woman from herself, he wasn’t sure which.

Ryan Jo, I love your premise. What was the inspiration for It Happened at The Park? 

The inspiration for this story is rooted in my adoption of a dog, a blue-merle collie called Ty. I adopted Ty in March 2015 and after a few months, I started taking him to a couple of our local dog and community parks. It was during these visits while watching Ty learn the finer points of canine social skills, that the seeds for “It Happened at the Park” sprouted and grew.
I had wanted to write a romantic comedy and felt this would be the perfect vehicle of choice. I had wanted to re-name Ty ‘Ethan’. However, my friends quickly nixed that, stating it was not a name for a dog. So instead my hero became Ethan Sheppard. (German Shepherds being my second favorite breed of dog behind the collie. How is that for original?)
Many times, while writing this story, I would hit a wall. I’d grab Ty’s leash and my keys and we’d head to our favorite dog park, where he could run and I could walk around and loosen up the clogged wheels in my head. A few of the scenes in “Park were spun off actual events that happened during our visits.
What is it like writing for a theme compared to not following a specific theme? This book isn’t necessarily written to any theme, other than humor. Ethan is a political cartoonist. I have three books out that are theme-regulated. One stand-alone for Valentine’s, one Christmas anthology, and one food-themed anthology. Years ago I wrote a short memoir for a Hard Times themed contest and took Honorable Mention. I like the idea of writing along a certain theme in that it keeps one on track.
Characters have a tendency to do things you as a writer had not planned, or end up changing their names, professions, or whatever. At least when the writer is writing for theme, it’s something that won’t change. Valentine’s Day won’t become New Years’ and food won’t turn into motorcycles.
How has your writing changed since you first released your debut book? 

Wow, I actually have ten books out now (counting this one releasing June 13^th). And still two more in the wings for November. It hardly seems possible. All that writing, coupled with my free-lance work, has taught me to trust myself as a writer.
Before, I had to have a rigid outline, expected word count and clear ending in sight—before I’d start writing. I do not like surprises in general and didn’t trust myself or my characters to not waver much from the initial thoughts. I think that held me back as a writer at first.
Somewhere around ‘Chasing the Painted Skies” (novel # 4) I finally learned to loosen up and have fun, to look for the unexpected. I would have to say “Painted Skies” and “It Happened at the Park” have been the most fun stories to write so far.
An unpublished manuscript, called “September’s Song”, has taught me to work without a safety net—the outline—and just let the characters grow into themselves and the plot unfold around them. It is sort of liberating, really, to reach that point in my writing. My upcoming Christian romance novel and previous Christian novel (“Beside Still Waters”) both have certain characters that really jumped off the page and took over. While others I had bigger plans for ended up being content to take a backseat in the story. Little surprises like that are what make writing interesting. I have learned to enjoy the characters for who they want to be, not necessarily who I think they ought to be. Just like real children.
Other than that, I have almost tamed my nemesis--the dreaded multiple POV or head-hopping. I am acutely aware of it now when I start and it leaps off the page when others write that way. It is amazing that something I never noticed before now screams as it jumps out at me.
Work in Progress? Another time travel, my favorite trope of romance.  A woman from present day with physic abilities is transported back three hundred years by a cursed locket belonging to her ancestor. She is kidnapped by the period’s most ruthless, feared, and charming pirate. Except he thinks she is Lady Elizabeth Wyngate, an Earl’s daughter. What could go wrong?
When I adopted Ty, I started a journal and blog to chronicle our journey through his PTSD issues. I am now working on turning those into a Kindle KDP book to self-publish hopefully later this year. My intention is two-fold: one, to give inspiration to others and share our triumphs and tragedies with others who adopt a troubled animal, and 2, to give some of the proceeds back to the collie rescue group where I adopted Ty from.
And, because I never want to be bored, I am working on building the skeleton of two more stories in the que. Another time travel and a women’s fiction novel. The WF will be about three estranged triplets brought back together by a fierce wildfire. I enjoy stories within stories and those dealing with siblings and twins. To my knowledge, there isn’t one with triplets. Three POV? Oh wow.
Actually, the idea for that one came to me while wildfires were actually burning through the mountains around my home last fall. I was outside, clearing the leaves away from the house as the nearest one burned about nine miles away. I was waiting for the evac order. And this notion popped into my head about a huge wildfire spreading through a town, and two different sibling’s POV’s came to me. I rushed inside to scribble it down and then added the third one after most the fires had been contained. Thankfully I never had to evacuate.

Bio: Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina writer who pens romances with a twist. They may contain any number of elements: Christian, humor, mystery, paranormal, sweet, shape-shifting, or time travel. Her dad is a songwriter and his aunt wrote poetry so writing must be in the family genes.

She makes her home in a century-old mountain cottage, with a menagerie of adopted pets. In her spare time, she likes to gather with family and friends, paint ceramics or canvas, potter in the yard, bird-watching, or read, play chess, Mahjongg or work word-find puzzles. She might take her dog and head deep into the forests and rivers near her home to plot the next big scene or story. Like her dad's aunt, she writes poetry as a means to cope with life's pains.
She collects lighthouses, shells, driftwood, and anything to remind her of the shore.
Links: WEBSITE: http://www.ryanjosummers.com/
BLOG: https://www:summersrye.wordpress.com
FB:  www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Jo-Summers-author-page
AMAZON:  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ACOBJ90     

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Meet Laura Sheehan and her Sweet, Funny, Erotic Romance Novella

I don't usually read erotic romance, but Laura Sheehan's description of Hidden Fortune in our  Los Angeles Romance Writers - LARA yahoo group intrigued me. Sweet, funny, erotic? Really? I asked her to send me a copy for review. Her description was right on. I loved it! This delightful well-written novella is sweet, funny, and has a couple of well done erotic scene. It also has a treasure hunt and a mystery. 
Ava is a lawyer who doesn't take chances - in life or in love. But one summer night at a carnival, her best friend makes her promise to do something spontaneous before the night is over. And she does. She visits the Carnival's fortune teller, whose words send her on an adventure she could never have imagined. 
I love good writing and I asked Laura to appear on the blog. 

Laura, please tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Los Angeles with my husband and precocious daughter, both of whom have an insatiable curiosity, love to cause trouble, and are quick to laugh.  Each day is a chaotic, glorious adventure, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

I love firsts, so tell me about the first time you kissed your true love?

I met my husband at a house party when

I was a freshman in college. The place was packed with people drinking and laughing and generally being young. We spent the first half of the night flirting outrageously until my girlfriends proclaimed to the crowds that it was time for us to head back to our dorm.  Upon hearing of my impending departure, and in front of throngs of partygoers both friends and strangers, he spontaneously grabbed me and kissed me.  Although I’d been hoping for a kiss for most of the night, the suddenness of it was the most delightful shock I’d ever experienced!  The whole room went silent for a moment (or perhaps I couldn’t hear anything beyond the pounding of my heart?), and then erupted in hoots and hollers.  That was almost 17 years ago, and we’ve spoken to each other every single day since the night we met.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?

I am a semi-professional dancer, and love to perform on stage whenever I can.  Now that I have a toddler, it’s been hard to find the time to rehearse and perform in a real show, but I try to keep dancing by teaching and attending classes whenever I can.  My favorite is Musical Theatre/Broadway dance, but I’ll happily take a ballet, jazz, or tap class too, depending on what fits my schedule.

Got a recipe you want to share?

Funny you should ask!  I have never been much of a cook, but one of my resolutions for 2016 is to start making more food at home.  In addition to being a newbie at this whole kitchen business, I’m also a vegan with very limited time/resources/skill and I have a toddler.  So talk about making it challenging to find good recipes!  But here’s a link from a friend of mine, it’s a great recipe for Spinach Tofu Risotto which I managed to make all on my own without burning anything down: http://thespianlawyer.blogspot.com/2011/09/sunday-dinner-spinach-tofu-risotto.html

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

If you write romance, I recommend joining Romance Writers of America (RWA).  It’s a fabulous resource for new writers, with access to tons of articles about the craft and business for writers.

What genre or genres do you write?

I primarily write romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and fantasy.

Tell us about Hidden Fortune.

I wrote this novella in 2013-14 when I was pregnant with my daughter, which was a challenge all in its own! It is an erotic romance novella, a sweet and funny story (with some steaming hot sex scenes) about being bold enough to break out of the every-day patterns that hold us back from discovering new things, like true love.

Blurb: Ava has always played it safe, but after a midnight run-in with a handsome stranger, she discovers that perhaps fortune favors the bold. Can she find the courage to seek the ultimate treasure?

What’s your current WIP?

I’m currently working on a fantasy/paranormal romance, although I also have an idea for a new romantic suspense that is waiting impatiently for me to nurture into a manuscript. With a toddler also pulling at my leg for attention, I don’t know how soon I’ll be able to write, but I’m looking forward to getting the stories out of my head and onto paper soon.

And finally, where can we find you?

You can find me at my blog, www.ReadLaura.com.  And if you liked Hidden Fortune, I encourage you to check out my romantic suspense novel, Dancing with Danger! 

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Susan!

Thank you for being here, Laura. Laura is giving away an ebook of Hidden Fortune. I loved it. Try a sample for yourself. Click on the link.
Happy Week to you!

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Meet Best Selling Author, Leanne Banks

I bet you already know Leanne Banks

Leanne is a national #1 best-selling author of romance novels. She is the winner of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards in Series Sensuality and Love and Laughter. She is also the winner of the Florida Writers Beacon Award, the Golden Quill Award, the Georgia Romance Writers' MAGGIE Award and Booksellers' Best Award. Her books have been recognized by the Award of Excellence Contest, the Romance Writers of America Rita Contest, and the National Readers' Choice Awards. (Took that from Leanne’s website.)

The first book I read of Leanne’s was Hot Stuff which she co-authored with Janet Evanovich. I loved it so much, I searched for any Leanne books I could find. I haven’t found them all so I still have lots of good times in store.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when you found you’d made your first sale.

I was in a low place.  I’d entered several writing contests and the feedback hadn’t been encouraging.  I’d also sent my book to three publishers and they’d all rejected me.  I remember I was upstairs taking a break and my husband came to cheer me up.  The phone rang and it was Kate Duffy with Meteor Books.  She not only wanted to buy my book, she wanted to offer me a 2-book contract.  It felt like an out-of-body experience.  My family used the advance from that book to take a trip to Disney World.  Lots of great memories.

Awesome. I'm so glad you went to Disney World on the advance. I would do exactly the same thing.

If it isn’t too nosy, how about the first time you kissed your true love?  The anticipation was killer.  All my senses were heightened.  At the time I may not have known he was my true love, but it soon became very clear. 

HaHa!

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?  Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard … I also enjoy authors with a strong sense of ordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances in their writing such as Curtiss Ann Matlock and Cheryl Reavis.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my top go to writer followed closly by a herd of others. I will have to check out Linda, Curtis and Cheryl.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?  I’m blessed to have had several exciting moments.  The first was receiving that first call from Kate Duffy.  Others include making important lists such as The USA Today bestsellers and The New York Times bestsellers… receiving various book offers, having a book party at a fashion show during New York Fashion Week, receiving calls that I was a finalist for the RITA award, presenting at the RITA awards and always – FINISHING the current book!

Oh yes. Finishing the book . . . 

What is your favorite pastime?   Visiting the beach.

We’ve all got them. What’s your favorite way to avoid writing?  Reading the news, googling and facebook.

Got a recipe you want to share?  I have many recipes.  How about Chocolate Fudge Cake? 
-1 9" pie pastry (do not pre-bake)

-1/2 cup butter melted

- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa powder

- 1 cup white sugar

-  2 eggs beaten lightly

-  1 tsp. vanilla

-  1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Mix melted butter and cocoa.  Beat sugar into mixture for two minutes.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix.  Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.  Mix well.  Pour into pie crust.  Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.  Top with ice cream or whipped cream.

That sounds devilishly delightful.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?  Show up and write.  Be persistent.  Persistence will win over just about anything.

Tell us about your latest release.  My latest release, A ROYAL CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL, features a single mother princess with a special needs child.  She has been assigned a bodyguard that she doesn’t want, but he is so good with her son that he begins to win her over.  I explored some of the extra things that parents of special needs children must do to help their children.  I found my heroine very inspiring. J    

What’s your current WIP?   I’m currently working hard on THE PRINCESS AND THE SINGLE DAD due out this summer.

And finally, where can we find you?

http://www.leannebanks.com/

For the most up-to-date news and giveaways, friend me on facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/leanne.banks  

Thank you so much for being here, Leanne. I have a paperback copy of A Royal Christmas Proposal to give away. Please enter below to win. I am leaving town tomorrow, but I've put the book in a manila envelope with five Christmas stamps and it's in my suitcase ready to mail to the lucky winner.. Happy Reading.

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In Conversation with Kristan Higgins

I’m delighted to welcome two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award and New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Kristan Higgins.

Previously a copywriter, Kristan began writing fiction when her two children graced her life with simultaneous afternoon naps. Writing, she found, was infinitely more satisfying than folding laundry, and so began her first novel. Kristan holds a B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross, which means she can identify dangling participles, quote many great novels and play a mean game of Scrabble.

This October Kristan returns to her wonderfully popular Blue Heron series with a delightfully smart and appealing contemporary romance in IN YOUR DREAMS.

Kristan
Hi! Thanks so much for having me here today! I was reading my bio above and got kind of goofy-feeling, like, “Holy heck, that’s me! I sound pretty fabulous!” Right now, in reality, I’m nursing a cold with Hershey Nuggets and extra-soft tissues, and every time I sneeze, the dog bolts down the stairs. And my lap is a little sweaty, because my computer is getting hot. Is that too much information? Anyway, I’m not really the fabulous type. So thanks for that lovely welcome!

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when you found you’d made your first sale.

Okay! I was home alone; Dearest Son was at nursery school, the Princess Daughter was in first grade, and my agent called with the news. At the time, I didn’t know her terribly well, so I tried to be very dignified and said things like, “Oh, how wonderful! Thank you so much!” When I hung up the phone, I started jumping around and squeaking, “Oh, my God! Oh, my God! I sold a book!”

And then I took a moment to be quiet… My dad died a long time ago, and I wanted so much to tell him the news. So I did. I said, “Hey, Dad. My book’s going to be published.” I like to think he knew. For a second, I swear I could smell his nice Dad-smell.

Then McIrish came home, and we jumped up and down together, and when my Princess came off the bus, I said, “Guess what? Mommy’s book sold, which means it will be in bookstores and everything!” and she said, “That’s nice. What’s for snack?”

So it was a perfect representation of just about every one of my days—joy and surprise and a little melancholy and very happy normalcy.

I love your answer. As a family, we had a lot of days like that.
If it isn’t too nosy . . . (well of course it is!) How about the first time you kissed your true love?

It was on our first date. McIrish lived in Brooklyn at the time, and he took me to a little coffee house. Held the door for me, listened like I was the most fascinating person in the world. Told me how he had a kitten he’d rescued during a fierce rainstorm (I started naming our babies at that moment). And then as we were walking back to the subway station so I could go home, he kissed me. We were engaged six weeks later. Draw your own conclusions. ; )

Oh wow. You had me at the kitten.

When they make a movie of In your Dreams, who would be your first choice for Jack? Emmaline?

Hmm. How about Chris Hemsworth? Yes. Call Chris immediately! As for Emmaline, maybe Jennifer Lawrence? She’s got that bad-ass attitude down to a T.
Yes!

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?

Oh, wow! There have been so many! The first three that leap to mind are the two times I won the RITA Award, which just gobsmacked me. I completely babbled through the first speech; if it hadn’t been filmed, I still wouldn’t remember what I said. The second time, I at least had notes, but I’m fairly sure there was babbling then, too. Last summer, I gave a speech in front of 2300 romance writers as the keynoter at Romance Writers of America’s national conference. That was such an incredible privilege. They gave me a standing ovation, and I was crying like a baby.

But there are other moments, too. The first fan letter I ever got (Alana Weaver from Montana, I remember you!). The first time I saw someone reading my book in public. In a few weeks, I’m going to Europe on a book tour. Just typing those words is incredibly surreal.

And then there are the exciting moments in writing, when all of a sudden, a sentence appears on the computer monitor, and I think, “Oh! So that’s what’s going on! Now I get it!” Those are little moments of grace, and they never fail to thrill.

What is your favorite pastime, when you aren’t writing or kid wrangling?

I do love torturing my teenagers. The four of us always have so many laughs together (when the kids aren’t bickering about whose turn it is to clean the litter box and such). I love stories, so I love to read, of course, and also watch movies and binge-watch television shows. I take boxing lessons (don’t laugh!). I love to ride my bike on flat paths that end at restaurants or ice cream stands. And I love my family. I have a lot of aunts and uncles and cousins, and it’s always great to see them.

I’ve read that you are a master baker and your husband is a fireman/fantastic cook. Have you got a recipe you want to share?

Sure! Since chocolate cake plays a role in IN YOUR DREAMS, here’s my grandmother’s recipe:

Gram’s Hershey Bar Cake

1 7-ounce Hershey bar (milk chocolate, no nuts) broken into pieces
¼ cup butter
1 2/3 cups boiling water
2 1/3 cups unsifted flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups light brown sugar

Combine chocolate, butter and boiling water in medium bowl; stir till smooth. In large bowl, combine flour, soda and salt, Gradually add chocolate mixture, beating well. Blend in eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Beat till smooth, for about a minute. Pour into 10 x 14 baking pan or two 9” rounds. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Perfect Chocolate Frosting (Hershey’s recipe)
1 stick butter
2/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.
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In Your Dreams made my MUST READ list the minute I read this blurb:
Everyone in town loves Jack Holland, but police officer Emmaline Neal needs him. Her ex-fiancé is getting married in Malibu and, obviously, she can’t go to the wedding alone.

In Manningsport, New York, tall, blond and gorgeous Jack Holland is practically a cottage industry when it comes to rescuing desperate women. He knows the drill, Em figures, so he won’t get the wrong idea.

The timing is perfect because Jack needs an excuse to leave town. Ever since rescuing four teenagers from a car wreck, he’s been hailed as a hero and the attention is making him itchy—especially since his too-pretty ex-wife is back and angling for a reunion…a year after sleeping with another guy. He’s always liked Emmaline, an ice-mate in their town hockey league. She needs a weekend date, he needs to get away? No problem—two birds with one stone.

As often happens when having too good a time at weddings, the two friends wind up in bed. This brings its own set of problems. Em chalks the incident up to red wine and chocolate cake—just one impulsive night not to be repeated. But Jack’s pushing for more. The worry here is, if Em lets down her guard, either she’ll get her heart crushed again or discover that Jack’s worth more than just dreaming about.

I can't wait to read this. If it wasn't my blog, I would try to win the copy.
Thank you so much for visiting, Kristan. You are such a funny, lovely, talented woman.
Kristan is giving away a copy of In Your Dreams on this blog to one lucky commenter.
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