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What can you tell us about your new release, Traitor in Her Arms?

Traitor in Her Arms is a take-off on the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, except it tells the stories of the women in the Pimpernel’s league. Viscountess Gabrielle McCullough is the heroine of this book, and she’s been forced to steal to pay off her dead husband’s disreputable creditors. But then she’s approached by the Scarlet Pimpernel, who asks her to go to Paris and “steal” a woman and her child out of a French prison before the woman is guillotined. On the way to France Gabrielle meets an old friend, Ramsey, Earl of Sedgwick, but she has reason to be concerned that he’s not really her friend. She’s attracted to him, and he seems to feel the same, but she’s never really sure whether he’s an ally or the enemy.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

The Secret by Julie Garwood

The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham

The Sexual Politics of Meat by Carol Adams

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

It has to be Eve Dallas and Roarke, the characters from JD Robb’s In Death series. I love how they support each other, even when they’re at each other’s throats.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I like being alone and being in control. In my books, I can make anything I want happen. Since I don’t get to run the world, I like running it in my books.

What's a typical day like for you?

I get up about 4:30, take the dog out, run with my running partners, then get my daughter to school. Then I write or revise until I meet my goal for the day and then tackle administrative stuff until 3 when I pick my daughter up and shuttle her to after school activities. Then I make dinner, walk the dog again, put my daughter to bed, and check on emails. Pretty glamorous, I know.

BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?

My superpower would be the ability to go without sleep for days. Then I could watch all the TV shows and movies I never have time to watch and read all the books on my TBR pile.

What scene in Traitor in Her Arms was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was when the heroine and hero, Gabrielle and Ramsey, arrive in Paris. They’re both British citizens masquerading as French citizens, and they’re attempting to enter Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror. I could imagine how scary it would be to wait in line for hours, never certain whether once you reached the soldiers you would be admitted or thrown into prison. To make matters worse, there is a problem when they reach the soldier at the gate. Gabrielle hasn’t quite pulled off her disguise.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Yes. It’s by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau: “When we make compassion our barometer, we don't settle for violence on a small scale. We aspire to kindness on a huge scale.”

Shana Galen is the author of the new book Traitor in Her Arms. 

Connect with Shana:
Author Website

 Twitter

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What can you tell us about your new release, Ready to Run?

It’s the first book in my brand new I DO, I DON’T series, which is sort of The Bachelor meets Runaway Bride. It’s centered around a reality TV show about 20 women trying to coax notorious “Runaway Grooms” down the aisle once and for all!

If Ready to Run is turned into a movie, who would you pick to play Jordan and Luke?

Jordan would absolutely be Malin Ackerman, but I never did think up a proper inspiration for Luke! It would have to be someone who seems a little serious on the outside, but then has a really great smile with laugh-lines

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved to read, always wanted to be an author, but it was a very kind, encouraging email from Kristan Higgins (one of my favorite authors) when I was first starting out that gave me the courage to go for it.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Nora Roberts, and I’d love to know how she plans out her trilogies! She’s such a master of complex world-building!

Pretend you qualified for the Olympics. What sport would you compete in?

Oh gosh — I’m thoroughly non-sporty, both as a participant and as a spectator. I didn’t even know about the last Olympics until they were halfway over! I guess I’d say … one of the track events. I do like to run, albeit quite slowly!

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An author. Dreams DO come true

What scene in Ready to Run was your favorite to write?

Anything with Simon! He’s the heroine’s BFF, and a total scene stealer (teaser below):

Simon lifted a finger in objection. “I resent that. I’ll have you know it’s been two and a half months since I last had relations.”

“Oh gosh, really? Here, hold the wheel while I cry on your behalf.”

Simon reached over, clucked under her chin. “Poor Jordie. How long has it been for you?” Eleven months and counting.

She pulled her phone out of the console and tossed it to him. “The GPS doesn’t know where the hell we are. Can you guide us there the old-fashioned way?”

“Oh sure. Let me just get my compass, lick my finger and stick it in the air …”

“Hey, you’re the one that insisted on buying cowboy boots for this little adventure. At least try to earn some country cred.”

Simon sighed dramatically, but he took the phone, zooming in and out on the map cursing until finally declaring, straight, for another thirty minutes, give or take a cow or twelve.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Current favorite is “Work hard in silence, and let your success be your noise.”

Lauren Layne is the author of the new book Ready to Run. 

Connect with Lauren:
Author Website

 Twitter

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What can you tell us about your new release, Rebel Love?

Some of my favorite stories to write are the ones where the two main characters knew each other growing up. Rebel Love jumps back and forth in time, to reveal relationships, dark secrets, tragedy and a kiss that pretty much changed everything.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My mother was a huge reader. When we were little she took us to the public library once a week, and my siblings and I would walk out with a pile of fresh new books to read. She inspired me to love books and writing.

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

Hmm, probably Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. It was hard not to love just how unsuited they were for each other and yet they were soul mates.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Hands down it's coming up with the characters. I can't write a word until I've got them talking in my head and revealing all their quirks and personality traits.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family and pets of course.  And a good strong cup of coffee doesn't hurt either.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Either baking or biking or hiking. I guess the biking and hiking would help counteract the negative effects of baking.

What scene in Rebel Love was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the flashback scenes. Taking the characters back to their high school years was a lot of fun.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Mine has always been the well known adage of Do unto others ...  I believe strongly in generosity, kindness, honesty and treating people and animals right.

Tess Oliver is the author of the new book Rebel Love. 

Connect with Tess:
Author Website

 Twitter

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What can you tell us about your new release, Porter?

Porter is the final installment of the Men of Lovibond Collection. I love all three of these characters so much. They’re southern and filthy-mouthed and just a cool trio of guys. They’re good people… the kind of friends I’d hang with anytime.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I had a specific book I wanted to read but couldn’t find it anywhere. So… I wrote it.

You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?

It must be four. Samantha Young, Amy Bartol, Rachel Higginson, and Shelly Crane.

What is a typical day like for you?

Looking at social media. Replying. Posting. Writing. Maybe I eat and maybe I see my family somewhere in there.

Where is your happy place? Why does it bring you joy?

Disney World. It’s the happiest place on earth.

BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?

Time Travel.

What scene in Porter was your favorite to write?

Porter’s nephews were hiding under the bed and picked the “most inopportune time” to jump out and scare Porter and Frankee.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don't hurt them. —Dalai Lama

Georgia Cates is the author of the new book Porter. 

Connect with Georgia:
Author Website

 Twitter

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What can you tell us about your new release, Miss Matchmaker?

Miss Matchmaker was such a fun book to write. I always tend to have the most fun when the premise of my book has a ton of built-in tension. In this case, our heroine (Mila) leaves the city for a couple weeks to provide her matchmaking services to a client in a small town. The fun begins when she runs into a cowboy who goes by the nickname "Country". Flirtation, steam, and plenty of witty banter follow in their first few run-ins.

So what's the problem? Well, Mila doesn't realize "Country" is actually Lucas Tate, the man she's being paid a fortune (that she desperately needs) to set her client up with. Of course, Lucas doesn't realize Mila is a matchmaker either.

Throw some family betrayals, high stakes, and even some physical danger into the mix and you get what I think has been one of my best books to date. I really can't wait to share it with everyone.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

I'm a little weird when it comes to my reading habits. If I'm reading romance, it's on my phone through Kindle Unlimited. If I'm reading anything else, it's paperback. I have a pretty heavy addiction to anything science fiction or fantasy, so I have a lot of Alistair Reynolds, Orson Scott card, and those types in print, as well as some Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, and Robert Jordan.

I honestly haven't read much romance since I started writing full time in October. I tried to keep reading at first, but found it really hard not to let what I was reading creep into my own stories. So I think my lack of reading the competition is something that helps me stand out with books that you won't find anywhere else.

You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?

I'd probably invite some of the writers on my bookshelf. I'd bring Patrick Rothfuss and tell him to hurry the heck up and finish the Name of the Wind series, because I feel like I've been waiting my whole life. To be honest though, I'm a pretty big introvert, and I'd probably never get around to inviting anyone. Even the thought of a dinner party makes my skin itchy! Ugh!

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I really love the rare moments when it feels like my fingers can't go fast enough, when the words are just pouring out and it feels totally and completely right. I wish I had those moments more often, but I've had a few where I've just sat back and had a little wave of goosebumps because I know I nailed it.

When I'm not having those moments, I'm usually struggling to push past every change of scene because I'm overwhelmed knowing I could literally take the next scene anywhere at all and I have no idea which one is right for the story. A big part of writing as quickly as I do though is just trusting my instincts and generally going with my gut when it comes to that, but it doesn't mean the doubts ever go away.

What's on your writing desk?

Wellllll, right now there are about 8 water bottles, all of which have one or two sips left at the bottom. There's an energy drink (the white Monster cans are all I like). A sparkling black rasberry can. A giant bag of gluten free pretzels because I've been cursed with a gluten sensitivity AND a lactose sensitivity, so I basically just eat chalky, bland food all day. There's also the laptop I use to write, which I kind of sort of ran over with my car. Twice, technically (to make a long story super short, I was planning to write out of the house, set my bag down by the front wheel before grabbing the mail, forgot the bag was there with my laptop inside, backed over it, drove forward again over the bag, and yeah... It still works, but I had to get a new screen. And it's kind of bent now, but apparently it doesn't mind!)

BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?

Given that my biggest hurdle every single day is self-discipline. I'd happily settle for the lame power of being able to just sit down and get my writing done for the day with no distractions and no stress. That or I'd want to be invisible so I could creepily people watch to get ideas for my books!

What scene in Miss Matchmaker was your favorite to write?

I love the scene really early in the book when Mila goes to tell off Lucas for basically being a jerk the first time they meet. She comes storming up to him on his ranch but twists her ankle before she even gets half a sentence out. Of course, being the gentleman he is (and shirtless, ahem) he carries her inside and gives her something for the swelling. The banter between them was really fun to write, and it felt super natural and funny. I also thought that scene was the first time I was able to really imagine them together and see what their dynamic would be, which is a pretty critical step for me when I'm trying to make the relationship real.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I wouldn't say I have a quote I live by, but I think in terms of my career, my philosophy has always been to strive for better. It sounds a little cheesy, I guess, but that's just what it is. I don't ever want to think I've written the perfect book or the perfect scene. I always want to have an open mind to critical reviews, comments, and my own observations about how I can keep getting better at what I do. When I look back at the relatively short time I've been an author, my greatest point of pride is knowing how far I've already come since I first started, and that's only possible because I will never stop trying to improve.

Penelope Bloom is the author of the new book Miss Matchmaker. 

Connect with Penelope:
Author Page

 Twitter

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What can you tell us about your new release, Billion Dollar Cowboy?

This is a BWWM full length Western novel complete with a HEA.  It is a fun, heartfelt contemporary romance about two unlikely people falling in love.

This book shows us that billionaires don't always wear suits and come from "the big city".

Name a book that you feel has impacted your life significantly. Why was it so impactful?

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner was the first book that truly spoke to me as a writer. It told me that no matter how you choose to write your book, the only thing that matters is painting a picture of a beautiful story for your audience.

You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?

Nicholas Sparks, William Goldman, Stephen King – that way they can all tell me how to get my novels made into movies!

What's your favorite thing about writing?

There is always a point when I’m writing that I suddenly realize I’m accessing the deepest and most compassionate areas of my mind. I get to continue to explore this area with each book I write -- It’s a rush of emotion to know that I get to invoke feelings of love and happiness in my readers.

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up and immediately pour myself a coffee that my husband leaves me before he drives off to work. The rest of the day is a battle between the keyboard and the caffeine, where the caffeine usually wins. This rigorous typing usually occurs on my screened in sundeck, where I can gaze out at our gorgeous wooded backyard. It’s no question I’m an outdoorsy girl.

If you had to pick one place to vacation for the rest of your life, where would you choose?

This is quite the tough question! I think it would have to be somewhere that I can venture into the mountains, but also experience a different culture than what I can get at home. I’d have to say the Himalayas? That’s probably an unusual answer but I’m sticking to it. The Himalayan mountain range is my final answer.

What scene in Billion Dollar Cowboy was your favorite to write?

One of my favorite scenes in the story is at the beginning of the book when Branch (billionaire lawyer turned cowboy) meets up for the first time with Rose (city lawyer looking for a new adventure).

Rose’s car is stuck in a ditch, and she can’t get out of the car.  She is struggling and in her attempts to get out, she stumbles and falls flat on her face in the mud wearing her business suit and three-inch heels. Branch comes along on his horse and offers to help her.  Thinking that Branch is a ranch hand, and not the owner of the cabin she is staying at, she puts up quite a scene with him and eventually rides away with him on his horse.

Rose finds herself attracted to Branch and can’t keep her eyes off him and his beautiful muscled body.

Their interactions are quite comical and allow the reader to laugh along with the comedy these two are creating.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

One that has stuck with me through my entire life has been “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” It has never failed to get me back up on my feet each and every day while reminding me that no matter what has happened up until this point, YOU have the power to write a fantastic ending to your beautiful story.

Rowan Underwood is the author of the new book Billion Dollar Cowboy. 

Connect with Rowan:
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