THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop is a chance for authors to respond to ten questions about their latest book. The author then tags the person who first tagged them, plus the next chain of authors who will post on their blogs the following Wednesday.  

In this Q & A you’ll find information about me and about the re-release of my romantic suspense novel, BLUE HORIZON, by Secret Cravings Publishing in April 2013. This is what Single Titles has to say about BLUE HORIZON: “Hammer keeps the reader guessing with plot twists and turns that are guaranteed to keep the pages turning.”

I’d like to thank bestselling author Melinda Leigh for tagging me to participate. Click the link below to find out about Melinda’s latest romantic thriller, SHE CAN TELL.

Website: melindaleighauthor.com

Here are my answers to the questions: I hope you enjoy it!

Here is my Next Big Thing!

1: What is the working title of your book?  BLUE HORIZON

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

The anniversary of 9/11 came and went, but the memories of that tragic event would influence the shaping of my novel.  It is set on a backdrop of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and foreign cultures. When I placed a strong female protagonist against these elements and then added a hardened mercenary, the sparks began to fly.

3: What genre does your book come under? romantic suspense 

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I visualized my mercenary, Beckham Connors, as a rugged Dean McDermott.

Elena Davidson is a designer engineer who is kidnapped by terrorists. She is smart and has that pretty girl-next-door quality about her.  I envisioned her as a twenty something Julie Warner.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Part of a secret government project, Elena Davidson is kidnapped by terrorists and forced to place her survival in the hands of a ruggedly handsome mercenary, who very well may be the one to end her life.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency? 

BLUE HORIZON will be re-released in April 2013 by Secret Cravings Publishing.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Forever. Okay, it might have been more like a year and then six more months for revisions. It was my first novel, so it was trial and error. Luckily, since then I now have an amazing group of beta readers and the talented editor Tara Chevrestt.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

One day I hope that the plots of my stories can be compared to those of Karen Robards and Sandra Brown.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

See question #2

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

FBI Special Agent Cruz Romero and the suspect Amanda Price from my novel OUTMANEUVERED both play secondary characters in BLUE HORIZON. Every time Romero and Amanda are in the same room, the air sizzles and crackles. Their first encounter in BLUE HORIZON is no exception.

A hungry grin crept up on Romero’s face before he brought her hand to his lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet such an exquisite creature as yourself.”

Amanda yanked her hand away and looked Romero up and down. “Is he for real?”

Below are the links to the next chain of authors posting next Wednesday. Happy Reading!

1.      Leigh Michaels is the author of nearly 100 books and more than 35 million copies of her romance novels have been published. She has received two Reviewer's Choice awards from Romantic Times. I’ve also had the pleasure of taking Leigh’s romance writing class through Gotham Writers' Workshop.  Check out her latest release, THE BIRTHDAY SCANDAL, at leighmichaels.home.mchsi.com

2.      Jillian Chantal is the nom de plume of a lawyer moonlighting as a writer of romantic fiction.  Coffee Time Romance and More has this to say about her novel SURFER BRIDE, “The author’s skill at describing scenes and people is really extraordinary. The scenes in Bali will have you at the edge of your seat, and they are nothing in comparison to the suspense in London. ” Find out more about Jillian and her books at jillianchantal.com

3.      Flossie Benton Rogers is the author of the paranormal romance WYTCHFAE RUNES. Readers are raving about her debut novel released by Secret Cravings Publishing, “I loved the author's descriptive powers which helped me visualize the characters and scenes in perfect measure. I eagerly await the next novel in the series!”  To learn what next great novel Flossie has in store for us visit flossiebentonrogers.com

4.      Sherry Gloag is the author of eight published works. The Romance Reviews had this to say about one of her novels, “DUTY CALLS is an appealing novel about unconditional love and what happens when you keep secrets. What makes this novel really memorable is the way that Sherry Gloag skillfully crafts her characters.” Find out more about her latest romance, NO JOB FOR A WOMAN, at www.sherrygloag.com

 Please feel free to comment and ask questions.