#BlogTour Shadow of Doubt By P.A DePaul #bookpromotion

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023Mybeautymark Leave a comment

Michelle Alger flees when her secretly recorded tryst winds up on the internet. She has no option but to hide. Her one-night stand—the son of a powerful US senator—was murdered. Learning she’s the prime suspect is traumatizing. Already a member of witness protection thanks to a Colombian drug lord kidnapping her in college, she now has to run from the senator and law enforcement. To make matters worse, the drug lord finally knows her location and is hot on her trail. There’s only one man she trusts. He saved her once, can he do it again six years later?

Captain Jeremy Malone no longer wears a Green Beret. He’s traded in his fatigues for a new life leading Delta Squad, a covert unit within SweetBriar Group. His latest orders from the senator: find the unknown woman and bring her to me. But Jeremy knows her identity. He once rescued her from a Colombian cartel, and has never forgotten her. He assigns his squad a new mission: find Michelle first and learn the real story.

Michelle and Jeremy can’t deny their explosive chemistry. But, with every new piece of evidence, Jeremy’s faith in Michelle’s innocence is questioned. Is her plea for help a ruse…or a trap set by a beautiful woman determined to expose Jeremy’s own secrets…

This is the second book in the SweetBriar Group (SBG) series and can be read as a standalone.

Excerpt

Cappy was going to hell.
The sight of Michelle’s perfect ass disappearing out the window was now permanently burned into his brain. He was such a bastard for avidly watching it wiggle as she forced her body through the tight opening.
Every nerve ending north of his toes still vibrated from touching her. Though he had sounded like a bumbling idiot earlier, he’d meant it when he’d blurted how amazing she looked, so healthy and whole. The antithesis of the bloody, broken woman damaged by the Osvaldo Cartel in that shithole room six years ago. This beautiful, vibrant, sexy woman surged his blood and overloaded his fantasies. God built her body for a man like him. Built her for deep, hard sex, be it up against a wall or bent over a chair . . . Goddammit.
Straight. To. Hell.
Remember the mission. He couldn’t think of her in any terms other than professional. For Christ’s sake, he had to find out if she killed the senator’s son. Not have her starring in his latest mental porno.
He pulled a disposable phone from his leg pocket and dropped it inside her overlarge bag. Once he zipped the thing closed, he called, “Heads up. Purse coming through.”
He gave it a little nudge over the sill, hearing it thud into her hands before he yanked the battery out of the back of her cell phone. Now no one could trace her from the GPS in the device—which had been his plan if she hadn’t called him.
He dropped the pieces into his leg pocket for later disposal. Putting on his sunglasses, he ensured his gun holster wouldn’t knock into the frame’s edges, and slid soundlessly through the small opening, then closed the window. Turning, he half expected to find her gone, but she stood just to the left, chewing on her lip with fear lacing through her irises.
“This way,” he whispered, grabbing her hand and motioning toward a grungy building next door.
The electricity from the contact instantly had him hard. He grunted and urged her forward. He pulled her around the back corner of a convenience store and stopped, shifting his hips to relieve the pressure.
“Cutting it too close, Cappy,” Talon admonished softly. Michelle jumped, squealed, then slapped a hand over her mouth.
Yeah. Talon had that effect on people. He was so damn good at blending into the background, he caught most by surprise.
Cappy seized Michelle’s hand to stop her from inching backward. “Relax.”
Her eyes were as large as her face, and she didn’t seem able to look away from his teammate. A sudden shot of jealousy spiked through his veins. Stow that shit. He had no time for the destructive emotion, and it was wrong on so many levels.
“Where’s the car?” he barked, jolting them all. Christ.
Engines raced into the parking lot next door and instantly shut off. Car doors opened, then slammed shut.
Cappy didn’t need to see his teammate’s eyes to know they were both thinking about how they had just barely made it. Michelle trembled underneath his palm.
“Car’s on the other side of the dry cleaners, as commanded.” Talon pointed to a building that had seen better days adjacent to the convenience store.
* * *
Dear God, who is this guy? Michelle couldn’t stop staring at the wicked knife with the onyx blade still protruding from SCK’s [Stone Cold Killer’s] fist.
She shivered.
A male voice yelled from the hotel’s parking lot, “You two cover the back. White, start peering in windows. I’ll talk to the desk clerk.”
“Our signal to move,” Jeremy whispered, jerking her arm as he pulled her forward.
She ran as fast as possible but knew she wasn’t close to the speed both men wanted. Tough darts. She didn’t live in a gym like them.
Had she done the right thing, calling Jeremy? She trailed behind the two men, still rattled by his apparent connection to the FBI’s investigation. He saved you before. Yeah, he did. Was he doing that now? Every TV show, movie, and book she’d ever read clearly pointed out how only those closely connected to a case were privy to details like a raid on a hotel room. Did that mean Jeremy saw the YouTube video?
Talon glanced over his shoulder. His dark shades had slid down and the cold light in his eyes sent fear racing down her spine. No. No! She pulled against Jeremy’s grip, her mind plunging back into Colombia without warning. Cold steel bit into her skin while the man with a pair of emotionless yet fanatical eyes stared at her. “You going to talk now, puta?”
“Michelle,” Jeremey snapped. “Stay with me.”
She blinked away the vision, disoriented at being ripped back into the present so fast. Jeremy tightened his grip and dragged her against his side. For a brief moment, she allowed her head to fall against his meaty shoulder. She inhaled his addictive scent and instantly felt better.
“Eyes front, Talon.” Jeremy flattened her body against the side of the dry cleaners. “We clear to make a break for the car on the other side?”
From beyond the hotel and as far as Michelle could glimpse in the other direction, the backs of the buildings were relatively flush with each other. Some had blacktop as if for additional parking while others had large dumpsters filling the space.
“O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?” Talon crooned softly.
What the heck?
Jeremy flashed SCK a grin and placed his lips next to her earlobe. She shivered at the faint breath and almost missed his command. “Keep low but run as fast as you can. Don’t stop or slow down. Once you clear the corner, wait for us.” Her mind turned to mush at his whispered words. “We’ll use our bodies to block the view if someone should glance this way.”
It took everything she had not to giggle and lift her shoulder. Get it together, Michelle. This is serious.
He placed a large hand at the small of her back. “Go.” He gave her a little push.

About the Author

P. A. DePaul is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling and award-winning author.Her books are full of action, suspense, and romance.

As a hybrid author, she has books traditionally and independently published. Her traditional publishers include Berkley, a Penguin Random House imprint, and Harlequin Books.

Website: https://padepaul.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/padepaul/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/padepaul/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@padepaulauthor

Author Marketing Experts:
Twitter: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal

Amazon: https://amzn.to/46xJJZ9

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195639188-shadow-of-doubt

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#BlogTour Where the Grass Grows Blue By Hope Gibbs #bookpromotion #bookblitz

June 15, 2023June 15, 2023Mybeautymark Leave a comment

Penny Crenshaw’s divorce and her husband’s swift remarriage to a much younger woman have
been hot topics around Atlanta’s social circles. After a year of enduring the cruel gossip, Penny
leaps from the frying pan into the fire by heading back to Kentucky to settle her grandmother’s
estate.
Reluctantly, Penny travels to her hometown of Camden, knowing she will be stirring up all the
ghosts from her turbulent childhood. But not all her problems stem from a dysfunctional family.
One of Penny’s greatest sources of pain lives just down the street: Bradley Hitchens, her
childhood best friend, the keeper of her darkest secrets, and the boy who shattered her heart.
As Penny struggles with sorting through her grandmother’s house and her own memories, a
colorful group of friends drifts back into her life, reminding her of the unique warmth, fellowship,
and romance that only the Bluegrass state can provide. Now that fate has forced Penny back,
she must either let go of the scars of her past or risk losing a second chance at love.

Q & A with the Author

On writing:
How did you do research for your book?
Where the Grass Grows Blue is set in Kentucky, where I was born and raised, so I was
comfortable with most topics—food, dialogue, and setting. But I did write in flashbacks and had
to study pop culture during those decades so as to not get the year wrong. I also had to do some
serious research into genetic diseases, as they are a plot point for my protagonist.
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
The hardest to write by far was the main character, Penny. She is a complicated and sometimes
frustrating character by design.
The easiest was Bradley, her love interest. I might have developed a literary crush on him while
writing.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
I want to bring the charm of the South to a wider community of readers. It’s my goal to immerse
them in the culture, food, and characters, so I look around my surroundings or dig back to my
upbringing to find inspiration.
What advice would you give budding writers?
In the words of Nike, “Just do it!” You’ll never know unless you try. Of course, there are going
to be bumps, sometimes mountains, along the way, but if you believe in yourself, your voice, and
find the right support system, you can make it happen too.
Your book is set in Kentucky. Have you ever been there?
I was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. I still consider it home, though I’ve been gone for
decades.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
Penny’s best friend, Dakota. She is a truth-teller and doesn’t worry about what anyone thinks of
her. She’s also fiercely loyal.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
I was a stay-at-home mother of five for twenty-five years. A few years ago, I started re-
evaluating my life. At that point, it hit me. My children would soon be leaving for college. So I
started “journaling” on a laptop. That lasted about a week before I noticed I wasn’t writing
about my feelings or goals—I was creating a character. Now that my children are grown, I’m
writing full-time. But that’s only one part of my “writing life.” I’m also a tour guide for Bookish
Road Trip, an upbeat community of book lovers, authors, and bibliophiles. You can find them on
Facebook, Instagram, and on their website. I’m in charge of the Author Take the Wheel program.
How long have you been writing?
I started about five years ago. It’s been a wonderful creative outlet.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
Of course. Music has been a huge part of my creative process. It really inspires me and allows
my mind to go places, creating new worlds. Also, running and exercise helps. Some of my best
ideas happen when I work out.
What is your next project?
I’m almost finished with my second book, Ashes to Ashes. It’s an upmarket fiction book, set in
the South, of course, that focuses on a tight-knit group of women whose world is rocked after the
unexpected death of their dear friend, Ellen, under mysterious circumstances. But before they
can even process their grief, they stumble across a web of secrets and lies, unraveling Ellen’s
perfect life—the one she tried so hard to project to the outside world. Now they must rely on
each other to find out who the real Ellen Foster was while grappling with the idea that they never
really knew her at all.
What genre do you write in?
Women’s fiction and contemporary romance. But my third book will be historical fiction
because it’s set in the early 1970s. I don’t want to be boxed into one genre.
What is the last great book you’ve read?
On Gin Lane by Brooke Lea Foster. I can’t tell you how much I loved that book.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
“The author’s writing was like paint on a canvas, creating a vibrant picture of life in Kentucky,
so much so that I was easily transported there.” Reader Views review.
If your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
This is fun! Because it has dual timelines (flashbacks to the 70s and 80s and a “current” timeline
set in 2009), I would have to cast young and older actors.
For the adult Penny, Elizabeth Olsen would be the perfect choice and for the younger version,
circa 1985–89, it would absolutely be Sadie Sink. The adult Bradley? It’s Henry Cavill all the
way with Tanner Buchanan taking the younger role.
As for Ruby Ray, Penny’s beloved grandmother, she would be played by Laura Dern (in the
1970s flashback) and Diane Ladd as the older Ruby Ray. They are two of my favorite actresses
of all time and they are mother and daughter.
And finally, Dakota, Penny’s best friend with a salty tongue, would be played by Rashida Jones
while Margo Martindale would make a fine Miss Paulette, Camden, Kentucky’s premier town
gossip.
Maybe I should be a casting agent!
If your book were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
It’s funny you should ask. I literally made a playlist for this book as I was writing it. Whenever I
was in the car or exercising, I listened to it over and over again.

About author

Author Bio:
Hope Gibbs grew up in rural Scottsville, Kentucky. As the daughter of an English teacher, she
was raised to value the importance of good storytelling from an early age. Today, she’s an avid
reader of women’s fiction. Drawn to multi-generational family sagas, relationship issues, and the
complexities of being a woman, she translates those themes into her own writing.
Hope lives in Tennessee with her husband and her persnickety Shih Tzu, Harley. She is also
the mother of five. In her downtime, she loves playing tennis, poring over old church cookbooks,
singing karaoke, curling up on her favorite chair with a book, and playing board games.
Hope has a B.A. from Western Kentucky University and is a member of the Women’s Fiction
Writers Association.
Website: https://www.authorhopegibbs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopegibbsauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopeGibbstuib
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhopegibbs/
Author Marketing Experts:
Twitter: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3MJraZi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63259909-where-the-grass-grows-blue

Giveaway

We are doing a tour–wide giveaway of a signed book, hydrangea notebook, hydrangea bag tags, packets of Kettle Corn, and bookmarks. Hope has two sets to give away, US only.

:
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Praise for the book

Praise:
“In Where the Grass Grows Blue, Hope Gibbs examines Penny Crenshaw’s journey to pick up
the pieces and begin again after divorce. But this mother of three sons soon learns that if she
wants to move forward, she’ll have to first go back to the start. Readers will enjoy this fast-
paced southern story about second-chances, lifelong friendships, and the healing power of
forgiveness.”
– Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials
“Where The Grass Grows Blue hit me in all the right places. Young lovers separated by a
misunderstanding reunite twenty years later, only to discover that although their love never
faded, their choices are insurmountable. Or are they?
Gibbs skillfully weaves the dark side of life with the beauty of a love that has only grown
stronger over time. Keep an eye on this author – she is one to watch!”
– Barbara Conrey, USA Today Bestselling Author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
“Hope Gibbs’ debut, Where the Grass Grows Blue, is worthy of taking its place among true
Southern fiction novels where the banter is witty and the women are true steel magnolias.
It’s a delightful, engaging story about following your heart.”
– Grace Sammon, Award-Winning Author of The Eves, and host of The Storytellers
“Where the Grass Grows Blue is the most authentic and endearing book I’ve read in ages.
Penny’s difficult and heartbreaking rural background in Kentucky (the Bluegrass state) and her
high society life in Atlanta could not be more different. But when she can’t hide from her past
anymore, her life comes full circle.
I think Penny is my new fictional best friend. There were times I wanted to read quickly to see
how everything unfolds, but this story is to be savored. Don’t rush this Southern gem.”
– Cindy Dorminy, author of The Foster Wife and In a Jam
“Hope Gibbs drops the reader into a colorful, southern, small-town setting where Penny
Crenshaw—a divorced mother with a tumultuous childhood—is desperate to outrun her past.
Where The Grass Grows Blue is one woman’s story of perseverance despite her painful past. A
story of small-town living and second chances, romance and resilience, friendship and
forgiveness. One you’ll think of long after you turn the last page.”
– Jill Hannah Anderson, Author of A Life Unraveled, The To-Hell-And-Back Club, and
Crazy Little Town Called Love
“Where The Grass Grows Blue is an evocative story-with a southern flair-about going back to
the place that brought so much pain for a second chance at love and redefining oneself.
This is one you’ll fall in love with.”
– Donna Norman-Carbone, Author of All That Is Sacred

#BlogTour Water Music By Marcia Peck #bookpromotion #bookblitz

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023Mybeautymark 2 Comments

The bridge at Sagamore was closed when we got there that summer of 1956. We had to
cross the canal at Buzzards Bay over the only other roadway that tethered Cape Cod to
the mainland.
Thus twelve-year-old Lily Grainger, while safe from ‘communists and the Pope,’ finds her family
suddenly adrift. That was the summer the Andrea Doria sank, pilot whales stranded, and Lily’s
father built a house he couldn’t afford. Target practice on a nearby decommissioned Liberty
Ship echoed not only the rancor in her parents’ marriage, a rancor stoked by Lily’s competitive
uncle, but also Lily’s troubles with her sister, her cousins, and especially with her mother. In her
increasingly desperate efforts to salvage her parents’ marriage, Lily discovers betrayals beyond
her understanding as well as the small ways in which people try to rescue each other. She
draws on her music lessons and her love of Cape Cod—from Sagamore and Monomoy to
Nauset Spit and the Wellfleet Dunes, seeking safe passage from the limited world of her salt
marsh to the larger, open ocean.

Excerpt

Prologue
There was no bridge at Sagamore the summer of 1956. We had to cross the canal at
Buzzards Bay over the one slender, arched roadway that tethered Cape Cod to the mainland.
That was the summer the cello proved to be my steadiest companion, although I would have had
it otherwise. My mother had to make do without a piano of her own, which did not augur well:
music had always been her refuge. And my father was dead set on building a cottage—built the
right way, which was to say, better than Uncle George’s—when we couldn’t afford it. We
thought we spotted the Andrea Doria moments before it sank. And I discovered the small ways
in which people try to rescue each other.
Our property fronted a salt pond whose fertile waters hatched clams the size of a toenail,
infant eels no bigger than a bobby pin, and young crabs so fragile you could crush them between
two fingers. When they matured, they found their way to the creek, an outlet booby-trapped with
rocks from an old abandoned mill, and followed it out to Pleasant Bay, that vast shallow body of
water which, like a long adolescence, spanned the distance between our pond and the full-
fledged, fathomless ocean.
Tides filled and emptied our small world and I tried to figure out who belonged to whom.
I longed to belong to my mother. But I learned that summer that she was like a teacup, spilled
out and upside down on the saucer, and she couldn’t right herself. She thought she was mad at
my father; she didn’t recognize that fiercer winds than his tore at her. All summer the storm
gathered and gathered, took its breath from every direction we thought we knew, and lashed us
into spindrift.
And all the while, surrounding us, holding us up like the sea we floated on, was the
music.

About Author

.
Author Bio:
Marcia Peck’s writing has received a variety of awards, including New Millenium Writings (First prize
for “Memento Mori”) and Lake Superior Writers’ Conference (First Prize for “Pride and Humility”). Her
articles have appeared in Musical America, Strad Magazine, Strings Magazine, Senza Sordino, and
the op-ed pages of the Minneapolis StarTribune. Marcia’s fiction has appeared in Chautauqua
Journal, New Millenium Writings, Gemini Magazine, and Glimmer Train, among others.
Growing up in New Jersey with parents who were both musicians, Marcia set out to be the best
cellist she could be. She spent two years studying in Germany in the Master Class of the renowned
Italian cellist, Antonio Janigro. Since then she has spent her musical career with the Minnesota
Orchestra, where she met and married the handsome fourth horn player.
Marcia has always been a cat person. But she has learned to love dogs—even the naughty ones,
maybe especially the naughty ones.
Website: https://www.marciapeck.com/
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/marciapeckFB
Author Marketing Exper
ts:
Twitter: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal
Amazon: https://amzn.to/431Z6aE
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128305404-water-music

We are doing a tour–wide giveaway of a signed copy of Water Music, along with a chocolate bar. Marcia has 5 sets to give away, US only.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/463009dc1/

#BlogTour Mia and Nattie By Marlene M. Bell #bookblitz #booktour #bookpromotion

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023Mybeautymark Leave a comment

Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too
straight, like a unicorn’s horn. But Mia thought Nattie was perfect.
In a read-aloud picture book for children who love animals, award-winning writer and sheep
breeder Marlene M. Bell presents Nattie the lamb’s true story.
MIA AND NATTIE is a heartwarming book that teaches readers about problem-solving,
teamwork, and love.
On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb
outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse
the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles
to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age. When her grandmother says she will sell
Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep

Interview

How do you research your books?
I rarely use the internet for book information unless I find a picture of the place I’m writing
about. In most cases, I purchase coffee table travel books from people who have actually been to
the location, and read their accounts to help with my writing.
Was Nattie a hard character to write about?
Because Natalie lived with us both inside and outside the house, I knew her character well prior
to starting the children’s book. She was a sheep, yet she thought she was a person because I
raised her, not her natural mother. This made it difficult for Natalie to blend in with the other
sheep, just like in the book. She never felt like she belonged with her own kind.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
My stories come from personal experiences. Whether it’s raising sheep, or the people I’ve met
along the way, the most interesting occurrences might become an anecdote or a subplot in one of
my books or novels. In the case of Mia and Nattie, I used myself as the Mia character, Grandma
characterized my husband, and Nattie played herself!
How long have you been writing?
My writing journey began in 2007 when I wrote a non-fiction book about raising sheep for our
4H club. That first book was more of an experiment to see if I enjoyed writing. In 2010 I decided
to jump in with both feet to learn how to write fiction. I found fiction much harder because my
imagination had to work overtime, and readers expect certain things from the romance and
mystery genres. By the time I had the idea to create a children’s book and had located an
illustrator for the job, I had to learn children’s writing all over again.
What is your next writing project?
I have some ideas for new children’s books that feature our Nattie because Mia and Nattie One
Great Team! has become a popular gift for parents, grandparents and kids too! I’m having
trouble choosing children’s themes to write about because I don’t have kids of my own to teach
me the subject matter. I’d love to hear from you if there’s a favorite subject that should be
written about to help children grow in their teenage years to adulthood. There are many books
that fall short when it comes to right and wrong and learning solid life lessons. I grew up with
moral-to-the-story books with happy endings, and these kinds of books seem to be lacking in the
current marketplace. Send me your kids’ book ideas in the comments section for this post.

About Author

Marlene M. Bell is an award-winning mystery writer and acclaimed artist as well as a photographer.
She and her husband, Gregg, reside in beautiful East Texas on a wooded ranch with their dreadfully
spoiled horned Dorset sheep, a large Maremma guard dog named Tia, and Hollywood, Leo, and
Squeaks, the cats that rule the household.
Websites: http://marlenembell.com and http://texassheep.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlenembell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ewephoric
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenemysteries
Author Marketing Experts tags for social media:
Twitter: @Bookgal
Instagram: @therealbookgal
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44KIlCf
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55848637-mia-and-nattie
Praise:
“With each turn of the page, my kids and I fell more and more in love with this beautiful story. This is
a story of friendship, inclusivity, and confidence. This is a story of not giving up on friends, and
believing in the power of helpfulness. This is a BEAUTIFUL story. I had tears in my eyes as I was
reading this aloud to my kids and it led to a really powerful discussion once we had turned the last

#BlogTour The Last Lap By Christy Hayes

April 10, 2023Mybeautymark 4 Comments

A man seeking closure after the death of his estranged brother. A woman grieving her sister and best friend. A connection they never saw coming. More than the temperature heats up in USA Today Bestselling Author Christy Hayes’ unforgettable page-turning romance about two tortured souls and their collision course with love.

Megan Holloway has learned a few hard truths in her twenty-eight-years. Life isn’t fair. People she loves always leave. And she’ll be stuck on Key West running her parents’ gift store and raising her twelve-year-old niece for the rest of her life.

Thirty-year-old Bryan Westfall has come to Key West to clean out his dead brother’s apartment and search for answers about the woman who died with his estranged older brother. Bryan didn’t know the woman had a daughter and he sure didn’t expect her sister to floor him with her beauty and biting brashness.

Bryan’s persistent need to help and Meg’s bumbling business skills create an unlikely union. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings become too powerful to deny. Meg knows Bryan is leaving at the end of the summer and Bryan knows Meg is holding back to spare herself needless heartache. When a hurricane forces them to evacuate, Meg mentally prepares to let Bryan go while Bryan wonders if home is where he came from or is with the woman who stole his heart.

Author Bio:

Christy Hayes is a USA Today Bestselling author. She grew up along the eastern seaboard and received two degrees from the University of Georgia. An avid reader, she writes romance and women’s fiction. Christy and her husband have two grown children and live with a houseful of dogs in the foothills of north Georgia.

Website: https://www.christyhayes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyHayesAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeaHayes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christyhayesauthor/

Author Marketing Experts tags for social media:

Twitter: @Bookgal

Instagram: @therealbookgal

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3FZ1k0Y

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/120745272-the-last-lap

Author Interview:

On writing:

How did you do research for your book?

The internet is a wonderful resource and has saved a lot of time in researching. Whenever possible, I reach out to people and ask questions. People are very generous and willing to talk when you tell them you are doing research for a book.

Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?

Meg was the hardest because she had so much on her plate. I’m a mother and I understand the pressure of raising a pre-teen, however Lily wasn’t technically her child and her role switched from supportive aunt to mom without any warning. When you add in her overwhelming grief, that relationship was difficult to write and keep authentic. Dustin was a hard secondary character to write simply because at the time I didn’t know what the issues were with his marriage.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

Often snippets from the news or traveling to new locations. Travel and new experiences really seem to wake up the creative side of my brain.

There are many contemporary romance books out there. What makes yours different?

I’m trying to bridge the gap between the ultra-steamy contemporary romance genre and the no-steam sweet romance. In my opinion, the last decade or so has seen a rise in the steam level of romance novels and I don’t think all readers want such graphic content.

What advice would you give budding writers?

The advice I would give all writers is to keep writing, keep learning, read craft books, take classes, go to conferences, and be prepared to do the hard work. Writing isn’t easy and it doesn’t pay well so if you’re looking for money or fame you should look elsewhere.

Your book is set in Key West. Have you ever been there?

Yes, several times. This idea was spawned by a trip my husband and I took with another couple. The guys are big fly fisherman and while they fished the wives shopped and walked around the island.

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?

I’d be Meg. Like her, I’m the younger sister of a big personality older sister. It’s a unique dynamic where you idolize your older sister and resent her in equal measure.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

Being a wife and mom are my full-time profession, but my kids are both grown. We have two dogs, a couple horses, and a new brood of chickens, so my second profession is probably animal caretaker.

How long have you been writing?

I was a journalism major in college, but I started writing fiction when my youngest child went to kindergarten almost twenty years ago.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

I’m not a plotter, so I get a little off track in the middle of my stories. The best method I’ve found to overcome the muddy middle is to read a craft book. A good craft book always gets me back on track.

What is your next project?

I’m working on Dustin’s story. He’s a character in The Last Lap whose marriage is in serious trouble.

What genre do you write and why?

I write contemporary romance and women’s fiction as they are the fiction genres I like to read. I don’t have an interest in researching and writing historical romance or the bandwidth to create whole new worlds for fantasy.

What is the last great book you’ve read?

I really enjoyed Kate Clayborn’s Best of Luck, the third book in her Chance of a Lifetime series. It’s not a new book but I really admired the depth of both characters, and her writing is superb.

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?

Whenever someone says the characters or situations are realistic, that to me is the best compliment.

How are you similar to or different from your lead character?

Meg and I are both younger sisters, but the comparison ends there. I’m lucky enough to have met the love of my life in college and I’ve been married for thirty years this November.

If your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?

Maybe Emma Stone as Meg and Milo Ventimiglia as Bryan. Cliché choices, but they fit. She’s beautiful in an unconventional way and he’s adorable.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?

I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to navigate dating and single parenting when you are solely responsible for raising a child. Allowing Meg take time for herself but also be Lily’s rock was a delicate balance.

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like?

Long and winding. I had written about three manuscripts before I felt ready to query agents. I would write a book, have it edited, and then query while writing a new book. When I was done with the next book and had it edited, I would then start the cycle over again with the new book. I decided to jump off the hamster wheel of write, edit, query in 2011 when self-publishing was still pretty new. My writing friends were supportive, but they also thought I was crazy. It was the wild west back then.

What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?

Don’t count on paying your bills as a writer. Unfortunately, the content creators are not paid enough for what they do. My greatest fear is that AI will demolish the industry, especially romance.

Which authors inspired you to write?

Honestly, I read a book and thought I could do better. It took me a long time to get to the point where I could.

On rituals:

Do you snack while writing?

No snacking.

Where do you write?

I typically write while exercising on my incumbent bike or walking at a slow pace on my treadmill. Movement helps get the creative juices flowing. My husband works from home so I write on my laptop away from the sound of his voice so I can concentrate.

Do you write every day?

Most days, yes.

What is your writing schedule?

Whenever I can find the time. I’d be more productive with a set schedule.

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?

I read back through the last few pages to get my head in the story before moving forward.

Fun stuff:

Favorite travel spot?

When it’s cold in the South, I like to go where it’s warm. I like the US Virgin Islands because it’s an easy flight from Atlanta and the weather is beautiful. When it’s summer and too hot to be outside, I like to go out West, specifically Colorado.

Favorite dessert?

Ice cream. No contest.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?

The Bible, a survival book, and maybe an old Nora Roberts or Susan Elizabeth Phillips book.

Any hobbies?

People think we are crazy for all the animals we have. We are down to two dogs, but we usually have three and we take them with us whenever we can. The horses came along about five years ago, and the chickens are brand new. I love caring for animals. They teach us so much about life.

If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

Writers are normal people who have active imaginations. Our lives are not as exciting as the stories we write, and we write about things that pique our interest. For me, writing is a way to explore new ideas, learn about different professions, and meet new people.

What is something you’ve learned about yourself during the pandemic?

When it comes down to it, nothing matters but our health. I learned not to trust the “experts” and to listen to my gut.

What TV series are you currently binge watching?

We love the Netflix docuseries about Formula 1 and professional golf.

What is your favorite thing to do in the spring?

I love to go to antique stores, especially with my adult daughter.

What is something that made you laugh recently?

My dogs make me laugh daily. I love watching funny Instagram videos. Our family is always sending funny videos to each another.

What is your go-to breakfast item?

Hot tea.

What is the oldest item of clothing you own?

I still own a pair of rain shoes I’ve had since high school.

Tell us about your longest friendship.

My longest friendship is with my sister and believe it or not, we still like each other. 😉

What is the strangest way you’ve become friends with someone?

I was the ghostwriter for a faith-based father-son memoir after doing research for a book on athletes injured playing football and stumbled across a CaringBridge page from a family in Iowa. I reached out to the dad after being incredibly moved by the entries and ended up writing their story. We are friends to this day.

#BlogTour Assumed By MHR Geer

January 20, 2023February 8, 2023Mybeautymark Leave a comment

Synopsis:

When her friend Sandy asks for help, Anne Wilson leaves her small, lonely life in Miami for the picturesque island of Saint Martin. But as soon as she arrives, Sandy is murdered, and her death exposes lies: an alias, a secret past, stolen money. Suspected of murder and trapped on the island, Anne is shocked when a cryptic message arrives:

Find the money. Take it and run.

She follows Sandy’s trail of obscure clues, desperate for proof of her innocence and must decide if she can trust the two men who offer help-the dark, mysterious Brit or the American with a wide grin and a pickup truck. When memories resurface-dark truths she’d rather leave buried and forgotten, her past becomes intertwined with her present.

Her only way forward is to face her own secrets.

Interview:

On writing:

Which was the hardest character to write?

Anne. Have you ever disliked someone the first time you met them, but then as you got to know them you realized they were just shy and perhaps quite sad? That’s how it felt to write Anne. I didn’t approve of her choices, but chapter after chapter she showed such strength, and I warmed to her.

What is your writing process like?

Like hiking through progressively larger hills. I can’t see very far ahead, and everytime I climb a hill, I’m surprised by what I find.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Three things: write, read, share. You hear the advice “write every day” because it’s so essential to success. Reading inspires your creativity. And finally, let other people read what you write. Join critique groups, ask friends and family to give you feedback. Constructive criticism will make you a better writer.

Your book is set in Saint Martin, an island in the Caribbean. Have you ever been there?

Yes. (sigh) Such a beautiful place. I want to go back.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

I’m a bookkeeper by day. It’s the opposite of creative writing.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve always journaled, but I began writing novels about nine years ago – which is about the time my first marriage fell apart. Huh, I never made that connection before. Whew. That’s a breakthrough of sorts, isn’t it?

What helps you overcome writer’s block?

There isn’t one remedy. I do laundry or go for walks and listen to loud, angry chick-rock. Sometimes I pull out bins of yarn to design a new knitting project, but then I usually just end up fondling my yarn until I solve the block and return to the computer screen. Yarn is my muse.

What is your next project?

Book 2: Accused. Anne’s story continues! It will be released in 2023.

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. But the one comment that stands out is when an Amazon reviewer said that Anne (my main character) was so REAL. That was amazing to hear.

How are you similar to or different from your lead character?

We are very different, but we do have a couple things in common. She works in accounting like I do, and we’ve both suffered significant loss – the kind of loss that you never really recover from. Writing her character was so interesting because she dealt with her loss so differently than I did.

What is something you had to cut from your book that you wish you could have kept?

A scene between Anne and Luke. It was such a sweet moment between them, but nothing really happened, and I had to cut it. But the banter between them was so much fun. And, of course, we all want more time with Luke…

On rituals:

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

Tortilla chips. But never from the bag or I won’t stop. The crunching helps me stay calm during suspenseful scenes – like eating popcorn while you’re at the movies.

Where do you write?

Everywhere. At my desk, in my favorite armchair, in the car (when I’m not driving,) on a plane. I’ve written during warmups at my son’s soccer games, sitting in the parking lot waiting for jiu jitsu to finish, and on a sailboat. That wasn’t a good idea though. I’m not sure how my laptop didn’t fall into the Pacific ocean.

Do you write every day?

No. (slight chuckle.) Some days it just isn’t possible. But I try to write even if I know I’m going to delete all of it the next day.

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?

I listen to music. Really loud music. It blocks out everything else so I can focus on the story. A few indie bands like Metric, but sometimes I plug in my earphones and play catchy mainstream pop. And I like it.

In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?

In the first part of a flight, I scribble furiously in a notebook until that glorious “ding” sounds, and I can start typing.

If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?

Define balance…The truth is I don’t have balance. I work too much. But I think “balance” is overrated. We threw out the idea of traditional gender roles in my house. My husband and I are a team. I work, and he does almost everything else. (Except matching socks. He cannot figure that out.)

Fun stuff:

Favorite travel spot?

Kansas City. Such a friendly place. It always inspires creativity. I love the Nelson-Atkins museum and City Market on the weekends. Also, there’s a place in Westport Plaza that makes the best Matcha ever. Don’t get me started on the barbeque…yum.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?

Ulysses. I might be able to read it cover to cover once I’m stuck on a deserted island. One of the Harry Potters because I’d want a little magic. And I’d bring one of my husband’s books on boat building because then I could escape to get back to all the other books!

Any hobbies?

So many hobbies. Knitting mostly, but I enjoy loads of crafts, jewelry and macrame. I want to try pottery, but my yarn takes up too much space. I simply don’t have room in my life for clay. Yet.

What TV series are you currently binge watching?

A while ago, season 1 of Silent Witness popped up as a recommendation on my BritBox. It should have come with a disclaimer like “Don’t watch this unless you’re prepared to commit several months to it.” Sheeshers. I just finished Season 25. I don’t regret a thing. Well. Maybe I regret some of the popcorn.

What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?

I just watched Free Guy with my son, so that Mariah song. So. Freaking. Catchy. It’s in your head now too, isn’t it?

What is something that made you laugh recently?

I live in SoCal, so we don’t get a lot of weather. My son went out for a bike ride and came back after only three minutes and put on a second sweatshirt, a beanie, and gloves. Five minutes later he returned for knee pads and a chest plate because the “wind was bitter cold.” It was 56 degrees.

What is your go-to breakfast item?

A beet smoothie. I know. Gross, right? I hate beets, but they resolve my gallbladder issues. I roast golden beets and blend them with spinach and frozen berries to hide the taste.

What is the oldest item of clothing you own?

Such an embarrassing question! I have a favorite T-shirt that I keep because maybe someday I’ll be the same weight I was in college. The shirt is not even that cool. It’s faded green with a well worn cartoon frog. But it’s so soft and comfy.

Tell us about your longest friendship.

Marie. We met in college because our boyfriends were roommates, and we both instantly had a “you’re my person” moment. I live in California, and she lives on the East Coast, so we meet annually in random cities in the middle of the country to hang out. She’s still my person after all this time.

What is the strangest way you’ve become friends with someone?

LikeOne of my friendships started during the darkest period in my life. We were at a youth football practice that my ex-husband was coaching. I can’t even remember why, but I had to move my chair, and someone I barely knew carried it for me. That’s it. She carried my chair. It was a tiny thing, but the gesture meant the world to me. And we’ve been close friends ever since.

About Author:

MHR Geer was born in California but grew up in the Midwest. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara to study Physics. After school, she moved to Ventura, CA and started a small bookkeeping business. She lives with her two sons and her unicorn husband (because he’s a magical creature).

Website: http://www.mhrgeer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086993291413
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhrgeerauthor

Author Marketing Experts tags for social media:
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Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3GGsmL6

Goodreads link: https://bit.ly/3jGEJ0K

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