This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nancy Fraser will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
I tried writing a few other genres before I settled on romance. Not because it was easy (it’s not), but because I believe we all need a little happily-ever-after in our lives. What made me write THIS book? Hmm, the same thing that makes me write every book. To get these pesky voices out of my head and make room for more pesky voices. Actually, though, in this case it was to be part of this new line of books. The Last Chance Beach Romance line will have twenty books, multiple authors, and publish every six weeks over the next two years. Return of the Runaway Bride is book #2 in the line. I’m also scheduled to write three more of the scheduled twenty.
Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
I was an only child, which I believe made me more observant than some because I had fewer interruptions, didn’t have to fight for interactions with others, and often found myself watching others to see how they responded to those around them and to me.
Where is your favorite place to write?
On a beach in the Bahamas. However, since that’s off the table, I’d have to say at my desk, in my new office chair I’ve named Charlie, and surrounded by all my prompts and research.
How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
Nothing really dies, as can be attested to by my crowded hard drive and box full of jump drives. Sometimes it becomes a new book. Or, a deleted scene bonus in my newsletter. OR sometimes just a prompt for a better scene in the same book.
You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
I’ve met my favorite author, Elizabeth Lowell, a few times, so there’s probably nothing left to ask. She refuses to tell what I really want to know. Does she really practice all those steamy lovescenes herself?
Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
I’m pretty much an open book (not to be confused with being cliché). I’ve answered a question similar to this so many times over the years, I’m sure there’s only one thing left to tell, and I’m NOT going to tell it. My daughter-in-law has permission to share when I’m gone, but not before.
I will say, surprisingly, I’ve developed a real affection for my grand-guineas, Elvira, Petunia, Juniper and Jerry. Something I never, ever expected to do. I don’t mind animals. I don’t have any pets of my own because of condo restrictions and allergies, but I do get quality pet time with my grand-dog, grand-cats and... now... the guineas.
You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?
Coffee, my tablet, and my day planner (so I reschedule everything I’ve missed).
If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?
The ability to make the New York Times Bestseller list. Over and over.
Favorite snack?
Is coffee a snack? If not, then a few pieces of really good quality cheese (no pre-packaged or processed). At the moment, I have six varieties in my fridge. And, it would be nice to have the cheese with an ice-cold Coke Zero.
Indy 500 - Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
I’ve never driven the speed limit in my life. No sense starting now.
Chase Michaels left Last Chance Beach not long after having his heart broken and joined the Coast Guard in an effort to rebuild his life. Returning four years later for a family emergency, he decided to stay and go into business with his best friend.
Emily’s returning as well. Not as the journalist she’d hoped to be but as a bestselling romance author. One of her books is about to be made into a movie, and filming will take place on Last Chance Beach and in the mainland town of Summerville.
Will Emily’s return give them a second chance at the love they once shared? Or, will her ‘other’ reason for leaving put a wedge between three best friends that can’t be healed by time or intention?
Pick-a-Read Bookstore, Boston, MA
Present Day
Emily Bennett took a seat behind the cloth-covered table and waited for her publicist and good friend Mary to give her standard introduction. No matter how many of these events she’d done, to Emily they were never routine. Nervously, she adjusted and re-adjusted the angle of the ink pens and candy dish and fanned the bookmarks and other swag out across the tabletop.
Mary tapped the microphone, waited for the echo to stop, and then began, “Thank you all for coming to today’s book promotion event. Author E.M. Stephens will be here for the next two-and-a-half hours, and happy to sign copies of her New York Times bestseller, Love in the Surf, as well as early copies of her newest release, A Bad Boy for Willa.” Mary paused, then added, “For those who haven’t yet heard, Love in the Surf has been optioned for a movie and will begin filming within the next month.” Beaming proudly, Mary turned in her direction. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the romantically gifted, E.M. Stephens.”
The queue of fans bent around the front of the bookstore and out into the mall, with tables set up inside the entryway and books stacked in piles of twelve. One-by-one, the towers of both books diminished quickly.
Two hours in, less than a dozen people remained in line. Emily’s hand was beginning to cramp, but she forced a renewed smile to her lips and raised her gaze to the young man who stood in front of her.
“Is there a name for an inscription?”
“Eileen, please.” He flashed her a smile. “It’s for my mom. She’s a big fan.”
Emily wrote a short note and signed her name. “Tell your mother ‘thank you’ for me.”
“I will,” he assured her before moving on.
Emily repeated the smile and sign process over and over again until—finally—the line was gone.
Mary gathered up the remaining bookmarks, empty candy dish, and a half dozen pens before leading the way to the back of the bookstore and into a small private room. The moment the door closed behind them, Emily released a long sigh and reached for the mid-length blonde wig that had been driving her crazy for the past hour, releasing her long brown hair to hang freely across her shoulders.
A quick change out of her bright red blouse, tight black leggings, and fancy rhinestone hoop earrings, and back into her faded jeans and vintage T-shirt had her feeling more like Emily, and less like her alter ego, E.M. Stephens.
“I don’t know about you, sweetie,” Mary said, a long sigh escaping, “But I could use a greasy burger, with an onion ring and frosty beer chaser. Why don’t we get out of here and go someplace dark and inconspicuous and kick back for a while?”
“As much as the idea appeals to me, I’ve got to finish packing and then load the car. I’m hoping to be on the road by six in the morning, if possible.”
“I don’t understand why you’re driving all the way to Last Chance Beach. Why not fly in to the closest airport and rent a car?”
She gave a quick shake of her head. “I’ve got too much stuff to drag with me. Besides, the drive will give me two days and a night to get my story straight and figure out how to explain everything to my parents.”
“I still can’t believe you never told your parents about your books. With all the success you’ve had, you’d think bragging rights alone would have prompted the discussion.”
“I grew up on Last Chance Beach before it became a tourist magnet. I went to high school on the mainland where they still do farmer’s markets and county fairs. It was bad enough I left under less than stellar circumstances. I’ve never been ready to explain why I gave up on a career as a serious journalist to write romance novels.”
Mary’s grin was followed by a very unladylike snort. “For the money, sweetie. The glitz, the glamor and the chance for a huge movie deal.”
Emily flexed her sore hand. Opening the door, she stepped back out into the store, totally unrecognizable to her adoring fans. “Glitz and glamor? Not according to my impending carpel tunnel.”
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has published over forty books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Website: http://www.nancyfraser.ca
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting this last stop on my tour. I look forward to checking back later for comments.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the tour. The book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeleteSound like a great book
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