Contemporary romance author Bernadette Marie is back! She’s chatting with me today about Secret Admirer Pact.
During her book tour, Bernadette will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn participant. To be entered for your chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie writes contemporary romances and believes in Happily Ever After. The married mother of five believes in love at first sight, quick love, and second chances. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a certified instructor and holds a third degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. She loves Tai Chi, traveling to Disney parks, and having lunch with friends. When not writing, or running her own publishing house, Bernadette is probably immersed in a Rom Com, from which she will often quote one-liners.
Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Bernadette. Please tell us about your newest release.
Secret Admirer Pact is a fun Valentine’s Day novella based upon the giddy feelings of secret admirer notes and their effect on people. In this book, they are used to get someone else to notice someone.
What inspired you to write this book?
I love a good friends to lover trope, and that’s what moved this story forward. A friend would do anything for another friend thinking they were doing good, only to realize that the deep seeded feelings they have are real, and not just for a friend.
Excerpt from Secret Admirer Pact:
From my pocket I retrieve a paper napkin with writing on it.
Will-
I’ve been watching you. I think you’re very handsome. I’d love to get to know you.
Love,
Your Secret Admirer
The note has me laughing. It’s written in Monique’s handwriting, and I can’t even imagine why she—
I look back down at the napkin and grin.
So this is Monique’s wise idea to get Brandy to notice me? I now have a secret admirer?
Am I supposed to leave these little notes around the house?
I can hear Brandy moving around her room. I look at the note again, and consider it.
Instead of taking my coffee mug with me, I set it on the note. She’ll notice that I forgot my coffee, and maybe she’ll see the writing on the napkin.
Well, I have nothing to lose with Monique’s little game.
Grabbing my messenger bag, I hike it up onto my shoulder and head out to work.
As is the norm, my phone rings as I’m leaving my office and heading to lunch.
“So now you’re my secret admirer?” I ask as I answer the phone, knowing Monique is on the other end.
Her laugh filters through and brings me a bit of warmth as I step outside in the cold.
“Why, Will, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says on another laugh.
What’s the next writing project?
Right now I’m working on a romantic comedy that’s based around the creation of a dating app.
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
The biggest challenge is always making sure the story is engaging. As an author the witty dialogue goes a long way, but there is always a point in the journey that you wonder if you’re still telling the same story you started writing.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
Most of my novels don’t require a lot of research, but there is always something you have to look up or get a grasp on. Sometimes that information doesn’t even make it into the book, but it helps build the characters.
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
Though I don’t have a specific place I write, I’m kind of a “have laptop will travel” writer, I do tend to do most of my writing in the living room, on the coffee table, in front of the TV with my husband in the chair next to me.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I love Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, Katherine Center, Lynn Painter, and Julia Whalen as an author (and as a narrator.)
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
I’m always so grateful for my readers. They make it all worth while!
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords
Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you so much for highlighting today’s author.
The cover looks great.
What’s the first thing that come to mind when I say “think of a happy memory”?
There is a photo of all 5 of my kids. They were 7, 6, 2,2, and under 1. It brings back that day we took a drive to the mountains, but it also brings to my memory the years of getting all 5 of them into the car and every day was an adventure. My greatest adventure and my most favorite memories. Thanks for asking.
Thank you for hosting me!
I really like the cover and the excerpt.
Enjoyed reading today’s post. Sounds like a good book
This looks like a great novel. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.