Interview with romance author Nancy Fraser

A hearty welcome to today’s author guest, Nancy Fraser. We’re chatting about her new historical romance, The Engagement Gamble.

During her virtual book tour, Nancy will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a 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:
Nancy Fraser —Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

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 thirty-five 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.

Welcome, Nancy. Please tell us about your current release.
The Engagement Gamble is the third book in my Love’s a Gamble series about the powerful, yet compassionate, McAlister family. The story centers around Marshal Zack McAlister, who we met at the end of Book 2.

The marshal is a stubborn man who meets his match in the very independent Dr. Suzanne Martindale. While they love to argue, they also love to tempt each other. When Zack proposes a fake engagement to ward off their unwanted suitors, his best laid plans backfire in a most hilarious and steamy fashion.

What inspired you to write this book?
The Love’s a Gamble series originated as a proposal about a post-Civil War family written with a good friend and critique partner. Unfortunately, Patti passed away not long after we sold the proposal for the first book, so part of completing the series was to honor her.

Excerpt from The Engagement Gamble:
“It’s been quiet around town lately. Not much for a decorated marshal to defend.”

“You trying to get rid of me, Doc?”

“Now why would I do that? If you were to leave, who else would I have to argue with?”

“We don’t argue,” he said, his gaze meeting hers in challenge. “We discuss…heatedly.”

“It only gets ‘heated’ when I’m winning.”

He shook his head and leaned back against the side of the desk. “If you say so, Cher.”

“As to your offer of an escort, I can see myself home, Marshal. There’s no need to wait.”

“I’d feel better if you let me escort you.”

She sighed deeply, and Zack waited for her to launch into another of her ‘independent woman’ speeches. Or, at the very least, remind him that he was being over-protective.

“I’ll only be a minute or two, if you insist on waiting.”

“I insist.”

She could have said she needed another hour and Zack would have gladly stayed. Despite what he’d said to Pete Bailey earlier that evening, Suzanne Martindale was a breath of fresh air among the over-zealous horde of ladies hounding his every move.

She was beautiful, well-educated, independent, and beautiful. Zack shook his head, trying to shake the repeating thought free. Obviously, no matter what her many assets, her beauty was the one thing tying him up in knots. Or, maybe, it was the fact she didn’t use it to her advantage, as some of the other ladies did. Instead, Suzanne relied on her brains and taunting sense of humor to get her where she wanted to go.

“All set,” she said, drawing Zack from his mental inventory of what made Suzanne Martindale the most desirable woman he’d ever met. And, at the same time, not at all what he was looking for in a wife.

Once she’d locked the door to the clinic, Zack offered his arm. Nodding toward the hospital next door, he asked, “Do you need to stop?”

“No, the night nurse is there, and our only patients are the new mother and babe. They’re in good hands.”

They strolled along in comfortable silence until they’d reached the walkway leading to the small stone cottage where Suzanne lived. She stopped just short of the gate.

“Shall I walk you to the door?”

“This is fine, thank you, Marshal.”

“Marshal? I thought we’d agreed on Zack?’

She met his gaze, rolling her eyes for exaggerated emphasis, he supposed. When she shook her head, a small lock of blonde curls fell free of its pins. Zack’s hand itched to take the silky strands in his fingers and tuck them back where they belonged.

“You suggested Zack and Suzanne. I don’t remember agreeing. I’d much prefer Dr. Martindale, or just ‘doc’.”

Her continued attempts at formality amused him and he asked, “Tell me something, Cher, do you ever let your hair down and just relax?” Before she could answer, he added, “Have any of your friends ever been tempted to call you Suzie?”

She paused briefly before saying, “Only those who wished to be soundly kicked in the shins.”

What exciting story are you working on next?
I just finished my April book, Seduced by the Handyman, the second book in my Cougar & Cubs series, a steamy contemporary romance.

Currently I’m working on another steamy romance that centers around an emotionally damaged heroine, and a physically damaged hero who agree to a one-week, no-strings-attached vacation affair. No-strings-attached? I think not.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In junior high school. My English teacher encouraged my very-raw talent. I’d always considered myself a serious, non-fiction writer. However, on a dare I wrote two chapters of a romance novel because I’d been dumb enough to claim “anyone can write one of these”. All it took was the two chapters (as horrible as they were) and I was hooked.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’m blessed to be able to write full time. As a matter of fact, I put in far more hours writing than I ever did in the “outside world”. I begin about 7 a.m. with a large coffee, and social media. I do edits of the previous day’s work from 8 until noon, stop for something eat, then I’m back at from 1 p.m. until 6. I’ll usually write again for a couple of hours later in the evening unless there’s something pulling my focus elsewhere. I write at least five, sometimes 6 days a week. Sundays are for my five grandchildren.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write on my desktop only. I might scribble a thought or two down on paper, but never more than a sentence or two. Plus, I have to have my Keurig and my day planner at my side.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A cowboy first, then a helicopter pilot.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Nothing is more important to an author than the respect of their readers. If you’re so inclined, leave a review. If you’re not comfortable with that, then send them a note on their Facebook page or Twitter. We’ll always answer back.