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Hot Beach Romance: Sand, Sunshine and Sizzle #boxedset by @emkayconnor #RLFblog
This quick interview includes info about the author, and
introduces the story.About the Author
EmKay Connor is an award-winning
romance author and freelance writer.She is a member of Romance Writers
of America and numerous RWA chapters, including RWA-San Diego, Outreach
International RWA, Yellow Rose RWA and RWA Kiss of Death. A firm believer in
paying it forward (and backward and sideways), she has served as president,
vice president, secretary, newsletter editor, workshop presenter and committee
chair at the local and national level.An exuberant and outgoing type who
doesn’t do well with just a desk and a computer for company, EmKay is a
participant of several critique groups. She is a founder and alumni of Pro-SAC
(PRO-Seeking Authors Commit), a page-producing work group headquartered at the
Mira Mesa Panera in San Diego, CA.Her manuscripts have finaled and
won in numerous contests, including Spring Into Romance, The Unpublished Beacon
and RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart.She lives and writes in
northeastern Florida.Interview with EmKay Connor
Why did you write
this book?I saw an invitation on Facebook to participate in a box set
featuring steamy beach reads. I’d been plotting a new series and this was the
perfect opportunity to launch the Hideaway Bay series. The first four novellas
feature the Delaney sisters-Joy, Hope, Grace and Faith. Each has a secret that
is ultimately revealed when they journey to Hideaway Bay, a tropical Caribbean
resort.What is your favorite
genre to read?In addition to writing romance, I work as an author
assistant to several romance authors. That means I read a lot of romantic
fiction, across all genres, in the course of my day job. When I’m on my own
time, I read Robert Crais, Stuart Woods and good post-apocalyptic fiction. I’ve
recently discovered the Purge of Babylon series by Sam Sisavath.Who is your favorite
character from fiction (not including your own)?While I love Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (Robert Crais
characters), one of the most charming and engaging heroines I’ve ever
encountered is Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum.What are you working
on at the moment, and will see from you in coming months?I’m currently working on the remaining novellas in the
Hideaway Bay series, but I tend to have several projects in the works
simultaneously. The best way to stay in touch and see what’s next is to connect
with me on social media.About the Book
Title Finding Joy featured in Hot Beach Romance: Sand,
Sunshine and Sizzle Box SetGenre Contemporary RomanceAuthors Tawdra Kandle, Jami Davenport, Lisa Marie Rice,
Chris Almeida, Cecilia Aubrey, Emkay Connor, Jenna Dales, Sylvie Fox, Amber
Lin, Alannah Lynne, Éirinn Brennan, Layla Wilcox, Suzanne Rock, Nancy Warren,
Margaret Taylor, Scarlett MetalBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RBuy This Book
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-beach-romance-tawdra-kandle/1121923239ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hotbeachromancesandsunshineandsizzle-1819248-166.htmlKobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hot-beach-romance-sand-sunshine-and-sizzle-1iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id991035178GooglePlay https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Chris_Almeida_Hot_Beach_Romance_Sand_Sunshine_and?id=fBNFCQAAQBAJAuthor Social Media
Website http://www.sexysassyromance.com/Twitter https://twitter.com/EmKayConnorFacebook https://www.facebook.com/EmKayConnorGoodreads https://www.goodreads.com/emkayconnorAmazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00GF3WI4M -
RLF Gems: Blog Stats for Jan 2013 #RLFblog
RLF Gems January on Romance Lives Forever had two ties, one for third
place and a three-way tie in fourth. We had 1 model interview, 16 author
interviews, 4 character interviews, 3 book releases, and 2 articles, and one new
feature article for 28 posts in a 31 day month.We introduced a new feature this month: Cover Love. This is a short intro to
a book and includes only a blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
author. We use it if one of our scheduled authors is unable to appear, and no
other material is on hand. If you would like to submit your book for this
feature, see the FAQ page for more information.The top posts are all interviews this month. Here are the top five posts (judging
by page hits).Of special notice: In the history of the blog, only eight
other people had more hits than our first place winner, John Steiner.1. John Steiner2. Charley Descoteaux3. Patricia Yager Delagrange3. EmKay Connor4. Synithia Williams4. Gemma K Murray4. John Quinlan (fitness model)5. Tara LainJohn Quinlan Authors who guest with us are promoted on Facebook, via
Triberr to over 549k potential readers, are featured front page in the daily Romance Lives Forever Paper.li ezine,
and the blog has its own hashtag (#rlfblog) on Twitter. This year, we also
created the Booklover’s Guide to Romance
Lives Forever with links to guest authors’ books and social media. It is
110 pages crammed full of who to follow and what to read. The FAQ page provides
updated downloads of optional interview questions, and a guide to the blog. You
can also grab our button to promote your visit.My thanks to all who took part this month. You made Romance
Lives Forever a great place to discover new books and new authors.Other participants this month in alphabetical order by first
name are:Angela Plowman, Cheryl
Rhodes, Ciar Cullen, Coleen Kwan, Selena Illyria, Danica Winters,
Manisha Kumar, Elisabeth Silvers, Jane Wakely, Jerome Brooke, Kate
Hill, Kissa Starling, Kristina Knight, Krystal Shannan, Lillian Grant, Rosanna
Leo, Toni Noel, Xavier Axelson -
Character Interview: Meredith @emkayconnor #RLFblog
Willing to Learn EmKay Connor, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. We’re
excited to interview your character, Meredith McKenna from the book, Willing to
Learn.Genre: Contemporary RomancePublisher: Boroughs Publishing GroupCover artist: Kim KillionLength: 50,000+ wordsHeat rating: SpicyTagline: The fiancee of a prince visits the tropic paradise
that is Trésorier du Coeur to learn how to make love, and instead she finds it.Blurb:Meredith McKenna is neither graceful nor a beauty, but
that’s never stood in her way. She knows who she is and, more importantly, what
she deserves. Not one to wish on a star or hang her hopes on a fairy tale like
true love, her practical nature won her the hand of a prince. That’s how she
ended up here: Trésorier du Coeur. An island paradise.But becoming a princess is no simple matter. Regardless of
the mysticisms mouthed by the island’s proprietress, the jungle waterfalls, and
long, pristine beaches, the resort is first and foremost a school for
seduction, an ancient tradition of her fiancé’s family, and she must select a
man to be her “tutor.” Anders Collier is the most insubordinate and infuriating
of the lot. But behind those cool gray eyes lurks a white-hot secret, and
behind closed doors lies everything their hearts and bodies have yet to learn.Buy links: http://www.BoroughsPublishingGroup.comWilling to Learn is being published by Boroughs Publishing
Group in February 2013. Prior to this book, EmKay Connor’s manuscripts finaled
in numerous contests, including Spring Into Romance, The Unpublished Beacon,
and RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart. Her freelance writing has been published in
print and online media, as well as being featured in several issues of the
Romance Writers Report.What are your main characters’ names, ages,
and occupations?Meredith McKenna, 27 years old, holds the
title of Vice President, Foreign Philanthropy in her father’s billion-dollar
corporation, McKenna Enterprises.Anders Collier, 35, is an (ahem) undercover
special agent with the FBI.Interview with Meredith McKenna
Tell us about yourself.I’m not typically one to grant interviews
unless it’s related to the philanthropy work I do for my father’s corporation,
McKenna Enterprises. I prefer to guard my privacy. After all, people tend to
judgmental, especially when it comes to the wealthy or celebrities. Not that I
consider myself a celebrity.But, since you asked, I’ll give you the
condensed version of my bio. I am the only child of a billionaire entrepreneur
and an ambitious gold digger. My mother died when I was very young so
essentially I was raised by my father. Let me correct that: I was raised by
staff members who worked at my father’s Beverly
Hills mansion. Our relationship improved after I
completed my education and took at job in the family business. Now I see him
regularly at our weekly business lunches.My upbringing was typical for anyone born
into money. Lots of lessons–riding, dance, foreign language, private schools,
summer vacations in Europe, shopping sprees,
parties. However, for as long as I can remember, I never fit in with the other
richies. I have little tolerance for the back stabbing and air kisses and game
playing that seem to come with the territory. Most of these socialites have
their heads in the clouds; instead of building a career or doing something
constructive with their lives, they seem content to wait for Prince Charming to
show up.My straight forward, practical attitude
seems to have paid off though. I’m engaged to Darik Bhantarin, Crown Prince of
Tano’air. That’s what brought me to Trésorier du Coeur. Before I can become
Darik’s princess, I have to go through this Princess 101 so-called orientation.
Darik failed to mention the training program includes the “bedroom arts.” Can
you believe that kind of nonsense exists in today’s modern age? I’m expected to
choose a mentor, one of Madame Duval’s gigolos, to instruct me on how to give a
royal blow job.Tell us about Anders Collier.Argh! Just hearing that man’s name is enough
to make me scream. He’s the rudest, most infuriating, disrespectful, boorish,
insensitive, condescending person I’ve ever met. At the opening reception where
I was introduced to the staff–a.k.a. Madame Duval’s lineup of professional
lovers–he actually snubbed me. There were more than a dozen men competing for
my attention. Any one of them would be thrilled to be chosen as my mentor. Not
Anders Collier. As if he can afford to be choosy. Sure, he’s attractive if you
have a thing for the clean-cut type: short blond hair, cool gray eyes, tall and
lean. Other than that, he wasn’t very impressive. I have to say, he was the
only guy at the formal reception who actually appeared comfortable in his tux.
It could have been a pair of jeans and a polo shirt as relaxed as he looked.What do you think is your strongest point?My realistic outlook on life. I don’t delude
myself with fairy tales like riding off into the sunset with a hero or myths
like love at first sight. I don’t believe in playing games or lying or
misrepresenting one’s self when it comes to relationships. That’s why Darik and
I are such a good match. Our mix of qualities and skills is perfect for a
mutually beneficial marriage.What would Anders Collier say is your
strongest point?Gives an unladylike snort.) Anders Collier doesn’t know me well enough
to speak to my personal traits. And even if he was acquainted with me, I doubt
he’d have anything nice to say. He would probably point out the fact that my
breasts are too small and my hips are too wide.What do you wish was different about your
life?I don’t “wish “anything was different
about my life. I don’t believe in wishing for things. You have to face facts
and deal with what’s in front of you. With enough determination and hard work,
you can achieve anything. Wishing for things to happen is nothing more than a
convenient excuse for people too lazy to take accountability for their own
success and happiness.I have everything I want in life. I love my
job and I’m engaged to a prince. Did you happen to notice my engagement ring?
It’s a nine-carat, two-million-dollar diamond solitaire. Once Darik slides the
platinum wedding band on my finger, I’ll have not only a man who shares my
honesty and practicality toward marriage but a huge contract for McKenna
Enterprises, as well. My father can’t stop telling me how impressed he is with
his amazing daughter’s business acumen.What do you wish I had asked you? Please ask
and answer it now.Again, I don’t believe in wishing for things
to happen so I’ll tell you the most important question to be asked: What am I
going to do about this ridiculous princess sex-ed training? I have no intention
of sleeping with a stranger, not even to become a princess. The key is to find
a mentor who wants to avoid an entanglement with me as much as I want to avoid
one with him. If I can convince Anders I won’t rat him out and jeopardize his
future as a gigolo, I’m pretty sure I can skate through this royal orientation
without Madame Duval or Darik any the wiser. What do you think? Is there any
possible way I can carry it off?EmKay Connor About the Author
EmKay Connor is a member of Romance Writers
of America and several specialty chapters, including RWA-San Diego, Georgia
Romance Writers, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, Outreach International RWA, and
RWA Kiss of Death. A firm believer in paying it forward (and backward and
sideways), she has served as president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
editor, workshop presenter and committee chair at both the local and national
level. She also contributes her time and experience by volunteering to judge
numerous writing contests each year.Find Me Here
Website: http://sexysassyromance.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/emkayconnorFacebook: http://facebook.com/EmKayConnor