Friday, May 30, 2014

BOOK COVER FRIDAY: LOVE CHALLENGES AND DESIRES by Karen Cino

 
WELCOME TO BOOK COVER FRIDAYS!
Every week we bring you an exciting hot book cover from one of
New York's Leading Romance Authors. Enjoy!

 
LOVE CHALLENGES AND DESIRES
by Karen Cino
Secret Cravings Publishing
 
 
 

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Claire Jenkins (MURDER IN PARADISE by Carolyn Gibbs)

    
This is the Last Stop on RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.
 
Thank you for joining us. Please feel free to go back and meet ALL our Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors. Some are candid, some are funny, some are men! -- All are wonderful. We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them. And, watch for their Hero’s interview next month!

 
 
Q:        First impressions count so what are you wearing? What do you look like?

When you first meet me I’m rowing a rowboat, so I’m dressed pretty causally, wearing Khakis and a tee shirt. My hair’s tucked under a baseball cap.


Q:        Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

I’m a little bit of a tomboy, but when I’m around my co-author Sam Stewart, somehow the girly girl side of me slips out, and before I know it I’m letting my hair down and slipping into sexy shoes.


Q:        What do you do for a living? Do you like it?

I’m a romance author. I started writing full-time a few years ago and love every minute of it, especially since I teamed up with a thriller author.


Q:        Tell us your story.

While attending a writer’s conference in Hawaii, I discovered a murder scene while exploring a small island next to our hotel. I’m totally shocked when I see the male half of the honeymoon couple who’s staying at our hotel. Anyway, the man approaches my friend Amy and me at the book fair. I’m so glad Sam is there when all this is happening. Oh and, Sam and I are up for Romantic Suspense of the Year, and we pretend to be a couple when the creepy guy invites us to Maui for dinner. I don’t know if I’m more nervous being around a possible murderer or sharing a room with Sam. I swear I can feel my heart coming out of my chest every time he casually reaches for my hand. If I could calm down, I could get used to this.


Q:        Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

What I like best about Sam is that he’s this big super successful author, but he’s so down to earth. When he enters the conference it’s like a rock star has arrived, but he’s so nonchalant and unassuming. It’s so great to see a star who doesn’t believe their own press. And did I mention he’s sexy as hell. In TV terms he’s like Castle with a dash of McDreamy. Need I say more?


Q:        Do you prefer the bedroom door open or closed?

I’m very modest and prefer the bedroom door closed. But Carolyn, the author of this story seems to have other plans in store for me. I better hit the gym today.


Q:        If your story is made into a movie, what actress do you want to play you?

I would choose Kerry Washington to play me.


Q:        Tell us about your author.

Carolyn Gibbs is a recovering journalist who has worked for several New York area television stations. She writes women’s fiction and romance, with two novellas published by Secret Cravings Publishing, LOVE AND THE ECONOMY and MURDER IN PARADISE. Carolyn lives in New York with her fiancé and their adorable and spoiled calico cat Gizmo. You can find excerpts and more about her at www.carolyngibbsbooks.com.
 
 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Isabella Ricci (IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY by Lisbeth Eng)

 
Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.
 
This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
 

 

Q:  First impressions count so what are you wearing? What do you look like?

I'm going to meet Gunter for a picnic so I've got on a light cotton dress with a low-cut bodice (he likes that) and a flowing skirt. I don't like to wear trousers. Don't worry -- I just tuck my skirt under my knees when I sit on the blanket. And wearing a dress makes it easier if we… Oh, never mind! My looks? Well, I've got brown, shoulder length hair and brown eyes. Gunter says he loves my eyes.  I usually don't like to wear makeup, but he tells me I'm a "natural beauty" and don't need any. I'm about average height and weight.


Q:  Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I do like to dress up and look feminine. For my first date with Gunter I borrowed a lovely floor-length gown and shoes from a friend (I don't have any fancy clothes of my own.) She even let me wear her pearls. I felt like a princess!< blushing> But if you work on a farm you have to be tough and not afraid of getting dirty. So maybe I'm a bit of a tomboy, too.


Q:  What do you do for a living? Do you like it?

As I said I work on a farm. I used to live on my family's farm but now I work on a farm that is run by the partisans. That's our cover. You see, I'm a member of the Italian Resistance and we're fighting the Nazis. Now they want me to be a spy, since I've met Gunter, a German officer. I don't know; I'm really scared but I want to help my country. I just hope Gunter doesn't find out!


Q:  Tell us your story.

All I want is to get the Nazis out of my country. I despise them. They murdered my brother! Now that I've met a German officer my commander wants me to spy on him. I'm so torn. I love my country but I… I think I might be falling in love with Gunter, too. But what if Gunter finds out who I really am? What if I'm captured by the Nazis? My God, I can't even let myself think about that!


Q:   Describe the Hero of your story. Is he a Mr. Darcy or a Christian Grey?

I don't know who Christian Grey is but I have heard of Mr. Darcy. He's from that novel Pride and Prejudice, isn't he? Well, Gunter is at least as handsome as Darcy but much more sociable. He's proud but not too proud. He knows how to laugh at himself and make people feel at ease. Darcy doesn't come across that way.


Q:  Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero? 

Where to start? If I had to pick just one thing, I'd say it's his goodness. He is so honorable and kind -- a true gentleman.


Q:   Do you prefer the bedroom door open or closed?

Closed, please! What kind of a girl do you think I am?


Q:   What TV show best describes your relationship with the Hero – Scandal or Game of Thrones?

What's TV?


Q:  If your story is made into a movie, what actress do you want to play you?

Vivien Leigh is very beautiful and I do have dark brown hair like she does. But I'd like to think I'm nicer than that Scarlet character she plays. She's a bit of a hussy, don't you think?


Q:  Tell us about your author.

Lisbeth Eng is a native New Yorker whose love of literature, history and romance led her on the rewarding path to romance writing. An English major in college, Lisbeth has also studied Italian, German and French. Besides writing, world travel is her passion, and trips to Italy and Germany have lent authenticity to her European-set World War II romance novel. Lisbeth currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a stone’s throw from Central Park and Lincoln Center, and loves the fascinating pace of life in the Big Apple. Please visit her at www.lisbetheng.com.
 


Monday, May 26, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Monica (SOUL SURRENDER by Katana Collins)


Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.
 
This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)


 
 
Q:   First impressions count so what are you wearing?  What do you look like?

The more important question is: What do you want me to look like? As a succubus, I can shift my appearance to be whatever your heart (or loins) desires. However, my normal daily appearance is pretty normal...I work a day job as a barista (just for fun) and since I just finished my shift, I'm currently in a pair of skinny jeans, a white fitted v-neck t-shirt and an apron. I'll soon be changing into my corset for my nightly job at the strip club, though...


Q:   Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

I'm a girly girl who can kick some serious ass.


Q:   What do you do for a living?  Do you like it?

Oops...I guess I sort of answered that above. My day job is a barista—this is just because I like to stay connected to humanity and meet new people when I move to a new city. At night, I'm a stripper, but this is simply to give me access to various souls. As a succubus, my true job is to sleep with men and corrupt their souls. But as often as possible, I try to find loopholes to save them.


Q:   Tell us your story.  

Well, you've heard about my job—my job for Hell, that is. The thing is...I hate my job. I hate what I am. I used to be an angel and I guess you could say I was tricked into falling from grace...but that's really just passing the blame, isn't it? I should have been more informed. So, as a result, I only take the souls of men who are already destined for Hell. It's just enough energy to keep me surviving. The only problem in living this way is that when I do meet a man I care about, I can't act on those feelings. Ever. Not without endangering his life and soul. So, as much as I can, I keep my boss, Drew at arm's length... and though the higher ups “downstairs” get a little peeved that there's a glittery soul dangled in front of my nose, I still refuse to bite that carrot.  That is, until a series of succubus murders turned up in my area and all signs pointed to me being the next victim. And even when we caught the killer, it turned out there was a much larger bounty on my head. So, now I'm watching my back everywhere I turn.


Q:   Describe the Hero of your story.  Is he a Mr. Darcy or a Christian Grey?

Drew is a total sweetheart. He tends to be a little quiet when you first meet him, but he warms up really quickly. He's got a soccer player's lean but muscled physique, dark blond hair and a scar above his lip.


Q:   Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

He is one of the greatest and most genuine men I've ever met. That's not to say he doesn't have his own skeletons residing in a proverbial closet. Drew is a recovering alcoholic and sometimes it's a nice reminder that he's not entirely unflawed. Because usually when standing beside Drew, I feel completely and utterly inadequate.


Q:   Do you prefer the bedroom door open or closed?

I'm a succubus...what do you think?


Q:   What TV show best describes your relationship with the Hero – Scandal or Game of Thrones?

Well, I don't usually watch TV...and I've never seen Game of Thrones, so I guess I'll go with Scandal.


Q:   If your story is made into a movie, what actress do you want to play you?

I think Blake Lively would be a pretty good match, though she's a little younger than the body I usually wear as Monica.


Q:   Tell us about your author.  

Katana Collins splits her time evenly between photographing boudoir portraits and writing steam-your-glasses romances. Between navigating life as a small business owner, a first-time homeowner, and a newlywed, Katana is in a constant state of "OHMYGODINEEDCOFFEENOW."

She is the author of the SOUL STRIPPER trilogy and the yet to debut WICKED EXPOSURE  (erotic suspense) series. Her first graphic novel, CAFE RACER, (co-written with Sean Murphy) will be coming out in early summer, 2014.  She lives in Brooklyn with her comic book artist husband and ever-growing family of rescue animals. She can usually be found hunched over her laptop, in a cafe, guzzling gallons of coffee, and wearing fabulous (albeit sometimes impractical) shoes.

www.katanacollins.com
Twitter: @KatanaCollins
www.Facebook.com/katanacollins

Sunday, May 25, 2014

MEET HERO/INE: Everett (THE SILENCE OF THE STARS by Kate McMurray)

  
Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.

This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)



NOTE:   Hi, I’m Everett. Well, this is awkward. There seem to be a lot of women here. See, my significant other agreed to do this whole interview tour thing. You’ll meet him next month. In the meantime, I’ve been assigned these questions, which seem to be for the lady in the couple. I mean, really, if I had a dime for time some idiot asked us which is the girl in the relationship… well. It wouldn’t be me, first of all, because I prefer to… oh, you know what? I’ll just answer the damn questions. Then I’m totally going to kill Sandy.




Q:  First impressions count so what are you wearing?  What do you look like?

I just came from school—I’m a teacher at a prestigious music school in New York City—so I’m wearing a variation on my usual school outfit: gray trousers, button-front shirt, and this purple tie with little music notes on it. As for what I look like, well, I have brown hair that I keep cut pretty short, and I’m on the thin side, and I’m 6’2” according to my driver’s license. I only exaggerated a smidge.


Q:  Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

I’m seriously going to kill Sandy.  I mean, okay, I have some femme-y tendencies. Sandy makes fun of me because I subscribe to a bunch of fashion magazines, but in my defense, I work at an art school. I have to blend in there.


Q:  What do you do for a living?  Do you like it?

I’ve been playing the violin since I was about five years old. I’ve played in a few major orchestras, but now I’m the orchestra director at the Olcott School. I also teach music theory classes. I do like it. I love it, actually; I love fostering new talent.


Q:  Tell us your story. 

It’s kind of a funny one: I hired this contractor to redo my kitchen, and the guy who showed up at my door was this totally hot guy who looked more like a surfer than a construction worker. That was Sandy. In a rare moment of bravado, I asked him out. Crazy, right? I wish I could say we lived happily ever after once that happened, but it’s a little more complicated than that. Isn’t it always?


Q:   Describe the Hero of your story.  Is he a Mr. Darcy or a Christian Grey?

Ah, well. Probably more on the Darcy end of the range. But, like, way more sarcastic. Sandy’s also an Army vet; he did two tours in Afghanistan. He’s got some demons. So, really, he’s the best man I know, but being with him is not always easy.


Q:   Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

He’s got a really big… heart. Joking aside, he is fiercely loyal to the people he cares about. It’s great to be counted among those people.


Q:   Do you prefer the bedroom door open or closed?

Hey, whatever works. I mean, my man is very good looking, let’s keep the door open and all the lights on. That kind of beauty should be celebrated!


Q:   What TV show best describes your relationship with the Hero – Scandal or Game of Thrones?

Yikes! Nothing so turbulent. One time Sandy had a nightmare so violent he tackled me and threw us both out of bed, but I was fine afterward. Nothing more violent than that!


Q:  If your story is made into a movie, what actor do you want to play you?

Ryan Gosling, I think. Everybody loves that guy, right? Or Matt Bomer, but only because he’s so pretty.


Q:  Tell us about your author.  

Kate McMurray is an award-winning author of gay romance—oh, award winning, isn’t that fancy—and an unabashed romance fan. When she’s not writing, she works as a nonfiction editor, dabbles in various crafts, plays the violin—just like me!—and is maybe a tiny bit obsessed with baseball. She’s currently serving as President of Rainbow Romance Writers, the LGBT romance chapter of Romance Writers of America. She lives in Brooklyn, NY. Visit her at www.katemcmurray.com.

 

Saturday, May 24, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Cass (SWEET JAZZ by Ursula Renée)

 
Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.
 
This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)






Cass: I don’t understand why you want to interview me.

Ursula: ‘Cause you’re the heroine of SWEET JAZZ, the headliner at The Big House—

Florence: And, possibly the sassiest woman anyone would ever meet.

Cass: Why are you here?

Florence: I was curious. I’ve never been interviewed. The chorus girls are always neglected.

Cass: Fine, you can stay….just hush.  Now, Ursula, what did you want to know?

Ursula: First impressions are important. Since the readers can’t see you, please describe what you’re wearing.

Florence: The saddest threads I’ve ever seen.

Cass: Didn’t I say hush?

Florence: You should see her when she steps on stage, decked out in a ball gown and heels with her done up. But, off-stage, the girl needs help. She always wears those matronly dresses that button to the neck and those dang ankle socks and canvas shoes. I swear, one day I’m gonna burn those shoes.

Cass: I like being comfortable.

Florence: You’re the headliner at The Big House. You should be wearing the latest fashion.

Cass: Pbbbt

Ursula: Cass, are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

Cass: I grew up with five brothers on a farm where the closest neighbor was two miles away. If I didn’t want to play by myself I had better run and climb trees.

Ursula: Do you like working at The Big House?

Cass: What’s there not to like? I’m getting paid to sing.

Ursula: Tell us your story.

Cass: Not much to tell. These cats claiming they could play sax were coming into The Big House, torturing us. Finally, Randy walks in and gets the gig.

Florence: Don’t forget, he’s the first white musician to play at club.

Cass: How can I forget? There are enough idiots at the club who make his life miserable ‘cause of it. I don’t know why he puts up with it.

Florence: ‘Cause he has a sassy gal he enjoys spending time with. She’s a bit hesitant ‘cause she was hurt by a previous relationship, but he’s patient.

Cass: You seem to know a lot about our relationship.

Florence: I know enough.

Ursula: Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

Cass: His sense of humor. He manages to keep it when faced with adversity.

Ursula: Do you prefer the bedroom door open or closed?

Cass: Next!

Florence: No, no, no, no, no. Inquiring minds want to know.

Cass: Well…um…let’s just say we don’t always make it to the bedroom and leave it at that.

Ursula: Okay…anyway…why don’t you tell us a little bit about your author.

Cass: I can tell you that Ursula Renée can’t sing and is as coordinated as an octopus on ice.

Florence: I told you she was sassy.

Cass: However, what she lacks in onstage talent, she makes up for with her other art projects. Ursula writes historical and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing, she enjoys drawing, photography and stone carving.

Ursula: Thank you, Cass…

Florence: Umph…umm.

Ursua: Yes, and thank you Florence. I hope readers enjoy you in SWEET JAZZ.
  
  

Friday, May 23, 2014

BOOK COVER FRIDAY: MAFIA GIRL by Deborah Blumenthal

 
WELCOME TO BOOK COVER FRIDAYS!
Every week we bring you an exciting hot book cover from one of
New York's Leading Romance Authors. Enjoy!



 
MAFIA GIRL
by Deborah Blumenthal
Albert Whitman & Co.
 
 
 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Allegra Orsini (BREATHLESS FOR HIM by Sofia Tate)

 
Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.
 
This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)


 

Q:   First impressions count so what are you wearing? What do you look like?

I'm curvy with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.


Q:  Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

Girly girl.


Q:  What do you do for a living? Do you like it?

I attend graduate school at the Gotham Conservatory in Manhattan where I study voice. I'm an aspiring opera singer. I work part-time as a coat-check girl at Le Bistro, a restaurant across from Lincoln Center that's an institution on the Upper West Side.


Q:  Tell us your story.

One night when I was working at Le Bistro, a man came by to claim a glove he had lost. That man turned out to become the love of my life, Davison Berkeley. I tried to forget him, but he kept showing up in my life, again at the restaurant and then he made a donation to the Metropolitan Opera so my entire class could take a private backstage tour. Despite all of the obstacles we faced, he never gave up on me, even when he found out my greatest secret.


Q:  Describe the Hero of your story. Is he a Mr. Darcy or a Christian Grey?

Both. He has a loving heart and is a consummate gentleman, but there are times when he looks at me with his mesmerizing emerald eyes, I become so aroused that I lose all rational thought.


Q:  Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

His heart and how he makes me feel so loved.


Q:  Tell us about your author.  

Sofia Tate grew up in Maplewood, NJ, the oldest of three children in a bilingual family. She was raised on 70s disaster films and 80s British New Wave music and classic tv miniseries. Her love for reading started when she received a set of Judy Blume books from her aunt when she was ten. She discovered erotic romance thanks to Charlotte Featherstone. She loves both writing and reading erotic romance. She graduated from Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY, with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Italian. She also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Adelphi University. She has lived in London and Prague. Sofia currently resides in New York City.
  

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Catherine Delcour (A QUESTION OF CLASS by Julia Tagan)

 
Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.

This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)





Q:  First impressions count so what are you wearing? What do you look like?

Don’t I know it! Having risen from a life of poverty to one of great wealth, I appreciate a pretty ensemble better than most. Today I’m in an apricot-colored gossamer satin gown, along with a pelisse made from of white lace.  I’m told I look rather like a young Keri Russell – long, curly chestnut hair, pale skin and amber eyes.


Q:  Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

I’m a girly girl at heart, but I can fight and protect myself from danger if need be. New York City in the early 1800s isn’t the safest place for a young woman.


Q:  Tell us your story.

Having climbed into society out of dire poverty using my intelligence and wit, I’ve recently discovered that my marriage to a wealthy wine merchant was not valid. Not only that, he’s throwing me aside by sending me off to the West Indies. You can imagine my reaction. But I’ve got plans to escape from his clutches and nothing will stop me.


Q:  Describe the Hero of your story.

Benjamin Thomas is strong and mysterious and holds a secret I’m dying to figure out. His voice, which is rich and deep, brings me to my knees. That is, when I’m not trying to outwit or run away from him. My husband has insisted Mr. Thomas keep an eye on me while he’s away on business, but I think his job is becoming more difficult as we grow intimate. He’s not sure if I’m toying with him or in love with him. I’m not sure either, to tell you the truth.


Q:  Tell us about your author.

Julia Tagan lives with her husband and goldendoodle in New York City. A journalist by training, she enjoys weaving actual events and notorious individuals into her historical romances. Her favorite activities include walking her dog in Central Park, scouring farmers’ markets for the perfect tomato, and traveling to foreign cities in search of inspiration.
  

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Alexandra “Lex” Martine (SURVIVAL OF THE FIERCEST by Chloe Blaque)


Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour.
 
This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)




Q:  First impressions count so what are you wearing? What do you look like

Skinny jeans, heels, T-shirt, and a leather blazer. Oh, um, long curly hair, amber eyes, and tan skin--I'm biracial.


Q:  Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

Well, I have a thing for shoot-em up video games and high-top sneakers, but I've been known to shop till I drop. And I can't go a week without getting my nails done--I start to shake.


Q:   What do you do for a living? Do you like it?

I'm the founder and chief editor of TheFiercest.com, a New York based website for multicultural women. We provide news, health, beauty, and personal stories for women from all over the world. I love it. We made the Forbes top 100 websites for women list last year.


Q:  Tell us your story.  

When my San Francisco based parent company went bankrupt, Thefiercest.com went up for sale and attracted a prospective buyer, ViperMedia. Viper is known for their gossip websites, and they wanted Fierce's female readership. Viper made it clear that if I signed with them I had to add celebrity gossip to my content structure. I wasn't interested, but I didn't have another offer on the table. To test my readership, they sent me out to a nightclub opening to report on a breaking celebrity gossip story...that's how I met Evan.


Q:   Describe the Hero of your story. Is he a Mr. Darcy or a Christian Grey?

Ha! He's Darcy on the street and Grey in the bedroom! Except for the flogging, bondage, and childhood issues.


Q:   Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

Apart from his gorgeous blue eyes, he's confidant and driven, which comes off as arrogant, but he's a total softie inside. His loyalty and support to his friends, and me, has no limits.


Q:   Do you prefer the bedroom door open or closed?

Couldn’t care less as long as Evan is there.


Q:  What TV show best describes your relationship with the Hero – Scandal or Game of Thrones?

Scandal. No incest or brothels here.


Q:   If your story is made into a movie, what actress do you want to play you?

Stacey Dash or Alicia Keys


Q:  Tell us about your author. 

Chloe Blaque is a fashion executive based in New York City. When not writing romance, she writes lifestyle, relationship, race, and culture pieces under her alto ego Tamara Lynch. Her work has appeared on several webzines including Salon.com, The Huffington Post, TheFrisky.com and CNN.com. She has also contributed to the Madonna Anthology Madonna and Me published by Soft Skull Press. When Chloe is not writing she can be found drinking margaritas and traveling the world.
 

Monday, May 19, 2014

MEET HEROINE: Gia (MAFIA GIRL by Deborah Blumenthal)

 
Welcome to RWA/NYC’s Heroine Blog Tour
 
This week, we are interviewing Heroines from New York’s Leading Romance Authors.  Some are candid, some are funny, all are wonderful.  We know you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.  
(Psst--watch for their Hero’s interview next month!)


 


Q:  First impressions count so what are you wearing? What do you look like?

A black Valentino cashmere pencil skirt. And yes, it clings. White cashmere cardigan, three top buttons open. And the Louboutin pumps. I practically sleep in them.


Q:  Are you a girly girl or a tomboy?

Definitely a girly girl.


Q:  What do you do for a living?

Duh, I’m in high school. Do you like it? On most days.


Q:  Tell us your story. 

I am the most loved/hated girl at my snooty Manhattan high school. Why? Because my dad doesn’t have a boss, he is the boss, the capo di tutti cappi, boss of all bosses. If that’s not enough, my life gets complicated when I meet a green-eyed cop I call, “Officer Hottie,” because, seriously, he is “about the hottest thing on the face of the universe.”  On top of that Vogue magazine wants to feature me in a fashion spread about real-life bad girls. Oh yes, and I’m running for class president. And to sum it up, the book follows me as I struggle to get out from under my dad’s shadow and show everyone there’s more to me than “Mafia Girl.”


Q:   Describe the Hero of your story. Is he a Mr. Darcy or a Christian Grey?

The damn problem is, it’s so hard to get to know Michael, but I’m hoping he’s a Christian Grey.


Q:  Just between us, what do you like best about your Hero?

His eyes, his body, his mystery.


Q:  What TV show best describes your relationship with the Hero – Scandal or Game of Thrones?


More likely Mafia Girlfriends.


Q:  If your story is made into a movie, what actress do you want to play you?

Hmm, maybe Lauren Conrad?


Q:   Tell us about your author. 

Deborah Blumenthal is a former New York Times writer and the author of sixteen books for children, young adults, and adults, including three young adult novels: FAT CAMP, THE LIFEGUARD, and MAFIA GIRL. Her latest YA novel, A DIFFERERNT ME, will be published in September by Albert Whitman.