Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Interview with Christine Warner


I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that Christine Warner has a new release, and that she's spending her release day on the blog with me! A Friendly Engagement is live today! Stay tuned, as this week I will also share my review of this fabulous friends to lovers story!



 Oh, and she let me interview her. Ooooooooh. Please help me give her a BIG welcome!!








How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I started to write seriously in 2009. I soaked up as many books on craft as I could, visited so many blogs to learn craft and mingle with other like minds, and wrote like crazy. The time I spent writing my first novel—Some Like it in Handcuffs—was a long period of writing, revision and rewriting. Every time I learned something new, I had to add it to this book, so it took me awhile to finish it and finally submit. But the fun part was that it was acquired by a small publishing house and released in print and ebook in 2010.

At the moment I have 5 books including today’s release A Friendly Engagement. They are all contemporary romances except for one. Secret Love is a nostalgic romance novella set in the 50s.



Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?
The first book I wrote was by the seat of my pants. I have since found that I’m more productive when I plot. Not that I don’t vary from my outline, but it’s nice to have a guide to go by so that I know where I am at and also know what I want to make sure gets put into my story.

What is a typical writing day like for you?
I wish I could say I wrote full time, but that dream is still a dream. Lol I work a few days a week at a large hospital, but the days that I can devote to writing are spent butt in chair. I prefer to write early in the morning. The house is quiet and my mind is fresh and I seem most productive. I write until I have nothing left inside to give. There are days I can write for 10 hours and days I’m finished after four. My one constant when I’m writing is the company of my furry friends. Libs—also known as Libby—my golden retriever, and my two cats Smokey and Chocolate.



What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I would like to have at least three books releasing and I really want to write a New Adult romance. I think I will enjoy the challenge of writing in first person. So…fingers crossed 


If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
A unicorn. How awesome to have a horse type pet that could fly!

Tell us a little about your latest release.
Oh. My. Gawd. I love this story. A Friendly Engagement is about two best friends who work together. Omar is Devi’s boss. She’s a free spirit type of gal, and he’s a color by numbers type of guy. When Omar sets his sights on a client he’s wanted to add to his portfolio for years and discovers the man doesn’t want to work with anyone that isn’t family first, Devi jokes that they should pretend to be engaged. Although she’s teasing, Omar likes the plan so much he offers Devi some moola if she’ll agree. She’s not into lying, but she could use the money to find her father. So, she agrees. From there they get to know each other on an entirely new level and …

And, I’ll let you read the book to find out what happens. *wink*


What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
I’m pretty easy, I don’t’ really have any major wants or needs. Besides my family and my furry friends—you’re going to laugh—but I’m a totally water girl. I carry a drink with me everywhere I go. I actually get a little panicked if I don’t have a water bottle with me. Geesh, I think I’m kind of boring. lol



What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
Besides writing I love to cook. I’m not saying I’m a pro by any means, but I find it relaxing. I like to try new recipes. Some I add to my recipe box, and some go into the “never again” vault.

What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet. Why not?
I would love to go zip lining. My daughter did it last year when she went to Costa Rica and I was so jealous. I think it would be so peaceful and beautiful, but the main reason I haven’t given it a go is because I’m afraid of heights. Lol So, this might be a challenge I’m not sure I’ll ever cross off my list. We’ll see though. Even though I’m afraid of heights, and almost hyperventilated giving it a whirl, I did go on a glider ride. It was awesome and I’d actually do it again.






BLURB
What’s a little engagement between friends?
Omar Esterly is married to his job. But when Omar sets his sights on a potential, family-oriented client, his confirmed bachelorhood becomes a problem. Fortunately, his friend and employee, Devi Boss, has the perfect plan…

Okay, so it wasn't exactly Devi's plan to become her friend's fake fiancée. Lies aren't her style. However, Omar offers her a big, beautiful raise—enough to track down the missing father she's never known—and Devi reluctantly agrees to the whole engagement hoax…

This was supposed to be a no-strings-attached win-win for both Devi and Omar, but when they cross the line between friendship and…well, something more, Devi realizes she’s made a huge mistake that just might cost her both job and friend—falling for her fiancé.

EXCERPT
“You’re game for anything, right?”
Devi compressed her lips and studied Omar through a narrow gaze, taking in the way his overly bright eyes concentrated on her face as if memorizing every pore. Her gaze traveled south to the non-existent rise and fall of his chest and how he pushed his suit jacket aside as he placed his hands low on his hips. He’d stopped breathing while he waited for her reply. That made her more nervous than anything. “Normally I am game for anything, but considering the man asking the question, I’m a little nervous.” She licked her lips.
Omar shook his head, swallowing her hands in the warmth of his. “No. This is a great idea. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”
“I’ll hold back on saying I’m glad I could help until I know what you’ve got pinging around your brain.” She tried to pull free of his grip, but he only grasped her fingers tighter. Her inner voice told her whatever plan he’d cooked up included her and she wouldn’t be thrilled with the role.
“Bartow wants a family-first firm. He wants a planner who is married, blah, blah blah.” He dismissed his unfinished words with the thrust of his chin.
Devi nodded, her mouth going dry. Was he planning to hire a wife, or about to propose?
“I might not be married, but what if I were engaged?”
She didn’t want to jump to conclusions about the proposal so she pasted on a tight smile. “Do you have a serious girlfriend hidden away I don’t know about?” The thought unsettled her, but she pushed aside the heaviness in her gut. Omar and relationships mixed like fire and ice. Not that women didn’t find him attractive and vice versa, but his true love would always be work. Most sane women wanted something more than a workaholic commitment-phobe.
He shook his head a bit too vigorously. “No. No.” His grip tightened, and she flexed her fingers so he’d loosen his hold. “Hear me out before you shoot me down.”
“I’m more curious than ever.” Again, she threw sand over that niggling feeling in her belly. She never jumped to conclusions. Living by the seat of your pants didn’t allow it, but…
Why start now? She rolled her shoulders in an effort to relax. Omar pulled her off to the side and out of the crowd moving past them on the sidewalk. His hands shook with excitement, and he swallowed hard before clearing his throat. Always calm and collected, his buildup unsettled Devi, and she tugged one hand from his grip and pressed it against the gurgle growing in her stomach.
“How about we announce our engagement? I could pull in some favors and have it in the press Monday morning. That’d still give Bartow enough time to invite us to the meet and greet. And—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Devi’s stomach did a nosedive, and she yanked her other hand from his death grip and stepped back. She twisted one of the bangle bracelets on her wrist. “Our engagement? First off, I didn’t even know we were dating. And second, I am not going to help you get ahead by lying.”

BUY LINKS:



All Romance Ebooks http://tinyurl.com/q46gslp




AUTHOR BIO   

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her family, three laptops (she might have a slight addiction, or maybe it’s a fear of one imploding from overuse) and a much loved assortment of furry friends.
Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic.  A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities.  She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy heroines.
A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter, Instagram, goodreads, and her website at christine-warner.com.


AUTHOR LINKS
STREET TEAM SIGN UP: If you love my books and want to help spread the word, want to be a part of the fun by getting excerpts and news first, enter contests with the chance to win prizes, then sign up here: http://christine-warner.com/street-team/





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1 comment:

  1. Christine WarnerJune 23, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    Thanks for having me on your wonderful blog, Nikki! I always have the best time here xoxox

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