Tag Archives: Contemporary romance

February 18, 2013 · 5:00 am

Left-Brained (Or Right-Brained?) Thinking With Michelle Ule (Meet and Greet Plus Book Giveaway!)

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

I’m thrilled to welcome Michelle Ule as my guest today! Michelle is an agency-mate of mine who also happens to be Books & Such’s office assistant. I’m in awe of how she wears dozens of hats without even a stumble. Her new book just released this month, and I must say the setting of Coronado Island sounds wonderful (especially since I’m enduring frigid temps where I live). :) For more details on her book and how you can win a copy, keep reading.

Michelle UleNavy wife Michelle Ule is a graduate of UCLA and the author of three novellas and a novel. She lives in northern California with her family where she works at a literary agency, teaches Bible study, plays in a woodwind ensemble, and writes.

Michelle is a long-time lay counselor in both crisis pregnancies and budget counseling. She loves to travel and is an accomplished genealogist. You can learn more about her at www.michelleule.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Welcome, Michelle! On to the questions we go…

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Devout, Funny, Ironic, Musical, Well-read, Navywife, Family-oriented

Either/Or Questions:

1) Right brained or Left brained?

I can never remember if I’m right brained or left brained, which Janet Grant tells me means I’m right brained . . .

On the other hand, I just looked up a test, took it, and it says I’m left brained. (But, is that a right brained or left brained thing to do? So many questions . . . )

http://www.intelliscript.net/test_area/questionnaire/questionnaire.cgi

2) Jump in with both feet or Enjoy the view?

Enjoy the view if I’ve worked for it. Jump in if things are chaotic.

3) Anne of Green Gables or Little House on the Prairie?

Love them both. I’ve read Little House on the Prairie more times, so I guess I’ll go with Laura. (Have read the entire series out loud to my four children five different times.)

4) Gourmet chef or Chef Boyardee?

Gourmet. I’m Italian, the Chef B should be embarassed.

5) Classical music or Jazz?

Classical music, but I like Jazz, too. (I’m a trained musician. I played the clarinet in the UCLA Marching Band. I still prefer classical music–which is what I play on the piano!)

6) E-reader or Paperback?

E-reader–it’s easier on my hands to turn the pages. But if I was at the beach, I’d take a paperback.

7) Mountain cabin or Beach resort?

I’d say mountain cabin, but I’ve spent more time at beach resorts (headed to Puerta Vallarta over New Year’s for my nephew’s wedding).

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Loved your answers, Michelle, especially the Chef Boyardee one. :) I also loved learning that you’ve read The Little House on the Prairie series out loud to your kids five times. What a neat way to bond and instill a love of reading in them. I’m still trying to figure out if that makes you right brained or left brained… I took the test you linked to, and I fell almost right down the middle. Maybe this is a common quandary for us writers. :)

Thanks so much for visiting today! It was a pleasure to have you here.

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bridgecaptureBridging Two Hearts

When Amy gets a job as a massage therapist at the glorious Hotel del Coronado, she is excited and terrified because it means driving across the Coronado Bridge to work every day. Josh, meanwhile, returns from a Navy SEAL assignment more than a little uncomfortable about possible claustrophobia–but he’s not afraid of anything, right? The two meet, spar and learn, together, to deal with two very different ways of handling fear.

(You can read about the book’s funny backstory and other information here, including the humorous tale of Michelle’s attempt to get information about SEALS out of the Navy.)

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…If you’ve had a chance to take the right brained/left brained quiz, what was your result? Or do you already know where you fall on the spectrum? If you’re confused like Michelle and I are, let’s talk books….What one book have you read the most times and why?

*Giveaway Details: Michelle has offered to give away a copy of Bridging Two Hearts! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Dani Pettrey giveaway is Elizabeth Dent! I’ll contact you this week with details.

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February 11, 2013 · 5:00 am

A Valentine’s Meet and Greet With Dani Pettrey (Plus a Book AND Chocolate Giveaway!)

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

Dani and her husband on their 20th anniversary

Dani and her husband on their 20th anniversary

I’m so excited to welcome Dani Pettrey here today! I’m a huge fan of her books and have gotten pretty much all my friends and family hooked on them as well. If you haven’t checked them out, you should rectify that asap. Dani was a Meet-and-Greet guest here last April, so I thought it’d be fun to put a twist on her 2nd interview and do a V-Day theme. (And she offered to give away a copy of her book AND a box of Godivas, so keep reading!)

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

To connect with Dani, you can visit her at the following places: her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

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Welcome, Dani! Let’s get to the questions, shall we?

Opener Question: What seven words best describe your husband? (Had to throw in that V-Day twist. :) )

Strong, courageous, intelligent, handsome, hilarious, hardworking, and compassionate

Either/Or Questions:

1) How you met your hubby: Love at first sight or Grew into love?

My husband asked me to dance. It was pretty much love at first sight. We were engaged three weeks after we started dating and married less than five months later. I know it sounds crazy fast, but we just celebrated our 20th. :)

2) Romantic getaway: Weekend in Paris or Caribbean cruise?

Between the two, I’d say a weekend in Paris as I love Europe, but if I could pick any place for a romantic getaway I’d probably pick the south of France instead. It’s gorgeous!

3) A day with your Valentine: Walk in the park or Go to the movies?

Both sound lovely, but we really enjoy movies so I’ll go with that—followed by a romantic dinner, of course. :)

4) Valentine’s dinner: Surf-and-turf or Italian feast?

Hmm. Tough question. I’m going to say Italian Feast. My husband and I really enjoy Little Italy.

5) What you’ll wear: Fancy dress or Jeans and a nice sweater?

Fancy dress. I don’t dress up often so when the occasion presents itself…

6) Sweet treat: Box of chocolates or Strawberry cheesecake?

Definitely chocolate—the darker the better!

7) Valentine flowers: Roses or Calla lilies?

Calla lilies. They are my favorite!

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I agree, Dani. Calla lilies are gorgeous, aren’t they? I loved your answers, especially the one about how you met your husband. Talk about a whirlwind courtship! But when you know, you know, right? I’m still amazed you’ve been married 20 years and have teenage daughters. You need to bottle up your secret for looking young and sell it. :)

Thanks so much for being here today! I loved hosting you.

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BShattered

Piper McKenna couldn’t be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed. Despite the evidence, Reef swears he’s innocent. And Piper believes him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he’s also sworn to find the truth, and he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With the sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, pursuing the truth in this case could mean the end of Landon’s career.

As Piper wages her own search, the two head deep into Canada’s rugged backcountry–and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but the search for answers is becoming deadlier with each step.

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Whose marriage is a shining example to you, and what do you admire most about them? Or if you’re drawing a blank on that question, which would you choose: a Caribbean cruise or a weekend in Paris?

*Giveaway Details: Dani has offered to give away a copy of Shattered, as well as a box of Godiva chocolates! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Amazon giveaway is Jan Bolton! I’ll contact you this week with details.

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November 19, 2012 · 5:00 am

For the Love of Garden Gnomes (Meet and Greet with Gail Sattler Plus a Book Giveaway!)

Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.

I’m so excited to welcome Gail Sattler as my final Meet-and-Greet guest of 2012! (I’ve got something fun up my sleeve for the holidays…Author interviews will return in January. :) ) I first discovered Gail’s writing when I read her book, The Narrow Path. It was such a fun read, and her newest release sounds just as fun. Any book that coins the term “gnomegnapping” is a winner in my mind. (To learn more about this famous garden gnome and how to win a copy of Gail’s book, keep reading below.)

Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver BC, where you don’t have to shovel rain, with her husband, three sons, two dogs, and a lizard, who is quite cuddly for a reptile. When she’s not busy writing, Gail is an active musician playing piano for the worship team at her church, electric bass for a local jazz band, and upright acoustic bass for a community orchestra. When she’s not reading, Gail loves to sit back with a hot coffee and a good book written by someone else. Please visit Gail’s website at www.gailsattler.com.

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Welcome, Gail! Let’s get to the questions, shall we?

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Happy, Busy, Musician, Leader, Animal-lover (I hyphenated that, so it only counts as one word), Writer, Busy

Either/Or Questions:

1) Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls – the Canadian side!!!!

2) Slave away in the kitchen or Call for take-out?

Take out. What kind of question is that?

3) On the go or Take it slow?

On the go, life doesn’t sit still, so neither do I.

4) Apple cider or Hot chocolate?

Depends, is it winter or summer?

5) Shopaholic or Shop-a-phobic?

Shop-a phobic. Give me eBay to a crushing mall trip any day!

6) Nat King Cole or Frederic Chopin?

I can’t answer that. I love all kinds of music except country and rap. Chopin is actually my least favorite composer, I prefer my music more planted in theory. I adore Bach and Schubert. Or if feeling more active, Gershwin. For jazz, give me a great bass line, and I’m there.

7) Creamy mashed potatoes or Sweet potato casserole?

Sweet potato casserole. Or sweet potato anything.

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Fun answers, Gail! As a fellow jazz fan, I’m with you on a good bass line. And I had to laugh at your take-out answer. Surely some people like to slave away in the kitchen, right? :) As for eBay, my husband is the king of finding vacation deals. I pat him on the back, say “Nice work, honey,” and start packing the suitcases. :)

Thanks so much for being here! I loved getting to know you.

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Take the Trophy & Run

Craft store owner Amber Weathersby wants to be a member of the Bloomfield garden club but has never received the blessing of a green thumb, and even Stan, her best friend, can only offer limited help. She’s only a member because her semi-famous garden gnome, Gnorman, holds the prized trophy each year in the Spring Fling contest’s winning garden.

But this year, instead of being the life of the party, her little star is gnomegnapped, and worse, the club’s irreplaceable trophy has gone missing with him. While Amber is chasing the gnome around town trying to win the trophy, Stan is chasing Amber, trying to win her heart.

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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Are you an eBay shopper? What’s the most unique item you’ve ever bid on? Any fun deals to share?

*Giveaway Details: Gail has offered to give away a copy of Take the Trophy & Run! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Joanne Bischof giveaway is Julie Jarnagin! I’ll contact you this week with details.

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