Book Tour: Reforming the Cowboy by Marisa Cleveland Interview & Giveaway

 

BLURB: 

Country singer Billy Hardy needs to get back on the charts. His manager assures him headlining the opening of a cafe in South Beach is his best chance at getting back to the big time. If he fails, his career is over for good this time.

Lacey Durant can't believe opening night includes the country singer she crushed on through college. And her customers agree he's dreamy. But his playboy reputation threatens her cafe's image and she can't afford that. She insists Billy stay with her so she can keep an eye on him, and thwart overenthusiastic fans.

Billy's charms and Lacey's sexy curves prove more than either can resist, but she refuses to be just another lyric in his well-known songs of heartbreak.

  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

Even if she’d yelled or screamed or cried, he couldn't have released her, and that thought should have scared the hell out of him. But she’d said his name on a whisper. A plea. He heard a hundred different intonations in his name on her lips, and a faint succession of single tones formed a melody in his mind. She was his muse, the reason he heard music again after silence for so long.

He knew he’d write a song about this moment. This indecision about letting someone in, letting someone sneak by the armor and the shields and the protective wall built to keep intruders away. Was Lacey his intruder?

His resolve crumbled. Hell, maybe he never had any to begin with.

INTERVIEW:

1. Where did you get the idea for the novel?

Ideas for novels hit me from every angle, and usually when I least expect it. But the actual idea for Reforming the Cowboy stemmed from The Voice. I rarely watch t.v., but one night I put down a book to watch Blake Shelton. It was crazy for me to stop reading because of a t.v. show. I blogged about it here: http://marisacleveland.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/because-of-blake-shelton/.

2. Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?

My title was originally South Beach Serenade, but my managing editor is fabulously talented, and during a late night brainstorming session, she suggested Reforming the Cowboy. I fell in love immediately!

3. Why did you pick this genre? What do you like about it?

I've always loved contemporary romance novels, and category-length ones are perfect for hopping on the stationary bike or treadmill and forgetting about time while reading. I love that moment when a couple falls in love, and I'm drawn to how real relationships form in today's societies.

4. Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?

What a great question! The first time I told someone I was a writer, and meant it, was surreal for me. Since that moment when I considered myself a writer, so many exciting things have happened, but the most exciting thing has to be when my hubby finished my first novella ever published and told me how amazing it was!

5. What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

The last book I read was Jaime Rush's Dragon Awakened (releasing in December). I snagged an arc at RWA.

6. What is your writing process?

I'm not sure I have a standard writing process. I drink espresso and stretch (splits and bridges) before settling down to write. That's about it.

7. At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say? 

My book is digital, and I've never offered Authorgraph, so I don't know how I would sign my name or what I would say. Maybe one day...

8. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Ooooh. That's tough. Surprised... surprised... I'm not sure there's anything surprising about me.

9. How do you react to a bad review?

Not very maturely. I definitely don't have that thick skin people say you need to be an author. But my process for that is pretty standard. I cuddle with my hubby and cry. Then, I say I'm never going to read another review again, and I say I'm never going to write another word again. After I'm done sobbing, I rekindle my love of the written word by reading other people's books. Then, I write again. I can't not write.

10. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

The sale happened during the summer of 2012, and from what I remember, there was champagne and lots of cuddling.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marisa Cleveland loves to laugh, hates to cry, and does both often. As a writer, she writes. Every day. Perhaps because she married her best friend, her adult romance novels focus on relationships developed through friendship and family-oriented values. She loves to connect with other writers and readers.

Social Media:

Twitter - http://twitter.com/marisacleveland

Facebook - http://facebook.com/marisacleveland00

Google Plus - http://plus.google.com/102206201174009013772

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/marisacleveland

Tumblr - http://marisacleveland.tumblr.com

Goodreads - http://goodreads.com/marisacleveland

GIVEAWAY:

Marisa will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Sign up HERE

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/08/virtual-nbtm-tour-reforming-cowboy-by.html