Genre: Contemporary
Romance
Publisher:
Entangled Bliss
ISBN: 1622668723
Number of pages:
190
Word Count: 48k
Cover Artist:
Jessica Cantor
Book Description:
Melody Mires has
sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun
takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window
with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant,
haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her
boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress
Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.
Wolf came to
America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of
the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being
forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone
who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question,
but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for
a chance at love?
Two Quickie Teasers:
"Every one
of the musicians she’d dated was the same as her: burned out from practicing to
beat the chair ahead of him, teaching five million lessons a day to make ends
meet, scrambling for gigs two hours away on the weekends, so involved in a
dying art form that he didn’t even know the Bruins were an ice hockey team."
“Why would a flute prodigy from Julliard want this little Civic Symphony seat anyway? Seems to me a girl who played the Mozart G Major concerto in front of the New York Phil at age seven could get a seat in any orchestra. Age seven. When I was seven, the only thing I was playing was pretend flute on my toothbrush.”
“Why would a flute prodigy from Julliard want this little Civic Symphony seat anyway? Seems to me a girl who played the Mozart G Major concerto in front of the New York Phil at age seven could get a seat in any orchestra. Age seven. When I was seven, the only thing I was playing was pretend flute on my toothbrush.”
Interview:
1. Where did you get
the idea for the novel?
Usually I write fantasy and science fiction. My editor at
Entangled Publishing asked me if I could write a contemporary romance for their
new Bliss line. At first, I had no idea what I was going to write. I decided,
since this was a new genre to me, to write what I knew. I’m a professional
flutist by day, and I’ve played in orchestras all my life, so there it was!
2. Your title. Who
came up with it? Did you ever change your title?
Yes, it started out as My Maestro. But, that implied first
person, whereas the story was written in third person. So, I suggested “Playing
Under the Maestro.” That was a little long, so they went with “Playing the
Maestro.” I love it. It fits the book so perfectly. Stacy Abrams, my editor, is
a genius.
3. Which came first,
the title or the novel?
The concept came first, then the title, then the novel itself. I
was brainstorming in Barnes and Nobles with my writer friend, Sarah Gilman. We
were in the Harlequin section, looking at their titles. She actually came up
with the title first. J Thank you, Sarah! You should check
out her Entangled Publishing title, Out in Blue. It’s awesome.
4. Since becoming a
writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?
My love of music and my musical career brings excitement to my
life each day. I’ve soloed in front of orchestras, met some of my best friends
at gigs, traveled, and made some lasting connections. Music is a great thing to
get into and get your kids into. It will bring them such joy.
5. What book are you
currently reading or what was the last book you read?
I’m currently reading Flawed by Kate Avelynn. It’s a beautifully
written book.
6. What was your first
book that you ever wrote (very first one you wrote, not published)?
That was way back in high school. I wrote a book about a flutist
who goes back in time and convinces the minstrels in the king’s court to let
her join their band. Although greatly inspired, I’m glad it never saw the light
of day!
7. What is your
writing process?
I aim for 1k a day 365 days a year. So, if I miss a day, I try
to make up for it the next day. I write in the morning before work, and at
night after work. Sometimes I stop when I reach the 1k, and sometime I just
keep going!
8. Who are your
favorite authors of all time?
Patricia McKillip, Tad Williams, Charlotte Bronte, and Jane
Austen.
9. 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?
I always try to write something like “I hope you enjoy it.” If they
give me their name, I definitely write it in.
10. What is something
people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a big Star Trek TNG fan. I’m going to a convention for the
first time in June and I can’t wait! I’ve already signed up to get my picture taken
with the cast members who played Beverly Crusher and Data. I’m going with my
sister, and she said she wouldn’t be caught dead with me if I wore a costume,
so I might just go with the communicator- maybe some Vulcan ears. J
11. How do you react to
a bad review?
Ug! I don’t even read them anymore. They frustrate me and stop
my creativity. People can write the meanest things. They don’t respect other’s
creations. But enough on my rant about that! There’s enough negativity in the
world- So I try not to create more.
12. How did you
celebrate the sale of your first book?
I’m not sure I did very much. Just called my parents to let them
know!
Thanks for the interview!
Aubrie grew up
watching the original Star Wars movies over and over until she could
recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The
Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation--favorite character was Data by
far--and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last
Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a
unicorn in the end.Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "a concert flutist" when she grew up. She majored in flute performance at the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship, then secured two teaching jobs at a University and a local community music school. While playing in orchestras and teaching, stories popped into her head, and she used them to make the music come alive for her flute students. Her students said they were so good, she had to write them down! Maybe they were right, who knows? Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.
She is represented by Dawn Dowdle and writes sweet and adventurous fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary romance.
@authoraubrie
Giveaway:
