Today, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Mary E. Thompson and her brand new contemporary romance, Love at First Fight. Mary and I share a habit of writing our novels from our living room couches, she because she has no office, me because I prefer it. But she has another odd writing spot that has given me ideas about car maintenance. So pour yourself a glass of wine, read on and meet Mary and Love at First Fight. I know you will enjoy it.
What is your favorite place to write?
Favorite makes this question tricky. I do the vast majority of my writing in my living room on the couch. I don’t have an office, so this works. If I had unlimited funds, I’d definitely have an office, but one day I’ll get my dream office.
Aside from home though, I think my favorite place to write is in the waiting room when getting my oil changed. It’s always interesting to see people trying to peek over my shoulder and see what I’m doing. They quickly look away!
What inspires you as an author?
My kids are always my number one inspiration. They are very creative and constantly sharing story ideas (which I encourage them to turn into their own books). They have a unique perspective on life and the world around us. I try to pull that into everything I do!
Why do you write romance and why your genre of romance?
I have a BS in Chemical Engineering, but I didn’t enjoy being an engineer. When I was given the opportunity to look elsewhere for a job (aka fired) I wanted to do something I would enjoy instead of something that I would tolerate for a paycheck. My husband encouraged me to write since I always loved to read. I fell in love with it.
I chose to write contemporary romance because it’s what I love. I can’t give you a better answer than that. I spent too many years doing something I didn’t love. It was time for me to love my work. Contemporary speaks to me. And I answer!
What are you working on next and when can we expect to see it?
My next release will be July 11. Stocky & Sumptuous is book twelve in my Big & Beautiful series. I’m alternating between the two different series all year. The next Raise A Glass book, Everything She Never Wanted, will be out August 22.
INTRODUCING LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT
She has a secret…
Andie Young has always been good at hiding who she really is. Her emotions and truths have stayed buried beneath the sexy clothes, makeup, and endless amber waves that are her signature look. She had to do something to get attention. Between her three brothers and five cousins, she grew up feeling like the invisible one. So she changed that.
He’s loved her forever…
Cody Powell has been attracted to Andie since the summer she turned seventeen. Off limits back then, and involved with one guy or another since, Cody has kept his adoration secret from her. He spent fifteen years avoiding Andie, and stammering like a fool when he was face to face with her.
Cody spends weeks fixing up her house and falling harder for her with each passing day. He knows she’d never be interested in a country boy like him, but seeing her dating other guys has finally taken its toll. Cody doesn’t think he can handle it any longer.
They both want someone to share their lives with…
Is she strong enough to take a chance with Cody? Or will he finish her house and leave before she gets the chance to tell him how she feels?
EXCERPT
Cody followed her to the door and inside. She practically skipped across the living room floor. All Cody saw was work. The rest of the downstairs was the next project. Refinishing the floors. Painting the walls and trim. He mentally pieced together how he was going to relocate the furniture so he could do it all.
“It’s gorgeous, Cody,” Kristen said as he entered the kitchen. “Andie said it wasn’t supposed to be like this?”
Cody liked Kristen. She was flashy in a casual way. Where Andie looked like she’d be high-maintenance, Kristen looked like she was as low-maintenance as a woman could get. Her dark hair hit her shoulders, just long enough that she wore it tied up most days. Her skin was free of makeup, which suited her torn jeans and wine colored top. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, a move that was natural to him, but he felt the room change.
When he looked back to Andie, he knew why.
Crossed arms. Taut shoulders. Angry glare.
“Why did you change it all?” Kristen asked, dragging Cody’s eyes from Andie.
“Andie said none of what I had was what you guys picked out. I never thought Pauline would tell me to redo the house in a way that you guys would hate. I should have checked with you.”
Kristen shrugged. “I’m not picky. Really, as little as I’m here most of the time, it doesn’t matter to me. Andie’s the one who dominates the kitchen. This is perfect for her.”
Cody looked over at Andie, managing to catch her eyes before he said, “I wanted her to be happy.”
Her mouth parted on a gasp. Hands fell to her sides. Blue eyes melted to liquid pools of desire.
“Thank you.”
Cody nodded. He knew she didn’t understand just how much he meant those words. Just how badly he wanted her to be happy. How many times he thought about her happiness and wished she could have everything she desired.
In that moment, she looked like he was everything she desired.
Meet Mary E. Thompson
Mary E. Thompson grew up loving to read, like a good little girl. Many nights she would fall asleep with the flashlight still turned on as she hid under the covers trying to finish the last few pages of a book. As an adult, the light from her eReader means she doesn’t need a flashlight, but she still stays up way too late to finish a book.
When Mary’s not reading, she’s playing with her two kids or living out her own real life romance novel with her hubby. She has a weakness for chocolate, especially when it’s paired with peanut butter, and has been known to have a bad day just because there’s no chocolate in the house. Unless there’s wine. Then everything is okay.
Mary grew up in Buffalo, New York and swears she’s the only local to never ski or snowboard. Soccer was always her sport, with a couple adventures white water rafting and skydiving to keep things interesting. Mary moved to South Carolina for college but missed Buffalo every day. Yeah, she thinks she’s crazy, too. She somehow convinced her South Carolina born and bred hubby to return to Buffalo to raise their kids and live out their lives. He’s still not sure what he was thinking.
Visit me online!
- Website http://maryethompson.com
- Blog http://maryethompson.com/blog
- Twitter http://twitter.com/authormet
- Facebook http://facebook.com/authormaryethompson
- Pinterest http://pinterest.com/metdaisy7
- Goodreads http://goodreads.com/maryethompson
- Amazon Author Page http://amazon.com/author/maryethompson
- Newsletter http://maryethompson.com/fiction-free/
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Maddy! You should definitely try out writing in a room full of burly men. It’s a lot of fun!