Guest Author, Donna Marie Rogers

Today's guest author is Donna Marie Rogers, fellow Rose and part of the Goddess Fish Blog Tour. If you like stories about big, moody cops, then this is the book for you! Welcome, Donna!

Who are you?

Hi! Romance author Donna Marie Rogers (my maiden name) here! Meant To Be is the sequel to There’s Only Been You and my third book in print. I also write erotic romance as Liza James, and sold my first story to the Wild Rose Press in early 2007. Since then, I’ve published seven stories under Liza James, and the three novels and one novella as Donna Marie Rogers.

What type of stories do you like to write and why?

I like to write small town contemporaries mostly, because they’re my favorite types of stories. And ‘they’ say, write what you know :) I did write one historical short story as Liza James, but there wasn’t a lot of research needed for that one...LOL

What type of stories do you like to read and why?

The first romance novel I ever read was The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. And while I barely understood what I was reading (LOL), I loved it! I read strictly historicals for the first several years, but when I finally tried a contemporary romance, I became instantly hooked. Nowadays, I read mostly contemporary, but I still love historical. In fact, I just finished reading The Conqueror by Kris Kennedy, and I absolutely loved it!

When do you write?

Well, I haven’t had much time for writing the past few months, but normally I get my best writing done late at night when the kidlets are asleep. Starting this fall, however, both my kids will be in school, so I’ll be spending my mornings and afternoons writing...and trying to figure out how to use the Wii Fit...LOL

When do you read? Where?

I mostly read in bed at night, but I keep my book in the bathroom all day so as not to waste an opportunity...LOL And at least once a week I submerge myself in a steaming hot bubble bath and soak and read until the kids or husband guilt me out of there. *grin*

Where did you get the inspiration for Meant To Be?

I knew before I'd even finished my first draft of There's Only Been You that I'd be writing Garrett's story. I fell hard and fast for the big moody cop. The special relationship he has with his nephew is what melted my heart and locked it for me. I couldn't imagine Garrett not having his own happily-ever-after. He definitely deserved one.

Where do you go to think?

The bathroom. *grin* Till the banging gets too loud, anyway. ;-)

How long did you write seriously before your first book was published?

I started writing There’s Only Been You in early 2004 and finished the first draft about eight months later. I entered contests, queried agents and editors, had tons of great feedback, etc. But I kept hearing the same thing, “I love it, but I don’t know if I can sell it.” So frustrating! I even had two different Harlequin editors tell me how much they loved my characters and the world I’d set up, then ask me for revisions that would basically require me to rewrite the second half of the book. So I submitted it (and the sequel, Meant To Be) to the Wild Rose Press in 2007 and was offered contracts on both :)

Why do you write?

I wish I had a deep answer for this question, but the truth is I simply love to write. I love creating new characters and fleshing them out. I love creating new worlds, new journeys. I can’t imagine not being a writer.

Donna Marie Rogers lives in a renovated old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. Her passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, you can usually find her sitting at her computer creating exciting new characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters.

Excerpt:

Standing there in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, he was too hot for words. Damn him.

"So what can I do for you?" He leaned negligently against the doorframe, an almost pleasant smile curving his lips.

"I'm here to see Nick. Is he home?"

The smile disappeared. He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest, which made those huge biceps bulge even more. Jessica realized for the first time he had a tattoo. Huh. She wouldn't have thought him the type. Frankly, she thought tattoos were sexy, if they weren't garish, which his wasn't. It looked to be some sort of Chinese symbols.

Probably means `He-with-head-too-big-for-hat.'

"You're barking up the wrong tree there, honey. Nicky's married to his computer."

"Not that it's any of your business, but that's exactly why I'm here. I'm having trouble with my online service and was hoping he could help." Now why did she feel the urge to explain herself? Double damn him.

He looked her up and down in an insultingly blatant manner. "I know a thing or two about computers."

"No kidding? Great, next time I need help surfing the porno sites, you'll be the first one I call."

His eyes went cold. "You think I'm just some big, dumb Neanderthal, don't you?"

Jessica gave him the same insulting once over he'd given her. "If the leopard toga fits..."

"I happen to have a BS in Computer Science."

Hands on hips, jaw working furiously, he looked so offended Jessica was hard-pressed not to laugh. "I don't understand. You could be making a lot more money in computers than you are as a cop. And you wouldn't be putting your life in danger on a daily basis." She glanced meaningfully at the scarred flesh visible just above the waistband of his shorts.

"This didn't happen in the line of duty. Besides, I love being a cop."

He said it as if she should've instinctually known it. Jessica sighed. Garrett Jamison was turning out to be much deeper than she'd imagined. "It's a noble profession. It's also a very dangerous one."

"True enough. But it's not as if I have a family who's dependent on me."

She reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "What about your uncle, or your sister and brothers? Or your nephew? I'm sure they'd all be devastated if something happened to you."

"What about you?"

His voice had taken on a deep, sexy timbre that turned Jessica's knees to mush. Garrett Jamison was entirely too gorgeous for his own good--or for hers. "What about me?"

Before she knew what he was about, he reached out and cupped the side of her face, tracing his thumb over her cheekbone. "Would you miss me if something happened?"

"What a thing to ask," she breathed, her gaze centered on his full lips. "I barely know you." Was he going to kiss her? Right there where any of the neighbors could see? Not that she'd mind...

"Uncle Garrett, the game's set up. Can we order pizza now?"

Garrett snatched back his hand, and Jessica's gaze dropped to the little boy leaning possessively against his leg.

Was it her imagination, or was the little stinker glaring daggers at her?

"Hi, Ethan, my name is Jessica."

"I know."

Nope, not her imagination. In fact, the scowl on his face was downright hostile. Now what in the world had she done to warrant such disfavor?

"Ethan, you watch your manners," Garrett growled.

"Yes, sir."

He cast her one last mutinous scowl, then turned and ran back into the house. Jessica had to resist the urge to laugh. She wouldn't take his behavior personally. The boy obviously adored his uncle and didn't care to share him. Another fascinating layer of Garrett Jamison--loving uncle.

"Sorry about that. Ethan's a good kid. I'm not sure what got into him."

"My guess would be old-fashioned jealousy. You two apparently have plans for the evening, and when he saw us...talking, his young mind assumed I was trying to lure you away."

A frown creased his forehead. "I don't know. Ethan knows I'd never abandon him. For anyone."

Ouch, point taken. She shrugged. "You know him better than I do. I'm just telling you what I saw. Well, this has been fun, but I need to get back. Mr. Louie doesn't like to watch TV alone."

Garrett chuckled. "Give His Highness a scratch behind the ears for me."

"What? Just this afternoon you suggested I have him euthanized."

"Good Lord, woman, can't you take a joke?" Garrett winked at her, then stepped back and closed the door.

Jessica shook her head. The man was crazy, no doubt about it. He was also so handsome it should be a crime. With a sigh of frustration, she headed back home to watch Wheel of Fortune.