Wednesday, July 29, 2009

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.


19 comments:

Carol Ericson said...

Love the excerpt Donna, but don't you get wrinkled in the tub...?

Unknown said...

Great post, Donna! The excerpt is great, I can't wait to read this book. It sounds like a perfect summer read.

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Thanks, Carol. :-) I don't really wrinkle, except my feet. *shrug* I guess my body is used to it. I can't lay in the tub as long as I used to (I think my record is 5 hours...LOL), but even a good hour or two is awesome. My sister-in-law likes to read in the tub, too, and may even have my record beat. *g*

Hywela Lyn said...

Hi Donna and Liana

I hope you've been enjoying your tour, Donna. It's been great finding out more about you and your books.

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Hi Jamie! *hugs* I hope you enjoy Meant To Be as much as you did There's Only Been You. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Hi Lyn! Yes, I am, and thank you for letting me kick it off on your blog. :-)

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Well, as her cp, I can verify that There's Only Been You and Meant To Be are both great reads! Garrett is my favorite, though. :) 5 hours in a tub? Wow--that I didn't know. LOL My tub is too small to relax in w/o my knees being stuck out of the water, so baths annoy me. Quick shower so I'm not wasting writing time!

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Ah, but Stacey, if you read in the tub how are you wasting time? ;-) And you can come bathe in my tub anytime. *g*

It seems like forever ago when Paul and I could fit in the tub together, and I'm not talking about my present tub...LOL Back in our apartment in Illinois we would take baths together and play cards. Yep, cards...LOL

Thank you for the kind words about my books, CP. :-)

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

LOL, Donna. Cards in the tub--something else new. :)

If I read in my tub, I'm either sunk low with my neck at an uncomfy angle and my knees out of the water getting cold, or I'm sitting up and my top half is getting cold. No fun and a complete waste of time when I can take a quick shower and go snuggle on the couch or in bed to read as long as I want without the water getting cold. :)

http://kriskennedy.net said...

Donna~ What a great excerpt. I laughed out loud at the Chinese symbol being 'He-with-head-too-big-for-hat.' :-)
Can't wait to read the rest!!

Sheryl Browne said...

I laughed a the Chinese symbol, too. And, yes, I dooooo like moody broody cops! Slurp.

Sounds really good, Donna.

But tell me, how do you not get your pages wet???

Christine Clemetson said...

Great post Donna! Your interview was great! And I LOVE your cover.

Christine

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Well, you do have like 7 inches on me, Stacey, so I can understand how bathes aren't as fun for you as they are me. *G* Curling up on the couch is another excellent way to enjoy a book. :-)

Kris, Sheryl, THANK YOU!! LOL You know how it is when you write a line and think, "Ooh, I like that", but no one ever comments on it? LOL Thank you for commenting on it!

Christine, thank you for stopping by! I'm so glad you like my cover! :-)

LynneRoberts said...

Hi Donna, I loved the excerpt. Congratulations.

I had to smile. The Wolf and the Dove and Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss were among the first romances I ever read.

I love to garden but don't can as often as I should. You are a dedicated woman.

It was nice to 'meet; you. Enjoy the rest of your tour.

Unknown said...

I admire you for sticking to your guns and finding a place for your books. :) I also liked the tattoo, lol.

Debra St. John said...

Hi Donna! Great excerpt, and I LOVE your cover! W.O.W.!

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Hi Lynne, nice to meet you, too! :-) I keep thinking I'll have to reread Shanna one of these days. And to be honest, I won't be canning anything other than salsa this year. *g*

Thanks, Jodi, I appreciate that. :-) And I'm glad you liked the 'tattoo', too...LOL

Thanks for stopping by, Debra, I'm glad you liked my excerpt. And my cover, which I'm pretty fond of myself. *g*

B. A. Binns said...

I loved the excerpt, and loved hearing about another Kathleen Woodiwess junkie. She too started me off on romances backin the day.

Chiron said...

Wow, five hours in the tub! Very cool. I'm very much a soaking-in-the-tub person too. *laughs* When our hot tub was working, we could hang out for hours on end. *sigh*

Of course, with the triple-digit weather, we don't miss it too much. Plus, I can soak in my nice air-conditioned bathroom!! YAY!

I can't wait to get to this book! I'm trying to be good and get through the first of my suspense/mystery craft books (which is paying off with my revision) and saving your book as my reward. Yes, the carrot on the stick for this hungry and stubborn mule. *grin*

The blog tour has been fun! Are you exhausted yet? *wink*

Lovely to read all about you (and to keep my anticipation high for the next book!).

--Chiron O'Keefe
The Write Soul: www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com