No You CAN'T Have Wine In Here! Across the Bar with Karina Buchanan

Welcome to my Tap Room Karina! what can I pour you to start?
Well, normally I'm a wine drinker but since I'm in a beer bar I'll man up! What do you recommend?
That depends on what kind of wine you like.  If you are a robust red drinker like myself, your tastes will likely run along porter or even a hoppy (bitter) line.  I know mine do. Chardonnay drinkers tend to go for my maltier, lighter beers.How about we start with a Premium Lager, my best seller, sort of like LaBatts, only better.
You have your first novel releasing this week! How exciting! Tell us your submission story. That is, was this your first sub? the first publisher you tried? How was the process for you?
Daring to Love is out with Breathless Press on 6th January and it's a very exciting, if nerve wracking time! About a year and a half ago, I decided I was actually going to finish a full length novel. (My house is littered with manuscripts I've started and abandoned after the first two chapters) I sent it off in January last year and was absolutely crushed under rejections. The stroppy teenager inside me wanted to pack the writing in there and then but I knew no-one else was going to pursue my dream for me.
(I love the word "Stroppy". Very useful. Learned it AND "gobsmacked" while living in England.  The English have the BEST words for stuff, let me tell you)
Mills and Boon started a comp shortly after, where you had to pitch a story in two paragraphs and I already had the seeds of a new story in my head – a daredevil and a priss miss who seemed so wrong for each other – so I entered. I was one of the few chosen to pitch directly to an editor, who then requested a partial. I sent that and weeks later, they requested the full manuscript! I worked flat out to seize the opportunity but ultimately the story was turned down. The feedback, however, was amazing and she loved my voice. I was disappointed of course but I was also determined and I sent the manuscript off to Breathless Press the following day. I was gobsmacked to be offered a contract straightaway and I finally believed in myself as a writer.
I have to say the road to publication is hard work but I've really enjoyed the process. I look forward to my edits as I always think I'm learning something new with every round.
Do you have other Works in Progress?
I'm determined to rework that first manuscript because I put my heart and soul into it and I love my characters so much. I've also started a new medical story, which, like Daring to Love, is set in Northern Ireland, so I have plenty to keep me busy.
Yeah, don't give up on it. My first project is finally seeing the light of day after 5 rejections, and 2 major rewrites.
Have you ever worked with an editor before in day job perhaps?
This is my first time working with an editor and I'm amazed at how hard they work.
Keep that sucking up mentality dear. It will come in handy….oops your glass is empty, what's next for you?
Mmm, I like the sound of that Wolverine Premium Lager. Does it have a pretty picture on the label?
Uh, No. *shakes head* "pretty pictures. Jesus"But how about we move on to something hoppier. See what you think. I discovered my inner hop-head by accident.
Do you write full time? if not when do you fit it in?
I'm a stay at home Mum, so I write in between school runs and loads of laundry. Such a glamorous life!
What are your writing goals for 2012?
I'm determined to get that first manuscript up to scratch and add more to the one chapter of my medical romance.




Blurb
Andrea Macleave is determined to lose her 'Miss Stuffy Knickers' nickname with a rappel down Ireland's famous Europa Hotel, for the hospital where she works. Risk taking goes against everything she believes in and it takes a kiss from her hunky instructor to send her on her way. With her wild side let loose, a one night stand with the action man seems the perfect antidote to her staid life.
Excerpt
"I should have known you couldn't handle your drink." With the devil in him, Matt pushed the buttons guaranteed to re-activate his Andie.                        A frown, a purse of full pink lips and she took the bait. "I'll have a whiskey if you're buying." The determination to prove him wrong blinded her to the goggled looks she garnered and the sudden quiet at the table.
He couldn't help his smile getting wider, the more irritated she became. "One whiskey, coming up. Jimmy give me a hand getting these in, will you?"
"I've a good mind to get you fired!" Matt hadn't noticed Andrea following him over to the bar. At the sound of her sexy, pissed-off voice, he slowly turned his head.
She stood, ram-rod straight, giving him clear appreciation of long, lean legs. They seemed to go on forever in those spiky black heels she had swapped for her trainers, even if she still had to look up at his six foot four frame. The figure-hugging jeans would bring a grown man to his knees but he would prefer to see her in something to better show off those pins.
The rose tint in her cheeks gave away her embarrassment at being so openly admired and coming across as a letch was not how he wished to be perceived. Nevertheless, he did enjoy throwing her off guard."You should be thanking me really." He wound her up and let her go."Thanking you?" She crossed her arms across her chest, drawing the V of her top down to give a tantalizing peek at her cleavage. "I should have you arrested for the way you behaved, never mind getting you fired.""It got you over the edge, didn't it? You were so caught up, being ticked off at me that you didn't have time to think about what you were doing.""In that case, turn around."            "Why?""So I can slap the gold star on your backside for a job well done! Do you seriously think that's a good enough reason for your behavior? Is that the way you carry on with all your clients?""Only the pretty, obstinate ones. As for having me fired, well," he backed his elbows onto the bar, "I do the charity rappels voluntarily. It's difficult to replace a trained instructor willing to work for free but if I caused you so much offense, do what you must."
Her delicious mouth opened and closed and he was assaulted with memories of tasting her. And how good it would be to do it again.
"Since it's for charity and all, I suppose I'll let the matter drop. Forget it happened." The defensive arms slackened and fell to her sides. With the thaw setting in, Matt impulsively stepped forward, to invade her personal space."Are you sure that's what you want, Andie?" If he could forget his rules for one night, she could stop pretending she didn't want him.
Instead of seeing the look of longing staring back at him, her pupils narrowed. "Where do you get off calling me 'Andie', anyway? My name is Andrea." She lifted the tumbler of the finest whiskey from the bar, knocked it back and stalked back to her friends.
Matt King never was one to back away from a challenge.
I thought you'd appreciate the setting lol I do, dear, well done.  And the English-isms make me smile. "Pins"—so cute.

Time for a nightcap--what's your poison?
Well now, I am Irish and I have a reputation to live up to, so just keep pouring.Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for having me. It's so great in here I might hang around for a little while and if anyone wants to join me they can contact me here:http://karina-buchanan.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002715462350