GUARDED by Mary Behre – A First Friday Author Alert
First Friday Author Alert!
Mary Behre is my first victim, I mean guest, for First Friday Author Alert where I bring my blog peeps a chance to meet the amazing people I have in my virtual life.
Mary is part of my lalala sister group and is definitively the cruise social director. You might have met her checking badges at the recent RWA Nat’ls convention for the Thursday lunch. Or signing her amazing books.
So, here she is…
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog! I’m excited to be here. :)
How long does it take you to write a book?
That’s an interesting question. I write in fits and starts, because I do, I have to document times I’m working. Adding up the time, it works out to be about two months to complete the first draft and six months to get through copy edits.
What does your family think of your writing?
I’m very fortunate to have a family who’s completely supportive of my writing career. For the launch of my debut novel, my extended family drove in from three different states just to support me. My children proudly tell everyone they meet that their mom writes romance. My husband and my father-in-law are part of my beta readers. And let me tell you, if I make the guy too wimpy, they let me know. :) It’s really amazing how supportive they are and I’m thankful every day.
What is the most important thing you do for your career?
Treat it as a career, not a part-time job. There’s a different mentality between having a career and having a part-time job. One implies a future in a business, with measurable goals and achievements. The other implies being present only when the time requires it.
Amen, sister. I get so crazy when I’m talking to a ‘writer’ who does everything in their life, except write. What do you enjoy most about writing?
Getting lost in the world. There comes a moment when writing a story that stops being words on a screen but becomes a world in which I am completely immersed. It’s such an exciting feeling.
How many hours a day to you spend writing?
When I’m in full blown writing mode, I can write for 12 hours a day. But I can only keep that pace for a short period of time, then I need down time. Typically, I’ll write like that for a weekend, then settle into writing eight hours a day for four to eight weeks. Long enough to write the first and second drafts. But then I’m fried for about a month which is good. That’s when I’ll send the manuscript off to my critique partners. By the time I get it back, I’m ready to go again.
I’m a second job writer, so getting 8-12 hours a day into a book seems like heaven. Speaking of day jobs, w hat are some jobs you’ve done that would end up in a book?
Let’s see, I’ve had a colorful life of jobs since I worked my way through college sometimes holding down three jobs at once. So far, I’ve had a preschool teacher in SPIRITED and a CPR Instructor in GUARDED. But in book three, ENERGIZED (working title), I have a caterer and a waitress. And there are bound to be more of my jobs in future books including a disaster worker, a tour guide, and a photographer.
I’m reading GUARDED right now and totally enjoying the ride. What’s not to love about a character who can ‘talk’ to guinea pigs. (My son had the little creatures when he was growing up, piles of cuddly fur. – Tribbles to the sci-fi set.)
And now, GUARDED….
A psychic veterinarian who can talk to everything from naked mole rats to ferrets, stumbles onto an exotic animal kidnapping ring. When a zoo owner is murdered and all signs point to the vet as the killer, she enlists the aid of her super sexy cop friend.
Will he be able to help her clear her name before he’s forced to arrest her?
Mary Behre is the author of The Tidewater Series. Stories with humor, suspense, and a psychic love-connection.
Her debut novel, SPIRITED (Tidewater Novel #1) was an award-winning manuscript before it sold to Berkley Sensation. GUARDED (Tidewater Novel #2), is already receiving praise from reviewers and readers.
The Tidewater Series features three sisters separated years before in the foster care system. They search for love, each other, and a way to live with their psychic abilities. In each book, they’re tossed into the middle of mysteries that only their unique gifts can help solve.
Excerpt from GUARDED
“Dev, the last time Jules and I saw each other—”
“You were both children.” Dev scooted closer to her on the couch and took her hands in his. “I don’t know everything about what went on with you two, but I remember enough to know the last time you saw her was hard. On both of you. Shells, give her a chance. I’ve gotten to know her. She’s a great person. A lot like you. And I know she misses you.”
“She does?” There was no missing the doubt and confusion in her eyes.
“She does.” He nodded. “Give yourself a chance. You deserve to know your family. Take it from someone who will never get an opportunity like this. What you have here is a gift. Grab it with both hands, Shells.”
The touch of her cool, delicate hands between his much larger ones sent a jolt of awareness through his body. From the way her eyes widened, she must have felt it too.
Shelley sucked in the right corner of her bottom lip. The sight of it thundered straight to his tightening groin. “All right. I’ll go with you to Tidewater, tomorrow. But that ocean view had better be spectacular,” she joked.
“Satisfaction guaranteed.”
“Thanks, Dev.” She beamed at him, then cleared her throat and pulled free from his touch. “Your girlfriend is one lucky woman.”
“Shelley, that relationship ended a long time ago. I . . . uh, don’t have a girlfriend.”
“You broke up? I’m sorry to hear that.” But the smile on her face and the dilation of her pupils belied that statement. She licked her lips and leaned closer to him. Her soft fingers entwined with his rougher ones again. “Really sorry.”
Awareness rocketed through him.
“Don’t be. I’m not.” And, oh God, her lips were right there. The scent of Shells, vanilla and sugar, teased his senses. His mouth watered for just a taste. Dev craved a taste of her, just a sample. Slowly, giving her time to pull back, he lowered his head.
Social Media:
Website: http://marybehre.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MaryBehre.Author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MaryBehre
Email: mary@marybehre.com
Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guarded-mary-behre/1118329731?ean=9780425268629
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Guarded/Mary-Behre/9780425268629?id=5991298991366
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/guarded/id808322619?mt=11
WANT YOUR OWN COPY OF GUARDED? Mary will gift one signed copy with swag to one lucky commentor. Giveaway ends August 11th. So what’s your favorite type of pet?
