• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sugarbeat's Books

The Home of the Romance Novel

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Review Policy
  • Review List
  • My Books

author

Interview with Nana Malone, author of Reluctant Protector

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

Today we are welcoming Nana Malone to the blog.  She is the author of several books, but the one we will be talking about today is Reluctant Protector.  She’s answered some questions for me and we will be learning more about her and her writing.  I’ve included a blurb at the end so you can see if this book is for you.  Enjoy!

Barb – Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing.
Nana – My writing career started with Bridget…Jones that is. I was in New York hating pretty much every aspect of my PR job but the writing when I picked up Bridget Jones’s Diary from the library. After I stayed up all night to finish it, I wished I could do that, put words to paper and make people laugh or cry or cringe. Then I thought, why not. It took me a little while but I published my first novel in 2010 with The Wild Rose Press. I just published my latest novel, Reluctant Protector in December.

When I’m not writing, I’m a hyper-organized project manger who drives my husband, daughter and Scottish Terrier crazy with my lists and plans.

Barb – What is your favorite part of writing?

Nana – The story. Before I ever write a word, the characters become part of me. They feel like friends. It’s the real thrill of writing for me.

Barb – What part of writing do you find the most challenging?

Nana – Oh God. The edits by far. By the time I write the story, I’m so connected to the characters, I’m loathe to change a word. But at the end of the day I want a great product so I throw myself into them.

Barb – Tell us a bit about your new release – Reluctant Protector.

Nana – Reluctant Protector is the first in a series of Superhero Romances.
For five years, Cassie Reeser has been her brother’s personal lab rat. Peter’s experiments have made her a stronger, faster, better human. And she’s not the only one. For five years, escape has eluded her. Until now.
Seth Adams is used to sifting through lies to find the truth. As a former war correspondent he knows what evils lurk in the world. When he finds Cassie hiding out in his car trunk, her story sounds like a fantastical dream. But, before long, he witnesses firsthand the evil she’s running from.

Barb – This book is listed as a “superhero romance”. Can you please explain what you mean by that label?

Nana – Well, I love the idea of love, so romance is where it’s at for me. I love nothing more than a happy ending. And god, I’ve dreamt of having super powers. The ability to fly or move things by mere thought. Imagine that. Now imagine you have the responsibility to do good, or evil…or at least not do things for personal gain. Lol.

For a superhero romance I wanted to explore a different way of getting superpowers. I wanted to look at the emotional changes normal human beings would have to go through to accept such a drastic change. It’s not all fun and willing money out of a bank vault. Add to that a relationship development and I think it’s a compelling story.

Barb – What challenges did you face bringing this book to market, if any.

Nana – Well for starters, this isn’t really a genre, so trying to figure out how to categorize is a challenge within itself. Then add that it’s something unexpected, and sometimes it’s a hard sell.

Barb – Do you have a favorite character in Reluctant Protector?

Nana – God, I love Seth. He’s sexy and fun, and sarcastic, but charming. He was fun to write.

Barb – When you write, do you start with an outline, or do you let the characters take the story away?!

Nana – Well, the very first novel I ever wrote took me eight years to complete. I had no idea where I was going and wrote, then rewrote to fix things. It was a mess. And given my hyper organized nature, I thought a hyper organized outline was the answer. My first published novel took a year. I’ve since learned that I really prefer a blend. A very skeletal outline, then I just go. It works for me.

Barb – What is your favorite all time book – or is there more than one?

Nana – OMG, you can’t ask a writer that question! Okay, if I must then it’s a toss up between Pride and Prejudice and To Kill a Mockingbird. I read each of those at least once a year.

Barb – Where can your fans keep in touch with you?

Nana – All kinds of places 🙂
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nanamalone
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nanamalone
My website: www.nanamalone.com
And I love to get fan mail: nana@nanamaloneromance.com

Barb – What do you have in the works, and when can your fans expect your next book?

Nana – Funny you should ask that J My next novel, titled Sexy in Stilettos is a fun, flirty contemporary and will be available this April. The sequel to Reluctant Protector, Forsaken Protector, will be available in the early part of summer.

Barb – Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

Nana – Besides, thank you for having me? I’m really excited about my writing journey this year and I hope some of your blog followers join me on the journey.

I’d like to thank Nana for dropping by and sharing about this interesting book!  Keep reading and see if this is something that might appeal to you.  Drop by Nana’s site and say hi or follower her on Twitter!

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book reviews historical contemporary erotica author interview promotion

Bio: My love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense I borrowed from my cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen.  I’ve been in love with kick butt heroines ever since.  With my overactive imagination, and channeling my inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before I started creating my own characters.

Waiting for my chance at a job as a ninja assassin, I, meantime work out my drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as I thinks I am.  Though, until that ninja job comes through, you’ll find me acting out scenes for hubby and puppy while catching up on my favorite reality television shows in sunny San Diego.

sugarbeat's Books romance novel romance book reviews historical contemporary erotica author interviews promotionsTitle: Reluctant Protector
Genre: Superhero Romance (So Paranormal elements and erotica)
Author Name: Nana Malone

Book Blurb:
For five years, Cassie Reeser has been her brother’s personal lab rat. Peter’s experiments have made her a stronger, faster, better human. And she’s not the only one – he’s been experimenting on others as well. For five years, escape has eluded her. Until now. When she finds out he plans to sell her as a human weapon she knows it’s now or never. To make her escape she’ll sacrifice family bonds and leave behind the one person who’s ever helped her. Cassie’s learned to shrink from kindness and to never trust anyone. She knows the day Peter finally captures her will be the day she dies. To elude her brother and save the others, she’ll have to risk her body and her heart. What she doesn’t expect is a chance at a normal life.

Seth Adams is used to sifting through lies to find the truth. As a former war correspondent he knows what evils lurk in the world. When he finds Cassie hiding out in his car trunk, her story sounds like a fantastical dream. But, before long, he witnesses firsthand what she’s talking about when they’re attacked by a group of Peter’s soldiers. As a result, he goes through his own transformation into a super human and realizes the extent of what Cassie is running from. Cassie might not think she needs his protection, but he’ll die before he lets her brother have her back.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Share this:

  • Share
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit

Guest Post & Giveaway with Genie Gabriel, author of Picture Perfect Legacy

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book reviews historical contemporary erotica interviews promotions

Today we are welcoming Genie Gabriel to the blog.  She is the author of Picture Perfect Legacy, part of the Legacy series.  She is touring with Goddessfish Promotions and will be giving away a $25.oo Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour as well as a smaller prize  at each stop.  You know how to be entered more often, drop by Goddessfish’s site and follow the tour, leaving comments everywhere you go!

I asked Genie to comment on one or two authors or books that have had a significant effect on her life and this is what she has to say:

 

“Name one or two authors/books that have have had a significant effect on your life and why.”

 

Well, there was one book that changed the direction of my life. Even if I remembered the title, this book would remain nameless. It was so bad I only got a few pages into it before I closed it with a thump and stated, “I can write better than this.”

 

I spent the next fourteen years attending conferences and furiously writing down every word spoken by published authors to learn how to write. Yes, it took that long in spite of best-selling authors like Susan Wiggs and Stella Cameron generously sharing their knowledge and patiently answering questions from newbie writers like me. Multi-published author, Muriel Jensen, even went through her entire writing process from idea to “The End” at one conference.

 

But it wasn’t enough to learn writing basics like characterization, plotting and point of view. Author Linda Needham opened up an entirely new level of writing when I attended her workshop based on Christopher Vogler’s book, The Writer’s Journey.

 

During all these years, not only was I rewriting the rewrites of my rewrites, I was trying to convince publishers I could write well enough to take a chance my books would sell.

 

At least if that life-changing book had hit the wall and bounced back to hit me in the head, I would have had an excuse for plodding forward for so long in spite of rejections. But, no, I had simply become hooked on writing, and any rejection other than a form letter copied crookedly on the page was encouragement.

 

Finally, an e-publisher offered a contract for my manuscript. I was disbelieving. Excited. A few weeks later, I cautiously offered them another manuscript. They wanted that one also! So I edited and polished a third manuscript, and was offered a contract on that one! Those three books received good reviews and were re-issued in November and December 2011 as the ROCK’n’ROMANCE trilogy. (You can read excerpts from those books and follow links to buy them from my Web site: <http://www.geniegabriel.com>.)

 

Now, as I celebrate the release of my LEGACY series this month, starting with PICTURE PERFECT LEGACY, I guess I should thank the author–whoever she was– of that nameless book for starting me on this writing journey. And I hope I’ve learned enough from all the generous authors and how-to-write books in the past twenty years that some reader won’t slam one of my books shut and claim, “I can write better than this!”

 

Thank you to Sugarbeats for hosting me today! I’m looking forward to meeting visitors and responding to comments. Anyone who comments will be entered in a drawing for a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of my blog tour (on March 23).

 

And please share: do you have an author or book that has dramatically impacted your life?

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book reviews historiacl conemporary eroticaGENIE GABRIEL BIO

For years I’ve been fascinated by the puzzle of why some people collapse under life’s traumas and others emerge triumphantly stronger. In a job surrounded by social workers and in my personal life, I saw the effects of abuse, incest, and violence. Yet amid the stark realities of addictions, anger, abandonment, denial and betrayal shone the bright light of strength, hope and forgiveness. These triumphs of the human spirit over the ugliest of adversities became the basis for my stories. My passion for writing romance stories became an outlet for the powerful messages that people can overcome great difficulties, and that true love can turn life’s heartaches into happily ever after.

 

LINKS

 

Web site: www.GenieGabriel.com

 

Blog for The Legacy Series (PICTURE PERFECT LEGACY is the first book of the series): http://oshealegacyseries.blogspot.com/

sugarbeat's books romance novels romance book review

Excerpt:

Dawson watched the exchange between Marly and her brothers with interest. He didn’t grow up with a bunch of brothers involved in each other’s day-to-day lives.

“There’s an old Irish custom that might be of help in this situation.” Patrick stood, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. “When a man expresses an interest in an Irish lass–you are interested in Marly, aren’t you, Mr. Browning?”

“Very much so.” Dawson wondered what trick this seemingly easygoing priest would pull out of his vestments.

“Irish custom states when a man declares his intent to court a lass, he must meet certain requirements from the lass’ immediate family.”

“You’re all adopted and we’re not Irish,” Marly stated.

“Ah, lass, you wound me.” Patrick placed a hand over his heart. “We are family in action and Irish in all ways that matter.”

“Spare me the theatrics.” Marly rolled her eyes.

“The right of refusal belongs not to the lass, but to the prospective groom.” Patrick turned to Dawson. “Arise, my son.”

Slowly, Dawson stood, feeling like a small child caught stealing from the church plate.

“For the honor of courting this fair lassie, you will be required to meet a challenge from each of her seven brothers–“

“No.” Marly placed herself between Dawson and her brothers. “I will make the decision of who I marry.”

“I can beat these wimps at their own games,” Dawson declared.

Marly groaned as her brothers’ eyes lit with anticipation of the game begun.

 

Related articles
  • Genie Gabriel Picture Perfect Legacy Blog Tour with Giveaway and Guest Post (paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com)
Enhanced by Zemanta

Share this:

  • Share
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit

Guest post & Giveaway – Maggi Anderson, author of The Reluctant Marquess

By Barb Drozdowich

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

Sugarbeat's Books romance novels romance book reviews interviews guest posts author promotion maggi anderson

Today we are welcoming Maggi Anderson, author of The Reluctant Marquess, to the blog. She is touring with Goddessfish promotions to promote this book.  I’ve actually read this book and liked it! I’m going to post my review tomorrow so be sure to come back and read my thoughts!

Maggi is giving away 2 $10.00 Amazon GCs to randomly drawn commenter from this tour.  You know how to increase your chances of winning…..click HERE and find other blogs to leave comments on from the tour as well as leaving your info here!

The topic I asked Maggi to talk on is the challenges that she faces when writing historical romance. So, here are her thoughts!

What challenges do I face when writing a historical romance? Writing a romance set during a historical era is like creating a soup.

First you take your story.

And create your world with its historical setting.

Then add your hero and heroine.

Add large dollops of external and internal conflict, to bring about a plausible happy ending.

Sounds easy doesn’t it? But for me at least it never is. No matter how many books I write. I have the masters of the genre to draw on, Georgette Heyer – for her wonderful world creation, and her characters – always opposites! Victoria Holt for her superbly conceived Gothic mysteries. Mary Stewart for her romantic suspense and her prose.

Apart from the conflict situations my hero and heroine face, they are also opposites in personality, and bring different strengths to the relationship by the time I type ‘end.’ I can recommend a book for romance writers which I’ve found helpful: The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines. Sixteen Master Archetypes, by Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever and Sue Viders. In their words, “strong characters may carry a weak plot, but weak characters cannot be hidden by a strong plot.”

Challenges aside, I do enjoy the research. The historical content especially, which adds flavor to a romance. It might be the time of war, political unrest or dramatic change. The eras in which I write, Georgian, Regency and Victorian are all very different. Fashion was different. Society’s mores were different. The Georgian era in which I set The Reluctant Marquess was wilder and freer than the Regency and Victorian periods which were governed by stricter societal rules. But a woman was expected to marry, have children and to run the home.

Despite the restrictions placed on them, there are a great many inspirational women throughout history. But by the late Victorian period more women had freedom to do as they pleased. But marriage was still the first (and expected) option for a woman.

So my heroine knew she must marry. Did love come into it? Not that often. More likely it was a contract to suit both parties. In the Reluctant Marquess, sophisticated rake, Lord Robert does not expect to love his wife. It is unusual for Charity, a country-bred girl to expect him to do so. But she does. And fights for it.

Hopefully my ‘soup’ is light and delicious on the pallet as The Reluctant Marquess was meant to be, a light-hearted romp which is pure escapism.

When I begin to plot a story, I try to make my characters dynamic and lend their actions a certain veracity. Think of those that leap out from our best loved stories. In Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind for example, Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, were two flawed human beings, larger than life, but their motives are clear as they attempt to overcome the adversities facing them.

Even though writing historical romance undoubtedly has its challenges, I am inspired by the best.

Regards,

 

Maggi

 

sugarbeat's books romance books romance novel reviews interviews author promotions historical contemporary eroticaMaggi Andersen is an Australian author. She lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales with her lawyer husband, their cat and the demanding wildlife. Maggi has two degrees, a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart were strong influences on her writing. She began her career when her children left the nest and writes in a variety of genres. Her historical romances are set in the Georgian, Regency and Victorian era.

 

 I’d like to thank Maggi for dropping by and sharing about her book!  Remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway and remember to drop by tomorrow and read my thoughts of this neat book!

 

Blurb: Charity Barlow wished to marry for love. The rakish Lord Robert wishes only to tuck her away in thesugarbeats books romance novels romance book reviews historical contemporary erotica interviews author promotion country once an heir is produced.

A country-bred girl, Charity Barlow suddenly finds herself married to a marquess, an aloof stranger determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. She and Lord Robert have been forced by circumstances to marry, and she feels sure she is not the woman he would have selected given a choice.

The Marquess of St. Malin makes it plain to her that their marriage is merely for the procreation of an heir, and once that is achieved, he intends to continue living the life he enjoyed before he met her.

While he takes up his life in London once more, Charity is left to wander the echoing corridors of St. Malin House, when she isn’t thrown into the midst of the mocking Haute Ton. Charity is not at all sure she likes her new social equals, as they live by their own rules, which seem rather shocking. She’s not at all sure she likes her new husband either, except for his striking appearance and the dark desire in his eyes when he looks at her, which sends her pulses racing.

Lord Robert is a rake and does not deserve her love, but neither does she wish to live alone. Might he be suffering from a sad past? Seeking to uncover it, Charity attempts to heal the wound to his heart, only to make things worse between them. Will he ever love her?

AUTHOR WEBSITE: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com

AUTHOR BLOG: http://www.maggiandersen.blogspot.com

TWITTER: @maggiandersen

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggi-Andersen-Author/372854959805

Excerpt:

“Nefarious dealings go on next door,” Robert commented almost to himself as he and Charity crossed the footpath to the front door.

 

Charity’s eyes widened. “What sort of dealings?”

 

He felt unsure whether to tell her and wished he hadn’t spoken. “A house of ill-repute,” he finally said.

 

“Is that all?”

 

He held the door open for her to enter the vestibule, annoyed that she wasn’t impressed or shocked by such a revelation. “They are said to charge barren couples quite a lot of money to assist them in their quest for a child. With the use of special beds.”

“Oh.” Charity bit her lip. She put her head down and continued walking.

 

Bemused, Robert wondered how an innocent comment could stir up a veritable nest of unspoken feelings. “It mainly serves as a brothel offering no end of delights,” he added striding to catch up with her. His somewhat callous remark was an endeavor to guide their conversation in a safer direction. But it only served to make him recall the night of passion they had shared. A glance in Charity’s direction confirmed she was thinking of something similar, for her footsteps had faltered, and her eyelid’s looked heavy as she flicked her bottom lip with her tongue. He suffered a strong urge to draw her into that dark corner and kiss her. He found himself seriously considering it, and far more. Raising her skirts and…

 

He took her arm. “Charity?”

 

“Yes?”

 

A door opened at the end of the corridor and a servant poked his head out. “Please come in, Lord and Lady St Malin.”

 

Robert took off his hat and held it somewhere near his groin. “Shall we go in, my dear?”

 

Charity nodded her eyes a little vague.

 

Related articles
  • Why Do I Write Historical Romance? (rosesofprose.blogspot.com)
Enhanced by Zemanta

Share this:

  • Share
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Me

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinrss

Subscribe to Blog on Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 16.7K other subscribers

Available Now on Amazon

Available Now on Amazon

Do you need a primer?

Do you need a primer?

Need help with your website?

Need help with your website?

Are you listed?

Book BLogger list 250

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

2021 Reading Challenge

2021 Reading Challenge
Barb has
read 0 books toward
her goal of
100 books.
hide

0 of 100 (0%)
view books

Archives

Footer

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025