Books-n-Kisses is happy to welcome first time guest Angela Smith to the blog today.  

Angela, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a writer, but my full time job is as a paralegal and office manager for a District Attorney’s Office, where I have been for over fifteen years.  I’ve been married going on twenty years to the love of my life and the inspiration for all my romance novels (even though I wanted to write romance even before I met him).  Most people who know me say I live a double life, because of my writing and my career and how different they both are (and how they perceive me when I’m at work.)

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I was about nine years old when I discovered I wanted to be a writer, although I’m pretty sure I knew at birth.  My mom read so much to me that I could recite books before I was able to read, and then she gave me romance novels with words I could barely pronounce, must less tell you the meaning.  And yet I didn’t end up damaged.  I always thought I’d like to write but didn’t give it a try until I spent a week with my aunt, who wrote poetry.  She helped my sister and me pass the time with writing and told us it was okay if we just wanted to rewrite a movie that we loved and write it how we would want it to go.   Right about that time, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and writing helped me get through those first few years.  Writing was just something I knew I had to.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t really have a writing quirk.  I can write anywhere, anytime, with or without any habits I might have devised.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

I would love to!  Basically, a woman inherits a stash of stolen jewels, is accused of heisting those stolen jewels, and falls for the sexy FBI agent investigating her.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I can’t say I came up with the idea.  I think this story found me, and I had no choice but to write it.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Yes, I’m working on the third and final story in this series where a recovering alcoholic-turned triathlete hires a former investigator-turned bartender to help track a missing child.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

I’d say Sandra Brown, because I love how she structures her novels, how she releases one a year, and how she balances the elements of thrill, intrigue, romance, and mystery.  However, I’ve listened to her talk about her style and I’ve had the honor of meeting her a few years ago at a conference.  Though we didn’t talk for long, she still helped me to see she’s an everyday person who succeeds at making writing a part of her life.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Learn all you can but above all, sit down and start writing.  Go with what is in your heart and learn to stop listening to advice.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

My bucket list is pretty simple.  My craving for adventure is pretty simple, and I know I can find joy in everyday life and I’ve already accomplished a lot.  To be a bestselling author would make me pretty happy.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I just started a book (Sandra Brown’s latest) that I was waiting all year to read and I’m sure there’s a million more I will find between now and the next month to put on my to be read pile.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I want to thank you for hosting me, thank the readers for reading my interview and tell them I hope you’ll read Burn on the Western Slope, leave a review, and look for Chayton and Naomi’s story out soon!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.  If you could please make sure to include links to your Website, Facebook page, Twitter account or Goodread’s page I will make sure to include them in the post.  If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.

Email: angela_gsmith@yahoo.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelaswriter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorangelasmith

Website/blog: http://www.loveisamystery.com

Amazon author page: amazon.com/author/authorangelasmith

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_Smith

Burn on the Western Slope

by Angela Smith

Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels. With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time. When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life. Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the death of his partner, FBI Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain retreat. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door. He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes compromised when his attraction to her heats up. Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?

Excerpt:

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” Reagan said, running her tongue over her lips as she rested her glass on the counter. “Skiing, that is,” she quickly added. He would never know she’d been thinking of kissing him, but she had to force herself to look away from his mouth. Nudging Naomi, she stood. “It’s time for me to go. I need to settle in. I haven’t even unpacked yet.” And she had no intention of doing so now, but it was a good excuse to leave. She wiped her hands on her jeans before extending her hand to his, praying hers weren’t clammy. “It was great to meet you.”

Garret grasped her proffered hand and nested his other on top, engulfing her hand. She burned. Everywhere. “Meet me on the slopes tomorrow?”

Reagan bit her lip and glanced at the floor. “Tomorrow? I don’t know. I might need a little more time to get used to this place.”

“We’ll start with sledding. You can’t not like sledding.”

She didn’t know, seeing as how she’d never done it, but cozying up to him at a hundred miles an hour would probably be amazing.

“I’m safe,” Garret said as he dropped his hand.

“You’re what?” she asked, meeting his eyes. Maybe he was a good guy in most people’s standards, but he made her heart beat too fast to be anything but dangerous.

“I’m harmless. Several people in town will vouch for me.”

“But I don’t know them either.”

Giveaway:

$5 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Authors Bio:

Angela Smith is a writer and paralegal who lives in Central Texas with her husband, a handful of animals, and a gathering of books. Learn more at www.loveisamystery.com

Solving the mystery of love with romance novels
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