Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome Erin McCarthy back to that blog.  Erin for those who missed you the first time can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m just your average neurotic writer, with a four story one hundred year old house and two (almost) grown kids.  And a cat.  And a dog. And lots of books. J

A little more about Erin:

Erin McCarthy is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 48 novels and novellas in the paranormal, contemporary romance, and young adult genres.  The author is a RITA award finalist and an American Library Association winner of the Reluctant Young Reader award.  She lives in Ohio.  Visit Erin online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Have you always wanted to be an author? 

Since the first grade.  But in an effort to be practical I pursued my other love- the law.  Fortunately, I stopped myself before I got too far into the whole thing because I think being a lawyer would have made me very cynical very fast, and that’s just not me.  I’m optimistic maybe to a fault.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have the time to read much genre fiction these days.  I have been reading mostly non-fiction.  I always go back to the classics though and probably Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters would qualify as all time favorite authors.  I would have to say with romance, Lori Foster taught me how to strip the story down to the basics and go for the guts of the romance.  She is fabulous at that.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I started writing romance because that’s what I was reading.  I started reading romance because when I had little babies, I could easily get into the stories and read for just a few minutes at a time if that’s all I had.  Romance novels also kept me awake at 3am when I nursing.  Having little ones I loved the hope and joy of romance novels.  I couldn’t deal with traumatic stories with sad endings.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I don’t think I have any rituals, exactly.  I do always write with music playing and either coffee or Diet Coke nearby so I guess that is a habit.  I can write anywhere and I do.  I’ve written in half the rooms in my house, the coffee shop, airplanes, etc.  I do have a weird habit of writing single spaced.  I’m not sure why.  And I have on occasion, been called manic, because my knee bouncing a lot when I write. We’re back to that neurotic writer thing. 😉

Can you please tell us about SWEET? 

SWEET is the second book in the series and it features, Jessica, who was maybe not the most likable character in TRUE.  I think being inside her head in SWEET and seeing all her fears and vulnerabilities will give readers a different view of her.  She and Riley, Tyler Mann’s brother, are both sarcastic, stubborn, and hide their true emotions.  But when they fall for each other, it’s based on an amazing friendship.

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

I am currently writing the eighth book in my Fast Track contemporary romance series.

What would you be if you were not an author?

I would probably be an interior designer or a real estate agent.  I love houses and decorating.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks!  I hope you all enjoy SWEET. J

*****
Sweet

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Jessica Sweet thought going away to college would finally make her free of her parents’ constant judgments and insistence she play chastity club role model for their church events, but if anything, the freedom has made her realize she can’t go home and be a hypocrite anymore. Tired of dodging their questions, she stays at school over the summer and lands in an unexpected crash pad: Riley Mann’s house.

Sarcastic, cocky, and full of opinions, Riley is also sexy personified with tattoos and biceps earned from working as a roofer all day. Not the right guy for her even if Jessica was looking for a relationship, which she is definitely not. But Jessica knows that Riley hides the burden of having to raise his younger brothers behind that grin and as she helps him get his house in order for a custody hearing, they begin to fall hard for each other, and she is forced to question what she’s hiding herself.

Jessica has never had a problem getting naked with a guy, but when it comes to showing Riley how she truly feels inside, her fear of rejection may just ruin the best thing—the best guy—to ever happen to her.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

Penguin has give me one e-copy of Sweet to giveaway.

Winner HAS to have a NETGALLEY account.

To enter fill out the rafflecopter below.