Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have the WONDERFUL Jennifer Apodaca on the blog today to chat about her newest release (which by the way is really good) THE BABY BARGAIN.

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

Sure! I grew up in Southern California very close to Disneyland and attended Walt Disney Elementary School.  Years later, I met my husband at the dog pound—a story that cracks up our kids.  I was working there, and he came in to do an audit looking suave and sexy in a business suit. Obviously it was puppy love at first sight, LOL. We soon married and produced a house full of  boys (three sons).  I loved being a full time mom, but I needed something more, and that’s when I started writing.  I published my first book in 2002, DATING CAN BE MURDER, which was the first book in The Samantha Shaw Mystery Series. Since then, I’ve published over 15 books and novellas.

Learn more about Jen here: Website | Blog |Twitter | Goodreads  | Jen Lyon’s Goodreads Page

Have you always wanted to be an author?

When I was very little I wanted to be a princess so I could have my two older brothers locked in a dungeon. That whole princess thing didn’t work out. Then I wanted to be a witch like Samantha on Bewitched so I could turn my brothers into frogs. Once again, I was doomed to disappointment.

The truth is that deciding to write was more of a process. My father passed away suddenly when I was 13, and life got tough. Books were my escape, and I dreamed of writing. But it seemed an impossible dream for an average girl like me. It wasn’t until after I married and had my sons that I developed the confidence to go after my desire to write books. I had a lot of support from my husband and sons, and also from my mom and sister.  I credit them for encouraging me to not only try, and keep trying.

I lost my mom before DATING CAN BE MURDER (my first book) hit the bookstores, but her belief in me lives on in my heart.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

Time! I need time to write.  Time to just sit with the characters and let them tell me their story.

My typical day varies.   If I’m starting a book, I procrastinate a lot.  If I’m at the end of a book, I write from morning until night only stopping to eat or do essential things. My typical day starts off with me going to the gym a few mornings a week (so early my husband thinks I’m nuts), or doing things like grocery shopping. I’m usually at my computer between 8 and 9. I take care of email and whatever needs to be done. Then I write and try to resist the lure of the Internet.

In the eveings, I uusally write blogs, do interviews, work on copyedits or do whatever needs to be done.

These days I work very long hours. Sometimes, I start at 6:15 am and don’t end until after 8pm. But I think everyone is working harder, not just authors.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Getting the story right is always the most challenging  part. Diving deep into the characters and their lives, finding their innermost fears, and hidden desires. And then making sure the plot is working both to move the story along and reveal the characters to the reader. It’s a layered and time-consuming process. But it’s also a labor of love.

I find two things most reward. Finishing a book is an awesome feeling of accomplishment. And nothing is as gratifying as when a fan tell me how much they love the story.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

THE BABY BARGAIN was fun, challenging and surprisingly emotional for me to write.  I started off with the idea of former Marines coming home,  but not quite fitting back into civilian life.  Battle can leave emotional and/or physical scars, and  I wanted to give them the love of a heroine to help them heal and find happiness. After all, who deserves it more than men (and women) who have put their lives on the line for their country?

Here’s is the blurb for THE BABY BARGAIN:

Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…

Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son.

Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The idea came to me when I watched several news stories about soldiers returning home. You know those video clips where they surprised their loved ones? Well…what if they came home to nothing? What if they didn’t have loved ones waiting for them? They really just had each other so they banded together to form Once A Marine Security Agency.  What if the battle scars they carried were just a little too deep for these men to believe they could have happily ever after? That’s how I came up with the idea.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I’m working on two things: I’ve outlined the next two books in the Once a Marine series. In book two, Logan Knight goes home to his beloved plot of land on his family’s cattle ranch—only to find his house occupied by a desperate woman on the run.

And I’m desperately trying to write POSSESSION, Book 2 in The Plus One Chronicles written under my Jennifer Lyon name. That book is keeping me up nights. People can see more about that series on my website here  http://jenniferlyonbooks.com/the-plus-one-chronicles/

Please open The Baby Bargain to a random page and read us a few lines.

Okay, a random few lines between Adam and Megan:

He laughed. “I want to show you my offices on my laptop. Not drag you to my room and pressure you into sex. I told you, tonight is just for getting reacquainted.”

“And touching.”She remembered him saying that.

“And kissing,” he said. “Anywhere you want me to.”

Tingles shivered over her skin, while her belly warmed. It had been so long since anyone had touched her with desire, since anyone had made her feel like more than a mom and a vet…like a woman. “Tempting offer.” She held her breath, her nerves pulling tight.

He dropped his gaze to her mouth.

Blood rushed through her and desire pooled between her legs. She wanted him to kiss her. Needed it almost as much as she needed her next breath.

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

Oh! So many books! I want to read Rebecca Zanetti’s AGAINST THE WALL. Laura Wright’s ETERNAL DEMON, Georgia Cates BEAUTY FROM SURRENDER.

I’m currently reading COLLIDE by Gail McHugh. I have so little time to read right now that it’s extremely frustrating.

Who is your Celebrity crush?  And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Gerald Butler and his oh-so-sexy Scottish accent J

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that I am grateful for all the support for THE BABY BARGAIN and The Once A Marine Series.  I appreciate each and every fan-friend. You guys are the reason I keep writing!

And thank you Kelly for having me on Books-n-Kisses and being so completely awesome!

*****

The Baby Bargain

by Jennifer Apodaca

Amazon |  B&N  | Kobo |  iBookstore

Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…

Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son.
Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 184 pages
Release Date: March 2013
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-073-5
Imprint: Indulgence

Tour Wide Giveaway!

Jennifer is offering a $50 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to be entered.

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