Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome fellow Oregonian Marie Harte to the blog for her first visit. We are talking about Luke Evans, bucket lists and her new release How to Handle a Heartbreaker (The McCauley Brothers)
Marie, can you please share with us a little about yourself
Hi. I’m Marie Harte. I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with over a hundred books to my name, and I have no intention of slowing down. I’ve had a varied career. After majoring in English from Penn State, I served in the Unites States Marine Corps, then worked in the IT field before moving on to supervise about sixty truck drivers during my time working for a trucking company. (Talk about stories!) I finally segued into writing fulltime after quitting the trucking company to raise my children. I now live in Central Oregon with two young boys who are threatening to eat me out of house and home. My days are spent writing, staring at snow-capped mountains, and imbibing ludicrously large amounts of coffee.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
YES.
Are you a plotter or a punster or combo of both? And you explain the difference?
I do a bit of both. Typically I flesh out my characters, have a basic premise of plot, and go—a pantster (writing by the seat of my pants). But when writing proposals for my publishers, I have to submit a synopsis. Surprisingly, I find I follow the synopsis, though minor points in the story may change—hence the plotter path. But I have to admit I usually write fastest when the story has been percolating in my brain for a few days/weeks before simply writing. So in a sense, I plot mentally, then just let the words flow.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I’m a fast writer. I can’t think about it; I just have to write. When I think too hard, I mess myself up.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)? 
How to Handle a Heartbreaker is such a funny, sexy, and emotional book. I made myself cry (in a few spots) while writing this, and I’m not a crier. Most of the time, though, I was laughing or fanning myself. Here’s a short blurb that describes How to Handle a Heartbreaker best:
It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier and, despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.
Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.
Brody is more than happy to serve as her muse and eager to help make sure her “research” is authentic. But when their research turns into something real…will she choose her own happily ever after?
How did you come with the idea for this story?
I wrote The Troublemaker Next Door and Sourcebooks accepted it. Hurray! But Flynn had three brothers, two by blood, one of the heart. Brody—Flynn’s “twin”—had to have his story told, and he had hidden depths I was eager to explore. After writing this book, his behavior in the first story made much more sense. Abby too made me love her all the more when I met her family and saw what she’d gone through to get so far. Man, I can’t STAND that Kevin jerk.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m currently working on a military romance novella for inclusion in a military bundle with some extraordinary authors. The project hasn’t been announced yet (and it’s KILLING me) but it should release soon.
I’m also working on edits for Served Hot, the second in my Best Revenge trilogy for Samhain Publishing. Three friends decide to get back at the men that did them wrong with some unintended, steaming hot results. Served Cold, book one, releases September 16th.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Johanna Lindsey, because her book, A Gentle Feuding, was the very first romance I read and the book that got me hooked on the genre. So to Ms. Lindsey, thank you.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
To believe in yourself and never give up. There are enough people in the world ready to tell you no. Only you can make yourself believe in yes.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
Well, first on my list was one day going to Europe. Check. Then it was hitting the New York Times list. Check. (And super big surprise/thrill just a few short weeks ago!) Now I think it’s a toss-up between learning to play the piano and learning martial arts.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the next Guild Hunter book from Nalini Singh and Thea Harrison’s next Elder Races novel. I love those series!
What is one book everyone should read before they die?
A Wrinkle In Time. I loved that book as a kid and love it even more now. Talk about writing outside the box. Madeleine L’ Engle was one of the greats.
What is your favorite time of year & why?
I absolutely love fall. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and the weather is just perfect. Jeans and sweatshirt weather, hot cocoa and football. Plus school is in session, and I’ve always loved academics. What’s not to love when the leaves change color and float to the ground?
Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?
Hmm. Lately I’m on a Luke Evans kick. He’s hot, pretty dark and broody in his roles, and hell, he plays a human hero in the next Hobbit movie as well as the title character in Dracula Untold. What’s not to love? If I met him? I’d ask for a signed autograph. That’s about it. I’m not uber-impressed by fame. I would drool while staring at him, though. LOL
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks so much for having me! I have releases ongoing through the rest of the year, as well as a Facebook reader group. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter (scroll to the bottom of my website to subscribe) to keep up to date on releases and contests. 🙂 I enjoyed my time at Books-n-Kisses. Great questions. Thank you!
A little more about Marie:
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after.
Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
*****
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HE CAN’T GET HER OUT OF HIS HEAD
It’s lust at first sight when Brody Singer first lays eyes on Abby Dunn. The dark-haired beauty looks a lot like a woman he once knew, who died years ago. At first, Brody fears his attraction is a holdover from that secret crush, but Abby’s definitely different. She’s a lot shyer, a lot sexier, and despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, absolutely mesmerizing.
SHE CAN’T GET HIM OUT OF HER BOOKS
Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex wouldn’t let her forget. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the hint. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy novels, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.
Brody is more than happy to serve as her muse and eager to help make sure her “research” is authentic. But when their research turns into something real…will she choose her own happily ever after?
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