What part of the writing process do you dread?
The blank page. It’s the scariest thing for me and the most painful. Getting that story down is hard. Once I begin, I’m good. I know where I’m going and I can begin to see the story as it develops on the page. But that moment when I open a new docuent and begin a new story, I doubt myself and whether I can do this. I’ve done it eleven or twelve times now--completed stories. So I know I can do it. But it doesn’t stop that moment of doubt when I’m confronted with that blank screen of a new story.What is your favorite Joke?
I’m not a jokey kind of person. So I don’t even remember any jokes. Sorry.Where do you get your best ideas?
From life. Just going about my everyday life, I gather ideas all the time. Sometimes, it’s a place. Other times, it’s a character that pops in to my head from a story I’ve heard or someone I’ve met. Yet other times a news story will just strike me and I begin to wonder … what if? And that starts it all. I have way more ideas than I’ll ever have time to write. There’s just so many hours in a day.What do you do to relax?
I read. Before I was a writer, I was a reader. I love to read. And when the worries of the world get to be a bit too much for me, I pull out my books and read. It’s the best way to get me out of my own head and out of my own life. And I adore it. It’s the most relaxing thing I can ever do for myself.Do you write about what turns you on?
Absolutely. Because if I don’t want to read it, no one else will.
by Mackenzie Lucas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
All Haven Jameson ever wanted was to own a little piece of paradise. Now, she does, having established a successful luxury spa in St. Augustine, Florida. But when the property next door is sold to a mega developer and his pro-golf celebrity brother who design trendy, bustling playgrounds for the rich and famous, she fears her dream could slip away. Confronted by her late husband’s infidelity, Haven learns everything she believed about her marriage was a lie; so she finally sets aside her grief and opens her heart to loving the widowed pro-golfer who is her biggest professional competition. In the end, Haven discovers that living a safe, loveless life is far worse than embracing passion and taking a chance on a man who’s vowed never to love again. And that, sometimes, no matter how high the risk, the best paradise of all can be found inside our own hearts.
Read an excerpt:
All Haven Jameson knew for sure was that she loved this place and she wouldn’t let someone come in and steal her business away by building a junk yard or a high-rise hotel-casino next door or adding a boardwalk with a carnival.
Hell, no.
Haven would fight for every granule of sand on that beach to keep that from happening. “I’ll go visit Imogen this afternoon. See what I can do to influence her decision. You know I’m irresistible when I choose to be.”
Sally crossed the room. “Honey, don’t I just know it. The way men have always swarmed around you your entire life. Blondes do have more fun. And when I look up the definition of irresistible on Wikipedia, I see your picture. But, we all know you’re more than a pretty face. All anyone has to do is look at Essence to see you’re also a brilliant businesswoman. You’ve created something really special here, Haven.”
Haven nodded in silent agreement.
From the doorway, Sally gave Haven a considering look. “We’ve been through a lot together over the years. Your determination and sheer stubbornness is part of your success. So if anyone can persuade Madam Carmichael to change her mind, it’s you, my dear.”
Haven rolled her eyes. “All right. Go, you. There are clients to take care of.” She glanced down at the clipboard. “So this one’s a pro golfer? Ugh.”
“Yepper.” Sally turned, one hand on the doorframe, then looked back at her, a sly assessing expression on her face. “It’ll expand your horizons.”
“Boring is more like it. If you had to give me an athlete, why couldn’t you give me that major league baseball player last week? He was hot, and seriously sweet.”
Sally chuckled. “You’d eat sweet, darling. Besides, sweet won’t stick or make you forget Miles.”
“Harrumph.” Haven scowled at Sally. “What about the oil tycoon who blew in on Wednesday. I liked him.”
“Again, he was a player. And you don’t play. He’d never stand two minutes against you. You’d call him out like you were reading his moves from an official playbook. No hesitation. Then we’d lose a wealthy, satisfied customer. Although, I gotta say he was a sizzler.” Sally groaned. “And possessed the body of a tricked-out celebrity.”
They both sighed.
Haven held the clipboard to her chest. “I love the scenery at Essence.”
“Yeah, me, too,” Sally said dreamily. “Believe me, Pace Daniels is anything but boring or sweet. Don’t let the golfer moniker fool you. Give him a chance. I think he’s interesting. You’ll see. And you weren’t ready for the Hawks’ pitcher last week or the oil magnate from Texas.” She smiled. “But I think you’re ready now.” With those ominous words, Sally disappeared.
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Mackenzie Lucas is a lover of story in any form. She’s an avid reader of genre fiction, she writes contemporary and paranormal romance, and she listens to an eclectic mix of music that spans from pop/rock to country to gospel. She loves a good story whether it’s an erotic short, a full-length romance novel, or the narrative slice-of-life found in country music. In any story, emotional integrity and authenticity are most important to her as well as a big dose of romping hot sexual tension. She enjoys smart-mouthed, sexy heroines, hunky alpha heroes who know how to take care of their women, and plot twists that surprise her, but most of all, she just wants to experience a satisfying emotional arc of a character falling in love and finding what he or she needs most in life.
Mac is a small-town country girl with a world-traveler’s soul. She grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and she’s lived in Dublin, Ireland, within spitting distance of New York City in Long Island, and now in the Washington, D.C. area. She obtained her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Dickinson College and received her M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She’s currently an author, writing coach, a mother, and a wife.
With Mackenzie Lucas--whether you’re reading her light paranormal romance, her small-town-based contemporary romance, or her steamin’ hawt erotica--you’ll always get a story about connectedness, community, and emotional authenticity, and, at its core, love. No, and it doesn’t hurt that all her heroes are panty-melting gorgeous alphas and all their sexy, sensually aware heroines know how to stand up to them, give no quarter, and love them just as they are.
Links:
Website: http://www.mackenzielucas.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacLucas_writer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieLucasAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieLucasFanPage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6915570.Mackenzie_Lucas
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me today! I look forward to interacting with your readers. I'll check back a few times today to see if anyone has any questions or has commented.
ReplyDeleteReally great excerpt. It gives a good idea of the story, but doesn't give anything away.
ReplyDeleteI totally get the fear of the blank page thing, Mackenzie! Lovely interview. And for all you other readers, pick up a copy of Essence. I've read it and its hothothot. Very interesting and well drawn characterizations, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great premise of the book. I love the excerpt best. :-D
ReplyDeleteWhat a great premise! I love the excerpt best, plus the bookshelves on either side. :-D
ReplyDeleteCute excerpt, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteilookfamous@yahoo.com
Great excerpt.
ReplyDeleteMomJane ~ Yes. You are so right! Doesn't give anything away! You have get the book to find out. Squee! Hope you've read it. If not, get a copy. I think you'll like it. ;0)
ReplyDeleteEmelle ~ Yes, the dreaded blank page. Gah! Thanks for the recommendation. Essence is hot. Just what we need on a cold, snowy day. Brrrr.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for hosting me today! I'll check back during the last few days of my tour to see if anyone commented or had questions. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThe irony of this is I'm listening to a bunch of jokes while reading this. LOL. And I read to relax as well, though to really relax, I pick one of my faves and re-read it.
ReplyDelete