Meet Elaine Cantrell, author of 'Blue 52'

What was the inspiration behind this book?

I was reading an article about the Enigma Code used by the Germans in World War II. It took the Allies forever to break it. As I showered that night, I played around with names for a code, and out of nowhere, Blue 52 popped into my head. I had wanted to write a sequel to Return Engagement anyway so I decided that Blue 52 would be my sequel, and of course a code would play a major part in the book.

Will we ever see these characters again?

Yes, you will. Book 3 of the Lovinggood trilogy is written, and I’m editing it right now. Sometimes I create characters that I just can’t let go of, and the Lovinggood family falls into that category. They captured my imagination like few characters ever have.

How did you come up with the surname Lovinggood?

LOL. People think I made it up, but I didn’t. The lady who cut my hair for years was named Lovinggood, and since I thought it was kind of cool, I borrowed it. It’s perfect for a romance novel, isn’t it?

From where did the title come?

It was inspired by the World War II Enigma Code. Look at my first question and answer.

If you could look into the future, would you want to do so?

No, not ever. Someday everyone will have something bad happen to them. Maybe they’ll even get a disease and die young. I wouldn’t want to ruin the good times by worrying about the future.

If you could go back in time to change one event, what would that be?

I guess you don’t want me to talk politics so from a personal standpoint, I’d start writing a lot sooner than I did. Probably it’s a good thing I didn’t, though. My poor family would have been neglected something awful.

Please tell us about your other publications.

I got my first publishing contract after I won the Timeless Love contest sponsored by Oak Tree Press. That book A New Leaf broke every writing rule known to the English language, but I think it won because it was a story that people could relate to. After that I sat down to write romance, and I haven’t stopped since. I’ve written everything from contemporary to fantasy to inspirational romance. I’ve also thrown in a few suspense novels, but in all cases, the romance is the focus of the book. For the past few years Astraea Press has been my publisher, and I like them because they publish clean fiction. I’m definitely not an erotic writer. Astraea didn’t do Blue 52, though. Blue 52 is published by Whiskey Creek Press as is Return Engagement.

On what are you currently working?

At the moment I’m mainly revising book 3 in the Lovinggood trilogy. I also just finished Wounded Hearts which I plan to submit to Astraea Press sometime this month.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

Actually, you might be surprised about this. I’d love to learn how to decorate cakes and make confectionary masterpieces that would be too pretty to eat. My father could bake better than anyone I ever knew, and he also wanted to learn. I paid for him to go to a decorating class, but he wouldn’t go because he would have been the only man in the class. Sigh.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Of course. First, I’d love for everyone to follow me on FB and Twitter if you tweet. My links are posted under author info. I’d also like you check out my blog. Not too many days go by without one of my guests offering a nice prize. I also post samples of my writing several times a week. If you like fashion, you’ll love Fashionista Friday even though you may think my taste is all in my mouth after you see the outfits I put together.

Thank you so much for your time!

Thank you for having me. I’ve had a good time with you and your readers.

Blue 52

by Elaine Cantrell

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BLURB:

"First Lady Kills President Lovinggood"
December 29, 2018

Thirty years later Hank Lovinggood embarks on a quest to prove his mother's innocence and punish the killers who took his family from him. Together Hank and lovely physicist Kathryn Sinclair confront an implacable, twisted, merciless enemy who'll do whatever it takes to hide the truth forever.

Read an excerpt:

“Do you have feelings for me, Hank? Your grandmother thinks you do.”

Hank hopped off the bed and joined her at the window. He put his arms around her from behind and pulled her against him. His lips brushed the side of her neck. “You know I do.”

“No,” Kathryn mused. “I don’t know. How do you feel about me?” She pulled out of Hank’s arms and turned around to face him. “You like making love to me. I know that, but tell me if there’s anything more.”

Hank smiled and stroked her lovely face. Her cheek felt smooth and silky beneath his fingers, softer even than his mother’s green velvet dress that still hung in the room beside his. “Don’t pretend you don’t know that I love you.”

Kathryn melted against him and almost purred with satisfaction. “I love you too.” She laughed softly and gave Hank a little shake. “How can I be in love with a man who doesn’t care about physics?”

“Beats me. How could I be in love with a woman who’s braver than I am?”

Kathryn pulled out of his arms. “Braver than you are?”

“Yeah, I’m scared to death, but you don’t seem worried at all.”

“Appearances can be deceiving.” Kathryn dropped a kiss on the front of his shoulder. “Since we’re both so nervous, I recommend a little physical therapy. It’s guaranteed to relax us.”

Hank grinned and teased her lips with his. “Physical therapy, huh?”

“Nothing’s better for stress.”

Hank closed the curtains, cocooning them in privacy, and took Kathryn by the hand. “Let Counselor Lovinggood help you with your stress, Dr. Sinclair.”

“How kind of you to offer.”

His hand went to the tie on her robe, and she kissed him.

Buy links 

Also available from Whiskey Press

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina where she obtained a master’s degree in personnel services from Clemson University. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for women educators, Romance Writers of America, and EPIC authors. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest. When she’s not writing or teaching, she enjoys movies, quilting, reading, and collecting vintage Christmas ornaments.

Find Elaine at the following locations.

http://www.elainecantrell.com

http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/elainepcantrell

http://www.twitter.com/elainecantrell

http://www.pinterest.com/elainecantrell

http://www.goodreads.com/elainecantrell

Elaine will be awarding a free ecopy of Return Engagement to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop and a Grand prize of a $50 gift certificate for Amazon or B&N to one commenter during this tour and the Review Tour. A randomly drawn host will be awarded a copy of both Return Engagement and Blue 52. If the winning host reviewed Blue 52, they'll get a copy of The Enchanted instead.

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