Thursday, June 24, 2010

Welcome, Marie Force!


The Best Part About Being An Author? By: Marie Force

So what’s the very best part of being an author? The readers of course! I love my readers! I have been so lucky to meet so many great people through my books. Some of them have become close friends. One of my readers has even become a Beta reader, which means she reads for me before I submit to my agent or editor.

After Love at First Flight was released last summer, I heard from readers overseas who had bought L@FF or Line of Scrimmage. These were women who lived in France and Germany and numerous other non-English-speaking countries who were buying the books, even though they haven’t been translated into their languages. One of them told me she reads American romances to improve her English. I love that!

Laurie has told me more than once that Line of Scrimmage is one of her all-time favorite books. I told her yesterday that hearing that from a reader never, ever gets old. That something I wrote made such an impact that a reader still thinks about it almost two years later? How could that ever get old? With each new book comes more readers and new friends.

When we were growing up, most of us wouldn’t have dreamt of contacting a favorite author. It just wasn’t done the way it is now. We are easily accessible to our readers who can send us a quick e-mail or friend us on Facebook and keep in regular touch. This interaction has become an essential part of my writing routine, and I enjoy every email and every comment from readers. So please, keep them coming!
Tell me what you think about contacting your favorite authors. Something you’ve done or something you’d never do? If not, why not? Tell your thoughts on the matter, and I’ll give a copy of Fatal Affair to one respondent. Thanks so much for having me back again. Laurie! About Fatal Affair:
On the morning of the most important vote of Senator John O’Connor’s career he is late—again. His best friend and chief of staff, Nick Cappuano sets off to O'Connor’s apartment expecting to roust him from bed and hoping he is alone. But what Nick finds is that O’Connor, the handsome, amiable Senator from Virginia, has been brutally murdered, and Nick’s world comes crashing down around him. Complicating the disaster, the detective assigned to the case is none other than Sam Holland, Nick’s one-night stand from six years earlier, the woman who broke his heart and haunts his dreams. With six years worth of unfinished business hanging between them and more than a few scores to settle personally and professionally, Nick and Sam set out to find the senator's killer while trying—and failing—to resist the overwhelming attraction between them that seems to have only grown over the years.
It soon becomes clear that the senator’s past holds secrets that not only led to his death but now endanger Nick and Sam as well. Working together to find a killer and to rediscover the love they thought they lost long ago, they must put the past behind them and build a future that offers a world of new opportunities for both of them—including an offer from the Virginia Democrats for Nick to finish the last year of John’s term.

And about me:
Marie Force’s first romantic suspense, FATAL AFFAIR, will be out June 21, 2010 from Carina Press. Book 2 in the Fatal Series, FATAL JUSTICE, is coming soon from Carina. She is also the author of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE and LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” A third contemporary, EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO, is due out Feb. 1, 2011. Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Author Special Interest Chapters. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two children and a feisty dog named Brandy. Find her at http://www.mariesullivanforce.com/, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909 and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarieForce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

22 comments:

Laurie D. said...

Welcome, Marie! It's so good to have you here today! I understand that you're extremely busy today and will pop in throughout the day as time permits - we can all certainly sympathize!

Thanks so much for your time, I hope everyone has a great day!

Melanie said...

Welcome Marie the book sounds really good!

I have just discovered this whole new world out there in FB & Blog land and am loving every minute of it, in fact I have even joined my sil and have started blogging about books with her. I was of the old school opinion that authors were not accessible, but that has quickly changed. I am so excited to be going to my first readers conference and connecting with all the authors I have become friends with. I also have been introduced to new authors and great new books that I never would have known about before. Only problem now (which is a good one) my tbr pile has gotten soooo big.

Can't wait to pick up one of yours.

Judy F said...

Hey Marie. I am sneaking in at work. My phone lines/computer is down at home so no internet. I am dying. LOl

Anyway I love your books. Line of scrimmage was a fav of mine too.

I am looking forward to your next book.

Gotta go boss is coming.

Marie Force said...

Hi Laurie,
Thanks again for having me over today! Yes, work is insane this week, but I am waiting for others to get back to me at the moment, so I took a break to say hello!

Melanie,
I am so glad you've discovered the romance blogsphere. We are happy to have you and your SIL. Which conference are you going to? I wish I could go to more but I am too busy with work and kids to get away very often.

Judy,
Don't get fired on my account. LOL! Hope you have a great day and get that Internet fixed asap!

Melanie said...

I am going to RomCon in Denver, it is a new conference geared towards readers and they have lots of fun stuff planned. I am nervous since this is the first conference I have ever attended, it is the fear of the unknown I guess, that and I am a control freak. But I will put all that behind me and plan on having a good time.

Marie Force said...

That will be fun, Melanie. Wish I could go but with my company's annual meeting July 9-14 in Orland and RWA July 27-Aug 1 in Orlando (ACK--twice to Orlando in blazing hot July!) there was no way I could fit in another one that month. Just relax and enjoy. Nothing to be afraid of! We don't bite (well, most of us don't...)

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. I loved your other two very much.

Thanks for offering it up.

Joanne V.

Marie Force said...

Thanks so much, Joanne!

Back to work! Talk to you all later.

Sandra Sookoo said...

I've never read any of your books but I've heard good things so I need to pick up one or two. Winning would be great too! :-) As for author's being accessible, I love the ease. What I hate is authors who never respond.

Best wishes in the future!

Andrea I said...

I have just discovered the world of blogs and Facebook this past year. I enjoy keeping up with authors, finding new ones and being able to communicate with authors through this online world.

Laurie D. said...

Melanie, I know a lot of people are excited about going to RomCon - hope you have a great time! (I've been delayed in mailing your book - should get it out tomorrow)

Judy Ann, Hope you're back in contact with the cyber world soon!

Joann, thanks so much for stopping! Don't you love Marie's work? I can't wait to read FATAL AFFAIR, but am so busy right now that I think it will have to go on vacation with me in two weeks!

Sandra, You absolutely should get one of Marie's books! I'm prejudiced about LINE OF SCRIMMAGE - it's one of my favorite books ever, and I've reread it several times.

Does anyone else here reread?

Fedora said...

Hi, Marie! Hi, Laurie!

Great post, Marie--I have to admit that before the electronic age, it never occurred to me to try to contact an author about anything! But with the advent of e-mail and the Internet, it's so easy to find an e-mail address or blog and let someone know that her work moved you or made you laugh. I've definitely "met" more than one author on-line now, and love that I can easily let someone know how much I loved her writing. I know that the writers I've contacted generally appreciate it, and it seems that technology has made writing a bit less solitary. On the other hand, I think that sometimes it does create a newer burden on the author to be available and to try to network and "market" this way. A mixed blessing :)

And Laurie, YES, I do reread--Line of Scrimmage is definitely one I've reread more than once :)

Marie Force said...

Sandra,
Personally, I can't imagine not responding to a reader who takes the time to write to me, but I'm sure there are authors out there who get hundreds of messages a day (I should be so lucky!) who might not be able to manage them all on their own. I'm sorry you've had that experience but I hope you'll continue to reach out to authors whose work you enjoy. I can attest that most of us agree that it is the highlight of our day to hear from satisfied readers!

Andrea,
It's so great, isn't it? The more you reach out, the more you'll get to know your favorite authors! Enjoy!

Fedora,
I can see how it would be a blessing and a curse, but I love it (as you know!) Thanks for hanging out with me on my blog tour!

Judy F said...

Hey I am back. I love this high speed stuff. WHo knew. LOL

Marie It still boggles my mind how many authors I am friends with. Some I have never met but others I get together with all the time. I am so glad I found you and your books.

Marie Force said...

I really hope we can meet in person one of these days, Judy! I am thrilled to count you as one of my best new reader friends!

Laurie D. said...

Andrea, thanks for stopping by! How exciting for you to be part of the romance community! I've found most authors very open to communication with readers.

Fedora, old friend, so good to see you! We obviously share the same good taste in books!

Judy, welcome to the world of high speed! Now you're one of the "fast" girls, huh? lol

Marie, and everyone, you should come to Lori Foster's Ohio event in June. Great fun, and lots of time to relax and visit. It's totally low-key and you can be as active or inactive as you wish!

Marie Force said...

I would love to go, Laurie, but it's always held during my hellishly busy time at work. Blah!

Judy F said...

Well Laurie. I had to catch up with you. LOL

Marie. Hugs to Brandy

Marie Force said...

Thanks, Judy! My little dog Brandy had spay surgery today. She's down for the count!

Anonymous said...

it strange sometiems
but we email them and get their newslwtter seems like we know them lol
and they have their own blogs we know so much about them, i thnk is good
congrats on the book
kh

Laurie G said...

I too am one of the few who hasn't read any of your books. My tastes in the past have been similar to Laurie D's so I'm definitely going to make a point of buying a few of your books especially Line Of Scrimmage!

The internet has brought us all closer together. I love visiting Laurie's blog and learning about her family and life in general. Author blogs allow us to see the "real" situation behind the book. The ups & downs, finding the time to write and balance family, friends, etc.

I haven't met any authors in person but I would feel less intimidated now after getting to know certain authors online.

Fedora said...

LOL, Laurie--I do look forward to meeting in person some day! My TBR and keeper shelf owe you a debt of thanks! ;)