Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
“Love Never Fails” is a second chance at love story. It’s about a couple separated for five years and then, when Reid Ramsey, the hero, needs Caroline, he calls her and she comes home, without even knowing why.
Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
This one is contemporary romance. All of my titles, past, present, and upcoming are romance but I write a variety of romance, everything from contemporary to paranormal to “sweet” and everything in between.
When did you start writing toward publication?
I started seriously pursuing publication in the last year at college after an instructor told me that in his opinion I had the potential to become a writer.
Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
Why have you become a published author?
I love stories and I like to share stories. I write the kind of stories that I like to read.
Do you have any rejection stories to share?
Oh, there would be too many to choose one but I would tell anyone who wants to write to grow a thick skin and stick with it.
What is your writing routine like?
I get up early and take care of details (update my blogs, check e-mails, etc.) I have three kids who range in age from fifteen down to ten so I get them up for school, feed them, and get them started for the day. I spend most of the morning writing, then stop to take care of family details (marketing, cleaning, all that stuff).
What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?
I do all the promo I can. I have a background in media because I’ve worked in both print and broadcast media. I use social networking, take advantage of any low cost advertising opportunities online and in real life. One of my publishers, Rebel Ink, has a part-time publicity person who is amazing.
Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
I think it’s the knowledge that people are reading my stories and liking them. It is also the validation for being recognized that I wasn’t just an eccentric lady scribbling because now I’m an author.
Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped ?
I am a member of RWA, Missouri Writers Guild, Ozark Writers League. They all help with networking, marketing suggestions, and more.
Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
Hang in there. Don’t give up on it. Grow a thick skin and keep writing.
What’s next for you?
I hope to continue to write and sell novels, gaining readers and recognition.
BOOK BLURB
Old love sometimes fades away...
When a late night phone call from the former love of her life interrupts
both her sleep and her otherwise quiet existence, Caroline Cunningham
finds she can’t refuse Reid Ramsay's request for help. As the call pulls
Caroline back to her small hometown and into the heart of the search for
Reid’s missing brother, Caroline finds the feelings she thought she'd
buried where Reid was concerned are indeed alive and well.
And sometimes it refuses to die...
Reid Ramsay is still in love with Caroline Cunningham. As they work
together searching for Reid's brother, Reid and Caro finding themselves
attempting to rebuild the life they once shared together. But their
future remains uncertain. Before they can find the happiness they seek,
each must work through the emotional baggage of the past and test the
theory they desperately hope rings true.
A little bit about the author
Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy is a full-time romance author. A native of the old historic city of St. Joseph, Missouri, one time home to both Jesse James and the Pony Express, she now lives and writes in the beautiful Missouri Ozark region. Her romance novels include Wolfe’s Lady (December 2010 Evernight Publishing), Love Tattoo, (March 2011, Evernight), Love Scars (June 2011, Evernight), Love Never Fails (May 2011, Rebel Ink Press), Kinfolk (July 2011, Champagne Books) and The Marriage Cure (Astraea Press). Other works scheduled for upcoming publication include four other novels, short fiction in several anthologies and more.
Her work also appears in nine anthologies to date. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Missouri Writers Guild, EPIC, The Ozark Writers League and Paranormal Authors Guild. She earned a BA degree in both English and History from Missouri Southern State University as well as an AA Degree in Journalism from Crowder College. She worked in broadcast media for a decade and has also worked in the education field.
She is married to Roy W. Murphy and the couple has three children, Emily, Megan, and Patrick Murphy.
If Lee Ann – or Lee as many of her writing friends know her – isn’t writing, she’s reading or spending time outdoors.
In Neosho, Missouri, the small town she now calls home, she serves on the local library board, is active in the annual Relay For Life fight against cancer, has worked with the local Arts Council, and is active in her parish
Excerpt
If he heard her coming, which she thought he must have he gave no indication, sitting with his back to her. His broad shoulders were tight beneath the old chambray work shirt he wore and his black curly hair was longer than she remembered, touching the collar of the shirt. She sat down next to him and put her hand on his arm.
“I’m here.”
At her touch, he turned and she felt the energy surge between them, electric as ever. Reid’s eyes, the deep navy blue she remembered so well, met hers and her anxiety melted.
“Caroline.”
His voice made her name an endearment.
They stared at each other as if they could bridge five years distance in a few moments and then he put his arm around her.
“You got here quick. I thought you might keep me waiting half the night.”
“You knew I'd come.”
“Yeah, I did.” It appeared he hadn't doubted her, even after the years of silence and separation and something deep within her stirred and rejoiced at that. Even now, it seemed he knew her well.
“Why did you have me come here, to the grotto?”
“Don’t you remember?” His voice was very soft.
“I do. This was our secret place, somewhere we came when we were troubled.”
Reid nodded. “We came here the day after my mom died.”
Caroline leaned against his shoulder, savoring the feel of his strength behind her, inhaling the long remembered but never forgotten masculine scent of him. En route, she worried that he was injured or ill but even though he looked tense, he also looked well.
“Are you all right?” She needed to know.
“I’m okay,” Reid said. He put his hand in the center of his chest. “That is, except for this pain I’ve had right here for about five years now. A deep, burning pain that never went away. Today though, it feels just a little bit better.”
She inhaled sharply, panicked at the idea of him having chest pains and then realized his heart trouble was romantic, not medical. Without analyzing it or planning what she'd say, she leaned forward.
“Maybe this will help it heal.”
She touched her lips to his, a very light kiss, her mouth barely touching his.
“It helps if it’s real,” Reid said, taking her face into his hands and kissing her with thoroughness that ignited fire in her veins. “Did you mean what you said on the phone?”
“I came, didn’t I?”
“You did, but do you?”
Her answer was a vow. “I do, Reid. I love you.”
He exhaled. “It’s about time you told me so.”
How can my readers buy your book?
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Never-Fails-ebook/dp/B0053CYRPO
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-never-fails-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1031334544?ean=2940012876034&itm=4&usri=lee%2bann%2bsontheimer%2bmurphy
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-loveneverfails-550136-149.html
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookStore/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&cPath=103&products_id=5310
http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=bookdetail&bookid=14802
Check out my book trailer at:
http://youtu.be/Nin7z4F2yEI
What a lovely interview and the read sounds awesome! I'm going to add this one to my "Must Read" list.
ReplyDelete:-)