Break Out the Bubbly & Dark Chocolate: Celebrating Christine Glover's Debut Novel The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion

I love my cover!! Thanks Entangled!

Well the day has finally arrived where I can say I am officially a published author! I am still quite a bit in shock about it all. But the last year has been an incredible journey from the first sale moment until now. This is a dream come true and proves that no matter what you should never give up your dreams. I almost did and look where I am today. So I'm celebrating in style and enjoying every positive moment about The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion's release. 

Pop*Fizzle*Pour and raise a glass of Champagne to this big day as I share a little bit about my writing journey with y'all. 

1. How did I end up becoming a writer?

I was born to be a writer, but pursuing it full time didn't happen until after I became a stay at home mom. At first I was busy volunteering in the classroom and doing what a lot of parents do with a growing child. But by the time my daughter was in the fourth grade, I needed more. I dusted off my old dreams and my laptop to begin writing my first story. 

2. What is my favorite genre to write?

Contemporary romance hands down. 

3. Am I a plotter or do I follow the muse?

I am a hybrid writer. I loosely plot the emotional turning points after I figure out my characters' goals, motivations, and conflicts. But I usually don't know how the story is going to be in the end until I've written a first draft and revised it at least twice. Then I send it to my CP Pam Mantovani for her input. After she sends her PAs (Picky Alerts) to me, I get back to work. I love revising so this is the fun part for me.

4. How do I relax after a writing day?

Wine and conversation with my CP Pam, the Physicist & the College Kid. I also love to cook so that's fun for me.

5. What do I read? What are my favorite genres? Who are my favorite authors?

I read all genres except for horror stories. I love historical romances by Eloisa James and romantic suspenses by Lynn Raye Harris. I also enjoy reading new authors and the other Indulgence line authors at my publishing house, Entangled Publishing. 

6. What is my current project?

I'm revising the prequel novella to The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion. It's about Michael's middle sister Jessie and the man who steals her heart. I am also working on the first draft for the sequel to The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion. This story is about Caleb and Hannah's journey toward love. I hope to have the first draft ready for a pre-Pam Mantovani PA attack by the end of July. 

7. Any new releases? 

Jessie's story, tentatively titled Beauty and the Marine, will release before November. It's set six years prior to The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion. You'll get to meet Michael just after his big triple Olympic gold medal wins in the swimming events and watch Kennedy and Zach exchange their first kiss. 

8. Where do I get my ideas for my stories?

I get my ideas from everywhere. Newspaper stories, overheard snippets of conversation, characters that pop into my head might give me a scene to start with and then I ask a lot of  "what if" questions to brainstorm each story.

9. How long was I trying to get published before I got the “call?”

I'd been writing contemporary romances for about nine years, but wasn't actively pursuing publication until 2009. Once I got super focused and treated the writing as a career then things began to move a lot faster. 

10. How did I celebrate the new book contract?

Champagne!!

11. How did I celebrate the “call?”

I was on my way to Zumba so I told my friends in the class before it started. Then that night we went out with friends for Chinese food. The server gave me a piece of cake when she learned I had sold my first book. It was a fun day!!

12. Was the “call” an actual phone conversation or an email or a snail mail?

I got an email from my new editor. The best email of all.

13. Do I have an agent?

No. But maybe one day I will have an agent. So many factors are dependent upon that kind of decision. Right now I'm very happy with the way I've been treated by my publishing house. 

14. What advice would I give aspiring writers?

Write every day even if it's just a word. Treat this as a profession long before you sell. And always build on your knowledge about the craft. I still take classes because I have a lot to learn.

15. What encouragement can I give writers who face rejection?

Well, I have a funny way of looking at rejection. I've called every rejection a "trying to get published badge of courage." I also paid myself for every rejection. A dollar for a rejected query letter. Five dollars for a rejected partial. And ten dollars for a rejected full manuscript. I saved that money and used it to pay for annual conferences, writing costs, etc. I also allowed myself one day of mourning which always included a call to my CP and wine. But you have to move past it. Truthfully, I'm already receiving a different kind of rejection. Not every reader likes my book. And that's okay. It's a subjective business. I just tell myself there are people who do like my story and focus on the positive. 

16. What is the most difficult part about writing for me? 

Writing the dreaded synopsis! Blah. But I am getting better at tackling that beast. 

17. What is the most surprising thing I discovered after I received the call?

That the doubt and fear doesn't go away. It is still with me, on my shoulders, and trying to tell me I can't do it. I still have to battle those demons. I still have to fight for every word. And I still have to tell myself that the only way I will get a story written is to write the thing and revise it. 

Thanks for sharing all the fun and excitement about my first sale today!! I am popping champagne and playing over in my Facebook land from 12-8PM with lots of author friends. There will be giveaways, prizes, and just plain fun!!! You can check it out here.

Here's the back cover copy for The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion:

Can he satisfy his craving without losing his heart?

Corporate Maverick Zach Tanner returns to North Carolina to rebuild his dying friend's resort. He's got the money, the power, and the will to transform Sweetbriar Springs into a premier spa for the glamorous, but he doesn't count on the woman he once loved…and lost…to handle the construction contract. Zach thought he'd buried his desire for Kennedy five years ago. He was wrong, and now he’s determined to satisfy his craving...

Construction company owner Kennedy Gibson is eager to restore Sweetbriar Springs, but when she realizes Zach is her new boss she's terrified he'll learn the truth about their breakup so long ago. She vowed never to hurt him again, but she can't deny the passion he reignites in her. She wants to believe she has a chance for a different future with him, but will her secret threaten to destroy their red-hot reunion?

Buy Links:

Amazon Barnes and Noble kobo Amazon.ca

Born in the Netherlands, Christine moved to Canada where she spent her formative years. Then she married her Texan Alpha Physicist, moved to the United States and she has lived both south and north of the Mason Dixon line. Now Christine resides in Alabama with her husband, two insane cats and her wonderful daughter. She enjoys finding the silly in the serious, making wine out of sour grapes, and giving people giggle fits along with heartfelt hugs. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world, cooking gourmet food, and desperately seeking a corkscrew.

Email: christinegloverauthor@gmail.com

Blog: www.christinegloverauthor.com

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Glover/158387587541698

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjglover63 

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Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cjglover63/

website: www.christinegloversite.com

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Let's start this party off right. One lucky commenter will win a gift card today!!

Christine's Writing Process Tag Blog: The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion Pre-Release Fun

Hi Everyone,

I’m so excited to be tagged in this Writing Process Blog tour. Many thanks to my Entangled Indulgence Line sister author Miranda Liasson for including me. I encourage everyone to check out this 2013 Golden Heart Finalist’s blog here. And there’s one subject that I love to talk about a lot: writing. So this is a fun way for me to share what’s going on in my corner of the romance world.

1) What am I currently working on?

Currently, I’m working on the sequel to The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion. I’m super excited to work on Hannah and Caleb’s love story. He’s an incredible dark knight in shining armor and Hannah’s always relied her best friend’s older brother to protect her. That is until she’s eighteen and tells Caleb she’s in love with him. Eight years later, Caleb and Hannah are forced to work together at Sweetbriar Springs. Sparks fly, but these star crossed lovers have to move beyond the wounds of their pasts if they are going to have the future they deserve.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

I like to write deeply emotional stories about two strong characters, but they’re filled with pops of humor and light. My hope is that a readers will be moved by their journey, but I also want my readers to laugh out loud. Joy is necessary even in the darkest of times. 

3) Why do I write what I write? 

I was a romance reader long before I became a romance writer. Romances offered me an escape, and they empowered me. So when I sat down to write my first ill-fated manuscript I gravitated to romance. I like writing stories about strong heroines who won’t settle for second best when their hero can be their perfect match, warts and all. That’s life. That’s love. I still read romances to escape life’s worries and troubles. And when I am finished reading them, I have good feeling in my heart. That’s why I write stories that end on a happily-ever-after note. 

4) How does my individual writing process work?

Honestly? I think it’s ever evolving. Every book I’ve written has undergone a different way of getting to the end. Some of that is based on where I was in learning the craft. Some of that is based on the characters and how they choose to drive the plot. I do have a basic way of starting. I get an idea and a scene pops into my head. I start thinking about what ifs. I flesh out my characters with birthdays, physical attributes, backgrounds, careers, and try to lock in their flaws. I work a lot of this out with my critique partner Pam Mantovani. Once I feel like I know my characters, I start looking at the internal, emotional journey they’ll take toward each other. I loosely plot. I often have a blurb and basic synopsis and log line. Then I start writing. I am not the best first draft writer. I’m a layer-in writer. And I revise. A lot. Eventually, the story really reveals itself during the revision process.

I had fun sharing my writing life with everyone. The Maverick’s Red Hot Reunion releases on June 30. 

My debut book cover from Entangled!

Can he satisfy his craving without losing his heart?

Corporate Maverick Zach Tanner returns to North Carolina to rebuild his dying friend's resort. He's got the money, the power, and the will to transform Sweetbriar Springs into a premier spa for the glamorous, but he doesn't count on the woman he once loved and lost to handle the construction contract. Zach thought he'd buried his desire for Kennedy five years ago, but he's still drawn to her. He's determined to satisfy his craving to get her out of his system...

Construction company owner Kennedy Gibson is eager to restore Sweetbriar Springs, but when she realizes Zach is her new boss she's terrified he'll learn the truth about their breakup. She agrees to work with the one man she vowed never to hurt again, but can't deny the passion he reignites in her. Soon she believes she has a chance for a different future with Zach, but her secret threatens to destroy their red-hot reunion.

THE MAVERICK'S RED HOT REUNION will be available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Entangled Publishing and other fine booksellers. 

Turn Up the Volume: Playlist for The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion

I love to listen to music when I am in various stages of developing my stories. I used to listen to random music, but I've begun to make specific lists for each story. Sometimes the music between each story overlaps because the themes are similar. I tend to write in hour long sprints, so my playlists usually run about an hour. I've added a lot of music to my library via listening to my Sirius XM or I'll hear something during a Zumba class that strikes me and I'll ask my instructor for the name of the song and artist/s.

Not all of my songs have titles--they're just tracks numbers because I got them from the College Kid. So the following isn't a complete list, but I hope you enjoy taking a peek into my playlist titles.

The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion's Playlist

1. One by U2

2. Someone Like You by Adele

3. Who Says You Can't Go Home? by Bon Jovi

4. Run to You by Bryan Adams

5. Irreplaceable by Beyonce

6-10: Track Numbers without titles--but they're all good.

11. Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

12. Wake Up Call by Maroon 4

13. Always by Bon Jovi

14. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

15. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

16. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

17. Glad You Came by The Wanted

Do you listen to music when you're creating new stories or other things? Does it inspire you and help keep you focused? Who are some of your favorite musical artists?

Baskets, Books, & Bling: The 2014 Heart of Dixie Readers' Luncheon Open for Registration

My first book cover.

I'm so excited to be part of the 2014 Heart of Dixie Readers' Luncheon this year. I'm attending this event and co-hosting a table with author Kelsey Browning. The College Kid will be there and so will my critique partner Pam Mantovani. And I'm stoked to hear Eloisa James speak because she is so inspiring.

If you live near Huntsville, Alabama and want to attend this fabulous event, there's still time to register. Just go to www.heartofdixie.org and you'll find all the details.












There are lots of fantastic reasons to go to the luncheon. Here's short list:

1. Books, books, books.
2. Meet your favorite authors and have lunch with them.
3. Bling!
4. Goody Bags filled with books and swag.
5. Author Basket Door Prizes.
6. Over 35 Raffle Baskets filled with books, swag, gift cards, and more.
7. Support literacy.
8. A $5 coupon good toward buying a book.
9. My Debut Novel Author Basket for the Maverick's Red Hot Reunion is waiting for a lucky winner.
10. Eloisa James is in the house!

I can't wait to see who wins the my basket this year.

Hope to see you there!