Please join me in giving a warm BLI welcome to New York Times Bestselling Author Deirdre Martin today. Ms. Martin has been writing since the age of six and has numerous publications to her credit. I would invite readers to visit her website and peruse her Bio which is impressive. Her most recent novel is the the 10th story in her extremely popular New York Blades series. ICEBREAKER, hit the stands February 1, 2011, and from this reader’s perspective Sinead O’Brien and Adam Perry’s story does not disappoint. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed ICEBREAKER.

BLI: Deirdre, welcome to Book Lovers Inc. it’s such a pleasure to chat with you today!

DM: Good to chat with you, too!

BLI: Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

DM: Well, I’m really short. I’ve been married to the same man for twenty three years, and he’s a writer, too. I’m a rabid Anglophile. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a nun, because I liked their shoes. I love Newfs. My husband and I live in the country outside of Ithaca, New York. I drink too much coffee, but I’m trying to stop. I do some community theater and I’m in an improv group. I’ve had the same best friend for forty years. The Justin Bieber craze mystifies me. I wish reading books burned calories. If it did, I’d have the body of Anne Hathaway.

BLI: Well, we have more than one thing in common because the furor surrounding Justin Bieber certainly mystifies me as well and I am a huge dog lover. As for book reading and burning calories… Ditto! lol

Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?

DM: I’m a planner, but I try not to be too obsessive. I’m totally in awe of pantsers. I could never do that. I’d probably have a nervous breakdown if I even tried.

My typical writing day goes like this: I usually wake up around seven, have breakfast with my husband, and then go to work. I write much, much better in the morning. At noon, I work out, except when I don’t, which probably accounts for the size of my butt. I shower, eat lunch with my husband (he works at home as well), and go back to work. I edit what I wrote in the morning or, if I’ve still got some juice left, I write some more. I usually knock off at five thirty or six. My husband and I make dinner, and then we might read, or watch a movie. This is embarrassing to admit, but I’m rarely up past 10pm.

BLI: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

DM: I think a Book Lover is passionate about books. A life without reading would be unthinkable for them. (I’m one, so I know.) They know what kind of books they like, but they’re open minded enough to try something new, and independent enough to not take reviews as gospel. They take their time reading books. They cherish them.

BLI: What can we expect of ICEBREAKER?

DM: The heroine, Sinead O’Brien, is a high powered Manhattan attorney (She’s one of the siblings featured in the WILD HART saga) who has a rule about never dating clients—that is, until she meets Adam Perry, the newest star of the New York Blades who is also her newest client.

Adam has been charged with assault after a borderline hit on another star player. But off the ice he’s a private, no-nonsense guy who knows the Blades are his last shot at Stanley Cup glory. Assembling her case, Sinead at first assumes he’s some bone headed jock. But as things progress, she quickly discovers that there’s a wounded man under that jersey, and she’s starting to fall for him hard—so hard, in fact, that she’s tempted to break her ‘no dating clients’ rule. As for Adam, he’s having trouble focusing on the goal with Sinead in his sights. But true love prevails….

Adam and Sinead were interesting to write, because they’re both highly driven and highly guarded, but inside, they’re completely vulnerable. I enjoyed taking them on the journey from cautious regard to love, trust, and passion. And of course, it was great to be back in the Blades locker room with the guys.

I also think it has a lot of humor in it, which is something I love to write. But the characters also struggle with a lot of real life issues.

BLI: As I mentioned in my review yesterday I, as well as I think Sinead, was surprised by Adam. This guy isn’t just some big jock, meathead hockey defenseman, he is intelligent, has earned the respect of his teammates and certainly is a man of few words until he gets to know a person. Could you please tell us more about Adam’s character?

DM: I think that one of the reasons Adam is so reserved is because he’s emotionally vulnerable, and he doesn’t want anyone to see that. He’s protecting himself from pain. But one of the things I love about Adam is that he’s extremely loyal, as well as protective of those he loves.

BLI: IMHO your characterization of Sinead was brilliant. She really has learned to survive in what is still a “man’s profession” hasn’t she? Can you please tell readers about Sinead’s background and expand on her character a little more?

DM: Readers of my Wild Hart Saga will already be familiar with Sinead: she’s part of a large, loving, Irish American family who own the Wild Hart, a pub in the heart of New York City.  Her background is solid working class. She has three other siblings, each of whom has been the hero or heroine of their own book: Her brother Quinn is the hero of WITH A TWIST, her sister Maggie is the heroine of the novella THE LUCK OF THE IRISH, and her youngest brother Liam is the hero of STRAIGHT UP.

Of all the O’Brien siblings, I think Sinead is probably the most intense. All of the O’Briens are hard workers, but Sinead was old enough to remember her parents’ struggling when they first came over from Ireland and it made a huge impression on her. She knew from the time she was young that she wanted to be “successful,” so she’s the classic overachiever.

She can be pretty sharp tongued and serious, but like Adam, her toughness is more ruse than reality. It’s a way for her to hide her uncertainty. She’s terrified of failing, especially since she moves in a predominantly male dominated world. She has to work twice as hard to be taken seriously as a professional. She puts a lot of pressure on herself, which manifests itself physically: migraines, high blood pressure, etc.

BLI: I thought you created a wonderful secondary character in Oliver Casey, by the way. Did you have fun writing him?

DM: I adored writing Oliver. A lot of readers have told me they hope he gets his own story, and I do, too. I’d love to create a heroine who could take him on and tame him.

BLI: Something I really admired about this book was your intelligent wit and the sophisticated narrative. I loved some of the sarcastic humor Deirdre but you also gave your characters depth, you provoked not only laughter but I felt for them. ICEBREAKER was the first Deirdre Martin book I’ve read and I was worried I would be lost because of the length of the series, but I wasn’t at all. Have you written all the books in the New York Blades series so they can each be read so new readers won’t be lost?

DM: Yes. It’s important to me that all of the books can stand alone, meaning, you don’t have to read the Blades’ books in a particular order to understand what’s going on, though I’ve found that most of my readers prefer to do it that way.

I really love writing interconnected books, because it’s a chance for both me and my readers, to visit again and again with beloved characters. The characters really begin taking on a life of their own; they evolve. This is going to sound weird, but they start to feel like family. That’s the only way I can explain it.

BLI: I don’t think it sounds weird at all, it’s a perfect analogy.

Would you be willing to share a little excerpt from ICEBREAKER with readers today?

DM: I would direct readers to g.o to my website; they can find the first chapter there.

Good thing high-powered attorney Sinead O’Brien has a rule about never dating clients. Because Adam Perry, the newest star of the New York Blades—and her newest client—has her headed for the penalty box. If only she could prove he’s just another jock…

Adam’s been charged with assault after a borderline hit on another star player, but off the ice he’s a private, no-nonsense guy who knows the Blades are his last shot at Stanley Cup glory. Assembling her case, Sinead tries not to get distracted by Adam’s dazzling good looks or strong work ethic, but she quickly discovers that there’s a wounded man under that jersey, and she’s starting to fall for him—hard.

Now Adam’s having trouble focusing on the goal with Sinead in his sights. And Sinead is tempted to break her “no dating clients” rule. Can they play on their newfound feelings without penalties?

BLI: I have to ask: are you a hockey fan (LOL)?

DM: Lets Go Rangers!

BLI: Well, we live in Toronto, and my sons (the eldest in particular) are rabid fans of our hapless Maple Leafs. *rolling eyes* I think they would enjoy an conversation with you.. lol

Are you planning to pen more books in the New York Blades Series? What is next on your schedule?

DM: I’ll be writing a novella for a Kensington Brava anthology entitled “Kiss the Bride.” I’m not sure yet when it will be out, but I’ll keep readers posted. I haven’t written a novella since the “Double the Heat” anthology, so I’m really looking forward to it.

I also have a few ideas in the pipeline for some new Blades books.

BLI: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?

DM: They’re funny, realistic, and sexy.

BLI: Deirdre, thank you so much for agreeing to chat with me today at Book Lovers, we so appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule.

DM: I appreciate your interest in my books!

Interested readers can find contact information for Deirdre through her website.

~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Deirdre has generously offered a copy of “ICEBREAKER” to one lucky commenter from the USA or Canada!

All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

* Please Note * This giveaway is open to entries from Canada and the USA!
Thank you

Giveaway ends on Saturday, March 26, 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!

About Lea

Lea is an animal loving, tree hugging vegetarian who lives in Toronto, Canada with her family, which includes three dogs. She is a prolific reader and has been blogging and reviewing since 2008. Lea is a contributor at the USA Today HEA Blog and an active member at Goodreads.

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