Book Lovers Inc.
Romance Novel Reviews, Author Interviews, Commentary
Interview with Jeanette Murray + Giveaway
Hey hey Book Lovers! I am extremely happy to introduce you to an author I just recently discovered but who shot straight to my list of Must Buy Authors/Series, please give a warm welcome to Jeanette Murray, author of the fantastic Semper Fi series, and you could even win the first book in the series, The Officer Says “I Do”, which I loved (as you will be able to see in ym review, to be posted later today)!
Stella: Hi Jeanette, welcome to Book Lovers Inc! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Jeanette: Thanks for having me! I’m Jeanette, and I’m a Sagittarius. I wear a lot of hats throughout the day. Wife, mommy, Goldendoodle owner, writer and, currently, hotel-dweller. (We’re moving, and so I’m dealing with living in a hotel until our house is ready!)
Stella: In the bio on your website I’ve seen you write under two pennames, why is that? And can you tell us a bit more about the books you write as Kat/Jeanette?
Jeanette: I really wish I had a cool story here for this. Something about how I was in the witness protection program before and had to use a different name and then my final link to my old life was gone and I could go back to my original name and…yeah. No. In reality, I ended up being published with two separate publishers at once. The second publisher, because my books in the series were going to overlap, asked that I use a different pen name.
I always write contemporary romance, so that’s going to be the same no matter what. Truthfully, there won’t be much difference at all. My Kat Murray books are going to be cowboys, but that’s likely not all they will be. My Jeanette books are Marines, and athletes, and lawyers and whatever else I decide to write. I don’t want to pigeon hole myself into a niche completely. But whichever name I’m writing under, the books will be sexy contemporary romance featuring real people dealing with real life and real love. 🙂
Stella: Are you a planner or pantser? How do you manage to coordinate all your projects, the double aliases and your real life of being a mom and wife?
Jeanette: Total plotter. I plot out my plots. I plot out my days. I plot out my lists. I outline lists in pencil before I write them in pen. I’m sort of sick like that.
As far as managing my pen names and real names and all that…I’m fortunate that at least the pen names ARE my names. Sort of. Variations of my names. But basically, I schedule things like it’s my job. If I had another job besides writing, it might be even harder. As it is, balancing motherhood and writing is…creative, is the most polite term I can think of here. LOL Toddlerhood does not lend itself to lots of spare time for mommy. But you make it work.
Stella: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Jeanette: A reader is one who will pick up a book, read it “when they have time” and not worry about it if it takes them weeks to get through it.
A real Book Lover makes time to read, not waiting for the time to appear. It’s a priority in their life. They’re the one saying “Just one more chapter…” at night and suddenly it’s 3am and you’re going “Whoops…totally worth it though.”
Stella: The Officer Says “I Do”, the 1st novel in the Semper Fi series was released in July by Sourcebooks Casablanca, congratulations! I LOVED it, but can you tell our readers what they can expect of the Semper Fi series, and more specifically of The Officer Says “I Do”?
Jeanette: Thanks, I doubt I’ll ever get tired of hearing readers say they enjoyed my latest work. It’s gratifying and motivating in a way no deadline could be. The Officer Says “I Do” is the definition of Opposites Attract. A straight-laced Marine and a free spirit collide (in the best possible way) during a Vegas vacation. Sure, they could have chalked it up to a one-night stand and walk away…but there’s this pesky little problem of a legally-binding marriage certificate…
The Semper Fi series focuses on three best friends who met at TBS (The Basic School, which is training for Marine officers). They’ve been best friends for ten years now, and after getting sent their separate ways, they’re finally stationed together again at the same time. They expect fun, some antics, some hardcore bonding. What they aren’t expecting is to be bowled over by love one at a time.
Stella: How many books are you planning to have in the series, or it depends on the number of wilful characters who’ll clamour to have their own story told? 😉
Jeanette: So far, the series is a planned trilogy. If more characters pop up, they might get novellas or the like. But as of now, I’m not sure that it will continue on past the original three. I have so many other ideas for books I want to do, other series, that I think it’s good to see what else is out there.
Stella: Could you introduce the main characters of The Officer Says “I Do” to us?
Jeanette: I’ll let Madison O’Shay, Tim’s sister (and heroine in book 2 of the series), introduce her brother and new sister-in-law to you all.
Madison: So, my bro Tim. Oh, the dirt I can share… Actually, no. Not really. Do you know how annoying it is that I can’t come up with more than one or two tiny pieces of dirt on my brother? Perfection is so unoriginal. It’s why I love him with Skye so much. Completely unexpected, totally shakes him up in every way possible. Tim’s so by-the-books, he WROTE the books. And the way he still calls me Squirt, even though I’m only six years younger…ah! But try telling him that. It’s probably the worst habit of his, being a know-it-all. And it’s only getting worse with age because he usually is right. But if you tell him I said that, I’ll deny it.
And that’s why Skye is so perfect for him. Because she’s not afraid to tell him he’s wrong, and stand her ground until he realizes it. He sees nothing wrong with getting in a rut, but to Skye, that’s the kiss of death. So she’s going to shake it up for him, make him get out of his head and have fun with life. Sure, sometimes she follows what she calls “fate” a little too hard, but that’s when Tim steps in and grounds her. They compliment each other, but sometimes it’s hard for them to remember that. But in the end, they have someone who lifts them up and polishes all their rough spots
I’m not at all jealous… (I’m totally jealous. But I’ll kill you if you tell my brother.)
Stella: Tim is very organized, living life by the rules, while Sky is a much more spontaneous, fate-believer free spirit, which character is closer to your approach to life?
Jeanette: Depends, actually. With most things, I tend to be very much like Tim. Let’s plan things out because a failure to plan is a plan to fail. But with a few things I tend to be pretty kick back. I think Tim would give me The Face for kicking my heels up on the coffee table. But I don’t care, it’s totally cool. My furniture is to be lived on.
by Lola’s Big Adventure
Stella: How did the idea for the story, the trilogy come to you? Any specific moment/event that sparked the inspiration for it that you could share with us?
Jeanette: I’m very character-based. I first had the idea of the two opposites, who came together and had to make it work. Tim and Skye appeared, and then I had to figure out what would keep them together. That brought out the idea of Vegas, and a quickie marriage that provides the excuse they both needed (and WANTED) to stick it out and give it a real go.
Stella: The Semper Fi series is centered on three wonderfully charismatic, honourable and sexy heroes: Tim, Jeremy and Dwayne. Which one would be your ideal man and why is that?
Jeanette: Dwayne, all the way. Emotionally… He’s healing from something (what? You’ll find out…) but he’s still a sweetheart. He’s got those good ole Southern manners and the accent to boot. He’s the tallest of the guys (6’4”) and as a tall gal myself, the taller the better when it comes to men. And he’s just one of those guys who is a total teddy bear, until you try to hurt someone he loves. Then watch out…
Stella: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read The Officer Says “I Do”?
Jeanette: 1. Because marriage-first, love-second books are so much harder to find in contemporary romance (vs. historical). 2. Because the dude on the cover clearly did a lot of crunches to look pretty for you, so reward him by purchasing the book. 3. Because my kid needs to go to college. (Totally kidding. College is a rip off. {Kidding, again.})
Stella: And now could you tell us 3 reasons why military men make the best heroes? 😀
Jeanette: 1. The uniform is sort of sexy. 2. The sense of honor and duty in a man willing to lay his life on the line for his country is unbeatable. 3. The uniform. Did I already say that? Eh, it bears repeating…
Stella: Could you please summarize The Officer Says “I Do”/the trilogy for us Twitter-style (in 140 characters or less)?
Jeanette: Opposites attract. Marriage of inconvenience. Sexy Marine. Hot pseudo-hippie. Clash of backgrounds. Vegas marriage. Hot kissing. Sequels!
Stella: What is next on your schedule? Any future plans you’d like to share with us?
Jeanette: In December, I have a novella coming out (ebook format only) with a Christmas theme, not connected to any series. Book two of the Semper Fi series comes out in January 2013. And then my new series (under the name Kat Murray) starts in February 2013 with Taking the Reins. (Can you tell by the title what that series is about? Cowboys!)
Thanks for having me! 🙂
Find out more about Jeanette and her books at her website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads.
The Officer Says “I Do” by Jeanette Murray
Book #1 in the Semper Fi series
He’s a Marine…she grew up on a commune.
He always puts duty first…she’s a free spirit with an unshakable belief in Fate.
He loves routine and order…she brings chaos and creativity wherever she goes.
They’re going to balance each other perfectly–or drive each other completely, utterly insane…
On a wild pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O’Shay encounters free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined…
Buy at Amazon – Book Depository – Kindle store
~*~*Giveaway*~*~
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My best friend’s parents, her mom is a beautiful country girl (which so many men adore) from a quite rich family, and his dad is a poor boy (very ordinary looks) who had to work to pay his high school and college.
There are many people said that her dad is really lucky to have her mom as a wife (mostly because of the looks).
They met at a bank which they worked together. Their religions are different, and that made it so hard for their own family to accept that. They
But I just feel the love between them. They fought for it. it’s just beacuse of love in them.
When her mom passed away because of sickness, her dad became a single parent, who remained single for 4 years before he followed her mom finally.
He’s really such a good dad, which always made me jealous of my best friend.
I just believe they are already united together once more. Even death couldn’t separate them.
My husband and I were opposites when we got married but over the past 21 years we’ve become very much alike ;).
I know several couples like this, including my husband and myself. He’s outgoing and speaks his mind, while I’m introverted (especially in groups) and I try not to hurt anyone’s feelings. We’ve made it work because we do balance each other out in the end and we also have a similar base of beliefs and morals.
Well, me and my boyfriend is the usual case of opposite attract ;). He’s very quiet, I love to talk. He’s so calm and patient, I’m hot headed and well, not shy away to talk about what I want. But we still manage to be together for almost 6 years. I hope we will still together after we are married and death do us apart 🙂
I would probably say my husband and I are opposites. I’m hot tempered he’s level headed. I’m compassionate, he isn’t.
I do and they have their moments of getting along terrific and others of total get away from me times. Most in the latter. I don’t know any that actually should be together.
One couple that I know are very different. She’s a stay at home kind of person, who loves to make jewelry and do crafts and doesn’t like to go out. He’s very into sports, travel, and socializing, and has lots of friend that he does activities with. I think it works because they do have shared values on politics and religion, as well as similar backgrounds, so there is some common ground even though they don’t seem to have much in common.
My husband and I were opposites but we’ve changed some: I love getting up early, he loves to sleep in; I go to bed early, he’s a night owl. I have to eat as soon as I get up, he waits till lunch time. I love meat, he hates meat. As soon as I’m up, I talk about what the day will be like and he sits there ignoring me…
We’ve been together 33 years!!!
I dont know any in real life. At least that I know of. But I would think that it would be nice because they would balance each other out.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I know of a few couples and they make it work because they really care for each other. It’s never boring hearing how they interact!
I know some of these couples. They make it work because they respect each other.
Thanks for a fun post and giveaway! Congrats on the new release!
I’d have to say my grandparents. He got excommunicated since she wasn’t catholic and her family stopped talking to them for a while cuz they were Irish and he’s German… but it all worked out… I think it’s their 63rd? wedding anniversary coming up 🙂
Unfortunately, I really don’t know of any real life “opposites attract” couples… I wish I did because when I read about them you always wonder how it is that they make it work and what are the challenges they face. I do like reading about couple like this though:)
I don’t know of any real couples that are opposites, but I believe that they make it work because where one person make lack the other person and help pick up the pace. It’s all about good team work that makes a couple a success.
Unfortunally, i don’t know about any any real couples that are opposites. I just read in books.
I don’t know of any opposites attract couple but if you love someone you make it work.
My hubby and I are one such couple. He is the quiet type and loves the cold while I’m usually noisy and love summer! But we just somehow fit! :o)
My parents were opposites attract. My mom is chatty person, always socialize, like to hang out, meet new friends. My dad is quite person, don’t like socialize (even when family gathering) and prefer stayed at home. But I guess it works all right, they still a happy couple.
Great interview, thank you, I enjoyed it very much. And I so want to read the book! Opposites attract, hmm. I guess myself and my boyfriend. He doesn’t like staying home very much in his free time, so he is welcome to go to a friend and leave me alone with my books and internet. I get ideas what to do, what to eat, where to go, and he agrees with everything. He is very sweet, and I am not really, only for him.