Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Blog Tour: Guest Post w/ Tracy Solheim + Giveaway!



WELCOME TO THE BLOG, TRACY! :)


Author Tracy Solheim has written her share of best sellers and note-worthy books. Unfortunately most of them line the shelves of dusty government offices around the world never to see the light of day. She hopes to change that with her series of contemporary romantic fiction novels published by Berkley Books.


“I guess you could say I’m a frustrated sports writer at heart, but I love writing—and reading—books centered around sports. I can thank my dad for that. He introduced me to Dick Francis novels when I was a teenager and I was hooked. I am also a big fan of the happily ever after endings of romance novels, so it was only natural that I combined the two elements in my fiction debut.”


Where to Find Tracy:


~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ 

The Not So Glamorous Life of an Author




Thanks, Danielle, for inviting me to join you at TBQ's Book Palace.  Like you, my house is overflowing with books.  When my kids were young, I justified my “habit” as a necessity to educate my kids.  Today, I can just call it research and my husband doesn’t snarl.  Well, not much anyway.
Now that I’ve got a book in the bookstore, people seem to think I’m living the life of a famous celebrity:  a new car, killer shoes, exotic trips, and Antonio, the pool boy.  Seriously, if I lived that life, would I be writing fiction??
The truth?  I’m a suburban wife and mother of two, who drives a ten-year-old mini-van (without an onboard vacuum, thank you very much) and who spends most of my work-out time at the physical therapist, not a swanky gym. (Although I still pay membership dues to that swanky gym for the days when I do go, which, according to my husband, isn’t often enough to offset the costs.)  On a really good day, I might look vaguely like my author photo, but only if I actually fit in to my skinny jeans.
What people don’t understand is that writing a book is manual labor.  Wrangling the voices in my head and navigating writer’s block takes a lot of work.  Sure, I get to work in my sweatpants, forsaking a daily shower when I’m in the zone.  But I’ve got deadlines, people.  Do you see the word DEAD in there??  Cranking out ninety thousand words in three months can be killer on a mind and body.  There is nothing glamorous in how I look or behave when I’m on deadline.  If you don’t believe me, ask my family.  On second thought, don’t.  They’re likely to post pictures on facebook.
So why do it?  Because, weeks after I’ve completed a manuscript and I’m reading it through again, I get a real high of telling the story that ricocheted around in my head for so many weeks.  The notes I’ve cobbled together off my iPhone and my Alphasmart actually make sense and there’s a story there.  One that I like.  The fact that other people want to read my books is just icing on the cake.  I am awed and humbled when I meet people at book festivals and signings who actually read my book and want to talk to me about it.  That’s nothing compared to the thank-you emails and hand written letters I’ve gotten from fans.
I do secretly think some of the fans come to the signing hoping my cover model will be there also.  Another misconception about this industry is that I’ve actually met Jed Hill, the cover model for all three of my Out of Bounds books.  I wish!  His mom is friends with me on facebook, though. Seriously, I have a son not much younger, so while I can admire his physique on my book covers, that’s where it ends.  (Okay, I put that in for my husband. And my son.  *sigh* The diva, too.)
And speaking of Jed, he’s on the cover of my latest release, Foolish Games and don’t you think he looks a little like Matt Damon?

So, do you think you have what it takes to be a writer?  



~Tracy Solheim


~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ 


Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim
Publisher: Berkley (December 3, 2013)
Series: Out of Bounds, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance

A Hail Mary play for the heart.

 Bridal gown designer, Julianne Marchione knows better than to lose her head at a client’s wedding. But, much to her embarrassment, a mix of migraine medication and a smoking hot football player lead to a steamy one night stand resulting in a surprise pregnancy. Julianne has every intention of leaving her NFL hookup far in the past until her son, Owen, is born with a life-threatening blood disorder that requires a transfusion—and Julianne is not a match.

 Will �William the Conqueror” Connelly grew up tough, shouldering the stigma of being a bastard child born on the wrong side of the tracks. He refuses to let any child face the same discrimination. When he finds out about Owen, he’s furious that Julianne kept his son a secret. But when he sees her again at the hospital, he realizes that his feelings for her go far beyond anger.


 Will insists that Owen recuperate at his home in North Carolina, and he’s adamant that Julianne become his wife—even if it’s only a temporary marriage in name only. But will their simmering attraction ever lead to a real connection?  Or are they just playing foolish games?



Where to Buy*:
More Info:





~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ 



a Rafflecopter giveaway










Thanks for stopping by today, Tracy! :) You are right -- the cover model does look like Matt! Niiice! 

Don't forget Tracy's question;

So, do you think you have what it takes to be a writer?  





Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

Photobucket

  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

10 comments :

Tracy Solheim Books said...

Thanks so much for hosting me today!

Kate R said...

I do not have what it takes to be a writer - but that's okay, because I'm an excellent reader! Great buzz around this book, it's on my TBR list!

The_Book_Queen said...

You are very welcome -- happy to have you on the blog! :) Great covers, by the way; I'll buy the books for the covers alone!


Enjoy!
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

Ah, you and me both! :)


Enjoy,
TBQ

Chanpreet said...

Not at all. Reading is much more my forte. I may have an idea but I don't know how to flesh it out and turn it into reality. Thanks, but no thanks, I'll stick to reading!

Danielle said...

This sounds like a beautiful story! Added to my TBR pile!

Silvia Fugate said...

I get creative ideas to write books but pretty sure I could never just sit down and write one! Thanks for the giveaway

Arely Z. said...

This sounds like a great book!!

Erin Thompson said...

I am looking forward to reading the book. Thanks for the chance!

Denise said...

My friend keeps encouraging me too, she thinks that my writing is really good but I'm not confident enough yet to go for it. Thanks for the giveaway, I love Tracy's books!