Summer's Family Affair by Cynthia Gail - Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Cynthia Gail will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour AND she has a special giveaway at the end of her interview. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I’m an avid reader of both contemporary and historical romance. I’m not sure that I chose contemporary as much as it chose me. I started writing when a storyline popped into my head one morning. I ignored it at first. Then the story started to grow; with more pieces coming together each day as I would hit the snooze button and steal an extra ten minutes of rest. By the time I decided to write it down, I had the first chapter of Spring’s Surprise and the foundation of the Music City Hearts series.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

I learned that I’m as stubborn as Jenny about letting someone take care of her. I’ve always been an independent kind of person – somewhat afraid to let go of control. I want to be responsible and in charge of my own fate. But we can’t do everything alone. And trusting other people can be refreshing and bring peace to our lives if we can force ourselves to simply let go.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I’m not sure that it’s unique, but I can edit my work in a room full of noise; people, television, and/or music. But I can’t write unless I have complete silence. Even an easy-listening soundtrack will take my brain out of the story. I guess creativity can’t be part of multi-tasking.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I started as a pantser because I didn’t know any better. Now, I work with a critique partner to outline every book before I start writing. Of course, the outline changes as the characters sometimes take on a direction of their own. But I definitely have a path laid out for the journey.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A large window looking out to my backyard patio. It’s so very peaceful. I can see my rose bushes, the fire pit, my lounger, patio chairs, and bar set. And my favorite - the hot tub we installed last summer. And sometimes I see my three dogs. On a day like today, they’re lying in the sun, relaxing in the slight breeze, enjoying a nap.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I have Fall’s Redeeming Grace, book #4 in the Music City Hearts series, outlined and ready to start writing as soon as I get back from vacation in late June. I also have a novella, A Love for All Seasons, half-written and I’m planning to use it as an add-on to the series. Then I have a stand-alone book, Sweet Tooth, seventy-five percent finished. I actually wrote these last two before I signed my contract for Winter’s Magic. I set them aside to get the series off the ground and I’m anxious to get back to them.

Do you have a question for our readers?

My book ideas come from the question “What if?”. I’m always thinking about how two people could meet. What would make them notice each other? What would the opening line be? What could spur a conversation? What circumstances could force them to spend enough time together that they realize they want to spend more?

So, as a special add-on to today’s blog post, I’m going to offer a giveaway. This is completely separate from the Rafflecopter and only for It’s Raining Books. Leave a comment with an idea on how two people could meet. Two or three sentences is all we need. Get creative. No limits. Be outrageous – be comical – be emotional. Whatever comes to mind that can bring two people together in the same place at the same time. Spread the word and have your friends post, too.

One random commenter will receive a $5 Amazon gift card. If we have more than ten comments, I’ll give a second $5 Amazon gift card away.

Jenny Cohen defines successful independence: she put herself through college, couldn’t ask for better friends, owns a consulting firm, wears designer clothes, and just moved into her dream home . . . But she’s alone, except for her ailing mother whom she supports in a nursing home. As the marketing consultant for Chester, Dorsey & Tanner, she’s surrounded by male attention. Too bad it’s the overly-protective big-brother type.

Architect, Craig Stone, hasn’t looked at another woman since his wife passed away four years ago. His time is taken—building a career while trying to be both mother and father to his eight-year-old son. But when his appointment with the largest development firm in Nashville is double-booked with a black-haired beauty, he finds himself reaching for new possibilities.

The attraction sets off more fireworks than the Fourth of July. Yet, their relationship is riddled with issues neither one of them expected. Somewhere in the middle they must find a way to compromise or let go of a chance for love they may never find again.

Enjoy an excerpt:

All thought froze, as a beautiful voice cut through the near-silence of the room. Craig stared at the portfolio for just a second more before turning his attention to the front desk. He couldn’t see far enough around the corner to get a good view. What he did see . . . a pair of black strappy stilettos.

“Better you than me. He’s in an awful mood. Jeffry was out for just three days and his temp messed up the entire week’s schedule.”

Craig quietly moved down the row of chairs. Though his line of sight was much improved, he still couldn’t see the face behind the voice.

“You know it’s only going to get worse. It’s just Monday. How bad is it, really?”

She must be leaning over the desk, because her voice was now a faint whisper and the scene that greeted him was a firm derriere and a pair of runner’s legs that made his heart skip a beat.

“I’m not sure. I do know that you’re double-booked with the gentleman sitting across the room. Don’t look now.” Someone cleared their throat. “He’s a new architect Nick’s consulting with on the expansion designs. Too expensive to reschedule. Sorry.”

“Oh.”

“Brandon’s supposed to be part of their meeting and the temp had it on his calendar for noon tomorrow, instead of nine today.”

“I guess I can take second place. Only because it puts Brandon at my mercy. Tell Jeffry to come to the lobby and we’ll work it out. I’m always flexible, especially when it gives me an edge.”

The women laughed, a beautiful melody that rang through his entire being. Craig watched as she straightened and he could now see long, wavy black hair, falling against a ruby-red silk blouse. She reminded him of a Victoria Secrets model—long and lean, with a hint of curve.

“That’s why I like you so much. It’ll be a few minutes, if you’d like to have a seat.”

Craig shifted his attention back to the contract in his hand and purposefully read the title five more times. Slowly. He listened as her shoes clicked across the hardwood floor, waiting until the sound stopped before turning in her direction. She’d taken the chair he’d previously occupied and was sliding her phone into a black designer clutch.

Then she greeted him with a smile that still held a spark of amusement. He took a deep breath and swallowed. She had a hint of summer tan that made her skin glow, a touch of sheer gloss on her lips, and chocolate-brown eyes that instantly warmed him to the core.

His throat went suddenly dry and his mind raced for something to say. He stared silently, feeling like a teenage boy who’d never spoken to a girl before. Somehow, he found his footing and stood, then walked over to the chair next to hers. “Craig Stone.”

My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our three dogs. When I'm not working or writing, I can be found with family and friends. I love to bake in the winter, grill in the summer, and on occasion, I sneak away from everyone and curl up with a good book.

Website: http://cynthiagail.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaGailRomance
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaGailBook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6564818.Cynthia_Gail
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Gail/e/B009WQTTQE/
Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Gail/e/B009WQTTQE/

Other Books in the series:
Winter’s Magic http://amzn.to/1Gsi6OM
Spring’s Surprise http://amzn.to/1Np002k

a Rafflecopter giveaway