The Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Chatting with Jean Maxwell - Author of Indecent Proposal and Chance to win her book!

I'm so happy to have Jean Maxwell as my guest today. We have published through Evernight for years now, but never been able to snag her for my blog.
In addition to answering all my 'must know' questions she is going to hold a giveaway for her latest release Indecent Proposal. With out further delay let me introduce the incredibly talented Jean Maxwell.
 
Do you do anything to get you into the zone to write?
 
Lately its been tough! When I first started I could hardly wait to get to my laptop every night. Now I seem to put it off! However if I start thinking about the story and my characters earlier in the day, I have some scenarios in my head that make me want to sit down and write them. Wine, instrumental music and candles go a long way, too!
 
 Which authors inspire your writing?
 
Ha! Several. Some by wanting to imitate them and others by how bad they are and knowing I can do better!
 
What is your favorite book, character and why?
 
A Nameless Witch, by A. Lee Martinez. The witch (who, as title suggests, has no name so I can’t say), tells the story in first person, is extremely brave and clever, and is completely accepting of herself and her situation. She doesn’t care what others think of her and she keeps true friends around her.
 
Do you prefer to write erotic or sweet?
 
If I do my job right, I can have both. It’s not really a preference, I think it’s more of a balance.
 
Which famous person, living or dead, are you drawn to?
 
Guitarist and songwriter Stevie Ray Vaughan.
 
Where do you see yourself in five years?
 
At my condo in Cabo, writing hot stuff under the hot sun!
 
Finish this sentence: I know I’ve made it when –
 
My friend Maryse can walk up to me in the Ft. McMurray airport, say “are you Jean Maxwell?” and it won’t be a joke!
 
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
 
Like Nike, ‘just do it.’ And don’t let anyone, including yourself, say you can’t. Also, jump into NaNoWriMo this November.
 
What do you see yourself writing in the future?
 
I’ve always been a sci-fi fan so could see doing something of that nature in the years to come.
 
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
 
A toss-up between flying and laser-eye death ray.
 
What time of the day are you at your best to write?
 
When I say to myself “get your @ss to that computer and start writing”
 
And now for something completely different…
 
 
What do you look at first with an attractive man or woman, face, body or smile?
 
Face
 
Explain your perfect day.
 
Waking up to a sunny day and a sexy text from a certain admirer; A great coffee, a walk, swim or bike ride, shopping with no budget limit, dinner out then a movie or concert. 
 
What is the most decadent desert you can’t say no to?
 
Chocolate cheesecake. Just about any kind of cheesecake, really.
 
Do you have a favorite holiday what is it and what makes it special to you?
 
Definitely Christmas. The month-long buildup, the smells, the movies and the music always make me smile. You’d be hard pressed to find me grumpy at Christmas. It somehow makes me feel safe, protected, and suspended in time for many magical weeks!
 
What key words describe you best?
 
Funny. Creative. Perfectionist.
 
Do you want to do a giveaway? If so please put the information here:
 
What is your prize?
A free e-copy of Indecent Proposal
 
How do they enter to win?
AND/OR follow my blog at http://www.thejeanjournal.com
 
When will you be announcing the winner?
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Want to know more about Jean Maxwell and her books?
 
Official website: http://www.idreamofjean.com
TW: @dearjeanmaxwell
 
 
 
 
 
Here is a little taste of Indecent Proposal.
 
Blurb: When a hard-working professional girl gets overloaded with projects she tends to go a little crazy. Add in a hot, hunky company newcomer that she must work late into the night with and the stage is set for a workplace gone wild!!
 
Workaholic PR Manager Carlin Cates is asked to drop everything to help out a new recruit in completing a bid proposal with tight deadlines. She’s not crazy about putting in the extra time until the newcomer, Thatcher Banks, turns out to be the hottest Project Manager in the business!
 
Excerpt:
She flipped a switch, and the overhead lamps in her office burst to life with an audible snap. Removing her coat, she glanced at her desk. Stacked in a neat arrangement were rolls of antacid tablets, a bottle of Pepto Bismol, packets of Alka Seltzer, Advil gelcaps, a collection of herbal teas, and a box of multigrain crackers. All the remedies for an upset stomach known to man in one pile! Next to these sat a potted plant with a card tied to it with a pink ribbon.
Carlin fingered the little tag, an insane hope rising at what name she might see on the signature. She’d barely read the first words, “Hoping at least one of these will cure what ails you…” when a prickling sensation began at the base of her neck. She pivoted, and there, like magic, stood Thatcher Banks.
He leaned against the doorframe with his arms folded and ankles crossed, as though he’d been there forever. An amused grin creased his handsome face.
“Good Morning, Miss Cates. You’re up and at ‘em early. You must have slept well?”
Carlin stared at the man. Her lips seemed to have stopped working. With great effort, she found her voice. “Yes. I did.” His brown eyes transfixed her, glowing like pools of sunlit honey. She could not look away.
“Well then, you won’t have need of any of my…remedies,” he said, nodding toward the desk, but his gaze never wavering from her.
Carlin reminded herself to breathe, to stay focused, even as she felt imprisoned in the warm light of his eyes.
“I…feel fine,” she heard a voice say, knowing it was her own yet hearing it as if from a distance. She forged a coy smile. “Thank you. For thinking of me.”
Thatcher cocked his head to one side. “Ah, well. Such is my luck. A fair young lady to rescue. Only I find she has rescued herself. Pity.” He unfolded his stance and stood straight, placing his hands behind his back. “Might there be some other assistance I can render?”
Carlin gave herself a mental shake. What did he mean by that? She touched her fingertips to the desktop, to stabilize the trembling in her hands. “I thought I was here to help you, not the other way around.”
Thatcher shrugged and took a measured, deliberate step into her office. “You’ve already been that,” he said. “Why not help each other?” A protracted silence followed, and though his body remained in place, Carlin felt him moving closer in a crazy, magnetic way that had no basis in reality. Her own body felt abuzz with electricity. “And it was my pleasure to be thinking of you,” he continued.
Her mouth opened in response, when the card reader at the entrance beeped. She glanced toward the sound. She could hear the swish-click of the front door opening and the familiar stomp-stomp ritual that her boss habitually performed upon entering the building, whether winter or summer. Raymond had arrived.
“But I suppose duty calls,” Thatcher said, his voice lightening. “Let’s get to it.” He smiled, a full and playful smile meant only for her, before turning away and leaving the room. “Hello, Raymond!”
Carlin blinked. His intent seemed unmistakable. Thatcher Banks was about to proposition her.
“Banks! Aren’t you the early bird,” she heard Raymond say.
“Sometimes I’m just the worm, my friend.”
Worm? She pictured herself as a bird, tugging a helpless worm from the ground with her beak. Better yet…she pictured wrapping her lips around Thatcher’s cock and giving it a tug, right here in the office. She felt certain he would have a magnificent one. Would he let her do it? Would she actually do it if he let her?
Hiding a naughty grin, she moved the collection of gifts aside to begin work. She liked to impress people with her speed and effectiveness on the job. Yet the longer she took, the longer she could keep Thatcher Banks on hand. Did that constitute a conflict? Didn’t matter. The proposal had to be filed by four o’clock. Carlin fired up her laptop and launched her mail program. A long parade of messages loaded, bearing attachments and comments.
Carlin filtered through each and saved the pertinent files. The blanks in the RFP filled rapidly with each new piece of information. Completion wasn’t far off, she realized. She may not have Mr. Banks around much longer. She sighed while sending documents to print, and as she stood to retrieve them from the printer tray, an email notification flashed.
Miss Cates, you’ve been working very hard. Would you care to join me in the coffee room for a short break? Thatcher.
She sat down and considered the words on her screen for a moment. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they flew to the keyboard.
Yes I would. Be right there. Send.
Rational thought evaporated, and though Carlin knew she might be stepping into a giant cow pie of inappropriateness, she couldn’t care less. Printouts forgotten, she made a beeline for the coffee room.
Although public, the coffee room’s small size didn’t lend itself as a gathering place for employees, so the chances of it being occupied were slim. As predicted, the space appeared empty as she stepped inside. The door eased shut behind her.
“Do you take yours with cream?”
Carlin closed her eyes and smiled in both relief and wonderment at the familiar and sexy voice that spoke the question. Would something crazy happen here?
Thatcher’s arms slipped around her waist, and his body drew close to hers from behind. “I hope I’m not being too forward,” he whispered in her ear. “But I sense we have some strong feelings toward each other, no?”
“No. I mean yes,” she stammered.
“Yes what?” His hands began to glide upward.
“Yes, I have strong feelings.” She drew in a ragged breath as his palms reached the underside of her breasts and squeezed them.
“I do like this shirt you have on. Very sexy. Did you wear it for my benefit?” He nuzzled her neck beneath one ear. The hands kept moving…cupping both breasts in earnest and squeezing harder.
“I think I wore it…for my benefit,” Carlin said, her voice a breathy whisper. Dear God, her tits hadn’t been touched in months. Her nipples budded hard beneath her bra. Could he feel them from the outside? Her body shivered.
Thatcher chuckled low in her ear. “Has it been that long, dear? We must fix that. Someone as lovely as you shouldn’t go unattended.”
With that, he dropped his hands and swatted her on the behind. “Coffee break’s over. May we continue after four? I’ll let you know where.”
Carlin whirled an about face and glared at him, incredulous. “Excuse me? What sort of game are you playing, Mr. Banks? I’ll tell you when and where I’m going to be at any given moment.”
 
Thank you for being my guest today Jean and for the awesome giveaway.
 
Good luck everyone.
 


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