LUCKY GIRL Book Tour: Interview and International Giveaway with Cate Lord

I am pleased to welcome Cate Lord to Book of Secrets today!  Cate is the author of LUCKY GIRL, a new contemporary romance being released by Entangled Publishing next week.  Hi, Cate! 

How would you describe yourself using five words only?

Creative, shy, curious, ambitious, and loyal.

Please tell us a little about your latest release LUCKY GIRL.

Thanks so much to The Book of Secrets for having me here today! I'm very excited to talk to you about my contemporary romantic comedy Lucky Girl, to be released by Entangled Publishing in September.

My story takes place both in Orlando, Florida (where I live) and Hertfordshire, England (where I lived years ago). My heroine, twenty-nine-year-old Jessica Devlin, was recently dumped by her ex- fiancé in the midst of planning their wedding, and therefore has a lot of "emotional baggage" and insecurities to work through in the story. Jess takes an overdue vacation from her job as beauty editor of Orlando's O Tart magazine and flies to England to be maid-of-honor in her English cousin's wedding. It's the perfect opportunity for her to escape the busy office, reconnect with her British relatives, and enjoy being single and commitment free. Jess is determined to kiss--or, as they say across the pond, "snog"--at least one British hottie. :)

It's hard for Jess to forget her ex's betrayal, though, especially when her cousin's getting the happily-ever-after Jess always wanted. Jess also can't forget the embarrassing moment that occurred two years ago after her beloved grandfather's funeral. That incident involved an English pub, too many drinks, and handsome Nick Mondinello, who held her in his arms and soothed her while she cried.

Jess doesn't think she'll ever see James Bond gorgeous Nick again--but he's at the wedding. She firmly believes marketing exec Nick isn't right for her, since he's a playboy like her dad who left when she was twelve. Fate, though, keeps bringing her and Nick together in unexpected ways, and each time, her attraction to him gets stronger. Nick couldn't possibly be her Mr. Right. Could he? :) I hope Lucky Girl will keep readers entertained until the very last page.

What was your source of inspiration behind this book?

Lucky Girl is very loosely based on a year I lived and studied in England. It was one of the most exciting and memorable times of my life. I stayed with my aunt and uncle in Hertfordshire and on weekdays, took the train down to London to attend classes. On weekends, I partied with a great group of friends I'd met through my cousins. Some of the situations Jess encounters in the book were inspired by things that happened to me in England. However, most of the book is the product of my rather quirky imagination. :)

Who was your favorite character to write and why?

I adore writing all of my characters--each one is special to me--but I especially enjoyed writing Jess. She's not perfect, and that appeals to me, because it makes her fun, sympathetic, and interesting. In Lucky Girl, she deals with insecurities that most women experience. She stresses about her weight, appearance, work performance, being embarrassed, saying the wrong thing, being inadequate in the dating scene, and more. She's like a close friend or sister, and I loved spending time with her.

What is your writing process like?

I usually start with rough character sketches of my hero and heroine. I outline their internal and external goals, motivations, and conflicts, as well as traits unique to these characters. From the sketches, I build a synopsis--a bare-bones skeleton, as I like to call it, of the whole book.

Usually I'm writing the first few chapters of the novel while crafting the synopsis. While elements of the synopsis may change a little as I write the story, for the most part, I use the synopsis as my road map. Some authors don't outline at all, just "fly into the mist," and end up with fantastic novels, but my creative muse doesn't like to work that way. :) She needs to know where she's headed. :)

Do you find it difficult to write in different genres?

No, actually, I don't find it difficult. I have lots of story ideas--contemporary, historical, paranormal, fantasy--and think it’s good for me to stretch my creativity and write in other genres. I think it keeps my writing "fresh." And, it's fun to try something new!

How do you deal with writer's block?

I'm lucky in that I don't get writer's block very often. I prefer to follow my rough outlines and write my books from start to finish, but if I get stuck as to what to write next, I skip ahead to a scene that's clear in my mind and start writing it. I might be on Chapter Three, and the scene in question might be from the middle of the book, but that's okay. Later, I'll go back and craft the connecting scenes. The most important thing is to write something (rather than sit and stare at a blank screen), because the words can always be revised.

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

I love sleeping in. I also like having quiet time to myself, for example, when my husband and daughter go to see a movie that doesn't interest me. I'll make a pot of Earl Grey tea (my favorite), curl up in my comfy chair, and browse through my fashion magazines, catch up on cooking shows from the Food Network (I love to cook and bake), or read a romance novel. Sometimes I'll take a long soak in a bubble bath while reading. I also love shopping (what gal doesn't right?). Clothes and cookware are top on my list. I recently purchased an ice cream maker from Williams-Sonoma and a lovely new pasta bowl from Crate and Barrel.

Can you leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from your book?

Sure! :) I'd love to. This scene is from the end of Chapter Two. It takes place in England in the church where Jess's cousin is getting married.

A boisterous rendition of Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring started up inside the church. I glanced in. The pews were almost filled. I recognized Aunt Prim. She was impossible to miss, even from behind, her curly gray hair poking out from beneath her enormous white hat spattered with fuchsia, yellow, and pink flowers.

The groom, Andrew Castleton, a handsome guy with wavy blond hair, stood with his best man near the altar. Andrew clasped and unclasped his hands as if he couldn't keep them still. Yup, I'd say he was nervous.

Anna and Charlotte moved to my side. When Andrew saw them, relief softened his features. He grinned, and I knew exactly what he was thinking: "Tilly, the woman I love, is here."

My cousins giggled and nodded.

My attention shifted to the best man. Mmm. Tall, broad-shouldered--

Oh. My. God!

My heart jolted like I’d just stuck my pinkie into an electrical outlet.

Nick Mondinello. The man my cousins had whispered about years ago. Sex God. Playboy. Heartbreaker.

Spy Man.

He still looked like a younger version of Pierce Brosnan, the actor who'd starred in a couple of James Bond movies. Nick wore his dark hair shorter now and spiked with gel. He filled out his tailored gray suit very, very nicely.

Memories whooshed through my mind. The day after Grandpa George's funeral. The Creaky Wicket Pub. The potted plant. Heat flooded my face, hotter than if I had yanked open an oven set to "broil."

Aaahhh! How could my mind torture me at a time like this?

Nick glanced at me. Vines seemed to have snaked up from the carpet and locked around my ankles. The heels of my sandals felt rooted to the floor. The murmurs and music around me faded into a weird, Twilight-Zone buzz.

Doo-dee-doo-doo, Doo-dee-doo-doo.

I forced my lips into a stiff, polite smile and adjusted my sweaty-handed hold on my bouquet. It would be just my luck to drop the pretty arrangement on the floor and turn it into a mangled hodgepodge.

Nick looked at someone on the other side of the church, and I exhaled noisily.

Then he looked at me again. He squinted, as though he was trying to place me. Maybe he was wondering why I was blushing so fiercely.

Severe sunburn. Hot flushes. Woman’s stuff.

I hadn't blushed like this on my first date.

I held the roses tighter to my chest. Thank goodness the big bouquet would draw attention away from my boobs.

My face burned. Scorched, more like it. Embarrassing now, but not quite as mortifying as what I'd done two years ago.

Glancing away from Nick, I watched one of the ushers escort Aunt Cleo to a front pew, where she sat beside Aunt Prim.

I felt acutely alert, as if I was a taut spring, about to uncoil with a loud "poing" like a Jack-In-The-Box.

Was Nick still looking at me?

I struggled to quiet the desperate squeak rising in my throat. Maybe I was worrying for nothing. Maybe Nick didn't even remember what had happened.

He'd been drinking that night. We all had. Some of us--specifically moi--a lot more than others.

I dared a glance. Nick nodded in response to something Andrew said. A smile curved Nick's mouth.

Hushed voices along with the whisper of silk came from behind me. Valerie, Tilly, and my uncle had entered the church.

My belly squeezed tight. Any moment now, the ceremony would begin.

Dread shivered through me.

A countdown began ticking in my head.

Ten. . . nine. . .

Oh no. In the recessional, I would have to walk arm in arm with Nick. Help!

Seven. . . six. . .

Butterflies swooped in my stomach. My hands felt coated in olive oil. The ushers led the last of the guests to their pews.

Three. . . two. . .

When the guys returned, the organist paused for a moment then struck up a vibrant march.

The Wedding March.

Ping. The moment of truth was upon me.

I hadn't prayed in months. But as the ushers began a slow walk up the aisle, I prayed I didn't trip, stumble, or make a fool of myself.

Not in front of Tilly and my relatives.

Not in front of gorgeous Nick Mondinello.

Again.

Anna, Charlotte, and Valerie lined up ahead of me to begin their graceful stroll up the aisle. As I drew a deep breath, Nick's gaze locked with mine.
He was still smiling.

In that moment, I knew without the teeniest bit of doubt.

He remembered.

Book Information:

Title: Lucky Girl
Author: Cate Lord

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: September 6, 2011

Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-21-3

ePub ISBN: 978‐1‐937044‐20‐6

Available from:

Amazon,  The Book Depository

Publisher:

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/

Cate's Website:

http://www.catelord.com/

Cate on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Lord/174186862643251

About the Author:

Cate Lord is the contemporary pen name of multi-award-winning historical romance author Catherine Kean. Writing stories as soon as she could wield a pencil, Cate penned her first novella at age twelve and her first full-length manuscript at sixteen.

After completing a B.A., double major (first class), in English and History from the University of Victoria, B.C., Canada, she was accepted into the post-graduate Works of Art Course run by Sotheby's auctioneers in London, England, where she studied centuries of history, antiques, and fine art. During her year abroad, she also met the charming Brit who later became her husband. She worked in Canada for several years as an antique and fine art appraiser.

Her previous novels have garnered numerous accolades, including two Reviewer's Choice Awards and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her books also finaled in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the 2008 National Readers' Choice Awards.

Grateful for her wildly active imagination and plenty of story ideas, Cate is busy working on her next book. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking, baking, antiquing, shopping with her daughter, and gardening. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, daughter, and a very spoiled cat.

Giveaway Details:

Cate is giving away an eBook copy of LUCKY GIRL to one random commenter!  The contest is open internationally.  To enter, please leave a question or comment for Cate along with a valid e-mail address.  Contest ends on Sunday, 9/4/2011, at 11:59 pm CST.  Good luck!