Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Author Interview & Giveaway: Marie Force


Ravishing Romances welcomes
Marie Force

Winner of the Giveaway is Michelle MsRomanticReads!

Ravishing Romances loves Marie Force. 

If you've read her novels you may notice the above is an imitation of The Wreck's famous line, and just like The Wreck - this love will last forever. 
(In a total non-creepy way.)

"Starstruck" best describes Marie's readers, but after joining one of her many Facebook Book Discussion groups her members will tell you she is 100% approachable.  I will tell you she is always gracious, kind and extremely thankful to write for a living.

So ladies (and gents?), meet Marie Force.

Thanks so much for inviting me, Sallie! I’m thrilled to be here!

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Q:        You author the McCarthys of Gansett Island series.  No one would publish it, so now you have six self-published books with a seventh (Longing for Love) due late Summer/early Fall of this year.  How did this happen and are publishers wanting to distribute the series now?

A:  You are right! Maid for Love, book 1 in the McCarthys of Gansett Island Series, was rejected by just about every publisher in the romance business. As I say now, thank GOD for that! LOL! Once Amazon and other retailers made it possible to publish direct to Kindle, Nook, Apple and Kobo, as well as other platforms, I jumped on the opportunity to bring this series and my other already-finished books to readers who were asking me for more, more, more.

I also had the opportunity with this series to do something I’ve always wanted to do: publish books three months in a row, which I did in April, May and June of 2011 with Maid for Love, Fool for Love and Ready forLove. It wasn’t long before readers were clamoring for more of the McCarthys and Gansett Island. So far this year I’ve released Falling for Love in January, Hoping for Love in March and Season for Love in June. I hope to have book 7, Longing for Love, out in late summer or early fall. To say the readers are addicted is putting it mildly! I’m very, very pleased—and lucky—to have had this opportunity to publish direct to readers. It’s been a wildly successful undertaking in every possible way. By the way, for those of you looking to check out the series, Maid for Love is free everywhere for a little while longer!

Oh and no, no one is beating down the door to publish the McCarthys because they know I’d never part with the lucrative e-book rights. :)


Q:        Longing for Love is next and your heroine owns a lingerie “and other items” shop.  Does this mean police chief Blaine will use her handcuffs instead of his?


A: That means any number of things are possible between the feisty Tiffany and her police chief love interest. Of course everything will be strictly legal. . .well, almost everything. I’m having a blast with Tiffany and Blaine’s story. She has been a series favorite since book 1, and her journey has been so fun to write. I’m enjoying the opportunity to give her a taste of happiness after the disappointment her marriage to Jim became in the end.




Q:        How many more books are you planning for this series?  Will you write novels for all eleven Ballard siblings?

A: I have noooooo idea how many more books are coming from the island. We still have Adam McCarthy waiting patiently for his turn at love, and many other characters arriving on the island for a variety of reasons who will be brought on to the canvas in upcoming books. I also have readers asking for the Big Mac and Linda blast-from-the-past love story, which would be fun to write. So I’d say the McCarthys will be around for a good long while yet. I haven’t got any plans for the Ballard siblings (or the Lawry siblings) right now, but you never know! 



Q:        Twice you’ve written about couples with a significant age difference.  How are readers reacting to these relationships?

A: Oh those stories are ALWAYS so controversial! I love it! Readers have strong opinions—both for and against—about the May-December romance, regardless of which partner is the older of the two. In Marking Time, I had an older man with a MUCH younger woman, and that was SOOOO fun to write. I couldn’t WAIT to write the part where her father finds out his daughter is cavorting with the friend he asked to “keep an eye on her” for him. <EVIL GRIN> Such scandalously delicious fun!

Incidentally, for the Kate and Reid fans from Marking Time, watch for their follow-on story in Coming Home, which picks up ten years after we last saw them. It’ll be interesting to see what has changed for both of them—and what hasn’t. J

In Season for Love, we met Carolina Cantrell, mother of Joe Cantrell, who was the hero of book 2, Fool for Love. She shares a passionate interlude with Irish charmer Seamus O’Grady, who works for her son—and is just two years older than Joe. Since Season for Love was released in June, I’ve received tons of mail from readers who can’t wait to see what becomes of Carolina and Seamus—and they can’t wait to see the fireworks when Joe finds out who has designs on his precious mom! Fun, fun, fun! I did a lot of giggling as I wrote their scenes, knowing I was setting off a firestorm! I haven’t been disappointed by the readers’ reactions!



Q:        You’re writing Coming Home, a fourth novel in the Treading Water series.  Are you excited to write about Jack and his family again?  Can we get any information about Coming Home?

A: I can’t wait to really dig into Coming Home! As you and many of my readers know, Treading Water, Marking Time and Starting Over were my first three books, and remain to this day so very near and dear to me. It’s hard to believe it’s been SEVEN years since I finished Treading Water (even though I only published the series in late 2011). So the idea of revisiting my beloved Jack and his family after all these years is like a delicious treat that I can’t wait to indulge in. I’ve already begun work on Coming Home, and will dive in deeper once I finish Longing for Love. All I can tell you now is I have a lot of fun things planned for that book, and I’m so looking forward to writing it. :)
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 Marie, I sincerely offer my beta reading services for Coming Home or any of your other novels.  I'll proofread, edit and praise anytime you need.  - Sallie
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Q:        How many books on average do you write a year?  It seems you write uncommonly fast, Mrs. Force.


A: I’m so lucky to write relatively quickly. I write even faster now that I no longer have a day job requiring so many of my limited brain cells! So far this year I’ve written Hoping for Love, Season for Love and Fatal Attack. I plan to finish Longing for Love and Coming Home before the year is out, and will need to be pretty far into Fatal Mistake, which is due January 30. So a busy few months ahead! I’m also moving to my dream home in late August, so that has been a huge disruption to my normally sedate life! In my best year ever, 2006, I wrote six books. That’s my record so far!


Q:        Tell us about your unpublished historical and erotica novels!

A: Ohhhh, you do pay attention, Sallie! I have a historical romance, Duchess by Deception, about three-quarters of the way finished that I’m super excited about. I hope to get some time soon to finish that up and get it out to readers. It’s a real departure from what you all are used to from me, but it’s a super fun book, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. The erotica is also a project I mess around with (pun intended) any time I feel stuck on the current work in progress. It’s a real ROMP that has been fun so far to write. I hope to finish that before too much longer as well, but it will be out under a pen name that will be a badly kept secret. J



Q:        Your fans really are a cult following and I’m a proud bumper sticker carrying member.  You have Facebook discussion groups for every book you’ve authored and you’re very active on each thread.  You’ve also blogged that you spend a few hours each day personally responding to fan emails.  How do you manage all this, a family and a writing career?  It’s nothing short of amazing.


A: Well, it doesn’t hurt that I love EVERYTHING I get to do every day! Answer tons of fan mail? Such a hardship! LOL! Hang out with readers who love my books and can’t get enough of them? An awful burden! Spend time in imaginary worlds of my own creation? Simply dreadful. And raising two of the best kids I’ve ever had the privilege to know? Priceless I tell you.

I’m so very blessed to be doing exactly what I love to do every minute of every day. Who has it better than me? Somehow it all gets done. I don’t spend any time trying to figure out how! I give thanks every day to that “cult” following who have made it possible for me to truly live my dream. Without the lovely readers who buy my books, I’m just another wanna be hoping to make it big someday. You guys have made every one of my dreams come true!

Q:        Your Facebook c u l t fans have questions for you:


            (Amy) What’s it like to be so awesome? 
Well, gee, my teenagers might use a different word to describe me, but I like the word awesome. That works for me. HAHA! No, seriously, Amy, that is sweet of you to say. My readers are the awesome ones. Truly!

            (Kim)  What story line or research were you the most embarrassed by?
I’m not easily embarrassed, which is a lucky thing for a romance writer! Thanks for the question, Kim!

            (Judy)  Is your personal life as romantic as your books?
Snort, Judy, not hardly! My husband tells people I save all my best stuff for my characters, and he’s pretty spot-on about that. I’m a seriously unromantic person in real life. My idea of romance is my husband fixing the malfunctioning toilet or cleaning up the dog puke. Be still my heart!


            (Lisa)  Who do you see as Nick from your Fatal series?
Lisa, John F. Kennedy Jr. is the only man, living or dead, hot enough to play my Nick. As a New Englander who grew up in Kennedy country, his death remains a source of sadness to me 13 years later.


            (Karen)  Which of your characters is most like you?
Good question, Karen! You all know I’m nothing like Sam, who is fearless and ballsy when I’m afraid of my own shadow! However, Sam and I do share a fear of flying! I have always identified the most with Clare from Treading Water and Marking Time, who is the same kind of “all in” mother I am. And, let’s face it, she’s one of my few heroines in her 40s like I am!

Q:         Last question.  You're now selling Gansett Island merchandise??

A: There is a new store where McCarthy series fans can get beach towels, beach bags and bumper stickers, with other stuff coming soon! View store here.

What's the bag look like?  
One of Marie's lovely fans gave Ravishing Romances permission to use this picture:


Thanks so much for the great questions! So fun!

Happy to take questions from anyone else who has one, although when this runs I’ll be just back from the romance writer’s conference in California (major big long flight required—ick) so I’ll be a bit loopy!

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You heard her, everyone.  The floor's open for questions.  
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GIVEAWAY



Those who comment on Marie's interview will be entered to win

the entire McCarthy Series



Already read the McCarthys?
Then you will receive another book of your choice!

The series/book will be sent to one reader on Kindle, Nook, Apple or Kobo in the format of their choice.


79 comments:

  1. I couldn't resist stopping by even on vacation! Great interview. Marie we love your books! Let everyone know we will start our bookclub discussions back up after Labor Day. Make sure you are a member of Marie's BookTalk FB site.

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    1. Every blog has that reader who comments before the post is announced. You are that reader. :) I love you for it.

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    2. Back at you Sallie!

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  2. Thanks for having me Sallie, and waving hello to Kim! Looking forward to chatting with the peeps today!

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    1. He Marie - I was at the beach - imagine that! I can't wait to start the Fatal Series this Fall

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  3. Awesome interview Sallie and thanks for taking the time Marie to answer questions!!

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  4. Lived the series!! I wasn't sure it'd be a book I'd enjoy when I downloaded it, but I was glad to be proven wrong. And boy was I proven wrong. I couldn't put any of them down, and now anytime someone asks for book recommendations, it's the first on the list. :) Can't wait for the next one! Great work Marie.

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    1. Thanks so much for the recommendations to your friends, Emily! Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed the series so much!

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  5. Great interview Ladies! I definitely laughed through and through about the "cult" and proud to call myself a member. Can't wait for more to come! :)

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  6. Great fun - thanks to both of you for the morning giggles.

    Marie: You know I've read all of the Gansett Island books. Do you think I could have the Fatal series when I win? Please? O:>

    See you both on Facebook!
    Linda Christie

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  7. Great interview Marie...

    I definitely look forward to more Gansett Island books.

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    1. Yay! Thank you! I'm having fun with Longing for Love! :-)

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  8. Thanks for the interview. You had me laughing and wanting to read ALL your books to find out who all those characters are.(Just started the Treading Water Series) I am quite surprised that the publishers turned you down..WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? So glad you got to publish them on your own...what would I have done with out The McCarthys of Gansett Island? Keep up the great work Marie..

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    1. Thanks, Melissa! I'm so GRATEFUL for all the rejection now because it allowed me to blaze my own path, and find my readers on my own. It's worked out just perfectly, so no regrets! Thanks for reading!

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  9. I've knocked out all of the 13 1/2 of Marie's series books in the last month. I cannot wait to start reading the one-offs. :)

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    1. WOW, thanks! 13 books in a month! How lovely! Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoy the others just as much!

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  10. Judy L in Raleigh NCAugust 1, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    Very interesting, Sallie. Marie, I'm a little shocked you answered my question so graciously. I sure wouldn't have. ;)

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    1. LOL, Judy! I actually get that question a lot and enjoy telling the truth! :-)

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  11. Great interview!! Can't wait for the next book in the Gansett series

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  12. Great interview! I absolutely LOVE every book Marie has written. And I also love hanging out with her, and you, Musing Sallie and all the other lovely ladies on FB :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Teri! Happy to have you in the FB groups and as a reader! :-)

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  13. I so LOVE your books! I can't wait for Longin for Love and am just starting the Fatal series - now I'll have to start the Treading Water series too! My TBR stack is growing....

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    1. Ohhh, I hope you enjoy the Fatal series and the TW books! Much more to come in both series! :-)

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  14. Great interview Sallie. I loved all the questions, and we were able to see how down to earth and humble Marie is. Thank you for keeping me glued to your books Marie!

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    1. Soooo happy to have you as a reader! Thank you for your kind words about the interview!

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  15. John F. Kennedy Jr. huh? That fits. I love that Marie!

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    1. I had the craziest crush on him. The day he died counts as one of the saddest days of my life. It was so awful. What a lovely, gorgeous man who seemed to work very hard to make his parents proud of him. I love the idea of keeping his spirit alive in some small way in Nick. :-)

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    2. Marie do you remember where you were when it was announced his plane went down...I do...Have you ever been to his Mother's place in RI

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    3. I remember every detail of that awful day. It was the day before my daughter's fourth birthday and we were glued to the TV. terrible. Yes, I've toured Hammersmith Farm and featured it in Treading Water.

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  16. What an awesome interview Marie! When you read books by your favorite authors, do they give you ideas for your own books?

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    1. Thanks, Robin! No, not really! I get ideas from all over the place, but I can't recall ever getting an idea from someone else's book. Thanks for the question!

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  17. Loved the interview!! Have read all Marie's book about 10 times each and the Fatal series and Line of Scrimmage are my all time favorite books (from someone who reads 2 to 3 books a week). Can't wait to read the next Marie Force book!!

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    1. Wow, thanks Laura! You might be the only person who has read my books more than I have! :-) Thanks for reading 10 times!

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  18. What a great interview and questions! Romance novels and I go back at least 30 years and I've definitely seen an evolutionary process in them through the decades. To me they've reached a pinnacle and it's writers like Marie who are leading the charge in setting the bar to its highest point to date. We're getting great characterization, plot, and locale. Marie has actually pushed that bar to a point higher than any other with her Romantic Series genre. She gives us everything that rounds out a story about people who fall in love. She gives us the sexy and hot stuff as well. At the end of each book every 'T' is crossed and every 'I' is dotted. We get detail and the excitement of romantic encounters. We get the sense of closure when a book is done and then when the next in that series comes up we get the knowledge that the prior romantic couples are still around, in love, and living life. I've read all of Marie's single novels as well and each one is beloved in its own way. Each tells a dramatic story of characters who move ahead in their lives and evolve through the process. Marie doesn't give us forgetful stories or characters. She gives us real life, drama, love, loss, and a sense that hurdles can be conquered. That is what Marie does for me and I just love that she can do it. I am as always....just a greedy reader.

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    1. Next time, Colleen, you do the interview. This is very touching.

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    2. Colleen, thank you as always for sharing your lovely thoughts. I'm so glad to have you as a reader!

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  19. I love Marie! She is an amazing author, mentor and friend. I don't know how she was able to accomplish so much with a full time job.

    (Monica VB)

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    1. I am in awe of it every day.

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    2. Awww, thanks Monica (and Sallie). It was a crazy few years, but all's well that ends well. :-)

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  20. I cannot wait for more Gansett Island books!! Great interview!

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    1. Much more coming, Jenny! Having so much fun with the series!

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  21. I absolutely love all of Marie's books. I think I found her writing right after ELAH was released and I have been hooked since. I am so happy to hear much more Gansett Island is to follow and I can't wait for Tiffany and Blaine's story. I am hoping Gansett has a fire department as well ;-) When I started seeing Marie's books in the best sellers on Amazon I was just so happy for her. She is so good at what she does and deserves every success! Keep 'em coming Marie!

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    1. LOL Jackie! I'm sure Gansett has a fire department. :-) Much more to come! Thank you for the kind words about the bestseller lists. It's definitely lovely to see my books doing so well on Amazon!

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    2. OOO a story with a fire fighter would be great (yes they will be needed to help Tiff and Blaine burning it up) Can I say a lifeguard wouldn't be bad to look at either

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  22. Marie,
    What is one question that you've been dying to answer that no one has ever asked you? And please tell me the answer too!

    As always, you amaze me with your kindness, availability, and unending talent. I'm looking forward to hearing more about Nick and Sam in the fall.

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    1. Shockingly, there's no question I haven't been asked that I should've been. I can't think of anything!

      Thank you for the kind words, so glad you're looking forward to more Sam and Nick. I LOVE the new book. :-) Hope you do too!

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  23. I love every Marie Force book I have read so far and the rest of her books are all in my TBR pile, though I would get to them faster if I could stop re-reading the ones I already have :) infact I'm re-reading True North (for the 4th time) right now. Marie thank you for taking the time to do this interview and interacting so graciously with your fans.

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    1. Laurel, thank you for reading--and re-reading! WOW! Four times for True North! I love that. Thank you for making me smile!

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  24. Fantastic interview! You make me smile, Marie!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Anne! Your friendship makes me smile, too!

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  25. Such a great interview!!! You are so much fun to read and seriously cannot WAIT for the next book in the McCarthy's series to come out. Now hurry up!! ;)

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  26. Wonderful interview! Your personality really shines through in both the interview and your books!

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    1. That is very kind of you to say Connie! Happy to have you as a reader! :-)

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  27. Loving this series - great interview - Still a few McCarthy books to read!

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    1. Thanks, Ilsa! So glad you're enjoying the series so far!

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  28. Great interview, Sallie! I did as you said and grabbed a copy of Maid For Love, and thank you Marie for making it available for free. I must be one of the few people who hasn't read any of your books yet, but I intend to rectify that. Thank you for taking the time to connect with your fans; I truly admire that quality :)

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    1. Michelle, thanks so much for checking out Maid for Love! Hope you enjoy my books! :-)

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  29. Thanks for the interview Sallie!

    I've not read any of the books in this series, though I did just download Maid for Love. I've heard such great things about them, and Everybody Loves a Hero is still a fav, so I just can't explain why I've not read them yet.

    Thanks for such great reads Marie, and I think it really shows in your work that you are doing what you love.

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    1. Thanks so much, Booklover! Hope you enjoy Maid for Love!! I really do love every minute of it. :-)

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    2. What a very sexy av you have. Maybe you should do my site. Oh wait. ;P

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  30. Amazing interview ladies, I love the McCarthey books they are so full of life and love, and they keep you wanting more, I can't wait for the next book in the McCarthey books. Marie its awesome that you didn't though in the towel after you were turned down by publishers, that had to be hard to go threw. Keep on keeping on Marie your books are amazing. ( all of them not just the McCartheys )
    Hayley

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    1. Thanks, Hayley! I think all the time about what I would've missed if I'd given up. I hope my story is proof that it behooves us to never give up on our dreams. You never know what's right around the next corner. So glad you enjoy the McCarthys!

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  31. The McCarthy's are such great books. I've only read two so far and can't put them down. You really know how to bring your readers into the story; makes you wish you were there.Thanks for such great reads and keep up the good work. Well, I'm off to buy the third.......

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  33. Awesome interview and i can't wait for the next book in the McCarthy's series...i love how excited you are to write your books..you are officially my favorite romance author n i will keep buying your books as long as you keep wirting them

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  34. Im new to marie. I read mccarthy series just last week in a week. Cant wait for the next one. I havent read the other books yet they are on my to read

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    1. You're new to Marie? Well, Jessy, come on and join her Facebook discussions and we'll induct you properly.

      Her next release is for the Gansett series.

      Then her next release is Coming Home, the fourth book of the Treading Water series. So if you're looking to read that - hit up Treading Water and meet Jack and his crew.

      Here's the book club link: http://www.facebook.com/login.php?next=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2FMarieForceBookTalk%2F

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    2. Don't forget Fatal Attack in November, too! Nice to have you as a reader, Jessy!

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  35. ahhhh! I simply can't wait for longing for love!! super super excited!!!

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  36. Paging MomofFive. Paging MomofFive.

    You won. Please respond to my email! (I sent it to gmail, the account you logged in with.)

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  37. lisa.moore@hopkins.kyschools.usAugust 4, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    I would like to see Reid's son appear in a solo book maybe with a sister who could take him down a peg or two. He was just sooooooooooooo sure of himself and how right he was about the situation and how things should be. Just a thought and big sis seems like she just might have the go to power to take him down:)

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