Interview and Giveaway: Jeanette Murray - The officer breaks the rules

Today I have Jeanette Murray over for an interview and I will be giving away a copy of her new book :)

Welcome!

1. Tell me 3 fun facts about yourself… :)

1. I can quote almost the entire movie First Wives Club by heart. “Goodbye love…hello Pop-Tarts.”

2. The idea of a fresh, clean spiral-bound notebook makes me smile.

3. I have only managed to teach my dog one trick in 5 years. He does it well…but he’s a one-trick puppy.

2. Could you tell me about your new book The Officer breaks the rules?

Madison has been half in love with Jeremy, her brother’s best friend, since the day they met. But she was only sixteen and he was a shiny new Lt. in the Marine Corps. Fast forward several years, Madison is now in the Navy as a nurse and is stationed by both her brother and Jeremy. She still wants him, but he’s keeping his distance. You don’t mess around with your best friend’s sister. It’s awkward and besides, she’s in the Navy. A dual military relationship isn’t for him. Madison’s determined to show him they’re right for each other and they can get through it, if he’d stop being so ridiculous about it!

3. Could you tell me why everyone will fall in love with Jeremy?

Jeremy’s got a lot of baggage from his childhood, but he thinks he has it all figured out. Spoiler alert…no. But he has a code of honor that he sticks to doggedly, even when it means he is denying himself something he really, really…really wants. Of course, that’s Madison’s job…to help him redefine his code.

4. What would you personally think about Jeremy’s code? If it was about you?

I sort of see the point in it. Your best friend’s sister makes things squeamish. You can’t talk about your love life with your friend, because, well, ew. And your best friend knows everything about you, even the less stellar parts (because everyone’s got secrets, no matter how dark). Will you be judged more harshly? Held to a higher standard? Or expected more of it? And if it doesn’t work out, then what? More awkwardness. But when it’s serious, and real, then it works anyway.

5. Madison knows who she wants. Was she fun to write?

Madison is a combination of a few friends in my life, which made her a blast. I kept picturing a lot of my girl friends saying things she would say, which kept things interesting.

6. What is coming next from you?

My first book of a different series (contemporary western romance series) just hit bookshelves last month. That one is titled  Taking the Reins. And then of course, you can expect Dwayne’s story to hit bookshelves this summer in The Officer and the Secret.

Thanks for having me!

Giveaway

1 copy of The Officer

1. Open to US and Canada

2 Ends Jan 23rd

3. Just enter :)

Have fun!

Review: The Officer breaks the rules - Jeanette Murray

Captain Jeremy Phillips believes in doing his duty...both as a son and as a friend. This means that he should obey the "friend code" and stay away from his best friend's little sister. Too bad Madison O'Shay doesn't believe in his code and is ready to break all of the rules

As a Navy nurse, Madison is finally stationed next to the man she's been dreaming about for years. And she's ready to launch a full-scale attack to show this thoughtful, handsome Marine that they belong together.

My thoughts:

It was one of those, oh no I can't! You are my best friend's little sister! Honestly men, get over yourselves. If my brother had a trouble with who I was seeing I would tell him to suck it. Still a little drama is always good in books ;)

Both Jeremy and Madison are in the military. Which is of course also a problem. They could be stationed on opposition ends of the world. And yes he is bff with her brother. He is also having some issues with what to do with his life, and Maddie, well she just wants to jump his bones. But he is a hard one to catch.

Maddie was cool and knew what she wanted. Jeremy was nice too, but yes he has some things to sort out. Foolish man, just go for the hot girl who wants you. But life is never that simple.

It's book 2, but works well as a stand alone.

Conclusion:

It was a good romance that took some time to get started as they took their time. Friends turning into lovers. And a sidestory with a romance to follow in book 3, and I think I will enjoy that one too.

Cover:

Meh

Series: Semper Fi #2
Pages: 353
Genre: Contemporary romance
To be published: Jan 8th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: For review

Interview and contest: Jeanette Murray - The officer says I do

Interview with Jeanette Murray

Help me welcome Jeanette Murray to my blog today :) She is here to talk about her new book The officer says "I do." And at the end of the interview you can win a copy.

1. Tell me 3 fun things about yourself…

I used to play rugby in college. I have watched Downton Abbey season 1 about a dozen times. And my favorite Disney princess is Sleeping Beauty.

2. Could you tell me about your new book The Officer says "I do"?

The Officer Says “I Do” is my first paperback release! Tim is a super-strict Marine who plays by the rules, always. But one night, he lets his friends convince him to let loose on a pre-deployment trip. He happens to runs into Skye, who has a much more loose view on life. After some smoking hot scenes behind a potted fern (What? It’s Vegas…) he proposes, and she agrees. It’s fate, right? But the next morning he’s left with zero memory, and thinks it was just a one-night stand. Skye has to track him down and remind him about the little technicality of their marriage…and convince him to give them a chance.

3. The free spirit and the man of duty. Do you like writing about opposites that attract?

I think opposites are fun! Conflict is important in every book, or else why read? And with opposites, you get instant conflict. The fun is in watching what people compromise on, what people stand firm on, and how they make the puzzle pieces that are their lives fit together and form the big picture.

4. What made you write about a Marine (a very sexy one ;) ?

Because Marines are sexy? Haha Kidding. I mean, not in that they’re sexy, because they are! But that’s not the only reason. I’m married to a Marine, so the connection was quite simple to me. And I’ve met some of the most amazing guys through my husband, his co-workers and friends. Their sense of honor and duty and their belief in what’s really right is astounding in this day and age.

5.  Which character in this book was the hardest to write?

The villains! (Such as they are…) I always worry about writing villains in that I want them to be believable, and “evil” enough to cause conflict but not so over the top they appear cartoonish. I write contemporary, after all. It’s a balancing act. And I never wanted anyone reading the book to think I believed all COs and their wives were that way. Not true at all. But just like with other jobs, you’ll have great bosses and not so great ones. These just happened to be fictional bad bosses.

6. Are you more like Skye or Timothy?

Oh good question! I’ll say I’m more like Tim. I’m a planner, a list-maker, and I want to know the rules so I can follow along easily.

7. What’s coming next from you?

So glad you asked! In December I have a Christmas novella coming out from Carina Press. Then in January, book #2 of the Semper Fi series comes out, titled The Officer Breaks The Rules. (This is Madison and Jeremy’s story, for those keeping track.) And in February, I start a brand new series with a new pen name (Kat Murray) that’s based around cowboys. Yee haw!

Thanks for having me! Great interview!

(B: Ohhh cowboys! I love cowboys)

Giveaway

1 copy of The officer says "I do"

1. Open to US and Canada

2. Ends Aug 1

3. Just go ahead and enter :)

Or you know the drill, ask a question, comment on..Las vegas weddings ;)

Out Now

He's a Marine...she grew up on a commune.

He always puts duty first...she's a free spirit with an unshakable belief in Fate.

He loves routine and order...she brings chaos and creativity wherever she goes.

They're going to balance each other perfectly--or drive each other completely, utterly insane...
On a wild pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O'Shay encounters free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined..