Guest Author Post: Marie Force Keeping it Hot—Long Distance *Book Giveaway*

Thanks for having me today to talk about my new release, Everyone Loves a Hero. I had so much fun writing Cole and Olivia’s story. Their romance was hot, hot, hot from day one, and when I was reading the galley proofs, I was surprised by how sexy the book is. Not that I didn’t know that when I was writing it, but reading it like a reader rather than a writer was a very different experience.

Managing a long-distance relationship is a major challenge for Cole and Olivia. From the very beginning, they want nothing more than to spend as much time together as they can, but work, school and other complications continue to arise. So they steal the time when they can get it and do their best to make the most of it. I thought it would be fun to share a never-before-seen excerpt:

“What do you want me to wear to Jenny’s?” Cole asked.
Olivia loved the way his soft chest hair felt against her face. “Jeans.”
He brushed his fingers through her long hair. “I can do better.”
“No need. They’re casual.”
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
“She’ll love you.”
“We need to get going.”
“I know,” she said but made no move to get up. “I wish we could stay in again tonight.”
“You don’t want to go?”
“I do.”
“But?”
“We’re running out of time.”
“Baby, this is just the beginning. We’ll have more time soon. I promise.”
“Weeks, probably.”
“Two.”
She lifted her head. “Really?”
“In two weeks I have another weekend off. Do you think you could be packed and ready to go by Friday?”
“Ready to go where?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out. Can you do it? With work and school?”
“I can bank some extra hours at the store.”
“Friday night to Tuesday night maybe?”
“I’ll miss a class.”
“Will that kill your grade?”
“I have no idea. I’ve never missed one before.”
“Never?”
“Not one.”
“Oh, my God! I’m in love with a geek!”
She sighed. “Do you think you could say that again?”
“What?” he teased. “That you’re a geek?”
“No, the other thing.”
“That I’m in love with you?” He leaned in to kiss her. “That part?”
“Mmm.”
“You like that, do you?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“So then you’ll run away with me in two weeks?”
“Will you tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope.”
“Then I’ll have to think about it.”
Astounded, he stared at her. “You will?”
“No,” she said, laughing. “You’re so easy.”
His eyes flashed as he wrestled her under him.
“We don’t have time for this,” she reminded him, giggling nervously at the sinister look he attempted to pull off.
“You’re lucky your cousin is expecting us.”
“You don’t scare me. Now get off me so I can take a shower.”
“Make me,” he said against her lips.
She smoothed her fingers over his back in a gentle caress that turned him to putty under her hands. Then she sank her fingertips into his ribs and sent him launching off her. Taking advantage of his surprise, she flipped him onto his back and brought her lips down so they almost touched his, whispering, “Two older brothers. Don’t mess with me.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “Very impressive,” he said, reaching for her. “And very sexy.”
She dodged him and poked his ribs again. “Get up.”
© Marie Force, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2011

Have you ever been involved in a long-distance relationship? What were some of the major challenges you faced in making the relationship work?

EVERYONE LOVES A HERO IN STORES NOW!

Fame has its perks…
Reluctantly famous, First Officer Cole Langston finds being in the spotlight has its advantages—until he meets Olivia. Having women throw themselves at him everywhere he goes becomes a serious problem when he's trying to convince her she's the one…

And its price…
Olivia has trouble trusting a guy like Cole, and everywhere she turns she sees reasons to run. But he's the only man who's ever seemed to understand her as an artist and as a woman…

Cole is working overtime to prove to Olivia that he's serious, but her deep seated mistrust and his entourage of unwelcomed fans may be more than they can overcome…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marie Force is the author of Line of Scrimmage, Love at First Flight, Fatal Affair and Fatal Justice, as well as True North and The Fall (available as eBooks through Amazon.com). She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Authors Special Interest Chapters. Marie lives in Rhode Island with her family and their feisty dog named Brandy. To find out more information about Marie’s upcoming releases, please visit http://www.mariesullivanforce.com/.

Sourcebooks has kindly donated 2 copies of Everyone Loves a Hero! Leave a comment here for Marie by Saturday 2/19 for your chance to win. This is open to Canda and US residents only.