MEET THE AUTHOR

     Today on Meet the Author I’d like to introduce you to Christina Ricci.

Christina’s new book, Redeeming the Billionaire, releases today and she was gracious enough to stop by and share a little about the story with us.

First let’s learn about the writer:

What do you write?

At the present time I write contemporary romance. I have two series, The Sherbrookes of Newport, which contains 5 books, and Love On The North Shore.

What genre do you favor?

When it comes to writing I favor contemporary romance although I want to try something else in the future.

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?

My dream to be an author started at the age of ten, but I never thought it would actually happen.

Are you published?

Yes, Redeeming The Billionaire, is my 6^th published book.

Where can you be found on social media?

Website:  www.christinatetreault.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinatetreaultauthor

Twitter: @cgricci

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cgricci/

What do you think is the best way to publish these days?

I do not think there is one best way. I think everyone needs figure out their goals and hopes and then go from there.

What are your favorite genres to read? Why?

When I am reading I go through phases. Sometime I read nothing but contemporary and than I will switch over to historical romance for a month or two before I jump to maybe paranormal. For the most part I read a variety of romance genres. I like that each one lets be escapes into a world or place in its own way.

Do your characters talk to you?

My characters do talk to me and sometimes they do so causing me to get distracted.  I have been known to miss an exit on the highway because my characters have started talking to me.

How do you approach starting a new book?

I sit down and do a rough background sketch of my two main characters. This sketch will include physical characteristics, their likes and dislikes, their family and some history about them. For example in my most recent release I knew that Addie Raimono had worked in her family bakery as a teenager before I even started to write the book.

When I start thinking about a new book I also consider what will bring them together and what will cause the waves in their relationship.

What is your writing process?

For me I first complete my rough character sketchs and then I get out a notebook and start writing. I write the entire book out longhand. I do not go back and do edits as I go along rather I get the whole story out first. If I get stuck somewhere I leave myself a note and keep going. Once the whole story is done I get it into the computer, print it out and start my revisions, adding in areas that need it and deleting areas that are not necessary. Then it is off to my critique partner.

What are the best writing books or blogs you’ve ever read?

No one book or blog comes to mind.

Navy SEAL or cowboy?

Seal

Chocolate or chips?

Chocolate

Fancy restaurant or picnic?

Picnic

Beer or wine?

Wine

Favorite author?

Johanna Lindsey

Smooth or hairy?

Smooth

And now that we know a little more about Christina, lets meet her hero, Trent Sherbrooke:

Blurb:

Billionaire Trent Sherbrooke works hard and plays harder. He’s never once cared what the media or society says about him, until now.  Intent on making his way into the United States Senate, Trent hires campaign advisor Marty Phillips. A ruthless force in politics he’ll stop at nothing to get his candidate elected.

After a chance encounter throws local small business owner Addison Raimono in Trent’s path, Marty believes he’s found Trent’s ticket into Washington.

Ignoring his conscience that insists he leave Addison alone, Trent sets out to win her over. Soon what he assumed would be a relationship to salvage his reputation turns into so much more. But can a relationship started on a lie ever survive?

Excerpt 1:

Marty folded up the sleeves of his shirt. “It’s all a matter of importance. The who doesn’t matter. The wonderful opportunity it presents does. Now, I need to know everything. How did you meet her? How long have you known her? Have you slept with her yet?”

Trent pinched the bridge of his nose. Christ, couldn’t he have a cup of coffee with a woman without someone assuming he’d slept with her? “I met her just before we met last week. I bumped into her on the sidewalk and spilled coffee on her. When this picture was taken I had stopped in the bakery and when I saw her again I said hello. We talked for a few minutes before she left.”

As Marty chewed he jotted notes down on a legal pad. “That’s it? You didn’t ask her out to dinner? Get her phone number?”

Did the man think he asked out every attractive female he met? “More or less.”

Marty looked up at him. “More or less, I need to know everything. And when I say everything, I mean it.”

“I told her I wanted this office redecorated and asked if she might be interested. Shirley called and set up an appointment with her.” After giving Shirley the instructions, he hadn’t thought anymore about it.

“Excellent. When?”

“I’ll have to check my calendar.”

Marty tapped his pen against his pad several times before he spoke. “We might have to change our time table a little, but I’d like to keep to it if possible. A wedding at the end of next summer is ideal. That would give you a solid year of marriage before the actual election.”

Caution flags jumped up as he listened to Marty. The advisor’s original plan had been acceptable. A marriage to a wealthy socialite who viewed their relationship as a way to achieve her own goals was one thing. What Marty proposed now was entirely something else.

“Perhaps we should stick with what we originally discussed. Why don’t I go through these and pick a candidate.” Trent reached for the binders Marty had put together. “Then they’ll be no need to adjust our timeline.”

“You hired me because you want to win.” Marty pointed his pen at the picture of Addison. “She’s your ticket to the Senate.”

Trent’s eyes focused on the picture. What had she just said to him when the picture was taken? It must have been funny because he had a huge smile on his face. Come to think of it, he’d smiled through much of their conversation. She’d had an easygoing nature with a great sense of humor. There had been no awkward moments or long gaps of silence. Under different circumstances he wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.

“The women in here may help repair your reputation.” Marty pointed to the binders he’d put together of potential wife candidates. “This one though will win the hearts of voters.” He nodded toward the newspaper on the table. “I don’t understand the problem. She’s beautiful and well-educated.”

Marty had him there. Addison was attractive and, from all he could tell, intelligent. Even with that knowledge, a corner of his conscience prickled at the idea.

Across the table Marty popped a pickle in his mouth and chewed as he waited. “If it helps look at it this way. Her involvement with you will put her business on the fast track. The whole thing will still more or less be a business agreement.”

Trent nodded. Marty had a point. If he and Addison became romantically involved it would do more for her business than an ad during the Super Bowl.

“If you’re going to make it in politics you need to learn to do what’s right for your career, everything else comes second. Trust me, I’ve been around long enough to know that few politicians make it with their conscience intact.” Marty pushed the paper closer to him. “So what’s it going to be?”

Addison’s face beamed up at him. “We’ll try it your way, but if it’s not working we will fall back to our original plan.” Sure, they’d had an enjoyable conversation over coffee but he was not prepared to wager the rest of his life on that. He picked up his untouched sandwich. “I’m assuming you made sure she’s not involved with anyone.”

The look Marty gave him said it all. “Unless she’s got a secret lover tucked in her closet, she’s single and has been for over a year.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know how things go. But in the meantime, keep working on who leaked this picture.”

Link to book trailer:

http://youtu.be/XPnAF-kn_Co

HTML Code for book trailer:

Available at iTunes for pre-order now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/redeeming-the-billionaire/id901943859?mt=11

Available everywhere in September

Author Bio:

I started writing at the age of 10 on my grandmother’s manual typewriter and never stopped. When I am not driving my 3 daughters (ages 7, 5, and 5) around to their various activities or chasing around our two dogs, I am working on a story or reading a romance novel. I just finished Redeeming The Billionaire book 5 in the Sherbrookes of Newport series, and I have started book 2 in my new series Love On The North Shore. You can visit my website www.christinatetreault.com or follow me on Facebook to learn more about my characters and to track my progress on my current writing projects.

Author Links:

Website:  www.christinatetreault.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinatetreaultauthor

Twitter: @cgricci

It’s been great getting to know you Christina, and we wish you and Trent, <g>, the best of luck.

What do you think? Is Addison going to agree to this crazy plan or is the whole thing going to blow up in their faces? We’d love to hear from you, so don’t be shy, 🙂