It looks like this is turning into Romantic Suspense week here on the blog! My featured author today is Gina Robinson, who writes sassy romantic suspense with a good dollop of humor. Like many romance authors, Gina didn’t start out as a writer. In fact, she worked for several large defense contractors as a software engineer – with a background like that, is it any wonder she was drawn to spies and romantic suspense?
When Gina got married and had children, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Lucky for us, because that gave her the chance to begin her writing career. Gina’s first book was Spy Candy – really good title, btw – which got great reviews.
Acclaimed romantic suspense author Beverly Barton called it “sassy and delightfully entertaining.” And RT Book Reviews gave it 4 stars and said this:
“HOT! Robinson delivers with this excursion to spy camp! With the perfect amount of suspense and humor, this story will stay with readers long after the book is over.”
Here’s the blurb for Spy Candy, which is a whole lot of fun:
From her sensible shoes to her dating choices, bank officer Jenna Jarvis has always played it safe. But her fantasy life is a whole other story. And now Jenna’s got a golden opportunity to play a real-life secret agent, courtesy of her generous best friend and a fantasy spy camp set smack dab in the red-hot center of the Arizona desert…
The stay starts off with a bang—literally—as a car explodes to greet Jenna and her fellow covert trainees, each of whom have a spydentity based on an iconic undercover agent. But it’s the real-life operatives who capture Jenna’s attention, particularly super-buff ex-CIA agent-cum-instructor Torq Toricelli. Confidence boosted by playing a bold-as-brass hot babe, Jenna might just have a fighting chance with Torq—if she can make it through camp in once piece…
A few near-misses have made it frighteningly clear that someone is taking this fantasy way too seriously. Jenna’s mission: find out who’s gunning for her fellow spies—and live to die another day…
Don’t you want to read this book right now?!
Gina’s latest release is from St. Martin’s Press, and it’s the first book in a brand new series.
The Spy Who Left Me has been getting great reviews, including this one from Publishers Weekly:
“Punctuated with Bondworthy downhill car and bike chases and near-death surfing parties, Robinson’s clever concoction of lust and longing is a refreshing tropical cocktail.”
Here’s the blurb:
If there’s one thing that can ruin a vacation, it’s running into your ex. Just ask Treflee Miller. If she’d only known that her husband Ty would be here in Hawaii—muscular, sun-bronzed, and infuriatingly gorgeous—she would have brought the divorce papers for him to sign. But life is full of surprises when you’re married to a world-class spy…
Ty Miller can understand why his wife is tired of playing Mrs. James Bond. He’s never home, he’s always on a mission, and he’s usually surrounded by exotic informants. He has to admit that the perfect spy makes a pretty lousy husband. But for the sake of Ty’s security and Treflee’s safety, they can’t blow his cover. Not here. Not now. Not when his longing is so strong, her lips so tempting—and his enemies so close…
Yum! To get a good taste of Gina’s book, why don’t you watch the trailer for The Spy Who Left Me.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCaAeTRcsZE]
For one of my readers today, Gina is giving away a copy of her second book, Spy Games. Just tell me who your favorite spy is – movie or TV – for a chance to win the book! And be sure to check out Gina’s books on her website – if you like fun, sexy romantic suspense, I think you’ll love her!
Sounds like a fun book. Can’t wait to read it.
I think you’ll like Gina’s books, Shirley!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
my favorite spy is Mr & Mrs. Smith movie (brad pitt and angelina jolie)
and yes, i want to read this book right now, make me curious =D
thank you
Eli, I loved that movie!
Terrific movie! Did you notice the cover of The Spy Who Left Me mimics the pose of the movie poster?
I am definately a product of the 60’s. My favorite spy is…. Sean Connery as 007!!
Sean Connery = dreamy!
You know, it’s so hard to pick a favorite Bond, isn’t it? But Sean Connery is one of the best.
Oh it has to be James Bond 007, I liked them all but especially like the last one who seemed a little vulnerable at the end.
Yes, I thought Daniel Craig made a wonderful Bond.
I agree–love Daniel Craig as Bond.
Gina is a new author to me and her writing sounds like stuff that I will love! It’s hard not to go with the old favorite 007 because I love me some Bond, James Bond but I’m really into Annie Walker from Covert Affairs right now! 🙂
Miranda, isn’t Covert Affairs great? And Piper Perabo is so endearing in that role.
I’m always happy to be discovered by a new reader 😉
I’m really going to have to check out Covert Affairs.
I haven’t seen these books before – thanks for presenting them.
Favorite spys: James Bond (Daniel Craig & Sean Connery), the spies in Covert Affairs, Mrs. Polifax is a lot of fun too!
I haven’t watched Covert Affairs, strange as that sounds. I didn’t want to be influenced by it while writing my spy books. But with so many recommendations, I may have to give it a watch.
Mrs. Polifax – fun!
Your books sound like lots of fun. I love humor with everything! My spy would not be Daniel Craig, too serious. I like the funnier Bonds. Though Sean Connery was bogglingly sexy and funny! Pierce Brosnan, too!
I love humor, too.
I really liked Pierce Brosnan too, Maggie, but my heart belongs to Daniel Craig.
Spy’s are great fodder for romance books, easy to romanticize a sexy man putting his life on the line and pulls off stunts McGuyver style. Doesn’t hurt if he has an accent either (Sean Connery as Bond)!!!
Great sounding books!
Oh, McGuyver! I miss that show 🙂 My spies are pretty good at improvising, too.
Oh, McGuyver was great!
Hi, Everyone! A special thanks to Vanessa for having me as a guest today 🙂
As anyone can guess, I love a good spy story. I’m a Bond, fan, naturally. But because I enjoy humor, I equally love Max Smart. One of my favorite spy movies is The Recruit with Collin Farrell–love that one.
Lovely to have you on, Gina!
OMG! that cover!:P LOL
sounds like a great book I’d like to read it!: )
My favorite spy has to be “Bond, James Bond”, of course, but Pierce Brosnan one! not sure about Daniel Craig! don’t know why I don’t really find him that hot! LOL! 😎
thanks for the giveaway!: )
Thanks, I’m glad you like the cover 🙂 St. Martin’s art department did a fantastic job on it.
Pierce Brosnan is another terrific Bond. Like I said, it’s so hard to choose.
It’s a really cute cover, isn’t it?
Gina, I read SPY CANDY a while ago and loved it. It was very funny and sexy. I’m looking forward to reading this new book too–it sounds great!
Thanks so much, Donna! I’m always thrilled to hear people have enjoyed something I’ve written 🙂
I had more fun writing The Spy Who Left Me than a person should be allowed to have on the job, lol. Hope you find it an equally fun read.
Gina, Congratulations on the new release! The Spy Who Left Me popped up on my Kindle shelf and I can’t wait to read it!
Gerri, it looks great, doesn’t it?
Hey, Gerri–
Thanks for popping by!
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