This is a bit of a squee day for me on the blog, because I’m featuring my good friend, the very talented Marie Force. Marie writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, and if you haven’t yet heard about her…well, you will! In just a few short years her career has gone into orbit.
Like most authors, though, Marie started off on another career path. She majored in journalism and political science in university, worked as a journalist for a community paper, and still works as a communications director for a non-profit agency in Virginia. Marie also married a Navy guy, spending part of her married life in Spain and then in Jacksonville Florida, where her husband was stationed. During those years, her hubby spent quite a lot of time at sea, so Marie raised two little kids and continued to work, all while her muse was kicking her in the butt and telling her to pay attention.
Finally, Marie got down to it and her first published book, Line of Scrimmage, was released by Sourcebooks in 2008.
Line of Scrimmage, a contemporary romance, got great reviews, as did Marie’s subsequent books like Love at First Flight, which received a Reviewer Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews, and was nominated for the LASR Best Book of 2009. Here’s what Book Binge had to say about Love at First Flight:
“Marie Force really has a knack for getting the reader emotionally involved with her characters. I felt the same way when I read Line of Scrimmage and Love at First Flight is no exception. I have to give kudos to her for writing such an unconventional romance so well. The fact that she could engage my emotions throughout the whole book really is a testament to her skillfulness of storytelling.”
Well, the accolades have kept on coming, both for Marie’s contemporary romances and for her romantic suspense novels put out by Carina Press, Harlequin Publishing’s digital imprint. Her romantic suspense books are part of the Fatal Series, starring Nick and Sam, and set amongst the political intrigues of Washington D.C. Here’s what New York Times bestselling author, Christy Reece, had to say about the first book in the series, Fatal Affair:
Sizzle, mystery and suspense…Fatal Affair has it all! Nick and Sam are a perfect pair and Marie Force is definitely an author to watch!”
You can read all about this fantastic romantic suspense series on Marie’s website.
Not content with resting on her laurels (the scamp!), Marie decided to branch out into the world of indie publishing. No surprise to anyone who knows her, she’s been phenomenally successful with these new books published in digital format. In fact, Marie has a new one just out this week. It’s another contemporary romance, and it’s called Georgia On My Mind.
Here’s the blurb for Georgia On My Mind:
Since Georgie Quinn’s mother died after a brief battle with breast cancer, the highlight of her life has become “jogger stalking” every morning with her roommates Tess and Cat. Stuck running the senior center her mother founded in Newport, RI, until a replacement director is found, Georgie dreams of returning to her glamorous life in Atlanta. As that life begins to unravel, she discovers a whole new one in Newport where the jogger turns out to be sexy detective and tree hugger Nathan Caldwell. Determined to get her mind off her many problems—including a possible threat to her own health—Georgie indulges in what she intends to be a no-holds-barred one-night stand with Nathan. Unfortunately, Nathan has other ideas and sets out to have a relationship with her. Tess, on the run from an abusive husband, and Cat, who raised her younger brother and sister, hook up with Nathan’s brothers, Ben, an injured Iraqi war veteran, and Ian, a single-father and talented musician. Add a zany cast of seniors who seem determined to drive Georgie slowly mad with their never-ending needs and comparisons to her sainted mother, and you’ve got the ingredients for a fast-paced, often comical, emotional journey that leads Georgie straight to the home of her heart.
Sounds great, doesn’t it! You can get all the details about Georgia On My Mind on Marie’s website. While you’re there, you can also have a look at her McCarthy’s of Gansett Island Series and find out more about her upcoming contemporary trilogy. The first book in that series, Treading Water, will be out in October.
For my readers today, Marie is giving away a copy of her new book, Georgia On My Mind. Let’s talk contemporary romance. Who are some of your favorite contemporary romance authors and why? Do you like warm, heartfelt contemporaries, or something a little zanier and fast-paced, like chick lit or the fabulously funny books of Jennifer Crusie? One person who comments will win a copy of Marie’s fabulous book!
Thanks for the lovely post, Vanessa! Nice to be here today.
So happy to have you here, Marie!
Hi Marie, your covers are lovely. I enjoy contemporary romance and shall be reading one of your books soon. What kind do I like? It doesn’t have to be funny, I enjoy all kinds, but I have to confess to embarrassing myself on a plane reading a Bridget Jones’s Diary book. I got on the plane a bit weepy after saying goodbye to my family in England. I am not a silent weeper so maybe seat mates noticed. Then, somewhere over the Altantic, I reached the bit in the book where she open’s Darcy’s bedroom door to find a naked boy in there with a chicken. I went into whoops of laughter, to the point where tears were running down my cheeks and I had spasms. How does one explain that to two strange men sitting on either side of me? I put the book away and didn’t dare touch it again until safely alone.
Maggie–very careful to read boring books on planes that are not likely to make me laugh or cry.
Maggie, I love that story! I suspect your seatmates thought you had quite the volatile personality.
I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Kristan Higgins,until I read their books I had never read a book that could make me laugh out loud.Which is kinda hard to do when your in public reading the book:)
Great review! I love Marie’s books because the characters are so believable. I enjoy Susan Donovan books for a bit of kooky fun. Also Deirdre Martin and Kate Angell for the hottie sports guys!
Gotta love those hottie sports guys!
All of Marie’s books are awesome….I have yet to read one I didn’t absolutely love. I just bought Georgie’s book, haven’t read it yet and I’m really, really looking forward to Treading Water and the next installment of the Fatal Series!!
Me too, Kris!
I normally prefer regency but I do love Jennifer Crusie. Her Welcome to Temptation is one of favorties.. I love funny chick-lits…
OMG. Welcome To Temptation is an awesome book! I laughed myself silly when I read it.
I normally prefer regency but I do love Jennifer Crusie. Her Welcome to Temptation is one of favorties.. I love funny chick-lits…
Susan Elizabeth Phillpis is one of my faves.. Vanessa, I enjoy your blog and your sharing ‘new to me’ authors… Marie’s books sound wonderful ! I’ll be hunting them up!! Thanks
Thanks, Cate. I love SEP, too!
Great review! I read Georgia on my Mind this weekend and thought it was great! Marie’s books are the best…I’ve yet to read one I didn’t love! I love Christie Craig…her books have plenty of steam and with lots of humor mixed in! Rachel Gibson is another fav…love her hockey series!
I just bought the new Christie Craig. Really looking forward to reading it.
Kristan Higgins and Rachel Gibson are a couple of favs that come to mind just love the witty dialogue between H/h and they seem to always quirky secondary characters.
Jill Shalvis has incredibly fun dialogue, too. Her Lucky Harbor series is just fantastic in all respects, but her dialogue just sparkles.
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I love Marie’s books as well, although I haven’t read Georgia on My Mind yet!
As for contemporaries, I love Jennifer Crusie, because I’m a sucker for romances with dogs in them. For small town romance I love Susan Mallery, and I just finished Carly Phillip’s Serendipity, which was also was great.
All great authors, RebeLovesBooks! And I love books with dogs in them, too. Jill Shalvis has a series that revolves around a vet clinic. The animals really add to the series.
Who are some of your favorite contemporary romance authors ? Wow I have a list. lol I like Susan Elizabeth Phillips & Jennifer Crusie. I also enjoy reading Vicki Lewis Thompson, Linda Lael Miller & Jaci Burton to name a few 🙂
I’m looking forward to adding Marie Force. I haven’t read any of her books yet, but they sound like they’re right up my alley.
Thanks for introducing Marie Force and for the chance to win 🙂
Hi Marie, How long were you writing before you got published? Did you always know you wanted to write?
Love SEP!
Hi everyone,
Sorry to be in and out. Today is my first day back to work after a week of sick leave, so I’m in the weeds, as they say!
Maggie,
I loved your Bridget Jones story. I’m sure the men you were sitting with had their own version of the tale. 🙂
Shelly,
Thanks for the kind words about my books! So glad to have you as a reader friend!
Kris,
Same to you–another wonderful reader friend who has come to me through my books! Happy to have you (and the Godiva Oreos you keep me in)
May,
I love Regencies! They are such a fun departure from what I write. I was late to discover historical romances. My very first one was by my friend Michele Ann Young called Lady Flees Her Lord. I was instantly addicted!
Cate,
Thanks for checking out my books. I hope you enjoy them!
Alison,
I’m so glad you enjoyed Georgia on My Mind! I was so excited to get that book out to readers!
Kathleen,
Thanks for coming by to say hello!
Rebe,
Thanks for reading my earlier books. I hope you enjoy Georgia!
Gail,
Thanks for the interest in my books. I hope you enjoy them! I wrote for three years before I sold. In that time, I wrote seven books. I will soon have all of them out to readers. I’m very much looking forward to getting my very first three out in the next couple of months: Treading, Water, Marking Time, Starting Over–my three personal favorites. Yes, I’ve always known I wanted to write, have always been a writer. I’ve made a living as a professional writer/editor my entire adult life. The fiction writing came later, but it was always part of my plan. Thanks for the great questions!
Well for some reason it wont let me “comment” but I can post a reply, so hope this will count!
I was reading a lot of Nicholas Sparks books, but never really found what I was looking for in them. I could set them down for days at a time. I recently found Marie Force and in the last few weeks have read 10 of her books! She is so amazing and I don’t look forward to being done with all of them… KEEP WRITING MARIE… PLEASE!
That is so awesome!! I think the problem with Nicholas Sparks is that he doesn’t like happy endings!
Thanks so much, Amanda! That’s amazing–10 in a few weeks? Wow! So glad you’re enjoying my books. Much more to come!
Susan Andersen is one of my favorite contemporary authors. I especially love the humor in her books, but there’s also a little drama/mystery thrown in.
I’ve never ready any Susan Anderson, but she is in my TBR pile. My very large TBR pile.
I like all kinds of romance stories – contemporary & historical. Recently I’ve read Nora Robert’s Bride Quartet series, Madeline Hunter Lord of Sine & Lady of Sin, Rhys Bowen Naughty in Nice, Lori Foster.
I love Lori Foster’s contemporaries. Also Toni Blake – she’s one of my favorites and is a real gateway drug to contemporary romance.
I really can’t chose a favourite sub-genre of romance, but I can say contemporary romances are the ones I can most relate to and in which the characters are ones I connect to with ease. I like all kinds of contemporaries from the quirky, fun ones like Kristan Higgins to the heartfelt and emotional ones. Mostly, I gravitate towards the latter. I really liked Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas. A modern day bad boy who is reformed is always a delight to encounter! Susan Wigg’s Lakeshore Chronicles are sweet and cozy. Lori Wilde’s Twilight series also tugs my heart and is really great at bringing a small community to life.
Na, I just loved Blue-Eyed Devil. Lisa Kleypas is such a fabulous writer!
your book sounds interesting marie,should read it one day 🙂
i love travis series by lisa kleypas and lavyrler spencer especially morning glory.i love meg cabbot too.
Good choices, Eli!
Just wanted to stop in to say that I love everything Marie has written…I love her heros and heroines and the relationship that builds between them. I am so happy that we are finally getting a chance to read the first books…..excited for Treading water…and really just wanted to send a little good karma your way…in hopes that you are feeling better and know that your fans wish you well!!
Already finished the book…AMAZING….just wanted to say hello!
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
Hi Jane,
I like Susan Andersen too! One of my all-time favorites is Sarah Mayberry. If you haven’t read her books, you’re missing out on something wonderful! Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series is also a favorite of mine.
Hi Diane,
I LOVED the Bride Quartet. Such lovely comfort reads!
Hi Na,
Nice to see you here! I adored Blue-Eyed Devil and the entire Travis trilogy. Lisa is my ALL TIME favorite. I’d read the phone book if she wrote it.
Hi Eli,
I hope you enjoy my books if you get a chance to check them out!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for your kind words about Georgia. I can’t wait for you all to read Treading Water. I’m giddy with excitement. 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes. I’ve been under the weather lately and finally starting to feel a tad bit better!
Vanessa, thank you so much for having me! It was so much fun!
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