Harlequin Publishing

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!