Saturday, March 29, 2014

Andrea Smith

Andrea Smith is an Ohio native, currently residing in southern Ohio. Ms. Smith is the mother of two grown sons; grandmother of four. The "Baby Series" trilogy is Ms. Smith's first self-published work. Having previously been employed as an executive for a global corporation, Ms. Smith decided to leave the corporate world and pursue her life-long dream of writing fiction.
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Interview
1) How is the corporate world different than the writing world?
At first, I saw a vast difference between the writing world and the corporate world. My first few books were simply writing as therapy - something to do after spending 30 years in Corporate America. But then I realized quickly just how competitive this evolving market is!! I was naive enough to think, "Okay - I wrote a book. Hopefully readers will like it and then I'll write another and yadda, yadda yadda. Well - WRONG! Indie authors are responsible for marketing, social media, and keeping your readers interested in what comes next! There is a plethora of very talented Indie authors out there, and more joining the ranks on a daily basis so you damn well better be on your game! Unfortunately I've also discovered that it can be every bit as "political" as the corporate world. I guess that's the only downside. I thought I was done with that once I left ______.


2) These Men is a spin off novella of the G-Man series, do you plan on having more of these?
You know, after I finished with the G-Man series with the novella, "G-Men Holiday Wrap" that was pretty much it. I tied up all of the possible loose ends I could find because so many readers still needed some closure. It was a fun read, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. I then saw comments about various readers wanting more of Eli and Cain's story after the wrap, so when this opportunity approached with contributing to the 8-author novella, "Bend" with such awesome ladies of erotica (Shay Savage, JA Huss, KI Lynn, K. Bromberg, Ella James, Alessandra Torre and C.D. Reiss) I thought it might be a perfect fit for a 'spin-off' story involving Eli, Cain and the yet unknown Paige Matthews - Easton and Taz's younger sister.
Having said that, I have no plans to do any further spin-offs of the G-Men Series.


3) What is your favorite part about going to events and signings?
I love meeting my readers! I was so humbled at the NYC event, Authors in the City because it was really the first major event I attended, and the first time that I had ever been to the Big Apple. I couldn't believe the turnout of readers. I loved that many of them had created a page in their scrapbooks just for me with my books on them and wanted me to sign them! One attendee told me that I was the reason she bought a ticket for the event! I was so humbled. I would have to say the interaction with the readers is the best thing ever!!


4) When you write a book do you write it in order or in pieces as it comes to you?
Both. I never outline a book because honestly? I don't KNOW how it's going to end. I know the basic premise/plot, but while writing, so many other ideas evolve that I wouldn't have thought of in advance. Book #3 in the Baby Series, "Be My Baby" was the only book so far where I actually started in the middle, and then had to go back when it was 2/3 finished and write the beginning! To date it is my favorite book, and when I look at the ratings on all books in both series, it has the highest average rating of any. (Maybe there's something to starting a book in the middle - LOL!)


5) Which one of your series took you longer to write G-man or Baby?
G-Man Series probably took a little bit longer to write in totality. But if you look at the combined page count on both series, Baby Series HAD way more pages! I wrote Maybe Baby in six weeks and it was over 800 pages! Like I said, it was therapy for me and I really hadn't thought about publishing it until someone mentioned how easy it was to self-publish. So, of course I did and learned a LOT of lessons after that one!! It has been a very learning experience for me!

6) What is your favorite comfort food?
Microwave popcorn. It's a ritual with me. Every night, as I relax and unwind, I nuke one of those 100 calorie bags of Pop-Secret.

One last thing before I go - I am working on the first book in my next series which I plan to publish in mid-summer. The title is "Silent Whisper" and I'm stepping into a new genre with this! I'm so excited! The book is a bit paranormal (ghosts) time-travel and of course, there will be romance! The main character, Parrish Stephens will be the constant in the series. She is a 27 year-old model with a . . . gift. And it's not a gift she's particularly happy about!
Books
G-Man Series
  
Thirty-five year old Samantha Dennison sends her only child off to college and finds herself generally feeling F-R-U-M-P-Y and lost. Her loveless marriage to 'the mannequin' has become intolerable; her daughter and best friend have both advised 'Sammie' to get a life of her own. Her husband has his own agenda which does not include her. Sammie finally heeds their advice and takes pole-dancing lessons to get into shape and develop self-esteem, but it serves to do much more than that! The thrill of the dance and sexuality she discovers within herself is a potent mixture. She gets a part-time job as a dancer in an Indianapolis Gentleman's Club called Jewels. She becomes the dancer known as 'Diamond' and very quickly catches the attention of a 'bad-boy' biker named 'Slate.' Slate is the ultimate 'alpha' male; however there's a problem: he simply wants it to be about exclusive sex; Sammie wants and needs more from Slate. Sammie's certain she's embarked on a dangerous relationship with the hot biker and 'prospect' member of the notorious Outlaw Motorcycle Club. She soon finds out she's totally out of her league with Slate and the dangerous people he associates with in Indianapolis. Something big is brewing in Indy; and it's not about race cars! 'Diamond Girl' will keep the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end; this book has it all: passion, erotica, romance, danger and possibly more... much more.  

 
  A year ago 19-year-old Lindsey Dennison's life took an abrupt turn. While away at Cornell for her freshman year at college, her parents' marriage imploded. Lindsey learned the harsh truth about her father, and his involvement in criminal activity. He'd slipped out of the country with his lover on the eve of his arrest, deserting his only child. Lindsey was left trying to pick up the pieces of the life she now realized had been a house of secrets and lies for all of those years. After her mother's second marriage relocates her from Indianapolis to Washington, D.C., Lindsey decides to start fresh at a new college closer to where her mother, step-father and baby brother Bryce are now living. Life is different now for Lindsey, but it's about to change even more. Trace "Taz" Matthews, an FBI agent is about to rock her world in more ways than one. Taz is a confirmed man-whore but Lindsey has a problem she's certain he can fix . . . but will he? Despite their best efforts, Lindsey and Taz are tossed together by fate on more than one occasion, and this G-Man doesn't appreciate the distraction. Issues at home with her mother suddenly cause Lindsey's life to become increasingly complicated. There's a budding romance on the horizon for Lindsey with a wealthy and attractive guy she meets at school; but things are never quite as they seem. Lindsey will learn a brutal lesson about trust, compassion and strength. Taz will learn lessons about love, intimacy and honor, and that sometimes doing the right thing has consequences. This book is intended for mature audiences. Warning: Explicit Sex, contains rape scene.  

 
  There's a new Alpha in town . . . and he's a Brit! Darcy Nicole Sheridan, is 22 years-old, beautiful, single, spirited, sexy and - spoiled. She knows that about herself. Raised by wealthy (and doting) parents as an only child, Darcy pretty much coasts through life until her heart is inexplicably broken by her G-Man, Darin. Darcy doesn't handle rejection well; she isn't used to it. To ease the pain, Darcy flies to Belize over the Christmas holiday fully intending to wallow in self-pity and distance herself from D.C. and the pain that originated there. Her pity party is short-lived however, after observing a very handsome, very intriguing man on the beach with a beautiful blonde. The blond gets ditched and it's Darcy that becomes the focus of the smokin' hot, wealthy and somewhat mysterious 'E.J.' Some very interesting things happen in Belize, but it doesn't end there. Once back in D.C., there are even more surprises in store for Darcy, including a new male roommate, her best friend Lindsey's wedding, and a surprise encounter with "E.J." that leaves Darcy confused in more ways than one! Shortly thereafter, surprising changes are in store for Darcy's career, love life and even a repentant Darin shows up in the mix. Readers will get a bonus glimpse of Taz and Lindsey's HEA and perhaps even see some loose ends tied up with respect to the Rat Bastard! As always, this latest release of the "G-Man Series" will keep you on the edge of your seat through the laughter, tears, angst, drama and mystery. Easton is sure to be a favorite 'G-Man' of many in this newest release of the series! He's an alpha like no other . . .  

 
Spend the holidays with the G-Men, their women and extended family as they cruise the Caribbean in first class accommodations compliments of Easton Matthews! This novella takes place 14 months after the conclusion of "Night Moves." Darcy was promised a lavish ball to celebrate her elopement with Easton Matthews once she felt up to it. Darcy has decided she would much prefer a 12-day cruise on the Caribbean, with friends and family as their guests. Even the best-laid plans can go awry when you have the G-Men and their women aboard "The Lust Boat!" This book playfully wraps up the G-Man Series, with the usual unpredictable circumstances, along with misunderstandings, love and lots of humor! You will read chapters from each character's point of view, and learn a few things about some of the characters you didn’t know. There will be a surprise visit from someone you would least expect to drop by during this holiday vacay. Along with that, there are bonus chapters at the end that will satisfy readers of the previous book as to what happened right after that horrific incident in New York City with Sammie and Slate, and Lindsey and Taz. As a reader, you will be a voyeur into their private and intimate moments right after the shooting in Mullaly Park. As a special bonus, a never seen, never-meant-to-be-seen 'secret' chapter from "Love Plus One" will be included for entertainment (and shock) purposes only!

Baby
When college student Tylar Preston goes to work for the wealthy Sinclair family stables in Bristol, Virginia in the summer of 2011, she quickly meets with unexpected events and the disturbing unraveling of her past. Is her past destined to taint her future? Rescuing Tylar from unspeakable danger, Trey Sinclair, a handsome but arrogant high-powered attorney from Atlanta makes it his mission to protect the innocent and unworldly young woman from the dreams that hunt and haunt her. Spirited and independent, Tylar proves to be a challenge to the stubborn and relentless young lawyer. Together their often bumpy journey weaves itself mysteriously, comically, passionately and erotically down a path that promises to engage and move the reader in this emotionally stirring story. For anyone who has ever been in love or in lust, MAYBE BABY will stir those forgotten feelings of passion and yearning within you; making you ageless as you travel the romantic and erotic journey with Tylar and Trey as they unravel the secrets of each other.    


 



'Baby Love' is the sequel to 'Maybe Baby' and follows the twists and turns in the lives of the handsome young attorney Trey Sinclair and Tylar Preston. The second volume in the series finds Trey and Tylar the proud parents of a child. They are in love and their relationship is blossoming, but soon Tylar discovers that her nightmarish past will continue to haunt and threaten her new found happiness with her family. She fears for the safety of her baby and the sanity of herself. There are many surprises in store not only for Trey and Tylar; but for Gina (Ty’s friend) and Tristan (Trey’s brother) as well. Will the love and intimacy they share be enough to bond them even closer or will their pasts tear them apart?   






   
This book is the third and last installment of the 'Baby Series' trilogy. This book follows the continuation of Trey and Tylar Sinclair's poignant story of love and passion. It has been a sometimes bumpy road thus far, but they have always found the strength they needed in each other . . . however, they are put to the ultimate test in this book. They discover that there are those that would like to destroy the loving relationship they have by death or at the very least, infidelity. Trey and Tylar's love and commitment to each other is put to a tragic test in this book. Will they be able to survive the unexpected tragedy that befalls them? Will the strength of their love, the depth of their commitment to each other and the ability to forgive draw them ever closer?    
 






  Baby Come Back’ is the final installment in the 'Baby Series'. This novella follows Trey’s brother Tristan and Ty’s best friend Gina. It is written from Gina's point of view, providing insight into her past and secrets that she has shared with no one. Unfortunately, events unfold which force Gina to come to terms with unresolved issues from her past that have hindered her ability to love and trust unconditionally. Tristan also has something to share with Gina as their relationship reaches a new level. This story overlaps with ‘Baby Love’ (book 2) and ‘Be My Baby’ (book 3). It mainly focuses on the events of Gina and Tristan, but manages to shed light and further clarify Trey and Ty’s story, wrapping up the series about the Sinclairs.







Stand-Alone/Spin-off
  This novella is a spin-off from the G-Men Series and can be read as a stand-alone. Paige Matthews has a lot to learn - about everything, including herself. At age twenty-two, Paige finds herself driving across the country to start an internship with the F.B.I. in Quantico, Virginia. You would think that Paige would be grateful to her older brother, Trace Matthews, a senior F.B.I. agent who pulled strings on her behalf to get her into the program, right? Wrong. Paige is not overly enthused at the realization that her parents have pushed her from the nest and onto her older brother's plate for the time being. Always a loner, she quickly wears out her welcome with Trace and his wife Lindsey, due to her . . . need for random hook-ups, and finds herself crashing with her oldest brother, Easton, and his wife Darcy. Through Darcy, Paige is introduced to her sister-in-law's former roommate and bestie male friend, Eli Chambers, along with his sinfully handsome partner, Cain Maddox. They're looking for a roommate and Paige is looking to get out from underneath her family's watchful eye. This is no typical "Three's Company" story though. Paige embarks on a journey of self-discovery that teaches her not only about giving, but about accepting love as well. She soon realizes that sometimes what you're searching for has been right there with you all along.


2 comments:

  1. First off, awesome interview. I went about publishing my first books that way too, naïve...I'm still in the naïve stage, but I plan to wise up real soon. The covers are amazing! And then the full butt grab, wow! Just wow.

    As far as something I want to do, but haven't because it's outside my comfort zone...a friend (okay, my dental hygienist) plans to set me up on a blind date. I've never been and I can just imagine how fun that would be even it's a terrible date, it will make a great story. Thanks for bringing us another great author interview and giveaway, Jillian!!

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  2. Love you Andrea! Got to get my act together and read GMan Series for sure now... loved Baby Lite :)

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