Category Archives: Marie Harte

Review: Ruining Mr. Perfect by Marie Harte

ruiningTitle: Ruining Mr. Perfect by Marie Harte
The McCauley Brothers Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

IT’S NOT EASY BEING RIGHT
Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She’s fit, successful…and decidedly lonely. She can’t stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He’s just like her: smart, attractive, and usually right-except when dealing with her.

…BUT SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO IT
Cameron McCauley likes Vanessa a little too well. She’s a blond goddess with a razor-sharp tongue. She hates to be wrong, just like him. But she can hold a grudge and is stubborn to a fault-also like him.

A past misunderstanding has them rubbing each other the wrong way. Cam is dying to shake Vanessa up-get her to let loose. But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?

The Review:

Ruining Mr. Perfect by Marie Harte is the third installment in the boisterous McCauley Brothers series. In this outing, it is youngest brother Cameron’s turn to find love and no one is more perfect for him than Vanessa Campbell. Although their story is a little quieter than the previous novels, there is plenty of passion between this intellectual couple and conflict arises from very unexpected sources.

Cameron is the only McCauley brother who is not a blue-collar worker. He is an über successful investment bank and he enjoys the finer things in life. He has a nice car, a fancy apartment and he is very health conscious. All of which makes him the ideal match for his brother’s neighbor, Vanessa.

Vanessa is an uptight workaholic who appears rather cold and standoffish. She is a little on the controlling side and she has very exacting standards. She is sarcastic and blunt but her honesty is refreshing. Vanessa is as career driven and goal oriented as Cameron and watching them match wits is pretty exciting and entertaining.

Vanessa and Cameron are a good fit and they bring out the best in one another. Vanessa has never been in a long term relationship and although she is happy with Cameron, she is always on guard, waiting for something to go wrong. She is a little emotionally distant, but that does not mean she feel things deeply.

Cameron is very sweet, always on his best behavior and he is very intent on making Vanessa happy. He is almost too nice at times and he tries so hard to be what he thinks Vanessa wants that it sometimes seems like we do not really see the “real” Cameron.

The romance between Vanessa and Cameron is absolutely delightful. They have so much in common, they really “get” one another and for Cameron, this is a welcome change since he does not fit in with his brothers or his dad. Cameron’s easy acceptance of Vanessa’s eccentricities is also a big relief for her and she finds it reassuring that she is not as abnormal as she sometimes feels.

Marie Harte’s Ruining Mr. Perfect is a fast paced and engaging story with likable characters, a realistic storyline and a romance that is very heartwarming. A charming addition to the McCauley Brothers series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Marie Harte, Rated B, Review, Romance, Ruining Mr. Perfect, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The McCauley Brothers Series

Friday’s Feature: Interview with Marie Harte and Contest for Closing the Deal

Stopping by to chat with us today is award winning author Marie Harte. Closing the Deal, her follow up novella to Enjoying the Show, hits virtual bookshelves Tuesday December 27. Thank you so much for stopping by to answer my nosy, umm, inquisitive questions.

Kathy: I have to begin by telling you how impressed I am by the many different genres and time periods you write! Could you tell us how you branched out into so many different genres? Do you prefer writing one genre over another?

Ms. Harte: I started out writing what appealed to me: paranormal romance. There wasn’t that much of it back in 2004, so I wrote a story I wanted to read. I basically write whatever I’m in the mood for, and I love romance, period. Changing up genres also keeps my writing fresh, because too many vampires or aliens can saturate my poor brain. It’s nice to throw a contemporary in there every now and then for a reality check.

Kathy: Do you see yourself writing a historical novel?

Ms. Harte: Not really. I don’t think I could handle all the research, because if you get one fact wrong, readers will know. Heck, it’s hard enough to research contemporary facts! But I do like to read historical romances.

Kathy: Have you begun writing in one genre and had one of your characters or storyline hijack it to another genre or time period?

Ms. Harte: No. Genre is something that never changes during a story I’m working on. Now plots…my characters hijack those all the time. Villains become heroes in follow-on books, and things happen I never planned on.

Kathy: Do you work on multiple writing projects at the same time?

Ms. Harte: Not so much. I have ideas pending, but I try to work on one project at a time, because I focus hard on character. Also, sometimes a mood is different from book to book, and it confuses me to do too much at once. Yeah, I’m simple like that. 🙂

Kathy: Multitasking is NOT a strong suit of mine :). What is a typical day like as author Marie Harte? Do you write every day? How long does it usually take you to complete a book?

Ms. Harte: A typical day…After getting my kids off to school, I try (I really do try, but it doesn’t always happen) to exercise. Then I’ll clean up, brew some coffee, eat a quick breakfast and get to work. After going through emails, I normally get in a good 4-8 hours of typing during the day, depending upon how my morning went. That amounts anywhere from 3000-8000 words. I’m a night owl, so after my kidlets go to bed, I usually do a bit more work. If I type too much at night though, I’m spent for the next day. So at night I’ll usually catch up on edits or email stuff I’ve put off during valuable daylight writing hours.

Kathy: I’m now convinced you are also superwoman 😀 as well as an enormously gifted writer! Where do you find inspiration for your novels? Are your characters purely fictional?

Ms. Harte: Purely fictional. I only wish I could meet some of my heroes! I watch movies and TV and read a lot, so my mind is constantly buzzing with ideas I’ll see. I keep getting wrong numbers lately, people calling my cell phone trying to reach Amanda. So you can imagine I have a story there, Amanda meets a persistent caller, maybe, and he turns out to be a shapeshifter and her mate? Who knows? 🙂

Kathy: I LOVE how an author’s mind works. Enjoying the Show was published in 2007. Were you always planning on writing a follow up to the story?

Ms. Harte: I had thoughts about it, but I was sidetracked by other projects. I love the Warren family, and Gage’s older twin brothers intrigued me, but I hadn’t thought the book would do nearly as well as it’s done. So many readers asked that I had to take a look at writing Derrick’s story. And of course, Dylan’s will follow.

Kathy: I can hardly wait for Dylan’s story!! Could you tell us a little bit about Closing the Deal?

Ms. Harte: Derrick Warren is one of the irresistible Warren twins. He’s a successful and single architect who’s never had to work too hard with women. Then he spies Sydney Fields and is struck with instant attraction. They spend three months having terrific phone conversations, struggling to connect despite conflicting schedules. But when they finally have that first date, things go horribly wrong.

Derrick’s old girlfriend swings by, and before you know it, Sydney is dumping her wine in his lap. Derrick finally has to work to get a woman to see him, and when she does, the chemistry between them makes its own magic. Soon, Derrick is feeling more than lust for the stubborn, sexy redhead. And it’ll take all his persistence to break through Sydney’s emotional walls. In the course of the chase, he deals with his obnoxious brothers and unasked-for interference in his love life from the therapist from hell–his mother.

Kathy: What projects are you currently working on? What does your publishing schedule for 2012 look like at this point?

Ms. Harte: Lots to get to in 2012, thankfully. I just finished first edits on Fortune’s Favor, a m/m psychic romance coming to Loose Id in February. I have three Cougar Falls books (Samhain-shapeshifter stories) coming next year, as well as more psychic romances from Loose Id and a few futuristic stories I have in mind for Ellora’s Cave—the Talsons and more Voiders. I pretty much set myself a deadline each month for a story, so I have work to do. I write pretty fast, and I’ve learned to pace myself so as not to burn out. I’m excited to get to my projects.

Kathy: Now I KNOW you are superwoman. I have enjoyed chatting with you today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us before you go?

Ms. Harte: If you like Closing the Deal, make sure to check out Enjoying the Show, the book that first introduced the Warrens. Feel free to stop by my website and blog for more info on all my projects. And Kathy, thank you so much for the opportunity to share my work. It’s been a pleasure.

Kathy: Ms. Harte, congratulations on your upcoming release and thank you so much for visiting with us today. Feel free to drop by anytime you happen to be in the neighborhood.


To celebrate the release of Closing the Deal and Ms. Harte’s visit here today, I am giving away a digital copy of Closing the Deal to one lucky commenter.

Title: Closing the Deal by Marie Harte
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!
Length: Novella

Summary:

When stubborn meets sexy, love is up for grabs…but one of them is playing for keeps.

Derrick Warren has lusted after Sydney Fields ever since he first spotted her, and after months of intense phone conversations, he’s finally got the delectable redhead all to himself.

All he has to do is let the old Warren magic do its thing…until an ex with an axe to grind shows up. Before he knows it, the perfect date ends with Sydney’s wine in his lap. Now she’s not taking his calls. To his utter shock, he realizes he’s going to have to work to win her over.

Thanks to her mother’s bad example, Sydney is determined to never need a man. Just when she’s moved Derrick to her “loser” column, though, she’s tricked into giving him another chance. To her surprise, he not only satisfies her deepest sexual fantasies, she finds herself actually craving his company.

But when she realizes they’re making love, not just having sex, her old instincts kick in. Because she’s starting to like the man, not just his body.

And that, more than anything else, scares the hell out of her…

Product Warnings: Look out for a stubborn redhead who’s not afraid to throw her wine, her opinion, or her body at the annoyingly sexy architect determined to keep her for his own.


To enter the Friday’s Feature Closing the Deal contest:

You must:

1. Be or become a follower of Book Reviews and More by Kathy using Google Friends Connect (Followers in the upper right sidebar box).

Then do one of the following:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page OR follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore) OR friend Book Reviews & More by Kathy on Goodreads OR follow me on NetworkedBlogs. Don’t tweet? Or have a facebook page? Not a Goodreads user? Then sign up for e-mail updates.

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

3. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

4. Leave a comment this post by 5 PM Mountain Time Sunday December 25.

It’s that easy! I will e-mail one lucky winner a copy of Closing the Deal in their preferred format on Tuesday December 27. The winner will be announced Monday December 26.

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Filed under Closing the Deal, Contest, Friday Feature, Marie Harte

Enjoying the Show by Marie Harte

Title: Enjoying the Show by Marie Harte
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!
Length: Novella
Book Rating: B

Summary:

It’s “Look, but don’t touch.” Until the object of Hailey’s fantasies catches her looking and demands she touch him. Everywhere.

Hailey Jennison is smart, funny and, unfortunately, stacked like a blonde brick house. She’s well aware the impact her looks have on the male gender, and she hates it. Socially awkward, she keeps to a safe, boring routine, meeting friends once a week for dinner, some laughs, and entertainment.

Entertainment comes in the form of a little harmless voyeurism, watching the living, breathing sex god across the quad parade around his apartment half-naked. Hailey watches and yearns, indulging in this weekly fantasy that almost—but not quite—satisfies her every desire.

When Gage catches Hailey in the act of ogling him, he gives her a choice—go out with him, or he’ll call the cops. But he has no intention of calling the law down on every man’s wet dream. For he’s been watching her, as well. And he has plans to fulfill her naughty fantasies.

Product Warnings: this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and a man named “Mr. Tool”.

The Review:

Marie Harte’s Enjoying the Show is a deliciously steamy and fun novella with a surprising amount of depth.

Hailey Jennison and Gage Warren are wonderfully flawed characters whose imperfections make them delightfully realistic and extremely likable. Hailey is smart and sexy but full of self-doubts and insecurities. Gage is confident and successful but relationship challenged. Will this couple discover there is more to their newfound relationship than smokin’ hot sex?

Ms. Harte packs a lot of substance Enjoying the Show. Gage’s relationship with his twin brothers and mother is laugh out loud funny and endearing. It also provides a great deal of insight into his character. Equally enjoyable are Hailey’s interactions with her friends.

Enjoying the Show by Marie Harte is an entertaining romance with a charming cast of characters. Gage and Hailey’s romance is sweet and sexy with a few unexpected twists and turns on their way to happily ever after. A quick read that I highly recommend.

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Filed under Contemporary, Enjoying the Show, Marie Harte, Rated B, Red Hots!, Romance, Samhain Publishing Limited