BLOG TOUR WITH CHRISTIE CRAIG ~ BLAME IT ON TEXAS W/ GIVEAWAY AND INTERVIEW

Forever Books is giving away a copy of Blame It On Texas ~ more details at the bottom of this post.

I am so excited to be a part of the 'BLAME IT ON TEXAS' blog tour for the fabulous Christie Craig. Since reading her book, Divorced, Desperate, and Delicious, I knew I needed to read more of her books.

Now I get to sit down with Christie for a little one-on-one and discover some things about this talented author.



1. Tell your readers 5 things that they would be surprised to find out about you.

CC: First, a huge thank-you for having me at your blog today. I think bloggers have earned themselves a special place in publishing heaven. Okay, now to answer your question . . . Let me dig deep into my confession bank. LOL.

(1) Okay…well, I cry and laugh right along with my characters. If something is supposed to be sad, and I’m not choking up, then I go back and rework it until I cry. If it’s supposed to be funny, and I don’t laugh, I start reworking it.

(2) I was once held at gunpoint by seven of LAPD’s finest. They thought I was robbing the pizza joint I worked at. Of course, I wasn’t robbing the place, and I got a raise that day by the district manager for not walking out and quitting.

(3) Every time I sit down to write a book, I still panic and think I don’t know how to do it. Writing may be a little like riding a bicycle, but with every book I usually have to take a nosedive over the handlebars before I remember that I do know how to write.

(4) I really enjoy killing people—when they deserve it, of course, and only in my books. Unfortunately, I do feel a little guilty for having fun while doing it.

(5) I actually hung up on Tom Selleck once. I was interviewing him for an article, when I looked at the clock; it was past time for me to pick up my son from kindergarten, so I said, “Sorry, I gotta go.” Sadly, I don’t think my son ever appreciated it.

2. Describe your Hotter In Texas Series using 5 words.

CC: Now I'll be honest. I was born in Alabama so trying to limit myself to just five words about anything is gonna be hard. But I'll give it a try:

Sexy, suspenseful and seriously funny.

Okay, so I cheated a bit. That's the tag line from my website but, hey! It's only five words and it does describe my Hotter in Texas series.

3. I have just discovered they you were the author C.C. Hunter (YA book Shadow Falls Series). What drew you to write a young adult series?

CC: Oh, that’s easy. Being a smart ass. LOL. But seriously, that’s the truth. An editor from St. Martin’s/Griffin contacted my agent and asked if I would consider writing a Young Adult Paranormal series for them. Both my agent and I were shocked. When I spoke with the editor and asked why she felt I could write a young adult series, she told me, “It’s because you’re a smart ass. And teens relate to that.” I laughed and told her, “You know my mama told me that being a smart-ass was never going to get me anywhere.” She said, “Well, I think your mama was wrong.” And she was right. The series recently hit the New York Times’ best-sellers list for children’s book series and #49 on the USA Today. Not too bad for a smart-ass. LOL.

4. What is next for you after you finish the Hotter In Texas Series?

CC: I’m now working on the fifth and final book in my Young Adult series right now. After that, I’m full speed ahead on the third book in the Hotter in Texas series, Texas Hold ‘Em. I’m already brainstorming two new series, a humorous romantic suspense and a new paranormal young adult series for my publishers. The details are a bit hazy but it looks like I’ll be busy for the next year or so.

5. One of the reasons why I love and adore your book is because they make me laugh out loud and swoon at the same time. For me, they are the perfect recipe for a great romance - laughter and steamy chemistry between the H/h. What do you think makes the perfect recipe for a great romance book?

CC: For me, the perfect recipe for a great romance is: lots of heart, extra portions of humor, all cooked up with some heat and a little steam. The heart comes from the characters. Sure, they’re a little flawed, but they’re also good people who you can’t help but love and root for.

Humor, and I don’t think you can add too much of that because I seriously think falling in love should be fun. People falling in love walk around with a silly smile on their face because they are so darn happy. And I want my readers to walk around with that same grin when they read my books. (But my readers should know that I wear the same grin when I write the books, too.)

The heat and steam are provided by that sizzling attraction between my hero and heroine and from the suspense that keeps the characters and the readers on the edge of a hot seat. The sexual tension between Zoe and Tyler just jumped off the page. It doesn’t always happen so easily, but from the moment she dropped scrabbled eggs and hot grits on that man, she was practically in love. And I think the mystery in this book is one of my best ones.

Thanks again for inviting me here to your blog. If your readers want to know more about me and my books, they can find information at my website, www.Christie-Craig.com. For a little taste of my Hotter in Texas series, watch the video below. I hope you enjoy!

Book Blurb from Goodreads

Zoe Adams has always been content with her quiet nights at home, watching TV alone-until her life turns into a real-life episode of Unsolved Mystery Hunters. The story of a kidnapped girl triggers unexplained memories, and Zoe is dead-set on figuring out why. Her search leads her to one of the Lone Star State's richest families-and to sexy PI Tyler Lopez.

Tyler has sworn off women, especially redheads with killer curves who poke their noses into his clients' private lives. Still, he can't deny the attraction any more than he can deny that some of Zoe's crazy story makes sense. But when she becomes a hit man's target, this cold case starts heating up. Suddenly, Tyler will do anything to protect Zoe-even risk his heart.

Blame It On Texas is a humorous, romantic read with two characters -- Tyler Lopez and Zoe Adams -- that have amazing sexual chemistry from their first meeting.  Regardless of the fact that one of them is wearing a clown suit, a wig, and clown shoes.

Tyler is one of the three sexy men that work at a small PI firm, Only In Texas, and finds himself helping Zoe when everyone else thinks she may be off her rocker.

Zoe Adams is determined to find out the truth about her birth. When she comes across a picture of her as a child, the resemblance to a long ago kidnapping victim is uncanny. Could she be the child that was taken all those years ago? And if so, then who is the body that was found and buried?  Zoe's quest to find the answers makes someone very nervous and now her life is in danger.

Despite their best intentions, Tyler and Zoe cannot stay away from each other and what ensues is a very sexy, very erotic game of strip scrabble that leads to clothes flying, bodies knocking, and things change from professional to personal lickity split. But can Zoe convince Tyler to turn their lust and amazing sex into something more permenent?

These hilarious characters in the Hotter In Texas Series are quirky, lovable, and fun to visit. And since I have read (and enjoyed) Craig's first book, I felt like I was coming home. Throw in a cat with one eye, three paws and butt-ugly, and a dog that loves to hide in a casket?  Well, I'm not sure what you have there, but it's very highly entertaining read.

UPDATE--MY BAD, I forgot to post about the giveaway last night when I wrote this. Forgive?

To win a paperback copy of Blame It On Texas, you must be a US Resident-and follow my blog.

Just leave me a comment, along with your email address, and let me know how bad you want the book, lol.

Winner will be selected after tour is over ~ Which will Sept 3, 2012.  Winner chosen via Random.org.

Thanks ~