Krystal Shannan Interviews - Christine Warner - Two Timing the Boss

Please help me welcome Christine Warner to the blog today!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m living my dream in Michigan along with my husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.  

I love to laugh—humor is a wonderful part of life—and I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking, reading, writing but definitely no artithmitic, unless I can use a calculator   I’m also slightly addicted to chocolate, coffee and I’m a confessed people watcher. I find so much inspiration for my stories by watching people go about their everyday activities.  My favorite type of stories to read as well as write always involve strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.

Within the last year, I’ve become a girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned. I love meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and my website at christine-warner.com. 

Did you always want to be an author?

In elementary school I won a few writing contests and also a young authors contest. I was addicted and would spend countless hours making up stories and writing them down. At that time I really never considered becoming an author, I just knew that I enjoyed writing stories and sharing them with my friends.

What made you choose to write romance?

It seemed a normal route to take. I’ve always loved reading and discovered Harlequin books the summer before I reached that pivotal time in life—teenagerdom!  I was hooked. I loved the strong heroes, heroines fighting their attractions, different locations and everything working out in the end with a happily ever after. I wanted to write stories like that too.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?

That I can create stories with interesting characters set in familiar or unfamiliar places. I feel like I get to go on a mini-vacation to someplace different with new friends each time I start a story.

Tell us a little about your book.

Farah Smith is on a mission: secure the funds for her twin sister’s surgery.  She’ll do whatever it takes to succeed.  Even if that means putting her values aside to work for a man she finds morally bankrupt.  But when the real Farah meets her new boss, she wonders if she’ll be able to resist his sexy advances long enough to help her sister.

From the blonde wig, to the stilettos strapped around her ankles, Farah’s a clone of Keller Donovan’s harem of past assistants.  She can’t believe she’s let herself be talked into the disguise, let alone working for the man planning to demolish the hospital her sister so desperately needs, but the salary he offers is the only way she’ll be able to afford her sister’s surgery.  The moment Farah meets Keller she realizes her most daunting task isn’t typing, spreadsheets or organizing travel arrangements, but fighting the growing attraction toward a man whose ruthlessness is legendary in the boardroom as well as the bedroom.

Determined not to end up in a disastrous marriage like his divorced parents, Keller believes all relationships should have a shelf life of sixth months or less.  But when he meets Farah, all bets are off.  He not only wants her to continue as his personal assistant, but his own private bed warmer.  Unfortunately, his offer of an affair doesn’t sit well with her fairytale dreams or the strangled hold gripping his heart.

What inspired you to write it?

I actually came up with the idea while driving into work one morning. Lol  I find that’s where I do a lot of brainstorming and plotting. I knew I wanted a love story, but one that involved two sisters—one who would do anything for her slightly more spoiled twin. 

Excerpt:

These damn shoes would be the death of her.  She could read the headlines now:  Penniless P.A. Falls to her Death while on Job Interview.

Almost to her destination, with no more mishaps, her confidence surfaced.  Okay, maybe mastering this heel thing wouldn’t be such a big deal.  Her steps became light, almost bouncy.  Although she sensed Keller Donovan behind her, she didn’t let it deter her feeling of success.  She stepped onto the large black and red area rug, less than ten feet from her target.  The leather chairs. 

“Oh!”  Farah’s spiky heel caught on the edge of the expensive rug.  Her legs shook and she shot her arms out from her sides, circling them like a bird about to take flight.  She fought to regain balance inside the ridiculous stilts strapped to her feet.  A brawl to the death.  Over when she looked down to see the rug coming up to kiss her face.  She threw out her hands, sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, scrunching her face as she prepared for impact.

But nothing happened.  There were stars all right, and a blazing jolt of electricity shot from her toes, up her legs, through her body and exited with the small gasp which escaped her lips.  Somehow Keller Donovan had grabbed her around the waist before she met the floor.  

Heat burned her cheeks.  He may have saved her body from bruises, but her ego, and whatever confidence she’d walked in with had shattered.

“Let’s not have an accident before your health benefits kick in.”  His breath 

tickled her ear from behind.  Chills hugged her backbone.

His touch released an unsettling flutter in her abdomen.  She sucked in her stomach from the pressure of his strong arms wrapped around her middle, afraid to breathe.

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?

I do a little of both. I normally do a quickie outline that I can change along the way as my story evolves while I’m writing it. So nothing is set in stone for sure. After my book is finished, I can use that handy-dandy outline as a guide for my synopsis. I also do character sketches as well which are basically just physical descriptions or quirks and habits about each character. Some things from there never even make it into my story.

If I end up having trouble with a scene or chapter, I will outline per chapter as well. I need to have a roadmap, even though I don’t mind changing the route if something else appeals to me.

Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?

The first book I wrote was Some Like it in Handcuffs and is a light-hearted romantic suspense with humor. The process for publication was lengthy but worth it. I submitted my manuscript to The Wild Rose Press in December of 2010 and was offered a contract in the spring of 2011—after they requested the partial and then the full. From there I tackled some revisions, got my cover and release date and waited.  Lol  My release was scheduled for March of 2012. 

What advice would you give new authors?

Definitely find a critique group—critique partners are invaluable not only for their critiques but their support because there are so many ups and downs we face as authors.  

What have you learned about the business?

That I love it! I love all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way on my journey. There is just so much support out there. And there is nothing like seeing something you’ve worked so hard on in print or ebook format and hearing from others that they’ve enjoyed your story. 

Do you have another book in the works?

Always! Lol

I have a contemporary romance releasing with Entangled Publishing titled Bachelor’s Special—but I don’t have the exact date yet! 

I’m also working on a few other stories that I hope to start submitting soon and I do have another story out on submission….so fingers crossed!

Where do you dream of going on vacation?

Hawaii! There are tons of places I’d like to go, but I’ve always dreamed of visiting one of the islands since I was little.

Boxers or Briefs?

Depends on the day…lol  Does that sound weird? There are some days that men look sexy in boxers and days that there’s nothing better seeing them in briefs.  YUM!

Cookies or cake?

Ooohh…another questions that depends on the day. Although I’d have to say cookies might just trump cake because they are quick and easy and you can eat one on the run!  Lol

Pizza or hamburger?

Definitely pizza. I think I could live on it if given the chance. Lol

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?

I’m not much of a drinker, but I do enjoy a good glass of wine from time to time 

(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)

What were your first impressions of each other?

Keller (chuckling): “I found Farah interesting, in an odd way. She tried to exude confidence, all the while trying to stay upright in her heels. Something was definitely off about her.”

Farah nudges Keller in the ribs: “I was bound and determined not to like Keller Donovan because of all the things I’d read about him. But I can’t deny that his Caribbean blue eyes and knee-wobbling smile didn’t catch me by surprise.”

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Farah: “I always love to look into Keller’s eyes. And I love him for the caring person he is, even though not everyone is aware of his giving nature.”

Keller kisses the inside of Farah’s wrist and her blush deepens. “Don’t let Farah fool you, if anyone is giving and caring it’s her. After all she went through to help her sister…well, I just can’t put it into words, but it’s one of the main reasons I love her as much as I do.”

What are your plans for the near future?

Farah smiles mischievously at Keller. “As long as we’re together it doesn’t matter.”

Keller: “Farah’s being secretive, but I’m going to share.” He squeezes her hand. “Okay, hon?”

Farah: “You know I don’t mind.”

Keller: “Let’s just say our immediate plans involve dinner with about three hundred of our closest friends. Farah will be dressed in white and I’ll be wearing a tux.”

Two-Timing the Boss and my other book Some Like it in Handcuffs are both available in print and digital format at:

http://thewildrosepress.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.amazon.com/

You can find Christine @

My blog/website:  http://christine-warner.com/

Twitter under ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords

My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay informed of what I have in the works: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763713.Christine_Warner

I love to hear from readers and other authors.

Be sure to leave a comment to enter to win a copy of Christine's first book, Some Like It In Handcuffs!