Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Today's Special - - Tracy Brogan


I'm delighted to introduce you to contemporary author Tracy Brogan today.  Tracy is a newly published author who is already making a name for herself with great reviews and a 2013 RITA® nomination for Best First Book.  

Past or present, Tracy loves romance!  She writes fun and breezy modern stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary love, and also lush historical romance full of political intrigue, damsels causing distress, and the occasional man in a kilt.  (We ♥ men in kilts!)

She's a best-selling author in both contemporary and historical romance, as well as a Romance Writers of America (RWA) RITA® finalist in the Best First Book category for her debut novel, CRAZY LITTLE THING.  She is also a two-time RWA Golden Heart® finalist.

Tracy loves to hear from readers so send her a note via her website at tracybrogan.com!


Hi Tracy!  Welcome to the Romance Dish!  Congratulations on the upcoming release of HOLD ON MY HEART.  Will you please tell our readers what to expect from this story? 

Thanks so much for having me here today! I love to dish about romance!  Readers who read my first book, CRAZY LITTLE THING, know that humor is a big part of my stories. That’s true for HOLD ON MY HEART as well, but this book has a much deeper thread running through it. The hero, Tom Murphy, is a widower with a teenaged daughter. He’s not looking for drama, and he’s certainly not looking for love, but you know how that goes! Heroine Libby Hamilton has recently lost her job, and her fair-weather boyfriend has moved away and sublet their apartment. Now she’s back where she never expected to be – living at home with her parents. When Tom and Libby join forces to help her father turn an abandoned one-room schoolhouse into a vintage ice cream parlor, walls come down, hopes are built up, and Libby gets a hold on Tom’s heart that won’t let go. 

I fell hard for Tom (What can I say?  I’m a sucker for an emotionally wounded hero, especially if he’s well built and wearing a tool belt) and Libby had me laughing from the get-go.  Their introduction was my first clue that this book was going to be a fun ride.  What do you want readers to understand about Tom and Libby?

One could argue that this is really Tom’s story. He was a powerful presence in my head and I knew I had to tell the story the way he wanted it told. Sounds wackadoodle, doesn’t it? But those of you who listen to the voices know what I’m talking about! Libby was a good sport and open to anything. She started the book stuck in a bit of rut, but she knew she’d find her way out. I needed to keep her light to balance with his dark. My natural inclination is to take a sad situation and use humor to bring people through it. I think sharing laughter bonds people together as much as sharing misery, and in a much more enjoyable fashion!

Here’s a fun tid-bit. I love the cover of this book. I think it captures the essence of their relationship perfectly. But this is the second cover! The first one was in production and at the last minute, we realized we needed to use something different and I could not be happier that the first one didn’t work out. Fate interceded.

Would you like to share an excerpt for our readers?

Oh, I’d much rather share the trailer! It even has original music, and I confess, the trailer has made me fall in love with this story all over again. Here’s the link: 


We love call stories here at The Romance Dish.  Please tell us about yours. 

I’m incredibly lucky to have received a few nice “calls,” like when my agent called to tell me Montlake had made an offer. She said, “Did you ever think I’d be calling you with good news?”  Dubious me said, “Are you calling me with good news right now?”  Fortunately, she was!

My most recent “awesome call” came on March 26th which is RITA and Golden Heart announcement day. My routine has been the same for the last three years and it seems to work. I drop my kids off at the bus stop. Then go to the drive through window of the nearest Starbucks. I get myself a vanilla latte, (decaf and sugar-free because I’m already wired enough,) and then I buy coffee for the person in the car behind me. I figure that way, even if I don’t get a call, at least I’ve done something useful with the day. Then I go home and stare at my phone while pretending to write.

It seems that every year on announcement day, my husband has just worked a night shift and is sleeping, so after my call, I have to hop around *not screaming* until he wakes up. When he finally wanders into my office, he’s inevitably in nothing but a tee shirt and boxers. This is part of the tradition I would like to change.

You’re a two-time RWA Golden Heart® finalist and a 2013 RITA® finalist for Best First Book for your debut contemporary, CRAZY LITTLE THING.  Congratulations!  Are you doing anything special to prepare for the hoopla of being a RITA finalist at this summer’s RWA National Conference?  Picked out a dress for the awards ceremony? 

I’m thrilled/humbled/amazed/giggly to be a RITA nominee this year! It hasn’t really sunk in. Mainly because I’m on deadline right now so all I can think about is getting this next book finished and off to my editor before July! In addition to that, immediately following the RWA conference (immediately as in Sunday morning!) I’m flying from Atlanta to North Carolina to join my family for a weeklong vacation – which means I have to pack for both the conference, and the vacation, before I can leave home. So while I should be kicking up my heels in pre-celebration, instead I’m mostly banging my head on the desk. But these are good problems to have – conference and vacation!

And I will confess I special ordered a lovely dress – which arrived too tight in the butt and too loose on the top. I’m considering wearing it upside down.

You’ve also published a historical romance.  What type of books do you write in this sub-genre?

My historical romance, HIGHLAND SURRENDER, just won first place in the 2013 Golden Quill contest, and is also a nominee in the Book Sellers Best contest so I’m really excited about that! It’s set in 1537 Scotland and is full of political intrigue, damsels causing distress, and yes, a few kilts. But my historical stories are all over the board as far as setting and time period. I have a World War 2 story coming up next, another story set in 16th Century Scotland, and one that begins in Ireland and ends in America during the mid-1800’s. One common theme through each of them is a heroine who doesn’t quite fit the mold of her time period. She’s willing to defy expectations and follow her heart. 

We’re always looking for new books to read around here.  Any you’ve read lately that you would recommend? 

I’m a big fan of Joanna Bourne and Cecelia Grant. They are auto-buys for me, as is Kristan Higgins. And although I don’t typically read paranormal, I love the FIRST GRAVE series by Darynda Jones. Right now I’m working my way through the RITA nominees and loving every minute of that. What a wonderful group of authors we have!

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up two more books set in Bell Harbor, the same location as CRAZY LITTLE THING. They’re not sequels but readers may “recognize” a few characters. This next one is about a female plastic surgeon who turns thirty-four and realizes, “Oh, crap! I forgot to get married.” So using all the scientific data available to her, she sets about to find the perfect husband. Things don’t go quite as she plans!

After that is a story about a beautiful, mysterious, young woman who shows up in town with a backpack full of money. Everyone wants to know who she is, and who the money belongs to, especially her sexy new landlord.

Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Tracy.  Would you like to add anything else?  Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

I’d love to know what readers think of author newsletters? I’ve never sent one but am thinking about doing something quarterly. So what kinds of news would readers like to hear from me? Any burning questions they want me to answer? They can sign up for my newsletter at TracyBrogan.com.

Also, I’d also love to give some books away!!! Three lucky readers who leave a comment by June 21st will win a swag bag full of goodies!

Okay, readers.  Let's get those comments coming.  There are some great prizes up for grabs!  


38 comments:

  1. Congrats on the upcoming release, Tracy. I like receiving an author's newsletter to find out about new or upcoming releases, works in progress and if they're working on a different genre or series.

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  2. Congratulations, Tracy and Sign me up!

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  3. I get this message when I try to sign up for your newsletter, Tracy: » -99:Could not connect (ERR 110: Connection timed out)

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  4. Hi, I always enjoy author newsletters. I like a little background on new releases and basically anything of interest the author cares to share.

    However, I was unable to subscribe. Feel free to sign me up too.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. However, it now seems to have gone through. Thank you!!

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  5. I just read Hold On My Heart yesterday. I kept stealing minutes from other things I should have been doing until I finished it. I'll save the specifics for my review, but I will say that I really liked it. And that has to be one of the funniest meet scenes ever.

    I sign up for newsletters primarily to receive reminders of new releases and news about upcoming books, but the newsletters I like best are those that make me feel as if they are personal communications from the authors in their voices.

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  6. Congratulations to Tracy on the success of her debut novel. I enjoy getting author newsletters. What I am looking for is information about upcoming books.

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  7. Thanks for your comments, everyone!! I appreciate that feedback. And thanks for having me here today, Romance Dish :)
    Have a wonderful day!!!
    Tracy

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  8. Hi Tracy! Glad to have you here today. Like Janga, I really liked HOLD ON MY HEART and agree with her on the meet scene. Had tears running down my face I was laughing so hard! lol!

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    1. That was a fun scene to write!!! I sure hope that never happens to me in real life!!

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  9. I love every thing you write, Brogan!!! Which makes it really hard to be an effective critique partner. :)

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  10. I like to know what books are coming up and when, what books authors recommend. Thanks for the giveaway - love those too. LOL.

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  11. Newsletters are always welcome. Learning about the books that are available, and upcoming ones are great. Thanks for your delightful post today.

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  12. Congratulations and best wishes. I enjoy newsletter since they are informative and helpful.

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  13. Congrats on the new release! I love newsletter with extra tidbits about the upcoming books or extra info about the writer!

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  14. Yes I like newsletters. They should highlight what's been happening , what's going to happen and include info on latest book, maybe include an excerpt, book signing info , possibly add a contest to win a free book.

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  15. Welcome, Tracy! I just want to say that an author who can write contemporary and historical novels is certainly multi-talented. Congratulations on that!

    I like author newsletters because I always learn something new about my favorite authors. Reading their novels and following them on Facebook, their websites and newsletters makes me feel like I’m a friend and not just a fan. I’m sure they are a lot of work for authors to put together, but please know that we readers love them and appreciate the time and effort that it takes from their business schedules. Do let us know about upcoming novels because I love to mark my “author calendar” with release dates.

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  16. I like author newsletters and I am signed up for a lot of them. I especially like learning about the author's new books, publication schedule and book awards. Other interesting things are books the author has read and would recommend, a reader Q&A column, and of course--contests/giveaways. Thanks for visiting today.

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  17. Hello and welcome, Tracy! Love the sound of your books. :)

    I do like author newsletters as long as they don't send inundate my inbox with them. I've had to unsubscribe from a few authors who have done that. They are a great way to keep up with the author and their upcoming releases, contests, etc.

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  18. For those of you who enjoy newsletters, hope you sign up for mine at Tracybrogan.com :)

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  19. I like the newsletters about new books and the authors lives. I feel more connected to them when I hear the normal things that happen in their lives...lol Good lick with your new book. Going to sign up on your site now...


    Donna

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  20. Thanks for the fun interview and congrats to Tracy on the success! I like author newsletters. Keeps me up to date on new releases and I getting "teasers" :)

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  21. Congratulations on your success. All of your books sound really good! I read mostly contemporary & historical romance. Kristan Higgins is one of my favorites, too! I also read the first book in Cecelia Grant's series & plan on reading the rest of them. I like the newsletters, mostly to be notified of new releases & contests. Blogs are good, too.

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  22. Wonderful interview, Tracy! And you pretty much had a HOLD ON MY HEART from the moment we met. But I think it's the upside down dress that really sealed the deal ;)

    So proud of your numerous accomplishments and general fabulousness! Keep those fantastic stories coming!!!!

    xo
    Darcy

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  23. Love finding a new author and book.
    lauratroxelatyahoodotcom

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  24. Glad to "meet" you again, Tracy. I met you once before on another blog hop. I like author newsletters because it is a way of keeping up with their books, their series, their appearances, and their contests and giveaways. I read a lot, I re-read books that I consider keepers, I spend a lot of money on books, I give books as gifts. So, for me, the newsletters are all about books. And from time to time, if a reward to the fans (contest, giveaway, etc.) comes in a newsletter, so much the better. The fan base will grow then by word of mouth. I think I'll go shopping at Amazon now to buy a book of yours...and sign up for your newsletter! :-) jdh2690@Wgmail.com

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  25. First, congratulations on making the RITA' Finalist. Although I haven't read your books yet, but your HR w/ men in kilts and your contemporary novels sound really intriguing. I just might have to add your books to my TBR pile. ;)

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  26. Thanks again to all you lovely visitors!!!!! Have a fabulous week!!!

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  27. I forgot about the newsletter. Yes, I like receiving newsletter, it's a good way to get a reminder about things; new books, contest, events, etc. So, yes.. send us your newsletter.

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  28. I love author newsletters. Talking about new releases, upcoming books, contests, Q&A... It's also a really good reminder of when books come out! Loved the interview!

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  29. Tracy, thanks so much for visiting with us today. We wish you all the best with HOLD ON MY HEART and at the RITAs. I'm looking forward to meeting you in person in Atlanta!

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  30. I like to be be kept up to date on new releases and even discover new authors.
    Natalie's Mama

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  31. Tracy you are a new to me author, but I like your stories, so I am thinking you will so be an author on my auto buy list.. Good luck with your books

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  32. I love getting newsletters from my favorite authors. I like knowing what new releases are coming out, info on giveaways, blog hops and little tid-bits they want to share. I'm going to sign up for yours now. This giveaway sounds awesome and I thank you for it!

    Wanda Barefoot
    flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I love hearing what the upcoming releases are and what they are about, giveaways and whatever else the authors like to share.
    Gmapeony@yahoo.com

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  34. Am always looking for new reads, so happy to hear about new books and also the chance to win some books.
    Pat B.
    ATbrenn@verizon.net

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  35. OK! If I don't win this book, I'll have to "buy" it to find out how Tom and Libby end up together fixing up the ice cream parlor!!! So, I hope I could win the book!
    mickey3214 at aol dot com

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  36. I love getting author news letters! I love when the excerpts for upcoming books or maybe a snippet from a past book. Plus it always fun to find out what my favorite author has been up to :)

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