Join Romance Giveaways for all Giveaway Information

Blazing Blackout with Samantha Hunter!

We have Harlequin Blaze Author Samantha Hunter today.
So we started off with some easy questions...
What do you love most about being a writer?
The ability to work from home, set my own daily schedule, and to be creative on a daily basis.
What do you like least about being a writer?
The unpredictability – you never know what will sell or not, what the income this year will be, how the market will change, etc. But then again, a lot of “regular” jobs have that kind of instability as well, these days.
What is your favorite recent title by another author?
A favorite recently is Lori Wilde’s The True Love Knitting Club – really loved that one, my favorite of the series, though I read a lot of books, and have a lot of them I could list J
What one specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick-start a career?
Don’t give up. J And keep learning – there’s always something more to learn and improve.
Describe the ultimate romantic meal.
Anything with my husband, preferably on a warm beach. J
What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?
Oh, tough one. Love, Actually ranks up there, but I also love Kate and Leopold, and so many others… Bridget Jones’s Diary, definitely. J
What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?
How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You by James Taylor
How do you keep the romance alive in your relationship?
We honestly never worry about that. If you love each other and make an effort to show it, which we do, romance happens on its own.
What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?
Don’t expect grand gestures but rather, sincere ones.
Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?
So far, I’d have to say Cape Cod. We’ve been to a lot of places, but I have yet to sit on any beach as lovely as the National Seashore there, and the entire Cape is built for romance J
All About her...
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No, actually. Though I have always been a writer – I have been writing stories since I could write, for school mates, etc. But I wanted to be a scientist, actually, and still did, as an adult, which is why I went on to get my education in environmental geography. I spent the better part of my adult life as an academic, teaching writing, and then geography for a few years. I was looking for jobs in the field when I sold my first book, and we just kind of went from there. I love writing, but it was not something I always imagined doing – in fact, if you told me ten years ago that I would be making a living writing fiction, I would have laughed. J
Besides writing, what other talent would you most like to have?
I’d like to have that crazy strong athleticism like people who climb rock faces with their fingertips. J
Who is someone you admire and why?
So many people to name here. My husband, because he’s strong, kind, and so, so centered as a human being. My good friend Milene, because she managed to accomplish so much (college degrees, becoming a professor and activist, traveling internationally, etc) after becoming legally blind in her thirties. My friend Vivian who is such a dedicated teacher and friend, and so true to her faith in life. Many, many writer friends for their success and perseverance.
What quality do you most admire in a man?           
Kindness, closely followed by honesty.
What is the one thing you've always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try?
Parachuting.
To finish up, do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you'd like to share with unpublished authors?
Every writer and every writing career is different – comparing yourself to others will drive you crazy, but listening to others will help you learn and gain perspective, so you have to balance those two things.
Other than that, just don’t give up. J

BOOK:
MINE UNTIL MORNING is a 24 Hour: Blackout Blaze about Tessa Rose, who runs a shop in Philadelphia, and Jonas Berringer, a bodyguard who lost his eyesight while he was protecting Tessa from a threat leveled against her father, a US Senator.
Jonas is bitter about the loss of his eyesight, particularly because he believes Tessa was just toying with him to annoy her controlling father. Tessa has real emotions for Jonas, but he doesn’t want anything to do with her – or so he thinks. When her father asks him to watch out for her again – and to use their past attraction as a way to allow her to let him close – things get pretty hot. Then, as massive storms cause a city-wide blackout, they have to rely on each other to make their way across the city to help an elderly friend of Tessa’s.
I loved, loved, loved writing this book. I had wanted to write a blind hero for sometime, and then, lo and behold, as I was writing him, one brother popped up, and then another, and before I knew it, Jonas had three brothers involved in his bodyguard business, and I knew I would have to write their stories as well!
One of the brothers, Ely Berringer, has a separate story of his own in a subplot of the book, and we meet the other two, Garrett and Chance, and I hope readers will love them as much as I do. The Berringer Bodyguard series will be out over the holidays at the end of 2012 – each book also having a holiday theme.
 Thank you Samantha for being with us today. To know more about Samantha please check out her Website. Her Blog is here. And do connect with her on Facebook and Twitter for more fun! And she does have a signed book and some other goodies for a commenter today!
My Review of MINE UNTIL MORNING.

MINE UNTIL MORNING is part of the Harlequin Blaze 24 hour: Blackout miniseries.
With a strong, feisty and fiercely independent heroine, women would relate or aspire to and an alpha yet sensitive and gorgeous hero all would love it has all the masala (spicy ingredients) which would keep readers on the edge of their seats turning the pages.
Tessa Rose, though an US Senator’s daughter, wanted to lead a normal life away from the influence of her father. And she loathed any interference from her father in her life. When the Senator started getting threats, he hired Jonas Berringer, from a private an exclusive security firm to guard his daughter.
Jonas, believed through the media, that Tessa was one spoiled rich girl who liked to rub her father’s nose in her exploits and had made several questionable choices in relationships, among other things, that seemed more about thwarting her father’s control than anything else.
However, Jonas discovered that Tessa was not a girl anymore but a mature, successful business woman. And very, very desirable. Guarding Tessa became more intense than his usual assignments. She tempted him from every angle she could. Just for a weak moment when he gave in to the temptation, he lost his sight. Then he found out Tessa had betrayed him to her father, which resulted in his company being pulled of the Senator’s list.
Now blind and bitter, he meets Tessa again during the blackout and they discover endless temptations. They have to trust in each other and in their heightened senses to see them through the night until morning!
A hugely sensual and very enjoyable tale, MINE UNTIL MORNING is another not to be missed treat from the fabulous pen of Samantha Hunter! 
It’s a fast-paced and feel-good romance that sparkles with red-hot sensuality, sizzling sex scenes, mesmerizing emotion and intense passion. With strong, believable and realistic characters that leap of the pages and their deftly written story, it is sure to thrill and excite readers everywhere!

39 comments:

  1. Hello Nas. Hello Samantha. Ooh, I share a love of Kate and Leopold and Love Actually with you! Fab movies! Thanks for sharing so much of yourself Samantha. Loved it. The best with your books!

    And Nas, you just copy my post and change it to suit yourself! Then post. Time we heard more about you!!!

    Denise<3

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Nas and Samantha! Another great interview. What an intriguing concept having a blind hero. I'm guessing he'll have the advantage in the blackout. I look forward to this!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello everyone :) Thanks for coming by. It's Sunday evening here right now, but I will make sure to come by and check and respond to comments or questions :)

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Samantha. Mine Until Midnight sounds wonderful. Can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, Samantha, I just love that advice about balancing comparing yourself to others with listening to and learning from them!

    Great review, Nas. Your enjoyment of "Mine Until Morning" really shines through.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great interview. Your description of Cape Cod made me long to go there - with a good book. Mine Until Midnight sounds like a likely choice... :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Denise, thanks for coming by! There's nothing exciting about me, and I'm so shy of sharing as I feel no one would come to read!

    Hi Margo, Imagine a blind hero, who depends on his other acute senses to save the heroine during a blackout! Very interesting story.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome Samantha,

    Thanks for taking the time out and coming here to chat with our friends.

    Hi Donna, thanks for swinging by, Mine Until Morning is a blazing read!

    Hi LP, As you say, I really enjoyed this story! Thanks for your lovely comment!

    Hello Regina, thanks for coming and checking Samantha Hunter's interview!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Nas, Hi Samantha.
    I love Kate and Leopold too. In fact, the character of Leopold gave me some inspiration for my own characters on how he held himself, etc. The premise for your book sounds so amazing. A blind character would be incredibly difficult for me to write.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow what a hot cover....Great interview as well. I will be checking out your hot book for sure...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Morning everyone! I think it's into tomorrow in your part of the world, but just Monday morning here for me :)

    Thanks for all of the kind comments. I loved writing this book, and I am enjoying spending time with all of the Berringer brothers as I work out their stories -- what a great group of heroes, if I don't say so myself. :)

    Writing a blind hero was a goal of mine (I should mention, his blindness is temporary, he gets his sight back eventually, but he is blind for the course of the book), and it was a challenge -- but such a fun one. Really pushed my imagination. :)

    I would like to write another book with a blind hero where the blindness is permanent -- for me, this doesn't diminish a person at all, but just makes them even more intriguing...

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  12. Regina, Cape Cod is gorgeous. I want to live there, and we might do that within the next few years. The beaches are just so beautiful -- though the water can be cold :)

    LP, comparing yourself to others is such a tricky thing -- it's a human thing to do, and it can be a way to improve, be inspired, or a way to undermine yourself and make yourself a little crazy. I think it's a normal thing to do, but we need to keep centered on our own work, and our own goals. Everyone has their own path :)

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  13. Margo, the blackout definitely levels the playing field, for sure, and teaches both of these characters things about trust that they need to learn. It also offers a lot of sexy opportunities -- so much can happen in a Blaze in the dark! LOL

    Denise, Donna, and Savannah, thanks! :)

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Samantha!
    I'm I James Taylor fan, too! I recently saw him in concert. Wonderful!

    Your book sounds great! I'll check it out on my next visit to e-harlequin.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, Nas and Sam! Great interview!! And such a good reminder--sometimes the most emotionally revealing gestures aren't the biggest ones, but the ones that show that the other person has truly been paying attention, and that they "get" you. And I love that you didn't go out hoping to make a living by writing but are doing it anyway :) Can't wait to pick up your latest--I love the sounds of this story!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great interview and review. I have never written romance but I love what she admires in a man and how to keep romance alive. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wendy, have seen James twice, and would see him again any chance I had -- he does such a wonderful live performance :)

    Fedora, hi! Thanks for coming by :) I hope you enjoy it :)

    Clarissa, thanks to you for stopping in :)

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't think I've ever read a romance with a blind hero, so that ought to be something quite different from the ordinary.

    Samantha's enthusiasm over her heroes is catching. Makes me want to sit down and write something.

    Howdy to you, Nas!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Another great interview! The book sounds great. Oh and I'd love to try parachuting too but there's no chance anyone will get me to jump willingly out of a perfectly good plane. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. JL, thanks :) I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up :) I have to admit, spending time with my heroes is always a joy. What a way to make a living, LOL. :)

    Lynda, I am with you ;) I can't see the point in jumping out of that plane unless I have to, either. Maybe when I am 90. :)

    Thanks!

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  21. That's great advice about listening to others but not comparing ourselves to others - so true!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Nas and Samantha! Thanks for another great interview. The book sounds fantastic. I love reading a good romance while relaxing on the beach!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, I'm so there with you on parachuting. That's something I've always wanted to do but not likely to happen. Not unless I'm sedated first. ;-)

    Great interview!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Nas!

    I just wanted to say... remember I won that book of Kate Hardy's after you interviewed her here? Well, it arrived last week :-) Thanks again, and I'll email and thank her too.

    xx R

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great interview! Thanks for the inspirational words. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love those movies too!
    Thanks for introducing Samantha to us, Nas!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Lydia K, You welcome! Did your Annie West book arrive yet?

    Hello Laura, thanks for coming by!

    Hi Rachael, I'm glad you received the Kate Hardy book. Thanks for coming by.

    Hi Liz, I want to put you on the hot seat very soon!

    Hi Kerri, glad your enjoy romance as well!

    Hello Susan, thanks for coming by!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Nancy(NR Williams)! Thanks so much for coming by.

    Hi Savannah, thanks for your lovely comment!

    Hello Wendy, thanks for coming by, Samantha's Mine Until Morning is an awesome read!

    Hi Fichen1, Welcome to my blog! Great that you came by to check out Samantha Hunter's interview!

    Hello Clarrisa, thanks so much for swinging by!

    Hello JL, it was also my first time reading a blind hero. I'm fine, by the way! Thanks for asking.

    Hi Lynda, thanks for coming by!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I also wish I could be the kind of person tough enough to climb mountains.

    How cool to write a romance with a blind love interest. I like the idea of putting them in a blackout situation.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great interview! And the story sounds really hot :-) Congratulations, Samantha!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Theresa, you're a lovely person who inspires so many of her students! You don't need to climb mountains, you move the mountains in these children's/your student's lives!

    Hello Deniz, Mine Until Morning is a hot sensual story characters that leap off the page! Thanks for coming by.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great interview, which came just at the right time. I was having a downer on myself as a writer, but you are right I shouldn't compare myself to others. Rome wasn't built in a day and all that. You sound as if you have a husband similar to mine - a grounded rock, who always makes it clear he loves me in so many little ways. Thanks for hosting Nas. Mx

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Morton, you welcome, thanks for coming by!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hey everyone -- sorry I was out of touch for a bit, but yesterday was my 14th anniversary to wonderful man, and I wasn't online as much :)

    Thanks for all of the kind comments! If you try out the book, I hope you enjoy it. :)

    I think Nas and I will be announcing a winner soon -- stay tuned!

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oooh, I can't wait to read your book, Samantha. I love what you said about not comparing ourselves to other writers. You rock. I needed to hear that. Thanks Nas, for this. (((hugs)))

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love her advice for other writers--who is it that said that published writers are just unpublished writers who never gave up? It's so true.

    Sounds like a wonderful author and a wonderful book! Great interview as always.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Samantha, Happy Anniversary! I hope you had a good day with your Best Beloved. :)

    Hi Robyn, you welcome, and MINE UNTIL MORNING is a very enjoyable, entertaining read, if you're not a Blaze girl, you might become one after reading Samantha's book!

    Hello Meagan, thanks for coming in and checking out Samantha Hunter's interview. I'm glad you liked her advice.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks everyone -- I'm so glad you found my advice helpful, especially the bit about not comparing yourself to others. I think that's one of the things we really need to free ourselves from doing on a lot of levels.

    As for our winner! Random.org has popped up...

    Susan Fields!!!

    Susan, just email me at samhunter@samanthahunter.com, and I will get your prize and book out to you asap!

    Thanks everyone, and most especially Nas -- what a great treat this blog is :)

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  39. Congratulations Susan! Enjoy the lovely book you're about to receive!

    Thanks to all my lovely friends for coming along and making my guest welcome!

    And last but not the least, a very big THANK YOU to Samantha Hunter for taking time out from her busy schedule and being with us!
    We all enjoyed your visit with us!

    ReplyDelete