Sandra Marton, The Dangerous Jacob Wilde Giveaway!

Today we have USA Today Bestselling author Sandra Marton answering my questions! Over to Sandra now....

Nas : What do you love most about writing for Harlequin Presents?

SANDRA: I love that Presents brings my books to women all around the world.  And I love that it gives me the freedom to tell  sexy, passionate, intense stories about powerful, handsome, Alpha men  the women who will change their lives.

 Nas : What do you think makes a good story?

SANDRA: First of all, great characters. For me, that means a sexy Alpha hero and a strong, independent heroine.  Characters must live and breathe; I have to get the sense that they exist not only in the scenes in which they're portrayed in a book  but in the parts of the story  unseen by the reader.  After characterization, a good story needs believable dialogue, interesting settings, a plot that will draw in both the reader and the characters, and, finally, it needs a strong author voice.

 Nas : Who is Sandra Marton?

SANDRA: Great question! Sandra is a writer, a wife, a mother and a grandmother.  She's someone who loves dogs and virtually all animals ; she's passionate about nature and the preservation of the wilderness.  She loves to people-watch sit at sidewalk cafes in Paris and New York as much as she loves to animal-watch in nature preserves.  She has  eclectic tastes in music and enjoys everything from classical to rock. She adores travel, good books and good wine.  And she loves her work.  There are times she still can hardly believe she's lucky enough to earn her living by telling stories. 

Nas : Anywhere you haven't travelled you would like to go?

SANDRA: The Arctic circle.  I've always wanted to take a trip across the sea ice to view polar bears in the wild. And though I've been to Istanbul,  I'd like to go there again and spend lots more time exploring the city. It's a wonderful place, a stepping-stone between worlds.

Nas : What one item do you always pack when you travel?

SANDRA: How about two items, depending on the trip? If we're going to a resort, a hotel, a city, someplace where I'm going to want to dress up in the evenings, then I absolutely must have my flat iron with me.  I never know, until the last minute, if I'm going to want to let my naturally curly hair do its thing or if I'll be in the mood to tame it. I don't take chances, either: the flat iron travels in my carry-on bag!

If we're going on an adventurous vacation,  one that'll involve some walking and hiking, where I'm more likely to carry a daypack than an evening bag, then I   have to take my  oldest pair of Merrell hiking boots with me.  I have other pairs but  this one pair of Merrells were on my feet when we walked along the edges of Hawaiian volcanoes,  Arizona high desert, Adirondack mountain trials, the shore of the North Sea, Alaskan tundra and half a dozen other wonderful places.  They're a little shabby but still sturdy and comfortable; best of all, just putting them on brings a rush of wonderful memories.

Nas : Tell us a little about your current release.

SANDRA: Actually, I have two releases coming out in virtually the same month.  The first book of my newest family saga for Harlequin Presents is, The Wilde Brothers, is  a December release. It's called The Dangerous Jacob Wilde and it will be on sale everywhere in mid-November.  Jake is one of three sexy, hard-bodied  brothers. He flies combat helicopters. At least, he did—until he suffered a terrible wound that you can see as well as another,  an emotional wound, that you can't.  Jake's  come home to the Wilde's huge Texas ranch.  He is  bitter, angry, unwilling to trust anyone—and  then he meets transplanted New Yorker, Addison McDowell.  One incredible night of  blazing passion will turn both their worlds upside down.

The other release I'm very excited about is The Prince of Pleasure, available in e-formal in early November.  Sheikh  Khan, the ruler of Altara, has come to Texas on business.  (Actually, Khan is a friend of the Wilde brothers, so they're in this story, too.) Khan—sexy, gorgeous and powerful—is  trapped between two worlds. He respects the traditions of the kingdom he rules but he's eager to move it into the  21^st century.  It isn't an easy task, and his life grows even more  complicated when he meets Laurel Cruz.  Laurel is a modern woman. She's sophisticated, bright, and she doesn't take orders from anyone—especially men.  Khan is a man accustomed to not just giving orders but to having them obeyed.  These two disagree on everything… except on what happens when Khan takes Laurel to his bed.

I hope your readers will stop by my website, http://www.sandramarton.com, to find out more about The Dangerous Jacob Wilde as well as  The Prince of Pleasure, and that while they're there, they'll sign up for my newsletter. Once they do, they'll be the first to hear about my next Wilde family books… and about my new and exciting plans for 2013, which I'm very eager to share!

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