Please help me welcome today’s guest, Tina Gayle, who is sharing a little about herself and her brand new release!
Hi Alicia, thanks for having me on your blog today.
You’re welcome, Tina. So thrilled to host you!
Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?
I grew up in the great state of Texas with three sisters, all of which are older than me. A dreamer from the very beginning, I love telling stories and fell in love with romance novels in my teens. After I got married, we moved around a lot and now, we are in Orange County, California. My husband and I love to be outside and travel. We play golf and visit our two sons when we can. Right now, we have one dog, Callie, who rules the house.
Where did you get the idea got Marketing Exec’s Widow?
This series started years before I sat down to write it. My husband worked for a logistic company that had a truck with a big roll of paper that broke its secure line and rolled off the truck. It crushed the people in the car next to it. A tragedy that I couldn’t seem to get over. When I started this series, I wanted to write about women who were over coming grief from the loss of their husbands. So the Executive Wives’ Club was born. In the Marketing Exec’s Widow, Jen is a married single who now has to move on with her life, but she faces losing her friends by recovering from her grief before the rest of the group.
Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?
I believe this book and series has more women fiction elements. Mainly, I choose this genre because I feel woman need to understand as much as we need romance in our lives we also need to establish strong ties to other women.
Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?
I started out this series with different titles but ended up changed them because people didn’t see them as romances.
What is the most difficult thing about writing a book? What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?
The worst part of writing a book is the end. I always struggle to finish a book because I have finished writing it in my head so getting the last part on done always require me to exert a little extra push to get her done. The most challenging part to this book was to include stories for the other three ladies so that readers would want to read their books too.
Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?
For years I was a computer programmer. I loved it when I could write a new program. Mainly, because it feeds my creative juices.
Do you collect anything?
Elephants. I have to keep them small because they take up a lot of room. But I do love the gentle giant.
What’s your favorite book of all time and why? What’s your favorite childhood book?
Favorite book is Power of Positive Thinking – it helps keep me motivated and reminds me that we are what we think. Favorite childhood book is Touchdown for Tommy.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read Marketing Exec’s Widow?
Inspiration – I want readers to see that no matter how bad things might get in our life. There is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?
A romantic comedy.
Thank you! I enjoyed the interview. I’d also like to write a romantic comedy some day, but I’m not sure I could pull it off. 🙂
Tina has a question for readers… What do like to see most in a romance novel?
Good question, Tina. For me, I like good conflict and a story where the hero and heroine have to really work for their HEA.
And now, please tell us about your book…
Blurb:
Letting go and rebuilding a life comes at a price.
Having come to terms with losing her husband, Jennifer is ready to move on with her life, but she faces opposition from her friends, in-laws, and brother-in-law, who see himself as her future husband. None of them know of Jen’s marital problems and she is afraid of their reaction when they learn she has a date for Friday night?
Hagan Chaney is not anything like Craig. He tempts Jen into the future but is she willing to give love another chance after the heartache she faced the 1st time around.
Excerpt –
“God, you must think I’m awful.”
“Not even in the ballpark as to what I think about you. Because I know you would never have said yes to a night out with me if you’d been happy in your marriage.”
His words hit her like a fist to the face and her head snapped backward, striking the wooden partition between the booths. Wow, how could he have guessed the truth when so many people who knew her hadn’t?
She closed her eyes and searched for an answer. For so long, she’d kept her emotions bottled inside, not allowing anyone to see the loneliness or heartache her unhappy marriage had caused. What now? Lie, or admit the truth?
The vinyl cushion squeaked, and a hand touched her shoulder, pulling her from her stupor. Hagan slipped in beside her, his thigh bumped hers and his arm slid along the back of the seat. In the space of a few seconds, his large athletic body blocked her escape from the confining booth.
Nerves pulsed in an agitated rhythm. She couldn’t sit still, and opened her mouth to tell him to back off, but the thin lines of concern marring his brow killed the comment.
“Hey, there’s no reason to get upset.” He cupped a hand over her shoulder and drew her close. “I’m happy you said yes.”
Jolted by his sudden nearness, she exhaled, and then fought to draw air back into her lungs. His crisp, masculine scent acted like a seductive lure, and she had to fight the urge to bury her nose in the curve of his neck.
Tina’s Bio –
Tina Gayle loves writing and is currently working on finishing her Family Tree series, a contemporary paranormal suspense series.
When not writing, she enjoys spending time with my family and traveling around the country. She hasn’t hit every state, but she hopes to someday. You might also catch her on the golf course with her husband of 30 years.
Also, you can read the first chapter of any of her books by visiting her website or download an exclusive story “My Future Step Brother” and join her special friend’s list. All on her website http://www.tinagayle.net
Author Alicia Dean 