Friday, July 16, 2010

Loucinda McGary The Wild Irish Sea Blog Tour and Giveaway


I am so excited to have Loucinda McGary here at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews with a Q/A and a Giveaway.

Loucinda will be visiting and answering any questions you might have so please participate, thanks!

Please take it away, Loucinda!

1. What are you books about?

My three published books are stand alone romantic suspense novels with paranormal elements. I also like to say they are in exotic locations because they are set in Northern Ireland, Venice, and the Republic of Ireland. My paranormal elements are “light paranormal” in that they are not vampires or shape shifters. Instead, I try to include something that might realistically happen to someone.

My first book, The Wild Sight has a clairvoyant hero who has ‘visions’ when he touches or gets close to certain objects. The Treasures of Venice has a contemporary couple who may or may not be the reincarnation of the 15th century lovers in a parallel story line. My current release, The Wild Irish Sea has a set of fraternal twins who communicate telepathically with each other. But their abilities change when they arrive in the land of their ancestors.

2. How did you first become interested in writing?

I think I’ve been interested in writing since I first learned to read. If I didn’t like the way a story ended, I made up my own ending. I wrote and studied writing off and on for many years. I’ve written short stories, poems, and actually made my first attempt at writing a novel when my son was three years old. He’s *KOFF* considerably older now!

Finally, in 2003 I decided to quit my day job and concentrate on novel writing with an eye toward publication. In 2006 I was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart contest with the manuscript that eventually became The Treasures of Venice. In Sept. 2007, almost four years to the day after I quit my day job, I sold my first book, The Wild Sight, which was published in Oct. 2008.

3. Who are your inspirations?

I grew up reading the novels of Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Stewart. I’ve had a couple of reviewers say my work reminds them of Mary Stewart and I consider that the ultimate compliment.

Two newer authors whose works inspired me to try writing my own stories are Diana Gabaldon (her Outlander series) and Terry Brooks (his Sword of Shannara series).

4. What are some of your favorite authors or genres?

Generally when I’m working on a contemporary story (and thus far all of my books have had contemporary settings) I read historical authors. Some of my favorite recent reads include books by my fellow Romance Bandits, Anna Campbell, Christine Wells, Christie Kelley, and Donna MacMeans. I also enjoy Deanna Raybourne and Amanda Quick/Jayne Anne Krentz.

For contemporary authors, you just can’t beat Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series!

5. What is it like being a multi-published author?

A lot more work than I imagined, and I happen to have a good imagination! Simply writing a good book is not enough. You need to be building your online presence and creating your author brand before you are ever published. Then, once your book is on the shelf, you need to do tons of promotion. The best way to sell books is word of mouth and the way to build that is by promoting online, in person, everywhere! I have never been comfortable trying to sell people something, but I’ve had to learn to spread the word about my books. With each new book, I think I learn a little more and become a little more proficient at the promotion game.

And of course, there are always the reviews. I know that not everyone is going to like the same thing and that reviews are totally subjective. But some of them make me want to grind my teeth or even bang my head on my desk… Like the recent reviewer who gave one of my books a negative review because it was “too romancy.” ARGH!

But hearing from readers who enjoyed my stories is what makes this publishing biz all worthwhile! I hope all of you know how very much I treasure your positive comments and emails. They really do make my day.

6. What's on your next to do list?

Which list? I keep several going at once. Though actually there is some overlap, like next on my travel ‘to do’ list is my seventeenth cruise and my current work-in-progress is set on a cruise ship! So I am working on a new novel, which I hope will be the first in a series, and I am also looking forward (in November) to another fabulous vacation!

Plus, I have several dozen books in my TBR mountain that I’m really looking forward to reading. I’d love to know what books are on your waiting list. I’ll bet we have some of the same ones!

Thanks for answeing my questions on my Blog, Loucinda I greatly appreciate it!

Contest Rules


Thanks to Loucinda who generously offered a signed copy of The Wild Irish Sea to one lucky commenter.

This giveaway is open internationally!

If you’d like to enter this giveaway please leave a comment answering Loucinda's question!

Must be a follower or please check back to see if you are the winner, thanks!


The contest runs till July 18th and closes at 11:59 PM PST!



The Wild Irish Sea

A tale of Love, Magic and Selkies
Drawn together by a force they can't resist...

The telepathic image of her twin brother fighting for his life sends Amber O'Neill rushing to the rocky shores of Ireland. Desperate to find him, she turns to reclusive local inspector Kevin Hennessey.

Bound together with a passion as relentless as the tide...

His past full of pain, Kevin has withdrawn from the world. But when the rain-drenched American appears on his doorstep with her wild tales of danger, something more than her sensuous beauty makes it impossible for him to turn her away.

The wildness of the sea, the mystery of a selkie prince, and a dangerous band of ruthless smugglers bring two lost souls together in a connection of mind, body, and spirit that can't be denied.

20 comments:

Carol L. said...

Hi Loucinda,
I first want to tell you that I absolutely loved Wild Sight.It was filled with every emotion I could think of. I won't say anymore for those who haven't read it. I loved Donovan. But now I have to read Treasures of Venice and The Wild Irish Sea.I enjoyed your interview. As long as there's a highlander, Irishman or Celt I'm hooked. :)
Carl L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hi Carol!

Thank you so much for your compliments on TWS (Aunty blushes daintily). Since ALL my books feature an Irish HUNK hero, I'm pretty sure you will enjoy them. :-)

Plus I just received an exciting phone call. Treasures of Venice is a finalist in the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie contest! I am thrilled!

AC

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey AC! WOOOT! I just loved all your answers. :> I'm with Carol L, on Wild Sight, Adore The Treasures of Venice. I had a copy of Wild Irish Sea in my hot little hands the other day, but I was talking to another book browser and recommended it. She was in from out of town. Let her buy it, knowing *deep voice with accent* I'd be back. Grins. Actually off to B&N here in a bit because they called to say WIS was IN!!! YIppeee!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey, AC! WOOOHOOOO! on the Maggie nom! I adore TTOV as you know.

Grins. Fingers crossed...

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hey Duchesse!
(Aunty waves madly to her Bandita) Thanx BUNCHES for hand-selling TWIS for me! I hope you enjoy it as much as you have my other 2 books!

AC

Linda Wisdom said...

Hey AC!

Terrific post, lady!

I loved Victoria Holt, and Phyllis Whitney too.

And LOVE your books

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Jeanne,
I'm THRILLED about the final in the Maggie. I didn't think there was any way, because they don't have a RS categoty so I entered in Single Title.

I'm now plotting a way to go to Atlanta in Oct. for the awards ceremony!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hi Linda!
Thanx for popping by. Of course we read Victory and Phyllis when we were mere infants, right?!?! LOL!

AC

Robin C. Greene said...

Hey, Aunty Cindy. I think your question was what books are on my tbr pile right now. Nora Roberts The Search (which I just picked up from the Library yesterday), Staying Dead by Laura Ann Gilman (ditto), Redstone Forever After by Justine Davis which I'm waiting to purchase until it's available from Fictionwise on Aug. 1st since I can't read the Eharlequin ebook formats! (grumble, Grumble).

Congrats on the Maggie Nomination!

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hey Robin!
I've heard so many good things about Laura Ann Gilman, so yup, she's on my TBR mountain too! ;-)

I spend so much time on the computer already that I haven't been able to make myself read any ebooks yet. But I'm afraid that will change soon since there are a lot of great ones out there.

AC

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Robin and AC, you'll love the Laura Ann Gilman, I think. AC, as you know, we had her guesting in the Lair and she was quite interesting to "chat" with. And her second series, the Vineart Wars is pretty cool so far.

Enjoy!

Jane said...

Hi Aunty Cindy,
Congrats on the new release and on finaling in the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie contest. In my tbr pile are Margaret Mallory's "Knight of Passion" and Laura Griffin's "Unspeakable."

Dea Lea said...

Hey Loucinda! Congrats on the Maggie contest. I know you are super excited. Right now at the top of my TBR pile is letters H-P of the Sue Grafton books. I'm finally reading them, but I pick up a romance to read between each one. Keep up the great writing and have fun on the rest of the Blog Tour.

Kendra Leigh Castle said...

Hi Cindy! Being compared to your favorite author is the ultimate compliment:-) Love the interview, and you know we love you for being supremely "romancey"! Congrats on the new release!

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hi Jane!
(Aunty waves at her most loyal fan) Thanx for stopping by today. Isn't the cover of Margaret Mallory's book GORGEOUS?!?! I wanna read it based on that alone!

And yes, Jeanne, the Vineart Wars look SUPER!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Brishen Maree,
Thanks for coming by today, I appreciate you leaving a comment. Five more stops on my tour after today! YAY! It's been lots of fun but also exhausting!

Have fun with the Sue Grafton books, I think K was the last one I read.

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

LOL Kendra!

I'm glad SOMEONE can appreciate a romance novel that is actually "romancy!" I guess ya gotta laugh at such dumb *sses, or else you'd wind up in the looney bin. :-P

AC
who is only a short trip from the looney bin on a good day

Marie Force said...

Great interview, Cindy! My TBR is getting a little thin, just in time to go refuel with great reads at RWA!

Fedora said...

Hi, AC!! Finally getting to visit today! Thanks much for the interview--I learn something new with each one :)

As for which books are on my TBR? This summer (which is fast flying by!! Eeek!) I'm hoping to get caught up with Anna Campbell's books, and have Sarah Mayberry's Home for the Holidays to enjoy (yep, a little Christmas in July :))... I also am looking forward to finishing Larissa Ione's Demonica books, and need to catch up with Lisa Kleypas's most recent ones... So many books, so little time ;)

Carol L. said...

Hey Loucinda,
Congrats on being a finalist in the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie contest.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

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