Oh, Gansett Island, how I love to visit you and your residents! I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book because this series is a comfort read for me. Going back to Gansett and catching up with the McCarthy Clan and friends always makes me happy. Now, be aware, this review is spoiler free.
For some reason, my brain had not clicked into the fact that the reader would not know who Mallory would be paired up with. Until a review copy was graciously bestowed upon me, I finally realized how EXCITED I was not to know who Mallory’s main man would be. I found this approach refreshing and I couldn’t wait to start the book. (And frankly, I don’t think I could trust just any author with that approach.)
I can tell you, that for me, the wait and mystery shrouding Mallory’s love interest was totally worth it. I love who she was paired up with and I thoroughly enjoyed his backstory and journey as well. And he was soooo sexy and just…everything.
This book is important in the McCarthy world because it’s how Mallory found her spot in the McCarthy clan. She had a number issues that she needed to deal with after finding out that her father was Big Mac McCarthy and how to deal with that huge family who loves each other fiercely. Mallory walks into a ready made family full of BROTHERS and a sister not to mention, cousins and aunts and uncles and well, it’s a lot for her to get used to. The development of her relationship with her father plays an important role in this book and I appreciated the time given to that.
As always the McCarthy family love and humor was front and center and we were able to catch up with other McCarthy family members and get updates on their relationships and families. Now, I’m a sucker for romance (obviously) and as important as that is, Mallory’s relationship development is deftly combined with her coming to terms with her place in her very big and very loving family.
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Author Spotlight
Can you start by introducing yourself to the readers that may not be familiar with you?
Hi there! I’m the author of more than 50 contemporary romances, including the Gansett Island Series, the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force. Other than the Fatal Series, all my series are now indie-published.
Can you tell us a little about your journey to becoming an author?
I started writing fiction in 2003/2004 and wrote seven books before I finally sold one to a publisher in 2007. That book was my debut, Line of Scrimmage, in 2008. I also sold Fatal Affair, the first book in the Fatal Series, to Harlequin in 2010. My career really took off when I self-published the first three books in the Gansett Island Series three months in a row in 2011. That series has been, my far, my most popular series, and Light After Dark is book 16 in that series. If you haven’t started it yet, you can get book 1, Maid for Love, for free everywhere ebooks are sold.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
The joke among the friends/family that work with me is that I have one talent and one talent only, and I get myself into trouble when I try to branch out into other “talents.” They may be right about that!
Do you have any rituals when you write?
I like to write in bed—I joke that as a romance author, that’s where I do my best work. I dive into writing as soon as my son, who is my youngest, leaves for school at 7 am and don’t stop until my brain says ENOUGH. I worry about my whole program going to hell next year after he graduates and I no longer HAVE to get up early. Yikes!
If you could have dinner with any of the characters from the McCarthy family, who would it be and why?
Definitely Mac McCarthy, who was the star of book 1, Maid for Love, and has had a story with his wife, Maddie, in every subsequent book. I have spent a LOT of time with Mac over the last seven years, and I absolutely adore writing him and his wicked sense of humor. I love when his pranks go so very wrong and he gets himself in trouble with his big mouth. He’s so fun to write.
Favorite snack?
Do I have to pick just one?? I am cursed to have the sweet tooth AND the salty tooth! So I will say anything chocolate as well as salt & vinegar chips. Yummmmm!
Favorite drink?
Water. I drink gallons of it every day.
Favorite song right now:
Favorite song forever: Hallelujah –favorite versions are by KD Lang and Rufus Wainright. I have every version of that song every recorded on my iTunes. Last summer at the beach, when my phone was set to alphabetical order, my friend said, Um, Marie, I think we just heard that song, and I said, um, Nina, I have like 20 versions of it. LOL
Last book you read:
I have been re-reading the Gansett Island series, so Light After Dark is the last one I read. When I finished my re-read, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I’m moving on to a re-read of the Green Mountain Series now. Re-reading is a big part of my writing routine. I came out of the re-read of Gansett with a list of 20 ideas for things that need to happen in upcoming books. It helps me to tweak the timeline, the series bible and generally refreshes my memory.
Favorite movie of all time: Pretty Woman! Never gets old, except for my family who can’t stand the way I say all the lines along with the characters. Close second would be the first Sex in the City movie.
Last Netflix/series you binge watched: Breaking Bad. OMG, so, so, so good. My son, husband and I watched it together. It was great.
Who are some of your favorite authors and books? Favorite authors include some of my friends—Lauren Blakely, Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland, Kristen Proby, to name a few. Favorite books are anything by the ladies listed here as well as Lisa Kleypas’s old historicals.
What is the best piece of advice you have received in your writing career so far?
To run my business the way a man would. This advice wasn’t intended to be sexist, but a reminder to be tough and lead with practicality rather than emotion. That advice has served me very well.
What’s coming up next for you?
Up next is Every Little Thing, book 1 in my new Butler, Vermont Series, which will pick right up where the Green Mountain Series left off. I’m also working on the first Gansett Island Episode, which will be shorter stories featuring past characters on Gansett, set to debut in 2017, as well as Delirious, book 6 in my Quantum Series. I also promised my readers a new Treading Water book in 2017 after five years of them pleading for it. I’m really excited to revisit the Harrington family that started my career in 2004/2005 when I wrote Treading Water, which was my first book. I love that all these years later, readers are still asking for more of that family.
Thanks so much for having me! Find out more about my books at marieforce.com and follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor, on Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram @MarieForceAuthor. Email me at marie@marieforce.com
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