Ten Reasons to Love….by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock and a giveaway
Ten Reasons to Love….
A Catherine Mann book (as per Joanne Rock, Cathy’s long-time critique partner)
10- The unexpected… Cathy loves to turn convention on its ear and she’s always looking for ways to make her stories different.
9- Emotion- You’ll never be short-changed on the emotional end of a Cathy Mann story!
8- A heroine who can hold her own. No other kind could deal with the strong heroes in her books.
7- Quick wit. No matter the situation these heroes and heroines find themselves in, one of them will crack a joke to make you laugh out loud even when all seems lost.
6- Fast pace. Buckle your seat belt on page one, because these stories move.
5- A real world. Cathy writes stories so real you can hear, taste and smell them! Whether we’re digging through the rubble to save a heroine caught in an earthquake, or strapped into the back of a cargo plane, we are present to every moment thanks to her sharp, vivid writing.
4- A few treats for devotees. All of Cathy’s books stand alone, but she manages to work in a few references to previous and future stories that will make hard-core fans smile. I love finding the quick nods to other characters.
3- Dialogue. If you meet Cathy in person, you’ll soon discover she’s no slouch as a conversationalist. She brings the same snappy way with words to all her books, deftly crafting conversations that keep the story moving.
2- Action. Whether she’s writing a military story or a steamy Desire, Cathy writes an action-packed read!
1-A hero who is smart, stubborn and strong…. A Catherine Mann hero makes us want to fall in love all over again!
Look for all this and more in Cathy’s latest, GUARDIAN.
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Ten Reasons to Love….
A Joanne Rock book (according to Catherine Mann – Joanne’s long time critique partner and BFF)
10) A lush world to luxuriate in – Joanne’s books are a feast for the senses.
9) Enchanting heroines we can identify with – their quirkiness and inner insecurities echo those feelings we all have. Then through the journey of the book we see how those traits, how our own traits, are actually strengths. A Joanne Rock book makes you feel good about yourself!
8) Dashing heroes! Joanne’s heroes know how to have FUN! Reading a Joanne Rock book treats a reader to the best date ever. J
7) Sizzle – whether her heroine has a secret hobby of pole dancing or chronicling a great aunt’s erotic diaries, Joanne’s books tap into inner fantasies and make them seem delightfully accessible.
6) An entertaining and unexpected supporting cast – Joanne’s secondary characters are as fascinatingly well-drawn as her hero and heroine, with a backstory, wardrobe and quirks all of their own. Joanne may come across as quiet in person, but that’s because she’s a people watcher, soaking in everything around her.
5) Smart Plotting! Joanne’s a college professor and, wowsa, she puts those academic credentials to work in creating tightly woven plots, often interlocking two fascinating romance storylines – and sometimesa suspense thread as well.
4) Versatility – Joanne writes contemporary steamy, historical and young adult romances – and she does it all damn well. She’s won numerous awards. Her first contemporary novel – LEARNING CURVES – won an RWA Golden Heart Award. And her medieval novella in THE BETROTHAL was nominated for an RWA RITA Award.
3) Her sports heroes deserve a special nod all their own! Joanne hails from a house of sports minded men – from her husband (a former sports editor) and her three athletic sons. Joanne puts all those hours spent cheering from the stands to work in creating dynamic sports heroes – and all around muscular athletic guys. Yum!
2) Unique professions for the ladies – from a beer making medieval heroine to a singing telegram contemporary gal. It’s a delight to see what Joanne will come up with next.
1) Tender emotions – while there’s steam a-plenty in Joanne’s work, her characters still know how to touch the heart with a genuineness that gives the reader confidence in the couple’s happily ever after lasting a lifetime.
Joanne and Cathy have been friends for over 15 years. What character trait do you look for in a friend? One lucky commenter will be chosen at random to win a copy of FULL SURRENDER by Joanne Rock and GUARDIAN by Catherine Mann.FMI, they can be found online at:
Catherine Mann
Website: http://catherinemann.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatherineMannAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMann1
Joanne Rock
http://www.facebook.com/JoanneRockAuthor
September 18th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Cathy – Just got The Guardian in the mail – can’t wait to read it!
Joanne – I will check out your booklist to add to my TBR list.
September 18th, 2012 at 7:51 am
It is very important that your friend is loyal and you can tell her anything and she will keep it to herself.
September 18th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Hi Missy!! Thanks bunches for picking up GUARDIAN!! xxoo! Happy reading!
September 18th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Rita, I agree! It’s such a comfort in life to have friends you can trust when you need to pour out your heart (or vent!)
September 18th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Honesty
September 18th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Leanna… for sure!! Although honesty with compassion is a lovely bonus too. I appreciate when- those days that Cathy needs to tell me a scene isn’t working- she offers empathy, encouragement and ideas how to fix it . Those friendship moments earn slavish gratitude!!!!
September 18th, 2012 at 9:06 am
Hi Cathy love your books so much. Guardian is on my nook right now and ready to read. I really enjoy your books.
Hi Joanne, love finding new authors!!! As soon as I leave post going to check out your books and add to my TBR pile. Soooo excited.
I think it is so important in life to have such a specail friend. Someone who
supports and listens to you, and is just there for you. It makes this crazy life so much better.
Thanks for the great post!!!
September 18th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Hi Patti! Friends definitely are a great comfort in the mayhem of regular life!
I sure appreciate your adding GUARDIAN to your Nook! It’s fun to think of David and Sophie hanging out there – hope you enjoy their story.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
A great sense of humor and is trust-worthy.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Cheers to these, Na! A friend knows how to crack a joke right when you need it! Thank you so much for stopping by the blog.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I think kindness in a friend is important.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
September 18th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Hi bn! I had a friend surprise me with a birthday cake a week after my birthday recently, and it was such an unexpected kindness. Especially after my birthday (the actual date) was spent sitting through a rain out at a baseball game…. fun, but not exactly a traditional good time! My girlfriend remembered that I missed out on the cake and made sure I had a fun day to celebrate that!
September 18th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I think a friend should be honest and loyal. I also think a friend should be able to make you laugh when you are feeling down. Thank you for the contest!
samanthahodges64 at yahoo dot com
September 18th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I loved Cathy’s #7 reason to love her books–Quick Wit and
Joanne’s #2 reason to love her books–Unique professions for her heroines.
I was quite taken away by your book covers. They are just lovely.
I think it’s wonderful to have a great friend who loves to write. I fear that I bore my nonwriting friends to tears when I get started talking about writing.
I wish you both great success.
September 18th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Hi Samantha! The giveaways are always fun! Cathy and I love passing out free books… I think it comes from the days when we first started attending writers’ conferences and were given sooo many freebies from the authors there. We felt like we won the lottery to go home with all those books!!! And of course, dedicated readers talk about the books and share them with friends, so it couldn’t be better promotion for us. Plus now, it feels good to be able to deliver that same fun to others that we enjoyed… FREE is fun
September 18th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Hi Sarah! This is what makes local writers’ groups so special. It’s pretty amazing to walk into a room full of people who speak your language and they’re all talking about fictional characters. It’s a sensation of “Finally… I fit in!”
So good to have you on the blog. Thank you for visiting!!
September 18th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Sarah J – It is a wonderful gift to have someone to chat about books and writing with!!! Joanne and I have spent mannnnny long hours on the phone over the years.
Samantha and Na – I love what you both said about a friend should be able to make you laugh. One of the things I enjoy about my hubby is his sense of humor!
BN – Kindness sure is something that ages well with any relationship over the years, isn’t it?!
:::::waving::::: Hi Joanne!! (Just had to shout howdy to you too.
September 18th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
I’m lucky cause my hubby is my best friend! I added both books to my wish list!!
September 18th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Cathy I have your book Guardian on my tbr pile. JoAnn I will have to look for your book.
A friend should be trustworthy and able to keep your secrets and cover your back.
September 18th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Both lists are wonderful reasons to read the books of these authors. Am fond of their books.
September 18th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Great post! What I look for in a friend is someone who always has my back, kind, trustworthy and able to keep my secrets
September 19th, 2012 at 2:41 am
Wow you guys look great together! Love the sound of your books. Thanks for being here!
Hugs!
Lisa
goosebooth@yahoo.com
September 19th, 2012 at 3:11 am
Hi Joanne and Catherine. I’m looking forward to reading both of your books.
I’d say honesty and a sense of humor are important traits for a friend to have. Thanks for this chance.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
September 19th, 2012 at 4:06 am
True friends need to be trustworthy and to believe in you even when no one else does.
September 19th, 2012 at 4:08 am
True friends need to be trustworthy and to believe in you even when no one else does. Having a sense of humor helps too.
jbcweiss AT sbcglobal DOT net
September 19th, 2012 at 6:04 am
Hi Joanne and Catherine,
I enjoyed reading your interview about each other! I think that trustworthy is what I look for in a friend the most. luv2scrap22 at yahoo dot com
September 19th, 2012 at 6:25 am
I look for someone I can count on in a friend.
September 19th, 2012 at 7:47 am
You gals seem to know each other really well.. thats what good friends do.. I always say my BFF’s know more about me than God…
Love both of your books… keep them coming..
September 19th, 2012 at 10:42 am
I’ve enjoyed many of Catherine’s books and I need to try out Joanne’s. Both stories sound wonderful! And great covers too.
September 19th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I’ve read many of Joanne’s and Catherine’s books and enjoyed them all!
A friend is someone you can talk to and trust that she won’t tell your secrets.
A friend is someone who is always there for you.
September 19th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Love both of your books. Great writing.
September 19th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
It’s great to have a close friend and this article was great..you both look awesome. sue Leech garysue@
September 20th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Sherry, I love what you said! Having your spouse also be your friend is so awesome!
Diana, Ashley & Chris – You are a wise one! Trustworthiness is so, so, so the cornerstone of lasting friendships.
Little Lamb – Thank you!! XXXOO! So happy to know you enjoy both mine and Joanne’s books!
Lisa – :::smooches:::: Thanks for the compliment! Joanne & I do enjoy when we get to visit at conferences and go the different parties – kind of a payoff for all the time we live many states apart, I guess.
Carol and JoAnne- I do enjoy hanging out with folks who know how to enjoy a good laugh!!
Maureen – What a great point about friends being there to count on – even when life’s not just fun and games.
Kathleen O – I have to say this blog was probably the easiest to wrte for just the reason you stated – we do know each other well!
Catslady – Happy reading! I predict you are going to adore Joanne’s books!
Carol M – Ahhhh, yes, secrets!! It is so important to have someone you can share those with!!
Joyce M – Thank you!!! From both of us!! So happy to hear you enjoy our books.
Susan Leech – Yep, I agree, a friend is a treasure, for sure!
Thanks bunches to everyone who stopped by to comment and a thanks too to all the lurkers out there as well! Hope everyone’s having a stellar week!
Happy reading!
September 20th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
What a fun visit we’ve had! Thank you so much to everyone for dropping by and I hope you’ll look for us the rest of the month around the Web as we keep on chatting and blogging!
For now though… I’ve got a WINNER!!!! Cheers and congrats to Chris Mead, winner of the thread prizes, Chris, I’m emailing you privately, but all you need to do is send a mailing address to me at jrock008@gmail.com and we’ll send you copies of GUARDIAN and FULL SURRENDER asap!! Thanks again!