::: We are giving away to one winner – winners choice of an eBook from THE WOODS FAMILY . Just leave a comment to be entered to win. And don’t forget to check out at the bottom of the blog info about Mandy’s blog tour Rafflecopter giveaway!::::

I am so glad you could join us here at RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Mandy: Thanks for having me here today! My latest project is my first M/M erotic romance that has just been accepted by Ellora’s Cave. I’m very excited about it. I’m also working on a BDSM book featuring minor characters from Digital Possession, which was my first Ellora’s Cave release. When I finish with it, I’ll be working on the next book that follows Darkest Sin, my award-winning erotic romantic suspense. I get emails all the time asking about when the next one will come out, so it’s a high priority.
Q: When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

Mandy: Four years ago. No really. I’ve always written poems, short stories, partial manuscripts, and even studied writing in college so I could put my writing skills to work on user manuals and technical documentation. But I never really felt like being an author was viable. It was a dream. But on my birthday four years ago, I decided, who cares! If I want to write fiction I’ll just write it and go to a printing business to make copies and hand out my books to my family. I’d had a story line mulling round in my head for a couple of years prior. I’d even done research, wrote character bios, etc., but kept stopping. The moment when I decided I’d just do it was a very freeing moment for me.
Every writer dreams of getting “the call”. What were you doing when yours came? Who got to hear the good news first? LOL, I was actually working on another book one Sunday afternoon when I got an email stating my manuscript had been accepted for publication. I leapt from my desk and ran up to my (then) husband and squealed. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. A week later, I got another acceptance, this one from a publisher I’d dreamed about writing for. I’d completed the manuscript for an open call they’d had just for a chance to get into the door. I’d talked myself out of it several times because it’d felt like such a long shot. But it was at that moment when it all felt very real. It was a very exciting week for me.

Q: Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

Mandy: I’m going to botch this up, but it’s something I actually read in Stephen King’s book On Writing: A Memoir on the Craft. I’d read a lot of how-to books and taken a lot of classes. But his book was filled with, for lack of a better word, permission to put pen to paper. Writing isn’t easy, and he was very blunt about that. He’d made a comment in it that had stuck with me when I read it thirteen years ago about how you see your characters. I don’t remember the specifics, but while he was addressing character development he made a comment like… what if your good guy is actually the bad guy? That very small reference wasn’t just a light bulb going off. It was as if an explosion had detonated. Very simple, but very profound. He was talking about taking everything you know about your story and turning it on its axis…or that’s what I’d gotten out of it. If anybody wants to be a writer, I highly recommend that book.

Q: Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

Mandy:I think the perfect hero is flawed. Of course, he must be physically appealing on some level, but I believe it’s the unique characteristics that make a hero stand out. He may be tall, dark, and handsome, but he also has a scar on his cheek. How did he get that? Or maybe his looks are perfect, but his attitude is lacking. Why is he always an ass to the heroine? As a writer, I like to find the balance between creating a hero readers love to fantasize about, yet real enough to make the fantasy more real for them. Nobody is perfect. I think I carry those same thoughts when thinking of a perfect hero for me.

Q: What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?

Mandy: I’m boring. Really. I love to read. Love it! When I’m not writing, I’m looking for my next book fix. I love to watch movies and TV, but I have to DVR the shows I like to watch and get to them when I have time…i.e. when I’m not writing or reading.

Q: What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Mandy: Um, re-read my answer above. I’m boring. The best I’ve got is a road trip I took with my BFF to Ohio (from Arkansas) to go to the Ellora’s Cave Romanticon convention. It was my first book signing, so I was nervous, but getting to salivate at all the “Cavemen” (a.k.a. male models) made it a real adventure. Plus, it was fun being on the road and seeing parts of the country I’d never been to before.

Q: If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

Mandy: A remote, tropical paradise. Just imagine living life in nothing but a sarong and flip-flops. Mmmm I’d be in a heaven of peaceful serenity. Of course, I’d prefer to be living in an oceanfront home with all the modern conveniences. I’m not an idiot. No way am I copping a squat next to a palm tree to do my biz in this fantasy.

Q: When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

Mandy: I’ll try just about anything. The idea of sushi grossed me out until I tried it. Now I love it! You’ll never know if you like something if you don’t try it out. But that way of thinking doesn’t automatically apply to insects. I love to cook and so does my roommate. We’re always looking at different recipes to try out. Sometimes we find a winner and other times we’ve just created some expensive garbage.

Q: What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?

Mandy: I could probably live without just about anything…given the right circumstances. But I’d be a very sad chick if I had to live without my iPad. I’m totally addicted to her, and since Siri calls me “Princess,” she wouldn’t want to live without me, either.

 Q: What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Mandy: Snuggling on the couch, getting my feet rubbed, followed by hot sex and cuddling. I’d like food to be in there somewhere and am not opposed if said food plays a part in the hot sex time of the evening.

Q: How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?

Mandy: I’m very shy. My BFF thought I was a bitch when she first met me because I hardly talked. It takes me a while to warm up to people, but when I do I’m an open book and a very caring and selfless friend. I’d do anything for the people I love.

Q: And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?

Mandy: Wine. Oh wait. Food? Hmmmm…I love to eat, and being from the South, most of the food around here is technically classified as comfort food, which I’m a big fan of. But I tend to seek out desserts when I need comfort. Choice number one would be cheesecake. Yum! Choice number two would be anything with chocolate. Duh.

THE WOODS FAMILY Series              

SURROUNDED BY DEATH – Prequel

His family speaks of his death as a tragic example of why it’s too dangerous for the Woods men to be around available women.

Eric Woods is now dead, but was his last night as a living, breathing mountain lion shifter as horrible as his family has always believed?

Experience Eric’s last night with Simone–a woman whose need for carnal pleasures for exceeds all rational thought.

Reader advisory: This book contains graphic language and explicit sex. It is meant as a bonus read in the Woods family saga and should not be viewed as a typical romance.

Purchase Links: FREE at  Amazon / B&N / ARe

SURROUNDED BY WOODS – Book 1

When Mikaela Patterson must take on a client with specific requirements that no single women be allowed on his property, she keeps her broken engagement a secret. She doesn’t realize her client and his sons are mountain lion shifters whose instinct to mate with any available woman turns deadly.

Josh Woods is her client’s eldest son, and he is immediately drawn to Mikaela. Knowing his father would never allow an available woman on the property, Josh doesn’t understand his fascination with her. Josh and Mikaela fight their attraction because of their own secrets, but when the truth comes out about Mikaela’s true availability and Josh’s animal instincts, they must be prepared to face the consequences.

Reader advisory: This book contains graphic language and explicit sex.

Purchase Links:  FREE at Amazon / B&N / ARe

SURROUNDED BY PLEASURE – Book 2

Krista Owens is an attorney who works too much and plays too little. When her colleague, Mikaela, requests her assistance for a month on the Woods estate, hinting that her brothers-in-law are all hot with commitment phobias, Krista agrees to tell the guys she has a boyfriend, hoping to finally lose her virginity.

Toby Woods doesn’t want anything to do with Krista, but watching his brothers fight over her ignites his feral side. He wants her, and he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

He knows it’s temporary, but will he be able to let her go when it’s time?

Reader advisory: This book contains graphic language and explicit sex.

Purchase Links:  Amazon / B&N / ARe

SURROUNDED BY TEMPTATION:

When Krista needs Ariel’s biochemical expertise because her new boyfriend can turn into a mountain lion, Ariel thinks her sister has lost her mind. But the possibility of a major discovery like this is too much of a temptation to ignore. Create a drug to stop a shifter from forcing a mating? Only if she got to test his sexual limits herself.

Rob thinks Ariel is an angel in disguise, and he immediately knows she’s the one for him. But is he strong enough to resist his animal’s need to claim her once the temptation begins?

Warning: This book contains a shifter who must resist his feral need to mate and a biochemist who is hell-bent on testing his sexual limits. You’ll never look at science the same way again.

Purchase Links:  Amazon / B&N / ARe

SURROUNDED BY SECRETS:

Lillian Caldwell has eyes on the hottie with the body, Jack Woods, one of the men who bought her family land and now new boss. She has big plans for Jack, including the getting-him-horizontal variety, and she always gets what she wants.

Jack is the family hard ass who’s trying to make amends. His plans of digging into the family secret he discovered are thwarted when he’s forced to work with Lillian, his gorgeous, pain-in-the-ass neighbor.

But a night of passion will unlock the secrets surrounding them and change both their lives forever.

Warning: This book contains a spitfire woman who doesn’t take no for an answer and a strong alpha mountain lion shifter whose preverbal bark really is as a bad as his bite.

Purchase Links:  Amazon / B&N / ARe

Author Bio: Mandy Harbin is the author of several books across multiple romance genres that range from contemporary to paranormal erotic romance. Her books include the award winning Darkest Sin, an erotic romantic suspense and first in the new Darkest series. Mandy also continues to work on her Possession series, which explores BDSM elements with Digital Possession being the series starter, and the ever popular Woods Family series, which began with the best seller Surrounded by Woods. She lives in a small Arkansas town with her family and can be reached via:
Her Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Mandy Harbin’s SURROUNDED BY SECRETS

Blog Tour Schedule

2/11 – Books-n-Kisses

2/16 – Reading Between the Wines

2/18 – United by Books

2/19 – Darker Passions

2/20 – Night Owl Reviews

2/21 – Book Monster Reviews

2/21 – LITERAL ADDICTION

2/22 – Total Book Nerd

2/23 – Reality Bites

2/24 – Romance Junkies

2/27 - Beach Bum Reads

2/28 – Scorching Reviews

3/02 – Books Books & More Books

3/04 – The Jeep Diva

3/05 – Urban Girl Reader

3/11 – Mad Hatter Reads

3/12 – Salacious Reads

3/13 – Salacious Reads

3/14 – Cocktails and Books

3/15 – Hesperia Loves Books

3/16 – The Reading Café

3/17 – Ramblings From This Chick

3/18 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

3/21 – Page Flipperz

3/25 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight, Giveaway & Review of Prequel)

3/26 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 1)

3/27 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 2)

3/28 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 3)

3/29 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Spotlight & Review of Book 4)

3/30 – Toot’s Book Reviews

Blog Tour – GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Mandy is giving away a $100.00 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N (winners choice) to celebrate the release of SURROUNDED BY SECRETS.

TWO runners up will receive an eBook of SURROUNDED BY SECRETS.

To Enter: Fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. The more tasks you complete, the more points you get. Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway