Author Spotlight - Katherine Garbera

We are delighted to welcome Desire author Katherine Garbera into the Minxy Spotlight today to talk about her new release, Calling all the Shots.

1. Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
The USA Today best-selling author of more than 59 books (including 9 for Kensington Brava) Katherine Garbera is a two-time Maggie Winner. Her ripped-from-the-headlines July 2010 release The Pirate was picked by Cosmo as its Red Hot Read. Katherine’s latest release CALLING ALL THE SHOTS is the third book in her acclaimed Matchmakers, Inc. series. She is a Florida native who grew up to travel the globe. Katherine makes her home in the Midlands of the UK with her husband, two children and a very spoiled miniature Dachshund.

2. What number book is this? First? 100th? 200th?(Nora only!)
59TH!

3. Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?
I use a timer and reward system. So I put my timer on for 10 minutes and write as many words as I can and then I set it for another 10 minutes and I can do something fun like FB or a game.

4. What is your top promo tip for other authors?
Write the best book you can. All the promo in the world won't help if readers don't like your book.

5. How does writing fit into your day? Or does your day fit in around your writing?
I write from 9-3 Monday through Friday. It's my routine and I like the structure.

6. Do you write every day?
Sort of. I write Monday-Friday and on the weekends I might take time to write a five page scene but usually I take Saturday and Sunday off.

7. Is there a book you haven't written yet that you're dying to? What genre?
I'm aching to write a gothic romance with a big scary house. 

8. Any craft books you recommend?
Dwight Swain's Techniques of the Selling Writer is still my favorite.

9. What was the most fun part of writing this book?
The most fun in writing this book was the chance to visit with the characters from the first two Matchmakers, Inc. books. It is always so fun to go back into a story world that I've already created.

10. Just for fun: a year from the end of the book, where would your couple go on holiday?
Jack and Willow would go to Venice. I just visited there this summer and I think it would be perfect for them. Europeans are different about celebrities so I think Jack would blend into the crowds and I know he'd love the chance to spoil Willow by arranging a private tour of the different art collections in the city.

11. Have you ever written a hero you'd be happy to run off with?I've never written one that I wouldn't run off with. A long time ago I heard an author (I think it was Linda Howard) say that if you can't fall in love with your hero no one else will either. And I've taken that to heart and always tried to imbue my heroes with qualities that I find attractive--intelligence, humor and the ability to make his woman feel like she's the only one in the world.

12. At what point in your career did you actually start to feel like you were a writer?
When my first book hit the shelves. It was something to go into the bookstore and see my name on the book cover. I took my mom with me and we took a bunch of pictures. 

Candid Camera

The irony of working on a matchmaking reality TV show hosted by the guy who broke her heart in high school has producer Willow Stead tied in knots. Not only that, but Jack Crown even has the nerve to ask her out. Should she risk taking him up on his offer?

The girl can’t help it!
Jack sees Willow Stead all grown up and has to have her. Soon, passions erupt that rival the drama on the show. But does Willow have a trick up her sleeve that will throw the celebrity pitchman a major curveball?

Calling all the Shots is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

You can find out more about Katherine on her website or follow her on Twitter.

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Katherine is giving away a $10 gift card for Amazon.com. All you need to do to stand a chance to win is tell us what your favorite holiday thing is: the food, the pressies, seeing family - or maybe being thankful they only see them once a year?